Bibbidi-Bobbidi-BOO and a few Disney Dresses too!~ A Sept ’13 TR

[familyabgar]

Oh man, I sure do get a good laugh when I see photos of your happy smiling family...and Isla having a meltdown. Kids!! What can ya do when they don't want to take a picture?? You take it anyway and laugh about it later!! I'm glad y'all were able to go back and take another one with her in a better mood, because those girls sure do look adorable in their Lilo dresses.

I agree so much with this! Too funny. Love the juxtaposition.

 

[merbobear]

So happy that you're here!

Aww, thanks! MommyMade Boutique (on Facebook) made those Ariel dresses for us. I discovered that the owner and I share the same last name which is pretty neat! (no relation though, that we know of) I actually helped design those dresses and I think they turned out really cute.



Your pros and cons are right on! And yes, I'm really looking forward to our "Us-only" trip.

Out of the blue, my Mother-in-law informs us at Jorie’s birthday party in February, that she is thinking about joining us on our trip in November. (Inside I was like “Oh HE** NO you’re NOT!” lol) I was literally speechless. Later I told Joe that if the subject comes up again, he needs to figure out a polite way of saying “You weren't invited.”

How was the 2-bedroom villa at Old Key West? I foresee us staying there once Bronwyn is no longer an "infant" and we are an official family of 6 in Disney's eyes....

Thanks for sharing, I have liked her boutique page on fb

I agree, your dh can handle the task of redirecting his mother! After our first trip with my mom along, she had made the general statement "hopefully I'll get to go again some year in the future," which was fine (and this year is it!).

We really loved the 2BR villa! It was very spacious. We had a king room with attached master bath (the jacuzzi style tub and separate shower are in this room), 2nd BR had 2 beds (I think they were queens, but might have been Full size) with attached full bath (regular tub/shower). The living room had a pull out sofa & pull out chair. Full kitchen and dining room (really a table under a lamp) were all in the same open space with the living room. There was a separate full laundry room. Also the patio could be accessed from the living room and the master room. Dd had fun running circles through those doors every morning, and my mom liked drinking her coffee outside. If you ever decide to stay there, you want to be in the Hospitality House area (it's a booking category, price is the same points wise as other areas). We were across the street from the HH and bus stop, this is also where Olivias (TS Restaurant) and Goods to Go (outdoor CS eatery) are located, as well as a dock where you can catch a boat to Downtown Disney. Overall it's amazing!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

More cute outfits! I love the reaction you get from Lilo when you wear her dress to breakfast! That was one of my favorite meals last time too! It was so nice to be at the poly in walk right over there. (I meant to mention this in my last comment but we stayed at the poly in July Tokelau room 1916, it was amazing!)

Looks like lots of fun at DTD!

 

[makochibi]

Ohanas breakfast was good. The characters are great. Love your girls Lilo dresses! Isn't the Mac and cheese at WGP so good? My DD had the kids meal version when we ate at the TS there. That was the best meal of our trip. Their servers are the best.

Can't wait to read more of your TR.

 

[mickeyplanner]

Ohana Breakfast is our favorite too. Amazing how a character meal served family style is a parent's dream come true. I wish they had more like that. Ohana breakfast is a must do for every trip in our family.

 

[kstgelais4]

I'm so glad that you're enjoying my TR!

I had to check out your page to see if I have any of your work in my stash, since most of the time I buy resells and don't always know who designed the outfit. I don't, but I recognized a lot of your things! You have some amazing talent! I just absolutely love your Be Our Guest dress!

Thank you!!! I love your taste in customs. and it's really cool to see some of my friends designs on real little girls! That be our guest dress is my favorite ever!! Can't wait to read on!

 

[TruLovesKiss]

Looks like a pretty awesome relaxing day!!

Ohana is someplace I really want to go back for breakfast, heck also for dinner! Haven't been in a while and I really want to experience it again! Glad you guys enjoyed it, and that Lilo liked the dresses, and that the kiddos all were loving it afterwards.

Hahahha, of course the boy wants to shop when there's LEGO involved! Lol.

Good haul at dtd!

And lunch, yum!! I ate at EOS for the first time last month and loved it, but it will always be a tough choice between in and wpe!!

