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

[sleepydog25]

Agree with each of you re: customer service. The primary shift in focus the past three+ decades has been away from creating a product or service that would attract more, newer customers to keep the company's bottom line healthy toward cutting services (frequently through dumping large segments of the work force which by its very act usually means less response to customers' needs) in order to increase profit margins that impress stockholders. Disney is as guilty as the next large corporation, only they had a better reputation to begin and they've not quite reached the threshold of customer dissatisfaction that would hurt them. Yet. Other companies aren't so fortunate. We will almost always pay a little more to have better service, and we tend to eschew companies with terrible reputations. Starbucks is a good example of the former (I know some despise them lol). Their rewards program works great; they're a generally socially responsible company; and they stand behind what they sell. Do we pay a little extra for our lattes? Yes. Do we mind? No. Sadly, I believe the genie to be out of the bag in terms of poor customer service except for the occasional outliers such as Costco, Starbucks, et. al. Disney? It remains to be seen if they can tiptoe the fine line to which they've committed themselves.

 

[Dizny Dad]

I think we may be seeing the advent of the brick and mortar stores. How many of us are guilty of being "finger Printers", then run home and buying it on "the net" because it is cheaper with free shipping? Yes, I am guilty of that, in some cases, but I love to frequent our M&P shops, not just because they offer customer service, but to try to slow down the demise of our local shops and economy. It is hard to stop a tsunami, but we can try.

But, hey, have you seen the latest virtual reality Disney World vacation? You don't have to leave home, suffer the airlines, long car rides, long queue waits; all the stuff that is crappy is gone! And our Lodge can be made into what ever year you want it to be! No more Boulder Ridge or Copper Creek decisions! And the hot tub can be yours, alone! Make it your vacation! Just your family, good ol' Humphrey, and the Lodge as Stan left it!

 

[Flossbolna]

But how many of us would choose an airline that cost $100 more per trip if they had better customer service than anyone else?

Maybe not $100, but $50 yes I would. When flying to WDW from Germany I always shop around for deals. But there are a few airlines that I would not book with even when the flight was slightly cheaper. Actually around $100 is when I will consider a less customer oriented airline over one that is better in my opinion. On such a long flight it really does matter if your flight attendants are friendly and will give you as much water as you want.

 

[Muushka]

I think we may be seeing the advent of the brick and mortar stores. How many of us are guilty of being "finger Printers", then run home and buying it on "the net" because it is cheaper with free shipping? Yes, I am guilty of that, in some cases, but I love to frequent our M&P shops, not just because they offer customer service, but to try to slow down the demise of our local shops and economy. It is hard to stop a tsunami, but we can try.

But, hey, have you seen the latest virtual reality Disney World vacation? You don't have to leave home, suffer the airlines, long car rides, long queue waits; all the stuff that is crappy is gone! And our Lodge can be made into what ever year you want it to be! No more Boulder Ridge or Copper Creek decisions! And the hot tub can be yours, alone! Make it your vacation! Just your family, good ol' Humphrey, and the Lodge as Stan left it!

Stan.....sigh....

I'm guilty too, DDad, of being the perpetual bargain hunter. But sometimes, if the store is a good one, I do bite the bullet and pay a little more for the item, but that is rare.

We are heading down tomorrow AM. Thank you everyone for all of your insight and help! Happy Thanksgiving

Muushka and Mr. Muush

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

But, hey, have you seen the latest virtual reality Disney World vacation? You don't have to leave home, suffer the airlines, long car rides, long queue waits; all the stuff that is crappy is gone! And our Lodge can be made into what ever year you want it to be! No more Boulder Ridge or Copper Creek decisions! And the hot tub can be yours, alone! Make it your vacation! Just your family, good ol' Humphrey, and the Lodge as Stan left it!

