I'd Walk a Mile for a Cupcake- an SSR Quickie! 4/4-4/7/11 FINISHED!! 6/29

podsnel · Apr 10, 2011

Hello AGAIN, DISpeeps! We are just back from a very quick, booked two weeks out, 3 night trip to SSR- and can I just say, it was a GREAT time!! I am Ellen, a SAHM of 3 boys and wife to DH Pods for nearly 25 years (we celebrate June 21st this year!). We are DVC members, and recently purchased our fourth contract, this one at BWV. :banana:

With 2010 points burning a hole in my pocket, I decided to start convincing DH last month that a Spring Break in WDW was a necessity to our sanity....and, it took me a few weeks to convince him. You see, this was the Spring Break that we would be staying home- well, he ALWAYS stays home for Spring Break, he's a CPA and is just a little too busy to go anywhere other than his office during April....but when I realized that my baseball playing 8th grader would be in High School next year, and that THIS was the LAST spring break we would ever take, well....I started hammering away at DH. Our oldest, Sean, would also not be able to come- he is autistic and attends a different school, with a spring break next week. But I could still go with Tyler (13) and Timmy (11, turning 12 later this month). However, due to the fact that Tyler made the Middle School team and they would be practicing during the week, Pods would just not let Tyler go. :sad2:

So 2 weeks before the break, I asked Tyler if he would be upset if Mommy & Timmy went to Disney while he stayed home to play baseball- God bless my selfless son, he said that would be ok- he would go to Disney next time, and we should go and have fun! :hug:

I booked 3 nights at SSR, purchased 2 plane tickets and proceeded to do the BIG happy dance!! :dancer:

But still, so sad Tyler wasn't coming. :sad1:

All that changed 4 days before the trip. When the coach told Pods to call him, and said Tyler should go to Disney- he'd only miss one practice, if that, and it was going to rain all week in NJ, so.......I made a couple of calls and HOORAY!!!!! Tyler was coming with us!!! But, I kept it a secret....until we got in the car to go to the airport on Monday morning...and he thought he was going to PT (he has pitcher's elbow). I will post the EXTREMELY anti-climactic surprise video in a bit, but for now, here's a photo of him and his reaction-

Anyway....we fly out of Newark, and here we are on the way down-

In 2 1/2 hours, we were riding this-

We had to stop at the DME desk, because since I had just added Tyler to our ressie a few days prior, he did not have a DME ticket. REALLY last minute booking, huh?

In line, there was a REALLY REALLY rude girl behind us, who was talking on her cell phone at a 300+ volume....everyone in line was rolling their eyes about her. Even my kids knew she was a disaster!! Let's just say, that if you are reading this, and you are her Mom, you should break up with Andre IMMEDIATELY and go out and get yourself a JOB!! :rotfl:

Anyway, fortunately for us she was NOT heading to SSR, so we got on our line and she got on hers, and in minutes we were riding the best bus ride of the trip-

You know i snagged that front row seat just for this-

First a stop at OKW-

And then it was time for Welcome HOME, baby!!!! :woohoo:

I had done online check-in (only a few days after booking the trip- how fun is THAT?!) so we were quickly handed our packet and told our room was ready (we were arriving at about 4:30) and that my request for the Springs had been honored. :woohoo:

This is really my only hesitation in booking SSR- what if I get stuck out in Carousel or the Paddock? I am all about the amenities and being close to them- I DO like a nice walk, I just prefer to save that for the parks when I am in Disney, KWIM? So with our excellent and convenient location secured, we walked over to check it out-

dort · Apr 10, 2011

Great so far. I've read your TR's before and have always enjoyed.
Patiently waiting for the next installment....... :surfweb:

podsnel · Apr 10, 2011

Soo....we walked over to our studio in the Springs, and this is what we saw-

There was a flat screen in this room, too!

It occured to me that I forgot to see bell services about my Owner's Locker, so I gave them a call- and in literally 10 minutes, there was a knock at the door! Excellent! We freshened up a bit before heading over to the boat dock- I had planned to go to EOS for dinner this night before going over to DHS. We had about a 15 minute wait for the boat- probably the longest we waited for transportation the whole trip. The boat came to us after it had been to the Treehouses- it also went to the Treehouses second after SSR on the way back.

