May 2014 7 of 9 - I am a little short for a Stormtrooper..

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I hope you are over your jet lag soon. I am only just reaching the stage that I no longer feel jet lagged and we have been back 2.5 weeks. We were on the West Coast though. Corinna

oh yes Corinna when we went to Hawaii oh my the return it did take weeks! I think it's worse if like me you are quite a routined kind of person so I breakfast, lunch and dinner and snack at similar times everyday because of medication etc. the body is like hey it's dinner time...isn't it? No it's 2am go back to sleep already!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Oh Pam so sorry you fell and got hurt Thank God you didn't have a fracture Must have been scary I don't know how you all do the long flights I would probably be in bed for a week once getting home Even a 2 hr flight to or from NY throws me off for a few days Take care of yourself Looking forward to all of the report

thanks! It is a but of a adjustment but totally worth every zombie moment lol!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Arrival day.

After checking out of the airport hotel at Gatwick we parked our car and made our way to the terminal. I always immediately check the boards for that 'on time' status we all love to see! Flight was delayed by 30 minutes so not too bad. As Jo always says as MickeyLand is 5 hours behind UK it makes us stay up later and get into the time zone!

Then we tagged the scooter to take onboard. Then looked at the massive accessible line for security and because it was childrens half term week it was full of strollers! So not wanting to wait in that Jo spied an empty 'premium line'. So we walked in this lovely empty room expecting to be escorted out or asked to pay a fee and they just checked us through right away lol. Not sure what that is about! We will try that again!

Then I bought my Mum a kindle paperwhite for my Dad's birthday as it is cheaper dutyfree, then Jo bought me a nice polo shirt in Superdry because she is so kind and she was warming up the credit cards lol. Jo got some Chanel chance perfume she likes and wore to our wedding. Happy memories!

Then we went and had a Mcdonalds ( third of the weekend lol ) as plane food is awful and went to the gate. Boarding the plane and weeeee we were in the sky on our way!

I watched Wolf of Wallstreet and so did Jo and enjoyed it. I also watched Frozen yet again! And Saving Mr Banks which was brilliant!

We arrived at Orlando on time as we had a nice tail wind! We got the scooter and headed to ME!

Later tired we arrived at POR and had the most glorious room! We had a bite to eat in the pepperside mill ( this is amazing ) , went to watch DVD but too use to DVC room lol. Then tried to stay up as long as possible! Fell asleep about 10:00 pm ( 3 am uk time ) .

I whatsapp Pam my good friend to say we had arrived! I also emailed my Mum. Mum and I have close relationship. She worries!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Day two and photos of POR

We were in the Mansion buildings magnolia in an accessible room on the ground floor

Here is the lovely bedroom. I liked the details on the headboards and the colour theme in the room

The pictures were pretty

It was roomy enough for scooter, rollator and batgirl!

Here is the bathroom. We really liked the tiles. It has been refurbed since our last stay and we stayed before in the Bayou rooms back in 08. We enjoyed that but liked these rooms more. That shower was heaven sent!

Outside a really pretty resort

We had two days here. First day we picked up our rental car

Did some shopping in Walmart, bought some sodas, cereal etc. Got a USA temp disabled badge from the tax office and got our AP for the parks scoring an Earl en route. Man we missed those glorious sandwiches! Then that night we ate at the Longhorn Steakhouse. I am wearing my new Superdry shirt!

Back to resort to chill and watch American shows we watched reruns of Criminal Minds and Modern Family

 

[rentayenta]

I'm sorry about your arm.

I like Lonestar too. They've all closed by us but glad to see them still around.

Isn't POR gorgeous? Our first stay was there back in 2007. We were in the AB section. Their food court is wonderful; so many choices.

