Will You Chill Out if I Sprinkle You With Pixie Dust? The End p136 *New TR Link* p138

[MEK]

"See you later suckers."

I didn't make anymore train jokes after I found out how delayed they were. I started feeling really bad for them. After their experience I have absolutely no desire to take the train...ever....!

Glad yall had a nice free stay before you entered the Disney bubble!

Nothing beats free. I'm glad we booked there despite the location being slightly inconvenient and not very Disney like.

Oh man... if I saw that sign "you never know what you'll see" I think I'd freak out at the sight of the bat. Oh no.

I tried hard not to take that sign too seriously or I would be freaking out too. Although I can tell you that a few years ago I actually did see a red fox along the water at SSR. I was on one of the boats. That was a bit freaky!

The Treehouse Villas definitely look rustic from the outside, but they look really cool too! Can't wait to see the inside!

The inside is really cool. Pictures will never do it justice. I'm really glad we stayed there because the layout worked well for our group.

Sounds like y'all were off to a great start to the trip!

I was so excited to start the trip. Getting to SSR made me giddy, especially when I saw that balloon overhead.

I can't blame you for choosing the free hotel room for that one night. We have stayed right off of I Drive a couple of times & the traffic can get quite thick.

No regrets on that. It worked out well because we had plenty of time to get to SSR and we didn't have park plans until the evening!

I love all of your pictures of the treehouses & the rest of SSR. It really does look relaxing!

Thanks. It really is a pretty resort. I took a lot more pictures later in the week. I think it is a good resort even if you aren't going into the parks. I could see in the cool weather taking a nice long work every morning around the property.

Can't wait to see when your brother & his family finally got there.

All I can say is

 

[Tinker_Tam]

Those Treehouses look like they would be a lot of fun! Almost upscale camping! I have to admit though, I am not much of an outdoor-sy type.

Hope you family was too delayed.

 

[Pinkocto]

I always feel a bit in the weird side when I go in a gas station or grocery store that sells alcohol, somehow it feels wrong.... I'm just do not used to it I guess.

Love all the exterior shots and surrounding area of the THVs. Can't wait to see the inside.

I hope your nephews were ok on the train, and everybody wasn't cranky from their not so great ride.

 

[ireneryan]

You're great at this! I'm dying to know what happens next!!!

 

[Tink rules]

I haven't stayed off property since the late '80's... don't know if I could be that close to the bubble and not go in...

besides.. I think that being on property and inside the bubble gives you much more magic to your trip. But I have some friends who would never stay there... and they are happy... oh well..

 

[annmarieda]

Love the free hotel!

I also love the pics of the tree house and can't wait to see inside. I imagine having the car was a must staying there though... a bus ride to the main bus stop..to go to the parks? I could see where that could end up problematic.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Oh, I'm not even attempting that plane/train math. You definitely picked the better form of travel though, in my opinion!

Glad that your free hotel worked out well!!! It doesn't look bad at all!

The Treehouse Villas really do look woodsy, but really cool too! I hope your brother didn't take too long to arrive!

 

[dawnbu40]

for arriving at WDW!

I love SSR and the treehouses look so cool! Can't wait for pics of the inside!

 

[natebenma]

Love, love, love your trip report!!! You had me at "math problem" (of course, I'm not even attempting an answer- it's summer vacation ). I'm hoping Cynthia will show up with a spreadsheet that solves the problem.

Your comment about the beer at Walgreens cracked me up. When I moved into Massachusetts, I learned that you could only purchase beer and wine at "packies", not convenience stores like Store 24 or 7-11. Um, define "convenience store" please!

SSR is so pretty and the treehouses look amazing!

 

[jenseib]

How exciting to be staying at the treehouses.

Do you check in right at SSR for that? Did you use the bus system or did you drive to the parks. I had heard many didn't like the bus system there.

 

[teekathepony]

... Mary Ellen, what are you trying to do to me, opening a Disney post with a MATH question!? I almost stopped reading!!
At least your one night outside the bubble didn't seem too bad, and free is always good! And you got into the bubble nice and early the next day.
Re: your family on the train -- yikes! So long on the train already and then delayed? Ouch.
Those treehouses are so gorgeous! I'm in love! It would seriously remind me of home, surrounded by all the trees and the pretty pathways! Its a lovely looking area!

 

[MEK]

Those Treehouses look like they would be a lot of fun! Almost upscale camping! I have to admit though, I am not much of an outdoor-sy type.

The treehouses were pretty darn cool and the layout worked perfectly for our group. They do look a bit rustic from the outside, I will admit. But the inside is lovely. I really think they would be most perfect in cooler weather. I'm very glad we got to stay there before the raised the points plus I don't think I'll ever travel with a group that big again to warrant a treehouse.

