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

[Corinne]

Thanks for all the birthday (and anniversary) wishes!!!!

 

[horselover]

Mighty quiet around here.


So HI GROUPIE FRIENDS!!!

 

[Granny]

Hi horselover!

So, I guess we're kind of quiet around here. We just hit the 6 month mark for our next trip and will be eligible to make ADRs this weekend.

Aside from things like Cinderella's castle meals, do any of the Groupies make ADRs 180 days out from a trip?

We haven't ever made ADR's that early but I will be making one this time for a Groupie mini-meet.

We just normally don't plan much for a trip. This next one will have some nice new features with the various attractions opening up and Disney Springs completely up and running. Aside from that, we'll probably book a Candlelight Processional dinner package when those are available.

So...anyone heading to the World soon that can take more pictures of the work at WL?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Taking a few minutes to catch up after a quick trip to Vegas. It was 111 degrees one day and I stopped looking after that! Ah, but it's a dry heat.

Now I'm in the countdown for a cousin trip in honor of my upcoming birthday. Finally decided on a road trip to Zion and both the North and South rim of the Grand Canyon. Will be checking off a bucket list item of seeing the N. Rim and staying at the park lodge there and also at the El Tovar on the S. Rim. Lots of things to do before then though and just for fun I added a broken little toe to the equation just before leaving for Vegas on Sunday. I'm still hiking though even if I end up having to cut it off. (JK - I have been thru more than my share of broken toes though so think I can push thru it. Part of liking to go barefoot a lot. And having horses and taking them out to the pasture with sandals on. And motorcycles. ) I love western and national park which is why I love WL/VWL and this trip should be full of it!

 

[sleepydog25]

Aside from things like Cinderella's castle meals, do any of the Groupies make ADRs 180 days out from a trip?

Are you kidding?! Luv jumps on them right at the 180-day mark. She's a planner, so by the time the 180-day window opens, we've discussed the various esoteric issues of whether we want to be in Park A before or after breakfast, how long we plan to stay there before hitting Park B, whether Park B will be lunch or someplace else off-World, and if dinner should be accomplished at sunset, evening, or later at night depending on the moon's cycle, tides, and relative humidity. Lest we be thought commandos, the truth is settle on a general strategy and guidelines for park visits but are free to change plans on the fly which we often do--but ADRs remain fairly constant.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Are you kidding?! Luv jumps on them right at the 180-day mark. She's a planner, so by the time the 180-day window opens, we've discussed the various esoteric issues of whether we want to be in Park A before or after breakfast, how long we plan to stay there before hitting Park B, whether Park B will be lunch or someplace else off-World, and if dinner should be accomplished at sunset, evening, or later at night depending on the moon's cycle, tides, and relative humidity. Lest we be thought commandos, the truth is settle on a general strategy and guidelines for park visits but are free to change plans on the fly which we often do--but ADRs remain fairly constant.

I may not have even thought of booking a trip at 180 days!

 

[wildernessDad]

Taking a few minutes to catch up after a quick trip to Vegas. It was 111 degrees one day and I stopped looking after that! Ah, but it's a dry heat.

Now I'm in the countdown for a cousin trip in honor of my upcoming birthday. Finally decided on a road trip to Zion and both the North and South rim of the Grand Canyon. Will be checking off a bucket list item of seeing the N. Rim and staying at the park lodge there and also at the El Tovar on the S. Rim. Lots of things to do before then though and just for fun I added a broken little toe to the equation just before leaving for Vegas on Sunday. I'm still hiking though even if I end up having to cut it off. (JK - I have been thru more than my share of broken toes though so think I can push thru it. Part of liking to go barefoot a lot. And having horses and taking them out to the pasture with sandals on. And motorcycles. ) I love western and national park which is why I love WL/VWL and this trip should be full of it!

Yes! This will be an awesome trip! I've done this trip with the little lady and my son! If you can, try to work in a trip to Monument Valley! Maybe stay at The View Hotel, right on the reservation. Sorry to hear about your toe. The N. Rim Lodge is really nice and the area is not a tourist trap.

 

[wildernessDad]

Hi horselover!

So, I guess we're kind of quiet around here. We just hit the 6 month mark for our next trip and will be eligible to make ADRs this weekend.

Aside from things like Cinderella's castle meals, do any of the Groupies make ADRs 180 days out from a trip?

We haven't ever made ADR's that early but I will be making one this time for a Groupie mini-meet.

We just normally don't plan much for a trip. This next one will have some nice new features with the various attractions opening up and Disney Springs completely up and running. Aside from that, we'll probably book a Candlelight Processional dinner package when those are available.

So...anyone heading to the World soon that can take more pictures of the work at WL?

I make dining reservations 180 days out. That will be coming up soon for us.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yes! This will be an awesome trip! I've done this trip with the little lady and my son! If you can, try to work in a trip to Monument Valley! Maybe stay at The View Hotel, right on the reservation. Sorry to hear about your toe. The N. Rim Lodge is really nice and the area is not a tourist trap.

Monument Valley is very cool and I did see that several years ago and would love to do go again. I couldn't quite fit it into the schedule this trip although I tried to since my cousin has not visited there but we decided to do Horseshoe Bend and an Antelope Canyon tour, neither of which I've seen before. So many thing to do and so little time! We recently bought a little travel trailer and DH wants us to get back down to that area again when he can go - double the trips for me!

 

[Corinne]

I very rarely make dining reservations @ the 180 day mark, but since we are going during free dining and in December I think we will as well. I think I'd like to book a CP package as well.

Granny- when is the groupie meet?

 

[twokats]

Hello all!!! Sorry I have been MIA so long. As I told you whenever the last time I was here (and I just now finished catching up with all the reading) my tax season was very taxing to say the least! And going on a three week vacation two weeks after that hectic season ended was great, but I had so much to do.

Happy birthdays to the ones I missed and anniversaries also.

Also thank you to all that wished Le and I a happy anniversary. Of course we started celebrating early on the cruise and it was very enjoyable.

I hope everyone is having an enjoyable summer. We have been having a super wet one so far and are lucky to live in an area that is high enough not to flood, but there has been flooding in areas close to us and of course pretty much across our whole state.

 

[Dizny Dad]

APRs 180 days out? . . . . . Absolutely. Mostly. Sometimes. Whenever DiznyDi can anchor me enough to get my attention and discuss it. We really in the last few years have started to limit our ADRs, especially at the signature restaurants. We just have changed eating styles such that we just don't want more than an appetizer, or two. Grabbing a small something a few times a day seems to be our norm now. Geese Louise, I'm turning into my Dad . . . .

 

[Granny]

I very rarely make dining reservations @ the 180 day mark, but since we are going during free dining and in December I think we will as well. I think I'd like to book a CP package as well.

Granny- when is the groupie meet?

Corinne...I didn't see you on the early December list of vacations. We are looking at possibly December 12 as a groupie meet date. Will you be at WDW at that time? We'd love to have you join us!

 

[circhead]

Hi all - been awhile.

This is just a quick check in - work is a little hectic right now as we are coming up on the end of the fiscal year and we need to have all of our money encumbered by June 30th.

Hope all are well and busy planning their vacations.
Happy birthday and/or anniversary to all I missed.

Love the pictures from Australia and New Zealand - would love to get there someday.
I am a big fan of the Tolkien novels and the movies would love to see some of that scenery up close and personal.

Will be at AK-Jambo in September for a quick 5 days - Hopefully I'll be able to get tickets for the club member safari.
Will try to get over to VWL and snoop - no guarantees as my cousin is coming with me and it's her first trip.

 

[sleepydog25]

APRs 180 days out? . . . . . Absolutely. Mostly. Sometimes. Whenever DiznyDi can anchor me enough to get my attention and discuss it. We really in the last few years have started to limit our ADRs, especially at the signature restaurants. We just have changed eating styles such that we just don't want more than an appetizer, or two. Grabbing a small something a few times a day seems to be our norm now. Geese Louise, I'm turning into my Dad . . . .

Actually, we eat smaller now, too. Several years back, we did the Deluxe DP, and it worked well for us. However, we realized that we couldn't comfortably fit all that food in our stomachs, so the plan almost felt like a waste. Since then, we shoot for a couple of Signatures, a couple of TS, and we often share much of what we order. We may both order appetizers then share an entree and may not do a dessert. Or, we'll do one appetizer, two entrees, and maybe a dessert. Or, we'll do something different and share two or three appetizers. It all depends on the menu, our appetite at that particular time, and budget.

Granny: True confessions here. I put Corinne's trip in the wrong column when she first notified me, so that may be why you missed it. I have since corrected the error of my ways.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hello Groupies!
I haven't logged on the DIS for months. School and work and many other things.......
I recently had a trip to FL to visit my daughter who lives there and happened to get an email invite for a RN Job Fair in Daytona/Ormond Beach area. I decided to visit the hospital since I was going to be in the area at my daughter's anyway and we had plans to move to FL in 6-9 months. Well.....things went at the speed of light once I got there and I had recruiters all over me. Next thing I know I'm meeting with the manager of Labor & Delivery and the following day I was offered the job with relocation bonuses. I have been an emotional wreck because I did accept the job offer. I am moving to FLORIDA in 2 weeks (some of my FB buds on this thread know this already) and it's so emotional and bittersweet for me. I'll be living with my daughter and sil while my husband and youngest daughter pack and continue with the house remodel so we can put it up for sale in the Fall. I will be leaving my oldest child---my son----behind in PA because he is in a long-term relationship with his gf (and he is 29). So life is frantic for me now!!! Moving too fast! I'll be living in Palm Coast FL. It's just going to be hard being so far from my hubby, kids and pets back in PA for several months.
THANK YOU ALL for the birthday wishes! On May 23, I was actually at the RN Job Fair---getting the job offer and relocation bonus to FL was the best birthday present! Thanks again for thinking of me me Groupies---even when I've been absent from this thread for too long (and I miss you all)! It will be a crazy next few weeks and months for me----I finally graduate in August. I will be able to breathe easier and have much less stress once school is done. Hope to be on our thread more often in the Fall

 

[bobbiwoz]

Just want to say that except for a BOG lunch for my gals visit in early May, I have never tried to book an ADR at 6 months out. I was with 5 friends, and was able to get lunch and dinner. My friends decided on lunch, and in the end most were not pleased with the meal.

We'll be at BLT in July and for sure we'll take the boat over to see WL/VWL. We may have lunch at Roaring Fork, I would like the Wilderness salad if they still have it.

 

[Granny]

Granny: True confessions here. I put Corinne's trip in the wrong column when she first notified me, so that may be why you missed it. I have since corrected the error of my ways.

Thanks for fessin' up, Sleepy!

Corinne...PM heading your way!

 

[Granny]

Just want to say that except for a BOG lunch for my gals visit in early May, I have never tried to book an ADR at 6 months out. I was with 5 friends, and was able to get lunch and dinner. My friends decided on lunch, and in the end most were not pleased with the meal.

We'll be at BLT in July and for sure we'll take the boat over to see WL/VWL. We may have lunch at Roaring Fork, I would like the Wilderness salad if they still have it.

Bobbi...always great to see you here! In April they still had the Wilderness Salad (the one they make while you wait) and it was great! Enjoy your trip, and stay cool!

 

[Corinne]

Corinne...I didn't see you on the early December list of vacations. We are looking at possibly December 12 as a groupie meet date. Will you be at WDW at that time? We'd love to have you join us!

Yep we will be there 12/10-14! My trip dates were under the December 2015. Would love to join you!!