Sit back, because this PTR is going to be legen... Wait for it dary! UPDATED 7/4/13

[marDgreen88]

I hope you enjoy the dates you picked! I'm sure it'll be great. Club level sounds awesome!

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

Joining!!! Looking forward to reading all about your trip.

I would love to stay at the Polynesian. Maybe one day.

I am a big Fantasy Football player too, however I am a Patriots Fan!! Still crushed by our horrific loss to the Ravens last night.

Welcome. Thanks for joining in. I love Fantasy Football. I am in 2 leauges so it is really fun. I hate that football season is now ending. Sorry that the Pats lost. It was a good game though.

 

[AlohaAnnie]

Mason is a cutie! He can be the star any day in my book!


Love the Poly, it is such a lovely resort, I am glad you got the discount to save some money, you need every penny when you are Disney obsessed and a stay at home mom.

I am going to read along as much as I can.

Great start!

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

Okay here is what we have so far:
Date-September 21st thru September 27th
Transportation- Flying
Location: Club Level at the Polynesian Resort

I love reading about other tips people have used to make their vacation easier and/or cheaper. So when I read a thread started by Camdensmon about how they save time and money by staying at the Hyatt in the Orlando International Airport, I could not be more excited about this. Here is the link if anyone would like to read more about it:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3038683

Basically how it will work for us (and this is how they did it too.) We are hopefully going to take a 4:00 flight out on Friday September 20th getting us in to MCO at about 8:30ish. I think this is a time that will be good for Mason, since he will be winding down for the day and he will get to bed at a normal time. It will also let Micah work a half of day and we can start our vacation right away on Friday night. I looked at prices and they seem to be a good deal, not to mention a lot cheaper than that Friday night at the Poly when we get in. So if all things work out, we should all be fast asleep within 1 hour of landing. I just love this idea. Really just read this thread. It makes so much sense.

Well now we have to decide if we are going to take the Magical Express when we get to the airport or are we going to rent a car. We have never taken the ME before so I am not really sure how this is going to be. We have always been able to rent a car and get a great deal on it. I will say that the car really sits in a parking spot 90% of the time, but it is nice to have if we would need anything at a store or want to get somewhere faster. Right now we are leaning with taking the ME to save a little bit of money. Plus at that time of the morning I don’t think there will be any lines to wait in for a bus. Just jump in and go. But I will keep checking rental car prices just in case. The thing that worries me the most is the longer waits for the buses getting around Disney. I keep hearing about how long it takes to get places. We won’t need the buses that much, but for going to DHS and DTD we would. We won’t be doing AK this trip, so I don’t need to worry about that. *SIDE NOTE* since we won’t be doing AK that means I can’t get to AKL to try those tasty Zebra Domes everyone talks about. Oh well next trip

So now that we have the boring information out of the way, we can finally start to talk about what matters…ADVANCE DINNING RESERVATIONS




Up next...Our long list of places and food we want to try or eat at.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I say take the Magical Express. Before ME we always rented a car too and we barely ever used it. As for the Disney buses I don't think they're as bad as some people make it sound. Every once in a while we've had to wait a long time but generally we have good luck. The only thing about the Poly that might make it a little worse is that it shares with atleast one other MK resort. But the fact that you have the monorail to get to the MK and Epcot makes it pretty easy to get around.

 

[gracer9977]

Welcome. Thanks for joining in. I love Fantasy Football. I am in 2 leauges so it is really fun. I hate that football season is now ending. Sorry that the Pats lost. It was a good game though.

Wow. 2 leagues!! I only manage one league but my DH is in 2. We are in 12 man leagues and we know all the other teams, they are made up of our friends. My DH and I even get to play against each other once each season. I am bummed that football season is over as well. I love watching the games and cheering for my players. Ah well, 8 months and we can draft our team for the new season.

