Practically Perfect at the Poly? **UPDATE 7/28 -- And We're Back!!

[tinacaplan]

for an uneventful plane ride. That always makes the start of the trip good.

You know how we both feel about planes.

I may be a day late, but I'm in!!! Can't wait to hear all about the trip. . .

Just getting started...probably teasing out the beginning a little too long.

Cute bear... and cute kid too!

That bear is so gross. We're pretty sure he was one of those $5 stuffed animals they sell at Kohl's and we have idea how this became his favorite stuffed animal.

Did you hear what happened this week? A woman who was bringing her breast pump & (empty) bottles aboard the plane and the TSA agent stopped her and made he go pump because he said she couldn't bring empty bottles on board.


We love that wall too!





We fly Jetblue whenever possible... but sometimes southwest is cheaper.

I did hear. Poor woman. That's ridiculous. I saw them give a woman and her kids a really hard time about prescription meds once. I mean, I suppose they could have been illegal or something...but come on. Luckily, they are super nice at Bradley.

Yay for an uneventful flight! That Travelers wall looks so cool! I'll admit, I love playing with those kinds of things!

We love JetBlue too. The TV's and entire flight experience just make ALL the difference for us!

Yay for Jetblue! Now that we're all in agreement on our airline of choice.

Your comment makes me think of Forrest Gump "I gotta P"

Love the sunglasses on the plane!

I'm so glad your morning has gone smoothly so far and to hear so many great comments about Jet Blue. I will, in fact, be on a Jet Blue Flight in about 14 hours... My DH and I are escaping to Puerto Rico (WITHOUT THE KIDDOS) to celebrate our 25th anniversary. First time away alone together since the boys came along. We have a midnight flight tonight!

You will have already left (and be home) by the time you read this, but that's awesome! I'm sure you're having a wonderful trip.

I am right there with you on the irrational airport security fears. I'm actually quite happy that we're going to do our 1st road trip to Disney this year so that I don't have to stress about the airport.

I'm glad y'all had an uneventful flight. Thank goodness for Mobi-go's right?!? Reid loves his, too!

Can't wait to hear how your arrival at Poly went!

I wish we were close enough to drive, but with the three of us, driving isn't as much of a money saver as it is for folks with larger families.

Max enjoys his Mobi and the games he can play on my phone. I can't get over the number of devices these kids have to entertain themselves now.

I am with you! I just never know what will or will not be accepted. Shoes on..shoes off... sweater on.. sweater off. One time, I had a sweater on that they thought was the kind you would have put on over other garments. It wasn't. They asked me to remove it. I refused since I would have only been wearing a bra under it. I can't even remember what it was I was wearing, but it seems to me it was a pull over.. Anyway, point is... they don't seem to be consistent or know what they are doing. I even walked through once with... chapstick in my pocket!!!! Imagine... I didnt get stopped for that. I have learned not to smile at them though...that always use to get me stopped.

about the sweater...and how'd they miss the chapstick?

 

[tinacaplan]

Your airport security comment really made me laugh!

Maybe you should try and travel to the US from a foreign country should definitely help with your "fears".
They are just doing their jobs and if in doubt - just ask. There is something new every time.

Other than that - I love your uneventful flight and the photos of MY little man, Max!

Flying in and out of the country would probably be enough to kill me! I know they're doing jobs...

I like Max's bear. :

The bear has been through a lot! And he's a seaoned traveller at this point.

I love Max. He's so cute and definitely getting taller!!!! Woohoo for the start of your TR!

Thanks! He is pretty cute. I got much better pictures of him this trip than I did in July. He would actually stop and pose and look at the camera every once in a while.

 

[tinacaplan]

think we could make "fauxrail" happen? I guess it leaves out the mono part...have to try again.

Before I could say “fake monorail” we were, in fact, on the fake monorail, seeing our first palm trees whizz by.

We made a pretty quick dash down to DME and I let a small whoop of joy upon laying my eyes on my first Disney CMs, which is to say nothing of the my first queue. Ha.

One of the CMs replied, “You must be pros,” and just laughed. Well yes, yes we are!

