Discovering DVC timandlesley style-A PTR, 19 days TRIP REPORT LINK PG.119!!!!!

[mylag1rl]

Thanks for posting the pics of Mickey. What a handsome boy ! Can't wait to hear more about the plans for your trip.

 

[morgtroy]

That's so wild Ally was in your class, it is a small world. They took their whole crew to Disney last summer. Their younger daughter Gabrielle and my daughter are the same age and very close.
Love the pics of Mickey, he sure has grown.

 

[kayla87]

I just have to say it - what a cute puppy! I adore puppy pictures

We have a 9 month old border collie, and when I saw the up to date picture of your baby, it reminded me of the really cute awkward stage where their bodies are big but they still have that puppy cuteness! Awww...

That is so sad to hear about his hip, but I'm glad it's better. Our other dog blocked her intestines with an acorn, and that was stressful enough. I just can't imagine broken bones.

We're gearing up for our first DVC stay, and we're pretty excited about it. I can't wait to hear your deluxe dining plans!

 

[timandlesley]

I am glad to find your PTR, after reading the last one. We will be at AKL June 15-22, so we will check out as you check in!!! This will be our first trip in the summer time and I am already scared of the crowds. I'll be reading about your plans as I plan our trip. Some day we will go for a 2 week trip, can't wait!!!

So glad you found us again. Very cool, maybe we will bump into one another on the 22nd. I stuck to the Tour Guide Mike touring plans (with my own tweaks here and there) during our summer trips and we didn't wait much in line at all. Crowds are crazy but manageable!

The last time I was there on the 4th, it was when I worked there in 2000, so I am blanking at the moment.

But I did find some info regarding this pas July events for the 4th:

Thanks for all of the awesome 4th of July tips. I don't know if we'll be brave enough to do a park that night, sounds like madness. Probably a park a.m. and then off that night. I saw that Downtown Disney has Fireworks, that would be cool if we could view them from SSR. Anyone know??
Lesley

So glad Mickey is okay

He is so stinking cute.

Thanks! We think so too : )

We loved the Grandstand, and my niece and nephew didn't even notice the main pool until the day we were leaving, then it was "hey! why didn't we go there?" My DSIS and I enjoyed the small pool and the bar right next to it so we could keep an eye on the kids while having our adult beverages. The kids loved the squirt gun area

Grandstand is the first bus stop coming and going It is also the newest - just finished in 2007.

There's lots of information on the SSR Lover's thread - lots of pics, too!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1329308

O.K., so you have me sold on Grandstand!!!!! One last question, do they have their own hot tub by their quiet pool? If they do, I'm definitely sold!
Lesley

Hey Tammie!
I'll throw some of my Grandstand Pool pics in for good measure. My kids had a blast!!!

OH, and of course a shameless plug to my September trip report! rolleyes1 lol sorry Leslie!!!)

LOVE the pics and also checked out the trippie, very cool, thanks so much for all the info. What a lovely family you have!
Lesley

I'm baaacccckkk!!! I can't wait to live out my disney dreams through you guys! Since moving back to Ohio we have been living on one income, (my Ohio license expired while we were in NC) so no Disney trip this year.

But, I am super happy for you guys and can't wait to hear about both resorts. I have wanted to stay at both at some point, but chose other places for discount reasons and what not. Can't wait to read all of your plans. Take care and enjoy the holidays.

Welcome back and Welcome to Ohio!!!
I will definitely tell you all about each resort, then when you can return you can decide if they are places you want to visit.
Lesley

Lesley, we stayed at the Springs on our only trip to SSR in November 07, and I would recommend that for the proximity to the pool and the CS restaurant. We never had to stand on a bus, but we were there at a slower time. I just don't know how far the Grandstand is from the main hub for the restaurants. It might be great to stay there for the ease with the buses---you will probably feel like you are on the bus forever on the way to the parks---there are so many stops in SSR. We enjoyed our stay there, but DEFINITELY felt the worst part of that resort was the bus situation. I will wish you lots of luck!!!!

The TS restaurant there---Turf Club Bar and Grille is VERY good!!!!! I highly recommend it!

Springs does sound awesome but the transportation scares me. I think I've decided Grandstand first choice, Springs second and see where we end up. Thanks for the restaraunt suggestions, I'll have to check out the menu's!
Lesley

Thanks for posting the pics of Mickey. What a handsome boy ! Can't wait to hear more about the plans for your trip.

Thanks!

