Island Hopping: A Highly Inappropriate TR. (Boom.)-- Link to NEW TR! 10/8

[Fantasyland Mom]

Wow, you got to meet Ku'ulei!! How cool is that?! The Beach Party Sing-a-long DVD is a fav in our house too so I know exactly who she is! What a great experience for Julia & Brynn. We'll have to check out the hula lessons next month and maybe we'll get lucky too. Although my son has already made it known that hula dancing is for girls and he WILL NOT be participating in that, haha.



Awesome, thank you!! I will have to try it out.

Show him the pictures from ours! Boys hula, too!!

Yes, there was torrential rain at MNSSHP that night. We were caught in the middle of it. We usually tough things out, but we quickly found out (on our first day) that Cole does NOT like the rain cover for the stroller.

Thankfully, it did let up eventually and Madison and I watched Hallowishes with just a light drizzle. That is now 2 times it has rained on us during MNSSHP. Although, in 2010, it just rained until 7:30 and then it was awesome. Last year, it waited to rain until the party started. Grrrrr!

I am so hoping there's no rain for MNSSHP this year, since we are actually attempting to go! I don't care if it rains all day before that--just don't rain on our costumes!!

We love the Beach Party Sing-A-Long DVD! You are so lucky to have stayed at the Poly. It was on my 30x30 list, but I don't see it happening in the next 5 months! Oh well, I'll settle for POR. I am sure you already answered this, but where are you staying this year now that you are a Disney family of 5?

Well, let me tell you...going from a deluxe back to a value is hard. It's a really long story, but we're staying at ASMovies this time. It's where Julia wanted to stay (she wants to be a director and loves all things movies) and since Sawyer sleeps in a pack-n-play anyway, no matter where we stay, the CM suggested that if we were celebrating Sawyer turning from 2 to 3 while on vacation, we could stay there. So, yes, we're stretching the rules a bit and just purchasing his ticket separately instead of with the package. With Brandon's job situation, it really was a blessing that she suggested that; otherwise, we most likely couldn't have afforded it this year. Plus, Julia is over the moon that she gets to stay at her "dream resort." Is it mine? Not so much. But everyone's happy, so yay. The kids were less than thrilled with POR (I was happy, though!), and I do see their point--this is definitely more kid-friendly. Next year we're hoping we have the money for AoA the entire time, but financially that just couldn't happen this year. Brandon is actually on a phone interview right this second as I'm typing, so hopefully the money situation will improve!

I am OBSESSED with the Poly! I make it a point to get there on every single trip! And when I move to Florida, you KNOW I will be visiting it ALL. THE. TIME!

How fun that you had the magical moment!!! What a lucky moment when Julia recognized her and that she seemed genuinely excited that you all recognized her!

So, I'm sad that its almost the end of your TR, but, so super happy because in like,3 week or so, we'll be there!!!!!!

Everyone involved was so excited! I knew she liked being recognized, and of course Julia was thrilled to meet her in person.
THREE WEEKS!!!

I love those Disney videos! We have three of them that we have watched over and over. I loved Julia's hula lesson story!

Go for you standing your ground and telling the lifeguard what happened. Injustice really irritates me.

It was just a terribly unsafe and unacceptable situation. I hope the kids and parents were both punished and lectured. It's just horrible.

Are you guys talking about the wet brush??

YYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!! You are a lifesaver! Now that you mention the name, I remember. She said, "We just call it 'the wet brush,' but I don't know the real name of it." She didn't know that it WAS the real name of it!! I am ordering one ASAP!

I love extended time at the resort! It really allows you to soak everything in.

That's so amazing that the same woman is still working there, and is something Julia and Brynn will remember forever.

I love the look of that pool. Part of me will always miss the old Polynesian pool (where you had to go under a waterfall into a cave to get to the waterslide), but they did a really good job with the new one, especially with the zero entry pool.

A night inside the room while it pours outside sounds just about perfect. Then finishing the night up with hallowishes on the beach? Yup. Perfect.

