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

[Inkmahm]

zumbergc - We checked out the cabins on our annual bike ride to Ft. Wilderness last year. There are really nice - but unless you need the space for multiple people - IMHO we would prefer the studio at VWL, esp for a short stay. It will take time to get around Ft. Wilderness because of the transportation that you need to take - and if you are on limited time - it's just time out of the parks!

I've stayed in the cabins a couple times, the latest being about 10 years ago. I agree with the above.

 

[Inkmahm]

Thanks Granny, HappyDinks and Muushka!!! It really stinks when your parents get older and start to have medical problems.

At some point it feels like you've become the parent and are now the caregiver. Good luck with your dad. Been there, too.

 

[tea pot]

Welcome!!!!!

Okay I should be ashamed of myself as a groupie. I never knew about the bear face. Fifty lashes with a wet noodle!

Neither Did I....Cool picture Granny ! I can't wait to see it up close and in person. Our girls only shower/getaway is coming soon in Sept.

DLI Warm thoughts and prayers for you, your Dad and your family.

 

[Corinne]

Thanks Granny, HappyDinks and Muushka!!! It really stinks when your parents get older and start to have medical problems.

I'm with you on this one! I'll be hoping things turn out well for your family.

I can relate as well.....thoughts and prayers DLI

 

[cheer4bison]

Hi there Groupies!

We are back from our wonderful trip to Florida. Our game plan for this trip was to spend almost a week at Disney's Vero Beach. This was our first voyage to that lovely oceanside oasis and we had a wonderful time. The room assigner was very good to us and I swear we had the best view of the ocean! Can't imagine anyone staying there could have had a better view, and the weather was gorgeous! Castmembers were spectacular and the resort itself is beautiful. It was a really easy drive from MCO to Vero and from Vero to DisneyWorld.

Even though the impetus for this trip was to "try something new" (in DH's words), I simply couldn't justify flying into Orlando International airport without at least setting foot on DisneyWorld property. So, I booked us for one night in a studio at Saratoga Springs (again, staying with the try something new theme) on the day before our departure back to NJ.

I have to admit that I liked SSR way more than I anticipated. (I just read LVSWL's trip report and I'm so sorry to hear that their experience was not as nice.) We had a well-kept studio in the Paddocks with a gorgeous view. The customer service at check-in and thereafter was impressive. After checking in we drove over to Blizzard Beach for the day (again, a first for all three of us...DH, DS9, and me). What a blast! The three of us even got up the courage to do Summit Plummet before a thunderstorm closed down the park.

But next comes the part that is relevant to the Groupies thread.... After a little down time at the SSR studio, we got dressed for a 7:05 reservation at Artist Point. While we've certainly stayed at WL and VWL before, we've never eaten at Artist Point. So, again, a first for all of us.

(more to come...I'm going to break this post up so that I don't get timed out.)

 

[horselover]

Hey groupies. Well the day I've been dreading has come. DH is officially on unpaid leave. He's got one week of vacation time left & then it's unemployment. His boss said they're not giving up on getting him another assignment & are actively trying, but have no idea when that will be. I feel like there's a black cloud over our house. Sigh. At least we still have our Dec. trip to look forward to.

 

[cheer4bison]

So, the thunderstorm that closed Blizzard Beach at about 4 pm continued in the form of a steady rain until about 7 pm, which was fine because I was excited that we were headed "home" no matter what the weather looked like.

We drove our rental car up Timberline Drive around 6 pm, got our customary and always appreciated "Welcome Home," and DH dropped DS and me at the porte cochere to spare us from the downpour.

Although our son seems to have chosen his tenth year of life for a period of extraordinary physical growth, seeing him in the entry way helps me to remember that he's still just a little guy.

(more to come in next post)

 

[cheer4bison]

Hey groupies. Well the day I've been dreading has come. DH is officially on unpaid leave. He's got one week of vacation time left & then it's unemployment. His boss said they're not giving up on getting him another assignment & are actively trying, but have no idea when that will be. I feel like there's a black cloud over our house. Sigh. At least we still have our Dec. trip to look forward to.

So sorry to hear your news, horselover. Here's hoping that an even better opportunity will find your DH very soon.

 

[DiznyDi]

horselover that something will turn up for your husband! Do you have a 'honey do' list that he can get started on?

cheer4bison thanks for the pics and report. Sounds like you had a good time on your trip of 'firsts'!

