The NEW WL FAQ (Part 5) Simbas and Tiggers and Humphreys OH MY! Part 2

[eeyore45]

My family (DD3, DD4, DW) and my parents will be there 9/24-9/30.

My 2 girls are sooooooo exicted to see the REAL Cinderella!

We're also taking advantage of the free dining, and food and wine!! Sept 29 - Oct 2 for WL

add my thanks as well!! Wonderful thread... and I cant wait to rub Humphrey's nose, and pay my respects!!

 

[Gooofy-Blade]

Just got back from another amazing week at the WL. Found out we got a complimentary upgrade at check-in. Everything was great again - the remodeled rooms are much brighter and the carpet very nice and soft feeling even throughout the hallways. Ranger Stan is doing well. Only 358 days until our next trip!

 

[PixiePop]

Guess we are destined to meet at one time or another...we are also having dinner at Chef Mickey's for dinner. ADR at 5:10, so we can dash back to MK for the rest of the evening. What time is your ADR?

Isn't it cool to celebrate a 7th birthday(or two or three birthdays ) at Disney!!

Here's to some great celebrations

Deena

Our reservation is at 5:30pm.

 

[yaksack]

My family (DD3, DD4, DW) and my parents will be there 9/24-9/30.

My 2 girls are sooooooo exicted to see the REAL Cinderella!

We haven't told our soon to be DD6 and DD1.5, well she is 1.5.

We are going to drive down and hopefully she will not be able to guess until we pull up in front of the hotel.

 

[tardin1964]

Just got back from another amazing week at the WL. Found out we got a complimentary upgrade at check-in. Everything was great again - the remodeled rooms are much brighter and the carpet very nice and soft feeling even throughout the hallways. Ranger Stan is doing well. Only 358 days until our next trip!

Glad to hear you had a great trip. What where the crowds at the parks like last week?

 

[kimmar067]

...a 'reminder' to all the Lodgers....

 

[tardin1964]

Bump....Page 3 will never do

 

[snogger]

Broke the 90 day mark. Our first visit ever to Disney World.

December 9th-14th.

Daughters 8th birthday is on the 11th and we have Breakfast in castle set for that morning

 

[Mickey's Sister]

Broke the 90 day mark. Our first visit ever to Disney World.

December 9th-14th.

Daughters 8th birthday is on the 11th and we have Breakfast in castle set for that morning

How wonderful!!! What a memorable birthday that will be! Hope you enjoy the castle as much as we did!

There are so many special things going on at that time too - so much to see. Don't miss visiting the different resorts to see the exquisite decorations, there's a life-size gingerbread house in the GF lobby! Though WL is the most beautiful, IMHO! Don't forget to tell us all about it when you get back.

Hope you're enjoying the planning too, that's a big part of the fun.

Jessica

 

[pooch]

it was too depressing to look at this site since we've been back!!!

I have to get my act together to post trip and dining reports. I started a new job (same company, new position) when we got back and I've been working 24/7 to try and make sense of it all but I did want to say hi to all here!!

We arrived on 8/25 about 4:30pm. Flight and ME were terrific. No upgrades available when we checked in and no bunkbeds for us either!! Original room was standard view 5060 overlooking the dumpster, just awful!! Back to the checkin desk to ask for a change. Todd, who seemed to be a roving CM of some kind, was chatting w/us while we waited. I said that, for a Deluxe, one would think that the dumpster area would at least be covered by some kind of roof. He said "well, this is really a cheap Deluxe, actually an expensive Moderate"!! Wow, thanks for that!!! Anyway, ended up paying for an upgrade to woodsview (more on this later) and got 6028 MK view. Only complaint about this room was the enclosed balcony and, having spent enormous time on the site, I should have remembered that the 6th floor had this type of balcony! Kind of felt like now I was IN the dumpster!!! But I had a great view of the fireworks so I can't really complain.

The room was great!! Not having stayed at a "real" Deluxe , I though the room was plenty big enough for our family of four. Clothes fit easily between the drawers under the TV and the closet w/room to spare. Bought a little organizer (looks like a mini-popup hamper) to keep deoderant, toothpaste, etc together & out of Mousekeeping's way on the shelf over the sink and the rest of the bathroom/medicine/laundy stuff in the 2 drawers above the fridge. I also have to apologize for doubting the remodeling. The decor was beautiful and matched very well!! I did love it!

