We're Baaaaack!! **The WLV's groupies & Trivia Thread chapter 3

[Granny]

Hey, I liked that black and white chair! Why didn't they replace that butt-ugly couch with the new chair material????

Thank you for all the pictures Granny. I hope the crowds thin out soon!

Sorry Muush, but the couch remains in its usual style for better or worse. To me the b & w chair always stuck out like a sore thumb. But hey, different opinions are always good as long as we all enjoy the overall effect and decor.

The crowds were nuts again today at DHS...it is by far the worst park this week just jammed with people and the FP's again gone for the day by noon. But we had a good time anyway and just got back from Fantasmic!

Oh my goodness! They changed the chair? It looks... non rustic.

Glad to hear from you! Actually, the chair blends into the decor really well and I don't think you'll find it objectionable in person. Like I said, it took me a couple of days to even notice that they had changed it.

Hey Groupies,

Getting caught up from the airport waiting to go home. Sorry I have not checked back in but the daddy/daughter solo trip was a blast and we jammed a lot into our days.

Granny the pics look GREAT! I did manage to get to the lodge twice and had a Roaring Forks cupcake each time. If you haven't already had one for me Granny you can skip it..lol. I also spent a little time in the lobby soaking in the atmosphere. While there all the men over 21 in the very crowded Whispering Canyon were forced to the front of the restaurant. I watched eagerly as I had never seen this done. I was so happy not to be in there as I knew embarrassment was coming their way. Some of you veterans probably have seen this one but watching 20 plus grown men have to sing and perform I'm a little teapot was pretty funny to us.

So glad to hear that your trip went well. I'm sure it was a very busy week for you and I hope you got to everything you wanted. I'm going to have to try one of those cupcakes before we get out of here on Sunday.

Thanks for all of those GREAT photos! But the black and white chair has been replaced!!! Does it open into a bed? Please tell STan hi for me too!!

Sorry, the chair is still just a chair. I don't think any of the "older" resorts (pre-AKV) can change their occupancy standards at this point. I think it's embedded into the documents they file with the state and fire department authorities...but that's just a guess.

Granny,

A few summers ago my dh and I went to get FP's for RnR. We quickly realized there were lines at the FP machines. Why? Each machine had a tour guide with a STACK of park passes and they were getting FP's for each and every pass! It was INSANE! I have never seen anything like that! Many guests were incensed. I wonder if they are handing out FP's to the tour groups to keep them from holding up the distribution?

Regarding the early park closing.....when we go in late August the parks always close early, but, of course, there are less people there. It is unfortunate they are closing so early in Mid July. We have gone many times in July (as I believe you have) and the parks are usually open so late! I am sure you are still having a blast though!

Yes, we really are having a great time. Lots of pool time for DW and my younger DD. Which leaves lots of down time for me for wandering the Lodge and hanging out in those nooks and crannies!

As for the tour groups, every trip of ours except one has been in June or July (or very early August) and we've never seen the quantity of groups that we have this trip. There had to be at least 20-30 separate tour groups at DHS today and you all know how small that park is. Even Great Movie Ride was a 40 minute wait today!

Still, we managed to do the things we wanted to do and we did go to American Idol twice. They really have done an excellent job with that show from a presentation and studio production viewpoint. And there were some pretty talented guests today!

 

[horselover]

Hey Groupies,

Getting caught up from the airport waiting to go home. Sorry I have not checked back in but the daddy/daughter solo trip was a blast and we jammed a lot into our days.

Better get the laptop away...check back in from home.

So glad to hear your trip was great & can't wait to hear all about it. I'm doing the same thing next year with each of my DSs. Looking forward to hearing all your tips.

Oh & speaking of the solo trips I pulled out the DVC planner & asked each DS to give me a 1st & 2nd choice for resorts for each of their trips. I have failed as a mother! DS11 picked AKV & BLT. DS9 picked BCV & BLT. They both said the same exact thing. Well we like VWL, but we stay there all the time. Sigh. Where have I gone wrong?

Ok my groupie friends I could use some pixie dust, prayers, or good thoughts. DH found out yesterday is current contracting job (which he's been at for 2 yrs.) is ending abruptly as of today. He is a permanent employee of the contracting company so they have to pay him (thank goodness) until they put him on another assignment. His boss told him to update his profile so they can start sending it around to place him again. She didn't express concern that there weren't any new assignments, but I'm concerned! If they can't place him quickly I'm sure they won't want to pay him for very long. Both of us out of work at the same time would be disaster. So any good thoughts you can send our way for a quick reassignment would be greatly appreciated!

 

[tea pot]

Prayers and Pixie Dust horselover
Hope DH has a new assignment real soon

 

[Muushka]

Prayers and Pixie Dust horselover
Hope DH has a new assignment real soon

TP said it well. You are in our prayers also.

DisneyNutzy! Tell us all about your father daughter trip! Best moments...the kind that make me go Awwwwwwww

Granny, enjoy those nooks and crannies for us!

 

[Dizny Dad]

Horselover & Anniversary Guy,

Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.

In the next few days or weeks, let us know how you both are doing.

We Care.

 

[horselover]

Prayers and Pixie Dust horselover
Hope DH has a new assignment real soon

TP said it well. You are in our prayers also.

Horselover & Anniversary Guy,

Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.

In the next few days or weeks, let us know how you both are doing.

We Care.

Thank you. Groupies rock!

DH got a 2 week reprieve on his current assignment. Apparently the company he's contracted at signed a contract w/DH's company stating they needed to give 4 weeks notice before terminating the assignment. I guess they compromised on 2 weeks. Good news for us. That gives them 2 weeks to find him something else.

Have a good weekend everyone!

 

[DVCGeek]

I'm excited to say I'm booked in a studio at VWL this October 23rd! It will be our very first stay in a DVC resort! {We got DPs when we bought @ BLT and spent 2 nights at the Grand Californian Hotel for us and my parents used the rest for studio nights @ SSR- so they've stayed "@ DVC" but we haven't and *I* am the member! }

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

You know, I was looking around the living room and something seemed a bit odd. True, the beautifully designed sofa was still there in all its glory, but something was off.

And then it hit me....where was the ugly black & white checked chair???? It had been replaced by this very nice and appropriately styled chair:

Much, much better than that other black & white one!!

It doesn't hurt to show this one again. Yay!!! The first time I saw pics of VWL I thought - cool.....but what the hey is that chair!!! They actually paid someone to pick that out?!?!? This is much better! I can't wait to see it live in Nov. Thanks for all of the great photos Granny!

Thank you. Groupies rock!

DH got a 2 week reprieve on his current assignment. Apparently the company he's contracted at signed a contract w/DH's company stating they needed to give 4 weeks notice before terminating the assignment. I guess they compromised on 2 weeks. Good news for us. That gives them 2 weeks to find him something else.

Have a good weekend everyone!

That's good new HL - seems like the pixie dust worked!!!! Hopefully things will be all set up for your DH by the time the current assignment ends.

We are cooking out here in the west today - and it's only supposed to be slightly cooler over the weekend. I saw 99 on the thermometer around 1pm and then stopped looking. Tomorrow I'm planning to go to a horse show to see my baby that I sold try and qualify with his new girl for the State Fair. I hope I don't melt - well melting some would be fine but ugh. Zip had his very first show ever last week and got a 5th, three 3rds and one blue ribbon!!! He was soooo good - acting like he'd done it all a hundred times before. This was after coming up very lame two days before and still being off the morning of the show but not one misstep in the show. He's continued to have problems this week so we have fingers crossed he can get loosened up and do well again. Horselover - what is it with these horses!!! I hope that Shi has gotten better!

 

[wildernessDad]

I am so glad that I will be going in December to check out that chair.

As if I needed an excuse to go to VWL...

 

[Corinne]

Still, we managed to do the things we wanted to do and we did go to American Idol twice. They really have done an excellent job with that show from a presentation and studio production viewpoint. And there were some pretty talented guests today!

I am so looking forward to American Idol!

 

[horselover]

We are cooking out here in the west today - and it's only supposed to be slightly cooler over the weekend. I saw 99 on the thermometer around 1pm and then stopped looking. Tomorrow I'm planning to go to a horse show to see my baby that I sold try and qualify with his new girl for the State Fair. I hope I don't melt - well melting some would be fine but ugh. Zip had his very first show ever last week and got a 5th, three 3rds and one blue ribbon!!! He was soooo good - acting like he'd done it all a hundred times before. This was after coming up very lame two days before and still being off the morning of the show but not one misstep in the show. He's continued to have problems this week so we have fingers crossed he can get loosened up and do well again. Horselover - what is it with these horses!!! I hope that Shi has gotten better!

Yay! Go Zip! Hope he's all better this week. It's been a stressful 3 wks. with Shi since he's stifle injections. He became very ornery & almost unrideable for the last couple of weeks. I think the stress of all he went through (he had the injections, dentist & farrier all in one week) made his stomach act up. We just started him on Ranitidine yesterday. He does seem to be a little better over the last couple of days so hopefully the worst is over.

Try to stay cool!

 

[Granny]

We are winding down on our last day at WDW. Tomorrow we hit the road about 5:30 in the morning in order to make it back to St. Louis before 10:00 tomorrow night. Gotta go back to work on Monday, you know.

I forgot to mention that Roaring Fork seating area seemed to be going under yet another renovation this week. It was closed the first part of the week with this sign in evidence:

And all of the seating for Roaring Fork was out in the corridor

So we thought there must be something going on in there. But yesterday the barriers came down and voila! Nothing. Same seating area that has been there a couple of years now. I guess they were just refurbishing it, which works for me.

And my last set of somewhat random pictures from WL before heading home:

The ducks were in full force at the pool each day:

And I always like the boat dock area looking back at the Lodge:

Some carvings from the main lobby and villas lobby:

 

[Granny]

More pix of the grounds:

And a game they had set up one day at the bus stop to keep the youngsters from getting bored while waiting for the bus.

So that's it for this trip. A last view of VWL from the bus stop.

 

[DiznyDi]

Ahhh Granny, too quickly it's come to an end.

Thanks for sharing your trip and for the pictures.

Safe travels on your return journey

 

[ransom]

Thank you for the great pics, Granny. They brought back lots of good memories.

 

[Muushka]

Happy Sunday Groupies!

Granny, thank you for the pictures. Makes being here and not there a little more tolerable.

cheer4bison, LVSWL and Dave, happy trails as you head down.
And even though you won't be at our beloved, I know you will all have a wonderful time!

JimmyTammy and their great kids met us for lunch yesterday! We had such a nice visit. And delicious food to boot!

I look forward to December when we can all get to meet!

 

[Corinne]

Granny, your trip seemed to go much too quickly! Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful photos!

 

[jimmytammy]

Granny

Great pics!! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

And yes, we were able to have lunch with Mr. and Mrs. Muushka yesterday and it was great to finally meet with our cyberfriend! For those that have yet to meet her, she is just as nice in person as she is right here as our beloved groupie. No wonder Ranger Stan is so smitten with her. And Mr. Muushka is equally as friendly. I told him he needed to keep his eye on Stan

 

[horselover]

JimmyTammy and their great kids met us for lunch yesterday! We had such a nice visit. And delicious food to boot!

I look forward to December when we can all get to meet!

How nice and I agree they are a lovely family! Looking forward to seeing them again in Dec. as well as all the other groupies that will be there for our meet! I'm on the hunt for some good moose swap gifts!

 

[LVSWL]

Happy Sunday Groupies!

Granny, thank you for the pictures. Makes being here and not there a little more tolerable.

cheer4bison, LVSWL and Dave, happy trails as you head down.
And even though you won't be at our beloved, I know you will all have a wonderful time!

JimmyTammy and their great kids met us for lunch yesterday! We had such a nice visit. And delicious food to boot!

I look forward to December when we can all get to meet!

Thank you Muushka! I'm so sorry that we could not join you yesterday. Still snowed under with bath renovations Sure am looking forward to heading down to the world and having more than 1 working bathroom . We are taking the BLT tour later in the week. Should be fun.