First trip....Feb 2012....Polynesian....Yay!

[tinacaplan]

Just wanted to stop and say hello as I noticed you're staying at the Poly in February with a young child. As it turns out, so are we! It will be first stay at the Poly. I've also been to Disney four times since February of 2010 and feel like I've picked up a ton of information since then.

1. 1. Two words: ROPE DROP. If your son is an early riser, getting to parks for rope drop is an excellent idea. We were able to ride everything in Fantasyland before 11 a.m..
2. 2. One way of accomplishing this is to book 8 a.m. breakfasts at Crystal Palace and/or Tusker House. You're actually in AKL and the MK ahead of the rope drop folks, so you can do even more early in the morning.
3. 3. You might consider getting Ride Max. Its a program that maps out the order of attractions you should see. I don't use it anymore, but it was super helpful my first two trips. You enter your info, such as your arrival time and even your walking speed, and it formulates a personalized touring plan from there.
4. You might want to consider taking an afternoon break. We've always done a mid-afternoon break back our resort and I think we have better days overall becuause of it.
5. 5. I would get Parkhoppers.
6. 7. Your DS might enjoy DHS more than you think. Playhouse Disney is a lot fun and TSM cannot be beat. Star Tours woul;d be cool,. as well.

I truly don't want to sound super bossy or like a know-it-all. These are just the experiences I've had. I have no doubt you're going to have a wonderful trip.

 

[solana131]

I love the luggage !! Very nice.

The shirts are cute .. I love to match when we go to the parks !

Thanks. I love it too! I wish I could talk DH into matching everyday, but there's no way he would go for that. I found these really cute hawaiin looking shirts with mickey/minnie/goofy on them. They would've looked so cute on arrival day to the Poly, but no go *sigh*

Totally love the luggage! Looks great!!!

Thanks Liddy....can't wait to test it out

That luggage is awesome!!!! You'll never lose it, that's for sure!

And all the Disney stuff is too cute - I love that you all have coordinating Mickey shirts.

D~

Thanks D~ and I agree....coordinating is a better word than matching. Yay! 36 days to go!

Just found your PTR, sorry I'm late! I'm going to be there at the same time! Feb 3-12 at CBR. This will be our very first trip to WDW so I can't offer any advice, but I am enjoying reading all of your plans! I was sad about the electrical parade and Thunder Mountain as well. The first day of the parade after refurb is the 11th.

WELCOME! Glad to have you along. Its not my first time, but it is my first time as an adult and first time staying on property, so it will feel like a first time. It was 20 years ago when I last went, so I know alot has changed. I'm bummed about all the closures, but I know this is just the beginning of many family trips, so I will just enjoy what is open and what we can fit in our time frame and plan on seeing the rest next time. Wish we could meet up and have a DISmeet, but I just know I will be too busy and crazed to plan something like that

Your luggage is awesome! I've been trying to find new luggage for the girls and I for the trip but all I can find are boring black or ridiculously bright colors. Where did you find those?

I got it from eBags.com but I had coupons and coupons and coupons. I just love that site. I always check it first when I need a new bag of any sort. They have lots of travel accessories too. It is Diane Von ??? something. I guess it is a fancy designer, not that I cared, I just liked the color

Just wanted to stop and say hello as I noticed you're staying at the Poly in February with a young child. As it turns out, so are we! It will be first stay at the Poly. I've also been to Disney four times since February of 2010 and feel like I've picked up a ton of information since then.

1. Two words: ROPE DROP. If your son is an early riser, getting to parks for rope drop is an excellent idea. We were able to ride everything in Fantasyland before 11 a.m..
2. One way of accomplishing this is to book 8 a.m. breakfasts at Crystal Palace and/or Tusker House. You're actually in AKL and the MK ahead of the rope drop folks, so you can do even more early in the morning.
3. You might consider getting Ride Max. Its a program that maps out the order of attractions you should see. I don't use it anymore, but it was super helpful my first two trips. You enter your info, such as your arrival time and even your walking speed, and it formulates a personalized touring plan from there.
4. You might want to consider taking an afternoon break. We've always done a mid-afternoon break back our resort and I think we have better days overall becuause of it.
5. I would get Parkhoppers.
7. Your DS might enjoy DHS more than you think. Playhouse Disney is a lot fun and TSM cannot be beat. Star Tours woul;d be cool,. as well.

