I Knew You Would Eventually Get Tired of Disney World - April '12 TR - Completed 2/9

[smidgy]

Maybe it was us? We were there around the same time.

!

no it wasn't that trip. it was a couple years ago, on a chilly feb. trip. Itired to talk to the couple, honest! but there was no time! betweenthe winkers family, and going outside to get cell service cause our DVC frineds returned my desperate call, oh and of course, going up and getting food (and you know how dark it is in there, so I need to helpnebo).


I think we stayed at CSR 4 times now, and have never seen the inside of the conventions center. you are naughty, naughty! (don't you know a guy just got banned for going into restrictive areas?)

I hate to break this to you, but pepper market no longer has the buffet. it was a trial, and for some reason, they went back to just a counter service. sigh! this last trip (early dec.) we were on free dining, and thought about going over there for one of our CS credits, but didn't have a car(we were at CBR). it seemed like a hassle. now I wish we had!

 

[nilla]

...and we're back. Fortunately, it looks like just about everyone gave up on this TR months ago, which makes my latest 10-day absence hardly noticeable. But after illness, work, and a dog with an injured paw and plastic cone collar, I'm ready to eat. Kona, anyone?

 

[nilla]

Alright, it's time to head over to the Polynesian, so the inevitable question looms: boat or monorail? Let's take the monorail. The boat is nice, but the wait is unpredictable. Or at least we don't know how to time it. So the monorail it is.

Speaking of monrails, here's a picture I like to call, "Exit Only".

Not sure how that worked out for them, but we got on. And, we got off, at the Polynesian.

The where? The HERE.

Fast forward past the pre-game drinks (Kona Longboard for me, Girly Disney Drink for Kristin) and to the meal. Our ADRs are right at opening, so we're seated quickly.

Rare nilla pic, with a second Longboard:

The kids are rockin' the pina coladas. I remember coming here to WDW as a kid, and my sister could drink because the drinking age was 18 in FL back then. Now, apparently, it's 10.

 

[nilla]

Apps are no longer included in the DDP level we get, but do we care? Not here! We pass on the sticky wings this year (already got them at Ohana), but the Tiger Roll's not off limits.

Hey, another nilla pic!

I'm usually more of a sashimi guy, but I'm not above a roll. Especially here. Delicious!

Theming shot!

Sibling love shot!

And here comes the food! Emily got the kids ravioli, which looks pretty much what you'd expect Disney kids' ravioli to look like.

Kristin got the Teriyaki-style New York Strip steak.

Dylan, still on the adult plan, reluctantly got the Kona Coffee-Rubbed Pork Chop.

I have no idea what I got. I would assume I got the Tuna Oscar, but without visual evidence, I'm not sure. So let's just say I got the Tuna Oscar.

And when I say, "got", I meant, "waited forever for". Everything's moving in slow motion here tonight, but the waitress is nice, so I don't want to complain too much. Or at all.

So with our food finally here, Dylan tries the pork chop, and he's not digging it. Oh no. Not another problem. Not on our last day!

Kristin takes one for the team and swaps out her steak for the chop. The steak goes over a little better. Not much, but a little better. In a few years, he'll appreciate it! But problem averted, for now.

 

[nilla]

After a long wait, we ordered dessert. After an even longer wait, we got it. Seriously, Kona is taking forever tonight. It's almost like they don't care it's our last night and we plan on maxing out Magic Kingdom before we leave.

Dylan ate enough steak to earn the Kona Kone.

It's been so long I can't find the name of this on AllEars. Awesome Trip Report, huh?

Whatever it was, it was fantastic, and I'm afraid it's no longer on the menu. Unless I'm missing something. Of course, I probably got it last year and could easily look up the name from my last TR...but onm with the show!

 

[nilla]

Kristin got the Banana Creme Brulee.

Great meal, as always, but we've been here plenty long and are all ready to go.

So where's our waitress? Did she go home? Is SHE in the Magic Kingdom?

Oh, there she is. Finally! We ask for the check. Eventually, it arrives. I leave the tip and the drink payment on a Key to the Kingdom, and we're not about to wait for her again. Enough is enough. We're paid up...let's go!

 

[nilla]

Ok, it's back to the Magic Kingdom. But first, Poly pics!

Mickey!

Kristin suggests we take the boat back, and I've got no problem with that. After all, that means more pics!

Alright, the boat's taking forever. Let's take the monorail.

 

[nilla]

But first, more Poly pics!

Cool artwork! Ok, monorail's coming. Let's go!

