wayne
05-23-2009, 04:36 PM
Birthday trip- May 2 to May 8- Pop Century -Saratoga Springs ResortT]
Cast
Sue-wife- planner of trip (57)
Wayne-birthday boy (reason for trip) (57)
Lodging
As Disney Vacation Club members we are staying at Saratoga Springs Resorts for the first time. But to save points for another trip we are staying, May 2, at All Stars Pop Century. This is the first time also for us there. That’s what’s good about DVC, with good planning you can actually get two to three vacations on your investment.
Travel
We are flying Southwest Airlines to Orlando again. This is the best airlines for us since it is a direct flight and in a few hours we are at our resort. The air fare this time is really cheap since Sue is flying free under my rewards plan. This is when you get so many points from either flying or using their credit card you are rewarded air fare points. So Sue’s free and my flight is $248.00. So in my thinking we both have a round trip for $124.00.
We are also using Magical Express this time. We used it before with just the two of us and it works fine.
Pre-trip planning
In January, Sue and I were at Disney World with our family and her birthday. We were having a nice breakfast at Spoodles with just the two of us. When during the meal Sue says how she would like to come down for my birthday in May for the Flower Show. Now we were planning to come in October for the Food Festival so this was a shock to me. Of course anytime I get a chance to come to Disney World I’m all for it.
After being home for a week or so, on a Saturday, Sue again mentions about the trip. Now this is when it gets weird. Our good friends Steve and Barb Russo are invited to our house for dinner that night and during the course of the meal they mention how they just made reservations for a trip to DW. Now they had just return from DW (the week before ours), also after a family trip. The really weird thing is Sue and I worked out our plans of the trip (Sunday thru Friday) that afternoon. Sue, who is my travel agent, had it written down to start getting our reservations on Monday. We had not talked to the Russo’s since our trips and the dinner was so we could talk about our experiences. Here it comes; their dates are the exact dates we picked and they booked their trip at the same time we were planning ours. Now what do they say about great minds? But that’s not all. Monday, as Sue makes the calls, she decides Saturday would be better and books the trip. Barb and Sue talk and Barb says they thought about going Saturday as well a few days later. They stayed with their original plan.
So we have a trip with our friends but not as a foursome. This will be different because we have travel together many times and when we are together it’s really like the Ricardo’s and Mertz’s for those old enough to remember
Day 1 Sat. May 2
Both Sue and I are up at 3 AM to wait for my son Jeff to pick us up to take us to the airport at 5:15 AM. We are both looking forward to this trip. myself because I love going to Disney and Sue to take some time off from work and the duties off being the number one care giver to the family. We are also celebrating my 57 birthday today and this is her gift to me.
There is an unwritten law in my family we call Goergen time. That is when we pick a time to be some where, say 5:15AM, it really means 5AM. So as always at 5AM Jeff is pulling into our driveway. A few instructions on what has to be done around my house like watering my new lawn and we are off for the airport. This is a short 15 minute ride and Sue and I are on our way.
Inside we check in and proceed through security checkpoint and I go directly to McDonalds for breakfast. We are two hours early for our flight but the time seems to fly by when you are going on vacation. The flight leaves on time and again lands in Florida 15 minutes early (10:00). This happens every time we come to Florida. In no time we are off the plane and heading for Disney’s Magical Express.
Sue and I usually get a limo service to take us to the resort but this time we opt for Magical Express. This is free I know but we have had nothing but trouble with it from day one. First they forgot me on the reservation for the bus ride .Sue calls down and corrects that problem but we are concerned that we won’t have our booklet for the ride but are reassured we will have it. Sure enough 5 days later we receive our packet. Just to be sure we check it and find some other person’s booklet that is scheduled to leave in 5 days inside. Our address on the outside envelope and this poor family’s booklet on the inside. Sue again calls and gets it straight and with 10 days before our trip we hope we get our booklet .It shows up with 4 days to go. At the airport we find the first line at Disney as we wait to get on the bus. We actually have to wait for a second bus but we still are at the Pop Century before 12:00 so not really bad. I guess we are spoiled.
We are staying at Pop Century (PC) for the first night and time because it saves points on our DVC. Friday and Saturdays are the most points so you can save some by paying for one night. PC costs us $128.00 for the night but saves us 2 nights of points
I am also trying the on-line check in and it works great at PC. Silvia from Brazil has our packet in no time and to my amazement our room is ready. Now on-line you can request where you want your room. I requested first floor and by the pool. I received almost what I ordered with the exception that our room was on the second floor but it was near the elevator so really a wash.
PC is a huge resort with 10 buildings so you receive a map to help you find your room. Now I know better but I let Sue use the map. As all men know for some reason women just can’t read a map. With Sue in the lead we got a grand tour of PC before very nicely I said “give me that damn map”. In a few minutes we are back on course and in our room. The room is nice but not a DVC studio that comes tomorrow.
Our first mission is to get my Disney give away for my birthday. Since I am a season pass holder I have a choice of a Fast Pass (FP) tickets or a gift card. We used the FP in Jan. for Sue’s birthday when we had the whole family with us. It was perfect when you have people who do all the thrill rides. As for us we don’t really do rides that much so a gift card worth $75.00 (one day price for ticket to a park) would be much better.
The last time down in Jan. the parks were mobbed but as soon as we entered our first park of the trip (Hollywood Studios HS) we noticed how small the crowds were. We were able to do our favorite rides with no problem. We walked on to Great Movie Ride, Star Tours, Muppets and Toy Story Mania. Last time down Sue kicked my butt at this ride but this trip I was king. After traveling all day it was time to go to our room for rest.
In the room on the table was a birthday card from Mickey with a 20% discount card for Photo Pass which I’ll try since I never used this before
For the whole trip the temperature was in the 90’s a big difference then in Jan. when it never got above 60. So for the first time in many years we go to the pool to spend a couple of hours. The pool is a short walk but you have to watch where you’re walking because there is raised concrete around the pool. I mention this because as Sue and I were sitting at the pool a gentleman with at least four Disney soda cups went by looking around at the different sights on all the buildings and not knowing of the concrete at his feet down he went. We both jumped up to help but I think he was more embarrassed than hurt. As we sat there more than this man did the same thing but did not fall like he did.
Dinner tonight will be at Everything Pop Dining. This is a fast food restaurant with different food sections. You have a choice of a bakery, prepared food, ethnic foods, grill (for burgers) and a pizza station. Sue and I decide on cheeseburger basket. This is $6.59 a basket that comes with fries. Plus a soda and the total was $19.13 not bad.
My son is not happy the way we are eating this trip. In the past we always made our meal plans in advance. This trip we scheduled only two. Raglan Road on Sunday and Trails End on Tuesday with our friends the Russos.
