9 nights on Premium Plan @ Poly: A PRE trip report with PICS>>>>>>>

[DeterminedOne]

PART ONE

THE TRIP
Planning this trip saved me from despair! Sounds melodramatic,
but it's true. Nine months ago I had to have an emergency
hysterectomy. My uterus was seven times the normal size and
without surgery I risked hemoraging. Having had the surgery means
no babies for me. Ever. It was the right decision, but there were
days when I was very emotional about it. Planning and looking
forward to this trip helped me through the rough spots.

THE TRAVELERS
Me, 34 - I spend way too much time on the Dis, but thank you for being here for me.

DH, 43 - A super sweet guy. He handles my emotional breakdowns and Internet addiction like a pro.

Married 7.5 years. We honeymooned at Disney in '99. This will be our fourth trip since.

THE DATE
September 24 - October 3
If not for the 50th Anniversary celebration we would be going
in November. Two years ago we were there the week before
Thanksgiving. The weather was perfect, crowd non-existent,
and Christmas decorations were up. It was great! But this year
we wanted to be a part of the Happiest Celebration on Earth ending Sept. 30th.Truth be told - it was I who wanted to be there for The Happiest.
DH could care less. I want to see Cinderellabration. I want to see
the castle decorated in gold. I want gold Mickey ears. I want
limited edition trading pins.

Disney messed up my plan a bit, though. A few months ago they
announced a new celebration - Year of a Million Dreams, kicking off
October 1st. Cinderellabration is long gone. The castle decor is
coming down probably as I type this. And the only golden ears I'm
likely to find will be on E-Bay. The good thing is, we will be
there for the beginning of Year of a Million Dreams.
I've been fantasizing about being one of the lucky guests to win
a Golden Fastpass.

THE RESORT
Polynesian Garden View
I wanted to stay at Grand Floridian again, but DH said we should try something new. He usually doesn't question these things,
except to ask WHEN, WHERE and HOW MUCH, so that let me know it was
important to him. Here's a pic of me on the balcony of our lagoon
view room at Big Pine Key. Do you see why I loved GF so much?

For six months we were booked at Yacht Club. That was until I
discovered that the difference between a standard room at YC and
a garden view at Poly is a mere $15 a night. I would much rather stay
on the monorail. DH was in agreement that for the price, it's worth it.
I think we will like Poly, despite the scathing reviews over on the Resort Board.
We got a postcard in the mail the other day from
Poly's General Manager, Dave Venables. It says they can't wait
to introduce us to their warm, tropical hospitality. We'll see! In any case,
I look forward to riding the monorail, watching Wishes from the beach,
and romantic strolls to Sunset Point.


THE PACKAGE
Disney's Magic Your Way Premium Package
There is a misconception that the premium plan is an upgraded
version of the dining plan. It's not. The premium is dining, entertainment
and recreation all in one. The dining portion of the package
includes breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.
No credits to worry about.
Some people say three meals a day is too much food. I guess it all
depends on what you eat. Besides, the Disney dining experience is
just that- an experience! We have ADR's in all four parks, several
resorts and Downtown Disney.

Artist Point, Brown Derby, California Grill, Cape May, Chef Mickey's, Concourse, Coral Reef,
CRT, Fulton's, HDDR, LeCellier, Liberty Tree,
'Ohana, Portobello, PSB, Rainforest Cafe and Yachtsman.

The Entertainment / Recreation planned for the trip include:
A Carriage ride through Ft. Wilderness, tickets to La Nouba,
The Hidden Treasures of World Showcase & Backstage Safari tours,
golf at Eagle Pines & Osprey Ridge, parasailing and various water activities.

This is DH two years ago at Magnolia. You can't see him very well, but I love the Disney backdrop.

CONTINUED ...

 

[DeterminedOne]

THE METHOD OF TRAVEL
Northwest Airlines from IND
For the first time ever we are flying direct to Orlando. No layovers.
When it comes to layovers, I don't like them! Thanks to a not so fun experience with American Airlines this past June.

I was visiting my sister in San Antonio. The flight home involved a
layover/connection in Dallas. Long story short I missed the connection
in Dallas. It wasn't my fault. The plane was late. When we finally
touched down in Dallas I thought that I could still make the flight
if I hurried. I was running through the terminal like a mad woman when
my shoe broke. By the time I made it to the gate the plane
was gone. To make matters worse I wasn't able to fly out 'til 18 hours
later. They put me at LaQuinta for the night, but what about shoes?
I looked in the gift shops. No shoes. When I explained the situation
to the American Airlines agent, this is what she came up with.

