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

[Muushka]

Hi Groupies! We just got home a little while ago from our Ireland trip and I wanted to drop by and say hello. No chance to catch up on the thread yet or get any pictures out of my camera, but I'll do both as soon as I can. We got into Indianapolis yesterday afternoon and then drove down to Bloomington, IN. Spent a night there and then dropped my younger daughter off at her dorm at IU after feeding her one more time!

I'll stop by when I have a chance to unpack and do some of the "getting back home" chores including picking up the dog from my sister's house.

Hope all is well in Groupie Land.

Well, top of the evenin' Granny and welcome back! So glad you made it home without any problems.
Looking forward to that very long trip report with lots o pictures, of course!

Kat4, I made the very important changes to your dates

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

Wow, Granny, hard to believe you're home already. I'm sure you have stories to tell! What an adventure. Can't wait to hear all about it.

I think you made a good choice horselover. I'd also take Kathy up on her invitation for a Grand Marnier slushie.

Nice birthday celebration Inkmahm and your phone interview was a really sweet present! Hope all goes well.

Hard to believe you''re having snow in Texas this time of year, Dory! Sleep sweet and you'll be in Disney before you know it.

Hi tea pot

Thanks! Yes we were in the 70s and it went from that on Friday to snowing on Saturday. I think we got close to 8 inches here.

Welcome home Granny!

Corinne -- Good to see you here!

 

[DiznyDi]

OK Groupies, I need some help.

Since DD has married and moved out, I'm re-claiming her room and am getting rid of the pink flowery wallpaper. Dad and I stripped the wallpaper this week-end and went paint/carpet shopping. When last at the Lodge, we inquired about the red trim color and were told it was Pittsburgh Paints RF#9944 Wilderness Lodge. When we took that name/number to the paint store, they were unable to cross reference and find a match for us. So does anyone have a paint name and/or number for the Lodge red paint trim? I could shift gears and use the green, but I don't have that name/number either. Has anyone tried to replicate the colors at home with any success and are you willing to share? Pictures would be most welcome, too!

Many thanks!

 

[tea pot]

Thanks for the birthday wishes, everyone! I had a great birthday at the MK. Weather was perfect. Blus sky, sun, not too hot or cold. We have the fast passes for everyone from our volunteer work and they are worth it during this time of high crowds. At the end of the night we had extra so we gave pixie dust to 4 families going on Buzz Lightyear and Space Mountain, saving them from some really long wait times with instand fast passes. That was actually the most fun part of the day for me.
I've been getting at least 10% off in the parks at the stores but some stores give me the 20% for the premium pass when I don't have one. Pixie Dust!

Thanks again, everyone. Oh yeah, I got a phone interview for a CFO job when I get back home next week. Got that on my birthday, too.

I'm so Happy for You.... What a Magical Birthday

Thanks to all for your input! I decided to go with the option 1 longer trip. Called this morning at 9:00. Still no BCV or even BWV for 10/6-10/12. Tried for a studio at AKV. I was hoping for a value or standard to save points because I do have to borrow from next year. None available for all the days so I went with the Savannah view at Jambo. Nothing at Kidani in any view categories. I wait listed BCV. I suppose we can rough it at AKV!

We Loved our Savanna view at Jambo House I'm sure you'll have a great time

Hi Groupies! We just got home a little while ago from our Ireland trip and I wanted to drop by and say hello. No chance to catch up on the thread yet or get any pictures out of my camera, but I'll do both as soon as I can.
Hope all is well in Groupie Land.

Welcome Home Granny ... Looking forward to more pics when you get a chance

Inkmahm -
stoper1 - I am actually glad today is not my departure day. We have quite a bit of snow for Texas and would not want to travel today.

But I am happy to say 5 more sleeps!

Thanks! Yes we were in the 70s and it went from that on Friday to snowing on Saturday. I think we got close to 8 inches here.

8" SNOW in Texas
Dory, Happy Count Down Dance

Hi Di I can't help with the paint but what a great idea ... you'll need to post pics...

Good Night Groupies

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

OK Groupies, I need some help.

Since DD has married and moved out, I'm re-claiming her room and am getting rid of the pink flowery wallpaper. Dad and I stripped the wallpaper this week-end and went paint/carpet shopping. When last at the Lodge, we inquired about the red trim color and were told it was Pittsburgh Paints RF#9944 Wilderness Lodge. When we took that name/number to the paint store, they were unable to cross reference and find a match for us. So does anyone have a paint name and/or number for the Lodge red paint trim? I could shift gears and use the green, but I don't have that name/number either. Has anyone tried to replicate the colors at home with any success and are you willing to share? Pictures would be most welcome, too!

Many thanks!

I can't really add anything to the colors, but I can say we wanted to decorate our living room in a WL-esque manner. I took a bunch of pictures when I was down there.

Here's our start to a WL living room. Short of buying custom furniture, it was the best I could do for now. Now, we just need to find a perfect piece of artwork to hang on the wall.

 

[twokats]

Thanks! Yes we were in the 70s and it went from that on Friday to snowing on Saturday. I think we got close to 8 inches here.

