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

[MiaSRN62]

OT question:

Anyone know the best way to get from Philly to NYC ? Eliza ? Anyone else who might know ?
I was planning on taking the local train in Lansdale to 30th Street station in Philly, then connecting to NYC Penn Station. But the Amtrak train tix from Philly to NYC are $150 each roundtrip ??? A bit too pricey for me. Any suggestions ? What if I drove ? Maybe to a regional rail location in NY, parked there and then proceeded on in a train directly into the city ?

Help please....this is very last minute.....but I'd like to make this happen.

Thanks

 

[eliza61]

OT question:

Anyone know the best way to get from Philly to NYC ? Eliza ? Anyone else who might know ?
I was planning on taking the local train in Lansdale to 30th Street station in Philly, then connecting to NYC Penn Station. But the Amtrak train tix from Philly to NYC are $150 each roundtrip ??? A bit too pricey for me. Any suggestions ? What if I drove ? Maybe to a regional rail location in NY, parked there and then proceeded on in a train directly into the city ?

Help please....this is very last minute.....but I'd like to make this happen.

Thanks

If it's more than 1 person Maria,
Then driving is the cheaper way to go. NYC is pretty easy to get around, it's just the traffic that is a pain so allow yourself some extra time to deal with that. Parking in midtown is $40.00 bucks, tolls on 95 from exit 4 (Ben Franklin/cherry hill) I think is $4.75 each way and you have an toll out of the Lincoln tunnel.

 

[DisneyNutzy]

OT question:

Anyone know the best way to get from Philly to NYC ? Eliza ? Anyone else who might know ?
I was planning on taking the local train in Lansdale to 30th Street station in Philly, then connecting to NYC Penn Station. But the Amtrak train tix from Philly to NYC are $150 each roundtrip ??? A bit too pricey for me. Any suggestions ? What if I drove ? Maybe to a regional rail location in NY, parked there and then proceeded on in a train directly into the city ?

Help please....this is very last minute.....but I'd like to make this happen.

Thanks

Hi Maria,

If you want to avoid the parking costs and the nightmare of driving through the city you could drive and park at the Staten Island Ferry and take the Ferry to the city for free. They also have some park and rides in NJ that connect to the Path Train that will get you into the city. I think you could Park in Bayonne and take the Light Rail to the Path...I'm not too familiar with that route but I'm sure NJ Transit was a website with details. Good luck and have fun.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thanks eliza and DisneyNutzy !!! I appreciate it....we are plotting our course now....heading to bed soon. We are debating driving. Are there many parking lots in the city to park your car if need be ? Hey....we may even try to hit the World of Disney store in NYC

 

[MiaSRN62]

I'm really being a pain...I know.
What do u think :
1) drive to Trenton and take the Trenton Transit regional rail to Penn Station (NY) ?

2) drive to get the Staten Island Ferry ?

Which puts you in a better area for sightseeing ? I haven't been to NYC since college ! I had to see a Broadway play and do an essay on it when I went to Penn State. So I'm really fuzzy.

And hey....IF I do get to the Disney Store, I'll take pics and post them here.

Appreciate it.

 

[Tamplain]

I wonder if I might impose on you all for a bit of information. I had posted in the mousecellaneous previously as am thinking of buying into the DVC program. Of course Disney is offering currently BLT and AKV. AKV not interested to me as I had nothing but trouble and bad luck with the buses on our trip a few weeks ago. Then I stumbled on this thread.

Anyhow we stayed at the WL and I was very at ease and comfortable there. Now I didn't get to see the villas so not really sure what they are like but the atmosphere at the WL really suited me. My wife was comfortable and enjoyed the place as well but she likes the idea of BLT on the monorail and closer to the MK. But my problem lies in the fact that I just cannot wrap myself around the ultra moderness of the BLT. I have stayed at the CR before and enjoyed it but it just seemed so anteseptic to me.
I can't say much for the other places cause I haven't been to them and I surely cannot go visit all of them although some I can rule out already due to location.
I keep coming back to the WL but just not sure so wonder if some of you might share your thoughts on if the place is really worth it. I suppose I may have to go the resale route if Disney doesn't offer anything decent on the WL but not sure yet as they keep pushing the BLT and AKV not in a pressure mode but just guess that is what they want to sell right now.
Will probably make a move sometime this month or next so some insight might help. Right now its down to the VWL or BLT. Its only myself, wife and 3 yr old daugther so looking at something like 160 or 200 points.
Thanks

B

 

[MiaSRN62]

I keep coming back to the WL but just not sure so wonder if some of you might share your thoughts on if the place is really worth it. I suppose I may have to go the resale route if Disney doesn't offer anything decent on the WL but not sure yet as they keep pushing the BLT and AKV not in a pressure mode but just guess that is what they want to sell right now.

