[mrspooky]

Trip report- Day 1, Saturday Jan 14th.

The cast-
Me, My DH, my DD(5) and DS(8)
My BIL and SIL
And my IL’s met us in Disney, they had been in Florida for 2 weeks already.

We arrived in Orlando to find wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour and a high temp in the 50’s. Not the best way to start off the trip, but hey, we figured it was Much colder at home, and we were going to be in Disney.

We didn’t do Magical Express, so we waited with our driver for the luggage---all of it came down except for my suitcase. I was not amused. We waited and waited, and finally the kids were getting a bit freaky, so I went over and filled out the lost luggage form.

My ride to Disney was not as much fun as usual, because I kept thinking of all of the things I had in the bag that would have to be replaced. At least my IL’s had a car, so I could off property where things are a tad cheaper.

When we got to the hotel(POFQ), the IL’s were waiting for us- they had already gotten their room. Ours was ready, and we were right next to them(if we do this again next year, we will be joining rooms or getting a villa or something—I felt bad about asking them to watch the kids since they had to leave their room, but if it was adjoining we would have been ok. We were in building 6, but my BIL and SIL were in building 2 because they needed a smoking room.

The hotel is beautiful! I loved just walking around the grounds- we had a river view, which was wonderful! The kids looooved the look of the pool, they were dying to go in, but it was just not pool weather. We were also informed that the water shuttles were not running due to the cold.

After I unpacked the kids(couldn’t do mine) we decided to go to the food court and get the Mugs. This year they were all one color, so we bought different colored Mickey Head Straws so we would know the difference(Just as Disney intended us to do---there is a huge basket of straws right over the mug display.)
We took the mugs back to the room, exploring the resort a bit along the way(it truly is beautiful!), then went to the busses for Magic Kingdom. While we were waiting for the bus I got a call on my cell that Magic Express had picked up my suitcase by mistake, so it was in Disney the whole time. They told me it would be in my room when we returned. NOW I was truly happy! The kids were going nuts because we had to hit all of the POR stops, but finally we got there.

Cindarellabration was just ending, so DD was a tad upset. I just kept walking towards the Castle, and my DD kept asking me what ride I was going on. (I had set up a surprise dinner for us at the Castle- it worked out great, because as I was walking, my SIL was looking at the park guide and it said that CRT was only for Breakfast and lunch.) Finally, I got to the reservation area and gave our name, as DD stood there asking me why we stopped and what we were doing. Unfortunately, it was a 40 minute extra wait if we wanted to sit together(which, being the first night, we wanted to do), so we went inside.

My DD nearly fainted when she saw Cinderella. She got to go right over and get her picture taken, (by the way, DH said he would have the pictures ready for me by tomorrow latest.) and talked to her for quite a while. We waited and waited and finally were led into the dining room. It is gorgeous! I especially like the Mickey Sparkles on the floor.

I had the spring roll(YUMMY!) and everyone else in the party with the Dining Plan ordered the shrimp cocktail. (My IL’s did not have the dining plan, they just ordered an appetizer and then finished whatever we couldn’t eat, usually a lot of dessert!) My DH had the Prime rib and I had the flank steak, both were wonderful. I gave my dessert to my MIL. During the meal the man at the table behind us proposed to his girlfriend and we all applauded and cheered. Now that’s Magic!

We left the castle and headed for the Haunted Mansion---it was dead, so we rode it two times in a row. Then we got our spots for the Spectromagic parade. We had never seen it before, and even though it was cold enough that the kids were wearing gloves, we all loved it.

Then, since it was not crowded, we decided to go on Pirates. On the way, we walked by Alladin, and saw gingita! We talked for a few minutes, but the kids were bugging me because they were cold and tired. As we were getting on Pirates, I realized that I hadn’t gotten my picture with her. I figured we would see her again.

Pirates was awesome, as usual, but then I put my foot down and said it was time to call it a night. People were lining up for the fireworks, which started as we got to Main Street, so it was tough to get out, but we made it. The kids whined a bit because they wanted to stop and see them, but I had a Grand gathering Fireworks Cruise booked for Monday night, so I wanted to wait until then to see them. So we got on one of the last uncrowded busses back to the resort.

We let the kids watch the bedtime story, then turned out the lights. Hubby went to Scat Cats with his sis and her hubby, and I stayed in the room to write my daughter’s journal. (I have kept one for her each year.) When he came back, in about an hour, I went down. They had live entertainment, and he was really good. I stayed for about an hour and then turned in, ready for our first full day in Disney…….

[Dopey]

Oh boy, sorry about your suitcase. I always spread our things out to avoid that problem. But other than that, it sounds like you are off to a good start. I am hoping that you are sitting down, writing the next chapter in your trip report right this minute....

