A Fourth of Pixie Dust! A Fourth of Fun! A Fourth of Attitude! NEW! 4/6 pg. 26

[Charleston Princess]

You know my plans were to stay at POR after our Beach Club days in March, but I think I will fall back to our old stand-by, Pop, after all. Your pictures make me long to stay at POR, but for a couple of reasons, we're just going to book Pop. #1 is that we're planning to go to Sea World next summer, so I'll take the difference in the POR to Pop money to pay for that. #2 is that I asked Kay if she wanted to stay in another resort than Pop, since she's been with us there I think three times now. She said no, she likes it there, and she's finally getting to know her way around. I think she thinks she'd get lost on her own if we stayed somewhere else.

Those are two very good reasons to stay at Pop again. I would stay at Pop again if I didn't think there would be WWIII in those rooms with my crew. The POR room was bursting at the seams as it was. Chelsea has not mastered the art of packing lightly yet.

So, I will very much enjoy your pictures during this trip, and I will most assuredly make time during our March trip to visit POR, probably see at least a few minutes of Yehaa Bob, and explore the resort a little further. I have plenty of pictures of the main area and pool, but I want to walk a little more around the bayou and mansion areas.

I do have some more pictures coming up -- it really is a lovely strolling around resort.

I love Connor and Chelsea's walk pictures.

They had a good time, and I liked that I felt comfortable enough letting them wander off. I wouldn't feel that way anywhere except Disney.

Sorry you didn't get your desired mansion room but sounds like things worked out well with the bed situation

Not sure if the bayou appeals to me much but Louis sure is cute!!

The bayou was so much more darling than I ever imagined from the pictures I had seen. So glad we ended up there.

Great start Jackie! I'm glad you made it to Disney without being arrested for the illegal turn!

POR is so beautiful! I'm glad you were OK with the AB section & the sleeping worked out OK.

Zach enjoyed seeing a new kind of Disney lizard. He's a big fan of the lizards in Florida but has never seen one puff out its throat like that.

Not being arrested right off the bat was a good thing. LOL!

That extra bed was a godsend!

My two love all the "wildlife" down there, too.

I think my "outside me" would have had to blurt out, "don't you have any rooms in the mansion section"? I have yet to stay at POR, but when I do I will be very sad if I don't get a mansion room! I can see how the murphy bed would be really nice though, and Chelsea's pictures of the area are great, maybe it wouldn't be too bad......

Cracking up over Louis

The bayou was really so much nicer than I ever dreamed it would be. I am glad we stayed there because, in a lot of ways, it felt like a completely different resort from the mansion side which we have stayed in before.

I forgot how much I like POR. We stayed there a lot when I was a teenager. We might stay there next year in the Royal Rooms but we are in the very early planning stages.

Those Royal Rooms do look like a lot of fun.

Glad you got a Murphy bed and everyone was happy about it. The photo tour from Chelsea and Connor was great. They got some great shots. Looking forward to seeing what the MK had in store for you.

They had fun getting to go off on their own -- it was the first time we let them do something like that on vacation.

The MK had lots in store for us -- enough that I had to break up the update into more than one part.

I just love your pics! I am opposite in that I have always wanted to stay in the Bayou section. I just love the rustic feel to it and the extra bed. Can't wait to hear about MK!

I am definitely a huge fan of the bayou section now! I could pretend I was a world away from all the crowds!

Such nice pictures - The kids did a nice job! Louis must be one of those specially Disney-trained lizard CMs.
I'm glad you got a good room despite your misgivings. I feel the same, but there is a certain charm to that section, isn't there?
at Chelsea's quick realization she'd get a bigger bed to herself! Wise young lady!

Chelsea is pretty smart when she wants to be.

The bayou section is very charming! I am in love with it now!

It has been a long time since we stayed at POR, but I love seeing the pictures from there. So cute that it's Princess and the Frog themed! And I'm glad the Murphy bed ended up working out for everyone.

I wish I had remembered to get a picture of the artwork on the walls -- it is all Princess and the Frog themed, too.

That lizard is so cool! I would definitely take a lot of pictures too. I love his "party trick."

As you can tell, the kids were fascinated by him. LOL!

Great start, Jackie! I would have been with you, wanting to stay in a mansion instead of the bayou. Glad it all worked out for the best with the Murphy bed! The room is much nicer than I was imagining from all that I have heard about how rustic they are. We love Princess and the Frog, so we might just have to add POR to our resort wish list.

It was rustic, but more of an upscale rustic, if you know what I mean. Not quite as upscale rustic as the Wilderness Lodge, but certainly upscale enough that I didn't feel like I was really in a shack in the swamp. LOL!

