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

[rfassett]

Welcome back Sly and Chris, or Mr. and Mrs. Sly!

 

[rfassett]

Congratulations Muushka!

 

[rfassett]

Happy Birthday deebits! Hope your day is very magical!

 

[jimmytammy]

I'm actually looking forward to easy access to the s'mores cupcake every night! However, waffles being the perfect vacation food, I'm sure my daughters and I will partake in quite a few! I am debating WCC for breakfast or dinner.... Do they do any of the fun kid stuff in the morning? Like horse races etc.... My oldest is 4 and I know she will have fun at dinner, but wondering about breakfast.... I don't know I woke up today and got super excited for this trip!



Oh no no experience here, but maybe find some really awesome (but diabetic friendly) treats? To make it not so bad after.... Good luck to you and your poor pooch....

Its been awhile since we have done breakfast at WCC(actually like that meal better than lunch or dinner)but I remember our kids doing pony rides, etc. It is a little more laid back than dinner for sure, so makes for a more restful meal.
wfc4life and sechem32 told me last trip they really enjoyed their evening meal. It was their 1st time with thoughts of def. returning so I hope this is a sign of returning to WCC lost glory.

 

[jimmytammy]

Welcome back Sly and Luv! I look forward to seeing your pictures.

I'm sorry for the lows in your WDW visit, in no part thanks to mother natures.

I have news!!!
We listed our small VWL contract and BOOM! 36 hours later mark that puppy SOLD!

Since the point structure changed (yeah, I still don't like it!) and we looked more into cruising, we just didn't need that many points. Now we have enough to stay 1 week (or so) in a 1 BR or bank and or borrow for more flexibility. Plus now when the maint dues bill comes in Jan, I won't need to nag Mr Muush to get rid of that small contract! This last trip in June did him in. The man is a cruiser!




E! I am a giving-pet-insulin guru!

My cat Loretta had diabetes. I gave her 2 shots a day for many years (9 maybe?).
You would be surprised at how they adapt to the insulin. She used to voluntarily come to me for her shot. The only snafu that you should be aware of is the low blood sugar. PM me for more info, this might be boring to the other Groupies!

Barb, I finally came to grips with the pt structure change but it drove me to OKW for best use of pts.(plus Ranger Stan no longer there). Now with those BWV pts around the corner, we are excited to be going back to VWL for Dec trips. I can understand your need to to sell those pts as your vacation habits change, just hang on to those remaining pts as they are precious commodity

In another note, we are excited at the chance to stay at BLT in late Feb. Got tickets to Daytona qualifying races on Thurs night and go to some Braves spring training and take in some park time. We book Fri. and right now, lake view is still avail. for our weekend portion. Can anyone Moose Dust me for it all to come together?

 

[SAT887]

Its been awhile since we have done breakfast at WCC(actually like that meal better than lunch or dinner)but I remember our kids doing pony rides, etc. It is a little more laid back than dinner for sure, so makes for a more restful meal.
wfc4life and sechem32 told me last trip they really enjoyed their evening meal. It was their 1st time with thoughts of def. returning so I hope this is a sign of returning to WCC lost glory.

We decided on going to WCC for our arrival day meal. Our days generally start very early with the long ride to the airpoirt so dinner close to the room is good I think Thanks for the input! Breakfast appeals more to me, but overall I think this will be easiest.

Barb, I finally came to grips with the pt structure change but it drove me to OKW for best use of pts.(plus Ranger Stan no longer there). Now with those BWV pts around the corner, we are excited to be going back to VWL for Dec trips. I can understand your need to to sell those pts as your vacation habits change, just hang on to those remaining pts as they are precious commodity

In another note, we are excited at the chance to stay at BLT in late Feb. Got tickets to Daytona qualifying races on Thurs night and go to some Braves spring training and take in some park time. We book Fri. and right now, lake view is still avail. for our weekend portion. Can anyone Moose Dust me for it all to come together?

Good luck on BLT! I actually managed to get a TPV room in January, so good luck with Feb! I even got ours a few weeks after our 7 month window bc we changed our dates (Hmmm saving $400 in airfare... no brainer!) Hmmm I think I need to update my dates....

