Let me start by saying we had a great trip from Oct 9-17. It was a sort of last minute kid free trip for my girlfriend and I. The weather was amazing, no rain and hot! SSR surprised me, I really liked it, but loved the AKL.
Oct 8th - Our flights actually started the day before, ARHHHHHH! We left Saskatoon, Canada at 9:20pm and arrived into Calgary at 10:20.
Oct 9th - Calgary to Toronto @ 1:05am and arrived @ 6:40. When we booked these flights we told ourselves it won't be that bad, we'll just sleep the whole way, we maybe got 11/2 hours of sleep!
Toronto to MCO @ 10:35am and arrived @ 1:15pm.
We decided to rent a car and got a great rate from Alamo for $93 for 8 days.
It took about 15min to get from the plane to the car (just carry-ons) and left in our Orange Chevy Cobalt (we always try to pick the colours that are easy to spot in the WDW parking lots). After spending 30min at Publix (on Vineland) picking up snacks, water, beer, and the stuff we forgot, we entered the SSR parking lot @ 2:30pm!!!
I wasn't expecting the room to be ready from the reports I was reading before I left, but was surprised when the CM said my room # was 1636 in Congress Park. We dropped all of stuff off in the room and headed to the MK.
We bought DVC AP's and were on Main Street around 4:30. We were tired and hungry but really wanted to see Wishes!!! So we went Harbour House and I had the Hummus and Coleslaw Sand and my girlfriend had chicken strips and fries. The sandwich sounds weird but is my favourite thing in the WDW to eat and it was awesome.
We walked around the MK and there were tons of people. We went to the Monsters INC Laughing Floor and found it to be really well done and then rode Buzz. By then we were really tired and left without seeing wishes. We went to bed early, 8ish.
Oct 10th - No flames please! We went to US/IOA. We got there by 8:30am, bought AP's and were on the HULK by 9:05. We rode all the major rides except the water rides, and left for US by 10:30am. We had been to these parks before and had done all the shows and rides so we were only doing the rides we liked today. We spent more time on this side and rode things like Mummy, MIB, and JAWS. I got soaked on JAWS?????
We left around 1ish and went straight to DTD. It was time for the Earl of Sandwich and back to SSR for some pool/nap time.
In the evening we went to Epcot and met up with some friends from work who happened to be in WDW. It was their last night so we decided to have some fun. It was hot and it seemed like we needed another drink every second country.
Oct 11th - AK in the morning. I got up and let my GF sleep-in. I got there for opening and went straight to KS and got a FP. Then off to EE, which happened to be down. I waited until 9:30am for it to open and then overheard a CM say it wouldn't be open for a couple of hours. After that I didn't feel like doing much else by myself so I went back to SSR and explored.
Had lunch at Earl of Sandwich (I can't get enough of that place!), and spent the afternoon relaxing by the pool.
Evening - MNSSHP, great as always, rides were all walk-on and the parade and fireworks are amazing.
Oct 12th - Day of Surprises and Check out of SSR
Because we booked sort of last minute, there wasn't any room in the DVC resorts for us to stay the entire time. I had told my girlfriend that we could only get into ASM on an AP discount and that everything else was booked.
We had planned a sleep in day because of the party last night and breakfast at Boma for the morning but I got up early and went to the AKL to check us in for the remaining 5 nights there. I got an AP rate of $185 and she is kind of a resort snob so I thought she would be very happy not staying in a value after SSR. Well, the room was not ready, I didn't think it would be at 8:30am but they did tell me I did get an up-grade to a pool view. Went back to SSR for GF and our luggage and then back to the AKL for our 10am ADR. After breakfast we decided to look around the resort (we love the resort) and she went into Mara to grab a bottle of water. While she did that I called the # they gave me to check to see if my room was ready, and it was!!! We walked up to the lobby and I said we should go out to a look-out and watch the animals. When we walked past our room (3418) I said we should check to see if our keys work here. I did and the light went green! She was nervous that I was just ready to just go into a room that wasnt ours. I went into our room and turned on the TV and went onto the balcony before she even entered the room. She didnt believe me at first that we were staying here, but I had a good laugh.
