Just got back from SSR- Trip Report

[mcrabeck]

Great Trip Report- Thanks so much for sharing. I hope your daughter is feeling better!

 

[2giddy4wdw]

Great trip report so far!! Hoping things got better for your daughter. Love the mohawk on your son!!!

 

[jenelope]

Chelle, I'm really enjoying your trip report! My father and I are planning to play at the Magnolia and LBV courses on our October trip, so I was really interested to read that part. We're hoping my mother can do a ride-along, but I'm not sure the Magnolia allows it. I have to ask when I make my tee times. I like the mohawk out on the course. It adds a little bit of Ian Poulter flair to the bunker. Plus, it matches his outfit!

I hope your daughter is feeling better.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Great Trip Report- Thanks so much for sharing. I hope your daughter is feeling better!

Thanks! Glad you're enjoying it DD is still getting over the cough, she feels pretty good now but it's been a long road.

Great trip report so far!! Hoping things got better for your daughter. Love the mohawk on your son!!!

The antibiotics helped her feel good enough to enjoy the rest of the trip.

Chelle, I'm really enjoying your trip report! My father and I are planning to play at the Magnolia and LBV courses on our October trip, so I was really interested to read that part. We're hoping my mother can do a ride-along, but I'm not sure the Magnolia allows it. I have to ask when I make my tee times. I like the mohawk out on the course. It adds a little bit of Ian Poulter flair to the bunker. Plus, it matches his outfit!

I hope your daughter is feeling better.

DD rode along with us at Eagle Pines last year (had to play it before it closed), so we had 3 playing, 1 riding and because they were busy that day they put a single with us. 3 carts for 4 golfers no problem at all We played LBV in December and it was beautiful. I did land the island green that day Unfortunately the course was closed for this trip and last June. Seems our dates don't line up well when we stay at "home"

 

[ChelleinNC]

After a great day playing golf we got ready for our dinner at Planet Hollywood, and then we'll catch a bus to BC to walk over to Epcot. Again, the road to ....is paved with my plans

ADR is at 4:45, we can catch a bus, take the boat or walk. Looking at the sky, we decide the bus is the safest plan By the time the bus got to Congress Park it was getting dark, when we got to the Market Place bus stop it was starting to rain. I kept hoping that it wasn't raining at West Side yet, but no luck with that! We get off the bus and seek shelter in the bus stop. It's not raining, it's a full out monsoon! We look at the sky to see if it's going to stop soon, uh huh, this is one big storm. Allright, everyone ready set run. That didn't work To say that we were drenched, would be an understatement. We waited outside under the PH roof, hoping to dry off a little before going inside the freezer known as Planet Hollywood. The wind was blowing so much that we were still getting wet, so we braved the A/C and went in. We were seated immediately (right on time for our ADR). We had a pretty good dinner. DH loves the LA Lasagna, DD decided to try salmon (even though she hasn't liked salmon any other time she's had it), so I played safe and got the fettucinne alfredo (that I knew she'd like ) DS got the kids pizza. Meals were pretty good, only issue was the rice with the salmon was waaaay over cooked, dry & crunchy. Other than that, I enjoyed DD's salmon The boy's both got the banana split creme brulee, and DD & I shared the brownie sundae. Those are good desserts By the time we finished dinner, the rain had finally stopped. We all needed to go back to the room and change before heading to Epcot for EMH. We almost decided to skip the park, but figured after the storm we just had that everyone would've left. Wrong again.

Crowds were pretty heavy when we got to Epcot. We rode Figment, then went to watch Illuminations. We watched from between the boat dock & Mexico. As soon as it was over we booked it over to TT. WOW the wait was ridiculous and no FP's. We hoped in the single rider line real quick while that wait was still at 20min. After that we saw Honey I shrunk the audience and then wandered around WS for awhile. We stopped in Norway and I finally got to get schoolbread! We were still to full to eat so we got 3 schoolbreads and a couple other things to take back to the room. The crowds had not thinned out, and it wasn't even relaxing to stroll around, so we headed out. No sense getting frustrated with the waits when everyone is tired and DD was wearing out.

Didn't get much done, but I did get to see Illuminations (my favorite ) and we got school bread

Plans (here we go again ) for tomorrow are Boma breakfast, Brown Derby Dinner and Studios EMH. Wish us luck

 

[ChelleinNC]

Yes, this was the second time I got soaked.

-Pneumonia girl

 

[2giddy4wdw]

Sounds like our trip last year when we were at MNSSHP and it was just downpouring...we lucked out since it was the end of the night, and we were just about to head out. DD best friend decided we are just going to walk in the rain, well we were dressed as doctors and were soaked by the time we got to the bus stop. Still had a great time though!!!

Can't wait to read more!!!

 

[ChelleinNC]

Wow, it's Wednesday allready. Halfway point of the trip. Today is our big food day After reading a wonderful food review from MickeyNicki, we are trying Boma breakfast this morning and then our favorite Brown Derby for dinner tonight.

