Before I head straight into my trip report I'd like to tell you I had a GREAT time! In fact, this was my favorite vacation I've ever had which I spent with my wonderful family. Although not a cruise or exotic destination to a common Floridian, WDW (& Universal) offer something so magical and special that you forget you're even in the muggle realm. So sit back, relax and enjoy my trip report (;
Saturday- July 31, 2010:
I had stayed up all night prior to this day, an ongoing tradition due to my awful sleep cycle and pure excitement, so this day felt entirely extra long. We left at around 9:30 am and arrivied 1:30-2:30 pm (don't remember specifically).
Alas we arrive in the world and our first stop before check in is to eat a scrumptious burger at Beaches n Cream.
We couldn't believe it when we got there and the head hostess told us we had a 60 minute wait!! We decided to wait it out even though we saw a few families leaving after hearing that wait time. But then, after a good 5 minutes, we get buzzed in and our family is seated. What's up with that! Is this some strategy to help keep from overflowing with guests?
I loved the look of the place and especially its proximity to the pool! Man oh man was Stromalong Bay looking great, but they're really checking you at the gate to make sure you aren't a pool hopper ):
Going into it we thought we'd have the best burger ever, but we weren't impressed at all. In fact, we compared to being like a Five Guys burger joint (filling and more filling). I guess the food was decent enough, but I wouldn't go back without just getting ice cream.
As a side note, I don't get how people can eat a full meal and one of their ice cream desserts! They look so filling!
Anywho, after our snack and taking a brisk walk through the lobby area (BCV is so tremendously gorgeous), we are now heading to our destination: Saratoga Springs.
Check in was a breeze and we even got what we requested (a Congress Park room)! I was soo excited and had no idea what to expect and for good reason- this was only my second stay in a real Disney resort besides a cabin at FW!
Our room was absolutely wonderful and the view was amazing. I wasn't even expecting a DtD view, but oh did we get it
View:
I'd really have to say the biggest benefit of staying at SSR is the proximity to DtD area. It was a 5 minute walk from Congress Park and our room. Plus relazing on the balcony after a long day at the parks hearing the night sounds of DtD was really pure bliss.
Later that day we headed on over to Disney Quest and we stayed here for a good 2-3 hours. We thought it was just 'okay'. We strongly disliked the Aladdin virtual ride which we all had remembered as being pretty cool, and we also loved playing the racing and score games that we used to always avoid doing here (pretty ironic, eh?). I'd say try this place once before judging it, but make sure to go when it isn't busy to make sure you can have the pleasure of trying everything (something we didn't get to do)
We ate at House of Blues, which we also thought was just 'okay'. We originally hadn't planned on eating here, but we found a $25 off coupon on Restaurants dot com so we just went for it. I ordered the peperoni pizza which we all agreed was very tasty, while my parents did not particularly like their meal (can't remember what they ordered though, sorry). Overall, we probably weren't going to be headed back to House of Blues anymore- but it was worth a shot.
Some DtD shots from across the pond at the Congress Park quiet pool area:
DHS day will be posted tomorrow! :wave:
Saturday- July 31, 2010:
I had stayed up all night prior to this day, an ongoing tradition due to my awful sleep cycle and pure excitement, so this day felt entirely extra long. We left at around 9:30 am and arrivied 1:30-2:30 pm (don't remember specifically).
Alas we arrive in the world and our first stop before check in is to eat a scrumptious burger at Beaches n Cream.
We couldn't believe it when we got there and the head hostess told us we had a 60 minute wait!! We decided to wait it out even though we saw a few families leaving after hearing that wait time. But then, after a good 5 minutes, we get buzzed in and our family is seated. What's up with that! Is this some strategy to help keep from overflowing with guests?
I loved the look of the place and especially its proximity to the pool! Man oh man was Stromalong Bay looking great, but they're really checking you at the gate to make sure you aren't a pool hopper ):
Going into it we thought we'd have the best burger ever, but we weren't impressed at all. In fact, we compared to being like a Five Guys burger joint (filling and more filling). I guess the food was decent enough, but I wouldn't go back without just getting ice cream.
As a side note, I don't get how people can eat a full meal and one of their ice cream desserts! They look so filling!
Anywho, after our snack and taking a brisk walk through the lobby area (BCV is so tremendously gorgeous), we are now heading to our destination: Saratoga Springs.
Check in was a breeze and we even got what we requested (a Congress Park room)! I was soo excited and had no idea what to expect and for good reason- this was only my second stay in a real Disney resort besides a cabin at FW!
Our room was absolutely wonderful and the view was amazing. I wasn't even expecting a DtD view, but oh did we get it
View:
I'd really have to say the biggest benefit of staying at SSR is the proximity to DtD area. It was a 5 minute walk from Congress Park and our room. Plus relazing on the balcony after a long day at the parks hearing the night sounds of DtD was really pure bliss.
Later that day we headed on over to Disney Quest and we stayed here for a good 2-3 hours. We thought it was just 'okay'. We strongly disliked the Aladdin virtual ride which we all had remembered as being pretty cool, and we also loved playing the racing and score games that we used to always avoid doing here (pretty ironic, eh?). I'd say try this place once before judging it, but make sure to go when it isn't busy to make sure you can have the pleasure of trying everything (something we didn't get to do)
We ate at House of Blues, which we also thought was just 'okay'. We originally hadn't planned on eating here, but we found a $25 off coupon on Restaurants dot com so we just went for it. I ordered the peperoni pizza which we all agreed was very tasty, while my parents did not particularly like their meal (can't remember what they ordered though, sorry). Overall, we probably weren't going to be headed back to House of Blues anymore- but it was worth a shot.
Some DtD shots from across the pond at the Congress Park quiet pool area:
DHS day will be posted tomorrow! :wave:
