"One More Waffle!" An October 2011 TR! *Update 4/24, pg 70-The End!*

[Nermel9]

Are those pictures gonna end up on the DISboards?​

Tuesday 10/4

Welcome to day...6 (I think?) of our trip! Today was our rest day, which really means, no parks today! The next time we do a long trip like this (if that ever happens again, since Brandon HATES long trips now!) I'll schedule a rest day a little sooner than the 6th day, we were both exhausted by this point!

Even though I was exhausted, I still got up around 8. We had a breakfast ADR at 9:45 at the Grand Floridian Cafe, but I just wasn't excited about it. I was before the trip, but now that it was here, I just wasn't feeling it! So I got on my phone and went to the Disney dining website and did some searching, and found a replacement ADR that I was thrilled about! I got us a great time, too, 9:55, just 10 minutes after we were supposed to be at GFC! I still want to try GFC someday, but for some reason...the Poly was calling me that moring!

Yep, I booked a breakfast ADR at Kona Cafe! Another place I had been wanting to try for a while, and could never fit it in! It just felt like a Poly morning, so I couldn't wait to get over there!

Brandon woke up, got ready, and we were on our way to the Poly, which was just down the street from the Wilderness Lodge!

We parked in what I'm assuming was the visitor's parking lot...I'm not sure if we actually went the way the guard told us to go, but we found a parking lot, parked, and got out...and had no idea where to go! Obviously we had to go to the Grand Ceremonial House...but where exactly was that?

Oh good, a map!
​

We looked at the map, figured out where we were, and started walking...and ended up going in circles. The Poly is SO confusing!

"Wow, if we ever stay here, it's going to take me a week to figure out how to get anywhere!"

That was me, saying that to Brandon, because I have such DREAMS of staying at this place! Even though we were a bit lost, I was kind of enjoying it! I mean, it is just SO beautiful there!

We finally found the GCH and went inside, up to Kona! We were seated right away, and we got a pot of that pressed Kona coffee everyone raves about. Honestly? It just tasted like coffee to me. Then again, I'm not a big fan of plain coffee, I need some flavor in there!

We looked at our menus and ordered, and our food arrived pretty quickly!

Here's a terrible picture of Brandon and his Samoan:

and my lovely ham and cheese omelet (No I didn't get Tonga Toast...I thought about it, and I also thought about getting the Macadamia Nut Pancakes, but I just wasn't feeling brave that morning!):

While I was taking pictures of our food, there were these 2 ladies sitting next to us, waiting to pay their bill, watching me. One of them finally said to me "are those pictures gonna end up on the DISboards?"

I laughed and said "noooo!" like it was a crazy question, and she laughed too, and said that she loves reading the DIS, and loves all the food pictures and restaurant reviews! I agreed, because who doesn't love doing that, and they told us to have a good rest of our trip, and they were on their way! Should have asked her DIS name!

(And that was the end of me taking pictures of our food with my camera! From that point on, I only took pictures with my phone! )

We finished eating and went out to explore the Poly a little. We went in the shops and wandered around. It is SO beautiful there...I know I keep saying that, but it IS! I really, really want to stay there someday!

I love that they have an art store in the Poly! I thought this was so cool:

After hanging out at the Poly for a little while, we went back to the WL. We had to do laundry, and I wanted to get it out of the way, so we went down to the laundry room to do that. It seemed like it took forever. We were planning on going in the pool at some point that day, but after what seemed like hours of laundry, we just wanted to go back to the room and rest. We seriously just lounged around in the room all day. I must have watched hours of Stacey while Brandon slept on and off.

Eventually, we had to get ready for our ADR. We took our showers, got dressed and headed downstairs.

We didn't have far to go, because our dinner was at Artist Point! Our first signature restaurant ever!

We were seated right away, and our server came over almost immediately. He was great, he was really, really nice, really informative about everything on the menu! I ordered a Lodge Fizz to drink

and Brandon got some kind of red wine that our server recommended to him.
We already knew what we wanted for an appetizer and entrée, so we ordered everything all at once!

