Day 3 Monday, 2/11
This turned out to be our day to relax, we really needed it after the marathon at Epcot the day before. This was the day to really take advantage of the benefits that the Polynesian had to offer.
We woke up at a more civilized hour at about 8:30am and again, cool and cloudy, but not too bad, it looked like the sun was trying to come out. It was still early, so perhaps it would warm up. We got a bite to eat at the Concierge Lounge and Im a little put off by how crowded it is! Its jammed with kids and their parents, and DS and I cant find a seat at first. DH is still back in our room getting dressed. DS and I find a seat at the kids corner and I get some delicious Kona coffee and mini blueberry muffins, which were moist and delicious, while DS marvels at all the kinds of cereal he can choose from. Of course, he opts for Fruit Loops! Eventually DH shows up and has to sit at another table that was free, but grabs a Wall Street Journal to read --- hes happy --- coffee and the paper at a separate table no less, thats his idea of vacation! Anyway, we eventually gravitate over to him and we plan what well do that day. DS watches Disney cartoons on the large screen TV.
Ever since we arrived at the Poly, both DS and DH had been dying to go on the water mice, so today was the day! I opted out and took pictures of them instead. After breakfast, we walked over to the Marina, which had just opened at 10:00am and they rented a water mouse. They looked so cute in their life vests and off they went into the Seven Seas Lagoon, it really looked like a blast! They took it out for ½ an hour, while I took pictures of them from the dock that meets the launch. The sun had come out and it was really turning into a nice day, albeit, a little on the cool side. I was glad I made DS wear a sweatshirt. It looked so pretty with the Grand Floridians grand exterior in the background across the lagoon.
Once they got back, we headed on over to the Magic Kingdom via the boat launch, which again, I think, was the most convenient way since we were right next to it in the Hawaii building. Heading on into the MK again was a little different, it was much more crowded now compared to the other night, and now that DHs hair was completely windblown from the water mouse ride, he headed straight to the Main St. Barber Shop and waited for his hair cut (DH has curly wild hair when it get longer, he really DID need a cut!) While he waited, DS and I browsed around the shops, I bought him a pair of much needed Mickey sunglasses with a cord and then we headed over to the Confectionary shop on the corner which he absolutely loved. He begged me to buy him a Wonka Bar, since we happened to be currently reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory before bed, so of course, how could I say no? Then we looked around the little firehouse across from the barber shop and back to find DH sitting in the barber chair, and we got a great photo of him!
Now that he was properly barbered, we headed up Main Street and made our way toward Liberty Square. We decided to go and see the Hall of Presidents which was a lot of fun, we all liked it, even DS. As were waiting in the rotunda looking at the photos on the walls and the bust of George Bush, DS spies Mickey Mouse there having his photo taken with various people. We go on over and DS waits his turn to get his picture too. This Mickey looked very dashing in his red trousers and tails! Soon we go into the show and we are duly impressed by the movie and presidential roll call, its also kind of moving, given the present day circumstances going on in the world. DS didnt understand a lot of it, by I think he was impressed.
After exiting I noticed its getting close to when we have to leave MK for our PS at the Whispering Canyon Café at Wilderness Lodge. Our plan is to take the boat to WL and return to the MK. Again perfect timing, we just catch the boat before it leaves for Ft. Wilderness and WL. This is our first real glimpse of these places, and our first good look at the Contemporary up close. Its a pleasant boat ride and eventually we dock at Wilderness LodgeWOW! This is some place! I had read about it, but I was unprepared for the magnificence of it. We walked up past the pool and into the huge lodge and I was so impressed! All the wood, and the giant totem poles, they really did a great job with this place! We find the Whispering Café, which is right off the lobby and are seated right away. Its about 1.45pm and the café is not crowded at all. Our CM is very nice, but not one of the wild ones. I noticed that the CMs who were the real outspoken ones all seemed to wearing hats. Ours was very tame, but very friendly and efficient. We all get the all you can eat BBQ, which was very good, the ribs were the best part of it, and DH loved the beans and cole slaw. DS actually ate something this time! (He loves ribs). I got a shake, but I really thought it was TOO thick, it was just like soft ice cream in a large cup! At one point, one of the other wild CMs was walking by and I dropped my fork and she asked me Lose your fork, honey? and I said yes, and she comes back with this giant red fork for me! I laughed. Wouldnt you know this all happens while DS and DH are in the rest room! Eventually we stroll on down past the pool again to the dock. We see the boat there already and we start running and waving to let them know were coming, but as somebody called out to us, Dont worry, they always wait, they see you. Again were on the boat and were so tired from that big meal that we decide to go back to the Poly and relax by the pool. Afterall, were going to E-ride night at the MK the next night anyway.