Love all of the photos, courtesy of the kiddos. Very nice to meet Louis the Lizard. His talents are too cool.

He was pretty nifty according to the kids -- I wonder how long they crouched there taking pictures.

All caught up! Love the description of your drive and am imagining the kids' reactions to your emergency induced left on red.

You know how Connor is about breaking rules -- just wait until we head to Epcot and park at the Beach Club.

My inside voice would have been saying the same re: mansions but seems like the murphy bed was probably worth it in the end.

I am glad I remembered the Murphy bed before my inside voice became my outside voice.

C&C did a great job with the photo tour!

Thanks! Chelsea loves getting ahold of a camera.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Love all your check-in and room pics. I'm glad you came to appreciate your bayou room. It really is a peaceful section of the resort. I've stayed in both sections of POR-the mansions and the bayou, and I actually prefer the bayou section. I really like the look of the rooms so much more since the rehab.

We have now stayed in both, too, and I have to agree with you -- I like the bayou section better. The refurb made everything that much better, too.

One question about the room. With the addition of the new murphey bed, it seemed like the room lost storage space. Did you find that to be a problem, or did you have plenty of room to unpack everyone's clothes?

Not too bad. Charles and I kept our stuff in the suitcases, but the kids unpacked. They seemed to have enough space -- of course when Chelsea travels, she seems to think her suitcases can vomit their contents everywhere. She hasn't grasped the concept that a hotel room cannot look like her bedroom. That's an entirely different issue, though.

Glad you liked your bayou stay. I was booked at POR, but I was worried I wouldn't get a mansion room, so I switched to AKL! The sort of camping I do some people have beds made like those in AB. No way did I want tostay in one of those rooms. I wanted more classy!

Understandable. I would switch to AKL, too, if given half the chance.

OOOhhh How pretty the Bayou is. Glad you are all checked in but so sorry that you did not get a beloved mansion room.

The lizards. We had many cousins in our house when Jennifer was growing up.

Come on Charles, we want to go to MK!!!!

Really, in retrospect, I am very glad we ended up in the bayou section. It was like staying at a brand new resort for us.

Charles is finally ready and so is my next update.

I did it...more than a few "adult" results came up! But I learned what it was. Definitely doesn't sound like a place I'd like to visit personally!

Nope, no need to darken its doors. Ever.

I think the Bayou side is really peaceful and pretty! If I ever stay at POR again I want to try that side for a change! The room looks so cute! The pictures from the walk around are lovely!

The bayou section was just darling. I loved it to pieces!

Hooray for check in! Glad you guys got a Bayou room with a Murphy bed and it worked out for you. It looks really pretty around that area!

It is gorgeous! I am so glad that's where they put us!

Yeah you've arrived!! Woo hoo!!

I'm so glad Charles made it to the restroom - phew!! Close one!!

You have no idea. LOL!

Your room looks lovely! I've also been a bit gun-shy with the Bayou room but yours looks great!!

It turned out to be absolutely perfect for us.

Louis was so nice & obliging getting his picture taken. what a sweetie!

You know all the Disney CMs like having their picture taken. LOL!

Love the pictures of POR...and I LOVE the Princess & the Frog touches!

Those Princess and the Frog touches were great! Disney really knows how to decorate. There hasn't been a resort yet that I didn't love everything about it.

-Lol on the Cafe' Risque billboards! Whenever I travel I count the lion's den billboards...and it's pretty much the same amount!
-I can't even count how many times my parents had to pull over on the freeway so my brother could pee on the side because he couldn't make it.....
-I know exactly where your room was! I walked past it many times to go to the quiet pool and on my morning walks!

I think we lumped The Lion's Den billboards into our counting, too. LOL!

Yes, we were very close to one of the quiet pools.

The pictures of POR are great! Sorry that you didn't get your mansion room, but it looks like your room and the bayou are really nice! We've stayed at POFQ, but not POR so it's nice to see your pictures!

I was disappointed at first, but I very quickly got over it. I fell in love with the bayou section.

Btw, I was laughing about you guys counting the billboards...Chris and I do that too! You really can't miss them!

Nope, you can't. LOL! It certainly helped pass the time.

I'm here Jackie. Now I need to go back & read.

Yeay!!! So glad you are here!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Glad to hear you are all checked in and did enjoy the Bayou area after all. I'm sure the extra bed with a family of four made a huge difference. We are a family of 5 and thought about POR but I think 5 bodies in a moderate might be a bit tight.

To be honest, I think five bodies would be a tight fit, too, unless two of them are really young. Even then, you might be a little crazy by the end of the trip.

