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

[mousescrapper]

We like to play "spot the federal agent" while we wait. Oh that sounds like fun


I have made a mental note.....limit juice or change diaper on plane
Oh yeah changing diapers on plane not much fun either...I never intended for her to drink so much, but with the delays...and somewhat cranky on plane...we kept giving her something to drink...good thing we had those spare clothes!

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!)

The strap is actually the tether strap on the seat. He must have hooked the clip under the seat or something...I'll have to ask him. It's the first strap right around his shoulder, 2nd one to his laptop bag and 3rd to the duffel. "a man-man" And yes, like that shirt alot, got that in 05 at a GF gift shop.


[cooped up cranky]
That's what I'm worried about with Liam.

Yes not exactly fun...but we got thru it...she really hated any bus travel, well actually when she had to sit! 18 months



Great update!!!

Thanks!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Great Poly review! Someday we'll get to stay there...probably when I work more then one day a week!

Have a wonderful 4th of July with your family and friends!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Great updates!! Glad you guys made it to the Poly successfully - even though you had the water bottle casualty!

 

[CruisingCamper]

Loving your report!! Looking forward to more.

I dread the plane ride with the 23 month old!! Talk about antsy!!

 

[mousescrapper]

Great Poly review! Someday we'll get to stay there...probably when I work more then one day a week!

Have a wonderful 4th of July with your family and friends!

Yes it was the megga $ splurge...but it was SO worth it as I will say more about it in posts to come.

Great updates!! Glad you guys made it to the Poly successfully - even though you had the water bottle casualty!

I was upset about the water strap more than anything...and yes it was a successful stay at the POLY!

Loving your report!! Looking forward to more.

I dread the plane ride with the 23 month old!! Talk about antsy!!

Thanks, and air travel w/ kids seriously doen't get better till no more diapers or car seats IMHO....but hey 2 hrs in a plane or 16 hr in a car....I'd pick plane any day!


UPDATE NEXT!

J-

 

[cmca23]

I am very excited to read your trip report! We will be staying at the Polynesian in October. (I just found your thread a few days ago, so I am starting from the beginning and reading the whole post!)

Thanks!
Cara

 

[mousescrapper]

Now before I get to the good stuff, I have few TR-housekeeping things to add: whether this is for me to look back on how crazy and anal I am when planning a WDW trip, or to use for future reference, or for your fun (and hopeful not make fun of me) I’m not exactly sure:

(and I’m sorry several of the images are a bit blurry…if I get a chance I’ll try and re-due them and post again)

1st we have the plane ticket stubs that didn’t get in that part of the post (image run-over):

And when you use the DME, they send you your boarding passes in a little book and then stamp it as you go down the red carpet to your bus…very Disney IMHO.

And here is the packet and a few things from when I checked in:

and the map showing our building location at the Poly:

Then because I think it is helpful in that packing plan, I planned out a color or theme for our outfits for just about each day we were there and picked the clothes accordingly. Plus to make it just 1 step even more organized, everyone had an index card w/ their name on with what clothes they were to wear each day….IT WORKED GREAT (btw)!

And because I like notes, lists, etc we made up Souvenir idea/thought cards too…to keep us from going completely overboard in shopping. At the end of this TR I’ll let you know how well we sticked to the plan:

The real update is next.....


J-

 

[mousescrapper]

Our Dinner w/ the Royal Family and Evening FUN on our FIRST Night (part 1 of2)

We last left off with us finishing our late lunch/snack at Captain Cook’s and getting our luggage at our rooms.

Time check: It was probably almost 4:00 pm, because I remember not having a ton of time when DH and everyone re-arrived back to our rooms before we needed to get ready to go to our first ADR of the TRIP.

So we were off to dine w/ Cinderella, Prince Charming and the Royal Family at 1900 Park Fare in the GF. Our ADR time was for 4:50 pm and I’m sure I wanted to leave our room around 4:30pm.
I had brought w/ costumes from home for each of the girls to wear, so Matt and I quickly helped the 3 girls get all guzzied up for our meal (and I think I remember feeling a bit frazzled and under the time crunch, but kept telling myself be calm…a few minutes late won’t hurt us)

I think we left the room w/ our 2 princesses, fairy, and boy (who was not to sure about eating w/ Cinderella) around 4:45 pm. I had in my mind we needed to walk and then because we were running a bit late got frazzled (yet again) w/ which way the monorail went around clock or counter…but after a bit of confusion…we deemed the 1st stop would be the GF from the POLY and we needed to get on!

We arrived at 1900 PF

(after duh walking the wrong direction off the elevator in the lobby) probably right before 5:00 pm…so we weren’t running that bad at all. I checked us in at the booth and we received our “invitations” to the dinner and were escorted inside immediately. And we were very pleased indeed w/ our dinning arrangements. Margaret had finally fallen asleep after a long day of travel in her stroller, and they nicely accommodated us, by seating us at a table that we could keep her in the stroller.

