Really quickly before I start the next update, I just want to thank you all for being such wonderful readers. You guys rock!
Okay. So I've forced you all to sit through an epic-ly long description of myself, and I've introduced you to my family. I think it's time to get onto the good stuff - actual trip details!
As you all know, one of the most important decisions one must make when planning their Disney vacation is where to stay. It can be quite a challenge. There are so many amazing resorts that each have something unique to offer.
But for my family, there is one place that we love a little bit more than all the rest.
And that place is....drumroll please...
The Polynesian!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I should warn you all, there aren't going to be many pictures in this update. Unfortunately, all of our pictures from our 5 previous stays at the Polynesian were lost in the Great Computer Crash of August 2008. All we have left are the pictures we have framed and hung up in the living room on our "Disney Wall". But if you REALLY want to see pictures from the Polynesian go over to the Pictures Thread on the Resorts Board. There are a lot of awesome pictures there. Including one of a wild turkey on the Polynesian grounds. I know, I was just as shocked as I'm sure you all are. I never knew that turkeys liked to hang out at the Poly. I guess the tropical atmosphere is appealing to everyone...man or fowl.
So here is the one picture that managed to survive in digital form. Only because I uploaded it to Facebook to be my profile picture. Ready? Here goes.
Those are my feet in a hammock at the Poly while waiting for Wishes to start. You can't really tell it's the Polynesian, but trust me on this one. I'm even wearing my Mickey Mouse anklet that you can really see, but it has little silver Mickey heads dangling from it. And you can also see my flip flop tan lines which are a sure indicator that I'm in Florida.
So just trust me, it's the Polynesian.
Anyway, I had mentioned earlier that all of our pics got lost in 2008, but we haven't actually stayed at the Polynesian since July 2007. The past couple summers we've stayed at the Wilderness Lodge because the Poly was getting quite pricey. But now, thanks to Disney's huge summer discounts, I get to return to one of my favorite places on earth.
So why is it that I love the Polynesian? Well, there are a lot of reasons.
1. The smell of the lobby. Seriously, folks. If you've never been to the Polynesian, go right now and stand in the lobby for a few minutes just inhaling. The smell is glorious. There is nothing better than when the sliding doors open up and you step in and are assaulted with that smell.
2. Palm Trees. This Midwestern girl needs to spend her fair share of time sitting under a palm tree. It's just absolutely necessary.
3. Proximity to 'Ohana. Even when not eating there, the smell is heavenly.
4. The Polynesian music they play all around the hotel. For those of you that have stayed there, you've probably heard this, but there's a song that's a drum chant type of thing. It sounds like the guys chanting are saying "Hee A Ha Ha". That song is my favorite thing in the world.
5. "To our new passengers, Aloha and welcome aboard!" Yep, that's right. The Polynesian gets a personal shout out from the monorail voice guy. And I love it. It makes me feel superior to all of the other people who are already on the monorail. "Oh, the Contemporary didn't get a personal shout out? Well, we did SUCKERS!"
6. The view. Now this one is fairly obvious because who wouldn't want to be able to look across the lagoon at Cinderella Castle while tanning? It's the best view ever.
7. The font on all of the signs. You all know the one I'm talking about. Seeing signs printed with that font makes me unbelievably excited.
8. Tiki Torches. Tiki Torches = Party. And I like parties.
9. The homemade chips at Captain Cooks. OH.MY.GOD. These are heavenly. Go try them, people. Go! Go!
10. It's the first Disney hotel I ever stayed at. So I like to think of it as the birthplace of my obsession. We first stayed there in 2003 (all of our previous trips had been day trips) and it was during that trip that I honestly, truly fell in love with the place. That was when I started to try and convince my friends that Disney is the greatest place ever and we all need to go there RIGHT NOW. (It hasn't worked though. My friends remain unconvinced) It was then that I decided I've gotta find a man who won't mind coming to WDW every year. And that I'm going to raise my kids on Disney movies/music and bring them to meet Mickey Mouse as soon as they're born. It was then that I realized just how much I NEEDED Disney in my life. So it's really special to me.
So that's why I love the Polynesian, in a nutshell. A nutshell the size of Rhode Island, but that's the only kind of nutshell I can fit my ramblings into.
Once again, I apologize for the lack of pictures and I love you all for reading this!
You remind me a lot of myself, the love of Disney and talking a lot 
I can't wait to read more.
but its always fun to try something new...maybe in April.
Dear Disney Vacation Club: please build vacation homes at the Poly!!
It is a negative that we won't be able to stay at the Poly because of DVC, but we will be eating there! I love Ohana. I enjoyed your list, but you didn't mention Tonga Toast or Dole Whips!
(He doesn't always find that joke funny, though... 
)
) more already planned.
