Halloween Weekend with our Favorite Disney CM...new PTR LINK p. 16

[MiaBella05]

joining in

 

[Shannon84]

I am joining in on the fun

 

[Joanna71985]

I love Chik-fil-a! It's sooooo good.

 

[Goofy22]

It's so cool that your Sis gets to be a CM!! Will she still be there for my december trip? Im gonna keep an eye out for her and make sure I say hi if I see her since she is at my Favorite park also!! We just had a CHIK-FIL-A open up near our mall which is apprx 45 mins away!! I have yet to go to this one but we have been to the one in MCO we really like it too! Have you ever done night flights? In December when we go we are taking a 630pm flight there and a 940pm flight back and we have flown quite a few times just never at night usually early morning or mid-day We've also stayed at SSR and it's a very nice resort I really like their counter service . I had a chicken ceasar pita or something not sure it's been awhile and it was really good !

 

[wdwgirl03]

Yay, I love arriving at MCO and knowing you have your whole trip ahead of you, it's awesome! I always feel so bad for the people getting on the mini monorail, going to catch flights home! I know not everyone in Orlando is coming from WDW, but I always assume they are!

Glad you got your requested section at SSR! I'd really like to stay there someday, it looks really pretty!

I know what you mean. It is weird when they talk about returning home or visiting the world class attractions (OK, I think I've been to FL too many times if I know the spiel on the fake monorail)-it just seems like most people there are tourists!

haha yes, I would recommend SSR (and also AKL...hehe )

Chik-fil-a! I was so sad when they changed their frying oil, the french fries aren't quite as tasty now as they were before (we go pretty much every time my boyfriend is homesick for the South). Love their special sauce!

I've never stayed there but I love Saratoga Springs! Who wouldn't love a horse-themed resort? And those costumes are awesome.

That is a long bus ride for your sister! But I'm guessing there's not very much traffic over to those resorts? I can't imagine having to do that for a commute!

I know one of the complaints a lot of people have about SSR is the "lack" of theming-I don't get it! I think it's great and so the resort is so pretty.

Yeah, I agree! Luckily she doesn't have to take a bus ride like that very often and the one to work is much shorter.

Three of the best words ever in a phrase a.k.a. the best road name ever- "Vacation Club Way".

Agreed!

Love the SSR pictures! It wasn't our first choice but I am now so excited to be staying there in December.

Your Chik-Fil-A tradition is great, if if was closer it might not be as special when arriving at MCO.

How lovely that you didn't have to wait for the Magical Express!

Ohhh, you will love SSR! It's a DVC resort so you really can't complain about that!

We actually did used to have one at a mall around here but that mall is long gone. I think I heard there is one a couple hours away though. LOL.

Yup, it's always nice being able to walk right on to the bus!

SSR is so pretty and peaceful looking. I wonder why people don't like it as much as the others? Because it is not next to a park?

I think that's part of it. Also a lot of people are turned off because it's so big/spread out.

Hooray for Chick-fil-a and Disney! You should write Chick-fil-a and ask them to expand in to the Mid-west! The stores seem to do well wherever I see them so I'm sure they'd be a hit up there too. Who doesn't like fried chicken?!?!
I have one about 5 minutes from my house. I can totally see how it would be a great treat if I only got to have it once in a blue moon. Have you ever tried their milkshakes? They're really yummy and hand mixed, not the kind from a dispenser machine like they have at most fast food places.

haha, maybe I should start a petition. I have not had their shakes but that does sound really good. I'll have to remember that for April!

I can't believe yall don't have a Chick-Fil-A! But you're right, now it's like a special Disney thing.
Saratoga Springs looks beautiful! I would love to stay there, I wonder why it's not as popular as some of the others? Looks great to me!
Looking forward to yall meeting up with your sister!

I mentioned this in another comment but there used to be one around here a few years ago. It's sad it's no longer here but oh well. It's kind of like Earl of Sandwich at DTD-when you're there it's a nice treat.

Ok so I'm pretty sure you've convinced me to get Chik-Fil-A in MCO...but we'll have to get it before our flight home because I'm always like a 5 year old and want to go right to DME when we get off the plane lol

Yay for SSR! I'm not sure if you've had a chance to read my latest PTR update but that's where we're going to be booked for our honeymoon at 11 months out My friend owns there and if we aren't able to get BWV or BCV at 7 months, we'll stay there. I see you like Congress Park the best...I'm indecisive as to where I'll request. What suggestions would you have? Do you know the order of the bus route? I like that Grandstand is the first bus stop when we are returning from the parks but I don't want to sit on the bus for 40 mins in the mornings going through all the stops before leaving for the parks!

