Planning My First Adult Trip to Disney!!

[AMcBrick]

Hello All!

I'm planning my first adult trip to Disney and it will actually be my husbands first trip to Disney. Needless to say I'm SUPER excited but also a bit overwhelmed. My only trip to Disney was when I was 4 and the last time I experienced Disney was when I was 18 at Disneyland. I really want this vacation to blow my husband away but here are my concerns that I need help with:

1. We'll be going in the beginning of November and I would like to stay at the Wilderness Lodge. I've read read really good reviews and really bad reviews. Do you think this is a good fit for a 28 year old couple?

2. How is the weather and the crowds at the beginning of Novemebr?

3. I heard some attractions were closed or shut down in the 'off season', is this a problem?

I have the Unoffical Guide Book to Walt Disney World and I think that I'm just overthinking this. I just want this to be the best vacation ever! I am more than willing to hear and accept any advice anyone has...

Thanks so much!!!

 

[AllyGirl_79]

I think the Wilderness Lodge is a great choice! Walking in to that lobby is sure to knock your husband's socks off. The theming is fabulous, the grounds are great, and we've found the transportation to be very good. We had dinner at Artist's Point on NYE a few weeks ago, and it was amazing. The rooms are a bit smaller than some of the other deluxes, but you'll be very comfortable with two people.

You can never really predict weather in FL, but it can be very nice in November. Crowds are going to be lower than peak seasons, but the parks are never really empty anymore. Food and Wine Festival should be going on at the beginning of the month at Epcot - make sure you check that out. A good use of fast pass for the major rides, and the crowds really shouldn't play a big part in your day.

Off season rehabs and closings can be annoying, but it's not likely to be more than one or two of the really major attractions. You can't really predict this one either, but I wouldn't worry about it.

I was at WDW with my best friend in Nov. 2006, and I don't think any closings really affected us. The weather was great, too! Have a wonderful trip!

 

[helenk]

I think that the WL is a great choice. The resort is beautiful it is really nice wallking around the grounds.
As others said the weather in Nov can be iffy, but is usually mild, and can be nice enough to wear shorts and tee shirts during the day.
Rehabs can be ongoing any time of year, but Nov is not the slowest time of year and I would expect minimal rehabs during that time.

 

[Elmo888]

I haven't been in November, but I think that WL is great for couples! We honeymooned there, and we loved it. The WL will definitely blow him away!

 

[skipperkim]

WL is a great choice. Be sure to schedule a carriage ride, possibly during Wishes.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've just returned from 9 nights of sheer heaven, and it was our 6th Lodge stay. Just can't beat the themeing plus location. We enjoy the Electric Water Parade most every night. Taking a boat to FW, Trail's End and Crockett's Tavern have great pizza and pitchers of beer in the evenings and the buffet is second to none on property, breakfast is fantastic, pop on over. The boat to the Mk is fast and easy and never a wait, at least when we're there. We also boat over to the Cr and gain access to the monorail for a xhopping loop around the lake resorts plus hit the lounges. same goes for EPCOT, boat to the CR and monorail to the TTC and catch the one headed to EPCOT, nice long monorail ride.

We make a grocery stop in route to the Lodge and load up on sandwich makin's and beer and wine for pool picnics, deluxes have free fridges, and in the evenings we love a hot chocolate in the refillable mugs around the pool or in the room over a movie, we take our portable DVD player and movies, to drop off to sleep. Roaring Forks has some good breakfasts, easy to split between 2 people as well as lunch choices. Wife and I split most meals, they are huge and we like other snacks during the day and don't want to be overfull.

You can't go wrong with the Lodge, strictly on location but its ambience will blow you away. Also the price, cheapest of the deluxes in the MK area and even cheaper catching a AAA discount.

 

[OatsZoo]

I have been to Disney in November and it is still nice. It gets cooler at night though so bring some jeans or even just a sweat shirt for evenings, although a sweatshirt does come in handy during the day too, some restaurants are rather cold with the air cranked. We only encounter rain twice and it was over before it started. Good crowds too.

 

[dsquarednz]

Yep! You should love it there. It's our favorite resort and we're in our early 30s.

I also suggest getting the Passporter's Walt Disney World guidebook (hope I can mention that here!!) - it's a great resource that you can take with you to the parks and bring home as a souvenir of your stay (you can write in it).

And I'm not too familiar with DISboards yet, but I'm guessing there is a section that lists closures etc for November (Disney releases dates fairly early in the year).

One thing we did on our first adult trip together - to get into the spirit and all - we bought "ears" when we got to the parks. I bought Tigger ears, and my hubby bought Stitch ears (hence our signature). Everywhere we went, the CMS would say "Hey! Here comes Tigger and Stitch!" Pretty soon, we were both 10 year-olds again.

