Live from SSR--SSRMonkey!

[SSRmonkey]

I'm baaaacck!! I'm so excited to be back in the Happiest Place on Earth! Mom and Dad were lucky enough to get an extra day off from work, so we started our trip from PA on Friday morning. After a quick stop at McDonalds for breakfast, the journey began. I really tried to get mom and dad to stop at Dirty Ernie's Rib Pit in West Virginia, but after our last WV experience, I was overruled.

After a long day in the car we finally made it to Daytona Beach. I was hoping it was bike week--I love Hell's Angels--but it was just another normal weekend. After sleeping off the road trip, we got up and hit the beach. The waves were crazy and there was a sign to watch for wildlife. After wandering around the beach for a bit, I stumbled upon this...

Koala mistook my screaming for joy for pain and decided he needed to help me by taking a page from Chandler and Joey in Friends...I won't go into detail, but let's just say Koala's Little Swimmers came off. (If you haven't seen that episode of Friends, research "What to do when stung by a jellyfish".)

After I finally got him calmed down we thought we better leave the beach. We headed to Orlando and hit up Prime Outlets because we knew we couldn't check in yet. After that we got our first Wetzel's Pretzel (original, of course). With a nice view of SSR, the day started out great!

Because we left a day early, we didn't want to use our points to stay another night at SSR, so mom got a cheap reservation online for Port Orleans, French Quarter. I was confused...didn't know the French used American currency. Anyway, we checked in but the room still wasn't ready. On the way to the car we got asked to keep a diary for a week about where we go and how much money we spend, etc. One of the things it asks you to keep track of is how many merchandise locations you walk through every day. Isn't the whole park a merchandise location? I'm just going to put 1000 for each day. That pretty much sums that up.

We decided to head to Epcot and see what trouble we could get into. Our first Soarin' experience of the trip was great. Middle section, middle row. And I think there were new scent canisters! Awesome!! After that we rode Figgy and wandered over to Test Track to see how long the wait was. Too long, so we went on Spaceship Earth. Still no text from Port Orleans about our room so we called. The room was ready so we went back to the resort.

Once we got there we realized how spoiled we are being in DVC and how nice the DVC resorts are. Not that the others aren't nice, but I really appreciate SSR even more now.

After dinner at Earl of Sandwich--yum--we wandered around DTD for a while and then headed to the other outlet mall for a bit. Then it was back to the resort. I've found I can get into more "situations" (shout out to "The Situation") after dark, so we prowled around a bit.

I think this tree needs to shave.

I wish my saxophone had a water feature.

Creepy...

There was a chance of rain, so I'm glad I know where to come in case I need an umbrella.

Hitching a ride to the parade.

Today we checked in to SSR and did a whole bunch of fun stuff. I'll fill you in about that later. Now it's off to dinner and to pick up the rest of our travelling party at the airport! More friends to party with!

 

[Candy Orlando]

Thanks for the great trip report. I love your photos!!!

 

[Disney Princess]

My husband was just asking if you had been to WDW lately. So happy to see you on here SSRMonkey - we love your reports and photos!!!!!! Have a great trip, and thanks for sharing with us. We can't wait to see more pictures!!

 

[lugnut33]

Best Trip Reports EVER!!

 

[mecllap]

Gosh, I've been struggling through (and enjoying) the trip reports from Nebo and Riglee (entertaining) and thinking it would be great to hear from SSRMonkey -- Welcome Back!!! I love your reports and pics. Did you ever get your photo with Figment? We miss him so much -- that room is so totally dark now.

(And I think you must have the Michael Douglas story about his jelly fish experience with his son).

 

[El&Asmom]

Aww. I missed the SSRmonkey. Glad to see he's enjoying his trip.

 

[nolanboys]

New to DVC and DIS. Can't wait to see what other adventures SSRmonkey finds on his(or her?)trip!
Surprised SSRmonkey doesn't have a picture inside one of the Crocs mouths'. DH has one of those with his head, and it makes me laugh every time I see it.

 

[SSRmonkey]

After we checked out of Port Orleans today we decided to head to MK. We had never been there for rope drop, so Koala and I were excited to see Mickey and his peeps ride in on the train.

Fall is my favorite season and Halloween is my favorite holiday...probably because of all the candy. I was glad to see that there were pumpkins everywhere!

The crowd disbursed once we got to Main Street and we headed over to Frontierland. I saw a real live pirate, but I didn't have my pirate in training shirt on so I thought I better wait to get a picture with him. I'm sure we'll be back. We went to Thunder Mountain Railroad and walked right on.

I really wanted to go on Splash Mountain, but didn't feel like getting wet so early in the day. Instead, I thought I would get in my workout for the day and lifted all this stuff. (I've been training for the World's Strongest Monkey competition, the date is TBD, but I am in talks with the Discovery Channel to be paid for my participation.)

I thought this looked more like candy corn than prickers...

We headed back to Pirates and it was my lucky day. I got to ride a cannon. Not too many people get to do that...especially with a creepy dead pirate to back you up.

Koala has been studying about the great explorers and asked to be called Magellan for the rest of the day.

On the way to the Haunted Mansion I had a run in with Donald Duck. Why do all the characters think it's necessary to turn me upside down?!?

In the end, we made up.

We saw some big cranes where Pooh's Thotful Spot used to be, so I'm excited to see everything when it's done.

After a trip to Toontown we headed to the Confectionary for our first rice krispie treat and then decided to head to SSR. We checked in around 11:30 and our 2br was already available. It worked out perfectly so we hit up Subway for lunch and then went to Wal Mart for supplies and snacks!

After an afternoon at the pool, we headed to the Olive Garden for dinner. I had the endless pasta bowl. You wouldn't think this little red monkey would eat that much, but after 8 bowls, the waiter cut me off. Little did he know that 7 of the 8 bowls went into Tupperware containers that I had stashed in my backpack. I left one breadstick behind so it wouldn't look suspicious. When Juan wasn't looking, I followed him and found the secret hiding place for the mints. Turns out they keep them in a vault that can only be opened by a manager with a combination. Lucky for me (and Koala and mom and dad) I cracked the code and cleaned out the Olive Garden by the Mall at Millenia.

After an unsuccessful quest for new shoes for Dad, we headed to the airport to pick up our friends.

That just about sums up the day. Tomorrow we're headed to AK. I'm looking forward to the safari and Nemo! SSRmonkey--out!

 

[rentayenta]

Diggin' it!

 

[BigEeyore]

I love me some SSR monkey TR!

 

[SSRmonkey]

I need a nap. It's been a busy (and hot) day. We woke up to another beautiful day at SSR and wandered around a bit. It's a nice view from the front of our building.

Then we headed to AK. I'm trying to expose myself to more cultures, so I picked up a Japanese map. Unfortunately upside down tree followed by the pound sign didn't help when navigating through the park. We made it to Africa to the safari anyway. Although the stand by was only 20 minutes, we decided to get FP and come back in 40 minutes. So we wandered around a bit and educated ourselves about some of the animals we might see on the safari. We saw some really cool birds and waterfalls.

I was particularly interested in learning about when hippos were hairy. It was a very good read and I had the best seat in the house.

Then we saw some real live gorillas. This one was sleeping, but when no one was looking I pounded on the glass to try to get his attention.

No luck, but I did have my first encounter with a security guard (at least the first encouter for this trip).

At least they let me take a picture of another one.

The safari was a really good one. We saw a ton of animals. My favorites this time were the giraffes. They were everywhere. This one was eating and it made me hungry. Luckily, I had some goldfish crackers to tide me over until lunch.

We had a close call with an elephant.

He started to charge me (it could have been because I was taunting him), but luckily when he got close enough I could show off my muscles and it scared him off. I guess all my training for the World's Strongest Monkey competition is paying off.

