From Kick'n It at Kidani to Play'n It at Pop adults only p62/63 last thoughts&request

[praisehisname]

Great update! The WL looks so inviting; I'd love to stay there some day! You and Denny looked great in the pics!

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Love the pics from WL. We stayed there in June and loved it. It was a dream come true for me.

I need one of the berry desserts. That looked so yummy!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Great WL update!! You must be so excited to stay there in a few months!!!

I think your right about Artist Point! The whole relaxing, top notch experience of the place make it that much better!

 

[MEK]

How you described your feeling of Wilderness Lodge is EXACTLY how I feel about it. It's just so amazing. You feel like you are anywhere but the middle of Florida. Oh MEK, now you have me really wanting to stay there again.

I do have a picture of that owl light.

It really is an amazing feel, and not one that I fully appreciated with my harried dining experience three years ago.

I figured you had most of the light fixtures there, but I couldn't help myself.

I've missed a few updates but wanted to jump back in with this one.... WL looks so peaceful and serene. I too really, really want to stay there.

It really does look serene. I just fell in love, so much so that I am staying there in May.

Artist Point was on my short list for our August trip but my kids overruled me. The portobello mushroom soup looks very yummy and the desserts looked devine. Love the McQueen and Tink light ups!

I guess I can see why the kids wouldn't be crazy about it, although there were plenty of kids there. It really was a nice grown up meal and the server could not have been better! And I was so excited to get my Tink light-up!

Great update! I really love the look and feel of the WL !
Denny's dessert looks so good!

Thanks! Such a gorgeous resort. So well planned. And I was thinking the same thing when I saw the picture of Denny's dessert. I wonder if he ate it all. He looks huge! (Too much wine, I don't remember).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks! I hope you have a great Thanksgiving as well!

Great update! The WL looks so inviting; I'd love to stay there some day! You and Denny looked great in the pics!

I hear ya! And I am so excited to be staying there in May. That's why I love DVC! ... and thanks for the compliment on the pics!

We are headed to Columbia, Md today for a soccer tournament. Is that anywhere close to where you live?

Love the pics from WL. We stayed there in June and loved it. It was a dream come true for me.

I need one of the berry desserts. That looked so yummy!!!

Wow - Did you have a great time?????? What did you like best about WL?I bet it was awesome in the heat of June.

That berry dessert does look so good and I don't even remember trying it.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thanks! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Great WL update!! You must be so excited to stay there in a few months!!!

I am! Seeing the pictures get me really excited and makes me love DVC that much more!

I think your right about Artist Point! The whole relaxing, top notch experience of the place make it that much better!

That's exactly it. It's not one individual thing that makes it great. Rather, its the whole experience and that server was my favorite of the whole trip. She did everything perfect. I wish I could remember her name, because she really deserves recognition.

 

[MEK]

So today I head to Columbia Md with Brian for a soccer tournament. He plays at noon today, but has an 8am game tomorrow. I made a hotel reservation at a Hampton Inn for tonight. He has another game tomorrow afternoon and then Sunday afternoon. We'll come home tomorrow and drive back down Sunday. Well - actually I won't, because I have to do music for church on Sunday.

So - I probably won't update my TR before Sunday.

Just a little epilogue about the Wilderness Lodge experience. You know that my dream has always been to stay at the Beach Club. I really wanted to try for the BC or the Boardwalk for our May trip. But once I visited the WL, it got under my skin and I kept thinking "I REALLY want to stay here". The whole woodsy thing, the geyser, the memory of Eandesmom (Cynthia) and her awesome experience at Fort Wildnerness, the access to the boat launch, the beautiful pools, and the amazing architecture of the main lodge. Well, I could just go on and on. I also thought it would be so cool to be able to run on the path between the WL and Fort Wilderness. I am sooooooo looking forward to that!

So I did some research on the three resorts - WL, BCV, BWV. I learned the VWL only had 188 DVC units. Yikes - its the smallest DVC resort. BCV has over 200 and BWV has over 300. Since I was making my reservation during the Flower and Garden Festival, I knew that BC and BW would be in high demand. So when I called at exactly 9am, exactly 7 months out, I listed my choices as (1) VWL (2) BCV (3) BWV. Naturally the CM can only check one at a time, so she started with VWL. When she said there was a 2 BR lock-off available, I took it right there on the spot. I wasn't going to mess around with more checking, because that quickly it could disappear.

I am very exctied to be staying there. Yes - I still covet the BC, but I KNOW I will get a chance to stay there. I would love to purchase points at the BC, but unless I can purchase at least 100 points there, it just doesn't seem worth it. I'm not even sure about 100 points. It would be great for when Denny and I travel alone and stay in a studio, but I really enjoy the larger accomodations and inviting friends to travel. With 200 points already at SSR, it just seems more logical to add the points there.

