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

[jimmytammy]

Happy Birthday I Book He Pays and Akima!!!!

 

[Muushka]

Happy Birthday I Book He Pays and Akima!!!!

Yes indeed, Happy Birthday to you both

I happen to know that I Book is having a wonderful birthday celebration with Mr. I Book,
the he in 'he pays' at Cape May.

 

[jimmytammy]

Yes indeed, Happy Birthday to you both

I happen to know that I Book is having a wonderful birthday celebration with Mr. I Book,
the he in 'he pays' at Cape May.

What a way to celebrate!

 

[DiznyDi]

Happy Birthday I Book He Pays and Akima!!!!

Please add our very best wishes for the Happiest of Birthdays! Enjoy your day in a most amazing way.

 

[jimmytammy]

Sure is quiet around here

 

[DiznyDi]

Sure is quiet around here

I agree with Jimmy.

OT: Since I value the opinion of the Groupies so much, if you had the choice to stay at Boardwalk vs Beach Club which would it be? Our 7 mo window opens tomorrow. We've never stayed at either. I always thought I'd like to stay at Beach Club but having been reading recently about how noisy it is. Thoughts?

 

[horselover]

I agree with Jimmy.

OT: Since I value the opinion of the Groupies so much, if you had the choice to stay at Boardwalk vs Beach Club which would it be? Our 7 mo window opens tomorrow. We've never stayed at either. I always thought I'd like to stay at Beach Club but having been reading recently about how noisy it is. Thoughts?

I'd choose BC but I'm sure others might disagree. BW seems to be having a lot of maintenance issues lately. After my stay there in May I decided I didn't really want to stay there anymore. That's part of the reason I'm selling my BWV points. My contract was sent to ROFR about 2 wks ago I think. I stay at BCV all the time & never had an issue with noise in the room. Lobby area & SAB for sure are noisy though.

Hi groupies!

Single digit dance time!!!

 

[rfassett]

Sure is quiet around here

Is it the quiet before the storm? All you folks with your upcoming trips are in that quiet space I guess.

Well, since it is quiet, I will fill you all in on what is going on around here. Homer had his second checkup yesterday and has been released to oncology should he choose to do that. The surgeon told him to come back in three months unless he has problems before. Homer will contact oncology to tentatively start treatment sometime in November.

Yesterday my household inherited two new puppies. Bet you don't know where they came from.

Rebecca and I are heading down to Hilton Head in just 12 days - and I can not wait!!!!

Rebecca is in charge of the annual used book sale fund raiser here for the local public library and that just wrapped up this past weekend. It is a project that consumes six weeks of her life every year. Saturday is a very tiring day because the shoppers can fill a grocery bag full of books for just $5 and we volunteers carry the bags out to the shoppers cars. And then after the sale ends at 2:00, we have to pack up the remaining books and break down the tables and have them ready for pickup at 4:00. During all of that I had three episodes with my heart. I estimated I had about 5,500 extra beats in a 30 minute period.

October 24th I will be having a second heart ablation done to try to fix the issue with my heart rate jumping to 240bpm at will. The first one this past February kept the issue at bay for five weeks. And now it is even busting through the heart medicine again. 5,500 extra beats in 30 minutes is very exhausting and I was not good for much on Sunday. Hopefully we can get this fixed this month.

Anyway, that is the news from here. I have GOT to do something about this squeak in my rocking chair.

You all have a Great Day!

 

[sleepydog25]

Surely is. We're just back from FL (me in Melbourne, luv from the World) and working, so not much to report here. I will say that luv reports two primary things from her trip:
1) She and her group were not fans of the new wristbands. CMs had issues loading everything on them (and once loaded, one person's band didn't work when they got to the park--had no info on it at all), and the bands were unwieldy. She hopes the idea doesn't pan out and goes away, but I doubt that will happen.
2) California Grill was not a hit. Three in their group had short ribs ($40 a pop!), and all three sent them back for being excessively fatty (a criticism I'd heard a few times already on another site). Their group wound up being comped over $200. Prices are even higher than before: if you get an appetizer, dinner, dessert, and a drink, you'll approach V & A's pricing. CG used to be one of our top dining destinations, but luv suggests maybe we go strictly for appetizers, drinks, and to view Wishes. Too bad.

 

[Muushka]

I agree with Jimmy.

OT: Since I value the opinion of the Groupies so much, if you had the choice to stay at Boardwalk vs Beach Club which would it be? Our 7 mo window opens tomorrow. We've never stayed at either. I always thought I'd like to stay at Beach Club but having been reading recently about how noisy it is. Thoughts?

