She's Collecting Castles and Staying at Copper Creek, a January-February 2021 Trip Report (Completed 5/7, Updated 5/17)

[KPeterso]

I'm here to follow along.

Thanks for the information about LAX and that all food is to go. My flight leaves at 7:30 AM, so no options open before I leave for the airport, so going to need to pack a breakfast/lunch for the plan. Seriously never thought about it, but I guess that would be true since there is still no indoor dining. We ate inside 2-3 times (and all were quick service type places - Corner Bakery, The Habit) in the fall when OC made it to red and could open for a little inside dining. But seriously, it feels weird to be doing a week of indoor restaurants next month when we have not been able to for a very long time.

 

[footballmouse]

 

[Jeepdisney]

I’m here and following along! Your view out of the room is amazing!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Sorry your trip is already over, but looking forward to reading all about it. Glad to know it was another great trip for your family.

In a way we are glad that we don't have to worry about it any more. There was more worry and anticipation than usual this time.

Great room location. I hope the front desk saga is not too bad.

There's always gotta be something, and this time it was the front desk. We still hope it works out too, as we are waiting for a credit they applied, but overall it wasn't too terrible...

Your room is beautiful! Looks like you had a great travel day although I noticed the woman behind you on the plane with her mask under her chin. What in the world is wrong with some people???

There is nothing like being home at Wilderness Lodge! On our last Disney trip in 2019 we had the room right beside where you were, 6115. It's an alternate layout studio and was an amazing room to have!

As another Canadian Dis'er, it is great to have TRs to read. It helps to keep the Disney magic alive until we can travel again.

We did love the room and location. We tried for an alternate studio lockoff 2 bedroom last trip but didn't get it, so we were on the first floor. It isn't worth the risk to us, as we enjoy the big bathroom and two real beds in the dedicated 2 bedroom. The view straight out from the x115 rooms is perfect though.

The family behind us on the plane just didn't get it. The guy behind me was with them, and wore his mask less than she did. It wasn't how I wanted to start the trip, but I couldn't help but wonder what happened when they got to Disney where they wouldn't put up with that kind of mask wearing.

We have met quite a few Canadians at WDW and you all always seem so nice. We hope things open up for you to come visit again soon.

Popping over from your PTR. Can’t wait to read about your magical trip .

Thanks, we're glad you made it over. We should have lots more to share here.

I'm from Washington State and we also have not been able to eat inside. I remember how strange it feels when you get to do so.

Yeah, it took a little getting used to but sure was nice. Coming home wasn't as bad as we feared, but we still would like to go out to dinner...

Your dog - the one sitting in the first picture - knows that you are leaving.

That's Shelby, she's 9 and has been around for all of our WDW trips. SHe knows what's happening as soon as we get out the suitcases. FOr all our other trips she gets to go with us, and she loves camping and riding in the truck. When the suitcases come out, she knows she doesn't get to go and isn't thrilled about it. At least this time she got to stay at home instead of being boarded at the Vet.

I usually fly Delta or Alaska to MCO, and the shuttle for that concourse looks different than the one you rode. The United concourse must have an updated train.

Speaking of United, that's a bummer that the flight was so full and the people around you couldn't keep their masks on properly. At least the flight attendants were addressing it, but yikes.

Your room view really is spectacular.

Yeah, I can't really blame United, but having middle seats open and a less full plane would have been nicer. Te flight attendants did everything they could to make the people wear their masks, they just didn't listen.

We did love the room view, and I took a picture of it every time I walked out there.

Following along! Orange creamsicle cupcake sounds like it would be amazing. I love orange treats!

Question for you, is there some specifics that you love about 6113 vs other dedicated 2 bdrm villas? Just curious.

Welcome! The orange creamsicle cupcake tasted better than it sounded to me, so yeah, it was great.

