Grandpa Mohawk Chronicles back online (Spring Edition)

[BroganMc]

Looks like we'll be crossing paths again. We are staying at BCV Oct 3-6 for the F&W, and SSR Dec 27-Jan 4.

Are you peeking at my MS transactions Tom?

Super cool. Right now I'm thinking we'll do the Halloween party on the 2nd (Fri) for my birthday. Saturday we'll probably stay off site. It's a good day to visit Seaworld and get away from Disney crowds. The 4th is our big moving in day to SSR. But Monday I expect we'll be at EPCOT showing the family newbies around F&W. We'll have a lively one who doesn't believe there's more to Disney besides Mickey and FantasyLand. Should be an experience.

You guys doing the Treehouses this NYE?

 

[BroganMc]

GM and I went out for a morning walk around SSR today. First time we've managed that all week.

Anyway, along our travels I found this new map posting in the Paddocks. It's the updated version with Treehouse Villas. (Click on either image for an enlargement.)






There appears to be a second walkway around building 95xx making the path shorter. And there are two bus stops for THVs plus the ferry dock.

I have to do some more investigating around the resort today. Heading to the pool now but I'll post later what I discover.

Oh and two things:

1) They're letting people sit in the Turf Club with their breakfast trays. GM and I had a nice quiet breakfast overlookiing the veranda and canal.

2) You can see the hot air balloon ride from DTD almost everywhere: outside Disney, inside EPCOT, from SSR, etc. I wanna ride it today or tomorrow. It's wheelie-friendly.

Ciao for now!

 

[AnnaS]

Have you by any chance noticed if the hot air balloon has gone up at all?

 

[BroganMc]

Have you by any chance noticed if the hot air balloon has gone up at all?

Does it go up?! It never seems to go down.

Seriously, it's up and down all the time pretty much whenever we look. It closes down earlier on weekdays but seems to run much longer on the weekends. And you can see it flying above EPCOT (by Mexico IIRC), High Rock Springs Pool, Grandstand, Congress Park (of course), Paddocks, Treehouses (south end).

It's big and beautiful. So much fun to watch Mary Poppins and the Peter Pan characters flying off in the distance. It makes you want to jump in.

I'm planning on taking my posse tomorrow (assuming I can get cuz out to brave the heat... he's part vampire). I checked it out last week and it said wheelchair accessible. Cost is pricey ($16 per person) but everyone wants to try it. Just not mid-day when it's so hot here. But I've seen it flying at night too. And today it was sighted in the air before noon. (I forget when exactly.)

I've got some great pictures of it. I'll post when I get more time. For now, I have to get dressed for EPCOT. EMH tonight and Test Track has my name on it.

Oh, GM and I did a lot of exploring today. I got a peek through a hole in the gates of Treehouses and documented the whole walkway to Grandstand. It is not nearly as long as I feared. (Caveat being in my powerchair I don't get tired feet. But with the mile around the resort this morning, day at the pool, trek to THV and back, I've only lost 1 bar out of 10 on my power. Yesterday at EPCOT with the tour around the gardens and then to Future World, I had lost 2 bars.)

 

[ChelleinNC]

Have you had a chance to go up in the balloon yet? Are you having a good weekend? Looking forward to your next update

 

[BroganMc]

Today was our saddest day of the trip. The day we walked the Hall of Sorrows and started the long journey home to Maryland. I'm watching Conan's live streaming feed of the DTD Balloon and feeling jealous already. Honestly, if I could have just found a cozy corner to sleep on the golf course at night, I'd still be there.

Instead, GM and I are holed up in a Townplace Suites outside the Savannah, GA airport. Our first stop on the 900 mile drive north. Cuz is already home. (His flight left at 5pm and arrived at BWI at 7pm.) We'll be in Rocky Mount, NC tomorrow and home Tuesday.

GM and I had tried booking the autotrain home but it was full. All the snowbirds migrating for the summer. They're probably happy about that. Temps in Florida (and Georgia) are well into the 90's now. Sun is blazing hot (GM and I both have tans) and the air gets oppressive mid-day. No rain yet either for Orlando.

Yesterday, we all hung out at SSR and fell in love with the resort again. GM and I ate our breakfast in the Turf Club lounge watching the balloon go up and down. Made some new friends. Then rode over to DTD for an afternoon movie (Disney's Earth) and a ride on the DTD balloon. The wind had kicked up a bit so they only let a group of 6 go on. Nice and intimate. You had plenty of room to walk around and take pictures or study the sights.

I [think I] finally figured out what that building is visible from the Turf Club. It looks to be part of the Bonnet Creek Resort.

