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

[KAT4DISNEY]

So when we go in January my DH booked us a flight out of Kansas City which is a 2 1/2 drive for us because he wanted a direct flight. We got an e-mail today telling us that they changed our flights and now we would no longer have a direct flight and we would get into Orlando later. That would mess up our dinner reservations at Teppan Edo and as well as us just having less time there. Well DH was pretty ticked and called the airline all ready to give them an earful. They told him because it was a schedule change we could either change our reservations or get our money back. It turns out that although we won't have a direct flight anymore we will be able to leave from Omaha which is a 20 minute drive and we will get into Orlando 3 hours earlier than we were originally supposed to! Ahh 3 more hours in paradise. Also when we leave for home we won't have to leave first thing in the morning like we were supposed to before.

I'm glad that's working out better for you!!!

Give us some dates so we can put you on the list for next year!!

Nov. 12th thru Nov 17th at the lodge! I have a conference in Orlando before that and before the conference I have 2 nights booked at AKV Nov 6 & 7th. I'm hoping I'll be able to catch the end of F&W.


Winds are starting to pick up. Our plane is still scheduled to arrive tonight (the nice thing about a small airport like Reno is you know if your plane is going to make it!), so now the challenge will be the winds dying down enough for us to take off the morning.

 

[jimmytammy]

Got in at 4am this morning. Its good to be back home, but as we were leaving the Lodge, it was truly sad. We talk about it, but it is like leaving home.

We had a chance meeting with cheer4bison yesterday as Casey and I were taking some luggage out. She and her DH/DS were coming out towards the Mickey topiary as we were rounding the corner. It was so nice to see her and meet her family. She said Stan was sick yesterday so we missed seeing him.
I felt honored after I woke up this morning and lo and behold, Stan left a message on our machine. He said he was sorry he missed us, but he got a call that he needed to come back home. Assuming it may have had to do with his MIL.
I will try to post some more pics soon.

 

[50 years Too!]

Flying out tomorrow for WDW! Plans for this trip have really changed along the way: our 3 guests had to cancel so we have a 2 bedroom at VWL with just DH and myself (waitlist didn't come through for a smaller villa)and DH can't make our flight tomorrow but will join me Monday. So, I fly out by myself and take towncar alone. DH flies out from a different airport (so 2 cars renting space at 2 different airports) and takes Magical Express to VWL where I've been sprawling out in the 2 BR all by my lonesome.

3 days at Disney alone and looking forward to it! It literally is all about me for a few days!

Hey Tarheel, I have a grouchy 19 year old son that I'll pay you to stick in your studio! We'll be there the evening of the 15th. If you see a Mom nagging a surly boy, that would be me!

Deb

 

[50 years Too!]

JT--love that you share Stan with us with your wonderful words and pictures.
I feel like I know him because of you. I so hope we get a chance to meet him next week.

Lisa S--thanks for sharing the webcam. It makes me so excited seeing it "live".

Kat--Hope that wind scoots out soon. Enjoy your trip.

Hope all the groupies are enjoying preparing for the holidays!

Offtopic--MY DD came home from Japan this morning! I'm on cloud nine!

Deb

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

50 Years Too - Enjoy your time with your daughter. My oldest sons are home from college too and I'm so excited to have them here for Christmas. I can only imagine how awesome it is for you after having her in Japan!

Hope everyone has a great weekend and good trips for all who are traveling.

 

[tea pot]

Just wanted to say that our VWL holdings have been increased by 25 to 200! A Christmas present to me from DH

I love the moose with the Christmas tree, beautiful!

Bobbi

What a Great Santa Congrats

Flying out tomorrow for WDW! Plans for this trip have really changed along the way: our 3 guests had to cancel so we have a 2 bedroom at VWL with just DH and myself (waitlist didn't come through for a smaller villa)and DH can't make our flight tomorrow but will join me Monday. So, I fly out by myself and take towncar alone. DH flies out from a different airport (so 2 cars renting space at 2 different airports) and takes Magical Express to VWL where I've been sprawling out in the 2 BR all by my lonesome.

