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Pull up a rocker, it's a Wilderness Lodge Trip Report!

Thanks for the great review! Sorry we didn't get a chance to meet up while we were there. Unfortunately the day we transfered from Vero Beach to Wilderness Lodge we were distracted by a phone call from our dog sitter asking us to make alternate arrangements for our dog. Thankfully it all worked out.

We had a wonderful stay at Wilderness Lodge. We booked a standard view room. At check in we were given a bunkbed room 3 floors up from WCC. The bunk beds did not work for us, my 13 year old is just about 6 feet tall and he didn't fit, he needs a bed that allows his feet to hang off. We went right back to the front desk and asked if a room with 2 queens was availabe. Thankfully there was one and it was an outer courtyard view! It was beautiful! Refurbed room on the 6th floor. We had 2 breakfasts at WCC. I had the french toast both times and loved it, my husband had the eggs benedict and enjoyed it. Thanks to you we also ventured over to Fort Wilderness for breakfast at Trails End. We were all very happy with it. We also booked a bounceback for next August and I have finally convinced my husband to get some DVC points!
We posted at the same time yesterday and I just realized I didn't respond to you:flower3:

Thank you for posting about your trip - I was wondering what happened to you!

What a wonderful upgrade to a courtyard view room! It's exciting that you were able to book the BB - is that the Free Dining one? Happy planning and welcome back:)
 
Great trip report Kook. I'm sorry you didn't like Artist Point. This is one of my favorite restaurants. I have never tried the Buffalo I usually stick to the seafood items which have been really good.

We will be checking in in 10 days for 5 nights. I hope my reservation has a request for a courtyard view. I have switched resorts so many times for all I know it might say Boardwalk view or third floor or some other ridiculous thing. I better call tommorrow and check.

Good advice on the breakfast at the campgrounds. We will have to check it out. We have been to the hoop de doo three times. My dh has been picked for the indian twice. I usually make a quick exit to the bathroom when they start picking people. Me doing the can-can would not be pretty.
 
We posted at the same time yesterday and I just realized I didn't respond to you:flower3:

Thank you for posting about your trip - I was wondering what happened to you!

What a wonderful upgrade to a courtyard view room! It's exciting that you were able to book the BB - is that the Free Dining one? Happy planning and welcome back:)

Yes, the courtyard view was BEAUTIFUL! We booked the free dining BB but if a room discount is available for that time we plan to change to room only and try club level.

We stayed club level at the Poly and didn't have the best experience. I have finally convinced my DH to try it at WL if we can get a discount.
 


Great trip report, KOOK! We'll be coming home to the Lodge in 64 days!! Haven't done CL yet...but there's always next year, right? :scratchin
 
Kook, we loved reading your report. We are heading back to WL CL for six nights on Oct. 30. We are so excited! Do you know if Kurt still works there as a CM? He was so good to our DD"s last trip.
 


Thank you so much for the TR. I am under orders from DH to not tell my oldest daughter about CL sushi, because I might not hear the end of our switching to AKV our next trip.
 
So if from the WL would it be faster to take the boat to MK and then the AK bus to AK or a) is there no such bus or b) would it stop at WL first?

:rolleyes:
Easiest/quickest way to AK is to either take the AK bus from WL or drive.

Great trip report Kook. I'm sorry you didn't like Artist Point. This is one of my favorite restaurants. I have never tried the Buffalo I usually stick to the seafood items which have been really good.

We will be checking in in 10 days for 5 nights. I hope my reservation has a request for a courtyard view. I have switched resorts so many times for all I know it might say Boardwalk view or third floor or some other ridiculous thing. I better call tommorrow and check.

Good advice on the breakfast at the campgrounds. We will have to check it out. We have been to the hoop de doo three times. My dh has been picked for the indian twice. I usually make a quick exit to the bathroom when they start picking people. Me doing the can-can would not be pretty.
Howdy! Love HDDR - lots of fun, but not something we do every trip. Just give the WDTC a call to see what request they have for you. Isn't it funny when you change resorts and they read back your old request and they don't think it's odd to request that BW view there at WL?:rotfl:

Will you be checking in with us on vacation?

