Got Pixie Dust? A June 2009 PTR ~TR Link, Page 180

[2ScottishPrincesses]

Welcome, 2SP! I am so glad that you came!!! Are you staying at the Wilderness Lodge? I remember how much you loved it before!

We've not actually got anything booked yet but the plan at the moment is 7nts POR & 7nts BC, I originally wanted 7nts BC/7nts Poly but as with most others our finances are a bit tighter than when we started planning so that's not going to happen next year . The family that we're going with have three children so we're restricted to resorts that can accommodate five in a room so unfortunately WL is out. Also DH wants to try a different resort every time we go (no complaints here ).

 

[MeMom]

The museum and horse stables sound very neat! Was the trail to Fort Wilderness pretty clearly marked with signs? I will defintely remember your recommendation for Trail's End. I am also wondering if we should try to see Hoop De Doo...

The stables are worth seeing. They are so clean, and the guys are very willing to talk to you as they work on the horses. We got to see a guy shoeing a horse this summer, which was interesting.

Here are a couple of pictures for you.

Check the Trail's End menu before you go. We were there this summer, and the lunch was the good old home-cookin' lunch that LISAMWDW talked about. BUT, supposedly they have changed the meal to more of a soup and sandwich deal during the lunch hours. I can't say for sure, but you may have to eat there at night to get the full meal deal. Just a 'heads up' for you.

SHOPPPPPPPPIIIIIINNNNNNGGGG!

My friend!

 

[Blueyed Girl]

I'm in! Great start. I would love to try the Wilderness Lodge one day. Can't wait to read all about your experience there.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yes! Erm.... it's 10:53 here....so it'll be 11:53 there.... Saturday.... we'll have finished with breakfast @ Cape May and finished up zipping around on some Sea Raycers, drive out to Character Outlet & did some shopping. On our way for some hokey-fun @ Gatorland!

SHOPPPPPPPPIIIIIINNNNNNGGGG!

See, I knew you would know exactly what you were doing.

We've not actually got anything booked yet but the plan at the moment is 7nts POR & 7nts BC, I originally wanted 7nts BC/7nts Poly but as with most others our finances are a bit tighter than when we started planning so that's not going to happen next year . The family that we're going with have three children so we're restricted to resorts that can accommodate five in a room so unfortunately WL is out. Also DH wants to try a different resort every time we go (no complaints here ).

14 nights anywhere at Disney sounds like heaven! We have stayed at POR and loved it -- Beach Club is defintely on our list of places we would like to try (we want to stay at different resorts each time, also).

The stables are worth seeing. They are so clean, and the guys are very willing to talk to you as they work on the horses. We got to see a guy shoeing a horse this summer, which was interesting.

Here are a couple of pictures for you.

Check the Trail's End menu before you go. We were there this summer, and the lunch was the good old home-cookin' lunch that LISAMWDW talked about. BUT, supposedly they have changed the meal to more of a soup and sandwich deal during the lunch hours. I can't say for sure, but you may have to eat there at night to get the full meal deal. Just a 'heads up' for you.

Great photos of the stables -- Chelsea and Connor would love to visit (I would too). Thanks for the heads up about Trail's End -- I will definitely check the menu!

I'm in! Great start. I would love to try the Wilderness Lodge one day. Can't wait to read all about your experience there.

I am so glad you came over!

 

[swwake]

I'm here! 5 pages late, but I'm here. I am looking forward to following your adventures again!

 

[xoktenox]

Hey I'm joining in too! I'm very anxious to see how you write a PTR so early because I tried to start one for our April 09 trip and am having some serious issues haha Can't wait for an update and I'm going over to start reading your first PTR/TR right now

 

[nts4wdw]

Hey! We have dates!! June 5-16!! Maybe we'll see you this time. Now we just need to choose our resort........

 

[Charleston Princess]

I'm here! 5 pages late, but I'm here. I am looking forward to following your adventures again!

Hi, Susan! You are not late (I have only posted one update), and I am so glad that you are here!

Hey I'm joining in too! I'm very anxious to see how you write a PTR so early because I tried to start one for our April 09 trip and am having some serious issues haha Can't wait for an update and I'm going over to start reading your first PTR/TR right now

You'll find that I manage to include every last detail of trip planning (and a lot of other non-related details as well) to stretch my PTR out for 8 months.

Hey! We have dates!! June 5-16!! Maybe we'll see you this time. Now we just need to choose our resort........

Hurray! How did you manage to score 11 days??? I have trip-length envy now! I do hope we manage to run into each other this year! That would be awesome! Can't wait to hear what resort you pick!

 

[Charleston Princess]

As many of you know, I have a really hard time choosing a resort for our summer vacations. You might even term what I do as “resort-flipping.” Next June’s trip hasn’t been any different.

In the beginning it was Caribbean Beach Resort:
•White sand beaches to walk along.
•Lovely Caribbean colors displayed on all the buildings.
•New pool with pirate themed area for lying around and soaking in the sun.
•Beautiful new refurbed rooms for our enjoyment.
•The only moderate we haven’t stayed at yet.

In the back of my mind was my one true love, Animal Kingdom Lodge:
•Giraffes and zebras to watch.
•Uzima Pool to lie around.
•Boma – our favorite!
•Lots of kids’ activities to enjoy.
•Night Vision Viewing of animals – too cool.
•Folktales around the Firepit in the evening – I am a sucker for stories.
•Lovely wood-burning smell when you enter the Lodge.

Charles and I had planned on taking an October trip which we figured would necessitate a stay at a moderate. However when we decided to forego the fall vacation, a stay at a deluxe became more feasible.

