Just returned home from another great Disney trip. We arrived on Sunday by noon and stayed at the Poly. Our first visit to Poly and first time as DVC owners. The room was great and the two bathrooms and showers were a plus for getting kids ready. The beds were very comfy, even the little pull down bed, much more so than our stay at Riverside (which was nice also). The grounds, the light music, we had thoughts of staying elsewhere our next trip but enjoyed Poly so much I'm not sure I want to stay anywhere else now. Both pools were great. The Lava pool and kids splash area were a big hit for the kids (10 and 5), it was never crowded and the lifeguards were very attentive. The Oasis salt pool was a nice twist, relaxing and very calm. We ate at Ohana which everyone loved, the chicken and the bread pudding were big hits. The pool bar food and Capt Cooks were all very good for quick service. All in all while we really loved Riverside, Poly blew it away. Sitting at the Oasis pool on our last day with a Mai Tai and Rum Dole Wip (both excellent) was an ideal way to end the trip.
We did MNSSHP on Sunday and arrived by 3:30. What a fun, but hectic, night. Kids were Pikachu and Ash from Pokemon, our daughter spoke "pikachu" language to most characters and had a ton of fun. Somehow we met Jack/Sally, Dwarves, Alice/Hatter, Tweedles, Donald/Daisy/Minnie, Talking Mickey, Merida, watched the show, parade, fireworks and did some trick or treating and had time for several rides, including HM and some magic shots. Yet never really felt rushed. It was darn hot though. Great time and a must do at least once.
We also did the AK DVC Safari party on Tuesday. It down poured from 6:30- 9:30. Our son loved the rain. The Safari was good, but it was pouring rain during our safari. We went to see the Lion King characters and they moved the dance party, Bugs Life, Chip/Dale all inside the Lion King area. That was a blast. Kids danced with Donald/Daisy/Pluto and Nick/Judy, and met all the other characters. They didn't want to leave. Also met Baloo/King Louie and did the games area in Dino land. Didn't do any other rides due to time (though I did EE twice on my own - awesome in the dark). Stopped raining around 9:30 and was very pleasant evening after. Tree of Life was fun. Saw the same show twice though.
Did Blizzard Beach and that was more fun than expected. Need to remember water shoes next time. Our feet are still sore after that long day of walking.
Epcot F&W on Wednesday. Soaring was great (rode it twice) and Frozen was awesome. My 10 yo son HATES all things frozen, and he loved the ride. The technology is very impressive and we enjoyed how the story was slightly different than the movie. Our DD5 is Frozen obsessed and obviously loved the ride and meeting Anna/Elsa. I personally didn't expect much but thought it was a very nicely done ride. Only Epcot disappointment was that we were told Sum of All Thrills would have it's last day open on Wednesday, but it closed on Tuesday. So bummed as that is my son's favorite ride in all of WDW.
We did lunch at dinner at the F&W kiosks. Everything we tried was good, but the Korean BBQ Beef was the clear winner in our group. Even our picky kids loved it and made me to back for more. The spicy chicken in China was a close second. Or, third I guess as the Croissant Donut was fabulous and we had to grab one before Illuminations. It was a bit crowded, but mostly just people walking around the food stations. The shows and stores were not busy at all. Actually walked right up for the pick-a-pearl with no wait, and got easy viewing for the Mariachi band, Italy flag group, etc. Even lines for characters were short as we met Mary Poppins and Snow White.
HS was fun, and a bit more of a slow pace. Indiana Jones show was great even to see it a second time. I hope they never close this show. Star tours was fun.....but, we rode it three times and it was mostly the same show all three times. One had a different opening sequence, and one had a different ending sequence. All three had the same middle. Disappointing seeing that it advertises 50 alternative show. JTA was fun, our kids were really into and got to face off with Vader. We did the Star Wars Desert Party. Very fun, but too short. Food was good, drinks were okay (except the long drink line) the atmosphere for the party was great. Storm Troopers came by several times for photos and interaction and the Jawas had a long and fun interaction with our kids. The Star Wars fireworks show was very cool to see. The lasers were impressive. Still like Fantasmic better, but it's a great show to watch. Not sure we would do the desert party a second time, but it was great to try once.
Few negatives. Our DD5 ate too much chocolate on Sunday at the MNSSHP and got sick in the middle of the night. Our Son got a bit of tummy trouble at the AK party. We need to remember to have a sleep in day following an extra late night (like MNSSHP). And JTA was cut slightly short as Kylo Ren was having tech difficulties (thought kids did JTA before so it was okay given the heat). Otherwise it was fabulous. Didn't have any experiences with broken rides, dirty anything, rude anyone. Seen some comments about bubble wands and other than a few CMs we didn't see much of that either (but DD5 loved them). Only had one issue with a horde of line cutters at MNSSHP, but they moved quick enough to not bother us. Already starting to think about a trip for next year.
We did MNSSHP on Sunday and arrived by 3:30. What a fun, but hectic, night. Kids were Pikachu and Ash from Pokemon, our daughter spoke "pikachu" language to most characters and had a ton of fun. Somehow we met Jack/Sally, Dwarves, Alice/Hatter, Tweedles, Donald/Daisy/Minnie, Talking Mickey, Merida, watched the show, parade, fireworks and did some trick or treating and had time for several rides, including HM and some magic shots. Yet never really felt rushed. It was darn hot though. Great time and a must do at least once.
We also did the AK DVC Safari party on Tuesday. It down poured from 6:30- 9:30. Our son loved the rain. The Safari was good, but it was pouring rain during our safari. We went to see the Lion King characters and they moved the dance party, Bugs Life, Chip/Dale all inside the Lion King area. That was a blast. Kids danced with Donald/Daisy/Pluto and Nick/Judy, and met all the other characters. They didn't want to leave. Also met Baloo/King Louie and did the games area in Dino land. Didn't do any other rides due to time (though I did EE twice on my own - awesome in the dark). Stopped raining around 9:30 and was very pleasant evening after. Tree of Life was fun. Saw the same show twice though.
Did Blizzard Beach and that was more fun than expected. Need to remember water shoes next time. Our feet are still sore after that long day of walking.
Epcot F&W on Wednesday. Soaring was great (rode it twice) and Frozen was awesome. My 10 yo son HATES all things frozen, and he loved the ride. The technology is very impressive and we enjoyed how the story was slightly different than the movie. Our DD5 is Frozen obsessed and obviously loved the ride and meeting Anna/Elsa. I personally didn't expect much but thought it was a very nicely done ride. Only Epcot disappointment was that we were told Sum of All Thrills would have it's last day open on Wednesday, but it closed on Tuesday. So bummed as that is my son's favorite ride in all of WDW.
We did lunch at dinner at the F&W kiosks. Everything we tried was good, but the Korean BBQ Beef was the clear winner in our group. Even our picky kids loved it and made me to back for more. The spicy chicken in China was a close second. Or, third I guess as the Croissant Donut was fabulous and we had to grab one before Illuminations. It was a bit crowded, but mostly just people walking around the food stations. The shows and stores were not busy at all. Actually walked right up for the pick-a-pearl with no wait, and got easy viewing for the Mariachi band, Italy flag group, etc. Even lines for characters were short as we met Mary Poppins and Snow White.
HS was fun, and a bit more of a slow pace. Indiana Jones show was great even to see it a second time. I hope they never close this show. Star tours was fun.....but, we rode it three times and it was mostly the same show all three times. One had a different opening sequence, and one had a different ending sequence. All three had the same middle. Disappointing seeing that it advertises 50 alternative show. JTA was fun, our kids were really into and got to face off with Vader. We did the Star Wars Desert Party. Very fun, but too short. Food was good, drinks were okay (except the long drink line) the atmosphere for the party was great. Storm Troopers came by several times for photos and interaction and the Jawas had a long and fun interaction with our kids. The Star Wars fireworks show was very cool to see. The lasers were impressive. Still like Fantasmic better, but it's a great show to watch. Not sure we would do the desert party a second time, but it was great to try once.
Few negatives. Our DD5 ate too much chocolate on Sunday at the MNSSHP and got sick in the middle of the night. Our Son got a bit of tummy trouble at the AK party. We need to remember to have a sleep in day following an extra late night (like MNSSHP). And JTA was cut slightly short as Kylo Ren was having tech difficulties (thought kids did JTA before so it was okay given the heat). Otherwise it was fabulous. Didn't have any experiences with broken rides, dirty anything, rude anyone. Seen some comments about bubble wands and other than a few CMs we didn't see much of that either (but DD5 loved them). Only had one issue with a horde of line cutters at MNSSHP, but they moved quick enough to not bother us. Already starting to think about a trip for next year.
