Thought I would try a little different type of trip report than the usual. I will call it ramblings on our trip. I am going to do my best to fit it into one post but we will see how it goes.
We were a family of five heading to Disney for our first trip. Me (40 year old husband), DW, DD-11, DD-9, and DS-5. We stayed at the Poly in a GV from 8/6 to 8/15 on the Deluxe Dining Plan.
Random thoughts on the Poly: Lived up to all the hype. Our room was in the Tokelau Longhouse (3942) overlooking the quiet pool. The room was plenty big for the 5 of us and very clean. I did not see a big problem with the reported dark corridors of the Poly. Yes it is a little dated but that goes with the theme. The Volcano pool was nice but to be honest with you, it was much too crowded. We only went swimming there twice, we preffered the quiet pool. Mousekeeping was great and overall I would say the Poly was great (especially watching the fireworks from the beach). All this being said, we both fell in love with the Grand Floridian and will try to stay there next time.
Random thoughts on DxDP and restaurants: Being that it was our first trip we wanted to do many character meals and some signatures. With that in mind the deluxe plan was great this time. It was however a ton of food. We are glad we did it this time but will probably do a lesser plan next time.
Quick thoughts on our restaurants: (not going to get into too many specifics)
Kona (lunch): very good, enjoyed it, a great lunch after flying in.
Crystal Palace (dinner): average at best. Location was great but food just so-so.
Pizzafari (lunch): ok counter service but the kids were starving.....
Ohana (dinner): great food, great overall entertainment.
Hoop Dee Do Review: One of the whole families favorities of the trip.
Kona (breakfast): Just ok but we had a new waiter who was a little clueless.
Le Cellier (dinner): lived up to all the hype. favorite dinner of the whole trip. Great service and food.
Ohana (breakfast): enjoyed this very much (especially the sausage).
Columbia Harbor House (dinner): ok at best.
Chef Mickey's (breakfast): we were the first to the buffett in the morning and everything was fresh and very good. As a matter of fact we ate and saw all the characters in 30 minutes!
California Grill (dinner): Great dinner. If on the dining plan I would do again in a heartbeat.
Planet Hollywood (lunch): pretty good for what it is a chain.
50's Prime Time Cafe (lunch): pretty good, not great but not bad either.
Coral Reef (dinner): the food was ok but the atmosphere was outstanding for the kids. Plus the kids wanted to see where they filmed an old Full House episode and the manager showed them the exact table.
CRT (breakfast): the food was ok at best but that is not why you go here. The kids enjoyed this very much.
Liberty Tree Tavern (lunch): unexpectedly great lunch with our best server of the entire trip (Russell) which is saying a lot because we had some great servers (Le Cellier and Cali Grill). We will go back here just because of the server.
Narcoossee's (Dinner): Great lobster and filet!
1900 Park Faire (breakfast): not great but better than average.
I know I am forgetting a place or two but I am doing this from memory.
Random thoughts on the parks and rides: Loved MK and Epcot. Really liked HS. Animal Kingdom was ok.
Fav rides:
1. Pirates of Caribbean (this epitomizes Disney for me)
2. Soarin (awesome, awesome, awesome)
3. Tower of Terror (Dad's favorite)
4. Rock and Roll Coaster (DD-9's favorite)
5. Spalsh Mountain (classic)
6. Test Track (DS-5's favorite)
7. Haunted Mansion
8. Expedition Everest
9. Mickey's Phillar Magic (I know its a show but we all loved it)
10. Space Mountain
11. Turtle Talk with Crush
Bonus: Worst ride/we should have listened to all the advice: Stich's Great Escape-what a waste of time and there was no line..........
Random thoughts on the weather and other things:
1. It was August and it was freaking hot!!!!!!!
2. We took advantage of EMH's (AM) and fastpases and having a plan. This all equalled not one wait of over 20 minutes the entire trip! Thanks to all I took advice from on here! PM EMH's did not really seem to benefit us as a family because the kids were all worn out.
3. We always took a break in the middle of the day.
4. I hate to say this but the Spanish speaking quests we encountered were for the most part very rude and did not get the concept of standing in line. I know this is a generalization but that was our experience this trip.
5. On the plus side, it seemed as if all of Great Britain was there with us and our encounters were all very pleasant.
6. Loved being on the monorail!
7. Busses were hit or miss but mostly hit for us.
8. What's up with all the bee's at the waterparks at the self serve soda stations? Disgusting!
Overall the trip was everything that we had hoped for in our wildest dreams. It was magical for everyone in the family! was it all perfect? No, but for the most part Disney does an amazing job and we are allready figuring out when we will go back.
