LIVE! From SSR....what a wonderful day and MORE!!!!!

[dopeygirl76]

OK laugh all you want (I know this is the ONLY place I won't be laughed at!) we had the most MAGICAL day yesterday.

But first let me begin with a few (VERY few) bumps....

Who we are....for those who don't know....DH and I are both 35, we hail from SW PA, we both work full time - opposite shifts so that someone is always at home with our girls - ages 7 and 4. We travel to our happy place about twice a year thanks to DVC!!! OUr vacations are the ultimate in family time for us. We left the burgh (Pittsburgh) at 11:48am Sunday - sacrilidge due to the Steelers/ Bengals at 1pm but it had to happen - DH had to work Saturday.....anyway after a slightly bumpy flight and landing we landed at MCO....luggage (we only checked one) check - while DH obtained the rental car - check and off we were to WDW!!!!

DH took the scenic route to SSR.....and we arrived at 3:15pm to our room being ready....to bell services for our OL, stroller and tree....ummmm not the most helpful cast member at the window who walked away from me....but an extremely nice bellman stepped in.
Off to our room and again DH is doubting me and circles the entire Paddock area when we are in the very first building! We unload and unpack in record time.

Another note: I had to have surgery November 18 (just 2 weeks ago!!!) for a tumor the size of a grapefruit above my right breast...blessedly begnin but caused some nerve and muscle damage to my right shoulder (and yes I am right handed). The surgery was simple, recovery quick and I stubborn so I am not good at listening....DH on the other hand is extremely cautious as to not let me do too much. Because of this I ALLOWED him to help me unpack.... (other fellow OCDers will understand!!!)

We had one slight delay with our stroller (we had received texts about both it and our OL that they had arrived) but the bellman found it and we were set. Starving we decided to head to the Carriage House to eat.
SSR is our home resort we stayed here for our first ever DVC trip April 2008 and this is our first time back. We were in the Paddock then and happy to be back here again....we never do room requests just wait and see. On our first trip to SSR we didn't try The Turf Club, so we decided to see if it was availible and we were in luck! We haven't done the dining plan in ages and I began Weight Watchers Online Sept 23 and have lost 17 lbs so far so I was not going to try to eat dessert every night!

DH ordered the Prime Rib - he is a steak man - I am not...for me the Wedge and Crab Cakes - another plus without the dining plan I prefer a little of a couple of things and enjoy ordering apps....DD7 had the hotdog with chicken noodle soup (which both she and DH said was wonderful) DD4 had pizza and apples (this child is the reason the DDP is a waste - she eats VERY little and VERY few things- I mostly pack food for her). Dinner was good, not great but good. The service was great which made the experience better. Then we walked around a little to explore and returned tot he room - we were all beat from the day of travel and looked forward to an early morning wake up for Magic Kingdom.....

NEXT- the BEST day ever....with a bump!

 

[jakenjess]

Sounds like a nice start to your trip! Have a wonderful time -- looking forward to hearing all about it!

Glad to hear the tumor was benign! Try to take it easy, though I know it's hard for us Disney OCDers!

 

[Harlemgirl720]

I am glad you are feeling better. 15 days to go.

Waiting to read the rest.

 

[dopeygirl76]

DAY 2 - the plan was no plan MK all day until we dropped or we wanted to strangle the girls!

First when we put the girls to bed last night I pulled out the laptop to try to log my points on...wireless internet connected briefly but then I couldn't get onto any webpages...still saying connected but nothing...so I look for the cord...none...DH calls the front desk yep we are wireless...but there are kinks...ok so being tired I just go to sleep and decide to call in the morning.

Here is the BUMP....I wake up at 6am - yes even on vacation we don't sleep in! Get the girls breakfast and try one more time the wireless...nothing...I call the front desk and try to explain to the CM that the wireless is not working and there is no cable...she interrupts me after wireless not working and says "a wireless card can be purchased for a fee" ummmm I have a wireless card...its not working I just want to plug in and there is no cable. She replies "I will stay on the line while you check the closet for the cable in a bag"...Kindly (well as kindly as I can at this point) I say "we have done this numerous times, there is no cable, please can I get one." Her reply..."fine, ma'am" and she hung up....REALLY!!!!!
So a little while later another CM comes with my cable and I can do some work...I have to work a little on vacation but always do it first thing in the morning while the girls play and I let DH sleep for a little.

