Our Seemingly Silly Semi-Illogical Four Day Whirlwind Trip

[Backstage_Gal]

Kay, another great installment. I too am disappointed you did not get an upgrade to a better view, but look at the positive side:
You could have paid full price for Concierge and gotten a 100% dumpster view. I always felt sorry for those poor folks.

 

[TiggerandTink]

TiggerandTink. You're so nice! Thanks for the compliments. May I add some further suspense by saying that you, and a few others here, will figure into the next episode in an unexpected way?

Well now you really have us hook, line and sinker. Not to put too much pressure on but keep the laughter coming.

I have to say that I am really hoping we get a few towel animals or a Mickey head when we head to the World in May. If I came back and found our stuffed animals on the toilet reading that would be hilarious. I sure hope you took a picture of that 'wdwtravels'?

And speaking of pictures - I know its been said before here Kay but your pictures are wonderful. I love seeing them in your story.

 

[DrmWvr1299]

I am loving this TR! We stayed at the lodge in Dec. '05 so I am remembering all the wonderful things that we saw. The CM at the front desk in your report had me crying I can't wait for the next installment I keep looking closely at your pics of Epcot. My daughter was there at the same time for her Disneymoon.

 

[iluvsushi]

Lowell and I both press the elevator button, since we secretly believe that doing so makes it come faster.

Bwah-ha-ha!!!! That's really elevating "togetherness" to a new level.

Your "blinders" episode was making me smile. I hope you didn't have to use them through the whole stay.

Being new to the DISboards, I had never heard of a towel animals, so I would have had no idea what that white thing was coiled up in the distance on your bed. Now I'm wondering...Did you actually USE the towels after you preserved a photo for posterity?

As always, great weekend entertainment. Keep up the good work!

-Iluvsushi

 

[Philadisney]

what a wonderful description of the wilderness lodge! I am planning to split my next trip between the WL and the Beach Club, and have been feeling unsure about my decision to stay at the WL instead of saving some cash and doing a moderate. But your glowing praise for the WL is really pushing me in that direction, hmmmm!
Enjoying your story immensely, thanks for the great read!

 

[PKWallaby]

Thanks for another great installment. It is waaay below zero here in central WI so I am using your beautiful trip photos of sunny FL to warm my hands(that or the chasm of fire, take your pick!) as I type.

You have such a gift...It's so easy to get carried off to that wonderful world through your writing.

Please keep it up as I have 44 days until we return.

 

[Wyndale]

As I read your report last night, my hubby came in, and I showed him the photo of the dock leading to WL. He knew right away where that photo was taken, then we sat together to look at the rest of your photos and remember our last trip. It was a warm fuzzy time for us

Looks like they have new bed frames now. After the week we spent there my shins were scared for life. Are they still dangerous? Were you surprised at the size of the room? We ended up spending more time in the room then expected though. Hubby played golf 3X while we were there, so we spent some time waiting for the other to return. (That was before cell phones for me. ) I spent those days by the pool and/or at MK, because Murf is a bit of a curmudgeon. But by the end of the trip he had to admit that that he felt the Power of Mickey! And after looking at the photos you just posted, he's agreed to another trip down to see the Mouse. He's even agreed to watch the parades, which he flat out refused the last time!


I love reading your reviews, a definite "E" ticket ride!

 

[Kay7979]

Hello! It's another near zero degree day here in Western New York, and we have Test Track conditions, big time! I should have included in the Test Track segment a section of track where you drive the car in zero visibility through blowing snow!

Kay, another great installment. I too am disappointed you did not get an upgrade to a better view, but look at the positive side:
You could have paid full price for Concierge and gotten a 100% dumpster view. I always felt sorry for those poor folks. Last edited by Backstage_Gal : Yesterday at 12:32 PM. Reason: We have to wait an entire week for an update????????

