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

[horselover]

Julie....we must coordinate our trips a little better !
We have to leave for the airport at 3 pm. So a quick meet might be doable. Not sure if we're gonna be in the parks that morning soaking up the last hours of our vacation.....keep ya posted !

Seriously! This must be at least the 3rd or 4th time we've missed each other.

So Rebecca, who besides being my dear wife also keeps my office running smoothly (and I affectionately call her my worst employee because she comes and goes as she wishes ) is driving home early yesterday afternoon to let the dogs out (home is about a five mile drive from the office) and as she is slowing to make a left turn she sees opposing traffic is stopped and then someone starts blaring their horn. So Rebecca stops just in time to see this huge driver-less dump truck come right through the stop sign from her right and crosses right over main street and is stopped only when its front left tire drops into a big hole that is dug in the road where the town is installing new water lines. She said she felt like she was in the twi-light zone. A few seconds difference in timing and this story would have had a very different ending.

How scary! So glad she's ok.

Dddrrruuuummmmm rrrroooolllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"When you wish upon a star.......makes no difference........" (Sung to "When you wish upon a star.")

Eric is one of Disney's newest cast members!!!! Was offered the job today pending the finger print and background check - which should not be an issue.

Congratulations to Eric! What will his job be?

Jimmy I'll PM you but just in case you see this 1st can you add me to the 2013 vacation list? Booked next year's F&W trip over the weekend. Oct. 10-15 @ BCV. Thanks!

 

[DiznyDi]

OK, I got a little behind but think I'm caught up now.

Kathy - what a dilemma! My heart would be so sad if I weren't at the Lodge during the Christmas season. (That's why we're going to Aulani in February )

keliblue - we'd love to have you join us for our meet. Muush was correct; TOWL after 8 PM on Saturday December 8th. She was also correct for attire. Do pack to layer and make certain to have some type of rain gear. I keep a lightweight goretex in our Owners Locker. It may/may not be warm enough to swim in the afternoon. If you're planning on going to the Candlelight Processional, a blanket will be most welcome. We keep 2 of these in our OW locker as well: one to sit on and one to put over/around us. The metal bleachers can get awfully cold. Even though we're from the cold midwest, when it's cold in Florida, it's a biting cold that goes right through you. I keep those small knit gloves in my pocket - you know, the Walmart variety that are 97 cents! The same gloves, with the addition of a Mickey head - sells for over $8.00 in the parks. Cuddle Duds are good to pack too.

rfassett - good news from you on multiple accounts. So glad to hear your wife wasn't injured in such a freaky situation. How wonderful for your son! You'll have to introduce him to the Dis Boards and point him in the direction of our thread.

Nice report sleepy! AP is also one of our favorites and is where we dine on our last evening while in FL. We also have experienced some 'less than optimum' meals - so I'm glad to hear: 1) it's not just us 2) seems to be improving. Now if they'd only bring the fresh yogurt bar back to Roaring Fork, I'd be a happy camper!

One winter, we should find out when, specifically time and day, the big tree is going up in the Lodge lobby and plan a meet around it. Wouldn't it be fun to be on the 4th or 5th floor and watch as they bring the tree and all lights and decorations in? We could experience the magical transformation....... Only 24 more days.

DDad and I sit at the Inglenook multiple times every trip and for the life of me, I haven't any idea what the animals are. Hmm guess I'll have to go look at some pictures.

Muush - we can potentially do another meet. Depends on when/where.

 

[DiznyDi]

Julie - we may see you next October. While our plans aren't definite at this time, we're looking at Oct. 7-12. Oh I hope it works out!

 

[Muushka]

Dddrrruuuummmmm rrrroooolllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"When you wish upon a star.......makes no difference........" (Sung to "When you wish upon a star.")

Eric is one of Disney's newest cast members!!!! Was offered the job today pending the finger print and background check - which should not be an issue.

WooHoo!!! Very exciting! Where will he be working????

Count us in DH and I will be there with bells on

Good! Saturday (the 8th) evening or later on in the week or (like us, more than likely) both??

In looking back at my PMs, Maria said, and I quote:

the 13th before 6 pm is best, but I can make it work on 12/14 too !

How does that look for you, Keliblue and anyone else? The 13th is Thursday, 14th is, obviously, Friday!

 

[DiznyDi]

Muush - Either day could work for us. The condo assoc. mtg is on the 13th. We have it tentatively on our schedule.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Well - no personal experience. Rebecca has told me about them so I did a quick google search and the Cane Spider can grow to the size of a softball and has been known to chase folks around the room.

That is enough to keep ME away. I do understand Hawaii has nice beaches though.

I'm just going to ignore I ever heard of this!!! Thankfully I've survived several trips to Hawaii without being chased around the room by a softball sized spider. That would make it impossible to ignore! I did have a Gecko that lived in one condo we rented but he just hung out on the walls and ceiling from what I saw. And the beaches are very nice!

So glad your wife is ok - that sounds scary than a spider. And congrats to your son!!

