Our First Trip as Parents! December 2012 TR - 8/6 OMG a TR link!

[monica23535]

Your husband looks like he's great fun!


I love the pictures of him and Calvin with Jessie and Woody.

Yum Kona Cafe, looking forward to your review

 

[Linda67]

I have finally caught up!

Hats off to you for making it to YSH after all those fun beverages .... Your family has staying power!!

Lovely photos, I especially love the PP ones with Woody & Jesse

 

[Leshaface]

Reading from my phone so I can't see your pics real well but I can tell they are adorable. Fun update. Yeah for changing the ADR. I live Kiona.

The older couple sounded so cute and I think your DH is having a grand old time.

I know I got behind while in HHI but I promise ill get caught up soon.

AP- good choice.

I can't wait to read about your HHI trip. Hopefully it got better after the hospital incident

I see it potentially being like the ADR stalking that you have to do now for some of the more popular restaurants

This.

In fact, when I gave my review of it after my trip, this is exactly why I said I didn't like it.

Looks like a really fun morning in MK thanks for the screen shots of FP+ too, I was wondering what it looked like! I haven't heard much about the roll out of it lately, but I'd love to try it out on a future trip



Emma x

You're right I haven't heard much about it either. It's fun to try because it's so new and exciting, but really I didn't like it. Way to much planning going on.

Your husband looks like he's great fun!


I love the pictures of him and Calvin with Jessie and Woody.

Yum Kona Cafe, looking forward to your review

Review coming right up!

I have finally caught up!

Hats off to you for making it to YSH after all those fun beverages .... Your family has staying power!!

Lovely photos, I especially love the PP ones with Woody & Jesse

We've got the power!

I love the PP that DH did with DS. I have them framed in my house

 

[Leshaface]

There’s seriously nothing better than rolling the stroller onto the monorail and arriving at your destination in minutes. Way better than having to pull all the bags out of the stroller, including the precious cargo, to get on a bus.

I was so happy that we changed our ADR to Kona Café from the Grand Floridian Café. We’d already seen the GF and we still hadn’t made it over to the Poly yet, so this worked out marvelously.




DM thought it was so neat that there was this gorgeous fountain right in the middle of the lobby.

DH checks us in and asks for a table where we don’t need to fold up a stroller. It was no problem at all for them to accommodate us in no time. We were seated and given our menus







I’ve visited the Poly a few times before and everytime I always say, “I need to get the Lapu Lapu” and everytime that hasn’t happened. I had read on the DIS that there is a limited supply of the carved-out pineapples available, so you need to order it early. You can get the drink in a plain glass, but for my first time it needs to be special And here’s the beautiful thing!



Very refreshing and tasty! Not extremely strong and I definitely could have had another one afterwards.

Appetizers!

For me, the Fried Rock Shrimp with Passion Fruit-mustard sauce



Goo! This was delicious! I wish this was a bottomless bowl. I could have eaten this all day long. Even DH kept eating off my plate. He loved it!

DH ordered the Lump Crab Cakes



And was very happy with it. But I think he liked mine more.

DM ordered the Grilled Beef Satay



It was really tender and flavorful!

Now the dumb part. I took pictures of everything else, except for our entrees. What a dope! I know I got the Grilled Ahi Tuan sandwich because I devoured it. DM got the Island Chicken Sandwich. I can’t remember what DH ordered

Don’t worry though! I got us covered for dessert. But first more proof that I ordered the Lapu Lapu



For dessert I ordered the Pineapple Upside Down Cake



DH and me decided to combine our non-alcoholic drinks to get a French press of Kona coffee. It’s a must when you’re here and it’s sooo wonderful!



For dessert, DH ordered the White Chocolate Cheesecake



DM ordered the Banana-Chocolate Crème Brulee



After our dessert was finished, we got the bill and were handed these (minus 1 – someone got excited )



Are these macaroons, does anyone know? They tasted good though.

We were so happy that we changed our reservation to the Kona Café. Everything was so delicious, and the wait staff was wonderful. DH said he would definitely come back here again. I'd like to try dinner sometime, since i've seen some pretty great reviews.

Up next the thing i've been waiting for all trip!

 

[blabbermouth]

So nice that your DH went to get the photopass pics while you were gone! Maybe he likes Jessie a bit more now, she seemed sweet, haha.

Kona looks awesome, and everything about drinking from a pineapple is amazing!!!

And yes, those look like macaroons!

 

[MEK]

finally catching up on your pictures from your last update. Your little guy is as cute as ever and your DH looks like he is having a blast. Your pictures on Splash gave me a big smile because you guys are having too much fun!

On to Kona - the lapu lapu has been on my bucket list for awhile. It really does look super cool to drink out of a pineapple.

Those shrimp looks so delish. sounds like a perfect lunch. I have had dinner there several times but now I want to try lunch. Yum!

