VWL Lovers & Groupies Thread: Meese-ka, Mice-ka MOOSE-kateers

[Muushka]

Sure! His birthday is August 20, 1959. We try to take a vacation every year to celebrate it away from home since we go to WDW every year for my birthday in March. The Alaska cruise is perfect timing since we'll be doing his favorite whale watching excursion on his birthday!

Got it!

DynaGuy.........August 20

No years. Way TMI!!!

 

[I Book He Pays]

Hi Everyone:

Inkmahm ~ Happy early birthday to your DH. Wishing both of you a fantastic cruise! AK is stunning and the scenery is breathtaking. I can't wait to take another cruise to AK but it will be a long time before we get that opportunity again. Enjoy!

Have a great day everyone!

 

[Inkmahm]

Thanks! Years for birthdays at this point are a good thing, it means we are still alive and kicking!

This will be our 3rd trip to Alaska but obviously the first with Disney. We love Alaska and we love Disney so the combination of the two was too wonderful to pass up.

It is a beautiful sunny day in Vancouver. I'm amazed at the weather we have been having! I'm praying it continues. See you all in a week!

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

It is a beautiful sunny day in Vancouver. I'm amazed at the weather we have been having! I'm praying it continues. See you all in a week!

So jealous!!!!! Have a great trip and post pictures!!!!!!!

 

[Dizny Dad]

Hey, I found us slowely sinking to the bottom of page 1. Are we all out mowing lawn or something?

How about this -

DiznyDi & my first stay at the Lodge was for just a few days. We were put into a studio at the end of the hall around to the left when facing the elevators. It was a straight in room, no turning left or right at the end of the hallway. It was a small room, designed (we think) with a handicap style theme; low light switches, bars in the bath, etc. There were eventually four of us sleeping in this room that was tight for two. Looking at the layout of the Villas, this room should have been a maintenance room or something. I don't have the room number, but sure remember the experience. DiznyDi kept saying "are you sure we can all stay in this room"? But I wasn't in the mood to packing it all up and requesting a new room. The experience was certainly one that would have turned most visitors off to appreciating the Lodge for what it is.

But the Lodge spoke to us. Its soaring polls and angled beams sang the song of relaxation to me, and Holiday to DiznyDi.

It took a couple years, but at some point a couple of add-ons arrived in our Disney portfolio with the VWL points we knew we needed after our "Sardine Experience".

To separate ourselves from the current fiasco raging on the DisB concerning JL and Aulani, how about a few "first Time" stories to share?

 

[bobbiwoz]

...
To separate ourselves from the current fiasco raging on the DisB concerning JL and Aulani, how about a few "first Time" stories to share?

We bought in '03 and had a Carnival cruise out of Miami in December because we wanted to see Tulum, but not in the heat of the summer. In October we added on 50 VWL points and were able to make a reservation for VWL for the weekend after the cruise, December 19 and 20. Why do I remember the dates so well? Well, while we were enjoying MVMCP, our first DGS was born! We had a studio, and it also was down the hall that is to the left as you faced the elevators. We knew that the VWL was the DVC home that we longed for. By the way, DGS (now 7) loves VWL as much as we do!

 

[Happydinks]

Hey, I found us slowely sinking to the bottom of page 1. Are we all out mowing lawn or something?

How about this -
To separate ourselves from the current fiasco raging on the DisB concerning JL and Aulani, how about a few "first Time" stories to share?

It was October, 1997 and FIL and MIL took their GD (and her parents and us of course) to WL for a family vacation. OMG - was all we could think when we walked through the doors of the Lodge. VWL wasn't built yet. It was a totally awesome family vacation - including the "meal plan" (which gave you $$ per day per person, and you couldn't possibly spend all the money on food at the time)which meant we ended up driving home with enough baked goods from Roaring Fork to sustain us for the drive back to VA. Fast forward to 9/11 - we were supposed to be there on the 13th - changed our plans and went the next week - the parks were still empty. Took the DVC tour - decided we loved the Lodge so much - went home and bought a week later. Our first experience in the VWL wasn't until 2004 - a one bedroom - and all I can remember thinking was "darn - this is "ours" for at least the next 28 years. How lucky we are!"

 

[Muushka]

Hey, I found us slowely sinking to the bottom of page 1. Are we all out mowing lawn or something?


To separate ourselves from the current fiasco raging on the DisB concerning JL and Aulani, how about a few "first Time" stories to share?

Yes, I was mowing the lawn!

But now, as I sit here having my cupa Java , smiling at the stories.

