WHAT I'D DO DIFFERENTLY...POR Sept. 2006

[Angelrose]

Do you need ADR's for the Kona cafe? We are planning on meeting our niece there and thought you could just walk in. But now I'm not so sure.

 

[lexmelinda]

HAPPY SATURDAY!!!

NM.....Kona is all that and a bag of chips. Honestly, the food was fabulous...start to finish. It's already in the Word table for 2007. Everybody head over to NM's new report...Are we turkeys?
DisneyObsession....The Mai Tai WAS good...the blue drink in the picture looked really good, too. Might have to give that a whirl next time. The Neverland Club is actually a real treat for kids...not like "babysitting" at all. DS had a ball.
Disneyland_Mama...So the Poly is not worth the chedder, eh? Well, more time at Disney World is the ultimate goal isn't it? Have you stayed at POFQ before? (Your siggie says 2006?) I liked it on our little visit to the pool and the food court was very good. And you're taking Waldo again? I think he's adorable. Is he having any surgical procedures before August? Can you get a GPS tracking chip implanted so you can keep up with him? Get him one of those Disney phones maybe?
monymony3471....Glad my opinions were of some help to you! As NM says in her TR....opinions on the DIS are as helpful as they are useless....or something like that.
RockNGirl26.....Thanks for reading. Look how cute you are at the RnR in your siggie pic! You know, we had two 512 MB cards and thought that would be plenty...no sir. We will be taking lots more cards next time.
PrincessV.....Sweet girl...so glad you're back to tell us of your antics at the World. Have you ever seen the fireworks from the Poly? I'm wondering about fireworks views from Cali Grill, O'hana, Narcoossee's, and Poly beach. Have you done any of these? "Mai Tai say" is a Sherism. Miss that Sher!
Angelrose.....If I were you I would call ahead for an ADR at Kona. When I called about 2 weeks in advance of our trip, all I could get was 8:10...obviously because any later would cause you to miss the 9pm fireworks. After we got there, it pretty much cleared out until after the fireworks and then there were some walk ins. Wouldn't hurt to have an ADR.
Lurkers.....wave to you, too....

THANKS FOR READING, EVERYONE! HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

 

[PrincessV]

HAPPY SATURDAY!!!


PrincessV.....Sweet girl...so glad you're back to tell us of your antics at the World. Have you ever seen the fireworks from the Poly? I'm wondering about fireworks views from Cali Grill, O'hana, Narcoossee's, and Poly beach. Have you done any of these? "Mai Tai say" is a Sherism. Miss that Sher!

I've not seen the fireworks from the Poly, but I did get to see the view from the beach last week. I could see the castle clear as day, so I have to assume it would be a great spot to see the fireworks, too!
BUT, I have done the fireworks from Cali Grill, and it was awesome Just before, they dimmed the lights and piped the music in - very cool.

Where is that Sher, anyway? Can't get into her TR anymore.

 

[monymony3471]

Less reading and more typing on Saturday nights....I'm just saying.

 

[lexmelinda]

V....Thanks for the fireworks info. The pix I always see from the Cali Grill make the fireworks look far away although I know they're not. I'm already thinking about which restaurant I want to see Hallowishes from next year....isn't that pitiful.

Monica.....touche! Working on it! My birthday is March 3, BTW.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

HAPPY SATURDAY!!!

Disneyland_Mama...So the Poly is not worth the chedder, eh? Well, more time at Disney World is the ultimate goal isn't it? Have you stayed at POFQ before? (Your siggie says 2006?) I liked it on our little visit to the pool and the food court was very good. And you're taking Waldo again? I think he's adorable. Is he having any surgical procedures before August? Can you get a GPS tracking chip implanted so you can keep up with him? Get him one of those Disney phones maybe?

Oops... thanks for pointing out the typo in my siggie! Actually, we are doing POFQ next Aug. As in 2007... as in... a long time from now.
Yup... I'm taking Waldo again... AND Waldo's son, my older brother, Waldo Jr. And I'm doing better than GPS... I'm renting him a scooter with a kill switch. This way he can't wander too far. He'd lose a phone, but good for plan B.
I hope I don't offend any Poly lovers, but no, I don't think it's worth the cheddar. Again, I loved it... but I prefer the real deal. If you want the island feel go to Maui or Tahiti. I'd like to do the GF in a few years, sans kiddies and Waldo!
I love your trippie.... now get typing!

