The VWL Groupies & Trivia Thread

[blossomz]

We didn't do the surrey bikes, just the regular bikes. But we've done them on the boardwalk. They are much harder to pedal. This past trip we bikes over to FW and had lunch at the buffeteria. It was really great!

I've been waiting for the tag fairy as well..at least the fairy seems to hang out in our little group a bit! She must have good taste!

 

[cheer4bison]

I've been dying to share some photos of my son on the groupies thread. I scanned a few in. Let's see if I can get them to work. (Humphrey the) Bear with me till I figure this out.

This was the first time we took him to Disney, and of course, we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge. We all loved it! Such great memories...

For some strange reason, these handrails in the elevator have always made me laugh. Thought you all might enjoy a picture of them.

Jill

 

[cheer4bison]

Since the first photo found its way to the thread, I thought I'd post another. Our little guy (and various forms of wildlife) are on the deck of our amazing woods view room (5001) right behind the boat dock. It was a breath-taking view at all times of day. We could watch the fireworks over the treetops to the left and the geyser erupting hourly to the right. Couldn't believe they didn't consider this a premium view, but I wasn't going to argue with them.

One of the best parts of the whole trip, from my son's perspective, was the herd of towel creatures our mousekeeper, Devora left for him to find almost daily. I hope the mousekeepers in the VWL do towel creatures too.

If you pay for mousekeeping at the villas, have any of you found towel critters in your rooms?

Jill

 

[Muushka]

Awwwww. What a cutie. Future Groupie???

Nope, never paid for mousekeeping. However, for the past 2 or so years we have gotten a towel "Mickey Head" each time we check in.

 

[keliblue]

DH and I enjoy the buffet at Trail's End at Ft. Wilderness. We often end our WDW stays there, because of the food which we like and the atmosphere of FW. For me, FW is the "bonus" of being a VWL groupie, it's a world apart to enjoy. We've only rented ordinary bikes at WL.

Bobbi

PS. OMG! That new tag of mine is sort of WL themed, but it's from the Flower and Garden board, honestly!!!!

PPS. I didn't see it when I was typing this original answer, I would love to post a fainting smilie!

Bobbi I just love your new tag !!
kb

 

[eliza61]

Have any of you Groupies rented those cool surrey bikes at the WL? Can a faily tall eight year old reach the pedals? Any idea what it costs to rent them?

Also, have any of you eaten at Trail's End at Fort Wilderness? Would you recommend it?

Jill
(Yes, I'm a teacher and school is back in session. Where did the summer go?)

Hey Jill,
Yes we've rented the surrey bikes both at WL and the broadwalk. They are a hoot mainly because they are hard to pedal up any type of incline. Usually every one ends up laughing like loons. Your 8 year old will probably be able to reach the pedals but don't worry, he's going to pedal exactly 10 times and then quit, leaving the rest of you to pedal.
Can't remeber how much they were, for some reason $25 bucks for 30 mins is ringing a bell, but I wouldn't bet the log cabin on it.
Eliza

 

[bobbiwoz]

Bobbi I just love your new tag !!
kb

Oh yes, something everyone would love to have ...sort of like the chipmunks we were trying to get rid of!

Bobbi

 

[jimmytammy]

Great pics! Keep em coming.

We have eaten breakfast several times at TE and dinner a couple of times. Even though we arent big breakfast eaters, we prefer this meal over their dinner.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Also, have any of you eaten at Trail's End at Fort Wilderness? Would you recommend it?

Hi Jill.....we've eaten there. It's nice.....nothing fancy....kind of rustic & quaint. We drove over there one night. I don't know if this is the best way to get there. You have to park very far away and take a bus/shuttle into the heart of the resort. Ft Wilderness is VERY dark at night. I mean, pitch black. So I think I'd probably opt to take the boat over in the future. I think that would be less of a hassle over car and bus.

 

[MaryJ]

Hi Jill.....we've eaten there. It's nice.....nothing fancy....kind of rustic & quaint. We drove over there one night. I don't know if this is the best way to get there. You have to park very far away and take a bus/shuttle into the heart of the resort. Ft Wilderness is VERY dark at night. I mean, pitch black. So I think I'd probably opt to take the boat over in the future. I think that would be less of a hassle over car and bus.

