Dreams Do Come True in Port Orleans. ~~*The End! Final Thoughts. 2/25 Pg. 41*~~

[Lady Lallie]

Those were truly beautiful pictures of your time in the World Showcase. Lots of views and perspectives I haven't seen before.

Such a neat idea to have Mary Poppins sign the cookbook! I need to think of something like that.

The picture of you two in front of SE is awesome. You both look fantastic!

Jen gets ALL the credit for pictures. I loved not having my camera attached to my face this whole trip. I saw another great idea for character autographs this trip too by a family in the Snow White line. They had a small-ish photo album with the picture layout that has two pics per page and they would just have each character sign on the plastic picture sleeve. I assume they put a picture of the character in the book when they get home. Really great idea. I think I'm going to do that next trip.

Congratulations to both of you! I knew you lost weight, but seeing the two pix together really shows how much!

LOL at running away from the HS kids in Italy!

And Boo-Hoo that you did not get to hear VOL!

It's so nice to do the WS in such a leisurely fashion.


Kathy

I have to keep myself motivated that way by seeing comparison pictures. It does a lot for me in keeping focused.

Bless you for writing an update today! I am sitting here at work with another hour and a half before I can go home! Reading about the rest of your Epcot day has lessened the pain.

I hadn't noticed Snow White's wishing well before either.

I am with Christine -- have you not seen the Italian men at the pavilion???

What a cute idea to have Mary Poppins sign your cookbooks, and your Rose and Crown lunch looks so delicious. Wish I could fit in a meal there this summer.

This is my favorite picture of the two of you!

So glad that I could brighten your work day!

Rose & Crown is just fabulous. I think it's my Epcot must do ADR.

Thanks on the picture, it is one of my favorites of the two of us.

You two look great!
I love the relaxed approach to WS, much better. Yay for the feet holding up.

Thanks! Relaxed was so much better for me. I get so overwhelmed by WS and I'm sure my feet holding up helped that too.

Wow. Just wow! You can soooo see the difference in your two photos, you should be extremely proud of yourselves.

"Go with the flow" schedules are so relaxing... .and is that a nod to Jordan I see in your Spaceship Earth photos?

Thanks! Yes, it is! I forgot to mention that. Plus did you see how they tried to cut around Jen's mouse ears?

 

[Lady Lallie]

Great idea to have Mary Poppins sign your cookbooks!

Ya'll look great too btw!!

Thank you!

Your meal at R&C looks amazing! Mmmmm...

You and Jen look fabulous! Great job!

Denise

Thanks. The meal was so good!

I love the picture of you and Daisy. It's super cute.

And those leopard mouse ears! To die for! I'm so bummed I didn't see those on my trip, I totally would have gotten some. And then proceeded to wear them to work on Halloween. I may not be able to wear a costume at the bank, but I can wear Halloween accessories!

Thank you. I'm glad I got that photopass of Daisy and I. I really like it.

Oh yes, our tellers at our branches go all out with Halloween accessories. Some people do where I'm at too. I'll have to remember for next year that I have some cute ears to wear!

Great update ladies. I love all your pictures of the world showcase. I love all the princesses, but you two gals are cuter than those princesses. BTW - I don't care for the characters who act like they don't want to be bothered posing with adults.

Lunch looked yum. I can't wait to eat at R&C in May. It looks like a great place for lunch with the outside deck. I want to sit there.

I'm glad you guys are taking it easy and you both look like you are enjoying taking your time and smelling the roses.

Lovely, lovely day!

Awww, thanks. The outside deck is really nice. I enjoyed being out there especially with the nice weather we were having after the little rain shower.

What a fun aft. You guys got some great character shots! Rose and Crown looks yummy!

It was a great WS afternoon!

You both look so good! I am with you on Italy, I don't usually stick around there for too long. I am in love with the Japan store -- I could spend hours in there.

I might have to find those cute ears! Maybe I can convince Kailyn to match with me...

I could buy so much in the Japan store that I can't buy anything because it would just go downhill from there.

Another great update!

I'm glad I got to see that much talked about Yorkshire pudding.

Mmmm, it was so yummy. I was so glad that they let us get a side of it since it's not technically on the lunch menu.

I'm really hungry for R&C, going to see if we can schedule a lunch for next month....
Looks like a fun afternoon, way to take it easy and enjoy WS! Great idea to have Mary Poppins autograph the cook books!

Did you get one scheduled? I love my cookbook, it's so cute. Marc was actually reading through it today. Yum.

wonderful update!

The picture of the both of you is fantastic. But while the two of you look so great in January, I must say that the sky was prettier in May...

We had the fries at the chips shop in UK last week and thought that they were pretty good, and very authentic! Very much like real chips in an English pub!

Hehehe, yes the sky was prettier in May. Hotter too. I like January better.

