2belles'mom
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2000
- Messages
- 406
The Cast:
Me, 36, Disney Addict
David, DH, 36 Disney Addict NOT
Katja, DD, 7
Annika, DD 4
Mumu, Mom of DH
Tuta, Dad of DH
PART TWO: December 27--Downtown Disney and the Polynesian Luau (Day 2)
We awoke later than intended (darn that time zone change!), and rendezvoused with Mumu and Tuta one hour later than scheduled. Our plans for today included an trip to Downtown Disney, more swimming, and then the Luau at the Polynesian Resort.
We piled into Mumu and Tutas van and made our way to Downtown Disney. Again, it was a very beautiful day--not the least bit hot, but pleasantly warm. We had no trouble at all finding a parking place at the Marketplace. I was quite surprised to find no crowds at all. I recalled last year (of course, it HAD been Christmas Eve!) that the place had been packed to the point of making it difficult to walk around. We took our time poking around, looking at the shops and other sights. David was disappointed to find that his favorite gourmet shop was closed--apparently they are in the process of converting it to a sandwich shop. He had big plans to microwave our leftovers from Mikados and call it lunch--he had wagged the stuff with us, after storing it in the mini-fridge in our room. I was more in the RainForsest Café mode, but David was not to be stopped. Perhaps it was way of proving to his parents that he really IS a FRUGAL FINN. The girls rode the carousel, and then spent some time playing at the lego playground. Lunch consisted of McDonalds for Katja and Annika, and David managed to get plastic utensils for the leftovers for the rest of us. He and his parents were not at all deterred by the fact that the stuff was cold--oh well.
We went back to the Marriott at about noon. Katja, Annika and I headed straight for the pool while David spent some time chatting and catching up with his parents. I purchased sand buckets and shovels at the towel stand, and the kids went directly to the sand area to dig, dig, dig. I relaxed in the sun with a book. After several hours, we returned to the room to get ready to go to the Polynesian for the 8:00 Luau.
We arrived, per our instructions from Disney Dining, at 7:30. We made our way to Luau Cove, where we were greeted and given leis. By now it was getting rather chilly out, and I was worried about all of us getting cold, since the Luau Cove is a covered outdoor area. I was a bit disappointed in the waiting area--I had read in several places that there was entertainment and cultural activities for the kids. Tonight, there was nothing. Just a big, fat boring wait in the chilly weather. Finally, seating began. We were assigned a great table, right in front and almost center. As we were seated, the girls started shivering. They had on shorts (what was I thinking!!??), but had sweat jackets on. I, on the other hand, had on short sleeves with no jacket. Brrrr . I decided to make a dash for the gift shop. I picked up velvet Minnie Mouse warm-up outfits for Katja and Annika (very, very cute--and I never saw them again anywhere in the World) and a Tinkerbell jacket for myself. I ran back to the Cove and arrived just in time for the first course--pineapple bread and a salad with a delicious ginger dressing. The entertainment had not yet begun. We pulled the warm-up pants over the girls shorts and added the warm-up jackets. Now the little darlings were warm. I was toasty warm in my new lavender stylin Tinkerbell coat. Mumu and Tuta, on the other hand, were not doing well. In fact, Tuta made himself a hat out of the blue napkin--he tied it around his head and wasnt the least bit embarrassed to be sporting a pointy blue napkin on his head. David volunteered to go to the car and retrieve the warmer jackets they had there. Even though it was quite a hike, they took him up on the offer!
David was still gone when the show began. Prior to the main course, the show started with a rock band being interrupted by Auntie, who declared that the audience was not here for the new-fangled music (noise), but for traditional island entertainment. The cast members were dressed in modern island clothing--shorts, t-shirts, etc. (with the exception of Auntie, of course). The storyline was that Auntie and the other younger Hawaiians were anxiously awaiting the arrival of Lannii, who was expected back from college on the Mainland (California), at any time. The general theme was the conflict between traditional Hawaiian culture and the pull of modern American culture--to the point of rejecting tradition.
Just about the time David returned, all of the children (Keiki) were invited up on stage for some Hula lessons. Our girls were so excited they were practically the first ones up there. Katja, however, had insisted on wearing her Princess shoe-skates (you know, the kind that is a shoe until you pop out the wheels, and voila! You have roller skates), and one set of wheels had popped out. I wanted change her shoes real quick, but she was so anxious to get on the stage that she hobbled up there with one set of wheels popped out. Once up there, the situation didnt seem to slow her down at all. Shortly after this, the cast members left the stage and dinner was served.
Dinner consisted of ribs and chicken and rice, served all-you-can-eat family style, along with beer, wine, and soft-drinks. The kids were offered mac & cheese/mini-hot-dog/chicken nugget meals. Of course, our kids opted for the latter. The food was fairly good, and we had seconds on the ribs. Dessert was presented as a flaming volcanoes--the servers each brought one out in a synchronized manner--and then we were individually served custard/caramel/chocolate things.
Following dinner, the real show started--the traditional entertainment, showcasing the cultural dances and traditions of the various Polynesian Islands. This part of the show was by far the best. The dancers were wonderful, the costumes fantastic. Tuta, who had not been AT ALL impressed with the first part of show (and I must admit, it was a wee bit lame, although the kids seemed to love it!), thought it was pretty good.
After the show, we made our way back to the Marriott and hit the sack. Tomorrow we had a date at Epcot--with the princesses at Castle Akershus.

