The Trip that Almost had No Memories! Nov. at WL! - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Our 1st Family Trip to WDW 11/20-11/27/08 staying at Wilderness Lodge
“The Trip That Almost Had No Memories”
Who- Me, Laura, age 32
Husband, DH, Terry, age 48
Daughter, DD5, Kylie, age 5 and first trip to Disney
When:
Friday 11/20-Thur. 11/27/08 Thanksgiving Day
Where:
Walt Disney World in Florida
Wilderness Lodge
Inner Courtyard View
Pre-Trip
I only vaguely remember how it came to be that I got my way that we would take a family vacation to Disney World. I’ve known for quite a while that it was just a matter of time before I would take Kylie on her first trip. After all, I opened up a Disney Visa a couple of months after she was born to begin saving Disney Dollars for our future trip. After that I begin putting everything I could on that card to build up points (I did pay the bill off in full each month). At the time we decided to take this trip, I added DH to my account and got him his own card so he too could start saving towards our Disney Dream Dollars. By the time we left for our trip, we had amassed about $1000 Disney Dream Dollars for our spending and tip money!!
Last spring (2008) we made the decision that since I have the whole week off for Thanksgiving break (I teach), that that would be the ideal time to go. It wouldn’t be hot and Christmas decorations would be up to see. We then began looking into airfare. We had originally planned on flying out on a Sat. but discovered if we flew out on that Friday before, we would save almost $1000 in airfare between the three of us. So I went to my very wonderful principal and explained this, knowing full well they don’t usually let people take personal time off before holidays, and she was super wonderful and said no problem. As soon as a reasonable rate hit, we booked our airfare.
Next we had to decide which resort. This was both my and DH’s second trip to WDW. Neither of us had stayed on property before but after copious reading of all things Disney, I determined that this was the only way to do Disney right. We were going into planning this trip as if it were a once in a lifetime trip (boy were we stupid) and that since we’ll probably only do this once, we should do it right and go all out. At first we decided on the Polynesian. Still a good choice that I hope to explore some day but realized we could save $700 if we stayed at Wilderness Lodge. Once we decided upon WL, there was no going to any other. It just called to my husband like the voices of the Native Americans that helped build the massive totem poles in the lodge (or at least in my perceived imagination). Me, I would be happy staying at a different resort each time just to check them out. But we were very happy to call WL our home that week and will always remember it as our “first”!
Months and months of planning took place. I read probably at least 10 different Disney guide books, belonged to the DISboards, Passporter Boards, Tour Guide Mike and Touring Plans (not to mention the various Disney email list groups I now belong to). I considered myself a regular Disney Veteran with a fount of knowledge and I haven’t even gotten there yet. (I don’t really count my 2 days I spent there in a whirlwind during my twenties.) I had gotten all our ADR’s that I had carefully selected (made 180 days out, exactly) and our itinerary scheduled for each day. I had touring plans made as well as notes about which rides to avoid (ex. Stitch’s Great Escape). We were ready to go!
Here was our daily plan (I’ll explain deviations as we get to them):
Friday, Nov. 21st
Dinner: 4:35 pm- 1900 Park Fare (with Cinderella) at Grand Floridian
MK- 7 pm- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Saturday, Nov. 22nd – Epcot
Breakfast: 9:50 am- Akershus (Princess Storybook Breakfast) at Norway
Lunch: counter service in Epcot
1:30 - 4:30. Visa card Meet & Greet
Dinner: 6:55 pm- Biergarten in Germany (want to see Illuminations 9 pm)
Sunday, Nov. 23rd- Animal Kingdom/Wilderness Lodge
Breakfast: Roaring Fork or in room
Lunch: Flame Tree BBQ- counter service Parade 3:45
Dinner: 5:45 pm- Whispering Canyon Café in Wilderness Lodge
(~$20) OOP (want to see Electric Water Pageant 9:35)
Monday, Nov. 24th- Hollywood Studios
Breakfast: Counter Service- Captain Cook’s in Polynesian
Lunch: Counter service in park Parade 3:00
Dinner: 3:50- Fantasmic Dinner Package at Mama Melrose’s
Tuesday, Nov. 25th- Magic Kingdom (8:30 am to wake Tink)
Breakfast: Roaring Fork or in room
Lunch: Counter service in park Parade 3:00
Dinner: 5:45 pm- Liberty Tree Tavern (want to see Wishes & SpectroMagic parade 8 pm)
Wednesday, Nov. 26th- POFQ/Downtown Disney/Epcot
Breakfast: POFQ beignets (OOP $3.99-5.99)
Lunch: 1:00- Planet Hollywood in Downtown Disney ($15 voucher and OOP)
Dinner: 5:50 pm- Chip and Dales Harvest Feast -Garden Grill (Epcot-The Land)
Thursday, Nov. 27th- Magic Kingdom and Departure
BBB- MK 8:05 am- Castle Makeover (5 yr old girl)
Breakfast: 10:05 Cinderella’s Royal Table (1 adult, 1 child) OOP
Lunch: Counter Service in park
*OOP- paying out of pocket, not using dining plan credits
__________________
Laura in Austin
Catch my (COMPLETED ) WL trip report here: http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...es-nov-wl.html
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We stayed with my parents that night before since we were flying out of Houston and they live 45 min. from the airport plus they were keeping the dogs for us that week. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 9:15 a.m. so we woke up around 5:30, got off in plenty of time with no problems. Even DD5 woke up extremely early without a complaint and was very excited not only about being in WDW a few hours later but was looking forward to her first ever plane ride!
