After taking too many stairs at Blizzard Beach, I was not feeling well enough to visit Hollywood Studios the next morning. Laura stayed with me at the resort, while the boys went to the park. Their focus, of course, was anything Star Wars-related.
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| G is the sorcerer! |
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| Riding a speeder bike with the other Scout Troopers |
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| They were accidentally shrunken and found themselves in a back yard, but G found an ant to help him fight his way out of the yard |
They came back in the afternoon for a swim, and then we all went back to Hollywood Studios.
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| Chip discovered the fun of water slides |
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| Water slides are fun for everyone! |
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| Our baby's first no-jito. I'd been drinking them every day, and he really wanted to try one. |
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| Different year, same picture - down to the overjoyed expression on Chip's face. He was happy - just being silly. |
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| The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectaular! was, well, spectacular. |
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| G was truly captivated and entertained |
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| Future stuntman? |
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| On Endor, we found Luke Skywalker preparing to fight Darth Vader. |
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| That says "Departures," for those of you who don't read Galactic Basic Standard. |
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| C-3PO and R2D2, and a commercial advertising Star Tours with a Nanny Droid |
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| The star tourists after their return from Endor, Cruscant, and Mustafar (pregnant ladies don't make good galactic travelers) |
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| A crate at Muppet*Vision 3D |
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| "In Space, No One Can Find Their Shoes" |
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| Matt on the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster |
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| Walk This Way! |
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| Rock On! |
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| Inside the entrance to our resort |
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| G asked to take a photo with Daddy in the lobby. I love this one. |
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| A beautiful light fixture at the end of the lobby, in front of the savanna window. Begins at the bottom with roots in the soil and ends at the top with an ostrich egg surrounded by ostriches. |
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| A very clever African ladder |
The morning of our departure, G took each of his stuffed animals outside on the balcony with him so that each of them could have some special time viewing the animals on the savanna. He is such a kind and caring boy; we were really touched to watch him that morning.
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| Charkie's turn |
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| This was the perfect place for us to stay |
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| Even the patio chairs were beautifully detailed |
We think that we will return to this lodge. It was really special, in that it was relaxing, entertaining, and educational. They really make a lot of effort to present different aspects of culture, geography, ecology, and society in the African countries so that guests can truly learn while they're there. We liked the fact that it wasn't a cartoon version of the continent; it was genuine. The "cast members" (employees) are actually African residents who have lots to share about their countries. From a drum lesson one night, to a zoology lesson another night, to guides orienting us to the animals on the savannas outside, we really left with a new appreciation for Africa in general, but I think Botswana in particular (that was the zoology lesson).
G is not the type to take part in the organized poolside activities, but he did want to play ping pong, use the water slides, and play monkey in the middle with anyone who was around. He also loved sitting out on the balcony and watching the animals on the savanna. And any parent can tell you, if the child's happy, everyone's happy!
We are not a "Disney family" in the sense that we are obsessed with the movies and characters, but we have definitely become appreciative of the quality that they put into their lodges and parks, and we are fans of the efforts they make toward good stewardship of the planet. We had such a nice trip, and we are so glad that Laura was there with us. Angle Vacation 2011 was a success!
