08 was so Great at the Poly...TR-NEW 2/3 Time to say Good-bye (final post) / pics

[mousescrapper]

Thanks for all the well wishes I am starting to feel better a little bit each day, though my energy level is a bit more down today. But sitting at the computer doesn't exert that much

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Hi Everyone,

As some of you have seen I’ve posted in on a couple P/TR’s and figured I’d start wading thru my mega PTR and cap up some of the stuff in prep to officially turn it over to my Trip Report for our June 08 trip and stay at the Poly!

Cast of Characters:

me Julie (33): Master planner of all things Disney and keeper of the schedule for our tour…lady who gets pneumonia 3 days after getting home.

DH Matt (35): If you’re paying attention he turned into his official mid 30’s right before we left. In charge of the stroller and all dirty diapers on this trip. Says next time we go 1) thing to different….um go when PoC is OPEN!

DD Aldine (9): Got a snazzy new mod hat on 1st day, loved the water slide at the Poly pool, Came home with a mega pile of loot…loved calling Captain Hook an “old codfish”

DS Michael (9): Twin to Aldine, has ADHD and Aspergers. Did really, really well with all the minor schedule changes and some long boring waits. Found 2 of his top souvenir choices and loved the chicken wings at FTBQ in AK.

DD Mae (5): Her amazing little feet got her many places on this trip…loved being Ariel’s favorite “human” and couldn’t understand why the Step-sisters kept being “mean” to her…

DD Margaret (19 mo): Lived on red grapes and some other foods (I think) for 8 days. Had a great FIRST trip to WDW though didn’t really get those larger than life characters and what do you mean I have to sit in my highchair and car seat again?

DMom Kathy (young at heart): Had another fun and memorable 6 days with us at Mickey’s House, loved all the food and thought the Poly was just wonderful. Buyer of how many pins?


Our Proposed Tour Plan: (The Parks Tour Plan)

Day 1) Thursday: Arrival Day Poly/1900 PF dinner/DTD

Day 2) Friday: Animal Kingdom /kids Neverland Club/Matt and I EMH at MK at night

Day 3) Saturday: Magic Kingdom morning and late-night/early afternoon rest at Poly/Epcot afternoon into early eve

Day 4) Sunday: Studios w/ Star Wars Weekend and mini golf at night

Day 5) Monday: O’Hana character breakfast morning/Poly Pool afternoon/Epcot late afternoon into evening

Day 6) Tuesday: Major Rest Day/big girls Cooking Adventure/ Mom leaving today/hop back to Studios

Day 7) Wednesday: Magic Kingdom Daywith rest at Poly in afternoon

Day 8) Thursday: Departure Day Michael’s Pirate Cruise in morning/check-out/Epcot


Trip Particulars:

3 Adults and 4 Children (w/ 1 under 2)
Flying RT on American Airlines
Staying a combination of 2 rooms (sharing w/ Mom) for 5-7 nights and 6-8 days at the Polynesian Resort
Using 7 day PH passports and the Disney Dinning Plan
Taking the DME for us and luggage transfers to and from WDW and Orlando airport
Each Day has it’s own plan and each park per tour has it’s own specific tour plan devised mainly by me


Firsts for this trip:

Traveling with 1 more child and she’s under 2 yrs old
Traveling in June and SWW
Staying at the Poly and being on the monorail
Using the DDP
Not planning on using stroller for Mae on this trip
Dinning at more than 1 character meal and total 7 TS meals all-together
Plan to obtain GAC for Michael
Trying more planned rests and breaks each day for Michael and Margaret
Using pre-planned tour guides from an alternate source such as TGM

Reminder of each family members TOP 5’s:

Margaret: "Her First Trip to Mickey's House"

My Wishes:

* Walking!
* First Haircut!
* No Crying!
* Her top 5!
1) watching the parades in her stroller, especially Spectro

2) taking naps in her stroller

3) eating cherrios in her stroller (see a trend?)

4) playing it the tot spots like Pooh's restful spot

5) getting her picture taken with Minnie Mouse


Mae’s “TOP 5” and my Wishes for her 2nd Walt Disney World Trip.

Wishes:

· Not Being Scared!

· Fun at her Kid-Only Cooking Adventure!

· Enjoying New WDW memories!

