Mandymouse's First Stay at The Poly ~ Part 3

[mandymouse]

Castmembers

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Paul, Kerry, Becky & Mandy

Pre-trip report (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2194674)
Part One ~ POPping back to WDW (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2267395)
Part Two ~ 'Wonder'ful time in the Bahamas (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2271039)

Thursday 20th August ’09 ~ High 93F ~ Aloha ! Welcome to The Polynesian

Sadly we disembarked the Disney Wonder around 8.45am :( but an hour later we were excitedly checking into The Polynesian Resort for our first stay there :yay:

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We checked in, which was a rather s-l-o-w process as the er um older CM who was checking us in kept making mistakes and saying we were staying for 20 nights – I WISH !!!

Anyway our rooms weren’t ready, but we were prepared for this and we had our swim stuff with us, so we grabbed some loungers on the beach and sunbathed for an hour or so. It was so cool to be lying on the beach and looking over to the Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary & Grand Floridian Resorts

When it got too hot, we got changed and went to DownTown Disney as the girls had wanted to ride the Characters in Flight balloon

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It was really hot and sticky at DTD, but the girls were thrilled to see that the balloon was in operation, so after lining up for 20 minutes or so, they took flight

After their balloon ride, we went to McDonalds for some lunch, then headed back to The Poly. Our rooms were ready, so we unpacked and chilled in our FAB-U-LOUS rooms for a while

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Our rooms were in Rarotanga, which was in a great location, one of the buildings right next to The Great Ceremonial House. The rooms were on the ground floor and they had cool sliding doors leading outside where there were a couple of chairs and a table, and we were only a stone throw away from the small pool

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After chilling for a while Paul & I went for an explore, and we were so impressed with the resort, it’s beautiful and we agreed that this hotel should also be built on Castaway Cay ::yes::

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In the evening Paul & I walked to the TTC (literally a 3 or 4 minute walk) and caught the monorail over to Epcot. We headed up to World Showcase and started with the usual White Zinfandel/Carlsberg in Norway, eggrolls in China, Liebfraumilch x2 in Germany. Paul treated me to a little bottle of Rosa Regale in Italy

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and I bought a tube of Hobnobs for him in the UK which cost $6 :eek:

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We both had a Japanese Curry and we noticed that there was a lot of lightening going off around us (and thankfully no rain). We sat outside the Rose & Crown with a Bacardi & Coke for me & a pint for Paul and Illuminations looked great against the lightening. Actually we spent more time watching a UK CM standing in the doorway of his shop looking like he was conducting the fireworks, he knew when every bang would go off. He was very entertaining to watch and he has obviously seen them far too many times

After some shopping in MouseGear, we caught the monorail back to the TTC, then we walked back to the resort, stopping off at the Tambu Lounge for a quick Captain’s Mai Tai before going to bed

[mandymouse]

Friday 21st August ’09 ~ High 92F ~ Our last full day :(

Paul & I were up around 7am and at Disney Hollywood Studios for 8am for EMH (the girls were having a lie in this morning)

It was a lovely morning and we had just enough time to ride RockNRollerCoaster, Tower of Terror, Star Tours and have one last wander around the shops, before heading back to The Poly

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This morning we had an ADR at O’Hanas for a late breakfast with Lilo & Stitch. I love this breakfast, it’s my favourite character brekkie :lovestruc

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As usual we had a lovely time. We started with a basket of breads, some fruit and a jug of their delish juice. Then came the skillet of sausages, scrambled eggs, bacon (yuck, no-one likes their bacon :rotfl:), potato wedges, sconey/biscuit things and Mickey waffles. We had some more eggs and wedges, and then the characters came round. We saw Stitch, Mickey, Pluto and Lilo

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After breakfast I put some laundry on and joined Paul and the girls at the pool

After an hour or so, we got changed and wandered over to the marina and hired a boat to take out on the lake. This was lots of fun, and the girls loved steering it. Unfortunately due to thunder and lightening, we had to head back to the marina a little early, but we still had a good time and would definitely hire one again, even if we weren’t staying at The Poly