Since we're not morning people, we have a 10:45am ADR at Boma. We are going to drive over to make it easy. My truck (Ford Expedition) acts a little strange when DH starts it, but then seems fine. With DVC/DDE we get free valet parking and our walking into AKL and seated at Boma in no time flat. DS11 loves breakfast buffets (so do I :guilty) DD14 is not a breakfast person, does not like most breakfast foods even, but when she read & saw the pics on MickeyNicki's review she wanted to try Boma Wow, this is an amazing breakfast! DD was all set between the Corned Beef on the carving station and all the wonderful muffins. The carved meats, mini omelets, muffins, fruits, and the OMG incredible sticky buns won us all over. Then we tried the jungle juice, YUM! Great coffee, yummy juice, and all that food We all could've rolled out of there We love dinner at Boma and now breakfast is a must do

We walk outside and DH & I go to find the DSA that has moved and let the kids go to the valet to have my truck pulled around. We come back, and no truck yet. We wait.....and wait some more......I see a management type person run down with what looks like a charger, and we continue to wait. Someone finally asks if we've been helped, and we say yes, they were supposed to be pulling a blue expedition up. The girl has no idea and asks the other valet and he says something about it not starting and they're trying to jump it now. Manager comes back and then DH goes down to the valet lot with him. They get it started and pull up for us. Our only guess is that the kids left stuff on in the back (I've got outlets that DD uses for her laptop and DS uses for his playstation). All seems fine now, so back to SSR we go for a relaxing afternoon.

We spend the afternoon at the Grandstand pool with a couple of those fabulous Mai Tai's and our books. It was hot & sunny, perfect pool weather

After showering and changing, we head to the Studio's for dinner at the Brown Derby. This is our 3rd trip in a row eating here, it has become our favorite restaurant. We got to the Studios and went to check times on ToT and RnRC. Got FP's and then wandered around watching the Streetmosphere. I love walking and watching at the Studio's, the atmoshpere is great. I could do without the blacktop though We made our way back to Brown Derby and checked in. A lot of people seemed to be trying to walk in, but they were all being turned away. We were seated within minutes, taken to what we were told was the "Chefs Table". It's the big table in front of the bar, overlooking the rest of the restaurant. I don't know if it really is a special table or not, but we felt special Our server was fantastic (I feel bad, I didn't write down his name) he was very helpful with suggestions, refills, etc. He always seemed to be there if we needed anything, but not overbearing/hovering. We (DH & I) started with cocktails and shared the Cobb salad. Yum! The menu had changed slightly from our last 2 visits. The filet has been replaced with a NY Strip (our server said that it's excellent and they were having difficulty getting the filet), the grouper was gone (loved that) and the pork had a different name and slightly different description. DD fell in love with the Roasted Hatfield Pork Rib Chop in December, she swears it's the best thing she ever put in her mouth. So she was a little worried about the changes and also asked about switching the sides, but our server told her that the new one is fantastic and to try the sides that come with it. He promised that if she didn't like them, he would get her replacements. Since she's trying to "grow" and become a foodie, she agreed to try the new pork dish with the sides. Our server told DH to try the Ahi Tuna, since he's had several of the other items on the menu previously and I had the Salmon with the marscapone polenta with gorgonzola and balsamic glaze & olive tapenade. DS11 ordered his favorite, the hotdog on the kids menu. He told our waiter that they have the best hot dogs on property Our waiter told DS he would tell the Chef that. Dinner came out and as always was fantastic! I can only assume that DD's pork was good, because it was gone before I could even get a taste She even liked the sides DH was glad that he got the Ahi Tuna, and it didn't take long to clear his plate The salmon was perfectly cooked and that polenta is wonderful! The only thing left on my plate was the Sicilian olive tapenade, which is too salty for me. DH laughed at me, because I didn't like it last time either I prefer black olives, the green ones just aren't my thing. Then there's DS, who ate his entire hot dog and asked our server if he had told the Chef what he said. A few minutes later, the Chef comes out to introduce himself to us and said that he was very glad to hear that DS loves the hot dogs so much Here we are having a 4/5 star dinner and my son is complimenting the Chef on the Ballparks We finished dinner with coffee (good coffee, not Disney coffee) and dessert. DH & DD had their grapefruit cake, DS had the creme brulee and the chocolate lover that I am, had the flourless chocolate cake. Another fantastic meal at Brown Derby

Up next: EMH at DHS

 

[ChelleinNC]

After dinner we walked down to check out TSM. The wait was 120 minutes I don't think so! We went and walked around the backlot and Streets of America and finally found:

The Singin in the Rain umbrella!



DD impersonating Mary Tyler Moore on the Streets of America

DS impersonating Darth Vader

The skies started to look a little scary, so we figured it would be a good time to go to Muppet Vision If you normally go straight in and hurry to get into the next show, don't. There is sooooo much to look at in this attraction. We've seen this sign many times:

We took our time and this is what we found

The show was funny as always and when we came out the sky had cleared. We rode Star Tours real quick and then we went back up to see if there were FP's for EMH at TSM. Nope and the wait was 100 minutes. We were starting to walk away when DS saw the single rider line We waited about 20 minutes (much better than 100) and had a great time. I thought it was a lot of fun but DH said he would have been disappointed if he'd waited 2 hours for it. After that we went and saw Indy and then went to GMR. I wasn't feeling real well at this point, full tummy and the heat had me feeling DD was worn out as well, and she doesn't like the thrill rides and wanted to leave. I really didn't want to miss RnRC and since we had the FP's I figured I was either going to feel alot better or alot worse DD waited while the rest of us rode. That was the best I had felt in hours! I thought about trying ToT, but figured I'd be pushing my luck. Maybe next time The "boys" stayed and used their FP's for ToT and DD & I caught a bus back to SSR.

It was a good night. Got a little frustrating at times with lines and with our dear children who don't mind waiting for the things they like but want to leave as soon as they get what they want If you saw a family having words about kids being selfish on Sunset Blvd, it wasn't us

Tomorrow DH & I have a golf date and then we'll have dinner with the Princesses

 

[SandrainNC]

Enjoying your report! We just got back on Saturday.

I know exactly where Stallings is. We are in Matthews!

Sandra

 

[BigEeyore]

Great trip report! You made me hungry with your blow by blow of the Brown Derby!!
When you say that there are no FP's for TSM - was that just at that time, or do they not have FP's at all for that ride?

 

[ChelleinNC]

Enjoying your report! We just got back on Saturday.

I know exactly where Stallings is. We are in Matthews!

Sandra

Hi neighbor! I didn't think anyone knew where Stallings is

Great trip report! You made me hungry with your blow by blow of the Brown Derby!!
When you say that there are no FP's for TSM - was that just at that time, or do they not have FP's at all for that ride?

Oops, should've been clearer on that There are FP's for TSM, but they had run out by then and they did not turn them back on for EMH. --They did turn the FP's on for ToT & RnRC for EMH

If you get a chance, try Brown Derby! If you're on the DDP, I highly recommend paying OOP for it though. Even though the food and service are worthy of 2 TS credits, the prices aren't. We spent as much the next night at Akershus and almost as much at Planet Hollywood (without cocktails and only 3 desserts) as we did at BD.


Thanks for reading!

 

[allaboutmm]

Thanks for a great TR. Might have to give Brown Derby a try on our next trip, we've been talking about trying it, might have to make it happen.

 

[Corinne]

Yeah, for once you didn't get soaked on Kali...but I did! Yes, me, the one with pneumonia, the one the doctor told to try not to get wet for the next few days. Of course. It was wonderful.

-Chelle's sarcastic DD that for once wasn't too lazy to get on her own account

Chelle, enjoying your TR and I can see your dd is fun! LOL!
(We Tink fans must stick together!)

 

[ChelleinNC]

Thanks for a great TR. Might have to give Brown Derby a try on our next trip, we've been talking about trying it, might have to make it happen.

DD has informed me our server's name was Kevin, so when you go (you really should) ask for Kevin. He was great!

Chelle, enjoying your TR and I can see your dd is fun! LOL!
(We Tink fans must stick together!)

She sure is something suits her perfectly

 

[ChelleinNC]

Chelle, enjoying your TR and I can see your dd is fun! LOL!
(We Tink fans must stick together!)

You like me, you really like me!

-the cool one in the family

 

[kathmzh]

I'm enjoying your reports very much....we would be the same in the Brown Deby, my son is so enthusiastic about hot dogs! I have to ask about Kevin, we had a wonderful waiter of the same name in Mama Melrose's a couple of times... was he a tall blond gentleman?

Enjoy the rest of your trip and I'm glad your DD is feeling better!

 

[Corinne]

You like me, you really like me!

-the cool one in the family

ha!

 

[ChelleinNC]

You like me, you really like me!

-the cool one in the family

Hey Tink, you have your own log in

I'm enjoying your reports very much....we would be the same in the Brown Deby, my son is so enthusiastic about hot dogs! I have to ask about Kevin, we had a wonderful waiter of the same name in Mama Melrose's a couple of times... was he a tall blond gentleman?

Enjoy the rest of your trip and I'm glad your DD is feeling better!

Sounds like a different Kevin, our's was average height with dark hair. Glad you're enjoying the report

I'll get the next update posted later today

 

[jenelope]

The filet has been replaced with a NY Strip (our server said that it's excellent and they were having difficulty getting the filet),

::cue the Anakin to Darth Vader howl:: NOOOOOOOO!!!

I hope this is just a momentary glitch and they solve it by October. I can't live if living is without the Brown Derby filet!

Another great entry! Can't wait to see more.