Yes, the courtyard view was BEAUTIFUL! We booked the free dining BB but if a room discount is available for that time we plan to change to room only and try club level.

We stayed club level at the Poly and didn't have the best experience. I have finally convinced my DH to try it at WL if we can get a discount.
With a discount, it's really worth trying. It's a different experience at each CL. I hope you get a room-only discount:)

The new rooms look fabulous, were the beds comfortable?
Yes! All the rooms have new mattresses:worship:
Great trip report, KOOK! We'll be coming home to the Lodge in 64 days!! Haven't done CL yet...but there's always next year, right? :scratchin
:welcome: to the DIS! Yes, there better be a next time so you can plan another great trip to WDW! Would love to hear about your trip on the WL thread:goodvibes

Kook, we loved reading your report. We are heading back to WL CL for six nights on Oct. 30. We are so excited! Do you know if Kurt still works there as a CM? He was so good to our DD"s last trip.
Do you mean Kirk who used to work CL in the spring? He is now manning the concierge desk in the lobby. He's there often and you can't miss him!

Thank you so much for the TR. I am under orders from DH to not tell my oldest daughter about CL sushi, because I might not hear the end of our switching to AKV our next trip.
:rotfl:
Well, luckily DD can get sushi all over WDW, not just on Wednesday at the OFC. If you need a list of locations for her, I think I have all the places memorized:rolleyes2
 
Someone PM'd a question about the dinner buffet at Trail's End which led me to finding this great blog/review that lists many of the items with lots of photos:

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011/11/28/review-trails-end-dinner-buffet-and-new-baked-potato-bar/

DH, "OMG we've been to the WL how many times and just now we find out about Trail's End at the Campground?!?" :lmao:

He is salivating over pics of bkfst and dinner and can't decide which to choose...... :dance3:

He'd like to know if everything is really as good as it looks???
 
DH, "OMG we've been to the WL how many times and just now we find out about Trail's End at the Campground?!?" :lmao:

He is salivating over pics of bkfst and dinner and can't decide which to choose...... :dance3:

He'd like to know if everything is really as good as it looks???
It's my DH's favorite WDW breakfast now and I think we've tried them all. We're pretty picky so I think it's safe to say everything is good or we wouldn't go back. The service is great and I just love the atmosphere of being over at FW. You feel like you're off the beaten path and on vacation somewhere other than WDW. But, there are constant reminders that you are in fact still in WDW:

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I love seeing all the horses and ponies and that 'old west' feel is so quaint and fun. It's like a whole other vacation over there:goodvibes

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Feeding 'Bob the Belgian' early morning:
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Do they still have the baked potato bar that would be worth a trip.:thumbsup2
They should still have it. They had it when we last dined there April, 2012. It's the last item on the buffet, so go there first!
 
I miss WL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Kookmeister...you're the bestest :hug:

Have Cobbler hope...there WERE Sliced apples in ours !!!!! And the blueberry was our second favorite...cranberry doesn't sound yummy for a cobbler, I agree!!!!!!


And I really should have done Trail's End breakfast.....April....:goodvibes
 
Hey there KOOK! How's it going? Hope you are doing well! First off, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, your pictures!

We stayed at the WL back on 2010 HATED IT, lol, because of the interior rooms. I thought they were horrible looking, BUT NOW WITH THE NEW AND IMPROVED ROOMS, make all the difference! THEY ARE GORGEOUS! I love the new white bedspreads it opens up the room and makes it look bigger and cleaner if you ask me. It also makes the room look more expensive. Those old ugly spreads made everything look old and dingy! I will definintely stay here again!

I may try the WL CL! Everything looks spectacular! How did you like it? Like the idea of sushi too!

Hope to talk with you soon!
Brunette
 
Nice trip report -- loved the photos, and the insights. Thanks for sharing!
 
