Our Seemingly Silly Semi-Illogical Four Day Whirlwind Trip

[Backstage_Gal]

Kay, that whole episode made me smile and feel so at home. I worked there fo 3 years, I think I mentioned before. and Wilderness Lodge and Ft. Wilderness are a region mananged but mostly the same managers, so I was at both a lot.

But anyway, as to your report, I loved it! What a wonderful tour. How did I miss UMa and and Bunnysmom at the pool though?

It is way late here or I would say more, but I am wiped out now.

Oh, I forgot to say DING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love ya, SIS!

 

[Maine-iac]

The dense green wilderness grows thicker the farther we walk, and the woods take on a silent and ominous feeling.

Sigh that was a nice stroll throught the wilderness. I was right there with you everystep of the way.

I have no idea why the Lodge’s woodsy, natural setting and décor is so appealing to us. Our own home is stuck in a time warp. I suppose a casual, rustic atmosphere is the common element. We just can’t get enough of it.

Very much the same with us. Small town with lots of fields and woods. We truely enjoy going further north of here to Eustis where there is nothing but the lake, trees, mountains and wildlife. We look forward to this trip each year. Other than WL we would like to stay at PO Riverside in the AB section. Notice the camp/cabin theme here.

Finally I lean back and give myself over to the pleasure of the heat, and listen to the soothing sound of bubbling, churning water. Steam rises from the water and drifts through the air. Doing nothing is bliss at moments like this.

I wanted to run and jump in the spa but you just looked so relaxed and content that I couldn't.

 

[2ScottishPrincesses]

This was one of my favourites. I felt like I was actually there...though no Indian would be foolhardy enough to come near us when we have Niamh on our side...she is an accomplished scalper and has been know to make grown men cry.

Cant wait for your visit to GF.

 

[Suzflee]

But first, because I’m a thoughtful tour guide, we’ll stop at the restrooms. Even the restrooms here have a fun, Western décor. Take a look.

Thanks for being considerate of us bathroom searching Dis'ers!

We’re going to our room to change into swimsuits. If anyone or anything comes around and lifts a leg or otherwise acts suspiciously near our chairs, please shoo them away.

Of course we will, since you're allowing us to Pool Hop!

Our chairs are just as we left them.

Of course they are, didn't you trust us?

Thanks for another great installment! Felt like I was right there with you.

 

[Animal Cracker]

Is there a prize for this # I get a second shot......

Kay loved your tour.

Great pictures.

 

[Kay7979]

Hi friends, readers and barnacles!


Sunday comments

Oh Kay! That was a lovely pool-side visit with my favorite people!

Sorry I wasn't able to handle Lowell's hat, though. I had only brought nail clippers and my Lady Bic with which to cut anything.

I do wish I had remembered my sunblock, though. Bunny and Norah were sure cute together!


Your tour was so descriptive! Thank You!

UtahMama aka UMA: When I first read your comment “sorry I wasn’t able to handle Lowell’s hat,” I thought you meant you were sorry I wouldn’t let you touch his hair!!! Then I kept reading. English can be a dangerous language!

After I posted the episode I realized I forgot to insert the geyser photo. If I go back and edit, it messes up the other photos (unless during the last software upgrade they repaired that glitch). I’ll add the geyser photo to a later episode.

They call them lizards

Joe. Okay, wise guy! BTW: Thanks for the PM of the website with all the lizard photos and descriptions. They’re probably some kind of a gecko.

You caught us conspiring to go on an Illuminations fireworks cruise together . . . but alas, all we could afford since we didn't have the foresight to purchase a refillable mug (and spent all our spare cash on soft drinks) was the boat ride from Fort Wilderness back to Wilderness Lodge!

Minnie_Moo: Oh well, I would have felt bad if you had gotten to go on that neat fireworks cruise and Lowell and I couldn’t join you, and we’re scheduled for Hoop-De-Doo Revue. It was a nice boat ride back to the Lodge, though!

I swear, Kay, my right hand twitched when I read this line! You have such a wonderful way of transporting us with you - so detailed!

