From a walk in the wilderness to a stroll on the boardwalk in August updated 08-26

[KGmomoftwins]

Hello all! I figured no time like sitting in MCO to start my tr. It’s a little strange to be on this side versus the cruise board. Typically we do a few nights at wdw followed by a cruise. I love cruising but in February on an extremely cold day I was surfing the site for deals and found a 1 bedroom boardwalk view for 35% off and well I booked 6 nights. Then in April I found really cheap flights that left on Friday 2 nights before our boardwalk reservation. I couldn’t add 2 nights on because of the extreme deal I got. I was worried about what to do. Well then I found a great bargain at the wilderness lodge and booked it.

So my twin daughters they would turn 13 on the trip and dh who is handicap with type 1 diabetes were set to go. I booked dh a scooter at gold mobility but it would not be delivered until we were at the boardwalk.

Our plan was to take this trip slow and make it more like a vacation than a trip to Disney. Mostly because over the years I’ve learned the rush rush aren’t fun and it’s stressful plus we keep coming back even though we say we won’t!

We flew direct JetBlue and landed at mco at 2:45 on Friday. I hit an uber xl and surge pricing it was 62.00. We arrived at the wilderness around 4:15 and were blown away this was a bucket list for me. We did not have a room assignment so needed to head to the front desk. The CM made a call and gave us room 4044

This location was amazing! With a great view! I booked this lowest category view and this was unreal.

The button in the picture is for the chip and dale scavenger hunt.

The side table where it says cabins was ingenious.


Plan for tonight was a 5:30 reservation at storybook dining at artist point.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

We are getting ready for dinner and twin b drops her necklace charm down the sink. Well good old dad gets under the sink and takes the trap out and there it is! Crisis adverted. We absolutely loved this dinner! It was quiet (not something that goes with character dining), food was excellent, and characters were so fun!

So pretty in the enchanted forest. We loved the apps. I’m not big on mushrooms but the soup was very good. DH favorite my favorite was the meatball. Twin b has a dairy allergy and she got the meatball, shrimp, and a mushroom consume which she said was just ok. The girls and dad got prime rib. Both girls got fries and dairy allergy could not have the pop over. I wish they had brought her a roll instead but they did not sub it. I got the stroll through nature which was delicious! Prime rib eaters gave it high praise.

Dopey checking on the evil queen.
He rubbed my husbands head for good luck. So funny. Grumpy was great both came over to our table several times. Our favorite dessert was the fruit tart seriously soooooo good! Least favorite was the miners treasure with cookies in cream. Presentation was beautiful of all the food. Dairy free desserts were a vegan brownie shaped in an apple winner, 2nd place was a fruit crisp, last was a boba pineapple pearl it was a texture thing for her.

We then received our invitation to meet the queen. I loved that they had a photo pass photographer.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

Ok so after dinner dh was exhausted he went to the room to shower and relax. The girls and I headed down to the boats. Plan was to take the boat to MK ride the resort monorail loop. I love this pathway.

The boat was a quick and scenic we loved it. The monorail on the other hand was gross. It smelled was hot. We actually didn’t do the full loop got right off at the contemporary. Looked in the store which was really nice and had a ton of merchandise that’s hot right now like all the pink ghosts. We got on the red boat that went to the wilderness first then to fort wilderness. Back at the top we got to watch hallowishes from our room!

It was a really great first evening.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

Saturday today we would just be hanging out at the lodge. I placed a mobile order for 3 kid meals of Mickey waffles that came with potato barrels and bacon. I also got a gold rush latte and side of scrambled eggs. A great value for breakfasts under 30 bucks. I go down and it’s a mad house in there. I get my mobile order not realizing until I get up stairs that I needed to get silverware and syrup. I also notice the eggs are missing. I run back downstairs get syrup which is warm nice touch Disney and silverware. They get me my eggs and tell me to go pick a pastry out for the inconvenience. I didn’t complain and was nice about it. So that was a nice touch. I got a chocolate croissant. Girls being almost teens wanted to hang in the room while I took the 9 am daily tour of the lodge.

It meets in front of the fire place.

Alan was our guide there were 5 of us. Alan’s tots go for 2 hours I stay for 75 minutes. Let me tell you I learned so much and this was one of the most enjoyable things I’ve experienced on Disney property. Alan is a national treasure. Funny, great stories, he was a teacher so he’s a natural! I have so many pictures and stories of how the imagineers themed every aspect of the wilderness to match the 1863 west. The coolest is how if you look at the fireplace mantles they are tilted. As well as masonry work does not line up.
I loved hearing the stories told by Alan about Walt’s wife and backyard train. He was a true gem.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

Before I spam you all with photos of the tour I just want to say since we were taking this trip slow I did minimal reservations in advance. Also this is the first trip that they girls helped to plan what we. Tonight was one of the biggest plans we had which was a fireworks cruise for happily ever after. My TA booked it at the 60 days out and they called me the 24 hours in advance and schedule our pickup tonight at 8:45 at the Wilderness Lodge boat dock the one by geyser point.
Ok back to the wonderful tour with Alan.

