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

[momofdbsdc]

Thanks! I've been catching up on your report, too. Hope you enjoy the movie today. Watch out for that ending. It's a doozie!!

We loved the movie!!! And boy was the ending a doozie!!! Looking forward to your closing thoughts!!! Have a great weekend!

 

[KathyRN137]

That was a lot of fun; thanks for bringing us along!!

And Happy Sweet Sixteen to Lindsay!

Kathy

 

[Renee1061]

Okay, I'm ready now to post my final thoughts/remarks.

1. The last week in April was much more crowded this year than it was last year. Next year, we will be going in June, so we will have to plan our time even more carefully and creatively.

2. The weather was perfect this year. Perfect temperatures and I don’t remember feeling a single raindrop. I know that’s not a good thing for the people who live there, but it was wonderful for us.

3. This year was not quite as magical as last year, partly due to larger crowds, but it was still wonderful and I can’t wait to go back!

4. I LOVED Wilderness Lodge!! If I were being practical, I would say that it really wasn’t worth the extra money for the short amount of time we actually spent at the lodge. But I’m not practical and it WAS worth it! Thinking about doing a split stay next year—first half of stay at Pop and second half at WL. Then again, we may stay at WL the whole time. I've got a whole year to talk myself into it!!

5. One thing we didn’t make time for that I wish we would have—renting a SeaRaycer. Something to add to the list for next time.

6. Magic Kingdom is my favorite place in the World! I could spend my entire vacation there and be perfectly happy. LOVE the smell of Main Street!

7. Despite our best efforts to be in the right place at the right time, we did not win a night in the Castle.

8. Going home is so depressing. Going back to work is even more depressing. When I hit the deepest part of my depression, I told myself I’m never going back because it’s too hard to leave and come back to the real world. But here I am, only a little more than a month later, already planning my next trip!


I may add to this as I have more thoughts. Thanks again to all who have shared our journey!!!

 

[ccigliano]

Thanks again for sharing your vacation. I really enjoyed the thread and your pics were great. WL is my favorite resort and I have no desire to stay anywhere else so I say go for it and stay there the whole trip next year. You work hard and you deserve it!! Also consider renting one of the studios from an owner. Weekdays are around $120 / night and weekend (Fri,Sat) are around $240 at $10 /pt, although points are going up to around $12 this year. You can still do the ME and add the DDP if you'd like. I own and absolutely love going back to my "Home Away From Home" a couple times a year.
Thanks Again for sharing

 

[Renee1061]

Also consider renting one of the studios from an owner. Weekdays are around $120 / night and weekend (Fri,Sat) are around $240 at $10 /pt, although points are going up to around $12 this year. You can still do the ME and add the DDP if you'd like.

Thanks. Definitely something to think about!! Are the Villas themed like the lodge?

 

[momofdbsdc]

Renee- Thank you sooooo much for sharing your trip and your final thoughts with us!!! Boy can I relate to the last part of your thoughts!!! I start getting depressed 2 days before we leave and then I cry when we actually start driving away!!!! What is wrong with me!!! But I have learned to start planning as soon as we hit the I-95!!!! Look out world, we are returning March 29 to celebrate my 40th birthday and Brandon's 12th!!! Okay, my birthday is the 6th of March, but I don't want to be there for the Easter madness!!!!

 

[KathyRN137]

Renee,

Our family will be staying at the Villas at WL this November for the first time and I cannot wait!! If you want to see a photo tour of the VWL, you can go to http://www.allearsnet.com and click on the accommodations menu; photo gallery.

Kathy

 

[mjkaferle5]

Renee-

Great report!! Thanks for sharing!!

You will have a great time next June!! That is when we are visiting again!!

We went last June and had a blast!!

 

[ccigliano]

Yes Renee - the villas are themed just like the lodge and if I may say so - I think just a little cosier. The elevator doors and the wood floors in the Villas lobby are beautiful. And best part is that the lodge is just a two minute walk away so you can still use all their facilites as well and fill up your refillable mugs and sit by the big fireplace if you'd like. The villas have two of their own smaller firelplaces and I prefer the jacuzzi and the pool if the pool at the lodge is getting too crowded. I love to walk from the villas over to the campgrounds in the morning on the nature trail to see all the wildlife (deer, rabbits, turkeys) and then check out the horses and petting zoo at the campgrounds. With the studio, you get a small frig, microwave, toaster and coffee pot. Either way (WL or WLV) you'll have a great time. Thanks again for sharing all the fun!!!

 

[NewCrew42]

Renee,

Just found your trip report. I really enjoyed it. Your dd is too cute! I love the Pirate Ears. My dd said, "Look she is wearing one of the nine pieces of eight!" (from the new movie!)

My DH grew up in Texarkana on the ARKANSAS side.

My DD9 was born at Wadley Hospital just like her Daddy.

DH and I were married at Beech Street way back in 1991.

His mom and dad still go to church there. I think she has taught 9th grade girls' Sunday School for about 40 years.

