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

[Granny]

Thanks for the beautiful photos, Kathy! Double sigh.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Hey, the thread was below the fold again! Time to kick it up a little . . .

Anybody ever take the Steam Train Tour? I personally loved it; maybe a bit long for others in my party, but it was great fun, had early morning views of an empty Main St. USA, visited the Round House, had my picture taken in the cab of one of the Locomotive.

OK, here's your question of the day . . .try your memory first before looking it up . . How many Locomotives are there and what are their names?

 

[Flossbolna]

Has any one of the Groupies here taken part in the Christmas Member Mixers? I saw that they have published the dates and we will be at VWL during that time frame. I am wondering if they are worth it to go to? It sounds like all you get is a cookie and a Meet & Greet. Not really interested in standing in line for characters and if the cookie is anything like the free ones during the MVMCP, I would rather buy one of the fun snacks (especially ice cream from the new ice cream place at the Boardwalk or one of those cakes from the new bakery at Disney Springs) as a special treat than "spend" my calories on a stale cookie...

 

[DiznyDi]

Has any one of the Groupies here taken part in the Christmas Member Mixers? I saw that they have published the dates and we will be at VWL during that time frame. I am wondering if they are worth it to go to? It sounds like all you get is a cookie and a Meet & Greet. Not really interested in standing in line for characters and if the cookie is anything like the free ones during the MVMCP, I would rather buy one of the fun snacks (especially ice cream from the new ice cream place at the Boardwalk or one of those cakes from the new bakery at Disney Springs) as a special treat than "spend" my calories on a stale cookie...

DDad and I have gone to every one since 2006. They give you a nice pewter ornament dated with a new design each year. You get this as you leave the venue. There is a specific section to purchase DVC merchandise; pins, shirts ect. Last year they clearanced the Vera Bradley DVC black quilted bags. I purchased the tote for $64.00. The mixers were much different a decade ago; unlimited cookies and drinks and not near the number of persons attending. They do have several photo ops with Disney characters, a DVC informational area. You get a coupon for 1 iced rice krispie treat and unlimited ice water and I believe cider. There is 'cruise ship' entertainment; loud music for the kids to dance too. It is loud and crowded. I collect the ornaments, so we go for that. I usually purchase the matching pin - exclusive to this event unless you pay a premium price on eBay. We usually stay 30-40 minutes. Maybe more, maybe less. We have taken advantage of the photos in prior years if the lines weren't too long. We will generally schedule this around out Epcot day as we do our trip planning. It's nice they've published the schedule this early. Allows for planning.

 

[Flossbolna]

DDad and I have gone to every one since 2006. They give you a nice pewter ornament dated with a new design each year. You get this as you leave the venue. There is a specific section to purchase DVC merchandise; pins, shirts ect. Last year they clearanced the Vera Bradley DVC black quilted bags. I purchased the tote for $64.00. The mixers were much different a decade ago; unlimited cookies and drinks and not near the number of persons attending. They do have several photo ops with Disney characters, a DVC informational area. You get a coupon for 1 iced rice krispie treat and unlimited ice water and I believe cider. There is 'cruise ship' entertainment; loud music for the kids to dance too. It is loud and crowded. I collect the ornaments, so we go for that. I usually purchase the matching pin - exclusive to this event unless you pay a premium price on eBay. We usually stay 30-40 minutes. Maybe more, maybe less. We have taken advantage of the photos in prior years if the lines weren't too long. We will generally schedule this around out Epcot day as we do our trip planning. It's nice they've published the schedule this early. Allows for planning.

Thanks! The ornament does sound very nice and would be a nice souvenir from the trip. And rice krispie treats will be far more popular in my party than cookies! I think I will plan on being in Epcot that day as well, seems easy enough! And if we hate it, we can just leave immediately.

I assume I can bring guests, i.e. my travel party?

 

[twinklebug]

Thanks! The ornament does sound very nice and would be a nice souvenir from the trip. And rice krispie treats will be far more popular in my party than cookies! I think I will plan on being in Epcot that day as well, seems easy enough! And if we hate it, we can just leave immediately.