I'm not sure why SSR isn't loved like the other DVC resorts...everything I've seen of it looks GORGEOUS!

LOL, it really doesn't take that long to get the food! Plus we always take it with us so we can enjoy it on the bus.

After reading your comment I did go check out your post. YAY for getting to stay at a DVC resort! I'm always going to say Congress Park, but if you would prefer to be closer to the main building (the Carriage House) then maybe the Springs (that's also the last stop on the buses). Speaking of the buses, the order is the Grandstand, Carousel, Paddock, Congress Park, and then the Springs. It does take a while to get through all the stops but it's really not that bad.

I think you'll really enjoy SSR. And if you are able to get BCV I'm sure you'd love that. I can't comment on the BWV yet!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Yay! You made it to SSR I really want to stay there next trip. I feel like it was made for me since it's all horse racing/horse themed, which is my favourite animal. Plus the close proximity to DTD helps too Can't wait to see more pictures.

Oh, then SSR would be perfect for you! I was just thinking on this last trip that maybe they should have some REAL horses there. That would be kind of fun. haha

joining in

Welcome!

I am joining in on the fun

Yay! Thanks for joining in Shannon!

I love Chik-fil-a! It's sooooo good.

It is amazing!

It's so cool that your Sis gets to be a CM!! Will she still be there for my december trip? Im gonna keep an eye out for her and make sure I say hi if I see her since she is at my Favorite park also!! We just had a CHIK-FIL-A open up near our mall which is apprx 45 mins away!! I have yet to go to this one but we have been to the one in MCO we really like it too! Have you ever done night flights? In December when we go we are taking a 630pm flight there and a 940pm flight back and we have flown quite a few times just never at night usually early morning or mid-day We've also stayed at SSR and it's a very nice resort I really like their counter service . I had a chicken ceasar pita or something not sure it's been awhile and it was really good !

I know, I am so jealous that she is doing the program. If only I would have done it-but atleast I get to live vicariously through her. And yes, she doesn't come home until January so you might see her when you're at the Studios!

We have only done a late flight once and it wasn't by choice! Our early morning flight was cancelled and we had to go on a later one. We stayed at SSR that trip too and didn't get there until midnight when we should've been there around noon.

 

[xoktenox]

LOL, it really doesn't take that long to get the food! Plus we always take it with us so we can enjoy it on the bus.

After reading your comment I did go check out your post. YAY for getting to stay at a DVC resort! I'm always going to say Congress Park, but if you would prefer to be closer to the main building (the Carriage House) then maybe the Springs (that's also the last stop on the buses). Speaking of the buses, the order is the Grandstand, Carousel, Paddock, Congress Park, and then the Springs. It does take a while to get through all the stops but it's really not that bad.

I think you'll really enjoy SSR. And if you are able to get BCV I'm sure you'd love that. I can't comment on the BWV yet!

I never even realized you guys take it on the bus! That's smart!! You just planted a seed in my head

Thanks so much for the SSR advice...I'm so indecisive on what section I want to be in! How far is CP from the CS place at SSR? I don't even know what building it's in...so much to learn! haha

I will honestly be happy wherever we get to stay! Thanks again!!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Yay on being home and getting Congress Park!

 

[archdandy]

I'm joining in! It's so great that you guys were able to go to Disney and visit your sister! It would be awesome to be a CM.

I'm happy for you that you got the section you wanted at SSR and I can't wait to read about the rest of your trip.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I never even realized you guys take it on the bus! That's smart!! You just planted a seed in my head

Thanks so much for the SSR advice...I'm so indecisive on what section I want to be in! How far is CP from the CS place at SSR? I don't even know what building it's in...so much to learn! haha

I will honestly be happy wherever we get to stay! Thanks again!!

haha yeah, we don't sit down at the airport and eat it. Sometimes when we have had to wait a little for the ME bus we've just eaten it in line.

You're welcome. Congress Park really isn't too far. It's easy enough to walk from there down the main road up to the big pool/Artist Palette. Good luck making your decision-there are perks to each section, I'm sure!

Yay on being home and getting Congress Park!

Yup! Gotta love Congress Park!

I'm joining in! It's so great that you guys were able to go to Disney and visit your sister! It would be awesome to be a CM.

I'm happy for you that you got the section you wanted at SSR and I can't wait to read about the rest of your trip.

Welcome! Glad to have another reader. I am very happy I was able to squeeze in another trip. I was originally going to go this December after Christmas (which now that all the holiday stuff is going up I'm getting sort of sad about ) but ended up changing my mind.

