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

[Dizny Dad]

My DD taught DiznyDi & I an interesting travel idea. And although I did this when traveling to interesting places like Russia and Brazil, it just didn't dawn on me to make it a standard travel practice. Bring your own TP and what ever else you find discomforting if you are without. TP does flatten out somewhat, and if it does get misshaped in the ol' suitcase, so what! It is amazing what our Owner's Locker has packed away; all sorts of emergency stuff, like meds, TP, tools, right along side of the Keurig, umbrellas, shampoos, etc. We love our Owner's Lockers! We only have two, but could probably use another one. You can never have to much TP.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Just like the Fermi Paradox . . . where is everybody?

 

[twinklebug]

Bob Iger has left the building. We knew it was coming. I'm not sure how I feel about this. He says he is staying in a creative role for the short term.
For as much criticism as he received, he's had a lot of positives on the company and theme parks as a whole.
Maybe we'll be able to get our Cottonelle back.

 

[ErinC]

At member magic at AK tonight. Got here early so we could enjoy a few extra hours. Looking forward to a hopefully fun event.

 

[jimmytammy]

Bob Iger has left the building. We knew it was coming. I'm not sure how I feel about this. He says he is staying in a creative role for the short term.
For as much criticism as he received, he's had a lot of positives on the company and theme parks as a whole.
Maybe we'll be able to get our Cottonelle back.

Captain D(our DS Casey)was telling me about this last night. It seems rather abrupt IMO, though I did know the reins were being handed over soon. I hope Bob Chapek will be a good CEO, and bring back some of Walts vision, mostly, that of being aware of what the public wants. This public(me)wants less of the generic "hotel standards" and more of what drew us to become owners. Me wants more nostalgia in the parks, and less of the whiz bang effects that is a fad today, but soon gone tomorrow. And the TP issue, fix that Chapek!!

 

[jimmytammy]

At member magic at AK tonight. Got here early so we could enjoy a few extra hours. Looking forward to a hopefully fun event.

We went a few trips back and enjoyed it, though we found FOP just as crowded as a normal AK day. Was hoping to ride it with a walk on, but alas, it was not to be.
Friends from back home were there last night too

 

[Granny]

Interesting news about Iger stepping down. We'll have to see what Chapek brings to the party...at least we will have a top guy who is very familiar with park operations. On one hand, we see the investment and transformation in the WDW parks under his watch. On the other hand, some see a deterioration of customer focus since he took over. It will be interesting, to be sure.

Chapek is only the 7th CEO in the history of Disney. That's actually pretty remarkable stability for such a large and diverse company.

 

[DVC Jen]

After an hour of catching up I am doing a quick hi and bye. Life has been busy busy for us since I last posted. Mostly good busy though.

We are still planning our Copper Creek/Vero trip for early June. But now we are also trying to figure out a time to go down to Austin to visit our youngest for a long weekend. We haven't seen her since Christmas and this Mama's arms are feeling very empty. I need some Emily time.

I loved the song on your 14th birthday thing. I got two different answers on mine depending on where I looked. Coming Up by Paul McCartney or It's Still Rock and Roll to me by Billy Joel. I prefer Billy Joel.

Hello and welcome home to all of our new groupies.

OK - I am back to work. I am going to try to check in a bit more often.

 

[ErinC]

Jimmy, we really enjoyed the member event last night. We ended up waiting maybe 30 minutes for FOP, but everything else was a walk on. We chose sutuli canteen for our meal. Love the food there, and certainly can’t complain about a free Mickey bar. It was a fun night for sure.
I would say our first kid less trip was a success. Not saying I wasn’t stalking the almost 17 year old often. I wanted to make sure my dogs were at least getting fed! DH and I didn’t have park tickets this trip, so everything was unplanned. We of course did our races, but on Monday we checked out Riviera and rode the Skyliner over to Epcot. Ate a snack at the Boardwalk bakery, then headed back to Riviera. Bottom line for me, Riviera is fine, not sure I agree with the points required to stay there. Riding the Skyliner was fun and brought back old memories from riding in the MK when I was a kid. I like the Skyliner in February, not sure I would want to ride it in July, and certainly not with 8 others crammed in a car with me. DH and I got to ride alone to Epcot, and we rode with one other DVC couple on the way back. Some neat views up there of the construction behind Italy. I took pics, but I’m not sure how to post them anymore. Monday night, we took the boat over and watched the MK fireworks from the top of Bay Lake. I like happily ever after, but still not as good as wishes in my opinion. It’s probably more about emotional attachment for me though. After the fireworks, we monorailed over to the poly and are dole whip floats. Tuesday, we walked around WL and went from one end of the cabins to the other. We ate lunch at geyser point, the weather was great that afternoon. We boated to fort wilderness and rented bikes. I had so much fun checking out everyone’s camp sites. Everything from top of the line RV’s to a tiny tent. I know I’ve mentioned before that we used to camp at fort wilderness when I was kid. I just love that place! Anyway, we did lots of things at the world we would never take the time to do when we have park passes or kids along. I always feel like those passes are burning a hole in my pocket and we have to use them.
We heard the news about Iger stepping down while we are there. Funny thing is that our last name is the exact same as Chapek if you change just one letter. I told DH we might need to start misspelling our last name and people will think we are related! Hopefully we can use our new power to demand better TP!

