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

[jimmytammy]

After breakfast at Shorebird Grill(Outrigger Reef in Waikiki, this is the place my folks stayed for 20 yrs in a row) we went to the blowhole yesterday, also area where From Here To Eternity was filmed(famous beach scene), drove on past that area to some wonderful sights to behold(unexpected), then back to Diamond Head. We intended to go early but parking lot was packed, so lady attendant told us come back between 1 and 4 and parking would be available. No wonder, because it was very hot then. 90 plus! A native who was very nice walking behind us and frequented there keep saying how hot it was But we made it to the top! I am one and done on that!! I give, I submit, the mountain has conquered. I have pictures to prove, and will post those soon as Tammy helps me out Wanted to make swap meet at Aloha Bowl but didn't get there in time. We are already talking about all we missed in Waikiki and Honolulu and would like to stay 2 nights at Outrigger after arriving on next trip before heading to Aulani to chill out. This side of Island, completely different from Waikiki. Its like a big party over there, Aulani is all about relaxation, chilling out, veggingand we love it!

Today, headed to Bonzai Pipeline where Capt D will surf for the 1st time ever...not!! But giving him a hard time anyway, he is my son after all. SO when the folks(Rich and Tom) who will be at the meet in Dec see him, I fully intend for you to question him about his adventures riding the big waves
Also heading to Polynesian Cultural Center this PM. So a full day ahead

 

[Granny]

...we went to the blowhole yesterday, also area where From Here To Eternity was filmed(famous beach scene)....

Oh, so that was you and Tammy that the paparazzi photographed yesterday!





You guys make a cute couple!

Today, headed to Bonzai Pipeline where Capt D will surf for the 1st time ever...not!! But giving him a hard time anyway, he is my son after all. SO when the folks(Rich and Tom) who will be at the meet in Dec see him, I fully intend for you to question him about his adventures riding the big waves

What? DDad and I give anyone a hard time? I'm just shocked that you might think that!

We might have to ask him to sign our Duke Kahanamoku t-shirts though.

 

[jimmytammy]

You guys make a cute couple!

Yep, that was us(until the police were called and the crowd had to break it up). Capt D was really embarassed too and refused to acknowledge that he knew us

 

[DiznyDi]

I nearly spilled my coffee! Too funny!

 

[jimmytammy]

Di, watch out!! Coffee is hot(sorta like that picture Granny shared of me n T on the Beach)
Disclaimer: For any of you new folks, please disregard our silliness here(or not, and if you feel so inclined, please feel free to join in). We are usually not this risqué but understand, Granny, DiznyDi, myself, and many others here are a really tight bunch, enough so we feel we can pick on each other without repercussion or backlash. Many of us have met each other over the years at WDW and we truly are a family of sorts. So don't let our shenanigans scare you off.
Now, back to our regularly scheduled shenanigans!!

 

[sleepydog25]

Di, watch out!! Coffee is hot(sorta like that picture Granny shared of me n T on the Beach)
Disclaimer: For any of you new folks, please disregard our silliness here(or not, and if you feel so inclined, please feel free to join in). We are usually not this risqué but understand, Granny, DiznyDi, myself, and many others here are a really tight bunch, enough so we feel we can pick on each other without repercussion or backlash. Many of us have met each other over the years at WDW and we truly are a family of sorts. So don't let our shenanigans scare you off.
Now, back to our regularly scheduled shenanigans!!

Okay, so using the word risque in relation to that picture from FHTE? Now, that's TRULY funny!! For it's time, I will admit, it was a bit . Actually, it's these types of shared moments that make our Groupies special and welcoming--that's one of the things that appealed to me.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Jimmy - Remind Capt D that "Work is for people that don't surf" and that one or the other will happen soon enough - choose wisely . . .

 

[jimmytammy]

Jimmy - Remind Capt D that "Work is for people that don't surf" and that one or the other will happen soon enough - choose wisely . . .

Wow, thats deep Dad! And I am not talking about all the water that Capt D went under trying to surf the other day I am counting on you and Granny to do your part in a bit of harassment about surfing the pipeline for his 1st time out

 

[jimmytammy]

Some more Aulani shots



Views from top of Diamond Head

 

[jimmytammy]

Blowhole

Area where From Here To Eternity was shot


This bus brought a load of folks from Aulani over to the same area

Shorebird Grill breakfast at The Outrigger Reef Waikiki(my folks stay here)

View from Shorebird

Punchbowl Cemetery

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Looks like you're having a fabulous time Jimmy! Thanks for sharing your trip and the pictures - soooo wish we had a trip in the planning stages for there. We're a bit lucky though in that it actually is a "last minute" option for us. Takes about the same amount of time to get there as WDW and usually better availability at Aulani.

Now there is one thing I forgot to mention about Hawaii.....you won't want to leave!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

KAT
We can already feel the effects of not wanting to leave

 

[Granny]

Another sad reminder of Disney's plans for our beloved VWL, as posted on another board. The Fall 2016 edition of Disney FILES magazine says the transition to the new name will begin on October 25




You know, every time I hear that new name and the spin Disney puts on the "new, more richly themed name" (where's that throwing up emoticon?), it just makes me a little angry. I was in marketing my whole career and I understand selling and spin, but one thing we always knew was that new sales should not come at the expense of valued customers. I don't blame Disney for wanting to add a DVC resort at Wilderness Lodge, but the whole concept that VWL owners are better off with the change is a joke.


Okay...I feel better now.

 

[sleepydog25]

Another sad reminder of Disney's plans for our beloved VWL, as posted on another board. The Fall 2016 edition of Disney FILES magazine says the transition to the new name will begin on October 25

View attachment 194910


You know, every time I hear that new name and the spin Disney puts on the "new, more richly themed name" (where's that throwing up emoticon?), it just makes me a little angry. I was in marketing my whole career and I understand selling and spin, but one thing we always knew was that new sales should not come at the expense of valued customers. I don't blame Disney for wanting to add a DVC resort at Wilderness Lodge, but the whole concept that VWL owners are better off with the change is a joke.


Okay...I feel better now.

Like you, I understand (though still rue) the decision to cash in on more DVC resorts as they appear to be money makers. Also like you, I hate spin for spin's sake. The theme and story are already full and rich at VWL--just make the new one its own story. Heck, they could even dovetail the CCVC backstory to the success of VWL, a "gold rush" style story or the like. With how DVD is promoting Classic VWL, it seems as if they have painted the Mercedes a new color, added new leather, waxed it, and insist on calling it a Jaguar when the Mercedes is still darn great (sorry, a pretty poor analogy but I'm sleep deprived, ok?).

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Another sad reminder of Disney's plans for our beloved VWL, as posted on another board. The Fall 2016 edition of Disney FILES magazine says the transition to the new name will begin on October 25

View attachment 194910


You know, every time I hear that new name and the spin Disney puts on the "new, more richly themed name" (where's that throwing up emoticon?), it just makes me a little angry. I was in marketing my whole career and I understand selling and spin, but one thing we always knew was that new sales should not come at the expense of valued customers. I don't blame Disney for wanting to add a DVC resort at Wilderness Lodge, but the whole concept that VWL owners are better off with the change is a joke.


Okay...I feel better now.

I had not read the Disney Files yet but that makes me want to write DVC - again. It made me feel better the first time. It won't change a thing but at least one person there knows that we aren't all bought into their spin of more enrichment and deeper exploration for VWL. The only thing they are exploring and enriching is the depths of their pockets! And we're just a side show they have to tell is better off as the new big top goes up.

 

[Flossbolna]

I recently had my travel agent to add transfers from our DCL cruise to VWL after the cruise and I even joked with her about whether she should still book them for going to Villas at the Wilderness Lodge or already to Boulder Ridge Villas. She replies to my email and said that she booked our transfers to BRV and I got all confused why she booked us transfers to the Beach Club! The BRV acronym is so strange - and ugly! At least it is not a sandwich...

But it seems like we might indeed be staying at BRV and not VWL. I am very sad about this since I am a relatively new owner there and this will be my first stay there (used points for Disneyland last year).

 

[Granny]

The only thing they are exploring and enriching is the depths of their pockets!

Okay Kathy, this really was a laugh out loud moment (am I allowed to say that without using the acronym?). As bad as it seems sometimes, at the end of the day we are lucky to stay anywhere at WDW much less a place as wonderful as VWL.

But suffice it to say, I don't see us ever calling ourselves the BRV Groupies!

 

[Granny]

But it seems like we might indeed be staying at BRV and not VWL. I am very sad about this since I am a relatively new owner there and this will be my first stay there (used points for Disneyland last year).

Flossy...don't let us veteran Groupies get you down. We're just griping and groaning because like so many things in this life, it seems like the "good old days" were always better in some regards. But really, I know that VWL will be a great resort no matter what they call it, and you will have a wonderful stay after your cruise. So much of experiencing life is about the attitude we bring, and I don't want you to start off your stay with disappointment or sadness. I believe it will be an awesome trip for you.

I already know our December stay at VWL will be amazing. The VWL decorations, the music and the Big Honkin' Groupie Meet will make it a tremendous trip!

And what the heck, at least they brought back our Mickey topiary!

 

[Granny]

Sorry to hog the thread my fellow Groupies, but I just saw this and of the millions of cute videos on youtube, this may be one of the most adorable I've seen.

Hard to believe this 3 year old can sing so clearly! And it's Disney related! As a bonus to the Groupie ladies, my guess is that the Dad is pretty hunky in addition to being someone who knows how to raise a kid!

 

[Flossbolna]

Flossy...don't let us veteran Groupies get you down. We're just griping and groaning because like so many things in this life, it seems like the "good old days" were always better in some regards. But really, I know that VWL will be a great resort no matter what they call it, and you will have a wonderful stay after your cruise. So much of experiencing life is about the attitude we bring, and I don't want you to start off your stay with disappointment or sadness. I believe it will be an awesome trip for you.

I already know our December stay at VWL will be amazing. The VWL decorations, the music and the Big Honkin' Groupie Meet will make it a tremendous trip!

And what the heck, at least they brought back our Mickey topiary!

Thanks! We are all set to do our best to ignore the construction! I had a trip with freakishly cold and rainy weather and pool refurb at AKL where we were staying in February 2010 and it is still one of my favorite trips because it was the first time I brought my sister along. I wish we would have been able to not feel like we brought the German winter with us to Florida, but we still made so many wonderful memories that are far more important now to me!

And I am so excited to finally stay at my other home resort (my first contract is the BWV) that I am sure that I will love the trip for all the wonderful aspects of the resort (whatever it will be called) like the direct boat to the MK, the amazing main lobby and the wonderful DVC lobby, the lovely pool, the splurge on a one bedroom for two people, the Christmas decorations, the walking path to Fort Wilderness to go running on - and now the returned Mickey topiary!!

And to a certain extent as a numb it is easier for me to actually be excited about the new stuff coming. The new pool could be really amazing, the new restaurant building at the water front seems to have a lot of potential for a lovely seating area. And who knows, maybe I will even get a chance to book CCV at the 7-month window and get to stay in the lobby building itself. And the beach that was taken away would now have lost all its charm anyway with what they are doing to the beaches all over property right now. So, I feel that this is one loss that does not weigh as much anymore...