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

Thank you so very much!!! You are the best!!! What do you think you will do? Still FP AK rides?
We have the next day as a planned AK day so I will keep our FPs we already have. We are planning on going to DS earlier on our AK day so won't be arriving until late afternoon so either way will not have a full day there, so for us its ok. I just hope all who plan on attending the MM can get the ressies booked this Thursday. Last time I tried it was a bust!
 
Fellow WL lover who posts mostly in the CCV Lovers thread, but I attended last year and thought I would share. All of the rides were walk on (for the teenagers at Everest, it was a run around to do it again ASAP), but FOP was about an hour wait the whole night. We joined the line around 11:30 because there wasn't anything else we wanted to do with our last 1.5 hours and it took about 50 minutes (65 min posted). I think it was still posted at about 60 min when we got off, but I can't say if the wait was really that long. It was still much shorter than any other time we were at AK, so it was well worth it. The river ride was a walk on for us with a 20 min posted wait. Otherwise, rare characters appeared to have the longest waits. Might be a little better this year? It was a good time either way!
Welcome and thanks for sharing! We hope you'll keep coming back and posting here, as well as on our sister thread!
 
Hey groupie friends. Just wanted to share as we're all family here. DS17 has his first yes for college. U of Illinois. It's nice to get the yes early, but it would be even nicer if they included the aid package with it. We're still waiting on that. I have no idea where U of I falls on his list of where he'd go but I do know it's not #1. He hasn't even looked at the campus yet. He wanted to apply because they have a very good physics program. I guess the aid package could be a determining factor. We'll go visit in April if it's still on his list. I can say it's at the bottom of my list of places for him to go. Not much to see or do in Ubana-Champaign in the dead of winter. If I'm going to visit him & have to deal with snow I'd rather it be somewhere nice like Boulder. That's his first choice. My first choice would be UMass Amherst. A little over an hour from our house! ::yes:: One down, three to go. He's so chill on the waiting. I'm like hurry up already! :bored: :laughing:

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY WILDERNESS DAD! :bday:
 

Hey groupie friends. Just wanted to share as we're all family here. DS17 has his first yes for college. U of Illinois. It's nice to get the yes early, but it would be even nicer if they included the aid package with it. We're still waiting on that. I have no idea where U of I falls on his list of where he'd go but I do know it's not #1. He hasn't even looked at the campus yet. He wanted to apply because they have a very good physics program. I guess the aid package could be a determining factor. We'll go visit in April if it's still on his list. I can say it's at the bottom of my list of places for him to go. Not much to see or do in Ubana-Champaign in the dead of winter. If I'm going to visit him & have to deal with snow I'd rather it be somewhere nice like Boulder. That's his first choice. My first choice would be UMass Amherst. A little over an hour from our house! ::yes:: One down, three to go. He's so chill on the waiting. I'm like hurry up already! :bored: :laughing:
My daughter isn't so chill. All but one of her choices (she has several) are part of the common application process and most don't release until mid to late March. She did get in at her last on the list choice, so there's that. I don't remember applying for college under such duress. . .
 
Hey groupie friends. Just wanted to share as we're all family here. DS17 has his first yes for college. U of Illinois. It's nice to get the yes early, but it would be even nicer if they included the aid package with it. We're still waiting on that. I have no idea where U of I falls on his list of where he'd go but I do know it's not #1. He hasn't even looked at the campus yet. He wanted to apply because they have a very good physics program. I guess the aid package could be a determining factor. We'll go visit in April if it's still on his list. I can say it's at the bottom of my list of places for him to go. Not much to see or do in Ubana-Champaign in the dead of winter. If I'm going to visit him & have to deal with snow I'd rather it be somewhere nice like Boulder. That's his first choice. My first choice would be UMass Amherst. A little over an hour from our house! ::yes:: One down, three to go. He's so chill on the waiting. I'm like hurry up already! :bored: :laughing:

My daughter isn't so chill. All but one of her choices (she has several) are part of the common application process and most don't release until mid to late March. She did get in at her last on the list choice, so there's that. I don't remember applying for college under such duress. . .


I remember those days of waiting for college applications (and the financial packages). I'm sure it will work out for both of you.

horselover...my younger daughter ended up at University of Indiana which is in a small college town amidst corn and soybean fields. But universities bring their own vibrancy and amenities to an area, so I'm sure that Champaign-Urbana area is not as desolate as you fear...though it it a long way from your home. Good luck for the UMass application! :)
 
Hey groupie friends. Just wanted to share as we're all family here. DS17 has his first yes for college. U of Illinois. It's nice to get the yes early, but it would be even nicer if they included the aid package with it. We're still waiting on that. I have no idea where U of I falls on his list of where he'd go but I do know it's not #1. He hasn't even looked at the campus yet. He wanted to apply because they have a very good physics program. I guess the aid package could be a determining factor. We'll go visit in April if it's still on his list. I can say it's at the bottom of my list of places for him to go. Not much to see or do in Ubana-Champaign in the dead of winter. If I'm going to visit him & have to deal with snow I'd rather it be somewhere nice like Boulder. That's his first choice. My first choice would be UMass Amherst. A little over an hour from our house! ::yes:: One down, three to go. He's so chill on the waiting. I'm like hurry up already! :bored: :laughing:

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY WILDERNESS DAD! :bday:

I know what you mean about waiting for College Acceptance letters as my husband's dear niece has been on pins and needles waiting for them. Her letters too are starting to come in. And now the adults are all anxious to hear where she decides to go. Luckily her parents set aside a good amount of money for her college so I expect she will be set. Such a difference compared to family on my side where all the kids have large school loans.
 
