Live from Orlando (aka living like the locals)

[podsnel]

Hi BroganMc and Grandpa Mohawk!!! I've just caught up to you and wanted to say thank-you for writing such a finely detailed report!! As you can see by my sig, I will be at SSR soon (June 1st) for a few days with an old friend- it will be my first trip using DVC points, which we just got this past November
at AKV. I had no idea there were so MANY great activities at the CH, and I think my friend and I will look into that ceramics class on Monday- do you have to be there at 12, or can you come in anytime in the 2 hours? We have an ADR at Yak & Yeti for an early lunch that day (so happy you both enjoyed your meal there!). By the way, my boys have gotten glitter do's at the MK barbershop and it was at the same time you went- parade time! Absolutely perfect, they had their glittered haircuts in time for all the characters to pay attention to them at the end of the parade.

Has to be one of my favorite things to do at MK!! Thanks so much for keeping all of us informed, please enjoy the rest of your stay!!

 

[Liljam]

I love that comment!! I was born and raised in MD, and moved almost 4 years ago (DH is Active Duty Navy). I can't tell you how many times my DH has said something like that to me when we have crabcakes anywhere other than in MD! We just know what a perfect crabcake is supposed to taste like, right?

Love the trip reports! Keep 'em coming!

Also being from WV/MD - summer home was Fenwick Island - I know what it's like to be a MD crab snob too! We actually went out to grab our pots twice daily! And Crabbed with chicken and string! My PA bred DH doesn't understand how crab can be good and I can't imagine life without MD crabs! Now I'm wondering if you have ever tried Fultons and how it rates? My OC favorite is still Hoopers BTW!

Back to the original topic - I absolutely adore this trip report and you Ms. BroganMc - to the point that I was nearly cooing over your report like I do my DS and DH asked if you would be at SSR when we arrive in 9 days so that I could meet you ! I knew from your reports that you wouldn't be there, but I believe because of your lighthearted writings and your wonderful attitude you are becoming somewhat of a celebrity among your DIS friends - as is GM who is now so cool he has his own acronym ! I remember the rockin' pic of him hanging on to the play gym at SSR last year (or something like that!) Anyway, your TR is awesome and I adore your knowledge of SSR! It's really helped me to plan my upcoming trip. Thank you!!!

 

[BroganMc]

Now I'm wondering if you have ever tried Fultons and how it rates? My OC favorite is still Hoopers BTW!

Back to the original topic - I absolutely adore this trip report and you Ms. BroganMc - to the point that I was nearly cooing over your report like I do my DS and DH asked if you would be at SSR when we arrive in 9 days so that I could meet you !

Aww, that's sweet of you. But have no fear. We're leaving lots of friends behind to look after you. It is amazing how many folks remember us and are becoming fast friends.

We did try Fulton's once about 3-4 years ago. This was pre-DVC when we came down for a week off-site with then entire family for a high adrenaline week in March. We met up in Marketplace one rainy Friday night and Fulton's was the only place that could take the 16 of us. What I remember of the experience is that it was very expensive and not really worth the entree costs. That experience has stigmatized us a bit, but I don't think it's a fair test. We keep saying we'll go back and try it for lunch afternoon. It's one of those things on our ToDo List.

Today we woke up early (7am) but both of us were in a bit of vacation burnout. All we wanted to do was sleep in and not set foot in a theme park. We didn't even want to leave for one of our SSR walks. So we slept till 9, then rolled out of bed and fixed up some breakfast in our kitchen. (We still had cereal, eggs and bacon leftover from Cypress Harbour.)

By the time we got dressed it was near noon. Our impromptu plan was to head to DTD. Dad wanted to do more walking but by then the heat was coming on a bit too strong for him to manage the Westside walk. So we went down to the ferry (along the way I stopped to ask more questions of the Photopass folks about photo sessions and grand gatherings). The ferry is a great option if you want to avoid walking in the heat. Everything is shaded and if there's a good breeze going it's cool. Just know the schedule so you can plan for a short wait.

The ferries start running at 11:15am and the sign says they run every 30 minutes during the day. We arrived at 12:33pm and calculated the next ferry to arrive at 12:45pm. We sat on the benches watching the golfers and sure enough 12 minutes later two ferries showed up: one heading to OKW and one going to DTD (they do a DTD-SSR-OKW-SSR-DTD loop).

Turned out taking the ferry was a much better idea for my dad as he's having a hard time getting his 76 yo self acclimating to the heat. In a scooter he's fine, but walking he really feels the stamina issues.

