Wilderness Lodge, Here We Come!!! Updated - Final Thoughts, Page 10

[KathyRN137]

for an incredibly wonderful trip!! You deserve it!

Kathy

 

[tinawv]

Sounds like it is going to be a fun trip. I am thinking about a mother/son trip in September with free dining. My son is 16, and I would like to spend some special time with him before he is off to college.

 

[Renee1061]

Well, we are back. We had a wonderful time! Battling a little PDD right now (Post Disney Depression). I tried to keep good notes, so as soon as I can get things organized, I will continue with my trip report.

 

[KathyRN137]

Welcome back, Renee! Looking forward to your report!!

Kathy

 

[Renee1061]

Day 1, Part 1

I got up bright and early (well, just early…it certainly wasn’t bright yet) at 4:00. Got Lindsay up, finished loading the car and were on our way by 5:15. Stopped at McDonalds to pick up breakfast. Considering the events that unfolded throughout the day, it’s a good thing we decided to get breakfast. We arrived at the airport around 5:30.

Our flight to Houston left promptly and uneventfully at 6:25. At some point during the flight, one of my contact lenses popped out. The dry air immediately dried the lens out and there was no way I could get it back in without wetting solution. My solution and extra lenses were in my suitcase. So I resigned myself to being half blind until I get to Orlando.

About 45 minutes into the flight, it seemed like we began flying around in circles, then the captain comes over the intercom and the first words out of his mouth are “I’ve got bad news.” Now believe me, when you are 16,000 feet in the air in a turbo prop plane, those are the last words you want to hear. It seems that the airport in Houston was fogged in and visibility was less than 250 feet. He said we would possibly have to divert to another airport to refuel. About 15 minutes later, he told us that things in Houston were only getting worse, so we were going to divert to Alexandria, LA to refuel and wait for the fog to clear up. We were on the ground for about 2 hours, along with around 15 other commuter planes. We got to know our pilot on a first name basis (Hi, Steve). We were finally able to get back under way at 10:00 and got to Houston at 11:00 – 30minutes after our connecting flight to Orlando departed. I was beginning to think we were never going to make it to Disney World. Do you ever have dreams where you are trying so hard to get somewhere, but things just keep happening to keep you from getting there? That’s how I felt…like I was in a bad dream.

Luckily, I found out there was another flight to Orlando leaving at 11:28, in only 20 minutes. We rushed to the gate and got in line for standby. I think we were the next to last ones to get seats. Our seats weren’t together, but at that point, I would have sat in the toilet the whole way. Lindsay’s seatmates slept the whole flight. Mine were going to some kind of technology conference and they talked to each other the whole flight about their job. They were speaking English, but I barely understood a word they said!

We arrived in Orlando at 3:00. At some point during the flight, it occurred to me that our luggage probably didn’t make it on the flight with us. I was right. It didn’t. Another flight was due in at 4:20, but I went ahead and filed a claim, just in case. I went downstairs to make arrangements for our rental car and stood in my first line of the week. By the time I got done with that, it was time to go back up and check on the luggage. Lindsay’s suitcase is bright pink, so we knew it would be easy to spot. We stood at the carousel and waited…and waited. Finally, Lindsay said, “There it is!!” Thank goodness!! I was beginning to have visions of sleeping in my clothes. I was also pretty nervous about driving with only one contact. The first think I did was drag my suitcase over to a seating area and find my contacts. Ahh, I could see again!

We picked up our car and headed out of the airport. I finally felt like we were actually going to make it! We arrived at Wilderness Lodge at 5:30, only about 2-1/2 hours later than planned. For all that we had been through, I thought that wasn’t too bad.

We were booked in a standard view room. Would we be upgraded? Or would we have a nice view of the service area? Stay tuned to find out.

 

[Alyssa88]

Looks like this is going to be a great report!

So sorry about your DH.

 

[katiemouse]

Can't wait to read more.

 

[barry21]

Can't wait to read more

 

[caralyn817]

I can't wait to read the rest of your report.

 

[jcc0621]

Day 1, Part 1



About 45 minutes into the flight, it seemed like we began flying around in circles, then the captain comes over the intercom and the first words out of his mouth are “I’ve got bad news.” Now believe me, when you are 16,000 feet in the air in a turbo prop plane, those are the last words you want to hear. It seems that the airport in Houston was fogged in and visibility was less than 250 feet. He said we would possibly have to divert to another airport to refuel. About 15 minutes later, he told us that things in Houston were only getting worse, so we were going to divert to Alexandria, LA to refuel and wait for the fog to clear up. We were on the ground for about 2 hours, along with around 15 other commuter planes. We got to know our pilot on a first name basis (Hi, Steve). We were finally able to get back under way at 10:00 and got to Houston at 11:00 – 30minutes after our connecting flight to Orlando departed. I was beginning to think we were never going to make it to Disney World. Do you ever have dreams where you are trying so hard to get somewhere, but things just keep happening to keep you from getting there? That’s how I felt…like I was in a bad dream.

