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

[hstrickland]

Heather - I'm so glad to hear that Le Cellier was good, that's our very first evening ADR! I'm excited but I hope DH can find something to eat here, he has a bit of an aversion to steak! (I know, right???) Anyway, your pics are adorable, the pics of the kids on the wall are so cute -reminds me of DD when she was young and would make silly faces for the camera! Adorable!!! Can't wait to hear about the next meal ( I just love how your progress is charted by mealtimes - sounds just like us!).

I'm pretty sure LeCellier has scallops, salmon and chicken. And I'm sure it has to be good! I haven't had anything bad there, yet!! I'm sure some people read my TR and think..."OMG...all they do is eat! No parks???" We actually get tons done in the parks believe it or not...probably because we get there at the crack of dawn I'm a bit of an OVER planner...can ya tell??

I noticed your ticker says Dolphin/Poly. DH and I are considering the Dolphin for an upcoming trip. Would love to hear your thoughts on this when you get back. The prices of the rooms look awesome and it's in a terrific location. We are just afraid that we'll be disappointed after staying at the Poly.

 

[hstrickland]

umm... that food looks sooo good!!! i'm going to have to eat there!!

can't wait to hear what your final thoughts are on the DxDP!! i'm having a dilemma iwth whether or not to do that! decisions decisions...

If you are a chronic planner like myself and enjoy sitting down for a meal for an hour, AND if you aren't in a hurry, then the Dxdp might be for you. There are so many varying opinions on the DDP....some people swear by it, some people say they will never do it again. It is a TON of food that I will admit. We usually ate a very small breakfast (not on DDP) in the CL lounge...cereal, fruit, oatmeal...and saved some of our TS credits for the Signature restaurants and dinner shows. So basically we had 2 big meals a day. Later on in my TR I'm going to post some calculations to show everyone how it worked out for us. We saved EVERY receipt just to see....we came out way ahead.

I am really enjoying reading your trip report. Can you tell me the times of your dining reservations? Thanks!

Ya know, why didn't I post ALL my reservation times?? Very good suggestion! I'm on my way out the door, but when I return this aftenoon, I will post ressie times for you....and update my TR with the times in there

Thanks mom2red!

 

[Zuzu03]

I'm pretty sure LeCellier has scallops, salmon and chicken. And I'm sure it has to be good! I haven't had anything bad there, yet!! I'm sure some people read my TR and think..."OMG...all they do is eat! No parks???" We actually get tons done in the parks believe it or not...probably because we get there at the crack of dawn I'm a bit of an OVER planner...can ya tell??

I noticed your ticker says Dolphin/Poly. DH and I are considering the Dolphin for an upcoming trip. Would love to hear your thoughts on this when you get back. The prices of the rooms look awesome and it's in a terrific location. We are just afraid that we'll be disappointed after staying at the Poly.

That's good to hear about Le Cellier - I'm sure DH will be fine - I am really looking forward to the cheddar cheese soup! Yum!!!!

I stayed at the Dolphin for a conference in 2008 and fell in love with it! The location is incredible and it's such a beautiful and fun resort - they have the "heavenly beds" which are really great - I can tell it's a comfortable when I don't move much during the night! Plus that teacher/govt. employee/nurses rate can't be beat! The Dolphin is much busier than the Swan, but I love that hustle bustle atmosphere. It's very cosmopolitan and a nice contrast to the Poly (with phenomenal restos). If you haven't seen the Dolphin/Swan resort thread yet, check it out because there's some great info there as well as some super nice people!!!!

 

[~armywife~]

loving your TR!!!!

i'm also a deluxe dining fan .. love the planning, the breaks in the day, being able to sit and actually talk about everything we've been doing and seeing, and , of course, the different kinds of food (complete with atmosphere) ! i am so happy to see that you went to so many of the places i have our ADRs (le cellier, ohana, CRT, tony's, california grill, and the luau .. can't wait to hear about your family's experiences at the last 2).

we are staying at the poly for this trip, too (dec 23-27) .. of course, after reading your TR, i'm thinking the CL sounds great, but not in our budget this year. your pictures are wonderful!!!

i think i have gotten more information from your TR than from sooo many of the places i've looked .... and, believe me, i've looked... . i'm a bit of a planner myself.

btw .. very good idea about staying at a value resort the night you first arrived at disney. i was wondering where we should stay that night so we would be close enough to get to the poly to check in before the ropes drop!! did you include that night in with your dining plan?

thanks for including us in your family's trip!!

 

[hstrickland]

I am really enjoying reading your trip report. Can you tell me the times of your dining reservations? Thanks!