Congrats on your further weight loss.

Looks like a good day for characters for you too. Glad you finally got to see Marie.

It was a great character day. We had good character mojo this trip.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I am so excited that you guys started your TR. I am not good about posting much, but I always love your reports!

POFQ is totally my favorite resort. Seeing your pictures makes me miss it so badly. I am staying at POR for the first time in a few weeks and I am so glad you both said you loved the way it looked.

You both look so great!!! I was working hard at losing weight too and then I got pregnant,,,,so yeah, the weight loss will have to wait. You both are so inspiring.

Leslie - I LOVE your VB Saddle Up bag. Seeing pics of that style it never did anything for me, but seeing it on you - it is so cute. Now I want one. I have that same hot pink Minnie shirt you have and it looks so good with the black tee underneath - I am going to try that.

Jen - I love all your Disney clothes, and no I don't think a person can have too many Disney shirts. I am now wishing I bought that long sleeve gray and pink Minnie shirt at the Disney Store when it was available because it looks so cute on you.

Can't wait for more ladies!!

Thanks! Congrats on being pregnant!

I love love love LOVE my VB Saddle Up bag. It is the perfect park bag for me right now. I can fit what I need in there with a little room left over for small souvies and the like.

I love that you had Mary Poppins sign your cookbook! What a great idea! You girls did very well meeting characters! I can't wait to see how your carriage ride at POR goes.

Ahh...I can't WAIT to write about our carriage ride.

Both you ladies look absolutely amazing! Congratulations to you both on the weight loss! Pictures like that are incredibly motivating, aren't they?

I love your Epcot day. It's a perfect way to tour it - the World Showcase is so huge, it's overwhelming if you try to do it all. Sounds like you took it at a nice pace, saw things that sparked your interest, passed on things you didn't care as much about this trip, and ended perfectly at R&C for a yummy meal! What a fantastic table too, and it looks like such a nice weather day!



Great picture of you both!!

Love the tongues out on SE, was that for Jordan?

The pictures are really motivating. I have a little photo album in my purse that has before and after pictures and when I'm having a tough day I just dig that out to remind me of what I'm working towards.

I loved the way we toured WS this time around, less stressful and way more relaxing.

Yes, the tongues were for Jordan!

another great update love the photo of you both with Mickey and Pluto

Thanks! I just framed my print of us with Mickey & Pluto today. I can't wait to hang it in the new apartment.

What a great Epcot day!
Your lunch at Rose & Crown looks yummy!

Rose & Crown is so yummy.

Hey LL, just had to say, WE GOT OUR POWER BACK!

WOOT WOOT!!

Yay for your continued weight loss, LL!!! And what a great comparison of your pic of you guys in May and now! WOOHOO!! Nice job girls!!!

Sounds like a perfect day at Epcot to me!! And so happy to hear your feet were doing so well!!!! Cant wait to hear more!!!

Thanks!! I was ecstatic that my feet were holding up especially in Epcot because that is where I had the most trouble last May.

You and Jen look fabulous! Congratulations on your weight loss!

Thanks!!

Great update. I'm so glad your feet held up this trip.

Oh, me too! I think I've got a good foot routine though for future trips so hopefully I will do less worrying.

 

[Happydog]

Okay, the cookbook thing, that is a "Now Why didn't I think of that!?" moment!!!! WAY smart How COOL! Love it!

Oh may I say the dramatic difference between you two then and now. WONDERFUL. You guys look so HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPPY!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait to try R & C this time -- after hearing all of you gush gush gush! Can't wait!

Your go with the flow day sounded just wonderful. I love that kind of touring too... We definitely did that last week, since going was totally unexpected!

I have really enjoyed seeing all of your photos!!! TOO cute!!!

Jen -- I ALMOST bought that same Disney T shirt (the grey one with sparkles -- I got something else, but I said Hey! There is Jen's T shirt!!!)

 

[Lady Lallie]

Okay, the cookbook thing, that is a "Now Why didn't I think of that!?" moment!!!! WAY smart How COOL! Love it!

Oh may I say the dramatic difference between you two then and now. WONDERFUL. You guys look so HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPPY!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait to try R & C this time -- after hearing all of you gush gush gush! Can't wait!

Your go with the flow day sounded just wonderful. I love that kind of touring too... We definitely did that last week, since going was totally unexpected!

I have really enjoyed seeing all of your photos!!! TOO cute!!!

Jen -- I ALMOST bought that same Disney T shirt (the grey one with sparkles -- I got something else, but I said Hey! There is Jen's T shirt!!!)

We were very happy! We were having a fabulous day!

Rose & Crown is so yummy, you will love it. It's such great, simple food. You can't go wrong.

 

[Lady Lallie]

We left off with finishing our afternoon at World Showcase and heading back to French Quarter.

