canyoncam
original Bambi &Thumper
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2011
I was going to be changing resorts today so I took a day off from the parks. I slept until 8 and then spent a good hour packing. I was trying to do it so I wouldn't have to unpack everything in the next room but maybe get by with just my backpack. After 45 minutes it became clear I had no clue what I was doing so I just tossed it all together! I blame this on the fact I skipped the coffee since I was going to be heading to Kona Cafe for breakfast.
I dropped the bags off at bell services and took the bus to Magic Kingdom, then caught the monorail to the Poly. I was early so I walked around a bit. Still lots of construction. I think that is why I did not take any pictures. I really miss the fountain in the lobby. Not only was it pretty in its own right but it always reminded me of some of the all inclusive resorts I have stayed at in Mexico.
I have always wanted to try breakfast at Kona but am usually to eager to get to the parks in the am to normally do it. Plus the fact no one else has ever wanted to do ANY sit down meals. Today was my scheduled relax day so it finally worked. I did make this reservation at 180 days out but kept moving the time right up until 30 days out. Even then I kept checking and it would still have been easy to move it or get one. Of course I wanted a later time so that helps. It was 10:30. I already knew what I was ordering for breakfast.....Macadamia Pineapple pancakes! And coffee!
It was good but I don't think I will rave over it. I was hungry though so I ate it all. I had wanted the French Press coffee but with just myself I thought that was too much coffee, which I would feel compelled to drink, and then I would be visiting every restroom I could find. As it was I stopped at the Grand Floridian next and used one. I really have started to lack enthusiasm in my picture taking as I used to take photos of EVERY public restroom I used. My mom says as a little girl I always wanted to use public restrooms too
Anyway I did sit in the lobby of the Grand Floridian for a good half hour just people watching and soaking up the atmosphere and scent.
Since I had the entire day I decided to take the monorail back to the TTC and then ride the ferry back to Magic Kingdom. I had never ridden the ferry before. It is pretty cool seeing the castle as you turn the bend. I was starting to feel ill though, I think the heat and my tiredness plus a full tummy of pancakes! I think that is why I didn't take any pictures. Once I got to the bus lines I took the Music bus as it came first. And I like to walk through Music. Of course the Movies bus pulled up just as we started moving. Then the rain started just as I got off at Music. The heavy poncho had to get tossed as after a straight 5 hours in it last night and on the rides the hood and a good foot off the back tore off. But I had my handy umbrella. I got my bags and a taxi to Port Orleans Riverside and was checking in at 1:15. I got my high floor, corner room, Alligator Bayou and my building request plus it was not raining right when I checked in so I was able to walk my luggage over without getting wet.
And yeah for the coffee fixings. Coffee at night, coffee in morning, coffee anytime I want!!!!!
I started to unpack and the the sky decided to open up. It started to POUR now. It was kind of cozy being in my new room and the rain sound outside. I also spent time trying to unpack better than I packed but once again I just gave up and unpacked most of it! The rain became more of just a drizzle and by 2:30 I decided I could use something to munch on. So I grabbed my umbrella and strolled on down to Port Orleans French Quarter for some beignets. I left camera and phone in room. It was a quiet pleasant stroll. The rain let up once I got down to POFQ and I was able to eat outside. I also checked out the gift shop here. Alas the rain started again on my walk back. Just slightly more than sprinkling though. I stopped in the POR giftshop and got my big can of coffee and also a couple of bagged candies for my leftover snack credits. Then I stopped in the lounge for a margarita which I took back to the room.
The sun started to come out as I got close to the room so I changed into my swimsuit and headed to the hot tub. I spent about 15 minutes in there before everyone realized the sun was out and the tub got crowded. It was long enough for me anyhow. I then got another drink at the pool bar. It was an Island Moonshine. When I ordered it a couple of twentysomething girls, who said they were going to try every drink on the menu, asked the bartender if he liked that one. He said it was very coco nutty so if you did not like coconut (which he does not) you would not like it. Well I LOVE coconut so it was awesome in my opinion. I took it on over to one of the quiet pools close to my room and lucked out in that only 3 older kids were in there along with the parents to keep them in line. I spent an hour soaking up the sun.
At about 5 I headed up to clean up and go cash in my last meal credit. I got the create your own pasta but I made a mistake by getting the pesto sauce. I love pesto but this was way too oily. I only ate half of it and half of the red velvet cake which was dry. I did eat all the bread though.
I did grab coffee in the food court because I wanted to save the packages in my room for the am. I can drink coffee at night and still sleep well, if I don't have to get up for the bathroom. It was still early (7) so I found some TV to watch, which is unusual for me on vacation...I hadn't even turned on the TV at all back at Movies. I watched NCIS:New Orleans which I thought was appropriate given I was staying at Port Orleans! Then I was asleep just after 9 and I did sleep like a baby!
I dropped the bags off at bell services and took the bus to Magic Kingdom, then caught the monorail to the Poly. I was early so I walked around a bit. Still lots of construction. I think that is why I did not take any pictures. I really miss the fountain in the lobby. Not only was it pretty in its own right but it always reminded me of some of the all inclusive resorts I have stayed at in Mexico.