I truly don't want to sound super bossy or like a know-it-all. These are just the experiences I've had. I have no doubt you're going to have a wonderful trip.

WELCOME Too bad we won't be there at the same time! I am super excited to be able to stay there. I know it won't happen again any time soon, so I am taking full advantage of it now

1 - I am hoping to make rope drop as many times as I can. I think we are all early risers, and I purposely didn't make many morning ADRs so we wouldn't be tied down for breakfasts.

2 - We don't have the dining plan and are spending way more than we should for the Poly, so I tried to keep the ADRs on the cheap side. I don't know for sure how DS will like the characters, so I didn't want to start things off with a character meal. We have one planned mid trip at GG, but I don't think Crystal Palace or Tusker House will work this time.....next trip though. I want to try Tusker badly

3 - Ride Max sounds cool, will def check it out. I planned out a little with Touring Plans, but I really don't think the crowds will be that bad and I don't want to have to follow a "plan". Would rather we miss a few things and have a relaxed trip than try to follow directions all vacation. I know DH would not like that at all! But I will check them out because at least they can give me an idea of where to be when.

4 - Definitely a plus to stay at the Poly. Afternoon breaks on MK and EPCOT days are already in the plans.

5 - Already got parkhoppers. I think it is a must for us since we don't know which parks DS will like best. If we get to HS and he hates it, we can hop over to MK again or something. My parents will be there for 3 or 4 days and we have 5 day PHs, so we will have a couple days to ourselves to go back to anything we really liked or missed the first time around.

6 - wait a minute.....what happened to number 6???

7 - My plan is on our EP day, after GG ADR my parents will take DS back to the resort and DH and I will explore world showcase and hop down to HS to check it out first. I do not want to have to sprint to TSM to get FPs and I don't want to wait for an hour, so if they happen to be out of FPs by the time we get there, we will just skip it this time. DS hates the Toy Story movies (I know, he is not normal) so I don't care if we get to it or not. The MK one is fine with me. And I don't think we will take the time to see the Disney Jr show, but am hoping we see some characters walking around. The only shows he really likes are Chuggington (which I have seen nothing about in Disney) and Jake. Hoping to spot Jake around somewhere. Wish they would do something with Chuggington. It is really popular with the little ones. Couldn't they paint the monorail to look like the Chuggers or something?

You are not sounding bossy at all! This is why I am here at the DIS. I want people's advice! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

 

[Lidian]

3 - Ride Max sounds cool, will def check it out. I planned out a little with Touring Plans, but I really don't think the crowds will be that bad and I don't want to have to follow a "plan". Would rather we miss a few things and have a relaxed trip than try to follow directions all vacation. I know DH would not like that at all! But I will check them out because at least they can give me an idea of where to be when.

I've never used RideMax (but have heard good things about it) ... but I use TouringPlans. With a subscription and a smart phone, you can use their Lines app. It has optimized (customized) touring plans. You can pick it up and leave it and go back to it at any point. Just hit the optimize button and it refreshes itself. It will be good if you're hopping a lot, too. Just load in the plan for that park. You can customize, or use one of theirs (and skip attractions you aren't interested in). Just keep things like hopping and no set schedules in mind when you're looking for guidance with touring plans.

I recommend Lines because it shows actual and/or estimated wait times (actual if someone has recently updated the wait). Plus, it does have built in touring plans, or you can make your own. And you aren't confined to sticking with it. I used Lines in May and I will definitely use it every trip forever. I stand behind it that much.

6 - wait a minute.....what happened to number 6???

Perhaps the Alot ate it. (Sorry, that's an inside joke that very few will probably get.)

