MrTerrorChair
You cain't run from trouble. Ain't no place that
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2005
- Messages
- 96
What a wonderful time!! The weather wasn't completely cooperative, but we still managed some nice days and had a fantastic vacation.
First tip: If you are at WDW and love riding rides, don't let a little bit of rain bother you. If the temperature is warm you won't mind the rain and the parks will be downright empty. Imagine 65 degrees and no lines at any of the attractions. That's what happened to us on a Sunday at the MK and we had a blast. I remained relatively dry until I rode TMRR, but what a great day even in a steady drizzle.
SSR is going to be HUGE when it's completed. We stayed in Congress Park in a 2br villa, room number 1621 (second floor). We were one building away from the fartherest building from the check-in, but one builing away from Downtown Disney. It was about a 10 minute walk in either direction. From our balcony, we could see out over our quiet pool and see the tops of the building on the West Side (DisneyQuest, Cirque de Soleil, etc.). There was little ambient noise that we picked up from either DD or the construction behind us, so that was not a problem. Our room was immaculate. I know these rooms are new, and they felt like it. There was no wear and tear on the carpets, no paint chips, or stains on any surfaces. The room was prepared for us by 11am check-in morning. The only small problem was the lock on our sliding glass door was troublesome. It didn't want to unlatch and we had to play with it to get it to open.
The cast members were outstanding. From bell-hops, check-in, counter service, and maintenance personnel, all of them made us feel welcomed and right at home. We must have heard fifty welcome-homes. I've never understood any of the complaints I've read about Disney cast members becoming more abrasive. I have never received anything but the friendliest service, and I've been there 17 times for a week each. To the contrary, I normally find cast members who go out of their way to be accommodating. Maybe it's because I tip generously, but...that's just the way I am. All of the cast members I have ever met are ready to help well before I reach for my pocket. One poor girl at the park must have thought I was a loon. I was waiting for my son and wife to finish riding Aladdin at MK and happened to look to the menu on the food sign there. They had Citrus Swirls! I had thought that dessert had disappeared from the park. When I was a kid, they had them in Tomorrowland, but then they disappeared, I thought, forever...and here they were. I was so happy and I told her so. I must have looked like a freak with a big smile. She was understanding.
I have one concern about SSR. Phase 1 of construction is done (Congress Park). It's lovely. Phase 2 is nearing completion (The Springs). In fact some of the DVC sales reps were going to be staying in the newly completed rooms this week! Phase 3 construction will be finished by 2007. They will be tearing down the fairway villas (green townhouses) from the old Disney Institute and building new DVC villas. When they are done, it will be HUGE! The food service area will be far too small when they're done. Bottom line. We ate one day when there were only 20 people on hand and it took the staff a while to get through all the orders since they are prepared upon ordering. I believe they will need to redesign Artist's Palette before too long.
Speaking of restaurants, I ate at many new places on this trip. Boma at AKL was good, not great. Dessert was great and we got a good laugh out of my mistakenly calling the Zebra Domes by the name of...Zebra Balls. It's a long story...but needless to say, nobody in my family will ever look at them the same way again. We also ate lunch in Germany at the buffet. It was good and I really liked the Wurst salad. Our server there was nice and very interesting. She's German, but said Germany is a nice place to visit, but the US is the place to live. Mad props to our server Mauritius at L'Alfredo's in Italy. He was one of the best servers I've ever had. He was professional, friendly, accommodating, and interesting. I've rarely had a better meal.
So, as I come to the end of this trip report, let me say that each time I go to WDW, I am more convinced I did the right thing in buying my DVC membership. I look forward to adding on more points and I am now preparing for my next vacation in January 06 at the VWL. On a final note, my name, MrTerrorChair has now become less original. EVERYONE is now a MrTerrorChair, as the Tower of Terror has done away with the bars and replaced them all with seatbelts. I rode it twice in different seats and was able to pull out enough slack to "hover" as I fell...but now everyone can do that if they want. TTFN
First tip: If you are at WDW and love riding rides, don't let a little bit of rain bother you. If the temperature is warm you won't mind the rain and the parks will be downright empty. Imagine 65 degrees and no lines at any of the attractions. That's what happened to us on a Sunday at the MK and we had a blast. I remained relatively dry until I rode TMRR, but what a great day even in a steady drizzle.
