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

[sleepydog25]

June is a great time to visit DL Sleepy! I was just thinking I should get my reservation booked. I might end up with some extra points but probably not enough to cover your visit. Ended up with an AP there this year (family got into the races!) and I've gotten quite a few nights at 7 months. Have a Nov stay that was all at 7 months as well as our late June stay. June is one of the more difficult times though but if you're looking at being there during some of the S. Cal blackout dates it gets easier and the larger villas are easier too. When it comes to studios though I find I'm usually using my VGC points. If your flexible I find there's also a fair amount of cancellations and it's possible to pick up villas along the way. Our June stay this year was just that - I checked periodically for cancellations and had a couple of different times I could have gotten in - again, mostly 1 and 2BR's - but that was wanting larger accommodations after some plans changed so a couple of months out. I wouldn't have been too surprised that it would have been available right at 7 months to book.

Thanks for the info, KAT. We're looking at a 1BR, so that should help as I know studios book the quickest, and we're somewhat flexible a week or so either way. We'll keep you informed of what happens. Of course, Luv has already put the date into a countdown calendar.

 

[jimmytammy]

Good Morning Groupies! Our September trip is just around the corner!!!

I've been so busy I'd forgotten I had a waitlist request for the night I added after I booked. So I'm happy we will be @ BCV for our entire stay.

In other news, I'm super excited because I think both of our sons will be joining us on our September 2018 trip! It's been several years since our oldest and his now wife have joined us. We're actually talking about trying BLT, but not sure what we'll decide.

Lastly, is it too early to discuss the BHGM (part 3???) perhaps we can call it BHGM December! There are many of us at the world in December!

That Dec meet is right up our alley!

 

[Starwind]

That Dec meet is right up our alley!

Ours, too !!

SW

 

[sleepydog25]

Sounds to me as though someone might ought to be thinking about setting up a BHGM 2017 Edition. The best bets seem to be between early 2-8 Dec and then another meet would be possible between the 9-15 Dec. Wish we could make it!

 

[ErinC]

Wish we were going in December so that we could meet some of you, but I think I'll be sticking to our spring break April trip. DD who will be 18 this weekend mentioned she would like to do one of the extra tours at the world. DH and I did Keys to the Kingdom several years ago and loved it. She mentioned that she would like to do the one at AK that is around the safari. Anyone have experience with that tour? I know it's pretty pricey so I'm not sure we would spring for the whole family to do it. It would be part of hr graduation trip so it's sort of a special occasion.
School starts tomorrow. My baby will start high school, my middle will start her senior year, and the oldest will go back to college to finish her last semester. Not sure where the time goes...

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hoping to make the December meet, too!

 

[DiznyDi]

Happy trip planning Sleepy! Someday DDad and I will venture to Disneyland. I would really like to stay at the Grand Californian.

Yay Corinne! On all accounts; your waitlist coming through for you and that you'll have your whole family together. BLT is nice. When our daughter and I travel, we try for BLT and have been successful. We're always booking less than 7 months out.

DDad and I are most certainly up for a December meet! Oh boy!

JT - when is your grandbaby due? Seems it should be soon.

Thanks sleepy for your updates to page 1. It looks very nice! (Even the monkey )

 

[jimmytammy]

JT - when is your grandbaby due? Seems it should be soon.

I am happy to announce Rafe James Jordan was born yesterday at 1:35 pm!!!!!! Kristian was having some health concerns that merited her being admitted Sun. night to UNC hospital. She was induced and immediately began contractions around 10 pm. He is one month premature so he has been in the NICU since being born. Last night was scary as he was having trouble breathing and stopped a few times. But the NIC unit took good care of him, and with God laying His healing hands upon him and those administering to him, Rafe is doing good! Mom is better now as well and can't wait to hold him for more than a brief moment.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Now back from a short business trip and with time to saunter thru my favorite thread; I am so pleased with the addition on page 1 by Sleepy concerning our memories of Ranger Stan. We were lucky enough to sit with his "Main Squeeze" for a Groupie meet a number of years ago. I know she saw us appreciating her husband, and possible just couldn't understand why, other than she knew he was a great guy. During that Groupie meet, he asked us all what we thought he did before he retired. Most of us knew he was a bus driver at Ft. Wilderness before the lodge was built, and asked to change it up during construction and become a Ranger at the Lodge. But a number of professions were thrown out there until he had to reveal what he did. Stan was a welder in the ship yards. Hard, hot work; the kind that one must keep your concentration focused on what you are doing.

Sorry, I just thought I would share that to fill out the details for some that missed the opportunity to know Stan. (Jimmy - please correct me if necessary)

Thanks Sleepy. It brought a tear to my eye.

 

[Dizny Dad]

I am happy to announce Rafe James Jordan was born yesterday at 1:35 pm!!!!!! Kristian was having some health concerns that merited her being admitted Sun. night to UNC hospital. She was induced and immediately began contractions around 10 pm. He is one month premature so he has been in the NICU since being born. Last night was scary as he was having trouble breathing and stopped a few times. But the NIC unit took good care of him, and with God laying His healing hands upon him and those administering to him, Rafe is doing good! Mom is better now as well and can't wait to hold him for more than a brief moment.

