NOVATraveler
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2008
- Messages
- 65
Who - me, one active 59-yo female
When - 7/6-7/12
Where - AutoTrain to SSR and back
Rather than a moment-by-moment, just some notes that might help others.
AutoTrain sleeper was fun, dinner companions were hilarious, food was very good, service great. Amtrak needs to work on the auto-delivery system. Otherwise, A+.
SSR is gorgeous...and huge. I got lucky. Was in Springs, stone's throw from bus stop. Artist's Palette was never crowded (as I had read it would be). While the Saratoga theme is beautiful, it's not terribly Disneyish. My 1-bd villa was lavish, though.
Bus service was fine. Didn't seem like long waits at all. Only one trip was miserable, but that was because of the loutish teenagers lounging in the seats while small kids and adults (teens' parents?) stood. Went from MK to Blizzard Beach to SSR, so it took a long time.
Two OMG moments: first was mom picking up baby's dropped binkie and giving it back to baby while in line at Spaceship Earth (longest line I encountered, btw). Other was hilarious: Dad pushed kid under rope at DS, then had to "go get him", Mom and daughter proceed to go under rope to join Dad and bro. However, when rope dropped, they realized they were on the wrong side of the avenue (i.e., NOT the TOT side) and were swamped by folks from middle and right-hand side. Heh heh. They're prolly still trying to get in line at TOT.
Only pushing/shoving I saw was at HM. I think the entrance does little to discourage that.
Saw tour groups everywhere, but all were well-behaved. Only two groups did the camp-out in the middle of the walkway thing. Did see 4-5 groups brought in about 15 mins. early at DS. They were each met by a cast member, were led them toward TOT area. Saw one group again at lunch and cast member was still with them.
Challenged myself to be early at parks. Well! Was first through my turnstyle at DS, AK and Ep. Was on the rope at all three parks as well. Went to MK after a rest-up, arrived around 4:30. Only needed FP once, for Soarin'. Waited in line over 10 minutes at Space and at HM. Every other ride was either a walk-on or less than a 5-minute wait: Philharmagic (2X), POC, Star Tours, Safari, etc. I didn't do the roller coasters on this trip. Also, breezed through bag check at that hour. But, it was also very quick when I went back around 4-4:30.
Crowds seemed to peak around 1 or 2 pm. Couldn't move in AK at that point. Went back to SSR to rest. Very hot, but OMG - the humidity! Rained most afternoons for the usual half-hour. Met a million nice people, very few grumps.
Next trip - Oct. 08 to AKV! Can. Not. Wait.
When - 7/6-7/12
Where - AutoTrain to SSR and back
Rather than a moment-by-moment, just some notes that might help others.
AutoTrain sleeper was fun, dinner companions were hilarious, food was very good, service great. Amtrak needs to work on the auto-delivery system. Otherwise, A+.
SSR is gorgeous...and huge. I got lucky. Was in Springs, stone's throw from bus stop. Artist's Palette was never crowded (as I had read it would be). While the Saratoga theme is beautiful, it's not terribly Disneyish. My 1-bd villa was lavish, though.
Bus service was fine. Didn't seem like long waits at all. Only one trip was miserable, but that was because of the loutish teenagers lounging in the seats while small kids and adults (teens' parents?) stood. Went from MK to Blizzard Beach to SSR, so it took a long time.
Two OMG moments: first was mom picking up baby's dropped binkie and giving it back to baby while in line at Spaceship Earth (longest line I encountered, btw). Other was hilarious: Dad pushed kid under rope at DS, then had to "go get him", Mom and daughter proceed to go under rope to join Dad and bro. However, when rope dropped, they realized they were on the wrong side of the avenue (i.e., NOT the TOT side) and were swamped by folks from middle and right-hand side. Heh heh. They're prolly still trying to get in line at TOT.
Only pushing/shoving I saw was at HM. I think the entrance does little to discourage that.
Saw tour groups everywhere, but all were well-behaved. Only two groups did the camp-out in the middle of the walkway thing. Did see 4-5 groups brought in about 15 mins. early at DS. They were each met by a cast member, were led them toward TOT area. Saw one group again at lunch and cast member was still with them.
Challenged myself to be early at parks. Well! Was first through my turnstyle at DS, AK and Ep. Was on the rope at all three parks as well. Went to MK after a rest-up, arrived around 4:30. Only needed FP once, for Soarin'. Waited in line over 10 minutes at Space and at HM. Every other ride was either a walk-on or less than a 5-minute wait: Philharmagic (2X), POC, Star Tours, Safari, etc. I didn't do the roller coasters on this trip. Also, breezed through bag check at that hour. But, it was also very quick when I went back around 4-4:30.
Crowds seemed to peak around 1 or 2 pm. Couldn't move in AK at that point. Went back to SSR to rest. Very hot, but OMG - the humidity! Rained most afternoons for the usual half-hour. Met a million nice people, very few grumps.
Next trip - Oct. 08 to AKV! Can. Not. Wait.
I'd love to go solo...some day I will. Thanks for sharing.
