.
That said, this year the crowds around the Polynesian were huge. I am not kidding when I say that each and every lounge chair, swing, hammock, and a good bit of sidewalk space was occupied. My advice is to go to the dock and watch from there. (The lounge is always an option if staying club level.) We found for the most part that it was deserted until near in time to the show. There is a speaker on the right side of the dock facing MK and the sound is good.
I am shocked! When we were there, it wasn't crowded for the fireworks at all! Wow! Glad we were there in May.
In all of our visits we noticed that the parks become more crowded right at 11:00 a.m., for whatever reason. We are usually headed from the parks around that time or off to EPCOT for lunch or to avoid the crowds at the other three parks. When we are attempting to leave between 11-12 noon, it is like salmon swimming upstream. This year, however, rope drops were more crowded than I have seen in many years--if ever.
Another shocker!!! Usually, if you get to rope drop by 8:30 everything is good! Holy cow! I wonder if people are getting wiser
Was hoping to keep rope drop a secret!
All in all, those two rides took us until around 10:30 a.m. Yeah, you don't want to know about MK or AK. . .
My advice, go early and get out early, especially if the heat persists in Florida.
I think next time we will utilize early EMHs...we get up early anyway!
The beach/volcano pool area was crowded each and every day, except for the TWO (yes, I said TWO) closures due to kids pooping in the pool. The initial closure was a full 24 hours. It began early on our arrival day and ended early the next a.m. If you saw my pictures on Photobucket, you saw the empty volcano pool early on in the series. Why for the love of all things aquatic can parents not adhere to the swimmy diaper rule? The first closure created a huge overcapacity in the quiet pool. That was also shown in my pictures.
Parents never cease to amaze me!!! Is it that hard to use a pull up OR take your child to the restroom? I have 2 small ones....I know! I was totally shocked by the number of people in the Quiet Pool after looking at your pics. OMG!!! Not so quiet, huh.
It appeared to me that there were a good many more loungers on the beach than in years past. They were usually full, but there were a good number of them. As always, the volcano pool/beach area was packed--oftentimes even in the early morning hours (prior to 10 a.m.) and all day.
This was my only BIG complaint with the Poly....the over crowded pool and beach area...no lounge chairs/tables etc.
*SIDE NOTE*--This evening in particular, the club level piggies were out--no I don't mean food consumption. Large groups of people descended upon the lounge wearing wet swimwear and no shoes thereby soaking seats for later guests to enjoy while they were fully dressed for the evening. I won't even get into the boorish behavior of leaving the dishes, cutlery, drink containers, etc. scattered all over the tables.
This really chaps me no end. I really don't care about the swimsuits BUT put your shoes on and be dry first!
Really??!!! 
Some people don't get it! I guess some people assume since they are paying for CL, CMs should have to pick up their dirty dishes...:
Desserts: The various types of mousse offered (caramel, chocolate, strawberry) were really nice. The brownies nothing special and the tarts fairly uninspired. The dessert offerings were minimal with only three types available each night. This is no change from last year when things were being cut all around the concierge levels. Probably encouraging more folks to book dessert party reservations.
We weren't overly impressed with the desserts, either!
