It all started with a PIN . A first time TR - 3-5 Update

[B&WMickey]

Long time DIS member (2002), occasional poster, first time trip report poster.

I’ve always admired those people who have put together such awesome TR. I’ve always wanted to post a TR but never had the time or the energy to do so but this time I’ve decided to give it a shot, so bear with me.

Who We Are...

We’re your typical average Midwest family. Husband, wife, 2.2 kids, you know the type.

Dad (Me), Mom, (DW), Junior (DS), Princess (DD).

This was my 9th time to WDW, something that most normal people find crazy but is somehow considered normal here on the DIS, (I love that). Another thing I love about the DIS is that I’m not the only guy in the world who is crazy about WDW. Back in the “real world” I rarely find many guys who know or care that much about WDW. At least here I’m not alone.

I was hooked from the first time I went to WDW when I was 7. DW was hooked from her first trip as well. For both of our kids this was trip No. 4. They too already have that WDW fever. It has been great watching them grow those memories that will stay with them a lifetime.

Why go again in 2011?

As the title states it all started when we received a PIN code in the mail one cold, cold winter day. We had just gone to WDW in September of 2010 and really had no intention of going in 2011 but when you see those whopping room discounts during the middle of winter you can rationalize almost anything. We figured our kids are at that perfect age (of course at 40 I still feel like I’m at that perfect age). So before you knew it I was on the phone to Disney and we were booked for a 7 night stay at WDW for the week before Thanksgiving.

We chose to stay this time at Port Orleans Riverside. In September 2010 we were fortunate enough to stay at the Wilderness Lodge (another Disney PIN offer, boy are we suckers for those things, I hope they don’t send us one for 2012 or chances are we might be back).

While we certainly loved the WL we really have a soft spot for POR from the two other times we had stayed there before and really wanted to go back.

We were also excited about travelling down to WDW this time of year. Food and Wine Festival would still be going on. Osborne Lights would be up and we’d have a chance to go to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

On top of it, 7 nights would be our longest trip yet. As with any good trip we planned a ton, did a ton, couldn’t possibly do it all, cancelled a few things and had a thing or two cancelled for us so to speak.

So sit back, enjoy and I’ll do my best to recount the tales from our trip. The bar has been set pretty high by others here on the DIS, hopefully I can live up to those lofty standards.


Day 1 - Part 1 - Travelling
Day 1 - Part 2 - POR
Day 1 - Part 3 - DHS
Day 1 - Part 4 - DHS - Fantasmic
Day 1 - Postscript

Day 2 - Part 1 - First Full Day
Day 2 – Part 2 – Epcot AM – 1
Day 2 - Part 3 - Epcot AM - 2
Day 2 – Part 4 – POR - Pool Time
Day 2 – Part 5 – Epcot – PM – Space Ship Earth
Day 2 – Part 6 – Epcot – PM – Food and Wine Festival - 1
Day 2 – Part 7 – Epcot – PM – Food and Wine Festival - 2

Day 3 – Part 1 – POR – In the Morning
Day 3 – Part 2 – AK – 1
Day 3 – Part 3 – AK – 2 – Dinoland at Last
Day 3 – Part 4 – AK – 3 – Lion King/Parade
Day 3 – Part 5 – AK – 4 – Safari – A Little Privacy Please
Day 3 – Part 6 – AK – 5 – Expedition Everest – Let’s Dance

Day 4 – Part 1 - POR/DTD - Morning
Day 4 – Part 2 – DTD – Pins
Day 4 – Part 3 – DTD
Day 4 – Part 4 – MVMCP - 1
Day 4 – Part 5 – MVMCP – 2

 

[Elcheetah]

Subbing, we also LOVE POR!

 

[mandas08]

Excited to hear about your trip!

 

[mommy2mb]

Joining in!!

 

[GaRain]

Can't wait to read.....
Although I am jealous of those PINs - I never seem to get one....must be because they know I am a sucker and will go without one...

 

[B&WMickey]

Day 1 – Part 1 - Travelling

The weather was cold that morning (30s) as we left home. We were all looking forward to one last taste of warm weather while in Florida before being caught in the grasp of winter.

