A Disney Fanatic is back for Free Dining**Lots of Pics!! Updated -11/23!

[PISCESANGEL]

Day 1 - Is it time to go yet???

So, where shall I start? Let’s just say, this trip didn’t begin the way I had planned. It was Friday night, we ate dinner, packed the car, and were practically giddy to go…all of us except DH.

His day had started at 5am and he was feeling less than magical about driving all night. Soooo…we stayed home and slept, and then left on Saturday…

The kids were less than thrilled about us taking their pics...

Which brings me to another unexpected hitch – No WAVE for me…
I called Disney dining Saturday morning to cancel the reservation knowing that we would never make it in time, and then asked how late we could still check in. They said that since the reservation was already paid for, we could come anytime. That was a relief!

So, it was a pretty uneventful drive – one traffic jam (before we were even out of Ohio no less…) but it got late before we knew it. We stopped at Cracker Barrel for dinner (yum!) and stopped a bit later in Gainesville for another gas fill-up. It was here that John (my DH) spotted an armadillo! I mean, who has ever seen an armadillo up close like this?!

We didn’t arrive until about 6 in the morning - It was such a long drive!

Of course our luck changed when we got there. We took a nap until around noon and then it was time for our first meal. We decided to head to Downtown Disney for some Wolfgang Puck Express.

When they say ‘express’ they mean it! We only waited maybe 5 minutes for our food. I don’t remember the exact names but here are our entrees:

John's Asian BBQ ribs - he said this was ok, but he didn't care for the sauce they used much.

Angie's Pot Roast - she said this was tender and she liked it, but she liked mine better!

My Rotisserie Chicken and Mashed Potatoes - so good!

Jonathan's Mac N Cheese - he really loved this!

For dessert, Angie and I both had Carrot Cake, and my son had a brownie, John had a cookie. The Carrot Cake was very moist and delicious - I'm not sure about the brownie but I know my DS didn't like it much and that's saying something for him.

Next: We explore the hotel grounds a bit, and go swimming!

To learn more about how this trip came about and my lovely family...visit my PTR here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1844859

 

[PISCESANGEL]

We looked around in Downtown Disney for about 15 minutes and everybody decided that going swimming was sounding like a good idea. It was rather humid and the sky was clear so it was time to head back to the hotel.

When we returned to our room I noticed a paper laying on the table talking about the bounceback offer for free dining for next year. Rather than keep you in suspense, we did not sign up again. DH looked at me like I was absolutely crazy when I showed him the paper. He basically said 'woman, give it a rest' with his eyes.

And here is our set up - notice the little tip envelopes I printed for Mousekeeping off of the Mouse for Less website - they were adorable and I used a different one each day. Our Mousekeeper's name was Norma and she took excellent care of us all week. I think we ended up with six towel animals...

We ended up at the Computer Pool as it was closest to our room. We were in the 80's section and I can't say we have ever had a better room than this one! We were only 2 doors from the center so we were right by the ice machine and the stairs that led down to the pool. We were also very close to the parking lot this time. Location certainly does make a difference!

So we went swimming for a bit and then it was time to get ready for dinner - tonight it was time for Ohana!

 

[PISCESANGEL]

So we left off at the Computer Pool, and we thought we needed to go up to the front desk to get a reservation to replace our Wave ressie.

It was then that we met one of our new favorite CMs 'Alfie'! He was a cute, black 20-something whose personality was just infectious! He was very helpful in giving us a lot of options and we eventually chose lunch at Tony's Town Square on our last day. (that would later change, however...)

We then went back to the room and took showers and got ready for dinner. Around 6 or so we made our way to the Polynesian for our dinner at Ohana!

We made our way through the lobby and stopped a couple of times to look at things. When we went to check in they gave us a buzzer and we went to find a place to sit. I don't even think we made it into the sitting position when the buzzer went off! I told my family 'didn't you know we are on the VIP plan?' They didn't think I was kidding when we got seated. There were some tables available all through the dining room as we walked past, but they ended up seating us at a table in the middle near the windows, with a lovely view of the castle...

I know it looks like it is far away from here, but that's because my camera sucks! LOL! Really, we could see it pretty well, and when it got dark it was just beautiful to watch the castle change colors. I will show you some pictures of our food, but I'll be honest, it wasn't as good as the last time we were there, with the exception of the bread pudding for dessert, which was simply divine!

They did add a nice touch though, and towards the end of the meal our CM brought out a hot, wet towel for each of us to wipe our hands with. This was living!

