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

sleepydog25 said:
Now, it's a storybook character meal. So, for a supposed luxury resort, it has no really nice place to eat. Territory Lounge is a good bar; however, once the storybook restaurant opened, it became the prime spot for families to wait to get seated--not sure if that's still true.
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We tried Storybook our last trip...meh...not going back. It is EXTREMELY hard to get a resy there. If you're not staying on property to get that advance window, you're not eating there. A lot of people rave about their food (3-course meal), but it was just okay for us. Service is very rush and minimum. I'm sure it has to do with the fact that they are so busy and it is fully booked everyday, so they just need to flip the tables as quick as possible. Food get dropped off very fast, then bada bing bada boom you're done with dinner, take your picture w/ the Evil Queen and get out. If you're not a huge fan of the Evil Queen, Snow White, Grumpy or Dopey, I would suggest to eat somewhere else. Not worth it IMO.
 
MsChristy12 said:
We tried Storybook our last trip...meh...not going back. It is EXTREMELY hard to get a resy there. If you're not staying on property to get that advance window, you're not eating there. A lot of people rave about their food (3-course meal), but it was just okay for us. Service is very rush and minimum. I'm sure it has to do with the fact that they are so busy and it is fully booked everyday, so they just need to flip the tables as quick as possible. Food get dropped off very fast, then bada bing bada boom you're done with dinner, take your picture w/ the Evil Queen and get out. If you're not a huge fan of the Evil Queen, Snow White, Grumpy or Dopey, I would suggest to eat somewhere else. Not worth it IMO.
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We just returned and I saw availability there frequently for booking at normal dining times. People do book it and then cancel but I've really never been one to book at 60 days much less 6 months and am used to waiting to see what pops up as available. I actually booked it the day I was flying in and cancelled what I had previously booked elsewhere as something at the hotel sounded better. With the dining plan coming back I suspect the ease I've seen of booking dining while at the world during our trips this year will be gone again. Yes, I'm not a fan of it coming back. :(

Sorry you were rushed. We had a very different experience there too. Never rushed and with the restaurant decor being pretty much left intact found it rather enjoyable to be back at "Artist Pointe" even though there were a lot more kids than their used to be. We had one of them so difficult to complain about that. :laughing:
 
What does everyone tend to do on arrival day? On departure day?

For us, we tend to relax at the hotel on arrival day. If getting in early and I have the Annual pass I'll go to Animal Kingdom for lunch and just absorb the atmosphere, waiting for the lights in Pandora to come on.

The day we leave, I usually book a late flight so we're not losing the day. I store our luggage with Bell services and we head off to whatever park we'd like to go to - reconsider any last moment purchases (having the bags packed at this point helps me to say "no"). I get back to the hotel about an hour or so before our bus pickup time.
 
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I'm in deep debate where do we want to book as our first trip when we get our points!

Aulani is definitely on the list because we haven't been there yet, so we'll use up our 2023 points by March (April UY) if we decide to go there this coming Winter. Then I'm debating if I should bank my remaining 2024 points into 2025....or go to WDW in late 2024 with some 2025 borrow points, then bank the remaining of 2025 into 2026? 🤔
Part of me really wants to go to Oahu, it's been many years since we visited and so much has changed. But the other part of me wants to go back to WDW asap!

Aaaaahhh dilemma dilemma.... :rolleyes1
 
MsChristy12 said:
I'm in deep debate where do we want to book as our first trip when we get our points!

Aulani is definitely on the list because we haven't been there yet, so we'll use up our 2023 points by March (April UY) if we decide to go there this coming Winter. Then I'm debating if I should bank my remaining 2024 points into 2025....or go to WDW in late 2024 with some 2025 borrow points, then bank the remaining of 2025 into 2026? 🤔
Part of me really wants to go to Oahu, it's been many years since we visited and so much has changed. But the other part of me wants to go back to WDW asap!

Aaaaahhh dilemma dilemma.... :rolleyes1
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Solution: buy more points.

You're welcome.

pirate:
 