The boat now docks ONLY in PI, right next to Paridiso-

Well, that looks yummy!

Next stop- EOS!

athenna · Apr 10, 2011

I'm in! I read all your reports :goodvibes

They are so good, I think I'd read anything you wrote :lmao:

Dizneydaz · Apr 10, 2011

SSR looks so nice! We've never stayed there but have been there several times to eat at their food court. Nice resort.

What a great surprise for Tyler and how nice (and understanding) his coach was. :goodvibes

Love all the pictures.

Can't wait for more.....

firecracker725 · Apr 10, 2011

Can't wait for more!

podsnel · Apr 10, 2011

We were going to EOS for dinner- this would be my 3rd time, and my kids' first. :scared1:

Typically, on our family vacations, we eat alot of TS meals. We have TIW, and we have $$$ from our Disney Visa, so it works out well for us- also because we enjoy the relaxing break in the restaurants, and all the themeing...and I always have SOOO many restaurants I want to try, that our CS experience has been a little limited. But I had promised Pods we would be eating as inexpensively as possible this trip, since this truly was an unplanned & extra bonus vacation- and EOS is not only one of the cheapest meals at WDW, but one of the yummiest! :goodvibes

We timed it JUST RIGHT- when we walked in, there was no line AT ALL....a few minutes later, it was a little different-

We waited at the table for our buzzer to light up-

ANd quickly, we were picking up our order. I had the Original...AGAIN!The Original 1762 (Hot Sandwich) - Fresh roasted beef, creamy horseradish sauce & cheddar cheese. Fresh made to order on Artisan Baked Loaf. - $5.99

It was very good- except for a gristly piece of roast beef that I removed. I do love that bread, though! Tyler was having Cannonballs - meatballs, mozzarella and parmesan cheese and marinara sauce $5.99

He was VERY satisfied with his choice-

Timmy chose a kids' grilled cheese, and they gave him a choice of small bread or big bread- go for the BIG bread, Timmy!!

Well, safe to say we will be back THERE again- the kids enjoyed it as much as I did- and best of all, when we come back for our November vacation, that holiday turkey/stuffing sammy will be there- and I can't WAIT to have me one of those!!! I did just see that an EOS is supposed to open this year in Times Square. :woohoo:

VERY excited about THAT!!! We left EOS and headed to the Bus Stop. On the way, actually, right next door to EOS, was the temporary Lego store-

Then back to the Springs to wait for the bus-

Timmy shows off his Birthday button-

Soon we were headed to DHS...first stop, RnRC!!! :banana:

15isto2 · Apr 10, 2011

Love reading the report so far, I think last minute trips are so much fun.

Can I please ask what type of bag is that that your younger DS had, I am looking for a new "carry on" bag and that one looks just the thing

NikkiLovesWDW! · Apr 10, 2011

Your boys are getting so grown up!! I am so excited for this TR! :cool1:

podsnel · Apr 10, 2011

dort said:
Great so far. I've read your TR's before and have always enjoyed.
Patiently waiting for the next installment.......

Hi again!! :goodvibes

Thanks so much for reading again!! Always glad to have you along!!

athenna said:
I'm in! I read all your reports They are so good, I think I'd read anything you wrote

Awww...shucks! :blush:

Thanks so much- I'm very glad you're here!

Dizneydaz said:
SSR looks so nice! We've never stayed there but have been there several times to eat at their food court. Nice resort.

What a great surprise for Tyler and how nice (and understanding) his coach was.

Love all the pictures.

Can't wait for more.....

It IS a nice resort- I hate that it gets bashed. It is very relaxing...and, as my son Timmy said, it feels like you are living in a neighborhood that has all this really cool stuff in it! :thumbsup2

And I am VERY grateful to ALL the people who helped my hubby get the message- really glad that coach knew my husband and told him it was ok!

firecracker725 said:
Can't wait for more!

