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

[vinotinto]

Hi there! Found your TR through the Poly thread. We're also taying 9 days and we have the DxDP. I'm enjoying all the food reviews and pics. Did you pretty much stick to your ADR schedules?

On a totally different topic, I see you left for HDDR 1 hour and 15 minutes prior. Was that too early or just right? I'm not interested in the pictures, but don't want to rush and feel we're going to miss our ADR.

 

[scanne]

I'm loving your report!

It is always nice to know that I'm not the only "Disney Dork" in the world! LOL! We are staying at the Polynesian TPV with DXDP next month and I have my super organized itinerary! I am planning on waking up early to photograph the resort in all of it's sunrise glory. I plan to photograph meals, kids, DH and my parents enjoying the magic every step of the way. I also find myself in agreement with your opinions regarding ASMovies, "poop" on the patio, pool hopping and other things you said that just made me nod and laugh!

Keep up the great report!!!

You have a beautiful family and it looks like you are all having a wonderful time!

 

[hstrickland]

Hi there! Found your TR through the Poly thread. We're also taying 9 days and we have the DxDP. I'm enjoying all the food reviews and pics. Did you pretty much stick to your ADR schedules?

Yes, we did stick to our ADRs....didn't miss one of them. I kept a schedule of our dinner ressies on me, so we would not forget. And actually, we didn't have a problem getting to them. Since we were going to be there 9 days, we took it easy in the parks and didn't have to rush around. Also, we had several hard to get reservations, so I was afraid to not show up or even be late.

On a totally different topic, I see you left for HDDR 1 hour and 15 minutes prior. Was that too early or just right? I'm not interested in the pictures, but don't want to rush and feel we're going to miss our ADR.

The CL CM told us to leave and hour and 15 minutes early. We actually got there pretty early, but were fortunate in hitting the boats just right!! We really did not have to wait but a few minutes on each boat....Poly to MK...MK to Fort Wilderness. If we had been waiting on the boats for 15 or 20 minutes, we would have arrived just in time. Funny you say that about the pictures....I wasn't interested in them either, but grandpa insisted on buying them for us. Kinda glad he did now because they turned out pretty good. And to be honest, I can't remember if we did have to buy them Does anybody rememer??? There were several of our ADRs that included pictures which was really cool. Glad I was there early, too, because I walked around and took pictures. That was the first time I had been to Fort Wilderness. Y'all will have a great time at the HDDR....one of our favorites. Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[hstrickland]

I'm loving your report!

It is always nice to know that I'm not the only "Disney Dork" in the world! LOL! We are staying at the Polynesian TPV with DXDP next month and I have my super organized itinerary! I am planning on waking up early to photograph the resort in all of it's sunrise glory. I plan to photograph meals, kids, DH and my parents enjoying the magic every step of the way. I also find myself in agreement with your opinions regarding ASMovies, "poop" on the patio, pool hopping and other things you said that just made me nod and laugh!

Keep up the great report!!!

You have a beautiful family and it looks like you are all having a wonderful time!

Thanks for the kind words!!

Wow! We think alike and have the same great taste in resorts! Notice that I keep putting "this is only my opinion"....some people get very fussy and take things to heart when it comes to WDW and their favorite resort/restaurants. I was very afraid when I voiced my opinion about ASMo and pool hopping that I was going to get hate mail And in all honesty, I don't want to offend anyone, just give my point of view.

I know you are super excited about your upcoming Poly visit especially with a TPV and CL! Y'all are bound to have a fabulous time!

 

[hstrickland]

After a short rest at the Poly, we ventured over to Hollywood Studios for dinner at Brown Derby.....5:00pm reservation (I think Fantasmic reservations are a bit earlier....someone correct me if I'm wrong)

We decided that we would try the Fantasmic Package. I believe you can choose between 3 restaurants: Brown Derby, Mama Melrose or Hollywood & Vine. Even though Brown Derby is 2TSs, we decided to try it. Have eaten at Mama Melrose....not bad, and really aren't big on buffets so Hollywood & Vine was out. If you decide to do a Fantasmic Package, you better call to get ressies on your 180 day mark. These ressies can sometimes be hard to get.

If you aren't familar with the package, basically you eat at one of the 3 restaurants I listed above and have reserved seating for the Fantasmic Show. You just have to show up 30 minutes prior to the show. This is much better than standing in line for an hour or having to sit in the theatre for an hour or more saving a seat.

We were given an excellent table at the Brown Derby!!!! It was up on the second level and looked down on the entire restaurant.

