I wish I knew then what I know now....

[krismom]

Hi everyone-
We just got back from a week at the Poly- All in all, it was a magical trip. Here are a few tips for others:

- If you are renting a stroller, bring your own cup holder to attach to the bar.

- The best spectro watching spot is directly in front of The Liberty Tree Tavern (you get to sit on the steps, and can feel the air conditioning from the restaurant since they keep the doors open!)

- Bring rain gear!!!!! this means stroller covers, umbrellas, ponchos, waterproof shoes, etc. It rained in torrents every day- for hours at a time.

- Get your PS/ ADV's in advance- they wee turning away everyone without them at most of the places we ate

- Forget the resort mugs- we got them the first day and refilled them only afew times. We either didn't have them with us when we paasses CAptian Cook's, or it was raining too much to want to go get a drink.

- Pal Mickey was a dud. You could hardly hear him, and the novelty wore off quickly.

- I REALLY overpacked. The kids didn't want all the food I brought, the fridge didn't really freeze the water, and all the light up toys and stuff seemed like overkill. They weren't even asking for stuff and I kept giving out more. They were happy just to be there.

- It was crowded... but not unmanageable. Avoid all EMH parks (both AM and PM) and you'll be fine. The people were always great- helping me up and down that resort monorail ramp with the double stroller!, making room for the little ones at a parade, saying excuse me, etc.

- Get the Disney Dining card.. I was doubtful it would pay for itself for us... but after doing the math it saved us lots of $$$$.

I will write more as I remember- any questions, fire away!

 

[DisneyMom5]

Good info! Thanks.

 

[DizzKneeLand]

I got the refillable mug my first trip - cause I thought it was a cool - and quickly (and I mean quickly - like the first fill-up) realized how AWFUL tasting the fountian sodas are because they make them with the SULPHER water ...

I buy cases of water / drinks and keep them cold in the room instead.

DizzKnee

 

[sugermouse]

What the heck is sulphur water............??

 

[dismom9761]

Thanks for posting! I agree w/ the overpacking.My DH did get his moneys worth out of the mugs but I didn't buy one because I knew I wouldn't.I am going to try avoiding the EMH.

 

[flminivanmama]

we just back from POP - what is sulpher water? I was feeling sick to my stomach all week and I wonder if that's why? I rank a lot of coffee/ diuet coke with my refillable mug. I also wonder just how sanitary the mug is... you're not really washing it all week... bleh

DDE totally paid off! we saved about $100 OVER the purchase price just on this trip and now we'll use it again this year since we are thinking about a january trip.

we did PAL mickey last year and ITA

 

[rosiejo]

rotfl - I just spent 5 minutes googling sulphur (sulfur) water! Still not sure what it really is although sulphor is apparently found in meteroriates and volcanos... is it from a volcanic spring or something? Surely it can't be bad for you or Disney wouldn't use it...?

 

[*Sooner Girl*]

Sulphur water is water that smells like eggs. I smelled it every summer at camp and it makes anything you cook with it and mix with it have an "eggy" after taste.

 

[mrslur]

I have a hard time believing they make their sodas with sulphur water. Soda is not made with tap water but with tanks of carbonated water bought from a distributor that are mixed with flavored syrup.

 

[pampam]

mrslur is correct. That's what makes the beverage carbonated and bubbly. Now, the coffee is another matter. I don't think the water is what you taste. Otherwise, the kona coffee at the Poly would have a sulpher taste as well.

 

[scarboroughmom]

It's more likely that they use a system that mixes the CO2, (the gas that makes the bubbles which is purchased in cylinders of compressed CO2), water, and the syrup as the soda is dispensed. If the water supply has sulfur in it, and no steps are taken to remove it, you could taste it in the drinks.

 

[jjan]

It's more likely that they use a system that mixes the CO2, (the gas that makes the bubbles which is purchased in cylinders of compressed CO2), water, and the syrup as the soda is dispensed. If the water supply has sulfur in it, and no steps are taken to remove it, you could taste it in the drinks.

They must do this at least at some of the restaurants because some places the bad water taste was so strong that you could easily taste it through the Coke. Thank heavens for Brita Bottles!!!

 

[DizzKneeLand]

The water in orlando - has the minerals (I suppose) that add extra sulfer / sulpher (however you spell it) in the water. It is not something Disney adds to the water - it is just how the water in that area of the US is.

Like the other person posted - sometimes it is refered to as egg water.

Also I would venture to guess that the ice is made from tap water and it melts in the drink and helps make the fountain drinks have a funky taste.

DizzKnee