VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.5) updated 2 February 2025

[Granny]

Hey folks!
Wanted to share, PBS is doing a 2 night documentary on American Experience about Walt Disney this upcoming Tues and Wed nights. Here is a link
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/walt-disney/

Perfect...the last two nights leading up to our trip next Wednesday (in our market this is airing Monday and Tuesday next week)! I look forward to the documentary...PBS usually does an excellent job. Thanks for the tip, Jimmy.

 

[ottawagreg]

I just passed ROFR two weeks ago and awaiting closing documents. I paid $85 for current u/y but the seller was paying the MFs so I felt it was a good deal. That was when there were only a few on the market, now there are almost none and the pricing has gone up to about $88 for asking price. There is one stripped contract at $94pp but that one has not sold. I got ours under contract within a few hours of posting. I have two trips to plan!

Congratulations! Sounds like your timing was impeccable. I am sure that you will be happy with your decision. Thanks for sharing your information with us.

 

[Corinne]

Perfect...the last two nights leading up to our trip next Wednesday (in our market this is airing Monday and Tuesday next week)! I look forward to the documentary...PBS usually does an excellent job. Thanks for the tip, Jimmy.

And it will be waiting for us to watch when we arrive home! I love all things Walt!! Thanks Jimmy!

 

[sleepydog25]

And it will be waiting for us to watch when we arrive home! I love all things Walt!! Thanks Jimmy!

I, too, will be watching (or at least recording) this show. I have seen a few minutes released as sort of a trailer, and it doesn't appear to show a completely complimentary picture of Walt. Instead, it shows, at least in part, the fact that he was not a saint, just a man with a vision. I've read from others that they didn't like this approach, but I believe that such a view ultimately will be more satisfying and realistic than painting him as a man without fault.

 

[Granny]

I, too, will be watching (or at least recording) this show. I have seen a few minutes released as sort of a trailer, and it doesn't appear to show a completely complimentary picture of Walt. Instead, it shows, at least in part, the fact that he was not a saint, just a man with a vision. I've read from others that they didn't like this approach, but I believe that such a view ultimately will be more satisfying and realistic than painting him as a man without fault.

Patrick...I couldn't agree more. I watched the trailer too, and listened to someone talk about how hard Walk could be on employees. But I think that's pretty general knowledge. My guess is that it will be a fairly balanced biographic approach. And hopefully Roy gets his just dues too!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

So on my trip I did spend quite a bit more time than normal around the resort or at FW but I did make it to 3 of the 4 parks. I skipped AK!

3 of the 4 days I did not go to the parks until later in the afternoon. One of the few things I find ok about FP+ is the ability to go to a park late and have a FP although as it turned out it really wasn't necessary at all for this trip.

First I made a stop at Club Cool since it was quite hot! It was a bit of a no-no since I quit drinking soda in June but I decided it's just too fun to try the different drinks. All were quite good since I skipped the Beverly. lol It was fun to watch several people that had never been there before doing the tasting.



Here's the wait at Soarin at 7:40pm



After that I headed over to the Single Rider line at Test Track. I prefer that vs the regular line anyway since the change to the ride. This was right at the very tippy top of my favorite rides prior to the redo but now I find the theme very lacking. The outside track portion is still quite fun though!



Finally it was a little before 9 so I made a quick trip to grab some potstickers in China and a plum wine drink and then watch Illuminations. I was apparently too busy watching to take any pictures.

After getting back to the lodge I decided to get a few more pictures:

And I noticed the chairs on each side of the rotunda have different patterns on them:

A nice place to sit and read:

 

[sleepydog25]

Congratulations! Sounds like your timing was impeccable. I am sure that you will be happy with your decision. Thanks for sharing your information with us.

Just saw a 150-pt VWL contract in my inbox from TTS. 156 points coming next month (Oct UY). $88 per point.

KAT - Love your pics. Been hearing it hasn't been crowded lately which will change once F&W opens. I'm a bit envious of your time there right now. Also, I completely agree about Test Track. It used to be my second favorite ride at Epcot, but ever since the cheap refurb, it dropped a few notches. Other than the "make your own car kiosks" which has gotten tiring already, the makeover looks like something a small-chain amusement park would do: a lot of blackness, a bit of glow paint and reflective tape here and there, and the same ride with a new, less effective story line. Lipstick on a pig. Meh. Still love the finish, though it's just not as enjoyable to get to now.

