Our Wilderness Lodge vacation

[Oobiesmom]

Honestly, we didn't use the buses too often. We drove down and having three kids plus my parents, it was jusy easier to drive to most of the parks. Resort guests get to park free! However, we loved the boat to the Magic Kingdom. One night though we went by boat to MK to see the electric light parade and fireworks, because we were walking out with a gazilluon people when it ended we opted not to take the boat back (long long line) seeing that the resorts monorail was moving faster. We thought we could go to the Contemporary and then catch the boat to WL not knowing we had just missed the last boat! We were lucky enough that a bus for WL pulled up just as we got to the bus stop. We could have walked to the Contemporary much faster (LOL about it now) but our DD (4) was sound asleep and we were trying to figure out the quickest way back & it backfired.

Another day we took the bus to MGM and it was pretty quick getting there but after getting caught in a downpour (me & DH were soaked, kids had ponchos) even though most of the park had emptied out, our bus took quite some time to come. Maybe it just seemed that way because we were very wet and we saw buses coming and going quicker for Pop Century and some of the other resorts. Some resorts had at least three buses drive by before ours came, but who knows, could have been just our luck, LOL!

 

[Cass]

Glad you had such a nice time at WL and didn't run into the cookie stealing Devil Duck

 

[Oobiesmom]

YES YES! I was sitting there with my mom in front of the baby pool (she was reading a book in the shade) and we were LOL about it! WE did not get a chance to eat at Artist Point. After going over the vacation stuff with my friend who stayed there last year I regret it now...but there is always next time! She mentioned that she thought it would not be kid-friendly after looking at the menu & prices, but they were meeting up with another family & heard wonderful reviews and decided to try it. She felt the staff went over & above to accomodate the large party & the kids. The kids were given a little white chocolate paint pallate (sp?) while waitting and they were good thru the whole meal! She thought the meal was awesome too.

Glad you had a good time as well....what about all that rain? Where you able to get in everything you wanted to do too? Glad we were there last week and not this week though with the hurricaine coming. We can't wait to go back either, I wanted to do that WL tour in the morning but never found the time.

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Great report and tips! I am so glad to hear that the WL is still a favorite.

 

[Oobiesmom]

Jasminetigger,

We liked the bunk beds alot! Like I mentioned, I squeezed three kids on them, LOL! Most of all though it really gave us alot of extra foot room! Last year we felt *snug* at the Poly even though it is one of the bigger rooms at Disney! Moderates and value resports ust don't accomodate families of 5. My 9 yr old slept up top and sometimes my 4 yr old went up there. It wa snice because there was a good sturdy rail up there too.

 

[Oobiesmom]

Michele,
We were thinking about trying AK, but we got a great deal at WL because my DH has an AP and we got a good rate. You will like WL when you go...I hear December is a nice time to go. We usually go after Easter and after the crowds, but I would love to just go to see the Christmas decorations! Hope you have a great time!

 

[Oobiesmom]

We were scared we wouldn't make it on time so we drove to the Contemporary and the guard allowed us to park at the end of the lot. We walked over to MK and we waitted in line until they allowed the priority seating guests to enter just before 8am. The wonderful thing about breakfast at that hour is you are done right as the park opens (unless it is an early magic hour) and you walk onto about 2-3 rides before the rest of the crowd catches up!

 

[Oobiesmom]

ZIPBAGS!
Howdy fellow NJ-ian! Hope you have a nice time in August, I would have preferred to go then too but my DS starts football in Aug so we opted for end of June. You will love it! We used to go to the Jersey shore every summer but it is so expensive these days Disney is actually cheaper! We do go to Wildwood in Sept for the fireman's convention, after Labor Day the fee drops big time. Have a great time!

 

[Oobiesmom]

Tinkaroo,
I will ask DH later when he gets home since he is Mr Disney and made all the reservations, LOL! I'll post later on tonight!

 

[Oobiesmom]

Jill! Have a great time! I can see by your siggy you are as addicted to Disney as we are, LOL!

 

[Oobiesmom]

Kathy!
Yes, the buses are very easy to navigate. There are signs posted everywhere & most drivers will tell you as you pull up to a park or water park. The buses themselves are clearly marked too! The only time we messed up was trying to catch the Chip & Dale sing along at Fort Wilderness. We took the boat there and didn't realize we had to walk behind Pioneer Hall and catch another bus! We ended up not seeing the show but at least we learned what to do next time.

 

[Oobiesmom]

Tubachick,
Have a great time too! I am totally addicted to WC and even now my kids still giggle when the word ketsup is mentioned or red crayon!

 

[Oobiesmom]

Have a GREAT time...I loved shopping in Downtown Disney! We also had a good time and quick bite at Planet Hollywood, surprisingly it wasn't crowed at all the night we went. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[FromVatoDisney]

Thanks Oobiesmom, I am even more thrilled now... only FIVE more days until we spend a week at the WL!!!!!!!!!!!!