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

[sleepydog25]

Well 2 days and we will be leaving for our first ever trip home. A new resort for us but always wanted to own here. Am so looking forward to it and reading about sitting on the beach and watching the water pagent sounds a great way to spend our first evening. As we wont arrive till abt 17.30 what time does the pagent start and what nights is it?
Also is there a community hall like at akl where my daughter can go play xbox or make crafts. I know there is the kiddies club. 18 months of waiting is nearly here. X

There is no true community hall, but there are plenty of kids' activities as you've no doubt noticed with your reading of this thread. There is a campfire each night with sumores, a family movie night on the beach, and the EWP each and every night. You can even see some of the higher explosions of Wishes from time to time. Safe travels, and welcome home!! Have a great trip! Let us know how it goes.

 

[bagsmom]

Well 2 days and we will be leaving for our first ever trip home. A new resort for us but always wanted to own here. Am so looking forward to it and reading about sitting on the beach and watching the water pagent sounds a great way to spend our first evening. As we wont arrive till abt 17.30 what time does the pagent start and what nights is it?
Also is there a community hall like at akl where my daughter can go play xbox or make crafts. I know there is the kiddies club. 18 months of waiting is nearly here. X

So excited for you! We leave in 61 days! Everyone has told me about the fun beach activities at the lodge. An added bonus is ALL the fun at Fort Wilderness, which is very nearby. LOTS of stuff to do there. I camped there 2 or 3 times when I was a kid. My brother and I have wonderful memories of those vacations!

Have a great time and be sure to give us a report!

 

[Corinne]

To all of the new Groupies!!!!!!! to the best thread on the DIS!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Hey folks
Well for those attending the meet next Sat at 3(jimmytammy, TammyNC, Capt. D, wfc4life, sechem32, Eliza61, Muushka and Mr. Muushka, sleepydog and luvsvwl)we are set!! Went to McCouls yesterday, told them we would be there at 3. They will probably seat us upstairs since they have larger tables up there. A heads up, they have a new chef, no major changes as food was still tops, but music has rocked up a bit. I noticed less Celtic, more English/Irish rock bands, Led Zepp, Beatles, U2 and The Cure were among what I took in yesterday. Maybe this is more young geared weekend stuff

BTW, we went to see Elton John last night in Winston Salem. Our DD and her fiance got lucky, asked by an Elton employee as we came thru turnstiles if they would like to sit 1st row, I replied yes, but he said they were trying to get young people down there(which excludes me). Anyway, they were seated far left, 1st row right at Elton!! They got his autograph and gave me a signed ticket!!! Seen him 3-4 times late 80s-early 90s but he was exceptional last night. He mentioned he no longer had to do shows, but still did them for his fans, and it seemed to show as he was really enjoying it, you could tell, it wasnt business, it was fun. And his voice and playing shined. It was like a songbook of mine and Tammys life, as we both grew up too his music. I have to admit, when he sang The One, I got misty eyed. That song/CD, T and me wore out in the early 90s. We were newly married, carefree, no kids, young, and doing what we wanted spur of the moment, taking weekend trips to Williamsburg and Fredericksburg at a moments notice with that CD along for the ride. So what brought the mist, a young couple3 rows down, the young man proposed to his girl right when the song started and they hugged, kissed and slowdanced the entire song. For me, it flooded the memories of days gone by for me and Tammy, we were young, madly in love, and the world was our oyster. For those who have/had that with their spouse/love of their life, you understand

 

[MiaSRN62]

So cool about seeing Elton JT !!! I saw him one time with Billy Joel in 1982 I think ?? GREAT show.
I will PM you my cruise dates......thanks !

And to our new Groupies and DVC Members or recent add-ons :

 

[rusafee1183]

That's very cool that you got to see Elton again Jimmy, and that fact that you can just tell that he still does it for the love of it is awesome. And super sweet about the memories with you and your wife.

I have that with my DH, we are still in the 'world is our oyster' phase in life and we are trying to soak up as much as we can

Speaking of which - 34 days until Alaska! Ahhhh! I can't wait.

 

[JennCabello]

Good Morning!! My family and I have rented points for November 20-26. We stayed in the Lodge last year and thought we would try this out this time. I have one quick question though. Are there washers and dryers available for use and if so, what is the cost for washer and dryer? Thank you for any help you could give!!

 

[Granny]

Good Morning!! My family and I have rented points for November 20-26. We stayed in the Lodge last year and thought we would try this out this time. I have one quick question though. Are there washers and dryers available for use and if so, what is the cost for washer and dryer? Thank you for any help you could give!!

Congratulations on getting the VWL reservation. Yes, there are washer dryers available for the studio guests located on the first floor in the hallway behind the elevators. The cost is $0...free. I don't know how crowded they get or the best time to use them. My understanding is that they have the slots that look like you have to pay for them, but you just push that in and they start without any cost. Since we haven't stayed in a studio before I don't know all the ins and outs of using them. The bad news is that there aren't many washer/dryers in the room...the good news is that VWL only has a small total number of studios that should be using them.

I don't know if WL guests are still coming over to use the free ones (they are not supposed to). Hopefully not. Enjoy your trip!

 

[sleepydog25]

Good Morning!! My family and I have rented points for November 20-26. We stayed in the Lodge last year and thought we would try this out this time. I have one quick question though. Are there washers and dryers available for use and if so, what is the cost for washer and dryer? Thank you for any help you could give!!

