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

[dismagiclover]

Swimming at a Disney pool is better than swimming anywhere else The Poly looks extra special because the castle is so close.

 

[Angies1274]

Love your pictures of the Poly. Your room looks great I totally understand wanting to get something Disney your first night and what a nice way to finish up the day with a dip in the pool--very relaxing!! Your kids look like they are having a lot of fun. Can't wait for more.....

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

I'm back !

I absolutely LOVE the Poly!

 

[Janet B]

Afternoon, Stacy!
Waiting to read more. In my 3 trips to DW, we have never eaten at EOS, choosing instead to eat at Wolfgang Puck Express (we love it there!).

Loved your pics of the poly pool ... and your DD. She seems to like her pic taken just like me DD!!
Give us more!

BTW: If your kids get into pin trading ... I bought some on EBAY before our last trip for her to trade (it helps on the wallet). Only trouble, she finds it hard to part with them!

 

[micandminforever]

Great Poly pictures.

 

[stace208]

I'm all caught up and loving your poly room! Did it still seem dark when you opened the drapes?

First thing in the morning it really brightened up the room to open the curtain but by the afternoon our longhouse was completely in the shade--which is not necessarily a bad thing either though!

I totally understand doing something Disney on your first night, it's a must for us too.
We have never been to BG but it looks like fun, did your son love the zip lines? I think Baylor who is 10 would have a blast!

BG is totally worth a day trip if you have the time. The ziplines were cool-there were 3 different ones that took you over different parts of the kid's area. DH enjoyed his ride on it as well.

I'm in!! Teacher here as well. 6th grade!! I would love to stay at the POLY. Your pics are great. I like the ones from the pool.

MK on Sat. We were there that day. We'll have to see if our paths cross.

Hi and thanks for coming over! Bless you for teaching middle school-it truly takes special folks to teach that age group!

The Poly pool was fantastic! I can't wait to see if we crossed paths!

Swimming at a Disney pool is better than swimming anywhere else The Poly looks extra special because the castle is so close.

Yes, you are right about swimming at Disney. It was so magical sitting by the pool and being able to see the castle change color at night.

Love your pictures of the Poly. Your room looks great I totally understand wanting to get something Disney your first night and what a nice way to finish up the day with a dip in the pool--very relaxing!! Your kids look like they are having a lot of fun. Can't wait for more.....

Hi! and My kids had an absolute blast.

I'm back !

I absolutely LOVE the Poly!

Hi! It's easy to fall in love with the Poly!

Afternoon, Stacy!
Waiting to read more. In my 3 trips to DW, we have never eaten at EOS, choosing instead to eat at Wolfgang Puck Express (we love it there!).

We eat here too this trip...that's all I will say for now!

Loved your pics of the poly pool ... and your DD. She seems to like her pic taken just like me DD!!
Give us more!

She's VERY shy in person but for the camera she can ham it up with the best of them! Thanks for the compliment about the pics, I love to take them.

BTW: If your kids get into pin trading ... I bought some on EBAY before our last trip for her to trade (it helps on the wallet). Only trouble, she finds it hard to part with them!

I actually did buy some on ebay before we went. They seperated them into keep and trade. They just didn't seem to want to give up *time* to trade. Only here and there. I think that's where they'll get into it more as they age. Thank heavens for ebay tho-pins are $$$!

Great Poly pictures.

 

[Rozz]

I'm enjoying your trip report and looking forward to more!

 

[tiggerfan6]

I am enjoying your trip report. Can't wait to read more

 

[MJAJmom]

Wow, that white peacock is spectacular!!! He takes your breath away!

I thought the Earl of Sandwich made some delicious sandwiches too! Enjoying your report!

 

[Disneyvirg]

Great start, Stacy!

BG looks like it was lots of fun.

Don't you just love the Poly? It's so serene. It's weird because you know there's tons of people there, but it never seems too crazy.

Looking forward to more updates!

ps - love your kid's names and your kids are very cute!

 

[stace208]

I'm enjoying your trip report and looking forward to more!

Thanks and welcome!

I am enjoying your trip report. Can't wait to read more

Hi there! Thanks for joining in! I am working on the next installment. I'll try to get it up tonight!

Wow, that white peacock is spectacular!!! He takes your breath away!

I thought the Earl of Sandwich made some delicious sandwiches too! Enjoying your report!

He was just gorgeous. I love looking at that picture. EOS is my favorite at DTD Thanks for joining in!

Great start, Stacy!

BG looks like it was lots of fun.

Don't you just love the Poly? It's so serene. It's weird because you know there's tons of people there, but it never seems too crazy.

Looking forward to more updates!

ps - love your kid's names and your kids are very cute!

