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

[MiaSRN62]

Tammy and I were on the computers a few days back when I discover that we can purchase a Sunpass(the tag you see on FL. vehicles for toll roads to keep them moving along while the rest of us have to divvy up dollars and cents). We started taking the toll rd 417 that connects I-4 to WDW from around Sanford to bypass Orlando. It costs about $6.50 but is worth it to me for the road less hassled.

Anyway, I get excited cause I find out we can buy one where you pay for it as needed. Tammy has a friend that lives in Congress Park in Orlando that got us one from a local grocery store and sent it to us by mail. In essence, we will feel like Floridians zipping through the toll booths, and we wont be slowed down by change counting, therefore, we will arrive at WL that much sooner

This is terrific info. I always wondered about how to get these ? My daughter goes to school in FL and this would be so helpful for her.

Maria

 

[Inkmahm]

Tammy and I were on the computers a few days back when I discover that we can purchase a Sunpass(the tag you see on FL. vehicles for toll roads to keep them moving along while the rest of us have to divvy up dollars and cents). We started taking the toll rd 417 that connects I-4 to WDW from around Sanford to bypass Orlando. It costs about $6.50 but is worth it to me for the road less hassled.

Anyway, I get excited cause I find out we can buy one where you pay for it as needed. Tammy has a friend that lives in Congress Park in Orlando that got us one from a local grocery store and sent it to us by mail. In essence, we will feel like Floridians zipping through the toll booths, and we wont be slowed down by change counting, therefore, we will arrive at WL that much sooner

I bought a regular sunpass probably 5 or 6 years ago. It works great. I have it set to automatically refill another $20 when the balance gets down to $10. I can check my account online anytime I want to see what it is. We always take 417 to WDW from MCO. Will be back on it in a couple hours going the other way back to MCO.

 

[horselover]

Horselover - how you doing? Are you in hiding? Maybe a protection program?! Don't let them know you are afraid!

All was well this morning. No mafia deer waiting to murdeer me! Sorry couldn't help myself. That joke is for me DBIL the king of bad jokes!

 

[Happydinks]

All was well this morning. No mafia deer waiting to murdeer me! Sorry couldn't help myself. That joke is for me DBIL the king of bad jokes!

Yea for no deer! Glad to read that you are doing better - and the car is on it's way to being fixed. Never a good time to have it happen - and winter makes it that much worse!

Good morning Groupies from very wintery Richmond! We had 12 inches of snow this passed weekend, are due for snow/sleet/rain today, and yet ANOTHER storm (this time somewhere between 10 -20 inches) Friday into Saturday! In our 22 years of living here, we have never seen this much of the white stuff in one winter - and it's really getting old. Poor pups are really having a time of it since the snow is deeper than they are tall. When my parents moved here from NJ, they brought their snowblower with them and we were able to use it this weekend. The kicker is, the snowblower is 32 years old! It did work okay - but we've ordered a new one - being shipped from Illinois - and will hopefully arrive before this weekend. Since we have a minimum of 3 driveways to take care of (plus we help out 2 more neighbors who have health issues) it would be nice if it arrives.

GRANNY - Bob is so jealous - Ireland (next to Disney) is our favorite place to visit. We've been a few times - and each time we go back it feels like "home" to us (after you get used to driving on the opposite side of the car and road). Dublin is a favorite city of Bob's,while I prefer the west coast. PM us if you have any questions or suggestions of things to do (with you daughter studying there, she probably knows most of the ropes but there are some good tours to take if you have time!)

ELIZA - Dang, missed wishing you a Happy Birthday - now it's really belated! The next one should be fun if you celebrate it in the World!

We're living vicariously through everyone's reports , wishing December was closer than it is, and waiting for a sign that this winter is coming to an end soon!

Hope everyone has a good day!

 

[tea pot]

Happy Belated BirthdayDLI


Granny
Those Irish Eyes are Smiling on YOU Looking forward to the TR All the best and Pixie dust for the job search!

bobbiwoz Otters ! Now that would be cool

I'm with Dory on this eliza. If you go in mentally prepared for huge crowds and plan accordingly you should be fine. I can't think of anything more fun that being in WDW for the holiday and your birthday ! That part is awesome. Escaping the cold in our part of the country is also a big plus.

