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

[KAT4DISNEY]

Kathy, tell me about your Norwegian blood. I have Norwegian blood too, 50% actually. My mother was born in Sarpsborg. They came to the US when she and her sister (they're twins) were 7. The crossed the ocean on one of those great big ocean liners, but certainly not as fancy as today's cruise ships.

I also am 50% Norwegian. The other is 50% Danish and one or the other ended up being mentioned around the house periodically - usually in reference to which one was more stubborn!

My great grandfather was the person to immigrate from the Kongsberg area (Eftelot) in 1883. His oldest brother stayed in Norway but due do difficult times the remaining 4 moved to the US one by one. The first worked to bring the second, then the second worked to bring the third etc. I'm guessing that in 1883 the boat was a tad less luxurious than what your mother came over on!

My cousin, her daughter and I visited relatives there 3 years ago and also saw the farm that the family came from - and that is still owned by one of our distant cousins. It really was quite interesting to go visit where our ancestors came from and to be welcomed as one of the family. A family tree book was done in the mid-70's which our Norwegian relatives also had a copy of. One of the first questions was about which number we were in the book so they could look us up. (I am #857 )

Does your mother still speak Norwegian? My grandmother did but my father never learned it. My Norwegian vocabulary is mostly limited to Uff-da which I remember my grandmother using fairly frequently. Although I did learn a new word in Norway - Akvavit which I discovered on my last WDW trip that they serve in Epcot!

 

[jjk3]

Hey everyone!! This is my first post on the VWL Lovers thread.

My family and I are getting ready to make our first stay at the VWL, arriving on Sunday (2/6) for seven nights. We can't wait!! We are new DVC owners (this is our first stay). We had reservations at the Lodge and then decided to cancel those and take the plunge into DVC!

We have stayed at the Cabins @ FW before, so we have visited WL but never stayed there. We can't wait! My daughter turns 5 while we are there.

Thanks everyone for the info and tips you have provided in this thread and forum. I look forward to getting more actively involved in the future!

Jeff

P.S. Where does everyone get those neat pictures they put in the signatures, displaying a particular resort? And do people just attach their favorites, where they have stayed, where they own, etc?

Thanks!

 

[blossomz]

Muushka...thinking of you and hoping for more good news.

In the meantime..we need to welcome our latest groupie home!::jjjk3

Mush..can you help him out with our wigs? And help him with a moose?

Oh...and a very very magical birthday wilderness dad!!

 

[stopher1]

I also am 50% Norwegian. The other is 50% Danish and one or the other ended up being mentioned around the house periodically - usually in reference to which one was more stubborn!

My great grandfather was the person to immigrate from the Kongsberg area (Eftelot) in 1883. His oldest brother stayed in Norway but due do difficult times the remaining 4 moved to the US one by one. The first worked to bring the second, then the second worked to bring the third etc. I'm guessing that in 1883 the boat was a tad less luxurious than what your mother came over on!

My cousin, her daughter and I visited relatives there 3 years ago and also saw the farm that the family came from - and that is still owned by one of our distant cousins. It really was quite interesting to go visit where our ancestors came from and to be welcomed as one of the family. A family tree book was done in the mid-70's which our Norwegian relatives also had a copy of. One of the first questions was about which number we were in the book so they could look us up. (I am #857 )

Does your mother still speak Norwegian? My grandmother did but my father never learned it. My Norwegian vocabulary is mostly limited to Uff-da which I remember my grandmother using fairly frequently. Although I did learn a new word in Norway - Akvavit which I discovered on my last WDW trip that they serve in Epcot!

Uffda & Akavavit! Awesome. I use uff-da quite a bit myself, and let's just say, yes, I have enjoyed Akvavit since I was about.... ummm, taller than my grandfather's midsection. It was definitely something we all partook of and enjoyed every Christmas and New Year's Eve - but whatever you do, don't take it as a shot! You will very quickly understand why if you do.