 

[scrap4u]

Just finished reading your report. It's excellent! Can't wait for more! Hint!Hint!

 

[lexmelinda]

DL Mama....Scooter with a kill switch sounds doable. Is Waldo Jr. any help? You're a good girl to vacation with all that family. I think you'll like POFQ...the longer stay is what it's all about, ya know.
scrap4u.....Hey! I just subscribed to your TR yesterday but hate to post when I'm so far behind. Promise to post next time. I'm all about cheap and free, ya know. Thanks for the nice comments!

 

[lexmelinda]

Well, now it’s Friday (9/29) and we have no plans for today….except Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tonight. I get up early as usual and head outside on my bench to drink coffee from my mug and make notes in “the booklet”.

Repeat of yesterday….birds chirping, ducks swimming, people walking for coffee, etc. but today I have some leisure time so I decide to hang out for a while since everyone is sleeping. But my peace and joy is interrupted when the BLINDING sun comes up over Ole Man Island on this cloudless day. There is apparently an expiration time on my bench enjoyment.

I arrive in the room to find Mimi and DS awake. “Let’s go swimming!” is met with “Yay!!!” so the three of us put on our suits and depart for the Ole Man Island pool. It’s around 9:30am and the pool isn’t “officially” open (which means the slide is closed and there are no lifeguards but you can still swim at your own risk) but DS and I get in anyway. Aaaaaggghhhh! Did I happen to mention how cold it was last night? Well the water temperature in the pool is around 65, I’d guess. I’m out! I sit on the side with Mimi, who’s studying….on vacation. (Did I give birth to her?)

Anyway around 10ish the lifeguards start to mill around and one of them brings a little girl wearing one of those straw Huck Finn hats over to the slide. There is apparently an opening celebration….for the slide? Geez….is there an opening celebration for everything here? OK. We have to yell loudly many times “Wake up, Ole Man” and finally, mercifully the water gushes from the bottom of the slide. DS is one of the first kids down the slide, impervious to the arctic water temperature and glaciers floating nearby.

When DS’ lips turn blue, we head back to the room to find two grumpy people with two different issues. DH mentioned yesterday that he felt like he was coming down with something. Well, he’s down with sumpn alright...a cold of some sort. And Emily is in a snit because she knows what tonight is and she’s a squeaky wheel without a costume. So we divide and conquer. Emily and I head to Downtown Disney via riverboat, DH takes DS cane pole fishing, and Mimi…studies.

The boat ride to DTD is lovely and when we get off the boat, the first thing we see is Goofy’s Candy Company. Now all the little Disney candies you see elsewhere in the World are in this store. I begin to shop and notice that a lot of things are under $4….making them “snacks” on the DDP, which equals “free” for me. The wheels start turning….gifts for teachers, coworkers, friends….aawww, yeah! I load up a basket with boxes of cookies, snack mix, candy, etc. and head to the check out to “purchase” my gifts. Nine snack credits down, six to go.

Now if you think this is going to be a tour of DTD, you’re wrong because Emily and I are on a mission to find the perfect costume….and this is no easy task. With pre-teens you walk a fine line. (She’s only been a teenager for a week so the term pre-teen still legally applies.) They still like little girl things but they want to be big girls all at the same time. So we head to the Mecca of all Disney stores…the World of Disney. If you can’t find it here, Disney don’t make it, savvy?

This store is as elaborately themed as any Disney park or ride. We walk in through the door to the “pirate room” with the huge skeleton pirate displays on either side and a life-size talking pirate in the middle of the room. We proceed through all the other departments to the “princess” room on the other side of the World of Disney.

Now my girl loves all things princess but she is easily as big as me and nearly as tall and the princess dresses don’t come in queen sizes. She did find a sparkly clip on ponytail she liked…fine. She sees and wonders about the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique….but you need an appointment…especially on MNSSHP days.

We go to the “junior” department and there it is….her dream costume….the pirate princess. (Cue angel chorus) It confidently walks the fine line between little girl and big girl. There are several different versions…some with tulle and marabou lined pirate hats, others with sassy stockings and boas….all very cute! So we start looking for this sassy pirate princess gear but no luck.

We stop a CM who tells us that the pirate princess costumes are for display only…they don’t sell all that stuff here…but aren’t they FABULOUS, he says with way too much enthusiasm. Oh, but we do sell the POC t-shirts. Hhuuuhhhh? We don’t have time to go to no stinkin’ Walmart to fill in the gaps now! Way to tease us, Mickey!