We first visited WL when it had just opened. Being a Floridian at the time, up to our necks in palm trees and tropical themes, WL was the respite we needed.
We didn't stay there for a few more years (back then we were splurging staying at Dixie Landings ). So around 1998 we had our first stay at WL and fell in love with the place. We bought VWL after staying in a 1 BR (which still holds the record of the highest amount we ever paid to stay in a hotel, even more than our 5 star Fearrington Inn stay!) and have loved it ever since.

WL: cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

 

[eliza61]

So we arrived at the WL yesterday around 12:00 pm. Now my home resort is the BCV's which we love so I was little nervous about venturing to a new resort . This is our first time ever at the lodge and my first reaction was, "Where have you been all my life, you big handsome man". While I love the soft, soothing colors of the beach club and its understated charm. The wilderness lodge is themeing at it's best. this is big, bold, if you can't run with the big dogs-stay the heck on the porch, jaw dropping details. I think we may have found a new favorite.

This was a report I did after our first stay at the lodge. Ironically we got there quite by accident. I originally was booked for a 2 bedroom villa at OKW (I think) for my family and my sister, who I should have known would bail because the women can commit to a trip to Walmart. Anyway I didn't want to use up points and just wanted to get into any where that had an opening for a 1 bedroom. And a great love affair was born.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

For me one of the special things about our first stay at WL was that it was the first time we took our DD to WDW. She was 2 and it was 1995. I don't know why but one of the things that has always stuck in our heads was coming back to the Lodge in the afternoon and DD running up and down the hallway that went to our room. The other is going up to the roof and her running around up there. I of course fell in love with it due to my love of all things western and Native American. Can't wait to be there again in December but it will be a bit sad that the kid won't be with us. Oh one of my favorite pictures I have of DD is of her standing next to one of the benches at the bus stop. She is just so cute in that picture! I miss her being that little! And to think she starts college next week!

 

[Granny]

...

To separate ourselves from the current fiasco raging on the DisB concerning JL and Aulani, how about a few "first Time" stories to share?

DDad...what an awesome idea!

I'm enjoying reading everyone's first trip stories. And Eliza, I vividly remember your post that you quoted. It was the Groupies first introduction to your wonderful wit and writing style.

For my family, it all started in 1998. We had booked our first WDW vacation at the Caribbean Beach resort. My daughters were 9 & 7 years old. A couple of months before our trip my company was undergoing the threat of a union strike and all salaried employees were told to cancel any time off since we might have to work in the plant. Then they negotiated a deal just a few weeks before we had planned to leave. I checked back and all resorts at WDW were booked up except Wilderness Lodge. So we "settled" for that (me grumpily paying the higher cost for a room).

Our flight was delayed and we didn't get into Orlando until after 11:00 p.m. We had a Mears transport reservation, and were able to get on their last shuttle of the evening after waiting an hour or so. We end up getting to Wilderness Lodge about 1:00 in the morning.

But when they dropped us off in front, and we walked through those doors, the effect was truly magical. We were all in awe of the lobby, and my wife said I had the "goofy grin" thing going as we walked over to the front desk. No problems checking in, and we got the room with bunk beds that we had requested.

We enjoyed exploring the resort, and had a fantastic vacation at WDW. To us, everything was new and we spent most of the trip just soaking in all the details and beauty of our resort and WDW in general.

We stayed at WL again in 2000, again in the bunk bed style room. When Disney built VWL, it was a no-brainer for us to buy in. And our first stay at VWL in 2001 was amazing. Imagine...we were staying in a 1BR suite located at our favorite resort right in the heart of WDW. Life was surely great!

 

[wildernessDad]

Well, some bad news.

We are going next May and spending 6 nights in a Jambo House Grand Villa. We have invited some friends and one set of those friends is bowing out of the vacation. The other set is still interested and we're meeting with them this Friday at their house to go over plans. But now, we have an empty bedroom. I'm going to call my daughter to see if she and my granddaughter can come. That would be nice!

 

[Muushka]

Well, some bad news.

We are going next May and spending 6 nights in a Jambo House Grand Villa. We have invited some friends and one set of those friends is bowing out of the vacation. The other set is still interested and we're meeting with them this Friday at their house to go over plans. But now, we have an empty bedroom. I'm going to call my daughter to see if she and my granddaughter can come. That would be nice!

Did you say empty bedroom?????

 

[Happydinks]

Yes, I was mowing the lawn!
But now, as I sit here having my cupa Java , smiling at the stories.

WL: cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Hey Muushka!

Just back in from mowing the lawn - did a little raking too!

Loving to read these stories - taking a break from the JL thread which has ramped up again with the email sent out about his replacement.

I must admit - I am regretting that we are not staying at the Lodge in October. Staying at BLT - and I am already having withdrawls. We may not even make it next year since we're talking about trying out Hilton Head instead. Any groupie been there - feedback on it??

 

[Muushka]

Hey Muushka!

Just back in from mowing the lawn - did a little raking too!

Loving to read these stories - taking a break from the JL thread which has ramped up again with the email sent out about his replacement.

I must admit - I am regretting that we are not staying at the Lodge in October. Staying at BLT - and I am already having withdrawls. We may not even make it next year since we're talking about trying out Hilton Head instead. Any groupie been there - feedback on it??

Hey HD! Want to have a you-know-what contest?? I mowed, raked (a little also) AND started digging a trench!!
My neighbor's land slopes towards ours and I am trying to divert the water straight down the hill. Not that it has anything to do with VWL!

We are BLT bound too (right after you) but we are both pretty excited about it.

We stayed at HH once at DVC and another time for several days at Marriott Barony Beach.

What feedback are you looking for. Resort? Area?

Heck, I'll do them both!

We enjoyed DVC HH accommodations very much. They reminded us of VWL. The area is conducive to relaxation. Very serene.

Marriott was a totally different experience, being on the beach. Between the 2 I preferred DVC, but I am not a beach person.
It was sort of a pain at DVC to drive to the beach. We were there when it was cold, so could not appreciate it.

As far as HH as a destination, not my favorite place to visit. It seemed like we were always driving long distances to get anywhere (for either resort). We may not have known where the beautiful spots were, but we really couldn't see anything very interesting or beautiful. Mostly I remember long drives down not very interesting roads.

How's that for a lousy trip report!

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . As far as HH as a destination, not my favorite place to visit. It seemed like we were always driving long distances to get anywhere (for either resort). Mostly I remember long drives down not very interesting roads. . . . .

Probably no Moose, either, huh!?!

 

[wildernessDad]

Did you say empty bedroom?????

Umm... I did?...

Anywho, talked with daughter who gave me a "who knows" spiel. I told her that I'm going to look for some others to occupy that bedroom.

I mean, the room is going to be free. And it's a bedroom in an Animal Kingdom Lodge Grand Villa! Geez! Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Our friends have hit some hard times. She has lost her jobs and he isn't getting his raises. Still, they could have gone. After all, people still need to eat. I'm just stayin'... They could have hung out at the resort for 6 nights and not gone to any parks. That might be a nice, relaxing vacation - hanging out in an Animal Kingdom Lodge Grand Villa.

One problem with this country is that companies in the US are actually doing alright, some have lots of cash, but they are holding on to it. Heck, Apple has more cash than the US government. Also, folks like us think "we better not spend any money as things may get worse." Well, that causes things to get worse. Corporate America and we need to loosen up a bit and shake out a few dollars into this economy. We need to start this engine.

 

[Granny]

I must admit - I am regretting that we are not staying at the Lodge in October. Staying at BLT - and I am already having withdrawls. We may not even make it next year since we're talking about trying out Hilton Head instead. Any groupie been there - feedback on it??

We stayed at BLT this past April. Wanted to complete the WDW set of DVC resorts and that was the only one we hadn't stayed at.

My expectations were fairly low...just not impressed with the CR when we went through with the monorail. All concrete and tile...seemed cold and impersonal. Just the opposite of WL.

But I have to say that we really enjoyed BLT. We had a Bay Lake view room and found the resort to be warm and lovely. Not Wilderness Lodge of course, but really nice. And the short walk to MK was pretty sweet too.

 

[Corinne]

DDad...what an awesome idea!

I'm enjoying reading everyone's first trip stories.

Yes, great idea Dizny Dad!

When WL first opened we could not get a room....I could not wait to stay there! Finally, in the summer of 1998 we stayed there. We went with two other families and while THAT dynamic wasn't the best, we loved the Lodge. We stayed there again right after Thanksgiving that year and, as many of you know, there is just something extra special about the WL when it is all decked out for the holidays! That stay was perfection!

 

[jimmytammy]

Great topic Dad!!
We had only been exposed to values, so when we bought pts., we had never seen WL, except the roof from the monorail. We bought site unseen, with so much confidence intact, we bought 50 more pts. still hadnt been there yet
So that 1st trip came, we stayed in a studio for 5 nights, whirlwind trip, still commando styling it at the parks, it was a rainy, very cold Dec. So to say the least, we were questioning how smart a move we had made.
Next trip, we stayed in a 2 bed in the corner area facing the pool, near the elevators, and we were smitten with the place. We were in love
The trips since have been bliss.