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

[IluvXU]

I am so loving your wl tour! How awesome to go up to the roof! The WL was our first deluxe as a family and will always hold special memories for us, it was the first trip too that Hannah "got it". Your camera is once again so awesome!

 

[KatMark]

I love the totem pole pictures (it is my favorite part of the WL lobby ). Your pictures from the roof are spectacular.

 

[dawnbu40]

The view from the roof was amazing! Your pictures, once again, are just beautiful!

 

[brookelizabeth]

So so AWESOME!!!!! By your words and pictures I can tell how incredibly magical this was. And wow....such BEAUTIFUL pictures. I love that one of MK with the monorail! And the Castle!!! Very nice work!

This is a "must do" when we stay at VWL! I had no idea either about the Villas being designed after a roadhouse, how cool. Disney details never cease to amaze me.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Mary Ellen, loved the view from the roof. I didn't know about those tours, what a fun & intersting thing to do!

BTW, did you mean 1890's instead of 1790's, because trains weren't invented in the 1700's.

 

[Nermel9]

I loved all your pics from the WL roof! I love how you can see all of WDW from up there!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I finally had a chance to catch up on all of your updates!

I can't believe you are headed to Disney again in just five weeks! Lucky woman!

You have had a great summer of traveling!

How cool that you were given a private tour! I really enjoyed reading about how the totem poles can't be directly across from each other, how the Native Americans blessed the lobby, and the reason behind the mismatched furniture! Disney really is just a master of details!

Those roof pics! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! They are just so awesome!!!

 

[kschafer]

OK, your last update brought tears to my eyes just thinking about what an amazing opportunity you had...a private tour and a visit to the rooftop!! I'm insanely jealous but so so so glad you brought that amazing camera with you

 

[MEK]

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.

Welcome back Sheree - I hope you had a fabulous trip and I can't wait to read all about it!

The zoom lens I have is 50/250. I would love to have a 400. How cool would that be? I couldn't believe how much I could see either. Ranger Joe even pointed out the cell phone tower located near/in the AK park all covered in trees. (Disney camouflage trees). I couldn't get a picture of that.

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!!

Glad you had a good time at the beach too. It's such a relaxing place. I really enjoyed the OBX!

I am so loving your wl tour! How awesome to go up to the roof! The WL was our first deluxe as a family and will always hold special memories for us, it was the first trip too that Hannah "got it". Your camera is once again so awesome!

I know what you mean about those special memories. My first onsite hotel was POR and that place still brings the magic flooding back to me. It's so cool when someone in your family suddenly "gets it". I have always gotten that feeling from Nicholas. I'm glad you are enjoying the WL pics!

I love the totem pole pictures (it is my favorite part of the WL lobby ). Your pictures from the roof are spectacular.

Its so cool that they actually put up a totem pool with a story. It's not just there for decoration. Being up on the roof was so super cool!

The view from the roof was amazing! Your pictures, once again, are just beautiful!

Thanks Dawn - I think the tour of the WL spoiled me. I need to find another lodge/hotel tour to take. I want more!

So so AWESOME!!!!! By your words and pictures I can tell how incredibly magical this was. And wow....such BEAUTIFUL pictures. I love that one of MK with the monorail! And the Castle!!! Very nice work!

This is a "must do" when we stay at VWL! I had no idea either about the Villas being designed after a roadhouse, how cool. Disney details never cease to amaze me.

It really was an incredibly magical and unexpected morning. It far exceeded my expectations! It was so much fun going up there to take pictures. I just couldn't get enough!

Now I totally get the villa inspiration. I wonder how many people stay there and have no idea. I expect most people!

Mary Ellen, loved the view from the roof. I didn't know about those tours, what a fun & intersting thing to do!

BTW, did you mean 1890's instead of 1790's, because trains weren't invented in the 1700's.

Oh my....maybe I did mean to say 1890's, but I could have sworn he said 1790's. I guess that would be a little early for trains. Hmmmmm.... I better check my facts, because I thought the villas were supposed to be an earlier time than the actual lodge. Well, I will be doing some fact finding tonight. I want to get this straightened out!

I loved all your pics from the WL roof! I love how you can see all of WDW from up there!

Isn't it great? Its a 360 degree feast for the eyes! Loved it!

I finally had a chance to catch up on all of your updates!

I can't believe you are headed to Disney again in just five weeks! Lucky woman!

You have had a great summer of traveling!

How's work going????? Did the kids go back???? Poor kids. Its too soon - way too soon.

Glad you are all caught up. Can you believe I am going again so soon? Its almost too soon although I am started to get very excited about it.

How cool that you were given a private tour! I really enjoyed reading about how the totem poles can't be directly across from each other, how the Native Americans blessed the lobby, and the reason behind the mismatched furniture! Disney really is just a master of details!

Those roof pics! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! They are just so awesome!!!

That tour was so awesome and being on the roof was really exhilarating. It was so amazing having that panoramic view!

