Good Morning! Checked in CL yesterday and am totally in love with the lodge! Staff has been phenomenal and the theming is amazing. I had requested close to the lobby and bunk beds but only the close to lobby part was available -- cm said to check this morning and they would be glad to move us if a bunk bed room opens up (we love the room they gave us though so will be staying put.) Room was ready at c/I at noon. Family enjoyed the lounge while I checked in. Small issue w/phone not working that was quickly fixed. Saw lots of different animals form our balcony yesterday and there was almost always a few in view. Shortly after C/I a CM delivered 4 chocolate giraffes to our room along with a beautiful wood notebook / pen set for dd who just graduated from 8th grade -- this was a really cool surprise!

We did DTD / Disney Quest yesterday and then stopped for snacks at the lounge (lots of yummy choices, plenty of tables available and very attentative cms tending the food) before heading over to the Magic Kingdom for the Wishes Dessert party. We had the perfect table up front and I was able to see the show/ fireworks fine from the table while the kids stood at the rail. Squeezed in a bunch of rides (all walk on) before closing. All in all a very magical first day and every CM we encountered was fantastic. DH has headed off to golf and I'm getting ready to wake dd's up and head over to MK. Have a WONDERFUL day everyone and THANK YOU for all the fantastic info on this thread that helped me sooooo much to plan this trip!!!