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Sue's Labor Day WDW Weekend - Day 1 of 5
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Sue/WDW1972
Sep 2, 2021, 7:29:31 PM9/2/21
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DAY 1 – Thursday 9/2/21
Who: Sue (62), DVC Member
Holli (50’s), friend
Plan: Drive to WDW, Disney Springs, Jock Lindsay Hangar Bar
Actual: Today we only worked until 11 so we could get here earlier. With the covered parking garages at Disney Springs we figured we could arrive around 1, join the virtual queue at Gideon’s and then sit at an air conditioned bar for a light lunch while waiting for the Gideon’s return time and “room ready” text. Once we pulled onto Disney property I saw the notification that our villa was ready, but we still decided to stick with the Disney Springs plan.
We parked in the Orange Garage, which had more empty spaces than I’d ever seen before. At Gideon’s they weren’t doing the virtual queue since the line wasn’t long enough, so we joined the standby queue and within about 15 minutes were inside the building. I got cookies for Chris & Amanda, and a couple for myself. Holli got cookies to bring back to her adult sons and one for herself. From there we walked across the road to Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar. There was going to be a 10 minute wait for a table (there were several empty tables) but half of the bar was empty so we asked to sit there and were let inside right away.
Our bartender provided good service, and we appreciated the air conditioning. It’s a small place, with more seating out back (on the lake), but it was a bit warm for that. This place does happy hour Monday – Friday from noon until 3pm. We each ordered the happy hour wine – white for me, red for Holli. She really liked hers, while mine was just ok – a very ordinary California chardonnay, and chardonnay is my least favorite white wine.
For lunch we shared the empanadas appetizer. It comes with 2, but they’ll add a third for an extra $2 so we did that. I didn’t want more than one, so this was perfect. They had some type of sauce/dip that was excellent with it. A couple sat next to us and they ordered the $32 candied/chocolate dipped bacon appetizer with the smoke under the glass. It comes with 2 beverages, so they had a couple beers. It was pretty cool, but the “effects” were gone in seconds. The bacon didn’t last much longer, so I guess it was good <g>.
After lunch we got the car and drove over to Saratoga Springs. My requests were met – top floor, Paddock section, one of the buildings next to the Paddock pool. We brought everything up to the villa and settled in, then went out to walk over to the Springs section to get Holli a room key (she’d left her magic band in her car at home). Along the way we checked out the Paddock pool, then walked over to the Springs via the bridge across the water.
Fortunately we had the sense to bring umbrellas, because we did encounter some rain. Most of it occurred while we were inside, so after getting Holli’s key and checking out the shop we walked through Turf Club Lounge and stood on the covered patio for the closed Turf Club restaurant while it poured outside. It blew over very quickly, and then the sun was shining again so we walked back to the villa. I caught up some work stuff, and we turned the local news on the tv.
For dinner we fixed crackers & cheese and poured some wine. One of the cold bottles was Nobilo sauvignon blanc, which Holland America Line has on their wine list. If I like it I’ll stick with the regular (signature) beverage package that came with my booking, but if not I’ll need to upgrade to the elite version. We both liked the wine, so it’s a winner. Holli may still upgrade so she can order some of the more expensive whiskeys at the whiskey bar, but since I don’t drink that stuff I’m fine where I am.
The cheeses were a couple of cheddars (one with ale, one soaked in red wine), merlot bellivitano, herb & garlic soft cheese, and honey goat cheese. We put out 4 different types of crackers as well, and it was all good. We scaled back on the quantity, and it was nearly perfect – not much leftover to put away. While I did that Holli washed the platter and our plates.
I’d searched the villa for the extra blankets but came up empty handed. The only extras were on the top shelf of Chris & Amanda’s room, but both containers only had pillows. I called housekeeping and in no time at all they were here delivering 4 blankets. I put 2 in their room, kept one for myself and gave the other to Holli. We’re probably in for the night at this point, so I was able to wrap up the report fairly early.
Today was a great start to the trip – I never expected the villa to be ready before we got here! The room location is great, and just what I asked for. The master bathroom has a door from the living room, so Holli will be able to use the bathroom without coming through my bedroom. I gave her the sink in that room, and I put my stuff on the sink in the room with the bathtub (next to my bedroom). We’ll have to share the toilet room and the shower.
Gideon’s went very smoothly, despite not having the virtual queue. It was great trying a new place – Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar. The food we saw being consumed there all looked good, and it’s a cool atmosphere.
Tomorrow we hope for pool time, although I’m concerned about the pool gates saying they don’t open until 10am. I’m so tired of this crap – a pool not opening until 10am in the hot weather is not acceptable! If I can’t get in at the paddock I may walk or bus over to Carousel or Congress Park to get in there earlier (without a slide there’s no lifeguard and therefore the hours may not be limited). Holli & I have a lunch reservation at Splitsville at 1:30 but we also have a covid call at 1:30. Most likely we’ll head over early and just sit at the bar – we can do the call from there. Later I’ll head to Food & Wine Festival (unless it’s raining) with Chris, Amanda & Ari.
Sue/WDW1972
Who: Sue (62), DVC Member
Holli (50’s), friend
Plan: Drive to WDW, Disney Springs, Jock Lindsay Hangar Bar
Actual: Today we only worked until 11 so we could get here earlier. With the covered parking garages at Disney Springs we figured we could arrive around 1, join the virtual queue at Gideon’s and then sit at an air conditioned bar for a light lunch while waiting for the Gideon’s return time and “room ready” text. Once we pulled onto Disney property I saw the notification that our villa was ready, but we still decided to stick with the Disney Springs plan.
