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

[Charleston Princess]

Having arrived at Port Orleans Riverside at last, we made our way into the main building and lobby.

So pretty.

We stayed here for our Christmas trip in 2004, but I was excited to be staying here again. I love that old south theme they have going on with all the nods to travel along the Mississippi River.

Charles took the kids to Riverside Mill to buy their refillable mugs while I went to officially check us in.

I had done the online check-in, so, as usual, it was super fast. The very friendly cast member explained that we were in the Alligator Bayou section, where it was located, and the activity schedule for the week including a nightly campfire.

Now, when I had fantasized about this vacation, my fantasies always included a lovely refurbed room in the Mansions section. I know you will be surprised to hear that the packing crate décor found in the bayou section is just not my thing.

Inside Me: Bayou? Are you serious? I want a pretty mansion room, but, wait, the bayou section has a Murphy bed. Charles has done nothing but complain about having to share a bed with Connor this week, and if we have a Murphy bed, then that won’t be an issue. I guess I will suck it up and learn to love the fake timbers of wood look.

Outside Me: Thanks so much!

As the family met back up with me and we walked back to the car, I explained the Murphy bed -- I’m not sure who was more excited: Charles, Connor, or Chelsea. Connor quickly declared that he wanted the Murphy bed, and there was a minute there when I thought there was going to be a fight between Chelsea and Connor over who got it. However, Chelsea must have figured out that if Connor got the Murphy bed, it would mean she got the full-size bed because she acquiesced very quickly. Most unlike her.

We drove around the circle and soon arrived at our building: Number 39 with a room that practically opened up into the quiet pool.

Despite my initial disappointment, I was completely charmed with the bayou section of Riverside. Absolutely darling, quiet, and peaceful, and it even had a “real” bayou.

The room was really quite cute as well with all sorts of Princess and the Frog touches throughout.

Here’s the Murphy bed. If Connor had been just a couple of inches taller, it wouldn’t have worked, but it was perfect. It pulls down from the wall where the dresser would normally be in a moderate room, but there were three drawers underneath it.

And a little treat from Mousekeeping to welcome us.

While I unpacked and got everything situated and Charles showered, the kids decided to take the camera and go exploring. Some of the previous pictures were Chelsea’s as well along with these. (Second post.)

 

[Charleston Princess]

So, let’s take a walk with Chelsea and Connor through the bayou.

Another Bayou View.

Dappled Sunlight in Disney Trees.

More Dappling Sunlight.

Which Way to Go Next?

And More Bayou.

Bayou from Another Angle.

And then they found a lizard.

That they really liked.

I hope you like this lizard, too, because there are a lot of pictures of it. We’ll call him Louis.

Louis likes showing off for his new friends. He can’t play the trumpet but he has other talents.

This may not be Louis but a cousin of his.

See, they must be related. They know the same party tricks.

One Last Dappled Sunlight Shot.

And with that, Charles was finished showering, the kids returned to the room, and it was time to head to the Magic Kingdom!!!

 

[theEncode]

Those are some great pics...Does Chelsea have an interest in photography? I see some talent there!!!

 

[CatNipRules]

Those pictures are very, very nice. I especially love how you named the lizard. LOL! When we lived in Florida we had a lizard that would visit us. His name was Bubba. LOL!!

We are strange and we love to name the creatures that live outside!!

Can't wait to read about the MK day!!

 

[scottny]

Hi,
Great report so far. I would have been nervous about hidden cameras while making the turn. I would have said "go in your pants".

That room is so nice. I could not decide on the last resort for October but POR it is. I miss the resort.

Great pics and love the lizard.

 

[MEK]

So glad you ended up liking your bayou room. Your pictures are lovely. It's so pretty back there.

So, didn't the bed used to be a trundle bed? and now its a murphy bed? That's pretty cool and works out great for your family.

Louis! You named your lizard? And he's talented too!

Great update.

More!

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

You sound just like me! I always said that if we stay at POR, I'd want a room in the Mansion section and not in the Bayou. After hearing how you enjoyed it and seeing your pictures, I definitely wouldn't mind it one bit!

Chelsea is smart to stop arguing with Connor after realizing she'd get the whole BIGGER bed to herself!

 

[vamassey1]

Chelsea did a great job with the pictures!

I'm sad to say we never made it back to the Alligator section of the resort. Our time there was too short. It's so pretty and lush. We didn't have any cool lizards either. Love seeing the pictures of things we missed.

Looking forward to the MK.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

We were in that same area at POR a couple of years back. We had a corner room with lots of windows. I sure thought it was delightful!
We saw some lizards this summer that must have gone to the same school of trickery! I wonder who is charge of their training?

 

[jillyb]

Every time I see pictures of POR I kick myself for changing from POR to Pop on our last trip. *sigh* Oh well...if Hannah and I make it back to WDW some day that's where we'll stay. Or AKL. Or WL.

Enjoyed the walk with Chelsea and Connor!

 

[Native NYer]

POR is beautiful!
It looks so tranquil.
So glad the sleeping situation turned out well.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I'm glad you ended up liking the Bayou section!!! It does look really pretty! And yay for the Murphy bed!

 

[MeMom]

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.

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 love Connor and Chelsea's walk pictures.

 

[kschafer]

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!!

 

[DisMomAmy]

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.

 

[SoonerGirl]

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

 

[luvfigment]

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.

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.

 

[momof2TNboys]

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!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

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!

 

[Megablocks]

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.

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