VWL Groupies...yes, we love the Lodge, a lot!!

[Muushka]

I, too, enjoy spring, but the next few days are prime examples why spring can't make inroads here. Today's high: 27F and partly sunny, but with our windchill figured in, we're about 13F. Tomorrow should be warmer--way up to 40!--but with continued high winds and possible rain/sleet/snow. (Did I mention the snow showers overnight?) Come Sunday, we'll be in the low 30s with sleet and snow. High temperature forecast for the next seven days? 45F. Still, we haven't had it as bad as those farther north and east along NJ, RI, MA, ME, and others, so I'll try not to complain. . .too loudly.

Ugh. So much for living in the south!

Come a little further down, hey I just realized we went down to 22 last night! So much for living in the south!

Kat4, that cruise sounds amazing. Alaska is on my bucket list.

 

[twokats]

Ok I found a little bit of spring here in TX. I had to make a quick trip down south to Huntsville about an hour north of Houston. Not too far out of Dallas I started seeing bluebonnets and then a little further I saw Indian paintbrushes. It was absolutely gorgeous. When I got here my car temp said it was 84. Needless to say when DH called me to check on me and I told him he was not happy. Still in the 50's up in our part of TX.

 

[bagsmom]

We are getting ready for a cold and yucky week (relatively speaking.)

My husband complained about it, then thought for a minute and said: "oh well, in 76 days we'll be down at Disney, complaining about the heat."

 

[macemc12]

Just visited the Lodge for the first time 2 weeks ago. We LOVED it! So beautiful and fabulous dining. My dd got a lot of ketchup with her breakfast. LOL! VWL is on my dream add on list!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[bagsmom]

Hello macemc! You will find this to be a wonderful group! I may only get to go to Disney twice in my adult life, but I DO love the lodge -- even if it's from long distance. Everyone on here is so friendly and helpful! We are planning a trip for this summer, and the expertise on here has been invaluable! (Thanks, everyone!)

What were some of the highlights of your stay at the lodge?

 

[jimmytammy]

Welcome to the groupies macemc12!!!!

Glad you enjoyed one of our favorite spots in the World

 

[Corinne]

Hi Corrine !
I'll be sure to let you all know here. I'm on pins and needles. Even with the higher price tag, we're hoping Disney !

I don't blame you, it really would be so much fun! Can't wait to hear their decision!

 

[bluecastle]

We are getting ready for a cold and yucky week (relatively speaking.)

My husband complained about it, then thought for a minute and said: "oh well, in 76 days we'll be down at Disney, complaining about the heat."

That's exactly what I think when I take my walks after work in the cold weather. As the biting wind hits my face I say to myself "remember this feeling when you are complaining about the heat in Animal Kingdom in August!!"

 

[sleepydog25]

Just visited the Lodge for the first time 2 weeks ago. We LOVED it! So beautiful and fabulous dining. My dd got a lot of ketchup with her breakfast. LOL! VWL is on my dream add on list!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Welcome and glad you enjoyed the Lodge! Fill us in on your trip. We love to hear what others experience while we're not there.

 

[rusafee1183]

Hi Corrine

Hubby and I paid for them to have a professional photo shoot in WDW on March 6. We are very excited to see the photos ! It was a delayed engagement gift to them. Since they live in FL it was just too hard to have any kind of engagement party/celebration. I'll be sure to let you all know here. I'm on pins and needles. Even with the higher price tag, we're hoping Disney !

I would love to see the pictures that you had done when they're in!!! I have a few amateur photographer friends who agreed to do a photo shoot with myself and my husband in WDW. Our wedding photographer turned out to be a total scam artist, and we were left very unsatisfied with the way our wedding/engagement photos turned out so we're hoping for a better "round 2"

We enjoyed the Pearl! But it was my second cruise so honestly I don't have much to compare it to. We were cruising for my Nephews wedding so quite a few relatives were along and one cousin who likes to cruise HAL commented that she was surprised how much they were enjoying their first cruise on NCL. HAL was still their favorite but they were ranking NCL 2nd above other lines they traveled on before. Personally I'd book with them again without any hesitation.

We had really good weather in May. It was the second cruise of the season and sailed from Seattle. A little rain here and there (when we left Seattle if you can imagine!) but lots of sun too. We did one whale watch excursion in Juneau and saw lots of seals that we were told would probably be leaving in the next week or two. And we saw quite a few whales also. The only bear was spotted while we were traveling the passage back to Glacier Bay and some mountain goats and sheep were spotted along there too. We didn't do any other wildlife excursions but if one bear was out I'm sure there would be more at that time so if you went looking for them you might have a good chance. But even when they are supposed to be out there's no guarantee. On my first trip to Alaska (July - a really long time ago) we went to Denali National Park. Saw tons of wildlife but no bear in the park. Finally while on the tour bus going from the park back to Anchorage the driver spotted a bear sitting out in a meadow next to the road.

That's promising about your weather and wildlife experiences!! I really just can't wait to get there!! I'm sure that we will love the Pearl. I really try not to compare apples to oranges, and I do think that Disney in general is a different experience in everything that they do.

49 days!

We are getting ready for a cold and yucky week (relatively speaking.)

My husband complained about it, then thought for a minute and said: "oh well, in 76 days we'll be down at Disney, complaining about the heat."

Wooo Hoooo for your countdown! And such a good point about the heat .... but rain-shine-sleet-snow-hail-scorching heat still, I know we would all rather be at Disney.

Instead, I am on my couch looking at the pile of dishes waiting for me in the kitchen

Just visited the Lodge for the first time 2 weeks ago. We LOVED it! So beautiful and fabulous dining. My dd got a lot of ketchup with her breakfast. LOL! VWL is on my dream add on list!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Yay! Glad you loved the Lodge! We are recent converts as well, and I know that our next add on will be there. I hope it's sooner rather than later!

 

[bagsmom]

Here's another survey for you folks!

We will have a day off in the middle of our vacation. We could eat out, possibly, depending on the money situation at the time of the vacation.

What if we wanted to eat at Fort Wilderness? Hoop de Doo is probably out. It's expensive, and my kids are not big eaters. However, is it worth it? It sounds like it's a favorite of many.

What other restaurant is at the Fort?

We could try for Whispering Canyon; that would be fun.

Or, we could venture out of the world and go for Mexican. The unofficial guide recommended a Mexican restaurant off property -- Maybe called El Patron? I don't remember, for sure.

Kids are fussy eaters... so I hate to spend TOO much on food they probably won't eat. Mexican is usually safe. Cheese quesadillas are popular with us.

Any thoughts?

 

[twinklebug]

Hey there Bagsmom! At Hoop-de-doo you're really paying for the entertainment verses quality food. I enjoy the show and think it's worth the price once my kids were old enough to appreciate the slap-stick humor and realize that's all it is. You'll probably not want to go more often than once a decade as the jokes and theme song stick with you as much as the It's a Small World song does. So, choose your timing wisely in your kid's development or you may be plagued by outbursts of "Hoo-de-doo! Hoop de-doo!" for a bit longer than you'd like. The food there is simply acceptable. It's mostly fried chicken (important to note that it's not boneless), ribs, corn on the cob, salad and cornbread. It's unlimited food, but they really don't come around offering refills more than once. It's also 'unlimited' refills on beer and wine (house brand only).

Trails end is a buffet next door to HDDR and offers all the same food as inside the show plus a few more favorites such as lasagna, pizza and an ice cream bar. The price is much more reasonable than the show for good reason, but the selection is lacking when compared to other on-site buffets. Something that's not noted here ever is that there are a few stuffed animals in the restaurant (full bear, buffallo and deer heads). They are real and have been here for as long as I can recall the building existing. If this bothers anyone in your party, ask the hostess to sit you up near the buffet and away from them. Still, I find it worth the trip over just because I'm in love with the fort and it gives me the excuse I need to get my kids to come along.