 

[jimmytammy]

Eliza...love the awards! I always enjoy your sense of humor and the way you view things. BTW, when in London, went on walking Rock N Roll tour and saw a little pub where Hendrix made his debut in that city, played with Clapton that night. Also, a cave where he played and afterwards would go looking for ghosts by himself in the dark of the cave! It brought back to mind what you shared about your brother playing drums for him all those years ago.

KAT...loving the pics, you have a great eye for appealing shots, if you have more, we will enjoy

 

[ottawagreg]

Just saw a 150-pt VWL contract in my inbox from TTS. 156 points coming next month (Oct UY). $88 per point.

I receive emails from TTS too, and just saw it this morning. This is the add you speak of?
This is not loaded , but certainly not stripped, plus the MFs are paid for the points coming in October. It seems that most contracts I noticed most of this year were in the low 80s, so the prices are moving up some. I will watch and see how long it lasts before the "sale pending" notice is posted.

Wilderness LodgeMembership expires 2042 - Annual Dues $6.03 per point

150 points. October use year. 156 points coming on 10/1/15 (150 + 6 banked points from 2014, banked points need to be used by 10/1/16) and 150 points coming on 10/1/16. NO ANNUAL DUES UNTIL 2016. Closing Costs: $484 Annual Dues at Closing: $0 Priced at $88/pt ($13200) Total Price: $13684 Ref# WL150-10-0909-je

 

[ottawagreg]

Kathy those pics are spectacular! I have never been able to get a time when people were not around. The pool shot is wonderful, and looking up into the octagon past the rockers are awesome too. We are a hundred days out still, but you are making my mind wander from my work to the villas. Thanks.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Eliza...love the awards! . . . . . KAT...loving the pics . . . . .

As I was reviewing the posts to catch up, I thought I would make comments on Kat4Disney's and Eliza's posts. Then I kept reading . . . Jimmy took the thoughts right out of my head!

Thanks again Eliza & Kat!

 

[ottawagreg]

I went back to TSS web page two hours after the post I made this morning when I arrived to work, and there is a sale pending. It probably took less than hour for the seller to receive an offer. I find it quite remarkable that there is such demand with so much uncertainty. I feel like putting one of my contracts out there with a crazy asking price to see what comes back. But someone might take me up on it and then I would lose points at our lodge.

 

[Granny]

So on my trip I did spend quite a bit more time than normal around the resort or at FW but I did make it to 3 of the 4 parks. I skipped AK!

3 of the 4 days I did not go to the parks until later in the afternoon. One of the few things I find ok about FP+ is the ability to go to a park late and have a FP although as it turned out it really wasn't necessary at all for this trip.

Kathy...thanks for posting all the pictures. Getting me revved up (6 more sleeps)!

We typically do not go to the parks until noon or later, so FP+ has worked out very well for us. For instance, we hadn't been on Toy Story Mania for several trips...fast passes were always gone for the day by the time we got there. So for us, it has been a good system. We typically don't book any FPs until we get to WDW except for the TSM.

I'm hoping that the wait times will still be low when we go next week. We've never seen Soarin with a wait time like that even when we go at slow times of the year.

Off topic mini-rant warning: And I agree about AK. At this point, Festival of the Lion King is the only thing we really look forward to in that park. The Safari is good too if the wait is short. Expedition Everest is excellent but since DW doesn't do thrill rides very much, it doesn't make our "must do" list. We don't care for the Nemo show (liked the Tarzan show MUCH better). I'm hoping that Avatarland will really help this park. Since we're staying for 14 nights this trip I'm sure we'll get to AK but for a shorter trip we could easily pass on it.

You may now resume your regularly scheduled peace and harmony.

 

[Kathymford]

I went back to TSS web page two hours after the post I made this morning when I arrived to work, and there is a sale pending. It probably took less than hour for the seller to receive an offer. I find it quite remarkable that there is such demand with so much uncertainty. I feel like putting one of my contracts out there with a crazy asking price to see what comes back. But someone might take me up on it and then I would lose points at our lodge.

