HO HO HO, we are LIVE from WDW and the WILDERNESS LODGE 12/19-12/26!!!

[TigrLvsPooh]

Merry Christmas from Disney World!
LIVE from Disney's Wilderness Lodge​

December 19 - 26, 2014

Hello DISboard friends!!! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!! The kids and I are so excited to be spending our very first Christmas with Mickey we can barely contain our excitement!!! For years I've been wanting to do this, just cut away from the standard Christmas at home and try something new and different! I think the kids were very resistant at first to leaving the normal holiday routine, typically we wouldn't travel to WDW until after Christmas was over. But now that they're teenagers they're more willing to venture away (with some gentle coaxing from their Mom of course!). So we'll be spending Christmas at the Wilderness Lodge!

Here are our plans so far!

- 7 nights at the Wilderness Lodge - standard room on club level
- annual passes for our park tickets
- no dining plan, but TIW card
- MVMCP on 12/19
- Candlelight Processional on 12/24
- Lots of great ADRs like Teppen Edo, Biergarten, BOG, Trail's End, Whispering Canyon, Rose & Crown, and more!
- Lots of great Fastpasses like Seven Dwarfs, Anna & Elsa, Holiday Wishes, Soarin', Test Track, Illuminations, the Christmas parade in MK, Frozen Sing along, Toy Story Mania, all the must dos! Plus a holiday Sleigh Ride at Fort Wilderness as well!

I love to do live trip reports, I've been doing them here on the DIS for over 12 years! I'm so excited to have YOU along with us for the fun! I'm always happy to answer any questions you might have about the parks, our resort, dining, attractions, the weather, all the holiday events, so please feel free to ask away! Also I do live Tweets @Erika_Murphy if you want to follow along there too! Tomorrow is suitcase packing day but I'll be around here to pop in and do a happy dance for sure!

Who's ready to go to Disney World???????????

 

[WDWKOOK]

We were at the Old Faithful Club for Christmas last year. It's beautiful and magical. Perfect timing, too as it was reported yesterday on the WL thread that the new splash pad is open and one of the two WL hot tubs. The pool has been open since 12/1, is warm and awaiting (brave) holiday guests.

Did you make any room location requests with the IPO?

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Did you make any room location requests with the IPO?

I didn't make any specific room requests, just told them we would love a nice view. I wasn't sure exactly where the scaffolding was setup, but last time we had a nice view of the courtyard and could see the EWP from our balcony. Hopefully we'll get something nice.

 

[trishadono]

Have a great trip!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I can't wait to read about your new trip. The WL is perfect for Christmas. I can't wait to read about the sleigh ride. That sounds like fun.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I can't wait to read about your new trip. The WL is perfect for Christmas. I can't wait to read about the sleigh ride. That sounds like fun.

When I told the kids we were going on a sleigh ride they just sort of looked at me in a puzzled way and said "Sure Mom, Sure".

Today's big debate... yellow stickers or no yellow stickers. Since we have MVMCP shortly after we arrive I'm leaning towards no stickers. It wouldn't be too much trouble to bring our own luggage, and that way we won't have to wear our holiday clothes on the plane. Plus we can freshen up easier. The down side is we lose valuable time going to baggage claim. I need to make a decision on that asap!

Packing, packing, packing!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Have a great trip!

Thank you!!!!

 

[figmentfan0724]

so so so excited that you are doing a trip report! im so excited for you! can't wait to hear all about it. we are heading to disney jan 4 so this will get me ready! my vote is for the stickers!!!!

 

[BlueSkies]

Hi Erika..A new live TR!!!! Looking forward to reading along as always!!!

Hope you have an extra special magical Disney Christmas!!!

Hey Trish and Kook

 

[DanieD0909]

This sounds fun! Can't wait to follow along! My vote is no yellow mde tags!!!

 

[pixarmom]

So excited for your report! Last time I was in Disney for Christmas was in the 80s at Poly. This year, it's beach for New Years and then Disney starting on Jan. 3 for 9 nights (crazy split stay/marathon weekend/birthday trip!) Not much more to do with our plans at this point (other than final training runs for the marathon) so I'm really looking forward to following your report over the holidays!

Really excited to hear all the details of your WL CL stay - we're booked there at the beginning of spring break this year. Also looking forward to your Whispering Canyon review - we have an ADR for March, but I'm on the fence about keeping it. I love Territory Lounge and would be happy with dinner there, but hungry kids may feel differently. (Example: We have Poly CL evening appetizers followed by Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert party in January, and our teens still want a dinner ADR.)

I vote no tags because it would be nice to have your luggage when you're getting ready for the Christmas Party. But that's an easy call for us because we pack super light and carry on if we're not using the tags. Not as easy if you would have more luggage to gather and transport.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

So excited for your report! Last time I was in Disney for Christmas was in the 80s at Poly. This year, it's beach for New Years and then Disney starting on Jan. 3 for 9 nights (crazy split stay/marathon weekend/birthday trip!) Not much more to do with our plans at this point (other than final training runs for the marathon) so I'm really looking forward to following your report over the holidays!

Really excited to hear all the details of your WL CL stay - we're booked there at the beginning of spring break this year. Also looking forward to your Whispering Canyon review - we have an ADR for March, but I'm on the fence about keeping it. I love Territory Lounge and would be happy with dinner there, but hungry kids may feel differently. (Example: We have Poly CL evening appetizers followed by Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert party in January, and our teens still want a dinner ADR.)