For the evening Magic Kingdom was open till 11:00 PM so we figured that it wouldn’t be bad since most parents with little children would have been there early and be at their resorts putting the kids to bed. WRONG! It seemed that every one from all the other parks were here. After being pushed and bumped a few times and tired from traveling we give up and head for our room. This is when the theme of the trip starts. It seems we just miss our bus every time because we always seem to wait the 20 minutes every time.
Tomorrow we go to our home away from home
Likes and Dislike.
Like Southwest Airlines
Dislike Magical Express
Like on-line check in
Like Pop Century for one night
Like gifts from Disney-gift card, Photo Pass
Dislike waiting for buses for all parks (at Boardwalk we walk to two parks)
Day 2 Sun. May 3
We are both up and ready to go to Saratoga Springs Resort (SSR) at 7:00AM. Sue calls to get us a cab and as we walk to the front of the resort it pulls up. It’s not a long drive to SSR but with tip the ride cost $20.00. Not to bad for the convenience of no hassle.
Here we hear for the first time” welcome home” our favorite saying. We live 30 minutes from the real Saratoga Springs and this being our first time at SSR we are excited to see how close they came. The architecture is there and reference to horse racing but a far cry from the original. Sue keeps looking for the racino but thank god gambling hasn’t come to Disney yet.
Again we used the on-line check in and again our packet was ready. Now the girl behind the desk informs us our room is not ready. No big deal, at DVC my room is never ready. Standing to the right was a manger who asked the girl to check on rooms that may have been cleaned late. As it was there was one ready but it was in the carousel building which was further out than the one we would wait for. It was going to be hot again today so a room in hand was a done deal. After thanking Bill from New York State we go to bell service and get a ride on a 6 seat golf cart to our room.
We are a good distance from the main building but it is a room on the first floors so no big deal for us. We get all settled in and decide to walk to the main building. On the way we find the only pool for four buildings, one road and two parking lots away. This seems odd because we have stayed at Old Key West and there seems to be more pools. It takes about 10 to 12 minutes for us to walk to the main building and we decide to have breakfast. Here is one difference from SSR to OKW and that’s at SSR you have a food court (Artist Palette) where at OKW you have a restaurant (Olivia’s). Sue decides on a cheese omelet and I have the bounty platter (scrambled eggs, Mickey waffle, sausage, bacon and a biscuit and an orange juice for $18.82
We pick EPCOT for our park today and as stated we miss the bus and wait a while for the next. Our home is Boardwalk so we very seldom use the main entrance to EPCOT so Spaceship Earth is rarely our first ride. We decide to do the front of EPCOT and then head for the pool before it gets to hot. The crowds are light in the morning but what Sue and I can’t figure is why more people come to the park at noon when it is the hottest part of the day. I don’t mine since that puts less people at the pool being there are only 3 pools for the whole resort.
We wait our 20 minutes and get on the bus for SSR. As we enter the resort the first stop is the Grandstand. I told you our good friends Barb and Steve Russo are also coming down and it’s amazing but at this stop who gets on but Barb and Steve. They are on their way to the park because they just got in. There are a few times where they are at the same place we are but we never see each other but when we compare some photos taken we are within yards of each other
Sue and I go to what is their store for supplies. With the limo we can stop outside and get supplies at a cheaper cost. Here they have you and pay for it. My biggest gripe is $33.00 fir a six pack of beer. That’s crazy! Sue and I pick up sandwich meat, bread and soda and go to the bus stop to get to our rooms.
The only advantage of staying at carousel is now clear. It’s the buses. When you come and go to the parks it’s one of the first stops. So you have a seat going and first off when standing coming back and you may very well be standing leaving the parks. As for getting from the main building to our room we are the second stop. Not to bad.
A trip to the pool which is about a 5 minute walk. We both complained about the walk but I think we were as far away a few times at Boardwalk the only difference was it was an air conditioned walk. A few hours at the pool and we were getting a little burnt. I’m not saying it was hot or we had a long walk to our room but before we would leave the pool we would jump in, pick up our soda and snacks and be dry by the time we reached our room.
Tonight we have reservation for dinner at Raglan Road in Downtown Disney. This is an Irish Pub and has many Irish foods on its menu. Originally it was just Sue and I for dinner but we had extended an invitation to Steve and Barb to join us if they weren’t too tired and just before we left Barb called and said they would meet us. Sue and I leave early and do a quick look in the stores we like to see what we may buy with my gift card and then head to the restaurant for a drink. Two beers for $13.50 and a friendly bar keep Veronica and the wait for the Russos seems to go by fast. I don’t remember what everybody had for dinner because I loss the receipt so I just say what I had was good. It was a Guinness based Irish stew. Not as good as the one they used to serve at the Rose and Crown in EPCOT but good any way. The tab for the four of us with drinks and using the Table of Wonderland (ToW) discount came to $133.09. ToW also adds the tip into the bill so you never have to figure if you are leaving enough.
After dinner we waited for a bus to EPCOT to see Chubby Checker. His show was good but as I looked at the crowd I realized how old 57 is. In my mind’s eye I still see Sue, the Russos and myself as still young. We just don’t seem to be as old as some of the others that are at the concert. We decide to leave before the fireworks show because of the bus service. I figure we will see the fireworks in Jan. when we stay at Boardwalk. Even now we wait the full 20 minutes for a bus and Steve seems to be really getting annoyed at this.
Like getting into room early
Dislike the lack of pools at SSR
Like the bus drop off at carousel building
Dislike waiting 20 minutes for every bus
Dislike no sit down restaurant for breakfast and lunch at SSR
Like not rushing and just relaxing every day
Like Table of Wonderland
Like Chubby Checker
Dislike getting old
Day 3 May 4
Today we decide to go to Animal Kingdom due to the fact it opens early today and with the heat later we hoped we would see more animals in the morning. As we get on the bus we see Steve and Barb who have also decided to go to AK. We head into the park together but Steve and Barb stop to get a coffee or something and we go on. This trip is a lot less crowded than in January and getting on attractions is easy.
We always go to the safari ride first so we see the most animals in the morning. We were not disappointed because we did see many but you had to look real hard for quite a few were just in the underbrush. What amazed me was we saw one elephant and how something that big could stay out of site .After the safari ride there is not much Sue and I do in this park. We decide to do the Lion King show this year. We do this about every other trip and this time we notice the cast seems all new except for the fire eater. Just as good and this show is a must for anybody on their first trip. From here we go to A Bugs Life and luckily sit behind some first timers. I always like being near first timers at Disney because of their reaction they have to the different things that happen at the attractions. This is something you miss when you come to Disney two to three times a year. You do tend to take it for granted.