Anyway - I got off on a tangent, but would love to hear opinions on having 200 points at SSR and 100 points at BC. Good, bad, or otherwise. I think I pretty much have Denny sold on the idea of adding a smaller contract, its just a matter of when. Because the economy is so unpredictable, its hard to commit. Oh well, I am just happy to have a small piece of the DVC pie.

So, I hope everyone had an awesome Thanksgiving! Have a great weekend and good luck to those black Friday shoppers!

 

[praisehisname]

We are headed to Columbia, Md today for a soccer tournament. Is that anywhere close to where you live?

It's about 45 minutes away. Good luck today!

 

[kschafer]

Oh wow! Can I come visit you at WL in May? It is tops on my list of dream (MUST stay at some day) resorts (followed closely by BC). It is SO beautiful and just my style

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Wow - Did you have a great time?????? What did you like best about WL?I bet it was awesome in the heat of June.

Yes, we loved WL. It was dream of mine after we ate at WCC in 2007. When the 4/3 deal came out for June. I jumped on it.

We loved the boat ride to MK and the Cont. We used the monorail to go to Poly and EPCOT. We weren't at the the villas but in a room. The bed was super comfy and our balcony looked out over the Seven Seas Lagoon. We really liked the music in the lobby and had no problems with the buses, even in June. Everyone is so nice here.

Have a great time.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Wilderness Lodge is just gorgeous!!! One day I will need to go explore! Your dinner looks delicious especially the cobbler! Yum! I love your little light-up Tink and McQueen! What a cute gesture from the waitress!

I am so excited that you are staying at Wilderness Lodge for your May trip -- can't wait to see more pictures of it!

Have fun at the soccer games this weekend!

 

[manntra]

WL is a beautiful resort. That was just perfect timing that you are able to stay there for May. It looks so serene and peaceful. One of the reasons I love AKV is that you feel that you are transported somewhere with the theming and location...I get that you must feel the same way at the WL. That with the added bonus of boat transportation just sweetens the stay!
Dinner looks yummy! Scallops again I lovveee scallops!
Your pp picture looks great too!
Not sure about the points at SSR/BC. I always thought if/when I add on that it will still be at AKV because it seems like there would be too much thinking involved with different use years/ resorts But then if you wanted BC then you would have a much better chance at 11 months out so.... addonitis is a very serious disease!
Regarding the May trip....I have read so much about people leaving a day early (all of the enablers out there ) that I booked our flight for May. We will be leaving here on Saturday afternoon at 430 from Syracuse (about an hour away) on Jet Blue. It is a direct flight and for that I am really excited about!! We will probably stay at a hotel by the airport on Saturday night then check in on Sunday. I know our room won't be ready but it will give us a whole day in the parks instead of half the day.

Tracy

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

I was a little behind...

so CONGRATS on the soccer win!....

You sound like you got quite a bit done on your week off...

I'm so glad you had a great experience at WL...I happen to love it there myself...ironically my must stay at resort at this point is the Beach Club also...but I really love the WL which is good because that's where we're staying for Em's B-Day trip...

(She's always said it feels "good" there and "safe" and "happy"-we stayed there when she was 8 so I think it has really good, warm memories for her...

It is definitely one of the most completely themed of the Dis Lodges-you really do feel you are in a Lodge in the Pacific Northwest-lovely...

(I think it's supposed to be modeled after the main lodge near Mt. Ranier....)

Good for you for nabbing those May ressies...you'll have an amazing time...

 

[wigdoutdismom]

My only advice on the add-on would be to make sure you have the same use year on your contracts.
If you want to stay at Beach Club then I would add on there. Those points could always be used at another resort at 7months, like if you wanted a larger unit at SSR. The same goes for a Beach Club stay with your SSR points.
Does this make any sense?

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I just got to your AP update!!! Food looked wonderful!! Glad you enjoyed it! I too am longing to stay at WL!!! You are lucky...you'll be doing it soon!!!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

I'm so excited that you got the VWL reservation!!! Of course, I'm super jealous too

The whole add on contract thing has me confused and is, quite frankly, hurting my head! DH is also sold on the idea (Yipppeee!) now that we are *almost* officially out of any debt. We'll probably do it within the next 6 months mostly likely soon, but not until *almost* becomes all the way. I know what wigd said about having the same use year is very important to not be completely confused in the future when making reservations.

I know if you buy through DVC not matter when you buy they give you the same use year as your original contract. It maybe wigd that told me that, not sure.

But, if you buy resale you get the contracts use year.

I'm kind of on the fence about buying a different resort. I would loved to buy 100 points at BLT before the price went up the beginning of the month but DH wouldn't go for it (don't blame him, but don't tell him I said that ) But otherwise I'm not sure. I go back and forth! I know a lot of people own several resorts but I wonder if that gets confusing. I've been tempted to call our guide and talk to him about it but I feel bad doing that and then buying resale.

