Were we treated like royalty...? I think so! April R&R TR *Cindy's and Spectro Video*

[ArmyWife3-4]

Hello All!

I figure now is as good a time as any to get my rear in gear on this TR, right? With DH coming home is less than two months, being our family readiness group coordinator preparing for this huge redeployment, and training (yes...you read that right....training!) for the Princess Half Marathon in March, things are pretty darn busy around here! I am going to do my best to keep moving with this TR, but bear with me if I disappear from time to time!

For those of you who didn't keep up with our PTR, you can catch up here.

The Basics

April 20-27
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
7 for 4 deal with park hopper
Disney's Dining Plan (First time!)

A little about the two of us

DH - Andrew - 25 - Almost completed a 15 month deployment in Iraq, came home for R&R April 12, 12 months and 3 days after he left, easy going, Daniel Boone lovin', Country Bear jammin', Tom Sawyer Island explorin' guy

Me - Meghan - 25 - Army wife (obviously...) and very proud, very outgoing, compulsive planner, Tinkerbell lover, slightly random and a bit scatter-brained at times!

Here are a few photos from DH's emotional and incredible return home for R&R:

He really, truly is on that plane right there! Holy cow! I can tell you my heart was in my throat!

No words could ever describe the feelings felt at this very moment...

Best...feeling....EVER!

Before I can go into too much detail about our most recent trip, you have to know some background about my trip while DH was deployed. I had an amazing trip with my family where I had an experience that was beyond words with the Dream Squad. You can read all about it here.

Let me just say that my experience in August was only the very beginning of what would prove to be a trip beyond our wildest dreams. There were surprises around every corner, and just when we thought things couldn't get any more magical, THEY DID!

I hate to cut it short tonight, but it's getting late, and I have another run date with my neighbor tomorrow! Oh yeah, and did I mention, I'M RUNNING THE DISNEY PRINCESS HALF MARATHON!!! I've hardly run a day in my life, but it feels so great to be doing this for ME!

I hope many of you will join me as I write all about our magical trip!

DH's First Surprise and MK Again

Un-be-lievable!!!!

Day at AK

 

[Faustous]

No way! I don't think I can handle another TR from you! ;-) That last report, I won't ever forget it.

I am SO on board!

From a Marine Vet, you tell your husband again how much we care and appreciate everything he is doing!

Can't wait to hear more!!

Edit: Oh yeah... and where in MI?? I am from.... *holds up hand and points* here! Saginaw, MI

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

I am so here!! I can't wait to hear more! And if your TR is anything like your other one I know we will love it! I can't wait to hear all the surprises you two got!

 

[jscharf]

Im in. The tears were flowing just looking at the pictures...

 

[mickeystoontown]

Signing on for more!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

No way! I don't think I can handle another TR from you! ;-) That last report, I won't ever forget it.

I am SO on board!

From a Marine Vet, you tell your husband again how much we care and appreciate everything he is doing!

Can't wait to hear more!!

Edit: Oh yeah... and where in MI?? I am from.... *holds up hand and points* here! Saginaw, MI

Welcome! Thanks for the well wishes for my hubby! I am so very ready to have him home. Only a few more weeks!

I am from *holds up hand and points* Grand Rapids so Saginaw isn't too terribly far! I do miss it dearly being down here in NC. It's nice here, but just not the same!

I am so here!! I can't wait to hear more! And if your TR is anything like your other one I know we will love it! I can't wait to hear all the surprises you two got!

So glad you followed me over here!

Im in. The tears were flowing just looking at the pictures...

Those photos still make me tear up. It was a feeling that was completely indescribable...368 days apart was TOO many!

Signing on for more!

Glad you're here!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

Even though Disney is only about 8.5 hours from Fort Bragg, DH and I decided that we would drive 4 hours to Savannah and spend the night on our way down. We weren't sure exactly when he would be arriving stateside, and if he got back as late as April 18, we didn't want him to get right off a plane and right into a car all day.

Any of you that are familiar with driving I-95 through the Carolinas have seen the hundreds of signs for South of the Border. After living here for a year and a half, I told DH it was a must that we stopped at this incredible spectacle. The suspense was killing mw! Let me tell you, it was about as exciting as seeing the giant 'man eating' clam in Northern Michigan!

Clearly DH was pretty excited!

Yikes!

DH's new BFF!

