2009 Discussion-We'll make time fly by!

[Micka Mouse]

Oh, and at the Poly again!! I loved it so much, can't imagine staying elsewhere now!!

My girls will be 6 and 4 when we go, and we're planning on staying at the Poly. Do you have any suggestions for me? I have never stayed there before.

Thanks!

 

[POOHLUV69]

Glad I found this thread!!! We went for the first time as a family (first time ever for DH and kids, my first time as an adult) this past April/May and it was soooo wonderful, can't wait to go back!!

We're looking at end of April/beginning of May again fro 2009. We found crowds manageable, weather good. We drive down from Ohio (DH does not fly) and want to stay 7 nights. DS started Kindergarten this year, so now we're into having to take him out of school. He'll be in first grade 2009 (and DD still in preschool), so I think taking him out for a week (which they are allowed, BTW) towards the end of the year is also better than earlier in the year. Anyways, here's my answers:

How many days will your trip be?
7 nights, 7 days I think. This past time we stayed our arrival night off-property, than 6 nights on to save $$. If we can swing it, I'd like to just stay all 7 nights on property to simplify and also get add'l dining credits (assuming we use DDP again) so I can take DD to CRT.

Oh, and at the Poly again!! I loved it so much, can't imagine staying elsewhere now!!

What month are you planning on going?
end of April/beginning of May..likely April 25th- May2nd


Are you going to book as soon as the rates come out next summer?

I'll probably wait for the package rates to come out in August/September.

How are you going to book? With a TA or on your own?

Through AAA

Hopefully, we will be able to stay for 10 days onsite when we go back in 2009
Kids really liked CBR when we were there in June and they want to go back, which is fine because we didn't spend much time in our room anyway.

We will go sometime b/t June-Aug. I don't want to take the kids out of school, they are older now and will miss too much. And yes, I will probably book when package rates come out next Aug/Sept.

 

[lovingmy2boys]

Count me in for 2009! I can't wait. We went this past Feb and are planning on Feb/March 09'. I love Disney so much. I can go every year! If I can swing a quick trip next year I will but that is doubtful.

 

[phisigprincess]

Is it sad that since I've made my initial booking for our August 08 trip I'm chomping at the bit to start working on our December 09 trip??

 

[missmun52]

I just got back about a month ago and I am already planning our next trip. I have one booked for Sept. 2008 but because of many factors (too much heat, DS not old enough for kids club, crowds, DH not wanting to go another year in a row ect.) we wont be going till Jan 2009.

It will be our 5 year anniversary and my DS will also be turning 4 in December about one week before the trip so we will celebrate his B-day in the begining of the trip and our anniversary towards the end.

I am planning the trip for about 10 days and look forward to the cooler temp. and lesser crowds!

I want to do a split stay, 4 nights at a value (not sure which yet) and 5 nights at AKL.

It will be great! My DS will finally be old enough to be in the kids club and we can have dinner alone on our anniversary

 

[sandym718]

Micka Mouse - I think the Poly is just PERFECT for little ones!! Having the monorail there is just invaluable. We went back each afternoon for some pool time and naps (they both still napped then). Depending on how tall your kids are and their swimming ability - take floaties or Speedo vests (this is what we used) if needed- they can wear them at the pool and on the slide!! That is all DS did at the pool - slide over and over and over. Having the zero entry at the pool is great, too.

We requested and got a first floor Tokelau room. It worked out great - DH and I sat outside the sliding door while the kids napped, reading, etc. One of us at a time could take a walk, get a snack at Captain Cook's or lie in a hammock on the beach. Our patio door opened to a grassy lawn area, which made it feel like extra space for us for the week. DH would take the kids outside if I was still getting ready for dinner or whatever. And just a step off our patio and we could see the lagoon, castle and Space Mountain. Tokelau is a great building, good location not too far from the pool, GCH or TTC.

Mine and DH's fave snacks (we were on DDP) were from Captain Cook's. He loved the Dole Whips and I loved the chocolate chip crossaints. I'd also highly recommend a dinner at Kona - it was wonderful, and made for a nice evening just staying at the resort - we did this our first night and will again!

Trying to think of what else... oh, when we went the Electrical Parade was at 9 every evening and Wishes at 10 most evenings. Twice we watched the Parade, went back to the room, got the kiddos ready for bed, and took them back out in their pajamas to watch Wishes, then straight to bed. Magical evenings!
My kids also enjoyed looking for geckos (or some sort of lizard - they called them geckos b/c of the Geico commercials) in and around the landscaping. Which is just BEAUTIFUL by the way!! So lush and stunning. The resort seemed so wonderfully quiet and tropical to me, I felt I got a "relaxing" vacation (more like a beach vac) while I was at the resort and the "fast-paced, lots of fun" vacation while in the parks. Perfect combo!! and I did not want to go home!! Usually by the end of a week at the beach, while still having fun, I'm also in a way ready to go home. Not at Disney and the Poly - I'd live there if I could!!!!!!!!!

If you have any specific questions at any point, let me know!

 

[Micka Mouse]

sandym17--Thanks so much! You gave me some great information. I'm looking for info on the "little" things, like the electrical parade and how easily the kids can see it from the resort. I am psyched that you can see Wishes from the Poly.

Did you do any character dining? Recommendations? I've heard great things about Kona, but it wasn't on my list of places to eat (It may be 2 years away, but planning makes me feel better ) What made it your favorite?

GCH/TTC I know when you tell me what they stand for, I'll feel foolish, but I have no idea what they mean.

