My Disney Birthday Wish Came True! – June 2025 Trip Report (RL Update 7/23!)

[VAtink]

I love that you do the crafts! I toy with the idea but, I'm not a very crafty person so I always forget about it when trip time comes around.

They're so fun! My mom isn't crafty either, but she has a lot of fun at these things, and she does an awesome job! The woman who ran this one was super helpful to those who weren't comfortable with some aspects, like applying the template, so even if you're not crafty you can definitely make something amazing!

 

[VAtink]

Love this craft!!!!

It is so cool! I definitely want to do this one again. There was a couple in our class who the instructor mentioned had done this class like a dozen or so times already!

 

[VAtink]

Day 3, Part 5: Tasteful Artistry at Wilderness Lodge, Part 2!​

We last left off waiting for our freshly stained boards to dry.

While waiting we went up to get some food. They had the potato flatbread, which was delicious, and a popcorn flight which was really good!

Being a good trip reporter I did what all good trip reporters do and totally forgot to get pictures. Oops!

Once the stain had dried, the instructor showed us how to apply the stencil, then let us try (or we could ask her to do it for us if we weren’t comfortable). Since we were in the front, and she needed an example, she ended up putting the stencil on my mom’s board to show how it’s done which my mom really appreciated. Although she accidentally used the wrong stencil!

So even though mom and I got the same design, she opted to get the board with the hooks, and I got the handles. The stencils are slightly difference based on if you’re using hooks or handles. When the instructor grabbed my mom’s board, my mom was holding her stencil on her lap under the table, so the instructor grabbed my stencil instead! At the time we didn’t know that they were different, it wasn’t until she had already put the stencil on the board that she noted that there was a little T or H at the top to indicate if it should be a tray or hook. Oops! (and these stencils were SOLIDY stuck on, not easy to remove)

The good news is the only difference we could see was the stencil for the board with the hooks had a slightly larger design than the one for the handles, so not the end of the world, but it did stress us out for a bit!

Applying the stencil was a bit stressful trying to get it lined up perfectly and straight, but I managed and think I did a pretty good job!



Next up it was time to select paint. So we got in line to figure out what paints we wanted to use. I wanted to do an ombre with sunset colors, while mom wanted to do a mix of green, white, and blue.

The instructor helped us pick colors that would go well together and wouldn’t wash out on the background stain we selected, then poured us our colors and gave us plates and some sponge brushes.

Once everyone had paint, the instructor showed us how to apply it, instead of sweeping it on, you had to dab it, and the first two layers should be very very lightly applied to seal around the stencil so it didn’t bleed any. In total she said we should have 4-6 layers. We were then off on our own!







Since we had to apply so many layers, this ended up taking some time. Since I wanted to make mine ombre, I decided to blend the yellow and orange, and the red and orange to make the colors flow better together. The instructor saw me doing this and got me some extra cups with the paints already blended to help, especially since I was so far behind everyone else due to having to stain both sides and I needed to hurry up! Apparently, a manager came in at some point and was STRESSED that there was only 30 minutes left of the class and most had not started removing the stencil yet.







Once the paint dried it was time to remove the stencil. The big outer part wasn’t too bad to remove, just took some muscle since it was really stuck on there. But the detailed portion of the stencil in the design was harder to remove. We had to use tweezers, and it was difficult to grab the stencil without nicking the paint. It took a while, but I finally got the hang of it, and once I did it went much faster. So much faster that even though I didn’t start removing my stencil until about 15 minutes after my mom, I finished before she had gotten most of her detail stencil off, so we ended up working together to finish removing hers. We were the last two done, opps, and some of the Disney suits were hovering around anxious to get us out, I assume since they had to start getting the place ready for dinner! The class was schedule to be from 12-2pm, but we didn’t end up leaving until about 2:45! No wonder the managers were getting worried.



In the end it was a really fun class, and made a really cool souvenir! We did leave with instructions to coat it with a water based polyurethane when we got home to seal it (which I am currently doing as I write this…well waiting for the first coat to dry at least).

Btw, here are the finished products!





I definitely recommend this one!

Next up: Just a Minor Plumbing Problem​

 

[ThreeBoyMama]

Those turned out great! What a fun souvenir

 

[Wood Nymph]

The tables were assigned, so we found ours, and lucked out being at the front of the class!

You must have been the first to register for the class.

I think I would have been annoyed if the instructor used my board to show the class how it was done.

A few minutes later she came back to let us know we started a trend, most people ended up ordering the grapefruit beer!

I learned about the grapefruit beer from Dis friends. I love it. I even have some at home.

