Lucky Bunny goes to WDW with photos!

[catherines_mama]

Tara, I'm loving your reports. I hate the wait between, but I'm just not a patient person. Can't wait til the next installment!

 

[kmp1191]

Just subscribing....need a "fix" every now and then...this is a great report!!

 

[tigereye]

Don't laugh too hard! I forgot today was Valentine's day. Yesterday was my birthday, so I was concentrating more on that! Also, as a single gal, Valentine's day isn't so much fun...wow, without meaning to, I got a cool theme going on.

Well, since no one else said it, and Happy Valentine's day..

(As a single guy, I can relate to your v-day woes... )

Thanks for the great report!

 

[loribell]

Happy Birthday Tara! Just finished reading your report to this point. It is great!

Anxious to find out your decision on SSR versus BWV. We own at VWL & SSR. Haven't had the chance to stay at BWV yet or SSR but have stayed at the rest, including Vero Beach (which is great by the way!). We have visited SSR and the kids can't wait to stay there.

Hoping to have more to read soon,
Lori

 

[rifgirlsmom]

Loving your trip report.

Rifgirlsmom

 

[SamIAm21]

Hey Tara... Happy Belated Birthday! Great trip report and I am glad to see that Lucky Bunny got to meet some family members. We adopted a Thumper on our list trip to Disney, so if you adopt one, they can be cousins!

Can't wait for the next installment!

 

[Thumper's Tara]

After my delayed bus, I returned to my room and changed into my swimsuit. I lathered on the sunscreen (another thing that isn’t much fun single) and headed over to the pool. Hopefully, I didn’t blind too many people with my ghostly white, Eastern European decent skin. I took off my shorts and headed to the slide. Skin that hasn’t seen the sun in years! Well, it has seen the sun, but not without SPF 6000!

Anyway, I digress. My first order of business was to test the slide. The SSR slide was fast. I remember as a child, I would lie down to get maximum speed. I would pretend that I was luge athlete. It was so much fun. Well, I decided to try this again as an adult. Oh man, this slide is fast. I am sure my added fluff helped some, but you can pick up some serious speed on this slide. It was almost too fast for me – I was worried that I kill some cute little kid as I came flying out of the exit. Thankfully, the end of the slide was clear and I didn’t drown someone’s kid.

The water in the pool and the slide was warm, but not so warm that you couldn’t enjoy it – right around bath temperature. I swam for a while and then decided to test out the hot tub. The hot tub was nice. It was very warm, but the water jets weren’t working very well. Several people commented on how weak they were. Even with the jets on, you couldn’t see a any water movement.

It was in the hot tub that I ran into the world’s unhappiest person. Well, she might not have been unhappy, but she sure did like to complain. This woman went on forever. She actually scared her own husband away from the hot tub. She didn’t stop complaining…”I can’t believe people come here for 10 days, I mean what a waste. Can you believe people come here for 10 days? I mean it is so expensive and there isn’t much to do. And people actually come here every year. I have been here 2 days and I am ready to go…” She just went on forever. FINALLY, just as I was thinking about leaving, she left. I wanted to throw a party. I couldn’t believe how unhappy she was in the happiest place on Earth. It just goes to show you, that it takes all kinds.

Unfortunately, I never managed to take any pictures of the pool. Pathetic, huh? I kept saying that I would take them later. Later, I forgot. The pool is very nice. It is a rock theme, has a nice easy walk-in entrance, a kiddie slide, a big kids slide, and a cool Donald Duck sprinkler area. Overall, I think this is a great pool to bring your kids to. It gets my TT seal of approval.

At some point prior to this, I had bought a refillable mug for SSR. It was really cute – Chip and Dale with a bunch of nuts. I say was, because I lost it on my last day – see my momma is right. I mention it here, because the pool had a walk up soda fountain for the mugs. This is a great feature of the pool. At $2 a pop for pop, the $12 mug was worth it. I know that my mug paid for itself 4X over. I loved running to Artist Palette in the morning to fill my mug before waiting for the bus. Great deal! I brought my mug to the pool and it was great to be able to serve myself – no wait!

After my pool time, I headed back to the room for a nap. It was great to stretch out and relax. When I woke up, I was hungry. I had the hardest time deciding what to do for dinner. Downtown Disney is very close to SSR, so I was seriously tempted to eat there. However, the thought of taming my hair so that I could eat in a sit-down restaurant really killed the DD idea. Wet hair + nap = I decided that I would run up to Artist Palette or the Turf Club and get something to go.

