We love Donald Duck, oh yes we do! - Link to the PTR - COMPLETE

[brookelizabeth]

Fabulous update Brook! Your little cookout sounds like fun, I love to grill too - for the exact same reason as you - DH is doing the cooking!

I'm so glad Henry liked the pool this time, and those pictures of him with the towel wrapped around him are too precious! He looks so grown up.

Doesn't the food always taste better when someone else makes it? It's such a treat!! Joe actually does quite a bit of the cooking indoors too-he is very good about "pulling his weight" in that department.

We thought Henry looked like a big boy in those towel pics too. It was so funny, he would just stand around with the towel around him-walking around, checking things out.

Awesome update! Aren't lazy afternoons just the best? Hurrah for the save the day with a can-opener cast member! And another hurrah for a CM who understands that skinny cow is of the UTMOST importance!

Henry does look so grown up with the towel around his shoulders. Too cute!

I am intrigued by these changes you are anxious to talk about...

Yes! Lazy afternoons are WONDERFUL. And too far and inbetween for this family. I'm really glad we took the day to just be. It was really an awesome way to spend a vacation day!

Those Skinny Cows are like gold!

I am VERY anxious to talk about the December trip changes!! All I want to do is plan, plan, plan, but I have to step back and focus on getting this done, then I can gush about our new plans!

What a great day with the family. A cookout in Disney is way cool!!! I can not wait to hear about the next room and I am happy to hear Henry loved the pool. That Duck area is very neat for the kiddos.

The Donald Duck area is really cute, I wish the sprayers had been on so Henry could experience it...but, little did he know, he still loved it!

The cookout worked out really great, except the running around SSR, which is HUGE. I probably walked 3 miles just buzzing around the resort that afternoon.

Love the pool pictures! The ones of Henry with the towel are too cute!

And I really liked the tour of the villa, it looks gorgeous!

The villa was beautiful! We really enjoyed our room. I think I took a video fo the Studio too, which I will post with my next update if I can get it uploaded.

I love those towel pics too-I took sooooo many, but he was just lookin' too cute!

Lovin' your report Brook. I also have to thank you for introducing us to the wonder that is corn dog nuggets. We wandered into Casey's Corner last week and remembering that I had seen them in your signature Dad and I decided to order them. They are FANTASTIC and we absolutely loved them.

We didn't make any requests for our studio either and we ended up in The Paddock, first floor just a few steps from the parking lot. Not much of a view but perfect for carrying things to and from the car.

So glad you enjoyed Corn Dog Nuggets!!!!!!! And I'm very jealous you had them so recently. I hope the rest of your trip was equally as fantastic as the Corn Dog Nuggets!

I didn't realize there were parking lot views at SSR, I thought they had it so the doors could open toward the parking lot, but the views would always be at least a courtyard...shows how much of SSR we don't know about! It's just huge isn't it?!

Yeah my brother told them that they could take his son and him and his wife would go to Cancun...my moms like I don;t think so! Who wouldn;t want to see their son's 1st trip to Disney!

Thats what mousekeeping is for!

MEMOM: I got it figured out!! The qouting I mean! Some things I probably will never figure out!

My sister said something about just taking her boys and letting her stay at home too when I told her I wanted to take them all sometime. I couldn't believe it! You have to see your kids' reactions-no matter how old or how young!! Disney is like no other!!

about mousekeeping!!

Glad you figured out the quoting thing too.

omg the footprints are so cute!

Thanks! I thought so too.

I love the "dut dut" water play area for kids. I can see us staying at SSR in the future.

SSR is really very nice-just BIG. With the sprayers actually on, the Dut Dut area would be even better. One of the quiet pools (I think Grandstand) also has sprayers. And then great playgrounds and I really like how AP has crayons and paper set out encouraging kids to make pictures.

Yes, I need to learn how to follow plans "loosely."

Awesome update! I am sitting here on a cold, windy, stormy Friday, and your update is just what I needed to take my mind off the approaching storms.

Great photos of the one bedroom -- I love the little touches like the table in the hallway -- that's the kind of thing that makes me want to buy into DVC -- a table to dump our park stuff on when we come in. I am not even kidding!

Mmmmm, lunch looks delicious! Potato salad and hot dogs -- one of my favorite meals!

Henry is too cute playing with Dut Dut and his little towel wrapped all around him!

I so don't want your trip to end!!!

I'm glad my update was able to "warm" up your day a bit! How cold is cold where you are though? It has been in the high 40s here, and the 50's today and tomorrow WE WILL HIT 60!!!!!!! I am super excited and have already busted out the sandals.