7 - My plan is on our EP day, after GG ADR my parents will take DS back to the resort and DH and I will explore world showcase and hop down to HS to check it out first. I do not want to have to sprint to TSM to get FPs and I don't want to wait for an hour, so if they happen to be out of FPs by the time we get there, we will just skip it this time. DS hates the Toy Story movies (I know, he is not normal) so I don't care if we get to it or not. The MK one is fine with me. And I don't think we will take the time to see the Disney Jr show, but am hoping we see some characters walking around. The only shows he really likes are Chuggington (which I have seen nothing about in Disney) and Jake. Hoping to spot Jake around somewhere. Wish they would do something with Chuggington. It is really popular with the little ones. Couldn't they paint the monorail to look like the Chuggers or something?

Jake can be found at Hollywood & Vine (breakfast and lunch), as well as a character meet near Disney Junior Live. You can also watch Jake at Disney Junior Live, as he does make an appearance there. Plus, you can collect "dubloons". My DS5 is going to collect them all for his Dendoggy. I do recommend the Disney Junior Live show. They do a great job at getting the kids into the show, dancing and singing along.

 

[solana131]

I've never used RideMax (but have heard good things about it) ... but I use TouringPlans. With a subscription and a smart phone, you can use their Lines app. It has optimized (customized) touring plans. You can pick it up and leave it and go back to it at any point. Just hit the optimize button and it refreshes itself. It will be good if you're hopping a lot, too. Just load in the plan for that park. You can customize, or use one of theirs (and skip attractions you aren't interested in). Just keep things like hopping and no set schedules in mind when you're looking for guidance with touring plans.

I love touringplans and have used them for lots of things, but I don't have a smartphone nor does anyone in my traveling party...so can't use them while in the parks. My phone does have the mobile web, so I can still see the lines app. I plan on using it a little, but the mobile version is much slower and confusing to use vs the http version.

Jake can be found at Hollywood & Vine (breakfast and lunch), as well as a character meet near Disney Junior Live. You can also watch Jake at Disney Junior Live, as he does make an appearance there. Plus, you can collect "dubloons". My DS5 is going to collect them all for his Dendoggy. I do recommend the Disney Junior Live show. They do a great job at getting the kids into the show, dancing and singing along.

Don't want to do too many character meals, so will pass on Hollywood and Vine. And don't want to waste time with Disney Jr show since we have one every year at home. But this is the first I have heard about collecting dubloons. Where do you do that? Bradey would love it!

 

[Lidian]

But this is the first I have heard about collecting dubloons. Where do you do that? Bradey would love it!

It's part of the Disney Junior Live show ... at the end, it "rains" down "dubloons". It's just paper, like confetti. I was more, or less, saying it to be silly. But DS is serious about collecting the dubloons for Dendoggy.

 

[solana131]

It's part of the Disney Junior Live show ... at the end, it "rains" down "dubloons". It's just paper, like confetti. I was more, or less, saying it to be silly. But DS is serious about collecting the dubloons for Dendoggy.

Oh ok, see I don't know anything about what I'm getting myself into. I think the World is just so different now than when I last went and my perspective of course has changed from kid to adult. Its gonna be interesting, thats for sure

 

[KatMark]

Okay...I'm a little late for the party, but I'm here now and will go back and read and catch up.

 

[solana131]

Welcome aboard Kathy! Loved your TR. You and Mark are so fun

Oops...not sure how I missed that you had started your PTR. I knew you were going back with the girls, just didn't know about the PTR. Well, let me remedie that now See you over there soon!

 

[solana131]

Couple of questions: anyone with boys ever been to see the fairies? I really want to see them, but not sure if my 5 yo little guy will think its too girlie.

And about Photopass: I want to order teh CD. I have heard that if you pre-order it you get a discount. Well, where do I get the discount code? It looks to be the same price as advertised when I try to order it. I can't believe it is only 35 days til we go and I haven't received anything in the mail or email about photopass. Well, I haven't received anything at all from them, but I figure it will be a while before we get our ME vouchers and we didn't do a package deal, so I have nothing else coming, right?

Oh, and I forgot...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

This is the first time in 10 years my hubby has the night off. I can't think of a thing to do. We are not partiers, and don't want to just leave DS with someone. So we will probably just head out to an early dinner then stay up at home to watch the ball drop. It has been rainy and icy here all night last night and all day so far, so I bet the roads will be slippery. Unfortunately, we live out in the middle of nowhere, so if we go out to eat we have to drive an hour! But hubby drives at night every night, so he can handle it Have a safe and happy new year's eve everyone!