If you are staying in a 1BR or 2BR suite, the washer/dryer units are located in the room, so they will be free (you also get one single-washer load box of Tide). I'm not sure the cost of the washers and dryers for use by those staying a studio, though I'm sure someone else will come along and let you know.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

If you are staying in a 1BR or 2BR suite, the washer/dryer units are located in the room, so they will be free (you also get one single-washer load box of Tide). I'm not sure the cost of the washers and dryers for use by those staying a studio, though I'm sure someone else will come along and let you know.

Washers/dryers are free for DVC guest use. If in a studio they will have to provide or purchase the detergent though.

 

[JennCabello]

Thank you for all of the answers! We are staying in a studio so I will bring some detergent pods with us. I just wanted to be prepared since we had to wash last year, we were unprepared with enough cool weather clothes! Can you guys suggest a room or view for us to request? I know it is not guaranteed however. We stayed CL and had a view of the Castle last year. I know I can't top that, but we are look for peace and quiet this time. Living in Houston, if my children see animals that would be a plus!! Thanks again for anyone's help.

 

[jimmytammy]

Thank you for all of the answers! We are staying in a studio so I will bring some detergent pods with us. I just wanted to be prepared since we had to wash last year, we were unprepared with enough cool weather clothes! Can you guys suggest a room or view for us to request? I know it is not guaranteed however. We stayed CL and had a view of the Castle last year. I know I can't top that, but we are look for peace and quiet this time. Living in Houston, if my children see animals that would be a plus!! Thanks again for anyone's help.

Welcome to the groupies JennCabello!!!!

A great view is that of the pool area/lake view, but very hard to land. Most views are of trees, but this allows views of animals, including deer, rabbits and an occasional armadillo. A high floor is best for less noise, 5th floor, which is highest has different balcony layout. You can see views, but must be standing, as balcony is fully encased from railing down. 4th thru 2nd floors have open picket rails, which allows a sitting view. VWL for the most part is fairly quiet, you may hear the hallway noise every so often near your door, but tends to be quiet most times.

BTW, if you would like me too, PM me your vacation dates if you would like to be added to the 1st page.

 

[sleepydog25]

Thank you for all of the answers! We are staying in a studio so I will bring some detergent pods with us. I just wanted to be prepared since we had to wash last year, we were unprepared with enough cool weather clothes! Can you guys suggest a room or view for us to request? I know it is not guaranteed however. We stayed CL and had a view of the Castle last year. I know I can't top that, but we are look for peace and quiet this time. Living in Houston, if my children see animals that would be a plus!! Thanks again for anyone's help.

JT has given you excellent advice on the room request. Additionally, in terms of wildlife, try taking a walk down to FW on the connecting path. I've seen deer, rabbits, plenty of squirrels, and once even saw a hawk with prey in his talons! Once at FW, there are horses to pet. Enjoy!

 

[nanajoyx2]

DH and I usually stay in a studio and I never have a problem finding a free washer or dryer. There are only 2washers, but 4 dryers. In the past, I have needed my room key to enter the inner door, but I don't recall if that was the case during our last visit in February.

 

[Kathymford]

Thank you for all of the answers! We are staying in a studio so I will bring some detergent pods with us. I just wanted to be prepared since we had to wash last year, we were unprepared with enough cool weather clothes! Can you guys suggest a room or view for us to request? I know it is not guaranteed however. We stayed CL and had a view of the Castle last year. I know I can't top that, but we are look for peace and quiet this time. Living in Houston, if my children see animals that would be a plus!! Thanks again for anyone's help.

Our first trip to VWL last Sept we requested close to elevators, lake side, high floor. They got us as close as they could and met all my requests, but still no lake view. lol. I think the bigger units get a slightly better view to be honest (from pics I've seen). In hind sight, I wouldn't want the top floor we had because of the roof slope; it made the room feel smaller and darker.

 

[MiaSRN62]

JT has given you excellent advice on the room request. Additionally, in terms of wildlife, try taking a walk down to FW on the connecting path. I've seen deer, rabbits, plenty of squirrels, and once even saw a hawk with prey in his talons! Once at FW, there are horses to pet. Enjoy!

I agree...JT gave great advice. We had deer sleeping right under our balcony at VWL last year !!!! We usually seem to get the tree top views, but have also gotten the covered bridge walkway view. It's good for people-watching...and very close to the elevators and walkway to the main Lodge, but not as private for sitting out in your robe with coffee in the morning ! But different people like different things. To add to the list of critters we have seen walking around the property, I'll mention armadillos too !

 

[sleepydog25]

Hey folks
Well for those attending the meet next Sat at 3(jimmytammy, TammyNC, Capt. D, wfc4life, sechem32, Eliza61, Muushka and Mr. Muushka, sleepydog and luvsvwl)we are set!! Went to McCouls yesterday, told them we would be there at 3. They will probably seat us upstairs since they have larger tables up there. A heads up, they have a new chef, no major changes as food was still tops, but music has rocked up a bit. I noticed less Celtic, more English/Irish rock bands, Led Zepp, Beatles, U2 and The Cure were among what I took in yesterday. Maybe this is more young geared weekend stuff

Luv and I are looking forward to meeting folks from the Groupies for the first time. The men are all wearing kilts, right?

 

[wildernessDad]

RIP, Annette.

 

[twinmom108]

RIP, Annette.

My thoughts exactly. Glad though that she is no longer in pain from MS.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

RIP, Annette.

So sad. Whenever I think of the Mickey Mouse Club I think of her.