[ccorbet]

Who: Me, DW, DS(5), my sister (Amy), her boyfriend (John)
When: October 12-19, 2006
Where: Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

This trip started with very early 3:45 AM wake up. DW didn't want to get up but all I had to do was tell DS that it was time to go see Mickey and he got her out of bed!!

After an (thankfully) uneventful flight we arrived in Orlando in somewhat less than the advertised time of 2 hours 5 minutes. We walked (ok...sprinted) from the gate to Terminal A and the DME check in counter. WOOSH!!!!! We were on our way!!

The trip with DME was all of 30 minutes and we arrived at SSR. When we went in to check in the CM told me we had a delivery. I was a little shocked because I didn't think we ordered anything to be delivered. The CM gave me a white envelope with DW and my names on it. I handed it to DW and she opened it revealing a certificate from WDW commemorating our anniversary! They also gave us 2 cute buttons with "Happy Anniversary!" on them.

After checking in we got a ride to our room in the Paddock section and went in to check out the accomodations. I was in AWE. The room was beautiful. For that matter, the whole resort was! Then we left the room after bathroom breaks and headed to the Artist's Palate for lunch.

After lunch we asked DS where he wanted to start. To our surprise he responded "EPCOT!!!!!" We hopped on the bus and went to EPCOT.

Upon arriving at EPCOT we went to the least busy ticket window and got our APs. Then it was on to the park!!!!

When we got to the park we went to the Coca-Cola Cooling Station. It was John's 1st WDW visit so we thought we'd introduce him to Beverly. He said it wasn't bad but his face told a different story!

Then we headed back into the World Showcase to get a glimpse of the Food and Wine Festival. I was amazed by the number of people and booths! The smells were amazing! We didn't stay too long because we were all tired. We headed back to the buses and headed back to SSR.

When we got back to SSR we decided to go to DTD for a little shopping and maybe a bite to eat. We took the boat over and got dropped off at the West Side. While DW and Amy took DS into the magic shop John and I went into Sosa Cigars and bought a couple of stogies. We met back up with the gang and walked to the Market Place to look for dinner. We settled on Earl of Sandwich. I had never eaten there and boy was I impressed!! There was almost no line and we got our sandwiches fast. They were simply delicious!!!! We all had something we liked and DS said his grilled cheese was the best he'd ever tasted.

After that we headed back to SSR. John and I stopped in the Artist's Palate and bought a couple of beers to drink with our stogies. When we got back to the room DW had DS in the whirlpool tub bathing and getting ready for bed. John and I headed out to the balcony and sparked up our stogies, popped open the beers and enjoyed the beautiful Florida night.

After the cigars I went inside and went to bed. But, like the man in the commercial says "I'm too excited to sleep." I don't know what time I finally fell asleep, but the next morning came way to soon!!!!!

So ended day 1. Stay tuned for day 2!!!!

[DisneyTeacher]

What a great start to your trip, I can't imagine a better first day. I can't wait for more.

[ArielMom]

I can't wait to hear more.

[Dana]

I was hoping you would have this up today. Great day one! I can't wait for the next installment.

[ccorbet]

Just a quick side-note. We used the dining plan again this year. Let me say (once again) it is AWESOME!!! For the 5 of us it was just under $1200 and it payed for itself half way through the trip. Plus DS enjoyed the new kids meals and there were options with them like chicken nuggets and fries instead of what's on the menu.

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by ccorbet

Plus DS enjoyed the new kids meals and there were options with them like chicken nuggets and fries instead of what's on the menu.

I'm happy to hear that there are some options other than the new items. My DS is a chicken nugget and fries guy, he wouldn't get near a chicken pizza.

[Dopey]

wow, I missed completely that you were at WDW.
I am so happy that you are posting your trip report. Will there be pictures, and when will you have more for us to read?

[ccorbet]

This day started with the traditional wake up call. Only, this time Stitch escaped and took over the switchboard!!! DS was laughing so hard! Then he started yelling at Stitch to give the phone back to Mickey (he's so darn cute ).

After the morning ritual we headed out to the bus stop (right outside our building) for the ride to MGM for the Playhouse Disney character breakfast. We had a 9:05 ADR and made it in plenty of time. The place was pretty empty when we got there and Goliath made it to our table almost before the server did! The buffet was delicious. The scrambled eggs weren't runny, the cheese and potato dish was perfect, the bacon was crispy. After being visited by JoJo, Goliath, Leo, and Judy we headed out to the back lot tour. DS got a huge kick out of this! He thought it was really cool when the planes attacked the PT boat and even better when we got caught in the "earthquake". When we were done with the back lot tour we headed to Lights, Motors, Action! and saw that show. We were all on the edge of our seats as the cars came close to hitting at every turn!

After the stunt show we decided that 92 was a little warm for us New Jersey people and headed back to SSR for some pool time. The High Rock Springs pool has a really cool water slide. DW & DS went in the pool and I took up a position guarding the towels and drinks (I was feeling a little under the weather and was just getting over a 2 week run of bronchitis).

Next we dried off and dressed for the 6:15 ADR at Biergarten. Once again the food was out of this world! John and I made 3 trips each to the buffet and then a few more for dessert! We ate for the better part of an hour and headed back out to the World Showcase. Then I remembered that it was 10/13 and the AP holder/DVC member preview of the new Nemo ride at the Living Seas. We went over there and were told the ride was down for maintenance. No big deal, we were tired. We headed back to the buses and after a short wait were on the way back to SSR.

When we got back to SSR we all sat in the living room and watched PotC for about the thousandth time. About mid-way through we all started falling asleep so we went to our rooms to go to sleep.

Day 2 ended with more tossing and turning in anticipation of day 3....stay tuned!!

[Erin]

Lovin' this report!!! You're rockin it! Thanks for sharing!! I can't wait to hear more more more!

[Jen]

Love the TR so far ~ you've got such an excited tone to your writing.

[Maria]

Another person loving this report Your DS sounds so cute I loved how he told Stitch to give the phone back to Mickey!

[Dana]

Originally Posted by ccorbet

This day started with the traditional wake up call. Only, this time Stitch escaped and took over the switchboard!!! DS was laughing so hard! Then he started yelling at Stitch to give the phone back to Mickey (he's so darn cute ).

:

That is SO cute! Day two sounded just as good as the first...can't wait for the rest!

[WEDINDISNEY]

I can just see the look on Patricks face when stitch was on the other end of the phone.... Sounds like the first 2 days were a blast. Cant wait to read about the rest of your trip... Any what you thought of SSR (seeing as how it was your fault that we bought into SSR also LOL )

[CathysCAT]

Originally Posted by ccorbet

After the stunt show we decided that 92 was a little warm for us New Jersey people and headed back to SSR for some pool time.

Are you enjoying the cool fall weather back here in NJ? Aren't the tree colors looking nice?

Sounds like you had a really great trip! Can't wait to read more. What was your sons favorite ride? Our younger DS also thought it was pretty cool being awakened by Stitch.

[ccorbet]

Originally Posted by CathysCAT

Are you enjoying the cool fall weather back here in NJ? Aren't the tree colors looking nice?

Sounds like you had a really great trip! Can't wait to read more. What was your sons favorite ride? Our younger DS also thought it was pretty cool being awakened by Stitch.

UGH! The trees are beautiful here in South Jersey but I really didn't mind the Florida temps all that much!

I forgot to mention from Day 2:

We had lunch at Pizza Planet in MGM. The pizza wasn't too bad and with the DP we got salads and dessert included!

Also, being that Day 3 was our 6th wedding anniversary I took a solo trip to DTD while DW & DS were relaxing to buy an anniversary present from WoD .