Wilderness Lodge Sleigh Ride?

[olena]

OK....I need some clarification please. I've never heard of the Sleigh Rides at WL. We'll be at the WL Dec 3rd and 4th. My family, who lives in Orlando, is coming over to spend one day with us at the resort. I'd read about the wagon rides at FW and was planning on asking about that when we checked in. I'd read that you'd see Christmas lights. Is this true? If you do see lights, are they resort decorations? I don't think the FW wagon ride can be reserved in advance.


Are these Sleigh Rides a better bet?

There will be 6 adults. That would be a tight fit for the Sleigh Ride. What do you see on the Sleigh Ride? Any Christmas lights?

Thanks for any input!

 

[Bella2000]

Originally posted by olena
OK....I need some clarification please. I've never heard of the Sleigh Rides at WL. We'll be at the WL Dec 3rd and 4th. My family, who lives in Orlando, is coming over to spend one day with us at the resort. I'd read about the wagon rides at FW and was planning on asking about that when we checked in. I'd read that you'd see Christmas lights. Is this true? If you do see lights, are they resort decorations? I don't think the FW wagon ride can be reserved in advance.


Are these Sleigh Rides a better bet?

There will be 6 adults. That would be a tight fit for the Sleigh Ride. What do you see on the Sleigh Ride? Any Christmas lights?

Thanks for any input!

I believe this is new this year. Your best bet would be to call 407-WDW-PLAY for specific comparison between the 2 rides - however if I recall 6 adults will not fit in one sleigh. I also think FW rides can be booked in advance because when I called for the WL sleigh it was the first day of the announcement and the CM thought I wanted the FW event.

 

[sm4987]

Is this only for those staying in the WL?

 

[Efastpitch]

Got our reservation - look to be booking up fast.

 

[Brier Rose]

I am just so excited about this!
I booked ours yesterday for Dec. 6, at 6:00pm.
It seems like there has been alot of interest in this. Maybe they'll have a good response and start doing sleigh rides every year!

 

[PartyOf5]

Originally posted by sm4987
Is this only for those staying in the WL?

No, we are staying at AKL and were able to book this.

Muchas gracias for this post!

 

[WDWLVR]

Got this booked today for our first night. Thanks to our wonderful TA (thanks Regina!).

We wanted a 6 or 6:30 slot and we got 7:30. I wouldn't wait until the day you get there. I think as word spreads they will be selling out.

 

[cheriesam]

December 26 is our 36th wedding anniversary, so I booked a surprise 8pm ride! Really looking forward to this first!! Pixie Dust to all!!

 

[LvsTnk]

Originally posted by cheriesam
December 26 is our 36th wedding anniversary, so I booked a surprise 8pm ride! Really looking forward to this first!! Pixie Dust to all!!

Congrats on your Anniversary!!Have FUN!!

 

[dejr_8]

How much do you plan on tipping the "driver"?

 

[PartyOf5]

For those of you going early December, can you please report back on this upon your return? I'm anxious to get a first hand report! Also, a picture or two would be nice! Thanks in advance!

 

[Efastpitch]

I don't know if tipping is expected. Sometimes Disney does not want people to think they are expected to tip. I would think that if the ride is enjoyable and the driver provides you with a good time, then $5.00 would not be out of line.

 

[marcdavd]

Thank you everyone for the information on the sleigh ride. I just made a reservation this evening for the 27th at 8:30. There was only one other reservation for that day, so all other times are still available. I was told to arrive 15 minutes prior to the departure time. You pay the driver directly, either cash or by using a Disney hotel card. A credit card is necessary only to hold the reservation.

Now to keep this a surprise!

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Thank you for posting this...I didn't know about it until you posted it! I'm going to call tomorrow morning to see if I can get a reservation for the 3rd...it's my DH's birthday and I think he will like doing this. Thanks again!

 

[princess crazy]

Does anyone know if you really see Xmas lights----would it be better to go before or after dark???

Also we have 4 adults and a small 6yr old who could sit on someones lap---do you think they would let us book it since we really have 5 but our DD would'nt take up much space or none at all if she was on a lap?? Hope you all have fun and hopefully we'll be able to do this!!

 

[momtotwinglesx4]

I think the earliest sleigh ride each day is at 5:30 pm and at that time of year it will be dark probably by 5:00. I didn't hear anything specifically about Christmas lights, but I would imagine that there should be plenty of lights decorating the trees around the lodge, as well as on the outside of the lodge itself. Any WL vets know?

Also, we have a party of 6 (me and 5 kids, ages 15, 7, 7, 3, and 1) and they said that would be fine.

 

[sm4987]

I have one for 6:30 Christmas day. I am so excited. We just don't have cool things like that here in Texas!

 

[Maridw]

We booked for the 1st at 7 pm. Can't wait. Was thrilled to see this new event. My DD & I are keeping it a secret from my DH.

I mentioned it to him and he said "It will probably be expensive". I didn't tell him I had already booked it and it wasn't "expensive", so he is in for a surprise

 

[princess crazy]

I just booked one of these for us on Dec 7 at 9:30pm. What do you all think?---we have a 7:00pm ps at Chef Mickey's and then we would have to find our way over to the WL via the boats----do they run this late ---I sure hope so!!---We are supposed to be there at 9:15 so if we took an hour and half at Chef Mickey's we would have 45 minutes to get there ----Is this a good plan??

I'm so excited --I'm going to keep this a secret from everyone Dad DD-6 and my parents both 75yr old.---and this is our first night at WDW---what a way to start the trip!!!

Just a heads up the CM I reserved this with did'nt want to give me the reservation without checking first because we have 4 adults and 1 child. She was pretty adamant about there being only 4 people total. I told her our DD-6 was small and could even sit on one of our laps. She put me on hold and called to check because she said she did'nt want to get in trouble for booking it that way is she was'nt supposed to. She came back to me after holding for about 5 minutes and said she could'nt get through to anyone over at the WL where they have these and that she would'nt be able to until tonight??? She went ahead and booked it anyway---soooo I hope I don't get a call later telling us we can't do it.

I've been in horse drawn carriages before with 4 adults and 1 child and there was enough room--I can't imagine these carriages being any smaller than the ones you would take in a big downtown city.--besides I don't have a problem with my DD sitting on my lap but I can't imagine the carriage would be that small

Please any of you going fairly soon if you could post your experience as soon as you get back we would all be grateful!!

 

[puffkin]

I just booked one of these for us on Dec 7 at 9:30pm. What do you all think?---we have a 7:00pm ps at Chef Mickey's and then we would have to find our way over to the WL via the boats----do they run this late ---I sure hope so!!---We are supposed to be there at 9:15 so if we took an hour and half at Chef Mickey's we would have 45 minutes to get there ----Is this a good plan??

Thanks to these boards, we have this booked for our first night (December 6) at 10 p.m.

princess crazy- I think you will be fine with your timing. We are in almost the exact same situation. We have a 7:30 Chef Mickey's PS and our sleigh ride is at 10. I think I will show up at Chef Mickey's a little early just in case we can get in early. Hopefully we will have plenty of time before the sleigh ride to check out the decorations at the Wilderness Lodge. Have a great time!