I'm glad that the Bayou room worked out Jackie. My kids would totally fight over the murphy bed. The room looks really cute!

Connor was all about that Murphy bed. It must be a kid thing -- I remember thinking that the Murphy bed in my Barbie camper was the greatest invention ever! I would have died from happiness to sleep in a real one. LOL!

Ok all caught up.

I find it so funny that you are the fast driver & Charles drives slow.
Although if you ask my boys they will tell you who drives faster in this family. (That would be me).

Now that Chelsea has her learner's permit, she is always pointing out my traffic transgressions.

Aw seeing those pics of POR reminds me of our trip last Oct. that was supposed to be for 3 nights & ended up being 6. We liked the AB section. I could have gotten lost a few times though. Luckily my DH has a better sense of direction than I do.

I got turned around once or twice myself.

I'm here. I have read your reports before and really enjoyed them Jackie!

Hi, Erika!!!

Too funny about counting the billboards on I-75. We travel that route from southern Ohio. The last several times we have driven during night but in November it will be daytime. I might still that idea. DH would get a kick out of that.

Steal away! It does help pass the time.

Wow, I had no idea the bayou rooms looked like that---very pretty. I have always wanted to say at POFQ but Riverside is beautiful.

We have stayed at both, and I love both for different reasons. I guess it depends on what look you want your resort to have.

Love the lizard! Too cute.

He certainly captivated the kids.

Depending on which exit you found the Walgreens, you may have been really close to my house of course in Gainesville you can see a Walgreens at every exit! Ahhh, Cafe Risque, one of our local landmarks Welcome to Gainesville, home of the Gators and Cafe Risque

What claims to fame!

Chelsea took wonderful photos! POR always impresses me, it is so beautiful! I really like the cast members there also.

One day we were eating lunch at Riverside food court, and it started storming outside. Not oh, we may get damp running to the bus/car/room, but torrential rain. The cast members brought in coloring pages, crayons, board games and were playing with the children! Very impressive!

Looking forward to your MK visit!

How wonderful that the CMs did that -- I think that is one of the reasons we always go back to Disney -- no place else has customer service like that!

I've been reading along on my phone...it's about time I posted!

I love Connor and his complete worry about "getting caught!" This will serve you well! (I worry that Chelsea may store this infraction to pull out later...)

I worry about that, too, Debby! Teaching her to drive these past few weeks has been interesting to say the least.

I would have been the one crying for Gregg to stop. I have to use the restroom more often than anyone should know. In my defense, I drink gallons of water daily...

Oh, I have no doubt that I would have to stop a lot, too, if Charles wasn't always beating me to it. Then, I can just go and not look like the one holding up the trip. LOL!

You and your inner voice--too sweet. I would have tried to have it changed by attempting to avoid sounding frantic, but it would have been frantic...I'm glad it paid off.

Me too! I am so glad I shussed my inner voice.

Tell Chelsea she took great shots! I'm looking forward to hearing about MK!

Thanks! Coming right up!

 

[Charleston Princess]

With everyone neat and pretty (at last!), we headed to our first night in the Magic Kingdom. I had one goal and one goal only in mind -- to see the Fourth of July fireworks since the Magic Kingdom had them on both the 3rd and 4th. We were planning on meeting up with Happydog and her two boys to watch them.

We decided to take the bus, and it seemed like we waited quite awhile for one to appear. We saw buses for all the other parks go by twice while we sat there waiting for a Magic Kingdom one to appear. Finally, one did, and before we knew it we were there.

Hurray!

I hurriedly took a picture on our way in -- the hurriedly part became standard as Charles always seemed to be speed walking from one place to another.

Soon we were on Main Street and catching our first glimpse of the Castle. Double hurray!

And then the waterworks started because the music on Main Street was “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” from the musical Hello, Dolly! This was one of my mother’s favorite musicals, she had introduced me to Disney World, and of course, all those memories of childhood trips came bubbling up. I was a mess for a little bit there, walking down Main Street with tears running down my face, but once the song was over, I was able to pull myself together.

What would be our first stop? Well, before we had left, there had been a conversation at the dinner table regarding our dining choices (of which, the original plan was to do mainly counter services).

Connor: What is there even to eat besides Pecos Bill’s? (We are a Pecos Bill’s family, and I think Connor was envisioning a week of hamburgers.)
Me: Lots of places -- Cosmic Ray’s, Columbia Harbor House, Casey’s.
Connor: What’s at Casey’s?
Me: Hot dogs, corn dog nuggets…
Connor: CORN DOG NUGGETS?!?!?!?

