A Very Jolly Holiday: Sept 2016 TR MNSSHP Poly CL

[kcpinwdw]

Hello Everybody! Just returned home from an incredible week at Walt Disney World and decided to ease some of the pain by sharing a trip report!

Highlights include:
MNSSHP with Hallowishes Dessert Party!
Victoria & Albert's!
Lilo's Playhouse!
Tiffins!
Afternoon Tea!
Polynesian Club Level!

I've called this our "Jolly Holiday" trip because we went ALL OUT for MNSSHP this year. Here we are in our costumes:


Family includes:
Me: ringleader, vacation lover, Disney dooney and bourke addict.
DH: willing accomplice, along for the food
DD: 4, our wild little princess
DS: 4, our sensitive sweetie-pie

Travel dates 9/3-9/10!

Come along with us!

 

[kcpinwdw]

Day one: arrival day!

We left home the night before and slept at a hotel near the airport so we could leave at dawn's crack. Airport is a three hour drive. Our flight was 7:40am.

Up and ready to go!


Flight was on time and arrived in Orlando at 1035. I linked my new fancy magic band for the occasion:



We popped over the ME which didn't look too crowded at all... And my new magic band crashes their computers! Oh no! They reboot and we are off in line! Quickly becomes monsterously long behind us... I've never flown in on Saturday morning before but now I see what people are talking about!

15 min later (and one more magic band induced computer crash) we are on our way to the Polynesian!

Last sept we stayed at the poly for the second half of a split stay and fell in love with the laid back vibe of the resort. It was an easy choice for this trip when coupled with a magical Labor Day deal for club level. We have not done club level before so I can not compare to other resorts, but in true disboards fashion I have read everything possible!

Check in was a breeze, and we were greeted in the lobby by a CM who waited while we got our stroller from bell services, then walked us to the HAwaii building. Check in was by far the best check in experience I have had at Walt Disney world. They were all so friendly and inviting. And they fixed my fancy magic band!

Our room was on the first floor, which was our only request. We just dropped off our stuff and decided to pop to MK because the kids were itching for a ride. We hopped on the monorail but my son was pretty cranky and it was super hot. So we stayed for about 10 min and then just headed back to the resort! Ben fell asleep the second we got back on the monorail and slept solidly while the rest of us got ready for dinner.

Arrival dinner plans changed only a few days before, as the category 1 booking of Mickey's backyard BBQ was released. Wasn't planning on dinner shows but I'm a sucker for a private meet and greet so we decided to give it a try.

Changed and ready to eat!


Next post: Mickey BBQ category 1 review

 

[MrsSykes2014]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the costumes. can wait to read more

 

[lauralynn0612]

Following along! We head to Disney the last week of October for Food & Wine and MNSSHP!

 

[kcpinwdw]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the costumes. can wait to read more

Thank you I had such a fun time designing and making them! (except for my daughter's, I had hers made). Welcome!

Following along! We head to Disney the last week of October for Food & Wine and MNSSHP!

Awesome! I was sad we were too early for Food & Wine... maybe next year!

 

[kcpinwdw]

Mickey's Backyard BBQ

For our first evening I had originally planned Disney springs and to try the new Rick Bayless restaurant, but I decided that wasn't super kid-friendly and the kids were requesting to meet Mickey first thing. When I saw that they had a new offering for Mickey's Backyard BBQ I jumped on it!

Booking was a little weird because there was no indication that I was booking category one... until it was confirmed and it said it on the reservations. I am sure because of this they weren't getting the response anticipated, at least it was pretty empty on our night.

My son was fast asleep in the stroller still as well headed out. Luckily with the transportation options from Polynesian to Fort Wilderness we didn't have to wake him or move him... popped on the monorail and then onto the ferry boat.


Overall a very pleasant trip! I've never been over to Fort Wilderness before so we looked around a bit. I would definitely consider coming back and staying the cabins, what a great set-up. My husband agrees, mainly because he wants to rent a golf cart I suspect

We headed to the check in stand at about 4:15, as our reservation said to arrive by 430. When we checked in they gave us a special sign that indicated our category 1 status.




I starting trying to wake Ben up but he wasn't having it. But we had to park the stroller so I lifted him out and we ended up with a very cranky fellow.

We were walked to our seats, which were situated on the ends of the tables surrounding the dance floor, one family per table. It was amazingly empty and the perfect seats.



We got drinks and after a few minutes the characters came out to do Meet and Greets. Ben still wasn't up for it so Sylvie and I posed for some photos.