I am frugal by nature and while we have stayed at the Contemporary and the Polynesian in the past – the way distant past, by the way – I have a very hard time justifying the cost of a deluxe stay. I knew I would have to find a really good reason to justify it. I found it on June 30th. After many, many, many years, Charles and I quit smoking. I decided that we deserved to stay where we wanted to celebrate saving $1800 a year (and assorted health benefits).

So, would Animal Kingdom Lodge become a definite? I would have said “yes” except that certain things transpired.

LL and TK went and stayed at the Wilderness Lodge. Their descriptions made my mouth water.

MeMom posted some great photos of WL when I asked her.

I discovered the Wilderness Lodge Photo Thread. Beautiful, beautiful photos!

The Unofficial Guide says it is “the favorite resort of children.”

LL says there are all sorts of cool, resort-specific souvenirs in the gift shop.
We have never even visited so I like the idea of going to a resort that we haven’t even laid eyes on.

I started fantasizing about staying at the Wilderness Lodge – taking the boat to the Magic Kingdom, watching the geyser that erupts every hour, watching the Electrical Water Parade from the beach, eating breakfast outside of Roaring Forks, rubbing Humphrey’s nose, turn-down service with a Native American proverb and chocolates, going to Fort Wilderness for the campfire and movie, taking a wagon ride at Fort Wilderness, visiting the stables at Fort Wilderness…

Next, I tried to enlist the family’s help by playing a game I called, “Resort Roll Call.” What it entailed was pretty simple – when I called out a name in a cheesy game show voice, the person had to quickly respond with the name of the resort he/she wanted to stay at this summer. It went like this:

Me: Charles, where would you like to stay this summer?
Charles: Wherever is fine.
Me: Chelsea, where would you like to stay this summer?
Chelsea: Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Me: Connor, where would you like to stay this summer?
Connor (Bursting into tears): I can’t deal with the pressure! I don’t know!

Clearly, Resort Roll Call was a bust. It was back to the traditional method of showing them photos of the beauty known as Wilderness Lodge until they, too, thought that would be the best place to stay.

Keep in mind, though, that nothing is ever definite where my resort is concerned until I have paid for the trip in full.

 

[MRYPPNS]

This is where I come in and do my chant.....
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I would like the countdown of when you will be paid in full because I can't take the resort hopping!!

I am also ruling out Chelsea's vote in Resort Role Call because she is picking the Grand Floridan for next year.

Boat Rides.
Relaxation.
Humphrey.
Souviners.
A first for the whole Family.
The Geyser.
The Most Wonderful Cheeseburgers EVER.
A pool in which while you are swimming you feel like you are truly in the woods and not in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Disney.
The boat.
Riding underneath the monorail while in the boat.
The most comfortable bed ever. Truly, it was heaven.


Need I say more?

 

[Lady Lallie]

Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge!

BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO!
BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO!
BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO!
BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO!
BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO!
BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO!
BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO!


WILDERNESS LODGE!

 

[MegansMom]

I am so glad we finally got the scoop!!!

And let me also just say, "Congrats to you guys for quitting smoking!!!!" Great Job!!!

These decisions are KILLERS though!!!

 

[TarzansKat]

:::sigh:::

CP.

Everyone is going to want to kill me right now.

Honey, you stay where your heart wants, okay?

I love the Wilderness Lodge, for many, many reasons. It's the perfect deluxe to me, since I can't afford the Grand Floridian.

But if you want the Animal Kingdom Lodge, you should stay there.

Even though I would stay at Wilderness Lodge.

Savvy?

 

[askelton]

Congrats on quitting smoking. I have only stayed at WL, for one night, so I have no opinion. Except I'd love to stay at the Poly or GF.

 

[julezdisney]

BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO!
BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO!
BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO!
BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO!
BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO!
BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO!
BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO!


WILDERNESS LODGE!

Yes! I agree! Wilderness Lodge!

And congrats on quitting smoking! I let DH buy his motorcycle last year with the promise he'd quit smoking to pay for the payment but... he defaulted on the promise.

Good for you too! I certainly never pegged you as a smoker though, who knew?!

 

[nts4wdw]

I am so proud of you both for quitting smoking!! You've added years to your life!!

As to your resort, I feel your pain. I am going back and forth daily on where we will stay. Actually, Wilderness Lodge is in the running. My family is no help either. Em say the bayou at Riverside (she loved the trundle bed). Jake says French Quarter. Chuck will not say, but I suspect he is waiting to see the CBR before he votes. I would really like to stay at French Quarter again (it is my fav if we can't go to Poly), but I also have a yearning to try something new, hence the Wilderness Lodge vote.

You are not alone, my sister! Resort indecisiveness abounds!!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Congrats to Charles for quitting! My DH quit a year and a half ago after about 16 years of smoking. He went to a hypnostist in Boston. He had tried so many times and the hypnostist finally did it for him! Unfortunately he has gained weight, but he is planning to join the gym this month and start getting that under control. I'll have to add that $1800 (minus gym membership) to our budget for April!!

I'm so jealous that you get to do a resort role call! We always stay off-site because we own a condo - but I guess that's why we get to go so often. My biggest Disney resort indulgence has been Pop for two nights. But I haven't ruled out adding a couple of nights (on-site) to our April trip.

 

[Supermom3]

Congratulations on quitting smoking! That's a great reason to celebrate with a splurge. I can't offer an opinion, as I haven't been to either, but with those choices I don't think you can go wrong.

 

[xoktenox]

Ok so I've never stayed at either WL or AKL because I'm a poor college student but based on things I've heard and pictures I've seen you can add my vote in for WL. For whatever thats worth