mkluvsmickey
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2007
- Messages
- 3,990
Ever since I saw the Candlelight Processional last year, I knew Id have to bring my parents this year to see it. I just knew they would enjoy it and they hadnt been to WDW in December for a while and always enjoyed the decorations. Since we would be sharing a room we decided to book a deluxe for the weekend. We got a great AP rate at Wilderness Lodge. I had never even stepped foot in this resort before and had heard it was just gorgeous at Christmas so I was excited to try something new.
We were only going for a weekend leaving on Friday and coming home on Sunday. To make the most of our time I decided to take Sam out of school early on that Friday so we could be at WDW early enough to have a nice dinner and enjoy the resort amenities.
So, I picked Sam up from school at 11 am and she was beyond excited. We went to my parents house where we would leave my car since dad was going to drive. We were on the road at 11:30 and were pulling in to Wilderness Lodge at 2:00 we made great time! (My dad has a bit of a lead foot that Ive inherited.)
We were all amazed by the resort just by driving up to it. Beautiful! We walked in the lobby and were blown away by the gorgeous theme and Christmas decorations. There was a really pretty and huge tree in the center of the lobby and decorations and lights throughout. Pictures dont do it justice. I cant imagine what this resort would look like without all these decorations they just seem to fit right in.
My pictures don't do this place justice - it is really breathtaking:
I went to check us in but our room wasnt ready so we decided to explore the resort and grounds. Inside we found many little nooks and crannies that looked like perfect spots to curl up with a good book or just to sit and relax. We walked around outside for a bit and were able to see the geyser erupt. The few of the lake outside is so peaceful something about being on the water. Very nice.
Sam looking out the window near one of the nooks:
My parents with Sam:
After walking around for a bit both inside and outside I went to check on our room. The CM told me that it still wasnt ready but that if I wanted a different room we could get in now. Um, ok why not? We hadnt booked any sort of special view room or anything so Im not sure what that was all about. We wanted to get our luggage to our room and get ready for dinner so off we went.
Our door:
Surprise on our bed:
There were animals carved in to each bedpost - I thought that was so neat:
Sam found a not so hidden Mickey in the hallway:
The room was very nice. Very similar to the rooms at AKL (I understand the architect was the same for the two resorts). We hung out for a bit and Sam and I unpacked (of course!) Then we went back in the lobby for a bit to hang out before our reservations at Whispering Canyon Café.
Sam and I went to the gift shop and bought a dog toy for Jenny for Christmas and she used her money to buy a Marie kitty art set. Then we went to the pin cart in the lobby and bought a couple of pins. The lady working at the pin cart was an older lady who reminded us of my MIL. She was very sweet and gave Sam a Year of a Million Dreams Pixie Dust pin which made Sams night.
At 5:00 I went to WCC to check us in for dinner. We were seated a few minutes later. We were sat in the farthest section from the entrance sort of separated from the main part of the restaurant where there were maybe six tables. I think this worked out well since Ive heard the noise can get kind of loud in the main part of the restaurant and it was much more crowded in that main section. We had a great waiter who was from NJ (where my parents and I are from) so they talked a bit about that.
At WCC you can get a milkshake (bottomless) as your drink on the Disney Dining Plan. I thought about it but knew I wanted dessert and would be way too full if I had a milkshake also. Sam got the milkshake though I think she got an orange cream flavor.
My dad ordered the ribs, mom had the prime rib and I ordered that canyon skillet that I heard so many good reports on. I wasnt interested in everything on there but I figured we could share as I wanted to taste my moms prime rib as well. Everyone really enjoyed there food and we all agreed that the beef brisket on the skillet was the best of all! Yum!
For dessert I had the Apple Caramel Pie which was delicious! My mom had some kind of pecan pie that was really good too. Dad had cheesecake (plain) that he also enjoyed.
Sam didnt really participate in any of the activities for the kids (pony races and napkin twirling) but she did enjoy watching. She is funny that way, sometimes shell get up and do it and other times she is just as happy to sit back and watch. If she was there with a friend she would have participated for sure. All in all this was a great meal and we would all eat here again
While we were waiting for our food I wanted to show my parents some of the things we had bought. I reached down for the bag and couldnt find it! The pins were in with the bag from the gift shop and it was nowhere to be found.
Sam had the bag when sitting in the lobby and she had grandpa help her open her craft set. I was guessing they had left it sitting there in the lobby so I went out to look but no luck. I went to the concierge desk to see if it had been turned in but no luck there either. The CM suggested I try back after dinner.