There was no wait, really, as only about 5-6 families were there. Mickey and Minnie met on the stage while Chip, Dale, and goofy met off to the side. Once the characters started playing around and we got some PowerAde into him, Ben started perking up and wanting to participate. Probably all the popsicles and Mickey bars we could eat helped too





We went up to each set of characters several times. Once we were done, they opened up the buffet lines to the category one people. At this point we could see the masses of people waiting to be let in! We filled our plates and drinks and sat down, avoiding all the lines once the crowd entered. Sorry no food pictures. I was starving.

The show started and the kids were super into it. Especially the trick roper. It was so nice to be right on the end of the table so the little ones could be near us, there is no way they would have joined the dancing or sat around the floor if we weren't right there.



We left shortly after the trick roper even though the show was far from over... but they kids were begging to go on rides. I set up some FastPasses for MK on the fly and we headed out! Both kids were in great moods at this point and we were ready for some fun! We went and rode Dumbo and then decided to call it a night.



Next up: day 2 (sunday 9/4)-- 'Ohana, Afternoon Tea, MK

 

[kclark9830]

Day one: arrival day!

We left home the night before and slept at a hotel near the airport so we could leave at dawn's crack. Airport is a three hour drive. Our flight was 7:40am.

Up and ready to go!
View attachment 194148

Flight was on time and arrived in Orlando at 1035. I linked my new fancy magic band for the occasion:

View attachment 194149

We popped over the ME which didn't look too crowded at all... And my new magic band crashes their computers! Oh no! They reboot and we are off in line! Quickly becomes monsterously long behind us... I've never flown in on Saturday morning before but now I see what people are talking about!

15 min later (and one more magic band induced computer crash) we are on our way to the Polynesian!

Last sept we stayed at the poly for the second half of a split stay and fell in love with the laid back vibe of the resort. It was an easy choice for this trip when coupled with a magical Labor Day deal for club level. We have not done club level before so I can not compare to other resorts, but in true disboards fashion I have read everything possible!

Check in was a breeze, and we were greeted in the lobby by a CM who waited while we got our stroller from bell services, then walked us to the HAwaii building. Check in was by far the best check in experience I have had at Walt Disney world. They were all so friendly and inviting. And they fixed my fancy magic band!

Our room was on the first floor, which was our only request. We just dropped off our stuff and decided to pop to MK because the kids were itching for a ride. We hopped on the monorail but my son was pretty cranky and it was super hot. So we stayed for about 10 min and then just headed back to the resort! Ben fell asleep the second we got back on the monorail and slept solidly while the rest of us got ready for dinner.

Arrival dinner plans changed only a few days before, as the category 1 booking of Mickey's backyard BBQ was released. Wasn't planning on dinner shows but I'm a sucker for a private meet and greet so we decided to give it a try.

Changed and ready to eat!
View attachment 194151

Next post: Mickey BBQ category 1 review

I loved your costumes, and I love that MB! We were there last week too . Following along!

 

[kcpinwdw]

I loved your costumes, and I love that MB! We were there last week too . Following along!

Welcome! I love reading TR from when I was there too, I always look for our family in the background of photos, ha ha

 

[remyrat]

I love your costumes too!!! How were the mosquitoes during this time?

 

[kcpinwdw]

I love your costumes too!!! How were the mosquitoes during this time?

I saw no mosquitos at all. We definitely didn't get any bites and did not wear bug spray (though they gave us a can in our room). Only bugs I saw at all were a few love bugs around.

 

[remyrat]

Thank you for answering my question so quickly, so glad to hear of the minimal mosquitoes.

I saw no mosquitos at all. We definitely didn't get any bites and did not wear bug spray (though they gave us a can in our room). Only bugs I saw at all were a few love bugs around.

 

[kcpinwdw]

Day 2: 'Ohana morning!

We went to bed at a reasonable time last night so it wasn't too difficult to rise and shine. Plus it was a very short walk from Hawaii building to 'Ohana for breakfast. We checked in right around 8am. This was my first time having breakfast here.

Miracle of Miracles, my kids actually ate the food.





The characters took a little bit to come around to our table, but it was okay. Some friends from a mommy group I am in were having breakfast at the same time so we got to meet and talk while we waited. Then we saw Pluto, Mickey, Stitch, and Lilo.









Everyone was so cute about Sylvie's Lilo dress. Here is how I made it: First, I took a plain gildan youth T-shirt from AC moore. I bought really big on her so it fell dress length. Then I put it on her, and marked about her waist width. Then I just simply cut out the shape of the dress leaving the neck hole and bottom hem alone. Sew up the sides and around the arm holes! Then I took wonder under and white fabric and did some iron on leaves. Very easy and cute!