3 days at Disney alone and looking forward to it! It literally is all about me for a few days!

I've always wanted to go solo for a few days..... Maybe next spring

Stan giving Kristian some sugar. You gotta watch Stan, he's a sly one

Stan didnt give me any sugar. I feel a bit slighted!

Stan with my family(up on the roof)

Well its back to reality tommorrow. It has been nice today. Its been raining like crazy, but we are happy. We have been hanging out here at "home".

Thanks somuch for the great Pics. and taking the time to share your trip wtih us

Hello groupies!

Notice I'm typing with caps again! If I bring the lap top really close to me & glue my right arm to my side I can type with 2 hands. Just got back from the dr. He said I'm doing really well for 1 wk. post-op. I've been cleared to start PT next week. I have to stay in the sling for another 5 wks. but he said I could drive. I drove myself today. It's strange to only drive with one arm. Putting on the seat belt was an adventure. I'm off the pain meds, but dr. said be prepared because I may need them again once I start PT. Why do they always stress how painful things are going to be? I'm willing to work hard so I'll be good to go for our trip next month. I have my next follow-up appt. the day before we leave.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Glad to hear you're on the mend... prayers and pixiedust that you are in top shape for your trip HOME

We just took our webcam and laptop to the Villas lobby and then the WL lobby and did a live webcast for the dislive folks on ustream. We recorded it as well so if anyone would like to view it, go here and click on "Archived Videos" and then click on either "VWL Lobby Holiday decorations" or "WL Lobby Holiday decorations". Since we were using a webcam (meant to clip onto a laptop screen, not be used for handheld videos) and we weren't able to get a very strong wireless signal, this is very low quality and a bit jumpy but will give you a bit of a view of the decorations. We even got Ranger Stan on video!

If we get back in time tonight, we'll try a live webcast of the water pageant.

Thanks so much It's just like being there!!!!

Found this WL/VWL themed holiday flag online if anyone is interested :

http://flagsplus.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/flagsplus.product/inventoryid/5697/index.cfm

Lisa and dh, live stream video from VWL is great. Thanks for doing this !

JT : love the "flag family" pics. Stan looks like he's having a blast up there with you guys !

Maybe Santa needs to do some last minute shopping.

Merry Christmas Gropies enjoy the Season

 

[tea pot]

So when we go in January my DH booked us a flight out of Kansas City which is a 2 1/2 drive for us because he wanted a direct flight. We got an e-mail today telling us that they changed our flights and now we would no longer have a direct flight and we would get into Orlando later. That would mess up our dinner reservations at Teppan Edo and as well as us just having less time there. Well DH was pretty ticked and called the airline all ready to give them an earful. They told him because it was a schedule change we could either change our reservations or get our money back. It turns out that although we won't have a direct flight anymore we will be able to leave from Omaha which is a 20 minute drive and we will get into Orlando 3 hours earlier than we were originally supposed to! Ahh 3 more hours in paradise. Also when we leave for home we won't have to leave first thing in the morning like we were supposed to before.

A great way to start your vacation... may you have many magical moments in "The World"

Give us some dates so we can put you on the list for next year!!

Hey Granny can you update us for May 09.. Now May 1-9 BCV... Flower Show here We Come

Winds are starting to pick up. Our plane is still scheduled to arrive tonight (the nice thing about a small airport like Reno is you know if your plane is going to make it!), so now the challenge will be the winds dying down enough for us to take off the morning.

Pixie dust for a Safe Trip

Got in at 4am this morning. Its good to be back home, but as we were leaving the Lodge, it was truly sad. We talk about it, but it is like leaving home.

I will try to post some more pics soon.

Welcome Home

JT--
Offtopic--MY DD came home from Japan this morning! I'm on cloud nine!

