Celebrating at POFQ/AKL in September 2015! COMPLETE

[Angeejoe]

Thanks, me too!

Yeah, we wondered that too about the boat - I should go back and try to find pics from previous trips to compare. Disneyland does have WDW beat with this show though. Only thing is that DL doesn't have the stadium seating.

I thought my seatbelt was pretty tight but I guess not! It was so much fun though - and way better than the version at DL since this one keeps you guessing as to when you're going to drop and it does it so many times!

Speaking of DL - did I mention that we are planning a trip there next April? It's my dad's 60th birthday and DL will be celebrating its 60th through next Sept so we'll get to see the special shows that go along with that! Last time we were there the waterway was drained in DCA and the World of Color show was closed down as well so I've still never seen it. Can't wait!!



Thanks - this bug has been crazy! I am still a bit congested and have to be careful not to overdo it because every time I do I can feel it trying to come back. I must have picked up some exotic FL bug...

This trip had higher crowds than we were expecting for sure. I've heard many others on the DIS say the same thing - September was very busy this year. I think when we go again it will be during a cooler time of the year. The heat really started to get to my mom by the end of the trip and if it's going to be busy anyway we might as well not be suffering in sweltering heat!

I'm jealous of the Disneyland trip! Ive never been there. Where will you stay?

 

[Dentam]

I'm jealous of the Disneyland trip! Ive never been there. Where will you stay?

Disneyland is nice because it's much smaller, easier to plan, and much easier to get a lot done in a short trip. We're planning a 3 night trip staying at the Grand Californian. I checked into renting DVC points for a studio there but they are all booked up already so we're waiting to see if Disney will be having any room discounts coming up. My sister will be coming along on this trip as well so I think we're each going to cover a night and then my parents will cover the 3rd night. I also want to take my dad for a birthday dinner at Napa Rose!

 

[Angeejoe]

Disneyland is nice because it's much smaller, easier to plan, and much easier to get a lot done in a short trip. We're planning a 3 night trip staying at the Grand Californian. I checked into renting DVC points for a studio there but they are all booked up already so we're waiting to see if Disney will be having any room discounts coming up. My sister will be coming along on this trip as well so I think we're each going to cover a night and then my parents will cover the 3rd night. I also want to take my dad for a birthday dinner at Napa Rose!

Super cool!

 

[Dentam]

The following morning, we decided to delay going straight to EPCOT and instead take a little time to explore our neighboring resort - Port Orleans Riverside. Our building (#7) at POFQ was actually located along the pathway closest to POR so we walked downstairs (our room was the top floor corner room behind the giant trees in this pic) and started our short walk along the river.





My mom made a beeline for the air conditioned lobby while my dad and I walked over to check out the POR pool area. This pool is pretty nice and I loved the look of the rustic "Muddy Rivers" bar located next to it.



It was pretty hot and humid out already, and we didn't plan to swim, so we headed over to the main buildings, stopping to take a few photos along the way.







We went to check out the dining area, which was much larger than the one at POFQ. I filled up my rapid fill mug and we headed over to check out the gift shop next.



The gift shop at POR is very large and has some really cute displays of Disney characters!





I really liked POR, but I don't think I would stay there. I just really enjoyed the cozy feel of POFQ and I liked its smaller size. It's nice that you can easily walk from one to the other (or take the boat!) so you can use the pool or eat at the food court at either one during your stay!

We spent a good amount of time looking around in the gift shop before we headed out to the bus stop to begin our journey over to EPCOT. We had a lunch ADR in Canada to get to!

 

[Sisa]

What a bummer to miss the first Fantasmic! show.

Glad you got in for the 2nd show, even with interruptions. You got some great shots of Fantasmic! I agree about the boat of characters lacking in comparison to DL.

Hooray for an awesome TOT ride, you are braver than I am.

The resort photos are gorgeous!

 

[Dentam]

What a bummer to miss the first Fantasmic! show.

Glad you got in for the 2nd show, even with interruptions. You got some great shots of Fantasmic! I agree about the boat of characters lacking in comparison to DL.

Hooray for an awesome TOT ride, you are braver than I am.

The resort photos are gorgeous!

Yeah, it was WAY more crowded then we were expecting it to be. We would have been in much better shape if we'd skipped stopping at the Yacht and Beach Club resorts but oh well - I really wanted to walk around them a bit.

