Martha and Tara's Excellent Adventure

[makinorlando]

My DD8 and I had one our our best days ever in WDW today, and we never entered a theme park. I have found a new “hobby”! Resort hopping!



First off, for all of you who are not fortunate enough to be here today, the weather is GORGEOUS. It does not get much better than today. Two days like today (and yesterday) make up for all the hot, humid days of summer!



My mission today, was to go to the Poly and AKL to see the holiday displays we saw featured on the Food Network Holiday at WDW special



We left home about 11am, and arrived at the front door of the Poly at 11:30. Left the car to be parked by the valet (I love the free valet parking perk to the DDE card). This was the first time I have entered the Poly, haven ridden by it many times on the monorail. The lobby is great with the water fall and lush plants. We wondered around a bit, stopped in the gift shop, took some pics, and headed upstairs to find the edible Poly display. It is incredible what these chefs (artists) can do with choc and sugar!



Now, as mentioned above the plan was to hit Poly and AKL, but once we were mere yards away from the monorail, we figured – what the heck – let’s get on, if we do nothing more than ride the loop past the resorts and MK. Next stop the Grand Floridian. Okay- let’s get off here, and see things in the daylight. Only other time we had been there was a few evenings earlier for the Wishes Cruise that left from the GF marina. I took some more pics of the tree and gingerbread house, the lobby was quieter today. DD wanted to head out to the beach. You see she is a Pisces , the child of two Pisces, so she just can’t help herself when water is close by. She really wants to jump in and experience each and every pool! While DD played in the sand, I relaxed a bit under one of the blue and white cabanas I had only viewed from the monorail before, and just took in the beautiful day, and peacefulness of the resort.



Back on the monorail, this time headed for MK. Hmmm should we ride back to Poly now, or get off at MK, and…. at this point the thought crossed my mind to get into MK for a bit. Then the bag check and turnstiles came into view, and I realized that was just not where I wanted to be today . I would leave the Kingdom to all those folks who are visiting our fine state. Instead of heading into the Kingdom when we got off the monorail, we headed for the boat launch for WL and Fort Wilderness. What a nice boat ride that is around the lagoon. The Wishes cruise was on one of those really cold nights the week before Christmas, and it was quite chilly out on the water. We disembarked at WL after a brief stop at FW. Again the design of the resort was amazing. I loved walking up the corridor with the stone walls, and into the lobby with the open beams. More pictures, more gift shop browsing, and a brief stop in the arcade (my DD will find one of them anywhere we go!) and we headed back to the boat launch. We just missed the 2pm geyser eruption, so we will save the experience for another time.



Once back at MK, we decided to board another boat to head back to the Poly rather than take the monorail. Again, DD had to spend some time on the beach, and I didn’t mind. I enjoyed watching her wade in the water, play in the sand, and maneuver her self into a hammock! I enjoy people watching, and don’t get too much of a chance at the parks with an eight year old to sit and just watch! After quite some time, I thought we were ready to leave, when just as we were walking by the poolside bar, I heard the sweet sounds of Jimmy Buffett. I was drawn to the bar and ordered a Pina Coloda for moi, and a Lava Smoothie for DD. This was a very tasty treat, and really hit the spot.



At some point while enjoying the liquid refreshment, my DD decides that she HAS to play miniature golf. Mind you she has NOT played miniature golf for over a year, and we have not spoken about miniature golf – so where did that thought come from. Not ruling the possibility out (and hoping she would be to tired, or something later) I told her we had not completed the mission we were on. We still needed to find AKL and their candy creation!



