Trip Report Spoiler Alert. No Pandora, but Flowers and Gardens and Waves Galore.

Time for my first trip report!!! Exciting! First off going to tag some people in no particular order. @21stamps , @figmentfan423 , @Gabe1 , @betty rose , @littleroo, @Tony the Tigger , @donaldtoo, @Mr Ferret 88 , @Tuvalu , @TheMouseFan , @blgauger , @bee , @Cesar R M , @Songbird76 , @StarWarsGirl , @MinnieM123 , @MOXOMUMD , @ajrwdwgirl , @93boomer , @Courtney6682 , @amjt660 , @Doc Disney , @Goofyernmost @everybody

If you haven't read the ptr here is a link to it.
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/our-hopefully-pandora-thrown-in-f-g-trip-2017.925406/

The planning for this trip May 19-27 started in November last year after I received a precious pin code in my email. I couldn't say no to that.

Eventually I ended up getting a better rate when the AP discounts came out(dh had an AP at the time), so I rebooked for the same resort, The Cabins at Fort Wilderness.

Who was going: me, dh, and the 4 kiddos(dd15, ds13, dd9, dd6). Who we were leaving at home(3 dogs, 3 cats, 1 cockatiel, and a dear SIL who was housesitting for a price. )

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

I thought the water tower on the Meadows pool slide came from River Country?

Yes, the barrel itself is the one that used to greet people in River Country, but the imagineers painted over it to sport the old logo from the old Fort Wilderness Railroad.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

Following along!! I love the pictures of the cabins and the pool area. It looks gorgeous!

Thanks for following! I still have loads of pictures to come.

Fort Wilderness is a treasure. (It has such a relaxing and pleasant vibe.) What a great place to take the family for vacation.

Although I've never stayed there, I've been there a few times down through the years for lunch, and have also visited the Mercantile--a really fun gift shop with some different items not found at other shops around WDW.

Keep the photos coming--really enjoying this!!

We love it there. Glad you are enjoying it. Spending so much time on so much stuff I can't keep up with Chit Chat. The pages fly by.

Ah your pictures of POR are making me homesick!!

Oh, I don't want to make you sad. I have more of POR coming though so you may want to close your eyes.

Ha ha that looks familiar. I'm sure your daughter was happy that you actually listened to her request...instead of someone else buying one later


Looks like they were having fun!


All of your photos are so pretty! Lovin' your report so far!

It was an inexpensive purchase and came from her gift card. She did carry it every where we went on the trip.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

We did not wait long at all for one of the boats to take us to DS. It could not have been more than 10 minutes. I tried to take plenty of pictures as we took our mini cruise. We passed the mansions at POR and then headed toward POFQ where the boat picked up some more passengers.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

What I really enjoyed was being able to get a close up of the Treehouse Villas. I have always wanted to see them up close. Not sure if that is a place I would want to stay unless we would do a park free vacation. I know the cabins are secluded, but there is easy access to MK and the monorail is a boatride away. I can also see how the noise from the boats could maybe get annoying since they run all day and much of the evening. But maybe someone who has stayed there can opine?

 

[21stamps]

What I really enjoyed was being able to get a close up of the Treehouse Villas. I have always wanted to see them up close. Not sure if that is a place I would want to stay unless we would do a park free vacation. I know the cabins are secluded, but there is easy access to MK and the monorail is a boatride away. I can also see how the noise from the boats could maybe get annoying since they run all day and much of the evening. But maybe someone who has stayed there can opine?
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Pretty photos!

I haven't stayed in a Treehouse..I think the noise would be ok though.
Poly and GF have noise from boats all day, especially in the theme park or lake view rooms.. I actually enjoy that though.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

Up next of course was Saratoga Springs and then DS. Our captain was great. He kept giving us bits of trivia during the trip. I cannot remember anything specific though.

The sky does look ominous, but it did not rain.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

Pretty photos!

I haven't stayed in a Treehouse..I think the noise would be ok though.
Poly and GF have noise from boats all day, especially in the theme park or lake view rooms.. I actually enjoy that though.

Thanks! Glad you are liking the photos. My dh started noticing that I was starting to go nuts taking photos. Had to fill him in and say that I was sharing with my Disney friends. He may have rolled his eyes at that.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Thanks! Glad you are liking the photos. My dh started noticing that I was starting to go nuts taking photos. Had to fill him in and say that I was sharing with my Disney friends. He may have rolled his eyes at that.

I get the same eye roll from my husband when ever I talk Disney, he has accepted that going to Disney will be his fate.

 

[21stamps]

Thanks! Glad you are liking the photos. My dh started noticing that I was starting to go nuts taking photos. Had to fill him in and say that I was sharing with my Disney friends. He may have rolled his eyes at that.

They really are great! I have to remember to take photos of something besides my kid during my next trip.lol.

 

[MotherofaPrincessLover]

I get the same eye roll from my husband when ever I talk Disney, he has accepted that going to Disney will be his fate.

Maybe all of our husbands should start some sort of "I have a crazy Disney wife" club.

 

[21stamps]

Up next of course was Saratoga Springs and then DS. Our captain was great. He kept giving us bits of trivia during the trip. I cannot remember anything specific though.
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The sky does look ominous, but it did not rain.
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I'd really like to try Paddlefish restaurant in the fall. Maybe on my adult trip!

 

[PrincessL]

We had an ADR at Raglan Road this evening but instead of driving to DS or taking the bus, I came up with a more relaxing route. We drove to POR and parked in the lot there. Then we walked to take a boat ride on the Sassagoula.
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A lot behind...just starting your TR...but this is genius. Why didn't I think to do this?!? Loving your report so far

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

A lot behind...just starting your TR...but this is genius. Why didn't I think to do this?!? Loving your report so far

Ha! I just got a little behind in writing it!
This was the first time I ever thought of doing that. (Taking the boat). I think it was my "don't have to do it all"attitude this trip. I really wanted to see the sights which is kind of hard to do in a larger group. Whether I was able to stick to that plan? We will see as the tr. continues.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

I'd really like to try Paddlefish restaurant in the fall. Maybe on my adult trip!

Since dh and I don't eat seafood, it is not on my list. But I still love reading about it.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

I get the same eye roll from my husband when ever I talk Disney, he has accepted that going to Disney will be his fate.

They really are great! I have to remember to take photos of something besides my kid during my next trip.lol.

Maybe all of our husbands should start some sort of "I have a crazy Disney wife" club.

^^^^^^

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

Looking at this picture now and I am surprised that the skies didn't open up. Love the Mickey and Minnie looking down at everyone.

Ahhh. Basin!! I love this place, or should I say my nose loves this place. Love all the smells.

Have never eaten at T-REX My kids are not into Dino's

Who wouldn't pay an upcharge to just wade in this water for 20 minutes.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

It was not to long before we made it to Raglan Road. We had eaten there once before. I think it has been 3 years and it was for lunch. I specifically wanted dinner so we could see the Irish dancing.

They have a fun store with lots of Irish souvenirs. I would have liked to have browsed more but we were buzzed within 5 minutes. I requested a table by the stage. We were seated on the side of it and the next picture shows our view of the restaturant from it. It was a nice spot. The only issue I had with it was it was kind of in a walkway area so there was always a lot of movement of servers around us.

Nonethless it was a good view.

The first thing that was served was the bread service. The kids didn't really care for it and I did not like the dip they had for it. They did offer butter.

 

[DryerLintFan]

We had checked google maps before we left and decided to take I-81 and take that into VA instead of driving around DC. Figured we would be around DC by 2 and were worried about traffic. Well, we had no issues at all until we decided to cut over to 95. We figured we wanted to avoid Charlotte rush hour and thought we were far south enough in VA where it would be safe to take 95. Ummm, yeah, well....let's just say that didn't work out as we had planned. Apparently DC traffic had moved to Fredericksburg and about 20 miles south. Stop and go traffic. Not a fun way to start a road trip. But we were able to make up time as we got closer to Richmond.

By twilight we had passed this.
View attachment 208682 No clue how it stays in business. Hardly any cars are ever there.

We made it to The Hyatt Place in Savannah by 10:30 and all of us were tucked in by 11.

After eating a light breakfast there by 7 am. (First ones there. ), we got back in the car and were excited to take the remaining 4 hour drive to our happy place.

We've stopped in at South of the Border a few times and it was always an awkward adventure. If you ever stop in to check it out, I do NOT recommend eating there

 

[Allym146]

We had an ADR at Raglan Road this evening but instead of driving to DS or taking the bus, I came up with a more relaxing route. We drove to POR and parked in the lot there. Then we walked to take a boat ride on the Sassagoula.
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Ahhh! We will be at riverside in October and these pictures are making me even more excited! As if that were possible .

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

We've stopped in at South of the Border a few times and it was always an awkward adventure. If you ever stop in to check it out, I do NOT recommend eating there

Not even at the authentic Mexican restaurant?

Ahhh! We will be at riverside in October and these pictures are making me even more excited! As if that were possible .

Thanks for reading!! I really loved taking all the photos knowing I would be sharing with all my crazy Disney friends.