VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.0) updated 14 June 2024

[jimmytammy]

No offense to Halloween, which I've loved in the past, but without any small kids in my family and not living in a neighborhood, we're not inclined to put up any scary decorations nor prepare for trick-or-treaters.

In Disney news, though information is slight thus far, it does seem as if Reflections may get reborn. If so, or even if not, I do wish/hope the old walking path to FW reopens to include any such resort as may be in the plans. Of all the things that happened years ago to make the Wilderness Lodge less wilderness-y, losing that path has been on of the things that stung the most.

Hey Sleepy!
I've been lurking to see any posts for several days but nothing new on my part to add.

As for Halloween, same here. I live in just enough rural area to always had very low attendance where trick or treaters go. So we go to our DDs house to hang out, eat and go with the grands in their neighborhood. I think my mind is so focused on work these days with anticipation of our Dec trip lurking that Halloween and Thanksgiving are just taking a backseat this season. But I do love this time of year, fall and all its glory leading all the way to Christmas and all the good days in between

Casey mentioned he saw an article about the subject and how it sounds more promising for the trail(s) to FW may soon reopen. I so hope it happens. We used to love a brisk AM walk to FW to eat at TE, though that has changed, would still love the access to the stables and such.

 

[jimmytammy]

I wanted to share this picture from a few days ago when our mountains in NC got a 1st dusting of snow
This is part of Grandfather Mountain near Boone, NC. Notice the fall leaves blending in with the snow

 

[ClaraOswald]

Wow. Things must be busy for our Groupies or slow for us re: trips, as this page now encompasses (including my post) 18 days! That may be the longest drought ever! Hopefully, everyone is hanging in there as we approach the holiday season which, for me, kicks off with the run up to Thanksgiving. No offense to Halloween, which I've loved in the past, but without any small kids in my family and not living in a neighborhood, we're not inclined to put up any scary decorations nor prepare for trick-or-treaters.

In Disney news, though information is slight thus far, it does seem as if Reflections may get reborn. If so, or even if not, I do wish/hope the old walking path to FW reopens to include any such resort as may be in the plans. Of all the things that happened years ago to make the Wilderness Lodge less wilderness-y, losing that path has been on of the things that stung the most.

Have a great weekend, Groupies! And, as always, if you want to be included on Page 1 for upcoming trips or cruises, just send me a note!

We'll be at BRV January 25th - February 1st if you want to add me to the list on page 1.

 

[sleepydog25]

We'll be at BRV January 25th - February 1st if you want to add me to the list on page 1.

You've been added!

 

[Granny]

I wanted to share this picture from a few days ago when our mountains in NC got a 1st dusting of snow
This is part of Grandfather Mountain near Boone, NC. Notice the fall leaves blending in with the snow

View attachment 906599

Jimmy...that's a beautiful scene! Thanks for sharing.

Things are in a daily humdrum here, so not much news. We are waiting for Candlelight Processional to open up for dinner package reservations on Monday. We're not thrilled with the choices we have of narrators, but it's a must-do for us and we will have a couple with us that haven't ever seen it so we are excited to share it with them.

 

[jimmytammy]

Jimmy...that's a beautiful scene! Thanks for sharing.

Things are in a daily humdrum here, so not much news. We are waiting for Candlelight Processional to open up for dinner package reservations on Monday. We're not thrilled with the choices we have of narrators, but it's a must-do for us and we will have a couple with us that haven't ever seen it so we are excited to share it with them.

We are hoping to see Chrissy Metz, who was on the show "This Is Us" as a narrator. She has a wonderful voice. Casey says that folks who have seen her as the narrator before say she gets really emotional which tells me she truly understands the signifigance of the Christmas story. Its been a few years since we have seen it so we look forward to seeing it again

 

[bobbiwoz]

@sleepydog25 , I really enjoyed your posts about the play! Our December 10-14 trip is still on but we are at CC! A waitlist for a 1 bedroom came through! We are really looking forward to staying in the Lodge. We did once way before we bought into DVC.

We were able to get into MM at AK on the 10th, and we’re glad.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Jimmy...that's a beautiful scene! Thanks for sharing.

