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

[KeepSwimmingDory]

This is my favorite picture of Ginger from when she was a puppy.

 

[Muushka]

I love that picture, the way the puppy (who is soooo cute, but then aren't all Goldens?) is in color and the rest is B&W. Great touch! Thanks for posting the picture. Can't have too many furry pictures, can we??

 

[horselover]

Thanks for the kuddos, but this is a group effort. Or should I say, a Groupie effort! I love the way everyone is welcoming to others. I don't know about anyone else, but I hate stepping into (sorry, can't describe it any other way) a thread that feels like a clique. I think we all work hard at making it a thread that is not exclusive. Kuddos to the Groupies!

What a nice thing to say & I couldn't agree more!

Dory - thanks for the good wishes & your golden is beautiful! We had a golden puppy until we found out DS#1 was allergic. She was the sweetest thing. Luckily I was able to find her another wonderful home.

I booked my spa treatments today for my upcoming trip today. One for me & one for my niece as a thank you for helping me on this trip gift. I'll surprise her with it once we're down there. I'm really looking forward to it.

Got a foot of snow here. Not such a big fan of the snow, but hey at least it's a white Christmas now!

 

[DiznyDi]

Hi Groupies!
I've been too busy to even sit and read what's happening here.
'Tis the season to prepare followed by the repair.

Just stopping by to say Hello to any new Groupies and to wish one and all a very Merry Christmas!

To those fortunate enough to be at the Lodge this holiday season, I'm green with envy, especially after having read JT's posts!

Dory: Love your Golden! We have a Golden, too. She was a rescue pup from G.R.I.N. (Golden retrievers in need). Unfortunately she has just enough Chow in her to make her personality not so Golden. But, we love her regardless.

blossomz:Have a great trip!

Merry Christmas!

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

We just got back late friday night. I think the weather was probably the best we've ever seen it at that time of year. Cool in the evenings so we could wear our funny christmas hats, t shirt and shorts weather in the daytime, and the sky was *so* blue!

We had some minor issues with our hot tub jets not working and the other room's stove wasn't working, but it's not the kind of thing that affects the vacation overall.

Holy cow does the BLT look big and shiny, btw. Can't wait to walk around in it. It's not really my style, I'm more of a vwl-bwv kinda girl, but it's still neat!

Merry Christmas!

Oh yeah, all the t shirts and mugs were 40% off IN THE PARKS and Christmas stuff was 50% off. I was like a kid in a candy shop! Now I just have to wrap it. I think every member of my family is getting mugs this year. Our car clinked on the way home we had so many mugs....

 

[blossomz]

Ooh! I hope those prices stay till I get there! Thanks for the heads up...

And..shorts? I only packed jeans..I guess I need to rethink that one...

 

[bobbiwoz]

Can anyone tell what other special activities are held at VWL similar to the flag raising family? Is there bike rental? Can one rent water mice at the resort?

Thanks Muush for keeping the tradition going? I am still learning all about this wonderful resort!

We love the bike rental option at VWL! On the trail to FW we nearly always see deer. We like to ride around the inside trails, especially around the holidays, Halloween, Christmas, the people outdo Disney with decorations. We visit the horse barn and say hello to the big horses! There's a pony ride available for youngsters.

Bobbi

 

[MiaSRN62]

Muushka...so cool of you to take over being the "keeper of the list" ! Wish I could say I have a stay there......

Dory...the puppy pic is so cute. I love the black and white photo with just the puppy colored in.

Kickapoo....welcome back ! I also have two friends who just came back within the last week. They said the park and DD were much more crowded than they recall from past Dec trips.

Happy Christmas countdown Groupies !

 

[Muushka]

Ooh! I hope those prices stay till I get there! Thanks for the heads up...

And..shorts? I only packed jeans..I guess I need to rethink that one...

When we go to WDW this time of year we pack for summer, fall, winter and spring. That way we are ready for whatever weather FL hurls at us!

Kickapoo, welcome home! I love your attitude about the broken things. Makes for a less stressful vaca.

And 40% off non-Christmas things! What a deal! Anyone else remember when they used to give a discount at Epcot when you got the Candlelight Processional package? We always did Christmas shopping when they did that. Hard to believe a bean counter came up with that idea to eliminate it.

Hi DiznyDi , good to see you. Stay warm.

 

[Muushka]

Maria, we posted at the same time! I love that Moose!!!

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Muushka...so cool of you to take over being the "keeper of the list" ! Wish I could say I have a stay there......

Dory...the puppy pic is so cute. I love the black and white photo with just the puppy colored in.

Kickapoo....welcome back ! I also have two friends who just came back within the last week. They said the park and DD were much more crowded than they recall from past Dec trips.

Happy Christmas countdown Groupies !

Yeah, the crowds at MK on monday night during EMH were not pleasant. We think next year we're going to go earlier, like Dec 1-ish. On friday afternoon when we walked out of epcot around 1 to head home, the crowds were *really* starting to ramp up!