Me, 36, Disney Addict
David, DH, 36 Disney Addict NOT
Katja, DD, 7
Annika, DD 4
Mumu, Mom of DH
Tuta, Dad of DH
PART TWO: December 27--Downtown Disney and the Polynesian Luau (Day 2)
We awoke later than intended (darn that time zone change!), and rendezvoused with Mumu and Tuta one hour later than scheduled. Our plans for today included an trip to Downtown Disney, more swimming, and then the Luau at the Polynesian Resort.
We piled into Mumu and Tutas van and made our way to Downtown Disney. Again, it was a very beautiful day--not the least bit hot, but pleasantly warm. We had no trouble at all finding a parking place at the Marketplace. I was quite surprised to find no crowds at all. I recalled last year (of course, it HAD been Christmas Eve!) that the place had been packed to the point of making it difficult to walk around. We took our time poking around, looking at the shops and other sights. David was disappointed to find that his favorite gourmet shop was closed--apparently they are in the process of converting it to a sandwich shop. He had big plans to microwave our leftovers from Mikados and call it lunch--he had wagged the stuff with us, after storing it in the mini-fridge in our room. I was more in the RainForsest Café mode, but David was not to be stopped. Perhaps it was way of proving to his parents that he really IS a FRUGAL FINN. The girls rode the carousel, and then spent some time playing at the lego playground. Lunch consisted of McDonalds for Katja and Annika, and David managed to get plastic utensils for the leftovers for the rest of us. He and his parents were not at all deterred by the fact that the stuff was cold--oh well.
We went back to the Marriott at about noon. Katja, Annika and I headed straight for the pool while David spent some time chatting and catching up with his parents. I purchased sand buckets and shovels at the towel stand, and the kids went directly to the sand area to dig, dig, dig. I relaxed in the sun with a book. After several hours, we returned to the room to get ready to go to the Polynesian for the 8:00 Luau.
We arrived, per our instructions from Disney Dining, at 7:30. We made our way to Luau Cove, where we were greeted and given leis. By now it was getting rather chilly out, and I was worried about all of us getting cold, since the Luau Cove is a covered outdoor area. I was a bit disappointed in the waiting area--I had read in several places that there was entertainment and cultural activities for the kids. Tonight, there was nothing. Just a big, fat boring wait in the chilly weather. Finally, seating began. We were assigned a great table, right in front and almost center. As we were seated, the girls started shivering. They had on shorts (what was I thinking!!??), but had sweat jackets on. I, on the other hand, had on short sleeves with no jacket. Brrrr . I decided to make a dash for the gift shop. I picked up velvet Minnie Mouse warm-up outfits for Katja and Annika (very, very cute--and I never saw them again anywhere in the World) and a Tinkerbell jacket for myself. I ran back to the Cove and arrived just in time for the first course--pineapple bread and a salad with a delicious ginger dressing. The entertainment had not yet begun. We pulled the warm-up pants over the girls shorts and added the warm-up jackets. Now the little darlings were warm. I was toasty warm in my new lavender stylin Tinkerbell coat. Mumu and Tuta, on the other hand, were not doing well. In fact, Tuta made himself a hat out of the blue napkin--he tied it around his head and wasnt the least bit embarrassed to be sporting a pointy blue napkin on his head. David volunteered to go to the car and retrieve the warmer jackets they had there. Even though it was quite a hike, they took him up on the offer!
David was still gone when the show began. Prior to the main course, the show started with a rock band being interrupted by Auntie, who declared that the audience was not here for the new-fangled music (noise), but for traditional island entertainment. The cast members were dressed in modern island clothing--shorts, t-shirts, etc. (with the exception of Auntie, of course). The storyline was that Auntie and the other younger Hawaiians were anxiously awaiting the arrival of Lannii, who was expected back from college on the Mainland (California), at any time. The general theme was the conflict between traditional Hawaiian culture and the pull of modern American culture--to the point of rejecting tradition.
Just about the time David returned, all of the children (Keiki) were invited up on stage for some Hula lessons. Our girls were so excited they were practically the first ones up there. Katja, however, had insisted on wearing her Princess shoe-skates (you know, the kind that is a shoe until you pop out the wheels, and voila! You have roller skates), and one set of wheels had popped out. I wanted change her shoes real quick, but she was so anxious to get on the stage that she hobbled up there with one set of wheels popped out. Once up there, the situation didnt seem to slow her down at all. Shortly after this, the cast members left the stage and dinner was served.
Dinner consisted of ribs and chicken and rice, served all-you-can-eat family style, along with beer, wine, and soft-drinks. The kids were offered mac & cheese/mini-hot-dog/chicken nugget meals. Of course, our kids opted for the latter. The food was fairly good, and we had seconds on the ribs. Dessert was presented as a flaming volcanoes--the servers each brought one out in a synchronized manner--and then we were individually served custard/caramel/chocolate things.
Following dinner, the real show started--the traditional entertainment, showcasing the cultural dances and traditions of the various Polynesian Islands. This part of the show was by far the best. The dancers were wonderful, the costumes fantastic. Tuta, who had not been AT ALL impressed with the first part of show (and I must admit, it was a wee bit lame, although the kids seemed to love it!), thought it was pretty good.
After the show, we made our way back to the Marriott and hit the sack. Tomorrow we had a date at Epcot--with the princesses at Castle Akershus.

