~How TWO trips became...who knows? ~ It's a TRIP! and an upgrade.... 4/22

[maroo]

(Think Christmas Trip)


You guys are going to freak out....



I had a bad day yesterday...bunch of stuff...but anyway...


Got up this morning to a storm...and thought, great...another crappy day.


Then I got on my computer... And checked my email and then the DIS...






And I saw it.




I saw IT!



The new AP rates ...through my December trip. And I nearly dropped my drink. 42% off for many of my dates...40% off for the rest...

Picked up the phone and called my friends in Disney Reservations. And was shocked when they picked right up! I didn't even hold. (now that's some pixie dust)


And I saved...a TON of money on our AKL trip. For some reason they let me apply my AP to both rooms? I took off the dining plan...may add it later...but that made a difference, too. And I don't have to buy a $75 ticket that I don't need anymore. And I saved enough money for us all to eat whatever we want dining plan or not! It really did save us a lot of money. Even more than Free Dining for 6 adults and 1 child. Yeah. Lots of money.



Then I started dreaming...actually yesterday...about what it would be like to stay in a place that was more Christmassy... is that a word...because I am going solo and I want to relax...and I am already going to be staying at the AKL for 5 nights...



So....where else can I stay that would be nice.


I like the woods. I like the beach. I love me some Christmas decorations.

And I love...and mean love...handbells. I was in a handbell choir once. There's some random trivia for ya.


I looked at different options...the Poly had a good deal? Go figure that. Grand Floridian was outrageous! I actually booked........









Boardwalk Inn.......








What...

You aren't excited for me???








Yeah. That was my feeling, too...after I hung up the phone.




So I called them back and got a room at...




THE WILDERNESS LODGE!!!!!!



Which I understand is just wonderful at Christmas! Has the boat to go to MK. Relaxing. Relaxing. I love it! I love it!!! I am going to be at the MK several nights...because I love the MK at night.

And I got Courtyard View...because that is all they had. But I like that!!


Guys...I just can not wait!!!!!!!

I am so excited!

 

[maroo]

Did everyone catch that??? Maroo was confused with herself! Imagine that!!!

Seeing that price I think I'll just plan on sticking with ME if I need to go back and forth. It's free, and like that'snice says, "Is there really a decision here?"

The question, is, my friend...how much is 3 extra hours at the MK worth?
This is how I end up spending so much money.....see that logic?

 

[All7OfUs]

I had a feeling that's the one you'd choose! So happy for you! Take loads of photos for us!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Congrats on the great deal!!! I'm so happy for you! I'm still holding out hope that I may get a good deal on my room. I'd love to see the 4 for 7 deal pop up for December. I'm not wanting to do the dining plan this trip so I'm probably the only person not hoping for free dining.

Which nights are you going to be at the WL? I've lost track.

 

[jenb1023]

Did everyone catch that??? Maroo was confused with herself! Imagine that!!!

Seeing that price I think I'll just plan on sticking with ME if I need to go back and forth. It's free, and like that'snice says, "Is there really a decision here?"

The question, is, my friend...how much is 3 extra hours at the MK worth?
This is how I end up spending so much money.....see that logic?

I checked the site for the people we used and it is $65 one-way. Three more hours in the MK. HMMMM! I love ME but we had a quick experience there and a long experience there. Good luck deciding!

(Think Christmas Trip)


You guys are going to freak out....



I had a bad day yesterday...bunch of stuff...but anyway...


Got up this morning to a storm...and thought, great...another crappy day.


Then I got on my computer... And checked my email and then the DIS...






And I saw it.




I saw IT!



The new AP rates ...through my December trip. And I nearly dropped my drink. 42% off for many of my dates...40% off for the rest...

Picked up the phone and called my friends in Disney Reservations. And was shocked when they picked right up! I didn't even hold. (now that's some pixie dust)


And I saved...a TON of money on our AKL trip. For some reason they let me apply my AP to both rooms? I took off the dining plan...may add it later...but that made a difference, too. And I don't have to buy a $75 ticket that I don't need anymore. And I saved enough money for us all to eat whatever we want dining plan or not! It really did save us a lot of money. Even more than Free Dining for 6 adults and 1 child. Yeah. Lots of money.



