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

[hstrickland]

We returned to the Poly briefly to drop off grandparents and 3 year old (by the way, we drove to WL...(was a bit quicker than taking bus or riding the boat)...then the rest of us went back to the MK by boat. Love taking the boat to and from MK....and look at this view! IT'S THE HAWAII LONGHOUSE from the boat!!!!!!....

We waited patiently for Spectro Magic. Had a great viewing area....right on the 1st circle in the MK. While we waited, we ate chocolate covered bananas...yummmmmmm!!!! and the kids acted like clowns and had a great time.

Finally time for........

NOT great pix, but you get the point FYI....get there early if you want a good seat! We arrived around 8:15pm and people were pouring in. Originally, we had planned to sit close to the entrance of MK so we could make a speedy get away after the parade....BUT....we decided to hang around for Wishes. We had seen Wishes from our patio twice, but wanted to actually see if from Main Street.

Many people left after the parade, but tons stayed and converged on Main Street. Holy cow it was packed!!!! I stood on the curb so I could get a better view. So...which do I prefer???....my Poly patio or Main Street??? Glad I saw it from Main Street. It was awesome, BUT....there's something about sitting on the patio with the children dressed in their PJs, resting in your lap and watching the fireworks and listening to the music....very relaxing. It seemed to bring the day to a magical end

Stay tuned....more to come...
*DHS
*Full Review of Pirates League
*Full Review of BBB
*And of course....more Poly pix AND food pix!

 

[2BoysMom]

I'm along for the ride.
I am trying to plan a December trip, and am seriously considering booking the Poly. I'm so glad I found your TR.

 

[Leucky]

Great TR, Ill be at the poly this summer, thinking about upgrading to CL now. I may have to check on costs...

 

[kaffinito]

....there's something about sitting on the patio with the children dressed in their PJs, resting in your lap and watching the fireworks and listening to the music....very relaxing. It seemed to bring the day to a magical end

I know exactly what you mean! I've seen Wishes from Main Street and from the Poly beach, but it wasn't until I stayed Poly CL and watched Wishes from my bed that I really "got" why the prices for CL are so high.

It's worth the price for CL just for that view alone. And then to drop off to sleep afterward is pure heaven.

 

[cdotla]

Loving your report even more!

If you hadn't convinced me before why to do CL at the Poly, you have now!

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

So true about WCC The food was kinda icky but the kids STILL talk about the ketchup fun. Great memory

 

[hstrickland]

I'm along for the ride.
I am trying to plan a December trip, and am seriously considering booking the Poly. I'm so glad I found your TR.

If the price is right for your family, then I say try the Poly at least once. I will say this....while I was walking around one morning, I went over to the Fiji Longhouse. It was like they had their own little paradise....their own beach with a great lagoon view, secluded from all the main traffic, very quiet, etc. Also, the Tahiti building looked great!! Again, their own private beach, away from all the traffic, very close to the TTC. Now grant it, I have never stayed in these buildings, but the location looks nice.

Keep us posted on your decision!

 

[2BoysMom]

If the price is right for your family, then I say try the Poly at least once. I will say this....while I was walking around one morning, I went over to the Fiji Longhouse. It was like they had their own little paradise....their own beach with a great lagoon view, secluded from all the main traffic, very quiet, etc. Also, the Tahiti building looked great!! Again, their own private beach, away from all the traffic, very close to the TTC. Now grant it, I have never stayed in these buildings, but the location looks nice.

Keep us posted on your decision!

Thank you for making me feel so welcome. We are adopting a little girl this summer, and I wanted her first trip to WDW to be extra special. I am hoping for a December trip to celebrate her being a brave girl, our new family, and her first Christmas! I really think I'm convinced to do Poly!

 

[hstrickland]

Thank you for making me feel so welcome. We are adopting a little girl this summer, and I wanted her first trip to WDW to be extra special. I am hoping for a December trip to celebrate her being a brave girl, our new family, and her first Christmas! I really think I'm convinced to do Poly!

Oh wow! You're adopting a little girl...how special!!! Wherever you decide to go at WDW will be special for her. That's awesome! You will have to do a TR when you return with lots of pix of your new family memeber at Disney.

 

[hstrickland]

Well.....another early morning for mom....just had to get out of bed and get my daily fix of early morning scenery.

We never went to the quiet pool...the kids liked the Volcano pool too much....even though it DOES get crowded

Every morning my friend Mr. Duck was at the patio looking in!!! AND leaving small gifts for the family....I was really surprised at how tame these animals were.....