Back at the Poly, we get in our bathing suits again and this time DH joins us and he and DS go in the water and DH even goes down the water slide several times! I relax on a chaise in the sun with my book. Eventually DH gets out of the water and brings us some Pina Coladas at the bar and we relax watching DS in the pool, who cant get enough of that water slide! I had to get up for a few minutes and left my drink behind and a seagull came and swiped my marachino cherry! DH said he almost freaked out and had to hide it before the bird came back for my pineapple slice! (DH doesnt like birds, guess were not going to go see the Enchanting Tiki Birds!) After their swim, DH and DS decided to take a water mouse out again and I took a break, reading my book. We have a PS for OHana that night for dinner after the fireworks, which are early tonight because the park closes early, which we watch from the concierge lounge at the Polynesian with the music piped in and then head on over to the GCH.
I had read so much about OHanas I was really looking forward to this dinner, and I had been smelling this delicious aroma coming from it for the past few days that I was dying to try it. We had to wait a little bit, even though we had PSs, but finally we were seated, again, not in the main dining room. I should have insisted that we be in there, but I didnt know better, I never did get to see the Fire Pit. This dinner turned out to be our only real disappointment at WDW. It was so loud and noisy. There was this Hawaiian lady with a ukelele who was so loud, we couldnt really talk to each other, and it was always this disembodied voice since we couldnt see her because she was in the main dining room most of the time. Once in a while shed walk around to make an announcement about this or that couple who were celebrating their 50th anniversary that night, it got to be quite annoying. She was also the organizer of the coconut races and hula lessons, which DS loved, so we couldnt really knock it, since DS really loved the place, although he hardly ate a thing! Plus, we couldnt even SEE him when he was in the races or hula lessons! I wasnt thrilled with the food (you can read my review in Restaurants) and the service was poor and we couldnt wait to get out of there! We skipped coffee, figuring we could go back to the Concierge Lounge and have some with a cordial and dessert.
Back at the Concierge Lounge I was disappointed to find they had no decaf coffee available, so that was that. I guess it just wasnt my night. I tried one of the little tartlet desserts and we went off to our room and to bed. We were all pretty tired, and the next day was our last and we were checking out and had a lot to do.
To be continued
This turned out to be our day to relax, we really needed it after the marathon at Epcot the day before. This was the day to really take advantage of the benefits that the Polynesian had to offer.
We woke up at a more civilized hour at about 8:30am and again, cool and cloudy, but not too bad, it looked like the sun was trying to come out. It was still early, so perhaps it would warm up. We got a bite to eat at the Concierge Lounge and Im a little put off by how crowded it is! Its jammed with kids and their parents, and DS and I cant find a seat at first. DH is still back in our room getting dressed. DS and I find a seat at the kids corner and I get some delicious Kona coffee and mini blueberry muffins, which were moist and delicious, while DS marvels at all the kinds of cereal he can choose from. Of course, he opts for Fruit Loops! Eventually DH shows up and has to sit at another table that was free, but grabs a Wall Street Journal to read --- hes happy --- coffee and the paper at a separate table no less, thats his idea of vacation! Anyway, we eventually gravitate over to him and we plan what well do that day. DS watches Disney cartoons on the large screen TV.
Ever since we arrived at the Poly, both DS and DH had been dying to go on the water mice, so today was the day! I opted out and took pictures of them instead. After breakfast, we walked over to the Marina, which had just opened at 10:00am and they rented a water mouse. They looked so cute in their life vests and off they went into the Seven Seas Lagoon, it really looked like a blast! They took it out for ½ an hour, while I took pictures of them from the dock that meets the launch. The sun had come out and it was really turning into a nice day, albeit, a little on the cool side. I was glad I made DS wear a sweatshirt. It looked so pretty with the Grand Floridians grand exterior in the background across the lagoon.
Once they got back, we headed on over to the Magic Kingdom via the boat launch, which again, I think, was the most convenient way since we were right next to it in the Hawaii building. Heading on into the MK again was a little different, it was much more crowded now compared to the other night, and now that DHs hair was completely windblown from the water mouse ride, he headed straight to the Main St. Barber Shop and waited for his hair cut (DH has curly wild hair when it get longer, he really DID need a cut!) While he waited, DS and I browsed around the shops, I bought him a pair of much needed Mickey sunglasses with a cord and then we headed over to the Confectionary shop on the corner which he absolutely loved. He begged me to buy him a Wonka Bar, since we happened to be currently reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory before bed, so of course, how could I say no? Then we looked around the little firehouse across from the barber shop and back to find DH sitting in the barber chair, and we got a great photo of him!
