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

[Disney loving Iowan]

Hello Groupie Friends!

I am soooooo submerged in vacation mode, which is something I definitely needed!

We arrived later than expected on Friday night so our plans to exchange our AP certificates at the IG was not possible. Instead, we did this at DHS, where it was insanely crowded. we waited well over an hour, but I’m happy to report our DVC Gold APs we’re converted to Sorcerers Passes and photo pass added.

We only went to the Muppets and had lunch at Mamas every ride wait time posted was exorbitant. I had been unsuccessful at 7:00 to secure BG but at 1 was able to get one. They called our BG but we were about to head to Epcot. it was Saturday night, so as expected, WS was crowded. We walked around and enjoyed some treats, then headed to FW, walked on to Soarin, Living with the Land, and SE. the newly reopen Club Cool had a long line to enter (not our thing anyway haha) and the new Creations shop. We headed back to WS, had some cheddar cheese soup in Canada, and headed to Martha’s Vineyard for a nightcap.

Sunday was MK, I am sooooo digging the cavalcades! The first one we saw was Tink, my fav! I was wearing a shirt that had her on it, so she blew kisses etc to me hahahaa! Made my day (yes, I’m a six year old at heart!) anyway, the cavalcades are fun because there is no waiting for a parade, and the crowds etc, they show up, go by in a few minutes, and done! Love it! We rode Peter Pan, Philharmagic, CoP, had lunch and Plaza, and headed back to resort. Headed back to WS for the evening. and just soaked it all in.

Will write more soon…..View attachment 606359

Glad you are having a good time. Thanks for the trip reports!

 

[jimmytammy]

Corinne
Thanks for the trip report! Sounds like you guys are having a blast. Tell Dana hello from us. Y'all keep having fun!!

 

[Corinne]

He says hello to you as well, and asked how his pal Casey is doing!

 

[jimmytammy]

He says hello to you as well, and asked how his pal Casey is doing!

Tell Dana Casey is doing great! Just bought his 3rd Mustang, and loving life

 

[Corinne]

That is awesome Jimmy!

 

[Corinne]

On Monday I once again attempted for a BG at 7 and despite incessantly hitting refresh was not successful. We headed over and arrived in time for rope drop. Rode TSMM x 2 in a row, ToT walk on, Star Tours, One Mans Dream, the Mickey and Minnie Cartoon, lunch at 50’s. After lunch I was able to secure a BG. We headed back to BCV to relax and recharge. Our Remy preview was from 5-6, and we had plans to meet tcraig and lakegirl @ 5:45. We headed over to Remy early and were allowed into the area.. We rode twice and our BG callback time was getting close and I worried we would not have time to get to Studios in time, so I was a bad Groupie and explained the situation. Lakegirl and tcraig were understanding but I was bummed we missed saying hello.

We decided to get on the Skyliner to get to the Studios, our first time riding. We got to RoR with 20 minutes to spare. I have to say, both Dana and I were completely underwhelmed by this experience! I think the hype raised our expectations in such a way that we were just not overly wowed. I know I’m in the minority on this. Some cool aspects, and I am glad we got to ride prior to them switching to standby for the ride. We were happy to see the park had thinned out considerably, the last few times this week the tap house had a long line, but it was no longer crowded so we went over for a drink and snack. We rode MMRR, TSMM, Slinky Dog (which I called Sleepy dog hahah). We decided to take the boat back and when we arrived the Epcot fireworks were just starting, so we sat on a bench on the dock to watch them.

Tuesday morning we headed to Epcot to ride Frozen and have lunch at Via Napoli, WS was empty!!! We spent the afternoon at Stormalong Bay, which was relaxing and fun! We had a nice dinner at Ale and Compass where we also caught up with a former coworker from my stint as a CM at TDS! We have seen him many times over the years (20!!) he has worked his way up and has been a manager for a while. So great to chat with him! After dinner we headed back over to WS, grabbed a gelato in Italy, and watched Epcot Forever. They will be testing Harmonius this week between midnight and 1:00. WS lagoon is filled with the barge for Harmonious and it’s not very attractive. Ruins the views, especially of SE, but I’m sure the show will be great.

Today back to MK!

 

[Granny]

Corinne...thanks so much for taking time out of your vacation to keep us updated. It sounds like you are very busy but taking the time to relax and smell the Disney roses. Really, it sounds like a typical Disney trip which is exactly what I like to hear. Have you felt pretty comfortable with the crowds, health safety protocols, etc?

