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

[DisneyNutzy]

Welcome to New England Take lots of pictures to share. Have Fun



What great Neighbors
Thanks DisneyNutzy so much for the Pictures.. and Wow not going to share the Buzz secert How about a hint?
Looks like you and your family had some Magical Moments. They will last a life time

Hi Teapot - Big hint for Buzz is get stuck in ride behind high scoring robots hand and keep shooting it...that is really what happened...no big secret.

Disny Nutzy Love the pics!!

We had MT at WC once ourselves. She is a hoot! She kept picking on DS to meet her at the pool after work. She said she had her swimsuit out in her car for just such occasions. He is sorta shy so that just added fuel to the fire for her. For the longest time we would pick on him about his new "girlfriend"

Claire We bought site unseen also, twice!! Call us crazy but we havent regretted a minute of it(and I get the feeling you wont either)

Hey JT - I agree MT is the best server he have had yet at WC. If you are shy she will be all over you..lol

Between the snowstorm, holidays, and illness - we have missed so much on the boards here! Have just caught up on all the pages since the 20th! Welcome to all the new groupies.

Eliza - loved your "why we love the Lodge" response. Also, the pics of your pup were very similar to ours during the snow. We had to shovel a couple of paths for them!

DNutzy - your pics and TR made us "home sick".

Muushka - stay safe and warm! You have definitely traveled into some cold weather!

We hope that everyone's holidays were good ones.


The studios have all your paper products (bowls, plates) plastic ware, toaster, microwave, fridge. Any other supplies we needed we went down to Roaring Fork and got them.

Right before Christmas, we got this picture sent to us by a friend who works at the Lodge, and we wanted to share it with you all in case you hadn't seen it (for those Fans of Ranger Stan). Sorry for the large size - but when I made it smaller you couldn't read what it says!

That picture is GREAT!

Dinks...thanks so much for sharing the picture of Stan. What a nice gesture his fellow employees did for him on his retirement.

And I forgot to share something with you Groupies. Two nights ago my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed my Christmas present from my daughters...a night with the St. Louis Symphony. And their program was called "The Magical Music of Disney". It was excellent!!

Here's the program line-up from that evening:

Disney Classics Overture
Disney’s Tarzan Orchestral Suite
Disney’s The Little Mermaid Orchestral Suite
Disney’s Hercules Orchestral Suite
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Orchestral Suite
Disney’s The Rescuers Down Under Theme
Disney’s Aladdin Orchestral Suite
Suite from Disney’s Mulan
Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame Orchestral Suite
Disney’s The Lion King Orchestral Suite



There was a huge screen dropped behind the orchestra showing clips and photos from the various movies being played. And there was a narrator between each suite of songs that talked a little about the movie. The overall all theme was "around the world with Disney" and the narrator talked about each of the locations and a little back story on the characters.

Outside of WDW, I've never seen so many Mickey antenna heads as I did in that parking lot!

All in all, it was a fantastic evening. The only thing that could have made it better would have been a "Wilderness Lodge Music" suite too!

I knew you Groupies would appreciate how cool this Christmas present was for me and my wife!

Very cool Granny.

 

[horselover]

Yes, I'm a CPA and former VP Finance and Chief Accounting officer for a large company.
I have a Big 8 accounting backgound for the first 9 years of my career when I was in auditing. Then I left public accounting for industry and never looked back. I've also done the SEC route with taking a company public (THAT was a lot of work) and the regular reporting that goes with being a public company. I've worked for an international company so I also have background in IFRS (your husband will know what that is.)

I know about at least 4 or 5 CFO jobs in my area although I had a guy at our meeting at the outplacement center yesterday INSIST that there weren't any such jobs in our area, that I'd have to leave to find a good CFO spot elsewhere in the country. Nope. I'm sure I'll find something here and won't have to move. My resume probably doesn't fit 3 or 4 of the jobs I know about as employers are being very picky about exact background and experience that they are looking for. But I'm sure I will fit something eventually. That job that is 3 miles from home has already interviewed 10 people and not been happy with any of them. We'll see if I have the magic whatever it is they are looking for. If not, I'll try not to be too disappointed (although it DOES look like a great job) and I'll move on.

How long has your husband been looking?

He finished up a very lengthly assignment in Sept./Oct.???, can't remember exactly. He's had couple of 1-2 wk. assignments since then, but nothing since the week before Thanksgiving. He was officially laid off from his company 12/28 so now begins the extra expense of COBRA. At least the COBRA assistance from the gov't. has been extended through March otherwise that bill would really kill us. Don't know how they expect people that are living on unemployment to pay almost $1500/mo. on healthcare. Good luck finding something quickly. Sounds like you have some good leads.

My oldest niece is a huge HP fan, too. I'm still struggling to get through all of the books because they take so long. I haven't even mentioned the new HP at the DarkSide since I don't want her to get any ideas for our trip to take away from Disney time! We're doing Sea World for a day. That's enough time away from Disney for me.

JMO of course, but I think they either capture your attention right away or not. I couldn't put them down & finished all 7 books in a month. Have fun at Sea World. We haven't been there in a long time. Can never seem to drag ourselves away from WDW.

