[buzzsmommy]

Hello everyone! We're back from the magic. We had a Fantastic trip (of course) with DH, DS 3.5, DS 2, grammy, and pap!!!:)

Left on Nov. 7th and returned on 13th. Weather was mildly hot to humid with a morning at the unheated pool with small children very doable. Weekend crowds (Fri, Sat, Sun) were larger than we expected for this time of year with waits for popular rides pushing 1 hr mark. Weekdays were good (Mon, Tue) with almost no one around. Small scare when Peter Pan was closed but it opened the next day (and our trip was saved! LOL). Otherwise all rides seemed up and going.

Stayed in a two-bedroom villa at the Wilderness Lodge. A WONDERFUL experience. This is a great hotel. Very relaxing for its size. The lobby is impressive, the pool area nice, all three dining areas good (although snack bar Roaring Forks could be a tab bit bigger). Service was excellant. Our accomodations were good -- the bedrooms very spacious, bathrooms good, especially the master suite, living room/kitchen small but adequate for 4 adults and 2 small kids. A special cheer to the CM at Roaring Fork who replaced a refillable mug for us, that was lost in the dark boarding a bus, for free!!!:angel :angel :angel Really can't say enough good things about this hotel. Highly recommend it.

Also, if anyone out there needs a wheel chair for the parks and for scooting around the grounds of these massive hotel complexes like we did, here is a tip. We asked at the front desk at check-in if the hotel had any wheel chairs available and they did. We were able to use it for the length of our stay for FRREEEE!!! No deposit, no forms, no signature, nothing! FREEEE for 6 days. The CM said just return it in original condition. This was a life saver!! My father never needed to walk long distances, ie. from a parking lot, in hotel corridors, from transportation.... and we could take it from park to park. The only downside is there is a limited number of chairs per location and they cannot be reserved in advance. Strictly first-come first-served.

My kids loved their 1st time on the plane and LOVED DW. :) The ran up to Mickey with big grins and lots of hugs (although both boys got shy around the princesses at the Royal Table. In fact my 3yr said, "mommy I'm gettig all warm" when Cinderella approached him!!! Two and three and already the girls have all the power!!) They rode lots of the rides and, although the younger one didn't get on Staaaa Waaas , Buzz Lightyear Spin was the hands down favorite with both boys. We had to ride it again and again.

This is just the short version of our trip. I'll be glad to answer anyone's questions re: WL or traveling with little people. A Wonderful time was had by all. Even if the babies won't remember it, I will never forget their faces when they saw all of the "firsts" there iare to see and experience. Can't wait for our next trip in 2005!

[mickey]

Welcome home, glad you had a fun and safe trip. My one question would be how you liked the Disney transportation for Wilderness Lodge? We have always rented a mini-van when travelling to WDW, and for our next trip, we are considering forgoing the rental and relying on disney transportation. We will be staying at either Wilderness Lodge Villas or Beach Club Villas, if we can get in.

Thanks!

[MickeyMac]

In fact my 3yr said, "mommy I'm gettig all warm" when Cinderella approached him!!!

Geez, when my DS was that age and said that, it's because I missed taking him to the potty! :p

I can't believe you aer back all ready. That seems awefully quick to me. Doesn't it to you? I think you should call Disney and complain that they shorted you by about, what, a month? :D :D Think they'd got for it?

Great trip report.

[Cinderellafifi]

Welcome back! Glad you had a great trip. I hear nothing but great things about the WL and really want to try it out. I am thinking about it when they have those great discounts for Passholders in Jan/Feb.

We have had the fortune of a "free" Disney wheelchair for our entire stay, as well. It was great.

Hope you will posting more about your trip regarding tips and such, if you have any.

