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

[jimmytammy]

Just realized my last post didnt have such great #s, so Im just moving along here

 

[jaymez428]

when do they take down all the holiday decor at the lodge? I am getting there Jan 2 and am hoping it is still up!? Anyone know?

 

[Granny]

when do they take down all the holiday decor at the lodge? I am getting there Jan 2 and am hoping it is still up!? Anyone know?

You'll be fine. We've been there on January 8 or so and the decorations are still up. You'll see the Lodge in all its holiday splendor!


Jimmy...when Gary Sinise was first introduced, they listed his credits including his latest role on CSI-NY. And someone in the crowd shouted out "Lt. Dan!!". Gary looked angry for a second and said "Who said that?". Then he smiled and the crowd had a good laugh.

We saw Gary Sinise as narrator our last Christmas trip in 2006. He had been doing Christmas Eve and Christmas for several years, and then he stopped in 2008 (this was his own story he told). But now he is back and obviously in very good graces with Disney as he was given back his times right before Christmas again. He does a good job, as I imagine every narrator does for this wonderful celebration.

 

[jimmytammy]

You'll be fine. We've been there on January 8 or so and the decorations are still up. You'll see the Lodge in all its holiday splendor!


Jimmy...when Gary Sinise was first introduced, they listed his credits including his latest role on CSI-NY. And someone in the crowd shouted out "Lt. Dan!!". Gary looked angry for a second and said "Who said that?". Then he smiled and the crowd had a good laugh.

We saw Gary Sinise as narrator our last Christmas trip in 2006. He had been doing Christmas Eve and Christmas for several years, and then he stopped in 2008 (this was his own story he told). But now he is back and obviously in very good graces with Disney as he was given back his times right before Christmas again. He does a good job, as I imagine every narrator does for this wonderful celebration.

Thats funny, I would have loved to been there to witness it. He seems like such a good guy, a positive influence in a otherwise not so positive environment.

 

[Pirate Granny]

Gary is wonderful doing the CP...we saw Whoopie this year and she was good, but I think Gary is better! Almost worth a trip just for that CP on Christmas Eve!

 

[Muushka]

Hello Groupies from the beautiful Eclipse.

We have had a most wonderful cruise, still are in fact (until Sat).

The weather has been wonderful, food pretty darn good food and lots of fun passengers playing lots of trivia.

I can't read back (they gave us 180 minutes but this computer is s-l-o-w as molasses), but will when we return on Saturday.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We sure did.

Hugs, Muush

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Look at who moved in during our Christmas snow storm!

DH needed to adjust the wiper blade and was quite surprised when he opened the hood and found this guy.

We tried to shoo him out and at first he just moved down further. DH thought we ought to start the truck but I was a little worried about him being close to moving parts although DH had it running before he saw the critter. Then I saw where he had done nibbling in an attempt to expand his new house and worried a little less. Bad Bunny! I think he may have gotten a ride to the snowblower repair dealer. It's similar to how my niece ended up with a kitten several years ago that hitched a ride home with her step dad. Now that may be one of the most spoiled kitties ever.

 

[Granny]

Thats funny, I would have loved to been there to witness it. He seems like such a good guy, a positive influence in a otherwise not so positive environment.

Jimmy...you would have really enjoyed Sinise I'm sure. He referenced the troops a couple of times and at the end had all current members of the armed forces and veterans stand up for everyone to give them a heart felt round of applause. Gary Sinise also is actively involved in ensuring disabled veteran rights.


I didn't realize that someone had recorded some of Sinise's remarks the night we were there...here's a YouTube link that's about a minute long from that evening.


Gary Sinise Candlelight Processional Closing Remarks


Kathy...that's a pretty wild sight you opened your hood to see. I guess any port in a storm!

 

[jimmytammy]

Kat4Disney
What a cute guy, Im sure he/she appreciated you sharing your car

Granny
Thanks for sharing that video. very standup guy indeed

 

[Longhairbear]

Wilderness is our home base and we haven't been back in years, and I'm missing it.

 

[wildernessDad]

Wilderness is our home base and we haven't been back in years, and I'm missing it.

Then you have got to make a reservation! Stat!