So excited to join in on the plans for your vacation, can't wait to see how everything works out. Looking forward to a few months from now when we will be able to start getting some planning done for our trip.

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

Mason is a cutie! He can be the star any day in my book!


Love the Poly, it is such a lovely resort, I am glad you got the discount to save some money, you need every penny when you are Disney obsessed and a stay at home mom.

I am going to read along as much as I can.

Great start!

Awww you are sweet to say that about Mason. What I am really hoping for is that someone will discover him at Disney on this trip and want to put him in a TV show or something LOL And then we can move to Disney for good. A girl can dream right

Anyway Welcome and I hope you enjoy

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

Wow. 2 leagues!! I only manage one league but my DH is in 2. We are in 12 man leagues and we know all the other teams, they are made up of our friends. My DH and I even get to play against each other once each season. I am bummed that football season is over as well. I love watching the games and cheering for my players. Ah well, 8 months and we can draft our team for the new season.

So excited to join in on the plans for your vacation, can't wait to see how everything works out. Looking forward to a few months from now when we will be able to start getting some planning done for our trip.

This was my first year in 2 and it did get a little crazy. My DH are in both of the leagues together so that make it fun plus like you one of them is made up of all our friends so that gets a little wild too when we all get together. We do the draft at Buffalo Wild Wings and try to all get together at least ones to watch and talk smack during the season.

Since we are going on out Disney trip durning the football season it will be hard not watching football at all that day. I dont know who will have a harder time with it. Me or DH

I can't wait to hear about your plans too! When are you thinking about going?

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

I say take the Magical Express. Before ME we always rented a car too and we barely ever used it. As for the Disney buses I don't think they're as bad as some people make it sound. Every once in a while we've had to wait a long time but generally we have good luck. The only thing about the Poly that might make it a little worse is that it shares with atleast one other MK resort. But the fact that you have the monorail to get to the MK and Epcot makes it pretty easy to get around.

Thank you for saying that the buses are not that bad. I know that some people really dont like them. And I am glad you had pretty good luck with them. I really think we will try it for this trip. Better to try it now then later when he wants to go to ever park all in one day

 

[marDgreen88]

Staying at Wyatt sounds cool! That's a really great idea.

I'd say take the Magical Express! That way the only thing you have to worry about is getting on and off, it's so convenient. Plus, if you're not going to Animal Kingdom () then only having to take a bus to DHS won't be bad at all!

 

[blessedmom4]

We had better luck with the buses if we didn't trying to ride when everyone else was riding. Now it is far easier for us to use a vehicle because of Lisa. The TR I am working on now encompasses your dates from 2012. Your plans are truly coming together!

 

[momto3gr8boys]

Congrats on upgrading to CL! As for transportation, ME is easy ad wonderful. The buses really aren't bad. The only downside (and reason we rented a car til the youngest was three) is that you have to fold your stroller. So trying to get on a crowded bus with a tired or sleeping baby and a stroller and your bags is a pain. Just something to think about. At least at poly you can wheel him on the monorail for MK and EP.

And we stayed at the Hyatt in MCO once (I think I actually relayed our story in that thread and it was so easy). I just booked DCL for may and we will stay there the night we get in before leaving for PC in the morning. Just remember if you do use DME, don't put on your luggage age until you are in Orlando!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

Staying at Wyatt sounds cool! That's a really great idea.

I'd say take the Magical Express! That way the only thing you have to worry about is getting on and off, it's so convenient. Plus, if you're not going to Animal Kingdom () then only having to take a bus to DHS won't be bad at all!

I think that we are going to try the ME. It is just a cool way to start our trip to Disney. Plus we have never done it before and I love trying new things when we go to Disney. I am very excited about staying at the Hyatt. I think it will be really cool and a HUGE time and stress saver. The only other thing that is better than waking up in Disney, is waking up and getting on a magical bus to take to you to Disney

We had better luck with the buses if we didn't trying to ride when everyone else was riding. Now it is far easier for us to use a vehicle because of Lisa. The TR I am working on now encompasses your dates from 2012. Your plans are truly coming together!