I hate the end of a vacation - well, who doesn't? - but I hate coming home and not connecting with people like that anymore. No one gives any more than a mumble - if even that - when you pass on the street here. It's so sad.

tiggerbell: Wow! I almost made you involuntarily wave? That is great! Thanks for saying so.

Ding! I was just waiting so you would have to hop out of bed!

The real question is why wasn't I there?
And why didn't anyone get a refillable mug and fill it with cheese???

Seriously though- another great installment. As usual, my favorite bits are when you take a flight of fancy to provide us with great visuals such as the Elmer Redneck's laundromat (and wedding chapel) and the city slum themed villas. Goog job!

TwinkieMama: I don’t always get out of bed to read when I get an email alert, but I hear the ding and it’s tempting! What do you mean, why weren’t you there? You were at the pool! Did you miss that?

BTW: Thanks for planting the idea in my head for another spoof. I’ll post it in a couple days. You’ll get another footnote for your contribution!

Kay, that whole episode made me smile and feel so at home. I worked there fo 3 years, I think I mentioned before. and Wilderness Lodge and Ft. Wilderness are a region mananged but mostly the same managers, so I was at both a lot.

But anyway, as to your report, I loved it! What a wonderful tour. How did I miss UMa and and Bunnysmom at the pool though?

It is way late here or I would say more, but I am wiped out now.

Oh, I forgot to say DING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love ya, SIS!

Backstage_Gal aka SIS! You must have enjoyed working at WL and FW. It sounds like you did. I think it would be great to absorb that atmosphere everyday and get paid for it! You didn’t see UMA and bunnysmum at the pool? Maybe they were off buying a refillable mug.

Sigh that was a nice stroll throught the wilderness. I was right there with you every step of the way.

Very much the same with us. Small town with lots of fields and woods. We truely enjoy going further north of here to Eustis where there is nothing but the lake, trees, mountains and wildlife. We look forward to this trip each year. Other than WL we would like to stay at PO Riverside in the AB section. Notice the camp/cabin theme here.

I wanted to run and jump in the spa but you just looked so relaxed and content that I couldn't.

Maine-iac: Good. If you felt you were along on the tour I accomplished my mission. Of the two sections at POR, I like the AB section, too. I first stayed there solo when the resort was being built. The mansions, which I would have preferred, were not open yet, so they put me in AB. I really liked it there, and now I prefer that section.

Please reread this episode and GET IN THE SPA! I wrote that portion with so much detail so you readers could mentally get into the hot water and enjoy the spa, too. I can’t remember without looking back which reader had a back problem, but I promised someone a nice soothing soak in the spa, so please take advantage of the opportunity and join me.

This was one of my favourites. I felt like I was actually there...though no Indian would be foolhardy enough to come near us when we have Niamh on our side...she is an accomplished scalper and has been know to make grown men cry.

Cant wait for your visit to GF.

2ScottishPrincesses: I’m glad this was one of your favorite episodes. It sounds like Niamh is a warrior princess. She must come from a brave and hardy bloodline.

Lots of GF pictures coming up soon.

Thanks for another great installment! Felt like I was right there with you.

Suzflee: Thanks, I felt like you were there with me, too!

Is there a prize for this # I get a second shot......

Kay loved your tour.

Great pictures.

Animal Cracker. I’m sorry there are no prizes for posters with multiple identities, but thanks for asking. Now I’ll be on the alert. When I offer a prize to the # 200 reader you may try to make up however many new user names it takes to hit # 200! Of course I seem to have stalled at # 120, so I don’t think I’ll make it to 200 before the report ends. I’m glad you enjoyed the tour and the pictures.

 

[oybolshoi]

Another great installment, Kay! I really enjoyed the WL tour and I am dying to hear what you thought of Afternoon Tea.

As an aside...Jay and I are huge Civil War geeks (both majored in history in college) and I think it's awesome that you and Lowell were reenactors. We only had a chance to attend one major reenactment at Gettysburg some years back. One of the sucky things about living in Missouri (and there are many) is that opportunities for battlefield tours and battle reenactments are few and far between.

We were supposed to attend one at Chickamauga a few years ago and my SIL bailed on us at the last minute. I wasn't crazy about her to begin with, and now I like her even less, bah!

Anyway, I've digressed enough for now. I'm looking forward to reading more!!

