[rlb]

I am going to break this down into a day by day report. With me on this vacation was my best friend and her parents. The parents had been to DW once in the 80's. So...

Saturday January 6, 2007/Day 1

We arrived at Wilderness Lodge earlier than expected. We had been told that we could not check in until 4, but we arrived at about 2:30 and we were able to check in at that time. This was the first deluxe resort that I had ever stayed in so I was really new to this experience. I should also mention that we had rented Disney Vacation Club points, so while I had done a lot of checking on the person we rented from I still was extremely nervous before check-in just hoping and praying all went well. (Disney changed the policy so Everything did go well and was perfectly in order. We had arranged for the dining plan and 7 day ticket with a park hopper option.

When we first walked into the Wilderness Lodge I must say it is breath taking. You really just have to stand and take it all in. Everyone there was so helpful and nice. We had two studios in the villas. The rooms were large with a queen bed and a pull out sofa bed. We didn't have a great view but that was ok. Everything else about the rooms was perfect.

We had planned on having dinner at Whispering Canyon at 6, but since we arrived early they were able to seat us at 5. I loved Whispering Canyon. The food was great. We all ordered the skillet so we had more than enough food for the four of us. The atmosphere of the restaurant was really fun. I drank my coke quickly so the waitress brought me a 1/2 gallon mason jar full of Coke and with a huge straw. There was also a pony race for the kids with lots of cheering from everyone. I also love the ketchup thing. The first people to ask for ketchup got about 20 bottles and then whenever someone wanted ketchup kids would run and get it and take it to the next table. This is a fun restaurant with lots of noise and participation from everyone. If you are looking for a quiet meal with no hassle I would not suggest Whispering Canyon.

We had planned on going to MGM to see the Osborne Lights, but we just didn't have time to rush to MGM, so we went to the Magic Kingdom and rode HM, PoC, and Space Ranger Spin. Then we watched the Spectomagic parade. My friend's mother loved the parade. We watched part of Wishes but we didn't have a great view.

We headed back to the Lodge for our first nights sleep in our awesome hotel. I slept on the sofa bed the first night. It was actually not bad as far as pull out sofa beds go. I will post day two soon.

[lovemysons]

Oh hurray! A trip report. I am so glad you were pleased with the WL. It is so beautiful, isn't it??

[twist1980]

Sounds like everything at the Wilderness Lodge was fabulous! Looking forward to hearing the rest, especially how your friends parents liked everything after not going for years!

Don't forget the pictures!

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by lovemysons

Oh hurray! A trip report. I am so glad you were pleased with the WL. It is so beautiful, isn't it??

What she said
Can't wait to read more

[dznygrl]

Originally Posted by rlb

I drank my coke quickly so the waitress brought me a 1/2 gallon mason jar full of Coke and with a huge straw.

OMG I hope they do this with my Diet Coke! I am sooooo eating at this restaurant! LOL

(I tend to drink Diet Coke really fast, and not getting a refill before I've finished half my meal drives me nuts...)

I love the TR so far - can't wait to hear more!! Reading 2 TRs set at the Wilderness Lodge is really making me want to stay there!

[daisyd]

Great start! I think WCC is going to be on our must list for our next trip!

I can't wait for more

[dac921]

Great TR... how about a few pictures... oh and MORE TR PLEASE!!!

[timkelmom]

Great start! Can't wait for the rest.

[catfish1999]

Great start! Where's the rest???

[rlb]

Ok, Sunday January 7, day 2

We had made reservations at Crystal Palace for breakfast on Sunday morning and dinner at Biergarten at Epcot. This was also the day for the marathon. So after some pointers from all my friends on Mousebuzz we decided that boat and monarail transportation was the only way to go. Well, the fog was so thick on Sunday morning that the boats were not running. So we were off to the busses. Now a bus ride from the WL to the MK should be a short one, did you all catch that, should be. Well it was interesting seeing all of the runners and those cheering them on, but traffic was horrible. I was excited to get into the Magic Kingdom before it opened, but I hadn't realized when making the reservations that the runners would be headed through the MK then. It was quite a site to see all of the people lining Main St. to cheer on the runners. Of course by this time we were running late and we too were running up Main St. Once inside we really enjoyed our breakfast with the Pooh gang. The food was good and the character interaction was great also. We spent the morning and afternoon in the MK and we were able to cover most of the park with the exception of Adventure Land. I really enjoyed the cool temperatures and low crowd levels. (The last time I was in DW it was during the 4th of July week in 2005.) The day was beautiful and we were able to get some great pictures. We left the MK and took the monorail to Epcot for dinner. Once again we were late for a reservation and were sprinting.

I was the only one in the party that had been to Beirgarten. The food was good and it was fun watching the kids dance. After dinner we stayed in Epcot and mostly shopped in the World Showcase until Illuminations. Now the parents had never seen Illuminations and they loved it, Especially John. Now I have to ask a question: since Siemmen has started sponsoring Illuminations has it been shortened? It sure seemed like it to me and my friend also thought so. Matter of fact we even looked at each other at the end like "where is the rest". We didn't say anything to her parents because they loved it and we didn't want to ruin it for them. It was still great just seemed cut short.

That night we hobbled back to the Lodge feeling as if we had ran the Marathon that day and vowed to be early for ADRs from now on or at least try to. It was my turn to sleep in the real bed! yea!

day 3 coming soon...

p.s. I am working on resizing the pictures so that I can add some tomorrow.

[millermouse]

So excited to read your TR!!! Sounds like a good time so far (except the unfortunate traffic)

Can't wait to read more and see some pics

[Dana]

Can't wait to hear more and see those pictures!

[Dopey]

Picashures, yes, that would be great.

[rlb]

I am practicing resizing pictures so here is the first one from breakfast and Crystal Palace.

[daisyd]

YAY, photos!!!