SSR First Day ! OMG Its Cold!

[miamimama]

This is my first trip report, and first trip as a DVC member. I must begin with some background that I grew up in South Florida and have been to Disney many times, but don't remember it ever being this cold! However, back to the trip report. Arrival on Delta went incredibly smoothly - rented an Alamo car and, thank you Disboarders, signed up for the corporate program ahead of time, and breezed through the rental process, probably saving an hour or so. Also through Disboard, found out about wegoshop.com and they were at SSR waiting for us with groceries which saved us alot of time. Now, having a late arrival at SSR was not the best thing - our room is in the Paddocks section is not as close as we would like to DTD or the restaurant and pool, but it is a very nice room. We have a 1BR, and its wonderful to stretch out in- the bathroom area and kitchen are amazing, and this is one of the major reasons we got DVC. ( We bought at Boardwalk, and I do miss its' location)

Last night, we barely had time to get to dinner at Artists Palette before their 11pm closing, but found the food fresh and the service friendly. We have DDP and got everything as a Counter Service, (other than the two adult drinks) .

Today was MGM - DD14 had to do TOT and RRC - It was crowded! We arrived a little late (10:45 or so) and the first FP for RRC was 3:00 p.m. But we had ADRs at Prime Time at 1:00 - had never been there and highly recommend it -try the chicken pot pie! ( and be sure eat your veggies). We found the crowds thinned out a little in the late afternoon, and we were able to get TOT and Star Tours in after RRC, along with some shopping , Muppet Vision 3D, and the Narnia show. But then, the highlight of my day, the Osborne Lights ! It was really something special, and made the frustrations of the crowds and the cold weather go away. The cold weather actually added alot to the atmosphere, and the hot chocolate in the glowing cups for $10 was well worth it.

So, hope this wasn't too long. - More to follow. And thanks Disboarders- you don't know how much you've helped us with our Disney experience!

 

[Muushka]

Hello neighbor (Cary here)

I hope it warms up for everyone! Have fun .

 

[mickeymarcor]

miamimama,

How cold is cold? I've been at WDW in late Jan. with temps. at 60°F. Where I come from, this is good park weather. Small crowds, short lines, and no sweating. Just put on an extra sweater and you're good to go.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I hope you continue to enjoy yourselves. My Yahoo weather gives today's Orlando temperatures from 47 to 62, I hope they are wrong and it gets warmer for all of you.

Bobbi

 

[Granny]

miamimama,

How cold is cold? I've been at WDW in late Jan. with temps. at 60°F. Where I come from, this is good park weather. Small crowds, short lines, and no sweating. Just put on an extra sweater and you're good to go.

Yesterday's temperature range for Orlando is listed as 43 degrees low, 58 degrees high.

The averages for this time of year are 56 low, 78 high. So it is a full 20 degrees below normal.

Still, as pointed out.....this is quite nice weather in the scheme of things!

 

[Olaf]

It's supposed to warm up there. We went in December several years ago, and we had freaky low 80s weather. It was wonderful. I'm hoping.

 

[jakenjess]

Hope you have a great trip and that it warms up a bit for you. It was 30 degrees when I came in to work this morning, so even 50s sounds good to me right now! Enjoy!

 

[Lexxiefern]

I hope it warms up for the rest of your trip! I love primetime too - lots of fun.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Granny says :Yesterday's temperature range for Orlando is listed as 43 degrees low, 58 degrees high

Wow...that is chilly ! I've been to WDW in Nov/Dec before but I must admit don't think we ever experienced quite this cold. Particularily the "highs". Sounds very similar to Philly right now. We're about 30's low and 47-53 highs. I was hoping for warmer for our Dec trip. Fingers crossed !

Olaf,
The last time we were in WDW during the month of Dec was in '98. It never dropped below 78-82 degrees for highs and lows were 60-64. We got lucky I guess !

miamimamma says : Today was MGM - DD14 had to do TOT and RRC - It was crowded!

Thanks for the report ! Guess the T-Day crowds are in full force ? Hope the temps warm up for you !!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Ok....now THIS isn't even funny !
http://www.wftv.com/weather/10373307/detail.html

I mean, we haven't even spotted flakes in Philly yet !?

 

[DMKEDM]

Hi, Miamimama! We're at SSR, too...in Congress Park--got here late yesterday afternoon...I really MUST dig out my lime green Mickey's...where or where did I "tuck" them????

Yes, it's shivery cold...even to a northerner! Fortunately, coming from the north, I wore the fleece w/sweatshirt underneath & gloves in pockets to get from home to here...the winter gear makes it quite comfortable to wander about...but if you're not used to it/dressed for it, it can be miserable...do you have sweatshirts/jackets/hats/gloves? Especially hats--even a b-ball type cap--can make a huge difference in your comfort level walking around! Sorry if you already know that; I'm just guessing that coming from Miami it might not be something you've ever had to find out before!

The weather moguls say it will be getting better and better, temps-wise, all week...hope it gets comfortable enough for you--between rising temps & hats & sweatshirts!--right away...