I signed up for some sort of DVC holiday webcast, on the 10th I think, I'm hoping they'll give some sort of incentive to buy add on. When we went to the DVC event in August they had some good incentives but we weren't ready.

UGH! Like I said, the whole thing is hurting my head!!!! I know, I could have worse problems

 

[MEK]

It's about 45 minutes away. Good luck today!

We passed through Baltimore County on our way there! I figured out we are practically neighbors!!!!! Seriously - it took about 50 mins from my house to get there.

Oh wow! Can I come visit you at WL in May? It is tops on my list of dream (MUST stay at some day) resorts (followed closely by BC). It is SO beautiful and just my style

Of course you can! We will have to figure out when we can get together and chill by the pool. I can't wait to see the villa. It's going to be so great!

Yes, we loved WL. It was dream of mine after we ate at WCC in 2007. When the 4/3 deal came out for June. I jumped on it.

.

Smart. That 4/3 deal really is a good one.

We loved the boat ride to MK and the Cont. We used the monorail to go to Poly and EPCOT. We weren't at the the villas but in a room. The bed was super comfy and our balcony looked out over the Seven Seas Lagoon. We really liked the music in the lobby and had no problems with the buses, even in June. Everyone is so nice here.

Have a great time.

Oh....it sounds like such a great trip - your description makes me want to go RIGHT NOW! I can't wait to take the boat ride during the day.

Wilderness Lodge is just gorgeous!!! One day I will need to go explore! Your dinner looks delicious especially the cobbler! Yum! I love your little light-up Tink and McQueen! What a cute gesture from the waitress!

You should go explore! You need to put that on your list of places to stay. Dinner was fabulous and I love my light-up Tink. She has a very special place in my house. I have a book shelf with all sorts of Disney things, so she is resting right on top.

I am so excited that you are staying at Wilderness Lodge for your May trip -- can't wait to see more pictures of it!

Have fun at the soccer games this weekend!

I promise to take hundreds of WL pics this May (with my new camera)

Soccer was soooooooo cold - it was freezing, but we had a good time at the Inner Harbor after Friday's games. And we visited Elicott City Md, which was so cool!

WL is a beautiful resort. That was just perfect timing that you are able to stay there for May. It looks so serene and peaceful. One of the reasons I love AKV is that you feel that you are transported somewhere with the theming and location...I get that you must feel the same way at the WL. That with the added bonus of boat transportation just sweetens the stay!

I totally agree - they are such great resorts in that you are just immersed in the theming. I love AKL, too. I know I will be wanting to go back there to visit again soon!

Dinner looks yummy! Scallops again I lovveee scallops!

Me too! They were really yum!

Not sure about the points at SSR/BC. I always thought if/when I add on that it will still be at AKV because it seems like there would be too much thinking involved with different use years/ resorts But then if you wanted BC then you would have a much better chance at 11 months out so.... addonitis is a very serious disease!

Too much thinking involved! LOL - love that! You're right - I definately don't want too much thinking. So far I have not succumbed to addonitis, but I know I can't stay immune forever!

Regarding the May trip....I have read so much about people leaving a day early (all of the enablers out there ) that I booked our flight for May. We will be leaving here on Saturday afternoon at 430 from Syracuse (about an hour away) on Jet Blue. It is a direct flight and for that I am really excited about!! We will probably stay at a hotel by the airport on Saturday night then check in on Sunday. I know our room won't be ready but it will give us a whole day in the parks instead of half the day.

Tracy -

that is so great that you already got your flight and leaving a day early! Woot! I am considering doing the same, but we'll see.

I was a little behind...

so CONGRATS on the soccer win!....

You sound like you got quite a bit done on your week off...

Thanks! I think the boys are still pretty excited.

As far as my week off - it seems like an eternity ago! (just like a Disney trip when its over)

II'm so glad you had a great experience at WL...I happen to love it there myself...ironically my must stay at resort at this point is the Beach Club also...but I really love the WL which is good because that's where we're staying for Em's B-Day trip...

(She's always said it feels "good" there and "safe" and "happy"-we stayed there when she was 8 so I think it has really good, warm memories for her...

That is so cute! What a great memory! She is going to have such a great time there on her birthday!

As far as the BC - that's three of us that "must stay" at BC!

It is definitely one of the most completely themed of the Dis Lodges-you really do feel you are in a Lodge in the Pacific Northwest-lovely...

(I think it's supposed to be modeled after the main lodge near Mt. Ranier....)

Good for you for nabbing those May ressies...you'll have an amazing time...