 

[sleepydog25]

I agree that Trail's End would be a solid choice. First, you can get to it easily, and second the food is decent, plentiful, and with enough options to please most picky kids. The price isn't awful, plus it will keep you in the Disney "world" to which you've been looking forward all these months.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Kat4, that cruise sounds amazing. Alaska is on my bucket list.

Oh yes! I highly recommend it!!

Here's another survey for you folks!

We will have a day off in the middle of our vacation. We could eat out, possibly, depending on the money situation at the time of the vacation.

What if we wanted to eat at Fort Wilderness? Hoop de Doo is probably out. It's expensive, and my kids are not big eaters. However, is it worth it? It sounds like it's a favorite of many.

What other restaurant is at the Fort?

We could try for Whispering Canyon; that would be fun.

Or, we could venture out of the world and go for Mexican. The unofficial guide recommended a Mexican restaurant off property -- Maybe called El Patron? I don't remember, for sure.

Kids are fussy eaters... so I hate to spend TOO much on food they probably won't eat. Mexican is usually safe. Cheese quesadillas are popular with us.

Any thoughts?

We enjoy Hoop De Doo but that's paying for much more than a meal - it's about the show. The meal is fine - Fried chicken and ribs - same as what DH would get at Whispering Canyon. lol As long as your kids like those things there shouldn't be any problems with finding something to eat. I first saw it as a kid and finally made it back a couple of years ago. I heard that since then they had to change the main song they use (the one twinklebug mentions getting stuck in your head!) but I'm sure they came up with something that sticks just as well.

We almost always go eat at Trails End - usually for lunch but have done a late breakfast also. We like their lunch menu a lot but you may want to check the menu since we like the uniqueness - except that they removed my friend green tomato sandwich and the fried chicken with waffles that DH liked. But that's just whining because they still had many things we liked (DH had to get the chicken sandwich with waffle bread or something like that and discovered he liked it!) It's a regular table service for lunch instead of buffet and I think they have a typical kids menu. We tack this on to our visits to see the WDW horses.

 

[Linda67]

Hi there bagsmon

Not sure how old your kids are but if you are heading to Fort Wilderness for Hoop Dee Doo or Trails End you should check out the camp fire sing-along with Chip n Dale - lots of fun and it's free, unless you want to buy a s'mores kit for the camp fire (you can always take your own kit anyway) ....... Just a thought as it might make a nice evening combo with Trails End

 

[bagsmom]

Thank you everyone for the opinions and ideas! Keep 'em coming!

Well, my kids are 10 and 13 -- the older one is slightly less picky, but the younger eats darned near nothing. I'm on weight watchers, so a buffet is sort of silly. Husband eats very little. (I don't get it. I LOVE to eat!!!!!)

Like I mentioned before, I wish WDW area had a good mexican place that wasn't in a park.

Speaking of that, we have reservations at Rose and Crown for fireworks time. If I can get an equally good time, I'm considering changing to La Hacienda de San Angel. (Chips and salsa and quesadillas are more kid friendly than fish and chips.) But really, that dinner reservation is more about the fireworks experience. (And one other thing -- I sure would enjoy a margarita.)

Would you guys just leave it alone and stick with Rose and Crown? Or would you try for Mexico? Is one worse than the other in terms of crowds for fireworks?

Sorry to be so obsessed with every detail. This is likely the last time we'll go while the kids are young. For us, a Disney trip takes years of saving, so I want it to be (nearly) perfect!!!!!!

Thanks! 74 days!

 

[sleepydog25]

Thank you everyone for the opinions and ideas! Keep 'em coming!

Well, my kids are 10 and 13 -- the older one is slightly less picky, but the younger eats darned near nothing. I'm on weight watchers, so a buffet is sort of silly. Husband eats very little. (I don't get it. I LOVE to eat!!!!!)