That child’s face lit up with the kind of big grin I only see on Christmas morning. To say he was a little excited about the prospect of corn dog nuggets would be an understatement.

We had skipped lunch on our way down, and it was about 5:30 -- 6:00ish, I think, at this point, so we wanted dinner. Charles decided he wanted to eat at Columbia Harbor House, but before we headed towards Liberty Square, we just had to stop at Casey’s -- I wanted my sweet, excited boy to have his corn dog nuggets.

Sweet, excited Disney boy waiting in line for his corn dog nuggets.

Soon, Connor had his bucket of corn dog nuggets in his hand, and we headed for Columbia Harbor House. While we stood in line, I told Connor he could order some chicken nuggets and fries (well-fed people are happy people I have found), so he ordered the chicken nuggets, Charles ordered the fried shrimp, Chelsea ordered the fish and nuggets, and I ordered the Anchors Aweigh sandwich (I had flaked the last time we were here and was bound and determined to try it this time). After ordering I sent the kids upstairs to claim a table. Thank goodness there was no dry-heaving from Connor on this trip.

Forever and a day later (it only felt like that, we would soon learn what forever and a day really was), Charles and I headed upstairs and located our two children.

I was surprised to find that Connor’s corn dog nuggets were gone (cup included).

Me: Did you eat your corn dog nuggets already?
Connor: No.
Chelsea: He tripped walking up the stairs and spilled them all.

POOR BOY! I felt so bad for him, but he was handling it pretty well. Thank goodness I had told him to order additional food.

We ate at a table overlooking the Fantasyland walkway, and Charles really liked the feeling of being away from the crowds for a little bit.

Exiting CHH, it was beginning to sprinkle, so it seemed like a good idea to duck into the Haunted Mansion. (As if Connor and I could possibly walk by this ride anyway.)

Now as we were standing in line, we witnessed one of those, “Did I really just see that happen?” moments. There is a bench near the hearse, and on that bench was a little red Polo ball cap. There was a family in front of us with about three boys. Well, the mom sent one of the boys over to grab the cap. My first thought was, “Oh, this is their second time riding HM today. That must be theirs.”

Yeah, no.

The mom tried the hat on every one of the boys to see if it fit any of them. On the last and youngest one, she found a fit, and the cap had a new owner.

Talk about a weird, twisted glass slipper story!!! Bet that one doesn’t end up in the Disney ads.

Connor had also witnessed this and raised his eyebrows at me. I am still shaking my head over it.

Soon we came to the split between the cemetery and the quicker way in. I told Charles to take the cemetery path. Chelsea had something to say about that, “Why are we going this way? The other way is shorter. No one is in the other line. I can’t believe we are waiting in the longer line.”

You can just imagine.

The reason for me wanting to go the other way soon became apparent.

As my eyes fell on the twins, I told Chelsea and Connor to go stand by them for a picture. Like I have done for years for other pictures, I said, “Now, make faces like them.”

Chelsea went, “Uh, no!” all snotty and this is the face she made at me (her dumb, not-cool mom -- you know that is what she was thinking).

Little did she know she was the spitting image of Forsythia!!! Ha ha ha!!! I love when Karma helps me out. The couple behind me also noticed the irony and had a good laugh themselves.

We played our way through the graveyard.

Connor and I were excited to see Master Gracey.

A Chelsea smile.

Madame Leota. I love her. I love her voice as she says, “Serpents and spiders, tail of a rat, call in the spirits wherever they’re at. Rap on a table; it’s time to respond. Send us a message from somewhere beyond.” Love, love, love.

When we finally exited the ride, it was raining even harder, so we made a dash for Pirates of the Caribbean.

UP NEXT: “Pirates, we are powering down.” x5

 

[jenjolt]

Can I just say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE that your first ride was HM!!! I just love a trip started that way!!!

OH NO I can't believe Connor dropped his corn dog nuggets...I hope he was able to get more during the trip!!!!

Ummmm...a used cap...yeah I'm just going to shake my head LOL!!!

 

[micandminforever]

I am sorry about the corn dogs, Connor took it well I would have cried. I love the corn dogs. The Anchors Aweigh sandwich at CH is also a favorite.

 

[DWGal210]

Oh poor Connor! I'm glad he took it so well but that's too bad!

I also was at that parent story. What is wrong with people?!?!

Oh, Haunted Mansion how I love thee! What great pictures of the kids, too!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Oh poor Conner! I sure hope he was able to get some nuggets later in the trip.

So what did you think of the Anchors Aweigh sandwich? You will never catch me eating a tuna sandwich at home, but for some reason I love that one!

Sorry about the teenage attitude, but I'm giggling that her attitude resulted in the exact picture you wanted, lol!

