Lizards, ducks, and FUN! Our week at the Polynesian!*Updated 7/21* Page 10

[Lady Lallie]

What a wonderful update to wake up to this morning!

You got A LOT done at MK. I love Dumbo, I missed him this past trip but will get him in the Fall. I bet your DD will always go on with you.

Did you like the ridemax plans?

 

[dismagiclover]

Sounds like a great MK morning How do you feel now about Ridemax? We use it often and generally have really good luck with it.

 

[stace208]

Lucky you, my clothes never dried, when we got back to the resort I had to peel them off........

Ick! I do know how that feels. Our AK day I was still wet when we got back to the room. Of course, I can't say if it was all still from Kali or from sweat

Hi Stacy!! We stayed at the Poly about a month before your trip--LOVE the Poly and can't wait to go back!! We seem to have a lot in common--I am a former Kindergarten teacher and my hubby is a mechanical engineer (and is also more into the management part of his company now). I just found your TR and have enjoyed reading it so far!! Can't wait to read more!!

The Poly is wonderful, isn't it?? Ah, I would go back in a heartbeat. It's so neat meeting folks on here that have so much in common! Thanks for joining in!

Good morning,

I was at MK that day. We headed to Buzz first. We rode many of the same rides, so we must have crossed paths at some point. I know you probably told us already, but are you on the dining plan?? If so, what did you think? Don't you love the boats to the resorts???

Have a good day!

Too bad we didn't know each other to say hey!
We were on the dining plan and overall, we love it! Our two complaints were about the kids meals. One, lack of variety and two, it was not enough food for Ben. Next year we will have to get him the adult plan even though he'll only be 9. But, we love being able to do the family style/buffet/character meals as part of the plan.

What a wonderful update to wake up to this morning!

You got A LOT done at MK. I love Dumbo, I missed him this past trip but will get him in the Fall. I bet your DD will always go on with you.

Did you like the ridemax plans?

Why thank you LL! I am enjoying writing this report and I'm glad that others like reading it. We did get a lot done and with the exception of some walking, we never felt rushed. It was great! You must do Dumbo in the fall-he'll feel left out if you don't I think Ellie will keep going with me. She loves Disney as much as I do and I think he'll always be special for her. It's the first ride she remembers riding from when she was 3.

I LOVED ridemax. I'm sure I will say it over and over during this TR. It never did us wrong. Often we would get ahead of the plan (I scheduled us on slow) but we would *almost* always follow the order of the plan and have good results. The early mornings are worth it alone.

Sounds like a great MK morning How do you feel now about Ridemax? We use it often and generally have really good luck with it.

It was a great morning/day. I am now a ridemax fan for life!

 

[Angies1274]

Love all the pics!! It looks like you got alot accomplished at MK!! We love Dumbo--and looking at the castle while we are riding is definitely magical.Hoping to talk my boys into the Haunted Mansion next trip--we'll see Looking forward to more.....

 

[Janet B]

Hi Stacy
Thought I pop in on my lunchtime (I’m at work, thought my mind is at Disney!). Sounds like your MK day was terrific … do you know I have NEVER made a rope drop?? My kids just have trouble getting up in the morning … I guess we run them too much at night. Never heard of ridemax – is this software you buy and customized it to your touring style? Sounds like you managed to do a lot in one day. Your DD is brave-mine tried to do the Haunted Mansion and was scared, so no go. (I’ve never done this either), so will try again this year. We love Splash Mtn and got wet more at the beginning of the ride also! Maybe its good that they haven’t quite caught on to pin trading … it can become a little bit of obsession, (and not just for the kids!). Looking forward to the next installment! Have a great day!

 

[stace208]

Love all the pics!! It looks like you got alot accomplished at MK!! We love Dumbo--and looking at the castle while we are riding is definitely magical.Hoping to talk my boys into the Haunted Mansion next trip--we'll see Looking forward to more.....

Thanks!! I just love Dumbo. I had hoped for a bit better of picture but that one was the only one that turned out. Gives me yet another reason to ride again next year
I hope you can get your boys on HM. It's a favorite for all of us now!

Hi Stacy
Thought I pop in on my lunchtime (I’m at work, thought my mind is at Disney!). Sounds like your MK day was terrific … do you know I have NEVER made a rope drop?? My kids just have trouble getting up in the morning … I guess we run them too much at night. Never heard of ridemax – is this software you buy and customized it to your touring style? Sounds like you managed to do a lot in one day. Your DD is brave-mine tried to do the Haunted Mansion and was scared, so no go. (I’ve never done this either), so will try again this year. We love Splash Mtn and got wet more at the beginning of the ride also! Maybe its good that they haven’t quite caught on to pin trading … it can become a little bit of obsession, (and not just for the kids!). Looking forward to the next installment! Have a great day!

Hi Janet! I know all about Disney thoughts at work...it's what helps me get through all those school days
No rope drop Seriously, I know for some people it works to come later. 3 of us are early risers anyways and Ellie tolerates us because it's Disney.

Ridemax is a program that you buy and then download. You go in and say which day, which park, and tell it what rides you want to do, shows etc. There are options for touring speed, if you will have a fastpass runner and others. Then it will tell you the order to do things in to minimize your wait time. It's really neat when you get in there and play around.

Hope you are having a good day!! Thanks again for stopping by!

 

[Gabes_mommy]

Hi Stacy! I hope you don't mind if I join in.

Your kiddos are too cute and the Poly is my dream resort. I can't wait to read more.

 

[stace208]

Hi Stacy! I hope you don't mind if I join in.

Your kiddos are too cute and the Poly is my dream resort. I can't wait to read more.

Mind??? I LOVE that you decided to join in!

Thanks for the compliment about the kidlets...they are cuties if I do say so myself The Poly is wonderful for sure. I see you have a trip coming up. Where will you be staying?

 

[MJAJmom]

I love the pictures of FantasyLand from the Dumbo ride. I'll have to remember to do that next trip. And the sword in the stone is a great thing for boys, my 2 love to pull on that sword!!

Glad to know that ridemax worked out for you.

 

[cjackearl]

Oh what a great MK day! Silly, silly niece to not listen to her auntie.

I bet your daughter will ride Dumbo with you forever. My daughters both insisted on waiting in a 30 min. line at Dumbo, the longest by far of our whole trip.

I remember this day, we were at DHS and it was the first day of our trip that was shockingly HOT! I bet getting splashed on Splash felt really good.

 

[SunnieRN]

Wow!! Have been reading from work (where I can't post), and have been loving your report!! Our first trip to wdw was last September and we drove from TX with a 6 month old and a 3 year old. All I can say is thank Gawd for dvd players for the three year old!!
Your kids are SO cute!! How cool that your family came up with a plan to work together for the pool and disney vacations! Looks like its paying off nicely!!
Love your tie dye shirts! You all looked great! Isn't it funny how kids will be fascinated by something, (lizards, snakes, ants), and have no real desire to focus on something else?

Loved the poly, it is beautiful. Have never stayed there, but last Sept. when we went spur of the moment and stayed at SOG we spent quite a bit of time at the poly shopping, eating at Capn' Cookes and enjoying the afternoon air conditioning.

Looking forward to more and your review of ridemax!!

 

[stace208]

I love the pictures of FantasyLand from the Dumbo ride. I'll have to remember to do that next trip. And the sword in the stone is a great thing for boys, my 2 love to pull on that sword!!

Glad to know that ridemax worked out for you.

There are some really neat shots from up there. I wish more of mine had turned out. I'll have to practice more

Oh what a great MK day! Silly, silly niece to not listen to her auntie.

Ha! She learned her lesson. By the end they were thanking me for all of my *plans*

I bet your daughter will ride Dumbo with you forever. My daughters both insisted on waiting in a 30 min. line at Dumbo, the longest by far of our whole trip.

Aww, I think it's great they still wanted to ride. Now, the 30 minute wait...who am I kidding-I'd still do it!

I remember this day, we were at DHS and it was the first day of our trip that was shockingly HOT! I bet getting splashed on Splash felt really good.

Oh yes, it did feel good. Shockingly HOT, that is the best I have heard it described!!

Wow!! Have been reading from work (where I can't post), and have been loving your report!! Our first trip to wdw was last September and we drove from TX with a 6 month old and a 3 year old. All I can say is thank Gawd for dvd players for the three year old!!
Your kids are SO cute!! How cool that your family came up with a plan to work together for the pool and disney vacations! Looks like its paying off nicely!!
Love your tie dye shirts! You all looked great! Isn't it funny how kids will be fascinated by something, (lizards, snakes, ants), and have no real desire to focus on something else?

Loved the poly, it is beautiful. Have never stayed there, but last Sept. when we went spur of the moment and stayed at SOG we spent quite a bit of time at the poly shopping, eating at Capn' Cookes and enjoying the afternoon air conditioning.

Looking forward to more and your review of ridemax!!

Thanks for reading along at work and joining in! Driving from Texas is a loooong way-I bet those dvd players were heavenly. I always read as a kid on road trips but my dh gets car sick and never could read so he is always wishing there were dvd players back then!

Thanks for your kind words about the kids. I think I'll keep them. The tie dye shirts were so fun to make and no one complained about having to wear them because we matched but didn't, ya know?

Until this trip I didn't realize that SoG was so close to the Poly. It wasn't until that first morning on the monorail when the guy said it was on the left did I know it was there. Duh!

Last bit of this day is coming up!

 

[stace208]

I apologize for the delay in getting this last little bit posted. My computer and scanner were having communication issue. I tried all sorts of counseling and intervention techniques and nothing worked. The tech king assured me he would be able to get them to cooperate when he got home. After much cajoling, that turned to threats, scanner and computer still no likey each other. Don't worry, no technology was actually harmed. Needless to say, I then had to wait for said tech king to scan my Chef Mickey's photo for me. His timetable isn't the same as mine so tonight before I left to take Ben to swim practice I left specific orders for it to be done and upon my return, it was. So now I am back in business...

When I left off we were heading out of MK to cool off and have a swim. My photopass CD came in yesterday so I will show you some of the photos we had done on our way out first.

This is my favorite!

We hopped on the big boat back to the TTC.

These shots are from the boat.

We got back to our room, did a quick change and headed for the pool. I don't have a pool picture from this day but I do have a picture that also comes into play in my title.

Ducks!! On our way to the pool we went to Captain Cooks to get our mugs refilled. We came across some ducks and a whole little group of ducklings with their mama. This became Ellie's obsession now-every park we are now noticing lizards and ducks...kids, they're so funny! Ducks also come into play a little later too.

We swim a bit and then head to the room to change and get ready for dinner. I was texting my niece on and off. They had finally listened to me and headed to do BTMRR and Splash. Then they were headed back to the Poly because their room was now ready. John and I decided that since we had time we would ride the monorail and get off at the Grand Floridian to check it out. We've never resort hopped, just never had time really. But, the GF had been a dream of mine and this seemed like the perfect opportunity before our Chef Mickey dinner.

Ellie was dressed as Minnie for this meal. She was so excited.

We hopped on the monorail and arrived at the GF

I have to be honest, I was so disappointed. Now, don't get me wrong, it is absolutely gorgeous both inside and out. But, and maybe it's just us, but we felt out of place there. It's the only place in Disney where I felt like I didn't fit in. I told John that some day, when the kids are older, maybe we'd come here or maybe just he and I at some point. Right now, for our family, it just didn't seem to fit. I guess that's the best part of Disney-there is something for everyone!

While we are at the GF my niece texts me and wants to know why I am not answering my door. I felt so bad-they had come down to see us and we were gone. I hadn't told her we were leaving because I figured between getting back from MK, getting settled, and getting ready for dinner they would be rushed. No big deal and she said she'd catch us at dinner. We hopped back on the monorail and go to the Contemporary. We're early so we browsed the gift shops and then found a bench to sit on to wait. Around 8 John is getting nervous because they aren't there and he wants to check in. I text her and they walk up right then. We head over to check in.

We had a long wait after checking in. We got called for our picture and then had to wait for at least 40 minutes.
I contemplated posting their pictures on the net and then decided that since I paid for the photopass CD and the dining photo, I was gonna post it! Seriously, I don't think they'd care.

Our picture in front of the big plate.

It was almost 9 by the time we got seated in the section up the stairs right by the window. We asked if we could see Wishes from there but the CM said no We hit the buffet quick because we were all starving.

The characters started coming in a bit but at least we all got to eat some. Once the characters come, Ellie doesn't eat a bite. It's so sweet to me that she's so excited.

I can't find the photo of Goofy. I will investigate and post it later.
We waved napkins and had a good meal. I thought the food was OK, but everyone else liked it more than me. The desserts were wonderful!! The characters were great. I'd like to sit in the main dining room next time.

We then rushed to the monorail, hopped on, and got back to the Poly in time to run to the beach to watch Wishes. There are no pictures because DH went to the bathroom I think and I was just enjoying myself. It was the end to a perfect Disney day in my book!

 

[dismagiclover]

I've never ridden the ferry from the MK to the TTC Someday.
Your DD's dress is adorable! It looks like everyone had a great time at Chef Mickey's

 

[Angies1274]

Great photopass pics!! Oh my...I love your daughter's dress that she wore to Chef Mickey's--so cute!!! It looks like you all had a wonderful time at Chef Mickey's and what a way to end the night....Wishes on the Poly beach.

 

[stace208]

Here's Goofy! Don't know how those didn't get uploaded. He's Ben's fave so I couldn't leave him out!!

 

[Happydog]

Just signed on, now! Will go back and read to catch up!

 

[stace208]

So sad...I just saw a video that someone filmed while riding in the front of the monorail with the young driver that was killed in the crash. I worried all along that I might recognize him if I saw him and I did. One night leaving Epcot the train was delayed (something going on in one of the back cars-someone said a proposal but I don't know ) The driver was hanging out front waiting for a signal to go. It was Austin. We finally loaded up and he drove us back to the TTC.
My heart goes out to his family and friends.

 

[ladybugmom]

LOVE your Chef Mickey pics! I can't believe you had to wait 40 minutes to be seated! That's crazy!! Your kids look sooo excited! Don't you just love watching the interaction between them and the characters?! Can't wait to read more!

 

[Lady Lallie]

What a wonderful evening! I have never been to Chef Mickey's but it looks like such a fun time!

Ellie looks adorable in her Minnie Dress, you can really tell her how excited she is.

About recognizing the monorail driver. The whole incident is just so very sad.