Getting Married and Celebrating with a Disneymoon! October 2012 PTR~Update 5/17 pg 14

[nowellsl]

Great pictures! I have to say, your uncle's yard is beautiful!!

[wigdoutdismom]

I love your cake, it's just adorable!!!

Here's my advice about SSR. We like staying in Congress Park. It's the area back by DTD. It's so nice to be able to walk over there and you get the best views at night!
If you aren't worried about the main pool, they have a very nice quiet pool back there with a hot tub.
If you want to be near the main pool and CS you should request the Springs, we had a super close villa there...
Now if you are taking the Disney buses for transportation I would say request the Grandstand. It's the first pick-up of the day...

[MAGICFOR2]

So excited for your DVC plans! I really love the DVC resorts!

We own SSR too - I would echo Anita's suggestions. I love Grandstand - it's newer and quiet - still a close walk to the main pool if you take the shortcut. First on and first off the bus too! I loved being close to DTD at Congress Park, but it seemed that the pool was the designated smoking area, and the CMs didn't stop anyone from smoking. Also I know this isn't the norm, but in CP it is older. We had dirty, wrinkled up carpet and the fridge leaked water out all over the floor, and maintenance wouldn't come to fix it, despite 4 calls 4 days out of 7. We finally gave up and lived with it.

I'm thinking you would really love to be at BWV - there's alot of action over there, and you are close to Epcot and can take the boat to DHS! I've read that asking for a Boardwalk view is the best!

[xoktenox]

Originally Posted by Jessica527

I am all caught up and love what you have put together! Your engagement photos are great, and love the cakes from your engagement party! Can't wait to hear more

Thanks so much! The cakes are just amazing, the lady who makes them is going to make cookie favors for the wedding!

Originally Posted by mickeysmyboy

Woo hoo for DVC!!!I think you'll love all three resorts! We stayed at SSR for a week in 09 and it's lovely, HUGE, but lovely. I've only stayed at BWV for 1 night last April but I loved it!!! My room, a studio, was right above Wyland Gallery and my balcony was HUGE!! I swear it was almost the same size as the room!! The kids and I, my sister and her kids are stay at BWV in February!!! I stayed at BCV after the night at BWV and it is fabulous! LOVE it!!! LOVE it!! The quiet pool outside the villas is like heaven on earth!!!!

Your engagement party looks like so much fun!! Those cake are fantastic! You may need to give the name of who made them!!!

That's what I'm most worried about, the size of SSR. BWV or BCV would be a dream but I don't want to get my hopes up. I have to keep all your suggestions in mind before my friend books for us!

Here is the lady's website for the cakes/cookies
http://www.cookiedreamscookieco.blogspot.com/

Her name is Kelly and she worked with my dad for many years before she quit to do the cakes full time. She's absolutely fantastic and the nicest lady. She made the cookies for the party for free! Definitely keep her in mind for any of your kid's bdays!

Originally Posted by ronnmel

Pictures from the party are great.

But really what I wanted to comment on is your resort. I can't believe you get the chance to book a DVC deluxe villa for 1200$ for 12 nights! That's 100$ a night!!!!!!!!!!! About the same price we paid for POP!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even if for some reason you can't get Boardwalk or Beach Club, it's still AMAZING!!! So jealous! Oh how I wish I had friends who own DVC... Here's me being excited for you.

Thanks! Can you believe?!?! I even told her I was willing to pay more and she was fine with $1200. I am shocked but so lucky! I'd be happy even with SSR but BWV or BCV would be a dream! Thanks

Originally Posted by tinkgurl

Ahh girl! This update got me excited for our big year!!

I knew this but...I'm so excited for where you're staying. I haven't stayed at SSR yet, but we've been there to eat and explore, and it looks like a nice resort! I'm so happy for you both!

Aw..I loved looking through the engagement party pictures. We really wish we could've been there! Wish those 1,000 miles between us didn't exist!

Hey hun! 2012 is gonna be the best year for us!! SSR does look gorgeous and I definitely won't be upset if we aren't able to switch resorts. I wish you were able to be at the engagement party too. Even though this is corny, the distance is only physical because our hearts are always together!! (I can't believe I just wrote that on the internet for all to see lol)

Originally Posted by nowellsl

Great pictures! I have to say, your uncle's yard is beautiful!!

Thank you! Isn't it?! Some of Chris' family thought it was my yard at first and we had to come clean that it wasn't haha

Originally Posted by wigdoutdismom

I love your cake, it's just adorable!!!