Backstage_Gal: I have heard that concierge doesn't consist of all courtyard views, but I'm surprised to hear it includes standard view rooms, much less the service area. Yikes. I would not be pleased if we paid the big bucks for concierge and got the dumpster view. As for the update, a week isn't very long. Maybe you haven't been snapping out of the Time Dilation Effect after reading. Close your eyes and spin the other direction while thinking about time passing quickly! Tell you what, though, I'll compromise. As I mentioned before, the next segment has a main episode and a small add-on segment. I'll post the main episode on Friday, and the add-on Sunday evening.

Well now you really have us hook, line and sinker. Not to put too much pressure on but keep the laughter coming.

And speaking of pictures - I know its been said before here Kay but your pictures are wonderful. I love seeing them in your story.

TiggerandTink: Pressure is good! I have to continue to live up to your expectations, and my own. I'm glad you like the photos. The top three all appeared fine when I posted the episode, now, no matter what I do, one of the three won't show up, except as a link. ARGH!

I am loving this TR! We stayed at the lodge in Dec. '05 so I am remembering all the wonderful things that we saw. The CM at the front desk in your report had me crying I can't wait for the next installment I keep looking closely at your pics of Epcot. My daughter was there at the same time for her Disneymoon.

DrmWvr1299: Hey, a new reader! Hi! I'm glad I can help you relive some great memories of your trip. As for making you cry, normally I would be upset, but in this case it's a good thing. I hope you daughter and her husband had a magical Disneymoon.

Bwah-ha-ha!!!! That's really elevating "togetherness" to a new level.

Being new to the DISboards, I had never heard of a towel animals, so I would have had no idea what that white thing was coiled up in the distance on your bed. Now I'm wondering...Did you actually USE the towels after you preserved a photo for posterity?

iluvsushi: Wow, "elevating" togetherness to a new level? If that elevator pun was not intentional, it was a good one! As for the towel animals, you're free to take them home, or use them, but we just gently moved ours over to the little table in our room for the rest of our stay.

what a wonderful description of the wilderness lodge! I am planning to split my next trip between the WL and the Beach Club, and have been feeling unsure about my decision to stay at the WL instead of saving some cash and doing a moderate. But your glowing praise for the WL is really pushing me in that direction, hmmmm!
Enjoying your story immensely, thanks for the great read!

Philadisney: If you have never stayed at the Lodge, it's certainly worth doing at least once. I really like the Moderates, too. For the money, I think they're a great deal. If you do give the Lodge a try I hope you will enjoy it as much as we did.

Thanks for another great installment. It is waaay below zero here in central WI so I am using your beautiful trip photos of sunny FL to warm my hands(that or the chasm of fire, take your pick!) as I type.

You have such a gift...It's so easy to get carried off to that wonderful world through your writing.

Please keep it up as I have 44 days until we return.

PKWallaby: Have a great trip. It will be here before you know it. I'm glad my report can bring a little warmth into your week, and I'm delighted to hear that when you read my story it gives you a taste of being at The Happiest Place on Earth.

As I read your report last night, my hubby came in, and I showed him the photo of the dock leading to WL. He knew right away where that photo was taken, then we sat together to look at the rest of your photos and remember our last trip. It was a warm fuzzy time for us

Looks like they have new bed frames now. After the week we spent there my shins were scared for life. Are they still dangerous? Were you surprised at the size of the room? We ended up spending more time in the room then expected though. Hubby played golf 3X while we were there, so we spent some time waiting for the other to return. (That was before cell phones for me. ) I spent those days by the pool and/or at MK, because Murf is a bit of a curmudgeon. But by the end of the trip he had to admit that that he felt the Power of Mickey! And after looking at the photos you just posted, he's agreed to another trip down to see the Mouse. He's even agreed to watch the parades, which he flat out refused the last time!

I love reading your reviews, a definite "E" ticket ride!

Wyndale: Wow, it's nice to be inspirational, but I didn't think my story could be that powerful! That's great! As long as you don't send me the bill for your next trip. The new bedframes are no longer the killers they used to be. My fellow trip report writer, Nebo, called the old ones "Night of the Living Bed," and said you could look at peoples shins and tell who was staying at the Wilderness Lodge. I guess his statement was less of a joke than I thought! I knew the room would be somewhat larger than the Value resorts, but smaller than the other deluxes, so it was about what I expected. Since we're used to about 1200 SF and multiple rooms when we vacation, I knew it was going to feel a bit cramped.

