3 Generations Wandering the Wilderness from "Cabin" Camping to Club Level-FW & WL

[hstrickland]

Cause you ARE special (as Kooksterrific is as well)..
Quick post from the ambulance, I'm lurking along

Lurking along, are you??!! I totally got this visual of you perched in the back of the ambulance, with a patient, scrolling through the pictures on your phone Not sure why I pictured that scene Anyway...

I love your fathers pictures of the WL. You both take excellent pictures! The PP pics of the kids holding up the "Giant Ball" are too cute.

Thank you! I kinda laugh when I see the ball pics...wish they weren't tilted to the side, but oh well.

 

[hstrickland]

Day 5
Dinner at Hacienda plus more!
Part 1



ALL of us were looking forward to this Mexican cuisine! We had a great experience here several years ago, so we were very anxious for a return visit.











I’ve said this once, but the crowds were slim! Really slim! We had knocked out so much already, and were still early for our dinner ressie. I checked in, and to no surprise we were seated. We started walking, and continued walking, and walking …all the way to the back of the restaurant once again! Not only were we placed in the back, but we were at the same exact table. Actually, it was a great location.


Just a few shots of the décor …














I walked over to the window to take a peek out, and was lucky enough to catch the boat on the lake.







Onto some food porn ….


Honest to goodness, we haven’t had anything bad here.




Appetizers


Crema de Elote

Corn cream soup served with Julianne spicy tortillas, roasted corn kernels and Mexican sour cream







Taquiza

Taco trio featuring beef taco with chipotle salsa, roasted chicken taco with salsa verde and chilorio (marinated pork) taco with cream and queseo fresco







Gorditas

Corn cakes, stuffed with chorizo, potatoes and arugula, topped with chipotle sauce and sour cream








These 3 appetizers were “slap ya mama good”! Translation….OUTSTANDING!!!!



Entrees


Parrillada La Hacienda for two

Mixed grill offering New York strip, chicken al pastor, chorizo and vegetables, served with beans and fresh salsas





Bill and I shared this dish. It was totally enough for 3 people!!! Way too much food!!!



Tacos de Camarones

Fried shrimp, chipotle-lime aioli, cabbage, lime and salsa verde, all served over flour tortillas served fresh homemade corn tortillas and rice






Dad said this was crazy good…hence the look on his face









Puerco en salsa de Ciruela

Grilled pork rib eye, served with carrot puree, caramelized onions and plum sauce






Costillas en salsa de Chile

Braised short ribs, served with potato puree and chile de arbol sauce






Do ya see the thumbs up?? 2 reasons….it was excellent PLUS Stephen was simply excited that he was finally allowed to order from the “adult” menu.



Jesse and Faith both had the kid’s quesadillas.






Dessert??? There wasn’t room! Not even for a little bite of dessert.



Our table located in the far corner of the restaurant







Dinner was fabulous!!! Excellent food! The waitress was fine. Nothing to scream about but efficient. We’ll definitely return.



Continued to next post…



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[hstrickland]

Continued from previous post...



Day 5
Dinner at Hacienda plus more!
Part 2




This is the plus more…


After dinner, we walked around a bit more. I knew we were going to need to find a location for Illuminations fairly early. I wanted a primo spot for this show. Mom and I said we would hold the location if the others wanted to ride something else.



Notice MaHopie keeping a watchful eye. She was serious about holding down the fort!






We really did have a great location…nothing obstructing our view. We were basically dead center…maybe a little to the left of dead center.
Dark picture, but you can kind of get a visual.







Before the show, I had to have a frozen banana! It’s a must-do for me!







People were trying to encroach on our primo spot. Funny how they will try to wiggle in when you’re not looking. Needless to say, I didn’t let it happen. Tactfully, I told them the spot was taken I had waited too long for this!!! While we waited, the rain clouds were fast approaching…really fast! I wasn’t so much concerned about the rain because I had ponchos. It was the lightening. I knew they might call the show if the lightening started popping.







It finally started!!! Always a good show!! However we all agreed that during the middle it lagged a bit, but still good.






After the show, we made a quick bee-line for the entrance! I knew that if we hurried, we could make it back for dessert at the OFC!! I was dying to try some of their cobbler.


Even with the mass of people exiting EP, we made it back!!! Just in time!!!







Jesse and Faith enjoyed their desserts while watching some cartoons and we enjoyed our cobbler!











Ok y’all….this was outstanding!!! Seriously! Being from the South, we pride ourselves in our homemade cobblers. So, I was thinking it would be good…but not as good as ours. HA! Boy was I wrong. Love this stuff!!!!




A view looking down from the CL lounge…







Back in the room, the turndown fairies left their mark making Faith and Jesse very happy.







