A very long first trip home report.

[dairyou]

Hi!

We just got back yesterday from our first trip home! SSR, 1 bedroom, room 1414 at the very end.

If you remember us last year, you'll know how hard I had to beg my husband to consider DVC and he would not purchase until he looked. While we were there he bought 175 points, which I thought he would never, ever do! Now we are adding another 50 points.

We arrived at 10:00 pm (coming from California) Tuesday. It was late and we were hungry. We thought we'd go to DTD and find McDonalds. We ended up driving to far and landed at Earl of Sandwich. I told my husband the Dis'ers love this place. We tried it and we loved it too! We tried the Full Montegue, Chicken Florentine, and a Club-like sandwich. All was wonderful! We drove to Pop Century. What a let down. We were excited because the first night we usually stay off site. The room was very small and it took us 15 minutes to find a place to park. Non of us slept well. The beds felt really stiff. Also we were still on West Coast time. By the time we fell asleep it was probably 3am.

We arrived at SSR on Wednesday. We got to check in at 10am! I was very pleasantly surprised. We went to Publix for groceries (not very good produce there) and at night we walked around the Boardwalk and looked at all the Christmas decorations. It felt wierd not to start with a park that day. It just didn't feel like a vacation.

Thursday we enjoy MGM. Saw Fantasmic. Arrive 30 minutes before and still got a great seat.

Friday we went to Animal Kingdom. Saw Tarzan Rocks for the first time.

Saturday the kids went to Disney Quest. They are 11 and 13 and got to go in and run around on their own for the first time. It was so great for hubby and I.

Sunday was rest at the resort day. So nice to do nothing on vacation.

Monday we met the Disney photographer at Epcot. We took pictures in Canada. The flowers in the backround should be nice. We then went to England area and took a few pictures on the benches and door steps. Next week we should be able to see them on the internet. We were burning up while taking the photo's. We were wearing turtlenecks and sweaters and it was very hot that day. We changed as soon as we were done. We ate at the Coral Reef and it was pretty good. Saw the CP. People were standing in line around 4:00. It was a long line! I guess by the 8:15 show came, many were turned away and didn't get a seat. I glad we purchased the dinner plan. Even coming 1 hour early with the dinner plan we didn't have very good seats.

Tuesday we went to Typhoon Lagoon. Blizzard Beach was closed and we were very bummed! It happened to us last year when we went in October. Needless to say we only stayed 2 hours.

Wednesday we went to Magic Kingdom. We rode the Stitch ride and it is as lame as everyone says it is.

Thursday we checked out and flew back home.

We didn't have one complaint. The only wierd thing is the bathroom doors in the 1 bedroom. Also the sensor for the fan in the bathroom always came on.

We did end up cooking 5 of the 7 days we were in the villa. Though some of you will probably think we were crazy, we saved probably 400.00 in food. We were able to use that money and have our pictures taken instead We didn't stress about eating Mickey bars every day and had the freedom to buy any souvenier we wanted.

I don't think we could ever go back to a regular hotel room. We had such a wonderful time! I know I wouldn't even be writing this report if it wasn't for all of you and your pearls of wisdom.

The best things I've learned about the villa from you is:

Bring your own king fitted sheets. (the sheets they use barely reach the bottom of the bed)

Bring your own dishtowels. One was not enough.

Bring your own sponge, paper towels and toilet paper.

Cleaning the jacuzzi tub before using it.

Trash and Towel day.

Sorry it was so long. I guess I had alot to say

Any questions?

Thanks,
Deb

 

[ErinC]

We did the Pop Century thing last time we were down before checking in to BCV. DH said never again. It didn't really bother me(I'd be happy in a closet at WDW), but he said DVC has spoiled him. In Feb. we are going to try out Animal Kingdom Lodge before checking in to SSR. So glad your DH is a true convert! Mine gets that way a little more every time we go. Hopefully an add- on will be in our near future. Glad you enjoyed your trip!

 

[cherylp3]

which Publix did you go to that had the bad produce?

 

[PamOKW]

Hi!
Bring your own sponge, paper towels and toilet paper.

Any questions?

Thanks,
Deb

Is this because you don't like the quality of what is provided? It's not necessary to buy your own.

Thanks for the detailed report. Glad you had a great time!

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

Love those long trip reports I am impressed that you cooked that much!! I hope you will post to this thread again when you see your pictures. I would like to hear about them, maybe see a few

Thanks,
Lisa

 

[dairyou]

I'm not sure which Publix we went to. Hubby did all the driving. It was about 10 minutes away. It's by a Logan's Roadhouse and a Walgreens or Walmart. The tomatoes we're not very tasty and out of 3 heads of green leaf, red leaf, and romaine they all had red spots and alot of wilted leaves. We did go to Goodings which was closer and liked it better.

As far as the sponges, toilet paper, and paper towels...it's totally a personal choice. More so the sponge for me. The kind they provide really doesn't soak up the water, that's my opinion though.

The room was clean and in perfect order when we arrived. Oh, I never heard the fireworks from DTD while sleeping. One night I did hear it and only because I was awake and reading in bed.

Deb

 

[Poohs Pal]

I know what you mean about not feeling like you are on vacation until you go to a park. I have been to publix and Goodings and even though goodings is more expensive I prefer to stop there. I would also like to see your Epcot photo's. Susan

 

[rocketriter]

We also found mediocre produce at that Publix last October. They had exactly 1 bag of green grapes and they were all squashed. We cut them some slack because this was between hurricanes.