We got some lunch at Earl of Sandwich again and ate in the room. Then Mom and Dad headed to DTD to do some perusing.

Tonight I think we're heading to Epcot to do Test Track at night (my favorite!!) and maybe hit up Beaches and Cream! Stay tuned.

 

[Chellymouse]

subbing!
Darn it!! We will just be missing you SSRMonkey! Was hoping we may see you around the world, but we aren't coming for another 17 days. Love your pics and TR!! Hope you do well in your strongest monkey competition!

 

[Harlemgirl720]

I wish I have seen earlier TRs by you SSR Monkey. This is great.

 

[mecllap]

Harlemgirl -- you can click on SSRMonkey 's name on the left and a drop-down menu will let you click on previous posts by SSRM and you should be able to find the older trip reports that way. (They're fun).

 

[Harlemgirl720]

Harlemgirl -- you can click on SSRMonkey 's name on the left and a drop-down menu will let you click on previous posts by SSRM and you should be able to find the older trip reports that way. (They're fun).

Thank you. I will.

 

[SSRmonkey]

After a nice afternoon nap we grabbed some dinner at Chilis. Somehow I think the jalapenos I ate are going to catch up with me (and the rest of my travelling companions) a little later. Luckily we were eating when a thunderstorm rolled through. It cleared up just as we were leaving and it even cooled down a little. We decided it would be a good night to head to Epcot to hit Test Track.

As we walked in a couple of people handed us FP for TT--how nice. I don't know if it was the rain that cleared things out or if it was just slow in the park all day. There were still FP left for TT, so we gave our friends the FP that were given to us so they could ride right away. Then we got our own FP for later.

After that, our travelling companions went to get their pictures taken at the Character Spot, so we checked to see how long the wait was at Soarin. It looked to be about 45 minutes. As we walked out of there, another nice couple handed us FP that they weren't going to use. It was our lucky day. We only had to wait about 10 minutes after we walked through the queue. It was great. I wish they had a grape vineyard scent when you're flying over the vineyard with the balloons. It would smell like the grapes at home!

Then it was time to use our FP at TT. Once we were done there it was time to go back to SSR for some pool time. I was really concerned about getting moonburn from the potentially harmful moon rays. But, no need to worry, the moon wasn't out tonight. I'll have to make sure I buy some moonblock tomorrow.

We were able to wander around the resort for a while and check out the nice views.


I worked on my strong monkey training again, but mom had to help a little. That balloon is heavy!

I think this is why mom says not to swallow gum...

Koala never listens, but he thought I should take a closer look at what was happening at DTD.

Then Koala said he wanted to take a closer look at my glass eye.

I got a little hungry for some seafood. I thought it was fresh from the lake here, but I was told otherwise. How fresh can it really be?

We stopped to rest in the smoking area. I forgot my pretzel rod cigars. I'll have to remember to bring them tomorrow. I did remember my beer and unfortunately it didn't sit too well with me.

Just kidding! Kids--please do NOT throw up (or excrete any other bodily fluids) in the pool.

Tomorrow morning we are off to MK! Good night...and watch out for stray moonbeams. (I don't know what the cure is for moonburn...I'll have to ask the next vampire I see. Maybe someone at MNSSHP can help!)

 

[maciec]

Huge favor to ask here. Is there any way if you get the time, could you please take a picture of the Community Hall at SSR? No one has a picture to share that I can find. My kids would really appreciate it!

 

[Tinks "SS"]

to the last installment of the TR! I think i almost wet my pants laughing so hard! Great report SSR monkey! now i can't wait for the kids to get home to show them what you are up to!!

 

[Pixieflip]

SSR Monkey...you are too funny! Looks like you're having a great time and even mostly behaving! Keep it up, can't wait to read more.

 

[nolanboys]

My boys are going to get a huge kick out of your latest pictures. Afraid to show them SSRmonkey's pool picture. My boys will probably want to recreate it when we go there in March - and I don't mean just posing. Gotta love boys!