Hi friends! I know its been a while, but I still think of myself as part of this group/family even when I haven’t posted for a long time. I can’t remember the last time I popped my head in, but we took our granddaughter, aged 3 1/2, on her first trip in November 2022. (Stayed at KIdani-2BR savanna view and loved it!) At the time, our daughter was going through a tough time and let’s just say it wasn’t our most magical trip ever, but there were many magical moments with our DGD. She thought she was meeting the “real“ Mickey Mouse and she just glowed with happiness. Came back from that trip with a target date of March 2025, but have been feeling like I don’t want to wait til 2025. (I think this happens when you get to the beginning of your 70’s and add in a history of cancer and, well, I’m sure you understand) We thought we’d stay at BCV. But this week I asked my DD if she would be OK switching to Nov. 2024. I know it’s only 4 months difference, but it just sounds so much closer! She was fine. We have been there the week before Thanksgiving 2 times now, and I just love that time of year! Then I had a very strong feeling that it had to be at VWL and luckily my DD agreed! November stays have to be at WL!! It is amazing how much happier and excited I am about making this change.
Anyhow, when I looked up the cost difference between VWL and BCV for the equivalent week this year, I was shocked to see that BCV was cheaper?! Not changing my mind, of course, but when did that happen? I remember VWL always being less than the other villas.
Hope everyone is doing well. I saw a video of a refurbed 1 BR and the guy couldn’t open the refrigerator door all the way! Would love opinions on this refurb. It just looked so modern and stark to me.
Thanks for any input!
 
twinklebug said:
What does everyone tend to do on arrival day? On departure day?

For us, we tend to relax at the hotel on arrival day. If getting in early and I have the Annual pass I'll go to Animal Kingdom for lunch and just absorbing the atmosphere, waiting for the lights in Pandora to come on.

The day we leave, I usually book a late flight so we're not losing the day. I store our luggage with Bell services and we head off to whatever park we'd like to go to - reconsider any last moment purchases (having the bags packed at this point helps me to say "no"). I get back to the hotel about an hour or so before our bus pickup time.
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We tend to do about the same things. Hang out at the resort on arrival day and usually make an ADR for the restaurant there. Last trip it was at BLT and it was such a great day. Ate at Steakhouse 71 and loved it. On departure day we also leave as late as possible and go to a park. The park we go to depends on where we were staying. If WL then MK. If BWV then it's Epcot.
 
bluecastle said:
Hi friends! I know its been a while, but I still think of myself as part of this group/family even when I haven’t posted for a long time. I can’t remember the last time I popped my head in, but we took our granddaughter, aged 3 1/2, on her first trip in November 2022. (Stayed at KIdani-2BR savanna view and loved it!) At the time, our daughter was going through a tough time and let’s just say it wasn’t our most magical trip ever, but there were many magical moments with our DGD. She thought she was meeting the “real“ Mickey Mouse and she just glowed with happiness. Came back from that trip with a target date of March 2025, but have been feeling like I don’t want to wait til 2025. (I think this happens when you get to the beginning of your 70’s and add in a history of cancer and, well, I’m sure you understand) We thought we’d stay at BCV. But this week I asked my DD if she would be OK switching to Nov. 2024. I know it’s only 4 months difference, but it just sounds so much closer! She was fine. We have been there the week before Thanksgiving 2 times now, and I just love that time of year! Then I had a very strong feeling that it had to be at VWL and luckily my DD agreed! November stays have to be at WL!! It is amazing how much happier and excited I am about making this change.
Anyhow, when I looked up the cost difference between VWL and BCV for the equivalent week this year, I was shocked to see that BCV was cheaper?! Not changing my mind, of course, but when did that happen? I remember VWL always being less than the other villas.
Hope everyone is doing well. I saw a video of a refurbed 1 BR and the guy couldn’t open the refrigerator door all the way! Would love opinions on this refurb. It just looked so modern and stark to me.
Thanks for any input!
Click to expand...
Hi bluecastle! It is so nice to hear from you! Glad you are going to be able to make a trip to our beloved Lodge!
 
We were not yet members for our first DVC stay….The BoardWalk was brand new - had just opened a week before we arrived. I had scored a 1BR Villa. We fell in love, but never thought we would be able to swing it, yet, five years later I was a CM at TDS and we were able to purchase with my discount. :cool1:
 
Our must go to dining establishments have changed over the years. The only one that has remained in rotation (lol) is 50’s PT for the fried chicken and black and white milkshake. Via Napoli pepperoni pizza, Steakhouse 71 anything there is great! This trip we went back to one of our earlier must do meals, which we have not been to for many years….Le Cellier. It did not disappoint.
 
twinklebug said:
What does everyone tend to do on arrival day? On departure day?

For us, we tend to relax at the hotel on arrival day. If getting in early and I have the Annual pass I'll go to Animal Kingdom for lunch and just absorb the atmosphere, waiting for the lights in Pandora to come on.

The day we leave, I usually book a late flight so we're not losing the day. I store our luggage with Bell services and we head off to whatever park we'd like to go to - reconsider any last moment purchases (having the bags packed at this point helps me to say "no"). I get back to the hotel about an hour or so before our bus pickup time.
Click to expand...
We usually hang out at the resort, grab groceries, then a bite to eat around resort. We like to really settle in before hitting the parks. We used to hit the ground running but those days are past us :teeth:

Last day, we usually take it easy as well
 
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