Beds were the most comfortable I have ever had in a hotel room!!! I never sleep well on vaca but was out like a light (everyone!) and slept like a baby!!

WL is gorgeous and I didn't take nearly enough pictures. Roaring Forks was busy each morning and the register set up could be better but the CM's were cheerful and mostly efficient. Quite frankly, the vacationers could be a little more patient!!! YOU'RE ON VACATION!!! CHILL A LITTLE BIT!!!

I was so happy to meet and spend time with Kath1210 and her family. Got a first hand look at the infamous bird attack!!!! Shades of Alfred Hitchcock!! DS and Kathy's DS spent some pool time together and I know Nick really enjoyed himself!

Also met Southfloridatigger and his family. If you read this, tell Brandon I promise not to eat him even if he does burn like toast!!

I could go on and on but will save more details for my trip report. Thanks for all the great advise I got here!!

 

[snogger]

How wonderful!!! What a memorable birthday that will be! Hope you enjoy the castle as much as we did!

There are so many special things going on at that time too - so much to see. Don't miss visiting the different resorts to see the exquisite decorations, there's a life-size gingerbread house in the GF lobby! Though WL is the most beautiful, IMHO! Don't forget to tell us all about it when you get back.

Hope you're enjoying the planning too, that's a big part of the fun.

Jessica

Thanks.. Wife has left all the planning up to me and the TA. Fingers crossed everything works out.

So far our plans are:
Saturday - Day of arrival. Staying around the lodge. Wife gets motion sickness in a car and hates to fly and this will be the daughters first time in a plane so best laid plans are to use this day to prepare for the rest of the week.
Dinner plans set, hoping to get carriage ride when they accept reservations.

Sunday the 10th - MGM with the Fantasimic Package with dinner at Hollywood & Vine.

Monday the 11th.Very, VERY Busy day. Hoping to head back to hotel for a break mid-afternoon if needed.
Breakfast in the castle at 8:30am.
Dinner at Liberty Tree at 4:30pm.
Tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party that night.

Tuesday the 12th - Animal Kingdom

Weds. the 13th - Back to MK to catch anything we missed the first time around.

Getting so close now, can almost smell it.

 

[pooch]

Hollywood & Vine has a very bad reputation on these boards. We ate there on 8/28 as part of the Fantasmic package and have nothing but good things to say about it!! Loved the cold fresh fruit & peel & eat shrimp especially on a hot day!! The pot roast was fabulous along with the garlic mashed potatoes. DS also loved the BBQ meatballs. Dessert was not the best on property but the mini cheescakes were delicious. Hope you enjoy!!

 

[joesupra]

Oh my! Just when I thought I was getting my act together for my trip to the WL in mid October you blew me away with this post, so much relevant information. Could I ask you some questions? I have reserved Courtyard view. I have requested an inner courtyard room with bunkbeds. I'm trying to get a view of the pool. Does it pay to reiterate this request with a fax to the Lodge itself about four days before I arrive. For traveling to the MK and Epcot I'm guessing the boat beats the bus if you are getting there for the park opening, but use the bus coming and going mid afternoon, than revert back to boat if you are there at the close. This is an important detail because we will be going to the MK late afternoon on 10/23 in costume for the Halloween festivities. I want to make sure that we use the most efficient transportation. Finally if I have an 8:50 res for Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary what's the best way to go? Thanks in advance and for the great post. Thirty-six days until we leave and if you haven't been able to tell I'm obsessed with it. My kids don't know, I'm telling them in the car on the way to the airport!

 

[Mickey's Sister]

Thanks.. Wife has left all the planning up to me and the TA. Fingers crossed everything works out.

So far our plans are:
Saturday - Day of arrival. Staying around the lodge. Wife gets motion sickness in a car and hates to fly and this will be the daughters first time in a plane so best laid plans are to use this day to prepare for the rest of the week.
Dinner plans set, hoping to get carriage ride when they accept reservations.

Sunday the 10th - MGM with the Fantasimic Package with dinner at Hollywood & Vine.

Monday the 11th.Very, VERY Busy day. Hoping to head back to hotel for a break mid-afternoon if needed.
Breakfast in the castle at 8:30am.
Dinner at Liberty Tree at 4:30pm.
Tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party that night.

