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

Hey guys! It's been quite awhile since I have checked in. Sorry about that. Hope you all have been well and that you have had a great Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! Not sure if I have posted it on here but we now live in Arizona near Phoenix.

Allison! It is so nice to "see" you again! I hope you are enjoying life in Arizona. I don't have any tips for DL as we haven't been there in 20 years but I am sure you will have a wonderful time. Thanks for stopping in, and of course, feel free to share any of your DL experience with us! :)
 
Allison! It is so nice to "see" you again! I hope you are enjoying life in Arizona. I don't have any tips for DL as we haven't been there in 20 years but I am sure you will have a wonderful time. Thanks for stopping in, and of course, feel free to share any of your DL experience with us! :)
Thanks Granny!
 
Two days is short; however, you can do quite a bit there in two days as opposed to the World. Here are a few tips:
1) Definitely do all the classic rides at DL that don't exist at MK: Mr Toad's, Snow White, Matterhorn, Storybook Land, Nemo submarine to name a few
2) Definitely do the rides that are shared with MK as a few are much better at DL: POTC, Space Mtn, IASW, Haunted Mansion (though it's close to a tie)
3) Don't be expecting too much from the castle as it's not nearly as impressive Cindy's Castle
4) In California Adventure, be sure to do Cars Land (though you'll want to FP that one), as well as California Screamin, and Soarin
5) Definitely do World of Color. You can do a dining package with that one, and it might be worth not having to wait the extra hour and a half or two to line up in the regular lines since you only have two days.
6) Don't stress over places to eat. There isn't a real competition for restaurants as there is at WDW. And don't be afraid to get out of the parks and eat in Downtown Disney since it sits just outside both gates.
7) For a real treat and special dinner, I would make a reservation at Napa Rose. Perfect way to end the trip. And explore the Grand Californian as it will remind you of VWL. Very beautiful.

I'm sure others will have more tips, but these are off the top of my head. Enjoy!
Thank you!
 
Merry Christmas one and all - Would Love to meet up in Elon (my niece is in their DPT program) - then I can tell you the UNC jokes I know...
Would love to meet up with y'all! We know a couple good places in Elon, Simply Thai and The Root. We could meet at either, just let us know when you are headed this way and have time!
 

Hey guys! It's been quite awhile since I have checked in. Sorry about that. Hope you all have been well and that you have had a great Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! Not sure if I have posted it on here but we now live in Arizona near Phoenix. It has been a really long time since we have been able to make a trip to Disney. The move and job situation has taken a toll on our wallets. Well today for Christmas my husband surprised me with a short trip to DL and Universal Hollywood! I cried like a baby. We will have 2 days at DL and one at Universal. I can't wait to see all the new stuff since our last trip to DL. It's been maybe 10 years. I also am excited to see what my daughter thinks of Wizarding World. We leave in a week. Gonna be busy but I'll still be glad to be there. If any of you have been there recently and have any tips I'd be grateful to hear them.
Again I hope you are all well and have a great holiday season!!!!
Allison

Hi DLI! Nice to see you pop in! Hope you, your family and the Corgi kids are all doing well!!! pluto:

Lucky you to get a holiday DL trip!!! :santa: I'll be heading to DL in just 2 1/2 weeks and will be missing the holiday fun but and was there last new years for all of it. They'll still have the HM Nightmare before Christmas overlay going and the Christmas It's a Small world overlay while you're there I believe - both two things I consider must do's. They may also still have the Jungle Cruise going as the "Jingle" cruise. Still corny jokes but with a holiday flair.

The nice thing is that DL still has the old FP system so you won't have to try and learn the new one.
World of Color will be a new show for you and you can get FP's for that in the morning that won't tie up other ride FP's for you. And you do want a FP for it. I kind of like Blue FP and getting into the bridge area as the main area is really kind of a crazy mess. Good if you're tall. Not so good if you're short unless you get into one of the few spots that puts you on a rail or in the front. The dining package that Sleepy mentioned is also a good option to get a standing spot in one of the good reserved sections or they have a dessert party option with seats. It's still possible to get a good view without them but you do at least need a FP.