We drank our drinks for a few minutes and looked around at the restaurant, it's so pretty in there!

Brandon got the mushroom soup for an appetizer, and I just had some of the bread that they bring you...it's seriously like, the best bread ever! I could have eaten that all night and I would have been happy!

Brandon loved his mushroom soup! I'm not a big fan of mushrooms, but I tried it, and it is really yummy! I don't think I could have had a whole bowl of it, but it was good!

Finally, our entrées arrived! We both got the same thing...

the Char-grilled Buffalo Strip Loin Steak with Marble Potatoes! It was amazing! It melted in your mouth, it was so good, it almost had a sweet taste to it! Brandon loved his as well, he even took a picture of it and posted it on Facebook!

When we were finished, our server asked if we wanted to see the dessert menu, and as much as I would have loved dessert, we passed, we were stuffed! I have seen a lot of negative reviews of Artist Point, and it's surprising, because we loved it! We hung out for a few more minutes, finishing up our drinks, and then we were on our way to our next destination of the night!

Up next...A new dream resort, and a haunted carriage ride!

 

[xoktenox]

Oh, the Poly...seriously, that place is the equivalent of heaven on Earth for me. A whole week or more would be nice but I'd even settle for one night! Beautiful!

I love Kona Cafe!! Breakfast or dinner is just amazing there. Your omelet looks deeeelish

Rest days are totally needed, especially on long trips. The trip we just took was so rushed because it was short that Chris and I are really looking forward to taking it slow and relaxing on our honeymoon!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Hahahaha. You changed resorts already. Why does that not surprise me?

Love relaxation days. For sure. But I can't believe you don't like the pressed Kona coffee! Then again, if you don't like regular coffee, that would make sense.

 

[Joyciemc]

You are so right- the Poly is very confusing! It took me forever to find my way around when we stayed there!

Artist Point looks wonderful!

 

[Simba22]

OMG I am so in love with The Poly! I want to stay there someday too but if YOU got lost, I will DEFINITELY get lost! I have NO sense of direction...I got lost at Pop when we stayed there in 2009! After 10 days, I STILL couldn't find my way around and ended up taking a different route to and from the main building every day! I just couldn't figure it out!

Too funny about that lady at Kona! When I first saw the title of your update, I thought it would be Brandon saying it! That's so funny that she knew what you were doing!

Overall, your rest day sounds VERY relaxing! I don't know how we got started on planning a rest day, but we are so happy we started doing it! It's so nice to have a day to just relax! For our 2013 trip, we're actually going to do two rest days! And yes, the laundry does seem to take FOREVER! I think it's because internally you know you're using up Disney time...even if you aren't planning on doing anything special or specific.

Your meal at AP sounds wonderful! The inside of the restaurant looks so pretty! Hmm...maybe I can add it to the list for 2013.... I was looking for something to do for lunch or dinner on one of our MK days...

 

[marDgreen88]

Oooh, Kona! I've been wanting to try that for a while too!

Hahaha, an almost Dis meet! That's so funny.

The steak looks really good! You KNOW it's good if the guy's the one posting food pictures!

Oooh... haunted carriage ride! Sounds exciting!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I'm really glad that we weren't the only ones completely baffled by the layout of the Poly!! I think they designed it that way on purpose, just to laugh at the meandering guests!

Your breakfast at Kona looks great! And your dinner at AP looks fantastic as well! Isn't that restaurant gorgeous?? I loved loved the atmosphere there!

 

[amazingact21]

Yay a Kona breakfast! As you probably already know, I totally approve of your restaurant change. The Poly is such a gorgeous resort. I think every Disney fan who hasn't stayed there dreams of that being their home resort just once.

I know I do....


Down days can be so nice. Sometimes, the best thing you need on a vacation is a day spent resting in your room.


That drink you ordered at Artist Point looks really good! I'm glad you guys enjoyed your dinner.

 

[KatMark]

A nice update, Jen.

Sorry you didn't like the pressed coffee -- it was a huge hit with us and I've already told Mark we are each getting our own on our next visit.

