OK, OK, I'm back & sort of normal again, so I guess it's time to get my "homework" done. (Please don't deduct points for lateness,
#1hockeymom!)
Well, the Poly was horrid, we will never go there again!
Nah, just kidding - it was wonderful as always. We had a couple of problems with mousekeeping, which we also had in November, but both Kathys in concierge went to bat for us and got everything straightened out. We also noticed the rough towels that WoodysRU mentioned - ours were scratchy, too, and irritated DH's sensitive skin, but Kathy #1 had towels sent up from the pool, and these were softer for some reason.
We were a little nervous our first afternoon because the lounge looked like a tornado had hit it - candy strewn everywhere, used dishes and garbage left all over, but it was cleaned up by the time we stopped for our pre-MK chocolate chip cookie.
Extra extra kudos to the lounge CMs, especially Ivette, who maintained their cheery dispositions. It seemed like a different sort of guest at the Poly this time; for the first time we saw some of the "me-first" pushiness and lack of manners that have been cited on other threads - lots of rushing to be first in the food line and one guy who daily would stuff several PB&J roundwiches in his bag before leaving the lounge (usually after eating a couple first, washed down with a cup of beer. Yuck!). The CMs deserve tons of credit for dealing with the mayhem with a smile. We actually heard one guest loudly berating a lounge CM because "lunch" wasn't out yet and it was after noon. When the CM patiently explained that the noon service wasn't really intended as lunch, the guest went ballistic about how much she paid for concierge and what a scam it was. We noticed more of this type of behavior throughout the parks, too, so maybe it was a time-of-year thing or something. Anyways, that's the bad stuff. (Well, that and a pinched nerve suffered Fri. after a really bad massage at GF spa)
The good stuff: Every CM we dealt with was terrific - esp. both Kathys in concierge, Ivette in the lounge, and Jay & John from the Epcot tech department. When we presented Kathy #1 with a "thank you" note, we started chatting about magical moments and why we think it's important to acknowledge the really good CMs, even for what they might consider routine service. Kathy offered to forward thank you's or pictures or whatever to the CMs we'd missed thanking through their inter-mail system. This is definitely something to keep in mind for the future.
We spent part of this trip gathering info for our potential part-time move to central FL, and every CM we mentioned this to went out of their way to answer questions, give advice, offer assistance, etc. We came home with so many e-mail addresses & offers of help it filled a whole manila envelope. It occurred to me that what I truly love about Disney is that it really feels like a small town - safe, friendly, clean...
We had a wonderful, magical night at MK on Weds. - stayed until midnight (way past our usual bedtime!) for the extended magic evening - practically walked on to every attraction with no wait.
DH had a record score of 736,000 on Buzz Lightyear's Spaceranger Spin. He's been trying to beat my record 589,000 for a year! Breakfast at CP Thurs. with Pooh & friends, then on to Epcot. DH survived Mission Space yet again! He seems to be overcoming his motion sickness with practice. Nice dinner at Teppanyaki, though not as excellent as in March. Family of 4 seated with us didn't get the concept of teppanyaki dining; they were pretty unfriendly and demanding (must have been yankees!) - I'm a northerner, but many years of vacationing in SC as a child left Dixie in my heart! Our other tablemates, 2 brothers from Birmingham, were charming and fun once we got them talking. I think they might have us talked into trying the Swan or Dolphin some time. Spa visit on Fri. not very good (see above) and DH doesn't even want to talk about his golf game, but the rest of the day was fun - AK for a few hours, then some chillin' by the volcano pool and back to MK in the PM, a little patio sitting before bed so we could enjoy the castle changing colors. More MK on Sat., very crowded so we mostly just strolled and people-watched. Did our traditional last monorail ride followed by a very good dinner at Boma before leaving for the airport, but it felt weird not to be leaving from the Poly.
We never did run into KerryL or Fred (I know he had a wedding on his arrival day, which was our departure day) - can't wait to hear about their trips.
MIL just informed us last night that she wants to join us for our fall trip, so now I really have to get planning!
So glad your DS is on the mend,
luckywife. They do bounce back amazingly well.
Good luck to your DH,
floridfam
Thanks for all the welcome backs - it made coming home so much easier! 
! Well, that only means one thing.... start planning another trip!
for you and DS! Hang in there, honey! 
