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

[rfassett]

I love it when people put in a picture from when they were really young and dating -- then recreate the pose with their current selves! I've seen people do that with an ad, running the two photos side by side! Congrats on your 40th, since it sounds like that will happen or did happen this year!

Thanks Bagsmom. We will actually celebrate on July 28th, Good Lord willing.

And I have been really enjoying your reports. Thanks! Glad you guys had a magical time!

 

[twokats]

Sure - now you do the 59 and holding thing. Couldn't do it last week, could we?

rfassett will be bringing Rebecca to the meet. She must have had a need to make me feel old over the weekend. She said several times over that in ten years we will celebrate our 50th anniversary. Her point was that those people that celebrate their 50th and have their picture in the paper do look old. It must be the camera.

All I can say in my defense is that I did not realize until now how many of us were so close in age. Pleeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaassssssseeee forgive me!!!

 

[twinmom108]

VWL Groupies. Thank you for praying & caring about our town.
The situation is much better now but this fire was the most devastating fire that Colorado has ever seen.


containment is 75%
483 homes lost (that's alot of families )
over 3600 homes appear unaffected firefight firefighting team simply amazing!)
over 14000 acres burned (downgraded from previous stat)
2 fatalities


Today there was a picnic where people affected from last years Waldo Canyon Fire got together with people affected by this Black Forest Fire. True that Black Forest will never be the same but residents are getting much help & are staying strong, positive & are proving to be resilient.

 

[jimmytammy]

Welcome to the groupies cahedberg!!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

bagsmom
Love the trip reports, looking forward to the next installment!!

 

[horselover]

Hi everyone! Newbie here...to DIS, DVC and VWL. We own in AKL, but on our last trip to house of the mouse, my DH and I had dinner at Artist Point and fell in love with the lodge. So, on our very first vaca as DVC members we are headed there in Jan 2014! I just wanted to take a minute and say hi as I read through these posts.

Christa

Wahooooo! Another new groupie! I think word is getting out about the friendliest thread on the DIS.

Welcome Christa!

Enjoying your TR Bagsmom!

 

[bagsmom]

VWL Groupies. Thank you for praying & caring about our town.
The situation is much better now but this fire was the most devastating fire that Colorado has ever seen.


containment is 75%
483 homes lost (that's alot of families )
over 3600 homes appear unaffected firefight firefighting team simply amazing!)
over 14000 acres burned (downgraded from previous stat)
2 fatalities


Today there was a picnic where people affected from last years Waldo Canyon Fire got together with people affected by this Black Forest Fire. True that Black Forest will never be the same but residents are getting much help & are staying strong, positive & are proving to be resilient.

I will definitely pray! I'm not a news watcher... was this a wildfire that started naturally? It's horrible no matter what, but I'd hate to think that a careless camper started it. Big prayers in your direction!

 

[eliza61]

Bagsmom Trip Report Day Three -- Epcot!

We got up bright and early on Sunday. I was the only one up and at 'em. Everyone else was pooped, but I forced them out of bed. We drove to Epcot and were so excited to see the big geodesic sphere up ahead. (Well, I personally was excited.) Kids and husband were still half asleep. (Are you seeing a pattern here? Do you see which of us is Disney Crazy?)

We got in line about 40 minutes before opening. There was a family behind us with two little girls who seemed like they wanted to make friends. I sent my husband to the little cappuccino stand for an iced coffee. We hadn't even been there two full days and he was already wearing out.


We did all the wonderful rides in Future World -- Soarin', which is SO COOL but really needs to be re-done to feature Florida and DisneyWorld! We got Fastpasses for Test Track, then went over and walked right onto the green team of Mission Space. That was a first time ride for all of us and we all loved it. It's funny how even when you know that you're not REALLY an astronaut and that it doesn't matter if you push the right buttons or not, you still get a little adrenaline rush from the pressure!

The kids wanted to build their own roller coaster at Sum of All Thrills. That was very cool, too! I rode with my younger son, who designed a more tame coaster. My husband went with our new teenager, who of course did some loop the loops!

We did Ellen's Energy Adventure -- fun! I love Ellen! I wish she was my next door neighbor! Then we did Test Track -- very exciting! And Spaceship Earth. I love that one. The audioanimatronic figures in this are impressive to me. Maybe it's because of the low lighting, but I think they are very realistic.

After this, we went home for lunch and a swim. (Of course, DH took a long nap.)