Hope you family was too delayed.

Let me just say, I am fairly certain I never want to take the auto train.

I always feel a bit in the weird side when I go in a gas station or grocery store that sells alcohol, somehow it feels wrong.... I'm just do not used to it I guess.

I know what you mean. To me it just feels, well, too easy. Getting alcohol always seems like work here in Delaware. I mean, you have to go to a special store that's actually open. For a long time they were actually all closed on Sunday and people would drive to Maryland.

Love all the exterior shots and surrounding area of the THVs. Can't wait to see the inside.

Next update, although I will admit that my pictures are not all that great.

I hope your nephews were ok on the train, and everybody wasn't cranky from their not so great ride.

Well, that remains to be seen, doesn't it?

You're great at this! I'm dying to know what happens next!!!

Well, thanks. That's a nice compliment because sometimes I feel like my TRs are boring...picture, picture, picture, a few words and 20 more pictures.

I haven't stayed off property since the late '80's... don't know if I could be that close to the bubble and not go in...

My very first trip was off property and I was definitely very satisfied with it. That was, until I stayed on property during my second trip. After that I could never go off again. It's just not the same, but for one night I could do it. However, if my whole trip had been at the hotel I would have hated it. shudder!

besides.. I think that being on property and inside the bubble gives you much more magic to your trip. But I have some friends who would never stay there... and they are happy... oh well..

So much more magic. I think if off property in a big condo is what you are used to then that's OK. There are some wonderful lodging deals on VRBO and I can see why bigger families go that route. I just love my DVC too much!

Love the free hotel!

Gotta love a free hotel. I really don't know when we would have used those points otherwise, so it was perfect.

I also love the pics of the tree house and can't wait to see inside. I imagine having the car was a must staying there though... a bus ride to the main bus stop..to go to the parks? I could see where that could end up problematic.

You are so right about problematic. I have some stories to tell about the bus transportation, that's for sure. And I was a bad DISer for not researching it better. I ended up VERY happy that we had the car.

Oh, I'm not even attempting that plane/train math. You definitely picked the better form of travel though, in my opinion! !

What, not up for a math quiz? No question I picked the better transportation.

Glad that your free hotel worked out well!!! It doesn't look bad at all!!

The room was actually very nice, newly remodeled, very clean, and with comfortable beds!

The Treehouse Villas really do look woodsy, but really cool too! I hope your brother didn't take too long to arrive!

It was a very rustic feel and its hard to take pictures of an area that is just brown and green with no color.

Wait till you see what time they arrived!

 

[MEK]

for arriving at WDW!

I was so excited to get there that morning. It really was like coming home!

I love SSR and the treehouses look so cool! Can't wait for pics of the inside!

The treehouses were very cool and the perfect configuration for our group. I can't think of a better layout (except for a grand villa which I can't afford).

But SSR just holds a special place in my heart. After my October trip I won't be returning for another year and when I do I think I will be staying at SSR. I just want to enjoy the grounds and the scenery.

Love, love, love your trip report!!! You had me at "math problem" (of course, I'm not even attempting an answer- it's summer vacation ). I'm hoping Cynthia will show up with a spreadsheet that solves the problem.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO TRUE! She probably will!

Your comment about the beer at Walgreens cracked me up. When I moved into Massachusetts, I learned that you could only purchase beer and wine at "packies", not convenience stores like Store 24 or 7-11. Um, define "convenience store" please!

"packies" I like that word. Definitely must be a Massacusetts thing. It must be hard going from a state that sells beer and wine everywhere to one that doesn't. I have only ever lived in PA and Delaware. I'm so deprived.

SSR is so pretty and the treehouses look amazing!

I love SSR! It really is a lovely place! I took a lot of pictures of the entire resort over the next 6 days so stay tuned.

How exciting to be staying at the treehouses.

I booked that sucker right at the 11 month window as soon as the phones opened. I never requested a specific location, but you will see soon that I ended up with a perfect one!

Do you check in right at SSR for that? Did you use the bus system or did you drive to the parks. I had heard many didn't like the bus system there.

Yes - You check in at SSR registration and your card gives you access to a separate gate to get into the treehouses. You actually have to drive out of SSR, make a left, drive maybe a 1/4mile and make a left into the treehouse. The entrance is right between OKW and SSR.

We took the bus to the MK and, without getting too far ahead of myself, it was not nearly as efficient as I hoped (there - was that tactful enough? ). We drove to all the other parks.

Quite honestly, I think they need two separate bus loops. The place is just too big to handle full capacity at the resorts. But more on that later.

... Mary Ellen, what are you trying to do to me, opening a Disney post with a MATH question!? I almost stopped reading!!

What????? No one wants to do a good math problem this morning? What's wrong with you DISers?

