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

[BWV Dreamin]

We are going to eat there one night, and I am making my ressies on Monday. Is there a better time to eat? Is there a place in the restaraunt to request, that would be a little less noisy? Thanks!!!

 

[blossomz]

On DDP topic, we use the DDE/TIW card. We love being able to save 20% off the top of our bill, and that of our friends also. We have looked at the DDP several times, but we really just don't eat that much. We do breakfast in our villa, and one CS and one TS per day, but we don't always order an appetizer each or a dessert each. Plus, it is nice to have the discount on the adult beverage..not that I'm a lush or anything, but at WDW those puppies can sure add up

I'm a TIW fan too! Someone once did a comparison and found it to be a much better deal!

 

[DVCGeek]

We are going to eat there one night, and I am making my ressies on Monday. Is there a better time to eat? Is there a place in the restaraunt to request, that would be a little less noisy? Thanks!!!

The small area near Artist's Point and open to the hotel's main lobby might be good for you. My DW & were seated there once, but I'm not sure if requesting it would be difficult or not... At any rate, from my experience the main room tends to be a LOT louder and more active!

Hope you enjoy it! We usually go once every trip, despite NOT staying @ the Lodge at all.

 

[cheer4bison]

Hi Groupies!

It's Friday and the end of day bell is about to ring in five minutes... It has been a long day with antsy 10th graders, so I am ready for the weekend. So as the weekend approaches, of course my thoughts turn to our beloved lodge.

I've got a question for you that I haven't seen posted to the thread yet. We talk plenty about what TO DO at the Lodge, but I've never seen anyone ask what they would recommend you NOT DO while on vacation there. (Are you following me, or am I just coming off as delusional after a long week at work? )

For instance, is there somewhere you recommend people shouldn't park at the resort? Is there a bad time of day to hit certain restaurants, etc.?

I've got an example to get us rolling. When we were there the second week of December , my parents had their own studio on the first floor (room 1510) so they were on the bus stop side and the walkway from the lodge proceeded right past their patio. My nearly 70-year-old dad loves to take afternoon naps on the floor -- not sure why -- but he just loves to sleep face down on the carpet. He has done so for years.

Well, here comes my suggestion for what NOT to do at the VWL. Do NOT take naps on the floor of your first floor villa if your curtains are not drawn. Apparently a number of guest reported seeing an older gentleman face down on the floor of his villa and called both the front desk and paramedics out of concern. Needless to say, my parents were a little stunned to hear a knock at the door, only to open it and discover a hallway of emergency rescue folks in the hallway. They were pretty embarrassed, and simply explained that Dad was having his daily nap. We decided that all further first floor napping at the lodge would be done with the curtains closed. Thought the groupies would appreciate the story. Have a great weekend, folks!

 

[DVCGeek]

... We decided that all further first floor napping at the lodge would be done with the curtains closed. Thought the groupies would appreciate the story. Have a great weekend, folks!

That's too funny! Nice to see that people showed concern though.

Thanks for sharing!

I've stayed in the hotel side of the Lodge once (before VWL were built) and really liked it. I think I've visited the lodge on every WDW trip, and certainly plan to stay in VWL someday.

That said, I can't really think of anything to avoid about the lodge itself, only to be careful if 'just visiting' late that you still have transportation back to where you are staying if you don't have a car! Worst case for me has been a long wait or two (especially to get back to the values via DD), but I'm others may have had worse.

 

[blossomz]

Cheer! What a GREAT story!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm glad your DDad was OK, and it is nice to know that people not only saw, but did try to do something about it. I suppose he really likes a hard mattress!

Bobbi

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Hi Groupies!
Well, here comes my suggestion for what NOT to do at the VWL. Do NOT take naps on the floor of your first floor villa if your curtains are not drawn. Apparently a number of guest reported seeing an older gentleman face down on the floor of his villa and called both the front desk and paramedics out of concern. Needless to say, my parents were a little stunned to hear a knock at the door, only to open it and discover a hallway of emergency rescue folks in the hallway. They were pretty embarrassed, and simply explained that Dad was having his daily nap. We decided that all further first floor napping at the lodge would be done with the curtains closed. Thought the groupies would appreciate the story. Have a great weekend, folks!

That is way too funny! As DVCGeek said it is great to know that the people walking by cared enough to try to help.

 

[PKWallaby]

Ok Groupies, I really like Cheer4Bison's idea:

I have my pen and paper ready, so I would love to get some tips on what NOT to do. We will be there IN 17 DAYS!!! so please help us out...

#1)Keep curtains drawn if room on first floor facing path CHECK

#2)Be mindful of late night transportation CHECK

Anyone else have any tips?? I am a bit worried about boat vs bus options since this will be our first stay at the villas and I am a tad anal thus am already worrying I will cause big delays by taking the wrong turn, or wrong boat (aren't there direct and non-direct routes?? see, I need your help so I can look like a star to my family...they already think I know it all...don't want to let them down!! )

 

[blossomz]

OK..I have a what NOT to do...Do NOT under any circumstances get on boat transportation in the middle o f a huge thunderstorm! One of our best and funniest memories is when a huge storm was brewing! We came out of the Villas at the pool entrance and they wouldn't let us cut through because of the storm! So we went around to walk down to the boat dock. They said the boats were still running. We were trying to get to the Poly. We got on the boat (one of the little ones) and headed out toward FW. We got halfway across and our little boat was tossing and turning! The driver couldn't keep her heading in the right direction! THe clouds were swirling madly and the lightning was frightening! The thunder LOUD! The rain was wild! All I could think about was the Gilligan's Island song and the 3 hour tour! After many attempts...we finally docked at FW! We got off the boat, ran to the buses, and boarded a bus back to the Lodge...soaked through! As scary as it was, I never laughed so much in my life!

