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

[KAT4DISNEY]

Happy Birthday LeslieLou!!!

 

[twinklebug]

Just sneaking in late to the party again ... Horselover, I hope you had a very Happy Birthday!

 

[twinklebug]

And adding a
Happy Birthday to LeslieLou! too!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Just ran across this announcement in case others haven't seen it. I'm not certain how reducing by 1 hour better meets Guest demands but I've long thought that phrase does not mean what I think it means to Disney.

"Starting from Monday, April 11, the Airline Check-In service offered at Disney's hotels will be available from 5 a.m. until noon to better meet Guest demand.
Resort Airline Check-In is a complimentary service that lets all resort Guests flying on participating airlines check in for their flight, collect their boarding pass, and check their bags at the airline check-in desk located at Disney's resorts. As a reminder, some Guests might be required to check in directly at the airport."

 

[jimmytammy]

KAT
That is one awesome home theater!

Happy Birthday Leslielou!!!!

 

[Granny]

While watching the basketball I was also perusing a board I don't look at often (if ever) and ran across this media room project someone did a few years ago. WOW!!! Thought I'd see if any groupies might be inspired to redecorate.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.415088301939629.1073741826.137900416325087&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.350493885065738.80844.137900416325087&type=3

Wow! That's quite a project! I couldn't help but be reminded of the character in "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" movie who thought he was a real pirate! AAAARGHHH!

 

[tea pot]

Hello Groupies!
and a belated Happy Easter

OK Guys my Magical Mickey heart is being tested!
So many changes both in the parks and at the resorts.....
I think I need to visit our happy place to assure myself that
the Magic still lives!


We were planning a family visit in January it will be my grandson's first visit
he'll be just over a year but I'm not sure I can wait.

I'm thinking about going in July are any of you going to the DIS Unplugged Mega Meet?
It will be their !0th anniversary
I believe the dates are July 22-26 the live recording of the show will be on the 25

Happy Belated Birthday Inkmahn,
Pixie dust to Mrs Granny
Corinne you are in my thoughts and prayers
Thanks Horselover I love your new avatar too.. so cool

 

[twokats]

Happy Birthday LeslieLou!

 

[Granny]

Hello Groupies!
and a belated Happy Easter

OK Guys my Magical Mickey heart is being tested!
So many changes both in the parks and at the resorts.....
I think I need to visit our happy place to assure myself that
the Magic still lives!

I think the Magic still lives...though assuredly there will be a lot of changes in the parks during the next few years. But some things that I think are good that are happening now or soon include...

Fireworks at DHS
Night show at Animal Kingdom park
Lots of new restaurants and shops at Disney Springs
Soarin' has a new movie
Frozen Ever After is coming to EPCOT soon

Overall, I think the Magic is in good shape, though getting more expensive at an alarming rate. The only "park bummer" these days is DHS which just doesn't have much going on to justify a full day.

Pixie dust to Mrs Granny

Thanks so much! Her recovery seems to be coming along nicely.

 

[tea pot]

I think the Magic still lives...though assuredly there will be a lot of changes in the parks during the next few years. But some things that I think are good that are happening now or soon include...

Fireworks at DHS
Night show at Animal Kingdom park
Lots of new restaurants and shops at Disney Springs
Soarin' has a new movie
Frozen Ever After is coming to EPCOT soon

Overall, I think the Magic is in good shape, though getting more expensive at an alarming rate. The only "park bummer" these days is DHS which just doesn't have much going on to justify a full day.

Thanks Granny
I needed that

 

[Lakegirl]

Just ran across this announcement in case others haven't seen it. I'm not certain how reducing by 1 hour better meets Guest demands but I've long thought that phrase does not mean what I think it means to Disney.

"Starting from Monday, April 11, the Airline Check-In service offered at Disney's hotels will be available from 5 a.m. until noon to better meet Guest demand.
Resort Airline Check-In is a complimentary service that lets all resort Guests flying on participating airlines check in for their flight, collect their boarding pass, and check their bags at the airline check-in desk located at Disney's resorts. As a reminder, some Guests might be required to check in directly at the airport."

Thanks for sharing. I remember our first trip we somehow missed ever seeing the cutoff time and had to bring our luggage with us. Quite a pain!!

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . . I remember our first trip we somehow missed ever seeing the cutoff time and had to bring our luggage with us. Quite a pain!!

I remember our first family trip before there was any Airline check in OR ME. We stayed on property, but it was before DVC was created. We had to purchase a shuttle service ticket that included both to/from the airport in a small 7 person van. All worked out fine, but the drivers were not attached to the Disney Magic in any way. On the return trip, after asking what airline everyone needed, he then asked if those using "X" airlines (most of us) had made alternate arrangements since the airline had gone on strike the night before. The bus went deadly quiet, one lady began the "OMG what will we do" lament, obviously very stressed. One lady commented that they were lucky their airline was still operating. (no cell phones in those days to check such news) The driver let the hub bub continue for about ten miles, then announced "Just kidding", jerking everyone's emotions to the other side of the brain. Then with a laugh or two, he asked us if we would give any park tickets that we had with unused days to him so he could take his family to the park, as his company doesn't pay well and it is standard practice for shuttle riders to give them up since we were leaving the area. (In those days tickets didn't expire and you purchased days in chunks, which may lead to unused days on a ticket) Needless to say, by this time we wanted out of the bus before we were required to give up our first born to him.

Sorry for the long story, but Lakegirl's comment brought that memory to the forefront.

 

[twinklebug]

I remember our first family trip before there was any Airline check in OR ME..... Needless to say, by this time we wanted out of the bus before we were required to give up our first born to him.

