She's Raising The Bar, a June 2025 Copper Creek Trip Report (Updated 8/9)

[GrandCalifornian]

Wow! I got here just in time to read about your trip home! Better late than never

You didn’t have to wait in suspense for as long as we found time to write the updates. Now there’s just one more day of pictures to edit… We are glad you found it and joined in.

 

[Moonspinner]

We got to the bus stop at 4:08, and the bus came at 4:17.


We sat in the back of the bus by a cute family with two young girls and chatted with the older one, who was about 2. It reminded us of Allie's early Disney trips.

It was fun meeting new people and the kids were so cute.

That was one thing we do enjoy about using the bus transportation, sometimes you meet the nicest people. We made it to the park by 4:30, then went and picked up a stroller. Spaceship Earth had ony a 5 min wait, so we got on it at 4:47.


After we profusely thanked the Phoenicians we went over to the Land Pavillon to ride Soarin’.


It showed a 30 min standby wait, but we had Lightning Lanes from earlier in the day. In line Alllie talked with another little girl who got a pearl necklace on her first trip today. We even got Allie to ride Soaring with us, which is rare since she does not like the "jump scares" and 3D effects on it. She survived though, and since Living with the Land was a walk on we did it and got on a boat at 5:52.


Neither kid particularly likes Soarin’. Marshall calls it a thrill ride which I think is so funny.


Allie used to like it when it was the original version, and she was little. When they switched to the Soaring over the World version the jump scares got to her and she considers it to be scary now. Living with the land was a crowd pleaser though.

After Living with the land we had to visit our favorite purple dragon friend.


It wouldn’t be a Disney trip without seeing Figment.

It was fun, and we walked right on. The DVC lounge was closed by then, so after the ride we went in search of a snack (since we had delayed dinner to 8:30).


We wanted a cream cheese pretzel, and the website said they were at the Odyssey pavilion so we headed that way.

Allie wanted Starbucks so she split and went there by herself. When we got to the Odyssey Pavilion the counter was closed and looked like it hadn’t been open for a while.


It was pretty disappointing.

While we waited to meet back up with Allie, Marshall and I walked back by Test Track to get us a regular pretzel and some Cokes. We sat and enjoyed our snack in the Odysssey pavilion before we went into World Showcase.


When we did go into World Showcase, we walked around and took pictures as we made our way towards Japan. We didn't go into Mexico, figuring we would just have to wait and see what happened with the missing camera. Allie liked posing in different countries and taking pictures with her replacement camera, it saved the trip for her.

It was nice to have plenty of time, we are always late to this reservation but this time we did so well.

We strolled along and got to enjoy another loop through World Showcase. We stopped and looked at art again in the America pavilion, then made our way to Japan.


Since we were actually early, Allie and I continued on towards Morocco and France to get some more pictures there before dark.



Then we met back up with Melissa and Marshall and signed in for our reservation.

It didn’t take very long at all to get the text that it was time to head upstairs. We decided to take the stairs instead of the elevator on the way up.


We didn't want to risk getting stuck and missing out on a great dinner. We were seated with a group of three young people from Orlando. It was another great visit to one of my very favorite restaurants anywhere.



We ordered a volcano roll, which is fun and delicious.


I went with the filet mignon which is my favorite steak anywhere, despite not being a “real” steak since they serve it all cut up with dipping sauce. Mmmm it was so good.


I ordered scallops and generally they are very good but this time, for the first time ever, I think our chef forgot about them and cooked them a little long.


They weren’t the best I’ve had but they were still better than mediocre. Everything else was of course delicious.

By the time we were done with dinner it was 9:50 and the park was closed. We had an eerily quiet walk towards International Gateway, and I took advantage of the opportunity to take lots of empty park pictures.





We dropped off the stroller at the closed rental place and headed out towards Beach Club.


Fortunately their store was open till 11, so we had time to shop there a bit and grabbed some desserts to enjoy in the Solarium.


We really enjoyed the Oreo mousse dessert, both of us got the same thing.


