I have a couple posts specific to SSR, so here are the rest of the details:
Monday -
arrived at SSR around 12:30. Lots of Welcome Homes, staff was very friendly. Front desk was a little slow, but not an issue at all. Hardly anyone at the place (only 1 building open). Checked In. Room was really nice, Studio Room 2732, on third floor. They had towels made to look like a horse on the TV Entertainment Center.
Had a 3:00 tee time at Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. First time we golfed at WDW and loved it. Didnt play well (shot 94 the wife shot 105), but it was beautiful. A bit windy, and we got to see some of the OKW villas.
Got done around 7:00, and were tired after a long day, we were up at 3:45 to catch our 6:00 flight. Went to the On The Rocks bar by the pool and had a drink before dinner. Sat and talked with some members, they were really friendly, and Ken was a good/entertaining bartender. Ate at Artists Palette, we both got pizzas and they were very good.
Tuesday - MGM
Went to MGM and did our favs (TOT and Aerosmith Coaster). We also say the film about Walt Disney himself, that was very good. Walked around the park to check out the construction for the new stunt show, didnt see much, but there were new (I think) bathrooms down at that end. Also saw the Muppets 3-D movie. We went back to the room and hit the quiet pool. There were never more than 6 people there at once. It was great, felt like we had the pool to ourselves
Took the Ferry over to DD. Long wait, and not a convienent spot for the boat launch, but it was a nice ride over. Ate at the Rainforest cafe and we liked it. Went back and hit the hot tub, stayed up for the DD fireworks
Wednesday - Animal Kingdom / Epcot
Got up and had breakfast at Artist's Palette. Good breakfast of eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes and a biscuit. I thought they did a great job for the breakfast meals.
Went to AK in the morning, stayed for about 5 hours. Did the safari and got really close to the giraffe's. Also did the Kali River Rapids, that was a really great ride. We didnt get too wet, but the people on the other side were soaked. Went to see Tarzan, and now you can walk all around the park, as the section where the Everest Expedition Coaster is built is now open to walk around. It looks like another good ride for Disney. This one is going to be popular.
Came back and hit the High Rocks pool. Again not crowded at all. The slide was fun, we went down about 4 times. Had a drink at the bar - On The Rocks.
Went to Epcot for dinner and ate at the Lotus Blossom in China. Food was good, and then we went to see Eric Burden for the Flower Power Concert. The wife also got to see her favs "Off Kilter" - we see them every time.
The International Flower and Garden Festival was just beautiful. We took a ton of pictures - loved it. Stayed for the fireworks show.
Thursday - Magic Kingdom
Again started the day with Breakfast at Artist Palatte. Egg sandwich was excellent on a croisant.
We saw "Mickey's Philharmagic" for the first time and it was simply outstanding. By far the best 3-D production in any of the parks. DO NOT MISS THIS ONE - IT WAS WORTH IT
Tried my first Turkey Leg. I liked it a lot but it was too big for one person (not complaining though). People were staring as they walked by - just like I have done all the times we have gone down. Hit all the Mountains (Splash, Space, Big Thunder) and the Haunted Mansion.
Went back to the quiet pool for a couple hours (nice!). Then called bell services to see if I could borrow a screw driver to fix a piece of luggage. They guy came up with a tool kit and we sat around and talked, wanted to know how we liked the place. Very friendly - and fixed the luggage for me no problem.
Went to DD - and ate at the Earl Of Sandwich. VERY GOOD . We had Original Roast Beef (Cheese and Horseradish Sauce) and carribean jerk chicken. I would eat there again anytime, I hope they do good and stay at DD.
We shopped and shared a Sundae at Ghiardelli's, and went back and saw the fireworks for Illuminations and Wishes from our balcony. Then went and hit the hot tub!
Friday - EPCOT
Back at Epcot in the morning. Hit Mission Space early, only a 5 minute wait. What a great ride. Also did Test Track, really liked it. Took in more of the flowers and everything. Ate at the Cantina in Mexico for lunch, and continued just enjoying how beautiful the park looked. Did the Reflections of China 360 movie - I really thought that was great! On our way out I stopped and got my Fish & Chips at the Rose and Crown. The pub was closed for refurbishment - but restaurant was still serving outside.
Again just hit the pool - relaxed as it was our last day and went to DD for a final walk through.
Really loved the location of SSR. We rented a car and had no problem getting around, the parks were not crowded so we got good spots in the parking lots. We found being close to DD a bonus, no problem there, and did not feel isolated at all. We were disappointed when Saturday came - could have stayed another week easily. We will definitely go back to SSR - its great!
