Trip Report You've Got a Friend in Me

Hello friends!! Welcome & I'm happy to have you here for another TR!! This trip was filled with so much fun & friendship in so many different ways that when I think back on it I can't help but smile!! So many happy times & I look forward to sharing them with you all, my friends!!

WHEN: Tuesday, October 27th - Tuesday, November 3rd

WHO: Myself-Patti, JSR, E & J
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In case you forgot what we look like here's one minus masks!! :hilarious:
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WHERE: Saratoga Springs Treehouse Villa
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So, I had made mention in my last TR that we were booked to stay at The Polynesian this trip. About a month or so before the trip we got the email that the regular rooms(which we were booked in) were not going to be open then. They offered to move us to The Grand Floridian. None of us were really feeling it so we explored our options. E & I really enjoyed our stay at Saratoga Springs in August(I think a lot has to do with it having that Riverside "feel" to it) so we decided to go with a treehouse villa. A big plus ended up being that it cost us all waaaay less than what the Poly/GF was going to. I was disappointed but felt better after some friends, @Darstarr & @Tuvalu, told me I was probably better off waiting to experience the resort until the remodel was done anyways!!

I drove to their house & got there at 9:15. My sister wanted to leave for the airport no later than 9:30. Notice that there are 3 suitcases but 4 people?? Someone wasn't done packing & E was not happy!! The stroller went with us but it went unused most of the time so E decided that this was going to be the last trip for it.
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The reason for the packing delay? J snuck outside & excitedly told me a secret. His dad was packing our friend, PCB!!🤣
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Notice the scab on his face--the poor kid took a fall at school a few days before.

Remember E sending me this after our last trip? Well, we didn't have to get it!!
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We got to the airport & unloaded the luggage. E went to park the car & we went to wait for her inside. It was then that J realized his mask was with his mom. I told him I had a bunch in my bag & for him to temporarily use one of them. It was a little big on him....
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We checked in quickly & headed to the main terminal. J was happy to have his shark mask back!! One of our other sisters made that for him & he really likes it!!
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The airport was a ghost town as it was in August.
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J's favorite store was still closed😞
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riverside

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST

Since it was almost noon we decided to get lunch first.
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Mobile ordering was working quite well, thank goodness!!
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We went to what is probably our favorite QS place in HS(unless you count Baseline in that category!!)
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Too cute!!
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We decided to sit upstairs like we normally do. I tried something new this time, the meatball hoagie!! It was very good. Everyone else had pizza!!
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Such a fun room!!
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After J finished his meal he was playing for a bit on the phone waiting for us to finish. Whitney Houston's song "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" was playing in the restaurant. While playing he was totally singing along with the song. It was hysterical!!
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riverside

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST

After lunch we went to what is pretty much becoming J's favorite ride at HS!!

Of course, he was still following the rules!!
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Awful pic.
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We went to TSM next.
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J & I rode together. I let him win this time;)
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He was actually pretty close to his dad's score!!
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Next up was A.S.S. & J wanted to ride with me again!!
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JSR is good for doing that to E in pictures!!🤣🤣🤣
Childish, I know, but it's always good for a few laughs!!
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It was a fun ride as always!!
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riverside

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST

I was admiring the Christmas decorations. HS has the best ones!!
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Had to get our daily dose of Starbucks!
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JSR & I rode SDD. Of course J wouldn't go on so E stayed off with him.
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At this point we split up with plans to meet up for dinner. They wanted to do some shopping then head to the Rivieria to check that out a bit. They stopped for a few photos on their way out.
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I guess E wasn't cold anymore!!:hilarious:
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My plans for the afternoon were super exciting!! I had the pleasure of having yet another meetup with a forum friend!!:D
 

riverside

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST

And look who it was!!:)
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And to add to the excitement of this meetup I finally got the coveted Tuvalu card!! I was actually overdue for it;) This was my 3rd meetup with @Tuvalu. The first two times I met her & Em Tuvalu cards were not "a thing" hence why it took until now for me to get one!!

On my way to meet @Tuvalu & Woody I picked up a beer. I was excited to see they were selling Safari Amber in HS. For the longest time the only park you could get it in was AK!!

We talked for quite some time. Poor Woody!! I feel like we picked up right where we left off the last time we saw each other!! @Tuvalu would I be correct in saying that the time before was June 2018 or June 2019?

We talked about lots of different stuff & I esp. felt special b/c she texted me a little bit later with a special secret that totally had me grinning from ear to ear!! So exciting & fun!!

As always time flies when you're having fun & it seemed like our time went by way too quickly!! We walked to the front of the park together. @Tuvalu & Woody were going to do some shopping while I was getting myself geared up to get on the Skyliner by myself!!