The kids got dessert too but we don’t have any pictures or notes on what they got. I promise they weren’t left out.


We always enjoy taking a break at Beach Club, even if it was late at night. Our transportation plan was to get a Minnie Van from here to save us the long walk back through Epcot, so once we were done with dessert we scheduled our ride.


I think it was a brilliant plan and it worked out perfectly. We weren’t expecting the construction in front of the hotel even though we had heard that the whole Porte cochere was closed we had forgotten so we were surprised at the construction walls when we went in search of our Minnie van.

We had to ask where the Minnie Vans picked up, but saw that it was out beyond the construction fence.


Right on time our Minnie Van arrived at 11:08 PM and was driven by Brandon, a nice young man who showed us all of the different radio channels they have to match the different potential destinations.


They even had Disney cartoons on the seat back screens. It was so nice.

It was a nice quick ride in a new Suburban with Disney themed music, what a great way to end a park day.

When we got back to the lodge the kids stopped at the front desk to check out the pin trading board before we headed upstairs and I noticed something that I hadn’t ever noticed before in all of the time I’ve spent at the front desk in the 100 nights we’ve stayed.


Yes, we had never noticed the animals on the pillars under the registration desk. There are quite a few different ones, just another cool subtle detail of the lodge.




The cast member at the front desk said they all have names but she didn’t know what they were. They are all very cute.

After we went up to the room Marshall and I went down for one more round of mug refills, and we stopped and chatted with Buzz, a night security guard who has worked at the Lodge for years.


He told us some stories about all the different kinds of wildlife that he has seen, especially duriong COVID when the resort was empty. It was a fascinating chat that we all enjoyed. Then we went up to the room and finally got in bed by 12:15.

It was a great last full day of the trip and it felt like we accomplished everything that we wanted to.

Check back for our next update as we begin our travel home day.

Beautiful photo of the Epcot ball in the distance outside the Japan pavilion at night!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Beautiful photo of the Epcot ball in the distance outside the Japan pavilion at night!

It was really pretty in person. And so quiet. A fun new perspective.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

On Monday morning, I woke up at Wilderness Lodge for the 100th time. It just worked out that we made this milestone at the end of this trip. I got up at 6:00 and headed out to take morning pictures.


It really was neat to achieve this many nights at a resort so far from home.

In my excitement to go out of the room early I forgot to move laundry to the dryer. This delayed our later packing, but it is so nice to take clean clothes home.

We had done zero packing prior to this morning so we had a lot to do but we’ve got a system down now and the kids are pretty good at helping pack up their own stuff.

I got another round of morning lodge pictures and went back up to the room.







I ordered breakfast from Roaring Fork about 8:30, and it was really pretty busy down there.

On the way I tried to find the Corksicle mug that Melissa had wanted in the Mercantile but it was not there anymore. It’s kind of crazy, they got popular and disappeared during our trip. We had picked one up for a friend, but could not find a second one later in the week.

It was a bit of a bummer but if I’m honest with myself I didn’t really need another cup that size.

We had breakfast while our clothes in the dryer dried and we packed what we could in the bags.


Then Melissa took a shower and we packed kids stuff. It took a bit but we had most of the bags packed by 10:00, and were done and out of the room by 10:40.


We went down to the front with all our bags and I brought the car around.



We loaded up and pulled out at 10:51. I got a cool pic of the lodge in the mirror as we pulled away.


We had time to kill before we headed to the airport so we got in a last dose of Disney Springs.


Melissa e-signed DVC purchase docs on our way to Disney Springs.

It kept the process moving.

We got parked in the Lime garage by 11:12.


We walked right in and went towards Sugarboo.


Marshall found these cool little cars made out of tin cans and we bought four of them.


We both thought they were really neat. Then we looked at dresses in a shop across the way before walking across to the art store.

Allie tried one on but it looked cuter on the hanger.

The trek across to the art store was pretty hot so we enjoyed the AC when we got there.


During the walk I booked Grand Floridian Cafe for a 1:55 lunch.

