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

[Dizny Dad]

So we are walking back from an evening at DTD (spring break, circa 2007, new to DVC) and pass by the Congress Park quiet pool, and caught a glimpse of the diving competition going on into the hot tub. There had to be a dozen young people enjoying the evening together. I mention to DiznyDi that I wanted to go to the hot tub, but she was tired and declined (right after she saw the crowd). I changed and hustled on down to the party, squeezed into the most crowded hot tub I've ever seen. Sat for a minute or two and noticed the crown peeling out (old guy showed up to ruin it all, don't you know). A number of them were graduating soon and being at Disney was a gift trip from Mom and Dad. They all spoke basically of having the world by the tail, the success that was about to be bestowed upon them, etc., etc. Really very uplifting, but somewhat funny hearing of their accomplishments before they were realized. Soon, it was just him and me in the hot tub; he was graduating soon and was just finishing his beer when he said, "There aren't many young people at this resort, are there". I smiled and replied "Not usually". He left. I stay a minute or two more, got out, picked up a dozen or so beer bottles and thru them in the bin. DiznyDi has no idea what she missed. Or maybe she does.

 

[jimmytammy]

So we are walking back from an evening at DTD (spring break, circa 2007, new to DVC) and pass by the Congress Park quiet pool, and caught a glimpse of the diving competition going on into the hot tub. There had to be a dozen young people enjoying the evening together. I mention to DiznyDi that I wanted to go to the hot tub, but she was tired and declined (right after she saw the crowd). I changed and hustled on down to the party, squeezed into the most crowded hot tub I've ever seen. Sat for a minute or two and noticed the crown peeling out (old guy showed up to ruin it all, don't you know). A number of them were graduating soon and being at Disney was a gift trip from Mom and Dad. They all spoke basically of having the world by the tail, the success that was about to be bestowed upon them, etc., etc. Really very uplifting, but somewhat funny hearing of their accomplishments before they were realized. Soon, it was just him and me in the hot tub; he was graduating soon and was just finishing his beer when he said, "There aren't many young people at this resort, are there". I smiled and replied "Not usually". He left. I stay a minute or two more, got out, picked up a dozen or so beer bottles and thru them in the bin. DiznyDi has no idea what she missed. Or maybe she does.

Wished I could been there to have heard about all the accomplishments that were being pre-achieved Dad, you would have at that point witnessed my smart aleck side because I could not have contained myself very long, I would have been in a bubble bursting mode. You did well by those young folks to keep it all in

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . . I would have been in a bubble bursting mode. You did well by those young folks to keep it all in

But I enjoyed it; it was refreshing to hear the positive belief in the future, the goals announced and set. Will they make it? I'm sure some will, some wont, and others will just wish they had. Kind of reminded me of myself at that age. But yes, Jimmy, I was chuckling to myself in it all. Did I mention the itsy bitsy teeny weenie yellow pokka dot bikinis part? Probably slipped my mind . . .

 

[Kathymford]

But I enjoyed it; it was refreshing to hear the positive belief in the future, the goals announced and set. Will they make it? I'm sure some will, some wont, and others will just wish they had. Kind of reminded me of myself at that age. But yes, Jimmy, I was chuckling to myself in it all. Did I mention the itsy bitsy teeny weenie yellow pokka dot bikinis part? Probably slipped my mind . . .

I've been at my company for 11 years now and we are doing a major hiring binge, interns too. And the young people coming in who are not jaded yet just infuriate me. You cannot change this company or have a positive outlook. Things don't happen quickly enough for me here, I know it won't be fast enough for you. Of course, to myself, cause I'm not that awful.

And then I ask myself, who am I? And when did I become so old and cranky? LOL. Working for big companies does that to you I think. Maybe 11 years is too long in one place.

 

[Granny]

I was really hoping for most construction to be done by Late August 2017, but I think you are right Granny. Maybe for our April 2018 trip??

 

[twinklebug]

I think the bus drivers may know more than us. At least they think they do.

 

[horselover]

That's a great story DDad!

There are only two times I won't go to Disney: Easter week & Spring Break. Although I'm not sure if I could handle Jersey week as I've heard similar complaints about that.

