A Short but Sweet Trip to The World: June 17-21, 2011 Trip Report

Hello everyone! Before I get started, I'd like to say a big thank you to Hollybelle for teaching me how to link my pics from an online picture hosting site. (I use Picasa....I'm a Google girl!) Thank you, Hollybelle! :wave:

You know, I thought summer was supposed to be a restful time for teachers but it has been very busy for me so far! Things have finally settled down enough that I can FINALLY write my trip report from our recent trip to WDW. For any of you who read my pre-trip report (click pre-trip report if you'd like to read it), you may have noticed that I changed the name for my trip report. Well, there was still a retiree, a teacher, and a princess visiting WDW, but this trip turned out to be about so much more than just the three of us! (More about that later.)

So, here’s our cast:

Me (in black)
This was my 5th trip to WDW. (More info about my trips in my signature.)

DM (in red)
This was her 3rd trip to WDW, although I really don't count the first one because it was in 1972. She didn't take pictures and she can't remember very much about it.

DD (guess which one she is? )
This was her 3rd trip to WDW.

DCousin (DC), DCousin’s Wife (DCW), DCousin’s Son (DCS)

They also have a daughter but she wasn't with us on this trip because she was visiting her grandparents and other family and friends in Ohio. They live about 2 hours southwest from WDW and they’ve been so many times that I’m not sure they can count all of them! They stayed at a Marriott off property for most of the trip.


I do feel the need to warn you that I have a tendency to go on a tangent about certain things and digress. Since I’m totally not in denial about this little issue, I’ll give you little warnings for these tirades like this: SN (meaning Side Note). Yes, that’s my disclaimer statement. Don’t say you weren’t warned!

(SN ABOUT DCW) I feel weird calling her this. We’re friends and scrapbooking buddies and calling her just my cousin’s wife seems so wrong! I feel like I should call her DFriend (DF) instead! Yeah, I like that much better, DF it is! Family by marriage, yes, but friends by choice! (END SN)



For those of you who don’t have time to go back and read my PTR, here’s the Reader’s Digest version:

Friday: Flight super early, Check in at Port Orleans Riverside, Go to Magic Kingdom, Meet DC, DF, and DCS around 8pm, DF and Me to spend late night just the two of us in MK;

Saturday: Epcot with lunch at Les Chefs de France;

Sunday: Hollywood Studios, DC, DF, & DCS leave;

Monday: Breakfast at O’hana, Animal Kingdom;

Tuesday: Visit a park that we didn’t see enough of or chill at the resort to take pictures, shop, or swim.

Of course, not everything went as planned and some of the unplanned stuff was totally better! I’ll point out those things as I go along.

Also, one last thing: Like many other Disney fans, I love trying to do as many new things as possible during every trip to WDW. So, I’m going to indicate our new experiences like this: (NEW). These will be a new experience for me or DM or DD. I think DC, DF, and DCS have pretty much done everything but there were a few new things for them, too.

OKAY, SO ON WITH IT!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Friday, June 17:

DM left her house (about an hour and fifteen minutes away) around 3:45 am. Did I mention that we had an early flight? Did I also mention that neither of us (me or DM) are morning people? (Yeah, I know, all teachers are supposed to be morning people, right? NOT!) DM drove to DB’s apt to pick him up and then they came to pick up me and DD.

(SN about DB) He wasn’t able to go with us on this trip so that’s why I didn’t include him in our regular cast.
He and DSis had supporting roles as they helped us get to and from the airport. Thank you so much, DB & DSis!!! (END SN)


They arrived at my place around 5 am where they found me (of course) running around like a headless chicken! By 5:20 am, we were in DM’s van and headed to the airport, which is literally 6 miles from my apt. (Really, I checked Google Maps, it’s really 6 miles away! )

We checked our bags at the curb for Southwest Airlines. When we booked our trip, I totally forgot to request two DME tags for each of us. I really, really tried to get everything into one bag for our trip since we only had one tag. (Surely I should be able to do that since it’s just 4 nights, 4 ½ days, right? NOT!) I talked with the guy tagging our bags and he explained that it would be no problem. They printed out a white DME tag and attached it to my second bag (DM had two checked bags too). I wondered if I’d ever see it again! :lookaroun


Getting through security and getting the gate was quick and uneventful. However, if you have any question how early it was, does this give you an idea?

