May at the Poly! Home & catching up on work...TR to come soon!

[aprilisis]

I wasn’t going to start a TR for my May trip, but I think being stuck in the house due to mountains of snow outside has made me want to start one. I don’t want to over-share, so I’ll just say that I’m a 35 year old woman. I have a bf named John who is just the nicest, smartest guy I have ever met. He really knows how to make me laugh, too. I have an 11 year old dog named Isis. You’ll see lots of photos of her. With the introduction out of the way, we can move on to specifics.

When: May 17-23, 2011

Where: The Polynesian Resort

Who: We’re still working that out….

I wanted to keep this trip low key & not plan a ton of stuff, but being stuck in the house during this huge snowstorm we’re having- I couldn’t resist adding more ADRs. I have always wanted to take a 2 week trip, but I just hate leaving my dog, Isis that long. I know she is ok with my Mom, but she is getting older now and I worry about her a lot.

I have no REAL recent photos of me except the Dolphins in Depth photo from October:

I want to lose at least 50 pounds- which I KNOW won’t happen by May. I started to lose a little before the holidays, but then holiday stress hit me like a ton of bricks & everything went out the window. This winter in Massachusetts has been AWFUL so far. We have had a storm once a week that drops at least a foot of snow on us. It also hasn’t been warm enough to melt anything. Here is what it looks like around here:

This week they are forecasting 9 inches today and another 10 inches tomorrow. My drive to work is an hour each way, so it is NEVER fun in the snow. Needless to say, I can’t wait to get away to Disney. Planning a trip keeps me sane in the winter.

Those photos were from the other day. Yesterday we got more:

Isis is 70 pounds, so that snow is pretty deep! We are getting more today:

So after seeing these photos, can you understand my desperate need to get the heck out of here????
Up next: ADRs & more plans….

 

[aprilisis]

I can’t wait to stay at the Polynesian. I stayed there once before- in 2003 for a very short trip. It was January & very cold. I never got nearly as many photos as I wanted to get. This time, I plan to overload on photos of every little detail. In fact, I want to devote an afternoon for that. Here are the few photos I took in 2003:

I managed to get a few bad photos on the last trip in December when we stopped there for a quick breakfast in December:

I remember the Polynesian being very quiet. I’m looking forward to that- and the electric water parade! I love that. Since I have been stuck in the house due to horrible weather, I think I finally snapped yesterday- I added May 17th and 18th to my trip. I also added a bunch of ADRs! I’m hoping that I get a chance to post them tomorrow.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I'm here!!!!!!

 

[aprilisis]

I'm here!!!!!!

You're #1!!!!!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I'm here!!!!!
just noticed your siggie...need to go back and read your post...
OH! boy you are staying at the Poly right on the monorail line...

 

[aprilisis]

I'm here!!!!!
just noticed your siggie...need to go back and read your post...
OH! boy you are staying at the Poly right on the monorail line...

Yay! You are here!!! How the heck did I miss your PTR???? I'm going to have to get caught up!!!

 

[loganpaulsmom]

We will be leaving a week before you get to the Poly.. We are there 9 days.. 4 at CSR and 4 at the Poly.. So excited! I am in the same situation you are in.. Massachusetts buried in snow.. Can't take it anymore! May can not come soon enough..

 

[aprilisis]

We will be leaving a week before you get to the Poly.. We are there 9 days.. 4 at CSR and 4 at the Poly.. So excited! I am in the same situation you are in.. Massachusetts buried in snow.. Can't take it anymore! May can not come soon enough..

Isn't this snow awful?!?!?! And now they are saying another 6 inches Saturday! I'm so jealous of your 9 day trip, too! It will feel great to be in FL after the winter we are having.

 

[aprilisis]

So far, I arrive at 10am on Tuesday the 17th. I booked lunch at Portobello in Downtown Disney. I may be too tired to stay up until dinner! I know I am always way too tired the first evening of my trips. Wednesday night- dinner at Artist Point; Thursday- breakfast at 1900 Park Fare, dinner at Brown Derby; Friday dinner at Via Napoli; Saturday dinner at California Grill. That's it so far. I think I might not book table service for Sunday because I will be at MK and I love their counter service options. What do you think?