Next we take the Pangani Exploration Trail. We take it nice and easy and are amazed how human acting the gorillas are. Only doing these few attraction it still gets us to near noon so we head for the buses.
Again it seems like we wait along time for a bus but we are getting used to this. It is getting old but not that bad.
Back to our room for lunch and a couple hours at the pool. I am really getting used too this because we never seem to just relax everyday when we are here with the kids. We meet a couple from New Jersey, who work in New York City, at the pool who were also first timers to DVC. There must be something about the name Wayne because it seems any I have met will talk to anyone. This is where we made our only mistake of the week when we stayed in the pool talking for quite a while and really got ourselves a burn. I told Wayne (from NYC not me) how much a six cost and don’t believe what you hear about New Yorkers this man was willing to drive off property to get me beer. Very cool.
That night Sue and I decide to go to EPCOT to walk the countries and have dinner. Again a wait for the bus and this time meet a couple who were paying for their stay at SSR. Sue believes when she retires I should go to work for DVC because by the time we reached EPCOT I had convinced this couple to check out DVC. Another gentleman who was listening caught up to us as we walked to the park and was interested in my conversation. It seems he was a new DVC member also but was intrigued with some of the advantages you have as a member he never realized. Next to being a starter at a golf course working for DVC would be cool.
As we enter the park we decide on dessert first. One of the treats we enjoy is the Mickey Mouse Bars. It’s just a chocolate covered vanilla ice cream but we always do two or three a trip. As we walk along we decide to try the Lotus Blossom Café in China. I have read how people don’t care for this but it was just what we wanted at the time. I had a Beef noodle soup bowl and Sue had shrimp fried rice. Of course this isn’t gourmet dining but in my opinion it as good as the fast food at SSR.
We finish our tour of the countries and Sue suggests we walk through Boardwalk and go to the Hess store to get some cheap supplies. Here we get doughnuts, chips, pretzels, cereal, soda, small bottle of wine and a twelve pack of beer for under $33.00. The price of the six packs on property. Sue says we should walk back to Boardwalk for a cab but to our luck the man standing behind me is a cab driver. Not only does he take us to SSR but right to our room. So much better than a long walk. And it was only a $15.00 fare with tip.
Back at our room we sit out and enjoy the sunset with cocktails that we can afford.
Likes being around first timers
Likes talking to people about DVC
Dislikes $33.00 for a six pack
Likes the Hess store
Likes Mickey Bars
Likes watching the sunset
Day 4 May 5
When we were down in January it was a wait of 30 minutes or more for every ride. This time there was never more than 15 minutes except for Toy Story Mania and Soar’n which were 40 and 45 minutes.
Having already done some of the left side of MK the first night we went to Tomorrowland today. With Space mountain and the transit authority closed not much we do left. Sue refuses to go to Carousel of Progress this trip. It an inside joke how we have to go when our new son-in-law is with us. He enjoys it the rest of us take a quick nap. As my 10 year old granddaughter says even the future part is ancient history. So we start at Buzz Lightyear where I must have hit a special shot because all of a sudden I was at 999,999. Sue was not happy because she likes beating me.(at games) But the only problem was the rest of the ride my gun was useless. After this we did our usual favorite rides, Philharmagic, Small World and the Haunted Mansion. These are all good but Small World is getting old. My son Jeff says they should put the guns from Buzz Lightyear on the boats and blow those dolls up.
Only a couple years ago I wouldn’t go near any of the mountain rides at the park. It may be I’m retired and not working on high steel anymore or I’m going senile but I’m first in line now. We seem to think Thunder Mountain is faster the hotter the day is because we seemed to fly around the track this time. In Jan. the train seemed to be in slow motion maybe because it was only in the 40’s then. Splash Mountain is still a little scary at the final drop but the sites on the inside are one of the best secrets that you miss if you don’t do the ride. For those that are afraid I’ll give you my secret. Just before you reach the last drop (you’ll know when it’s coming) just close your eyes and duck down. The drop is so fast you won’t even know it happened.
Again the heat is on the rise so off to our 20 minute wait for the bus and back to the main building for a small grocery run. We get more lunch meat, soda, Mickey bars and a couple of magazines. We decide to skip the pool today because we were starting to get a little burn. One year Sue got sun poisoning here sitting in the sun so ever since we take it easy. We are meeting the Russo’s for dinner tonight so we just chill.
We are off to meet the Russos at the boat dock in MK to get out to Trails End at Fort Wilderness at 4:30. Now knowing how great the bus service is we leave our room at 3:45. Sue figures even if we make it before the Russos we can sit on the dock and people watch. As you would figure the bus shows up within a couple of minutes, our shortest wait all week. At MK I get a text message from Steve to go on and they will meet us at Crockets because surprise he is having bus problems. When it comes to texting I’m from the stone age so instead of retuning the message or leave without them we just wait. The boat service is better than the buses from SSR.
Steve and Barb shows up and we take a nice boat ride to Fort Wilderness. Even with the bus trouble we are early for our reservation so a cocktail at Crockets was in order. What we didn’t know (and we are with the man we lovingly call Mister Disney) was that Trails End has become so popular that the sitting area has taken over Crockets. We are seated in the old Crockets and our waiter was there in a second to get us started. This is a buffet style meal so you should bring an appetite. The food is the same as you get at the Hoop-Dee- Do Review plus other extras like sliced beef and soft ice cream. The bill comes to $133.09 including tip for the four of us. Steve helps out with my families taxes every year and my father-in-law always wants to buy Steve a nice dinner for doing his. So being the one who has to endure sitting with Steve through dinner I always make sure I get enough for the four of us. My father-in-law hasn’t questioned this in many years and I never turn down a free meal.
After dinner we take a boat ride back to MK and decide to hang around for the firework show Wishes. We do a couple of rides and then head to a spot Steve likes to watch the show from. As for the show one seems the same to me as another plus I have seen them many times. With this said I decide to take the time to read and look at the windows on Main Street. Barb finds this funny that with all the fireworks I’m off in my own world.
Now back to the bus. The line at SSR was unbelievably long as if no bus showed up during the fireworks. As good grown ups the four of us find the end of the line and get in. As we do the original Disney shuffle a group walks by and just before the start of the line they jump into our line. It’s not bad enough this idiot jumps the line but he is a fellow New Yorker. Barb starts after him but what’s the use. We are the last on the bus and have to stand back to our rooms. The four of us pretty much verbally abuse this person with him in hearing range. Barb and Steve get off at their stop and Sue and I get off at ours and so does this idiot. This put me into a little defensive mode but they said nothing and just walked by. I guess 6-1, 245 have some advantage.
Like Trails End
Like boat ride to Fort Wilderness.
Dislike idiots who think they can do whatever they please.
