Bunnies and mooses and groupies, Oh my!!! The Wilderness Lodge groupies thread. 4.0

[DiznyDi]

Good Morning Groupies

Sorry I've been MIA recently... I have kept up with the thread every evening as I collapse in my chair after a long day. It's always so refreshing to get my head in a different direction. I've enjoyed seeing the pics that have been posted.

At the moment, the dust has settled and we're just counting down the days until DD's wedding. All plans have been made, cake, pies and apple cider ordered, linens, fountains and cookie tiers rented, DH even scheduled a full cleaning for his car for the big day. We have a 5 ft. celebration Mickey dressed in top hat and tails that will be behind the wheel of DH's black Ford Edge as it sits in the church parking lot.

The newly married couple will be staying at VWL from the 27th until the 30th when they move over to SSR. So if you're headed to the World and you see them, be sure to say hello.

When we were at the Lodge in May and were fortunate enough to be Flag Family and spend quite a bit of time with Ranger Stan, DD made plans to attend church with him and his wife. He's on her radar to see once they get there. How we'll miss seeing him! Thanks, JT for keeping us updated!

Welcome to thesupersmartguy. Thanks for the heads up about the Lodge furnishings! Prior to DD's birth, her bedroom was my sewing room. Now that she's being married, I'm getting my sewing room back! I've decided to do a Lodge theme, so the timing is perfect!

Cold and damp in Ohio today. Probable rain with possible snow

 

[eliza61]

Good Morning Groupies

Sorry I've been MIA recently... I have kept up with the thread every evening as I collapse in my chair after a long day. It's always so refreshing to get my head in a different direction. I've enjoyed seeing the pics that have been posted.


Cold and damp in Ohio today. Probable rain with possible snow

MIA??? I'm proud of your ability to speak in coherant sentences at this point. Thank you and DiznyDad for sharing such a wonderful celebration. I think you two will need a well deserved vacation after this.

 

[Muushka]

thesupersmartguy, that site rocks! We might just order some of those chairs. I wonder what condition they would be in?

Anywhoo, we love to see our VWL Groupie Moosie on people's signatures, feel free to grab him for your very own!

DiznyDi, soon you will have beautiful memories of a beautiful wedding.

 

[Dizny Dad]

MIA??? I'm proud of your ability to speak in coherant sentences at this point. Thank you and DiznyDad for sharing such a wonderful celebration. I think you two will need a well deserved vacation after this.

DW does indeed collapse in her chair in front of her computer after each day of continual preparation. I watch her as she maintains an even keel in the face of bad painful knees, nerve attacks from DD, family medical issues to numerous to count, extended family members that are ridiculous, changes in "The Plans", , , , and me.

She maintains the pace of life for the family; she keeps a good hand on financial reality; she puts the magic in Disney for me.

Thanks, Dear. I love you.

 

[thesupersmartguy]

MIA??? I'm proud of your ability to speak in coherant sentences at this point. Thank you and DiznyDad for sharing such a wonderful celebration. I think you two will need a well deserved vacation after this.

Yeah, a Disney vacation! And where oh where will you stay?

thesupersmartguy, that site rocks! We might just order some of those chairs. I wonder what condition they would be in?

Anywhoo, we love to see our VWL Groupie Moosie on people's signatures, feel free to grab him for your very own!

It does! I would contact them about the chairs. I bet they could work some Magic!

Will Do!!

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Stopping by. I have never stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, but hope to very soon.
I've already bought a WL comforter and shower curtain from www.ownthemagic.com!

So as you can see I'm trying to get a head start and would like to become a WL Groupie if you will have me

Welcome!!!!! We love having new groupies!!!

Good Morning Groupies

Sorry I've been MIA recently... I have kept up with the thread every evening as I collapse in my chair after a long day. It's always so refreshing to get my head in a different direction. I've enjoyed seeing the pics that have been posted.

DW does indeed collapse in her chair in front of her computer after each day of continual preparation. I watch her as she maintains an even keel in the face of bad painful knees, nerve attacks from DD, family medical issues to numerous to count, extended family members that are ridiculous, changes in "The Plans", , , , and me.