Tamplain....
First of all...you're not imposing at all !
I say follow your heart and gut. I LOVE WL/VWL. The only reason we didn't buy it, is dh preferred having the extra years on the contract at AKV and also the fact that the one bedrooms at AKV sleep 5 is very big for us (being a family of 5). It means we don't always have to use the extra points for a 2 bedroom villa. But VWL was our second choice when we actually bought AKV. I do believe disney will sell VWL to you if a contract becomes available. You may have to go on a waiting list. If you prefer not to wait then resale is a good option as well. But call disney first and ask ---you will get resale for less money but u will also have to come up with your own financing. Good luck. And I can just tell by the way you talk that VWL is for you.

 

[DisneyNutzy]

I'm really being a pain...I know.
What do u think :
1) drive to Trenton and take the Trenton Transit regional rail to Penn Station (NY) ?

2) drive to get the Staten Island Ferry ?

Which puts you in a better area for sightseeing ? I haven't been to NYC since college ! I had to see a Broadway play and do an essay on it when I went to Penn State. So I'm really fuzzy.

And hey....IF I do get to the Disney Store, I'll take pics and post them here.

Appreciate it.

Penn Station will put you in the better area for sightseeing. The Ferry will take you past the Statue of Liberty and leave you downtown. If you are looking to go to the Disney Store, Times Square, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Plaza etc. you are closer if you go to Penn Station. Downtown is not the usual holiday season tourism spot but you have Wall Street, Ground Zero, Battery Park, Chinatown, Brooklyn Bridge & the Village. If you do drive there are plenty of parking lots/garages but make sure you ask the attendant the actual rate. They tend to post a bunch of teaser signs like "$12 all day" but the fine print will say after 9 PM and you will end up paying 50 bucks. I would take the Path and use the Subway from there. Much easier to move around. Driving in Midtown can give anyone road rage.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Penn Station will put you in the better area for sightseeing. The Ferry will take you past the Statue of Liberty and leave you downtown. If you are looking to go to the Disney Store, Times Square, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Plaza etc. you are closer if you go to Penn Station. Downtown is not the usual holiday season tourism spot but you have Wall Street, Ground Zero, Battery Park, Chinatown, Brooklyn Bridge & the Village. If you do drive there are plenty of parking lots/garages but make sure you ask the attendant the actual rate. They tend to post a bunch of teaser signs like "$12 all day" but the fine print will say after 9 PM and you will end up paying 50 bucks. I would take the Path and use the Subway from there. Much easier to move around. Driving in Midtown can give anyone road rage.

Ahhh....we had just talked about doing the Ferry......
Now it looks like the train might be better from what you said about holiday tourism. All the sights you mentioned (Rockefeller Plaza, Disney Store, Times Square, Empire State etc) are definitely ones we want to see. But my dd's and her friends also really want to see the Statue of Liberty. Because there will be 5 of us, not sure a taxi is the way to go. So are u saying the Path (I'll have to look this one up) and subway are the modes of transportation to get from Downtown to midtown ? I appreciate all your input greatly DisneyNutzy. You and eliza have been a big help. You probably won't be on the boards before we leave (aiming for 8:45 am as the latest time to leave), but I'm sure we'll figure it out.

EDIT : Ok...now I see what the Path is. Looks like it connects NJ to Manhatten (Downtown). So to get to other areas of NYC once you're already in Manhatten, the subway is the way to go it seems........I'll get it.......lol

 

[wildernessDad]

I wonder if I might impose on you all for a bit of information. I had posted in the mousecellaneous previously as am thinking of buying into the DVC program. Of course Disney is offering currently BLT and AKV. AKV not interested to me as I had nothing but trouble and bad luck with the buses on our trip a few weeks ago. Then I stumbled on this thread.

