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

[ErinC]

Getting my much needed Disney fix watching Josh and Jenna with their dad livestreaming at the Villians party tonight. Seems to be very cold there.

It is cold, but the wind is bitter. Gusts up to 25mph today. Just got back from the outlets, had to buy extra layers for the race tomorrow. Last year I was so paranoid about the heat doing me in, I prayed to God for colder weather, so this is ALL my fault! I really do run better in cooler weather, but this wind is a lot to take.

 

[twinklebug]

It is cold, but the wind is bitter. Gusts up to 25mph today. Just got back from the outlets, had to buy extra layers for the race tomorrow. Last year I was so paranoid about the heat doing me in, I prayed to God for colder weather, so this is ALL my fault! I really do run better in cooler weather, but this wind is a lot to take.

Hoping the wind dies down for you and all the runners!

 

[sleepydog25]

Happy Weekend Groupies! Does Disney still send those little booklets with important dates when you book? I have trips planned in May and September and haven’t received anything.

You get a small little fold-over that includes your dates, location, and party name/size. Beyond that, not much else anymore.

 

[jimmytammy]

I generally have no expectations for the "next" Disney trip. I especially never expect to experience anything new; I'll let the Disney Ninjas and rude one-timers pack the lines, and enjoy the feature after a few seasons. (Granny - "We know we'll be back")

I enjoy the trips because it means I can give 95% of my attention to DiznyDi, and have 95% of DiznyDi's attention, too! We all have those routine interruptions in our relationships that are a necessity to maintain our chosen lifestyle (work, family, hobbies). But when in The World those are, for the most part, left behind. One can focus better on the relationship. It's not the rides or adventures that the magic brings for me, it is the time we get to spend together.

I love the way you put this into words. Our upcoming trip, we know its going to be crowded, and we dont care. Its about being there together, in the moment. We often miss the forest for the trees.

I read this to Tammy and teared up as I did, realizing myself, that too often, all I see is the trees. Its time to view the forest once more. Thanks Dad for the reminder

 

[Corinne]

You get a small little fold-over that includes your dates, location, and party name/size. Beyond that, not much else anymore.

Hi Sleepy, thanks for the response - that is what I am referring to! I know it isn’t much, but I do like it. I haven’t received one for our May trip which was booked in December, so I assume I am not going to get it! I also just booked September, and I wanted to give it to my son and dil if I do receive it!

PS~ trip dates coming your way!

 

[sleepydog25]

Hi Sleepy, thanks for the response - that is what I am referring to! I know it isn’t much, but I do like it. I haven’t received one for our May trip which was booked in December, so I assume I am not going to get it! I also just booked September, and I wanted to give it to my son and dil if I do receive it!

PS~ trip dates coming your way!

Yeah, those little reminders seem to get later and later each trip, but they do still come. I'll post your dates when I get'em!

 

[Corinne]

Wow Groupies, time to start planning your 2020 trips! Was just checking out page one and it’s pretty sparse!🏔⛩🛤

 

[sleepydog25]

Wow Groupies, time to start planning your 2020 trips! Was just checking out page one and it’s pretty sparse!🏔⛩🛤

And a few of you have sent me updates! It's always cool to see the plans folks are making. In other news, not only did I update the Page 1 trips, I finally got around to replacing the pictures on the Intro Page. Most are the same. A few changed. I also altered the verbiage to reflect things such as CCV not being so new anymore.

We finally have two sunny days in a row, albeit cold ones, but we're just happy to see sun. Naturally, it will rain tomorrow--the first day my girls' varsity tennis team is allowed to practice. Yep, tennis season is upon me, and because I don't have enough going on in my life teaching, I'm coaching these girls again this year. I have a few returning starters including the state champ in our 1A division. She's going for a repeat in singles. Oh, and because I'm a glutton for punishment, I further agreed to direct the spring production again this year, so we're in the middle of rehearsals for that. It's called ALMOST, MAINE, and is a delightful, humorous, poignant, and at times mystical treatment of love and relationships. Finally, because I really must hate having free time, I'm cast in local production of a historical play written by a man whose significant other is none other than Beth Henley, the Pulitzer-winning playwright who penned Crimes of the Heart. Frank Levering is his name, and we've been friends now for a couple of years, so he likes to cast me in things he writes. I think I need a break before all this begins to fill all my days.

THUS. . .
Seven more days here and counting, or as some of you like to note, seven more sleeps until the World! Have a good rest of your weekend, Groupies!

 

[ErinC]

Finished the 10k yesterday and the half marathon today. Enjoyed a few minutes in the hot tub today. Saturday was really cold, but sunny. Today was cool this morning for the run (53 degrees) but is beautiful now. Our room is in great shape, third floor on the short hall, facing the pool. I would be napping, but housekeeping is next door cleaning and it’s loud! Sounds like they are continually slamming cabinet doors for fun! Oh well, maybe I’ll get sleep tonight. Two 3:00 am wake ups on vacation is rough for this girl. My other oh so important question/announcement... when did VWL go back to this awful toilet paper?
I remember awhile back when we were all so excited about the change to Cottonelle. This stuff is awful! Did I miss the memo where DVC switched to sandpaper to save money?