@Tuvalu as always it was truly a pleasure to see you again!! It was nice to finally meet Woody also!! I'm thankful that our paths have crossed as many times as they have over the years & I hope there are many more to come!!😘

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Time to bid farewell to HS for this trip!!
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My concern was that I was going to be by myself so there was nothing to distract me from thinking about what I was on.
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But, all that kept popping in my head was the awesome meetup that I just had & it totally took my mind off of everything else!!
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riverside

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST

I made it to the Riviera by 4:30. We had a 5:00 dinner reservation at Topolino's. E, J & myself ate breakfast there on our previous trip in August & really enjoyed it so we wanted to try it for dinner. Only bummer is that there are no characters during dinner.
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They don't open until 5:00 so we had to stand out in the hall until then. They didn't open the doors until 5 on the dot. Very hard to social distance in such a tiny area!! There was a couple that was there before us & as it turned out they didn't know they needed a reservation. They waited all that time & were turned away. I felt bad but it also amazes me the amount of people that don't do their research.
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There are some very nice views from up there.
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It was starting to look quite eerie outside.
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While we waited we looked over the menu.
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I think this is such a pretty restaurant!!
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Too bad it wasn't looking that way outside!!
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riverside

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST

E asked if I wanted to split a bottle of wine. Who am I to say no?? We went with the Prelius Maremma--whatever that means!! I like wine but am no connoisseur in the least.
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Check out J's awesome glass!! I would love to have one for myself!!
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I'm definitely getting a nasty look for something!!
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We put in an order of Olives for an appetizer.
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The bread was very good.
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As were the olives!!
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riverside

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST

JSR & I both had the filet. It was excellent!!
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J had soup. That's all he wanted & didn't even finish that!
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E had the salmon which she said was good but felt the salmon at The Wave was better.
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J is big on toasting!!
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After dinner we checked out the gift shop. E wanted to get a coffee also.
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I thought these were adorable!!
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I bought J a little something. Funny, you can see his smile behind the mask!!
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I got the pumpkin glace. It was just ok.
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riverside

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST

It was obvious a storm was coming & during dinner we were a little concerned that the Skyliner would be shut down but luck was on our side--for a fleeting moment, that is.
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We made it back to HS.
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Then the heavens opened up. My pictures don't do it justice but trust me when I tell you it was pouring. @Tuvalu can vouch for this also!!
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The bus was there within a few minutes.
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We got back to Saratoga Springs at 7:30. We got off at the first stop, The Grandstand, which is the closest stop to the treehouse villas. Now what to do?? It was absolutely pouring & it's a good 10 minute walk back. None of us felt like getting that drenched. The sprinklers the night before were mild compared to what was going on right then.
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We looked at the radar & it seemed like the rain wouldn't be leaving us anytime soon.
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We decided to take the next bus that came, get off at The Springs then wait for the dreaded internal shuttle. It was raining so hard that I was was actually ok with riding the bus on that loop, in the pitch dark, in the pouring rain.
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At 7:45 a bus came & our journey began.
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riverside

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST

We were at The Springs stop within a few minutes.
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The guy that JSR is talking to said he had been waiting an hour for a bus. Everyone was getting very aggravated. I started texting my friends @MickeyCB & @Darstarr seeking some advice.
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JSR picked up the phone. He was told that they were shorthanded & with the Skyliner having to close b/c of the storm they had to send all the buses there!!
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@Darstarr was it you that told me to go to the front desk? I'm pretty sure it was but don't feel like scrolling back that far!!
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So, we ended up not taking the internal bus--b/c there wasn't one. They took us back on a golf cart instead. What a night!!
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We still had plenty of food & our trip was winding down. We had 3 pizzas that would need cooked. Yes, we just ate dinner but JSR can eat dinner & cook a pizza 2 hours later!! In preparation for our "pizza party" while we were at Pizzerizzo's he had me bring back a few seasoning packets. E was so irritated!!
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It was still raining pretty good for quite awhile!!
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I only had one piece before calling it a night!!
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Last edited:

Tuvalu

Premium Member
QWe talked for quite some time. Poor Woody!! I feel like we picked up right where we left off the last time we saw each other!! @Tuvalu would I be correct in saying that the time before was June 2018 or June 2019?

We talked about lots of different stuff & I esp. felt special b/c she texted me a little bit later with a special secret that totally had me grinning from ear to ear!! So exciting & fun!!

@Tuvalu as always it was truly a pleasure to see you again!! It was nice to finally meet Woody also!! I'm thankful that our paths have crossed as many times as they have over the years & I hope there are many more to come!!😘
What a fun afternoon we had with you, @riverside!!

Celebrate Yahoo GIF


Believe it or not our last meet up was in June 2018! :jawdrop: But as you said, we picked up right where we left off.

excited friends GIF by KiKA


FYI @riverside is a great secret keeper. Woody was completely surprised when Em, our son & DIL and the Tuva-tinys showed up a few days later to celebrate his birthday with us.
Then the heavens opened up. My pictures don't do it justice but trust me when I tell you it was pouring. @Tuvalu can vouch for this also!!
wanda sykes yes GIF by Chelsea Handler


Fingers crossed for another get-together soon!!
 

fractal

Well-Known Member
All caught up - some comments;

where is video of game of catch with Winnie the Pooh?
photo of "moat" at Japanese castle was foretelling of all the rain you were going to have to deal with.
Why is it that people either absolutely love or absolutely hate eating at San Angel?
Love that J loves to make toasts!
 

lindawdw

Well-Known Member
I think we're going to have to give Pizza Rizzo a try again after seeing your meatball sandwich Patti! You and Tuvalu look so happy together in that picture you posted! How fun that you were able to meet up again in your happy place. 🥰 Your dinners at Topolino's look delicious and it's always great when you get seated close to the window with those gorgeous views! I'm glad you were able to complete your Skyway ride before the torrential rains came down. That was nice that they were able to get you back to your Treehouse with a golf cart ride!
 

MickeyCB

Well-Known Member
I know! So sad 👎🏻 There’s no signage but they tell you when you’re checking out that the entire store is 25% off and it’s final sale. I went this morning but I’ll probably go again next week because I’ll miss it!
Went this afternoon was quite the s---show!
It's 30% off today with signage. I may or may not have bought too much!
Thanks for the heads up.
 

riverside

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Wanted to let you and @MickeyCB know that the Disney store at South Hills is one of the ones closing 😭 Everything is 25% off right now!
We are headed there this morning!! Hope they still have some good stuff left!!
Who knows? I say a lot of things😂
But yes, SSR is good about giving rides in golf carts, just ask them and they are happy to!
:hilarious: :hilarious: :hilarious:
They were but had there been a bus we wouldn't have had to!!
What a fun afternoon we had with you, @riverside!!

Celebrate Yahoo GIF


Believe it or not our last meet up was in June 2018! :jawdrop: But as you said, we picked up right where we left off.

excited friends GIF by KiKA


FYI @riverside is a great secret keeper. Woody was completely surprised when Em, our son & DIL and the Tuva-tinys showed up a few days later to celebrate his birthday with us.
I had a blast also!!
Wow--it had been way too long!!
So exciting!! I thought that was so neat!!
Fingers crossed for another get-together soon!!
You know it!!
I'm going to take credit for the golf cart idea, because of my unreasonable fear of snakes (thank you @Darstarr and @fractal for including a photo of one in your trip reports)! :eek: o_O
I wouldn't walk back to the Tree Houses during our summer stay and got a creepy night time ride waiting for a snake to drop on my head out of a tree or something!
Fear of snakes is not unreasonable IMO!!
Thanks!! I couldn't remember who it was that told me!!
All caught up - some comments;

where is video of game of catch with Winnie the Pooh?
photo of "moat" at Japanese castle was foretelling of all the rain you were going to have to deal with.
Why is it that people either absolutely love or absolutely hate eating at San Angel?
Love that J loves to make toasts!


I was going to include it to begin with but I was too lazy to do the work to!!
It most certainly was!!
Not sure. I've ate there a few times & I really enjoyed it each time. Maybe it has something to do with the atmosphere?? It's so dark that I could see some not enjoying that.
He does it quite often. It's so funny!!
I think we're going to have to give Pizza Rizzo a try again after seeing your meatball sandwich Patti! You and Tuvalu look so happy together in that picture you posted! How fun that you were able to meet up again in your happy place. 🥰 Your dinners at Topolino's look delicious and it's always great when you get seated close to the window with those gorgeous views! I'm glad you were able to complete your Skyway ride before the torrential rains came down. That was nice that they were able to get you back to your Treehouse with a golf cart ride!
I know that place doesn't get a lot of love but to me it's good--esp. considering what HS has to offer these days!! @Tuvalu likes it there also!!
I was so happy that we got to meet again!! Fun times!!
I do like that restaurant. We're planning on going back for breakfast again soon!!
That was nice they finally took us back on that but the amount of time we waited for a bus was ridiculous. For the resort not to even have one running was crazy!!
E is me when I see characters LOL. keep my head down and do NOT make eye contact 😱😱
She definitely is not a big fan of character interaction! I enjoy a little bit--just not too much!!
 

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