 

[tea pot]

Still snowing here more than a foot..... it is so beautiful.....especially if you can just stay in... listen to Christmas Carols... and wrap presents. Ahhhh.... A gift in itself.

Cheer4bison Love the Magical Ice Castle Just BEAUTIFUL!!!

Dory love the golden puppy... We had a golden before our kitty cats. They are truly special..

Muushka and Granny Thanks so much for taking care of us Groupies

Holiday Traditions
Starting early in December the Decorations go up the Christmas Music starts playing and we begin watching Christmas movies all month long... so many favorites A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation and a new favorite Elf (I KNOW HIM )
DH and I still love Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas and the Snowman. Oh I forgot the Polar Express... I better stop now.
Starting tomorrow DD's and I will cook and bake our family favorites. Now that the 3 girls are all grown up and 2 are not at home and one lives in Florida just being together and hanging out is so important.
Enjoy the Spirit of the Season everyone and as I count my blessings
I'm so glad to have found you guys... people who understand
Merry Christmas.

 

[cheer4bison]

Although this was only our second trip to the VWL as DVC members, we already feel a very strong sense that this is our second home. DH and DS were quite cozy and content playing chess and chinese checkers in the Carolwood Pacific Room.

I couldn't have been happier to wander the grounds in search of the lodge's beautiful Christmas decorations. This pretty little tree was near the pin-trading stand in the lobby of the main lodge.

So many pretty things to notice this time of year...

If only I could bring one of these cool lanterns home with me. I think it would look great on my deck here in NJ.

Stay warm, groupies!

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

DiznyDi - hello again and thanks

Kickapoo - welcome back Ahhhh what you describe sounds divine! And yay for bargains--I especially love Disney mugs!

Blossomz - have a magical trip Can't wait to hear about it and hopefully see some pictures.

BWVDreamin - I'm glad you asked about bikes. And thanks to those who answered. I would love to do that but never have. Maybe in March! Only 76 days 19 hours 11 min until I expect to be at our beloved lodge.

Maria - LOVE the moose graphic! And I must admit my DS did the photoshopping to make the picture B&W and color the puppy.

Muushka - Thanks for continuing the list! And is it Eliza who will continue this thread? Thanks to you too! I am so glad to have found a thread of such wonderful groupies. And I know what you mean about packing for all seasons for a WDW trip this time of year. You just never know what you're gonna get.

tea pot - enjoy your DDs and all the baking and cooking. Stay warm and enjoy the beautiful view of the snow. One of my younger sons like to bake with me and we have been enjoying the time to make some yummy treats since school is out.

cheer4bison - Enjoying your pictures and hearing about your recent stay. I would love one of those lanterns you pictured. Love the pretty little tree and glad to see your DH and DS enjoying the games. My sons will enjoy that in March for the first time at VWL. They always enjoy playing checkers at the places we've found throughout Magic Kingdom and at Ft. Wilderness. Great to see they are available in that area.

Everyone stay warm and safe and have a great week!

 

[blossomz]

Well guys..thanks for all of the well wishes...hope the crowds won't be too bad! At least the weather seems to have cooperated for us so far... no snow or ice as predicted! Will check in and report back when we return! See ya soon!

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

Just looked at the list on the 2nd post of this thread and there are quite a few groupies there as well as Blossomz heading out. Hope everyone there is having a great time if you happen to check the Dis while you are there!

Deb (50 Years Too!) Dec 15-22 VWL/ BWV
ammo Dec 17-24 VWL
Jim (magicalmcwho) Dec 20-28 VWL
DisneyMamaof2 Dec 20 - 30 VWL
Good Ol Gal Dec 21-28 VWL
WolfpackFan Dec 21-26 VWL
Blossomz Dec 22-26 Poly

 

[blossomz]

Wow! I am sure I will be visiting the Lodge at least once...so look for me in my pink DVC hat with our little groupie moose pinned to the front! Would love meet up!

 

[Muushka]

Blossomz! You are Poly-bound! Then Lisa and then Muushka and Mary J!!! Happy trails to you, I hope you have a wonderful time, you too Lisa.

I love everyone's pictures. Makes me feel like I'm there. Less than 2 weeks!! And from all the things I have read about crowds at the beginning of Dec, maybe we did the right thing switching to Jan.

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

Muushka,
I was thinking the same thing about your January trip when I was hearing so many report of the crowds. You will probably be glad once you are there! I know you have missed being there during the holidays, and it doesn't help right now, but it does mean your trip is not almost finished! Which week in December do you usually go?

 

[Muushka]

Dory, you are so sweet. Thank you for the encouraging words. It has been tough not going!

We always go either the first week or the second week of Dec. Unless a cruise is involved (which it has been the past few years). One of our most favorite Dec trips was 4 days at BCV, 4 days at VWL and then on the Wonder for 4 days over Christmas (day). That trip was my favorite!

How about you? When do you usually go?