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

[twinklebug]

On a flight in 3 hrs to you-know-where

Taking pic requests - anything from PVD to MCO to ME, Kidani or our favorite lodge. (Don't have anything more than a Lumix Point-n-Shoot, but I like to play with what I am allowed to set.)

 

[wildernessDad]

On a flight in 3 hrs to you-know-where

Taking pic requests - anything from PVD to MCO to ME, Kidani or our favorite lodge. (Don't have anything more than a Lumix Point-n-Shoot, but I like to play with what I am allowed to set.)

Need help with your bags?

 

[tea pot]

In very sad news, I found out a few days ago that my best friend has passed away. I've known him since Jr. High. I feel like a part of me is gone too. I'm going to be speaking at his memorial on July 27. He went with us one time to WDW and stayed with us at VWL. He loved it and I'm glad that I invited him to come. He had fallen on hard times and had been suffering from depression for some time. I will miss him dearly.

WD so sorry to hear about your loss,
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers

About 20-30 mins from my house!! We love Franconia

Oh Wow what a beautiful blessing it must be to live there
but did I read that you may be moving ???

I'm going up for a post wedding celebration for my niece in mid august. I'll land in Boston, stay in Nantasket, MA with my school chums and then to sister in RI, party in CT and fly out of PVD, RI. Another tri stste visit.
PS. Teapot, if you read this, up for a beach day? 8/14 to 8/16

Nantasket??? I haven't been there since I was a Kid
Can I interest you in a short trip north to
York Beach Maine only about an hour from Boston ?
I'm sure we can work something out
Would love to see you PM or e-mail me

virge
A studio would be fine for you. We did this all the time til the kids hit teen yrs., and needed more space. We just brought a twin size mattress with elec pump(be sure to get one with a velour or something clothy top, otherwise it makes a crunchy sound everytime the sleeper turns)and placed it between the TV and sofa bed. Worked great and we would place against wall during day. Studios afford a bit more room than values and feels more homey to me.
We have never stayed at AKV and want to some time, but here are 2 downsides I have heard...its far from everyhting other than AK and the halls are looooongggggg. VWL is smallest on property among DVC resorts, but tstill with ample amenities. Also, the western theming is cool for boys IMO. Just saying

Hey Virge Welcome

I agree with Jimmy and the others
You'll enjoy the studio with 2 small boys
don't forget you will have the kitchenette

AKL is a great place for the kids an adults too
even my gang who are now adults still love to
sit on the deck and watch the animals, and the main pool
is wonderful they also have the night activities, camp fire etc.
Big Tip We like Jambo House the main building
We will usually just stay there a couple on nights and just
"Do the Resort" It can be a great way to have a low key
mini vacation after the crazy pace of the parks.
Yes It may mean moving to another resort but
you're already in Disney
We usually pack a separate bag for the day then
Check in early, leave all the luggage with Bell services
and head down to the pool

We often do split stays...
Magic Kingdom side, Epcot side of the "World"
We always look at it as a "twofer"

The day after. . .

Congrats to the Happy Couple
Many Blessings!!!!

 

[MMrules]

My home resort is AKV, but I love, love, love WL too . I have only stayed in the lodge for 2 short trips but fell instantly in love!

Finally was able to book my first VWL for February 2014. As much as I hate winter, it won't be fast enough to get here!!! Hoping to get some good info on the resort that I don't already know for this trip!!!

 

[sleepydog25]

My home resort is AKV, but I love, love, love WL too . I have only stayed in the lodge for 2 short trips but fell instantly in love!

Finally was able to book my first VWL for February 2014. As much as I hate winter, it won't be fast enough to get here!!! Hoping to get some good info on the resort that I don't already know for this trip!!!

