Momof3greatkids
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2004
We just returned from our Quest for the West. I will try and give everyone a general overview. Please let me know about specific questions, and I will do my best to answer.
I will start with the only 2 negatives we had. First, there is a big mosquito problem in Wyoming this time of the year. Jackson Hole was not a problem, but Yellowstone and Brooks Lake Lodge where absolutely the worst I have ever encountered for mosquitos. Take some OFF, if you are going in this time frame. They are supposed to disappear in the next few weeks, but it is a real problem now. Second, BE AWARE, that at Brooks Lake Lodge all rooms are not equal. The Lodge does not have enough space for everyone to have a cabin. So, some guests are put in fairly small rooms, and others are given cabins with multiple bedrooms, sitting area, woodstove, and porch. While this is somewhat based on party size, we had one family of 3 in a small corner room, and a party of 2 each with there own separate room and sitting area. Disney charges the same no matter what you get. I did bring this up with the guides, because I felt like it was unfair with everyone paying the same.
Please note the altitude ranges from 7200 feet to 9500 feet so be prepared to cope with that. Disney recommends reducing your caffeine and alcohol intake, drink plenty of water, have sunscreen, and lip balm. Disney does provide plenty of water, sunscreen, and OFF for its guests.
Jackson Hole is a lovely town, and we arrived a day early. We spent time at the Alpine Slide and Maze, which is great for kids. The Scenic overlook was absolutely beautiful. The town has some very overpriced dining, and some good places that are more reasonable. So, be sure and ask you guide for advice. Also, know that the closest grocery or drug store is a couple of miles from town. The shops are more the tourist, food, and sporting type. The Wort is an absolutely beautiful hotel, with great service, and Air Conditioning. Whitewater rafting was a big hit with everyone. There is one Class 3 rapid, and the rest are 2’s – 2 ½ depending on the snow melt at the time. The Playhouse lunch was good, and included singing cowboys, and salon girls. There is a cowboy shootout at 6:00 p.m. everyday, in the town square..
The Grand Teton’s are stunning, and included a ferry ride, a hike to an amazing waterfall, and an overlook over Jenny Lake. A picnic lunch of a sandwich, chips, and cookie are provided. Yellowstone is another 2 hours or so away. There is a lot of construction and traffic along the way. West Thumb, which is the stop on the way to Old Faithful, was the least interesting. The Upper Geyser Basin and Fountain Paint Pot Trails where much more interesting to see. A private guide is provided on the second day when you see these areas. The Snow Lodge is OK, it was a better than average national park room. There is no AC or TV. The room was stuffy on the first night. A small fan is provided. The Disney welcome dinner was very good, but the second night at Old Faithful Dining Room, was not given high marks by our group. Overpriced, with subpar food. A bus tour of the lower loop is given the next day. A beautiful hike around the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone follows. Lunch was at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel. It was excellent, and the desserts are awesome. It was actually a much nicer area, than the Old Faithful area. It was much less crowded also. However, I am sure Disney wants its guest to stay in the middle of the action. However, most of our group thought the Lake Area was superior. Our group saw many different animals including a Grizzly Bear, which was very exciting to everyone.
The ride to Brooks Lake Lodge was 3 ½ hours long. A movie is shown to pass the time, and snacks are given out. However, be sure and go to the bathroom first. Disney doesn’t encourage using the restroom on the bus except in cases of emergency. They had some complaints about smells in the past. Not pleasant to think about, but that is what we where told. Brooks Lake Lodge setting is beautiful. There is a live webcam, if you want a sneak peek. The rooms are all decorated very well. The only problem is the above mentioned space discrepancy. The food is very good. Tea is everyday at 4:30, and included cheese, crackers, fruit, and cookies. Dinner was 3 options, each night, including elk, fish, pork loin, eggplant, and pasta. The desserts where divine, and included huckleberry milkshakes, and turtle cheesecake to name a few. Wine is included on the last night. A cash bar was available at other times. We don’t drink, so I don’t know the prices. The first night included a singing cowboy for the adults, and a campfire and movie (Brother Bear) for the kids. They also had a lot of games for the kids, including a twister competition. The horseback ride has amazing scenery, but was 2 hours long. This sent many people to the hot tub. The ride includes crossing streams, and having your horse walk along the edge of a steep hill. Fishing in the pond or lake is also available. You can Fly Fish or rod and reel. It was a big mosquito area though. The pond was well stocked, but only about half the people had any luck catching anything. There is a spa, but very little time to use it. Fishing on the Lake required you to purchase a license. I don’t know the price.
The return to Jackson Hole is almost 2 hours. You do not have to leave after noon as Disney reservation tells you. The ranch provides transportation in their vans, and you leave based on your flight time. We unfortunately changed our flight when it was not necessary.
Our guides where Daniel and Landon. They did a very good job, and tried very hard to please everyone. The trip was overall an excellent adventure. The weather is very pleasant. Low humidity, and temps with highs in the 60’s or 70’s. Lows where in the 30’s to 40’s. The scenery is truly amazing, and Disney does most things first class.
