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

[blossomz]

I think Ranger Stan is there Wed-Sat. He usually does the tour at around 9 AM. You can usually find him standing in the lobby looking for people who want to take the tour. Tell him I say hi!!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

OK guys..I have a question and need groupie advice...

As you know, I am booked for our first cruise in June. Have any of you booked a cruise on points and if you have...did you purchase the trip insurance. It covers the points @ $5 each. They want $165.11. I was really thinking of doing it in case something were to happen to my mom who is in a nursing home, but they said that would be considered a preexisting condition. So now I am not sure it is worth it. What advice do you have guys?

I am also going on my first cruise the end of May! We are doing the 3 night Wonder cruise.....I only took out extra medical insurance. I did not take out the insurance for the points since it is such a short cruise. There are too many loopholes/things that are not covered. June is a great month, I think you will be fine (if it were hurricane season, that may be a different story).

 

[Inkmahm]

Friday we did the Segway tour at Fort Wilderness and loved it. I liked it better than Epcot but both were fun. Lunch at Fulton's crab house was a 30% discount (King crab claws!) because I took my email from my DVC guide to prove that was the offer. They wanted to give me 20% off. Those were great crab claws and we will return there in the future for that dish in particular. Friday afternoon we did the safari at AK so I got pictures of Kidani from the savanna. There are animals on sunset including zebras that were added there. The tour was a lot of fun, same as last time. Dinner at Jiko was even better as they did filet, halibut and chicken as the main dishes. All were wonderful. We had a good time on concierge and actually took advantage of the food this trip for a change, mostly for breakfast and then our evening cordial. Amarula is great and I'll have to find a bottle at home.


Saturday was early opening at Hollywood studios so we took advantage of that. Had to move from AKV to VWL very early for that to happen. By 7 am at VWL our studio was ready! Except I wanted one on the lake side for a change so we switched to one we had to wait for (didn't matter since we were headed off to HS for the day anyway.) Got 3rd floor second from the end, 3561. A dedicated studo, very nice. I'm trying to figure out if stuff is new in here because it is in such great shape. Still no flat screen tv though so I'm not sure.

We did Toy Story 4 times andTower of Terror 3 thanks to the EMH and the use of fast passes. People who came at 9 am opening were at a distinct disadvantage, it was pretty crowded.

Lunch at Brown Derby was good, as always. Dinner at Artist Point was our best meal of the trip. I had a great salad, the salmon and fruit cobbler. Everything was tasty and the correct temperature. I love that place. Jiko is still my favorite but Artist Point is very high on the list.

We also went to Downtown Disney and visited Goofy's candy place for the first time. Used a snack credit to make choc dipped pretzel sticks. A bit too many M&M's on them for my taste but fun to do.

I'll have to do Sunday later as it is tine to go to Animal Kingdom!

 

[claire_ont]

Thank-you for the encouragement! Tea pot - the moment you describe is one that has flickered through my imagination more than once. My husband and I have decided we will go ahaed with our VWL add-on. I left a message with my guide this weekend.

I looked at the resales, but even though the cost per point is over $20 less than Disney, by the time I add in the closing fees and the lack of 08 points (that I value at $10 a point) that I would have to rent or transfer for our March 2010 trip, Disney works out to virtually the same cost as resale - plus I get the number of points I want, the instant gratification of points with less wait and I can pay by credit card and get the flight points.

Doing the happy dance -

Claire - Planned upcoming trips - AKV/VWL - Mar 2010, VWL Dec 2010

 

[jimmytammy]

Good Evening Groupies

I'm so excited about our upcoming trip home on May 1st. and even though we will be staying at the BCV We plan on spending some time at our Beloved Lodge and hope to meet Ranger Stan. What day and time would be best to try to see him ? I think I remember something about a VWL tour. When do they offer this tour and is Ranger Stan the guide ?

Thanks for your help..

Thanks Dory

blossomz is right, Ranger Stan is there Wed-Sat. He will be standing by the support pole nearest guest relations at 9am. If you miss the Lodge tour, he usually hangs around in the lobby. If its warm, he likes to go just outside the main doors and greet people. He takes lunch around 1, then heads home at 4.

BTW, we will be there Apr 29-May 8.

 

[Granny]

Inkmahm...thanks for the continuing updates. Sounds like your trip is going very well indeed!

claire_ont....I have to say that you might not have come to an unbiased thread to get an answer to your question. No, you are not crazy. At least, no crazier than any of us VWL Groupies who tend to think WL/VWL is a special place at any time of the year.