Great!! I'll be writing fast, I hope- I'll be starting a new TR after my May 13th trip!! :banana:

Thanks for joining in!!

15isto2 said:
Love reading the report so far, I think last minute trips are so much fun.

Can I please ask what type of bag is that that your younger DS had, I am looking for a new "carry on" bag and that one looks just the thing

I agree- last minute trips are excellent!! Timmy's bag is just a rolling backpack made by High Sierra- I think I got it a couple of years ago at Modells. :goodvibes

It is well made and held lots of stuff!! :thumbsup2

podsnel · Apr 10, 2011

NikkiLovesWDW! said:
Your boys are getting so grown up!! I am so excited for this TR!

Hey nikki!! :hug:

I know- I hate it- I want them to be little again...it goes by in the blink of an eye, that is no exaggeration!!There were SOOOOOO many people down there from Scotch Plains!! We ran into them EVERYWHERE!!!!

dizneeat · Apr 10, 2011

Hi! I am in, Ellen!

Looks like I even made page 1 this time! :banana:

Okay, now going back to read! :laughing:

Queenofallthings · Apr 10, 2011

I am totally in! :goodvibes

You're staying at my all time fav resort!!

Can't wait to read more popcorn::

dizneeat · Apr 10, 2011

Done reading!

It's so nice of the coach to let Tyler come with you as well! :thumbsup2

SSR looks nice - we had a reservation there last summer, but we love OKW too much and changed it back to OKW (like this year) :lmao:

I guess we need to drive over to SSR and check it out more closely - even though I guess we will be staying value in 2012

Earl looks yummy! I could eat one right now! :thumbsup2

Can't wait for more - and so happy I am in here from the start! :love:

NikkiLovesWDW! · Apr 10, 2011

podsnel said:
Hey nikki!! I know- I hate it- I want them to be little again...it goes by in the blink of an eye, that is no exaggeration!!There were SOOOOOO many people down there from Scotch Plains!! We ran into them EVERYWHERE!!!!

Yeah, no kidding! I feel like everyone I know and work with was down there! Four teachers from my school! At least I had some trips to help plan, which is fun, but not as fun as going myself!

BTW, how's your PTA pres duties going? We must get together for lunch again once the weather gets warmer....

disney1474 · Apr 10, 2011

Great to see another TR!! Can't wait to see more pictures :thumbsup2

15isto2 · Apr 10, 2011

podsnel I agree- last minute trips are excellent!! Timmy's bag is just a rolling backpack made by High Sierra- I think I got it a couple of years ago at Modells. :goodvibes It is well made and held lots of stuff!!:thumbsup2[/QUOTE said:
Thanks, will have a look for one

MAGICFOR2 · Apr 10, 2011

Checking in! Now going back to read - looking forward to seeing how you like our home resort! We love Grandstand! :yay:

P.S. Okay, now I'm caught up! It is so cool that the coach made sure Tyler got to go! What a guy! Your room looks familiar! I think the SSR rooms are just so restful. Just looking at the pics makes me want to take a nap! :goodvibes

Yummo on the sammies! We like EOS too :thumbsup2

I have been wondering - do you have to have a ME ressie? or can you just show up and ask for a ride? We had an issue with Jim's CC not being activated when we rented a car, and I used my debit card. The clerk was adamant that if my card didn't go through, he couldn't rent us a car. Of course it was fine, but I remember saying, "That's okay, we'll just take the Disney bus!" But I wondered if that were really doable :confused3

Looking forward to more!

tinytreasures · Apr 10, 2011

Stopping by to say HI. I can NOT believe how big your boys are getting :scared1:

Will you put a brick or two on their heads for me please :thumbsup2

francis6306 · Apr 10, 2011

How fun! I love that you got to surprise your one son! :thumbsup2

We loved EOS when we went in Dec- my husband fully intended to get the holiday sammie when we went back to DTD, but it didn't end up happening. Can't wait to read more about your trip with your boys! :goodvibes

I'd Walk a Mile for a Cupcake- an SSR Quickie! 4/4-4/7/11 FINISHED!! 6/29

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