Yes, my mom does still speak it, and from time to time she keeps egging me on to recall what I knew as a child. My grandmother was very good at using it completely when we were around, so we learned a lot. Not using it daily (or even weekly) certainly diminished my use and recollection of it since she died 19 years ago.

Growing up our winters were filled with all kinds of Norwegian goodies and meals. My grandparents would go down to San Pedro to the importers and buy all kinds of the yummy cheeses, fish products, meats, baking items, beer, sodas, jams, soups, chocolates and of course the baked goods from the on-site bakery. And all the way from just after Halloween until just after Thanksgiving, they would be baking and baking to pass out lots of different special cookies to us, my aunt/uncle & cousins, and other family members and friends. After she died I picked up that tradition and make several of the various cookies and treats each year.

Since it was just one generation back, we still have a lot of family in Norway, and we keep in touch each year. The Christmas cards are always a lot of fun. My mother & aunt were the 2nd to youngest grandchildren, so their cousins range from 12 years younger than them to 25 years older than them, and sadly, the oldest ones have started to die already - even though there are still a handful of their aunts & uncles around. Both my grandfather and grandmother came families of 5 and 6 children - and many of them had 3-5 children themselves... so there are lots of relatives!

We got married in March 1994, shortly after the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, so we got numerous Olympic branded items from relatives over there as gifts. That was kind of fun!

I have not yet been to Norway, but I definitely want to go. My mother has been back twice and really wants to return again. I'd love to get up to the lapplands above the artic circle to see the northern most parts. Someday, I hope. It's definitely on my bucket list.

 

[Dizny Dad]

jjk3 - WELCOME HOME!!

And welcome to the Groupies thread! Visit often, learn about The Lodge, and share!

 

[wildernessDad]

Thanks for all the birthday wishes.

 

[eliza61]

Thanks for all the birthday wishes.

Wait, wait. I'm late for the party and I can't miss your birthday.

Happy Birthday WD. Have a great magical day with many more.

 

[stopher1]

Happy Birthday wildernessDad!!

 

[horselover]

Welcome to the groupies jjk3! I believe the instructions for grabbing yourself a moose siggie are on page 1. Enjoy your stay at the most fabulous of all the DVC resorts. Oh & we LOVE pictures! No pressure or anything.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILDERNESS DAD!!

 

[DiznyDi]

jjk3 - WELCOME HOME!!

And welcome to the Groupies thread! Visit often, learn about The Lodge, and share!

I'm 'the other half' and would like to echo my husbands sentiment. Enjoy your time at the lodge and don't forget to take a respite in the villas lobby rockers, it will warm your soul!

 

[DiznyDi]

Wait, wait. I'm late for the party and I can't miss your birthday.

Happy Birthday WD. Have a great magical day with many more.

I don't want to be late for the party either!
Happy Birthday Wilderness Dad!

 

[Muushka]

Muushka...thinking of you and hoping for more good news.

In the meantime..we need to welcome our latest groupie home!::jjjk3

Mush..can you help him out with our wigs? And help him with a moose?

Oh...and a very very magical birthday wilderness dad!!

Thank you Bloss.

Hey everyone!! This is my first post on the VWL Lovers thread.

My family and I are getting ready to make our first stay at the VWL, arriving on Sunday (2/6) for seven nights. We can't wait!! We are new DVC owners (this is our first stay). We had reservations at the Lodge and then decided to cancel those and take the plunge into DVC!

We have stayed at the Cabins @ FW before, so we have visited WL but never stayed there. We can't wait! My daughter turns 5 while we are there.

Thanks everyone for the info and tips you have provided in this thread and forum. I look forward to getting more actively involved in the future!

Jeff

P.S. Where does everyone get those neat pictures they put in the signatures, displaying a particular resort? And do people just attach their favorites, where they have stayed, where they own, etc?

Thanks!

