We're HERE!

[DMKEDM]

A bit of a rocky start...but the magic kicked in after a few glitches...

ME was easy and friendly and wonderful...but they lost one of our suitcases...but once they figured out they lost it, they pulled out all the stops to find it...and did...and it got here while we were at dinner...no complaints at all...in fact, mega-kudos to them...turns out they'd delivered it to a "wrong" resort...when they figured that out, they immediately dispatched someone to go get it, and called me at regular intervals, worried that I might need something in it and that they weren't moving fast enough for me...I was so impressed I walked over to the Bell stand to leave a big tip for the VERY nice guy who made such an effort to fix a mistake. True Disney magic at work...

Check-in was also smooth, albeit unsettling...the CM who checked me in has a sense of humor that didn't penetrate my tired brain...she kept making comments meant to be jokes (e.g., why did my college son, who arrived 4 hours after I did, have his ID instead of me having it? I sort of goggled at that one, but it quickly became apparent she was teasing...I just didn't get it...several such attempts at humor that I didn't get...not a problem, just a little weird...

Then, when son & his girlfriend arrived, hungry, we called the Turf Club to see if we could move up our dining reservation by an hour...they said sure, come on over...we got there (we're in Congress Park, so a bit of a trek) and there was no table...we waited a good 30-40 minutes...but after that, the CM who'd told us to come on over felt so bad that she pulled out all the stops being nice to us...once again, Disney magic in the extreme...

SSR is beautiful...our room is lovely...we've got one of the worst views we've ever had (but we don't really care much about view, so it doesn't matter...I was asked if I had a preference, and I asked for "close to DTD" and I got that...didn't ask for any particular view...

The resort itself is gorgeous...we love it...haven't really had a chance to experience what it's like to be in the DTD area, tho...we just got here and all 3 of us are really tired...so we'll find that out tomorrow...we're going to Epcot tomorrow...

All in all, I'm seriously, totally happy...my son is here and I haven't seen him in 3 months...his new girlfriend is a sweetheart...good company and it's great having her here...SSR presented us w/a bunch of little glitches, but fixed them all, very quickly and nicely...

It's so GOOD to be here~

Happy T-giving!

PS: Construction is quite visibly progressing in the new section...at least 3 buildings "look" complete (from the outside)...you can see where the new pool will be...but it's not in yet...no landscaping yet, either...but it doesn't at all get in the way of the finished parts of the resort...

Hurray for WDW~~~

 

[nhdisnut]

Good for you! Hope you have a wonderful time!!

Do you have the ability to post pictures from your computer? I've been looking all over for pics of SSR decorated for X-mas, but can't find any. I'm probably going to take tons when we are there in a month, but I would love a sneak preview! If you can't that's ok too....

Enjoy!!!

 

[jekjones1558]

Can't think of anyone who more deserves a wonderful trip. Enjoy!

 

[DMKEDM]

Hi, again...it's two hours (or so) later, but I'm still too excited/wound up to sleep...it's just so wonderful to sit across the table and just look at my son (who's finishing his last pre-Thanksgiving homework assignment; he'll email it to his prof in just a bit)...

So here I am back on the Dis (did I tell you-all I stopped at Home Depot to get the lime green mickeys? I did...but now I can't fine them! They're in a pocket or pouch somewhere! I know they're with me...I'll find 'em, yes I will!)...

First...SSR is not yet decorated for Christmas...there are a few Christmas items up in Artists Palette, but no "real deocrations"...the CM said deocrating is scheduled for tomorrow (Wed) night, but she says schedules have been slipping lately, so it may be Thursday before it's done...we haven't been anywhere else yet, but on the ME ride in, we stopped at OKW first and they weren't decorated either...

I can take digital pix, but don't know how to download them or get them onto the Dis website...but my son and/or his girlfriend can probably help w/that...if I can figure out how to do it, I will

Thanks for the good wishes...life is good...hope everyone has a grand Thanksgiving...we've already started one of our best ones!

 

[LVSWL]

Have a wonderful trip! Cherish every minute!

 

[jade1]

Nice to read you made it and having a good time.

 

[corinnak]

Glad to hear you made it safely and that you are enjoying the start of your time at SSR. Will you keep posting to this thread or should I keep an eye out for new ones?

Have a wonderful time!

 

[DMKEDM]

Happy Wed morning, everyone...

It's 8:30 a.m.; my two college kids are sound asleep (and given how exhausted they were when they arrived yesterday, they may sleep til tomorrow!)...I'm just in from a stroll all around the property (SSR)...found the walking paths to DTD on both ends of SSR...it IS cold (altho coming from the north (DC area), it's not at all off-putting ... it's around 45 degrees or so right now...and we're supposed to keep warming up each day til we leave Monday...

I have one suggestion for SSR (will figure out how to convey it later)...some of us (me!!!) are clueless about directions...I can't read a map (I was born w/out a geography/direction gene!) and it's very easy for me to wander helplessly...but I'm extremely good at following arrows/signs...of which there are precious few (altho there are lots of maps, which are no more useful than pretty pictures to me) in the "main area" (pool/check-in/restaurants, etc)...once you get into the Villas areas, the signs are better...but there are no numbers (that I've found yet anyway) on the buildings...I shall suggest to "the powers that be" that they add a few more numbers/signs for the "directionally challenged" such as me...I'm a walker and love wandering/gawking/enjoying the views/ambiance...but it's a disconcerting feeling to be in the midst of buildings and walkways and green space and have no clue which way to go!

But that's not a complaint...once I find my way (and I have now), I'm fine...

We still have to convert our AP vouchers into park admission tix, and buy a Park Hopper for S's girlfriend...can't do that w/out them and who knows when they'll awaken? I'm thinking I may hop a bus and head to a park (I'm contemplating MK, as the 3 of us are going to Epcot this afternoon (we have ADRs at Le Cellier)...I'll at least get my park ticket and we'll figure out the kids' stuff later...or, maybe I'll make my way over to the All Stars...my brother & nephew are due to check in there in about an hour...I may go over there to meet them...

We ate at SSR's Turf Club last night and it was really good food...and it's SO nice to have the kitchenette to bring the leftovers back to...S, who was finishing his last pre-T-giving paper last night, had his second dinner from our leftovers at midnight last night...ribs, steak & pasta!

The studio we're in seems smaller to me than the room we had at the Beach Club last year or the Yacht Club 6 months ago (actually, I think that's visa versa)...but maybe it's because the people in it are bigger (last time I had a friend of my S's w/us they were only 15...)...or maybe it's "configuration"...there's considerably less in the way of dresser/drawer space in the DVC studio (this one, anyway)...and the pull-out sofa bed (which Mary, S's GF, is sleeping on, and reports as "very comfortable") seems to take up more room than the second bed in the Inns...next trip there are four of us going (2 mom's and 2 19-year-old sons) and we have a one-bedroom (at BWV)...I have a feeling a studio will never make my "I want it" list again after the one-bedroom! But we'll see...that trip is in Jan...

Well, about 18 hours into our SSR/first DVC trip, I can say I love SSR and I love my S for persuading me to buy us a DVC m'ship! When (if?) my S awakens, I'll ask him about posting pix...and I'll check back in here off & on throughout the trip, I'm sure (all 3 of us are addicted to our laptops...so I'm sure we'll be online in the mornings and evenings, at least)...

Oh, I forgot the most important update: Christmas decorations are going up! CMs are all over both DTD and SSR putting up decorations...can't wait to see it all "dressed up"!! But it's in the early stages just now...can't really tell how it will look when they're done...

I'm off ... not sure where I'm going but wherever I wind up, I'm certain I'll love it!

Happy Wed!

 

[starbox]

Thanks for the live updates!

I agree with you about the need for more signs around the paths at SSR. After the first walk it gets sorted out, but small signs would be nice.

If you enjoy walking and are up before the rest of the family advice in the morning is walk to DTD and enjoy a warm muffin at Earl of Sandwich by yourself. It's a nice quiet time.

I'll pm you my email address and if you would like, I'd be happy to post your photos to this thread for you.

 

[Parkhopper13]

I love your regular updates...I feel like I'm on vaca too.

I agree with you on the signs. SSR is sprawling, and any help getting around would be great!!!

 

[jakenjess]

Thanks! I love reading the live reports! I'll be looking forward to seeing your pictures.

Have a wonderful trip and Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[RachelTori]

It's so nice to see you posting from a Happy Place!!! Have a wonderful vacation with your son and his GF. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[NARM Forever]

You sound like you're having a wonderful time, it lovely that you can share it with us. It takes me one step closer to being at WDW - sigh. Have a lovely time at Le Cellier and a fabulous Thanksgiving. I'm out on a 'date' with my DH tonight, so I'll raise a glass to you.

Looking forward to seeing the pictures.

Bev

 

[Snoopygirl]

I love reading your reports.....makes me feel like I am there!! Have a fun day and a wonderful Thanksgiving. Hope you can figure out how to post pics so we can see!!!

 

[LIFERBABE]

Have a great first trip home! Thanks for the reports!

I love walking around SSR and DTD early in the morning. It is so pretty and quiet.

Cant wait till next month!

 

[mufasa0505]

I'm glad you're enjoying your trip so far! You certainly deserve it.

 

[DMKEDM]

Greetings from an extremely tired but even happier Dis-er on her first DVC trip!

Haven't "commando toured" like today in years...but S's GF, on her very first ever trip to WDW, is just wide-eyed w/the wonder of it all (and it's SO MUCH FUN!) that we've just kept going and going and going all day...they're still out (at DTD), but I had to drag my old bones back before I melted into the sidewalk from exhaustion!

I got up and started the day's walking around at 7 this morning...it's 10:15 p.m. now...I guess I'm entitled to some fatigue...the kids didn't get themselves up and moving til noon, so they are five hours fresher than I am! Besides, they're only 19...I'm 54...those years do make a difference~

We had such a great and grand and magical day...we went to Epcot...got there at noon and the GF soon discovered the reality of starting early on days like T-giving week! It wasn't all that crowded when we arrived...by the time we got out of our 12:45 Le Cellier lunch (oh wow was it GOOD!) it was wall-to-wall people, long waits and "sold-out" fast passes...both S & GF are now convinced we have to be at Magic Kingdom tomorrow morning right when it opens!

The new Nemo ride at Living Seas is very good...it's "calm" but the special effects are amazing...we really enjoyed it...didn't get on Soarin' (2-hour waits and no more fast passes)...but did get to ride Mission Space & Test Track...mostly, tho, we walked -- we circumnavigated Epcot at least twice (both Future World & International Showcase)...SO much to see and seeing all our favorite spots thru the eyes of someone seeing it for the first time ever made it so special...as always, I loved-loved-loved "my" dancing fountain and the lit archway to the Christmas tree at the "head" of the International Showcase...that has to be the most magical spot on the face of the earth!

Most of the Christmas decorations are up and it's just awesome...

It was cool, but very sunny and beautiful...a very comfortable day, weather-wise, for all that touring...around 6 we walked over to Boardwalk/Beach Club/Yacht Club (SSR is giving Beach Club a run for its money as our favorite...but we will always have a soft spot for the Beach Club, no matter how much we come to love SSR)...and had fun showing GF its "wonders"...then caught a Disney bus to DTD for more wondrous sights and sounds and ambience...the kids are still out...I, however, am ready to "die" so came on back (it's an easy, short and very pleasant walk from DTD Marketplace to our studio in the 1700 building of Congress Park)...

Tomorrow morning is MK...then S, GF & nephew (13) and I will swim at SSR's very cool pool while my brother drives to the airport to pick up our father...we'll meet them back at ASMu (where brother, nephew & father are staying)...then T-giving dinner at Shula's at the Dolphin...after that not sure who will do what...we'd like to get over to MGM to see Fantasmic, but we won't "desert" Daddy/Grandpa so that may not happen...my father will not want to go to any of the parks...he's leaving Fri a.m. to drive to his winter home about an hour south of WDW...my brother drove his car down here for him (he'll drive a rental car back to Chgo)...

So, it's a "semi-magical gathering" of our clan (altho another brother & my sister aren't here, so it isn't all of us...but it's more of us than is usual for T-giving, and thus very special for me)...

All in all I can't remember ever being happier (or tireder!)..

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Hi Dani!!!

So happy to see this thread and know you've made it WDW safely and having a great time. Keep us posted.

 

[momrek06]

Oh..wow..awesome..I didn't want to stop reading. Thank you so much! And if you are not too tired tomorrow night, please let us know how your Thanksgiving Day was at the WORLD!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING....awaiting more!!!

 

[LisaS]

Happy Thanksgiving, Dani!! I'm so glad your trip is going so well. Have a wonderful time with your family!