Tuesday the 12th - Animal Kingdom

Weds. the 13th - Back to MK to catch anything we missed the first time around.

Getting so close now, can almost smell it.

Sounds like you have some awesome plans! I envy you, last year at this time, I was planning a trip - we were down the week after Thanksgiving. I understand about motion sickness - I suffer pretty severely myself. I'm O.K. if I drive, so I drive from PA to Disney. Otherwise, I lose at least one entire day after flying.

I've heard that the WL carriage ride is wonderful. We wanted to do that but couldn't fit it in our schedule.

You'll LOVE Liberty Tree Tavern. It's one of our favorites. I made the mistake last year of not booking right away when we bought the MVMCP tickets & we couldn't get a seating. We looked in the windows as we walked past & everything looked SOOOO festive. The characters were all dressed up for the holiday....

I see you're pretty busy, but I would seriously consider going to Epcot. They have a wonderful tree/arch lighting ceremony. Plus every country in the World Showcase has a storyteller (usually that country's version of Santa) who talks about their holiday customs. PLUS the Candlelight Processional is just incredible - it was the highlight of our trip! PLUS Illuminations is absolutely not to be missed. (Can you tell I LOVE Epcot, LOL)

So sorry to get off topic With all the great things at Disney, it's so hard not to ramble!

Jessica

 

[Bev J]

Snogger- By the looks of your plan you don't have a hopper pass, you might want to consider it so on your AK day you could spend the afternoon/evening at Epcot or skip AK and do Epcot for that day. Epcot is sooo festive around the holidays as Jessia pointed out. Our family was just blown away by it all.
It is just wonderful strolling the WS and all the Santa's around telling their stories.
We never could do WDW without some major Epcot time...

Enjoy your trip.

Bev

 

[kath1210]

it was too depressing to look at this site since we've been back!!!

I have to get my act together to post trip and dining reports. I started a new job (same company, new position) when we got back and I've been working 24/7 to try and make sense of it all but I did want to say hi to all here!!

We arrived on 8/25 about 4:30pm. Flight and ME were terrific. No upgrades available when we checked in and no bunkbeds for us either!! Original room was standard view 5060 overlooking the dumpster, just awful!! Back to the checkin desk to ask for a change. Todd, who seemed to be a roving CM of some kind, was chatting w/us while we waited. I said that, for a Deluxe, one would think that the dumpster area would at least be covered by some kind of roof. He said "well, this is really a cheap Deluxe, actually an expensive Moderate"!! Wow, thanks for that!!! Anyway, ended up paying for an upgrade to woodsview (more on this later) and got 6028 MK view. Only complaint about this room was the enclosed balcony and, having spent enormous time on the site, I should have remembered that the 6th floor had this type of balcony! Kind of felt like now I was IN the dumpster!!! But I had a great view of the fireworks so I can't really complain.

The room was great!! Not having stayed at a "real" Deluxe , I though the room was plenty big enough for our family of four. Clothes fit easily between the drawers under the TV and the closet w/room to spare. Bought a little organizer (looks like a mini-popup hamper) to keep deoderant, toothpaste, etc together & out of Mousekeeping's way on the shelf over the sink and the rest of the bathroom/medicine/laundy stuff in the 2 drawers above the fridge. I also have to apologize for doubting the remodeling. The decor was beautiful and matched very well!! I did love it!

Beds were the most comfortable I have ever had in a hotel room!!! I never sleep well on vaca but was out like a light (everyone!) and slept like a baby!!

WL is gorgeous and I didn't take nearly enough pictures. Roaring Forks was busy each morning and the register set up could be better but the CM's were cheerful and mostly efficient. Quite frankly, the vacationers could be a little more patient!!! YOU'RE ON VACATION!!! CHILL A LITTLE BIT!!!

I was so happy to meet and spend time with Kath1210 and her family. Got a first hand look at the infamous bird attack!!!! Shades of Alfred Hitchcock!! DS and Kathy's DS spent some pool time together and I know Nick really enjoyed himself!

Also met Southfloridatigger and his family. If you read this, tell Brandon I promise not to eat him even if he does burn like toast!!