Hi Carissa! Thanks for joining in and the compliments about my kids...I too think they're cute but I am a bit biased I guess

I agree about the Poly. It never felt crowded...except at the volcano pool one night

 

[stace208]

Saturday, June 20th
The sun was shining through the curtain when I awoke. I am not sure what time it was exactly. This bothered me all week—I could not see the clock. I was also on the side of the bed with no nightstand so I couldn’t leave my phone or watch there to see what time it was. The clock didn’t light up either so even if I strained my neck, wouldn’t help. Anyhoo, John woke up too and we whispered a bit about the coming day. Right at 7 the phone rang and Ben hopped up and answered to hear Mickey tell him to come on over to the Magic Kingdom. Mickey was right because that’s where we were headed for the day!
We got up, dressed, and had breakfast. I had packed cereal, pop-tarts, cereal bars and we had milk. John ran to the GCH to fill our refillable mugs. I sunscreened up the kids and myself and made sure all the bags were packed and ready to go. John had a backpack, I had my baggalinni and Ben also had a small sling backpack. He was very good about carrying it all week and it made no one have too heavy of a load. I think my bag was the heaviest because I like to have things “just in case”. I, for the most part, liked my “bag-o-leenie” as we called it. A few times it got on my nerves but I was glad I didn’t have a bag covering my back in that heat.
We left and made the oh so long 2 minute walk to the TTC. It was early so the express MK monorail wasn’t running yet so we got on the other one. First stop, yep, the Poly. No worries, it would’ve taken us longer to walk there than the TTC. Then we were off to GF and then our stop, MK! I was busting at this point. I just love MK…to me, it is what Disney is all about. We hopped off with the masses, got through bag check and turnstiles, and found a spot for the opening show. It was right about 8:30 so we had some time to wait. The sun was scorching already so we found a shady spot and the kids sat down. John went to get a map. Ya, it was in Portuguese..not helpful. I took it back and got another.
Now, I was trying something new this trip. I bought the Ridemax software. So, I got out the MK plan and memorized the first few plans. It had us hopping around the park so I didn’t know…today would be the test. I am not a park “commando” per se, but I do recognize the importance of getting stuff done early and then revisiting favorites, doing shows, characters, etc. I will, however, stop and let my kids do something if they really want to-most of the time.
Soon enough, the show started. Thank goodness because the sun was on us now and it was HOT! I get teary when the characters come out-Ellie gets so excited. One of these times I am going to take her picture. I am so caught up in it myself, I always forget. Show ends and we enter Main Street. Oh, the sights and smells and wonders. It never gets old to me. We bypass the photopass folks for now. I preordered the CD though so we do go back. We walk up and get to the rope in the castle. Only a few moments and we’re in the crowd headed for Dumbo. Ellie and I hop in line while John and Ben chill on the bench. Ben uses this time to read his Hidden Mickey book about our next stop.

In line for Dumbo

Riding Dumbo

The view from Dumbo

Ben gives it a try.

Continued..

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Yay, an early morning ride on Dumbo! How did Ben do with that sword? Baylor couldn't get the darn thing to budge! Looks like you got a great start to the day, can't wait to hear what you think of ridemax!

 

[stace208]

6/20 Part 2
Peter Pan is next. I love this ride. The line is always so long we usually do fastpasses but this morning there is not a line and we move right through and hop on. The kids ride together and John and I get to ride together. I just sat back and enjoyed the ride and didn’t take any pictures. Wonderful! Finish up and head to

Haunted Mansion!
There’s no line and we walk straight through and into the stretching room. Ellie didn’t like this ride last year but is a brave girl and agrees to ride again. At first she’s pretty scared and hiding but I chat her up the whole way and she loosens up. I pointed out hidden Mickeys and talked about the bat eyes looking like something on Scooby Doo. I told her what was coming at the end and made it all funny. I told her this was my best memory of the first time I came to WDW-that ghost in my carriage with me. All of my ploys worked and she actually enjoyed it this time.
Now we headed back to the carousel. I think Ben needed the restroom so John went with him while Ellie and I rode.

Then we headed to Winnie the Pooh. This was the longest line but Ridemax said no fastpass so we stood in line. Only ended up being 9 minutes. After Pooh we headed to Toontown which had just opened. John and the kids headed to Goofy’s Barnstormer. Now, my little princess that doesn’t like thrill rides, LOVES Goofy’s. Go figure! I decided to miss this ride and pop into the store there. My goal was three-fold: 1. It was 10:10 and I wanted to see the wait time for the Fairies. This was not on our plan for today, I was just curious. 2. I was searching for a CD 3. Ellie needed a hat. She had picked out a Minnie one last night at WoD but I hadn’t bought it for some strange reason. I grabbed the hat, no luck on the CD, and wait time was 60 minutes-yikes!
John and the kids come in when I am finishing up. I double check with Ellie about the hat, grab a bottle of water, and pay. John leaves and goes to get FP’s for Splash. The kids make a pressed penny and then we head over to Minnie's and Mickey's house. Quick tour through these and then on to the teacups. John gets motion sickness so this is a no go for him. He wanted a rest anyways from going all the way to Splash and back that fast! The rest of us love Disney teacups because you can spin, spin, SPIN!