We were able to score a last minute reservation for Grand Floridian Cafe. I was excited to check another new restaurant off the list.

I was pretty excited when the carousel horse painting was still hanging up at the art store.


We had decided that even though it didn’t have a castle in the painting (our normal guideline for buying Disney Art, otherwise we’d want everything) that we loved it so much. It really just makes little Melissa who was so horse crazy so happy.

Allie was pretty excited too.


We pin traded with a CM and asked for help with the painting. He went looking for one and we waited at the counter and chatted with the younger CM.


He came back with one, number 5 of the 95 brand new in the box.


Even better, we got the DVC 20% discount on it which we did not expect.

That part was very exciting. We set it up to ship home so we didn’t have to worry about fitting it in the luggage.

It arrived home soon after we did and is very pretty. It has a temporary home in the dining room but it will be in Allie’s room once we finish redecorating it.

We then walked through the stores at Disney Springs for some last minute shopping.


We looked for the Corksicle mug but Melissa found some other things.

I found some new earrings for our optometrist, she is always wearing cute earrings.


Then we continued on over to World of Disney.


At World of Disney you found a blanket, which was funny on a warm day but made sense.

I know but we use it all the time on the couch and I wanted it for the flight home.

It was really pretty hot and surprisingly crowded for a weekday morning. We went to the car at 12:45 and left for the Grand Floridian.

On the way we got one more elevator picture.


Got to front gate of the Grand Floridian at 1:05 and were told parking was out and across the street.


They gave us a three hour pass but we had to turn around and leave the gate to park across the street.


It might be because of the construction that was going on, but it was a bit of a strange situation.


Yeah we had to self park over in a staff lot and then walk back across the street.

We did get to check out the old cars out front which we rarely get to see since we normally arrive by monorail.


The parking situation was weird but I get that they are a little more fancy. We just didn’t want to pay for valet.

We checked in for Grand Floridian Cafe at 1:35 and were seated at 1:45.


It was a tough decision whether or not to order breakfast or lunch. The French toast looked really yummy.

It seemed like a great breakfast spot, but I was ready for a burger. We had a very nice meal, with Melissa and I getting burgers and Allie getting salmon.


Marshall got chicken and Mac and cheese. Our server was nice and gave us extra drinks and didn’t rush us at all, even though we were among the last tables seated for brunch.

It was a very pleasant lunch experience and I would be excited to eat there again.

The burgers were pretty unique, with a large piece of fried cheese that made them quite tall.


It was a good burger, although I would rate the one from Old Key West a little higher.

Allie passed the extra time by reading old trip reports and looking at old pictures of herself at Disney. She got quite a kick out of it.


Check out our report on our voyage home in the next update.

[/B]

 

[Moonspinner]

We love the 20% dvc discount at the art store and have purchased 4 works of art there. We did find out once that the discount does not apply if you purchase art at a signing event. The CM explained to us that when you purchase at a signing event, you are purchasing directly from the artist and not from Disney, even if the store regularly carries the artist’s work. Just fyi! We were so excited to get something signed for us personally by our favorite artist that we did not mind anyway. I love the piece you guys purchased.

 

[Wood Nymph]

You have a way of making the WL look gorgeous. Most people don't make it outside in time for the sunrise.

We had done zero packing prior to this morning so we had a lot to do but we’ve got a system down now and the kids are pretty good at helping pack up their own stuff.

We usually wait until the morning to do our packing. It feels nicer that way.

They gave us a three hour pass but we had to turn around and leave the gate to park across the street.

There doesn't seem to be a time stamp on the parking permit.

The burgers were pretty unique, with a large piece of fried cheese that made them quite tall.

That burger is crazy! I thought the burger at Ale & Compass was tall. This one is taller.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

We love the 20% dvc discount at the art store and have purchased 4 works of art there. We did find out once that the discount does not apply if you purchase art at a signing event. The CM explained to us that when you purchase at a signing event, you are purchasing directly from the artist and not from Disney, even if the store regularly carries the artist’s work. Just fyi! We were so excited to get something signed for us personally by our favorite artist that we did not mind anyway. I love the piece you guys purchased.

