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

[DisneyDoc5]

Oh lord, I think DH would bathe in it if possible. Seriously. It is very tasty, normally.

 

[mom2red]

I hope you do a TR for your BC visit next June! I have really enjoyed reading your report!!!

 

[hstrickland]

I hope you do a TR for your BC visit next June! I have really enjoyed reading your report!!!

Thanks! I've enjoyed doing this TR....still have a couple more installments to do then I'll be done. This week has been crazy with the first week of school so I'm a little behind. DH just asked me if I had been on the Boards this week. I'm having withdrawals

Funny you said something about our trip in June. I've already started thinking about the pictures I can get while at the BC for my next TR....silly, isn't it?? I'm thinking that on this trip I will get some better shots of the restaurants we dine in....gonna try some new places. We are counting down the days!!!!

 

[hstrickland]

Hard to believe.....the last day!! And can you believe that I wish we could stay another week?! On the last day, we aren't one of those families who gets up and gets out. We wanted to experience a little more magic before our trip ended.

We were up really early....had breakfast reservations at 1900 Park Fare at 8am. And you know our family....pictures, pictures, pictures. I definitely wanted to be over at the GF early so I could snap a few shots.

We walked over from the Poly to the GF. This is a beautiful walk early in the morning.

You could not ask for a more perfect morning....sunny, not too hot...guess we could have taken the monorail, but we would have missed the gorgeous scenery.

And there's my mom....camera in hand, making MORE pictures. They were looking at the spa and wishing they had made an appointment earlier in the week.

The kids really enjoyed the walk over...it gave them time to run around and play before breakfast.

And would you believe...more pictures of the Poly?? How many pictures can one take of the Poly??!!

The GF has a great pool....not as "cool" as the Poly, but certainly less crowded.

Some people find that the GF is too stuffy, but our family loves it. It's very different than the Poly, but different in a good way.

I think the GF is a little less hetic than the Poly...not as many kids running around.

Disney does a spectacular job of keeping the grounds at the GF near perfect. You really have to go there to appreciate the beauty. Pictures just do not do the GF justice.

Ya know....I never get tired of watching the monorail zoom by! Ever since I was a child, I have always been intrigued with it. Maybe that's why I love all the resorts on the monorail line.

Up next.....inside the GF!

 

[DisneyDoc5]

awesome pics, so pretty in the am!

 

[heaven2dc]

I had to chuckle when you said your Mom was taking more pictures - it seems I always have my camera ready to take pics that I eventually just delete. I just never know when a picture perfect moment may occur (too bad I'm such a lousy picture taker )

GF is beautiful, I agree - I visited it for the first time in Dec 2008 to do a stroller swap for my DGS and looked around at the beautiful surroundings. So peaceful

 

[hstrickland]

I had to chuckle when you said your Mom was taking more pictures - it seems I always have my camera ready to take pics that I eventually just delete. I just never know when a picture perfect moment may occur (too bad I'm such a lousy picture taker )

GF is beautiful, I agree - I visited it for the first time in Dec 2008 to do a stroller swap for my DGS and looked around at the beautiful surroundings. So peaceful

I wish I could count how many pictures I deleted while at Disney!! Between my mom and I, we took around 1600 pictures. Wish I knew more about my camera so I could get some really great night shots...maybe next time....I have 9 months to learn

 

[tink too]

Beautiful photos!

I also love the walk between the Poly and the GF - it's very scenic.

 

[hstrickland]

After strolling around the grounds for a while, we finally ventured in...our breakfast ressies were at 8am, so we didn't have too much time.

The Grand Floridian is one of my favorite resorts! It's so different than the other deluxes, but then all the deluxes are different and beautiful in their own way. One thing that stands out to us is the lobby area at the GF....just amazing.

Many people find the decor of the GF stuffy and the CMs too snooty...DH and I stayed there last year and never found this to be the case. I have never understood why people think the CMs at the GF are rude. For some reason the GF has this reputation with some people. Grant it....there are rude people everywhere and from time to time you will run into rude CMs at EACH resort.

Disney has done a great job with all the resorts...there is something for everyone! Perhaps I'm one of those weird people who don't really have a FAVORITE resort....the resorts I have stayed in, I love for different reasons.

For us, the GF has a very relaxing and less hetic feel than some of the other resorts. There doesn't seem to be as much foot traffic, either.

While I was flashing pictures, the children were relaxing in the "kid's lounge" area.

The floors, walls, stairs...everything...are so super neat! When DH and I were at the GF back in 2009, Disney was refurbishing the floors...now they are complete and quite lovely.