Then I started dreaming...actually yesterday...about what it would be like to stay in a place that was more Christmassy... is that a word...because I am going solo and I want to relax...and I am already going to be staying at the AKL for 5 nights...



So....where else can I stay that would be nice.


I like the woods. I like the beach. I love me some Christmas decorations.

And I love...and mean love...handbells. I was in a handbell choir once. There's some random trivia for ya.


I looked at different options...the Poly had a good deal? Go figure that. Grand Floridian was outrageous! I actually booked........









Boardwalk Inn.......








What...

You aren't excited for me???








Yeah. That was my feeling, too...after I hung up the phone.




So I called them back and got a room at...




THE WILDERNESS LODGE!!!!!!



Which I understand is just wonderful at Christmas! Has the boat to go to MK. Relaxing. Relaxing. I love it! I love it!!! I am going to be at the MK several nights...because I love the MK at night.

And I got Courtyard View...because that is all they had. But I like that!!


Guys...I just can not wait!!!!!!!

I am so excited!

Congrats on the discount!!! That is great news! And woo-hoo for WL. We've stayed at AKL and WL and enjoyed both very much. I have heard WL is beautiful at Christmas.

 

[kimmylaj]

hip hip hooray for you i have always wanted to stay at WL. so exciting.

 

[TarzansKat]

I WANT TO GO!!!!!!!!!

Okay, seriously, I'm so excited for you. The Wilderness Lodge is supposed to be amazing during the holiday season.

 

[maroo]

I had a feeling that's the one you'd choose! So happy for you! Take loads of photos for us!

I am so excited!!

Congrats on the great deal!!! I'm so happy for you! I'm still holding out hope that I may get a good deal on my room. I'd love to see the 4 for 7 deal pop up for December. I'm not wanting to do the dining plan this trip so I'm probably the only person not hoping for free dining.

Which nights are you going to be at the WL? I've lost track.

Eeek...I just don't know if 4/3 is coming back for the winter...I bet we would know by now?

Um...right now I am at WL the 10th to the 15th. But...that could totally change once I get my schedule of what I am doing when...

Aren't you going to be there then too??

I checked the site for the people we used and it is $65 one-way. Three more hours in the MK. HMMMM! I love ME but we had a quick experience there and a long experience there. Good luck deciding!


Congrats on the discount!!! That is great news! And woo-hoo for WL. We've stayed at AKL and WL and enjoyed both very much. I have heard WL is beautiful at Christmas.

Thanks!!!! I am really excited! I am hoping to relax some and really take a little time to enjoy the resort.

hip hip hooray for you i have always wanted to stay at WL. so exciting.

Thank you!! I am so excited!!

I WANT TO GO!!!!!!!!!

Okay, seriously, I'm so excited for you. The Wilderness Lodge is supposed to be amazing during the holiday season.

Shoot! Wont' you have an AP...come on! The pictures I have seen have been amazing!!

 

[Sandy321]

dont forget to rub Humphrey's nose - for that extra special magic!

(at WL by the gift shop is a totem of bears - its become a DIS tradition to rub humphrey's nose - there is a Dis'er who passed away that was all about WL - and some people have him in their signatures)


Maroo

 

[Sandy321]

The question, is, my friend...how much is 3 extra hours at the MK worth?
This is how I end up spending so much money.....see that logic?

Maroo - this is called "Disney Math"

 

[eyor44]

Congrats on the WL. We stayed there last Thanksgiving and the decorations are beautiful. and you are correct. It is a nice quiet, relaxing resort.....most of the time.

A piece of advice you didn't ask for.
You mentioned having a courtyard view. If you end of near the pool or more exact by the pool on the bar side, on I'd say, the first three floors, DO NOT try to take a nap in the afternoon. Or if you do, make sure you wake up before 3:00pm. Now, what happens at 3:00pm you are wondering. That is when the pool party starts. And it starts when a very energetic CM lets everyone know with a BULLHORN!

This was me when I was startled awake by said bullhorn.
I walked out the patio, up to wonderfully happy CM and said, "What do you think you are doing!?!" He offered me sidewalk chalk to draw with.

You can also see the electric boat parade from the dock each evening.

 

[maroo]

dont forget to rub Humphrey's nose - for that extra special magic!

(at WL by the gift shop is a totem of bears - its become a DIS tradition to rub humphrey's nose - there is a Dis'er who passed away that was all about WL - and some people have him in their signatures)


Maroo

Wow!