But I would plan on doing the parks in the same way you do at other times. While I've never been in the parks for NYE, I have been in the parks for Pres Week, Thanksgiving and Easter in the past. Do not like the parks during this time. But if you plan to get up at the crack of dawn and hit the parks very early.....possibly might need to get the heck of the Mickeyland by 11 -12 noon just for your own sanity, then you should be fine. I know we were in the MK on Easter 1999. It became so packed by 11 am that it was shoulder to shoulder. But Tues, Wed and Thurs of that week weren't so bad. The year we were in WDW for Thanksgiving, we didn't even go into the parks on the actual holiday. Just chilled at our resort. As Dory said, find other things to occupy your time : hotel touring, carriage ride, water boats at the WL......it is a tough decision I know.

Maria

Glad to hear that you had a good time and enjoy your trip next month!

Eliza, I will echo what others have said here. We just went for our first Christmas trip -- it is getting too hard to miss school. We were up at o' dark thirty and at rope drop every day. Gathered fast passes, took a break in the afternoon and did just fine. It wasn't the same as January when we usually travel but it worked for us.
Have a great day groupies!

eliza ditto on the good advise. I hate the crowds too, but love the decorations and and the feel of the season. With good planning EARLY in and out of the parks, and Great FASS PASS TIP, you can truly have a Magical Birthday!!!

So I'm driving to work this morning & come around the bend & there in the middle of the road are 3 big deer just standing there staring me down. I of course stop. They don't move & then a 4th deer comes out of the woods (the baby). As soon as the baby ran across they left. As if that wasn't enough on the way home from work as I'm driving by the same spot I look to the side & there is one still standing there watching! Do you think deer seek revenge on people?

BE Afraid Be Very Afraid

Tammy and I were on the computers a few days back when I discover that we can purchase a Sunpass(the tag you see on FL. vehicles for toll roads to keep them moving along while the rest of us have to divvy up dollars and cents). We started taking the toll rd 417 that connects I-4 to WDW from around Sanford to bypass Orlando. It costs about $6.50 but is worth it to me for the road less hassled.

Anyway, I get excited cause I find out we can buy one where you pay for it as needed. Tammy has a friend that lives in Congress Park in Orlando that got us one from a local grocery store and sent it to us by mail. In essence, we will feel like Floridians zipping through the toll booths, and we wont be slowed down by change counting, therefore, we will arrive at WL that much sooner

HEY JIMMY Yup you got it Bad We haven't tried 417 yet is it much longer from MCO?


OK Groupies Hang in there Spring is just around the corner... I think ?? But I didn't check in with Punxsutawney Phil today!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

All was well this morning. No mafia deer waiting to murdeer me! Sorry couldn't help myself. That joke is for me DBIL the king of bad jokes!

 

[jimmytammy]

417 is right at 20-25 mins from VWL to MCO. Its a lot less hassle than the Beeline which has tolls, only to dump you onto I-4. To get to 417 from MCO, it might be 2-3 miles, with maybe one stoplight. But it is a straight shot. Once on 417, exits will prompt you to either take exit 6 or 3 for WDW. 3 is a lot less congested, puts you by the Gaylord Hotel, near entrance around Pop Century and Wide World of Sports. Exit 6 will put you in more traffic, over on International Dr., leads you to DTD area. Even if I were staying at a resort in that area, I would still take exit 3.

 

[horselover]

417 is right at 20-25 mins from VWL to MCO. Its a lot less hassle than the Beeline which has tolls, only to dump you onto I-4. To get to 417 from MCO, it might be 2-3 miles, with maybe one stoplight. But it is a straight shot. Once on 417, exits will prompt you to either take exit 6 or 3 for WDW. 3 is a lot less congested, puts you by the Gaylord Hotel, near entrance around Pop Century and Wide World of Sports. Exit 6 will put you in more traffic, over on International Dr., leads you to DTD area. Even if I were staying at a resort in that area, I would still take exit 3.

