[llama]

So, I have been pondering the best way to go about this Report.

If I was like Disney Teacher I would have made meticulous notes to which to refer - alas, I'm not like DT...

If I were like Wish and R2G I'd have an amazing portfolio of pictures to present to y'all - sorry...

If I were Doughnutty and The Bear I'd spend my vacation on Splash Mountain - so it would be EASY...

If I was like Dana - well, heck, NOBODY'S like Dana....

So, I have decided instead to do this in sections: Resorts, Dining, Parks, Misc., Pictures - YES, I HAVE PICTURES. This might confuse you more, but it'll probably confuse me less, cause I honestly CANNOT remember minute by minute for 12 days.

So - I present:

RESORTS:

Our first week (or part of it) was to be at SSR. I know some people are a little leary of SSR. All you ever hear of is it's VASTNESS - but once you get to know SSR you come to love it.

We arrived at 9 p.m., on the Sunday of President's Day Weekend, so I knew my chances of getting my favourite section - Congress Park - was basically - nil. Guess what? I WAS RIGHT! We were greeted by a very nice young CM from London, England who promptly placed us in The Grandstand. There was no point begging - I'd gone through this before - and I was too tired to argue and HUNGRY. So we took our welcome package and headed for The Artist's Palette for a bite to eat. I had a chicken dinner, which was fine. I was too tired to really worry about food. We made our way over to The Grandstand. After calling Emily to let her know we had arrived, we went to bed.

The next morning I had a chance to take stock of my surroundings. And I was very pleasantly surprised. Outside our window was part of the golf course, with The Treehouses - those elusive Treehouses - in the background along the river. And a nice fountain. It was so private - I'm sure you could have suntanned naked on the balcony (not that that OCCURRED to me ) without anyone seeing. I still grumbled a bit, while getting ready to go down to the Artist's Palette for some breakfast, that it was too far to walk to the Lobby. Sit down everyone, grab on to something to hold - LLAMA WAS WRONG! After getting our bearings we ascertained that we were only a nice little walk past the quiet pool and over a little bridge to the Lobby! And on the way I noticed how closely the bus stop was situated to all the buildings in the area. Very nice. As the days continued at SSR, I came to like this area more and more. I think if I had really small kids I'd ask for this section. They have a little park for kids to play in, bbqs (several families had bbqs while we were there - what a neat thing to do!) And the quiet pool was bright and cheery and fun. They even had a horseshoe pitch. Yet it was only 5 minutes to the Lobby and main pool. So - if you're assigned The Grandstand don't get that sinking feeling that you get when you're plopped in The Carousel.

So, I was very happy in The Grandstand and Neil was happy because he could keep reminding me of how I grumbled when we first checked in.

We had a one bedroom suite at SSR and it was very comfortable - however, I still worry about the architect who designed this and most the other DVC properties. The poor man/woman suffers from a terrible affixiation to doors! Doors, doors, everywhere you turn - doors! You think you're going in the bedroom - nope you're in the shower, you think you're headed for the toilette - nope, bathtub - bathtub, sorry closet. I spend at least 3 hours of valuable Disney time opening and closing doors at DVC properties - oy!

When SSR first opened there was no sit-down restaurant. One has since been added - The Turf Club - in a "clubby-house"feeling, with comfy arm chairs and billiards - it's very nice and we ate there. I will give you a report of the food in the dining section. Artist's Palette is pretty good for counterservice, but at busy times, it can be a long wait for the one cash register. They really need a couple more stations.

The grounds of SSR are beautiful, especially along the River.

All and all a very nice resort.

Our next week was spent at OKW - and I won't even deny it - I am totally biased about OKW - until I open the door to my OKW suite I don't feel really "home". I LOVE OKW - I could happily settled in there for the rest of my life (I've pondered doing this - if I kept switching suites - would they ever find me?) - nevermind, I know the answer.

At OKW we had a 2 bedroom, as DD1 was joining us and frankly, after 8 years in the DVC - we're spoiled brats who like to stretch out.

To a lot of people OKW is a bit mysterious. "There it is" you hear them whisper, "that was the first DVC property...."

OKW is a little village to itself. It has a little village store and restaurant and people ride bikes around the sidewalks and it's just sleepy, and fun and homey. We absolutely love it. The colours are creamy and dreamy and aqua and peach. So restful. The main pool has a neat "SandCastle" slide into the pool and the pool is huge. The weather was a bit cool for pools this trip - but this pool is great.