What a great day!!! Of course every day’s great when you spend it with family at Disney!!





Up next… a Club Level Room review for those inquiring minds!



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[Pinkocto]

Dinner looked scrumptious!!!

Glad you defended your spot and enjoyed the show. Did the others stuck around or go off while you waited?

Awesome that you got back in time for some cobbler. Man oh man does that look delicious!

 

[WDWKOOK]

You have been really busy today - hope you didn't forget to pick the kids up from somewhere

DD and I tried Hacienda back in 2010 and we weren't impressed. The menu was quite limited and I recall them really pushing the tequila and the place was empty back then, too. It seems the menu has expanded and your photos make everything look delish. DH hasn't been so I think I'm going to book it for December. I think another reason we haven't been back is they stopped accepting Tables in Wonderland. I'll have to check on that.

Glad the cobbler was better than you expected. It's even tastier with a little Amarulla

 

[amandaw]

Dinner looks & sounds delicious! It's not a place that has ever really blipped onto my food radar but it may now!

So glad the rain & lightning stayed away for Illumintions! I definitely would not be messing with your mom on that bench.

And YUMMY! for the cobbler! My favorite kind of cobbler is blackberry. Though I've never been known to turn down ANY kind of cobbler.

 

[AinsleyLM]

We love the CBR! We just got back today. My 3 year old nephew absolutely loved the kiddie area! I have actually never stayed anywhere else, but Wilderness Lodge is one I would love to try! It looks so pretty!

 

[Yellowbellow]

This is Pop wanting to put his 2 cents worth in again . Most of you may not know but we live in southern Mexico most of the time and know what REAL Mexician Food is like. La Hacienda is one of our favorite restaurants at WDW. The food is as Autheentic as you can get outside of Mexico - IMO - humbly speaking. We will return as often as we can. Viva la Mexico

 

[disneyquilter]

You guys had a full day with no crowds...that deserves La Hacienda looks AMAZING!!!! I love shrimp tacos and the soup looks absolutely ridiculous. I might have to try them both on this next trip since I get to make all the ADRs

Looks like a fantastic spot for Illuminations. Last time we watched it was our trip in 2007. And even then, we ended up cutting out early because my in-laws were getting a wee bit antsy about staying in front of the crowds to go back to the room. This time, we are definitely watching it

Can't wait for the next installment(s)

 

[Wood Nymph]

We had dinner at La Haciendo last March and our dinner was excellent. My DH and I ordered the meat platter and my sister and her friend ordered the seafood platter and we all shared!
Parrillada "La Hacienda" - Mixed grill offering New York strip, chicken al pastor, chorizo and vegetables, served with beans and fresh salsas
Parrillada Del Mar - Mixed grill offering shrimp, fish, scallops and vegetables, served with beans and fresh salsas
It was perfect. We also had the
Queso Fundido - (Melted cheese with poblano peppers, chorizo and flour tortillas) for an appetizer. It was good but the cheese was a little rubbery. It didn't stop us from eating it, though.

 

[FancyNancy]

Yum lunch looked good! I will have to try that place out sometime! I have Coral Reef booked for next month

 

[hstrickland]

Dinner looked scrumptious!!!

Glad you defended your spot and enjoyed the show. Did the others stuck around or go off while you waited?

Awesome that you got back in time for some cobbler. Man oh man does that look delicious!

Bill and the kids walked over to The Land, however it was already closed Needless to say, Bill wasn't happy since it wasn't a short hike over there. At least it killed some time for the kids.

You have been really busy today - hope you didn't forget to pick the kids up from somewhere

Forget the kids??? That's an idea! They were like crazy people yesterday...not sure what was going on with them!

DD and I tried Hacienda back in 2010 and we weren't impressed. The menu was quite limited and I recall them really pushing the tequila and the place was empty back then, too. It seems the menu has expanded and your photos make everything look delish. DH hasn't been so I think I'm going to book it for December. I think another reason we haven't been back is they stopped accepting Tables in Wonderland. I'll have to check on that.

No tequila for us. And no one walking around with a bottle of Patron dishing out shots Thank goodness. I was going to get a margarita, but really didn't feel like paying $15.00 for one....gonna save my money for a Lapu Lapu

Dinner looks & sounds delicious! It's not a place that has ever really blipped onto my food radar but it may now!

So glad the rain & lightning stayed away for Illumintions! I definitely would not be messing with your mom on that bench.

She looked mean as a snake didn't she

We love the CBR! We just got back today. My 3 year old nephew absolutely loved the kiddie area! I have actually never stayed anywhere else, but Wilderness Lodge is one I would love to try! It looks so pretty!

Glad you popped in on the TR! Hope y'all had a fabulous trip at Disney. Faith and Jesse thought the splash area looked fun, too. Which building do you prefer at CBR??

