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

[Granny]

We decided to go ahead and cancel our July trip which was originally a late May/early June trip. I cried. My heart is so sad but logically I know it was the right thing to do. I was more sad because our youngest daughter decided she wanted to go with us this year. It has been a few years since she vacationed with us. We don't get to see her very often so I was really looking forward to spending some quality time with her. She did say she would go with us next summer though. That helped this Mama's heart feel much better.

So now we are going to have a lot (for us) of points to use next summer and I am going to enjoy every second of planning a big/long family trip.

It is sad to cancel trips this year, but we do look forward with hope that we will come out of this challenge and resume our family bonding on WDW trips. Just make sure you book right at the 11 month mark as there will be so many points out there for next year and I have a feeling that walking reservations will become even more prevalent.

Did anyone hear the news out of Oxford University? They have been working on a corona virus vaccine for (I think) like a decade already. They have just modified it for Covid 19 and it is looking very promising. They were saying it could be available in Europe as soon as September and for everyone else by the end of the year. It could be nothing - but at least it is some hope to hold onto. Dallas county had their deadliest day today (10 deaths including a 17 yr old high school senior) and matched the total for most new virus cases - of 135. Yet our Governor thinks it is Ok for us to open up.

Not to trivialize any illnesses and certainly not to trivialize the death rates, but the numbers you are indicating for Dallas County are pretty low in comparison to many hot spots around the country. Given the population of Dallas County at over 2.5 million, it would seem that your area has done a good job of keeping the virus from running rampant. And you know that this is a really hard time for public officials...balancing the constraints of the disease against the real hardships that unemployment causes. I don't think anyone is making any decisions on this lightly.

DW and I are fortunate in that as retirees, we have the choice on whether to go out and take risks. We pray for all those who continue to provide services to this country, and for those who return to work during re-openings.

 

[bluecastle]

We decided to go ahead and cancel our July trip which was originally a late May/early June trip. I cried. My heart is so sad but logically I know it was the right thing to do. I was more sad because our youngest daughter decided she wanted to go with us this year. It has been a few years since she vacationed with us. We don't get to see her very often so I was really looking forward to spending some quality time with her. She did say she would go with us next summer though. That helped this Mama's heart feel much better.

So now we are going to have a lot (for us) of points to use next summer and I am going to enjoy every second of planning a big/long family trip.

Did anyone hear the news out of Oxford University? They have been working on a corona virus vaccine for (I think) like a decade already. They have just modified it for Covid 19 and it is looking very promising. They were saying it could be available in Europe as soon as September and for everyone else by the end of the year. It could be nothing - but at least it is some hope to hold onto. Dallas county had their deadliest day today (10 deaths including a 17 yr old high school senior) and matched the total for most new virus cases - of 135. Yet our Governor thinks it is Ok for us to open up.

I am so sorry about your having to cancel your trip, especially because your daughter was going to go. We once had to cancel 3 trips in one year because of an unfortunate incident that happened in the college program housing unit my daughter was living in and I thought we'd never go to WDW again. This was in 2005. We had years of trips behind us and I was heartbroken thinking that it was all over. 4 years later, I decided that the 3 of us needed to do something special to bring the magic back, so for the first time we went during the Christmas holidays, and toasted the New Year together on the Boardwalk. My point is that sometimes severe disappointment can be followed by great joy. Plan on doing some things you've never done before, splurge if you can, and make your next trip really special!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

 

[Granny]

Kathy...I was just thinking that it was about time to post some more pictures to transport us back to our beloved place!

 

[sleepydog25]

I was thinking this was a shot more indicative of KAT's experiences at the Lodge. . .

 

[DVC Jen]

Not to trivialize any illnesses and certainly not to trivialize the death rates, but the numbers you are indicating for Dallas County are pretty low in comparison to many hot spots around the country. Given the population of Dallas County at over 2.5 million, it would seem that your area has done a good job of keeping the virus from running rampant. And you know that this is a really hard time for public officials...balancing the constraints of the disease against the real hardships that unemployment causes. I don't think anyone is making any decisions on this lightly.

I do understand what you are saying. Yet tomorrow we start the opening process and today was not only Dallas counties worst day for new cases - but it was the worst day for the entire state of Texas. It really scares me - so much. I have this sinking feeling things are going to get much worse now. I hope I am wrong. I really do.

My family is now under the "official Jennifer stay at home" mandate until further notice. And we are also very fortunate that everyone living in our household can and is working from home.

 

[bluecastle]

 

[sleepydog25]

View attachment 491927

I need more coffee. When I first glimpsed this picture, I wondered why a small bear was chasing a rhinoceros. . . Oy.

It's the weekend, Groupies. . .but if you're like many/most, it hardly feels different than Monday. . .or Sunday. Jen, I hope it all goes well with you in TX, kinda sorta my home state. As Granny says, it's a tough balancing act, but I fear too many places are taking too many giant steps instead of baby steps. It would help to ameliorate the virus' effect if people who do begin getting out would use proper caution. . .but too many won't. California opened up beaches to allow people to get out and get fresh air, and what did they do? Crowd the beaches. Protestors in Michigan show up to the capitol with few of them wearing masks and yelling in the face of the police who were simply doing their jobs. If I had confidence in the ability of John Q. Public to properly distance and practice safe public behavior, I'd be far less concerned.

Have a good weekend, Groupies, and in the words of Sgt Phil Esterhaus, "Let's be safe out there." (Bonus Groupie points for knowing this reference.)

 

[rkstocke5609]

I need more coffee. When I first glimpsed this picture, I wondered why a small bear was chasing a rhinoceros. . . Oy.