SSR is going to be HUGE when it's completed. We stayed in Congress Park in a 2br villa, room number 1621 (second floor). We were one building away from the fartherest building from the check-in, but one builing away from Downtown Disney. It was about a 10 minute walk in either direction. From our balcony, we could see out over our quiet pool and see the tops of the building on the West Side (DisneyQuest, Cirque de Soleil, etc.). There was little ambient noise that we picked up from either DD or the construction behind us, so that was not a problem. Our room was immaculate. I know these rooms are new, and they felt like it. There was no wear and tear on the carpets, no paint chips, or stains on any surfaces. The room was prepared for us by 11am check-in morning. The only small problem was the lock on our sliding glass door was troublesome. It didn't want to unlatch and we had to play with it to get it to open.
The cast members were outstanding. From bell-hops, check-in, counter service, and maintenance personnel, all of them made us feel welcomed and right at home. We must have heard fifty welcome-homes. I've never understood any of the complaints I've read about Disney cast members becoming more abrasive. I have never received anything but the friendliest service, and I've been there 17 times for a week each. To the contrary, I normally find cast members who go out of their way to be accommodating. Maybe it's because I tip generously, but...that's just the way I am. All of the cast members I have ever met are ready to help well before I reach for my pocket. One poor girl at the park must have thought I was a loon. I was waiting for my son and wife to finish riding Aladdin at MK and happened to look to the menu on the food sign there. They had Citrus Swirls! I had thought that dessert had disappeared from the park. When I was a kid, they had them in Tomorrowland, but then they disappeared, I thought, forever...and here they were. I was so happy and I told her so. I must have looked like a freak with a big smile. She was understanding.
I have one concern about SSR. Phase 1 of construction is done (Congress Park). It's lovely. Phase 2 is nearing completion (The Springs). In fact some of the DVC sales reps were going to be staying in the newly completed rooms this week! Phase 3 construction will be finished by 2007. They will be tearing down the fairway villas (green townhouses) from the old Disney Institute and building new DVC villas. When they are done, it will be HUGE! The food service area will be far too small when they're done. Bottom line. We ate one day when there were only 20 people on hand and it took the staff a while to get through all the orders since they are prepared upon ordering. I believe they will need to redesign Artist's Palette before too long.
Speaking of restaurants, I ate at many new places on this trip. Boma at AKL was good, not great. Dessert was great and we got a good laugh out of my mistakenly calling the Zebra Domes by the name of...Zebra Balls. It's a long story...but needless to say, nobody in my family will ever look at them the same way again. We also ate lunch in Germany at the buffet. It was good and I really liked the Wurst salad. Our server there was nice and very interesting. She's German, but said Germany is a nice place to visit, but the US is the place to live. Mad props to our server Mauritius at L'Alfredo's in Italy. He was one of the best servers I've ever had. He was professional, friendly, accommodating, and interesting. I've rarely had a better meal.
So, as I come to the end of this trip report, let me say that each time I go to WDW, I am more convinced I did the right thing in buying my DVC membership. I look forward to adding on more points and I am now preparing for my next vacation in January 06 at the VWL. On a final note, my name, MrTerrorChair has now become less original. EVERYONE is now a MrTerrorChair, as the Tower of Terror has done away with the bars and replaced them all with seatbelts. I rode it twice in different seats and was able to pull out enough slack to "hover" as I fell...but now everyone can do that if they want. TTFN
Cant wait to stay at SSR. Only requests I made were non smoking and lake view. I hope they pick me a good room.
never mind.
I am so glad to read such a wonderful trip report! Thanks for sharing. Glad you had a great time.
sounds like you guys had a great time. Thank you for sharing ! Can`t wait to stay in our Home resort ( SSR ), in Aug.! 