Even though no parks were involved it still was an awesome day! 'Ohana and WPE were definitely worth skipping a park for, haha! They were SO good!

Donovan absolutely hates to shop but yes, when there are Legos involved it's a definitely a different story. lol

Your O'hana breakfast looks and sounded amazing. The food looks so good and you can't go wrong with unlimited Mickey waffles.

I love the Stitch pictures all of the kids look so cute!

I haven't ventured to DTD in awhile but I may have too just to go to EOS and Wolfgang puck again, that food is SO good!

OMG I just LOVED those Mickey waffles. Our 'Ohana breakfast was kind of a last minute addition to our ADRs and I'm SO glad that we added it. Everything about it was great!

A trip to DTD would definitely be worth it to get some EOS or WPE!

Oh man, I sure do get a good laugh when I see photos of your happy smiling family...and Isla having a meltdown. Kids!! What can ya do when they don't want to take a picture?? You take it anyway and laugh about it later!! I'm glad y'all were able to go back and take another one with her in a better mood, because those girls sure do look adorable in their Lilo dresses.

I love the pictures of Bronwyn sitting on Stitch's lap and Donovan hidden in a hug from Pluto! And Jorie's princess style still looks fabulous! It looks like those buns can last through a nuclear apocalypse!

Great idea getting food from EOS & WPE! I always have the same dilemma and usually default to ESO, I have never thought to get both! Genius.

At any given time, there's a pretty good chance that at least one kid in my household is having a meltdown... it just so happened that the majority of the crying on this trip was from Isla. Going into the trip, I thought that Bronwyn was going to be my biggest handful... but she ended up being the best behaved/easiest one! Who knew?!

Thanks! We got some great (and some not-so-great haha) pics at our 'Ohana breakfast.

"A nuclear apocalypse" hahaha! I bet they could! It even stays in after she goes swimming! I finally had to say to her, "OK Jorie, we are taking that thing out and washing your hair" and of course she was like "Nooooooooo!"

Getting both EOS & WPE was pretty genius, wasn't it? lol Next time I'd stick with just the mac & cheese. It was SO yummy!

I agree so much with this! Too funny. Love the juxtaposition.

It's pretty funny seeing what a difference a little pixie dust can make!

 

[TruLovesKiss]

Thanks for sharing, I have liked her boutique page on fb

I agree, your dh can handle the task of redirecting his mother! After our first trip with my mom along, she had made the general statement "hopefully I'll get to go again some year in the future," which was fine (and this year is it!).

We really loved the 2BR villa! It was very spacious. We had a king room with attached master bath (the jacuzzi style tub and separate shower are in this room), 2nd BR had 2 beds (I think they were queens, but might have been Full size) with attached full bath (regular tub/shower). The living room had a pull out sofa & pull out chair. Full kitchen and dining room (really a table under a lamp) were all in the same open space with the living room. There was a separate full laundry room. Also the patio could be accessed from the living room and the master room. Dd had fun running circles through those doors every morning, and my mom liked drinking her coffee outside. If you ever decide to stay there, you want to be in the Hospitality House area (it's a booking category, price is the same points wise as other areas). We were across the street from the HH and bus stop, this is also where Olivias (TS Restaurant) and Goods to Go (outdoor CS eatery) are located, as well as a dock where you can catch a boat to Downtown Disney. Overall it's amazing!

Yup, dh is definitely in charge of taking care of that! We'll invite our parents again too, just not on this next trip. I'm thinking maybe for a Spring '16 trip....

Thanks for all of the info on OKW. It sounds amazing! I think it would be a great option for us for next time!

More cute outfits! I love the reaction you get from Lilo when you wear her dress to breakfast! That was one of my favorite meals last time too! It was so nice to be at the poly in walk right over there. (I meant to mention this in my last comment but we stayed at the poly in July Tokelau room 1916, it was amazing!)

Looks like lots of fun at DTD!

Lilo was SO cute! She acted like she'd never seen anyone wear her dress before.

Tokelau 1916, that's SO awesome! It was the perfect location, wasn't it? I'm so bummed that they are doing so much construction at the Poly now. But I guess in the long run it's going to be even more amazing.

