I'd Walk a Mile for a Cupcake- an SSR Quickie! 4/4-4/7/11 FINISHED!! 6/29

podsnel · Apr 10, 2011

Hello AGAIN, DISpeeps! We are just back from a very quick, booked two weeks out, 3 night trip to SSR- and can I just say, it was a GREAT time!! I am Ellen, a SAHM of 3 boys and wife to DH Pods for nearly 25 years (we celebrate June 21st this year!). We are DVC members, and recently purchased our fourth contract, this one at BWV. :banana:

With 2010 points burning a hole in my pocket, I decided to start convincing DH last month that a Spring Break in WDW was a necessity to our sanity....and, it took me a few weeks to convince him. You see, this was the Spring Break that we would be staying home- well, he ALWAYS stays home for Spring Break, he's a CPA and is just a little too busy to go anywhere other than his office during April....but when I realized that my baseball playing 8th grader would be in High School next year, and that THIS was the LAST spring break we would ever take, well....I started hammering away at DH. Our oldest, Sean, would also not be able to come- he is autistic and attends a different school, with a spring break next week. But I could still go with Tyler (13) and Timmy (11, turning 12 later this month). However, due to the fact that Tyler made the Middle School team and they would be practicing during the week, Pods would just not let Tyler go. :sad2:

So 2 weeks before the break, I asked Tyler if he would be upset if Mommy & Timmy went to Disney while he stayed home to play baseball- God bless my selfless son, he said that would be ok- he would go to Disney next time, and we should go and have fun! :hug:

I booked 3 nights at SSR, purchased 2 plane tickets and proceeded to do the BIG happy dance!! :dancer:

But still, so sad Tyler wasn't coming. :sad1:

All that changed 4 days before the trip. When the coach told Pods to call him, and said Tyler should go to Disney- he'd only miss one practice, if that, and it was going to rain all week in NJ, so.......I made a couple of calls and HOORAY!!!!! Tyler was coming with us!!! But, I kept it a secret....until we got in the car to go to the airport on Monday morning...and he thought he was going to PT (he has pitcher's elbow). I will post the EXTREMELY anti-climactic surprise video in a bit, but for now, here's a photo of him and his reaction-

Anyway....we fly out of Newark, and here we are on the way down-

In 2 1/2 hours, we were riding this-

We had to stop at the DME desk, because since I had just added Tyler to our ressie a few days prior, he did not have a DME ticket. REALLY last minute booking, huh?

In line, there was a REALLY REALLY rude girl behind us, who was talking on her cell phone at a 300+ volume....everyone in line was rolling their eyes about her. Even my kids knew she was a disaster!! Let's just say, that if you are reading this, and you are her Mom, you should break up with Andre IMMEDIATELY and go out and get yourself a JOB!! :rotfl:

Anyway, fortunately for us she was NOT heading to SSR, so we got on our line and she got on hers, and in minutes we were riding the best bus ride of the trip-

You know i snagged that front row seat just for this-

First a stop at OKW-

And then it was time for Welcome HOME, baby!!!! :woohoo:

I had done online check-in (only a few days after booking the trip- how fun is THAT?!) so we were quickly handed our packet and told our room was ready (we were arriving at about 4:30) and that my request for the Springs had been honored. :woohoo:

This is really my only hesitation in booking SSR- what if I get stuck out in Carousel or the Paddock? I am all about the amenities and being close to them- I DO like a nice walk, I just prefer to save that for the parks when I am in Disney, KWIM? So with our excellent and convenient location secured, we walked over to check it out-

podsnel · Apr 10, 2011

Soo....we walked over to our studio in the Springs, and this is what we saw-

There was a flat screen in this room, too!

It occured to me that I forgot to see bell services about my Owner's Locker, so I gave them a call- and in literally 10 minutes, there was a knock at the door! Excellent! We freshened up a bit before heading over to the boat dock- I had planned to go to EOS for dinner this night before going over to DHS. We had about a 15 minute wait for the boat- probably the longest we waited for transportation the whole trip. The boat came to us after it had been to the Treehouses- it also went to the Treehouses second after SSR on the way back.

