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

[Suzabella]

I will continue going to WDW, I will continue buying AP's but will be more selective about how often we will buy. I find myself being more content to not be in the parks, it almost secondary now.

I do remind myself to be glad I am a DVCer because it still affords me some really nice accommodations that I would be spending a small fortune on if paying cash.

Agree 100%! We have stayed at VWL/BRV and not done a park at all. We're just content to find a quiet spot with a good book and a cuppa. For us, we know we wouldn't be there without DVC.

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . . I find myself being more content to not be in the parks, its almost secondary now . . . . . . . . . .

Funny how that happens after a decade or so . . . . I, too, find a few days enjoying a slower pace; visiting other resorts, relaxing at the pool, napping in the Carolwood Pacific Room, shopping (of course), and just letting the hustle of the Parks pass me by. Gee, sounds like "Vacation"!

 

[ottawagreg]

We, too, remember the excitement of getting our contracts. Congrats, again! As for the tipping point, unless (I should say until) the next recession, Disney is likely safe. They've added so many events and new builds that it will keep attendance up and crowds heavy which was/is their intent. At some point, because it always does, the economy will slacken, and then Disney may have to dream up some new ways to entice visitors since I don't know that at the current (and future) price points they'll be able to drive in new patrons. But, that's not my worry. Like you, we'll continue to go but we are done with APs unless we get FL resident ones some day, and our park days now consists of a few hours vice all day. We have DVC, so we'll continue to stay onsite, but we've already begun to spend our discretionary funds elsewhere.

Hello everyone. I’m sitting in a rocker at the spring inside WL lobby. Waiting for my daughter n nephew to join me. Taking them to the TTC to drop them at monorail for Epcot express. Then onto Publix one more time.

Reading thru the threads regarding tix price and crowds. I upgraded our AP to platinum so we can get in at blackout days that this Christmas. This will me my last AP for awhile. It expires in 01/20. We arrived 06/28 and have had four days in parks. All except Epcot. From my experience the crowd size has been way down from what we are used to (40% or more). Today it may be more crowded, and by tomorrow thru Saturday I would expect it to be crushing. I mentioned to my wife that perhaps the rise in prices maybe having intended affect to thin crowds. Very pleasant touring the parks. Except for the heat of course. 110*F index today, although we have suffered thru worse.

Happy n safe Independence Day to all.

Greg

 

[Suzabella]

So jealous, Greg! If I put on my VWL Pandora, light my VWL candle and close my eyes....nope. Not close enough to the real thing.

Have a great trip!

 

[ErinC]

Congratulations Suzabella! So exciting to use those points for the first time. I think our first points usage was to trade in for a Disney Cruise. We were a family of 4 then. Paid with points for 3 of us and the under 3 squirt cost me $99. Was so excited to do the 4 day cruise. Probably had no idea that it wasn't that great of a value at the time. I just knew that we probably wouldn't have been able to do the cruise otherwise.

I've been spending way too many hours on the computer planning this Europe trip for next spring. I'm one of those people that have the most difficult time making decisions. I research and research and just have to plan every second. The whole renting a car in a foreign country is really throwing me for a loop. We are car people, and most of these car brands and names I haven't a clue what they are. I have to make sure what I rent will be big enough for DH's bike.

I agree with many of you that I love just having some time at the resort. That's one reason I've always loved having an AP. I like to go to the parks each day, but we may only be there for a few hours. We usually go in, use our fastpasses, maybe eat, and then we are headed somewhere else. If I'm "forced' to settle for hoppers in the next few years, I hate the thought of blowing a day on my ticket with our touring style. I'll feel like I've got to spend the whole day in the park to get my monies worth.

 

[ottawagreg]

So jealous, Greg! If I put on my VWL Pandora, light my VWL candle and close my eyes....nope. Not close enough to the real thing.

Have a great trip!