 

[Pinkocto]

Beautiful room! We checked out POR one evening on the boat. Its surprising how the resorts seem so far removed from everything but are right in the middle of WDW.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I'm sorry about your arm. I like Lonestar too. They've all closed by us but glad to see them still around. Isn't POR gorgeous? Our first stay was there back in 2007. We were in the AB section. Their food court is wonderful; so many choices.

thanks Jenny! Yes lonestar is lovely! Great burger oh I agree POR is beautiful and that cute little boat to DTD! We think it has one of the best food courts on property. Heaven for a sweet tooth like me!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Beautiful room! We checked out POR one evening on the boat. Its surprising how the resorts seem so far removed from everything but are right in the middle of WDW.

hi Pam! Yes that is a great description. Each resort seems so remote in it's own little bubble yet so close to all the amenties. So well achieved! I am always surprised how close OKW and SSR are.

 

[I Run Long]

Oh yipee - your trip report! Love your pictures - we can't wait to stay at POR this August. We really want to stay in the mansions section too. I hope your arm is better too.

Debbie

 

[dolphingirl47]

The resort looks lovely and I love the room, too.

Corinna

 

[franandaj]

Nice to see how your trip began, so you did eat at Lonestar? Yes we do love that place, we had one in Long Beach and before they closed it they ran all kinds of specials for burgers and they were definitely yummy! The room looks very nice. How we would have yearned for a shower like that...but that is a whole nother story for my TR when I get there!

We try to do the same thing to stay up and go to bed at the local time so that we can wake up and be acclimatized. I'm sorry that Jet lag hits you so bad on the return trip. I hope we don't have that problem when we go to DLP. This trip we played with our internal clocks so much, I'm not sure we knew which way was morning on any given day.

I wish we could have met up more than we did. We'll have to try it again.

 

[PrincessInOz]

YAY. Great start.

They have refurbed POR since my last stay too. That room looks great!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Oh yipee - your trip report! Love your pictures - we can't wait to stay at POR this August. We really want to stay in the mansions section too. I hope your arm is better too. Debbie

yeah hello! Cool you have it all to enjoy in August lucky you. What a great resort. Lovely ice cream! Have a wonderful time!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

The resort looks lovely and I love the room, too. Corinna

thanks it really was charming! Very good price too. Excellent for a moderate.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Nice to see how your trip began, so you did eat at Lonestar? Yes we do love that place, we had one in Long Beach and before they closed it they ran all kinds of specials for burgers and they were definitely yummy! The room looks very nice. How we would have yearned for a shower like that...but that is a whole nother story for my TR when I get there! We try to do the same thing to stay up and go to bed at the local time so that we can wake up and be acclimatized. I'm sorry that Jet lag hits you so bad on the return trip. I hope we don't have that problem when we go to DLP. This trip we played with our internal clocks so much, I'm not sure we knew which way was morning on any given day. I wish we could have met up more than we did. We'll have to try it again.

thank you I am looking forward to reading yours! Yes of course you have the time difference also! We didn't go to the Lonestar on this trip we were seduced by Longhorn! The restaurant was brighter and for us had the edge with the food and atmosphere. I think a bit of adjustment when you go to DLP when we returned from Socal oh my! My left arm knew not of my right for a good week!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

YAY. Great start. They have refurbed POR since my last stay too. That room looks great!

yes wonderful refurb! Really good job. But I just saw photos of VWL refurb omg! Beautiful! Our last stay was awful. Like a damp Ramada room. It now looks amazing from photos. A real fixer upper!

 

[Luvchefmic]

Where is that Longhorn ? Is it when you go to DTD make a right on 535 and then on the left ? Looks really nice may have to go there when DH Fred gets home

What a pretty room nice calming color they picked I really like those headboards It's all in the details isn't it ? Hope you are feeling better

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Where is that Longhorn ? Is it when you go to DTD make a right on 535 and then on the left ? Looks really nice may have to go there when DH Fred gets home What a pretty room nice calming color they picked I really like those headboards It's all in the details isn't it ? Hope you are feeling better

Hi Ruthie! Yes that's right. At the crossroads go right, underneath the I4, go left at Vineland you will have the Lonestar on your right and drive down until you get just before the shopping mall. The Longhorn is just there. Part of the Olive Garden and Red Lobster chain. First class service and food we thought.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Wednesday