We took a little break in the room but before too long a certain Downtown Disney treat was calling my name. So we headed to the boat and took another delightful cruise to DTD.

I loved our boat rides! They are so peaceful! So while a bus girl I am not...I definitely could make good use of the boats around Disney!!!

I loved floating past Saratoga Springs and little did we know that we could see our future room from the water!

Looking at the resort from the water is just gorgeous!!

We arrived and headed straight to Goofy's but that wasn't the treat that was calling my name. Jen ordered some custom treats, marshmallows I believe and I ordered some already made chocolate covered strawberries. After I paid, I headed outside to people watch and wait for Jen.

Hmmmm...I had these when I was back home and they were so good! Chocolate, peanuts, and marshmallows...YUMMY doesn't get much better than that!!!

I can't remember what stores we went too. I think the pin shop for sure but beyond that I don't remember. I had a one track mind.....Ice Cream!

We both ordered the peanut butter hot fudge sundae thingy. I liked it but....I liked my berry one better from a few days earlier. I can't wait to go back to Disney and have that delicious berry concoction!

Hmmmm...this sundae was to die for!! I really enjoyed being able to enjoy it on the boat ride back to POFQ!!! Such a great way to spend the early evening!

After our short trip to DTD, we headed back to our room. Before we knew it, it was time to head to Riverside for our carriage ride.

We arrived right on time and met our carriage driver, Steve. He was delightful. So personable, able to answer our questions and you could tell that he really loved his job.

Our horse's name was Bob! He used to work on an Amish farm before he came to Disney. Steve was telling us how that he is Bob's primary caretaker and has worked with him since he came to Disney. He said it was hard to train Bob since he had been used to such a quiet atmosphere on the Amish farm and not all of the hustle and bustle of Disney.

We chose to cruise around Riverside, we also had a choice of going over to French Quarter for the ride. It was a lovely time. The clip clop of the horse's hooves was just delightful. That might sound silly but it just was an awesome evening. A carriage ride could be incredibly romantic but Jen and I didn't quite have that vibe going.

The carriage ride was so worth it! It was a great evening and it was so peaceful and relaxing!! I loved just sitting there taking in the sights and talking with you and with Steve! Speaking of Steve he was a great CM! So willing to answer any questions and just chat with us!!! Great great time was had by all!!!

This ride is where we fell in complete love with Riverside. Head over Heels love. Riverside is without a doubt where I will be staying on my next trip. The beautiful mansions with the lit up fountains, the gorgeous vegetation, so beautiful. My words and even pictures do not do it justice.

Oh yes I have found my piece of Disney heaven!! There is something about those mansions and being there when the Magnolia trees are in bloom that is just calling to me!!! I will stay in one of those mansions some day!

We even got to take Bob on his potty break. We asked Steve about the buses and how Bob didn't seem scared of them and he told us more about his training. Bob lives over at Ft. Wilderness and he goes back over there at night. I'm not a fan of horses, I have always been scared of them, the closest I was to horses as a child was My Little Pony. With all that being said, I loved every single second of our carriage ride.

Here are some pictures...blurry but you get the idea.

A romantic carriage ride for our Veras.

I love this picture! Bob was taking a turn and i just like the way it looks.

Wicked blurry picture but it shows our Mansion Love.

Bob!

Steve & Bob.

After our magical ride, we hopped on the boat back to French Quarter. We hadn't had dinner so we stopped at the food court to pick something up to take back to our room.

I ordered a taco salad and Jen ordered the chicken quesadilla and we shared them back in the room. We forgot to take pictures of them but I did take a few souvie pictures.

I remember enjoying both of those dishes!! The quesadilla was really yummy and so was the taco salad it really hit the spot! I believe this where we also tried beignets for the first time for dessert!! They were so light and fluffy!! I really really liked them and could go for some more at this time!!

Pins for my co-worker.

We fell asleep pretty quickly that night. Our plans had changed dramatically for the next day so we needed our sleep!

Coming up....

A completely different morning.

Living the high life.

 

[MEK]

Living the high life, huh? That sounds intriquing. What are you two up to next? Any hints coming this way?

I loved your update and I'm so happy that you gals are enjoying the POR complex. I stayed in the mansions on my first trip to Disney (my first on site trip, that is) and I remember thinking it was the BEST resort for a first trip. That was in 2003. Perhaps I am due for a trip back there. Hmmmmmm....food and wine maybe?

The carriage ride sounds so lovely. What a crazy story about Bob coming from the Amish country. I guess he couldn't pull those plows anymore...poor guy. I wonder how many horses they keep at Disney just for the carriage rides.

Lovely update!

 

[TarzansKat]

I have a purely technical question that I'm sure you discussed in the PTR and I've forgotten. How did you orchestrate the carriage ride? It just seems so lovely! I know that for our next family trip, if we can't afford a deluxe, I want to stay at POFQ, and that seems like such a nice thing to do.