Yes, that's right...we watched the sun come up while we waited to board! I probably would've thought it was beautiful at the time if I wasn't still asleep!

 

[Teachr4Disney]

By the time we all went to the restroom (Don’t you just hate airplane bathrooms?) and I took a few pics, it was time to board our flight.

It was a very smooth flight and we touched down almost exactly 7:50 am.
At least that was the time stamp on this picture.

She was super excited to be back in Florida!

I just love the way this picture of DM came out!

Hello again, MCO!

By 8:15, we were saying hello to Earport Mickey.

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Now, please don’t laugh at me for this question, but does anyone else find themselves in the totally turned around in MCO while trying to find DME? I totally guided us to the Terminal B after taking the tram over and we were supposed to be in Terminal A! Ummmm, I mean, oops, we were in terminal A and should’ve been in terminal B. See, I’m still lost! DUHHHHH….I mean it hadn’t been that long since I was there! To make it even worse (okay, double promise you won’t laugh at me) but this is the picture I took as we got off the plane.

I suppose I need to start actually LOOKING at the pictures I take!

We finally found DME, checked in with the cast member at the little desk, were directed to our bus by different very friendly cast member

Staying at Port Orleans Riverside: (NEW)

and then on to our bus…..

Well, no, that wasn’t our bus but this one was beside us. Cool, huh? I just LOVE Crush!

and then on to our bus...

Nope, that wasn't our bus either! We had a Mears bus. Okay, are you really on the Magical Express if it's a Mears bus? (Yes, I know, Mears handles all of 'em but still....... )

At 9:21 am, this is what we saw

We're HERE!

We had one other stop at Saratoga Springs before arriving at our resort and we rode by the entrance to the Treehouse Villas. It was nice to ride by our old "home" from 2009.

 

[Teachr4Disney]

By 9:37, this is what we saw:

I wish I had taken the time to snap another pic of the front doors so you could see the entrance more clearly. Oh well! (I’m glad to see that my estimate of arrival was pretty accurate based on what I put in my pre-trip report!)

After a short wait at the counter, we were finally checking into our fabulous home away from home. I cannot believe that I did not get a picture of the check in area when I usually take pictures of literally EVERYTHING!

The check-in process was very smooth and uneventful. We couldn’t use the online check-in because we booked our room as part of a group (see my pre-trip report for the details about this). The cast member was very friendly and super helpful with details of our room and details about the resort. The only thing I can say that I didn’t like is the location of our room from the resort amenities.

We were in building 24. I'm not sure if you can see how far away that is from everything in the map above but it wasn't close. Now I know for some people that might not be a big deal. If you’re a park-from-sun-up-to-sun-down kinda person, then our room would’ve been perfect for you. We’re the kinda people who like to stroll down to the food court, have breakfast at the resort (of course, unless we have breakfast ADR’s) or stroll down to the pool or stroll down to do some shopping and then stroll back to our room. This was more like a hike, which is difficult for me (more about that later). I really hate to complain about this, since after all, WE WERE IN DISNEY WORLD! And, you know, at least the hike to our room there and back was very beautiful! (Pics later!)


As the cast member was finishing up our check-in process, I was pleasantly surprised to hear that our room was ready. Room ready by 10 in the morning?!?!

By 10:05, we were taking pics of our Keys to the World, and theme park tickets (we always do this for security and replacement purposes).

I never imagined that our rooms would be ready when we checked in so we had planned to leave our carry-on bags with bell services. Since we were famished, we decided to leave our bags as planned and eat breakfast at Riverside Mill. (We hadn’t eaten all day which wouldn’t have been a big deal at 10 am if we hadn’t been up since 3:45 am! ) Another pleasant surprise (I feel like I should’ve known this already): bell services told us that if we would like, we could be escorted to our room via golf cart with our bags whenever we were ready. Ummmm, yes, we would like that very much!

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

Loving this TR so far!! Nuthin like your room being ready at 10am!!! :sohappy:

 

[silver1113]

Room ready by 10, wow! Your daughter is beautiful. Can't wait for more of your TR!