Ohanas breakfast was good. The characters are great. Love your girls Lilo dresses! Isn't the Mac and cheese at WGP so good? My DD had the kids meal version when we ate at the TS there. That was the best meal of our trip. Their servers are the best.

Can't wait to read more of your TR.

'Ohana breakfast was SO good! Loved the food and the characters!

Wolfgang Puck, BEST Mac & Cheese EVER!!!

Ohana Breakfast is our favorite too. Amazing how a character meal served family style is a parent's dream come true. I wish they had more like that. Ohana breakfast is a must do for every trip in our family.

You're SO right! Disney definitely needs to make more character meals that are served family style. It was definitely a dream come true after doing so many buffets with the kids.

Thank you!!! I love your taste in customs. and it's really cool to see some of my friends designs on real little girls! That be our guest dress is my favorite ever!! Can't wait to read on!

Aww, thank you! I love your taste in customs too! I was looking at your page again and I just LOVE that Sesame Street set! Bronwyn loves "Melmo" We have season passes to Sesame Place (not near as good as WDW, haha but it's what's close to us so it will have to do!)... I may have to see if I can persuade you to make us one of those skirts.

How was your "No Kids" trip?

 

[TruLovesKiss]

When I left off we were on a bus heading back to the Polynesian after some fun at Downtown Disney….

I stayed in our hotel room while Bronwyn and (surprisingly!) Isla napped. Donovan, Jorie and Joe changed into their swimsuits and headed to the Nanea Volcano pool.

Not my video but Click Here to see the pool…

When they came back, Donovan & Jorie told me that I HAD to try the slide because it was “fast ...& dark ...& SO Awesome!!!” And they told me again.... and again.... and just in case I forgot, they told me again. I think that they enjoyed the slide!

Maybe we would have time to all go back to the pool after dinner, but for now there was something special that the Polynesian Resort offers, that I thought would be fun to check out…

We all got dressed in our “tropical” best, and headed to the Great Ceremonial House.


We arrived right at 6PM… just in time for the Torch Lighting Ceremony.



One of the fire dancers from the Spirit of Aloha dinner show signaled the start of the ceremony by blowing into a Conch shell.



Then we were all invited right outside the front doors to watch the torch lighting.



























The performance lasted about 5-6 minutes. As you can see from the pics, the fire dancer goes down the aisle lighting all of the torches along the way and then he put on a little show which was really impressive! If you’re staying at the Polynesian or have dinner reservations around this time, it’s definitely something worth checking out. And I would guess that not many people know about it since there were only about a dozen or so of us there watching.

After the ceremony concluded, we headed back inside the lobby and decided to take some pics in front of the beautiful waterfall before heading upstairs for our dinner ADR.












Photo from Disney Tourist Blog

How did I forget to take my own "fisheye" pic of the lobby?

continued in next post

 

[TruLovesKiss]

Our 6:30 dinner reservation was for ‘OHANA….because we hadn’t eaten enough food already.


Yup, 'Ohana twice in the same day! Would this turn out to be a good idea or not? Were we ready for an All-you-can-eat family-style Polynesian Feast?

While we were waiting for our buzzer to go off, Joe had asked me if I wanted him to get me a Lapu Lapu from the Tambu Lounge. Now I had been talking about this drink for months!

Just to give you an idea of what it looks like…

Myers's Original Dark rum and tropical fruit juices served in a fresh pineapple topped with Bacardi 151 rum. Yum!

But as we were standing there, I was really starting to not feel well at all. So sadly, I declined his offer. Bummer!

Our buzzer went off in no time and our “cousin” sat us alongside the massive fire pit where the meats were being grilled.





Our server asked if we needed any alternative selections for our children, but since my kids tend to eat anything and everything, we told them that the set menu would be fine.

This menu includes:

STARTERS
'Ohana Welcome Bread
Mixed Greens Salad with a Honey Lime Dressing

APPETIZERS
Pork Dumplings with Sweet n Sour Sauce
Honey Coriander Chicken Wings

SKEWERS (Prepared over an oak fire)
-served with Peanut, Ohana Mustard and Sweet n Sour Sauces

Grilled chicken skewer
Char-Sui Pork Loin
Spicy Grilled Peel n Eat Shrimp
Marinated Sirloin Steak

ACCOMPANIMENTS
Noodles tossed in a Teiyaki Sauce with Fresh vegetables
Stir-fried vegetables

DESSERT
'Ohana Bread Pudding a la mode with Bananas Caramel Sauce








There was more playing than eating going on here.