 

[UtahMama]

Hi Kay! That was terrific!

As nice as I am, I totally would have ripped Lowell's still-beating heart out of his chest had he put one finger on that Mickey Head Towel Art!!!! Probably without batting an eyelash.

I love your description of your dumpster view! Ya know, for the same money, you coulda stayed at a value resort for the whole week....HOW did you restrain yourself???

 

[Goofster57]

Hey Kay,

We just got back from the World and Wilderness Lodge about three weeks ago. It has taken me that long to catch up on trip reports that I am subscribing to and the work on my desk (yuck). I have finally caught with your report.

We totally agree about the aweness of the Lodge, this was our second stay and it was just as great as the first time.

The Towel Sculpture looks really familiar; we did end up with 7 or 8 different ones during our ten day stay.

This is a little late, but I printed out your Refillable mug post and gave it to my family before we left and they had a fit for a day or two before I broke the news that it was a joke. My daughter’s boyfriend was all ready to get the Refillable Burger deal, He figured he could survive on burgers for the 10 days we were there.

Keep up the great reporting, looking forward to what is in the bag……..

 

[DebIreland]

Kay, I'm caught up and really enjoying it.

Sorry about the dumpster view at WL. lol! How I wish though that I could find a post I saw on the U.K. board some time ago - it was from a poster who got what they described as the worst view ever at WL. I was sceptical until I scrolled down to the photo and I swear, it was positively DISGUSTING I think you lucked out, relatively!!!

LMAO@the check-in woman! We stayed at WL on our first trip and we too got a less-than-interested check-in person. He was openly sighing as he tapped the keyboard and looked totally pee-d off. We did, however, get upgraded to a courtyard view but I didn't realise it until near the end of the trip and, even then, I wasn't sure. So it was a bit like the tree falling in the forest theory - was it really an upgrade if we didn't know it was an upgrade?? lol!!

I felt we never made the most of WL. It seems to me to be the kind of place you need a lot of time and patience for and we were always too busy to soak it all up. Nice though, very nice!!

Can't wait for more Kay. Keep up the good work.

 

[northriver]

Oh no I've come to the end - for now anyway! Great trip report! I work from home and have been reading your posts instead of working. Just as well I'm caught up, time to put the kids in bed.

Waiting patiently for the next installment. . .

 

[MommyPoppins]

It’s rather sad that security must be tighter these days, even at Disney, but it’s inevitable. Lowell is carrying our digital camera, and I have only a tiny purse that is basically a glorified trifold wallet on a shoulder strap. I think perhaps a wallet on a string does not constitute a bag, and we attempt to pass through the line for people who are not carrying bags. The security woman looks up, locks eyes with mine, and bares her fangs as we approach. Slowly she extends one claw-like appendage in my direction, and hisses “bagsssssss, over there.” Lowell protectively jerks me toward the bag check line.

LOL! I have a little wallet sized pouch that I put through my belt loops, I always make DH hold it (in his pocket, that's how small it is) so we don't have to wait in the line. It's SO dumb! It's MY wallet, they don't make men empty their pockets and search THEIR wallets!

“Inside is a cylindrical object made of compact cotton with a string attached that could be used as a fuse,” I confess, but he doesn’t hear me because Lowell is dragging me away, shaking his head and muttering something that I can’t quite make out.

LOL!

 

[wvgoofyfan]

Kay,

Have been so busy didn't even check the boards this weekend and was delighted to find another installment --- This will be enough to get me thru the night...I'm leaving now for Pittsburgh....spending the night there for an early flight..arriving MCO tomorrow (keep your fingers crossed: It is bitter cold and they are calling for snow)
Unfortunately, I'm not staying at your beloved Lodge but I will be sure and pay a visit and tell the totem pole that you and Lowell said hi! perhaps I'll leave some more sparks and skid marks on the carpeting for ya!

Will be home late sunday night and looking for another installment......

You guys take care

See ya!