· Walking

TOP 5:

1) Meet the Little Mermaid ARIEL (and Prince Eric)

2) See the Voyage of the Little Mermaid show at the DHS

3) See Playhouse Disney Live at the Studios and Meet Jo-Jo & Goliath

4) Play in the sand and go swimming in the pools at the Poly

5) Meeting other Princesses like Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. Plus she says when she sees Minnie she’s going to run right up to her and give her a hug.


Aldine's TOP 5:

1) Go on Splash Mountain

2 )Go on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

3) The Hawaiian Restaurant (O'Hana) and meet Lilo

4) Go on Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride

5) Meet Kim Possible and see HSM Pep Rally


My Wishes for her trip:

* Keeping pace and have good wake-ups

* Little girl Magic still there!

* Mom-Daughter alone time!

* Don’t get Lost!

* Most importantly, she'll just have FUN, FUN, and more FUN!!!


Michael’s TOP 5!

1) ride TOY STORY MANIA

2) go to the Laugh Factory

3) ride Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster

4) get Stitch’s autograph

5) go to Italy in the World Showcase

he also hopes to find a CM who’s all into Stitch and his Cousins. He has a picture he wants to bring with to see if he can find out ALL the Cousins names

My wishes for him are:

· No major melt-downs

· Have Fun not be stressed

· Flexibility

· Special Disney Magic moments for him . And good times the NC at the Poly and his GA Pirate Cruise


My Mom’s TOP 5:
1) SOARIN

2) THE GREAT MOVIE RIDE

3) BUZZ LIGHTYEAR’S ASTRO BLASTERS

4) THE NEMO MUSICAL at AK

5) THE MAD TEA PARTY TEA CUPS


DH (matt’s) Top 5:
1) MR. TOAD’S WILD RIDE (he knows it’s not there anymore)

2) PIRATES OF THE CARIBEAN (SORRY CLOSED FOR REHAB)

3) DINOSAUR

4) MALESTROM

5) BUZZ LIGHTYEAR’S ASTRO BLASTERS


My TOP 5:
1) Expedition Everest

2) Tower of Terror

3) Space Mountain

4) It's a Small World

5) SpectroMagic



Ok Then I think this is a pretty good way to re-cap up the PTR and move into the real fun of our actual trip:

Things to come:

Airport delays
Who said June was HOT?
Cinder-smella
World of Sardines
Going on the bus w/ an 18 mo old….
Thank you for the GAC
Expedition AHHHHH!
Swimming up Main Street
The red people
I hugged a Pig
Soarin for an hour plus
Schedule changes
SWW OMG
TSM awesome! Do it again!
Is it hot?
Trading w/ Jawas
That wasn’t funny Stitch….ok it was
Margaret’s boy-twin
Is that rain on the horizon?
Table please!?
My never-ending Laundry day
Special Mom-daughter night
Seeing 2 families from back home
We need more Grapes!
Lot’s of fun w/ the characters
It’s Tinkerbelle
YoHo Pirate’s Life for Michael
Run it’s the DME bus….


AND so much more!

Hope to officially kick this TR off later this week!

J-

 

[mousescrapper]

I'm going to say goodbye to the ticker on my next post for the start of the TR as it is kinda sad to see it say it has been 20 days since we been and gone from WDW....oh I so want to go back....

and I will be updating my name for the TR too for my link below.

J-

 

[MRYPPNS]

I am sooooo looking forward to this TR!!!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Yay!!

I love all of your "things to come"!! I can't wait for you to start your TR JULIE!

 

[mousescrapper]

Hey all,

I just posted my Poly review on the Resort's thread. The link is below. My post is #2149 on pg 144...if you're just itching for some of my TR.

Aloha!

J-

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1708173

 

[Hedy]

Looking forward to the TR!

 

[mousescrapper]

Thursday June 5th

“Arrival Day---We are Here!”​

The alarm set to WGN radio station goes off about 4:30 am (CST) next to my DH’s side of the bed….

Was I already awake?

Did DH just half awake/asleep hit the snooze?

Were the kids awake yet too?

Oh the morning of your travel day to Walt Disney World! Your brain, body, every part just fills w/ eager anticipation of leaving…of each next thing that get’s you closer to the moment you actually arrive.

Are we dreaming, are we really leaving? There are no more Mickey Heads to cross off on the calendar, no more plans to be made, no more thinking and wishing….