How was the weather last year at that time. Was it really HOT? And how was the rain? Did it rain and was it alot?

Congrats on upgrading to CL! As for transportation, ME is easy ad wonderful. The buses really aren't bad. The only downside (and reason we rented a car til the youngest was three) is that you have to fold your stroller. So trying to get on a crowded bus with a tired or sleeping baby and a stroller and your bags is a pain. Just something to think about. At least at poly you can wheel him on the monorail for MK and EP.

And we stayed at the Hyatt in MCO once (I think I actually relayed our story in that thread and it was so easy). I just booked DCL for may and we will stay there the night we get in before leaving for PC in the morning. Just remember if you do use DME, don't put on your luggage age until you are in Orlando!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Transportation is just another reason why I wanted to stay at the Poly. If he is sleeping in his stroller we can just walk back to the resort from the MK just in case the monorail is really full and I would have to fold the stroller up. You will have to let me know how the Hyatt was for you when you go in May. I also cant wait to hear about your DCL vacation. We are planning on going in 2015. THANK YOU for telling me about not putting on my ME tags til we are in Orlando. I would have never thought of that. WOW that could have been bad

 

[momto3gr8boys]

Transportation is just another reason why I wanted to stay at the Poly. If he is sleeping in his stroller we can just walk back to the resort from the MK just in case the monorail is really full and I would have to fold the stroller up. You will have to let me know how the Hyatt was for you when you go in May. I also cant wait to hear about your DCL vacation. We are planning on going in 2015. THANK YOU for telling me about not putting on my ME tags til we are in Orlando. I would have never thought of that. WOW that could have been bad

Haha yes, that would be bad. Although not for your luggage, which would be vacationing for an extra night at the Poly

My DCL trip was just a total spur of the moment surprise for my family! No one has a clue - ahhhhhhh! Except my SIL, because I had to spill the beans to someone and they will be there in May so I wanted to see if we were going around the same time (we're not). It's a quick three night on the Dream. I was just in some major need of pixie dust sooner than August, so I booked it. This will be our 4th DCL cruise, so there isn't too much planning involved, but I will be adding details to my current PTR I'm sure (and I'm hoping none of my family members get nosy on DIS - not that they ever have, but it would be my luck they start now!).

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

Okay, here is our long list of places that we would like to eat at or foods we would like to try


Resorts

Chef Mickey’s- Breakfast (What is better than Mickey and Breakfast Pizza)

Cape May- Clam Bake Dinner (we did this back in 2010 and it is one of my DH favorites. We both thought that it was a great dinner. Plus we love seafood.)

Ohana- Dinner (Again we tried it out last trip and fell in love. It was all so good. I am a little worried about the new changes that they are trying out. I like the sauces the most and would not be happy if they did away with them.)

Boma-This is another one of those places that we have always wanted to try, but never have. I think that we would enjoy either the Breakfast or Dinner.

The Mara-Really the only thing that I really want here is Zebra Domes.

Kona- Really Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner would be great here. I really want to try the Taco’s they have for lunch. I have seen the pictures and they look really good. I am a big fan of Fish Tacos. Micah loves Tonga Toast (Don’t flame me, but I am not a fan)


Captain Cooks-Dole Whip and Pork Nacho’s and Tonga Toast for DH


Downtown Disney

Earl of Sandwich- This is always a MUST. My all-time favorite is the holiday sandwich. I don’t think they will have it yet, but you really can’t go wrong with any of the sandwiches

T-Rex-This is something we have never tried, but I think that Mason would really like it here. We have been to the Rainforest a few times and he really likes that.

Ghirardelli-This is another must. Micah and I always share something because we can never finish a whole sundae by ourselves.

