Bear-N-Babe
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2007
- Messages
- 25
We just got back from our Christmas trip to Florida and Disney World. The main purpose of our trip to Florida was to spend Christmas with some family on the East Coast of Florida, but we mixed in a three-day trip to Disney World. While at WDW, we stayed at the Polynesian. This was our second time staying at a WDW resort hotel. Our last was 14 years ago, and also was at the Poly. What was ironic was that the room we had this time, was next door to the room we had 14 years ago. We were in the Fiji building, first floor, looking out on the Marina and toward the Great Ceremonial House.
It was myself, the wife and two teenagers, 13 and 16. Being the romantic at heart, I personally loved the Poly. The atmosphere, the beautiful grounds/gardens, and the convienence to the monorail. My 13 year old daughter didn't like the fact that the resort was a 'bunch of disconnected buildings'. She said the last day that she'd rather be in a hotel that everything was under one roof. After we checked out our last day, we visited a couple other resorts to check'em out for next time.
We really liked seeing WDW decorated for Christmas. I grew up going to Disney World every Christmas. I was very dissapointed with the greatly reduced amount of decorations as compared to the past. My wife said that we'll never go again Christmas week. It was much too crowded. We felt like sardines. Everywhere you turned, you were bumping into someone. My 13 yr old daughter came away with an injury because of the crowds. I'll cover that later.
Were it not for the fastpass, we probably would not have seen as much was what we did. We utilized FP for all but one of the major rides. It did save us a lot of time. We visited MGM on our first day. One thing at MGM that I didn't think that I would care for, but in the end was my favorite was the Osborne Christmas Lights. All the lights, and the man-made snow coming down on the street... I so much enjoyed it.
On the second day we visited Animal Kingdom. The kids didn't care much for this park. My daughter who is planning to become a Vet had been excited about going, but was dissapointed. She did like the safari, but that was it. At their veternary hospital, she wanted to see a live exam of a bird, but a couple adults (cast members) were standing in her view, and she didn't get to see anything of the procedure. Our 2nd day was short because we had tickets to see Cirque Du Soleil La Nouba over in Disney Village. If you haven't seen that show, we would highly recommend it. Well worth the money and time. Yeah... it was expensive, but worth it.
On our third and last day, we first went back to MGM to catch a couple attractions that we did not get in the first day, and then got to Magic Kingdom about mid afternoon. About the time of the mid afternoon parade, and that was when my daughter got hurt. Another tourist had lifted up one of the heavy posts that they string the crowd-control ropes on for the parade, to let his family under the rope, and then dropped it on Daughter's foot. It was hurting her, but she endured for the remainder of the day because she was determined to see the park. The next day we ended up going to the emergency room. Her foot was in pain, and swollen to the point that she could not get her shoe on. We thought there might be a break. Diagnosis was Severly bruised. She finished out her Florida vacation on crutches.
My wife and kids are already talking about going back to Disney World, but NOT at Christmas. Wife wants to go when it is not so crowded and not HOT and the hotel rates are cheaper. One of the hotels that we checked out our last day was the Wilderness Lodge. Both the kids really liked what they saw. It is a possibility. Daughter doesn't want to share a bathroom with big brother next time. Might consider either two adjoining rooms or maybe a villa. Our next WDW trip will not be a whirlwind three days with no time to relax. There WILL be two or three days of just doing NOTHING but lying around the pool, playing some golf, boating, and some shopping at Disney Village.
One final comment on the Poly. If you ever get to eat there, try the Tonga Toast for breakfast. Delicious!!!! You can get it three ways... room service ($13.99), in the Kona Cafe ($10.99), or at Caption Cooks ($8.99). If you go to Kona Cafe, make sure you get the Strawberry Compote with it. It was soooo devine.
