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

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hitting the road bright and early in the AM, should be in WDW area by 4pm

Safe travels and have a great trip!!!

 

[DenLo]

So.....I just discovered the day we are visiting the AK during our whirlwind 'last minute' trip it closes @ 3:30 lol. No matter, we will be departing around that time for the airport. My bigger concern is that we won't be able to enjoy any soft openings because I suspect Pandora will be closed prepping for the media. Guess I have to wait until September to ride Soarin on Steroids

Wow, what day is that? I know they sometimes close DHS for holiday parties or convention gatherings, but I didn't know Disney did that with DAK.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Matty B13 - While waiting on the dock at the Contemporary to pick up a boat to The Lodge, a large boat (ECV capable) came from Ft. Wilderness, docked and announced that it had a change in plans and would not be going to the MK, as they were called back to Ft. Wilderness to pick up an ECV guest. They had all guests going to MK get off (last showing of Wishes - they had to walk fast!). So if push-comes-to-shove (very colloquial, huh?!?) you could contact a CM and request a pick-up, I guess (?). I think Granny was waiting for that same boat to The Lodge and may have more details. Ask at the Concierge Desk, they will accommodate as needed or offer alternatives that we may just not know about; they have in the past for us!

 

[Corinne]

Wow, what day is that? I know they sometimes close DHS for holiday parties or convention gatherings, but I didn't know Disney did that with DAK.

Next Wednesday.

 

[jimmytammy]

Safe travels and have a great trip!!!

Thanks Kathy! We made it safe n sound.

BTW, if anyone is looking for a great place to add on those nights we so frequently find ourselves doing, give the new Springhill Suites at Flamingo Crossings a try. It is on the corner of Western Way(the road that runs close to Coronado Springs)and 429. Its maybe 2 miles from WDW, but no traffic, so very easy to navigate back and forth to WDW. The hotel is really new, has a wonderful breakfast included, a huge pool and prices are very reasonable. We weren't able to snag a value resort for the 2 extra nights on a AP rate, so this worked out great.

 

[DenLo]

Next Wednesday.

I wouldn't be surprised that is a cast party before the opening of Pandora on that weekend.

 

[Granny]

Thanks Kathy! We made it safe n sound.

BTW, if anyone is looking for a great place to add on those nights we so frequently find ourselves doing, give the new Springhill Suites at Flamingo Crossings a try. It is on the corner of Western Way(the road that runs close to Coronado Springs)and 429. Its maybe 2 miles from WDW, but no traffic, so very easy to navigate back and forth to WDW. The hotel is really new, has a wonderful breakfast included, a huge pool and prices are very reasonable. We weren't able to snag a value resort for the 2 extra nights on a AP rate, so this worked out great.

Jimmy...Glad to hear that you made it safely to WDW. And thanks for the tip about Springhill Suites. We haven't stayed offsite for many years now but might be looking into it for next year or 2019 due to some point availability crunches we anticipate. Have another great WDW visit!

 

[jimmytammy]

Jimmy...Glad to hear that you made it safely to WDW. And thanks for the tip about Springhill Suites. We haven't stayed offsite for many years now but might be looking into it for next year or 2019 due to some point availability crunches we anticipate. Have another great WDW visit!

Thanks Granny!

We are headed off to Epcot in awhile. Hoping to catch a bite at the food booths or Sunshine Seasons, haven't decided which yet, probably leaning towards the booths. Hermans Hermits are playing tonight and Sun night, so we will catch one of their shows either way. Eating a bite at Nine Dragons later tonight. Then we move over to Kidani in the AM. Looking forward to that!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I wouldn't be surprised that is a cast party before the opening of Pandora on that weekend.

Or a Marketing/VIP exclusive night. That's what I've seen often at DL just prior to their Grand Opening of things.

 

[ArielSRL]

I wouldn't be surprised that is a cast party before the opening of Pandora on that weekend.

I think it's a press thing.

 

[Seth Paridon]

Got wait listed for December 15-18 at VWL for a studio, and got on the wait list for CCV. What are y'alls experiences with the wait list? Do you ever get the room or is a waste of time?

 

[Dean Marino]

Thanks Kathy! We made it safe n sound.

BTW, if anyone is looking for a great place to add on those nights we so frequently find ourselves doing, give the new Springhill Suites at Flamingo Crossings a try. It is on the corner of Western Way(the road that runs close to Coronado Springs)and 429. Its maybe 2 miles from WDW, but no traffic, so very easy to navigate back and forth to WDW. The hotel is really new, has a wonderful breakfast included, a huge pool and prices are very reasonable. We weren't able to snag a value resort for the 2 extra nights on a AP rate, so this worked out great.

GREAT suggestion for Sandy and I - for the day we get hit with a return flight cancellation . Hey, twice per year, a good 10 years? Statistics says it's going to happen .

This one goes into my "the S*** just hit the fan" WDW emergency plan, on my cellphone . One day, there will be mass weather issues, a general stink (security, strike, war with Hawaii) .... given a little warning, it's best NOT to stay at MCO - everyone else will be trying to .

Oh - also booked BRV at the 11 month mark for 4-2018 . And we have NOT yet taken our 11-2017 vacation .

 

[jimmytammy]

GREAT suggestion for Sandy and I - for the day we get hit with a return flight cancellation . Hey, twice per year, a good 10 years? Statistics says it's going to happen .

This one goes into my "the S*** just hit the fan" WDW emergency plan, on my cellphone . One day, there will be mass weather issues, a general stink (security, strike, war with Hawaii) .... given a little warning, it's best NOT to stay at MCO - everyone else will be trying to .

Oh - also booked BRV at the 11 month mark for 4-2018 . And we have NOT yet taken our 11-2017 vacation .

Glad to be of service Dean

 

[jimmytammy]

In the picture below, where am I? In the 2nd picture Hermans Hermits let this kid get up on stage and perform with them to Henry the VIII. The kid knew all the words too

 

[DenLo]

Got wait listed for December 15-18 at VWL for a studio, and got on the wait list for CCV. What are y'alls experiences with the wait list? Do you ever get the room or is a waste of time?

We have had wait lists for a single night come through. But we haven't tried for a longer period of time.

CCV is new and only a small number of rooms are declared for use by DVC members, so WLs there may be hard to get. It will depend on whether members booked there while they hoping that another wait list for another resort comes through. It they move to another resort then their reservation goes to someone on a wait list if there is a match. Or they could just cancel because the trip fell through and the same process occurs, check the wait list for a match.

 

[Granny]

In the picture below, where am I?

Is that inside Nine Dragons Restaurant at EPCOT?

In the 2nd picture Hermans Hermits let this kid get up on stage and perform with them to Henry the VIII. The kid knew all the words too

That's a great audience interaction! Sounds like you had a good time.

 

[ErinC]

[QUOTE
BTW, if anyone is looking for a great place to add on those nights we so frequently find ourselves doing, give the new Springhill Suites at Flamingo Crossings a try. It is on the corner of Western Way(the road that runs close to Coronado Springs)and 429. Its maybe 2 miles from WDW, but no traffic, so very easy to navigate back and forth to WDW. The hotel is really new, has a wonderful breakfast included, a huge pool and prices are very reasonable. We weren't able to snag a value resort for the 2 extra nights on a AP rate, so this worked out great.[/QUOTE]

Good info. Sometimes we roll in really late and I don't want to waste DVC points checking in that late. I noticed the hotel when we drove down in April. Would be super close without too much traffic.

5 more days til school is out and this teacher gets summer break! Love hearing about all your trips and seeing your pictures. Thanks for sharing!

 

[ArielSRL]

5 more days til school is out and this teacher gets summer break!

Same here! Then we have a week before we check into WVL!

 

[ErinC]

Same here! Then we have a week before we check into WVL!

I'm so jealous of you! I think I'm spending all my road trips chauffeuring DD 17 to all her activities this summer. Wish one of those trips was to Disney. Our two days in April were just not enough!

 

[WhoDatDisney]

Thanks Kathy! We made it safe n sound.

BTW, if anyone is looking for a great place to add on those nights we so frequently find ourselves doing, give the new Springhill Suites at Flamingo Crossings a try. It is on the corner of Western Way(the road that runs close to Coronado Springs)and 429. Its maybe 2 miles from WDW, but no traffic, so very easy to navigate back and forth to WDW. The hotel is really new, has a wonderful breakfast included, a huge pool and prices are very reasonable. We weren't able to snag a value resort for the 2 extra nights on a AP rate, so this worked out great.

Thx for tip

We are heading to VWL for TG and driving this year secondary to outrageous cost of flights

Was planning on leaving Friday evening and driving to Lake City and spend night before heading rest of way back

This way we can spend all night at the park and have a close place to sleep before heading home