Now for my surprise. I really like the movie Talladega Nights (the Will Ferrell NASCAR movie) and joke with my girlfriend when Im driving that I want to go fast. She always says I cant because its against the law!!! Well at breakfast she hands me an envelope and tells me that we have to change the itinerary for this afternoon (Apparently I plan to much???). I open the envelope and inside is confirmation papers for a Rookie Experience at Richard Pattys Driving school just outside the MK. I told her on our first trip to WDW that one-day I want to do it but never did because I couldnt justify the price. It was probably the best thing Ive ever done. I did the ride along with the instructor for 3 laps and then got to drive 8 laps following the instructors. It was amazing and I did hit the top speed of 122mph for a couple of laps. We were at the track from 1230 to 4ish and Id do it again in a heartbeat.
We went to MGM in the evening and I never stopped smiling from my day at the track.
Oct 13th AK in the morning. The park was crowded but did manage to ride and see everything on our list by 2. Went back to the AKL and relaxed by the pool.
ADR at Jiko for 640. This was by far the best meal at WDW Ive ever had. We had the kalamata olive flatbread and the hummus for starters. Both were very good. For entrées I had the Pork tenderloin and the GF had the Beef Filet w/ Mac and Cheese. Our meats were cook perfectly and the sides had great flavour but didnt over power the meat. We couldnt even look at the dessert menu as we were stuffed. Next time one starter and one dessert. If you havent been to Jiko, go! Its worth the money. Went to bed after a drink at the pool bar.
Oct 14th Epcot All Day! We did it all. All the stuff we walked by, and said well do it next time we did today. The only regret is the Ellen and universe of energy attraction. It took 45min and the sound didnt work through the ride part. It was a good day all around, we did some F&W tasting and had lunch at the CS in China. Good as usual.
We had an ADR at Jiko again for tonight but cancelled because we knew we wouldnt make it back to the lodge before park closing. We picked up Earl of Sandwich on our way back to the lodge and it was awesome.
Oct 15th US/IOA in the morning. We like the thrill rides there so we went back to get scrambled. We had fun and had lunch at the NASCAR café. It was good, not great but thought I should try it again after a terrible service experience last time. Then it was back to the pool for a cool down.
ADR at 9 dragons at 6pm and enjoyed the rest of evening at Epcot.
Oct 16th MK in the morning. Huge crowds but low wait times. I saw tons of groups from Brazil using the UG and following it to the letter. It was actually quite funny to see people yelling now # 7! Took the monorail over to Epcot for a 1:45 ADR @ LeCellier. We both enjoyed it but there was way too much food.
MGM in the evening TOT, and RNR multiple times, it was great. Also you cant forget about Muppets in 3D. Didnt watch Fantasmic as we saw it on the 12th. Boma for dinner, it was very good with my girlfriend who hates buffets saying she would go back.
Oct 17th We have a 2:20pm flight so we decided to pack last night so we could get to the park at opening. We had the most fun on this trip at MGM so we decided to go there instead of AK (we heard EE has not been open at 9 most days and saw it on 1 of our 2 days there already). So, off to MGM. We rode TOT, RNR, and shopped for the gifts we had forgot to get earlier. Out of the park at 11am and one last trip to the Earl of Sandwich.
Dropped the car off at Alamo (its so easy to rent a car at MCO) and checked in with our airline. Went through security at 1ish and there was no lines to speak of.
Oct 26th Ive been working straight since weve been home so thats why this Trip Report is late, but better late than never. Ive got some pics of the construction going on of the AKVs that Ill post as soon as I can.
Thanks for Reading.
