Brother & Sister, WL, AKL, and Parents on a Disney Cruise! We're off!!! 5/8!!

[Charleston Princess]

Feel better soon! I can't believe you are only 40 days away!!!

Cute email from Disney! That's a whole new layout for them!

 

[pooksma]

Is that all??? 40???? April is guarenteed to fly by then!

Hope you are feeling better soon.

 

[Nicole786]

40 days!!!!

I hope you feel better soon!

Now its the 30s!! Im still sick at home, perfect time for an update!

Feel better soon! I can't believe you are only 40 days away!!!

Cute email from Disney! That's a whole new layout for them!

I love their new layouts, very colorful!! Im still sick today perfect time for an update!

Is that all??? 40???? April is guarenteed to fly by then!

Hope you are feeling better soon.

I hope April flies by like February & March did!! Thanks for the well wishes

 

[Nicole786]

Since i'm home sick today I figured I couldn't wait any longer to start this second Mini-TR! First a little background.

Flashback to the night when Mom & saw Illuminations. We were walking out and I realized how bad my dad must feel that I've now taken my brother and my mom to Disney but I haven't taken him. I know if I was him, i'd be questioning "why not me?" so Mom thought a great idea would be to take him to Universal, staying at one of the hotels there and getting a nice massage since he's never been to any of the Universal hotels! I thought it was a great idea and so I booked the Portofino Bay Hotel for 2 nights with a massage booked at the Mandara Spa that they have at the hotel. For anyone not familiar with the PBH, it is Universal's "Grand Floridian" it is their top hotel and it is georgeous! Having stayed next door at the HRH, we eat dinner there every Universal trip at Mama Dellas, the best italian restaurant in Florida!

Some pics from WDWInfo.com

I gave it to him as his holiday gift and he seemed excited but something was a little off.

Cut to early January (we were going late-january) and Disney has their FL resident/passholder discounts and I plug in a few numbers! I was really surprised at the cost!! for 3 nights instead of 2, with dining, it was less expensive!! I quickly had a discussion with Dad about this and left the decision to him. Well what would you do? Of course he said he would rather go to Disney. But being the practical decision maker he is, he stated it would be worth it for him to buy the AP at Disney rather than Universal because he knows he would be using the Disney AP. Most of us would have just admitted they would rather go to Disney, but okay dad So we were set!! 3 nights at POFQ!!

We arrived about 2 pm to POFQ and check in went pretty smooth. One thing I noticed right away were the 2 greeters at the door! They were a hoot! I left my license in the car and when I came back in they made a crack about it. When we left to go to the parks later that day, they commented that I better have my sweatshirt (the one I had been wearing when I checked in!) It was really nice!

So we got a ground floor room in Building 1 (i had requested ground floor) I had already stayed in building 1 with David, so I wasn't super ecstatic about it, but I knew it was a great location and ground floor, who would complain!? So we drove over there, got our luggage etc, but when we opened the door, the room had only been partially cleaned!! Garbage was still full, towels EVERYWHERE. For some reason my dad didn't seem to notice this lol! I told him not to unpack and that I was going to call the front desk. I told them the situation, and they were so apologetic and offered to switch rooms or send mousekeeping right away. Well, since I wanted to try a new building anyway, I inquired about what they could do for us and they switched me to a room assigner who said they had another ground floor room in Building 5, Bulding 5? Prime location? I'll take it!!! So we moved the car to that parking lot, went back to check in to get our keys and walked the quick and easy walk to our wonderful location!! Opened the door, ah much better!

It was the first room around the corner, ground floor facing the water. Wonderful location!! Dad was really loving POFQ. His only other Disney resort experience was POR, which he liked but felt was too big. So I knew POFQ was the perfect location for us this trip! He still talks about POFQ to this day!

The boat dock was so close, it was over to the right!

And the lobby was just straight ahead along the side of the pool, great location!

We stopped for a batch of Beignets (dad loved them) and we were off to the bus stop for DHS!!

The buses were empty by this point being so late, we had to make a quick stop at guest services for dads AP, I was so anxious because I could hear the pixar block party bash going on and have never seen it!!

Good thing when he was done we rushed past the crowds towards where American idol it was a lot less crowded and it still was going on for a good 10 minutes. I even caught one of those yellow squishy balls!

When the parade was over (we thought it was fun, but I prefer moving parades with floats) we began to walk when we saw they were doing early previews for AI! We love AI, and were excited about this!!

This was tons of fun and can't wait to do it again with Mom & David!! You really felt like you were on the show, especially the detail in the set!

Gift shop of course:

Continued next post!

 

[Nicole786]

We went to animation academy so we could do some drawing (Dad' first time) but first saw the line for Mickey wasn't bad! Theres a funny story here. Dad had been wearing a drawstring bag on his back for our odds and ends and he was trying to get it off when the CM saw him flailing his arms. She approached him and thought he was just really excited to see Mickey!!

now time to draw!! There was only lap boards available but we gave it a try. We drew Pooh and had a blast! I guess Dad and I are the only 2 who are capable of this since mom and david both freak out and give up about halfway through

We headed to Star Tours dad really wanted to get on this, as a lot know this makes me dizzy well this was no exception. I got dizzy afterwards but at leat I was okay to walk around.

