TinkGirl
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2006
- Messages
- 889
We just got back from our first trip as DVC members, 1-22 to 27 
. A few thoughts: Magical Express - We will definitely use this service again. The ME area was easy to find, and there were many very friendly CM's there to direct you along the way. We usually take a towncar, so the only down side was waiting about 20 minutes for the bus to fill when we were ready to go! Our luggage was in the room when we returned from the MK that night. There was no waiting on our return because SSR was the ME bus' last stop. We nearly missed it because it was a cruise line bus, not the usual ME decorated vehicle. Saratoga Springs - What a beautiful resort! Everyone working there was so nice and helpful. The whole place was so quiet, which was nice after a day in the parks. We got a "welcome home" when we checked in, which only took about 10 minutes. We got to SSR about 10:30 a.m. The CM said when you check into ME, a room that is ready is assigned to you. If you don't want that room, you have the option to wait for another. We took the room. It was in the Springs. We had requested Congress Park, but we really liked the Springs. Our building was very close to a bus stop and all the main buildings. We were on the third floor and had a beautiful view of water and a fountain. The room decor is beautiful, and it was very clean (I am easily grossed out by any signs of other people's dirt). Loved that whirlpool tub at the end of the day! The kids loved the pool, and my husband and I enjoyed the two hot tubs. My husband sent me to the spa for a birthday present. 
We really enjoyed SSR and are incredibly happy with our DVC purchase. 
SSR BUS SERVICE - Having stayed at Riverside, we were used to a bustling transportation hub with buses constantly coming and going. It sure wasn't like that at SSR. The good part was that we always got a seat (except for the morning of the EE preview). The bad side was that we usually had to wait at least 15 minutes for a bus, but not always. We would still opt to use the Disney buses than our own car. In fact, our longest wait during the trip was for the bus back to SSR our last day--we waited 25 minutes.The parks - January is such a great time to go. My oldest son is in 7th grade, so I think the days of pulling the kids out of school are limited. They are good students, so we will do it as long as we can. The weather was great - three days in the 80's (comfortable) and three days in the high 60's and sunny. 
Lines were usually 20 minutes or less. We seemed to hit everything right (Philharmagic when the doors opened, etc.) On some days the fast pass machines were covered up or only one side of the big rides were open, so the wait would be about 20 or 30 minutes. Still, we had our Hidden Mickey book to keep us busy while we stood in line. Jan. is so great--we could sit down curbside for a parade 10 minutes before it started, and we got right up front for Cinderellabration 3 minutes before it began. Expedition Everest Preview - We got to the AK by 8:30 a.m. Thursday the 26th, and the lines were backed up to the security tables. There were huge amounts of people all walking to EE when they let us in. We had to show picture ID and DVC/passes at several different checkpoints along the way--I was waiting for them to ask for birth certificates/passports. 
Once we actually got to the ride, the line was quick. Also, it wasn't a scary crowd. We were all just happy to be there. I didn't notice any pushing and running. What a great ride! 
By lunch time the wait was only 20 minutes. In the afternoon it was a walk-on. The worst part was waiting in line in the packed gift shop for the lanyard and pin. After the first wave of people went through, they started giving them out outside. We rode it 8 times. After that, my husband and I said no more. Since it was a walk on, we let the kids go without us. They are 13, 10, and 9. They must have told all the CM's it was their 9th ride, because they came off saying everyone told them they had to go for 10. They did. It's the best! 
Meals and groceries - Because we are still paying for our points and had just paid annual dues and bought annual passes, we decided we should eat some meals in our villa. We ordered groceries from GardenGrocer. We will use them again. We were at the MK when he called to deliver, so he left everything with bell services. The food was well-marked in "cold" bags. Brian had accidentally forgot to leave our Mountain Dew. I called him when we returned to the room about 10:00 p.m. on Sunday He was still out making deliveries, so he brought it right over. The produce was nice and fresh. We ate all breakfasts in the room and made a couple of quick dinners like spaghetti. We ate at Tony's in MK our first night. The food was good, but we hardly saw our server. Unfortunately our two older children are "adults" in Disney, so we avoided buffet and family-style restaurants. We ate at the House of Blues, which was good. Our absolute favorite was Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge. What a blast! 
My son ended up having to go with our server into the kitchen and carry trays. We did counter service for lunch every day. Just watch where you sit at Pecos Bill cafe. I had a bird knock a cup of fries right out of my hand. One also did his business on my DVC backpack. 
Sorry if this is on the long side. It's much more fun reliving the trip than unpacking. It was so hard to accept that our vacation was over as we left the MK during the parade and when the characters sang "now it's time to say goodbye" on the ME bus movie. It's a good thing we're going back in June to try out the Boardwalk Villas! 