[mrspooky]

Trip report day 2 Sunday January 15, 2006

Ate breakfast in the room, then headed for the busses. Animal Kingdom today! (BIL and SIL decided to sleep in, so they would meet up with us later)

Again, it seemed more crowded than usual—we had to wait in line to get in. Then we got the kid’s pictures with Chip n Dale, Pluto, and Friar Tuck.

We went on the safari first, and got to see the baby elephant! My DD was so thrilled, I thought she was going to jump out of the safari vehicle. It was sunny, but chilly outside, and LOTS of animals were out. Hippos, giraffes, lions, we saw them all!

We decided to get an early lunch after the safari because we were going to the Cape May Café for the buffet dinner, and wanted to be VERY hungry. We went to Pizzafari, and my DS still says it was the best pizza in Disney. I had the Chicken Parm sandwich, and it was really good! BIL and SIL met us there.

Then we headed to Camp Minnie-Mickey for some pictures. Unfortunately, the Lion King was just letting out, but DS and DD wouldn’t leave and come back, so we hit a few lines. We got Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy.

We all went to Dinoland and got fast passes for Dinosaur, then went to go see Tarzan Rocks. I had never seen it before, and knew it was closing on Sat., so I really wanted to see it. The kids really liked the skaters. Next we went on Dinosaur, another of our favorites. My SIL was riding it for the first time, and she was amazed at how my 5 year old DD just laughed through the whole thing.

After that, we headed over to the bird show. I love that show. It is amazing what they can train the birds to do! We even went up to the stage afterwards and saw the birds up close. They are so beautiful.

The rest of the family headed over to Asia for the Tiger Walk, but DD was tired, so I took her back to the room for a little nap before dinner. When she got up, we took the bus to MGM (waited a while for that one), and then the boat launch to the Beach Club (the first boat was full, so we had to wait for a second. Thank goodness the rest of the family was already there, because I would have never made it for our ADR’s. But they were running 30 minutes behind as well, so it all worked out.

That meal was Fantastic! All you can eat salad bar (pasta salads, green salads, potato salads, etc), soups(New England Clam Chowder and Tomato Bisque), Steamed clams, mussels, and shrimp (our clams were a bit sandy, and it happened to everyone at the table. But the shrimp were to die for), Steak, Ribs, Salmon, Chicken, potatoes, corn bread, rolls, and corn on the cob. For the kids they had chicken fingers, mac n cheese(shaped like Mickey, of course), pizza, and hot dogs in a blanket. Even my DS was happy with it, and that’s saying something.

After dinner we hit Downtown Disney—my DS was heartbroken because the Lego Store did not have any Star Wars Lego. He decided to come back later in the week. DD went to the World of Disney store and bought Minnie Mouse shoes and a baby Belle doll. I got my photo album, a bandana for the dog that said “my humans went to Disney World and all I got was this bandanna,” some cups for the kids, and spent enough to get the lithograph being offered.

Then we took the kids back for their bedtime story and bed. We traded off at Scat Cats again…..
Epcot tomorrow!

[Erin]

I'm loving this so far, Spooky Pooky!! Keep it comin!

[mrspooky]

oh, but my pictures came out sooooo tiny... gotta work on that.

[lovemysons]

I am glad you liked POFQ. It is really lovely isn't it? Sorry about your suitcase! That is a bummer. Sounds like you had a great trip so far!

[Cincy]

Mrspooky, we were at the AK at the same time. We started on Dinosaur and worked our way around counter clockwise. I bet we passed each other at some point.

[Princess Tessa]

Ohhhh, I'm so sorry about your luggagem that is just the worst thing to happen.
Sounds like lots of fun so far though - too bad lines were alittle longer, but hey! You're in Disney World
POFQ is a resort that I would just LOVE to stay at one day, glad you liked it.

[Maria]

Glad ME had your luggage and it was not lost for that long! The first two days sound wonderful, more please

[50 ANNIVERSARY]

We leave in 10 days!! Our itenerary mirrors what you did. Arrive Sat, dinner at the Castle, few rides, bed and then AK next day where we are doing the Safari grand gatherings dinner. Monday is MGM - lunch at 50 primetime, Tuesday will be MK all day with dinner at LTT, Wed is Epcot with Fantasmic that night, Thursdays is kids choice of park so will be Friday before we depart.

Please keep your report coming so we can plan our course of the park based on your experiences. Thanks! - your kids are cute, even with the small pictures

[Peppertink]

Lovin' your TR so far....awww...how romantic..someone got engaged:) Glad that the luggage thing worked out.

Oh...ha ha..."It was dead" Haunted Mansion...LOL!!!!!

[mrspooky]

Originally Posted by Peppertink

Oh...ha ha..."It was dead" Haunted Mansion...LOL!!!!!

Glad someone got it!

