We're HERE!

[KarenB]

Have a wonderful time! We were there this time last year and had a great trip. Our DSs marched down Main Street with their high school band. Enjoy your stay!
Karen

 

[jade1]

I will swim at SSR's very cool pool!

Thanks for the update, do you mean cool as in temp?

 

[byoung]

Great reports.

 

[tksbaskets]

thanks for sharing. Have a happy Thanksgiving with most of your family.

Teresa

 

[jakenjess]

Sounds like a wonderful day. Thanks for sharing! Have a fantastic Thanksgiving!

 

[DMKEDM]

My blessings and feelings of thankfulness are at the forefront of my thoughts this morning...it's wonderful to wake up refreshed (and only sore enough that a short walk up to the Carriage House worked out all the overnight kinks)...and it's beyond wonderful to wake up at WDW w/my S here, and other family on the property, and still 3 days left before we leave!

The kids (both 19) are just now stirring...S wanted to be at the rope line at MK this morning, and is cranky that he slept past getting there for that...but he'll get over that...and he's certainly not showing any signs of wanting to hurry! I keep telling him that the park will be awesome even if we don't make the rope line! (He knows it...it's just early morning "stuff")...

As of last night we were going to Magic Kingdom this morning...now S is saying we'll instead go to Animal Kingdom...we'll see...we're big on making plans and then changing them on the spur of the moment...at WDW that's half the fun!

Oh...in answer to the previous question...the water in all the pools, including the very cool High Rock Pool, is bathwater warm...delightful! It's the outside air that's cool! Today we'll have a high of 75 (if the weather moguls are correct)....but lows remain in the mid to high 40s...so outside air early in the morning or late at night is crisp w/a sweatshirt on, downright frigid in a bathing suit!

I'm busy being grateful that we don't have Mousekeeping on a daily basis (altho we need it...college kids (at least mine) are NOT neat & clean people!)...I'd be embarrassed to let Mousekeeping in to the collossal mess these two have made...but it'll only take 5 minutes to pick up/hang up/fold up and then all will be fine...

Wandered up to the Carriage House to see the SSR decorations...either they're not finished yet, or they're not as wonderful as they are at other WDW resorts...what there are are beautiful...I really like the color and decorative touch choices...lots of red & green (as compared to Beach Club's blues & golds), candy-cane stripes...very pretty...but not a lot of it...a beautiful tree in the lobby and some lovely swags over the CM stations...another couple of smaller trees in the lounge area on the way in to Artist's Pointe...nothing at all in the dining area of Artists' Pointe...some wreaths here & there in the pool/spa area...but nothing on the light poles or buildings leading into the villas (Community Hall, laundry, etc)...and nothing at all in the Villas areas or quiet pool areas...they may be just not yet finished...but it's considerably less in the way of decorations than at any of the other resors we've stayed at (Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, Port Orleans, All Stars, Coronado Springs)...but the decorations that are up are really, really pretty...

Well, I think it's time I get "firm" w/my kids...my S will get & stay cranky for an hour or more if he misses the Animal Kingdom rope line, and we now have just about exactly enough time to get him dressed and get out to the bus...

Hope you-all have a wonderful day w/your families and feasts...I'm SO glad I'm where I am, w/the people I'm with...another magical day awaits! I'll check in again tonight, I'm sure (oh, by the way: I found my lime green Mickey (paint samples) "badge"...wore it all day yesterday but didn't run into another DIS-er...maybe today?)...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Dani

 

[jade1]

Good to hear. Happy Turkey Day!

 

[Lexxiefern]

Have a wonderful time!! I am really enjoying reading your reports. Its getting me excited about my weekend trip next week!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Thanks so much for your day by day reports. Reading this is fantastic. We arrive at SSR next saturday and you have made me even more excited (if that's possible. LoL)

 

[DMKEDM]

It's been another magical day here at WDW...we went to Animal Kingdom this morning, where the poltergeists were reigning supreme, and Disney was pulling out all its pixie dust and "disney-ness" to compensate...we got there as the park opened, and of course made a beeline to Expedition Everest...which was "broken" (they were running empty cars on the track; something was clearly wrong, altho we never found out what)...the line was humongous...even the fast pass booth had a 20-minute line!...we sent S to get fast passes while I held down a place in the standby line...20 minutes later S came back w/the report that the fast pass machines were also broken...they were just spitting out fast passes nonstop and couldn't be stopped...so the CMs were giving people however many fast passes they requested, w/out swiping park tix...so we got 6 (enough for the 3 of us to ride twice, altho it turned out we used 2 of the 6 for my bro and nephew, who arrived about an hour later)...then we headed to Dinosaur, where we used our park tix to get fast passes...and that ride, too, was closed (and again, we didn't find out why)...so we stopped at the rest room and prepared to move on when all of a sudden the ride opened again...so we were essentially first in the standby line...and then rode it again on our fast passes...awesome!

All throughout Animal Kingdom fast pass expiration times were suspended...you couldn't go on a ride til your fast pass time arrived, but the fast pass would not expire til the park closed...it was pretty cool...

