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Port Orleans Adventure
Trip Reports
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Who: Jennifer R. (33) and Mike R. (34)
What: Port Orleans Adventure
Where: Port Orleans--French Quarter
When: April 2 to 7, 2004
Why: Bi-annual trip
How: By plane
As it's an even-numbered year, 2004 was my vacation pick. So I picked, of course, Disney World! We
decided to stay at Port Orleans--French Quarter to test out a moderate resort. .
April 2
We woke up at 4:30 am! We quickly go ready, loaded the car, and drove to the Lehigh Valley
International Airport. We breezed through security. We had a bite to eat at airport--croissant and
muffin--then enjoyed two calm flights. Ricardo from Tiffany Towncar met us at the Orlando Airport.
Our drive from the airport to the hotel went really quickly. We really enjoyed the door-to-door service.
The temperature was in the high 70s, with crystal clear blue skies. We were checking in to our hotel
by 1:30.
We checked into our hotel. Then we stopped in the food court for our refillable mugs and some
cheese and crackers. We walked to our room, enjoying the beautiful resort along the way. Our room
was nice, newly refurbished.
After we settled into our room and ate, we walked over to the French Quarter Landing to take the boa
t down the Sassagoula River to Downtown Disney. We enjoyed seeing the Treehouse Villas on the
way. We walked in a few shops then had salads at Cap'n Jacks.
Next we went to Disney Quest, where we sent postcards home, played vintage video games, and
rode the Pirates virtual reality ride. I got my favorite treat, a mocha from the Wonderland Café.
We caught the first comedy show, then the Adventurer's Club. Then we took a boat back to our resort.
April 3
Saturday morning we got up around 7. We had breakfast in the food court. Then we took our first
Disney bus of the trip--to Animal Kingdom.
After walking through the Oasis and past the majestic Tree of Life, we headed for Dinoland USA. We
rode Dinosaur, which was a whole lot faster and scarier than I remembered.
Next we rode Primeval World, a spinning coaster. We arrived on perfect time for the Tarzan Rocks
show. Then we watched It's Tough to be a Bug, got a fast pass for the Safari, and took the train to
Rafiki's Planet Watch--Conservation Station.
We rode Kilimanjaro Safari next, and we saw a lot of animals. We checked out the area where they're
building Expedition Everest. It's huge! We walked through the Maharajah Jungle Trek, and then we
watched the Flights of Wonder show.
We left the Animal Kingdom around 3. We took a bus to Fort Wilderness and then another bus to
Pioneer Hall for the Hoop-Dee-Do Revue. We both enjoyed the show, especially because I was
chosen to be a part of it and even got to speak a line! Afterwards we took a very chilly boat ride across
the lake to the Magic Kingdom. We arrived right on time for Spectromagic and Wishes.
April 4
Sunday morning, after a quick breakfast in the hotel's food court, we took a bus to Typhoon Lagoon.
Brrr, it was chilly, but we staked out beach chairs, played in the wave pool, and tested out every ride.
We grabbed chicken strips and fries for lunch. Yum!
Around 2, we zipped back to our hotel to change and then took a bus to the Magic Kingdom. It was
mobbed! We waited in a long line for a Haunted Mansion fast pass, then took a Riverboat ride. Next
we watched Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree.
After Goofy, we went on the Haunted Mansion. Very hungry, we tried to get in several restaurants, but
they were all crowded. Finally we settled on fish and chips at Columbia Harbor House. Next we
trekked over to Mickey's Toontown Fair.
We took a trip on the Railroad, then Snow White's Scary Adventure. We got fast passes for Mickey's
Philharmagic, but they were so late we waited in the 30 minute standby line instead.
April 5
Up around 7 on Monday, we headed right to Disney Studios. And of course we headed right for the
Tower of Terror. We shopped until it was time to ride. Then we waited in a HUGE line for fast passes
for Rock 'n Roller Coaster. We ate cookies for breakfast--hey, it's a vacation!
Next we went on the Great Movie Ride, which was practically a walk-on, and the Studio Backlot Tour,
barely surviving Catastrophe Canyon.
We stopped to split small pizzas at Catalina Eddie's. Then we caught the Magic of Disney animation
tour, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Play It, the Making of the Haunted Mansion Movie, and the parade.
Whew!
After the parade, which we watched with a lovely family from London, we watched some really great
street performers, a la American Idol.