 

[GGGT]

Finished the 10k yesterday and the half marathon today. Enjoyed a few minutes in the hot tub today. Saturday was really cold, but sunny. Today was cool this morning for the run (53 degrees) but is beautiful now. Our room is in great shape, third floor on the short hall, facing the pool. I would be napping, but housekeeping is next door cleaning and it’s loud! Sounds like they are continually slamming cabinet doors for fun! Oh well, maybe I’ll get sleep tonight. Two 3:00 am wake ups on vacation is rough for this girl. My other oh so important question/announcement... when did VWL go back to this awful toilet paper?
I remember awhile back when we were all so excited about the change to Cottonelle. This stuff is awful! Did I miss the memo where DVC switched to sandpaper to save money?

Great job on the 10K! Now, relax and enjoy the remainder of your trip.
Erin: "Note to Self" - Must remember to bring my own toilet paper!

 

[twinklebug]

Finished the 10k yesterday and the half marathon today. Enjoyed a few minutes in the hot tub today. Saturday was really cold, but sunny. Today was cool this morning for the run (53 degrees) but is beautiful now. Our room is in great shape, third floor on the short hall, facing the pool. I would be napping, but housekeeping is next door cleaning and it’s loud! Sounds like they are continually slamming cabinet doors for fun! Oh well, maybe I’ll get sleep tonight. Two 3:00 am wake ups on vacation is rough for this girl. My other oh so important question/announcement... when did VWL go back to this awful toilet paper?
I remember awhile back when we were all so excited about the change to Cottonelle. This stuff is awful! Did I miss the memo where DVC switched to sandpaper to save money?

Awesome job on the 10K, those early wake ups are so tough.
I noticed the TP issue over at AKL, staying hotel side in December. It's funny, but one of the things that sold me on DVC was the fact that they use normal TP. I think it's across the board that they've cheapened the product, not just DVC.

 

[sleepydog25]

Congrats, Erin! I know what it's like to finish a race (or races), and your body is tired but mentally you feel accomplished. Way to go!

As for the TP, yes, it's terrible everywhere. In December, we found the same, forgive the pun, crappy TP at every resort and park, and even at Disney Springs. Honestly, I'd rather pay an extra few cents in dues to have good TP. I find it laughable when Disney claims to be a deluxe experience when they can't even buy toilet paper that's any better than a seedy motel.

 

[TCRAIG]

We bring our own TP - life is too short for cheap TP!

 

[jimmytammy]

Love the new photos Sleepy! Thanks for updating them. And the shot of the champagne glass in the AP window, nice touch. We can hold tight to the past as the present and future change around us. Its "the good ol days" that bring back the fond memories and we all have them. WL/VWL changed now in what seems now overnight recently, and some of the change was a plus, mainly Geyser Pt, though I miss the beach and nature trail areas, GP was a much needed add. But many other things that have gone by the way, not so great. So having the pics of the glass in AP, and Stan, is ok. It helps us hang onto the memories as we look ahead.

 

[jimmytammy]

Congrats Erin!!! Tammy used to do the half(though I think she still would love to do again)and has tried to get me involved to no avail. I may try to brave it someday, maybe in retirement.
The TP issue, yes, its a dilemma. Thanks to owners locker, we keep a few rolls of choice handy.

 

[rkstocke5609]

I’ll add (to the TP issue) that the MF increase we saw last year should have more than covered premium triple ply with aloe. Sandpaper TP is ridiculous.

 

[TCRAIG]

Jerry calls his fave TP - ‘White Gold’ - ala Beverly Hillbilly calling oil Black Gold

 

[Dizny Dad]

Thanks for sharing your success Erin!

 

[twinklebug]

I’ll add (to the TP issue) that the MF increase we saw last year should have more than covered premium triple ply with aloe. Sandpaper TP is ridiculous.

You are very right.

I'm ready to march on Member services, who's with me? We'll waive our flags of premium TP high for all to see. Just don't toss them in the trees: we'll have to pay for that.

Edit to add: I believe the selection of supplies is in the hands of housekeeping. Soaps, including laundry and dish washing, paper products such as TP and PT and even appliances such as vacuums may be of their choosing. Since a large portion of our dues increases goes to housekeeping and they've increased wages, seems to me they're looking to cut corners wherever possible to squeeze out a few more dollars. It's possible someone may even have a bonus on the line if they can reduce costs. We really should speak up and let them know it is not acceptable to replace quality with trash products, or we will see more of the same.

 

[ErinC]

Speaking of supplies, what do you get on trash and towel day now? Seems like other than trash empty (which they do every day now) and new towels, we used to get a new supply of soap and paper products. We didn’t get those the other day. I asked the housekeeper in the hall about some shampoo and she looked in her cart and then told me I had to call for that. I thought that was strange. Oh and good news, a screaming baby now resides next door. I stuffed a towel under the connecting door and tried to muffle the sound. It finally stopped about midnight. Since I had been up since 3:00 a.m two days in a row, It was really making me nervous. I remember those trips when the kids were little and they didn’t always cooperate when we were in some public place. Trying to be that understanding mom, but I just really needed my sleep!