The spirits that protect the lodge and represent the 4 elements of earth.

Walt’s backyard train



I wish I could have started for his ending stories but girls texted and they were ready to do things and dh was still worn out from travel. I took them down at 10:30 for the characters in the lobby which were Pluto and goofy.
There was no line for them and they spent a good deal of time with us. There was even a photo pass photographer with Goofy. Pluto tried to go swimming


Then it was time for us to go swimming. The large pool was practically empty. The girls rode the waterslide a bunch and I did too. It was pretty tame. They loved swimming up to where the spring entered the pool.

Too bad we never saw this! Looks like we will just have to stay here again. After a while we hopped over to boulder ridge. We stopped at geyser point grill on the way and thank you to them for the waters in a cup with a lid!!!!!! We were parched. We loved this pool! The waterfalls, the chairs, and I used the restroom which was clean. After an hour girls were getting hungry. I looked in the app and saw lots of openings at Disney springs. We went back to the room to change. DH decided to get something to eat here I’m so glad he did not come it was to hot crowded and a lot of walking for him. He got a burger not sure where said it was ok. Sat in a rocking chair and then out by the pool.

We took a Lyft to Disney springs cost 6 bucks. Dropped us off by the Coca Cola building. First stop was food we went to Morimoto.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

I just walked up and asked if they had service for 3 we were seated immediately. Casey was our server and he was great. Girls got a cup of miso soup, dd1 got kids chicken ramen, dd2 and I shared the orange chicken, and we got a California roll to share. It was more than enough food.


Everything was really delicious. That orange chicken dish is definitely shareable! They did not give us a hard time and there was no extra charge. The price was reasonable too since it was still lunch. Now we had energy for some shopping. I had a map and we had marked where we wanted to go and I used the app for walking directions. It was so crowded and hot.First stop Sephora I hate this place but we don’t have any near our house and they were really looking forward to it. Then we went to the world of Disney and frankly there were just to many people it was loud. The girls watch the Ryan Trahan series this summer and wanted fun hats so they got a chip n dale hats to wear so cute. Then we went to the basin and spent way to much on yummy smelling bath salts and bombs.

Next up was the Lego store and it had a line to go in seriously! In the sun! Thank goodness we waited maybe 5 minutes. Girls then designed legos for their dad. 1 did a pen and 1 did a key chain for 22 buck this was money well spent. It was a great experience.


We also got a small WDW castle to build for the 12 and up age group. Thanks to the women who showed us this as I did not want to drop $$$$$ on the huge one. This was 40 bucks and perfect. They were happy. When we left the line was a 45 minute wait!

Ok we needed a treat so to swirls on the water the perfect place for dairy allergies! DD1 got the sampler with pineapple, strawberry and orange, DD2 just a vanilla cup, and I got the sampler pineapple, key lime, and orange. The samplers were 7.50 and well worth it! We should have shared but we mostly ate it all. My clear winner was key lime so refreshing.

We walked by rainforest cafe and luckily you can pick up a ride share right there! The thought of walking across Disney springs in the heat to the busses or where we were dropped off not pleasant. Back to lodge for swimming with daddy!

 

[KGmomoftwins]

I left off the girls and I were getting back to WL from Disney springs. My husband seemed rested and happy. We all went to the pool and got a little over an hour in before they shut it down due to a huge storm. It was not looking good for our fireworks cruise.

As apart of the cool kids summer they had a chip n dale scavenger hunt the girls wanted to do. If you take a picture of chip n dale and go to the front desk you get a button and a sticker. The buttons were cute and the acorn sticker was also cute. we then shopped in the gift shop which I could have spent so much money I loved everything. I did get the mini totem statue and fun fact I learned from Alan the bear on the bottom is Humphrey and he had a cartoon way back when, he is an OG character. I also got a WL pin that has Mickey and Minnie on it rocking in front of the fireplace. Much to the embarrassment of the girls I got a sweatshirt that said Give a Hoot don’t pollute. I’m a biology teacher so this is perfect for me. I wish I had gotten the wildness lodge t shirt. The girls did not see anything that they wanted plus I got them a bunch of stuff as Disney Springs including some Ron Jon Shirts forgot to mention we went there too.

