Port Orleans Riverside * Time to Eat!

It was nearing 4:30 pm, and we all were starting to get hungry. We wanted to eat here and then hop a bus back to the Magic Kingdom for more fun! Brookie was still napping ...



... so Rob & I decided to split up and each go to Riverside Mill to get counter service meals. I went first with Alec. We walked over there together, and I chose the burger basket with fries and a chocolate cake for dessert. They had to specially make my burger because I do not like cheese on it. Hey, better freshly made! Alec chose the kids chicken nuggets meal. We carried it all back to our room on a tray so Rob could quickly go with Evan. I remembered to take a picture of my dessert ... after a couple bites, that is!



As Alec & I were eating, we heard some very loud thunder and WHAM! A lovely Florida thunderstorm had rolled in but fast. It was raining extremely hard, and I knew Rob & Evan would be trapped at Riverside Mill. I was glad I went first. I went to call Rob and then I heard his phone going off in the room. Darn him! He never takes his stupid cell! What good is it in the room? Plus I don't even like his ring tone. It's the group Rush. I liked them back in the early 80s but not so much now. Whatever, it's his, and I guess he gets to choose his own ringtone. Can anyone guess who I have on my ringtone? Name the artist and the song ... oh nevermind. I'll just tell you. It's Matchbox Twenty "If You're Gone".

I tried to take some pics of the rain storm but they didn’t come out as well as I had hoped. But here they are anyway ...





The storm lasted quite a while. Brookie had woken up but was not hungry, per usual. Rob called me from a house phone (at least he was thinking there) and said that they were finishing up their meals and when the rain cleared they would be back. Sure enough, they came back about 5:30 pm.

What did we want to do now? We talked about our options. We could still hear thunder, so we didn’t know if we wanted to go back to the Magic Kingdom. We knew we had to get up extra early on Monday to make an 8 am ADR at Donald’s Breakfastosaurus in the Animal Kingdom. So, we decided to take our trays back to Riverside Mill and go to the gift shop. On the way, I snapped a few more pictures. Here’s Alec holding the tray over his head and Rob carrying Brookie ...



Looking down the river toward the Alligator Bayou section ...



So, we get into the gift shop and it’s pure gloriousness (love my word?). Oh, didn’t the kids want to buy things there! At this point, I was tired of asking Rob for the KTTW cards whenever we needed to do FPs or use for dining, etc. I wanted to have them handy for me. So I hunted around the gift shop for something I could attach to my lanyard. I found a plastic card holder that attached to a Mickey clip. It cost $5.50. Sold! The boys each wanted a toy monorail and a mini light-up laser sword. Brookie wanted a light-up laser sword and one of the light-up spin toys. Plus I got her 3 pairs of pink Mickey earrings.

So, where did we want to go to next? We all decided to use a snack credit and get us some ice cream! Rob & the boys got milk shakes and I got a double scoop of black raspberry ice cream, which I shared with Brookie. Now, you’re probably wondering, “Is that what that poor girl had for dinner?” Well, kinda. We did give her some yogurt and grapes back in the room too if that makes you feel any better. She is just not a huge eater if she has already had one large meal. Remember Crystal Palace? She ate very well there!

We slowly strolled back to our room. Here’s a couple of more pictures that I took. Heading back along the path ...



... trying for a scenic shot with the tree on the left ...



This is where we turned to go to our building. I liked the sign and that’s Alec in the picture on the right and Brookie way ahead. The path to the right of Brookie is where we turned to enter our building coming from Riverside Mill.



And finally, a closer look at our building as the boys were heading back to the room. Our room was a couple doors to the left of the picture.



We all washed up and relaxed and went to sleep very early, as we had to get up very early! Even though we didn't get back to the Magic Kingdom, we really weren't too upset about this. We knew we were going back on Friday.