I just made a ressie to VWL for Thanksgiving next year. We're arriving on Nov 27 and departing on Dec 1. Only 4 nights, but with my entire family here this time, it will be worth it.

 

[Kathymford]

Ok groupies. Christmas is over and my 11-month booking window is right around the corner. And, even better news, DBF popped for discounted DVC PAP just in the nick of time! I'll EVENTUALLY have to kick in my half, but we'll worry about that later! HA.

I need some advice. I have never actually booked at the 11 month window, nor gone at Christmas time!

So here is the issue I'm having. First, dates. I really cannot decide. I want to go early in the month; regular Christmas at home is a must; and we are really not crowd people. Also, I wanted this to me our anniversary celebration (10 years on 12/7), but I guess it doesn't REALLY matter if we're there ON the day. I've been reading about people trying to avoid pop warner time. Is that THAT big a deal? Or do people just try to avoid it so that they get discounts?

Second, I've also been reading about people walking their reservation. Is that really necessary? Seems like an awful lot of work. What do you guys do? We will only be booking a studio, so not sure if that matters.

ADVICE PLEASE!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Ok groupies. Christmas is over and my 11-month booking window is right around the corner. And, even better news, DBF popped for discounted DVC PAP just in the nick of time! I'll EVENTUALLY have to kick in my half, but we'll worry about that later! HA.

I need some advice. I have never actually booked at the 11 month window, nor gone at Christmas time!

So here is the issue I'm having. First, dates. I really cannot decide. I want to go early in the month; regular Christmas at home is a must; and we are really not crowd people. Also, I wanted this to me our anniversary celebration (10 years on 12/7), but I guess it doesn't REALLY matter if we're there ON the day. I've been reading about people trying to avoid pop warner time. Is that THAT big a deal? Or do people just try to avoid it so that they get discounts?

Second, I've also been reading about people walking their reservation. Is that really necessary? Seems like an awful lot of work. What do you guys do? We will only be booking a studio, so not sure if that matters.

ADVICE PLEASE!

For early Dec I wouldn't worry about walking for VWL (it's not like the 5 rooms at AKV concierge for example). This year I had booked a 2BR and had continued to look at a 1BR or a studio even up to 7 months. And it sounds like you're probably flexible so that reduces the need even further. If you book right at 11 months it should be fine although there is one strange thing with Thanksgiving being so late next year and I don't know if that will mean Thanksgiving spill over into early Dec?

About Pop Warner - I've long heard about it too but never thought I saw any effect from it. Cheerleaders at other times of the years are a whole other story though! I think the Pop Warner groups stay at the All Star resorts so I might look for a different time if I were staying there. Early Dec isn't as slow as it used to be but still a wonderful time to be at WDW.

 

[Linda67]

Hello everyone

I hope you are all enjoying the Holidays

We are shortly going to be reserving a studio at VWL and wondered if we should make any requests upon booking?

The last time we stayed at the Villas our studio way waaaaay down back at the end of a loooong hallway

Are there any good locations? Maybe a little closer to amenities?

Thanks all

Lx

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hello everyone

I hope you are all enjoying the Holidays

We are shortly going to be reserving a studio at VWL and wondered if we should make any requests upon booking?

The last time we stayed at the Villas our studio way waaaaay down back at the end of a loooong hallway

Are there any good locations? Maybe a little closer to amenities?

Thanks all

Lx

If you thought those hallways were long, you haven't stayed at BWV or AKV-KV. VWL is the smallest of all the WDW DVC resorts.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've been reading about people trying to avoid pop warner time. Is that THAT big a deal?

Our first trip (not to VWL, but to WDW) was during Pop Warner time, and it was FINE. We weren't staying at a resort where they were (and they aren't staying at VWL, that's for sure!), and the only time I really noticed them was seeing a big group of young football players near the teacups. They were a big group, they were boys, they were loud, and that's it. I vaguely recall there being cheerleadery girls near them, but i'm not allowed to dislike cheerleaders since my half-sis was one of them. Not at WDW, but at DLR, and her cheerleading friends were perfectly nice and sweet.


Apart from the freak freezing cold weather we experienced in early-to-mid December 2010 (and I had read that it was freezing the year before, too), we quite liked it at that time. I don't see why you couldn't go over your anniversary!

