9 Days Poly CL DxDP...Too Much Food???...Too Much Fun!!!...1600 Pictures

[mom2mek]

Love, love, love the pool pictures! We were there in February, and it was COLD, but the kids still swam (once)!

Those clouds are very ominous indeed!

Sara

 

[hstrickland]

Love, love, love the pool pictures! We were there in February, and it was COLD, but the kids still swam (once)!

Those clouds are very ominous indeed!

Sara

Well, Sara, I finally finished reading your couple's trip to the Poly.....hmmmm....I'm really wanting a couple's only trip again. We did GF last year and had a blast. It's such a different kind of trip, ya know, without kids. Your husband had some AWESOME shots at EP!!! The flowers were too beautiful!!! Y'all must take two cameras?? My husband has actually said he would like to get a camera for himself...I'm usually the one with the camera making all the pics. It's funny how many of us Poly lovers have very similar Poly pictures....the beach, the hammocks, the waterfall, etc. He should post some of those pics on the photography threads. I'm already excited about getting up early at the BC with my camera in tow. When I tell DH this he just rolls his eyes and laughs Have never thought about eating at the Wave, but it looked pretty good. There's another option for our next trip. Would also like to rent a boat like y'all did and cruise around the lakes....did you notice the dilapidated River Country over by Fort Wilderness Campgrounds? I saw one picture you had of the broken down dock...was that River Country or the island across from River Country? Wasn't it called Discovery Island or something like that? It's always amazed me that Disney hasn't done anything with that area...it just sits there in shambles.

Anyway....great TR!!! Loved reading it!

 

[mom2mek]

Well, Sara, I finally finished reading your couple's trip to the Poly.....hmmmm....I'm really wanting a couple's only trip again. We did GF last year and had a blast. It's such a different kind of trip, ya know, without kids. Your husband had some AWESOME shots at EP!!! The flowers were too beautiful!!! Y'all must take two cameras?? My husband has actually said he would like to get a camera for himself...I'm usually the one with the camera making all the pics. It's funny how many of us Poly lovers have very similar Poly pictures....the beach, the hammocks, the waterfall, etc. He should post some of those pics on the photography threads. I'm already excited about getting up early at the BC with my camera in tow. When I tell DH this he just rolls his eyes and laughs Have never thought about eating at the Wave, but it looked pretty good. There's another option for our next trip. Would also like to rent a boat like y'all did and cruise around the lakes....did you notice the dilapidated River Country over by Fort Wilderness Campgrounds? I saw one picture you had of the broken down dock...was that River Country or the island across from River Country? Wasn't it called Discovery Island or something like that? It's always amazed me that Disney hasn't done anything with that area...it just sits there in shambles.

Anyway....great TR!!! Loved reading it!

Awww...thanks Heather! I'm glad you liked it! It was a great trip (except for our feet...). It really sold us on the Poly - so gorgeous! Yes, a trip without kids is certainly different - not better, not worse, just different! I would love to do it again soon! Yes, we usually have two cameras - I just use the small Olympus point and shoot, and he lugs around the big Nikon! I'm so grateful that he does because I love LOTS of pictures!! I usually have the video camera to also work, but on our couples trip, I don't think we brought it. Renting the boat was a lot of fun - I highly recommend it! I think the boat dock was at Discovery Island, but I'm not positive. TONS of birds over there!

Sara

 

[hstrickland]

Just a reminder...since I'm not up on Star Wars characters, the spelling of some of their names might be a little off. Once again, DS9 is at my side helping me get this together. This was one of his favorite adventures at Disney!!!

First up....Zam Wesell....she is a shape shifter. Then along come Boba Fett, the bounty hunter.

It was hot this day, so I can only imagine how HOT these characters were inside those fabulous costumes!!!

Well...the only thing DS9 and I know about these guys are that they're clones...don't know their particular names??

More Storm Troppers (DS9 wants everyone to know that they DO NOT go in the snow)

I'm still amazed at the costuming! Layers and layers of fabric...the parade was straight from the movies (or so it seemed)

DS9 thinks this is Greedo (the blue one)...a small-time hitman hired to kill Han Solo.

More characters without names....

And the most famous of all characters.....DARTH VADER

During the parade they had actual "stars" from the Star Wars movies....pretty cool!

