Here now-LIVE from SSR for 8 days!

[kkmauch]

We're here now, and thankful we packed sweatshirts and jeans, even from MN. It's about 65 right now, but in the shade and wind it feels downright cold. No complaints though, much better than snow and below zero.

Checked in yesterday afternoon. The room wasn't ready yet and we didn't get a text message until about 3:45. A note to those who get the text message about the room, we got the message we were in room 143xx. Turns out the 1 is only there to indicate it's a 2-bedroom adjoining unit and not part of the actual room number. But, when we finally got around to finding our room, bell services took us directly to it.

We have a fantastic room, 3rd floor 2 bedroom lock off unit. We are very near the springs bus stop and can look out our balcony onto the pond, bud stop and main pool area.

Had lunch at AP (blech! suits many, just not me), a little riding at the magic kingdom, then back to the room to get settled, put up our christmas tree and decorations, unpack and slow down from all the craziness. Had dinner at 8 at the Turf Club. PHENOMENAL! Adults had the prime rib, kids had cheese burger meals, then it was dessert (apple crips and kids sundaes) to go back to the room. Everyone crashed quickly!

Got up in time for breakfast in the room before catching the bus to AK. Were on our way to EE by 9:30. Hung out throuh lunch and then back to the room for some birthday cake, showers and rest. Now we're ready for a little more Magic Kingdom before HDDR tonight!

Crowds: minimal, the worst was at the airport for Magical Express. We waited 10 mins for space mountain, 5 for buzz yesterday. Today it was 8 mintes for EE, 6 minutes for Safari with an immediate walk on right after with a fast pass. This was at 11! Dining has been crowded, but very manageable.

Bus: haven't waited more than 5 minutes for a bus, always have a seat and no issues with DTD ride scammers

Weather: chillier than normal, but sunny and wonderful.

Up next: HDDR, MVMCP, and Toy Story Spin to come in the next few days. I'll post pictures and more updates as I have the time. If you have any questions, just let me know!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Great! Enjoying your report

 

[tomaszewski58]

We're leaving soon and I so appreciate having this updated info.

 

[robert@dvcstore]

Sounds like you are having a great time. Enjoy the hint of winter we are having in Florida now. Just huddle up:

Robert

 

[Lexxiefern]

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[SAGE]

We just got back from SSR - it is a lovely resort! We had a studio in Congress Park.... so close to DTD + WPE
No problem with buses, wonderful staff.... very nice but short trip.

 

[Candy Orlando]

Love reading your trip report. Have fun!!!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Can you make sure you maintain those crowd levels through next week, please? We leave early Sunday morning!

 

[Disney Princess]

Enjoying your report so far. Can't wait to read more.

 

[Fatalbie]

I think you should rewrite the review of the Turf Club. No need to let the others know how good it is.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay. One of these years I'm going to get down there for the X-mas festivities.

Jim

 

[Disneypirate85]

SO glad your having a good trip so far. I too agree keep the crowd level down for us, we arrive on the 12th at BCV.
Disney is always so amazing at Christmas Time, we truelly enjoy it and are blessed to be able to go every year at Christmas....Shawn

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

I'm with him!

I think you should rewrite the review of the Turf Club. No need to let the others know how good it is.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay. One of these years I'm going to get down there for the X-mas festivities.

Jim

 

[kkmauch]

UPDATE!

Dinner show last night at Fort Wilderness for the HDDMR. WHAT A SHOW! I personally have seen it many times, always thought it was cute and fun, but this time it blew me away. Funny for adults and kids, great time, the food was better than I remembered and the bus service back to SSR was easy and not terribly crowded. We made stops at POFQ, POR and OKW, but only one stop at each with two stops at SSR. All in all, quite easy to navigate and not a terrible journey.

Before going to HDDMR we were at MK for a few hours. We WALKED ON to splash mountain and POTC, had a one round wait for Magic Carpets of Aladdin, and did a little main street shopping just as the parade was finishing. We took the boat to Ft Wilderness.

