My Big Fat Disney Solo Weekend: April 2015 Trip Report - COMPLETED

[Dentam]

LOVE all of the resort photos - thanks so much for sharing them! I am so tempted to book a solo trip and stay there... we shall see! Can't wait to read the rest of your report!

 

[Wood Nymph]

From there, I proceeded to check-in, expecting to be quick & easy... Boy, was I wrong.

I get up to the desk and she tells me that their computers are completely down.

They can't do ANYTHING. She can't check me into the system, can't activate my dining plan, can't set up my room charge account, NOTHING.

That is not something I would want to hear, either. I'm glad they comped you with a one day park ticket. And then it all worked by lunch time anyway. We heard that the computers went down at some of the parks the Saturday we were there and it was a mess. We were fine in Epcot, though, but the other parks had a mess with the tickets and fast passes not working.

After reading so much about them on the Dis, I just HAD to try the beignets!

I'm very excited that you stayed at POFQ because we just toured that resort during our trip. Our daughter wanted us to check out POR for her and then we continued down the river to see what POFQ looked like. We tried the beignets just to see what they were like, but we weren't impressed.

I was heading down main street, and heard music behind me, and saw that I needed to quickly get to a sidewalk, as a high school band was headed straight for me! So... I took pictures. I just think 's so cool that Disney affords kids these kind of opportunities.

We saw the marching bands, too. That is really nice for those kids to experience something like this.

Once the band had passed and the PP photographers resumed their places, I stopped for the required Magic Kingdom photo!

It is a cute picture. I love that you brought your tiara back for this trip.

The design was originally shades of blue, but I asked the artist if she could do shades of princess pink for me instead, and this was the end result. I LOVED it!!!

The pink is very pretty and it matches your shirt. I never would have though to ask for different colors.

Also, I'd forgotten just how much I love Mickey's Philharmagic! Especially the Aladdin scene. It's just so well done!

We ended up going here to escape the rain and really enjoyed it. Did they change it? We hadn't seen it in ages and the show seemed a lot better than I remember it.

Be Our Guest!!!

I'd done dinner here in September, but this was my first lunch, so I was super excited to check it out!

I love the pork dish. Yours looks like they tried a little harder to separate the food. My mashed potatoes are usually buried under the meat.

I. LOVED. THIS. PARADE. I think it actually beats out MSEP for me.

I was hoping to see the parade on this last trip. but it was so hot in the afternoons when we were there, we never saw it. Now it will be a must do for October.

Mine has dragged on forever. I've missed 3 days of work. It started with a sore throat on Monday, then sniffles on Tuesday, and by Wednesday I was absolutely miserable, so I called out sick. Yesterday there was still no improvement, so I called out again and went to the doctor, who gave me antibiotics and steroids, but told me to stay home again today, in case I'm contagious. I am finally starting to feel a little better, and I'm back to the office tomorrow. My boss isn't happy, but what can ya do, you know?

I'm sorry to hear that. Your boss should be glad that you didn't bring your cold to the office.

I loved it! I have to admit, as content as I am in a Value resort, I really do just enjoy the feel of the Moderates so much more. I was in love with the whole property, but especially my beautiful room!

Your corner room looks great. My sisters like to stay at POFQ and they had a corner room on their last trip. I'm glad that you posted that picture so I could see what their room looked like. I'm glad we toured the resort, too. It is a nice looking resort and very compact.

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

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[STLMickeyMom]

Love the resort pics. When we stayed at POR, we went over one morning for breakfast but we didn't stay to look around for long. It looks so beautiful there!

Your room looks great!

Good call on supper! It looks totally yummy--we haven't had ribs in awhile. Hhmmmmm--dinner idea?

 

[hokieinpa]

POFQ looks like a beautiful resort! Everything seems like it is themed so well. I love that the outside of the rooms look like something you might see in New Orleans. And the pool looks like fun!

Originally I had planned on hitting Friar's Nook in the Magic Kingdom for dinner, because I'm super curious about that Pot Roast Msc N Cheese! But I ended up decided time-wise, it would probably be better for me to head down to the food court there at the resort for dinner

No review of the pot roast mac & cheese???



But it really does sound more convenient. We ate at Landscape of Flavors a few times after breaks because it was much easier to grab it there and usually less crowded!

I headed off to the bus stop, ready to get myself back to the Magic Kingdom to continue my incredible night.

Can't wait to read about the FP+ viewing for Wishes! I've heard they are trying to pack lots of people in the viewing area now.

