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

[tea pot]

A Big Thanks to all you Guys
I can feel the Pixie Dust ..... Working...
Think Happy Thoughts

 

[Muushka]

tea pot & Dave,
hope you both have your wait lists come through.

Blossomz, that tapestry is cool!
I have enough points at AKL, but it is in three contracts so I didn't get one.
Kinda wish I would have now.

Time to start getting ready for turkey day groupies!
Anyone have any unusual recipes that are traditions in your family?
I went to a Turkey 101 class last night presented by Rick Rodgers.
He made a Pumpkin Sticky Pudding that is good enough to replace pumpkin pie.
I know, off topic, hmm wonder what they are serving at Artist Point?

Deb

Tell me about this sticky pudding. I have to provide pumpkin pie this Sat and something different would be fun. Oh, and I heard they sell pumpkin pie at WL during the holidays. Must stay on topic....

 

[DiznyDi]

Hey Deb... You and I will be at the Lodge at the same time next May! Only 174 more days to go... Dear husband and I will be the ones with the look alike shirts with mooses on them that identify us as VWL Groupies! If you see us, stop and say

Wishing all a restful week-end. Safe travels to those visiting the World. Promises to be cold and raining in Ohio.
Di

 

[Anal Annie]

Time to start getting ready for turkey day groupies!
Anyone have any unusual recipes that are traditions in your family?I went to a Turkey 101 class last night presented by Rick Rodgers.
He made a Pumpkin Sticky Pudding that is good enough to replace pumpkin pie.
I know, off topic, hmm wonder what they are serving at Artist Point?

Deb

OK - I'll share! Not sure if I would call it UNUSUAL but my family literally pouts if I don't make my Broccoli Casserole!! (I even had to start making EXTRAS in those little 8x8 disposable tins to send home with them along with their other leftovers!)

Here's the standard 9x13 size recipe:

Either 3 boxes of frozen broccoli or 1 large bag - cooked until just barely done
1 & 1/2 stacks of Ritz Crackers - crushed
1/2 large box of Velveeta or 1 whole box of the smaller size, sliced
1 stick butter, melted

Cook and drain broccoli (I usually put a little salt in the water too). Make sure you drain it well so it's not watery. While the broccoli is cooking slice the velveeta into about 1/4" thick slices, crush the crackers & melt the butter.

Put the drained broccoli in your 9x13 baking dish, cover with the sliced velveeta then cover evenly with the crushed Ritz crackers. Spoon or drizzle the melted butter all over the top. Bake at 350 for 30 min. (I usually bake it simultaneously with my dressing.)

(And since I'm ANAL Annie, I will add that I prefer Birds Eye Broccoli)

 

[loribell]

Annie that sounds interesting. I always make it with rice. May just have to try this out.

 

[Anal Annie]

Annie that sounds interesting. I always make it with rice. May just have to try this out.

Rice in addition to my ingredients or instead of something? This version is pretty much a slam dunk hit! Ya got melted Velveeta (yummm), Ritz (another yummm) and melted butter (double YUMMMM)

 

[50 years Too!]

Barb, sent you a pm on that recipe.
AA, sounds very good, and healthier
than the green bean casserole my sister always brings. Broccoli is one of those good for you veggies!
DiznyDi, I'll be looking for you! I'll be with my sister and sister-in-law on a fact finding, planning trip for our Christmas '10 family reunion at the world. They only think they want to stay at AKL, we're staying at VWL so I can show them how wonderful it is, and that that will be the place for us all to stay! First time to the world for both of them.

Deb

 

[ransom]

Annie -- can you describe what the Ritz crackers should look like when they're crushed for this recipe?

 

[loribell]

Rice in addition to my ingredients or instead of something? This version is pretty much a slam dunk hit! Ya got melted Velveeta (yummm), Ritz (another yummm) and melted butter (double YUMMMM)

Rice instead of the Ritz. Your's sounds yummier!

 

[DaveH]

All thanks for the pixie/moose dust. If we don't get the wait list for Thanksgiving week we are just fine with it. We also love SSR. Annie there is on problem with your recipe, I HATE broccoli!!! Otherwise it sounds good. We are just looking forward to 2 weeks at the world. DW's birthday is when we check into the lodge. We are doing the Candlelight processional package and seeing it a couple more times while there. The nights we can do MVMCP is not discounted for DVC. The price for us seems to gone too high for about the last 3 years. I so enjoy doing it, but oh well we do have to make choices. Maybe we could get lucky and be flag family, never have done it. Have a great day all.

 

[Tarheel Tink]

Gooey Pumpkin Cake (from Paula Deen)

DH says he will never eat pumpkin pie again! He took one of these to work and it disappeared within minutes. If you follow Paula Deen, the ingredients can be switched around a lot to make different cake versions.

Cake:
1 (18 1/4-ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 egg
8 tablespoons butter, melted
Filling:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well with an electric mixer. Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

To make the filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter, and beat together. Next, add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mix well. Spread pumpkin mixture over cake batter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Make sure not to overbake as the center should be a little gooey.

Serve with fresh whipped cream.

Variations: For a Pineapple Gooey Cake: Instead of the pumpkin, add a drained 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple to the cream cheese filling. Proceed as directed above.

For a Banana Gooey Cake: Prepare cream cheese filling as directed, beating in 2 ripe bananas instead of the pumpkin. Proceed as directed above.

For a Peanut Butter Gooey Cake: Use a chocolate cake mix. Add 1 cup creamy peanut butter to the cream cheese filling instead of the pumpkin. Proceed as directed above.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Gooey Pumpkin Cake (from Paula Deen)

DH says he will never eat pumpkin pie again! He took one of these to work and it disappeared within minutes. If you follow Paula Deen, the ingredients can be switched around a lot to make different cake versions.

Cake:
1 (18 1/4-ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 egg
8 tablespoons butter, melted
Filling:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well with an electric mixer. Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

To make the filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter, and beat together. Next, add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mix well. Spread pumpkin mixture over cake batter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Make sure not to overbake as the center should be a little gooey.

Serve with fresh whipped cream.

Variations: For a Pineapple Gooey Cake: Instead of the pumpkin, add a drained 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple to the cream cheese filling. Proceed as directed above.

For a Banana Gooey Cake: Prepare cream cheese filling as directed, beating in 2 ripe bananas instead of the pumpkin. Proceed as directed above.

For a Peanut Butter Gooey Cake: Use a chocolate cake mix. Add 1 cup creamy peanut butter to the cream cheese filling instead of the pumpkin. Proceed as directed above.

Excellent! I have printed this off....will try it at Thanksgiving!

 

[Happydinks]

Tell me about this sticky pudding.

TGIF All! And I do mean TGIF!!!

This is the first chance I've had to sit and "de-brief" our trip - which was "totally awesome man" (to quote Crush !)

Getting to Orlando is not what it used to be - Delta has stopped flying direct -so we got to Orlando about 1:30 pm on Saturday and drove to Cocoa Beach. Stayed over night at the Hampton Inn (who let us park our car there for free) and took a shuttle over to Port Canaveral on Sunday. Thanks to Muushka - we didn't get to the ship too early - it was about noon - and we literally walked right in, checked in, and were on the ship in about 10 minutes- how awesome! Disney does it right - the other ships had chaos around them - bags and people everywhere. So our first impression was "Wow and OMG - look at this place!" It was amazing. Left port right at 4 pm.

We were on the 6th floor - not too many stairs in either direction for food or entertainment. We had awesome wait staff the entire time, great dining mates (DIS'ers also!) - and just had a heck of a good time! Weather the day at sea was beautiful - lots of sleeping and reading by the adult pool. Dinner one night at Palo (awesome Muushka - we agree!) - and the Pirates In the Carribeann Party was so much fun. Got to say - it was just an awesome first time cruise. Got invited to a DVC members meeting - and got some freebies out of it.

We started in the parks on that Thursday - and had a great time. Our weather was only rainy that Friday - the rest of the time it was beautiful - but it did get COLD that Tues/Wed/Thurs - and we were at MNSSHP Tueday night in jeans, sweatshirts AND jackets!

Dave - I'm quoting you here: "We are doing the Candlelight processional package and seeing it a couple more times while there. The nights we can do MVMCP is not discounted for DVC. The price for us seems to gone too high for about the last 3 years. " It's funny you make this comment, because we love the MNSSHP and the MVMCP -but the cost has gone so high since just 3 years ago - and the hours shortened (used to start at 4pm and go to midnight) - that it's not that "special" anymore. Parades are nice, fireworks great, but by the time you secure your spots for all that - the party's over! We'll probably go back next year (I'm hoping for after Thanksgiving ) but will pass on "the party".

We had dinner one night in Italy in Epcot - and we thought the restaurant was very good IF you're using the meal plan. Had a great dinner there - but like all the restaurants - is very pricey. F & W was going on - best use of a dining snack credit was a $7.00 lobster roll at the Beef and Barley stand outside of the American Pavillion! Why waste a snack credit on a 2.00 bottle of water!

Other than the weekends, the parks were not too crowded, and had very little wait time (other than Toy Story) on any of the rides - which was great. We scored a back to back ride on Toy Story because they needed 2 people to fill out one of the cars with a group who had a handicapped person with them - and when we finished the ride the 1st time they asked us if we wanted to go again - you bet! Have to say - I smoked Bob 4 out of 5 times on Toy Story and 2 out of 3 times on Buzz Lightyear! His theory is that I've been practicing since I've been out of work with all my "free time" !

The Lodge, the Villas, and the boat were all sold out! (I know they say the economy is bad, but......). Somewhere in the posts someone was asking about being near the elevators - and that's exactly where our room was on the second floor (2524). The only "annoyance" was the first night we're were pretty aware of the "bell dinging" - but after that we must have gotten used to it and it didn't bother us. We didn't see Stan until Thursday and weren't able to talk to him - he was always busy with guests! Tried to be a flag family - but were told you gotta ask when you check in! Lesson learned for the next time. Refurbishment of the first floor started the day we checked in - they put up temporary doors so you couldn't get down the hallways. We never saw a construction worker though - so they must have been using the exit doors at the end of the hallways. Very unobtrusive.

The Lodge pretty much seemed quite - and the Villas were lovely as always -even with it being at full occupancy.

We did take a bike ride over to the Campground to check out the decorations. There were some amazing campsite decorations. I'm going to post a couple of pics from the campsite - and one from a house in Celebration that completely redid the facade of their house to look like a pirate ship. It was simply amazing.

So our two week vacation was incredible - lots of 1st's for us. It was so nice to not be bombarded with political news/financial news and be in the "happy bubble" for those weeks. Promise to post the pics soon --

Hey Deb - would you share that recipe with me too! It sounds very interesting. If anyone's interested - I have a great one for sweet potatoes (and it doesn't include marshmallows )

I'm still reading the past pages - but Bob's all caught up! Many thanks Muushka for all your hints for our cruise - we used them! And the packing list was a huge help to us.

Missed all you guys while we were away. Lots of to all those who are wait listed -- dreams do come true! We're envious of those who will be there for the holidays - it is such a great place that time of year!

Later all!

Leslie and Bob

 

[mickeymorse]

Welcome back HD. Glad to hear you had a magical trip. Looking forward to your pics. I want your sweet potato recipe.

 

[horselover]

TGIF All! And I do mean TGIF!!!

This is the first chance I've had to sit and "de-brief" our trip - which was "totally awsome man" (to quote Crush !)

Getting to Orlando is not what it used to be - Delta has stopped flying direct -so we got to Orlando about 1:30 pm on Saturday and drove to Cocoa Beach. Stayed over night at the Hampton Inn (who let us park our car there for free) and took a shuttle over to Port Canaveral on Sunday. Thanks to Muushka - we didn't get to the ship too early - it was about noon - and we literally walked right in, checked in, and were on the ship in about 10 minutes- how awesome! Disney does it right - the other ships had chaos around them - bags and people everywhere. So our first impression was "Wow and OMG - look at this place!" It was amazing. Left port right at 4 pm.

We were on the 6th floor - not too many stairs in either direction for food or entertainment. We had awesome wait staff the entire time, great dining mates (DIS'ers also!) - and just had a heck of a good time! Weather the day at sea was beautiful - lots of sleeping and reading by the adult pool. Dinner one night at Palo (awesome Muushka - we agree!) - and the Pirates In the Carribeann Party was so much fun. Got to say - it was just an awesome first time cruise. Got invited to a DVC members meeting - and got some freebies out of it.

We started in the parks on that Thursday - and had a great time. Our weather was only rainy that Friday - the rest of the time it was beautiful - but it did get COLD that Tues/Wed/Thurs - and we were at MNSSHP Tueday night in jeans, sweatshirts AND jackets!

Dave - I'm quoting you here: "We are doing the Candlelight processional package and seeing it a couple more times while there. The nights we can do MVMCP is not discounted for DVC. The price for us seems to gone too high for about the last 3 years. " It's funny you make this comment, because we love the MNSSHP and the MVMCP -but the cost has gone so high since just 3 years ago - and the hours shortened (used to start at 4pm and go to midnight) - that it's not that "special" anymore. Parades are nice, fireworks great, but by the time you secure your spots for all that - the party's over! We'll probably go back next year (I'm hoping for after Thanksgiving ) but will pass on "the party".

We had dinner one night in Italy in Epcot - and we thought the restaurant was very good IF you're using the meal plan. Had a great dinner there - but like all the restaurants - is very pricey. F & W was going on - best use of a dining snack credit was a $7.00 lobster roll at the Beef and Barley stand outside of the American Pavillion! Why waste a snack credit on a 2.00 bottle of water!

Other than the weekends, the parks were not too crowded, and had very little wait time (other than Toy Story) on any of the rides - which was great. We scored a back to back ride on Toy Story because they needed 2 people to fill out one of the cars with a group who had a handicapped person with them - and when we finished the ride the 1st time they asked us if we wanted to go again - you bet! Have to say - I smoked Bob 4 out of 5 times on Toy Story and 2 out of 3 times on Buzz Lightyear! His theory is that I've been practicing since I've been out of work with all my "free time" !

The Lodge, the Villas, and the boat were all sold out! (I know they say the economy is bad, but......). Somewhere in the posts someone was asking about being near the elevators - and that's exactly where our room was on the second floor (2524). The only "annoyance" was the first night we're were pretty aware of the "bell dinging" - but after that we must have gotten used to it and it didn't bother us. We didn't see Stan until Thursday and weren't able to talk to him - he was always busy with guests! Tried to be a flag family - but were told you gotta ask when you check in! Lesson learned for the next time. Refurbishment of the first floor started the day we checked in - they put up temporary doors so you couldn't get down the hallways. We never saw a construction worker though - so they must have been using the exit doors at the end of the hallways. Very unobtrusive.

The Lodge pretty much seemed quite - and the Villas were lovely as always -even with it being at full occupancy.

We did take a bike ride over to the Campground to check out the decorations. There were some amazing campsite decorations. I'm going to post a couple of pics from the campsite - and one from a house in Celebration that completely redid the facade of their house to look like a pirate ship. It was simply amazing.

So our two week vacation was incredible - lots of 1st's for us. It was so nice to not be bombarded with political news/financial news and be in the "happy bubble" for those weeks. Promise to post the pics soon --

Hey Deb - would you share that recipe with me too! It sounds very interesting. If anyone's interested - I have a great one for sweet potatoes (and it doesn't include marshmallows )

I'm still reading the past pages - but Bob's all caught up! Many thanks Muushka for all your hints for our cruise - we used them! And the packing list was a huge help to us.

Missed all you guys while we were away. Lots of to all those who are wait listed -- dreams do come true! We're envious of those who will be there for the holidays - it is such a great place that time of year!

Later all!

Leslie and Bob

Thanks for the TR HD! I guess it depends on where you live whether or not Delta flies direct to MCO. They still fly direct from Boston, not every flight obviously but 2-3/day. We flew direct both ways when we were there in Sept. Also got a direct coming back for our Jan. trip, but 1 stop going down.

Thanks for the heads up on MVMCP. We were thinking about doing it next year, but now I may reconsider.

Can't wait to see your pics!

 

[Muushka]

Excellent! I have printed this off....will try it at Thanksgiving!

I'll second that. 2 awesome pumpkin recipes in one day!

HD!!! Finally, you posted a report!! I was going to send the Groupie hounds out to look for you .

You report sounded fantastic. And FUN! I am so glad you loved the cruise. Did you re-book while on board???

Well, welcome home! Can't wait for the pictures .

PS For the record, you can get into the MNSSHP and MVMCP at 4. I know it says 7 or something on the literature, but they will let you in at 4. If you use non-exp tickets like we do, the parties are a bargain!

 

[blossomz]

Yum!! All of those great Thanksgiving recipes! I'm ready for Turkey day!! (even though we sadly won't be at the Lodge this year).

Thanks HD for the great trip report...getting me all excited about our first cruise! All of the advice and good thoughts...I'm starting to keep a list of all of the good ideas! Keep'em comin'!!

Happy weekend all!!

 

[DaveH]

Thanks for the heads up on MVMCP. We were thinking about doing it next year, but now I may reconsider.

If you have not been to MVMCP do go!! I have been to about a dozen parties over the years. I started sometime in the mid 90's. In 1999 I saw a major drop off of decorations at Disney. Yes as wonderful as it is they did better before. We go for the shows and parades. If you have not seen it, go to it. We normally go the week after Thanksgiving. The best days in order for that time of year are Tuesday, Sunday and Thursday. They have the lightest crowds. Locals are more likely to go on Fridays and Saturdays. We have not seen the new lights on the castle and I hope they light them on non party nights. Also try and go when the AP or DVC discounts are. The new dates that just came out has only one night we are there and we are doing the CP. I have been doing CP for over 10 years also. I do not have to see the program so sitting in the outside eating area across from the stage works for us. When you have been to a party often you sometimes judging the cost more closely than if never doing it. I remeber when they closed the park and kicked everyone out then you came down mainstreet after dark with it snowing and the music playing, priceless.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Hello groupies!
HD that was a great trip report! Good job! Glad it was a great trip for you!

Went to Target today and was looking at the Christmas stuff. They have a big light up moose! Do want! It is $80 though.

 

[Happydinks]

Welcome back HD. Glad to hear you had a magical trip. Looking forward to your pics. I want your sweet potato recipe.

PM'd you the recipe - and will gladly do the same for anyone who would like it!