 

[rusafee1183]

Luv (Chris) and I are finally unpacked, and she's back at work. I'm back to household chores, running, biking, golfing, and minor yard work. Overall, our trip was superb, and I'm going to continue to update my TR that I started before leaving for FL for those of you who have been following along. However, for those who haven't, I'll give you a pared down version of the trip.
HIGHS
- The event itself, first and foremost
- Having our families together
- Beauty of the Lodge, especially for the ceremony
- CRT for the first time
- My oldest daughter and her hubby getting to see Wishes for the first time (from the WL beach)--she loved it!
- Roaring Fork staff. They treated us so well, even wanting to take a picture with them. Very fun bunch!
- Snagging a walk-on to TSM at DHS. It had been shut down when we first walked by around 11 (FP times already at 8:25 p.m.!), but when we came back on the way to TOT, the ride opened just as we strolled past the queue rope. On and off in 15 minutes!
- CL room the night before heading to cruise--perfect views of Wishes! The room was quite lovely, too. Dee, one of the CL staff, magically delivered to us a chilled bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice.
- Our one-night stay at BLT after returning from the cruise--5th floor, overlooking the pool and Bay Lake studio. . .very nice though the BLT is not my style
- Watching Wishes with piped in music from TOWL terrace
- Walking to Queen Anne's Steps in Nassau
- Remy!
- Seeing "The Long Ranger" on board the Dream. . .we thought it a cute, engaging movie despite the poor reviews. . .and it was "free"
- Beginning the rest of our lives together

LOWS
- The weather, in a word, was crappy. Lots of rain (though we pixie-dustedly managed to not get rained on for either our photo shoot or the wedding ceremony itself) and overcast skies, including on the cruise
- Crowds. We knew it would be crowded, but the most annoying part were the foreign student tour groups. Yikes! I mean them no disrespect and am sure they enjoyed themselves, but they have group mentalities, and there were literally dozens of groups there the week we visited the parks. Attempting to navigate through them was nearly impossible, and they had a bad habit of letting others in their group get in line with them ahead of other people who were waiting their turns. Well, some let them get away with it.
- VWL room location. No pixie dust there. We had dearly wished to stay in an atrium room, pool side, or at least as close as possible to one. How about halfway down the hall? Oh, well, it wasn't a dumpster view, and you could still see parts of Wishes. Still, our check-in desk woman said this about our room when asked, "Oh, it's the perfect location! You will love this room; it's just what you wanted!" Uh, no.
- Hate to say it, but AP. It wasn't terrible, but it just didn't have any pizzazz to it despite us being a wedding party of 10, open menu, and guaranteed tip. Service was fine, but the manager (with whom we'd met earlier in the day) didn't seem enthused by us being there, and some of the dishes fizzled (My pork was overdone while luv's buffalo, though cooked properly, was stringy. Others had minor issues, too). The inconsistency of AP is maddening as it's our sentimental favorite.
- Getting spanked by Chris both times we rode Buzz Lightyear. First time: 999,999 (the counter doesn't go higher) to 185,000-ish. Second time: 899,999 to 367,000-ish (my highest score ever). Methinks she has some secret she's not telling me.
- The drive home, not only because we hated to leave, but it was long, too. I-4 was a near parking lot all the way to J'ville (two hours!) and I-95 wasn't much better until we neared SC. Scatter in torrential downpours that slowed us to 20 mph with hazard lights blinking, and you get the picture.

I have no photos uploaded, but as soon as I do, I'll provide some pics. Have a great week everyone!

I agree with everyone that it definitely seems the positive FAR outweigh the negatives! So glad everything went well with your big moment

Can't wait to see pics!

I still don't know how you and luv met!!? I'd love to know how Disney brought the two of you together

My poor pooch has diabetes!! Anyone have any experience with a diabetic dog!! Yikes. I have to give him insulin twice a day. How in the heck is this going to happen? I can't so much as cut his toenails.

So sorry Eliza

We have 3 cats at home, and they are like my babies. I would be heartbroken if they were sick - I feel for you.

I'm actually looking forward to easy access to the s'mores cupcake every night! !

Those sound amazing!!

Welcome back Sly and Luv! I look forward to seeing your pictures.

I'm sorry for the lows in your WDW visit, in no part thanks to mother natures.

I have news!!!
We listed our small VWL contract and BOOM! 36 hours later mark that puppy SOLD!

Since the point structure changed (yeah, I still don't like it!) and we looked more into cruising, we just didn't need that many points. Now we have enough to stay 1 week (or so) in a 1 BR or bank and or borrow for more flexibility. Plus now when the maint dues bill comes in Jan, I won't need to nag Mr Muush to get rid of that small contract! This last trip in June did him in. The man is a cruiser!

YAY! Congratulations on a quick sale!

Told ya!


