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

[DiznyDi]

Walkway to the new Grand Floridian Villas. They're amazing!


The gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian


Just beautiful!





We're meeting Kat4Disney at the Main Street Bakery for coffee later this morning. This is her last day here. horselover and family arrive today. We hope to meet up with them prior to our departure on the 22nd.

The past few days have had clear skies, but cooler temps. By tomorrow we should be back into the 80's.

We attended a 'Practically Perfect Preview' DVC private screening of Saving Mr Banks at Hollywood Studios. Probably about 1400 persons attended the viewing at the Premier Theatre. Drinks and popcorn were provided. There were prizes for Mary Poppins trivia and a photo op at the conclusion. This really made for a pleasant evening. The Studios were deserted except for the DVCer's at the conclusion. Even the Osborne Lights were off.

 

[eliza61]

WOWZER!! thanks for the pictures guys. I'm nursing a bear of a cold and this was just the ticket to perk me up.

Disneygirl, you kids are adorable. Love the pj's LOL.

Di, thanks for the shots. I'm going to have to give GF a try again. The old guy and I stayed there a few years back and it was not the best trip. It was the year that they outsourced the valet parking and cut back on mousekeeping. YIKES, every thing was soooo slow. Now I'm gun shy on trying it again.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Disneygirl....great pics! Love the PJ's!

DisneyElite ...glad you had a great trip except for the flu

Horselover....safe trip and hoping for lost of trip reports!!! I feel your pain about the snow & ice. We've had 4 storms in 9 days here in PA and that is well beyond what is tolerable by me!!!!

Di....love your photos and enjoy following you along on FB. Glad you got to meet up with Teapot and her hubby!!!! Keep 'em coming!

eliza.....get better quick!!!!!

 

[dsneygirl]

Thanks everyone. PJs were from Disneystore.com

 

[mickeymorse]

Hello groupies. It's been quite some time since I have been on here. Thank you for all the birthday wishes. The years keep rolling along faster and faster.

I feel for you Eliza. I'm battling one myself. Just hoping it's gone before Christmas.

Love all the pictures. It's been 2 yrs since our last stay at the Lodge. Thankfully we have a trip booked for March 9-15. Kids school break. They are too old now to pull out of school so we have to go during breaks when the crowds are higher.

To all the groupies down there now, have a great time and wish I was there to see the decorations.

 

[tea pot]

Hello groupies
We arrived home between snow storms,got 8 inches yesterday
Today is one my favorite winter days, The sunny day after a Snow Fall.
Just beautiful...
Now I'm really in the Christmas spirit

Thanks so much Di for posting those beautiful pictures
The DIS podcast posted a video on youtube of the
Saving Mr. Banks screening. So glad you got to go!

Disneygirl
Your Boys are just too cute!

Merry Christmas Groupies

 

[PoohsFan1]

I absolutely love all the pictures that all of you have posted, they are all so gorgeous. We were lucky enough to go during the Christmas season back in 2009 and it has to be my family's favorite trip yet. Nothing beats walking around the different parks and resorts and seeing all of the beautiful Christmas decorations. I have to say I was so in awe of the Christmas tree in WL, my jaw dropped once I saw it. If my work schedule would allow me to (I work in retail), you can bet we would be back for Christmas again and we would be staying at VWL too .

 

[jimmytammy]

Loving the pics and video!!

Eliza, hope you feel better very soon

Excited, our FPplus window opened yesterday for our Feb. trip. It has been a bit challenging, slow process, but fun

Hope all have a great Thursday!!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Just popping in to say that my trip to the Wonderful World of Disney is over and it's been a brutal wake up in wintery Minnesota.

Had a wonderful trip with my nieces and thoroughly enjoyed 2 groupie mini meets with twokats (Kathy and Katie) and DiznyDi and Dad (Di and Rich - such patient people waiting on me with my late start and monorail troubles!). It was great to meet you all!

Finally, this is what I'm wishing for today:

 

[Muushka]

Thank you all for posting the pictures.
How much fun is it that I can look at the pictures and actually identify the participants!
I really missed our Disney Parents (Di and Dad) and Teapot and Mr Teapot this year.


I was pretty disappointed with VWL housekeeping this time. We woke up late on checkout day (our fault) and were pretty rushed. I packed the place the night before and we always do a last minute scan to get missed items. Of course, when we boarded the ship we realized we missed a couple of items. At least 2 pair of shorts and who knows what else in a drawer. But more importantly, a very nice bracelet was left in the bathroom. Pandora type. Not quite as expensive, but still a very nice bracelet. I really thought that housekeeping would turn it in, but they didn't. I called and they have no note of anything left in our room. And we left a nice tip and note. Sheesh.

 

[dsneygirl]

Thank you all for posting the pictures.
How much fun is it that I can look at the pictures and actually identify the participants!
I really missed our Disney Parents (Di and Dad) and Teapot and Mr Teapot this year.


I was pretty disappointed with VWL housekeeping this time. We woke up late on checkout day (our fault) and were pretty rushed. I packed the place the night before and we always do a last minute scan to get missed items. Of course, when we boarded the ship we realized we missed a couple of items. At least 2 pair of shorts and who knows what else in a drawer. But more importantly, a very nice bracelet was left in the bathroom. Pandora type. Not quite as expensive, but still a very nice bracelet. I really thought that housekeeping would turn it in, but they didn't. I called and they have no note of anything left in our room. And we left a nice tip and note. Sheesh.

My husband lost his glasses at BCV before the cruise and no sign of them either.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thank you all for posting the pictures.
How much fun is it that I can look at the pictures and actually identify the participants!
I really missed our Disney Parents (Di and Dad) and Teapot and Mr Teapot this year.


I was pretty disappointed with VWL housekeeping this time. We woke up late on checkout day (our fault) and were pretty rushed. I packed the place the night before and we always do a last minute scan to get missed items. Of course, when we boarded the ship we realized we missed a couple of items. At least 2 pair of shorts and who knows what else in a drawer. But more importantly, a very nice bracelet was left in the bathroom. Pandora type. Not quite as expensive, but still a very nice bracelet. I really thought that housekeeping would turn it in, but they didn't. I called and they have no note of anything left in our room. And we left a nice tip and note. Sheesh.

Did you speak with the main lost and found Barb? More than once I've heard of items getting lost in la la land for quite some time and finally catching up with the owner - sometimes months later. If things were correctly explained to me eventually all lost and found items from both parks and resorts are turned over to the main lost and found by the MK who do sometimes match them up with their owners but there are transit times etc. etc. It may not happen but I'd be certain to contact them and get them a description of the bracelet and your contact info.

 

[twinklebug]

Loving the pics! Wishing we had been able to be there with you all.

I'm swapping off my AKV rooms for VWL in another browser window... but it looks like I need to wait for morning and MS to open so I can rent one little point off them.

Question for all those returning from recent trips to VWL: Did you happen to notice what they did to the pool during the recent refurb? I'm hoping they did not make the deep end shallower ... it's perfect already.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Loving the pics! Wishing we had been able to be there with you all.

I'm swapping off my AKV rooms for VWL in another browser window... but it looks like I need to wait for morning and MS to open so I can rent one little point off them.

Question for all those returning from recent trips to VWL: Did you happen to notice what they did to the pool during the recent refurb? I'm hoping they did not make the deep end shallower ... it's perfect already.

It seemed to have been typical maintenance and perhaps refinishing - at least the hot tub seemed to have a little different surface than I remembered. And broken tiles and jets were all fixed up.

 

[sleepydog25]

It seemed to have been typical maintenance and perhaps refinishing - at least the hot tub seemed to have a little different surface than I remembered. And broken tiles and jets were all fixed up.

What? No adult drink dispenser coming out of the giant rock next to the hot tub? Dang it! I was so hoping. . .

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

What? No adult drink dispenser coming out of the giant rock next to the hot tub? Dang it! I was so hoping. . .

Apparently they removed or forgot those upgrades.

 

[PoohsFan1]

What? No adult drink dispenser coming out of the giant rock next to the hot tub? Dang it! I was so hoping. . .

Apparently they removed or forgot those upgrades.

You guys crack me up

 

[dsneygirl]

Loving the pics! Wishing we had been able to be there with you all.

I'm swapping off my AKV rooms for VWL in another browser window... but it looks like I need to wait for morning and MS to open so I can rent one little point off them.

Question for all those returning from recent trips to VWL: Did you happen to notice what they did to the pool during the recent refurb? I'm hoping they did not make the deep end shallower ... it's perfect already.

I didn't notice anything different.

 

[Muushka]

My husband lost his glasses at BCV before the cruise and no sign of them either.

That's too bad. Seems to me if they find something in the villa, they should turn it in. But that's just me.

Did you speak with the main lost and found Barb? More than once I've heard of items getting lost in la la land for quite some time and finally catching up with the owner - sometimes months later. If things were correctly explained to me eventually all lost and found items from both parks and resorts are turned over to the main lost and found by the MK who do sometimes match them up with their owners but there are transit times etc. etc. It may not happen but I'd be certain to contact them and get them a description of the bracelet and your contact info.

No Kat, I didn't call the main L&F but I will do that, thank you.

I can't remember if I posted this from June, but I lost my watch at Disney Quest.
I gave them a brief description (a gold (colored) watch, female) and sure enough when we got home, it was there.
I tried to thank the management there this time but they were pretty busy.

 

[DiznyDi]

As we approach the end of our stay, the lobby is a buzz of activity with people everywhere. We were able to make the connection with Kat4Disney and enjoyed coffee on Main Street USA.



After several days of cooler temperatures, we were able to spend some time at the pool this afternoon.




Love the boats!



We've not made the connection with Julie and family though have been texting back and forth trying to get together. Maybe tomorrow.....

You can't imagine the crowds at the Magic Kingdom. I don't know that we have ever been here when it has been this crowded. Unreal!