Just got back from 5 nights at the THV'S!!!!-with pix and Wild Africa Trek!!!!

[twinklebug]

Fantastic photos Kendzee94! I never gave the safari a second thought, but after seeing this I want to do it!

 

[rksbb]

Great pictures!!!

 

[stopher1]

Awesome pictures! Thanks for sharing. We loved staying in a Treehouse last year, and can't wait to return this October. That new Trek at AK looks really, really cool.

 

[kendzee94]

The Trek was so awesome, almost forgot this picture...say cheese!

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So after we were done with our 3 hour tour (appx 1:15), yes we all made it back, we grabbed a quick bite/snack and headed back home.

Dinner at 'Ohana at 5:30. (I tried for the past two months for a later ADR, but could only get an 8:25, so we kept our 5:30 ADR.

We got ready to do our usual hike (shuttle or walk to grandstand) and we see the white shuttle van. We asked the CM if he was the shuttle, and no, he was a bell service CM. He graciously offered us a ride back to the Springs. While in the van, he asked where we were going for dinner and we told him, so he offered us a ride to the Polynesian....we looked at each other and graciously accepted his offer. WoooHooo! Pixie Dust, or so we think.

We tip him nicely, and wander around in the shops awaiting for me to get into the long line to check in. Our beeper went off around 5:15, early, yeah! Everythings starts off great! Quick service! Too quick. We got our wings/wontons/noodles/veggies all within a few minutes. Then they bring around all of the skewers. No room on the plate, as we haven't eaten anything yet and everything came at once. Only enough on the skewers for 2 pieces of steak, chicken, and shrimp a piece. Then we waited and waited and waited....a half hour to 45 minutes. We got refills on our drinks and still no skewers, they were waiting on them. What!? It's a Saturday night and no skewers cooked? Blasphemy! The other servers had skewers for their tables. DH would not let me flag down the other servers. Our server looked very flustered, almost like he was a chicken with his head cut off. His assistant wanted to take our plates when we wanted seconds. This is one of the few meals DS will actually eat something other than chicken nuggets, he eats the chicken! We ordered a refill of fries for the kids since the meat was not coming and somehow ended up with two orders. Whatever, they were the smallest orders ever, so we needed both. We ended up being there for 1 hour and 45 minutes. We are usually out of there in 1hour 15 tops! Needless to say, server only got exactly a 16% tip and we usually tip between the 18-20% rounded to the next $ up, depending on service. (We will be eating here for twice for our next trip. How much you want to bet, I will make sure we don't have the same server!) Okay, don't flame me because it could've been worse, a lot worse. However, for us, this was the worst service there in our almost 10 meals there.

Next stop MK am and 50's Prime time for dinner, another yummmmmo!

 

[kendzee94]

Glad you had a good time, we're staying there for the first time in May with 7 of us all together. We will have 2 cars, but may use transportation quite a bit, so glad to hear it wasn't that bad!!!! Question, the shower in the master bath, is that right outside the tub like it looks, or part of the tub? Just wondering. Keep the info coming, Love reading about these THV's!!

Just remember there is only room for one car at the THV, the other is to be kept at the Grandstand! Not sure if you knew that Oh, make sure that you don't have a real big vehicle. There were certain spots specifically marked "compact". I know DH's crew max Tundra would not fit in the regular spaces either, his truck's too long! When the buses are up and running, it can get hairy seeing them navigate with the bigger/longer vehicles!

 

[paeskie]

This has been such great information. Thank you for your reports and all the great pictures. I can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip.

 

[PrincessDuck]

We are staying in a tree house at the end of May! I did not do a request because I thought that the in-laws were going to drive. They are now flying, so we will have no car. Where should I request a room for the best transportation options....close to a bus stop, but still easy to walk over to SSR to catch a bus without switching?

 

[bouncycat]

Just remember there is only room for one car at the THV, the other is to be kept at the Grandstand! Not sure if you knew that Oh, make sure that you don't have a real big vehicle. There were certain spots specifically marked "compact". I know DH's crew max Tundra would not fit in the regular spaces either, his truck's too long! When the buses are up and running, it can get hairy seeing them navigate with the bigger/longer vehicles!