Sam was not happy about this lost bag at all! She was mostly upset about the pin the CM had given her at the pin cart of all things. I gave her the lecture that she needed to be more responsible for things if she was going to carry the bag. That didnt help.
We went back to the concierge after dinner and again nothing. The CM this time suggested I check with the other stores and restaurants in the lobby to see if it had been turned in there. We decided to go back to our friend at the pin cart first. The CM was very nice and asking us what pins we had bought. She then said she would contact her manager to see if there was anything she could do. The manager came down (I dont know if she was looking to get us new pins or what) and asked what exactly we were missing. It was then that I looked down behind the pin cart on the CMs stack of stuff and saw our bag (or what looked like our bag) there! I pointed it out to the CM and she said Oh yeah I saw someone left that over there on the chair do you think it is yours? We looked inside and yes indeed, it was our bag. We were super thankful to the pin cart lady (and the manager who was a little perplexed) but couldnt figure out why she didnt mention the bag before? Didnt matter we were pleased to have our things back. The lady remembered us every time we passed her cart during the weekend and would always wave.
We sat in the lobby for a bit and watched a handbell choir perform which was very cool. Then Sam, my mom and I decided to take a boat ride over to the Contemporary to walk around for a bit. My dad opted to go back to the room and rest.
Bad picture of handbell choir:
It was a bit cold that night on the water but such a pretty boat ride in the evening. We got off at the Contemporary and walked around in the shops for a bit. I just love this resort so it was nice to spend some time there.
My favorite resort:
Sam trying on hats - wonder where she got that from?
This came out too dark but I love these ears:
We finished our shopping and hopped a boat back to WL it was really cold now! We went upstairs to get a blanket and then went down to the beach to watch the Electrical Water Pageant! Sam decided to stay in the room with Grandpa as she was tired and cold. I love this show so much just reminds me of watching it as a kid and I love the music. I get teary eyed every time. I was hoping Sam would be able to watch it the next night with me as she had never seen it.
Up next My first Mousefest and Candlelight Processional
We were only going for a weekend leaving on Friday and coming home on Sunday. To make the most of our time I decided to take Sam out of school early on that Friday so we could be at WDW early enough to have a nice dinner and enjoy the resort amenities.
So, I picked Sam up from school at 11 am and she was beyond excited. We went to my parents house where we would leave my car since dad was going to drive. We were on the road at 11:30 and were pulling in to Wilderness Lodge at 2:00 we made great time! (My dad has a bit of a lead foot that Ive inherited.)
We were all amazed by the resort just by driving up to it. Beautiful! We walked in the lobby and were blown away by the gorgeous theme and Christmas decorations. There was a really pretty and huge tree in the center of the lobby and decorations and lights throughout. Pictures dont do it justice. I cant imagine what this resort would look like without all these decorations they just seem to fit right in.
My pictures don't do this place justice - it is really breathtaking:
I went to check us in but our room wasnt ready so we decided to explore the resort and grounds. Inside we found many little nooks and crannies that looked like perfect spots to curl up with a good book or just to sit and relax. We walked around outside for a bit and were able to see the geyser erupt. The few of the lake outside is so peaceful something about being on the water. Very nice.
Sam looking out the window near one of the nooks:
My parents with Sam:
After walking around for a bit both inside and outside I went to check on our room. The CM told me that it still wasnt ready but that if I wanted a different room we could get in now. Um, ok why not? We hadnt booked any sort of special view room or anything so Im not sure what that was all about. We wanted to get our luggage to our room and get ready for dinner so off we went.
Our door:
Surprise on our bed:
There were animals carved in to each bedpost - I thought that was so neat:
Sam found a not so hidden Mickey in the hallway:
The room was very nice. Very similar to the rooms at AKL (I understand the architect was the same for the two resorts). We hung out for a bit and Sam and I unpacked (of course!) Then we went back in the lobby for a bit to hang out before our reservations at Whispering Canyon Café.
Sam and I went to the gift shop and bought a dog toy for Jenny for Christmas and she used her money to buy a Marie kitty art set. Then we went to the pin cart in the lobby and bought a couple of pins. The lady working at the pin cart was an older lady who reminded us of my MIL. She was very sweet and gave Sam a Year of a Million Dreams Pixie Dust pin which made Sams night.
At 5:00 I went to WCC to check us in for dinner. We were seated a few minutes later. We were sat in the farthest section from the entrance sort of separated from the main part of the restaurant where there were maybe six tables. I think this worked out well since Ive heard the noise can get kind of loud in the main part of the restaurant and it was much more crowded in that main section. We had a great waiter who was from NJ (where my parents and I are from) so they talked a bit about that.
At WCC you can get a milkshake (bottomless) as your drink on the Disney Dining Plan. I thought about it but knew I wanted dessert and would be way too full if I had a milkshake also. Sam got the milkshake though I think she got an orange cream flavor.
My dad ordered the ribs, mom had the prime rib and I ordered that canyon skillet that I heard so many good reports on. I wasnt interested in everything on there but I figured we could share as I wanted to taste my moms prime rib as well. Everyone really enjoyed there food and we all agreed that the beef brisket on the skillet was the best of all! Yum!
For dessert I had the Apple Caramel Pie which was delicious! My mom had some kind of pecan pie that was really good too. Dad had cheesecake (plain) that he also enjoyed.
Sam didnt really participate in any of the activities for the kids (pony races and napkin twirling) but she did enjoy watching. She is funny that way, sometimes shell get up and do it and other times she is just as happy to sit back and watch. If she was there with a friend she would have participated for sure. All in all this was a great meal and we would all eat here again
While we were waiting for our food I wanted to show my parents some of the things we had bought. I reached down for the bag and couldnt find it! The pins were in with the bag from the gift shop and it was nowhere to be found.
Sam had the bag when sitting in the lobby and she had grandpa help her open her craft set. I was guessing they had left it sitting there in the lobby so I went out to look but no luck. I went to the concierge desk to see if it had been turned in but no luck there either. The CM suggested I try back after dinner. Sam was not happy about this lost bag at all! She was mostly upset about the pin the CM had given her at the pin cart of all things. I gave her the lecture that she needed to be more responsible for things if she was going to carry the bag. That didnt help.
We went back to the concierge after dinner and again nothing. The CM this time suggested I check with the other stores and restaurants in the lobby to see if it had been turned in there. We decided to go back to our friend at the pin cart first. The CM was very nice and asking us what pins we had bought. She then said she would contact her manager to see if there was anything she could do. The manager came down (I dont know if she was looking to get us new pins or what) and asked what exactly we were missing. It was then that I looked down behind the pin cart on the CMs stack of stuff and saw our bag (or what looked like our bag) there! I pointed it out to the CM and she said Oh yeah I saw someone left that over there on the chair do you think it is yours? We looked inside and yes indeed, it was our bag. We were super thankful to the pin cart lady (and the manager who was a little perplexed) but couldnt figure out why she didnt mention the bag before? Didnt matter we were pleased to have our things back. The lady remembered us every time we passed her cart during the weekend and would always wave.
We sat in the lobby for a bit and watched a handbell choir perform which was very cool. Then Sam, my mom and I decided to take a boat ride over to the Contemporary to walk around for a bit. My dad opted to go back to the room and rest.
Bad picture of handbell choir:
It was a bit cold that night on the water but such a pretty boat ride in the evening. We got off at the Contemporary and walked around in the shops for a bit. I just love this resort so it was nice to spend some time there.
My favorite resort:
Sam trying on hats - wonder where she got that from?
This came out too dark but I love these ears:
We finished our shopping and hopped a boat back to WL it was really cold now! We went upstairs to get a blanket and then went down to the beach to watch the Electrical Water Pageant! Sam decided to stay in the room with Grandpa as she was tired and cold. I love this show so much just reminds me of watching it as a kid and I love the music. I get teary eyed every time. I was hoping Sam would be able to watch it the next night with me as she had never seen it.
Up next My first Mousefest and Candlelight Processional
Yay! Great update Michelle! I loved that Wilderness Lodge tree when we saw it last year. So gorgeous! Whispering Canyon was a hit with us last year as well - did you see as much of the "antics" if you were sitting in the other room? I have heard that you miss some stuff. Honestly, I wouldn't have minded. Our kids pretty much did the hokey pokey and the ketchup thing, and that was it. They loved it though - I just thought it was almost too loud since the girl on the microphone was right next to us! 
, but do love all the comments and replies though.
We are going back to WDW this weekend for a quick trip. I'd like to finish this before then but I'm not sure it will happen. If not, I promise to finish next week when we return. Thanks for sticking with me!
I will still see it anytime I'm in WDW during December though - I think it is fabulous!
You and Scott should definitely go to Mousefest next year! I'll look for you! 