Yeah we have had mixed success with the discount on art in the past. We too have found that it does not apply at signing events, and agree that it is still exciting and worth it to have art signed for us. We can’t wait until we can do Festival of the Arts again… We also have found the discount does not apply on any of the Larry Dotson prints, likely for the reason you mentioned that the store sells them directly for the artist. Still, we love his work and that won’t slow us down. In the past we had been told that any piece that’s part of a limited series was excluded as well, but this appears to be a grey area now, resulting in an unexpected discount for us on a nice souvenir.

You have a way of making the WL look gorgeous. Most people don't make it outside in time for the sunrise.

It is just so easy to do… I do appreciate seeing the resort without anybody around, and sharing that is fun too.

We usually wait until the morning to do our packing. It feels nicer that way.

We get worried if we don’t have some packing done ahead of time. At least we don’t have early flights to worry about, but we have a hard enough time baking out by checkout time. It is nice to stay unpacked for as long as possible.

There doesn't seem to be a time stamp on the parking permit.

It is a weird parking situation, since you have to have the pass and get “buzzed in” to the gate to the lot.

That burger is crazy! I thought the burger at Ale & Compass was tall. This one is taller.

It was really tall with the fried cheese, but it squished down fairly well and was a tasty burger. The breakfast stuff here did look really good, and we might be back for it next trip.

 

[Wood Nymph]

The breakfast stuff here did look really good, and we might be back for it next trip.

The French toast at the GF Cafe is delicious.

 

[AliceNDinah]

Congratulations on your 100th time at the Lodge! Such gorgous pictures, sigh.....I loved your jaunt at Disney Springs too, those stores are so much fun! I'm itching to get back there, ha ha. What would you say is your favorite store? I know, so many to pick from, lol. Have you guys ever eaten at Chicken Guy? My 13 year old son wants to give it a go sometime. Can't wait to read about the voyage home! (and hopefully hear about any future trip plans!!!!!)

 

[GrandCalifornian]

The French toast at the GF Cafe is delicious.

It looked good. We really might have to give it a shot next trip.

Congratulations on your 100th time at the Lodge! Such gorgous pictures, sigh.....I loved your jaunt at Disney Springs too, those stores are so much fun! I'm itching to get back there, ha ha. What would you say is your favorite store? I know, so many to pick from, lol. Have you guys ever eaten at Chicken Guy? My 13 year old son wants to give it a go sometime. Can't wait to read about the voyage home! (and hopefully hear about any future trip plans!!!!!)

Well it was only our 100th night at the lodge. I am looking forward to our 100th stay but that’s going to take a while longer.

At Disney Springs our favorite store is probably the big World of Disney store, but besides that we do enjoy the CoOp Disney store for some different things, and of course the Art store. Of the non-Disney stores our favorite is probably the Lego store, but Sugarboo is always a favorite for the girls (and me and Marshall with the cool toy tin can cars…) Don’t even get us started on where to eat at Disney Springs, since there are so many great choices. Boathouse probably wins all around, but Homecomin puts up a good fight and has an excellent breakfast. We also really enjoy D Luxe burger, but still rarely make it there.

We did try Chicken Guy back in 2019, and it just wasn't great for us. The chicken was not exceptional, and while some of the sauces were good you only got to pick and try the ones you paid for. Some love it, but we have not been back.

We are working on writing up the trip home, but we made it fine. We are really looking forward to next year, and have made some reservations but are waiting for the “new” DVC points to load so that we can make the room reservation. We will post all about it here when it happens.

 

[nascargirl]

We love the GF Cafe. DH usually will get the steak and eggs. He raves about it all the time. I enjoy the Heirloom Apple Salad.
We make this a must on our Magic Kingdom days

 

[Stasieki]

That sunrise picture is spectacular!!! Does Allie have you take a lot of her pictures? I know my teens would LOVE it is either of us could take good pictures.