Now it was time for Fantasmic!! As we were walking around they announced that due to crowd levels they were adding an additional showing of fantasmic, but we had to go to this one because we had ADRs at Boma. I did not plan for this at all. Lets just say when we got there 35 minutes before, it was standing only!! Well I wanted to see it so we decided to stand for it. Never, again!! As much as I love fantasmic this is not the way to see it! Dad has never seen fantasmic and this was not a good first experience, we'll try again in May.

Afterwards we headed for the AKL bus and dads first experience with Boma and AKL!! This was the BEST Boma experience i have ever had! I believe it was an 8:20 ADR and it was so nice and quiet! Im used to waiting in lines to get to the food, not this time! And we had an awesome server! She was so sweet and talked about how they had the seinfeld soup (from the soup nazi episode) We both tried this soup it was some sort of apple flavored soup, it was AMAZING!!!

Everything this night was just simply amazing! We decided to walk around near the outlook afterwards, it was cold look at the smoke from the pool!

We both talked about how great it would be to stay here one day it was so nice (At this point we were still at POFQ in May!) We didn't feel like going back just yet so we took the bus to DD and walked around for a bit.

The boat was closed when we left so they had opened an extra line for POFQ buses. In no time we were home and ready for bed!! I forgot to mention that while exiting Fantasmic we made an ADR for boatwrights, which dad remembers breakfast fondly. We got a very early ADR so we could make rope drop for MK. How does that go?? Find out next time!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

nice mini update, hope you feel better,

how far away do you guys live from disney

 

[KatGarcia]

Great Mini TR so far! I think it's really awesome that you took your mom and then your dad to WDW!

So any news on the trip up here yet? PM me when you know more, I'm excited to see you!

 

[MeMom]

Cute pictures of you and Papa Bear! What a sweet daughter you are for taking your parents on these trips. I hope that one day we can meet not just you, but your whole family.

It's nice to see and hear about POFQ, since we'd really like to stay there on one of our girl trips in the next couple of years. It's such a pretty, quaint resort.

What all do you think was in that soup at Boma? It sounds interesting.

Sorry to hear you are sick in bed, but I'm glad that we got to see some good pictures because it gave you the extra Dis time! I hope you feel better soon.

 

[scottny]

Yeah but you are going to EUROPE!!

yeah but not soon enough. I need a vacation.

Great mini tr. FQ looks nice but I don't think I could leave my POR.

Boma looks good, was thinking about it for October but I think I have the adr's I am going to do. But you never know, especially with me.

 

[Nicole786]

nice mini update, hope you feel better,

how far away do you guys live from disney

thanks! We live about 3 hours south depending on traffic in west palm beach

Great Mini TR so far! I think it's really awesome that you took your mom and then your dad to WDW!

So any news on the trip up here yet? PM me when you know more, I'm excited to see you!

it's looking like mid-late june right now, depends on flight prices i will definitely let you know! u down for wicked??

Cute pictures of you and Papa Bear! What a sweet daughter you are for taking your parents on these trips. I hope that one day we can meet not just you, but your whole family.

It's nice to see and hear about POFQ, since we'd really like to stay there on one of our girl trips in the next couple of years. It's such a pretty, quaint resort.

What all do you think was in that soup at Boma? It sounds interesting.

Sorry to hear you are sick in bed, but I'm glad that we got to see some good pictures because it gave you the extra Dis time! I hope you feel better soon.

I love POFQ its my favorite out of the moderates I stayed at. Any chance you're going to WDW in october? the latest is that my cousin and i are gonna go Oct. 4-9 for my birthday like last year when I met jill.

I'm not sure what was in that soup, It's called Mulligatawny . I'm sure if you google it theres a recipe to be found, I remember it had an appley sweetness to it i hope they have it in May!

yeah but not soon enough. I need a vacation.

Great mini tr. FQ looks nice but I don't think I could leave my POR.

Boma looks good, was thinking about it for October but I think I have the adr's I am going to do. But you never know, especially with me.

I like POFQ over POR, but I have some nice POR pics coming up!

 

[MeMom]

I love POFQ its my favorite out of the moderates I stayed at. Any chance you're going to WDW in october? the latest is that my cousin and i are gonna go Oct. 4-9 for my birthday like last year when I met jill.

I'm not sure what was in that soup, It's called Mulligatawny . I'm sure if you google it theres a recipe to be found, I remember it had an appley sweetness to it i hope they have it in May!

I'd love to take Jill for a birthday trip, but she doesn't think she'll be able to work that out, since she's taking so much time off for maternity leave until June, another ten days for a long July/August trip, and then another five or so for a Christmas trip.

I've heard of Mulligatawny Stew. I'll have to do some more research on it and try it out.

 

[pooksma]

Mmmmm Mulligatawny Stew....I make it during the winter months. I love it.


What great photos! You are so lucky to get to travel with your dad. Mine says he'll never go to Disney.

