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

[eliza61]

Great Idea JT,

My last trip was a "girlfriend" so we did the Sunrise Awakening spa session at the Mandarian spa in the Dolphin.
Pros: Heavenly. You get a citrus body scrub, a 50 minute massage and a complete facial. You also get complete use of the facilities. After the body scrub, you can chill in the suana or sit in the common area and enjoy tea, water, juice with some light finger food.
No hard sell When you check out, they will show you all the products used in your treatment (nicely arranged in a decorative basket). Girls politely ask if you are interested in any of them. If you say no, basket is magically whisked away.

Cons:
Pricey: Even with the dvc discount (10%) it's about $200 bucks pp.
Time consuming It's definitely a 3 1/2 hour deal. Now most of you guys know I'm not a stable mabel on a good day. Knowing Epcot was right out side the door and I couldn't get to it, made me feel like a character on the TV show "Prison break" a few more minutes and I would have been tying towels together in an attempt to go over the wall.

I wouldn't do the sunrise treatment because it was simply too long for me but the service was excellent. I would do maybe 1 treatment at a time

We plan on trying the segway tour this time and I'd also like to try the Disney event Photography package, get a really nice professional picture of the family taken.

 

[Muushka]

Thanks Kathy!
We're looking for some new places to try. Could this possibly be Boatwrights?

Oooh, no, sorry. My brain could not think of the name of the counter-service place, Riverside Mill or something like that. But it costs $10 take out, lasts 3 meals and tastes like heaven!

We did eat at Boatwrights (have not done that for many years). I had the filet and Mr Muush had the fried chicken with waffle (for Food Network, Alton Brown fans, he highly recommends this combo). Both were very good.

I got an idea from cheer4bison on her salad. It reminded me of a great veggie salad that we had at RF last trip. So good, that I cant wait to get it again! So that was something new this trip. We also went to Hoop De Doo for the 1st time, with a WL CM friend. You meet so many nice people around that Lodge. Tried Spoodles 1st time. Definitely will go again. And Kona Cafe 1st time. Another definite go back too. (this all seems to revolve around food )

So, what have you done on a recent trip that you had never done before? It can be anything. And would you do it again or not?

Well this trip we decided to leave after work on Fri and drive till we get tired. Guess what, no room at any inn! Bowl games. We didn't stop until St Augustine at 1:30! Then accepted their only room left, a smoking room (a first for us, we took it). Room was gross! Stayed in it because we were too tired to make them fix the mess! (First for me!) I rate this experience -5

On the bright side, we finally got to ride the new Spaceship Earth (the refurbed one). We enjoyed that!
I rate this one a 4!

Maria, I tried to add on a day on Fri night, but there is not 1 DVC room available at any resort.
As far as the parks, the last time we went into a Disney park was Sunday, and I figured by Sunday night the parks would start to empty. Nope, they stayed!

Eliza, I have never heard of the Disney event Photography package, must investigate!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Hello fellow Groupies!! Another newbie question....where is the laundry room on the villas side?

 

[DVC Jen]

Hello fellow Groupies!! Another newbie question....where is the laundry room on the villas side?

When you get OFF the elevators - turn right immediately go down the hall about halfway and it will be on your right.

If you are facing the elevator - turn left.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Hey JT! We tried the Luau for the first time last trip. It was fun but I wouldn't do it again. Just not the kind of thing I need to do more than once. The best thing about it was doing it with my DD, aunt and MIL. And of course our other first from our last trip was seeing DD and her orchestra play in MK. That is something I will always treasure and wish we could do again. I watched the recording of it again over Christmas and was all weepy!

 

[horselover]

Now most of you guys know I'm not a stable mabel on a good day. Knowing Epcot was right out side the door and I couldn't get to it, made me feel like a character on the TV show "Prison break" a few more minutes and I would have been tying towels together in an attempt to go over the wall.

Thanks for that visual Eliza!

I forgot on the next trip I booked a spa treatment at GF. That will be a 1st. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[DisneyNutzy]

So, what have you done on a recent trip that you had never done before? It can be anything. And would you do it again or not?

We finally tried the Chip and Dale campfire sing along at Fort Wilderness on our last trip. We loved it and will definitely do it again.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

How about what will you do that you haven't done before? We are doing the Fort Wilderness Adventure Segway Tour.....never ,ever have ridden a segway!