Around 4:15, we took the bus back to Epcot and headed for World Showcase. The boys really wanted to do the Phineas and Ferb thingie. (Mission? Challenge? Adventure?) The young and gorgeous girl who got them started was totally in character and told them how pleased she was that they would accept an assignment to help save the world. It was so funny to see BOTH boys, even the 13 year old, listening intently, and nodding with big eyes. (Maybe the 13 year old was more entranced by the castmember's beauty, but they were both clearly impressed.) I mentioned before that I just loved watching my sons run around Germany and the UK TOGETHER! They were always great playmates, but my teen has really been wanting more alone time lately. It was very nice to see them having fun and working together! Have any of you done the Agent P. scavenger hunt? The clues - especially the ones hidden in Germany -- were very neat!

Since we intended to take up a table for the whole evening, we made sure to order a lot and tried to stretch it out. We never get appetizers or desserts, due to budget, appetite and weight watching. But that night, we did! We got the cheese platter -- so yummy! They had a stilton with candied pecans and cranberries, some other sharp cheese with an onion jam, and ...... I forget the last one. But they were all great! We had fish and chips, except for my youngest, who had mac and cheese or plain pasta. (I need my kids here to help me remember the details.) Fish and chips -- oh so tasty! Oh so deliciously greasy! (Remember this for later, when you read the story of the Electric Light Parade Immodium Experience.) For dessert, we shared sticky toffee pudding. Delicious! Yuuuuummmmmmm!

As for Illuminations, words can't do it justice. None of us had seen it before, and we were all so impressed!

During the fireworks, I thought little bugs were landing on us. It was ashes! (Told you we were close!)

Walking out of the park wasn't the nightmare I thought it would be. We waited a little while before breaking into the departing crowd, and it wasn't bad. It took a VERY long time to get a bus, though. We were completely exhausted by the time we got back.

Oh you brave, brave disser. My family would throw a mutiny if I tried to get them to the parks that early.

Glad you liked illuminations. It is my favorite by far. even more so than wishes.

Sounds like you guys are having a great time.

Have you seen the new Main street Bakery. There is a hot debate on whether or not it's a let down. I'm not a big fan of starbucks so I was bumbed to hear it was turning into a starbucks. Not that I have any thing against them it's just I live in a major city and we have a starbucks on every block. literally. In philly there are blocks where there are two starbucks!!

 

[sleepydog25]

Sure - now you do the 59 and holding thing. Couldn't do it last week, could we?

rfassett will be bringing Rebecca to the meet. She must have had a need to make me feel old over the weekend. She said several times over that in ten years we will celebrate our 50th anniversary. Her point was that those people that celebrate their 50th and have their picture in the paper do look old. It must be the camera.

Slydog is so happy to see the third-person reference is catching on!

Loving the trip report, bags! "Mehjjjhor seeeper wedgih!"

 

[rusafee1183]

Bagsmom - I am loving the TR so far!! I have only gotten to read the first installment, but I am looking forward to reading the rest! I need a Disney fix bad

I do hope you can figure out Photobucket! I would love to see pictures!

I'm still trying to figure out how to make my pics smaller on photobucket.... I want to put up a few from Alaska, but don't want them to be lifesized

Sly - do you have a tutorial for re-sizing? I tried to do it, and then posted them here and did a preview and they were HUGE

Hi everyone! Newbie here...to DIS, DVC and VWL. We own in AKL, but on our last trip to house of the mouse, my DH and I had dinner at Artist Point and fell in love with the lodge. So, on our very first vaca as DVC members we are headed there in Jan 2014! I just wanted to take a minute and say hi as I read through these posts.

Christa

Christa!

And HI neighbor! We own at AKV too (and we are closing soon on a VWL contract too! )

They aren't lying! This really is the best group on the Dis.

Welcome cahedberg so nice to have you here! Lots of information here and lots of good folks willing to share their experiences and opinions.

Love reading your TR bagsmom! Such fun! Keep 'em coming!

Love your idea Kathy; Club 59 and Holding. OK Groupies, fess up - who's in?

rusafee I believe you were willing to organize a NE meet. Right?
So far we have rfassett, Andrew, Dreamer - I think?, yourself, DDad and me. Anyone I've forgotten? Blossom are you close enough to consider a meet in Pittsburgh? Speak up.

Yep, I will organize! When would we all like to do this? I am free weekends, and available most weekends this summer. Do we want to shoot for August? Sooner, later? I am open for anything! I don't have to travel as far as you guys do, so I can work around your schedules!

