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

[eliza61]

Hi Groupies
We arrived yesterday to sunny skies and warm weather. Were able to get on the ME within 5 min and headed to the Lodge. I had done online checkin last week, so this went fairly smoothly. We're in room 2542 - about halfway down the hall.
We were able to get to the Merry Mixer. Only 1 free cookie this year. My recollection, in 2007 we had unlimited cookies. Plenty of cold water and cider. A cash bar was available. DH and I waited in line 40 min to get the DVC holiday pin. Only 1 pin per person. The matching ornament was given, 1 to each family as we were leaving. Had dinner at the Wave then walked over to BLT. What we could see was very nice.
Cold and wet in Florida today. We went to the Biergarten for lunch where we booked the Candlelight Processional package. We were able to cancel the CP portion at the restaurant. Spending the evening enjoying the ambience of the Lodge.
We've seen Jimmy, Tammy and Casey. All is in order for the meet. Y'all come

See this is just brutal. Not only am I not making it to the world, I watching the weather report on the news and all that rain you guys are getting in Florida is moving up the coast and turning into snow/slush for the Philly/NJ area. Wet & cold this weekend.

Have a great time for me.

 

[blossomz]

We are getting our first measurable snow tomorrow!!!! YIKES! Oh...I want to be there.......

 

[claire_ont]

Hi everyone. It has been months since I have been on the boards. For the last number of months I have been traveling so much for work I have not had much of a chance to check in. The good thing is that I have a job, unfortunately my husband is still out of work.

Horselover - I am so sorry to hear about your sister. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I am hoping I can catch up with the thread this weekend...

Claire

 

[blossomz]

Welcome back home Claire. Glad you are back.

 

[Granny]

Those shots were with the Sony Alpha A850 full frame DSLR. It's my new baby in my photography hobby. I have been using the Sony A700 for the past couple of years which has many similar capabilities. It is a crop sensor camera so it would require an even wider angle lens to get many of the same views. If a DSLR is what your looking for the new Sony A500 and A550 seem to have even better low light capabilities and might be something to consider. These were all handheld but I also took many with a tripod. That's one of the best ways tools get shots in and around the lodge.

Kathy...thanks for sharing the information. Sounds like you really know your photographic stuff! And I just might steal one of your pictures as wallpaper for my computer if you don't mind.

Looking forward to seeing all the groupies on Tues. Getting ready to order the cake. Planning on putting Happy Retirement! on it for Stan.

Stan has been replaced by Ranger Don. My dad saw him yesterday, I have yet to see him. I believe he is the same fellow that WDWRREngineer met a year ago.

Awesome of you to get the cake ordered and decorated. We'll want a BUNCH of pictures from the Groupie Meet.

Ranger Don surely has some big shoes to fill. I bet he brings his own sense of passion and friendliness to this new position, and that we'll enjoy getting to know him in the future.

Jimmy...I hope your Dad has a great time at DAK tomorrow.

Hi Fellow Groupies,

I have'nt posted here in a while but thought I would drop in and check out what has been going on.

Great to see you here Jim. My family still talks about our one and only Christmas trip to VWL and how great it was to be able to share your wonderful tree. Thanks again for your generosity and spirit of sharing.

Our neighbors and their familiy were left speechless by the lodge when they walked thu the door and saw the lobby. There were a few that even started to cry a little when seeing the lobby and the Christmas tree. This was a highlight for me to see their reactions.

I can totally relate to that. Seeing others as moved by this magical place as we all are is a great thing. Merry Christmas to you, Jim.

Hi everyone. It has been months since I have been on the boards. For the last number of months I have been traveling so much for work I have not had much of a chance to check in. The good thing is that I have a job, unfortunately my husband is still out of work.

Claire...wonderful to see you come back to visit. There's no time expiration on the Groupie's invitation to come back whenever you are able. Best wishes for a great Christmas season, and good luck to your husband in his job search.