DL really blows WDW out of the water with the Fantasmic show I think - except for the lack of seating part, lol. I'm already getting excited for our April trip to DL!!

I had so much fun on ToT - LOVED it!!

Thanks! It was fun to walk over and explore a resort that my parents hadn't been to before. I'd been there back in 2000 when it was called Dixie Landings.

 

[Angeejoe]

I've never been to POR, it looks nice. I've walked through POFQ to get on a boat to DTD & liked the small size.

 

[Dentam]

Our bus to EPCOT came fairly quickly, although it wasn't an actual Disney bus - kind of different but during our trip we noticed that there were several buses running that were regular tour buses.

Once at EPCOT, my parents spent what felt like forever and a day in line to get their bags checked. I don't carry a bag, but my mom has a small park bag and my dad has his camera bag. The bag check is kind of silly I think considering that they don't have everyone go through metal detectors and don't pat people down to enter the parks.

FINALLY, we were in! We made our way over to Canada. Our lunch reservation wasn't for almost an hour but we decided to see if we could get in early.



We lucked out and got in right away... turns out Le Cellier had just opened and we pretty much had the place to ourselves!



I decided to treat my parents to this meal. We loved our appetizers - these heirloom tomatoes with Vermont Goat Feta, Arugula Pesto, Smoked Olive Oil, and Pumpkin Seeds was SO good!



My mom and I shared this entree that was just okay to both of us - chicken and waffles (Half Poulet Rouge, Spring Vegetable Succotash, Brentwood Corn Waffles, Maple-Chicken Jus). The best part of it was the nicely seasoned corn that came with it!



And this dessert was fabulous! I can't remember what it was called though and the menu online doesn't seem to show it...



Next, we made our way over to France to see the film there. As we left, these performers were just finishing up their act. Brave souls - you'd never in a million years get me to do something like that. But then again, I get shaky about mid-way up a tall ladder!





After that bit of entertainment, we made our way into Morocco, one of my very favorite areas in World Showcase! I just love all the details in this area and all the outdoor markets along hidden pathways. There is also a new restaurant by the water here that looks nice.







I could spend more time in this country, but we decided to move along in order to finish up the countries in World Showcase.

Continued in next post....

 

[Elevationist]

I love the Morocco pavilion, too! There's just so many nooks and crannies to explore, and the merchandise is just so incredibly unique.

 

[Dentam]

Next up on our journey around the world was Japan!



I can't remember the name of the huge gift shop here, but wow, is it impressive! We spent about half an hour looking around in this shop and I almost bought a small purse with frogs on it but decided against it due to the price tag. I loved all of the unique items in this store though!





We managed to get out of Japan without purchasing anything, which was quite a feat! Next, we walked over to American Adventure! I really like this show... so, you get to suffer through all of our photos!



Funny side story - while we were waiting for the show doors to open, my mom and I were enjoying misting each other with the misting fan my mom had brought along for the trip. A woman standing near us got a bit of over spray and was commenting on how nice it felt. We asked if she'd like a "full misting" and she happily said yes. I thought of this because of all the stories I've heard on the DIS about how this is considered a rude guest behavior.

Once the doors opened we found some great seats and sat back to enjoy the show!









And... now I have the song from the end of this show playing in my head!

Next up, we talked to a DVC rep out in front of this pavilion, and set up an appointment to see a DVC room at the AKL the following day.

Then, we made our way over to Italy... not much to see or do in this pavilion unless you have a meal planned, so this was a quick in and out for us.



After this, we made a quick stop in Germany so my mom could get an ornament in the Christmas shop there.



And with that, we had completed our full circle of World Showcase (counting what we'd seen and done the day before). We headed back up toward the front of the park. It was blazing hot by this time and I was in jeans (yes, I know, genius move)... we were on our way to the monorail to head over to a resort we were all looking forward to seeing since its recent renovation. We were also looking forward to our dinner there!!

 

[Dentam]

I love the Morocco pavilion, too! There's just so many nooks and crannies to explore, and the merchandise is just so incredibly unique.

I know, I love it!! And with my light fixture obsession, it's hard not to buy all of the cool lights in this area!

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

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[Angeejoe]

Ive never done the American Adventure!