When we arrived at the airport it was a relief to see how quiet things were. We were literally the only people going through the security line at the time. Our kids have been excellent in the past when travelling and we’ve been efficient moving through security lines but I’m always very cognizant of others when travelling and don’t want to be “that family” that holds everyone else up trying to get through security. This time, nothing to worry about.

We were flying Southwest Airlines to Orlando for the second year in a row. The biggest angst for us at the airport turned out to be the SWA boarding process.

For those not familiar with SWA, you are not actually assigned seats on the plane. When you check in you are assigned to a boarding group (A, B or C) and then given a boarding number in that boarding group. SWA then allows people to board the plane in groups A, B and C (in that order). Therefore, someone who has the boarding number A24 would be allowed to board ahead of someone with the number B12. Once you board the plane you are allowed to sit anywhere you want.

People are assigned boarding positions based on when they check-in. You are allowed to check-in online 24 hours in advance of your flight. Those that check in first are assigned higher boarding spots and allowed to board before those that check-in later. SWA also offers an early check-in fee (about $10 per ticket) and SWA will automatically check you in at 36 hours prior to your flight, giving them an edge over those that wait for the 24 hour mark.

We have flown SWA several times and have never paid the $10 early check-in fee and have opted to check-in at the 24 hour mark. We’ve usually received boarding spots in the A30s to 50s. Considering the plane holds approximately 140 people, we usually have had no problem finding seats together.

Well, this year things were a little different. Even though the crowds at the airport were extremely light we were on a full plane. We had checked in online at the 24 hour mark and were assigned boarding spots starting at B32.

(It would seem that a large number of people on the plane had opted to pay the SWA early check-in fee to guarantee a higher boarding spot.)

Having spots near B32 boarding spot meant approximately 90 people would be allowed to board the plane before us and chose seats anywhere they want, leaving less available seats for us to pick from. We were certainly worried about getting seats together, not so much a cluster of 4 but at least 2 sets of 2 seats so the kids wouldn’t have to sit alone without an adult.

There were a lot of anxious moments especially when people who need assistance (along with their family members) and families with young kids (under 4) were able to board ahead of us even if they had assigned boarding spots behind us.

By the time we were set to board at least 100+ people had gotten on before us. Our plan was for DW and I to split up and each take one of the kids and hopefuly find pairs of empty seats. It all turns out all of that the worrying was for naught. Towards the back half of the plane we found one unoccupied row (of 3 seats) that DW grabbed for her and the kids. It turned out there was also a vacant aisle seat directly across that I snagged.

The flight was extremely uneventful, smooth, and quick. We landed at MCO a full 35 minutes ahead of schedule.

I love that feeling of arriving at MCO. That feeling of our whole trip is in front of us. Then, how can you beat getting off the plane and for the first time feeling the warm weather while walking down the jet way?

DME Time

After making a quick pit stop we headed to catch our Disney’s Magical Express Bus.

Here’s DW and kids making their way through the lower level on the way to catch DME.

What luck a bus to POR was boarding and we were able to get right on. Before we knew it we were on our way. We were told that the bus was going to be making several stops but POR was first. YES!!!!

(Keen observation – Is it just me or does it seem like there are a lot less of the traditional DME buses...

Or are there just a lot more of the generic Mears buses? (Which is what picked us up on both legs of our trip) Not that the service is worse, it’s just that I liked it better getting picked up in one of the decked out DME buses.)


Anyways, I digress....The sun was shining and the weather was warm, this was a great start to a great vacation. In no time we were arriving at POR

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[B&WMickey]

Subbing, we also LOVE POR!

Excited to hear about your trip!

Joining in!!

Welcome aboard

Can't wait to read.....
Although I am jealous of those PINs - I never seem to get one....must be because they know I am a sucker and will go without one...

I think we'd go without them too but it sure makes it easier for us to decide when we are on the fence.

 

[winkers]

I've been praying for one of those pins! Maybe they know I'll go even with out one?

I love SWA! I like picking my seat....or should I say choosing where to sit.

 

[B&WMickey]

Day 1 - Part 2 - POR

While the beginning part of a trip is always my favorite part there are always those moments of anxiety I have as we have to clear several hurdles (getting to the airport on time, passing through security, plane ride, catching DME, etc.) before we can finally relax. For us, one of those anxiety hurdles we still had to clear was checking in.