 

[Elevationist]

OMG thanks for sharing all the pics of the POFQ...I'm even more excited to go there now!! It looks amazing...as does the food there and the whole atmosphere and the rooms!

You're going to LOVE it! At least, I know I did!

I love your new park bag too!! So cute! I too am always struggling with what bag to bring...the one I carried around last time was okay..but by the end of the day between all the crap DD and I put in there it got heavy...and I'm sure we didn't need half the stuff.

Exactly! Over the last few trips, I've started making a conscious effort to downsize my park bag. Most of it is just so unnecessary! I moved from a backpack, to a messenger bag, to the purple bag you've seen in my pics so far, and now officially to this blue one. (I have an even smaller black bag that I got in San Francisco, and I love it but it's a little too small... it's my next goal to get down to!)

So cute about the bunny!!! Looking forward to reading more!!

The bunny was just a lovely little bit of Disney magic! Especially because I had a bunny visit me at Pop, too. I'm like a real Disney princess, all the adorable woodland creatures flock to me!

LOVE all of the resort photos - thanks so much for sharing them! I am so tempted to book a solo trip and stay there... we shall see! Can't wait to read the rest of your report!

Dooooo eeeeeet! I think it's especially good for a solo because it's so compact. Love it!

That is not something I would want to hear, either. I'm glad they comped you with a one day park ticket. And then it all worked by lunch time anyway. We heard that the computers went down at some of the parks the Saturday we were there and it was a mess. We were fine in Epcot, though, but the other parks had a mess with the tickets and fast passes not working.

Yessss, I bet that's the same issues that effected my resort check-in! Heck, she probably handed me the 1-Day Hopper just to make sure I could get through the turnstile!

I'm very excited that you stayed at POFQ because we just toured that resort during our trip. Our daughter wanted us to check out POR for her and then we continued down the river to see what POFQ looked like.

Did you love it? I sure did! I toured it years ago, but this was my first time staying there. It's definitely my favorite resort I've stayed at so far!

We tried the beignets just to see what they were like, but we weren't impressed.

I liked them. Just not enough to see what all the fuss was about. But then again, that's becoming a trend for me, I guess... In September at Pop Century, I tried the Tie-Dyed Cheesecake due to all the fuss here on the Dis, and was unimpressed.

It is a cute picture. I love that you brought your tiara back for this trip.

Of course I did! It'll be with me on my trip in December, too! I'm getting my $50 worth out of that baby!

The pink is very pretty and it matches your shirt. I never would have though to ask for different colors.

Actually, I was talking to my artist a bit, and she said that they actually LOVE when people as for customizations! It gives them a chance to play and be creative and do some different, since typically they just paint the same by-the-book designs all day long!

We ended up going here to escape the rain and really enjoyed it. Did they change it? We hadn't seen it in ages and the show seemed a lot better than I remember it.

I dunno! I hadn't seen it since 2009, so I was just thrilled to be seeing it at all!

I love the pork dish. Yours looks like they tried a little harder to separate the food. My mashed potatoes are usually buried under the meat.

Still sounds delicious to me! But honestly, I would have just separated it myself in that case... I'm one of those people who eats one thing at a time on my plate, starting with the least desirable item (like veggies) and saving the most desirable (the meat!) for last. NOMS!

I was hoping to see the parade on this last trip. but it was so hot in the afternoons when we were there, we never saw it. Now it will be a must do for October.

It's soooo worth making time for! I loved it!

I'm sorry to hear that. Your boss should be glad that you didn't bring your cold to the office.

I agree! If one of us is sick, that's inconvenient. If we're both sick, that's a crisis. So I'm following doctor's orders, and keeping my germs at home!

Your corner room looks great. My sisters like to stay at POFQ and they had a corner room on their last trip. I'm glad that you posted that picture so I could see what their room looked like. I'm glad we toured the resort, too. It is a nice looking resort and very compact.

It was really really wonderful. I could easily see this becoming "my" resort, if I wasn't so fixated on trying to stay at as many Disney resorts as possible! Maybe in 10 years or so, once I've crossed more of them off my bucket list!

Mmmm, just finished supper myself so at least I'm not actually drooling. Those are lovely pictures of the resort, of course, so I think that tonight I will unwrap one of my little Disney soaps from my stash and pretend that I'm there...

Oh, I just love this idea! How cute!

Love the resort pics. When we stayed at POR, we went over one morning for breakfast but we didn't stay to look around for long. It looks so beautiful there!

It is so lovely! I just loved it. I highly recommend it!

