Chunkymonkey and Chubbyhubby Stuff Themselves Silly! THE END..on to the next TR!

[chunkymonkey]

Day 1 Part 1

Since we didn’t set the alarm, I woke up at around 9am, which is pretty late for me since I usually wake up at 7:15am every day. DH has a natural clock so he wakes up at 7am each day regardless, so when I woke up, he was already happily playing computer games on his laptop. I lazily got up, brushed my teeth, showered, and got ready and we headed out to Sassagoula for breakfast. I had one thing on my mind that morning: BEIGNETS

Here are some pics I took of some of the grounds of POFQ in the morning

Here’s the entrance to the lobby from the resort area

Here’s the lobby

Here's some foliage:

Here’s some pics of the food court, which was quite bustling

I ordered 3 beignets and used a snack credit for it

The lovely lady preparing my beignets

DH ordered the breakfast platter, think it was called the Bounty Breakfast platter? It included eggs, sausage, bacon, a biscuit and a Mickey waffle. We split the bounty platter and the beignets, and it was a perfect breakfast for us. We did that a few more times during our trip as it was just the right amount of food to start our day. The beignets were soooooo good. They are surprisingly light, and completely hollow inside, so they aren’t too heavy even though they are deep fried. I have never been to New Orleans, but I am assuming the beignets at Café du Monde are just like these, maybe even better. I have to plan a trip to Nola one day! We used 1 QS and 1 Snack credit for breakfast.


Beignets

The breakfast platter

Here’s a pic of the Sassagoula Floatworks food court. I liked how at the resort food courts they have the drink dispensers and coffee as self-serve. We got refills of coffee all the time!

And here’s our lovely mascot, Tigger. I didn’t really get too many pics of Tigger on this trip since I kept forgetting I had him. Poor Tigger. So I better show the few pics that I had. taken

After brakfast, we went to the bus stop to wait for the bus to our first destination, Magic Kingdom!!

Since we had no “plan” since today is our “extra” day, we decided to keep it low key. We’d do a few rides at MK and then go back to the resort and swim, and then hop on a bus to Epcot for our 8pm resseies at Teppan Edo.

The stop at the bus was quite empty at first, but slowly got more crowded as more people showed up. The wait for the bus was a bit long, maybe 20 minutes, which led me to believe we got the bus stop right after a bus had departed. For the most part, busses at POFQ were pretty consistent, and I liked how we were the first stop on the route back, and we usually had dedicated busses to each of the parks, only during non-peak hours did it stop at Riverside to make pick-ups

Waiting for the bus

I liked the vending machines and how they had a theme at each resort

Yay our bus arrives!

While on the bus, DH spots an ad for a downloadable app for the iPhone which shows wait times, park hours and other bits of info for the parks, He immediately downloads it. There is a fee, but the first few days are free though, so we used it on a trial basis. It was mostly accurate, sometimes there could be a bit of a lag in the info though, so not sure it is worth it. I think it’s 20 bucks for 6 months access.

We were super excited to be starting our day at MK…stay tuned for what we did next…

 

[tankgirl427]

Is this 9/3 that you were at MK? If so I was there too! I'm glad you're enjoying my TR. I'm loving all your photos!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Nice TR! Great pictures! I love photography too, but have never gotten a nice camera or lenses. Maybe one day! Right now I have too much kid stuff to haul around (and too many kids!)

I'm from Chicago, but on Sept. 2nd my DH and I made our 1st trip to NYC! Man it was hot that day! Fortunately Earl didn't affect us at all.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Is this 9/3 that you were at MK? If so I was there too! I'm glad you're enjoying my TR. I'm loving all your photos!

Thanks! Yup we were at MK the first half of the day on 9/3. We could have possibly passed each other and known it, LOL.

Nice TR! Great pictures! I love photography too, but have never gotten a nice camera or lenses. Maybe one day! Right now I have too much kid stuff to haul around (and too many kids!)

I'm from Chicago, but on Sept. 2nd my DH and I made our 1st trip to NYC! Man it was hot that day! Fortunately Earl didn't affect us at all.

Welcome! So cool! We LOVE Chicago! We went there for a Bears game last October for our 1st Anniversary. DH is a huge Bears fan. We ate at so many great places, and and the most awesome time. Hope you guys had a great time in NYC! Yes, it was really really hot year that week. It's much much better this week, no humidity and a sunny 75 deg every day. Whew.

Thanks for the compliments! Yes, a dslr is heavy to carry around, I ended up not carrying it during some of our park days as my neck was just beginning to kill me.

 

[merrymouse1]

All caught up and in early! Loving the report!

 

[chunkymonkey]

All caught up...thankfully wasn't too far behind.

How cool you got to go early! I had wanted to change our flight as well, but no luck on the zero change fee so I didn't.

Your pictures are amazing. I never would have thought to snap some of me. Soo there are no pictures of me on this trip other than those on the photopass (which I doubt I will order many of) If i had snapped some of me I am sure they would not look have as good as yours do of you.

I can't wait to read more!!!