Okay....I went back through and added the times of our reservations. Should have done this to begin with We got really lucky with our ressie times. The IPOs did a great job getting the times we wanted. Brown Derby was a bit early (5pm) but I think that has to do with the Fantasmic Package. Those reservations seem to be earlier....someone correct me if I'm wrong. If we don't stay CL on our next trip, then I will be up at the crack of dawn making our ADRs on the 180 day mark.

 

[tink too]

I've just read your BBB & PL posts - thanks for sharing your lovely family's experiences at both these locations.

I'm going to check out the rest of your TR in the morning.

 

[camsmomE]

Hi Heather! I am officially along for the ride! I just finished reading through day 3, and I am in love with the way you set this trip report up- so wonderful! I'm enjoying every minute of it! Someday you'll have to tell me how you do the cool links to each day (I never could figure that out ) Ok, going back to start day 4 (I feel like I'm on this trip ) -Stacey

 

[mom2red]

Thank you for posting those times! A couple days ago I switched to the DxDP thanks to your report and I am really glad we did! I had made a bazillion extra dining reservations and was having such a hard time deciding what to keep and now I can have them all!

We check into the Poly tomorrow!!!!

 

[hstrickland]

loving your TR!!!!

i'm also a deluxe dining fan .. love the planning, the breaks in the day, being able to sit and actually talk about everything we've been doing and seeing, and , of course, the different kinds of food (complete with atmosphere) ! i am so happy to see that you went to so many of the places i have our ADRs (le cellier, ohana, CRT, tony's, california grill, and the luau .. can't wait to hear about your family's experiences at the last 2).

we are staying at the poly for this trip, too (dec 23-27) .. of course, after reading your TR, i'm thinking the CL sounds great, but not in our budget this year. your pictures are wonderful!!!

i think i have gotten more information from your TR than from sooo many of the places i've looked .... and, believe me, i've looked... . i'm a bit of a planner myself.

btw .. very good idea about staying at a value resort the night you first arrived at disney. i was wondering where we should stay that night so we would be close enough to get to the poly to check in before the ropes drop!! did you include that night in with your dining plan?

thanks for including us in your family's trip!!

We think alike! I'm all about relaxing in a good restaurant!!!

The All Star Movie night was not included in our plan. We actually had to make separate reservations for that one night. Not sure why, but you can only have 1 resort and 1 dining plan on a reservation and everyone in the room has to be doing the same thing....think I'm right....someone correct me if I'm wrong. And that's through WDW...not sure what other travel agents offer. We just always go through Disney.

Hi Heather! I am officially along for the ride! I just finished reading through day 3, and I am in love with the way you set this trip report up- so wonderful! I'm enjoying every minute of it! Someday you'll have to tell me how you do the cool links to each day (I never could figure that out ) Ok, going back to start day 4 (I feel like I'm on this trip ) -Stacey

Thanks for the compliments! I have had a really good time putting this together. My parents are actually in Mexico now, so they can read along and relive their trip, too.

I had the exact same question about links as you when I started this thread !!! Thank goodness for the Dis....I asked a couple of people and they quickly responded. Let me know when you want directions I'm going to check out your PTR!

 

[hstrickland]

Thank you for posting those times! A couple days ago I switched to the DxDP thanks to your report and I am really glad we did! I had made a bazillion extra dining reservations and was having such a hard time deciding what to keep and now I can have them all!

We check into the Poly tomorrow!!!!

OMG!!! Just read the part about "we check into the Poly tomorrow!"....I'm so excited for y'all. You will have such a wonderful time. The resort is so amazing. Hope the Dxdp works out for you. When you get back, let me know your thoughts. Can't wait to hear!!!!!

Have a terrific trip!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hstrickland]

Once again I was up at the crack of dawn!!! My trip is coming to an end and I'm still getting up to take pictures of the Poly....I can't help myself.

This resort is truly a "resort". When I walked around in the mornings, I really felt like I was on a vacation. The grounds are very lush and tropical with birds, rabbits, and butterflies everywhere. I'm really glad I was able to venture out by myself and see the locations of all the longhouses...now I know where to request for our next Poly trip

Think I've said this before, but pictures just don't do the Poly justice!!! You have to see it for yourself.

The Volcano Pool is so very peaceful in the mornings.....and then it hits.....1000s of people descend upon the pool!!!!! (that's a little exaggerated, but not by much) For those of you who like to make pictures....go to the top of the volcano in the mornings for great shots of the GF! Of course they have it roped off....you might have to casually step over the rope and ascend to the top....great view!!!

Thought I would go into the GCH while no one was around.....EMPTY!! There were just a couple of CMs walking around.

The morning ducks...not scared of people at all! This was taken in front of the Hawaii Longhouse.

This was made from the boat dock.

Another shot from the dock looking back at the Hawaii Longhouse.

I think these next two pictures were posted on an earlier page, but I had to post them again....they are two of my favorite views from the Poly.....love looking across the lake at the GF.