As I have said before with our last snow. . . I don't know how ya'll handle it up north. We are really spoiled to the 60's - 70's and to have that one day and 40's and rain then snow the next two days is different to say the least. I got up this morning to several inches of snow. Of course I had to drive 10 miles to take care of Mom (no choice since she can't get out of bed). The roads were not too bad since we had the warmer weather before, but I was a nervous wreck by the time I reached Mom's. Went to church and it was still snowing hard, then we got out and went back to town and the roads were clear, just really wet. Came back home and went back to Mom's about 5 and the snow was almost gone just small patches in a few places. As I said, very different!!!

Happy belated birthday Inkmann.

 

[horselover]

Yum! I've been so close to trying the Grey Goose citron - I guess I really ought to compare.

Yes you really should!

So two days ago I asked my DH the dumbest question I possibly could. "Do you think we should try and get one more night at WDW?" Anyway, I called MS yesterday and added one more night so we are now BWV boardwalk view from Apr 24-May1st.

The pet sitter is all lined up, airline tickets just purchased and I've been set up for a few ADR's for awhile. I just need to check and see what we have and if I should fill in anywhere. I love it when a plan comes together! (Yes, I faithfully watched the A-Team when I was young). lol

Nice! Congrats on that extra night!

OK Groupies, I need some help.

Since DD has married and moved out, I'm re-claiming her room and am getting rid of the pink flowery wallpaper. Dad and I stripped the wallpaper this week-end and went paint/carpet shopping. When last at the Lodge, we inquired about the red trim color and were told it was Pittsburgh Paints RF#9944 Wilderness Lodge. When we took that name/number to the paint store, they were unable to cross reference and find a match for us. So does anyone have a paint name and/or number for the Lodge red paint trim? I could shift gears and use the green, but I don't have that name/number either. Has anyone tried to replicate the colors at home with any success and are you willing to share? Pictures would be most welcome, too!

Many thanks!

I can't help you on the colors Di, but just want to say you are a true groupie! Bringing the Lodge to life at home - I love it!

Welcome back Granny! Looking forward to hearing about your trip & seeing more pics.

Ok I have a small vent. Kids - Grrrrr!!! I told DS yesterday that I had made our ressie (with the same conditions that he gets A's & B's on his report card - the ressie can still be cancelled!). I told him I chose Oct. so he could go to the Halloween party like he wanted & I got us a room at AKV. He just looked at me & didn't say anything. I told him he didn't really look very excited about it & his response was "didn't I say I wanted to stay at BCV now?" I told him BCV was sold out & he originally said he wanted AKV & wasn't he happy that he was at least going (in theory anyway)? He said he wasn't happy or unhappy he was neutral. We need a put your hands around the neck & shake smiley! The terms ungrateful & spoiled come to mind. Geesh. You try to give them what they want & they're still not happy. I should just cancel it & book for Nov. so I can get what I want & stay at BCV.

 

[eliza61]

Ok I have a small vent. Kids - Grrrrr!!! I told DS yesterday that I had made our ressie (with the same conditions that he gets A's & B's on his report card - the ressie can still be cancelled!). I told him I chose Oct. so he could go to the Halloween party like he wanted & I got us a room at AKV. He just looked at me & didn't say anything. I told him he didn't really look very excited about it & his response was "didn't I say I wanted to stay at BCV now?" I told him BCV was sold out & he originally said he wanted AKV & wasn't he happy that he was at least going (in theory anyway)? He said he wasn't happy or unhappy he was neutral. We need a put your hands around the neck & shake smiley! The terms ungrateful & spoiled come to mind. Geesh. You try to give them what they want & they're still not happy. I should just cancel it & book for Nov. so I can get what I want & stay at BCV.

Now, now, now horselover. You must have forgotten that in "kidville", all adults are supposed to be mind readers 24/7 and that your supposed to bend over backwards for the little darlins'

I was watching the new documentary Life on the Discovery channel last night, and I found out that the female giant octopus dies after giving birth and nurturing her eggs (she lays a couple thousand). Probably because they were whining from the moment they got laid and she tried to cut and run.

This too shall pass.

 

[DiznyDi]

tiggerrifficheidi Many thanks for your photos. Your room looks great, too! Love those Morris chairs! I wasn't thinking far enough ahead on our last trip and while we took many photos, we really didn't take close-ups showing design/color. Love your country, too! We have relatives scattered throughout Germany and have visited on several different occasions. We considered visiting Germany this year to participate in the Passion Play in Oberamergau but chose to go to Hawaii for DS's wedding instead.

horselover! I feel for you. But as Eliza said, this too shall pass. You're a great mom! Maybe you can leave DS at home and take Anniversary Guy with you? Leave the kids with Grandma and have a

 

[Granny]

I've dumped some pictures from my camera into Photobucket. They seem pretty dark to me since I haven't done the Photoshop magic on them yet. Let's give it a whirl.

When we arrived in Dublin we rented a car (small SAAB wagon) and went to pick up my daughter at Maynooth University near Dublin. Then drove across the country to spend the evening in Galway.

Here's our Bed & Breakfast Inn in Galway with a picture of our rental car in front of it:

Galway is a great little city nested in a curve around the end of Galway Bay. Lots of shops, pubs and restaurants.

Galway Bay

I'll have to break these Off Topic posts into a few posts.

 

[Granny]

I should point out that Ireland has been in a drought. So it was certainly not the emerald isle that most people think of. While we were there they did get rain which they were grateful for. It made for some rather dark photos, but mostly that's my cheap camera.

From Galway we made our way down to Dromoland Castle where we stayed for three nights.


View from our room window.

Room photos never seem to come out well but here's one of our bay window area in our room.

The castle grounds include a beautiful golf course.

 

[Granny]

We went on a bus tour of Western Ireland through The Burren national park and saw plenty of tourist sites.

Old castles looking out over ocean...

6,000 year old burial site in The Burren.

Tons of the rock walls that mark land borders and most roads

The breathtaking Cliffs of Moher

 

[wildernessDad]

Great pics, Granny! It looks like you had a most wonderful time!

 

[Granny]

As I look at these photos, I realize they are really bad. Usually I can bring them back to life with Photoshop Elements but thought I'd post them unedited in the name of timeliness. Sorry about that...especially the Cliffs of Moher one. Here's a photo I stole from elsewhere on the internet of those cliffs:

We spend St. Patrick's Day in Limerick at Irelands second largest St. Pat's parade. 70,000 people lined the streets for a parade that was really like a long small-town parade of organizations. No fancy floats like we are used to, but really a "parade of the people". It went on for over 3 hours. Here are a sampling of some photos and images from that day.

A leprechaun come to give us some gold.

Can't have St. Pat's Day without bagpipes!

Or St. Patrick himself!!

 

[Granny]

The last two days were spent in Dublin. A very large and cosmopolitan city yet distinctly Irish in so many aspects. It is divided by the River Liffey and our hotel was right on the river.

Lots of street performers

This guy making the dog image out of sand was pretty amazing!

And some lovely parks in the city

 

[Granny]

We had a really nice trip and many times during the trip I wondered if this would be our last vacation as a family for some time. My daughters are 21 & 19 and will soon be going out into the world to make their way. It was a wonderful way to put some more precious family memories into the brain bank.

Thanks for putting up with my sampling of bad photos but I think you get the idea of what it was like.

And to bring it all back to topic, we are looking forward to my wife and I making our first couples trip to WDW next month. It will be very different, and somewhat bittersweet I'm sure.

Have a great week Groupies!!

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . . Ok I have a small vent. Kids - Grrrrr!!! . . . . . . . We need a put your hands around the neck & shake smiley! The terms ungrateful & spoiled come to mind. Geesh. You try to give them what they want & they're still not happy. . . . . . . . . .

Remember, insanity is hereditary. . . . . . . . you get it from your kids.

 

[horselover]

Now, now, now horselover. You must have forgotten that in "kidville", all adults are supposed to be mind readers 24/7 and that your supposed to bend over backwards for the little darlins'

I was watching the new documentary Life on the Discovery channel last night, and I found out that the female giant octopus dies after giving birth and nurturing her eggs (she lays a couple thousand). Probably because they were whining from the moment they got laid and she tried to cut and run.

This too shall pass.

Thanks Eliza I needed that!

horselover! I feel for you. But as Eliza said, this too shall pass. You're a great mom! Maybe you can leave DS at home and take Anniversary Guy with you? Leave the kids with Grandma and have a

Only problem with that is Anniversary Guy doesn't want to go this year. How about I just leave both boys home with DH & go by myself!

Granny - thanks for the pics. They weren't bad! Really lovely & makes me want to go to Ireland even more some day more & stay in a castle.

 

[eliza61]

We had a really nice trip and many times during the trip I wondered if this would be our last vacation as a family for some time. My daughters are 21 & 19 and will soon be going out into the world to make their way. It was a wonderful way to put some more precious family memories into the brain bank.

Thanks for putting up with my sampling of bad photos but I think you get the idea of what it was like.

And to bring it all back to topic, we are looking forward to my wife and I making our first couples trip to WDW next month. It will be very different, and somewhat bittersweet I'm sure.

Have a great week Groupies!!

Your pictures are gorgeous Granny, thanks for sharing.
I've been bitten by a history bug (which is weird since I hated it in school) lately and have been reading books on founding fathers, civil war etc. It blows my mind that there are cities that have 6,000 year old any thing.

The first time sans Sid and Rizzo was a bit weird, we were amazed at how many times we brought them up in conversation. but it was also very, very nice having "the old guy" to myself. You & Mrs. G will have a ball.
(it probably also helps knowing that in all probablility you be back with all the "ladies" again)

 

[horselover]

Muushka - forgot to add in my last post can you please put my new dates on the front page? 10/6-12 AKV. Thanks!

I'd also take the extra time horselover. AKV is a great resort so you won't be going wrong either way IMO. And if you go on the 6th maybe we'll run into each other! We depart on the 8th. Or maybe it's the 9th. I forget now! How about a Grand Marnier Slushie at Epcot on the 7th?

Kat - what are your dates in Oct.? I didn't see you on the Oct. list.