 

[longing2Batdisney]

You know I don't know what any of the food is like at any of the places you mentioned. But, all sound like great choices; sounds like many of your favs. I was thinking of adding CA Grill to my list...was thinking might make for a nice adult choice. What CS do you like at MK. I love Cosmic Rays but was thinking might be time to give another place a try.

 

[aprilisis]

You know I don't know what any of the food is like at any of the places you mentioned. But, all sound like great choices; sounds like many of your favs. I was thinking of adding CA Grill to my list...was thinking might make for a nice adult choice. What CS do you like at MK. I love Cosmic Rays but was thinking might be time to give another place a try.

I LOVE Cosmic Rays for the veggie burger and Columbia Harbor House for the veggie chili and the sandwich with hummus & tomato/broccoli slaw. California Grill & Artist Point are tied as my favorite restaurants, though. You have to try CG!! The only thing I don't like is that I end up ordering a multiple course meal because the portions are tiny. It all adds up fast & can get too pricey, so I have to watch what I order! I haven't been to Brown Derby in a long time, so I am excited about that one. I'm getting hungry just talking about this!! Where do you eat when you go to Universal & IOA? I haven't found anywhere that I like to eat at IOA yet.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

At Citywalk we loved Latin Quarter! the portions were so generous and the flavors were out of this world; Gwendolyn & Joe enjoyed Tchoup Tchoup at RPR. In ther park all we have eaten was counter service but my favorites out of the six were the International Food and Film Festival in US and Comic Strip Cafe in IOA. I know you are vegertarian so that is why I chose those two for you...we enjoyed all six for the different dishes offered. Louie's Italian was really good both years we ate there. As for Citywalk we stayed away from Hard Rock and Margaritville (Gwendolyn loved their crab soup) because we have those here...we were so pleasently (sp) surprised with Latin Quarter, so much so I see us eating there again this year.

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

Following along!

I know what you mean about the snow
Up here on the North Shore I can't see my 4ft fence in my backyard

 

[aprilisis]

At Citywalk we loved Latin Quarter! the portions were so generous and the flavors were out of this world; Gwendolyn & Joe enjoyed Tchoup Tchoup at RPR. In ther park all we have eaten was counter service but my favorites out of the six were the International Food and Film Festival in US and Comic Strip Cafe in IOA. I know you are vegertarian so that is why I chose those two for you...we enjoyed all six for the different dishes offered. Louie's Italian was really good both years we ate there. As for Citywalk we stayed away from Hard Rock and Margaritville (Gwendolyn loved their crab soup) because we have those here...we were so pleasently (sp) surprised with Latin Quarter, so much so I see us eating there again this year.

I've never tried any of those places- Thanks for the info!! I will definitely try them next time I'm there. I never even knew any of them existed. I have to admit- I am lazy & I didn't do very good research on restaurants there. I'm so glad you have so many suggestions!

Following along!

I know what you mean about the snow
Up here on the North Shore I can't see my 4ft fence in my backyard

4 feet! Wow! I think we have about 3 or 4, too- we are in the Worcester Area. It's funny that every storm they mention on the news- the "jackpot areas" for snowfall are the Worcester Hills and the North Shore. People keep saying to me- "you live in New England, stop complaining"...but I never remember getting so many consecutive storms and NO melting in between!! We are literally getting buried!

 

[aprilisis]

I thought I would share some plans today…
I arrive on May 17th around 10am. I have a rental car reserved, but I’m not sure if we will keep it or just use Magical Express. It is SO nice to not drive while on vacation, but I really like to be able to go to Winn Dixie to pick up water & snacks and maybe to go to Universal & IOA. We haven’t decided if we want to go there yet. Plus- I could use Garden Grocer, but they are a lot more expensive. So we will either be driving out of Orlando airport in an Impala or something like that OR we will be riding out in an ME bus. We will go to the Poly & check in. If our room is ready, we will go and unpack and then head to Downtown Disney.

