After a seemingly interminable period of DPW (Disney Park Withdrawal), the Munsons got our collective fix in December, from the 4th to the 11th. We joined our friend Tonya, along with her mom and step-father. We had made the decision to drive and were on the road with a fully packed vehicle at 4AM, Saturday morning, with the goal of meeting Tonya's mom and step-father for a late lunch at a Cracker Barrel restaurant just off I-95 near Savannah, Georgia. It was Kathryn's longest road trip ever. With a lot of prep for keeping Kathryn happy and occupied by both Mommy and Kathryn, she was a model traveller. Our daughter may not be perfect, but she certainly travels well.
A car trip to Florida from anywhere within, say 100 miles of the Atlantic coast, is generally going to involve Interstate 95. Like its counterpart on the west coast, I-5, the road forms the transportation backbone for the East Coast. We join it about the 20 mile mark from our house and remain on it until we reach Daytona, Florida, where we transition on to I-4 for the southwesterly jog into central Florida.
The weather cooperated (always a tricky proposition in winter) and we had a brief visit at South of the Border just after 10AM. For the uninitiated, South of the Border is an I-95/US Highway 301 institution located literally right over the border in South Carolina from North Carolina. It is kitsch gone wild and, quite frankly, for the inherent stereotyping of Latin Americans (Mexicans in particular) present at the place, I'm surprised that it has survived into the 21st century. It is a veritable hodge-podge collection of structures (stores, restaurants, cheesy diversions, and more stores) spread out on both sides of US 301. It was the first time that I had ever stopped there that I can recall. It matched quite closely much that I had already imagined about it!
The huge Pedro sign announcing SotB's location to the curious traveller. 
Serape anyone? Authentic Mexican goods made in China! We met Arlee Ann and Daddy Walt at the restaurant as scheduled. Kathryn and I got to briefly play some checkers and Kathryn discovered a "player accordion" in the attached store that just fascinated her. The accordion stayed in Savannah - sorry, Kathryn!
Although we passed tantalizingly close, a visit to St. Augustine was neither in time nor budget. I have been fascinated by the history associated with this original settlement of ye olde Spanish Florida since childhood, but I've not yet been able to visit. However, I do wonder how the reality of it would mesh with my imagination!
After stop at a grocery store for the perishables and frozen items that we were planning on consuming at our Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village accomodations, we drove to the Lodge on what seems to be a growing number of access points to the World. When all was said and done, it took longer to confirm which "under Lodge" parking area we were supposed to be at than it did to unload the vehicles.
No sooner had we walked in and opened the curtains to take in some of the "savannah view" when we all perceived a potential issue. The "savannah view" amounted to all of about forty-fifty feet in front of the balcony before you were looking at a chain link fence with a dirt access road beyond, which allowed the resort cast to access various backstage areas. We all felt some frustration and Tonya was at the boiling point having used many of her Disney Vacation Club points current and future to acquire this room. When calmness returned and discussion with resort representatives had taken place, we realized and subsequently confirmed that this was not such a bad location. What we had at first thought was a lousy back corner of the savannah turned out to be a rather important "thoroughfare" for the animals to get from one area to another. Plus there was a feeding and salt block station just to the left of our room. So it turned out not to be the lemon that we originally concluded that we had been handed. This time I actually got pictures of a Disney World accomodation before it acquired the "lived-in" look.
The main living area. Sleeping quarters with seperate baths on left and right. I don't have a photo of the immediate entry, but there is a closet with washer and dryer on the right and an additional bath on the left. To the immediate left in the photo above is the kitchen, also shown below.
The kitchen did come equipped with a moderate amount of basic cooking utensils and vessels and the corresponding dishes, glassware and silverware.
Our room. It was late, and even as excited as she was, Kathryn was ready for bed!
Our room from the other direction. We had an abundance of closets, principally the two visible through open doorway. The passage into the main living area is between the closets.
Even the bathrooms are thoughtfully provided with open cubes below the sink and counter, some with baskets, for more storage. A really convenient way to keep the counters clean and uncluttered!
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