Lifestyles of the not so rich and famous, Poly style,oh the WL(blah) too.DONE!!!8/30

[Fizban257]

MommyPoppins,

We love the Wilderness Lodge. We stayed there on our honeymoon and returned last summer for our fifth anniversary to stay on the concierge level. The lobby is gorgeous and our rooms were nice both times.

That said, I have to admit that the dark wall colors and long hallways are not really all that inviting ... especially on the second/ground floor. We requested a king room for our honeymoon, which we got. But it was on the second floor and was one of the handicapped rooms, so no bath tub, only a shower.

Like you, we also requested a switch and also got moved to a room with two beds. We however, got moved up to a higher floor and out of the long, dark hallway you discovered.

I'd be lying if I didn't admit to being initially disappointed when we searched out our first room. I'm sorry to hear your new room turned out to be more of the same.

Our next trip is either Poly or Contemporary and, right now, the wife and kids out voting me in favor the Cont.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Great update!

WL is one of my least favorite resorts. On our last trip they were out of standard rooms so we were "upgraded" to a courtyard view room. It was soooooooo far away and the room was so run down looking. We open our curtains.....to a beautiful view of a stone wall. Who just goes out to their balcony to stand? Why do they even put chairs out there? Who wants to look at a big stone wall one foot away when they're sitting? I would have been so PO'ed if we had paid for a Courtyard View and this is what we got. I'm glad so many other people love WL at Christmas time because they can have it!

Looking forward to the rest of your report!

 

[ead79]

Thanks for another great installment! I will say a prayer for you that the heart issues will turn out to be nothing serious. It's probably stress--goodness knows moving can do that to you! And you're not alone in thinking the WL is less impressive than some of Disney's other resorts. I'm thrilled that they are redoing the rooms. I like the look of them in the pictures, so I'm looking forward to trying it again. Before it was just too drab for my taste.

 

[MommyPoppins]

Sadly, I have almost no memory of this morning. At all. I'm remembering scratching our plans to be at Epcot early and going to the MK. We never did get to ride SpM and it's one of my favorites. So we went there. I remember something very disturbing in Frontierland. It was a rabid bear. Have I mentioned him before? I am not for sure if it was today or the other day that I saw him. If you've never seen him, check out JnR'sMom TR, she has a picture of him. We probably rode Space Mountain too. But I don't know for sure. We decided to get a little something from the bakery and have a seat on Main Street and watch the morning entertainment. We love doing that, but find we never take the time. So we got a sticky bun and a egg and cheese crossant sandwich to share. The sandwich was SOO good. After we finished up we caught a monorail to Epcot. We rode Figment and sent a picture e-mail to the boys again. Then we went to WS. We started in Canada, as always and wandered around there and then headed toward the UK. We had to cancel our CaGrill ressies the night of my birthday because I was sick, so we resceduled my "birthday dinner" for lunch at Le Cellier. Of course since it was no longer my actual birthday, and they didn't make note of it in the computer, it was no longer my birthday dinner. Or lunch. Just lunch. I think our ADR was for 12ish...but it was 10ish when we had our little "snack" at MK. So we weren't hungry. We thought maybe some beer would help. We shared something and sat on a bench in the shade in the UK. Just talking and people watching. Enjoying our time away. After we finished up we did some shopping and then headed to Le Cellier. We decided that we would ask if it was possible to move our ADR to later because we still weren't hungry. The place was empty and the CM said, "No problem, just come back in an hour or so." Not exactly what I wanted, I wanted a new ADR time, but she sounded confident and I trusted her. We walked around some more, did more shopping and then went back to le Cellier. It was mobbed. She was GONE. The new CM, who I think might have been Mel's Mom, by the way Mel talks about her...would have nothing to do with us. I was pretty mad, this is why I wanted a new ADR, not the word of the CM, who left. We decided to go back to the hotel and get ready to go to TL. Once there Chad called to see if we could get into Artist Point that night. We got a ADR for like 8 or something. We changed and got our stuff together and drove to TL. The place was crowded, I knew it would be, TGM warned me about going. But it was EMH that night, and I figured it had to clear up and we'd be able to enjoy EMH. In the mean time we found some chairs in the middle of no where and hopped into the lazy river for a go around. It was nice. Then we decided to try out the wave pool. It was crowded, a bit too crowded for my liking. So I stayed where the water was only like waist deep and he went out. A wave came. My top went. I was done. My suit is a tankini with a string around the neck for a strap, it didn't fair well with the waves. So I found Chad and told him I was done with this, there were just too many people in the wave pool. So we headed over to the rides on the far side of the wave pool. The wait times were like 15 minutes, so we grabbed a tube and started climbing. Well you know how it is. The only slides worth doing at TL is the Crush N Gusher, so he wasn't exactly thrilled. We went on the other one, during my ride down my float turned and my foot touched the side, I realized that I could use my feet and spin my float around the whole time I was going downhill. I came off the ride, and told Chad and he said he had just done the same thing. We went a few more times, since it was MUCH more fun spinning. Then we got a couple of beers and sat in some chairs, just waiting for the crowds to start leaving so we could ride Crush N Gusher. While sitting there talking, a group of teenagers walk up to us and ask if we have a joint. Locals! I said. Geez, do we look like the type of people who would have a joint.