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

Dory Happy Dance
don't you just love the single digit count down

Thanks! I'm stressed right now because one of our college sons is dealing with issues that I'm praying don't make us re-schedule our trip.

Here's a virtual postcard to make us all feel better.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Well, here comes my suggestion for what NOT to do at the VWL. Do NOT take naps on the floor of your first floor villa if your curtains are not drawn. Apparently a number of guest reported seeing an older gentleman face down on the floor of his villa and called both the front desk and paramedics out of concern. Needless to say, my parents were a little stunned to hear a knock at the door, only to open it and discover a hallway of emergency rescue folks in the hallway.

Cheer4bison.....this just cracked me up !

Thanks! I'm stressed right now because one of our college sons is dealing with issues that I'm praying don't make us re-schedule our trip.

Dory ! Hope everything is ok......and hoping you don't have to cancel your plans !!!!


Maria

 

[horselover]

Thanks! I'm stressed right now because one of our college sons is dealing with issues that I'm praying don't make us re-schedule our trip.

Here's a virtual postcard to make us all feel better.

Hope everything works out ok for your trip Dory! Thanks for the post card. I needed that!

Cheer4Bison - that story is priceless!

 

[Happydinks]

Cheer4Bison - that story is absolutely priceless! That was a great laugh for us on this very gloomy day!

Dory - Hope your son's issues resolve themselves so that you can make your trip! We'll keep our fingers crossed and say a prayer.

Now WE have a question--- does anyone know if you buy park hopper tickets, and don't use all your days - can you add the "no expiration" option at the end for the days that weren't used? We'll be there for 10 days - but since our plans for 2010 are so uncertain - we didn't want to invest in the annual passes. I know that back in 2006 they let Bob's Mom put the no expiration on the one day left on her 9 day ticket - but don't know if that's changed or not. Anyone????

OT - I think that pretty much all the Groupies from Georgia through New England may be in for a late winter storm. We're due for 3-8 inches of snow. Neighborhood kids are already celebrating "no school" for tomorrow (even though we've only gotten sleet here so far! ).

Have a great week everyone!

 

[Dodie]

Groupies! I haven't stopped by lately, but my heart has been here. I just wanted to drop in and give everyone a holler.

It's ten weeks until our pre-cruise night at VWL and, trust me, it can't come soon enough.

 

[tea pot]

Hi Groupies!


Well, here comes my suggestion for what NOT to do at the VWL. Do NOT take naps on the floor of your first floor villa if your curtains are not drawn. Apparently a number of guest reported seeing an older gentleman face down on the floor of his villa and called both the front desk and paramedics out of concern. Needless to say, my parents were a little stunned to hear a knock at the door, only to open it and discover a hallway of emergency rescue folks in the hallway. They were pretty embarrassed, and simply explained that Dad was having his daily nap. We decided that all further first floor napping at the lodge would be done with the curtains closed. Thought the groupies would appreciate the story. Have a great weekend, folks!

WOW LOve it and Glad to Know that people noticed and did something.. Great Story....

Thanks! I'm stressed right now because one of our college sons is dealing with issues that I'm praying don't make us re-schedule our trip.

Here's a virtual postcard to make us all feel better.

Dory Prayers and Pixie Dust comming your way
and thanks for the postcard ... esp because it's just started to snow again and we are expecting around 12" by mid morning ....


What not to do.... Don't go over Thanksgiving if you can avoid it unless you plan to do a non park vacation. the crowds are just too much ... last Thanksgiving at the MK our DDs went to wait in line for Thunder Mountin (no fast pases left) so we seperated and said call us when your done.... so DH and I did a little shopping, saw the Country Bears and watched the 3 pm Parade and then they called they had just got off the ride.


Well good night all and stay safe

 

[jimmytammy]

Hey all! We are sitting here listening to some Lodge music and looking out the windows at 5" of snow. And you know where I am wishing I was?

Things not to do while at our beloved Lodge...

Dont try to pet an armadillo. They look cute, but I believe they could pack a punch if needed. They look like a possum with a shell on their backs. I know cause I got real close

Dont pick the flowers. I dont think they would like that very much. Not that I have tried it or anything, but they do look tempting. And dont run through them either.

Dont go out of your building after 11pm without your room key card. Though they arent always locking those doors right at 11, sure as the world, you will get caught on the very night that you forget it, and have to head back to the main lobby for help.

Dont forget to rush around and not hear the music, listen to the crickets(Disney version) at night and watch the lanterns flicker.

Man, I am homesick. 59 days and counting

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

How is everyone on the east coast doing with the snow?

 

[Muushka]

Cheer4, I about fell off my chair when I read about your dad!

Dory, I hope the stress conditions cease and desist.

JT, we got some too, but not as much as you did. One of our ESL students is on her way over with her son to do some sledding on our hill, hope it is enough snow!

My mind is still swirling around the 'what not to do' question.

Have a great week all!

 

[Happydinks]

How is everyone on the east coast doing with the snow?

Oh Lordy - Richmond is paralyzed with 8 inches of snow! Government offices closed, county governments closed, schools closed today (and the kids are already doing the dance for tomorrow because most of the counties and city have already announced the school closings), many businesses closed -- pretty crazy. It is going to be really cold here tomorrow again - so we won't get much snow melt - and the kiddos might not make it back until Thursday. 65 degrees due here on Saturday.

OT here - when we first moved from NJ 22 years ago and experienced the first "southern" snow fall phenomena - we thought people had lost their minds! I stopped into a local supermarket on the way home from work for an item I needed for dinner, and they had just called for a chance of snow that day. When I walked into the market, they were actually giving out numbers for shopping carts And, all the beer, toilet paper, and bread were cleaned off the shelves! We could not believe it - it was absolutely hilarious.