OK, your last update brought tears to my eyes just thinking about what an amazing opportunity you had...a private tour and a visit to the rooftop!! I'm insanely jealous but so so so glad you brought that amazing camera with you

That's how I felt when I was up there. I just thought that Ranger Joe was the greatest. I seriously was choked up when I heard him talk about his job with such passion. It was an amazing experience and I think he was as happy to have appreciative customers as we were to have access to his knowledge and expertise.

 

[MEK]

Wickett's mom pointed out that in 1790 trains and railways were not in existence. So I did I little research on this and here's what I found....

The First Transcontinental Railroad (known originally as the "Pacific Railroad" and later as the "Overland Route") was a railroad line built in the United States between 1863 and 1869 by the Central Pacific Railroad of California and the Union Pacific Railroad that connected its statutory Eastern terminus at Council Bluffs, Iowa/Omaha, Nebraska[1][2] (via Ogden, Utah and Sacramento, California) with the Pacific Ocean at Alameda, California on the southern shore of San Francisco Bay opposite San Francisco. By linking with the existing railway network of the Eastern United States, the road thus connected the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States by rail for the first time. The line was popularly known as the Overland Route after the principal passenger rail service that operated over the length of the line through the end of 1962.[3]

Timeline: Transcontinental Railroad

1769-1865 | 1866-1889



1769

Scottish mechanical engineer James Watt patents his design for the first practical steam engine, paving the way for the mechanized production of the Industrial Revolution.

1825

In England, George Stephenson engineers the world's first railway locomotive. Based on Stephenson's years of experimentation with steam-driven vehicles (the first of which he built in 1814), the Locomotion pulls coal on a nine-mile track.

1830

Peter Cooper finishes America's first steam locomotive. The Tom Thumb carries passengers and goods along 13 miles of track between Baltimore and Ellicott's Mills, Maryland. By year's end, similar locomotive routes exist in New York and South Carolina.

1841

The first settlers move westward across the Northern Great Plains on what will come to be known as the Oregon Trail, soon a conduit for emigration.

1845

Asa Whitney presents a resolution in Congress endorsing the funding of a railroad to the Pacific. Despite six years of campaigning, the issue dies as increased sectionalism and self-interest distract the legislature. The railroad remains a potent symbol in the public consciousness.

1848

December: Outgoing president James K. Polk stirs a new fervor for westward expansion by announcing the discovery of gold in Oregon Territory.

So - It appears that the first locomotive was designed in 1825 in England and the transcontinental railroad did not begin until the 1850-60. I guess Ranger Joe was a little off in his dates, but perhaps the villas are to represent the time between the late 1700's and mid 1800's.

I learned something today. Interesting. I bet that behind the scenes train tour would be really interesting.

 

[*dreamit*doit*]

Alright Ranger Joe! I can't believe I didn't know about this tour when we stayed there last year! WL is my favorite!! I love that they had Native Americans bless the lobby. I WILL stay there again and I WILL take this tour. Your pictures are so incredibly fantastic. What a great experience!

 

[MEK]

Alright Ranger Joe! I can't believe I didn't know about this tour when we stayed there last year! WL is my favorite!! I love that they had Native Americans bless the lobby. I WILL stay there again and I WILL take this tour. Your pictures are so incredibly fantastic. What a great experience!

That's right - I remember that you stayed there last year. Ranger Joe is the coolest. I think its because he is new to the job. The original ranger (who started when the lodge opened) retired sometime within the past year. He made the comment that so many people are first timers or are just so wrapped up in getting to the parks and getting through their agenda that they really don't have the time or inclination to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. I hope you get a chance to meet him in the future and take the tour. Its great!

 

[jenjolt]

WOW what a great tour!!! I would definitely like to take it some day!!! What amazing pics MEK!! So gorgeous...a great way to end a pretty rough day, so thanks!!!!!

 

[Dreameratheart]

The pics from the roof have got to be some of the best I've seen from the Lodge! They are beautiful, and the view must have been breathtaking. Can't wait to hear the last of your trip

 

[MEK]

WOW what a great tour!!! I would definitely like to take it some day!!! What amazing pics MEK!! So gorgeous...a great way to end a pretty rough day, so thanks!!!!!

It was a fabulous tour! I absolutely loved it. Truely a magical moment! I am sorry you had a rough day. I hope its not your new job. I am sure the move, the new home, and the new job must be an adjustment for you!

The pics from the roof have got to be some of the best I've seen from the Lodge! They are beautiful, and the view must have been breathtaking. Can't wait to hear the last of your trip

Thanks! I am so glad you like the pictures. It was so cool up there! I hope I get a chance to do it sometime again, but maybe when its cooler!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Mary Ellen how cool of you to look up all of that info about trains. I love all of that history stuff. I'm usually looking up facts like that all of the time.

I used to love those old Disney shows like Davy Crockett, Swamp Fox, etc.. I bought the DVDs when they came out in the box sets that Disney sells.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

I can't believe I somehow missed your roof post! FAB-U-LOUS!!! WOW!!! Those pictures are amazing! It must have been fabulous being up there!!

Thanks for the railroad history lesson! It was very cool!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I once read a TR where the young boy and, I believe, his Dad went on the Train Tour - I'm not a train buff by any means, but it was incredibly interesting!! I bet the Tour would be a great experience!

 

[MEK]

Mary Ellen how cool of you to look up all of that info about trains. I love all of that history stuff. I'm usually looking up facts like that all of the time.

I used to love those old Disney shows like Davy Crockett, Swamp Fox, etc.. I bought the DVDs when they came out in the box sets that Disney sells.

Well thanks to you I went on a mission to find some train facts. I really enjoyed the story behind the villas, but I wanted to make sure I understood the timeline better. The history of the train is very cool and I like the way its development ties in with cultural aspects of that age.

I enjoy all the old Disney shows as well. Seriously, so creative and educational.

I can't believe I somehow missed your roof post! FAB-U-LOUS!!! WOW!!! Those pictures are amazing! It must have been fabulous being up there!!

Thanks for the railroad history lesson! It was very cool!

Hey - you've been a busy girl and you seriously are not behind. It was amazing up there. Really unforgettable. Something I will treasure for a long, long time!

Glad you enjoyed the railroad history. Its making me want to take the train tour!

I once read a TR where the young boy and, I believe, his Dad went on the Train Tour - I'm not a train buff by any means, but it was incredibly interesting!! I bet the Tour would be a great experience!

I'm not a train buff either, but I agree with you - I bet that tour is so great. It would be interesting to know how they aquired all the trains and what is different/smiliar about each. I would interested in knowing how much they cost to operate and maintain. Very cool stuff.

 

[MEK]

........Woot! I never thought I would have a trip report with 1000 posts! I am so excited. Granted, I did include some side trip information, but its mostly been my real trip info, right?

Anyway, I wanted to post more of my last day last night but I couldn't locate the rest of my photopass pics, which makes me think that there are still some on the disk that I did not download. They disk was upstairs and I was downstairs (our bedroom is downstairs) and sometimes I am too lazy to even go up the stairs at night. In other words, I only go upstairs when I have to! I am certainly appreciating a 1st MBR in my old age.

So tonight I will try to finish up my last day. I did take some fun pictures of the WL that day, so I have quite a few to post.

But for right now I want to talk about my upcoming trip. As you know, I don't do PTR's, but I want to ask for some help in planning my upcoming trip. I am on a mission to do things I have never done before - not necessarily rides, shows, or attractions, but more like "smell the roses" type things. Some of those things will naturally include exploring new tastes in the form of food and drink.

So I want to ask for your help. Please post some of your off the beaten track things to do and experience. Also - your favorite eats and drinks! As you may recall, I was unable to drink for the majority of my May vacation and I keep hearing wonderful things about Margaritas, the saki bar, the Backscratcher, lost on Safari.

What's your favorite Drink in the World and where is it located?GGS DO NOT COUNT! Not that I don't love them, cause I do, but I really want to try some new things. I would appreciate any and all suggestions!

Along with that What's Your Favorite Snack and Where Can it Be Found? Some of the things I want to try are the creamcheese pretzel, the jalapeno pretzel, the frozen chai tea, tonga toast, and corn dog nuggets. Anything else????? Oh - and I am not even sure where the jalapeno pretzel and the frozen chai tea are in AK, so exact locations would be really appreciated.

And finally What's Your Favorite Off the Beaten Track, Little Known "Smell the Roses" thing to do? I plan to hit the Basin (which I have never done) and I might even try a Kim Possible mission with a food/drink reward (if Jen's up for it). I am considering pool hopping (since that is permitted on DVC stays), so I might go explore the Poly pool and the GF pool since we will be on the monorail loop. I may go see the show at POR on our Saturday night arrival (Bob?) since we will be staying at POFQ our first night before we move to BLT. I have never been to Goofy's candy shop at DTD (I know, I know - embarrasing to admit but I am not a huge candy person). I KNOW I will be watching a Wishes from the Top of the World Lounge. I absolutely can't wait for that. I will also be taking my morning runs from the Contemporary to the MK and back.

Question - How early does the monorail start? Because I would really like to run one morning from the Poly to the GF and back.

Please, please, please add something to my list. I know you guys are all really creative so you should be able to help me out.

Our trip dates are Sept 11th - 16th with the first night at POFQ and then BLT. We have dinner ADR's at The Wave, The Garden Grill, and Yak & Yeti. We have a lunch ADR at Le Cellier. We are planning to attend MNSSHP on the 14th. We plan to swing over to the Kona Cafe one morning for Tonga Toast and we are not sure where we will eat on arrival night but its likely to be CS or TS at DTD. We will also be hitting late EMH at AK. Will it finally be dark enough for me to ride EE at night. Oh please, please, PLEASE!

I will be back later tonight with a real update!