This guy, Tom Kane, is an American Voice Actor, working mostly with animation. He was Yoda on the TV series The Clone Wars.

Matthew Wood is currently the Supervising Sound Editor employed at Skywalker Sound in Marin County, California. As a voice actor, he is best known for his role as General Grievous in the film Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, the film's video game, the General Grievous.

This guy is a visual effects artist for the movies.

After the parade, they were very ready to head back to the Poly for some lunch. It was hot and SUPER crowded!!!! If you decided to do the Star Wars Weekend, expect large masses of people.

When they arrived at the Poly, these lovely ladies were giving Hula lessons. I wish my DD4 could have seen this, but she was in the room getting ready for lunch. I think this happens each day...just check for times when you arrive at the Poly.

After lunch at Captain Cooks (sorry, no pictures) DS9 and grandpa headed for the arcade! DS9 loves video games! Also, DS was excited just to spend some alone time with grandpa minus the two little ones.

I think grandpa won this game!

Well, if you like Star Wars just a little, then the parade is probably something you want to see. DS9 was a bit disappointed when I told him that our next trip did not coincide with Star Wars Weekend If you plan on riding any of the big attractions at DHS during this time, I would certainly be there at rope drop!


Next up....Yachtsman's Steak House at the Yacht Club!!!

 

[Yellowbellow]

For all you Grand Parents out there - spending time at Disney with the Grand kids is one of the best ways to enjoy them. DS9 was absolutely beside himself at the Star Wars Parade. Yes - that is Greedo with the green funny head. The Magic of Disney nevers ceases to amaze me. So who do you think was taking the photo of Grand Pa and DS9? Grand mother - a.k.a. MaHopi. She loves her grands more than I do.

This is for all you Parents out there - invite the Grands to go to Disney as Baby sitters - If they are HUGH Disney Fans as we are they will have a Grand Time.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Hi Heather,
Love the Star Wars report - my 2 DS's LOVE Star Wars! I'm planning to take them individually for an end of the school year trip when they are each turning 13, and hopefully Star Wars Weekends will still be going on!

Quick question, were you happy with the food and general selection at Captain Jack's? I know they have dole whip, but I was wondering how their food was. If you have time, thanks a bunch!
Off to the pool - nice hot day in MI,
Erin

 

[Yellowbellow]

Erin, this is Grand Pa,
Capt. Jacks - is fast food all the way. Decient but the Dole Whip is their best. We only ate one meal there - lunch. The Cashier must have been in training because she took forever. Of course I had to get used to ordering the food from a moniter and keyboard rather than a menu and waiter.
THE DxDP sortta spoiles a person.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Erin, this is Grand Pa,
Capt. Jacks - is fast food all the way. Decient but the Dole Whip is their best. We only ate one meal there - lunch. The Cashier must have been in training because she took forever. Of course I had to get used to ordering the food from a moniter and keyboard rather than a menu and waiter.
THE DxDP sortta spoiles a person.

Love it! Thanks for the feedback, we have our first Poly stay this fall and I haven't heard much about Captain Jack's. You will love the counter service options at BC. We love Hurricane Hannah's and the market place in the gift shop is excellenct too!

I see you're new to posting on the boards, welcome!!! I have really enjoyed seeing your pictures and reading the reports!! I can't wait to share Disney with my grandchildren someday too! Your grandchildren are very blessed to have Disney loving grandparents - bravo to you!!!

 

[tink too]

Another great update and photos - thanks for sharing.

 

[hstrickland]

Hi Heather,
Love the Star Wars report - my 2 DS's LOVE Star Wars! I'm planning to take them individually for an end of the school year trip when they are each turning 13, and hopefully Star Wars Weekends will still be going on!

Quick question, were you happy with the food and general selection at Captain Jack's? I know they have dole whip, but I was wondering how their food was. If you have time, thanks a bunch!
Off to the pool - nice hot day in MI,
Erin

That would be a great trip for your boys...especially individually! My mother isn't a big Star Wars fan and she still loved it

As far as the food goes...kinda what my dad said...I think I had a burger which was pretty good. Service was lacking, just really slow. They had two lines open and only 1 person managing the cash register. We weren't in a hurry, so no big deal. If I had known the dolewhips were so outstanding, I would have been there earlier in the week.

Love it! Thanks for the feedback, we have our first Poly stay this fall and I haven't heard much about Captain Jack's. You will love the counter service options at BC. We love Hurricane Hannah's and the market place in the gift shop is excellenct too!