I would vote for BC.
It is closer to Epcot and I like the area/rooms/pool area more. There you have it

Is it the quiet before the storm? All you folks with your upcoming trips are in that quiet space I guess.

Well, since it is quiet, I will fill you all in on what is going on around here. Homer had his second checkup yesterday and has been released to oncology should he choose to do that. The surgeon told him to come back in three months unless he has problems before. Homer will contact oncology to tentatively start treatment sometime in November.

Yesterday my household inherited two new puppies. Bet you don't know where they came from.

Rebecca and I are heading down to Hilton Head in just 12 days - and I can not wait!!!!

Rebecca is in charge of the annual used book sale fund raiser here for the local public library and that just wrapped up this past weekend. It is a project that consumes six weeks of her life every year. Saturday is a very tiring day because the shoppers can fill a grocery bag full of books for just $5 and we volunteers carry the bags out to the shoppers cars. And then after the sale ends at 2:00, we have to pack up the remaining books and break down the tables and have them ready for pickup at 4:00. During all of that I had three episodes with my heart. I estimated I had about 5,500 extra beats in a 30 minute period.

October 24th I will be having a second heart ablation done to try to fix the issue with my heart rate jumping to 240bpm at will. The first one this past February kept the issue at bay for five weeks. And now it is even busting through the heart medicine again. 5,500 extra beats in 30 minutes is very exhausting and I was not good for much on Sunday. Hopefully we can get this fixed this month.

Anyway, that is the news from here. I have GOT to do something about this squeak in my rocking chair.

You all have a Great Day!

I hope Homer's treatments are successful and uneventful.

My goodness, hoping for a successful heart ablation for you. That's a lot of beats.
I can imagine it would wipe you out.

Surely is. We're just back from FL (me in Melbourne, luv from the World) and working, so not much to report here. I will say that luv reports two primary things from her trip:
1) She and her group were not fans of the new wristbands. CMs had issues loading everything on them (and once loaded, one person's band didn't work when they got to the park--had no info on it at all), and the bands were unwieldy. She hopes the idea doesn't pan out and goes away, but I doubt that will happen.
2) California Grill was not a hit. Three in their group had short ribs ($40 a pop!), and all three sent them back for being excessively fatty (a criticism I'd heard a few times already on another site). Their group wound up being comped over $200. Prices are even higher than before: if you get an appetizer, dinner, dessert, and a drink, you'll approach V & A's pricing. CG used to be one of our top dining destinations, but luv suggests maybe we go strictly for appetizers, drinks, and to view Wishes. Too bad.

So sad when your favorite restaurants aren't that tasty anymore AND expensive to boot.
I really think WDW needs to re-evaluate some of their decisions on how to make money.
I'm capitalist all the way and I also know I'm not forced to eat on site.
But at some point, even the bean counters are going to realize they have pushed it a tad too far.

 

[tea pot]

Hi Groupies

I knew I count on the groupies to be up and running

I just scanned back a few pages
Wow some very busy Groupies
So many kindred spirits heading to "the world"
now get all those kinks worked out with those
magic bands
I'm so looking forward to our Dec trip
wondering...
When and How did they contact you about the bands?

Wonderful pictures horselover thanks so much.

eliza and granny What a great pic of you two!

Eliza I just love that side of the Board walk
so quiet and love those beautiful gardenia hedges
near the quiet pool, so secluded
Sorry I can't remember who was asking about
staying at the Boardwalk
but if you do this is the area to check out
also in the morning the best place to get coffee/tea
is the bar ..yup it's on the opposite side of the DVC wing
and open for light breakfast
again quite more of the Yacht Club feel here

rfassett
Glad to hear Homer is dong better and congrats on you new pups
good luck with your ablation Prayers and pixie dust coming your way

Di
Oh I wish I could sew with you !
I bought a machine 3 years ago online ( wouldn't recommend it )
and have been working mostly on quilting and small projects
no one told be that I would get so hooked.
Still have a lot to learn

Muushka
Remember that little kitty
we adopted last fall
(she turned to be a little old lady)
well I'm happy to report that
she is still with us !
I try to send you a few pictures

Heading up to the White Mountains tomorrow for a short
2 day foliage trip Color should be at peak
Heads up all you train fans
We will be taking a ride on a old steam engine
in the first class car called the Gertrude Emma will take Pics

Now off to pack
Take Care my dear friends

 

[Muushka]

Hi TP Good to see you.

I would love to see pics of your kitty!
And any updates as to how she is acclimating to being taken care of by an awesome person.

