Trip Report Cycling through Celebration, a cream cheese covered remote and the Closed Wallet Rebellion of 2016.

So last week we spent seven nights in a one-bedroom at Saratoga Springs Resort in the Congress Park section. We like Congress Park and have stayed in that section before. The walk over to Disney Springs is fun and since the new section just opened with several new shops and restaurants, we walked over several times during the week.
I think the first evening there is when I declared the wallet closed and decided to try to save a dollar or two this trip. What started it was sticker shock at some of the prices I was seeing.
But let's start at the beginning and I'll go into more detail later.
We got an early start and arrived to WDW via the 535 entrance to Hotel Plaza Blvd.:

 

[Mickey2422]

Thanks for a great report! I enjoy the parks, but also love to just walk around and enjoy the different themed hotels and relaxing.

 

[epcotisbest]

Hey @mergatroid forgot to tag you on this trip report.

 

[mergatroid]

Hey @mergatroid forgot to tag you on this trip report.

No worries my friend, looks fantastic and thanks. Mrs Epcotisbest looks very patient in those pictures standing there while you do your thing with the camera. She has that look that Mrs Mergatroid has when I say I want to ride a coaster another time after getting off and she looks at me like I'm a little child thinking "Oh if it makes him happy I'll just smile and say yes go on then"

We're in Orlando this September for three weeks, if you're there at the same time perhaps we'll meet and I'll shout you both an ice cream in the park? (cheapest one on the cart though, I'm not made of money you know)

 

[Longers]

More tomorrow. Thanks for reading along. Hope you like the photos. I am thinking there may be some folks who have never been over to Celebration and may enjoy the pics. One of our favorite restaurants is there, Columbia, but since I closed the wallet, we passed on it this trip. We will go on to ride much more at Celebration, SSR, The Treehouses, Old Key West and over at Fort Wilderness too. More photos of those rides later.
I might even have some meals cooked in the room pics just for @Zipitidoda who knows I like to cook in the room from a previous trip report.
@fractal @Songbird76 @Sans Souci @BuddyThomas @coachwnh @Tuvalu @DisneyShe @bee @Longers @Tony the Tigger @prfctlyximprct @ajrwdwgirl @FlaggNL @Mr Ferret 88 @LisaBelle @MouseDreaming @lostpro9het @MinnieM123 @93boomer and many others I did not leave out on purpose, hope you can come along for the ride.

My tag didn't work properly, but just returned from a holiday and spotted this so now reading to catch up and following along - glad the pot fountain is still at Disney springs

 

[epcotisbest]

Thanks for a great report! I enjoy the parks, but also love to just walk around and enjoy the different themed hotels and relaxing.

Thanks for reading. We have been resort hopping for years, but lately have taken it to a whole new level.

 

[epcotisbest]

No worries my friend, looks fantastic and thanks. Mrs Epcotisbest looks very patient in those pictures standing there while you do your thing with the camera. She has that look that Mrs Mergatroid has when I say I want to ride a coaster another time after getting off and she looks at me like I'm a little child thinking "Oh if it makes him happy I'll just smile and say yes go on then"

We're in Orlando this September for three weeks, if you're there at the same time perhaps we'll meet and I'll shout you both an ice cream in the park? (cheapest one on the cart though, I'm not made of money you know)

Hey Merg, thanks for reading. Yes, she tolerates my photo taking, but often says, "Please just put the camera away," which I often translate as "Well, a few more photos then."
As for the ice cream, if you aren't springing for a Kitchen Sink, just forget it.

 

[epcotisbest]

My tag didn't work properly, but just returned from a holiday and spotted this so now reading to catch up and following along - glad the pot fountain is still at Disney springs

Welcome to another trip report. Glad you could join us. Are you planning for another November trip yourself?

 

[Longers]

Welcome to another trip report. Glad you could join us. Are you planning for another November trip yourself?

Yes of course - it's all being planned.
Looking forward to catching up on this report after work tonight - I have quite a bit to read!