 

[Dentam]

The American Adventure is on my to do list for next trip, as well as the Voices of Liberty. I think those will be on my solo day. I can see DH really enjoying the shopping in Morocco and Japan, so I'll be able to get a lot accomplished, unless Captain Lethargy finds me again, and leads me astray...

Both are well worth seeing! Captain Lethargy isn't allowed in WDW! Only back at home once you crash from "vacation".

Ive never done the American Adventure!

What??! You need to fix that, stat!

 

[Angeejoe]

What??! You need to fix that, stat!

There's tons I've never done, at Epcot specifically-
Figment, Michael Jackson (now it's gone anyways), the film in France, the stuff in innovations, the mission to Mars ride (I'm a bit claustrophobic ), the singers in America..... I'm sure there's more

 

[Angeejoe]

Is your cold finally all gone?

 

[Dentam]

There's tons I've never done, at Epcot specifically-
Figment, Michael Jackson (now it's gone anyways), the film in France, the stuff in innovations, the mission to Mars ride (I'm a bit claustrophobic ), the singers in America..... I'm sure there's more

We didn't do Captain EO this time... or last time I don't think... you didn't miss much on that one... or Figment really. The film in France is good although I've heard it is very outdated in terms of how people are dressed in it. I wouldn't know having never been there - someday though! I'm not sure if I've done Mission Space... if so I can't remember it. We didn't even do Test Track on this trip. We missed a lot on this trip - can't imagine how many days we'll have to spend just to do everything once the new areas open up in AK and HS!

Is your cold finally all gone?

Pretty much! I'm still a bit congested but haven't had a sore throat in about 9 days now! I don't think I'd call it a cold so much as a virus from H E Double L!

 

[Dentam]

We finally made it up to the monorail station (it seemed like a very long walk with how hot it was!) and hopped on a monorail toward the TTC!



We made the transfer to the MK monorail at the TTC, and then we got off at the Polynesian resort! I was really excited to check out the new lobby and pool area.



I loved the lights hanging above the lobby - and they looked even better as it got darker out!



Very soon after we stepped into the lobby, the skies opened up big time!



Which led to a nice rainbow when the storm finally cleared.



Okay, back to the newly refurbished lobby, I really liked the vibrant colors they used in the rugs and the furniture. The photos just don't do this lobby justice - I loved it!





We decided to check out the gift shop downstairs next.



Loved these two behind one of the registers! One is outside looking in at the other.



After looking around the gift shop, we made our way upstairs for our dinner reservation at one of my dad's all time favorite WDW restaurants, 'Ohana!

 

[Dentam]

'Ohana was very busy when we arrived... and shortly after we were seated a family with a screaming newborn baby was seated next to us. They did not take the baby out so it was a pretty noisy dinner. That wasn't the worst of it though... there was a live singer there and let's just say that we felt like we'd stepped into a really bad Hawaiian karaoke party! Oh, she was so out of tune it was painful. Luckily she took a couple of breaks during the time we were there. So, basically 'Ohana was a miss in terms of atmosphere, but at least the food made up for it!



The meal started with a loaf of bread that apparently had pineapple in it... I say apparently because I am weirdly picky and will not normally eat any baked goods with fruit in them.



Next up was a nice salad...



And then it was time for the "real" food! Potstickers...



Noodles with yummy mixed veggies...



And then there were assorted meats - chicken, steak, and shrimp that I forgot to get pics of - guess I was too busy scarfing them up!

The meal ended with what we all agreed was the BEST dessert in all of WDW... to die for bread pudding! I was wary of this due to my baked goods and fruit "rule" since this has bananas... but OMG - this was amazing!!! We actually had two of them!





We waddled out of 'Ohana and restrained ourselves from grabbing a pan of bread pudding on our way out...



We had a bit of time before Wishes would be starting in the MK. We headed toward the Poly beach to stake out a spot!

This turned out to be a really nice area to watch the fireworks. We were to the west of the new DVC bungalows over the water, and we could hear the music that was being piped into the DVC building behind us. Plus, the show that goes by on boats in the water (not sure if this has a name) was passing by!





After the fireworks finished up, we headed over to the boat dock. We were heading over to the MK for EMH's!

 

[Angeejoe]

Love the rainbow at Poly! I agree on the Ohana singer, I'm not a fan. I think that's something that can go.