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

[mamagg]

Thanks, Blossomz! Sounds like you also love both resorts. With the new baby, I'm thinking we may wear down quickly in the parks and spend most evenings in the resort....so we're really trying to figure out which one we want to spend the most resort time in and also if we will have enough to do there (as if we will have enough energy at night!). We love Boma's food, so maybe we should stick with AK? We did the Dining Plan last year and did all sit-down meals at dinner. I was thinking with the baby we could do character lunches instead and dine in the Mara or the Roaring Fork at night more casually. Thanks for all your tips. You're right...we should join!

 

[Muushka]

Hi guys, I'm new! We are renting DVC pts from a friend but can only score AK for Nov '08. We are contemplating waitlisting for VWL for MK proximity reasons and it sounds like a fabulous resort from your perspectives! Have any of you ever gotten in after waitlisting? Those who have stayed at AK, should we stick with it or go for VWL with a 3 year old and 8 week old in a stroller...thought the boat would be easiest. We stayed at AK last year and loved it b/c the buses don't stop at other places and are really efficient, but VWL must be even faster. Will my child forget about the animals when he sees VWL? We appreciate your advice. Thanks!

Hi "I'm new"! Hmmm, interesting dilemma. I would go with the old faithful, toss a coin into the air! . But seriously, they each have their own plusses. We have stayed at AKL once and it was a lovely resort. But I am partial to VWL (See 'Groupie Siggie'!). And I have a long-standing saying, every resort needs to be tried at least once. Heck, even we stray from VWL to try new places! So with that in mind, I would try for VWL. There are a lot of activities to make your little one not even remember the animals. Let us know what you decide. And if you fall in love with the place, come back for a visit. We would have LOTS to talk about!

Welcome home wildernessDad! We missed you. And we want a thorough trip report. ASAP.

Disney loving Iowan, I hope you have a great trip. And remember your buds, here on the Dis. Green.

 

[mamagg]

Thanks - you guys are great!

 

[wildernessDad]

Welcome home wildernessDad! We missed you. And we want a thorough trip report. ASAP.

Sure, no problem! Just let me sort through my roughly 400 photos and I'll scrape one together for you.

 

[mamagg]

hey guys--what do you think my chances would be of coming through on the wait list in mid-november...go ahead with the ak ressie and wait list vwl. have you guys ever had luck with waitlisting? are there tons and tons of people doing this? how do they notify you if you make it....will they change you even up until the last day? many thanks!

 

[mamagg]

hey experts...slightly off subject. does anyone know any "mouse secrets" for getting great rates on tickets. we don't need hoppers just bases. i had a few "brokers" call me with "remaining day" tickets but i don't know what they are speaking of and wanted to ask the experts. any tips for saving some bucks?

 

[Muushka]

I would go for the waitlist and not be disappointed if it did not come through. I am not all that familiar with waitlist times, but it couldn't hurt!

As far as tickets, do you get the MouseSaver newsletter? They always have links to Undercover Tourist and their tickets are discounted (but not a great deal less, just $10+ dollars depending what you get). If you need the newsletter, PM me and I will send it (if I can dig it up).

 

[Muushka]

PS I wouldn't buy 'remaining day' tickets, for a host of reasons!

 

[blossomz]

hey guys--what do you think my chances would be of coming through on the wait list in mid-november...go ahead with the ak ressie and wait list vwl. have you guys ever had luck with waitlisting? are there tons and tons of people doing this? how do they notify you if you make it....will they change you even up until the last day? many thanks!

I find that the sooner you waitlist the better your chances! I've been lucky 3 times now!

I agree with Muushka about the tickets. Undercover Tourist probably gives the best discount if you go through their newsletter....

 

[eliza61]

hey experts...slightly off subject. does anyone know any "mouse secrets" for getting great rates on tickets. we don't need hoppers just bases. i had a few "brokers" call me with "remaining day" tickets but i don't know what they are speaking of and wanted to ask the experts. any tips for saving some bucks?

I totally agree with my pal Muushka (which is not unusal, I think we are twins seperated at birth. )

Remaining day tickets are supposedly tickets that a traveler still has days left on them so they sell them as not to lose money.
For example: If I buy a 6 day park hopper and only use 3 days technically I have 3 days left to use.
This is illegal (disneywise anyway). I'm not a "stable-mabel" on the best of days so I wouldn't do it simply for the fact by the time I got to the gate to use them, I'd be popping prozaic from the stress.
It's pretty much like taking a chance on scalp tickets for a sporting event.
I know tickets are godawful expensive but I would hate for you to start off your vacation on a really lousy note because the Disney would not honor the tickets.
check out mousesavers.com or mapleleaftickets.com for legitimate tickets.

 

[danielle782001]

hey guys--what do you think my chances would be of coming through on the wait list in mid-november...go ahead with the ak ressie and wait list vwl. have you guys ever had luck with waitlisting? are there tons and tons of people doing this? how do they notify you if you make it....will they change you even up until the last day? many thanks!