 

[twokats]

Ok groupies. Christmas is over and my 11-month booking window is right around the corner. And, even better news, DBF popped for discounted DVC PAP just in the nick of time! I'll EVENTUALLY have to kick in my half, but we'll worry about that later! HA.

I need some advice. I have never actually booked at the 11 month window, nor gone at Christmas time!

So here is the issue I'm having. First, dates. I really cannot decide. I want to go early in the month; regular Christmas at home is a must; and we are really not crowd people. Also, I wanted this to me our anniversary celebration (10 years on 12/7), but I guess it doesn't REALLY matter if we're there ON the day. I've been reading about people trying to avoid pop warner time. Is that THAT big a deal? Or do people just try to avoid it so that they get discounts?

Second, I've also been reading about people walking their reservation. Is that really necessary? Seems like an awful lot of work. What do you guys do? We will only be booking a studio, so not sure if that matters.

ADVICE PLEASE!

We are right there with you in that just a few days and we will be at our 11 month for next December. Our past two December trips were very enjoyable. The one in 2009 we were there from Dec 1 - 10. In 2011 we went from Nov 30 - December 10. The weather was cooler in 2009 than in 2011, but we were comfortable on both.

Kati and I thought we might change it up for 2013 and go on Dec 3 or 4 thru the 14th. I know Kati will want to go on the 3rd, so we will see!!!

 

[Kathymford]

For early Dec I wouldn't worry about walking for VWL (it's not like the 5 rooms at AKV concierge for example). This year I had booked a 2BR and had continued to look at a 1BR or a studio even up to 7 months. And it sounds like you're probably flexible so that reduces the need even further. If you book right at 11 months it should be fine although there is one strange thing with Thanksgiving being so late next year and I don't know if that will mean Thanksgiving spill over into early Dec?

About Pop Warner - I've long heard about it too but never thought I saw any effect from it. Cheerleaders at other times of the years are a whole other story though! I think the Pop Warner groups stay at the All Star resorts so I might look for a different time if I were staying there. Early Dec isn't as slow as it used to be but still a wonderful time to be at WDW.

Our first trip (not to VWL, but to WDW) was during Pop Warner time, and it was FINE. We weren't staying at a resort where they were (and they aren't staying at VWL, that's for sure!), and the only time I really noticed them was seeing a big group of young football players near the teacups. They were a big group, they were boys, they were loud, and that's it. I vaguely recall there being cheerleadery girls near them, but i'm not allowed to dislike cheerleaders since my half-sis was one of them. Not at WDW, but at DLR, and her cheerleading friends were perfectly nice and sweet.


Apart from the freak freezing cold weather we experienced in early-to-mid December 2010 (and I had read that it was freezing the year before, too), we quite liked it at that time. I don't see why you couldn't go over your anniversary!

We are right there with you in that just a few days and we will be at our 11 month for next December. Our past two December trips were very enjoyable. The one in 2009 we were there from Dec 1 - 10. In 2011 we went from Nov 30 - December 10. The weather was cooler in 2009 than in 2011, but we were comfortable on both.

Kati and I thought we might change it up for 2013 and go on Dec 3 or 4 thru the 14th. I know Kati will want to go on the 3rd, so we will see!!!

Thanks to you all for your reassurances. I'm glad to hear walking isn't necessary. I don't think I have the energy for all that!

Right now, I'm considering 12/6 to 12/12, or maybe even earlier, like 12/2 to 12/8. As I mentioned, we've never gone during the holidays, so I want to do everything. LOL. DBF just mentioned maybe we should try out Sea World that trip too (we've done Universal twice).

Thanks for the advice; I feel a little better! Ha. Let me know if anyone thinks of anything else.

 

[Linda67]

If you thought those hallways were long, you haven't stayed at BWV or AKV-KV. VWL is the smallest of all the WDW DVC resorts.

We stayed at BWV during October last year and have visited AKV-KV many times so I fully understand that the hallways at VWL are no where near and long and that it's a much smaller resort

I was just curious as to where a good studio location would be

Thanks anyway

 

[BWV Dreamin]

There are a couple if studios to avoid ( dumpster view and the one with no balcony). Ask to be close to the elevator woods/lake view and anything else you get will be fine.