Cruisin into Spring Training-VWL & 4 Nt Dream 3/22-28/13 COMPLETE! 8/11

[podsnel]

It was HERE!!! CRUISE DAY!!! the very BEST day of all!

No surprise, I was up before the alarm, showered, and out the door before 7 I think to return the car.

In case you were wondering, there is not a big line at the car rental on Sunday mornings as the sun is rising. And you get your own personal shuttle ride back to VWL! With a very nice driver- who was from Alaska and recommends it highly as the most beautiful place on earth.

Back at the Lodge, Timmy was still asleep- it was around 7, I think- so I decided to go on a little photowalk around the resort.

I hope you want to see pics of the WL and VWL- cuz I took a few....



Looking out the window at the end of the hallway near the pool-













This was in the Carolwood Pacific Room- Timmy was admiring these tables the night before- he is a fan of checkers/chess/board games, and I think on a longer stay he would be in here daily with some of the rest of us.









It's a very cozy space.



Walt's Cars-









Cont'd next post....

 

[kid-at-heart]

The dumpster view. Which I guess is technically NOT, because we were on the 2nd floor, or they moved the dumpster. But a service view none-the-less. But who cares? We will barely be here to enjoy the dumpster view this visit, and we have had great view Karma in the past, we were due for the dumpster!

Yea, another report! The dumpster view, I know we all accept "bad" views, but I cannot help but think, this is Disney, there should be no bad views. Surely Disney can make dumpsters and service areas look fun and create some type of fantasy in the area.

By the way, did I miss a report on your AKL grand villa trip?

Kate

 

[podsnel]

Outside the Sturdy Branches workout area-















Time to head out....







As you can see, it was not the most beautiful of days- but you can't change the weather, so I just focused on the fact that the weather wasn't THAT bad- I mean, it was not like a TORNADO was blowing through or anything...









Ok...now THIS is what I'm talkin about! LOVELY morning, really! Just listen...

Click to play










More later!

 

[podsnel]

Yea, another report! The dumpster view, I know we all accept "bad" views, but I cannot help but think, this is Disney, there should be no bad views. Surely Disney can make dumpsters and service areas look fun and create some type fantasy in the area.

By the way, did I miss a report on your AKL grand villa trip?

Kate

Hey Kate! No...you didn't miss the GV- I plan to tack it on the end of Aulani, just some pics- but between Aulani, the Dismoms one, then starting this, I kind of ran out of typing time!

HOW WAS YOUR CRUISE?????????

 

[podsnel]

Well, I still have a few more. MEK had suggested I do the tour while I was there- but, unfortunately, it is offered at 9am only and I was on a very tight schedule this trip. Next time, I will make that tour a priority!
































Time to head back and get sleepy Timmy to begin our day....



Click to play....



Ahhh...love the music and those twinkling lights!

When I got back, Timmy was up and showering, it was just about 8. When he got out, he said, "Oh yeah- they called and said they need to come and get the luggage, you need to call right away." Again, ok, but- could ya give me a few details more than 2 minutes ahead? My luggage was all ready to go- and sitting by the door- but to be honest, I was not aware i needed to be here for them to get it. What is we were at breakfast? Or rope drop? All they told me was that they would begin picking up luggage in our hotel at 8am. The next line should have been
We will call you and come to your room to pick it up, you will need to be there. The way the letter was worded, I thought they would be knocking on the door and if no one answered they would just open it and take the luggage they told me to put right by the door. But, whatever...now I KNOW in case I ever do this again. And SO do YOU!

Up next- breakfast and a bike ride.....

 

[JKSWonder]

First...the video of the pool. It looks relaxing, it sounds relaxing....damn, why is my vacation so freaking far away?!

Second, we have always used DCL transport for cruises and they have always just taken our luggage from the room. We never had to be there. In fact, I don't think we ever have been...we are usually at breakfast. We just left it packed, right inside the door of our room and they took it. Just like Magical Express.

 

[rentayenta]

The WL is so pretty. I've put off staying there as we live in Utah and the whole state looks like that but it really is so beautiful. As I look out my window at work right now, it's green and lush and gorgeous. Spring has sprung.

Timmy looks exhausted. Glad you enjoyed dinner though. Looks wonderful.

Can't wait to read all about the cruise.

 

[podsnel]

Time for us to leave the room and get something to eat- soon it was time for-



Thanks Lisa & Allison for helping me out with this one!

We had an ADR at Whispering Canyon- which we ended up cancelling when we found out what time we had to be in the lobby for the DCL bus. Timmy wanted to do 2 things- drive one of the sea mice on Bay Lake, and then ride bikes over to Ft Wilderness if there was enough time. First, though, we went for breakfast at Roaring Forks-



Today we would be sharing a Bounty Platter - with scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, pancakes and a biscuit $8.29



Also a cheese Danish, which I cut in two, then put back together for the pic-





A large family sitting next to us remarked on our shirts- they would be going on the same cruise! And so we chatted...and then I never saw them again! Anyway, breakfast done, we went down to rent a boat. EXCEPT....unfortunately, boats do not get rented until 11 am. Sorry Tim- it's choice #2, a bike ride.





Of course, the NICEST CM was helping us with the bikes. He said he has been trying to talk his wife into cruising on DCL, but she is afraid. I told him to keep at her, it is the BEST vacation even for the Mom. He said CMs get to cruise for $85/pp/per day, when there is availability.

Umm, hello, Disney Store at the mall? Are you hiring?? WOW is that great!

We hopped on our bikes, and went on our way to find Ft Wilderness...







It really was such a grey day, wasn't it?



