[rshenry]

WDW 11/27-12/4/2006
Saratoga Spa & Resort
2 Adults (Me, DH)
4 Kids (DD15, DD13, DS10, DD3)

We began our much planned trip 11/26/2006. Our day started off hectic when American Airlines called, and told my husband he could not use his C-PAP machine on the airplane. Even though we had previously had it arranged with their disability department. After many phone calls, and several four letter words, my husband accepted that fact he could not use the machine and therefore get no sleep on our Red Eye flight on 11/27/2006.

We arrived at Sacramento International Airport went through security and waited for our flight. Soon we were in the Air at 12:15 AM. We had a brief lay over/switch planes and terminals in Dallas then on to Orlando. Once we arrived in Orlando 10:30 am, we quickly found the Disney Magical express and checked in. We were taken to the bus and after a short wait; we were off to the Saratoga Spa & Resort. (YEA!)

We arrived at the Resort and quickly checked in. The CM’s were so nice! I realized I wasn’t in rushed California anymore. We had requested an early check in as it was 10:00am. I was concerned that they would not be able to accommodate our request. The CM was quick and efficient. We were put in room 5410 in the Paddock. I had requested the Springs, but the Early check in was way more important. The very nice Bell Hop helped us get our groceries the Garden Grocery had delivered that morning. He drove us across the very very large complex to our room. He helped us to our room and gave us a quick tour, yes I said tour.

We had a 2 bedroom villa. I was speechless when I opened the door. It was huge! Even my teenagers that have nothing nice to say were impressed! We were on the top floor (4th) we had a view of the pool at the Paddock, and the large pond/lake with bridge. We settled in and agreed we would all take a power nap!

My 3 year old wasn’t having any part of the napping thing. So, I decided to walk up to the front desk and get a print out of my ADR’s. The resort is huge! My little daughter was just thrilled with all the sites, pools etc. Upon my return we all decided to hit a park, any park since it was only 1:00pm. The bus stop was right outside of our complex and very convenient. The bus system is very user friendly not at all confusing!

We agreed to take the first bus whatever it was! Well the bus was headed for the Animal Kingdom, and so were we. The crowd level was low, and we were very hungry so we decided to try out the dining plan. We went to the Tusker House. We spent $60 on lunch (counter service). The food was awful; the kids did enjoy the Mac and Cheese. Thank goodness for the deserts, they were good! So off we go to the rides. We got on the Safari with NO wait. It was fun. Then Kali Falls 2 times, we didn’t even have to get off the ride. Now we are all soaking wet and I do mean soaking all the way down to my underwear (yikes!). My 3 year old was just miserable. The weather was partly cloudy and breezy. So we got chilled waiting for the bus.

After a LONG wait, ok 20 minutes our bus arrived to take us back to the Saratoga Resort. When we arrived back, our luggage was in our room. I took a nice long bath in the large Jacuzzi tub……. My kids went to the pool at the Springs area; it has a huge water slide.

After relaxing we decided to go to the Planet Hollywood in DTD for dinner. This was the only night I didn’t have an ADR arranged. We took the bus to DTD and were seated right away. Not too bad for 6 people at 8:00pm. We had so much fun there. They had a goofy DJ that was very interactive. We all laughed until it hurt. We ate like pigs! We had so much food. So far I’m liking this dining plan. I kept all my receipts for the dining, and I will give you the totals at the end of the trip. But dinner alone was over $220. We caught the bus and headed home.

Day 1 was long and tiring but awesome! I will post day 2 shortly as I am still tying to get settled here at home. PS pictures to follow as soon as I get my DH to download them.

Robin

[DisneyTeacher]

Yea, another great trip report! It sounds like a great start, I can't wait to read more.

[Dopey]

Alright. This is great so far. I hope the Tusker House disappointment was the only one on this trip.

[daisyd]

Welcome back Robin I was looking for your TR! It sounds like your room couldn't have been any better. Sorry about the bad meal I hope the rest of your meals were good ones.

We flew from Sac as well. Can't beat that airport--it's so easy!

[Cavey]

ROFL! I know what you mean about 3yo having nothing to do with naps.

[Jen]

Welcome home!!

Sounds like an awesome first day!! I can't believe you were ready to take on the parks after that late flight!!

Can't wait to hear more!

[dac921]

WOW!
Great first day. Welcome home...

[timkelmom]

Sounds great so far. Can't wait to hear the rest. Welcome Home!

[rshenry]

WDW 11/27-12/4/2006
Saratoga Spa & Resort
2 Adults (Me, DH)
4 Kids (DD15, DD13, DS10, DD3)

11/28/2006 Day 2

After a nice restful night of sleep we were off to the Magical Kingdom. The bus ride was super easy and quick over there. We got to the Park about 11:00am; remember we are still stuck on California time. The crowds were light, YEA! The weather was in the mid 80’s with high humidity. My DH and noticed how clean the park was compared to DL. DL is clean, but MK was a notch above that. The park guests all appeared very nice and well mannered. In DL it is not uncommon to see scantly clad women and people using obscene language freely. Ok enough morality…..

