COMPLETE- "We're Never Coming Back!...Until October" FEB '14 Princess Half Marathon

[emilyindisney]

Cape May Cafe



Seeing as the restaurant only seated people for breakfast ‘til 11:00 (and our reservation was for 10:50) it was pretty empty in their by the time we sat down. Our server was quick with our drinks and we hit the buffet right away.







Once we’d satisfied our hunger a little we were ready to meet some characters!

First up, Minnie!





Then, Goofy!







And finally, Donald!





I won’t lie- even though these pictures are super cute the character interaction stunk here. They pretty much offered to take a picture and disappeared. We tried talking to all three characters and I don’t know if they couldn’t hear us, or were confused, or what. Another complainant about this meal was the buffet set-up. The buffet is a square that not only lacks a clear flow/direction of movement but is also enclosed by a half wall all the way around. It wasn’t very busy when we were there but it was still confusing, and pretty tight when I was trying to move around people to navigate the buffet. I imagine this is only worse at busy times. Luckily, the food was good (and there was a nice variety) so overall it was an enjoyable meal. I would probably recommend this to someone else looking for a tasty, reasonably-priced character meal but wouldn’t go back myself.

Once we settled the bill, our server offered to take one more picture before we left.





​

 

[annmarieda]

I am sorry that your character interaction stunk. Cute pics though.

I know what you mean about the buffet there though.. it does seem to be very hard to navigate.

 

[ZellyB]

Joining in and loving your TR! What a great experience for you as a family. The GSC is on my list of races I want to do at Disney at some point. Those pictures you have of Wishes are just spectacular!!

 

[emilyindisney]

I am sorry that your character interaction stunk. Cute pics though.

I know what you mean about the buffet there though.. it does seem to be very hard to navigate.

At least the food was tasty!

Joining in and loving your TR! What a great experience for you as a family. The GSC is on my list of races I want to do at Disney at some point. Those pictures you have of Wishes are just spectacular!!

Welcome, and thank you!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Looking through your pictures at Cape May has me just realizing that I don't think I had ever seen the characters outfits before! And they are unique - I'll give them that! Sorry to hear that the interactions were subpar.

 

[emilyindisney]

Looking through your pictures at Cape May has me just realizing that I don't think I had ever seen the characters outfits before! And they are unique - I'll give them that! Sorry to hear that the interactions were subpar.

The outfits were very cute! To be fair- there was a table with kids across the aisle and the character interactions looked like they were better there.

 

[emilyindisney]

Throwback Saturday #tbs

We passed Beaches and Cream on our way out and stopped for a picture at the adorable ice cream sundae tables!



Seriously- if anyone wants to stuff one of those in their suitcase and bring it back for me, I’d be totally cool with that! I’d happily replace my kitchen table with one of those babies.



We left the Boardwalk and made way for our next destination- the Dolphin and the Swan! We had a very specific mission here. You know that photo trend circulating where people re-enact old photos of them from when they were kids? That was the plan! We have a picture of Caitlin and I in front of the fountain at the Dolphin from our first trip and were ready for a redo 18 years later! Here’s the original:



And here’s the new one:



I don’t think much has changed (except maybe my style in pants!) I guess this would have made a good ‘throwback thursday’ (the popular twitter/instagram tag) but I thought it was pretty funny and posted it right then.



Caitlin decided it was time for a break so she went back to BWV while MJ and I finished wandering around the Swan and the Dolphin. I wish I’d taken more pictures because these resorts were beautiful. The Grotto pool, which they share, was awesome as well so I wish I could show you that.

The Swan has a Disney shop inside that we stopped in. There was nothing we hadn’t seen anywhere else but there was a really nice CM there who talked with me about pins, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion. Plus, she complimented my Disney shoes (which you can sort of see in the next picture!)

Finally, on our way back, we stopped for a little R&R behind the Dolphin in their hammocks.

​

 

[emilyindisney]

Downtown Disney and Port Orleans French Quarter

We regrouped in our room and decided it was time to head out to Downtown Disney. We got on a bus, which took a strange route around the golf course and SSR because of the DTD construction.

We started in Art of Disney where we swooned over all the fantastic art we can’t afford. Next, we popped over to the christmas store where we picked up two ornaments- one as a baby shower gift for a family member, and one that Caitlin liked for her apartment.

Of course we couldn’t resist a stop in the pin booth. Caitlin and I both picked out a new pin. I'd been eyeing this one for a while so I caved and bought it!



