Emmysdaddy Accompanies the Damsels & Yes, He Posed with Princesses 2/2 Completed

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Riverside does look really pretty! We've never taken the boat from there to DTD before, but I'm hoping we do on our next trip!

UGH DTD can be a brutal walk in the heat. It's just SO endless!!

 

[MEK]

I love POR. It's so pretty there. It's probably the resort I miss most after purchasing DVC since I rarely stay there anymore. If I do its only for the night.

Curious to see what you think of Disney Quest. That is a long walk in the heat.

 

[natebenma]

Really pretty pictures of POR!

Michael in the kiddie chair watching TV is hilarious!

I hope the hot walk to Disneyquest was worth it.

 

[happy2012]

Wish we would have used that boat when we stayed @ POR in '09. It is a beautiful resort.

 

[Linda67]

Lovely photos of POR, it's such a lovely boat trip to take
On our last trip we rented a little sea racer boat at downtown disney and headed up the river to POR, a really great way to spend an our or so

 

[smile4stamps]

The boat to DtD is the reason I was considering changing my resort to POFQ. Maybe next time~!!

 

[emmysmommy]

Riverside does look really pretty! We've never taken the boat from there to DTD before, but I'm hoping we do on our next trip!

UGH DTD can be a brutal walk in the heat. It's just SO endless!!

Hi Sarah! The boat was a first for us since I really wanted to see some new resorts as well. If it wasn't so stinkin hot we may have enjoyed it better.

I love POR. It's so pretty there. It's probably the resort I miss most after purchasing DVC since I rarely stay there anymore. If I do its only for the night.

Curious to see what you think of Disney Quest. That is a long walk in the heat.

I agree, POR is so pretty! I would love to stay there for a night. I know what you mean about DVC - it doesn't really make for trying most resort but at least you have Dis to look forward to year after year!!!

I'll let you know what we thought about DisneyQuest in just a minute!

Really pretty pictures of POR!

Michael in the kiddie chair watching TV is hilarious!

I hope the hot walk to Disneyquest was worth it.

Hi Dee! Thanks POR was very beautiful! Yep, I had my "kid" parked in front of the TV so "mommy" could take photos of the resort lobby!

Hmmm... hang in there and see the answer to your DisneyQuest question... coming up shortly.

Wish we would have used that boat when we stayed @ POR in '09. It is a beautiful resort.

Hi Happy! I feel like I have been missing out since so many people are fans of POR and we've only just had the pleasure of seeing it. Thanks for reading along!

Lovely photos of POR, it's such a lovely boat trip to take
On our last trip we rented a little sea racer boat at downtown disney and headed up the river to POR, a really great way to spend an our or so

Thanks Linda! It sounds like fun to rent the sea racers and have some fun. I will have to keep that in mind for future visits.

The boat to DtD is the reason I was considering changing my resort to POFQ. Maybe next time~!!

Yep, perhaps next time.

 

[emmysmommy]

Monday August 20, 2012: Day 3 – Part 4​

Once we entered DisneyQuest, I was a bit underwhelmed. We should have grabbed a map or something that told us what they offered for attractions but instead we wandered around until we landed on something that looked like fun - The virtual Jungle Cruise. The premise is that you are on a jungle adventure with waterfalls and dangerous jungle critters and try to survive the adventure. We were directed to a raft that is positioned on an inflatable platform that provides the motion. The paddles have rollers on the bottom that must have interacted with the sensors for the virtualness of the ride. Unfortunately, for the amount of effort that we put into trying to “paddle” the raft through the river we don’t think it made any difference. Em and I ended up just bringing our paddles in the raft and let Michael do all the “work.” Again, we didn’t notice any difference in paddling or not so I’m not sure what the purpose of this ride may be?? Here's a link to some poor quality video of the attraction.

We looked at a few more activities but none of them seemed to be that exciting since we didn’t want to play video games or create our own roller coaster. Ah poo! We were pretty much duds here. But heck, let’s do something that we’ll all like to do… let’s eat!!