I got one side stained, but then rushed to finish the other side. That was the one complaint I had; if you had to stain both sides there wasn’t much time since the class seemed to be paced for those who only had to stain one side.

Would it have been possible to have the backs already stained before you got there?

We were the last two done, opps, and some of the Disney suits were hovering around anxious to get us out, I assume since they had to start getting the place ready for dinner! The class was schedule to be from 12-2pm, but we didn’t end up leaving until about 2:45! No wonder the managers were getting worried.

I think the first seating is 4pm.

Btw, here are the finished products!

They turned out really nice. I like both of them.

 

[iona]

Those turned out really well! I’d love to try this but it does look like they’d take up a fair bit of suitcase space?

 

[erinch]

How totally hilarious and memory making.

 

[GGOOFY1]

Those are wonderful! What other craft activities like this are done around the resorts? I found the mickey mosaics, cake decorating and the paint class. Are there more?

 

[VAtink]

Those turned out great! What a fun souvenir

Thanks! This is such a great souvenir, it makes me excited to try the other art activities at the other resorts!

 

[VAtink]

You must have been the first to register for the class.

I'm pretty sure we were, I didn't even realize you could register at the 60 day mark, but I was on the line with DSS for something else and inquired about it, and they let us know we could book already so we did!

I think I would have been annoyed if the instructor used my board to show the class how it was done.

Yeah, I would too, but she did ask if my mom minded, which she didn't. There were a handful of people who asked the instructor to put their stencil on too, so it is nice to have that option if you're really worried about not getting it on straight and centered.

I learned about the grapefruit beer from Dis friends. I love it. I even have some at home.

Isn't it good?? They have a variety pack too which I really like and get at home a lot.

Would it have been possible to have the backs already stained before you got there?

I guess they could have it stained a clear stain. Since we don't pick out the stain until we get there they couldn't guess what color to pick so clear would make the most sense for this.

I think the first seating is 4pm.

Oh yeah, we were cutting it close! The instructor did say they usually run over a bit, but I'm not sure if they run over that much!

They turned out really nice. I like both of them.

Thank you!

 

[VAtink]

Those turned out really well! I’d love to try this but it does look like they’d take up a fair bit of suitcase space?

Thank you! They didn't take up too much space, the hardware comes separately so they're flat when you pack them. They are 16"x9.25"x0.5", so not small, but not huge. We just wrapped them in some clothes to protect them and put them in my checked bag. It did help though that we had a short trip, so my suitcase was relatively empty on the way down, so I had plenty of room for souvenirs and these on the way home!

 

[VAtink]

How totally hilarious and memory making.

It was definitely a fun class! We're really starting to love these art activities, it's a nice break from the parks and makes for great memories!

 

[VAtink]

Those are wonderful! What other craft activities like this are done around the resorts? I found the mickey mosaics, cake decorating and the paint class. Are there more?

Thank you!

The Poly has the Lei making as their signature activity, the GF has the cel painting, both the Contemporary and AKL Kidani have mosaics and have some resort specific designs like the monorail or the 5-legged goat, AKL Jambo has a painting class, and Ft Wilderness has the board painting similar to WL but theirs is round. Oddly the crescent lake hotels don't have a signature activity like the other deluxe resorts, but they do have the standard art activities like tie-dye and some have bracelet/necklace making. We'll be doing the cel painting next at the GF, I can't wait!

 

[iona]

Thank you! They didn't take up too much space, the hardware comes separately so they're flat when you pack them. They are 16"x9.25"x0.5", so not small, but not huge. We just wrapped them in some clothes to protect them and put them in my checked bag. It did help though that we had a short trip, so my suitcase was relatively empty on the way down, so I had plenty of room for souvenirs and these on the way home!

Thanks for providing the measurements - that’s really helpful!

 

[VAtink]

Day 3, Part 6: Just a Minor Plumbing Problem​

After the class we made our way back to the room to put our boards away, then made our way out to get more pictures around the lodge and swing by the store once again to get the WL shirt for my mom.

At one point we were getting pictures and a CM saw us, so asked if we would like a picture of the two of us. We happily agreed, so he asked where would we like the picture. I was thinking the bridge over the stream in the lobby, but my mom decided that no, she wanted a picture under this sign…



The CM seemed just as confused as I was!

We then made our way upstairs to shower and rest before our big night. I had to get a picture of this cute rail in the elevator, I love all these little details!





We then made our way up to our room. Before entering I got pictures of our shiny new door handle and the older one next door since apparently ours was too worn down and had to get replaced.


Our shiny new handle...


What the old handle looked like.