 

[mikamah]

Thank you Kay for such a wonderful visit and tour of the WL. You are so creative and witty. I felt like i was there, and wish I had taken a full day to relax on my trip. I'll have to plan on one the next time. I hope I didn't embarrass you too much when I refilled my All Star Music mug in the lodge. I used my son as a decoy to create a distraction, and never saw the eyes pop out of the back of alienwomans head. See you at the Afternoon Tea. I promise to use my manners.

 

[mmeb144]

Kay,

It took me 2 weeks to read all the posts in my free time. I laughed out loud so much, I expected my family to show up with the duct tape.

I really enjoyed your description of the spa at Wilderness Lodge. When you got out, I went to the bar for a yummy frozen drink and settled back for some more hot tubbing.

Thanks for letting me go with you on your trip!

Marie

 

[duncanssweetie]

Kay, thanks so much for the "cameo" on your tour. I loved it !!!

I showed Brandon your pics of the lodge and he is insisting that we stay there on our Epcot only 4 day trip. I have been trying to sell the Poly to him, but you have sold him the Fort instead, would you like your comission in Disney Dollars or Disney gift card? He also wanted to let you know that he has read your entire trip report over the last two days. I didnt know he was reading until he choked on his glass of wine last night from laughing so hard. when I finally got it out of him what he was laughing about I told him if he had said something I would have warned him beforehand.

Thanks again , for a great installment, I cant wait to hear about your afternoon tea. I am thinking of booking it for Caylin and I in September as a surprise.

 

[brandt79]

Kay! You painted a perfect portrait of a walk I've never taken but always wanted to, and I felt I was sitting right there at the pool with you, Lowell, and our fellow DIS'ers. But I was expecting to find out you got proof that the group of unattended kids were sneaky pool hoppers from the Contemporary - I've heard their pool is terrible!

But I'm jealous - I realize you were there just a week before my DH and I were last year, but the temp never got above 65 the whole time we were there, and most days hovered around 60. The idea of lounging by the pool sounds wonderful!

 

[DiznEeyore]

[ I shiver at the thought and glance behind me to make sure those of you who joined us are safe. I see TigerKat, Maine-iac, blossombrd, and duncanssweetie following not too far behind, and further back DiznEeyore, MP2002, SunKat, Joe and Suzflee. At the rear of the procession I glimpse NMAmy and LIZ running to catch up to Minnie_Moo, celerystalker and Backstage_Gal who have their heads together talking excitedly about something. I hope they aren’t discussing something dangerous they saw in the woods. There may be a few more of you farther back, but I can’t see you from here. Come on; we’d better hurry! We don’t have much farther to go.

Now, Kay, how did you know I was hanging out in the woods at the WL? Until the lovely Michigan economy forced us to sell our precious DVC membership last year (dh was downsized), our home-away-from-home was the Villas at Wilderness Lodge. *sigh* Maybe one day again .... Thanks for the wonderful "visit" back again!!

 

[Liz]

Hi Kay, thanks for letting us spend the afternoon with you and for letting me take the lead around FW! I had to look close in the picture of the dock to make sure it wasn't the bird who attacked us with his diarrhea! I don't believe it's the same one but I made sure we kept our distance just in case!

My favorite line from your latest had me

Technically, those of you who appeared here by some aberration in the Time Dilation Effect, might be considered pool hoppers, whom I am compelled to electrocute, but I’m feeling magnanimous today so I’ll let you live.

 

[TwinkieMama]

[ TwinkieMama: I don’t always get out of bed to read when I get an email alert, but I hear the ding and it’s tempting! What do you mean, why weren’t you there? You were at the pool! Did you miss that?

BTW: Thanks for planting the idea in my head for another spoof. I’ll post it in a couple days. You’ll get another footnote for your contribution!

Oh no! I just re-read and I did miss a whole paragraph due to late night scrolling effect- I often read trip reports while giving my increasingly misnamed "Baby" a bed time bottle. He is large and likes all of my attention so I sometimes have scrolling error where I miss a whole screen. And often I even realize it.

