***The VWL Groupies & Trivia Thread*** Chapter 2!

[Laxmom]

We weren't planning on going until next year. Actually, going this year wasn't even on the radar after I looked at how much it would cost earlier this summer for December. But then, Laxdad got an email about killer airfare. They never had it available for the dates we want and almost didn't even look. We found $106 rt on Delta out of a nearby airport. That is unheard of! We just couldn't pass it up. I might add that my DH is not a spontaneous person. And yes, planning 2 months in advance is spontaneous for him.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Just got off the phone with MS after booking our first trip to both our new homes for next May!!

Xmas will be our first trip as DVC owners but it was booked at 6 months and mostly with DP's so we're at OKW and BCV. I love Flower & Garden so I figured I'd better get a plan going before the 7 month window opened. Anyhoo - I thought we'd check on the fancy schmancy concierge service at our 2nd home and got a 1 bedroom for 3 nights (studio would have been preferred but was unavailable, however I wasn't even certain we'd find anything Concierge), then we'll move to our main home - VWL - for another 4 nights in a 1 bedroom. Couldn't downsize after AKV could we?!

Yay!!!!! May 10-17th, 2009 we'll be at WDW!

 

[Laxmom]

Kat that is awesome!!! My heart still races when I call MS to make a reservation!

 

[DiznyDi]

Yeah Kathy! Glad you were successful with your ressies
We'll be there next May, too. We'll miss you by 1 day - we leave on the 9th.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Just got off the phone with MS after booking our first trip to both our new homes for next May!!

Xmas will be our first trip as DVC owners but it was booked at 6 months and mostly with DP's so we're at OKW and BCV. I love Flower & Garden so I figured I'd better get a plan going before the 7 month window opened. Anyhoo - I thought we'd check on the fancy schmancy concierge service at our 2nd home and got a 1 bedroom for 3 nights (studio would have been preferred but was unavailable, however I wasn't even certain we'd find anything Concierge), then we'll move to our main home - VWL - for another 4 nights in a 1 bedroom. Couldn't downsize after AKV could we?!

Yay!!!!! May 10-17th, 2009 we'll be at WDW!

Yeah Kathy! Glad you were successful with your ressies
We'll be there next May, too. We'll miss you by 1 day - we leave on the 9th.

You are both so lucky to be going during Flower and Garden! I'm so jealous. We were there for the end of it this past time. Who will be playing when you are there? We saw Tony Orlando.

 

[blossomz]

We went to Flower and Garden this year for the first time and I absolutely LOVED it! Although my boys could care less if they never saw another flower! They did like the butterflies and bees though!

 

[wildernessDad]

I love lists! Put me on it!

Okay, you are on it!

The list is at the link below.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1687548

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thanks Laxmom, DiznyDi and DLI! It's been a few years since I've been in May so I'm excited.

It's almost scary how easy the reservation was - wasn't quite expecting to so easily get almost exactly what I wanted since I didn't call at 11 months. The only small thing is that they always seem to have a hard time locating our AKV points. They were an add-on and it seems like they need to drill down somewhere after I tell them they do exist. At least they always find our VWL points!

You are both so lucky to be going during Flower and Garden! I'm so jealous. We were there for the end of it this past time. Who will be playing when you are there? We saw Tony Orlando.

So far I've only seen a list of performers thru the first weekend of May. It's giving me little jitters that they might not be running F&G as long but I'm hoping it just means they're working on performers.

 

[Granny]

Just got off the phone with MS after booking our first trip to both our new homes for next May!!

Xmas will be our first trip as DVC owners but it was booked at 6 months and mostly with DP's so we're at OKW and BCV. I love Flower & Garden so I figured I'd better get a plan going before the 7 month window opened. Anyhoo - I thought we'd check on the fancy schmancy concierge service at our 2nd home and got a 1 bedroom for 3 nights (studio would have been preferred but was unavailable, however I wasn't even certain we'd find anything Concierge), then we'll move to our main home - VWL - for another 4 nights in a 1 bedroom. Couldn't downsize after AKV could we?!

Yay!!!!! May 10-17th, 2009 we'll be at WDW!

Kathy...I've added your trip to the list. I think I have it correct based on what you describe above.

Looks like you and WDad will be in AKV Concierge at the same time. I love it when our Groupie friends get pampered at WDW!!

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Thanks Laxmom, DiznyDi and DLI! It's been a few years since I've been in May so I'm excited.

So far I've only seen a list of performers thru the first weekend of May. It's giving me little jitters that they might not be running F&G as long but I'm hoping it just means they're working on performers.

It seemed like I had to wait forever last year to find out who was going to be there when we were. Most of the other acts were announced before we found out who it would be. The schedule says the F&G is running to June 1st.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Kathy...I've added your trip to the list. I think I have it correct based on what you describe above.

Looks like you and WDad will be in AKV Concierge at the same time. I love it when our Groupie friends get pampered at WDW!!

Thanks Granny - you got the dates listed correctly. Groupies will be taking over AKV Concierge and it looks like I'll also have a little overlap at VWL with Dodie after her cruise.

It seemed like I had to wait forever last year to find out who was going to be there when we were. Most of the other acts were announced before we found out who it would be. The schedule says the F&G is running to June 1st.

That's good news on the dates! I couldn't find them listed and after hearing about other cutbacks that WDW was doing I started to worry. Whew!

 

[Happydinks]

For the rest of us Slugs trudging through the rest of the work week with the fear of financial armeggedon ringing in our ears.....
Repeat after me.... "I'm in my happy place, I'm in my happy place, I'm......"

Okay - we're requoting you Eliza because just when you thought it couldn't get worse -- it does! Or, maybe some follow Bob's train of thought during these weird financial times: "It's a great buying opportunity!" (I sometimes have a hard time with this strategy! )

On a lighter note for today - I found this solicitation from Disney Dining Experience in our e mail:

"Due to the high demand for the Bocuse d’Or Gala dinner from Annual Passholders and Guests who are already in possession of park admission to Epcot®, we are pleased to announce that there will be a special fee of $325.00 per person for the event – exclusive of park tickets and tax.

To benefit from this special rate, simply tell the Disney Dining Reservation Agent that you are a Passholder or have park entrance previously arranged."

So - how many Groupies can we make reservations for?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

On a lighter note for today - I found this solicitation from Disney Dining Experience in our e mail:

"Due to the high demand for the Bocuse d’Or Gala dinner from Annual Passholders and Guests who are already in possession of park admission to Epcot®, we are pleased to announce that there will be a special fee of $325.00 per person for the event – exclusive of park tickets and tax.

To benefit from this special rate, simply tell the Disney Dining Reservation Agent that you are a Passholder or have park entrance previously arranged."

So - how many Groupies can we make reservations for?

Ok - I confess I have no idea what that Bocuse d'Or Gala dinner is, but is it a joke or serious. If it's serious you gotta love that Disney marketing - it's for our benefit of course.

 

[eliza61]

Ok - I confess I have no idea what that Bocuse d'Or Gala dinner is, but is it a joke or serious. If it's serious you gotta love that Disney marketing - it's for our benefit of course.

No, it's actually part of the Food & Wine festival. Disney always has 1 or 2 high ticket events during the festival, some times it's a cooking class with a premium chef, some times it's an elaborate dinner. I've never gone myself but my family and my secertary on my job has done it a number of times, they are big foodies with a couple of chefs in the family.

Paul Bocuse is a world famous french chef. He has this huge world cooking competition every year in France and this year the US semi finals is being held at the F & W festival with the winner representing the us in France. My relatives in the restuarant business assure me that this is a deal not to be missed so Kathy, I expect you to uphold the groupies honour by purchasing 4 tickets.

Personally, I'd probably hang out at the "history of beer making in America" hoping for some free samples.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Personally, I'd probably hang out at the "history of beer making in America" hoping for some free samples.

Me too eliza !!!! My dh calls it the BEER and WINE FESTIVAL anyway

 

[Dodie]

Hi Groupies. I've not been around for a few days. Darned allergies have made my life pretty miserable. Fall is my favorite time of year, but it's also the WORST time of year for my allergies.

All this talk about Food and Wine makes me jealous. DH and I had a visit that coincided with F&W one time and it was GREAT! Guess we need to think in advance about trying to coordinate another one sometime.

We've hit Flower & Garden several times. We love that too. Just a beautiful time to be at the World.

Heck, let's face it, for us, ANYTIME is a wonderful time to visit the Mouse!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

My relatives in the restuarant business assure me that this is a deal not to be missed so Kathy, I expect you to uphold the groupies honour by purchasing 4 tickets.

Personally, I'd probably hang out at the "history of beer making in America" hoping for some free samples.

Why certainly - at least 4! I'd rather come hang out with you and the beer though.
Thanks for the info - I've never been to WDW during F&W and obviously have no clue as to what all goes on. Someday though......

 

[MaryJ]

All this talk about the Food & Wine Festival is a little bittersweet for us. This is the first time in five years that we haven't gone to WDW for the Festival. It's for the best though, as DH's business has picked up and it would be next to impossible for him to get away.

I am looking forward to being there in January when it's cold here in Indiana!

 

[50 years Too!]

Dodie and MaryJ,
sorry you can't be at the F&W this year. Maybe start planning for next year!
We went for the first time last year and loved it. 15 more days and I'll be back!
Then I'll come back home with some serious extra poundage.
For those of you interested in the competition mentioned in previous posts, a link is on the F&W sticky thread on the restaurant board.

Deb

 

[craiggers]

OH YEAH!!!.....just added additional points to our VWL membership. Feels good.