And, you MUST return before 2005! That just isn't fair for you! :o

[LAURENGOLD]

Welcome Back to the Real World:hmmm .
Great trip report, I'm glad you had fun.
I was also glad to hear about the weather, hope it holds out for at least 3 more weeks!!:)
Nothing beats your childrens 1st expressions at Disney. One thing I did last year after my daughters 1st experience was write it all in a journal for her when we came home. I thought I would never forget the things she said or did there, but reading the journal to her this year, I already have!!!
This time I plan to bring the journal with me to write (hopefully) nightly!!
I just thought I'd give you that suggestion, you probabally already have written it down!!
Lauren

[brumcg]

Mickey(!) asked:

My one question would be how you liked the Disney transportation for Wilderness Lodge?

Hey, bub, check the archives! :D

I know I'm not buzzsmommy and I think you are also factoring in the time of the year, but I'd give the WL transportation a slight thumbs up in early June 2002.

We never had to wait more than 15 minutes for a bus to show up for AK, Epcot, MGM, or Downtown. There was always a random factor though... Was the bus going to stop at WL or Fort Wilderness first? If you had to sit through the FW stops, it could add as much as 15-20 minutes to the trip depending on the route through FW (a second random factor), and there was never a pattern. Probably the best way that I can say it is that we had a rental car in the parking lot, and we never were tempted to use it. In fact, I've already made reservations for a Tiffany Towncar on our upcoming March trip; I just don't see the need for a rental, and I never thought I'd say that.

Now, MK, is a slightly different story. I wasn't a huge fan of the boat. It's not that big, it also has the randomness of a FW stop or not, and it's not fast. IIRC, from Crystal Palace to our room at the Villas, took exactly one hour. In addition to the walking time, we had to wait for the boat and stop at FW. On the way back, the time was cut in half (no boat wait, no FW stop). If there's an e-ride, the boat is not running, so you have to get to the TTC and get a bus; that took an hour as well. All this said, though, I still like it better than the ropedrop madness from the TTC and either taking the big ferry or the monorail.

Bruce

[Donna B]

I am glad your family had such a good time. I agree with Bruce about WL transportation, we took Tiffany and it felt good to not drive for the week. The transportation was fine, my boys enjoyed the boat ride and we never waited more than 10 or 15 minutes for a bus.

[buzzsmommy]

Thanks for the welcome back everyone! Yes, it does seem like the trip went to fast!! In hindsight, we should have stayed until today (Fri) but when we booked 9 mths ago we didn't know Pap Pap (aka: Scrooge McDuck lol) would ante up so much cash. Not that I'm not grateful beleive me, but he gave us a big pile-of-cash the night before the trip. Had I known that DH and I would not be soly responsible for the entire trip I would have extended our stay.

Also thanks for the tip about writing down the memories in a journal. I plan on sitting this weekend and doing just that. I'm already beginning to forget stuff. One more cutie just for fun. My 3yr was overheard talking to himself on the potty saying, "your vehicle may go in reverse..." We hoped he wasn't talking about his "throne"...

Regarding transportation at WL. We found the boat launch to MK very nice and convenient. We could roll the double stroller and the wheel chair right on board the larger launch. The boys loved riding in the boat and watching the other boat traffic. We never waited more than 10-15 minutes for a boat at either end and could always amuse the boys by feeding the fish at the WL dock (one of the highlights of the trip for a 2yr/3yr!!) The same goes for the buses. We never waited very long and the bus stop at the WL is very close to everything. However, because we had a stroller and wheel chair to cart around with us, we tended to use our mini-van rather than the buses (boat was OK) because it is so hard to fold up everything, get the "wheels" onto the bus (the bus drivers NEVER helped us!) hold your belongings, grab the kids, and get on a bus. For that reason, we only used buses if we didn't have the grandparents with us. The parents are just not as mobile as you need to be to work the buses. For the same reason, we tended to avoid the mono-rails because it is VERY hard to push grownups up and down the ramps!!!! My DH is five pounds lighter from his daily workouts!!!