Welcome, MM!! You've stumbled upon the friendliest group on the DIS (self-proclaimed but true, nonetheless), and we all have a love of VWL in common, though quite a few own and/or stay elsewhere. Glad to hear you snagged a reservation at our home away from home, and I'm sure you will love it.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Oooh Kat. you have a little daredevil in you too! We were at Charlotte motorspeedway once and there was a wreck litterally right underneath where I was standing. It was like "Oh my. I am either risking my life or staying to experience it". Guess which I chose . It has been several years since we went to one, I keep asking to go to one, but so far, no race.

Wow Muushka!!! How scary/exciting!! That had to be an adrenaline rush. I'm not certain where I'd want to sit for the race. Ok - I'd want to be right at the front but whew!

 

[jimmytammy]

Welcome to the groupies MMrules!!!!
Sorry about all the colors, but with a tag name like this, we had to celebrate

 

[jimmytammy]

Barb
When we used to go to the races at Charlotte, we would sit on the backstretch where they were turing about 190mph coming by, and we were 6 rows up
Looking back, I shouldnt have been so cheap and moved up some rows.
I told T, if I go to Daytona I was determined to sit high up as possible, so we bought tickets 2 rows from the top on the front stretch, just as the cars are coming out of pit row.
Seen too many cars in the fences at these big tracks on tv to brave the bottom rows.
In other words, you are brave, Im chicken(and proud of it)

 

[SAT887]

On a flight in 3 hrs to you-know-where

Taking pic requests - anything from PVD to MCO to ME, Kidani or our favorite lodge. (Don't have anything more than a Lumix Point-n-Shoot, but I like to play with what I am allowed to set.)

(Sigh) Have fun!! I love seeing any and all pics of WDW!! We will be staying in Kidani in September for the first time!

Welcome, MM!! You've stumbled upon the friendliest group on the DIS (self-proclaimed but true, nonetheless), and we all have a love of VWL in common, though quite a few own and/or stay elsewhere. Glad to hear you snagged a reservation at our home away from home, and I'm sure you will love it.

I do agree with this- as a newcomer you guys are more than welcoming!!

Teapot - yes, we want to move south, for two major reasons, family and the winter... The winters tend to be long and hard, and being so far away from things is difficult now too.... We want to spend more time doing things, but seem to spend so much time traveling to get our basics done.... If we move to NC we will be close to family, have more job growth for DH (currently there isn't many locations for him up here) and have a mild winter. We are originally from NJ, and kinda miss the springs we used to have

Also, why did you prefer Jambo over Kidani? Just curious because we will be staying there in 6 weeks...

 

[virge]

I just want to say thank you to everyone for the air mattress suggestion. I appreciate being able to ask for advice and getting so many kind and helpful responses!

 

[Muushka]

Wow Muushka!!! How scary/exciting!! That had to be an adrenaline rush. I'm not certain where I'd want to sit for the race. Ok - I'd want to be right at the front but whew!

Barb
When we used to go to the races at Charlotte, we would sit on the backstretch where they were turing about 190mph coming by, and we were 6 rows up
Looking back, I shouldnt have been so cheap and moved up some rows.
I told T, if I go to Daytona I was determined to sit high up as possible, so we bought tickets 2 rows from the top on the front stretch, just as the cars are coming out of pit row.
Seen too many cars in the fences at these big tracks on tv to brave the bottom rows.
In other words, you are brave, Im chicken(and proud of it)

At that race where I took my life in my hands, it wasn't at my seat, I was seeking shade and stopped at an overhang right over the track.

Kathy, JT has the right idea, high up is the best place, start/finish line

 

[Nicoal13]

Just a quick stop in. Busy summer here. My son is 7 and we're trying to a pack in a lot of fun on my days off of work. DH is busy around the house with our remodeling as usual.

Prayers to those groupies who need them for the friends they have lost.

Just booked an unexpected trip to Boston for a long weekend in the middle of Aug. I've never been. She is from Boston, but lives in Charlotte. I've visited her in Charlotte and her beach home on Fripp Island in SC, but this time we're meeting in Boston. Planning on spending a day or so in Glouscester on the beach, do a whale watching trip and then heading to Fenway for a Red Sox game, site seeing around Boston as well. Can't wait!!

Then another 3 months and it will be time for DS and I to head to WDW by ourselves. Staying at OKW. We really enjoyed our stay there last time. I don't love it as much as the Lodge, but still nice and peaceful.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

At that race where I took my life in my hands, it wasn't at my seat, I was seeking shade and stopped at an overhang right over the track.

Kathy, JT has the right idea, high up is the best place, start/finish line

I shall remember this advice if I ever make it to a race. It sounds somewhat like going to a rodeo. There have been a couple of times we've been in box seats right down front. And I know full well that a bull can jump that high and have seen it happen. Watching from higher up gives the whole perspective compared to a close up of the shiny eyes looking for who they're going to take on next!

 

[sleepydog25]

It's been slow around here the past few days. One reason for me is that my computer died. Wouldn't boot up, wouldn't shut down. Cycled power on and off a few times, and finally it maniacally began laughing at me, taunting me with "Nah, nah, na-nah, nah," and seemingly became possessed. I wanted to shoot it, but luv wouldn't let me. Finally, it began to re-initialize. . .told me "Hey, we're gonna reset your computer to its factory presets," which is geek-speak for "you just lost all your data."



On the brighter side, I had a dining review of Artist Point published online. I believe rules forbid me from mentioning the actual website since I don't believe it's a sponsor of this Disney based discussion forum, not even on the Dining threads I believe. Must be a lack of .communication on their parts. Apparently, it will hit a major social networking site in the morning, too. Anyway, the review encompasses my take on AP for our wedding dinner if you're interested.

 

[Linda67]

Hi everyone

Quick question if I may?

One of my work colleagues is heading to the lodge in a week's time for a family vacation

They have a 7:30am ADR at Chef Mickey's - will the boats be running to the Contemporary that early in the day?

I'm guessing he would have to be getting on a boat at 7:00am

Thanks all!

Lx

 

[sleepydog25]

Hi everyone

Quick question if I may?

One of my work colleagues is heading to the lodge in a week's time for a family vacation

They have a 7:30am ADR at Chef Mickey's - will the boats be running to the Contemporary that early in the day?

I'm guessing he would have to be getting on a boat at 7:00am

Thanks all!

Lx

Boats begin running at 7 a.m., so as long as they make that boat, no problem. If they're worried about making the boat, your colleague's family could easily grab a taxi (the valet at the main entrance can signal one for you as the taxis have 3-4 spots in the far left parking lot), and the cost wouldn't be too extravagant given that the Contemporary is very close by--about $10 including tip, I'd guess. Tell them not to forget their cameras!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Boats begin running at 7 a.m., so as long as they make that boat, no problem. If they're worried about making the boat, your colleague's family could easily grab a taxi (the valet at the main entrance can signal one for you as the taxis have 3-4 spots in the far left parking lot), and the cost wouldn't be too extravagant given that the Contemporary is very close by--about $10 including tip, I'd guess. Tell them not to forget their cameras!

The boats should be running but there can be delays that happen too so the taxi is a good back up. We had to do that on our last stay at VWL when we were going to the Cali Grill for dinner. For whatever reason both boats were going the same direction and heading to the campground so after 40 minutes of waiting for a boat, learning it was going to FW so waiting for the next, and then being told they were also going to FW we ran for a taxi and were at the CR in 5 minutes or less.

 

[jimmytammy]

Sleepy(or I should def. call you Sly slipping in that site)
Read your article, well done!
Inspires me, I have wanted to write an article and maybe submit to Celebrations mag about Ranger Stan. Not for profit, just to share with those who werent fortunate to meet him, and to reminisce with those who did.

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Birthday DaveH!!!!

 

[Corinne]

Sleepy(or I should def. call you Sly slipping in that site)
Read your article, well done!
Inspires me, I have wanted to write an article and maybe submit to Celebrations mag about Ranger Stan. Not for profit, just to share with those who werent fortunate to meet him, and to reminisce with those who did.

What a wonderful idea Jimmy! But I do not know Celebrations magazine?