I also vote to keep the extra day. (I'm an HP fan too! ) Our trip in Nov I booked with the hope that many of the Christmas decorations would be up (and they were in all the parks) and that they'd start soft-openings for Space Mt. (which they did). Maybe you'll get lucky like we did so here's pixie dust for HP!

We did visit The-Park-Which-Shall-Not-Be-Named (nice one Granny!) and saw all of the work going. It looked like it will be fantastic! I hadn't realized they were going to be opening so soon. I may have to plan another visit on our next trip.

Love your postivie thinking Kathy! HP's World is scheduled to open Spring 2010. That could mean anything. Gives you plenty of time to plan a visit!

Thank you groupies for the gentle prodding. I have changed the airline tix to stay the extra day. Don't know why I was even hesitating.

Have a good day everyone!

 

[jimmytammy]

Granny,
That gift is out of this world!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Reading posts about jobs and job searches led me too wonder what everyone does for a living. I think we may have done this same thing a few threads back, but with all the new groupies since that time, it would be interesting to see, and refresh our memories also. And with job searches, it could open a door for someone searching.

So here goes...I am a building contractor/carpenter. My dad and I have been in business together for at least 12 yrs. He has been at it since 1956, same business. We primarily do residential construction, remodels/additions but do some commercial work as well. My passion is woodworking and especially fond of cabinetmaking.

 

[DiznyDi]

OK, my turn:
I'm a kept woman

I managed a branch office of a local bank prior to having children. Since then, I've been a stay-at-home mom ... and that was almost 30 years ago !

As retirement gets closer and closer I do wonder if I shouldn't try to get back into the job market at least on a part-time basis.

Currently I have a very part-part time job as the associate supervisor for our local college testing center organizing/managing both the ACT (high school) and Praxis (College) tests. Combined, we have about 16 test days per year.

Sorry you're not closer JT. Would love to hire you for some home projects DiznyDad has in mind.

 

[DiznyDi]

I so wanted to respond to JT's post that I forgot to add:

Great gift, Granny! I personally would have been elated to receive such a gift from my kids.

I say add the extra day horselover. You'll kick yourself for a month of Sundays if HP opens and you're not there.

DVCGeek nice way to add on a few extra points.

DisneyNutzy Great hint on the Buzz ride. I've never been very good at this ride, but do enjoy it. Seems I get the broken gun every time! Or perhaps just bad shooting. Glad you thought to take a picture of your score.

 

[Dizny Dad]

OK, my turn:
I'm a kept woman . . . . . .

What, , , , I thought I was the kept man?

 

[horselover]

What, , , , I thought I was the kept man?

My turn to answer JT's question. Most of the groupies that have been around awhile probably know I started a p.t. job in Sept. as a crossing guard. The hours are perfect, cold weather not so much. Before that I worked as a wine clerk. Loved that job. Got to talk about wine & go to F&W as a business trip! Before I stopped working full time to be a SAHM I worked for a national bank as a product analyst. Not the most exciting job. I preferred talking about wine!

 

[Dizny Dad]

Ok - Ok

jimmytammy, I know you know this, but for others:

I am a professional engineer registered in Ohio. I have been with my firm for 25 yrs and an currently the Gen. Mgr. of Automation and a member of the company's management team. We are material handling machine designers and fabricators for high inertial and high temp materials and primarily focus on the steel industry.

I hope that didn't disappoint anybody. I'm sure there were a few that thought I was a circus performer or had some other cool profession.

Of course, I could be lying . . . . .

 

[wildernessDad]

I am an electrical engineer with a PhD specializing in nonlinear control systems. I currently work for a research firm attached to a University in the state of Maryland. I am in their space department and worked on the spacecraft called 'New Horizons,' the one that is on its way to Pluto. I also teach engineering courses part time within the University and have my P.E. in the state of Maryland.

In my younger day, I spent 6 years in the United States Navy and was a reactor operator (enlisted) aboard the submarine USS Thomas Jefferson, SSBN 618. The metal of which may be part of my razor blades at this point in time.

I came up the hard way, wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth, so there is no need to place me in an ivory tower, please.

At this stage in my life, the most important things to me are being a husband, father and grand father. DVC is a great way, I think, to bring and keep the family together. That's why I got back into Disney and bought into DVC.

 

[wildernessDad]

I feel guilty about this, but with all of the things I've read about people not getting what they want when they call exactly at the 11 month point, I decided to call MS today and make my VWL studio reservation from 12/6 - 12/12 when it will most probably be from 12/8 - 12/12. Although now that I have the 2 extra nights at the beginning, I'm trying to figure out a way to use them. If not, I'll have to cancel the first 2 nights and do the 4 night stay there as originally planned.

 

[lisah0711]

Reading posts about jobs and job searches led me too wonder what everyone does for a living. I think we may have done this same thing a few threads back, but with all the new groupies since that time, it would be interesting to see, and refresh our memories also. And with job searches, it could open a door for someone searching.

I'm a real estate attorney. DH and I have a Mom and Pop law practice. So if you ever need an attorney in Idaho you all know who to call!