Happy Trails and have a great Quest for the West!!!
I will start with the only 2 negatives we had. First, there is a big mosquito problem in Wyoming this time of the year. Jackson Hole was not a problem, but Yellowstone and Brooks Lake Lodge where absolutely the worst I have ever encountered for mosquitos. Take some OFF, if you are going in this time frame. They are supposed to disappear in the next few weeks, but it is a real problem now. Second, BE AWARE, that at Brooks Lake Lodge all rooms are not equal. The Lodge does not have enough space for everyone to have a cabin. So, some guests are put in fairly small rooms, and others are given cabins with multiple bedrooms, sitting area, woodstove, and porch. While this is somewhat based on party size, we had one family of 3 in a small corner room, and a party of 2 each with there own separate room and sitting area. Disney charges the same no matter what you get. I did bring this up with the guides, because I felt like it was unfair with everyone paying the same.
Please note the altitude ranges from 7200 feet to 9500 feet so be prepared to cope with that. Disney recommends reducing your caffeine and alcohol intake, drink plenty of water, have sunscreen, and lip balm. Disney does provide plenty of water, sunscreen, and OFF for its guests.
Jackson Hole is a lovely town, and we arrived a day early. We spent time at the Alpine Slide and Maze, which is great for kids. The Scenic overlook was absolutely beautiful. The town has some very overpriced dining, and some good places that are more reasonable. So, be sure and ask you guide for advice. Also, know that the closest grocery or drug store is a couple of miles from town. The shops are more the tourist, food, and sporting type. The Wort is an absolutely beautiful hotel, with great service, and Air Conditioning. Whitewater rafting was a big hit with everyone. There is one Class 3 rapid, and the rest are 2’s – 2 ½ depending on the snow melt at the time. The Playhouse lunch was good, and included singing cowboys, and salon girls. There is a cowboy shootout at 6:00 p.m. everyday, in the town square..
The Grand Teton’s are stunning, and included a ferry ride, a hike to an amazing waterfall, and an overlook over Jenny Lake. A picnic lunch of a sandwich, chips, and cookie are provided. Yellowstone is another 2 hours or so away. There is a lot of construction and traffic along the way. West Thumb, which is the stop on the way to Old Faithful, was the least interesting. The Upper Geyser Basin and Fountain Paint Pot Trails where much more interesting to see. A private guide is provided on the second day when you see these areas. The Snow Lodge is OK, it was a better than average national park room. There is no AC or TV. The room was stuffy on the first night. A small fan is provided. The Disney welcome dinner was very good, but the second night at Old Faithful Dining Room, was not given high marks by our group. Overpriced, with subpar food. A bus tour of the lower loop is given the next day. A beautiful hike around the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone follows. Lunch was at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel. It was excellent, and the desserts are awesome. It was actually a much nicer area, than the Old Faithful area. It was much less crowded also. However, I am sure Disney wants its guest to stay in the middle of the action. However, most of our group thought the Lake Area was superior. Our group saw many different animals including a Grizzly Bear, which was very exciting to everyone.
The ride to Brooks Lake Lodge was 3 ½ hours long. A movie is shown to pass the time, and snacks are given out. However, be sure and go to the bathroom first. Disney doesn’t encourage using the restroom on the bus except in cases of emergency. They had some complaints about smells in the past. Not pleasant to think about, but that is what we where told. Brooks Lake Lodge setting is beautiful. There is a live webcam, if you want a sneak peek. The rooms are all decorated very well. The only problem is the above mentioned space discrepancy. The food is very good. Tea is everyday at 4:30, and included cheese, crackers, fruit, and cookies. Dinner was 3 options, each night, including elk, fish, pork loin, eggplant, and pasta. The desserts where divine, and included huckleberry milkshakes, and turtle cheesecake to name a few. Wine is included on the last night. A cash bar was available at other times. We don’t drink, so I don’t know the prices. The first night included a singing cowboy for the adults, and a campfire and movie (Brother Bear) for the kids. They also had a lot of games for the kids, including a twister competition. The horseback ride has amazing scenery, but was 2 hours long. This sent many people to the hot tub. The ride includes crossing streams, and having your horse walk along the edge of a steep hill. Fishing in the pond or lake is also available. You can Fly Fish or rod and reel. It was a big mosquito area though. The pond was well stocked, but only about half the people had any luck catching anything. There is a spa, but very little time to use it. Fishing on the Lake required you to purchase a license. I don’t know the price.
The return to Jackson Hole is almost 2 hours. You do not have to leave after noon as Disney reservation tells you. The ranch provides transportation in their vans, and you leave based on your flight time. We unfortunately changed our flight when it was not necessary.
Our guides where Daniel and Landon. They did a very good job, and tried very hard to please everyone. The trip was overall an excellent adventure. The weather is very pleasant. Low humidity, and temps with highs in the 60’s or 70’s. Lows where in the 30’s to 40’s. The scenery is truly amazing, and Disney does most things first class.
Happy Trails and have a great Quest for the West!!!