DS3 insisted on wearing his pirate hat to the character breakfast!

DD4 fell in love with the GF! She thought the "pretty red" roof was awesome. If you ask her where she wants to stay, she refers to the GF.

The fresh flowers throughout the lobby are gorgeous!

DS9 carried his Hidden Mickey Book around all week...it was pretty cool to look for the Mickeys at each resort. I'm sure he will have it again on our next trip in June!

After many pictures, it was time for breakfast! ....Up next....1900 Park Fare

 

[hstrickland]

We had breakfast reservations at 1900 Park Fare at 8am.

We got to the restaurant early, but still were in a fairly long line. They make pictures of your family first, then let you in. Our family was placed at a great table right by the buffet...great for children...not too far from the food!

Jesse insisted on wearing his pirate hat, and since it was the last day we had to comply with his wishes.

The first character to come out was Pooh...the characters spent plenty of time at the tables! We were very pleased...sometimes character meals are rushed....not this one. The characters also came out pretty quick after we sat down.

Jesse still did not want the characters to touch him...he liked to view them from a distance.

Tiger bounced out next.....

When Mary Poppins came out, DD4 became super excited as well as DS9 & 4. It always amazes me how these character talk to the children and adults!

DS4 actually allowed us to get a picture!

Mary Poppins spent the most time with Jesse...she kept talking to him and asking questions....he was totally taken with her!

After Mary Poppins left, our DD4 said, "Mary was so beautiful, now where's Poppins!" She thought Mary and Poppins were two different people.

Up next...the Mad Hatter!!! He was soooooo funny! DS9 thought he was hilarious.

DS3 didn't think the Mad Hatter was so funny....in fact....he didn't like him at all!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jesse was scared to death!

Alice followed the Hatter...she was precious...so petite.

Jesse finally calmed down and allowed us to make a picture with Alice.

This was a great breakfast for the kids!!! Good food, wonderful character interaction, and good service. We would certainly do this again, especially before heading to the MK.


Up next.....our LAST morning at the MK

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I just got caught up on your TR again. I've really enjoyed the whole thing! You will definately love getting up early at the BC and taking pictures! So much to photograph including the Boardwalk and pics of the BC from there. Walking the Boardwalk in the morning is relaxing. It's virtually empty.

The walk to SAB isn't bad at all from the villas. I swear you'll be buying into DVC before you leave! Don't do it there though, wait until you get the best incentives.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Great update Heather! I HATE the last day, so very sad to leave! We are getting close to our Poly stay - getting so excited. I hope your school year is going well, we started August 30 and are into our routine now.
Erin

 

[cdotla]

Wow - how strange about the lobster bisque and that response from the server. Once again, I always heard from Pete on the podcast how fantastic it was. Definitely had to be something pretty wrong with it that nite!

Looks like such a nice walk over for breakfast at the GF on your last day. I am with you about trying to soak up every last bit of magic on the last day!

Sounds like a great breakfast at Park Fare. Can't wait to hear how you spent your final hours.

 

[Sweetpeamd]

This has been such a wonderful trip report Heather. Thanks so much for taking the time to do it. I have really enjoyed reading it!

 

[hstrickland]

I just got caught up on your TR again. I've really enjoyed the whole thing! You will definately love getting up early at the BC and taking pictures! So much to photograph including the Boardwalk and pics of the BC from there. Walking the Boardwalk in the morning is relaxing. It's virtually empty.

The walk to SAB isn't bad at all from the villas. I swear you'll be buying into DVC before you leave! Don't do it there though, wait until you get the best incentives.

I'm super excited about staying in a villa! And you are so right....it will probably want to make us buy one. BUT...I have promised my husband a boat first...after that perhaps. The extra room will be great with 3 children.

Great update Heather! I HATE the last day, so very sad to leave! We are getting close to our Poly stay - getting so excited. I hope your school year is going well, we started August 30 and are into our routine now.
Erin

School is going great, but of course cuts into my DisBoard time I noticed your ticker says you will be at the Poly in 1 month! We have actually decided to do a surprise trip for our kids at this exact time. My husband has a couple of days off, so we decided to take the kids to the Halloween party on Oct. 17th. We won't be at the Poly, though....there were no more discounted rooms so we are at the WL. I know I will be missing the monorail! Are y'all doing the party? I can't wait to see my childrens' faces when we ride through the big "Walt Disney World" sign.

Wow - how strange about the lobster bisque and that response from the server. Once again, I always heard from Pete on the podcast how fantastic it was. Definitely had to be something pretty wrong with it that nite!