House of Blues-Gospel Brunch (this is just outstanding. I can’t ever say enough good things about this. We did it last trip and the food was out of this world and the music was just so uplifting and inspiring)

Wolfgang Puck Express- We really love the pizza here. I always want to try something else, but in the end I always get the Traditional Margherita pizza


Magic Kingdom

Crystal Palace- Here I would do Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner. We did Dinner here once and it was good. I would like to try Breakfast since I love Breakfast. And I would like to do an early ADR to get into the park before it opens for some good pictures.

Liberty Tree Tavern- Dinner (we have never tried it, but Micah loves Thanksgiving especially turkey so I know he would love it here.)

Aloha Isle- DOLE WHIP BABY!

Be Our Guest- If we would do this, I would pick lunch. I love the idea behind this, but just not sold on the food at dinner. If anything I think it would be a cool stop to check out and get a drink and dessert to share.

Sleepy Hollow-This is one of these places that I heard about check out the Food Porn thread. All I want this trip is to try the spicy chicken waffle sandwich. I can’t wait for this.

Sunshine Tree Terrace-Okay I have been a Dole Whip lover for a long long time now, but somehow I had no idea about this place and the good treats that it offers. I want to try a Citrus Swirl. *SIDE NOTE* don’t hate me because I did not know anything about this place

Turkey Leg Cart-This is a MUST for Micah. He loves to get at least one turkey leg every trip. See I told you this man love’s turkey

Gaston’s Tavern-Micah would like to also try the roasted pork shank and Lefou’s brew. I am not sure I would be a fan of either, but we will see.


Epcot

Via Napoli-I think that the food here sounds outstanding. The pizzas look amazing

Biergarten-We have wanted to eat here for a few trips now, but never have made it. I think that Mason would just love the music and Micah and I would love the food.

Coral Reef- I think that their lunch menu looks good. I think Mason would love to watch the fish while he eats. We have never been here, but again it is always a place we wanted to try.

Garden Grill- Everything about this place is cool. I think that the Character interact would be neat. The food looks so good, and what is better than being on a ride while you eat. LOL! The only bad part is that they do not do lunch

*SIDE NOTE* we love to try things from some (well I thinking during F&W we tried something from all)the countries while walking around so I won’t be listing them for you. You will just have to wait for our TR to see what we got!


Hollywood Studio’s

Hollywood and Vine– Either Breakfast or Lunch (Lunch they have a lobster mac and cheese that sounds really good)

Starring Rolls- Slice of the grapefruit cake (I was able to get this there in 2010 and I hope I will be lucky enough to get it again. I LOVE this cake.)


Animal Kingdom

Tusker House- I have heard a lot of great things about the Breakfast here. I also think that Lunch sounds good too.

Yak and Yeti- Again, I have heard a lot of good things about the food here. It all looks really good, but the wonton dessert sounds wonderful.

Safari Pretzel- Jalapeño Cheese stuffed pretzel…YUM!

Safari Turkey- I think by now you all know Micah’s love for turkey.



I am sure that I forgot to add something, so I might have to do a few updates. Also when I look at Food Porn Thread I have a tendency to add on to the list too! Now another thing I have not added was the drinks that I want to try. When we went in 2010 I was pregnant with Mason so I could not par take in anything. So this trip Mommy wants to get her drink on! Just Kidding. But there are a few things that I know I want to try. So now I am going to have to start my drink list.

I love to hear from people what they like or what they don’t like. Please feel free to give me new ideas too!


Coming up next: We have yet another change to our trip

 

[marDgreen88]

I read that they're not getting rid of all the sauces at 'Ohana, they're keeping the peanut sauce. That was my personal favorite, so hopefully that's one that you like as well!

P.S. If someone would hate you for not knowing about a restaurant... well that would be pretty pathetic!