All-in-all, taking into account our handicapps, I found the transportation to be good. Most transportation seemed to stop at WL first before continuing to FW (on the return from MK) and we always seemed to go staight to MK on the outgoing trip. We only went to FW first one time on the boat returning from MK (it DOES add a lot of time to the ride!). After the fireworks at MK, it seemed they had lots of boats running both big and small to move people quickly. That night we rode in a smaller "sloop" which went very fast (kids LOVED it) but which meant folding all the "wheels" - we we're given the option of waiting for a bigger, friendlier boat but passed since we only had the kids.

The only negatives I have about the transportation was the lack of help loading and unloading offered by the drivers. Maybe there is some union rule thingy, but they could at least hold a bag or grab a handle on the stroller as you heave it onboard. I thought they were a little on the rude side, especially since you feel like your holding all the other passengers up. One night it was very embarrassing and frustrating trying to get all 6 of us aboard (the night we lost the mug) and any little kindness would have been appreciated.

[trishb]

Hi!
Great trip report!
You mentioned that it was your kids' first time on a plane. How did they make out? I'll be taking my little boy (who will be almost 2) on his first plane ride in January.
I bet that you were so happy, just watching their faces! Anything particularly memorable?

[buzzsmommy]

Originally posted by trishb
Hi!
Great trip report!
You mentioned that it was your kids' first time on a plane. How did they make out? I'll be taking my little boy (who will be almost 2) on his first plane ride in January.
I bet that you were so happy, just watching their faces! Anything particularly memorable?

We purchased seats for everyone, including the 2yr 1mth old. It was worth it having room for everyone. We used the 2yrs car seat which was also helpful because he is very good in the car and he knows when he's in the seat he has to sit. The 3.5yr didn't need a car seat on the plane (49lbs and 42.5 inches - big boy plenty big enough to solo plus he is more calm and understands about sitting.) The little guy did get scared when we first boarded the plane and was crying and screaming "get me off!" My DH and I thought uh oh, here comes the longest trip... But I was able to calm him with blankie, lollipop, and silly game and he was nodding off by take off!!! We also flew at nap time, no lay overs, and a short trip (2hrs) which all helped. Neither boy experienced any ear pain and both had wicked chest colds to boot.

I also packed lots of snacks - things they don't normally get - big lollipops, candy, cookies, fruit juice. The more colorful the packaging the better! And I wrapped small toys from the dollar store and our local Disney store for "emergencies." I had 5 gifts per child and only needed 1 on the trip down and 1 on the trip back. Used 2 at the hotel over the course of the week and came home with 1 not opened! We found a small cheapo fishing game was great as were the Crayola markers that only draw on special paper (buy the accompaning coloring books too for hidden surprises!). The markers only draw on the special paper, not on you, the seat in front of you, or other passengers!!!! Caution about wrapping gifts for carry-on though -- we were pulled for the extra search just prior to boarding on the return trip and the security folks had to open each gift.

Also, take your stroller right up to the gate. It comes in handy as a luggage cart (you'll have lots of carry-on including diapers, snacks, blankies, stuffed animal, etc.....) if you little one wants to walk around a bit. The airport staff will stow it for you as you board the plane and it will be waiting for you in the "arm" as you deplane. Plus its great to have your own stroller for the parks and hotels. There is a lot of walking to do in addition to all the walking at the parks. Hotel corridors, to and from transportation, it all adds up, especially for little legs!!!

Good luck and enjoy your trip. Keep your expectations a little lower as you may not get to see and do it all. If you go in with the attitude that "hey we might only get on one ride so what" anything else that happens seems quite magical. Don't miss the parades!! My kids LOVED them and waved and clapped at all of their favorite characters.

My little ones loved thier experience. Seeing them hug and kiss Mickey was worth it for me even if they won't remember it. And my elderly parents got to spend some great time with their grandchildren before time steals everyone away....

[trishb]

Thanks!
Your experience on the plane (as well as your recommendations) are exactly what I have planned. Hope that we do as well as you did!
You must miss being at WDW, don't you....

