timandlesley
<font color=darkorchid>The tag fairy may not but t
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2004
- Messages
- 5,523
Hello, welcome to a fun ride! My name is Lesley (timandlesley) and have been writing trip reports here on the Dis for over 5 years now. We have been going on annual Disney trips as a family for the past 8 years. Last year we bought into DVC and since then have experienced all kinds of fun adventures. Diane (dddisrunner) was a reader of my reports and we met up in Disney last year and our families became fast friends- funny how the internet and a common interest can bring 2 families so close so quickly. Her husband Bryan and Tim went on a guys only trip (link to the TR in my signature) to experience Disapalooza in December, ever since then Diane and I were thinking a girls trip would be nice. WELL, Diane celebrated her 40th birthday last month and Bryans gift to her was our GIRLS TRIP to the WILDERNESS LODGE (my favorite Disney resort). Diane called and asked me if I wanted to go and of COURSE I said yes. We just returned from our fun filled girls weekend and I am excited to tell you ALL about it, so hang on tight, its going to be a fun/fast ride!!!!! (Diane and I decided I would write this and since she took a TON of pics and of course experienced this right along with me she will be adding her "2 cents" and pictures along the way too, we though it would be fun for you to see it from both our perspectives : ) ENJOY!!!!
I awoke bright and early to head out to the airport, it was weird heading out by myself without my family in tow. I took a farewell shot before I got in the car:
Somehow I got a bit lost on my way there and started out a little later then I had planned and I got to the economy parking lot at the airport ONE HOUR before my flight was supposed to take off, YIKES!!! I couldnt find a place to park, had to flag down a shuttle driver and was in a panic I was going to miss my flight. I get to the counter and there is a HUGE line of cheerleaders in front of me (yes, we had accidentally picked Cheer weekend for our Disney travel weekend). I managed to get through the line and to security and when I got to the gate they were already loading the plane, PHEW!!!!
As soon as I touched down I texted Diane to let her know I arrived safely and asked her where she was (her flight got there several hours before mine). She told me the most INCREDIBLE NEWS, we had been UPGRADED TO CONCIERGE LEVEL AT THE WILDERNESS LODGE!!!!! She said she was at the Magic Kingdom and had my key to the world card and to meet her there. I was speechless and even more excited, I just couldnt get off the plane fast enough. As I was walking through the terminal (at a super fast pace) to the tram I was missing my family but then I looked down and saw a little girl throwing an all out temper tantrum and that feeling passed : )
I boarded the tram:
The Orlando airport feels like a home away from home for me, it was nice to be home. I was super excited as I headed in the elevator towards the Magical Express line:
Originally when Diane booked the trip she booked us at Pop Century and then changed it to Carribbean Beach and then to Wilderness Lodge using an Annual Pass Discount. When I approached the Magical Express line that was FULL of cheerleaders wrapped around every turnstyle:
I was SO thankful we were at the Wilderness Lodge and not at Pop for the weekend (I know, Im becoming a Disneyworld resort snob : )
The bus for the Wilderness Lodge had just left so I had to do more waiting, I was becoming very impatient. Finally my bus was there and I settled into my seat to watch the Disney movie:
Before I knew it the bus was passing through those magical gates:
Unfortunately it headed in the WRONG direction towards the Grand Floridian, they were the first stop, then to the Polynesian, they were the second stop, then FINALLY headed towards the Wilderness Lodge. We passed this sign along the way:
At this point I had been on the bus for 45 minutes and was growing VERY impatient:
Finally the bus rolled into the Wilderness Lodge, I was SO excited to be there:
Chills literally ran up and down my arms and legs as I entered the lobby (I know this may sound silly, but I just LOVE this resort and since we bought into DVC I didnt think Id ever stay there again). The resort is full of so many happy memories from our family trips there. I felt like I was home:
I immediately ran over to rub Humphrey Bears nose for good luck:
After that important Disney business was out of the way I headed straight to the boat dock to take a boat to the Magic Kingdom.
I didnt have to wait too long for the boat. As I stood there I just soaked in the BEAUTIFUL weather. I had never been this time of year before and the 85 degree weather minus the humidity was just heavenly. I boarded my boat and took a seat towards the front:
As soon as I walked through the gates I texted Diane, she said she was in front of City Hall, I looked up and saw her running my way. We gave eachother a big hug and talked about how we couldnt believe we were there. It was a first girls only getway from our families for either of us, and here we were in our favorite place with a great weekend ahead of us, we were on cloud nine!!!