The Poly is heaven and if the prices ever come down, we'll be back to stay (haven't stayed since 2004).

Glad you had such a great dinner at Artist Point. I've read horrid reviews too. But it just goes to show that everyone has different tastes and what is good to one is not to the other (the pressed coffee, Artist Point meal, etc.).

 

[MEK]

I'll have to compare pictures, but I'm pretty sure that's the same steak Nicholas has at AP and it was out of this world. I have had lovely filets at Jiko and at Le Cellier, but I'm pretty sure this was the best piece of steak I have ever had.

What a great rest day. How I long for a long trip so I can have a rest day!

 

[pinkxray]

I didn't know you went to Kona. I tried so hard to fit it in my schedule the last two years, but Caitlin always insisted on 'Ohana.

I want to stay at the Poly too. Even if it was 40% off it is still so expensive I am thinking I'll have to just do 2-3 nights as a split stay. Even if I save the money I always think of somewhere else to spend the difference, like another trip.

I haven't told Caitlin you are going back. She isn't going to happy about it"Why does Jenny get to go back all the time. She's been like 100 times and I've only been twice!" She has a rough life.

 

[ronnmel]

I love the Poly. Ron says we HAVE to stay there one day, even if it's when we are both well over 60!

Sorry, but I'm gonna have to disagree. The best bread ever is at Kona Cafe.

 

[Nermel9]

Oh, the Poly...seriously, that place is the equivalent of heaven on Earth for me. A whole week or more would be nice but I'd even settle for one night! Beautiful!

I love Kona Cafe!! Breakfast or dinner is just amazing there. Your omelet looks deeeelish

Rest days are totally needed, especially on long trips. The trip we just took was so rushed because it was short that Chris and I are really looking forward to taking it slow and relaxing on our honeymoon!

Me too! I don't think I could do just one night at the Poly though, I feel like if I'm gonna stay there, I need to do at least a week! Because I know I'd want to spend a lot of time there, so I'd need time for the parks too!

Kona is great, we went for dinner a couple of years ago and loved it, and breakfast is just as good!

I like having rest days for our longer trips, it's nice to just hang out and do nothing for a while! I like short trips too though, because you can run around like crazy, then rest when you get home!

Hahahaha. You changed resorts already. Why does that not surprise me?

Love relaxation days. For sure. But I can't believe you don't like the pressed Kona coffee! Then again, if you don't like regular coffee, that would make sense.

I know, I have problems! I just couldn't help myself, and I am VERY happy with my decision! I can't wait for it to be May!

I mean, I can drink regular coffee, but I'd prefer flavored coffee. I didn't notice anything special about that pressed pot though!

You are so right- the Poly is very confusing! It took me forever to find my way around when we stayed there!

Artist Point looks wonderful!

Haha, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought it was confusing! I felt so stupid trying to find my way around there, and I have a really good sense of direction (most of the time!)

Artist Point is really good, I'd love to go there again!

OMG I am so in love with The Poly! I want to stay there someday too but if YOU got lost, I will DEFINITELY get lost! I have NO sense of direction...I got lost at Pop when we stayed there in 2009! After 10 days, I STILL couldn't find my way around and ended up taking a different route to and from the main building every day! I just couldn't figure it out!

Too funny about that lady at Kona! When I first saw the title of your update, I thought it would be Brandon saying it! That's so funny that she knew what you were doing!

Overall, your rest day sounds VERY relaxing! I don't know how we got started on planning a rest day, but we are so happy we started doing it! It's so nice to have a day to just relax! For our 2013 trip, we're actually going to do two rest days! And yes, the laundry does seem to take FOREVER! I think it's because internally you know you're using up Disney time...even if you aren't planning on doing anything special or specific.

Your meal at AP sounds wonderful! The inside of the restaurant looks so pretty! Hmm...maybe I can add it to the list for 2013.... I was looking for something to do for lunch or dinner on one of our MK days...

Haha, yeah, the Poly is so confusing at first! I have a pretty good sense of direction, but I had no clue at the Poly! I would have probably gotten a little confused at Pop if we weren't right next to the main building!

I know, I was kind of embarrassed when that lady said that about the pictures! Haha, yeah right, Brandon knows I'm on a Disney message board, but he doesn't know it's the DIS! He couldn't care less, he thinks we're all insane!

I don't know when we started doing rest days either! But I look forward to them with longer trips now! 2 rest days sound nice, if we ever go for 10 days again, I'd consider doing 2! Brandon always wants to go into Orlando and look around, so maybe we would do that or something! I hate going off Disney property, though! I like staying in my Disney bubble for as long as possible!

Artist Point is awesome! I've been seeing so many negative reviews lately, saying the service there is bad and the food isn't that good...I don't get it, we loved every second of it! And the service was fantastic! You should definitely try to fit it in!

Oooh, Kona! I've been wanting to try that for a while too!

Hahaha, an almost Dis meet! That's so funny.

The steak looks really good! You KNOW it's good if the guy's the one posting food pictures!

Oooh... haunted carriage ride! Sounds exciting!

Kona is awesome, and you get to visit the Poly when you eat there, which is always nice!

I know, I really should have asked that lady her DIS name!

I love when I catch Brandon posting things about Disney on Facebook! It's usually me, but once in a while, he does too!

I'm really glad that we weren't the only ones completely baffled by the layout of the Poly!! I think they designed it that way on purpose, just to laugh at the meandering guests!

Your breakfast at Kona looks great! And your dinner at AP looks fantastic as well! Isn't that restaurant gorgeous?? I loved loved the atmosphere there!

OMG the Poly is such a confusing resort! I'd seriously have to study the map if I ever stay there, just to get an idea of where things are, it was such a terrible feeling having no clue what direction we were going in!

Kona was great, AP was also! It's beautiful in AP, it really makes you feel like you are out in the Pacific Northwest! We will definitely be going again at some point!

 

[Nermel9]

Yay a Kona breakfast! As you probably already know, I totally approve of your restaurant change. The Poly is such a gorgeous resort. I think every Disney fan who hasn't stayed there dreams of that being their home resort just once.

I know I do....

Down days can be so nice. Sometimes, the best thing you need on a vacation is a day spent resting in your room.

That drink you ordered at Artist Point looks really good! I'm glad you guys enjoyed your dinner.

Haha that's right, you guys love Kona! It's a great restaurant, I'm glad we finally got to go for breakfast, it was so good! And it's nice that we got the ADR 2 hours before we had to be there!

I really need to stay in the Poly someday. We were totally going to in September, but the cost starting giving me anxiety attacks, so I just canceled the whole trip completely, which is why we're going in May instead!

Brandon always asks why we can't take a vacation where we just relax. I would love to, but I feel like I'd get bored! Maybe we can do a cruise in the Fall instead of Disney, and we can relax on the beach all day or something! And I won't be bored because it will be a Disney cruise!

That drink was awesome, I actually had 2, I wish I could remember what was in it, but it was really good!

A nice update, Jen.

Sorry you didn't like the pressed coffee -- it was a huge hit with us and I've already told Mark we are each getting our own on our next visit.

The Poly is heaven and if the prices ever come down, we'll be back to stay (haven't stayed since 2004).

Glad you had such a great dinner at Artist Point. I've read horrid reviews too. But it just goes to show that everyone has different tastes and what is good to one is not to the other (the pressed coffee, Artist Point meal, etc.).

Thanks!

I just didn't think the pressed coffee was any different than normal coffee! But like I said, I like flavored coffee, so it was kind of wasted on me!

I wish the prices at the Poly would come down, but it doesn't seem like that will happen any time soon! I really need to stay there!

AP is so good, I don't get the awful reviews, but that's true, everyone is different!

I'll have to compare pictures, but I'm pretty sure that's the same steak Nicholas has at AP and it was out of this world. I have had lovely filets at Jiko and at Le Cellier, but I'm pretty sure this was the best piece of steak I have ever had.

