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

[DisneyNutzy]

We have Bugaboo Creek here. I've never been a huge fan. The theming is fun, but the food is just ok.

Ok, groupies I'm seriously considering getting an owners locker. If for no other reason than to save me from having to lug the twin aerobed, sheets, & blanket I plan to purchase for next year's trips. Anyone else have one? I'm thinking I'll stock it while I'm down there in Jan. with all the necessities (shampoo, flat iron, laundry detergent, brita water pitcher, etc.) Is there a Walmart near the lodge? If yes, can anyone share directions? We will not be doing commando touring this trip so I'll have time to make a shopping trip over there.

Granny - I'm not sure I ever asked you to add my Jan. trip to the list. It's Jan. 17-21. Thanks!

It's cold here today too. Only in the upper 20's. Brrrrr!

Hi HL - We love our Owners Locker. We just added another locker on our trip last month. We were packing up and realized we weren't going to make the luggage limits. With all the luggage fee's the airlines are adding on I think it is worth the investment. Brian and John have been great in all of our dealings with them. They even invited us for some complimentary wine sampling at the F&W festival on our last trip. Unfortunately that was our anniversary dinner so we couldn't make it. I currently have enough clothes in my locker that all I would need for a trip is a carry on.

 

[Muushka]

Thanks for sharing Muushka,

I can hardly wait for our first December trip.
I wish you were going too. But, you'll have so much fun in January!

Deb

Awwww Deb, I wish we were going this Dec too. Today we bought our Christmas tree. Our first real one in a few years because of our Dec travels. But I have to say, I think this is the last year we don't go in Dec!! But Jan will be fun!

Muushka Thanks for the Holiday Link (I had no trouble)
love your Dancing Snoopy

Well Groupies I have so much to do over the next two days I may not get a chance to be on the boards. So I would like to wish all of you a Blessed Thanskgiving now and as I count my blessing this year you all are surely on the top of the list.

Steal Snoopy! I did!! We hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving too.

 

[blossomz]

teapot...Have a fantastic Thanksgiving and be sure to take lots of photos for all of us back on the boards!

Owners Locker people...seriously? is it worth the cost even if you don't go more than twice per year? What kinds of things do you keep in it?

 

[BWV Dreamin]

teapot...Have a fantastic Thanksgiving and be sure to take lots of photos for all of us back on the boards!

Owners Locker people...seriously? is it worth the cost even if you don't go more than twice per year? What kinds of things do you keep in it?

We go to WDW once a year, once a year to VB (sometimes every other). I don't think the OL is worth it for my travels. I am going to pack all the beach stuff, electric burner, fryin pan in one check in luggage, Then both me and the DH will have carry ons for the beach trip. I'll pay the $15 once a year. For the WDW, we are gonna try and pack everything into a carry on for each of us, and buy groceries with GG or do the DDP. I don't mind washing once. Just too much hassle anymore with bag checkins and worrying about the lugguage. Thats our plan, we'll see how it goes!

 

[DisneyNutzy]

teapot...Have a fantastic Thanksgiving and be sure to take lots of photos for all of us back on the boards!

Owners Locker people...seriously? is it worth the cost even if you don't go more than twice per year? What kinds of things do you keep in it?

Hi Blossomz,

I think if you usually stay in a 1BR and don't mind cooking in it could be worth it. We used to find ourselves not buying things we knew we would throw out like alum. foil, baggies,salt, pepper, seasonings, cereal etc. Having these things in our locker probably saves us money as we will have a few more meals in the villa. If you visit the owners locker site they have some sample contents listed and every time I read it I think of more things I should put in there. Leaving our rain ponchos in there alone has paid for the locker...we would always forget them home and have to buy new ones. We also make sure everyone has one swimming suit in the locker and the kids pool toys also are stored in there.

We have been doing 4 trips a year the past couple of years so it might not appeal as much to those who don't go as often. I also like to do last minute trips when we can find a deal so the locker really helps with those trips. On our recent trip in October I left all my shorts and T shirts knowing I would be back in January and February and wouldn't be needing that stuff at home. On our February trip we are driving down so we will have plenty of room to swap out whatever we want to take from our locker. That is the other thing - If you drive frequently (we don't) I don't think the locker is needed.

 

[blossomz]

Thanks guys...that is kind of what I thought....

 

[Muushka]

We always drive to WDW. If anyone who does not drive sees that we are going to be there when they are and they need somethings picked up at the grocery/liquor store, we would be more than happy to pick them up for you. We always make at least 1 trip to the grocery store on our day of arrival.

Just spreading the Groupie love....

 

[50 years Too!]

Blossomz, I think it is worth it, maybe not financially, but convenience wise it is. I'm an organizational freak who loves to "consolidate". My poor husband just now accepts that he isn't allowed to check luggage. With the locker, we are able to just do carry on.
If we could drive, no can do from Oregon, we would just have a box at home.

Muushka , we bought a fake tree at Target last week. Makes me sad we can't have a real one this year. We aren't home until the 23rd, and I know I'll be feeling crazy enough trying to get ready without having to decorate a tree. I hope you enjoy your real one. You can shut your eyes, take a sniff, and pretend you are at the lodge!

Deb

 

[50 years Too!]

Teapot,

Have a blessed and relaxing family trip this Thanksgiving.
I second wanting to hear all about it!

Deb

 

[mickeymorse]

Hi Gang. I noticed that the M.F.s for the other resorts are being reported. Does anyone know what they are for us? Where do you find this info?

 

[horselover]

Happy Sunday groupies. Just got home from work a little while ago. Man it's cold out! I'm not used to this until at least Dec.

