Just back from 8 days at the Wilderness Lodge!

[Mackie's Mommy]

It was so hard leaving but the trip was just great. We asked when we checked in if they had anything available for Flag Family and they had 2 dates available so we took Saturday, the day we departed. What an amazing opportunity and Ranger Stan was wonderful.

Of course we went to Whispering Canyon and Cinderella's Royal Table but I surprised DH and DD5 with a private dinner at the Grand Floridian. They were shocked.

We had fun!

 

[Michelle GT]

I'm happy you had a nice trip. Just wondering how the private dinnner was at gf. Is that something all of the hotels have?

 

[Mackie's Mommy]

The private dinner was just great. I called Private Dining at the GF and they offered me several locations to have the dinner. I decided to do it on the 3rd floor private balcony in the main building. Basically you order off the "private dining" menu which looked like a room service menu and you can request specialty desserts as well. I got DD the slipper dessert, DH the tuxedo strawberries and I got the mini wedding cake. We all enjoyed some of everything.

The food was wonderful and the butler, Ruth, just amazing! We were able to see the EWP but didn't stay long enough for Wishes.

I don't know if the other resorts have this option but definitely worth checking into!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Mackie's Mommy

Glad you had a great trip...and you got to be Flag Family
What knid of private dinner did you have at GF?

Posted to slow just read you remarks...WOW that sounds wonderful....

 

[Mackie's Mommy]

Magic~ this was a dinner I just set up with Private Dining at the GF. It was on the third floor balcony near the concierge desks. We weren't guests there but it didn't matter. We were met in the lobby (near the piano) by our server who escorted us up. I set it up as a thank you to my family and it was well worth the effort.

I worked with Consuelo at the GF. She offered me several locations (Summerhouse, cove near Sago Cay, 3rd Floor Balcony.) Got it all accomplished with two phone calls and e-mail. Everything was as I had requested-- I couldn't have asked for a better event.

 

[Wendi]

Welcome Back!

I have wanted to do this several times, I was just wondering if you could tell me how much this costs? I know you pay for the dinner that you order, but how much to have the butler and private location?

Would you do it again?

How was the Lodge? We are thinking about reserving the WL for
our next trip, but don't know. Please tell me everything.

Thank You, Wendi

 

[Mackie's Mommy]

You pay for the dinner you order plus the usual service charge and gratuity for standard room service. The Butler was $50 for three hours-- very reasonable, I thought-- and the location was no charge. I added on an additional tip as well.

If you PM me with an address, I will e-mail the menu for you.

I would definitely do it again, though and plan to next year.

The Lodge was wonderful. I like it because it has no conventioneers. I travel to enough conferences for work and just know when I go to the WL everyone there is on vacation and relaxing. It always has a certain serenity to it when you walk through those doors. We had room 5067-- inner courtyard view opening to the lobby. It was a great room in terms of view and elevator location. At time you could hear the antics from the Whispering Canyon but that in no way bothered us.

Flag Family was definitely a major highlight of the trip. We had gotten to know Ranger Stan last year doing the Lodge tour and he was the Ranger that took us to raise the flags. Sadly, he said the climb was getting harder and harder and he would probably retire by next year when we go.

One thing I didn't know-- the valets will take you to other resorts by van if they aren't busy. We had factored in some cab rides to save time but they took us three of the four times we asked for cabs.

The only issue I had-- and it truly is a small one-- was the service in the Mercantile Shop. All the CMs there just seemed to be having bad days for the duration of our trip. That happens anywhere though and I really didn;t let it get to me-- I was at DISNEY WORLD!

 

[currycook]

So happy you had a great time, its a great place.

 

[currycook]

ps - just read your line about no conventioneers at the WL. How true how true. Not only what you said about that is true, but some of the problems that people have at some resorts are directly related to conventioneers. Good and true line that I never assoicated before with the WL even though we have been there about 10 times. Always learning still. Good point.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

Glad to hear you had a wonderful trip! Your private dining experience sounded lovely. We are headed to WL in 3 weeks. Can't wait!!

 

[dznyacct]

Glad to hear you had a good time. We got back on 8/1/04 from 9 days at VWL. We were Flag Family on Saturday 7/31/04. What a great experience that was! And that Ranger Stan...he's a real treasure. My DH went home the day before so it was just me, DS (14) and DS's best friend (also 14). I got goosebumps reciting The Pledge of Allegience. It was a very memorable experience indeed. We did the Lodge tour afterwards which Stan also conducted. Can't wait to go back!!

 

[5wdwnutz]

what is it? during our upcoming trip we are hoping to spend sometime checking out resorts for our trip in 06. WL is definiting one of the resorts we are considering.

i've never been there before so any info you have is greatly appreciated.

the private dinner sounds wonderful. oh the things you learn on these boards.

missy

 

[Joe Mouse]

OK what is a "Flag Family" (asked by this newbie)?

Joe Mouse

PS Check my counter.......

 

[newholiday]

what time is the Lodge tour?

 

[princesscrazydaughte]

What time is the flag ceremony??

 

[caribear]

Sounds like you had a great vacation! Would you mind posting the phone number for the private dining at the Grand Floridian? I am thinking this might be wonderful surprise for DH on our upcoming trip!

Thanks!!

 

[DisOrBust]

I think I just found out how to celebrate the Dh's 40th!!! Is the private dinning menu the same as the room service menu on Deb Wills Site??

 

[Daisie]

When we were the flag family in January our ranger was also Stan......what a memorable experience he gave us!! Glad you had a wonderful trip!

 

[Mackie's Mommy]

The contact number for the CM (Consuelo) that helped me is 407-824-2578. She was great!

 

[Mackie's Mommy]

princesscrazydaughte and Joe Mouse~ "Flag Family" is when you go up with the CM (in our case it was Ranger Stan) to raise all 5 flags on top of the Wilderness Lodge. You are about 9 stories high, on the roof and you get some really breathtaking views. You also have great interaction with the CM and receive a certificate afterwards saying The XXX Family was Flag Family on XX/XX/04.

Last year there were no dates for the week we were at the Lodge when we arrived at 10:15 a.m. to check in. This year we arrived at 8:30 a.m. and there were 2 available dates. They will not take reservations for this ahead of time. You have to ask at Guest Services when you check in. We went up around 8 a.m.