Diane had already scored us Fast Passes for Splash Mountain (my favorite!) and one for Space Mountain. We headed over to Space Mountain to grab a fast pass for me and after that I suggested we check out the Buzz line, I thought that would be fun to squeeze in before lunch. Well there was only a 10 minute wait time so we jumped in line.
I dont know WHAT I hit during the ride but I got my highest score ever:
I was SOOOOOOO excited!!! ( I didnt embarrass Diane by taking a picture of her score lol : ) After our friendly competition, we headed towards the Plaza to check in for our lunch reservation. They handed us a pager and the Move it Shake it parade was coming by so we stood over there to watch. Before it approached we had a Photopass Photographer take our picture:
I awoke bright and early to head out to the airport, it was weird heading out by myself without my family in tow. I took a farewell shot before I got in the car:
Somehow I got a bit lost on my way there and started out a little later then I had planned and I got to the economy parking lot at the airport ONE HOUR before my flight was supposed to take off, YIKES!!! I couldnt find a place to park, had to flag down a shuttle driver and was in a panic I was going to miss my flight. I get to the counter and there is a HUGE line of cheerleaders in front of me (yes, we had accidentally picked Cheer weekend for our Disney travel weekend). I managed to get through the line and to security and when I got to the gate they were already loading the plane, PHEW!!!!
As soon as I touched down I texted Diane to let her know I arrived safely and asked her where she was (her flight got there several hours before mine). She told me the most INCREDIBLE NEWS, we had been UPGRADED TO CONCIERGE LEVEL AT THE WILDERNESS LODGE!!!!! She said she was at the Magic Kingdom and had my key to the world card and to meet her there. I was speechless and even more excited, I just couldnt get off the plane fast enough. As I was walking through the terminal (at a super fast pace) to the tram I was missing my family but then I looked down and saw a little girl throwing an all out temper tantrum and that feeling passed : )
I boarded the tram:
The Orlando airport feels like a home away from home for me, it was nice to be home. I was super excited as I headed in the elevator towards the Magical Express line:
Originally when Diane booked the trip she booked us at Pop Century and then changed it to Carribbean Beach and then to Wilderness Lodge using an Annual Pass Discount. When I approached the Magical Express line that was FULL of cheerleaders wrapped around every turnstyle:
I was SO thankful we were at the Wilderness Lodge and not at Pop for the weekend (I know, Im becoming a Disneyworld resort snob : )
The bus for the Wilderness Lodge had just left so I had to do more waiting, I was becoming very impatient. Finally my bus was there and I settled into my seat to watch the Disney movie:
Before I knew it the bus was passing through those magical gates:
Unfortunately it headed in the WRONG direction towards the Grand Floridian, they were the first stop, then to the Polynesian, they were the second stop, then FINALLY headed towards the Wilderness Lodge. We passed this sign along the way:
At this point I had been on the bus for 45 minutes and was growing VERY impatient:
Finally the bus rolled into the Wilderness Lodge, I was SO excited to be there:
Chills literally ran up and down my arms and legs as I entered the lobby (I know this may sound silly, but I just LOVE this resort and since we bought into DVC I didnt think Id ever stay there again). The resort is full of so many happy memories from our family trips there. I felt like I was home:
I immediately ran over to rub Humphrey Bears nose for good luck:
After that important Disney business was out of the way I headed straight to the boat dock to take a boat to the Magic Kingdom.
I didnt have to wait too long for the boat. As I stood there I just soaked in the BEAUTIFUL weather. I had never been this time of year before and the 85 degree weather minus the humidity was just heavenly. I boarded my boat and took a seat towards the front:
As soon as I walked through the gates I texted Diane, she said she was in front of City Hall, I looked up and saw her running my way. We gave eachother a big hug and talked about how we couldnt believe we were there. It was a first girls only getway from our families for either of us, and here we were in our favorite place with a great weekend ahead of us, we were on cloud nine!!!
Diane had already scored us Fast Passes for Splash Mountain (my favorite!) and one for Space Mountain. We headed over to Space Mountain to grab a fast pass for me and after that I suggested we check out the Buzz line, I thought that would be fun to squeeze in before lunch. Well there was only a 10 minute wait time so we jumped in line.
I dont know WHAT I hit during the ride but I got my highest score ever:
I was SOOOOOOO excited!!! ( I didnt embarrass Diane by taking a picture of her score lol : ) After our friendly competition, we headed towards the Plaza to check in for our lunch reservation. They handed us a pager and the Move it Shake it parade was coming by so we stood over there to watch. Before it approached we had a Photopass Photographer take our picture:
but my score was only 4 digits and hers was 6!!!! after my humiliating defeat, we we saw the Shake it parade and stopped....
So nice to see you guys so giddy! 