That is exactly what our little entry table was used for - it was always full of random things, sippy cups, bags, etc. It worked really great. I also like that about DVC-a bit like home.

The cookout was delish. It was such a nice afternoon, we hope to do the cooking out again in December.

We had a great time at the pool-and now whenever Henry sees a pool he reaches out and rubs his tummy (which is the American Sign Language sign for bath), he gets excited. Hopefully this summer we can fit in some swimming lessons.

I don't want my trip to end in one way, but am VERY excited to start the PTR too!!

Another great update with such cute pics!

Thank you!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I love that you grilled out at WDW- so fun! Henry is once again darling-he is so skinny! Great pictures too!

Henry IS a skinny! He always has been, even when he was born at 10 pounds, he was still never a chunky baby. He's tall and skinny...like his Mommy!

What a great idea to grill for lunch. Fun Fun!

Henry looks so adorable in his little towel. So very sweet. I can't get over how much older he looks compared to your November trip. I can't even imagine how much older he looks now!

It was Joe's idea to grill out, and it was so fun we hope to do it again on each trip!! It was relaxing and yummmmmy.

Just wait until I start the PTR and share pics has he grows into 2 years old - he grows up every single day it seems!

The brats looked totally fab...they are the main reason I love going to baseball games. Ummmmmmmmmmmmm......goooooooooooooooood. Loved the pic of Henry inspecting Donald's pot.

Now I'm off to visit YouTube.

I have to agree with you on sporting events food. Yum! While I havent been to a Twins game in over 12 years, when we used to go as a family I always got a Malt Cup. Delish. I always thought it was weird/fun that you got to eat the Malt Cup with a tongue depressor too.

Please tell me you have a clue what I'm talking about.

Or are Minnesotans that weird?

Which woudn't surprise me a tad.

Hope you enjoyed the tour of the 1 bedroom!

Great update as usual! I love your pictures. I didn't even know you were allowed to girll anywhere there except at Fort Wilderness. How fun.

I think all the DVC resorts have grills - but I'm not certain about the regular resorts. I made sure AKV does for December!

Wonderful update Brook! I love that you grilled at Disney!!! Did you get the brat from Garden Grocer?!

The pool pictures are adorable, thanks for sharing!

We used WeGoShop.com this trip...and mainly because of the brats. We wanted specifically Johnsonville Beer Brats! I'm not certain GardenGrocer has brats or not...?

Glad you enjoyed the update and the pics! It was one of my favorites to write and share too.

It's so nice to hear how relaxed your trip was! Just really enjoying the resort, looking around. It's amazing how little most people do that. It seems to have really worked out with Henry! And now I'm hungry for brats!

We live in Oakdale, on the east side of St. Paul near Woodbury and Stillwater. I am familiar with Hutch. I used to live in New Ulm as a child and have been to Hutch/Glencoe for work on occasion.

We're looking forward to our next trip. Last one we took it relatively easy, not rushing, enjoying our resort. we're not too big into thrill rides, so we don't need to spend 12 hours in the park. This time we're going for all the holiday activities and decorations.

The Disney cruise is AWESOME! I recommend it to all Disney fans. Same great service and magic at sea! The kids really have a lot to do and there's lots of fun for the adults. By the time the kids are 3 or 4, it would be perfect!

It did work out great to be slow on a few days with Henry-otherwise we just exhausted ourselves and Henry-and that's no vacation in my book! It's VERY HARD for me to not plan back to back fun at Disney, but really, the slow quiet moments are equally as fun in a different way.

I am a bit familiar with your area as well, my brother used to live in Woodbury for a while.

We will be hitting up all the decorations on our next trip too, I'm looking forward to seeing it all. In November some things started to appear, but to see the Osborne Lights and all the resort decor-I'm sure we'll take at least a half day to travel the monorail and check out all those resorts!

That is great to hear that kids 3/4 would be ideal on the cruise-that means MAYBE in 2010 or 2011 instead of 2012/2013 like I was thinking! I look forward to it so much. I just drool everytime I read a TR that includes a cruise...it looks amazing and I've only read positive reviews of it all!

What a GREAT relaxing down day at Disney!!!! I loved the "tour" you gave us on your video, would love to stay at SSR someday or ANY DVC for that matter.... Loved that you cooked out, loved your pool pics, loved Henry's little wet feet pics and towel pics and adored the Dut Dut pics....omg, they are SO cute!!!! He's just the cutest little boy!!!!