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . . . So sad when your favorite restaurants aren't that tasty anymore AND expensive to boot. I really think WDW needs to re-evaluate some of their decisions on how to make money. I'm capitalist all the way and I also know I'm not forced to eat on site. But at some point, even the bean counters are going to realize they have pushed it a tad too far.

Ah Muush - right on! DiznyDi & I just discussed today that the old favorites just don't call to us anymore, either due to the lack of quality or the pricing. I have no problem paying for great food, but paying great prices for disappointment is getting old. I have always thought the "Free Dining" plan was the issue, causing unfortunate choices by the food management group to lower the expenses in areas we might not notice. Sorry - we noticed. There are still a few places we don't miss, but the big signature spots are paling next to some of the counter service spots. (And yes, we can go off-property; gosh . . . . please don't let Mickey know I mentioned it!)

 

[sleepydog25]

Ah Muush - right on! DiznyDi & I just discussed today that the old favorites just don't call to us anymore, either due to the lack of quality or the pricing. I have no problem paying for great food, but paying great prices for disappointment is getting old. I have always thought the "Free Dining" plan was the issue, causing unfortunate choices by the food management group to lower the expenses in areas we might not notice. Sorry - we noticed. There are still a few places we don't miss, but the big signature spots are paling next to some of the counter service spots. (And yes, we can go off-property; gosh . . . . please don't let Mickey know I mentioned it!)

We agree about being willing to pay for a topnotch experience, but the quality of the restaurants has been inching downward for a few years now. We used to love most of the signature restaurants, but we've adjusted our thinking now and have found a few moderately priced joints that we like, as well as a few quick/counter service places. It's quite obvious food quality has suffered throughout Disney regardless of who or what is to blame. In addition to the CG disappointment, luv and I patronized 1900 PF for breakfast Sunday morning and were demoralized. It had been a beacon of buffets (and we don't do many of them) until that last visit. The eggs benedict were not only overcooked, but whatever they used for the base was not only NOT an English muffin, it was drier than the Sahara. The cheesy potatoes lacked, of all things, enough cheese to call them by that name. Their bacon is that same paper-thin, tastes like leather stuff that has invaded nearly every other Disney restaurant. Further, what happened to actually seasoning food? I was constantly using the salt and pepper containers on the table. Though not awful, it wasn't noteworthy, either. I guess that's my point. I have a sneaking suspicion that all of Disney dining is using the same playbook but with variations at each location. What we wind up with is mediocre food served at high-quality prices. We see lots of salads in the room in our future.

 

[Muushka]

Ah Muush - right on! DiznyDi & I just discussed today that the old favorites just don't call to us anymore, either due to the lack of quality or the pricing. I have no problem paying for great food, but paying great prices for disappointment is getting old. I have always thought the "Free Dining" plan was the issue, causing unfortunate choices by the food management group to lower the expenses in areas we might not notice. Sorry - we noticed. There are still a few places we don't miss, but the big signature spots are paling next to some of the counter service spots. (And yes, we can go off-property; gosh . . . . please don't let Mickey know I mentioned it!)

It's our secret.....

We rarely dine out when we are not on vacation. So when we go to Disney, I look forward to the restaurants that are, um, not on property.

The best meal I had at Disney (in recent years) was a Cajun fish sandwich at Dixie Landings.
The server tried to talk me out of it because I would have to wait 10 minutes for it to cook.
Bring it on! It was fabulous! $9.99. We will return in Dec.

Sleepy, your descriptions of your breakfast made me . Yuck.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I agree with Jimmy.

OT: Since I value the opinion of the Groupies so much, if you had the choice to stay at Boardwalk vs Beach Club which would it be? Our 7 mo window opens tomorrow. We've never stayed at either. I always thought I'd like to stay at Beach Club but having been reading recently about how noisy it is. Thoughts?

That's a tough one Di! We actually had some BCV points and I sold them and bought some BWV after realizing that we would get BCV reservations and then decide to stay somewhere else. My experience has been the opposite of some here and our BCV (and my BC side) rooms have been very tired. I even requested to get switched on the BC side last Jan because the room had too many "remnants" of the previous occupants. We've never had that type of issue at BWV, our rooms have always been in far better shape and any maintenance issues have been responded to very well. ie - a drippy tub faucet that they replaced the entire valve on in hours and an oven that had gotten locked during the cleaning cycle and required a super secret multi button push to reset. They came out to my 9pm call and we were ready to go by 9:40. But the big selling point - they have air hockey at the Community hall. The Market at BCV made some significant changes a couple of years ago that we were disappointed in and I had a couple more food issues at YC/BC this past winter - things that just make you go yuck. We actually prefer the location of BWV - nice walk to both Epcot and DHS while BCV is best for walking to Epcot and then probably the boat to DHS although we've walked too.