VWL Groupies. Thank you for praying & caring about our town.
The situation is much better now but this fire was the most devastating fire that Colorado has ever seen.


containment is 75%
483 homes lost (that's alot of families )
over 3600 homes appear unaffected firefight firefighting team simply amazing!)
over 14000 acres burned (downgraded from previous stat)
2 fatalities


Today there was a picnic where people affected from last years Waldo Canyon Fire got together with people affected by this Black Forest Fire. True that Black Forest will never be the same but residents are getting much help & are staying strong, positive & are proving to be resilient.

Still sending well wishes your way

 

[twinmom108]

I will definitely pray! I'm not a news watcher... was this a wildfire that started naturally? It's horrible no matter what, but I'd hate to think that a careless camper started it. Big prayers in your direction!

Thank you, Bagsmom. Black Forest is a beautiful rural residential community in our town. Many of the lots have 5+ acres so homes are more spread apart than in your average residential neighborhood. Named Black Forest for all the dense trees in the area. It's like living up in the mountains, but you're still just minutes from town. It has hiking trails & lovely parks within it's boundaries.

They're not sure of the reason it started & have a hotline open. They are treating it as a crime scene, one because of the fatalities & two so as not to mishandle evidence in the event the fire was deliberately set. Update on homes lost this morning is 502. A staggering # indeed. Even though that # will probably get higher because they haven't assessed all the homes in the Black Forest yet, they say they do not expect to lose any additional homes from the fire. On the positive note the fire fighting team has been beyond amazing & has saved over 3600 homes!! People are banding together, in donations & volunteering for what ever needs to be done or helping people with their needs.

Prayer still coveted, while the containment increases & ultimately the fire being extinguished completely.

 

[rfassett]

Yep, I will organize! When would we all like to do this? I am free weekends, and available most weekends this summer. Do we want to shoot for August? Sooner, later? I am open for anything! I don't have to travel as far as you guys do, so I can work around your schedules!

Not many restrictions here except that weekends are better than weekdays. I AM aware of a couple of reunions that might get in the way in August and September - but they are only one day of the weekend. I guess the only other issue I have is that the later it goes into the summer, the more the Pittsburgh folks will be thinking and talking about the Steelers and I don't think I would be welcomed into the town then.

Anyway, let's just throw out a date and see where it goes.

 

[bagsmom]

Bagsmom Trip Report Day 5

Back to the Magic Kingdom

This was a HOT day! Once again, we were at the entrance an hour before opening and there were already lots of people there. They let people through the ticketing gates early, and into the area below the depot for the opening show. All the shady waiting areas (not many of them in the first place) were taken up, so we sat on the ground in the blazing sun for about 40 minutes. It was sort of awful. The sweat was just rolling off our bodies, in spite of our fans and hats and umbrella. We broke out our playing cards, anyway, and made the best of it.

When the opening show started, I really got choked up. We were the Opening Family back in 2009, when my boys were 6 and 9. So much time has passsed since then, and although every stage is wonderful, sometimes I miss those days of "little people." When the opening family came out to the depot, I almost cried -- I knew how excited they all were and felt so happy for them, making those special memories!

In the meantime, we sweated some more and waited for the excessively perky dancers to finish their number -- eventually we flowed into the park. Our Touring Plans app told us to do Buzz Lightyear first. We just walked right on -- I think we were maybe the 3rd car. It's fun, but I like Toy Story better. I know that we must stay authentic to good ol' Buzz, with his little red laser light, but dang, it's hard to see! Is that even MY light? Where am I aiming? I just went with the "push the button repeatedly" method and surprisingly racked up a gazillion points! Yay, Mom!

We got Fastpasses for Space Mountain after that -- but just for older son and DH. Younger son and I were content with our experience on Big Thunder. I don't remember what else we did immediately after. I think we went into Fantasyland for a while. We did the barnstormer and oldest son left his ID lanyard on it! Oh no! Going back for it took some time. We did the teacups -- always fun! Then DH and son went back over to Space Mountain while younger son and I hit the restroom and a shop or two.

We met back at Small World. When the menfolk returned from Space Mountain, my son was grinning and bouncing. My husband looked like he'd been put in a blender. Son said "my one word description of that would be -- AWESOME!" I asked my husband what his one word would be. He said "Hell."

Small World was a welcome rest for him! After that, I sent the hot and tired men over to the Pinocchio themed restaurant to cool off and eat. They ordered some greasy pizza while I took their tickets and set off for fastpasses.