Since our very good friends had lived near Savannah for a few years, they planned our quick visit for us. We stayed at The Mulberry, a historic inn on Bay Street, and it was wonderful. The room was very quaint, and the location was great. We were able to walk right over to River Street and stroll around for the evening.

So beautiful...

I plan to live in this house somday. I am totally in love with it!

Enjoying our evening listening to a great band and having a VERY strong drink!

Before heading to bed, we discovered that the pool and hot tub were open so we headed down there for a bit. DH was thrilled to finally go for a swim since he hadn't in well over a year. It was a great way to unwind because we had the pool all to ourselves!

We got up bright and early for a nice, hearty breakfast at Huey's before finising our trek to Florida.

DH pre coffee

Such a cheeser!

Before we knew it, we had checked out of the hotel and were on our way to...

 

[OhMari]

I love the pictures of Savannah.
I've been there twice in the last year.
There is always something different to explore, and my dd just told me she may have to go back for some training in Brunswick GA. I flew into Savannah in January, when I met up with her to drive back to Wisconsin. OK, on with your TR.

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

I love the pictures of Savannah.
I've been there twice in the last year.
There is always something different to explore, and my dd just told me she may have to go back for some training in Brunswick GA. I flew into Savannah in January, when I met up with her to drive back to Wisconsin. OK, on with your TR.

Welcome! Isn't Savannah just beautiful? I think DH and I will go back for a long weekend sometime soon. We just loved it there!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

Thankfully, Disney property is the easiest place to navigate! The signage was incredibly easy to follow, and we found our way without a problem to.....

I was so pumped for DH to finally see the Wilderness Lodge! Since he had only been to WDW once before, he hadn't really seen any resorts. I knew WL would be right up his alley. We pulled up, unloaded our things, and DH went to park the car.

I really wanted to wait for him to check in because I wanted to see his face when he walked into the resort. Sure enough, his eyes sparkled like a little kid when he saw the grand lobby, fire place, and teepee chandeliers. He really was blown away.

Once he got in the doors, we looked around for a minute or two and then went to the counter to check in. The CM was super sweet. She found our reservation, and then said, 'Oh I see it's been over a year since you were here for your honeymoon. It's not the exact date, but here are some anniversary pins to celebrate anyways.' I thought this was a bit odd, but I didn't think too much of it. She fiddled around on the computer for a few more minutes, and then said she'd be right back. She walked into the back, and I just figured she needed to print our reservation or something else minor. Next thing I knew, the woman checking us in came back with her manager and said she needed to speak with us. She then proceeded to tell us, we were....

upgraded to Concierege Level!​

Our fairy godmother really hooked us up on this one! I knew she was watching over us this trip, but she really out did herself on this one!

The manager then took us upstairs to check out our new kicks for the week. She showed us our special, fancy keys that also gave us access to the 7th floor, and took us up to the 7th floor. She introduced us to the concierge staff, and then showed us the Old Faithful Club. Wow! At this point I thought it couldn't get any better. She took us down the hall and around the corner until we finally arrived at our room. She peeked in to make sure everything was in order before letting us in. She said this was one of her favorite rooms because...

Yes, that's right, Cinderella's Castle was nestled perfectly between the trees outside our room. I was in heaven!

Once she finished showing us the room, and I can back to earth, I took a few photos of our room.

After gazing out our balcony for a bit, DH and I decided we better get moving so we had time to peruse MK before our dinner reservations at Artist Point.

 

[LaurenMic]

Hi!! I just found your TR and I love it! That is so awesome that you got upgraded to Concierge! What an awesome way to start a trip Can't wait to read more!

 

[MEK]

OMG....I just found your TR too and what a great start. What an awesome upgrade. I can't see your pics (computer firewall here at work), but I can use my imagination to behold the beautiful view that greated you.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Wow! Concierge! What a great surprise.

 

[MEK]

Just saw your pictures - beautiful! Can't wait for more!

 

[mickeyfreak13]

As another ex-marine and also coming from a military household. Thanks to your husband for his service and thanks to you as well, families make it easier for the troops. You sacrifice for the country as well as your husband.

That being said..LOVE your TR. I can hardly wait until the next installment.

 

[lspst8]

Concierge upgrade!!!

That is so great. Especially after not seeing your husband for over a year. Can't wait to read about the rest of your trip since I will be at the WL in September for my honeymoon.

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Wow! I just found your trip report and am so thrilled for you guys! I'm definitely along for the rest!!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

Hi!! I just found your TR and I love it! That is so awesome that you got upgraded to Concierge! What an awesome way to start a trip Can't wait to read more!