IT”S TIME TO GET UP and GO SEE MICKEY!!!!!

So I was of course already ½ awake…how could I really be sleeping? I got out of bed about 4:45 am and started to wash up before Matt. I had gone to the hairdressers the night before and had my hair done and blown dried straight (I have natural curls) so that saved me one precious step of doing my hair, it just needed a touch up. I put on some clean “day clothes” (you know sweats and a shirt, not my actual travel clothes) and headed out to the kitchen…as DH headed into the bathroom to shower up and stuff…

My plan was to make some mini blueberry muffins to take w/ to the airport and have the kids have a banana, milk or OJ as well before we left. So I’m adding the water to the mix and putting the batter in the pans…all going well for now and according to plan.

Mae was the first kid to get up this morning and came sleepily like in a dream into the kitchen and while rubbing her eyes awake she reports to me

“It’s time to go to DISNEY WORLD! Is it morning, the sun isn’t up…but I’m ready to go…”​

in her jammies no doubt too…..

Next up was Michael he was a bit agitated at first this morning feeling confused…it may have been a little overwhelming. But he chilled on the couch in the little family room off our kitchen when

Sniff, sniff…do you smell something burning?​

Now I had just checked those muffins, but sure enough something was burning, not to mention the extra ‘Pam’ I sprayed on the unused cups too…and then

“BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! FIRE! FIRE! BEEP BEEP!”​

off goes the 2 smoke alarms in the house…flipping out both Michael (he really hates loud noises) and Mae who were up…out comes Matt from our BR to get them off and then Margaret starts crying in her room and Aldine come leisurely out of her room some 20 minutes after everyone….

Well at least the non-morning person is up!

So yes, I burnt the muffins and ended up cutting off the bottoms on some 20 little muffins…I was determined not to go to waste or let anything spoil our ‘Day to Disney’

Needless to say things were off to a bit of a hectic start that morning with both Matt & I feeling the travel jitters (which is always common, worse for him though, not the best flyer either)

So after the burnt muffin/fire alarm fiasco I got the kitchen semi cleaned up and left the pans in the sink with soapy water (which by the way are still in need of another good scrub and sitting up on the top of my fridge still) the kids had their fruit and drink, everyone was getting dressed and brushing their teeth.

I collected all the toothbrushes and last minute toiletry items into our carry-on bag. Matt was loading the van with all the bags after getting Margaret up and changed into her outfit. I can’t remember if she ate anything before we left, but had a milk cup in the van on the way to the airport.

So I’m frantically trying to finish getting my self ready and changed and get that carry on bag and final small suitcase zipped up as the minutes ticking down to 10 minutes to 6 am was quickly approaching.

Then I hear from the kitchen “ Angie’s here!”

I yell out to Matt to tell the kids to take their carry-on bags and get in the car and get buckled. He then comes and grabbed the last bag and I carry out 1 more too to the van.

So it’s 6:00 am on the dot and there are 4 kids, 3 adults (one’s Angie my brother’s girlfriend taking us to the airport), 8 carry-on bags, 1 stroller, and 5 suitcases in our van.

Off we pull out of the garage and watch the door go down…

DH: “Do we have everything?”

Me: “Um I think so”

DH: “Do we have the tickets?”

Me: “yes, but really I just need your DL, do you have it?”

DH: “Yes”

Me: “ Ok then we’re going to Mickey’s House!”

Everyone: “Yeah!”​

​

​

Up next: arriving at O’Hare International Airport and the joys of air travel…..

(PS are you so excited my TR has begun?! And sorry no pic’s yet…but believe me they are coming!)

 

[MRYPPNS]

PS are you so excited my TR has begun?!

YES!!!

I can't believe you were baking muffins at 5am. You're such a good mommy!

 

[mousescrapper]

YES!!!

I can't believe you were baking muffins at 5am. You're such a good mommy!

oh yeah untill I burnt them and set off the smoke alarms and became the mommy....

 

[Hedy]

That was an inauspicious start....

 

[MRYPPNS]

oh yeah untill I burnt them and set off the smoke alarms and became the mommy....

But it's the effort that counts....my plans call for "get breakfast at airport"

 

[DisneyFan06]

Awww, you made muffins and cut off the buttoms!

I love it so far!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Yay! It's started!
Clearly you are much more of a morning person than I am... I NEVER would have attempted baking at that hour!

