Our DVC Vacation: SSR, Member Cruise 2010, & AKV - SSMC Day 1 completed

[BigDogHU75]

Welcome to another trip report! I hesitated about doing another trip report because they are bittersweet. Trip reports mean that the vacation is over but, in writing one, I can relive my vacation over with all of you.

The Details
Where: Saratoga Springs, DVC Member Cruise 2010, Kidani Village

When: September 10, 2010 – September 21, 2010

The immediate cast of characters:

DH - He puts up with my love of Disney - dare I say obsession.

DS (3) - Loves Mickey & Goofy! It won't be long before he will be planning his own Disney vacation.

Me - I enjoy planning our Disney vacations. I am always thinking about and planning our next trip. I have two Disney trips is the cue and looking to add some more.

Us three:

My parents & DH's mother & brother also joined us for the trip.

My parents & me:

DMIL & DBIL:

A Little Background Info
We became DVC Members in Feb. 2008. We have stayed at AKV - Jambo House in Feb. 2009 & BCV & AKV - Kidani in September 2009 and we sailed on the S.S. member cruise in 2009. We had such a good time on last year's member cruise we decided to try to get on this year's cruise. On call-in day I was up bright and early. Phone lines opened at 9 a.m. I got through almost immediately but I got disconnected. Eventually, DH helped me by dialing in on his cell phone. So, here we were with two cell phones and our house phone trying to get through. Eventually, we did get through around 1:00 p.m. The categories I wanted (oceanview room with the big porthole) were all gone. So, we had to "settle" for 3 verandah staterooms. We were confirmed for three staterooms - 7016, 7018, & 7516.

Now, I had to decided where we would stay before the cruise. I knew that I wanted to stay some place we had not stayed before. The first place that came to my mind was SSR. I called MS to ask about availability and to my surprise a two bedroom was available. That reservation was eventually changed to a grand villa at SSR and then back to a two bedroom and a studio.

After the cruise, I knew that we would be staying at our home resort - AKV. I reserved a grand villa at Kidani and later added on a two bedroom and a studio for the additional family members that would be joining us after the cruise.

For those who read my previous trip reports, you know that my first DVC vacation was with the extended family in Feb. 2009. Then, in Sept. 2009, we took a DVC vacation with just the three of us (DH, DS, & I). This trip was definitely a combination of our first two trips. Some plans were broken (even though I did not make too many plans) & we did experience some firsts (first stay at SSR). Overall, it was a WONDERful trip. Stay tuned for more details.

Up next: Arrival day at SSR.

 

[Chellymouse]

Subscribing. Can't wait to read it!

 

[dizney4us]

Looking forward to reading about your trip!!

 

[Pixieflip]

Wow! How exciting! Can't wait to hear more!! We're just headed to SSR in 17 days, so I'm looking forward to what you have to say.

 

[Disney Princess]

It sounds like a great time with family. I can't wait to read more.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Sounds like a wonderful trip!!

 

[AnnaS]

Count me in. Waiting for more.

 

[Tinks "SS"]

Yea!! another trip report from marsha! Loved your last one!!

 

[gillep]

Sounds like a wonderful time can't wait to hear all the details

 

[El&Asmom]

Yipee! Love your TRs. Can't wait to hear more.

 

[rentayenta]

I am so in for this. Can't wait to read more!

 

[podsnel]

I'm ready to read all about it, too!

 

[KyCruisinSusan]

Subscribing, look forward to hearing more.

 

[magicmommy]

Sounds like a great trip!

 

[athenna]

Can't wait to read all about it! You're last trip report was fantastic!

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Looking forward to the rest!
Your little boy is adorable.

 

[heaven2dc]

Even though I'm not a DVC owner (yet ), I am excited for all of you for such an awesome trip! What fun plans!!

