Day 21 Wilderness Lodge
Friday 3rd June
Well, our voyage is over. 5 nights at sea have rushed past faster than an 8 year old on the Aquaduck! On our last cruise about 11 years ago we had to be up at the crack of dawn to take part in some kind of ship-side passport check, but thankfully this is now discontinued and we can instead have a tiny bit more sleep at least until around 7am
As we wake and pull back the curtain we can see that Port Canaveral has swung into view and its definitely Land Ahoy now.
Our suitcases are all long gone, so we just have our hand luggage left to stash night things, toiletries, etc, and then we need take down to breakfast with us. As we were in Animators Palate last night, this is where we are headed back this morning. Our final opportunity to stuff our faces with food and we make the most of it before bidding a final, final farewell to Devon and Iputu and joining the large but quickly moving line to disembark, taking a last photo of Captain Donald as we pass. This feels very bittersweet as weve loved our time on board but Helen and I are also looking forward to finishing off the holiday back at WDW for a couple of days not that the kids know this yet, and we keep dropping hints about what would they like to do for a few hours before we head to the airport? We let them decide to go back to the parks for a bit before our flights
It takes about 10-15 mins to make our way landside, and we emerge into a large baggage hall that is actually surprising well organized. All the suitcases are segmented by cabin number so it is actually really straightforward to find your bags, and we then move to the final line to show passports. Luckily the non-US line moves very speedily, and were done and out into the warm Florida sunshine in no time at all. We head over to the car park and stow the bags, and pull out of the car park. We can see the NASA Vehicle Assembly Building over in the distance, and have a great view of the Dream as the road turns to head back to WDW.
I find a service station to fill up with gas, as we dont have much left in the tank, and then its an hour or so back to WDW. Everyone else nods off, so its a quiet journey (apart from my singing along to the radio, quietly
)
As I head towards the Magic Kingdom we need to stop at the toll booths and I mention we are headed to Wilderness Lodge. Im waved through and the sleepyheads begin to awaken. Next stop is the security guard at WL who I quietly inform that were checking in I look in the rear view mirror and can see the penny start to drop Arent we going to the airport then? Bless. See we can keep a secret
We park up and head inside to check-in. Its only about 10.30am so Im not expecting our room to be available, and while the check-in staff try their best to find us something they dont quite come through with something and well need to find out our room number later instead. We decide to head off to Fort Wilderness for now, as Emma has been reminding us throughout the holiday about wanting to visit the stables and see if she is still small enough to ride the ponies. She has done so on the past couple of trips and loves the miniature horses there.
Emma watching TV in the lobby while we check in
The lobby of the WL
We head out to the boat dock and get one of the resort launches over the FW. It takes around 15 mins to make the short trip, and the boat is significantly smaller than what weve been used to for the past few days
We head over to the stables and ask the CM if Emma can ride luckily she can, though I think this may be the last time, as shes moving well past the 48 inch limit now. Still, well think about that next time. There are two ponies on duty today, Nemo and Snickers, and we get Nemo. I lead him round while Emma strokes him and enjoys herself.
After the ride we take a stroll around the rest of the stables, and some of the beautiful horses that live there. This place always feels like an untapped nugget to me, and I hope it remains that way. Its so peaceful here, as if the theme parks are a million miles away when in fact you can just about see MK in the distance.
Lunchtime now, and we decide to grab some food in Trails End. This place is another hidden treasure that everyone should try at least once. The food is good quality and inexpensive (for Disney), plus the servers are lovely. Emma finished her meal early and had completely coloured her menu, so one of the servers took her aside to chat and show her the huge bear in the lobby. She had a great time, and ended up sitting in the rocking chairs outside and we got to finish our meal in peace!
All filled up with lunch we spent a few minutes at the kids playground before catching the boat back to WL. Its around 2pm by now so we check on the room and its ready! 3rd floor, with a pool view, just as requested. Now if only they could be as helpful at the Boardwalk oh well. We head up to the room and its gorgeous, with a rustic feel that isnt too dark and overbearing. After 5 days in a ships cabin on the Dream its so nice to have some extra space, too!
Great view of the quiet pool
We grab the luggage from the car and unpack, then decide to go and chill by the pool for a bit. The pool isnt huge here, but its got some nice features like a water slide and a real current to swim against in one section. We end up spending the rest of the afternoon here, and are taken by surprise a little when we realize its gone 6pm
Geyser in full flow, on the hour
Head back to the room to change and decide that were not that hungry after so much food on the Dream then lunch at Trails End, so we opt for a snack at Roarin Forks quick service. Helen and I have a flatbread each while the kids share some nuggets and fries, and we all sit outside and just people watch for a while.
Its around 7.30pm by now. Were not looking for a late night, but its too early for bed just yet, so the plan is to head to Epcot to see Illuminations one last time. We wait for the Epcot bus for about 15 mins and are just about to give up when it finally arrives. It then sits there for 5 mins more before we depart only to stop at the FW campground on the way. Oh well, were on holiday no rush! We finally get to Epcot at about 8.40pm so just enough time to find a spot to watch the fireworks and have a browse in Mousegear before heading back in the opposite direction. This of course is much quicker, and were back in the room and ready for bed by about 10pm. Slightly earlier night for all, as tomorrow will be a busier day.
