For The Love of Disney

[2Tiggies]

It's taken me a while to get around to this!

Yes, I name all my trips when I book them and the above title was the one for this year. For the first time I didn't keep a daily journal this year so I'm doing this one a little differently and instead of reporting day by day, I'm doing it by park, the resort and of course, MNSSHP (all three of them!) deserve their own attention too

I used to post a lot - yes a LOT - more than I do now, so for those of you who don't know us, here is the cast:

Me (Lee) and my awesome Disney travel buddy (Tové), DD (10)


Untitled by 2Tiggies, on Flickr

This year, courtesy of a school trip the exact dates of which were unknown at the time of booking, we went about a month earlier than we have before. We spent 18 nights at our favorite resort, Port Orleans French Quarter and as always, it did not disappoint!

Part One coming up: The Resort

 

[2Tiggies]

I'm not sure exactly what time we arrived at our resort but it was somewhere around 5.30 pm. It would have been earlier but as we experienced last year, the luggage belts were closed for about half an hour due to thunderstorms so we had to wait.

We finally arrived, having had no wait for Magical Express and being the second stop and only guests getting off the bus here. I stepped in and felt like I'd never left


Entrance foyer by 2Tiggies, on Flickr

I was glad I took the above photo when I did. Days after checking in it was surrounded by screens and undergoing maintenance and remained that way for our entire stay! A few oddities regarding power supply while we were there this year too which was strange, but more on that further on.

The Flickr title on this next one says it all - so I shall keep returning until I get a decent shot of this!


Always take this photo and it never comes out nicely! by 2Tiggies, on Flickr

We had our request granted and were allocated a room in Building 5, which is my preference for various reasons. This is the third year in a row we returned to the same building. They offered us a room with a garden view but I requested to change it to be closer to the food court. I'm a serious coffee guzzler and DD's patience wears thin with my numerous trips to the food court and now opts to wait in the room if she is busy doing something so I prefer her to be where she could step out of the door and see where I am if she wishes. So we were given a room above the one we had last year on the third floor. This was a constant source of amusement to DD as I don't think a day went by where I did not attempt to enter last year's room by forgetting about the last flight of stairs


Guess which one was ours ... by 2Tiggies, on Flickr


Down the corridor by 2Tiggies, on Flickr

I love the theming and atmosphere of this resort. It is strange because it's really not at all my usual taste in decor but there is something about the mood and atmosphere and the warmth of the cast members here that just brings it all together and makes me feel at home. There is something so serene about the grounds and all the attention to detail is just awesome!


All in line by 2Tiggies, on Flickr


Downtown Disney? by 2Tiggies, on Flickr

 

[2Tiggies]

The boat to DTD is definitely a major draw for us. We loved evenings at DTD from our very first trip and you can't beat WPE for dinner!


Taxi's waiting ... by 2Tiggies, on Flickr


DSC_0075 by 2Tiggies, on Flickr


Building 2 from viewed from the boat by 2Tiggies, on Flickr


Untitled by 2Tiggies, on Flickr

 

[2Tiggies]

The first time we stayed at POFQ was in 2010, which was a surprise trip for DD as some of you will remember. As with most kids, the pool is a big draw and she is no exception. I promised her more pool time this year and broke most of our days into park hops so that we were back between parks for about 2 hours most afternoons - or at least half of them. Oddly on the first day we went out to the pool we must have been there no more than 20 minutes when the lifeguards blew the whistle and had everyone get out. All the pumps were switched off and the music in the kids games area switched off. Apparently it was some sort of power issue, but that's all they said about it. I have no idea how long it was off for but when we left for the next park over an hour later there was still no sign of life. I took some photos of the pool area and only when I viewed them at home did I realize how strange it was to look at the still water in broad daylight!

I took some photos at the time with my phone which give a better picture, but they are probably too low res to be worth posting on here. It was SO weird!


Play me a song by 2Tiggies, on Flickr


Waterslide by 2Tiggies, on Flickr


POFQ Gators by 2Tiggies, on Flickr

Don't you just hate when someone parks their bicycle in your picture and you don't see it until you get home?!


Sea Serpent by 2Tiggies, on Flickr


My Jester by 2Tiggies, on Flickr