Long story short…after MUCH debate we buy the sparkly hair extension, a few pirate earrings, a POC t-shirt, a Jack Sparrow hat with snap-on hair for DS and we’re out with our 10% discount. (Thank you Disney Rewards Visa!)

By now we are starving so we head back to Wolfgang Puck Express because it smells garlicky and wonderful. We get our food to-go so we can get back to the room for a bit before we have to get ready for MNSSHP. Thinking we don’t want to wait (possibly) 20 minutes for the boat back to POR, we head for the bus stop.

We find the bus stop (which is right behind WPE….duh!) and the sign says Port Orleans & Old Key West at Depot #1. Great! The bus comes shortly but the sign says “Old Key West”. Now, I have a decent sense of direction and I know the resorts are close in proximity so I figure they go to both resorts but to be safe, I ask the driver. Is this bus for POR? “Port Orleans, jess.” OK, I’ll take that as a “yes” and we board the bus.

Once the ride begins, we stop at every bus stop known to man….3 in DTD, Typhoon Lagoon, Old Key West main stop and then 27 other OKW stops. When I see the same stop for the third time, I become a little concerned. Is the driver lost? Why are we circling the same parking lots again and again? Has this bus been taken over by terrorists?

Emily notices too and says we should ask what’s going on. No, I say…the driver told us we’re going to POR. When we stop at the OKW main stop for the second time, Emily rises to action. She walks right up to the bus driver and asks if we’re going to POR. No….we’re not! I march right up to the driver and ask him why the heck he told me this bus was going to POR??? Is he some kind of idiot???

OK…I didn’t say that....being the non confrontational type…but I thought about it. Emily and I get off the bus and call DH. He’s sleeping and DS is watching cartoons. He’ll be over directly to pick us up.

Now have I mentioned that my man does not have an acute sense of direction? I am the navigator so I know we may be in for a wait. But I’m also starving. We pull out the WPE and proceed to dine at the OKW bus stop. The other bus stop people are watching us…the crazy bus refuges…eat our pasta like pigs while we wait for our ride. If you were there, I apologize.

I let out a big sigh of relief when the lexmelinda mobile is finally in sight. We need to rest up before we’re not-so-scared tonight…

DO….spend your snack credits on those nice $4 boxes of cookies and snacks at Goofy’s. When I got back I gifted about pretty much everybody with some little Disney treat. “Thank you SO much, Melinda!” You’re welcome!

DON’T….wait til you get to WDW to buy an adult Halloween costume…there are none to be had….forgetaboutit! Honestly, why has Disney not noticed this little void and attempted to sell some adult costumes? Don’t take the bus from DTD to POR. It makes lots of stops (not just if you get on the wrong one!) and the boat ride is so much more enjoyable.

 

[monymony3471]

We are actually looking in to staying at this resort next year. So, I may have to re read your report for a third time to get all the details again.

Like I said, it's that good.

Getting sick at WDW stinks. Hope it wasnt' anything major for your DH.

Costumes with a little bit of everything are the best. Gives it more personality.

WTG. More!

 

[kisobel]

ok, my eyes are blurry. i found this thread about three hours ago and have now finished it. awesome reports. cant wait for more. too tired now to think of better compliments.

kate

 

[KangaFan]

Great tips as always--especially the snack credits! I can hear me now, "No, you cannot have an icecream, we won't have a souvenir for cousin Chloe."

I also appreciate the boat tip as we will be staying at POFQ and I may have been tempted by the bus.

Looking forward to the rest as I have absolutely nothing left to plan and 39 days to go

 

[Tjaleks]

I just found your TR tonight, great by the way, but I should have been in bed hours ago and tomorrow I may blame you I will be patiently waiting for the next chapter.

 

[averill94]

I was so excited for your daughter when reading about the pirate/princess costume and also thinking I didnt see ANYONE wearing those! Thats awful- it would be a huge seller!

We kind of swore off DTD just b/c of the transportation there and back- it is almost always a nightmare for us!

 

[PrincessV]

Good grief - why on Earth are they displaying costumes they don't even SELL??? What a bummer that must have been.

I've never set foot in Goofy's Candy Store - waaaay too dangerous. And I've never doen the dining plan. Now, you've got me reconsidering both...

 

[Mumbler]

It seems to be hit or miss with the bus drivers... we've had some who are regular encyclopedias of Disney knowlegde, for instance, did you know that you could pick up Disneyland and it would fit in the parking lot of the Magic Kingdom?