The boat now docks ONLY in PI, right next to Paradiso 37-

Well, that looks yummy!

Next stop- EOS!

podsnel · Apr 10, 2011

We were going to EOS for dinner- this would be my 3rd time, and my kids' first. :scared1:

Typically, on our family vacations, we eat alot of TS meals. We have TIW, and we have $$$ from our Disney Visa, so it works out well for us- also because we enjoy the relaxing break in the restaurants, and all the themeing...and I always have SOOO many restaurants I want to try, that our CS experience has been a little limited. But I had promised Pods we would be eating as inexpensively as possible this trip, since this truly was an unplanned & extra bonus vacation- and EOS is not only one of the cheapest meals at WDW, but one of the yummiest! :goodvibes

We timed it JUST RIGHT- when we walked in, there was no line AT ALL....a few minutes later, it was a little different-

We waited at the table for our buzzer to light up-

ANd quickly, we were picking up our order. I had the Original...AGAIN!The Original 1762 (Hot Sandwich) - Fresh roasted beef, creamy horseradish sauce & cheddar cheese. Fresh made to order on Artisan Baked Loaf. - $5.99

It was very good- except for a gristly piece of roast beef that I removed. I do love that bread, though! Tyler was having Cannonballs - meatballs, mozzarella and parmesan cheese and marinara sauce $5.99

He was VERY satisfied with his choice-

Timmy chose a kids' grilled cheese, and they gave him a choice of small bread or big bread- go for the BIG bread, Timmy!!

Well, safe to say we will be back THERE again- the kids enjoyed it as much as I did- and best of all, when we come back for our November vacation, that holiday turkey/stuffing sammy will be there- and I can't WAIT to have me one of those!!! I did just see that an EOS is supposed to open this year in Times Square. :woohoo:

VERY excited about THAT!!! We left EOS and headed to the Bus Stop. On the way, actually, right next door to EOS, was the temporary Lego store-

Then back to the Springs to wait for the bus-

Timmy shows off his Birthday button-

Soon we were headed to DHS...first stop, RnRC!!! :banana:

SamSam · Apr 10, 2011

What a fun read! I'm looking forward to your updates. :goodvibes

momoflizandains · Apr 10, 2011

Really enjoying it. I would love to do a last minute trip.

dizney4us · Apr 10, 2011

Enjoying your TR, thank you! :goodvibes

Tinks "SS" · Apr 10, 2011

OH, i've missed some of your other TR's so glad i get to read this one. We leave on wednesday afternoon to head to SSR. It will be our first time there. It will be a combo work/rest trip for us. How did you like it there? I think the grounds are fabulous and love being that close to DTD.

mom of princessx2 · Apr 10, 2011

I am in and can't wait for more!!

kikiq · Apr 10, 2011

I'm in for this TR. It must be a sign. My DH just emailed me from his office with "Pass expires 5/2/11

". He's not home yet but I'm wondering if that was a BIG hint for me to put together a last minute trip. After looking at your pictures, I'm so missing SSR, EOS and that ME ride into WDW.

podsnel · Apr 11, 2011

SamSam said:
What a fun read! I'm looking forward to your updates.

Thank-you! I aim to please! :goodvibes

momoflizandains said:
Really enjoying it. I would love to do a last minute trip.

It is a BEAUTIFUL thing, planning a last minute trip- the whole time I was pinching myself, couldn't believe it was real! :thumbsup2

dizney4us said:
Enjoying your TR, thank you!

You're welcome! Thanks so much for saying so!

Tinks "SS";40679930 said:
OH, i've missed some of your other TR's so glad i get to read this one. We leave on wednesday afternoon to head to SSR. It will be our first time there. It will be a combo work/rest trip for us. How did you like it there? I think the grounds are fabulous and love being that close to DTD.