SOOOOOO I wake up DH and get him moving - no easy task....we get showered, lunch packed and are on our way to MK by 8am....we arrive at the parking lot and are in the first row of cars (we have a rental - it is a necessity for us) walk to the TTC and purchase 5 day park hoppers then hop on the monorail to MK...we are thru security and into the park by 8:40am...not a bump in sight...park opening - awesome!!! In we go and there is only a 5 minute wait for princesses...to see Cinderella, Belle and Aurora...the girls are so happy. Then we start our new plan of we each choose something to do...taking turns throughout the day...so we head down Main Street and then into Adventureland...where we see the Fairies...DD4 doesn't want to see them so DH takes her to ride the Magic Carpets. DD7 and I see Terence and Tinkerbell. Then off to find DH and DD4 when I see the time (10am) and we go to see if Ariel is out. My DD4 LOVES Ariel...there is no other princess that compares for her and there she is with almost NO line....grown-ups who have waited hours in the sun to go into the Grotto I know you share my joy...kids never understand because they got to play in the fountains or run like crazies...but we wait...and wait and wait. We waited no more than 15 minutes to see Ariel AND Eric - in our 10 trips to WDW we have never seen Eric!!!! So at not even 10:30am we have seen4 princesses, a prince and 2 tinker fairies.

Next stop Frontierland - we attempt to convince DD4 to ride BTMRR but no chance so she and I go to our must do...The Country Bears, while DH and DD7 ride Splash Mountain twice....then we head over to Liberty Sqaure , shop a little and then do Hall of Presidents. Then its lunch time we pull up a table in Liberty Square and eat our lunch. After a spin on the Liberty Belle we head to Fantasyland. Carousel, Philharmagic, Teacups and FPs for Winnie...we stop for a treat...I get an Iced Coffee - YUM. DH and DD4 Slushies and DD7 a Mickey Bar! DH and I are totally amazed that so far our DDs have not whined, fought, cried, back talked or any of the other normal child stuff that we are totally thrilled....we don't know what to do with ourselves!!!
We ride the Speedway, make a few pennies and go to the Laugh Floor....DH and I were both very disappointed what there was NO audience participation....lighten up people!!! We headed to Main Street for a little shopping and break and decided to eat at Columbia Habour House...it was very good...as usual. I got the new grilled salmon with couscous and broccoli...it was alot of food. Only downside here was the wait...although there was only one person in front of me ordering took forever and then took about 20 minutes for our food to be ready .

The final bump of the day came on the Winnie the Pooh ride...we were standing in line...next to get on our Honey Pot and uh-oh it stops - maintanence is called...it takes a little refiguring and they load us on the next pot...you sure fellas - don't wanna run it through once without peeps just to see....but no! No problems now we are home free!

Evening issues and sleepy kids to come....but I've gotta get ready for EPCOT!!! ADRs at Teppan Edo today and CP!!!

 

[psac]

By the way, there should be a card in the room with a number to dial from your room (like 46) to help with wireless issues. We had a problem at BWV a few weeks ago, called, they asked for IPs, and they reset the servers we were connecting to. That did the trick. During the week a few times it went out again, and we found turning the wifi off and on worked for our iphones/ipad. But I would call the wireless help first.

 

[curan69]

We are at SSR resort right now too. Over in a treehouse with my DW and DS9 and DS5. as well as My wife's Brother and Wife and their DD12, DS9, and DS7. My Mother and Sister were here but they left yesterday (they had a studio at OKW) We are one of the few families who can go on vacation together year after year without a hitch!!!

This weather is FANTASTIC!!!! maybe we will see you around the pool!!!

Oh yeah and i have to say GO STEELERS!!!!! We are Canadian but we have a Cottage in Central Michigan. We always go to Central Michigan Football games and always loved watching Antonio Brown #84. Now I love watching him as a Steeler!!!!

 

[lisaviolet]

dopeygirl76!!!!!

I have to run now. But will be back.

So happy to see you/read you. Here's to a fabulous vacation.

SO envious.

 

[sarahk0204]

Sounds like a great start!

Oh my goodness about the surgery. Glad it was benign, but I can see now why you were AWOL from the tree list for a little while. Glad also that you got the tree OK. Enjoy your trip, and we will be there next!

 

[sarahk0204]

Sounds like a great start!

Oh my goodness about the surgery. Glad it was benign, but I can see now why you were AWOL from the tree list for a little while. Glad also that you got the tree OK. Enjoy your trip, and we will be there next!

 

[dopeygirl76]

Sounds like a nice start to your trip! Have a wonderful time -- looking forward to hearing all about it!

Glad to hear the tumor was benign! Try to take it easy, though I know it's hard for us Disney OCDers!

Thank you! Taking it easy is not my stong point! And my poor DH is bearing the brunt of my rath as he TRIES to tell me to take it easy!

