Trip Report The ONE with the Bowl that was not so Super 🚽 2/5-2/9, 2021*COMPLETED*

HA HA HA!!!
Hello everybody! I returned yesterday from a last minute long weekend to WDW.
How? Who? Why? You ask. Well my Magical friends, here is everything you want to know, and maybe some things, you don’t.

It all began a few weeks ago at work when my bff/boss suggested we go to Disney for his birthday. I took him last year and we had a great time. We looked at dates and flights and room rates and hemmed and hawed for a couple days. We decided we would go President’s weekend. But my kids would be out of school and they would want to go. Then, texting with @Tuvalu she said “you’re going president’s weekend!?!?”

Ok, she didn’t say it like that but that is how I heard it in my mind. I said to my friend, M, “what the heck are we thinking? Let’s go the weekend before.” His sister/business partner/my other boss gave her blessing (then promptly booked a whole week in Florida for herself at the end of the month) and we started looking at rooms.
Pop was cheap with the AP discount so I booked.

We picked out our flights, then added a day and picked out new flights. Friday came, my day off and two weeks before departure and we had decided on everything. All we had to do was book the flights, which were $69 each way. Then I looked again and the flights were down to $49 each way. I texted M, “BOOK BOOK BOOK! This is not a drill!!!”

Then Saturday came and I canceled Pop and booked a studio at Saratoga Springs Resort using my DVC points. Bought M’s park ticket and made park reservations and some ADR’s. I also filled out the Magical Express request form and ordered a couple t-shirts.

13 days to go and we were all set.

 

[Darstarr]

Well that's new. Can't say that I'm a fan--I prefer to keep my in-flight purchases of mini-vodka bottles anonymous, thank you very much.

The only thing I could imagine being even more unnerving would be if this popped up on the next screen...

 

[donaldtoo]

Yep it’s looking like it’s gonna be a mess up here. The last weather briefing we got is now calling for a foot plus of snow up here and temps near or possibly below 0. We are not prepared in any way for this!

Just crazy...!!!!!
Stay safe...!!!

 

[Darstarr]

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Uh

 

[donaldtoo]

Friday, February 5, 2021

I woke up early. We were leaving a tad earlier than we really needed to because it had snowed the week before. Huh? So?
Here on Long Island we do not get much snow. And when we do, it seems we are completely incapable of cleaning it up.
Stay with me here,
My kids only get to go to brick and mortar school two days a week. One of the days being Fridays. We opted out of the bus, none of the boys friends or kids in the neighborhood go to school on the same days as my kids. The closest thing I could muster up as a ride for them is my neighbor who is a teacher and has taught all three of my boys. The youngest threw a tizzy fit at the thought of being driven to school by a teacher. Normally, they would walk or ride their bikes but remember the lack of snow removal I mentioned? No sidewalks. No way am I having them walk or ride their bikes to school with a foot of snow on the ground, in the dark, with the streets full of New York drivers!

So we left early so my husband could get home and drive the little buzzkills to school.
So tired! But excited too!
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We both had pre check so security was only a few minutes. Then M went here
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to get us this
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A bacon egg and cheese stromboli. (It was not great)

Just about to board!
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The plane was packed. Every single seat was full. Where were all these people going? M said since the flights were so cheap, and Florida is open, and it was super bowl weekend, maybe people were flying down to watch the game in a bar, with other human beings, that they are not related to.
Maybe???

We seemed to be on a new plane and it was nice, but, when I turned on the TV this appeared:
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Can anyone say creepy???

I watched Star Wars a New Hope and the time really flew.

Sorry for that. I couldn’t resist

We landed and took our first picture of the trip in Florida!
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And then I got this.
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I’ve had plenty of delicious bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast tacos (although I prefer chorizo) over the years , but, never a stromboli version. Sounded good at first, sorry it disappointed.

What airline did y’all fly...? ‘Cause if it was one with open seating, and you weren’t wearing that airlines “MB”, that would indeed be way creepier than even IaSW...!!!!!

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

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Pizza for M, kids chicken nuggets and an adult bevy for me
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“I’ll take the kid’s nuggets but with beer subbed for the chocolate milk...”

 

[MickeyCB]

Can anyone say creepy???

Indeed!

For those of you following along you might remember I said I booked a studio. This says ONE BEDROOM!!!
They upgraded us. Not only to a one bedroom but to a one bedroom preferred!

And yipee!!

And yes, I too am here...like number 94 or something miss Darstarr!

 

[donaldtoo]

Friday Feb 5 cont

We headed for the Magical Express.
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It was empty. Where did all those people from the plane go?
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They have added stickers on the windows to indicate row numbers. Last time I was there they told me to count. Is there an app for that??
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This was the best I could do from the back of the bus.
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Usually, I get the “room not ready text” but an email that says “room ready” minutes after. So while on the bus I thought I would check MDE to see if they had assigned me a room. Boy did they!!!
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For those of you following along you might remember I said I booked a studio. This says ONE BEDROOM!!!
They upgraded us. Not only to a one bedroom but to a one bedroom preferred!
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WELCOME HOME INDEED!