These two pictures were actually made in front of the Hawaii Longhouse...only a few short steps from our patio.

Every time my DD4 sees these pictures, she reminds me that the next time we go see Mickey Mouse, we have to stay at the resort with the pretty red roof.....my response....talk to your father!!!

Stay tuned for our trip to Akershus Breakfast with the Princesses!

 

[Zuzu03]

Gorgeous pictures! I'll be making an appointment with that hammock in a few weeks!

 

[heaven2dc]

Your pics are so gorgeous (esp of the GF!). Great job in capturing a beautiful resort

 

[DisneyFanDC]

I'm really glad I was able to venture out by myself and see the locations of all the longhouses...now I know where to request for our next Poly trip

Your photos are simply gorgeous and are getting me so excited for our stay at the Poly in December! Do you mind me asking -- which longhouse will you request for your next Poly trip?

 

[hstrickland]

Your photos are simply gorgeous and are getting me so excited for our stay at the Poly in December! Do you mind me asking -- which longhouse will you request for your next Poly trip?

Hawaii Longhouse TPV was awesome, but not sure we will do that every year. For something that is more cost effective, DH and I said that there are 2 locations that looked great.....Tahiti is the first one. Each floor has a balcony, the rooms are larger and it is super close to the TTC. It also is AWAY from the hustle and bustle of all the people. The building appears to be far away (walking distance) from the GCH but it really wasn't. Tahiti also has its own beach. We noticed while we were out during the day, that people just did not go down there.

The second longhouse that looked really nice was Fiji. If you are looking to pay for a GV room but get a little better view, this might be a great choice. On one side you have a view of the marina which I thought was great, and on the other side it's a view of the GF/lake to the right. Also, Fiji has its own 'private' beach, too. Again, it's kinda away from all the people. The only draw back would be that the second floor doesn't have balconies. I really, really liked the view of the GF/lake. Also, we ventured over to the GF a couple of times and the walk from Fiji isn't bad at all.

Those are just my observations. People who have actually stayed in those longhouses might disagree....It seems that on the Poly thread everyone has a different longhouse that they like. Thank goodness there are so many great ones to choose from.

 

[ReneeDisney]

Hawaii Longhouse TPV was awesome, but not sure we will do that every year. For something that is more cost effective, DH and I said that there are 2 locations that looked great.....Tahiti is the first one. Each floor has a balcony, the rooms are larger and it is super close to the TTC. It also is AWAY from the hustle and bustle of all the people. The building appears to be far away (walking distance) from the GCH but it really wasn't. Tahiti also has its own beach. We noticed while we were out during the day, that people just did not go down there.

I agree! We recently stayed in the Tahiti building and had the most wonderful view of the Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary. We were on the first floor and walked off our patio onto the beach. It was so quiet and secluded. The only drawback, if there could even be a drawback to the Poly is that the walk to the GCH was a bit long, but we enjoyed the lush landscape and finding new walkways to the building!

 

[hstrickland]

I agree! We recently stayed in the Tahiti building and had the most wonderful view of the Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary. We were on the first floor and walked off our patio onto the beach. It was so quiet and secluded. The only drawback, if there could even be a drawback to the Poly is that the walk to the GCH was a bit long, but we enjoyed the lush landscape and finding new walkways to the building!

Glad to hear this. DH loved Tahiti location! Didn't you just love the patio??!! That will be one of my request now when we go back. The patio really spoiled us....open the sliding doors and walk to the beach! I know that Tahiti has bigger rooms...does it have two sinks or 1???

 

[ReneeDisney]

Glad to hear this. DH loved Tahiti location! Didn't you just love the patio??!! That will be one of my request now when we go back. The patio really spoiled us....open the sliding doors and walk to the beach! I know that Tahiti has bigger rooms...does it have two sinks or 1???

Yes, the patio was so wonderful! It felt like my own private Magic Kingdom, especially when we watched Wishes from our patio as a family! Our bathroom was enourmous and did in fact have two sinks and very large vanity area. It was great! Would definitly request that building again!!

 

[hstrickland]

Yes, the patio was so wonderful! It felt like my own private Magic Kingdom, especially when we watched Wishes from our patio as a family! Our bathroom was enourmous and did in fact have two sinks and very large vanity area. It was great! Would definitly request that building again!!

Renee, you have convinced me! Two sinks would be great since we have 5 in our family! Another question....could you hear the music from Wishes from your patio? At Hawaii, the music was really loud. Our room patio was very close to a speaker. Wasn't sure what Tahiti was like as far as music goes?

Thanks!

 

[hstrickland]

Gorgeous pictures! I'll be making an appointment with that hammock in a few weeks!

Do make a picture of yourself in hammock, perhaps with drink in hand then post the pic