She maintains the pace of life for the family; she keeps a good hand on financial reality; she puts the magic in Disney for me.

Thanks, Dear. I love you.

Aww! How sweet! I love hearing about the big event! Before you know it, it will be over! Hope all the planning you are doing results in a beautiful day!

 

[Muushka]

DW does indeed collapse in her chair in front of her computer after each day of continual preparation. I watch her as she maintains an even keel in the face of bad painful knees, nerve attacks from DD, family medical issues to numerous to count, extended family members that are ridiculous, changes in "The Plans", , , , and me.

She maintains the pace of life for the family; she keeps a good hand on financial reality; she puts the magic in Disney for me.

Thanks, Dear. I love you.

Awwwwww

thesupersmartguy, The Big Guy (Moosie) looks very handsome on you!

What happens when you call, can they take a peak and let you know the condition of the furniture? That would be great!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

VGC is about the only way I will get Mr Muush to the west coast! They look beautiful

You've got to convince him Muushka! It is a beautiful resort and everything is so convenient. Maybe with a cruise to Alaska?

Got any pictures?

Well, since you asked!

A mini trip report from our sister lodge.
I checked in around 2PM on Sunday, Oct 4th. Here's some pics of my 4th floor studio. I had to finish plugging in the microwave and it had that nice new smell. One thing that had always bummed me out about the Villas is that we won't be able to stay at the GC on points (and I really like that hotel). I was concerned the Villas might change the feel of the stay but they didn't at all. The design is so similar plus you have the bonus of the couch for sitting. Big thumbs up!

When I checked in I learned I had been assigned the "bad" view. At first I thought I was disappointed but I had been torn about what I hoped to get anyway due to the construction going on at DCA. Turns out I loved it! If this is one of the worst views at the villas well then poor us! I could look down and see how crowded the spa was. In fact - I could smell the chlorine when I opened the slider. The part of the building I was looking straight at is the lobby. To the left is a covered walk way going from the new villas and hotel rooms past the arcade and kid's club. It was also possible to walk down the hall on all floor's except the ground (I think) and turn left down part of the new wing so you could stay inside all the way to the lobby.

I also was able to run over to the Whitewater Snacks counter service (which is located out of view to the right of the next picture across the pool area) during the Twins season deciding playoff game. One of the best games I've ever watched - the playoffs themselves, not so much!. I ordered nachos and got them to go. Then stepped out to the pool drink service counter and got a glass of wine. Back thru the pool area and up to the room in 1/2 of an inning.

You can see the cabanas that are available for rent and I love the cushy lounge chairs that are used at the pools! I glanced at the cabana's and it looks like you have the cabana itself and also the two lounge chairs and the umbrella in front.

And here's the view at night:

A close-up of the outdoor fireplace. Every afternoon and evening there were people sitting out there enjoying the ambiance and having some wine. An entrance to the bar is located just to the right of the area and the door going into the lobby. Late each night they had the area roped off and were doing some work there although I never inquired what and it wasn't obvious to me.

And my patio. I think it may have been a little larger than some other's b/c of the rooms location which was the last one in the hall before the pool view grand villa. I know it was longer than any I've had while staying in the regular hotel rooms.

 

[SantaRay]

Hello, Groupies! We're back from a stay at VWL 10-5 through 10-9. Record high temps, but still enjoyed most of our stay. One high point of our trip was taking one last tour of The Lodge with the beloved Ranger Stan. We stayed at WL the third week the resort was open and took our first tour with Stan then. I was thrilled to get the chance to see the end of an era by taking one more tour with him. We chatted with him awhile after the tour and later that afternoon as we waited for the ME bus. He's looking forward to seeing a bunch of y'all in December. Wish we could be there. Please say "Hello" for me.

This is from last December. Don't know where my head was, I didn't get any new pictures with Stan.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I didn't do many pictures around the resort this trip but here are some of the lobby from when I was at the GC in Feb for a couple of days after a conference.

And one of the main pool at night:

If my room had been across the hall this is what I would have looked at from a little different angle. I looked in at a 1BR that housekeeping was cleaning and the view really is incredible!

