Bonnie's Trip Report - Day 4

[Bonnie40]

Cast of characters: Bonnie (me!) 42 and resident vacation planner!
DH Shane 45 – driver and happy doing anything!
DD Shayna 17 – Disney nut and wishes she was American instead of Canadian!
DS Ben 14 – wise guy who rolls with just about everything!
DS Jarrett 12 – used to be the easy one to travel with but now has very little patience with crowds and anything that doesn’t include swimming!

Day 4: March 12

After a nice complimentary breakfast we dash over to Pop Century to check in and activate our UPH’s. I knew we wouldn’t get our rooms, but I wanted to take advantage of EMH that day. As it turned out, it took longer than I expected to check in and so we didn’t get to Animal Kingdom much before the regular visitors.

Oh well, I will say now that my mantra for this trip was “Nothing is going to ruin this vacation. Nothing!” So I didn’t get my girdle in a knot about running late – just rolled with it and it worked out fine.

Now I know that many people don’t enjoy Animal Kingdom as much as the other parks, but my family just loves it. We were all so grateful to be there, the weather was great, and just strolling along the walkways is wonderful. Now here’s my biggest observation about this year’s trip…it felt like there were way too many people all the time. This is the 3rd year in a row we have traveled at the same time of year and I have never seen so many people! So when I say strolling along, I wish we were indeed strolling. It was nuts! We did stay in the park longer than we ever had before, even with the crowds and headed out around 2:30 p.m. to hit the rooms and check out the resort.

Rooms were ready and we were put in 50’s A ground floor 1106 and 1107. Great location and quite close to the main building. Went swimming in the bowling pin pool and I then sprung my surprise on the kids – I had made a PS for O’Hana’s for that night! WooHoo! I should say that when I was planning this trip I had set up a PS for 50’s Prime Time but couldn’t justify the cost of O’Hanas (more to the point, DH couldn’t justify it!) so explained to DD Shayna that O’Hana’s was out. FYI, up until this trip we had never done PS’s – just eaten on the fly, but after reading so many trip reports and reviews of restaurants, I really wanted to include one or two. Anyway, the delight on DD’s face was worth the price of admission! We cleaned up and headed over to the Polynesian. I requested a window table and we had a lovely view of the castle for Wishes. I timed it just right and we were enjoying dessert when it began. I was worried that my expectations were so high that I might be disappointed. I wasn’t! It was wonderful! The food was so tasty and I’m pleased to be able to now recommend it myself!

Left O’Hana’s after a leisurely meal and headed to Disney Quest. DD Shayna and I did some shopping and for the first time the guys and girls split up and met back at the resort which worked out great. BTW, the Pop Century bus system is awesome. Hardly had to wait the entire stay!

Let’s just say that the boys (DH included) closed the place down and I was just a little frantic until they arrived. FYI -DH is usually not the sole keeper of the children so to speak – I look to me and they look to me to be the one that gets them where they need to be, so it was a good lesson for everyone to actually realize that DH can be in charge and get them home in one piece! You know you’re in trouble when all three children make the comment, “Can you handle it Dad?” lol

(Sidenote: it’s an interesting dynamic…DH oversees a large company and yet at home, I’m the one in charge of day-to-day activities, vacation, etc.) Go figure!

Heads hit the pillows and before we know it we’re on to Day 5!

 

[alliecats]

Hi, I'm really enjoying your trip reports. They are great, keep 'em coming!!

 

[floridafam]

Wonderful report.

I'm glad you enjoyed 'Ohana.

Can't wait to read more.

 

[IloveDMB]

What a nice surprise for your daughter!

I can't wait to read the next part.

 

[lucky978]

We are going on 4/25 and wishes is at 9pm. I made the PS for 7:30. Do you think that will be a good time? We are trying to plan so as to be there (like you, eating dessert) when Wishes starts! Thanks!

 

[Bonnie40]

We were there for a total of about 2 hours. We didn't feel rushed at all so you would probably be okay with your timing...

 

[p-nut]

What a wonderful surprise for your family. Have never been to `Ohanas. Will have to try it next trip.

 

[sk!mom]

Bonnie,

OMG! I think that we may be married to the same man! My husband (also named Shane) sounds exactly like yours. When we split up on vacation, I find myself actually telling my DS when and where to meet. I recently had to leave DH in charge while I was out of town and I actually made sure that my DD7 knew her after school schedule so that SHE could make sure that her 42 year old father got her to the right places at the correct times. My DH is the CFO of his company so I know that he can manage things quite well, but I guess he just relies on me on the homefront.

Must be something about the name.

 

[Bonnie40]

sk!mom - isn't that funny?!

I've told the story to a few people since we've gotten home and it's amazing how many negative comments I get about it. I certainly don't mean to be derogatory - it's just an interesting observation that I was never really made aware of before.

Thanks for all the kind comments!

 

[cdnmickeylover]

Glad that you enjoyed O'Hana's. We went for the first time on our last trip and really want to go back. The really funny part of the evening was that it was SO's birthday and they brought him out a cupcake and sang Happy Birthday to him! He was really embarassed and was blaming me but I had nothing to do with it --the TA had made a note of his birthday when she made the PS!! We were both really surprised and found the food to be absolutely great.