kittylady1972
Disneyholic
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2003
Trip Dates: December 5 - 12, 2009
Resort: 2BR Villa at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort
Who: Our group of seven...my family of five plus the in-laws
Check out my Pre-Trip Report Link for more details
So this was going to be an easy trip report as I was typing it up daily from our vacation on my netbook to make it easy to remember all the details. Well the netbook was sadly left behind on our flight back from Orlando and I guess somebody else must have really needed it despite my hope that in the spirit of Christmas it would be turned into lost and found. It was not. Therefore I'll be doing this from my memory, which isn't what it used to be anymore!
Quick Summary: We left cold and rainy Maryland with hopes of seeing lots of sunshine and enjoying some warm weather. We had more than our fair share that week of rain and cold and dreary weather...just like home. Of course, on the day we arrived in Florida back at home it was snowing so at least we missed THAT mess! We were a bit sad to miss our new puppy's first snow experience though! We did get ONE pool day in, which the kids were happy about. We tried out several new restaurants this time and I'm sad to say something I never thought I'd say...but I am finally getting to the point where I am not happy with the Disney restaurants for the most part. The limited selections are really frustrating and I'm starting to echo the sentiments of many around here that the dining plan has really hurt the restaurants. I understand they are getting more people into the restaurants due to that, and of course they are getting more people through I'm sure since you really don't have to take much time making decisions. I was hoping to enjoy some of the restaurants more than I did but sadly...they were just okay. There are exceptions of course...California Grill is still a favorite that I think we'll keep as a new tradition. We all enjoyed Mama Melrose as well. Tony's Town Square was just okay...nothing exceptional but I'm glad we tried it. San Angel Inn was quite disappointing as well...it was okay, but nothing special. I think we'd be happy just having a few select counter service meals and maybe heading off-site for food in the future, since we always rent a car anyway.
QUICK LINKS!!
DAY 1 (Dec 5th): Departure Day and Airport Fun
DAY 1 CONT'D: Hollywood Studios and La Nouba
DAY 2 (Dec 6th): EPCOT Day and the Lost Child
DAY 2 CONT'D: Snacks, fun and dancing on the tables!
DAY 3 (Dec 7th): Animal Kingdom - Will my kids need therapy or antibiotics?
DAY 3 Cont'd: California Grill and MK at night
DAY 4 (Dec 8th): Magic Kingdom and Osborne Lights
DAY 5 (Dec 9th): Chef Mickey, Resort Touring, MORE Lost kids and POOL TIME!
DAY 6(Dec 10th): A rain-soaked adventure at Studios!
DAY 6 Cont'd: Relaxing at Disney
DAY 7 (Dec 11th): Our Last Full Day...very sad!
DAY 8 (Dec 12th): Last Day of the Trip
Next up: Our first day of travel, Hollywood Studios and La Nouba!!
Resort: 2BR Villa at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort
Who: Our group of seven...my family of five plus the in-laws
Check out my Pre-Trip Report Link for more details
So this was going to be an easy trip report as I was typing it up daily from our vacation on my netbook to make it easy to remember all the details. Well the netbook was sadly left behind on our flight back from Orlando and I guess somebody else must have really needed it despite my hope that in the spirit of Christmas it would be turned into lost and found. It was not. Therefore I'll be doing this from my memory, which isn't what it used to be anymore!
Quick Summary: We left cold and rainy Maryland with hopes of seeing lots of sunshine and enjoying some warm weather. We had more than our fair share that week of rain and cold and dreary weather...just like home. Of course, on the day we arrived in Florida back at home it was snowing so at least we missed THAT mess! We were a bit sad to miss our new puppy's first snow experience though! We did get ONE pool day in, which the kids were happy about. We tried out several new restaurants this time and I'm sad to say something I never thought I'd say...but I am finally getting to the point where I am not happy with the Disney restaurants for the most part. The limited selections are really frustrating and I'm starting to echo the sentiments of many around here that the dining plan has really hurt the restaurants. I understand they are getting more people into the restaurants due to that, and of course they are getting more people through I'm sure since you really don't have to take much time making decisions. I was hoping to enjoy some of the restaurants more than I did but sadly...they were just okay. There are exceptions of course...California Grill is still a favorite that I think we'll keep as a new tradition. We all enjoyed Mama Melrose as well. Tony's Town Square was just okay...nothing exceptional but I'm glad we tried it. San Angel Inn was quite disappointing as well...it was okay, but nothing special. I think we'd be happy just having a few select counter service meals and maybe heading off-site for food in the future, since we always rent a car anyway.
QUICK LINKS!!
DAY 1 (Dec 5th): Departure Day and Airport Fun
DAY 1 CONT'D: Hollywood Studios and La Nouba
DAY 2 (Dec 6th): EPCOT Day and the Lost Child
DAY 2 CONT'D: Snacks, fun and dancing on the tables!
DAY 3 (Dec 7th): Animal Kingdom - Will my kids need therapy or antibiotics?
DAY 3 Cont'd: California Grill and MK at night
DAY 4 (Dec 8th): Magic Kingdom and Osborne Lights
DAY 5 (Dec 9th): Chef Mickey, Resort Touring, MORE Lost kids and POOL TIME!
DAY 6(Dec 10th): A rain-soaked adventure at Studios!
DAY 6 Cont'd: Relaxing at Disney
DAY 7 (Dec 11th): Our Last Full Day...very sad!
DAY 8 (Dec 12th): Last Day of the Trip
Next up: Our first day of travel, Hollywood Studios and La Nouba!!