Here's my advice about SSR. We like staying in Congress Park. It's the area back by DTD. It's so nice to be able to walk over there and you get the best views at night!
If you aren't worried about the main pool, they have a very nice quiet pool back there with a hot tub.
If you want to be near the main pool and CS you should request the Springs, we had a super close villa there...
Now if you are taking the Disney buses for transportation I would say request the Grandstand. It's the first pick-up of the day...

Thank you!!

I have to make the decision what I would like to be closest to...DTD, the main pool or the buses...do you know the order that the buses go in besides Grandstand being first?

Originally Posted by MAGICFOR2

So excited for your DVC plans! I really love the DVC resorts!

We own SSR too - I would echo Anita's suggestions. I love Grandstand - it's newer and quiet - still a close walk to the main pool if you take the shortcut. First on and first off the bus too! I loved being close to DTD at Congress Park, but it seemed that the pool was the designated smoking area, and the CMs didn't stop anyone from smoking. Also I know this isn't the norm, but in CP it is older. We had dirty, wrinkled up carpet and the fridge leaked water out all over the floor, and maintenance wouldn't come to fix it, despite 4 calls 4 days out of 7. We finally gave up and lived with it.

I'm thinking you would really love to be at BWV - there's alot of action over there, and you are close to Epcot and can take the boat to DHS! I've read that asking for a Boardwalk view is the best!

Thank you, we're so excited!

How long does it take to get around the whole resort? That's the only thing that worries be about being the first bus stop on the bus even though being first off is great. That's so terrible that maintenance wouldn't come fix your fridge! Not what you'd expect at WDW

I'd be THRILLED if we could get BWV or BCV but I'm trying reeeeeally hard not to get my hopes up! haha

[tinkgurl]

Originally Posted by xoktenox

Even though this is corny, the distance is only physical because our hearts are always together!! (I can't believe I just wrote that on the internet for all to see lol)

Well, then they can think we're corny together!

[wdwgirl03]

Originally Posted by xoktenox

So, all you DVC owners out there, give me some advice! If we do end up staying at SSR, what can you tell us? What section should we request to stay in? Since it's a long trip I'm not going to get my hopes up on BWV and BCV, especially during F&W Festival time.

Congrats on booking a DVC resort! You know how much we love Saratoga Springs. Like I said on my TR, we always request Congress Park because of its proximity to Downtown Disney. It's nice to be able to walk over there whenever you want (or you can take the fun boat ride...but then you have to go near the Turf Club which is closer to the Carriage House), especially since I know some people complain about the dining at SSR. A couple times we've stayed in the Paddock too, which is also near DTD (atleast the sections we've been in, haha!). Let me know if you have any other questions.

Good luck with getting BWV or BCV. I would assume it's going to be difficult to book either one for the reasons you mentioned (and also they're much smaller than SSR), but you never know-Dad and I were able to get the Boardwalk for the week after Easter! Would you consider a split stay if you could get one of them for maybe half of the time?

[Merida]

Oh wow! You're so lucky to know so many people with DVC! I don't think many of our friends would even think to take a vacation to Disney (we know a lot of rock climbers and skiiers). Those are the three places I would definitely be choosing between. I think a Boardwalk resort seems a little more special for a honeymoon.

Those cakes and cookies look amazing! I've always wanted to learn more intricate decorating techniques, it looks like so much fun. What kind of cakes were they? I'm also totally jealous of your uncle's backyard!

Good luck on finding bridesmaid dresses! It's never too early to look around

Registering seems like the most fun of planning a wedding. I once read an op ed piece (I think?) about weddings where the writer mentioned that the only people in her Bed, Bath, and Beyond were college students, people registering for weddings, and people buying off wedding registries. It's certainly true at our BBB and it always makes me laugh when we go/BBB is mentioned.

[Megablocks]

YAY for a DVC stay!!!! I'd love to stay DVC sometime...all of them look soooo nice!

Your engagement party looks like it was awesome. The cakes are AMAZING!

[xoktenox]

Originally Posted by tinkgurl

Well, then they can think we're corny together!

That's why I love you!

Originally Posted by wdwgirl03

Congrats on booking a DVC resort! You know how much we love Saratoga Springs. Like I said on my TR, we always request Congress Park because of its proximity to Downtown Disney. It's nice to be able to walk over there whenever you want (or you can take the fun boat ride...but then you have to go near the Turf Club which is closer to the Carriage House), especially since I know some people complain about the dining at SSR. A couple times we've stayed in the Paddock too, which is also near DTD (atleast the sections we've been in, haha!). Let me know if you have any other questions.