Anyhow we stayed at the WL and I was very at ease and comfortable there. Now I didn't get to see the villas so not really sure what they are like but the atmosphere at the WL really suited me. My wife was comfortable and enjoyed the place as well but she likes the idea of BLT on the monorail and closer to the MK. But my problem lies in the fact that I just cannot wrap myself around the ultra moderness of the BLT. I have stayed at the CR before and enjoyed it but it just seemed so anteseptic to me.
I can't say much for the other places cause I haven't been to them and I surely cannot go visit all of them although some I can rule out already due to location.
I keep coming back to the WL but just not sure so wonder if some of you might share your thoughts on if the place is really worth it. I suppose I may have to go the resale route if Disney doesn't offer anything decent on the WL but not sure yet as they keep pushing the BLT and AKV not in a pressure mode but just guess that is what they want to sell right now.
Will probably make a move sometime this month or next so some insight might help. Right now its down to the VWL or BLT. Its only myself, wife and 3 yr old daugther so looking at something like 160 or 200 points.
Thanks

B

Disney does sell VWL. You just have to be persistent with them as they'll try to sell you AKV or BLT. The price of VWL through Disney will be higher than the price on the resale market. First time buyers through Disney will have to pay a closing cost and you will have to make the initial minimum point purchase through Disney, 160 points now, I think. With resale, you can purchase any amount available. With Disney, you'll get your points fast and be in the system before you know it. With resale, you make an offer, hope it's accepted and then hope that Disney doesn't use their ROFR on it. All that takes time.

Remember that VWL ends in the year 2042 whereas AKV ends in 2057 and BLT ends in 2060 (I think). If the extra years mean more to you, consider the newer resorts. Disney MAY offer an extension on VWL like they did on OKW. We'll see.

We purchased VWL in 2005 through Disney although they tried to sell us SSR at the time. The more we stay there, the more we love it.

 

[eliza61]

I wonder if I might impose on you all for a bit of information. I had posted in the mousecellaneous previously as am thinking of buying into the DVC program. Of course Disney is offering currently BLT and AKV. AKV not interested to me as I had nothing but trouble and bad luck with the buses on our trip a few weeks ago. Then I stumbled on this thread.

Anyhow we stayed at the WL and I was very at ease and comfortable there. Now I didn't get to see the villas so not really sure what they are like but the atmosphere at the WL really suited me. My wife was comfortable and enjoyed the place as well but she likes the idea of BLT on the monorail and closer to the MK. But my problem lies in the fact that I just cannot wrap myself around the ultra moderness of the BLT. I have stayed at the CR before and enjoyed it but it just seemed so anteseptic to me.
I can't say much for the other places cause I haven't been to them and I surely cannot go visit all of them although some I can rule out already due to location.

B

Now these are the types of decisions I love
Welcome Tamplain, no imposition at all. As you can tell we love the lodge. For many of us it's not our home resort (I'm a BCV'er) but it is our favorite.

I'm very much like you, in that I enjoyed my stay at the CR but the Wilderness lodge simply speaks to my soul (as corny as that sounds). It truly is one of the only resorts that "moves" me the moment I step on the grounds. It really does surprise me the absolute joy I get from staying there especially since the resort doesn't actually "do" any thing. I love the sounds, from the music through out the resort to the way even, in the summer when it's most crowded, it never sounds "loud". I love the boat ride over to the MK in the morning, coming around the bend and seeing the GF on the left and then when you return from the park coming around the bend again and WHAM, the WL jumps up at ya!!
We are not early, early risers but one of my favorite things to do is to wake up early, go to the mercantile and get some coffee and then sit in the lobby. The music is on and the world is slowly waking up.

As WD mentioned, you will have a longer contract with BLT and that may count as you have a small one (lots of vacations ahead). Also your wife has a point, as a mom I can tell you if your lugging a stroller and a baby bag, you definitely love the ease of the monorail.

So now that I've made your choices as clear as mud Good luck, feel free to post any specific questions you may have about the lodge.
Eliza

 

[Muushka]

Yes, welcome Tamplain.

VWL people are certainly a different breed.
It reminds me of the move Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Remember, lots of people were exposed to the UFO's, but only a small number perused it.

In the movie, they had the same 5 notes playing in their brains over and over.
We have "The Magnificent Seven" playing in ours.

They had the vision of the Devil's Tower, we have visions of geyser in the back of the Lodge.