I'm so psyched to have that reservation. It's probably the hardest reservation I've gotten since I joined DVC. The main lodge near Mt Ranier - interesting - I did not know that. Cool! You're right -It is so completely themed.

My only advice on the add-on would be to make sure you have the same use year on your contracts.
If you want to stay at Beach Club then I would add on there. Those points could always be used at another resort at 7months, like if you wanted a larger unit at SSR. The same goes for a Beach Club stay with your SSR points.
Does this make any sense?

Wigd - that is good advice about the same use years. I never really thought about that, but I will make sure I pick a contract with the same use year. That makes the "thinking" easier.

It's funny - some days I want that add-on so bad and other days I am willing to just wait until " the time is right".

I just got to your AP update!!! Food looked wonderful!! Glad you enjoyed it! I too am longing to stay at WL!!! You are lucky...you'll be doing it soon!!!

AP was the bomb. I loved it. I will take lots of great WL pics. It may be the only time I stay there - so I'm psyched!

I'm so excited that you got the VWL reservation!!! Of course, I'm super jealous too

Thanks! But don't be jealous because I am sure there are some great reservations waiting for you in your DVC future!

The whole add on contract thing has me confused and is, quite frankly, hurting my head! DH is also sold on the idea (Yipppeee!) now that we are *almost* officially out of any debt. We'll probably do it within the next 6 months mostly likely soon, but not until *almost* becomes all the way. I know what wigd said about having the same use year is very important to not be completely confused in the future when making reservations.

I know if you buy through DVC not matter when you buy they give you the same use year as your original contract. It maybe wigd that told me that, not sure.

But, if you buy resale you get the contracts use year.

Yeah - that use year thing is important. I guess if I went resale I would just call and ask them to start looking for the contract in my use year. That's so great that your DH is agreeing to adding on. Your kids are young so you will really want those bigger accomodations as they get bigger.

.

I'm kind of on the fence about buying a different resort. I would loved to buy 100 points at BLT before the price went up the beginning of the month but DH wouldn't go for it (don't blame him, but don't tell him I said that ) But otherwise I'm not sure. I go back and forth! I know a lot of people own several resorts but I wonder if that gets confusing. I've been tempted to call our guide and talk to him about it but I feel bad doing that and then buying resale.

Yeah - that's tough. I wonder if several resorts gets confusing too. I guess if you have enough points its great. I just wonder how many is the minimum you need to not feel like you are point stretched at any one resort.

I signed up for some sort of DVC holiday webcast, on the 10th I think, I'm hoping they'll give some sort of incentive to buy add on. When we went to the DVC event in August they had some good incentives but we weren't ready.

UGH! Like I said, the whole thing is hurting my head!!!! I know, I could have worse problems

Well - when you want something really bad, it does hurt your head. When, where, how much? Your head can really start to spin.

 

[MEK]

Hi All......

I don't know when I will get my next update in, but I did download the rest of my pics. So ..... I promise.....as soon as I get some free time and I get caught up on some TR, I will be adding my last day!!!!!!!

 

[wsushocker]

So ..... I promise.....

 

[brookelizabeth]

Ahhhhh, the WL. Joe and I just LOVED it there as well. When we first booked it I was a bit meh about it, but the more I looked into it, and then after we stayed there in November 2008, we both completely fell in love with the resort overall. It's so peaceful, and just like you said, it feels like you are not in FL anymore. It's close to the parks, but feels a million miles away. Love it!

I'm enjoying the talk of an add-on, always love to live vicariously through my fellow DISers. I don't know squat about add-ons, but the only thing I do know is make sure the Use Year is the same for ease of use.

I hope the soccer games went well, and that you had a great Thanksgiving holiday!

 

[MEK]

thanks Shocker! Your posts always give me a chuckle and sometimes I just laugh right out loud. That always cause Denny to come running straight away!

 

[MEK]

Ahhhhh, the WL. Joe and I just LOVED it there as well. When we first booked it I was a bit meh about it, but the more I looked into it, and then after we stayed there in November 2008, we both completely fell in love with the resort overall. It's so peaceful, and just like you said, it feels like you are not in FL anymore. It's close to the parks, but feels a million miles away. Love it!

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed your stay there. I know I am going to enjoy mine. It's so nice to know that we can use points there. Its such a novel resort. After my last visit I am starting to understand why it is highlighted in so many travel channel specials.

I'm enjoying the talk of an add-on, always love to live vicariously through my fellow DISers. I don't know squat about add-ons, but the only thing I do know is make sure the Use Year is the same for ease of use.

I'm glad I know about making the add on the same use year. Honestly, I never would have thought about it, so I'm glad I know!

I hope the soccer games went well, and that you had a great Thanksgiving holiday!

Thanks - that was one cold tournament last weekend. Brrrrrr! And Thanksgiving was great! Thanks for asking!