Everything about the airport was exciting ! The Park-n-Ride, checking our luggage, the security check, even getting breakfast snacks while waiting to board. We were fortunate that we bought our tickets before the baggage limitations and were allowed two checked bags each, which would come in real handy on the return home. I was a bit worried about how she would actually do on the plane and had prepped her beforehand on what all to expect. We took our Pal Mickey in her little backpack with other diversions such as a mini etch-a-sketch and a little Gameboy I had gotten just for the plane ride. She claimed the window seat and was fascinated watching the things grow smaller and smaller as we left the earth.
I had bought a new camera just for the trip. Per the advice of fellow listers, I had made up labels for everything that had my dates of my trip, where we were staying and my cell phone #. I even took the first picture on each memory card with information on where to send them to if they should become lost. I felt confident in my packing, my organization and my knowledge of all things related to a Disney trip. My months of studying were about to pay off in the ultimate test! Would I remember my plan? Would I remember the best places to view Wishes or Illuminations?
Kylie was beginning to get a bit bored now with our flight since she couldn’t really see anything anymore. I was worried about her ears “popping” and kept telling her to chew her gum. We took pictures of her on her “first flight” and some with Pal Mickey, also on his “first flight”. We were provided a snack on the flight, a muffin and drink. To me, any food provided on an airplane is always an exciting and welcome diversion and I was glad to see that my DD5 is following in suit after her DM (dear mother). It wasn’t long before we were starting to descend, and our ears were both really burning. We smacked our gum as hard as we could, while DH looked at us unbelievingly, unaffected, while we started looking for anything on the ground that could be considered Disney.
Soon we were getting off the plane. We were in the middle and of course, being on our way to WDW, were in quite the rush to get off the plane. People behind us were waiting for our little entourage of three to hurry and get out of the way. I was loaded down with my stuff and Kylie’s and after a cursory glance to see if we had left anything behind, we headed into the terminal. We collected our stroller that we bought specifically for this trip at the gate terminal. As an aside, my husband and I had disagreed about the need for a stroller on this trip. When the cost of renting a stroller went up, I went out and promptly bought a bigger umbrella stroller (Chicco Capri) that had a carrying strap and a storage basket underneath for my DD5 that hadn’t needed a stroller in a couple of years (despite the fact that he felt we would just rent one if needed). One will see that having our own stroller through the trip was indispensable and we would’ve been miserable without it!
We gathered our carry on luggage, purse, backpacks, pillows and stroller and begin to head to the Disney’s Magical Express counter. It dawned on me at this point that I didn’t recall seeing the camera bag . We stopped and moved to a quiet space and began to look through everything and discovered that we did not in fact have my new beautiful hot pink camera or new camera bag with 3 additional memory cards . I told my husband and daughter to wait right there and I run back as far as I could, which happened to be at a Continental ticket counter. They called someone who (very rapidly) checked my seat and told me the camera wasn’t there. I checked lost and found in Orlando and Houston multiple times and my camera never did turn up. Someone got them a nice new camera and obviously didn’t care that everything was so carefully labeled or that they potentially ruined our once in a lifetime trip to WDW . I cried as I admitted defeat that the only camera we had brought was gone. I cried as I claimed our passes for Disney’s Magical express and I cried during our bus ride to Wilderness Lodge . Our first trip to the Happiest Place on Earth wasn’t starting out too happy. My DD5 was very concerned about my sadness and had difficulty balancing that with her own enthusiasm and excitement. She told me that she would buy me a new camera, a better camera and a blue camera (since her favorite color was blue). Sweet child. At least the only pictures we had lost were just the one’s of Kylie’s first plane ride…..
__________________
Laura in Austin
Catch my (COMPLETED ) WL trip report here: http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...es-nov-wl.html
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Oh my goodness! What a start!! So to hear about your camera! Hope you were able to make use of the PhotoPass system and that you are able to have a magical time! Looking forward to more
I'm so sorry about your camera! I was afraid that was what the title meant. I'm sure it must have been really devastating when it happened. I'm so glad it happened before all the memories were on the camera though!
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OMG! I can not believe that happened! I left my camera at the drawing studio in Hollywood Studios and realized it about two minutes after we left. I ran back and the camera was not there. I asked the CM in the studio and she asked me to describe it... I told her it was a Sony in a black bag and bingo she had it! Someone saw it and turned it in! I was thrilled - we were five days into our trip.
We were at WDW the same time as you and stayed at WL! We were there Friday 11/21 to Friday 11/28. I started my trip report before Christmas and have neglected it poorly!
Looking forward to reading all about your trip!