There is nothing like a Disney vacation for our family. 
. A few thoughts: Magical Express - We will definitely use this service again. The ME area was easy to find, and there were many very friendly CM's there to direct you along the way. We usually take a towncar, so the only down side was waiting about 20 minutes for the bus to fill when we were ready to go! Our luggage was in the room when we returned from the MK that night. There was no waiting on our return because SSR was the ME bus' last stop. We nearly missed it because it was a cruise line bus, not the usual ME decorated vehicle. Saratoga Springs - What a beautiful resort! Everyone working there was so nice and helpful. The whole place was so quiet, which was nice after a day in the parks. We got a "welcome home" when we checked in, which only took about 10 minutes. We got to SSR about 10:30 a.m. The CM said when you check into ME, a room that is ready is assigned to you. If you don't want that room, you have the option to wait for another. We took the room. It was in the Springs. We had requested Congress Park, but we really liked the Springs. Our building was very close to a bus stop and all the main buildings. We were on the third floor and had a beautiful view of water and a fountain. The room decor is beautiful, and it was very clean (I am easily grossed out by any signs of other people's dirt). Loved that whirlpool tub at the end of the day! The kids loved the pool, and my husband and I enjoyed the two hot tubs. My husband sent me to the spa for a birthday present. We really enjoyed SSR and are incredibly happy with our DVC purchase. SSR BUS SERVICE - Having stayed at Riverside, we were used to a bustling transportation hub with buses constantly coming and going. It sure wasn't like that at SSR. The good part was that we always got a seat (except for the morning of the EE preview). The bad side was that we usually had to wait at least 15 minutes for a bus, but not always. We would still opt to use the Disney buses than our own car. In fact, our longest wait during the trip was for the bus back to SSR our last day--we waited 25 minutes.The parks - January is such a great time to go. My oldest son is in 7th grade, so I think the days of pulling the kids out of school are limited. They are good students, so we will do it as long as we can. The weather was great - three days in the 80's (comfortable) and three days in the high 60's and sunny. Lines were usually 20 minutes or less. We seemed to hit everything right (Philharmagic when the doors opened, etc.) On some days the fast pass machines were covered up or only one side of the big rides were open, so the wait would be about 20 or 30 minutes. Still, we had our Hidden Mickey book to keep us busy while we stood in line. Jan. is so great--we could sit down curbside for a parade 10 minutes before it started, and we got right up front for Cinderellabration 3 minutes before it began. Expedition Everest Preview - We got to the AK by 8:30 a.m. Thursday the 26th, and the lines were backed up to the security tables. There were huge amounts of people all walking to EE when they let us in. We had to show picture ID and DVC/passes at several different checkpoints along the way--I was waiting for them to ask for birth certificates/passports. Once we actually got to the ride, the line was quick. Also, it wasn't a scary crowd. We were all just happy to be there. I didn't notice any pushing and running. What a great ride! By lunch time the wait was only 20 minutes. In the afternoon it was a walk-on. The worst part was waiting in line in the packed gift shop for the lanyard and pin. After the first wave of people went through, they started giving them out outside. We rode it 8 times. After that, my husband and I said no more. Since it was a walk on, we let the kids go without us. They are 13, 10, and 9. They must have told all the CM's it was their 9th ride, because they came off saying everyone told them they had to go for 10. They did. It's the best! Meals and groceries - Because we are still paying for our points and had just paid annual dues and bought annual passes, we decided we should eat some meals in our villa. We ordered groceries from GardenGrocer. We will use them again. We were at the MK when he called to deliver, so he left everything with bell services. The food was well-marked in "cold" bags. Brian had accidentally forgot to leave our Mountain Dew. I called him when we returned to the room about 10:00 p.m. on Sunday He was still out making deliveries, so he brought it right over. The produce was nice and fresh. We ate all breakfasts in the room and made a couple of quick dinners like spaghetti. We ate at Tony's in MK our first night. The food was good, but we hardly saw our server. Unfortunately our two older children are "adults" in Disney, so we avoided buffet and family-style restaurants. We ate at the House of Blues, which was good. Our absolute favorite was Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge. What a blast! My son ended up having to go with our server into the kitchen and carry trays. We did counter service for lunch every day. Just watch where you sit at Pecos Bill cafe. I had a bird knock a cup of fries right out of my hand. One also did his business on my DVC backpack. Sorry if this is on the long side. It's much more fun reliving the trip than unpacking. It was so hard to accept that our vacation was over as we left the MK during the parade and when the characters sang "now it's time to say goodbye" on the ME bus movie. It's a good thing we're going back in June to try out the Boardwalk Villas! There is nothing like a Disney vacation for our family. 