Day 5 May 6
Today we go to Downtown Disney (DD) to do our souvenir shopping. It’s a cool morning so we walk from our room and find the path to DD. This is a nice walk but we were surprised to see that the walkway closes at 7:00 PM. We figure that with so much over growth it is a good place to mug someone. I imagine people still use the path but the signs must protect Disney from lawsuits.
I have a $75.00 gift card for my birthday so I’m on a mission to find a Mickey clock for my kitchen. Now what I really wanted was a clock like the old Mickey watches but I could not find one. I did get a nice one in silver so mission accomplished. We really did well with the cost of souvenirs because of the gift card plus our discount at the big Disney store. Our cost was $119.00 but with $75.00 gift card and $13.00 annual pass discount $ 44.00.
We took our time going through the stores and as it was getting near lunch I suggested taking sandwiches from Earl of Sandwich. I got an Earl’s club and Sue got the Italian and the cost was $13.90. The same sandwich at my golf course at home is $8.00 and it’s not hot.
To go back to SSR we take the boat ride. This is another enjoyable ride since it’s just another perfect day. Never taken this ride I was more than happy when it dropped us off at Lake Buena Vista Golf Club. I am also looking for golf caps and find a good one inside. We tour the shop a while and go out and talk to the man who unloads your clubs at the front door. After a few minutes he has a man bring us to our room on a golf cart. This was great because we were tired of walking but I felt sorry for the driver .He had no idea where the Carousel building was but we did get a great ride through the golf course.
Back at the room we have lunch and then walk down to the pool. Luckily we have been able to get a table with an umbrella every time so we can escape the sun when we want. After about an hour we are in the pool when Sue notices my ear bleeding. As I reach to touch it a bug falls off. I don’t know what it was but I bled for about and hour.
As we walk back to our room I spied something I really wanted. I take care of everyone’s property back home and mowing lawns is a job. As we are walking I see a mower with no one behind it. It seems to be like an electric golf cart. The operator stands in one place and controls it with a control stick. I could do that all day long.
Back at our room we sit out and have a beer on the patio. As we’re sitting there a duck comes flying in. It walks through the under brush and comes right up to within a few feet of me. Sue gives him some popcorn and we have a friend. He stays with us and even after we go inside he stands at the door looking in as if to say “you coming back out”. After a while we look to see if the duck left and now there is a rabbit. I think the duck put out word we give out popcorn.
Tonight we decide to go to EPCOT for dinner at Germany. We are in the mood for hotdogs and beer. We walk back to the lake and decide to take the boat to the Moroccans dock. This gives us a short walk to Germany. Its 7:00 PM so there is not a big line and we get a couple of dogs and a beer and find a table. For some reason we didn’t think the hotdogs were as good as before. The taste was not there. We sit for a while and watch some play the new Kim Possible game and then decide to leave. We are at the end of our trip and walking is getting old so we go to the boat dock for a ride across the lake. Here we go into Mouse Ears to get some candy my granddaughter always gets.
Tonight is the first time this trip I saw a parent that doesn’t get Disney. His child had one of the placards you get so you can have it stamped at each country that is what it’s for so you and your child visit each country. This guy tells his kid not all the countries have these stations. I thought he didn’t know so I said quietly they do and he snapped “I’m not wasting my time with this”. EXCUSE ME
Like gift card
Like Earl of Sandwich
Like mower you don’t push
Dislike parents who don’t get the Disney meaning
Day 6 May 7
Today Sue wants to go to Hollywood Studios and see if we can get into American Idol (AI). The park opens early but only some of the rides. We figure we would go to Toy Story Mania and you wouldn’t believe the fast pass line. It was backed up do the Walt Disney exhibit. Sue and I go and stand in the ride line which is 35 minutes. It took only about 25 so it’s better now then coming back later. After this AI is still not open so we head for the Little Mermaid show. This is another good show to see about every other time if you come a lot. Finally AI is open and in we go.
We are both fans of the show but only when it gets to the final 12. The pre show area is huge because this is a big theater. The pre show has a combination of taped and live action entertainment which makes the time fly by. We are both expecting to hear fair voices but what we heard was 3 very talented kids that were very good. You get to vote for the one you like and the winner goes on to a final show later in the day. Sue and I both say that Disney should let you know who wins for the day on one of the closed circuit stations on the TV in the resorts. I don’t know if anybody would go back for the last show.
After the show we found a photographer to take our picture for Photo Pass. This is the last park to have our picture and I can’t wait to get to my computer at home to see what the different poses they made us do at each park.
It’s near lunch time so Sue suggests Sci-Fi Theater for lunch. Being only two it has been easy to find places to eat without any reservation. Again we are seated quickly and we order the number one reason we are here. We love the shakes you get here. We also ordered a couple of burgers. The bill with tip is $35.67.
Back to the room and a little down time we decide to try the Turf Club at the main building at SSR. We read you should have reservation so Sue calls and gets one around 5 PM. After a while Barb calls and wants to know if we want to meet at the Turf Club for dinner. We tell her we have a reservation but she wants to eat now. We say we’ll meet them in a half hour. Two seconds later Steve calls to find out what we are doing. It seems Barb had a couple of Long Island Ice teas at the pool and was a little confused. We told them go on down and we’ll meet you.
This is a restaurant that reminds me of some golf course club houses I have been in. We all ordered hamburgers,Sue a salad and a beer. The bill with tip was $70.00. After dinner we took a walk to Steve’s room to check out the Tree houses for future trips with our families but after talking to some cast members we found that you take a bus to SSR then you get a bus to the park. With the trouble we had with buses there is no way we are doing this.
As for the buses Steve had one more experience today. It seems he left HS and stood for a long time for a bus. Only Steve would count how many buses past him by which I believe was 22. Now I would have had some Disney person before I counted 10.
One last bus ride from Steve’s building to ours.
Sue calls bell services for a 10AM pickup tomorrow with hopes it works better than the buses.
Like American Idol surprisingly
Like shakes at Sci-Fi
Dislike the idea of sharing buses with SSR if staying at Tree houses
Day7 May 8
We finally have a ride show up on time. At 10AM the bell person is at our door and takes us to meet the Magical Express. We go into Artist Palette for breakfast and wait for the Russos. Our bus is due at 11:30 so as usual we are at the stop early. Soon the bus is here and our vacation is over.
Now if you listen to Steve whenever he flies with me it’s always a bumpy ride. I guess he may be right because we are jumping around for most of the flight. At least it wasn’t like the last time when I swear the plane went sideways on landing.
At the Albany airport Steve and Barb were met by his son and his girlfriend and we all waited at the slowest baggage claim in the world. Outside my son Jeff and granddaughter Emily were waiting with a sign how she missed us.