Thanks, Kook! DH is sold on Trail's End!!:cool1:

I would love to hear what other restaurants you enjoyed during your recent trip if you perhaps have the time to share...:blush:

(BTW, hope the adjustment to HS has been an easy one :thumbsup2 )
 
I miss WL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Kookmeister...you're the bestest :hug:

Have Cobbler hope...there WERE Sliced apples in ours !!!!! And the blueberry was our second favorite...cranberry doesn't sound yummy for a cobbler, I agree!!!!!!


And I really should have done Trail's End breakfast.....April....:goodvibes
Gadzooks, I thought you'd never make it over here - we saved you a rocker:grouphug:

I'm not certain, but the 'culinary changes' may have taken place right after your departure:confused3. TE in April would be perfect!

Hey there KOOK! How's it going? Hope you are doing well! First off, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, your pictures!

We stayed at the WL back on 2010 HATED IT, lol, because of the interior rooms. I thought they were horrible looking, BUT NOW WITH THE NEW AND IMPROVED ROOMS, make all the difference! THEY ARE GORGEOUS! I love the new white bedspreads it opens up the room and makes it look bigger and cleaner if you ask me. It also makes the room look more expensive. Those old ugly spreads made everything look old and dingy! I will definintely stay here again!

I may try the WL CL! Everything looks spectacular! How did you like it? Like the idea of sushi too!

Hope to talk with you soon!
Brunette
:wave2: Thank you for your kind comments.

Bedspreads are the worst! I can't understand why the GF and Poly still have them:sad2:

Not sure what you mean by 'interior rooms.' Do you mean that some of the rooms open up to the lobby below like the CR Tower?





Nice trip report -- loved the photos, and the insights. Thanks for sharing!
You're welcome, larryz:)

Thanks, Kook! DH is sold on Trail's End!!:cool1:

I would love to hear what other restaurants you enjoyed during your recent trip if you perhaps have the time to share...:blush:

(BTW, hope the adjustment to HS has been an easy one :thumbsup2 )
Ironically, I'm worried because DD hasn't complained really at all about high school, not even about getting up at 5:45. Well, it's only been a week - I should give it more time, shouldn't I?

I can't think of too many places we've not tried at WDW. Over the years, these have been our consistent must-dos every trip:

Tokyo Dining has the most consistently excellent service and food quality, IMHO. We go there once or twice each visit and have never been disappointed. We also love the gorgeous view of World Showcase Lagoon.

CA Grill overall is one of our favorites, but the service can be inconsistent, but the view is the best in WDW.

We used to always go to Le Cellier and San Angel Inn, but we tried SAI again this trip after skipping it a few times and the service was awful and the food just so-so - we won't be going back.

Le Cellier has changed over the years, and not for the better. We've found the service can be inconsistent as well as the food prep. Seemed like 'salt' was the ingredient of the day last year:upsidedow

We hadn't been to Sci Fi Drive-Inn in a while, but we were pleasantly surprised last month. How can you go wrong ordering a hamburger with sliced hot dogs inside!

We still love Tusker House (ask for Neil A., he's hilarious), but I do wish they hadn't added the characters at lunch, but they are 'character free' at dinner.

We also like Contempo Cafe, Columbia Harbor House, The Wave for breakfast, Sunshine Seasons, the desserts at Kona Cafe and the Main Street Confectionary.

We always enjoy WCC and TE, of course. I hope I'm not sounding like Debbie Downer, but after having gone to WDW often over the years, we've noticed an unfortunate trend with most of the restaurants. The food quality and variety seems to go down a little every visit. Sometimes it's a subtle change, like removing items from the menu or making the portion smaller and raising the price. Other times it's pretty obvious like replacing finer cuts of meat with lesser quality, like at Artist Point and Le Cellier. I think part of the reason for these changes is due to the Dining Plan, but that's a whole other tangent I could go off on:rolleyes2

What are everyone else's Disney dining must-dos?
 
We ate at California Grill for the first time this trip and that has become a must do. A couple of our favorites are Boma and Trails End for Breakfast, Sci Fi, Hollywood Brown Derby, Yak and Yeti and Teppan Edo for lunch or dinner.
 
Kook, we've made reservations at TE for dinner after hearing that you enjoyed it and seeing your pics and checking out the blog/review link you posted. Looking forward to the walk over from WL.
 

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