stopher1
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2008
So Im going to attempt to do a LIVE report while we are here, but Im not promising that I can keep it up each day
.but Ill do my best!
We arrived today for a 10 night triple whammy split stay THV, AKV-Kidani, and VWL. Both the Treehouses and Wilderness Lodge are first stays for us - but then Kidani is too, even though AKV is not as we've previously stayed in Jambo House. For many DVCers it is certainly not your ideal trip with more than one resort change, and honestly not what we originally wanted to do, but were kind of excited about it after a few days of thinking it all through. (Originally we were only going to be in 2 resorts, but due to some scheduling changes with the various folks in our party and the relatively last minute nature of those changes this is what we ended up with for the last 2 nights of our trip but its an adventure, right?)
Our trip is kind of a family reunion of sorts. My family of 5 and my folks are here as well from Oregon. My brother (from Hawaii) was supposed to join us, but due to some very serious issues at work that developed in the past 2 weeks, he had to cancel out. We were all sad initially, but we totally understand the work issue. So 7 instead of 8 and the kids dont get to spend time with their uncle but other than that, were good with it.
So far in all of our travels to WDW we have flown (DW does not do well in the car beyond 5 hours, so the 14-15+ hr drive from Indy is not exactly her idea of fun, to say the least). So this morning we headed off to the airport for our 2 hr flight to Orlando. Full but relatively short flight and we are there gotta love it!
Our kids always love to sit up front on the shuttle over to the terminal in 8 years of trips, its definitely become tradition for them.
On to Magical Express - with only a 5 minute wait for the bus after checking in (a 2 min process as there was NO line). The bus was half full, and we were stop 2 of 4 (OKW, SSR, POR & Ft. Wilderness). Because we were about half way back, I didn't get my usual & favorite welcoming shot of the WDW sign ... but oh well, I have many of those already.
We loved the carriage, so had to get a picture
I know that many photos of the Treehouses have been floating around since they opened last June, but Im going to share some here anyway. Our favorite parts? The faucets in the bathrooms & master tub! Oh wow I know that we could go out and purchase some like them at our local home improvement store for a pretty penny and may just do so in the future, but they are so very cool. ALL 7 of us were just marveling at them. Its the little things today, I guess.
Ive read many, many different posts from other people that the décor of the THVs just isnt there thing and thats cool by me. I personally really, really like them. They are such a cool throw-back, retro feel to the woodsy cabins that I grew up vacationing in throughout my youth. AND the best part, is that my very woodsy wife absolutely loves it is a huge, huge plus (she who wanted to work as a park ranger in Yosemite in her youth). We both are very enthralled with these treehouses.
We requested a water view and did get one, just not the one we wanted. Oh well. We got a pool view. As the lady at check-in said, it is filled with water. I was hoping for a river view to watch the boats pass by, but nothing was available. Oh well. Were just moments from the boat launch and the path over to the main part of Saratoga so in the end, its all good.
We experimented with Garden Grocer this trip, and overall it was a good experience. I will use them again. We grilled chicken tonight, had pasta & green salads, fruit and then after dinner some cupcakes in honor of my middle childs birthday last week (the grands wanted to celebrate with him too!)
The biggest bummer of all actually turned out quite nice though. We forgot to bring a filter for our Brita water pitcher. I was so mad at myself. Both my wife and my stepdad will NOT drink Floridas tap water. I ordered one case of water and then planned to refill them with the filtered water from our pitcher. Garden Grocer doesnt carry them, and of course the Artists Palette doesnt either. My oldest and I walked all the way over to Goodings in Crossroads Village no dice. Oh well garden grocer will be delivering more water for us! But my son and I had a very enjoyable time together. The walk was invigorating.
After leaving Goodings and heading back towards DTD to go by Guest Relations and get our TIW card. We were both really enjoying how very, very light the crowd was. Ive been here several times in January in years gone by and always enjoy it my son has only been here in January once and didnt remember how light the crowds can be. Let me just say that he is so STOKED. Granted it will be busier over the weekend because of MLK Day, but wow, he cant wait to see the crowds in the parks while were here over the next week and a half. We took the boat back to SSR from DTD, and only he and I were on the boat and almost every other boat we passed only had one or two people on them.
After dinner we played games and just enjoyed sitting and talking after getting the kids to bed. So far day 1 very enjoyable. Even with the cooler than normal temperatures. Today was about 53 when we arrived. Not super warm but about 30 degrees warmer than home. It should be up into the mid-60s and low 70s in the next few days (at least it was stated as such in the weather report on the news tonight), but well see. Were not complaining at all. My DW cannot stand Floridas heat and humidity (so we dont come during the oppressive summer months), so this is definitely a nice treat/change for her!