I assume I can bring guests, i.e. my travel party?

Good to hear this! Everyone should try the holiday party at least once. Bring your traveling party. I've always brought in my kids, but I've seen others with Grandparents and friends there too. Don't go near the end or you'll miss the drawings and all the DJ fun.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Has any one of the Groupies here taken part in the Christmas Member Mixers? . . . . . . . I would rather buy one of the fun snacks . . . . . as a special treat than "spend" my calories on a stale cookie...

DiznyDi and I remember in the early days there were tables of fabulous treats, cookies, tarts, and drinks for the taking, no "Coupon" for a single treat like it is now. The first ones we attended were held just outside of the Epcot International Gate. They used tall bushes to wall off the old bus drop-offs that are there (yup, in the early 90's they had bus drop-off/pick-up outside the gate. They have since removed the concrete and planted grass in the oval areas.) It has gotten so large now that the large auditorium they use is more appropriate. But it is VERY loud with the cruse ship guy pounding the beat continually and it generally is not Christmas type music.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thanks! The ornament does sound very nice and would be a nice souvenir from the trip. And rice krispie treats will be far more popular in my party than cookies! I think I will plan on being in Epcot that day as well, seems easy enough! And if we hate it, we can just leave immediately.

I assume I can bring guests, i.e. my travel party?

There's a limit to the number you can bring in - maybe 6? Each of you will get a coupon for a cookie but there will only be one ornament given to your group.

We've been at WDW for a few of them but did not make it to one until last year. I'd go again to get the ornament if I were around but I'd wait until the event had been going at least an hour before heading in. We waited for 30 minutes after it started last year and still had a 20-25 minute wait in line to get in. Music was loud so we just walked around, collected our cookies, had some lemonade and rice krispie or something and left, collecting our ornament as we exited.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

DiznyDi and I remember in the early days there were tables of fabulous treats, cookies, tarts, and drinks for the taking, no "Coupon" for a single treat like it is now. The first ones we attended were held just outside of the Epcot International Gate. They used tall bushes to wall off the old bus drop-offs that are there (yup, in the early 90's they had bus drop-off/pick-up outside the gate. They have since removed the concrete and planted grass in the oval areas.) It has gotten so large now that the large auditorium they use is more appropriate. But it is VERY loud with the cruse ship guy pounding the beat continually and it generally is not Christmas type music.

We were never there on the correct day when they held them there, but I remember walking past the tent and sighing how we'd be at the airport when the party would be going on. What I liked much better about that location was that it didn't require a ticket in to a park. At least having it at one of the convention centers is better than the Epcot location IMO.

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . What I liked much better about that location was that it didn't require a ticket in to a park. . . . . . .

Yeah, being an AP holder, I never considered how it does exclude some that may have not planned to be at Epcot that day and didn't have a park hopper. We have attended multiple convention center events and there always seems to be enough room.

 

[Flossbolna]

Thanks for all the feedback!! My guess is that the reason for the location is that this is a space that is rented out less often - especially in the afternoons, while the convention center can earn money with conventions during that time frame...

But I agree that it seems kind of strange to invite people to a party and then tell them that they have to pay an entrance fee.

And those parties of the old time sound fabulous! My boyfriend is a Floridian (has been an AP holder since 1982 - that is the first year they introduced the APs) and he often tells stories of the old WDW that make me really sad that I missed out on this. My first visit was in 2004 and I became a DVC member in 2010, so I really missed out on a lot of the more charming WDW.

 

[Granny]

Hey, the thread was below the fold again! Time to kick it up a little . . .

Anybody ever take the Steam Train Tour? I personally loved it; maybe a bit long for others in my party, but it was great fun, had early morning views of an empty Main St. USA, visited the Round House, had my picture taken in the cab of one of the Locomotive.

OK, here's your question of the day . . .try your memory first before looking it up . . How many Locomotives are there and what are their names?

DDad...we've never taken that tour. We keep saying that we are going to have to start taking some tours at WDW but so far we have only done the discontinued Segway tour at EPCOT. I have no idea on the locomotive names but I'm going to guess that one of them is Lily Belle?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hey, the thread was below the fold again! Time to kick it up a little . . .

Anybody ever take the Steam Train Tour? I personally loved it; maybe a bit long for others in my party, but it was great fun, had early morning views of an empty Main St. USA, visited the Round House, had my picture taken in the cab of one of the Locomotive.

OK, here's your question of the day . . .try your memory first before looking it up . . How many Locomotives are there and what are their names?

I've been on several of the tours over the years but not the steam train yet. It's the next one I'd like to do.

I think one of the locomotives is named after a person who worked with Walt on them but I'm drawing a blank on the name of the man.

 

[Flossbolna]

I think one of the locomotives is named after a person who worked with Walt on them but I'm drawing a blank on the name of the man.

Ward Kimball must be the one you are thinking of. During D23 last year we went to a showing of old home movies that related to Disney. One was of Walt Disney visiting the Kimball family and riding Ward's train. His son was there and talked about the home movie. It was really interesting. I think the train that Ward Kimball used to have is now owned by John Lasseter and you can see the engine featured on one of the wine bottles for one of the Lasseter Family Winery wines.

I have never done the steam train tour, only did Keys to the Kingdom and Wild by Design (which has been discontinued) at AK. Wild by Design was great as we learned so much about AK and how everything has a meaning there.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Granny - yup, one is the Lilly Belle!

There are 4 restored Locomotives that take you for that magical ride around the Magic Kingdom, all are narrow-gauge trains, originally built between 1916 and 1928. Each Locomotive pulls four passenger cars:

• Walter E. Disney, named after Walt Disney
• Lilly Belle, named after Walt’s wife, Lillian
• Roy O. Disney, named after Walt’s brother
• Roger E. Broggie, named after an original Imagineer who led the railroad project at Walt Disney World Resort

I have had a fascination with steam engines for a long time; in fact, I passed my professional engineering license by selecting all of the steam generation/energy conversion problems I could find in the myriad of test questions. I began collecting small miniature working steam engines right after I was married, but the need to provide for the family and to stop buying man-toys soon over rode that; and I haven't collected an engine in quite some time. Gee, I am now asking myself why I shared all of that with you; it obviously is a somewhat slow afternoon . . . . oh well . . .

 

[Flossbolna]

Ah, I guess the Ward Kimball is at Disneyland then...

 

[jimmytammy]

Dad, we took the train tour a few trips back and really enjoyed. Enough so that we all agreed we would love to do it again someday.

 

[horselover]

Hey groupie friends! My trip to New Zealand & Sydney was incredible! I honestly don't even have the words to describe how beautiful New Zealand is. It lived up to every expectation I had for it & more. I cannot wait to get back there in Aug. for our family trip. Pure pleasure & no work commitments. Our pace was fast to put it mildly. I'm exhausted. I really liked Sydney too but one full day & a 1/4 day is nowhere near enough to enjoy Sydeny. I'll go back for sure. I will post some next week once I'm settled back into the home routine. DH & I head to WDW Ftiday for a long weekend anniversary trip. I think it will be pool heavy & not park heavy. Not exactly looking forward to getting on another plane again so soon.

I have one picture for now. This one was a huge deal for me. I'm terrified of heights, but I managed somehow to overcome that fear & I climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge! I highly recommend it if you're ever in Sydney. If I can do it anyone can!

 

[DiznyDi]

Julie - I followed your photos on FB - in a word - fabulous!

Wishing you and 'Anniversary Guy' a very Happy Anniversary! Enjoy!

 

[jimmytammy]

Julie, so glad you had a great trip and made it home safely! I too followed along on FB and really enjoyed the pics and sharing in the adventures. Hope you folks have a great WDW Anniversary trip!!