Looks like such a nice walk over for breakfast at the GF on your last day. I am with you about trying to soak up every last bit of magic on the last day!

Sounds like a great breakfast at Park Fare. Can't wait to hear how you spent your final hours.

The funny thing about that soup is that my husband and I were there last October and had it....it was wonderful!!! That's why I recommended it to my mom...who knows? I think it was just an off night...most people rave about it.

This has been such a wonderful trip report Heather. Thanks so much for taking the time to do it. I have really enjoyed reading it!

Thanks for your kind words. I have really, really enjoyed doing this. My dad has been printing out each installment in color and putting it in a binder...my daughter loves to look through all the pictures...and of course we do, too

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Heather, that is SO cool you are surprising the kids!!! I wish you were staying at Poly so we could meet! Have you stayed at WL before? That will be fun! You know, at this time we are thinking we will not do the MNSSHP, we have done it 2x before and LOVED it, but we figured we would just take a break from it this time and save the $275-$300! I'm sure we will spend it elsewhere anyway and who knows, we may just bite the bullet and go anyway! We take an afternoon break everyday, so if your kids need a swim in the volcano, you can 'be our guests!'
Erin

 

[hstrickland]

Heather, that is SO cool you are surprising the kids!!! I wish you were staying at Poly so we could meet! Have you stayed at WL before? That will be fun! You know, at this time we are thinking we will not do the MNSSHP, we have done it 2x before and LOVED it, but we figured we would just take a break from it this time and save the $275-$300! I'm sure we will spend it elsewhere anyway and who knows, we may just bite the bullet and go anyway! We take an afternoon break everyday, so if your kids need a swim in the volcano, you can 'be our guests!'
Erin

We did WL a couple of years ago and really liked it! If this had not been a last minute trip, we could have gotten the CR or Poly with the discount...we were too late. The GF still had rooms, but they were only offering 25% off. We thought about AKL, but it's so far away from the MK, and since we are doing the MNSSHP I thought it would be nice to be close. Going to be a short trip...only 3 nights...but better than no trip at all. I'm super excited about the Halloween party. DH and I haven't decided if we are going to dress up or not...kids for sure...but we don't know Were there lots of adults in costume? I certainly don't want to look ridiculous, but then again...it's Disney, right? Anything goes! I tried to get Ohana ressies, too, but of course...too late. That's what happens when you plan a month out

 

[DisneyDoc5]

You know, there were lots of families in costume, adults too. Now, a few were a bit, let's say, odd, but for the most part it was really cute. There was a whole family in star wars - awesome! Lots of pirate families which were cute and relatively easy to do. My DH and I wore matching t's with Disney Halloween theme (can't find the picture - too bad!). DS9 didn't want to totally dress up, so he wore POTC t shirt and his Captain Jack hair hat with an eyeliner mustache! Of course DS7 and DD4 (their ages at that time) had no problem with costumes! They are going to be 11,8,6 this trip - maybe our first trip without a stroller!!!

One other thought, when we did a quick 3 night trip last spring (POR, nice moderate for our first moderate stay), we had Kona ressies (I made these to bring the family to Poly again to refresh their memories and decide if they would want to stay there this fall). We walked up to Ohana and they said we could get a table if we waited 1.5 hours, I didn't think this was too bad considering it was spring break! We ended up staying with Kona which was SO SO SO yummy! So you may try it if you have time, even if you just go by yourself and put your name in while DH and kids take a swim at WL. You could call him over when it's getting closer and in the meantime enjoy your favorite (or a couple) Poly cocktails! Do you guys have AP's? I assume you drive in usually, how long does it take you? I wish we lived closer!

 

[Sweetpeamd]

How exciting that you are surprising your kids!!!! I have always wanted to do that! We had originally booked a surprise trip in June but then learned that our kids have a 10 day fall break in October this year. The idea of an 8 day trip in cooler, less crowded October sounded better than a 4 day, hot and crowded trip so we changed our plans.

I would LOVE to live close enough for quick trips like the one you'll have. That's such great news!!! I would love to hear about your plans, especially dining of course! We have found Chefs de France to be pretty easy for last minute adr's. We have been able to get same day res.'s at Kona in the past - agree with DisneyDoc5, it's very good and we love that Poly atmosphere. We are trying The Wave this trip. It's close to MK and I have heard great things about it, pretty easy to get last min. adr's, too.

Have fun planning!

Ashley

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Ashley, you'll have to give us a review of the Wave, I've heard mixed reports, but the healthly food options there sound attractive to our eating style. I almost tried it, but DH really wanted to go back to Coral Reef this trip, and we love fish so I had to say yes!
Erin