Being a quiet introvert, I was never a spring break type kid. However, I did once head down to my parent's condo on Myrtle Beach with my brother and his friends - came home resembling a lobster. You folk would laugh so hard if I posted the 80's big hair pic my brother took of me at the airport heading home. What a wreck, LOL.

How can college kids can afford to go to Disney on spring break? I was always a penny shy from bankruptcy in college. With DVC I can understand one kiddo may have talked mom/dad into taking out a 2 bedroom, and then inviting half the campus along, but in general...???

Ok that's a tease! Now you need to post that picture!

 

[horselover]

Forgot to say I now will have 2 drivers on the road. DS16 got his permit today & DS17 goes for his road test on the 14th. I don't know how this happened.

 

[Granny]

Forgot to say I now will have 2 drivers on the road. DS16 got his permit today & DS17 goes for his road test on the 14th. I don't know how this happened.

Julie...how can someone as young as you have children that old?? I'm very glad to have survived two daughters teen years and their driving efforts. Mostly they drove us crazy but sometimes they actually used a car.

 

[DiznyDi]

Good Morning Groupies!
Reading DDad's stories has me chuckling. Oh the memories. We've met some very interesting people in the hot tubs.

Julie our kids weren't too eager to drive - why should they - mom would take them anywhere they wanted to go! They were driving before they graduated high school. Our son was absolutely funny - he was like a little old man behind the wheel. Savor the moment.

 

[jimmytammy]

Dad, so which did you enjoy more, the conversation or the bikinis?

I sound like a really harsh person, but in reality, I am an old softy. I enjoying hearing young folks dreams, and if I can share a little wisdom, if they want it, I do. I was fortunate to have wisdom passed to me also, and I took most to heart.

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . . . . And when did I become so old and cranky? . . . . .

. . . . . . I don't know how this happened. .. . . .

Yeah, it will sneak up on you!

Dad, so which did you enjoy more, the conversation or the bikinis?

Gee, sounds like a baited question that I should take the fifth on . . . . and let each decide the answer for themselves.

Kathy . . . I am indeed blest that the company I have been with for 30 yrs has a culture to change quickly, accept new ideas, and appreciate new opportunities. I was once the new young kid running around and grabbing onto the new technologies, now I'm the old guy in management that most of the staff knows nothing about and has no idea who I am: just sitting in the corporate Hot Tub, so to speak!

 

[horselover]

Julie...how can someone as young as you have children that old?? I'm very glad to have survived two daughters teen years and their driving efforts. Mostly they drove us crazy but sometimes they actually used a car.

Well I'm not that young! But thank you for thinking that I am.

Good Morning Groupies!
Reading DDad's stories has me chuckling. Oh the memories. We've met some very interesting people in the hot tubs.

Julie our kids weren't too eager to drive - why should they - mom would take them anywhere they wanted to go! They were driving before they graduated high school. Our son was absolutely funny - he was like a little old man behind the wheel. Savor the moment.

DS17 is definitely late to the game. He's closing in on turning 18 in June. He didn't even get his permit until last summer. It's taken this long to get the required road work done & then more practice time on the road. The road driving is fine. He also drives a little like an old man but I'm a little concerned about him passing the parallel parking part of the test. Hell I still hate parallel parking & I've been driving for a long time! He needs more practice but getting him to actually do it is another story. DS16 on the other hand couldn't wait to get his permit. He's already completed the classroom part of the drivers ed so now it's 20 hours of driving with a parent & then we turn him over to the driving school to finish the required driving hours. I think he'll be getting his license in Oct. as soon as he's eligible. First parking lot driving lesson this weekend! Wish me luck. They start with me because I'm a better driver then DH.

 

[twinklebug]

Well I'm not that young! But thank you for thinking that I am.