Like I mentioned before, I wish WDW area had a good mexican place that wasn't in a park.

Speaking of that, we have reservations at Rose and Crown for fireworks time. If I can get an equally good time, I'm considering changing to La Hacienda de San Angel. (Chips and salsa and quesadillas are more kid friendly than fish and chips.) But really, that dinner reservation is more about the fireworks experience. (And one other thing -- I sure would enjoy a margarita.)

Would you guys just leave it alone and stick with Rose and Crown? Or would you try for Mexico? Is one worse than the other in terms of crowds for fireworks?

Sorry to be so obsessed with every detail. This is likely the last time we'll go while the kids are young. For us, a Disney trip takes years of saving, so I want it to be (nearly) perfect!!!!!!

Thanks! 74 days!

Tough call there. With either, you may or may not be seated where you can see Illuminations if you go with TS, plus you would most likely have to get an early ADR--say, 7:30--to be in place for the 9 p.m. show then hang around. I believe both places have a form of counter service so that you can order then hang around and watch as you eat, though that might be awkward to try to eat a meal while watching fireworks. Your best bet might be to eat early, then stake out a good seat somewhere around the World then sit back and relax. Others might have a differing opinion, however.

 

[bagsmom]

Tough call there. With either, you may or may not be seated where you can see Illuminations if you go with TS, plus you would most likely have to get an early ADR--say, 7:30--to be in place for the 9 p.m. show then hang around. I believe both places have a form of counter service so that you can order then hang around and watch as you eat, though that might be awkward to try to eat a meal while watching fireworks. Your best bet might be to eat early, then stake out a good seat somewhere around the World then sit back and relax. Others might have a differing opinion, however.

Hey Sleepy!
Our reservation is for 7:15. We will be celebrating our anniversary. The reservation person made a note of that, and suggested that I run to the restaurant early in the day, and tell them (in person) that the night is a big celebration. Although they'd never guarantee it, she said they would certainly try to accommodate us, especially if we were willing to wait. So that's the plan.

Plan B -- if we couldn't get that coveted outdoor seating after all, would be to just eat and leave, finding a place around the water.

I really really want to go now!

 

[sleepydog25]

Hey Sleepy!
Our reservation is for 7:15. We will be celebrating our anniversary. The reservation person made a note of that, and suggested that I run to the restaurant early in the day, and tell them (in person) that the night is a big celebration. Although they'd never guarantee it, she said they would certainly try to accommodate us, especially if we were willing to wait. So that's the plan.

Plan B -- if we couldn't get that coveted outdoor seating after all, would be to just eat and leave, finding a place around the water.

I really really want to go now!

Sounds like a good plan.

 

[twinmom108]

oy a margarita.)

Sorry to be so obsessed with every detail. This is likely the last time we'll go while the kids are young. For us, a Disney trip takes years of saving, so I want it to be (nearly) perfect!!!!!!

Thanks! 74 days!

Bagsmom, sounds like your trip is shaping up quite nicely. I don't think you need to feel sorry for possibly being obsessive about your WDW vacation (especially on this thread) because for us Dis'ers that's the norm.

Here's my current trip obsession. For our Oct/Nov trip later this year, a couple weeks ago we still didn't have 2 days yet booked but I decided to have Jimmy post our trip resort locations on page 1. Since we were out of VWL points & wanted to stay there those 2 days, I had to wait for the 7 month window to open up. I had been checking VWL studio availability for 3 weeks & everything looked wide open. Well the day before I could reserve many of the days were getting booked up. I was afraid we might not be able to get the ressie at VWL after all. I thought great, it's already posted that we're staying there (on this thread), and maybe I jinxed ourselves. Anyway the next day I was ready online minutes before booking opened up & was able to secure those 2 days at VWL. Talk about obsessive. Next upcoming obsessive behavior - ADR's.