A visit to Radiator Springs

Today we headed to Disney's new resort, The Art of Animation, not to stay in but just to walk around and explore it because they have now opened their Cars themed wing.  Nick had sent me links of pictures and videos online of this place and we both new Gavin would be up in the clouds over this place.  Grandma Mary and Grandpa Ron came with us.  I must say that they did a really good job of recreating Radiator Springs.  Nick and I will definitely stay here once they open up the regular rooms to the public.  FYI- the resort has 4 themed wings: Finding Nemo, Little Mermaid, Lion King and Cars.  Lion King is still being worked on so it's completely closed off.  Finding Nemo is open as you'll see by the number of people at the pool below.
I'll let the pictures sort of speak for themselves:

Gavin pointing out the names of each character.  The reception building is covered with blown up original sketches of the movies.

Having lunch in the Cars section of the cafeteria, listening to "Life is a Highway"- Gavin is singing the song in this picture.

This is the Finding Nemo pool.  I heard that you can hear the characters underwater. 

Making our way to Radiator Springs after lunch

Doc Hudson

Sheriff guards the town entrance

I love how they painted the sidewalk to look like a road

Flo

Ramone

Luigi and Guido's building cleverly designed as their store

Mater's building

The "cozy cones" are cabanas by the pool- they are free, first come first serve

Sarge

The Wheel Well Motel

Mcqueen

Sally-- Gavin was really looking forward to seeing her today

Fillmore

Inside the Wheel Well Motel-- we just had to cool off in the A/C for a little while.  It was super hot walking around Radiator Springs....it is in the desert after all. :) 

Gavin and Liam both knocked out in the car soon after we left the resort parking lot.  Gavin took a 2 hour nap which NEVER happens.  Since he took such a long nap and woke up at 6pm we couldn't put him to bed at his regular bedtime of 7pm.  So, after shower time we had a family Bingo game.  I don't think I've blogged about this but this is Gavin's new favorite game.  He calls all the numbers and with his own little spin.  Nobody told him how to say it he just came up with his catch line all on his own.  He spins the "spinner ball", picks up the ball and says "Make sure you have the number B3" (or whatever the letter/number combo is).  He calls all the numbers, even the 60's and 70's.  This has been great number practice for him.  It doesn't matter if it's the 1st number or the 40th call, he ALWAYS says "make sure you have the number" before announcing the letter and number.  Today he even started calling them with a little excitement in his voice.  I think he can do this "professionally" :)  

calling the letter and number

Everyone patiently waiting for Gavin's process.....it's not a fast game by any means 

This past week, my mom introduced him to a few other classic games: Twister and Connect Four.  He does well with Twister except that the mat is not made for toddlers/preschoolers so sometimes the color is too far for him to reach and he sort of has to restart.  But he gets the hand/color, foot/color directions and follows them.  He still has a little trouble with right and left so this game is good practice for that.
Connect Four on the other hand was not such a success.  He doesn't understand the strategy behind it.  He just likes to put all of the red chips together and all the black chips together.  He flips out if you try to mix them up.  So, he just plays by himself setting them up however he wants. :)