3rd Annual We are "NEVER" going to Disney in the summer again"

[natebenma]

All along, my plan had been to stay at the Poly and watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the beach. With or without the guys. I had little hope that Mark would want to stay, and he was even a little nervous about me staying behind alone, but when I told him I was planning on taking a taxi back to the Beach Club, he felt better about it.

I said goodbye to Mark, Nate and Ben at 8:30. They got on the monorail to Magic Kingdom and took a bus back to the Beach Club.

First order of business: A short photo tour of the lobby of the Grand Ceremonial House and the Poly grounds.

Next up: Find the beach. I had never seen the pool or beach at the Poly, so I spent a few minutes soaking the view in.

When I made my way to the beach, it was a little before 9 and there was maybe one other group on the beach. I pulled a lounger to a dead-center view of the castle. I did not pull it to the waterline, and I must say that I am impressed that when people did eventually start coming to the beach for the fireworks, nobody sat or stood in front of me to block my view.

I had come prepared, with a book to read and some Off Mosquito wipes. Imagine that!

When the bugs started biting, I applied the wipes and they were pretty effective. Then off to my right I heard “Slap!” “Slap!” “Slap!” The bugs were getting the family seated near me. I told them I had some bug repellant wipes, but they declined my offer.

I had an hour ahead of me, reclining in a lounger on the beach, the waves gently lapping the shore and a view of a beautiful, magical castle changing colors as the sun was setting. I never even opened my book.

I just sat.

And watched.

And snapped a photo or two.

Then the Electrical Water Parade started making its way around the 7 Seas Lagoon, performing in front of all of the resorts. This was the first time I had seen and heard the parade. It is very cute.

A little more of a wait, and Nightastic! started. This is the first time I have seen a Magic Kingdom fireworks show in its entirety and from a vantage point so close-up. In the past, I have seen fireworks from the monorail or parking lot, and on this trip watched the show from the Beach Club balcony.

An amazing show, but I have to confess that I was trying to multitask, take photos and videos (two cameras) of the show while it was going on. In the end, I didn’t get any incredible fireworks shots, and I discovered later that the audio on the camera I used for the video does not work, so I really should have just sat and watched. But that’s not me.

All in all, it was a spectacular, solitary finale to an unbelievably wonderful vacation.

When the show was over, I rushed to the lobby so I wouldn’t be behind the crowds waiting for a cab. When I got to the bell clerk, there was one family getting into a taxi, and I was next.

The fare was $15 plus tip. By 10:30, I was back in my room at the Beach Club. Everyone else was asleep. I may have puttered around a little and packed but it wasn’t too long before I settled down for our final night at Disney.


Next up: The return home that SHOULD have been

 

[mickeystoontown]

What a wonderful way to spend your last day at Disney. We were able to watch a little of the MK fireworks from the Poly when we were leaving the luau. I understand the multitasking thing. I do that myself. I want to capture the perfect firework picture (which I never do) and watch at the same time which is virtually impossible.

 

[BigTex71]

I am looking forward to watching the MK fireworks from the Poly beach after our Ohana dinner on our upcoming trip. Sounds/looks like it is a better view than I thought.

 

[Jessieknj]

A little off topic but which waterproof camera do you have I'm looking into getting one and can't decide which. I'd like to use it as our main camera if the pictures come out well.

 

[natebenma]

What a wonderful way to spend your last day at Disney. We were able to watch a little of the MK fireworks from the Poly when we were leaving the luau. I understand the multitasking thing. I do that myself. I want to capture the perfect firework picture (which I never do) and watch at the same time which is virtually impossible.

I really enjoyed my night at the Poly. It was so peaceful, relaxing and enjoyable. I don't use words like "zen", but it was a very "zen-like" experience.

I cringe whenever I see that last picture. It would have been a really nice one if my other camera and hand were not in it!

I am looking forward to watching the MK fireworks from the Poly beach after our Ohana dinner on our upcoming trip. Sounds/looks like it is a better view than I thought.

It is a great, easy vantage point for the fireworks. I think you will love it! Don't be late for your dinner!!!

A little off topic but which waterproof camera do you have I'm looking into getting one and can't decide which. I'd like to use it as our main camera if the pictures come out well.

Hi Jessie!

The short answer is I now have a Canon Powershot D10 underwater camera which I used for all of the pictures in my 2010 trip report, including the Stormalong Bay, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon pictures. I really like it.

The longer answer is here in post 149, http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38083075&postcount=149
"The pre-trip camera catastrophe" I have previously owned two Olympus Stylus Tough cameras, both developed issues with the water proof feature.

The Canon is a little bulkier and more difficult to carry than the Olympus was, but I am really glad I purchased this one.

 

[eandesmom]

what a lovely finale and cool to do it solo

 

[natebenma]

what a lovely finale and cool to do it solo

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this time at the Poly. It is not often that I take time to sit back and smell the roses (Hibiscus?), especially at Disney where I am normally going going going like a cross between a whirling Dervish and the Energizer bunny.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Beautiful ending to your day!
I think you needed a little relaxation moment for yourself! You really are a bit of a whirling dervish!

Fireworks from the beach is one of my bucket list items.

 

[natebenma]

Beautiful ending to your day!
I think you needed a little relaxation moment for yourself! You really are a bit of a whirling dervish!

Fireworks from the beach is one of my bucket list items.

DO IT!!!

The fireworks show from the beach was really great and super low-hassle. I can only imagine the experience would be greatly enhanced with a Lapu Lapu, Mai Tai, Pina Colada or Sunken Treasure, but I'm not much of a drinker and since I was solo, I didn't think getting a drink was a good idea.

 

[travelmel]

After a wonderful dinner, we returned to our room. There was a delivery of milk (in the fridge) and cookies greeting us upon our return. A nice treat from a friend!

The boys got ready for bed and fell asleep quickly and I puttered around the room for a bit, putting away clothes, getting the coffee maker all set so I just had to hit the on-switch in the morning.

What would be the perfect ending to our magical first day?

Next up: My DH and I experience fireworks in our room. Again and Again (Don’t worry, this post is G-rated)

Hi! Great photo's! What is the name of that desert with the straw, marshmallow, strawberry, and rice crispy treat?

 

[natebenma]

Hi! Great photo's! What is the name of that desert with the straw, marshmallow, strawberry, and rice crispy treat?

Thanks for the nice words about the photos! The Captain's Grille was a fantastic dinner!

I just asked my son, and he doesn't remember the name of the dessert, but according to the Allears website, this is the Brownie, Marshmallow and Fruit Kabob. It may be just on the kids menu, but I'm sure adults could order it if they want to.

As you can see in the photo, it comes with a straw to suck down the chocolate syrup in the bottom of the cup.

 

[Queila]

What a finale! The pictures are great and that was very nice that no one got to block your view during the fireworks. Thant is so cute that your boys are in bed while you are out and about. I would think that it is "supposed to be" the contrary. Kids wanting to stay up and parents telling them they should go to bed.

I am so jealous you are getting out of the cold pretty soon. I am sure you will have a blast in Mexico. Yes, we have been to Cuba once before and while a 4star hotel in Cuba does not equal a four star hotel somewhere else we thoroughly enjoyed our trip, specially the opportunity of getting out of the hotel and visiting a couple of villages.

Have a great week!

Q

 

[DrMomof3]

I love the pics from the Poly! Truly captures the experience.

Amanda

 

[counselormom]

Dee

I am reading through your trip report and loving it! My favorite pic. so far is the Honey I Shrunk the Kids one. The night photos of SAB are beautiful.
I did skip ahead to check out your Washington D.C. Report. We have been wanting to go but are waiting until our 6 yr. old is a little older. I saw that your report started in Oct. did your trip take place in Oct? You said it was perfect weather and low crowds so I was curious when??

Traci

 

[natebenma]

What a finale! The pictures are great and that was very nice that no one got to block your view during the fireworks. Thant is so cute that your boys are in bed while you are out and about. I would think that it is "supposed to be" the contrary. Kids wanting to stay up and parents telling them they should go to bed.

I am so jealous you are getting out of the cold pretty soon. I am sure you will have a blast in Mexico. Yes, we have been to Cuba once before and while a 4star hotel in Cuba does not equal a four star hotel somewhere else we thoroughly enjoyed our trip, specially the opportunity of getting out of the hotel and visiting a couple of villages.

Have a great week!

Q

I have like superhuman energy when I am at Disney. Any place else and I am in bed by 9 or 9:30 at the latest. So yes, it is really unusual for me to be up later than everyone else. Like another famous Bostonian (Steven Tyler of Aerosmith) "I don't want to miss a thang!"

We are SO ready to get out of dodge! We have 4 major snow storms since Christmas and another one coming on Wednesday. Funny thing is, I work very part time, 2-3 times a month, teaching for Historic New England. During one of the storms I was scheduled to teach a class on Emancipation and the Media to 4th graders (retch!) and on Friday I had a brand new class on Shipbuilding for 2nd graders, but I hadn't had time to prep for the class yet. So I was happier than my kids when school was called off!

Hope you have a fantastic week as well!

I love the pics from the Poly! Truly captures the experience.

Amanda

Thank you! I hope you had a chance to watch the fireworks from the beach. I know you could see them from the CL at the Poly, too. Do they pipe in the music soundtrack to the lounge?

Dee

I am reading through your trip report and loving it! My favorite pic. so far is the Honey I Shrunk the Kids one. The night photos of SAB are beautiful.
I did skip ahead to check out your Washington D.C. Report. We have been wanting to go but are waiting until our 6 yr. old is a little older. I saw that your report started in Oct. did your trip take place in Oct? You said it was perfect weather and low crowds so I was curious when??

Traci

Thanks! The night swims were really nice in July, since the water tended to be a little warmer than we liked. SAB is just gorgeous, any time of the day or night!

Aren't chapter links wonderful!

Yes, we went to Washington DC during Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 8-11 because the boys had a 4 day weekend off from school. Pixarmom, one of the posters on the BC board and my trip report had lots of great tips for me- she used to live in DC. I would be glad to share any info I have with you. As you read, the weather and crowds were perfect, and the boys were great ages for this trip (age 12 and 9)

I haven't put up any of the Washington pictures up. I took around 1,000 in 4 days!

 

[DrMomof3]

Thank you! I hope you had a chance to watch the fireworks from the beach. I know you could see them from the CL at the Poly, too. Do they pipe in the music soundtrack to the lounge?

Yes. They have the music in the lounge. I watched the fireworks once walking back to the Hawaii building and finished in the lounge. We watched once in the lounge with the kids. One night we watched from California Grill and one night from the monorail. It was chilly at night so I wouldn't have wanted to watch from the beach. Brrrr!

Amanda

 

[jmskinner]

Trying to get all caught up on TR's. Love your pics from TL. Our favorite water park at WDW. Sorry you had such a hard time getting there. It alwasy seems to take forever to get to the water parks, unless you are going to the other destination and for some reason the bus seems to stop at the water parks first then.

You taking pics and videos on the beach reminded me of my fun filled night there. Wish I had seen Nightastic instead of Wishes from there.

 

[natebenma]

Trying to get all caught up on TR's. Love your pics from TL. Our favorite water park at WDW. Sorry you had such a hard time getting there. It alwasy seems to take forever to get to the water parks, unless you are going to the other destination and for some reason the bus seems to stop at the water parks first then.

You taking pics and videos on the beach reminded me of my fun filled night there. Wish I had seen Nightastic instead of Wishes from there.

Welcome back from your Anniversary Celebration trip!

This time we were smart about getting to Typhoon Lagoon- the taxi was a good call. But man, the trip to the Poly took FOREVER!!!

I wish we had more time there- another ride on CrushNGusher, more time in the wave pool and perhaps another swim across Shark Reef. We don't really do much with the big slides, but we still have plenty to do. I really love the theming, the fun surf and beach music and all of the beautiful foliage.

Yes I remember your description and pictures from your multi-media documentation of the parade following a fun dinner at Kona!

You have been flying on the updates on your report and I'm having trouble keeping up, but what I've read so far sounds like you had a BLAST!

 

[pixarmom]

Dee,

Just read the last installment - love it! Thanks for sharing all of this with us - makes me want to book another summer trip!

Historic New England - wow! Our oldest is studying the Revolution this year, and we just planned a Spring Break trip to Williamsburg - it was one of my favorite weekend trips growing up in D.C. and I'm so excited to go back with the boys. (On tripadvisor, someone called Williamsburg "Colonial Disney" in a disparaging way, but I thought - wow, great!) So as soon as I booked the trip, he asked if we could go back to Boston to see Lexington/Concord. I reminded him that he DID see it - about 4 years ago, I think - and brought out the Concord photos. Anyway, what a great part-time job! Do you have a background in history?

 

[natebenma]

Dee,

Just read the last installment - love it! Thanks for sharing all of this with us - makes me want to book another summer trip!

Historic New England - wow! Our oldest is studying the Revolution this year, and we just planned a Spring Break trip to Williamsburg - it was one of my favorite weekend trips growing up in D.C. and I'm so excited to go back with the boys. (On tripadvisor, someone called Williamsburg "Colonial Disney" in a disparaging way, but I thought - wow, great!) So as soon as I booked the trip, he asked if we could go back to Boston to see Lexington/Concord. I reminded him that he DID see it - about 4 years ago, I think - and brought out the Concord photos. Anyway, what a great part-time job! Do you have a background in history?

Hello- been thinking about your upcoming trip! Almost here! I'm glad to hear you have another getaway planned, too. I'm sure you will have a nice time in Williamsburg.

I have absolutely no background in History or teaching. I'm still trying to find my comfort level with teaching- I prefer the younger students, the older ones intimidate me.

I am based at a 1690 farmhouse, the Spencer Peirce Little farm. We have a number of rescue animals on the farm who are living out their retirement as part of our "Farm Friends" classes. We have a horse, 2 pigs, a few goats and sheep, several chickens, a cat and a turkey.

The farmhouse has had a variety of diverse and interesting owners over the years, including Offin Boardman who kept a very detailed diary- lots of drama. We have historical fiction program based on his writings. The kids come in, get background for characters, settings, etc and then write their own stories. We also have an Archeology program where students come in, have a house tour and see some of the home's artifacts, then they dig in a practice pit that is studded with artifacts, then they piece together pottery shards like a puzzle. We also go into schools and have Colonial presentations (Apothecary, making butter, Colonial Cooking, weaving, making wool from our sheeps into yarn).

It's pretty cool living so close to Boston- the kids have field trips there to visit the Freedom Trail, Paul Revere house, Old Granary Burying grounds where John Hancock is interred, site of the Boston Massacre and all that! But we have never been to Lexington and Concord. My youngest son Ben is a history nut and reads books about the Revolutionary War and the Civil War in his free time.