Oh, it was just so relaxing and so magical. I felt very spoiled there at the Poly...so you know it's going to be a shock to my system to downgrade to a value .

Ahhh, we have that DVD too - how fun!!

We love it! We actually have several Sing-a-longs!

Great updates. I've gotten behind due to start of school stuff. Glad to day dream about my happy place. You guys take the best pictures. We stayed at the Poly this past Feb and it is such a magical place for our family.

I will keep Brynn in my prayers.

I totally understand that; school has made things pretty hectic around here! Thanks for your compliments, prayers, and for coming back!

Hopefully they're not just available in the US, or I'll be stalking ebay lol!

I'm not sure! But they do have a website, so I'm ordering!

The Disney Sing-A-Longs were the best, the Beach Party was always my favorite one. As soon as you mentioned the name of the hula song, it instantly popped into my head, and apparently I still remember the words . It's probably been ten years since I watched it too, but I watched it so much! That's so cool that you got to meet the teacher from the video!

I have to say that I was just as giddy as Julia and Brynn! That song gets stuck in my head all the time. All those sing-a-longs are wonderful!

This is good stuff. I'm sort of a late bloomer and only found your trip report today - but it's really pretty great. I'm literally all misty-eyed over that first haircut, and I don't even know y'all. At all. Can't wait to finish reading

So glad you are joining in! We still have some days left, so you're just in time!

I loved your other Panama Beach video! Does your husband use a special software? I've always wanted to make a vacation video and just never know where to start!

Your children are so adorable. Seeing them play on Tom Sawyer Island makes me want to get over there SO BADLY! I've actually never been there. But now I think I'll have to make a trip...it looks perfect.

Pool time sounds fun...except for those little rascals! How did the lifeguard not notice it was the same 3 kids with different people every time? I'm glad you informed him though!

Your night tucked into the Poly, just enjoying the room sounds perfect. Nights like that are so beautiful I think. It's fun to go out and be crazy, but there's beauty in the simple, mundane moments too sometimes. LOVE IT!

Thanks for watching it! I really have no idea how he makes the movies, honestly. I know he uses AfterEffects, but that's not his main program, and I can't remember the name of it! I'll have to ask him and get back to you.
I am not sure how that lifeguard didn't catch on. I mean, there were lots of people at the pool, but isn't that his job!? So dangerous.

Signing on! I just finished reading your first trip report and am now getting caught up on this one. Love your trip reports! We just moved away from central Georgia a year ago so I know exactly what you mean about the abyss that is southern Georgia and the awful billboards along the freeway. In fact, in your travels down I-75 you would have driven within about 2-3 miles of our home in Georgia! I'm getting ready to head back down to WDW next month with my oldest daughter and will be stopping in central Georgia to pick up my parents, who will be going with us. It will be my first trip back to WDW since we moved and I'm not looking forward to having a much longer drive than the 5 1/2 hour drive we used to have!

You have a beautiful family!

Yes, that's one of the worst parts of the drive! I've gotta say, the whole trip is kind of boring. Not much to see once you get past Atlanta (we're in Canton).
HAVE FUN on your trip!!!

Hey! Love the trip report! Disney depression is sitting in now that it is almost over!!


I must say I got absolutely blood pumping mad when I read about the dude in China that made the rude comment about kids sitting down! Then the stroller incident at CRT, I was just heart broken at the response Disney had towards the situation. I have a tendency to let these things ruin my trip and must say I was blown away by your response to move on and let the magic continue! Way to go! This mama is Taking notes!

No! Don't be depressed! I leave for my next trip in three weeks and there will definitely be a new TR!
I have no idea how I didn't lose it on these people, honestly. In real life (not the Disney bubble) I think I would have, but at Disney I was just more shocked and saddened than mad. It felt like a punch in the gut.
Now, if the CRT stroller thing happened this year, with Brynn in leg braces and needing the stroller as a wheelchair more, I might have been more demanding.
I couldn't let the trip be ruined, though. People don't understand who haven't been through it, and this trip was for my kids. If they knew about tension, they'd get tense and lose some of the magic. I couldn't have that happening.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Great Update! I remember when those videos came out, I just never watched any before. Must put it on the list of To Do's!
The hula lesson looks so fun! Do they have an adult version or can adults join the kiddos? I've always wanted to try it out.
So sad you have only one more day to report on but you will be back "home" soon for another adventure

Anyone can join in the hula lessons!
You KNOW there will be another TR starting as soon as I get back! And I'll probably be posting to Instagram while I'm there!

Thank you for all your posts. We will be there Sept 2-8 and this really helped!

I have 2 boys, a 2 year old on the spectrum and an 8 year old. Thank you for all the details about Brynn and using the special pass.

And I didn't know about the Barber Shop! I'm trying to decide if we should do his first haircut there. I have trimmed it myself, but he never had a real one. That counts, right?

So glad it could help some!
That TOTALLY counts! You won't regret it!

How fun to get to dance the hula, and to meet a celebrity! It's so sweet that the lady wanted to take a picture with Julia.

They were both over the moon!! I know she will always remember it.

I noticed from your previous TR that you've dealt with food allergy issues at WDW. Do you know if they still have the books available? I have some food issues and didn't know it was possible to have such accommodations made -- that would be great for my upcoming trip so that I can actually eat meals I enjoy without just having to stick with plain salads and plain grilled chicken!

Your TR is helping me get even more excited about our upcoming September trip (9/8-9/13)...seeing the pictures of uncrowded parks is making me very happy!

They do still have the books. Just go to a cashier at any quick service restaurant and ask for the allergy book. It has all the foods and their ingredients, and they keep it updated. Usually they only have one per restaurant, but they will find it for you!
I hate that you're leaving right when we arrive! But HAVE SO MUCH FUN!!!!

 

[KittyKitty]

I just started reading your report. Thanks so much for sharing your trip.

 

[jedimeg16]

Reading your wonderful trip report makes me want to write up one from our trip this past April. It was my entire family - my husband and I, our two boys (2 1/2 years and 13 months at the time of the trip), my parents, my brother, and my brother's fiancée. Four months later and I am still having WDW withdrawal (while saving up for the next trip).

 

[Welcome Home]

I am just joining and I am on day 2. Thanks for sharing.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Wow. That first picture in your update is just like paradise. It doesn't even seem possible that it's real. Ugh one day I will be able to stay at the Poly!

OMG I SO USED TO WATCH THAT VIDEO WHEN I WAS LITTLE! I bet the VHS is still in the basement somewhere. I can't believe your kids love it too!

Thank you for the youtube link. I just got brought back to childhood. So excited.

So awesome that you met her and that she's STILL hula dancing at Disney World (and looking pretty great too!)

What a great magical moment for the girls!

Sounds like a bad slide situation and a clueless lifeguard! I don't blame you for being angry. Clearly it was something the kids had been doing and he should've put a stop to it before. And I'll never understand how parents let their kids go to the pool without them. It terrifies me and I don't even have kids.

 

[Welcome Home]

I am all caught up and I have loved your TR. I am also a big Magnum PI fan and I have the Hawaiian Roller coaster song as my ringtone. We arrived on your last day. We love going in September but are skipping this year as our youngest little guy is 18 months. We are headed back next May instead.

 

[JDailey]

Just popping in to say hello! I am still reading along and loving it all. I enjoyed the P.C. Beach trip video. We were down the week after you guys. I wish we could have had a Dis-Meet in P.C. that would have been fun. Looking forward to the last day update.

 

[epsmith921]

Finally watched the Panama City video just now! Can't believe how much Brandon was actually in it this time! . Looks like you guys had a great time! Loved the final dad moment of packing the car! I swear it's an obsession they're all born with!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

What a cool celebrity meeting!! We have that video and watch it all the time at my moms daycare. I am surprised that the darn tape even still works but we know all of the words and dances by heart I'm glad that the rain stopped for you in time to watch Hallowishes!

