So our trip was probably the best that we've taken yet. All in all it was 10 days. 5 at Saratoga and 5 at Bay Lake. Saratoga we were in the springs section. 3634 which was in the back of the building but still a virtual hop skip and jump from the pool and bus stop. The first 4 days were dreary and rainy. The first night we were in Daytona for the Nationwide series race. Threatened to rain out and qualifying for the Sprint Cup was cancelled but finally good weather came through and it went on. Then afterwards to the WingHouse for a 10 pm dinner. Back in Orlando by 1 am. The next day we went to Universal while the girls headed to the parks. We saw Pat Benetar, REO Speedwagon
and the Harry Potter attractions. Truly not as crowded as I thought they would be. I now love Frozen Butterbeer. Tastes like melted Vanilla ice cream. Back to the room by 11 pm and ran over to Magic Kingdom with oldest DD for extra magic hours. We were able to get her pics with several main characters back by the carousel. Hardly anyone around. Space Mountain broke down so no ride there. Buzz Lightyear I was soundly defeated by. Back to the condo by 2:30 and into bed. Wednesday we moved over to Bay Lake. Great room (7914) on the 9th floor with a view of the Magic Kingdom and Bay Lake. Booked as a lake view but check out my photo album and you'll it was definitely both. We utilized the laundry facilities and the pool and the Top of the world Lounge (must haves: wildberry margarita (easily tolerable for a lightweight). I had one at the Turf Club at SSR for our dinner there and each night at the TOWL. The lounge one was better. Then we also had the BLT Flatbread and the Crab nachos at the lounge. Pictures of the crab nachos are in the album. The BLT flatbread didn't stay around long enough (we had it each night we went up there). Loved the staff. Bartender Mike and our waitress Mary. good bit of traffic so I really hope they keep it around. The music for the fireworks show is piped into the entire resort on Channel 20 on the television. So if you have the MK view you can have a great show. The lounge also has a small deck off the other side so we could watch the Seaworld fireworks each night (usually around 9:30). Nightastic was at 10 pm each night we were there and several of the nights MGM has 2 showings of Fantasmic.
So remembering back from my "Disney stuff" album. What we used the most: the small roundish fans that hold water, the pressure sprayers (no batteries required and holding down the button sprayed continuously). ponchos, umbrellas, point and shoot camera, smallish black backpack and the bigger fannypack (which I expanded the strap all the way and made it into a hipster).
We definitely are looking forward to going back in November. also wanted to mention that when we got the checkin at the Contemporary (for Bay Lake) that our paperwork was completely ready. We drove over around 8 am from Saratoga. There wasn't a soul at the counter and I asked if it was possible the room was already ready. The young man said yes and asked if I wanted a room up high or lower. I said I just didn't want to be looking out directly into the treetops but it didn't matter. He said he had just the room for us and would just be a minute while he rekeyed our room. The online checkin had already triggered an assignment (telling me that yes they are always done ahead of time) but that he could change it. First cards were tossed and we were on our way shortly to put our bag in the room and go move the girls over from Saratoga.
P.S. also 7914 is a handicapped room. youngest DD did have her chair with her this trip due to new health problems that are triggering arthritis and fatigue. But all I had asked for during online checkin was near an elevator. no mention of the chair.
P.S.S. love the games they've put in to play while you wait for Space Mountain in the regular line.
The newer pictures are on the last pages of each album
http://picasaweb.google.com/uahollem/BayLakeTowers# Bay Lake Tower
http://picasaweb.google.com/uahollem/MagicKingdom02?feat=directlink Magic Kingdom
http://picasaweb.google.com/uahollem/HollywoodStudios?feat=directlink Hollywood Studios
http://picasaweb.google.com/uahollem/AnimalKingdom?feat=directlink Animal Kingdom
http://picasaweb.google.com/uahollem/WWOHP# Harry Potter at IOA
I think I saw that Dick's Sporting Goods has them.
So, confession time.......we have never had pictures taken with any face characters!! GASP! I know! So that's on my list for this time. I was thinking about asking each princess or whomever to say a little word of encouragement to my students and video tape it to show them the first week of school. You know, 'good luck and work hard' or something like that. So I was wondering.....are the characters allowed to do this? Has anyone ever asked?
I am sure if you stood by the railing that was closest to Main St you would have an even better view. I can honestly say that the dessert party was totally worth the money and if I had the chance I would do it again. 
I didn't ask my husband his opinion. I didn't even tell my DH or DS that we were doing the party until the night before. I figured it was something I wanted to do - so we were doing it. Being the only girl in the family - I never get to do princess things so this was my little treat! 