And hope we see you around the property...hope you're loving it as much as we do!

 

[corinnak]

Wow - it seems unusual and not the most ideal park-going weather, though I personally would gladly take that over 95 and humid. It's about that (45 NOT 95 and humid- ) here in Minnesota this week and last night we we going from car to building and my kids were all like "Yay! We don't even need coats!" Enjoy it while you can, boys, I say. Well, enjoy that hot cocoa! I hope it gets warmer soon for you.

 

[Parkhopper13]

Welcome, neighbor!!

Enjoy SSR...I miss it the most over the holidays!!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

though I personally would gladly take that over 95 and humid. It's about that (45 NOT 95 and humid-

And I'm the opposite ! Bring on the heat and humidity ! I love it !!! Hate frigid cold, dry air. Works havoc on my skin !
While I know my chances of getting 90's in Dec are slim to none.......I would at least hope for 70'ish ? But 40's is no fun in WDW. Did that in Feb of '05. Literally froze ! I had a headache from being so cold. But everyone is different.
Luckily I did see the temps are supposed to warm up by this weekend.

 

[mitzelf3]

Just another neighbor (Cary, NC) saying hello! Wanted to let you know that no matter how cold it is in Orlando at the moment, the weather has to be better than back home right now, where it is windy, rainy, cold and ugly...so it could be worse

I'm looking forward to your continued report - the DH and I are going to be at SSR in January, so I love reading all about it - thanks!

 

[Muushka]

Just another neighbor (Cary, NC) saying hello! Wanted to let you know that no matter how cold it is in Orlando at the moment, the weather has to be better than back home right now, where it is windy, rainy, cold and ugly...so it could be worse

I'm looking forward to your continued report - the DH and I are going to be at SSR in January, so I love reading all about it - thanks!

I agree about this weather. I have been here for 10 years and these last 2 days have been the worst! Yesterday (the really rotten day) I had car problems and forgot my cell phone at home! What a mess. But it was just a hose that came off so all was well quickly, but for 2 hours I about froze waiting for AAA to come!

I remember one Dec at WDW it was 28 degrees. Ouch. All the plants were frozen and most died. When it is cold at Disney, you sure do feel it.

 

[Granny]

Ok....now THIS isn't even funny !
http://www.wftv.com/weather/10373307/detail.html

I mean, we haven't even spotted flakes in Philly yet !?

Holy cow! Are we sure that meteorologist didn't do the weather from Main Street during a MVMCP evening?

 

[miamimama]

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Yesterday was a bit warmer and today they say high of 68! DD14 is even going to Typhoon Lagoon! Its actually beautiful - we avoided the rain from that front thats going up the East Coast and the cooler weather certainly makes the crowded parks more tolerable. SSR is beautiful - you would not know you were at Disney looking out the window from our vantage point looking at the golf course - just see the occasional Disney bus. Yesterday DD and I did the SSR main pool and Downtown Disney, and met up with DH for dinner at Raglan Road followed by the Adventurer's Club. The pool was very warm and they had games for the younger kids even though there were only 5 or 6 in the pool (the air temp was still in the mid 50's). The pool staff is so friendly - and great with the kids.
We took several buses yesterday between the three of us, and found them arriving frequently with short waits. DH took the boat to Downtown and said that was pleasant and not too long of a wait.
Raglan Road was a lot of fun - great music and dancing (and the entree seafood Chowder was to die for). Adventurer's Club was "cool" according to DD, which is quite a complement. Got to try it if you haven't. Pleasure Island was very uncrowded, but maybe Thanksgiving Eve is more of a family night and the clubbers are at home.
Today, DD and DH left early to try to get on Expedition Everest - then off to TL later!

 

[miamimama]

I wanted to complete our trip report, but first highlight our experiences staying at SSR specificially. I think its a beautiful resort; if you love long walks, beautiful landscaping, and a respite from the noise and crowds, its the place to stay. I spent most of one day enjoying the resort while DD14 and DH hit the parks - I did not try the Spa, but I understand it's very nice. The bus stops seemed very convenient to all areas of the resort, although we did use our car quite bit for dinners at other resorts and a couple of quick trips to MGM and Typhoon Lagoon. (There were some long waits for the bus, but it was Thanksgiving week and very crowded.) The parking was very convenient, and there appeared to be plenty of spaces for everyone.

As far as the 1 bedroom, everything was beautiful and we loved the "new" feeling. The kitchen was very well stocked and we didn't really need to purchase any extra household products. We ordered coffee, filters, breakfast food and a few other items from wegoshop and didn't need to hit the grocery store the entire trip.

The bed and the sofabed were comfortable - I did not like the pillows and requested down pillows, but housekeeping said they were out. If you don't like bouncy polyester type pillows, I would bring your own. The shower and whirpool bath were great, but I would clean the whirpool jets as previous posters have suggested.

Overall, I'd stay there again, although we do prefer the location of our home resort BWV, and hope to be there next Spring. We bought PAPs with our DVC discount, so we'll be back!