Uh...I need a picture of this so I don't rub the wrong nose!!!

Maroo - this is called "Disney Math"

Maroo, PhD - Emphasis - Disney Mathematics - Graduated with Distinction!

Congrats on the WL. We stayed there last Thanksgiving and the decorations are beautiful. and you are correct. It is a nice quiet, relaxing resort.....most of the time.

A piece of advice you didn't ask for.
You mentioned having a courtyard view. If you end of near the pool or more exact by the pool on the bar side, on I'd say, the first three floors, DO NOT try to take a nap in the afternoon. Or if you do, make sure you wake up before 3:00pm. Now, what happens at 3:00pm you are wondering. That is when the pool party starts. And it starts when a very energetic CM lets everyone know with a BULLHORN!

This was me when I was startled awake by said bullhorn.
I walked out the patio, up to wonderfully happy CM and said, "What do you think you are doing!?!" He offered me sidewalk chalk to draw with.

You can also see the electric boat parade from the dock each evening.

Wow!

I don't think I will be taking any afternoon naps. I am more of a sleep in kind of person...Although, with the schedule that weekend...who knows!

This is very valuable information and PLEASE send any more advice that you know of my way!

I have LOTS to do to read up on WL! I don't really know anything about it!

 

[Sandy321]

The Legend of Humphrey Bear and his MAGICAL NOSE.

Humphrey is located in the Lobby and is the Mascot (an animal, person, or thing adopted by a group as its representative symbol and supposed to bring good luck) of The Wilderness Lodge and the Wilderness Lodge Vet's Legend is that if you rub Humphreys Nose at the start of or during your visit to WDW you will be favored with PIXIE DUST and you will have a MAGICAL STAY.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON HUMPHREY AND WHY HE IS IN OUR HEARTS:

One our most loved VETS was a sweet gentleman named Roy Car aka FloridaCat he loved Humphrey and always posted to rub his noise so the Magic could begin. We vets also make sure to say "Hi" to Roy our dear friend when we all visit by rubbing Humph's nose.

This Wilderness Lodge FAQ Thread is dedicated to Roy Carr and his Memory because he was very instrumental in making this and the previous 5 WL FAQ threads the great threads they have all been. He posted weather reports for the WDW area every morning as he lived very near the world. He was our Wild Wacky Wonderful WL Weatherman the title was even bestowed to him by the DIS-Tag Fairy.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1710310

 

[maroo]

Wow...

I have yesterday beat.


You REALLY are not going to believe THIS!


I got an email this morning...which I only checked just now...and I have been upgraded...from the POP for Free Dining...to.....








SSR with Free Dining!












But I need you guys to talk to me...DVCers...I need your help....

I know this sounds stupid. I will probably edit this later for its absurdity. But I am having upgraditis.... Is that a word???

Because when I was on the phone the CM assured me the Studio would still have 2 beds (and let me tell you...I was SOOOOOOO over the top excited about this upgrade!!!!!)....

...but I must not have been clear...I really want "real" beds? And the studio has the one bed and pull out sofa... I am not as excited about that? As even a POP room with 2 regular beds?

Tell me I am crazy....

Convince me I am going to LOVE the SSR so much that I won't care that I am on a pull out sofa!

Am I complaining about an upgrade?? I have lost my mind.



Edit #1:
edited to add....I am grateful...really! I think the Type A planner in me is just a little freaked out that I signed on to a resort that I have never even researched for a second!

Edit #2:
edited again!!!! Ok...forget what I said above....



SSR Owners! Tell me about your resort...will I want to buy it after I have stayed there? The pictures look very, very nice!!

And for those of you that know me well....I am pretty excited...I get a HOT TUB!!!! (should I warn them?)



Edit #3:
Ok...I am totally over my upgraditis! For kicks, I will leave all of the above up so you can all laugh at me now or later!

There are LOTS of people on the Resort board that got this email and called with no availability at the same time I was calling. I really think the CM did me a GREAT favor by back door booking me into this...because she sounded like it was gone...but that I was so excited about it that she "made it work"...

So...thank you DISNEY! I already loved you...now I love you more!

Ok...that should be all of my edits....