Thanks for offering your info...I will definetly use you as a resource. Anytime you think of something you think I should know, just let me know...

Shannon

 

[sandym718]

Sorry about the abbreviations!! GCH - Grand Ceremonial House - this is the "lobby" building of the Poly with check-in/Kona/Ohana/Captain Cook's. TTC- Ticket and Transportation Center. This is the monorail stop where people who are driving to MK get on (you obviously just get on at Poly), there is also a monorail here direct to Epcot. It was about a 5 minute walk or so from Tokelau and then you're off to Epcot!!

For character dining we did Crystal Palace (dinner) and Chef Mickey's (brunch - last breakfast seating) and would highly recommend both. CP is Winnie the Pooh and friends which my kids love. Brunch at CM worked very well, we went to MK opening did a some rides with very little wait times, hopped the monorail to the Contemporary and then went back to MK. We made this our "late" nap day and stayed for the afternoon parade. Since we had no dinner ADR (did counter service at Captain Cook's) they just napped later. Worked out very well for us.

Kona I mainly originally picked b/c it was at the Poly and I heard good things. My filet and mashed potatoes were soooooo good and DH loved his Prime Rib. Kileau Torte for dessert was probably my fave dessert! Our other meals were at LeCellier - this was our fave, great steaks, but Kona a close 2nd. Wolfgang Puck Cafe - very good! And Whispering Canyon Cafe - this was just OK. Food was pretty good but we had horrible service. All of these places were no problem at all with the kids.

I'll definitely post if I think of anything else!! The planning is so much fun!

 

[Micka Mouse]

Just bumping us back up........

One of my students left today for Magic Kingdom-first time for her and her family. I am so psyched for them...I gave her a LOT of homework: Wave to a Princess, have picture taken in front of Cinderella's Castle, jump in the pool, watch WISHES, eat an ice cream, etc. I hope she brings back lots of pictures. I guess I can live vicariously through her trip !

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

I was just thinking today we needed to bump this back up. I am ready to start talking all about our plans!!!

 

[2ScottishPrincesses]

Some opinions please? I fell in love with WL this year but for 2009 DH would like to try somewhere different, not because he doesnt love WL but he feels as we cant afford to do WDW trips every year we should try different hotels when we do manage to go. The current contenders for '09 are BC and Poly. At the time of the trip our DD's will be 13 & 4, what are your feelings on both hotels and any pluses and minuses for both?

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[Micka Mouse]

My two "dream" choices were Poly & WL. We decided on Poly. sandym718 gave me great info about Poly on this thread. I love the idea of the zero entry pool, and the monorail was a huge factor .

 

[bennythepug]

The Poly and WL are my 2 dream choices too but, with a family of five our choices our limited.
We have stayed off site in '01, pulled the camper down and stayed at FW in
'06, and this past July we had a split stay at POP and a FW cabin.

For our next trip in Feb. '09 we are considering:
ASMU suites
FW cabin again
or off site at windsor hills

riverside does'nt really appeal to us, and they don't have a kitchenette

I kind of wanted to try something differant than FW, having been there twice now. You know, what it's like when your comfortable with what you know....

we loved pop century but my youngest will be over 3 next time, and we don't want connecting rooms (with no kitchenette)

 

[CinderellasSister]

and please count me in!!! We're planning an '09 trip as well. Haven't quite figured out the dates yet, but probably in June. We'll be taking DH's cousins with us as well.

 

[POOHLUV69]

We will probably let the kids decide where to stay again. We would love to stay at a deluxe, but can really justify the expense. If we do mod. again, we can stay longer. The buses worked out for us on our last trip, kids are older and don't need naps, carried etc., so the monrail isn't really a factor.

This trip we are definitely doing the water parks. DH really doesn't like waterparks very much, but the kids are begging and he said ok. If only we could settle on dates.

 

[sandym718]

The Poly and WL are my 2 dream choices too but, with a family of five our choices our limited.

I think you can stay with 5 at the Poly, is that right? There's the two queen beds and the day bed. There was only 4 of us, but my kids actually fought over who got to sleep on the day bed, LOL!!



PoohLuv - Blizzard Beach ended up being one of the kids absolute faves! We had a blast there!

 

[Micka Mouse]

Anyone going in JULY '09? I know it's probably the hottest time, but I don't have a choice. The kids will be 7 & 4, so I'm hoping it won't be too bad for them. Plus, we're planning on spending plenty of time at the pool. DH is a HUGE nap fan, so it won't be a problem to split our day up and go back to the hotel for a break .

I'm planning on several character meals. At some point is it overkill??? Should I limit myself?
I have heard LeCellier is fantastic, as well as Kona, which were not on my list. Has anyone been to the Luau dinner (at least that's what I think it's called) at the Poly?

 

[candizfan]

Have you considered renting points from a DVC member. You can stay at a really nice resort with a kitchette for close to the same amount after you consider taxes on the regular room (The DVC member pays taxes as part of their dues).

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

I'm planning on several character meals. At some point is it overkill??? Should I limit myself?
I have heard LeCellier is fantastic, as well as Kona, which were not on my list. Has anyone been to the Luau dinner (at least that's what I think it's called) at the Poly?

It is just my DH and I and we think the more character meals the better for us. We are probably not the norm but we really enjoy them.

 

[candizfan]

I would rather pay a small premium for the meal and see the character than stand in line to see them in the parks. I feel that makes the character meals a good value.