I'm not sure what all we did next. We ended up at the bar near the wave pool. I had something yummy. And we shared a pretzel. Finally closing time came and people were ushered out of the wave pool and made to leave. We headed over to CnG and rode each one multiple times. We were done though. You can only climb those stairs so many times. We headed back to the WL to get ready for our dinner.

Up next: Will we finally make it to our dinner? Will we eat fast enough to see the EWP one last time? Will we make it to MGM for opening?

 

[sheridac]

MP~

While sitting there talking, a group of teenagers walk up to us and ask if we have a joint. Locals! I said. Geez, do we look like the type of people who would have a joint

I refuse to answer this on the grounds it may incriminate you!!!!

 

[P-Dust]

Great TR, MommyPoppins! Sorry you didn't enjoy WL. We are trying it in Sept. I'm not leaving it to chance and requesting 4th or 5th floor. Your "2nd floor" description is right out of Steven King! (HEEEEEEEER's JOHNNY!!!!)
Can't wait to read if you made your ADR for Artist Point.
Thanks for sharing!

 

[Master Gracie]

Just got caught up MP.

Excellent TR. Hope you get favorable news on the chest pains. That's not something to mess around with.

I thought we were the only ones who noticed the "show" in the Mexican ride. Then I saw that Mark and Rhonda saw it. Now you. Wonder how long it will be before word gets back to the brass at WDW and they change it?

 

[offwegotoneverland]

Sounds like a decent time over all. I hope your dinner works out ok. (And I really hope your feeling better).

Thanks for posting your report! (and the warning on tankini tops)

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Hey Amanda - Glad I popped over here to see that your TR was updated! There are a lot of Lodgers looking for an update!!!!!

 

[AshClan]

I'm all caught up! Have to say, I've been really looking forward to our stay at WL next month. I've always loved the look of the place, though I've never been past the lobby and Whispering Canyon. Anyway, thanks to you, I'm putting in a request for a renovated room on a higher floor. Hopefully, that'll keep us happy. And since we don't have the kids with us, I don't really care how small the room is!!

Thanks for the update. Keep 'em comin!

Hope you're starting to feel better now that you're getting settled.....

 

[MyTalula]

I just read your entire TR and am loving it!! My thoughts are with you on the chest pains. I will be patiently waiting to hear aobut the rest of your trip!!

 

[tazz23]

I am loving your trip report-can't wait to hear what happened next! I feel for u on the WL room- it sounds awful. Hope the chest pains are gone.

 

[MommyPoppins]

We made it down to Artist Point for our ADR's. FINALLY! We had to wait for a few minutes, and then we were seated. Right in the middle of the place. I hate that. When we go out with the kids people try and put us as far away from other humans as possible, we go away by ourselves and there is no such thing as privacy. I ordered the buffalo, Chad got the pork chop. Both were super good. It's a nice place, I'm glad we tried it, but I wouldn't say it's worth going back again. During the course of our meal my cell phone rang, well vibrated. I looked to see who it was, make sure it wasn't important. It was a unfamilar number, a 800 number. So I left the table to see who it was, since they left a voice mail. It was chase, from my Disney Visa. Apparently SOMEONE was using my DISNEY visa in Orlando, away from home. At DISNEY World. Geez. I wonder who that could be. So I figured I would call them after dinner to tell them, "No kidding. Stupid. I'm on vacation." We finished up, gave them our card and guess what? Chase had put a stop on purchases on my card. THAT fast and without my permission. Thankfully we had our debt card with us. I was pretty pissed. Nothing more embarassing than trying to pay for something and they bring you back your card and tell you it's not being accepted. So we paid up, and left. I'm surprised they didn't ask us not to return. heh. Well, I called them and got it straightened out. Who would have thought? We go to WDW all the time, I have never had a credit card stopped because we were charging away from home. I'm all for secruity, but please let me tell you my card is missing, not stopping it without talking to me.

Well I noticed that it was about that time. For the EWP. So I ran outta there and down to the beach. I knew I wouldn't have time to run down the hallway from hell in time. I made it though. I love that thing. Can't wait to see it again at the Poly. In a MONTH! Chad doesn't understand why I like it. He thinks it's stupid.

Afterwards, we went back to our dim, dark, ugly, Kinghts Inn room and went to bed.

Next: LAST day! FiNALLY! MGM

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Chase did that to my Disney card on our last trip to WDW too. Like you, I'm all for security but geez they didn't wait two seconds to put a block on the card.

 

[ead79]

Thanks for another installment! I'm really enjoying your report.

I will do my best to forgive you for saying that you won't be in a hurry to go back to my beloved Artist Point.

 

[offwegotoneverland]

We always call our credit card co's before we leave for this reason.

It saves the irritation.

Glad your food was good even if all the rest of the stuff wasn't.