We were lucky enough to get a DME bus and I barrelled my way onto the bus to get the coveted front seat.

Makes for the best shots of the first Disney sign. I have to say that the beginning of the DME video makes me cry. Because, really, isn’t that what’s it all about? Creating memories with your family that you’ll never forget?

I think about this from time to time. We make lots of memories, catch moments of joy and wonder and magic with our families everyday, but there’s that extra something when you’re in Disney. Truly, some of my most cherished memories from my childhood happened during trips to Disneyworld. My parents always seemed happier while we were there and my dad, who could sometimes be a bit temperamental, was happy and relaxed and fun while we there.

So, yes...Disney does provide us with the chance to make some really special memories.

Tears dried .we were driving under this:

Then, I couldn’t believe that our resort was actually on the other side of THIS:

 

[amandaw]

Yay! Y'all made it to Disney! The beginning of the video on DME always makes me cry, too.

Can't wait to see how the arrival goes at Poly!

I wish we were close enough to drive, but with the three of us, driving isn't as much of a money saver as it is for folks with larger families.

Airfare used to be very reasonable to Orlando from New Orleans. But now, Southwest is the only airline that flies directly there. And the prices have really gone up. I wish our drive was a little closer but even with breaking it up into 2 days, we'll still save around $550.

Max enjoys his Mobi and the games he can play on my phone. I can't get over the number of devices these kids have to entertain themselves now.

I know, right?!? Reid had his Mobi-go first. Then, for Christmas my dad gave him some other V-Tech game thing. And my mom gave him an InnoTab. Not to mention that he plays on the iPad and loves to play Disney Junior games on my laptop. And he's been playing with our iPhones since he was a little over a year. Our kids will be so technologically advanced it's almost scary!

 

[204charity]

Subbing! Cant wait to read about your experience at the Poly since we will be checking in in 40 days!!!

 

[KatMark]

Great pic of the Magic Kingdom sign...so glad you got that front seat on the ME bus.

 

[annmarieda]

I have yet to get into that front row to get a good view of the archway. Someday i will have to do that!

It looks like it was nice and sunny the day you arrived.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I swear, they strategically planted palm trees along the path of the faux-o-rail to make us non-Floridians giddy.

Yay for the front seat on ME!!! (Hope disembarking worked out smoother for you than it did for me...)

 

[eandesmom]

WOOT for driving under signs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sunandsmiles]

I'm here now...looking forward to more!

 

[tinacaplan]

Subbing! Cant wait to read about your experience at the Poly since we will be checking in in 40 days!!!

You're going to have a great time!

Great pic of the Magic Kingdom sign...so glad you got that front seat on the ME bus.

Me, too!

I have yet to get into that front row to get a good view of the archway. Someday i will have to do that!

It looks like it was nice and sunny the day you arrived.

It as lovely, albeit a bit chilly. But the rest of the week was pretty warm.

I swear, they strategically planted palm trees along the path of the faux-o-rail to make us non-Floridians giddy.

Yay for the front seat on ME!!! (Hope disembarking worked out smoother for you than it did for me...)

WOOT for driving under signs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who else would understand such a thing but a fellow Dis-er?

I'm here now...looking forward to more!

There is more to come...eventually!

 

[Disneyfreak616]

I'm in for this one! LOVE the Beach Club!!!

 

[MEK]

What's with the cones in the street as you pass the Disney World sign?

Doesn't matter - you are getting ready to arrive! Woo Hoo!

Did I sub to your PTR? I can't find it.

 

[tinacaplan]

So, when last I wrote, we were driving under some very exciting archways. Lucky for us, the Poly was the first drop off!

Oh, hello, monorail!

At this point, I was still a bit incredulous that this was actually happening. WE were staying at the Poly! And it only got better as we disembarked and were escorted to check-in. We were all “leied” and our room was ready. At eleven a.m, And we got our requeset in Tokelau!

We were off to a very, very good start.

We walked over and found Tokelau and entered the far side of the building, furthest from the beach side. I had yet to discover the other two entry points.