I was worried about the check in process for a couple of reasons. 1.) I wanted a room in the Alligator Bayou section of POR. 2.) Our trip was booked as two separate reservations so I wanted to make sure we had the same room for both portions of our stay and were not going to have to switch rooms mid trip.

After the bus stopped DW took care of our carryon bags while I hustled to get in line to check-in. After a short wait I was at the window talking to a CM.

They had us in Building No. 80, Acadian House in the Magnolia Bend section of POR.

The CM said we were slated to be in that room for the entire trip. I was informed that this was one of the newly remodeled rooms, which I admit was nice to hear…

However, even though we stayed one time in Oak Manor (Bldg No. 90) and liked it we really fell in love with AB during our last stay at POR and my heart was really set on staying there again. AB has such a secluded feel to it.

I had requested Bldg No. 28 when I made our reservation. On a previous trip we had stayed in Bldg No. 28 and really liked its location, which was tucked into the middle of AB.

I asked what the CM could find for us in AB that wouldn’t require us to switch rooms. She gave me a look like I was crazy for giving up a shot at one of the newly refurbished rooms…. with queen sized beds. Before she called in our request for a different room she asked me again if I was really OK with giving up the queen sized beds? Even though I know this may sound crazy to many people reading I said “yes.”

At first she said we could have Bldg No. 28 but would first have to stay at Acadian House for one night then switch rooms. I knew this wouldn’t fly with the family so I asked her if she could find anything else in AB that wouldn’t require a switch. She got back on the phone and informed me that Bldg No. 38 was open. Perfect, we’ll take it.

As you can see by the map Bldg No. 38 is an interior building meaning it doesn’t abut a roadway/parking lot, which is what I really liked about Bldg No. 28, so No. 38 was a good alternative as far as I was concerned.

(Note: I chose not to tell DW about passing on the newly refurbed room until after we came back. As much as she likes AB as well, I think she would have liked the new queen sized beds even more.

Note 2: The CM did inform me that since this was under two separate reservations and our first reservation was just for tonight, I would have to check out tomorrow and then check back in. I was assured that we had the same room though.)

After checking in we were on our way out of the main building and on our way to Bldg No. 38. It was nice outside, sunny, 70s, a far cry from back home.

We crossed Ol’ Man Island and passed by the main pool. The kids started begging to go swimming but we had plans to go to DHS and see Fantasmic and the Osborne Lights. We promised them plenty of pool time, which we delivered on later in the trip.

Here are some pictures from our walk to our room.

Bldg No. 38 was great. Just what I was looking for. I really do love AB, all that lush vegetation and winding pathways, it helps POR take on an intimate feeling considering how large and spread out it really is.

We were on the second floor so we hit the first stairwell we could find and began the mad hunt for our room. When we finally found our room... what a surprise!!!!!! We had a corner room, meaning two windows and we had a water view room as well!!!! We had only booked a standard view and I never even mentioned the word upgrade when I was checking in so this was a pleasant surprise. Maybe they took pity on us for giving up the refurbed room.

Here are some pics of Bldg No. 38.

 

[B&WMickey]

I've been praying for one of those pins! Maybe they know I'll go even with out one?

I love SWA! I like picking my seat....or should I say choosing where to sit.

Hope you get a pin one of these days.

Overall I still do like SWA. No Bag Fees!!!!!!

 

[mandas08]

Great update!

We are also flying Southwest with our little one in Feb. Would you recommend paying for early check in. It sounds like you lucked out but I would be disappointed if we were all together for his first flight. I would plan on checking in at 24 mark and we would be able to board earlier since lo will only be 6.5 months at the time.

What a gorgeous resort. It feels really laid back and relaxing. I'm glad you lucked out with the double windows and water. It would have been hard to pass up queen beds though

 

[mamamary]

Like your trip report so far We are hoping to go in June and are keeping our fingers crossed for a pin code. I thought I wanted to stay at POFQ but Riverside is starting to sound good too!

 

[B&WMickey]

Great update!