It's the weekend, Groupies. . .but if you're like many/most, it hardly feels different than Monday. . .or Sunday. Jen, I hope it all goes well with you in TX, kinda sorta my home state. As Granny says, it's a tough balancing act, but I fear too many places are taking too many giant steps instead of baby steps. It would help to ameliorate the virus' effect if people who do begin getting out would use proper caution. . .but too many won't. California opened up beaches to allow people to get out and get fresh air, and what did they do? Crowd the beaches. Protestors in Michigan show up to the capitol with few of them wearing masks and yelling in the face of the police who were simply doing their jobs. If I had confidence in the ability of John Q. Public to properly distance and practice safe public behavior, I'd be far less concerned.

Have a good weekend, Groupies, and in the words of Sgt Phil Esterhaus, "Let's be safe out there." (Bonus Groupie points for knowing this reference.)

Haha, I thought it was a bear chasing a Rhino too!

 

[Granny]

Have a good weekend, Groupies, and in the words of Sgt Phil Esterhaus, "Let's be safe out there." (Bonus Groupie points for knowing this reference.)

Didn't even need to Google this to know it was the wrap up words to his daily briefings on Hill Street Blues.

 

[twinklebug]

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

We decided to go ahead and cancel our July trip which was originally a late May/early June trip. I cried. My heart is so sad but logically I know it was the right thing to do. I was more sad because our youngest daughter decided she wanted to go with us this year. It has been a few years since she vacationed with us. We don't get to see her very often so I was really looking forward to spending some quality time with her. She did say she would go with us next summer though. That helped this Mama's heart feel much better.

So now we are going to have a lot (for us) of points to use next summer and I am going to enjoy every second of planning a big/long family trip.

Did anyone hear the news out of Oxford University? They have been working on a corona virus vaccine for (I think) like a decade already. They have just modified it for Covid 19 and it is looking very promising. They were saying it could be available in Europe as soon as September and for everyone else by the end of the year. It could be nothing - but at least it is some hope to hold onto. Dallas county had their deadliest day today (10 deaths including a 17 yr old high school senior) and matched the total for most new virus cases - of 135. Yet our Governor thinks it is Ok for us to open up.

So sorry you had to cancel.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Went on here for the first time in forever the other day. I was so optimistic and excited about being able to plan a trip for next spring but as usual reality has sucker punched me. Had to take my husband to the ER on Tuesday for what I thought was a stroke but turned out to be a mass on his brain stem. He is in surgery now to remove it. I tell you we just can't catch a break. It's just one thing after another. I'm sitting here a nervous wreck for the next few hours waiting till the surgery is over.

 

[twinklebug]

Went on here for the first time in forever the other day. I was so optimistic and excited about being able to plan a trip for next spring but as usual reality has sucker punched me. Had to take my husband to the ER on Tuesday for what I thought was a stroke but turned out to be a mass on his brain stem. He is in surgery now to remove it. I tell you we just can't catch a break. It's just one thing after another. I'm sitting here a nervous wreck for the next few hours waiting till the surgery is over.

We're here for you. Sending love and prayers that his surgery will go well.

 

[Granny]

DLI...prayers going up for your husband, and for you and your family as well. We pray to hear positive news after his surgery.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Went on here for the first time in forever the other day. I was so optimistic and excited about being able to plan a trip for next spring but as usual reality has sucker punched me. Had to take my husband to the ER on Tuesday for what I thought was a stroke but turned out to be a mass on his brain stem. He is in surgery now to remove it. I tell you we just can't catch a break. It's just one thing after another. I'm sitting here a nervous wreck for the next few hours waiting till the surgery is over.

Sending prayers your way DLI! I hope the surgery goes well.

 

[TCRAIG]

I need more coffee. When I first glimpsed this picture, I wondered why a small bear was chasing a rhinoceros. . . Oy.

It's the weekend, Groupies. . .but if you're like many/most, it hardly feels different than Monday. . .or Sunday. Jen, I hope it all goes well with you in TX, kinda sorta my home state. As Granny says, it's a tough balancing act, but I fear too many places are taking too many giant steps instead of baby steps. It would help to ameliorate the virus' effect if people who do begin getting out would use proper caution. . .but too many won't. California opened up beaches to allow people to get out and get fresh air, and what did they do? Crowd the beaches. Protestors in Michigan show up to the capitol with few of them wearing masks and yelling in the face of the police who were simply doing their jobs. If I had confidence in the ability of John Q. Public to properly distance and practice safe public behavior, I'd be far less concerned.

Have a good weekend, Groupies, and in the words of Sgt Phil Esterhaus, "Let's be safe out there." (Bonus Groupie points for knowing this reference.)

Looking into my crystal ball of old TV shoes - I see a Hill on Street that’s Blue

 

[TCRAIG]

Went on here for the first time in forever the other day. I was so optimistic and excited about being able to plan a trip for next spring but as usual reality has sucker punched me. Had to take my husband to the ER on Tuesday for what I thought was a stroke but turned out to be a mass on his brain stem. He is in surgery now to remove it. I tell you we just can't catch a break. It's just one thing after another. I'm sitting here a nervous wreck for the next few hours waiting till the surgery is over.

Praying all goes well - Stay Strong - You are not alone.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Thank you guys. The doctor just called and all went well thank goodness. So relieved. He believes it is benign but will have to wait for the pathology to come back. Appreciate your support! You guys are the best.

 

[twinklebug]

Thank you guys. The doctor just called and all went well thank goodness. So relieved. He believes it is benign but will have to wait for the pathology to come back. Appreciate your support! You guys are the best.

That's the best news! Hoping for a quick recovery and a good report back from the lab.