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

[Inkmahm]

I've already eaten more than my share of Easter chocolate and the holiday isn't even here yet. I predict I'll be eating more. Stress eating, you know.

Heard from one of my top job potentials this morning. They hired someone else.

Where's that chocolate???

 

[Muushka]

One of the reasons why I love this thread so much? The boys. The past few posts about bushes are priceless.

Granny and jimmytammy thanks so much for your thoughts on the odd room layout. I couldn't figure if that configuration was a boon or bust, so I appreciate the input. I completely agree that anywhere at the lodge is just fine and we'll get to spend a few nights here just absorbing the atmosphere.

For those of you pulling up a bush anytime between 8/15-19 I'll have a bed empty if you'd like some reprieve from the humidity,LOL.

Looking over my notes from our last stay at the WL I can't seem to find the hours for the boat rentals. Does anyone happen to know at what time in the am we could expect them to open?

And does anyone have any thoughts on the photo sessions available here?

TIA
kristy

More of a bump for you, cannot help on your questions but wanted to say

I've already eaten more than my share of Easter chocolate and the holiday isn't even here yet. I predict I'll be eating more. Stress eating, you know.

Heard from one of my top job potentials this morning. They hired someone else.

Where's that chocolate???

I'm sorry

 

[Muushka]

I have a question for you. I am afraid that it could turn political, so I don't want to ask it on any other board/thread. Please, no opinions about health care reform law. Can anyone give an opinion on:

With the new health care law being passed, what impact do you think it will have on a business as large as Disney and Disney World? And with these changes, do you believe that it will ultimately affect our membership dues?

Thanks!

My opinion is that this will have a financial impact on WDW. I am certain that ticket prices will reflect this as well as parking, food and lodging. And our dues will also go up. How much, I cannot hazard a guess.

 

[Dizny Dad]

eliza61 - Glad you identified the photos of the WL Rabbit as not the Easter Bunny; but be sure to understand that what it left wasn't chocolate.

 

[twinklebug]

Hi guys - thanks for all the well wishes. I've been my typical stubborn self and avoided the doc, so still fighting this cough/headache/nasal infection. I'm good as long as it doesn't go into pneumonia... then I seek help asap. I'm actually thankful to be out of work this week as I know it'd be impossible to work more than a few hours a day. Halls cough drops and ibuprofen are an amazing combo.

The flood waters here have peaked (I hope) Quite a number of homes were damaged as well as a couple of smaller bridges washed out. It's amazing to drive by homes that I didn't even realize were near water and see them engulfed in a pond. Our main road through town here is closed due to the Taunton River deciding to claim it as it's own. Mother nature has a way of reminding us that we've built upon her lands doesn't she?

I managed to take the detours around town down to dd's music lesson and then hit the grocery store. The E. bunny is all set to visit Sunday, but I think a visit to VWL would be preferred. Is anyone down there this weekend? I'd love to see some pics of what WL does for Easter. I know the fort has an egg trample... err... I mean hunt that they run. It's so cute to see the little guys run three feet in, stop to pick up a squashed egg and then take it back to mom/dad to show that it's been flattened instead of dropping it and stocking up on all the other goodies being snatched up Ah, but they do learn fast.

Re: the bush conversation, I'm just clarifying that you are indeed discussing bushes and not... shrubberies?

Cute bunny pics btw - "I warned you, but did you listen to me? Oh, no, you knew, didn't you? Oh, it's just a harmless little bunny, isn't it?"

 

[DVCGeek]

Hi all- dues info. starting to filter on to DVCMember.com for my VWL add-on... Happy April Fools day! And yes, I'm already several pages behind AGAIN with little realistic hope of going back and reading them all...

 

[stopher1]

My opinion is that this will have a financial impact on WDW. I am certain that ticket prices will reflect this as well as parking, food and lodging. And our dues will also go up. How much, I cannot hazard a guess.

Not to be political either, but I think it will have an impact across the board, especially for an organization the size of the WDCo. Locally I've already experienced increased prices at a couple of the restaurants we go to and I'm friends with the owners. They flat out said they were making a pro-active move to counter the increased costs they anticipate. I can only imagine that the standard 3-5% increases on tickets, food, parking etc at WDW and DL will go up incrementally more to compensate but that"s just MHO. Taking a look at all of the other big name companies that have already calculated the cost, I can't imagine that the accountanteers haven't already done the same for the WDCo.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

We'll have to keep it on the QT until it is up and going, but I can see it now . . . .

"The Bushes at Wilderness Lodge"

jimmytammy - you can build the bus stops, I'll hand out the mints; Welcome Home.

Hey I thought you were going to need those mints for the upcoming wedding?!

I've already eaten more than my share of Easter chocolate and the holiday isn't even here yet. I predict I'll be eating more. Stress eating, you know.

Heard from one of my top job potentials this morning. They hired someone else.

Where's that chocolate???

Ug. Sorry to hear this.

eliza61 - Glad you identified the photos of the WL Rabbit as not the Easter Bunny; but be sure to understand that what it left wasn't chocolate.

We have alot of that in our yard right now. I think my dog thinks it's chocolate!

Hi guys - thanks for all the well wishes. I've been my typical stubborn self and avoided the doc, so still fighting this cough/headache/nasal infection. I'm good as long as it doesn't go into pneumonia... then I seek help asap. I'm actually thankful to be out of work this week as I know it'd be impossible to work more than a few hours a day. Halls cough drops and ibuprofen are an amazing combo.

The flood waters here have peaked (I hope) Quite a number of homes were damaged as well as a couple of smaller bridges washed out. It's amazing to drive by homes that I didn't even realize were near water and see them engulfed in a pond. Our main road through town here is closed due to the Taunton River deciding to claim it as it's own. Mother nature has a way of reminding us that we've built upon her lands doesn't she?

I managed to take the detours around town down to dd's music lesson and then hit the grocery store. The E. bunny is all set to visit Sunday, but I think a visit to VWL would be preferred. Is anyone down there this weekend? I'd love to see some pics of what WL does for Easter. I know the fort has an egg trample... err... I mean hunt that they run. It's so cute to see the little guys run three feet in, stop to pick up a squashed egg and then take it back to mom/dad to show that it's been flattened instead of dropping it and stocking up on all the other goodies being snatched up Ah, but they do learn fast.

Re: the bush conversation, I'm just clarifying that you are indeed discussing bushes and not... shrubberies?

Cute bunny pics btw - "I warned you, but did you listen to me? Oh, no, you knew, didn't you? Oh, it's just a harmless little bunny, isn't it?"

Gosh what a pain!! Glad you are okay though. Hopefully things will get back to normal soon.

Muushka - It is already affecting the tanning salons in Nebraska. They are talking about having to raise their prices. Fortunatly this won't matter to me! I'm sure there will be more that will though. Like prices at Disney.

 

[jimmytammy]

Horselover, good idea about the turn down service...mints under the bush, that has a nice ring to it!

Twinklebug, these will be bushes of the soft variety, unless you want the prickly kind, which we can price like a value resort

 

[eliza61]

I have a question for you.
With the new health care law being passed, what impact do you think it will have on a business as large as Disney and Disney World? And with these changes, do you believe that it will ultimately affect our membership dues?

Thanks!

My opinion is that this will have a financial impact on WDW. I am certain that ticket prices will reflect this as well as parking, food and lodging. And our dues will also go up. How much, I cannot hazard a guess.

Not sure . My view is from another large company. If Disney is any thing llike Dupont, it won't have a major impact, you may see a small "trickle" down effect but that's it.
Most major corps don't lump every thing in one pot. Disney probably has a park operational cost revunue stream, a dvc cost revenue stream, a motion picture revenue stream, etc etc. Now those streams are broken further down to fixed cost (people and equipment) and non fixed cost (cost of fuel, cost of food). Fixed cost are pretty easy to manipulate. We've calculated our cost and have not made one adjustment to profit objectives nor has our profit forcast changed 1 cent. Dupont offers health care to all it's employees now any way so we don't have a large pool of people who we suddenly have to insure. Also being such a global company we generally have every and any insurance company begging to get a foot in the door.

Major companies will still be able to control what health care packages they can offer, they still have a lot of bargaining chips. So for example, at Dupont we can tailor our plans to absorb cost increases by the employee (30%) and by the company (70%)

How much of our dues goes directly to salaries and benefits is the question? I'm willing to hazard a guess that's it's not a big slice of the pie.

Truthfully, I think the price of a barrel of oil, currently at 83 bucks a gallon will effect our tickets price waay more than health insurance.
Also the freebies and promotions also effect the bottom line a lot more than health insurance.

Who knows, it may be a good thing and cut down on retention cost. Disney is notorious for extremely high employee turnover primarily due to paying lousing wages and offering no benefits.

 

[eliza61]

I always say real life can some times be so entertaining. If any one has gotten a new credit card statement you may have noticed that it's in a new format. Now along with the minimum payment you also get a box showing you how long it will take you to pay off the charge if you only pay the minimum.

Last month we purchased a new refrigerator using our local Sears. they had one of those 90 no interest deals. Very nice stainless steel model, ran us about $2,000 bucks after tax etc.

Anyway, got the bill yesterday and if I only pay the minimum payment of $17 bucks, I will pay it off in.......drumroll please......

1,596 years

I will be a hot babe of 1,646 years young. I wonder if I can still call "the old guy", "the old guy"?

Wonder if I'll still be able to use my dvc points then??

 

[horselover]

Twinklebug, these will be bushes of the soft variety, unless you want the prickly kind, which we can price like a value resort

 

[DVCGeek]

I tend to agree that healthcare changes should have a minimal impact on our dues. They are limited to the change in actual cost incurred. From some things I've read it's companies that cover generous retirement health insurance items you are taking a tax hit on prescriptions; most other things I've read don't sound like a huge deal for larger companies outside the medical/insurance industries.

Wonder if I'll still be able to use my dvc points then??

Probably depends a LOT on how many add-ons you do between now and then...

 

[blossomz]

Oh Eliza!!! Just love those bunnies!!....and yum...chocolate!!!!

 

[Muushka]

Dupont offers health care to all it's employees now any way so we don't have a large pool of people who we suddenly have to insure.

I was thinking this aspect of WDW. I can't imagine that they provide ins for all employees now. Time will tell. Thanks all.

 

[wildernessDad]

I've already eaten more than my share of Easter chocolate and the holiday isn't even here yet. I predict I'll be eating more. Stress eating, you know.

Heard from one of my top job potentials this morning. They hired someone else.

Where's that chocolate???

I think that you'll find a job soon. I certainly hope so. Things are starting to pick up a bit.

I need some of that chocolate too. I'm thinking wockenfuss chocolate. http://www.wockenfusscandies.com/

Hmm, you shouldn't have said anything about chocolate.

 

[wildernessDad]

Oh, in other news, the DVC Planner app is now a universal app for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. It is now on sale on the iTunes app store.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

I always say real life can some times be so entertaining. If any one has gotten a new credit card statement you may have noticed that it's in a new format. Now along with the minimum payment you also get a box showing you how long it will take you to pay off the charge if you only pay the minimum.

Last month we purchased a new refrigerator using our local Sears. they had one of those 90 no interest deals. Very nice stainless steel model, ran us about $2,000 bucks after tax etc.

Anyway, got the bill yesterday and if I only pay the minimum payment of $17 bucks, I will pay it off in.......drumroll please......

1,596 years

I will be a hot babe of 1,646 years young. I wonder if I can still call "the old guy", "the old guy"?

Wonder if I'll still be able to use my dvc points then??

 

[blossomz]

Finally!!!! Southwest is now a part of Magical Express!!!

 

[DVCGeek]

Is SW part of ME at all resorts now or is it still only a handful as a trial program? I may have missed something... And if it's still a beta, how many DVC ones are included, if any? I think I read Pop was one of the first to go online.