[mrspooky]

Trip report Day 3. Monday Jan 16, 2006

We got up a bit late this morning due to the late night we had the night before, and my DD was fighting a cold and my DS was starting to come down with it, so we let them sleep in a bit. We ate in the room again, and met everyone at the bus stop.

Seemed like everyone slept in this morning, the stop was crowded, and a lot were going to Epcot. Uh, Oh. We got the bus, and this time it just left the resort, guess we were too full to pick up POR. Good for us. One thing I really like about POFQ is that it is not a far drive to any of the parks, so the bus rides are not bad, even with 2 tired children. And, on the way home, you are dropped off first. That is a major plus.

Anyway, we got to Epcot and went right to get a fastpass for Soarin. Unfortunately, everyone else entering the parks was doing the same thing. I think because Test Track was gone, it really upped the number of people wanting to do Soarin. But the time was in the afternoon, after our lunch ressies for Garden Grill, so we all got one. Then we went to see the “Circle of Life Movie”---we had seen it before but I think this was the first year DD got what they were trying to say. For the rest of the trip, if she saw litter that a Cast Member had not yet gotten to, she would tell me that Timon and Pumba would be upset. It was really cute. Hope she keeps the lesson.

Next we went on the land ride—we had done that before too, but DS wanted to do it again. By the time we got off, it was time for lunch at the Garden Grill. What a cool place. As soon as we sat down Pluto came over to the table, then Mickey, then Chip and Dale. The kids were in heaven.

And the food was incredible. My DS, who only eats Pizza and chicken fingers, tried some of the steak(it was home style platters, they brought Steak, Turkey, and Catfish, green beans and potatoes, and you could refill the platter as much as you wanted with whatever selections you wanted.) and then ate half the platter, so we had to order more. The steak melted in your mouth, it was really that good. The kids got a tray of chicken fingers and mac n cheese and French fries (I tasted a few fries, they were very good.), but they picked off our platters as well. I really liked the catfish as well.

Then they brought the kids a make your own cupcake dessert plate, with Mickey sprinkles and icing and M & M’s- my DD loved the Mickey Sprinkles. For the adults it was a tray of assorted desserts. I am allergic to chocolate so didn’t have many of them, but DH tasted them all and said they were divine. The lemon tart I had was very good.

DS and DD were also amazed at the view as the restaurant rotated- we were now looking at the land ride for a whole new viewpoint. We said goodbye to the characters, my DD traded a pin with a hostess, and we were off.

Now it was time for Soarin(lunch took a bit longer than expected, we were hoping to digest for a few minutes before the ride, so BIL opted out.) What a great experience! And the Fast Pass is the way to go! The standby time was 110 minutes, but we were seated in 12! The sights and smells are so cool, you really feel like you are there. And my DS spotted the Mickey on the Golf ball that goes by, he was very proud of himself.

Next we headed for the Living Seas. DS and DD really wanted to go see Crush, but the line was incredible, so we talked them out of it. We did find Nemo, and we looked at the fish, and then headed out.

I have the Disney Visa card, so I wanted my free picture. We asked a cast member where to go, and she directed us to the character picture area. Wrong place for the Disney picture, but we got a bunch of great photos. I tried to enlarge them in paint, but the pixels get screwed up, so you will have to use a magnifying glass to see them, sorry.

Then we were done with all of the characters and asked for the free one and were told we had to go to innovations West-----so we headed over there and made some postcards for family members, and played the house fire game(DD had NO idea what was going on, so she just walked out before the game even ended.)

The Visa card said only 6 could get a picture taken, but they let all 8 of us in, so that was cool. And they did individuals of the kids and families. Very nice Disney Touch.

Next we headed to Ice Station Cool (DS was DYING to come here) and yes, I tried Beverly, and so did DH. EEEEEEWWWWWWW is all I have to say!

We decided to leave the park because the crowds were not thinning( I know, all of you who go when there are REAL crowds think we are wusses), but I wanted the kids to use the cool pool, this was the first year ever we had a good pool day. On the way out, we noticed Spaceship Earth had a short line, and that is one of DH’s favorites, so we went on. Then we picked up our free picture and headed back to the resort.

The kids swam for about an hour, then we made them get out and get dressed and took them to the food court for dinner, then hopped on a bus for MK for the fireworks cruise. Well, we went to the MK and hopped the monorail to the Contemporary.

The fireworks cruise deserves its own entry, and I am sleepy and cannot do it justice right now. Will continue day 3 tomorrow!

[lovemysons]

The embarrassed photo will be priceless when he brings home his first date!!! I am soo thrilled that you guys liked the Garden Grill. It is one of our all time favorites!

[DisneyTeacher]

I love your trip report! Your trip sounds wonderful, I can't wait to hear more about it.