So now we’ve been waiting out the fireworks crowds two nights in a row and everybody’s sleeping great today……..except me. I get up to make the coffee and look over to see the laundry basket full of the half-dry clothes that I made DH hurry back to the room with last night. So I fill my styrofoam Mickey cup with coffee and head down to the laundry room. I sip and reminisce as I quickly make two pages of sloppy notes about our trip while the clothes dry.
Since everyone is still sleeping, I make myself minimally presentable and head down to the concierge for directions. If you recall the nice CM at MGM suggested we go to
Walmart to look for a Disney costume for Emily…like Macy’s sending you to Gimbel’s….disconcerting but benevolent. So the concierge whips out a highlighter and in 30 seconds I have a map. I am assured it’s only 3 or 4 miles. Sweet!
I get sidetracked/sucked in by the hotel gift shop. It’s really the Everything-You-Forgot-and-Left-at-Home-for-a-Premium & Gift Shop. DH had to buy a swimsuit on Monday since he left his at home. It was a Speedo but not the kind that frightens people (Sheridac!). Fortunately he had the kids throw in a pirate medallion and a couple of other things so he could get me the Tink Christmas watch....only $10 with your $50 purchase. Bonus! Today, I purchase a quart of milk and Entemann’s doughnuts for the room. I notice they also have “the mug.” I make a mental note for my last day purchase.
Back in the room, the fam is stirring. Once everyone is showered, changed, caffeinated, and ready….we formulate a plan. Emily, bless her heart, is still worried about her costume for
MNSSHP on Friday so I give DH the map and he and Em head to the Walmart on 536. I, on the other hand, want to surprise DS with a trip to the cool pool at POFQ. So Mimi, DS, and I head down to the DTD boat dock.
When we get there we see a line of people. The boat only comes every 20 minutes so I figure with this number of people waiting, it must be coming soon. We get in the line but DS is a little irritated…doesn’t want to wait. I take him to sit down on the bench. The boat arrives and the line of people board without incident and then he blows…DS is NOT getting on the boat.
NOT….no, no, no way, no how, not, Notty McNotNot getting on board.
I can’t remember exactly what was said. I think mother love blocked out that memory for me but I do remember wondering where Supernanny was when I really needed her and maybe whether or not the concierge could provide the number for a good exorcist. And then as quickly as it began, the defiant demeanor is gone. “It’s OK. We can get on now,” he says. We board and I remember feeling somewhat embarrassed since the entire boat got to witness this little tantrum.
The boat ride is beautiful and slow…calming, actually…and we arrive at POFQ in about 5 minutes. The boat docks right next to the spectacular pool. We see the serpent slide before we get off the boat and DS runs to it. Mimi and I grab some chairs and towels and sit back to relax as we watch DS go down the serpent slide something like 87 times in the few minutes we are there. Here's our observation point.
We are hungry and head into the POFQ food court for something to eat. Now this resort is very well themed. There are cute little alligators playing jazz instruments and jesters everywhere. The food court is in Mardi Gras mode 24/7. The food choices are excellent and we have hot beignets for dessert. Not the Café du Monde but not bad either. DS is adorable in head to toe powdered sugar, BTW.
We decide to take the bus back to the hotel since every bus stops first at POFQ before going to POR and because we might have a substantial wait and another tantrum before the DTD boat arrives. So we go to the bus stop and wait……and wait. A family walks up to join us and we see them swat and hear them comment “What kind of bugs are these? Wow, there sure are a lot of them.” Newbies…heh, heh.
We meet DH and Emily back in the room and they proudly display their “man shopping.” Can anyone relate to this? When moms go to the store, we get fruit, milk, bagels, and such. When you send men and kids to the store together you only get popsicles, twinkies, cheetos and cherry coke and the like. Well, DH and Em got Yoo Hoo, various and assorted snacks including but not limited to Spongebob Cheez-Its, green tea, 2 Sobes, more doughnuts, beer, and 40 juice boxes. Thank goodness they have purchased enough stuff for our month long stay at POR. Oh, wait, that’s right….we are only staying 3 more days! Man shopping….no offense, guys.
Here’s the kicker. DH got carded for the beer. The cashier asked to see his ID and Emily’s ID. She had to call a manager to get approval….for my 44 year old husband to buy beer in the company of his 13 year old daughter. But guess what they didn’t buy? That’s right….a costume for Emily.
DO…ask the concierge for directions to any place you need to go in Orlando. They seem prepared and happy to provide said directions. Do remember you can buy milk, snacks, OTC medicines, and forgotten essentials in the gift shop. Do use the boat if you are going to POFQ. It is a lovely ride and from POR the boat stops at POFQ on the way to DTD and on the way back. If you’ve just missed the boat, do walk. It’s a relatively short walk by Disney standards.
DON’T…miss the pool at POFQ if you are staying at POR. This particular pool hopping is the only “legal” pool hopping at Disney since the two resorts share pool privileges. Anyway the pool is visually stunning although the slide is actually shorter than the POR slide but the little ones will love it. Don’t bring beach towels from home. I was unaware that there are pool towels available for guest use at POR and POFQ.
I've started on my pre-trip report to post next week and hope to do my first trip report when we get back. 
Thanks for taking the time to write and to post the pics. 
One day DS4 went with DW to AK, DM to MK with DS6.5 and me to Epcot with DS9. We would meet back at the hotel in the afternoon or before. We'd also have days where we would head back to the hotel for a break at different times based upon how particular children were holding up. 
Only 37 days until what's likely to be my least expensive WDW trip. 
5 nights at the Swan on Starwood points. Airline tickets on Delta miles. Spending money on Disney VISA rewards cards. My AP from our last family trip is still valid until January. We picked up a 10-day park hopper for DW, so that's pretty much our first expense. DM is visiting to watch the kids as this will be our 11th anniversary trip (and the first trip without the kids since we adopted DS4 2.5 years ago).
Mine had his at the top of the serpent slide. I think Disney would make a killing if they offered Supernanny services to their guests!