That's so wild Ally was in your class, it is a small world. They took their whole crew to Disney last summer. Their younger daughter Gabrielle and my daughter are the same age and very close.
Love the pics of Mickey, he sure has grown.

It's a small world. Yes, I had her for third grade several years ago. I heard they were going to Disney, hope they had a great time! I know Gabriella too ; 0 )

I just have to say it - what a cute puppy! I adore puppy pictures

We have a 9 month old border collie, and when I saw the up to date picture of your baby, it reminded me of the really cute awkward stage where their bodies are big but they still have that puppy cuteness! Awww...

That is so sad to hear about his hip, but I'm glad it's better. Our other dog blocked her intestines with an acorn, and that was stressful enough. I just can't imagine broken bones.

We're gearing up for our first DVC stay, and we're pretty excited about it. I can't wait to hear your deluxe dining plans!

Thanks, our first experience with a puppy, lots of work but worth it! Yes, it was hard with his hip, can't believe that about the acorn. We took out pet insurance on Mickey now so we don't have to face pet bills like that again!!!
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

So................ Thanks so much to all of you helping us to decide where to stay at SSR.
Two more questions for you:
Do they have a hot tub at the Grandstand pool at SSR?
If so, that will sell us and I think we will do first choice Grandstand section, second choice Springs and see where we end up.

Has anyone been to Disney during fireworks at Downtown Disney (4th of July or New Years)? I think they have fireworks at Downtown Disney on the 4th, if they do we will probably avoid a park that night and would like to see the fireworks from SSR. Any viewing location suggestions?

I look forward to your advice.

My next update will tell you why we decided on our dates and what we are doing about tickets for our first ever DVC trip! Stay tuned .

Lesley

 

[dddisrunner]

Lesley, there is a hot tub at the grandstand section! If you google "photos of grandstand hot tub at SSR" you can see pics. of it! To answer your question above, we also will choose the Granstand section close to quiet pool for our
1st choice with Congress Park/DTD view as our 2nd choice!

 

[punkin413]

i can't help you with DTD 4th of july fireworks but a good friend of mine from the boards, memom (i don't know if you read her TRs or not) went to disney during the 4th this past july and instead of going to a park that night, they went to the poly beach to watch the fireworks at MK. they said it was incredible. then they even had enough time to hop on the monorail and go to epcot to see their fireworks that night too!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Funny enough, after the conversations on yours and Leslie's thread here, I called and changed us to Grandstand first choice with pool view as second priority. I originally had CP DTD view as first choice since we've yet to have that view, but after thinking about how little time we actually spend out on the balcony I think we'd appreciate the GS location again so much more.

Lesley, there is a hot tub at the grandstand section! If you google "photos of grandstand hot tub at SSR" you can see pics. of it! To answer your question above, we also will choose the Granstand section close to quiet pool for our
1st choice with Congress Park/DTD view as our 2nd choice!

 

[shannon47142]

I was going to suggest the same thing as punkin did. I'm reading along from Memoms summer trip report. She posted some cool pictures from their 4th of July night at the Poly beach.

 

[Sooze]

I wish I could help more on the SSR thing... Matt and I stayed there, but it was just the two of us, and it was in January.. so we didn't even use the pools!! Sounds like you're getting a bunch of great advice, tho!! We 'HAD' to stay at SSR using our 'reward' points, too.... so we'll be there in January again. If you have anything you want me to scope out for you, let me know!!

I am SO EXCITED that you and Tim are doing a solo trip, you have no idea!! Just a warning.. you will feel guilty at times... just keep reminding yourself of what you do for Luke and Lauren every year, when most kids visit Disney once in a lifetime. THEN remind yourself of the POSITIVE example you are setting for your children.... the example of how to keep marriage happy, healthy, and FUN!!

So glad to be hanging out on another wonderful PTR!!

 

[timandlesley]

Lesley, there is a hot tub at the grandstand section! If you google "photos of grandstand hot tub at SSR" you can see pics. of it! To answer your question above, we also will choose the Granstand section close to quiet pool for our
1st choice with Congress Park/DTD view as our 2nd choice!

YEAH!!!! I did google pictures and came up with amazing ones of the Grandstand pool!!! We are soooooooo requesting Grandstand, the kids are excited about it too, now I just hope that our requests are granted!!! I'll put second choice Springs and hope we get one or the other.

i can't help you with DTD 4th of july fireworks but a good friend of mine from the boards, memom (i don't know if you read her TRs or not) went to disney during the 4th this past july and instead of going to a park that night, they went to the poly beach to watch the fireworks at MK. they said it was incredible. then they even had enough time to hop on the monorail and go to epcot to see their fireworks that night too!