We headed to the valet stand, were a very pleasant gentleman brought us the car, and we were “on the road again”. After missing the exit, we finally were on the right track to AKL. This little error, was not for nothing, as we did find not one, but two miniature golf courses. I still made no promises, and secretly wished that she would just tired of all this and want to go home!). We arrived at AKL – it really feels like you are in a different time zone all the way out there. I had never before driven any further than AK, so this was a new adventure. Once again, we head for the front door, and left my car to the nice valet people. We entered the lobby, took more pics of Christmas trees (how many pics of my DD in front of Christmas trees have I taken this season???) We found our way down to the restaurant level, and there we spied the choc african village display, complete with a Simba like lion overlooking the whole village from a rock ledge. I was a bit disappointed by the size and location of this display – some how on TV it looked more impressive in size. The entire display however is impressive- the creativity of the folk who build these every year is amazing. It was located in the middle of water near the buffet area, and you could not get too close. DD threw a couple pennies in the water, and made three wishes, and we were on our way. We headed outside to see what we could see. I guess it was dinner time, as we saw wildebeest (sp), zebras, pelicans and my favorite giraffes. This was a better view than any of the times we were on the safari, and we did not have to keep away from those pesky poachers! I took lots of pictures, always hoping for that perfect or special shot.

DD is ready to go, and the miniature golf discussion starts again. My DD has the persistence of a pit bull, and once she gets an idea, she will not let it go. On the way out, I envied the folks checking in – just beginning their visit to WDW. I was also trying to decide if anyone would miss one of the chairs they had in the lobby. I absolutely loved them, and think one would be perfect in my family room! I decided to detour through yet another gift shop. This time ready and willing to open my wallet for something DD wanted (maybe a bag of rocks???), but to no avail. She did not WANT anything from here, she wanted to play golf.


Okay, so far we are having a really great day, and if I say now she will be all sad and pouty. I dealt with the sad and pouty Tara on Friday, and I did not wan to ruin today! After all, it still was beautiful outside, and the dogs at home were good for another hour or two!!! After getting our car from the valet (this took a bit of time – the person at the valet desk was trying to train someone new about the phones, and stuff, and was not paying much attention to the other people around her.



Back on the road. Tara still not backing down, I headed toward the miniature golf places. The first one we happened on was the Winterland/Summerland resort. The theme of these courses is very cute summer on one side,and winter on the other, with Santa appearing on both sides.– where else can you see Santa’s sleigh being pulled by three flamingoes. Well, one was actually laying down on the job. I know pink flamingos are tacky, but I do love them and collect them!

Tara decided on the Winter course, and it was very cute. There was an igloo, little “travel trailers” where the “elves” lived, a snow castle, Mickey and Minnie made out of “snow” and Squirty the Snowman who so rudely squirted anyone who reached for their ball in the cup! DD played while I watched. She had a couple holes in one (hmmm – thought to self – maybe she should take up golf – the LPGA pays pretty good!)

After 18 holes of “Winter” she was still having such a good time, and I got the Face again. Well, what the heck- the second round will be ½ price ($4.50 instead of $9.00). We entered the “beach” and again enjoyed seeing what things were at each hole. They also played “beachy” Christmas music, and DD had fun dancing while we waited our turn. Gidget she is not, but she was pretty darned cute! This side found Goofy and Donald at the sand castle, the snowman was melted, and there were two fish wearing Santa hats that squirted you when you walked across the bridge! Santa was sleeping buried under the snow as were his elves. I think I took as many pictures at the golf course as I did at the resorts. Things just made me chuckle.

Finally we made it to the 18th hole, and Mommy was ready to leave the World of Disney, and come back to RL (real life). After all I do have to work tomorrow! DD has one more day of Winter Break!


Well, that’s the end of Martha and Tara’s Excellent Adventure. Eight hours of awesome fun, for under $50. (Would have been less if I could keep myself out of the darned gift shops!)

Home in my own little "animal kingdom" I am looking back on today, as one of the days that we will remember for a long time. That is why it was important for me to take the time and put it down on paper, to go along with the many pics I took!


Thanks for taking the time to read about our adventure.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Next time, make sure to check out the Fantasia mini golf course (it's over near the Swan/Dolphin area) ... it's a fun course to play.

 

[makinorlando]

Fantasia is the only one that I knew about - so this one was a surprise. Next time we will do the other. On of the girls who worked at this one said Fantasia is a bit more challenging.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Very, very nice. I felt like I was tagging right along with you guys. What a neat day. Thanks for sharing. Glad you and Tara had a fun day. I checked out your website too, very nice. Loved the Jimmy Buffet touch.

 

[monarchsfan16]

Sounds like a fun day. I have to say that the days we spent exploring resorts when we were at the World in April were some of my favorites, because I got to see so many places I hadn't seen before