The moon is out & the sun is starting to rise.
There's not much better than watching the sun rise from your plane window as you're on your way to WDW!
I did online check-in, and requested a room location per Touring Plans. Much to my excitement & surprise, I get exactly what I requested! This doesn't happen to me very often, as usually my room is the exact opposite of what I requested, but this time I was definitely pixie dusted!!!
This is one of the great things about this resort; no matter where your room is, you're close to everything! I love it! We had been DVC members for many years, having contracts at VWL & BCV from their inception, but sadly, sold both in 2014 so we could buy a house with some land, as my DH wanted to try his hand at hobby farming. Yes, really. With chickens & tractors & all. I drew the line at pigs though. Since then we've been either renting points or staying at POFQ, or a combo of both, doing split stays. This trip was POFQ all the way, and I couldn't have been happier. Well, maybe I could have been a little happier if I was staying at the BWV, especially since we spend the majority of our time at Epcot, but honestly, for the price, beautiful grounds, ability to boat to Disney Springs, POFQ is perfectly perfect in every way! Spoiler alert: We're in the process of buying at resale at AKV, another of my all time favorite resorts!!!
We've done BOG several times in the past, and we always say we're going to skip it, as it's not worth the hassle of trying to get a reservation, but there I was checking daily, hourly, minutely, for a reservation! It's like we're crazed or something. Like we're going to get some kind of prize for getting that coveted reservation
I had recently lost around 15 pounds doing Weight Watchers, and was determined I wasn't going to gain weight on this trip, so my goal was to eat what I wanted, but be mindful of serving sizes, and empty calories.
After our disappointing but filling snack, we spend some time watching the new show in Liberty Square, “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History". This was very cute, and we enjoyed it. I wouldn't plan my day around seeing it, but we stumbled upon it, with a little time to spare, so took the time to watch.
We hung out with some Pirates!
I just thought it would be nice if all the grandparents could see their grandkids on their first Disney trip.
I have a strange auto-immune disorder, called Sjogren's Syndrome, that causes me extreme muscle & joint pain at times
found that eating gluten free helped my pain immensely, so I try to avoid gluten as much as possible.
DH told me to order him the Quinoa Salad - with chilled green beans, potatoes, olives, roasted bell peppers, golden beets and tomatoes $12.99 Yea. Why? I don't know. He was going to be running his first half marathon this trip, and he wanted to eat healthy? I mean, he did have that fried chicken on a waffle sandwich earlier, the epitome of healthyness. He says he LOVED this. Okkaaayyy. Did I want to try it, he asks? No thank you. Go right ahead & enjoy that quinoa cake! It looks so yummy though! Honestly it does!
and then I went back to school to become an RN, which I did for my second half of my working life.
The Bride & Her Maids"
Lauren & Patrick"
My brother built the new walkway to their beach front, and specially made this insert.
Me & DH
I guess Tinkerbell can't be considered a Princess though.
That's what I'm talking about. Now that's a baked potato! Melty cheese, and real sour cream not in a packet! The broccoli wasn't overcoooked, and the potato was a little dry, but much better than the one I had earlier in the day at Sleepy Hollow.
I HAD to get some gluten free beignets! These are so so good! For gluten free they are superb! I don't even care if I get powdered sugar all over me. Yum Yum Yum!!!
I just love this resort. It is truly so beautiful, and peaceful. I love that it is on the Sassagoula River, and that you can just take walks along the water in the evening, or have your coffee sitting on a bench in the morning, riverside.
I actually start decorating for fall & Halloween on September 1st, or maybe even a week or so before. Just fall candles at that point though. Really. Don't judge me. My kids used to be so embarrassed when they'd be on the school bus and they would hear kids commenting "hey, look that house is decorated for Halloween already". This was back before it was cool to decorate for the seasons before the previous season was over, lol.
Joining in! My DH and I are heading down 10/28-11/6 and are also leaving the kids home, which they are NOT happy about
I literally just read your introduction on my break at work but I'm stopping myself from going further until I can get on my laptop! Can't wait to see all your food & wine pics!
Thank you, & ! You are going to be at WDW literally almost the same exact dates we were there last year! It's awesome, as you get to see the Halloween decorations as well as the Christmas ones in the MK! Your kids will get over it, lol!
I'm so glad you came back! I've been enjoying your report. Since I'm originally from South Jersey, I feel like I can hear your voice.
I'm sorry to hear about your FIL and family sadnesses and challenges. How many days to WDW? (118 for me, I just checked!)
Thank you so much, @Mich123 . It has been a hard year and a half, that's for sure. We leave in 30 days!!! Woo Hoo!!! Your trip will be here before you know it! We may be there the same time as you, as we're going back with my middle son, his wife, and their two little guys, December 8th-16th. When are your dates?
So glad you decided to keep posting! A bummer on the mixed bag at food and wine but wow that macaron ice cream sandwich looks fantastic! The hummus fries seem like they were really dependent on whether they were hot and fresh or old and dry. I think we had some of each. Excited to read more!
Hi there , @pepperandchips! I think I may have to give the hummus fries another chance then.
This is one of the funniest food reviews I have ever read. I was lol'ing so many times. Glad you decided to come back and finish it, in view of your other responsibilities.
Aww, thanks, @Eastern! I try to be a little entertaining. After all, people are taking some of their precious free time to read, so I don't want to be totally boring.
Beautiful photo!
I have done online check-in a couple times, and I agree. It's definitely hit or miss. I called in my rom requests to DVC for November and I'm oping we have better luck. Congrats on getting your request!
I'm anxious to see what we get on this upcoming trip in September. We're staying at POR for only the second time, in a garden view, and the first time was so long ago I don't even remember what year it was, for a night before our DVC stay, and we were in the Alligator Bayou section. This time we're there for three nights before moving to Kidani. I'm hoping for a room in the Magnolia Bend section. We only have a standard room booked at Kidani, so not expecting too much there. I requested close to the elevator, lol. This is only my second time staying at Kidani. Stayed there for a few nights back in May of 2013 when my bff and I took a girls' trip, and then we moved over to Jambo House, which is my fav of the two. We had a standard room then, too. My DH has never stayed at Kidani, so this will be a first for him.
The only mod I've stayed at is CBR……and that was BEFORE all the construction! Definitely not my cup of tea. If we run out of points or something in the future, I think I would try POFQ. It looks very nice. Congrats on buying your resale at AKV! Hope that goes smoothly for you!
You def have to try POFQ! I think you would love it.
I do the same thing! I don't even LOVE the food there, but it's like the thing to do so I HAVE to eat there!
Awesome! Congratulations on the weight loss!
Thank you! I've lost a total of almost 25 now, but keep fluctuating between 23 and 25 lbs. I'm going to try to be really good this next month so I have a few pounds leeway to eat goodies in Disney!
We are hoping to catch this in November…it looks so cute!
Great pic!
That's really nice of you! I can totally see my ex and I doing this someday. We already went down together a couple years ago when my DD did Dance the World.
It was, lol! Too bad my ex didn't appreciate how nice I was being by inviting them along!
Ouch…I'm so sorry. My poor, dear niece had that, along with Lupus. Sadly, she passed away a couple years ago at just 31.
I've heard of this…so happy that you found something that helps you.
HaHa! I actually ordered this the last time I ate lunch at BOG and it was really delicious! But I am a huge salad freak and I need to eat it at least once a day!
There's not much I don't like, but quinoa is one of them. I really try to like it, but I don't.
I'm Lol'ing at your Gala post! OMG…fake eyelashes were NOT made for those of us over a certain age…that or selfies! Just say NO! HaHa!
Seriously! WTH was I thinking?
Good for you! I did the same thing! I worked at a credit union and went back to school for my BSN. Started working in the NICU at the ripe old of 32. So happy I did it though!
Your daughter is beautiful!
Aw, Happy couple! Congratulations!
Thank you so much!
I LOVE this! What talent!
Yes, my brother is very talented!
Lovely photo. You look very pretty…who needs fake eyelashes anyway?!!
Aww, thanks!
She's too sassy!
So happy for you that you finally got a good one!
I've never had a beignet…GF or otherwise. I think I need to try one.
If you love anything fried with powdered sugar on it, you have to try them! They're not even greasy. Just pillowy fried doughs of deliciousness!
I love all of your photos of the resort. It looks absolutely beautiful.
PS-I joined your report late, so I am just quoting one post at a time and commenting so I don't have to comment on six pages all at once! Hopefully I'll catch up soon!
I hope you enjoy the rest of the report!
I'm glad you're back!
Thanks for the welcome back, @Raeven!
Kids just don't realize how awesome their parents are! You were obviously way ahead of the trend.
Isn't that the truth!
Glad I could be a little bit of inspiration. Usually I just make people want to drinkWhen I was in a sad, frustrated & depressing funk, I came here and boldly stated my DR was over. I lied. After catching up on & finishing Kari's @kastoney DR last night, her fun report inspired me to get back here & finish!
This is a great picture. I don't think I've ever taken the time to stop and appreciate the Canada pavilion for how pretty it really is.Isn't this just a glorious sight to see? I take the same pics every trip, because I just can't get enough of this beautiful scenery!
My hubby too. This is why we bring then to disney, right?Well, truth be told, DH carries my Disney Vera Bradley backpack for me, because those water bottles are heavy, not to mention umbrellas, ponchos, sunscreen, and everything else I stuff in there! Hey, a girl has to be prepared for all situations, lol! He's such a nice husband!
I'm right there with ya, I've never tried it either. I'm generally not a fan of frozen drinks so we've never even stopped.Please don't ban me from the group due to the fact that I've never had one of the famous France frozen alcoholic slushes. Please don't shun me @ariane37 , lol! I know how you love these!
Oh man, sorry this was a total bust. We've only been there once too and I got the salted caramel that ended up tasting like burnt caramel. Such a disappointment that we haven't been back. Seems like they are certainly heavy on the flavors.This is me post first lick. See that fake smile on my face. I was trying to convince myself I liked it. I did NOT like this. What??? How can I not like the "fallest" of all ice creams? I don't know what it was. I think way too much cinnamon.
Thank you for taking one for the team and trying this on my behalf. This sounds like something I'd be all over, but now I know to stay far, far awayI love spicy, I love hummus, I love french fries, I love crispy, so I would love these, right? I really didn't. They were like too crunchy & spicy, or dry, or something. Where is the tzatziki sauce, and could they spare the cucumber? I just didn't enjoy them. Off the list for the next F&W for me! Total $5, no tax.
What a sweet story, thanks for sharing. May we all grow old and continue to love Disney like Uncle LeoUncle Leo at Stormalong Bay May 1995
This is certainly saying something. We've never tried it, cause you I'm Italian and Jason once owned an Italian restaurant so we generally just do it at home. Definitely going to need to try this one dayUsually we never go to Italian restaurants or order Italian out, as I grew up with Italian grandparents, three out of four who were born in Italy, and my mom spoke Italian before she spoke English, so we've eaten more than our share of great homemade Italian food over the years, but sometimes I just crave it when we're on vacation, and I can't say I've ever had a bad meal at Mama Melrose's.