Good luck with getting BWV or BCV. I would assume it's going to be difficult to book either one for the reasons you mentioned (and also they're much smaller than SSR), but you never know-Dad and I were able to get the Boardwalk for the week after Easter! Would you consider a split stay if you could get one of them for maybe half of the time?

Thanks Sarah! I know you love SSR which makes me feel better about staying there. At first I wasn't thrilled but the more I think about it the more happy I am about it. The proximity to DTD isn't such a huge thing to us, I'm more concerned with the buses. Why do people complain about the dining at SSR? Where is the CS place to eat there? Ahhh so much I don't know! lol

I'm not trying to get my hopes up as far as BWV or BCV...Chris is COMPLETELY anti-split stay, otherwise I'd be up for it. He doesn't like the idea of having to unpack, repack, unpack and repack. He likes to move in and be "home" for the trip. Soooo it's either or 12 nights or nothing which will probably be impossible! I'll take all the SSR info you have to offer up though

Originally Posted by Merida

Oh wow! You're so lucky to know so many people with DVC! I don't think many of our friends would even think to take a vacation to Disney (we know a lot of rock climbers and skiiers). Those are the three places I would definitely be choosing between. I think a Boardwalk resort seems a little more special for a honeymoon.

Those cakes and cookies look amazing! I've always wanted to learn more intricate decorating techniques, it looks like so much fun. What kind of cakes were they? I'm also totally jealous of your uncle's backyard!

Good luck on finding bridesmaid dresses! It's never too early to look around

Registering seems like the most fun of planning a wedding. I once read an op ed piece (I think?) about weddings where the writer mentioned that the only people in her Bed, Bath, and Beyond were college students, people registering for weddings, and people buying off wedding registries. It's certainly true at our BBB and it always makes me laugh when we go/BBB is mentioned.

I've never been skiing or rock climbing lol No mountains to climb or ski on on Long Island! We're really hoping for BCV, BWV would be second and staying at SSR would be third. I'm not going to be disappointed with anything though.

Thanks! I love her cakes and cookies, she's amazing. My cake was yellow cake, marshmallow fondant and cannoli filling. Chris' cake was yellow cake, marshmallow fondant and strawberry filling. She really can do whatever though!

The bridesmaids dresses have been so difficult! I look a lot online but that doesn't mean they'll have those dresses in the store

I'm so excited to register. You're right about BBB, the only few times I've been in one were 1) before I went to college and 2) after our engagement party to use 2 gift cards we were given lol

Originally Posted by Megablocks

YAY for a DVC stay!!!! I'd love to stay DVC sometime...all of them look soooo nice!

Your engagement party looks like it was awesome. The cakes are AMAZING!

I hope to be able to stay in all the resorts one day lol I'm so excited to be able to for our honeymoon!

Our party was a lot of fun, thanks! My parents' friend is so wonderfully creative with the cakes!

[swwake]

Super exciting about staying DVC! Any of those resorts would be awesome!

The cakes are a-ma-zing!! Loved them.

You guys have such a good-looking family and friends. It's going to make a beautiful blend. I can't believe how young both of your parents look. Makes me feel old!

[wigdoutdismom]

I can't remember the the order of the buses for sure.
Let me give this a go though.

Grandstand
Carousel
Paddock
Congress Park
Springs

Honestly, it's been a few years since we've stayed at SSR so my memory isn't so good on the stops. Maybe someone can help me out!

We are however staying at SSR at the end of our Christmas trip after our kids leave and it's just Marc and I. I was going to say that I would make a note of the bus stops but we are in the process of renting a car for our last few days!

I think my favorite of all the resorts you are looking at is Beach Club, but it was our first home. I really hope you get to move there, but you will have an awesome time wherever you end up!

[Goofy22]

Kristen- I'm so excited for you guys that DVC worked out! And the price is AMAZING !!!!! Hopefully you will get what you really want at 7months out! You're engagement party pics are great! I Love your Uncle's yard!! You're cakes were AMAZING!!! those engagement ring cookies were the cutest cookies

[librarygeek]

Your engagement party looks like so much fun! Great pics! The cakes look fantastic, those are really cool.

And your honeymoon plans sound amazing, what a bargain from your friend! No matter where you end up I'm sure it will be great. I need to find me some connections with DVC owners like that!