 

[Inkmahm]

Hi Groupies
We arrived yesterday to sunny skies and warm weather. Were able to get on the ME within 5 min and headed to the Lodge. I had done online checkin last week, so this went fairly smoothly. We're in room 2542 - about halfway down the hall.
We were able to get to the Merry Mixer. Only 1 free cookie this year. My recollection, in 2007 we had unlimited cookies. Plenty of cold water and cider. A cash bar was available. DH and I waited in line 40 min to get the DVC holiday pin. Only 1 pin per person. The matching ornament was given, 1 to each family as we were leaving. Had dinner at the Wave then walked over to BLT. What we could see was very nice.
Cold and wet in Florida today. We went to the Biergarten for lunch where we booked the Candlelight Processional package. We were able to cancel the CP portion at the restaurant. Spending the evening enjoying the ambience of the Lodge.
We've seen Jimmy, Tammy and Casey. All is in order for the meet. Y'all come

Got your voice mail- sorry we'll miss you tomorrow morning for shopping but I sure don't blame you. We were at Epcot all day today and it rained most of the time. I actually skipped Illuminations tonight because it was just too damp and icky to walk over there from Boardwalk to see it. And I LOVE that show at Christmas so now I have to wait another year to see it.

We had lunch at Coral Reef and then went back tonight for Flying Fish at dinner. Both meals were very good. I think I've already gained weight and the cruise doesn't start until tomorrow!

I'm not paying to use the internet for the next week on the ship so you'll likely not hear from me until next weekend or so. Hope all of you at the lodge or on your way have a great time! It really is relaxing here. I love the place (bet you didn't know that...)

 

[Inkmahm]

I forgot to mention that even though we are DVC members and we're staying here on points, when we came back to the villa tonight after dinner our bed had been made up and 6 chocolates left for us! No clean towels though. We were only here 3 nights so there shouldn't have been trash and towel service and definitely shouldn't have been make the bed and leave chocolates service. Odd. That's never happened to us before in a villa. A nice surprise!

 

[twinklebug]

we're here! I' on my cell phone to which I'm not yet accustomed so I'll keep it short...

Room was ready at 2 when we checked in. Alllllll the way down the hall (granted it's short compared to kidani hehe ) . I'm pretty sure I met a dis'rr in the elevator from our floor with a bundle of wet jeans in hand and a great little helper at her side.

DD is sick tonight - I think it might be from the rain. Both kids got soaked going on the speedway Hope she's better in the am

 

[DVCGeek]

Last full day in the World has come and gone. ME is picking me up in 7.5 hours to go to MCO. Yikes; I really could use a little sleep!

Link to today's TR installment:

http://dvcnews.com/forum/showpost.php?p=55499&postcount=39

DW & I spent a nice chunk of time at the Lodge! I hope to get some pictures assembled in the next week or so; I've got over 800 to weed through!

 

[wildernessDad]

5...

 

[jimmytammy]

Hi Fellow Groupies,

I have'nt posted here in a while but thought I would drop in and check out what has been going on.

horselover - I am so sorry to hear about your sister, we will be praying for you and your family during this difficult time. I hope you will be able to join your family if they still go on the trip.

We had a great trip at the VWL during Thanksgiving week with our neighbors and his brother's family, there was 17 people (including us) on this trip and we all had a great time.

Our neighbors and their familiy were left speechless by the lodge when they walked thu the door and saw the lobby. There were a few that even started to cry a little when seeing the lobby and the Christmas tree. This was a highlight for me to see their reactions. Our neighbors shared our Christmas tree and they cooked Thanksgiving dinner and we all ate dinner together.

We had a great trip and good weather with only half a day of rain and two cooler days before we left to come home.

I was able to meet up with JimmyTammy by the pool and talk with them for a while. I also was able to see there tree that they are sharing. It was great to spend some time with them and wished we didnt have to leave as they were just getting there.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my fellow Groupies,

Jim.