DLI Good thoughts and prayers coming your way. We lost my dad very unexpectedly a year ago this week.... Embrace every moment you spend with your dad.

 

[cheer4bison]

So, there we are in the lobby of the WL with an hour to kill before our ADR. We were like three kids in the proverbial candy store. None of us knew which way to run first. Of course, all three of us pulled out our cameras and shot away...

The lobby was just gorgeous, as usual. Because of the rain, plenty of folks had returned from the parks early and the lobby was absolutely abuzz with activity. Whispering Canyon was full and everyone there seemed to be having a ball. Heard at least one loud call for catsup as we were walking by.

DS insisted that we swing by the totem pole for a rub of Humphrey's nose. I was more than happy to oblige.

I, of course, was then sucked into the Mercantile by some mysterious shopping vortex. DH has learned never to let me shop there unaccompanied, lest the entire store find itself shipped in many boxes to our porch in New Jersey. Despite his supervision, I scored new t-shirts for DS and myself.

Remember the cool snowglobes they sold not too long ago, with Humphrey, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy in a canoe navigating around the lodge... Well, now they have some cute plush critters from that image. My son convinced me we didn't need to bring them home, but I got a picture because I thought the groupies would enjoy seeing them.

(next post...wandering through VWL and Artist Point)

 

[eliza61]

So we arrived at the world safe and sound Wednesday after a 16 hour drive from lovely NJ. As expected the weather is hot and muggy so right now my hair makes me look like some psychotic cross between Charlie browns, “little red haired girl” and Samuel L Jackson in Pulp fiction.

Our first stop is the Animal kingdom lodge. It’s really weird because you can immediately see the resemblance in architecture to the wl but it has a totally different feeling. Where the lodge invokes a “soothing” almost welcoming feeling, every thing about the AKL says “exotic”. Immediately you are assaulted by sounds and smells never encountered before. Where the WL has dark comforting colors, here you have a riot of reds, yellows and oranges. Boma is directly underneath the lobby area and the smells from the restaurant permeate the lobby. African drums are heard through out the lobby. We have a savannah view which I gotta admit is absolutely stunning.

One word of caution, this place is huge. If walking isn’t your thing, this is not the resort for you. Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is pretty much the order of the day here. The elevators are actually situated in the middle of the resort so before you can get to your floor you have to walk through hallways. We haven’t seen Kidani yet but I plan on making a trek over tomorrow.

Hope all is well groupies. I’ll update in a day or two until then stay well. We have 3 more days until we’re back home at the WL

 

[Muushka]

Hey groupies. Well the day I've been dreading has come. DH is officially on unpaid leave. He's got one week of vacation time left & then it's unemployment. His boss said they're not giving up on getting him another assignment & are actively trying, but have no idea when that will be. I feel like there's a black cloud over our house. Sigh. At least we still have our Dec. trip to look forward to.

I am so sorry that this has happened. These are such difficult times. Myself and a few others keep up with emails and PMs concerning unemployment. Please feel free to PM me, same boat here.

But in the meantime, perhaps this will help.

Thank you Cheer4 and Eliza for the reports! Great pictures, thank you.

I am headed for DC this weekend with some friends from Taiwan. I am the tour guide!

At least congress is on vacation, so I will not be tempted to say something I might regret!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I am so sorry that this has happened. These are such difficult times. Myself and a few others keep up with emails and PMs concerning unemployment. Please feel free to PM me, same boat here.

But in the meantime, perhaps this will help.

Thank you Cheer4 and Eliza for the reports! Great pictures, thank you.

I am headed for DC this weekend with some friends from Taiwan. I am the tour guide!

At least congress is on vacation, so I will not be tempted to say something I might regret!

Stay safe in DC Muushka!! For all those who have lost their job, looking for work, etc. I am sending lots of pixie dust that this and your faith will get you thru this!!!

 

[Happydinks]

Hey groupies. Well the day I've been dreading has come. DH is officially on unpaid leave. He's got one week of vacation time left & then it's unemployment. His boss said they're not giving up on getting him another assignment & are actively trying, but have no idea when that will be. I feel like there's a black cloud over our house. Sigh. At least we still have our Dec. trip to look forward to.

So sorry to hear this! Keeping you both in our thoughts and wishing lots of that he gets a new assignment soon! Hang in there!

