I Kicked it I Played it and now..Wheeling & Dealing at the WL final 9/9 p87/88

[MEK]

Everyone looks like they had a ball!

It was a great trip. We are already plotting our return!

Everyone looks so relaxed and happy!!!

For some reason, I am craving crab cakes now. LOL!

We were happy and relaxed and those crab cakes - well, I owe it to Ellen. It helps to have friends who are foodies here on the boards!

Finally all caught up! I'm glad I went all the way back, I would have missed all those amazing pictures! You really have an eye for capturing a great shot! Your pictures from the nature trail at OBX are just breathtaking!!

I'm glad you got all caught up and that you enjoyed the pictures. I had such fun taking them. I went a little overboard at the OBX. I started taking pictures of everything! lol!

Also, I saw your youtube videos - you have a beautiful voice! If you don't mind, I might share them with my dad. He sings at our church (Catholic, also), so I think he'd like them.

Thank you and, by all means, please share with your dad. That's why I posted them. I want to do some more videos with some of my original music. I have set a lot of the psalms to music and I really enjoy doing that. I love the words to the various psalms and trying to write music to capture their meaning is so interesting to me. I think you can twist the words around a bit and really make them come to life with the right setting.

Everyone looks so happy and relaxed...bare feet or sandals on the beach - gotta love that! Glad to hear you had a great time!

It was such a fun vacation. Really different from Disney, but in a good way. It was a throwback to a simpler time.

Looks like the trip was a blast! [/QUOTE

We all got along great and everyone had a really fun time!!!!!

Glad you all had such a wonderful time

We really did, I think the trip exceeded my expectations. It was so relaxing!

What great pictures!! Everyone looks so happy and relaxed....so nice

Glad you enjoyed the pictures. We really were happy and relaxed. It was a great week!

Everyone looks so tanned and happy. What a great vacation!! I'd love to rent a house with a few friends one summer. Thanks for sharing it with us.

We got a lot of sun! almost too much if there can be such a thing. Thank goodness for beach umbrellas. I highly recommend a beach house rental. Its a nice change of pace.

Mary Ellen, everyone looks so relaxed, tan and happy. It looks like a most successful trip.

Successful - that is actually a great word to describe the trip. You never actually know what's going to happen when so many people congregate together, but things went off without a hitch. Well, without any major hitches.

 

[MEK]

Well, friends, my trip report has taken a few twists and turns along the way. Mostly because I have been blessed by being able to take several mini.maxi vacations this summer. Since my May Disney trip I have been to Albany / Saratoga Springs NY, Nashville, Tennessee, and Corolla, NC in the Outer Bank. I feel like one major traveler. Just when I figured I could use a break my ME tags arrived in the mail today. In less than 5 weeks I will be back in the world and our four night stay is now a 5 night stay thanks to low SWA flight prices and an extra night at POFQ paid for with my AAA rebate certificates. So with a September 11th departure day looming on the horizon, I think its best that I wrap this puppy up.

I want to finish showing you pictures of Nashville and, of course, I want to show you some more OBX pics, but I think I should finish my last day at Disney first. Then we can go back and see some of my side trip pics while I share my final thoughts and my September plans. I figure I have enough material to keep me busy up to departure day and then when I get back it will be time for yet another trippie.

I see a lot of people updated tonight and as much as i want to read each and every update, I have decided to push forward with my own TR. So without further adieu - Our Last Day.....

Which, by the way, was Friday May 7th, which happened to be my birthday. But, for whatever reason, I was not really in the birthday mood. I woke up sort of grumpy because I knew our park time had ended. Even though our flight wasn't until about 7pm, we had decided to make our last day a pool day so we could see our Daytona Beach friends. They had invited us to spend the day there, but we though wiser given that we had to pack up and all. It would have made for a rushed day. So we agreed that they would come see us and we would have a pool day.

So when I, Miss Grumpy, arose Friday morning I decided I needed to go for one more run. I wanted to explore the paths again. It was an enjoyable, although short run. I wanted to get done in time to finish packing and to take the lodge tour. For those of you who don't know, the WL offers tours most days of the week at 9am. The tours are led by Ranger Joe and include little known facts about the lodge and the villas. If you remember, Chuck, Cathy, and Denny took the tour on Thursday (while I was at my ill fated AI audition). They raved about how great the tour was so I knew it was a must-see.