Notice that the boys are still dressed in their pirate attire! DS8 refused to take it off! The makeup really held up well....I was pleasantly surprised.

DH and mom

Appetizer time!!!!!! Very yummy....Crab cake

Corn chowder

Cremini Mushroom Chevre Tortelloni ...I think

All 3 of these appetizers were super tasy!!!! Would recommed all 3!

Time for the main course......so far so good! First up, Spiced rubbed Grouper

Next, Porkchops....ummmmm good!

And finally, Lambchops....another winner!

The kids meal....fish...and pretty good

And for the best part.....DESSERT!!!! My all time favorite is Vanilla creme brulee....I had creme brulee almost once daily love it!!!!

Banana White Chocolate Toffee Tower .....one word for ya.....WOW!!!!

I would highly recommend this restaurant!! We had excellent service and excellent food!

Since we had dinner ressies at 5pm, we had time to ride several things before Fantasmic at 9pm.....just let me say that DD4 LOVES this ride and DS8 hates it......go figure!

Great store....really very cool!...and love the name.

We arrived at a separate entrance for Fantasmic. The waiter gave us vouchers to present when we arrived. It was nice being able to show up 35 minutes prior to the show!! The reserved seats are to the very right, but not bad seats at all. You can see everything without any problem!! When we were at Disney last time, we did not have the Fantasmic Package and had to wait in line for an hour.....not fun with a 6year old.

These pictures aren't good at all, but you get the idea....IMO, this is the best show WDW has by far!!!! I even think it's better than Illuminations. The children were totally amazed!!!

Our little princess has had enough! It's been a long day for a 4 year old.

While we were waiting for the bus back to the Poly I made a couple of observations....1st, the bus line for the All Stars Resort was unbelievably long!!! And when I say long, I mean backed up past several bus stops. I can only imagine how long those people had to wait. We did wait around 15 minutes. 2nd, I realized that the bus to the TTC was right next to the Poly bus stop. Two buses came by while we were waiting. We actually should have gotten on that bus and would have been back to the Poly quicker since you can walk to the Poly from the TTC.....next time!

Up next....Day 7....Ohana for breakfast and a MK morning!....Stay tuned!

 

[cdotla]

Great updates!

And that is a great tip about the bus to the TTC...even though I knew that too it is something so easy to forget, and a huge benefit to staying at the Poly. I too will have to keep that in the front of my mind for next time!

 

[The4bits]

Love your TR, I always look forward to reading. We've always wanted to try the Fantasmic package. So glad I was able to read all about your experience.

 

[Zuzu03]

Great update! Your pics of your DD are so adorable - I remember, not too long ago, having a very sleepy 4-year old just like that (she's now 17, where did the time go???) at Disney. Those moments are so precious!

 

[2BoysMom]

Not meaning to hijack....I thought you might like to see what 4 y.o. twin boys look like when they have had enough of the parks...

 

[hstrickland]

Not meaning to hijack....I thought you might like to see what 4 y.o. twin boys look like when they have had enough of the parks...

That's precious! What is it about pictures of sleeping children that warm your heart?!

 

[jdd]

Up next....Day 7....Behind the Seeds Tour at Epcot AND more food pix!....Stay tuned!

Can't wait to hear about this - Behind the Seeds is one tour I've been saying we have to do with DS9. He's an avid gardener (keeps me in vegetables all summer!) and I know he would love this. I'm definitely going to schedule it this year.

 

[Happy Elf]

Your dinner at Brown Derby looks wonderful! We will have to try the Fantasmic dinner package sometime, not waiting in that line sounds great!

 

[hstrickland]

Can't wait to hear about this - Behind the Seeds is one tour I've been saying we have to do with DS9. He's an avid gardener (keeps me in vegetables all summer!) and I know he would love this. I'm definitely going to schedule it this year.

Opps! I got ahead of myself! Behind the Seeds Tour is on Day 8, not Day 7. You'll have to wait a bit longer By the way, DS8 loved it...y'all should certainly try it!

 

[hstrickland]

Love your TR, I always look forward to reading. We've always wanted to try the Fantasmic package. So glad I was able to read all about your experience.

Your dinner at Brown Derby looks wonderful! We will have to try the Fantasmic dinner package sometime, not waiting in that line sounds great!