(Plus side note: After reading Kathy RN’s Adventures in Autism at Disney in regard to her DS, I knew for Michael’s sake being seated in tables or booths near the wall, corner, etc would be ideal for him, to not get to over stimulated during a meal and hopefully be slightly more quiet. I had mentioned this to the original CM who had helped way back in Dec when making all the ADR’s. Now I don’t know if she marked something or not, because I thought they couldn’t but w/out asking for this seating, our table was perfect, private, no one on either immediate side and toward the back against the wall…would this luck continue for the next 6 TS meals?

So this meal was a character buffet and when we 1st walked in we saw Cinderella, PC and Lady Tremaine walking around and talking w/ guests. I slipped out the back entrance and bee-lined back to the gift shop, because Mae didn’t have an autograph book yet. (we brought the twins ones from 05 from home) I made it back in w/ more than enough time to spare.

When I first had heard about this dinning option I knew this would be a great way to meet Cindy up close and personal and w/out using extra dinning credits to eat in the castle. Now originally w/ Cindy and her Prince were some mice and maybe even her FG, but they changed in pretty recently to include the Stepmother and sisters, DH & I were not quite sure how “fun” they may be, especially for the kids….

Would we be pleasantly surprised with them?

Before the characters made it to the table I first took Michael up the buffet line to get some food, he really needed to EAT!. I don’t have any “food porn” pictures from this meal, but did write down what I ate: a couple different salads, chicken nicoise (msp), mashed potatoes (which were REALLY good) and bread. Plus I had a rice krispie treat later.

I think the kids had combinations of pizza, salad, chicken nuggets, veggies and mac and cheese.

With the unfortunate delays in travel and really needing to eat after arriving at the POLY, and the little stress getting over here, we really didn’t take full advantage of this buffet…which I was slightly disappointed in since this was the most bang for our credit so to speak…I would have enjoyed sampling and looking at all they had to offer…if up to it.

Now my little Princess Mae, of course wore her Cinderella dress (from DGrandmom a few b-days back and it still fits….kept hung up instead of in her dress-up box…therefore not trashed) and why wouldn’t you want to look like the Princess your dinning with but of course!

Who knew all the fun we’d have because our own little Cinderella.

First to come visit our table was Lady Tremaine. And Mae asks her:

“Why are you mean to Cinderella?”​

I think I almost choked on the piece of chicken I was chewing ….oh the innocence of a child.

Next to come was Mae’s Prince

And then lovely Cinderella, who remarked to our Cinderella how she looked like her and she was just BEAUTIFUL!

Around this time, Margaret had woken up

and we asked Cindy if she’d say “hi” to the baby and take a picture, of course she obliged.

Now unfortunately DH had a brain flake moment and didn’t keep the camera on us the WHOLE time, and we may have missed a priceless Disney moment of Cinderella kissing little Margaret on the check. Oh well it still touched my heart.
I really liked how she spent a lot of time with the kids, talking and she just genuinely seemed to enjoy her time with us.

A little time had past now, and Michael was getting a bit antsy with waiting and worried the sisters were not coming to our table but eventually they did. And what fun did we have with them. They were so full of Disney Magic it was great. Drizella came first and went right up to Mae and said:

“Hi Cinder-SMELLA!”​

That required some explaining later, plus she wanted to know why Mae wasn’t back in the kitchen cleaning up or something. She joked teasingly w/ the others kids and laughed at said “hello” to Margaret too.

Her sister Anastasia came over next, and was just a riot, with her mannerisms and talk, and how she’d answered Aldine’s inquisitive questions about her. As she played around with Mae, Mae then tells her flat out:

“You are mean….”​

OMG! And you can see her reaction:

It was actually quite cute and funny! I mean they are mean in the movie....

After our fun w/ them we had a little dessert, the kids all got ice cream sundaes.

Do you see Aldine's Hidden Mickey?

We then bid our farewells and headed on out after a few more pictures of the girls in the lobby.

We took the monorail back to the POLY despite the 3 other stops on the way….

This is Mae walking back in the Poly from the monorail...it has to be 1 of my favorite pictures

Before the Princesses turned back into “pumpkins” we took some pictures out on the walk by our building and as people would walk on by they’d comment how cute the 3 girls looked.

Time check: it was probably after 7:00 pm when we actually were all back in the room…and if my brain was truly working we would have called it a night right then and there….but no we just had to do one more thing.

Where did we go? And what did we see?[/

(Don’t know if I’ll have another chance this week to finish off Day 1) but I will try as soon as I can. On Thursday we are heading up to a friend’s family’s place in MI for a long weekend w/ 4 other families…so I’ve got packing and things to do to get ready for that.

Thanks for reading!

MouseScrapper

 

[mousescrapper]

I am very excited to read your trip report! We will be staying at the Polynesian in October. (I just found your thread a few days ago, so I am starting from the beginning and reading the whole post!)