Things are in a daily humdrum here, so not much news. We are waiting for Candlelight Processional to open up for dinner package reservations on Monday. We're not thrilled with the choices we have of narrators, but it's a must-do for us and we will have a couple with us that haven't ever seen it so we are excited to share it with them.

@Granny, the CP dining books on Tuesday.

 

[Granny]

@Granny, the CP dining books on Tuesday.

Bobbi...for some reason I got it into my head that booking started on Monday. But of course you are absolutely correct that it starts on Tuesday.

Does anyone know what time of the morning the online booking for Candlelight should start? One source I saw indicated that reservations are available starting at 7:00 am. Another one indicated 6:00 am? Both Eastern times.

 

[Granny]

By the way, we're hoping to book Tituss Burgess as Candlelight Processional narrator. The other choice was Whoopi Goldberg and we didn't think we'd like her all that much. One other choice is Brendan Fraser which I'd love to book but some of our guests we are going with won't be staying that long. I'm sure any one of the narrators will be fine, but we've been a bit spoiled with some of our favorites in the past such as Gary Sinise and Edward James Olmos.

 

[Granny]

I've been trying to book a Candlelight Processional dinner package for over 20 minutes and the site has crashed ever since 6:00 am Eastern time! So frustrating!

 

[TCRAIG]

I've been trying to book a Candlelight Processional dinner package for over 20 minutes and the site has crashed ever since 6:00 am Eastern time! So frustrating!

I was able to book Chrissy M for 12/3 at @5:30 this morning…but no luck so far trying for Whoopi..

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Hump Day folks!!

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

All the talk about the CP makes me jealous that I can't go. We had gone twice and our narrators were awesome. We got Neil Patrick Harris and one of my favorite Disney people Jodi Benson!!!! I'd love to see Gary Sinise.
So I don't know if I said this before but for our trip in March it will be DH's first trip in 10 years. I know we will have a good time but I don't know how many rides we will actually get on. With all the money we are already spending I can't see us being able to afford the LL extras. It is frustrating too that I no longer qualify for DAS. DH would have qualified too in the past. I think we are just gonna go with the mindset that we are just gonna enjoy being there and be grateful for whatever rides we get on. It doesn't help that it will be so busy with spring breaks when we go but oh well. We will be at Disney.

 

[Granny]

I was able to book Chrissy M for 12/3 at @5:30 this morning…but no luck so far trying for Whoopi..

Keep checking back. We were finally able to book Tituss Burgess after a couple of hours of site crashing. Evidently a significant number of people change their plans and times open up throughout the process. Good luck in your booking efforts.

 

[Granny]

All the talk about the CP makes me jealous that I can't go. We had gone twice and our narrators were awesome. We got Neil Patrick Harris and one of my favorite Disney people Jodi Benson!!!! I'd love to see Gary Sinise.
So I don't know if I said this before but for our trip in March it will be DH's first trip in 10 years. I know we will have a good time but I don't know how many rides we will actually get on. With all the money we are already spending I can't see us being able to afford the LL extras. It is frustrating too that I no longer qualify for DAS. DH would have qualified too in the past. I think we are just gonna go with the mindset that we are just gonna enjoy being there and be grateful for whatever rides we get on. It doesn't help that it will be so busy with spring breaks when we go but oh well. We will be at Disney.

We are in a similar situation as we are taking some friends who haven't been to WDW in almost 30 years. We are going in early December, and plan on doing a lot of resort hopping and a little park time to view decorations. But the cost of LL is ridiculous, and we are all at an age where we aren't worried about thrill rides. We just enjoy the parks, go to our favorite restaurants, and make sure we leave adequate time to properly enjoy Geyser Point a few times.

 

[bluecastle]

All the talk about the CP makes me jealous that I can't go. We had gone twice and our narrators were awesome. We got Neil Patrick Harris and one of my favorite Disney people Jodi Benson!!!! I'd love to see Gary Sinise.
So I don't know if I said this before but for our trip in March it will be DH's first trip in 10 years. I know we will have a good time but I don't know how many rides we will actually get on. With all the money we are already spending I can't see us being able to afford the LL extras. It is frustrating too that I no longer qualify for DAS. DH would have qualified too in the past. I think we are just gonna go with the mindset that we are just gonna enjoy being there and be grateful for whatever rides we get on. It doesn't help that it will be so busy with spring breaks when we go but oh well. We will be at Disney.