The kids ended up joining in on learning a new hula dance, and they had a limbo contest as well. Over all, we had a nice time!

And this is us on the way home. My DD got to drive!

Oh wait, that's me...

We got back to the room and changed again. Yes, we are swimming pool fools and we head back down for a nightcap (or a beer, if you will...) and let the little one swim.

Tomorrow, much of the same - we are just chillin' on this vaca and no one is gonna stop us!

 

[MomofCKJ]

Hey, Alfie checked me in! He is an awesome CM with a great personality!

Love the installment, great table at Ohana! Sorry the food wasn't as good as in the past, that stinks, but glad dessert made up for it. It is all about dessert anyways right?

Allyson

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi there,
Just catching up, sorry not posted for a few days - I'm sure you understand!
Feeling slightly more positive today, still a bit shell shocked though!
We had downloaded the Mousekeeping envelopes that you had mentioned - they look great! DH was meant to do them yesterday.....will still do them, got plenty of time now!
Di x

 

[PISCESANGEL]

Hey, Alfie checked me in! He is an awesome CM with a great personality!

Love the installment, great table at Ohana! Sorry the food wasn't as good as in the past, that stinks, but glad dessert made up for it. It is all about dessert anyways right?

Allyson

That's too funny that you had Alfie too, and he made enough of an impression that you remembered him as well! He just might get famous now because people will read this and start asking for 'Alfie at the POP!' Haha!

The table really was great at 'Ohana and dessert definitely made it worth the trip - what do mean? Of course it's all about the dessert!!

Hi there,
Just catching up, sorry not posted for a few days - I'm sure you understand!
Feeling slightly more positive today, still a bit shell shocked though!
We had downloaded the Mousekeeping envelopes that you had mentioned - they look great! DH was meant to do them yesterday.....will still do them, got plenty of time now!
Di x

Of course I understand why you haven't posted - I'm so definitely crossing my fingers for you for everything to work out this next time around!
I am staying positive with you!
I'm glad you found the envelopes on Mouse for Less - they were too cute and they kept me on task to make sure I tipped every day.


Thanks everyone for reading - any new readers please feel free to say hi!

Another update soon!

 

[stagemomx3]

That bread pudding looks fabulous! I love the limbo pictures.

 

[PISCESANGEL]

That bread pudding looks fabulous! I love the limbo pictures.

The bread pudding WAS fabulous! Definitely a must-do!!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Grumpy here

Seeing that pic of the Bud Light has me itchin to get over. Oh the happy memories of me and Michael sitting in the bar at POP 2 years ago with our ice cold cans watching tv coverage of sportsmen we had never heard of playing playing sports we did not really understand fully.............ah happy times

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Looks like a great table at O'Hana!! Sorry to hear the food quality wasn't as good as previously.

 

[irky416]

Great start so far! It looks like you guys had a great time at Ohana!

 

[PISCESANGEL]

Grumpy here

Seeing that pic of the Bud Light has me itchin to get over. Oh the happy memories of me and Michael sitting in the bar at POP 2 years ago with our ice cold cans watching tv coverage of sportsmen we had never heard of playing playing sports we did not really understand fully.............ah happy times

Hi Grumpy I'm so happy that picture made you think of happy times - you are needing them right now - hope you and your family are all okay and recovering from your difficult week!

Looks like a great table at O'Hana!! Sorry to hear the food quality wasn't as good as previously.

'Ohana was still wonderful, and I'm sure we will go back. But it seems to me that all of the restaurants are just cutting corners more and more. None of the places we ate made me feel like I was really getting a good value, but I guess you'll have that with the economy the way it is, along with offering free dining. The view was awesome (and after all it was Disney World ) so I still loved being there for sure!

Great start so far! It looks like you guys had a great time at Ohana!

Thank you! It was a really nice evening. I got a lot of great pics of my boy doing the hula. That is just priceless!

 

[PISCESANGEL]

So, the next morning we decided we would head to Typhoon Lagoon. It was beautiful when we awoke and I checked on my cell phone and it looked like the whole day would be sunny.

We got our stuff together, packed our cooler and headed out. When we got into the parking lot, I suddenly remembered I didn't have the right tickets with us to get into Typhoon Lagoon!

As we are driving back to the hotel to get them we all ageed that today would be a good day to just go to the pool at POP and we would go to TL on a later day in the week. So, we took our time walking down to the Hippy Dippy pool and explored the grounds of POP a bit...

