My Polynesian Escape May 09-Leaving in the morning! Celebrating my DH's USAF Upgrade!

[vettegirl]

Hello my name is Lori, and I wanted to share my excitement about my upcoming visit with a PTR. Thanks to the Armed Forces Salute we are getting to return to DW after our first trip ever last May. We stayed at SOG last year which was very nice, but fell in love with the Poly! I thought man I wish I could stay here, but I am way to cheap :lmao: to pay that much for a room. Well with the 40% off military discount my dream came true!

Welcome to our cast of characters enjoying me on this trip to the Polynesian Islands

My super sweet DH (I secretly post his picture on here, he thinks I am major OCD with my Disney planning, but man does he have fun when we are there!) This picture is actually from inside the Poly at one of the stores.

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MY DMIL and DFIL, who will be going us for 3 days just like last year. We had tons of fun last year and my MIL can't wait to return to the store in Japan, they lived 6 years there so it brings back good memories. I am actually in this picture with them taken in Norway last year.


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The of course there is me! I love Disney, my first trip ever was to DL in 2000 while in college and I really enjoyed it. After that we went back in 2007 to DL for 4 days and it was so magical. I never had the desire to visit DW, I thought is was too big and complicated unlike DL but I was wrong. I booked our first trip last year in May and it was wonderful. I only had a month to plan but it was still great. I have also been to DL Paris which was only for a day back this September during a European vacation, and it was neat. No crowds at all:woohoo: So I am super excited as I have never stayed at a Disney owned hotel before and we are trying out the yummy dining plan this time. I have been hitting the gym hard because I want to live it up for those 5 days and eat whatever I want:cloud9:

Me at DL Paris, I have never seen a park so dead, it was awesome!!!
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AK last May!
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So I was super happy last week to find our DME boarding passes and luggage tags in the mail. Who thought opening the mailbox could bring such joy!!

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We also have our tickets already which is another sigh of relief.

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More to follow soon!

[vettegirl]

So I booked a garden view room and have requested the longhouse of Tokelau. I figured that was a good location per researching on Tikiman's informative website.

Here are the ADR's that I made at the 90 day mark and was able to get the times I wanted with no problem. I opted for the Basic Dining Plan, because it will be nice to have everything paid for and not have to worry about $. I am not sure if I want all of those darn desserts :lmao:

May 10th (Mom's Day) Kona Cafe Dinner 6:45
May 11th 50's Primetime Care Dinner 6:50 (can't wait to eat dessert)
May 12th Biergarten for lunch 1:00 (our favorite from last year)
May 13th Chefs de France 7:30 (we can see the fireworks after lunch, just need to remember the earplugs, Illuminations is way to loud:scared1:)
May 14th Ohana 8:30 for dinner

We have never been to any of these except for Biergarten so I am super excited. For CS I would like to go back to Flametree BBQ and Yakatori house.

I haven't decided if I want to book a spa hour over at the GF, the costs is pretty steep but it sounds really nice:cloud9:

[vettegirl]

Our flight leaves Houston Intercontinental Airport at 7:39 via Continental are set to orrive at MCO at 10:58 am. We will be using the ME for our one checked bag and then both carrying on two bags for all the things I want to buy:) I am hoping that everything goes smooth and we are at the park between 1-2.

Our first park for Sunday May 10 will be MK, it's a must for me. I know touring plans says to avoid,but we were there last year at the same time and we never waited more than 15 minutes for a ride that Sunday.

We will have to get over to Kona Cafe before 6:45 for our first ADR, can't wait. I want to order the New York Strip with pinapple on top. I haven't decided on dessert, I will see how full I am at the time and decide. Here are some pictures from our MK trip visit last year.

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[vettegirl]

After our dinner at Kona I plan on heading over to the GF to check out there gym, I am going to try to get a 30 minute workout before Wishes comes on at nine. We plan on watching that from the beaches of the Poly.

Coming up next Day 2 AK with EMH!

[shordiebecka]

love your plans so far! i'm jealous..the poly..ooooo! can't wait to hear how it goes, your trip is so great and so close!

[vettegirl]

So the next morning I have planned to head over to AK for the early EMH. Of course Safari first then we will make our way to my favorite EE. I rode it seven times last year, it is such a beautiful detailed ride. Even the standing in line is fun and educational. I and my FIL like Primeevil Whirl, it is so fun, can't wait to get on that one either.
I also want my MIL to see the Lion King show, she missed it last year, it was the best! We saw Nemo last year and it was good but for me it was a one tim thing. Of course I want to see all of the aninmal exhibitions again. I will give Dinosaur another try as well, even though IMO it cannot compare to Indian Jones at DL. It is very jerky too:eek: Also I am not too sure on the Kali RR as I did the other version at DL and don't want to be soaked.