We rode the Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Aladdin’s Magic Carpet ride, Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain Railroad. We stopped and got pretzels (dining plan) they were so good. We then headed to the Haunted Mansion, Small world, Dumbo, Tea Cups, the Autopia. My husband took the 3 older kids and rode Space Mountain. Me, and my little one went on the People mover.

We had ADR’s at 4:50 at the Crystal Palace. We were slightly late 5:10 checking in. I was nervous that they might turn us away as there was a huge crowd. In fact this was the only crowd we found all day. After waiting in line for 15 minutes to check in we were seated right away. My DH’s has some friends that work at WDW. His friend Jill met up with us at the Crystal Palace. She is a manager that over sees the Character dining. She made sure that we got special attention. My little DD was so freaked out by the character it was a shame. Our dinner was good with a lot of variety. I particularly liked the gourmet cheeses that they offered, YUM.

After dinner the kids wanted to go back to the hotel and go to the pool. The park was closing at 6:00 or 7:00 so that was fine with us to go back. Back at the Saratoga, the kids ran off to the pool and my DH and I had some alone time.

Day 3 to follow shortly,
Robin

[Maria]

Great start! So far so good!


On and I can't wait to see some pictures, tell your Dh to hop to it, on the downloading

[Dana]

Weclome home! Can't wait to read more and see some pictures!

[rshenry]

WDW 11/27-12/4/2006
Saratoga Spa & Resort
2 Adults (Me, DH)
4 Kids (DD15, DD13, DS10, DD3)

11/29/2006 Day 3

We awoke to a grey drizzly day! I am from California, and when it rains, it is usually a little cooler, if not chili. Well it was grey drizzling and very warm?? Just a complete departure for me.

Well off we go to Epcot! The last time I was here was 1990. I thought it was so neat and exciting. Due to the heavy mist that turned to rain, we had to buy plastic rain ponchos. We attacked the Nations first. I wanted to find LeCellier since we had 8:50pm ADR’s. We leisurely toured the nations and went on the rides in Mexico and Norway. I remember the Maelstrom in Norway differently from my previous visit. Does anyone else remember the Viking raids? We saw a great street show in England. We found Le Cellier so I felt better knowing where to go later that night. We then headed to Test Track with our fast pass. The ride kept shutting down due to the rain. Once on the ride, we got stuck inside for approximately 20 minutes. My kids were just complaining up a storm. My DH and older daughter went to Mission Space the thought it was only so so. My stomach can’t handle it, so my DS and DD went and got lunch at the Electric Umbrella.

We had a fun time people watching and feeding the very aggressive birds. After lunch, it was Space Ship Earth, Nemo, Soarin and Living with the land. By now it was 3:00pm and the kids wanted to go back and swim again.

After our power naps and swims we returned to Epcot for dinner at Le Cellier. We were ahead of schedule so we tried Test Track again since the rain had stopped. It was much better when you didn’t keep getting stopped!

We had a FABULOUS dinner at Le Cellier! Dinner for the 6 of us was $270.00, thank you Disney dining! Wow, the breadstick at great. I can’t say enough good things about it. After dinner the park was pretty much closing so we were in a mob leaving. We got in the huge line to take the bus back. There had to be 150 people in line waiting for our bus. The bus driver got out of her bus and began counting as people boarded. She put 100 of us on that bus. We were packed in and standing up. That was OK, because we were at least headed back to our room and not waiting at the bus stop. My DH dared my 13 yr DD to see if she can get the bus passengers to sing. Not being one to pass up a dare, she starts singing Christmas carols. Pretty soon the whole bus was involved including bus driver, LOL. We got back to the Saratoga, the bus driver thanked my DD and told her that was the most fun she had all day. The next day people at our hotel stopped my daughter and asked if she was the girl from the bus. They told her how much they enjoyed it.

Stay tuned for day 4
Robin

[daisyd]

Originally Posted by rshenry

...

My DH dared my 13 yr DD to see if she can get the bus passengers to sing. Not being one to pass up a dare, she starts singing Christmas carols. Pretty soon the whole bus was involved including bus driver, LOL. We got back to the Saratoga, the bus driver thanked my DD and told her that was the most fun she had all day. The next day people at our hotel stopped my daughter and asked if she was the girl from the bus. They told her how much they enjoyed it.

Stay tuned for day 4
Robin

How very cool is that! What a great Disney memory, not just for your family, but for all the other famlies that were on the singing bus

You are doing a great job with your TR! I can't wait for more

[dznygrl]

I love this TR! Your trip sounds like so much fun so far...although admittedly you are making me really hungry with this talk of Le Cellier!

I totally know what you mean about MK being cleaner than DL. (And people being dressed better!) DL can be so frustrating because of the locals. And I don't mean all of them...because I've been one myself, of course ...but mostly the teenagers that are dropped off there to romp on their own. Foul-mouthed, rude...ugh. It can really ruin your day there! People at MK are so much more respectful because, on the whole, they are people who paid a lot of $$ to vacation there!

[bikedealer]

Wecome back sounds like other than the 1 Yuck meal it was a great time. Look forward to some pics.