First Stay at the Wilderness Lodge-Pre Trip Report

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

This upcoming trip December 17 through December 23 will be our first stay at the Wilderness Lodge-Standard Room and our first stay Deluxe Level....

Cast-Amy (me) age 42
DM-Patty age 64
DS-Dylan age 17 (graduating in May)

We are driving and plan on heading out around 2am Saturday morning. With the time change, lunch and plenty of potty breaks this will put us at the WL around check in. We are having a scooter delivered from Apple Scooters due to my mom having major foot surgery earlier this year, first time in the parks with a scooter. We also have park hoppers and the Disney Dining Plan.

Here is our basic agenda:

Day 1-Arrival-After checking in and relaxing a bit we will head out to DTD to shop and will probably just get Wolfgang Puck Express CS for dinner. We will skip the parks this day to get a good nights sleep after our 10 hour car ride.

Day 2-Hollywood Studios-we have an ADR for Brown Derby Fantasmic Pkg-(first time here) I am hoping for kind of a relaxing day. I only have 4 or 5 things I really want do here. My son will be free to go off a bit on his own so mom and I can shop and do a little people watching.

Day 3-Magic Kingdom-We will be there at opening 8am and will make a day of it. We will leave shortly for dinner at Ohana's (first time eating here) but will return in time for the parade and fireworks. This night is extra magic hours and we are going to do something we never do and ride some rides here after dark. Between the three of us, we do most everything this park has to offer so this will be our longest park day of the trip. Probably a 16 hour day.

Day 4-Epcot-This will be another relaxing day hopefully. We will explore future world until around noon and then head over to the Boardwalk for a couple of hours. None of us have ever been to the Boardwalk so this will be another first for us. Afterwards we'll return to the room to freshen up before heading over to Ft. Wilderness for Hoop De Doo. This was my son's must do ADR for this trip.

Day 5-Animal Kingdom-The park opens at 7am so I expect we'll be done early. I will go back to the resort in the afternoon to do some laundry. This will be my excuse to either sit by the pool or in front of the fireplace while I enjoy an adult beverage. We have ADR's for dinner at Whispering Canyon and this will be another first for us.

Day 6-Epcot-We will sleep in this morning and then head over around 11 am when World Showcase opens. I really expect my son to do Maelstrom and the Mexico ride and then head back to Future World to redo some rides. My mom and I love shopping and browsing World Showcase so it will be nice to explore on our own this time. Dinner will be at Chefs De France and we will leave shortly after Illuminations.

Day 7-Magic Kingdom and Departure Day-We plan to pack up the car, check out and then head over to the Grand Floridian for breakfast at 1900 Park Fare another first for us. Although we don't have any small kids, my son so enjoyed the characters at Crystal Palace last trip I decided we should do another character meal. After breakfast we will head over to the MK and everyone will get to pick one ride to redo. If we have time, we will do a second pick. We will pick up candy and snacks at the candy store and bakery on Main St. and leave the park by 3pm.

We always stop in Lake City and spend the night before heading home the next day. We are staying at the Country Inn and I promised my son we will look for a Japanese restaurant so we can get some sushi that night. Anyone have suggestions?

This trip is kind of bittersweet for me. My son graduates in May and I can't help thinking it may be our last family trip together But, I am going to stay positive and enjoy every minute of it. We are super excited about staying at the Wilderness Lodge at Christmas time and trying some new restaurants. I will post a trip report a few days after we return. Thanks for reading

[Butters]

Sounds like a great trip

[Auntie B]

Sounds like you are going to have a wonderful trip! Looking forward to hearing all about it when you get back!

[faline]

You've picked a wonderful resort for a holiday stay! Enjoy your family time together!

[Jennifer_and_Chris]

How great that you are getting to try so many new things this time around!

Cant wait to hear all about it!

Have a safe drive.... You'll love the Wilderness Lodge!

[RedSoxFan]

Sounds like a great trip planned. WL is a wonderful resort. Enjoy your time with your son. However, don't be surprised if you don't go back while he's in college. Two of my college age boys came with us during Thanksgiving week a couple of weeks ago.

[gokatgo]

Sounds like a great trip! We will be leaving Wilderness Lodage tomorrow and have love it. The decorations are beautiful and the boat to the Magic Kingdom is so convenient. We had dinner at Ohana last night, come hungry!!

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

I am hoping my son will want to come back with me when he is older, here's to my Disney wishes

[CanadianWDWFan]

I loved the Christmas Tree at WL!

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

I loved the Christmas Tree at WL!

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

Thanks

[PrettyMinnie]

I am hoping my son will want to come back with me when he is older, here's to my Disney wishes

I'm sure he will if not just to spend time with his momma!

Have a great trip! It sounds wonderful! Happy Holidays!

[vizsla]

Have a great time and a safe trip.

[buzznwoodysmom]

Your plans sound wonderful. We'll be there at the same time, but none of our plans (park days) overlap. Maybe we'll see you at the lodge, we are staying there as well.

While your at the Boardwalk take time to visit all 5 resorts around the lake if you can. All are decorated beautifully for the holidays. Also if time allows, take a monorail resort tour. There's plenty of shopping, eating, and decoration viewing to be had along the monorail.

Have a wonderful and magical trip!

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Thanks for the advice....we will eating at the Polynesian and Grand so we'll get to see their decorations...If we get a change we will check out YC and BC too...

[MinnieMommie]

Your trip sounds wonderful! Our dates are almost identical and our daily plans are quite similar (we are even dining at WL the same night you are). Don't worry about your son not wanting to go back with you. My kids continue to come with us when ever they can during and after college!

[Dopey's Girl]

I am hoping my son will want to come back with me when he is older, here's to my Disney wishes

I love my 'grown up' trips with my mom! Don't give up that hope!

[Kairi_7378]

Have a wonderful trip! I can't believe it's here already. Your plans sound great... a good balance of park time, relaxing, and shopping.

[KylesMom]

Amy, I know plans have been in the works for a long time for this trip. I hope for nothing but the best for you!

I am hoping my son will want to come back with me when he is older, here's to my Disney wishes

My son is a bit younger than yours, but I don't think he would EVER refuse yet another stay at WL with his mom as he gets older!

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Amy, I know plans have been in the works for a long time for this trip. I hope for nothing but the best for you!

My son is a bit younger than yours, but I don't think he would EVER refuse yet another stay at WL with his mom as he gets older!

Well, he says he will always come back to DW with me and I hope he will so I will keep my hopes up.