One last note. Just to make sure, we have booked Boardwalk for our family trip the last week of January. Hopefully it will be warm this year.
Cast
Sue-wife- planner of trip (57)
Wayne-birthday boy (reason for trip) (57)
Lodging
As Disney Vacation Club members we are staying at Saratoga Springs Resorts for the first time. But to save points for another trip we are staying, May 2, at All Stars Pop Century. This is the first time also for us there. That’s what’s good about DVC, with good planning you can actually get two to three vacations on your investment.
Travel
We are flying Southwest Airlines to Orlando again. This is the best airlines for us since it is a direct flight and in a few hours we are at our resort. The air fare this time is really cheap since Sue is flying free under my rewards plan. This is when you get so many points from either flying or using their credit card you are rewarded air fare points. So Sue’s free and my flight is $248.00. So in my thinking we both have a round trip for $124.00.
We are also using Magical Express this time. We used it before with just the two of us and it works fine.
Pre-trip planning
In January, Sue and I were at Disney World with our family and her birthday. We were having a nice breakfast at Spoodles with just the two of us. When during the meal Sue says how she would like to come down for my birthday in May for the Flower Show. Now we were planning to come in October for the Food Festival so this was a shock to me. Of course anytime I get a chance to come to Disney World I’m all for it.
After being home for a week or so, on a Saturday, Sue again mentions about the trip. Now this is when it gets weird. Our good friends Steve and Barb Russo are invited to our house for dinner that night and during the course of the meal they mention how they just made reservations for a trip to DW. Now they had just return from DW (the week before ours), also after a family trip. The really weird thing is Sue and I worked out our plans of the trip (Sunday thru Friday) that afternoon. Sue, who is my travel agent, had it written down to start getting our reservations on Monday. We had not talked to the Russo’s since our trips and the dinner was so we could talk about our experiences. Here it comes; their dates are the exact dates we picked and they booked their trip at the same time we were planning ours. Now what do they say about great minds? But that’s not all. Monday, as Sue makes the calls, she decides Saturday would be better and books the trip. Barb and Sue talk and Barb says they thought about going Saturday as well a few days later. They stayed with their original plan.
So we have a trip with our friends but not as a foursome. This will be different because we have travel together many times and when we are together it’s really like the Ricardo’s and Mertz’s for those old enough to remember
Day 1 Sat. May 2
Both Sue and I are up at 3 AM to wait for my son Jeff to pick us up to take us to the airport at 5:15 AM. We are both looking forward to this trip. myself because I love going to Disney and Sue to take some time off from work and the duties off being the number one care giver to the family. We are also celebrating my 57 birthday today and this is her gift to me.
There is an unwritten law in my family we call Goergen time. That is when we pick a time to be some where, say 5:15AM, it really means 5AM. So as always at 5AM Jeff is pulling into our driveway. A few instructions on what has to be done around my house like watering my new lawn and we are off for the airport. This is a short 15 minute ride and Sue and I are on our way.
Inside we check in and proceed through security checkpoint and I go directly to McDonalds for breakfast. We are two hours early for our flight but the time seems to fly by when you are going on vacation. The flight leaves on time and again lands in Florida 15 minutes early (10:00). This happens every time we come to Florida. In no time we are off the plane and heading for Disney’s Magical Express.
Sue and I usually get a limo service to take us to the resort but this time we opt for Magical Express. This is free I know but we have had nothing but trouble with it from day one. First they forgot me on the reservation for the bus ride .Sue calls down and corrects that problem but we are concerned that we won’t have our booklet for the ride but are reassured we will have it. Sure enough 5 days later we receive our packet. Just to be sure we check it and find some other person’s booklet that is scheduled to leave in 5 days inside. Our address on the outside envelope and this poor family’s booklet on the inside. Sue again calls and gets it straight and with 10 days before our trip we hope we get our booklet .It shows up with 4 days to go. At the airport we find the first line at Disney as we wait to get on the bus. We actually have to wait for a second bus but we still are at the Pop Century before 12:00 so not really bad. I guess we are spoiled.
We are staying at Pop Century (PC) for the first night and time because it saves points on our DVC. Friday and Saturdays are the most points so you can save some by paying for one night. PC costs us $128.00 for the night but saves us 2 nights of points
I am also trying the on-line check in and it works great at PC. Silvia from Brazil has our packet in no time and to my amazement our room is ready. Now on-line you can request where you want your room. I requested first floor and by the pool. I received almost what I ordered with the exception that our room was on the second floor but it was near the elevator so really a wash.
PC is a huge resort with 10 buildings so you receive a map to help you find your room. Now I know better but I let Sue use the map. As all men know for some reason women just can’t read a map. With Sue in the lead we got a grand tour of PC before very nicely I said “give me that damn map”. In a few minutes we are back on course and in our room. The room is nice but not a DVC studio that comes tomorrow.
Our first mission is to get my Disney give away for my birthday. Since I am a season pass holder I have a choice of a Fast Pass (FP) tickets or a gift card. We used the FP in Jan. for Sue’s birthday when we had the whole family with us. It was perfect when you have people who do all the thrill rides. As for us we don’t really do rides that much so a gift card worth $75.00 (one day price for ticket to a park) would be much better.
The last time down in Jan. the parks were mobbed but as soon as we entered our first park of the trip (Hollywood Studios HS) we noticed how small the crowds were. We were able to do our favorite rides with no problem. We walked on to Great Movie Ride, Star Tours, Muppets and Toy Story Mania. Last time down Sue kicked my butt at this ride but this trip I was king. After traveling all day it was time to go to our room for rest.
In the room on the table was a birthday card from Mickey with a 20% discount card for Photo Pass which I’ll try since I never used this before
For the whole trip the temperature was in the 90’s a big difference then in Jan. when it never got above 60. So for the first time in many years we go to the pool to spend a couple of hours. The pool is a short walk but you have to watch where you’re walking because there is raised concrete around the pool. I mention this because as Sue and I were sitting at the pool a gentleman with at least four Disney soda cups went by looking around at the different sights on all the buildings and not knowing of the concrete at his feet down he went. We both jumped up to help but I think he was more embarrassed than hurt. As we sat there more than this man did the same thing but did not fall like he did.
Dinner tonight will be at Everything Pop Dining. This is a fast food restaurant with different food sections. You have a choice of a bakery, prepared food, ethnic foods, grill (for burgers) and a pizza station. Sue and I decide on cheeseburger basket. This is $6.59 a basket that comes with fries. Plus a soda and the total was $19.13 not bad.
My son is not happy the way we are eating this trip. In the past we always made our meal plans in advance. This trip we scheduled only two. Raglan Road on Sunday and Trails End on Tuesday with our friends the Russos.