I am glad you are feeling better. 15 days to go.

Waiting to read the rest.

By the way, there should be a card in the room with a number to dial from your room (like 46) to help with wireless issues. We had a problem at BWV a few weeks ago, called, they asked for IPs, and they reset the servers we were connecting to. That did the trick. During the week a few times it went out again, and we found turning the wifi off and on worked for our iphones/ipad. But I would call the wireless help first.

Thank you! I am plugged in going old school - did I mention I also lack patience!

We are at SSR resort right now too. Over in a treehouse with my DW and DS9 and DS5. as well as My wife's Brother and Wife and their DD12, DS9, and DS7. My Mother and Sister were here but they left yesterday (they had a studio at OKW) We are one of the few families who can go on vacation together year after year without a hitch!!!

This weather is FANTASTIC!!!! maybe we will see you around the pool!!!

Oh yeah and i have to say GO STEELERS!!!!! We are Canadian but we have a Cottage in Central Michigan. We always go to Central Michigan Football games and always loved watching Antonio Brown #84. Now I love watching him as a Steeler!!!!

That is awesome! We are having an absolute blast! DH and the the girls will be at the Paddock pool this morning as I attack DTD for some holiday shopping! We will be in our Steelers attire tomorrow!!! GO STEELERS!!!!!

dopeygirl76!!!!!

I have to run now. But will be back.

So happy to see you/read you. Here's to a fabulous vacation.

SO envious.

Hi Lisa!!!!

Sounds like a great start!

Oh my goodness about the surgery. Glad it was benign, but I can see now why you were AWOL from the tree list for a little while. Glad also that you got the tree OK. Enjoy your trip, and we will be there next!

Oh believe me there is no other reason that I would be AWOL from DIS that close to a trip! The tree is super cute and the girls use it as their night light to go to sleep!!!

 

[Harlemgirl720]

I too, am a STEELERS fan. Hope everyone is having a great time at the House of the Mouse.

 

[dvc4life]

Hey, Dopeygirl76! Remember me from the SSMC2010? Great to see you do another report!

Sorry to hear about your surgery. Glad everything came out ok. And I know it must be difficult to take it easy with two young girls, but you can do it. Let your DH do it. It is good for Dad's to take over for a while.

Looks like you guys are having a wonderful trip. And we love SSR! Such a relaxing resort.

Have a great time today.

 

[juncker]

We are at SSR resort right now too. Over in a treehouse with my DW and DS9 and DS5. as well as My wife's Brother and Wife and their DD12, DS9, and DS7. My Mother and Sister were here but they left yesterday (they had a studio at OKW) We are one of the few families who can go on vacation together year after year without a hitch!!!

This weather is FANTASTIC!!!! maybe we will see you around the pool!!!

Oh yeah and i have to say GO STEELERS!!!!! We are Canadian but we have a Cottage in Central Michigan. We always go to Central Michigan Football games and always loved watching Antonio Brown #84. Now I love watching him as a Steeler!!!!

Fire up Chips!

 

[dopeygirl76]

OK so back to Monday night. We finish Winnie and head over to the Castle to watch Cinderella's Holiday Wish - honestly this is one of my all time favorite Disney moments! After I take about 100 photos we decide to find a spot for the 7p Electrical Parade...BEWARE DH BEING A PAIN ALERT!!!! Remember back to our trip in when he was insistant that he knew the way from MCO to SSR and took the scenic route? and then he didn't listen to me about the building of Paddock we were in....well he says we shouldn't go far to watch the parade...I say I prefer to watch it on Main Street because it is always congested at the circle....but I let him have his way and we find a spot....20 minutes later I say you know I'm pretty sure we are in the area that the parade by-passes. I pull at my trusty map and low and behold I am right...well his reply - what about all these other people? REALLY!

So we move down Main Street at 6:55pm - yep no joke - he THINKS we will find a spot - yeah right it is PACKED!!!! I have to say the park didn't seem all that busy but with the MVMCP and only so many late nights at MK I swear all of WDW landed at Main Street just then. So instead of the parade we go in the BAKERY again did you notice that I am DIETING what is wrong with me?!?!?!?!

I'll tell you - I ate so well all day, snacked on fruit when the fam had chips and cookies that I wanted CAKE and my favorite thing about WW is that I can do that....so I had myself a slice of that beautiful chocolate cake and a cup of coffee!!!!

Overall the day was PERFECT we all agreed that in all of our trips this was the best day ever!
So now onto Tuesday December 6....our first CP - WOW!!!

 

[dopeygirl76]

So now onto Tuesday December 6....our first CP - WOW!!!

Tuesday we decide to stay at SSR a little we head over to the playground at Congress Park because it is still a little chilly in the morning. DH and I take our NOOKs and the girls have a blast....we took the scenic route walking and visited with some squirrels on the way...my girls enjoy this as much as the parks!

Then we had lunch in the room and headed over to EPCOT for the afternoon. We spent some time in Innovations...the one with the Piggy Bank - and KP recruiters...we signed up for KP. We saved Japan and then spent some time visiting the Holiday Storytellers in the area and hitting the KidCOT stops. It was a little warm today for me but not horrible. We had and early ADR 3:50pm at Teppan Edo and reservations for the 6:45p CP. We went to dinner - Teppan Edo is a family favorite although I absolutley overdid it with an app, entree and dessert not to mention soda but hey I'm on vacation! I was so delicious! We shared a table with 5 newbies to Teppan Edo and they were all pleasantly pleased with their food.
After dinner we went to meet Jasmine and Aladdin, this is DD7 current favorite princess and the look on her face was priceless.

A little more exploring and then at 6pm we head to the dinner package line someone should've warned me!!!! we were clear back to Japan!!! DH took the girls to wander a little and I stayed in line - it grew past Morroco!!!

The quest narrater was Edward James Olmos....all I can say is I have never felt such an amazing spirit of Christmas...this was truly an amazing experience. If you haven't done it and are thinking about it- please do!!!! DD4 fell asleep halfway through but when she woke up even she loved what she saw. DD7 was signing along, it was really beautiful! So we headed over to the World Showplace for our designated viewing spot for IllumiNATIONS. We get DDs ice cream and DH and I split a soft pretzel and a beer!
DH and I saw IllumiNATIONS for the first time on our last trip and thought the girls would enjoy it. However as soon as it started, AFTER sitting at our spot in front for 60 minutes they were both terrified!!!! We decided to leave it was not worth them being upset over. My DD7 was upset because we left and she didn't want her dad and I to miss it. Again just another lovely day- even with a little chaos thrown in!

Next: a day of relaxation and grown up fun!!!

 

[Harlemgirl720]

Hey. I am doing CP as well. I really don't care if I get to sit in front at either event. How was the seating once you got in the Pavillion? And was there elbow room viewing Illuminations?

 

[dopeygirl76]

I too, am a STEELERS fan. Hope everyone is having a great time at the House of the Mouse.

Hey, Dopeygirl76! Remember me from the SSMC2010? Great to see you do another report!

Sorry to hear about your surgery. Glad everything came out ok. And I know it must be difficult to take it easy with two young girls, but you can do it. Let your DH do it. It is good for Dad's to take over for a while.

Looks like you guys are having a wonderful trip. And we love SSR! Such a relaxing resort.

Have a great time today.

Hi Chris! I do remember! Thank you and we are having a blast! We were happy to come home to SSR and it is such a relaxing and beautiful resort!

Hey. I am doing CP as well. I really don't care if I get to sit in front at either event. How was the seating once you got in the Pavillion? And was there elbow room viewing Illuminations?

Seating was not bad at all. We were not squished like sardines...although I can imagine once it gets closer to Christmas and the stand-by line grows they will "force" the issue of "moving to the center for everyone's enjoyment". If you have the CP dinner package, we saw many people come in right before the show and be taken to the reserved seating area, although the were right in the front which would not be ideal. You have to sit a little back for the full effect. As for IllumiNATIONS it wasn't as bad as I expected either, much worse outside of the reserved viewing area with people pushing right up to the ropes 6 or 7 people deep.

 

[Harlemgirl720]

I am doing the CP Package. Great tip. I will make sure to sit not too close but just close enough to look at that fine specimen of a man.....Blair Underwood.

 

[disadventurer]

We are at SSR resort right now too. Over in a treehouse with my DW and DS9 and DS5. as well as My wife's Brother and Wife and their DD12, DS9, and DS7. My Mother and Sister were here but they left yesterday (they had a studio at OKW) We are one of the few families who can go on vacation together year after year without a hitch!!!

This weather is FANTASTIC!!!! maybe we will see you around the pool!!!

Oh yeah and i have to say GO STEELERS!!!!! We are Canadian but we have a Cottage in Central Michigan. We always go to Central Michigan Football games and always loved watching Antonio Brown #84. Now I love watching him as a Steeler!!!!

We are scheduled to stay at the Treehouses. Can you tell me what you love/hate? Are fireworks visible from certain areas. TIA

 

[dopeygirl76]

I am doing the CP Package. Great tip. I will make sure to sit not too close but just close enough to look at that fine specimen of a man.....Blair Underwood.