We went to check out the stables- our first horse was



And I will not post the first pic of Bill because...well, Bill is a BIG BOY. And i am pretty sure just how big he is can't be posted here on the DIS. But here he is a little later in pic #2-



This was Doug, I think-



Then there was-



Fortunately, Brady knew the difference between timothy hay and Timothy...



These two were having fun outside-



Timmy thought these ponies were cool because most of them had blue eyes-





Timmy and the teeny tiny ladder i told him he had to climb if he wanted a pony ride..



Cont'd next post-

 

[podsnel]

We enjoyed seeing the horses and ponies- Timmy actually said he has never touched one before- but he has, he just doesn't remember. So we'll have to arrange a horse ride somewhere, someday.



More riding and exploring-



And yes, I do know his bike seat is too low, but he would not change it.



I asked him if he remembered coming here to the Hoop de Do Review, and he said no- he doesn't remember any of this at all.



Cool! I guess that means we can come back!





See? I told you he's a sucker for a game of checkers-







Really nice over there- I am so glad we went! Back through the woods, it was time to hand in our bikes...





It was just past 11- but no time for a boat ride this trip, because we have a MUCH bigger boat to get to, Tim! On our way back up to the lobby, we saw-



And I was so happy to finish our time here with a fake geyser sighting- I have always missed it in the past. It was nearly as cool as finishing up Hawaii with a real monk seal!

OMG...is that the sun?????



We checked in at the lobby with DCL, and wandered around until it was time to go. By the way, does anyone know what the heck this cookie is?



The CM who checked us in-





I went outside, and guess what I saw???



Bye bye VWL! Time to cruise!!!!

 

[luvslikepi]

Bye bye VWL! Time to cruise!!!!

WHOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOO!!!!! Sorry, after getting back from our cruise last Thursday, I get a little excited.

 

[podsnel]

First...the video of the pool. It looks relaxing, it sounds relaxing....damn, why is my vacation so freaking far away?!

Second, we have always used DCL transport for cruises and they have always just taken our luggage from the room. We never had to be there. In fact, I don't think we ever have been...we are usually at breakfast. We just left it packed, right inside the door of our room and they took it. Just like Magical Express.

Well, that is good to know- but I think I like going by private car and leaving by the bus better. Because Tim said they called to come pick it up and woke him up, which he had to get up anyway, but, he said that they told him to have me call them to pick up the luggage. Now I think I would be worried that if I just left it there and didn't make sure they got it, it might not make it to the ship- KWIM? I was kind of figuring they have keys, they could just come in and get the luggage- but they did not do that. Maybe if Tim had not answered the call, that is what would have happened. Anyway....

The WL is so pretty. I've put off staying there as we live in Utah and the whole state looks like that but it really is so beautiful. As I look out my window at work right now, it's green and lush and gorgeous. Spring has sprung.

I have always heard that Utah is gorgeous! Spring is slowly springing here, but today it is 50 degrees again and we are all a bit tired of wearing down coats and blankets at windy baseball games!

Timmy looks exhausted. Glad you enjoyed dinner though. Looks wonderful.

Can't wait to read all about the cruise.

Well, hopefully you will, soon!

 

[podsnel]

WHOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOO!!!!! Sorry, after getting back from our cruise last Thursday, I get a little excited.

I know- it's the BEST vacation- I am so sad we had to cancel the one we were booked on for next week!

 

[rentayenta]

That yellow cookie is Minnie's shoe. Chloe has the slippers.

 

[acpalmer]

I think that cookie is Minnie's shoe.

 

[CRdisMom]

that whole resort is so relaxing. Katie ended up sleeping on one of the couches outside of whispering canyon. She was so tired and just couldn't make it through dinner so I sat with her out there. I almost fell asleep too. I love that place. I am having I do know I LOVE the deluxe resorts soooo much better than the value ones. I am hoping for a great bounce back deal when we are there as Tim has given me the go ahead to start planning next May's family trip....woooo---hooooo!!!!

SINGLE DIGIT DANCE FOR YOU

 

[jenseib]

You have been cranking out the updates, but I am finally caught up!!!!

I would be annoyed with the lack of communication about transporting to the cruise and luggage too.

Your surprise looks great. I can't watch videos on my laptop, so I will have to check them out later on my desktop.

 

[Cheryl726]

Your pics of VWL are great, makes me want to go back there again! I'm really looking forward to reading about the cruise, just love DCL!

 

[eandesmom]

Dang, Jenny beat me on the cookie.

What a fun morning! I love that. I really want to spend some time exploring the Fort in Dec. Even though we stayed in the cabins we never made it to the trails, or the Tri Circle D...or the campfire or..

One of the best things you can do is explore the resorts like you did on bikes, how very very fun.

 

[papertraveller]

Thanks Ellen - so loving the trip report. We were at VWL after our cruise in March, and it's wonderful to see your photos. We own at BLT, but I think this is my second favourite. It's so peaceful.

You mentioned earlier that you had to call in advance to get your car from Alamo at the Car Care Center. How much notice do they need?

I'm also curious to know how far in advance you booked the car. I have a one-day reservation in August that I'm still trying to whittle the price down on.

Also, our March trip is going to be a spring training tour, including Lakeland to see my husband's beloved Tigers. How much in advance did you order those tickets to get the prime seats beside Helen?!!

Thanks. Can't wait to see the ship. We soooo loved the Fantasy.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Wilderness Lodge is beautiful, reminds me so much of El Tovar. I would love to stay at the Grand Canyon, but it's a couple year or more wait time.

Yeah those horses can be really big! Got to keep these boards clean, LOL. Why not rent horses at Fort Wilderness? I keep saying I'm going to do it, but never find the time.