[Piglet75]

Hey Everyone!
I am new here! I have been lurking for months and I finally joined. I thought I would share a TR because they are my FAVORITE things to read from all of you!

This August my brother told us that he and his family were moving to Missouri in October. Prior to this we all lived within 15 minutes of each other. We were devastated, so my mom and I decided that we all needed to go to WDW for a family trip before they left. Unfortunately, at the last minute, my DH couldn't get off from work, so I cancelled our room and stayed with my parents. Here is our cast:

Me - WDW fanatic, 30, no kids of my own yet, but I'm working on it
DM - my mom, who is my best friend, 57
DD - my dad, fun loving, will ride anything, 57
DB - my brother, 25
DSIL - my sister-in-law, 26
DN - my nephew, 5 - he is a wild man, and a little spoiled by me and his gramma
DBN - my precious niece, she was 10 months at the time of our trip

[EmpressJenny]

Ok, let's have the report!

[Piglet75]

Day One - Friday, 09/23/05

Finally the day of the trip arrived. We left after my DD and DB got off work. We met up at my parents' house and hit the road. After a fun-filled drive we made it to Port Orleans French Quarter around 4:00. We quickly checked in and got our room keys. We had 2 adjoining rooms on the first floor in Building One. We loved our room location. We were so close to the parking lot and it was a short walk anywhere in the resort.

Let me just say that my DM and I LOVED POFQ! We bought the refillable mugs and took many, many trips to get refills and we just loved walking around this resort - we found it beautiful and charming!!! As a family we have stayed in some more "deluxe" hotels, like Portofino Bay and Royal Pacific at Universal, but we found we actually preferred POFQ because we liked the outside entries. I think it was more enjoyable to walk around the resort outside, then walking down long carpeted hallways. I think for this reason we will stick with the moderates at WDW from now on.

After getting in our rooms we decided to hit the pool. DN LOVED the sea serpent slide! He went down in at least 20 times. We had a great time splashing around. After swimming for a while the boys hit the arcade (which they loved) and the girls hit the gift shop!!!!

After cleaning up we decided to take the water taxi to DTD. By the time we got to the water-taxi it was about 8:00 and the mosquitos were out in full-force- it was funny! We enjoyed our trip to DTD - it was cool seeing the old tree houses and Saratoga Springs - I want to stay in a grand villa now - so cool!

At DTD we decided to eat at EOS- this was our first time there and we were not disappointed - the food was great! After dinner we hit all the shops and just had a great time. DN loved the Lego Store, and DM and I loved World of Disney! After a long, fun day we headed back to POFQ for bed.

Day 2 up next!

[jk8]

Sounds good so far! I hope to stay at POFQ or POR some day.

[Piglet75]

Day 2- our day at the parks!

We were up early that morning and DM and I headed to the food court to get breakfast for everybody. We brought back tons of food to the rooms for everybody to eat. We loved the authentic New Orleans biscuit type things - sorry I forgot the name.

After we all filled up, we headed to Epcot. I couldn't wait to ride Soarin', so we headed there first! When we got to Soarin' there was no line yet! We did the baby-swap and my DM waited with DBN while the rest of us rode the ride- it was so cool! After the first ride, DM, DN and I rode again with the baby-swap fast passes and we were in the very top row- it was really neat. DN loved it! He was so cute - he said indian style in the seat and just looked so relaxed.

After Soarin' we headed to TT to get fast passes and then went to M:S. DM and I stayed with the baby for M:S, and DD and DSIL actually chickened out and joined us. DB loved the ride, but DN told me, "Aunt Joy, I almost threw up" - he was so cute- I guess it was just too much for the little guy! While we were waiting DM and I had fun with DBN and bought her some Little Mermaid Sunglasses - she looked so cute.

Next was TT! DM sat out with DBN, but the rest of us rode and had a great time - I LOVE TT- it is one of my favorites- we all enjoyed it.

After TT we headed to the WS. We rode the infamous "El Rio Del Tiempo" and it was actually my DBN's first ride ever- so funny! What a first ride! Next we headed to Maelstrom, which was fun as usual. DN liked the trolls.

At this point it was about 12:00 and DN was getting really cranky, so DB & DSIL left and headed back to the resort for naps. DM, DD and I rode Spaceship Earth and then we headed back to the hotel too. BTW, I love Spaceship Earth - it will always be an old-school fave of mine, but it really needs a rehab- the track was so creaky and I could barely hear the dialogue- so sad, because the animatronics and scenes are still so amazing!

Back at POFQ, DSIL and the kids were asleep, so DB, DM, DD and I headed to the food court for lunch. It was fun being just the 4 of us again, now that DB and I are both married that rarely happens. We actually had a GREAT lunch at the food court. We all ordered different things, but all the food was actually really good! We all shared a huge banana split for dessert too - YUMMY!!!

Part 2 coming next!