Welcome! Glad you're here. It really was an incredible way to start our trip!

OMG....I just found your TR too and what a great start. What an awesome upgrade. I can't see your pics (computer firewall here at work), but I can use my imagination to behold the beautiful view that greated you.

Hope you get on to see the photos soon. Don't you hate work restrictions? Ugh...

Wow! Concierge! What a great surprise.

It was fabulous!

Just saw your pictures - beautiful! Can't wait for more!

Glad you're here! Welcome!

As another ex-marine and also coming from a military household. Thanks to your husband for his service and thanks to you as well, families make it easier for the troops. You sacrifice for the country as well as your husband.

That being said..LOVE your TR. I can hardly wait until the next installment.

Hey Mickeyfreak! Thank you for your kind words about our family's military service. I am still amazed at the immense amount of support from the DIS family!

Concierge upgrade!!!

That is so great. Especially after not seeing your husband for over a year. Can't wait to read about the rest of your trip since I will be at the WL in September for my honeymoon.

You will love, love, love WL! DH was in heaven and so was I! It's beautiful and such a fun place to explore. Make sure you see the Electric Water Pageant too!

Wow! I just found your trip report and am so thrilled for you guys! I'm definitely along for the rest!!

Glad you found me! There will be lots of excitment to follow!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

Before heading to the park, DH and I were starving since we didn't stop on the way down because we were too excited. We stopped at Roaring Forks on our way to the boat over to MK. We were excited to find out that we could get a cup of soup in place of the dessert. We got a sandwich, soup, pasta salad and drink and split it since we were only a few hours from our dinner at Artist Point. The food was actually pretty good.

We were excited to have the boat available from WL to MK. Since that is where we spend the majority of our time, it was nice to have a direct route to the park. I snapped a few photos on our way over.

Bay Lake Towers

The Contemporary

The very quiet Space Mountain...

We made it into the park without a problem and then I was home....

We mostly just meandered around the park and hopped on anything that didn't have a very long wait. We of course got in a showing of Philharmagic and a ride on Haunted Mansion. We only had a few hours before we needed to head back to get ready for dinner. While we were walking around, I snapped a quick crowd shot.

Considering most of my previous trips were in the summer, I was very impressed with the crowds throughout our trip. Aside from a lot of high school kids on the weekend and the crazy dance/cheer world at Epcot, we had it pretty easy when it came to crowds.

Before we knew it, it was time to head back to WL to get ready for dinner at Artist Point. While walking back along the boardwalk, I took a quick photo of the resort. I just loved all of the overgrown trees and brush.

We arrived early for what I thought was a 5:00 reservation. Come to find out, our reservation the restaurant did not even open until 5:30 (if I remember correctly..), but no one ever alerted us to this change. Later I would find out this was not the only reservation to have changed without my knowledge. Although this would give us roughly a 40 minute wait, we took the opportunity to utilize the wonderful rocking chairs overlooking the backside of WL. The rain had subsided temporarily so our timing was perfect.

I just love this man!

Right around 5:30, our buzzer went off, and we were seated at a corner table near the window. Our menus were personalized with 'Artist Point wishes you a magical homecoming!', and we had a great waiter. He was very knowledgable and courteous. I had a wonderful glass of wine, and DH had a beer of course. DH loves salmon so he opted for that and I went a bit adventerous with the Muscovy duck. It was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!

Cedar Plank Roasted Pacific King Salmon with roasted potatoes, brussels sprouts, smoked pork belly, and honey-truffle brown butter

Pan-seared Muscovy Duck Breast - with crips rice galette, cucumber salad, tempura asparagus

Dinner would have been perfect had it not been for the obnoxious family behind us. It was my understanding that at AP, there was a dress code, but apparently the family behind us did not get the memo. The parents and daughter were alright, but the son was in a t-shirt and gym shorts. The daughter and son were also texting throughout the entire meal. It just bothered me that they were a bit 'sloppy' at such a nice restaurant, and DH and I were trying to enjoying a nice evening out. I was less bothered by the two young children at the next table than I was by the teenagers next to us.

Next it was on to dessert. DH had the berry cobbler and I enjoyed double chocolate cheesecake. YUM!

Overall, I would give the menu five stars. It was incredible! We will definitely be going back next time we visit. The meal was more than worth two TS credits!

 

[IluvXU]

Ahhhhh... the WL! It is so incredible! Your food looks yummy and the crowds at MK look manageable!