Your room looks great!

It was, and I instantly felt so at home in it! I miss it now!

Good call on supper! It looks totally yummy--we haven't had ribs in awhile. Hhmmmmm--dinner idea?

Sure, sounds good, just tell me what time to be over!

POFQ looks like a beautiful resort! Everything seems like it is themed so well. I love that the outside of the rooms look like something you might see in New Orleans. And the pool looks like fun!

The whole resort was just wonderful. The photos don't even do it justice!

No review of the pot roast mac & cheese???

I know, I know! This is two trips in a row now that I've ended up cutting Friar's Nook out for some reason or another. Next time, I promise!

But it really does sound more convenient. We ate at Landscape of Flavors a few times after breaks because it was much easier to grab it there and usually less crowded!

I don't blame you! Not to mention that Landscape of Flavors seems amazing! I only had gelato when I visited the resort in September, but it was sooooooo gooooood!

Can't wait to read about the FP+ viewing for Wishes! I've heard they are trying to pack lots of people in the viewing area now.

That's coming up in the next update (hopefully tomorrow), don't worry!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Yessss, I bet that's the same issues that effected my resort check-in! Heck, she probably handed me the 1-Day Hopper just to make sure I could get through the turnstile!

That was exactly my thought when you said that she gave you a free park ticket.

 

[deedee2177]

Wow! You have been able to fit so much in already! I laughed about your 20 minute rest...that is so me as well. I rest knowing it is what I should and need to do, but then I'm pulled out of the room to explore and keep the adventure going!

 

[Dentam]

Dooooo eeeeeet! I think it's especially good for a solo because it's so compact. Love it!

I'm very tempted especially with the late summer room only discount. What do you think of POFQ vs. POR? The prices are about the same. When I worked there POR was called Dixie Landings and I remember really liking it! Also, how were the buses to the parks? If I go it will be in Sept. so hopefully lower crowds but I'm wondering how long it took you to get to the parks on the bus?

 

[kastoney]

Wow love all the pictures of POFQ. It really does have a new orleans feel, except of course for the palm trees ; ) Guess good ole disney didn't want us to forget we were really in Florida.

Love your bag. Good up spot from the issues you had to endure to get it.

Should we start calling you the bunny whisperer ; )

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Any suggestion for some free, dummy-proof software? I'm a total noob to this stuff!

Try this link for some options and instructions, and good luck. http://www.iskysoft.com/video-editing/video-rotate-tools.html

Even if you don't ever use the stuff, I still like all the schedules and maps if for nothing else, to take home with me.

I have yet to set foot on Port Orleans resorts so no worries, lots of photos is grrrr-eat!

I'm with you. I am perfectly content with the value resorts. But having now stayed deluxe once, oof. Hard to compare.

Wow, it's hard to believe that was a food court meal. Who says you need ADR's?

 

[DisneyJo]

Your new bag is very cute, it looks the perfect size

I'm so pleased you got a nice room, I've stayed at POR a couple of times but never FQ but it looks lovely!

So cute about your race with the bunny

 

[Elevationist]

That was exactly my thought when you said that she gave you a free park ticket.

Wow! You have been able to fit so much in already!

That's a perk of rollin' solo!

I laughed about your 20 minute rest...that is so me as well. I rest knowing it is what I should and need to do, but then I'm pulled out of the room to explore and keep the adventure going!

I knoooowww. But then I don't get enough sleep at night, and end up falling asleep in the middle of a theme park. (True story. More details when I get to Day 3. )

I'm very tempted especially with the late summer room only discount.

Doooo eeeeet!

What do you think of POFQ vs. POR? The prices are about the same. When I worked there POR was called Dixie Landings and I remember really liking it!

I've actually never been to POR! Never had any interest in it, for the same reason somebody from New Orleans probably wouldn't be interested in POFQ... I was born and raised in coastal South Carolina, in the region known as the Lowcountry, which is just outside of Savannah, Georgia. The Old South. Bayous and Plantation Homes. Etc etc etc. Nothing new for me to see at POR.

BUT! That has all changed in the last few years, due to the opening of the Royal Guest Rooms! Now THOSE look cool to me, and totally worth a stay at POR. Actually, for my December trip, we are currently booked in Little Mermaid rooms at AoA, but over the summer I am going to try my best to convince my aunt & uncle (who are traveling with me) that would should upgrade to either Royal Guest rooms at POR, or Preferred rooms at CBR. Either one would be an additional $200 or so per room (using my military discount). So we'll see how that works out!