I am an electrical engineer with a PhD specializing in nonlinear control systems. I currently work for a research firm attached to a University in the state of Maryland. I am in their space department and worked on the spacecraft called 'New Horizons,' the one that is on its way to Pluto. I also teach engineering courses part time within the University and have my P.E. in the state of Maryland.

Umm, what is a nonlinear control system? Seriously, I am always interested in hearing about these types of careers because my DS is 10 and is our math/science guy. He has two lawyers for parents -- we don't know the options!

Thanks for asking this questions jimmytammy! It is fun to read what a diverse group we are!

To all of you heading down to VWL soon -- have a great time!

 

[eliza61]

So here goes...I am a building contractor/carpenter. My dad and I have been in business together for at least 12 yrs. He has been at it since 1956, same business. We primarily do residential construction, remodels/additions but do some commercial work as well. My passion is woodworking and especially fond of cabinetmaking.

OK, my turn:
I'm a kept woman I managed a branch office of a local bank prior to having children. Since then, I've been a stay-at-home mom ... and that was almost 30 years ago !

Sorry you're not closer JT. Would love to hire you for some home projects DiznyDad has in mind.

Jimmy,
you are the "old guys" hero. His dad is a carpenter and he does woodworking as a hobby but as always dreamed of doing it professionally

Di, I stayed home with Sid and Rizzo for 7 years, it might take me 30 years to recover.

I'm a Polymer Chemist. I pretty much say I get paid to make a lot of mistakes. I'm toying with the idea of going back to school for baking. It's my passion and I have these delusions of granduer of opening a little french bakery.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Reading posts about jobs and job searches led me too wonder what everyone does for a living. I think we may have done this same thing a few threads back, but with all the new groupies since that time, it would be interesting to see, and refresh our memories also. And with job searches, it could open a door for someone searching.

Great idea JT! I am primarily a mom but I work part time for a company that makes service bodies doing data entry and gopher work. My DH works there as a draftsman/engineer. I have been there 11 years now and plan to keep working part time till DD graduates. Then it is my dream to go and work at the Omaha zoo or WDW. I think the zoo will be more realistic! Oh and for those who don't know it I live in Iowa.

 

[stopher1]

Reading posts about jobs and job searches led me too wonder what everyone does for a living. I think we may have done this same thing a few threads back, but with all the new groupies since that time, it would be interesting to see, and refresh our memories also. And with job searches, it could open a door for someone searching.

I am a Commercial Credit Officer for a private financial institution that has both a lending side and an investment side - kind like the old "Bailey Building & Loan" concept from It's a Wonderful Life - who's niche is church & ministry lending. My firm is based in CA, but is nationwide in scope and presence. The company is over 58 yrs old and 2007 saw our first international loan, and since then we've had several more. We are a small firm by financial standards (still less than a $1Billion), but we continue to grow despite the overall economy. I've been with them for 9 years as an employee, but 14 as an investor. I moved to the midwest for a different role 7 1/2 years ago, accepting their request to move based on 2 years in the Ann Arbor, MI area for my former employer who I was with for 8 years in total. Currently I manage all of the credit operations in the Eastern timezone and the midwest.

 

[claire_ont]

I am a Systems and Software Engineering manager in a defence company (Yes in Canada Defence is spelled with a "c" not an "s".). In my current role I have staff in multiple sites across the country. That is why I travel so much.

My original degree is in Electrical Engineering, but I have spent most of my career doing either software or systems design work, mainly for aircraft. The first part of my career was in the Armed Forces as an air force engineering officer.

Claire

 

[Granny]

Granny, that is soooo absolutely cool!!!
Your daughters are my hero for the day.

Wow what a fantastic gift! If the BSO ever put on that performance in Boston I'd be there in a heartbeat.

Hi Granny. What a magical present from your daughters. So glad you were able to go.

What a great gift! Glad you enjoyed it.

Very cool Granny.

Granny,
That gift is out of this world!!

Great gift, Granny! I personally would have been elated to receive such a gift from my kids.

See....I KNEW you all would understand what a wonderful gift a night at the symphony was listening to Disney classics! I was afraid that a lot of people would bring children too young to sit still for the symphony but actually it was a really good crowd very much into the music! Thanks all for your comments.

 

[Granny]

This year, we're doing VWL twice!

We're checking in on Saturday for 8 nights, and then again in October for 8 nights, both in a 1-BR.

Mike...I'd really get jealous except I know you'll do your usual great job at TR's with photos. You always do such a nice job on those, and we know how much you enjoy your visits to WDW. Congratulations on nailing down those reservations and enjoy the upcoming trip!

 

[Granny]

Reading posts about jobs and job searches led me to wonder what everyone does for a living.

Looking at the responses to this, I see that Groupies are way smart beyond their choice of favorite resorts!!

I just wrapped up (two weeks ago) a 30 year sales & marketing career with a consumer products company, the last several years as Director of Retail Merchandising. I am currently unemployed but have a couple of ideas I am pursuing. Since we are quasi-empty nested (both DD's in college) I would like to find something with a flexible work schedule to allow DW and I to take some trips and such.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Come on Groupies, keep spillin' the beans . . .we all love to see a little of the real you!