Carsland will be the other new area for you. Radiator Springs is a Test Track type of ride and you'll want to head there at park opening or get a FP right away as those do disappear fast! They have replaced the Aladdin show with a new Frozen one. Haven't seen it yet but I expect it to be good.

If it's been 10 years then you probably rode the new Space Mountain but if not it's a quite different from DL and also a must do. They've also reopened the Castle walk thru since that time I believe. Some very cute dioramas of the Sleeping Beauty tale.
 
Hi DLI! Nice to see you pop in! Hope you, your family and the Corgi kids are all doing well!!! pluto:

Lucky you to get a holiday DL trip!!! :santa: I'll be heading to DL in just 2 1/2 weeks and will be missing the holiday fun but and was there last new years for all of it. They'll still have the HM Nightmare before Christmas overlay going and the Christmas It's a Small world overlay while you're there I believe - both two things I consider must do's. They may also still have the Jungle Cruise going as the "Jingle" cruise. Still corny jokes but with a holiday flair.

The nice thing is that DL still has the old FP system so you won't have to try and learn the new one.
World of Color will be a new show for you and you can get FP's for that in the morning that won't tie up other ride FP's for you. And you do want a FP for it. I kind of like Blue FP and getting into the bridge area as the main area is really kind of a crazy mess. Good if you're tall. Not so good if you're short unless you get into one of the few spots that puts you on a rail or in the front. The dining package that Sleepy mentioned is also a good option to get a standing spot in one of the good reserved sections or they have a dessert party option with seats. It's still possible to get a good view without them but you do at least need a FP.

Carsland will be the other new area for you. Radiator Springs is a Test Track type of ride and you'll want to head there at park opening or get a FP right away as those do disappear fast! They have replaced the Aladdin show with a new Frozen one. Haven't seen it yet but I expect it to be good.

If it's been 10 years then you probably rode the new Space Mountain but if not it's a quite different from DL and also a must do. They've also reopened the Castle walk thru since that time I believe. Some very cute dioramas of the Sleeping Beauty tale.
Hi Kathy,
Thank you for the great info. That will help alot. Can't really ride the Space Montain in DW because it's too rough so I can't wait to ride it in DL! Unfortunetly we lost our foster corgi to DM in august. That was really hard and we still miss her tons. Hope you and your babies are doing well.
 
Two days is short; however, you can do quite a bit there in two days as opposed to the World. Here are a few tips:
1) Definitely do all the classic rides at DL that don't exist at MK: Mr Toad's, Snow White, Matterhorn, Storybook Land, Nemo submarine to name a few
2) Definitely do the rides that are shared with MK as a few are much better at DL: POTC, Space Mtn, IASW, Haunted Mansion (though it's close to a tie)
3) Don't be expecting too much from the castle as it's not nearly as impressive Cindy's Castle
4) In California Adventure, be sure to do Cars Land (though you'll want to FP that one), as well as California Screamin, and Soarin
5) Definitely do World of Color. You can do a dining package with that one, and it might be worth not having to wait the extra hour and a half or two to line up in the regular lines since you only have two days.
6) Don't stress over places to eat. There isn't a real competition for restaurants as there is at WDW. And don't be afraid to get out of the parks and eat in Downtown Disney since it sits just outside both gates.
7) For a real treat and special dinner, I would make a reservation at Napa Rose. Perfect way to end the trip. And explore the Grand Californian as it will remind you of VWL. Very beautiful.

I'm sure others will have more tips, but these are off the top of my head. Enjoy!
Made a reservation for Carthay Circle for lunch to see World of Color. Thanks for the advice.
 
Hi DLI! Nice to see you pop in! Hope you, your family and the Corgi kids are all doing well!!! pluto:

Lucky you to get a holiday DL trip!!! :santa: I'll be heading to DL in just 2 1/2 weeks and will be missing the holiday fun but and was there last new years for all of it. They'll still have the HM Nightmare before Christmas overlay going and the Christmas It's a Small world overlay while you're there I believe - both two things I consider must do's. They may also still have the Jungle Cruise going as the "Jingle" cruise. Still corny jokes but with a holiday flair.