We went to WoD for a little shopping (had to pick up a sword for my nephew who broke his), then had a couple hot dogs and margaritas on the dockside near Cap'n Jacks.

Only disappoints today were:

- Ghiradelli is closed until the 29th. They're expanding the ice cream area. Dad was bummed because I'd been promising him ice cream for days and we leave the 27th.

- I can't find the lighted Haunted Mansion village figurine anywhere! They keep getting them and selling out. I think I'll be ordering direct from merchandising.

- Cap'n Jacks only sells two fish items (tuna and crab) and neither include fried clams. Coming from Maryland it's sacrilege to call yourself a seafood place and NOT sell clams. I can't believe they have pot roast instead. who ever heard of a seafood place having pot roast?!

We ran into our little friends who were out with their moms shopping. They flagged us down twice, which was nice. Gave us a chance to say goodbye, snap more pictures and exchange e-mail addresses with the moms.

The ferry back arrived just as we got to the dock. (Great timing.) We debated if we had enough time for the pool and a couple AP friends joined in to tease us about our bickering. I met the manager of AP (Kristin) and we talked about the new queue line. She said it started April 13 and has been overwhelmingly complimented. They don't do it for dinner yet but are planning something else in the next few weeks. They all know I'm posting here and love it. They really want guest feedback so they can improve things.

We did do the pool but just for the jacuzzi. Now we're headed out to Poly to catch the EWP and fireworks from the beach.

The funny thing is I've met a lot of folks this trip who are staying in the Carousel section. They universally love it.

Oh and the animals are running everywhere. I've dodged several bunnies (at SSR and AK), the family of swans are back, as are a host of ducks and other birds. And the dreaded lovebugs are starting to fly. I think we'll be leaving just as it gets to the height of the season.

Also they're doing a lot of sprucing of the resort. Yesterday they were painting the gazebo in Congress Park. Today they were cleaning the gutters in Community Hall.

As always, anymore questions or things I can look into for you, post 'em now. We leave Sunday morning.

 

[marynvince]

I have been there twice in the past year, both times getting the crab claws. Unbelievably good. They have a lobster/ crab claw combo, got that the first time, just get the crab claws. It is pricey, $49 but so good. DVC gets you 20% off at lunch, so if you have time this week give it a go. Dinner discount is 10%. Thanks again for the great posts!

 

[Brenle]

Glad to see AP has gotten more organized. They really needed a better flow of traffic in there.

What's up with photopass? What other info do you have on that?

Also, about that pot roast. That is SO NOT on the menu at any seafood establishment around here. No way. Maybe you can get a cheeseburger or chicken but NOT pot roast. What were they thinking????

And has your dad climbed the wall at SSR yet? I still remember last year's pic. And the fact he didn't know you posted it made it even funnier. (Sorry to your dad.)

Enjoy the rest of your vacation. And take those love bugs home with you. We don't want them there in May.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Does anybody have a link to BroganMc's previous trip report?
Hearing about these other pics of Grampa Mohawk......I would love to see those also!

Search isn't cooperating with me tonight.
Thanks!

 

[Brenle]

I don't think she posted a TR previously. Maybe somebody else knows she did and can prove me wrong.

 

[Disney Doll]

Great trip report!!!

 

[loribell]

If I recall correctly the previous pics of Grandpa Mohawk are in the SSR lovers thread. But don't hold me to it.

 

[BroganMc]

You could also look in my PhotoBucket account. I have bunches stored there. But here is the pic of GM scaling the rock wall at the Paddocks... circa May '07. I believe I dared him into it at the time. We'll have to see what holds the next time we go for a walk.

Did I post the pic of him crawling on the floor with the kids playing jenga the other day? That was a side to behold. A 76 yo old man on his hands and knees boo-by trapping the tower for a bunch of 9 yo's. They loved it, as did all the spectators.

Tonight, we headed out to the Polynesian to see the EWP and Wishes. Kristin (the AP manager) corrected my time for me earlier so we knew we had to get there for 9pm to see EWP. (I always get my times mixed up on that.)

We were setting out after 8pm so opted to just use our van. Made it much simpler than waiting for a bus and taking a monorail over. I timed it at it took us exactly 15 minutes drive time from SSR's parking space to Poly's parking space. We took the back roads the busses use to MK. Red lights are the time killer there.

We also took our Turf Club leftovers (warmed up before we left) and had a picnic on the beach. Saw EWP (very cute but short). It got breezy and chilly out there so we popped inside Cap'n Cooks for dessert. It's the same old stuff of cupcakes, muffins, etc. EPCOT's Seasons cafe has the best desserts of all the counter service places onsite IMHO. We sat inside to warm up (hard since the Poly has the AC set to POLAR) and soaked up the atmosphere. We've seen a lot of CS around the world so we did as we always do... compared it to SSR. I happened to say I like AP the best. It just has a homey feel to it what with the crystal lighting, classical music and drawing tablets. The menu's also a lot more sophisticated. It feels like a sit down restaurant with CS.

Unbeknownst to me a couple AP CM were dining at Cooks as well. They had the day off and were doing EPCOT and MK. So they came over to say hi. I guess we're getting a reputation for being SSR fans onsite as well. (You shoulda heard GM when I quizzed him about other resorts we can try staying at. I wanna give OKW a try just for the big rooms. But GM keeps shooting me down on anything but SSR. He's a riot.)

We headed back out to the beach just in time for Wishes. And the beach was packed with spectators. The fireworks were awesome, as always. I love that the Poly broadcasts the soundtrack through those garden speakers. I only wish I'd been more together with my scheduling this week. If only we'd done the Poly beach thing last night we woulda seen the panaromic P&P fireworks. Oh well. I think I'm in planning fatigue. It's not easy planning out 21 days of vacation. Heck, even my months at home aren't that well planned.

Another sidenote or two: we've been using the motion sensor cutoff for the AC the last few days. (ON/OFF and AUTO then ON/OFF and DOWN.) The directions work but it seems to reset after 48 hours not 72.

I also got maintenance to lighten our door so it's not impossible for me to open and doesn't slam as hard. I had to flag them down a couple times because everyone I talked to kept forgetting. (I didn't bother calling since i kept seeing a maintenance person about.) The third time, the maintenance guys saw me going into my unit and flagged me down to fix it. There's a bolt at the top they can loosen with a screwdriver. So if any of you are worried about the door slamming on your kids, just ask for them to tweak it for you.

Housekeeping has not been an issue for us at all. We needed to call them once to get extra rolls of TP. They were at our door in 10 minutes. I think it helps that we called mid-day when they weren't on night duty and not busy with checkouts. However, we have done a bit of tidying up ourselves. There was an open bag of Tostitos in a cupboard when we arrived. Musta been overlooked. We tossed that. Also Dad cleaned off the table and chairs on the patio. A previous guest had left rings from their drinks. He does that kinda thing. Since he owns a vacation condo himself, he's used to tidying the messes other rude guests leave behind. The housekeeping staffs in timeshares love him.

 

[BroganMc]

What's up with photopass? What other info do you have on that?

Mostly I asked about where they take photos around SSR and how one would arrange it for a Grand Gathering. If I'm bringing 17 members of my immediate family down here next summer, I want to be armed with as much info as possible.

The photopass gentleman I talked to (Pedro, I believe?) said you can arrange the professional shoots 30 days in advance. You can also come in person to set one up for that week. The important thing I found was his tidbit about being able to combine multiple photopass cards in one account for the $125 CD. So I figure next year we can send everyone out with their own Photopass card and then at the end of the week combine the accounts, together with the professional shoot, into one CD. Then we make copies and prints for everyone at home (where it is MUCH cheaper). I already know that ride photos can go on a photopass account.

I've never bothered buying my Photopass prints before but I've been known to get the photogs to snap pics with my camera. They're always happy to do it. Makes a great way to document my solo touring and get GM and I together in a photo.

Well gotta hit the sack now. We're aiming to do a park day tomorrow. EPCOT's on the menu. Dad and I both want to do Test Track and Soarin'. He's regretting he didn't sneak out with me Tuesday morning.

 

[podsnel]

Hi again! I wanted to ask another question, if I may. How is availability at the Turf Club for lunch- are ADR's extremely neccessary, or can you do a walk up? I'd really like to try those crabcakes while we're there!!

Thank-you!

 

[Liljam]

Thanks about the idea for watching the P & P fireworks from The Poly! That's on our last night before we leave and we were planning on calling it an early night, but this sounds like a good idea!

As for the photopass, I read somewhere that you have to pay $125 at the resort ot have the session done and then you can get the cd and all passes can be combined for that price or $50 and then order each print from the shoot. I'm going to call SSR and find out because I prefer to order my PP CC after I return and have had a week to get my finances back in order! I'd love to do the shoot with my family though! Thanks for looking in to these things!

I don't want you to leave as much as you probably don't want to leave. Who's gonna keep us entertained with a TR after this?!!! And yes, that is the GM pic I remembered!!!

 

[BroganMc]

Hi again! I wanted to ask another question, if I may. How is availability at the Turf Club for lunch- are ADR's extremely neccessary, or can you do a walk up? I'd really like to try those crabcakes while we're there!!

Thank-you!

Lunch seemed to be pretty available the times I've gone past. Yesterday the veranda was packed around noon because it was such a pretty day. (Inside was less crowded.) I've only heard that dinner has gotten booked, but the CMs told folks they could still walk-in around 5pm when the dinner hour started and get in.

We just walked-in for lunch. It was barely half full at the time.

 

[LisaS]

Is all of Ghirardelli's closed until Apr 29th or is it just the ice cream side?

 

[Chim Chiminy]

If I recall correctly the previous pics of Grandpa Mohawk are in the SSR lovers thread. But don't hold me to it.

I will go look for them there..........thanks.

I told DH he needs to adopt GM's childlike abandon!

 

[BroganMc]

Is all of Ghirardelli's closed until Apr 29th or is it just the ice cream side?

The candy shop is open. All the ice cream parlor is walled off with those refurbishing walls.

I met and exchanged e-mails with the pool activities manager (Susan) today. And I've now met all the pool coordinators. I have the activities director's addy too so I'll hunt her down tomorrow and put a name with a face. I've probably met her already but don't remember who's who. It's been a great week for networking.

Today we've been doing our last theme park day. We started at EPCOT in the AM and stayed until afternoon. Snuck back for some time at the pool. Now we're headed out for night EMH at EPCOT (and our last chance to see fireworks). Tomorrow I want to stay at SSR and do our activities. So I'll probably be checking in periodically throughout the day. If I can answer anymore questions or pass along comments, just let me know.

I wish all of you could be here with me now. It's been fun to have a virtual audience to come back to. My family thinks we're a bit nuts for being such Disneymaniacs. When I e-mail home all they can say is when am I back to attend the next little league game and school play.

Ciao for now!

BTW the weather has gotten fantastic this week. Looks like those of you headed down next will have a good time of it. And the crowds are definitely better though they expected some 50K at EPCOT today (lots of school groups are visiting there today). It still wasn't nearly as bad as Tuesday April 15.

 

[LisaS]

The candy shop is open. All the ice cream parlor is walled off with those refurbishing walls.

Thanks!! We always stop by Ghirardelli's for a free chocolate square and to pick up a couple of bags to take home. Good thing they offer a discount to DVC members!

BTW the weather has gotten fantastic this week. Looks like those of you headed down next will have a good time of it.

Sounds good!

 

[podsnel]

Lunch seemed to be pretty available the times I've gone past. Yesterday the veranda was packed around noon because it was such a pretty day. (Inside was less crowded.) I've only heard that dinner has gotten booked, but the CMs told folks they could still walk-in around 5pm when the dinner hour started and get in.

We just walked-in for lunch. It was barely half full at the time.

Thank-you, that helps a great deal! Also. I want to say thanks for mentioning that the crowds seem to be going down....my BiL, SiL, and niece and nephews are on their first Disney trip- beginning today!!
I was so worried to hear how crowded it has been, and sooo glad to hear how it is calming down, for them, just in time.

I will miss you so much, I know we all will-checking in on your "stuff"- can't you stay another month or so??? You're probably thinking the same thing right now!!! Hope that pixie dust works for you!!!

 

[BroganMc]

I will miss you so much, I know we all will-checking in on your "stuff"- can't you stay another month or so??? You're probably thinking the same thing right now!!! Hope that pixie dust works for you!!!

Actually we won't mind going home. We've been in Orlando nearly a month and it's time to go home before it gets old. I'd love to stay at SSR longer but I'll get my wish come September. We're doing the 3 week trip again, but this time one week offsite (Grande Vista), 3 days at BWV (for the opening of F&W) and then 11 days back here at SSR. Given that it feels like we're just leaving before the summer heat and crowds set in. We're telling everyone to have a good summer and we'll see them in the Fall. Then we return for NYE. It feels more and more like this is just our second home.

I guess I'll have to do another blogging thread in the Fall. The real question is who's gonna pick up the reigns for me when I leave? At least when the free internet starts I know there will be more SSR owners/lovers down.