VWL Groupies...yes, we love the Lodge!!

[tea pot]

Hi Groupies
Boy do I miss you guys the last few weeks were crazy busy and
I had no access to my "portal" as my kids call it (the Internet)
when we first got here.

We had a pleasent drive down, the Big Guy is just a driving machine!
We're getting settled here in St Pete Beach.
We did stop at the World for a couple days Ahhh
and we got this amazing 1BR at the lodge I think it may be the one
you guys were talking about not too long ago???
Horselover did you stay in it ? Well,
what a treat it's on the 5th floor corner room
Huge, different lay out and two balconies!

We had one full day at Magic Kingdom
Tues Jan 22 OK did I say a Tuesday in Jan
Should be low season right?
The Park was PACKED
I mean run over your heels with the carriages packed
they even extended the park hours due to high capacity!

Turns out they bused up guests from Two Disney Cruise Ships for the Day!
I didn't get the memo

A cast member told me that Disney expects the park attendance to be the highest in 2013 than it's been in last 5 years.

So we went fast into our "We just love to be here mode" and braved the lines and did see some of the New Fantasy land
I really love it! DH was very impressed with the landscaping,
the trees looked liked they had been there for years
Oh but I guess they were behind the curse I think that's the back story?

Well off to try to catch up

Take Care Groupies

[Disney loving Iowan]

Originally Posted by twokats

Happy birthday, Jimmy

Hope it is absolutely wonderful!!



and since I am going to be busy all day tomorrow at the church and then packing for my Magic cruise this weekend



I am going to be a day early and tell Disney Loving Iowan



Happy Birthday, Disney Loving Iowan!

Hope it is a good and magical day for you!!



And yes, January is a good month for birthdays!!!!!

Thanks Twokats!

[Disney loving Iowan]

Happy birthday Jimmy!!!

[Kathymford]

So many BIRTHDAYS!! yay!! Happy Birthday!

[bagsmom]

Happy Birthday All!

Teapot -- I wonder what the expected record high attendance for 2013 is attributed to? It's not like the economy is great!

So excited for you -- to be in the best place in the world!

Let us know all the fun stuff you do!

We can live vicariously through you!

[jimmytammy]

Welcome to the groupies csharpwv!!!!

We have never stayed at VWL in the summer, so cant help you with that particular season, but I will say 4th or 5th floor may afford you a better view of the lake, at least from our experiences.

[jimmytammy]

Thanks for all the birthday wishes folks, you guys are the best, hands down

Muushka, sorry I missed lunch, if we can all do dinner, I am up for Ohana or 5os PTC, yall choose

[Granny]

At least I made one party on time....

Happy Birthday Jimmy!!!

[Granny]

I know I missed some birthdays...but I hope they were all excellent! And in case I don't get back here tomorrow...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DLI!!!

Originally Posted by csharpwv

I'm excited to announce that we are returning to VWL in a studio this summer for 7-8 nights!!!!!!

We were so excited to find that the week we wanted to go was available!

We have never visited 'the lodge' as we like to call it in the summer, any advice for the best time to be back to spend an afternoon at the pool? What time to avoid Roaring Forks? Bus advice?

We have only stayed at the lodge during off peak seasons - the favorite being around the Christmas holidays!

Can't wait for a summer getaway - I think I may ride the boat just for fun! HAHA

Any location request better than another? We stayed in a first floor room on the front of the building and saw several rabbits and squirrels - but I don't know if I want a patio again, or a balcony.

Are there any good lake views on the top floor on the back side of the building?

Any and all advice appreciated!

Thanks!

We have stayed at VWL several times during the summer...for years it was the only time we visited WDW due to the kids school schedules. It is a great resort during the summer, and somehow it seems cooler than other places as it reminds one so much of the Great Northwest.

The main pool gets crowded early in the summer. It isn't really all that large and many people do the "towel reservations" on the chairs even though they don't plan on being around. I think the pool hopping from Fort Wilderness is down somewhat as they finally built a nice pool over there a few years ago.

We enjoyed renting bikes and heading down to Fort Wilderness on the path, and renting boats to bop around Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon.

As for room locations, we prefer to be above the first floor but that's really just a preference for us. Most of the views are of trees, and since the resort is so small you don't have to worry about long walks to the elevator like you might get at BWV or AKV.

I'm sure you'll have a great time. Thanks for stopping by the thread where people really do understand your excitement and anticipation!!!

[Muushka]

Originally Posted by jimmytammy

Thanks for all the birthday wishes folks, you guys are the best, hands down

Muushka, sorry I missed lunch, if we can all do dinner, I am up for Ohana or 5os PTC, yall choose

Lunch, Dinner, 50's PTC, Ohana, it's all good. It's virtual!!! No calories!!!

Happy Birthday Jimmy.

[jimmytammy]

Happy Birthday Disney Loving Iowan!!!!

[eliza61]

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY JIMMY.

10 lashes with a with a wet pixie wand for me for being late. Hope your day was magical.

[eliza61]

Whew, just in time for this one though.

Happy B-day DLI, have a magic filled day!!

Here's hoping all your wishes come true today

[rusafee1183]

I just got back from a stay at VWL for the first time and let me just say,

I GET IT



We only stayed for one night, but if I could have switched my stay and stuck around all week I would have.

My DH and I have been to the WL before a few years ago when we had an ADR at Artists Point, so I knew how beautiful it was - but staying there (even for such a short time) was such an awesome experience.

We arrived at 5:00ish in the evening, and when we walked into the lobby my sister's (who had never been there before) mouth dropped open in amazement. We walked down the path to the Villas, and through the lobby with a little fireplace and to our room. The view was nothing special, but it was so peaceful and beautiful that we fell in love. We walked to the boat dock past the beach where they were roasting marshmallows and crickets were singing.

Ahh.

I am desperate to buy more points now, and never stay anyewhere else as long as I live

[Kathymford]

Originally Posted by rusafee1183

I just got back from a stay at VWL for the first time and let me just say,

I GET IT



We only stayed for one night, but if I could have switched my stay and stuck around all week I would have.

My DH and I have been to the WL before a few years ago when we had an ADR at Artists Point, so I knew how beautiful it was - but staying there (even for such a short time) was such an awesome experience.

We arrived at 5:00ish in the evening, and when we walked into the lobby my sister's (who had never been there before) mouth dropped open in amazement. We walked down the path to the Villas, and through the lobby with a little fireplace and to our room. The view was nothing special, but it was so peaceful and beautiful that we fell in love. We walked to the boat dock past the beach where they were roasting marshmallows and crickets were singing.

Ahh.

I am desperate to buy more points now, and never stay anyewhere else as long as I live

The points add on thing happened to us after only a 5 minute walk through the lobby!!! It has quite an effect!