PrincessAurora
<font color=blue>Hmpphh! Who needs that boy in gre
- Joined
- Oct 26, 1999
- Messages
- 1,368
CAST:
"Pinky" AKA PrincessAurora - Computer geek, web designer, and Disney Princess Fiend. Always planning her next trip to The World.
Dot Tech Contractor, 40s Swing Dancer & Hep Kitten, first timer at WDW veteran Disneyland Nut.
(Please note all detailed food reviews are featured as separate reports after Day 8)
11-26-01 (Monday) Wilderness Lodge, AK, Artist Point
We arrived at Wilderness Lodge early in the morning (8am) knowing that we would have to store our bags but we could at least get going to the park. I highly recommend (insert) website for premium pictures of not only Wilderness Lodge but all the other Disney properties as well.
However, pictures just dont do this hotel justice. First let me say that I will never go down to a Value resort without a fight again and will only take Port Orleans as a moderate (if they ever re-open it). This is not only grand but feels so secluded and so homey at the same time. I never wanted to leave here. I am screaming how to get back as soon as possible. Do they put something in the air?
Our check-in was uneventful. While they did not have any upgrades available and no more Flag Family slots left for our stay, they COULD get us into our room immediately. We had room 4100, woods view. It was directly above the Cubs Den, facing Wilderness Villas and the Bus Stop. However because of the trees, you could hardly tell. It was incredible. We could sit out on our balcony and enjoy the smell of pine trees and the wonderful quiet. Perhaps because of the winter season or the fact that we rarely returned to our room until at least 10pm, we never had any noise issues being 2 floors above the Cubs Den.
After a quick unpack, we took our passes and headed to Animal Kingdom. I always recommend this as a first park to tour. Its quick and does not suffer by comparison if its the first one you hit.
As before, I bellowed my battle cry Dont look at the Tree of Life! You can look at it later! We quickly walked to the Safaris, passing photographers and other cast members hawking pictures or stage shows trying to distract us from our destination! NO, must get to the Safari
On the Safari, I saw more animals this time than the past 2 trips I have made. Our guide Spike from South Africa was a hottie. We enjoyed the ride immensely even if the Poacher sub-plot gets a bit hokey.
After the Safari it was off to the Pagani Trail and the gorillas. This is one of my favorite attractions. I can just watch the gorillas all day.
Next we went over to Kali River Rapids. The park was not crowded at all and we were able to get right on. The problem was that by the time I took my shoes and socks off, I couldnt get them in the middle container because our piggy boat companions but bulky backpacks, etc. in the middle. In case anyone out there is unclear about the concept, the small area in the middle is for shoes, purses, cameras, small packages, anything that would be ruined by the water. LARGE packages, bulky backpacks do NOT apply. A backpack can get wet. So that said, I stuffed my socks into my tennis, put them upside down on my seat and sat on them. Let me tell you, I got fairly wet this time, although I was not in the soak seat but sitting on my shoes kept them dry.
This ride does not have that many rapids, is too short and depending on fate (since the round raft will spin freely) you may become SOAKED, especially if you are heading down an incline and you are leading (or moving backwards while you plunge down the drop).
Unfortunately, we kept missing the start of the Bird show (which was really great the last trip) and Dot was getting really cranky because she was having a caffeine fit and needed coffee.
Next we went on Dinosaur (formerly Countdown to Extinction). It was also too short, too dark (you couldnt see what was inside the ride too clearly), and too jerky. While this ride was patterned (loosely) on the Indiana Jones ride in Disneyland, it is a poor reflection.
A Bugs Life is always a good attraction. Not only was Dot free to look at the Tree of Life but also the themeing is always interesting and interactive. If you have very small children or ones that are afraid of the dark, spiders or bugs in general, you might want to skip this attraction.
This concludes the Major rides/attractions that we went on. Shopping, finding coffee and more shopping involved the rest of the day. There was a sub-standard lunch at Tuskers (see review) and we were on our way back to the Lodge for dinner.
The Lodge, is incredible. There is a geyser in the lobby with a foot bridge over it, the water then runs outside, down a few falls into the pool. It is a 7 story U shape building and the interior is open all the way to the ceiling 7 stories up. Its so breath taking. The large fireplace with rockers in front that you can sit on. The store, the little café where you get your mug (my first purchase), it was all so wonderful.
We went to Artist Point for dinner and it quickly became our Second favorite restaurant of our trip. (See feed review for detailed description of food and décor). I cant wait to eat here again. The art deco thirties décor was spectacular, the staff was friendly. I think next time I want to spend some time sitting in front of the fire or just hanging in the bar having a drink or actually going into the pool. I could be happy just staying at the resort for a day. BTW later on when we would come back to our room after a night of too much fun at Pleasure Island around 1:30 in the morning, there are still the Night Mouse crew hard at work polishing the wood floors, doing small repairs and making sure the magic is always there. It was great and special.