We had checked out on Saturday the 29th, and went back to the Melbourne on the East Coast. Brother-in-Law took us to Port Canaveral on Sunday night to see the cruise ships sail. Got to see the Disney Wonder leave port. I was jealous of all those lucky souls standing on deck waving goodbye to us. The big horn on the Wonder isn't just the typical cruise ship toot/honk. It plays the first seven notes of "When you wish u-pon a star".
I haven't downloaded my photos yet, but when I do, I'll post some of those.
It was myself, the wife and two teenagers, 13 and 16. Being the romantic at heart, I personally loved the Poly. The atmosphere, the beautiful grounds/gardens, and the convienence to the monorail. My 13 year old daughter didn't like the fact that the resort was a 'bunch of disconnected buildings'. She said the last day that she'd rather be in a hotel that everything was under one roof. After we checked out our last day, we visited a couple other resorts to check'em out for next time.
We really liked seeing WDW decorated for Christmas. I grew up going to Disney World every Christmas. I was very dissapointed with the greatly reduced amount of decorations as compared to the past. My wife said that we'll never go again Christmas week. It was much too crowded. We felt like sardines. Everywhere you turned, you were bumping into someone. My 13 yr old daughter came away with an injury because of the crowds. I'll cover that later.
Were it not for the fastpass, we probably would not have seen as much was what we did. We utilized FP for all but one of the major rides. It did save us a lot of time. We visited MGM on our first day. One thing at MGM that I didn't think that I would care for, but in the end was my favorite was the Osborne Christmas Lights. All the lights, and the man-made snow coming down on the street... I so much enjoyed it.
On the second day we visited Animal Kingdom. The kids didn't care much for this park. My daughter who is planning to become a Vet had been excited about going, but was dissapointed. She did like the safari, but that was it. At their veternary hospital, she wanted to see a live exam of a bird, but a couple adults (cast members) were standing in her view, and she didn't get to see anything of the procedure. Our 2nd day was short because we had tickets to see Cirque Du Soleil La Nouba over in Disney Village. If you haven't seen that show, we would highly recommend it. Well worth the money and time. Yeah... it was expensive, but worth it.
On our third and last day, we first went back to MGM to catch a couple attractions that we did not get in the first day, and then got to Magic Kingdom about mid afternoon. About the time of the mid afternoon parade, and that was when my daughter got hurt. Another tourist had lifted up one of the heavy posts that they string the crowd-control ropes on for the parade, to let his family under the rope, and then dropped it on Daughter's foot. It was hurting her, but she endured for the remainder of the day because she was determined to see the park. The next day we ended up going to the emergency room. Her foot was in pain, and swollen to the point that she could not get her shoe on. We thought there might be a break. Diagnosis was Severly bruised. She finished out her Florida vacation on crutches.
My wife and kids are already talking about going back to Disney World, but NOT at Christmas. Wife wants to go when it is not so crowded and not HOT and the hotel rates are cheaper. One of the hotels that we checked out our last day was the Wilderness Lodge. Both the kids really liked what they saw. It is a possibility. Daughter doesn't want to share a bathroom with big brother next time. Might consider either two adjoining rooms or maybe a villa. Our next WDW trip will not be a whirlwind three days with no time to relax. There WILL be two or three days of just doing NOTHING but lying around the pool, playing some golf, boating, and some shopping at Disney Village.
One final comment on the Poly. If you ever get to eat there, try the Tonga Toast for breakfast. Delicious!!!! You can get it three ways... room service ($13.99), in the Kona Cafe ($10.99), or at Caption Cooks ($8.99). If you go to Kona Cafe, make sure you get the Strawberry Compote with it. It was soooo devine.
We had checked out on Saturday the 29th, and went back to the Melbourne on the East Coast. Brother-in-Law took us to Port Canaveral on Sunday night to see the cruise ships sail. Got to see the Disney Wonder leave port. I was jealous of all those lucky souls standing on deck waving goodbye to us. The big horn on the Wonder isn't just the typical cruise ship toot/honk. It plays the first seven notes of "When you wish u-pon a star".
I haven't downloaded my photos yet, but when I do, I'll post some of those.