I see you're new to posting on the boards, welcome!!! I have really enjoyed seeing your pictures and reading the reports!! I can't wait to share Disney with my grandchildren someday too! Your grandchildren are very blessed to have Disney loving grandparents - bravo to you!!!

We are really looking forward to the BCV...the more I read, the more excited I get. It will be a different kind of trip...no monorail, no fireworks from the patio, but that's ok...something new will be good. We will probably spend more time at EP & DHS. My parents are more excited than we are ...they are already planning which restaurants to visit. And I'm already thinking about my early morning walks with the camera

 

[~armywife~]

i have really loved your trip report!! as a matter of fact, you inspired me to ask my mom to join me and the kids. i think i'm just as excited to take her (she's never been) as i am to take the kids again.

we are going to be there for 9 days with the DxDP, too. thanks for all the pics from the restaurants!

have you guys ever tried the pirates and pals fireworks boat trip? was wondering if it's worth the money.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

IMO, the only negative about BC is the bus ride to MK (no monorail). We do love the walk to EPCOT and the boat to HWS, but that old bus ride gets kinda of old. Other than that, we LOVE it. I think you will really enjoy your morning walk, looking out over the Boardwalk resort is gorgeous! The lake is very peaceful too. Without a doubt SAB will knock the socks off the entire family, and that makes the bus ride to MK so worth it. I really don't mind riding the bus in general, we chat with the other riders about their day, where they are from, snuggle in our seats, etc. And I can only remember waiting for a bus at BC for longer than 15 minutes 1 x, of course it was EMH at MK, so I was freaking out (don't like being late for rope drop), but it went fine. I love the casual elegance of BC, very warm and inviting, but not stuffy feeling at all. We had a GV view room once where we could see Illuminations perfectly, and a water view (upgrade) once that was awesome! You really are going to love the villas too, we have checked them out, nice quiet pool there, but I have a feeling you will be wanting to walk over to SAB when you have 'pool time'. We use the quiet pools for our 'first night there swimming' (a tradition) and any other evening swimming when SAB is closed. The only rooms I have requested not having are those around the quiet pool, because at night, I don't think it's that quiet! But you won't have to worry about that in the villas!

 

[hstrickland]

i have really loved your trip report!! as a matter of fact, you inspired me to ask my mom to join me and the kids. i think i'm just as excited to take her (she's never been) as i am to take the kids again.

we are going to be there for 9 days with the DxDP, too. thanks for all the pics from the restaurants!

have you guys ever tried the pirates and pals fireworks boat trip? was wondering if it's worth the money.

Your mom will have a blast with her grandchildren!!! How sweet of you to invite her. Wish I could give you advice about the Pirates & Pals Fireworks boat trip...but...haven't done it. In fact, I've never read any reviews about it. It sounds like it would be awesome fun for the kids, though. If you hear anything about it, let me know...that could be a possibility for the next trip.

IMO, the only negative about BC is the bus ride to MK (no monorail). We do love the walk to EPCOT and the boat to HWS, but that old bus ride gets kinda of old. Other than that, we LOVE it. I think you will really enjoy your morning walk, looking out over the Boardwalk resort is gorgeous! The lake is very peaceful too. Without a doubt SAB will knock the socks off the entire family, and that makes the bus ride to MK so worth it. I really don't mind riding the bus in general, we chat with the other riders about their day, where they are from, snuggle in our seats, etc. And I can only remember waiting for a bus at BC for longer than 15 minutes 1 x, of course it was EMH at MK, so I was freaking out (don't like being late for rope drop), but it went fine. I love the casual elegance of BC, very warm and inviting, but not stuffy feeling at all. We had a GV view room once where we could see Illuminations perfectly, and a water view (upgrade) once that was awesome! You really are going to love the villas too, we have checked them out, nice quiet pool there, but I have a feeling you will be wanting to walk over to SAB when you have 'pool time'. We use the quiet pools for our 'first night there swimming' (a tradition) and any other evening swimming when SAB is closed. The only rooms I have requested not having are those around the quiet pool, because at night, I don't think it's that quiet! But you won't have to worry about that in the villas!