One of my favorite trips was when my DH and I went by ourselves (he wanted to celebrate my being cancer-free and I think he was a little jealous of the mom daughter trip that my DD and I had gone on the year before)
Anyhow, after radiation, my energy level took a long time to come back and we had a very leisurely trip. We stayed in a CC studio, so we spent lots of time at our favorite resort. Neither of us cared how many rides we went on and he just waited around happily as I took zillions of pictures. I totally understand the frustration with DAS as I no longer qualify also. The only reason I am paying for any LLs on our upcoming trip is for my DGD. If it was just us, I wouldn’t do it.
I know it’s a lot of money, but try not to think about the number of rides making the money worthwhile, but the memories that you will make together.

 

[twinklebug]

No CP for me this year except through watching online streams of it which is pretty good, but nothing beats being in the audience and getting the full percussion hitting your bones and the voices clearing the air. I won't forget the look of awe on my adult daughter's face as we attended last time. She'd never heard a choir/orchestra combo in person and was floored. Also helped that NPH was there and we had both been binge watching A Series of Unfortunate Events

I cancelled my December trip and moved it to next Sept as I'm living alone now and not comfortable with leaving my current best friend alone for another week so soon after I just did this to her, and she hid in a corner the entire time. She keeps this up and I'll have to just buy a house down there.

 

[Granny]

I know it’s a lot of money, but try not to think about the number of rides making the money worthwhile, but the memories that you will make together.

I agree wholeheartedly. You have stated it beautifully.

And I'm sure we will break down and buy some LL's for our trip next year with the grandchildren. I don't tend to sweat the cost thing too much for exactly the reason you laid out. But LL pricing has taken Disney to a whole new level. It was one thing to basically make a FP* system that we pay for. But for something that was no cost for so many years, they pretty much bypassed the small price increases and gone in with some pretty high pricing IMHO. It will be interesting to see how the economics work as far as the percentage of park visitors who shell out for LL's.

 

[sleepydog25]

I agree wholeheartedly. You have stated it beautifully.

And I'm sure we will break down and buy some LL's for our trip next year with the grandchildren. I don't tend to sweat the cost thing too much for exactly the reason you laid out. But LL pricing has taken Disney to a whole new level. It was one thing to basically make a FP* system that we pay for. But for something that was no cost for so many years, they pretty much bypassed the small price increases and gone in with some pretty high pricing IMHO. It will be interesting to see how the economics work as far as the percentage of park visitors who shell out for LL's.

I've personally come to conclusion that while Disney memories are warm and comforting, there are many other memories to make with loved ones that cost less or nothing at all. Don't get me wrong--I have some amazing memories throughout the years that bear the distinct mark of Disney...and pictures to go with many of those. I may yet have some more.

My perspective has changed of late, though. My wife and I will sit on the porch or the deck, gaze at the blue mountains, watch the lazy swoops of birds high in the sky, listen to the wind in the treetops, see deer in the neighbor's apple trees across the draw, and occasionally hear the eerie wail of coyotes as dusk approaches. We're reminded just how fortunate we are to have each other, how blessed we are to share the quieter moments. At this point, Disney has become a bit of a distant friend, one we'll visit from time to time, but likely not go into the parks. We went to Kidani earlier this year and just sat on that balcony and watched, yep, nature unfold. Great memory to be sure.

On that note, I might also make mention that--gulp--I had an ad pop up on my feed about the new Epic Universe at US opening on 25 May 2025. Looks pretty darn cool. The pricing for US parks was even better: $117 for a 3-day park pass with one day at the original US, one day at Islands of Adventures, and one day at the new Epic Universe. If you want to upgrade, you can do a 3-day pass where you can go in between the two current parks and Volcano Bay at will, plus one set day at Epic. Cost? $157. Perhaps there are wonderful memories to be made there in our future. . .