How A Trip Goes From Relaxing To Lets Do Everything? 2 Week Pic Report From Mar '11

[skidisney]

Hey Everybody!

My name is Doug and I am a lifelong Disney fan. I have been going to the world since I was a child with my family and recently wrapped up my 15th trip down to the world. This one was a 2 week adventure to the world and surrounding parks in the Orlando area and a brief visit over to Busch Gardens in Tampa. I went down with my GF Brittany and it was our 3rd trip to the World together in 3 years. It seems that we grow a bit more addicted each time we head down which I am sure is what a lot of you feel.

We decided on a two week trip to celebrate her Graduation from UVA and before she was tied up with work while starting a new career.

I had been down for two weeks as a child before, but this one was totally different from what I remember. Well, to wrap up the introduction article, we travelled between March 26th and April 9th, 2011. We stayed at three different Disney resorts (really trying to do it up for two people on a limited income that are 30 and 23 years old.) We took many, many, many pictures and videos and had some interesting adventures so I hope you all will come along for the ride as we revisit our grand adventure into the vast Disney wilderness. This will be my first attempt at a trip report so please stick with me. Thanks for reading.

Please feel free to ask any questions you would like about any of the adventures we had or leave a comment. I will try to answer and respond as much as possible. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you!!!

 

[iheartbelle87]

Sounds like fun! Looking forward to reading more!

 

[skidisney]

I will try to do a TOC for the trip report as I post them.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Day 1: Starting The Drive

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Day 2: What Do We Do First?
Day 2 cont'd: Lunch And Let's Check Out The Room
Day 2 cont'd: Finally Time For The Parks
Day 2 cont'd: Let's Go On Safari
Day 2 cont'd: Dinoland Surprise
Day 2 cont'd: Time For Dinner At Boatwright's
Day 2 cont'd: A Disney Night Cap Perhaps

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Day 3: What's For Breakfast?
Day 3 Cont'd: A Morning At The Movies
Day 3 Cont'd: Let's Check Out What Has Become The Backlot
Day 3 Cont'd: More Discovering At The Studios
Day 3 Cont'd: Animation Exploration
Day 3 Cont'd: Lunch At 50's Prime Time
Day 3 Cont'd: Wrapping It Up At The Studios
Day 3 Cont'd: An Unexpected Journey For A Meal
Day 3 Cont'd: Dinner At Paridiso 37
Day 3 Cont'd: The Night Time Is The Right Time At The Magic Kingdom
Day 3 Cont'd: Let The EMH Begin!!!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Day 4: Would You Like Your Touring With A Little Water?
Day 4 Cont'd: Who Turned On The Faucet?
Day 4 Cont'd: A Little Dinner At The Ice Cream Shop

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Day 5: The Wind Swept Us Here, To Typhoon Lagoon
Day 5 Cont'd: Lunch At The Animal Kingdom
Day 5 Cont'd: Checking Out Conservation Station
Day 5 Cont'd: We Are Gonna Pangani
Day 5 Cont'd: We Are Jammin' In The Jungle With Mickey!
Day 5 Cont'd: A Trip Under The Sea And Back In Time
Day 5 Cont'd: Night Time At DHS And Fantasmic

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Day 6: Breakfast, Trail's End Style
Day 6 Cont'd: A Bicycle Tour Through Port Orleans
Day 6 Cont'd: Finishing The Bicycle Tour
Day 6 Cont'd: A Brief Look At Flower & Garden
Day 6 Cont'd: Lunch At Le Cellier
Day 6 Cont'd: The First 3 Countries Of Our Worldwide Journey
Day 6 Cont'd: 3 More Countries With A Side Of Water
Day 6 Cont'd: From America To Germany And All The Topiaries In Between
Day 6 Cont'd: Finishing Off The World Showcase
Day 6 Cont'd: The Future (World) Looks Dark And Gloomy