[ingamba]

Awesome TR so far, very Magical!! Can't wait for the next episode.

Welcome to DC!!

[Piglet75]

Day 2 - part 2
After a nice rest we headed out to MK for the evening. We left POFQ at about 3:30, and when we arrived at MK the parking lot was almost completely full and we had to park in the very last section! This was notable because Epcot had been EMPTY than morning.

At the MK we headed first for POTC. Last year I had gotten the vacation planning DVD and on the ride preview for POTC it says "See the hairy leg". DN and I thought that was so funny, and ran around saying it for months, so of course we had to see the hairy leg together. It was great. DBN even got to ride. Next we headed to BTMR for a fast, fun ride. We all loved it! BTMR will always be one of my favorites, then we hit the HM, again another favorite. Then came the time for a ride on the newly rehabbed IASW - the baby loved this ride - her eyes were so big- it was special.

Then we headed to Philharmagic and the strangest thing happened - the movie started just fine and after about 30 seconds it just stopped and the lights came on. They couldn't re-start it, so we had to sit while the entire program played itself out and then we were able to see the show. Unfortunately DN had to use the bathroom, so he and DB had to leave while we were waiting and couldn't get back in - I really wanted DN to see it- oh well! While we were waiting DBN was charming everyone - she is such a cutie!

After finishing in Fantasyland we headed to Tomorrowland. DN, DB, and DSIL rode the race cars (sorry I forgot the name) and DM, DD, DBN & I grabbed a snack and shopped - we bought the cutest character pillow-type things. They are like round balls with ears, tails and faces - had to explain but so cute- we got Mickey and Donald.

After this we all rode Buzz Lightyear together, and then everybody else went on SGE - I rode this once and that was enough so I stayed with DBN, who was napping. Surprisingly, everybody else liked SGE.

Finally it was getting dark so we found a spot for Spectromagic and Wishes. Despite my numerous visits to MK, I had never seen either, so I was very excited! Both shows were great! At the end of Wishes, DN said, "Now that's what I call a finale" - it was priceless - something I will never forget.

Exhausted we headed back to POFQ for our last night. What a MAGICAL day!!!

Day 3 - our last day, coming soon

[Erin]

I'm loving your TR!! Thank you for posting it!

Welcome to DC, I'm a LOSTie, too!! I look forward to reading more about you and your trip!

[Piglet75]

Day 3 - our last day Sunday, 09/25/05

DM and I got up early so we could enjoy POFQ more before checking out. We walked around the whole resort and made another visit to the gift shop. We also took tons of pictures of DN and DBN.

We checked out of the hotel and headed to AKL for a 10:45 PS at Boma for breakfast. I stayed at AKL last year with my DH, so I knew what to expect, but I couldn't wait for my family to see AKL. Their reaction was great! My DD says he wants to stay at AKL next time! Breakfast at Boma was great - we loved it! The food was delicious and we had a great table - right by the window.

On a side note, my DBN is an EATER! That baby eats all the time, and if she sees someone else eating and she's not she gets mad. Right before they moved to MO, my DBN saw me eating a cookie once and screamed at me from across the kitchen, "Joy!!!!!" She was so mad! It was so funny! I, of course, shared my cookie with her. It was the first time she said my name -classic!

Back to Boma,,,,,DBN ate so much - it was funny - she is a crazy baby!

After breakfast we headed to the savannah to see the animals - it was really cool. I love AKL! It is a truly spectacular place!

Finally it was time to leave WDW. I wish we could have stayed longer, but everyone had work on Monday. On the way home we stopped at the Bass Pro Shop in Orlando. My DB and DD love bass fishing, so they said that was their favorite part of the trip - HERETICS!!! Bass Pro Shop over WDW - Hrumphhh!!!!

We made it home safely with so many magical memories. What a special weekend. We decided to make an annual tradion of going to WDW together- I can't wait till this year's trip, and this time I am making sure DH can come!

Thanks for reading - I'll be back later with highlights and additional comments.

[mickaholic4077]

It sounds like you had a really great trip!! Also,welcome to DC!!!

[lovemysons]

Welcome to DC, glad to see you are not lurking anymore! Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Sounds like you had a great time. I love the AKL too!!

[tinkerbell]

I really enjoyed this. Thank you so much ..welcome To DC and I hope you will share all your future trip plans and magical moments with us here

[Piglet75]

Thanks for the replies! I'm glad you enjoyed the report. I just wanted to wrap it up with some trip highlights.

Highlights:
- POFQ - what a great resort
- Eating at EOS - yummy!
- My nephew's reaction to Wishes
- Breakfast at Boma - delicious!!!!
- just the magic of being at WDW with family

It was such a great trip! I can't wait to start planning the next one!

[tinkerbell]

thanks for adding the highlights ..specially the magic of being at WDW with family

[Dana]

Great report! Thanks for sharing and welcome to DC!