DAY 9
WEDS 5th JAN 2000
We are
moving to Dixie Landings today so breakfast in the room
is followed by packing. We are finished by 10:30 and
leave the cases in the room as bell services will take
them over for us.
We take the bus to the Studios and change there for Dixie
Landings. Check in is pleasant and efficient, it is only
11:30 but our requested room in building 14 is ready! The
luggage will not be over until later so we take a look
around the resort. Our first impressions are that it is
very nice indeed, quiet, green and very pretty. You can
see why you pay the extra money to stay here. The main
pool looks great for the children and I'm sure that we
will make use of the hot tub.
At 12:10 we are picked up to attend the Disney Vacation
Club presentation. I have wanted to do this for ages and
it seems like a good time while we are changing resorts.
The girls go into the play area and we have a cup of
coffee and meet Bobby who gives us the presentation, he
is nothing if not enthusiastic. It is supposed to take
one hour but eventually ends up nearer to two. Bobby
certainly knows how to talk! The Boardwalk apartments we
are shown are wonderful, especially the en-suite jacuzzi
that allows you to watch TV while soaking. The sales
pitch is not too overpowering and Bobby is at pains to
tell us that we are under no obligation. My only problem
is how do I talk Tammy into it? Oh yes, and where the
heck do I get the necessary £7500 for the 180 points?
Much as I would love to do it, it is unlikely to happen
for the time being.
We are finished around 2:30 and are given a voucher for a
free lunch at either Spoodles, the ESPN Club or the
Brewery place. Spoodles is closed so we go to the ESPN
Club. If you like sport and TV you will be in heaven
here. Various sports from around the world are being
shown on the numerous TV's that seem to be everywhere you
look, including in the bathrooms.
We start with 1lb of shrimp between us. This is the
second time that I have had shrimp this holiday and both
times it has been flavourless. I'm not sure if this is to
do with the fact that it is winter. Next I have the steak
sandwich, which is fine. We could have had a dessert as
well but we are all too full. The only thing we have to
pay for is the beer. Hah! Bet you thought I'd forgotton
about that, didn't you?
Back to the Disney Vacation Club and they give us a ride
back to Dixie Landings.
In our room we ring bell services and our luggage arrives
within 5 minutes. Very efficient. Unpacking follows. The
room itself is slightly larger than the All Star Movies
but it needs to be as all 5 of us are sharing. The extra
sink unit will be really handy and the storage space is
quite deceptive as everything fits in OK. The best thing
about the room is the individual air conditioner. That
blasted communal air conditioner at the All Star Movies
that you cannot turn off really gets on your nerves at
night. Even though we have a parking lot view, the
majority of the window looks out on a very pretty wooded
area.
We all have showers and are on our way to Pleasure Island
by 6:30. We use the boat to Downtown Disney, which is an
incredibly civilised way to travel. A walk through the
Marketplace sees us at Pleasure Island. Our first stop is
at the Art of Disney where there is much temptation. It
would be so nice to take home something to remind us of
our Millennium holiday, we will have to see how the money
lasts.
Into the Adventurers Club where an intended brief visit
lasts all night (well, until 9:30 anyway) as we have a
marvellous time. There are the usual jokes about 12 year
olds in a bar (ho, ho!), mine are 9 and 6 so they can't
be on about them. It is only 8:00 for goodness sake! The
maid, Annelle, is very nice and makes sure the girls move
into the treasure room and sit up front to watch her
show. Both Georgia and India are loving it, singing the
Adventurers song, learning the Club salute and watching
all the shows. It really isn't a problem with the
relatively mild sexual innuendo as it goes straight over
their heads. As long as we are out of there by 10:00 PM,
who are we harming?
Anyway, Grandma nearly scores! The Colonel takes a fancy
to her but, unfortunately, nobody has a spanner to loosen
his nuts so she has to come home with the rest of us.
Kungaloosh's and various other beverages are enjoyed by
all during our delightful evening. Thanks to all the
talented and fun performers for keeping us so royally
entertained.
We walk back through the West Side at 9:30. I don't
remember the ice rink before, it must be a winter thing.
Has anyone ever managed to visit all the shops and eat in
all the restaurants here? The choice is amazing.
We are back in Dixie Landings and in bed by 10:30. India
has the trundle bed and Georgia sleeps with Grandma. They
will alternate over the next two weeks to keep it fair.