Magic Kingdom back to Port Orleans Riverside

We left Crystal Palace, and Evan reminded us that we needed to go back to Pirates so he could buy himself a gun with his spending money. So, back we went and he picked one out. He loved that gun and still does. He also bought a Pirates medallion that cost $20. I nearly flipped at that price, but it was his money and he knew that once it was gone, it was gone. Alec also wanted the medallion, so he bought that too with his money.

So we were strolling back to leave the Magic Kingdom, and we looked at the castle and what did we see? Was it the Dream Team? Nope, we just noticed that that the smoke had finally cleared away. That meant we could get more PhotoPass pictures. I then proceeded to tackle a CM to take a couple of pictures for our Photopass. Well, almost. At least I got me some more pics.






After he took the photos, I asked the CM if he could take the famous Tinkerbell photo with Brooke. He said he was sorry but he was not allowed to do that anymore. I was disappointed, and it must have showed in my face because the CM looked at Brooke and pulled this out of his pocket for her ...



I guess that kinda made up for not taking the Tinkerbell picture.

Off we went back on the bus to Port Orleans Riverside. Evan was very proud of his new gun, and when I went to take a picture of him, he gave me this pose. I totally wasn’t expecting it but I loved it!



And then he turned on me!!! Oh no!!



I was pretty tired, but all the kids wanted to go to Ole Man Island (POR’s main pool). So Rob decided to take all 3 of them. I thought that was most excellent of him. I took some time to jot some notes down in my PassPorter journal pages. I also took a couple of pictures of the view from our room.

First, looking straight out looking toward building 14 ...



... and then looking slightly to the right.



And finally, here is a really bad, quickly put together video of our flight down to Orlando and a bit of the Magic Kingdom. Rob took the video, and I just did a bit of editing. In no way is this a representation of what my real skills are at home video editing! Click here for "Rob's video".

Magic Kingdom * Crystal Palace

We arrived to check in at Crystal Palace at 11:15 am. There was only 1 couple ahead of me in line, so I thought that would be excellent and quick to check in. Well, I should have known better. This couple was trying to make an ADR for lunch now. The CM told them that they were completely booked today. Then the couple wanted to know about tomorrow and the next day ... The CM told them that they had an opening at around 2 pm for Wednesday. The couple discussed it briefly and decided that would be fine. Meanwhile, I’m still waiting just to check in. Then, instead of thanking the CM and leaving after they make their ADR for 3 days from now, they ask the CM what is on the menu. What??? That ticked me off. They didn’t even know what was on the menu? Okay, I guess I can understand that, but did they need to know right now? There was a longer line forming behind me. The CM goes on to list just about everything imagineable that was on the buffet. Finally, another CM came over and took my name and gave me the pager. I handed the pager over to Rob and went inside for a pit stop. Yup ... that Diet Coke caught up with me, and I needed to relieve myself before I started doing the “pee dance”. That’s what we call it in our family, and Alec is famous for the last minute “pee dance”. Oh, there will be a story on that later in my TR ...

Our pager went off and we headed on in. We were seated in the “right side” of the restaurant all the way to the back next to a window. It was a very nice location but a bit far from the buffet. Here's our view.




Cheese it up Brookie!



I ran up to the buffet first to get the kids their meals. They all had chicken fingers. Then I went back up to get my own stuff. I really love the salmon and jasmine rice, so that’s pretty much all I got but I got a lot of it. Then Rob went up to get his plate, and he managed to fill it up. With what? I have no idea because I was ready for the characters to come around!

First around to our table is Eeyore ...



... and then Tigger who was pretending to steal some of Brookie’s food.



Of course, I had to have a picture of all my kids with Tigger.



Then, the star of the show .... Pooh! ... who had to hug all the kids!







When we first sat down, we saw Piglet quite a ways away from us, and we thought it was only a matter of time before he came over. We didn’t notice at first that he wasn’t coming until Tigger, Eeyore, and Pooh came. I started looking for Piglet and could not find him. Then I saw him about 10 tables away. Okay, we still had to eat dessert. I did manage to get some pictures of some of the desserts.