It will be real before you know it. Congratulations on your DVC purchase. Seven or eight years for us now. No regrets. Wishing you all the best

 

[Corinne]

I was thrilled to see NPH will be the Narrator for the first 4 days of our December trip. I had forgotten I could book the CP dinner package a day early as a DVC member. I attempted to book online this morning and received error messages. I called the main number, waited for over 40 minutes (the stated wait time was 2 hours - why didn’t I just hang up immediately???) I gave up and decided to call member services when they opened, (which is what I should have done to begin with!) I only waited 16 minutes and got a reservation. I am annoyed with myself but trying not to beat myself up too much.

Anyway, super excited to see NPH.

 

[TCRAIG]

We’ll be there for Gary Sinise - got him and Via Napoli late yesterday by calling Member Services - in all our years of Disney December trips - we’ve never gone to CP - I’m really excited!

 

[Corinne]

We’ll be there for Gary Sinise - got him and Via Napoli late yesterday by calling Member Services - in all our years of Disney December trips - we’ve never gone to CP - I’m really excited!

Oh Tricia, Gary Sinise! I hope to be able to see him narrate one day. Via Napoli is usually where we dine for CP, it’s the perfect location and one of our favorites, but this year I switched it up and chose breakfast at Ale and Compass. Logistically it probably wasn’t a great idea! Hahaha

 

[jimmytammy]

We got Gary Sinise for the 13th. Tried getting Rose N Crown but all booked up, so was able to secure Nine Dragons. We are ok with that as we are amongst the weird that actually like Nine Dragons.

Looking forward to seeing him. Captain D and I saw him a few years ago at Olivias eating with his wife and a child/teen. He was sitting in the little outside area just across from the main lobby at OKW. We went into the store and as we passed by, I told Casey it was him. Casey didn't believe me(I have a lot of celebrity sitings at WDW and half the time my family shrugs it off like I am seeing things, its a curse as I recognize certain facial features that make people jump out in a crowd for me)so I proceeded him past him again after leaving the store. He still didn't believe men so we walked by once more and I threatened to holler "Lt. Dan" all to Caseys embarrassment. 3rd times a charm as he finally agreed it was Gary Sinise. I still to this day wish I had hollered Lt. Dan

Had a similar siting at what is now Ale and Compass. Penny Marshall was standing in front of us at the check in but I didn't see her face, so dint know It was her. She got seated in the middle of the place and asked to be re-seated in a more private area. We passed her by on her way back to the other seating and saw her face to face. Once we sat down I told Tammy and Casey who I just saw. They both doubted me, so I went to wash my hands to walk by and confirm it was her. They still didnt believe me so I threatened to go over and holler in my best Shirley voice, "Hey Laverrnne" much to their begging me not too. Then it hit Tammy, she finally believed me as she remembered the hostess saying, "Ms. Marshall, your table is ready"

Whats a Dad/husband got to do too be believed

 

[Granny]

 

[twinklebug]

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY USA!

 

[DVC Jen]

We’ll be there for Gary Sinise - got him and Via Napoli late yesterday by calling Member Services - in all our years of Disney December trips - we’ve never gone to CP - I’m really excited!

Gary Sinise does a great job. We attended when he narrated a few years ago.

 

[twokats]

View attachment 414187
Hope all groupies are enjoying the 4th!

 

[Corinne]

Jimmy, we’ve had our share of celeb sightings at WDW as well! We’ve seen Dick Clark, Mickey Dolenz, a bunch of pro athletes I could never name, Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz (when they were dating), and Tim Tebow. We also met Robin Roberts one December when they filming for GMA. She came over to speak to me, and posed for a pic...she was beautiful inside and out!