As we wandered back to our room, I took a few photos in The Great Ceremonial House

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As it was raining, we decided to finish off our shopping. We started off at DTD, where Kerry bought a really cool small Mickey Mouse case (perfect for hand luggage), and I bought some bits and pieces for the Christmas exchanges. Next we went to the Florida Mall followed by the Lake Buena Vista outlets

We got back to the room to make a start on our packing :( and I cracked open my little bottle of Rosa Regale (Mmm) http://bestsmileys.com/drinking/10.gif

After packing, Paul & I hopped on the monorail over to The Contemporary (the girls were heading to the Magic Kingdom tonight), and we had a couple of cocktails in the Outer Rim, then we rode the monorail back to The Poly for our last couple of cocktails in the Tambu Lounge before heading to bed

[mandymouse]

Saturday 22nd August '09 ~ High 89F ~ Heading Home :(

We were up around 7am and finishing off our packing before loading the car and heading down to the DownTown Disney Virgin check-in desks

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Thankfully we arrived early, and the line wasn't too bad. Half an hour later we had dropped off our cases and were leaving with our boarding cards, but as we left, the line was huge, goodness knows how long it took to get them all checked in

Anyway after DTD check-in, we drove to Target to pick up some last little bits and pieces, then we dropped the girls off at the Winter Summerland Miniature Golf while Paul & I headed back to The Poly for a lie by the pool

After a while we went to pick the girls up and we had a chill in the room for an hour as we had arranged to check-out at 1pm

We left Walt Disney World around 1ish, and I took my last photo of the holiday

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We took the I4 and headed to Universal as we fancied lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. We did preferred parking and walked through to City Walk, and we were lucky to be seated straight away

We shared the combo for starters, then I had the Hawaiian Chicken, Paul had New York Strip, Kerry had a Club Sandwich and Becky had Sirloin Steak. The meal was very nice and I had my last cocktail of the holiday .. a Rum Runner

As we walked back to the car, we passed Universal Studios and saw the new Rip, Ride, Rockit ride. Wow, this looks amazing, and I hope we get to ride it sometime next year ::yes::

We left Universal and drove to the Airport and dropped off our hire car

Our flight was running half an hour late (we were told at check in that morning), but the time flew by as I sat chatting to a CM from the Disney Magic

Thankfully after a bit of turbulance not long after take off, our flight was quiet and we all managed to sleep, and after our meal that afternoon, we didn't bother with the food either

We landed on time and joined a HUGE line for passport control. It did take a while to get through, but when we did, we noticed our suitcases on the carousel. Within no time we were phoning the Meet & Greet to bring our car and heading home

Thoughts

What can I say ? Once again we had a great time.

We love the Pop Century, it's our WDW 'home' and it's what we can afford. I can't wait till we're back there (hopefully for New Year :wizard: ) You can't beat this cheap and cheerful resort, and we're always happy if we're staying up by the Computer Pool .. and of course we love the Petals Pool Bar too ;)

The Disney Wonder is the BEST !! We always feel like 'we're home' here and as usual we were spoilt with all the food and cocktails. I can't wait for our next Cruise

The Polynesian Resort. Wow we loved it here, and it would be lovely to be able to stop here for a couple of nights again (fingers crossed) ~ it really was a treat to stay there

It was also great to have so much 'us' time for me and Paul. Typically having two teenagers, they didn't always want to do stuff with us, or they wanted lie ins, so we were able to go to the parks we wanted to go to, or have nice meals or just go out for a good old drinkypoo without them :)

:hug: Thanks for taking the time to read my trip reports, I hope you enjoyed reading them as much as I enjoyed reliving them as I typed them up. If you have any questions, please ask, I really don't mind

:wizard::wizard: Roll on New Year - Fingers Crossed :wizard::wizard:

[Jets fan]

Great trip report Mandy:thumbsup2

I really envy you staying at the Poly, the rooms looked great. Would love to stay there for a special occasion.

