This is our 12 visit to Disney and our first stay at POFQ. This was a joint 14th Anniversary for me and DW, and 13th Birthday for DS.
Well our flight from Charlotte to Orlando was a preparation for the Tower of Terror. During the flight, we hit a spot where the plane felt as if it were falling. Even the Flight Attendents were startled. The pilot got on the radio and informed everyone to buckle up. About 20 minutes later we landed in Orlando and promptly kissed the ground.
We found the the Magical Express Lines on Saturday to be very long, but quick. And then got in line for our bus to POFQ. The lines for the buses were very long, but in 20 minutes or so, we boarded the bus with others for POFQ, POR, KW, and SS. It's always magical to enter the Disney Property and soon we were at our hotel.
Check in was a breeze and we were located in Building 2, second floor, corner room. This was our first stay at POFQ and enjoyed our stay in the room. We then took a boat to DTD and did some sight seeing and shopping. Saw the tree houses on the way. I would love to stay in one of them, but they look so isolated and the plant growth around them makes them to appear neglected. Had lunch at Planet Hollywood, and then took a bus back to POFQ as they were having a skiing competition in the lake and the boats weren't running.
Sunday
Today we went to the Animal Kingdom. Bus was filled at POFQ and then they decided we needed to cram some more people on so we went to POR. That was the beginning of the Horrible Bus Service. However, once at AK, 5 minute wait to ride Everest. First time and loved it. Day was extremely hot and humid. Kids went on Rapids and came back soaked. Spent most of day at AK and then returned to go swimming. It was great to cool down. Dinner was at POFQ and we were on the
free dining plan. It's amazing to see how much you would spend at a resort for food.
Monday
1st ones to Blizzard Beach, however, some other family was picked to be the family of the day at the water park...
We started off by going down the lazy river. My DS and DD got in the tube ok. Had to help DW sit down. They waited for me to get on my tube. No such luck. I couldn't balance on it and flipped over 3 times trying to get on the thing. Finally, I sat on the edge and sort of balanced my self. 4 people drowned that minute as I think the Lifeguard was laugh at me.... Just kidding. We spent the rest of the day playing in the water. DW and I were very scared going up the slopes on the lifts. That scared me more than some of the rides. Took steamboat springs raft down and that was neat. Lunch in BB and then went back to room. Bus was crowded but we held on until AK and then people got off. However, double the amount that got off, got on and once again, it was crowded.
Tuesday
Took the bus to Epcot. Once again the bus was crowded making the stop at POFQ and then the 4 stops at POR. Once at Epcot, we went walking around the world showcase. Stopped at each country so the kids could do Kidcot. We made a point to stop everywhere because it was our only break from the high humidity. Then we went to SOARIN', but the wait was 45 minutes. That was longest wait we'd seen. so we left and did the land tour. I want to make a mickey pumpkin... afterwards, we saw that Mission Space was a 10 minute on the message board, so we went to the other side of the park. We made a stop at the Coke place and my DS had Beverly... YUCK. she didn't like it either. Road Team Orange (Extreme) and that one really hurt. I felt the pressure on my chest this time. But we survived, no thanks to my son's flying.
Then my daughter wanted a Mickey Tiara from Germany. She saw it earlier but wanted to save her money just in case she saw something she wanted. So off again around the world. Missed the boat so we walked. Got the tiara and finished the loop around the world. Stopped in UK, and my DS answered a quiz on King Arthur and won a Dream Certificate. Now I have to hand it to the CM at the UK shop we went too. My daughter saw a pin on his lanyard and asked if she could trade for it. She only had one pin on her lanyard. He was reluctant but did trade. The pin she got was was Tokyo Disney. I offered to pay extra to the CM, but he said no. So we shook his hand and took his picture. Then we went home, or tried too. The sign board said 5 minute wait for test track, so my DS decided we needed to walk some more and ride it. I told them to go on and I waited outside. Then we were off to the room. Back on the bus, once again crowded. I was at the very front with one foot behind the yellow line and one in front to avoid falling. The driver snapped at me for having one foot over the line. I told her not a problem, but to remember if I feel when she hit the brake, it was her fault. She said the police could give her a ticket if they saw me that far forward. I just gave her the whatever look.
Once back at the POFQ, I had to drag myself to the room. After walking 50 miles (2x around the world and 2x across Epcot) and then a flight a steps, I was ready to take a nap, but we had to get ready for Whispering Canyons. We road the bus to DTW and then took the bus to Wilderness Lodge. We had a 45 minute wait so we went shopping. We found some gag gifts at the store at WL. We bought Beaver Butt Soap and Moose Breath Soap for our friends. Smell great, but the names is the funny part. Then we went in. Had a great meal and then the waiter, SAM, noticed my son's birthday button. PARENTS, BEWARE... DON'T EVER HAVE YOUR CHILD WEAR A BIRTHDAY BUTTON AT WHISPERING CANYON... Sam asked DS and me up to the front for what I thought was going to be sing Happy Birthday. Instead, I was presented with a stick pony and told that I had to ride around the dining room sing happy birthday. If the other guest couldn't hear me, then I had to sing in the Lobby. Have you ever seen a chubby man riding a stick pony???? I decided to sing as lound as I could and galloped around the dining room singing happy birthday. Everyone cheered me on. So beware. then we went home to sleep. And yes, my DS loved the special birthday song.