The map of the Poly for your viewing pleasure!

After we had CL breakfast (my favorite!!!!), we headed to DHS by bus, no less...not really another option unless you want to drive your car.....no monorail, no boat....JUST the bus I've grown so accustomed to the monorail and boat, that riding the bus just isn't fun anymore, especially when you have to STAND!

Okay...this is going to sound super crazy for all you non Disney Dorks, but one of my favorite things to do at Disney is make the mad dash after Rope Drop! I always take ALL the tickets and after they drop the ropes, I make a bee-line for the most popular attraction...Toy Story, Soarin.... and get fast passes. By the time I'm done doing that, the family has caught up to me and we get on the ride. I LOVE doing this...such an adrenaline rush

First ride at DHS....you guessed it!....

How many shots of the "Hat" do you have?? We have tons!!!! Doesn't every Disney Dork?? And do you notice the crowd level???? Not too many people at all!!!!

Here I go again being cheap......making pictures of pictures

Let me tell ya, my DD4 LOVED this ride. Was afraid to take since DS8 can't stand it, but she wanted to ride it again, and again....ya never know!

Guess what time it is?????? Time to eat lunch at....12:15 reservation

This is one of the family's favorite restaurants! Great food, great service (usually) great atmospher....super fun for everyone. Of course you have to go witht the right mind-set. The CMs do role play...and to have a good time, ya have to kinda get into it and play along.

The atmospher is excellent. You really feel like you have stepped into your grandmothers house.

Appetizers....Yummmmmm....crabcakes!

Main course....Fried Chicken...and please look....there are 4 pieces!!! Who could possibly eat all of this food!

We ended up getting milk shakes for dessert...to go. The best shake they have is the PB&J Shake!!...OUTSTANDING!!!!

After lunch, some of us went back to the hotel for a quick dip in the pool. Notice that the pool is relatively empty.

WARNING! WARNING! I'm getting ready to COMPLAIN again....no flaming please...this is JUST MY OPINION!!!...BUT...on the weekend the pool was packed with non resort guest. You ask me how do I know they are non-resort guest??! One family was asked to leave, (I witnessed this) but they just went to the beach. They were dead give aways....coolers, own towels, change of clothes, etc. We watched people change their kids clothes right there at the pool, then go and get on the boat. Now, I will give people the benefit of the doubt....some people do not realize that pool hopping is prohibited at WDW. That being said, if my family is paying lots of $$$$ to stay at the Poly, then we should have first priority for the pool and lounge chairs. Outsiders should not be allowed to swim....they should swim at their own hotel where they are paying. Please don't flame me, this is just my opinion. You may disagree with me and that's fine....that's what makes the world go round....different opinions....now, moving on to the positive stuff

Before I finish with this page, I have to give ORLANDO STROLLER RENTAL at big We rented a stroller from them, and it was delivered to the AsMo resort at the correct time on Friday afternoon. We brought one of our own....if you are wondering why we only brought one, it was because of room in our vehicle. Well, because the stroller was so awesome, I called them on Sunday and requested another one. They delivered it first thing Tuesday morning to the Poly!!! What makes these strollers so awesome is the adjustable handle. My husband is tall and I'm not. There is storage below, the seat reclines for sleepy kids, it pushes super easy, and folds with one pull!!! Highly recommend this company. DS3 LOVED his stroller...I mean loved it!!! On Sunday when we were ready to leave, we dropped off both strollers with CL CMs and they returned them to the front desk for us.

STAY TUNED......Still have 4 more days to go

 

[minniebeth]

Loving your trip report so far. Four years ago we got upgraded to Poly CL Hawaii TPV and I am enjoying your experiences, especially with your DxDP! Great photos!

 

[Hugpug]

Loved your report only disappointed in picture sizes on a lot of them being too small and you can't make much out of them. I wish I could afford Poly and do CL but I know that will never happen for me unless I strike it rich. Glad you had a fabulas trip.

 

[Queenofallthings]

Loving your TR!

I have to say I do agree with you about the pools. Last summer we stayed at SSR and AKL and while I didn`t notice it the week we were at SSR, I certainly did notice it at AKL. They actually had a change room right by the pool....when we would come back from the parks we had a heck of a time finding lounge chairs.