I just checked out her report, do you have any idea what page it is on, I didn't see an index and it was 100+ pages so I didn't know where to start. Tim is now saying he wants to be IN the park that night, and it's a SATURDAY in JULY, it's gonna be CRRRRAAAAZZZZY!!!! We'll see what park we choose and what our plans will be, should be interesting to say the least!
LEsley

Funny enough, after the conversations on yours and Leslie's thread here, I called and changed us to Grandstand first choice with pool view as second priority. I originally had CP DTD view as first choice since we've yet to have that view, but after thinking about how little time we actually spend out on the balcony I think we'd appreciate the GS location again so much more.

That is so funny! Glad we could be of help!
Lesley

I was going to suggest the same thing as punkin did. I'm reading along from Memoms summer trip report. She posted some cool pictures from their 4th of July night at the Poly beach.

Tim is now saying he wants to be in a park. Maybe Poly beach first then head to Epcot, we'll have to see!
Lesley

I wish I could help more on the SSR thing... Matt and I stayed there, but it was just the two of us, and it was in January.. so we didn't even use the pools!! Sounds like you're getting a bunch of great advice, tho!! We 'HAD' to stay at SSR using our 'reward' points, too.... so we'll be there in January again. If you have anything you want me to scope out for you, let me know!!

I am SO EXCITED that you and Tim are doing a solo trip, you have no idea!! Just a warning.. you will feel guilty at times... just keep reminding yourself of what you do for Luke and Lauren every year, when most kids visit Disney once in a lifetime. THEN remind yourself of the POSITIVE example you are setting for your children.... the example of how to keep marriage happy, healthy, and FUN!!

So glad to be hanging out on another wonderful PTR!!

That is why I love you sooooo much Susie, thanks for the encouraging words. When I think of cancelling due to guilt I will keep those important words at heart, we DESERVE this!!!!
Lesley

 

[sharonW]

I BET YOUR GETTING ANNUAL PASSES!!!

 

[trixiequilts]

How on earth did I miss this PTR until now??? At least I made it, can't wait to hear more!

We're going to AKV in January~it's getting so close I'm a little nervous!

 

[punkin413]

I just checked out her report, do you have any idea what page it is on, I didn't see an index and it was 100+ pages so I didn't know where to start. Tim is now saying he wants to be IN the park that night, and it's a SATURDAY in JULY, it's gonna be CRRRRAAAAZZZZY!!!! We'll see what park we choose and what our plans will be, should be interesting to say the least!
LEsley

here ya go:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28734245&postcount=2052

i don't think i could handle being in a park on the 4th. but i'm not good with ginormous crowds. if they don't bother you, go for it!

 

[MegansMom]

Lesley---I think you are definitely making the best choice for Grandstand first---we went at a slow time, so I think getting on the buses first in JULY will DEFINITELY be a BIG plus!!!! Even if you have to stand on the way back, at least you will be out first!!!! Now that I think about it, I think we put in for Grandstand first, and Springs second, and wound up in Springs---BUT, we didn't check in there until later in the day because we were doing a split stay at CSR first, and didn't make it over to SSR until late that night after we got out of the parks!

I'm with SOOZE, you guys definitely deserve the solo trip---don't let yourself back out of it!!! I know you will be glad you took it once it has come and gone!

And---my vote is TOTALLY for an AP!

 

[momtotanmanandraerae]

Excited to see a new timandlesley report!! We just got back from our second DVC trip. We stayed in OKW and the BC. Are you staying in a studio or one-bedroom? Just a warning...don't stay in a one-bedroom or you will never go back!!! Last trip, we did a few nights in a studio and then switched to a one-bedroom. We were amazed at how great having the extra room and the kitchen were. This trip we spent 12 nights in a one-bedroom. My dh has now stated that he will never stay in a regular hotel room again. It eats up the points but we sure do love it!!! We also love Beach Club. I need to start saving some money to buy points there. To walk to Epcot and Stormalong Bay is amazing. I know BC is very hard to get for Food and Wine but you should try and get it....that would be amazing!

We did stay in SSR last December and liked it. We were in the Congress Park section. We had a great view of DTD at our balcony. However, it was a 5 minute walk to the restaurants and pool. That was more of a pain to fill up my refillable mugs. However, the buses ran great and never were that crowded.

Looking forward to reading more!

 

[timandlesley]

I BET YOUR GETTING ANNUAL PASSES!!!

I bet you are right Check update tonight!