Next we headed for World of Disney which was swamped! I’d been patiently waiting this stop for months because I’ve been dying to get my hands on an Alex and Ani Cinderella’s Castle bracelet. I’ve tried to order one a couple times over the past year and it’s always sold out. MJ wears Alex and Ani too so we headed over there first and got in line at the counter.



I also picked a charm for my Disney charm bracelet while we were in the jewelry room.



Venturing into the rest of the store I picked out a stuffed animal/baby blanket set to go with the ornament we got earlier, and a luggage tag for my roommate for her trip to Disney during spring break.

Eager to escape the crowds, we went to Basin next and tried our fill of soaps and scrubs. I’ve heard everything here is great, though we passed on any purchases-a little too expensive for my taste!

Next we headed towards Characters in Flight. I really, really wanted to ride seeing as this has been on my disney bucket list forever but it was too windy, and there thunderstorms in the area so it wasn’t flying. Oh well- next trip!

We got on a riverboat and headed for POFQ for dinner. The boat ride to POFQ was very pleasant, I loved going past the treehouse villas! These are so cute, and I would love to stay in one, but I’m not sure I could combine the camping-type feeling they gave off, with my usual expectations for a Disney vacation.

We had planned on POFQ both because we wanted to see it, and because we thought the food court had a make your own pasta station. We tried make your own pasta at AoA on our last trip, and it was delicious. Unfortunately, make your own pasta was not on the menu, so we opted for some of the other pasta options with the intention of “carb loading” for tomorrows race. (Disclaimer: I do not usually intentionally carb load for races-this was just an excuse to eat some delicious pasta!)





The food court decor was fun- even if the giant masks were a little bit creepy!







After dinner, we got some beignets to go (delicious!!!) and walked around the resort a little.







We stopped in the gift shop, where Emily went a little gift shop crazy. This was what- the seventh resort gift shop we’d been in within two days? I couldn’t help myself!



After that, we were getting pretty tired and had an early wake up call, so we hopped on a boat back to DTD (a boat that nearly broke down and had to finish the trip at quarter speed) and then a bus back to the BW. It was a long wait for a crowded bus so we decided to hop off early at the Swan and walk back. I took the opportunity to snap some pictures of the Boardwalk all lit up!





MJ made her stop at Joe’s and got a tasty Passionfruit Margarita to bring up to the room as we relaxed and called it a night.​

 

[ZellyB]

Wow. Those masks are POFQ really are creepy. Yikes. Love the shots of the boardwalk at night. So pretty! Love that RunDisney pin. I need to find one of those on our next trip.

 

[emilyindisney]

Wow. Those masks are POFQ really are creepy. Yikes. Love the shots of the boardwalk at night. So pretty! Love that RunDisney pin. I need to find one of those on our next trip.

Aren't they?! It's funny- one of them actually kind of looks like someone we know!

I saw that in a bunch of the gift shops and finally figured I couldn't pass again. Hopefully it'll still be just as popular when you go back!

 

[JessM]

We ate at Cape May to, just the next day haha. I agree it wasn't my favorite. Goofy completely snubbed us and didn't even stop and Minnie never even came on our side of the restaurant so we saw Donald and took off. The food was good though!

I also bought that same Alex and Ani bracelet, we had scary similar trips, seriously haha. I love it, its so perfect!

Love the throwback pic too, so adorable!

 

[emilyindisney]

We ate at Cape May to, just the next day haha. I agree it wasn't my favorite. Goofy completely snubbed us and didn't even stop and Minnie never even came on our side of the restaurant so we saw Donald and took off. The food was good though!

I also bought that same Alex and Ani bracelet, we had scary similar trips, seriously haha. I love it, its so perfect!

Love the throwback pic too, so adorable!

It's alarming how much twin-ish we are, ahaha!

Geez- your experience sounds sort of crummy too. Maybe we lucked out in seeing all three because the restaurant was almost empty. We tried telling Goofy when he came over that we wanted to do his race next and he literally had no clue what we were talking about- oh well!

Did you really?! I'd been searching for that sooo long I'm so pleased to finally add it to my collection.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Ha! LOVE the reenactment photo!! Too cute!

I love the boat to DTD from POFQ. Those treehouses look so cool, but I think they are out of my price range!

We didn't eat at POFQ, just walked through on the way to the boat, but it's on my list of things to do! I don't "carb load" either...but I did at Disney b/c it was a fantastic excuse before the race! and AFTER!

 

[emilyindisney]

Ha! LOVE the reenactment photo!! Too cute!

I love the boat to DTD from POFQ. Those treehouses look so cool, but I think they are out of my price range!