Everyone--CMs and guests--was in such a good mood...none of the glitches caused any visible or audible crankiness anywhere...and Disney was really being great about trying to make up for the glitches...it was a great day at that park!

Around 2 we came back to SSR to swim and rest...my bro drove to the airport to pick up my dad, and we entertained my nephew during that time...we met up again at our dinner reservation at Shula's at the Dolphin...the Dolphin is so NOT Disney...they've changed their Christmas decorations...the big lobby tree is now gold & pink & green--very pretty...I'd asked if they would be serving traditional T-giving food when I made our reservations, and even checked their menu out online...but when we arrived they told us there was no turkey; nothing but their usual steak (which was excellent) and that it was our fault for reserving thru Disney instead of calling them directly...they knew (the waiter told us) they wouldn't be serving a T-giving dinner, even tho Disney didn't...

I was pretty disappointed...but the rest of our party really liked the steaks and told me not to worry about it (I felt responsible, as i was the one who'd made the reservations)...Shula's could have cared less...didn't bother them a bit that I was disappointed and that my family was having to try to cheer me up...so not Disney!

Anyway, it was a good meal, even if it wasn't a T-giving meal...and none of us wanted to spoil the magic of being together by getting too cranky over the disappointment in the menu...we finished (at our leisure) and then the All Star Music "contingent" (my dad, bro & nephew) headed back for early sleep while my college kids determined that if they scooted fast they could get to MGM in time for the 8:30 Fantasmic performance...so off they went...

I thought I'd probably crash too, but I got a second wind, so took the walkway over to MGM and to my surprise, arrived in good time to see Fantasmic...and w/the modern miracle of cell phones, even found S and his GF so we could all sit together...Fantasmic is just fantastic--even after seeing it 10 times (or so), as I have...but watching the GF, seeing it (and MGM and Disney itself) for the very first time was just awesome...words can't describe it...it was very cool.

Then, to top off a lovely day, despite the glitches, on the way back to SSR the kids reminded me that I could get some pumpkin pie at Artists' Palette, where they'd be serving T-giving dinner til 11...so I stopped there and not only did I get the pumpkin pie, I got turkey & stuffing & cranberry sauce, too...so, I ate too much, but I got my turkey and it was a wonderful "capstone" to a lovely lovely day...

The kids are now off playing at DTD and I shall crash as soon as I finish this post...tomorrow we're going to Magic Kingdom (or maybe MGM)...we have Alferdo's/Italy/Epcot at 1 and Cirque Du Soleil tix at 5...I'll start the day w/b'faswt w/my dad before he heads to his winter home, about 50 miles south of here...

I'm so loving this trip...I love SSR, I love S's GF, I love having my brother, nephew & dad here...and I love-love-love having a few days w/my son...I've so much to be thankful for...I'm so very lucky...

Hope you-all had a great day, too...let me know if you're bored w/my "mental meanderings"...I'll stop if I'm boring you, I promise!

 

[wltdsnyfan]

Thank's for posting. I am enjoying your reports! Glad you had a great day.

 

[cocoswife]

I am really enjoying your trip report and DMKEDM .. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 

[jade1]

altho it turned out we used 2 of the 6 for my bro and nephew, who arrived about an hour later)...

we met up again at our dinner reservation at Shula's at the Dolphin...

we have Alferdo's/Italy/Epcot at 1 and Cirque Du Soleil tix at 5.

Great update. So did you all like EE then?

Shula's and Cirq? 2 things we hope/dream to do one day.

 

[RachelTori]

I'm so loving this trip...I love SSR, I love S's GF, I love having my brother, nephew & dad here...and I love-love-love having a few days w/my son...I've so much to be thankful for...I'm so very lucky...

Hope you-all had a great day, too...let me know if you're bored w/my "mental meanderings"...I'll stop if I'm boring you, I promise!

Hi, Dani! No one's bored, believe me!!! We are all loving your report and thrilled for you that you are having such a wonderful trip!! You and your loved ones at the Happiest Place on Earth -- what could be better?!!

Thanks for sharing your joy with us.

 

[corinnak]

I, too, am loving your trip. Don't worry that we're bored over here!

Is this the first time you have met your son's GF? It is so nice that you are including her and enjoying her response to WDW so much.

Hooray! Artist's Palette saves the day! I am glad you got your thanksgiving meal - even if you ate too much. That's what people do on Thanksgiving! Glad you had a good one.

 

[DMKEDM]

Hi, everyone...sorry I didn't check in yesterday...it was a complicated (but happy) day...and today's a little zooey, too...so I'm going to save the updates for later (perhaps tomorrow)...

Just wanted you to know we're still having a wonderful time, altho we're in the wind-down phase now...my dad left yesterday; my brother & nephew are leaving in an hour (which is why this report will be short on details..but I'll make up for it tomorrow)...my S and his GF (and yes, she's a new love interest...they've been dating for about 2 months now and it is the first time I'm meeting her...I like her very much!) leave tomorrow morning...I have all day Sunday here at the World on my own (altho my dad is talking about driving up to meet me for dinner...another complication)...

Remind me not to allow the fun of today to be tarnished by the thought of the kids leaving tomorrow and me leaving before dawn Monday~ I do believe I could stay here forever (maybe I ought to buy a lottery ticket? We know I won't win it unless I play it!--grin)

Anyway...life is good; we're all happy and I'll fill you in on all the details tomorrow...happy day...

 

[Erie Islands]

Then, to top off a lovely day, despite the glitches, on the way back to SSR the kids reminded me that I could get some pumpkin pie at Artists' Palette, where they'd be serving T-giving dinner til 11...so I stopped there and not only did I get the pumpkin pie, I got turkey & stuffing & cranberry sauce, too...so, I ate too much, but I got my turkey and it was a wonderful "capstone" to a lovely lovely day.

I love that part! I actually let out a sigh of relief...steak just doesn't quite cut it on Thanksgiving.

 

[disney-super-mom]

I just started reading this thread today, and it's TERRIFIC! Believe me, you're not boring anyone!

DH and I will be there in January (we're also staying at SSR), and reading about your wonderful family Thanksgiving at WDW and SSR is making me even more excited.

We weren't planning on seeing Fantasmic while we're there (we've only seen it at DL), but after reading your report about how awesome it is, maybe we should include it in our plans.

DH and I have never been to WDW either, so we'll probably be a lot like your DS's girlfriend - lots of Oooooohhhhing and Awwwwwwwwing and Wowwwwwwwing! If we love it and feel the long flight to Florida is worth it, then we'll drag our little ones (DS 7 and DS 3) with us to WDW sometime next year too.

You mentioned you have a bad view from your room. What is your view of?

Well, it sounds like you're having a very special time with your family, your son and his new girlfriend! Awesome!

 

[DMKEDM]

Hi, everyone:

Back from another long and happy day...all of me is happy except my feet; my feet are very unhappy! But they're feeling better now that they are freed from the leather walking shoes and encased in my "magic slippers" (temperapedic, from Brookstone...a little "ad" here...they really are "magic slippers!")...

Both yesterday and today were great...seems like almost every plan we made went south--we wound up in different places at different times and therefore the fine folk at Disney Dining probably know my voice by now! We've made SO many changes! But they're just as nice as they can be...you won't be surprised to hear that during T-giving week getting new reservations on the day of or day before is not easy...but we've been unbelieveably lucky...had Alfredo's (originally planned more than month ago) for lunch yesterday (all the food has been wonderful...I'm coming back, despite 12-hours days of walking, about 10,000 pounds heavier, I'm sure!)...then we got in at the last-minute at Spoodles; changed that yet later in the day and wound up w/another last-minute table at Turf Club (SSR's restaurant)...today, we planned on San Angel, wound up at MK rather than at Epcot, so changed that to Chefs de France (at 8:50 no less, so we can eat and watch Illuminations....how's that for a miracle)...we're leaving for there in about 30 minutes...

We did MGM this morning, and it was great fun...the kids got there for rope drop (I was at the Dolphin sorting out a rental car situation w/my brother--happy to report it all went smooth as silk)...I met the kids at MGM at 9 and we rode Rock 'n Roller Coaster, Star Tours, saw the Muppet 3D show, and Great Movie Ride...decided against Tower of Terror (S's GF has a stomach that dislikes drops...ToT is NOT the ride of choice for her!)...then we decided to bus to the Contemporary, where we got lucky w/lunch reservations at the Concourse Steakhouse...then we monorailed over to MK...stayed late enough to watch the Chrismas lights come on and the castle light up...didn't do too many rides...the lines were hellacious (except, of course, during the parade...but the parade was on GF's "must" list)...we did Philharmagic, tho (I LOVE Philharmagic!)...and the Tomorrowland Transit ride (calm, but a great way to see Tomorrowland, especially when you have feet complaining at you for the abuse you're heaping on them!)...also Swiss Family Robinson treehouse...and we looked at everything...

Now, we're getting ready to head to Epcot/Chefs de France/Illuminations...after that, I'll "die"...the kids will head over to DTD to do their souvenir shopping...GF leaves tomorrow at 5 a.m.; S leaves at 7...I have a day here on my own...my dad will drive up from his place an hour south of here for a meal...probably a late lunch...I think I'll resort hop in the morning...I want to see the decorations at GF, Poly & WL for sure...

It's been an idyllic, wonderful, memory-making 5 days...I feel so blessed and so lucky...AND we're coming back (w/family friends, to the BWV) in January...w/Christmas in between...I am indeed a fortunate woman (despite my screaming feet!)...

Thanks for being my cyber-friends and sharing this wonderul interlude w/me...I wish you all trips as magical and memory-making as this one has been!

 

[mmmcq]

Wow, Dani....somehow in my whirlwind of work and planning for my own trip I missed the fact that you actually had a trip planned. I'm thrilled it all went so well for you and think we likely crossed paths a few times this past week.

Thank goodness for pixie dust and that you had so many happy memories of this trip. They are well deserved. Enjoy your last hours at WDW.....