Now it was time to head out to the dock for our 8:45 pick up at the dock by geyser point. It was really scary weather wise it was cool (unusual for FL), windy, and tons of lightning. No rain. Girls were a bit freaked out. By 8:50 there was still no boat. My family was like what is going on. Here is the one thing Disney just did not handle well. I called the number they had given me and the guy was like we are holding off on the weather and delaying. There will be a CM coming by to keep you informed. Now this was supposed to be out 1 big thing for the girls 13 birthday plus my birthday was 2 days ago and was kind of for me too. Plus I had to prepay to the tune of 479 dollars. A CM did come over to hat with us and she was really nice and said it was be delayed till 9:15. Now I’m a little made because we would be missing out on the tour around the lake that goes with it. A woman comes up to me and tells me her family is also set to go out too on their own boat and that she brought this up with the CM and they told her they would discount the cruise for her. Well my husband was like you need to ask for that when she comes back! At 9:15 she comes back to delay it another 15 minutes and did say they would discount our cruise as well but we were kind of mad because we have a fireworks view and DH walks slow we wanted to make it back to the room in time. Well 9:30 comes and it’s canceled DH said it was not safe at all to take a boat out and he was upset that disney delayed so much. Well were kind of sad. They offered to put us on a cancellation list but we declined. It took an entire week to get my refund for the cruise.
Some wildlife we saw


This resort is gorgeous. A quick stop at RF for Mickey bars and Rice Krispie treat for dairy kid to enjoy with Fireworks from our balcony. FYI if you do get this room you will smell the smokehouse but we liked lol

This was a really great day and from now one we will also do a full resort day the day after we fly in. DH really needs it and you’re paying money for the resorts it’s well worth it.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

Sunday August 17 resort switch day.
Since we are kind of winging it we decided what to do when we got up. Dh said he was fine missing out on the water park and would bring our stuff to the Boardwalk. I know Disney would do it but he was reluctant due to insulin and other medicines. He asked if I could make him a spa appointment and so I was able to get him a 1pm massage in the Swan and dolphin spa.
I Mobile ordered same kids mickey waffles and latte as the day before. I went down and picked them up. I also grabbed salt, pepper, and jelly packets to have in our villa shhhhh don’t tell Disney.


I loved these lights.

Cool artwork above the mobile order table there are hidden Mickey’s there. I loved these lights location of us our room because you could take a left out of the room and take the elevator down right to the Roaring fork.

Right around the corner from our room to the left windows down to artist point. Or you could take a right walk down the hall and see the main lobby and take those elevators.



We ate and packet just a plastic bag for the water park with waters and our water shoes! The girls decided on Typhoon lagoon I was like really there is direct bus to blizzard but typhoon it was. We said goodbye to dad and the WL. Luckily on our way out there was a photo pass photographer and we did a mommy daughter photo shoot in the lobby and I love them. We took a Lyft to typhoon best 6 bucks ever dropped us off at the front gate. We got there at 9:40. We walked to the kiosk to rent a locker. I paid 10 bucks for a small one to but my belt bag in and our Birkenstocks. After you swipe your card they give you a ticket with the locker number that’s yours and you put in a 4 digit code. I highly suggest doing this.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

Ok I left off we had just gotten a locker and it was 9:45 they were letting people go in the park and on rides. Here is where I kind of dropped the ball and I did no research and was not familiar with the park. I never managed to find where to get towels so we went without. We managed to get a chair by the bay slides which is all the way to the left of the wave pool. We dropped out plastic bag and my cover up which had my phone in the pocket on the chair. We donned out 4.98 water shoes from Walmart which we were so thankful to have and were actually comfortable.

I wish I had let the girls go in the wave pool now because no one was in there first mistake 1 of the day. I decided we would work our way around the park doing rides first. First up we did the tube rides Keelhaul and Mayday falls. Then we did gangplank falls and darn the family tube is heavy and you need to carry is up hill and steps!!!!!

Then the three of us decided to race down the storm slides. They made us take off our water shoes for this. Big mistake number 2 the girls hated it! Mostly due to water up the bum. They have never been to a water park and this was a first. We decided to do a loop on the lazy river and I got a chair it was great!!! Then we did Miss Adventure falls and thankfully the big family tube does not need to be carried. I loved the details in the line with the jewels and story written on planks this was the first wait we had and it was maybe 10 minutes. We loved this ride and did it again. We then hopped on the lazy river again but t was really crowded and no lie there was a guy that was pushing and shoving people into the water to get a tube.

