Are you ready for the Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride? - Sept. 2015 PTR

[BlondeAppetit]

Next September we will be traveling to WDW for Labor Day weekend. Woo! Hoo! An extra day off of school! Low crowds! Club Level! Plus...our newest travel companion - a feisty two year old that can be known for making this face - . The flip side is a princess loving, thrill-seeking six year old that will be making this face when we tell her that she is going BACK to WDW -! Truthfully, I cannot wait to see these sweet sisters enjoy their first trip together! I don't know about you....but I am ready to start planning!

Last September, we went to WDW the weekend after Labor Day for our oldest daughter's fifth birthday. We stayed at the Contemporary and had a magical trip! The crowds were low and we really maximized our budget - upgraded to deluxe dining from free standard dining, got a great deal on our room, and even added some special events such as MNSSHP, the Villains party, and my Perfectly Princess Tea party.

Who we are:

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My DH and I had not been to Disney in almost 30 years, so this was a special trip for all of us! I had utilized a TA but found that there was a lot that I did not get from her and would want to do differently for someone else. I really enjoyed the research and planning process. I helped numerous friends plan their trip after our amazing experience. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to become a Disney Travel Specialist myself!

This year, we will be staying one night at Wilderness Lodge (we like to stay somewhere different on our travel day and I just pack a small overnight bag with PJs, bathing suits, change of clothes) and the remainder of the trip at the Poly - Club Level.

This will be the first trip for our entire family - as our 2 year old daughter will be joining us this year! Our other daughter will be six at the time of the trip. Both girls will be "celebrating" their late Summer birthdays.

Here is a picture of the whole gang! It will be an adventure traveling with a toddler this time, but I can't wait to slow it down a little and enjoy our resort a little more!

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Wednesday:
Drive to WDW from SC.
Arrive at WL about 2pm-ish. (this is our travel day and we got a great rate for a one night stay, convenient to HDDR.)
Hopefully get settled into our room and head to Ft. Wilderness.
4pm - HDDR (appx. $150 opp)
6pm - Wagon Ride around Ft. Wilderness
8pm - Campfire with Chip and Dale
9pm - Wishes from Ft. Wilderness beach or take boat back to WL right bf Wishes
back to hotel - possible dip in pool

Thursday:
Head to Poly and check-in. Leave bags. Grab breakfast from CL.
Head to Epcot.
Future World - rides, etc.
WS via Mexico - meet Donald, boat ride, Visit Norway/Frozen stuff/lunch at bakery (appx. $30 opp), China/Acrobats/Mulan, Germany/Snack/Beer/Snow White, Japan - Maybe do Pick a Pearl with the girls
Maybe sneak over to Beaches and Cream for ice cream???
3pm-ish - Head back to hotel to unpack, rest, pool
5pm - snack CL
Head back to Epcot
WS via Canada (Eat and drink in the WS appx. $100 or dinner at Garden Grill, San Angel, Akershus, Teppan Edo, or Via Napoli )
Fireworks?
Pool?

Friday:
Breakfast CL
Head to MK for Rope Drop Show
Morning - Harmony Barber Shop
11am - Late breakfast CRT (appx. $150 oop)
3pm - parade
Back to hotel to rest
Snack CL
6pm - Disney's Polynesian Torch Lighting Ceremony
Dinner at Columbia Harbor House (appx. $30 opp)
9pm - Electric Light Parade
10pm - Wishes or watch from Poly
Pool

Saturday:
Breakfast at Kona (appx. $50 oop)
Blizzard Beach
6pm - Disney's Polynesian Torch Lighting Ceremony
8pm - Luau (appx. $185 oop) or Ohana (appx. $100 oop)
Pool

Sunday:
Head to MK
Pre-park opening breakfast at Crystal Palace (appx. $80 oop)
Parades - Move It, Shake It , Dance Party - 11am or 12:30pm
Lunch at BOG?
Snack CL
6pm - Disney's Polynesian Torch Lighting Ceremony
Dinner at Ohana (if we do not do the luau then another option this night...QS, Kona, or even Cali Grill at sunset for apps)
Possibly go back to the park?
Pool, etc.