I hope the rain doesn't ruin your fireworks.....

 

[hlrababy]

Oh no!!! I had just turned to Chad and said to him, "Aw, Connor got his corn dog nuggets!" Then I continued to read on!! Well, I hope he ended up getting his nuggets!

I have always wanted to try that sandwich, but like ya'll, we are a Peco's Bills family. Chad and I used to eat at CHH all the time. But I never tried the sandwich. I am really picky with my tuna salad, as well as chicken. If it has any eggs or celery in it, it is a no go!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

So glad you got to MK! Bummer for Connor - I hope he at least had a taste before he lost them all!
Haunted Mansion is so cool - I am excited for our first visit to the new queue!

 

[CatNipRules]

Awwwww.... I felt so bad for Connor! I hope that he got his corn dog nuggets later!

I love the look on Chelsea's face! She did look like Forsythia in that picture!! Karma is great!!

I can't wait to go into the HM line! Love the pictures!!

Can't wait to read more!!

 

[Native NYer]

Awww poor Connor. I hope he had another opportunity to have them.
Chelsea's expression is hilarious!
The graveyard at the HM is amazing. It's hard not to stroll through.

 

[MeMom]

And then the waterworks started because the music on Main Street was “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” from the musical Hello, Dolly! This was one of my mother’s favorite musicals, she had introduced me to Disney World, and of course, all those memories of childhood trips came bubbling up. I was a mess for a little bit there, walking down Main Street with tears running down my face, but once the song was over, I was able to pull myself together.

Makes me tear up to think about this. Hugs to you, Jackie. There will be a day when you will share this happiness together again, and there will be no ending to that.

I was surprised to find that Connor’s corn dog nuggets were gone (cup included).

Me: Did you eat your corn dog nuggets already?
Connor: No.
Chelsea: He tripped walking up the stairs and spilled them all.

POOR BOY! I felt so bad for him, but he was handling it pretty well. Thank goodness I had told him to order additional food.

Poor guy!

Now as we were standing in line, we witnessed one of those, “Did I really just see that happen?” moments. There is a bench near the hearse, and on that bench was a little red Polo ball cap. There was a family in front of us with about three boys. Well, the mom sent one of the boys over to grab the cap. My first thought was, “Oh, this is their second time riding HM today. That must be theirs.”

Yeah, no.

The mom tried the hat on every one of the boys to see if it fit any of them. On the last and youngest one, she found a fit, and the cap had a new owner.

UP NEXT: “Pirates, we are powering down.” x5

Ruh roh! I know what's coming!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Awww poor Connor losing his corn dog nuggets!! Did he get more at some other point?

Ew about the hat!!! I'm a total germaphobe, so that story totally grossed me out!!!

Ok, I'm sorry, I definitely laughed out loud at Chelsea's face in that picture!!

 

[MEK]

Well - your first evening in the MK did start a lot like mine. Well, except for the corn dog nuggets. Total bummer. I guess Connor must have been pretty mellow or else you would have heard the howl from the steps.

That picture of Chelsea is priceless. That is the typical "put upon" teen look. What a tragic looking expression. Oh Jackie, I can only imagine what's in store for the rest of the trip.

 

[disneyfan61]

I felt so bad for Connor when I read about his corn dog nuggets. Poor kid. I hope he got to get some.

Ha that is too funny with Chelsea & the twins. Yes there is a little resemblance.

Did you enjoy the Anchor's Away??

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Argh!!! to the dropped nuggets. I hope he had another chance to try them.

I cannot BELIEVE that mom showed her kids it was ok to steal. WHAT is the matter with people????

You got the perfect picture with the twins!!!

I think I remember the POTC story from FB...

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Poor Connor - what a great kid to not get upset. Great capture of Chelsea! I'm curious about her prep time to leave for the parks on this trip...I am fearing how long it will be before my little ones hold us up. (Emma already needs more time to get ready than most of us.)

I think it is perfect that the song came on as you walked down Main Street! I have those moments at Disney too. I so wish my dad had made a trip with me after I fell in love with the parks. (We had only been once and he made me ride Space Mt. hehe)

 

[MHTeacher]

Aw, poor Connor! I was actually smiling at that sweet picture, so glad he got his corn dog nuggets, and then, BOOM! Actually, when you told that you sent the kids upstairs, I sensed some foreshadowing there! I was afraid the nuggets were going the way of the floor!

Love CHH!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Aww, what a special place to remember your mom.

Poor Connor. Hope he got some nuggets later on. Jeremy thinks those things are golden. It could be because we really like Casey's.

Hope the rain stayed away long enough for the fireworks.