We love rack rate! Aug 1-17 More NEW pics 9/1!

[snappy]

Yes, that sushi at CG is what I have ordered the 4 times I have eaten there.
That is the restaurant I brought DD18 and her boyfriend for their WDW graduation dinner. It was amazing, we had the special ravoilli that was so good, and of course the desserts were to die for.

Aren't you going back to AKV towards the end of the trip in the villa? I would love to see some pictures taken with your DH's camera of the inside of the rooms of BOTH SSR and AKV so I can drool over them.

Have fun Elizabeth. Can't wait for your next installment!!!

 

[purplepeg]

Great safari pictures and I'm loving the live updates.

 

[Iluvthemouse]

I love this thread, your pix and your tales. Cant wait for more.

 

[bethbuchall]

You're quite welcome!
DH took them with the Olympus dSLR.

Tell your dh he is doing a great job with that camera and that I am very jealous!

 

[tmfranlk]

Tell your dh he is doing a great job with that camera and that I am very jealous!

I agree! They are looking great. Hope today is another great one. Keep those ponchos handy!

 

[DRaff]

We leave tomorrow, so I will be seeing you soon

Are you at the Port Orleans now? How exciting for you. I have only been to Disney once but we are planing to go again in April. I will be looking to hear about your trip. Have fun.

 

[tinknme]

Are you at the Port Orleans now? How exciting for you. I have only been to Disney once but we are planing to go again in April. I will be looking to hear about your trip. Have fun.

Not yet We leave late tomorrow & will be spending the 1st night at ASMo & then moving to POR on the 6th for the remainder of the trip!

I think I am packed & ready to go now

 

[DRaff]

Awesome pictures! You must have a wonderful camera or a photographer in the family. Thanks for posting them.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Thanks for reading along, everyone!

We went to MGM this morning for early entry. We didn't wait for a bus at all on the way out - the bus pulled in as we were walking up to the stop. The wait to come back at 11:30 AM was less than 5 minutes.

We got a FP for Toy Story, rode Star Tours and Great Movie Ride, traded pins. Toy Story is the coolest ride! We all loved it!

We went back to AKL about 11:30 and moved to SSR. Bell services came right up to help with our bags, and they got a taxi van for us. It was $20 for the cab (plus tip) but I think it was easier than trying to have the resort transfer the luggage.

Our room at SSR was ready when we checked in (around 12:45 PM) so that was great. The studio is nice - very clean. It is on the bottom floor, which I am not thrilled about, but we'll just have to deal with it. I had requested Grandstand, which we got, but I didn't think to request a floor.

Since this our first DVC stay I wasn't sure what to expect. I DID expect to have sheets for the pull-out couch. I called Housekeeping and the lady said there should be sheets in the closet, but the only things in the closet were one pillow and one blanket. There was basket of stuff outside the door, but she said that was for the room next to us. Anyway, a lady from Housekeeping came by and said we could take the sheets from the basket to use on the sofa. I had also requested a towel package, so another lady came by with that. We should be all set!

We have scoped out the resort a bit, got our mugs (DxDDP starts now!), found the bus stop. Dinner is at Flying Fish. I am not sure if we are going to try to go somewhere before dinner or not. I kind of think not.

Laurie, I have asked DH to take some pics of the rooms for you.

 

[KristineN]

Elizabeth...how long are you at SSR?

 

[tmfranlk]

DxDDP time! YEAH!! Can't wait to see all the food to come.

 

[MomofCKJ]

Oooh I love a live report! Love all your pictures and your reports on how long lines and buses are. I will be there in 17 days and it is my first August trip so I am kind of curious. Very much enjoying your report!

Allyson

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Elizabeth...how long are you at SSR?

A week. Which I think is going to be about 6 nights too many. Not loving this resort.

We left for dinner with PLENTY of time to spare. We were at the bus stop at 5:11 PM - ADR was for 6:25. We had decided to go to MGM and take the boat to Boardwalk. Buses for EVERY park came by. 4 AK, 2 Epcot, an MK, a DTD. We sat there for FORTY THREE minutes before the bus came. Then it had to make the other 4 stops within the resort. We got to MGM at 6:12. Then we had to wait for the boat. We didn't make it to Flying Fish until about 6:45.

I have to say our dinner was SPECTACULAR. They were very understanding, and it wasn't busy so we were seated immediately. Our server was Jacki, and I can not say enough good things about her. She really made it a wonderful evening for us!

After dinner we looked around the Boardwalk for a bit. We went back to MGM to get a bus to Saratoga. Luckily that wait was only 6 minutes.

Pics of dinner coming shortly. DH was appalled that I was taking photos of food in a signature restaurant. Hello? Cali Grill is signature and I took pics of the food in there! I got pics of all of the food despite his protests.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We started off with an amuse bouche from the chef. (For a complete explanation of this term, please see the dining reviews posted by our friends Mr. Disney and Mr. D'd K-Man.)

Champagne grapes for DS.

Vegetable gazpacho.

Bread.

Tomato and mozzarella salad.

Clam chowder.

Calamari.

Passion fruit sorbet (To cleanse the palate.)

Herb rubbed, oak grilled day boat Wahoo with pasta pearls.

Potato wrapped snapper.

Oak grilled Atlantic salmon.

My birthday cake!

Me, with DS and DH.

The cake is huge. The smallest one we could order was 10". Luckily it fits in our room fridge, so we can work on it over the next few days. That gives us something to do while we wait for the buses.

 

[purplepeg]

Too bad about the bus service. That does make things stressful. On the other hand the food looks great and glad to hear they were understanding.

 

[yellowfish78]

Potato wrapped snapper.

Looks delish!!!

 

[KristineN]

your cake looks fabulous!!

SSR isn't at the top of our list.....

have fun!!

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Pics of dinner coming shortly. DH was appalled that I was taking photos of food in a signature restaurant. Hello? Cali Grill is signature and I took pics of the food in there! I got pics of all of the food despite his protests.

That is why I love you!

 

[tinknme]

Your cake looks so good!

I hope the buses do not become a problem for you

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Too bad about the bus service. That does make things stressful. On the other hand the food looks great and glad to hear they were understanding.

They couldn't have been nicer. During the course of the meal we had 2 managers come by to talk with us. Really, really outstanding service. We will be returning to Flying Fish!

your cake looks fabulous!!

SSR isn't at the top of our list.....

have fun!!

Oh, it's at the top of my list! Would you like to know WHICH list it tops?

That is why I love you!

Thank you!
How are you feeling? I haven't had time to catch up on any of the other threads.

Your cake looks so good!

I hope the buses do not become a problem for you

The cake was awesome!
See you and the boys soon!!