Then we just spent the afternoon and evening at the pool. Cuz finally came out to join us (and brave the heat). They showed Mulan at the HRS pool but the jacuzzi was broken so I used the pool lift in the Grandstand spa instead. Watched the DTD balloon go up and down.

Rode the ferry to DTD (got the scoop on how THV transportation will work) and we all had dinner at Raglan Road with a front seat view of the Irish Dancer (Jamie). I got my fill of Double Berry Tinis (which have been modified to be Blueberry Tinis instead of Cranberry... much sweeter and yummier).

I have loads of pics and video. But for right now, I'm keeping off my all night computer sessions until we get home. We have about 600 miles to go in a car. All I want to do tonight is just crawl into bed and stretch out.

Hopefully I'll wakke up tomorrow and discover this trip home is just a nightmare and I'm really at the beginning of my vacation.

Treehouse Update Tidbits:

Concerning the transportation I spoke to both the bus driver manager at Springs and ferry captain on the Vacation Club ferry. This is what each said about the changes in the transportation routes to take place June 1.

Busses - THV has two bus stops (North by the road entrance and South by the resort pool). Busses will pick up THV guests and transport them to the Springs stop. There they can hop a bus to a park. (Personally I'd drive if I was by the North entrance or just walk it if I was by the South).

Ferries - Beginning next week the new PI restaurant (Streets of America) is due to open. The Vacation Club ferry (now making an OKW, SSR, DTD loop) will depart from the PI dock. On June 1, the route will split with dedicated ferries to and from each resort. OKW will go straight to DTD and back. SSR will make a loop from THV, SSR, DTD and back. The THV boat dock is on the South end of the section but a bit more removed from Grandstand than the pool area. The River Cruise from DTD to Port Orleans will continue to use the Marketplace dock.

Good news is that trips to/from OKW will be shorter (every 20 minutes instead of 30), but you'll have to go to DTD to catch the ferry now.

Also, I walked the pathway from West Side and THV several times this trip. At night and during the day. THV's pathway is very well lit. Better than the other walkways. They're using a bluer-white light so it can seem a little too bright in spots, but you certainly don't feel isolated.

The THV pathway takes you to Grandstand building 91xx. If you feel adventurous (or like misbehaving like me) there's also a golf cart path split off that takes you in a more direct route to Carriage House. That is NOT lit and you will need a flashlight in the darkest spots. And of course, golfers don't like it during the day.

 

[Grandbuddy]

Glad you had a great time. Sorry you had to leave.

 

[toocherie]

I can't believe your trip is over already! I was just there the end of March and it seems like a year ago!

 

[aprince&princess]

Have a safe trip home. I can't believe that your vacation is over already; that went fast. And thanks for the THV updates.

 

[manntra]

Thank you so much for sharing your report/blog and great times!! I was on board last year for the when "the thing we won't mention" happened so I was very happy to see that you had such a great time!
I am going in October also....10/4-10/9 and this will be my first time for MNSSHP (already have my tickets for Oct 6th!!) and F&W so I am really excited about that.
Oh yes and I liked your coined term "vampire strength" SPF!! Last year I bought spf 70 0r 80 and a few weeks ago I spotted spf 100!!! Now that is super vampire strength!!!!

 

[BroganMc]

I am going in October also....10/4-10/9 and this will be my first time for MNSSHP (already have my tickets for Oct 6th!!) and F&W so I am really excited about that.

You too? Ok, sounds like I should try and arrange a DISmeet at SSR next October. Maybe we can go raid a treehouse?

You'll love MNSSHP. I usually try to do it twice per trip since we go a few weeks and I never seem to catch everything I want. Plus it gives me a chance to try out a couple different costumes. (Where else can adults get away with wearing costumes?)

I'm not sure how our Autumn trip will turn out though. We're taking Cuz' parents down and they are a bit "above" the child-like spirit of Disney. Probably lots of time in EPCOT that trip. I still can't wait to return though.

Today we drove from Savannah, GA to Rocky Mount, NC. This is one of our regular stop points dating back years... to the "Mom years" actually. So they know us real well.

We're in the Residence Inn on exit 138. The only HA room is a spacious two-bedroom. It's huge. Three flat screen LCD TVs, DVD playyers, full kitchen, separate bedrooms and bathrooms. All done in a slight Asian Contemporary style. Between this room and the one at the Townplace Suites last night, I'm feeling the Contemporary vibe. And GM is starting to like it. (He was a bit of a stick-in-the-mud about the BLT styling.)

I'm still planning to finish up the trip blog the right way when I get home tomorrow. So all of you (and us too) can relive the experience a bit. And we have a couple more trips planned non-Disney to blog (at the beach in OC, MD and Williamsburg, VA with sis & co.).

Spring marks the beginning of our travel season. It'll last until next December when we hibernate for a few months.

For tonight, I've queued up my copy of Bolt and am settling in for the night. Tomorrow is a 5 hour journey home, hopefully timing the DC Beltway just right to avoid traffic. We loathe DC traffic.

Oh and it's reading 56 degrees outside just now. GM has cranked up the heat. We shoulda just gone south instead.

 

[ChelleinNC]

You came to North Carolina just as we hit a cold snap. We've been having upper 80's (87-88) for the last week or so and yesterday we were at 59. Of course "normal" is 75.

Can't wait till your blog is finished, looking forward to it. Hope the rest of your drive home continues to be safe & pleasant

 

[BroganMc]

You came to North Carolina just as we hit a cold snap. We've been having upper 80's (87-88) for the last week or so and yesterday we were at 59. Of course "normal" is 75.

Well that would be because we came to town. Cold follows us.

I'm in long sleeve shirts again. Time for winter up north.

Later guys. Time to hit the road again, one last time.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Well that would be because we came to town. Cold follows us.

I'm in long sleeve shirts again. Time for winter up north.

Later guys. Time to hit the road again, one last time.

You must be out of NC by now because we're gonna be 75 and sunny today

 

[BroganMc]

I'm beginning to believe our long Florida trips are cursed.

We made it home safely today but when we got there all was not well. Instead of coming out to greet us with her excited under-your-feet and where-have-you-been meow our housecat Peppermint dragged herself out from under a chair. She'd had a stroke or something in the last day (between the time my BIL was here to check her and we arrived) and couldn't use her hind legs. So an emergency trip to the vet and we found ourselves having to say goodbye to our longtime house companion. She lived to 15 (average for housecats).

GM and I are both really bummed now. I think I'll just lose myself in TV shows we missed while traveling and get to the trip report later. The house is a bit too quiet just now. And I'm feeling guilty for deciding to let her go. Her options were not good and we both hated to see her suffer into a decline. She was a very active mouser kinda housecat. But age caught her in the end.

 

[AnnaS]

I'm beginning to believe our long Florida trips are cursed.

We made it home safely today but when we got there all was not well. Instead of coming out to greet us with her excited under-your-feet and where-have-you-been meow our housecat Peppermint dragged herself out from under a chair. She'd had a stroke or something in the last day (between the time my BIL was here to check her and we arrived) and couldn't use her hind legs. So an emergency trip to the vet and we found ourselves having to say goodbye to our longtime house companion. She lived to 15 (average for housecats).

GM and I are both really bummed now. I think I'll just lose myself in TV shows we missed while traveling and get to the trip report later. The house is a bit too quiet just now. And I'm feeling guilty for deciding to let her go. Her options were not good and we both hated to see her suffer into a decline. She was a very active mouser kinda housecat. But age caught her in the end.

I am so sorry to hear about Peppermint. She will be missed. Think of all the memories you had with her over the years and the love you shared.

Hugs to you.

 

[E-P-C-O-T]

Oh Brogan, we just got back too and Bridgette, our dog, has gone downhill, her legs are failing her too and we are putting her to sleep tomorrow. It comforts me to know that she had a great life and we spoiled her rotten. Here is a great big from me to you!

 

[toocherie]

It must be the season--my older cat, Chase--is in decline too--kidney failure. I'm giving him fluid every day subcutaneously but his appetite is poor and although he doesn't look like he's in pain, he looks at me like "what's wrong with me?" I know it's just matter of time.

I'm sorry about Peppermint--losing a well-loved pet is never easy.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I'm beginning to believe our long Florida trips are cursed.

We made it home safely today but when we got there all was not well. Instead of coming out to greet us with her excited under-your-feet and where-have-you-been meow our housecat Peppermint dragged herself out from under a chair. She'd had a stroke or something in the last day (between the time my BIL was here to check her and we arrived) and couldn't use her hind legs. So an emergency trip to the vet and we found ourselves having to say goodbye to our longtime house companion. She lived to 15 (average for housecats).

GM and I are both really bummed now. I think I'll just lose myself in TV shows we missed while traveling and get to the trip report later. The house is a bit too quiet just now. And I'm feeling guilty for deciding to let her go. Her options were not good and we both hated to see her suffer into a decline. She was a very active mouser kinda housecat. But age caught her in the end.

It sounds like this was truly the saddest day of your trip. I am so sorry. We had to put our 14 year old cat down a couple of years ago. I agree that it is a very painful process.

 

[DMKEDM]

Hugs and love from this internet friend in northern VA...I look at my dog (Harry-the-Golden-Retriever) this morning w/extra love, anticipating the pain you're feeling now. I do ache for you.

Will say a prayer for you and GP Mohawk and for Peppermint...