 

[Santa Raccoon 77]

Fantastic TR and you and Mrs Isbest are looking great. Nice to see the other side of Disney that doesn't involve going at 100mph.

 

[Gabe1]

Saw this piece of sage advice posted by a canal as I was loading the bikes back on the car. I won't be harassing any alligators on this, or any other trip.

View attachment 144295

Well this post brought chills to my spine.

 

[epcotisbest]

Fantastic TR and you and Mrs Isbest are looking great. Nice to see the other side of Disney that doesn't involve going at 100mph.

Yeah, we do take it kinda slow and relaxed, which is something we could do at any destination, we just still enjoy going to WDW. We spend much less time in the parks than we used to, but we still have a great time.

 

[epcotisbest]

Well this post brought chills to my spine.

While that alligator warning sign was not at WDW, it is an indication alligators are everywhere in Florida. While unrelated to the tragedy that happened last night, if some find this photo disturbing or disrespectful because of what just happened, I will be glad to delete it. @wdwmagic what do you recommend?

 

[epcotisbest]

Yes of course - it's all being planned.
Looking forward to catching up on this report after work tonight - I have quite a bit to read!

I know yours will be an epic trip with lots of ice cream.

 

[Santa Raccoon 77]

Yeah, we do take it kinda slow and relaxed, which is something we could do at any destination, we just still enjoy going to WDW. We spend much less time in the parks than we used to, but we still have a great time.

Our cruise was a lot more relaxing than previous holidays. Will try and remeber to tag you in the TR

 

[epcotisbest]

Our cruise was a lot more relaxing than previous holidays. Will try and remeber to tag you in the TR

Thanks...looking forward to your TR.

 

[Figgy1]

Our cruise was a lot more relaxing than previous holidays. Will try and remeber to tag you in the TR

Thanks...looking forward to your TR.

Me 2

 

[Longers]

So just caught up after work - laughed out loud at you putting cream cheese on the remote
Loved all your photos, really clear and loved seeing PORS (although it made me a little home sick)
I certainly couldn't be that close to a park without going in but then I wait all year for my Disney fix - I am already dreaming of ice cream
Maybe need to look at hiring a bike to take a ride along some of the paths you did and thanks for the added trip details of bears and fireflies looks like you had a good time
Thanks for sharing

 

[Gabe1]

While that alligator warning sign was not at WDW, it is an indication alligators are everywhere in Florida. While unrelated to the tragedy that happened last night, if some find this photo disturbing or disrespectful because of what just happened, I will be glad to delete it. @wdwmagic what do you recommend?

I think the photo os just fine.

 

[93boomer]

More tomorrow. Thanks for reading along. Hope you like the photos. I am thinking there may be some folks who have never been over to Celebration and may enjoy the pics. One of our favorite restaurants is there, Columbia, but since I closed the wallet, we passed on it this trip. We will go on to ride much more at Celebration, SSR, The Treehouses, Old Key West and over at Fort Wilderness too. More photos of those rides later.
I might even have some meals cooked in the room pics just for @Zipitidoda who knows I like to cook in the room from a previous trip report.
@fractal @Songbird76 @Sans Souci @BuddyThomas @coachwnh @Tuvalu @DisneyShe @bee @Longers @Tony the Tigger @prfctlyximprct @ajrwdwgirl @FlaggNL @Mr Ferret 88 @LisaBelle @MouseDreaming @lostpro9het @MinnieM123 @93boomer and many others I did not leave out on purpose, hope you can come along for the ride.

Sorry it has taken me so long to read your TR. I wanted to able to take my time and enjoy it! It is awesome so far!

 

[epcotisbest]

So just caught up after work - laughed out loud at you putting cream cheese on the remote
Loved all your photos, really clear and loved seeing PORS (although it made me a little home sick)
I certainly couldn't be that close to a park without going in but then I wait all year for my Disney fix - I am already dreaming of ice cream
Maybe need to look at hiring a bike to take a ride along some of the paths you did and thanks for the added trip details of bears and fireflies looks like you had a good time
Thanks for sharing

Thanks for reading. Glad you could come along for the ride.