Thank you! So many sweet things. Glad you enjoyed the tour...I think I did one for our Studio too, I just need to find it and upload it. The pool pics are some of my favorite from our trip.

Another great update! It sounds like you had a great day.

It was a great day!!

Looking forward to meeting you guys in December!

The video is great. What a nice place to stay. We've visited to do the DVC tour and take pictures around SSR. It's a very cool place, and walking over to DTD would be awesome!

You guys have a nice weekend!

I'm looking forward to meeting you guys!

SSR was very nice, I loved the walk to DTD. I do like a smaller resort though...even AKLs furthest hallway doesn't seem as far as our room to the main building at SSR. But, SSR is beautiful with wonderful views!

Great update!! I love the grilling idea! Very fun... you guys did so many things that we've never done. Guess teenagers will do that to you.
Henry is sooo cute in his bathing suit and towel! And that look he gave you... what a riot!

And little kids will make this sorta trip---slow! It worked really well though, just taking it easy.

I LOVE that look! I miss it! It was so cute.

Happy Easter, Brook!!! Hope the Easter Bunny was good to Henry and that you all have a blessed day!

Thanks Jackie! The Easter Bunny was good to Henry. Maybe a little too good between Mommy and Daddy AND Grammy and Poppa! It was a very fun day!

Happy Easter to you and your family too!

Thank you!

Happy Easter!

Great update - I just love the little wet footprints - so precious!

Thanks! I have a pic similar to the wet footprints, but it was snow from this past winter. I love their little feets!

Happy Easter Brook!

Thank you - you too...a bit late!

What a perfectly, lazy, wonderful day bumming around your report. These must definitely be included with each Disney trip. You are changing your next trip? Are you going to make us all wait for the new PTR? I hope the studio room you got was a good one.

I agree! I have really come to love the down days. I'm always torn between doing EVERYTHING though. I want to experience all Disney has to offer and it's hard each trip knowing there is no way. But, that's a good thing!

Yep, our next trip has been changed up a bit! And yep! I'm gonna make ya wait! I can't start real planning yet, I won't let myself until this TR is done. But, I'm really excited!!

Hope you had a wonderful Easter, Brook! Happy (late) Easter!!

Thank you! I hope you did too!

After I posted about the outfit, I should have known there were bad things in your future! What a way to spend a vacation with a seemingly fine kid who had digestive issues. Liam sounds like Henry was, totally cool until it came time to poop!

Such a fun relaxing day! I love grilling out. Grilling at home is fun, but something about charcoal in a park makes it so much better! Those photos of Henry with the towel are adorable. I love the little footprints!

So far, between our November and January trips, a trip is not a trip without digestive issues out of at least one end. I am REALLY hoping to break that trend in December.

We love grilling out too-the weather here in MN has been nice enough a few times, but we haven't done it yet...maybe this week finally.

The pics of Henry with the towel are some of my favorite from the whole trip, he was just chillin' poolside enjoying it all. And nothing beats little baby feet! Though his feet have grown TWO SIZES since that trip!

 

[PNO4TE]

Brook, I am not going to quote you but make two comments...

I have no idea what a Maly Cup is!

Someone on one of the AKL boards was looking for info about grills at AKLV and I believe she was told there were none by another poster. If I can find the right thread I will let you know since she would probably like to know that. Are they at Kidani?

 

[disneydusted]

A Malt Cup??? Do tell!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Brook, I am not going to quote you but make two comments...

I have no idea what a Maly Cup is!

Someone on one of the AKL boards was looking for info about grills at AKLV and I believe she was told there were none by another poster. If I can find the right thread I will let you know since she would probably like to know that. Are they at Kidani?

I was SO confused by "Maly Cup", then "OOOh! Malt Cup!" See that explanation below.

As far as grills - I do believe they are at Kidani, I'll double check on the DVCMember.com site...

Yep:
Scheduled to open early 2009 at Kidani Village:

Barbeque Pavilion
Fire up the grills, and picnic alfresco or in the covered area located near the sports courts of Kidani Village.

A Malt Cup??? Do tell!

Malt Cup.
Yumm.

It's an average sized up filled to the brim with chocolate ice cream-but the ice cream is lighter-like its whipped or something. And it's not SUPER chocolatly (I'm not a huge chocolate fan..sacrelig, I know! ), and it's easy to spoon out, so it's not hard like ice cream can get. It doesn't have a super malty flavor either, but just a nice overtone.