And some more small things we have in common... I went bridesmaid dress shopping in the beginning of January for the same reason that you did! It was good timing. And we had registries at Target and Bed Bath and Beyond as well!

[xoktenox]

Originally Posted by swwake

Super exciting about staying DVC! Any of those resorts would be awesome!

The cakes are a-ma-zing!! Loved them.

You guys have such a good-looking family and friends. It's going to make a beautiful blend. I can't believe how young both of your parents look. Makes me feel old!

I'm so excited!! And thank you, we loved the cakes!

Awww thank you, that's so sweet of your to say! And you're not old! My parents are young actually...my mom just turned 48 (47 in the pics) and my dad is 49. They've been married for 27 years and going strong! Chris' parents are actually his dad and his step mom...his mom passed away in 2004 but his step mom is his mom...she's been around since Chris was 9 and raised Chris and his brother along with his dad! She's 50 and his dad is 51! Thanks again!

Originally Posted by wigdoutdismom

I can't remember the the order of the buses for sure.
Let me give this a go though.

Grandstand
Carousel
Paddock
Congress Park
Springs

Honestly, it's been a few years since we've stayed at SSR so my memory isn't so good on the stops. Maybe someone can help me out!

We are however staying at SSR at the end of our Christmas trip after our kids leave and it's just Marc and I. I was going to say that I would make a note of the bus stops but we are in the process of renting a car for our last few days!

I think my favorite of all the resorts you are looking at is Beach Club, but it was our first home. I really hope you get to move there, but you will have an awesome time wherever you end up!

Thank youuuuu Anita! I'm gonna jog your memory one more time...about how long do you think it takes to get around the whole resort? I like getting off the bus first but not getting on it first lol Because we're getting such a deal from my friend on the DVC points, we're going to rent a car for 4 or 5 days too.

I'm praying for BCV! It's our 2nd dream resort!

Originally Posted by Goofy22

Kristen- I'm so excited for you guys that DVC worked out! And the price is AMAZING !!!!! Hopefully you will get what you really want at 7months out! You're engagement party pics are great! I Love your Uncle's yard!! You're cakes were AMAZING!!! those engagement ring cookies were the cutest cookies

Thanks Colleen! Our party was a lot of fun and my uncle's yard is beautiful. I'm so lucky to have him, he offered it right up for us!!

Aren't the cakes/cookies adorable?! Thank you!

Originally Posted by librarygeek

Your engagement party looks like so much fun! Great pics! The cakes look fantastic, those are really cool.

And your honeymoon plans sound amazing, what a bargain from your friend! No matter where you end up I'm sure it will be great. I need to find me some connections with DVC owners like that!

And some more small things we have in common... I went bridesmaid dress shopping in the beginning of January for the same reason that you did! It was good timing. And we had registries at Target and Bed Bath and Beyond as well!

Thank you!! It was a ton of fun. I'm so excited for the deal my friend is giving us! I'm lucky to have a few DVC connections lol

More similarities between us! Target and BBB all the way...we're gonna do the Disney Honeymoon Registry too once we get our resort reservation booked!

[wdwgirl03]

Originally Posted by xoktenox

Thanks Sarah! I know you love SSR which makes me feel better about staying there. At first I wasn't thrilled but the more I think about it the more happy I am about it. The proximity to DTD isn't such a huge thing to us, I'm more concerned with the buses. Why do people complain about the dining at SSR? Where is the CS place to eat there? Ahhh so much I don't know! lol

I'm not trying to get my hopes up as far as BWV or BCV...Chris is COMPLETELY anti-split stay, otherwise I'd be up for it. He doesn't like the idea of having to unpack, repack, unpack and repack. He likes to move in and be "home" for the trip. Soooo it's either or 12 nights or nothing which will probably be impossible! I'll take all the SSR info you have to offer up though

SSR really is a nice resort. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. I think people complain about the dining because there isn't a whole lot to choose from. There's the Artist Palette, which is the quick service place (also where the store is) and then the Turf Club which is the sit-down place. We've never eaten there but I would like to.

As for the buses...I mentioned the route on my TR (so what Anita said is correct ). Are you more concerned about the buses being too full if you are one of the last stops or it taking too long to get through all the stops? In all honesty we have never had an issue with the buses. Yes, Congress Park is the 4th stop but it's never been all that crowded (or maybe we just leave super early, LOL!). I'd say the whole loop through the resort takes about 10 minutes. I hope I'm helping atleast a little!