We enjoyed a great dinner at Hollywood and Vine. Then we went through the special gate for reserved
Fantasmic seats. The regular seating was almost full by 7:30! Fantasmic truly was a great as I had
heard. After the show, really beat, we went back to our resort.
April 6
Tuesday morning we skipped breakfast to head right over to EPCOT--destination Mission Space. With
hordes of other early risers, we went there first. Waiting only about 15 minutes in the standby line, we
were on the ride quickly. And what a ride it was! We ate breakfast afterward at the Electric Umbrella.
After that, we stood in line with HUNDREDS of people to get fast passes for Test Track. In line for 20
minutes, the 55-minute standby line almost looked appealing. Our surprise reward was bonus fast
passes for Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Clever Disney, diverting people to the other side of the park!
Next we rode on Journey into Imagination and had snacks at the Sunshine Season Food Fair.
We headed back for our Test Track fast passes and waited in line for 30 minutes, making the
combined wait to get fast passes and fast pass return a mere 5 minutes shorter over the standby
time.
Next we took a ride on Living with the Land, which got stuck, then Spaceship Earth, which also got
stuck! We caught a glimpse of the new Soarin' ride through the trees.
Next we went over to World Showcase and walked through it counterclockwise. We had a delicious
dinner at Nine Dragons. It was just the two of us in the restaurant--and 60 rowdy school kids. Then we
walked through Norway and Mexico and rode El Rio de Tempo. We found a nice spot to near France
to relax and watch Illuminations.
April 7
Our last day, we ate breakfast at the hotel. At the Magic Kingdom, we outsmarted the crowd, heading
for Adventureland. We rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the
Caribbean, and the Enchanted Tiki Room, all as walk ons!
We zipped over to Tomorrowland to get fast passes for Buzz Lightyear. In the meantime we rode the
Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Carousel of Progress, and TimeKeeper. I got seats for the parade
while Michael got hot dogs.
We enjoyed the parade, rode Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, and took one last walk around the
park. We caught a glimpse of the wedding pavilion (where we were married in 2002) as we walked to
the bus, which took us to the hotel and waiting towncar, which took us back to the airport.
After a bumpy but safe flight home and quick drive from the airport, we were glad to be home!
What: Port Orleans Adventure
Where: Port Orleans--French Quarter
When: April 2 to 7, 2004
Why: Bi-annual trip
How: By plane
As it's an even-numbered year, 2004 was my vacation pick. So I picked, of course, Disney World! We
decided to stay at Port Orleans--French Quarter to test out a moderate resort. .
April 2
We woke up at 4:30 am! We quickly go ready, loaded the car, and drove to the Lehigh Valley
International Airport. We breezed through security. We had a bite to eat at airport--croissant and
muffin--then enjoyed two calm flights. Ricardo from Tiffany Towncar met us at the Orlando Airport.
Our drive from the airport to the hotel went really quickly. We really enjoyed the door-to-door service.
The temperature was in the high 70s, with crystal clear blue skies. We were checking in to our hotel
by 1:30.
We checked into our hotel. Then we stopped in the food court for our refillable mugs and some
cheese and crackers. We walked to our room, enjoying the beautiful resort along the way. Our room
was nice, newly refurbished.
After we settled into our room and ate, we walked over to the French Quarter Landing to take the boa
t down the Sassagoula River to Downtown Disney. We enjoyed seeing the Treehouse Villas on the
way. We walked in a few shops then had salads at Cap'n Jacks.
Next we went to Disney Quest, where we sent postcards home, played vintage video games, and
rode the Pirates virtual reality ride. I got my favorite treat, a mocha from the Wonderland Café.
We caught the first comedy show, then the Adventurer's Club. Then we took a boat back to our resort.
April 3
Saturday morning we got up around 7. We had breakfast in the food court. Then we took our first
Disney bus of the trip--to Animal Kingdom.
After walking through the Oasis and past the majestic Tree of Life, we headed for Dinoland USA. We
rode Dinosaur, which was a whole lot faster and scarier than I remembered.
Next we rode Primeval World, a spinning coaster. We arrived on perfect time for the Tarzan Rocks
show. Then we watched It's Tough to be a Bug, got a fast pass for the Safari, and took the train to
Rafiki's Planet Watch--Conservation Station.