Last Illuminations of the holiday is always a little sad
Friday 3rd June
Well, our voyage is over. 5 nights at sea have rushed past faster than an 8 year old on the Aquaduck! On our last cruise about 11 years ago we had to be up at the crack of dawn to take part in some kind of ship-side passport check, but thankfully this is now discontinued and we can instead have a tiny bit more sleep at least until around 7am
As we wake and pull back the curtain we can see that Port Canaveral has swung into view and its definitely Land Ahoy now.Our suitcases are all long gone, so we just have our hand luggage left to stash night things, toiletries, etc, and then we need take down to breakfast with us. As we were in Animators Palate last night, this is where we are headed back this morning. Our final opportunity to stuff our faces with food and we make the most of it before bidding a final, final farewell to Devon and Iputu and joining the large but quickly moving line to disembark, taking a last photo of Captain Donald as we pass. This feels very bittersweet as weve loved our time on board but Helen and I are also looking forward to finishing off the holiday back at WDW for a couple of days not that the kids know this yet, and we keep dropping hints about what would they like to do for a few hours before we head to the airport? We let them decide to go back to the parks for a bit before our flights
It takes about 10-15 mins to make our way landside, and we emerge into a large baggage hall that is actually surprising well organized. All the suitcases are segmented by cabin number so it is actually really straightforward to find your bags, and we then move to the final line to show passports. Luckily the non-US line moves very speedily, and were done and out into the warm Florida sunshine in no time at all. We head over to the car park and stow the bags, and pull out of the car park. We can see the NASA Vehicle Assembly Building over in the distance, and have a great view of the Dream as the road turns to head back to WDW.
I find a service station to fill up with gas, as we dont have much left in the tank, and then its an hour or so back to WDW. Everyone else nods off, so its a quiet journey (apart from my singing along to the radio, quietly
)As I head towards the Magic Kingdom we need to stop at the toll booths and I mention we are headed to Wilderness Lodge. Im waved through and the sleepyheads begin to awaken. Next stop is the security guard at WL who I quietly inform that were checking in I look in the rear view mirror and can see the penny start to drop
Arent we going to the airport then? Bless. See we can keep a secret We park up and head inside to check-in. Its only about 10.30am so Im not expecting our room to be available, and while the check-in staff try their best to find us something they dont quite come through with something and well need to find out our room number later instead. We decide to head off to Fort Wilderness for now, as Emma has been reminding us throughout the holiday about wanting to visit the stables and see if she is still small enough to ride the ponies. She has done so on the past couple of trips and loves the miniature horses there.
Emma watching TV in the lobby while we check in
The lobby of the WL
We head out to the boat dock and get one of the resort launches over the FW. It takes around 15 mins to make the short trip, and the boat is significantly smaller than what weve been used to for the past few days
We head over to the stables and ask the CM if Emma can ride luckily she can, though I think this may be the last time, as shes moving well past the 48 inch limit now. Still, well think about that next time. There are two ponies on duty today, Nemo and Snickers, and we get Nemo. I lead him round while Emma strokes him and enjoys herself.
After the ride we take a stroll around the rest of the stables, and some of the beautiful horses that live there. This place always feels like an untapped nugget to me, and I hope it remains that way. Its so peaceful here, as if the theme parks are a million miles away when in fact you can just about see MK in the distance.
Lunchtime now, and we decide to grab some food in Trails End. This place is another hidden treasure that everyone should try at least once. The food is good quality and inexpensive (for Disney), plus the servers are lovely. Emma finished her meal early and had completely coloured her menu, so one of the servers took her aside to chat and show her the huge bear in the lobby. She had a great time, and ended up sitting in the rocking chairs outside and we got to finish our meal in peace!
All filled up with lunch we spent a few minutes at the kids playground before catching the boat back to WL. Its around 2pm by now so we check on the room and its ready! 3rd floor, with a pool view, just as requested. Now if only they could be as helpful at the Boardwalk oh well. We head up to the room and its gorgeous, with a rustic feel that isnt too dark and overbearing. After 5 days in a ships cabin on the Dream its so nice to have some extra space, too!
Great view of the quiet pool
We grab the luggage from the car and unpack, then decide to go and chill by the pool for a bit. The pool isnt huge here, but its got some nice features like a water slide and a real current to swim against in one section. We end up spending the rest of the afternoon here, and are taken by surprise a little when we realize its gone 6pm
Geyser in full flow, on the hour
Head back to the room to change and decide that were not that hungry after so much food on the Dream then lunch at Trails End, so we opt for a snack at Roarin Forks quick service. Helen and I have a flatbread each while the kids share some nuggets and fries, and we all sit outside and just people watch for a while.
Its around 7.30pm by now. Were not looking for a late night, but its too early for bed just yet, so the plan is to head to Epcot to see Illuminations one last time. We wait for the Epcot bus for about 15 mins and are just about to give up when it finally arrives. It then sits there for 5 mins more before we depart only to stop at the FW campground on the way. Oh well, were on holiday no rush! We finally get to Epcot at about 8.40pm so just enough time to find a spot to watch the fireworks and have a browse in Mousegear before heading back in the opposite direction. This of course is much quicker, and were back in the room and ready for bed by about 10pm. Slightly earlier night for all, as tomorrow will be a busier day.
Last Illuminations of the holiday is always a little sad