On the teacups

After teacups, it’s time for lunch. Cosmic Ray’s is a must-do for us on every trip. The kids just love it and we love the variety, the space, and the AC!
I think there's a picture somewhere but it doesn't really show the food much. John and I got burgers because the sandwich side wasn't open yet. Ellie and Ben got nuggets. Now here's another thing that makes eating at Disney interesting for us...Ben doesn't like cookies, ice cream, or chocolate. Not a big deal here though because he just gets applesauce and grapes. I give him a chunk of my fries to supplement his meal and I think he ends up with some of Ellie's grapes too.
Lunch is over and the plan says we are to go to Pirates and then back to FP for Buzz. Well, line for Buzz is 5 minutes and we are way ahead of our plan, so we go ahead and hop on. Great ride! See, I can break from the plan.

Again, a change in plan, because we go ahead and do Monsters, Inc. Another great show. We texted a joke that got used and Ben yelled out something they used in the show. No one on camera though (Ellie got on last year)
We now make our way over to Pirates. I think we waited about 10 minutes tops to ride. I just love this ride too. Ellie wasn't too sure of it but she really liked it this year. Ben had just watched all 3 of the movies so this was a winner for him.
Next we were all so excited to ride Splash Mountain for the first time. It was not open the last time John or I had been at MK. Both years we were here in January, it was closed for refurb. I knew Ellie would not be a fan of the drop but she didn't protest so on we went. She loved the ride the whole way through. Each time she would think the drop was coming she would cling to my arm. But she laughed and looked all around otherwise. The theming on that ride is amazing. I just loved it to pieces. The big drop was fun (Ellie didn't like it as expected). We got wetter from the other boat in the beginning though so it didn't cool me off as much as I had hoped.
Now Ben is itching to ride BTMRR. Ellie wanted nothing to do with it and I don't mind waiting with her so John went. She and I walked around but it was so crowded. We ducked in a bathroom and then found a cool store to hang out in. She purchased a Minnie figuirine. John and Ben met up with us there as the wait had only been about 20 minutes instead of the posted 40. Somewhere in all of this my niece had texted me that they had landed, then on ME, and now at Poly.
We are pretty much pooped at this point. It's about 2:30. Our ADR is not until 8:10 so we are thinking of seeing Mickey's Philharmagic, grabbing a snack, and heading back to swim. While we are in the waiting line for Philharmagic my niece texts me that they are at MK and getting ready to ride Stitch (We don't like this ride). The parade is getting ready to start so I tell her to head over and ride Pirates, Splash, and BTMRR. She doesn't listen and texts me a few minutes later that they are in line for Astro Orbiter and it is Hot...well, uh..no comment. I tell her we're leaving and that we'll see them at dinner. Right then Philharmagic starts anyways. We love this show and leave happy as clams. We head to the Main Street bakery. Ellie and I get the ice cream sandwiches. John and Ben get the cinnamon buns. We apparently were so hungry we didn't take any pictures. Shame on us! These treats are heavenly and just what we needed. Then we head to the boat to get us back to the TTC.
Ellie and dad waiting for the boat.

Up next: more swimming and Chef Mickey's for dinner

 

[wigdoutdismom]

It looks like you did get a lot done and had some fun to boot! Ellie was very brave to ride Splash! Did you ever dry out after getting splashed?

 

[stace208]

Yay, an early morning ride on Dumbo! How did Ben do with that sword? Baylor couldn't get the darn thing to budge! Looks like you got a great start to the day, can't wait to hear what you think of ridemax!

Nothing like that early morning ride on Dumbo. Ben pouted last year because I made him go...silly boy. I am hoping Ellie will keep going with me even when she's older. Or else I'll be riding by myself.

Can you believe it, Ben couldn't move the thing an inch either. I hope I can keep getting him to do this. It's so neat to see how he has changed each time.

It looks like you did get a lot done and had some fun to boot! Ellie was very brave to ride Splash! Did you ever dry out after getting splashed?

We had a blast. I have a smile on my face just rereading and looking at all the pictures. Ellie was brave and I have my fingers crossed that she'll ride it again. If not, Ben will luck into two rides in one day

 

[stace208]

Did you ever dry out after getting splashed?

I had to think about this and yes, we did dry off this day. Ben and I got the wettest, I think, because of where we were sitting. I know it sure felt good and it wasn't a soaking which is why I am thinking that we were dry later on when we changed.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

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

 

[ladybugmom]

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!!

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

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!