For the evening Magic Kingdom was open till 11:00 PM so we figured that it wouldn’t be bad since most parents with little children would have been there early and be at their resorts putting the kids to bed. WRONG! It seemed that every one from all the other parks were here. After being pushed and bumped a few times and tired from traveling we give up and head for our room. This is when the theme of the trip starts. It seems we just miss our bus every time because we always seem to wait the 20 minutes every time.
Tomorrow we go to our home away from home
Likes and Dislike.
Like Southwest Airlines
Dislike Magical Express
Like on-line check in
Like Pop Century for one night
Like gifts from Disney-gift card, Photo Pass
Dislike waiting for buses for all parks (at Boardwalk we walk to two parks)
Day 2 Sun. May 3
We are both up and ready to go to Saratoga Springs Resort (SSR) at 7:00AM. Sue calls to get us a cab and as we walk to the front of the resort it pulls up. It’s not a long drive to SSR but with tip the ride cost $20.00. Not to bad for the convenience of no hassle.
Here we hear for the first time” welcome home” our favorite saying. We live 30 minutes from the real Saratoga Springs and this being our first time at SSR we are excited to see how close they came. The architecture is there and reference to horse racing but a far cry from the original. Sue keeps looking for the racino but thank god gambling hasn’t come to Disney yet.
Again we used the on-line check in and again our packet was ready. Now the girl behind the desk informs us our room is not ready. No big deal, at DVC my room is never ready. Standing to the right was a manger who asked the girl to check on rooms that may have been cleaned late. As it was there was one ready but it was in the carousel building which was further out than the one we would wait for. It was going to be hot again today so a room in hand was a done deal. After thanking Bill from New York State we go to bell service and get a ride on a 6 seat golf cart to our room.
We are a good distance from the main building but it is a room on the first floors so no big deal for us. We get all settled in and decide to walk to the main building. On the way we find the only pool for four buildings, one road and two parking lots away. This seems odd because we have stayed at Old Key West and there seems to be more pools. It takes about 10 to 12 minutes for us to walk to the main building and we decide to have breakfast. Here is one difference from SSR to OKW and that’s at SSR you have a food court (Artist Palette) where at OKW you have a restaurant (Olivia’s). Sue decides on a cheese omelet and I have the bounty platter (scrambled eggs, Mickey waffle, sausage, bacon and a biscuit and an orange juice for $18.82
We pick EPCOT for our park today and as stated we miss the bus and wait a while for the next. Our home is Boardwalk so we very seldom use the main entrance to EPCOT so Spaceship Earth is rarely our first ride. We decide to do the front of EPCOT and then head for the pool before it gets to hot. The crowds are light in the morning but what Sue and I can’t figure is why more people come to the park at noon when it is the hottest part of the day. I don’t mine since that puts less people at the pool being there are only 3 pools for the whole resort.
We wait our 20 minutes and get on the bus for SSR. As we enter the resort the first stop is the Grandstand. I told you our good friends Barb and Steve Russo are also coming down and it’s amazing but at this stop who gets on but Barb and Steve. They are on their way to the park because they just got in. There are a few times where they are at the same place we are but we never see each other but when we compare some photos taken we are within yards of each other
Sue and I go to what is their store for supplies. With the limo we can stop outside and get supplies at a cheaper cost. Here they have you and pay for it. My biggest gripe is $33.00 fir a six pack of beer. That’s crazy! Sue and I pick up sandwich meat, bread and soda and go to the bus stop to get to our rooms.
The only advantage of staying at carousel is now clear. It’s the buses. When you come and go to the parks it’s one of the first stops. So you have a seat going and first off when standing coming back and you may very well be standing leaving the parks. As for getting from the main building to our room we are the second stop. Not to bad.
A trip to the pool which is about a 5 minute walk. We both complained about the walk but I think we were as far away a few times at Boardwalk the only difference was it was an air conditioned walk. A few hours at the pool and we were getting a little burnt. I’m not saying it was hot or we had a long walk to our room but before we would leave the pool we would jump in, pick up our soda and snacks and be dry by the time we reached our room.
Tonight we have reservation for dinner at Raglan Road in Downtown Disney. This is an Irish Pub and has many Irish foods on its menu. Originally it was just Sue and I for dinner but we had extended an invitation to Steve and Barb to join us if they weren’t too tired and just before we left Barb called and said they would meet us. Sue and I leave early and do a quick look in the stores we like to see what we may buy with my gift card and then head to the restaurant for a drink. Two beers for $13.50 and a friendly bar keep Veronica and the wait for the Russos seems to go by fast. I don’t remember what everybody had for dinner because I loss the receipt so I just say what I had was good. It was a Guinness based Irish stew. Not as good as the one they used to serve at the Rose and Crown in EPCOT but good any way. The tab for the four of us with drinks and using the Table of Wonderland (ToW) discount came to $133.09. ToW also adds the tip into the bill so you never have to figure if you are leaving enough.
After dinner we waited for a bus to EPCOT to see Chubby Checker. His show was good but as I looked at the crowd I realized how old 57 is. In my mind’s eye I still see Sue, the Russos and myself as still young. We just don’t seem to be as old as some of the others that are at the concert. We decide to leave before the fireworks show because of the bus service. I figure we will see the fireworks in Jan. when we stay at Boardwalk. Even now we wait the full 20 minutes for a bus and Steve seems to be really getting annoyed at this.
Like getting into room early
Dislike the lack of pools at SSR
Like the bus drop off at carousel building
Dislike waiting 20 minutes for every bus
Dislike no sit down restaurant for breakfast and lunch at SSR
Like not rushing and just relaxing every day
Like Table of Wonderland
Like Chubby Checker
Dislike getting old
Day 3 May 4
Today we decide to go to Animal Kingdom due to the fact it opens early today and with the heat later we hoped we would see more animals in the morning. As we get on the bus we see Steve and Barb who have also decided to go to AK. We head into the park together but Steve and Barb stop to get a coffee or something and we go on. This trip is a lot less crowded than in January and getting on attractions is easy.
We always go to the safari ride first so we see the most animals in the morning. We were not disappointed because we did see many but you had to look real hard for quite a few were just in the underbrush. What amazed me was we saw one elephant and how something that big could stay out of site .After the safari ride there is not much Sue and I do in this park. We decide to do the Lion King show this year. We do this about every other trip and this time we notice the cast seems all new except for the fire eater. Just as good and this show is a must for anybody on their first trip. From here we go to A Bugs Life and luckily sit behind some first timers. I always like being near first timers at Disney because of their reaction they have to the different things that happen at the attractions. This is something you miss when you come to Disney two to three times a year. You do tend to take it for granted.
Next we take the Pangani Exploration Trail. We take it nice and easy and are amazed how human acting the gorillas are. Only doing these few attraction it still gets us to near noon so we head for the buses.
