BACK and REFRESHED!

Dogcopper · 04-17-2003

Just got back this week and had a BLAST doing the "lazy week" thing. Did all of the things suggested by our great DC members and enjoyed them all! :laugh

:laugh

One of the best things was the nature trail from the Wilderness resort to Fort Wilderness. It was nice to be on property with no-one in sight. I will be updating each day of fun as we go.

Thanks again for all the help on this trip. Can't wait to go again in July!

Dogcopper · 04-17-2003

WEDNESDAY:
Arrived at POFQ at about 8AM. Although they did not have a room ready, they still checked our bags and checked us in.

Right off the bat we hit the MK for a little Haunted Mansion and the "It's my birthday" button from guest services. It was WAY too crowded and we decided to do EPCOT instead.

At EPCOT, we hit the ball and test track and got tired. My wonderful DW suggested that I finally make reservations for the DiveQuest at the Living Seas. I made my res for the next evening and we did lunch at the Land food court.

After a nice rest by the pool we did dinner with my folks off property (Key W. Kools on 192) which was a very nice steak house. Then back to POFQ.

Thursday is coming up!

trishb · 04-17-2003

Can't wait to hear more! Thanks for sharing!

Willbegone · 04-17-2003

I love trip reports, Thanks for posting! Keep 'em coming!

crystalrp · 04-17-2003

Don't leave out ANYTHING!! I love the details. Helps with the planning and looking forward for sure.

quartz7 · 04-17-2003

Thanks, I have to have trip reports, i'm so far away.
:D

Janelle

JOANN · 04-17-2003

It's reading things like this that makes me love Disney more!!!!!

So glad you enjoyed your vacation!!!:) JOANN

Dogcopper · 04-18-2003

THURSDAY:
Thursday started out VERY COLD (in the 50's). Being from Ft. Lauderdale, this was a chilly start.

We got up early (10) and did one of the suggestions from this forum and we walked the nature trail at Wilderness Resort. This was a BLAST as we knew we were on Disney property, but no-one was in sight. At the end of the trail we found the petting zoo and met some WONDERFUL cast members who gave us a tour of the barn and the general area. After playing with the animals, we wandered back to the resort and bumped into a Disney Vacation Club guide. He offered us free lunch the next day if we took the Friday morning tour. It sounded like fun so we signed up.

After screwing around there for a while, we went to EPCOT and relaxed by the fountain. I wish more people would turn and look at the fountain as I feel that it is the most beautiful part of the park. Oh well, it goes nice with coffee and those sinful chocolate pastries... :whistle:

At about 5P I went outside to wait for the DiveQuest tour to begin. This is an OUTSTANDING tour in true Disney style. Although the Living Seas closed at 6P, security let my wife and the other companions of the DiveQuest members stay inside. They all met and had a great time. As this is a long post, I will describe the DiveQuest later. By the way, this is a three hour tour (not to be mistaken with Gilligan)

After the dive, my DW and I went to Downtown Disney and ate at Wolfgang Pucks. We ended up at the Sushi bar because it was way to crowded and the wait was enormous. The waitress was not Disney at all and it was easily apparant that you were not in a Disney restaurant. But, the food was really good.

After eating we hit Pleasure Island and went right for the Adventure's Club. We like this one the best! The act in the library seemed new, but she did a great job and was really funny.

Too much excitement for the rest of the day and we hit the sack about 1A. Again POFQ is GREAT! Can't wait for tomorrow!

monorailgoof · 04-18-2003

Let us know how the rest goes
How many more days are you there for?
Sounds like you're having an awesome time!
Keep us posted!

mickaholic4077 · 04-21-2003

Sounds like a very nice report so far. Keep up the good work!!

goofygal1975 · 04-21-2003

Thanks for posting...keem them coming!!:D

mattomouseman · 04-21-2003

SO how did you like Divequest????????????
I've done it three times already and will to it my 4th time in August!

MauiMouse · 04-22-2003

Sounds like a fantastic vacation.

How long did it take you to walk from Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness?

I have a PS for Hoop Dee Doo in September and if it isn't a long walk maybe that is what we might end up doing. :)

Dogcopper · 04-22-2003

Thursday continued... :D

DiveQuest was everything I thought it would be and more. My DW is not a swimmer, but enjoyed taking pictures of me diving the tank.

The cost is 140.00 (15% off for AP) and all the proceeds go to the wildlife conservation fund (I checked, yes, OFF the taxes next year!)

You meet the dive staff at the front entrance to EPCOT and are taken in through the backstage to the Living Seas. This, I found out, is right next to the main entrance. It just seems like a further walk when you are inside. They give you a history of the attraction and some really neat information. The Spaceship Earth ball would actually fit INSIDE the tank and 1 inch of water off the top of the tank would fill an olympic swimming pool!