Here’s some cream cheese brownies, I think (I didn’t like them and neither did Rob).



The kids got to make their own sundaes.



Here are some more regular brownies and the best dessert here ... whiskey soaked chocolate trifle cake. I went back for 2nds of that dessert and even talked a woman sitting next to us into getting some, which she loved!



So, Piglet was about 5 tables away and he totally left! He’s was gone for a couple of minutes and then came back. That’s okay. I was sure he would be at our table soon. We were done with our dessert, but I was determined to wait. He got to the table right beside us when the parade started and off he went, again, in the parade! Then when the parade finished, he took off again. I got a bit upset at that point thinking we were “blown off” by Piglet. I said something to our waitress who said Piglet would be right back. So we waited, and sure enough he came right back to our table.



Finally, I was happy and we left. Our meal was wonderful. Our waitress brought us refills without asking. Everything was just about perfect as usual, so we will definitely be returning here, as it is one of favorite places for lunch in the Magic Kingdom!

Magic Kingdom * Frontierland to Adventureland

After we said our goodbyes to Courtney & Ryan, it was time for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Of course, Brooke could not ride this one too, so we asked for a child swap pass, and Rob & the boys went on. I told them that I was thirsty so I was going to take Brooke to Adventureland and buy a Diet Coke. I told him to meet us over there.

So they went on Big Thunder and Brooke & I strolled over to Adventureland. I bought me a large Diet Coke and shared some with Brooke. Oh yes, I give my kids Diet Coke sometimes. Only when I’m too cheap to buy another drink, and I knew I couldn’t finish that whole soda without having to run to the bathroom. We sat down on a bench across from Pirates of the Caribbean, and Brooke saw Captain Hook come out. She said she wanted to see him. I really didn’t think she would go up to him, but I told her to wait for Daddy, and then he will take her, hoping she would forget about it so we could all just go on Pirates.

A few minutes later, Rob & the boys were walking up to us, and Brooke immediately told Rob that she wanted to see Captain Hook. I told Rob to take her in line, and I asked the boys if they wanted to see Captain Hook also. Neither one of them did. So the boys sat with me while Rob waited in line. I handed Rob my PhotoPass card. I’m glad I remembered it!! Here’s the PhotoPass shot ......



and here is the most exciting video I took of the meet! You can hear me say, “Go ahead.” Click here for video of "Brooke, Captain Hook & Mr. Smee". Brooke was lucky because she was the last one seen before Captain Hook had to go take a break.

Then we were on our way to the Pirates of the Caribbean. I love this ride. It has always been one of my favorites since I went on it in Disneyland way back in 1975. And here is the only picture I took of the ride. Frame worthy, eh?



We had an 11:30 am ADR at the Crystal Palace, and it was just after 11 am at this point. So we started to head on over there. I wanted to make sure I checked in no later than 11:15. I’ve shown up later than that the last 2 times, and the line just to check in was horrendous. Rob took a picture of the castle while they were waiting for me to check in.

Magic Kingdom * Splash Mountain * Sunday

I woke up extra early with a lovely wake-up call from Mickey & Stitch. I told the kids to go back to sleep while I jumped in the shower. When the kids did wake up shortly after, we fed them grapes and yogurt for breakfast. Rob went to the food court with my mug to refill it with Diet Coke. Yup, that's what I love drinking first thing in the morning!

We were at the bus stop by 8:15 am so I knew we would be at the Magic Kingdom by rope drop. I was really hoping so because I wanted to meet up with Courtney, another friend I met on the DISboards, before we actually were supposed to meet at Splash Mountain. We got off the bus at the Magic Kingdom, and the first thing we noticed was that the air was very smoky outside. I mean it had a very, very heavy smoke smell. I got out my cell phone and called Courtney. She told me that she and Ryan were right by the rope on the right-hand side near the railroad underpass. She also said there were a lot of people there, so we didn’t expect to see each other until Splash Mountain. That was fine. I just wanted her to know that we were there.

So, Rob, the kids & I walked right up to the preshow viewing area. There was nobody standing up front near the lovely flowers just beneath the railroad. Rob took this lovely picture of me while we waited for the preshow ...

We staked our spot out there, and I told them to stay there while I tried to see if I could find Courtney anyway. I walked a couple of steps and saw Ryan, Courtney's husband, right off the bat. I looked down, and there was Courtney sitting on the ground with her back to me. As I approached, Ryan looked at me, and I gave him the “hush” motion with my finger over my lips. Then I gently touched Courtney on top of her head. She looked up and then jumped up and gave me a big hug! Then I overheard a funny thing from Ryan. He quickly called Courtney over and said, “Court, check my nose. I don’t want to meet anyone with snots on my nose.” This made me giggle. I guess the smoky smell in the air was bothering Ryan. After Courtney assured him there were no snots, I took a picture of them both.



Courtney told me that she and Ryan were going to run to Space Mountain and grab fast passes while we got our stroller and headed over to Splash Mountain. She said she would meet us there so we could ride together. I said it sounded good. The rope was getting ready to drop, so we said our byes for now.

Since we had already purchased our stroller for the week, it took us no time at all just to grab another one and head on out to Frontierland. Rob noticed that there was no wait time for Splash Mountain and said he could ride with the boys before Courtney and Ryan came back. I told him no way, that Courtney was just grabbing FPs for Space Mountain and would be right over because she said they like to run. We then went over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and grabbed FPs for ourselves and headed back toward Splash Mountain. I gave Courtney another call to see how much longer they would be, and she said that they got their FPs for Space and were in line to ride it. What? I thought they were coming right back to meet us. So, I told Rob to ride Splash Mountain with the boys while I entertained Brooke and waited for Courtney. I’m surprised Rob didn’t give me an, “I told you so,” but he did imply it with his looks. Whatever.

I went under the train pass near Splash Mountain’s exit where they have a small kiddie play area. But Brooke wanted nothing to do with it. She thought it was scary. So, I noticed the pressed penny machine nearby and I let Brooke pick out a pressed penny. That made her happy.

Courtney called and said they were running over now and I explained where we were. A few minutes later, Courtney called again because she couldn’t find us. She told me where she was, and I looked up and saw her so I waved her down. We chatted a bit while we waited for Rob & the boys to get off Splash. Brooke was acting a bit shy at first. Then Ryan noticed Brooke had a pressed penny and asked her if she wanted another one. That got her up and out of her stroller lickety split. He put in 50 cents and couldn’t figure out why it wouldn’t work. I told him it needed a penny too. He said it should say it costs 51 cents. That does make sense!

In the meantime, Ryan took this picture of me & Courtney ...



Rob & the boys returned, so Courtney & Ryan and Evan, Alec & I headed in line for Splash Mountain. First we made sure we got a child swap pass for later use. There was just about no wait for that again. As we neared the front of the line Courtney was getting herself all wrapped up so she wouldn’t get wet. She looked like a green smurf; it was so cute. I just brought a towel to throw over my head at the bottom of the big splash. You can kinda see my towel wrapped around my arm in the picture.



That was a lot of fun and I didn’t really even get wet. Obviously, neither did Courtney nor Ryan. After Splash Mountain we all chatted for a bit more while we waited for our FP times to come up. Courtney took this picture of my family ...



Do you like Rob's shorts? Those were picked out by me at Target. Rob didn't even want to try them on, but I thought they were really cool. So, I need to know what you all think!

Also, check out that chic in the background on the left. What the flip is she doing? If she were a guy I'd think she was adjusting her sac. Hee hee.

Then, we gave hugs and said our goodbyes. It was so wonderful to finally meet Courtney. She was the first DIS friend who I started emailing and we have become very good friends. I just love that girl and someday I’m going down to Louisiana for a crawfish boil!!!