Great to see you too Jim! And please dont be a stranger here on the groupies.

 

[jimmytammy]

Claire, welcome back!

We saw Di and Dad yesterday around 4 as we were heading to Epcot. They told us how they were able to just eat and not pay full price for CP dinner package, and forgo CP. Rain was torrential at times yesterday. So we get to Biergarten, all to realize they didnt have us in system for dinner or CP. Luckily we rebook, rain held off for CP and started back up just as it ended.

Steven Curtis Chapman was a great narrator. Before and especially after he shared personally how Jesus changed his life. I thought this was neat, albeit short, but Disney allowed him the free time to share. I thought he was tactful, and not doing so in an in your face kinda way. I better be careful, I may get the boot

My parents really enjoyed it. And my dad finally got to see American Adventure. Surprisingly, he liked Biergarten. He isnt an adventorous eater, so it was stretch. But all ended well.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Horselover...thoughts, prayers, and hugs to you and your family at this very sad time.


Claire and Jim...glad to see u back. Jim--sounded like a great trip for you !

Jimmytammy....thanks for the continued TR updates.....enjoy

I didn't make it to WDW before the first snow It has just started coming down here in Lansdale, PA and 2-4 inches accumulation is predicted. I am off to work and snow usually makes for a very busy Labor and Delivery unit ! Wish me luck !

Maria

 

[Figment1983]

It is one week until our first stay at VWL as DVC members and also our 7 month olds first trip to Disney. Very excited!!

 

[Inkmahm]

We got there at maybe 6:05 or 6:10 and we were near the end of the first 1,000 people in line. The free gift turned out to be one of those knew goofy Vinylmation characters. We gave ours to the first little girl that we saw.

As for buying anything, we didn't. There was the standard 10% off on things that I wanted to get. Nothing more. There were plenty of sale items around which were marked by balloons. None of them thrilled me. We ended up leaving soon after we got in the store and went to the EMH at HS instead. I'd rather ride Midway Mania and ToT a few times instead of spending the time at Dtd with a few thousand of my closest friends.

After HS we headed to the port and we are about to get out of here on the Magic. Sure hope the weather clears up. It's been mostly rain again today.

Have a good week, everyone!

 

[lodgeloafer]

3 days and counting. So much to do before we leave, as I am typing this it is snowing, just one more thing to appreciate the lodge. For those of you traveling soon have a safe trip hopefully see you real soon at the lodge.

 

[claire_ont]

Thanks for all the welcome backs! This is the friendliest thread on the boards.

We are now down to about 3.5 months until our first trip home to VWL. I can not wait. To everyone who is going to the world this month - enjoy. I love going when all the decorations are up.

I fly back to Nova Scotia for a week tomorrow. That should be my last trip until the New Year.

Claire

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Hearing all this reports from the World sure gets me all excited for my trip even though it is so far away! I made my ADR's today so at least that makes me feel like it's getting closer. I am bummed though because we will be celebrating DD's 17th b-day when we are there and I wasn't able to get her favorite restaurant for her birthday. I have no idea why and neither did the CM. It is Teppan Edo by the way. I was able to get it for 2 day's later but that's just not the same. I figure I will just keep trying and maybe it will open up.

Good to hear from our groupies who haven't been around for awhile!

 

[twinklebug]

Hello from the end of the hallway. Today turned out to be nice but ccccold ... about an hour before sundown the mist stopped and the sun came out. Being frozen to the bone, I taught DS the pleasures of chilling out in front one of of the villa's fireplace... I never realized there were built in seats hmmm wonder where I've been.

Off to emh at MK tonight. I need my potc & btmrr fix. Might hit the osborne lights first.

 

[eliza61]

It is one week until our first stay at VWL as DVC members and also our 7 month olds first trip to Disney. Very excited!!

I smell a groupie in the making!! Have a great time.