My daughter isn't so chill. All but one of her choices (she has several) are part of the common application process and most don't release until mid to late March. She did get in at her last on the list choice, so there's that. I don't remember applying for college under such duress. . .

Yep the other 3 are all common app schools so it will be a long wait for the rest. Where did she get in & you may have already said but what is she planning to study?

I know what you mean about waiting for College Acceptance letters as my husband's dear niece has been on pins and needles waiting for them. Her letters too are starting to come in. And now the adults are all anxious to hear where she decides to go. Luckily her parents set aside a good amount of money for her college so I expect she will be set. Such a difference compared to family on my side where all the kids have large school loans.

We feel fortunate we've got a good chunk of money set aside, but with our oldest in his freshman year this year & the youngest following right behind we're hoping for some serious scholarship money. The thought of what those 2 totals will be over the 4 years makes me ill. :crazy2:
 
Yep the other 3 are all common app schools so it will be a long wait for the rest. Where did she get in & you may have already said but what is she planning to study?



We feel fortunate we've got a good chunk of money set aside, but with our oldest in his freshman year this year & the youngest following right behind we're hoping for some serious scholarship money. The thought of what those 2 totals will be over the 4 years makes me ill. :crazy2:
Washington & Jefferson--it's about 30 miles south of Pittsburgh. My daughter looked only at private, liberal arts colleges that had very good reputations in the sciences (and looked pretty), as she currently is planning to follow in her mother's footsteps as a family practitioner. Now, that may or may not work out just because we know that things can change a great deal once faced with college life and being on one's own. She does love the sciences, though. She didn't look at any school with a student population much over 2500, and a couple were under 2000. Her other schools range in location from Maine, Connecticut, NY, PA, and closer to home, Virginia. The last one, Washington & Lee, is her mom's alma mater as well as her aunt's (mom's sister). Ain't none of them cheap. One school not on DD's radar at all looked at all her classes, GPA, activities, etc., and offered her about 75% of the total cost each year. A couple of weeks ago, when she hadn't responded, they offered her a full ride. It's a solid school and fairly close but she won't go there. W & J just offered her a 60% scholarship a couple of weeks ago, as well, so she would be fine going there. However, she's hoping for one of her top choices, including her mom's old school, while her mother and I hope she gets a good offer from just one of them! We live in VA, and UVA is a well-regarded university where the cost would be much more affordable. Bu-u-u-u-t, the kiddo doesn't want to go to a big school, so that's a no go. We shall see what we shall see. . .

It's a whole different world these days, and like so much else in the American way, it's all a big business anymore. When I went to college, I had to go where I could afford it--mom and dad had no money. I worked summers to save for college. I worked 20 hours a week at the school itself as everything from a custodian to a TA. I earned small scholarships and applied for every applicable grant. And I took out two small loans that together totaled under $2K. It worked fine but it was work. Oh, and I walked five miles in the snow, uphill both ways to and from campus, had classes that went from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week, and had to type 25-page papers every other week. . .for every class. . .including PE. :rolleyes1
 
I know what you mean about waiting for College Acceptance letters as my husband's dear niece has been on pins and needles waiting for them. Her letters too are starting to come in. And now the adults are all anxious to hear where she decides to go. Luckily her parents set aside a good amount of money for her college so I expect she will be set. Such a difference compared to family on my side where all the kids have large school loans.
My parents did not save money for us to go to school. For one, I was the first in my family so it was a new thing back then. But also, they were very financially responsible for themselves, so maybe they expected us to be. I went to a community college for 2 years and then what is considered a commuter college (GA State U) and I did get scholarships. I did have to take a small loan out in my senior year but paid that off years ago.
 
Washington & Jefferson--it's about 30 miles south of Pittsburgh. My daughter looked only at private, liberal arts colleges that had very good reputations in the sciences (and looked pretty), as she currently is planning to follow in her mother's footsteps as a family practitioner. Now, that may or may not work out just because we know that things can change a great deal once faced with college life and being on one's own. She does love the sciences, though. She didn't look at any school with a student population much over 2500, and a couple were under 2000. Her other schools range in location from Maine, Connecticut, NY, PA, and closer to home, Virginia. The last one, Washington & Lee, is her mom's alma mater as well as her aunt's (mom's sister). Ain't none of them cheap. One school not on DD's radar at all looked at all her classes, GPA, activities, etc., and offered her about 75% of the total cost each year. A couple of weeks ago, when she hadn't responded, they offered her a full ride. It's a solid school and fairly close but she won't go there. W & J just offered her a 60% scholarship a couple of weeks ago, as well, so she would be fine going there. However, she's hoping for one of her top choices, including her mom's old school, while her mother and I hope she gets a good offer from just one of them! We live in VA, and UVA is a well-regarded university where the cost would be much more affordable. Bu-u-u-u-t, the kiddo doesn't want to go to a big school, so that's a no go. We shall see what we shall see. . .