 

[ErinC]

Looks like everyone is having a busy weekend! We are headed to a friend’s baby’s 1st Birthday party. Praying it’s indoors as it’s well over 100 degrees with the heat index today. Booked my Disneyland Paris trip yesterday. Spending lots of time on that forum with those helpful folks. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

 

[PeterPanFan123]

Hi all, as I write this, there is a studio available at VWL for Wednesday, December 4, 2019 on the RAT, in case anyone is looking for it

 

[sleepydog25]

Just back from Hilton Head Island yesterday. Other than two minor annoyances, it was a superb trip. The second picture was our view from the studio in which we stayed the first two nights. The last two shots are from the 2BR we had the final day/night. Both rooms were lovely, so perfectly themed. . .something Disney at the World has seemingly forgotten. We had some superb seafood, including doing our own extravagant version of a Low Country boil in our room on the last night. The CMs were, as always, the very best anywhere to include our own super CMs at the Lodge. If you've never been to HHI, then you can't quite understand how marvelous and genuinely friendly the CMs are on the island; if you have been there, you very much comprehend what I'm saying. The weather was largely cooperative with rain/storms coming in the late afternoons or evenings (it began raining about five minutes after that final picture below). The annoyances you ask? First, the drive back was horrendous. I-95 was a veritable parking lot the entire length, and once we turned onto I-26, it didn't get any better until we hit Columbia. A trip that normally takes us 5 1/2 hours took nearly 2 hours longer. Second, we had our flip-flops stolen at the beach--no, not at the Beach House nor actually on Disney property at all. Every morning, we would head over to Starbucks (there's a new one literally an 8-10 minute walk away), then go over to the beach to walk at sunrise. The first morning, we left our shoes just outside the Disney parking garage at the Beach House--no problem. The second morning, we left them tucked back in the shrubbery along the public walkway just past the garage. When we came back after our walk, the flip-flops were gone. Mine were a cheap pair--though I had just bought them the day before--but Luv's were a favored pair she had gotten at least 7 years or so ago that she loved--a Disney pair of Crocs flip-flops. Now, they're but a memory. Sigh. Still, it was a fun, relaxing trip. I'll share more pics as I get time.

Have a great week, Groupies!

 

[Suzabella]

LOVE DHHIR! That is our other 'home'. So sorry about the flip flops. Since it was so early, I wonder if grounds crew thought they were abandoned under the bush. We love the relaxed pace of the low country and try to get there every year. Heading down over Labor Day week but won't be at DVC. We usually head over to the resort at least once for Mickey waffles and just to walk the grounds. We love the theming there and are nervous that Disney will mess with it. And the CMs...they really are part of what makes this resort special! Glad you had a great time!!

 

[sleepydog25]

We have thought about purchasing there so that we wouldn't have issues booking as we have in the past--this was the first time in four tries of getting a room, and even then, it was a one day at a time effort. We got one night in a studio and had a hotel room the other two nights. Weeks later, the 2BR opened and we grabbed it. Finally, a week or two after THAT a studio opened up for the first night, thus our 2 nights in studio and last night in 2BR stay. No grounds crew on the flip-flops, just our stupidity in leaving them visible or, even better, not leaving them in the car and walking barefoot from the parking lot. We suspect someone came along--most likely on the way out--saw them, took them. It's our own fault, truly, but annoying nonetheless. We actually tucked them up into the bushes so they wouldn't be immediately visible. Obviously, they weren't as hidden as we thought!

In the past, we've always stayed offsite--twice at the Marriott on the beach and the last time in a rental unit at Palmetto Dunes. Every trip, we headed over to the resort to get a little touch and taste of Disney: walk the grounds, play shuffleboard, visit the pier, and order Mickey waffles. . .which are still made-to-order unlike some other resort(s) that shall remain nameless . Hopefully, Disney won't ruin the theming. For some, perhaps it's a bit dated (after all, it's supposed to look like a 1940s fishing lodge), but we find it lovingly quaint, very clean, and extremely inviting, all of which Disney seems to eschew these days. And, yes, the CMs make the experience even better. They ARE part of the experience. You can't walk by one of them without them saying "Hello! How are you today?" or "Hi! How's your day going? Enjoying yourselves?" You just can't. We'll be 50+ feet away on a different section of a pathway, and a CM loading trash in a Gator will speak to you, "Good morning!" I know it's easier at a smaller resort, but that doesn't discount their marvelous interactions with guests.

Have a great trip over Labor Day! What am I saying? I know you will!