A labor of love on Labor day!

[Christine]

Just a quick report! We had a surprise trip last weekend- some dear friends from Texas called on Wednesday and said "pack your bags and join us this weekend bc we booked a 2 bdrm at SSR and want you to join us!"

Here are some pics:
http://celebrationlifejw.blogspot.co...rings.html?m=1

So we did! We checked in Friday after school and work and were placed in a lovely spot- the springs , right across the street from the DVC sales Bldg.

The space was huge and the amenities were great- but I have to say that I was disappointed in my new "home" (we added on At SSR in July & this was our first stay home) on some aspects. Torn up paint (enough so that on our closet door knob I scratched my finger), burned out light bulbs, the tv in the 2 bed room didn't work- the whole outlet in fact). And RATS running around the flowerbeds out front at the elevator!
The good thing of course is we didn't see them inside. But still- yikes!!!
Aside from that, I loved SSR!! the artist palette is YUMMY and takes tables in wonderland. The turf club- FANTASTIC! A hidden treasure!

So why the title of this report? Because we spent very little time in the resort and NONE in the parks. Why? Because we were driving our friends all around the area to see houses- Celebration, Reunion, Windermere--- and by Sunday they'd made an offer!!!

We are thrilled!!! We joked that we must make living here look GOOD!!

Aside from that we squeezed in a little fun too- our yummy dinner at turf club, a night at jellyrolls, and after they left Monday, we stayed to swim at the Paddock. WAY cool pool!!!! Loved that place and the slide was a blast! ( those that remember my new mastering my fears of pool slides will appreciate that! )

So a wonderful weekend- they'll be back in four weeks to do all the paperwork etc and visit. Can't wait!

Now back to our regularly scheduled upcoming trip- the family fun run 5k of wine and dine weekend...

[SBETigg]

Awesome, a surprise trip! Sounds lovely. Even better that your friends are moving closer. Congratulations!

[KylesMom]

Great pictures, Christine. How wonderful that your joy of moving to FL is rubbing off on others & that you're living and loving life to its fullest!

I have to say, though, that this would freak me out!

And RATS running around the flowerbeds out front at the elevator!

[faline]

It must have been fun to catch up with your friends!

[Mickey'sGirl]

What a lovely surprise weekend!!! ... and what great news that your friends are relocating!

Gotta tell you that the rats would have creeped me out completely.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Thanks for the report

[MizMissy]

Torn up paint (enough so that on our closet door knob I scratched my finger), burned out light bulbs, the tv in the 2 bed room didn't work- the whole outlet in fact). And RATS running around the flowerbeds out front at the elevator!
...

please, please, please tell me you reported these problems ... especially the RATS!! Oh MY! I know Disney is built around a rodent, but still...

[Suz36]

A surprise trip - what could be better!

[BigRedDad]

Are you sure they were rats and not field mice? There is a HUGE difference. Rats are not common in FL because they attract predators (foxes and hunting birds). Field mice are a different story and common any where there are outdoors. They tend not to go indoors and are natural parts of the environment.

[Christine]

Unfortunately it was confirmed they were rats.
At first I hoped it was a rabbit bc that critter was big! But we saw it 3 times, everyone in my party and also other guests. It was the talk of the Pool area when we went swimming on Sunday- "have you seen that giant RAT!?! gross!

[Martino]

They were rats, we also had them at the Grandstand area!

We were at Saratoga Springs Aug 23 - Sept 6, and one evening on returning from the park we decided to take a swim and dip in the Spa, and just a few feet away a RAT was enjoying a shower under one of the water sprays.

We loved our stay here, but did notice a few rats outside in the evenings on a few occasions, some by the pool and some darting into borders.

[January-2007]

Thank you so much for sharing, how awesome that your friends are moving closer!

[BeccaO]

Apparently rats are an issue on the entire WDW property. The last time we stayed at the Grand Floridian, it was raining pretty hard one evening when we returned to the resort and one ran across the walk right in front of us before we entered the front door into the lobby!! When I complained, the response was that when it rains they come out of "hiding" and it's pretty common to see them running about. Did not make me feel any better about the situation, especially since it was headed towards 1900 Park Fare!!