And the way that Gillian and Barry bonded as friends....same as the Groupies.

Earth to Muush...Earth to Muush.....
Oh and a question? Will you travel to WDW during the month of December?

If yes, then you might want to consider having points at VWL for that time of year especially. Otherwise, if BLT and VWL were the same price, I would probably scoop up some BLT points. Perhaps 160 at BLT and 40 at VWL?

Either way, please feel free to join our rather strange band of Groupies and grab one of our VWL Groupie Mooses. I'll bet he will look very handsome on the bottom of your siggy! And let us know what you decide.

 

[Happydinks]

Either way, please feel free to join our rather strange band of Groupies and grab one of our VWL Groupie Mooses. I'll bet he will look very handsome on the bottom of your siggy! And let us know what you decide.

New and old (not age ) - We wish everyone a joyous, prosperous, healthy, peace filled, uneventful (except for awesome trips) and economically stable New Year!

And so do the Groupies!

Leslie, Bob, Gracie and Buddy

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

First of all:

For us the beauty of DVC has been the ability to stay in different resorts and we have yet to stay in our home resort (SSR). We tend to not know 11 months out what we are doing at the stage of life we are in with teenagers and college kids. Therefore, booking at other resorts at the 7 month or less time has worked for us. We will probably stay at SSR for Christmas when it is our best possibility to book 11 months out.

So, don't know if that helps, but even if you buy at BLT for the reasons mentioned you can always stay at VWL with your points if you are a little flexible with dates and don't want a holiday travel date. We've stayed at OKW in mid May/late May/early June/ and will be at VWL in March. I can see the great side of being on the monorail and more years. I understand your comments because the modern stuff just doesn't move me. I'd much rather be in a rustic setting. That said SSR was being sold when we bought and we went that route. Now I think I've made the mud even muddier.

No matter the choice, if you love the lodge please grab a rocking chair and visit on this thread. These are the friendliest people I've found on the web.

69 days and I'll be in a rocking chair by the fireplace in our beloved lodge--but who's counting?

 

[blossomz]

Hi Everyone! I cannot believe I am already back from the Poly! The weather was absolutely perfect! Wish we could have stayed longer. Did the resort tour to check out all of the gingerbread houses and decorations. Also made it over to VWL...had to sit in both lobbies and take in the sights, sounds, and smells! Missed Ranger Stan by one day.. he was off on Christmas and that was the day we were there. But the report is that he is doing well! Managed to visit all 4 parks..saw the castle lights, Osbourne lights, Christmas Wishes, Illuminations, and Fantamic! Whew! The Polynesian is very nice...but groupies...VWL it still does not beat! We were in Tahiti which was very convenient to the TTA but wow..after a day in the parks..it seemed a very long way from the Great Ceremonial House. However, walking through the resort at night was very nice. The crowds were not nearly as bad as I'd expected! And...Disney was actually having a sale! All tshirts, baseball hats, and Christmas decorations!! Even the CM's were surprised!

Hmm..you think an acorn is weird? Around here..they drop a white rose for York, a red rose for Lancaster....and a DILL PICKLE for Dillsburg!!!

Happy New Year everyone!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Welcome back blossomz ! Glad u had a fantastic time ! I've been reading other posts on the DIS about these sales too. Hope u found some cool stuff. Post pics when u can.
I'm back from a cold/blustery day in NYC ! Really too cold. We all decided won't visit NYC again in the winter. Exhausted too....don't ever visit the Big Apple the day before New Year's eve !!! I did get to visit the World of Disney Store too. Very very nice store !

Happy New Year all !

 

[QJ411]

Hi everyone!

Haven't stopped by in a while but wanted to pop in and wish everyone a very happy and healthy new year!

 

[jimmytammy]

Horselover
Sorry it took me 3 pages later to catch up with you. If you can work it out, try to get that Wed FF spot. It doesnt take that much time to do, and it will be such a great memory. And Stan will be around on Sat til 4, so if you get there in time, look him up while in the lobby. Good luck on getting the FF!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Tamplain
Welcome to the groupies!!

I say go for it! Find a way and make it happen!!

Seroiously, I hope it all works out the way you want it too. And as others have said, follow your heart(which seems to be leading down the winding path towards VWL )

 

[jimmytammy]

Muushka

That whole Close Encounters, VWL Lovers connection is starting to add up.

Good way to describe it all