 

[2ScottishPrincesses]

Kay, stumbled on your report last night and finished reading tonight. It's fab...I'm hooked. Keep the installments coming. PS It a relief to know that DH & I are not the only ones who share meals in public...this was one of the reasons I knew he's my soul mate 'cos he wasn't disgusted when I suggested it!!

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Yay! I'm all caught up!

Fahbulous job so far Kay!!!!

I like to take my time reading trippies for times like this...the wait for the next installment~

I am truly looking forward to more...

 

[mikamah]

I'm loving your report. The pics of WL are beautiful. Looks like a great place, even the view looks good to me. Can't wait to check for a new installment every day after work. I do envy all the readers out there who have the chance to Dis at work. You're an awesome writer. Maybe you'll be writing the next big guidebook to disney world. Laughter around the world.

 

[Kay7979]

Thanks for the feedback, all, you know how much I love to see those email notifications pop up for my thread!

Hi Kay! That was terrific!
I love your description of your dumpster view! Ya know, for the same money, you coulda stayed at a value resort for the whole week....HOW did you restrain yourself???

UtahMama: It's hard to believe the woman at check-in really said those things. I was truly stupefied! Finding myself at a loss for words is not a common occurrance, I assure you! I was thinking maybe this was a Candid Camera episode but I looked around and didn't see any cameramen hiding behind the totem poles or the log support beams. Good thing her speech was live and not over the phone "being recorded for customer service and training purposes." I think someone at headquarters would have busted a blood vessel.

Hey Kay, We totally agree about the awesomeness of the Lodge. The Towel Sculpture looks really familiar; we did end up with 7 or 8 different ones during our ten day stay.

This is a little late, but I printed out your Refillable mug post and gave it to my family before we left and they had a fit for a day or two before I broke the news that it was a joke. My daughter’s boyfriend was all ready to get the Refillable Burger deal, He figured he could survive on burgers for the 10 days we were there.

Goofster57: Wow, 7 or 8 towel animals! That's fantastic.

You're killing me with the refillable mug anecdote. People out there are actually scaring me. I used to think I was a little slow on the draw and would believe most anything, but there are people out there who are much much more gullable than me! Actually, the version I posted in my trip report was revised to include the burger box joke. First run of this gag was over on the Community Board. Most everyone believed it until I got to the part about embedding microprocessor chips in the logo which triggered door alarms. Then they "got it" and were It's hard to believe anyone could believe the story all the way to the end, including the burger box part. I'm starting to think that no matter what I write, if I do it in that dry, serious newscaster style, people will believe me. It's a little scary thinking I have that kind of power, so I'd better not write about alien invasions, ala H.G. Wells, or anything like that!

Kay, I'm caught up and really enjoying it. LMAO@the check-in woman! We stayed at WL on our first trip and we too got a less-than-interested check-in person. He was openly sighing as he tapped the keyboard and looked totally pee-d off. We did, however, get upgraded to a courtyard view but I didn't realise it until near the end of the trip and, even then, I wasn't sure. So it was a bit like the tree falling in the forest theory - was it really an upgrade if we didn't know it was an upgrade?? lol!!

DebIreland: I love that analogy! I agree that it probably didn't count as an upgrade if the view wasn't spectacular enough for you to know you had been upgraded. WL is the sort of resort that is best enjoyed with some free time to relax and enjoy it's ambience. Maybe you'll go there again some day.

Oh no I've come to the end - for now anyway! Great trip report! I work from home and have been reading your posts instead of working. Just as well I'm caught up, time to put the kids in bed.

Waiting patiently for the next installment. . .

northriver: Hello, to another new reader! I work from home and have been writing my posts instead of working, so we're even! Seriously, I hope I haven't messed up your schedule or gotten you in trouble. I've hit a slow spell at work, so when I'm caught up with reviewing files, no one cares if I write. Consequently, I'm a couple episodes a head and am fine-tuning them. Next one will be up sometime Friday.

LOL! I have a little wallet sized pouch that I put through my belt loops, I always make DH hold it (in his pocket, that's how small it is) so we don't have to wait in the line. It's SO dumb! It's MY wallet, they don't make men empty their pockets and search THEIR wallets!

MommyPoppins: Thanks so much for dropping in to read my story. I think you're right that it's inequitable for men's wallets to pass uninspected, but women's wallets are suspect. Maybe you and I just look like suspicious characters! As for your quote on the "cylindrical object," I always wondered if anyone actually "got it." Apparently you did. Thanks!

Kay,

Have been so busy didn't even check the boards this weekend and was delighted to find another installment --- This will be enough to get me thru the night...I'm leaving now for Pittsburgh....spending the night there for an early flight..arriving MCO tomorrow (keep your fingers crossed: It is bitter cold and they are calling for snow)
Unfortunately, I'm not staying at your beloved Lodge but I will be sure and pay a visit and tell the totem pole that you and Lowell said hi! perhaps I'll leave some more sparks and skid marks on the carpeting for ya! Will be home late sunday night and looking for another installment...... You guys take care. See ya!

wvgoofyfan: You probably won’t see this until after you return, but have a GREAT trip. I like all the Disney Resorts, not just the WL, although we particularly love the atmosphere there. I’m also very partial to POR. We even love our off-site stays. So, I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time wherever you’re staying. If I could send you with one instruction, it would be to have some Tonga Toast for me. There will be two segments of my story, a longish one and a very short one, when you get back Sunday night, which isn’t much of a consolation prize for having to come back to the real world, but it’s the best I can offer.

Kay, stumbled on your report last night and finished reading tonight. It's fab...I'm hooked. Keep the installments coming. PS It a relief to know that DH & I are not the only ones who share meals in public...this was one of the reasons I knew he's my soul mate 'cos he wasn't disgusted when I suggested it!!

2ScottishPrincesses: Welcome! I am excited that my limited international readership is growing. In fact, I think you have just doubled it!

Sharing food is fun. If you haven’t already given each other a germ or two during your married life, I would feel quite sorry for you. So what was the first food you shared? A bridie, perhaps? Full of well seasoned mince? Yum.

Yay! I'm all caught up!

Fahbulous job so far Kay!!!! I like to take my time reading trippies for times like this...the wait for the next installment~ I am truly looking forward to more...

Hi, tiggerwannabe! I’m so glad you’re enjoying my report. Stay tuned for lots more fun with the Lucky Fourteens.

I'm loving your report. The pics of WL are beautiful. Looks like a great place, even the view looks good to me. Can't wait to check for a new installment every day after work. I do envy all the readers out there who have the chance to Dis at work. You're an awesome writer. Maybe you'll be writing the next big guidebook to disney world. Laughter around the world.

mikamah: The room view was not bad, really. Especially if we never looked to the right. Peripheral vision isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I believe tunnel vision may have it’s advantages. Laughter Around the World Hmmm. That has a very nice ring to it. Not that there aren’t enough Disney guidebooks out there already, but that’s a catchy title and not a bad idea!

 

[MommyPoppins]

MommyPoppins: Thanks so much for dropping in to read my story. I think you're right that it's inequitable for men's wallets to pass uninspected, but women's wallets are suspect. Maybe you and I just look like suspicious characters! As for your quote on the "cylindrical object," I always wondered if anyone actually "got it." Apparently you did. Thanks!

You wouldn't BELIEVE the way they always search my bags! I've seen other people mention that they think they racial profile. I don't think so! I'm as white as white can be. Blonde hair, blue eyes, smiling happy family. They practically DUMP my belongings out! "What's that hard rectangular object on the bottom of your bag?" "That would be the baby wipes" (while pushing the babies in the stroller, or carrying one of them!) If it wasn't so annoying it might be funny! They seriously search(with their flashlight) EVERY nook and cranny of my bags. Even my camera case, which is cell phone size and clips to your belt!

 

[pixiesrule]

Hey all you Lurkers, let me know if you're out there. Just pop in if only to say "Hey!"

I'm a lurker! Home 'sick' today in our below zero weather, just counting the days until we leave for Disney. Your trip report makes me feel so much better. Just hope the boss doesn't know that I've found a cure, or he'll want me back to work this afternoon!