More to come soon!

 

[Queenofallthings]

I have no idea how I missed that you started this but I'm here now and all caught up!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Happy Friday everyone! I thought since I have the afternoon off I'd do another update. First I wanted to share a couple more pictures my sister posted on facebook. As you might know, the holiday transformation is well under way and many of the Christmas decorations are up. There were cast previews for some of the holiday things about a week ago or so. It's so crazy to think when we were there it was all Halloween and now it's already Christmas! So for all of you going over the holidays here's what you have to look forward to...

(I think this is the show only done at MVMCP but they always have the dream lights!)

Seeing all Emma's pictures makes me so sad I'm not going after Christmas this year like I was originally going to (not to mention I'm jealous of all you guys who ARE). BUT...because I keep saying how badly I want to see the decorations again (it's been almost 3 years since we were last there in Dec.), Dad suggested that maybe I could go NEXT year instead of going for spring break in 2013. Seeing as after our trip next April will be my third year in a row going in the spring, I'd be all for a holiday trip (and maybe going somewhere else for spring break). I know it's a long way off so we'll see what happens. Our DVC point allotment needs some time to recover after all these trips. haha

Anyway...I'll be posting the next update right after this so stay tuned!

 

[wdwgirl03]

I have no idea how I missed that you started this but I'm here now and all caught up!

Welcome! I've really only just started so you haven't missed too much.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Friday, October 28, 2011 cont'd (part 3)

When we got to our room in Congress Park we of course had to turn on resort TV to watch Stacey. Plus, it would be a good way to pass the time while we waited for Emma to call. I really couldn't wait for her to join us. After about twenty minutes or so, someone's phone started to ring. Mom told me it was mine, which I could tell it wasn't-it sounded muffled and I had my phone sitting out on the table. So Mom had to go digging through her stuff to find it but she missed the call. Two seconds later mine rang. It was Emma! She told us she was at Saratoga Springs and asked us where we were. She said she was on the main road near the "green thing" (if you've stayed at SSR you know the "green thing" she was referring to is that green tower that says "Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa" on it-I think it's used in a lot of pictures of the resort). We told her we'd meet her somewhere in between so she didn't have to walk all the way to our room. We both hung up and Mom, Dad, and I quickly gathered up our stuff and went to meet my sister! But as we were walking, we didn't see her and then my phone rang again. It was Emma again asking where we were. Turns out she went all the way to our room and knocked on the door but nobody answered (she must've been walking really fast, LOL). Still on the phone, we headed back towards our room. Our conversation went something like this:

me: "Can you see me?"

Emma: "No."

me: "Wait, I think I see you. We're walking toward you."

Emma: "Oh yeah."

*we wave at each other and I sort of laugh*

When we were finally all together, we took our turns giving Emma a hug and saying hi. Even though it's only been two months, it was so nice seeing her again. We then went to get a bus to the Animal Kingdom. Our good luck with buses continued as the second we walked up, an AK bus was coming. It must've been the first one in a while because there were a few other people waiting too.

On the way to DAK, we spent some time catching up. She told us about work and her class (which I wish I could take...it sounds really cool!) and I had fun looking at her autograph book. hehe

Finally, we arrived at the Animal Kingdom! It seemed like most people at that point were leaving so hopefully that was a good sign and things wouldn't be too crowded. I noticed the new sign/pictures they had up for the "Let the Memories Begin" campaign...so the only park that doesn't have anything like that now is Epcot. Aren't the pictures so cute?

Before we went into the park. Emma went to will call so she could redeem her voucher for her MNSSHP ticket.

Once that was taken care of, it was time to start the fun! Since Emma was going to be letting us use her gate pass, we got to go in the CM entrance where she had to show her ID and got us our tickets. It was kind of cool because they printed them right there at the turnstile. Then we walked through the Oasis toward Discovery Island where we saw one of my favorite Disney sights, the Tree of Life! We quickly stopped for a photopass picture (might as well get that card started right away), checked out the attractions board and decided that our first stop would be the safari since it had a short wait time.

I love the Tree of Life, even if it's cloudy.

Before long we were on our safari vehicle ready to begin our adventure. Our driver gave us three important rules for our journey:

1. Remain seated
2. No standing
3. Remain seated

It sounds so simple but there are still some people who think they can just stand up during the ride. We've been on safaris where the drivers have had to repeatedly remind the same person over and over to SIT DOWN. So I thought his rules were kind of funny.

In the forest we saw an okapi and a little further up we spotted a rhino.

I don't have tons of pictures from the first part of the ride since I think the savannah is way more interesting but I did notice a rather unusual species beyond some trees.

People on the Wild Africa Trek tour!!! I had to point them out to Dad since I really want to do this tour. We had so much fun when we did the Backstage Safari tour-I'm sure the Wild Africa Trek is amazing too.

Back to the real animals, there were a couple hippos in the river.

And the crocodiles. Yikes!

Soon we reached the savannah. We didn't see too many things at first but there were some tommies, wildebeest, and the ankole cattle (the brown ones with the huge horns). I always look for the giraffes and it looked like we were going to get a great view of a bunch of them!

Thankfully, I was sitting on the right side of the jeep (and by the right, I mean the left) so I could get some good pictures.

There must've been atleast 5 giraffes up on the hills eating. SO COOL.

We also saw another one of my favorites, but sadly there was no baby in sight. We'll have to ride a couple of times in April to hopefully see him.

So then we approached the rickety bridge. Obviously we knew what was coming but some people didn't. We start going across and it starts shaking. Thise one woman in front of us shrieks, and I mean really screams! She honestly thought we were falling because afterward she said really loudly, "I FEEL SO STUPID!" Dad and I were cracking up at that.

As we got closer and closer to the lion rocks, I was hoping we'd get another good view of the lions. If you read my spring break TR, you might remember how we had two amazing safaris where we got to see both lions. The cheetahs were out, so maybe that was a sign of things to come...

I had my eyes glued on those rocks. Sadly, we didn't get quite as good a showing this time. We did see the female perched way up on the rock. But no male.

Oh well. Guess those couple safaris spoiled me and now if I don't see the lions it's going to be a disappointment.

Overall though it was a good safari. Since we were right there, Dad wanted to go through he Pangani Forest Exploration Trail to see if we could find the gorillas. We walked through the first part of the trail kind of quickly (some people in our family do not appreciate the AK as much as others...) but we did stop to watch the meerkats.

They're so cute when they perch up on the rocks keeping watch.

When we got to the gorilla viewing area, there was a huge crowd of people so we knew there must be something there. Sure enough, there were atleast three gorillas, including baby Lilly.

Lilly was so fun to watch. She had that blanket and was playing with it-she kept pulling it over her head. It was the cutest thing because it was just like watching a little kid. Maybe she wanted to be a ghost for Halloween. Dad also asked one of the CMs how she was doing since we once heard she was sick or something because she was so small. The CM told us she is doing fine, just taking her time growing. So I guess she's OK-just small for her age.

After our visit with the gorillas, it was time to go see a different type of creature...the YETI!

up next: Did we keep dry for the rest of the afternoon?

 

[BerrysGirl]

Aw you got such a cute picture of baby Lilly! When I saw her she was smooshed against the glass with her mom so I didn't get a good picture.

Glad you finally got reunited with Emily. Matt and I had a similar experience at Epcot meeting up. Sigh... our CMs, right?

 

[Nermel9]

LOL, you would think it would be common sense to NOT stand up during the safari, but there's always one person! On the trams too!

I want to do that Africa Trek SO bad someday! Maybe on our anniversary trip! I definitely want to do something special, I was thinking either that or the Epcot Segway Tour, but I'm afraid I'll fall off a Segway and kill myself!

Great pics of the animals, especially the giraffes!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I'm here!!! I think Danielle and I had the same safari guide last weekend because we got the same directions!!! haha. Glad to see you all made it in one piece and got chick fil a too!! You'd be sick to know that my kids at school can get catered lunches of chick fil a twice a week!!! lol.

Was your sister at MVMCP on Wed??? That's when I was there and the crowd was great..unlike both MNSSHP parties I went to in Sept!!

 

[xoktenox]

Yay for being reunited with Emma

I love the "Let the Memories Begin" signs at all the parks (except Epcot ) I think they're so cute!

Looks like you had a good safari! I always get my hopes up to see the lions too...you've have some excellent luck over the years!!

Baby Lilly is adorable!!

 

[Merida]

Aww, animals! And Christmas decorations!

I used to do that 'don't come here, we'll go there' mix up all the time with my parents. I'm not sure why, it seems like such a family thing.

I went back and look at your old trip reports - wow! Those lion pictures were amazing. How lucky you were that they came out (at least in that trip, sad that it didn't work out that way this time).

I love animals with blankets. Have you seen the video of the dog who carries his blanket while playing fetch? Adorable.

 

[cbg1027]

Ooooh getting in free because you have CM family....I wish I could check that off my list!