 

[epsmith921]

Finally watched the Panama City video just now! Can't believe how much Brandon was actually in it this time! . Looks like you guys had a great time! Loved the final dad moment of packing the car! I swear it's an obsession they're all born with!

 

[danimaroo]

Your latest update makes me happy... mainly because I LOVE days like yours. More laid back, resort days are the best! And I don't know why, but seeing that you guys ended up just relaxing in your room for the night is just something I can't WAIT to do during our trip. You sometimes need those nights of just staying in and relaxing, and REALLY enjoying the room!

So happy that you guys met a celebrity! I bet Julia and Brynn were just BEYOND pumped about it!

Man, that sounds like such a good way to watch HalloWishes... I just hope that the rain stays faaaar away on the 17th! NO RAIN! Seriously, I'd be so bummed out if that happened.

WE ARE SUPER DUPER CLOSE TO OUR TRIPS! Can you believe it?! I can't!

 

[Leger13]

I'M HERE!!! It's Carla from our FB Sept '13 group! Now to go and catch up.

 

[ChiBub]

Hi there! I discovered this TR this week, and read it and your previous TR both now! I'm usually a lurker, but just watched your video and had to say WOW, that's awesome! You will cherish that forever, and I'm sure your kids will too. I've loved reading about your adventures, thanks so much for sharing. We're taking our son who will be 15 months at the time to the World in November, and I've actually taken a few notes based on your experiences Can't wait to read more here and on your PTR!

 

[starann]

sigh.....I'm betting that we will not have anymoresince youleave VERY soon?!?!?

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

I have been missing in action...but for good reason! I HAVE BEEN AT WDW!!

And since I cannot start a new TR for this trip (which was absolutely the best trip anyone has ever had EVER) until this TR is finished, I definitely need to wrap this one up. I mean, it HAS been over a year. Time to conclude, I think.

To be honest, I am not really as clear about this last day and a half as I should be. I think I'm getting some parts confused with our recent trip, so I apologize in advance. It should be more or less correct, but maybe not as detailed. My bad.

We woke up at the Poly on this Saturday, and I decided that it never gets old waking up at the Poly. It is amazing every single morning.

The girls didn't think so.





Yes, that's my morning beauties fully dressed, crawling back under the covers, and letting me know that getting up early this far into the trip got a big THUMBS DOWN.

Tough stuff, kiddos. Time to walk to the TTC...which also never gets old.
We watched the Welcome Show from just inside the gates, as we barely made it in time to see it. With no real plan, we meandered through Town Square.











Fall at MK is the best.

The girls got very excited to see Daisy coming over to meet and greet, so they hopped in line. Daisy did not disappoint. She did some great dancing with my very bouncy ladies.





The sun is very bright there at all times of day, so pictures never quite come out too great in that area.

While they were busy with Daisy, I was busy making my wait to Main Street Bakery (RIP), where I grabbed some muffins and pastries and fruit and coffee and...breakfast stuff on the fly. Family multitasking.



We grabbed some Fastpasses for the Princesses, and then we made our way over to Tomorrowland.

We'd never been on Astro Orbiter, most likely for good reason, but now was the time. Julia begged for me to go up there with her, and since first thing in the morning immediately after breakfast is the only time the line isn't huge, we made the decision to give it a whirl. Pun intended. There's no photographic proof of this, but I did take some video. Unfortunately, seeing the video makes me just as nauseous as the ride did, and that's no good.
Meanwhile, Brynn was speaking with birds.





Brynn thinks that we can just catch birds and make them her pets. Since we weren't home, she settled on just having conversations with them.
After I walked like a drunkard off the ride, we noticed a character attendant lingering near the Buzz Lightyear meeting area, and we asked if Buzz would be out soon. Yes! He said if we hopped in line, we'd be first, and Buzz was due out any second. A moment later, he was making his way to Star Command and meeting with my very excited children (and Duffy).





I am pretty sure we did a spin on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin at this point, and we did a show of Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. Then it was time to use our Princess FPs, so we headed back to Town Square.

