Mission Accomplished
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AGentlRose · 08-26-2010, 10:27 PM

I keep meaning to post my trip report, and although it might be kind of boring since it was more of a business trip --- buying a house in the Orlando area--- than it was a Disney trip, although we did get to the parks a couple of nights.

We did get a house, actually it was one that I had been pining over online for a couple of months. The way that houses were going on and off the market, I never thought it would still be there when we got to Florida. I guess what helped is that it was not a foreclosure, but an elderly widow, who was ready to give in to her children and sell her house. We close on the house on Sept 30, my DH and I will go down again to WDW on Oct 5 to pick up the keys, do a little furniture shopping, get the bedrooms wired for cable, electricity turned on and internet started and ready for our final trip to Orlando on Nov. 11, our actual flying out of Las Vegas to move date.

As I posted in my live report, I was disappointed in the Wilderness Lodge. Maybe I'm just attached at the hip to the Poly.

The positives: Housekeeping was exceptional -- for the first time in all my Disney vacations, including club level at the previously mentioned deluxe resorts --- we were never left any towel animals. The Housekeepers at the Wilderness Lodge left us 3 during our 6 night stay and towels and all amenities were always kept stocked. The rooms was always immaculate and the turndown service was always a welcome sight to return to. The parking valets were always accommodating and prompt. The bus transportation was excellent, we never waited more than 5 minutes for a bus, however, the boat transportation from the Magic Kingdom to the Lodge was sporadic and never enough to accommodate the amount of guests the Wilderness Lodge has.

The not so good: The room was just adequate, smaller than the Poly or Grand Floridian. We were staying Club Level and normally the Club Level concierge cast members are always so helpful and have a great attitude. Not so at the Wilderness Lodge, with the exception of two cast members, Loyda and Miguel, the rest looked like they were auditioning for the part of Grumpy. I asked one about printing boarding passes for our return flight, she told me they couldn't do it, something to the effect that it interferes with the resort airline luggage check in service. (Meanwhile back at the Poly, Grand Floridian and other Disney resorts --- including Guest Services at the Parks, they were all able to print boarding passes) Now to the concierge lounge --- if you are into exotic food, go for it. Anytime I saw the offerings at the evening hour service, I thought of the food they made contestants eat on Fear Factor (Buffalo on a stick, meatballs made of Reindeer (sorry Bambi), but nothing except cheese and crackers ever passed my lips there. Another negative about staying on the club level floor, the room's balcony has a solid wall, so you have no view unless you stand. If you want deluxe at Disney, go for any other resort (Poly, Grand, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Contemporary). If you're just looking for a place to sleep and want something just a slight bit better than the moderates, then go for the Wilderness Lodge, but in that case, I would honestly rather save the money and stay at Port Orleans-Riverside or French Quarter.
My Towel Animals:
I absolutely love this little duck

This was the first one she made --- the littlel bunny to hold my tooth brush.

We didn't spend many hours at the parks, the first night we went to the Studios, did Toy Story and Great Movie ride and walked up the Streets of America, my DH and I reminisced about how beautiful it looked with the Osborne Lights and snow falling.

We did spend a lot of time with our realtor and with my friends, so park time was very limited. What got me through was knowing that we would be back and living less than 20 miles from the Magic Kingdom.

We went to the MK the next night. It was great to see the Peoplemover renamed the PEOPLEMOVER. The first night we saw it, the main sign was changed, but the signs along the way still showed Blue Line TMT. The following day Disney worked its magic and all the signs read Peoplemover. The first night we rode, the City of Tomorrow was blacked out, so I thought it might be changed, but the next night, it was lit and I couldn't see any difference, but I missed it when it wasn't there. We last rode it in February, and I didn't recall the page of Mr. Tom Morrow, but that is back, this time you hear it inside Space Mountain. After that, we walked to Haunted Mansion, rode Thunder Mountain and Pirates and then decided to find a space for fireworks. As nice as Summer Nightastic is, I still like Wishes better. We did get to see a bit of the Main St. Electrical Parade.

We didn't go to the parks at all on the weekend, spent that time with my best friend and her boyfriend.
Sunday night, we went to Epcot, rode Spaceship Earth, Mission Space and then just walked a bit around World Showcase, and decided not to wait for Illuminations because we were just too tired.

On our final day, we met with realtor again to finalize the contract and set up an appointment for a home inspection, which came back squeaky clean. I always like to spend my last night in the MK, which is what we did. It was very crowded, so we did a couple of rides and sat down near the Plaza Restaurant, got ice cream cones and waited for the fireworks. We did get a nice view of Tinkerbell's flight. I didn't want to fight the crowd, so we waited till it thinned out a bit and at that time, the MSEP started, so we watched that from afar, but still able to see. I wasn't as upset leaving this time, because I know we'll be back. Our flights on American this time were without incident and DME was excellent as always.

*******End of trip report******
A couple of house pictures

Living Room (which she is leaving me her furniture in this room)

Breakfast Nook (which she is leaving me)

Dining room (not leaving)

Screened Patio

View of Pond in back (with 2 lime trees)

**Cam22** · 08-26-2010, 10:53 PM

Terrific house!

for sharing your trip with us!

**mimidodaplgo** · 08-26-2010, 10:53 PM

All in all..sounded like a very lovely trip..and the pics of the house look very beautiful!! I will admit..I am completely green with envy!!! I have already told my DH that I will be retiring in Florida within a very close driving distance of Disney..with or without him!! And he pretty much knows I am serious when I say that!! So..maybe one day in the future..we may just be neighbors!!

**Colexis Mom** · 08-26-2010, 11:06 PM

Thanks for the report!

Congrats on buying your dream home!

bsblady01 · 08-27-2010, 01:19 AM

more please

**chezp** · 08-27-2010, 02:21 AM

Thanks for sharing your trip with us - what a lovely house!

AGentlRose · 08-27-2010, 02:23 AM

Thank you all so much. We've very excited and can't wait to move in. It is the packing up here that is so hard.

ilovedisney247 · 08-27-2010, 02:43 AM

What a great trip and a lovely house! Excited for you to live near WDW

bfth · 08-27-2010, 11:20 AM

Congratulations on getting the house you wanted.

Once you move in, I'm hoping for lots more reports!

MelissaSue · 08-27-2010, 04:37 PM

congrats on the house!! love the porch, and so awesome that she's letting you keep some of the furniture. VERY awesome.

Are you moving down their full time??