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

[WDWKOOK]

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.

For those who aren't aware, CA Grill was due to be closed for extensive renovations in the beginning of December, but that's now be pushed to February.

We had great service at Y&Y this last trip. The crispy green bean appetizer is delicious. Here's a little something I took at The Mara last month for all our Boma fans:

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.

The walk is lovely (just make a left after the ponies) and you can even take the boat or bus back if it's dark. GrandCalifornian just ate dinner there Sunday night. He could probably give you up to date details on the WL thread where he's reporting live.

 

[pas130]

Gadzooks, I thought you'd never make it over here - we saved you a rocker

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


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 BELIEVE HOW LONG I WAS OFF THE DIS

Thanks for saving me a rocker I am having SUCH a time picking a resort for DS & I in January....I want WL or GF...but he would LOVE CR or BWI I know and can I go to WL without Daddy???? Hmmmmm

Glad your DD isn't hating High school, however the year is young I'm here for you my friend...anytime

 

[PrincessesX3]

Great trip report. Thank you for sharing your reviews and pics. I saw the pictures of the rooms and got a bit sad bc miss it. Love WL!

Hopefully for a room only discount next August for (now) booking two nights before CR.

 

[brunette8706]

KOOK said: Thank you for your kind comments.

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

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?


Hi Kook! I couldn't stand the bedspreads! lol! The new ones look SOOOO much nicer.

Sorry, I should have said just "rooms" not interior rooms, it was redundant on my part. The turnoff for me was the actual guest room. They were dark and bed spreads were dingy and ugly. With the new light/white colored bedspreads I think "open" up the room, in other words I think they make the rooms look bigger. Does that make better sense.

I love how you post your pictures, they kind of tell a story! You're so artistic when it comes to that!

The CL looks REALLY NICE TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brunette

 

[WDWKOOK]

I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW LONG I WAS OFF THE DIS

Thanks for saving me a rocker I am having SUCH a time picking a resort for DS & I in January....I want WL or GF...but he would LOVE CR or BWI I know and can I go to WL without Daddy???? Hmmmmm

Glad your DD isn't hating High school, however the year is young I'm here for you my friend...anytime

Thank you to the amazing pas130 for always being here, there, and everywhere

I know you're 'back to normal' when you're resort conflicted

Have you guys ever stayed at CR? I vote for CR for you and DH, but I wasn't crazy about their CL. But, I last stayed CL there back in 2010 so maybe they've improved. I really like BWI, too, but again, wasn't crazy about their CL. So if you're booking a non-CL room at just one resort and you haven't tried CR, that would get my vote. For CL, I think you should go with your old favorite, RPC or OFC. (Is OFC an old favorite now?)

Great trip report. Thank you for sharing your reviews and pics. I saw the pictures of the rooms and got a bit sad bc miss it. Love WL!

Hopefully for a room only discount next August for (now) booking two nights before CR.

Thank you. They really spruced up those rooms nicely AND quickly. I hope you get your RO discount for August - I'm confident you will

Hi Kook! I couldn't stand the bedspreads! lol! The new ones look SOOOO much nicer.

Sorry, I should have said just "rooms" not interior rooms, it was redundant on my part. The turnoff for me was the actual guest room. They were dark and bed spreads were dingy and ugly. With the new light/white colored bedspreads I think "open" up the room, in other words I think they make the rooms look bigger. Does that make better sense.

I love how you post your pictures, they kind of tell a story! You're so artistic when it comes to that!

The CL looks REALLY NICE TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brunette

The new bedding is actually a thin, down-like comforter in between two high thread count sheets. Very sanitary and 'modern.'

You're so sweet and I'm glad you approve of the new rooms. I hope to have my BLT review up this month. It'll have MANY photos that hopefully tell the story of BLT and CR

 

[pas130]

Thank you to the amazing pas130 for always being here, there, and everywhere

I know you're 'back to normal' when you're resort conflicted

Have you guys ever stayed at CR? I vote for CR for you and DH, but I wasn't crazy about their CL. But, I last stayed CL there back in 2010 so maybe they've improved. I really like BWI, too, but again, wasn't crazy about their CL. So if you're booking a non-CL room at just one resort and you haven't tried CR, that would get my vote. For CL, I think you should go with your old favorite, RPC or OFC. (Is OFC an old favorite now?)

So funny you mention CR....when DS11 got home I asked if he could stay anywhere what is his pick??? CR...so Mommy booked CR BLV CL.....then he said he also liked AoA Cars..but we really don't need all that space...

And I've thought about RPC..and OFC (DH doesn't want us at OFC without him).....but our Sarah will be there...

Sorry to hijack the TR

 

[starousse]

It will be extra cozy all decorated for Christmas. Have you ever stayed there during the holidays? Enjoy!

Yes! We were there last year a week before Christmas, and that's it, now we're hooked. It was so warm and cozy. We we're gonna do POR to save $$, but in the end, we're coming back here. Last time we had a 5th floor South Inner Courtyard View which was great. I'm thinking of trying the North side this time. What is your preference?

 

[WDWKOOK]

So funny you mention CR....when DS11 got home I asked if he could stay anywhere what is his pick??? CR...so Mommy booked CR BLV CL.....then he said he also liked AoA Cars..but we really don't need all that space...

And I've thought about RPC..and OFC (DH doesn't want us at OFC without him).....but our Sarah will be there...

Sorry to hijack the TR

No threadjacking around here - it's all good, clean WDW resort chat, so no worries

I like your latest and greatest booking, but do we need an AoA split, Mom?