It's served with a small stick that is wide on each end and narrow in the middle where you hold it. I always loved eating these when I was a kid and not having to use a spoon! And, I still love it!

I think they sell them, "Minnesota Twins" themed of course, at my local grocery store. I just might have to pick some up!

 

[wickesy]

I didn't realize there were parking lot views at SSR, I thought they had it so the doors could open toward the parking lot, but the views would always be at least a courtyard...shows how much of SSR we don't know about! It's just huge isn't it?!

Sorry that was what I meant, the front door was on the parking lot. The actual view from the studio was just a grassy area behind.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

I have to agree with you on sporting events food. Yum! While I havent been to a Twins game in over 12 years, when we used to go as a family I always got a Malt Cup. Delish. I always thought it was weird/fun that you got to eat the Malt Cup with a tongue depressor too.

Please tell me you have a clue what I'm talking about.

Not a clue..but your description in a later post clued me in.

Or are Minnesotans that weird?

Well....given that my wife is from there, AND being that all her family is still living there and everything, I don't know that I want to answer that one. I will definitely say that the year we lived just outside of Brainerd was the most peculiar of our 12 year marriage. My first week up there, I had a guy say "Oooftah, dat dere's some crazy accent ya got doncha know!" Ummm....yeah....right back at you there partner.

Hope you enjoyed the tour of the 1 bedroom!?

- I actually got distracted and didn't get to pull it up yet....but now that you've reminded me, no time like the present.

 

[SoonerGirl]

My first week up there, I had a guy say "Oooftah, dat dere's some crazy accent ya got doncha know!" Ummm....yeah....right back at you there partner.

OMG! Being someone with parents who were both born and raised in Minnesota, and having tons of family still there, I can SO hear that guy's voice. Thanks for the laugh!

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

Love love love love LOVE the update !

 

[PNO4TE]

I was SO confused by "Maly Cup", then "OOOh! Malt Cup!" See that explanation below.

Malt Cup.
Yumm.

It's an average sized up filled to the brim with chocolate ice cream-but the ice cream is lighter-like its whipped or something. And it's not SUPER chocolatly (I'm not a huge chocolate fan..sacrelig, I know! ), and it's easy to spoon out, so it's not hard like ice cream can get. It doesn't have a super malty flavor either, but just a nice overtone.

It's served with a small stick that is wide on each end and narrow in the middle where you hold it. I always loved eating these when I was a kid and not having to use a spoon! And, I still love it!

I think they sell them, "Minnesota Twins" themed of course, at my local grocery store. I just might have to pick some up!

I swear, my fingers think they are playing the piano sometimes and type things I never meant to write!!

Your Malt Cup sounds like it might like be a little like a Wendy's Frosty??

 

[Goofy_and_Pluto]

i like mickey better than donald, but who doesn't? But hope you and henry and ur husband have a great time!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I LOVE the Twins malt cups!! We might go to a Twins game this weekend so I'll have one in your honor!!

It seems that crazy Minnesota accent is just super strong in the rural areas of southern and northern MN. In the cities we just draw out our "o" sounds. We don't all talk like the people in "Fargo"!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Sorry that was what I meant, the front door was on the parking lot. The actual view from the studio was just a grassy area behind.

Ah! Well, that is a relief. Your view above isn't too bad-Henry would enjoy plastering his little face the sliding window and watching people walk by!

Not a clue..but your description in a later post clued me in.

Well....given that my wife is from there, AND being that all her family is still living there and everything, I don't know that I want to answer that one. I will definitely say that the year we lived just outside of Brainerd was the most peculiar of our 12 year marriage. My first week up there, I had a guy say "Oooftah, dat dere's some crazy accent ya got doncha know!" Ummm....yeah....right back at you there partner.


- I actually got distracted and didn't get to pull it up yet....but now that you've reminded me, no time like the present.

I do not doubt you hearing that by Brainerd! Those folks "up nort" tend to talk a little funny. You betcha!!!

Okay, now I hope you enjoyed the tour of the 1 bedroom! (I bet you could hear my long ooooooo's in there...but people from MN know I'm not really from here, but everyone not from MN can tell I live here!)

OMG! Being someone with parents who were both born and raised in Minnesota, and having tons of family still there, I can SO hear that guy's voice. Thanks for the laugh!

I can too! I remember a few years ago I was working out at a gym (miracle!) and watching CNN while on the treadmill. There were some nasty tornados here that year and they interviewed a guy. Of course he HAD to be the overall, cocked hat, tooth missing, CRAZY accent guy. It was just after we had kinda started to get over that "Fargo" reputation and they interview him!