Enjoy your time with your DD

 

[Laxmom]

Good morning all! Nasty head cold raging here!! Not feeling great.

I am soooo bummed today and I have to share it with folks who will understand. I have a timeshare week on deposit with II and I search daily for something that looks interesting. Yesterday, I found a week in a studio at VWL! It would be so great to exchange in one time before DVC goes with RCI and we would no longer be able to do this! I know some would be upset at us trading in but I figure any way we can get there is ok with me! My DH said......no. He doesn't want to space our vacations so close together. What the heck!? I explained the situation as our last opportunity and he said he would rather go to HHI. What did he say!? The blasphemy!

So I am sulking and surly inside today. I understand but don't understand at the same time. Insert big sigh here. This means we will have to save up some points so we are looking at about 1 1/2 yrs before we get back. So sad. Guess I need to start a VWL pt. fund.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hey 50 Years and Dory....my dd is home from college (she goes in FL) too. She got back Friday night and is home for a month ! I am so excited. I've seen her 5 days since Aug 18. I know that's not nearly as bad as some of you---Japan is about as far as one can get----but it's still been hard.

Laxmom.....hang in there. I must admit that was a really excellent find at VWL for a week ! That's extremely difficult to pass up. But planning is fun.....it helps to make the 18 months sound not so long. And doesn't 18 months sound better than 1 1/2 years ? Feel better too !!!!

Disney Lovin Iowan....so glad your flight plans worked out ! It is so frustrating to have your flight changed. I chose to fly my dd home from college on Delta vs SW because the Melbourne airport is so close to campus vs the Orlando airport. Well...Delta changed her itinerary twice since I purchased it in Oct. She was supposed to leave at 8:30 am and have a 2 hour layover in Atlanta. Instead, they changed her flight to 6 am. So she had to get up at 4 am.....and had a 4 hour layover in Atlanta. GRRrrrrr.....
I think as consumers if we choose to purchase a product (ie a flight time), they should not be able to change it ? My friends' WDW trip was affected as well. She purchased 6 day hoppers and couldn't even use the last day of the hoppers for her entire family because she was supposed to fly out of Orlando at 7:30 pm and they switched her to 8 am !!!!!!! That's an entire day lost of vacation ? And they get away with this ? So anyway.....very happy that all ended well for you guys.

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

Maria,
Enjoy your time with your daughter! It doesn't matter how far away they are, it is so good when they come home. My freshman is in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M which is very restrictive of their time so we haven't seen him much! I'm trying to get myself used to it because he will probably go into the Air Force after college and will no doubt be home even less.

Hope your holiday is a special time and we will have to cry together in January when they all return to school.

 

[Laxmom]

Maria, I like your thinking. 18 months doesn't sound that bad.

There was another week listed this am but it is in May. These are all studios but I am willing to try it! ( We have never stayed in anything less than a 1 bedroom. ) Son is still playing lacrosse at that point and I dont' want to leave town with him playing a contact sport plus he thinks his dad is nuts too!

 

[Granny]

Nov. 12th thru Nov 17th at the lodge! I have a conference in Orlando before that and before the conference I have 2 nights booked at AKV Nov 6 & 7th. I'm hoping I'll be able to catch the end of F&W.

Hey Granny can you update us for May 09.. Now May 1-9 BCV... Flower Show here We Come

The list is updated for both of these trips!

 

[Granny]

Disney Lovin Iowan....so glad your flight plans worked out ! It is so frustrating to have your flight changed. I chose to fly my dd home from college on Delta vs SW because the Melbourne airport is so close to campus vs the Orlando airport. Well...Delta changed her itinerary twice since I purchased it in Oct. She was supposed to leave at 8:30 am and have a 2 hour layover in Atlanta. Instead, they changed her flight to 6 am. So she had to get up at 4 am.....and had a 4 hour layover in Atlanta. GRRrrrrr.....
I think as consumers if we choose to purchase a product (ie a flight time), they should not be able to change it ? My friends' WDW trip was affected as well. She purchased 6 day hoppers and couldn't even use the last day of the hoppers for her entire family because she was supposed to fly out of Orlando at 7:30 pm and they switched her to 8 am !!!!!!! That's an entire day lost of vacation ? And they get away with this ? So anyway.....very happy that all ended well for you guys.