When we went a couple of years ago with our DS6(then) we had to wait in line almost an hour for the 10:30 show....didn't make the 9:00 because of all the people. We sat in the middle of the theatre which were great seats. The reserved seats for the Fantasmic package are all the way to the right side of the theatre. At first I was a little disappointed, but to be honest, there really isn't a bad seat in the place. It was sooooooo nice to be able to walk in a separate entrance 35 minutes prior to the show and just sit down...no waiting, no hassle, no worrying about getting a seat. After the show was over, we were right by the exit, too....which again was really nice! When we go back to WDW, we will definitely be doing the Fantasmic Package again!! Just make sure you call for ressies when you hit your 180 day mark. Out of the 3 restaurants you can choose from, I would select Brown Derby (JMO)...Mama Melrose isn't bad at all, but isn't to die for. Have never done Hollywood and Vine...probably never will because we aren't big on buffets. I have heard that it's a good place to eat, though. Out of all the parades and shows we saw while at Disney, Fantasmic was our favorite by far!!!

 

[bsredfish]

Liking the report!

 

[ReneeDisney]

Joining in on your trip report! We were at the Poly in early February and LOVE staying there as well. The monorail and boats are great! Looking forward to reading more....

 

[hstrickland]

This is a great trip report with great pictures. Quick question for anyone. What happens if you get to Fantasmic late and you have reserved seats? Has this ever happened to anyone? I was just wondering.

Thank You!

If you get there after the show starts, I think you are out of luck, even with Fantasmic Passes. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. After we were seated, I wanted to go get Chocolate Covered Bananas to eat. When I exited the roped off area (reserved seats) they asked me if I had my vouchers. Apparently, even if you leave to get a drink you have to show the voucher to get back in. When I returned from concessions, the rope was down, and the reserved seating section was open to everyone. Now...it was 15mins prior to the show. A CM told me that they always open the reserved section for anyone 25 minutes before the show. Guess you better get there before they do that or you might not get a seat.

 

[hstrickland]

We actually slept in this morning...if that's what you want to call it Perhaps the kids are getting tired of waking up so early.....

And here's my friend that greeted me each morning. Of course she left a gift for my family each morning, too... AND afternoon....THANK YOU Mousekeeping for cleaning up!

We didn't get up until 7:15am. Our breakfast reservation wasn't until 8:45am. To be honest, I wish I would have made the ressies a bit earlier, but that's hind site now. We like making rope drop and getting lots done before the crowds hit...but not this morning.

When we arrived, we checked in and were sent to get a picture made of the entire family. Once again, grandpa insisted that we buy it.....so he did! Now looking back, I'm glad we have all the family pictures together at the places we visited. This was taken out of the window by Ohanas.

We did not have to wait long at all...got there a little early and were seated at a great table!!! One in the corner by a window.....

Everyone was given a lei....let's see now...I believe we have a total of 14 thus far ....and still have the Luau to go! Do you think grandma and granddad are having a blast??!! They are lovin' the trip with their grandkids!

The waitress we had was wonderful. I loved that she refered to us as "Cousins" when she asked us for anything. I know that most of you already know that Ohana means family....so guess the 'Cousin' thing goes along with the theme. The food was served family style and was really good!!

At one point, Mickey Mouse & friends led the kids around the restaurant in a single file line while dancing....very cute.

Even grandmother had to get her picture made with Mickey!

Notice that DS3 is not in the picture!...For some reason he loved the 'Face Characters' but did not like the ones that did not talk. He definitely wanted to SEE the characters from about 4 feet away, but did not want to touch them. The ONLY non-talking character that DS3 allowed to touch him was.....

Go figure........

All the characters came by (Lilo, Stitch, Mickey & Pluto). Nothing seemed rushed at all! They seemed to be evenly spread out, too.

This is definitely a place that our family will return! Loved starting the day with a little Disney Magic. The kids loved Lilo & Stitch. Next time we will just get there a little earlier......Why???.....ROPE DROP, of course. I know that some of you are wondering why we get our children up so early, but believe it or not, they function fine. The afternoon nap/rest usually helps, though. AND being just a monorail ride away from the Poly helps, too, when it's time to go back for a quick nap.

 

[TheNewMrsB]

I have loved every bit of this report! We're doing Poly TPV for the 3rd year in a row this September and you are making me ACHE to get back there!

I just texted my husband "OMG I CAN'T WAIT TO GO!!!!"

 

[ctalley]

Loved your Ohana pictures! We ate breakfast there on our departure day last September. Our family had a great time.

We will be at the Poly this September for the first time. I also love rope drop and being able accomplish so much before the crowds. Do you have any MK transportation tips for me? I am very excited since this will be our first trip staying at a monorail resort. We are used to riding the buses to the parks.

Thank you