Quickly we make it up to the ramp. And just in time, too. Look, Scarlett Johannsen monorail!

Alright, back to MK!


[POST=47419765](next update)[/POST]

 

[phineasfan100]

I hate when they paint the monorail like that. What a way to ruin a perfect WDW landscape. Good update!

 

[smidgy]

...and we're back. Fortunately, it looks like just about everyone gave up on this TR months ago, which makes my latest 10-day absence hardly noticeable. But after illness, work, and a dog with an injured paw and plastic cone collar, I'm ready to eat. Kona, anyone?

well, since I have been faithfully posting since your return, methinks hedoth protest too much!!! but I still like the report on Kona.. I liked it, we ate there once. I liked the stickey wings (back when the app. was still included on the DDP, nebo, not so much.) I was fine with the "ambience" we were looking out a window at the line to the monorail... a bit too much like a
coffee shoppe" for the price.

 

[smidgy]

I did love the banana creme brulee! yummy!

It is so hard to decide which will be the shorter ride.. boat or monorail.. unfortunately, the monorail is no longer the "transport of the future" it used to be. when we stayed at BLT last year, we rarely used the monorail at all! one night it was shut down for 30 minutes, (adding a new train for the night of joy) so we walked to CRfor a bus.. just as long a wait.

at CR or BLT, unless ou have moblity issues, it is much quicker to just walk over.

I heard, at the Poly,if going to epcot, it is quicker to just walk over to the TTC.

so, everyone who thinkthat staying at the "monorail" resorts means taking the monorail almost everywhere... not always so.

I did think your meals looked scrumptious. and I still think it's really cute the way your kids get along so great!

 

[MEK]

That tiger roll looks amazing and I love the ahi tuna at Kona! Sorry you're really not sure if that's what you had. The rest of the food looks pretty darn good too!

Nice family pics! 3 whole nilla pics!

So, I have to ask - considering its Feb - Are you guys going back to Disney this spring or did you decide to do something else? Or are you going to keep me in suspense until you end your TR?

And - I just want to comment that I had the BEST experience flying Air Tran out of ABE last June (especially since I got to park my car at my BIL's house for free with curbside drop off) and I was SO disappointed that they pulled out. And then someone else pulled out (I forget who). That is a little gem of an airport and I would happily drive an extra hour for that. I absolutely loved all the cute display - especially the one for Martin guitar. And now - no more - Is there a new carrier there yet?

Yeah for a post!

 

[mmeb144]

Look, Scarlett Johannsen monorail!

I made my daughter wait for the Avengers monorail when we went over the summer. She was ok with waiting for it. We were just killing time til our room was available.

I love it when they put a cool overlay on the monorails.

 

[KatMark]

Some of us are still here patiently waiting the finish of your TR.

Sorry about the illness (I was out last week for three days with the stomach flu) and poor puppy dog...hope the puppy is better now.

We've never done Kona for dinner, only breakfast. The food looks rather yummy.

I'm loving that we got three pictures of you, Jon...good to see your smiling face.

Beautiful pictures of the Poly; I do love that resort, just not the price tag.

Can't wait to hear about your last night at the MK.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I am still here too! . Funny, last time we ate at Kona it was also frustratingly slow...especially with MK fun waiting to be had! Dinner looked delish and glad you are raising the kids right with regular Disney trips and pina coladas.

Love the Poly...such a pretty resort!!

Looking forward to the rest....and learning if you guys did decide you're tired of WDW.

 

[hobbs6799]

Waiting for the end of your amazing TR!!!!

 

[nilla]

I hate when they paint the monorail like that. What a way to ruin a perfect WDW landscape.

I love it when they put a cool overlay on the monorails.

For the record, I agree with one of these opinions.

well, since I have been faithfully posting since your return, methinks hedoth protest too much!!

It was more a matter of me saying this TR deserved to be abandoned! But thanks for sticking around!

at CR or BLT, unless ou have moblity issues, it is much quicker to just walk over.

We walked over to Chef Mickey's from MK one year, and it wasn't bad.

so, everyone who thinkthat staying at the "monorail" resorts means taking the monorail almost everywhere... not always so.

Good to know! There certainly is that illusion. I think I'd rather stay at one of the Epcot resorts, personally. "Honey, I'm going to run over to Epcot to get a beer. Do you want anything?"

and I still think it's really cute the way your kids get along so great!

At Disney. Not so much at home. And not even all the time at Disney. But they're better there, so I'll take it!

So, I have to ask - considering its Feb - Are you guys going back to Disney this spring or did you decide to do something else? Or are you going to keep me in suspense until you end your TR?