How on earth did I miss this PTR until now??? At least I made it, can't wait to hear more!

We're going to AKV in January~it's getting so close I'm a little nervous!

I don't know, but glad you found us!!! January, what fun!!!
Lesley

here ya go:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28734245&postcount=2052

i don't think i could handle being in a park on the 4th. but i'm not good with ginormous crowds. if they don't bother you, go for it!

Thanks, that looks heavenly to me, now............ if I can only convince Tim
Lesley

Lesley---I think you are definitely making the best choice for Grandstand first---we went at a slow time, so I think getting on the buses first in JULY will DEFINITELY be a BIG plus!!!! Even if you have to stand on the way back, at least you will be out first!!!! Now that I think about it, I think we put in for Grandstand first, and Springs second, and wound up in Springs---BUT, we didn't check in there until later in the day because we were doing a split stay at CSR first, and didn't make it over to SSR until late that night after we got out of the parks!

I'm with SOOZE, you guys definitely deserve the solo trip---don't let yourself back out of it!!! I know you will be glad you took it once it has come and gone!

And---my vote is TOTALLY for an AP!

Thanks, I hope we get either Grandstand or Springs, I'll be THRILLED with either, I just can't wait for thsi trip! Thanks for your solo trip comments, I just can't wait.
Lesley

Excited to see a new timandlesley report!! We just got back from our second DVC trip. We stayed in OKW and the BC. Are you staying in a studio or one-bedroom? Just a warning...don't stay in a one-bedroom or you will never go back!!! Last trip, we did a few nights in a studio and then switched to a one-bedroom. We were amazed at how great having the extra room and the kitchen were. This trip we spent 12 nights in a one-bedroom. My dh has now stated that he will never stay in a regular hotel room again. It eats up the points but we sure do love it!!! We also love Beach Club. I need to start saving some money to buy points there. To walk to Epcot and Stormalong Bay is amazing. I know BC is very hard to get for Food and Wine but you should try and get it....that would be amazing!
We did stay in SSR last December and liked it. We were in the Congress Park section. We had a great view of DTD at our balcony. However, it was a 5 minute walk to the restaurants and pool. That was more of a pain to fill up my refillable mugs. However, the buses ran great and never were that crowded.
Looking forward to reading more!

Hi, glad you found us again. For now, we will definitely stick to a studio for that reason exactly. With only 160 points and having to travel in the summer due to me being a teacher when it costs more points to stay, AND figuring we want to get 2 trips per year out of those points we'll have to stick to studios. Beach Club is definitely on our list for the future, my dream would actually be Baylake Towers for the two of us in November but I'm not holding my breath, we're excited about trying AKL Concierge too! Great to hear about the buses running good during your stay. It's funny, last year it seemed EVERY time we were stuck waiting for our WL bus a Saratoga Springs bus would pull up and the kids would always say, " we want to stay there!!!"
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

So............ as I have stated previously I am a full time special education teacher so we need to travel in the summer time. I knew we wanted to purchase annual passes and get at least 2 trips out of those passes. So............... UNFORTUNATELY next summer (2010) we don't get out until June 10th, so I knew this summer we needed to go late June in order to get the best use out of our Annual passes. PLUS by purchasing the annual passes Tim and I can go to Food and Wine Festival in November and only have to pay for airfare and spending money
So........ we will be taking advantage of the DVC discount for AP's and purchasing them when we go down to Disney this year and will get THREE DISNEY TRIPS OUT OF OUR ANNUAL PASSES!!! .Soooooooooooo exciting!!!!!

Stay tuned, I started looking at dining plans, best days, renewed Tour Guide mike today, made a calendar trying to figure out what dining points on which days, etc. Enough to make your HEAD SPIN!!! I'll finish it up and post here for feedback. I am so thrilled with all of the restaraunts we are going to be able to hit during our SIXTEEN days in Disney!!!! We're even going to try the Luau at the Poly this year, unless some of you convince me Hoop De Doo is better (we've never done either)

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lesley

 

[punkin413]

We're even going to try the Luau at the Poly this year, unless some of you convince me Hoop De Doo is better (we've never done either)[/COLOR]

i've never done the luau but we did hoop dee doo this past september and it was a BLAST! your kids would love it. i think you're reading my september TR (the vandy girls one). we haven't gotten to that part yet - it was on our last night. i will have video of it so just sit tight and when we post that maybe that will help you see what it's all about!

 

[pmama]

Now you're talking my kinda language. Nothing feels better than getting the most out our your own money.