catherinen
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2011
- Messages
- 48
We returned two weeks ago from our amazing first trip to WDW. First, thank you to everyone for the tips I picked up here before going - things would have been very different without them! ie thanks to being there in time for rope drop in the morning, then coming back after lunch to take a break, we encountered very few lines, and remained sane and rested! We also know about the Wishes Dessert Party and getting our ADRs done in good time!
DH and I and DDs 6 and 12 spent 16 nights at SSR, with DDP, through Virgin Holidays. It was supposed to be our one and only trip of a lifetime, but within about 20 minutes of checking in we knew we'd have to be back. It surpassed all expectations.
The resort was beautiful. Having done mainly beach holidays before we were a bit concerned we'd feel so exhausted on this holiday we'd need another as soon as we got back but this wasn't the case. SSR was so relaxing and we could easily have holidayed there and not done any parks! We were in the Paddock right next to the pool, which we'd use most afternoons after returning from an early morning in the park. The girls got involved in lots of crafts and games and, what with one lifeguard per about 10 people we felt they were in good hands while we read a book for an hour.
DDP was excellent for us. Particularly enoyed CRT, Hollywood Brown, Rainforest, Fulton's. We used snacks for things like ice creams and fruit to have for breakfast so apart from days at Universal, Seaworld and KSC spent virtually nothing on food.
Having been to DLP twice and feeling slightly underwhelmed by it, we were wowed by WDW. Of course the parks are out of this world and we spent a lot of time screaming and laughing our heads off and saying "again, again!". The CMs, from bus drivers, to Cinderella and friends, to waiting staff, were fantastic. Walking home tiredly from the bus stop one evening a bus driver called out to us to stop, whereupon she handed the girls rings because "the princesses looked like they needed these". They really were treated like royalty.
If I had to mention a low, it would be the driving. We did not find it easy! DH drove but I didn't get behind the wheel. We arrived in a thunderstorm, and even with the satnav, getting the short distance to the hotel was very scary! What's with all the undertaking, and the exiting the motorway both on the right and the left, and all the mad traffic lights above your head?? And when the satnav told us to take the "ramp" we were bemused! Oh, and our journey to KSC took 3 HOURS due a catastrophe with the satnav. We thought we'd asked to go to KSC, but having scrolled through the address found it had assumed we wanted "Kennedy Space Center Federal Cube". Huh? I have no idea what that it, but it was about 1 hour due north of Orlando. Anyway, having spent a fortune switching roaming on on my phone we found the address and were on our way...
We were so sad to have to come away! We don't have the pennies for next year, and having stayed onsite I know it's definitely for us and would like to do it that way again. So maybe 2014?! Let's hope the free dining offer continues!
Catherine
DH and I and DDs 6 and 12 spent 16 nights at SSR, with DDP, through Virgin Holidays. It was supposed to be our one and only trip of a lifetime, but within about 20 minutes of checking in we knew we'd have to be back. It surpassed all expectations.
The resort was beautiful. Having done mainly beach holidays before we were a bit concerned we'd feel so exhausted on this holiday we'd need another as soon as we got back but this wasn't the case. SSR was so relaxing and we could easily have holidayed there and not done any parks! We were in the Paddock right next to the pool, which we'd use most afternoons after returning from an early morning in the park. The girls got involved in lots of crafts and games and, what with one lifeguard per about 10 people we felt they were in good hands while we read a book for an hour.
DDP was excellent for us. Particularly enoyed CRT, Hollywood Brown, Rainforest, Fulton's. We used snacks for things like ice creams and fruit to have for breakfast so apart from days at Universal, Seaworld and KSC spent virtually nothing on food.
Having been to DLP twice and feeling slightly underwhelmed by it, we were wowed by WDW. Of course the parks are out of this world and we spent a lot of time screaming and laughing our heads off and saying "again, again!". The CMs, from bus drivers, to Cinderella and friends, to waiting staff, were fantastic. Walking home tiredly from the bus stop one evening a bus driver called out to us to stop, whereupon she handed the girls rings because "the princesses looked like they needed these". They really were treated like royalty.
If I had to mention a low, it would be the driving. We did not find it easy! DH drove but I didn't get behind the wheel. We arrived in a thunderstorm, and even with the satnav, getting the short distance to the hotel was very scary! What's with all the undertaking, and the exiting the motorway both on the right and the left, and all the mad traffic lights above your head?? And when the satnav told us to take the "ramp" we were bemused! Oh, and our journey to KSC took 3 HOURS due a catastrophe with the satnav. We thought we'd asked to go to KSC, but having scrolled through the address found it had assumed we wanted "Kennedy Space Center Federal Cube". Huh? I have no idea what that it, but it was about 1 hour due north of Orlando. Anyway, having spent a fortune switching roaming on on my phone we found the address and were on our way...
We were so sad to have to come away! We don't have the pennies for next year, and having stayed onsite I know it's definitely for us and would like to do it that way again. So maybe 2014?! Let's hope the free dining offer continues!
Catherine