 

[dsquarednz]

Oh, and you can never overthink a WDW vacation!! We have already sorted out which days we want to go to which parks etc and it's only January.

 

[dydo2424]

there are always great things being said about it. Plus, being that you are not traveling with little ones, you will get quite a bit done even with the parks closing earlier than the high season times. Stay with the disboards and you will have so much information to access you will be a pro by the time you get there. I went to WDW on my senior trip for the first time and went in uninformed of all there was to offer. The second - fourth trips I was amazed at how much I missed by not reading up on stuff. I had the unofficial guidebook for the last couple of trips and it really helped. But the DISboards were even more help. Plus if you're somewhat of a couch potato like I am, you may want to start a walking program. All my friends laugh at me when I start my "training for the WDW trip" program. They wonder how it can be a vacation when I have to do something like that to get ready. Have fun planning! I don't even have a trip scheduled right now, but keep coming back here everyday for the advice and suggestions.

 

[AMcBrick]

You guys are Awesome!!!

I think I read too many reviews and have to remember that when your accessing all that information some people complain just to complain. I think I've wanted to stay at the Wilderness Lodge since before I even thought of planning a Disney vacation (I think I saw something on it on a travel show when it was just opening) and you guys have helped make the decission official!! Can't thank you enough! Pepe of Ohio, I loved the advice on the good pizza and pitchers of beer (right up the husbands alley!) as well as relaxing in the lounges of other nearby resorts, I hadn't thought of that just yet. And we will definitely be booking through AAA for the extra discounts. Dydo2424, I LOVE how you go on a training program before hand, thats some serious dedication!!

Can anyone tell me more about the Carriage Rides? Does anyone know if you can get wine sent up to your room or bring it in to the hotel? I know they have the Wine and Dine package but $40 dollars a night seems a bit pricey for a bottle of wine!

Thanks again, you guys are making this even more exciting!!

 

[SassyLassy]

First and foremost...





WL is gorgeous!! My DH and I visited there when we went to eat at the Whispering Canyon. We loved the looked but I hated how it was really only convenient to MK. We always stay at POR (Port Orleans Riverside) love the pools (the quiet ones not the main pool), great little bar with entertainment at night and close walk to the Scat Cat club at PO- French Quarter, also it is a quick and nice ferry ride to DTD to all of the clubs, bar and pub.

Where ever you stay you will have fun. Oh but also the less you spend on the room the more you can spend on fun. Just to give you a little thought on that?!

November should be fine. I have gone mid to late Oct and mid Feb and both times were great weather. We got to swim....Oct was warmer than Feb. Like pp said, I would bring a couple pairs of jeans along with your shorts and a sweater to through over your short sleeve shirt.

Couple things to suggest:

1- go to the Adventure's club...totally funny themed club while having a couple of cocktails.

2-Go for a nice dinner in one of the romantic restaurant. We went to California Grill and the Brown Derby.

3- If you have the time take a nice stroll down at the Polynesian at their beach near sunset.

4- DO NOT MISS WISHES

I truly think that this is the best place for all information that is Disney.


Ask any questions, the people here are great. Above all have a ton of fun. In the past 5 years I have gone down 5 times all as adults trips and loved every minute of it!! We are pregnant with our 1st and will be going down when the baby is 6 months (young yes but its an all family trip b/c my DH's father is not doing well and this might be the last hurrah)

Anyway, have a ton of fun and please ask questions. PM me if you want. I have a ton of experience with adult only trips.

 

[skipperkim]

You guys are Awesome!!!

I think I read too many reviews and have to remember that when your accessing all that information some people complain just to complain. I think I've wanted to stay at the Wilderness Lodge since before I even thought of planning a Disney vacation (I think I saw something on it on a travel show when it was just opening) and you guys have helped make the decision official!! Can't thank you enough! Pepe of Ohio, I loved the advice on the good pizza and pitchers of beer (right up the husbands alley!) as well as relaxing in the lounges of other nearby resorts, I hadn't thought of that just yet. And we will definitely be booking through AAA for the extra discounts. Dydo2424, I LOVE how you go on a training program before hand, thats some serious dedication!!

Can anyone tell me more about the Carriage Rides? Does anyone know if you can get wine sent up to your room or bring it in to the hotel? I know they have the Wine and Dine package but $40 dollars a night seems a bit pricey for a bottle of wine!

Thanks again, you guys are making this even more exciting!!

Here's more info on the carriage ride:

http://allearsnet.com/btp/carriage.htm

If pizza and beer is up his alley, then don't miss the Cantina at Epcot for nachos and beer and my favorite margaritas. We usually arrive around 7pm and grab a table on the outside and stay there for at least a half hour after Illuminations. Then stop off at Mousegears before heading to the bus.

Scat Cats is great too. There is also a carriage ride at POR as well as a restaurant. The boat ride to DTD is very peaceful.