Me- DVC member (35) longtime lurker
DW- DVC member (over 29)
JK- DS (4.5)
AK-DD (3)
TK- DS (.5)
Our plans for this trip were to arrive a day before our actual time at the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge and spend a day decompressing at Ft. Wilderness in one of the cabins since we were going to be down early on Saturday. We also were using the Magical Express and didnt know how that would go.
Our flight left at 7:30 a.m., so it was an early morning for everyone. We had packed the van the night before and the kids were excited for their first flight so everyone was ready to go. We got to the airport, through security and to the gate without any problem. Met some acquaintances that are from our town (5,000), and found out they are DVC members as well. Neither of us advertises the fact since we dont know how that would be received, so it was interesting talking with Mike and Mary.
Preboarded on Southwest and everything went great. The older two and I shared a row while my wife sat across the aisle with the little one. The kids were great on the flight down and even took a nap. Arrived 15 minutes early into Orlando (got to love Southwest) and proceeded to do the Magical Express.
First some background, I had signed us up for this service since it sounded like a great idea (which I think it is). I also made car reservations just in case. We had received our tags the day before we left, so all our checked luggage was go to go. We followed the people with the large white hands down into the basement. Everything went fine until we got into line.
We were put into the overflow line for the Ft. Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge and Contemporary Resort. They took everyone from the original line (plus a few extra that had entered the line after we had been put into the overflow) and then they said everyone had to wait for the next bus. Okay, sounds logical. 25 minutes later they start loading the next bus, we are going out to the bus and the person loading the bus asks our resort. When she hears Ft. Wilderness, she says we were in the wrong line and this wouldnt be our bus. Okay, now what. Finally a Disney customer service agent comes to the rescue and smoothes over the escalating situation. Disney is great at customer service and she takes care of us and three other couples. We werent the vocal ones of the group since we had planned for these delays and didnt expect to go to the parks. Plus my DW and I kept saying we are on vacation. That sure helps.
Finally on a bus to the World!! Kids want to sit up front, not sure why but they did. I regretted this decision shortly after. The bus driver started talking and wanting not to seem aloof (not a doof), I was responding half heartily. His first complaint was that he was not a Disney employee and that all these people riding feel this is a free service. He asks the question Do you know what that means? My reply That its free. He elaborated that no one felt the need to tip because of this. He also hated the fact that he was required to start a DVD on the bus. I later found out from one of the Disney drivers that Mears is the worst to work for. Dont know whats true, but this guy needs some career guidance based upon the rest of the conversation.
Anyway, we made it Ft. Wilderness and the check in, Cast member asked how we liked the Magical Express. We went into the particulars and she got her manager who then came out and listened. We thought it was nice that everyone was interested to hear about the guest perspective. Turns out they were having conference calls about every 45 minutes about the service.
We got to our cabin and the kids loved the bunk beds. Our luggage had not arrived, so we decided to get some lunch at the Trails End Buffet. Kids really didnt eat much outside of shredded cheese and croutons and chocolate milk. Good food and a decent price so not too bad. We looked at the petting zoo and rode a pony, then went back to the room for nap. I and the kids napped in the back while DW and TK slept and ate in the front.
Luggage arrived and then we went to our PS at 1900 Park Fair. Good food, good character interaction, but had to get ready for Disney prices, ouch! JK had shredded cheese and croutons, AK had Mac and cheese and TK had squash from Gerber. All the food was good, but $100 for a meal was steep. AK liked the princess, but wouldnt get a picture with her, grrrr.
Got back to the cabin around 8:00 p.m. and ready for lights out. Sunday we would be moving to the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge and also receive groceries from wegoshop.com plus our first part day.
DW- DVC member (over 29)
JK- DS (4.5)
AK-DD (3)
TK- DS (.5)
Our plans for this trip were to arrive a day before our actual time at the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge and spend a day decompressing at Ft. Wilderness in one of the cabins since we were going to be down early on Saturday. We also were using the Magical Express and didnt know how that would go.
Our flight left at 7:30 a.m., so it was an early morning for everyone. We had packed the van the night before and the kids were excited for their first flight so everyone was ready to go. We got to the airport, through security and to the gate without any problem. Met some acquaintances that are from our town (5,000), and found out they are DVC members as well. Neither of us advertises the fact since we dont know how that would be received, so it was interesting talking with Mike and Mary.
Preboarded on Southwest and everything went great. The older two and I shared a row while my wife sat across the aisle with the little one. The kids were great on the flight down and even took a nap. Arrived 15 minutes early into Orlando (got to love Southwest) and proceeded to do the Magical Express.
First some background, I had signed us up for this service since it sounded like a great idea (which I think it is). I also made car reservations just in case. We had received our tags the day before we left, so all our checked luggage was go to go. We followed the people with the large white hands down into the basement. Everything went fine until we got into line.
We were put into the overflow line for the Ft. Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge and Contemporary Resort. They took everyone from the original line (plus a few extra that had entered the line after we had been put into the overflow) and then they said everyone had to wait for the next bus. Okay, sounds logical. 25 minutes later they start loading the next bus, we are going out to the bus and the person loading the bus asks our resort. When she hears Ft. Wilderness, she says we were in the wrong line and this wouldnt be our bus. Okay, now what. Finally a Disney customer service agent comes to the rescue and smoothes over the escalating situation. Disney is great at customer service and she takes care of us and three other couples. We werent the vocal ones of the group since we had planned for these delays and didnt expect to go to the parks. Plus my DW and I kept saying we are on vacation. That sure helps.
Finally on a bus to the World!! Kids want to sit up front, not sure why but they did. I regretted this decision shortly after. The bus driver started talking and wanting not to seem aloof (not a doof), I was responding half heartily. His first complaint was that he was not a Disney employee and that all these people riding feel this is a free service. He asks the question Do you know what that means? My reply That its free. He elaborated that no one felt the need to tip because of this. He also hated the fact that he was required to start a DVD on the bus. I later found out from one of the Disney drivers that Mears is the worst to work for. Dont know whats true, but this guy needs some career guidance based upon the rest of the conversation.
Anyway, we made it Ft. Wilderness and the check in, Cast member asked how we liked the Magical Express. We went into the particulars and she got her manager who then came out and listened. We thought it was nice that everyone was interested to hear about the guest perspective. Turns out they were having conference calls about every 45 minutes about the service.
We got to our cabin and the kids loved the bunk beds. Our luggage had not arrived, so we decided to get some lunch at the Trails End Buffet. Kids really didnt eat much outside of shredded cheese and croutons and chocolate milk. Good food and a decent price so not too bad. We looked at the petting zoo and rode a pony, then went back to the room for nap. I and the kids napped in the back while DW and TK slept and ate in the front.
Luggage arrived and then we went to our PS at 1900 Park Fair. Good food, good character interaction, but had to get ready for Disney prices, ouch! JK had shredded cheese and croutons, AK had Mac and cheese and TK had squash from Gerber. All the food was good, but $100 for a meal was steep. AK liked the princess, but wouldnt get a picture with her, grrrr.
Got back to the cabin around 8:00 p.m. and ready for lights out. Sunday we would be moving to the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge and also receive groceries from wegoshop.com plus our first part day.