Tina

[wickesy]

Great report Mandy. :thumbsup2

[suzycute]

I was waiting for your final instalment and it's a great trip report as usual! Thanks for taking the time to share your holiday with us! :thumbsup2

[tinks_1989]

[FONT="Comic Sans MS"]Saturday 22nd September '09 ~ High 89F ~ Heading Home :(

you even went to the future in this trip report :D

[mandymouse]

you even went to the future in this trip report :D

Ooops, I'd better change that ~ thanks :rotfl2::rotfl2:

[tinks_1989]

Ooops, I'd better change that ~ thanks :rotfl2::rotfl2:

no problem at first i thought you had just missed out some days and you went for a really long holiday and how jealous I was then I relised its only the 17th :rotfl:

[Lizzy Lemon]

The Poly is a lovely resort, hope you get to stay for longer another time. We've just started to have some 'us' time, it is nice isn't it!!!

[SusanEllen]

Thank you, Mandy, for a beautifully written report about a wonderfully lived vacation. Please, tell Paul I admire his sense of fashion and that I suspect that his closet looks a lot like mine (in my case, a six foot section of nothing but Disney shirts). I hope you have many more happy times at Disney places and then be sure to tell us all about it. (You might consider my favorite at WDW, Wilderness Lodge and my beloved Disneyland for a change of pace.)

[gemmybear83]

Brilliant trip report Mandy - have you booked the next trip yet?:rotfl:

[Tammy Stringer]

A lovely final instalment Mandy.

The Poly looked lovely - glad you enjoyed it.

Really enjoyed your report and the lovely pictures too

Tam

[tony64]

Thanks for posting Mandy, I've loved reading your report, Can't see a new ticket yet? Are you going into planning mode soon?;)

[Miffy2003]

I told you you'd love the Poly :thumbsup2

[Pegasus928]

Thank you for taking the time to write and post the pics. I have really enjoyed reading about your holiday and hearing your views on different aspects of it.
It sounds like doing a Disney holiday with 2 teenagers who are capable of looking after themselves is almost like discovering the World for the first time. We have a few years yet before we can even dream of that being the case as DD is only 11 (going on 22), although it may be longer as DS is ADHD and who knows what the future holds for us in that respect :confused3

I think I will also follow your lead and make sure I pick up plenty of gifts for the christmas exchanges while I am there. I will be doing this for the first time so what sort of things/sizes should I be looking at do you think??

[jockey]

Mandy, realy enjoyed your report, sounds as though you had a blast. The poly looks lovely!

I really can't wait to do a cruise when the kids get up a bit! It's great you guys get a bit of time to yourdelves nw that you girls have grown up.

I really love you Mickey necklace, did you buy it when you where there, it's very pretty :)

[Chilly]

Looking forward to my stay at the Poly.

How are the NY plans looking?

[saratogagirl]

Brilliant Mand, the Poly is beautiful isn't it, it looks like you had a lovely couple of days there. Ooh New Years Eve?

[mandymouse]

We've just started to have some 'us' time, it is nice isn't it!!!

It is Wendy, which is just as well as I'm sure it won't be long before me & hubby are holidaying on our own :)

I hope you have many more happy times at Disney places and then be sure to tell us all about it.

:hug: Aww thanks Sue, I'm sure I will

Brilliant trip report Mandy - have you booked the next trip yet?:rotfl:

Not yet, but I'm working on it ;)

Thanks for posting Mandy, I've loved reading your report, Can't see a new ticket yet? Are you going into planning mode soon?;)

I'm always in planning mode Tony :rotfl2: My next trip is planned in my head, and now I'm just waiting for the dosh :thumbsup2

I told you you'd love the Poly :thumbsup2

LOL, yes you did Karen :)

I think I will also follow your lead and make sure I pick up plenty of gifts for the christmas exchanges while I am there. I will be doing this for the first time so what sort of things/sizes should I be looking at do you think??