Maria...that's really a bummer about how the airlines have jerked your family around with the "re-scheduling".

That's one of the reasons we drive to WDW. When my wife and I are empty-nested in a couple of years, we will be relying more on air travel. Hopefully they'll have their act together by then.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Good morning groupies!

I'm sitting on our porch at OKW - listening to the ducks quack, golfers talk, fountain splash and enjoying my lovely cup of coffee after a late night at the Osborne lights at DHS. Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!

This place is just beautiful and I know that everyone talked about the size of the rooms, but wow! Most places I have lived are smaller than the 2 bedroom that we have.

We lucked out on our departure Sat morning - the winds never reached the peak they were predicting so our ride out wasn't bad at all. The de-icer broke down so we were late taking off and had a very tight connection in PHX but strong tail winds got us there early enough that with the wheel chair pusher for DH and his fixed knee we made it to our next leg.

Sat night we went to DTD. They had started a christmas sale with 50% off hats, tree skirts and ornaments. The place was a mad house, even at 10PM at night!!!!!! They had a wait line just to get into the Christmas store.

We went to AK yesterday afternoon and hit all the shows. Then it was DHS last night for fantasmic and the lights. Today we'll be back at DHS (hoping to try Toy Story Mania but we're not getting a real quick start again) then a nice leisurly afternoon back at the resort before we go to MK.

I think tomorrow we'll try and check out some of the resort decorations.....including VWL - can't wait!

Hope everyone has a great week - I know we will.

 

[eliza61]

ISo I am sulking and surly inside today. I understand but don't understand at the same time. Insert big sigh here. This means we will have to save up some points so we are looking at about 1 1/2 yrs before we get back. So sad. Guess I need to start a VWL pt. fund.

Get into bed and pull the covers over your head!! Every one needs a mental, I'm spitting nails type of day. My 25th anniversary is coming up in 2009 and I keep dreaming of Paris/Disney Paris, unfortunately the old guys feet are firmly on the ground. With one starting college in September and another soon after that, I know I should be grateful I can afford to go over the bridge to Philly but my head is just not convincing my heart.

Good morning groupies!

I'm sitting on our porch at OKW - listening to the ducks quack, golfers talk, fountain splash and enjoying my lovely cup of coffee after a late night at the Osborne lights at DHS. Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!

This place is just beautiful and I know that everyone talked about the size of the rooms, but wow! Most places I have lived are smaller than the 2 bedroom that we have.
.

Glad you are enjoying your trip. OKW is a great resort. Make sure you head over to Olivias' for breakfast its really good.

Maria, Laxmon & Dory. Enjoy your visits...I'm still at the "will this child please make a decision stage" so unfortunately I think I'm going to be "punked" and he's never leaving home.

Happy Monday all.

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

Laxmom - Hope you are feeling better.

KAT4DISNEY - Those 2BR at SSR are huge and I can just picture myself sitting on the patio with the view and sounds you described. Thanks for that mental picture. I wish I was there now--we have 30 degrees here this morning. I know that is nothing for many of you, but this Texan doesn't like the cold and it was in the mid 70s yesterday so I am in shock. Kat, enjoy your trip!

Granny - I agree about driving to WDW. Also, can you please add my Vero Beach trip May 25-29 to the list?

Maria - That's rotten on the flight changes.

