"Friends Around The Campfire'"Gathering at Ft. Wilderness

[jiggerj]

Colorado Belle and I are hoping to host a gift exchange during the BIG MouseOwners meet. Time and place to be announced as we try to coordinate with other MouseOwner events. Would like to know who would be interested in sharing with us the Magic of the Season?! :)

[Colorado Belle]

One of the things I didn't get to do at Mousefest '05 was the gift exchange party by the big tree and fireplace at Wilderness Lodge....instead, I did the Wishes Cruise which was held at the same time.

Not sure if it was because we got so darn cold on that cruise (wearing socks for gloves and bundled under many blankets helped) or what, but when we walked inside the Lodge and saw about 30 people gathered round the Tree drinking cocoa and exchanging gifts...it was just SO WARM and INVITING.:grouphug:

This event might coordinate well with something taking place at WL (like before the Wishes Cruise) or something at MK (a boat ride away) or even at another DVC ...although the WL gets my vote for Yuletide cheer.

[KNWVIKING]

Isn't my presence gift enough ??

[Rozzie]

Sign me up!! These sounds really neat. I hope though we can have a price limit, as Rozzie's piggybank is a little light these days. :tilt:




I do think I'm going to need a pair of running shoes for the week. Or a transport ship, have I even said "no" to anything offerred?? :teleport:

[Colorado Belle]

Oh definitely a price limit, ms snooty snoot. This is more for the cameraderie, the chance to get warm and sit a spell and drink a little cocoa mixed with.....hmmmm.

Maybe we should even make it 'gag' gift exchange or something using creativity and not buckaroos. Or maybe it could be a lottery with a Viking as the prize!:holymoly:

[Rozzie]

LOL CB. What on earth would I do with a Viking? :viking: Does he cook, clean, mow the yard, take out the trash, etc?


Just to be honest, I am not a good gag gifter. And I have little creativity. Just as long as ya'll know this, so consider yourself warned! :tilt:

[KNWVIKING]

Or maybe it could be a lottery with a Viking as the prize!:holymoly:

A gift of that magnatude would require a 1099.

[KNWVIKING]

LOL CB. What on earth would I do with a Viking? :viking: Does he cook, clean, mow the yard, take out the trash, et

No, but on another thread here there was discussion about my Longship.

[Colorado Belle]

Oh no ....not another boat discussion . Wait a minute, we could use a longboat for the Wishes Cruise...Can you pipe in music, Viking?

[Stimpy]

Not to change the subject from Viking's longship :ROTFL: ....but I'd love to do the gift exchange too.

[ghost1000]

Maybe we can do this the same night as watching the Electrical Water Pageant from the Wilderness Lodge beach. And depending on the timing, we might be able to tie it in with the hayride too.

*edit* I just checked some times. The Electrical Water Pageant hits Fort Wilderness at 9:45, and Wishes is usually at 9:00. So we may be able to head to the Fort Wilderness beach after the hayride and watch it there. Then we can head back to VWL and do the gift exchange.

This isn't written in stone, just a possibility.

[Colorado Belle]

I think its a great idea Ghost....the more we can 'add on' in the same general area, the easier it will be to allow people to meet up for all or part of the 'adventures'.

Help me out though...can you actually SEE Wishes from the WL? I guess I never knew that. And another help...does the boat to MK also go from WL to CR?

[KNWVIKING]

No, you cannot see Wishes from WL - at least not a view that's worth looking at.

There are some northwest facing upper rooms in the Lodge that do get a partial view of wishes.

[ghost1000]

You can't see Wishes from WL/VWL. But you can see Wishes from the hayride at FW.

The boat from WL/VWL also goes to the Magic Kingdom and FW. There's a separate (different) boat from WL/VWL to the Contemporary.

We'll know more about the times in a few months when WDW publishes their December calendar. I think they normally publish about six months in advance. So we'll see the various times for things then, and can schedule a little more seriously.

[jiggerj]

.... but when we walked inside the Lodge and saw about 30 people gathered round the Tree drinking cocoa and exchanging gifts...it was just SO WARM and INVITING.:grouphug:


This is more for the cameraderie, the chance to get warm and sit a spell and drink a little cocoa mixed with.....hmmmm.

Ooohh!!! Im getting the warm fuzzies! :grouphug:

If not in the main lobby...I have always loved the Iron Spike room- Not sure if there is a tree set up in there or not but I do think there is a nice cozy fireplace- :D

[DVCerLee]

If its the same evening as the hayride, count me in! That way I'll have a good excuse to see the WL.

Lee

[mickeyndvcfan]

Ooohh!!! Im getting the warm fuzzies! :grouphug:

If not in the main lobby...I have always loved the Iron Spike room- Not sure if there is a tree set up in there or not but I do think there is a nice cozy fireplace- :D


Sounds like a great idea, count me in. There is a tree in the main lobby but not in the Iron Spike room. Both rooms have fireplaces. It's a good idea to do the Electrical Water Pageant the same night. It's just a short walk from there to the beach.

[CptJacksPrincess]

Hi,

Count me in!!!

[idratherbeinwdw]

Has this event been officially cancelled, as I believe it was moved to the BW? If so let me know and I'll close the thread. thanks. :bunny:

[Colorado Belle]

JIggerj and I still like the idea of it, and it seems there are lots of people who expressed an interest in it.

And it could certainly 'fit' with the hayride and or/ electric water pageant/ Wishes Cruise etc.

The two major concerns were: we seemed to be running out of time slots in the evening and we worried that WL might be hard to get to from the other resorts.

Since the hayride's been tentatively scheduled for Thursday (yea!!), I'm thinking that we could still hold the 'event' tho we might have to move it to Ft. Wilderness unless there is transport between the WL and FW.

So if you want to put this on the calendar, maybe as a pre event to the hayride, I'm certainly all for that!

[idratherbeinwdw]

JIggerj and I still like the idea of it, and it seems there are lots of people who expressed an interest in it.

And it could certainly 'fit' with the hayride and or/ electric water pageant/ Wishes Cruise etc.

The two major concerns were: we seemed to be running out of time slots in the evening and we worried that WL might be hard to get to from the other resorts.

Since the hayride's been tentatively scheduled for Thursday (yea!!), I'm thinking that we could still hold the 'event' tho we might have to move it to Ft. Wilderness unless there is transport between the WL and FW.

So if you want to put this on the calendar, maybe as a pre event to the hayride , I'm certainly all for that!

I'll certainly be happy to leave it on! From what I have been told it's not that easy (or quick) to get from VWL to FW. If we do the hayride
(:fingerscr) I think your idea of moving the pre-hayride get together to FW is a good one. Maybe we can meet at the campfire at FW? It usually starts at about 7 in the winter months. That way it will still be "friends around the fire". And we can toast marshmallows if we want to! :highfive:

[jiggerj]

I'll certainly be happy to leave it on! From what I have been told it's not that easy (or quick) to get from VWL to FW. If we do the hayride
(:fingerscr) I think your idea of moving the pre-hayride get together to FW is a good one. Maybe we can meet at the campfire at FW? It usually starts at about 7 in the winter months. That way it will still be "friends around the fire". And we can toast marshmallows if we want to! :highfive:

Hey... I like this idea...ALOT! :thumbsup:

Yup...from what I understand it could take an hour to get from WL to Ft. Wilderness - Ghost please correct me here ok?

I have never been to the campfire so this would be a double new experience!

[nono]

OK, I think I can be in for this....as I'm going on the hayride!!!

[Colorado Belle]

I love roasting harshmangers (I believe the rest of you call them marshmellows).

I think a gathering by Ft Wilderness campfire will be great. BTW, can we boat over from MK?

[skelster]

Please not a gag gift exchange!:blech: Creative gifts would be good as long as it is an option and not a requirement. Count us in. Oh as a side note, I once was in a gift exchange with a $5 limit, and trading of gifts was allowed....the box of Hostess Ding Dongs was fought over for 40 minutes. I didn't win them, but they are on my permanent Chrismas wish list.:dancingba

[Colorado Belle]

Dingdangdern, and I had this talking trout that I thought I might get rid of.
Darngone it!

I think that in November, once there is a fairly established group of people signed up for the campfire, we can then decide on whether or not we want to do a gift exchange or just roast harshmangers and drink cocoa!

And we also might conjure up car rides for people coming from various places, because I predict I am not the only control freak (re cars) in town!

[idratherbeinwdw]

BTW, can we boat over from MK?

Yep there's a boat to FW from the MK (also a bus from the TTC). I stayed in FW ten years ago, but I just don't remember if you can walk from where the boat lets you off to the campfire, or you need to take one of the FW internal buses. Anyone here know for sure?:headscrat

Here's some more info on the campfire, from allearsnet.com:

The campfire program is open to all WDW resort guests. It generally begins around 7 p.m. during the fall/winter season and 8 p.m. after the time changes in April through the summer. It is held near the Meadow Trading Post in the campfire area. The program begins with a sing-along led by a Disney CM and a marshmallow roast around two campfire rings. You may bring your own marshmallows or buy them at the Chuckwagon (roasting sticks and marshmallows are $2). You may also buy pizza, hot dogs, candy, nachos, juice, popcorn, sodas, coffee, beer and other refreshments at the Chuckwagon. While this is going on, Chip and Dale make an appearance to visit with guests and sign autographs. The sing-along lasts about 40 minutes. Next, one or two Disney animated features, depending upon the season, are shown on a large outdoor screen. Seating is available in bleachers or on benches. There is also plenty of room to lay out a quilt or blanket. The movie schedule is posted at all comfort stations. In the event of rain, the sing-along is still held on the porch of the Meadow Trading Post.

I imagine those of us going to the hayride have to skip the movie portion.

[Colorado Belle]

Thanks for posting this info. I think it fits in nicely with the hayride too.