[BDavis932]

buzzsmommy~

What are your tips for a room request for the Wilderness Lodge Villas. Right now, all I have requested is: 1) Non Smoking and 2) 2nd, 3rd, or 4th floor room. I heard the 5th floor does not allow you to see the atruim, so I didn't want that. I did hear the 5th floor has the best views over the trees to the lake. But I figured the view didn't matter as much to us.

I was wondering how far of walk you had to the elevator (I hear there is only one) and what it the walk like to the boat dock? and to the Wilderness Lodge (Main Building)

Did you try out any of the walking trails in Fort Wilderness?

Did you use the pools at Wilderness Lodge or the Villas?

Any and all details you can share will be so appreciated. I can't wait to go there in May. My parents love "the great outdoors" except when it is 100º+ outside, so I'm hoping when the parks heat up and they head back to their room in the afternoon, it will be a great place to hang out!

[buzzsmommy]

Originally posted by BDavis932
buzzsmommy~

What are your tips for a room request for the Wilderness Lodge Villas. Right now, all I have requested is: 1) Non Smoking and 2) 2nd, 3rd, or 4th floor room. I heard the 5th floor does not allow you to see the atruim, so I didn't want that. I did hear the 5th floor has the best views over the trees to the lake. But I figured the view didn't matter as much to us.

I was wondering how far of walk you had to the elevator (I hear there is only one) and what it the walk like to the boat dock? and to the Wilderness Lodge (Main Building)

Did you try out any of the walking trails in Fort Wilderness?

Did you use the pools at Wilderness Lodge or the Villas?

We were on the 5th floor and it is true that you can't see the open atrium. Yes, the views from the room were great at this level but I don't think there is a bad view anywhere at the WL. The woods are just as soothing as the pool/lake views. Instead of the atrium you sorta have this big round roomy thing you have to walk around going to and from the elevator. I assume it was some sort of storage area. It was sorta ugly and at first confusing as to which way to go (either direction its a circle! not obvious when you first get there!!!) but not a major problem. The elevator is kinda of hike although I think we were lucky because we were not very far down the main corridor. The building is designed somewhat wierd (hard to describe) with not much in the "center spoke" and most rooms sorta around a strange bend.

The walk to the main WL is very short. You walk on a covered boardwalk thingy with western "heman" music playing daytime and crickets and owls piped in at night. Nice flickering lights in the evening too! The bus stop is halfway between the two buildings so it is really not very far at all.

Walking to the boat launch is the longest walk and really, not that far. You walk out back past both pools along the sandy beach (or go through the lobby) and out to another boardwalk (not covered) and wind your way through tall pines. Very nice walk. Far for someone like my dad in a wheel chair but for everyone else, including little kids, not that bad.

We used both pools. The Villas pool is quiet and small but very relaxing. With that wonderful music playing. The WL pool is fun with a slide and waterfalls and the geyser. They have two hot tubs (villas have one) and a kiddie pool. Never a problem gettiing a chair at either. although we were off season. The beach is nice but no swimming. There are chairs and a small playground on the beach. We sat out one evening on the lake and watched the small light parade float past.

As for the trails, just not enough time!! The looked great though. There was also bike and surrey rentals which looked like great fun but we didn't have a chance to do.

Enjoy your stay. We LOVED this place and would most definitely return -- to either the villas or the hotel. You really can't go wrond!!!!

[wdw510]

Glad you had a great time! Our trip is in a few weeks(over x-mas)Hope we have some of that great weather. We have only rented a car a few times and found that it never left the parking lot. We have only used Mears before, but find that they are higher then using a town car. I have noticed that Tiffany has been mentioned alot. Would appreciate some info (good or bad ) on them. This seems it might be the way to go this year.

[trishb]

wdw510...I highly recommend the towncar! The service cannot be beat. We were picked up at the terminal (luggage) and to our resort within an hour.