Eliza - I clearly remember the can't make a decision stage. What am I talking about? My college sophomore is still in that stage and it makes me nuts. I lost count this semester of how many times he was quitting college and coming home. The reality of working full time must have hit him because he did finish the semester and register to go back in the spring. (Or it could be that cute girl he met) With him, the 20s have been harder than the 2s so as much as I'm enjoying having him here, I think when he leaves in January I'm going to move and leave no forwarding address. I think the college visiting and deciding is most stressful, and this too shall pass.

83 days I will be relaxing at the lodge. There's no place like home...

 

[Granny]

Granny - I agree about driving to WDW. Also, can you please add my Vero Beach trip May 25-29 to the list?

Done!

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

DD[/B] came home from Japan this morning! I'm on cloud nine!
Deb

That is great! Hope you enjoy your visit and it goes nice and slow for you and for our other groupies with their kids home for the holidays!

Disney Lovin Iowan....so glad your flight plans worked out ! It is so frustrating to have your flight changed. I chose to fly my dd home from college on Delta vs SW because the Melbourne airport is so close to campus vs the Orlando airport. Well...Delta changed her itinerary twice since I purchased it in Oct. She was supposed to leave at 8:30 am and have a 2 hour layover in Atlanta. Instead, they changed her flight to 6 am. So she had to get up at 4 am.....and had a 4 hour layover in Atlanta. GRRrrrrr.....
I think as consumers if we choose to purchase a product (ie a flight time), they should not be able to change it ? My friends' WDW trip was affected as well. She purchased 6 day hoppers and couldn't even use the last day of the hoppers for her entire family because she was supposed to fly out of Orlando at 7:30 pm and they switched her to 8 am !!!!!!! That's an entire day lost of vacation ? And they get away with this ? So anyway.....very happy that all ended well for you guys.

Oh I would be sooo mad about that! We are pretty lucky with how ours turned out.

Kathy sounds like you are having such a nice time! We really liked OKW when we stayed there 2 years ago. It was our first time staying through DVC. We rented points from somebody. Then we got hooked!

 

[Dodie]

Happy Holidays, Groupies!!!!!

I was lucky enough to attend a conference last week at the Hilton in Downtown Disney. We never stay off property - but this wasn't too bad since it was "on the company" and that was where the conference was, i.e. the REAL reason I was there. However...

I hit Downtown Disney pretty hard on my arrival evening (Monday). Man - was it ever crowded!?! People were spending money too. Huge shopping sacks. Recession? What recession?

I made use of my AP for a couple of evening sidetrips. I hit Epcot on Tuesday night. Walked all the way around WS and stood just behind the amphitheater and got to see/hear the entire Candlelight Processional (except for the parts that were interrupted by the incredibly rude group of little Pop Warner cheerleaders AND their chaperones who insisted on cheering and yelling in the line for the funnel cakes right behind the people listening/watching the show). I met up with the folks from Owner's Locker for their wine get together that they're holding on Tuesdays through the month of December and had a glass of wine with them by the stand in France.

On Wednesday evening I headed to the MK, but didn't have the patience to fight my way through the crowds to wait for the castle lighting. Instead, I headed over to our beloved Lodge which I had never seen decorated for Christmas. All I can say is WOW. So beautiful. I picked up one of the framed watercolor prints of the Lodge for my DH for Christmas while I was there.

I flew back Thursday afternoon, so that was that. It was "odd" being there without DH. Kind of sad. I enjoyed doing things he doesn't like, like looking in every single shop in the WS at Epcot, but it just wasn't the same. It makes me very anxious for our trip in May though.

Finally, just because Muushka will appreciate it, here is a Christmas portrait I took last night of Abby, our 8 year old Maine Coon cat:

And, because I can't play favorites, here are Greta and Maya:

That's enough. I don't want to take us too far off topic!!!!

 

[adrock1212]

Hello groupies! Soon to arrive for our first visit to VWL. Are there any tips for how to have the best chance at being selected as a flag family? Also, is there an age limit for children on the roof? Thanks for the help!