Jiggerj and I will be glad to 'forego' the fireplace at the WL campfire meet and host this instead! I think I'llchange the title now, so that people won't get confused!

[Rozzie]

And we also might conjure up car rides for people coming from various places, because I predict I am not the only control freak (re cars) in town!

Control freak, checking in!! :drive:

[Colorado Belle]

Thank you miss snooty snoot...looks like you got yourself a fine 'replacement' roomie...:loveisint....and the car will be nice too!

[Lisa]

If I'm in on the hayride, I'd love to join you for some song. Although maybe I should bring some ear plugs for those sitting next to me! :blech:

[Simba's Mom]

Is the idea of a "warm, fuzzy" gift exchange still being considered? Because it sounds like a great idea to me. But if it's still under consideration, is it still for Thursday nite? Because as fun as that FW campfire sounds, Thursday's out for me since I have to leave in the morning. So if it happens a different nite (like maybe Sunday at the BWV, huh, huh???), I'd love it. Perhaps a Disney theme park themed gift exchange? Anyone still interested?

[Colorado Belle]

Hey, D, everyone (just about) is leaving Friday morning...so yep the campfire is early THursday night and then the hayride follows.

I think Jiggerj and I gave up on the gift exchange cuz no body seemed really excited about it. But if you wanted to post a thread re a gift exchange at one of the events...even the MO welcome meet or pool meet on Sunday, and if there is interest, I sure wouldn't mind ...and I don't think STimpy would mind either (she has the pool party earlier in the afternoon.

Sure hope you might come spend THursday evening at the campfire and hayride too...Just how early do you have to leave in the morning?

[zulaya]

I think my family will be there for the campfire program, too!

:drive: Another control freak checking in...I can't handle it if I can't drive.

[skelster]

Hey, D, everyone (just about) is leaving Friday morning...so yep the campfire is early THursday night and then the hayride follows.

I think Jiggerj and I gave up on the gift exchange cuz no body seemed really excited about it. But if you wanted to post a thread re a gift exchange at one of the events...even the MO welcome meet or pool meet on Sunday, and if there is interest, I sure wouldn't mind ...and I don't think STimpy would mind either (she has the pool party earlier in the afternoon.

Sure hope you might come spend THursday evening at the campfire and hayride too...Just how early do you have to leave in the morning?
I was actually looking forward to the gift exchange. I will take it on and start a separate thread just as soon as I can figure out some proposed rules...like max cost of gifts, whether gag gifts will be allowed (I hope not), home made vs store bought, whether it's secret santa (I'd hate to have someone "forget" their gift for an assigned recipient:() or lottery style, whether there will be a game associated with it, whether people can choose a gift someone else had already chosen (I've seen people have lots of fun with that, but can imagine it getting out of hand), and other mechanics of the exchange.

[Simba's Mom]

Hey, D, everyone (just about) is leaving Friday morning...so yep the campfire is early THursday night and then the hayride follows.

I think Jiggerj and I gave up on the gift exchange cuz no body seemed really excited about it. But if you wanted to post a thread re a gift exchange at one of the events...even the MO welcome meet or pool meet on Sunday, and if there is interest, I sure wouldn't mind ...and I don't think STimpy would mind either (she has the pool party earlier in the afternoon.

Sure hope you might come spend THursday evening at the campfire and hayride too...Just how early do you have to leave in the morning?

Unfortunately, I'm not one of those lucky ones who gets to stay until Friday morning. I leave around noon on Thursday (that makes my lunch at LeCellier my next to the last WDW meal and Chef Mickey's, my last):crymeariv . The limitations of Frequent Flier miles!

[Colorado Belle]

Thanks, Brian, I'm so glad that you're going to start a thread on a gift exchange!



Dorothy...oh drat, I'm so sorry re the flight...but those frequent flyer miles certainly come in handy..we'll just make sure that Wednesday is chock full of fun!

[Stimpy]

Any updates on this? Thanks!

[jiggerj]

Hey Stimpy-

We decided that we are going to have to forgo this event. There are only so many days for so many awesome events! :)

[Colorado Belle]

Hey j and Stimpy...just a thought.

The hayride is no longer on THursday, but moved to Wednesday. And the time for the hayride is no longer 7 but 8:30. And the dinner at Chef Mickey's is at 5.

I assume that everyone who is going to the dinner AND the hayride will be taking the boat over to Ft. Wilderness. Dinner will most likely be over by 6 or 6:30 (1.5hours for a character meal...does that sound right???) Which means that there will be time to kill between dinner and the hayride.

If the 'campfire' that Disney holds still starts at 7 that night...and if that location is close to where the hayride starts, then I'm thinking that we should at least do the 'campfire' gatherround with songs and harshmangors...sort of as a prelude to the hayride. Now if the locations are spaced far apart, it might not make sense to do it...but if they are close by, then I'm thinking this would be a good SEGWAY into the hayride.

Comments????