Orlando: Disney Saratoga Springs / On Our Way to Orlando

[Marti Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Marti]

May 18, 2007

Left Maryland around 8:30 AM on Friday Morning
It was Cloudy and Cold - Just a few Sprinkles

Took MD & VA Route 301 to Bowling Green Virginia
Then went over to the Interstate South on I-95
Pass Kings Dominion
Seen a tractor trailer on its side in Richmond VA
TV crews were out and traffic was heavy for awhile

As we drove thru NC the weather got warmer
and the sun came out. Passed Dunn NC
where we wanted to spend the night but it
was still to early so we continued on to SC

Seen a sign for a new Hilton Garden Inn
Decided to spend the night in Florence.
The hotel is beautiful and our room is perfect
There is a very nice Lounge with a Huge Flat
Screen TV and a small restaurant for breakfast.
They even have fresh baked cookies at check in!

Everything here is clean and comfortable,
even the air filters look clean and brand new.

I am here in the business center off the lobby
The BC offers two workstations with computers &
beige cabinets/desks and cherry oak counter tops.
HP Color Laser Jet 255 ON and Minolta Copier

Bill is sitting out in the lounge area with his old
buddy (both retired now) Nick is about 80 yrs
They are talking and just enjoying the hotel.

The staff at the Hilton Garden Inn Florence have
some of the nicest people in the hospitality industry.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend...
Bye for now

Next stop Florida..

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Have a great time, Enjoy!

[SOS8260456 Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close SOS8260456]

Have a great time Marti!

Lisa

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Have a wonderful and a safe trip. shaggy

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Marti, enjoy your trip. You travel so much but when are you coming to the west coast? There is a lot to see here too and our coast is beautiful plus our National Parks and San Francisco too, of course.

[chellej Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close chellej]

Marti

Enjoy your trip!!

Hilton Garden Inn's are one of my favorites & I book whenever I have the Chance. Most of the ones I have stayed in have had the sleep number beds (or equivalent). I love hotels with good beds - it makes me feel pampered.

[Marti Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Marti]

Sat Morning

Had a great nights sleep here at the Hilton Garden Inn
No noise from other guests (crowded) or bathroom noise.

The bedding and linens are top quality
somewhat like the new Marriott resorts

Bill is out loading the car and I just wanted to
check my email before hitting the road this am
Very nice business center..

Great overall experience
For just around $100.
They offer comp. coffee (no free breakfast)
Does anyone know if this hotel comes up on
priceline..

On our way to Florida - Will be staying 2 weeks
Disney Vacation Club SSR & OLCC River Island
If anyone is in the area - Email or give me a call

Hi Shaggy
I thought about you as we drove thru NC!

Sorry I will miss you Emmy when you come east
maybe we will get to catch up with you someday
soon. Our next big trip is in August where we
will be staying for 2 (hopefully 3 weeks in TN.

A Big Hello to
Lisa and Big Frank and Everyone here on TS4Ms

Next stop Florida Welcome Station!!

[funtime2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close funtime2]

Marti, when you were in Dunn you were about an hour from us. Hope you have a wonderful stay in Fla. Wish I was there because I am itching for a vacation. This summer will be fill with getting my son from point A to point B
2 trip to DC 2 trips to Charolette, NC 2 trips to Raleigh, NC. I will be singing on the rode again.........

[Marti Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Marti]

Jacksonville, Florida


We arrived at the Florida Welcome Center on I-95

A few minutes before closing ( 5 PM)
Just enough time to have an orange juice and p/u
a few brochures and a Florida Map and a take photos.

Spending the night at The Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville
The bedding, linens and carpet in the rooms have been updated since
we were here last July, 2007. They now have the sleep number beds!
Nice small restaurant and lobby area. Small outdoor swimming pool.

Again the rate is about $100 a night (Saturday night)
This hotel is nice but not as plush as the one we stayed
at last night. The one in Florence SC is very impressive!

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Marti, I swear one of these days we are going to meet , if just to have lunch or a drink of sweet tea while you are driving thru NC> Hugs, Shaggy

[Marti Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Marti]

Sunday Morning

The Hilton Garden Inn in Jacksonville is
locted in Deerwood Park Area off Rt 202

The Sleep Number Beds are nice but
did not like the feel of (wooly) topper.
Our room is on the top floor 515 next
to the elevator and has a nice view.