 

[mousescrapper]

Awww, you made muffins and cut off the buttoms!

I love it so far!

Hi DisneyFan06 and to the beginning of my TR! I'm glad you like it so far and hope you stick around for the whole ride....

Yay! It's started!
Clearly you are much more of a morning person than I am... I NEVER would have attempted baking at that hour!

Amy and everyone else for saying Hi and loving my morning muffin attempt!

I'll be back tomorrow for installment #2...my DMom is taking Michael, Aldine, & Mae to the library and to see Wall-E (did I spell that right) so once Margaret is down for her nap I'll be here

See you then!

MouseScrapper (Scrappie-Do) (J-)

Oh I don't know if I should admit this or not to you all and Hedy but I actuall had to look up "inauspicious" to verfy what I thought it meant. My Mom-fuzzy brain isn't always ticking....

 

[CruisingCamper]

I read your Review of the Poly on the Poly thread. I really enjoyed it, and I am very excited to see what's to come in your trip report!!

 

[mousescrapper]

I read your Review of the Poly on the Poly thread. I really enjoyed it, and I am very excited to see what's to come in your trip report!!

Well Hi CruisingCamper and hope the rest will be just as fun at the Poly stuff...of course some will be repeats....but boy do I have alot to share!

Glad you're here...and I'll get to re-live the Poly thru your upcoming trip!

MouseScrapper

 

[mousescrapper]

Arriving at the Airport in Chicago and on our way to Orlando….


So we left off, with a fully loaded van of people and bags and don’t forget my zip-lock bag full of cut off bottom mini-muffins too!

So we are on our way just after 6 am and yes I shouldn’t say can you believe there is traffic already? But we only hit a bit once we were on the expressway heading toward the airport (construction of course) , we took the exit and turned on the ramp heading into the airport’s arrivals/departures….

DH: What terminal do we want?

Me: I think it’s 3, just watch the signs

A few minutes later….

DH: Which spot, there’s a ton of drop-offs for AA?

Me: I don’t know, just pick one.​

(Um sorry for any of my men readers…but do men seriously have some issues with directions or not wanting to admit they get confused when driving?)

So we pull in by the curb at the of the AA Departure spots it’s about 6:45 am…we made excellent time! Whew!

We do the amazingly quick unload of all those people, bags, suitcases, stroller, plus taking out Margaret’s car seat.

I shout “thanks” and “good-bye” to my DBG (dear brother’s girlfriend) and huddle up our stuff and kids toward the curb check-in line with Matt taking up the rear…it was slightly confusing but we managed. We had the airport/going thru security convo w/ the kids in the car on the way and everyone seemed calm and in a good mood.

There were only were a few people ahead of us, so it didn’t take long at all…I had forgot they charge you per checked bag for the convenience of curb-side check-in so there went our drink $ for in the airport…but it was worth it. So after paying/tipping the guy and feeling thankful yet again our largest of bags was not overweight…we went on in toward security….now the Fun begins right?

It was a bit of line, and of course I tucked my DL back in my wallet to remember need that yet again…it moved fairly fast, which I was glad…I was worried Michael could not take much more of this standing stuff. So we show our DL’s and tickets and move on toward the stacks of gray bins. Can you guess how many we used? Should have counted but it caused a bit of a back up.

Trying as quick as we can to take off our crocs (DH had gym shoes on) toss them in the bins, w/ our carry-on’s, take out Margaret’s cups and our 3 1-quart toiletry bags, plus DH had to take his laptop out of the bag, plus folding up the stroller and putting the car seat up on the belt too (are you getting tired just reading that? )…it was a bit chaotic. I sort of felt bad for the single dude behind us.

Oh speaking of Margaret’s cups, I had one w/ milk and one w/ diluted apple juice…oh yeah that didn’t pass…had to dump the juice !

We all get thru w/ no issues and then start the re-pick up unload process, and of course you know no one really help me and my 4 kids as DH is back there dealing w/ the laptop…

But we all got our bags back, and crocs on and head toward our gate. We get there to find my DMom already there and we sit to rest a bit. Bumm some $ off her for some juice for Margaret and OJ for the others, while I pass out some muffins. Yes my good family actually ate them , well not Matt, he’s a little food weary before flying too like your DH Heidi.

