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

[sleepydog25]

Sleepy
Fog was like pea soup, but my folks enjoyed the trip, so it made it worth it

Glad you and they had a good day. Finally, around 7 pm, we saw the sun peeking through the clouds at sunset, and it gave us a most lovely double rainbow. Rain is good. . .in doses.

 

[Corinne]

Happy Sunday Groupies! The AKL is fabulous! We are really enjoying our stay here, and traveling with my sister always means there is a lot of laughter!

We were asleep when we were supposed to be meeting Eliza and Granny at the WL. We had been up since 3:00am and just couldn't resist a nap. Hoping to hear they were able to meet!

One more full day here today and back to reality tomorrow.

 

[jimmytammy]

We have a 2 resort stay coming up soon and need some help with online check in. Up until this trip, we have never been able to do this on our computers. Our 1st 2 nights at AS Music, got online check in to work, but remaining nights at OKW, every time we click on that, kicks us right back to ASM. Anything we can try to get to that next step?

 

[horselover]

Slinking in. Remember me groupies? I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to get back on here since I got back from my Fantasy cruise. The time since then has been a blur with school starting & a lot of work stuff going on. I hope you're all doing well. Looks like some of you are enjoying the World right now. Have a great time!

Fantasy cruise was AMAZING!! I had the best time. I had joined a FB group beforehand & I'm so glad I did. Just a great group of people & it made it so nice for me since I was cruising solo. My tablemates were wonderful, staff was fantastic, & the ship just outstanding. My favorite so far. So who's ready for some pics?

Ahoy Minnie!


Love, love, love the atrium chandeliers on all the DCL ships.


My favorite towel animal of the week. A stingray.


First stop St. Maarten


Me with my amazing server Amanda at Palo. She was my server for both brunch & dinner.


The famous Palo chocolate souffle.


Two of the awesome concierge attendants Julia on the left & Keimsha on the right.


Concierge bartender Marianne. Love her! She always knew what I wanted before I even had to ask.

 

[horselover]

Picture of the animation show the last night in Animator's Palate. One of the coolest things I've ever seen. Loved it. My drawing is 3rd from the left. As you can see I have no artistic ability!


St. Thomas


This one is just for you Eliza! Freedom of the Seas was docked next to us in St. Thomas.


Private meets with Goofy, Minnie & Goofy again!




And now we move on to heaven Castaway Cay!




Serenity Bay




And last but not least my own little piece of heaven (at least temporarily) cabana 17.



I miss the Fantasy & can't wait to go again!

 

[twinklebug]

We have a 2 resort stay coming up soon and need some help with online check in. Up until this trip, we have never been able to do this on our computers. Our 1st 2 nights at AS Music, got online check in to work, but remaining nights at OKW, every time we click on that, kicks us right back to ASM. Anything we can try to get to that next step?

I saw this with our AKV/VWL reservation this summer. If OL check-in just came live for the 1st leg of your trip, you'll need to wait however many days you're at ASM for your OKW reservation to be turned on for OL check-in.

If that point has passed, you may need to contact IT.

 

[jimmytammy]

I saw this with our AKV/VWL reservation this summer. If OL check-in just came live for the 1st leg of your trip, you'll need to wait however many days you're at ASM for your OKW reservation to be turned on for OL check-in.

If that point has passed, you may need to contact IT.

Thanks twinklebug!
The weeks have passed since online became available for us. We have tried several days to make it work. I know Disneys site has been less than stellar through the years but it seems they would have the kinks worked out by now.

 

[DiznyDi]

WOW Julie! Looks like you had an amazing trip! Muush keeps trying to get DDad and I on a cruise. I know we will at some point in time.......
Thanks for taking the time to upload and post your pictures. Can't wait to see you - real soon, too!

 

[Muushka]

I am against this also, 100%. If we end up with another giant giftshop in its place - much like the cheesy one in the center of the Grand Canyon Concourse @ Contemporary -I will truly be disgusted. Heck, I was bummed out when they removed the Macaws. I loved sitting on the benches watching them play around - could literally just sit there for hours.