 

[jimmytammy]

Erin, your trip sounds fantastic! I love that you did so many unique things and didn't miss the parks. One day, we plan to do the same

 

[Dizny Dad]

Great report Erin . . . . . and at least we know one family that will get better TP.

 

[twinklebug]

And a few of you have sent me updates! It's always cool to see the plans folks are making. In other news, not only did I update the Page 1 trips, I finally got around to replacing the pictures on the Intro Page. Most are the same. A few changed. I also altered the verbiage to reflect things such as CCV not being so new anymore.

By the way, wonderful job on the front page!

 

[Granny]

By the way, wonderful job on the front page!

​

 

[Dizny Dad]

Thanks Sleepy for your work in keeping us alive and well in this small corner of the internet. Always a warm and fuzzy place to run to in the midst of a challenging day!

Somehow I guess I am remiss in giving you our May 2020 trip schedule: AKL May 3-6; VWL 6-15. Yeah, I know, BRV, but I just need to hold onto VWL: keeps me in the groove (boy, does that ever date me!)

 

[twinklebug]

Thanks Sleepy for your work in keeping us alive and well in this small corner of the internet. Always a warm and fuzzy place to run to in the midst of a challenging day!

Somehow I guess I am remiss in giving you our May 2020 trip schedule: AKL May 3-6; VWL 6-15. Yeah, I know, BRV, but I just need to hold onto VWL: keeps me in the groove (boy, does that ever date me!)

Not dated at all. It confuses people to have three different names for a single property. (WL being one)
I use VWL-BR and VWL-CC when talking about it, the best of both worlds.

AKV has similar, although unlike VWL they're together under the fees and management: AKV-Jambo, AKV-Kidani

I have no idea why Disney is so intent upon confusing people.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I have no idea why Disney is so intent upon confusing people.

I always thought it was interesting explaining that if you wanted to dine at certain locations you needed to book 6 months in advance. Or select rides to go on 60 days in advance. However nothing compares to the absolute confusion you get when telling someone that to get on the new Star Wars ride you have to get up at 6 am and go to the park and then do xxx and yyy, hope your phone app doesn't crash, hit a gray button that hasn't turned red and once it does furiously advance thru so that maybe, just maybe, you'll get a boarding group that will allow you to get in the line sometime that day. And if not then you just have to do it all again another day.

 

[suse66]

My first DVC trip is booked for July! I am coming down with my oldest son to celebrate his 20th birthday. I couldn't get anything at my lovely home of VWL but managed to snag the first three nights at Copper Creek. Then we are moving to Saratoga Springs for 2 nights over the 4th of July weekend and finishing out the trip in a savannah view studio for 3 nights at AKL~Jambo. Now just happily counting down the days until we are home!

 

[Granny]

My first DVC trip is booked for July! I am coming down with my oldest son to celebrate his 20th birthday. I couldn't get anything at my lovely home of VWL but managed to snag the first three nights at Copper Creek. Then we are moving to Saratoga Springs for 2 nights over the 4th of July weekend and finishing out the trip in a savannah view studio for 3 nights at AKL~Jambo. Now just happily counting down the days until we are home!

Suse...congrats on booking your first DVC trip! Very exciting indeed, and I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay at our sister resort CCV. That's a little more moving during a trip than we prefer, but as long as you plan your "move days" accordingly, it is a pretty smooth process from what I understand. And you should be able to get a jump on your 2021 trip and book it at the 11 month mark! But for now, enjoy your planning for the trip!

 

[Granny]

Okay Groupies....I guess I need to get serious about that diet since they took this picture of me today on the Jungle Cruise....






In case you all missed it, here's the real story: Jungle Cruise Ride Sinks!



Wowser!

 

[twinklebug]

Okay Groupies....I guess I need to get serious about that diet since they took this picture of me today on the Jungle Cruise....


View attachment 477294



In case you all missed it, here's the real story: Jungle Cruise Ride Sinks!



Wowser!

As long as no one was hurt, and thankfully there were no special needs folk on board who would have had a very difficult time under this scenario, we can make light. We also know Disney will inspect all boats around the property after this, it's just what they do.

• Bathing suits, towels, new electronics... at the exit.
• Automatic people scrubber employed. No viruses here!
• Successful test of a pilot program where the vessels are markers for how the Disney stock is doing. If stock is doing well, they run faster, poor and they go slower, tanking and well... quite an effective visual I'd say.