We are also flying Southwest with our little one in Feb. Would you recommend paying for early check in. It sounds like you lucked out but I would be disappointed if we were all together for his first flight. I would plan on checking in at 24 mark and we would be able to board earlier since lo will only be 6.5 months at the time.

What a gorgeous resort. It feels really laid back and relaxing. I'm glad you lucked out with the double windows and water. It would have been hard to pass up queen beds though

Glad you like.

If your DS is only going to be 6.5 months you will be allowed to board between the A and B boarding groups, meaning there will be about 60 people boarding ahead of you on a plane that holds about 140 people (23 rows of 6 seats, 3 seats on each side of the aisle). There should be plenty of seats available when you board. From what I’ve noticed in the few times that I’ve flown SWA is that seats up front on the windows and aisles go first. If you don’t mind sitting toward the middle/back of the plane then boarding in between the A and B groups will be fine and you probably don’t need to pay the extra $$$ for early check-in. Of course the other thing to consider is if you are travelling with extended family and you really want to get seats close together. If that is the case your extended family won’t be able to board with you and they may want to pay the extra $$$ to board about the same time you do.

There were several times on the trip when DS kicked me in the middle of the night that I was cursing myself for not taking the queen beds. The good news for anyone who is thinking of staying at POR is that the refurb of POR is going along quickly and there are now several AB buildings with the new beds already completed and open to the public. During the summer all of POR should be done.

Like your trip report so far We are hoping to go in June and are keeping our fingers crossed for a pin code. I thought I wanted to stay at POFQ but Riverside is starting to sound good too!

Thanks

I plan on posting more pics of POR throughout my TR so stay tuned. POFQ has its pluses too, smaller size being one but POR is very picturesque.

 

[FosterA]

Great start to your TR!
we were just there from Nov 15-22. I think you said you were there the week before Thanksgiving also. What were your dates exactly?


If we go back I want to do Port Orleans so I love all the photos!

 

[B&WMickey]

Great start to your TR!
we were just there from Nov 15-22. I think you said you were there the week before Thanksgiving also. What were your dates exactly?


If we go back I want to do Port Orleans so I love all the photos!

Thanks

I've been following your TR as well (nicely done so far, I look forward to reading more) since I see you were there during the same time period we were. We actually got to WDW a couple of days before you (Saturday) and left on the following Saturday.

We were at MVMCP the same night you were. A matter of fact there was a picture you posted of your kids standing in front of the castle prior to Wishes in which we were probably within 50 feet of you.

We were also at DHS the same Thursday as you but from reading your TR it doesn't appear that our paths would have crossed.

I would highly recommend Port Orleans Riverside. I’ve stayed at several of the Deluxe properties and have liked them all but POR is the one that has grown on us the most.

 

[heaven2dc]

Wow - seems like you had Pixie dust from the start of your trip (scoring seats on the plane together to hopping right on the ME bus to getting a fantastic room!) - my DBIL & DSIL stayed in a corner room on their very first trip back in 1996 at POR and loved the location!

 

[B&WMickey]

Day 1 – Part 3 - DHS

After settling into the room and changing into something more appropriate for the weather in Florida versus the weather we left behind, we were on our way to DHS. It felt great to be wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

"This is the North Depot"

Boy, does it feel good to be back at WDW, even though it had only been about a year. We were really looking forward to this trip since our trip last year was only 3 nights long. With such a short trip we didn’t make it to DHS last year so we were extra excited to make it over to DHS on Day 1.

We boarded the bus to DHS after a short wait and were on our way. That is when I noticed something was missing. For those that have stayed at POR you are aware that they have a soundtrack that plays on the buses that consists of crickets chirping and accompanied by banjos/guitars strumming. It was conspicuously absent from our bus and I kind of missed it.

When we got to DHS we saw the big Christmas tree out front.

That was a perfect sight, just what we were hoping for. We were looking forward to this trip kicking off the Christmas season for us (albeit a bit early) and what more could you ask for then seeing a giant Christmas tree on Day 1 of our trip.

(Side Note: I had previously purchased tickets from Undercover Tourist prior to the price increase taking effect back in June. Whenever I buy tickets separately I always have them added to our room keys, for convenience sake. However, with the whole split reservation thing we had going on the CM was reluctant to adding the tickets to our room keys since the current keys would expire after one day. Therefore, today we had to handle the original tickets we bought and then wait until tomorrow when I checked out then checked back in to have them added to the room keys.)

