Just Back From First Trip

[ransom]

We were in The World just 24 hours ago. We got back home last night around 8 PM. DW and I are feeling extremely depressed.

But, it was an extremely successful trip. We were there from Dec 8 through the 16, staying at the Wilderness Lodge. We went to Magic Kingdom 4 times, Epcot 2 times, Animal Kingdom 2 times, MGM studios once, and Downtown Disney & DisneyQuest once.

There just wasn't enough time for us to do it all. We went on all the adult rides, but only saw a few shows. We did see the major parades and the evening fireworks shows, though.

No Dreams were awarded to us, but every single day at least one magical event occurred. We even got towel animals nearly every day! And nothing bad happened to us: no rude stroller or ECV people, no illnesses, no rides breaking down while we were on them, and no rides down for maintenance!

As far as wait times, we walked on to most rides. We had to wait 5 minutes or less for about a quarter of the rides, got fastpasses for a few (Expedition Everest, Kilimonjaro Safaris, BTMRR, Soarin'), and had to wait 20 minutes for one: Jungle Cruise.

Staying at the Wilderness Lodge was everything we'd hoped it would be! Transportation was a breeze, with busses and boats coming within minutes of us arriving at the bus stop or dock. The cast members at the Lodge were fantastic, too. And we loved the feeling of being in a remote location even though we were 5 minutes from MK.

The best thing is that DW, once a bit skeptical about the whole thing, now wants to go back as soon as possible - and to stay longer!

I'll write a full trip report soon. I just wanted to check in with my fellow DISers and let everyone know how it went!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Really glad your trip was all you hoped it would be and then some. The WL is one of our favorites too. You just can't beat the pool and hot tubs, and for me, Roaring Fork has about the best apple cinimmon oatmeal in the world. As for location and price, WL is great for the boats to and from the MK, our favorite park.

Now that you have Disneyitis, frequent trips will hound you from now on. After 38 some visits, we still loook forward to our next, just like it was our first. Too much to see and do on property. our trips now average 8-12 nights. Grand feeling coming home after a stay but so depressing not being there, know the feeling all too well.

 

[Mouse511]

We also just returned from the WL (12/8 - 12/15). This is by far our favorite resort. It is absolutely beautiful!! We loved it so much, we booked a September 2007 free dining vacation while we were there. Can't wait to go back

 

[ransom]

We also just returned from the WL (12/8 - 12/15). This is by far our favorite resort. It is absolutely beautiful!! We loved it so much, we booked a September 2007 free dining vacation while we were there. Can't wait to go back

Wow! Good move!

Do you have to book it while you're there to get free dining? Did we miss our opportunity?

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I'm so glad you had a great trip! My DBF and I are trying to decide when we want to go to the parks next Decemeber and I'm very glad to hear that the week you went was quieter than the Pop Warner week!

 

[WeirdTigger27]

This is only the beginning!I want to stay for 2 weeks next time we go!!! I'm glad that you both had such a wonderful time!!!! For me it was a dream just being able to go!!!!

 

[swtnikki]

Welcome back! I'm glad to hear that you had fun on your trip. If you miss Disney, there's always Live365 w/Disney music to listen to.

 

[luvgrumpy]

Glad you had a good trip!

 

[themudd4]

So glad you had such a great time! I am ready to go myself now!

How did it compare to Disneyland? I seen that you have been there a few times as well!

 

[byoung]

Glad you had a good trip. We where there from the 8th to the 13th. Did you see the shuttle take off on Saturday night? We did from under the christmas tree in MK.

 

[ransom]

We did see the shuttle launch. We were watching Spectro from the bridge near Splash Mountain, and DW looked to the left and saw an orange glow on the horizon. She said, "It's the shuttle!" Pretty soon everyone around us was watching the shuttle launch. We got to see the booster rocket separation. It was just points of light, but it was still very cool and magical to watch it.

As far as comparing today's WDW with the 1980s DL, there's no comparison! While I went to DL often enough in the late 80s to feel comfortable with relaxed touring, which gave it that special feeling you get when you can notice all the little details, there's no comparison to the feel of WDW as a whole. We were so relaxed even from the first day at our resort. Sure, the touring was less relaxed, but knowing that at the end of every day you can take a nice boat ride and be back at the Lodge with its secluded feeling ... that was just wonderful!

We hope to go back soon enough, and for long enough, that we'll be able to take the parks at a slower pace. We didn't go commando, but being there for opening every day and then going to the evening spectaculars, even with breaks, was a bit of a tough job day after day.

Some days we were so tired we could barely get going. But once we were at a park, we felt the magic and it lifted us up and kept us moving from attraction to attraction! The only time that failed was on the second full day, when we hit our wall. We cut the touring of AK short by a few hours and headed back to Wilderness Lodge to recharge for the next day. After that, we did fine.

One funny thing happened though. Every time we entered MK other than in the morning, there was a parade that stopped us from going where we wanted to go. It happened on the first day when we headed to MK for a couple of hours after we arrived, and it happened every day after that if we went to MK. After a while, we just laughed and went with the flow. At least we got to see each parade more than once!

For the last few nights, we've dreamed Disney. I woke up yesterday thinking I was still in our room at the Lodge, and DW dreamed we were at MGM. After watching our movies and a slideshow of our pictures yesterday, we dreamed of it all again last night.

It was the best vacation we've ever had, and we are so looking forward to going again. I'm very happy that DW liked it as much as I did, as I'd worried she wouldn't find it worth the money. But, from the moment we entered the Lodge, she fell in love with WDW. She literally cried tears of joy when she saw that magnificent lobby. She cried again when we saw the opening ceremony for the first time at MK. And, of course, when we had to leave WL for the last time, we both teared up.

So, we'll be back! But first, starting tomorrow I have to go back to work and earn the money for the next trip!

 

[Gerweniel]

It is great to read a happy first timer's report! Glad you enjoyed it.

 

[ransom]

If you'd like to read more about our trip, I'm posting my trip report here. The first post is kind of wordy, but I'm doing better in the subsequent chapters.

 

[WDWFRV]

If you'd like to read more about our trip, I'm posting my trip report here. The first post is kind of wordy, but I'm doing better in the subsequent chapters.

 

[Cee]

Well, not at WL, but at SSR. It was grand. Walked on everything. Not too
rainy, warm, low crowds. It was awesome. I love the WL too. Can't wait to
stay there again.