Your assessment of the ambience and feel of WL/VWL is correct. It does have the same majestic lobby as AKL and the same laid back feel. Like AKL, it is a quiet haven after a hectic day in the parks. Also you have the additional activities on Bay Lake and the biking/walking trails are the best at WDW (IMHO).

At Christmas the whole experience goes up a notch and WL/VWL is perfectly suited to the occasion. The decorations blend naturally into the woodsy feel and the music pumped throughout the grounds switches to soft Christmas carols.

We liked it a lot at Christmas, and would recommend it to anyone. A small add-on with banking & borrowing to go every three years sounds like a great idea if you can swing it financially. My only advice would be to avoid cutting it too close on the points as they could shift the point schedules a few points per week again as they recently did.

The only down side to going right at Christmas time...the point schedule. But it is definitely worth it to us. Good luck on your decision.


Edited to add: Sorry, I didn't see your second post indicating you'd already made the call to your Guide. I think your reasoning for going direct through Disney is right on target too. Let us know when you get your points so we can congratulate you properly with a Moose Dust dance. !

 

[jimmytammy]

Thank-you for the encouragement! Tea pot - the moment you describe is one that has flickered through my imagination more than once. My husband and I have decided we will go ahaed with our VWL add-on. I left a message with my guide this weekend.

I looked at the resales, but even though the cost per point is over $20 less than Disney, by the time I add in the closing fees and the lack of 08 points (that I value at $10 a point) that I would have to rent or transfer for our March 2010 trip, Disney works out to virtually the same cost as resale - plus I get the number of points I want, the instant gratification of points with less wait and I can pay by credit card and get the flight points.

Doing the happy dance -

Claire - Planned upcoming trips - AKV/VWL - Mar 2010, VWL Dec 2010

Welcome to our groupies! And congrats on the add-on!! We bought VWL site unseen and havent regretted one moment.

 

[horselover]

Thank-you for the encouragement! Tea pot - the moment you describe is one that has flickered through my imagination more than once. My husband and I have decided we will go ahaed with our VWL add-on. I left a message with my guide this weekend.

I looked at the resales, but even though the cost per point is over $20 less than Disney, by the time I add in the closing fees and the lack of 08 points (that I value at $10 a point) that I would have to rent or transfer for our March 2010 trip, Disney works out to virtually the same cost as resale - plus I get the number of points I want, the instant gratification of points with less wait and I can pay by credit card and get the flight points.

Doing the happy dance -

Claire - Planned upcoming trips - AKV/VWL - Mar 2010, VWL Dec 2010

Congrats on making the decision to add-on at VWL! I don't think there's anyone on this thread that will tell you it's a bad decision! I'm also one of those people that own at AKV & then added on at VWL last fall. We did the direct through too. By the time you add in the closing costs with resale the prices are almost the same. We had our 1st stay in the Villas in Jan. & will be spending our 1st Christmas there this Dec.! I don't think you'll regret your decision.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Friday we did the Segway tour at Fort Wilderness and loved it. I liked it better than Epcot but both were fun. Lunch at Fulton's crab house was a 30% discount (King crab claws!) because I took my email from my DVC guide to prove that was the offer. They wanted to give me 20% off. Those were great crab claws and we will return there in the future for that dish in particular. Friday afternoon we did the safari at AK so I got pictures of Kidani from the savanna. There are animals on sunset including zebras that were added there. The tour was a lot of fun, same as last time. Dinner at Jiko was even better as they did filet, halibut and chicken as the main dishes. All were wonderful. We had a good time on concierge and actually took advantage of the food this trip for a change, mostly for breakfast and then our evening cordial. Amarula is great and I'll have to find a bottle at home.


Saturday was early opening at Hollywood studios so we took advantage of that. Had to move from AKV to VWL very early for that to happen. By 7 am at VWL our studio was ready! Except I wanted one on the lake side for a change so we switched to one we had to wait for (didn't matter since we were headed off to HS for the day anyway.) Got 3rd floor second from the end, 3561. A dedicated studo, very nice. I'm trying to figure out if stuff is new in here because it is in such great shape. Still no flat screen tv though so I'm not sure.

We did Toy Story 4 times andTower of Terror 3 thanks to the EMH and the use of fast passes. People who came at 9 am opening were at a distinct disadvantage, it was pretty crowded.

Lunch at Brown Derby was good, as always. Dinner at Artist Point was our best meal of the trip. I had a great salad, the salmon and fruit cobbler. Everything was tasty and the correct temperature. I love that place. Jiko is still my favorite but Artist Point is very high on the list.