We parked in the Orange Garage, which had more empty spaces than I’d ever seen before. At Gideon’s they weren’t doing the virtual queue since the line wasn’t long enough, so we joined the standby queue and within about 15 minutes were inside the building. I got cookies for Chris & Amanda, and a couple for myself. Holli got cookies to bring back to her adult sons and one for herself. From there we walked across the road to Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar. There was going to be a 10 minute wait for a table (there were several empty tables) but half of the bar was empty so we asked to sit there and were let inside right away.
Our bartender provided good service, and we appreciated the air conditioning. It’s a small place, with more seating out back (on the lake), but it was a bit warm for that. This place does happy hour Monday – Friday from noon until 3pm. We each ordered the happy hour wine – white for me, red for Holli. She really liked hers, while mine was just ok – a very ordinary California chardonnay, and chardonnay is my least favorite white wine.
For lunch we shared the empanadas appetizer. It comes with 2, but they’ll add a third for an extra $2 so we did that. I didn’t want more than one, so this was perfect. They had some type of sauce/dip that was excellent with it. A couple sat next to us and they ordered the $32 candied/chocolate dipped bacon appetizer with the smoke under the glass. It comes with 2 beverages, so they had a couple beers. It was pretty cool, but the “effects” were gone in seconds. The bacon didn’t last much longer, so I guess it was good <g>.
After lunch we got the car and drove over to Saratoga Springs. My requests were met – top floor, Paddock section, one of the buildings next to the Paddock pool. We brought everything up to the villa and settled in, then went out to walk over to the Springs section to get Holli a room key (she’d left her magic band in her car at home). Along the way we checked out the Paddock pool, then walked over to the Springs via the bridge across the water.
Fortunately we had the sense to bring umbrellas, because we did encounter some rain. Most of it occurred while we were inside, so after getting Holli’s key and checking out the shop we walked through Turf Club Lounge and stood on the covered patio for the closed Turf Club restaurant while it poured outside. It blew over very quickly, and then the sun was shining again so we walked back to the villa. I caught up some work stuff, and we turned the local news on the tv.
For dinner we fixed crackers & cheese and poured some wine. One of the cold bottles was Nobilo sauvignon blanc, which Holland America Line has on their wine list. If I like it I’ll stick with the regular (signature) beverage package that came with my booking, but if not I’ll need to upgrade to the elite version. We both liked the wine, so it’s a winner. Holli may still upgrade so she can order some of the more expensive whiskeys at the whiskey bar, but since I don’t drink that stuff I’m fine where I am.
The cheeses were a couple of cheddars (one with ale, one soaked in red wine), merlot bellivitano, herb & garlic soft cheese, and honey goat cheese. We put out 4 different types of crackers as well, and it was all good. We scaled back on the quantity, and it was nearly perfect – not much leftover to put away. While I did that Holli washed the platter and our plates.
I’d searched the villa for the extra blankets but came up empty handed. The only extras were on the top shelf of Chris & Amanda’s room, but both containers only had pillows. I called housekeeping and in no time at all they were here delivering 4 blankets. I put 2 in their room, kept one for myself and gave the other to Holli. We’re probably in for the night at this point, so I was able to wrap up the report fairly early.
Today was a great start to the trip – I never expected the villa to be ready before we got here! The room location is great, and just what I asked for. The master bathroom has a door from the living room, so Holli will be able to use the bathroom without coming through my bedroom. I gave her the sink in that room, and I put my stuff on the sink in the room with the bathtub (next to my bedroom). We’ll have to share the toilet room and the shower.
Gideon’s went very smoothly, despite not having the virtual queue. It was great trying a new place – Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar. The food we saw being consumed there all looked good, and it’s a cool atmosphere.
Tomorrow we hope for pool time, although I’m concerned about the pool gates saying they don’t open until 10am. I’m so tired of this crap – a pool not opening until 10am in the hot weather is not acceptable! If I can’t get in at the paddock I may walk or bus over to Carousel or Congress Park to get in there earlier (without a slide there’s no lifeguard and therefore the hours may not be limited). Holli & I have a lunch reservation at Splitsville at 1:30 but we also have a covid call at 1:30. Most likely we’ll head over early and just sit at the bar – we can do the call from there. Later I’ll head to Food & Wine Festival (unless it’s raining) with Chris, Amanda & Ari.
Sue/WDW1972
Rudeney
Sep 7, 2021, 11:24:16 AM9/7/21
to
On 9/2/2021 6:29 PM, Sue/WDW1972 wrote:
>
> We parked in the Orange Garage, which had more empty spaces than I’d
> ever seen before. At Gideon’s they weren’t doing the virtual queue
> since the line wasn’t long enough, so we joined the standby queue and
> within about 15 minutes were inside the building.
Wow, I hope that's a good omen for the rest of the trip!
>
> We parked in the Orange Garage, which had more empty spaces than I’d
> ever seen before. At Gideon’s they weren’t doing the virtual queue
> since the line wasn’t long enough, so we joined the standby queue and
> within about 15 minutes were inside the building.
--
- RODNEY
Next WDW Vacation?
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