VWL Lovers & Groupies thread: It all started with a Moose

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . I doubt I could tear myself away from VWL for a Christmas stay. No place I'd rather be. . . .

Sounds familiar . . . I can hear the lament in DiznyDi's voice now.

We do like to visit all of the resorts at Christmas; all have a wonderful Christmas feel, but The Lodge is the place where we prefer to tie the boat up when the lights get low and the hot chocolate comes out.

 

[jimmytammy]

Sounds familiar . . . I can hear the lament in DiznyDi's voice now.

We do like to visit all of the resorts at Christmas; all have a wonderful Christmas feel, but The Lodge is the place where we prefer to tie the boat up when the lights get low and the hot chocolate comes out.

Us too

 

[eliza61]

Hey Guys,

When you go at Christmas do you do a lot of park time? aren't the parks insanely crowded.
With Sid the squid still in H.S., if we want to go during Christmas we're locked into the actual Christmas week. Maybe a day or two before. We've never tried it simply because I don't deal well with wall to wall people.

 

[Muushka]

I need to reply more often......I read them and then get distracted

Was able to book our December VWL trip...December 9 to 16th. Is anyone from here going then?

Bobbi

Nope, but enjoy!

So Groupies,
I'm so excited

Today we started the process on a resale contract for the Lodge!

I hope that we can close on the contract before the end of March so that I can switch over my next vacation before the 7 month point!

Yay!!

I'm back! The holidays and moving are over and we are getting settled into our new home. There are projects to be done and remodeling. We are remodeling the master bedroom and adding a master bath. Can't wait for it to be done!

Beginning the countdown to the Lodge - a little less than 4 months. Woohoo!

Wow, lots of work there. But in the end, so worth it!

We received our dues bill this week. This is the most pain-free bill we have ever paid!

Just to bring the rumor conversation home to the lodge . . . . . .

How does everyone feel about the possibility of a Loyalty program being initiated at DVC? So many timeshares have them, along with every grocery store I know of. Any concerns on DVC Direct verses Resale impacting such a program in the future.

I know, I know, this rumor is raging out in Mouscellaneous, and maybe we look for save harbor here in our warm cozy thread next to the Inglenook in our DVC Lodge Lobby, but I am just curious.

Hmmmmm. I have mixed feelings about this. Ours are direct, so it would be fine for us, but I guess I would need to see exactly how much they would reward direct (or penalize resales). If it changed booking to less than 11 months out at home resort for resales, I don't think that would be fair at all. If they decided to reward direct with free park tickets for each stay, well that would rock!

Good morning Groupies, and Happy Monday. (At least happy here in Indy until the large amount of accumulating snow they're saying is coming our way tomorrow that is...)

I ran across this article this morning and wanted to share. Perhaps many (or most) of you know all of this already, but I didn't, and since it is about the Lodge, I knew if you didn't know it, you'd probably enjoy reading it.

The_Forgotten_Story_of_the_Wilderness_Lodge

Very interesting. Love the back story on our beloved.

 

[Muushka]

72 days until OKW!

see comment below

75 Days until BCV!

Um. You guys are missing a few dancers, aren't you?
(It is just jealousy speaking, don't pay any attention)

Was able to book our December VWL trip...December 9 to 16th. Is anyone from here going then?

Bobbi

So Groupies,
I'm so excited

Today we started the process on a resale contract for the Lodge!

I hope that we can close on the contract before the end of March so that I can switch over my next vacation before the 7 month point!

Congratulations!!

I'm back! The holidays and moving are over and we are getting settled into our new home. There are projects to be done and remodeling. We are remodeling the master bedroom and adding a master bath. Can't wait for it to be done!

Beginning the countdown to the Lodge - a little less than 4 months. Woohoo!

Woohoo! Renovations AND a trip planned. Sweet.

 

[Muushka]

Hey Guys,

When you go at Christmas do you do a lot of park time? aren't the parks insanely crowded.
With Sid the squid still in H.S., if we want to go during Christmas we're locked into the actual Christmas week. Maybe a day or two before. We've never tried it simply because I don't deal well with wall to wall people.

I had it all typed out and had to break up my replies (too many jumpies!) then I lost yours!!

What I said (but much shorter answer this time!) was that we try to get in all of our park time pre-12/25. After that, it's Lodge time and visiting other resorts. If we have APs, we will go into the parks just to experience the madness, if no passes, we don't waste a ticket going in during those crowded times. Good luck!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hey Guys,

When you go at Christmas do you do a lot of park time? aren't the parks insanely crowded.
With Sid the squid still in H.S., if we want to go during Christmas we're locked into the actual Christmas week. Maybe a day or two before. We've never tried it simply because I don't deal well with wall to wall people.