I feel the same way about my VGC contract. I saw some crazy posts about some very high priced contracts on the resale market and considered it. We have 100 points there and ONLY 50 at the lodge. We really do need more points in FL for that 11-month window, but it seems silly to give up VGC now. We NEVER use the 11-month window here because we always use all our points in FL. lol. As always, "NEED MORE POINTS"

 

[Dean Marino]

Kat4Disney? Sandy and I went to AK twice.... we were young and dumb . Yes, we totally skip it as well, every trip .

 

[sleepydog25]

I receive emails from TTS too, and just saw it this morning. This is the add you speak of?
This is not loaded , but certainly not stripped, plus the MFs are paid for the points coming in October. It seems that most contracts I noticed most of this year were in the low 80s, so the prices are moving up some. I will watch and see how long it lasts before the "sale pending" notice is posted.

Wilderness LodgeMembership expires 2042 - Annual Dues $6.03 per point

150 points. October use year. 156 points coming on 10/1/15 (150 + 6 banked points from 2014, banked points need to be used by 10/1/16) and 150 points coming on 10/1/16. NO ANNUAL DUES UNTIL 2016. Closing Costs: $484 Annual Dues at Closing: $0 Priced at $88/pt ($13200) Total Price: $13684 Ref# WL150-10-0909-je

That was it. Didn't think it would last long, either.

 

[DiznyDi]

Thinking of you today, Eliza. Our little corner of cyberspace just wouldn't be the same without you, your trivia games and humorous insight. You're a survivor! With hard work and the love and support of your family and friends you came through Sept 11th terrorists attacks on American soil. We will never forget the horrors of that day.
Someday, DDad and I will have the pleasure of meeting you!

 

[jimmytammy]

Eliza, you are in our thoughts today as this day unfolds. I feel all the more blessed that you are a part of our lives

 

[eliza61]

HAPPY PATRIOTS DAY ALL!!

As always a huge Wilderness Lodge thank you for the love, I'm a women of faith so I believe strongly in the power of prayer. I appreciate every one believe me you.

So this is the first 9-11 I'm not attending a ceremony, busy at work but every year I do try and give thanks.

Usually on today we send a special shout out to our public servants, police, fireman, healthcare workers and lord knows they deserve it but I always think that you guys John q. american citizen deserve a well rounded kudo's also.

Case in point.

the one time we could have started WW3 and mass panic we didn't. Specifically because you guys keep it together.... and if you think that is no small accomplishment, let me point out that right now 1 million Syrians are banging on the doorstep of Europe in what is developing to be a human crisis. Now regardless to whether or not, we should, should not accept or how we are going to pay for refugees, the fact remains that other countries fall apart under disagreement and adversity. we do not

Here's wishing everyone all the love, joy and happiness you can squeeze into a day, with the possibility of a bright new tomorrow

224[/url] by eliza, on Flickr[/IMG] 224 by eliza, on Flickr

 

[Dizny Dad]

So in 2006, one evening DiznyDi & I were enjoying the Hot Tub at the quiet pool at SSR and (as always) struck up a conversation with a couple that joining us. (I always consider the Hot Tubs to be a social gathering; only once were we told in no uncertain terms that a guy in the tub wanted NO NOISE, NO CONVERSATION.) We were not yet DVC members; we had not yet taken a tour or considered such a thing. The gentlemen turned out to be one of the fireman first to the WTC scene on 9/11. He was reserved but unfolded his story, including a few graphic details of the work he did in the days after. His wife just listened as he told the tale. He was lucky, he said, in a situation where so many were not.

To this day, for me, he represents all of the brave men and women who jumped in together, to keep us together, and get to where we are today. I still see his face, and the way his wife watched him tell a story that I'm sure had been told thousands of times, and needs to keep being told. He asked us if we were DVC members. He was proud to say that they had just joined that day and were thrilled about it. That started the private conversation between DiznyDi & I about such a move in our lives. We took the tour before leaving SSR that trip.

When I think of DVC, I think of all of the great minds that put the Disney phenomenon together, and those that kept us together that horrible day in our history. God bless us all.