Our First Poly Vacation! April 14-21, 2012 - Live Report

[HalloweenNut]

I havent been in tune with the coffee maker discussion so not sure if this will help. It looks like pods. Here's another oversized grainy pic - ipads are not easy for posting pics on DIS.

OK, that's great. clears up a lot of uncertainty. From the looks of it there's no point in trying to bring filters and coffee from home as the filters wouldn't fit - since the brew basket is divided in 2. Oh well, couple less things to pack!!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

We were supposed to be there right now but had to put the trip off for a year. How are the temps? We hit the 80s here in PA on Monday and seriously had me rethinking the April 2013 trip. Apparently I am most comfortable in the 70s. We never do parks in the afternoon due to dh's health problems, so I'm most interested in your weather in the mornings and evenings.

Temperature in the mornings have been mostly comfortable in the 70s. The heat gets a little uncomfortable around 3 pm but still not humid at all.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Hanging out at the cabana. Kids are having a blast in the pool!
Had a great character breakfast at Ohana. Awesome interactions.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Hi Dave, checking in on Saturday and leaving on Tuesady. How are the crowds at the Poly?

Was at the pool from 10a-2p. Was not too crowded in the pool. Definitely had enough space to play with the kids without running over anyone. All the lawn chairs were taken by 10 but there were empty umbrella tables through out the day. They were starting to give out wrist bands after noon by asking for resort ID cards for people in the pool area.

Overall, doesnt feel crowded. Had the whole beach to ourselves this morning for our sunrise walk but that was a bit early in the morning.

You should have even lower crowd levels next week overall so should be in good shape.

Was talking to one of the concierge yesterday and he said this week was definitely an improvement from the "chaos" that was last week. He said it wasnt just the amount of people but that visitors that are here this "seem to have a better idea of how things work and know what to do for their trip".

 

[Janny]

Thank you SO MUCH for this LIVE trip report!! LOVING IT!!!

We're going down in May and really are worried about the crowds. We booked our cabana days already but have to ask.....do some people take it upon themselves to use cabana without having reserved??

One of our daughters is in a wheelchair and needs the shade to be outdoors.
We won't be taking her to the parks at all in the heat, but really are looking forward to dividing our time with our other kids and the one staying back at the POLY enjoying some relaxation at the pool. I just don't want to keep explaining why I'm "hogging" the cabana, but I did reserve it. It'll just look funny with only 2 people utilizing it a good portion of the day.
Enjoy your evening ahead!! Glad OHANA is great......will be our first time at the Poly too!!! How is Kona??
Thanks so much for all the useful info, we really appreciate it!!!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Thank you SO MUCH for this LIVE trip report!! LOVING IT!!!

We're going down in May and really are worried about the crowds. We booked our cabana days already but have to ask.....do some people take it upon themselves to use cabana without having reserved??

One of our daughters is in a wheelchair and needs the shade to be outdoors.
We won't be taking her to the parks at all in the heat, but really are looking forward to dividing our time with our other kids and the one staying back at the POLY enjoying some relaxation at the pool. I just don't want to keep explaining why I'm "hogging" the cabana, but I did reserve it. It'll just look funny with only 2 people utilizing it a good portion of the day.
Enjoy your evening ahead!! Glad OHANA is great......will be our first time at the Poly too!!! How is Kona??
Thanks so much for all the useful info, we really appreciate it!!!

We were using Mauna Loa which is one of the two regular sized cabanas, Mauna Kea being the other. There were maybe a couple of people who walked into the alcove accidentally then quickly turned around once they realized they were in a reserved area. No one tried to use either cabana as the way it's set up, it's pretty apparent that you're in a reserved area. Plus, they placed a small sign on top of the table that had our family name on it. The cabana attendant is available at the push of a button so if you have any trouble with other people, I think he/she should be able to take care of it.

I walked past the big cabana ( I cant remember the name) on the other side of the pool, and the way that one is set up, I can see some people mistaking some of the furniture as public use.*

We did Kona for breakfast and also ordered private dining from the Kona menu today to the cabana. Thought the food was good! I had the fish tacos which were delicious. Also had a bite of the Burger and that was pretty good as well. Tonga toast for breakfast was very sweet and good.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

A couple of better quality pics from this morning courtesy of DW's iphone and th icloud.

 

[wdwnut61]

Beautiful pics loving all the updates

 

[sunnygal041]

Was at the pool from 10a-2p. Was not too crowded in the pool. Definitely had enough space to play with the kids without running over anyone. All the lawn chairs were taken by 10 but there were empty umbrella tables through out the day. They were starting to give out wrist bands after noon by asking for resort ID cards for people in the pool area.

Overall, doesnt feel crowded. Had the whole beach to ourselves this morning for our sunrise walk but that was a bit early in the morning.

You should have even lower crowd levels next week overall so should be in good shape.

Was talking to one of the concierge yesterday and he said this week was definitely an improvement from the "chaos" that was last week. He said it wasnt just the amount of people but that visitors that are here this "seem to have a better idea of how things work and know what to do for their trip".

Thanks Dave. I remain truly optimistic about the crowds. They are calling for rain on the weekend and that may affect the crowds, also. Have fun and maybe we will cross paths!

 

[Zuzu03]

Finished watching Wishes from the Dessert Party! In my opinion, location alone was worth every penny!

This is good to hear, because we're doing it for the first time on Sunday!!! Cannot wait!!!!

 

[wakica]

Thanks for the update on SeaWorld behind the scenes Dave. I mentioned it to DD and I guess we'll see what she thinks. I certainly don't want to waste my money or my prime park touring time if it's not worth it so I really appreciate you letting me know your thoughts on it.

 

[204charity]

Great meeting you today Dave! It was certainly fun to have my very first Dis-meet! We went back to MK and watched Wishes tonight. It was amazing. Cried like A baby during Magic, Memories and You. I do not want this week to end.

 

[pwdebbie]

Thank you for the link to those two videos. As soon as I started watching I realized I had seen them before but I just had to watch them again any way. I cried, the parrot next to me cried with me. He's a very sympathetic bird.

I am enjoying my Disney-trip-that-should-have-been vicariously through your TR.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Last night hopped over to MK around 8:00p just to watch MSEP. Since we watched wishes from the Dessert Party, we didnt get to watch the parade up close. *

I took Robo's advice and parked ourselves in front of the barbershop which worked very well for us as it was not very crowded until just a few minutes before the parade began, the kids were distracted during the wait by the hoola hooping in front of us, and we were able to make a very quick getaway after the parade without having to navigate through the Wishes crowds. We were back in our room by 9:45.

Only two more days left. Headed to AK now and AKL in the evening for Boma.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Great meeting you today Dave! It was certainly fun to have my very first Dis-meet! We went back to MK and watched Wishes tonight. It was amazing. Cried like A baby during Magic, Memories and You. I do not want this week to end.

It was great meeting you too! I dont want this to end either

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

At AK now. Warm but manageable. Loved FOTLK. Took semi hidden path along the tree and took this pic.

 

[Moodyzblu]

Love the pic !! Great shot.

 

[HalloweenNut]

At AK now. Warm but manageable. Loved FOTLK. Took semi hidden path along the tree and took this pic.

OH WOW!! What a great shot! Can't wait to take this path next week. Really enjoying your live report.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I'm in love.....with Boma!

Made three trips to the buffet line and two trips to the dessert carts. If I eat anymore, I'm going to have to get wheeled out of here.

 

[Gipperland]

Really enjoying your trip report. Have a quick question, how do you post your pics from an iPhone?