marynvince
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2007
- Messages
- 575
Well, semi-live as I am beginning 12/31. My wife and son, 4 1/2, began our trip at SSR on Monday and are checking out today to move to ket west for 1 night and then it's off to BLT 1/1-1/3 and BWV 1/3-1/6. Then they go home and i am at Carribean Beach from 1/6-1/10.
12/28 Awoke to 4 inches of new snow in Cleveland Ohio, our first real snow of the season. No way am i firing up the snow thrower just hours before i arrive in sunny Orlando.
Arrive to the airport in Cleveland with baggage to check for our direct flight on Continental. Had checked in on-line and we were all set for row 7, seats a,b,c. We have 2 reservations, one for me and one for my wife and son as my trip is part of a work trip and i had to book separate. THey check in no problem, me, i have problems as the kiosk is not accepting my reservation. With the help of an agent we determine that i have been upgraded to first class. Cool. I offer to let my wife sit in first class but she declines. It is at this time that we discover their tickets do not have seat assignments. The agent that helped me tells us to check in at the gate. we get to the gate and "Oh there was a plane change, blah, blah, blah and we have you in row 26 and row 29. At this point everyone realizes that a 4 year old is not going to sit by himself. After semi-calmly expressing our displeasure with the way things have transpired we walk away with assurances that they will work things out. They did and my wife and son were together in row 11.
Magical express, if you've not used, it is on the B side, not the A side which is where I've always gone and most will go to pick up luggage. If you are picking up luggage, you still have to go to the A side, at least for domestic flights. ME was quick and efficient, no issues whatsoever.
Check-in, couldn't have gone smoother. We got to SSR about 11:00 and our studio, 2323 in Congress Park was ready. DTD view, no complaints at all. Weather was mid to upper 60's and sunny, very nice. At this point it is lunchtime and we have no luggage so we decide to head over to downtown disney to grab a bite to eat. I also want to pick up my tables in wonderland card. We decided against the meal plans as we are just not big eaters, but i do like discounts.
Several things i will update throughout this trip report are 1)Buses, 2) Reservations, actually lack of as we made no advance reservations 3) TIW discounts and 4) Restaurant reviews.
With a 4yo we didn't want to walk to dtd, so we went to the bus stop and 5 minutes, first bus, dtd, look at that.
Had lunch at Rainforest cafe, i realize this is a chain, but i really like their lettuce wraps. Disappointment, no lettuce wraps on the menu. Nothing noteworthy here, except i used my 10% dvc discount for a total of $0.70 as it was only good on entrees and my wife and i got several appetizers.
Hopped the bus back, another 5 minute wait and luggage was in our room waiting for us. Next stop, the pool by our room, not the main pool. Still very big and nice, just no slide. Here's a tip about checking pool temps. Don't do it by the steps as it is shallow there and much warmer then the middle of the pool. Pool time was a mix of pool and hot tub. Mostly Hot tub for me and pool for Reily and Mom. Pool done, head back to room for little guy nap and head to artist palette to get some supplies(beer) for the room.
Surprise, the TIW card works for discounts on all food and drinks, not just restaurant stuff. So a can of beer that cost $6.00 is "only" $4.80.
We decide to eat at the Turf Club at SSR. We call for reservations at about 5:30 and are able to get 8:10. Get there at 7:55 and are seated at 8:30. Service is very slow, food was very good. I had the prime rib and it was very good. My wife ahd the Ceasar salad and crab cake appetizer and was very pleased. TIW card saved us $8.89 and while an 18% gratuity is automatically added in, we generally give 20% so we saved a little bit more. Yes I know i can give an additional gratuity, but unless the service is outstanding, for this trip i'll stick with the 18%.
That's it for day 1. We head to Hollywood studios on Tuesday.
12/28 Awoke to 4 inches of new snow in Cleveland Ohio, our first real snow of the season. No way am i firing up the snow thrower just hours before i arrive in sunny Orlando.
Arrive to the airport in Cleveland with baggage to check for our direct flight on Continental. Had checked in on-line and we were all set for row 7, seats a,b,c. We have 2 reservations, one for me and one for my wife and son as my trip is part of a work trip and i had to book separate. THey check in no problem, me, i have problems as the kiosk is not accepting my reservation. With the help of an agent we determine that i have been upgraded to first class. Cool. I offer to let my wife sit in first class but she declines. It is at this time that we discover their tickets do not have seat assignments. The agent that helped me tells us to check in at the gate. we get to the gate and "Oh there was a plane change, blah, blah, blah and we have you in row 26 and row 29. At this point everyone realizes that a 4 year old is not going to sit by himself. After semi-calmly expressing our displeasure with the way things have transpired we walk away with assurances that they will work things out. They did and my wife and son were together in row 11.
Magical express, if you've not used, it is on the B side, not the A side which is where I've always gone and most will go to pick up luggage. If you are picking up luggage, you still have to go to the A side, at least for domestic flights. ME was quick and efficient, no issues whatsoever.
Check-in, couldn't have gone smoother. We got to SSR about 11:00 and our studio, 2323 in Congress Park was ready. DTD view, no complaints at all. Weather was mid to upper 60's and sunny, very nice. At this point it is lunchtime and we have no luggage so we decide to head over to downtown disney to grab a bite to eat. I also want to pick up my tables in wonderland card. We decided against the meal plans as we are just not big eaters, but i do like discounts.
Several things i will update throughout this trip report are 1)Buses, 2) Reservations, actually lack of as we made no advance reservations 3) TIW discounts and 4) Restaurant reviews.
With a 4yo we didn't want to walk to dtd, so we went to the bus stop and 5 minutes, first bus, dtd, look at that.
Had lunch at Rainforest cafe, i realize this is a chain, but i really like their lettuce wraps. Disappointment, no lettuce wraps on the menu. Nothing noteworthy here, except i used my 10% dvc discount for a total of $0.70 as it was only good on entrees and my wife and i got several appetizers.
Hopped the bus back, another 5 minute wait and luggage was in our room waiting for us. Next stop, the pool by our room, not the main pool. Still very big and nice, just no slide. Here's a tip about checking pool temps. Don't do it by the steps as it is shallow there and much warmer then the middle of the pool. Pool time was a mix of pool and hot tub. Mostly Hot tub for me and pool for Reily and Mom. Pool done, head back to room for little guy nap and head to artist palette to get some supplies(beer) for the room.
Surprise, the TIW card works for discounts on all food and drinks, not just restaurant stuff. So a can of beer that cost $6.00 is "only" $4.80.
We decide to eat at the Turf Club at SSR. We call for reservations at about 5:30 and are able to get 8:10. Get there at 7:55 and are seated at 8:30. Service is very slow, food was very good. I had the prime rib and it was very good. My wife ahd the Ceasar salad and crab cake appetizer and was very pleased. TIW card saved us $8.89 and while an 18% gratuity is automatically added in, we generally give 20% so we saved a little bit more. Yes I know i can give an additional gratuity, but unless the service is outstanding, for this trip i'll stick with the 18%.
That's it for day 1. We head to Hollywood studios on Tuesday.
However, you're starting out at my favorite (and Home) resort - SSR