Yes! We were there last year a week before Christmas, and that's it, now we're hooked. It was so warm and cozy. We we're gonna do POR to save $$, but in the end, we're coming back here. Last time we had a 5th floor South Inner Courtyard View which was great. I'm thinking of trying the North side this time. What is your preference?

With a South Wing Inner Courtyard View, you can see some of Wishes. You're going to have a great time

 

[Missoutandabout]

I'm still stuck on the Zebra Dome picture...

WL and AKL, on the list. THE list.

Oh, and anxiously awaiting your BLT review.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I'm still stuck on the Zebra Dome picture...

WL and AKL, on the list. THE list.

Oh, and anxiously awaiting your BLT review.

Is THE list a Bounce Back list perhaps? Thanks for the subtle reminder about the BLT review

Only 6 more days for you!!!!! Will you be posting whilst on vacation? (Did you like how I threw a whilst in there for you?)

 

[pas130]

No threadjacking around here - it's all good, clean WDW resort chat, so no worries

I like your latest and greatest booking, but do we need an AoA split, Mom?

January...may be WL......and we may not really NEED AoA

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

How is WCC - we are staying at WL for the second time next summer and I woud love to be able to eat at WCC, but from all the things I have heard, I do not want to sit and be made fun of during the meal by my server...so not our thing!

 

[livinlife25]

What?? When did CA grill get pushed back to February? Last I hear it was January 6th

 

[WDWKOOK]

How is WCC - we are staying at WL for the second time next summer and I woud love to be able to eat at WCC, but from all the things I have heard, I do not want to sit and be made fun of during the meal by my server...so not our thing!

We LOVE WCC, but if you don't want to be the center of attention, just ask to be seated in a 'quiet location' and that should be hint enough that you'd like to be left alone. There is a 'quiet' section near the fireplace and overlooking the pin cart near Artist Point. Maybe you could ask to be seated there? But there will be some good natured ribbing and fun going on all around you if you're not in that section, so if that's not your cup of tea, I would recommend Trail's End instead or Artist Point if you want to eat at WL.

What?? When did CA grill get pushed back to February? Last I hear it was January 6th

I thought it was 1-6, too, but when I was there last month, a CM thought it had been pushed to February and it is also mentioned here:

http://www.illuminatingepcot.com/wdw-news/california-grill-major-refub-in-february/

 

[Missoutandabout]

Only 6 more days for you!!!!! Will you be posting whilst on vacation? (Did you like how I threw a whilst in there for you?)

Hmmm, not a technical Bounce Back ... more like a mental "Must Do When We Get Around to It Because the Reviews Make Me " sorta Bounce Back. (AoA is up next.) It only has a couple-few on at the moment, thanks to you guys...

WL
AKL
YC

I do quite like the 'whilst'! You can then employ one of these smilies when you type it:

If I can manage to find a spare moment, I'll be sure to check in with you RCing chicas.

BLT ... Bacon ...

 

[ready2vacation]

If you want a WL courtyard view, just request an inner courtyard view. There are only two standard CL rooms that directly face Bay Lake - 7127 and 7035. However, they do have an elevator behind them that makes noises. We prefer hearing it over guests though, since both rooms don't have a connecting door

Great info!! Love it when my question is answered before I even have a chance to ask it!

Also (as a f/u from the main WL thread), all these posts and pics have made my decision so we're going to either skip the Poly and try the WL next trip or try a split stay between the two for the first time!

 

[hbr03]

Since we're still quite the newbies (only our 2nd trip), we're enjoying all the restaurant recs. We have ADRs at WCC, Cali Grill, 1900, Crystal Palace (bonus arriving early and seeing Main Street before the crowds), and Akerhaus (same for World Showcase), and hope to try out TE one evening.

The only one I'm hoping to reschedule is Cali, and that's only because our current ressie conflicts with my need to get an 80s fix and hear Boyz II Men. DH would be only too happy if another opening doesn't present itself. LOL

 

[kaysmommie]

Great pictures and report! We are checking into Wilderness Lodge on Tuesday, can't wait!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Great info!! Love it when my question is answered before I even have a chance to ask it!

Also (as a f/u from the main WL thread), all these posts and pics have made my decision so we're going to either skip the Poly and try the WL next trip or try a split stay between the two for the first time!

Decisions, decisions... What will ready2vacation decide? Will you keep us posted here or on the WL thread?

Since we're still quite the newbies (only our 2nd trip), we're enjoying all the restaurant recs. We have ADRs at WCC, Cali Grill, 1900, Crystal Palace (bonus arriving early and seeing Main Street before the crowds), and Akerhaus (same for World Showcase), and hope to try out TE one evening.

The only one I'm hoping to reschedule is Cali, and that's only because our current ressie conflicts with my need to get an 80s fix and hear Boyz II Men. DH would be only too happy if another opening doesn't present itself. LOL

So many great places to dine, but so little time! Good call on the MK pre-opening CP ADR - great for photos

Great pictures and report! We are checking into Wilderness Lodge on Tuesday, can't wait!

Thank you, kaysmommie. GrandCalifornian has been posting live from WL on the WL thread and he has been reporting NO crowds and his photos proove it - you should be very happy with the wait times

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

Great report!! I've been reading, but I don't love typing on my iPad. My laptop isnt feeling well, lol. We were just talking about Trails End a few days ago... So I'm glad to hear the good report!! Love all the pictures!