Departure day ideas - staying at the Poly.

[JJ&JSMOM]

Our flight doesn't leave until 5 pm on our day of departure so ME will pick us up around 2pm. Check out is at 11:00 - not sure what to do for 3 hours. I was thinking of going to MK but then I thought we should hang around the Poly maybe have a nice lunch at Kona Cafe. Or maybe ask for a late check out does the Poly do that? What to others do? Thanks for any advice.

 

[MomWith2Cinderellas]

Typically on our last day we go for a character breakfast....We ate at Cape May last time for breakfast and we had great food and wonderful interaction with the characters...
We than either rent a boat to take out on the lagoom between MGM and EPCOT or go to EPCOT or MK...
Than we board the bus to head to the airport for a very long sad ride home!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Typically on our last day we go for a character breakfast....We ate at Cape May last time for breakfast and we had great food and wonderful interaction with the characters...
We than either rent a boat to take out on the lagoom between MGM and EPCOT or go to EPCOT or MK...
Than we board the bus to head to the airport for a very long sad ride home!

Thats a good idea. Poly has a character breakfast as well - we could do that. My DH just mentioned going to check out the WL - where we were going to be staying in May but had to cancel. Yeah departure days are pretty sad - but what a good idea to keep it fun.

 

[NYDisneyGal]

Our last day of our June trip was similar - didn't need to leave for the airport until 3 pm. While we could have gone to the parks (we have an AP) it was quite hot and I really didn't feel like traveling after getting tired and sweaty at a park (we had done 6 Disney days). It's a tough day, because all you can think about is going home, and I am usually on the verge of tears all day!

Anyway.....we decided to go to sleep in, pack up the car, and go to IHOP for a nice breakfast. We then went to DD to see Ratatouille at the AMC theatre. It was a nice relaxing way to wind down and sort of transition from Disney life to "real" life. The movie was fun and took my mind off of leaving for a while. I felt somewhat rested and ready to tackle the transportation home to Syracuse, which took until midnight with a stop and some storm delays in Atlanta.

This worked quite well for us!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

It wasnt our departure day, but we bought lunch at captain cooks and then rented a pontoon boat for an hour and ate a nice lunch on the boat while cruising Bay Lake etc. You could take a monorail tour of the contemporary and grand floridian etc. Rent a surry bike etc. I always like to stick close to the resort on departure day so I wont run into any problems with the pick up for the ride home etc.

 

[kelscross]

We usually hop over to MK as our flight doesn't leave until 8pm. OR one year we went to MK and came back and went swimming. Bell services let us access our luggage to get our suits.

This year we have the family magic tour scheduled in the morning. Something we haven't done before.

Have fun!

 

[skipperkim]

If you've never been to WL, go. We love WCC. They also have tours.

"Wonders of the Lodge" tour is offered at 9 am on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. This tour is about the architecture and how the Lodge was built, takes you outside, talks about landscaping, and then goes back inside and talks about the artwork like the metal work and the Totem Poles and the paintings.

I don't know if you have to call in advance or not. Also, you could ride up front on the monorail. It's so cool.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Thanks for all the ideas. I think we'll stay close to the Poly - I thought about DTD but I don't dare go that far away. Probably go check out WL or GF. Thought about a lunch at GFC but DH thinks c/s would probably be better just to stay flexible in case the kids decide they want one more ride on Splash Mt. But then if we can get a late check out we might just swim a little later & then have lunch at Capt. Cook's. I guess we'll just wait & see what happens. Thanks again.

 

[momtobrynncess]

We like to resort hop and check out other resorts that we may want to stay at in the future!

 

[kaysmommie]

Last year when we stayed at the Poly we just checked our luggage with bell services until it was time to leave . We had a late breakfast at 'Ohana with the characters and then hopped over to MK for a couple hours just to see or ride our favorite attractions once more. There are alot of good suggestions posted. Have fun at the Poly , we check in a couple days after you.

 

[SeaSpray]

You can definitely request a late check-out, which is generally 1pm. I've been told on all of my trips that we need to request this on the morning of our check-out day, but others have been told that they can request late check-out in advance. Ask when you check in, and see what they advise you to do

I think you'll be safe going to the MK on that last day if you and your kids want to go one last time since you have quick boat and monorail transportation back to the resort. Just keep an eye on the time.