We rode Kilimanjaro Safari next, and we saw a lot of animals. We checked out the area where they're
building Expedition Everest. It's huge! We walked through the Maharajah Jungle Trek, and then we
watched the Flights of Wonder show.
We left the Animal Kingdom around 3. We took a bus to Fort Wilderness and then another bus to
Pioneer Hall for the Hoop-Dee-Do Revue. We both enjoyed the show, especially because I was
chosen to be a part of it and even got to speak a line! Afterwards we took a very chilly boat ride across
the lake to the Magic Kingdom. We arrived right on time for Spectromagic and Wishes.
April 4
Sunday morning, after a quick breakfast in the hotel's food court, we took a bus to Typhoon Lagoon.
Brrr, it was chilly, but we staked out beach chairs, played in the wave pool, and tested out every ride.
We grabbed chicken strips and fries for lunch. Yum!
Around 2, we zipped back to our hotel to change and then took a bus to the Magic Kingdom. It was
mobbed! We waited in a long line for a Haunted Mansion fast pass, then took a Riverboat ride. Next
we watched Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree.
After Goofy, we went on the Haunted Mansion. Very hungry, we tried to get in several restaurants, but
they were all crowded. Finally we settled on fish and chips at Columbia Harbor House. Next we
trekked over to Mickey's Toontown Fair.
We took a trip on the Railroad, then Snow White's Scary Adventure. We got fast passes for Mickey's
Philharmagic, but they were so late we waited in the 30 minute standby line instead.
April 5
Up around 7 on Monday, we headed right to Disney Studios. And of course we headed right for the
Tower of Terror. We shopped until it was time to ride. Then we waited in a HUGE line for fast passes
for Rock 'n Roller Coaster. We ate cookies for breakfast--hey, it's a vacation!
Next we went on the Great Movie Ride, which was practically a walk-on, and the Studio Backlot Tour,
barely surviving Catastrophe Canyon.
We stopped to split small pizzas at Catalina Eddie's. Then we caught the Magic of Disney animation
tour, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Play It, the Making of the Haunted Mansion Movie, and the parade.
Whew!
After the parade, which we watched with a lovely family from London, we watched some really great
street performers, a la American Idol.
We enjoyed a great dinner at Hollywood and Vine. Then we went through the special gate for reserved
Fantasmic seats. The regular seating was almost full by 7:30! Fantasmic truly was a great as I had
heard. After the show, really beat, we went back to our resort.
April 6
Tuesday morning we skipped breakfast to head right over to EPCOT--destination Mission Space. With
hordes of other early risers, we went there first. Waiting only about 15 minutes in the standby line, we
were on the ride quickly. And what a ride it was! We ate breakfast afterward at the Electric Umbrella.
After that, we stood in line with HUNDREDS of people to get fast passes for Test Track. In line for 20
minutes, the 55-minute standby line almost looked appealing. Our surprise reward was bonus fast
passes for Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Clever Disney, diverting people to the other side of the park!
Next we rode on Journey into Imagination and had snacks at the Sunshine Season Food Fair.
We headed back for our Test Track fast passes and waited in line for 30 minutes, making the
combined wait to get fast passes and fast pass return a mere 5 minutes shorter over the standby
time.
Next we took a ride on Living with the Land, which got stuck, then Spaceship Earth, which also got
stuck! We caught a glimpse of the new Soarin' ride through the trees.
Next we went over to World Showcase and walked through it counterclockwise. We had a delicious
dinner at Nine Dragons. It was just the two of us in the restaurant--and 60 rowdy school kids. Then we
walked through Norway and Mexico and rode El Rio de Tempo. We found a nice spot to near France
to relax and watch Illuminations.
April 7
Our last day, we ate breakfast at the hotel. At the Magic Kingdom, we outsmarted the crowd, heading
for Adventureland. We rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the
Caribbean, and the Enchanted Tiki Room, all as walk ons!
We zipped over to Tomorrowland to get fast passes for Buzz Lightyear. In the meantime we rode the
Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Carousel of Progress, and TimeKeeper. I got seats for the parade
while Michael got hot dogs.
We enjoyed the parade, rode Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, and took one last walk around the
park. We caught a glimpse of the wedding pavilion (where we were married in 2002) as we walked to
the bus, which took us to the hotel and waiting towncar, which took us back to the airport.
After a bumpy but safe flight home and quick drive from the airport, we were glad to be home!