I'm going to keep you in suspense until you end of my TR.

And - I just want to comment that I had the BEST experience flying Air Tran out of ABE last June (especially since I got to park my car at my BIL's house for free with curbside drop off) and I was SO disappointed that they pulled out. And then someone else pulled out (I forget who). That is a little gem of an airport and I would happily drive an extra hour for that. I absolutely loved all the cute display - especially the one for Martin guitar. And now - no more - Is there a new carrier there yet?

I love ABE, too. After Air Tran stopped flying from there, Frontier Air took over the direct flights to Orlando. No more. They're gone, and no one has stepped up. I know, for a while there, Hooters Air was flying direct from ABE to Orlando, so maybe they'll come back. I hope the do come back. I've never flown that airline, but it's probably nice.

Some of us are still here patiently waiting the finish of your TR.

Thank you! I'm trying to wrap it up, and getting close. Another update tonight will close out Day 11.

We've never done Kona for dinner, only breakfast.

We don't do breakfast in WDW, but I'm sure it's great. Maybe I'll try it someday. Kona would definitely be a place that would interest me.

...glad you are raising the kids right with regular Disney trips and pina coladas.

We're not perfect, but we try.

Waiting for the end of your amazing TR!!!!

More soon! Very soon!

 

[nilla]

Hey, look! We're back at the Magic Kingdom!

And it's still light out! We've got the whole night ahead of us. So, where to first? We already used up our 50/50 and audience poll lifelines, so maybe we should phone a friend.

I know some people think highly of the guy, but in my experience, Mr. Morrow is NO help whatsoever. So let's wing it. Space Mountain FPs, ok?

Nope. Bad idea. The return time isn't until later tonight, and that's going to throw a wrench in our Wishes plan. So what's next?

How about FPs for Winnie the Pooh? The time's better, so let's do it. And as long as we're in Fantasyland, let's ride Peter Pan!

As is customary for our last MK day, we say "bye" to Nana, and embark on our flight.

Hey, Kristin - NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY! What is wrong with you? Now quick - before Policeman Mickey tracks us down and busts us, let's switch ships and see if we can shake him.

NO ONE CAN STOP OUR FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY SPREE! MWAHAHAHAHA!!!

Ok, so maybe I'm a rule-abider and am taking this photos without flash. But Policeman Mickey is still after us, so we'd better lay low. Where can we hide out? The Netherlands?

No, too liberal. Switzerland?

No, too neutral. How about this place?

No, too vague. And that goat looks scary. One more shot. What about Egypt?

No, too revolution-y. Looks like we're out of luck. No matter - Kingdom Keepers and Family Guy both have me apprehensive about hiding out among the dolls, so instead, I brace myself for what's to come and focus on trying to get a "wink shot" instead.

Sort of got it. But not really. To compensate, here are a whole lotta other IASW shots.

Wow, this post is getting long. Better roll out onto a new one...

 

[nilla]

...and here we are. But we're not done just yet:

And more, in case you've never been on this ride before:

And that's it. What a great ride!

 

[nilla]

Alright, it's not yet parade time, so let's hit one more. Haunted Mansion at night? You don't have to ask me twice.

Tough to get pictures in this lighting, but I'll try.

The usual process starts with the segregating of those riders who know where the hidden door is, those who think they know where the hidden door is but don't, and those know not of the existence of said hidden door.

As is becoming tradition, Kristin has offered to ride with the kids, allowing me to ride alone, taking it all in. I accept. And I love it.

The ride continues, and soon enough we're approaching the Hitchhiking Ghosts (tm). And there they are.

And again.

Wait, why aren't they getting any closer? Are we stopped?

Yep, it looks like it's stuck. Kristin and the kids are right in front of them, which means I'm behind them. Which means I can only see this guy:

Kristin tells me to hand up the camera, which would be a great idea were we not at least 15 feet away from each other. And in secure vehicles. Stay in your Doom Buggy at all times, right, Ms. Flash Photography in Peter Pan's Flight?

Meanwhile, I get this shot. Zoom off.

Alright, we've been stuck a long time. Why is it that we always seem to get stuck on rides right before the fireworks?

There's that guy again.

Ok, this is getting old. Can we start moving again? It might've been a bit better were I not in a black corridor between Doom Buggies, but even then, it's been a looooong time since we moved. Oh well, may as well get another picture:

Alright, we're FINALLY moving! I never thought I'd be hoping to get out of the Haunted Mansion, but enough is enough. I mean, I still love it, though. How couldn't I? Look at it: