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

[Dizny Dad]

And in the dark this morning, a familiar soft whisper was heard outside of my closet door; a whisper familiar, but new; a whisper with such hope in the tone; a whisper coming from across the room: . . . . 25 more sleeps. . . . . So the early morning countdown has begun; the drum beat that heralds the coming of a new adventure . . . . . . another Airport TERMINAL experience; no wait; I think it was referring to The Lodge Adventure! Oops. Don't tell DiznyDi I missed the beat . . see you all then.

 

[horselover]

I'm a little jealous of the upcoming groupie meet. It's been a long time since a groupie meet has worked out timing wise for us. Most of you seem to go early Dec. & we're still on the over Christmas break schedule. We want pictures!

Sly - you're lucky you live close enough to drive. 22-23 hours in a car is just not that appealing to me when I can jump on a plane & be on the ground in under 3 hours.

I really think I need that grumpy mug from Granny's profile. That was found in the mercantile if I remember from the original poster correct? We're not at the Lodge for Christmas but it's a short boat ride away. I won't be able to stay away. I need to see those 2 beautiful trees if nothing else. They may have killed the outside for me but those trees are still the best on property IMO.

 

[sleepydog25]

Sly - you're lucky you live close enough to drive. 22-23 hours in a car is just not that appealing to me when I can jump on a plane & be on the ground in under 3 hours.

Yeah, I'm sure we'd fly most of the time, as well, if it was such a long drive. We're lucky to be half that time. We usually leave after work on any given trip, driving 6-7 hours to a Slydog Certified Stop®.* Though we get in late to the stop, we're still up and hitting the road NLT 7 so that we're hitting WDW by 10:30 or so. Beyond the cost of the plane ticket (usually in excess of $200 each), the cattle call aspect of flying coach, and the fact that no direct flights are offered from the closest airport (Charlotte, which is nearly 2 hours away), the hassle of driving, parking, hauling bags, and then spending hours in airports isn't appealing. For us, the total time we'd spend to get from our house to WDW via the airlines and ME is at least 8 hours, usually a bit more. We can drive down and back for under $200 including the hotel room (we drive straight back). Luv flies when she's on her trips without me, however.

 

[horselover]

Yeah, I'm sure we'd fly most of the time, as well, if it was such a long drive. We're lucky to be half that time. We usually leave after work on any given trip, driving 6-7 hours to a Slydog Certified Stop®.* Though we get in late to the stop, we're still up and hitting the road NLT 7 so that we're hitting WDW by 10:30 or so. Beyond the cost of the plane ticket (usually in excess of $200 each), the cattle call aspect of flying coach, and the fact that no direct flights are offered from the closest airport (Charlotte, which is nearly 2 hours away), the hassle of driving, parking, hauling bags, and then spending hours in airports isn't appealing. For us, the total time we'd spend to get from our house to WDW via the airlines and ME is at least 8 hours, usually a bit more. We can drive down and back for under $200 including the hotel room (we drive straight back). Luv flies when she's on her trips without me, however.

I think you're very lucky. I wish I did live close enough to drive. It would save not only on airfare but car rental fees as well. I always have a car. It's a control freak thing. I can't stand to feel like I'm trapped somewhere. If I want to go I want to go NOW! I also agree on flying coach. I made the mistake of flying first class to LA for the NZ trip. I got a good rate & we'd never flown first class before. Big mistake! I never want to fly coach again. It's a good thing it's not an option on Southwest.

 

[Granny]

When we took my daughters, we drove the trip from St. Louis to Orlando every time. It's almost exactly 1,000 miles door to door and since we lose an hour going east, the trip ends up taking about 16 hours. Since the past few trips have just been Mrs. Granny and I, we have gone the airlines route. I have to say, it will be hard to go back to driving! With the ease of a non-stop flight, MDE and Owner's Locker....well, it just makes it so darn easy to pack and get there this way.

I think if we ever have grandkids, Mrs. Granny & I will still fly ahead to "get things ready" for the young 'uns. Yeah, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[sleepydog25]

I think you're very lucky. I wish I did live close enough to drive. It would save not only on airfare but car rental fees as well. I always have a car. It's a control freak thing. I can't stand to feel like I'm trapped somewhere. If I want to go I want to go NOW! I also agree on flying coach. I made the mistake of flying first class to LA for the NZ trip. I got a good rate & we'd never flown first class before. Big mistake! I never want to fly coach again. It's a good thing it's not an option on Southwest.

I've flown 1st class a couple of times, though not in many years, and it was wonderful. Of course, back when I did it, you could upgrade to 1st class for not a ton more money if there were extra seats available. I just read an article stating United has announced their cheapest fares will now not allow for any overhead bags--carry-ons have to fit under the seat and those fares won't be allowed to reserve seats until you get to the check-in counter, so families might not be sitting together.

 

[horselover]

I've flown 1st class a couple of times, though not in many years, and it was wonderful. Of course, back when I did it, you could upgrade to 1st class for not a ton more money if there were extra seats available. I just read an article stating United has announced their cheapest fares will now not allow for any overhead bags--carry-ons have to fit under the seat and those fares won't be allowed to reserve seats until you get to the check-in counter, so families might not be sitting together.

I hate United. Not that any of the legacy US carriers are that great but I really don't like United.

 

[sleepydog25]

I hate United. Not that any of the legacy US carriers are that great but I really don't like United.

Of course, if this works to increase the profit margin, the other carriers won't be far behind except for maybe Southwest and a couple other smaller airlines. I think they should just have people standing, hanging onto straps like a subway car for short hops. I suspect if they could get that by congress they'd do it. . .

 

[LynJ]

Well...it took a little longer than expected due to slow international mail with the seller's paperwork, but...

I can now officially join you all! We now own our own little piece of VWL! Wahoo! Deed recorded today.

 

[DiznyDi]

Hi Muush! I think your trip is just around the corner. What a nice family gathering this will be. Enjoy. So glad the 'mixer' thing got straightened out and yours is packed ready to go.

Congratulations Kathy on being a great grandmother. Nothing puts a big smile on your face like having a new baby in the family. Hi to Katie, too.

What? More Groupies are coming to the BHGM? Wonderful! We're going have quite a crowd.

Many thanks for the current pictures. The construction is moving right along. Aside from the construction, I'm with Julie and can't wait to see the beautifully decorated trees. Ah yes, the Christmas season is soon upon us.

Welcome Home LynJ! Congratulations on having your little piece of peace and serenity. Do you have your first trip home planned?

Flying vs driving: DDad and I have always flown. Hard to beat a direct, be there in 2 hr flight. We do expect to drive though once Rich retires.

 

[Dizny Dad]

WELCOME HOME LynJ !

 

[Dizny Dad]

As to the Airline discussion . . . hating United, South West, Delta, Etc., , Yeah, it is so easy to do. My experiences have shown me that the US domestic carriers are indeed the worst experience one can have in the air. Now there are always exceptions, like the time I flew on a tail dragger out of San Pedro Sula, Honduras; the window frame had separated from the plane's body and the wind blew in my face while we flew about 6 feet over the water to get to an island off the coast. No problem though, the nice man beside me saw me watching him pray as we took off, he then bowed his head for a moment and reached over and touched my knee. Many thanks to him and his family for that (really). But some of the very best planes and experiences have been on foreign carriers. The domestic airlines in China have proven to be excellent in my experience, not only in new, wonderful airplanes, but in courteous service and amenities, even for the cattle car group. The European carriers also have proven to be wonderful as well. Trump was correct when he stated that our airports are like flying into third world facilities.

We really need to address the country's infrastructure and common courtesy's for each other. Remember what John and Paul said (The apostles? No, the Beatles) All we need is Love.

Ok . . . I'm done now. Sorry.

 

[sleepydog25]

Well...it took a little longer than expected due to slow international mail with the seller's paperwork, but...