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Day 7: A New (Wet) Day In A Far Off Land
Day 7 Cont'd: A Peek At Harry Potter
Day 7 Cont'd: Poseidon And More Harry
Day 7 Cont'd: The Struggle To Find Something Inside
Day 7 Cont'd: Back To Where The Magic Happens, You Know What I Mean
Day 7 Cont'd: Finishing Up In The Magic Kingdom
Day 7 Cont'd: Back To Epcot For Teppan Edo
Day 7 Cont'd: A Relaxing Walk Through The World And Some More Riverside

Friday, April 1, 2011

Day 8: Saying Goodbye To Port Orleans
Day 8 Cont'd: Another Morning At The Movies
Day 8 Cont'd: Lunch With Aliens
Day 8 Cont'd: From Sunset To Indiana
Day 8 Cont'd: Counting Down To Fun With Our Pixar Pals
Day 8 Cont'd: The Fun Keeps On Coming
Day 8 Cont'd: Bestest Attraction Ever!!!
Day 8 Cont'd: Welcome Home!!!
Day 8 Cont'd: Let's Take A Look At The Room
Day 8 Cont'd: Unfinished Business At The Studios And A Few More OKW Pics
Day 8 Cont'd: A Night Out With The Yachtsman
Day 8 Cont'd: Strange Decisions During Epcot EMH

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Day 9: A Sunny Shot At Universal
Day 9 Cont'd: Smooth Sailing Through Universal Studios
Day 9 Cont'd: The Longest Line We Had At Universal
Day 9 Cont'd: Start The Mardi Gras Parade
Day 9 Cont'd: Some More Mardi Gras Parade
Day 9 Cont'd: A Night Out In CityWalk

Sunday, April 3. 2011

Day 10: Time For A Float
Day 10 Cont'd: A Different View Of Downtown Disney
Day 10 Cont'd: A Walk To Our Next ADR
Day 10 Cont'd: Lunch At The New Place
Day 10 Cont'd: Walking Back Through World Showcase To ROC
Day 10 Special: The Chinese Zodiac
Day 10 Cont'd: From China To Spaceship Earth
Day 10 Cont'd: Bambi And Club Cool
Day 10 Cont'd: More Shots of Epcot
Day 10 Cont'd: From World of Disney to the Carousel
Day 10 Cont'd: More Extra, Extra Magic With A Little Let Down
Day 10: The 3 AM Finale (For The Second Time)

Monday, April 4, 2011

Day 11: The Day Starts Off With A Very Bad Blizzard
Day 11 Cont'd: Our Luck Starts To Change At Animal Kingdom
Day 11 Cont'd: Flights Of Delights
Day 11 Cont'd: A Journey Through The Maharajah's Palace
Day 11 Cont'd: Trying To Be The Animal Kingdom Fastpass King
Day 11 Cont'd: A Final Trip On The Safaris
Day 11 Cont'd: Final Housekeeping At The Animal Kingdom
Day 11 Cont'd: Delightful Desserts

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Day 12: Starting The Day Off Early
Day 12 Cont'd: A Breakfast With A Bear And Friends
Day 12 Cont'd: The Frontier Seems A Little Wetter Than I Remember
Day 12 Cont'd: Bears And Is This A Jungle Or A Rain Forest
Day 12 Cont'd: A Tour Around The Rivers Of America
Day 12 Cont'd: More Rivers From The Boat And On Land
Day 12 Cont'd: A Tour Of A Mansion And Movin' It And Shakin' It
Day 12 Cont'd: A Lunch In The Plaza
Day 12 Cont'd: A Roundtrip Tour That Ends In Frontierland?
Day 12 Cont'd: Let The Parade Begin!!!
Day 12 Cont'd: Finishing The Parade
Day 12 Cont'd: Wrapping Up The Magic Kingdom
Day 12 Cont'd: Arriving At Our 3rd ADR Of The Day, That's Right I Said 3!
Day 12 Cont'd: Gettin' To The Grubbin'