 

[Xclusive2WDW]

Okay, here is our long list of places that we would like to eat at or foods we would like to try


Resorts

Chef Mickey’s- Breakfast (What is better than Mickey and Breakfast Pizza)

I LOVE CM's!!! I love it for Breakfast or Dinner and unfortunatly I am a loyal person who could care less about the crazy price (I mean I do, but not enough to stop going. . .)

Cape May- Clam Bake Dinner (we did this back in 2010 and it is one of my DH favorites. We both thought that it was a great dinner. Plus we love seafood.)

Ohana- Dinner (Again we tried it out last trip and fell in love. It was all so good. I am a little worried about the new changes that they are trying out. I like the sauces the most and would not be happy if they did away with them.)

Boma-This is another one of those places that we have always wanted to try, but never have. I think that we would enjoy either the Breakfast or Dinner.

The Mara-Really the only thing that I really want here is Zebra Domes.

Kona- Really Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner would be great here. I really want to try the Taco’s they have for lunch. I have seen the pictures and they look really good. I am a big fan of Fish Tacos. Micah loves Tonga Toast (Don’t flame me, but I am not a fan)

Flammed on your own PTR?!! Now that's just nut's. Inguire about your interest in a taste bud transplantWe all have different tastes, they are what they are. That's why restaurants have lots of other items

Captain Cooks-Dole Whip and Pork Nacho’s and Tonga Toast for DH


Downtown Disney

Earl of Sandwich- This is always a MUST. My all-time favorite is the holiday sandwich. I don’t think they will have it yet, but you really can’t go wrong with any of the sandwiches

T-Rex-This is something we have never tried, but I think that Mason would really like it here. We have been to the Rainforest a few times and he really likes that.

Ghirardelli-This is another must. Micah and I always share something because we can never finish a whole sundae by ourselves.

House of Blues-Gospel Brunch (this is just outstanding. I can’t ever say enough good things about this. We did it last trip and the food was out of this world and the music was just so uplifting and inspiring)

This is another must do for us as well, my grandmother's favorite during our family trips
Wolfgang Puck Express- We really love the pizza here. I always want to try something else, but in the end I always get the Traditional Margherita pizza


Magic Kingdom

Crystal Palace- Here I would do Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner. We did Dinner here once and it was good. I would like to try Breakfast since I love Breakfast. And I would like to do an early ADR to get into the park before it opens for some good pictures.

A vote for Breakfast prior to park opening if you can. A tourist free picture in front of the castle AND puffed french toast? Is there really a choice to make here?
Liberty Tree Tavern- Dinner (we have never tried it, but Micah loves Thanksgiving especially turkey so I know he would love it here.)

Aloha Isle- DOLE WHIP BABY!

Be Our Guest- If we would do this, I would pick lunch. I love the idea behind this, but just not sold on the food at dinner. If anything I think it would be a cool stop to check out and get a drink and dessert to share.

Sleepy Hollow-This is one of these places that I heard about check out the Food Porn thread. All I want this trip is to try the spicy chicken waffle sandwich. I can’t wait for this.

Sunshine Tree Terrace-Okay I have been a Dole Whip lover for a long long time now, but somehow I had no idea about this place and the good treats that it offers. I want to try a Citrus Swirl. *SIDE NOTE* don’t hate me because I did not know anything about this place

Turkey Leg Cart-This is a MUST for Micah. He loves to get at least one turkey leg every trip. See I told you this man love’s turkey

Gaston’s Tavern-Micah would like to also try the roasted pork shank and Lefou’s brew. I am not sure I would be a fan of either, but we will see.


Epcot

Via Napoli-I think that the food here sounds outstanding. The pizzas look amazing

Biergarten-We have wanted to eat here for a few trips now, but never have made it. I think that Mason would just love the music and Micah and I would love the food.

Coral Reef- I think that their lunch menu looks good. I think Mason would love to watch the fish while he eats. We have never been here, but again it is always a place we wanted to try.

