We woke them up around 5:15, quickly got them dressed, got our belongings together and left the hotel. We were on our way to the airport shortly after 5:30am. I had already checked in and printed our boarding passes the night before, but we still needed to check our bags. I did really great this time with our packing – especially our carry-on since we’d be taking two strollers, two computers, DVD player, and a carseat with us. It sounds like a lot – and it was. Trust me! Yet, it is pared down. It’s unbelievable the amount of belongings you have to take when traveling with young children.

We arrived at the Airtran desk to drop off our luggage but there was actually quite a line in front of us. It took us about 20 minutes but we eventually got our suitcases checked and we proceeded to security. There were some decent lines at security as well, but we got through in about 20 minutes. Now with the two biggest obstacles behind us we had only about 20 min between us and our flight’s departure. Yeah, I was a little stressed. I really thought we’d be able to get a small breakfast before boarding but that wasn’t going to happen. Luckily I was prepared with some snacks for the kids.

We got to our gate and immediately got in line to board. We gate checked our strollers, EB installed Ernie’s car seat and realized that Amelia’s CARES belt would not wrap around the Business class larger seats. We reluctantly used a lap belt for her instead. Bummer.

Our plane left the gate about 10 minutes late and then we sat for another 15 minutes or so. So by now we were already almost a half hour behind schedule. The pilot came on the intercom and told us that there was a problem with the plane and that maintenance was coming out to check it out – we’d be going back to our gate. Nice. In all of our flights, this has never happened to us so it was bound to happen at some point! I think the part of it that unnerved me was that the kids had not had a proper breakfast. They are all about the routine and this was totally breaking it for them!

It ended up being an electrical problem which was remedied and we were in the air about an hour later. Amelia and Ernie were pretty hungry and getting antsy by then so we took advantage of the amenities of Business class – we ate a lot of snacks! I filled up on Milano cookies and Coca Cola. Very unhealthy and very unlike me! The kids had some juice (although Amelia asked the stewardess for milk) and granola.

We were very excited by the time we arrived in Orlando at about 10:30am and hurriedly made our way to the MCO monorail and checked in for our rental car at Alamo. We used the kiosks and that was very fast and efficient. I like not having to deal with anyone.

On the MCO monorail:

After that, the kids and I sat and waited for EB to retrieve our luggage. It only took him about 15 minutes to come back to us and the kids were entertained the entire time by the Disney buses outside the windows where we were sitting.

Waiting patiently with more snacks:

From there, we made our way across the street to pick up a blue Toyota RAV-4 and another car seat. This fit all of our belongings rather snugly and overall we enjoyed driving this one all week. It was very nice!

Ernie promptly fell asleep once we started moving. He looked so cute! If you remember from my September trip report, Amelia was the one to fall asleep on the ride from the airport. This time she got to enjoy going under the “Welcome to Disney World” arch and we all cheered silently so as to not wake Ernie up.

We pulled up to Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa (SSR) and I was a little excited and a little nervous. I always get a bit nervous when checking in because I worry about not having our requests filled. This time I had requested the Grandstand section again, pool view.

When we pulled up to the Carriage House, Amelia got out with me to check in. The lobby was decorated beautifully for the holiday. I always like the style of SSR. We only had to wait a few minutes before it was our turn to check in.

The Carriage House holiday decorations and Amelia waiting with me in line:

We got the usual Welcome Home! And we were told that our room was ready. The Cast Member pointed to a building in Congress Park and told me that our request for Grandstand was granted. Yes, you read that right. He told me our request was granted and began pointing at Congress Park, building 1. Now, this is our sixth stay at SSR (of which we are DVC owners) and I know the difference between the sections like the back of my hand. I politely asked him to clarify without sounding like a know-it-all and it turns out we were placed in Congress Park and not the Grandstand. He admitted that this week was his first week working at SSR and that he is usually at Port Orleans. I asked if there was anything available in the Grandstand and he said there was not.

SO, we decided to take our chance with Congress Park. We got our keys, took our information and I proceeded to Bell Services. I had a grocery order, an Owner’s Locker, and boxed Christmas Trees waiting there for us. Bell Services Cast Member would follow us over with our stuff and he’d help us out.

I began talking to the Bell Services CM as we approached our room and he was back and forth on his walkie talkie, mentioning where he was. The person on the other end mentioned it was a handicapped accessible room. Hold the phone! I told him I wanted to check out the room first before he lugged all our stuff there.

We got there and sure enough it was a handicapped accessible 1 bedroom villa, complete with all lowered counters (can you visualize Ernie climbing on the counters? I can…), no Jacuzzi tub (which I love) but it had the most gorgeous DTD view I’ve seen! It killed me, but we had to get on the phone with the front desk and tell them this would not do. My children would have this place turned upside down! In my head I envisioned them hopping across the counters and swinging from the fan like monkeys.