This is Pop wanting to put his 2 cents worth in again . Most of you may not know but we live in southern Mexico most of the time and know what REAL Mexician Food is like. La Hacienda is one of our favorite restaurants at WDW. The food is as Autheentic as you can get outside of Mexico - IMO - humbly speaking. We will return as often as we can. Viva la Mexico

Love y'all!

You guys had a full day with no crowds...that deserves La Hacienda looks AMAZING!!!! I love shrimp tacos and the soup looks absolutely ridiculous. I might have to try them both on this next trip since I get to make all the ADRs

Well, you do have the privilege of making all the ADRs which can totally work in your favor

Looks like a fantastic spot for Illuminations. Last time we watched it was our trip in 2007. And even then, we ended up cutting out early because my in-laws were getting a wee bit antsy about staying in front of the crowds to go back to the room. This time, we are definitely watching it

Can't wait for the next installment(s)

That was the first time that we had watched it in quite some time. And so glad we did. Maybe you should do it before the second half of your family shows up

We had dinner at La Haciendo last March and our dinner was excellent. My DH and I ordered the meat platter and my sister and her friend ordered the seafood platter and we all shared!
Parrillada "La Hacienda" - Mixed grill offering New York strip, chicken al pastor, chorizo and vegetables, served with beans and fresh salsas
Parrillada Del Mar - Mixed grill offering shrimp, fish, scallops and vegetables, served with beans and fresh salsas
It was perfect. We also had the
Queso Fundido - (Melted cheese with poblano peppers, chorizo and flour tortillas) for an appetizer. It was good but the cheese was a little rubbery. It didn't stop us from eating it, though.

I would have done the same thing. No will power for me at Disney! The next time we go, there will be 3 people splitting that Parrillada!!!

Yum lunch looked good! I will have to try that place out sometime! I have Coral Reef booked for next month

Coral Reef is a great choice. Love being able to see the fish swim by as you eat. Although it's been years since we've been, I'm sure things haven't changed that much.

 

[AinsleyLM]

Glad you popped in on the TR! Hope y'all had a fabulous trip at Disney. Faith and Jesse thought the splash area looked fun, too. Which building do you prefer at CBR??

I have stayed at Martinique, Jamaica, and Aruba. I like them all for different reasons. Martinique is right next door to Old Port Royale, so we did love it when we stayed there. This past trip was Aruba. It was my nephew's first trip, and it was a quick one. We were only there three full days. (My sister has 6 month old twins and didn't want to stay away from them for too long.) If you stay with little ones there, you definitely need to use your own stroller. We used it every time to walk to the kiddie pool area. The distance from Old Port Royale wasn't the best, but we loved our actual room location. We were in the building closest to the bus stop which was great with a 3 year old. My favorite is probably Jamaica. It is just a quick walk over the island to Old Port Royale and is normally the first stop for the buses except for Magic Kingdom. Plus, I think the buildings are the prettiest.

 

[hstrickland]

I have stayed at Martinique, Jamaica, and Aruba. I like them all for different reasons. Martinique is right next door to Old Port Royale, so we did love it when we stayed there. This past trip was Aruba. It was my nephew's first trip, and it was a quick one. We were only there three full days. (My sister has 6 month old twins and didn't want to stay away from them for too long.) If you stay with little ones there, you definitely need to use your own stroller. We used it every time to walk to the kiddie pool area. The distance from Old Port Royale wasn't the best, but we loved our actual room location. We were in the building closest to the bus stop which was great with a 3 year old. My favorite is probably Jamaica. It is just a quick walk over the island to Old Port Royale and is normally the first stop for the buses except for Magic Kingdom. Plus, I think the buildings are the prettiest.

Thanks for the info It is a very spread out resort. I think I would definitely want to be close to the pool/food court. Stephen said he would like to give it a try at some point. We might have to try it on a quick weekend trip.

 

[hstrickland]

Wilderness Lodge Club Level Room
Part 1​

Here’s your 411 on the CL room …



We’ll start with the room number and location.









These two rooms were connecting which makes us feel like we have a little more space.








The location was absolutely perfect!! We were almost as close as you could get to the lounge. It was very convenient to both sets of elevators, also.


I was so excited to see the new bedding! The last time we were here, the bedspread was the dark colors…a bit dated. See below…



OLD …





NEW …





So much better! The lighter colors totally opened up the room! You’ll notice, also, that the out-of-date boarder has been removed (thank goodness!)







On the bed, club level guest will find a box of chocolates with a Welcome letter from the staff.







The brown headboard has been replaced with a deep farm red color.







As you would expect, Disney does a remarkable job with detail. Each bed post has a wooden animal that appears to be carved straight from a log.











