Since the rain was still coming down we decided to hop over to the DVC models. They are open everyday for a couple of hours for current DVC members to tour and the Disney Family was our ticket in. The question was how to get there? We had a minivan with 4 adults and 7 kids. Shhhh . . . dont tell anyone, but I suggested we all crowd in like we did back in high school. You all know what Im talking about.
I drove a 1976 Honda Civic (it was old even then) and one time we got 9 people in that little car! Oh the glory days.
Anyway everyone agreed with my bad parenting suggestion. The big boys thought it was pretty much the coolest thing in the world that they all got to ride in the very back of the van. We were responsible enough to put the 3 year old in his carseat, the Men sat up front and the rest of us squeezed in. It was a short ride and we all survived. We arrived at the models and had fun looking around. The AKV model is just beautiful and Im really hoping we get to stay in one in January 2011. (I know its a long way off.) Here is Wendy on the balcony.
At one point all the kids went out on the balcony and shut the door. It was fabulous. It was so quiet! (Thats something we dont experience too often.)
The BLT models were very nice as well, but the Studios seemed really small to me. And the bathroom/kitchenette layout was really strange. In one room is the toilet and shower. Then in an adjoining room is the vanity and the kitchenette. Im not quite sure what they were thinking.
I guess they wanted to separate the vanity from the shower and toilet, but Im not sure I want someone doing their hair and makeup in the same space that Im preparing my breakfast. Im actually staying in a BLT Studio with BDF in January so I guess well see how I like it then.
After our DVC visit everyone was starving so we decided to head to Earl of Sandwich for dinner. But it was still raining so we had to wait for a bus. The Disney Family always has a car at the World so they werent too excited about having to take a Disney bus with the masses, but parking is bad at DTD so what are you gonna do? We headed to the bus stop and waited. And waited. And waited. And every bus but ours came at least two times.
And we waited. It had been about 30 minutes when BDF remembered she had a number to call if you were having transportation problems. I called the number and told the operator where we were and how long wed been waiting. She said she would get right on it. About 20 seconds later a DTD bus pulled right up.
That is service for you! Everyone at our bus stop was impressed with my influence.
After our adventure we finally made it to Earl of Sandwich. This was our first time, but the Disney Family are regulars here and I can see why! Yummy! We had a great meal and we even all sat at the giant table! Perfect.
It had finally quit raining and we decided wed head over to the World of Disney for a few minutes. I was on the hunt for frames from each park and I thought this would be a good spot. Well it wasnt.
Oh well. We all browsed for a bit. BDF bought a little something, but the Darling Family walked away empty handed. Next stop Goofys Candy Company. We would not be walking away empty handed from there! Look at this treat. We didn't buy it.
We had a few snack credits to use up and we had a grand time deciding on and watching our creations being made. (Current reports are that snack credits have really been cut back with the Make Your Own, but they were still doing them full blown when we were there.)
John and LB#2 showed more interest in the candy bars.
Here are the final products
Even DH got one this time. They are in order by age. We were all pretty full from EOS so we got these to go and ate them the next morning. Since the weather had cleared we figured the pool had finally opened back up. So everyone but Wendy and I headed back to get on their suits and head to the pool. Wendy and I stayed a few extra minutes to check out the Days of Christmas store. Lots of cute ornaments but all the figures were connected to glass balls. I really didnt see these making it home safely plus I wasnt sure there would be room so we passed on the ornaments. Wendy and I had a nice walk back to our villa. It took around 7 minutes which made me chuckle a little considering wed waited 30 minutes for the bus.
We changed into our suits and headed to SSRs main pool.
It was around 9:00 and the pool had just opened up. It was a real nice pool. Of course it is no Stormalong Bay, but they had a smaller waterslide that John actually rode and loved. He was braver because his friends were there. Michael didnt need any persuasion of course.
At one point he decided going down feet first was getting boring so he came plummeting down on his stomach head first. Of course the lifeguard blew the whistle and we had to explain to him that is against the rules. He thought about that for a while and then later told DH, Dad, sometimes its fun to break the rules.
DH had to try real hard to keep from laughing because that is a true fact. We may be in trouble in about 10 years!
Wendy had a fabulous night here because she actually made friends with some girls!!!!
This was something she hadnt had for the entire trip. Girls to actually play with! That is one disadvantage to Stormalong Bay. It was just so big that it didnt really invite friend making (though the boys made a friend one day in the sand/kiddie area.) Anyway Wendy had fun playing with her new found friends and of course the boys had fun with their old friends. LB#4 took a liking to Michael and was very cute as he followed him around the pool trying to keep up.
Us adults had a nice night too as we just talked and relaxed while the kids played.
Before we knew it the lifeguards were packed up and it was 10:30. Time to hit the sack. We sadly said goodbye to the Disney family, our best neighbors ever.
But we were so grateful for the magical time we had together in our favorite place. As BDFDH put it, At least we got to be neighbors again for a little while. We sure do love that family.
We headed back to our villa and pulled out the fold out couch for the kids. They had no trouble all fitting on it. (FYI: All 5 of us were on the reservation. Disney had no problem with that though the stated occupancy is 4. There was no bedding or towels for 5, but we just gave up one of the extra pillows on the King sized bed and the boys shared a towel.)
DH and I happily retreated to our own room and king size bed. That is the way to travel!
We closed our eyes to enjoy our last night in that magical place.
Next up: Our final Disney Day
Saratoga looks really cool, just looked it up on WDW and it is huge! I love the sound of a whirpool bathtub 