Here's a couple of pics of the Villas wing taken from the Golden Zephyr ride platform in DCA so you can see how close they are:

The red section in the middle of the above pic is the viewing platform for the upcoming World of Color Show. Here are a couple of pics showing all the construction being done for the show.

On to a few from the parks. I had never been there during Halloween and loved all the decorations and the special Halloween fireworks show.

Morning entrance to DL:

Entrance at night:

Some of the Halloween decorations:

One fireworks:

And finally - the big cheese himself with the DL Band:

23 days and I'll be able to get some new pictures of THE lodge! woohoo!!!

 

[eliza61]

Kathy,
The pictures are gorgeous!!
Thanks

 

[jimmytammy]

Kat

Love the pics!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Hello, Groupies! We're back from a stay at VWL 10-5 through 10-9. Record high temps, but still enjoyed most of our stay. One high point of our trip was taking one last tour of The Lodge with the beloved Ranger Stan. We stayed at WL the third week the resort was open and took our first tour with Stan then. I was thrilled to get the chance to see the end of an era by taking one more tour with him. We chatted with him awhile after the tour and later that afternoon as we waited for the ME bus. He's looking forward to seeing a bunch of y'all in December. Wish we could be there. Please say "Hello" for me.

This is from last December. Don't know where my head was, I didn't get any new pictures with Stan.

Let me be the 1st to Welcome you to our humble bunch of groupies. We are so glad you joined in.

And thanks for sharing the picture of you, your lovely DW and Ranger Stan. He is a great fellow. And we will be sure to say hello to him on your behalf.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

SantaRay - Welcome and I'm glad you got to see Ranger Stan!

Kathy - That resort is breathtaking! Love all the pictures of the resort and CA!! My DD has an orchestra trip to L.A. in 2011. As of right now they are going to Universal but I'm hoping they will change their mind and do DL instead.

 

[twinklebug]

Kathy, I have huge a problem with your pictures. Your's are some of the best photos I've seen yet of GC (no offense to DVCMike, who taunted us with his detailed trip and for the first time ever made me not only wish to, but need to see DL) Your pics are making me think about cheating on my Home (AKV) Groupie (VWL) resorts. I'm sure that when I do visit I won't be leaving without a fight. It truly is a cousin to WL.

Thank you for sharing!

 

[thesupersmartguy]

Awwwwww

thesupersmartguy, The Big Guy (Moosie) looks very handsome on you!

What happens when you call, can they take a peak and let you know the condition of the furniture? That would be great!

Thanks! And yeah, give them a call and let them look. You can get their direct number by writing to info@ownthemagic.com. Or if I'm allowed, I will post it here.

 

[twinklebug]

Thanks! And yeah, give them a call and let them look. You can get their direct number by writing to info@ownthemagic.com. Or if I'm allowed, I will post it here.

I have to thank you supersmartguy for the assist in draining my checking account by $100 (thankfully that included shipping)

The last time my college aged son was able to goto Disney with us as a family we stayed at the BWV and had a great time. I became quite attached to a picture hanging in our studio -- to the point where I took a picture of the picture. Well, this place has them! I'm considering this a very early b-day present to myself. Thanks!

PS - they need to pay you commission for advertising

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thanks eliza, jimmytammy and DLI - glad you enjoyed the pictures!

And twinklebug - what can I say. Sorry to cause the problems! Thanks for the nice compliments and if you like AKV and VWL you'll fit right in at VGC!!!!

 

[DVCGeek]

I did my online check-in today for our Oct. 23rd arrival for 3 nights in a VWL studio! First stay for either of us in a DVC villas, and although we have visited the hotel together often this will be DW's first time staying at our beloved Lodge!

 

[horselover]

Stopping by. I have never stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, but hope to very soon.
I've already bought a WL comforter and shower curtain from www.ownthemagic.com!

So as you can see I'm trying to get a head start and would like to become a WL Groupie if you will have me

Welcome thesupersmartguy!

Kat - thanks for the great pictures!

DiznyDi & Dad - Awwww! And continued good wishes as the big day approaches.

DVCGeek - have a great trip!