I could go on and on but will save more details for my trip report. Thanks for all the great advise I got here!!

Hi Gail! Welcome back to reality!! (Fun, isn't it? ) It was great meeting you and Nick. Denny had a great time hanging out with him. I wish we had gotten them together earlier in the week. Maybe next time?

Can't wait to read your trip report. I did a dining report, with a little trip report added in, which can be found here:http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1208604

Take care, and don't work too hard!

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

Snogger:I agree that you should definitely hit Epcot, but do not think you should go there instead of AK. I LOVE AK!! Animal Kingdom closes at 5pm, and you may be done even sooner! I would definitely get a hopper and go to Epcot after animal kingdom and maybe even for a bit your last day. I am going to be there the same time as you, we are checking in the 8th and leaving the 13th. I will also be at MVMCP the same day!! Have a great time!

 

[Mickey's Sister]

Snogger:I agree that you should definitely hit Epcot, but do not think you should go there instead of AK. I LOVE AK!! Animal Kingdom closes at 5pm, and you may be done even sooner! I would definitely get a hopper and go to Epcot after animal kingdom and maybe even for a bit your last day. I am going to be there the same time as you, we are checking in the 8th and leaving the 13th. I will also be at MVMCP the same day!! Have a great time!

I agree with Ltl Mermaid that you don't want to miss AK. We actually did the 'hopper' thing last trip - did AK in the morning & then went over to MGM in the late afternoon, just in time for the parade. We didn't try to do Fantasmic, just the Osborne Lights. Though you can do the lights (another don't miss) AFTER Fantasmic. The new NEMO show at AK will be open (I think) when you go, plus the Lion King show is incredible!

Jessica

 

[snogger]

Thanks all.

You are correct, we didn't go with the park hopper mainly because we had planned on hitting Epcot the day we arrived and wouldn't have used it. I'll have to ask the TA if there is any chance of adding a Park Hopper for just one day. Like you mentioned, we "should" finish AK early as we plan on being there at the opening so I would LOVE to hit Epcot for the evening.

There is no way we could skip AK as that is one of the things my daughter can't wait to see. She LOVES animals( we have 3 dogs, so I guess you could say we all love animals )

Really though, this trip is all about my daughter. We have no itinerary other than the dinner plans. What she wants to do when we are in the park is what we do.

There will be no rushing through character time or Rushing to a ride. If she wants to stop and talk to every character every day and we don't hit the rides no biggie. I've ridden on rides before, but we have never experienced Disney World and we are there for the experience and not the rides.

I've read a ton on EPCOT and really want to get there, but out of all the parks it was last on our list of things to do. Again, maybe I can get a park hopper for just one day and we can experience it one evening.

Thanks again all..

 

[CarolB]

Oh my! Just when I thought I was getting my act together for my trip to the WL in mid October you blew me away with this post, so much relevant information. Could I ask you some questions? I have reserved Courtyard view. I have requested an inner courtyard room with bunkbeds. I'm trying to get a view of the pool. Does it pay to reiterate this request with a fax to the Lodge itself about four days before I arrive. For traveling to the MK and Epcot I'm guessing the boat beats the bus if you are getting there for the park opening, but use the bus coming and going mid afternoon, than revert back to boat if you are there at the close. This is an important detail because we will be going to the MK late afternoon on 10/23 in costume for the Halloween festivities. I want to make sure that we use the most efficient transportation. Finally if I have an 8:50 res for Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary what's the best way to go? Thanks in advance and for the great post. Thirty-six days until we leave and if you haven't been able to tell I'm obsessed with it. My kids don't know, I'm telling them in the car on the way to the airport!

If both bus and boat are running, we found the bus to be fastest in most cases. (Bus pavillion is the first one after exiting MK, which is nice). It all depends upon which arrives first and if it is making another stop on the way. The boat may stop at FW before going to MK. I have heard the bus doesn't always run, but it was operating during our last 2 stays on every day of our trip.
As far as getting from WL to MK, take the other boat, not the MK boat. Takes you right to CR, sometimes by way of FW - it is a circle, and I don't recall the order - FW, WL, CR or WL, FW, CR - either way it's still a short ride and since it's a smaller boat, the load/unload time is quick. I assume it is running in the morning, especially due to breakfast at WL and FW, as well as CR.