AK is such an awesome beautiful place. Here are some pics from last years trip to AK. We went on two different days. OOPs pics didn't load right I will have to post later when I get home from work. Yes I should be working but I am super excited about my trip.

[vettegirl]

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[vettegirl]

For Monday May 11th we plan on spending our evening at DHS and take advantage of the EMH. We will somehow ride TSM:lmao: We have dinner reservations at the 50's PT for 6:50 that night and can't wait to try it. I hope our server will play along and make it really fun.

[vettegirl]

So yesterday I was suprised to find in our mailbox our coupon book with all of the vouchers and little holders for our KTW card. I have been so impressed the way Disney has sent everything in such a timely manner. May 10th here we come!

[tink774]

I love your PTR so far, subbing!!

I'm so jealous that you are staying at the Poly! And have you eaten at Kona Cafe before? It might be my favorite restaurant on property, and I hope that you and your family enjoy it! :thumbsup2 The bit about your DH thinking you are OCD made me laugh. I, too, have OCPD when it comes to planning Disney trips, so you're definitely not alone!

[vettegirl]

We have never eaten at the Kona, I remember seeing it last year walking through the lobby and wanting to eat there so bad!

[vettegirl]

So I know tanning beds are awful, but I figured since was going to Polynesia I need to have a tan. So I have started tanning for our trip that is now 29 days away! So I also bought a fab new swimsuit for my Disney trip. Here is a pic of it, it is so cute and actually keeps it all in up top if you know what I mean :thumbsup2

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[vettegirl]

:woohoo:So DHS again is the plan for 5/11, I am not sure what time we will arrive but musts do's for that evening are RNR (Total Aerosmith fan, I sing the entire time I am on the coaster), TOT, and TSM. I know the line will probably be long but we can get in line during EMH and do it last. Of course Star Tours is a must do, even though I am sick of it, it's a classic! I would also like to see the Beauty and the Beast show, we missed it last year. I don't need to see the backlot tour, stunt show or the great movie ride again. DHS is my second favorite park behind AK. Here are some pics from our May 08 trip!

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[vettegirl]

For our next day Tuesday May 12th we plan on heading over to EPCOT for the EMH and will run over to Soarin,(okay maybe walk quickly) and then grab a FP for another ride later. Then we will head over to MS Orange (Awesome!) and then TT. I also want to try Club Cool this time. Also love the Land ride, very educational and fun! Then we will make our way to WS were we have a 1:00 PM ADR for Biergarten, our fav from last time. More to come soon....

[vettegirl]

I am super excited about the store in Japan as well, I really want to new tea pot, as I broke the handle on mine. Also the dished there are incredible. I plan on spending a minimum of hour in that store alone.

[wdwgirl03]

OK, having Polynesian in the title is enough to get me in! I love love LOVE the Polynesian! It's possibly my favorite resort in Disney World. :goodvibes

[vettegirl]

I hope it becomes my favorite as well. :thumbsup2

[tink774]

I would just love to stay there at least once! I hope that you'll take lots of pictures so that I can live vicariously. :cool1:

[vettegirl]

:scared1:Here are some pics from last year's trip from Epcot!

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Hope to see the dinner show this time around!

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A little friend I made at last years F&G Festival

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My fav Grey Goose Slushie, I plan having many of these:thumbsup2

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After a fun day at Epcot, I have planned for us a night at Disney Quest.
Can't wait to build my own SM, I know my DH is going to put it the max with loops. It should be very fun. This is also my inlaws last night with us so we have to make sure they enjoy it as well. I plan on trying the Wolfgang Puck Express for dinner using a CS credit. It sounds good, but who knows plans could change!

[vettegirl]

So of course the Poly has an awesome pool and I plan on enjoying it with a few mojitos in hand! On our last trip to SOG I never saw the pool so I plan sliding down that volcano slide at least once at the Poly.

For the next fun filled day at DW Wed 5/13/2009 we plan on hitting TL at opening. I can't wait to get on Crush N Gusher and swim with the fishies and sharks. I am unsure of how long we wil stay there, but we may hit BB as well if time permits and we aren't worn out.