 

[horselover]

We finally tried the Chip and Dale campfire sing along at Fort Wilderness on our last trip. We loved it and will definitely do it again.

Is this a year round thing? That might be a fun thing to do some night for the next trip.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Is this a year round thing? That might be a fun thing to do some night for the next trip.

It used to be. There may have been changes, so check before you go.

I did the Ft. Wildnerness Segway tour in June, and it was great!

Bobbi

 

[bobbiwoz]

Is this a year round thing? That might be a fun thing to do some night for the next trip.

It used to be. There may have been changes, so check before you go.

I did the Ft. Wildnerness Segway tour in June, and it was great!

I did meet Ranger Stan last week, actually a week ago today!

What we will do that we haven't before, is stay at VWL in a one bedroom next December! Well, I'm going to call next week to book it! We've only been in studios and 2 bedrooms there.

Bobbi

 

[mickeymorse]

We also went to Hoop De Doo for the 1st time. We are going on the 25th for our 1st time. Tried Spoodles 1st time. Tried it our last trip. Will do it again sometime.

So, what have you done on a recent trip that you had never done before? It can be anything. And would you do it again or not?

Believe it or not, this will be my 1st stay at WL. Just did the site seeing before. Also, I am planning on trying the MK railroad this trip for the 1st time. If its up to me, I would not eat at Sci-Fi again. Food was not very good and the atmosphere got old real quick. For me anyway.

 

[DisneyNutzy]

Is this a year round thing? That might be a fun thing to do some night for the next trip.

I believe it is year round weather permitting. They post the movie schedule at the beginning of every month on the camping board. Here is a link for January http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2044642

The kids loved making smores, the sing along and watching a movie outdoors on the big screen. When it was over we watched the Water Pageant from the Fort Wilderness beach. It was a nice relaxing change of pace.

 

[DiznyDi]

So, what have you done on a recent trip that you had never done before? It can be anything. And would you do it again or not?

Dear husband and I have been sitting here mulling this over. Here's what we've come up with:
We enjoyed meeting 'John' and 'Luke' among other Belgians at the stables at Fort Wilderness and saw the museum, but probably won't do that again.

Getting a haircut on Mainstreet was fun, but was a pricey mediocre haircut that wasted alot of time, so probably won't do that again either. :

We walked from SSR to Old Key West and definitely won't do that again!

We ate at the Rainforest Cafe and aren't interested in doing that again, either.

After all we'd read, we had eager anticipation to go to Min and Bill's. The pretzel had to be at least a day old and the 'famous' milkshake was nothing more than a Wendy's frosty....a real disappointment.

We were fortunate enough to be the parade Grand Marshall's for the afternoon parade in Magic Kingdom. Not only did we get to be driven around, but we all received 'ears', a photo and a certificate to commemorate the event. Given the opportunity, we would gladly do this again!

And something that is probably overlooked but we try to experience is the lowering of the flag on Mainstreet at the Magic Kingdom. I get very emotional seeing the colors lowered and carried off by military personnel, either current or retired, visiting the park that day. Of course, the fact that our son is currently stationed in Iraq could have something to do with the tears.

Chip and Dale's Campfire sounds fun! I might consider this for our May trip.

Di

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Believe it or not, this will be my 1st stay at WL. Just did the site seeing before. Also, I am planning on trying the MK railroad this trip for the 1st time. If its up to me, I would not eat at Sci-Fi again. Food was not very good and the atmosphere got old real quick. For me anyway.

Oh this is our all time favorite restaurant! Sorry your experience wasn't as good as ours.
The thing we are doing new this time is the rope drop at MK. We wanted to do it in May but were unable to because of DD's orchestra playing. I just hope I don't get too emotional and embarass (sp?) my family too much!
We will also be staying in a 1 BR for the first time.

 

[twokats]

I have been reading these posts for quite a while and decided it was time to add our love for WL. We have had two vacations in WL and on the second visit in '04 we joined DVC. Our home resort is SSR, but we have not stayed there. In '07 we came home to VWL to a great 1 br on the 5th floor. We were facing bay lake, but we were in the corner where the balconies were enclosed. It was still a great room.

We will be going back to WDW in May for a 15 day vacation which will also include a cruise to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.

We will be at AKV concierge on May 23, sail on the Disney Wonder May 24-28 and return to VWL on May 28 until June 6. We are having to settle for a studio this trip, but I think we will still enjoy it.

 

[eliza61]

Welcome Twokats,
Our "official, very good at it" greeting groupie (Muushka) is currently, as we speak enjoying WDW, so as she says "Pull up a rocking chair and grab a moose".
We're a fun bunch here. Wow 15 days, that's a great way to celebrate a wedding anniversary. Congrats.

Oh, we do have 1 unoffical requirement. We're picture junkies, so take loads of pics.

 

[Happydinks]

So, what have you done on a recent trip that you had never done before? It can be anything. And would you do it again or not?

Good morning Groupies!

Welcome twokats!

When we went to the world for Christmas in 2007 we did a behind the scenes Holiday tour. It was about 3 hours long and went into all the parks. It was okay - but not great. Based on the cost - even with the discount - wouldn't do it again. Bob did the full day behind the scenes several years ago - and STILL talks about it - totally enthralled with seeing the workings of WDW.

We ate at Tutto Italia in October - and really loved it!

TGIF everyone!

 

[cheer4bison]

So, what have you done on a recent trip that you had never done before? It can be anything. And would you do it again or not?

We booked a Wishes cruise for the first time ever this past trip (Dec. 10-14) and it was AMAZING! The ten of us went to the dock right behind VWL, loaded onto a pontoon-style boat with nice comfy seats, bundled up in blankets provided by Amy (the excellent cast member who captained our boat), and parked right out on the water in front of the Magic Kingdom. We got to see the castle lit up with its stunning Christmas lights and the holiday wishes fireworks spectacular seemed liked it was going off just a tiny distance away. We were so close we could even see Tinkerbell fly from the castle at the beginning of the show. The music accompanying the fireworks display was playing out the speaker of our boat so we could HEAR the whole thing.

On a special personal aside, I have to mention that my parents went out of their way to make the cruise even more memorable. Just as the fireworks were concluding they pulled out a little jewelry box each for my sister and me. Months ago, when we booked the fireworks cruise, they decided to go into a local jeweler back in PA and have special Mickey birthstone rings designed for us so that we will always remember the wonderful family trips we have shared at WDW over the years. It was such a sweet idea. It made an already spectacular cruise even more memorable.

 

[eliza61]

For all new groupies, I have 2 demon children affecitionately known here as Sid and Rizzo. From time to time they do some thing that makes me wonder why more species don't eat their young and in an effort not to commit murder, I post them here so my fellow groupies can talk me down off the ledge.

Last night was one such time.....

Setting: A normal everyday, household some where in South Jersey around 5:30 pm Thursday.

Sid: Mom, I have the opportunity to get some extra credit in my world history class.
Eliza (aka Mom): Wonderful Sid, (very proud oF brillant child for showing some initative). What do you have to do?
Sid: I have to give a short biography in costume on the Greek God Apollo for our living Greek history exhibit.
Eliza(Aka mom): Ooh, that sounds like fun, when do you have to do this?
Sid: Tonight at 7:15pm
Eliza: WHAT!!! (now sure that child is the devil)
Sid: I have to say it tonight at the school exhibition fair
Eliza: (now shrieking hysterically) Sid you want me to make an anciet Greek costume and help you practice a speech in 1 hour.
Sid: (Looking at mom like she is crazy just because steam is coming out of her nose) Yeah, whats wrong with that?
Eliza: @#&$!!!

7:10 pm Driving like Jeff Gordan on steriods throughout south Jersey streets, taking corners on 2 wheels to make sure demon child is on time.
While said demon child is dressed in my only set of 500 count Egyptian cotton sheets that I was saving for my death shroud.

Sid: Mom, I think I left the indexs card with my speech at home.
Eliza: MAKE SOME THING UP!!
Eliza: spotting Mr. Krill, the social studies teacher across the library: I wonder how much time I would get if I leap across the library and beat this man to deat with an encyclopedia?

9:00 pm
Sid : Mom, that was fun!!

He makes me appreciate the lodge, every day! have a great weekend.