I am still waiting to close on my contract. The seller had a vacation planned, so we extended the closing until mid August. I was relieved at first, because I had more time to get things in order - but now it's just giving me more time to be scared and talk myself out of it and into all of the horrible "what if's" that could happen as soon as we sign.

I know once it's ours and we get into a rythym with payments (we financed) I will be fine. But until then, I am a mess thinking of horrible things that will OBVIOUSLY happen to me as soon as it's ours.

 

[Muushka]

Evening groupies,

I do not how to do the multiple quote thing, and for the moment it is not on my bucket list, but I wanted to thank all of you for the prayers and thoughts for Homer (Rebecca's Step-Dad) and Rebecca. He is not yet displaying any significant problems but those will come soon enough. We are taking advantage of the times that he is still feeling well and before Chemo starts like doing a brunch on Sunday with seven of his family members and certainly not dwelling on what's to come. We are defining the old adage, take one day at a time. Again, thanks! You guys are the best!

Thank you for the update. I hope the chemo goes well. Let us hear how he is doing.

Congratulations Muushka!

Thanks!

Barb, I finally came to grips with the pt structure change but it drove me to OKW for best use of pts.(plus Ranger Stan no longer there). Now with those BWV pts around the corner, we are excited to be going back to VWL for Dec trips. I can understand your need to to sell those pts as your vacation habits change, just hang on to those remaining pts as they are precious commodity

In another note, we are excited at the chance to stay at BLT in late Feb. Got tickets to Daytona qualifying races on Thurs night and go to some Braves spring training and take in some park time. We book Fri. and right now, lake view is still avail. for our weekend portion. Can anyone Moose Dust me for it all to come together?

Yay, JT will be staying at VWL for Dec trips! Yup, we will hang onto the bigger contract. Mr Muush would probably chime in right now and say that I could sell that one only if I pried his cold dead hands from it!
If this is any encouragement, when I treated my nephew to a DVC vacation,
we waitlisted for BLT in October and got it! Moose dust for you!

We went to qualifying one time and I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.

snip...



YAY! Congratulations on a quick sale!

Told ya!


I am still waiting to close on my contract. The seller had a vacation planned, so we extended the closing until mid August. I was relieved at first, because I had more time to get things in order - but now it's just giving me more time to be scared and talk myself out of it and into all of the horrible "what if's" that could happen as soon as we sign.

I know once it's ours and we get into a rythym with payments (we financed) I will be fine. But until then, I am a mess thinking of horrible things that will OBVIOUSLY happen to me as soon as it's ours.

You did tell me! Thank you! Best wishes for a smooth closing and even smoother vacations at VWL.

 

[rusafee1183]

All this talk of small and large contracts make me curious.... how many points does everyone have, and how do you make the best use of them?

I know people who plan 2-3 years worth of trips and have all their points accounted for already I wouldn't even know where to start!! I feel like everything changes at the drop of a hat with things not being available, etc...

We bought 120 at AKL and we are adding on 125 at VWL for 245 per year total. I feel REALLY comfortable with that number, because it's usually just the 2 of us travelling. Sometimes we will bring people with us and we like to mix it up between different times of year, room sizes, resorts etc etc. So we can use as little as 100 points or all of them and have to borrow. I am finding it super difficult to figure out 'the best use' for our points. Changing things up all the time makes planning every point so far in advance really tough.

Do you all use a spreadsheet? Or just travel at the same time, same place etc ...

 

[SAT887]

All this talk of small and large contracts make me curious.... how many points does everyone have, and how do you make the best use of them?

I know people who plan 2-3 years worth of trips and have all their points accounted for already I wouldn't even know where to start!! I feel like everything changes at the drop of a hat with things not being available, etc...

We bought 120 at AKL and we are adding on 125 at VWL for 245 per year total. I feel REALLY comfortable with that number, because it's usually just the 2 of us travelling. Sometimes we will bring people with us and we like to mix it up between different times of year, room sizes, resorts etc etc. So we can use as little as 100 points or all of them and have to borrow. I am finding it super difficult to figure out 'the best use' for our points. Changing things up all the time makes planning every point so far in advance really tough.

Do you all use a spreadsheet? Or just travel at the same time, same place etc ...

We have 230 pts at OKW with a December use year. Honestly we just wing it. What we try to do is take two trips in the same calendar year but 2 different use years to make use of APs (for instance we are going in Jan 2014 and then most likely Dec 2014) however - our trips are never the same set up..... We have done everything from a 1bed to a Grand Villa.... With friends, Family etc... We may add more, however not sure where (kinda why we are being DVC gypsies right now!) Also, we haven't decided on what's the best way to handle the school year (my kids are 2&4 so we have some time)

 

[rfassett]

All this talk of small and large contracts make me curious.... how many points does everyone have, and how do you make the best use of them?