I arrived to the main lobby promptly at 9am. My friends told me to look for the ranger and it didn't take me long to find him. He said he would wait a few more minutes but it looked like I was about to get a private tour.

Private tour - How cool is that??????? I was pretty stoked because right from the beginning I felt like a VIP. Not sure why. I think its because its cool to be hanging out with a man in uniform.

We started the tour in the lobby. Ranger Joe actually took me up a floor or two so I could look down on the lobby.

Ranger Joe proceeded to tell me a bunch of little factoids about the lobby construction. Let's see what I can remember. Well, for one, the supporting beams in the corners of the lobby are made of "Disney" wood, but the animal carvings on the beams are carved out of real wood.

There is a story that goes behind the totem pole which you see here.....

Each figure on the totem pole represents one part of the story in the order the story is told. I wish I could remember the actual story but I am just too brain dead right now. Trust me, it was a cute story and I should probably goggle it - but not tonight.

When the WL lobby was first completed, and before guests entered, Disney actually brought some Native Americans in to see and bless the lobby. Guess what happened? Well, the original totems poles were directly across from each other. Apparently that is bad - very bad - and the native Americans could not bless the lobby. What Disney did next was to move the totem polls so they don't directly face each other. They are probably off by 6 - 12 inches. So the next time you go to the WL pay special attention to the placement of the totem poles.

Here is a not-so-great picture of the infamous fireplace. It is made of Disney stone, but what the designers decided to do was to fashion it after the layers of the grand canyon. Since taking the rock from the Grand canyon is strictly prohibited, the designers had to make Disney stone. If you want to get educated and learn all the layers of the Grand Canyon (and the fireplace) there is a conveniently placed display which reviews the different layers. I think this was on the second floor - I'm not positive.

I can't remember where I took this picture, but its obviously a hidden mickey somewhere in the lobby.....

Here's another totem pole of sorts - I don't think it really tells a story but it makes a nice decoration near the mercantile......

And on that happy note I am going to take a break, but I promise to do as many updates as I can this week. Be back tomorrow.

 

[Queenofallthings]

for ME tags! Makes it all so real doesn't it?

Once again, great pics....man that's a gorgeous resort!! I really need to win the lottery, I feel like I'm a deluxe girl at heart

 

[MEK]

for ME tags! Makes it all so real doesn't it?

Once again, great pics....man that's a gorgeous resort!! I really need to win the lottery, I feel like I'm a deluxe girl at heart

I was wondering if they would be coming and yup - t here they were, right on time! I can't wait to give Jen her tags. She will be super excited today at work!

I think everyone's a deluxe girl at heart, but I still enjoy all the resorts and ASMu is one of my favorites - I think that's where you are staying. It's very relaxed with lots of trees and quiet spots. I look forward to staying at the All Stars again in the future.

 

[Dreameratheart]

I cant believe your almost done! it doesnt seem like that should be true,but I guess with upcoming dates your right it's time to let it go. I love the totem pics. For some reason I never take the time to stop and look at the detail that Disney put into some things. I guess thats why I read TR for the added detail!

 

[dawnbu40]

A private tour? How fun!
We've been talking about staying at the WL next year and your pictures are really helping to sell me on it!

for ME tags! We haven't gotten ours yet so I'm thinking I need to call them!

 

[MEK]

I cant believe your almost done! it doesnt seem like that should be true,but I guess with upcoming dates your right it's time to let it go. I love the totem pics. For some reason I never take the time to stop and look at the detail that Disney put into some things. I guess thats why I read TR for the added detail!

Do not fear. I will drag this baby out for a few more weeks. I like to do final thoughts and I like to list all the new things I tried on each trip. Plus I want to give you some details on my Sept trip since I don't do PTR. And don't forget that I still have TN and OBX pics to add. I just feel like I should get back to the main story line for a spell!

 

[MEK]

A private tour? How fun!
We've been talking about staying at the WL next year and your pictures are really helping to sell me on it!

for ME tags! We haven't gotten ours yet so I'm thinking I need to call them!

I think you would love the WL. It's really different from the other resorts because its the only one that is not tropical. The tour was SOOOOOOO worth it and it was FREE!!!!!!!!

I think you get the ME tags a little later with some of the DVC reservations. I think I actually got mine earlier than expected. Not sure why. Maybe because its just a one nighter. I'm sure Jen hasn't gotten our return tags yet!

 

[Lady Lallie]

How cool that you got a private tour! I didn't realize they did a tour every morning, that is very neat. I have to remember that.

