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

[jimmytammy]

Merry Christmas to all the groupies!!

I hope everyone has a great day, enjoying time with family and friends. Without getting overly sentimental, just want to say, you folks mean the world to me, and I dont know what my day would be like without you folks being a part of it. Whether I post or lurk, you get my day going and I love seeing what is going on in your lives, so thanks for sharing yourselves with us

 

[wildernessDad]

Merry Christmas, everybody!

 

[sleepydog25]

I hope everyone is having a meaningful time with family on this Christmas day. Luv and I are so fortunate to have found each other, and on this day, we are especially thankful. It's a good thing we're in the holiday spirit since I gotta say watching the Disney "parade" on TV has been one long disappointment. Gone is the focus on the parade itself, which is why I guess it's being called the Frozen Christmas Celebration. Aside from the few reunited families upon which the show focused, the whole event has been one long Disney commercial (they're hyping college football games on Main Street as I type) and song-fest. At least we're getting to see a few shots of places luv and I have enjoyed over the years. If you love all things Frozen, however, you might like this well enough.

 

[horselover]

Merry Christmas groupie friends!

We were honored to be Flag Family this morning.



Took this one from the concierge level.



Take this for what it's worth but I asked Ranger Jack about the rumor WL is being partially converted to DVC. He said there is no truth in that rumor & the Lodge runs 80% occupancy. Time will tell.

Wishing you all a wonderful day with your families!

 

[twokats]

Now that most of the Christmas trees are not sporting their mounds of presents underneath their sparkling limbs, I hope each of the groupies had a fabulous and glorious Christmas day with family and loved ones.

I pray each of you enjoy what is left of 2014 as we all prepare for whatever 2015 will hold in store for us. Trips, cruises, oh and I guess work to be able to pay for them.

 

[sleepydog25]

Love the pics, Julie/Jules! Living vicariously through you and others this year. In fact, it may be that way for a few years. Luv and I just took a hard look at what we want to do and where we want to be in our lives in four years. Between that ongoing discussion and the fact it's extremely tough for her to get time off from her job, it appears that we won't be able to see our beloved Lodge at Christmas until, gulp, 2-0-1-8. We'll make the occasional foray to the World when we can, but it's looking more and more as though it will be seven years between Christmases at VWL. Sigh.

In happier news, the 2015 updated cruise trip PM Award goes to our first updater, twokats! Others of you may have 2015 cruises planned, but she's the first to let me know. Feel free to PM me as needed to update your plans, and that goes for all our newer Groupies, as well.

Finally, I posted earlier about how disappointed in the "parade" show on TV yesterday. Well, it seems someone started a thread in the Community Board section of the DIS, and in a rare occurrence, everyone is in agreement on the awfulness of the program. You don't find that on the DIS very often!

That's all. Carry on!

 

[twokats]

In happier news, the 2015 updated cruise trip PM Award goes to our first updater, twokats! Others of you may have 2015 cruises planned, but she's the first to let me know. Feel free to PM me as needed to update your plans, and that goes for all our newer Groupies, as well.

Oh, my. This is such an honor. . . . . I want to thank the. . . . . . oh I guess I am getting carried away.

Since I am probably not going back to WDW until 2016, I fell the same as you do Sleepy. But my dear husband just loves his cruises, so at least I get to see the mouse somewhere!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Love the pics, Julie/Jules! Living vicariously through you and others this year. In fact, it may be that way for a few years. Luv and I just took a hard look at what we want to do and where we want to be in our lives in four years. Between that ongoing discussion and the fact it's extremely tough for her to get time off from her job, it appears that we won't be able to see our beloved Lodge at Christmas until, gulp, 2-0-1-8. We'll make the occasional foray to the World when we can, but it's looking more and more as though it will be seven years between Christmases at VWL. Sigh.

In happier news, the 2015 updated cruise trip PM Award goes to our first updater, twokats! Others of you may have 2015 cruises planned, but she's the first to let me know. Feel free to PM me as needed to update your plans, and that goes for all our newer Groupies, as well.

Finally, I posted earlier about how disappointed in the "parade" show on TV yesterday. Well, it seems someone started a thread in the Community Board section of the DIS, and in a rare occurrence, everyone is in agreement on the awfulness of the program. You don't find that on the DIS very often!

That's all. Carry on!

Work is way overrated IMO I say vacation is way more important!!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Merry Christmas Groupies!! We're still in the midst of our Christmas celebrations - had neighbors over for Christmas dinner and relatives will be here tomorrow night so I have to start prepping again. Then we may travel to MN for the Christmas in January party planned there! Santa brought a bit of snow and definitely some cold in on Christmas eve. He apparently missed my request for 50's all winter long with cold and snow only up in the mountains where we could admire it from the valley!

