My Disney Diet up in smoke! .....Updated with Ohana!

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

Have you ever wondered how you can blow monthes of dieting and many nights at the gym in a matter of days? Luckily, I am here for you with the answers you've always wanted!

Hope you can jump aboard for some Disney dining adventures! This trip we were traveling with our bil and sil, and their 2 daughters. Combined with our 3 kids we had a total of 9 in our party this trip. Good times!

First up - Grabbing our Resort Mugs and KONA lunch.

We checked into the Polynesian and got settled in. We had lunch planned at Kona but it wasn't time for our ADR yet, so we decided to grab our refillable mugs (included on the dlx dining) and relax by the pool. Luckily we were able to score a nice shaded table by the pool as it was blazing hot. (which I love).

We popped into Capt. Cooks and used our 5 mug credits for our mugs, and purchased a soy milk for my son.

If we would have had to pay for this OOP it would have cost us $71.30 Looking back, we could have used a snack credit for the soy milk, but as it was we charged $2.12 to the room. Somehow pre-paying for the dining plan always makes it seem like these were "free" once you get there! My bil and sil had never been on the dining plan before. I booked everything for them as well, so I momentarily revelled in my extreme brilliance as they enjoyed their mugs.

So you may be wondering who we are. Here's a shot I took of everyone relaxing at the table. From left to right, My bil Rob, my sil Kirsty, and see the stroller? That's my neice Lily(1) Wow, what a great group shot this is turning out to be! Note to self.....next trip make sure group shots include people's faces!

In the green tie dyed shirt is my dd Piper(6), then my dd Zoe(8) and pretty much hidden behind her is my neice Caitlin(4)! That's my DS Zach walking in the pic. Finally you have my DH Andy in the blue tee and totally in the poly spirit with his lei on. Now let me just stop here to say that these are the itchiest, most annoying things ever, especially when it's oh, I don't know, about a million degrees out....but of course everyone loved them!

Zach must have been assigned "mug guarding duty" while everyone else explored the pool area. Doesn't he look delighted? This could have nothing to do with my incessant photo taking!

And finally, my bil's impression of the refillable mugs. I would like to say that along with the usual sodas Capt Cooks had a really delish Pomegranate Lemonade that we all gave the thumbs up!

Next post.....Kona!

 

[maxiesmom]

Good start! I can't wait to hear what you thought of the Kona Cafe, I really love that restaurant.

 

[dizneeat]

I am in!

 

[danalee]

Me Too!

 

[Mich123]

Subscribing! Can't wait to read you next posts!

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

Good start! I can't wait to hear what you thought of the Kona Cafe, I really love that restaurant.

Hooray, my first reader, thanks for jumping aboard!

I am in!

Thanks for joining in, hope you enjoy the ride!

Me Too!

Hi! Thanks for joining in! I noticed you are from Pittsburgh, my DH is obsessed with the Steelers!

Subscribing! Can't wait to read you next posts!

Thanks for subbing, Kona coming up now!

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

First things first, I noticed I forgot to tell you my name! Hi, I'm Kristen and I am a Disney dining addict

I had reserved the earliest lunch seating for two reasons. First being we had left NY at some ridiculous hour like 4am to fly to Orlando and so we were starving. Secondly, we planned on relaxing at the resort today, and then having dinner at Ohana's so I wanted to be hungry for that! The idea that we could be hungry again in a few hours after you see the amount of food we have coming up probably seems impossible, but don't worry my DH and BIL joked that they stretched their stomaches before we went on the trip so they could eat everything in sight!

We were quickly seated at a big table, and I was really looking forward to this meal as it had been years since I had eaten there.

Our waitress came around and got our drink and appetizer order. Everything took forever to come, which was pretty much the only thing we didn't enjoy about Kona's.

My DS and I both ordered the Shrimp and Coconut Curry Soup. $6.99. My DS didn't like it but I would definitely order it again. It was probably too creamy for him, he doesn't like a lot of creamy sauces, etc. I of course consider sauces like ranch, alfredo, etc a food group in itself!

My SIL ordered the Kona Salad. Mixed Greens, Blue Cheese, fresh Fruit,
Red Onions, and Smoked Almonds with Citrus Vinaigrette $7.99. She really enjoyed this, and from the looks of things so did Lily! See, she really does have a face!

Zoe ordered the kids chicken noodle soup, and Piper ordered the fruit cup. My neice Caitlin eats like 3 foods total so she skipped the appetizers. Both of these were good, basic starters.

Lastly DH and BIL ordered the sticky wings. Glazed Chicken Wings with tangy Mustard Drizzle and Toasted Sesame Seeds $12.99. These are not included on the Deluxe Dining Plan, however our waitress did not tell them that until the bill came. I didn't think they were, but she didn't mention it when they ordered so they went with it and we ended up paying OOP for them. These of course were DELISH!