Here’s Michael’s review of DisneyQuest: It’s probably the coolest 5 story 80’s era arcade! But would we go back? Heck no!!

Before we leave, here's a few photos inside DisneyQuest:

But wait, let’s look at the cool thunderstorm that rolled through first. I do like rain – especially rain with thunder and lightning! I did a rain pirouette in lieu of a dance here. And here's the rain - a little more than a sprinkle!!!

My “master plan” calendar said that we would eat at WPE so of course I didn’t consider any other places. After donning our rain ponchos and walking all the way from West Side (or Wet Side as we affectionately called it after that storm) back to the Marketplace. Once we walked into WPE and Michael saw that it was your basic counter service place he just looked at me and said, “You’re kidding? We passed by a dozen other places and walked all that way for this?” In his defense, he hasn’t read the dining reviews for WPE so he wouldn’t know the culinary joy to come! I assured him he would like it and told him to tell me what he wanted and then go sit and get comfortable and I would do the the “heavy lifting!”

Here’s the link to my dining review for WPE.

Following dinner we were completely and utterly done for the day. We caught the Marketplace bus back to BW. Once back in the room, I noticed that Em was sunburned on her neck and shoulders. I went to Dundy’s Sundries Shop off the main lobby to get some sunburn relief gel. I thought I would pay a fortune but a large bottle of aloe gel was only $8.95. I also stocked up on some waters. Using my AP provided a 20% discount.

At this point it was about 8pm and my day was over and done! Even though I wanted to go to DHS for EMH – it wasn’t happening. We watched some TV (they had a lot of TV channels including TV Land which I LOVE.) I was so pooped that I fell asleep around 10:30 but awoke about an hour later when we heard a thunderstorm.

Sure wish this was a more exciting day but ya know, not every day can be magic and rainbows!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Yeah...I do have to admit that I never really saw the appeal of DisneyQuest either. Good for you for giving it a try though!!

Oh, WPE is DEFINITELY a good DTD choice! Glad you enjoyed your meal there! We had had the BBQ Chicken Pizza and really liked it too!

 

[MEK]

Monday August 20, 2012: Day 3 – Part 4​

Here’s Michael’s review of DisneyQuest: It’s probably the coolest 5 story 80’s era arcade! But would we go back? Heck no!!

That about sums it up. My first experience with DQ was the same. I thought I would never go back. But a few years ago on my last day when we had a late afternoon flight and I could not take the blazing heat a second longer, we went back. I actually really enjoyed. My favorite was the Pirates virtual ride. Very fun.

Now, I will admit that maybe I was just delirious from a week of scorching temperatures and that's why I enjoyed it so much.

 

[merbobear]

I am new to your TR & subbing now! I just read the story behind your signature photo and...ahhh it made me cry a little! What an amazing experience to have shared with your daughter!

 

[smile4stamps]

I'm not a big Video Game fan so never really saw the appeal. Thanks for giving it a try and letting us know what you thought though! Reinforced that I will likely NEVER go!! LOL.

 

[BearcatsFan]

Yay I'm finally all caught up!

I love all your photos, especially the ones of AK. We haven't been since the year it opened, and so many things there are "new to me". I was going to get DH with "The Beverly" too, but alas we never made it to EPCOT.

Am so enjoying your TR! Look forward to more entries ...

 

[Linda67]

Disney Quest really does need an update

We've been a couple of times as admission is included with one of the two week tickets that are sold in the UK

It's a really great idea for a rainy day and if Disney would just spruce it up a little and add some new activities, I'm sure it would be really popular

Oh .... I like the "rain dance"

 

[natebenma]

I have to agree with the others. DQ- not a fan! In fact, as you were describing walking over, picture me in slow-motion uttering "NOOOOOOOO!"

Like MEK, the only thing I really enjoy in DQ is the Virtual Pirates ride. We tried the raft ride. With a 7 and 10 year old. Way too much work.

The only thing worse than DQ is following a visit to DQ with dinner at T-Rex. Holy over-stimulation overload, Batman! There is not enough Excederin in Florida to deal with that combo.