Well, I will cover the long story of dinner in my dining review, but the gist of it is Artist Palette has a limited menu and Turf Club doesn’t do to-go food. Also, SSR seems to have something against the french fry. Nobody has them! Being the french fry connoisseur that I am, this was a major bummer.

After choosing my cesaer salad with chicken, I headed back to my room for an early night. For all of my grumbling, the salad was really good. After some quality time with my book, I turned in for an early night. The next day I meant to do Extra Magic Hours at Epcot before another day at MK…I knew I needed my beauty sleep.

Up next the “Moooooo” Factor

 

[heaven2dc]

Happy Belated Birthday!!! (I sneak in reading your trip between calls at work ( and after reading them it makes me feel like I'm really there )

I've been contemplating buying the refillable mugs but given my disease I've passed down to my children (you know, the "where-did-I-put-that" disease), maybe it wouldn't be such a good idea (am really scared of losing my pass/room key). Can't wait for more!!

 

[catherines_mama]

I hear the hair factor.. I have wavy hair and any wet hair nap is frightening!

? - Does SSR have boat service to DTD?

And where are you on your decision for a DVC Home? I'm SO curious!

Keep em coming, we love em!

 

[Thumper's Tara]

I hear the hair factor.. I have wavy hair and any wet hair nap is frightening!

? - Does SSR have boat service to DTD?

And where are you on your decision for a DVC Home? I'm SO curious!

Keep em coming, we love em!

My decision on a DVC was thrown for a loop by my SSR stay. I had hoped to absolutely love or absolutely hate SSR. It turned out to be neither, I liked SSR but not as much as BWV. Flat out, SSR is a different kind of place from BWVs. I think it really depends on what type of vacation you want. In my mind, SSR is really great for a place to relax and chill out. During my trip I was briefly in OKW and saw what SSR could become (as the vegetation fills out, etc) and I liked what I saw. For me, SSR would be a great place if I was (1) traveling with a large group, (2) had a car, and/or (3) wanted to spend more time relaxing than doing. The potential is there...

BWVs is a very active type place. Something is always going on and it is a great place to people watch. For me, it inspires a go-go-go type vacation and didn't really give me the "I am going to chill now" mood. Also, the onsite restaurant choices really made me happy. Last year, we ate on the boardwalk several times. It was nice to have a choice of sit-down places right there. The closeness to MGM & EPCOT are a nice bonus as well - the bus system for SSR didn't do much for me! I waited forever on buses while other resorts got them much more frequently. I know this isn't constant, but it did stick in my mind.

The good/bad news is, I am probably not going to buy this year. I was in a car accident and I need to replace my car first. Unfortunately, daily transportation out ranks DVC. That being said, here is how I am looking at my purchase...

If I were to buy today, I would probably buy 150 points at SSR and 100 points at BWV. The extra years at SSR are a big bonus for me. At some point, wanting to go-go-go will probably get up and go. I think that SSR would be a cool place to chill with my kids and hang out. That being said, I would love to be able to spend time at BWVs, book for F&W, etc...if I could get the extra years at BWV, I would purchase the whole 250 there.

Now, because I am not buying today, I can sit back and see what happens. I heard some interesting rumors while I was there and if they are at all true, I may have new choices in the future. Because 2006 will be the year of the car, I can wait and see. Maybe something I would like better will become available...DVC is one of the most profitable businesses in Disney, so I am pretty sure they aren't going anywhere. The way they make their money is through the initial investment, so my guess is they are going to continue to open new DVCs. Just my guess though...

So, that's my take...thoughts, comments, concerns?

 

[Thumper's Tara]

? - Does SSR have boat service to DTD?

I think that it has boat service from one of the other areas in SSR. SSR is so huge, that I never made it over to the other areas. I think that Congress Park is the area that is near DTD and has a boat. I never saw it though...

 

[Valentine]

Enjoying your trip reports! Happy Birthday and Happy Valentine's Day from another single gal!