And I guess I'm completely out of Disney knowledge since I have to confess that I don't know what BG is. I assume it is a Star Wars attraction at DHS? I only know of Rise of the Resistance and Smugglers Run so I can't figure out BG.

In any event, thanks for the update and enjoy your trip!

 

[Suzabella]

Boarding group.

 

[Granny]

Boarding group.

Ah...thanks! I guess you can tell I've never gone through that process yet. I appreciate your help.

 

[jimmytammy]

Corinne
Thanks for letting us live vicariously through the trip reports!

 

[Suzabella]

Ah...thanks! I guess you can tell I've never gone through that process yet. I appreciate your help.

You're welcome! I wouldn't have known either other than I'm studying up for our next trip. ;-)

 

[Corinne]

Hi Granny,

I would say we have been fairly comfortable, we have not been at MK for fireworks, and we never planned to. If an area seems congested outdoors we wear masks. Mask compliance indoors has been pretty good I have to say. We’ve only experienced 2 instances where guests were ignoring the CM’s reminder. In both instances the CM’s were persistent (on Frozen the CM directly told the mom of a young family 6 times!) so I am glad the CM’s are doing that.

I have found the crowds manageable for the most part. We have not done much on our 2 MK visits, but that is because we really don’t want to wait 45 minutes or even a half hour for rides like Haunted Mansion or Jungle Cruise. I am wondering what our future trips will look like now with no Fast Pass. I’m not sure we’ll be traveling here twice a year any longer. Many of the shops and restaurants are closed, and others have limited menus, and/or hours.

Yesterday we spent a few hours at MK, had lunch at Beaches and Cream (which they’ve finally expanded! For years I would suggest that in my survey!) We recharged and spent a few hours at AK. When we returned we headed to the quiet pool for a few hours which was really nice. We weren’t very hungry so we went to Martha’s Vineyard for cocktails and apps.

Today is our final full day, Heading to Epcot and we will celebrate our 36th anniversary dinner tonight at Yachtsman

 

[Corinne]

You're welcome! I wouldn't have known either other than I'm studying up for our next trip. ;-)

Suzabella, effective Effective today, they will no longer be using virtual queue for RoR. It will now be a standby queue. This, of course, is so that guests will purchase Genie +

 

[Suzabella]

Suzabella, effective Effective today, they will no longer be using virtual queue for RoR. It will now be a standby queue. This, of course, is so that guests will purchase Genie +

Yup. Before the announcement, I would randomly practice and a couple of times could have gotten a BG. Our kids are huge SW fans and have no plans to go with us for the foreseeable future but I wanted to see just how impossible it was.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Suzabella, effective Effective today, they will no longer be using virtual queue for RoR. It will now be a standby queue. This, of course, is so that guests will purchase Genie +

I just saw a picture of the line and wow. Just checked and the wait is 180 minutes.

 

[Suzabella]

I can only imagine. I agree with Corinne. This is to get people to buy individual ride selections and Genie+. I really despise feeling manipulated.

ETA: Current wait time is 150 minutes. The good news is, as predicted, other wait times have decreased from the norm with the exception of SD & Smugglers Run.

 

[twinklebug]

I can only imagine. I agree with Corinne. This is to get people to buy individual ride selections and Genie+. I really despise feeling manipulated.

ETA: Current wait time is 150 minutes. The good news is, as predicted, other wait times have decreased from the norm with the exception of SD & Smugglers Run.

Agree with feeling manipulated. I will never buy into Genie+ or the individually priced lightning lanes.

Seems the best way around these long lines is either to RUN to them first thing (let's leave that one for the young, LOL) or hit them at the end of the day, but not at the very last moment since everyone has the same idea.

 

[sleepydog25]

At the World now, as well, though it was only for yesterday, today, and then we leave tomorrow. But, the two nights were courtesy of our employer, and this is where we are staying...






We're doing no parks, just hanging at the resort and hitting the pool: eating by the pool, sunning in the pool, swimming in the pool. We did ride the Skyliner just for grins yesterday.

 

[twinklebug]

At the World now, as well, though it was only for yesterday, today, and then we leave tomorrow. But, the two nights were courtesy of our employer, and this is where we are staying...
View attachment 606879
View attachment 606881
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View attachment 606883

We're doing no parks, just hanging at the resort and hitting the pool: eating by the pool, sunning in the pool, swimming in the pool. We did ride the Skyliner just for grins yesterday.

What?! WOW! Hey
That's the life right there...
The view, to die for. The room: beautiful, love that pull down bed... although my toes were feeling those corners. Ouch.

Enjoy!

 

[Corinne]

Awesome fireworks pic Sleepy! What resort Riviera?