In my previous reports, did I mention that I have some sort of personality defect that makes me LOOOOVVVVE being a fastpass runner? It's like a little personal contest with myself. How fast can I get there and back? It is impossible to get through a big crowd of hot, slow moving families who are walking 6 abreast -- at the speed of snails in molasses -- if you are going with your family and trying to stay together. The fastpass runner strategy makes so much more sense. One person can move like a rabbit! Love it!

When I got back with fast passes for The Jungle Cruise, my husband was shocked at how quickly I went all the way across the park and back. I felt like a racing champion! (And I am neither sporty nor competetive, normally. Weird.)

We had some bad luck with rides that day. The new Little Mermaid ride wasn't working in the morning. Bummer. Neither was Haunted Mansion. Another bummer -- but at least we'd been able to do that on our previous visit to the MK. I don't remember our exact order, but we did a couple of other things, Philharmagic, and the Jungle Cruise. We had hoped to eat lunch at Be Our Guest that day, but the line was all the way across the bridge from the moment it opened. It really was such an unusually hot and humid day, we opted to skip it. Nevertheless, no day is a bad day at the Magic Kingdom!

We returned to our room for a swim and a long rest. We ate some sandwiches and stuff in the room, and made sure to save room for a treat that we'd all been looking forward to. Drunken Donuts at the Territory Lounge!

Our plan for that evening was to have our treat, then return by boat to the MK for the Electric Light Parade. We would stay in the main circle area, just inside the park, so that we could get out more efficiently after.

Around 6:00, we went to the lounge. The donuts were really good! Hot and greasy, in a paper sack with cinnamon sugar! You shook the bag to coat the donuts, then dunked them in a wonderful sauce of Grand Marnier, melted butter, and I think a little maple syrup. Deeeeelightful!

It took a while to make the donuts, so we watched a family come in and sit down nearby. The kids got their own table and entertained themselves, while the exhausted looking Mom and Dad proceeded to have 3 rounds of drinks. No kidding!!!!!!!! How could they even WALK after that????

Waiting for the boat took a bit of time as well, so I think it was around 7:30 by the time we got to the Kingdom. We got a nice curbside seat in front of the big building with the Kodak photo shop (is that the theatre?) Husband and older son were content to sit and people watch. Younger son wanted to shop, so off we went. When we checked back in, husband looked a little peaked. Son wanted more shopping, so we went off again -- just for a few minutes. When we got back, it must have been a little after 8:30 or something. The crowds were really packing in for the parade and fireworks. Castmembers were starting to direct people here and there. By this time, husband looked a little panicked. "I have a problem," he said. Uh oh. Fish and chips a few nights ago. Funnel cake yesterday. Greasy pizza for lunch and melted butter and donuts..... whoops. "Do you have any imodium on you?" Well, no, I did not. I went and asked a castmember if I could buy any anywhere in the park. She suggested we try the first aid center.

I returned to husband and suggested that he walk up Main Street past Casey's, and see if the nurse would give him some medicine. "I can't move," he said, with his eyes very, very large. "I have to stay right here." He gave me a very meaningful look.

So, youngest son and I set off on a mission!!!!!! There were a few people in the first aid center. When the nurse came out to ask how he could help, I looked around and thought, what the heck? No one here knows me or my husband. So I just blurted out "my husband is sitting on the curb back by the depot and he couldn't come here himself because if he stands up he might have a major intestinal blow-out. Do you happen to have any imodium?"

Without blinking an eye, he said "yes I do!" He gave me enough for 24 hours with dosing instructions. What was funny, was at that point, everyone in the place proceeded to chime in with helpful information about situations like that. One young girl said she had IBS and the imodium would help immediately! Good to know!

We got back to husband and totally bored older son just in the nick of time! I think by the time the two high school marching bands finished their performances, husband was feeling much better.

If anyone has ever been through something like that, you know it's not at all funny. (And yet it was!) It sure makes for a heck of a memory! My kids will probably tell their kids about it someday!

As always, the parade was a magical experience. I hadn't seen it since I was a kid (not counting the view from a distance before the TT dessert party!) It's so lovely and never gets old! The kids really liked the big dragon, even though they'd never even heard of the movie Pete's Dragon.

The boat ride back to the villa was uneventful, thank goodness!!!!!

And even better, the next day was our well-deserved day off!

 

[rusafee1183]

Not many restrictions here except that weekends are better than weekdays. I AM aware of a couple of reunions that might get in the way in August and September - but they are only one day of the weekend. I guess the only other issue I have is that the later it goes into the summer, the more the Pittsburgh folks will be thinking and talking about the Steelers and I don't think I would be welcomed into the town then.