Despite being not picky at all, my kids barely touched anything. And honestly, neither did Joe or I. I tried a little of everything but could barely finish what was on my plate, let alone the mound of food that was left in the center of the table. I felt really bad about how much food was wasted that night. The servers came around offering us more of the meats but none of us took them up on the offer. We all felt that the meat was very dry and overcooked.

The lady that we had seen at the torch lighting ceremony was our “entertainment” during dinner…. And well she was far from entertaining IMHO. Maybe we were seated right near a speaker, but the ukulele music and her voice seemed to be so loud and OMG, that voice…. it sounded so fake. It just didn’t stop and it was impossible to tune it out and enjoy our dinner (and with 4 kids, I’m pretty darn good at tuning things out!)

Since I remember this being at the top of almost every “Best restaurants in Disney” list, I had really been looking forward to this meal. However, I left feeling pretty disappointed. Now it could have been that I wasn’t feeling very well before our dinner had started, but Joe left feeling the same way and he felt just fine, or maybe we just ate too much during the day and weren’t really all that hungry…. Or maybe it was just an “off” night for ‘Ohana.

Since we had just been there that morning for breakfast, we were already a bit used to the atmosphere, so the restaurant didn’t “WOW” us like it would someone who was just walking into the resort for the first time. So basing our experience on the food (that everyone seems to rave about)… well we all felt it was just “eh” I did enjoy the bread pudding but there is rarely a dessert that I don’t enjoy! Would we give it another try? Maybe someday... but I would make sure that I go into dinner VERY hungry.


Let’s blow this popsicle stand, Mom!

Since Donovan and Jorie had been talking about the “Volcano” slide ever since they came back from the pool that afternoon, we told them that if we were quick enough we could make it over to the pool before the slide closed at 8PM. So we headed back to our room, changed into our swimsuits and made it over to the pool just in time for everyone to take one turn down the slide. And boy was it fun! And then we enjoyed some night swimming. The pool was practicaly empty and it was so relaxing!







It would have been fun to watch the Electrical Water Pageant and Wishes from the pool, but we were all pretty tired, so we decided to call it a night. We headed back to our room, everyone showered and I'm pretty sure everyone fell right to sleep.

Day #7 – And that’s a wrap!

NEXT

 

[kstgelais4]

Aww, thank you! I love your taste in customs too! I was looking at your page again and I just LOVE that Sesame Street set! Bronwyn loves "Melmo" We have season passes to Sesame Place (not near as good as WDW, haha but it's what's close to us so it will have to do!)... I may have to see if I can persuade you to make us one of those skirts.

How was your "No Kids" trip?

That Elmo set was born of things that I needed to get out of my stash I love it too though!
We had seasons tickets to Sesame place for a few years. My cousin who also happens to be my BFF used to live 10 minutes away. I would go down there just me and the kids while DH was working and the two of us would take the kids all throughout the summer! I actually really like Sesame Place
Our trip was fantastic!! I am not ready for reality yet. I have barely been home for 36 hours and have no desire to do anything I should be. LOL
I didn't know about the torch lighting! I wish we would have checked it out this last week!

 

[I_Luv_Stitch]

When I'm in WDW in July I really hope to see the lighting ceremony that the Poly put on (even though I'm not staying there!) it's those little things that we all remember!
Your family photos are so sweet, and I love the ones of your four children sitting in front of the fountain!
What a shame your second 'O'hanas meal wasn't so good, I always think 'O'hanas can be a little hit and miss!
I bet Donovan and Jorie were so excited to be able to go on the slide again!
Can't believe you're about to start your last day

 

[TruLovesKiss]

That Elmo set was born of things that I needed to get out of my stash I love it too though!
We had seasons tickets to Sesame place for a few years. My cousin who also happens to be my BFF used to live 10 minutes away. I would go down there just me and the kids while DH was working and the two of us would take the kids all throughout the summer! I actually really like Sesame Place
Our trip was fantastic!! I am not ready for reality yet. I have barely been home for 36 hours and have no desire to do anything I should be. LOL
I didn't know about the torch lighting! I wish we would have checked it out this last week!