We have a late lunch planned at Portobello. While in Downtown Disney, I like to shop in World of Disney, The Art of Disney, and stop by Rainforest Café for a drink & some shopping. I know there is a new Vegan bakery called Baby Cakes that I am DEFINITELY stopping at this time! After some shopping & a late lunch, I plan to stop at Winn Dixie for snacks & water (IF we get a rental). After that, maybe we will go back to the room & relax- and maybe even head to MK until it closes at 9pm.

So that is day 1. Just thinking about it makes me a little happier.
I also have set a goal of paying off my only credit card before the trip. I’m determined!

 

[aprilisis]

Day 2- May 18th: I’m not sure if we’re going to Universal/IOA. If we have a car, we might go there. If not, then it’s off to MK! If I go to Universal/IOA, I can tell you exactly what will happen…I will get to the parks around 9am & head straight to universal. I’ll go on Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rock it, the Revenge of the Mummy, maybe Jaws, Men in Black, the Simpsons, maybe ET, then hit the main gift store.

Next, I’ll go to IOA and go on the Hulk, maybe Dr. Doom, Spiderman, maybe Dudley Do-Right’s Rip Saw Falls, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, shop in all of the shops, and then head back to the Poly.

If I go to Magic Kingdom, I’m going to get on every ride I can, then do lots of shopping. I’m looking forward to Artist Point. I love the Wilderness Lodge atmosphere & the Portobello Soup. I HATE mushrooms and I love that soup.

That night, I may watch the MK fireworks from the beach at the Poly if I get back to my room on time.

As of today, my trip is exactly 100 days away!!!!

 

[aprilisis]

Day 3- May 19: Breakfast is at 1900 Park Fare. It has been years since I have eaten here, but I remember LOVING breakfast. I check projected crowd levels at Touring Plans ever since last January when it seemed that I hit every park on the wrong day. I plan to go to DHS on this day. It is the day before Star Tour is scheduled to open & before SWW starts. I’m hoping Star Tours might be open a little early. At DHS I want to get to RnRc, ToT, TSMM, Muppets 3-D, American Idol, and the Animation Tour.

I have dinner scheduled at the Brown Derby. I haven’t eaten there in six years, so I’m anxious to go back. If I’m not too exhausted after this, I may go to the Boardwalk to look around, shop, and take photos.

Day 4- May 20th: I have nothing planned for the morning. I was thinking of maybe going to Downtown Disney or just hanging by the pool and having a lazy day before EMH at Epcot that night. I have an early dinner scheduled at Via Napoli. I’m dying to try the food here- I could eat pizza 24/7. I love Epcot at night.

I’m hoping to get on Soarin’, Test Track, Spaceship Earth, spend time in Living Seas, shop World Showcase, and see Illuminations.

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

Hi!
great pics of the Poly and the ones with fireworks and castle are so cool.

Good plan to have reserved a rental car...we only had a car on one trip when we drove in 2001 and that was pre-DIS for me, so guess what we did....we left the car at the hotel the entire time and took the buses to the parks! we didn't know the benefits of driving to parks.. oh well, live and learn from the DIS!! LOL

OT - did you get snow yesterday? Instead of the 2-3 inches predicted we got a torrential rain storm with thunder and lightening....but, so much better than snow at this point!

 

[aprilisis]

Hi!
great pics of the Poly and the ones with fireworks and castle are so cool.

Good plan to have reserved a rental car...we only had a car on one trip when we drove in 2001 and that was pre-DIS for me, so guess what we did....we left the car at the hotel the entire time and took the buses to the parks! we didn't know the benefits of driving to parks.. oh well, live and learn from the DIS!! LOL

OT - did you get snow yesterday? Instead of the 2-3 inches predicted we got a torrential rain storm with thunder and lightening....but, so much better than snow at this point!

Thanks about the photos!
I definitely think renting a car makes things easier. It makes it easier to get to ADRs on time!
Did the rain freeze on everything there? We got ice, then freezing rain. My street was like a skating rink! Today was actually warm- it was almost 40, so we had some melting. Any melting on the North Shore?

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hi! April
sounds like great thoughts on your plans so far; we drive and park the car and don't use it again until we leave (but, we have never had ADR's before-this year will be a first, well I say that we did have one last year we rode the bus and just made it there).

Man, the sounds of that weather; no wonder people from the north are snow bunnies in down in FL and AZ.

Have a great day!