Garden Grill- Everything about this place is cool. I think that the Character interact would be neat. The food looks so good, and what is better than being on a ride while you eat. LOL! The only bad part is that they do not do lunch

*SIDE NOTE* we love to try things from some (well I thinking during F&W we tried something from all)the countries while walking around so I won’t be listing them for you. You will just have to wait for our TR to see what we got!


Hollywood Studio’s

Hollywood and Vine– Either Breakfast or Lunch (Lunch they have a lobster mac and cheese that sounds really good)

Starring Rolls- Slice of the grapefruit cake (I was able to get this there in 2010 and I hope I will be lucky enough to get it again. I LOVE this cake.)


Animal Kingdom

Tusker House- I have heard a lot of great things about the Breakfast here. I also think that Lunch sounds good too.

Yak and Yeti- Again, I have heard a lot of good things about the food here. It all looks really good, but the wonton dessert sounds wonderful.

Safari Pretzel- Jalapeño Cheese stuffed pretzel…YUM!

Safari Turkey- I think by now you all know Micah’s love for turkey.



I am sure that I forgot to add something, so I might have to do a few updates. Also when I look at Food Porn Thread I have a tendency to add on to the list too! Now another thing I have not added was the drinks that I want to try. When we went in 2010 I was pregnant with Mason so I could not par take in anything. So this trip Mommy wants to get her drink on! Just Kidding. But there are a few things that I know I want to try. So now I am going to have to start my drink list.

Bottoms up sister I know why I will be stalking your TR now, lol

I love to hear from people what they like or what they don’t like. Please feel free to give me new ideas too!


Coming up next: We have yet another change to our trip

I commented on my must do's that you have. Most of the other places like Garden Grill, I want to try as well. Looks like a really good list

I read that they're not getting rid of all the sauces at 'Ohana, they're keeping the peanut sauce. That was my personal favorite, so hopefully that's one that you like as well!

P.S. If someone would hate you for not knowing about a restaurant... well that would be pretty pathetic!

THIS!!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Wow, that is a long list! But there are a lot of good places on there. I was just thinking about Wolfgang Puck Express last night and how I want that margherita pizza. So good! It's such a hard decision with Earl of Sandwich and WPE! Via Napoli is so good!

 

[Fratthouse]

Joining in! Love your PTR so far

We have gone three of the last four years in September and love it! The crowds are super low, and the weather has generally been really nice for us. It can get hot in the afternoon, but mornings and evenings are great! We usually took the afternoons to go back to the resort and rest or get ready for dinner, anyways, so it didn't bother us too much. I can't imagine going in the summer and having to deal with even more intense heat and the crowds. It doesn't sound that enjoyable to me, and I LOVE Disney!

We went last September with our 1-year-old and stayed at the Poly. We had an issue with our room that I won't even go into detail about because I think it was just something with our specific room and not the resort as a whole. But the resort is beautiful, and it has great restaurant options, too! It is a great retreat from the parks - especially when your little one needs to rest! And it was SOOOO quiet when we were there - like I"m not sure there were even any other guest in our whole building -I'm pretty sure we didn't see anyone the entire time!

 

[Fratthouse]

I would definitely recommend taking advantage of eating at Kona while you are staying at the Poly - it is soooo good, and really convenient since it's in your resort! I ordered the pork chop, and it is maybe the best piece of meat I've ever eaten in my life. I am a total carbs person and usually don't care for meat, but at this meal I actually passed up the delicious mashed potatoes to save room for more of the pork chop. I don't think that's ever happened before in my life!

Ohana was great, too, but we had to wait around 30 minutes to be seated, even though we had a reservation. I know this is common practice at a lot of restaurants, even during low season, and not worth complaining about. And if I wasn't trying to entertain a 1-year-old in a super crowded lobby, it may not have mattered that much. But it was pretty stressful trying to keep him happy and by the time we were seated, we were pretty worn out. The food and service were great, so it might be worth it, but I don't plan on going back until DS is a few years older