Yea, I knew about the vehicle thing. It's making me nervous tho. We'll wanna drive to the parks, cause I have a handicapped parking pass, but we'l need 2 cars cause there's 7 of us. My first choice was BLT, but they weren't available for our week with the military discount, THV was my second choice and the only thing that I"m worried about is the transportation. So.......if the transportation isn't too bad, maybe we'll use that. I dunno!!!! thinking about the transportation situation is making me crazy!!! LOL

Keep the info coming.....I'm really enjoying your report!!!!

 

[kendzee94]

Oops! I almost forgot! We boarded the monorail for a trip over to the MK. Original plan was to catch a ride or two, the watch wishes at 8:00pm. By time we got there the MSEP just started. We were not going anywhere so I call my DM and have her listen to it, then the train pulled up! Bonus! Let's ride BTMR!!!! We rode that twice then watched the end of MSEP in Frontierland. Headed over to Pirates, then a Dole Whip. Are you kidding me! How can we miss the Dole Whip, but we're all still full from dinner. Oh well it's vacation! We then made it back to a very crowded Main St USA for WISHES! So one thing about me that you need to know is that I LOVE Wishes!! I can't even tell you how many times I've watched it, taken pictures, listened to the soundtrack.

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I can't get enough! DS and DD could care less! They drive me insane! How can you not love WISHES?!

Okay, now next up MK am and 50's prime time for dinner. Okay, we all call it "mama's", because "mama" yells at you for misbehaving at the table!

We knocked out a ton of things this morning, with minimal waits in Tomorrowland, ToonTown, and Frontierland. However, Fantasyland waits were a little crazy! Space Mountain was walk on, we did it twice, but there was a 40 minute wait for Pooh! Pooh 40 minutes? Crazy! We made sure to ride Snow White as I understand it may not be here next trip. We also had to ride Goofy's barnstormer one last time, since that will no longer be as we know it after this trip. When DD was little, not tall enough for BTMR, we rode it over and over and over (2002 and 2003).

We headed to Columbia Harbor House for early lunch. Pretty good food. We had the fish and chx nugget combo with apple pies...love those!

We then head back to the room, and relax for a bit to head over to DHS. We arrived at 50's Prime Time appx 20 minutes early. We could not get checked in until 5-10 minutes before, so we hung out and watched the street actors! OMG they were hysterical!

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Again, we head back to mama's and check in. We are called within 2-3 minutes. So this is a huge improvement from past trips, so no complaints. Our server this trip was alright, but it seems that they have tamed it down. Last time we were here, I had to sing "I'm a little teapot" in front of the whole room, and our server was definitely more in character. We all had good meals again, yeah! No complaints! I was able to get a sampler of fried chicken, pot roast, and meatloaf. I hate meatloaf, so I did not like it, but I thought it would be fun to try a couple different meals, so it worked. DH got the steak and liked it. Did you know, that they will double the hotdog meal to 2 hotdogs for kids that are on the adult dining plan!? Well we do now!

We rode a couple rides then off to Fantasmic! Yeah!

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Tomorrow...back to MK for our last full day at a park this trip!

 

[kendzee94]

We are staying in a tree house at the end of May! I did not do a request because I thought that the in-laws were going to drive. They are now flying, so we will have no car. Where should I request a room for the best transportation options....close to a bus stop, but still easy to walk over to SSR to catch a bus without switching?

I would definitely request "close to the south bus stop" if you are using bus transportation, close to the north if driving.

I will be requesting "close to south" for our 10 night Christmas trip!!!! Have I told you we love the THV's?

 

[PrincessDuck]

I would definitely request "close to the south bus stop" if you are using bus transportation, close to the north if driving.

I will be requesting "close to south" for our 10 night Christmas trip!!!! Have I told you we love the THV's?

Thank you so much!!! This will be our first time staying in the THV's!! We are so excited. I just wish that we did not have to switch busses. Oh well, go with the flow! We have a few breakfast ADR's that are before park opening...hope it goes well with getting there for those.

Daisy

 

[kendzee94]

So here we are, last full day to go to the parks. Where to go? MK of course. We get right on all the rides, twice, with no lines! We were a little apprehensive because Touring Plans did not have MK listed, so we took a chance. We ate lunch at Cosmic Rays. For whatever reason, we love that place. Oh, I know, my picky eater can eat here! We ate outside with a beautiful view of the castle. Oh, and I forgot to mention, it snowed an inch every day.....at home! And we were sitting in 65-70 degree weather! On our way out of the park, my DH asked me if I had a chance to look for a disney charm for my Pandora. We decided to look at one of the stores as we were heading out. We saw a huge line outside of the store and everyone had a bag with something in it. We asked what was going on, and were told that "Shag is here!" "Who's Shag?" we ask! "Only the Picasso of Disney". So whatever, we decide we have to buy a picture to have it personalized and autographed. Little did I know, he was only going to be there for 2 hours, and once he was gone, so were the pictures until they officially launch the 40th anniversary prints later this summer. So I wait in the longest line of the day (1 hour) and I'm next to get to meet him, and a CM (in character) starts going all crazy, jumping up and down and yelling, it's Shag, it's Shag. She grabs me and we start jumping and yelling together, "It's Shag, It's Shag!"

[/IMG] (Here's the CM, in character, with Shag!)

We decided to check out the Community Hall to see what they offer. Crazy thing is that this is our 4th trip to SSR (2 at SSR and 2 at THV's) and we have never discovered/cared about/found this place! DD is a huge Chip and Dale fan, so Sundee gave us great inside scoop about the campfire over at Fort Wilderness, she even offered to make us extra coloring copies of Chip and Dale for our return later tonight! Yeah, she was great!!!

We had dinner at WCC. Our server was pretty good. We were a little disappointed that they don't do a lot of the crazy little things anymore like throwing the straws and napkins at you. Crazy Margarita or whatever her name was, said that management told them they can't. We told her that was crazy, that is what makes this place so unique. Over the years, they've taken away the napkin swinging over your head, and we did not hear the horses galloping (the table the servers put the food on when they bring it to the table). They have also taken away the 15 different flavors (ok so I'm exaggerating a little) of milkshakes and now only have three, but they had chocolate, strawberry and vanilla, so how can you go wrong with those!? As always, good steak and meal. Definitely will stay on our short list of sit downs!

We headed back to MK for one last viewing of Wishes! We then head to Community Hall to see Sundee! She is super quirky, but so great with the kids! We spoke with another family flying out on JetBlue tomorrow and their flight is already canceled. Part of me is hoping ours will be canceled, but part of me is hoping to just get us home safely as they are calling for 18-24 inches of snow at home tomorrow, and we are scheduled to fly out at 7:00 pm, to land around 10:00 pm. YIKES!!!

Sundee delivered! DD made 2 Pins and a cup with Chip and Dale colored on them! So cool, DD loved them! I had to pretty much drag my DD out of there.

LAST DAY!!!!! I get a call from my DM as I'm packing. We have a snow day. Immediately DS is mad. He has been waiting the past two months for a snow day. I said are you kidding me? We are going to be riding roller coasters and be in 75 degree weather while everyone else is home freezing and dealing with snow? I'll take a snow day like that anyday!!!

We packed up and called Bell Services. They were there within 5 minutes!
Again, great service. Checked in at the airline check in and checked our bags for the airport then checked carryons with Bell Services. We then walked over to the Springs to catch the bus. As we were waiting, a CM called us over and pointed out the otter!

So we decide to go to DHS simply to do RnR and TOT one last time.
We are that family that decides to make the pictures more memorable. If we sit in the back row of TOT, we raise our hands, if not, we will pretend to be bored, yawn, sit with arms crossed or play dead . We rode both rides twice, decided to eat an early lunch (11:00 am) at Rosie's All American Cafe. They had a great burger, and since Catalina Eddie's was closed, they also had pizza...again yeah, something the picky eater will eat!!!! As we finished up, we caught Beauty and the Beast (Belle is my princess, so this was a bonus for me!)

We had another 2 1/2 hours to kill, so we went over to the Magic of Disney Animation. Cool thing is that if you don't want to see the 15 minute show, you can bypass it. So we did, as it's has not recently been updated. Sorcerer Mickey, Mr. Incredible, Frozone, and Lotso were in there to get their pictures taken with. We then went into the drawing room. We were taught how to draw Tinker Bell. We were told that next up is Donald Duck. After drawing Tink, we got back in line for Donald. We all did much better with our drawings of Donald. Cool that the animator gave his drawing away to the person who could answer a trivia question. Since Donald is DH's favorite, he told me the answer, and I guessed it right! Yeah!

We headed back to Community Hall for one last game/ coloring page awaiting our ME bus to pick us up and take us to MCO. I thanked Sundee and John(?) and told them we will see them again when we come back for 10 nights at the THV's at Christmas and DD's birthday.

Overall, great trip. SSR has really grown on us. We LOVE the THV's and we are so happy to call this place home.

Thanks for letting me share our memories with you! I love this place!

 

[Doug7856]

...Thanks for letting me share our memories with you! I love this place!

Thanks for sharing with us!!

 

[bouncycat]

Yes!! Thanks for sharing with us!! I can't wait until our trip!! Looking forward to the Treehouse, but not the transportation issues!! Ah well, it'll work out fine. Awesome trip!!!!!

 

[Duane]

Sundee is one of Disney's Crown Jewels.... Not sure if you know it or not, but she used to work over at the campground at the Bike Barn during the day and at night she hosted the Campfire Sing-Along. She had quite a following over there from the "regulars". She told me the reason that she moved over to SSR was that is was easier on her legs not having to stand a long time as well as not having to be out in the night air...

I hope she continues to stay on for a long time....

 

[Duane]

Sundee is one of Disney's Crown Jewels.... Not sure if you know it or not, but she used to work over at the campground at the Bike Barn during the day and at night she hosted the Campfire Sing-Along. She had quite a following over there from the "regulars". She told me the reason that she moved over to SSR was that is was easier on her legs not having to stand a long time as well as not having to be out in the night air...

I hope she continues to stay on for a long time....

 

[Disney_Mama]

Thanks for sharing. I love SSR it's our home resort and our favourite. Great pictures.

 

[sandieb]

I love your trip report and photos! It really makes me want to go there (also the 26 degree temperature outside). Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to post this. Also, a question - we have done the AK tour - Backstage Safari. Is the tour you took different enough to not feel like a repeat? We visited the kitchens, vet/animal hospital, cages for rhinos & giraffes, and other backstage areas.
Thanks so much! Sandie

 

[kendzee94]

Also, a question - we have done the AK tour - Backstage Safari. Is the tour you took different enough to not feel like a repeat? We visited the kitchens, vet/animal hospital, cages for rhinos & giraffes, and other backstage areas.
Thanks so much! Sandie

The two tours are totally different from what you describe! Wild Africa Trek is more like a back stage Kilamanjaro Safari with an Adventure component to it! We didn't visit any of the back stage animal cage/areas like that. We were more above (hippos and crocs) and immersed on/in the savanna. Makes you not want to do the regular safari for a while though! I really can't wait to get my photopass CD to print off some of the really cool pix that were taken of us all on the tour!

 

[kendzee94]

Sundee is one of Disney's Crown Jewels.... Not sure if you know it or not, but she used to work over at the campground at the Bike Barn during the day and at night she hosted the Campfire Sing-Along. She had quite a following over there from the "regulars". She told me the reason that she moved over to SSR was that is was easier on her legs not having to stand a long time as well as not having to be out in the night air...

I hope she continues to stay on for a long time....

She told us about working there. She used to play the guitar with Chip n Dale and told my DD some fun stories about the fun they had together...I think we will try the campfire sing along when we go at Christmas.