The Princesses loved Sawyer because he loved them! As soon as we walked in, he yelled, "CIMBAWEWWA!!" Cinderella was very impressed with his baby pronunciation and kept asking him to say her name again.







She even held his hand all the way over to Belle, who was curious if he knew her name, as well. Of course he did! But his heart belongs to Cimbawewwa.



He didn't know Rapunzel's name. He called her Tangled, then got bored with her and started toddling around. The girls were much happier to see her, though!





**CONTINUED BELOW, KEEP READING!**

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

**Continued from Above**


Since we were already nearby and had no real plan, we thought it would be the perfect time to take a loop around the park on the Walt Disney World Railroad, something we'd never experienced before. Everyone was so happy!

Until they said that children couldn't sit on the outside. Just look how quickly darling Julia's mood can change. Isn't she precious!?



I had no idea how much you can see from the train! It was such a relaxing experience and I felt closer to Walt in that moment. I know he loved his trains.

We still hadn't been on BTMRR, but we could see it from the train!





And that cheered her up a bit.



Who would have thought that this Indian Village was back here, complete with animatronics of someone rubbing sticks together, a gesture that is so small but adds so much!?



People in Tomorrowland were waving at us, and we waved back.



And then we were back at the Train Station.

It had gotten hot while we were aboard, so we decided on some ice creams, and Brynn "needed" her new glasses.





Never gets old.

Brynn was begging to go on "it's a small world" (shocked, right!?!) so we headed in that direction.

BUT, we noticed someone standing at the doorway to New Fantasyland and wondered if we could get in. Now, remember that this was in 2012 before it was open, so this was big news!

I went over and asked if we could go in, and he said YES!! The people behind us were not allowed in, so we were just in time!

Unfortunately, the timing was horrible. Brandon needed a restroom break, but now would have to wait. Sawyer had fallen asleep, so we had to pass him back and forth in the heat. FOR FORTY-FIVE MINUTES as we waited on Enchanted Tales with Belle. One person was holding Sawyer, and one was on Uncontrollable Brynn Duty, but it was worth it in the end!













We were very impressed with the details and with the lifelike qualities of the Wardrobe!

They opened her up and started handing out parts...and who would be chosen as The Beast? JULIA!! She was just a little thrilled.



Brynn was chosen to be a picture on the wall, and she took it very seriously.



Since this attraction had yet to open, we really weren't sure what to expect. We were amazed, to say the least.







Julia did some wonderful roaring!



And they paraded around the room.





**CONTINUED BELOW...AGAIN**

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Just when we thought it was over, Julia...er, The Beast, got to have a special dance with Belle!
















Then one by one, each of the kids got to meet and have their pictures made with Belle.







It was past time for a potty break and lunch, so we headed out quickly.

We decided to grab a bite from Casey's Corner. Brandon had the girls outside waiting for Peter Pan (who took off before they could get to him), and Sawyer came inside with me. He had woken up in a horrible mood and was literally SCREAMING for a French fry. The CMs were taking forever to get us our food. They heard him screaming and didn't even offer to get my fries while we waited on the hot dogs. They just sat there on the other side of the counter getting cold while I waited. Eventually I just leaned waaaaaayyy over the counter and grabbed them myself, and he was instantly quiet. I am sure the rest of the restaurant appreciated that!

We took our food over to Tomorrowland Terrace and enjoyed hot dogs, corn dog bites, fries, cheese sauce, and saved our cotton candy for later.

We ended up eating it during the parade. What time is the 3:00 parade again? Oh, yes. Next.

Stay tuned (most likely tomorrow) for the conclusion of our last full day!

 

[rachel09985]

So you aren't doing a trip report for your past trip? If so, I am sad! But I loved your IG pics!!

 

[leshunlenese]

The poly is I stayed there on a trip with just me and my kid when he was 15 months and it was the best. A quick trip away, we went in December and it was freezing and we could see the fireworks from our room!

Enchanted tales with belle is very cute. We did it for the first time this september. My nephew was also the beast. My DS was chip!


I just love MK in the fall and those decorations!!! Im so ready for next september!!!!