 

[Linda67]

Ahh the marvellous Lapu Lapu ...... What can be better than a drink you need two hands to hold

 

[afwdwfan]

I'm glad the meal at Kona was a hit with everyone. Great last minute adr change!

I think despite everything else, the lapu lapu alone would have made it all worthwhile.

 

[TeresaNJ]

Hi Teresa and Welcome!

That will be so much fun! I really think taking him at 2 months was so easy. We're going to possibly be trying a Disneyland trip within the next month or two and I'm already wondering how it will be. He's so much more active now but I guess it will be much more fun for rides and character interactions.

I saved all my emails from my trip so I can look back and see how I ordered I placed a Walmart order for Diapers and Water on November 29 (check-in date was December 8th) and they got shipped the very next day on November 30. They both shipped in 2 different shipments and both arrived 2 days later at the resort. I called Kidani to verify that my shipments made it the day they arrived and they noted it on my reservation so that when I checked in, the CM would know that I have packages waiting. There were a few open spots when addressing for shipping so I made it out like this:

First-Last Name
Disney’s Animal Kingdom-Kidani
3701 Osceola Pkwy
Lake Buena Vista
Fl
32830

Hope this helps!

Thank you so much for the info! I have to tell my DIL about getting the diapers shipped. We never thought of this! Brilliant!

 

[Pinkocto]

Yummy, lunch looked delicious! I'm glad the ADR change was a success.

 

[disneydancer86]

Joining in!!! (Getting to TRs late is pretty much becoming my "thing" here on the DIS...I don't get it )

I have really enjoyed reading your TR so far!!! You're little guy is adorable!!!

All of your dining recommendations have been very helpful! I am taking a trip soon and trying to find some QS/CS places I haven't heard of or tried, and you've got it all. Also, every time you post about a beverage I say to my DBF, "Oh! Remind me I want to try the [insert amazing sounding alcoholic drink here] while we are at EPCOT."

Thanks for sharing all your stories and I can't wait to read the rest.

 

[photographymom517]

The Poly is such a beautiful resort! We loved the convenience of the monorail as well! We had breakfast at the Poly & it was delicious!!! I definitely want to try lunch and dinner at some point as well especially after seeing your pics of the food!!! YUM!!!!

You are totally right about the CM's there being wonderful and the staff being accommodating with children. We didn't have the stroller with us, but we needed an end table for a highchair. They had it all ready for us when they seated us! Every CM who walked past the table stopped to see my 11 month old & he loved every minute of it!!! I would definitely recommend Kona!!!!! It was one of our best meals!

I need to catch up on a couple updates, so I'll be back later to reply again!! I'm really enjoying reading about your trip!

 

[Leshaface]

So nice that your DH went to get the photopass pics while you were gone! Maybe he likes Jessie a bit more now, she seemed sweet, haha.

Kona looks awesome, and everything about drinking from a pineapple is amazing!!!

And yes, those look like macaroons!

I thought they were but from what I remember, they kind of tasted like meringue, but wasn't sure. Thanks!

finally catching up on your pictures from your last update. Your little guy is as cute as ever and your DH looks like he is having a blast. Your pictures on Splash gave me a big smile because you guys are having too much fun!

On to Kona - the lapu lapu has been on my bucket list for awhile. It really does look super cool to drink out of a pineapple.

Those shrimp looks so delish. sounds like a perfect lunch. I have had dinner there several times but now I want to try lunch. Yum!

Mary Ellen! I have to say i'm pretty shocked that youhaven't had the Lapu Lapu yet! You must try it sometime..with lunch at Kona

Ahh the marvellous Lapu Lapu ...... What can be better than a drink you need two hands to hold

couldn't have said it better Linda!

I'm glad the meal at Kona was a hit with everyone. Great last minute adr change!

I think despite everything else, the lapu lapu alone would have made it all worthwhile.

Absolutely! Had a had a crappy day at the MK (which is pretty impossible I think), the Lapu Lapu would have completely made up for it.

Thank you so much for the info! I have to tell my DIL about getting the diapers shipped. We never thought of this! Brilliant!

Yeah I'm glad we had the diapers shipped instead of packing a whole bunch in our luggage.

Yummy, lunch looked delicious! I'm glad the ADR change was a success.

I'm glad it worked out too Pam!

Joining in!!! (Getting to TRs late is pretty much becoming my "thing" here on the DIS...I don't get it )

I have really enjoyed reading your TR so far!!! You're little guy is adorable!!!

All of your dining recommendations have been very helpful! I am taking a trip soon and trying to find some QS/CS places I haven't heard of or tried, and you've got it all. Also, every time you post about a beverage I say to my DBF, "Oh! Remind me I want to try the [insert amazing sounding alcoholic drink here] while we are at EPCOT."

Thanks for sharing all your stories and I can't wait to read the rest.