I am honoured to have been at the pool (even if you later smeared my good name by calling me a (gasp!) pool hopper... next you will call me a mug re-user (the horrors!). You have taken "reader shout outs" to whole new level. Also your spoofs have certainly raised the bar for humourous tripreportology (we have a journel, see Journey into the Heart of Dorkness for details). I may just have to retire.

Keep on keepin on!

I can't wait for your Disney's Grande Ghetto installment!

 

[SunKat]

I loved that installment, Kay. You have such a way with words, it was just like being there at the WL with you. (and everyone else!). I love how you describe the sights, the sounds, the smells. Personally, I wasn't worried about Indians on the trail. I kept watch for alligators and snakes. Ewww!!!!!

Your report has really made me think about staying at WL. I'm more of a beach, sand-in-my-toes type of gal, that's why I love the Beach Club and CBR. I'd love to try the Poly, but, you're convincing me more and more to try WL. Your photo's are beautiful.

C'mon, c'mon, take us to the tea!!!! We'll all put on our best manners. Maybe. I'm hoping to hear that Lowell made faces on his plate out of scones, clotted cream and jam. One of my favorite memories at Disney was the tea at Rose and Crown back in 1994. Mmmm. Pass the jam please and hand me one of those little sammiches, pretty please.

 

[nebo]

Kay, excellent chapter. I almost fell asleep relaxing with you there in the hot tub. The thing that amazes me the most, though, is that you were able to get in the hot tub. last May when we stayed there, no chance. Even the night we came down at ten at night to watch Wishes, (yes, don't get me started on that again), it was full of kids.

Tell me, are you feeling what I'm feeling, nearing the end of your trip report? It's kind of like your vacation has come to an end again, isn't it?
Oh well, that's why we have to do it again, I guess.

 

[Kay7979]

Hello again!

Another great installment, Kay! I really enjoyed the WL tour and I am dying to hear what you thought of Afternoon Tea.

As an aside...Jay and I are huge Civil War geeks (both majored in history in college) and I think it's awesome that you and Lowell were reenactors. We only had a chance to attend one major reenactment at Gettysburg some years back. One of the sucky things about living in Missouri (and there are many) is that opportunities for battlefield tours and battle reenactments are few and far between.

We were supposed to attend one at Chickamauga a few years ago and my SIL bailed on us at the last minute. I wasn't crazy about her to begin with, and now I like her even less, bah!

Anyway, I've digressed enough for now. I'm looking forward to reading more!!

oybloshoi: Afternoon tea will be the next segment, hopefully this weekend, and I have an “and a half” segment that will be up in a day or two. We miss doing reenacting, but it doesn’t fit into our schedules anymore. History comes alive when you understand the problems and issues that faced those people and you put yourself in their places. Maybe we’re odd, but we love both history and science fiction. Both can be mind expanding!

I hope to find time to read your most recent episode soon.

Thank you Kay for such a wonderful visit and tour of the WL. You are so creative and witty. I felt like I was there, and wish I had taken a full day to relax on my trip. I'll have to plan on one the next time. I hope I didn't embarrass you too much when I refilled my All Star Music mug in the lodge. I used my son as a decoy to create a distraction, and never saw the eyes pop out of the back of alienwoman’s head. See you at the Afternoon Tea. I promise to use my manners.

mikamah: Good thing the Insect-Head Cashier didn’t spot you. That must have been a very clever diversion. Feel free to watch what happens at Afternoon Tea, but you’ll have to stay out of sight or they’ll charge extra if they see we have guests!

Kay,

It took me 2 weeks to read all the posts in my free time. I laughed out loud so much, I expected my family to show up with the duct tape.

I really enjoyed your description of the spa at Wilderness Lodge. When you got out, I went to the bar for a yummy frozen drink and settled back for some more hot tubbing.

Thanks for letting me go with you on your trip!

Marie

mmeb144: Thanks so much for coming by to read my “story.” Welcome! I’m glad your family didn’t resort to the duct tape. That might be painful! And I’m glad you felt welcome to hop in the hot tub and enjoy a nice, soothing soak. Stay tuned for more fun and adventure.

Kay, thanks so much for the "cameo" on your tour. I loved it !!!