 

[belle8306]

I am SO glad you liked POR! It will always be my favorite resort. The carriage ride sounded like so much fun! Someday I will do that.

 

[Mickey_Mom]

As I'm drooling over that peanut butter hot fudge sundae (we need a yummy smilie! ) I think we just might do the carriage ride if we stay at POR in December. How long of a ride was it? I like the Bob turning picture too, something about the blurred lights make it pretty. Oh and I LOVE that album idea for autographs!

Living the high life hmmmmm?

 

[Lady Lallie]

Living the high life, huh? That sounds intriquing. What are you two up to next? Any hints coming this way?

I loved your update and I'm so happy that you gals are enjoying the POR complex. I stayed in the mansions on my first trip to Disney (my first on site trip, that is) and I remember thinking it was the BEST resort for a first trip. That was in 2003. Perhaps I am due for a trip back there. Hmmmmmm....food and wine maybe?

The carriage ride sounds so lovely. What a crazy story about Bob coming from the Amish country. I guess he couldn't pull those plows anymore...poor guy. I wonder how many horses they keep at Disney just for the carriage rides.

Lovely update!

No hints, you will just have to wait for the next update.

I adored POR and I can't wait to stay there for real. I think Steve told us how many horses they had but I can't remember.

I have a purely technical question that I'm sure you discussed in the PTR and I've forgotten. How did you orchestrate the carriage ride? It just seems so lovely! I know that for our next family trip, if we can't afford a deluxe, I want to stay at POFQ, and that seems like such a nice thing to do.

Actually this was a last minute addition to our trip. We called the Disney recreation phone line the day before and reserved the carriage ride. We were lucky to get a spot but I assume January is not a busy time for the carriage rides.

I am SO glad you liked POR! It will always be my favorite resort. The carriage ride sounded like so much fun! Someday I will do that.

I loved the carriage ride. It was so great, a totally different thing to experience than the parks.

As I'm drooling over that peanut butter hot fudge sundae (we need a yummy smilie! ) I think we just might do the carriage ride if we stay at POR in December. How long of a ride was it? I like the Bob turning picture too, something about the blurred lights make it pretty. Oh and I LOVE that album idea for autographs!

Living the high life hmmmmm?

It was quite good but I just liked the berry one better. I think the carriage ride was about 20 or 30 minutes. It was a great length of time.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

What a nice relaxing evening at WDW! Makes me want to take another adults only trip. Can't do these relaxing things anymore

Can't wait for the next update! High Life?!?! Is a balloon life in your future? Or California Grill???

 

[diznenut12]

I am enjoying reading your trip report. Love how you are both talking about your trip. I am going in June to stay at Port Orleans Riverside with my husband and adult children. Can not wait.

 

[meeko_33785]

Glad you enjoyed the carriage ride so much. We did it a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Port Orleans sure is beautiful in the evening, isn't it? Sounds like you both were really enchanted by Riverside, but then again, I knew you would be. Looking forward to hearing about your "completely different morning". Very intriguing.

 

[kschafer]

sounds like a really lovely evening! Glad your Vera's got a little romantic time together

the sundae looks yummy. I would really love to have a No Way Jose in May but I'm not sure it will happen, that sundae is my second choice

 

[carissanboys]

I recognzie Steve, but we had a woman for our driver. Glad you guys enjoyed it and completely understand falling in love with POR.

 

[manntra]

Awwww Bob is so cute! How nice that he was able to retire at Disney
Love the Vera's bonding on the cushion!
Okay that sundae is looking sooooo good right about now!! I usually get the Reese peanut butter cup sundae at Friendly's with black raspberry ice cream! Good stuff!! I have had one of the Ghiradelli's too and WOW!

Tracy

 

[eandesmom]

That looks like so much fun and POR just looks lovely! I could definitely see staying there for an adult trip!

 

[MinnieNurse]

Oh, I so love that carriage ride. Now I am so confused. Just today I changed our 3 days at WDW prior to our cruise from CSR to AK. DS has always wanted to go to AK so I thought it would be a nice surprise. But after seeing the picture of the Mansions at POR I am smitten. I love them I tell ya. Should I change again-what to do???

I am going to have to get me some of that ice cream on the next trip. We did Beaches & Cream in August and loved it, but now I need to try that.

Something about riding the boat to DTD just makes it better, I loved that about POFQ.

I sure hope they still have those cookbooks when I go back in December-and now I want Mary Poppins to sign it.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

The carriage ride looks and sounds awesome. Too bad you were missing the romantic vibe. There's always next time.

I think I may have mansion love too based on your blurry picture!

Can't wait to find out what "living the high life" means... did you go up in the Downtown Disney balloon? Head to the GF for high tea? Don't keep us waiting too long!