Hi all:
So infrequent poster of late since my first forays here. We just got back from a few nights at SSR (3/8-3/11) in a 2BR, used 140 of our 160 incentive point. I wanted to share my experience.
A little background - our trip was first my family of four, plus my mom and step-dad in a handicapped accessible at OKW. Terrible events struck, however, and my step-dad passed away on 2/16. My mom was still up for the trip, however, so we all went. The trip, however, was tinged with grief for everyone.
Saturday 3/8
We arrived about 4 PM (drove up from Naples), right after my mom arrived (from Tampa). My step-sister arrived shortly thereafter. I had requested either Congress Park or Grandstand. We got Congress Park Rm 1611, overlooking the courtyard down the way from the pool. Check in was flawless.
The room was fabulous - clean, and holy cow, huge. This was our first DVC trip - wow. We knew we weren't going to go into any of the parks, we were just going to lay low and relax. So I can't give a report on the bus service. We had intended on using the pool and the playgrounds, but for a variety of reasons (weather, other plans) never got around to those things.
We ate dinner in on Sat night - how nice and relaxing is it not to run out to dinner right after arriving. Saw some fireworks, didn't figure out what they were until Mon night.
Sunday 3/9
We took a very nice walk to DTD - the weather was cool, but still 20-30 degrees warmer than Denver. Grabbed lunch at Rainforest Cafe - which was alright (I've never been a big fan). I took the 2 year old back for a nap, and the rest stayed at DTD for a little while. Mom and my family ate at Boma at AKL Sun night (Boma is a trip tradition for us). I love Boma - food excellent as always - and the soups are just unbelievable. Everyone loved it - the 2 year old went nuts for the mac 'n' cheese - as usual. Saw fireworks again from balcony of our room Sun night, still didn't figure out what they were.
Monday 3/10
We went to a late breakfast at Cape May. I made the ressie Sat night when I got in the room - I was so happy we got one so my two boys could get their character fix. Wait, who am I fooling, we all got our character fix.
The breakfast was good - I prefer Chef Mickey's and Supercalifragilistic, however. When we got back to SSR we took a walk and stopped by the DVC center. We hadn't received our planner yet so I got to see our guide and pick one up. Boys and I got ice cream while mom and wife went to the spa for manicures - they really liked their experience. Late Monday mom had to leave - it was terribly sad - I was miserable. So we went to Ghirardelli's for some gastronomic Prozac - their colossal cookie is really yummy. So that was appetizer, got back to the room and had dinner (left overs from Sat night and Sun lunch). Put the boys down and packed up. My wife put it perfectly, with DVC (and with 2 small children), you don't pack up, you move out. This element convinced us even more than we already were - split trips are not for us. Saw fireworks from balcony and finally figured them out - Illuminations. What else is 9 PM every night, starts, stops for a bit and then has a finale? And the direction was right too - a bit West by Northwest.
Tuesday 3/11
Tuesday morning was very sad - we had to leave. I hate leaving WDW, just hate it. Anyway, very nice bell person came to our room at 3:45 AM and transported us to the DME pick up. The DME bus arrived right when we got there, and we were off to the airport for our 7 AM flight. A tiring day all in all.
Conclusions
1) I am really happy we did DVC. The accomodations were nicer than anything else we've stayed in.
2) I like SSR, especially for this type of trip. If you're looking for peaceful and away from things SSR is the place. I'm sure OKW qualifies as well, although I've never stayed there.
3) SSR doesn't feel like as much of an escape as some other resorts - so I'm happy we bought into AKV.
4) Service was good - no complaints.
5) Walking to DTD is awesome.
6) Building requests - if you want to be real close to DTD - Congress Park is great. The walk to the Springs was quick as well. I've heard Grandstand is great as well. Paddock and Caroussel felt like they'd be a fair trek away.
7) Staying at WDW as part of DVC, feels neat and special - really liked the feeling.
Cute Postscript
My 4 year old boy loves the default channel on WDW TVs - the one with the Top 7 Must Sees at WDW. He kept on calling it his favorite Disney show. When we got back to our house in Denver - he looked at me and his mom and said "Do they have my favorite Disney show here in Colorado?" I said, "Oh, how I wish they did."
Next trip
October 27 - November 6 at AKV Savannah View 2 BR
I'll be posting elsewhere on some other non-trip report DVC conclusions.
Take care all!
So infrequent poster of late since my first forays here. We just got back from a few nights at SSR (3/8-3/11) in a 2BR, used 140 of our 160 incentive point. I wanted to share my experience.
A little background - our trip was first my family of four, plus my mom and step-dad in a handicapped accessible at OKW. Terrible events struck, however, and my step-dad passed away on 2/16. My mom was still up for the trip, however, so we all went. The trip, however, was tinged with grief for everyone.
Saturday 3/8
We arrived about 4 PM (drove up from Naples), right after my mom arrived (from Tampa). My step-sister arrived shortly thereafter. I had requested either Congress Park or Grandstand. We got Congress Park Rm 1611, overlooking the courtyard down the way from the pool. Check in was flawless.
The room was fabulous - clean, and holy cow, huge. This was our first DVC trip - wow. We knew we weren't going to go into any of the parks, we were just going to lay low and relax. So I can't give a report on the bus service. We had intended on using the pool and the playgrounds, but for a variety of reasons (weather, other plans) never got around to those things.
We ate dinner in on Sat night - how nice and relaxing is it not to run out to dinner right after arriving. Saw some fireworks, didn't figure out what they were until Mon night.
Sunday 3/9
We took a very nice walk to DTD - the weather was cool, but still 20-30 degrees warmer than Denver. Grabbed lunch at Rainforest Cafe - which was alright (I've never been a big fan). I took the 2 year old back for a nap, and the rest stayed at DTD for a little while. Mom and my family ate at Boma at AKL Sun night (Boma is a trip tradition for us). I love Boma - food excellent as always - and the soups are just unbelievable. Everyone loved it - the 2 year old went nuts for the mac 'n' cheese - as usual. Saw fireworks again from balcony of our room Sun night, still didn't figure out what they were.
Monday 3/10
We went to a late breakfast at Cape May. I made the ressie Sat night when I got in the room - I was so happy we got one so my two boys could get their character fix. Wait, who am I fooling, we all got our character fix.
The breakfast was good - I prefer Chef Mickey's and Supercalifragilistic, however. When we got back to SSR we took a walk and stopped by the DVC center. We hadn't received our planner yet so I got to see our guide and pick one up. Boys and I got ice cream while mom and wife went to the spa for manicures - they really liked their experience. Late Monday mom had to leave - it was terribly sad - I was miserable. So we went to Ghirardelli's for some gastronomic Prozac - their colossal cookie is really yummy. So that was appetizer, got back to the room and had dinner (left overs from Sat night and Sun lunch). Put the boys down and packed up. My wife put it perfectly, with DVC (and with 2 small children), you don't pack up, you move out. This element convinced us even more than we already were - split trips are not for us. Saw fireworks from balcony and finally figured them out - Illuminations. What else is 9 PM every night, starts, stops for a bit and then has a finale? And the direction was right too - a bit West by Northwest.Tuesday 3/11
Tuesday morning was very sad - we had to leave. I hate leaving WDW, just hate it. Anyway, very nice bell person came to our room at 3:45 AM and transported us to the DME pick up. The DME bus arrived right when we got there, and we were off to the airport for our 7 AM flight. A tiring day all in all.
Conclusions
1) I am really happy we did DVC. The accomodations were nicer than anything else we've stayed in.
2) I like SSR, especially for this type of trip. If you're looking for peaceful and away from things SSR is the place. I'm sure OKW qualifies as well, although I've never stayed there.
3) SSR doesn't feel like as much of an escape as some other resorts - so I'm happy we bought into AKV.
4) Service was good - no complaints.
5) Walking to DTD is awesome.
6) Building requests - if you want to be real close to DTD - Congress Park is great. The walk to the Springs was quick as well. I've heard Grandstand is great as well. Paddock and Caroussel felt like they'd be a fair trek away.
7) Staying at WDW as part of DVC, feels neat and special - really liked the feeling.
Cute Postscript
My 4 year old boy loves the default channel on WDW TVs - the one with the Top 7 Must Sees at WDW. He kept on calling it his favorite Disney show. When we got back to our house in Denver - he looked at me and his mom and said "Do they have my favorite Disney show here in Colorado?" I said, "Oh, how I wish they did."
Next trip
October 27 - November 6 at AKV Savannah View 2 BR
I'll be posting elsewhere on some other non-trip report DVC conclusions.
Take care all!