Our family doesn't go into the park as much during this time of the year. The Boston group does not have APs like we do, and so if they can't spend around 5-6 hours they don't go. We didn't find the December 30th crowd at the MK insanely crowded except towards midnight for the fireworks display. That day was very productive for us and 2 stayed for the extra magic hours after the midnight fireworks and they went on everything they wanted to go on. Only DS and DGD 8, went into DHS on the 31st. They went around 6 PM, stayed for the extra magic hours and were able to do what they wanted and really enjoyed the fireworks at DHS. There's an orchestra that plays to the firework displays there.

 

[Dizny Dad]

We always do parks during Christmas, intermingled with Resort visits. (As if that is different from any other visit. We seem to visit everywhere each time!)

So is the Christmas crowd really any worse than the Spring Break crowd, no wait, the Halloween crowd, ah, I mean the July 4th crowd, no, the Thanksgiving crowd, or the first of the summer crowd, maybe the . . . . . . .

Many times in the past two years it has been hard to tell that there was a recession going on outside the gates. And don't we just added right to the crowd . . . move over, I was standing there first.

 

[horselover]

Hey Guys,

When you go at Christmas do you do a lot of park time? aren't the parks insanely crowded.
With Sid the squid still in H.S., if we want to go during Christmas we're locked into the actual Christmas week. Maybe a day or two before. We've never tried it simply because I don't deal well with wall to wall people.

This year will be our 1st trip actually over Christmas. We are preparing ourselves for big crowds. We have no plans to do any park on Christmas day. I'm sure we can find lots of other ways to occupy our time. We plan to arrive on the 20th & hope that the 1st few days won't be too bad. We'll likely fly home on either the 26th or 27th. Tradition dictates that we spend our last morning at MK, have lunch at LTT & then it's off to the airport. We'll do our best to work around the crowds. We tend to be rope drop people so I'm hopeful that will help.

 

[jimmytammy]

Hey Folks

Once again, I need to turn to you folks for prayer. Our family is going through some rough stuff this week. My uncle passed Sun evening in his sleep. We were really close to him, at one time lived just across the street from each other. Anyway, funeral is tomorrow. Plus Tammy is having surgery tomorrow, something that has needed to take place for a few yrs, and finally is going to happen. If all goes well, she will be in hospital overnight. She is already looking forward to NFL games this weekend So if I could ask for prayer from you folks, it would be greatly appreciated.

Dont mean to bring it down here, but you folks always lift me up

 

[horselover]

Hey Folks

Once again, I need to turn to you folks for prayer. Our family is going through some rough stuff this week. My uncle passed Sun evening in his sleep. We were really close to him, at one time lived just across the street from each other. Anyway, funeral is tomorrow. Plus Tammy is having surgery tomorrow, something that has needed to take place for a few yrs, and finally is going to happen. If all goes well, she will be in hospital overnight. She is already looking forward to NFL games this weekend So if I could ask for prayer from you folks, it would be greatly appreciated.

Dont mean to bring it down here, but you folks always lift me up

JT - I'm so sorry for your loss. You & your family will be in my prayers. Wishing Tammy a speedy recovery too.

 

[Muushka]

Hey Folks

Once again, I need to turn to you folks for prayer. Our family is going through some rough stuff this week. My uncle passed Sun evening in his sleep. We were really close to him, at one time lived just across the street from each other. Anyway, funeral is tomorrow. Plus Tammy is having surgery tomorrow, something that has needed to take place for a few yrs, and finally is going to happen. If all goes well, she will be in hospital overnight. She is already looking forward to NFL games this weekend So if I could ask for prayer from you folks, it would be greatly appreciated.

Dont mean to bring it down here, but you folks always lift me up

We are so sorry to hear about your loss of a beloved uncle. And I hope all goes well for Tammy tomorrow.
It will be a difficult day for your family. You are all in our prayers.

 

[tea pot]

Good Morning Groupies

I would like to thank you all so much for all your prayers and support.
My daughter is doing much better. She has responded well to the treatment and
seems to have no residual damage in feeling and function. Praise God!
The road ahead is not certain and she has and will need to make some major life style changes now and as time go on.
Right now she is back to work and in good spirits and we are so grateful.

I can't tell you how much comfort and support you all have given to me.
My daughter was surprised and grateful that Mom's crazy cyber friends are "real" and are truly caring people.