I vote no tags because it would be nice to have your luggage when you're getting ready for the Christmas Party. But that's an easy call for us because we pack super light and carry on if we're not using the tags. Not as easy if you would have more luggage to gather and transport.

January is a great time! I always love a split stay, it makes things even more exciting when you can experience different resorts.
I'm excited to experience the WL CL, it's been many years since we've stayed there. Most of all I am more than ready to just get out of town and have a vacation!

 

[Leleluvsdis]

When I told the kids we were going on a sleigh ride they just sort of looked at me in a puzzled way and said "Sure Mom, Sure".

Today's big debate... yellow stickers or no yellow stickers. Since we have MVMCP shortly after we arrive I'm leaning towards no stickers. It wouldn't be too much trouble to bring our own luggage, and that way we won't have to wear our holiday clothes on the plane. Plus we can freshen up easier. The down side is we lose valuable time going to baggage claim. I need to make a decision on that asap!

Packing, packing, packing!

I say don't get your own luggage. It is so nice not having to fight baggage claim and drag your bags through the airport and to your room. Pack what you will need for MVMCP in your carry on, and you will be good to go

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Good morning everyone!!!! Today is our last day in cold Indiana!!! Temps in the teens this morning make it even more fun to pack!! The kids are in school finishing up their last final exams, and I'm headed to town for all the last minute errands. I've got the last of our itinerary printed and in my big Disney binder along with our MVMCP tickets and ME packet. We've gone through our huge box of magic bands and picked the ones we want to bring. I was able to narrow my choices down to my Olaf band and my new MVMCP band that a very special Disney lover sent to me!! I love the candy cane striped band! I've run updates on all our iPhones, iPads, laptops, and gathered a plethora of chargers and headphones! I've decided to bring all our pool gear even though it might not be warm enough. Fingers crossed for some warm Florida sunshine!!!!

Thanks for joining along everyone, this has been a really difficult year for me personally and I really love having you guys to talk to and bring along with me. We're going to have fun!!!!

 

[figmentfan0724]

The best way to end a bad year is at Disney! Im so thankful that you do live trip reports! Safe travels and enjoy your Christmas Vacation!Fingers crossed the florida sunshine peeks out so you and your family can swim!

 

[lala3291]

Have a magical trip, Erika! What better way to end a tough year than with a WDW trip?! Merry Christmas to you and your kids

 

[Sandy321]

Good morning everyone!!!! Today is our last day in cold Indiana!!! Temps in the teens this morning make it even more fun to pack!! The kids are in school finishing up their last final exams, and I'm headed to town for all the last minute errands. I've got the last of our itinerary printed and in my big Disney binder along with our MVMCP tickets and ME packet. We've gone through our huge box of magic bands and picked the ones we want to bring. I was able to narrow my choices down to my Olaf band and my new MVMCP band that a very special Disney lover sent to me!! I love the candy cane striped band! I've run updates on all our iPhones, iPads, laptops, and gathered a plethora of chargers and headphones! I've decided to bring all our pool gear even though it might not be warm enough. Fingers crossed for some warm Florida sunshine!!!!

Thanks for joining along everyone, this has been a really difficult year for me personally and I really love having you guys to talk to and bring along with me. We're going to have fun!!!!

There is so much to remember - thank you for sharing your choices, updates and plans - I'll have to remember it in 180 days!

and I'll say it as a former Hoosier, currently near Chicago resident - JEALOUS! Have fun in a warm climate!

Today I tried to make adr's but neither the computer NOR the phone (it kept ending my call before getting to a live person!) I brought up my email from the WL CL - and sure enough, they included a phone number - I called - and as luck would have it - He made my reservations - especially the hard to get Dining with an Imagineer!! I cannot wait for 180 days!

Looking forward to the TR - I'm not sure if I should make a room request either, just going and staying on CL seems magical to me!

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Good morning everyone!!!! Today is our last day in cold Indiana!!! Temps in the teens this morning make it even more fun to pack!! The kids are in school finishing up their last final exams, and I'm headed to town for all the last minute errands. I've got the last of our itinerary printed and in my big Disney binder along with our MVMCP tickets and ME packet. We've gone through our huge box of magic bands and picked the ones we want to bring. I was able to narrow my choices down to my Olaf band and my new MVMCP band that a very special Disney lover sent to me!! I love the candy cane striped band! I've run updates on all our iPhones, iPads, laptops, and gathered a plethora of chargers and headphones! I've decided to bring all our pool gear even though it might not be warm enough. Fingers crossed for some warm Florida sunshine!!!!

Thanks for joining along everyone, this has been a really difficult year for me personally and I really love having you guys to talk to and bring along with me. We're going to have fun!!!!

Nothing better than an WL CL trip report at Christmastime!


Here's to hoping it warms up for you!
Have a great trip!

 

[WDWKOOK]

It's the BIG day. Safe travels and I know you're going to have a magical day

​

Hey Trish and Kook

and I'll say it as a former Hoosier, currently near Chicago resident -

Former Hoosier here, too. Grew-up steps from IU, born in Chicago.

Nothing better than an WL CL trip report at Christmastime!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

It's a great day to go to WDW!!!!!
Cold and frosty here this morning. We are headed to the airport with waaaaayyyyy too much luggage. LOL!!!!!