We are living in Little Rock now and have been here for about 7 years.

Thanks again for posting your report!

 

[katiemouse]

What a great trip report. I am so sad it is over . Your daughter is so cute and that was so sweet of her spending half of her money to get you that gift. What a bond you two have. Do I really have to wait that long for your next trip report?

I love the picture of you two on TOT. Good for her to get on it again (and again and again and again.........).

 

[Renee1061]

Renee,

Just found your trip report. I really enjoyed it. Your dd is too cute! I love the Pirate Ears. My dd said, "Look she is wearing one of the nine pieces of eight!" (from the new movie!)

My DH grew up in Texarkana on the ARKANSAS side.

My DD9 was born at Wadley Hospital just like her Daddy.

DH and I were married at Beech Street way back in 1991.

His mom and dad still go to church there. I think she has taught 9th grade girls' Sunday School for about 40 years.

We are living in Little Rock now and have been here for about 7 years.

Thanks again for posting your report!

What a small world (can you hear the music playing in your head?)!! Lindsay was born at Wadley, too.

Thanks for reading my report!!

 

[Renee1061]

What a great trip report. I am so sad it is over . Your daughter is so cute and that was so sweet of her spending half of her money to get you that gift. What a bond you two have. Do I really have to wait that long for your next trip report?

I love the picture of you two on TOT. Good for her to get on it again (and again and again and again.........).

Thanks, I'm sad that it's over, too. It feels almost as bad as when our trip was over! Oh well, just 12 months and one week until our next trip. LOL!! I'll do a pre-trip report, but I'm not sure how early I'll start it.

 

[POLY1985]

Thanks for the wonderful trip report and EXCELLENT photo's!!! I just discovered this and read it on my lunch hour. What a nice escape from work We are staying at the WL in August and we can't wait!!!!

 

[CarolB]

Just had to stop by to say I loved reading your report. Your daughter is lovely and it sounds like it was really a special time for the 2 of you. Quite an accomplishment, getting an almost 15 year old to wear mickey ears all day....and without a significant bribe!

My family loves staying at the WL, too. We are going back for our third stay at the end of the month. We used to be Poly fans, but WL is quietly slipping into first place with us. We have a Courtyard view booked - love the sound of that waterfall every morning.

 

[Renee1061]

Thanks for the wonderful trip report and EXCELLENT photo's!!! I just discovered this and read it on my lunch hour. What a nice escape from work We are staying at the WL in August and we can't wait!!!!

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading!!

Just had to stop by to say I loved reading your report. Your daughter is lovely and it sounds like it was really a special time for the 2 of you. Quite an accomplishment, getting an almost 15 year old to wear mickey ears all day....and without a significant bribe!

This was totally her idea. She is getting to that age where she thinks she's grown up, but I think at Disney World, we will both always be kids!

My family loves staying at the WL, too. We are going back for our third stay at the end of the month. We used to be Poly fans, but WL is quietly slipping into first place with us. We have a Courtyard view booked - love the sound of that waterfall every morning.

I was planning on a split stay next year (we are staying 8 nights instead of the usual 6), but the more time that passes, the more I want to stay at WL the entire time!

Both you guys have fun at WL and rub Humphrey's nose for us!!

 

[MeMom]

Enjoyed the report and all the good pictures! I really look forward to a WL stay someday, but for now, I'm happy just to be able to visit to eat and shop. We don't spend enough time in the rooms to make it worth paying high prices, but I really do want to at least spend a night or two in every Disney resort eventually, just to say I did. Thanks for sharing your trip. Sorry it had to end. I know what you mean about going back to work. After our trip in July/August, I'll be headed straight back to school. I can already get bummed about it if I think about it, and we haven't even left yet!

 

[Renee1061]

Enjoyed the report and all the good pictures! I really look forward to a WL stay someday, but for now, I'm happy just to be able to visit to eat and shop. We don't spend enough time in the rooms to make it worth paying high prices, but I really do want to at least spend a night or two in every Disney resort eventually, just to say I did. Thanks for sharing your trip. Sorry it had to end. I know what you mean about going back to work. After our trip in July/August, I'll be headed straight back to school. I can already get bummed about it if I think about it, and we haven't even left yet!

If you ever do get at chance to stay at WL, go for it!! It is wonderful!

Hope you have a Happy Birthday on your next trip!

 

[stepdisney]

I just read your TR, cover to cover...I loved it.

1) I would have considered sitting on the toilet to get to Disny also

2) Your daughter's face on this trip should make you as happy as going to Disney. You can tell you both share the same love for Disney and each other.

3) Another source of magic on your trip was the ability to eat without ADR's whenever and wherever you wanted!

4) We're staying at WL for the first time, so glad you shared both the pictures and the experience.

5) Enjoy your next trip, Happy Planning!

 

[Cory's Gal]

Great report Renee, I loved reading it from beginning to end. That sad face on your daughter is much like mine on the last day, it just sucks!!! Thanks for sharing your pictures and your trip!!!