So I'm off to catch up

Stay Well and Take Care

 

[stopher1]

Hey Folks

Once again, I need to turn to you folks for prayer. Our family is going through some rough stuff this week. My uncle passed Sun evening in his sleep. We were really close to him, at one time lived just across the street from each other. Anyway, funeral is tomorrow. Plus Tammy is having surgery tomorrow, something that has needed to take place for a few yrs, and finally is going to happen. If all goes well, she will be in hospital overnight. She is already looking forward to NFL games this weekend So if I could ask for prayer from you folks, it would be greatly appreciated.

Dont mean to bring it down here, but you folks always lift me up

Happily, Jimmy. Honored to do so. Sorry about the loss of your uncle, and wishing a quick recovery for Tammy! It's a pleasure to pray for friends, and especially Groupies.

 

[tea pot]

Hey Folks

Once again, I need to turn to you folks for prayer. Our family is going through some rough stuff this week. My uncle passed Sun evening in his sleep. We were really close to him, at one time lived just across the street from each other. Anyway, funeral is tomorrow. Plus Tammy is having surgery tomorrow, something that has needed to take place for a few yrs, and finally is going to happen. If all goes well, she will be in hospital overnight. She is already looking forward to NFL games this weekend So if I could ask for prayer from you folks, it would be greatly appreciated.

Dont mean to bring it down here, but you folks always lift me up

Oh Jimmy

Lifting you, Tammy and your family up in prayer.
So sorry for your sudden loss.
I'll be praying that all goes well tomorrow and prayers for comfort and strength.

 

[wildernessDad]

JT, sorry to hear about the passing of your uncle. I hope Tammy's surgery goes AOK.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Jimmy - DiznyDi and I lift you and family up to interupt Heaven once again with prayers for comfort during these times of loss.

Tammy - Our prayers for you as well. May He see to a speedy recovery for you, and to give Jimmy strength to serve your every need!

Teapot - We all are indeed your "real" crazy cyber friends . .

There isn't a day that goes by that somehow DiznyDi and I don't have something to say to each other about any one of our DVC or Groupie friends. The Groupie meets, and other occations, have allowed us to put real faces and people onto those cyber handles which allows us to be part of everyones lives in some respect. As Jimmy has said, we are blessed by the ever expanding number of Groupie friends.

 

[eliza61]

Hey Folks

Once again, I need to turn to you folks for prayer. Our family is going through some rough stuff this week. My uncle passed Sun evening in his sleep. We were really close to him, at one time lived just across the street from each other. Anyway, funeral is tomorrow. Plus Tammy is having surgery tomorrow, something that has needed to take place for a few yrs, and finally is going to happen. If all goes well, she will be in hospital overnight. She is already looking forward to NFL games this weekend So if I could ask for prayer from you folks, it would be greatly appreciated.

Dont mean to bring it down here, but you folks always lift me up

Never ever think you are binging any thing down. The absolute joy I get from this thread and my friends here is unmeasureable. Stopher said it best. I consider it an honor.

Good Morning Groupies

I would like to thank you all so much for all your prayers and support.
My daughter is doing much better. She has responded well to the treatment and seems to have no residual damage in feeling and function. Praise God!
The road ahead is not certain and she has and will need to make some major life style changes now and as time go on.
Right now she is back to work and in good spirits and we are so grateful.

I can't tell you how much comfort and support you all have given to me.
My daughter was surprised and grateful that Mom's crazy cyber friends are "real" and are truly caring people.

So I'm off to catch up

Stay Well and Take Care

Best news of the day.,

Happily, Jimmy. Honored to do so. Sorry about the loss of your uncle, and wishing a quick recovery for Tammy! It's a pleasure to pray for friends, and especially Groupies.

Ditto. Couldn't have said it better Stopher

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

JT - so sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family and for surgeon and all caregivers involved in Tammy's surgery. Prayers for a speedy recovery as well.

tea pot - thanks for the update and continue to remember and pray for you too!

 

[jimmytammy]

Oh man, I have goosebumps reading the kind posts. Thank you all so much for your words and caring. I will do my best to update you folks after Tammys surgery. She has to be at the hospital at 8am, so hoping for her sake she doesnt have to wait too long to get underway. I will have IPod in tow so with fingers too big for the thing, I will do my best to type in an update if I get a good signal. Just disregard any future typos

Teapot That is wonderful news!! Thanks for sharing and as others have said, prayers will continue lifting from the Whitesell household on your DDs and your familys behalf.