We also went to Downtown Disney and visited Goofy's candy place for the first time. Used a snack credit to make choc dipped pretzel sticks. A bit too many M&M's on them for my taste but fun to do.

I'll have to do Sunday later as it is tine to go to Animal Kingdom!

I have the FW segway tour scheduled for June 2nd.....so glad to hear you liked it. This will be our first segway tour....

 

[LVSWL]

I have the FW segway tour scheduled for June 2nd.....so glad to hear you liked it. This will be our first segway tour....

Be sure to take your camera so that the CM can take your picture for you on the segways! Have a great time!

 

[Happydinks]

Good morning Groupies!
Hope everyone is doing well this first week of spring! Trees are blooming, daffodils are up - and allergies are raging! Thank goodness for Allegra! We do love spring though.

Inkman - we are living vicariously through your updates! We still have seven months before our trip!

Well, we've gone for it - got waitlisted for a MK view in BLT for the first half of our trip in October! Keeping our fingers crossed that it will come through before then. I'm just fascinated by BLT and what it would be like overlooking the Castle each night - but NOT fascinated enough to do an add on! We're going during F&W - so don't know if it will come through or not. If not - oh well - 10 days at VWL is not so bad.

claire_ont - Congrats on your purchase! We spent a 8 days right after Thanksgiving in 2007 at VWL - and it was our most favorite trip. Even when it's "busy", it's "quiet", and the Villas are lovely. I my mind, it was the most perfect place.

Wherever you are Eliza - hope you return to us soon! You are sorely missed!

Have a good day everyone!

 

[claire_ont]

Thank-you everyone for the responses. I am hoping to actually get to talk to my guide tonight as all I did so far is leave her a message on her answering machine. I am hoping when we talk that there will be points available. This purchase is dependant on my daughter's pony selling (she has moved onto a horse) and the pony closing date is 1 April 2009. So hopefully on 2 April 2009 I will be able to say the purchase is complete.

claire_ont....I have to say that you might not have come to an unbiased thread to get an answer to your question. No, you are not crazy. At least, no crazier than any of us VWL Groupies who tend to think WL/VWL is a special place at any time of the year.

I knew this board may be a little biased :, but I was looking for confirmation I was correct, more than negatives; especially since the responses were being used to help convince my husband.

- And then, the board went down and I was on my own again....

Left to my own devices, I went back to the fact that my half century birthday is next year. I have been strongly hinting (maybe borderline "obsessively nagging" if you asked my husband) that I would like these points as my Bday present. To please me (or just to get some peace) he finally said yes "if the pony sale completes". Poor man, he always says that he is not hen pecked, he is buzzard bit. What can I say except after 28 years of marriage I still have the world's best husband.

We liked it a lot at Christmas, and would recommend it to anyone. A small add-on with banking & borrowing to go every three years sounds like a great idea if you can swing it financially. My only advice would be to avoid cutting it too close on the points as they could shift the point schedules a few points per week again as they recently did.

Financially will depend on the pony sale completing. For extra point coverage, I am planning to buy 5 more points per year than I need which with banking and borrowing will give me 15 extra. If that is not enough after the next points chart change, then I will just have to stay for a shorter period, or do another add-on.

Edited to add: Sorry, I didn't see your second post indicating you'd already made the call to your Guide. I think your reasoning for going direct through Disney is right on target too. Let us know when you get your points so we can congratulate you properly with a Moose Dust dance. !

You guys will be the first to know. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Claire

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Well, we've gone for it - got waitlisted for a MK view in BLT for the first half of our trip in October! Keeping our fingers crossed that it will come through before then. I'm just fascinated by BLT and what it would be like overlooking the Castle each night - but NOT fascinated enough to do an add on! We're going during F&W - so don't know if it will come through or not. If not - oh well - 10 days at VWL is not so bad.



Wherever you are Eliza - hope you return to us soon! You are sorely missed!

Good luck on the waitlist! That Castle view would be amazing.
I agree, we sure miss you Eliza!!!!

Claire_ont - Welcome to the family and congrats on the add on!

 

[Muushka]

Hello Claire!

Welcome to Groupie-Land, friendliest place on the Dis!

I wish you luck in your half-century-birthday-wish list.

I had one of those 5 years ago and demanded a 7 night DCL cruise!
I am married to a willing victim, so all was good.

I read back a bit and didn't see an offer for a Groupie
Moosie, or did I? Anywhoo, you seem like a perfect candidate to adopt our Mascot. We don't care if people own there or just love to visit, either way, if you feel so inclined, grab him! I'll bet he would look very handsome on you!