And then we kept walking down the hall. And walking some more. And more. A little further...and then it begins to occur to me...we have a room at the very end of the hall! For a moment, I feel as though I have won the lottery. While technically NOT a theme park view room, I could walk out onto my patio, walk a few feet into the grass and SEE THE CASTLE.

The view between the lovely trees in front of our patio:

That small thing, that you might just be able to make out between the trees, is the castle.

Really??? REALLY!

The view to our left:

Um...yeah, that’s the Contemporary AND Space Mountain! Yippee!

And this is a photo of the bed in our room:

And this is the ONLY thing we got that even remotely resembled a towel animal. All week.

After dropping off our carry-ons, we went off in search of lunch at Captain Cook’s.

Can someone please explain the purpose behind Disney’s bizzare order by touch screen set-up? How does this make anything easier? Or quicker? Just wondering. Also, am I the only person who gets mildly annoyed when other people don’t know how to use the Dining Plan? I mean, we’re talking Disney mildly annoyed, which in the real world isn’t reall;y annoyed at all...maybe more like bemused. I do feel bad, though, for the people who seem to have no clue at all about how dining works at Disney. You’ve spend thousands of dollars on a vacation...why didn’t you do some research??

Moving on...

Max outside, waiting for his food to be delivered:

The view from our table:

I had the nachos, Poly style. They involved pulled pork and some odd kind of Chinese noodle-type things, instead of chips. It was um...different. Not bad, exactly.

Mark had the standard burgers and fries:

And, apparently, I did not take a picture of Max’s kids meal, but it wasn’t anything spectacular. However...my first dessert of the trip: a Dole-whip! Delicious and definitely one of the Poly’s many perks.

Up next...more gorgeous Poly pics as we make our way to an INSANELY crowded Magic Kingdom on the afternoon of President’s Day!

Oh, and I know I'm behind on a lot of people's threads. I apologize. I wanted to get caught up, but felt inspired to do another update, so I went with that.

 

[tinacaplan]

I'm in for this one! LOVE the Beach Club!!!

We do, too...and our time at the Poly only deepened our love.

What's with the cones in the street as you pass the Disney World sign?

Doesn't matter - you are getting ready to arrive! Woo Hoo!

Did I sub to your PTR? I can't find it.

There was a lot of construction going on around the MK entrance area and, of course, the DVC at the Grand Floridian. And I just saw your post on PTR and I had to laugh. Thanks for the dedication, my friend. I should, perhaps, be posting about April trip, but aside from sharing our ADRs, there isn't a whole lot to tell. I'd rather share my TR!

 

[amandaw]

So far so good at Poly! And that view!

I also tend to get aggravated/bemused by people who don't know anything about Disney. Like you said....you spend this much money on a vacation & you don't bother learning anything about it? I mean, it's not like you're going to a beach & all you have to do is go swim or lay out all day. Anyway, let me step down from the soap box because I could go on all day. I'll just say that I'm with you on that!!!

I actually really want to try Captain Cook's one day. I've heard so many good things about the grilled cheese sandwich.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Yay for Tokelau!!!! And yay for your awesome room view!!!

Those "nachos" look interesting, they remind me of dessert wontons a restaurant that used to be by my parents had. It was wontons covered in chocolate and other sweets. Kind of the same thing...except with pork.

 

[MEK]

I missed the update with the Poly pictures and now I can't see them until tonight. Bummer!

I'm not even going to read until I have the full effect but Stringbean says you view is gorgeous and I believe it!

Re: October - where do you and your mom want to eat that weekend? I'll be emailing you soon re: potential lunch or dinner destinations!

 

[jenneth79]

Just caught back up!

I understand what you say about getting emotional during the part when you realize you're really *there* in the park! For me, it's seeing Spaceship Earth, but that's probably just because we've never been on ME so we miss the video.

Seems like you have a nice secluded area in your room, and a gorgeous view! I adore being that close to the water.

Looking forward to more!

 

[eandesmom]

Lovely view and those nachos look darn good to me but then I'm a sucker for fried won tons. Kona has a dessert like that (I assume it's still on the menu) a sugar free apple thing with friend won tons...YUM! I can see how it would be different.

I forgot you were arriving ON P day, yikes!