A 1st timers live TR from WDW!

[kappyfamily]

First off : I'm going to try and not be one of those negative posters! I'm on vacation and it's all good! or mostly good.... O.k. I will try and make this as helpful as possible! Left on a redeye from Oregon on the 29th and arrived at 9am on the 30th. Rented a car from Alamo (1 week for $123 after taxes/midsize used Costco discount and coupon)). Very easy process because it was in the terminal.

We checked into Pop for 1 night and today we are moving over to the Poly for the rest of the 5 nights. Never been there, and only have seen pics here's hoping!

So as for Pop: First off, I'm a hotel snob. I will eat PB&J every day if it means I can stay in a nicer hotel. But we added a night at the last minute, so I decided to give Pop a try and save some money... It is SMALL! I think this is the smallest hotel room I've ever stayed in! So for a longer stay it wouldn't have worked for us. (me, hubby, son (14), daughter (7). BUT I will say it was the quietest room I think I have ever stayed in! Seriously I did not hear a peep last night. Also may be due to taking a redeye the night before.... Great theming though. But READY to get to the Poly! (stayed in 60's lake side)

We did Animal Kingdom yesterday. Arrived at 11am. Weather was gorgeous. About 75 and sunny. Longest we waited for a ride was 20 minutes (Everest & Safari & rapids) 10 minutes for Dinosaur. LOVEd the safari. Can't say enough wonderful things about it..... We ate at Yak & Yeti counter serv. and thought it was pretty good food, no complaints. Ate at noon and only 1 other couple in line..... wow! Left at 3:30 pm. Didn't get to see any shows. My family was beat from the redeye. Came back and took a nap.

Went to Trails End last night for buffet at 6pm (had an ADR) got right in. Food was great, kids loved it. Then walked around FWC for a bit and went on the 8pm Haunted Carriage ride. ALL OF US LOVED THIS! It was pretty much a pitch black ride through the forest with the Sleepy Hollow story being retold.... won't give away the end. I even knew what was coming and gave out a YELP! You will love this. One of those unique things I was looking for that you just don't do everyday! Came back to POP at 9pm played in the arcade with DH & DD while our lovesick Freshmen son talked to his girly back home.....

By the way, rules for son : NO CELL PHONE UNTIL WE GET BACK TO RESORT EVERY NIGHT. That texting stuff drives me bonkers. I'm layin' down the law...

Family is just now waking up and we are checking out of POP and we are going to POLY this morning!

More late this afternoon from me and then off to Halloween at MK!!!!

 

[parrothead928]

Sounds GREAT!!!! I hope that you keep on having a wonderful time!!!

 

[Vickie46]

I love your report.. make sure to get your 1st trip buttons!

Have fun... look forward to reading more!

 

[LUVMICKEY]

Everything sounds great so far. Looking forward to more of your trip report. I think you'll love the Poly. We are very big Poly people. We've got a lot of very special memories there including our 25TH anniversary trip. A 25 year belated Honeymoon that we stayed there for 11 days and it was a trip we will never forget.

 

[fullofcrop]

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[haleofafamily]

My sister is there right now as well so I am enjoying your report as I think if her. Hope you enjoy the Poly. We have never stayed there.

 

[eliza61]

Glad you're having a good time. That's our only complaint with the values also, the rooms seems so small. I have a family of men 6 FT +. we had to upgrade quick our first time at all star

 

[Marc A.]

Looking forward to hearing more about your trip. The crowds, weather and fun. We will be at the poly a week from tomorrow!!

 

[mmmears]

Hi! We're from the West Coast, too, so I know how tired you must be after that flight. Glad you're having fun, too.

Looking forward to hearing more... we're staying at the Poly for the first time next April -- I hope you like it!

on the texting -- drives me nuts, too!

Have a fantastic time!

 

[kappyfamily]

Me again! Checked out of Pop and headed to Poly.... Wow. We arrived at 10am and thought I would give it a shot and see if the room was ready. It wasn't, but I had faxed in a request for a room and got it!!!!

Fiji "Garden View" Marina Room, our room looks right at the rainbow colored sailboats. I'm in Heaven!! they had our room ready at 1:30. Sweet! Awesome room, HUGE. We walked in to a mickey towel arrangement that looked like his head. As well as 2 baby bunny towel animals. My DD7 FREAKED!

Called and got my 2 packages I shipped (one full of snacks and the other bottled water from Costco) both were delivered along with a call for luggage and extra hangers within 20 minutes.

Room was spotless. Kids and hubby are smiling ear to ear. I almost cried, with all that planning (you all know what I mean) and everything is .....perfect! Swam all day at the pool (Maybe 20 people there) but it is a bit windy out. But we don't care! BFast and lunch on the beach from Capn Cooks both were great. Pina Colova for me, loved it! Had a Dole Whip on the beach too!