Again it seems like we wait along time for a bus but we are getting used to this. It is getting old but not that bad.
Back to our room for lunch and a couple hours at the pool. I am really getting used too this because we never seem to just relax everyday when we are here with the kids. We meet a couple from New Jersey, who work in New York City, at the pool who were also first timers to DVC. There must be something about the name Wayne because it seems any I have met will talk to anyone. This is where we made our only mistake of the week when we stayed in the pool talking for quite a while and really got ourselves a burn. I told Wayne (from NYC not me) how much a six cost and don’t believe what you hear about New Yorkers this man was willing to drive off property to get me beer. Very cool.
That night Sue and I decide to go to EPCOT to walk the countries and have dinner. Again a wait for the bus and this time meet a couple who were paying for their stay at SSR. Sue believes when she retires I should go to work for DVC because by the time we reached EPCOT I had convinced this couple to check out DVC. Another gentleman who was listening caught up to us as we walked to the park and was interested in my conversation. It seems he was a new DVC member also but was intrigued with some of the advantages you have as a member he never realized. Next to being a starter at a golf course working for DVC would be cool.
As we enter the park we decide on dessert first. One of the treats we enjoy is the Mickey Mouse Bars. It’s just a chocolate covered vanilla ice cream but we always do two or three a trip. As we walk along we decide to try the Lotus Blossom Café in China. I have read how people don’t care for this but it was just what we wanted at the time. I had a Beef noodle soup bowl and Sue had shrimp fried rice. Of course this isn’t gourmet dining but in my opinion it as good as the fast food at SSR.
We finish our tour of the countries and Sue suggests we walk through Boardwalk and go to the Hess store to get some cheap supplies. Here we get doughnuts, chips, pretzels, cereal, soda, small bottle of wine and a twelve pack of beer for under $33.00. The price of the six packs on property. Sue says we should walk back to Boardwalk for a cab but to our luck the man standing behind me is a cab driver. Not only does he take us to SSR but right to our room. So much better than a long walk. And it was only a $15.00 fare with tip.
Back at our room we sit out and enjoy the sunset with cocktails that we can afford.
Likes being around first timers
Likes talking to people about DVC
Dislikes $33.00 for a six pack
Likes the Hess store
Likes Mickey Bars
Likes watching the sunset
Day 4 May 5
When we were down in January it was a wait of 30 minutes or more for every ride. This time there was never more than 15 minutes except for Toy Story Mania and Soar’n which were 40 and 45 minutes.
Having already done some of the left side of MK the first night we went to Tomorrowland today. With Space mountain and the transit authority closed not much we do left. Sue refuses to go to Carousel of Progress this trip. It an inside joke how we have to go when our new son-in-law is with us. He enjoys it the rest of us take a quick nap. As my 10 year old granddaughter says even the future part is ancient history. So we start at Buzz Lightyear where I must have hit a special shot because all of a sudden I was at 999,999. Sue was not happy because she likes beating me.(at games) But the only problem was the rest of the ride my gun was useless. After this we did our usual favorite rides, Philharmagic, Small World and the Haunted Mansion. These are all good but Small World is getting old. My son Jeff says they should put the guns from Buzz Lightyear on the boats and blow those dolls up.
Only a couple years ago I wouldn’t go near any of the mountain rides at the park. It may be I’m retired and not working on high steel anymore or I’m going senile but I’m first in line now. We seem to think Thunder Mountain is faster the hotter the day is because we seemed to fly around the track this time. In Jan. the train seemed to be in slow motion maybe because it was only in the 40’s then. Splash Mountain is still a little scary at the final drop but the sites on the inside are one of the best secrets that you miss if you don’t do the ride. For those that are afraid I’ll give you my secret. Just before you reach the last drop (you’ll know when it’s coming) just close your eyes and duck down. The drop is so fast you won’t even know it happened.
Again the heat is on the rise so off to our 20 minute wait for the bus and back to the main building for a small grocery run. We get more lunch meat, soda, Mickey bars and a couple of magazines. We decide to skip the pool today because we were starting to get a little burn. One year Sue got sun poisoning here sitting in the sun so ever since we take it easy. We are meeting the Russo’s for dinner tonight so we just chill.
We are off to meet the Russos at the boat dock in MK to get out to Trails End at Fort Wilderness at 4:30. Now knowing how great the bus service is we leave our room at 3:45. Sue figures even if we make it before the Russos we can sit on the dock and people watch. As you would figure the bus shows up within a couple of minutes, our shortest wait all week. At MK I get a text message from Steve to go on and they will meet us at Crockets because surprise he is having bus problems. When it comes to texting I’m from the stone age so instead of retuning the message or leave without them we just wait. The boat service is better than the buses from SSR.
Steve and Barb shows up and we take a nice boat ride to Fort Wilderness. Even with the bus trouble we are early for our reservation so a cocktail at Crockets was in order. What we didn’t know (and we are with the man we lovingly call Mister Disney) was that Trails End has become so popular that the sitting area has taken over Crockets. We are seated in the old Crockets and our waiter was there in a second to get us started. This is a buffet style meal so you should bring an appetite. The food is the same as you get at the Hoop-Dee- Do Review plus other extras like sliced beef and soft ice cream. The bill comes to $133.09 including tip for the four of us. Steve helps out with my families taxes every year and my father-in-law always wants to buy Steve a nice dinner for doing his. So being the one who has to endure sitting with Steve through dinner I always make sure I get enough for the four of us. My father-in-law hasn’t questioned this in many years and I never turn down a free meal.
After dinner we take a boat ride back to MK and decide to hang around for the firework show Wishes. We do a couple of rides and then head to a spot Steve likes to watch the show from. As for the show one seems the same to me as another plus I have seen them many times. With this said I decide to take the time to read and look at the windows on Main Street. Barb finds this funny that with all the fireworks I’m off in my own world.
Now back to the bus. The line at SSR was unbelievably long as if no bus showed up during the fireworks. As good grown ups the four of us find the end of the line and get in. As we do the original Disney shuffle a group walks by and just before the start of the line they jump into our line. It’s not bad enough this idiot jumps the line but he is a fellow New Yorker. Barb starts after him but what’s the use. We are the last on the bus and have to stand back to our rooms. The four of us pretty much verbally abuse this person with him in hearing range. Barb and Steve get off at their stop and Sue and I get off at ours and so does this idiot. This put me into a little defensive mode but they said nothing and just walked by. I guess 6-1, 245 have some advantage.
Like Trails End
Like boat ride to Fort Wilderness.
Dislike idiots who think they can do whatever they please.
Day 5 May 6
Today we go to Downtown Disney (DD) to do our souvenir shopping. It’s a cool morning so we walk from our room and find the path to DD. This is a nice walk but we were surprised to see that the walkway closes at 7:00 PM. We figure that with so much over growth it is a good place to mug someone. I imagine people still use the path but the signs must protect Disney from lawsuits.
I have a $75.00 gift card for my birthday so I’m on a mission to find a Mickey clock for my kitchen. Now what I really wanted was a clock like the old Mickey watches but I could not find one. I did get a nice one in silver so mission accomplished. We really did well with the cost of souvenirs because of the gift card plus our discount at the big Disney store. Our cost was $119.00 but with $75.00 gift card and $13.00 annual pass discount $ 44.00.
We took our time going through the stores and as it was getting near lunch I suggested taking sandwiches from Earl of Sandwich. I got an Earl’s club and Sue got the Italian and the cost was $13.90. The same sandwich at my golf course at home is $8.00 and it’s not hot.
To go back to SSR we take the boat ride. This is another enjoyable ride since it’s just another perfect day. Never taken this ride I was more than happy when it dropped us off at Lake Buena Vista Golf Club. I am also looking for golf caps and find a good one inside. We tour the shop a while and go out and talk to the man who unloads your clubs at the front door. After a few minutes he has a man bring us to our room on a golf cart. This was great because we were tired of walking but I felt sorry for the driver .He had no idea where the Carousel building was but we did get a great ride through the golf course.
Back at the room we have lunch and then walk down to the pool. Luckily we have been able to get a table with an umbrella every time so we can escape the sun when we want. After about an hour we are in the pool when Sue notices my ear bleeding. As I reach to touch it a bug falls off. I don’t know what it was but I bled for about and hour.
As we walk back to our room I spied something I really wanted. I take care of everyone’s property back home and mowing lawns is a job. As we are walking I see a mower with no one behind it. It seems to be like an electric golf cart. The operator stands in one place and controls it with a control stick. I could do that all day long.
Back at our room we sit out and have a beer on the patio. As we’re sitting there a duck comes flying in. It walks through the under brush and comes right up to within a few feet of me. Sue gives him some popcorn and we have a friend. He stays with us and even after we go inside he stands at the door looking in as if to say “you coming back out”. After a while we look to see if the duck left and now there is a rabbit. I think the duck put out word we give out popcorn.
Tonight we decide to go to EPCOT for dinner at Germany. We are in the mood for hotdogs and beer. We walk back to the lake and decide to take the boat to the Moroccans dock. This gives us a short walk to Germany. Its 7:00 PM so there is not a big line and we get a couple of dogs and a beer and find a table. For some reason we didn’t think the hotdogs were as good as before. The taste was not there. We sit for a while and watch some play the new Kim Possible game and then decide to leave. We are at the end of our trip and walking is getting old so we go to the boat dock for a ride across the lake. Here we go into Mouse Ears to get some candy my granddaughter always gets.
Tonight is the first time this trip I saw a parent that doesn’t get Disney. His child had one of the placards you get so you can have it stamped at each country that is what it’s for so you and your child visit each country. This guy tells his kid not all the countries have these stations. I thought he didn’t know so I said quietly they do and he snapped “I’m not wasting my time with this”. EXCUSE ME
Like gift card
Like Earl of Sandwich
Like mower you don’t push
Dislike parents who don’t get the Disney meaning
Day 6 May 7
Today Sue wants to go to Hollywood Studios and see if we can get into American Idol (AI). The park opens early but only some of the rides. We figure we would go to Toy Story Mania and you wouldn’t believe the fast pass line. It was backed up do the Walt Disney exhibit. Sue and I go and stand in the ride line which is 35 minutes. It took only about 25 so it’s better now then coming back later. After this AI is still not open so we head for the Little Mermaid show. This is another good show to see about every other time if you come a lot. Finally AI is open and in we go.
We are both fans of the show but only when it gets to the final 12. The pre show area is huge because this is a big theater. The pre show has a combination of taped and live action entertainment which makes the time fly by. We are both expecting to hear fair voices but what we heard was 3 very talented kids that were very good. You get to vote for the one you like and the winner goes on to a final show later in the day. Sue and I both say that Disney should let you know who wins for the day on one of the closed circuit stations on the TV in the resorts. I don’t know if anybody would go back for the last show.
After the show we found a photographer to take our picture for Photo Pass. This is the last park to have our picture and I can’t wait to get to my computer at home to see what the different poses they made us do at each park.
It’s near lunch time so Sue suggests Sci-Fi Theater for lunch. Being only two it has been easy to find places to eat without any reservation. Again we are seated quickly and we order the number one reason we are here. We love the shakes you get here. We also ordered a couple of burgers. The bill with tip is $35.67.
Back to the room and a little down time we decide to try the Turf Club at the main building at SSR. We read you should have reservation so Sue calls and gets one around 5 PM. After a while Barb calls and wants to know if we want to meet at the Turf Club for dinner. We tell her we have a reservation but she wants to eat now. We say we’ll meet them in a half hour. Two seconds later Steve calls to find out what we are doing. It seems Barb had a couple of Long Island Ice teas at the pool and was a little confused. We told them go on down and we’ll meet you.
This is a restaurant that reminds me of some golf course club houses I have been in. We all ordered hamburgers,Sue a salad and a beer. The bill with tip was $70.00. After dinner we took a walk to Steve’s room to check out the Tree houses for future trips with our families but after talking to some cast members we found that you take a bus to SSR then you get a bus to the park. With the trouble we had with buses there is no way we are doing this.
As for the buses Steve had one more experience today. It seems he left HS and stood for a long time for a bus. Only Steve would count how many buses past him by which I believe was 22. Now I would have had some Disney person before I counted 10.
One last bus ride from Steve’s building to ours.
Sue calls bell services for a 10AM pickup tomorrow with hopes it works better than the buses.
Like American Idol surprisingly
Like shakes at Sci-Fi
Dislike the idea of sharing buses with SSR if staying at Tree houses
Day7 May 8
We finally have a ride show up on time. At 10AM the bell person is at our door and takes us to meet the Magical Express. We go into Artist Palette for breakfast and wait for the Russos. Our bus is due at 11:30 so as usual we are at the stop early. Soon the bus is here and our vacation is over.
Now if you listen to Steve whenever he flies with me it’s always a bumpy ride. I guess he may be right because we are jumping around for most of the flight. At least it wasn’t like the last time when I swear the plane went sideways on landing.
At the Albany airport Steve and Barb were met by his son and his girlfriend and we all waited at the slowest baggage claim in the world. Outside my son Jeff and granddaughter Emily were waiting with a sign how she missed us.
One last note. Just to make sure, we have booked Boardwalk for our family trip the last week of January. Hopefully it will be warm this year.