 

[KatGarcia]

it's looking like mid-late june right now, depends on flight prices i will definitely let you know! u down for wicked??

Is Elphaba green? I might be heading to Atlantic City for my birthday (weekend of the 21st) you can come with us too, if you have no plans!

 

[Nicole786]

I'd love to take Jill for a birthday trip, but she doesn't think she'll be able to work that out, since she's taking so much time off for maternity leave until June, another ten days for a long July/August trip, and then another five or so for a Christmas trip.

I've heard of Mulligatawny Stew. I'll have to do some more research on it and try it out.

You should do a Boma-inspired party! That would be awesome, i'd love to see the pics from that!!

I understand about October, maybe next year!

Mmmmm Mulligatawny Stew....I make it during the winter months. I love it.


What great photos! You are so lucky to get to travel with your dad. Mine says he'll never go to Disney.

the stew was awesome!! Shame about your dad, but where do you think I get it from??

Is Elphaba green? I might be heading to Atlantic City for my birthday (weekend of the 21st) you can come with us too, if you have no plans!

That sounds cool! I've never been to AC so if the dates work out I say why not!

 

[Nicole786]

This chapter isn't going to have as much detail because I wrote out a great long chapter but then my computer shut off! I have plenty of photos though to help with the story lol

We had a great breakfast at Boatwrights this morning, after a beautiful walk to POR!

Dad got the french toast, the reason why we were here!

We made it to rope drop! One thing I noticed about What will you celebrate? is the new streamers used at the morning show. I don't have a picture but I definitely noticed a difference.

We conquered Fantasyland and got Pooh & Peter Pan out of the way. I love Pooh! My Fantasyland favorite!! Dad loves PP

We met up with FauntleroyFAN's favorite!

We FP Splash because despite the weather, I was determined to ride! We headed over to BTMR in the meantime no wait!

This here's the wildest ride in the Wilderness!

Dad got himself into some trouble...

We got on Haunted Mansion and than headed back into Fantasyland so dad could ride IASW and I could nap, lol!

Continued in next post....

 

[Nicole786]

On our way to Tomorrowland, we ran into Stepmother & Stepsister! They were a hoot! There were 2 groups in front of us. The first couldn't get their camera situation down, so Stepmother shouted "Oh for the love of--its the button on top!" haha! Second group the autograph pen ran out of ink so the stepsister with the screechy voice ran down to the kiosk shouting "Shopskeeper! Shopskeeper! We require a pen!" Once dad found out they are at 100 Park Fare he really wants to eat there, maybe next trip we couldn't fit it in for May!

A few trips around the TTA!

We passed the castle show on the way to Aloha Isle!

They have this new thing at Aloha Isle which is Orange/Vanilla swirl. Very good, not as good as the Dole Float but I knew dad would love both and he did!

After pirates, I won out and despite the weather we braved Splash!

Now it was time to leave, I have never gone straight from park to park without a break, but we had lunch reservations at Le Cellier, so to Epcot we go!

All aboard!

Almost there!

It was EMH that night so we were planning on leaving after lunch and coming back at night.

We FP Test track and then headed for an amazing lunch!

Dad liked it especially Maple Creme Brulee!

Time for a nap! Dad went to the hot tub and I caught up on some sleep!

Before I knew it, I was being woken to go back to Epcot! It was around 7:30 when we got there. We got on Spaceship earth and than headed to TT.

The FP line was about 25 minutes but we had time for illuminations!

WRONG! Illuminations was pushed up to 8 instead of 9 and we missed it! Boo! I was upset after this and still a bit tired so we walked around an empty WS and went on the rides there because they had no lines. As usual the FW attractions were untouchable. We left about 10:30

Goodnight, Epcot!

 

[pooksma]

More great photos!

I was admiring the French Toast shot- and I can't remember is it breakfast they have now stopped serving at Boatwrights?

BTMRR is probably my fav ride at MK. When my grandma took me to MK she actualy rode it with my cousins and I. It was also our DS' first coaster. Very special.

Bummer you missed Illuminations tho.

 

[MeMom]

Dad liked it especially Maple Creme Brulee!

I spy with my little eye......

PRETZEL BREAD!!!

That's so good!

I wanted to get the creme brulee when we went in the summer, but I was too stuffed. I think I have regretted it nearly every day since then, though. I see creme brulee in the frozen dessert section of Kroger and think about buying it, but I never do.

Looks you and Dad are having a lot of fun. I'm so glad you got to do this. Won't be long now before the big family trip is here!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Awesome action shots of the train leaving on BTMRR!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Your trip is fast aproaching, soon you will be there!

You are the kindest person to take your Dad on his own Father/Daughter trip.

I love how your Dad gets into the spirit and even plays it up for the camera.
The pics where he is on IASW and the TTA, too funny...

I had no idea there was an orange swirl now at Aloha Isle, Yummy!!!

I hope I can get a good ADR at Le Cellier, I want that pretzel bread....

The french toast is HUGE....but it looks delicious.

Sorry you missed Illuminations, you still had a great night anyway.