Yay! You are back too! I am looking forward to reading your TR and comparing notes about what you liked/disliked. I think we liked EVERYTHING, save for the heat and humidity!LOL, if I didn't take pictures of myself then I wouldn't have any pics of us at all, except for the photopass pictures, which I don't even like!

Looking forward to reading more, We really loved POFQ.

Thanks and welcome! We thought POFQ was really charming!

Really enjoying your trip report and your photos! Can't wait for the next segment.

Thank you so much! I am plugging away at the TR as I type.

All caught up and in early! Loving the report!

Thank you! Glad to have you on board!

 

[Belle_princess]

I'm here, I'm here!

You take some gorgeous pictures! I'm along for the ride!!

 

[nocomment711]

Your photographs are absolutely beautiful.

I'm in. (=

 

[chunkymonkey]

Day 1 Part 2


We reach MK and go through bag check. DH doesn’t have a bag, but I had a bag with all my stuff, camera, 2 lenses, sunscreen, etc. Naturally my bag was heavy and by midday I was dying!

So the moment we enter MK, we were actually really surprised by all the Halloween decorations! It was really fun. Too bad it was about 95 deg, so it didn’t really feel like fall, but it sure looked like it

Here are some pictures I snapped while walking in:

Doesn’t Tigger blend so nicely with the décor? LOL

Our first view of the castle. I just LOVE this moment. It always makes me feel like I am really at Disney.

So the minute we past Main Street, we head right, to our favorite land:

On the way, I saw this lady with the coolest dress. I later saw it for sale at the store at the Poly but didn’t get it as I don’t normally like those smocked top dresses. It was cute though.

It was still pretty empty when we first walked in. So we managed to walk onto space mtn with only a 5 minute wait. And it was barely that if any. We also picked up FP for space mtn for later, although we really didn’t need them. My verdict on the newly refurbished version: not bad, a bit jerky, but the music was fun. I still believe the space mtn at DL is superior to the one in WDW.

We then went on Buzz Lightyear a few times. We love this ride, but we also believe the one in DL is superior to WDWs, and it’s mainly because the gun is attached by a wire to the car, and you can move it around freely. WDW’s version the guns are bolted to the car, so you can only try and angle it a certain way which is so awkward at times. Nevertheless we still love this ride, and me and DH try and compete with each other. I failed to beat him miserably each time. I tried switching places with him, being the “driver” of the car, but to no avail. I could not beat DH for my life. GRRR.

Us battling it out on Buzz:

Then it was time for our first snack at the parks, a smoothie from Auntie Gravity’s. We got the strawberry banana. Mmmm it really hit the spot!

We then went on TTA, which I still call the Peoplemover. It was a lot of fun! I don’t remember going on our last trip, and I forget how fun it is. Here are some pics from the ride:

Here are some other scenes from Tomorrowland.

At Star Traders, these new Vinylmations are kind of funky. I really liked some of them, but others were weird. I saw a notebook that I liked with the designs but I didn’t pick it up them. Wanted to see what else to spend my money on before I plunked down 10.95 on a notebook!

I LOVE these round Buzz Lightyears!

And Sully too!

Stay tuned for more pics of Tomorrowland...

 

[tankgirl427]

okay I"m so expecting to see myself in your photos! You totally followed us. At 9am we went straight to Space Mountain for FP since we were stuffed and I dont' like it and then onto Buzz Lightyear. Maybe I have you on some of our photos!

 

[tinacaplan]

More great pictures! How do you take such good pictures of yourself and your husband? Are you able to do that with a point and shoot?

 

[therussells08]

I'm here! Going back to catch up now, just wanted to check in. Your pictures are SO beautiful!!

 

[Cat0727]

Hey girl, I'm here! All caught up. I love looking at pics of POFQ, what a beautiful resort. It's one of my top choices for where I want to stay next at WDW! How was their bus service?

Aw I want one of those Sully dolls! He's so cute.

 

[I Believe In Magic]

Joining in! Love all the pics, POFQ is my favorite. I can't believe how alert you look at 3am!! I would be exhausted and not snapping pics of anything. Looking forward to reading more!

 

[flamestarrdust]

I'm here! Getting caught up on your TR! Your pics are making me miss WDW so much more than I already was. Just makes me that more excited to go back!

 

[natebenma]

LOVING your trip report! All caught up! Very impressive getting your TR done so quickly after your trip.

The photos!!! Beautiful! WOW!!!! I love the composition of your shots. The picture of the two of you, solo shots of you are spectacular! I totally hear you about not being in pictures otherwise.

Earl was such an overhyped storm here in the northeast. One of my friends has a FB posting " I survived Hurrican Earl with its 2 MPH winds and 18 second downpour". That being said, I will have to pay attention to your future PTRs and make sure I don't book a trip at the same time and place as you.

Looking forward to more updates!

 

[chunkymonkey]

okay I"m so expecting to see myself in your photos! You totally followed us. At 9am we went straight to Space Mountain for FP since we were stuffed and I dont' like it and then onto Buzz Lightyear. Maybe I have you on some of our photos!

It is quite posible! I will check my pictures, LOL.

