The VWL Groupies & Trivia Thread

[LVSWL]

We are home. We hit the weather that traveled across GA and SC last night. It was hairy for awhile. We pulled off at a rest stop in what appeared in the nick of time. A tornado touched down while we were there due east about 3 miles. We waited about an hour. Fortunately there was a meteorology student stopped and he was talking via phone with his buddies while they were giving all the info they could by radar. Turns out 4 very fast moving storms piled up one after another that spawned around 7 tornado warnings in that area. Once back on I-95 we went about 1/2 mile and there were trees down. A car had hit one of the trees but the family looked to be OK. You could smell fresh cut pine in the air very vividly. On I-26 we got into an area that was much the same. I sure was glad to see those stars come out!

Man, Im glad to be home! Cant wait to get back to my second home in Dec.

So glad that you made it home ok! My son and I were in Charleston when the storms came through last night. We were there for a college open house and had just come in from dinner when the wind and rain started. We spent the next several hours watching the news and wondering if we should run for the bathroom!! It must have been really frightening out on the road!

 

[cheer4bison]

Hey there groupies,

We made it back home safely to central New Jersey very early this morning. JetBlue is a great, affordable family friendly airline. We will use them again. Didn't get back home from the airport until about 2:30 am. Ugh! Definitely feeling that traditional post-Disney lull today. But am having a good time pulling souvenirs out of our suitcases as I unpack.

So I have returned from the land of Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain, to a "mountain of laundry" to do after our amazing trip. I'll do my best to upload some more photos of our excursion between spin cycles.

It was definitely a highlight of my trip to meet the jimmytammy family. Not only did Jimmy & Tammy show up but their two lovely teenagers came along too. I work with teenagers every day and I must say I was impressed with these very sweet and polite young people. Great family, indeed! Thanks guys, for taking the time to get together. Like I told them, it felt like sitting down for a cup of coffee with good neighbors. Sincerely hope to run into them again in December when we are there.

Ranger Stan signed my son's autograph book on our last day. I have some photos to share. I'll work on getting them online.

Thanks for all your interest in the photos I posted during the trip. Wish I would have had the energy to post every day, but those early morning character breakfasts have a way of catching up with you. The sleep deprivation kept me offline the last few days of vacation. I'll try to make up for it now that I'm back home in NJ.

Jill

PS. The photo above is a pina colava from the trout pass bar which I enjoyed on the lovely beach behind the resort. Sweet!!!

 

[eliza61]

Hey Jill & JT. Glad both of you are back safe and sound after a great vacation.
Thank you both for the great updates on our favorite lodge, they definitely gave me a smile on some dreary work days.

Ok,
Whose up to bat next? I know a bunch of folks are going in December but that is definitely too long to wait for my fix.

 

[jimmytammy]

lisaviolet

I am so sorry we missed you folks. I understand when those hectic days get in the way of the lazy ones. My folks were down for a few days, and it made a bit of a different trip early on. I wouldnt take anything for them being there, just wish they enjoyed it a bit more. Plus they didnt feel well, so that goes without saying how it can affect vacation.

Cheer4Bison

Glad to hear you made it home OK. And thanks for the kind remarks about our kids. We look forward to another meet with you as well. We will definitely be "home" Dec 1-12.

Welcome to all the new groupies!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Mia....my wife watches that show too! I watched an episode with her when they went snow skiing. My gosh, travelling (or even living) with 8 kids like that even with help is more than I can imagine.

I saw the ski trip episode too Granny. That was the one where poor Kate got sick and most of the kids hated skiing. I love that Kate said she hated cold weather and cold weather sports and was happy to just hang out in their rental home. It was so funny how she said she enjoyed doing all the multiple loads of laundry while away because it was nice just being in a different place and having a different view. Takes a special couple to raise a family that size. I'm pretty sure it's more than I could handle. I felt SO awful for Kate when their plane was delayed on the runway---all the kids were screaming and crying on the plane---and she just covered her face and had a cry. Has to be so stressful.


Lisa..........welcome back and sorry you had such a hectic trip. But glad your parents had a great time with the savanah view at AKV. We're staying there in Aug--also with a savanah view.

Jill,
Loved all your pics and hoping to see more when you get through your Laundry Mtn. Also, have to say, I LOVE the pina colavas. I sipped my way through a few of those last summer at the WL.

 

[loribell]

Hey Jill & JT. Glad both of you are back safe and sound after a great vacation.
Thank you both for the great updates on our favorite lodge, they definitely gave me a smile on some dreary work days.

Ok,
Whose up to bat next? I know a bunch of folks are going in December but that is definitely too long to wait for my fix.

Well I am going in July. Surely there is someone going before then. I will take the laptop though so if the internet access is free I will post some pics for everyone. Especially the ones I will get from the roof when we are flag family!!!!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Glad everyone is home safe and sound!