 

[MEK]

How cool that you got a private tour! I didn't realize they did a tour every morning, that is very neat. I have to remember that.

If you can ever fit it in during one of your trips, I highly recommend it. Definitely a high light. Next time I am visiting a resort that has a tour I am definitely going!!!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

You have gotten tons of traveling in! I didn't realize it was that much, how fun!!

When we stayed at the WL in 2008 I very, very, VERY much wanted to take this tour, but never did. It's a "Must do!" next time we stay there, I've heard many great things about it! I love that you are "taking us with you" on the tour.

I can't remember where I took this picture, but its obviously a hidden mickey somewhere in the lobby.....

I'm pretty certain this is the wallpaper found in the hallways. Pretty sure...I think I have the same picture.

 

[MEK]

You have gotten tons of traveling in! I didn't realize it was that much, how fun!!

It has been a lot of fun. I will probably go into withdraw when my traveling is all done.

When we stayed at the WL in 2008 I very, very, VERY much wanted to take this tour, but never did. It's a "Must do!" next time we stay there, I've heard many great things about it! I love that you are "taking us with you" on the tour.

It is definitely a must do. I wonder which other resorts offer tours. I would love to take another one.

I'm pretty certain this is the wallpaper found in the hallways. Pretty sure...I think I have the same picture.

Really? I can't for the live of me remember where I took that picture, so perhaps it was while waiting for the elevator.

 

[glennbo123]

Well you should get a VIP tour! You're a famous DISer after all.

We got to talk to Ranger Joe after our lunch at WCC. What a nice guy he is!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

I'm not as far behind on your TR as I thought! Woo Hooo!!! And thank you!

First, your trip to OBX looks wonderful! Your pictures are absolutely beautiful!

I love that you got your own private tour! Fabulous! You deserved it on your birthday! DH and FIL took the tour in 06! They really enjoyed it! I didn't know that about the totem poles! I have ask DH if he learned that! I have to remember to look when we go to dinner at Artist Point!

 

[MEK]

When Range Joe was done showing me the highlights of the lobby I will admit that I definitely had a better appreciation for the lodge as a whole. I was pretty impressed with how much imagineering went into the seemingly small details that make up the WL. Imagine actually hiring Native American Indians to bless the lobby. Talk about leaving no stone unturned. Pretty impressive.

After we exhausted the lodge lobby, Ranger Joe led me over to the villas. I remember thinking that I was already staying in the villas so what could he possibly tell me. Answer - a lot. I learned that while the lodge is modeled after an 1850's national park lodge, the villas are modeled after a 1790's roundhouse. That's right - modeled after Walt Disney's passion - trains!. The reason that the furniture appears so mismatched in the villas is because that's how furniture was in the 1790's - completely mismatched. The reason why is because so many people traveled by train. This made it impossible for them to travel with large possessions, so people just picked up things along the rails and roads and nothing ever matched.

Well now....hmmmmmm....no I understood why the furniture in the villas would never be cabin chic. It would ruin the whole theming.

We spent some time in the small lobby with Ranger Joe showing me some hidden mickey's and some more wood carvings.

I was feeling more comfortable with the camera now so I snapped pictures of quite a few wooden creatures......

In the lobby was also a beautifully hand carved birdhouse. It was stunning.....

Here is the bird that was on top.......

The mismatched furniture which we now know serves a purpose.....

The fireplace stone:

The fireplace grate:

In a display case is the actual train the Walt kept on his desk during his original TV show (Wonderful World of Color):

On display was the train Walt used to have in his backyard. This is the train he and his family rode around on. How cool that both of these trains were willed to the same family.

I wish I could remember everything Ranger Joe told me, but alas, I can't. All I know is that 1hr and 15 mins literally flew and the best of my adventure was still ahead of me.

When Ranger Joe discovered that I was the only person on today's tour he asked me if there was anything special I wanted to do. Naturally I answered, "why yes, in fact, there is. I want to go to the roof". Ranger Joe said fine, but only after he completed the regular tour. And to sweeten the offer he also said anyone in my party could go. So when we were done with the villa tour he told me to come look for him in the lobby after I assembled the troups.

