Kirby
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2000
- Messages
- 13,281
After spending the night in a very nice Hampton Inn in Tallahassee we were on our way about 9:00 am. We arrived in WDW at Port Orleans Riverside about 1:00 pm. I could tell as we drove up that I was going to like this place.
Since the pick up/drop off area was full of carts, my husband, Joe, let our daughter, Carol, and I off in the inner bus lane. Other families were doing the same so we didn't think anything about it. The car in front of us left and Carol and I headed up to the building to check in. Unknownst to me, a Disney bus pulled up in the outside lane and blocked Joe in. Then the driver proceeded to get out of the bus and yell at him for being in the bus lane. The valet CM stood there and looked at the bus driver as if he were crazy. Joe finally nicely asked him if he would get out of the way so he could go and park the car. He wasn't going to let the bus driver spoil his day. In fact, he and our son, James, laughed about it later when they told me.
While that was going on, I was inside admiring the Christmas decorations and standing in line waiting to check in. Carol had made herself at home at the tv with the other kids. There were lots of CM's working and soon it was my turn. Yeah! I got what I had requested - no smoking, Alligator Bayou and 1st floor. The first room to come up was in Lodge 25 #2526 and it was ready. I had read that this Lodge was close to the West Depot so I told her that that was fine. Walking was no problem and I had read that the South Depot gets quite crowded sometimes.
So after getting our room keys, I collected the rest of my family and we headed off to our room. We fell in love with it. For those who would like to hear what we thought, I have posted a POR Review on the Resorts Board.
After a quick bite to eat in our room (we had brought food with us), we went to tour the grounds. Follow the grey brick road became the theme. We found the food court and lobby easily enough. We caught the bus to Downtown Disney at the South Depot to go souvenier shopping.
You can see so much during the daytime than at night. We went into the Days of Christmas store to get an ornament for the Ornament Exchange. It was hard to choose. Then off to the World of Disney to shop. We got some things for us plus some thank you gifts for back home. Twilight had come while we were inside. The Christmas lights twinkled and the dance music from the children's dance show in the ampitheather filled the air. Oh, if only my husband would dance with me!
We were hungry, so instead of riding the bus back to the resort, we thought we would ride the boat back since we had never done that before. After a short wait, we were on the boat and on our way. Joe talked with the captain and discovered that his brother is the Fire Department Chief in a town not far from where we live. In fact, two of our friends work for him. Small world! Carol really enjoyed the boat ride and wanted to to it again but we never made it during our trip.
We stopped at the Food Court for dinner and our refillable mugs. I'll post a Dining Review soon on the Restaurant Board.
We got back to our room about 8:00 pm ready to turn in. It was a good day.
No lime green ribbons today.
Since the pick up/drop off area was full of carts, my husband, Joe, let our daughter, Carol, and I off in the inner bus lane. Other families were doing the same so we didn't think anything about it. The car in front of us left and Carol and I headed up to the building to check in. Unknownst to me, a Disney bus pulled up in the outside lane and blocked Joe in. Then the driver proceeded to get out of the bus and yell at him for being in the bus lane. The valet CM stood there and looked at the bus driver as if he were crazy. Joe finally nicely asked him if he would get out of the way so he could go and park the car. He wasn't going to let the bus driver spoil his day. In fact, he and our son, James, laughed about it later when they told me.
While that was going on, I was inside admiring the Christmas decorations and standing in line waiting to check in. Carol had made herself at home at the tv with the other kids. There were lots of CM's working and soon it was my turn. Yeah! I got what I had requested - no smoking, Alligator Bayou and 1st floor. The first room to come up was in Lodge 25 #2526 and it was ready. I had read that this Lodge was close to the West Depot so I told her that that was fine. Walking was no problem and I had read that the South Depot gets quite crowded sometimes.
So after getting our room keys, I collected the rest of my family and we headed off to our room. We fell in love with it. For those who would like to hear what we thought, I have posted a POR Review on the Resorts Board.
After a quick bite to eat in our room (we had brought food with us), we went to tour the grounds. Follow the grey brick road became the theme. We found the food court and lobby easily enough. We caught the bus to Downtown Disney at the South Depot to go souvenier shopping.
You can see so much during the daytime than at night. We went into the Days of Christmas store to get an ornament for the Ornament Exchange. It was hard to choose. Then off to the World of Disney to shop. We got some things for us plus some thank you gifts for back home. Twilight had come while we were inside. The Christmas lights twinkled and the dance music from the children's dance show in the ampitheather filled the air. Oh, if only my husband would dance with me!
We were hungry, so instead of riding the bus back to the resort, we thought we would ride the boat back since we had never done that before. After a short wait, we were on the boat and on our way. Joe talked with the captain and discovered that his brother is the Fire Department Chief in a town not far from where we live. In fact, two of our friends work for him. Small world! Carol really enjoyed the boat ride and wanted to to it again but we never made it during our trip.
We stopped at the Food Court for dinner and our refillable mugs. I'll post a Dining Review soon on the Restaurant Board.
We got back to our room about 8:00 pm ready to turn in. It was a good day.
No lime green ribbons today.