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Loving this TR so far!! Nuthin like your room being ready at 10am!!! :sohappy:

Thanks so much! I love sharing my memories with other Disney nuts! I know, right...10 am! I've never heard of such a thing! :lol:

Room ready by 10, wow! Your daughter is beautiful. Can't wait for more of your TR!

I'm wondering how often that happens, the room being ready so early? Thank you about my daughter! She's the light of my life!

Thanks to both of you for reading and sharing my trip with me!

On to more of it now...

 

[Teachr4Disney]

At this point, I feel like I need to update the information about the rest of our cast: DC, DF, and DCS. A few days before we left, DF texted me to let me know that she and DCS would be able to join us early instead of later today. We were simply thrilled that they would be able to join us early. The more the merrier! DF and I were keeping in contact via text messages this morning in order to try to synchronize our arrivals.

(SN ABOUT DC, DF, DCS) I also should include that I wasn’t sure if our visiting styles would match. We hadn't been anywhere like this with them so I didn’t know how it would go. I wasn’t worried, mind you. But you know what I mean…some people are crack-of-dawn, do parks all day, must do everything type of visitors. Some people are not. (We fall in the NOT category!) You know what I mean….what’s your Disney vacation style? (END SN)

So, after dropping our bags off at bell services, we went to Riverside Mill to eat breakfast.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, we have reached the part of the trip report where I explain to you where and when I fell in love with Port Orleans Riverside resort.

Yes, that’s right, they have GRITS! They may not look so good in the picture, but let me tell you, they were YUMMY! Now, some of you out there are totally laughing at how sad that is of me, that I love this resort because of a food item. However, let me just tell you that I’m a true 100% Southern girl and when I travel outside of the South I always have it in the back of my mind that I’ll never have grits for breakfast. Yes, I am aware that geographically Florida is in the South. However, culturally, Florida is far from the south. Oh, I’m sure there are places in Florida that serve grits but this was the first time I had ever encountered it outside of the cultural South and at WDW. And then, of course, what in the world was I thinking???? THIS IS PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE! DUH! It’s Disney-themed to highlight the best parts of living near the water in New Orleans! New Orleans is in the South! DUH AGAIN! So, we got breakfast and our new resort mugs.

(SN about breakfast) DM and I had the Bounty Platter, DD had the kids Mickey waffles with bacon platter. Why in the world would they put a biscuit AND Mickey waffles on the bounty platter? That's just too much bounty! DM nor I either one could eat the biscuit. (END SN)

Needless to say, this first breakfast of our trip was great! The only way it could’ve been better was if Mickey and his friends were to walk up and join us!

(SN about food on this trip) This was the first time we got the Quick Service Dining Plan instead of the regular DP. (NEW) More about that later. (END SN)

Sometime during our breakfast, I texted my team mate from school to see if they had arrived. They were coming in on a bus that her family had chartered. They were almost there. I was hoping I would see her and her family.

DF and DCS arrived around 11:00 am or so and met us at the Mill.

I can't remember exactly what the issue with the dollar was about...something to do with DM giving DCS a dollar and he said he didn't want it so DF said, "Good, I'll take it." I think that was it. I thought it made for a cute picture!


After breakfast, we went back to bell services to hitch a ride to our room. As we were walking out I saw my team mate at the main entrance near their bus. She was having some problems with check-in and I felt so bad. This was her first trip to WDW and I was hoping that she wouldn’t have any issues since they would only be there for two days. She told me later that it all worked out just fine. I didn’t see her again during this trip. We had different itineraries for the parks and even though we were at the same resort, did I mention that POR is humongous?

So, bell services loaded our bags on a golf cart and we were off to our room. I was surprised that DCS agreed to sit with my mom because he hasn’t really spent a lot of time with her. Of course, she did give him a dollar earlier. Now that I think about it, smart kid...suck up to the lady who gives you money!

I thought this was the sweetest picture (had a difficult time getting their heads AND hands since I was sitting in the seat in front of them).

DM was holding DCS's hand so he wouldn't fall out of the golf cart. Too cute, huh?

Isn’t this place just beautiful?

I continued to fall in love with this resort the longer we stayed. It’s just simply gorgeous!