So - we do still like BC - just had to respond to the BWV dissing. (JK HL! ) Although what I posted above has been our experience - better rooms - and oddly better service although that's contrary to the usual reports - I swear after Art retired at BC the smiles left everyone's faces there. Eventually you ought to try them both and see what appeals to you because every resort is going have issues along the way. I'll be at BCV for a couple of nights in a couple of weeks.

1) She and her group were not fans of the new wristbands. CMs had issues loading everything on them (and once loaded, one person's band didn't work when they got to the park--had no info on it at all), and the bands were unwieldy. She hopes the idea doesn't pan out and goes away, but I doubt that will happen.
2) California Grill was not a hit. Three in their group had short ribs ($40 a pop!), and all three sent them back for being excessively fatty (a criticism I'd heard a few times already on another site). Their group wound up being comped over $200. Prices are even higher than before: if you get an appetizer, dinner, dessert, and a drink, you'll approach V & A's pricing. CG used to be one of our top dining destinations, but luv suggests maybe we go strictly for appetizers, drinks, and to view Wishes. Too bad.

1) I just keep worrying that I'm going to feel like a dog with a chip in my neck, or in this instance on my wrist. But with what? Over a Billion invested? - it's not going away soon anyway.

2) NOOOOOOOOOO! Cali Grill has remained a consistent good restaurant for us.

Dining at Disney........we have our favorite QS locations and mostly skip the so called Signature restaurants.

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . . . . . Dining at Disney........we have our favorite QS locations and mostly skip the so called Signature restaurants.

Never been disappointed in a salad at any of the QS spots!

DiznyDi tells me- 2 more sleeps; then off to Food & Wine! Mmmmmmmmmmm!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I agree with Jimmy.

OT: Since I value the opinion of the Groupies so much, if you had the choice to stay at Boardwalk vs Beach Club which would it be? Our 7 mo window opens tomorrow. We've never stayed at either. I always thought I'd like to stay at Beach Club but having been reading recently about how noisy it is. Thoughts?

7 months from now should be swimming weather. We're staying at the BCV before heading to VB before our WBPC which is 7 months from TODAY!

I stayed at BWV this past April...lovely stay, not one problem, standard view, less points. Still, for next April, SAB here we come!

We have not had noise problems at BWV.

 

[jimmytammy]

Di
Another fan of BWV here. Though we have only stayed at BCV and BWV once each, both we love, but BWV gets our nod. BCV is a beach setting type resort, not my cup o tea, and like the surroundings at BWV better. Beaches n Cream only a few steps away from BWV too

 

[sleepydog25]

1) I just keep worrying that I'm going to feel like a dog with a chip in my neck, or in this instance on my wrist. But with what? Over a Billion invested? - it's not going away soon anyway.

2) NOOOOOOOOOO! Cali Grill has remained a consistent good restaurant for us.

Dining at Disney........we have our favorite QS locations and mostly skip the so called Signature restaurants.

Agree that the whole RFI thing is here to stay, and I will sound like an old fart (which technically, I am in most measurements), but Disney seems to be working very hard to be ahead of the technological curve while forgetting that what drew people to Disney in the first place was its insistence on fondly recalling the past, on the faint reminiscence of times gone by. (Frankly, Disney, how can you put so much money into RFI technology and still have websites that don't work well? ) As for CG, I hope they will find their new groove before long. Perhaps this is just a shaking out phase. That being said, I've been watching various sites for reviews, and while overall the comments remain positive, there are far more negative reviews than I remember before the renovation. Pricing has been one steady complaint; for example, the filet with a tomato risotto (which luv did say was good but quite small) runs $49. Wow.
The least expensive items:
Appetizer: Flatbread - $13
Sushi: Yellowfin Tuna - $24
Soup/Salad: Carrot Cilantro soup - $12
Entrée: Roasted Squash Ravioli - $32
Dessert: Three selections at $12
Wine: Featured selections run $15 a glass and up

As a means of comparison, look at Sanaa's comparative items:
Indian style bread service (5 breads with 5 sauces): $9.99
No sushi, but you can get mustard seed encrusted scallops: $8.99
Tomato soup (fresh) with Paneer cheese - $5.99
Salad sampler of three salads (from a selection of five): $6.99
For entrees (just two of several selections): Tandoori lamb - $18.99 or New York Strip - $29.99
Dessert Trio (their most expensive selection): $6.99
Wines run around $10 a glass

I don't know that watching Wishes warrants an extra $50-$60 per person out of my pocket.