At night, Club Level guests receive a turndown service…with chocolates, too.







There is a dvd player which comes in handy if it gets rainy outside and the kids need something to do. You can check out movies at the CL desk.



(had to borrow this pic from Kook...didn't get this angle in the room)












Continued to next post…




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[hstrickland]

Continued from previous post on page 17...




Wilderness Lodge Club Level Room
Part 2




Moving out to the balcony…






As you can see, the balcony is enclosed making the room somewhat dark. I enjoy sitting on the balcony watching the lake and whatever else might catch my eye. That being said, it was difficult for me to actually see much when I was seated. Therefore, I didn’t spend as much time out there as I normally do. A little disappointing, but not a deal breaker.



This is a very old picture of Stephen from 2008, but you can see the difference in the balconies. Much easier for short people like myself to enjoy the view






Standing on the balcony, I really had to stretch and lookout to see the lake.






Still a great view though, and beats looking at any parking lot.



Just a close up view of another dormer balcony.






If you look over to the left, you can see the windows to the lounge. Again, we were very close!!!







Now moving back into the room….


I do enjoy the robes provided for club level guest. Bill doesn’t utilize these much (ever), but it’s a nice convenience for me.






There’s plenty of storage in the room! The closet, underneath the sink, under the TV, the bedside table, above the refrigerator…plenty!!















And who doesn’t love the H2O products!!! I definitely got my share - extras each day!!! Funny thing though…my parents barely got any. Doesn’t make any sense, does it?? Our rooms were right by each other and the connecting door stayed open AND we had the same mousekeeper. Weird Who knows?!







The bathroom was also updated a bit which was a nice change…


OLD...






NEW...






How precious are the characters in the shower!? Love em’!!!


Even though the WL rooms are smaller than the other deluxe resorts (AKL is the same), it’s still quite comfortable. We actually found that we had more storage space here than we did at the CR. The whole balcony thing wouldn’t stop me from staying CL….not a deal breaker in the least. But I will say this – I won’t be as dead set on having an inner courtyard view. Since I know I wouldn’t be spending a ton of time on the balcony, I would be completely fine with a room on the other side.


I think I can say that all of us were very pleased with the overall comfort and amenities in the room….a great experience!



Up next…. Early morning pictures!!!



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[ProudMommyof2]

The WL was the first resort we stayed at as a family. It will always have a special place in my heart

The updates look great! THe bathroom is wonderful. We stayed in a room with a dormer balcony as well. It was actually an upgrade for us as we booked woods view and got courtyard. We could watch the Electric Light Parade each night and then see Wishes over the other side of the hotel- priceless with young kids who couldn't make it late in the parks!

 

[Wood Nymph]

As you can see, the balcony is enclosed making the room somewhat dark. I enjoy sitting on the balcony watching the lake and whatever else might catch my eye. That being said, it was difficult for me to actually see much when I was seated. Therefore, I didn’t spend as much time out there as I normally do. A little disappointing, but not a deal breaker.

The first time we stayed at the WL we had a dormer balcony on the 6th floor (not club level). Although we faced the MK and could see the fireworks, I really didn't like the closed in feeling. The dormer balconies just about make club level a deal breaker for me.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Wonderful photos of everything!

CBR: interesting...I love the Caribbean and these photos didn't reach out and grab me either, it's odd. We have a connection to POR as our moderate and it seems like our 'short stay' home. I guess POR has that southern USA feel that I love, tropical but old and classy, just love it. I had the same vibe at Coronado Springs, it was super nice, but I prefer POR. That being said, I think I like CSR better if I'm comparing it to your pics of CBR. The nice thing is that each family likes a certain resort because of the way it makes them feel, and I know some people have a special place for CBR in their hearts and I totally get that feeling!

Welcome to the trip Bill, I know Heather was excited for you to arrive! I hope you were careful driving Ferrari suburban over to WL!

WL - wow, I'm always amazed by the beauty of that resort. So many places look like that here in Michigan, so I guess it doesn't seem as 'Florida' to us (hence why our favorite deluxes are BC/YC and Poly)

EPCOT - great first park visit. Hands down the picture of the boys holding hands MELTED my heart, that belongs in a frame next to your bed! I have a pic of Josie and Caleb walking through Storybook Circus last summer with their arms wrapped around each other, so precious! You were able to get a good amount done that first day and it looked leisurely as well.

La Hacienda - favorite saying of this TR so far....“slap ya mama good”! Translation….OUTSTANDING!!!! hahahaha, that is funny!

Looking forward to more witty phrases to go along with the pics in the next installment! Until then....adios! Off to the

 

[jennyjinx3]

Heather can I just say I am stealing this one "Slap your mama good" I love that!!

Seriously we are so excited to stay at the WL for the first time in forever. Or ever.