Well allrighty then! A brandy new groupie ready at the gate!
Your trip is right around the corner and oh what fun for your daughter to spend her birthday at WDW and VWL!

Please come back and tell us all about it, we love trip reports to our beloved.
Also, if you find you like hanging with us (we are The More the Merrier types), please let us know when your birthday is, we love celebrating those things!

And the directions for the moosie siggy is on the first page on post #6 at the bottom of the birthday list. As far as the other DVC siggies, just steal one from someone and use those instruction from above.

Welcome to the Groupies!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes.

Happy offical Birthday WD!!!!

I'm 'the other half' and would like to echo my husbands sentiment. Enjoy your time at the lodge and don't forget to take a respite in the villas lobby rockers, it will warm your soul!

Other half is a great description for either one of you because
I would be hard pressed trying to figure out which is the better half!

 

[Granny]

Hey everyone!! This is my first post on the VWL Lovers thread.

My family and I are getting ready to make our first stay at the VWL, arriving on Sunday (2/6) for seven nights. We can't wait!! We are new DVC owners (this is our first stay). We had reservations at the Lodge and then decided to cancel those and take the plunge into DVC!

We have stayed at the Cabins @ FW before, so we have visited WL but never stayed there. We can't wait! My daughter turns 5 while we are there.

Jeff...welcome to the thread. Sounds like you will have a great birthday trip for your daughter. I'm sure she'll really enjoy VWL. You might want to stop by guest services and pick up a Hidden Mickey hunt sheet with clues on where to find numerous Mickey's in WL and VWL. They aren't always obvious but I bet you can find some of them!

I know you will have a great trip. Enjoy!!

P.S. Where does everyone get those neat pictures they put in the signatures, displaying a particular resort? And do people just attach their favorites, where they have stayed, where they own, etc?

As pointed out, you can find signature picture instructions at this link. You can put any resort you want there...there are no rules or protocol. And of course, if you really like WL/VWL you can always grab a VWL Groupies logo too!

 

[Granny]

Happy Birthday Wilderness Dad!!!

 

[Granny]

P.S. Where does everyone get those neat pictures they put in the signatures, displaying a particular resort? And do people just attach their favorites, where they have stayed, where they own, etc?

Thanks!

Jeff...I just noticed that you were looking for the resort banner logoes. Here's a link that give a link to those as well as instructions: Resort Banner Information

 

[Inkmahm]

Happy Birthday Wilderness Dad!!!

Ditto!

 

[sleepydog25]

Hey everyone!! This is my first post on the VWL Lovers thread.

My family and I are getting ready to make our first stay at the VWL, arriving on Sunday (2/6) for seven nights. We can't wait!! We are new DVC owners (this is our first stay). We had reservations at the Lodge and then decided to cancel those and take the plunge into DVC!

We have stayed at the Cabins @ FW before, so we have visited WL but never stayed there. We can't wait! My daughter turns 5 while we are there.

Thanks everyone for the info and tips you have provided in this thread and forum. I look forward to getting more actively involved in the future!

Jeff

P.S. Where does everyone get those neat pictures they put in the signatures, displaying a particular resort? And do people just attach their favorites, where they have stayed, where they own, etc?

Thanks!

With the others let me welcome you to the Lodge;
Pull up a rocker, have a seat,
As you'll soon see our group is quite the hodgepodge,
But, we're friendly, relaxed, laid-back, and usually upbeat.

This is the place for stories told and wishes fulfilled and fine,
Where acquaintances become neighbors then turn into friends.
So, grab a hot cocoa (or in my case a nice glass of wine),
Sit a spell, get comfy, and let your thoughts be cleansed.
Get to know the merry band (we're truly not loons),
Just one rule: be sure to hit the spittoon.

Welcome!

 

[stopher1]

Hey everyone!! This is my first post on the VWL Lovers thread.