Off to the MNSSHP in about 30 minutes. Thanks again to everyone's 2 cents worth over the past 9 months. I'll update again tomorrow morning. Feel free to ask away!

 

[haleofafamily]

I know exactly what you mean about planning and it going well and then you want to cry from the joy and relief.
The Poly sounds beautiful and relaxing. Hope everything continues to go perfectly!!

 

[kathmzh]

I'm smiling ear to ear too, just at your descriptions! Enjoying your reports, can't wait to hear more -- HAVE FUN!

 

[CJN]

Hello, fellow Oregonian! I'm so jealous of you right now--not just because you're in WDW but because you no longer have to listen to all those awful Smith/Merkley ads (if you're in Oregon you KNOW what I mean )

Glad to hear the Poly is still a great place. We haven't stayed there in about ten years but loved it then. Thanks for the report!

 

[doberlady]

sounds like you are off to a great vacation.

We are here too and will be leaving Sunday.

Have a great time!!

 

[Mouse511]

I hope you have a great vacation. We just got home yesterday and we already miss WDW. I guess there's only one thing to do - plan another trip Have fun!!!!!!!!

 

[tinkgurl]

Wow, that was a great live update! Makes me wish I was there! Keep us updated whenever you can! All of us at home are countin' on ya to give us our lil' fix!

 

[kappyfamily]

I'm Baaaaack!

Getting right to it. Got dressed for the Halloween party (DD7 was a pirate, and I was just a kooky gal with spiders stuck all over her... hey it was comfortable!) DH couldn't figure something out, so as the packer I said tough, and my DS14 well he is just too cool . Took the boat from the Poly around 5:30pm to MK (LOVE the boat ride). From the front of the park it looked like it was going to be crazy. Then of course you get to Main street and I'm thinking.... nightmare! But again with my "new positive" outlook on life, I take it in stride.

DD7 and I sing a little " I'm walking right down the middle of main street USA" and we giggle a little. DS14 just rolls his eyes, and DH just knows better to rip on me (he is a star wars freak). Loved all the decorations! Took a few pictures and headed towards Splash mountain.

Uhhhh? Hello! Where's all the people??? Yep that's right walked right on.... Ended up buying the pic of us (we have all ours from Disney Land) and besides I actually looked kinda cute in this one. then went to Pecos Bill's for food and had about a 5 minute wait for some grub. Standard park fare - I'm on day 2 and already sick of fries. I need to change something or I'm going to need expandable pants for the plane ride home.....

Over the next 4 hours or so we went on just about everything, and I mean everything! Everything was walk on or a 5 minute wait at most (except SM it was 10 minutes). O.k. flame away here. I missed both parades... AHHH! I got a glimpse of goofy out of the corner of my eye and that was it. SHOOT! Oh well I gave one up for the team. Everyone else was too excited about just walking onto rides. Oh well I'll you tube it. Also, I even liked Stitch's great escape!!! I know you all hate it! Again, must be my "new attitude".

Trick or treating was great. Lines looked unbearable, but really kind of cruised by. We ended up dumping our loot into DD7 bag ever time we went through. She had brought her own bag so it was MUCH bigger then the ones they handed out. My DH figures at least 6 pounds worth and at the end they were DUMPING Ghiradelli's into our bags. One CM actually said "Please someone take some candy!". Well I guess if I have too.....

Left at 11:30pm and took the boat back and only waited about 5 minutes for that too. Since we are in Fiji, it's a 1 minute walk to our room! Again another wonderful day. We all agreed the best Halloween ever! Plans for today are heading to GF to check things out over there, and breakfast. No ADR's so we will see what happens. DD7 takes the Pirate adventure cruise at 9:30 am. Then we will head to EPCOT. More late tonight!!!!

Oh yeah, to not hearing any political ads (or any news for that matter) right now! Sorry guys!!!!!!

Michele

 

[MEK]

Love your live trip report. So, hey - you missed the parades. Did you say this was your first trip - you'll be back! I skipped all the parades my first trip. It was just too fun to do the rides first time around.

BTW - Your DS 14 sounds like my DS 15. When he was 13 and we were there for Thanksgiving, he got so annoying one day, we left him in the room. Smart decision, because he was so bored by the time we got back, he was good for the rest of the trip! I highly recommend it if your DS gets too much into teenager mode!

Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[OB1]

glad you are having such a great trip.

MNSSHP on Halloween night. UNBELIEVABLE. That will be a hard Halloween to beat.

 

[dburg30]

Also, I even liked Stitch's great escape!!! I know you all hate it! Again, must be my "new attitude".

OK, see now I just think you must've bumped your head or something.

Glad you're having a good time..
Will be there in 12 days