Tomorrow is an MK day so well hopefully get some good photos there too. Ill try to post more after that.
We arrived today for a 10 night triple whammy split stay THV, AKV-Kidani, and VWL. Both the Treehouses and Wilderness Lodge are first stays for us - but then Kidani is too, even though AKV is not as we've previously stayed in Jambo House. For many DVCers it is certainly not your ideal trip with more than one resort change, and honestly not what we originally wanted to do, but were kind of excited about it after a few days of thinking it all through. (Originally we were only going to be in 2 resorts, but due to some scheduling changes with the various folks in our party and the relatively last minute nature of those changes this is what we ended up with for the last 2 nights of our trip but its an adventure, right?)
Our trip is kind of a family reunion of sorts. My family of 5 and my folks are here as well from Oregon. My brother (from Hawaii) was supposed to join us, but due to some very serious issues at work that developed in the past 2 weeks, he had to cancel out. We were all sad initially, but we totally understand the work issue. So 7 instead of 8 and the kids dont get to spend time with their uncle but other than that, were good with it.
So far in all of our travels to WDW we have flown (DW does not do well in the car beyond 5 hours, so the 14-15+ hr drive from Indy is not exactly her idea of fun, to say the least). So this morning we headed off to the airport for our 2 hr flight to Orlando. Full but relatively short flight and we are there gotta love it!
Our kids always love to sit up front on the shuttle over to the terminal in 8 years of trips, its definitely become tradition for them.
On to Magical Express - with only a 5 minute wait for the bus after checking in (a 2 min process as there was NO line). The bus was half full, and we were stop 2 of 4 (OKW, SSR, POR & Ft. Wilderness). Because we were about half way back, I didn't get my usual & favorite welcoming shot of the WDW sign ... but oh well, I have many of those already.
We loved the carriage, so had to get a picture
I know that many photos of the Treehouses have been floating around since they opened last June, but Im going to share some here anyway. Our favorite parts? The faucets in the bathrooms & master tub! Oh wow I know that we could go out and purchase some like them at our local home improvement store for a pretty penny and may just do so in the future, but they are so very cool. ALL 7 of us were just marveling at them. Its the little things today, I guess.
Ive read many, many different posts from other people that the décor of the THVs just isnt there thing and thats cool by me. I personally really, really like them. They are such a cool throw-back, retro feel to the woodsy cabins that I grew up vacationing in throughout my youth. AND the best part, is that my very woodsy wife absolutely loves it is a huge, huge plus (she who wanted to work as a park ranger in Yosemite in her youth). We both are very enthralled with these treehouses.
We requested a water view and did get one, just not the one we wanted. Oh well. We got a pool view. As the lady at check-in said, it is filled with water. I was hoping for a river view to watch the boats pass by, but nothing was available. Oh well. Were just moments from the boat launch and the path over to the main part of Saratoga so in the end, its all good.
We experimented with Garden Grocer this trip, and overall it was a good experience. I will use them again. We grilled chicken tonight, had pasta & green salads, fruit and then after dinner some cupcakes in honor of my middle childs birthday last week (the grands wanted to celebrate with him too!)
The biggest bummer of all actually turned out quite nice though. We forgot to bring a filter for our Brita water pitcher. I was so mad at myself. Both my wife and my stepdad will NOT drink Floridas tap water. I ordered one case of water and then planned to refill them with the filtered water from our pitcher. Garden Grocer doesnt carry them, and of course the Artists Palette doesnt either. My oldest and I walked all the way over to Goodings in Crossroads Village no dice. Oh well garden grocer will be delivering more water for us! But my son and I had a very enjoyable time together. The walk was invigorating.
After leaving Goodings and heading back towards DTD to go by Guest Relations and get our TIW card. We were both really enjoying how very, very light the crowd was. Ive been here several times in January in years gone by and always enjoy it my son has only been here in January once and didnt remember how light the crowds can be. Let me just say that he is so STOKED. Granted it will be busier over the weekend because of MLK Day, but wow, he cant wait to see the crowds in the parks while were here over the next week and a half. We took the boat back to SSR from DTD, and only he and I were on the boat and almost every other boat we passed only had one or two people on them.
After dinner we played games and just enjoyed sitting and talking after getting the kids to bed. So far day 1 very enjoyable. Even with the cooler than normal temperatures. Today was about 53 when we arrived. Not super warm but about 30 degrees warmer than home. It should be up into the mid-60s and low 70s in the next few days (at least it was stated as such in the weather report on the news tonight), but well see. Were not complaining at all. My DW cannot stand Floridas heat and humidity (so we dont come during the oppressive summer months), so this is definitely a nice treat/change for her!
Tomorrow is an MK day so well hopefully get some good photos there too. Ill try to post more after that.
subscribing
Awesome report!! 