Now that he was properly barbered, we headed up Main Street and made our way toward Liberty Square. We decided to go and see the Hall of Presidents which was a lot of fun, we all liked it, even DS. As were waiting in the rotunda looking at the photos on the walls and the bust of George Bush, DS spies Mickey Mouse there having his photo taken with various people. We go on over and DS waits his turn to get his picture too. This Mickey looked very dashing in his red trousers and tails! Soon we go into the show and we are duly impressed by the movie and presidential roll call, its also kind of moving, given the present day circumstances going on in the world. DS didnt understand a lot of it, by I think he was impressed.
After exiting I noticed its getting close to when we have to leave MK for our PS at the Whispering Canyon Café at Wilderness Lodge. Our plan is to take the boat to WL and return to the MK. Again perfect timing, we just catch the boat before it leaves for Ft. Wilderness and WL. This is our first real glimpse of these places, and our first good look at the Contemporary up close. Its a pleasant boat ride and eventually we dock at Wilderness LodgeWOW! This is some place! I had read about it, but I was unprepared for the magnificence of it. We walked up past the pool and into the huge lodge and I was so impressed! All the wood, and the giant totem poles, they really did a great job with this place! We find the Whispering Café, which is right off the lobby and are seated right away. Its about 1.45pm and the café is not crowded at all. Our CM is very nice, but not one of the wild ones. I noticed that the CMs who were the real outspoken ones all seemed to wearing hats. Ours was very tame, but very friendly and efficient. We all get the all you can eat BBQ, which was very good, the ribs were the best part of it, and DH loved the beans and cole slaw. DS actually ate something this time! (He loves ribs). I got a shake, but I really thought it was TOO thick, it was just like soft ice cream in a large cup! At one point, one of the other wild CMs was walking by and I dropped my fork and she asked me Lose your fork, honey? and I said yes, and she comes back with this giant red fork for me! I laughed. Wouldnt you know this all happens while DS and DH are in the rest room! Eventually we stroll on down past the pool again to the dock. We see the boat there already and we start running and waving to let them know were coming, but as somebody called out to us, Dont worry, they always wait, they see you. Again were on the boat and were so tired from that big meal that we decide to go back to the Poly and relax by the pool. Afterall, were going to E-ride night at the MK the next night anyway.
Back at the Poly, we get in our bathing suits again and this time DH joins us and he and DS go in the water and DH even goes down the water slide several times! I relax on a chaise in the sun with my book. Eventually DH gets out of the water and brings us some Pina Coladas at the bar and we relax watching DS in the pool, who cant get enough of that water slide! I had to get up for a few minutes and left my drink behind and a seagull came and swiped my marachino cherry! DH said he almost freaked out and had to hide it before the bird came back for my pineapple slice! (DH doesnt like birds, guess were not going to go see the Enchanting Tiki Birds!) After their swim, DH and DS decided to take a water mouse out again and I took a break, reading my book. We have a PS for OHana that night for dinner after the fireworks, which are early tonight because the park closes early, which we watch from the concierge lounge at the Polynesian with the music piped in and then head on over to the GCH.
I had read so much about OHanas I was really looking forward to this dinner, and I had been smelling this delicious aroma coming from it for the past few days that I was dying to try it. We had to wait a little bit, even though we had PSs, but finally we were seated, again, not in the main dining room. I should have insisted that we be in there, but I didnt know better, I never did get to see the Fire Pit. This dinner turned out to be our only real disappointment at WDW. It was so loud and noisy. There was this Hawaiian lady with a ukelele who was so loud, we couldnt really talk to each other, and it was always this disembodied voice since we couldnt see her because she was in the main dining room most of the time. Once in a while shed walk around to make an announcement about this or that couple who were celebrating their 50th anniversary that night, it got to be quite annoying. She was also the organizer of the coconut races and hula lessons, which DS loved, so we couldnt really knock it, since DS really loved the place, although he hardly ate a thing! Plus, we couldnt even SEE him when he was in the races or hula lessons! I wasnt thrilled with the food (you can read my review in Restaurants) and the service was poor and we couldnt wait to get out of there! We skipped coffee, figuring we could go back to the Concierge Lounge and have some with a cordial and dessert.
Back at the Concierge Lounge I was disappointed to find they had no decaf coffee available, so that was that. I guess it just wasnt my night. I tried one of the little tartlet desserts and we went off to our room and to bed. We were all pretty tired, and the next day was our last and we were checking out and had a lot to do.
To be continued