I showed Brandon your pics of the lodge and he is insisting that we stay there on our Epcot only 4 day trip. I have been trying to sell the Poly to him, but you have sold him the Fort instead, would you like your commission in Disney Dollars or Disney gift card? He also wanted to let you know that he has read your entire trip report over the last two days. I didn’t know he was reading until he choked on his glass of wine last night from laughing so hard. when I finally got it out of him what he was laughing about I told him if he had said something I would have warned him beforehand.

Thanks again , for a great installment, I cant wait to hear about your afternoon tea. I am thinking of booking it for Caylin and I in September as a surprise.

duncanssweetie: I thought you might like guest-starring in the last episode. It was nice to have so many of you “pop in.” That’s nice that your husband took the time to read my report for himself. You’ll love the Lodge, but I must say that the Poly is a phenomenally beautiful resort as well, in a completely different way, and I have a lot of Poly photos upcoming. Stay tuned for the GF and afternoon tea!

Kay! You painted a perfect portrait of a walk I've never taken but always wanted to, and I felt I was sitting right there at the pool with you, Lowell, and our fellow DIS'ers. But I was expecting to find out you got proof that the group of unattended kids were sneaky pool hoppers from the Contemporary - I've heard their pool is terrible!

But I'm jealous - I realize you were there just a week before my DH and I were last year, but the temp never got above 65 the whole time we were there, and most days hovered around 60. The idea of lounging by the pool sounds wonderful!

brandt79: I’m sorry that the weather wasn’t cooperative, but thank you for reconfirming my claim that the weather is always particularly nice when we vacation (and usually reverts to normal weather, or worse when we leave).

I didn’t realize that the Contemporary pool was not too great. I know the one at Fort Wilderness is much plainer and less exciting. We’ll do more pool-hopper detective duty in future episodes!

Now, Kay, how did you know I was hanging out in the woods at the WL? Until the lovely Michigan economy forced us to sell our precious DVC membership last year (dh was downsized), our home-away-from-home was the Villas at Wilderness Lodge. *sigh* Maybe one day again .... Thanks for the wonderful "visit" back again!!

DiznEeyore: I am wearing a sad Eeyore face at the news that you had to sell your DVC membership. That’s too bad. I’m happy to hear you were able to “visit” and enjoy the area again as you came along with us on our tour.

Hi Kay, thanks for letting us spend the afternoon with you and for letting me take the lead around FW! I had to look close in the picture of the dock to make sure it wasn't the bird who attacked us with his diarrhea! I don't believe it's the same one but I made sure we kept our distance just in case!

My favorite line from your latest had me

Technically, those of you who appeared here by some aberration in the Time Dilation Effect, might be considered pool hoppers, whom I am compelled to electrocute, but I’m feeling magnanimous today so I’ll let you live.

Liz: Yes, I thought you would get a kick out of leading the gang down to the boat dock. Thanks for your help! I’m glad you enjoyed the episode, and were appreciative of my leniency in not executing you for pool hopping.

Oh no! I just re-read and I did miss a whole paragraph due to late night scrolling effect- I often read trip reports while giving my increasingly misnamed "Baby" a bed time bottle. He is large and likes all of my attention so I sometimes have scrolling error where I miss a whole screen. And often I even realize it.

I am honoured to have been at the pool (even if you later smeared my good name by calling me a (gasp!) pool hopper... next you will call me a mug re-user (the horrors!). You have taken "reader shout outs" to whole new level. Also your spoofs have certainly raised the bar for humourous tripreportology (we have a journel, see Journey into the Heart of Dorkness for details). I may just have to retire.

Keep on keepin on!

I can't wait for your Disney's Grande Ghetto installment!

TwinkieMama: Don’t you dare even think of retiring from writing trip reports. Yours are wonderful! I have read Mr. Silly’s report and enjoy his humerous “tripreportology.” I hope that the journal you refer to isn’t the one he claims has been lost for the last few weeks!

Shhhhh. Don't give away any more hints on my "and a half episode." Now everybody knows the title.

I loved that installment, Kay. You have such a way with words, it was just like being there at the WL with you. (and everyone else!). I love how you describe the sights, the sounds, the smells. Personally, I wasn't worried about Indians on the trail. I kept watch for alligators and snakes. Ewww!!!!!