Good to see you! I really do like SSR- if you are going to rest, it is very conducive to that. To me, the theme is tranquility- soothing pastels, sophisticated, soft music, babbling fountains, lots of flowers (it smells GREAT there). Of course, the Spa, which I have been to several times, just not this visit- the spa is excellent there. Paths everywhere for long walks or bike rides. FABULOUS gym. Turf Club has very good crab cakes & onion rings, and prime rib (although I have yet to try the prime rib). Not crazy about Artists Palette, but with DTD so close, who cares? It feels like a neighborhood with a lot of great stuff in it- that's how Timmy described it. He is like me, he finds something he likes in every DVC we stay at. :thumbsup2

Have a blast!!

mom of princessx2 said:
I am in and can't wait for more!!

Hi there!! :goodvibes

Thanks for joining in!!

kikiq said:
I'm in for this TR. It must be a sign. My DH just emailed me from his office with "Pass expires 5/2/11 ". He's not home yet but I'm wondering if that was a BIG hint for me to put together a last minute trip. After looking at your pictures, I'm so missing SSR, EOS and that ME ride into WDW.

DEFINITELY a sign!!! Call MS & the airlines, QUICK!! :thumbsup2

bobbiwoz · Apr 11, 2011

You post great pictures and an interesting trip report! I love reading what you have to say!!! I have a craving for a meatball sandwich, and I'm just going to have to try EOS later this week.

Bobbi :goodvibes

Buckeye Fan · Apr 11, 2011

Oh my goodness. I can't tell you how much I'm missing WDW right now, and how much your trip report reminds me of us! We haven't been since last July (due to DS's baseball - he's a freshman this year - we couldn't go during spring break! :headache:

), and I'm having BAD withdrawals! :eek:

Your trip report reminds me of everything I enjoy at Disney. I dearly love OKW and SSR. Earl is one of our favorite places to eat, and going under that Walt Disney World arch on ME is warming to my heart. :goodvibes

We JUST broke the 100-day mark until our July vacation, so thanks for feeding my addiction! :lmao:

Also, thanks for sharing your story, as I'm a sucker for last minute surprises! They are the best! I'm so glad your other son got to go with you. :hug:

5forDiz · Apr 11, 2011

Yay Ellen, was hoping you'd be posting a trip report soon :yay:

How nice you got to do spur of the moment trip with your boys!

subscribing ! :surfweb:

laura

Disneymanic · Apr 11, 2011

We were just at SSR 3 weeks ago and seeing all your great pictures made me homesick for Disney already! :thumbsup2

Pumba's Truth · Apr 11, 2011

We're headed to SSR first week of May and your TR is just what we need to keep us tied over until then.

EOS looks awesome especially your sandwich. mmmmm I'll have to head over there on arrival day as we have nothing planned until later that evening.

Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

kikiq · Apr 11, 2011

podsnel said:
DEFINITELY a sign!!! Call MS & the airlines, QUICK!!

Almost, almost, but still possible. The weekend he was thinking we're suppose to be going to see my youngest DD at school. OH DARN those kids

But after your pictures, he's not thinking he can wait much longer. You keep posting those wonderful pictures!

papertraveller · Apr 11, 2011

Stalking again! :rotfl:

I just love the surprise trips. We did that last year for MNSSHP for DD -- she thought she was going for a flu shot, and instead it was a surprise birthday weekend at WDW. I think I've figured out how to do another one (no details here ... she stalks me!) but we'll have to wait awhile to see if all the logistics fall into place.

Meantime, I am also loving seeing another DVC resort.

Lexxiefern · Apr 11, 2011

Great report! Love all the pictures!

toocherie · Apr 11, 2011

Great timing on your trip--a few days earlier and you would have hit the torrential rain and tornado warnings! Luckily it cleared up for the rest of our trip!

Harlemgirl720 · Apr 12, 2011

Loving your TR. Just got back a couple of weeks ago and missing Disney already. I took the same seat on ME to get my pic too. :lmao:

I'd Walk a Mile for a Cupcake- an SSR Quickie! 4/4-4/7/11 FINISHED!! 6/29

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