Lobby photo
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It was about 12:30 and we had a grocery delivery coming between 1 and 2 so we decided to mobile order some lunch from Artist’s Palette. While we waited for that I asked the front desk if they could add my son, X, to the reservation. He was thinking of coming with a friend or two. It turned out to be harder than usual, I guess because of the upgrade? I thanked everyone there for the upgrade and as the patient CM, Jeremy, continued to help me I asked him, “you down graded me again didn’t you?”
He said, “Yup!”” But don’t worry, I will upgrade you again once I add your son.”
Phew!
Front desk business handled we went to get our lunch.
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Pizza for M, kids chicken nuggets and an adult bevy for me
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Oh my on the ME...!!!

And, I knew there would be more of my fave drink, BEER, in this report...!!!!!!!
Although, I hope ya’ upgraded from Coors Light over the course of the trip...!!!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

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I almost chose that one, but, I thought @sheriffwoody might have already, before I read further...!!!!!

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

Pop was cheap with the AP discount so I booked

Booking is always a good idea, glad you were able to use some DVC points!

Where did all those people from the plane go?

TO DISNEY! They just didn't get off the funorail as fast as you! Maybe some are going to Universal first.

They upgraded us. Not only to a one bedroom but to a one bedroom preferred!

AAAAAAAWWWWWWWWW YEAHHHHHHHHH

 

[Darstarr]

I’ve had plenty of delicious bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast tacos (although I prefer chorizo) over the years , but, never a stromboli version. Sounded good at first, sorry it disappointed.

What airline did y’all fly...? ‘Cause if it was one with open seating, and you weren’t wearing that airlines “MB”, that would indeed be way creepier than even IaSW...!!!!!

We flew Jet Blue so no open seating. Still...

 

[Darstarr]

“I’ll take the kid’s nuggets but with beer subbed for the chocolate milk...”

Something like that. But lets be honest, Coors light is more like water with some beer flavoring. It’s the beer I drink when I am trying to hydrate

And yes, I too am here...like number 94 or something miss Darstarr!

Well, #94, you got real time updates so...

And, I knew there would be more of my fave drink, BEER, in this report...!!!!!!!
Although, I hope ya’ upgraded from Coors Light over the course of the trip...!!!!!

My general M.O. is to hop on the wagon after New Year. Usually I wait until mid March to start drinking again (except February Disney trips) so the Coors Light was a warm up. If I was a runner, consider it a 5K before I do the marathon.

TO DISNEY! They just didn't get off the funorail as fast as you! Maybe some are going to Universal first.

Or M’s theory was partially correct? Less than $100 round trip for a “warm” weekend.
(we will get back to the whole “warm” business)

 

[Darstarr]

Friday February 5th cont

As we were finishing up our lunch I received a call from our grocery delivery man. He was at Saratoga but was not sure exactly where to go. I walked out to Bell Services to wait for him and there was my buddy Mark from Wisconsin. He remembered me from my stay there in August and immediately started loading our bags in his cart. The grocery delivery guy arrived and we loaded the groceries in the cart and we were off.

I was expecting a longish drive, as SSR is pretty big. Our room was directly across the street. No joke. We could wait for the bus on our patio, we were so close!

We got a refurbished room (in August I had not) and wow! M and I were blown away. I admit I took too many pictures, but, some of you might notice, I got a new phone. Now if the pix is crap it is all on me

Here is our 1BR at SSR in detail:

No more pull out couch. Now they have a queen size wall bed with a normal mattress.

and artwork on the wall when you pull the bed down.

Mark from Wisconsin told us he had not been in this room yet but some one bedrooms now had a fold down twin bed where this table is under the TV. He said because this is a lockoff there must not be enough room with the door. But, good to know!

Speaking of Mark from Wisconsin, he showed us how the coffee table lifts into a desk! So cool.

 

[Darstarr]

Friday, February 5th cont

The kitchen:

And Mark from Wisconsin:

They still have the confusing split bathroom with doors everywhere. Not a fan. But it was nice.

 

[Darstarr]

Friday February 5 cont

And the other half of the bathroom:

I am glad they finally got rid of the shutters above the tub. Now, if they would put a proper door and a toilet in here it would be perfect!

The bedroom:

And the washer dryer:

This space worked out great. I took the bedroom and M took the murphy bed. He likes the TV on ALL the time. All the time! All of it. My remote never left it’s wrapper.

 

[93boomer]

I’ve been waiting patiently for this!

 

[Darstarr]

Friday, February 5th cont

M and I took our beers out to the patio to enjoy.

We then poured a few roadies

and headed out to walk to Disney Springs.

A room down the hall had these decorations. We took pictures and sent them to M’s sister who had celebrated her 60th a few days earlier.

Along the way we met a new friend:

When M saw it he jumped up and behind me
“Is it poisonous?”, he asked.
Meanwhile, I am saying how cute it is

 

[Darstarr]

Friday February 5th cont

We continued on to Disney Springs.

I believe @fractal calls this the evolution of a selfie. I am going to add covid style.

So pretty

Thinking of you @riverside

 

[riverside]

It broke my heart every time I walked by that!!

 

[fractal]

Friday February 5th cont

We continued on to Disney Springs.

I believe @fractal calls this the evolution of a selfie. I am going to add covid style.
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So pretty
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Thinking of you @riverside
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nice!

 

[Tuvalu]

Speaking of Mark from Wisconsin, he showed us how the coffee table lifts into a desk! So cool.
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We’ve had a similar coffee table in our family room for 10+ years. The “cool” factor sold us. The reality is we hardly ever use the desk feature.

EDIT: I thought you had put up the birthday banner for M!