We got to our room just a little before noon to find that our bags had arrived from DME.

Well, most of our bags. We were missing the two bags that they had tagged with the white DME tags! Just what I thought! Would I ever see my bag again?

Stay tuned....

 

[Teachr4Disney]

My first thought was, “Oh no, here’s our first disaster of the trip: our bags are lost!” My second thought was, “Okay, settle down and just call ‘em!” So, I did. I called bell services and explained the situation. Before I could even finish explaining about the white tags at the airport, the cast member said, “Are you missing a gray bag with a Mickey head on it and a navy blue bag with a strap?” He said, “I’m looking right at them. I’m on my way with them!” Crisis averted!

After the bag mini-crisis (wasn't really a crisis) was all squared away, it was time for Magic Kingdom! DF decided she would leave her car parked at POR and ride the bus with us. It was a very short walk to the bus stop (can you believe that I didn’t take any pics of it???) While we’re waiting for the next bus to MK, DD says, “I need to go to the bathroom.” Now, please don't get me wrong, I love my daughter with all of my heart. I would lay down my life for her if it came to that, BUT, SERIOUSLY, WHY DIDN'T YOU GO WHILE WE WERE IN THE ROOM WAITING FOR OUR BAGS TO ARRIVE????? All you parents out there, you understand me perfectly, don't you?

By this time it was almost 1:00 pm and getting to MK this late was NOT in the original plans! I’m going to have to withhold the rest of this story because I’m afraid it would terribly embarrass DD, but let’s just say that this was the second mini-crisis of our trip and we ended up going back to the room (glad it was a short walk), while DM, DF, and DCS waited for us at the bus stop. It was already super hot and as I was walking back to the bus stop I remember thinking that I hoped the heat wouldn’t ruin our whole trip.

The bus came pretty quickly and there were three more bus stops just for POR. Yikes, this place is big! This is also the first time I remember thinking that if we needed to get to the lobby, restaurant, ‘Ol Man Island pool (the main one, the non-quiet pool), we could just take the bus and after three stops, voila, we’re there!

At 1:30, this was the site (this one's for you Hollybelle! ):

Notice the Mickey head hanging from the tree in the picture below? I think it was probably part of a kid's balloon but i thought it made a cute picture with GF in the background! (I'm always looking for something unique!)

Then it was this:

Then came our third crisis of the trip: they were out of ECVs!

(SN ABOUT ECVS) For those of you who don’t already know, I was in a car accident in 1990 in which I crushed my right foot and broke my left ankle. I was in the hospital for 3 weeks, in a wheelchair for 3 months, and I have a permanent limp which I try to hide by never wearing flat shoes. Yes, I know it’s weird but if I wear about a 2-inch heel, usually a wedge, I don’t limp and you’d think I was just as normal as the next Disney nut! So, anyway, in 2008, I tried my very best to just walk every day in the parks and suck it up. The pain was too much and by the end of the 3rd day of walking all day, I literally had to crawl to the bathroom that evening in our room because the pain was just too much to walk! (Do you see why I was little worried about the room being so far away from the resort amenities now? I promise, I'm really not lazy!) So, I resolved myself to the fact that I have to rent an ECV in order to really enjoy my time in WDW. This being said, I have to say that it really bothers me when I read people complaining about ECVs in the parks. I mean, I know that some people are rude with them and I know that when it gets crowded, that they can be a pain and I’m sure that one running over your foot is quite painful but for some of us, it’s the only way we get to enjoy Disney. I promise that I try my best not to run over toes or block pathways! (END SN)

With no ECVs left, I was really worried that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy MK the way I wanted. But, you know, what ya gonna do? Whine about it or suck it up and move on? Okay, so I whined about it a bit and THEN moved on. I gave them my name and cell number and they said they would call me when one became available.

Oh well......onward and upward....

Then we were on our way down Main Street USA.

Boy, I certainly could've timed that picture above a little better to perhaps get a few people out of my shot. Or maybe gotten closer to The Castle???? I think at this point I was in a whiny/crappy mood b/c of the ECV situation and I was worried about the pain in my foot ruining my day, not to mention the fact that the heat had started to get to me.