 

[If U Had Wings]

First off, congratulations!!! That's wonderful. Your having quite the bit of pixie dust for your trips.

I looked into this once before, and I believe that some rooms at SSR have two beds, but not all. Most I think have a bed and a foldout. If I remember correctly, there is a type of room you have to ask for and it's not coming to me right now. I'd head over to the DVC section and see if they have more info.

All the rooms at OKW though have two beds with no sofa in the studio.

 

[maroo]

First off, congratulations!!! That's wonderful. Your having quite the bit of pixie dust for your trips.

I looked into this once before, and I believe that some rooms at SSR have two beds, but not all. Most I think have a bed and a foldout. If I remember correctly, there is a type of room you have to ask for and it's not coming to me right now. I'd head over to the DVC section and see if they have more info.

All the rooms at OKW though have two beds with no sofa in the studio.

You are so sweet!!!!!!!

Actually...I feel really bad for the poor real owners of the DVC...

I am thinking I will make no requests on this ressie. I just feel like the DVC folks that are owners or even renting points should be able to have their requests.

But...that is a GREAT idea! I need to head over to the DVC board and see if I can get some more info on this resort!!

 

[that's nice]

Congrats on WL!!!!!!

DW probably wouldn't like it there but I would! LOL

I'm trying to look into the resort upgrade PIN that many ppl got today. I wonder where mine is? LOLOL

 

[Sandy321]

Maroo - and I will chuckle!!

Head over to this thread about SSR:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2234137&highlight=SSR
I think there are some good tips (the OP got lost at SSR so dvc owners helped out!!)

We arrived at SSR yesterday. We got a studio in Congress Park in the section closest to DTD. We have a nice view of DTD. No problems at all with the room. I do have a question - are the foldout beds usually made up with linens or do you have to make them yourselves. I thought in the past, when you folded out the bed, it already had linens on it. DD29 slept on it last night and we had to make it up first. No big deal, but I just thought in past visits it was already made up.

Also, she said it was very, very uncomfortable. I know it's a sofa bed so what do you expect, but she has slept on them in the past and didn't remember it being so uncomfortable. Now she does have back problems, so that could be part of it. I told her I'd try it tonight (I can pretty much sleep anywhere).
__________________

and here is the SSR owners and lovers thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1329308&highlight=SSR

Cant wait for more details!!

 

[Sandy321]

looking for more helpful posts:

I requested the Springs section because I wanted to be close to everything. But now I'm hearing that I should have requested Grandstand because it's the first bus stop and the first two buildings are pretty close to Springs anyway. My question - if we stay with our Springs request (I don't know if it will do any good to call MS this close to our arrival), how long of a walk is it to the Grandstand bus stop? And would I be able to request Grandstand at check-in, even though I have a request in for Springs? I'm so confused...
We have stayed at both locations and both have their advantages. Consider if you end up at the Springs that it is the last bus stop so there is less travel when going. I personally don't think it is worth the walk to the Grandstand to be first. When returning via bus, if you are up to a short walk, you can get off at the Paddock section and walk across the bridge to the Springs and save some riding.

and:
Grandstand has a children's splash area and is the first bus stop for almost all routes. It's the second closest (behind Springs) to the main area.

Springs is the closest to the main pool and CS location but is the last bus stop for almost all routes. During busy seasons, the busses will be standing room only by the time they get to this stop.

Congress Park has views of DTD and a quiet pool. It's also got the shortest walk to DTD.

Paddock is one of those areas (along with Carousel) that nobody wants to stay in with children due to the walk to the bus stop, quiet pool, main pool, etc. Since we are a couple with no children, this is the area we have enjoyed the most because it's been so quiet.

The resort is very large but walkable. The paths are wide and well lit. Most people request Grandstand or Springs but we are perfectly happy staying further away and walking.

 

[maroo]

Sandy -

I won't quote all of your helpful posts today....but thanks for the WL info!! I spent some time on that thread today! I am so excited about WL!!!!

Congrats on WL!!!!!!

DW probably wouldn't like it there but I would! LOL

I'm trying to look into the resort upgrade PIN that many ppl got today. I wonder where mine is? LOLOL

I am going to LOVE WL! I am afraid I am going to love it too much!


I am feeling MUCH better tonight about the SSR resort! I know more about it after some research and talking to a few folks tonight and can't wait to check it out!!!