The Tale of the Grow Walk .Hunh?

[jenseib]

Joining in. Glad you made it to Disney ok even if you did have trouble with the car rental.

How you doing? Getting a little closer to your trip now!

Oh man, Skip didn't even try to make you feel better about the whole rental car mix-up? What's up with that? Doesn't he know that he is supposed to side with his wife no matter what?

While we thought that the rooms at FQ was really pretty and the resort grounds are beautiful, it just looked too much like home. Guess that's because Louisiana is our home. I say that but we do not have trumpet playing alligators and jesters roaming around.

Well that sucks.....you need to throw some trumpets out in the swamp and see if you have any takers!

 

[jenseib]

Every time I tried to sit on the lounger she would call me back over for something. Finally we decided that I would move over to another area where I could see better and she wanted to swim around the pool a bit anyways.



Now I had known ahead of time that several co-workers were going to be at Disney while I was there. 2 were leaving the next day for home, 1 was leaving the next day for a cruise and yet 2 more were there throughout my stay. Most of us kind of had the thought that if we ran into each other, that would be great, but if not, that was OK too. It really is hard sometimes to meet up with people who all have different plans. However, the 2 that were leaving the next day were planning on stopping off at POFQ that night as one was staying there her last night there and the other was going to drop her off there. Some of you know one of them as she writes wonderful TR’s on Disboards. That would be Ellen (Podsnel). She was hanging her last night with her friend Lonnie who lives locally and Katie, my other co-worker was going to dinner with them. Katie is also on Disboards,WDGal210.
Anyways, Katie and Ellen were there all week for a conference, which had just ended that very day. We had discussed trying to meet up a while back.
At this point the day was just too dang long and I was beat and really didn’t have the get-go to make an effort. But I didn’t want to be bad either and blow them off. So while at the pool I texted both of them and let them know that I was at the pool and that if they wanted to meet up, I would be there for a little bit…..no response. I don’t think they were being rude either, I think they were just as tired as I was, probably more after being there a week already. So I was happy I made the effort to contact them, and a little disappointed that we wouldn’t meet….though I did meet up with Ellen on my last trip to WDW in Nov. of 2012….but I totally understand how hard it is to make things work to meet up with others and fit it in your agenda.

So I sat at the pool and just took pictures while Claire swam.





After a while Claire grew a bit tired of swimming and we decided to walk around a bit and check things out.





And we made a potty stop.



Sorry, no free tampons here!

I was still messaging with my co-worker Deb and she told me that our boss was also staying at POFQ and had just posted she was back at the resort….. which I did know, but kind of forgot about. So while we walked around, I kept my eyes open for her too.



We found where the hot tub was and it was really happening tonight.





And there is a playground across the way.



I made Claire stop for a photo.















We decided to go take a look at some snack options in the food court.



And right then and there I almost literally ran into Ellen. We both looked at each other and then it hit! We hugged and said hello and she introduced me to Lonnie.
She told me she had just dropped Katie off at her room and we could go back and say hello. Lonnie decided not to walk back and so Ellen, Claire and I headed back to Katie’s room.

When we got there Ellen knocked and pretended to be Bell Services delivering bags and then I jumped out when Katie opened the door. (Yeah, I know I was acting like a kid. LOL). We all talked a bit, but we were all tired. They had gotten my text and kind of had the same feelings I did….too tired to go visit, but it we ran into each other, that would be great. I guess fate was working for us.
You’ll just have to believe me that we met up, as we did not take a picture. We were all tired and I knew I look totally worn down, so I didn’t even suggest doing one. But here is some from my meet with Ellen in 2012.





Ellen left after a few minutes and I talked to Katie a little more and then Claire and I headed off on our own again.

 

[MEK]

YAY for meeting Ellen! So you both work for the same travel agency? Very cool!

I know that feeling of just being wiped out and it always requires a little extra to be "on" for meeting people.

Love the pics of the resort. It's such a fun resort and its been years since I've stayed there. I miss it!

Cute picture of you and Ellen (even if its almost two years old)

 

[mom2rtk]

I hadn't had a chance yet to read, but am playing catch-up..... the story of my life don't you know.

I had forgotten about Skip wanting to take the bus. Don't you just want to know what was going on in that head? Surely he had some sane reason floating around in there at some point in time?

Then of course, I came to this part of the story:

And then I found it!!!!! If you read my DL TR you will know that I had found free tampons being in the dispensers at the DL hotels. I had posted a picture on my company’s facebook page and it became a big running joke. Since I had been to DL, a few other co-workers had traveled and anytime someone found free sanitary products, they would post it, or list places that did not have them.

I had just found out that that the handicapped restroom near baggage claims had a few free products as well…and of course I posted it.



Claire did not see what was so funny about this by the way.

I needed a good laugh tonight, and there's Jen.... coming through for me!


UHG! on the spilled hair lotion. Not what you want to see just as you are arriving. I don't double bag my stuff. Maybe I'll start!

What an un-magical start to the trip. Not sure if I'd rather have the POC car or the trouble at the Hertz counter!

LOL at the conversation with Skip about the Hertz code. Oy. And don't you know I'm cracking up at him needing to call back again just to try and confirm with you that he was right!

And just when I thought I couldn't laugh any harder..... I get to the part where your dad says he doesn't need to wear his magicband because he doesn't intend to ever be away from your mom. I'm feeling for your mom right now.

I think you earned that beer that night. I think you earned two! The resort is gorgeous though. I hope I can stay there one day. I can't believe they never did any sort of Princess and the Frog tie-in there. I think they missed the boat on that one.

How fun to literally run into Ellen. I met some fellow DISers at DL last time and it really adds a lot to the trip.

 

[KatMark]

Jen, I'm glad you ran into Ellen (I know I've glanced her TR's in the past) and then went to meet Katie.

Sometimes we are just so darn tired that we don't have the energy to meet with someone...no matter how much we might want to.

I love all the pictures around the resort...very nice.

 

[jedijill]

Glad you got to run into Ellen and Lonnie...they are awesome. I spent a memorable Cinco de Drinko with them both!

Jill in CO

 

[DWGal210]

I'm glad we were able to see each other! I am just glad you don't have a picture of me! Whew, I was a sight.

When Ellen knocked I was so confused, and that voice she used hilarious!! But very glad we were able to meet and say hi.

 

[FancyNancy]

That's awesome that you gals ran into each other and got to visit a bit! I always think "What are the odds with how many people are at Disney that I will run into someone I know?". It's happened though. In April 2013 three people from my April Disney facebook group recognized me and they were all separate dismeets!

 

[KelleyK75]

Looks like Claire had fun in the pool, and too funny she wanted you to get the perfect picture. My nephew goes into picture mode in Disney and wants me to take his picture everywhere.

Yay for meeting up with your friends! It's definitely hard to plan while at Disney. Everyones schedules are so different and you are so tired that unless it happens by fate like yours, it's hard to schedule.

 

[jenseib]

YAY for meeting Ellen! So you both work for the same travel agency? Very cool!

I know that feeling of just being wiped out and it always requires a little extra to be "on" for meeting people.

Love the pics of the resort. It's such a fun resort and its been years since I've stayed there. I miss it!

Cute picture of you and Ellen (even if its almost two years old)

It was nice seeing Ellen again. That girl is on the go a lot....I hear she will be on a certain cruise this fall too.

I am sure their week was long and tiring and my day sure was!

I hadn't had a chance yet to read, but am playing catch-up..... the story of my life don't you know.

I had forgotten about Skip wanting to take the bus. Don't you just want to know what was going on in that head? Surely he had some sane reason floating around in there at some point in time?

Yes, he is crazy at times. I have been married to him for almost 12 years and I am still trying to figure out his way of thinking at times.

Then of course, I came to this part of the story:










I needed a good laugh tonight, and there's Jen.... coming through for me!

Did I text that to you too? I just thought it was so funny...and Claire had no clue why I was laughing.


UHG! on the spilled hair lotion. Not what you want to see just as you are arriving. I don't double bag my stuff. Maybe I'll start!

I was a little stressed when that happened.

What an un-magical start to the trip. Not sure if I'd rather have the POC car or the trouble at the Hertz counter!

Well the POC car was managable at least. We weren't going to win any races with it though.

LOL at the conversation with Skip about the Hertz code. Oy. And don't you know I'm cracking up at him needing to call back again just to try and confirm with you that he was right!

He is a lot like his mother at times....and this was one of them.

And just when I thought I couldn't laugh any harder..... I get to the part where your dad says he doesn't need to wear his magicband because he doesn't intend to ever be away from your mom. I'm feeling for your mom right now.


Yes, we laughed pretty hard about that....mom wasn't too excited about it at all.

I think you earned that beer that night. I think you earned two! The resort is gorgeous though. I hope I can stay there one day. I can't believe they never did any sort of Princess and the Frog tie-in there. I think they missed the boat on that one.

I know, they really should add some to it.

How fun to literally run into Ellen. I met some fellow DISers at DL last time and it really adds a lot to the trip.

It was nice to see her again...and to meet up with Katie.

Jen, I'm glad you ran into Ellen (I know I've glanced her TR's in the past) and then went to meet Katie.

Sometimes we are just so darn tired that we don't have the energy to meet with someone...no matter how much we might want to.

I love all the pictures around the resort...very nice.

Ellen is so full of energy and a lot of fun. Katie was very nice too. And neither are weirdos in person. (Sadly one time I met someone in real life after talking to them a lot online and they were really odd. )

Glad you got to run into Ellen and Lonnie...they are awesome. I spent a memorable Cinco de Drinko with them both!

Jill in CO

I bet that was really memorable!!!

I'm glad we were able to see each other! I am just glad you don't have a picture of me! Whew, I was a sight.

When Ellen knocked I was so confused, and that voice she used hilarious!! But very glad we were able to meet and say hi.

I am glad too. At that point I was silly tired. I know Claire just was bored meeting "adults".

That's awesome that you gals ran into each other and got to visit a bit! I always think "What are the odds with how many people are at Disney that I will run into someone I know?". It's happened though. In April 2013 three people from my April Disney facebook group recognized me and they were all separate dismeets!

It is amazing. I have had that in the past too where people will recognize me or even Claire.

Looks like Claire had fun in the pool, and too funny she wanted you to get the perfect picture. My nephew goes into picture mode in Disney and wants me to take his picture everywhere.

Yay for meeting up with your friends! It's definitely hard to plan while at Disney. Everyones schedules are so different and you are so tired that unless it happens by fate like yours, it's hard to schedule.

She goes in and out of picture mode as you will see through out the trip...where she has nasty looks on her face at times.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

that's cool that things worked out and you met up with your co-workers and glad everyone was on the same page as far as interest/energy level

lovely resort to just walk around

 

[jenseib]

We decided it was time for a late night snack.

Claire went with Ice-cream.





I went with 3 Beignets and we had to wait for them to be ready.





Claire is happy with her choice.



I got my Beignets and we headed outside to eat. I had never had these before and it was something I had been wanting to try.

I took a bite before I remembered the picture.



And yes, I liked them. Very good, but very messy. Claire had 1 as well and we were now nice and full.

As we sat there I text my boss to let her know I was staying there too and if she was around, maybe we would see each other.
But it was late and I was tired and I figured she was too and Claire and I headed to bed.

Of course my parents were already asleep when we got back. That’s the bad thing about sharing a room with them, they don’t get up early and they don’t stay up too late, so I always feel like I have to creep around in the room.

Claire and I got ready for bed and drifted off to dream land….so happy that we were at the beginning of our next adventure!

 

[jenseib]

that's cool that things worked out and you met up with your co-workers and glad everyone was on the same page as far as interest/energy level

lovely resort to just walk around

It was nice that we got to run into each other and say hello, even if it was just a short time.

 

[KelleyK75]

The ice cream and Beignets look yummy!

 

[KatMark]

Ooooh....that ice cream looks yummy (if it wasn't only 70 degrees out right now, I'd go get some).

I wasn't a fan of the Beignets but glad you enjoyed them.

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Hi Jen! I just read all of your updates and I'm definitely along for the ride! I'm working urgent care hours here at the hospital tonight and your trip report is helping pass the time.

So sorry that yall had tons of trouble with the rental car companies, but at least that's over and done with and you're now at the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[AussieMumma]

I'm joining in too

Funny coincidence (well actually not funny at all actually), we were in the USA late March early April this year and booked all of our rental cars with Hertz; Miami, Chicago and LA. We have booked with them on previous trips and never had an issue before, but this trip we had major issues at every single depot! Long waits in every line, the longest being over an hour in LA, then every single one didn't have a car for us once we finally got to the counter, so we then waited another 20-30 minutes for a car!! The worst thing was that there was no apology from anyone, if anything the staff were actually quite rude about it
We are normally very easy going laid back Aussies but this really tested us!

 

[littlenellbell]

We loved the beignets when we stayed at POFQ! Alexa was just turning 2 so you can imagine how messy they were. Pool pictures are great! Sounds like a relaxing night exploring the resort and meeting up with friends!

 

[JKSWonder]

We haven't stayed at POFQ since Michael was about 2, but I would love to go back. It's one of my favorites...sort of like a deluxe for a moderate price.

This time, the boy in charge asked for a monorail resort and I'm indulging him since I know it might be a while before we go back. I'm hoping to talk them into Universal for any next future trip to Florida. And possibly DL if we are able to swing a visit to CA this summer.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

How nice that you got to see Ellen and Katie!

I know what you mean about sneaking around sleeping people. I am usually the last one up and the first one awake in our family. But most of the time I try to get ready first and start making noise so everyone gets up so we can go to the parks!!

I love the nighttime shot of the POFQ all lit up! So pretty - like Paris!