Shayne
Oct 8th - Our flights actually started the day before, ARHHHHHH! We left Saskatoon, Canada at 9:20pm and arrived into Calgary at 10:20.
Oct 9th - Calgary to Toronto @ 1:05am and arrived @ 6:40. When we booked these flights we told ourselves it won't be that bad, we'll just sleep the whole way, we maybe got 11/2 hours of sleep!
Toronto to MCO @ 10:35am and arrived @ 1:15pm.
We decided to rent a car and got a great rate from Alamo for $93 for 8 days.
It took about 15min to get from the plane to the car (just carry-ons) and left in our Orange Chevy Cobalt (we always try to pick the colours that are easy to spot in the WDW parking lots). After spending 30min at Publix (on Vineland) picking up snacks, water, beer, and the stuff we forgot, we entered the SSR parking lot @ 2:30pm!!!
I wasn't expecting the room to be ready from the reports I was reading before I left, but was surprised when the CM said my room # was 1636 in Congress Park. We dropped all of stuff off in the room and headed to the MK.
We bought DVC AP's and were on Main Street around 4:30. We were tired and hungry but really wanted to see Wishes!!! So we went Harbour House and I had the Hummus and Coleslaw Sand and my girlfriend had chicken strips and fries. The sandwich sounds weird but is my favourite thing in the WDW to eat and it was awesome.
We walked around the MK and there were tons of people. We went to the Monsters INC Laughing Floor and found it to be really well done and then rode Buzz. By then we were really tired and left without seeing wishes. We went to bed early, 8ish.
Oct 10th - No flames please! We went to US/IOA. We got there by 8:30am, bought AP's and were on the HULK by 9:05. We rode all the major rides except the water rides, and left for US by 10:30am. We had been to these parks before and had done all the shows and rides so we were only doing the rides we liked today. We spent more time on this side and rode things like Mummy, MIB, and JAWS. I got soaked on JAWS?????
We left around 1ish and went straight to DTD. It was time for the Earl of Sandwich and back to SSR for some pool/nap time.
In the evening we went to Epcot and met up with some friends from work who happened to be in WDW. It was their last night so we decided to have some fun. It was hot and it seemed like we needed another drink every second country.
Oct 11th - AK in the morning. I got up and let my GF sleep-in. I got there for opening and went straight to KS and got a FP. Then off to EE, which happened to be down. I waited until 9:30am for it to open and then overheard a CM say it wouldn't be open for a couple of hours. After that I didn't feel like doing much else by myself so I went back to SSR and explored.
Had lunch at Earl of Sandwich (I can't get enough of that place!), and spent the afternoon relaxing by the pool.
Evening - MNSSHP, great as always, rides were all walk-on and the parade and fireworks are amazing.
Oct 12th - Day of Surprises and Check out of SSR
Because we booked sort of last minute, there wasn't any room in the DVC resorts for us to stay the entire time. I had told my girlfriend that we could only get into ASM on an AP discount and that everything else was booked.
We had planned a sleep in day because of the party last night and breakfast at Boma for the morning but I got up early and went to the AKL to check us in for the remaining 5 nights there. I got an AP rate of $185 and she is kind of a resort snob so I thought she would be very happy not staying in a value after SSR. Well, the room was not ready, I didn't think it would be at 8:30am but they did tell me I did get an up-grade to a pool view. Went back to SSR for GF and our luggage and then back to the AKL for our 10am ADR. After breakfast we decided to look around the resort (we love the resort) and she went into Mara to grab a bottle of water. While she did that I called the # they gave me to check to see if my room was ready, and it was!!! We walked up to the lobby and I said we should go out to a look-out and watch the animals. When we walked past our room (3418) I said we should check to see if our keys work here. I did and the light went green! She was nervous that I was just ready to just go into a room that wasnt ours. I went into our room and turned on the TV and went onto the balcony before she even entered the room. She didnt believe me at first that we were staying here, but I had a good laugh.