As we came through the gates at DHS Christmas music could be heard. Oh yes, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow… Just not while we’re in Florida…. Please!!!!

By this time it was after 4 PM and we really hadn’t eaten anything substantial since we left home that morning. We took a quick vote amongst us and Pizza Planet it was.

We had two main goals that night. Fantasmic and Osborne Lights. DW and I were excited about being able to see Fantasmic for the first time with the kids since they had never seen it before and it had been almost 10 years since the two of us had seen it last. We were also incredibly excited about seeing the Osborne Lights again, something else the kids hadn’t seen before.

Fantasmic was showing twice that night and we decided to see the second show (8 PM) since by all accounts it should be less crowded.

After eating at Pizza Planet we had some time to kill. We wanted to take in a couple of attractions before seeing the Osborne Lights. It had been awhile since we last saw Muppet Vision 3D. The last time we saw it was when the kids were much younger. Junior got spooked early into it and we had to bolt from the theater. He’s much braver now. Everyone loved it this time.

After that we decided to go see American Idol. This was an attraction that none of us had ever experienced before. The kids love watching American Idol on TV so this was something they were really looking forward too.

What a blast. It was more entertaining than I thought it would be. The guy they had warming up the crowd was a riot. The judges were also really good, including the faux Simon. The singers weren’t necessarily spectacular but I give them all a lot of credit. It takes a lot of guts to get up on stage in front of a large group of strangers and sing.

The last contestant of the evening was a guy by the name of Jimmy. Jimmy let the host know that his girlfriend was in the audience. It turns out she was sitting right next to DW. Of course sitting next to Ms. Jimmy, DW felt compelled to vote for Jimmy. It turns out Jimmy won. Well DW struck up a conversation with Ms. Jimmy and found out that Jimmy is kind of a regular at AI at DHS. He’s even made it to the finals a couple of times. Anyone else out there ever seen Jimmy before? In hindsight I don’t know if any of us would have voted for Jimmy if we had known Jimmy was kind of an AI professional. Sorry Jimmy, nothing personal.

Well when American Idol ended we made a beeline for the Streets of America to catch the Osborne Lights. The sun was fading fast and we were hoping to get there before they turned the lights on but unfortunately as we were heading over we could see them flip on in the distance over the tops of roofs.

When we got there it was a bit of a mad house. This was the first time the park felt crowded since we got there. I had been expecting the park to be much more crowded than it had seemed up to that point. It was the end of Jersey week after all and it was a Saturday and it had been an EMH morning so by all crowd predicting models it should have been a very busy night. I’m sure all of this contributed to the mini-mayhem that we were suddenly in the middle of but until that point the crowds seemed pretty light.

There was a bit of a logjam around the entrance to OL. For tonight, crowds entering the OL were funneled to one entrance point at the top of the Streets of America closest to the Lights, Motors, Action Stunt Show. It seemed that once people got into the OL they kind of stood in the entrance way and didn’t move much. We were able to crawl are way to more of the midway point and there found a little more elbow room.

Once there it was easier and more relaxing to take in the whole “Spectacle.” Very impressive. DW and I had seen the OL almost 10 years ago, when it was mainly on the backlot area. It was great to be there this time sharing it with our kids, they loved it. We took time to admire the details, finding hidden Mickey’s, looking at all of the small things wrapped in lights.

We never did find the purple cat though….

 

[B&WMickey]

Wow - seems like you had Pixie dust from the start of your trip (scoring seats on the plane together to hopping right on the ME bus to getting a fantastic room!) - my DBIL & DSIL stayed in a corner room on their very first trip back in 1996 at POR and loved the location!

The pixie dust did seem to be flowing quite a bit on this trip. Especially on Day 1.

 

[arthur06]

Looks like a wonderful trip.

We have never stayed at POR, but I hope to at some point in the future!

 

[saintstickets]

Just found your TR. Fantastic pics and narrative. Keep it up. I too am a Disney Dad that LOVES all things WDW! There aren't too many of us that are willing to admit it but I suspect there are quite a few lurking about!