When we got inside we went to wash our hands, and it was at this point we realized that our water wasn’t working, at least the hot water wasn’t. The cold water was fine, but the hot wouldn’t turn on and the shower wouldn’t turn on. Oh no!

So I ran off to the CL desk to let them know, and they informed me it wasn’t just our room, the entire hotel didn’t have water.

Thankfully we had a really relaxing indoor day so didn’t really need showers before dinner!

Around 4:50 we headed back over to the lounge to grab a table (had to get there early to snag one with half the lounge closed off!), and wait for dinner. By 5:00 most of the tables had been taken.

The dinner this evening was good, but not quite as good as the prior night. They had ribs, a chicken curry salad, a shrimp dish, a salad with a delicious lemony dressing, and a few other items. I didn’t get a picture of all the food this evening since the food area was always packed when we went in this evening. I don’t know if it’s just because it was June so more crowded, but this is the first club level where we often had to wait in a decent line to get food, especially during the hors d’oeuvres service.

Also, this day a new family checked in with two teen/preteen boys, who every time we saw them in the lounge, which was every single breakfast and hors d'oeuvres service the rest of the week, would cut in front of other guests, use their hands instead of the utensils to pick up some items, and when they actually did use the utensils, instead of putting them back on the dish in front of the food, they put them fully in the food so the handle would be covered in sauce. I wish their parents would have joined them in the food area since the kids clearly didn't have a clue how to dish out food or wait in line. Although a few days later I saw a teen girl lick food off her fingers then touch all the serving utensils immediately after, so that was worse. Maybe Disney should have a rule that if you’re under 18 you cannot get food on your own? Although some adults are probably even worse so that may not help!

Anyways, the food was good even though I preferred the previous nights. The chicken curry was my favorite.



We also grabbed some wine to enjoy with our pre-dinner meal.

After finishing up, we grabbed some wine to take back to the room to drink when we got back later that night.



Next up: Ft. Wilderness!​

 

[VAtink]

Thanks for providing the measurements - that’s really helpful!

You're welcome!

 

[GGOOFY1]

Thank you!

The Poly has the Lei making as their signature activity, the GF has the cel painting, both the Contemporary and AKL Kidani have mosaics and have some resort specific designs like the monorail or the 5-legged goat, AKL Jambo has a painting class, and Ft Wilderness has the board painting similar to WL but theirs is round. Oddly the crescent lake hotels don't have a signature activity like the other deluxe resorts, but they do have the standard art activities like tie-dye and some have bracelet/necklace making. We'll be doing the cel painting next at the GF, I can't wait!

Thank you! I found the phone number for Wilderness to call and reserve. I will have to look at the other resorts. I agree, the resorts around crescent lake should have them. We are staying at the YC.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Oddly the crescent lake hotels don't have a signature activity like the other deluxe resorts,

There is a painting class held in Martha's Vineyard at the Beach Club.

And there is a mosaic class at POR.

The dinner this evening was good, but not quite as good as the prior night. They had ribs, a chicken curry salad, a shrimp dish, a salad with a delicious lemony dressing, and a few other items. I didn’t get a picture of all the food this evening since the food area was always packed when we went in this evening. I don’t know if it’s just because it was June so more crowded, but this is the first club level where we often had to wait in a decent line to get food, especially during the hors d’oeuvres service.

I think there are more families in the summer months, when the kids are out of school. The kids can create a lot of chaos.

 

[Araminta18]

So I ran off to the CL desk to let them know, and they informed me it wasn’t just our room, the entire hotel didn’t have water.

What?! that's crazy! No notice or anything?

Also, this day a new family checked in with two teen/preteen boys, who every time we saw them in the lounge, which was every single breakfast and hors d'oeuvres service the rest of the week, would cut in front of other guests, use their hands instead of the utensils to pick up some items, and when they actually did use the utensils, instead of putting them back on the dish in front of the food, they put them fully in the food so the handle would be covered in sauce. I wish their parents would have joined them in the food area since the kids clearly didn't have a clue how to dish out food or wait in line. Although a few days later I saw a teen girl lick food off her fingers then touch all the serving utensils immediately after, so that was worse. Maybe Disney should have a rule that if you’re under 18 you cannot get food on your own? Although some adults are probably even worse so that may not help!

ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

 

[VAtink]

Thank you! I found the phone number for Wilderness to call and reserve. I will have to look at the other resorts. I agree, the resorts around crescent lake should have them. We are staying at the YC.

You're welcome! Yeah, it's weird how the Crescent Lake resorts are the only deluxe resorts that don't have signature activities, they do have the general arts and crafts that are offered at most of the other resorts though.