Bill is off to bring back Hot Pancakes for Breakfast
and Coffee from McDonalds (across the parking lot)

I am here in the small business center using the IBM
Computer. They have a HP Laser Jet 4050 printer &
two Toshiba Printers.. There are 2 air style office chairs.

After breakfast we are off to see the downtown
area of Jacksonsville and then Historic St. Augustine
before driving down I-95 & I-4 to Disney Vacation Club..

The weather has been nice.. No smoke in the area
We sleep with the window open looking out at the moon!
The skies have been clear the whole 700 plus drive.

We did get to see the new River City Marketplace
near the Jacksonville Airport but did not go/stop in.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.. Marti

[Ryne08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryne08]

Marti, I am very sorry I could not meet you in Williamsburg, VA.
The spouse and I also our stays at Hilton Gardens Inn across the country. They are very clean and well worth the money.

Have a nice trip and be safe.

[Marti Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Marti]

Disney Vacation Club - Saratoga Springs - 407-827-1100


May 21

Left Jacksonville and did a little sighting on the way down.
We arrived at DVC Saratoga Springs Resort around 3 PM.
Checked in at the Carriage House. We only waited a few
minutes before we were motioned up to the main counter.

We were greeted by a male clerk who was from India.
He told us he has only been here in this county working
for Disney for 4 weeks. He did an excellent job getting
us a top floor over looking the pool area & a lovely lake.

Bill hooked up my laptop computer where I can sit &
work while looking out the triple bedroom windows.
To my left I can see a few high rise hotels.

Straight out the window I can see the pool, hot tub and
a couple of picnic tables and 2 older style bar-b-q grilles.
Slightly to my right is a long wooden bridge over
the lake with a water fountain in the background.

The landscaping is very beautiful and the sky is bright
and sunny and most of all clear. (No Smoke or Haze)

I always knew I would like Saratoga Springs Resort
and so far it has proven to be the best of the four
Disney Vacation Club (2 Bedroom) Resorts we have
been to..

If anyone would like to stop over and visit & sit
by the pool. Drop me an email or give me a call.
We will be here until Sunday morning May 27th.

[Marti Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Marti]

Saratoga Springs Pools


Saratoga Springs Resort
has several (4) pool areas

The Main Swimming Pool is the largest
& is over next to The Carriage House

There is a pool in the Congress Park Section that overlooks
Downtown Disney and the waterway. We were there Monday
evening, just as Pleasure Island started playing music.
We could hear the music and feel the excitement along the river.
We decided to go over to the Disney Marketplace for Ice Cream...

Another pool is in the Paddock Section with a Lake View
This pool is a little smaller and has a nice hot tub
(We did the pool & hot tub experience this morning!)
There are 2 restrooms (air conditioned - ac broken)
no showers - a w/d laundry room (not free) with TV.

We still need to get over to the newest pool
in The Grandstand Area.

[Marti Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Marti]

Saratoga Springs Resort


May 22, 2007

Went to Animal Kingdom Lodge and sat and looked
out at The Savannah and took photos of the animals
Seen some construction for the new DVC but nothing
to write home about. Found a great lounge near the
check in area & sat in air conditioning & relaxed awhile.

Tuesday, we took our Mustang (covered in love bugs)
to the Hess Gas Station near toThe Boardwalk Resort
(Price for mid grade was just over $3.00 gal.) and the
Car Wash we selected was $7.00. Now our 2001
Mineral Gray Mustang looks so much better.

Cruised down International Drive and it was so crowded
The lights from the hotels and bars and restuarants
made I-Dr look great. Love riding around at night.
Went to the Dairy Queen on I-Dr and had Banana Splits.


May 23, 2007

Another beautiful sunny day here at
Disney Vacation Club Saratoga Springs

I have been on AOL Dial Up for Free
but decided to try the High Speed Internet
All I had to do was connect the Ethernet Cable
from the wall to the back of my computer and
check "I Agree" to accept the $9.95 fee that
will be charged to my room.
So now I have High Speed for the next 24 hours
plus I can still connect using my same AOL account
That way I still have my AOL favorites and email

Saragota Springs Resort is simply lovely..
By far one of the best here in the Orlando Area

Bill has been out walking the resort for a couple of hours
talking photos. So far we have taken about 350 pictures.