I have always wanted to try breakfast at Kona but am usually to eager to get to the parks in the am to normally do it. Plus the fact no one else has ever wanted to do ANY sit down meals. Today was my scheduled relax day so it finally worked. I did make this reservation at 180 days out but kept moving the time right up until 30 days out. Even then I kept checking and it would still have been easy to move it or get one. Of course I wanted a later time so that helps. It was 10:30. I already knew what I was ordering for breakfast.....Macadamia Pineapple pancakes! And coffee!
It was good but I don't think I will rave over it. I was hungry though so I ate it all. I had wanted the French Press coffee but with just myself I thought that was too much coffee, which I would feel compelled to drink, and then I would be visiting every restroom I could find. As it was I stopped at the Grand Floridian next and used one. I really have started to lack enthusiasm in my picture taking as I used to take photos of EVERY public restroom I used. My mom says as a little girl I always wanted to use public restrooms too
Anyway I did sit in the lobby of the Grand Floridian for a good half hour just people watching and soaking up the atmosphere and scent.
Since I had the entire day I decided to take the monorail back to the TTC and then ride the ferry back to Magic Kingdom. I had never ridden the ferry before. It is pretty cool seeing the castle as you turn the bend. I was starting to feel ill though, I think the heat and my tiredness plus a full tummy of pancakes! I think that is why I didn't take any pictures. Once I got to the bus lines I took the Music bus as it came first. And I like to walk through Music. Of course the Movies bus pulled up just as we started moving. Then the rain started just as I got off at Music. The heavy poncho had to get tossed as after a straight 5 hours in it last night and on the rides the hood and a good foot off the back tore off. But I had my handy umbrella. I got my bags and a taxi to Port Orleans Riverside and was checking in at 1:15. I got my high floor, corner room, Alligator Bayou and my building request plus it was not raining right when I checked in so I was able to walk my luggage over without getting wet.
And yeah for the coffee fixings. Coffee at night, coffee in morning, coffee anytime I want!!!!!
I started to unpack and the the sky decided to open up. It started to POUR now. It was kind of cozy being in my new room and the rain sound outside. I also spent time trying to unpack better than I packed but once again I just gave up and unpacked most of it! The rain became more of just a drizzle and by 2:30 I decided I could use something to munch on. So I grabbed my umbrella and strolled on down to Port Orleans French Quarter for some beignets. I left camera and phone in room. It was a quiet pleasant stroll. The rain let up once I got down to POFQ and I was able to eat outside. I also checked out the gift shop here. Alas the rain started again on my walk back. Just slightly more than sprinkling though. I stopped in the POR giftshop and got my big can of coffee and also a couple of bagged candies for my leftover snack credits. Then I stopped in the lounge for a margarita which I took back to the room.
The sun started to come out as I got close to the room so I changed into my swimsuit and headed to the hot tub. I spent about 15 minutes in there before everyone realized the sun was out and the tub got crowded. It was long enough for me anyhow. I then got another drink at the pool bar. It was an Island Moonshine. When I ordered it a couple of twentysomething girls, who said they were going to try every drink on the menu, asked the bartender if he liked that one. He said it was very coco nutty so if you did not like coconut (which he does not) you would not like it. Well I LOVE coconut so it was awesome in my opinion. I took it on over to one of the quiet pools close to my room and lucked out in that only 3 older kids were in there along with the parents to keep them in line. I spent an hour soaking up the sun.
At about 5 I headed up to clean up and go cash in my last meal credit. I got the create your own pasta but I made a mistake by getting the pesto sauce. I love pesto but this was way too oily. I only ate half of it and half of the red velvet cake which was dry. I did eat all the bread though.
I did grab coffee in the food court because I wanted to save the packages in my room for the am. I can drink coffee at night and still sleep well, if I don't have to get up for the bathroom. It was still early (7) so I found some TV to watch, which is unusual for me on vacation...I hadn't even turned on the TV at all back at Movies. I watched NCIS:New Orleans which I thought was appropriate given I was staying at Port Orleans! Then I was asleep just after 9 and I did sleep like a baby!
And we actually got to the park before the opening show, I didn't realize I was that early!
At least I thought until on the drop I got completely soaked, even with my (cheap) poncho on. The water went in through the arm openings and the neck opening! Then the rain started, again, once I got off. But I had to try BTMRR once more and this time I did get the last seat but the rain made it not so much fun so I headed back to Splash. And I got front seat here (on Splash front is good, actually BTMRR is the only ride front=bad and back=good). But this ride wasn't pleasant. The family behind me was the parents and 5 yr son. They had been divided by the CM directing loading but they saw a family of three get out of the boat we were heading on to. They asked the CM there if they could all ride together. She said if they want to they could. OK, I am not thin so I am not judging these people, but they were not thin either (though probably thinner than me). I could not see that working. They did get in but it was tight and that was all I heard from the parents the whole way. The kid never complained but the whole ride the parents kept saying how miserable they were and how the kid of course could not see anything. I understand making a mistake and being upset but they were loud about it. 
. So i just took the time to walk around the resort and take some pictures.
But I settled on some turkey sliders which were VERY good too so it wasn't so bad. No pictures sorry. I was glad to be back home (at least close to it).