Now for my surprise. I really like the movie Talladega Nights (the Will Ferrell NASCAR movie) and joke with my girlfriend when Im driving that I want to go fast. She always says I cant because its against the law!!! Well at breakfast she hands me an envelope and tells me that we have to change the itinerary for this afternoon (Apparently I plan to much???). I open the envelope and inside is confirmation papers for a Rookie Experience at Richard Pattys Driving school just outside the MK. I told her on our first trip to WDW that one-day I want to do it but never did because I couldnt justify the price. It was probably the best thing Ive ever done. I did the ride along with the instructor for 3 laps and then got to drive 8 laps following the instructors. It was amazing and I did hit the top speed of 122mph for a couple of laps. We were at the track from 1230 to 4ish and Id do it again in a heartbeat.
We went to MGM in the evening and I never stopped smiling from my day at the track.
Oct 13th AK in the morning. The park was crowded but did manage to ride and see everything on our list by 2. Went back to the AKL and relaxed by the pool.
ADR at Jiko for 640. This was by far the best meal at WDW Ive ever had. We had the kalamata olive flatbread and the hummus for starters. Both were very good. For entrées I had the Pork tenderloin and the GF had the Beef Filet w/ Mac and Cheese. Our meats were cook perfectly and the sides had great flavour but didnt over power the meat. We couldnt even look at the dessert menu as we were stuffed. Next time one starter and one dessert. If you havent been to Jiko, go! Its worth the money. Went to bed after a drink at the pool bar.
Oct 14th Epcot All Day! We did it all. All the stuff we walked by, and said well do it next time we did today. The only regret is the Ellen and universe of energy attraction. It took 45min and the sound didnt work through the ride part. It was a good day all around, we did some F&W tasting and had lunch at the CS in China. Good as usual.
We had an ADR at Jiko again for tonight but cancelled because we knew we wouldnt make it back to the lodge before park closing. We picked up Earl of Sandwich on our way back to the lodge and it was awesome.
Oct 15th US/IOA in the morning. We like the thrill rides there so we went back to get scrambled. We had fun and had lunch at the NASCAR café. It was good, not great but thought I should try it again after a terrible service experience last time. Then it was back to the pool for a cool down.
ADR at 9 dragons at 6pm and enjoyed the rest of evening at Epcot.
Oct 16th MK in the morning. Huge crowds but low wait times. I saw tons of groups from Brazil using the UG and following it to the letter. It was actually quite funny to see people yelling now # 7! Took the monorail over to Epcot for a 1:45 ADR @ LeCellier. We both enjoyed it but there was way too much food.
MGM in the evening TOT, and RNR multiple times, it was great. Also you cant forget about Muppets in 3D. Didnt watch Fantasmic as we saw it on the 12th. Boma for dinner, it was very good with my girlfriend who hates buffets saying she would go back.
Oct 17th We have a 2:20pm flight so we decided to pack last night so we could get to the park at opening. We had the most fun on this trip at MGM so we decided to go there instead of AK (we heard EE has not been open at 9 most days and saw it on 1 of our 2 days there already). So, off to MGM. We rode TOT, RNR, and shopped for the gifts we had forgot to get earlier. Out of the park at 11am and one last trip to the Earl of Sandwich.
Dropped the car off at Alamo (its so easy to rent a car at MCO) and checked in with our airline. Went through security at 1ish and there was no lines to speak of.
Oct 26th Ive been working straight since weve been home so thats why this Trip Report is late, but better late than never. Ive got some pics of the construction going on of the AKVs that Ill post as soon as I can.
Thanks for Reading.
Shayne
Sounds like you two had a really great time. I can't wait until our next trip when we will be trying out our newest home resort, AKV!
SSR is so beautiful and relaxing. We've stayed there 4 times in a row. It's our favorite so far.
Must say AKV's Kidani Lodge is coming along well.
and it looked like they had concrete for the first floor(parking garage) up. Lots going on over there.
