Cinderelli
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 22, 2000
- Messages
- 533
We just returned from a 5 day stay at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge (11/17 - 11/21). When we arrived last Saturday, our breath was taken away. The Christmas decorations were already up and they were awesome. The largest tree I've ever seen graced the center of the lobby, with numerous smaller trees (6 ft) placed all around the corners of the lobby. The trees were decorated so uniquely, with animals and lights, etc. Our bellman said the trees had gone up on Friday. The lobby at the Villas was decorated just as nice with a huge beautiful tree there, too. The garlands hung around the railings were so pretty.
The villas were busy, but not so much that we couldn't enjoy ourselves. The pool at the villas was never crowded. We enjoyed the main pool and were always able to find a seat. Our three kids had a ball there.
We went to MGM on Saturday afternoon. We basically walked on to Rock N Rollercoaster (maybe a 10 minute wait), and literally walked onto Star Tours twice. By then, we headed over to the Fantasmic arena. From reading the boards, I thought we should get there at least an hour before to get a seat. People were just starting to head in. We could have easily waited until 15 minutes before showtime to go in. It worked out well for us, tho. Our son got a quick 30 minute power nap and was energized for the show.
Sunday we did Animal Kingdom. We walked right onto the River Raft ride about an hour after opening (9:00). Bad idea. They let my husband and son stay on for a second ride, which they got drenched on. My son was freezing and uncomfortable the rest of the day. I put a dry sweatshirt on him, but his shorts were wet most of the day. Live and Learn, huh! We did Epcot that evening and didn't have anyy trouble finding a place to watch the fireworks.
We had stayed away from MK on the weekend, thinking the weekend would be the worst. Well, Monday we found out where everyone was. MK. It was so crowded in Tomorrowland, we could hardly manuver with our double stoller. The wait for Space Mountain was 80 minutes. We got fastpasses and headed for Toontown. Barnstormer was a 30 minute wait, then to the teacups, another 30 minute wait. My husband headed for Splash & Big Thunder to get fastpasses, while I did the carousel with the kids. We were able to get on It's a Small Small World with only about a 15 minute wait, but Peter Pan, Dumbo, Pooh Bear were all over an hour.
We did dinner at the Castle and got out right at 8:00 (as the fireworks were starting). Awesome, as usual. We were then able to do Space Mountain (fastpass), and the other mountains (fastpasses). By the time we had used our fastpasses, it was almost 9:00. The parade had started and my husband went on Big Thunder 3 times with my 7 and 6 year old with no wait. They also did Splash twice.
Tuesday we did MK again in the AM. Not as crowded but by 1:00 (when we left), it was getting very backed up (hour waits again for the main attactions). Tuesday afternoon we enjoyed the pool at the WL again. Did Boardwalk Tuesday night. Once again, it wasn't very crowded. We got a table for a pizza outside of Spoodle's with no problem. Headed for Beaches and Cream for dessert. We had a 20 minute wait for a table. We got to see 3 of the "Kitchen Sink" desserts delivered. We had to take a picture. The kids couldn't believe it.
Saw the fireworks from Epcot as we were walking back to the Boardwalk. Really awesome.
Upon leaving yesterday, the lobby was really busy. Lot of people coming and going. We had to wait 40 minutes for a bellman to get our luggage. It was and exciting time to be there, tho. We loved every minute.
The Villas were totally awesome. I am so glad we stayed there. Our home resort is OKW. They each offer something special for families. It's so nice to be able to switch off and enjoy the uniqueness of each resort. Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!
The villas were busy, but not so much that we couldn't enjoy ourselves. The pool at the villas was never crowded. We enjoyed the main pool and were always able to find a seat. Our three kids had a ball there.
We went to MGM on Saturday afternoon. We basically walked on to Rock N Rollercoaster (maybe a 10 minute wait), and literally walked onto Star Tours twice. By then, we headed over to the Fantasmic arena. From reading the boards, I thought we should get there at least an hour before to get a seat. People were just starting to head in. We could have easily waited until 15 minutes before showtime to go in. It worked out well for us, tho. Our son got a quick 30 minute power nap and was energized for the show.
Sunday we did Animal Kingdom. We walked right onto the River Raft ride about an hour after opening (9:00). Bad idea. They let my husband and son stay on for a second ride, which they got drenched on. My son was freezing and uncomfortable the rest of the day. I put a dry sweatshirt on him, but his shorts were wet most of the day. Live and Learn, huh! We did Epcot that evening and didn't have anyy trouble finding a place to watch the fireworks.
We had stayed away from MK on the weekend, thinking the weekend would be the worst. Well, Monday we found out where everyone was. MK. It was so crowded in Tomorrowland, we could hardly manuver with our double stoller. The wait for Space Mountain was 80 minutes. We got fastpasses and headed for Toontown. Barnstormer was a 30 minute wait, then to the teacups, another 30 minute wait. My husband headed for Splash & Big Thunder to get fastpasses, while I did the carousel with the kids. We were able to get on It's a Small Small World with only about a 15 minute wait, but Peter Pan, Dumbo, Pooh Bear were all over an hour.
We did dinner at the Castle and got out right at 8:00 (as the fireworks were starting). Awesome, as usual. We were then able to do Space Mountain (fastpass), and the other mountains (fastpasses). By the time we had used our fastpasses, it was almost 9:00. The parade had started and my husband went on Big Thunder 3 times with my 7 and 6 year old with no wait. They also did Splash twice.
Tuesday we did MK again in the AM. Not as crowded but by 1:00 (when we left), it was getting very backed up (hour waits again for the main attactions). Tuesday afternoon we enjoyed the pool at the WL again. Did Boardwalk Tuesday night. Once again, it wasn't very crowded. We got a table for a pizza outside of Spoodle's with no problem. Headed for Beaches and Cream for dessert. We had a 20 minute wait for a table. We got to see 3 of the "Kitchen Sink" desserts delivered. We had to take a picture. The kids couldn't believe it.
Saw the fireworks from Epcot as we were walking back to the Boardwalk. Really awesome.
Upon leaving yesterday, the lobby was really busy. Lot of people coming and going. We had to wait 40 minutes for a bellman to get our luggage. It was and exciting time to be there, tho. We loved every minute.
The Villas were totally awesome. I am so glad we stayed there. Our home resort is OKW. They each offer something special for families. It's so nice to be able to switch off and enjoy the uniqueness of each resort. Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!
