Day 2 Part 1 Monday, March 14: Downtown Disney and the Earl of Sandwich.
Got a great nights sleep and slept in a little later than normal. It was after 9:00 before I rolled out of bed. Some breakfast type snacks to start off the day and some seltzer. Eventually made my way to valet to pick up the car and get directions to Publix. Dont ask me how to get there, I have no idea but I ended up in the right place. Bought some fruit and tea. I got really ambitious and picked up hamburger, rolls, and potato salad because I was going to make dinner in the room. Sanity finally prevailed and those items were put back. What was I thinking?
Groceries in the car I headed to Downtown Disney. My quest was the Earl of Sandwich.
The most magical sign on Earth.
The entrance near where I parked. I entered in Lot 1 and instead of following the crowd to the left, I took a right and found a good spot.
First stop was Ghirardelli. The sample they were handing out was a milk chocolate thing with caramel inside. Not a big chocolate fan but this was really good. So good, I bought a sampler pack for DDs WDW gift. I thought maybe I could talk her out of a piece or two. It worked when I got home.
The balloon ride coming back to Earth.
Fultons, formally known as the Empress Lily with the tethered Hindenburg Jr. in the background.
Trend D. I didnt stop in but will let DD roam around on our next trip.
Some other pictures did not come out because of formatting errors. This was a recurring theme throughout the trip. The temp
Lego store looks interesting. A big yellow tube. Made it to Earls place only to find it crowded. So what else is new? The line went quickly and I was soon searching for an open table.
I had the Original: Fresh roasted beef, cheddar and creamy horseradish sauce (I think $5.99) and a coke. While they do not take the TIW card, they do give 10% off for
AAA members. You just have to show your card to the cashier. Half the sandwich was eaten and I refilled my half empty coke. If that is illegal, turn me in. Needless to say, the food was tasty and at a very reasonable price. Love their bread.
Back to the car and the resort. Pulled into valet. I decided to suck it up and pay the extra for valet because I thought it would mean less walking. I later looked at the BLT lot and found spaces that were by far a shorter walking distance from the lot to the entrance than going up to the 4th floor, walking to the walkway, down the linking corridor and to the room. Will not valet again, even if it was free.
As I passed bell services carrying two moderately heavy bags of groceries, I asked if someone could take them to the room for me. No problem. We walked to the BLT lobby which was quicker than using the corridor. He was a great CM and we had a nice chat.
Back to the room and some TV scanning. While sitting out on the balcony admiring a gorgeous day, decided to change into my trunks and head to the pool. I visited the Contemporary pool on a previous trip when DD, 1 and I were trying to rent water sprites. Talk about a dead and boring area. The BLT pool is much better themed and a fair amount of people were taking advantage of the sunny skies.
A nice bocce ball court. We used to play for hours when the family got together at my parents house. There is a shuffleboard set up on the opposite side of the courtyard.
The fountain at the entrance to the lobby.
A closer look at the bamboo trees.
Two views of the pool. To enter the pool area you have to use your room ID to get through the gate. I didnt see them asking people for cards but at least one of your party needs it to enter.
The slide. Kids were having a great time on it even if it is not a clowns mouth.
The Cove Bar area
Their menu
I grabbed a table in some shade near the bar and ordered a drink. The meds prevent me from imbibing in adult beverages (I know the horror of it all) so I came up with my own faux cocktail. It is ¾ club soda, ¼ sprite and a couple of splashes of cranberry juice. It is a little embarrassing ordering it but I really dont care. The bartender was friendly and efficient as she filled drink orders and I was soon sitting at my table sipping my cocktail and reading a book.
Things were going along nicely until these two little monsters decided they wanted to play ping pong. Unfortunately, the table was near the area I was sitting. Having all the grace and athletic ability of pre-teens that spend too much time playing video games, they soon got bored with their inability to actually play the game. They then decided to play smash the ball as hard as you can. One of their many misfires bounced where I was sitting and I calmly flicked the ball with my toe toward them. All the time I was giving them the stare.
For those that dont know I use the stare to intimidate DDs male friends. It works like a charm. One time when I picked her up at school one, of her friends said to her he wanted to meet me. She suggested strongly that he didnt but the brave little soul came to my window anyway. He was pleasant enough but the stare made him cower away in fear. I truly believe that only Italian males can properly do it. It must be in our genetic makeup.
I digress, so back to the pool. I saw that the ball had a notable depression on one side. Some of you may wrongly suggest it happened when I pushed the ball over to them. I swear I didnt do it. Really I didnt. It must have happened when it hit the leg of the table. There were replacements in a sleeve by the table so they got a new one. You could tell their hearts were not into it anymore and they soon put the paddles down and left.
As I mentioned it was a beautiful sunny day and I was rather enjoying myself. My cocktail finished, I went to the bar and had it refilled. There wasnt really much on the menu so I asked the bartender what kind of ice cream they had. She went through the list and I settled on
I used to watch my sweets intake but now I indulge myself whenever I want. It had been years since I had one of these. I thought it was OK. The chocolate was a little rich for me but you can bet that I ate all of it.
Read some more and relaxed. After a while I got bored so I headed back to the room.
The Marina
A water sprite docking. If you havent tried them, they are a lot of fun.
The walkway looking back at the Contemporary.
Back at the room, I brewed some iced tea. One word of note: The pitcher they stock was a little dinky thing. I made the tea extra strong and cut it with seltzer for each glass. Stretched it out a little bit before I had to make another pot and the seltzer gave it a little fizz.
The rest of the day was spent lounging around reading, a little TV, finishing the leftovers, nap
Almost out of picture space so the next installment will be about the Top of the World Lounge.
One day I wish to be as sharp as you. 
So, not so sharp, just happened to look at the calendar.
We are playing the stay everywhere game right now! I want more points but we have to decide where else we love before we can do that. Great update AND ready for more!
Did you put it there? We only do that when we need to keep the four legged child out of it. 
the whole time? 
. I should try that at home. Smiling. I haven't been to BLT yet - well besides the day I played "Alias" and *broke in*. I felt it was just okay. But your photos are very enticing. The one bedrooms look spectacular. I ADORE banquettes. I will give it a try for sure. 
Some of us are nice...
I love it. And I didn't have six weeks in a hospital. 
And some of them weren't that friendly. 
