Grumpy Cat Goes to the Poly Tower

[Dotluvsdisney]

Hi Friends! We are proud DVC resale owners at the Poly and CCR. Just 175 pts altogether which is nice for us “locals” living in Jax.

• 3 nights at the Poly Tower resort studio
• Hoop De Doo, Epcot—>Behind the Seeds, Animal Kingdom
• Too much sugar!

Hubby is a Navy vet working as a contractor and I am an SLP. We are a blended family but, on this trip, it was just us celebrating our June birthdays. Plus my MIL for HDD and the first night. Thanks for joining! Maybe one day I’ll figure out how to hyperlink these but, in the meantime, thanks for scrolling!

 

[Dotluvsdisney]

Day 1: Buck-ee’s, HDD and Fireworks

Whenever we drive down to Orlando, we make our mandatory stop at Bucc-ee’s. It’s crazy that a gas station is a destination but, always see someone snapping a selfie there! We came for the bathrooms and the snacks. So clean! So yummy! So busy!

My husband is my Grumpy Cat.

He made it through our trip with a smile on his face! *Most of the time.* Except when people got a case of the crazies in the Buck-ee’s parking lot and when we pulled into the Poly Tower parking and he couldn’t get the gate to open.

The Tower has its own parking lot. If checking in, there is an intercom system. If you have your card, tap the Mickey head. Not the black rectangle box!

First stop: Hoop De Doo! We didn’t realize you have to take a BUS once at Ft Wilderness to get to Pioneer Hall where the food and show are held. 45 minutes from Poly Tower driving and then the bus.

Our first time! Great when you’re trying to keep multiple generations of people entertained. Hubby’s tummy likes GF food. His taste buds not so much. But he said his GF meal was better than ours! Smoked chicky instead of fried and every single thing was substituted with a GF version. A friend has celiac and, when traveling his GF dessert is often…an apple.

MIL and I finished the night watching HEA from the Tower pool. So many options for fireworks viewing there! Lots of chairs, benches, and then the 3rd and 5th floor terraces.

 

[Dotluvsdisney]

Day 2: EPCOT—>Behind the Seeds, Geo-82, Maverick City, Teacher Sorority, Soarin’ America.

Everything was wonderful! It was hot, high around 90 plus super humid so, you know. Pack your patient pants.

Forgive the food porn but, we love the food and drinks part of travel.

We had a brainy, friendly group for the Behind the Seeds tour. Highly recommend! Mr Greg was passionate, brilliant and engaging. We learned about beneficial insects, hydroponics, sustainable practices for farming and protein (tilapia, 1:1 feed to meat ratio) and got to see Mickey shaped fruit and veg. Look at that watermelon and gourd! Mr Greg also shared some personal experimentation with the buzz button plant which is used in the numbing cocktail at Oga’s Cantina. If you’re served a drink by this guy, consider yourself warned!

 

[Dotluvsdisney]

After plant love time, we rode Spaceship Earth, walked the world showcase (1st time at Rose and Crown!), 3 Caballeros, Mission Space and then Geo-82 for cocktails and a late lunch. It was so fun to see some favorite topiaries in these last days of Flower and Garden. Happy almost 626 Day to my fellow Stitch fans. And Groot!

As we finished our time at Geo, my friend who lives nearby texted. I was a teacher in a former life and those friends are my own personal teacher sorority. Met one of the OG members outside America during the Maverick City show. (Nice to catch some AC yet, hear the music.) Along with her beautiful daughter. Who I met as a 5 year old. Where does the time go?!?

 

[Dotluvsdisney]

Day 3: Animal Kingdom, Rest, Wailulu, Terrace Fireworks.

As we walked into AK, Winged Encounters was beginning. What an experience! The entry and egress of 14 Bolivian Military Macaws right over our heads was a delight. We have good friends from Bolivia. Had to share some pics with them! Also ran into Dugg behind the Tree of Life (no line), walked through the Gorilla Trek and luxuriated in the landscaping and animals all around.

We ate many yummy things! Important question: Can one get a Dole whip swirl cup from the Pineapple Lanai to the 6th floor of the Tower before it melts? About half of mine made it. Some poured out to the tikis and some was slurped off the sides before it overflowed the cup.

My favorite meal was Satuli Canteen at AK. We didn’t get picture of our bowls but they were so tasty and beautiful! I love that they were served on actual plates with metal utensils. Our room at the Tower was stocked with beautiful glassware and dishes too. Elevates the experience!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks for posting the pictures from Winged Encounters at AK. I love that show, even more now that they post specific times (in the beginning you just "happened" to be there at the right time.) I try to see it once, maybe twice, every time I'm at AK.

 

[Dotluvsdisney]

Thanks for posting the pictures from Winged Encounters at AK. I love that show, even more now that they post specific times (in the beginning you just "happened" to be there at the right time.) I try to see it once, maybe twice, every time I'm at AK.

It was such a wonderful surprise! Hubby didn’t want to stay at first but, was so glad he did. And the aviary had the most colorful, diverse array of birds I’ve seen. Loved AK and can’t wait to go back!

 

[Dotluvsdisney]

Day 4: Goodbye Disney Magic!
We moseyed around the Poly a bit after packing to leave. We loved the terraces and decor at the Poly Tower. But, our personal preference is the old school Longhouses. We didn’t want to walk MORE after getting back to our room for food or drinks. We missed the extra shower when MIL was with us and the additional space. I love the feature pool (with lifeguards). Be aware that there were not lifeguards at the Tower pool.

The morning of check out, I decided I wanted to try to ride the MK train. Haven’t ridden since my son was small, maybe 10 years. And we have the luxury of the military salute annual pass. We drifted around the Ceremonial House and ended up with iced coconut lattes (YUM!) and sweet treats. Then, monorailed to MK.
Annnndddd, after 10 min of waiting, were informed the train was down. Boo! Something to look forward to next time! We did get fresh popcorn (really tasty breakfast) at 11, saw a barbershop quartet sing and the horse and trolley. I left a happy camper!

Last official vacation stop: Hollerbach’s German Restaurant in Sanford. If you haven’t been and love all things German, we highly recommend a trip. It’s less than an hour from Disney right off of I-4. There is a restaurant, bar, and around the corner a bakery and market with Euro/German foods. They even offer live music!
We had a fabulous few days at Disney. In 2027, we hope the military salute offers an annual pass again. We hope to bring our teens and Aaron’s adult daughter with grands!

Have a magical day! Happy Pride, Happy 250th USA, Happy 626, Happy Juneteenth and Happy 50th to me!