Explore Wilderness Lodge or Disney spring?

[Disneybiginner]

We booked 2 nights stay at Wilderness Lodge before cruise on Wish. Originally we planned to check out DS on arrival day, explore the resort on second day till we head over MK for the Christmas party. However, one of our members really want to experience Candlelight Processional and at EPCOT and we managed to score a dining package. So is it still doable to go to DS in the morning before Christmas party?

 

[CarolynFH]

Certainly, although DS doesn't really open until 9 or 10 AM - might be a good thing, because it would allow you to sleep in a bit, in preparation for a late night at the party. Depending on what you want to do at DS, you should have plenty of time to visit there, then go back to WL to get ready for the party. Or even stay at DS until near time for admission to the party then take the bus from DS to CR and walk to MK.

 

[Disneybiginner]

Certainly, although DS doesn't really open until 9 or 10 AM - might be a good thing, because it would allow you to sleep in a bit, in preparation for a late night at the party. Depending on what you want to do at DS, you should have plenty of time to visit there, then go back to WL to get ready for the party. Or even stay at DS until near time for admission to the party then take the bus from DS to CR and walk to MK.

Thank you for your input. We want to check out Christmas tree stroll at DS for sure, MIL wants to take some nice pictures at photo pass studio there. Husband really want to try the famous Bison burger at WL, so we are planning come back to resort for lunch. Also, we have a reservation at Harmony barbershop at 4, we were told we need to line up at the turnstile as early as possible so we won’t be late for our reservation. I feel like we have plenty time for all these before the party, but won’t be able to check out the beautiful Wilderness Lodge at all since we only have 1 full day before cruise.

 

[Shellyred8]

Going to DS in the morning as soon as it opens is actually our preferred approach, especially during the busy holiday season. It will probably start getting busy by around 1pm, so you should have a couple of hours to roam about without having it be wall-to-wall people. The down side is that you won't get to see it at night. I really enjoy DS during the holiday seasons when it's all lit up with it's decorations.
In an effort to save some time, you might want to put in a mobile order for the Bison Burger while you are on your way back to the resort from DS. That way you won't have to wait quite so long for that.

Have a great trip!

 

[Disneybiginner]

Going to DS in the morning as soon as it opens is actually our preferred approach, especially during the busy holiday season. It will probably start getting busy by around 1pm, so you should have a couple of hours to roam about without having it be wall-to-wall people. The down side is that you won't get to see it at night. I really enjoy DS during the holiday seasons when it's all lit up with it's decorations.
In an effort to save some time, you might want to put in a mobile order for the Bison Burger while you are on your way back to the resort from DS. That way you won't have to wait quite so long for that.

Have a great trip!

Thank you. Yes, it is a bummer that we won’t be able to experience Christmas tree stroll at night to see all the beautiful trees lit up, we will have to come back next time. Having said that, we sort of came up a plan to fit in most of things we want to do. We will walk around the resort in the morning, than hop on the bus to DS around 10, get there and walk around a bit, line up at the photo pass studio by 12, having some family pictures taken, then head back to WL around 1. Mobile order Bison burger on the bus, hopefully get on ferry boat to MK around 3. Let’s see how much we can stick with our plan.

 

[Mle8308]

Thank you. Yes, it is a bummer that we won’t be able to experience Christmas tree stroll at night to see all the beautiful trees lit up, we will have to come back next time. Having said that, we sort of came up a plan to fit in most of things we want to do. We will walk around the resort in the morning, than hop on the bus to DS around 10, get there and walk around a bit, line up at the photo pass studio by 12, having some family pictures taken, then head back to WL around 1. Mobile order Bison burger on the bus, hopefully get on ferry boat to MK around 3. Let’s see how much we can stick with our plan.

If you want to actually sit down and eat at Geyser Point, don't mobile order, it is not a quick service location. You can mobile order from their menu, but if you do, you can't really eat there because it is a full service bar/restaurant. It would be a little awkward to mobile order then take a table away from a server (they seat you at GP unless you are going to sit at the bar). There are tables to sit at outside of Geyser Point, or you could walk up for a table and eat "inside" and order from the server - I say inside because Geyser Point is not enclosed. The Bison burger is delicious!

 

[Disneybiginner]

If you want to actually sit down and eat at Geyser Point, don't mobile order, it is not a quick service location. You can mobile order from their menu, but if you do, you can't really eat there because it is a full service bar/restaurant. It would be a little awkward to mobile order then take a table away from a server (they seat you at GP unless you are going to sit at the bar). There are tables to sit at outside of Geyser Point, or you could walk up for a table and eat "inside" and order from the server - I say inside because Geyser Point is not enclosed. The Bison burger is delicious!

Thank you for letting me know! I didn’t even think about it. We will see how the day goes. We will do a sit down order if we make it back earlier than we planned, otherwise we will mobile order and eat it while waiting for the ferry to MK.

 

[Anthony1971]

As above GP does have a CS area and a sit down area. The CS area has a limited menu there is a larger menu in the bar area. You can however also bring the food to Roaring fork which has ample seating inside and out the outside is covered. Roaring fork offers some additional items including a lumber Jack platter that has the same pulled pork as served in whispering cannon and is very good. Most CS locations that serve pulled pork are the same premade grocery store quality.
WL is a nice resort… try to check out the Boulder ridge or DVC building lobby especially if there are any train fans. There is a Train room Or Carol wood pacific room that has a few of the original train cars from Walt Disney personal ride on train as well as a lot of other related train related on Display. Also 4 big chairs around a fireplace to relax.

 

[Best Aunt]

My experience has always been that getting to and from disney springs by bus seems to take forever (and makes me motion sick). Make sure the disney springs portion of your plan isn't going to zap your energy for the late afternoon and evening.