December 2012 TR, 2 Adults who act like Kids

[Skip3key]

This is our first trip report, and we had an amazing trip to WDW from Monday December 3- Saturday December 8, 2012!

We will try to present this trip from an adults without kids perspective- with no limit on the fun! I tried my best to allow us time to rest and enjoy, but it was VERY tough to try to not do it all...so, for the layout

The Cast: Me, Angie, and my partner of 21 years Eva, and the spirit of my younger brother Matt, who I had promised just a few months before he suddenly passed away at the age of 30 on December 8, 2010 from an undiagnosed heart condition (died from sudden cardiac death), that I would take him to Disney World the following year after he graduated from college as he was too young to remember when we went there when he was 3 in 1983, and he always wanted to return. This trip was so he could go...and I could keep my promise... and to help us heal.

This is our 3rd trip going to Disney World as a couple, my 5th trip overall.
As I said was there in a cold and continuously rainy November in 1983 when I was 13, again in 1988 on a band trip- but I have little interesting recollections of these trips. My first adult trip was when we went in 1996 and stayed at the now missing Dixie Landings resort (part of Port Orleans now I believe), and in May 2009 we did the 7 day land and sea staying at the AKL and 3 day cruise on the Wonder- best vacation of our lives... but this one we just came back from was a close second!


The Place: Stayed at The Wilderness Lodge on the Club level. Have for years wanted to stay here at Christmas, and it did not disappoint. Not sure if we will stay club level again, not sure it was worth the $$ for just 2 of us, but I will give all the details!!

HIGHLIGHTS: Did MVMCP...tried to "drink around the world", tried 3 new restaurants for us (California grill, Sanaa, Le Cellier) and attended the Candlelight Processional and the Osborne Spectacle of Lights, and attended the DVC presentation and bought into the club! So excited!

Please join us on our trip now, and I hope I can add advice, facts, interesting tidbits that might make someone else's vacation great!

 

[MissPrice]

HI there I'm joining in. -Amanda

 

[holleypie]

I'm subscribing--sounds like you had an amazing trip!

 

[Skip3key]

I planned and planned for Months before the trip- I scoured the message boards trying to make the trip perfect and memorable- I wanted to see and do everything great...and make sure we took everything we needed without forgetting anything at home! I don't think I accomplished all I set out to do, but we sure had a great time.

We left San Antonio at 7am, I wanted the earliest flight possible into Orlando, and arrive a little before 2pm. Wasn't sure when we would be able to get a cheap and decent breakfast taco in Orlando, so we got one in the airport!

Once in Orlando, I couldn't wait to see the tree in the airport, but it seemed a little smaller in person...

We had planned to NOT rent a car this time, but I lost one of the luggage tags for the Magical Express days before we left, so we ended up collecting both our bags ourselves, and then decided time was of the essence and just didn't want to wait for the Magical Express, so we continued on to the Budget rental counter (had made a back -up reservation 2 months ago...I always have a back-up plan!) And Just about 45 minutes later...we saw this

And then this:

and then this! Wilderness Lodge!

I made the mistake of driving up under the breezeway and getting out, I thought maybe they would valet me since we were staying club level...but no...unless I wanted to spend more $$...which I did not. I got back in the car, parked and walked the short walk back up. What was great was that we were greeted at the walkway in front of the door by name (I guess the security guard gave them a heads up when we drove through- nice touch!) and escorted us up to the 7th floor to the Concierge desk and checked us in.

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Joining in! Great TR title - drew me right in! I am so sorry for the loss of your brother. This trip is a great way to do something in his memory. WL is beautiful as well - another on my list of places to stay! I can't wait to read all about your trip