 

[kathleena]

Being in the supermarket business myself I am very, very fussy. We shop at the Publix out on Independence Drive and have always been impressed with the quality of the produce. We shopped there last Wednesday 12/1 and it was great. The only two times I have been in Goodings I couldn't wait to leave and I also found the Winn-Dixie lacking in produce and in variety in the center store selections.

The doors in the master bath are that way because of the potential for having two people on the sofa. They can get to a sink, toilet and shower without going thru the master bedroom. After three stays in a 3 way door room, I'm used to it now. The first time it was annoying and confusing!

Typhoon Lagoon will be closed in March when we are there and we are bummed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad that you enjoyed your stay!

 

[Laurabearz]

The doors in the master bath are that way because of the potential for having two people on the sofa. They can get to a sink, toilet and shower without going thru the master bedroom. After three stays in a 3 way door room, I'm used to it now. The first time it was annoying and confusing!

Doors doors doors everywhere! LOL It still confusses me, not that I am complaining, but we are always amused and have the girls count the number of doors in the 2 bedroom units!

I am so glad you had a great time. We cant wait to stay at SSR ourselves.

We shop at Wynn Dixie.... make a left at Crossroads and it is on the right.

 

[JudithM]

Thank you for your first trip report! We also bring our own fitted king size sheet. We just put it on the bed over the flat bottom sheet. I read that tip one time on this bb years ago. All flat sheets is a Disney thing, not just DVC. I've discussed it with housekeeping supervisors over the years.

Since DVC tries to make things consistent among the DVC resorts, I suspect you had one of the new, little, square, yellow sponges? We used to get nicer sponges, but last week at OKW we only got this one little yellow "thing."

I do find the toilet paper & tissues to be a bit rougher than we are used. Last year when I got a head cold while at WDW, we drove to a drug store & bought Puffs tissues - what a difference! Now I usually throw a box of tissues in our car.

 

[gopherit]

Yup, that SSR bathroom fan is interesting, isn't it -- that fan would detonate if I just opened the clothes dry door or walked into the bedroom! And those doors -- aye yi yi -- and they don't all lock on the same side, either! it's a puzzler. I did rather like having the toilet in its own separate little nook, though -- about the only thing I DID like better in the SSR bath versus the other DVC bathrooms! I didn't like the bathroom counter space in SSR, either, but oh well -- on the whole, we really really loved it, despite my feelings towards the doors and counters! And this is coming from folks who have stayed at every other DVC WDW property now...

As for the cooking in -- we like to dine in too, although as much from a personal standpoint as any cost savings. Sometimes, it just plain feels GOOD to relax in your room and eat a casual meal and kick back! The kids like it too -- they get weary of constant "restaurant behavior" and the same kid choices over and over and over. THere's no shame in proving those appliances aren't just props and joining us "cooking DVCers!"

We have used several grocery stores down there -- I think produce is just "spotty" (sometimes good, sometimes bad) as we have had both experiences sometimes at the same place within the same 2 week period! On our last trip we hoofed it all the way to the SuperTarget (because thrifty me had $200 in Target gift cards that I got for 20% off on Hotwire). We did save a lot, and our grocery bill came to $201 (pretty amazing!) so it was kinda neat forking over the cards and one buck and knowing we actually got the goods for 160, but I'm not sure I'd go the distance again. THe drive and the tolls were a pain in the caboose. And speaking of a pain -- those little yellow sponges. No one should EVER make sponges out of that type polymer -- they're like the ANTI-sponge. I think they actually REPEL water. We always bring a nylon scrubbie and an extra dish towel or two!

Anyway -- Glad you liked SSR and your trip was a success! Wish I could have convinced my hubby to bite on 50 more pts...he was tempted, but alas, our 3 kids are all orthodontic stories in the making, and we gotta get 'em smiling straight for their college graduation pictures someday...you get the idea! Thanks again for your report!

 

[dairyou]

Gopherit, I'm glad I'm not the only one crazy enough to cook. We initially wanted to cook to save money. Our last trip it was hard to eat the "fast food" at Disney all the time and still have our wallets empty. After cooking my husband did comment on how nice it was to sit together and have a meal at "home". It made us feel like we were back at our normal house but on vacation...I can't describe it, but you are right about that! I was very happy when we went to the Coral Reef and I didn't have to cook that day! One night we had Shake and Bake, now my youngest wants to have this once a week!

I forgot to mention on the trip report on Saturday we did go to the Poly. There we looked around and rode the Sea Racers. My 11 year old was still too young to drive, but my 13 year old had a blast! We were able to use our DVC discount also and saved 8.00 dollars! Hoping next time we go, the boat and bike plan will be there as the kids will be 2 years older and free to explore on their own.

Thanks!

Deb

 

[Beca]

We just got back from BWV, and the sponge we had was this great blue sponge with a white scrubby on it...it was really wonderful!!!

I agree with the whole cooking thing. After a few days, I just wanted something easy on my tummy...so we did cheese ravioli in the room.

Hmm...we also had two dishtowels...interesting!!

Oh, I know which Publix you went to...the SuperTarget is not that much further down the road...and then SuperWalmart is just a bit further. I'd definitely make it to the SuperTarget next time instead of the Publix.



Beca