I too was just at SSR in January, Solo... and I LOVED it. I stayed in a studio in Congress Park.. with a view of DTD... First FLoor.. with a patio.. it was Lovely! Right near the quiet pool.. and the laundry. I did have a car.. I never go without one. I prefer to drive myself place to place.. I like the freedom of it. So, perhaps that is why I had absolutely no complaints whatsoever about SSR. I own there myself.. I just bought last year.. and I have to say that I really don't get what difference where you own matters... I booked this trip VERY last minute.. and ended up getting ALL the dates I wanted for my trip... 5 nights at SSR and 2 nights at BWV. This was my 2nd trip "Home". My First was last August, and I stayed at the BCV.. again.. booking very last minute and was able to get all of my nights... 5.. at the BCV.. with no waitlist... so... I say.. buy at SSR for the extra years... OR whatever New DVC resort is coming. I also have to say that I am in the minority where the BWV are concerned... I HATE it there.. I have stayed there 2x, once villas.. once Inn.. and both times I really wanted to Love it.. but ended up just wanting to cry... I hate the No Parking.. the LONG Hallways.. the LONG walks to wherever you want to go.. the SMALL pool area.. I just can't get a groove for the place. Oh well.. more room for you BWV lovers! So... that is my opinion/advice for you.... As a solo traveler.. if you are not Married to a resort.. then buy where you will get the most for your money.... and stay wherever there is room when you want to go...

Now.. Back to your reports PLEASE

Thanks!

Kathy

 

[Philadisney]

as one stuffed animal-carrying disney fan to another, i am really enjoying your trip report, thank you for sharing them! if you & crystal start a club, i'm there! here is my traveling companion, mr. vacuum:

he & i are looking forward to the rest of your report!

 

[heaven2dc]

"If I were to buy today, I would probably buy 150 points at SSR and 100 points at BWV. The extra years at SSR are a big bonus for me. At some point, wanting to go-go-go will probably get up and go. I think that SSR would be a cool place to chill with my kids and hang out. That being said, I would love to be able to spend time at BWVs, book for F&W, etc...if I could get the extra years at BWV, I would purchase the whole 250 there."

This is an excellent idea splitting points between SSR & BWV. I love the atmosphere of the Boardwalk but realize that there may be times I may want to just wind down at a more quieter resort & I love the rooms at SSR & OKW. I'd love to buy points at BWV also and hopefully someday soon I'll have either a windfall or my stocks will soar.

Thank you again for your reports so far - I sit here at work with a silly smile on my face reading them (my co-workers think I'm crazy but you have kept me in my Disney spirit )

 

[Thumper's Tara]

Enjoying your trip reports! Happy Birthday and Happy Valentine's Day from another single gal!

I too was just at SSR in January, Solo... and I LOVED it. I stayed in a studio in Congress Park.. with a view of DTD... First FLoor.. with a patio.. it was Lovely! Right near the quiet pool.. and the laundry. I did have a car.. I never go without one. I prefer to drive myself place to place.. I like the freedom of it. So, perhaps that is why I had absolutely no complaints whatsoever about SSR. I own there myself.. I just bought last year.. and I have to say that I really don't get what difference where you own matters... I booked this trip VERY last minute.. and ended up getting ALL the dates I wanted for my trip... 5 nights at SSR and 2 nights at BWV. This was my 2nd trip "Home". My First was last August, and I stayed at the BCV.. again.. booking very last minute and was able to get all of my nights... 5.. at the BCV.. with no waitlist... so... I say.. buy at SSR for the extra years... OR whatever New DVC resort is coming. I also have to say that I am in the minority where the BWV are concerned... I HATE it there.. I have stayed there 2x, once villas.. once Inn.. and both times I really wanted to Love it.. but ended up just wanting to cry... I hate the No Parking.. the LONG Hallways.. the LONG walks to wherever you want to go.. the SMALL pool area.. I just can't get a groove for the place. Oh well.. more room for you BWV lovers! So... that is my opinion/advice for you.... As a solo traveler.. if you are not Married to a resort.. then buy where you will get the most for your money.... and stay wherever there is room when you want to go...

Now.. Back to your reports PLEASE

Thanks!

Kathy

Kathy -

When in January were you there? We might have been there the same time. I was there January 21st - January 27th.

You aren't the only one who hates BWV. Carebear05 stayed in a 1-bedroom at BWV this trip and she wasn't that impressed with it either. She didn't like the noise of the resort. She really is an OKW gal.

