Just Back From 4/10 Wonder and Wilderness Lodge

[jwhaley]

We just returned from Florida and had an incredible vacation on the 4 day Wonder and then 3 days at the Wilderness Lodge. The weather was perfect!!! I spent several months reading the DisBoards and this is my first post. Thank you for all of the great suggestions. Our vacation was even more enjoyable with all of the great advice!!! If you have any questions about the cruise or the parks...I would be happy to answer them!!!

 

[mommasita]

No Questions...Glad you had a great time...

 

[Saratoga Souris]

I am doing the same thing at the end of August; can't wait!
Any shore excursions? I am trying to decide what to do at CC and in Nassau.

 

[jjgarv]

Jwhaley,

What kind of transportation did you use to get to the ship, from the ship to WL ,and then from WL to airport? We are doing a the same trip, except to Saratoga Springs in Oct and are trying to figure out the best and cheapest way for transportation.

 

[jwhaley]

We did not do any excursions. We spent a few hours in Nassau (Straw Market was a great place to get souveniers for much less than the shops...if you can stand the congestion and constant badgering!!!). Then we went back to the ship for lunch and spent the afternoon at the pool. There were not many people on the ship, so we were able to get chairs near the pool and relax.
At CC we rented snorkel gear. I highly recommend this. It was incredible. Mickey is still not back from his hurrican damage, but they said they expect him any day.
For transportation, we flew in on Sat. night and stayed at the Fairfield Inn Airport ($70.00) They shuttled us from the airport at night and back to the DCL area in the morning. We took the DCL bus to Port Canaveral and then took the DCL bus back to the airport. We rented an SUV for 3 days ($106.00) and drove to the resort and then back to the Fairfield on Sat. Night. (I can't see paying for a night at a Disney hotel when we won't get back to the room til after 11 and our flight the next day is at 7am). You can take the DCL bus to disney after the cruise and then get Mears or another company to take you to the airport after your stay. For us the price was $90.00 for a van to take us to the airport, so it was more economical to rent the car. (it was nice to have on the nights we were out til 2am at DTD!) Disney now has the Magical Express service for the airport too...maybe you could check into that!
BTW jjgarv...we went to the open house for DVC members at SSR and the rooms are beautiful. We may stay there next time!!!

 

[KaitlinsMom]

How did you like the Wilderness Lodge? Any details? Thanks!

Karen

 

[rejobako]

I'm Florida bred so water colder than bathwater tends to seem cold. How's the water on CC these days? (As I expect to be in in 3 weeks from tomorrow. )

 

[jwhaley]

The Wilderness Lodge is our favorite. This was our first time staying in the Villas and my daughter missed the bunk beds. They have children's story time in the lobby by the fire at night. Sometimes they bring in an animal and talk about its habitat etc. They have a mug you can buy at Roaring Forks...a fast food cafe...($12.00???) and get free refills for the duration of your stay. A great deal and the mug makes a nice coffee travel mug when you return home!!! You must eat at Wispering Canyon. It is a riot. The food is BBQ and you can get an all you can eat platter of food. I am hungry just thinking about it. They also serve breakfast with an all you can eat platter (scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, hash brown patties and biscuits for under $10.00). Artist's Point restaurant is very good, but pricey. It makes a nice night away from the kids. WL has a kids activity area (for a price) if you want to get away for a few hours. My daughter says the pool is the best pool ever. If you can get a spot near the geyser at 10:00 you can see the fireworks from MK.

The water at Castaway Cay was cold. I was pressured into snorkeling and once I was in the water, I didn't notice the cold at all. I was in the Atlantic on the Outer Banks during April a few years back and I went in the water. It was cold when I got in and numbing within 5 minutes. Castaway Cay was cold when I got in, but not numbing at all. Almost like pool water 75 - 80 degrees maybe

 

[surfer_ed]

Great report jwhaley and thanks for info on the transfers between airport and DCL.

We just made the decision to do a 4 day trip on Wonder and then a stay at one of the resorts for 3 days after. Not sure which resort. Would love to stay ast Wilderness Lodge but might not fit into the budget. Last year we stayed at AKL and it was amazing. We are thinking Pop Cent this year since it is only for 3 days.

Anyone know how much it is to have Disney drop you off at a WDW resort after your cruise? Is it cheaper than renting a car by the terminal?

 

[seakat]

I'm Florida bred so water colder than bathwater tends to seem cold. How's the water on CC these days? (As I expect to be in in 3 weeks from tomorrow. )

Hi! We also just returned from the 4/10 Wonder trip. I think they said the water temp was 78 degrees on CC. We are from Seattle and I thought the water temp was great!

 

[rejobako]

jwhaley/seakat: thanks for the update on water temp. 78 Degrees?!?! What do they think I am, an eskimo?