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

[jimmytammy]

Hey all!!

We are at the Lodge, got here around 10:30am yesterday. Room wasnt ready as Tammy put in request for top floor. So we got van unpacked into storage, went grocery shopping and got voice mail that room was ready while shopping. Crazy thing is we got exact same 1 bdr. we got last Dec.! Room 5523 near elevators, facing lake. Lodge and room are in great shape as always.

We had to get APs yesterday, then ate at LTT for late lunch, hung out with friends from back home for MVMCP and closed it down at 12!! Too old for that anymore, basically 12 hr day in MK. Breakfast ate at 11am, but hey, we are on vacation, right?

Heading to HS later, eat at Mama Melroses at 4:30 and hope to get up with our friends. Saw AnnieT yesterday for those who remember her from several years ago on the DIS. I think she spends some time on the CM forums these days as she is a DVC assoc. saleslady now. Anybody wanna take the tour, go see Annie!! She was working at a kiosk in Frontierland and it was so funny, people coming up asking if this was a ride! Yes it is, in a van, that will whisk you away to far off places

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon at the meets!! And for those of you who cant be here, you are here with us in Spirit, groupie style

 

[jimmytammy]

I just acquired a VWL contract through the Timeshare Store! I'm thinking of making a reservation for a 2BR and wanted to know if there were any requests I should make. I know there aren't View options but I heard some people say that you should request near the elevators or near the WL side because the hallways are very long and you don't want to be at the opposite end of the hallway.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hey and welcome home!!

We like near the elevators, higher floors. View is sorta a wash as most are blocked by trees. You can peek through trees and see lake if on that side, but I wouldnt be overly concerned about that. The serenity of the lodge is what draws us, and the views tend to not matter. if you have small ones, a high floor on the lake may give you a view of EWP that happens around 9:30pm, but again, no biggie.

So IMO, ask for high floor, or near elevators, in that order. Not many rooms, so probability is better for high room. Good luck, and most of all, enjoy!!

 

[stopher1]

Hi Groupies!

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. I have been busy out here in So Cal. It's not our beloved Lodge, but here is our sister lodge's Christmas tree...

I got to spend time with my FIL Friday & Saturday, and that was wonderful. He's doing very well, considering his circumstance. I also got to reconnect with old friends from cast member days at Disneyland. That was great. And I have been staying at VGC. I check out today, but that's okay - because I'll be back here in less than 4 weeks!! I can't wait to be in WDW just next weekend too!

I've got to get ready to head out and change over to the business portion of this trip now, but I'll try and post a few pics later in the week as well. I'm looking forward to our meet!

 

[Granny]

Christopher...wow, thanks for the picture! Looks somewhat familiar somehow.

and WELCOME Kyle. VWL is the smallest on-site DVC resort so if someone told you there are l...o...n...g hallways, it just ain't so! The end of the farthest hallway would be considered "close to the elevators" at BWV and AKV. Enjoy your planning.

 

[stopher1]

Kind of funny how that works, isn't it Granny?

 

[Muushka]

Welcome home JT!! Have fun!!

Love the pictures, Stopher. That looks like one great place to stay.

 

[jimmytammy]

Granny, I agree, the hallways arent that long. BWV, now those are LONG
Stopher, love the pic! And I agree with Granny, it looks hauntingly familar

We are headed to Keys to the Kingdom tour early tomorrow, so wont be checking in til late or maybe Wed. Kids are old enough now, which is sad cause it means our trips with them may be getting closer to the end. But we are all looking forward to seeing the utilidors and behind scenes. This is a first plus DS and I failed to get our hair cut before leaving home, so we have appts. at Harmony Barber Shop after the tour. Eating at Ohana tomorrow night. Busy day ahead!

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . . DS and I failed to get our hair cut before leaving home, so we have appts. at Harmony Barber Shop . . . .

Don't forget the "sprinkles"!

See you all soon!

 

[sleepydog25]

Welcome home, Kyle! I will echo what others have said--the hallways at VWL aren't particularly long, so I wouldn't worry about that non-issue. In fact, I've always found it humorous that people think nothing of walking a couple of miles or more around a park but then complain about a short walk down an air-conditioned hallway. The predominant view from rooms at VWL are of trees, though there are some peek-a-boo glimpses of the lake and the pool area from some of them. Regardless, I'm sure you'll enjoy the relative tranquility of the Lodge after fun-filled, but crowded, days in the parks.

VWL, here we come. . .three wake-ups and we'll be rolling in. . .

 

[wildernessDad]

 

[eliza61]

You ever have one of those days where in reality you know you have nothing to whine about but it's an annoying day regardless.

I'm at lunch and so far this morning.

• I dropped a 75 lb sack of flour down a flight of steps.
• I tried my hand at "pan au chocolat" and it turned out more like "Pain in chocolate"
• Yesterday at work, my coworker decided to tell a boss to go "F&^% himself" in my office so now I've got hours of incident meetings to go to.
• It's raining.

I know whining is really unattractive....

So any way, who's got a favorite park and what about it makes it your favorite?

My favorite wdw place continues to be Main street USA. It's funny because technically there isn't an "attraction" there but I love the nostalgia of it. I love the music piped in, the big silve Mickey ballons in a great big bunch, the cm's in their white and red outfits. I love how you can walk through the stores and they connect.