We really had a great time just walking to the pool. It was the first time we have really looked around and just went with the flow and got some really great pictures...

(Don't ask! )

We make it down to the pool and swim for a bit.

Then it's time to eat! We went inside to Everything Pop! and looked around the gift shop for a bit, then we got lunch. My son and I shared a meatball sub which came with a side of salad and a drink and Mickey rice crispy treat. Very yummy! John had the beef and broccoli stir fry which he also said was very good. And my daughter, well she had nachos and an ice cream cone! So healthy I know, but it was vacation after all, right? Sorry I didnt get pictures of our lunch but I guess I was sidetracked by my meatball sub...

Back out at the pool, the kids enjoyed their dessert (ice cream for DD, a cotton candy slurpee for my DS) and my hubby enjoyed his dessert (a Bud Lite!)

After swimming, we headed back to the room to take showers and get ready for another wonderful dinner. Tonight, we were heading back to Boma!

 

[DisneyLily]

Excellent trip report so far!!! It sounds like you had a fun trip!! I cannot wait to read more =D.

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi PiscesAngel,
Sounds good so far, your photos of POP are great, we plan to have a good wander about the resort this trip and explore!
Can't wait to hear more!
Di x

 

[stagemomx3]

I love all those pictures!

 

[cjhinch]

Enjoying your report so far! When exactly were you there? It looks like the same weekend we arrived with the rain, but I could be wrong.

I think I have read another of your trip reports....you look familiar in your pics! LOL

If you have time, check out my report........I don't have many readers and I am sad.

 

[irky416]

Your DS will probably hate those hula pictures someday soon!

Pop is so fun. It looks like you guys enjoyed all the stuff around the grounds.

 

[PISCESANGEL]

Excellent trip report so far!!! It sounds like you had a fun trip!! I cannot wait to read more =D.

Thank you very much!! It was a lot of fun! I'm enjoying re-living it by writing about it and looking through the pictures - it was a great week!

Hi PiscesAngel,
Sounds good so far, your photos of POP are great, we plan to have a good wander about the resort this trip and explore!
Can't wait to hear more!
Di x

It's a great idea to really take your time and really check out the grounds - it was so fun to discover new things! Thanks for sticking around!

I love all those pictures!

Thank you!

Enjoying your report so far! When exactly were you there? It looks like the same weekend we arrived with the rain, but I could be wrong.

I think I have read another of your trip reports....you look familiar in your pics! LOL

If you have time, check out my report........I don't have many readers and I am sad.

We were there Aug. 29 - Sept. 5th - I will come over and read soon - work has been hectic but I will be back over the weekend to get all caught up! I'm sorry you don't have many readers though

Your DS will probably hate those hula pictures someday soon!

Pop is so fun. It looks like you guys enjoyed all the stuff around the grounds.

I feel pretty sure that my DS will probably hate those pictures - he already isn't very happy that I put them on here but oh well...they were too cute!

POP is alot of fun - we will definitely go back!



Thanks for reading everyone! I will be back soon!!

 

[PISCESANGEL]

So, we left off with us heading back to get ready for our dinner at Boma. We all loved Boma last time (in April) so we were really looking forward to this meal.

We waited about 20 minutes, which ended up being the longest wait we had while we were there. Needless to say, we got bored...The boys played PSPs and Angie and I played with the camera...

Anyway, we went in and I was much more careful to get pictures inside of the restaurant this time (not to mention bathroom! ) and of course the food was just as wonderful as last time!

I got pictures of my first and second plate, as well as dessert, but I don't remember taking pictures of anybody else's food. Oh well. Also, my DD asked our CM about buying a glow cube to take home so we got them for her and my DS. They were good fun!

Speaking of our CM... I do forget his name now but he did a really great job! When he brought our check out he gave me a black 'Walt Disney World Resort' pen to sign with. I loved it! I asked him if I could trade him my pen for his pen? He said just to keep it. But then it got even better, he came out with a whole hand full of pens and said 'my pen was probably getting low on ink, so I brought you some more just in case...' I was Super Happy!

After dinner we headed to Downtown Disney. We did some shopping and the kids ended up buying swords to have swordfights with. They were fun and they didn't even drive me crazy with them amazingly enough!

It was a perfect evening with perfect weather so we spent some time just sitting out by the water and people watching. Disney is the best place to do that of course. We also walked through the toy store and tried on hats and just meandered awhile... a very nice end to our day.

The next morning we finally hit the parks!!