Hi and welcome! I'm usually always late to the party...like to make an entrance and a spectacle Glad you are enjoying the TR! It's taking me forever to get it done

The Poly is such a beautiful resort! We loved the convenience of the monorail as well! We had breakfast at the Poly & it was delicious!!! I definitely want to try lunch and dinner at some point as well especially after seeing your pics of the food!!! YUM!!!!

You are totally right about the CM's there being wonderful and the staff being accommodating with children. We didn't have the stroller with us, but we needed an end table for a highchair. They had it all ready for us when they seated us! Every CM who walked past the table stopped to see my 11 month old & he loved every minute of it!!! I would definitely recommend Kona!!!!! It was one of our best meals!

I need to catch up on a couple updates, so I'll be back later to reply again!! I'm really enjoying reading about your trip!

I want to try dinner at Kona sometime too! Heard great things about it.

The CM's, pretty much everywhere, have been so accommodating and wonderful with DS. Lots of them would always comment on how cute he was and no problems meeting our request with the stroller.

 

[Leshaface]

I had posted my last update right before we headed to the Coast for the Annual Chili Cook-Off that we go to every year so I hadn't been on all weekend, but here are some pics from our trip



DM and DMIL babysitting at the local bar


View from the house we rented






This past week has been a little rough on DH's family. His grandma, who's been sick for a long time and has been in an Alzheimer clinic here in town, took a turn for the worse on Tuesday and is in the hospital. Since DH works so far away, i've been going to the hospital to support DH's mom who's have an extremely tough time with this. It's been a little hectic and depressing and thought it would cheer me up to do an update so he we go!

 

[Leshaface]

After our fabulous lunch at Kona café, we made our way back to the monorail station to go back to the Magic Kingdom. I was determined for my son to get on Dumbo!

We had a FP+ for Space Mountain at 1:35 – 2:35, but didn’t want to rush over there to make the time, as it was already 2:15. So we casually made our way over to NFL to use our FP+ for Dumbo at 3:00pm.

When we got there, there was hardly anyone in line! Really, no FP was needed at all. We didn’t even get a chance to check out the new interactive tent that they have! Before getting on, I asked DM if she wouldn’t mind taking an elephant in front of us so she could take pictures of us. She was more than happy to! We were first in line to choose our elephants, so as soon as those gates opened we ran to our choice and soon, we were up in the air!
























We had so much fun! DH and I probably had more fun than him, but it was so cool that he was awake and not cranky for this ride! In fact, this is how he looked when we put him back in the stroller






He was so happy and it was so cute to see DS like that.

Nothing could have topped what we just did, so we decided to go back towards Main Street to do some shopping. I spotted a PP and I knew we had to get some shots of us in front of the Castle.









After our little mini shoot, we walked over into the pretty Rose Garden to take our own pictures





DH doing the scene from the Lion King









This really nice group of folks saw us taking pictures and offered to take a group shot for us. Sure why not! Can never have enough pictures.



So if you can remember waaaaay back, the schedule was to have dinner at Artist Point at 6:20pm, but no one was in the mood to go back to the resort, get changed and then hop on a bus and do all the transfers. So that’s when I brought up a restaurant I thought my DM would not want to eat at because of the name…..

Any guesses?!

 

[jedijill]

First, for your DH and his grandmother.

Second, holy smokes! The baby is getting so big! He's such a cutie pie.

Third, love love love the pictures of Dumbo and the smiles as you were putting him in the stroller. So sweet!

Jill in CO

 

[Leshaface]

First, for your DH and his grandmother.

Second, holy smokes! The baby is getting so big! He's such a cutie pie.

Third, love love love the pictures of Dumbo and the smiles as you were putting him in the stroller. So sweet!

Jill in CO

Thanks Jill

Isn't he getting so big! It's crazy to have to post the pictures from our trip back in December and then post recent pictures. Scary!

 

[MEK]

OMG - your little guy is growing up! How absolutely adorable!

This past week has been a little rough on DH's family. His grandma, who's been sick for a long time and has been in an Alzheimer clinic here in town, took a turn for the worse on Tuesday and is in the hospital. Since DH works so far away, i've been going to the hospital to support DH's mom who's have an extremely tough time with this. It's been a little hectic and depressing and thought it would cheer me up to do an update so he we go!

I am so sorry to hear about your DH's grandma. I am sure your MIL is extremely grateful for your support. I have elderly parents and it really is terrible to see them decline.

I hope your update cheered you up, because it was perfect. What fun on Dumbo. That's sure to make anyone smile.

 

[Pinkocto]

I'm so sorry about DH's grandma

Adorable pictures on Dumbo!

The looks DS is giving in the first current picture is too funny.

Ooohhh, another ADR change? I have no ideas.

 

[disneybarbie]

Such cute photos on Dumbo and in front of the castle!


Emma x