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

[KAT4DISNEY]

A few more pictures from my Feb trip. The weather had cooled down so all the Hippos were out of the water getting some sun:

Later it was time to head over to MK for dinner at BOG and then the 25th Anniversary event:

We were seated in the West Wing:

Some other people came in and were looking at a Hidden Mickey that was in a torn curtain right above our heads:

Time for the party to start!

We had not checked in for the party yet so we went to Tomorrowland. In not too long of time we were set and began a few rides that rest of my group had not done before or attractions that had shorter lines that we hadn't done on a previous night at MK. It was an enjoyable event and we finished it off with a bang of fireworks! It was perhaps the biggest, most explosive show I had ever seen at WDW.

We were sent off by the big Cheese himself and his special lady:

I spent the next day enjoying the F&G preparations around Epcot:

After exiting The Land I found an exciting addition - new bathrooms outside Soarin! Two sides like this in the new Womens bathroom. The Men's was under construction.

Maybe this guy can sneak over to the Lodge after F&G if our Mickey hasn't been found yet.

TTFN - Ta Ta for now! Until next time!

 

[jimmytammy]

Hey all!! Wow what a trip Lots of cool things to do, met some really nice folks, Cindy McCain was onboard(John McCains DW)and ran into her several times, picked up refugees from Cuba. 10 people onboard that little boat, they were wanting to leave that country for sure. So glad we were in the right place at the right time for them. Delayed us around 1.5 hrs. but no biggie, still got to Castaway Cay in great time.
Capt. D and I went snorkeling at CC and got up real close and personal with a stingray about 3' in diameter. Told Casey I never knew he could swim that fast I would love to share pics if I could but sadly, after switching over to Amazon photos, its been a tough thing trying to get those shots transferred to the DIS, so everything I have wanted to share including this trip and my england trip have been tied up in there. Any suggestions would be helpful? Otherwise, I love sharing these with yall.

I have read back as far as our debark day and yall have been a busy group

Sorry I missed horselover and KAT. The WDW portion of our trip was a whirlwind effort. Ate at The Wave for dinner, and cant say it was the best meal I have had there. Will def. go back for breakfast and lunch though. Also had breakfast and dinner at Olivias, both meals very good. Went to DS just to check out some of the new places, including Jock Lindsey's. Great little place to dive into for a quick snack.

Sadly, didnt make it over to WL to check out things.

As for tag name, jimmytammy is mine and my DW's name. Tammy got in with the WISH group several years ago and they got here talked into having her own name so they knew who they were conversing with. She is now TammyNC.

 

[sleepydog25]

Wow - a return after 43 years rkstocke! What changes you'll see!!!! There are early entry mornings for both DL and DCA. If you don't get to Radiator Springs right away make a stop for a FP - although AFAIK the FP's won't open during the early entry. So if you get there right away for that you can do the ride and then get off and get FP's for later. Let's see - Toy Story has no FP's but doesn't get the crazy lines like WDW either. CA Screamin is a pretty good coaster. Lots of little differences in DL rides compared to WDW so it's fun to check them out and compare - Pirates, IASW, SM, HM, Indy (instead of Dinosaur), Tarzan's Treehouse (instead of Swiss Family which I prefer). And then you have quite a few attractions that aren't at WDW - Mr Toad, Storybook Canal, Casey Jr Circus Train, Alice in Wonderland (a nice little dark ride), Nemo Subs (if you ever did 20,000 leagues you'll know it's not worth a long wait IMO), Matterhorn, Roger Rabbit, Snow White and the monorail is actually an attraction, not just transportation.

FP's don't have the same demand as WDW either. RSR is popular but most others you can get fairly easily into the day. And even if you go commando it's easy to take a break with a short walk back to VGC or to go between the 2 parks. Dining is pretty much a breeze.

Have fun!

All great tips, Kat! I do echo the sentiment about attempting rope drop for Radiator Springs as that one fills up quickly and remains a long wait much if not all of the day. I will say if you do rope drop, keep to the outside right of the mass of people as the Radiator Springs line begins on the right side of the Cars Land thoroughfare (whatever the name of that is). If you have to merge from the left, it gets very frustrating. CA Screamin' is on par with RnR minus the music and outside. POTC, IASW, and SM are three rides we felt were better at DL versus WDW. As Kat mentioned, there are also unique rides to DL worth riding of which my faves are Matterhorn, Storybook Land, Alice, and Snow White. Plenty of good eating options right at your fingertips--er, soles of your feet--if you head to DTD which sits right outside the gates to the two parks. Dining is far easier at DL than at the World. You'll have a blast, I'm sure!

 

[horselover]

More great pics Kat! Thanks for sharing.

Welcome back JT! Glad to hear you had a great trip.

 

[Granny]

Hey Groupies. Prayer request for my wife who is in emergency gall bladder surgery right now. Thanks.

 

[horselover]

Hey Groupies. Prayer request for my wife who is in emergency gall bladder surgery right now. Thanks.

You got it Tom! Please let us know how she's doing when you can.

 

[sleepydog25]

Hey Groupies. Prayer request for my wife who is in emergency gall bladder surgery right now. Thanks.

In our thoughts. . .

 

[Flossbolna]

Hey Groupies. Prayer request for my wife who is in emergency gall bladder surgery right now. Thanks.

Sending lots of good wishes!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Hello everyone! I loved the username topic that I inspired! Great to get to know people here a little bit more!

@KAT4DISNEY I loved the pictures! You got some really great ones. And Epcot is so beautiful during F&G. I am thinking that I need to plan another trip for that time frame in the coming years.

 

[Granny]

Thanks Julie, Patrick and Flossy. Surgeon said surgery was successful. I appreciate the support.

 

[twinklebug]

Hey Groupies. Prayer request for my wife who is in emergency gall bladder surgery right now. Thanks.

Most certainly. Let us know how she does.
Edit - I was a moment late. So glad she did well. Do they know how long will she be in the hospital for?

 

[Flossbolna]

Thanks Julie, Patrick and Flossy. Surgeon said surgery was successful. I appreciate the support.

Thanks for the update!! I hope she has a speedy recovery! Emergency surgery is always scary.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thanks Julie, Patrick and Flossy. Surgeon said surgery was successful. I appreciate the support.

Glad to hear things went well Tom! Will pray for a quick recovery.

 

[DiznyDi]

Granny - winging prayer heavenward! Glad to hear all was successful. Give Mrs Granny a big hug

 

[Granny]

Thanks everyone for the kind words, prayers and good wishes. Mrs. Granny had a successful surgery, and of course these days they don't want you hanging out too long so we have already left the hospital and are situated back at our house. What started as an emergency room visit ended up being a 26 hour visit including surgery and post-op. We're just glad that everything seems to be okay except the usual after surgery soreness/pain...and we know that gall bladder surgery is fairly common but at this point we don't assume anything is "routine". Hopefully Mrs Granny will be feeling much better in about 48-72 hours. Thanks again all!

 

[rkstocke5609]

Hey Groupies. Prayer request for my wife who is in emergency gall bladder surgery right now. Thanks.

Glad to hear this went well! My wife will be having this surgery when we return from VGC. Everything we hear is that is a relatively quick recovery! We know lots of friends that have had it done.

 

[DiznyDi]

Thanks Granny for the update! So good to hear 'all is well'!

 

[twokats]

Granny, even though I did not post at the time, I read your post and sent up prayers, pixie and moose dust for her. Keep us up to date please.

 

[tea pot]

Hi Granny
Sending thoughts prayers and pixie dust your way

 

[tea pot]

Hello Groupies!
Dropping in to say hello
Hope all is well.
Thinking about our beloved Lodge. The big guy and I
had a short stay in the world this past Jan and
I couldn't bring myself to visit the view from the Monorail of the cut trees was bad enough