 

[tinacaplan]

Couple of questions: anyone with boys ever been to see the fairies? I really want to see them, but not sure if my 5 yo little guy will think its too girlie.

Max met Tink on our very last (she was alone) and he enjoyed it. He asked her about Peter Pan, who he is a huge fan of. That said, I'm not sure we'd wait in line for it.

As for Photopass, I remember it being super confusing and someone (unfortunately don't remember who) gave me directions for the discount code.

 

[FosterA]

Happy New Years to you!
Funny that you are a bit icy, it's 78 degrees here right now and feels like a spring day

p,s. love the luggage

 

[DMGeurts]

Here's the link for the Photopass CD pre order... http://www.disneyphotopass.com/previsitoffer.aspx

And, very important... EVERYTHING you'll ever need to know about PHotopass, and how to use the emails you are sent (don't delete them, they are very important) with the codes are here:
http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disneysphotopass/

D~

 

[solana131]

Thanks D~ will check them out in the morning. Have to try to keep hubby awake. He worked last night and only took a nap today. He is snoozing on the couch right now. Time to shut the computer down and have some New Years fun! Think he will be mad if I just keep poking him every 5 minutes until midnight?

 

[Lidian]

Couple of questions: anyone with boys ever been to see the fairies? I really want to see them, but not sure if my 5 yo little guy will think its too girlie.

And about Photopass: I want to order teh CD. I have heard that if you pre-order it you get a discount. Well, where do I get the discount code? It looks to be the same price as advertised when I try to order it. I can't believe it is only 35 days til we go and I haven't received anything in the mail or email about photopass. Well, I haven't received anything at all from them, but I figure it will be a while before we get our ME vouchers and we didn't do a package deal, so I have nothing else coming, right?

Oh, and I forgot...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

This is the first time in 10 years my hubby has the night off. I can't think of a thing to do. We are not partiers, and don't want to just leave DS with someone. So we will probably just head out to an early dinner then stay up at home to watch the ball drop. It has been rainy and icy here all night last night and all day so far, so I bet the roads will be slippery. Unfortunately, we live out in the middle of nowhere, so if we go out to eat we have to drive an hour! But hubby drives at night every night, so he can handle it Have a safe and happy new year's eve everyone!

When my DS was 3, we met the fairies... I was worried he wouldn't be into them. OMG he loved the attention they gave him! See, they don't get a large supply of little boys ... so the fairies are amazing when they see a boy! (Same with princesses.)

Last year, we couldn't figure out where the fairies were, so we missed out on them ... In May, DS5 got very angry that we skipped the fairies (it was a busy day and I just plum forgot). The fairies are a must do for my DS5!!!

He loved flirting with the girls ... and admitted he's in love with Tink. I vote making a trip to see them!

I see D hooked you up with PP info ... so I won't restate it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Be safe if you went out!

 

[solana131]

So glad to hear that Liddy because I am very much looking forward to the fairies

 

[solana131]

Here's the link for the Photopass CD pre order... http://www.disneyphotopass.com/previsitoffer.aspx

And, very important... EVERYTHING you'll ever need to know about PHotopass, and how to use the emails you are sent (don't delete them, they are very important) with the codes are here:
http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disneysphotopass/

D~

Thanks again D~. One more thing I can check off my list....just order the CD

 

[Lidian]

So glad to hear that Liddy because I am very much looking forward to the fairies

Looking forward to the stories and pictures!

 

[DMGeurts]

Liddy - that picture of your DS with the fairies is just priceless!!! Whatta heartbreaker!

D~

 

[Lidian]

Liddy - that picture of your DS with the fairies is just priceless!!! Whatta heartbreaker!

D~

Thank you! I think it's why he loves the fairies so much. He still talks about his "first kiss".

 

[KatMark]

Suzi, I am back and ALL caught up.

You will love the Poly. As much as I am not a "monorail" fan, I think with your husband and his not liking the heat, etc., that you made a great choice.

We used to stay at the Poly and love everything about it (except not having a hot tub). The rooms are spacious; we've done four adults and had plenty of room.

Your daily plans sound great.

I'm here now and will stay caught up.