Like I said, I will probably end up splitting my points - I figure the extra years will be when I am retired and I will want the more calming influence. It is good to know that you have been able to get your dates in the different resorts. that is one of my big fears - that I would never be able to stay anywhere BUT SSR. I know you have the option, but the more DVCers out there, the harder it may get to switch resorts. BUT, we will see...like I have said, this year I need a new car...next year, I should be set to purchase a DVC. Oooooh. I can't wait!

Who is the little guy in your signature? he is adorable!

ttfn,
Tara

 

[Thumper's Tara]

he & i are looking forward to the rest of your report!

Mr. Vacuum ROCKS! He is too cute!

 

[Thumper's Tara]

This is an excellent idea splitting points between SSR & BWV. I love the atmosphere of the Boardwalk but realize that there may be times I may want to just wind down at a more quieter resort & I love the rooms at SSR & OKW. I'd love to buy points at BWV also and hopefully someday soon I'll have either a windfall or my stocks will soar.

Thank you again for your reports so far - I sit here at work with a silly smile on my face reading them (my co-workers think I'm crazy but you have kept me in my Disney spirit )

I hear you - I keep waiting for a large some of money to appear so that I could do both the car and DVC this year. I haven't been that lucky!

I am happy to keep you in the Disney experience...Actually, your response has me sitting here with a silly grin on my face. I am glad that you like the reports.

Okay...if I am going to get my work done AND post another segment, I need to get going!

ttfn,
Tara

 

[Thumper's Tara]

The early night really paid off. When the alarm clock rang an hour earlier, it was no big deal. I did the normal morning thing and by 7 am, I was out the door. I decided to run up to Artist Palette to fill up my mug and grab a quick breakfast before catching the bus. So, I walk up to AP, entered the building and ACK! AP was closed.

Okay. Time for a little rant…Now, if Disney markets Extra Magic Hours as a bonus for people who are staying onsite, then wouldn’t it make sense that the resorts are able to handle the earlier hours people attend the parks. The AP doesn’t open until 8 am – the early hours parks open at 8 am. Therefore, it is not possible to eat at your resort prior to morning Extra Magic Hours. I explained this to the AP Manager and she was very receptive. She actually let me into the AP to fill up my mug, but couldn’t allow me to get any food. Bonus points for the AP Manager – she listened and promised to bring my issue up. That is enough for me. End of rant…

So after harassing the AP Manager, I took my full mug to the bus stop. The Epcot bus arrived shortly and I was off. I arrived at Epcot about 7:45 am and learned something really cool about Epcot. Epcot has a bathroom between the resort bus stops and the front gate. This was the perfect place to wash out my mug! Bonus baby!!

My awesome discovery behind me, I got into the security checkpoint line. I had a few minutes to kill here, so I took a picture of the big golf ball…

During my security check, my security guard saw something suspicious. He stared behind him and held my bag. He continued to check out this shady guest for almost a minute – the entire time holding my bag hostage. Actually, I don’t think that the guest was shady, but it did look like he had a concealed weapon. Eventually, I think the guard decided that it wasn’t a weapon and I got my bag back. I am not so sure that it wasn’t a weapon, but I figured the security guard was better trained than I.

Anyway, with my bag checked, I showed my resort pass and followed the rest of the herd (moooo) through the entrance. They allowed us to walk freely until where the wait-time board is. Around this area, they made us herd up again. At 8:00 am exactly, the herd (moooo) was allowed to speed walk behind the Soarin’ CMs to Soarin. Oh my. Did the herd ever moooove. Thank God no one tripped. If anyone had fallen they would have been trampled.

Being me, I naturally mooooed my way along with the herd. I mean this literally. I did actually moo. Well, under my breath I moooed. A single gal shouldn’t bring too much attention to herself

By being a good Disney Commando and getting there at opening, I was on the second flight to California. Soarin is amazing. Sometimes, I have problems with simulator rides, but not with Soarin. The sights as you glide over mountains, passed golf courses and over Disneyland were breathtaking. The smells of the pine forest and orange groves were wonderful. Over the course of my vacation, I was able to ride Soarin’ twice, but that was not nearly enough.

After my flight, I headed to the monorail for MK. I was hoping to make MK opening, but I was not able to hustle fast enough. Speaking of hustling, my hustle factor was severely limited after Soarin’. I must have been stepped on while stampeding with the herd, because when I left Soarin’ my foot started to really hurt.

Because I had missed breakfast this morning, I decided to stop in the Main Street Bakery to pick up a goody. Shhh…I am going to tell you a secret. This was my forth trip to WDW and it was the first time I had ever set foot inside the Main Street Bakery. Scary, huh? Especially for a sweet-loving Thumper’s Tara like myself! I decided on a gigantic cinnamon roll and a 20 oz. Coke. I ate this while walking back to Thunder Mt. To all the CMs who wished me a good morning – I am sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. My sticky fingered wave or nod was the best that I could do. My cinnamon roll limited my ability to speak. Sorry. If the rolls weren’t so good, it wouldn’t have happened.

I finished my yummy breakfast treat just as I hit Thunder Mt. Before I rode, I had a nice conversation with a CM about Expedition Everest. The CM got me all excited about it. Luckily, I had made plans with Carebear05 to ride EE on Thursday.

Now, everyone remembers my soapbox speech about arriving at the parks early? Well, my next adventure shows why it is so important. I got to ride Thunder Mt twice in a row without getting off. Actually, if I had wanted to, I could have gone for a third. The family behind me rode it 4X without getting off. The kids and mom wanted another go around, but dad looked a little green. So, moral of the story…it really does pay off to get to the parks early. I am sure the fact that it was January helped some too…

After my second ride on Thunder Mt, things become a little blurry. I know that I rode Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and Phiharmagic. I just can’t tell you in what order or how I did it. At 9:45 am, I was sitting at the table area in front of the Jungle Cruise. When the line started to build, I took my place in line. I was on one of the first boats. What my skipper lacked in timing, he made up for in enthusiasm. He was really into his job. Unfortunately, he spoke so fast that I couldn’t always process what he was saying. A few seconds later, I would get it. Oh well, he was having fun!

My jungle cruise over, I decided to limp around and enjoy the atmosphere. Eventually, I ended up back on Main Street and back in the Emporium. My big dilemma was a hat. I really wanted a new hat, but nothing was saying “this is TT’s hat”. I had seen this hat…

…during my first trip through the Emporium and I was seriously considering it. My cat’s name is Trouble and the truth be told, she is Stitch disguised as a cat. For some odd reason, I couldn’t commit to this hat though. I never did buy a hat. Now that I am home, I wish I had purchased the Trouble hat. However, I didn’t, so I will have to add that to the Thumper’s Adoption Trip To-Do List.

It was now lunchtime and I was craving a margarita. Where is the place to get a margarita? Mexico. I hopped on the monorail and headed back to Epcot. In Epcot, I hobbled straight to Mexico. I purchased a margarita and some nachos at Cantina de San Angel…

…and found a table. The view from the table was amazing…

Yes, those are rain clouds. During lunch, it sprinkled for a few minutes. The sprinkles were not enough to chase me from my table though. I sat there and enjoyed my highly nutrious lunch, drank my margarita, and soaked up the atmosphere. I love the World Showcase. It is the best place in the world, to sit back and just be.

When I was done, I limped my way back to the bus stop and headed home to SSR for a nap.

Up next…Announcing the TT family from Connecticut

 

[Valentine]

Kathy -

When in January were you there? We might have been there the same time. I was there January 21st - January 27th.

You aren't the only one who hates BWV. Carebear05 stayed in a 1-bedroom at BWV this trip and she wasn't that impressed with it either. She didn't like the noise of the resort. She really is an OKW gal.

Like I said, I will probably end up splitting my points - I figure the extra years will be when I am retired and I will want the more calming influence. It is good to know that you have been able to get your dates in the different resorts. that is one of my big fears - that I would never be able to stay anywhere BUT SSR. I know you have the option, but the more DVCers out there, the harder it may get to switch resorts. BUT, we will see...like I have said, this year I need a new car...next year, I should be set to purchase a DVC. Oooooh. I can't wait!

Who is the little guy in your signature? he is adorable!

ttfn,
Tara

I was there from NYE through the 10th... a bit earlier than you! Perhaps next trip we can cross paths!! LOL!!

The little guy in my siggie is my nephew.. he is my heart!! Thanks for the compliment! He is a real character!

Kathy

 

[PrincessLindy]

Subscribing. This is a great report!