 

[Teachr4Disney]

These guys helped me get over it though and put a back on my face!

My regret here: we didn’t stop and get pics in front of the Castle! I know, I know!

My other regret: we didn't buy a Photopass for this trip. Won't do that again!

Since we usually go right to left, starting in Tomorrowland, this time I wanted to go left to right, starting in

First we saw Ariel and her Prince Eric.

I would’ve loved to stop to get pics and autographs but the line was just redonkulous so no pics with the Little Mermaid!

The first attraction we got to was the Swiss Family Treehouse and I wasn’t planning to go up in it this time, but DM wanted to do it, so we did. (NEW)

I can't remember why DCS was grumpy. Maybe the heat?

Now, earlier we had also decided to go left instead of right. I was thinking that the crowds might be smaller because I’ve read that most people have a tendency to go right to left. Of course, that theory probably would’ve worked better if we were trying it out first thing in the morning and not at 2:00 pm! Thinking about this now, it might not have been my best idea. Check out these crowds :

So, onward to

with Cap’n Jack giving a little show as we headed to the attraction. It was way too crowded to stay and watch or get close enough to hear what he was saying. The line for PotC wasn’t bad at all, about a 10 minute wait and it didn’t even feel like that because the line kept moving. I guess everyone was out listening to the ole Cap’n!


It was about 3:00 when we made our way into the pirates shop. DF went to get the stroller and we milled around a bit. I noticed that DM found a lost little girl and she was just bawling her eyes out, poor little thing! Mom is really good in these types of situations so she took her hand and tried to console her by explaining that we would stay with her until we found her mommy and daddy. After just a few minutes, her dad came over to get her and thanked my mom profusely. He was almost in tears and so relieved to have found her. It felt good (even though I didn’t do anything except stand there with DM and the little girl) that we were able to help her.

 

[LeeSeeBabe]

Enjoying the TR so far! You have a very conversational style to your writing like you are sitting across the table from me talking! Can't wait to read more!

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Next we mosied on over to (get it....mosied....cowboys...Frontierland.....okay, yes, I'm cheesy and I know it!)

After that we decided to stop and eat. DF and DCS didn’t eat with us at the Mill so they were pretty hungry. We stopped in at

This was (NEW) for DM, DD, and me. It was pretty crowded and my foot was really starting to hurt so I agreed to find us a table and hold it while everyone else went to the counter to get our food. I had the pulled pork sandwich for the first time (NEW).

Not really a great picture of the pork part of the sandwich! I have no clue why I didn't take another one, a better one!

While I was sitting at our table, I realized that I didn’t have a signal on my cell and I was wondering how long it had been since I lost my signal. No signal = no connection to guest services for the next available ECV. I figured when we left the restaurant, my signal would return.

Sure enough, as soon as we left it returned and I had a message. It was guest services letting me know that there was an ECV for me and I had a certain amount of time to come and get it (I can’t remember how long…..maybe until 4:30, 5:30, something like that.) It was just a little after 4:00. So we decided that I would go and get it while everyone else rode Splash Mountain and then we’d meet back. Before I headed back toward Adventureland, I saw Woody and Jesse. (Again the line was too long to wait for good pics. )

I stopped and snapped a few pics while I was on the way to guest services since I didn’t really get any great ones on the way into MK.

Then on the way back to Frontierland, “Dream Along with Mickey” was playing at the Castle. I think that’s still the name (didn’t look at my guide) but I think Mickey and Minnie had different costumes than when we saw this in 2009.

I wanted to watch the rest of it but I couldn't stick around long because I needed to meet the others.

 

[Teachr4Disney]

We met up at the SM gift shop.

I was wondering how Mom liked SM since this was her first time riding it. They rode it while I was at guest services. (NEW for DM) I mean, who wouldn’t love it? I was just afraid that it might be a little too juvenile for her. She loved it! I wanted to ride it so we did. Just LOVE SM!

Hmmmm, did I get a little carried away with the SM pics?

Next, it was Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Notice the dark clouds looming? UH OH! We rode BTMR once and we wanted to ride again but they closed it for some reason when we got off. We thought it might be because of the weather but it hadn’t really started to do anything yet so we weren’t sure. (Maybe lightning was spotted?) We waited around for a few minutes but decided against riding again as the dark clouds got closer and closer. So we took off toward Fantasyland as quickly as we could, trying to beat the storm.