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Day 13: A New Day, A New Destination
Day 13 Cont'd: Onto The Big Boy Rides
Day 13 Cont'd: Rhino Rally? And The Animals
Day 13 Cont'd: From Egypt To The Congo
Day 13 Cont'd: A Train Ride Through The Wild Tampa Savanna
Day 13 Cont'd: Totally Terrific Tigers
Day 13 Cont'd: Wrapping Up Our Journey To Busch Gardens

 

[skidisney]

So we start the drive from the mountains of Virginia heading to the flatness of Florida. Of course, being down there for over two weeks and wanting to explore the other parks in Orlando and Tampa, driving was really our only option. We saved quite a bit of money doing it this way (to be spent elsewhere, lol.)

A 12 hour drive ahead. The first state to enter on our long journey is North Carolina. Always exciting when you get to that first new state, isn't it.

Shortly after entering North Carolina, Brittany (girlfriend) finished her first picture in her coloring book. Hey, I know were adults but we get excited about Disney World too. Don't judge, I don't need to make excuses for how we travel.

We got to the border just before sunset of NC and SC and saw Intimidator at Carowinds.

A stop just across the border for dinner at one of our favorite "chain" restaurants, McAlister's Deli. Really cool place if you haven't been there.

We were able to make it to Georgia and Savannah by that night. Tough night to sleep. I really just want to get in the car and pretend the parks will be open at 5 AM and act like I will never have to sleep while I am down there but I suppose we need some rest. Long day the next day.

Next: Day 2 and what park should we visit first.

 

[francis6306]

Two whole weeks?! Wow... Sounds like a lot of fun! Interested to see what all you two get accomplished in this time!

 

[skidisney]

You see, this was a big question when we got into the car at 10 AM on Saturday morning. We had many things we had to get done upon arrival. Ok, not that many but some housekeeping to catch up on. We had our AP's from a previous trip in October/November 2010 (seems like we always straddle months.) But I wanted to make sure that we got our Tables In Wonderland card before our reservation at Boatwright's (hint to where we are spending the first week.) We had questioned ourselves as to whether the TIW card was going to be worth it at $75 for Annual Passholders for months before the trip but because we had many ADR's (27 in all) we decided it would be prudent to invest in one. Would it pay off? You will have to see later.

For now, let's get back on the road.

11:30 AM - Time to cross the state line into our final state.

One more for good measure with Britt pointing out the state we had just entered.

Another great work of art from Brittany

Getting closer.

And finally.

Now here is where we get to some controversy. I swear I made the turn before our hotel so we could swing around to get a better picture of the arch. Brittany says this was a "wrong turn," but no matter. P.S. It was a better pic the 2nd time.

So, after all the indecision as to which park we should go to first, we decide to go to the hotel to check-in. LOL. So where are we staying first, I am sure you have guessed this one already.

Arrival at Port Orleans Riverside was about 2:30 PM. All we had to say about it was, fantastic!!!

It really is a nice property. Obviously, we took our time exploring.

Outside shot of Boatwright's during the day.

A peek of one of the Mansion's (of which we had requested a room in)

Just a very nice looking property.

Here is a funny shot of the bathroom in the Riverside Mill food court. Brittany thought that the toilet with the high tanks were funny.

Next: Day 2 - Lunch And Let's Check Out The Room

 

[francis6306]

Awe! POR is where I want to stay!! Its the only Mod that really grabs my attention!

 

[skidisney]

Let's do lunch at the Riverside Mill. We hadn't eaten since the Comfort Suites' "hot breakfast" at 9 o'clock that morning. It was now about 3 in the afternoon and we were starving so we stopped in at the food court.

Brittany had the Bacon Double Cheesburger and Vegetable Pasta Salad, $8.59.

I enjoyed the Roast Beef and Bleu Cheese on Ciabatta, $7.99. It was very Bleu Cheesey. Perhaps a little over Bleu Cheesy. In fact it was really Bleu Cheesy. Bottom line, you better like Bleu Cheese if you get this sandwich. But the chips were absolutely fantastic. They were almost worth the 8 bucks by themselves.