Last night was rather cold and though the kids were in long sleeves and fleece jackets, having additional clothes would have helped.

Today we braved Blizzard Beach. It was to be in the 70s and sunny all day. We arrived about 10 and weren't even sure it was open. IT WAS EMPTY. We had our pick of beach chairs near the wave pool, walked on to the chair lift, walked off and onto the teamboat springs ride. It was phenomenal. Spent most of the day in Tike's Peak. We all got great sun and the only time we were cold was walking from the pool to our chairs in the shade and breeze. Otherwise in the sun, even wet, we were ok. As I turned in my key for the locker, the CM told me there were maybe 300 people in the park today!!!

Then it was back for a nap and a quick snack. Next we were off to Epcot. Minimal wait for the bus, not crowded, walked right in to Epcot and on to Spaceship Earth. Then over to Figment, walk on, then on to Rose and Crown for dinner where they were TAKING WALK UPS!!! what???? We had a front row outdoor seat for dinner and the fireworks. PERFECT! We're just back to the room now with a standing room only bus.

Sleeping in a bit, then up for DTD and MVMCP tomorrow! Stay tuned...

 

[SusieBea]

More, please!

 

[tomandrobin]

Gotta love those wait times! We'll be there at the end of the month, and your TR is making me jealous.

 

[Sandisw]

Sounds so wonderful! DD and I were there this weekend last year and I really miss not getting in my quick Disney holiday fix.

I think I will have to fix that for next year!!

Have fun and love the reports!!!

 

[kkmauch]

Day Four Update!
It's a beautiful day despite a bit of rain earlier this morning. About 65 to 70 degrees. We're heading over to DTD to do some shopping and have lunch. Relaxing day because we're saving up for MVMCP tonight! It will be down to 39 tonight, which is rather cold, but we're hearty Minnesotans and we know how to do layers in style.

Crowds at the resort are low right now, bus stop looks pretty empty as I'm sure most people are already out for the day.

Trying to get photos loaded, have them all on facebook now, so send a friend request if you'd like to see them prior to getting them on the Dis (kkmauch on facebook too).

Have a magical day!

 

[kent285]

Great TR! We went to HDDR in October and loved it...and we love Turf Club, too. Glad your trip is going well.

 

[kkmauch]

Oh also, meant to report on this earlier...we had a birthday while we were here. Got a cake from AP and it wasn't anything special. They only offered chocolate with chocolate frosting, which wasn't something we were really thrilled about. And, it was generic, couldn't put a name on it or anything. It did have a birthday mickey mouse thing on it but not worth it in our opinion. Maybe the special order cakes are better, but they seemed pretty pricey. So, now we know. And there's 3/4 of a cake in the fridge.

 

[kkmauch]

LAST FULL DAY-UPDATE
When I last left you we were preparing for a day at downtown disney and then off to MVMCP. What a day!!!

DTD-insane. Crowded beyond belief. But we were able to snag a table at Wolfgang Express for lunch, made our way through World of Disney and then walked back. The crowds were a bit much and the kids needed naps before MVMCP. Nice walk, even from The Springs. Took about 30 minutes leisurely to get there and about the same to get back.

MVMCP-we arrive just as the block party began. Our tickets were waiting at will call and there was little to no wait to pick them up. Then it was off to the block party. We danced and watched it go by, then headed up main street to the statue and joined in the conga and dancing with the characters. It was great fun and kept us quite warm. We watched the castle lighting ceremony from a bench in the round and then it was off to tomorrow land. Space Mountain had a posted waiting time of 60 minutes, but the park hadn't officially closed for the party yet. So, we opted for a little Buzz Lightyear. Then it was over to Cosmic Ray's for dinner and another dance party. This was by far the best dance party we've been to. It was less crowded, we were able to enjoy dinner and join in the fun, and it was indoors. We were there over an hour. The kids loved it! Pluto, Goofy and Chip and Dale were all there on and off throughout the party. After dinner we enjoyed Space Mountain two rides in a row with less than 5 minutes waiting time for both rounds.