We always take 417 now. It's so much better. I'm not sure of the exit number though. I know we pass the Nick hotel. Is that 6 or 3? I'm thinking it's probably 3 because I know we don't go by the DTD area.

 

[lisah0711]

BE Afraid Be Very Afraid

Congrats on making the superstar list this week on our WISH challenge!

Okay, I hope we get an otter report soon!

 

[Muushka]

417 is right at 20-25 mins from VWL to MCO. Its a lot less hassle than the Beeline which has tolls, only to dump you onto I-4. To get to 417 from MCO, it might be 2-3 miles, with maybe one stoplight. But it is a straight shot. Once on 417, exits will prompt you to either take exit 6 or 3 for WDW. 3 is a lot less congested, puts you by the Gaylord Hotel, near entrance around Pop Century and Wide World of Sports. Exit 6 will put you in more traffic, over on International Dr., leads you to DTD area. Even if I were staying at a resort in that area, I would still take exit 3.

JT, we don't take the Beeline when driving to WDW. We just take I4. Is this route better than the I4 all the way route? Thanks!

PS Hi Granny . Ireland!!

 

[Granny]

Okay, I hope we get an otter report soon!

Can't say that I've ever seen otters at WL/VWL. If they are indigenous to Florida, I'm sure they're there!

Hi Muush!

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Hi Everybody! Back from sunny California! What a great trip. My DH surprised me even more with booking the Grand Californian!!!! I just about lost it when we walked in. It is magnificent. The lobby is smaller than WL and I think the WL is the most beautiful resort but GC sure isn't far behind! It definatly has the wow factor. It was also so great to be able to walk right out of the resort to either DTD or Calif. Adventure. It was very hard to leave it!
I will be posting a TR and will post the link.
Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes! Loved the birthday moose Maria!
Better get back to work. More later! Hope everyone is having a good Wednesday!

 

[horselover]

Hi Everybody! Back from sunny California! What a great trip. My DH surprised me even more with booking the Grand Californian!!!! I just about lost it when we walked in. It is magnificent. The lobby is smaller than WL and I think the WL is the most beautiful resort but GC sure isn't far behind! It definatly has the wow factor. It was also so great to be able to walk right out of the resort to either DTD or Calif. Adventure. It was very hard to leave it!
I will be posting a TR and will post the link.
Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes! Loved the birthday moose Maria!
Better get back to work. More later! Hope everyone is having a good Wednesday!

Welcome back DLI! So glad to hear you had a great trip. Looking forward to the TR & pics, pics, pics please!!

 

[Muushka]

Sounds wonderful DLI. Can't wait to read the TR.

 

[stopher1]

Hi Everybody! Back from sunny California! What a great trip. My DH surprised me even more with booking the Grand Californian!!!! I just about lost it when we walked in. It is magnificent. The lobby is smaller than WL and I think the WL is the most beautiful resort but GC sure isn't far behind! It definatly has the wow factor. It was also so great to be able to walk right out of the resort to either DTD or Calif. Adventure. It was very hard to leave it!
I will be posting a TR and will post the link.

I'm so glad you loved your stay at my west coast home! The Grand really is GRAND, isn't it? I love it there - and felt the same kind of way you did, just in the opposite direction, when I first stepped inside the Lodge last month. WOW. I just love sitting in the lobby in the evening listening to the pianist, or sitting by the fireplace. And that private entrance into DCA sure is cool - and just wait til the private viewing platform for World of Color opens up this spring. I'm getting all giddy about our return trip out there this fall already...

Can't wait to see your TR...

 

[jimmytammy]

We always take 417 now. It's so much better. I'm not sure of the exit number though. I know we pass the Nick hotel. Is that 6 or 3? I'm thinking it's probably 3 because I know we don't go by the DTD area.

It sounds like you take the 6. I remember seeing the Nick Hotel which is on Intl. Dr. The DTD area comes up on your left as you approach Apopka Vineland Rd. This area, if you turn left puts you onto Hotel Plaza Blvd. which are the Hotels near DTD. After forgetting a few times, getting excited cause Im so close to WDW I have turned off on exit 6, then remember I should have gone a short ways more and a lot less traffic.