I know people who plan 2-3 years worth of trips and have all their points accounted for already I wouldn't even know where to start!! I feel like everything changes at the drop of a hat with things not being available, etc...

We bought 120 at AKL and we are adding on 125 at VWL for 245 per year total. I feel REALLY comfortable with that number, because it's usually just the 2 of us travelling. Sometimes we will bring people with us and we like to mix it up between different times of year, room sizes, resorts etc etc. So we can use as little as 100 points or all of them and have to borrow. I am finding it super difficult to figure out 'the best use' for our points. Changing things up all the time makes planning every point so far in advance really tough.

Do you all use a spreadsheet? Or just travel at the same time, same place etc ...

We wing it also. We own two contacts at VWL - the original 200 points and an additional 59 add-on for a total of 259. By banking and borrowing we can usually get what we want when we want it. We have been to Mackinac Island, two DCL cruises and have stayed in one and two bedroom units at VWL for extended times multiple times. This last minute trip that we just planned a couple of weeks ago for the first week in September required wait listing but that came through in record time for a 1bedroom at VWL. We usually do not wait for the last minute, but that is how this one played out - but even that is in jeopardy now with this new news with Homer.

 

[sleepydog25]

Barb, I finally came to grips with the pt structure change but it drove me to OKW for best use of pts.(plus Ranger Stan no longer there). Now with those BWV pts around the corner, we are excited to be going back to VWL for Dec trips. I can understand your need to to sell those pts as your vacation habits change, just hang on to those remaining pts as they are precious commodity

In another note, we are excited at the chance to stay at BLT in late Feb. Got tickets to Daytona qualifying races on Thurs night and go to some Braves spring training and take in some park time. We book Fri. and right now, lake view is still avail. for our weekend portion. Can anyone Moose Dust me for it all to come together?

Moosedust headed your way! We just stayed one night at BLT (sort of a hair of the dog thing after 6 nights at VWL then 4 nights on the Dream) in a lake view studio. It was a superb location overlooking the courtyard, pool, and the lake (saw EWP later that night after Wishes at TOWL). Check-in was at BLT (vice CR) and the staff was very friendly. I can't say the style suits me, but our room was very clean, in good shape, and as I said, had a wonderful view. Good luck!

Heather: The essence of our Disney story is that some years ago I posted a TR which one of Chris's DIS friends read (they had a group similar to this one at one time). She recommended it to the group, Chris read it, and responded. Soon, I was invited to join in the group's chatter. A few years later, both she and I found ourselves available, and we wound up meeting on the beach at VWL, whereupon we took a stroll down the nature trail and talked. Though we had pretty much figured as much already from our discussions online, each found the other an amazingly perfect match. I have never felt the level of calm assuredness that I feel (and felt even then) with her. Chris will tell you I'm not a believer in fate or kismet, but I am constantly thankful for whatever influences and small decisions we each made that brought us together. Forever grateful. That's the short version.

As for the points discussion, I bought 200 VWL points three years ago, and as you know, we just added 50 more. I used to own at SSR (400 pts!), but let my ex have them since she and my daughter still go to Vero each summer. Besides, I always wanted VWL! If the Poly rumor pans out, we will likely look to buy there for an every other year trip. (Need a smilie showing empty pockets. . .)

 

[eliza61]

I'm at 200 points at the beach club. We've always been wingers especially since when we purchased the boys were young so we had to work around school schedules.
I've been toying with adding on a small contract but we've been exploring different destinations lately.
I've never been a spreadsheet type of vacationer, probably since every time I'd make one we never seemed to follow it!

 

[cahedberg]

So I am starting to make ADRs for our January trip, do the boats start running early? Thinking of a prepark opening for CRT.... We have stayed mostly at OKW and I am having a hard time wrapping my head around being so close to a park!

I hope so! We have early ADR at BBB one morning and the CM said she wasn't sure the buses ran that early. We'll be there inJan too. Our first stay at the lodge....

 

[cahedberg]

How was the cruise in Greece? Did he enjoy it?

Wonderful! He said he did.

 

[cahedberg]

Hmm, the only approach I can say is to do a park and cruise (or cruise and park). That way, your DH can have WDW--for the rides I'm assuming--and you can get a cruise. Further, I bet he'd see that the Disney cruise is every bit as enjoyable as the Disney parks: the three shows combined include most major Disney characters; there are character picture opportunities every day and night; Disney movies show on your TV and first-run movies in the theatres; the dining options are excellent (especially Remy!); there are adult spaces for times when you want to be alone and family places for when you don't; Aquaduck is a theme-park worthy ride; Castaway Cay has many activities from parasailing (extra fee), to the 5K (free), to snorkeling (nominal fee), and many other things. Just exploring the ship is a worthwhile endeavor, too.

We had our six-day park excursion before the cruise, then drove over the morning we sailed. After the 4-day cruise, we came back for one more day at MK. You might not be able to do that many days in the parks and cruise, too, but surely you could convince him to do a 4-day park and 4-day cruise? Yep, I'm guessing that would be my approach. Good luck!

I'll try that! Thanks!

 

[cahedberg]

Were you aware they make fresh Mickey waffles at Roaring Fork every morning?

Really?! Sweet!

 

[rusafee1183]

Moosedust headed your way! We just stayed one night at BLT (sort of a hair of the dog thing after 6 nights at VWL then 4 nights on the Dream) in a lake view studio. It was a superb location overlooking the courtyard, pool, and the lake (saw EWP later that night after Wishes at TOWL). Check-in was at BLT (vice CR) and the staff was very friendly. I can't say the style suits me, but our room was very clean, in good shape, and as I said, had a wonderful view. Good luck!

Heather: The essence of our Disney story is that some years ago I posted a TR which one of Chris's DIS friends read (they had a group similar to this one at one time). She recommended it to the group, Chris read it, and responded. Soon, I was invited to join in the group's chatter. A few years later, both she and I found ourselves available, and we wound up meeting on the beach at VWL, whereupon we took a stroll down the nature trail and talked. Though we had pretty much figured as much already from our discussions online, each found the other an amazingly perfect match. I have never felt the level of calm assuredness that I feel (and felt even then) with her. Chris will tell you I'm not a believer in fate or kismet, but I am constantly thankful for whatever influences and small decisions we each made that brought us together. Forever grateful. That's the short version.

As for the points discussion, I bought 200 VWL points three years ago, and as you know, we just added 50 more. I used to own at SSR (400 pts!), but let my ex have them since she and my daughter still go to Vero each summer. Besides, I always wanted VWL! If the Poly rumor pans out, we will likely look to buy there for an every other year trip. (Need a smilie showing empty pockets. . .)

So sweet! I definitely understand why the VWL is so sentimental to you both now. What a perfect wedding location You are both very lucky that fate or kismet or whatever you want to call it was at play!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[cahedberg]

We're newbies to DVC, bought 110 at AKL in Aulani last year. Didn't by there because we figured we go to WDW more than HI. Our little ones are 7 and 4. This will be our first DVC vaca at the lodge in Jan. after this year, we will have to work around school schedules as well, so I don't know how that will work out for us. I've found the DVC points app pretty helpful, and the dvcmember site. I set myself calendar reminders for when to bank. shrugs..

Still figuring it all out, but have found lots of information here in DIS, and at Passporters.

 

[sleepydog25]

We're newbies to DVC, bought 110 at AKL in Aulani last year. Didn't by there because we figured we go to WDW more than HI. Our little ones are 7 and 4. This will be our first DVC vaca at the lodge in Jan. after this year, we will have to work around school schedules as well, so I don't know how that will work out for us. I've found the DVC points app pretty helpful, and the dvcmember site. I set myself calendar reminders for when to bank. shrugs..

Still figuring it all out, but have found lots of information here in DIS, and at Passporters.

Yeah, we're planners. . .well, luv is the planner; I'm the voice-my-opinion-and-then-get-out-of-the-way follower. I help when directe--um, asked. We know how many points we have at any given time; we decide upon what ADRs we want to make and which meals will be options; she makes a hand-written 4x6 notecard with the parks, park hours, EMH, and then further denotes which park for which day with the ADR reservation numbers, too (as needed). Now, all of that being said, we are quite flexible except for a couple of the ADRS (CA Grill, e.g.). We end up switching park days, skip a park altogether, or just simply see how we feel on any given day and adjust. We figure a good plan gives us a basis, then we can deviate as we want. As for long-term planning, yes we do that, too. We are currently discussing December for 2014, and we booked a 2014 place-holder cruise while on the Dream that we'll change to 2015 when those bookings come out. Further, we're looking at a possible trip to DL in 2015, as well. Chris is a master planner.