The nice thing is that DL still has the old FP system so you won't have to try and learn the new one.
World of Color will be a new show for you and you can get FP's for that in the morning that won't tie up other ride FP's for you. And you do want a FP for it. I kind of like Blue FP and getting into the bridge area as the main area is really kind of a crazy mess. Good if you're tall. Not so good if you're short unless you get into one of the few spots that puts you on a rail or in the front. The dining package that Sleepy mentioned is also a good option to get a standing spot in one of the good reserved sections or they have a dessert party option with seats. It's still possible to get a good view without them but you do at least need a FP.

Carsland will be the other new area for you. Radiator Springs is a Test Track type of ride and you'll want to head there at park opening or get a FP right away as those do disappear fast! They have replaced the Aladdin show with a new Frozen one. Haven't seen it yet but I expect it to be good.

If it's been 10 years then you probably rode the new Space Mountain but if not it's a quite different from DL and also a must do. They've also reopened the Castle walk thru since that time I believe. Some very cute dioramas of the Sleeping Beauty tale.
Made a reservation at Carthay Circle for the World of Color package.
 
Made a reservation at Carthay Circle for the World of Color package.
KAT had some great advice, especially regarding FPs. I also agree that SM at DL is way-y-y smoother than the one at the World. I do the one at WDW but brace myself; the one at DL requires no such effort. As for Carthay Circle, we enjoyed that restaurant quite a bit. The food was very good, and service was solid. Our only negative was that we were seated quite close to a servers' station so it stayed very busy and noisy our entire meal. Doing the package means you won't have to wait so long in line for WoC, though as I recall, it is still first-come, first-seated (so to speak as it's all standing). WoC was one of our very favorite things, and I'm sure you'll love it. Lots of fine places to eat, and that includes DTD which is right there. If you enjoy Tex-Mex, Tortilla Jo's does a table side guacamole that is superb! There's a Starbucks near the DTD entrance to GCH. The Mickey beignets at the Mint Julep Bar are very tasty. Rancho del Zocalo near BTMR has excellent, house-made pico de gallo. Redd Rocket's has fresh, crisp salads and tasty pasta. Wine Country Trattoria has a good wine list and also excellent pasta selections (makes a great place for lunch, and if you're lucky, you can sit outside and watch a parade go by). In short, you won't want for good places to eat. I'm excited for you!
 
DLI - I don't have anything to add as we've never been to DL. However, so very nice to 'see' you on the boards! It's been a while and you've been missed!
 
Stopped by yesterday.

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Thanks for the updated pictures.

Our sad time continues...mom and Bill (brother in law) continue in Hospice. Mom began a deep decline on her 97th birthday last week. We are in Cape May now.
 
Does anyone at VWL today want to trade sorcerers of the magic kingdom cards with me and my eleven year old? Really for her, but I will take her to meet in the lobby if someonewants to trade. She just started and is enjoying the cards and game, but has duplicates to trade.
 
Sitting in Harry Cary restaurant in Chicago's midway airport. Waiting for a western omelette. We hope to be home again in 4 or 5 hours. Hopefully all the groupies left a little pixie dust at the villas for the rest of us. Hope everyone enjoyed Christmas and will have a happy New Year's Eve!
 
Jade...thanks so much for the pictures. You are our super-sleuth Groupie!!!

Greg...have a wonderful trip. Plenty of moose dust and pixie dust still there I'm sure!

Bobbi...I'm very sorry to hear of the continuing health issues. Prayers going up to help them and the families through this period.
 
New DVC member just closed at the beginning of the Dec. and booked a few days after at VWL for July 9-17 in a studio. There are 4 of us DH Sean, myself and our two kids Zach 17 and Lacey 10. This is our first stay at a dvc/deluxe resort. We usually stayed at mods and values. So this is all new to us. We are very excited to plan our first dvc vacation.
 



















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