We decided to go to MK for the morning and see how things were, since it was still pretty early by the time we finished, though we would not make rope drop.

Separate post coming because I am going to go over the photo limit

 

[kcpinwdw]

Day 2 Continued (MK morning)

It was pretty hot and humid this morning, which is sunday 9/4. We entered MK around 9:30 and immediately watched the street performers on Main Street. My husband and I tried to walk by but the kids shouted at us to stop! We really had no plans for the morning so it was nice to take it slow.





They love the dancing! It was almost time for the Elena of Avalor Welcome show so we decided to go to the hub and catch that. We walked up Main Street and saw Mary Poppins waiting with almost no line, so we had to stop for a photo:


Mary was super sweet and my children were VERY chatty with her, it was adorable. Then we headed to the stage to see Elena. At first I thought maybe it wasn't happening because no one was waiting in front of the castle at all. But about 5 minutes before people started filling in. We were directly in the sun but right up front, and it was HOT but very cute.



Kids melting....


We decided we would go back to the resort and go swimming instead of staying. So we never even passed the castle, just turned around and walked right back down Main Street! When we got to the end we saw there was no wait for Tinkerbell so we popped in to say hello.



Okay, back to the Poly for some swimming!

 

[Marissa227]

Thanks so much for posting about the Backyard BBQ Category 1. I wasn't sure about it, but now definitely going to keep it Looks like fun, and we are staying at Fort Wilderness.

 

[kcpinwdw]

Thanks so much for posting about the Backyard BBQ Category 1. I wasn't sure about it, but now definitely going to keep it Looks like fun, and we are staying at Fort Wilderness.

Oh you will love it! Fort wilderness is definitely on my list now, such a great relaxed vibe. Welcome and have a great vacation!

 

[kcpinwdw]

Day two continued:

We got back to the resort and had a quick dip. Then it was time for my daughter and I to get ready for our afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian. Last month I had found us matching dresses at the J Crew Outlet while we were on a road trip to maine, and I was excited to wear them together. Dad and Ben hung out while we headed to Tea!

Alas the monorail was down! A very kind Cast Member caught us at the station and the escorted us all the way past the Spirit of Aloha show to show us the walking path to the Grand Floridian. Very kind of her! It was a lovely stroll and not too humid so we didn't even get sweaty.



My Disney MO is to be early for everything, so we checked into Tea a bit early and Sylvie and I entertained ourselves with some snapchat selfies



Yes we are ridiculous.

Tea was just wonderful. Sylvie got the Mrs. Potts and I got the basic sans champagne... still a bit early for me. Our server was sweet and the presentation was fabulous. Sylvie mostly ate the chocolate covered strawberries!





After we finished we called Dh and Ben and planned to meet back at MK. It was about 4pm. We found them easily and popped into MK for a few rides before bedtime.

We did Jungle cruise and ETWB, then headed back to the Poly!




Once we were home sweet home we ordered room service for dinner, one of our favorite parts of staying at the Poly: The twilight Polynesian Feast! We ordered for one adult and one child (since last trip we did two adults and had too much food). Well they sent us a ton still and we still had way too much. But it was delicious!



Early to bed for everyone, we are going Disney's Holywood Studios in the morning for the Early Morning Magic new breakfast!

 

[MrsSykes2014]

I just had my first child a little girl and I can not wait for things like that with her. Love the snap selfies!!!!

 

[kcpinwdw]

I just had my first child a little girl and I can not wait for things like that with her. Love the snap selfies!!!!

Congratulations! It is so much fun! Earlier this year I took each of the twins on their own weekend trip to Disney and it was fun tailoring the activities to each of their interests! Though at this stage they both like glitter, frills, and princesses

 

[Pesky]

Love the costumes! You are so talented! And really great to know about the room service option. We're doing a split stay with the Poly last and that might be a great option.

 

[kcpinwdw]

Love the costumes! You are so talented! And really great to know about the room service option. We're doing a split stay with the Poly last and that might be a great option.

Welcome! Thank you! I have loved to sew since i was little. I dont get the chance to as much anymore except for a few things 1) disney shirts, 2) halloween costumes, 3) dis big give projects. Save a night for room service for sure, it's a great way to relax!


In other news I have been hard at work this weekend on our Lego Disney Castle. It is SO MUCH FUN to complete. All the little details! This was kind of souvenir the trip, though I ordered it before we left.

So far:


I'll post more updates soon!