Today we were checking out of CSR and into WL. We decided not to do any parks, just resort stuff. First, we went into the CSR grocery store to get some takeout for breakfast. They have black wrought iron tables right next to the lake, sort of "Epcot looking" on a wide patio. There never seemed to be much eating going in there and we soon found out why. As soon as we sat down, the mockingbird and blackbird families decided to join us and agressively beg for food. We ate hunched over, then decided to pose for photos along the railing, with a lovely vista of the lake and the cabanas off in the distance. Mistake #2: we inadvertently touched the rail and ended up covered with bird you-know-what!
After cleaning up and changing, we rented a surrey bike. We have done this before, and I must say CSR is one of the best resorts to do this because it is very spread out and so beautiful it should be explored fully. We went all around the resort, including the nature trail. We had to park the bike to do the nature trail, but it was neat. There is a wide boardwalk there and it is very peaceful and quiet. There is thick moss on the water and hanging from the trees. We saw 2 ducks in the water. We managed to circle the lake twice , plus walk the trail during our half-hour rental.
By now it was 11:00 and we decided to head for WL. We hopped on the MK bus, then took the boat to WL. We had a "woods view" room reserved, and had made no room request. Upon arrival we asked for a bunk bed room and they had one ready, so we took it. It was on the fourth floor overlooking the villas, room 4164. My kids are heavily into the "hidden Mickey" search at WL, and were thrilled to see a hidden Mickey carved into the post outside our room! (Note: you can only see it from the walkway outside - they don't want the kids leaning over the rail to see them!)
In the early afternoon, the girls decided to take an arts and crafts class at the tables behind the Trout Pass Bar (outdoors). The class was taught by a wonderful cast member named Cassandra from Trinidad and Tobago. She was in an international program and lived with other cast members from Croatia, Scotland, Japan, and other countries. She had been there for 8 months and was looking forward to going home because she found Florida too cold, and she missed the "family oriented non-workaholic" lifestyle of her country. We had fun talking with her, and the girls made beautiful dreamcatchers.
After a swim in the main pool, we went to dinner at WCC. Our server was the famous Jeffro ("don't call me Jethro") Bodean. We usually get the "all you can eat" special, but decided not to this time. I actually ordered a vegetarian dish which was very good, and my DH got pork chops, which were excellent, but a very large serving. DD#1 went for mac & cheese and potatoes (the "all starch" special, and DD#2 (the picky one) got a triple decker peanut-butter-with-no-jelly sandwhich. Jeffro said the kids could have worms-in-dirt if they finished all their food. Of course, DD#2 could not finish her sandwhich, so Jeffro ate it for her! Now that's a waiter! They did the usual stick horse race and ketchup deal, then Jeffro came out with the worms-in-dirt and went to all the other tables asking "did you order this?" while DD#2 chased him, with her napkin tied around her head like a bandanna. Fun was had by all.
Upon checkin, we had been given a list of activities which included a "Hayride into the Wilderness" at 8:30, so we went outside to meet the wagon. It was a large open wagon pulled by 2 huge and beautiful Belgian horse. Ther were about 5 families going (it was not full). We rode the trail between the WL and Fort Wilderness, under a full moon, with only the sound of the horses hoooves clip-clopping on the path. Very peaceful and romantic. The driver pulled over at the FW lake so we could watch the MK fireworks. This was a wonderful surprise, we had a great view of them! Then we rode back, and all the kids fell asleep to the rhythmic sound of the horse hooves.
We were surprised that something so wonderful and free was not filled to capacity; we found out that it was brand new that week (the first week of November), and something they were trying out in conjunction with the openning of the villas. It was not advertised, just quietly listed on the WL check-in materials. No mention was made of the fireworks viewing. I don't know if they still do this, or if it is still free, but I recommend it as a fun thing to do, with or without the wee ones!
When we got back, we woke the kids and went down to the beach to watch the electric parade before going back to out room. All in all a very relaxing and enjoyable day a Disney (hey, no waiting in lines!).
Tommorrow:A full day at WL.
After cleaning up and changing, we rented a surrey bike. We have done this before, and I must say CSR is one of the best resorts to do this because it is very spread out and so beautiful it should be explored fully. We went all around the resort, including the nature trail. We had to park the bike to do the nature trail, but it was neat. There is a wide boardwalk there and it is very peaceful and quiet. There is thick moss on the water and hanging from the trees. We saw 2 ducks in the water. We managed to circle the lake twice , plus walk the trail during our half-hour rental.
By now it was 11:00 and we decided to head for WL. We hopped on the MK bus, then took the boat to WL. We had a "woods view" room reserved, and had made no room request. Upon arrival we asked for a bunk bed room and they had one ready, so we took it. It was on the fourth floor overlooking the villas, room 4164. My kids are heavily into the "hidden Mickey" search at WL, and were thrilled to see a hidden Mickey carved into the post outside our room! (Note: you can only see it from the walkway outside - they don't want the kids leaning over the rail to see them!)
In the early afternoon, the girls decided to take an arts and crafts class at the tables behind the Trout Pass Bar (outdoors). The class was taught by a wonderful cast member named Cassandra from Trinidad and Tobago. She was in an international program and lived with other cast members from Croatia, Scotland, Japan, and other countries. She had been there for 8 months and was looking forward to going home because she found Florida too cold, and she missed the "family oriented non-workaholic" lifestyle of her country. We had fun talking with her, and the girls made beautiful dreamcatchers.
After a swim in the main pool, we went to dinner at WCC. Our server was the famous Jeffro ("don't call me Jethro") Bodean. We usually get the "all you can eat" special, but decided not to this time. I actually ordered a vegetarian dish which was very good, and my DH got pork chops, which were excellent, but a very large serving. DD#1 went for mac & cheese and potatoes (the "all starch" special, and DD#2 (the picky one) got a triple decker peanut-butter-with-no-jelly sandwhich. Jeffro said the kids could have worms-in-dirt if they finished all their food. Of course, DD#2 could not finish her sandwhich, so Jeffro ate it for her! Now that's a waiter! They did the usual stick horse race and ketchup deal, then Jeffro came out with the worms-in-dirt and went to all the other tables asking "did you order this?" while DD#2 chased him, with her napkin tied around her head like a bandanna. Fun was had by all.
Upon checkin, we had been given a list of activities which included a "Hayride into the Wilderness" at 8:30, so we went outside to meet the wagon. It was a large open wagon pulled by 2 huge and beautiful Belgian horse. Ther were about 5 families going (it was not full). We rode the trail between the WL and Fort Wilderness, under a full moon, with only the sound of the horses hoooves clip-clopping on the path. Very peaceful and romantic. The driver pulled over at the FW lake so we could watch the MK fireworks. This was a wonderful surprise, we had a great view of them! Then we rode back, and all the kids fell asleep to the rhythmic sound of the horse hooves.
We were surprised that something so wonderful and free was not filled to capacity; we found out that it was brand new that week (the first week of November), and something they were trying out in conjunction with the openning of the villas. It was not advertised, just quietly listed on the WL check-in materials. No mention was made of the fireworks viewing. I don't know if they still do this, or if it is still free, but I recommend it as a fun thing to do, with or without the wee ones!
When we got back, we woke the kids and went down to the beach to watch the electric parade before going back to out room. All in all a very relaxing and enjoyable day a Disney (hey, no waiting in lines!).
Tommorrow:A full day at WL.