 

[kpk89]

Hi Mommy Pops! Long time no see! (type!) ITA about the seating thing. We also get place in the outer limits when the kids are with us, and center stage when we're alone. Go figure?

AND, the same thing happened to me yesterday with my Disney visa. Had to buy some furniture, then went on over to buy a new camera, and Wham! Declined. I called them from the store, though, because I really wanted those Disney points! I mean, that's a Dole Whip or something, right there!

 

[Grammyof2]

Mommy - Are we going to hear more soon??? When you get back

 

[MommyPoppins]

I promise to finish up soon! We extended our stay in NY and didnt get back until Saturday. We leave for WDW in 17 days though. So I PROMISE to finish by then!

 

[MommyPoppins]

Today is our last day. We had planned on going to MGM for opening and then leaving early afternoon. We got up early and got ready to leave. We were bummed about having to go home, but kinda glad at the same time. I knew we’d be back soon and I really missed my baby. I always miss the baby the most, I guess because the baby is dependant on you most. They don’t understand you went away for a few days and will be back. To them, you just dropped them off with Frammie and may never be back. I was looking forward to seeing him. We packed up and dragged ourselves and our stuff down the long, dark hallway of doom on last time. We loaded up the van. I was feeling kinda wolley and MGM isn’t my favorite park. In fact, I only go for RnRC. So I asked Chad if he’d rather just go have breakfast together instead of standing in the hot sun waiting for opening. I know. I broke all of TGM’s rules. But I just don’t care for MGM and I knew we could arrive later, get a FP for RnRC and do other things without long lines. So we went inside and were seated right away at the Whispering Canyon. We’d never eaten there before, but had always wanted to try it. We each got the All You Can Eat breakfast platter. The food is good. We enjoyed watching all the familes being tortured. Our server was pretty low key, which was fine by us. After we finished up, we headed to MGM. Parked 400 miles away and trucked way down to the tram. It was cool to see the star wars thingys up on the buildings. I took a picture for the boys and sadly(saidly) wished they could have been there to see them. We got our fast passes and then headed to The Great Movie ride. We had a short wait, 15-20 minutes, maybe. I don’t know. That’s a slow loading ride. I think so anyway. It was fun. The Alien scene always freaks me out. Which I LOVE. Then we went and looked in the Star Tours dump shop. Which was a stupid thing to do. I knew better. But we did it anyway. It was mobbed, complete and utter chaos. Crazy. Scary. But we bought the boys guns there anyway, and stood in line for EVER. Then after standing in line, with other people in front of us. The CM says,”That’s not the line.” Gee, thanks for letting all of us know that NOW. So then we had to wait in the “real” line, which wasn’t marked, for like EVER again. Finally we got our 3 guns and realized we had to carry them for the rest of the time. We stopped and pulled them all out of the boxes, so they wouldn’t be SO bulky. Then we headed over to catch the Narnia thing. Which I thought was going to be something cool. SO we waited in another slow loading line, for at least 20 minutes. And. For what? If you haven’t seen it. Don’t waste your time. You walk through the “wardrobe” and then you are in a K-Mart Fake Christmas tree sales room, with white indoor outdoor carpet/snow. You watch a LONG trailer for the movie and then you leave. So stupid. What a waste of space. After that we walked around the streets of NY and took some pictures. Finally we headed over to RnRc and stood in line for about 15 minutes with our FP’s. I love that ride. I get so nervous every time before I ride. I am almost hyperventilating during the countdown. But once we get started and I can breathe again, it’s SO much fun! After our launch it was time to go. So we headed out, and went home. The end.



Boring last day, I know. We leave in 15 days for our 10 day family trip. Four days at POR and then 6 at the Poly. I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to it. When I think about it too much, I get that same RnRc count-down feeling. People think I am crazy. Even Chad. My family doesn’t understand why we keep going back. Chad doesn’t feel the magic, unless we’re there. I can’t explain it. Can anyone really? In this day and age of hate and war, WDW still feels safe. When you’re there, you can forget about what’s going on in the outside world. You can just enjoy your family in the “safety” and magic that is WDW. Our upcoming trip is all pretty much planned. I made my own “pass porter pockets” with my own TR things on them, so I can keep detailed notes. I plan on doing another TR when we get back. There is no better way to relive your trip than by writing it out in detail. I hope everyone enjoyed reading. Thank you!

PS. I have been given an “all clear” with my heart. Test all came back normal, except that I have a irregular beat and that’s life. I guess it’s been exasperated by the stress of selling a house, trying to build a house, living with someone, getting our own place, still trying to build a house. And all the while the financial burden of trying to build a house we can afford in a world that caters to two income families. We still don’t know what we’re going to do. Taxes keep increasing, insurance rates are sky high, and even impact fees are going to be increasing soon. We just don’t know what to do. So, some days I feel good, and some days I think about life too much and I can’t breathe. Thankfully, in 15 days, I’ll have 10 days of not having to think about where we live, where we’re going to live, and how we’re going to pay for it. Thanks again to everyone who has read my TR faithfully. I hope you’ll come back in a few weeks.

P.S. No thanks to you ZZUB!