What a great rest day. How I long for a long trip so I can have a rest day!

The steak was amazing at AP, I'm so glad you liked AP too, people are saying awful things about it lately! Brandon talked about it for weeks after we got home, he loved it so much! The only thing he didn't like about AP was he realized he's allergic to some types of wine! He got a certain type of red wine, and for the rest of the night he was having trouble breathing and had to keep using his inhaler (he has asthma, and it's related to all of his allergies or something, I can't keep up, he's constantly going to different doctors who tell him different things!)! Then he googled it and found out that certain types of red wine trigger asthma attacks for people, and there's no way to find out what red wine you can drink, you just have to try it and hope for the best! Isn't that strange?

Haha, I'm going to miss our rest day in May, then again, I was tentatively planning our 9 day trip in September that we were supposed to take, and I couldn't find a day for rest! So it's a good thing that trip is not happening, Brandon probably would have killed me! I think he's better with these shorter trips for now!

I didn't know you went to Kona. I tried so hard to fit it in my schedule the last two years, but Caitlin always insisted on 'Ohana.

I want to stay at the Poly too. Even if it was 40% off it is still so expensive I am thinking I'll have to just do 2-3 nights as a split stay. Even if I save the money I always think of somewhere else to spend the difference, like another trip.

I haven't told Caitlin you are going back. She isn't going to happy about it"Why does Jenny get to go back all the time. She's been like 100 times and I've only been twice!" She has a rough life.

Kona was really good, it was a last minute change, but I'm glad we did it!

When we were planning to go in September, right before I decided to cancel, I priced out a split stay for the Poly and CBR, and it was something like $800 cheaper than just staying at the Poly the whole time or something, so I figured, ok, we'll just stay at the Poly the whole time! Then I freaked out because it would have been such an expensive trip, and said forget it to the whole thing! I hope we get to stay there someday.

Haha, oh, poor Caitlin! Well, if she gets upset, just tell her it's a really short trip, that will probably make her feel better.

I love the Poly. Ron says we HAVE to stay there one day, even if it's when we are both well over 60!

Sorry, but I'm gonna have to disagree. The best bread ever is at Kona Cafe.

We have to stay at the Poly too! I'm sure we will be 60 when we finally get to...ugh, all this talk about the Poly is making me wish we were still going in September, when we were seriously going to stay there! AHHHH!!!

OMG I forgot about the bread at Kona! Ok, then the bread at AP is the 2nd best bread ever! That bread at Kona is amazing!!!

 

[Mrs T 2009]

I agree; Long trips need a day of "rest"!

I LOVE Kona! The Poly is so beautiful! I think everyone at some point or another wants to stay there; who wouldn't?

AH!! Artist Pointe was so DELICIOUS when Mike and I ate there I have heard bad reviews too, but it was SO GOOD!!!!!

 

[smile4stamps]

I'm caught up!!! After a month off the DIS I was VERY behind!!

My husband doesn't like ANY Disney trips but I have convinced him we are going in October for F&W!! I'm actually planning on 2 weeks just so we can get all the food in!! And believe it or not that is still not enough time for all the places I want to eat at! I'm afraid we will need to be rolled out!!
I will be planning a LOT of half park days and rest days... Maybe even a trip to Sea World (possibly Discovery Cove?!?!?) as I know he will enjoy hanging out with the sea life! Anyways... I am hoping he will enjoy F&W so much that we can go back the following year as well... Wishful thinking I think as we really want to take a trip to Europe as well so I think he will want that to come up before another WDW trip... I told him I just don't know how to go about planning a Europe trip though... Is there a DISboards for that? LOL

I find your rest day very Ironic! On our 2009 trip I planned our first Rest Day for our Anniversary. I had planned a KONA breakfast and an Artist Point Dinner! I actually ended up changing the Kona Breakfast to Lunch as my hubby was still sleeping but it was still the same restaurants as you!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

I agree - rest days are so important! I missed having one on our recent trip. There will definitely be one planned on our next!