Wow DDad, that driver had no clue how to joke around with people. The strike bit could have been funny if he let people think on it for only 5-10 seconds. What a cruel thing to do.

I remember those vans. <headache> Ours was operated by Mears Motor coach, which ironically operates Disney's Magical Express. I'm quite impressed by how far they've come with Disney's guidance. After that, and before ME we turned to car rentals, which is how I fell in love with Jeeps. (Sadly I don't own one now.)

Thank you Kat for the ME info! We're not using it on the way in as we'll have a rental, but you reminded me to book it for our trip home. I just don't want to have to deal with unknown traffic and construction on the way back to MCO. The drivers know what lies ahead and how to deal with it. It does sound like they cut the hours, as I recall check in being open through to mid-afternoon in the past, which was handy when waiting on a bell hop to help out can sometimes take an hour on its own (Kidani's bell hops seem to get lost along those long halls.) Now days with capable young adults for kids we can take care of the luggage on our own, but I feel for those who still need assistance trying to beat the operating hours clock.

How we leave our vacations is just as important as how we spend the time on them. If we leave in a stressed manner, our memories of the trip will be jaded by that. I hope Disney keeps this in mind when making their cost reductions. There are many different reasons we own and stay on site, many of which have to do with level of service.

 

[jimmytammy]

teapot
I agree with Granny on the magic. We are a very passionate bunch in our little group here, and we end to be very vocal when something seems awry or off where WDW, DVC and VWL esp. are concerned. I do think that Disney in general is getting a bit out of hand where making money at our expense is concerned, but they are a business, therefore, they have the right to do so. In turn, we have the right to vacation elsewhere. But I do believe the magic is still alive, just need to see it, feel it, and hope the bean counters at Disney stop shooting themselves in the foot before it all goes South.

DDad
What a story!! What was that driver thinking??
I remember our 1st stay, rented a limo, way before ME was even considered.

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . . Mears Motor coach, which ironically operates Disney's Magical Express. I'm quite impressed by how far they've come with Disney's guidance. . . . . . . .

The Mears service has certainly been Disney-ized, but not necessarily all drivers. Our last driver pointed out the "SWANS" as we pulled onto W. Wilderness Way. When getting off the bus, I pointed out to our driver that they were Geese, not Swans. He said "So what", and then added, "I've been telling folks the parking lot expansion at the airport was a new runway, too. Nobody cares or notices . ." It was a good time to just keep walking and soak up that first impression of The Lodge as you approach on day 1.

 

[sleepydog25]

The Mears service has certainly been Disney-ized, but not necessarily all drivers. Our last driver pointed out the "SWANS" as we pulled onto W. Wilderness Way. When getting off the bus, I pointed out to our driver that they were Geese, not Swans. He said "So what", and then added, "I've been telling folks the parking lot expansion at the airport was a new runway, too. Nobody cares or notices . ." It was a good time to just keep walking and soak up that first impression of The Lodge as you approach on day 1.

You mean the now non-existent geese. . .

 

[Flossbolna]

@twokats I just had a look at the upcoming trips on the first page of the thread and saw that you are going to go on the Panama Canal cruise. We did that in 2014 and it was absolutely wonderful! I hope you have a fantastic time!!

I also noticed that on the first page it is being publicized that I am Flossy... Thanks @sleepydog25 for including me there!

 

[twokats]

@twokats I just had a look at the upcoming trips on the first page of the thread and saw that you are going to go on the Panama Canal cruise. We did that in 2014 and it was absolutely wonderful! I hope you have a fantastic time!!

Yes we are in intense planning mode and we will have a great time, expecially since this will be our second PC Repo. We did our first one in Sept '13 and had a really good crossing, but DH had cataracts at the time so he wanted to do it again and see what he missed, but I wanted to go the other direction, so there you go. . . we are doing the WBPC and a few days at Disneyland to celebrate the 60th before it is over.

 

[Flossbolna]

Yes we are in intense planning mode and we will have a great time, expecially since this will be our second PC Repo. We did our first one in Sept '13 and had a really good crossing, but DH had cataracts at the time so he wanted to do it again and see what he missed, but I wanted to go the other direction, so there you go. . . we are doing the WBPC and a few days at Disneyland to celebrate the 60th before it is over.

I liked the fact that we gained some hours during the cruise going westbound! That's why a westbound Transatlantic is on my bucket list (hopefully within the next few years...). Are you going to do any interesting excursions? And Disneyland for the 60th is great, too! I absolutely loved the Disneyland fireworks show and Paint the Night!

 

[twokats]

I liked the fact that we gained some hours during the cruise going westbound! That's why a westbound Transatlantic is on my bucket list (hopefully within the next few years...). Are you going to do any interesting excursions? And Disneyland for the 60th is great, too! I absolutely loved the Disneyland fireworks show and Paint the Night!

We will be doing a tequila tasting in Cozumel. I don't drink, but my sweet daughter Kati does like tequila and rum. My mother introduced her to champagne on our 2nd Disney cruise, which was a New Year's Eve celebration. She did not care for that, but it opened the door to try other stuff. The first time we took her to Cozumel, we took all the kids to a tequila tasting and she liked the stuff. Then we took her the first of this year to Puerto Rico and you guessed it, she loves rum. Pina Coladas became her favorite drink on the cruise. Don’t get me wrong, she does not drink much, but since I don’t drink at all, her sister in law calls her our little souse. But anyway, she chose the excursion in Cozumel. In Cartagena we will be on a party bus that just goes around and sees the sights of the town. We like to learn something of the areas we visit. The same with Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, tours that will take us around the countryside and highlights of each of the areas.