The ambience of the food court.

Well, let's go check the room. First let's check out our Mansion building. Brittany had requested that we stay in a Mansion room and we got our wish. Something we noticed about Riverside was that while there were people around it seemed very spread out and quiet. In the quiet pools, the bus stops, the common areas and even check-in and the store, it was always very manageable for the time of year we were visiting.

Onto the room

Overview of the room, obviously a king room. Seemed like it had a lot more space than the room we had Caribbean Beach Resort in November but I am positive it was just the bed size.

Towel Mickey

The sinks and vanities

The shower and "potty". Pretty small.

The King Bed

Nice Art of the Liberty Belle on the wall

The garden and fountain right outside the door. Impeccable landscaping at this resort.

From the street

Next: Which park do we head to the first day we are there?​

 

[skidisney]

We were finally ready to head out to the parks. It was about 4:30 on the Saturday and like I said before, we just wanted to pick up a TIW card before our reservation before Boatwright's that evening. So where did we head to:

That's right

Why don't we

So we get the TIW card with a little wait at Guest Relations. No real problems though. The CM was very friendly and helpful and pointed out all of the perks of having the card.

Let's head to the tree.

The Garden

Look who was just sitting there with no one around

Poor Lilo was by herself begging for us to come take a picture with her

On to Africa to get Fastpasses for Kilimanjaro Safaris

Shot of Everest from the bridge

Back on task

Birds behind the Fastpass machines

The walk to Asia and Everest. At this point the crowds are looking good and we figure we aren't in for a super crowded time.

Ta-Da Behold, Expedition Everest!!!

The wait time for standby was only 15 minutes and we were itching to ride it considering we had missed it our last trip down, so we got in line. Actual wait time was about 20 minutes.

And the Everest Queue

I love it when the smoke actually works coming from the stacks of the back of the trains. It is one of the small details I really do notice.

Another outside shot

Next: Back to the Safaris

 

[skidisney]

Alright, when we last left off, we had finish our journey to Mount Everest and we were heading back to Harambe to go on safari.

But first, a photopass photographer offered to take a photo of us with our personal camera. He did a great job.

And some monkeys. Who doesn't love monkeys.

Onto the safaris and some obligatory animal shots

To the hippo pool

A croc

A Giraffe shot

or two

The cattle almost hit the safari truck with those big horns

Nice shot here

The backside of an elephant

And Flamingos. Let me tell you something about flamingos. They are in every park in Central Florida and in each and every park, you will be told that they are only pink because of the shrimp that they eat.

And a cheetah

Big yawning lion. You know its tough being a lion at Animal Kingdom.

As you can see here

Pumbaa?

That's it for the safaris. And yes, once again, we caught some poachers, hope you have as much luck as we did.

Next: A trip to Dinoland USA

 

[ChattaAlley]

Loving all your pictures. I so want to stay in the POFQ.

 

[skidisney]

Thanks Alley. Hope you keep checking back for the whole 2 week adventure. Tons more pics to come.

 

[skidisney]

So after we leave Africa we duck down a small path just to the left at the end of the bridge while going back to Discovery Island. The path can also be accessed by turning the left after coming out of It's Tough To Be A Bug. It's a very nice hidden path with very few guests and some animals like this little fella.

Nice waterfall here

Another water feature

And we duck into...

And what premier attraction did we ride upon arrival into Dinoland.

That's right. Triceratop Spin!!! Well, to be honest it had no wait, and we had never ridden it before so we figured we would mark it off the checklist of life. This may be where the seed to try and ride everything was born but at this point we were purely in chill mode.

I have no idea why we took this pic. That means I have to post it.

A shot from the Spin toward the gift shop.

And Primeval Whirl which was closed the entire time we were there.

Nice detail, even on Triceratop Spin.

And out of Animal Kingdom by 6:50.

Next: Back to the hotel for Boatwright's

 

[skidisney]

We got back to POR at about dusk. I really feel that this is the time of day where Riverside becomes really beautiful.

The carriage rides right outside of Boatwrights.

On to the restaurant

Would you care for a menu?

How about some cornbread?

This cornbread was so good, we had no choice but to ask our waitress Sue (fantastic) to give us some cornbread to go back to the room with. She filled an entire carry-out box with so much cornbread we couldn't finish it all.

I had the Grilled Pork Chop - Amber Ale Barbecue Sauce, Cheesy Grits, and Onion Rings $21.99

Britt had the Grilled Tenderloin Medallions - served with mac and cheese, Crayfish beignet and red wine Demi-glace $27.49

Boatwright's was suprisingly better than we thought. We figured it would be much like Shutter's at CBR. But this restaurant is really worth checking out. Espescially if you are staying at either Port Orleans Resort.

With a Corona and a glass of wine. We received a TIW discount of $12.10 here. With the discount and then the automatic TIW 18% tip added, the total for two of us was $62.42.

Back to the room.

Next - But would we stay there?

 

[skidisney]

The answer to the title is, of course not!!!

Heck we're in Disney World. Gotta keep going. But we weren't up for an evening in the parks. So we decided to use our Annual Pass discount to go check out Winter Summerland Mini Golf

The check-in Airstream

Here are some pics of the course. If you haven't been there, you should really check it out

Awesome benches here. I know, random details again

The backside of Santa. Don't know why Britt took this one.

Mickey In A Box

Now it's time to go back to Riverside to go for a quick swim in the quiet pool and then off to bed by 11.

Next - On to day 3

 

[Goofy442]

Wow, you took some great pictures! We love Boatwright's food

 

[skidisney]

Well, it's our first morning in Disney World. Why we head here for an 8:30 AM ADR

First doormat of the trip

Gotta have the lobby pic

Destination?

This is the only tradition we really have on our trips. We must go to Kona the first morning. Brittany needs her Tonga Toast.

Menu?

Lilikoi Juice $4.19

And Brittany of course had the aforementioned Tonga Toast - banana stuffed sourdough bread, rolled in cinnamon sugar and served with Strawberry Compote and your choice of ham, bacon, or sausage $10.99

And for me, why it was the Two Eggs Your Way - with home fried potatoes, a biscuit, and choice of ham, bacon or sausage $9.99

Total saved with the TIW card was $5.03

Total was $25.98

Quite reasonable compared to what is yet to come.

Seriously, Kona has some great food and is not as popular as neighboring Ohana but if you get a chance or just want good food at a price thats as affordable as you'll get in the world, check it out.

Next: Off to a park, but which one!!

 

[NMW]

Subscribing

 

[ronnmel]

Subbing!

I'm heading down to WDW this summer for a two weeks trip so I'm curious to hear about yours.

I like your TR so far, but I have to say that I particularly enjoy the pics of Winter Summerland as we so rarely see pictures of the mini-golfs.

 

[skidisney]

So here we go. We head out for our first morning touring at

Where we are once again hoping to

We have been doing this trip kinda backwards. We have always visited Magic Kingdom or Epcot first and so far, none of that. But that's ok. A refreshing breath of air actually. It is part of our plan to "take it easy and relax." Also, part of this plan was not fretting over missing rope drops and hence why the "later" ADR at Kona which put our arrival at Hollywood Studios at 9:30 AM.

A picture of one of our favorite's from outside the park

Was it crowded at 9:30 AM on a Sunday in March

Not too bad.

Going for a stroll down

Who loves this? Okay some people do, some people don't.

And over to

to see if we could get some Fastpasses for Toy Story Mania!

We did get some for a return time at 2:20 PM which fits in nicely with our lunch schedule.

Some of the newest releases.

What, this was a movie?

Now down Sunset Blvd. at 9:45 AM, the crowds had built to very large.

This makes you wanna buy DVC, doesn't it?

Nice topiary

On to the original icon

And right onto the ride because it was a walk-on

Let's Go!!!

Next: Still lot's to see at the Studios, which direction should we go next?