 

[tea pot]

417 is right at 20-25 mins from VWL to MCO. Its a lot less hassle than the Beeline which has tolls, only to dump you onto I-4. To get to 417 from MCO, it might be 2-3 miles, with maybe one stoplight. But it is a straight shot. Once on 417, exits will prompt you to either take exit 6 or 3 for WDW. 3 is a lot less congested, puts you by the Gaylord Hotel, near entrance around Pop Century and Wide World of Sports. Exit 6 will put you in more traffic, over on International Dr., leads you to DTD area. Even if I were staying at a resort in that area, I would still take exit 3.

Thanks Jimmy we will definitely try it
A shout out to Tammy for me

Congrats on making the superstar list this week on our WISH challenge!

Okay, I hope we get an otter report soon!

Thanks lisah

Hi Everybody! Back from sunny California! What a great trip. My DH surprised me even more with booking the Grand Californian!!!! I just about lost it when we walked in. It is magnificent. The lobby is smaller than WL and I think the WL is the most beautiful resort but GC sure isn't far behind! It definatly has the wow factor. It was also so great to be able to walk right out of the resort to either DTD or Calif. Adventure. It was very hard to leave it!
I will be posting a TR and will post the link.
Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes! Loved the birthday moose Maria!
Better get back to work. More later! Hope everyone is having a good Wednesday!

DLI is back Can't wait for TR report
??? is there transportation from LAX to DL

Take Care Groupies..

 

[jimmytammy]

JT, we don't take the Beeline when driving to WDW. We just take I4. Is this route better than the I4 all the way route? Thanks!

PS Hi Granny . Ireland!!

I like it a lot better. It may be 4-5 mins longer than I-4 but the hassle is a lot less, less nerves frazzled. If I-4 is running smooth, not much traffic, that is great, but you never know.

We catch 417 around the Sanford area. Then its maybe 45 mins more to WDW, including toll stops. Not much traffic, never seen an accident on it, never bumper to bumper. If you follow GPS, dont let it talk you back off 417, just stay the course to exit 3. Trust me

A good comparison, I-4 around Orlando like I-40 around Raleigh rush hr.
417 like I-40 between Smithfield and Wilmington on a lazy Sunday drive

Another little trick we like, take exit 9A just before Jacksonville FL. It will take you due south around Jacksonville, avoiding downtown backup, doesnt take any more time, and lots less stressful. It is 4 and 6 lanes most all the way. We literally sat in dead traffic 3 times in Jacksonville, once on a bridge for 1 solid hr. I said never again! Learned 9A and havent looked back since.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Good evening Groupies!

Guess where I am?!??! Sitting in my comfortable BWV studio! My conference in Tampa was over except for the banquet and I've had more than my share of those so I called up MS this afternoon and got a room! Woo Hoo! (VWL was not available - I did ask.) Went over to Epcot this evening to eat, do a few rides and watch Illuminations. A very nice way to start a mini trip. Tomorrow I move over to BLT for my first stay there.

Only thing - my room is ground floor (which is fine) but I have the scary clown looking right at my room over the construction fence! I guess he scared someone else too much b/c when I got in the room there was a Welcome Home packet for a different guest who was staying thru Sunday. I called the front desk and they said that person hadn't wanted to room and had been moved. They also told me that person hadn't even been in the room which is why the packet was here - huh? I think they had been here long enough to use the bathroom and leave the patio door unlocked. I found a strap with keys on it in the safe as well. Not exactly a preferred start to my stay but oh well. Actually, I kind of like the room - nice location not too far from the elevators and the walkway to the boardwalk. If there just wasn't that clown.........

 

[MiaSRN62]

but I have the scary clown looking right at my room over the construction fence!

Too funny Kathy ! So cool you were able to get a room at such short notice.

Have fun at BLT....can't wait to hear about it.

Bracing for a big storm here in Philly.......I'm hoping it blows out to sea !!!


Maria