And then there are others like your guy that you really have to wonder how long they've been in the US let alone how long they've been at WDW!

That reallly is a shame about the costumes, hopefully you'll have pics of how the put together costume turned out...can't wait for more!

 

[nicolemarie]

Melinda!

I read this this morning, but just got a chance to post...

Another fun installment! We love to shop at DTD. We just never make the time. I've always got the itinerary packed too tight with park and resort stuff!

The pic of Emily in front of the toy store is so cute. Sorry she didn't get the costume she wanted, but I'll bet the night is a fun one anyway!

Looking forward to hearing about it!

NM

 

[LaLa]

Is this bus for POR? “Port Orleans, jess.”

You just put me there with you with that one.

Anyway around 10ish the lifeguards start to mill around and one of them brings a little girl wearing one of those straw Huck Finn hats over to the slide. There is apparently an opening celebration….for the slide? Geez….is there an opening celebration for everything here? OK. We have to yell loudly many times “Wake up, Ole Man” and finally, mercifully the water gushes from the bottom of the slide.

Okay, this is just too funny. And not just because Disney has opening ceremonies for their waterslides, but because you're yelling really loudly to wake up an Ole Man. And then water comes gushing down from out of nowhere. Did the Depends logo flash across the slide afterwards as they piped "The Promise aka We'll Go On" through the speakers?

Great installment, Lexmelinda. Like NM, we love World of Disney too but don't get around to making it there as much as I would like. Big surprise.

Keep it comin LM.

 

[MickeyT]

Don’t take the bus from DTD to POR. It makes lots of stops (not just if you get on the wrong one!) and the boat ride is so much more enjoyable.

Thanks for this one. Was a wunderin which one, boat>bus or bus>boat.

We leave tomorrow for a week at POR and already have our first mini crisis (other than DW's Christmas tree falling in the floor). The school nurse calls and reports that our DGS is sick. Stomach virus. What is it about a Disney trip that automatically invites any and all nasty bugs to attack. We will make it though.....That's the thing about us Dis'rs. We are a tough lot!!! Thanks again for the TR!

 

[lexmelinda]

THANKS FOR READING, EVERYONE!

Monica....you know...don't read again, girl....pm with the questions.
kisobel.....Kate! I'm so sorry to keep you up late! If there's anything I love to do it's sleep. 8 posts, huh? Welcome to the DIS. It took me a couple of months but once I discovered the trip reports board, I was hooked. So beware...trip reports can be addictive. But get some sleep...they'll be there in the morning.
KangaFan.....If you are on the DDP, there's no way you can eat all of the food anyway! Honestly. By Thursday, I was stuffed to the brim! Who needs snacks? Have a few Mickey bars...there'll be left over credits. I promise. 39 days left? Have you put together "the booklet" yet? That oughta keep you busy. Hope the boat works for you...individual results may vary.
Tjaleks....Thanks for reading! I'll take the blame but get some sleep.
averill94...Emily was happy with her "costume" so that was really all that was important but for the love of all things Halloween....sell the grown ups some costumes ON SITE! Can't believe Disney would miss the opportunity to make that buck.
V.....There were no less than 10 pirate princess manequins in the junior department the day we were there! All with cute costumes, hats, bandanas, stockings, skirts, etc.....none of which were sold in the store! YES...to the DDP and YES...to the candy store! Leo would love it!
Mumbler....my DISappearing biologist peep! You are so right about the bus drivers. Not only did I ask that guy if he was going to POR...and he was standing outside the door to the bus. He repeated "PO, jess" and watched us get ON the bus and wait 5 minutes for it to take off because there was no one on the bus but us and he still didn't tell us we were on the wrong bus! Hello? RE: the costume...the only photopass pic I bought was at MNSSHP so I will post that with the next installment.
NM....I guess I underestimated Emily's desire for a costume. I figured she was a big girl and wouldn't want to wear a costume and trick-or-treat like the little kids. WRONG! We did have fun but....I'll try to post again soon.
LaLa...I did not wish to wake up the Ole Man...I faked it...lip synched. And although I did not hear "The Promise" I think I did see the Depends logo...just briefly...subliminally.
MickeyT...Have a great time at POR!!! I love that place. Some people like to try new resorts but I guess I'm a creature of habit. When I know something and like it...I stick with it. Prayers and pixie dust for the sick little one. Hold your breath and sanitize!

THANKS AGAIN, EVERYONE!