Of course, a little storm isn't going to stop me from taking pics! Me? Of course not!

A little beautiful scenery along the way:

(SN about Disney's steamboats) I read somewhere that Walt Disney went on a cross-country trip with his wife. When they got to the Mississippi river, they wanted to take a ride on a steamboat but they weren't running them because it was during the depression. He said that he remembered that when we was creating Disneyland and made sure that he included his own steamboat so there would always be one for people to enjoy. I thought it was a nice story! (END SN)

We headed to Fantasyland as fast as we could…..trying to get there before the bottom opened up! First stop:

Doesn't she just have the sweetest smile?

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Then we were off to visit Neverland! (NEW)

DM might not look the happiest in the pic above but she loved Peter Pan's Flight! We all did....we were flying! How could you not?

Loved it! Can’t believe we’ve never been on it before! When we left Peter and Wendy, DF was raving about Mickey’s PhilharMagic. (NEW)

Loved this one too! Both of these are on our must-do list from now on!

When we came out of MPhM, it was starting to rain and I saw

Time for MICKEY EARS! DD and I had scoped out the ones we wanted on the web before the trip. DD and DCS got these:

(Don't you just love DCS' Mickey ears over his eyes. He thought it was hilarious!)

I got these:

I had to ask if they had them because I didn’t see them on the wall with the other ears. The male cast member working showed me where they were and I asked him about having them personalized. We always get them personalized with our first names. He told me that they couldn’t do it because these were special edition and they were made from special material. (You could tell because they felt different than the other ones.) Well, I’m a little hard-headed and I want what I want (don’t ALL women? ). So I went over to the counter where they do the personalization and asked again. They said they weren’t sure and then proceeded to ask the same male cast member I had talked to earlier. He said no again and looked a little ticked at me. I just couldn’t understand why that material couldn’t be personalized so I inquired as to whether they had ever tried it. (Insert crickets chirping here!) (Did I mention that I’m a little hard-headed?) He said no and that he would try it. Honestly, I think he didn’t agree with me having them personalized because they were special edition ones. I suppose marking on them would make them less valuable if I was looking at them to be a collector’s item and worth something as they get older. I mean, he didn’t say that but why else would he say that they couldn’t be personalized when he didn’t know for sure? I really could care less if they become more valuable as they get older. It’s a sentimental thing for me, a Disney tradition we’ve started! So, anyway….he put my name on them with no problems! I mean, it took a little longer because he went very slowly with it, but I didn’t mind a few extra minutes of waiting. I think they look great.

 

[Teachr4Disney]

While all this was going on, DM was shopping also, for souvenirs for people at home and I think maybe for souvenirs for her also. Now, I’m not sure if you know my DM but she LOVES to shop! Getting her out of Sir Mickey’s was not an easy task. I think DF was also shopping or helping DM shop. So DD and I stepped outside and took a few pictures.

She looks SO tall here!

Still waiting for Nana (DM):

I tried to get pics of the renovation but they really didn’t come out so great. Can you see Beast's castle?

I would’ve tried to get closer but it was still raining and guess where our ponchos were? In the room, of course! It was raining just hard enough to need something to cover your head. So, DM bought me a poncho from Sir Mickey’s and DD shared DM's umbrella with her. I can't remember if DF and DCS bought ponchos or not.

When DM, DF, and DCS came out of Sir Mickey’s it was around 8:00. DM said she was totally exhausted and was ready to go back to the resort. After all she had been up since 2:30 am! In the meantime, DC had called DF and told her that he would be at POR around 8:30. So, at this point, the original plan was for DM to take DD and DC to take DCS for the evening while DF and I went back to MK for some fun-without-kids-in-Magic-Kingdom fun! Well, it was raining and we were all kinda tired. Plus DC was waiting for us and by the time we would meet him and then get back it would’ve been later than we would like so we just decided to leave MK and head back to the resort. I was kinda bummed about it though. I was really looking forward to visiting MK or really any part of WDW without kids. *Sigh* One day, I guess......