I know Disney is in business to make money. But someone within the upper echelon of the Disney organization must know that a giftshop every 25 feet is NOT what we want to see. Especially when there is very little differentiation amongst the shops. In the "old days", you could at least find unique items at the various stores around the property. Now, not only can they be found around every corner, but they seem to have the same "junk" found in every other store on property. There are dollar stores and Walmarts every 500 feet in real life, I don't expect the same atmosphere on Main Street USA, or the Polynesian for that matter.

If this dzoes, in fact happen, I hope the Tiki gods of the South Pacific join forces with the 999 Happy Haunts of the H.M. to strike fear in the hearts of WDW management.

I agree and love that last sentence!

Happy Sunday Groupies! The AKL is fabulous! We are really enjoying our stay here, and traveling with my sister always means there is a lot of laughter!

We were asleep when we were supposed to be meeting Eliza and Granny at the WL. We had been up since 3:00am and just couldn't resist a nap. Hoping to hear they were able to meet!

One more full day here today and back to reality tomorrow.

You missed Granny and Eliza!!!! Oh the humanity

HL, I loved your pictures of the beautiful Fantasy.

 

[sleepydog25]

Thanks twinklebug!
I know Disneys site has been less than stellar through the years but it seems they would have the kinks worked out by now.

Wait. You're joking, right?

 

[Muushka]

Speaking of the DVC site, I have a question or comment.

Does it happen to anyone else that when you do a search for a unit, often times it will have an alternative, WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE???? Who writes these programs?

Seems to me they could create a database that would allow you to see each villa that is available for the time you want to go and not have to go back to refine your search.
Am I the only one??

 

[jimmytammy]

Sleepy
You know what Im talking about
Muushka
I have run into the same scenario many times
horselover
Loving the pics, just all the more excited for our 1st cruise!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Great pictures HL! Thanks for sharing.

Speaking of the DVC site, I have a question or comment.

Does it happen to anyone else that when you do a search for a unit, often times it will have an alternative, WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE???? Who writes these programs?

Seems to me they could create a database that would allow you to see each villa that is available for the time you want to go and not have to go back to refine your search.
Am I the only one??

The last time I commented on a thread about the results return in a search I was told that it works just fine for most and that the cost to change it would be too expensive. And there were comments that it's better than what we had before so just be happy.

But I'm right there with you Muushka! At some point someone decided what will be returned for results and it just isn't that helpful in several situations such as a later booking.

 

[twinklebug]

Julie, I'm not a cruise person, just don't want to think about being confined on a boat, but your pictures are amazing and make me go hmmm... maybe as I grow older ships won't seem so confining and give them a try.

Thanks twinklebug!
The weeks have passed since online became available for us. We have tried several days to make it work. I know Disneys site has been less than stellar through the years but it seems they would have the kinks worked out by now.

I predict one call to Disney IT in your future (Can you tell I dread calling Support? )

Speaking of the DVC site, I have a question or comment.

Does it happen to anyone else that when you do a search for a unit, often times it will have an alternative, WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE???? Who writes these programs?

Seems to me they could create a database that would allow you to see each villa that is available for the time you want to go and not have to go back to refine your search.
Am I the only one??

The last time I commented on a thread about the results return in a search I was told that it works just fine for most and that the cost to change it would be too expensive. And there were comments that it's better than what we had before so just be happy.

But I'm right there with you Muushka! At some point someone decided what will be returned for results and it just isn't that helpful in several situations such as a later booking.

Happens daily here Mushka, I think of it as the multi-search dance, and have the steps committed to memory.

I'd settle for the "change search" option to be duplicated at the bottom of the screen. Why do we need to scroll all the way back up when result are not what we want? This is a super-easy change to the results page template.

In a perfect world, I agree with you I'd like to see either an option to display resorts where "all days available", or one that let us select the resort/categories we want the system to search for us for one room stze (for example, I rarely want to see the standard view option at AKV)

 

[sleepydog25]

Slinking in. Remember me groupies?

Welcome to the Groupies! We're a very friendly bunch! Grab a rocker and sit a spell.







Disney is to IT as Miley Cyrus is to music. . .