Ugh, I;ve been on one of those commuter planes "I've got bad news" is definitely NOT something you want to hear Glad to hear that you made it to WL. Looking forward to more

 

[Renee1061]

Thanks to all of you for reading my report.

Yeah, those turbo props are something else. Since I probably won't cover the trip home in my trip report, I'll go ahead & tell this funny little story. When we got on the plane for the trip from Houston to Texarkana, the pilot was in the cockpit giving the co-pilot instructions on how to fly the plane! And the co-pilot was the one who flew us home! I must say, though, we had a very smooth landing. I barely felt when the wheels touched ground.

Part 2 of Day 1 is coming up soon (as soon as I can get my pictures organized).

 

[Renee1061]

Day 1, Part 2

Everyone says what an awe-inspiring thing it is the first time you walk into the lobby of Wilderness Lodge, and they are right! It is such an incredible sight.

We walked right up to check in without a wait. The CM was very efficient and before we knew it, we were on our way. He didn’t mention anything about an upgrade, but at this point, I didn’t care. I was just happy and excited to be here, finally!!

Our room was on the 5th floor. With all the twists and turns we made getting to our room, I couldn’t tell which direction we were facing. The first thing I did when we walked into the room was open the curtains & walk out on the balcony.

This is the sight that greeted me:

Upgraded to Courtyard view!! Wow!! I was just hoping for a woods view upgrade. This was incredible! It was far enough away from the pool that it wasn’t noisy at all. We could crack the balcony door and hear the rushing water from Silver Creek Falls.

By this time, we were absolutely starving. All we had eaten since breakfast was airline pretzels. We did the quickest thing possible…we ate at Roaring Fork. I think that was the best burger I’d ever eaten. Funny how much better food tastes when you are really hungry. Lindsay had the cheese pizza. We also got our refillable mugs.

We knew that Magic Kingdom closed at 7:00 that night for Grad Nite. Our original plans were go to MK first for a couple of hours so we could ride our favorite ride (Splash Mountain) first, then head over to MGM to see Fantasmic. By the time we finished eating, it was getting close to 7:00, so we decided to start off our vacation at MGM.

When we walked in the gates, we realized that this was where everyone must have gone when MK closed. You could barely walk. The wait for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster was too long and the fast passes were all gone. And after last year, Lindsay had sworn never to step foot on Tower of Terror again (more on that later). So we rode Star Tours. There were two showings of Fantasmic that night and our plan was to go to the second show at 10:00. Here’s the obligatory hat picture, sorry it’s a little blurry.

By 9:30, the crowds and the events of the day had overwhelmed us, so we decided to call it a night. We had to wait forever for a bus and it was incredibly crowded. I began to think we may use rental car more than originally planned. We were in bed by 10:30.

 

[KathyRN137]

By this time, we were absolutely starving. All we had eaten since breakfast was airline pretzels. We did the quickest thing possible…we ate at Roaring Fork. I think that was the best burger I’d ever eaten. Funny how much better food tastes when you are really hungry.

My Irish grandmother always used to say that Hunger was the best Sauce!
Awesome upgrade; so happy for you both!

Kathy

 

[ccigliano]

So glad you got the upgrade at the WL. You guys deserved it after all, and I do mean all you've been through. I absolutely love the WL and actually bought a DVC resale at the WL Villas last year. Reading your report has me wishing I was there and I don't go back till December - UGH!!! Anyway - can't wait for the next installment.

 

[srandsr76]

We are stay at the WLV in September and cannot wait!! Your pictures were awesome. Cannot wait to hear more!!!

 

[disneymoon_0307]

We stayed at the WL two years ago and it was wonderful. We also got upgraded to a courtyard view. Can't wait to hear more.

 

[VanniGirl]

What a nice upgrade!

Looking forward to reading the rest!

 

[Cory's Gal]

Just found your report!! The Wilderness is on my list for resorts!! What a great upgrade, that view is awesome!! I would love someday to go to WDW with just my mom, your daughter is beautiful!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I can't wait to hear more about your trip! I'm glad that the plane/luggage situation worked out for you. I am very nervous about my flights in July being delayed or the bags being lost. We are also staying at the Wilderness Lodge. I can't wait all the pictures I have seen are beautiful. We are booked for a courtyard view and I hope we get one like yours. Can't wait for you next update!

 

[kaysmommie]

Very nice upgrade!