 

[BigDogHU75]

Hi All! Let me tell you, getting back to work is no fun. I am still in vacation mode and work will not let me enjoy it. It has been so busy I have not been able to get on the computer when I get home because I am so tired. But, I wanted to let all of you know that I am still here and I plan on doing another addition(s) to my TR this weekend.

Subscribing. Can't wait to read it!

Thank you for subbing. You will have more to read soon.

Looking forward to reading about your trip!!

I will posting pictures and an update soon.

Wow! How exciting! Can't wait to hear more!! We're just headed to SSR in 17 days, so I'm looking forward to what you have to say.

You will enjoy SSR. We stayed in the Grandstand section and it was lovely. We were write next to the pool. I will be posting pics of SSR this weekend. I wish we had stayed longer so I could explore the resort some more.

It sounds like a great time with family. I can't wait to read more.

I had a fantastic time with the family. It was one of the best trips I have ever had.

Sounds like a wonderful trip!!

It was a wonderful trip. It was so relaxing.

Count me in. Waiting for more.

Won't keep you waiting ... too long.

Yea!! another trip report from marsha! Loved your last one!!

Thank you! You are making me blush. Glad you found this one.

Sounds like a wonderful time can't wait to hear all the details

We definitely had a wonderful time. I enjoyed spending time with my family. It was a great vacation had by all.

Yipee! Love your TRs. Can't wait to hear more.

I am blushing again. Thank you. More is coming - I promise.

I am so in for this. Can't wait to read more!

Thanks for joining me.

I'm ready to read all about it, too!

I just finished reading two of your TR before I left. They were fantastic. I have to read your others. So, thank you for reading mine.

Subscribing, look forward to hearing more.

Thank you.

Sounds like a great trip!

We had a fantastic time.

Can't wait to read all about it! You're last trip report was fantastic!

Thank you for the compliment. I hope I do not disappoint with this one.

Looking forward to the rest!
Your little boy is adorable.

Thank you. He is my heart.

Even though I'm not a DVC owner (yet ), I am excited for all of you for such an awesome trip! What fun plans!!

Even though you are not a DVC owner )yet), it is never too early to learn about all you can when you become a DVC owner. And, let me tell you, this was an awesome trip!

 

[BigDogHU75]

September 8, 2010
Vacation time is almost here! I just have to finish up at work and then I can go home. The day seemed to go by pretty fast which was a good thing. The only thing that I needed to do when I got home was to wait for my parents to arrive at my house and then load up the van. I was already packed and the bags were ready to go.

My parents finally arrived and brought dinner with them. We ate our food and began loading up the van which was a painless process (unlike our family trip last year). We definitely had a lot less stuff. Now, that the van was packed we were all set for our 6:00 a.m. departure (or so I hope).

September 9, 2010
5:00 a.m. and I am up and ready to go. The only thing that I have to do is pack the cooler with the soda, juice, and water. Oh! I also need to wake up DH. DS was already up. He woke up to go to the bathroom and his Pop Pop turned on the light to make sure he was wide awake. DH finally got out of the bed and now everyone was up. By 6:30 a.m. we were in the and on the road.

The plan was for the drivers to switch every 4 hours. However, that did not happen. DS recently became potty trained and for some reason needed to stop every 2-3 hours and Pop Pop drove the majority of time. Even with all of the potty breaks we still made good time. We reached Jacksonville/Orange Park, FL close to 8:00 p.m.

The plan was for my parents & my family to stay in a local hotel but my friend wanted us to stay at her house. My parents decided to stay at the hotel and we stayed at our friend's house. DS had a really good time playing with his God-sister.

September 10, 2010 - Arrival Day at SSR!
We left Orange Park, FL around 10:00 a.m. We were on our way.

But, of course we had to stop for a potty break. Soon, however, we were seeing signs to let us know we were in the happiest place on earth.

Up Next: Our first day at Saratoga Springs...

 

[tigger2on]

Wow.... are you in a touring van? I wish our minivan looked as comfortable as your car!