DS17 is definitely late to the game. He's closing in on turning 18 in June. He didn't even get his permit until last summer. It's taken this long to get the required road work done & then more practice time on the road. The road driving is fine. He also drives a little like an old man but I'm a little concerned about him passing the parallel parking part of the test. Hell I still hate parallel parking & I've been driving for a long time! He needs more practice but getting him to actually do it is another story. DS16 on the other hand couldn't wait to get his permit. He's already completed the classroom part of the drivers ed so now it's 20 hours of driving with a parent & then we turn him over to the driving school to finish the required driving hours. I think he'll be getting his license in Oct. as soon as he's eligible. First parking lot driving lesson this weekend! Wish me luck. They start with me because I'm a better driver then DH.

Good luck Julie!
I was just there last year with my son being 17, and 2 years before that with my daughter. I've had enough of the white knuckle bit to last me for quite some time. Enjoy the learners permit process though, because as soon as the kids get their licenses the insurance gets you, but their willy nilly freedom hits home even harder.

 

[circhead]

You know it feels like yesterday that I did this with my kids - 1 boy 2 girls.
My son will be 30 next month. Don't know how it happened or where the time went.

The last time he was home, before he got married, as he was leaving I had that inevitable (for me) tear in my eye.
He told me, "Never again will there be enough time to spend together and do nothing".

Enjoy it while it lasts - once they're done with high school it's the blink of an eye before they're gone.

 

[sleepydog25]

You know it feels like yesterday that I did this with my kids - 1 boy 2 girls.
My son will be 30 next month. Don't know how it happened or where the time went.

The last time he was home, before he got married, as he was leaving I had that inevitable (for me) tear in my eye.
He told me, "Never again will there be enough time to spend together and do nothing".

Enjoy it while it lasts - once they're done with high school it's the blink of an eye before they're gone.

Of course, I'm wa-a-a-a-y too young to be in situations like these. . .ahem. . .but I love that statement above.

 

[horselover]

You know it feels like yesterday that I did this with my kids - 1 boy 2 girls.
My son will be 30 next month. Don't know how it happened or where the time went.

The last time he was home, before he got married, as he was leaving I had that inevitable (for me) tear in my eye.
He told me, "Never again will there be enough time to spend together and do nothing".

Enjoy it while it lasts - once they're done with high school it's the blink of an eye before they're gone.

I have some dust in my eye.

I took this photo on our Christmas trip 2012. I know SlyDog will recognize the location. Still brings a tear to my eye as it did when I took it. This was the moment I realized our days of family trips were winding down. And there they go around the bend into their own lives.

 

[twinklebug]

You know it feels like yesterday that I did this with my kids - 1 boy 2 girls.
My son will be 30 next month. Don't know how it happened or where the time went.

The last time he was home, before he got married, as he was leaving I had that inevitable (for me) tear in my eye.
He told me, "Never again will there be enough time to spend together and do nothing".

Enjoy it while it lasts - once they're done with high school it's the blink of an eye before they're gone.

I too love that saying.

High five Pat! I have a son hitting the big 30 next month too. Didn't mention him as I had a helper back then to driver-train the kiddo. (Something about him hitting a snowbank and a bush? LOL.)
He went off south to college and never looked back. Mine's not married yet - but he has had plans for about a year now, just saving up for the ring and the right time When that day comes I'll be sure to make an announcement, and order up a few too many mints for the wedding favors to pass out all year

Speaking of kids - the youngest was just watching The Force Awakens downstairs. I have yet to see it. Time to pop some popcorn!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

This driving talk has me thinking back how I was in on my 16th Birthday taking the test so I could hit the road on my own! The previous year had been spent mostly driving with my mother who was soooooo laid back. She spent most of her time telling me to speed up and sending me down narrow 2 lane highways. I thought she was nuts.

 

[sleepydog25]

I have some dust in my eye.

I took this photo on our Christmas trip 2012. I know SlyDog will recognize the location. Still brings a tear to my eye as it did when I took it. This was the moment I realized our days of family trips were winding down. And there they go around the bend into their own lives.

View attachment 160637

Oh, great! Nostalgia times 2!! Kids AND the nature trail. Sigh. It is true--time waits for no one. So, I'll smile, sip my Zinfandel, and squeeze the hand of my true love. Part of a full life is having fond memories of events passed. Good thing I'm still a youngster. . .