Your report has really made me think about staying at WL. I'm more of a beach, sand-in-my-toes type of gal, that's why I love the Beach Club and CBR. I'd love to try the Poly, but, you're convincing me more and more to try WL. Your photos are beautiful.

C'mon, c'mon, take us to the tea!!!! We'll all put on our best manners. Maybe. I'm hoping to hear that Lowell made faces on his plate out of scones, clotted cream and jam. One of my favorite memories at Disney was the tea at Rose and Crown back in 1994. Mmmm. Pass the jam please and hand me one of those little sammiches, pretty please.

SunKat: It’s good to hear I accomplished my goal of making you feel you were along on the tour. I hadn’t worried too much about alligators, or snakes, but you have a point. That’s a good reason not to stray from the trail. Give the Lodge a try some day. They have a beach, too, although the resort is not beach-themed. I have some great pictures of the GF and Poly, so you’ll probably want to stay at all of them before I’m done!

Don’t encourage, much less wish for Lowell to exhibit his bad manners! You are such an instigator!!! I promise to save you a piece of scone and a bite of a sammich.

Kay, excellent chapter. I almost fell asleep relaxing with you there in the hot tub. The thing that amazes me the most, though, is that you were able to get in the hot tub. Last May when we stayed there, no chance. Even the night we came down at ten at night to watch Wishes, (yes, don't get me started on that again), it was full of kids.

Tell me, are you feeling what I'm feeling, nearing the end of your trip report? It's kind of like your vacation has come to an end again, isn't it?
Oh well, that's why we have to do it again, I guess.

nebo: I’m glad you got to relax in the hot tub, if only vicariously. I would be annoyed, too, if the spa was always crowded so I could never use it, particularly if it was full of kids, who technically aren’t supposed to be there.

I am getting close( r ) to the end of this report, and I have mixed emotions. In one way it’s sort of sad, but I have had so much fun writing it, and reading all the fun and funny responses. There are times, though, where I think it might be good to have a break from spending a few hours a week writing trip report segments! We had a non-Disney vacation in early March and have a trip to Cabo San Lucas scheduled for November, so I’m sure it will be next year before we get to WDW again. I will spend the intervening time enjoying your upcoming report.

 

[Philadisney]

oh I wish I was still sitting by that pool with you, it is so cold at my desk in Chilly Philly that my fingers are numb! you are wonderfully descriptive, for a moment i was almost certain that the steam fogging up my glasses was from the WL hot tub instead of my mug of Lipton. thanks for the latest adventure!

 

[TigerKat]

Kay -

WOW, I feel like a star now. I so enjoyed strolling through the wilderness with you and all the other DISers. And the spa did wonders for my back, which was killing me!

You may not remember this, but, I once mentioned how I would love to have dinner with you & Lowell. I think I'd rather do tea with yall. I promise to behave, pretty please?

 

[iluvsushi]

Kay,

Thanks for another very enjoyable segment!!

Some parts I especially loved...

And if you happen to get a unit next to an annoyingly loud family that blasts the TV till 2 AM while their kids stampede through the condo like a herd of bison crossing the prairie, the kitchen and laundry room come in handy for that, too. Just wait till the noise dies down and they drift off to sleep, then toss a couple saucepans into the dryer and hit “More Dry.”

Heh-Heh...written with a realism and sense of conviction that implies you may have actually tried this. Now I understand even better why you so prefer accommodations that include a kitchen and laundry room.

Technically, those of you who appeared here by some aberration in the Time Dilation Effect, might be considered pool hoppers, whom I am compelled to electrocute, but I’m feeling magnanimous today so I’ll let you live.

Gee, thanks! I'm relieved that one who would consider nocturnal torture by saucepans has a kind streak when it comes to us who might be considered virtual pool hoppers.

At that moment I’m nearly certain I glimpse an eyestalk poke from the cashier’s wavy hair and survey us intently, but when I blink it’s gone.

This one had me laughing out loud. I think you've been watching too many science fiction movies recently.

Finally, a big "thank you" for the bathroom stop! So many tour guides fail to take that into account.

Looking forward to the Afternoon Tea!

- Iluvsushi