Day 3:
Hollywood Studios opened at 8:00 today and the plan was to head there ASAP to ride Toy Story Mania. I didn't know how possible it would be because we have a hard time waking up early on vacation. Well, mainly I have a hard time waking up but this morning it was mom. I woke up at 7:00 and tried to wake up mom. We could have made it there by 8:00 if we both hustled, but mom took her time watching the animals and having breakfast. No big deal, it was vacation after all. Just letting you guys know I did try to get there on time.
We managed to get to HS at 8:30 and made our way to TSM. It happened to be Star Wars weekend so there were tons of people there already. I didn't do my usual research for this trip so was surprised about this coincidence. Thankfully there were FPs still available but the come back time was for 1:10-2:10. The park had only been open for 30 minutes! The standby line was 40 minutes so we didnt stay. Instead we headed down to ToT. I couldn't believe how hot it already was. Mom was wearing a light dress and she was still sweating. I was wearing jeans and was just miserable.
I forgot to mention that the day before there was a voicemail in the room from my DVC guy letting us know that they were doing a preview of the new Grand Floridian villas at SSR and we were welcome to come by and check them out. Mom and I were really excited to see them. We both think the GF is gorgeous, and ever since they announced the building of the villas I've wanted to add on some points if I could. We added checking out the preview to the day's plans and figured we'd just check in with any DVC podium we found at HS. We passed one on the way to ToT but there was nobody there so we kept going. ToT had a 40 minute way so we headed down to RnRC. It was a 30 minute wait which wasn't much better but we thought it should move pretty quickly.
After a fantastic ride we went to check out ToT again, it was 30 minutes by then so we got in line. We are spoiled rotten by many nearly walk ons at ToT, so when we saw the line snaking down towards the entrance we got out of line and left. No ToT this trip. We headed back up to the DVC podium but there was still nobody there. I was getting very hungry so we stopped in Starring Rolls. Unfortunately, after waiting in a very large line we left without anything. I was more in the mood for a breakfast sandwich instead of pastries and for some reason I thought they had them on the menu. We stopped in the store across the street where I've found delicious muffins previously and picked up this beauty. I know, it's stil not a breakfast sandwich.
Sadly it looked a lot better than it tasted.
When we went to the DVC podium a third time there was somebody there. We had a fantastic chat with him and of course asked about the preview for the new villas. He said he could only provide transportation for people that were interested in buying. If we just wanted to see them we had to take a bus to SSR ourselves. Well I couldn't honestly say I was interested in buying until I knew the price. Scott told us the preconstruction price was $145 and when I did the math I could manage it if I bought 50 and banked/borrowed which was my plan all along. With that decided he arranged transportation for us and a driver was there in no time. Kevin was our driver and he has been a member since 1994. He bought 400 points for $55 each. It makes me sick!
At SSR we were directed into the little snack area and were told somebody would come find us shortly. Joe came and got us and we chatted for a little bit. Amazingly his sister lives in the same town mom does and whenever he comes to visit he and his sister go to the same restaurant mom and her DBF go to all the time. What a small world! Then he took us over to the preview center. Mom and I were blown away. I think I'm ok to post these now, when we were there they were super secret, only the people that work at the SSR location had been able to see them, no other CMs.
Sorry these are not the best quality, I was rushing to get pictures while they were empty.
The 1BR
It couldn't be a claw foot tub because of the jets
TV in the mirror
There was also a HUGE shower that I missed taking a picture of. I think some other people came in at that point and I hastily put the camera away.
Studio
The thing on the left is a murphy bed underneath the TV, so the studios now sleep 5.
And there are two bathing areas, a separate shower and a traditional tub/shower combo
The door in between closes so they can be used separately with privacy
I was officially in love and decided to add on the 50 I had planned on. I thought of adding more but I really don't need them and I can always use the 7 month window if I need to. I wanted to guarantee being able to go during Christmas either every other year for 5 nights, or every third year for 7 nights. They are doing something they've never done with any of the other resorts and selling specific weeks. This really put me off because that's exactly why I like DVC, being able to go any time I want. But the difference with this is you are guaranteed that week but if you dont want to use it you can let DVC know you wont' be coming and use those points for anytime you want. I was drawn to the idea but you'd have to buy a weeks worth of points and I wasn't prepared for that. I just wanted to let you guys know in case anybody would be interested in the idea. They said they were selling quickly but who knows how quickly.
With my purchase complete I was on cloud 9. I really couldn't believe I was able to do it and was in a happy sort of daze about the whole thing. They took us to the ice cream parlor where we encountered a surprisingly grumpy ice cream CM. Her DH wasn't 'letting' her buy any more points and she wanted some at the VGF. No need to be grumpy with me... After we enjoyed our ice cream we were taken back to HS. We had FPs to use!
I managed to win which is a rare thing with mom and I. We enjoyed it as much usual and I was so glad we'd been able to get FPs. Then we decided to head back to the resort, change into our bathing suits and head to BB. We were both miserably hot and thought a swim would be quite nice. I said goodbye to the hat on the way out, not sure if it'll still be there when I get back. I can't believe they're even thinking about getting rid of it.
you're going to love AKL! Are you staying Jambo House or Kidani?
No, we didn't try it, we had every intention to but then saw them making one for somebody else. We would have to eat it on an empty stomach it was so big. And then I realized I didn't have the camera, when I have a Sand Pail it must be documented!
I just want my few bites before the kids get it. 
That's one of the very reasons our stay at the resort was so great. 
I used to be a commando type but ever since buying DVC and knowing I'd be back the pressure is off to see and do everything. Before I would need a vacation after my Disney vacation but now we're just go with the flow type of vacationers. A girls trip with your mom and DDs would be great! 
I didn't know the VGF were selling certain weeks? Are the prices more for certain weeks? 
I just quit taking bites of them. 