[vettegirl]

So after our water park adventures, I am sure we will escape back to the Poly for a little RNR. I can't wait to grab one of those fruity drinks and just relax, no work, no cell, just me and my DH.
.
I will probably try to hit the gym for 30-45 minutes at the GF spa. We knows I may be to exhausted!

Bonjour! For that evening we have an ADR for Chefs De France. I am really excited about this ressies as I love France, and am actually learning the language. I know we probably will not see little Remy, but can't wait to experience the food and atomosphere. Our ressie is for 7:30 so I am hoping to catch Illuminations afterwards and will have my earplugs on hand for both of us this time. I remember it hurt it was soooo loud last year.

This will also be the night we say goodbye to Epcot. My DH has told me this will be our final trip to DW for a very very very long time, so it makes me a little sad. He still prefers DL, which I do to, but DW is special too!!

[vettegirl]

For Thursday May 14th I am not sure what we are going to do. Maybe ropedrop at DHS (I am thinking TSM) and then MK. Or maybe AK for a bit, I love park hoppers!

[wdwgirl03]

For Thursday May 14th I am not sure what we are going to do. Maybe ropedrop at DHS (I am thinking TSM) and then MK. Or maybe AK for a bit, I love park hoppers!

I love park hoppers too!

[vettegirl]

UGGGH, it is raining here today, yeah at least my trip is only 3 weeks and a few days away:cool1:

[Nichellebelle]

How exciting! We were there too last May! I am glad you get to go to the Poly!

[vettegirl]

So the crowd predictions I have been reading are a little scary, however all the onsite hotels have rooms. Sounds strange to me, but crowds or no crowds I am ready for the Poly:cool1:

[vettegirl]

For our final TS we have chosen Ohana. I chose a 8:30 ressie so we will have all day to enjoy the parks. I am really excited to try this place and the atomosphere looks beautiful. I am going to try to eat light to save room for all the protein I am going to have ;)

[vettegirl]

Sooo today is rainy here in San Antonio, our Fiesta celebration has started here. I have lived here for 3 years and never been to any of the events so on Tues I am going with some friends to one of the events. I am excited about going as there is suppose to food from different countries and plenty of adult beverages ;) Sounds like WS almost :lmao:
Today I plan on finalizing my DW planning binder and I doing a little final shopping for the trip. TJ Maxx here I come! They also just opened a new Off 5th Saks here and this morning from 9-12 they have an additional 40% of shoes, very very tempting. Maybe I could actually afford a pair of Jimmy Choos from there:scared1:

[vettegirl]

Working on my DW binder right now. Trip is 21 days away:cool1:

[vettegirl]

Dis folder almost complete, I just need to finish it on touring plans. 3 weeks away today :cheer2:

[wdwgirl03]

Dis folder almost complete, I just need to finish it on touring plans. 3 weeks away today :cheer2:

Yay for only 3 weeks!

[vettegirl]

So for the last day May 15th we will have to be on the ME at 5:00. We do not have park tickets for that day, but will have water parks/disney quest credits left. I am not sure if we will want to do the water parks that day because I am not sure if there is a place to shower as we will be checked out of the Poly. Oh decisions, decisions.

[vettegirl]

So with a little over 2.5 weeks left, I think I broke my pinkie toe last night. I am not sure it is still sore/black this morning. That will totally suck for walking around the world in a few weeks. Any advice?

[vettegirl]

:cool1:Okay so I went to the Dr. my toe is bruised, not broken

[vettegirl]

Today I plan on printing out the menus for the restaurants we want to dine at so I can plan my meals.

[vettegirl]

So called today to see how much it would be to upgrade to a garden club level room at the Polu and they told me $499:scared1: Don't think so, I have better ways to spend my money ;)

[vettegirl]

:cool1:I checked in online today for the Poly :cool1:

[vettegirl]

:cool1: We leave Sunday flying out of Houston. We made the trip over from San Antonio to Houston last night to see family before our trip. I can't wait for Sunday to see the MK and to dine at the Kona Cafe for the first time.

[vettegirl]

So my DH just finished upgrading for the USAF plane he flies and is now a Aircraft Commander and that will be what we are celebrating at Disney. He has worked so hard for this and is always away serving his country and I am so excited about our trip! Whoo Hoo!

[tink774]

You must be so excited that your trip is almost here!!! :dance3: I will have to try and live vicariously through you.

[vettegirl]

Checked in for the flight and was able to get exit row seats! Leaving for the airport in the morning at 5am:cool1: