Right. So we left Blizzard Beach, and as we drove out, I saw just how
packed the parking lot had become. Every space was filled and cars were parked all along the curbs in what were not, technically-speaking, parking spaces. I may or may not have called them losers as I pulled out of my front-row spot.
To be honest, I dont have a very good recollection of the rest of our day. Thank goodness for pictures, or Id be lost! Apparently we cleaned up and went for a little stroll to the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge (VWL)
This was one of the few resort areas Id not yet seen and I wanted to get an in-person view before considering a future DVC stay.
After a short walk form the WL lobby to the front doors of the Villas, we walked inside and I fell to my knees.
Okay, I didnt really. More like this: I whooped, hollered, cheered and swore loudly that next trip, we were headin for the WILDERNESS baybee!!!!
The slumbering mother and teeny, tiny baby on a sofa near the doors really appreciated that. I think.
Seriously, this place was GOR-GEOUS. I love that whole rustic-but-not-roughing-it-at-all vibe and VWL has plenty of it. Theres one main rotunda when you first walk in, plus several rooms spoking off of it. Each has loads of overstuffed, worn-in furniture that positively invites you to settle in with a game, a book, or a glass of fine single-malt scotch.
Well, thats what it invited me to do.
Im just warning you: the photos do NOT do it justice, but heres a taste anyway:
Yes, they even had checkers out, ready for play. VWL is clearly a place to r-e-l-a-x and I cant wait for a chance to stay there!
But since we werent staying there on this particular trip, we headed out, around the VWL pool and over toward the boat dock. In search of dinner. At my favorite resort counter service joint. Captain Cooks at the Poly!
Careful readers will remember, Hey, theres no boat from the WL to the Poly! And you are correct. We once again took the boat from the WL to the Contemporary, getting a construction update along the way:
From the Contemporary, we then took the monorail to the Poly. See? We
did do a ride this trip!
Have I mentioned how much I looooove the Poly yet in this report?
Well, Im gonna say it again.
Because its my trip report and Ill gush if I want to. (NO Lesley Gore)
The Poly represents all that is Disney to me warm days, yummy food unlike that at home, tropical foliage, the sounds of water all around you, and a sense of relaxed adventure. I really feel any tension leave my body each and every time I step through the doors. Its my own personal therapy session.
And, I suspect, it works its magic the same way on Gramma and Leo. We never fail to have an enjoyable time when were over there. And July 5th was no exception.
I tried really hard to break with tradition and order something anything! else on the menu, but the Grown-Up Grilled Cheese got me again. Gramma, too. And Leo kept to his traditional Cheese Hamburger. And all was well in The World. That stupid sandwich is so good, its probably a crime in some countries to eat it.
Not that that would stop me.
We also needed a little sumpin for dessert. Know what theyve got at Captain Cooks? In a convenient self-serve machine?
DOLE WHIPS!!!!!
I got two.
For me.
NO, for us all to share.
And heres where my memory really fails me. I have no idea at all what we did after dinner.
Did we swim?
Did we explore the WL?
Did we hang at the Poly for a bit?
Seriously, Ive got nothing. Which most likely means it was a good time, whatever we did. Call me Negative Nancy, but its generally the icky stuff that generally stands out.
Maybe we just went back to the room and watched a movie.
Who cares.
Aside from Leo almost drowning
Wed had a great day! We only had one more left, and it was about as exciting as this one so
I wont bother with another installment; Ill just move on to it now.
Which, of course, means I dont have a lot to say about it, either. Sorry. I promise upcoming sections of this report will be a lot more interesting. This one
just wasnt.
Leo and I slept well again. Gramma complained about the bunk again.
We all put on swimsuits and I called Bell Services to come get the bags.
Then we headed down to the pool for a final day of swimming in the Wilderness.
Thats it. Our oh-so-exciting day.
Except for this little part
Gramma Strikes Again.
So, were hanging out in the pool.
It wasnt very crowded and we had a nice little space where Leo was paddling around and Gramma and I were standing. Only Leo wasnt paddling as much as Id like. He wasnt kicking either. Mostly, he was doing a little rendition of Dead Body Floating.
I hate that. First, I have no idea how long he can hold his breath, so how do I know when hes in trouble?
Second, he needs to get so kicking in the water is automatic. Its just safer that way.
So I remind him. A LOT.
On this particular day, Id only reminded him a couple times. On the third-ish reminder, Gramma busts out with, Give him a break already he's tired! Cant you just let him float if he wants to?!
I dont know why such a silly comment ticked me off so much, but it did. Tick me off. A whole bunch.
I didnt even consider letting it go; the words were out of my mouth before any thoughts occurred
Well no, I cant give him a break because the next time he goes down a slide, I dont want to have to explain to the rescue lifeguard how my child does, in fact, know how to swim. Neither do I want to ever have to explain to his father how he DROWNED because there was no lifeguard. So I believe Ill continue reminding him to kick until he kicks of his own accord 100% of the time. Got that?!?! LEO KICK!!!!!
In retrospect it seems a tad much.
Oh well. As of today, Leo kicks without thinking and was actually treading water in a depth well over his head the other day. Go me!
The other exciting part of our day was lunch.
I told you this wasnt going to be a very good read.
We (I) opted to stay put for this meal, and we tried the fare at Roaring Fork. Gramma and I tried the Tuna Salad sandwich and Leo had
well, something. Who cares. Lets just talk about the TUNA SANDWICH!
It was good.
Real good.
Like, giving the Magical Tuna Sandwaich from Columbia harbor House a run for its money good.
So good I wanted to take it apart and smear the contents all over my body good.
Okay, maybe not that good.
But pretty flipping fantastic. The Tuna Sandwich was.
I highly recommend it if youre near the WL. So do the ducks.
I had no idea ducks were fans of tuna salad, but if I were to judge their opinion based on their performance under our table, Id have to say yes, they are indeed tuna lovers. No sooner had we settled into an outdoor table, then three ducks parked themselves under it. They were cute!
A few minutes into our meal, Leo yelped, HEY! Something bit my ankle! I think it was a duck!
I reassured the boy that ducks dont bite (Hi Jen!) and he must have nicked his ankle on the metal chair.
Seconds later, Gramma yelps, HEY, it bit me too!
It seems ducks DO bite, despite their lack of teeth, when tuna salad is involved. Or maybe it wasnt the tuna. Maybe it was the chips. Fries. Bread. Lettuce. Or any other food item present in the area. That was NOT being thrown in the ducks direction.
Not wanting to add to their already questionable diet, we tucked our legs up onto our chairs and continued to eat without feeding the angry ducks.
And from the next table, I soon heard, HEY! Something just bit my ankle mom!
Heh heh. I give the ducks an A+ for persistence and nerve.
After lunch, we swam a little more, using up the last of our disposable, underwater camera film.
Leo demonstrating big arms.
When the typical-of-summer thunder clouds came into view, we decided it was time to hit the road. Remember how enamored Id been of the shower/changing area at the Yacht Club/Beach Club pool? Well, I decided we should avail ourselves of the same luxury at the WL.
Its not quite the same level of luxury.
First, try to find it. Good luck. After much searching, I found it at the Villas, next to the health club. And inside, there was 1 ONE! shower stall/changing area. A few small lockers. And no hairdryers. Not that I needed one, but I like the idea of them being there.
Dont get me wrong, it was clean and perfectly acceptable. Just not as nice as the YC/BC. All three of us would have had to take turns showering and changing, and none of us was down with that idea. So we just used it to change into our traveling clothes, figuring we could make it another 2ish hours till we got home. Where we have 2 TWO! showers.
We made the walk back to the main lobby and asked Bell Services to bring the bags, while the Valet brought my car. With a final wave to the WL, we set off for home. And showers.
That we needed badly 2ish hours later.
Leo and I were itching all over and developing a rash. When I rinsed and hung our still-wet swimsuits, they
reeked of chlorine so badly, they smelled like straight bleach.
And, they were faded.
Brand new swimsuits! Faded about two shades. Thanks for
that souvenir Mickey.
Other than that, our homecoming was less than exciting. Much like this installment. I think we were all thankful for the short escape from the daily grind, but wished wed had more.
Fortunately, more was right around the corner. August was nearly upon us, and with it came the trip to end all Disney trips. Really.
Stay tuned!
Growing up we had a pool, so I had to take swimming lessons every year. 