 

[danalee]

Hi! Thanks for joining in! I noticed you are from Pittsburgh, my DH is obsessed with the Steelers!

SWEET!! Tell him I said of course today we are in a deep Steeler No Play-Off Depression

 

[binkytell]

looking forward to hearing more

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

Next up the main course....we had a loooonnnng wait for these but everything was very good. At this point though it was taking so long (and our waitress would disappear for long periods of time) I was wishing we were hanging by the pool with a counter service meal. Once the food came though, all was well.

Zoe had one of the kid's "complete meals" with grilled chicken breast, pasta in sauce, fruit and veggies. She was happy with her choice.

Piper eats NO meat other than chicken, so she chose the Mickey shaped cheese ravioli plain with only parmesian cheese. She absolutely LOVED this.

My ever adventerous niece Caitlin went for one of her 3 foods she eats....french fries. I just noticed she also ordered a hot dog roll minus the hot dog. Must have been good!

Now, on to the big kids!

I am going to start off with this little piece of heaven Oh my goodness, I spent the rest of the meal envying my BIL for the Island Chicken Sandwich - Grilled Chicken Breast with Bacon, Swiss Cheese, Curry-Mango Mayonnaise, and Fried Onions on a Kaiser Roll served with Asian Vegetable Slaw or House-made Potato Chips. $13.49

I believe I will have to go back to Kona just to order that sandwhich. Needless to say, he loved it! I'm surprised I controlled myself and didn't snatch it off his plate.

Go ahead....sink your teeth into this beauty

Zach and Kirsty both ordered the Miso-glazed Mahi Mahi served with Asian Noodles and Baby Bok Choy $18.99. You can see in the pics the drinks went unrefilled and the apps were never cleared away. Again, the less than perfect service was our only complaint. We are very patient so we didn't let it bother us.

Lily ate the majority of Kirsty's Mahi Mahi! That little angel couldn't get enough
I don't know what Kirsty was doing in this pic but I have a feeling she would kill me for this pic

My DH Andy went for the Polynesian Plate Lunch – Pan-fried Chicken with Coconut and Mango Sauces served with Sticky Rice and Macaroni Salad $14.99. He really liked this and RAVED about the macaroni salad, declaring it the best he had ever had

Somehow in all this, I managed to forget to take a pic of my meal! I had the Stir-fried Asian Noodles with Peanuts, seasonal Vegetables, and Soy-Peanut Sauce $15.99. This was good, but it was NO Island Chicken Sandwich. Yummo!

Deserts are up next!

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

Hi! Thanks for joining in! I noticed you are from Pittsburgh, my DH is obsessed with the Steelers!

SWEET!! Tell him I said of course today we are in a deep Steeler No Play-Off Depression

Same thing here for sure!

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

I am in!

Dizneeat I forgot to mention that I spent a great deal of time drooling over your dining report, sooooo jealous of your many trips to Wolfgang Puck Express. I absolutely looooove that place and we never made it there this trip

 

[dizneeat]

Dizneeat I forgot to mention that I spent a great deal of time drooling over your dining report, sooooo jealous of your many trips to Wolfgang Puck Express. I absolutely looooove that place and we never made it there this trip

Just another reason to go back to WDW! .......... yeah, right, as if we NEED a reason!

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

So while we were waiting for desert, we entertained ourselves with a few photos....Kirsty and Lily walking around....

Piper doing the desert happy dance with Andy looking like a bundle of joy in the background!

Zoe with Andy and another view of his 'my wife won't put the camera down' smile

At this point in our meal it had been so long that Zach headed back to the room to get changed and head over to the gym at the GF, and Kirsty took Lily to the room for a nap.

But don't worry, us die-hards figured SOMEONE had to stay for desert for the sake of the disboarders and the dining report if nothing else. So the rest of us took one for the team and here ya go!


I was full by now so I let Piper choose my desert so we could share it.

We ordered the cutest desert EVER. The Kona Cone!

Andy and Zoe shared a Kilauea Torte. The menu describes it as an Explosion of warm liquid chocoldate inside chocolate cookie volcano $5.49.

Consider that one for a moment. An EXPLOSION of chocolate. O M G. I am in heaven just thinking about that little torte right now, as I snuck a bite. It was delicious!

Rob ordered the torte as well, and Caitlin ordered the kids make your own sundae.

So, for the five of us, the total bill was $155.03. We used 5 dlx dining credits and charged the tip and sticky wings to the room. Overall, the food was really good, but the service was so slow that we were there for over 2 hours. I would return but next time I think we'll try breakfast as I am dying for the Tonga Toast!

Stay tuned for dinner at Ohana's. Shockingly we managed to find room to fit another meal in for the day!

 

[Linda67]

Fantastic reviews and your photos are great
sooooo looking forward to hearing more

 

[martinolichfamily]

Great reviews & pics! Yum-o!

Waiting to see more.....

 

[elizabethswan]

enjoying this review. my ds had gotten that chicken, bacon, onion ring sandwich before and we are returning to wdw and kona soon. i showed him the photo and he is hungry! looks like they have changed the mahi mahi i used to like. it used to be served with rice and differently. hmmmmm. we are also booked for ohana, but this will be our first time, so i will be watching for your photos of that meal. i seriously think the poly's food is some of our fav at disney. we enjoyed the luau last time as well, although i have read mixed reviews of that. on the night we went it was really great. thanks again for posting and i will try to keep up!

 

[Symans3honeybees]

Love. Love your report. You have a really nice family there

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

Fantastic reviews and your photos are great
sooooo looking forward to hearing more

Glad you liked the review so far, thanks for joining in! Ohana's is coming up tonight!

Great reviews & pics! Yum-o!

Waiting to see more.....

Hi there, glad you liked everything so far, it definitely was delicious! Thanks for joining the review!

enjoying this review. my ds had gotten that chicken, bacon, onion ring sandwich before and we are returning to wdw and kona soon. i showed him the photo and he is hungry! looks like they have changed the mahi mahi i used to like. it used to be served with rice and differently. hmmmmm. we are also booked for ohana, but this will be our first time, so i will be watching for your photos of that meal. i seriously think the poly's food is some of our fav at disney. we enjoyed the luau last time as well, although i have read mixed reviews of that. on the night we went it was really great. thanks again for posting and i will try to keep up!

That chicken sandwich was killing me. I was sitting across the table from him and I kept looking at that, maybe that's why I forgot to snap a pic of my own meal You will definitely love Ohana's it is a must do for us! When are you going? We enjoyed the luau too when we went a few years ago, but it was soooo cold the night we went that I would never go in January again, that's for sure!

Love. Love your report. You have a really nice family there

Awwww, thanks for the kind words! Glad you could join us!

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

So when we left off, we had just enjoyed our 1st lunch of the trip at Kona's. We spent the afternoon renting the Sea Raycers and hanging at the pool. Now clearly we were starving away so we decided to head over to our ADR at Ohana's to find sustenance......I mean, we can't faint away from starvation on the first day of our vacation, right? We love love Ohana's and I am happy to say that it did not disappoint us that night!

After a brief wait in the lobby we were seated in a great spot....right by the grill in a nice big table, with a really great server named Cathy. I'll start right off by saying she was amazing! We settled Lily into her spot on the end with a straw to entertain her (my great parenting skills at work here folks!) and checked out the drink menu as the appetizers began coming out.

Here's Rob and Kirsty in their "I need alcohol" pose

Rob and I decided to go for the Blue Glowtini. This was AWESOME. Maybe a little sweet for some, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. And I gave Lily the glow cube when I was done with the drink which she ended up carrying around for days so that was an added bonus! She dropped it later in the week at Chef Mickey's and Zach dove on the floor to save it for her from another kid who tried to take off with it. I promise no small children were injured in the process!

I forgot to write down the name of Kirsty's drink, but it was a tropical type drink that she declared fabulous! Cheers!

The girls ordered drinks with tinkerbell glow clips on them, Lily liked these a lot too and put it right on her shirt! These are not included on the dining plan but our girls get them everytime we eat there, it's like a little tradition!

While all this drink deliciousness was going on, Cathy was busy bringing us pineapple bread, dipping sauces, salad, sticky wings, noodles, dumplings and veggies. I stole a couple of these pics from a trip we took their a month earlier, but here you go!

Pineapple Bread

The salad......I REALLY love the salad here. I could eat a whole bowl of it right now. It's sooooo good, the dressing is my favorite! I think they sprinkle it with pixie dust

Of the dipping sauces, the peanut is by FAR my favorite. It really tastes great drizzled over both the noodles and the dumplings. Remember.....to me, sauces are a food group in themselves! I am pretty sure I hogged a whole bowl of it all to myself

The noodles, dumplings, and mixed veggies. I have to admit I didn't even touch the veggies this time...I was too focused on the dumplings. I looove those!

Can't forget the wings......these are really good, the sauce is a little tangy....just right!

After all the starters, Cathy brought us the warm towels to clean up for the main course. These are always nice! You can also see Caitlin's cute little Tinkerbell cup in this pic. Nice little souveniers for the girls!

to be continued in the next post!