Next: Day 4 MGM, Brown Derby, Jiko
"Pinky" AKA PrincessAurora - Computer geek, web designer, and Disney Princess Fiend. Always planning her next trip to The World.
Dot Tech Contractor, 40s Swing Dancer & Hep Kitten, first timer at WDW veteran Disneyland Nut.
(Please note all detailed food reviews are featured as separate reports after Day 8)
11-26-01 (Monday) Wilderness Lodge, AK, Artist Point
We arrived at Wilderness Lodge early in the morning (8am) knowing that we would have to store our bags but we could at least get going to the park. I highly recommend (insert) website for premium pictures of not only Wilderness Lodge but all the other Disney properties as well.
However, pictures just dont do this hotel justice. First let me say that I will never go down to a Value resort without a fight again and will only take Port Orleans as a moderate (if they ever re-open it). This is not only grand but feels so secluded and so homey at the same time. I never wanted to leave here. I am screaming how to get back as soon as possible. Do they put something in the air?
Our check-in was uneventful. While they did not have any upgrades available and no more Flag Family slots left for our stay, they COULD get us into our room immediately. We had room 4100, woods view. It was directly above the Cubs Den, facing Wilderness Villas and the Bus Stop. However because of the trees, you could hardly tell. It was incredible. We could sit out on our balcony and enjoy the smell of pine trees and the wonderful quiet. Perhaps because of the winter season or the fact that we rarely returned to our room until at least 10pm, we never had any noise issues being 2 floors above the Cubs Den.
After a quick unpack, we took our passes and headed to Animal Kingdom. I always recommend this as a first park to tour. Its quick and does not suffer by comparison if its the first one you hit.
As before, I bellowed my battle cry Dont look at the Tree of Life! You can look at it later! We quickly walked to the Safaris, passing photographers and other cast members hawking pictures or stage shows trying to distract us from our destination! NO, must get to the Safari
On the Safari, I saw more animals this time than the past 2 trips I have made. Our guide Spike from South Africa was a hottie. We enjoyed the ride immensely even if the Poacher sub-plot gets a bit hokey.
After the Safari it was off to the Pagani Trail and the gorillas. This is one of my favorite attractions. I can just watch the gorillas all day.
Next we went over to Kali River Rapids. The park was not crowded at all and we were able to get right on. The problem was that by the time I took my shoes and socks off, I couldnt get them in the middle container because our piggy boat companions but bulky backpacks, etc. in the middle. In case anyone out there is unclear about the concept, the small area in the middle is for shoes, purses, cameras, small packages, anything that would be ruined by the water. LARGE packages, bulky backpacks do NOT apply. A backpack can get wet. So that said, I stuffed my socks into my tennis, put them upside down on my seat and sat on them. Let me tell you, I got fairly wet this time, although I was not in the soak seat but sitting on my shoes kept them dry.
This ride does not have that many rapids, is too short and depending on fate (since the round raft will spin freely) you may become SOAKED, especially if you are heading down an incline and you are leading (or moving backwards while you plunge down the drop).
Unfortunately, we kept missing the start of the Bird show (which was really great the last trip) and Dot was getting really cranky because she was having a caffeine fit and needed coffee.
Next we went on Dinosaur (formerly Countdown to Extinction). It was also too short, too dark (you couldnt see what was inside the ride too clearly), and too jerky. While this ride was patterned (loosely) on the Indiana Jones ride in Disneyland, it is a poor reflection.
A Bugs Life is always a good attraction. Not only was Dot free to look at the Tree of Life but also the themeing is always interesting and interactive. If you have very small children or ones that are afraid of the dark, spiders or bugs in general, you might want to skip this attraction.
This concludes the Major rides/attractions that we went on. Shopping, finding coffee and more shopping involved the rest of the day. There was a sub-standard lunch at Tuskers (see review) and we were on our way back to the Lodge for dinner.
The Lodge, is incredible. There is a geyser in the lobby with a foot bridge over it, the water then runs outside, down a few falls into the pool. It is a 7 story U shape building and the interior is open all the way to the ceiling 7 stories up. Its so breath taking. The large fireplace with rockers in front that you can sit on. The store, the little café where you get your mug (my first purchase), it was all so wonderful.
We went to Artist Point for dinner and it quickly became our Second favorite restaurant of our trip. (See feed review for detailed description of food and décor). I cant wait to eat here again. The art deco thirties décor was spectacular, the staff was friendly. I think next time I want to spend some time sitting in front of the fire or just hanging in the bar having a drink or actually going into the pool. I could be happy just staying at the resort for a day. BTW later on when we would come back to our room after a night of too much fun at Pleasure Island around 1:30 in the morning, there are still the Night Mouse crew hard at work polishing the wood floors, doing small repairs and making sure the magic is always there. It was great and special.
Next: Day 4 MGM, Brown Derby, Jiko