I head over to the Starbuck’s stand and get a bottle of water and my chai-latte w/ soy milk and then DH goes to use the RR…when they announce our flight has been changed to a different gate…this is like some 20 minutes probably before we should board too…oh I smell a delay coming!

So Mom takes the 3 kids and their stuff to the new gate while I wait which seemed like forever for Matt to return and then we move with the car seat, duffle, stroller, etc….down and around to practically the other wing.

Now we have a 10-minute delay on our take off from 8:30 to 8:40 am (CST)….

Time check: 8:20 am and is there a plane out there? Um NO!!!!!

So here we sit at our gate with all these other people, most going to WDW from the look of it, with their Disney shirts and bags…

We let Margaret out of her stroller to putz around w/ Daddy and stretch her little legs.

Michael is playing on his Leapster.

Mae is antsy and walking around looking out the windows.

Aldine is walking around too looking around and out the windows.

My Mom is talking to another passenger about Disney, 9-11, etc.

I’m writing all these fun notes to report back to you….

here are Michael & Aldine looking out at the planes...

Time check: 8:25 am and our plane has finally arrived and we now have a 9:00 am take-off time (1/2 hour later) hopefully landing in Orlando at 12:30 pm (Orlando time).

Now I am feeling SUPER GOOD about adjusting those Day 1) plans and taking off that 3 pm ADR at DHS…thanks Heidi and Amy (NH)

We are now on the plane and getting ready for take-off…

Time check: 9:20 am we’re in the AIR!!!

Here's a couple views from the plane as we descended into Orlando...

I’m sitting between Michael and Mae (she’s on the window) and DH is between Margaret and Aldine behind us. My Mom is across from Michael.

Margaret slept for a few minutes at take off and during the flight, Mae & Michael worked in their Disney activity books I made them, while Daddy and Aldine watched Monsters Inc on his laptop.

Time check: 12:22 pm (Orlando time) we have landed!

We get off the plane fairly easily, despite Matt having a hard time holding Margaret she peed out (sorry if tmi) she drank I think almost 3 ½ cups full between the first airport and on the plane…that’s even w/ a diaper change before boarding….keep that in mind for Liam, Heidi!

Here's the DME sign before we got on the fake monorail...

Here's Mom and a few of the kids on the airport train...

and DH...

and finally me and Aldine attempting a 1-hand camera shot...

Here's the DME check-in counter, where after taking this pic I ended up striking a convo with a gentleman from Canada down for his 1st trip, staying at PopC


So minus the potty-stop for most and a diaper plus clothes change for Margaret we were on the DME bus to the Poly & GF sitting down at 1:25 pm…can you believe that it took us 1 hr…man that was long, but didn’t seem like it took that long…oh well. We’re on our way FINALLY!

So at first the bus was like empty, so I figured oh this would be quick But the nice DME guy we had (Edwin) took 2 more resort lines and we were packed w/ several more stops…oh well. We are on our way!

Margaret was extremely cranky; she was so done w/ being cooped up. For most of the ride she stood between mine and DH’s legs on the floor…oh that is safe!

This is her attempting to sit in her own seat before more people got on board...

(Ok that was the last note I wrote about our arrival…so the rest is a bit blurry w/ our specific arrival to the POLY & stuff…here is what I wrote in part for my Poly review on the resort’s thread

I'm actually gonna start a new post to fit in more images....but first I need to have some lunch...I'll try and get back later today!

J-

 

[Hedy]

Ugh, I hate airline delays.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Arriving at the Airport in Chicago and on our way to Orlando….

DH: Which spot, there’s a ton of drop-offs for AA?

Me: I don’t know, just pick one.[/CENTER]

(Um sorry for any of my men readers…but do men seriously have some issues with directions or not wanting to admit they get confused when driving?)

DH does the same thing to me....expects me to know the answer to everything but dosen't bother to do any research himself.

My Mom is talking to another passenger about Disney, 9-11, etc.

We like to play "spot the federal agent" while we wait.

[Now I am feeling SUPER GOOD about adjusting those Day 1) plans and taking off that 3 pm ADR at DHS…thanks Heidi and Amy (NH)

Your welcome!

We get off the plane fairly easily, despite Matt having a hard time holding Margaret she peed out (sorry if tmi) she drank I think almost 3 ½ cups full between the first airport and on the plane…that’s even w/ a diaper change before boarding….keep that in mind for Liam, Heidi!