Eliza.....Come Home!!!!

 

[Luvdisney]

We'll be there on 7/6/09 in a 1 bdrm.

 

[Happydinks]

Muushka - love the Thatcher quote in your siggy!!

 

[claire_ont]

Muushka, Thank-you very much for the groupie moose invite. If I must say so, you were correct. He does look quite handsome as part of my signature. Now, I can't wait to be able to put up the resort banner as well.

My husband also is a very willing participant in my DVC adventures. I think he enjoys me trying to convince him, almost as much as I enjoy trying to convince him.

Claire

 

[Oshawa]

Lately I have been wrestling with my husband as to whether or not we should pick up some VWL points as an add-on. We currently own at AKV and we love it there, but I am absolutely obsessed with the thought of spending Christmas at VWL. I have been trying to convince him to do a small add-on so we could bank and borrow and spend every third year there.
Here is where we currently stand. We both love the themeing at AKV, and I know VWL had the same architect and is also heavily themed. We love the peace and quiet of AKV, and VWL seems to also offer this. We like the idea of having more outdoor activities besides visiting the pool - a plus for VWL over AKV. We also like the less sprawling resorts and being in one building appeals to us. We do not like resorts that look like hotels.
Here are my issues:
1. We have never even visited VWL.
2. We tend to make one trip per school year, within 12 months of each other to maximize our annual passes - a March, December rotation seems to work well for us to fit in school vacations. Last trip Dec 2008, next trip March 2010 As well coming from Canada we like to get away from the snow. I have my heart set on VWL for Christmas 2010. I know the 11 month booking window will be critical for this so a visit March 2010 will be too late. I hate the thought of paying cash for a ressie or renting points, when I could be putting that money towards buying points.
3. I have this whole Disney Chip and Dale Christmas cartoon running through my head (yah, I know there will be no chipmunks running through the lobby...). Am I delusional or is Christmas at VWL really something special? We did enjoy AKV last Christmas just for comparison for those of you who have seen both.
As there seems to be a fairly large contingent on these boards that own at both AKV and VWL am I crazy to buy there without seeing anything other than pictures? If I love AKV, what will I also like about VWL?

from a fellow Canadian!! We bought sight unseen also. Looking forward to our first trip home!

Have not been on for a little while. Lots of catching up to do.
Hope you are all well.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Hi groupies! It has come to my attention that I neglected to tell you all that I got my job back part time this past week. What a relief. I just have to hope now that it is permanant. I am trying to work real hard to prove to them that they need me. Now we just need to keep sending moose dust to our other out of work groupies! Hope you find something soon!

The sun has just come out after having some nice storms in the area. There were tornado warnings not far from us and our sirens went off cause there was some action north of us. Gotta love the midwest in spring!

My DH has been so tempted lately to add on some points but just can't afford it right now without putting it on the credit cards. Saw a good deal on a VWL resale with a good amount of banked points. Someday I would love to have enough to be able to go at Christmas.

 

[Muushka]

We'll be there on 7/6/09 in a 1 bdrm.

Lucky you!!

Muushka - love the Thatcher quote in your siggy!!

Thank you, I hope I can keep it....

Muushka, Thank-you very much for the groupie moose invite. If I must say so, you were correct. He does look quite handsome as part of my signature. Now, I can't wait to be able to put up the resort banner as well.

My husband also is a very willing participant in my DVC adventures. I think he enjoys me trying to convince him, almost as much as I enjoy trying to convince him.

Claire

You are a Groupie Extrodinaire!! That Moose looks great!
My husband is pretty willing too. He calls me a brat, but he wants the things as bad as I do!

from a fellow Canadian!! We bought sight unseen also. Looking forward to our first trip home!

Have not been on for a little while. Lots of catching up to do.
Hope you are all well.

Hi Oshawa, so glad you have a Canadian-buddy!

Hi groupies! It has come to my attention that I neglected to tell you all that I got my job back part time this past week. What a relief. I just have to hope now that it is permanant. I am trying to work real hard to prove to them that they need me. Now we just need to keep sending moose dust to our other out of work groupies! Hope you find something soon!

The sun has just come out after having some nice storms in the area. There were tornado warnings not far from us and our sirens went off cause there was some action north of us. Gotta love the midwest in spring!

My DH has been so tempted lately to add on some points but just can't afford it right now without putting it on the credit cards. Saw a good deal on a VWL resale with a good amount of banked points. Someday I would love to have enough to be able to go at Christmas.

Congrats on the job, that is great news.