As we came out of Space Mountain we grabbed a couple of chairs and sat near one of the electric palm trees to watch the fireworks. They were INCREDIBLE!!! We loved them!!! As soon as the fireworks were done we grabbed one more ride on Buzz Lightyear and we were off to grab seats for the second parade. A potty stop, hot chocolate run and short wait later, the parade went by us as we watched in front of Ye Old Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square. Great viewing location, not too crowded either. After the parade it was off to the resort and then on to bed for everyone. The bus was waiting for us when we got to our stop and we didn't have to stand. Success.

Yesterday-Animal Kingdom and Epcot
We arrived at Animal Kingdom at about 10. We went straight into ITTBAB. It is such a great show and a first for the kids. Then it was off to DinoLand. We hopped onto Primeval Whirl with a less than 10 minute wait, then onto Triceratop Spin in under 5 minutes (one round ahead of us). Then we walked over for Nemo, which is always a big hit and definitely a favorite. After Nemo we went to EE which had a posted wait time of 20 minutes but we only waited about 15. From EE we stopped for lunch at Pizzafari and then we were off to FOTLK. WE LOVE THIS SHOW!!! And it didn't disappoint!

We left AK and grabbed a bus for Epcot. When we arrived we walked on to Spaceship Earth. After that we checked the board for wait times in Future World. Soarin was out of FP for the day (it was about 5 so not unexpected), Test Track was a 60 minute stand by with FP gone for the day, and everything else was manageable. We took off for Nemo and friends, walked right on with no wait. Then we sat in line for about 10 minutes for Turtle Talk with Crush which was a ton of fun. After that we headed over to The Land and grabbed a drink, used the bathroom and went on Living with the Land. We walked right on to that too. After our journey it was time to check in for dinner. We had reservations at Coral Reef for 6:35. Checked in about 6:15 and were seated by 6:25 reading our menus. I had the strip steak as I'm not one for seafood, kids had salmon which they enjoyed and sister had mahi mahi which she claims was the best she's ever had. Although the Lobster Bisque soup left a bit to be desired. The ambience was phenomenal and we really enjoyed our meal.

TODAY-LAST FULL DAY
We were on the bus to the MK by 9:15, waited about 5 minutes at the stop and no one else was getting on. No party tonight.

First up was fantasy land. We hadn't done anything here yet, so it was time. We went straight to Mickey's Philharmagic with a posted 5 minute wait and also grabbed FP for Winnie The Pooh, which is confusing to have in the que for Philharmagic, but oh well. Watched our show, had pictures with the evil stepsisters, and then rode the carousel. After that it was walk on to IASW. By now it was time for out FP for Pooh, which was delightful as always. Short wait with the FP but only a 35 minute posted waiting time. Then we were off to lunch at the COlumbia Harbour House, over to Haunted Mansion with a 10 minute posted time. We waited for one group to go in before us, and then we were in the fireplace room.

After HM we walked in for the Hall of Presidents. We had about 7 minutes before the show started. It was the first time I have had the chance to see it since they added Obama and I love the new rendition! Still an emotional and moving performance. Following the show we needed to wake up a bit, so it was off to Splash and BTMRR. We picked up FP for Splash because it was down, then got in line for BTMRR. The posted time was 20 minutes, but we actually waited 30. It wasn't bad, but certainly the longest of the trip. After that we took our FP and walked on to Splash. GOt wet, but it wasn't terrible. Then a quick ride on POC and Magic Carpets and our day was complete! Back in our rooms with new silhouettes, christmas ornaments from the day and packing to do! Eating pizza delivery by 7:15. What a great end to the day!

Tomorrow: DTD and the airport