It's so wonderful when you get yourself a "pro" CM - and Margaret was a "pro" - she had been working there for at least 5 years. We decided to check into OKW early on the morning when we left SSR, stashing our perishables with Bell Services - these guys are so totally laid back, they might just burst out into a chorus of "If you Like Pina Coladas" at any second.

Anyway - we were the only ones checking in and I asked Margaret which "good" buildings were available - nudge, nudge, wink, wink.... She was good-natured about it. First I chose Miller's Road, couldn't get the coveted Building 62 (the BEST) but got Building 19 - also very good. But WAIT! Then I remembered I had always wanted to stay in Building 45 right on Sassagoula River - you could watch the ferries go by - any chance of changing that....YES. Any chance of a first floor suite? .....YES So there we were in Building 45 - suite 4512. Even Neil commented on how beautiful it was to be able to walk out on to the patio (and the patios and balconies at OKW are like another room - with a dining table and chairs - three times the size of the other DVC properties) with the river right there. (I was hoping for a visit from an alligator - but alas - we did have a very nice Mallard Duck couple, but she was SO NOISY. Neil said it reminded him of someone - hmmmm

For those DVC members who haven't stayed at OKW, you have to realize that the suites are completely different than the properties in DVC. They are HUGE! Huge kitchen, huge living room/dining room, walk-in laundry room. Gigantic bedrooms, walk-in closet, huge bathrooms. Everything is BIG! And we love it. I unpack and we stretch out and we're home.

We had a happy week at OKW.

We didn't eat at Olivia's this time - but for great comfort food, it's a terrific restaurant and if you have the time - find our picture on the wall - so far I haven't been able to find it.

So - we are happy campers (a la DVC). Just one request Disney - ENOUGH WITH THE BEST KEPT SECRET! We all KNOW the BEST KEPT SECRET. I'm sure half of the Western World knows the BEST KEPT SECRET. Newsflash WDW - it's not a secret anymore.

[MickeyEars]

Great so far; can't wait to read more!

[MickeyMcFizzle]

Llamster! I was waiting for your TR to start. Glad it did! Can't wait to read more.

[tiggerlover1971]

Great trip report so far

[chottsy]

enjoyed every word so far!! looking forward to MORE! :C)

[WishIWasThere]

Great report so far.. Although I think our husbands might be related.. Mine loves to change lanes back and forth and back and forth the entire time he drives (there are only two lines over here and he still does it). Also, he thinks the way to make a "lunch break" when we are traveling is eating in the car.. Potty breaks just don't happen unless I threaten him with something really terrible or Elyse needs to nurse.

[Daisee]

Oh llama I've been waiting for this one.. keep it coming...

[Dopey]

I am married to your husband's doppelganger Never enough time to pee, much less to eat.
Also the delusion of being pick pocketed by Mickey Mouse himself

[Dana]

I have been very patiently waiting for this report....love your report. You writing is always well-thought out and entertaining. Everything sounds perfect so far. I am in total agreement with you on OKW..i love that place, but must admitt that I am terrified of getting stuck in one of the FARRRRRR away buildings..lol

[lovemysons]

I am so happy to see you have begun your report!!

Purple and red, hehehe!!

[cinderbella]

Silly Llama!! The mansions aren't anywhere near the highway!!
Come visit me and I'll take you to the historic plantation white column homes that line my town and to Charleston and we can walk down King St. just like Scarlett!

[cinderbella]

Whoohoo!! I was hoping you would do a TR because I really wanted to hear about OKW. I know you love it and you have told me many many times that you love it BUT it's always lovely to read about it in a trip report!

Our husbands sound the same except for one small thing. Dave thinks potty breaks should occur every thirty minutes. It drives me insane how much that boy pees!
He's learned to either hold it or shut up and deal on our last few trips because he knows the death glare will follow.

[Experiment6-2-6]

Originally Posted by llama

With tears just about welling in my eyes, I was gathered into the Mouse's Gentle Bosom - almost hearing him whisper "Welcome Home". Neil on the other hand says he never feels the gentle arms of the Mouse, but he does feel a large white glove gently lifting his charge card out of his wallet.

Alas, I am married to a Philistine....

(to be continued)

Hmm.

There are times when I don't feel it's gentle at all..

Loving the trip report..

Trust me, Atlanta is a no win situation.. Sometimes it's better to fly than drive..

[iluvwdw]

Great start, Llama!!! I can't wait to hear MORE!

[iluvwdw]

Great start, Llama!!! I can't wait to hear MORE!

P.S. I liked The Carousel section, btw.