Just got back from our Trip (Thursday-Monday). We had a 2 bedroom (room 6134) and a studio (room 6135) for our group. I made requests via chat for high floor, traveling together, and first available with a primary request of first available…all worked out as we got the room ready text at 2:10 while on Magical Express. Room pros: 6135 (studio) has a great view of good portions of the fire works over the trees (we ended up watching them the first night we were there and could see most of the light parade). Room cons: Furthest point from lobby elevators…but no room ever really is that far.
We swam two of our days/nights while there, water and temperatures were great.
Ordered quick service from roaring fork for breakfast on our MK and Hollywood studios day (opens at 7 and first buses should start at 730). Overall they were slow in the morning for that initial rush (Sunday was way slower than Friday as well). We selected we are here right at 7 when it opened, and got our food around 7:25 on Sunday vs 715 on Friday (one order of Mickey waffles, one chicken and waffles, one yogurt/granola thing both days). There was a stretch from 7:05-7:15, where the expeditor was asking people in the back for things, but they didn’t have them ready. No orders went out during that 10 minute stretch and there was about 10 of us waiting for orders around that time. Other thing i noticed is there was tons of food under the hot window just sitting during that stretch. I’m not sure if it was the kitchens fault, or expediters fault (seemed like she was trying to go in a very exact order based on how orders came in), as opposed to getting orders out that were actually ready (i worked as an expediter at a busier restaurant where we live, and honestly just wanted to go back there and help her clear her tickets). We also did a mobile order for lunch on our AK day (Saturday) from Geyser Point take out. Put in we are here, as we left Animal Kingdom...waited about 5 more minutes after we got back (reasonable to me considering size of our order and one well done Bison Burger - MIL). Food at both locations that we got was great. Geyser Point take out we had the wings, Bison Burgers (4), Turkey Sandwich (3), Roasted Salmons (2), and Portobello Salad with Salmon (2)
Transportation overall was a non issue for us. Maybe it was just luck, but boats and buses always seemed to either be there or got there within 5-10 minutes of us arriving to the locations. Only negative here, was on our Hollywood studios day, the first bus didn’t show up until 8AM (830 opening, so we assumed a 730 start for the buses - as that was what happened on our magic kingdom day - first bus was actually there around 7:25 as it was pulling out as we walked down the ramp and next one came at 7:40). Ultimately, didn’t matter as we got on first bus for the day and we were still there way ahead of 830 opening and in line for Navi when the ride started.
Lodge at Christmas time is still my favorite location. We toured the other resorts and they just don’t compare. Here’s a few photos from 4th floor (we like to sit in some of the chairs there). When i get the fireworks views from my Father, i will add them.
I have to agree strongly with BWV Dreamin on merchandise though. It was very limited at the lodge, and across all resorts. If you're looking for stuff for the holidays anywhere or for the 50th, its very slim pickings at this point. hopefully a restock of some items are coming, but I asked one of the people checking us out in the Mercantile, and she said she wasn't optimistic. Her reasoning was that they typically purchase in bulk a year out, and she thinks with most items they didnt purchase enough as they weren't sure when they were purchasing how many people would be coming to the parks and resorts a year ago. We usually spend a fortune in Ye Olde Christmas Shop in Liberty Square, and this year we came out with 1 ornament (Luca ornament because our son is obsessed with that movie right now). I didn't recall seeing anything worthwhile with 2021 on it (we have ornaments from past trips with the year we were there). We also didn't see any picture frames, really anywhere (we usually try to get a picture frame with the year on it or location the picture was taken at, and there was none to be had).