It's a whole different world these days, and like so much else in the American way, it's all a big business anymore. When I went to college, I had to go where I could afford it--mom and dad had no money. I worked summers to save for college. I worked 20 hours a week at the school itself as everything from a custodian to a TA. I earned small scholarships and applied for every applicable grant. And I took out two small loans that together totaled under $2K. It worked fine but it was work. Oh, and I walked five miles in the snow, uphill both ways to and from campus, had classes that went from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week, and had to type 25-page papers every other week. . .for every class. . .including PE. :rolleyes1

That's right now I remember. Very impressive on the 75% ride increased to 100%. They must want her pretty badly. All the schools DS applied to are large except for Stevens which isn't tiny but not university sized either. UMass he qualifies for the free tuition due to his test scores & AP exams, but it's not the tuition that is the largest cost unfortunately. I'm not expecting anywhere near 100 or 75% from the other schools. He's out of state which I think will put him at a disadvantage with such large schools, but maybe I'm wrong. I'd be thrilled with a 50% offer.

I paid my own way through college, but we feel fortunate to be able to help our kids so that's what we're choosing to do. They are expected to work for all their incidentals, spending money & apply for all scholarships they would possibly qualify for, but we'll help with the rest so they don't have to carry the loans into adulthood.
 
My parents did not save money for us to go to school. For one, I was the first in my family so it was a new thing back then. But also, they were very financially responsible for themselves, so maybe they expected us to be. I went to a community college for 2 years and then what is considered a commuter college (GA State U) and I did get scholarships. I did have to take a small loan out in my senior year but paid that off years ago.

That sounds like my generation, but many kids of baby boomers wanted 4 year schools. And most of my generation were not as sensible as your parents. We don't have kids but my DB has 4 and when they went to school it was impossible for the parents to pay for all 4 of them. The parents were still responsible for large chunks of the funding before the kids could qualify for loans. Some of them were practical and stayed at home going to school at a nearby college but others wanted the best school for their major and to get away from their hometown and parents, that really cost them. My niece admits to her folly especially since she never became a doctor because of love and a family (and sending her husband through law school) although she fell into a perfect career by accident. But my nephew did quite well having a career in the city he went to school. The other two got their dream jobs going to Creighton University from home in Omaha for a couple of years and living on campus the rest of their college careers. Both are in demand for their careers too. Just wish the niece who chose to be teacher got paid more.
 
We have the next day as a planned AK day so I will keep our FPs we already have. We are planning on going to DS earlier on our AK day so won't be arriving until late afternoon so either way will not have a full day there, so for us its ok. I just hope all who plan on attending the MM can get the ressies booked this Thursday. Last time I tried it was a bust!
What happened last time?
 
Just found out Toy Story will not being doing Fast Passes April 8th through May due to the entrance being in the way of construction. Now I'm thinking of cancelling my day there as the only other must do is Towere of Terror.
 
Just found out Toy Story will not being doing Fast Passes April 8th through May due to the entrance being in the way of construction. Now I'm thinking of cancelling my day there as the only other must do is Towere of Terror.

We'll still be going and I'm really not too concerned. FWIW the standby lines won't be the same as they always are because the majority of people won't be funneling in from the FP. There's going to be times that are worse but I feel ok with the thought we can figure out a time to to Toy story and not have a terrible wait much like it often was at DL. But I'll be checking out reports from before we arrive too.

edit - I do see that at some point they are apparently going down to 1 track. Now that may be a line I won't want to try. But like you some are thinking they'll skip DHS during that time so maybe the park will be empty! I can dream anyway! lol
 
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We'll still be going and I'm really not too concerned. FWIW the standby lines won't be the same as they always are because the majority of people won't be funneling in from the FP. There's going to be times that are worse but I feel ok with the thought we can figure out a time to to Toy story and not have a terrible wait much like it often was at DL. But I'll be checking out reports from before we arrive too.

edit - I do see that at some point they are apparently going down to 1 track. Now that may be a line I won't want to try. But like you some are thinking they'll skip DHS during that time so maybe the park will be empty! I can dream anyway! lol

I didn't hear that they might be going down to one line. Why would that be necessary? In fact when I think about it, won't they need to close the ride completely at times because construction? Or are they worried about construction near the exit to the new line?
 
I didn't hear that they might be going down to one line. Why would that be necessary? In fact when I think about it, won't they need to close the ride completely at times because construction? Or are they worried about construction near the exit to the new line?
Yes, the spiel that has been confirmed by CMs is that TSMM will go down to one track April 9-May 7, which is why they will not be offering FPs for that time frame. Initially there was mention of a full closure at some point so this may be their alternative to that.
 

















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