Luckily, they had another room in the same building ready and we could have that one right away. It was on the first floor and I checked it out. It had a crappy view but it was ready and we were there. We were able to take our groceries, bags, etc. to the new room but then I had to head back to the front desk to retrieve new room keys. While there I inquired again about another room perhaps in Grandstand. There was one, but it would not be ready until after 4pm and we had already dropped our stuff of in the new room. I was bummed because had I not gone through all of this with a handicapped room we would have waited for the Grandstand room. Oh well.

We thanked and tipped our Bell Services Cast Member (who was super nice through all of this) and went back to our room with our new keys. It was on the first floor, which was fine, but there was also a very busy walking path outside our door. That made for some interesting moments throughout the week. In addition, I want to mention that throughout the week we realized that this building used to be a smoking building because of the overwhelming cigarette smell you’d get once in a while when the room’s air kicked on. It was pungent. I’ll be much more aware of these things next time.

We dropped our stuff off, let the kids run around and unpacked just a little bit. We were all hungry and thought it best to get something to eat. I’m sure we could have easily walked over to DTD from our building but decided to drive instead. We ended up in Parking Lot 2 because 1 was already full by this time.

We decided it’d be fun to try the new T-Rex restaurant. We waited about 15 minutes before being seated and that’s when Amelia began complaining about her ear hurting. I figured it might have been the start of an ear infection.

As you can tell, Ernie was fascinated by everything at this restaurant!

We were seated in the “frozen” room and we all really loved the place! The theming was really cool and every so many minutes a meteor shower would occur. Ernie really got a huge kick out of everything. Our waiter was super nice and we enjoyed our food. Amelia fell asleep right before hers arrived, though.

We started with an order of waffle fries because we needed food brought out quickly. For lunch, I ordered the Triassic Tortellini - Tri-colored cheese tortellini with sun-dried tomatoes, peas and mushrooms tossed in an Alfredo cream sauce. EB had the Tribal Tacos - tempura fried or blackened grilled tender Mahi Mahi wrapped in corn tortillas and topped with red cabbage, fresh cilantro, pico de gallo and T-REX avocado cream sauce. Amelia had the kid’s popcorn shrimp, carrot sticks and apples. Ernie ate from everyone’s plate. We ended up taking Amelia’s food with us and EB ate it throughout the next couple of days.

We really enjoyed this meal and will definitely eat here again. Ernie loved all the dinosaurs and kept “roaring” at them! It was fun.

<insert YouTube video>

Afterwards, we walked around DTD and went to Christmas store. I bought a set of mini Mickey head Christmas ornaments for the tree in our room. All Christmas decorations were 40% or more off so there were some really great deals to be had.

EB took Ernie and went to a couple of stores while I made a pit stop at Goofy’s Candy Co. I got some chocolate and caramel pretzel rods made and purchased a stocking stuffer for Amelia – foil wrapped chocolate coins.

Afterwards, I put a call in to our pediatrician’s office and made a stop at CVS for a few items. We then went back to our room to finish unpacking and unwind. That is when I realized my laptop was missing! I called Orlando’s airport lost and found, Airtran’s lost and found and got nowhere. Airtran did advise me that the flight we were on went next to Puerto Rico and they connected me with the Airtran Lost and Found desk in San Juan. I left a lengthy message regarding where I was sitting and that my computer was possibly still in the overhead storage area of the plane. Airtran in Orlando had also advised me to call back tomorrow morning to see if anything shows up in the meantime. I was so upset. My life is on my computer. Luckily, EB brought his so I was able to do my class work from his during the trip. What a great start we were having, right?

Well, with all the hoopla over the missing laptop, we left for the Beach Club to have dinner at Cape May Café. I was just in no mood for going out and wanted to just stay in our villa and cry. What a mess.

On the way to our dinner reservation I got a call from a woman from Airtran in San Juan. She had me give a description of my bag and laptop and confirmed that they had it. I was so relieved! I should have taken her name, but I did not. She said it would be shipped back to MCO the next day when the plane returns to Orlando around late dinner time. I would be able to pick it up at the Airtran Lost and Found then. Yeah! I couldn’t believe it.

We got to our reservation about 15 minutes late, but still only had to wait about 10 minutes before being seated. Ernie had fallen asleep on the drive over and we were able to get him into his stroller without waking him up.

Beach Club Lobby and Christmas Decorations:

Once seated we really enjoyed this buffet again and it is definitely one of our favorites. I calmed myself down from the day’s drama with some herbal tea and oreo bon bons.

Those really hit the spot! We filled up our bellies and were on our way. Ernie woke up on the way back to our villa. We fed him a light dinner, bathed the children and then fell asleep shortly thereafter. It was a long day and we’d all need a good rest tonight for some morning fun at Epcot and an evening at MVMCP.

 TOMORROW:
Epcot and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party