Also, how were the buses to the parks? If I go it will be in Sept. so hopefully lower crowds but I'm wondering how long it took you to get to the parks on the bus?

I had zero issues on the busses. Of course, MK was the longest, but it still wasn't "long." 15 minutes, maybe? Totally manageable.

Wow love all the pictures of POFQ. It really does have a new orleans feel, except of course for the palm trees ; ) Guess good ole disney didn't want us to forget we were really in Florida.

I dig the little Palm Tree Alley leading to the pool area. It's like two vacations in one!

Love your bag. Good up spot from the issues you had to endure to get it.

Definitely made the whole ordeal a little better!

Should we start calling you the bunny whisperer ; )

Yes, actually. Yes. You should.

Try this link for some options and instructions, and good luck. http://www.iskysoft.com/video-editing/video-rotate-tools.html

Oooooh! I will check this out when I get home! Thanks, Rob!

Even if you don't ever use the stuff, I still like all the schedules and maps if for nothing else, to take home with me.

I completely agree! I was happy to have them!

I have yet to set foot on Port Orleans resorts so no worries, lots of photos is grrrr-eat!

Oh, good! I was afraid I was going overboard. Now when I get to my Celebrate the Magic post, I KNOW I went a little crazy with those photos...

I'm with you. I am perfectly content with the value resorts. But having now stayed deluxe once, oof. Hard to compare.

Exactly! Believe it or not, I think I actually preferred POFQ over my one AKL stay, though. Crazy, right?

Wow, it's hard to believe that was a food court meal. Who says you need ADR's?

Seriously! Trust a chubby girl to find the heartiest meal for her Quick-Service dining plan bucks!

Your new bag is very cute, it looks the perfect size

Thank you! I'm really digging it! I would prefer something maybe a little more feminine, but I am very happy with this one for now!

I'm so pleased you got a nice room, I've stayed at POR a couple of times but never FQ but it looks lovely!

It really was, I just loved it!

So cute about your race with the bunny

I thought so, too! I was tickled pink! (And not just because of the face paint!)

 

[Dentam]

I've actually never been to POR! Never had any interest in it, for the same reason somebody from New Orleans probably wouldn't be interested in POFQ... I was born and raised in coastal South Carolina, in the region known as the Lowcountry, which is just outside of Savannah, Georgia. The Old South. Bayous and Plantation Homes. Etc etc etc. Nothing new for me to see at POR.

BUT! That has all changed in the last few years, due to the opening of the Royal Guest Rooms! Now THOSE look cool to me, and totally worth a stay at POR. Actually, for my December trip, we are currently booked in Little Mermaid rooms at AoA, but over the summer I am going to try my best to convince my aunt & uncle (who are traveling with me) that would should upgrade to either Royal Guest rooms at POR, or Preferred rooms at CBR. Either one would be an additional $200 or so per room (using my military discount). So we'll see how that works out!

That's funny! Even though I was raised in the PNW I consider the WL to be my "home" resort - guess because it reminds me of home, lol. However, if I'm going to be traveling solo I'm not going to spring for a deluxe. I've been checking prices and it looks like POR is a bit more than POFQ. I found what I think is a pretty good deal at POFQ for mid-Sept. so I might just go for it... need to think about it a bit more! Thanks for the feedback!

 

[ursalita]

Hi Billie! That stinks that you had a problem as soon as you got there. I'm glad it worked out in the end for you and you got a free ticket for your trouble.

It is so great that Disney invites the bands, those kids must be so stoked. When we were there we saw one from our little state.

Your face paint looks so great and you look super happy. I'm glad it survived Splash Mountain.

I could not believe how beautiful FoF parade is in person.

You really gave it to those ECV people, good for you. I wish I could handle those types of situations as well.

Your resort looks beautiful! Looking forward to reading more.

 

[SarahDisney]

The resort & room pictures are beautiful!!

I love the new bag - so cute! I'm going to be all bag-searching on my next trip ... my current one broke Hopefully I'll be able to find a cute one like you did!

Bunny racing ... sounds like fun!

 

[Dentam]

Doooo eeeeet!

I diiid eeeet!!! I just booked it today. Called my parents and told them and they want to come too so it looks like it'll be a family trip! So excited!!

 

[rhondag508]

Very enjoyable report so far! Staying at FQ this fall, so it is especially fun to read for me.

 

[beautyandmouse]

You're so adorable, I love your pictures and full report I feel like I'm re-living Disney through you right now. Sigh.

 

[irene_dsc]

Following along...