 

[Muushka]

Good morning Groupies.

Does anyone else look forward to reading this thread when they get on the computer as much as I??

JT your kids sound wonderful. I look forward to meeting them (well, and you and T ) one of these days.
Actually I look forward to meeting you all!

Lisa, your trip sounds hectic, but I loved reading about your parents. I can just see these 2 older folks (heck, they are probably my age! ) sitting there, one yelling at giraffes and the other ticking off the different beasts!

Cheer4, thanks for the frosty treat!

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Hey Jill & JT. Glad both of you are back safe and sound after a great vacation.
Thank you both for the great updates on our favorite lodge, they definitely gave me a smile on some dreary work days.

Ok,
Whose up to bat next? I know a bunch of folks are going in December but that is definitely too long to wait for my fix.

May 27th for us. Anyone before then?

 

[CRSNDSNY]

OH YES! It's a fun one to keep up with -- always plenty of pics!

 

[50 years Too!]

Barb, I agree. This thread is always the first one I go on!

Looking forward to more trip info, Jill. Laundry, uck!

Melody, noticed your pretrip info on your sig line. I love the way you have done your itinerary days! Really cool.

Happy Monday to all the groupies.

Deb

 

[blossomz]

Good morning Groupies.

Does anyone else look forward to reading this thread when they get on the computer as much as I??

JT your kids sound wonderful. I look forward to meeting them (well, and you and T ) one of these days.
Actually I look forward to meeting you all!

Lisa, your trip sounds hectic, but I loved reading about your parents. I can just see these 2 older folks (heck, they are probably my age! ) sitting there, one yelling at giraffes and the other ticking off the different beasts!

Cheer4, thanks for the frosty treat!

This is the first place I check whenI get online! It's like checking in with all of my friends! There is nothing like being a groupie!!

 

[eliza61]

May 27th for us. Anyone before then?

I'm doing a split stay WLV/BCV 5/1-5/7. This will be the first solo trip with out "the old guy", sid and rizzo. Should be pretty interesting to say the least.

Good morning Groupies.

Does anyone else look forward to reading this thread when they get on the computer as much as I??

Better than my morning paper.

 

[Granny]

Ok,
Whose up to bat next? I know a bunch of folks are going in December but that is definitely too long to wait for my fix.

Our annual trip is the end of July...will only be a visitor at VWL though as we are locked and loaded for a BCV trip this year.

I definitely plan on visiting our beloved home at least a couple of times during our trip. I'll try to time it for later in the week so I have a chance to catch Ranger Stan.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Our annual trip is the end of July...will only be a visitor at VWL though as we are locked and loaded for a BCV trip this year.

This is the way it is with us as well......we'll be in WDW by Aug 3, but we're staying at Vistana/AKV/Vero Beach. Definitely plan a few visits to the WL/VWL though !

 

[Muushka]

We will be visiting VWL (not staying there)for our next DVC trip also. What is this world coming to?

I know! Flexible Groupies!

 

[cheer4bison]

Hi Groupies,

As the unpacking process continues, periodically I come across a little VWL treat purchased while at our beloved lodge. (It sure makes doing laundry a whole lot more rewarding! ) This is the one I unearthed this afternoon.

Perhaps some of you have this cute little totem pole. I think it's adorable! Looks great in the guest bedroom we are renovating to look like the Wilderness lodge. A real steal at $20, don't you think?

So sorry I missed lisaviolet while we were there. We must have walked past your room half a dozen times or more on the way to the boat dock. I hope we get to run into on another trip some time.

And Muushka, yes, this is the first place I visit everytime I turn on my computer too. Definitely a warm fuzzy place to visit.

Jill

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

We're glad you found us too! What is the Jon & Kate show??
We won't be there in may, does wishing count??

Hi Muushka !
It's a TV show on Discovery or TLC channel. It's a realty show about a family from central PA (they live about 2 hours from me), who have one set of twins and then had sixtuplets. So a total of 8 kids. The show follows them around as they do their day-to-day activities, and also when they go on trips. One of their visits was to WDW and they stayed at the WL.
I love the show :
http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/jon-and-kate/jon-and-kate.html


DisneyNutzy ~

HOME !

Eliza...love your "welcome home" pic !

I love the line that Kate says near the end of the show when they get in the van to go home. She says "Sadly and I do mean sadly, we packed up and left our lovely lodge." Aww! I know that feeling.

 

[blossomz]

We have a whole week put aside at the Lodge from june 21-June27!! Can't wait!

 

[Island Mouse]

Ok,
Whose up to bat next? I know a bunch of folks are going in December but that is definitely too long to wait for my fix.

Our next trip is June 1st-5th, but we are staying in a FW Cabin. Our "Big" trip to BWV & VWL is not until October.