Thanks!
Cara

Cara!

Wow, you deserve some of these to go thru the whole PTR pregnacy length and then come back to the TR...you certaintly will have fun I hope!

Enjoy and Thanks!

 

[mousescrapper]

Ugh, I hate airline delays.

Oh I forgot to say....and that wasn't the end of it....tbc

J-

 

[Hedy]

Great installment.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Great update! It looks like you all had fun with the princesses (and prince). 1900 PF looks like a great alternative to eating with Cindy at the castle. We'll probably never do either with 2 boys, but it looked like your girls enjoyed it - and Michael tolerated it.

Can't wait for more!

 

[meriann]

Yea, you started!

Your princess's are DARLING! Dinner sounds like fun. I love when the characters have fun with the kids like that.

I loved the Poly too, we didn't stay there but we walked over there quite a bit to catch the monorail. Maybe one day I will get to stay there.

 

[dismom9761]

Hi,J! I am here now and want you to know you are doing an awesome job. I always make muffins when we travel too. The pictures are wonderful,look forward to reading more.

 

[thewesterberg]

Just popping in to let you know I'm enjoying your TR!

 

[lborne]

I don't read many trip reports, but this one has kept me coming back for more. Like you, I keep all the tickets, maps, brochures, etc. of our trip. But your lists of what to wear each day are too funny.

We have 2 boys, so won't be seeing any princesses until they are teens, and then for different reasons than the little ones. But it looks like your girls had a lot of fun.

 

[Disney Brat]

Great update!! We are dining at 1900 our arrival night too!! We arrive in the morning at 11, and the ressies are for 6:30..so HOPEFULLY everything will be okay...last trip we were delayed four hours!!! Can't wait to hear more! Enjoy your weekend!

 

[mousescrapper]

Great installment.

Thanks! there's plenty of good things to come.....

Great update! It looks like you all had fun with the princesses (and prince). 1900 PF looks like a great alternative to eating with Cindy at the castle. We'll probably never do either with 2 boys, but it looked like your girls enjoyed it - and Michael tolerated it.

Can't wait for more!

Thank you! It was a really nice time, it was a great way to start our trip. I think Michael enjoyed it more than he thought, he liked the Step-sisters.

Yea, you started!

Your princess's are DARLING! Dinner sounds like fun. I love when the characters have fun with the kids like that.

I loved the Poly too, we didn't stay there but we walked over there quite a bit to catch the monorail. Maybe one day I will get to stay there.

Thanks for coming over! and saying Thank you, we kinda like our Princesses too (and Prince ) The Poly was WONDERFUL! I'm really glad we splurged and stayed there. now I just hope someday we could do it again.

Hi,J! I am here now and want you to know you are doing an awesome job. I always make muffins when we travel too. The pictures are wonderful,look forward to reading more.

Another muffin MOM! I'm so glad you are here Amy (GA) and along for the fun! Thanks for the too.

Just popping in to let you know I'm enjoying your TR!

and thanks for saying you are enjoying it so far...hope I keep entertaining for you all!

I don't read many trip reports, but this one has kept me coming back for more. Like you, I keep all the tickets, maps, brochures, etc. of our trip. But your lists of what to wear each day are too funny.

We have 2 boys, so won't be seeing any princesses until they are teens, and then for different reasons than the little ones. But it looks like your girls had a lot of fun.

That's so sweet...and thanks for getting a kick out of my craziness

Great update!! We are dining at 1900 our arrival night too!! We arrive in the morning at 11, and the ressies are for 6:30..so HOPEFULLY everything will be okay...last trip we were delayed four hours!!! Can't wait to hear more! Enjoy your weekend!

It really was nice...take time to wander both sides of the buffet...I think I noticed after the fact they had some different foods on both lines. It was pretty in there too. And I'll hope for no or at least minimal delays....right?


Thanks to the many new readers/posters! How fun for ME! I feel so . Well I better get back to the last of the packing and such so I don't have a mad rush in the end, with closing up the house and picking up DH from work....and please keep your fingers crossed no bad traffic

I'll finish up Day 1) when I get back then on to Day 2) Animal Kingdom:

the Fantastic GREEN 7

It's HOT!!!

and animal fun....

J-

 

[DisMomAmy]

 

[mousescrapper]

Thanks for the bump Amy (NH)....wish I could say I was sitting around (or sitting here) doing that

You know the after a trip deal....clean, up, all that real life stuff!

It's been a busy 2-days...and I figure after putzing around w/ my PhotoPass stuff for over an hour (or was it more ) I'd better get off this and finish cleaning up before DH is home from work....

Need to get a few more ducks in a row around here tomorrow for my church nursery responsibilities (hopefully DH can fix the TV!) and then I hope to get a post up and running on Thursday, as Friday...the twins get to have a play date in the afternoon...so it's a scrap-noon for MOM

Hang in there....I'm coming back!

J-