Live from the Lodge! Pics from trip now included, pg. 2!

[ErinC]

Hey everyone! Just thought I'd jot a note while we are here at VWL this week. Checked in on Sat., got into room at 10:30 am.!!! Very nice surprise! All room requests were met, non-smoking, pool view. Best news of all, we get to be flag family on Friday. It has never been available while we were here, so I was too excited when she said that there was an opening. We have been to all parks, and have gotten a chance to ride most of our favs. Expedition Everest was great, we're going back to ride it again before the week is over. Crowds have been moderate, not really as bad as I thought it would be. Temps are a little warm during the day, but really nice in the evenings. We swam yesterday and today, and they have dropped the pool temps. In fact, the life guard told my friend that they are getting ready to drop them even more! Roaring Forks opened back up Monday, now they have closed the right side for refurb. At least the mugs are available again. Sorry for the rattling, just some random thoughts. I promise I'll do a longer report when we return. We are fishing on Bay lake tomorrow morning, another first for us. I'll try to take some photo's and post them when I return. If anyone has any questions I'll try to check back in and answer them. DH hasn't given me much laptop time, he's been using it for work, much to my dismay!:yuck: Overall we are having a great time!

[tjkraz]

Thanks for checking in!!!

Funny you should mention the pool temp. When we were there 3 weeks ago, we thought the BW pool was VERY cold. We arrived at the pool around noon and the temp was supposed to be over 80 that day. Very nice and comfortable in shorts.

The pool was just frigid. And it wasn't one of those situations where you get used to it after a while. We swam for at least and hour, and never really got comfortable with the temperature.

It makes me shiver just thinking about it. Brrrrr. :brrrrrr:

[mushu]

Glad to here you are having a good trip. I also thought EE was great.

[jiggerj]

Thanks for the report! VWL is my second home away from home, I just love it there! :) Congrats on being able to be a Flag family I would have been flipping out! Someday...someday :fingerscr Please tell us more when you get back-

Enjoy the rest of your trip! :jumpingbe

[Rozzie]

Congrats Erin on being the flag family! Also can't wait to hear how you liked the fishing outing on bay lake--that is something DH been wantin' to try.

Have a great time, and give Mickey a big ole' hug for me!!!!!!!!!:dancingba

[mssparrrow]

Thanks for posting! Continue having fun!

[PoohsPal]

Thanks for the live report! Hope things continue to go well!!!

[lllovell]

I can tell from your post that you all are having a great time Erin! You will have to tell us more about being the "flag family" since some of us "newbies" are not familar with it!

I hope you continue to have a great time!

Laura

[matysgranma]

I'm so happy you're having a great trip! Keep us posted!

[ghost1000]

From All Ears Net:

I have heard each day a family is selected to be the Flag Family. What exactly is that?

The Wilderness Lodge Flag Family of the day gets to climb up to the roof of the Wilderness Lodge and assist with raising the flags for the day. (At one time you could also take the flags down, but that has stopped). It's a wonderful treat that can only be requested at check-in, prior reservations are not possible. Visit our Flag Family Scrapbook!

"We just returned from the Lodge and were the flag family. It was wonderful! We began in the lobby by meeting Darlene, our ranger, at 8:30am and actually spent a hour with her all together. She had a Lodge tour to lead at 9:30. We raised all the flags on the roof which included the Stars and Stripes, the flag of Florida, the Disney flag, and two Wilderness Lodge flags. (Jan)

During our stay at WL, we were selected to be the "flag family" one day. At 7am, they take your family up to the roof of WL so you can raise the American flag. You get to spend about 10 minutes up there, they take your picture, give you a picture frame and certificate, and treat you to breakfast afterwards. (Note not all families report being treated to breakfast!) The view is incredible! We were selected purely by accident.

I mentioned to the front desk person that I really enjoyed the tour of the WL that they give (at 9:15am). When I mentioned this to her, she asked if my family and I would like to be the "flag family" one morning. We all enjoyed the experience very much, especially my 5 yr. old daughter! I don't think many people know about this, so if you inquire early you prob. have a good chance of being selected. Thanks to Brad Feldstein for this report

And here's a link to the Flag Family Scrapbook (http://allearsnet.com/acc/faq_wl10.htm).

Our next week-long trip to VWL is in December, so I'm definitely planning to ask to be the Flag Family. We tried in October but it was booked up through our stay.