 

[jimmytammy]

Got our online check in done for OKW! I chatted live with a CM who directed us to go to DVC website, entered our conf#, and from there it was a breeze. Thanks for the help twinklebug and all you other folks who chimed in!

Well, all was good in my sports world yesterday, Panthers won and Braves clinched their division, now I can breathe a little slower

 

[Linda67]

Hey groupies

I'm a bit of a part timer in terms of chipping in but I do take a peak at this thread most days

We are only a week or so away from on-line check in and are crazy excited

We are spending our first 3 nights at AoA so hopefully this won't cause problems with OLC

I'll probably be driving you all crazy with Qs for the next 60 days

 

[SAT887]

Speaking of the DVC site, I have a question or comment. Does it happen to anyone else that when you do a search for a unit, often times it will have an alternative, WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE???? Who writes these programs? Seems to me they could create a database that would allow you to see each villa that is available for the time you want to go and not have to go back to refine your search. Am I the only one??

I had to laugh at this!! I just added another 2 nights onto our trip and it falls on MLK weekend basically all that is available was SSR (but I think I lucked out on AKV because I don't remember it the first search) However it's like "look what else you can't have!! " and it also never recommends down in the same resort which would be helpful.

 

[horselover]

WOW Julie! Looks like you had an amazing trip! Muush keeps trying to get DDad and I on a cruise. I know we will at some point in time.......
Thanks for taking the time to upload and post your pictures. Can't wait to see you - real soon, too!

Thanks Di! Looking forward to seeing you real soon too! We shall have to talk cruising during our meet. Maybe I can convince you! There will definitely be gushing involved.

HL, I loved your pictures of the beautiful Fantasy.

Thanks Muush!

horselover
Loving the pics, just all the more excited for our 1st cruise!

You're going to love it!!!

Great pictures HL! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Kathy!

Julie, I'm not a cruise person, just don't want to think about being confined on a boat, but your pictures are amazing and make me go hmmm... maybe as I grow older ships won't seem so confining and give them a try.

Try it you might like it! Maybe give one of the bigger ships like the Fantasy a try. Honestly there's so much to do on the ship you hardly spend that much time in your cabin unless you want to. Maybe an itinerary with lots of ports would be a good option for you. That way you'd frequently be able to get off the ship & that might help with the confined feeling you're concerned about. Just something to think about.

Have I mentioned how much I loved the Fantasy & can't wait to go back?

Welcome to the Groupies! We're a very friendly bunch! Grab a rocker and sit a spell.

You're just a laugh riot Patrick aka Sly! I deserved it though I fully admit!

Got our online check in done for OKW! I chatted live with a CM who directed us to go to DVC website, entered our conf#, and from there it was a breeze. Thanks for the help twinklebug and all you other folks who chimed in!

Well, all was good in my sports world yesterday, Panthers won and Braves clinched their division, now I can breathe a little slower

Glad you got OLC worked out. Interesting how many of you use it. I never do. I like to talk to a person at check in & the lines for OLC never seem to be that short. I did do OLC for my upcoming conference at CSR. I thought it best since it's such a busy resort. When we stayed at POR in April one night post cruise the check in line was awful. Waited 30 min. to check in. I really wished we had done OLC then. Funny they had 2 CMs working the regular check in line & 4 CMs at OLC who were mostly just standing around doing nothing. You would have thought at least one of them would have jumped over to move the regular check in line along but no one did.

 

[sleepydog25]

You're just a laugh riot Patrick aka Sly!



Glad you got OLC worked out. Interesting how many of you use it. I never do. I like to talk to a person at check in & the lines for OLC never seem to be that short. I did do OLC for my upcoming conference at CSR. I thought it best since it's such a busy resort. When we stayed at POR in April one night post cruise the check in line was awful. Waited 30 min. to check in. I really wished we had done OLC then. Funny they had 2 CMs working the regular check in line & 4 CMs at OLC who were mostly just standing around doing nothing. You would have thought at least one of them would have jumped over to move the regular check in line along but no one did.

As I.often tell Chris, it's all part of my anti-charm. :-D. I know what you mean re: check-in line. In one airport a few years ago, the line for coach fares was weaving around the lobby with two agents. First class line had no line and four agents. Ugh.