Next, you are taken inside where you go through a quick briefing and they copy your "C" card. Don't even try to go without it as they are adament about it. Then they give you your shortie wet suit and booties and let you change in the locker room.

When you are ready, they parade you throughout the inside so that everyone stares. They make you a "honorary cast member" and want you to smile and wave. This was really fun.

Then they take you up to the cast only area above the tank. This is truly AWE INSPIRING as you get to really see what goes on there. I was amazed to see that behind the scenes was as clean if not cleaner than the attraction. The cast really takes pride in their job.

When they are ready, you enter the tank (brr.. 72) and you get your tank and BC on. You drop down 25 feet to the bottom and then are given a quick tour of the tank. They put you in a quick diving bell to take off your mask and regulator to say "hi" to the camera, and you are off!

My partner inside had done this before so he really showed me alot of the tank. The grouper are as big as I am and I laid down beside them to get a pic taken. The dive was INCREDIBLE!

They ask you to show off for the audience, but due to the attraction shutting down, only our spouses were there. We were, however, able to interact with the dining crowd and kids would run up to the window to wave. Made me wish that I had persued that Tigger job years ago. :cry:

After the dive, you get to shower off (Thank GOD for hot water) and they show you the video of you in the tank. The video was $35 and we decided against it, but it really was a nice job done.

All in all, this was one of the best things that I have done at Disney besides the Keys to the Kingdom tour. I would highly suggest it to any diver as the visibility is 377 feet (the width of the tank)

PS... you get a shirt

Next will be Friday's adventures... Thanks to all who are responding to this as I love to talk about Disney!

Dogcopper · 04-22-2003

The walk time from WL to Fort Wilderness is about 20 minutes at a slow amble with time out for woodland kisses with the DW! :whistle:

04-17-2003	#1 (permalink)
Dogcopper Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, for the rest of my darn life!!! Posts: 44	BACK and REFRESHED! Just got back this week and had a BLAST doing the "lazy week" thing. Did all of the things suggested by our great DC members and enjoyed them all! :laugh :laugh One of the best things was the nature trail from the Wilderness resort to Fort Wilderness. It was nice to be on property with no-one in sight. I will be updating each day of fun as we go. Thanks again for all the help on this trip. Can't wait to go again in July! __________________ Tigger forever! CAN'T MOVE TO ORLANDO! LIFE IS NOT FAIR!!! November 1971 - First Trip! 1971 - 2001 - 25 Trips! (Off Property) 2002 - Honeymoon at Disney! All Star Movies! 2003 - Second Honeymoon! POR 2004 - More POR! 2005 - Saved my money! Who knows where?

04-17-2003	#2 (permalink)
Dogcopper Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, for the rest of my darn life!!! Posts: 44	Day 1 - My Birthday! WEDNESDAY: Arrived at POFQ at about 8AM. Although they did not have a room ready, they still checked our bags and checked us in. Right off the bat we hit the MK for a little Haunted Mansion and the "It's my birthday" button from guest services. It was WAY too crowded and we decided to do EPCOT instead. At EPCOT, we hit the ball and test track and got tired. My wonderful DW suggested that I finally make reservations for the DiveQuest at the Living Seas. I made my res for the next evening and we did lunch at the Land food court. After a nice rest by the pool we did dinner with my folks off property (Key W. Kools on 192) which was a very nice steak house. Then back to POFQ. Thursday is coming up! __________________ Tigger forever! CAN'T MOVE TO ORLANDO! LIFE IS NOT FAIR!!! November 1971 - First Trip! 1971 - 2001 - 25 Trips! (Off Property) 2002 - Honeymoon at Disney! All Star Movies! 2003 - Second Honeymoon! POR 2004 - More POR! 2005 - Saved my money! Who knows where?

04-17-2003	#3 (permalink)
trishb Mouse Meister Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Delaware Posts: 1,350	Can't wait to hear more! Thanks for sharing! __________________ Trish

04-17-2003	#4 (permalink)
Willbegone Southern Princess Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,495	I love trip reports, Thanks for posting! Keep 'em coming! __________________ Feb. 2002: CBR Mar. 2003: POR Oct. 2005: CBR Mar. 2006: POFQ May 2007: POFQ Nov. 2008: SSR My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Thanksgiving week with Mickey! 77 days 7 hours 43 minutes

04-17-2003	#5 (permalink)
crystalrp Mouse Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: skowhegan, maine Posts: 1,235	Don't leave out ANYTHING!! I love the details. Helps with the planning and looking forward for sure. __________________ 1972~off site 1982~Contemporary 1998~Port Orleans 1999~Caribbean Beach/Disney Magic 2001~Dixie Landings/Disney Wonder 2003~Wilderness Lodge/Disney Wonder 2004~POFQ and AKL

		MouseBuzz.com > Mouscellaneous > Trip Reports
BACK and REFRESHED!