 

[wildernessDad]

My favorite park is the Magic Kingdom, as it is pretty much what Walt wanted. I know what you mean about Main Street. It's a great way to enter the park.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Ahhhh, Main St. USA - don't you just love smelling the cookies baking? . . . . . . even though we all know what we are smelling isn't cookies baking!

 

[twokats]

Welcome home, Kyle! I will echo what others have said--the hallways at VWL aren't particularly long, so I wouldn't worry about that non-issue. In fact, I've always found it humorous that people think nothing of walking a couple of miles or more around a park but then complain about a short walk down an air-conditioned hallway. The predominant view from rooms at VWL are of trees, though there are some peek-a-boo glimpses of the lake and the pool area from some of them. Regardless, I'm sure you'll enjoy the relative tranquility of the Lodge after fun-filled, but crowded, days in the parks.

I have to agree. In '09 I was at the end of the hall and it was not a bad walk at all. Less than what Kati and I had to walk last Dec at AKV and we were only halfway down a hall there!!

 

[Granny]

So any way, who's got a favorite park and what about it makes it your favorite?

Eliza...hope your day has gotten much better.

My favorite park is probably Magic Kingdom though we tend to spend more time at HS. I'd say that what makes it my favorite is the nostalgic part as mentioned before...it's Walt's baby!

I like how the theming changes as you change lands in the park. The main street music turns to African drums as you enter Adventureland. And those kinds of touches are throughout the park.

Aside from that, my favorite "park" is when I park my rear end on a rocking chair at WL/VWL. Guess that doesn't count!

 

[jimmytammy]

Eliza

My fav park is MK, and as others say, it was Walts baby, and he is everywhere there.

We just got back from the Keys to the Kingdom tour and it was great! Behind the scenes was outstanding, but most of all was the inclusion of Walt and Roy, the folks around them, and the little side stories along the way. Seeing rides from a different perspective. For all of us, we agree, the magic wasnt lost, it was just enhanced!

Hitting Ohana in a while, Casey and I are going to wash off the hair(what little bit is left) from our Harmony BBshop cuts. Barber asked if I wanted any sprinkles, and I asked if they had any that would make the gray look like my previous black. She told me Fantasyland was just up the street beyond the Castle I did get a good cut and a Mickey sticker from it though, and a few laughs, from me and the other nervous customers. So all in all its been a good day so far.

Going to Chefs De France tomorrow, 1st time for that(any recommendations on what to eat would be greatly appreciated) then off to AK.

Havent taken many pics yet other than a few of DS making a car at RideMakerz, a few of the Keys tour(none backstage, a no no) and some of the new parade at MK. So once I get a few more, will try to get them up for viewing.

 

[twinklebug]

Sorry you had a rotten day Eliza. Did the bag burst open? Could make a good Charlie Chaplin moment in your memories if it did. I'd love to pour a 75# bag of flour on a few coworkers I've had in the past.

Add me to the Magic Kingdom lovers group. I think if there were any park I had to be stuck sitting in one place in, MK's main street would keep me warm and happy inside. In fact on our last trip DD and I sat for an hour outside the town hall waiting for the crowds to clear out before hitting the boat dock. Great memories of just sitting enjoying the music, lights, smell of popcorn and just being with her.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Hey everybody! Sorry I haven't been around for so long. Not only have I been pretty busy but I must admit that the thought of going back and reading all the posts was overwhelming and it kept me away for too long. Sure missed you all though and thought about you often. I hope everyone is doing okay.
I got something today that spurred me into getting back on here. My DH just surprised DD and I with a trip! We will be heading down to the World on the 8th. We will first stay at POR (Dixie Landings of course!). We will be there till the 11th then comes the best part! VWL from the 11th till the 14th!!!!!!!!!!!
So excited about seeing the Lodge at Christmas. I am also really excited about getting to see Jodi Bensen do the Processional!!!!!! Only thing that I am bummed about is that we will just miss the meets! Sure would have loved to have been there so I could meet all of you!!!
Again I did miss all of you and I am going to try to get back to getting on here at least once a week. I just need to stop worrying about reading all the previous posts!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hi Groupies!

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. I have been busy out here in So Cal. It's not our beloved Lodge, but here is our sister lodge's Christmas tree...

Sounds like a very nice trip to the West Coast lodge Stopher! Thanks for the picture of the tree - beautiful!

Hey everybody! Sorry I haven't been around for so long. Not only have I been pretty busy but I must admit that the thought of going back and reading all the posts was overwhelming and it kept me away for too long. Sure missed you all though and thought about you often. I hope everyone is doing okay.
I got something today that spurred me into getting back on here. My DH just surprised DD and I with a trip! We will be heading down to the World on the 8th. We will first stay at POR (Dixie Landings of course!). We will be there till the 11th then comes the best part! VWL from the 11th till the 14th!!!!!!!!!!!
So excited about seeing the Lodge at Christmas. I am also really excited about getting to see Jodi Bensen do the Processional!!!!!! Only thing that I am bummed about is that we will just miss the meets! Sure would have loved to have been there so I could meet all of you!!!
Again I did miss all of you and I am going to try to get back to getting on here at least once a week. I just need to stop worrying about reading all the previous posts!

Welcome back DLI!!! How exciting - a last minute trip to WDW!!!! What an awesome present!! Maybe we'll run into each other.

 

[blossomz]

Eliza...hope your day ended on a better note! Yes, MK is my fav too. I think maybe that is why we like staying close to it. I also love AK and the sister lodge works out well for that!