I am sure I will think of more in the future but for now that's all I've got!
We were a family of five heading to Disney for our first trip. Me (40 year old husband), DW, DD-11, DD-9, and DS-5. We stayed at the Poly in a GV from 8/6 to 8/15 on the Deluxe Dining Plan.
Random thoughts on the Poly: Lived up to all the hype. Our room was in the Tokelau Longhouse (3942) overlooking the quiet pool. The room was plenty big for the 5 of us and very clean. I did not see a big problem with the reported dark corridors of the Poly. Yes it is a little dated but that goes with the theme. The Volcano pool was nice but to be honest with you, it was much too crowded. We only went swimming there twice, we preffered the quiet pool. Mousekeeping was great and overall I would say the Poly was great (especially watching the fireworks from the beach). All this being said, we both fell in love with the Grand Floridian and will try to stay there next time.
Random thoughts on DxDP and restaurants: Being that it was our first trip we wanted to do many character meals and some signatures. With that in mind the deluxe plan was great this time. It was however a ton of food. We are glad we did it this time but will probably do a lesser plan next time.
Quick thoughts on our restaurants: (not going to get into too many specifics)
Kona (lunch): very good, enjoyed it, a great lunch after flying in.
Crystal Palace (dinner): average at best. Location was great but food just so-so.
Pizzafari (lunch): ok counter service but the kids were starving.....
Ohana (dinner): great food, great overall entertainment.
Hoop Dee Do Review: One of the whole families favorities of the trip.
Kona (breakfast): Just ok but we had a new waiter who was a little clueless.
Le Cellier (dinner): lived up to all the hype. favorite dinner of the whole trip. Great service and food.
Ohana (breakfast): enjoyed this very much (especially the sausage).
Columbia Harbor House (dinner): ok at best.
Chef Mickey's (breakfast): we were the first to the buffett in the morning and everything was fresh and very good. As a matter of fact we ate and saw all the characters in 30 minutes!
California Grill (dinner): Great dinner. If on the dining plan I would do again in a heartbeat.
Planet Hollywood (lunch): pretty good for what it is a chain.
50's Prime Time Cafe (lunch): pretty good, not great but not bad either.
Coral Reef (dinner): the food was ok but the atmosphere was outstanding for the kids. Plus the kids wanted to see where they filmed an old Full House episode and the manager showed them the exact table.
CRT (breakfast): the food was ok at best but that is not why you go here. The kids enjoyed this very much.
Liberty Tree Tavern (lunch): unexpectedly great lunch with our best server of the entire trip (Russell) which is saying a lot because we had some great servers (Le Cellier and Cali Grill). We will go back here just because of the server.
Narcoossee's (Dinner): Great lobster and filet!
1900 Park Faire (breakfast): not great but better than average.
I know I am forgetting a place or two but I am doing this from memory.
Random thoughts on the parks and rides: Loved MK and Epcot. Really liked HS. Animal Kingdom was ok.
Fav rides:
1. Pirates of Caribbean (this epitomizes Disney for me)
2. Soarin (awesome, awesome, awesome)
3. Tower of Terror (Dad's favorite)
4. Rock and Roll Coaster (DD-9's favorite)
5. Spalsh Mountain (classic)
6. Test Track (DS-5's favorite)
7. Haunted Mansion
8. Expedition Everest
9. Mickey's Phillar Magic (I know its a show but we all loved it)
10. Space Mountain
11. Turtle Talk with Crush
Bonus: Worst ride/we should have listened to all the advice: Stich's Great Escape-what a waste of time and there was no line..........
Random thoughts on the weather and other things:
1. It was August and it was freaking hot!!!!!!!
2. We took advantage of EMH's (AM) and fastpases and having a plan. This all equalled not one wait of over 20 minutes the entire trip! Thanks to all I took advice from on here! PM EMH's did not really seem to benefit us as a family because the kids were all worn out.
3. We always took a break in the middle of the day.
4. I hate to say this but the Spanish speaking quests we encountered were for the most part very rude and did not get the concept of standing in line. I know this is a generalization but that was our experience this trip.
5. On the plus side, it seemed as if all of Great Britain was there with us and our encounters were all very pleasant.
6. Loved being on the monorail!
7. Busses were hit or miss but mostly hit for us.
8. What's up with all the bee's at the waterparks at the self serve soda stations? Disgusting!
Overall the trip was everything that we had hoped for in our wildest dreams. It was magical for everyone in the family! was it all perfect? No, but for the most part Disney does an amazing job and we are allready figuring out when we will go back.
I am sure I will think of more in the future but for now that's all I've got!