Di - you have a good plan. I'm finding that when I think of Hawaii I already begin missing going to FW to see the camper displays and around to the resorts for all the Christmas Decor. And Osborne lights etc. etc. The ironic part is my conference in Feb was supposed to be in Hawaii but organizations decided a few months ago to combine together for the conference and the other one was scheduled at WDW. It wouldn't normally get a from me but this year it does. Feb at WDW is not quite like Dec!

 

[MiaSRN62]

rfassett...wow ! HUGE congrats to Eric ! Very exciting !
Also...so relieved to hear your wife is ok !

Kathy....WDW at Christmas is just so awesome....and I have never seen the FW campers in person ! I might just add that to my list !

Jule....not sure if I have your cell or if you have mine....but I will PM it to you. We will see if we can make the 19th work.

Muushka.....yes ! Those dates/times for a meet still work for me ! Keep me posted !

Jimmy....so sorry about this. But I just now made my last and FINAL change to our plans. BCV just popped up tonight for my dates. It is the one DVC (sans CA and Aulani) that we have not stayed at. So I switched Jambo to BCV for Dec 17-19 ! Our friends are at the main Beach Club so it will be very convenient ! I promise I won't bug you on this again

 

[Muushka]

Oh boy, we love going to FW to see the campers. We did that a few years back and it was one of the highlights of our visit.

Anyone interested in an evening walking from VWL over to FW to see the decorations????

So Di, what time is The condo assoc. mtg on the 13th?

For anyone going to VWL while we are there (Dec 8-14),
we will go shopping Sunday the 18th.
Let us know if you need us to pick up anything at the grocery store:
water, ice cream, soda, coffee, adult beverages; you name it
(except eggs, we always get those at the Mercantile because
Mr Muush always breaks them )

I have to say, I am very excited about this trip.
For a host of reason. Seeing fellow Groupies being one of the major ones!

 

[Muushka]

Wagon Rides at 
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Take an old-fashioned, horse-drawn wagon ride which offers a 45-minute scenic tour around Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
Wagon Rides depart at 7:00pm and 9:30pm nightly from the front of Pioneer Hall.
Fireworks Wagon Rides at 8:30pm for the 9:00pm fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. (offers audio track for show - subject to fireworks being held at the Magic Kingdom.)
Price: $8.00 Adult; $5.00 Child (ages 3-9) Children under 3 are complimentary. Children ages 3-9 must be accompanied by an adult.
Reservations: Not accepted; Wagon Rides are on a first-come, first-served basis only.

Oooooh, how does this sound????

 

[DiznyDi]

Muush as far as I know, no time has been posted yet for the condo mtg. only that it will be scaled down from previous years. In the past we have had to pre-register if we intended to go and they had name tags waiting for us when we got there. I'll keep watching the member site for more information.

DDad and I were planning to walk over to Fort Wilderness, so consider us in. Maybe walk over for breakfast? We've done the sleigh ride on several occasions, great fun. I'll bet the wagon ride would be fun, too. Those campers can surely decorate their campsites!

Excitement is building here, too!

 

[Muushka]

Where is the condo meeting this year?

At night, the campground is more exciting, but we could walk over in the AM too!

 

[twokats]

Glad to hear your still on the hunt for the right addition to the family. I don't understand folk who go into the first dealer and make the purchase right away. I mentioned before, I am partial to the Camry, but should point out the first time I test drove it I didn't like it as much as the Altima. It was the second test drive on a different day, different roads that won me over. Numbers can guide you, but go with your instinct for that final decision... and don't let them talk you into the baby blue car, unless that's what you're looking for

You know I told you how we were going to take our time making this decision, but after this afternoons experience, keeping to the course of looking at everything taking our time and all that is going to be hard. We went to the Toyota dealership in Rockwall and we looked at a pre-owned Camry, which was in the year range I wanted and price, but way too high on the mileage and a little rough on the interior. It drove like a dream, but it did not have bluetooth and I really want that on the new car. When I parked the car I asked what the price difference would be for a brand new Camry. My DH who had stayed behind looked at the dealer and said isn't that one right there a new one? It was fabulous. . . . a 2013 "red" Camry with all the bells and whistles. It even had a navigation package (which made DH's eyes light up!!!) We all got in it and drove in it and it was hard to tell them we would not get it then and there. It moved to the very top of my short list, but we still will really look at and drive all the ones we have considered. It also doesn't help that Toyota has a a 60 month 0 interest finance deal going either.

So Rebecca, who besides being my dear wife also keeps my office running smoothly (and I affectionately call her my worst employee because she comes and goes as she wishes ) is driving home early yesterday afternoon to let the dogs out (home is about a five mile drive from the office) and as she is slowing to make a left turn she sees opposing traffic is stopped and then someone starts blaring their horn. So Rebecca stops just in time to see this huge driver-less dump truck come right through the stop sign from her right and crosses right over main street and is stopped only when its front left tire drops into a big hole that is dug in the road where the town is installing new water lines. She said she felt like she was in the twi-light zone. A few seconds difference in timing and this story would have had a very different ending.

