VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.0) updated 21 June 2023

[jimmytammy]

Happy Birthday puppytrainer!!!!

 

[ErinC]

So my countdown for my Aulani/VGC trip is down to 57 days! Still working out the kinks in the planning, but at this point we are pretty much locked and loaded. I guess we will Uber between LAX and VGC, and I assume that can take quite a while at certain parts of the day? I'm trying to figure out how early we would need to leave VGC for a 12:15 pm flight? My guess is that we would need to leave by 9:00 am or so?

And congratulations @Lakegirl & @KAT4DISNEY on booking the Moonlight Magic at DAK. Should be a lot of fun, and we'll look forward to the report! At the same time you two are doing the Moonlight Magic, DW & I will be taking the red eye from Honolulu to LAX. I think I like your plans for that day a little better!

Granny, I'm closely watching your Aulani planning. I'm going to try to book Christmas at 7 months. Hopefully something will be available.

The girls and I are currently in St. Augustine. We drove over to Disney Springs yesterday after church. It took right at 2 hours to get there from here. The Disney Springs exit from the interstate is wonderful in that it drops you right into the orange parking garage with the new overpass they built. Super speedy. We had lunch at the Boathouse. It was very good. Three of us had the filet mignon sliders and one daughter had the BBQ burger. We were all happy with our food. The burger was especially tasty. We all tasted it and loved it! We wandered around shopping at Disney Springs. We didn't buy a thing. Although I saw a few things that I thought were cute, the girls and I all commented that much of the merchandise is cheap looking(mostly clothes), and some of it is literally the same stuff they have put out for 7+ years. The DD in 9th grade found a shirt she bought in 2nd grade. My girls all commented that they thought whoever is "designing" or making merchandise decisions needs some help to get with the program. I guess if 4 women can walk around and all we buy is food, they might be right.
We stopped at the coke store and bought icees and a float just before we left downtown. We then drove into Caribbean Beach because we wanted to snoop around the new DVC area and look at the construction of the new skyway. That resort is a mess with construction right now and i can't imagine wanting to stay there during the mess. The girls don't remember ever staying at Caribbean Beach, they were pretty young when we did. They all commented that they thought it looked like a creepy old hotel and it looks tired and worn. I don't "get" the new construction there. Maybe I need an arial photo, but the new DVC is going to have a lot of road views. It looks like it's been dropped in the middle of Another other resort. I just don't get it. Maybe I'll feel different when it's finished, but I don't see me ever wanting to stay in the location.
We then drove over to VWL( I will continue to call it that). I was trying to explain the whole new name thing to the girls and they were so confused! We were let in with no problems and we self parked and walked into the lobby. The girls love the lodge. We checked out the new roaring fork and made sure that magic cookie bars were still there! I had heard they were, but it was good to see them myself. We walked all over the grounds. We all like the look of the new cabins. We walked all the way down to the last one on the DVC side. That is really long walk if you were to get assigned that room. We looked at the pool and it looks nice. DD21 felt like they overdid the new pool. I think she thought all the boulders were a little too much. Otherwise we like all the new changes. We stopped in the lobby of the villas and the girls played a game of checkers. We started to get hungry, but decided the counter service menu at the poly sounded much more to our liking. We hopped on the boat to MK and then monorailed to the poly. We had a nice little dinner at Captain Cooks. I loved our food there. I ate the chicken and pineapple skewers from the kids meal, which was very tasty. 1 daughter ordered the pork nachos and the other 2 ordered the pork fried rice. Everyone was happy with their food. The two that ordered the pork fried rice wish they would have shared because both threw away about half their food. It was a really large portion. After that we walked out to the poly beach and watched the happily ever after fireworks. They pipe the music in and we enjoyed watching. You can't really see the projections from there though, so you just get to enjoy the fireworks. After the fireworks we grabbed a couple of dole whips and ate those sitting outside the poly. Then we monorailed back to the contemporary and then caught the boat back to Wilderness Lodge. We may or may not have also stopped back by roaring fork and bought one magic cookie bar for the one daughter who did not eat a dole whip. Did I mention that all we did was eat yesterday? We then left Wilderness Lodge and drove the two hours back to St. Augustine. The construction outside of MK with the new re routing of the Lodge and contemporary traffic was heavy. Seems like they are doing tons of heavy constructionand there was a lot of heavy equipment just sitting around. Between that and the 30 miles of construction that I drove through on I 4, I felt like I dodged many a caution cone yesterday. Still a fabulous fun day with my girls though, and we managed to dodge every rain shower that was forecasted for yesterday.

 

[Granny]

Erin...sounds like you had a great non-park day at WDW with your daughters. It sounds like an itinerary that DW and I would do even when we have park tickets!

I think when Riviera is complete the upper floors will have a nice view of the lake there and DHS or EPCOT. So room views of fireworks which so many enjoy. Aside from that, it appears that the resort will have some nice amenities and of course the new gondolas. It will be interesting to see what the point per night schedule looks like there.

And we are not planning all that much for our Aulani trip. But I'm sure we'll make it to the home of the Dole Whip!

Thanks for the report!

 

[sleepydog25]

@ErinC Yes, most of us on this thread will always call it VWL, as well. Our eventual future includes days where we can just do a day trip to the World and never step foot in a park. As much as we enjoy some of the rides, the increasingly heavy crowds at nearly all times of the year and the ever-rocketing prices for tickets will at some point keep us from doing much other than exploring resorts and DS as you did. Agree with your thoughts about the new pool, too. While it's nicely done, it doesn't evoke the serenity that the old Hidden Springs pool did. That pool was a relaxing, kick back and enjoy the sun, and revel in the bubbles type of place. The newer pool seems, well, harsher and less relaxing. Glad you had a good time!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We checked out the new roaring fork and made sure that magic cookie bars were still there! I had heard they were, but it was good to see them myself.

 

[ottawagreg]

Hello everyone. Hopefully all of you are doing well. Our little family is missing the Lodge pretty bad right about now. We got 18" of snow this weekend. My snowblower has issues, and I had hired a guy to plow. He plowed three times over the weekend and now the temps are sub-zero. Winter in Illinois! Why do I live here? So by Sunday night and the fireplace roaring, talk turned to the Wilderness Lodge. We are ready to leave now. We are thinking of skipping HS this trip, it is not that much fun anymore and we really only want to FP+ Rockin Roller Coaster or Toy Story, they only allow one. So it does not seem worthwhile to go there right now. I am promoting a resort only day instead, and perhaps using one of the new grills, but I am not so sure about that. I know that you can get grilling utensils on loan from the CMs, but we are defecting to Copper Creek in the Lodge and the nearest grill is a long way as I recall. Does anyone know if there are any others than the one way south by the walking path to Fort Wilderness? Perhaps halfway in between the the pool and the roadway down there? Has anyone used the new grills yet?

We went back to Artist Point during the holiday trip. I have been boycotting them for for about three years. Maybe four. They made me quite angry and the service was terrible. This time it was a four stars, stupendous experience. The waiter was extremely professional and very friendly too. It felt like going back to the days of our honeymoon in 1997. So grilling may not be worth it, but it could be fun. Who has thoughts and opinions on this idea?

Have a good winter wherever you call home. Springtime in five weeks(?).

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Happy Birthday @davish562 !!!

 

[ErinC]

Hello everyone. Hopefully all of you are doing well. Our little family is missing the Lodge pretty bad right about now. We got 18" of snow this weekend. My snowblower has issues, and I had hired a guy to plow. He plowed three times over the weekend and now the temps are sub-zero. Winter in Illinois! Why do I live here? So by Sunday night and the fireplace roaring, talk turned to the Wilderness Lodge. We are ready to leave now. We are thinking of skipping HS this trip, it is not that much fun anymore and we really only want to FP+ Rockin Roller Coaster or Toy Story, they only allow one. So it does not seem worthwhile to go there right now. I am promoting a resort only day instead, and perhaps using one of the new grills, but I am not so sure about that. I know that you can get grilling utensils on loan from the CMs, but we are defecting to Copper Creek in the Lodge and the nearest grill is a long way as I recall. Does anyone know if there are any others than the one way south by the walking path to Fort Wilderness? Perhaps halfway in between the the pool and the roadway down there? Has anyone used the new grills yet?

Greg, we walked around that area yesterday and the only grills I remember seeing were those near the end of the cabins. I've never eaten at artist's point, so I cannot help you there.

 

[sleepydog25]

Hello everyone. Hopefully all of you are doing well. Our little family is missing the Lodge pretty bad right about now. We got 18" of snow this weekend. My snowblower has issues, and I had hired a guy to plow. He plowed three times over the weekend and now the temps are sub-zero. Winter in Illinois! Why do I live here? So by Sunday night and the fireplace roaring, talk turned to the Wilderness Lodge. We are ready to leave now. We are thinking of skipping HS this trip, it is not that much fun anymore and we really only want to FP+ Rockin Roller Coaster or Toy Story, they only allow one. So it does not seem worthwhile to go there right now. I am promoting a resort only day instead, and perhaps using one of the new grills, but I am not so sure about that. I know that you can get grilling utensils on loan from the CMs, but we are defecting to Copper Creek in the Lodge and the nearest grill is a long way as I recall. Does anyone know if there are any others than the one way south by the walking path to Fort Wilderness? Perhaps halfway in between the the pool and the roadway down there? Has anyone used the new grills yet?

We went back to Artist Point during the holiday trip. I have been boycotting them for for about three years. Maybe four. They made me quite angry and the service was terrible. This time it was a four stars, stupendous experience. The waiter was extremely professional and very friendly too. It felt like going back to the days of our honeymoon in 1997. So grilling may not be worth it, but it could be fun. Who has thoughts and opinions on this idea?

Have a good winter wherever you call home. Springtime in five weeks(?).

Greg, there's a grill fairly near the new pool, toward the end of the pool area heading toward FW. It has limited seating and virtually no cover (I think a small pergola). I read somewhere that they have put in a second one much farther down the cabin path as you head toward FW. And, of course, there's the large one (two grills, covered seating) on the north side about halfway down the cabin walkway, somewhere in the neighborhood of Cabin 8006. I still don't know if it's worth it to grill out there if you're not in a cabin, though.

 

[ArielSRL]

The girls and I are currently in St. Augustine. We drove over to Disney Springs yesterday after church. It took right at 2 hours to get there from here.

Good to hear. We plan to retire to Amelia Island and I think the length of the drive will be similar. Of course, that will be 13 to 14 years down the road...but it is in sight and on the long range plan.

We had lunch at the Boathouse.

This one is on my list but I have no idea when I will fit it in. Not this June. Maybe October....

 

[davish562]

Happy Birthday @davish562 !!!

Thank you so much!

 

[sleepydog25]

I add my birthday wishes to @davish562 and a belated birthday wish to @puppytrainer!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It's Birthday time for another of our long lost Groupies!
Happy Birthday @cheer4bison !!!
Hope you're doing well and have a great day Jill!​

 

[Granny]

Happy Birthday Cheer4bison !!!

 

[sleepydog25]

cheer4bison!

 

[Granny]

Granny, I'm closely watching your Aulani planning.

On Monday, I went online and booked a Pearl Harbor reservation at the two month mark (first day I could book) and I had no problem. My understanding is that you definitely want to hit that two month reservation mark if you are going at a popular time. I have also booked the luau at Aulani...just something you have to do once, right? Aside from that, we don't have a lot of plans and will play it by ear. Good luck with your reservation for Aulani!

 

[PatMcDuck]

We have 25 points at BR, and today our offer on a 200 point contract was accepted as well! Best part, it is loaded with 2017 points and will get 2018 points on Aug 1. So happy to become BR owners this spring! Time for all the paperwork etc.

so excited, had to tell someone!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We have 25 points at BR, and today our offer on a 200 point contract was accepted as well! Best part, it is loaded with 2017 points and will get 2018 points on Aug 1. So happy to become BR owners this spring! Time for all the paperwork etc.

so excited, had to tell someone!

Congratulations!!!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Granny watching for your Aulani trip report! We have plans to go May 2019. Have a wonderful time!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Greg
I too am missing the Lodge, and the winter blues aren't helping any. I quoted you here and will reply below as to my belief as to why AP has vastly improved

We went back to Artist Point during the holiday trip. I have been boycotting them for for about three years. Maybe four. They made me quite angry and the service was terrible. This time it was a four stars, stupendous experience. The waiter was extremely professional and very friendly too. It felt like going back to the days of our honeymoon in 1997.

It has come to many of our attentions that a certain person (who will go unnamed...ahem, Patrick, aka sleepydog25, aka Sly)made a real stink recently to the point they gave he and his very embarrassed dear wife(Luv as she is affectionately called)a free meal, which in turn he was very grateful for and gave rave reviews. I spoke with the manager of AP recently myself and mentioned his(Patrick, aka Troublemaker)name much to the manager's grimacing face, as he mentioned said name and the restaurant reviewer from Ratatouille under the same breath. My fair opinion is they were recently whipped into shape via our fearless leader. If we could now get said fearless leader in behind the case of the missing nature trail, I feel that may return promptly as well