Love love love love LOVE the update !

Thank you! Another one coming today!!

I swear, my fingers think they are playing the piano sometimes and type things I never meant to write!!

Your Malt Cup sounds like it might like be a little like a Wendy's Frosty??

Yes! It is a bit similar, but not quite as ice creamy. The chocolate content is about the same, and the delisiousness factor is similar as well!

2 made up words in one reply!

i like mickey better than donald, but who doesn't? But hope you and henry and ur husband have a great time!

Thank you! I have to say I like Mickey better too...he has always been my favorite.

Henry has now begun to say Mickey...or at least his version of it. "Mi!" sometimes a "Mick!" It's stinkin' cute.

I LOVE the Twins malt cups!! We might go to a Twins game this weekend so I'll have one in your honor!!

It seems that crazy Minnesota accent is just super strong in the rural areas of southern and northern MN. In the cities we just draw out our "o" sounds. We don't all talk like the people in "Fargo"!

Oooooh, that sounds like a great weekend! ENJOY the malt cup if you do go! I have to go grocery shopping tomorrow, so I am going to scope out the ice cream section.

I agree about the accent thing! You hear a few funny things here and there, but mostly, just that long ooooooooooooooo. We teased my cousin so much about how she said "boat" when they first moved here. Now my accent is just the same!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Brook, does the Malt Cup have vanilla in it too? Half chocolate and half vanilla? If so, it sounds like what we call a dixie cup here. It's one of DD's favorite treats!

I also have to thank you for turning me onto Caribou Coffee Iced Coffee !!! I was in Target the other day found it! Of course, I had to buy a few! OMG!! SOOOOOO good!!! Yummy! I'm completely coffee addicted and this is definitely not helping! I'm trying to figure out what else I could possibly need at Target so I can go get some more!!

 

[k_reile]

I do not doubt you hearing that by Brainerd! Those folks "up nort" tend to talk a little funny. You betcha!!!

Okay, now I hope you enjoyed the tour of the 1 bedroom! (I bet you could hear my long ooooooo's in there...but people from MN know I'm not really from here, but everyone not from MN can tell I live here!)

I agree about the accent thing! You hear a few funny things here and there, but mostly, just that long ooooooooooooooo. We teased my cousin so much about how she said "boat" when they first moved here. Now my accent is just the same!

My freshman college roommate moved to MN (mankato) area after we graduated and she now has a MN accent. LOL!

 

[thewesterberg]

Whatcha sayin' about us up nort, eh?!

(Although I do notice that when we visit DH's mom - who lives just a few minutes from Canada - DH slips into a much more pronounced accent!)

Been enjoying your TR from afar.... been reading, but haven't had time to reply. Life has been C-R-A-Z-Y! SSR looks great and how perfect for Henry that there's a big dut-dut always willing to play with him!

And all this talk of grilling out.... I have hear by declared that tonight the grill will be christened for the first time in 2009 with burgers! And those malt cups... gotta get me to a Twins Game! (Can you tell I haven't ate much today!)

Oh, and the footprint picture... how precious!! Love it!

 

[KathyRN137]

Hi Brook!

Posting to let you know that I'm here...just got to breakfast at Kona. And, even though I'm a tea drinker, your description of the coffee made it very tempting! I could almost smell it!

We haven't stayed at SSR since '05 and I'd forgotten how pretty it was!

Henry's so cute; I just want to squeeze him!!

Going back for more... see you later!


Kathy

 

[brookelizabeth]

Brook, does the Malt Cup have vanilla in it too? Half chocolate and half vanilla? If so, it sounds like what we call a dixie cup here. It's one of DD's favorite treats!

I also have to thank you for turning me onto Caribou Coffee Iced Coffee !!! I was in Target the other day found it! Of course, I had to buy a few! OMG!! SOOOOOO good!!! Yummy! I'm completely coffee addicted and this is definitely not helping! I'm trying to figure out what else I could possibly need at Target so I can go get some more!!

I don't think they have a Malt Cup in vanilla or the half and half around here...although, those sound YUMMY!!

You are too funny about trying to think up things to go to Target to get more Caribou! But, I completely understand! Last night we had a quick late night stop at the grocery store for milk and Joe came out with a Caribou for me which I had this morning...so good!

I was really excited to see it all over Disney World-they really do have the best of the best, don't they?!

My freshman college roommate moved to MN (mankato) area after we graduated and she now has a MN accent. LOL!

Have her say "cute" or "out and about in a boat". Those are my favorite funny Minnesota words.