 

[2BoysMom]

Loved your report only disappointed in picture sizes on a lot of them being too small and you can't make much out of them. I wish I could afford Poly and do CL but I know that will never happen for me unless I strike it rich. Glad you had a fabulas trip.

Huh...
They are big pictures on my screen. Hmmnn....

 

[dr&momto2boys]

....some people do not realize that pool hopping is prohibited at WDW.

Do you know that in some cases pool hopping is allowed? DVC owners are allowed to pool hop to Poly and other pools (with a couple exceptions and some block out dates.) We've done it before and changed at the Poly and hopped on the monorail after an obvious day of pool hopping. I hope everyone wasn't thinking we were breaking rules. I'm sure some people are, but please know everyone is not.

I'm really enjoying your TR and all the pictures! Thanks!

 

[hstrickland]

Do you know that in some cases pool hopping is allowed? DVC owners are allowed to pool hop to Poly and other pools (with a couple exceptions and some block out dates.) We've done it before and changed at the Poly and hopped on the monorail after an obvious day of pool hopping. I hope everyone wasn't thinking we were breaking rules. I'm sure some people are, but please know everyone is not.

I'm really enjoying your TR and all the pictures! Thanks!

Thanks for the info!!! I didn't realize DVC owners could pool hop That's why I love the Disboards....always learning new information about WDW. What pools can DVC owners not go to??? I wonder why some pools are exempt? Interesting...

 

[dr&momto2boys]

What pools can DVC owners not go to??? I wonder why some pools are exempt? Interesting...

Beach Club and Bay Lake Tower pools are exempt from pool hopping. I don't know that they state a reason, but I think it's that everyone would pool hop to SAB at Beach Club because it's practically a waterpark over there. And BLT's pool is pretty small, so it could easily be overwhelmed with pool hoppers especially with it being so close to MK. I'm not sure why the exclusions really, those are just my guesses. There's no guarantee pool hopping will be allowed forever. Like I said, they do block it at the busiest times.

I do enjoy that perk. There are times we've stayed on property and never visited a park. We've just enjoyed resort dining and pool hopping. A day at Wilderness Lodge, a day at Poly. A relaxed vacation.

 

[cdotla]

Another great update!

I can't believe people actually came in to swim with a cooler and their own towels?! Gee...what would be the first clue that you don't belong?

I assume DVC pool hoppers who are there legitimately are going to use the resort towels.

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

Great report, can't wait to read more!

 

[hstrickland]

After a dip in the pool and short nap, we were off to Fort Wilderness Campgrounds. We did the 7pm show, so we had to leave the Poly around 5:45 via boat to MK, then a larger boat to the Campgrounds....didn't take too long at all!

My parents are the greatest!!....married more than 40 years!

Our family loved the boat rides from the Poly...or anywhere on WDW property...very relaxing!

Bye-Bye Poly....love looking at the Hawaii Longhouse

On the ride from MK to FW, we got great views of the CR....this resort still holds a special place in my heart...this is where we always stayed when I was a child.

We finally arrived at Fort Wilderness....a really neat place!!! The walk to the HDDR is super short.

When we walked up, they put us in a line for pictures and confirmed our table number. After taking the pictures, we stood in line again and they let everyone inside at one time....the process wasn't bad at all. Fairly organized considering all the people.

We had a pretty decent seat. If you are doing the Dxdp, you can only get Category 2 Seating at the 7pm show....not bad...we could see everything.

The food was REALLY good! They brought it out family style...all you can eat! The theme was great!

I give the entertainment a We laughed so hard. My kids thought it was the funniest thing ever.

The performers were very interactive with the audience!

At the end of the show, they passed out washboards for all the kids to use....incredibly loud, but fun!

I have NOTHING bad to say about the HDDR. This is one dinner show that my family will certainly return to on our next trip. The ONLY thing that was a bit frustrating was the transportation back! The boat was not running when we finished, so we had to catch a bus back. We actually sat on the bus for around 30 minutes before the bus left FW....guess they were trying to fill it up completely before leaving. Luckily, for some reason, it dropped us off at the Poly. If you go to the HDDR, make sure you ask about the buses!!! Ours was marked "CSR", but they assured us it was going to the CR & Poly....and it did. Some people got on the bus, then got off the bus, then got on....completely confused by signage......that's why you ALWAYS ask

It was always great to return to the Poly and find that Mousekeeping had been to see us! DS3 thought it was great that Woody was always waiting on him.

Another FABULOUS day at WDW!!!!! Could our trip get any better??? Stay tuned to find out