We didn't eat at POFQ, just walked through on the way to the boat, but it's on my list of things to do! I don't "carb load" either...but I did at Disney b/c it was a fantastic excuse before the race! and AFTER!

100% agree!!

 

[KelleyK75]

Just got back from my WDW week last week so I am playing catch up.

I haven't ever been to the Poly but it looks delicious! I will have to try it sometime.

Your Wishes pictures are great! I love the one that you declared your favorite!

 

[KelleyK75]

Your 10k update was great! It looks like you had a lot of fun!

I haven't been to Yacht Club either, so it's nice to see your pictures.

This goes back to your other post, but I forgot to comment on it. I have been to the Contemporary twice to go to Chef Mickey's, and I just don't get the appeal of it either. Maybe I haven't seen enough of it, but it's kind of boring to me, and just looks like a regular hotel you can stay in anywhere. I like the themed Disney hotels much better.

 

[KelleyK75]

That stinks that the characters weren't very good at Cape May. Your pictures are really cute though! We have done a lot of character meals but haven't done this one.

 

[KelleyK75]

Throwback Saturday #tbs

We passed Beaches and Cream on our way out and stopped for a picture at the adorable ice cream sundae tables!



Seriously- if anyone wants to stuff one of those in their suitcase and bring it back for me, I’d be totally cool with that! I’d happily replace my kitchen table with one of those babies.



We left the Boardwalk and made way for our next destination- the Dolphin and the Swan! We had a very specific mission here. You know that photo trend circulating where people re-enact old photos of them from when they were kids? That was the plan! We have a picture of Caitlin and I in front of the fountain at the Dolphin from our first trip and were ready for a redo 18 years later! Here’s the original:



And here’s the new one:



I don’t think much has changed (except maybe my style in pants!) I guess this would have made a good ‘throwback thursday’ (the popular twitter/instagram tag) but I thought it was pretty funny and posted it right then.



Caitlin decided it was time for a break so she went back to BWV while MJ and I finished wandering around the Swan and the Dolphin. I wish I’d taken more pictures because these resorts were beautiful. The Grotto pool, which they share, was awesome as well so I wish I could show you that.

The Swan has a Disney shop inside that we stopped in. There was nothing we hadn’t seen anywhere else but there was a really nice CM there who talked with me about pins, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion. Plus, she complimented my Disney shoes (which you can sort of see in the next picture!)

Finally, on our way back, we stopped for a little R&R behind the Dolphin in their hammocks.

​

I have always heard how wonderful Beaches and Cream is, but haven't made it there yet. Someday!

LOVE the renactment photo! Too funny!

I am seeing lots of new things with your updates. I haven't been to the Dolphin/Swan either. We pass them all of the time, because we stay usually at the moderate resorts, but haven't been inside.

 

[KelleyK75]

The bracelet and charm are adorable! Love them!

Ahhh, Port Orleans. We just stayed at Port Orleans Riverside and really liked it! We never made it over to FQ, and didn't make it on the boat either. We spent too much time in the parks to do much else. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

 

[emilyindisney]

Your 10k update was great! It looks like you had a lot of fun!

I haven't been to Yacht Club either, so it's nice to see your pictures.

This goes back to your other post, but I forgot to comment on it. I have been to the Contemporary twice to go to Chef Mickey's, and I just don't get the appeal of it either. Maybe I haven't seen enough of it, but it's kind of boring to me, and just looks like a regular hotel you can stay in anywhere. I like the themed Disney hotels much better.

I was surprised at how lack luster the appearance is, but the Contemporary definitely makes up for it in location (and it's pretty darn cool that the monorail runs right through it!) Plus- who doesn't love the five legged goat!?

That stinks that the characters weren't very good at Cape May. Your pictures are really cute though! We have done a lot of character meals but haven't done this one.

The food was good, so that was a plus!

I have always heard how wonderful Beaches and Cream is, but haven't made it there yet. Someday!

LOVE the renactment photo! Too funny!

I am seeing lots of new things with your updates. I haven't been to the Dolphin/Swan either. We pass them all of the time, because we stay usually at the moderate resorts, but haven't been inside.

I like those a lot. Not necessarily in-your-face Disney, but definitely deluxe at a moderate price! Plus, the grotto pool (which I wish a took some pictures of) is really cool!

The bracelet and charm are adorable! Love them!

Ahhh, Port Orleans. We just stayed at Port Orleans Riverside and really liked it! We never made it over to FQ, and didn't make it on the boat either. We spent too much time in the parks to do much else. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

FQ was awesome and has definitely been bumped up my 'next stay' list!