Oh my gosh at the lady who commented on you taking pictures of your food - that is one of my worst fears! I am so shy and I'm always worried that I'll be "outed" or something. Irrational, I know! If I'm in a darker/quieter/etc. restaurant, I take food pictures with my phone for that reason!

So glad you enjoyed AP!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Artist Point has been on my to-eat-at list for a while now, specifically for the mushroom soup. The other menu choices are just "eh" to me so I think that's why other places continue to win out.

 

[Nermel9]

I agree; Long trips need a day of "rest"!

I LOVE Kona! The Poly is so beautiful! I think everyone at some point or another wants to stay there; who wouldn't?

AH!! Artist Pointe was so DELICIOUS when Mike and I ate there I have heard bad reviews too, but it was SO GOOD!!!!!

Rest days are so nice on a long trip! I'm going to miss a day of just lounging on our May trip!

Kona is awesome, and you're right, I can't believe there are actually people who wouldn't want to stay at the Poly!

Isn't Artist Point great? I don't get all the bad reviews! Maybe people are expecting too much? To me, it's just a really fancy steakhouse!

I'm caught up!!! After a month off the DIS I was VERY behind!!

My husband doesn't like ANY Disney trips but I have convinced him we are going in October for F&W!! I'm actually planning on 2 weeks just so we can get all the food in!! And believe it or not that is still not enough time for all the places I want to eat at! I'm afraid we will need to be rolled out!!
I will be planning a LOT of half park days and rest days... Maybe even a trip to Sea World (possibly Discovery Cove?!?!?) as I know he will enjoy hanging out with the sea life! Anyways... I am hoping he will enjoy F&W so much that we can go back the following year as well... Wishful thinking I think as we really want to take a trip to Europe as well so I think he will want that to come up before another WDW trip... I told him I just don't know how to go about planning a Europe trip though... Is there a DISboards for that? LOL

I find your rest day very Ironic! On our 2009 trip I planned our first Rest Day for our Anniversary. I had planned a KONA breakfast and an Artist Point Dinner! I actually ended up changing the Kona Breakfast to Lunch as my hubby was still sleeping but it was still the same restaurants as you!

Welcome back to the DIS!

Oh wow, 2 weeks for Food and Wine sounds amazing!!! Brandon would NEVER agree to 2 weeks. I'll be lucky if I get him to agree to 8 days ever again.

Haha, I don't know how to plan trips for other places either! Even when we look into Disneyland, it's just SO different than planning for WDW! Every destination should have a DISboard!

That's so funny that you went to the same restaurants!

I agree - rest days are so important! I missed having one on our recent trip. There will definitely be one planned on our next!

Oh my gosh at the lady who commented on you taking pictures of your food - that is one of my worst fears! I am so shy and I'm always worried that I'll be "outed" or something. Irrational, I know! If I'm in a darker/quieter/etc. restaurant, I take food pictures with my phone for that reason!

So glad you enjoyed AP!

I will miss having a rest day in May, but we're only there for 5 days so I think I'll survive! I'll be going home by the time I really need one!

OMG it's one of my worst fears too! I don't know why, it's just so embarrassing! I'm really shy too, as much as I want meet DIS'ers, it would have to be people that I talk to a lot, like people on the TR boards, not just some random person on here! I'm always going to use my phone for food pics from now on, it's much easier that way!

Artist Point was so good, I'm glad we went there!

Artist Point has been on my to-eat-at list for a while now, specifically for the mushroom soup. The other menu choices are just "eh" to me so I think that's why other places continue to win out.

The mushroom soup was good, and I don't even like mushrooms! I think you should give AP a try, it's really good! The menu doesn't look that impressive, but everything we ordered was fantastic!

 

[smile4stamps]

My hubby has actually agreed to 1.5 weeks lol! If I am able to get Dvc through RCI though they will be 2 1week reservations as that is what we have banked. So therefor it will be 2weeks no sense letting the room sit empty for half a week :rofl Plus we need that much time just for all the restaurants we want to do!!