Enjoyed the pictures Julie! How fun to be flag family on Christmas!

Sly - I flipped on the "parade" for only a minute or two and did not recognize the artist performing on the stage at DL so I moved on. It's been a few years since it's been in a format that I've really enjoyed. This year I skipped the Macy's Thanksgiving parade too after watching about 15 or 20 minutes and it was all just performances in front of Macy's. I'm certain some people must prefer that but I love a parade! With walking. Rose Bowl parade seems to be about it for me now which is an event on my bucket list to go to and see in person. I'm afraid I just have to stop waiting for the MN Gophers to be in it before I go - although they are going to be playing in January for the first time in a few decades! And in Orlando!! Would have been fun to go to that and was almost enough to make me brave WDW for the New Year.

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Birthday WDWRR_ENGINEER!!!!

 

[danikoski]

I'm not a DVC member (yet, hopefully someday), but I have stayed at OKW and AKV Kidani. I was so impressed that when I saw an opportunity to book a studio at VWL for our honeymoon through Disney at the end of January, I jumped on it. I was nervous about the size of the WL normal rooms, and after my last two trips being in a studio or villa through renting points, I wasn't sure about not having a microwave and toaster. It is also my new husbands first trip, so I wanted him to be impressed with both the lodge and the room, and I wasn't sure the WL rooms would cut it. I think the studio will. I'm completely happy and excited to be staying at the Villas Did I mention I'm really excited!

 

[sleepydog25]

I'm not a DVC member (yet, hopefully someday), but I have stayed at OKW and AKV Kidani. I was so impressed that when I saw an opportunity to book a studio at VWL for our honeymoon through Disney at the end of January, I jumped on it. I was nervous about the size of the WL normal rooms, and after my last two trips being in a studio or villa through renting points, I wasn't sure about not having a microwave and toaster. It is also my new husbands first trip, so I wanted him to be impressed with both the lodge and the room, and I wasn't sure the WL rooms would cut it. I think the studio will. I'm completely happy and excited to be staying at the Villas Did I mention I'm really excited!

I don't believe there is a more romantic resort at WDW than the Lodge. From the awe-inspiring lobby, to the ambiance of Artist Point, to the gorgeous grounds themselves, the WL (and VWL) will embrace you. Be sure to stroll to the beach at night to catch EWP and even some of Wishes. Oh, and welcome to our merry band of Groupies! Grab a rocker and join right in. Remember, pictures are always welcome. Congrats, too!!

 

[jimmytammy]

I'm not a DVC member (yet, hopefully someday), but I have stayed at OKW and AKV Kidani. I was so impressed that when I saw an opportunity to book a studio at VWL for our honeymoon through Disney at the end of January, I jumped on it. I was nervous about the size of the WL normal rooms, and after my last two trips being in a studio or villa through renting points, I wasn't sure about not having a microwave and toaster. It is also my new husbands first trip, so I wanted him to be impressed with both the lodge and the room, and I wasn't sure the WL rooms would cut it. I think the studio will. I'm completely happy and excited to be staying at the Villas Did I mention I'm really excited!

1st, Welcome to the groupies danikoski!!!!
Here is my take on your new husbands take on a VWL studio...he will be spoiled and expect all rooms at WDW to be like this DVC has spoiled me, but in a good way. Dont get me wrong, I will stay in a value in a heartbeat if it means my only way to get to WDW(did so recently as there was no availability at any DVC resort, last minute planning, my fault)is via another resort. But our stays at VWL, BWV, AKL, OKW, BCV and SSR over the years has relegated me to being a "DVC snob"

VWL is a wonderful place to be, cant think of a better place to be while in the World. Enjoy! And be sure to visit here often

 

[sleepydog25]

Oh, my. This is such an honor. . . . . I want to thank the. . . . . . oh I guess I am getting carried away.

Since I am probably not going back to WDW until 2016, I fell the same as you do Sleepy. But my dear husband just loves his cruises, so at least I get to see the mouse somewhere!!!

I hope the statuette made it in the mail to you--it's a bronze Moosie. Joining you on the podium, however, is none other than jimmytammy who just PM'd me their plans for a cruise in--tah tah dah!--2016! Again, I'm envious. So is luv. Some day, we'll get to post our own trip info. . .I hope.

P.S. I've made the executive decision to keep the 2014 trips on the first page as a means of reference despite the fact we've only two more days in the month. Sometimes my memories of past trips get a little hazy, so I'll keep this past year's history of trips up for a few more months. However, should anyone happen by the first page, you'll notice I did some Mousekeeping and added 2016 to the queue. Happy trip planning!

 

[DiznyDi]

WELCOME danikoski! ..... what JT and sleepy said.... If you're up to a walk early morning, its wonderful to take the trail over to Fort Wilderness. The big horses are out of their stalls for grooming. We see many, many deer along the path and have even seen a bobcat! Breakfast at Trail's End is worth the walk. My daughter (adult) and I arrive on the 29th thru the 7th of Feb. If I see a love struck couple in the lobby, I'll assume it's you.

sleepy, I'm impressed. People with 2016 plans? Wow! It's all I can do to plan 11 months in advance. Thanks for being the keeper of the lists! I know we all appreciate the work that you and JT do for the good of our thread.

Congrats Julie for being flag family on Christmas day. Wonderful! I've so enjoyed traveling with you on your vacation.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WDWRR-ENGINEER!

 

[DisneyNutzy]

I hope the groupies had a great Holiday Season and I wish you all a Happy New Year. I have been MIA from this thread for a very, very long time. I retired 3 years ago and I guess it is a good thing that retirement has kept me so busy that I don't get much time in front of a computer anymore.

My family and I have taken many trips to WDW during the past 3 years but haven't been "home" to VWL during that time. We all agree it has been too long and are debating our date for the trip next fall/winter but we know it will be at VWL.

I hope everyone is well and I will try and make it a point to drop in from time to time.

 

[danikoski]

I don't believe there is a more romantic resort at WDW than the Lodge. From the awe-inspiring lobby, to the ambiance of Artist Point, to the gorgeous grounds themselves, the WL (and VWL) will embrace you. Be sure to stroll to the beach at night to catch EWP and even some of Wishes. Oh, and welcome to our merry band of Groupies! Grab a rocker and join right in. Remember, pictures are always welcome. Congrats, too!!

Thanks for the welcome...we are at three weeks out and my brain is already on vacation Can't wait...and I will be sure to take lots of photos.

 

[danikoski]

1st, Welcome to the groupies danikoski!!!!
Here is my take on your new husbands take on a VWL studio...he will be spoiled and expect all rooms at WDW to be like this DVC has spoiled me, but in a good way. Dont get me wrong, I will stay in a value in a heartbeat if it means my only way to get to WDW(did so recently as there was no availability at any DVC resort, last minute planning, my fault)is via another resort. But our stays at VWL, BWV, AKL, OKW, BCV and SSR over the years has relegated me to being a "DVC snob"

VWL is a wonderful place to be, cant think of a better place to be while in the World. Enjoy! And be sure to visit here often

I think AKV and OKW spoiled me too because I jumped at the chance to stay at VWL And I know my husband will love it. Thanks for the welcome!

 

[danikoski]

WELCOME danikoski! ..... what JT and sleepy said.... If you're up to a walk early morning, its wonderful to take the trail over to Fort Wilderness. The big horses are out of their stalls for grooming. We see many, many deer along the path and have even seen a bobcat! Breakfast at Trail's End is worth the walk. My daughter (adult) and I arrive on the 29th thru the 7th of Feb. If I see a love struck couple in the lobby, I'll assume it's you.

Sadly, we will be gone by the 29th. Visited the horses on my last visit last year...I'm kind of a horse nut, and although my husband is not, we are going to Fort Wilderness for the Hoop Dee Do Revue . Might even walk over and boat back, or boat over and walk back. Breakfast at Trails End does sound good though too. My husband though is not a morning person...I am though, so maybe I'll take the boat over and get breakfast myself

 

[ottawagreg]

Hello all,

We have returned back to the frozen tundra and I wish we had a few more days in the sun. It has been a very insane and crazy two weeks. We barely got done with our family gatherings leading up to Christmas and my dad had to go into the hospital for heart surgery, quadruple bypass. So I took him to the hospital and was with him before the surgery. Then we flew to Orlando the next day while my mom and brothers helped in the recovery. The vacation was just in time as it has been a very stressful time of late.

These are pics of the pool refurbishment. I tried to post them in the order as I walked around the pool. Starting at the Trout Pass bar area as I approached from VWL. The lifeguard said it had been open for about two and a half weeks. I took these on 12/23, so they did run over their time line a bit. He said the kiddies loved the new area, and from what I witnessed walking to/from boat launch, he is right. He also said that every pool in Florida was going to have a fence around it by the end of 2015.

I took some others of the water fall looking back at the building. I post those in a day or two. I tried to get these up while on our trip. I took my old laptop and we had issues with that. I think it will make a good door stop.

I goofed up the size of the photos, don't know how I managed that.