Still debating the OL. We do have 2 trips planned next yr. so it would probably be worth it if I took advantage of the DIS special with 2 visits included. After that I'm not sure. DH says he'll be Disneyed out for a while. Can you imagine! Not me no sirree! But sometimes you do have to comprise so maybe no WDW in 2010. I think I hear VB calling me! Anyway maybe I'll try the OL for at least next yr. Does that make sense to try it if it's only for 1 yr. or is it not worth it? I really don't want to bring that aerobed, sheets & blanket back & worth twice.

Starting to gear up for Thanksgiving. I'll be cooking again this year. Sigh. I wish someone else in my family would do it once it awhile! Lots to get done this week. Hopefully I'll have no more sick children.

Still jealous of all that are heading down soon to see those fabulous lights & enjoy that Disney holiday spirit. I want details & pics when you return!

 

[blossomz]

Blossomz, I think it is worth it, maybe not financially, but convenience wise it is. I'm an organizational freak who loves to "consolidate". My poor husband just now accepts that he isn't allowed to check luggage. With the locker, we are able to just do carry on.
If we could drive, no can do from Oregon, we would just have a box at home.

Muushka , we bought a fake tree at Target last week. Makes me sad we can't have a real one this year. We aren't home until the 23rd, and I know I'll be feeling crazy enough trying to get ready without having to decorate a tree. I hope you enjoy your real one. You can shut your eyes, take a sniff, and pretend you are at the lodge!

Deb

If you prefer a live tree check this out...jacksonandperkins.com

 

[Laxmom]

Woo Hoo! We'll be at VWL in just 2 weeks!

And we're staying a fabulous 10 nights!


Then, for a change, we move over to the Poly for 2 nights in a MK view room. In case it's not obvious from my use of "smilies", I'm stoked!!

Looks like we will be at the lodge the same time. We have "downsized" our trip to one night though. We are staying in the hotel part because we just booked in October. But, one night is better than no nights!! We check in on the 7th.

Toby has kept me busy so I haven't been around much. He is doing really well on the housebreaking and even barks when he wants out. Can't beleive we have only had him 4 weeks because he just seems like he has always been here!

Been busy with school but still following the thread. Can't wait for a little break over Christmas. Feeling really burned out! Take care all, safe travels to all who are leaving for WDW or traveling over the holiday and if I don't get back before Thursday, Happy Thanksgiving to all the Groupies!!

 

[DVC Mike]

Hi Gang. I noticed that the M.F.s for the other resorts are being reported. Does anyone know what they are for us? Where do you find this info?

VWL
Operating $3.2891
Reserves $0.8008
Taxes $0.9477
Total $5.0376

 

[Muushka]

Ouch

 

[ransom]

Hey guys! We're back from our first stay at VWL as owners.

We got back very late Saturday, and spent all of yesterday doing laundry, shopping, etc. So I'm just now trying to catch up, but I wanted to share a bit of how our trip went.

It was great staying in the Villas! The only thing I'd worried at all about was getting breakfast at Roaring Fork and bringing it back to the Villa every morning. Turns out the walk wasn't much longer than it was when I was on the Bay Lake end of the main lodge last year.

We had no maintenance issues with our studio, but my parents' studio did have a light out. I called, and that was fixed right away.

Parents' flight in on the 9th was a nightmare, as the engine had a fuel leak. Fortunately Southwest discovered it before takeoff. Unfortunately, that led to a day of sitting on airplanes and in various airports -- from 10 AM to 8 PM! But the folks at the front desk let me check my parents in before they got there, so I was able to save them time by making sure everything was all set for them when they arrived. I really appreciated that they let me do that.

On the 16th, we woke up to Christmas at the Lodge! Overnight, VWL and the WL had been decorated. Since our previous trips had been in December, it was nice to see and hear the normal theming of the Lodge, but we were very happy to experience the change as well. Very magical!

To sum it up, we had a fantastic trip, and are very happy VWL owners.

 

[eliza61]

Welcome back ransom,

Glad you had a magical trip. Did your parents enjoy it as well? How was breakfast from Roaring forks? We generally always have a 1 bedroom so breakfast is cooked in the room.

 

[Granny]

Ouch

Yes, it is hard to see the maintenance fees go over $5.00 per point, isn't it?

But to keep it in perspective, that represents a 3.5% increase over 2008 fees. That's about the same as my BWV contract, and a little lower than the BCV and OKW increase percentages.

Sure makes those $3.67 per point MF's at BLT pretty attractive, doesn't it? Of course, that's pro-rated for less than a full year.


Ransom...glad you had a great trip. Pretty neat that they did all that decorating so quickly! Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.

 

[ransom]

Welcome back ransom,

Glad you had a magical trip. Did your parents enjoy it as well? How was breakfast from Roaring forks? We generally always have a 1 bedroom so breakfast is cooked in the room.

My parents had a great time! They loved their room and the Lodge and Villas in general. Since it was their first time to WDW, they were also blown away by the whole experience. When you've only been to Disneyland (and only up to 1980, in their case), WDW is amazing...and overwhelming. If I had it to do over, I would have made fewer ADRs and scheduled more time at the Lodge. My parents were exhausted by the end of the week. But happy exhausted!

Roaring Fork worked well for us, as always. On most mornings, I go there and pick up an adult breakfast for DW and I to share, plus a couple of oatmeals. That's no big deal, and fits on the tray nicely. The problem comes in balancing DW's coffee mug, my OJ bottle, and a couple of milks on that tray as I walk from RF to our room. Thank goodness for automatic doors!

 

[jimmytammy]

Ransom

Sounds like you had a great trip. You didn't happen to see Ranger Stan by chance, did you? I always like to hear how he's doing.