Yes, definitely take the boat. Trail's End is just a short walk from the boat dock. We've eaten at Trail's End several times and think it is one of WDW's best kept secrets!

 

[ammo]

BTW...this past weekend we were at Tweetsie Railroad which is up in the mountains of NC in Blowing Rock.

Jimmy -- have you been there for the Ghost Train? That wailing sound that reverberates through the hills freaks out my kids. Of course, they also hesitate at the sound of the howling wolves from Haunted Mansion. If you could hear the wolves at VWL, I am sure we would have to stay someplace else!

 

[jimmytammy]

Jimmy -- have you been there for the Ghost Train? That wailing sound that reverberates through the hills freaks out my kids. Of course, they also hesitate at the sound of the howling wolves from Haunted Mansion. If you could hear the wolves at VWL, I am sure we would have to stay someplace else!

Yes, one time for the Ghost Train. And we loved it! Riding on Casey Bones was a treat. My DS, even at 13 yrs. is still a bit freaked by the HM. He was telling me yesterday that he likes to ride TOT, but that part in the library where all goes dark then Rod Serling comes on the screen still spooks him.

 

[Muushka]

I was raised by my dad, a single (widower) parent. As a small child, I can remember the bedtime stories. Edgar Allen Poe stories! No wonder I turned out like I did! The only thing that really spooked me as a child was Dracula. I think it is because I have a "neck thing".

I would love to try that Ghost Train. Is it at night?

 

[ammo]

Yes -- the Ghost Train (an entire festival, not just a ride) is on weekend nights during October.

I was raised by my dad, a single (widower) parent. As a small child, I can remember the bedtime stories. Edgar Allen Poe stories! No wonder I turned out like I did! The only thing that really spooked me as a child was Dracula. I think it is because I have a "neck thing".

What a great dad (Poe is literature, after all)! Spooky stories always make me think about "The Velvet Ribbon" -- a creepy story about a woman who never removed a ribbon from her neck. You don't mean that kind of neck thing, do you?

 

[Muushka]

Nope, the neck thing is I cannot stand anyone breathing on it or touching it!
Probably left over fear from the scary stories!

 

[jimmytammy]

Being that we are speaking a bit on the "spooky" side, (it is close to Halloween) I will share a fun story with you, and it involves our beloved Lodge.

Last Dec. while staying at VWL, I got a cold and the last couple nights of our stay I was keeping everyone up coughing. It got so bad that my DW made a makeshift bed out of 2 chairs for herself near the door to the hallway in our 1 bedroom.

Anyway, I decided to get up, get her back to bed and me proceed down to the Iron Spike Room to read and hopefully dose off. This was around 2am til 8am. While there I noticed the leather rocking chair across from me moving a bit (or it could have been from the fog in my head from the cold and the meds ) So after my kids got up I told them about my experience. My DD told me she had read where Walts spirit roams the Iron Spike Room, I guess to admire his train It was kinda funny cause my DS freaked. He didnt want to go near that place.

So back in June he braved up and wanted to see if he could see that rocking chair move. We played checkers that day in June and I noticed he kept peering over that way to see if those chairs were moving.

 

[Muushka]

Maybe we will be brave in December!

 

[Granny]

My DD told me she had read where Walts spirit roams the Iron Spike Room, I guess to admire his train It was kinda funny cause my DS freaked. He didnt want to go near that place.

Haunted Mansion? We don't need no stinkin' Haunted Mansion!!

We gots the Haunted Lodge!!

 

[ammo]

I never go in there alone at night. Not that I buy any of these ghost stories, mind you , but you can never be too careful. Of course, with kids, I never go anyplace alone (so I have an alibi).

 

[blossomz]

I was told by a longtime cast member who was there when VWL opened...that it is true that Walt often does visit the Iron Spike Room and rocks in one of the rocking chairs...We always try to catch a glimpse but were not as lucky as you!!