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

[sleepydog25]

Luv and I just got back from a two-movie-with-dinner-in-between Sunday date day. The first feature was Catching Fire followed by Saving Mr. Banks with a late lunch/early dinner of Tex-Mex sandwiched between those two films. I'm not a huge "Hunger Games" fan though the first movie was decent enough. This one followed suit and was a solid flick. The production values were a bit better this time around, but the story was a bit more disjointed even though Luv said it remained fairly loyal to the book. At two and a half hours, though, it's tedious and slow at times. I just can't quite buy into Katniss' world the way I could Harry Potter's. Still, it was worth the price of a matinee.

On the other hand, we absolutely recommend Saving Mr. Banks. Even a person not familiar with or not a huge fan of all things Disney should find the performances topnotch and the story poignant; if you are a Disneyphile, you should love the details and affection that went into making the film. To be fair, the first 20 minutes or so meander just a bit, but there's a purpose in the approach which steadily tells a story worth watching. Just when you think the film has reached its climax, there's a subtle turn to an enlightening third act. Beautifully acted, wonderfully scripted, and hauntingly scored. It just may be the most enjoyable movie we saw all year.

 

[PoohsFan1]

Luv and I just got back from a two-movie-with-dinner-in-between Sunday date day. The first feature was Catching Fire followed by Saving Mr. Banks with a late lunch/early dinner of Tex-Mex sandwiched between those two films. I'm not a huge "Hunger Games" fan though the first movie was decent enough. This one followed suit and was a solid flick. The production values were a bit better this time around, but the story was a bit more disjointed even though Luv said it remained fairly loyal to the book. At two and a half hours, though, it's tedious and slow at times. I just can't quite buy into Katniss' world the way I could Harry Potter's. Still, it was worth the price of a matinee.

On the other hand, we absolutely recommend Saving Mr. Banks. Even a person not familiar with or not a huge fan of all things Disney should find the performances topnotch and the story poignant; if you are a Disneyphile, you should love the details and affection that went into making the film. To be fair, the first 20 minutes or so meander just a bit, but there's a purpose in the approach which steadily tells a story worth watching. Just when you think the film has reached its climax, there's a subtle turn to an enlightening third act. Beautifully acted, wonderfully scripted, and hauntingly scored. It just may be the most enjoyable movie we saw all year.

Thanks for the reviews. We just saw the first Hunger Games movie a few weeks ago (I know we are slow) and enjoyed it....it was a bit sad but good. DD12 wants to read the trilogy and we were going to wait to watch it after she read the first book but DH went ahead and got the movie via Netflix. However, I have heard from people that it really doesn't matter if she saw the movie first because there is a lot more stuff in the book that isn't in the move.

As for Saving Mr. Banks, I am so excited to see this. I am a huge fan of Disney history and this will definitely fit the bill. I think I have read that they are projecting this movie to be the #1 movie in 2013. My girlfriend saw it yesterday and texted me that she cried during the movie, now this girl never cries at any movie . I replied back saying if she cried then I will be a blubbering mess . My family has been so busy around here the last couple of weeks so I am not sure when we will make it to the theaters to watch it, however, now that Christmas is out of the way and New Year's will soon be, I have a strong feeling that we will be going to the theaters very soon .

 

[sleepydog25]

Thanks for the reviews. We just saw the first Hunger Games movie a few weeks ago (I know we are slow) and enjoyed it....it was a bit sad but good. DD12 wants to read the trilogy and we were going to wait to watch it after she read the first book but DH went ahead and got the movie via Netflix. However, I have heard from people that it really doesn't matter if she saw the movie first because there is a lot more stuff in the book that isn't in the move.

As for Saving Mr. Banks, I am so excited to see this. I am a huge fan of Disney history and this will definitely fit the bill. I think I have read that they are projecting this movie to be the #1 movie in 2013. My girlfriend saw it yesterday and texted me that she cried during the movie, now this girl never cries at any movie . I replied back saying if she cried then I will be a blubbering mess . My family has been so busy around here the last couple of weeks so I am not sure when we will make it to the theaters to watch it, however, now that Christmas is out of the way and New Year's will soon be, I have a strong feeling that we will be going to the theaters very soon .

It's certainly a touching movie, and it's not sad or tragic or the like, just touchingly poignant. I liken my misty-eyedness in this film to that I get when watching Field of Dreams. I don't know how either can't tug at one's heart. I'd be surprised if Emma Thompson didn't get an Oscar nomination, and certainly the movie should be strongly considered for such, as well.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Happy Birthday WDWRR_ENGINEER!​

 

[MiaSRN62]

I'm very busy planning my next trip!

I'll just miss crashing Maria's DD's wedding.

Oh that so would have been fun Julie!!!! Any Groupies in the World that week feel free to crash our wedding celebration!!!! Have fun on your upcoming Star Wars week trip!!!!

I have been a bit quiet with holiday visiting and all.....husband and I thinking of visiting Hershey, PA tomorrow as we had no free time prior to Christmas. We both have off Monday so thinking we might

 

[Firepath]

Hi everyone. I don't think I've posted here before, but have followed you all for the past year or so. I feel like I already know many of you! We made VWL our home about a year ago and then added on a couple of months ago so we can go more often. Our first trip was in October and we used some extra points that we got with the contract, staying at OKW. We had a fun time, but in 4 days we are headed Home to VWL!!! We are all so excited (me, DH, DS17 and DD14). We have stayed a couple of times in years past at the Lodge and love everything about it. Thank you all for sharing your photos and stories. It only makes us love our home more. We already know a lot of really nice people stay there

 

[crabbie1]

Finally my 11 month window today woohoo......... Have to wait for US time to book though.

 

[jimmytammy]

Welcome to the groupies Firepath!!!!

 

[sleepydog25]

Hi everyone. I don't think I've posted here before, but have followed you all for the past year or so. I feel like I already know many of you! We made VWL our home about a year ago and then added on a couple of months ago so we can go more often. Our first trip was in October and we used some extra points that we got with the contract, staying at OKW. We had a fun time, but in 4 days we are headed Home to VWL!!! We are all so excited (me, DH, DS17 and DD14). We have stayed a couple of times in years past at the Lodge and love everything about it. Thank you all for sharing your photos and stories. It only makes us love our home more. We already know a lot of really nice people stay there

Welcome!! Time to move from Groupie-in-Lurking status to a full-fledged Groupie. All that requires is a love of the Lodge, and based on your comments, you reached that point long ago. I'm envious of your upcoming trip, so as we often tell each other, take plenty of pics and share them with the group.

 

[jimmytammy]

Sleepy
Thanks for the movie report on Saving Mr. Banks. We are really looking forward to seeing it! I still get misty eyed watching Field of Dreams, so you are not alone there

 

[sleepydog25]

Sleepy
Thanks for the movie report on Saving Mr. Banks. We are really looking forward to seeing it! I still get misty eyed watching Field of Dreams, so you are not alone there

I can't watch Field of Dreams without tearing up. That last scene gets me every. . .single. . .time.

 

[Muushka]

Hi everyone. I don't think I've posted here before, but have followed you all for the past year or so. I feel like I already know many of you! We made VWL our home about a year ago and then added on a couple of months ago so we can go more often. Our first trip was in October and we used some extra points that we got with the contract, staying at OKW. We had a fun time, but in 4 days we are headed Home to VWL!!! We are all so excited (me, DH, DS17 and DD14). We have stayed a couple of times in years past at the Lodge and love everything about it. Thank you all for sharing your photos and stories. It only makes us love our home more. We already know a lot of really nice people stay there

YeeHaw! Looks like another Groupie is coming out of lurking and into the fold!
Grab yourself our handsome Moosie siggy. I'll be he will look very handsome on you.

Welcome!! Time to move from Groupie-in-Lurking status to a full-fledged Groupie. All that requires is a love of the Lodge, and based on your comments, you reached that point long ago. I'm envious of your upcoming trip, so as we often tell each other, take plenty of pics and share them with the group.

Sleepy, you forgot about that pesky joining fee that you charge!


Happy Birthday WDWRR_ENGINEER!

 

[sleepydog25]

YeeHaw! Looks like another Groupie is coming out of lurking and into the fold!

Sleepy, you forgot about that pesky joining fee that you charge

I didn't have enough caffeine in my system yet. Yes, there is a $75 Lurker to Groupie Transition fee, but I've waived the first $25, so you get a bargain basement deal of only $50! Please make check payable to Slydog Inc. Thank you.

 

[brobrosmom]

Been on the phone for an hour with Disney. Problems with expiration date on the PAP that I purchased during the DVC sale! Can't make FP+ selections because it says they are expired. I purchased the vouchers in December 2012 and 1st used them in February 2013. They should still be good until February 2014. Instead the system shows them as activated on the date that I purchased the voucher. They need to get this fix......this will be a very costly mistake for my if they don't correct this!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Been on the phone for an hour with Disney. Problems with expiration date on the PAP that I purchased during the DVC sale! Can't make FP+ selections because it says they are expired. I purchased the vouchers in December 2012 and 1st used them in February 2013. They should still be good until February 2014. Instead the system shows them as activated on the date that I purchased the voucher. They need to get this fix......this will be a very costly mistake for my if they don't correct this!

I hope they get it straightened out quickly but don't worry too much about the advance timing. On our trip a couple weeks ago I made our FP+ selections the day before on all but one day and didn't have issues with times. For many rides it was even possible to change on the day of.

 

[horselover]

Been on the phone for an hour with Disney. Problems with expiration date on the PAP that I purchased during the DVC sale! Can't make FP+ selections because it says they are expired. I purchased the vouchers in December 2012 and 1st used them in February 2013. They should still be good until February 2014. Instead the system shows them as activated on the date that I purchased the voucher. They need to get this fix......this will be a very costly mistake for my if they don't correct this!

Hopefully you've gotten it straightened out by now. This is a pretty common problem with FP+ I think. I had issues making FP+ selections before our Dec. trip. Kept telling me one person in my party wasn't eligible because they didn't have a ticket. Each time I tried it a different person would come up as ineligible. A fellow TA friend gave me the tip to just keep hitting the back button on the FP+ booking screen until it corrects itself. Don't know if this always works but it did work for me. It also happened to us again while we were at WDW. Went into the MDE app on 12/23 to make FP+ reservations for 12/24. Told me both my kids had expired tickets & weren't eligible. I knew that was incorrect. Went to GS at MK on the way out to have them check the tickets but unfortunately had left the actual tickets in the room. They can't check them based on the band. How stupid is that? Any way by the morning whatever the glitch was had corrected itself & we were able to make the FP+ reservations for that day. Sorry you have to deal with this. I fear it's going to be a long time until we have a system that actually works the way it's supposed to.

 

[brobrosmom]

They did finally get it straightened out somewhat. They admit Disney made an error in that they entered my activation date as December (when I purchased voucher) and not February when the PAPs were actually used for the 1st time. They can't change this over the phone and I must go to GS when I get to Disney. They gave me a Magic # to give GS and all my information and info regarding my call today should be in the system. They will fix it at that time. The tech support guy was nice enough to make some FP+ selections for me over the phone since I cannot do it online. My biggest concern was that they get the dates right so that I don't have to purchase tickets! It will be a pain to have to go to GS when we get there rather than straight into the parks but mistakes happen and the CM's I spoke to did all they could over the phone. NOW if this isn't fixed when I get to Disney...WATCH OUT!!

 

[eliza61]

Hope I didn't miss WDWRR_ engineer's birthday party.

Hope your day was magical Engineer!!

Hope every one had a lovely holiday.

 

[PoohsFan1]

Well I just tweaked our upcoming trip today. I decided to add another night onto our reservation so now we will be at VWL from 5/26-6/2. DH has been putting the bug in my ear for a while now (he's been wanting to add on a night for a while), but after looking at airfare and seeing that there is a significant change in price from Sunday flights to Monday flights, I went ahead and added the night . The only thing was, I had to do a cash reservation for the extra night stay (wanted to save our points) but that is fine by me, we will be in Disney one more night .

 

[brobrosmom]

I've been thinking of adding 2 nights to my February reservation.