Anyway, let's just throw out a date and see where it goes.

Well, I guess that's true. If we do it sooner, we will just be talking about our world champion Pirates

The only times I am really not free the last weekend in June or July 20th.

Anyone have any suggestions? Last weekend in July? Early August? That way we won't be encroaching too much into football season. P.S. - are you a Bengals fan?

What works with everyone's schedules?

 

[cahedberg]

Thanks to everyone for the wonderfully WARM welcome! I too have been enjoying bagsmom TR. And just generally pursuing the forum.

My family is headed to the Lodge the first week of Jan after New Years. My dd's will want to partake of the pool. Will it be warm enough? I should know this answer as I am Floridian born and raised. However, left at 20 for the Army and don't know anymore. I know sometimes we swam on Christmas Day....lol.

I will continue to read the forum for tips and tricks. Just wanted to say thanks again for the welcome. It's always nice to get positive feedback in cyberspace.

Christa

 

[rusafee1183]

Thanks to everyone for the wonderfully WARM welcome! I too have been enjoying bagsmom TR. And just generally pursuing the forum.

My family is headed to the Lodge the first week of Jan after New Years. My dd's will want to partake of the pool. Will it be warm enough? I should know this answer as I am Floridian born and raised. However, left at 20 for the Army and don't know anymore. I know sometimes we swam on Christmas Day....lol.

I will continue to read the forum for tips and tricks. Just wanted to say thanks again for the welcome. It's always nice to get positive feedback in cyberspace.

Christa

My husband and I went to WDW last January, and it was kind of a crapshoot. There were some days where in the shade, and with a breeze it would have been way too cold. But, then there were a few days that it was HOT and we lounged by the pool and swam all day. This was the 3rd week in January if that helps at all.

 

[cahedberg]

My husband and I went to WDW last January, and it was kind of a crapshoot. There were some days where in the shade, and with a breeze it would have been way too cold. But, then there were a few days that it was HOT and we lounged by the pool and swam all day. This was the 3rd week in January if that helps at all.

Thanks! It actually reinforces my initial "prepare for all types of weather" approach for this time of year in FL.......

 

[bagsmom]

Thanks to everyone for the wonderfully WARM welcome! I too have been enjoying bagsmom TR. And just generally pursuing the forum.

My family is headed to the Lodge the first week of Jan after New Years. My dd's will want to partake of the pool. Will it be warm enough? I should know this answer as I am Floridian born and raised. However, left at 20 for the Army and don't know anymore. I know sometimes we swam on Christmas Day....lol.

I will continue to read the forum for tips and tricks. Just wanted to say thanks again for the welcome. It's always nice to get positive feedback in cyberspace.

Christa

Hey Christa!

I'll be glad to hear about your January trip. On everyone else's advice, I'm trying to combat my post-Disney blues by looking ahead to another trip. Husband said he will not go again in the summer, so maybe we can go over a long winter break! I'm not a heat person, so the thought of wandering the world in a jacket and jeans sounds like heaven! I know you will have fun!

 

[rfassett]

Well, I guess that's true. If we do it sooner, we will just be talking about our world champion Pirates

The only times I am really not free the last weekend in June or July 20th.

Anyone have any suggestions? Last weekend in July? Early August? That way we won't be encroaching too much into football season. P.S. - are you a Bengals fan?

What works with everyone's schedules?

Worse - from a Steeler's fan perspective. I was born and raised in Ashtabula Ohio, a short 55 miles from the old municipal stadium in downtown Cleveland. I have been a life time fan of the perennial loser Cleveland Browns and the perennial loser but great training team of Cleveland Indians. It keeps me very humble following those two teams. Oh, and let's not forget the Cleveland Cadavers - but I don't follow semi-pro basketball.

Late July or early August works for us.

 

[Andrew015]

Worse - from a Steeler's fan perspective. I was born and raised in Ashtabula Ohio, a short 55 miles from the old municipal stadium in downtown Cleveland. I have been a life time fan of the perennial loser Cleveland Browns and the perennial loser but great training team of Cleveland Indians. It keeps me very humble following those two teams. Oh, and let's not forget the Cleveland Cadavers - but I don't follow semi-pro basketball.

Late July or early August works for us.

I've lived in Cleveland (Lake County) my entire life. I follow the perennial losers every year, and I tell ya what... I think it makes us better individuals. I mean who really wants to follow a team that wins allllllll the time??? ........................


August would work well for me too.