Eric
Monday -
arrived at SSR around 12:30. Lots of Welcome Homes, staff was very friendly. Front desk was a little slow, but not an issue at all. Hardly anyone at the place (only 1 building open). Checked In. Room was really nice, Studio Room 2732, on third floor. They had towels made to look like a horse on the TV Entertainment Center.
Had a 3:00 tee time at Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. First time we golfed at WDW and loved it. Didnt play well (shot 94 the wife shot 105), but it was beautiful. A bit windy, and we got to see some of the OKW villas.
Got done around 7:00, and were tired after a long day, we were up at 3:45 to catch our 6:00 flight. Went to the On The Rocks bar by the pool and had a drink before dinner. Sat and talked with some members, they were really friendly, and Ken was a good/entertaining bartender. Ate at Artists Palette, we both got pizzas and they were very good.
Tuesday - MGM
Went to MGM and did our favs (TOT and Aerosmith Coaster). We also say the film about Walt Disney himself, that was very good. Walked around the park to check out the construction for the new stunt show, didnt see much, but there were new (I think) bathrooms down at that end. Also saw the Muppets 3-D movie. We went back to the room and hit the quiet pool. There were never more than 6 people there at once. It was great, felt like we had the pool to ourselves
Took the Ferry over to DD. Long wait, and not a convienent spot for the boat launch, but it was a nice ride over. Ate at the Rainforest cafe and we liked it. Went back and hit the hot tub, stayed up for the DD fireworks
Wednesday - Animal Kingdom / Epcot
Got up and had breakfast at Artist's Palette. Good breakfast of eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes and a biscuit. I thought they did a great job for the breakfast meals.
Went to AK in the morning, stayed for about 5 hours. Did the safari and got really close to the giraffe's. Also did the Kali River Rapids, that was a really great ride. We didnt get too wet, but the people on the other side were soaked. Went to see Tarzan, and now you can walk all around the park, as the section where the Everest Expedition Coaster is built is now open to walk around. It looks like another good ride for Disney. This one is going to be popular.
Came back and hit the High Rocks pool. Again not crowded at all. The slide was fun, we went down about 4 times. Had a drink at the bar - On The Rocks.
Went to Epcot for dinner and ate at the Lotus Blossom in China. Food was good, and then we went to see Eric Burden for the Flower Power Concert. The wife also got to see her favs "Off Kilter" - we see them every time.
The International Flower and Garden Festival was just beautiful. We took a ton of pictures - loved it. Stayed for the fireworks show.
Thursday - Magic Kingdom
Again started the day with Breakfast at Artist Palatte. Egg sandwich was excellent on a croisant.
We saw "Mickey's Philharmagic" for the first time and it was simply outstanding. By far the best 3-D production in any of the parks. DO NOT MISS THIS ONE - IT WAS WORTH IT
Tried my first Turkey Leg. I liked it a lot but it was too big for one person (not complaining though). People were staring as they walked by - just like I have done all the times we have gone down. Hit all the Mountains (Splash, Space, Big Thunder) and the Haunted Mansion.
Went back to the quiet pool for a couple hours (nice!). Then called bell services to see if I could borrow a screw driver to fix a piece of luggage. They guy came up with a tool kit and we sat around and talked, wanted to know how we liked the place. Very friendly - and fixed the luggage for me no problem.
Went to DD - and ate at the Earl Of Sandwich. VERY GOOD . We had Original Roast Beef (Cheese and Horseradish Sauce) and carribean jerk chicken. I would eat there again anytime, I hope they do good and stay at DD.
We shopped and shared a Sundae at Ghiardelli's, and went back and saw the fireworks for Illuminations and Wishes from our balcony. Then went and hit the hot tub!
Friday - EPCOT
Back at Epcot in the morning. Hit Mission Space early, only a 5 minute wait. What a great ride. Also did Test Track, really liked it. Took in more of the flowers and everything. Ate at the Cantina in Mexico for lunch, and continued just enjoying how beautiful the park looked. Did the Reflections of China 360 movie - I really thought that was great! On our way out I stopped and got my Fish & Chips at the Rose and Crown. The pub was closed for refurbishment - but restaurant was still serving outside.
Again just hit the pool - relaxed as it was our last day and went to DD for a final walk through.
Really loved the location of SSR. We rented a car and had no problem getting around, the parks were not crowded so we got good spots in the parking lots. We found being close to DD a bonus, no problem there, and did not feel isolated at all. We were disappointed when Saturday came - could have stayed another week easily. We will definitely go back to SSR - its great!
Eric