I can now officially join you all! We now own our own little piece of VWL! Wahoo! Deed recorded today.

Congrats and welcome home!!

 

[twokats]

LynJ

 

[Muushka]

Hi Muush! I think your trip is just around the corner. What a nice family gathering this will be. Enjoy. So glad the 'mixer' thing got straightened out and yours is packed ready to go.

Congratulations Kathy on being a great grandmother. Nothing puts a big smile on your face like having a new baby in the family. Hi to Katie, too.

What? More Groupies are coming to the BHGM? Wonderful! We're going have quite a crowd.

Many thanks for the current pictures. The construction is moving right along. Aside from the construction, I'm with Julie and can't wait to see the beautifully decorated trees. Ah yes, the Christmas season is soon upon us.

Welcome Home LynJ! Congratulations on having your little piece of peace and serenity. Do you have your first trip home planned?

Flying vs driving: DDad and I have always flown. Hard to beat a direct, be there in 2 hr flight. We do expect to drive though once Rich retires.

Hi Di

Yes, we leave on Friday. It has been probably about 4 years since we stayed at VWL. We are both looking forward to the DVC visit. I don't know if we will go to VWL, after what I see here, I really don't think I'm ready for that shock. We'll see.

I wish we could go to the meet. I'll be there with you all in spirit.

Happy Thanksgiving Groupies!

 

[LynJ]

Welcome Home LynJ! Congratulations on having your little piece of peace and serenity. Do you have your first trip home planned?

Hopefully next Christmas at VWL. We're going to have some previously banked points to spend, so maybe hilton head over a school break if we can beforehand. Haven't stayed at VWL yet, but adore WL, and we're thrilled to own a piece of our own personal serenity. Plus, hubby grew up in a log home, so it's so special for him to have our vacation place be homey to him.

 

[jimmytammy]

Congratulations and Welcome Home LynJ!!!!
Just to clarify, you were already a groupie for sheer love of all things Lodgy Great choice of resort BTW

 

[jimmytammy]

So agree with you Dad on the love loss of domestic airlines. We flew American to Aulani recently and though it was fine, I still feel like they are dollaring us every way we turn. They did the best they could are allowed by corporate to keep us comfortable, but their best in comparison to a recent England flight with a Euro carrier, well their best was a lot better. We do need a reality check in this nation where customer service is concerned. I am glad I have the old days instilled in me when customers, people in general mattered. Why do people(like us) clamor to spend our money at WDW, customer service has got to be a big part of it. We are somewhat spoiled when something doesn't go as we see it should there. But its still far better than most companies in US. Publix is another company that values its customer as well as Chick Fil A. Airlines in US could take some Disney Institute lessons for sure

 

[Dizny Dad]

Jimmy - you hit it on the head, just in not so few a words; "I am glad I have the old days instilled in me when customers, people in general mattered." Good customer service starts with us in our dealings with each other. It just may regrow, or at least die more slowly.

 

[Granny]

I have to agree with the general service decline of many industries. But honestly, we in America have only ourselves to blame. We have made so many purchase decisions based solely on price that all the major retailers and service providers have had to focus on driving costs down. Call it the "WalMart Syndrome". We love the cheap items and cheap airfare. Would the general population pay more for goods and services if better customer service were provided? Current history shows that no, we wouldn't. Same way that we are not willing to pay more for goods made in the USA.

Businesses exist to make profits. And none of them have a policy of providing poor customer service. But we are so price driven in this country, we have left very little for them to work with. That's why it's so refreshing to travel Southwest Airlines or patronize some businesses that still show good customer service. But in general, the people of this country have voted with their wallet and the message is clear..."we don't care where it is made or how you treat me, just get it to me for a low, low price."

None of this makes the current business interaction any more fun to deal with. And obviously I have over-generalized my comments. But how many of us would choose an airline that cost $100 more per trip if they had better customer service than anyone else?

Okay, I'm off that soapbox now.