I have made a mental note.....limit juice or change diaper on plane

I'll have to show this picture to DH...did your DH make that strap for the car seat?
(my DH has that same shirt!)

So minus the potty-stop for most and a diaper plus clothes change for Margaret we were on the DME bus to the Poly & GF sitting down at 1:25 pm…can you believe that it took us 1 hr…man that was long, but didn’t seem like it took that long…oh well. We’re on our way FINALLY!

I don't think that was too much time....I'm planning on changing DS while DH waits for the luggage.

Margaret was extremely cranky; she was so done w/ being cooped up

That's what I'm worried about with Liam.

This is her attempting to sit in her own seat before more people got on board...

Very Cute!



Great update!!!

 

[mousescrapper]

Now I have walked thru the lobby once or twice before and have eaten at O’Hana back in 1995 and have been to the Luau about 4 times, but I have never truly experienced all that the Poly has to offer.

I have to say if you can ever swing it, have the urge to splurge, even just 1-night...oh DO IT! For us it was so WONDERFUL!

As this being our first stay in a deluxe resort and on the monorail….we were in pure Disney Heaven for 8 days! Everything from our rooms, the food, CM’s and even the laundry room (well I was in there about 4 hrs that story is to come) was wonderful.

Here are trip particulars in regard to the Poly:

My family: 2 Adults and 4 Children plus my Mom. We stayed 8 days 7 nights and my Mom 6/5. We had connecting rooms in Rarotonga room #’s 1827 & 1826. My Mom and Michael shared together for the first 5 nights and the girls were with DH and I in the other room. Aldine slept in the Queen bed and Mae slept on the day bed and we had a crib for Margaret.

Arrival and Check-in:
So we took the DME bus (w/ drop off’s at WL & CR first) and as I said before I knew we were on the bus around 1:25 pm and I can’t quite remember when we actually arrived at the Poly, so it must have been after 2:00 pm. (but I took think too much past)

First some pictures from the bus ride in:

Ok I know this isn't faboulous, but this is the 1st pic outside...see the Palm Tree...we're in Florida!!!

It's the Sign! It's the Sign! We are actually here....and everyone is clapping aboard the bus. Can you feel the magic?

and look it's the monorail...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is my mom, DH and the kids walking in through the front doors into the GCH (now we are missing something...what is it?)

Here a few views from just outside the main lobby...oh can you tell how beautiful it is already?

My Mom & I went straight to registration/check-in and my Mom was first. The CM first offered us 2 rooms in Rapa Nui (I requested Rarotonga or Samoa) Then a 2nd CM starting helping me and she and the 1st were able to give us rooms in Rarotonga after all. My Mom’s room was ready and ours probably shortly.

We get our KTTW and resort map and other goodies: insert pic

So after gathering my DH and the kids from the kid area, where Aldine & Mae were making flower bracelets, Michael watching cartoons (yeah for that he needed that moment of rest) and Margaret plooped up on a stool by the table (they're kid size no worries) coloring.

Then as we were about to leave another CM told the kids to take some of the towel animals she was making…I know I had read about that, but wasn’t sure if you really could just take 1, but all 3 of the older kids took 1 each. What a special way to start off this trip.

The kids actualy got monkeys and a rabbit. I will take a picture of their's and post it in later...

We went to my Mom’s room and dropped off our carry-on bags. Here are several pic's from our room:

the sign out side our building...which was just straight outside from the GHC

Here is the inside of our rooms (this is actually Mom & Michael's) we were ground floor like 3 rooms in from the entrance.

and this is what greeted us on the bed in each room:

Now I have to tell you as we started to walk in, I was like "Hold it!" I HAVE to take pictures before we put our stuff in!" I think they think I was a little crazy....

Here's a view from our patio:

We saw these guys all over the place, even at our back door:

Look Margaret, Ducks!

Michael liked these guys too!

Slightly OT This is for Heidi (or anyone wondering about Disney's cribs). Now I don't know if they have the metal kind at CBR, but here are a couple pic's of Margaret in it. Now I had nearly forgotten to take pictures of her in it, so this her being flopped in it right before we checked-out, so she may not seemed to thrilled....feel free to pm w/ any other Q's or thoughts on this....