There are some really funny Minnesota words too, I've heard a couch called a davenport and then women carry billfolds and men carry wallets. I don't get it!

I'm about 1.5 hours from Mankato, it's a pretty nice town!

Whatcha sayin' about us up nort, eh?!

(Although I do notice that when we visit DH's mom - who lives just a few minutes from Canada - DH slips into a much more pronounced accent!)

Been enjoying your TR from afar.... been reading, but haven't had time to reply. Life has been C-R-A-Z-Y! SSR looks great and how perfect for Henry that there's a big dut-dut always willing to play with him!

And all this talk of grilling out.... I have hear by declared that tonight the grill will be christened for the first time in 2009 with burgers! And those malt cups... gotta get me to a Twins Game! (Can you tell I haven't ate much today!)

Oh, and the footprint picture... how precious!! Love it!

Hey there! Good to see you!!
I know what you mean about life being crazy...I can kinda keep up here, but my subscriptions are hopeless, I'm always playing catch up...or there are about 5 that I have barely even cracked the surface on.

Did you grill out? I hope so! We did the other night for the first time...so good!! I LOVE the weather we have been having lately, but this weekend is supposed to cool down and rain. Figures, huh?

 

[brookelizabeth]

Hi Brook!

Posting to let you know that I'm here...just got to breakfast at Kona. And, even though I'm a tea drinker, your description of the coffee made it very tempting! I could almost smell it!

We haven't stayed at SSR since '05 and I'd forgotten how pretty it was!

Henry's so cute; I just want to squeeze him!!

Going back for more... see you later!


Kathy

Hello there! Welcome!!
Kona breakfast---soooooo good. THAT COFFEE!

I love tea too, but I never know what is good tea, so sometimes I get disappointed with what I buy. Any recommendations?

SSR really is beautiful, I loved the pathway along the river, and all the flowers and fountains.

And thank you for the sweet words about Henry!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

We left off as we had enjoyed an afternoon of grilling out, playing and swimming and we had just recieved our new room assignment for the Studio...we had made zero requests on this room. I half hoped we would be on the completely opposite end of the complex, just to try it out.

Well, we ended up back in Congress Park, Room #1301 (bet you couldn't guess that, huh? ). We started our now familar haul back to Congress Park from the Carriage House.

Let's go, let's go!

As we walked up, I noticed these flowers were brand new. Earlier in the week they were red, and the cold weather had made them ALL die (Epcot was kinda sad looking with wilted flowers everywhere!), Disney was so quick in getting everything looking sharp again!

We knew it would be the 3rd floor by the room number, so we followed the little hallways around until the veryyyyy end, right by the back stairs - score! even closer to the DTD path.

We opened the door and we noticed the shades were completely wide open, and for a good reason...THIS WAS OUR VIEW!

And this picture completely does NOT do it justice. It was breathtaking!

Looking to the right a bit

It was beautiful. We rushed to the balcony, opened the door and squealed with delight! This had to be the VERY best view in all of SSR. We continued to gush on end for at least 15 minutes, and then finally inspected the room-which actually seemed brighter, fresher and cleaner than our 1 bedroom. We also determiend it to be very comfortable for our family of three. There was plenty of space for everything. This was a great relief because we anticipate, while ideally we will always get a 1 bedroom Villa for our family, sometimes a Studio trip will be required after a trip that we bring friends/family on that require a 2 bedroom.

And of course, I snapped a ga-jillion pictures...

Soaking in the view

"Hi Mommy!" He was ALL over that balcony, running around, up on the chair, on Joe's lap, down, smearing the windows, in about 30 seconds!

Very handy hooks In the entryway area

I missed the giant tub and shower, but this was still nice

Queen size bed - I thought the comforter was cute

Oh ya!

We called for our bags and within 15 minutes the same Bellman who took our items arrived with them. As soon as we opened the door to him, he excitedly said "You guys got 1301!!!"

You know it's a good room when the Bellman reacts like that!

He remembered us and said he was pumped when he saw our name attached with 1301, he also handed over "The Golden Goods", the Skinny Cows, wrapped in a brown paper bag with a plastic bag around it to keep them even colder.


After we thanked the Bellman with a tip and dealt with our bags, I wanted to get a picture of Joe and Henry up on the balcony (I got this idea from BellaSoliel!) so I ran outside...

From the back stairs...

We hung out in the room for a while longer and soaked in the view...

Hidden Mickey in the Studio

Sorry Mousekeeping!

Continued in next post