Those seconds make all the difference in the world as I mentioned in my accident!! Thank God for happy endings.

Dddrrruuuummmmm rrrroooolllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"When you wish upon a star.......makes no difference........" (Sung to "When you wish upon a star.")
Eric is one of Disney's newest cast members!!!! Was offered the job today pending the finger print and background check - which should not be an issue.

Congrats! keep us informed.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Wagon Rides at 
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Oooooh, how does this sound????

Sounds fun !

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Oooooh, how does this sound????

We did the sleighride a couple of years ago with my nieces - so fun to get driven around and see all the displays! We might have to try the wagon ride this year. If we're there.

On another note - we went and saw Skyfall tonight. I hadn't seen any of the Daniel Craig Bond movies so it was interesting to see how he plays the character. Much to my nephew's dismay Roger Moore remains my Bond but I did enjoy the movie.

 

[keliblue]

WooHoo!!! Very exciting! Where will he be working????



Good! Saturday (the 8th) evening or later on in the week or (like us, more than likely) both??

In looking back at my PMs, Maria said, and I quote:

How does that look for you, Keliblue and anyone else? The 13th is Thursday, 14th is, obviously, Friday!

Just let me know and I will make it work so excited, I've seen you all on the boards for soooooo long and now I get to put a face to the names

 

[sleepydog25]

Nice report sleepy! AP is also one of our favorites and is where we dine on our last evening while in FL. We also have experienced some 'less than optimum' meals - so I'm glad to hear: 1) it's not just us 2) seems to be improving. Now if they'd only bring the fresh yogurt bar back to Roaring Fork, I'd be a happy camper!

One winter, we should find out when, specifically time and day, the big tree is going up in the Lodge lobby and plan a meet around it. Wouldn't it be fun to be on the 4th or 5th floor and watch as they bring the tree and all lights and decorations in? We could experience the magical transformation....... Only 24 more days.

DDad and I sit at the Inglenook multiple times every trip and for the life of me, I haven't any idea what the animals are. Hmm guess I'll have to go look at some pictures.

No, it's not just you re: AP's quality. According to Brenda, our server, they had been getting inferior cuts of buffalo so switched to this cut which was incredibly tender. It also costs more than ever, but that's a trade-off I'm willing to make. As for the trivia question about which critters are on the Inglenook fireplace screen, I will say there are four, and they're not quite what I would have expected, so I'm curious if there is a backstory to them. And I love your idea about being around when the tree is delivered to the Lodge lobby. That would be tremendously cool!

I've attached a few pics. My apologies if they load larger than I intended.

A great lounging spot. . .

How I feel when not at the Lodge--on the outside looking in. . .

Our last night. . .

 

[Muushka]

December

wildernessDad 1-10 VWL

KAT4DISNEY 1-5 BWV 5-9 BLT

jimmytammy 3-14 OKW

DiznyDi/DiznyDad 7-15 VWL

Inkmahm/Dynaguy 8-12 VWL

keliblue 9-15 VWL 10th Anniversary

Muushka 9-14 VWL

MiaSRN62 12-15 Dolphin 17-19 BCV

Maria said 'the 13th before 6 pm is best, but I can make it work on 12/14 too'

Maria, are you wanting to join us on the hay ride?

I'm trying to figure out what night would be best. I think they have one at 9:30

Enjoy a Hay Ride at the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds - Take an old-fashioned, horse-drawn hayride which offers an hour-long scenic tour around Fort Wilderness Campground. Hayrides depart at 7:00pm and 9:30pm nightly from the front of Pioneer Hall. Hayrides are on a first-come, first-served basis only (no reservations!) (dwills)

I think it is $8 pp. If it was full, it would still be fun to walk around.

How would Wed night on Dec 12 work for everyone?

 

[Nicoal13]

We're heading to OKW in February and I currently have one night booked on the DVC cash discount.

Just got an email from Disney that is a 35% off resorts and OKW is available for that rate.

Remind me, if I book through CRO....can I link the one night to my other nights that are on points?

I know a groupie will know the answer. I think it's not possible, but a girl can hope.

Just trying to save on points and would rather pay cash than have to borrow the 42 points needed for that one night.

Thanks!
Nicole

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Well FIL and my aunt are both home from the hospital now. FIL is doing really well. My aunt is still in alot of pain but getting better. Thanks to everyone for their well wishes!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Remind me, if I book through CRO....can I link the one night to my other nights that are on points?

Nope - not possible to link. But many report being able to stay in the same room. When you check in at OKW you should talk to them. Perhaps see if MS can at least note the CRO reservation info in your point reservation.

Well FIL and my aunt are both home from the hospital now. FIL is doing really well. My aunt is still in alot of pain but getting better. Thanks to everyone for their well wishes!

Good news DLI! I hope your aunt feels better soon.


And to try and drum up some FW Hayride Riders - here are a few pictures from our FW sleigh ride 2 years ago:

My nieces (and DH back by the carriage) with our evening transportation:

And during the day:

I really don't know how some of these campers can fit in their RV's with all the Christmas decorations they bring along!