I had to walk around like that for the rest of the night into the next
day. Those shoes were brand new. You know I returned them
for my money back! (After removing the tape.) The moral of this story is:
Avoid connecting flights when possible.


THE STUFF
I'm a Shopoholic, therefore I spend lots of money on "stuff" I may
or may not need. Here are some of the things I bought in the
name of this trip.

Check out these cool pens I picked up at Walmart for a dollar. They
light up when you write. Not sure why I bought so many of them.

That's it! Thanks for reading my report. 14 days!

 

[DeterminedOne]

Someone do me a favor and tell me if the pictures are showing up for you. I can see them on my screen but not sure if they are showing for you. Thanks!

 

[Cass]

DeterminedOne ~ you are just adorable! I can't wait to read the rest of your trip report and you sure were a good sport about the shoes/connection.

 

[lookingforward]

I can see your pictures and can't wait to read more! I am the same way with the shopping before a trip. It is such a great time to go out and prepare for a vacation by buying fun things to take along.

 

[scanne]

I love your report so far! And the pics are showing up just fine.

 

[TwinkieMama]

Hey DeterminedOne! You crack me up! What with the shoes and the pix of clothes you may or may not need and the books! I love it! Oh and lets not forget the great picture of Disney with the hard to see DH!!!!!

I also really want to hear about the super duper dining recreation plan.

Can't wait for more!

 

[Disneygrl36]

Hey this sounds like it's going to be a fun trip. Can't wait to read more.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Sounds like you have an awesome trip planned I cant wait to read all about it.

 

[dmthoma76]

Oh my god I have two of those exact same shirts! The camo/jungle print one with the silver mickey mouse, I love that one I am wearing it to Animal kingdom, and the light blue one with Mickey, both from Wal-Mart.
I also see some other familiar things from Wal-Mart and disney.com!


~Donna


9/25---9/30 at ASsports

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Can't wait for the rest of your report! Hopefully no broken shoes this time!

Have a GREAT trip!

 

[Msslaydbug]

I am so excited about your trip already !! Thanks for sharing. Keep it coming !!

 

[NAB]

Great start can't wait for more. Love the pics too.

 

[helenm29]

Sorry to hear about your Hysterectomy but your health matters more then anything else!. Besides, you are going to DISNEYWORLD...the land of CHILDREN! Just think positive, the kids at DW all go HOME with someone ELSE and you and your hubby can still have ROMANCE! I think I've forgotten what that is! Everything you have planned sounds like a lot of fun and I know how you feal about leaving the Grand Floridian...my hubby and I got to go there once after we just got married...AHH ROMANCE! We are staying at the Poly but Lagoon View room this time with the whole family. NOT the same! HAHA! Try having a little romantic moment with FIVE of you in the room! You have a wonderful trip and have LOTS of fun! Yo Ho! Helen

 

[DaisyLynn]

Wow! Sounds like you have an amazing trip planned for you and your DH. Have so much fun and tell us all about it when you get back! I want details, girl!

 

[DisneyDreamer2]

wow! Sounds like a fabulous trip. Can't wait to read more!

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

Great, I was done packing but now I have to go to Walmart to find the camo Mickey shirt! Sorry about the hysterectomy.

We will be at the Poly starting 9/30, I can wave if I see you!

 

[DeterminedOne]

Thanks, friends. Appreciate your help with the pics, your kind words and well wishes.

dmthoma - I love the camo Mickey tee the most! I never even considered wearing it to AK. It would be perfect for the Backstage Safari tour.

 

[firkat]

Hello. We will be at Poly GVC from Sept 29 until after y'all leave . . . maybe we will run into you! Sounds like you have a fabulous package planned. The works!

 

[WDW LOVR]

THE METHOD OF TRAVEL
I was running through the terminal like a mad woman when
my shoe broke. By the time I made it to the gate the plane
was gone. To make matters worse I wasn't able to fly out 'til 18 hours
later. They put me at LaQuinta for the night, but what about shoes?
I looked in the gift shops.

Cracks me up. One time right after we were married (21 yrs ago) my wife and I were walking into Epcot and her sandal broke just like yours. We went from shop to shop and the only thing we could find was at Mousegear. They were flip flops and they were about 4 sizes too big. Oh well, better than walking around on broken sandals. At least they matched the outfit she had on.

Can't wait to read more.