We got out and walked to crush n gusher. Now they have 3 different slides and here comes mistake number 3 of the day. I was a single rider and was forced to go down coconut the girls could have done this one too but did the banana slide. I told them to wait for me at the bottom not realizing how much longer my line had to wait. I should have told them go again. Well they had to wait for me forever and I get down to the bottom and DD1 has cut her finger. A very lovely lifeguard waited with her gave her a towel then escorted us to first aide. Where a very nice emt patched her up and gave me extra bandaids.

The girls went in the wave pool but at this point 12:30 the place was slammed. We rode every water slide except the kowabunga one but after the other body slide not going well we we were good to go. I will say there was lots of shade and the longest we waited was 10mins. We were never over heated but I was not a fan of the sand. It just felt gross.


On our way out I had promised the girls that at each park we visited they could each pick a snack. DD1 picked dip n dots and dd2 the mini donuts with the white chocolate dip. Both were extremely happy with their choices. I did try a donut they were yummy! We went and got our stuff at the locker and all of a sudden I felt a very cold breeze and it was starting to sprinkle. I called for a Lyft and we made it out of the park and to the Lyft pick up area just in time.

We were freezing! I felt terrible getting into this woman’s very nice car all wet. Bless her she turned the heat on for us! She brought us the the boardwalk.

Now I’m going to fill you in on DH. He stayed at the WL until checkout he mobile ordered some breakfast had coffee enjoyed Pluto in the lobby. He took an uberxl to the boardwalk with all crap and monitored out Publix Instacart order. He checked us in and then took the boat to swan and dolphin for his massage. It was a 50min hot stone and his words “the lady would not stop talking I was trying to relax and she just talked talked talked”.


Ok back to girls story we get there about 1:30 and room still is not ready understandable. Mistake number 4 going to a water park and not having a room to go to when you’re cold and feel gross. We decided to sit outside by the village green under the big brick cover we got a bench and stayed there until 2:30 when DH came back from his massage. He said the lobby had warmed up and there were more seats available. We sat in there until 3:15 when we got the text the room was ready! I told bell services to bring the bags and groceries up to 5017. I was so excited the top floor!

 

[KGmomoftwins]

The Villa!
The girls moved so fast up to the room. We were vey far down the hall. It was gorgeous just like I remembered but this would have a huge surprise the balcony was huge!!!!!! Enough that all four of could be out there. DD2 could do cartwheels. The only down side was the furniture was terrible! We had 4 awful chairs and 2 tables. I wish it was the same stuff that the wilderness had. Or a full fledge patio table and chairs would have fit. The other great thing was we had a ceiling over us which you will see in the coming days would come in handy as this was the most rain we ever encountered during an August trip.

Our balcony first flag and next to the yellow part.

The boardwalk games were right outside and I will say that first night it was very loud but thankfully after that never kept us up. Girls were showering and I was unpacking groceries. I noticed the silverware drawer was a little gross so I emptied it put the silverware and tray in the dishwasher and used the Clorox wipes I got with the groceries to wipe down the drawer. I also put cups, mugs, plates, some dishes, and bowels in and ran it. Hubby also wanted to have a nice dinner tonight so I made reservations at 5pm for flying fish.

He went down at 4 to pickup the scooter from gold mobility they texted that they were waiting in the lobby. I showered and started laundry.

Flying fish is beautiful!


We all had an amazing meal and service! The potato chive bread was unreal! We actually got seconds it was so good. The girls both ordered from the kids menu no problem. They got chicken soup for an app DD1 got salmon and Mac n cheese DD2 got steak and a berry salad. It was more than enough food for them. I got the char strip steak DH lobster bisque which he said was delicious and the filet.

Dh said the sauce was really good but he did not care for the potato pancake.

My au gratin potato’s were the best thing I’ve eaten in a long time! I wanted a dessert but girls wanted to go to the bakery DH said he would take them. I got the lemon mousse.


This was the most complex dessert I’ve ever had. The outer part was white chocolate inside was lemon mouse and fresh raspberry and puree sitting on top of a shortbread cake. The scoop of lemon sorbet on the side was so good but was almost not needed it was almost too much. My husband picked on me that I ate it all. Just a reminder flying fish is a 10% discount if you use your Disney visa. DH took the girls for a stroll to get cookies. They got huge Mickey cookies! We decided to call it an early night. Put jammies on I finished laundry girls watched tv.

Nighttime view.


Mistake 5 DD2 ate way too much and got sick. Only once about 1.5 after housing all the dinner and the huge mickey cookie then I guess she had a coke to drink which she never has. After she was fine poor thing.

Even with all the mistakes it was a really great day. We were all asleep by 10!