The things we love about that room vs the other dedicated 2 bedrooms are the location, being near the lobby and overlooking the inner courtyard, so we could see the pool but weren't right over it. We also like that it is on the highest floor possible with an open balcony. We really don't mind the enclosed balconies, but then you have three separate ones rather than one big connecting balcony. Also the ceiling of the top floor rooms is angled in at the top, making the room feel a little bit smaller. We love how that location is centrally located between the lobby and mid-wing elevators too. Overall, any of the dedicated 2 bedrooms are great, but this one just has all the perfect perks to make it our favorite.

We brought food to the airport, too, because there are long lines for the few places that are open at the airport. We had a ban on indoor dining from November until just a couple weeks ago in our state.

We are definitely in the group that travels to WDW because there is nothing open in our state.

Yep, you do what you gotta do, and hopefully for Florida everything can continue to stay open.

Our daughter and her family had room 3113 back in 2014, when it was a bunk bed room. The location was great. I found all the secret stairways and exits from that section of the resort. Our room was a couple doors down from that.

It is a great location. Marshall loved taking the lobby staircases down from the room each morning, and could lead me the whole way to Roaring Fork on his own without using an elevator. He was proud (and so was I).

That must have been a time saver, too.

Yes, it was easy to collect everyone and head out together.

Your airport tram is designed a little differently than the one that connects to our Southwest flights.

I think they replaced them last year or the year before. It is nice to be on the same side of the airport as Magical Express.

I was really glad that they brought back the EWP. We watched it from the GF on Saturday night.

Me too. We didn't watch it much, but loved that it was there and got to see it as soon as we got to the room.

I'm here to follow along.

Thanks for the information about LAX and that all food is to go. My flight leaves at 7:30 AM, so no options open before I leave for the airport, so going to need to pack a breakfast/lunch for the plan. Seriously never thought about it, but I guess that would be true since there is still no indoor dining. We ate inside 2-3 times (and all were quick service type places - Corner Bakery, The Habit) in the fall when OC made it to red and could open for a little inside dining. But seriously, it feels weird to be doing a week of indoor restaurants next month when we have not been able to for a very long time.

Welcome. Hopefully following our fun helps you get even more excited for your upcoming trip. Getting to eat inside at great restaurants makes it feel like even more of a vacation. It was wonderful.

Welcome, we're glad you are here to follow along.

I’m here and following along! Your view out of the room is amazing!

Thanks. It is our favorite view, and after being on the ground floor last time this was about the complete opposite. It was part of what made this trip extra special.

 

[eliseisawkward]

Slow to move over here, but I made it before you got too far!

Looks like travel day was relatively uneventful!

Indoor dining just reopened where I am, but I’ve still been too anxious to go. I would certainly have felt odd eating indoors for the first time since March!

 

[MyGoofy26]

Incredible view from that room!
I’m hoping a deal opens up for December at WL. Your reports always make me want to stay there (Covid ruined our chances in September—5 months pregnant in a pandemic that continues to rage is not exactly an ideal time to travel ). Disney totally needs to contract you guys out for the marketing team.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Disney totally needs to contract you guys out for the marketing team.

Agreed! You guys "sell" the Wilderness Lodge most effectively. Same for Teppan Edo.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Slow to move over here, but I made it before you got too far!

Looks like travel day was relatively uneventful!

Indoor dining just reopened where I am, but I’ve still been too anxious to go. I would certainly have felt odd eating indoors for the first time since March!

You're just in time for the good stuff, we are just about to start our first park day!

It was a good travel day, and getting that room was the best part. It set the stage for a great trip.

Getting to eat inside was odd at first, but we caught on really quickly.

Incredible view from that room!
I’m hoping a deal opens up for December at WL. Your reports always make me want to stay there (Covid ruined our chances in September—5 months pregnant in a pandemic that continues to rage is not exactly an ideal time to travel ). Disney totally needs to contract you guys out for the marketing team.

We loved that view. We really think it is the best 2 bedroom in the Lodge.