My family and I are getting ready to make our first stay at the VWL, arriving on Sunday (2/6) for seven nights. We can't wait!! We are new DVC owners (this is our first stay). We had reservations at the Lodge and then decided to cancel those and take the plunge into DVC!

We have stayed at the Cabins @ FW before, so we have visited WL but never stayed there. We can't wait! My daughter turns 5 while we are there.

Thanks everyone for the info and tips you have provided in this thread and forum. I look forward to getting more actively involved in the future!

Jeff

P.S. Where does everyone get those neat pictures they put in the signatures, displaying a particular resort? And do people just attach their favorites, where they have stayed, where they own, etc?

Thanks!

Welcome, welcome Jeff! How fun for you and your family. I have taken the liberty of adding your upcoming stay on to our Groupie calendar on page 1... feel free to let me know about other future stays, even if not at our beloved Lodge, and I'll be happy to add you in.

In the meantime - have a WONDERFUL stay, and be sure to enjoy some nice times in the comfy rockers... there are several to enjoy!

Can't wait to hear about your visit.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Happy Birthday WildernessDad!

Hey everyone!! This is my first post on the VWL Lovers thread.

Welcome Jeff!!! Have a wonderful stay at the lodge!

Uffda & Akavavit! Awesome. I use uff-da quite a bit myself, and let's just say, yes, I have enjoyed Akvavit since I was about.... ummm, taller than my grandfather's midsection. It was definitely something we all partook of and enjoyed every Christmas and New Year's Eve - but whatever you do, don't take it as a shot! You will very quickly understand why if you do.

Yes, my mom does still speak it, and from time to time she keeps egging me on to recall what I knew as a child. My grandmother was very good at using it completely when we were around, so we learned a lot. Not using it daily (or even weekly) certainly diminished my use and recollection of it since she died 19 years ago.

Growing up our winters were filled with all kinds of Norwegian goodies and meals. My grandparents would go down to San Pedro to the importers and buy all kinds of the yummy cheeses, fish products, meats, baking items, beer, sodas, jams, soups, chocolates and of course the baked goods from the on-site bakery. And all the way from just after Halloween until just after Thanksgiving, they would be baking and baking to pass out lots of different special cookies to us, my aunt/uncle & cousins, and other family members and friends. After she died I picked up that tradition and make several of the various cookies and treats each year.

Since it was just one generation back, we still have a lot of family in Norway, and we keep in touch each year. The Christmas cards are always a lot of fun. My mother & aunt were the 2nd to youngest grandchildren, so their cousins range from 12 years younger than them to 25 years older than them, and sadly, the oldest ones have started to die already - even though there are still a handful of their aunts & uncles around. Both my grandfather and grandmother came families of 5 and 6 children - and many of them had 3-5 children themselves... so there are lots of relatives!

We got married in March 1994, shortly after the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, so we got numerous Olympic branded items from relatives over there as gifts. That was kind of fun!

I have not yet been to Norway, but I definitely want to go. My mother has been back twice and really wants to return again. I'd love to get up to the lapplands above the artic circle to see the northern most parts. Someday, I hope. It's definitely on my bucket list.

You do come from hardy stock if you started the Akavavit at that age!! Thanks for the warning about the shot but I'm afraid that's what our Norwegian friends took my straight to. I survived and immediately learned I prefer it mixed with something.

If you can make it happen you definitely have to take a trip - especially since you have such close relatives there. I hope to get back again and also would like to get further north in the country. All of it is really beautiful. The area my relatives came from looked so much like parts of MN that I could understand why they settled there. Then there's the fjords and coastal areas, mountains etc. etc.

And the holiday goodies! Yum!! Mom was the Dane but she'd get a few of the Norwegian items made. Then Christmas with the aunts got us more! The biggest contradiction I always thought though was the two L's. Lefse and Lutefisk. How could one be so good and one so BAD!! The holidays meant that both were going to be around though!

 

[wildernessDad]

I could use a VWL fix today. Who's with me?