04-17-2003	#6 (permalink)
quartz7 Mouse Meister Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Parker, Colo Posts: 1,067	Thanks, I have to have trip reports, i'm so far away. :D Janelle __________________ Janelle Proud Mama of DD Jazzy 13 and DS Trevor 9 DC(cat) Figment 16 Avatar....Jazzy and Trevor in the Limo!! Offsite.......1992 Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Contempory.....1994 Disneyland Hotel.....2000, 2001, 2005 Polynesian......2004, 2006 Disneyland Hotel............June 2008, Oct. 2008 My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Going to see Mickey at Halloween in Disneyland!!! 45 days 23 hours 43 minutes

04-17-2003	#7 (permalink)
JOANN Mouse Meister Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: CRETE, Illinois Posts: 1,041	It's reading things like this that makes me love Disney more!!!!! So glad you enjoyed your vacation!!!:) JOANN __________________ Been There, Done That, DID IT AGAIN!! Oct. 23-Nov. 6 2005! When You Wish Upon a Star! 1975 Contemporary, 1977 Royal Plaza, 1986-1991 CBR, 1993-1997 Dixie Landings, 1998 Wilderness Lodge, 1999(Twice)-2000(Twice) CSR, 2001(Twice)-2002(Twice)-2003(Twice) CSR & AKL, 2004 AKL & CSR 3 times, 2005(Twice) POFQ Going to Disneyland Sept. 9-12th!!!!!!

04-18-2003	#8 (permalink)
Dogcopper Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, for the rest of my darn life!!! Posts: 44	THURSDAY... DAY 2! THURSDAY: Thursday started out VERY COLD (in the 50's). Being from Ft. Lauderdale, this was a chilly start. We got up early (10) and did one of the suggestions from this forum and we walked the nature trail at Wilderness Resort. This was a BLAST as we knew we were on Disney property, but no-one was in sight. At the end of the trail we found the petting zoo and met some WONDERFUL cast members who gave us a tour of the barn and the general area. After playing with the animals, we wandered back to the resort and bumped into a Disney Vacation Club guide. He offered us free lunch the next day if we took the Friday morning tour. It sounded like fun so we signed up. After screwing around there for a while, we went to EPCOT and relaxed by the fountain. I wish more people would turn and look at the fountain as I feel that it is the most beautiful part of the park. Oh well, it goes nice with coffee and those sinful chocolate pastries... :whistle: At about 5P I went outside to wait for the DiveQuest tour to begin. This is an OUTSTANDING tour in true Disney style. Although the Living Seas closed at 6P, security let my wife and the other companions of the DiveQuest members stay inside. They all met and had a great time. As this is a long post, I will describe the DiveQuest later. By the way, this is a three hour tour (not to be mistaken with Gilligan) After the dive, my DW and I went to Downtown Disney and ate at Wolfgang Pucks. We ended up at the Sushi bar because it was way to crowded and the wait was enormous. The waitress was not Disney at all and it was easily apparant that you were not in a Disney restaurant. But, the food was really good. After eating we hit Pleasure Island and went right for the Adventure's Club. We like this one the best! The act in the library seemed new, but she did a great job and was really funny. Too much excitement for the rest of the day and we hit the sack about 1A. Again POFQ is GREAT! Can't wait for tomorrow! __________________ Tigger forever! CAN'T MOVE TO ORLANDO! LIFE IS NOT FAIR!!! November 1971 - First Trip! 1971 - 2001 - 25 Trips! (Off Property) 2002 - Honeymoon at Disney! All Star Movies! 2003 - Second Honeymoon! POR 2004 - More POR! 2005 - Saved my money! Who knows where?

04-18-2003	#9 (permalink)
monorailgoof Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 267	Let us know how the rest goes How many more days are you there for? Sounds like you're having an awesome time! Keep us posted! __________________ Por favor mantegase alejado de las puertas! Everyday's a holiday....Only in Disney World. A pirate's life for me "It's kind of fun to do the impossible."-Walt Disney

04-21-2003	#10 (permalink)
mickaholic4077 Currently in Timeout! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: 90 miles from The Mick!!!!! Posts: 6,193	Sounds like a very nice report so far. Keep up the good work!!