Debbie
I am so sorry you lost your new camera. I don't know why people don't realize that someone is looking for it and be honest. My DD lost her hot pink princess fanny pack at an air museum in Pensacola while we were visiting my parents. It had her Nintendo DS and her wallet with 25 dollars in it. It had her name on it, but I didn't put a number or address on it. No one ever turned it in. Now you know they knew it belonged to a little girl. My DGM even sat at the front of the museum for 30 minutes watching people go out. I won't ever understand the mentality of some people.
I hope things get better for you. Can't wait to read more.
After a tearful bus ride, I vowed to not let this unfortunate event ruin my vacation of a lifetime that I had meticulously planned for the past several months. But my every thought was consumed of wanting to take a picture then realizing that I had nothing to do so with. As we pulled up into the Wilderness Lodge, I was awestruck by the grandeur of the place. We stopped immediately inside the door to stand there gaping at our surroundings .
Due to previous research, I knew that we had to go first find Humphrey the bear on the totem pole and rub his nose for good luck. This became our tradition every time we walked past Humphrey to rub his nose, after all one cannot have too much luck and I needed all we could get with the way my day was going.
I went to the front desk to check in while I sent my excited family to explore the lobby. After waiting a few minutes I got a short, not so friendly lady to check me in. I confirmed that we wanted an inner courtyard view off the lobby (hoping for an elusive “bear face” room) and all she could tell me was that my room was ready and it was inner courtyard, over the springs. Yeah, our room was ready! So we ride up the golden elevator to the 4th floor and go and go down the hallway, noting the hidden Mickey’s in the carpet, until we find our room. We go in and start making ourselves at home, meaning my DD5 starts jumping from bed to bed. My husband and I go out on the balcony to look at the courtyard and while he takes in the beautiful view, I take in the fact that if we look down, we’re looking at a green roof and look longingly at the bear face rooms across the way.
I later remember that in my haste that I forgot to see about being a Flag Family in check-in and excuse myself to go back downstairs to check into that. After waiting in line again, I ask about that and they tell me that they are full during our stay and seemingly have never heard of a waiting list. I give up on this idea and then ask if we can change rooms if we are less than thrilled with our view. They said I could come back down in the morning and see what is available. But once our luggage arrived and we filled our room to capacity, I knew there would be no moving. We were okay with our room and happy to call it home for the week. Next time though, I plan to thoroughly check out the view before allowing anyone to “settle” in the room in case we do want to move.
Our luggage arrived shortly after we did so no missing luggage to worry about. We rested for a very short while and then got dressed to go to dinner with Cinderella at 1900 Park Fare and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
__________________
Laura in Austin
Catch my (COMPLETED ) WL trip report here: http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...es-nov-wl.html
<a href="http://www.myvacationcountdown.com/"><img src="http://www.myvacationcountdown.com/tickers/5as1zcb0kjpp3y1h.png" alt="www.MyVacationCountdown.com Ticker" border="0"/></a>
OMG! I can not believe that happened! I left my camera at the drawing studio in Hollywood Studios and realized it about two minutes after we left. I ran back and the camera was not there. I asked the CM in the studio and she asked me to describe it... I told her it was a Sony in a black bag and bingo she had it! Someone saw it and turned it in! I was thrilled - we were five days into our trip.
We were at WDW the same time as you and stayed at WL! We were there Friday 11/21 to Friday 11/28. I started my trip report before Christmas and have neglected it poorly!
Looking forward to reading all about your trip!
Debbie
Hey! We probably saw you! I'm glad you found your camera!
Thanks for all the sympathies. I still haven't replaced that camera as I had planned.....
__________________
Laura in Austin
Catch my (COMPLETED ) WL trip report here: http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...es-nov-wl.html
<a href="http://www.myvacationcountdown.com/"><img src="http://www.myvacationcountdown.com/tickers/5as1zcb0kjpp3y1h.png" alt="www.MyVacationCountdown.com Ticker" border="0"/></a>
About This Page: 
The Trip that Almost had No Memories! Nov. at WL!
Laura in Austin 
) WL trip report here: 
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Day One, the big loss....
. We stopped and moved to a quiet space and began to look through everything and discovered that we did not in fact have my new beautiful hot pink camera or new camera bag with 3 additional memory cards 
. I told my husband and daughter to wait right there and I run back as far as I could, which happened to be at a Continental ticket counter. They called someone who (very rapidly) checked my seat and told me the camera wasn’t there. I checked lost and found in Orlando and Houston multiple times and my camera never did turn up. Someone got them a nice new camera and obviously didn’t care that everything was so carefully labeled or that they potentially ruined our once in a lifetime trip to WDW 
. I cried as I admitted defeat that the only camera we had brought was gone. I cried as I claimed our passes for Disney’s Magical express and I cried during our bus ride to Wilderness Lodge 
. Our first trip to the Happiest Place on Earth wasn’t starting out too happy. My DD5 was very concerned about my sadness and had difficulty balancing that with her own enthusiasm and excitement. She told me that she would buy me a new camera, a better camera and a blue camera (since her favorite color was blue). Sweet child. At least the only pictures we had lost were just the one’s of Kylie’s first plane ride…..
to hear about your camera! Hope you were able to make use of the PhotoPass system and that you are able to have a magical time! Looking forward to more
Liz 
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