Wow, Grand Pa! Congratulations to you and all, and give Grand Ma a hug from all of us. And of course, give a big hug to Kristian for us all.

Yes, the NICU will take good care of Rafe James. And YES, God has a plan for Rafe.

 

[TCRAIG]

I am happy to announce Rafe James Jordan was born yesterday at 1:35 pm!!!!!! Kristian was having some health concerns that merited her being admitted Sun. night to UNC hospital. She was induced and immediately began contractions around 10 pm. He is one month premature so he has been in the NICU since being born. Last night was scary as he was having trouble breathing and stopped a few times. But the NIC unit took good care of him, and with God laying His healing hands upon him and those administering to him, Rafe is doing good! Mom is better now as well and can't wait to hold him for more than a brief moment.

CONGRADULATIONS!! And prayers for the continued good health for both Kristian and baby Rafe!!

 

[sleepydog25]

I am happy to announce Rafe James Jordan was born yesterday at 1:35 pm!!!!!! He is one month premature so he has been in the NICU since being born.

Congrats, JT! My oldest was born 9 weeks early and stayed in the NICU for over a month. Now, she is married, has two kids of her own, has a PsyD which she uses at a nearby college, is 5' 9" tall, and looks like a model. I'm sure the next few weeks will be exciting, so enjoy!

Now back from a short business trip and with time to saunter thru my favorite thread; I am so pleased with the addition on page 1 by Sleepy concerning our memories of Ranger Stan. We were lucky enough to sit with his "Main Squeeze" for a Groupie meet a number of years ago. I know she saw us appreciating her husband, and possible just couldn't understand why, other than she knew he was a great guy. During that Groupie meet, he asked us all what we thought he did before he retired. Most of us knew he was a bus driver at Ft. Wilderness before the lodge was built, and asked to change it up during construction and become a Ranger at the Lodge. But a number of professions were thrown out there until he had to reveal what he did. Stan was a welder in the ship yards. Hard, hot work; the kind that one must keep your concentration focused on what you are doing.

Sorry, I just thought I would share that to fill out the details for some that missed the opportunity to know Stan. (Jimmy - please correct me if necessary)

Thanks Sleepy. It brought a tear to my eye.

Thanks for the extra details, Dad. Knowing that about him makes me wish even more we had been able to meet and get to know him better. I think we'll always ensure we never forget Stan on Page 1.

Hmm, maybe they will need some retired AF guy greeting and guiding people in the not too distant future. . .

 

[Granny]

Jimmy...congratulations on the birth of Rafe...our newest VWL Groupie!

​

Prayers going up for his health as well as Kristian's.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I am happy to announce Rafe James Jordan was born yesterday at 1:35 pm!!!!!! Kristian was having some health concerns that merited her being admitted Sun. night to UNC hospital. She was induced and immediately began contractions around 10 pm. He is one month premature so he has been in the NICU since being born. Last night was scary as he was having trouble breathing and stopped a few times. But the NIC unit took good care of him, and with God laying His healing hands upon him and those administering to him, Rafe is doing good! Mom is better now as well and can't wait to hold him for more than a brief moment.

Welcome new Groupie Rafe!!! And Congratulations to parents and Grandpa and Grandma!!!

I am adding prayers for his continued care and well being. I had a nephew who was born 8 weeks early and spend considerable time in the NIC unit. He's been going strong ever since catching up with the time he needed to get breathing down pat.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Congrats, JT! . . . . . . . . maybe they will need some retired AF guy greeting and guiding people in the not too distant future. . .

I can see you in the Ranger outfit now . . . hmmm; nice knees.

 

[twinklebug]

I am happy to announce Rafe James Jordan was born yesterday at 1:35 pm!!!!!!

Congratulations to Mom, Dad, Grampy & Grams as well as RJ's other grandparents How exciting (and how anxiety producing... Yikes).
Hope the wee little one grows strong fast.

 

[sleepydog25]

I can see you in the Ranger outfit now . . . hmmm; nice knees.

I've been told they look like a monkey's. . .

 

[Corinne]

Congratulations Jimmy & Tammy, and to your beautiful daughter and her husband!!!! Welcome to the world. Baby Rafe James!!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Aww, thanks Groupies!! Y'all are the best, but I have been saying that for many yrs now anyway

Dad mentioned Stans former jobs, and one I remember him speaking about fondly was as a welder. He used to tell me next time you fly over the Aircraft Carrier Kitty Hawk on Soarin, think about him as he welded on that ship when it was being built. And so I did. That was the saddest part for me when they changed the ride recently, to no longer see that

 

[Starwind]

Wish we were going in December so that we could meet some of you, but I think I'll be sticking to our spring break April trip. DD who will be 18 this weekend mentioned she would like to do one of the extra tours at the world. DH and I did Keys to the Kingdom several years ago and loved it. She mentioned that she would like to do the one at AK that is around the safari. Anyone have experience with that tour? I know it's pretty pricey so I'm not sure we would spring for the whole family to do it. It would be part of hr graduation trip so it's sort of a special occasion.
School starts tomorrow. My baby will start high school, my middle will start her senior year, and the oldest will go back to college to finish her last semester. Not sure where the time goes...

Wild Africa Trek ? We did it a few years ago and LOVED it. Highly recommend.

SW