More great pictures! How do you take such good pictures of yourself and your husband? Are you able to do that with a point and shoot?

Thanks Tina! I used a canon rebel xSi dslr with a 10-22mm wide angle zoom lens. It looks like this:

I will do a post later on what camera gear I brought with me. But using this lens lets me take pics of me really well. I can do it with the p and s too but it's definitely not as nice.

I'm here! Going back to catch up now, just wanted to check in. Your pictures are SO beautiful!!

Hey! Good to see you here! Thank you!

Hey girl, I'm here! All caught up. I love looking at pics of POFQ, what a beautiful resort. It's one of my top choices for where I want to stay next at WDW! How was their bus service?

Aw I want one of those Sully dolls! He's so cute.

Yay! Another familiar face! We really enjoyed the POFQ. Out of all the moderates, I felt it seemed to have the easiest buss service, usually the first to be picked up and dropped off. During peak hours, the buses go directly to the park of your choice. It was very close to MK and Epcot. Sometimes we did have to wait for a while for a bus, but it was usually an off-peak hour. The Water Taxi from DTD to the resort is pretty cool too, it's a long ride, about 30 minutes but it's very relaxing. I think they definitely need to refurbish their rooms and bathrooms though, it is getting a bit old.

Joining in! Love all the pics, POFQ is my favorite. I can't believe how alert you look at 3am!! I would be exhausted and not snapping pics of anything. Looking forward to reading more!

Haha, thanks, I tried to make myself look alert at that early hour. I was so happy to be at WDW so that probably helped. Glad to have you on board!!

I'm here! Getting caught up on your TR! Your pics are making me miss WDW so much more than I already was. Just makes me that more excited to go back!

Aww, I understand about the whole Disney withdrawl after coming home from a trip. I use these TRs to help keep the magic going. I'm all caught up on your TR now, so looking forward to more!

LOVING your trip report! All caught up! Very impressive getting your TR done so quickly after your trip.

The photos!!! Beautiful! WOW!!!! I love the composition of your shots. The picture of the two of you, solo shots of you are spectacular! I totally hear you about not being in pictures otherwise.

Earl was such an overhyped storm here in the northeast. One of my friends has a FB posting " I survived Hurrican Earl with its 2 MPH winds and 18 second downpour". That being said, I will have to pay attention to your future PTRs and make sure I don't book a trip at the same time and place as you.

Looking forward to more updates!

Thank you and welcome!!! I have to get the TR done as soon as a trip is over, as it's fresh in my head. I don't usually take that many notes, so I have to remember it all. I use my pictures as a guide as to what we did and where we went.

Yes, Earl was pathetic as a storm. But it didn't matter to me since it allowed me to leave a day early, LOL.

LOL, it is my fault for booking those trips during hurricane season. I can never refuse a good deal. I travel quite a bit, and "usually" the weather hasn't been an issue. Just those 3 times. I swear.

 

[DisneyYahoo]

I love your incredible photos and I am enjoying your TR. Can't wait until you post more. Glad you had fun!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Day 1 Part 3: Speedway and Disney Couture

After riding Space mountain twice, and Buzz twice, then TTA, we did the Speedway. I tried my best to juggle my dslr, my p and s, and driving. Needless to say, it wasn’t easy! I gave up and just used my p and s for these shots:

I forgot to mention before that in my PTR towards the end, I promised to share a surprise that I got for the trip, but I never posted it because of the craziness of the week, but I found the following necklace on eBay which I immediate purchased. I received it a day before we left, and I put it on and haven’t taken it off since! I love the necklace! I love that it has 3 interchangeable charms: one mushroom, a bottle that says Drink Me, and a pale blue circle that says Eat Me. I love it so much and was so excited to wear it for the trip…that and also I seem to have misplaced my Tinkerbell Wish necklace….don’t worry it’s not lost, I just can’t remember which jewelry case I seem to have left it in…

Here is the picture of the necklace when I received it.

And here’s a fairly clear picture of me on the Speedway juggling the camera and driving. LOL. You can see the necklace pretty clearly here. I only wore the 2 gold charms, and it looks a bit crooked here because the bottle charm probably got tangled with the chain. But they are all supposed to be hanging from the gold circle in the middle.

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I wore the 2 gold charms on the first day then I put on the Eat Me charm as well for the rest of the trip. The necklace is surprising heavier than I expected especially with all the charms, but I got used to it. It’s part of the Disney Couture Alice in Wonderland line. I purchased it for 24.99 on eBay including shipping which is a good deal!


Here’s another picture of us as we were heading onto the Peoplemover. I used my point and shoot for this, so yes you are able to take nice wide angle pictures with a point and shoot.

So after we did the Speedway, we headed over to Adventureland…stay tuned for some Dole Whip….

 

[topdog]

You really have those self portrait shot down to science.

I know you used mostly 10-22mm lens for self portrait shot. But what is the average focus length you create those shots with?? I am borrowing my friend's 24mm f/2.8. Just wondering if that's wide enough. If I am able to pick up a full frame then the 24mm might work. Otherwise the only other option is my 10.5mm fisheye which I am not sure I will be happy with.