Live from SSR: Using up banked, current and borrowed pixie dust!

[jekjones1558]

This very short 4 day solo trip replaces a week-long trip scheduled to take place May 3 - 10 with DH at BWV. He ended up in the hospital but is, thankfully, doing much better. He suggested I go on my own for a few days, so here I am. The older I get the more I believe that some things are just meant to be. Thanks, Tink!
Pixie Dust #1: Delta waved part of the penalties for the cancelled flights and helped me to find a reasonable nonstop with good flight times that would match up with my SSR dates.
PD #2: After several calls to MS I was able to get 4 days in an SSR studio with no moving!
PD #3: Earlier this week the temps in MN were scalding (100°+) to prepare me for my "I'll-never-go-to-WDW-in-summer" trip. I spent those days substitute teaching in an old 4th floor non-air-conditioned classroom with 2 windows that opened 6 inches, "teaching" a really difficult class. After surviving this I knew WDW would be no problem.
PD #4: Weather here has been about 90° and so far no rain! And the breeze has been great!
PD #5: Had a middle seat assigned on the flight (only one available) but when I boarded, the woman and her DD next to me asked if I minded sitting on the aisle!
PD #6: Took DME (have only done this once before). First stop: SSR.
PD #7: No one in check-in line at SSR. Room is ready. Congress Park room as requested! Here is my view, somewhat blocked by trees, but very short walk to DTD:

PD #8: Next morning went to rope drop at EPCOT. Got a spot for the Behind the Seeds tour that I have always wanted to do. From 8:00 to noon I managed to ride Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, and Soarin' twice, then the tour.

PD #9: Here is the highlight of my trip--I had lunch with bobbiwoz and her DH at Fulton's! We have tried to meet up before and it hasn't worked out. I could have sat and talked with her forever! They were on their way from MCO to Vero and were kind enough to stop to meet up. She (and her DH) are just as fabulous as you would suppose from reading her posts. Hi, Bobbi . Hope you are loving the beach!

(I am the short Pooh-sized one with the droopy hair!)
PD #10: Decided to rent a car for a couple of days for church and a little shopping. Wow! Is that Alamo shuttle service from the Car Care Center ever a slick deal!
PD #11: Booked the QSDP for the first night to try it out (may use it for big family trip in Oct.) and get refillable mug. It is great for a solo trip because I feel a little uncomfortable eating table service alone. I had 2 dinners and 2 snacks and the mug for $34.99. What a bargain!
PD #12: W of D store exchanged a Mickey mug that I bought last year, no problem. The glaze inside had cracked.

Sorry this got so long--just too much good fortune. I am doing whatever I feel like today whenever I feel like it (a real +++ for a solo trip!) Ain't life grand!

 

[momx2]

I don't post much here, but I love reading your and Bobbi's posts! It is so wonderful to see a picture of both of you! I am so glad you got to go on this quick trip and am glad your DH is doing better.

Have a magical, pixie dust filled rest of your trip!

 

[momx2]

Oops! Double post...don't know how that happened!

 

[Disney_Mama]

Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful trip and can't wait to hear more.

 

[Sandisw]

Have a great time! It sounds very relaxing after a rough few days. Glad to know that DH is on his way to recovery!!!

 

[Muushka]

Yup, that is one pixie-dusted trip! Great to finally have faces to both you and Bobbi.

I hope your husband continues to get better.

 

[rentayenta]

Hope your DH is feeling better. Thanks for sharing, can't wait for more.

 

[Disney Princess]

Jean - it sounds like things were meant to be. Enjoy your trip. I hope you go home refreshed and energized. Also, it's wonderful that you and Bobbi were able to finally meet and enjoy a meal together. You two are such nice ladies here on the boards. I would assume you would hit it off!

 

[Sunshine22]

Glad you're enjoying your trip. More pixie dust to you!

 

[Candace]

Gosh, it sounds like everything has been in your favor! Hope it continues to be wonderful for you!

 

[ACDSNY]

It's awesome to hear some pixie dust and magic are finding you, I'm sure it's much needed. I hope your DH recovery continues and you'll both be back to traveling soon, in the meantime enjoy your trip.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I would have loved to have been there to meet up with my two favorite DIS?DVC teachers!

 

[DisneyDame27]

Just checked our remaining days & times for our trip in October and read this post. SSR is our home resort and I'm really looking forward to this trip. I love the pool at the Grand Stand - It's my favorite. I had been at OKW back in August when I dropped my DS for the Disney College Program. I did some dining both at Epcot and at OKW. It wasn't bad and I met some very nice people while eating in France. I felt a little odd but really had a good time. Didn't have a hard time getting a seating either which really surprised me.

Enjoy!

 

[CarolMN]

Good things happen to good people! Thanks for the pictures.

Weather back home has returned to below normal. But I'm not complaining because the sun is shining ever so brightly today!

 

[Sammie]

Nice view, love Congress Park.

 

[ccigliano]

So glad you're having a good time solo. I've done it solo myself before and after a couple of business trips that I had at the Hilton across the street from DTD. Hope your husband gets well soon. So nice to see a picture of you with Bobbi. I met her and her husband when I participated in the annual Christmas Tree Swap with DVC members a couple of years ago and they are both so nice. Have a wonderful vacation and please give Mickey a hug for me. Thanks for sharing.

 

[jekjones1558]

It feels so much better having the freedom to come and go wherever and whenever I want. I took my time getting ready this morning and headed to DTD to buy an AP voucher before the price goes up Sunday or Monday. Then I stopped at Earl for lunch. What a bargain--$5.75 with DVC discount--and absolutely delicious. I had the club sandwich.

PD #13: After doing some outlet shopping I decided to stop at Panera for a smoothie. When I gave my Panera card, it turned out that I had a free smoothie on my account that was due to expire today!!

When I got back to the room a belated birthday card was waiting on the table.

After reading a DIS thread a couple of weeks ago I decided to go to Corpus Christi Church in Celebration rather than Mary Queen. The drive was quite a bit farther than the Shrine church but a very lovely service and a great priest. I recommend it to anyone who is not particularly fond of Mary Queen.

After church I headed to Sweet Tomatoes for supper. I love eating salads but dislike making them. Sweet Tomatoes has a wonderful, fresh salad bar and great made-from-scratch soups. I had an email coupon on my iPhone for a $7.99 dinner, another great bargain.

I drove to BW because I wanted to do a short video for DH, since he loves BWV so much. I took a few photos there and a few at BC as well for those of you who miss your favorite resorts.

Beach Club photos:

BW photos:

If my pixie dust is not too depleted we hope to get the GV on either 3rd or 4th floor, above Thimbles and Threads, when we have our big family trip in Oct.

I then stopped at OKW to do a couple of photos for Diane and other OKW fans. I miss staying there and we have a trip booked there for next March, if all goes well.

Now it's back to the hacienda so I can be ready for my Keys to the Kingdom tour first thing in the morning!
P.S. SSR lovers, I haven't forgotten you. I will take and post some photos after I check out Monday and while I am waiting for DME.

 

[arthur06]

Thanks for all the great photos!

 

[jekjones1558]

The Keys to the Kingdom tour has been a bucket list item for me. It is too long for DH and family/friends aren't into the Disney details like I am. So this solo trip was my chance.
I wish that I could post pictures but cameras were off limits in all off-stage areas. For me the facts and trivia were more interesting than "seeing" backstage and below stage anyway. I don't want the magic spoiled, I guess. You will have to take the tour to see for yourself. It is amazing what it takes to make a magical place work.
It was very hot today and quite a bit of the tour was actually out in the sun. I hate to admit this but I WAS TIRED AFTER THE 5 HOURS IN THE 95° heat! Since this is my last full day I had planned to spend the late night hours at a park, maybe even 2 parks. Instead I took a shower and relaxed, then went to DTD. I took a few pictures for you SSR lovers. I can see why you love your resort.

SSR photos:

The main pool was busy today!

I was surprised at how lovely the Congress Park pool is.

I love the authentic artifacts at SSR.

Perhaps other resorts have signature balcony furniture but I have never noticed it before.

Tomorrow it is back home. The 100°+ temps of early last week in MN turned into several days in a row of 60° highs. There is nothing temperate about MN weather. I will enjoy the beautiful 76° day that will welcome me home. But I also have fond memories of my solo trip to SSR.

 

[CarolMN]

Welcome back, Jean. Glad you had a good time.

Thanks for all the pictures - they turned out great!