Monday:
Breakfast CL
Pool/Hula Lessons/Hair Wraps, etc.
Light lunch/apps at Trader Sams (appx. $60 oop)
Rest and get ready for MNSSHP
4pm - early dinner at Captain Cooks (appx $30 oop)
Head to MNSSHP

Tuesday:
Pool/pack
Check out
10:30am - Breakfast at Ohana (appx. $75 oop)
Downtown Disney?

Thank you in advance for following along! I am still debating some of our dinners, whether or not we should do the luau, and I am closely following to see if the line-up at Akershus changes. We are excited about all of the renovations at the Poly! I also welcome any and all advice about traveling with a toddler and ways to maximize the CL experience! I plan on telling my family about the trip mid-August on my daughter and husband's joint birthday! I also would love to hear about your countdown calendars, special things that your family does to get ready for the trip, etc. I am all about saving $$$, so I will be picking up "treasures" before our trip! Let's see how much I can "save"!!!!

Only about 300 more days!
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[BlondeAppetit]

This is a milestone! I figured out how to add pictures! Woo! Hoo! They are on the extra large size! Anyone with advice on how to make them smaller!

 

[BlondeAppetit]

Since we are staying club level on this trip and will be traveling with a toddler vs. last year when we were on the deluxe plan with a five year old only, I have been trying to "plan less."

Of course, this is impossible for me to do. What I do want to do is really hand-select our TS meals and try to maximize our budget as best as possible.

I have been really debating the luau due to its cost and mixed reviews.

I have stubbled up on a few "free things that could be good substitute and also also fun to include into any trip.

Hula Lessons - "Disney’s Polynesian Resort offers complimentary hula classes most days in the resort lobby. Auntie Kaui, a hula dancer and instructor with 50 years experience, leads most of the classes offered Monday through Saturday at 3:45 p.m., and Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. until noon. Weekday classes are geared toward the younger set, with leis and grass skirts, while the Saturday morning lessons encourage guests of all ages to do the hula shake. And whether guests stay for five minutes or the full two-hour Saturday classes, they’ll learn a variety of chants and dances from such tropical locales as Hawaii, Tahiti and more." click here for more info: http://fieldtripswithsue.com/free-things-to-do-at-walt-disney-world/

Disney's Polynesian Torch Lighting Ceremony - This takes place daily (except for Sunday and Monday) It features the fire dancer. This could be a great mini-alternative to the luau. Watch the show at 6pm and then eat at Ohana. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLGNaWxMdUs

The Electrical Water Pageant - watch from the beach or dock of Poly - nightly at 9pm

Marshmallows on the beach and then Movies Under The Stars

Hair Wraps at the pool - not technically "free" but very inexpensive could be fun for girls.

If you have more ideas...please share!

 

[BlondeAppetit]

Start in Future World. Soarin. Living with the Land. Nemo

Epcot Character Spot - Mickey, Minnie, Pluto

Lunch

Mexico - La Cava del Tequila - Avocado Maragarita (or Jalepeno) - El Mayor premium silver Tequila, melon liqueur, fresh avocado, agave nectar and fresh lime juice, served frozen with a hibiscus Himalayan salt rim.

Meet Donald and do the boat ride

Norway - Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe - School Bread (share) - anything else?

Tour Frozen stuff

China - Tipsy Ducks in Love

Meet Mulan, acrobats, and movie

Germany - Sommerfest - Schofferhofer Grapefruit $8.25 (Me) Brat (DH) and Hovel (DH), something caramel

Meet Snow White

Morocco - Tangerine Cafe - Mediterranean Sliders Combo and the Shawarma Chicken and Lamb platter or Spice Road Table?

Meet Jasmine

Back to hotel

Dinner

UK - Yorkshire County Fish Shop - Fish and Chips, Harp?

Meet Pooh

France - Boulangerie Patisserie les Halles - Lobster Bisque, cheese, baguette, and something sweet, champagne. L'Artisan des Glaces - dessert for the girls, Grey Goose Citron Slush and Grand Marnier Orange Slush.

Japan - candy?

Italy - Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar - wine and small plate, panini?

Spice Road Table - if a table is available for fireworks?