We have a late flight on our last day too, also staying at the Polynesian, and we'll probably just have a late lunch at the Kona Cafe and swim at the resort and just enjoy being there, until it's time to leave. Have a wonderful time on your trip!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

We were at the Poly last summer and left all of our carryon bags at bell services (and our checked bags for ME) and left about 8:30 AM. DD#2 and I went to MK, DH took DD#1 and DS to Epcot. They did a couple of things and did the animation thing where they all drew Stitch. They met us at MK at about noon and we ate and shopped until we had to be back at the Poly at 2:30. If you want to do a park I would not wait until the 11AM checkout time to get started.
Robin M.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Thanks for all the replies. I have a feeling the kids will want to swim but I could be wrong so we'll probably request a late check out - sleep in, have room service & swim. If they decide to go to a park then we'll do - I guess we'll have to wait & see. I think by the time the last day comes around everyone will be bushed and ready to go home. Thanks again.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

You can definitely request a late check-out, which is generally 1pm. I've been told on all of my trips that we need to request this on the morning of our check-out day, but others have been told that they can request late check-out in advance. Ask when you check in, and see what they advise you to do

I think you'll be safe going to the MK on that last day if you and your kids want to go one last time since you have quick boat and monorail transportation back to the resort. Just keep an eye on the time.

We have a late flight on our last day too, also staying at the Polynesian, and we'll probably just have a late lunch at the Kona Cafe and swim at the resort and just enjoy being there, until it's time to leave. Have a wonderful time on your trip!

Thanks for the info. We'll check w/the front desk during our vacation. I think we'll probably hang around the resort too as our prior days will be so busy. Have a wonderful time on your vacation.

Also - just wanted to write I've enjoyed your pics on other threads I've read. They really get me ready to go. Thanks.

 

[MainStreetFireman]

One of the reasons we chose the Poly our first time on-site was because on our first trip (off-site and DD was 7, DS was 5), the kids wanted to visit some of their MK favorites one last time, and it was tough to get there. So, in 2004 (DD: 10, DS: 8), we booked The Poly and boy were we glad! We did it again in 2006 and it was even better as the kids became more resilient. We have a nice breakfast at Kona, then it's the final pack and leaving our bags at the bellman station. Then we hop over to MK for some final rides. It just wouldn't be a Disney trip unless we rode PPF and waved goodbye to Nana until next time, along with at least one touchstone for everyone (Small World for my DW, BTMRR for the kids, Jungle Cruise for us all).

We usually relax for lunch at Pecos Bill's and then take a restful walk on Tom Sawyer's Island. The kiss goodbye is always a stop at Aloha Isle for a final Dole Whip, although I understand that is now an option at The Poly too. Another good Poly perk!

In any case, one of the things you pay for at The Poly is the proximity to the MK. Combined with the convenience of pre-loading bags on ME or just at the bellman's station, your last day can still be chock-full of magic. Enjoy!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

One of the reasons we chose the Poly our first time on-site was because on our first trip (off-site and DD was 7, DS was 5), the kids wanted to visit some of their MK favorites one last time, and it was tough to get there. So, in 2004 (DD: 10, DS: 8), we booked The Poly and boy were we glad! We did it again in 2006 and it was even better as the kids became more resilient. We have a nice breakfast at Kona, then it's the final pack and leaving our bags at the bellman station. Then we hop over to MK for some final rides. It just wouldn't be a Disney trip unless we rode PPF and waved goodbye to Nana until next time, along with at least one touchstone for everyone (Small World for my DW, BTMRR for the kids, Jungle Cruise for us all).

We usually relax for lunch at Pecos Bill's and then take a restful walk on Tom Sawyer's Island. The kiss goodbye is always a stop at Aloha Isle for a final Dole Whip, although I understand that is now an option at The Poly too. Another good Poly perk!

In any case, one of the things you pay for at The Poly is the proximity to the MK. Combined with the convenience of pre-loading bags on ME or just at the bellman's station, your last day can still be chock-full of magic. Enjoy!

We love the proximity to the MK too. This will be our first stay at the Poly so we are so excited to be so close - kids first trip ever! We'll see how everyones doing on the last day and see what everyone wants to do. Both plans of swimming at the Poly and going to MK sound greats. Can't lose either way. Thanks!

 

[MainStreetFireman]

We love the proximity to the MK too. This will be our first stay at the Poly so we are so excited to be so close - kids first trip ever! We'll see how everyones doing on the last day and see what everyone wants to do. Both plans of swimming at the Poly and going to MK sound greats. Can't lose either way. Thanks!

BTW, one of the greatest family times for us has been watching "Wishes" as we float in the Volcano pool together in the evenings. The natural "zero-entry" slope that faces Seven Seas Lagoon and the MK make it easy for kids of all ages and sizes to watch from the warm water at a comfortable depth.

Just reading about your family's first time at the Poly males me remember ours. How special. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!