Head down to the Christmas shop at DownTown Disney and you'll see lots of ideas for the exchanges. Personally I like to get decorations that come in plastic packaging to stop them from breaking, and you can pick up other little bits and bobs like pins and pens. Another popular thing is Yankee Candles (if you're able to get to the Florida Mall or Mall at Millenia), there are usually lots of different Christmas fragrances there .. HTH

I really love you Mickey necklace, did you buy it when you where there, it's very pretty :)

Thanks hun, Paul got it for me last Christmas from either the little shop next to the wine shop in Germany or the Arribas Bros shop at DTD

How are the NY plans looking?

They're looking great in my imagination Claire :rotfl2::rotfl2: Hopefully I'll know more should Paul get paid at the end of the month (blooming recession !!)

:hug: Thanks everyone for taking the time to read my trip reports and leaving your lovely comments

[jamjar84]

Thanks for doing this trip report, I've really enjoyed it, and you've opened up a whole new world of Disney to me (with the cruises, it's not something we've even considered before, but definately on my to do list for the future, though a few years off as DD would be far too young. :) )

Glad that you had such a lovely holiday. :)

[Kevin Stringer]

Great report Mandy, I'd really like to stay at the Poly one day.

Have you ever done the Disney cruise that spends two days on Castaway Cay? That would be fun!

Kev

[tennisfan]

A fab report Mandy. The rooms at Poly looked great. I hope to go to WDW very soon, thanks for sharing:goodvibes

[mandymouse]

:hug:Thanks again for your comments everyone

Ooh New Years Eve?

Hmm, 'The Best New Year's Eve Ever Trip - The Return' .. it has a certain ring to it, don't you think Jules ?? :rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

Have you ever done the Disney cruise that spends two days on Castaway Cay? That would be fun!

Yes we did this last year Kev, and it was amazing, it was probably my best cruise ever, you'd love it ::yes:: (more info here http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1945654)

[Ware Bears]

Really enjoyed reading this. :goodvibes

[jockey]

Thanks Mandy, just been showing it to DH and dropping major hints :thumbsup2

[DisneyB2B]

Great trip report Mandy! Sounds like you all had a great time.

The Poly looks like a beautiful resort. Also just wondered what building you stayed in the Pop as it will be our first time there this year. :thumbsup2

Especially love your little mickey head necklace where did you get it from? Think I might have to treat myself in December :)

[Minniespal]

Another great report Mand with lovely photos.

We've stayed at the Poly a few times and have always had a lovely time. It's one of my fav resorts.

[irongirlof12]

what a fab trip. i would love to stay at the poly, I just love it. And you both got to spend time together as a couple with the teens off doing their own thing - that is such a luxury and some years off for me :lovestruc

[mark&sue]

great report. sounds like such a wonderful holiday especially staying at the Poly and the cruise (and of course not forgetting the magnificent cocktails)


susan

[florida sun]

Great report hon, the Poly looks wonderful, (as soon as I win that lottery;) )Thanks for sharing your brilliant holiday with us all:goodvibes:goodvibes

[Snowy-girls]

Thanks for sharing your trippie Mandy,i really enjoyed reading it+looking at your pics.
The Poly looks gorgeous,we went there for Stitch's breakfast this year,but unfortunatley did'nt get too look around much(time was getting on)i wish we did now.
Me+Tony were talking last night about when the girls are older+hopefully they will still want to go to Florida with us.I liked how you all got to do your own thing.x.

[torsie24]

I just read your whole report Mandy - whatan awesome trip!!

I would SO love to go on DCL! I'm going to show Jack your photos and hope he thinks the same!

[Lizzybear]

Sounds like the Poly stay was a definite success, thanks for the great reports they've been a fab read :goodvibes

[natalielongstaff]

omg !!!! no idea how this one snuck past me ;) glad you enjoyed the poly hun, it looks a great resort and is also home to Ohana so you can't go wrong i reckon

[Cyrano]

Can't believe I missed your last installment Mandy :flower3:

The Poly looks wonderful. This is the one monorail hotel that we thought had great theming :goodvibes

[thelittlemermaid83]

Great report Mandy, thanks for sharing :)

[Muscateer]

Loved your report.

I am with you on the Rose Regale.:thumbsup2

I have never done a cruise and it looked fab so will need to add that on my list of to dos.