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

[Muushka]

Hi - brand new DVC owners (OKW) looking forward to our first DVC stay in March/April!! We will be at OKW then offsite to Universal and then back to VWL for our last four nights. We will have a car. I'm not sure of the best way to get luggage unloaded and to the room at VWL as the parking lot looks kinda far away! Is there a close place to park and unload or do folks just drive up to the front of WL and let bell services handle everything? We will likely be checking in late in the day so the room should be ready when we get there. Thanks for any suggestions!

Well hello there MDFam! And welcome to our Groupie thread. Ownership at VWL is not required, just a love of the lodge.

You are quite right about the hike from the car to the villa. Ugh.
It's times like that I wish they had planned that parking lot more like BCV!

We are always just 2 of us so it is kind of impractical to drop off the luggage. But if we had more, that is probably what we would do. Maybe at the bottom of the driveway up to the main lodge.
We used to use the luggage service, but between tipping for it to be taken from the car to the hotel and then tipping again when they bring it to the villa, well, to me it wasn't worth $20 ($10 each).
Now we make 2 trips, which works pretty well. And when we get ready for leaving, we pack up our suitcases that we won't use in the last 2 or so days and so that check out day is pretty easy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Nicoal13​

I can try to keep up with it since my birthday is in March and I am on the boards all the time.

Teresa

You are so sweet! A brand new Groupie volunteering to be the birthday keeper! Thank you so much .

 

[eliza61]

Wow, Eliza. I'd have to say you called that one!

Granny, if it would only kick in when the power ball reaches a kabillion dollars.

Hello all I just wanted to share a few of our Wilderness Lodge Engagement pictures that we took. There are a lot more to share with you but I have to upload them to photobucket first.

I hope you enjoy,
Teresa

Teresa, these are absolutely gorgeous. CONGRATULATIONS....

Oh God, Where the old guy and I ever that young!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Birthday Nicoal13!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Hi - brand new DVC owners (OKW) looking forward to our first DVC stay in March/April!! We will be at OKW then offsite to Universal and then back to VWL for our last four nights. We will have a car. I'm not sure of the best way to get luggage unloaded and to the room at VWL as the parking lot looks kinda far away! Is there a close place to park and unload or do folks just drive up to the front of WL and let bell services handle everything? We will likely be checking in late in the day so the room should be ready when we get there. Thanks for any suggestions!

Welcome to the groupies!!
And Welcome Home!!
We usually pull up to the main lobby area and let bellman take care of our luggage as usually we are tired from drive, etc. Usually give $5 to the bellman that checks our luggage and $5 to bellman that delivers it. If you choose not to do this, after checking in, if room is ready, you can pull up to the sidewalk just past where busses load and unload your stuff. The parking lot closest to the villas area is to the extreme left as you approach the Lodge. Most Lodge guests dont us this parking area as its a bit further away(or seems that way rather than some of the other lanes. This is a bit of a walk but not terrible, so you could park there and make a few trips depending on amount of luggage. Hope this helps

 

[jimmytammy]

Icecoldpenguin

Great shots!! What a wonderful way to remember your engagement!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Cheer4bison .....happy belated birthday ! So sorry I'm a little late Jill. Hope it was a wonderful day for you !

 

[Dizny Dad]

MDFam . . . . .

WELCOME HOME!

 

[sleepydog25]

Hi - brand new DVC owners (OKW) looking forward to our first DVC stay in March/April!! We will be at OKW then offsite to Universal and then back to VWL for our last four nights. We will have a car. I'm not sure of the best way to get luggage unloaded and to the room at VWL as the parking lot looks kinda far away! Is there a close place to park and unload or do folks just drive up to the front of WL and let bell services handle everything? We will likely be checking in late in the day so the room should be ready when we get there. Thanks for any suggestions!

Welcome! Like the others say, the easiest thing to do is drive up to the main entrance and unload there. A small tip there and then again when they bring the bags to the room works for us. If we are on a shorter trip (ergo, fewer bags), we do what jimmytammy mentioned and park in the first lot then haul the bags in ourselves. Though the walk seems a bit far, we never fail to be thrilled at the sight of our beloved lodge as we're strolling up to it. Sigh. Wish we were there now. . .

 

[MiaSRN62]

Happy birthday Nicoal13 ......

 

[stopher1]

Hello fellow Moose-kateers,

My name is Teresa and my fiancé's name is Greg (audipolo) on the boards. We are closing on our DVC property right now and we are very excited. We love the lodge and can not wait to stay there for our first DVC trip which will consequently also be our Honeymoon.

I was not sure where to post any info about us I saw the birthdays, the planned trips and all that but just thought I would post a Hello first.

I am also trying to figure out how to get little icons for my signature that say DVC and wilderness lodge on them anyone know how to do that?

so anyway hello and we are glad to be part of the family.

Teresa

to you both, Teresa & Greg!

Stopher1, the keeper of this thread, takes care of trips planned. You can PM him with the info (that is the best way).

Yep. I got your PM, and will get you added very soon. I go through about once a week and do all of the adds & changes. I have 3 different DVC threads that I do, and tend to do them all at once. But I love doing it, so no complaints from me because I do more than just this one.

Does anyone know if the different DVC properties have facebook groups where we can pow wow? The disney brides made one and it has been a great bonding tool. If we don't have one we should make one.

I don't know. But this thread is pretty much our groupie bonding spot. Not sure what FB could do for us that this thread doesn't already do.

what it did for us is it gave us a place to get to know each other more personally and we got faster responses sometimes to thread type questions. It has become a more personal place to chat than the boards. I am new here and I have not figured out how you guys run things so I was just asking.

We don't have a Groupies Facebook presence - I've thought about doing it, but we just haven't done it. Some are on FB, others aren't. I am a very active part of the DisDad's threads over in the For Families forum, and we have gone through 16 threads now (since 2007) into #17, and have a FB group, and our own website. The bonding has been incredible, with even a DisDads Convention trip currently being planned for January 2013 for as many dads (with or without their families depending on individual situations) that want to go and attend. We have the main thread yes, but so much more.

I hear what you're saying, but the Groupies demographic and overall bonding really thrives in this environment. I've made some wonderful friends here, and look forward to those in-person interactions when they can come. I'd be happy to friend you on FB if you'd like though. Christopher Lingren. I've personally set up my own List where I can quickly and easily see what my Groupie FB friends are up to, and then post or like as things strike my fancy.



Also a belated (on here anyway - I said so on FB on the day) Happy Birthday to Jill!

And Happy Birthday to Nicole!

 

[stopher1]

Hello all I just wanted to share a few of our Wilderness Lodge Engagement pictures that we took. There are a lot more to share with you but I have to upload them to photobucket first.

I hope you enjoy,
Teresa

What wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing them.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thank you guys for the warm welcome I am so glad that chose the VWL now especially with having such a nice group of neighbors.

I am going to send PMs for the trip dates and for the birthdays.

Where shall I send the PM for our wedding trip?

I hope some of you will join along with this new neighbors wedding planning and honeymoon planning by following the links in my signature it would be great to have you guys along for the ride. I am looking forward to my new Disney DVC family.

Does anyone know if the different DVC properties have facebook groups where we can pow wow? The disney brides made one and it has been a great bonding tool. If we don't have one we should make one.

Teresa

Welcome to the VWL Groupies Teresa !!! Your photos are beautiful---congrats to you on your engagement !!! My own daughter, Brittany, just got engaged on their balcony at Bay Lake Tower on Dec 18, 2011. I want to show her your photos---she will love them.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Muushka : Speaking of birthdays, I will be gone for pretty much the month of March, can someone peek at them?
Maybe beg for a cake or 2?

I will definitely try and do this Muushka ! I have had a bit of a rough past 4 weeks. Had a car accident near the end of Jan (I'm ok), but then my husband had one on Friday, Feb 10. His tire almost flew off while driving to work. He was able to pull the car over just before it collapsed and he is ok. Just lots of stress lately. Between my school and work, I need a vacation !

Also, I thought it was because we switched from Comcast cable to Verizon FIOS , but the boards have been VERY slow. I've since seen other posts mentioning the same thing. There have been times I've essentially been unable to log on to the DIS in the past month. I think they are switching servers or something ? I literally will post something, walk away, and 10 min later it's still loading. It's hit or miss lately.
But I hope everyone is well....I am trying my best to keep current with my Groupies

Stopher......can you please add me to the trip list ? OKW April 29--May 4, 2012 ! Thanks so much !!!

 

[stopher1]

Stopher......can you please add me to the trip list ? OKW April 29--May 4, 2012 ! Thanks so much !!!

Yes Maria, I sure will!

 

[jimmytammy]

15 days and counting til our OKW/Atlanta Braves Spring Training/US/IOA trip!!

So ready to go!! We will be visiting WL to eat at WCC(obviously to hang around a while too)one evening.

We need personal prayer request. Tammy has been going through some stuff lately, many many Dr. visits after a scare in the ER...bottom line, her heart rate shot to dangerous levels. So far, tests have revealed no rhyme or reason as to why. ER gave her fluids and potassium, and her rate lowered, but this is all we know. She really needs lots of prayers

As for my request, its odd, but I feel guilty asking for it. After many yrs of carpentry, ol body is giving in to aches and pains. Knees are shot. Right knee gave way last night, I heard the pop(think rubberband popping paper sound), kept me awake most of night. I can face age related stuff, it happens. But knowing injuries may not allow me to continue doing my work(crazy, but I love what I do)or play(ex. skiing, walking around WDW)scares me.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Jimmy,

Maybe it is time to focus on using your skills to train others. Lifetime skills are a great gift to give to those coming up, you know, the ones that will be picking our old-folks home.

But seriously, the skills you have acquired over your working days are not there to go to waste; they are a gift given, to be used then given back.

I recently made a focus change from active project participation to one of support and training of the young engineers coming up in my company. It can be starling when the skill flow suddenly changes, but it is the natural “Circle of Life”!

And never forget; Advil can be a friend . . .

 

[eliza61]

15 days and counting til our OKW/Atlanta Braves Spring Training/US/IOA trip!!

So ready to go!! We will be visiting WL to eat at WCC(obviously to hang around a while too)one evening.

We need personal prayer request. Tammy has been going through some stuff lately, many many Dr. visits after a scare in the ER...bottom line, her heart rate shot to dangerous levels. So far, tests have revealed no rhyme or reason as to why. ER gave her fluids and potassium, and her rate lowered, but this is all we know. She really needs lots of prayers

As for my request, its odd, but I feel guilty asking for it. After many yrs of carpentry, ol body is giving in to aches and pains. Knees are shot. Right knee gave way last night, I heard the pop(think rubberband popping paper sound), kept me awake most of night. I can face age related stuff, it happens. But knowing injuries may not allow me to continue doing my work(crazy, but I love what I do)or play(ex. skiing, walking around WDW)scares me.

Not odd at all Jimmy, actually pretty normal IMO. I think about that often also. I had orthoscopic surgery on both of my knees in the last few years so I've become a bit of a fanatic about strength exercises and I have enough Glucosamine-Chondrotin to supply the USS Harry Truman for the next millenium.
I think one of my problems is that my mind still screams 30 year old while my body is definitely screaming another thing altogether.

You've got my prayers today.

 

[Pirate Granny]

Prayers for u both...it's scary when doctors can't figure things out...keep the faith...they'll work it out. Sorry about your knee...it's hard when our mind is still young, but the body doesn't cooperate.

Looking to officially join your group when the right resale come up...

 

[DiznyDi]

Pirate Granny - you are officially welcomed to our Groupie thread! You don't have to be an owner to love and appreciate the Lodge! Welcome, welcome, welcome!

JT - Prayers heavenward for you and for Tammy. The 'unknowing' can be such a stressful and difficult time! Your upcoming trip will be a great diversion for a different focus filled with all the magic Disney (and the Braves) can offer. As for your knees - (I need both of mine replaced), the time just isn't right...yet. We can greet each other....with our canes!

Beautiful engagement photos, Teresa!Thanks for sharing.

Sorry I missed your birthday Nicoal13! Hope you enjoyed your special day celebrating with family and friends!

 

[twokats]

15 days and counting til our OKW/Atlanta Braves Spring Training/US/IOA trip!!

So ready to go!! We will be visiting WL to eat at WCC(obviously to hang around a while too)one evening.

We need personal prayer request. Tammy has been going through some stuff lately, many many Dr. visits after a scare in the ER...bottom line, her heart rate shot to dangerous levels. So far, tests have revealed no rhyme or reason as to why. ER gave her fluids and potassium, and her rate lowered, but this is all we know. She really needs lots of prayers

As for my request, its odd, but I feel guilty asking for it. After many yrs of carpentry, ol body is giving in to aches and pains. Knees are shot. Right knee gave way last night, I heard the pop(think rubberband popping paper sound), kept me awake most of night. I can face age related stuff, it happens. But knowing injuries may not allow me to continue doing my work(crazy, but I love what I do)or play(ex. skiing, walking around WDW)scares me.

Jimmy, my boss (who is only 11 months younger than me) is facing the same thing. He is a general contractor and had to have knee surgery last year. He has had both of them worked on years ago. Well, he is as bad now as he was before surgery and the doc has said they are totally gone and he is having to limit what he does in his business. Luckily we have two really good foremen and a lot of subs. But he is having a hard time giving in. He thinks he should be like he was 20 years ago also.

And rest assured prayers have been sent for Tammy. Hope the docs figure out everything really fast. I know low potassium can be really dangerous. Mom went through that a lot with chemo and it really affects the heart. If they think that is the main cause and she has to take the potassium pills that would be an easy cure even though the pills are really big.

Have an enjoyable trip and get some rest!!!