We have been wait-listed three times and came through all three times...

One came through only five days before...They take you off the wait-list seven days out...Then you have to call day by day if you still want to switch...I called day 7 and 6 with no good news...I called on day 5 before the trip and sure enough a room openned...So, keep calling after the wait-list expires seven days before if you really want to switch... We did not have Magical Express so the tags were not an issue for us...If you are taking ME you might not be able to get new tags in time.

We are actually staying in the VWL in a 2-bedroom in mid-November but wanted a one-bedroom SV at AKL... Funny that we have what you want and you have what we wanted... Maybe we should switch

Good luck!

 

[eliza61]

First day back off of vacation. I need another vacation.

Loved AKV. Glad we added on there. Concierge was a GREAT deal imo.

Loved the BWV as well. Had a great studio with a boardwalk view.

DW and I played a little game. On the count of 3, we told each other which of the two, VWL or AKV we liked best. The answer in unison was 'Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.'

Welcome Back WD.
Isn't funny how that vacation thing works. Dh & I swore we are going to wait at least 16 months before our next wdw vacation. We'll be lucky if we last 8 before buying plane tickets
I want the entire scoop of concierge.

 

[Corinne]

OK, a favor, when you read this post, send some pixie dust my way for our waitlist to come through for July 3rd and July 7th! Those are the first and last nights of our stay. We have our VWL Studio room for the middle of our stay......as obsessive planner I have decided this whole "last minute trip" thing is not all it is cracked up to be!!

Thanks in advance for the collective pixie dust!

 

[mickeymorse]

Thanks - you guys are great!

Hi mamagg. Good Luck with which ever decision you choose.

Sure, no problem! Just let me sort through my roughly 400 photos and I'll scrape one together for you.

Glad to have you back WD. Why not just show us all 400.

Welcome Back WD.
Isn't funny how that vacation thing works. Dh & I swore we are going to wait at least 16 months before our next wdw vacation. We'll be lucky if we last 8 before buying plane tickets

So much for swearing Eliza. You might as well give in now and save the agravation

OK, a favor, when you read this post, send some pixie dust my way for our waitlist to come through for July 3rd and July 7th! Those are the first and last nights of our stay. We have our VWL Studio room for the middle of our stay......as obsessive planner I have decided this whole "last minute trip" thing is not all it is cracked up to be!!

Thanks in advance for the collective pixie dust!

Here is a whole bunch of moose dust for you.


Rob

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

DL Iowan...looks like you have officially moved to the #1 slot on the Groupie WDW trip list! Woo hoo!!

 

[danielle782001]

OK, a favor, when you read this post, send some pixie dust my way for our waitlist to come through for July 3rd and July 7th! Those are the first and last nights of our stay. We have our VWL Studio room for the middle of our stay......as obsessive planner I have decided this whole "last minute trip" thing is not all it is cracked up to be!!

Thanks in advance for the collective pixie dust!

 

[50 years Too!]

Hi Groupies - Just booked my first trip using some of our new VWL points! But, it's to Disneyland. After going thru the resale I just needed some sort of Disney fix. Have a BD coming up and June so I checked to see if there might be any last minute things available at WDW but didn't come up with anything that quite worked so I decided to head to DL to check out the DVC member expo! This also isn't quite perfect as the member reception is full for the last 2 nights and I couldn't go earlier to hit the newly added Friday one. I'm just crossing fingers that maybe once I'm there they'll have some openings. Had to book cash for my first night so staying at PP where everything is happening. Then, moving to the West Coast sister of VWL - the GC for 2 nights. Not exactly the lodge but about as close as you can get! I also have an interest in AKL so I'm waiting to see how great the incentives are. Can you tell that I like the big lodges?

Fantastic Kat!
I so hope you get to sneak in, and of course, send us pictures!
I live in Oregon so I plan to add some points at VGC for weekend getaways.
Won't have the lovely real estate that comes with VWL, but really looking forward to having a lodge in my backyard.
Have fun, and congratulations.

Deb

 

[50 years Too!]

First day back off of vacation. I need another vacation.

Loved AKV. Glad we added on there. Concierge was a GREAT deal imo.

Loved the BWV as well. Had a great studio with a boardwalk view.

DW and I played a little game. On the count of 3, we told each other which of the two, VWL or AKV we liked best. The answer in unison was 'Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.'

Looking forward to hearing all about it!

Deb

 

[50 years Too!]

Okay Eliza. We want to hear about the prom!
I'm sure we can make it Wilderness Lodge related.

Deb

 

[blossomz]

OK, a favor, when you read this post, send some pixie dust my way for our waitlist to come through for July 3rd and July 7th! Those are the first and last nights of our stay. We have our VWL Studio room for the middle of our stay......as obsessive planner I have decided this whole "last minute trip" thing is not all it is cracked up to be!!

Thanks in advance for the collective pixie dust!