So sorry about your COVID cancelled trip, but we have our fingers crossed for December for you. That is on our bucket list.

We wish Disney would hire us, we'd work for DVC points, or even food...

Agreed! You guys "sell" the Wilderness Lodge most effectively. Same for Teppan Edo.

Lol, we show what we love, and in the case of The Lodge and that Filet, the pictures speak for themselves.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I woke up just before 5:00, and knew I wouldn’t get back to sleep. I played on my phone for a while and took trip notes before getting up to take a shower and go out taking pictures.


I saw that sunrise wasn’t until 7:15, and Roaring Fork didn’t open till 7, so there was no hurry. I wondered around the resort before sunrise and got some pictures.






Melissa texted me about 7:10, then I saw the sunrise from Geyser Point.




I asked him how cold it was and he said brisk but not bad and then followed with 46 degrees.

Yeah, it was a little chilly, and there was some wind that made it extra cold that morning. I got to the room about 7:30 and ate some donuts for breakfast as Melissa and eventually the kids got up. We all got ready at a nice leisurely pace, and finally left the room about 9:20. Grandma and Grandpa waited to pick up her scooter in the lobby at 10, but we went down to the boats.


We rode on a small boat, and it was pretty cold but a quick ride.


The new security scanners are really really nice. The stroller and scooter still require a manual check but bags you just leave on and walk through the scanning device.

The security was amazing. Jon and Melissa got flagged the first time, but it was because of sunglasses cases and a band aid case. We left them out and didn't get flagged the rest of the trip. I really think these scanners are the best technology improvement I can recall at Disney.

yes, if you have something you know will set off the scanner you can remove it from your bag and hold it as you go through and that works fine too.

We were on our way to the Magic Kingdom but had to stop at Guest Services for our annual visit. It's something they require us to do now because we've never had a trip where we don't have to visit them for something. I think they just want to keep tabs on us.


We all had purchased DVC pass renewals online and had them in our account, but then my AP had somehow gotten cancelled. We did the same things for all our passes, but mine got removed. I waited to deal with it till we were there, and that turned out to be a good call as the guy had no problem setting them all up with the correct expiration date in January 2022.

We made it through the gates and we were back! It felt so good to walk down Main Street.


We put our shiny new passes to work and got in the park just after 10:15. It was great to be back in a Disney park again. There were quite a few people on Main Street, and we slowly made our way towards Pirates.



Grandma and Grandpa got on a bus at 10:12, and made it in the park by 10:30.


We all met at Pirates at 10:45, and it showed a 45 minute wait but we were off it in 30.


The wait wasn't bad at all and I like the social distancing. It's nice not to have people all up in your business.

There are lines every 6 ft in the queue reminding people to wait there, and in general people followed them. There were a few exceptions, but most people were really good about it, and the line moved well despite being longer length than usual to aid in distancing.

After pirates Marshall wanted to ride the flying carpets.

Grandpa, the kids and I got in line for them at 11:15 and it was only anout a 10 minute wait. While we did it Jon and Brandy got popcorn.


Hey I actually rode the carpets too, Allie made it her mission to try and scare me.


Oh that's right. That was a rare occurrence that I should have noted. We all met back up and got in the Jungle Cruise line at 11:45 with the exception of Grandma, who went to shop and meet us at lunch.


Jungle Cruise was fun, same corny jokes a little more plastic.

We got on at 12:20. I liked that they threw in a few about social distancing, and laughed at the periodic table ones. As we got off I got the mobile checkin reminder for our lunch, which was to be at Liberty Tree Tavern.


I was excited for this ADR. We hadn't eaten there in a couple trips and who can beat the comfort food and ooey gooey toffee cake.

We chose it largely for the dessert, and liked the idea of not having to leave MK to have a nice sit down meal.


I didn’t even realize that lunch was family style now, but it worked out great.

It really did. The food was fantastic and we all left stuffed. It was an easy meal that everyone loved.


It really was the best "Thanksgiving" dinner any of had in a long time. It felt like the perfect first Table Service meal. Every bit was excellent, and the waitress thanked us for coming.

We did appreciate having the chance to take a break from masks and sit for a while in the middle of the day. It showed that our decision to make more ADRs than usual this trip would be a good one.

Yes, I think that's a good piece of advice. Lunch ADRs were nice for knowing that you have a seat and heat or AC depending on the weather. With limited capacity sometimes it was difficult to find a table for everyone in our larger group at quick service locations.

Check back for the next update, where we continue our MK day and dine somewhere new to us that we all had anticipated for a long time...

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Getting to eat inside was odd at first, but we caught on really quickly.

 

[suse66]

We have met quite a few Canadians at WDW and you all always seem so nice. We hope things open up for you to come visit again soon.

Thank you! I love meeting new people in Disney and find most people very friendly and kind. That being said, I'd probably chat to a tree......lol! I have a trip booked with my oldest son to celebrate his 21st in August and then a couples trip with DH in December. We'll see if either happens. We want to be fully vaccinated before traveling and of course the current advisory against non essential travel has to be lifted.

Melissa texted me about 7:10, then I saw the sunrise from Geyser Point.

These pictures are stunning!

We made it through the gates and we were back! It felt so good to walk down Main Street.

I love Melissa's arms in the air pose! Pure joy!

It really was the best "Thanksgiving" dinner any of had in a long time. It felt like the perfect first Table Service meal. Every bit was excellent, and the waitress thanked us for coming.

We did appreciate having the chance to take a break from masks and sit for a while in the middle of the day. It showed that our decision to make more ADRs than usual this trip would be a good one.

I much prefer a lunch ADR....it's a nice break in the day and gives more flexibility for evening plans.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I remember two periodic table jokes from the Jungle Cruise: the backside of water is O2H, and the skipper knows a joke about oxygen and potassium but it is just OK. Did you hear any other periodic table jokes on your Jungle Cruise?

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Your early morning photos from the Wilderness Lodge are fantastic. I want to go RIGHT NOW.

Your morning in the park looked great too, including lunch. That dessert really is delicious.

 

[WonderWoman28]

Excited to follow along! WL is such a beautiful resort.

Also, my oldest DD is 11 and my youngest DD is 5 (with a DS in the middle) - it's always fun to read a TR when the kids are around the same age as mine! Definitely helps with planning.

 

[RollTideinMD]

I am loving this trip report so far! Looking forward to more!

 

[storey13]

The WL photos are just breathtaking. Thank you so much! I've never been to Liberty Tree Tavern, but it is on our list for our Oct trip. I've had my eye on that dessert for a while now!

 

[eliseisawkward]

Our family trip involved a lot of ADRs, and I definitely appreciated the break in the middle of the day. I feel like now more than ever it would be a good idea to set up lunch ADRs.

 

[MyGoofy26]

The new security scanners are really really nice. The stroller and scooter still require a manual check but bags you just leave on and walk through the scanning device.

The security was amazing. Jon and Melissa got flagged the first time, but it was because of sunglasses cases and a band aid case. We left them out and didn't get flagged the rest of the trip. I really think these scanners are the best technology improvement I can recall at Disney.

I’m really curious to see how what they’ve learned this past year will affect Disney going forward. They’ve always been incredibly innovative, but to stay open during a pandemic they’ve had to get extra creative. I guess sometimes it just takes flipping everything on its head to be able to see new answers. Security has always been a headache, but I’ve seen a lot of positive reviews on the new method. Or things like more robust mobile order, the ability to order takeout from some table service restaurants, characters appearing out of nowhere and not on a times guide again.

 

[Paulaparm]

Enjoying your report and looking forward to more

 

[disneyAndi14]

Following along, enjoying the resort pictures, looks lovely and so quiet!
We canceled our January trip, boo! It is nice to live vicariously through TRs.