MMMMMmmmm! I so want to try WPE. The food and experience sound really great. But I have a dinosaur lover in my traveling group, and we are perenielly stuck with T-Rex on our visits to DTD.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Here’s Michael’s review of DisneyQuest: It’s probably the coolest 5 story 80’s era arcade! But would we go back? Heck no!!

Considering DisneyQuest opened in the late 90s, it's a really bad sign if it reminded Michael of an 80s arcade. I used to like DisneyQuest a lot (back when the paddles worked ), but it really needs an overhaul.

 

[emmysmommy]

Yeah...I do have to admit that I never really saw the appeal of DisneyQuest either. Good for you for giving it a try though!!

Oh, WPE is DEFINITELY a good DTD choice! Glad you enjoyed your meal there! We had had the BBQ Chicken Pizza and really liked it too!

At least after a not so great time at DQ we were able to consol ourselves with WPE!

That about sums it up. My first experience with DQ was the same. I thought I would never go back. But a few years ago on my last day when we had a late afternoon flight and I could not take the blazing heat a second longer, we went back. I actually really enjoyed. My favorite was the Pirates virtual ride. Very fun.

Now, I will admit that maybe I was just delirious from a week of scorching temperatures and that's why I enjoyed it so much.

Honestly, I don't think we gave it a chance which is unfortunate because I don't want to negatively influence anyone. Disney keeps it open so there must be enough fans/demand for this type of experience. Glad that you tried it again and had a different opinion.

I am new to your TR & subbing now! I just read the story behind your signature photo and...ahhh it made me cry a little! What an amazing experience to have shared with your daughter!

Hi there merbobear or Merideth! (I saw your PTR and that photo of Adison with Prince Charming is priceless!!!) Thanks for joining and welcome!! Ahh thanks for that. I was just telling my DH last night that of all of our trips that is still a stand out because I knew as we were going down Main St. that we would have that fabulous memory for Em and me for the rest of our lives.

I'm not a big Video Game fan so never really saw the appeal. Thanks for giving it a try and letting us know what you thought though! Reinforced that I will likely NEVER go!! LOL.

Uhhh... I'm not into video games either.... Likely another reason it wasn't for me. But they did have some other virtual attractions. Also some other creative type games/activities for which I'm neither creative or patient so mark those off the list!

Yay I'm finally all caught up!

I love all your photos, especially the ones of AK. We haven't been since the year it opened, and so many things there are "new to me". I was going to get DH with "The Beverly" too, but alas we never made it to EPCOT.

Am so enjoying your TR! Look forward to more entries ...

Hi there! Put the Beverly treatment for your DH on the list for your next trip!! Thanks for continuing to follow along!

Disney Quest really does need an update

We've been a couple of times as admission is included with one of the two week tickets that are sold in the UK

It's a really great idea for a rainy day and if Disney would just spruce it up a little and add some new activities, I'm sure it would be really popular

Oh .... I like the "rain dance"

Ha! My lame "is the camera rolling" scene!! I think I needed to read up on DQ before we visited and decide on a few things to do instead of wandering the various levels of the building not knowing what to do. There were not a lot of Cast Members there to assist as well which was annoying. There was no line for the virtual Jungle Cruise but we had to wait several minutes for a CM to show up and direct us to our raft. Oh well, if we were on a 3+ week trip I may find my way back to DQ!

I have to agree with the others. DQ- not a fan! In fact, as you were describing walking over, picture me in slow-motion uttering "NOOOOOOOO!"

Like MEK, the only thing I really enjoy in DQ is the Virtual Pirates ride. We tried the raft ride. With a 7 and 10 year old. Way too much work.

The only thing worse than DQ is following a visit to DQ with dinner at T-Rex. Holy over-stimulation overload, Batman! There is not enough Excederin in Florida to deal with that combo.

MMMMMmmmm! I so want to try WPE. The food and experience sound really great. But I have a dinosaur lover in my traveling group, and we are perenielly stuck with T-Rex on our visits to DTD.

Hi Dee! Ha! for the raft ride we just didn't paddle and I didn't see that it made any difference. Michael took it far too serious since he put some effort into getting us safely to our destination!