[Deep-Thots]

Glad to hear you're having such a wonderful time!!

Can't wait to ride EE. How would you rank it in terms of the WDW coasters? Is it your favorite?

:jumpingbe

[CRSNDSNY]

:howudoin: That's great about being a Flag Family! Also glad to hear all of your requests were met.

Have a fun time! :woohoo:

[ErinC]

Hey All! Fishing was great today. Total caught, 9 fish. DD9 caught 5 of them! It was really a lot of fun, not sure if I would pay the money to do it again. Notice all the pics of her with fish!
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b168/Princessmom3/DSCF1426.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b168/Princessmom3/DSCF1429.jpg


http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b168/Princessmom3/DSCF1412.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b168/Princessmom3/DSCF1421.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b168/Princessmom3/DSCF1411.jpg


After fishing we went to MK and rode BTMRR, and saw Philharmagic, ran into some friends from home, and then went to Ohana to graze(why I didn't wear elastic waistband pants is beyond me)! I don't understand all of the negatives I have read here and there about the new menu, it was awesome!:dancingba :yummy: We'll be heading to the Braves game tomorrow. Of course tomorrow of all days is the biggest chance of rain that we have had all week. Hopefully it doesn't rain out.

Everest was great. It probably will end up being my favorite. It is such a smooth coaster. I love RNRC but that thing always gives me a headache, because it shakes my head so much. We'll probably go back to AK on Friday to ride it a few more times. Here's a photo that my friend took of us outside of Everest. (Do not make fun of my bad hair day here!)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b168/Princessmom3/DSCF1383.jpg

I'll try to post more tomorrow! Hope you enjoy the pics!

[PoohsPal]

Awesome pics Eirn! Looks like your'e having an awesome time!!! Thanks for sharign the fun!

[DarthGoofy]

Great pics Erin. Thanks for sharing.

[mickeyndvcfan]

Looks like everyone is having a great time. Thanks for the great pics.

[lllovell]

That looks like so much fun Erin! I know as the kids get older, we will be doing more stuff like the fishing. I am doing the "one big thing" each trip. This next one is a Fireworks Cruise :hyper: Can't wait. I bet fishing will come up soon!

lol @ bad hair day - WDW is without a doubt the WORST place hair wise! I have really long hair and the first day there I almost never remember to put it in a pony tail and spend all day with the wind whipping my hair into my face! So, I go down knowing I will have "interesting" hair in the pictures. (what really counts is the smiles!)

Go BRAVES!!! I hope you dont get rained out! :fingerscr

Laura

[CRSNDSNY]

Great pics and beautiful family!

[Stimpy]

Thanks for posting the pics! They look great. It seems like you and your family are having a fun vacation so far. I can't wait to hear more!

[Rozzie]

Thanks Erin, you have such a beautiful family!!!

and yeah, GO BRAVES!!!!:blueflowe

[AFMom]

Great pics! Thanks for all the info. Bad hair at WDW - really???!!! OMG - between the wet rides, the wind created by coasters, and being out all day - I look like cousin It at the end of a day. I usually wear brainds and a hat now. Forget style - it's all about not eating my hair on BTMRR!

[RweTHEREyet]

You will have a blast being the Flag Family. Be sure and take your camera with you. If it is a clear day, you should be able to see almost all of WDW and you can get great shots of the monorail going in and out of the Toaster Hotel. Our guide was Stan, a most pleasant gentleman.

Glad you are having a good time and it sounds as if things couldn't get any better. Thanks for checking in.

[carolina_yankee]

Congrats on being chosen the Flag Family - I'm not sure they could ever get me down once I got up there! The views must be awesome - and it's a great privilege to hoist the colors.

Thanks for the live updates. It seems live TRs are the "new black." Now, if we could only do it by cell phone - at least post photos.

Dirk

[ErinC]

Thanks for all the replies. Being flag family was an incredible experience. I promise a trip report and some more pics, just as soon as I can get my act together now that we are back at home. I'm still buried under a huge pile of laundry.

[RweTHEREyet]

So, I obviously thought you were going this Friday, guess I better check dates a little more closely. :innocent:

Glad you got home safe and sound. Doesn't take long to get back to the real world, does it?

[bavaria]

I love the new photo - congratulations on being the Flag Family! Definitely something your family will remember.....