We started the morning with a sugary breakfast in our room. We just adore American cereals many of which we don't get in the UK because of our 'sugar level' government guidelines. Oh yes us Europeans are incapable of making our own choices lol. So I like to try different cereals ( I have my favourites Apple Jacks, Fruit Cheerios and Trix ) . This time Jo spied Cinnamon Jacks by Kellogg's knowing I adore cinnamon so we threw that sucker in the trolley sorry cart quick as you like. Jo settled for Cheerios honey nut cluster. I also bought Apple Jacks special edition with marshmallows, Trix, Fruit Cheerios, Lucky Charms and Pebbles. I very much fell for Cinnamon Jacks it was love at first bite. I would consume this box by end of vacation and get more to take home! Jo enjoyed her Cheerios. We then watched the weather channel as jet lag had woken us early and then we went to the Pepper Mill for Hobbits second breakfast. We enjoyed a new find. A cinnamon roll. My nurse told me to watch my sugar before coming as she had pumped me full of steroids. I have had temporary diabetes before induced by steroids so as you can see I was really taking this advice seriously...

We checked out of POR and checked our bags with Bell Hop to send on to our second and final destination for the next 7 days our beloved home resort SSR. We said goodbye to the charming POR and noted that we would def stay again if short on DVC points. A very good moderate resort.

Then we drove to AK to get a DAS card and hopefully ride EE and do the Safari. We enjoy both these rides. We had an afternoon meet with Dana, a lovely lady we had the pleasure of meeting on The Disney Dream. We were all in an FE together and we always see her when we are over. So we were looking forward to heading out to DTD to meet her later.

We arrived at AK and and made our way to Guest Services. I was super nervous because I had read how hard it was to obtain a DAS card. I had been given a GAK card before no problems but things had changed because of vile abuse with the system. Although it worked for us a treat I accept it needed to change we witnessed the abuse many times which made us angry. The DAS card is for guests with special needs. It is not meant if you have mobility issues that is now dealt with at the ride as most lines can accommodate a scooter or wheelchair. The card is meant for those that can't wait in line for other reasons. You have to plead your case to a plaid and they decide if you get one or not. If you do you go to a ride and get a return time equal to the current wait time minus 10 minutes for loading. It can be used with FP+. This would be invaluable for me because I cannot wait in line for longer than 10-15 minutes. I don't mind coming back after the wait time but I can't wait in line.

We approached a CM and explained we would like to be considered for a DAS card. A plaid came out. I explained why my medical conditions prevent me from waiting in line. She agreed straight away no problem at all! What a relief! They took my mug shot , printed the card and marked the first ride of the day EE 20 mins. It takes me that to get over there so we were happy!

We rode EE and time had got the better of us. EE was further than we thought and I foolishly had my rollator not my scooter. So exhausted we thought we would skip Safari and then Jo suggested let's save that for doing with Pam! Pam was due to arrive to join us soon at SSR which we were very excited about.

We exited the park and made our way to DTD. Had lunch at the Earl then waited for Dana. Getting a parking space down there is hard! We all had issues but eventually we all got spaces.

We took this selfie of us all...

Dana brought us some really cool gifts including this funny hat...

We had a good chat and then we parted ways.

Jo and I went to visit the Bass Pro store as we have no hunting in the UK. We thought it would be an interesting store! Dana said it had cool clothing! But the I4 was like a car park! Dana kindly phoned us to warn us but just as we got on! We got off at the next exit and the Bass Pro shop would prove to be an adventure for the next day! We went to the mall instead as Jo needed some sneakers. We both got some Sketchers. Two pairs for the cost of one pair at home.

We went to the fabulous Olive Garden for dinner. Back to check into our room at SSR. Watched another Criminal Minds and fell asleep!

Tomorrow was a big day. We had FP+ booked for Elsa and Anna meet, 7DMT and Dumbo. Plus a BOG lunch

 

[Pinkocto]

Yes, it sounds like you were really restricting your sugar intake


Im so glad you were able to get the DAS card without any problems