You make the BC sound great. I wish the BCVs had better views, but oh well. We do plan on spending lots of time at SAB...hopefully the walk from the villas to SAB isn't too long. And since we are at BC, we'll probably spend more time at EP & DHS, so not too many rides on the bus Our trip seems so far away, but I know it will be here before we know it! Lookin forward to the 180 day mark to make ADRs.

 

[~armywife~]

Your mom will have a blast with her grandchildren!!! How sweet of you to invite her. Wish I could give you advice about the Pirates & Pals Fireworks boat trip...but...haven't done it. In fact, I've never read any reviews about it. It sounds like it would be awesome fun for the kids, though. If you hear anything about it, let me know...that could be a possibility for the next trip.

i called about it and the prices are 53.99(10+) and 30.99 (3-9). for the week of christmas (not sure if the times fluctuate or not), the boat heads out at 8:45 and is out for around 2 hours.

there is only 1 night when we'd be able to do it because of our ADRs, but not sure if i want to go right from the SoA (5:15 showing) to this. we decided to get category 1 seating for the luau, so just paid oop for that .. hard to justify paying another 200+ for something on the same night . (of course, that's the logical, frugal side of my brain talking ... the other side says 'but i waaaaaannnnnnnnaaaa see the fireworks from out on the water' ).

 

[Nanajo1]

We took DH's DB and family on the pirates fireworks cruise a couple of years ago. It was pricey for 6A(2kids were ^10) and 3C, 1I. But they really enjoyed it. I hope they haven't changed it. The cruise started at the Cont in a grandball room. CM gave out special pins and your boat assignmentT. There was every kind of snack and cookie you could think of. Soft drinks and coffee were available. You could bring the snacks with you. The drinks had to have a cover. Capt Hook and Mr Smee were there for photos and autographs. They then led two separate groups to the Cont dock and your assigned boat. Each boat had a pirate host who entertained with trivia question etc. He gave out small trinkets as prizes. We cruised the Seven Lagoon until the fireworks. It was great. At docking Peter Pan was there with Tinkerbell in a flickering Lantern. It was a late night but alot of fun.
I hope to do it wit the DGK soon.

 

[~armywife~]

ooooooo ... just had an idea ... we could do the pirates and pals cruise the night before our WDW vacation starts, maybe. you don't need a park ticket OR to be staying at a WDW resort, right? we'll be arriving in orlando on sunday evening(dec 19) , but not going to our resort til early tuesday(21).

 

[~armywife~]

We took DH's DB and family on the pirates fireworks cruise a couple of years ago. It was pricey for 6A(2kids were ^10) and 3C, 1I. But they really enjoyed it. I hope they haven't changed it. The cruise started at the Cont in a grandball room. CM gave out special pins and your boat assignmentT. There was every kind of snack and cookie you could think of. Soft drinks and coffee were available. You could bring the snacks with you. The drinks had to have a cover. Capt Hook and Mr Smee were there for photos and autographs. They then led two separate groups to the Cont dock and your assigned boat. Each boat had a pirate host who entertained with trivia question etc. He gave out small trinkets as prizes. We cruised the Seven Lagoon until the fireworks. It was great. At docking Peter Pan was there with Tinkerbell in a flickering Lantern. It was a late night but alot of fun.
I hope to do it wit the DGK soon.

it sounds like so much fun!!!! thinking i'm going to have to find a way to fit it into our trip!!!!

 

[tink too]

ooooooo ... just had an idea ... we could do the pirates and pals cruise the night before our WDW vacation starts, maybe. you don't need a park ticket OR to be staying at a WDW resort, right?

No, you don't need to be staying on-site to do the cruise! I'd say, go for it (because I'm also trying to figure out a way to add it to our vacation ).

 

[hstrickland]

Back to school today for me (I teach), so I'm just checking the DISboards tonight.

Y'all have really peaked our interest in this Pirates n' Pals fireworks cruise. DH is REALLY interested! Will have to do some research and see what I can find out. Nanajo1, your description of the entire event sounds wonderful...something the kids might really enjoy. I'm guessing the music from the fireworks is pipped in on the boat? Thanks for the prices, armywife. It seems pricey, but then everything at Disney cost a pretty penny so I shouldn't be shocked. I bet it's totally worth the money. Would love to see pictures of the night's events.

Thanks for the info, y'all!

 

[~armywife~]

school already? wow! this summer has gone by sooo fast!!!

what grade do you teach?