Now before we got to Captain Cook's....How good of a reader are you? Remember that thing I said was missing?Well as we were about to leave the room and I told the kids to grab their water bottles....

Aldine is like "I don't know where mine is!!"

Me: "WHAT?!!!"

So Matt and Aldine go back to the kid area hoping she left it there...but no luck. Then look outside....nope. Then ask if anyone turned it in? Nope again. After they come back my Mom takes her back and they put in a claim becuse we know it was left on the DME bus then...(she has the strap on the bottle around her neck in the pic of her on the airport monorail. I was trying not to get to angry, but how could we lose something within just 1 hour of arriving.....not to mention the strap was mine from our 98 trip and it said MGM Studios on...not something that could be replaced now. UGH!

Well would it be turned in, would we find it?

Then we headed over to Captain Cook’s to get some lunch and drinks. At first the lines and ordering stations were a bit confusing, but got the hang of it quite quickly. I think unfortunately though I and the CM messed up on 1 of our orders as we were on the DDP and I think afterwards looking over all my receipts at home, I got charged for our drink w/ the meal and I never got dessert. But it’s OK. We shared a flatbread pizza and turkey sandwich for the adults and the kids shared a chicken nugget meal, plus Mae got a PBJ round(one of many to come). And the 3 adults got the refillable mugs too.

The 2nd picture is me being crazy photo-mom...Oh wait I need a picture of some of the food....and can you see up in the corner there....Margaret is trying to swipe Mae's sandwich.

After we were done eating I went to see if my room was ready which it was. And luck would have it, as I went over there the bellhop was delivering our luggage from the plane and I was able to tip him. So it probably took about the 3 hrs and it worked out great.

Funny thing was, my tip was actually in my Mom's room and the connecting door was still locked so luckily the bellhop let me in my Mom's room so I could give to him...now I don't know if he should have done that, my I guess I look pretty innocent and to top that off as I was first telling him, he's like well I have this suitcase here for....I cut him oh that's not ours! But is was, it was my Mom's whoops, that would have been bad...but it got in her room and it worked perfect.

I stayed in the room and started a little unpacking while the others were walking around by the pool and beach.

Her's a little more info on our rooms:
Like I said we were in Rarotonga and our rooms were on the 1st floor, super close to the GCH…it was very ideal. We faced the monorail. The noise was completely minimal, the first night Michael thought the lights blinking in from it were fireworks. Only a little noise from the hallways, but all in all the room location was fantastic.

When we arrived, the rooms were very spacious and clean. With utilizing both closet spaces and all the drawers in the dressers for our clothing, we tucked our larger suitcases in the back corner behind the standing lamp and chaise lounge.

some of our inside friends as placed by Mousekeeping (this was several days later as the Minnie, Ham, HSM Mickey, Simba and hard to see but in the corner a black Gorilla were all got there)

And just like Disney there are always some Hidden Mickey's to find:

These next ones are from a picture in our room...unfortunately the photo of the picture didn't come out...

there were 2 more but I was over my image limit...ugh!


Mousekeeping was very meticulous and I have nothing to complain about. The 2nd night our beds were turned down and every night after that. They made the little daybed in our room each night as well. We received some fresh toiletries a few days, and always received some fresh towels, washcloths and clean glasses. One day Aldine said she (Mousekeeper) must really like triangles as we had toilet paper tipped triangles, a stack of triangular folded washcloths on the counter, folded corners of the hanging towels too. Each day as well, we had a new nicely folded bath matt and decorative touches too.

My only negative thoughts on the rooms would be the bathroom design. The showerhead was not great, but the water temp was fine and it didn’t feel too hard compared to Chicago water. With not having a private toilet area, it did take some patience in the mornings…but with having the extra bathroom w/ my mom’s room did help. Though I must say the size and storage areas for all your things was very nice.

I left a tip each day for Mousekeeping in envelopes the kids and I decorated. Once one Mousekeeper left her card and her name was Letiisa.


There are more stories and pictures of the Poly to come and I hope I can do a little justice to this wonderful Disney Resort.

Well that's it for today folks. Hope everyone has a Wonderful 4th of July and you have your Red, White, & Blue out (as Mae keeps wondering why do I only have those colors out?) and I'll be back after the Holiday with another Installment of our 1st Evening in the Wonderful World of Disney!

MouseScrapper (Scrappie-Do) (J-)