Now that is a future I hope never to see. I may praise Amazon for its convenience but I'm still old fashioned when it comes to customer service. I work in insurance and I think at least my industry will see a swing back to agents vs 1-800 numbers and 24hr a day insurance buying online. I just hope it's sooner than later.

 

[twokats]

Stan.....sigh....

I'm guilty too, DDad, of being the perpetual bargain hunter. But sometimes, if the store is a good one, I do bite the bullet and pay a little more for the item, but that is rare.

We are heading down tomorrow AM. Thank you everyone for all of your insight and help! Happy Thanksgiving

Muushka and Mr. Muush

Y'all have a very safe trip and a wonderful time.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Y'all have a very safe trip and a wonderful time.

Adding our good wishes to these!
Bobbi and Tom

 

[jimmytammy]

Another Mom n Pop supporter here. I seek out the local vs. chains in eats, stores, etc.
Dad, I like the virtual WDW idea, lets all go!

 

[Granny]

Virtual WDW? Glad they finally caught up to us...we've had a virtual VWL on these boards for quite a while!

Pull up a rocker and sit a spell. Later on we'll go on a bison topiary hunt!

 

[sleepydog25]

Virtual WDW? Glad they finally caught up to us...we've had a virtual VWL on these boards for quite a while!

Pull up a rocker and sit a spell. Later on we'll go on a bison topiary hunt!

I'm ready for the topiary hunt, Granny! While we're at it, can we go geese hunting, as well?

 

[jimmytammy]

Lets include tree hunting while we are it

 

[Granny]

In the grand tradition of WildernessDad...






One for each night of my current countdown to VWL!

I just might have to change my avatar!

 

[pmaurer74]

I saw pix that the tree was going up this morning.

 

[jimmytammy]

16 More Sleeps!!!!!
Sorry folks, can't contain my excitement, its been way too long since our last visit.
Especially excited to see our groupie friends from the past, and meeting some new ones
And the way its working out, we will be visiting the Lodge...TWICE!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

pmaurer74
Thanks for reporting in on the tree, where is my like button
L
IK
ELI
KELI
KELIK
ELIKEL
IKELIKE
LIKELIKE
LIKELIKEL
IKELIKELIK
ELIKELIKELI
KELIKELIKELI
KELIKELIKELIK
ELIKELIKELIKEL
IKELIKELIKELIKE
LIKE

There it is, finally found it

 

[Granny]

Very impressive, Jimmy....I like it!

 

[sleepydog25]

Nice job, JT! Sadly, we won't be there this Christmas nor the next. Hoping to get there in 2018 for a long stay. Sigh.

 

[twinklebug]

I hear you Sly... no Disney holidays for us either, and my sister is no help as she texted me an image of a discount code she was mailed asking when we're returning. At the moment, our next trip is not even bookable.

Time is approaching for making Holiday 2017 plans soon. Though I have gifted my 2017 points to my son, he has no idea when they'll be able to use them ... so ... I think it might be a great chance to see the new Pandora land in AK (opening Summer 2017) and soak up some holiday spirit.

When's our 2017 Groupie meet? Am I getting ahead of ourselves here?

 

[sleepydog25]

I hear you Sly... no Disney holidays for us either, and my sister is no help as she texted me an image of a discount code she was mailed asking when we're returning. At the moment, our next trip is not even bookable.

Time is approaching for making Holiday 2017 plans soon. Though I have gifted my 2017 points to my son, he has no idea when they'll be able to use them ... so ... I think it might be a great chance to see the new Pandora land in AK (opening Summer 2017) and soak up some holiday spirit.

When's our 2017 Groupie meet? Am I getting ahead of ourselves here?

It's never too soon to start planning! I believe there will a few Groupies at the World with connecting dates in May:
twokats 1-10 VWL
DiznyDi & Dad 5-14 AKL-Club and SSR
Granny 4-11 VWL
Sleepydog & Luv 6-13 VWL
bobbiwoz 10-13 BCV

I feel a mini-meet coming on!

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

VWL photos today