Along the way I took a few pics:

Yikes, look at the crowd!

As we reached the end of the Emporium, DD wanted to use some of her money (she saves all year in her piggy bank for our Disney trip) to buy a Mickey head balloon from a street vendor.

Now, I said no to this request in 2008 and 2009 because I think $10 for a balloon is just simply ridiculous but this was DD’s trip as well as mine. So……..

I didn’t quite think that through carefully…..think airplane flight home. More about that later! I don’t think I’ll let her buy another one. I mean they’re pretty and all, but I can think of better ways to spend $10 in WDW!

Now I was thinking that because we were leaving kinda early (there were EMH that night until 3:00 am) that there wouldn’t be a long wait for the buses. WRONG! I’m not exactly sure how long we waited but I know it was the second bus and longer than we wanted to wait! DF was wondering why didn't all just pile into her car instead of taking the bus?

 

[Teachr4Disney]

We finally arrived at

around 9:15 to meet DC at

It was so good to see my DC. It had been a long time. Don’t tell my other cousins but he’s one of my favorite cousins! He’s very easy-going, a very considerate guy, great father, and just an overall good guy!

(SN about POR) Actually, this is a flashback! When I originally told DF that we were staying at POR, she told me that they drive there sometimes to listen to this guy who plays the piano on Friday and Saturday nights in the lounge. When she said that what popped into my mind was a classical musician playing beautiful music on the piano. Of course, now thinking back on that, why would that appeal to kids? So, anyway, I wasn’t expecting what happened next AT ALL! (END SN)

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you…BOB JACKSON!

His show was so much fun. It was interactive as he was getting everyone to sing and he was asking people where they were from and cracking jokes, etc. He’s also a fabulous musician. He can really play the piano! We all laughed and sang and danced and laughed and sang and danced!

YMCA!

Do not ask me how we all had the energy for this show. Remember we left MK because we were tired and wanted to go back to the room to go to bed. But, after all, this is Disney World! I always seem to find more energy at WDW than when I’m at home. Why is that? Well, anyway, let me just tell you that if you haven’t seen his show, you need to add this to your next trip to WDW as a must-do!

His show ended and he posed for pics and gave out autograph pictures to the kids.

As I was about to take this picture, Bob asked DD,"What's your sister's name?" (referring to me). Yes, I'm truly in love with this man. We WILL be coming back to see Bob, whether we stay at POR again or not!

Oh, I almost forgot: we hadn't eaten since 3:00 (back at Pecos Bill's place) and I really hate to eat late but we were really hungry. So we ordered nachos and I had a beer. I can't remember the name of my beer but it was something brewed in New Orleans (OF COURSE!) and it was pretty good. DC ordered buffalo wings and a beer. DM got a glass of water and DD got a lemonade and they both shared the nachos with me. Do not even ask me why I didn't get pictures!

It was 10:00 pm and finally time to part ways to go back to our rooms. DF drove us around to our room and we said we’d call tomorrow morning to decide what time to head to Epcot.

Overall, we had a super great day at MK. I was sad that we didn’t get to Tomorrowland, we didn’t get to take posed pics in front of the Castle or with any characters, and DF and I didn’t get to hang without kids but we had really, really great time. DC, DF, and DCS really made it extra fun!

Up next: Day 2, Saturday, June 18: Epcot!

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Enjoying the TR so far! You have a very conversational style to your writing like you are sitting across the table from me talking! Can't wait to read more!

Thanks! I'm really loving writing it and sharing it with everyone. Helps me not be so "home" sick!

Thanks for reading.

 

[gnuts0306]

What a great trip report so far! I loved the part at the beginning about having to go back to the room for a bathroom break...dont they always have great timing lol...either as soon as you leave an area with a bathroom or as soon as your food arrives at a restaurant lol

 

[Teachr4Disney]

What a great trip report so far! I loved the part at the beginning about having to go back to the room for a bathroom break...dont they always have great timing lol...either as soon as you leave an area with a bathroom or as soon as your food arrives at a restaurant lol

You must be a parent, too! That's always the case. But, you know, what ya gonna do? They won't be young forever!

I'm glad you like it. Thanks so much for reading it!