04-21-2003	#11 (permalink)
goofygal1975 Goofy For Disney Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: AL Posts: 1,735	Thanks for posting...keem them coming!!:D __________________ goofygal1975.com see my disney pictures and trip reports, and Disney Cruise Info! ~~Heather~~ ~~A Dream is a wish your heart makes~~ All-Star Movies 12/02 All-Star Movies 2/03 All-Star Sports 10/02, 06/03 , 07/03,12/03(MVMCP 12/5/03) Pop Century 2/04, 5/05, 7/05 CBR 12/04, 5/05 Disney Wonder Cruise 5/15/05-5/19/05 WL 8/05 Many trips 2005-2006 ~~Engaged at Disney, CRT 8/19/06~~ Sept 2007 DisneyMoon Dec 2008 AKV May 2009 7 night Disney Cruise

04-21-2003	#12 (permalink)
mattomouseman Grumpmeister Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Westchester Co. NY Posts: 1,746	SO how did you like Divequest???????????? I've done it three times already and will to it my 4th time in August! __________________ Disneyland1972 WDW1975 Disneyland1987 2000~CBR,2001~Wilderness Lodge 2002~Coronado Springs,2003 Poly, 2004 Disneyland Grand Californian NEVER FORGET, NEVER SURRENDER-GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.

04-22-2003	#13 (permalink)
MauiMouse Mouseketeer Intern Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7	Sounds like a fantastic vacation. How long did it take you to walk from Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness? I have a PS for Hoop Dee Doo in September and if it isn't a long walk maybe that is what we might end up doing. :) __________________ Sept 2003 Wilderness Lodge Jan 2002 CBR 1982 Offsite

04-22-2003	#14 (permalink)
Dogcopper Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, for the rest of my darn life!!! Posts: 44	DiveQuest! Thursday continued... :D DiveQuest was everything I thought it would be and more. My DW is not a swimmer, but enjoyed taking pictures of me diving the tank. The cost is 140.00 (15% off for AP) and all the proceeds go to the wildlife conservation fund (I checked, yes, OFF the taxes next year!) You meet the dive staff at the front entrance to EPCOT and are taken in through the backstage to the Living Seas. This, I found out, is right next to the main entrance. It just seems like a further walk when you are inside. They give you a history of the attraction and some really neat information. The Spaceship Earth ball would actually fit INSIDE the tank and 1 inch of water off the top of the tank would fill an olympic swimming pool! Next, you are taken inside where you go through a quick briefing and they copy your "C" card. Don't even try to go without it as they are adament about it. Then they give you your shortie wet suit and booties and let you change in the locker room. When you are ready, they parade you throughout the inside so that everyone stares. They make you a "honorary cast member" and want you to smile and wave. This was really fun. Then they take you up to the cast only area above the tank. This is truly AWE INSPIRING as you get to really see what goes on there. I was amazed to see that behind the scenes was as clean if not cleaner than the attraction. The cast really takes pride in their job. When they are ready, you enter the tank (brr.. 72) and you get your tank and BC on. You drop down 25 feet to the bottom and then are given a quick tour of the tank. They put you in a quick diving bell to take off your mask and regulator to say "hi" to the camera, and you are off! My partner inside had done this before so he really showed me alot of the tank. The grouper are as big as I am and I laid down beside them to get a pic taken. The dive was INCREDIBLE! They ask you to show off for the audience, but due to the attraction shutting down, only our spouses were there. We were, however, able to interact with the dining crowd and kids would run up to the window to wave. Made me wish that I had persued that Tigger job years ago. :cry: After the dive, you get to shower off (Thank GOD for hot water) and they show you the video of you in the tank. The video was $35 and we decided against it, but it really was a nice job done. All in all, this was one of the best things that I have done at Disney besides the Keys to the Kingdom tour. I would highly suggest it to any diver as the visibility is 377 feet (the width of the tank) PS... you get a shirt Next will be Friday's adventures... Thanks to all who are responding to this as I love to talk about Disney! __________________ Tigger forever! CAN'T MOVE TO ORLANDO! LIFE IS NOT FAIR!!! November 1971 - First Trip! 1971 - 2001 - 25 Trips! (Off Property) 2002 - Honeymoon at Disney! All Star Movies! 2003 - Second Honeymoon! POR 2004 - More POR! 2005 - Saved my money! Who knows where?

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04-22-2003	#15 (permalink)
Dogcopper Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, for the rest of my darn life!!! Posts: 44	Reply to walk time... The walk time from WL to Fort Wilderness is about 20 minutes at a slow amble with time out for woodland kisses with the DW! :whistle: __________________ Tigger forever! CAN'T MOVE TO ORLANDO! LIFE IS NOT FAIR!!! November 1971 - First Trip! 1971 - 2001 - 25 Trips! (Off Property) 2002 - Honeymoon at Disney! All Star Movies! 2003 - Second Honeymoon! POR 2004 - More POR! 2005 - Saved my money! Who knows where?