I thanked Ranger Joe and headed back to my room to see if anyone was up for a trip to the roof. Unfortunately, being checkout day, everyone was still scrambling around cleaning up and packing. At the same time our Daytona Beach friends called to say that they had arrived. So we scrambled to get the last few bags in the car and Chuck, Cathy, and I went to find Ranger Joe. Our Daytona friends weren't really interested in going to the roof and neither was Denny. Too bad for them because it was simply amazing.

Without a doubt, touring the roof was one of the highlights of my trip. Ranger Joe took us up to the concierge level and then up a narrow staircase to the roof. Once we got outside there was one more staircase to climb. Once we reached the summit we were greeted by a 360 panorama unlike any other.

A look down to the pool......

To the right......

To the left......

To the villas......

To Bay Lake......

To the contemporary......

To Space Mountain.......

To the Poly......

To the Grand Floridian.......

 

[MEK]

To Epcot.....

To the Swan/Dolphin......

To Expedition Everest.......

Back to the MK Entrance.......

The castle......

The astro orbiter.....

Splash Mountain...

Big Thunder Mountain......

Our Fearless Leader......

The followers......

The flags.......

The monorails.....

We stayed on the roof until we couldn't stand the heat up there anymore. At 11am it was boiling up there. Ranger Joe told us that's why the flag family only goes up in the morning. It's still too hot to go up there in the late afternoon to take the flags down.

On our way down Ranger Joe offered us lemonade from the concierge lounge. Yum. We were grateful because we certainly worked up a thirst on that roof.

A few pictures in the lounge......

All in all, touring the lodge, villas, and the roof was an absolutely amazing experience. Truly an example of Disney Magic in its fullest! Ranger Joe went completely above and beyond to create this magical moment for all of us. I actually tried to tip him at the end of the tour, but he completely refused. He took us on that special tour because he really loves his job and he really loves the magic. I will always have special memories of Ranger Joe....

Up Next..... A private photo session and hanging out at the pool......

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Holy cow, those views from the roof are AMAZING! What a great experience. Thank you so much for sharing. I am feeling like a bad DISer now b/c I didn't not partake of the tour when I stayed there. Oh well, there is always next time.

And next time for you, MEK is in 5 weeks!! Very much looking forward to another TR and more great pictures!

 

[MEK]

Well you should get a VIP tour! You're a famous DISer after all.

Oh yeah - I almost forgot!

We got to talk to Ranger Joe after our lunch at WCC. What a nice guy he is!

He really is the best! Amazing guy!

I'm not as far behind on your TR as I thought! Woo Hooo!!! And thank you!

Isn't that the best - when you think you are really far behind and you find out you're not! Love it!

First, your trip to OBX looks wonderful! Your pictures are absolutely beautiful!

It was a great trip. We really want to go back. I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures to I have quite a few more to post! (no surprise there)

I love that you got your own private tour! Fabulous! You deserved it on your birthday! DH and FIL took the tour in 06! They really enjoyed it! I didn't know that about the totem poles! I have ask DH if he learned that! I have to remember to look when we go to dinner at Artist Point!

I actually kept forgetting it was my birthday. I'm glad Ranger Joe didn't know that because I think he already spoiled me enough with all the individual attention.

Definitely see if you notice the difference in the totem poles because I think its really hard to see.

 

[MEK]

Holy cow, those views from the roof are AMAZING! What a great experience. Thank you so much for sharing. I am feeling like a bad DISer now b/c I didn't not partake of the tour when I stayed there. Oh well, there is always next time.

And next time for you, MEK is in 5 weeks!! Very much looking forward to another TR and more great pictures!

Aren't they cool? I couldn't take those pictures fast enough. Beads of sweet dripping everywhere but I couldn't stop snapping away.

Honestly, I never would have know to take the tour on Friday except that Denny, Chuck, and Cathy told me he was offering it again. It really did make me appreciate the theming of the lodge a lot more, because I think I felt like you did. I thought I was going to love it there but I found that I really prefer the beach/tropical theme when I go to Disney. That's just me, but I would still return there given the opportunity.

I am getting psyched for my return trip. I still wish it was in October, but I feel really lucky to be going again so soon.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

More wonderful pictures!!! The views from the roof are amazing. What kind of zoom do you have going on there??? I can't believe you can even see some of those things - Everest??? Oh my!
If I ever stay at WL, I will definitely take a tour. It sounds very interesting. I love finding out all that trivia and background information.

Your OBX pictures are cool too. I agree - those more relaxing vacations are a must in addition to our Disney trips! Our time at the beach with no schedule was fabulous!!