You have to try WPE sometime! And I have to try T-Rex! At least you stick with something that you like.

Considering DisneyQuest opened in the late 90s, it's a really bad sign if it reminded Michael of an 80s arcade. I used to like DisneyQuest a lot (back when the paddles worked ), but it really needs an overhaul.

Yeah, I think that was a bit too much of an exaggeration for Michael to declare DQ an 80's arcade. Perhaps a slight update may improve our chances of a return visit.

 

[emmysmommy]

Tuesday August 21, 2012: Day 4 – Part 1​

The first thing I noticed this morning was the folio for Disney’s Magical Express under our door. Normally this would invoke that melancholy feeling that our time in WDW is almost over. However, this only meant two things;
1. Disney must not have received the memo that we didn’t need the ME (I had 3 separate conversations with them about our travel plans but oh well.) and
2. That we would be changing resorts to our all-time favorite Disney property - Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary Resort.

We had an 8:45am ADR at Captain’s Grille which is a short walk across Crescent Lake. I was looking forward to eating at CG again. Let’s see if this visit would be like the 1st time (a bomb) or the 2nd time (a delight!)

Here's where you will find the Captain's Grille breakfast review.

Following breakfast, we walked back to BW and discovered that our room was being serviced by housekeeping. No worries we can wait. When we thought they may be done we returned to the room and had the pleasure of meeting Shana the lovely Cast Member who was earning her ears. She shared that it was the first day that she was servicing the villas by herself. She did a great job and was so very friendly. And yes, we took a photo with her!

Shana our lovely Mousekeeper:

Seating area halfway between our room and BW Lobby:

Random photos of the room and resort that day:

Michael decided he wanted to take it easy while Em and I went to MK for a few hours. We hoped the bus and arrived to find some of our favorite characters on Main Street – the Citizens of Main St.

But first our compulsory photopass photo at the entrance:

The Mayor behaved himself this time and didn’t smooch me to discomfort! However, he did give me his business card which is funny because it had his character name, Honorable Christopher George Weaver. We’ve always called him “Wally” since we figured he needed a name and never bothered to find out what it actually was. I think I like him as Wally better.

The Mayor on my birthday girl's trip:

Going in for another smooch - that's my ewwww face by the way:

Does the Mayor say to all red heads "My first girlfriend was a red-head so I'm partial to them."

We went into a few shops on Main Street

I could be a princess if it weren't for the fact that my dad is not the King of any country:

And then had a few more photos taken:

I was handing my camera to the photopass photographers to take photos. However, I was a dope and had left the camera in video mode - oops! This is what my "photos" look like in front of the castle: first time. Let's try that again - the second try. And finally, we'll try it one more time in front of the Partners statue.

Other random photos:

We were headed to Haunted Mansion for some fun with Master Gracey and some of the other departed souls! Inserting a short outburst here… WHEN THEY TELL YOU THAT THE DEPARTED SOULS DO NOT LIKE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY… KEEP YOUR CAMERA FLASHES OFF FOR PETE SAKE! Hmph! That is obviously one of the things that totally annoy me.

Two queue options:

Em and I decided to go over to DHS and meet up with Michael since we were only an hour away from our 1:35ADR at Sci Fi Dine In.

DHS fun and lunch coming up next....

 

[merbobear]

At least after a not so great time at DQ we were able to consol ourselves with WPE!

Hi there merbobear or Merideth! (I saw your PTR and that photo of Adison with Prince Charming is priceless!!!) Thanks for joining and welcome!! Ahh thanks for that. I was just telling my DH last night that of all of our trips that is still a stand out because I knew as we were going down Main St. that we would have that fabulous memory for Em and me for the rest of our lives.

Thank you! She is 4 1/2 now and still in love with Prince Charming (though she denies it, she blushes when I mention his name)
Thanks for sharing your magic pixie dust infused moment!

 

[francis6306]

Awe… YAY Magic Kingdom! I cannot wait!!!!!!

I HATE when I forget to change the camera from video to auto or vice-versa! I do it all the time!