Oh wow, small world! We really like Sesame Place too! I remember going as a kid and I couldn't wait for the chance to take my own kids there. It's about an hour from us, so we try to get there as often as we can during the Summer. We just LOVE the water slides! And we always have a great time there during Halloween & Christmas too. Such a fun place!

Glad you and hubby had a great trip! You'll have to try the torch lighting ceremony next time!

When I'm in WDW in July I really hope to see the lighting ceremony that the Poly put on (even though I'm not staying there!) it's those little things that we all remember!
Your family photos are so sweet, and I love the ones of your four children sitting in front of the fountain!
What a shame your second 'O'hanas meal wasn't so good, I always think 'O'hanas can be a little hit and miss!
I bet Donovan and Jorie were so excited to be able to go on the slide again!
Can't believe you're about to start your last day

Yes, you should definitely try to catch the torch lighting ceremony in July. The fire-dancer that we saw was really talented.

Thanks! The Poly lobby area is the perfect backdrop for photos!

Sadly our 'Ohana dinner was a "miss" but I think it was just one of those "off" nights, since so many people love having dinner there.

Oh whoops, I should have phrased that better. It's not our last day.... just our last time in AK. Well actually, I guess it is our last FULL day in Disney.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Nope, had no idea about the torch lighting. None at all. Pretty neat though. And I'm all for people not knowing if it keeps the crowd low.

I have seen photos of that drink but never seen it in person or obviously had one. But it is my absolute goal to drink something made IN a fruit.

Haha, looks like Isla's nap did wonders. Noting but smiles in these photos.

Sorry your Ohana experience wasn't stellar. Honestly I head so many widely different views of all the Disney restaurants that it makes me glad I just don't do them. I know for sure some experiences are exceptional, but for the prices and time they can take, I'd just prefer to have my chicken nugs and move on, lol.

 

[katt789]

Looks like the lighting ceremony was a pretty fun time! I do kinda want to check it out, maybe if we make it back to Ohana for dinner again lol!

I seem like we had a similar experience at Ohana, it had been a long day, and I feel like we were seated near to each other as well, it was also awkward because there were 3 of us at table for 6 or more…awkward…the food was great, but not as spectacular as I had hoped it would be and thought it would be due to all the reviews. I do want to check it out again though, when I'm more hungry

 

[khertz]

The torch lighting looks really cool! I didn't know they did anything like that there either. Seems like it had the kids' attention! The family pictures in front of the waterfall are just perfect!

Sorry the dinner at 'Ohana wasn't all you had hoped it would be. I've never had dinner there, but it definitely seems like a LOT of food and that you need to go in hungry to appreciate it. I hope if you ever do give it another try, it is better!

Are the girls wearing Disney princess cover-ups at the pool?!?!?!? Okay STOP IT, that is just too cute!!!

 

[ememtingle]

i'm joining in! your kids are so cute! and i love your toy story toms! i can't wait to read about the rest of your trip.

 

[HerMajesty]

I've really enjoyed reading your trip report! It is obvious that you did your research and organized the perfect trip for your family. Your children's outfits are amazing! When you return for your next trip to you plan on reusing them or will you plan new costumes? If you don't reuse them you will have to share your resell site

what are your biggest "must do's" for your return trip? My family went last January and I feel there were SO many things we didn't get to, I can't wait to return.

thanks for sharing and letting us come along for the ride on your family's trip!

 

[ragel1023]

I have loved reading your trip report and seeing all of you kids' adorable outfits. One of my favorite things about going to Disney is designing and making my children's outfits. Did you have them all made or do you make some of them? The swim cover-ups are so cute! Also, I love all the hair accessories. Did you make those or do you recommend someone for cute headbands and accessories?

 

[familyabgar]

Oh my goodness. I've never seen princess cover-ups like that. I may have to add that to my to-do list!

I don't think we'd care for Ohana either but we just aren't big meat eaters in general. It's such a bummer to have a let-down experience like that, though. Boo!