 

[Granny]

Our first stop is the Animal kingdom lodge. It’s really weird because you can immediately see the resemblance in architecture to the wl but it has a totally different feeling. Where the lodge invokes a “soothing” almost welcoming feeling, every thing about the AKL says “exotic”. Immediately you are assaulted by sounds and smells never encountered before. Where the WL has dark comforting colors, here you have a riot of reds, yellows and oranges. Boma is directly underneath the lobby area and the smells from the restaurant permeate the lobby. African drums are heard through out the lobby. We have a savannah view which I gotta admit is absolutely stunning.

One word of caution, this place is huge. If walking isn’t your thing, this is not the resort for you. Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is pretty much the order of the day here. The elevators are actually situated in the middle of the resort so before you can get to your floor you have to walk through hallways.

Eliza...as always, you have an eloquent way of summing up impressions. I agere completely that AKL is the exotic, exciting sibling of WL. It is really wonderfully themed, and we are very much looking forward to a visit soon. It will probably be the place we stay for our next visit to WDW.

Somewhat lengthy walks to various facilities never bothers us. I guess after a day at the parks it isn't all that bad.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and enjoy your visit!

 

[Corinne]

So we arrived at the world safe and sound Wednesday after a 16 hour drive from lovely NJ. As expected the weather is hot and muggy so right now my hair makes me look like some psychotic cross between Charlie browns, “little red haired girl” and Samuel L Jackson in Pulp fiction.

Hope all is well groupies. I’ll update in a day or two until then stay well. We have 3 more days until we’re back home at the WL

OK THAT WAS FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy your stay Eliza, check in when you can!

Cheer4Bison, thanks for the mini TR and photos!

 

[DVCGeek]

I agere completely that AKL is the exotic, exciting sibling of WL. It is really wonderfully themed, and we are very much looking forward to a visit soon.

So how does this group think the Grand Californian fits in? Same architect; DW's fav. is GC but she still loves to vist WL and can't wait for our Oct. stay. Neither of us have been in AKL/AKV yet (plan for some touring and a Bomma dinner Dec. 1st) but I think that will probably stay 2nd or 3rd for us. BLT attracted me due to annual cost for 160 points over the life of the contract & I love the monorail.

Overall, I think my favorite building exterior is BLT, lobby is WL, and room interior is Grand Cal. Am I crazy, or what? Anyone else have "split" favorites like that???

 

[tea pot]

Horselover Prayers and Pixie dust to you and your DH
Hoping that when we see you in Dec. you, Muushka and all the other Groupies affected by job losses will be able to start the new year with new opportunities..

Cheer Love your TR and Pics thanks so much for sharing... We always try to balance the "try something new" with our favorites when we visit the World... It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how many times we have visited there is always something "New" to do!

eliza Have a wonderful time at Jambo House if you think that is big just wait till you visit Kidani.. looking forward to hearing more...

Take Care Groupies

P.S. Has anyone seen Dory post lately ?

 

[tea pot]

OOPS.... I ment to post this first.

TeaPot - That is great about your daughters!

TP, great news about your daughter (yours too, Rob!). We love it when Groupie kids do well in life.

Teapot - good to see you back on the boards! Congrats on your daughters' successes. Got our fingers crossed on DM's house - the inspection is today!

Thanks so much.
It's so nice to be able to share...

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

cheer4bison - thanks for the trip report - Just what I needed!!!

horselover - I hope your DH's leave is VERY short!

So how does this group think the Grand Californian fits in? Same architect; DW's fav. is GC but she still loves to vist WL and can't wait for our Oct. stay. Neither of us have been in AKL/AKV yet (plan for some touring and a Bomma dinner Dec. 1st) but I think that will probably stay 2nd or 3rd for us. BLT attracted me due to annual cost for 160 points over the life of the contract & I love the monorail.

Overall, I think my favorite building exterior is BLT, lobby is WL, and room interior is Grand Cal. Am I crazy, or what? Anyone else have "split" favorites like that???

The Grand reminds me so much of VWL that I almost could forget what coast I was on until I walked outside.

I agree with you on favorite lobby and rooms (it would be so awesome if all the rooms were like the Grand's layout IMO - well, except for OKW - those are pretty great too) but for exterior I think my vote would have to go back with WL/VWL. I think the whole building has such character both inside and out.