At least your one night outside the bubble didn't seem too bad, and free is always good! And you got into the bubble nice and early the next day.

It really worked out perfectly. I am very pleased that we saved that money for things inside the Disney bubble and we did arrive nice and early, so all was good.

Re: your family on the train -- yikes! So long on the train already and then delayed? Ouch.

Considering my family left their house around 8am the previous day to drive to Virginia. Obviously they got to the train station early, but I'm sure they loaded shortly after arrival. It's 10:30 am the next day and they still aren't in the station. Ugh!

Those treehouses are so gorgeous! I'm in love! It would seriously remind me of home, surrounded by all the trees and the pretty pathways! Its a lovely looking area!

It really was a lovely area and I'm so pleased we had the opportunity to stay there. The whole area was very scenic and relaxing and probably the prettiest area that I have stayed in for awhile.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I've seen you around many of the TRs I frequent, so I decided to pop in and join the fun!

Oh the train, we did it once when I was a kid, and all I can say is - NEVER AGAIN! I'll take two hours in a plane and less money over 22 hours in a cramped space and spending more money. My SIL is a train nut, and loves taking it to Disney and I just can't understand the appeal!

I'm interested in hearing what you think about the treehouse Villas. We stayed there in 2009, and while I thought they were very pretty, they weren't a great fit for our family. I love SSR, and I didn't like being so far away from the main part of the resort, and I thought that the transportation was a nightmare! We might do a again some day when we have older kids, I think the sleeping arrangements would work out better with smaller children, than 6 adults.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

A train leaves Lorton, Va at 4pm and is traveling south at 75 mph.

A plane leaves Allentown, Pa at 6:10pm and is traveling 550 mph.

Lorton Va is 200 miles south of Allentown Pa.

At what time will the plane fly over the train?

Need more information. What did the pilot have for breakfast? How many cars are on the train? And what is the average air speed of an unladen swallow?

On arrival to MCO, since I didn’t have anyone else to announce my arrival to, I texted my brother, “We are in Florida and you are still on the train….Nanny, nanny, poo, poo” Well, actually, I left that last part out. Why irritate my brother already?

Why not?

For those of you who rent cars and bring your own GPS, have you ever noticed how LONG it takes to find the satellite after you pull out of that garage? Of course, Denny is tied to his GPS and can’t go to the grocery store without it (OK, I’m exaggerating), so he immediately starts to panic. “Which way do I go?”

Oh, come on. Men aren't supposed to need directions.

We obviously picked the Radisson. I checked it out on trip advisor and it didn’t look that horrible, plus it was FREE!!!!!!! See- No brainer!

If it's free, it's for me!

How many of you have actually been to I Drive? On a Saturday night? So NOT the Disney bubble.

This is what it looks like right outside the Disneyland gates, which is why Walt was so determined to buy much more property in Florida.

I bet you can guess which FF place was closest. If you can’t, well you are, and I quote, “distinctly un American”, which some of you are, and you can probably STILL guess what place was closest.

Yup – you’re right – Micky D’s. So NOT a fan, but they have decent salads, so Denny and I got one of them and Nick got a burger and fries.

Whenever we need a FF joint, we always hope there's a Chick Fil-A nearby.

Oops - You're not supposed to be in the bathroom when I'm taking pictures. Sheesh!

Better zip up!

Back to Micky D’s for pancakes. I know, I know – two trips to MCD’s in 12 hours. What was I thinking?

Better than 2 trips to Taco Bell. I don't think you would have been able to sit upright.

My first impression - Wow - its really woodsy in here. I immediately started longing for the pretty pastel colors of the main SSR resort.

I love it. Gimme the rustic look anyday.

 

[eandesmom]

YAY for all the pictures! I can't wait to show these to the kids, Evan has been very focused on wanting to know how high up they are and having Nick in front of it gives great perceptive.

I gotta tell you, the whole woodsy thing is SO SO SO SO us! So excited. Of course it's not real yet but way more real than before. I'm going to be dying for more info from you, you know that!

Ok, back to the actual update. I am VERY impressed that you were there at 9:47, having gone and gotten breakfast, gotten a teen up, left one hotel and driven to another.

In my house...it'd be 11am! IF I was lucky.

Heck, I'm hoping to make it to lunch on our move day by 11 and that might be pushing it. LOL!

Free is good, especially if you aren't there until that late at night. Then free is really REALLY good!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I always get excited when we travel to a state where you can buy liquor in the grocery stores! Ours can sell low alcohol content (like 3.2) beer and wine coolers, but that is it, everything else has to be purchased at the liquor store, and they are NOT open on Sundays!

Your brother could have driven to Florida and been there faster I think!

It is already obvious to me that to stay in the treehouse villas I would have to have a car. I can't imagine having to take a bus to get to a bus stop to catch another bus to the parks - no thank you!

 

[natebenma]

And what is the average air speed of an unladen swallow?

African or European?

 

[Nermel9]

I can't even attempt to figure out that math question! I'm glad you remembered to look out the window at when you thought you'd be flying over them to taunt them, though!

Yay for a free night at a hotel! I-Drive is crazy, the first time Brandon and I went to Disney we actually ventured out to I-Drive on a Sunday night and the traffic was insane! Never again! (We saw that weird crooked building too!)

Ugh, I can't believe you didn't get to go under the arch! I don't know if I could start my vacation that way, I'd have to find a way to go under it. It's not a proper Disney vacation without driving under the arch!

Figures the train was late! The villas look so cute, I can't wait to see the inside of yours!

 

[MEK]

I've seen you around many of the TRs I frequent, so I decided to pop in and join the fun!

CandleontheWater! Thanks so much for joining. I love meeting DISers through common trip reports. It's always so fun to widen my DIS circle.

Oh the train, we did it once when I was a kid, and all I can say is - NEVER AGAIN! I'll take two hours in a plane and less money over 22 hours in a cramped space and spending more money. My SIL is a train nut, and loves taking it to Disney and I just can't understand the appeal!

I couldn't agree more. My brother picked that mode of travel because he has developed a flying phobia. Not the "let me take a Xanax before the flight" phobia, but the kind which would require a therapist to undo it. I can see doing the train in certain circumstances, but NOT for a 5 night trip. It would have to be a 2 week trip for me to consider it.

I'm interested in hearing what you think about the treehouse Villas. We stayed there in 2009, and while I thought they were very pretty, they weren't a great fit for our family. I love SSR, and I didn't like being so far away from the main part of the resort, and I thought that the transportation was a nightmare! We might do a again some day when we have older kids, I think the sleeping arrangements would work out better with smaller children, than 6 adults.

We have 4 young children and one teen so it work perfect. We gave the 12 year old and the 17 year old the twin beds and the rest of the boys slept on the pull-out.

Overall, I liked the treehouse villas and it was a good fit for this trip but I agree that the transportation was bad. Thank goodness we had cars or it would have been ridiculous.

Need more information. What did the pilot have for breakfast? How many cars are on the train? And what is the average air speed of an unladen swallow?

Leave it to you to come up with those variables!

Why not?

Something known as "keeping the peace". As you will see I didn't even have to try to get my brother mad at me. It just happened, go figure!

Oh, come on. Men aren't supposed to need directions.

Oh yeah - I forgot!

If it's free, it's for me!

I knew I heard that saying somewhere before! Free is the epitome of frugal! I am all about the free stuff !

This is what it looks like right outside the Disneyland gates, which is why Walt was so determined to buy much more property in Florida.

Walt made a smart decision when he bought up all that land and built the bubble. I don't think I could spend a week on I drive.

Whenever we need a FF joint, we always hope there's a Chick Fil-A nearby.

That's always my first pick too but I don't think they have one on I drive. Well, maybe they do, but in that traffic it would have taken an hour to get there. I kept looking for it on the gps but no dice.

Better zip up!

I told him I was going in to take pictures but he just busted by me so I said, "I'm coming in with the camera". He didn't care.

Better than 2 trips to Taco Bell. I don't think you would have been able to sit upright.

You got that right!

I love it. Gimme the rustic look anyday.

As rustic as they look on the outside, they are pretty slick on the inside. I just wish my pictures were better.

YAY for all the pictures! I can't wait to show these to the kids, Evan has been very focused on wanting to know how high up they are and having Nick in front of it gives great perceptive.

It's about 20 steps to get inside. They do have some accessible units at the front of the resort. IT's funny, but I never really felt like I was up high when I looked at the window.

I gotta tell you, the whole woodsy thing is SO SO SO SO us! So excited. Of course it's not real yet but way more real than before. I'm going to be dying for more info from you, you know that!

One thing I wish I had realized was that every unit has their own outside grill. A cook-out would have been fun, especially in cooler weather. We never used the outside table/deck, but that would have been fun too.

Ok, back to the actual update. I am VERY impressed that you were there at 9:47, having gone and gotten breakfast, gotten a teen up, left one hotel and driven to another. In my house...it'd be 11am! IF I was lucky.

When I checked my text messages I was actually surprised myself. I guess I was worried that they might be off the train by 8am and to WDW by 9:30. I read that can happen, but, trust me, it didn't! I'm shocked it wasn't 11am.

Heck, I'm hoping to make it to lunch on our move day by 11 and that might be pushing it. LOL!

Sounds familiar.

Free is good, especially if you aren't there until that late at night. Then free is really REALLY good!

It really was the right move for that late at night. Clean, comfortable bed ad free =