Poly, Princesses and Pixie Dust

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

" loved the planning phase and really enjoyed reading about others' Disney adventures (ok, I was really living vicariously through them until we could get there, but I'm sure I'm not the only one ...) In fact, I love planning so much as soon as I'm done this report I'm going to start working on our next trip (of course I've already got plenty of mental notes, I just haven't "officially" started!)"

So True!
In my next life I want to come back as a WDW Travel Agent!!
Gretchen

 

[BreezysMom]

" loved the planning phase and really enjoyed reading about others' Disney adventures (ok, I was really living vicariously through them until we could get there, but I'm sure I'm not the only one ...) In fact, I love planning so much as soon as I'm done this report I'm going to start working on our next trip (of course I've already got plenty of mental notes, I just haven't "officially" started!)"

So True!
In my next life I want to come back as a WDW Travel Agent!!
Gretchen

Only if I got to travel with all of my customers though!

I love the planning, the implementing and then the reminising on the board!!!

Maiya, I am just waiting to see if we possibly crossed in each others pics somehow! That would be funny.

 

[1971DBday]

Signing on and looking forward to more. Just under 3 weeks until we arrive at the Poly. Last trip staying at the Poly was short and barely spent anytime there. Looking forward to really enjoying the resort. Hopefully I can use your tip about the online check-in and not be frustrated if I don't get exactly what I requested. Last two trips I argued to be moved (moderate resorts - because of LONG walks to main center). I am NOT in the mood to do that again, but I don't think we can go wrong at the Poly.

 

[maiapapaya]

Since this isn't all about me, I thought I'd let the kids add their two cents, so here are the kids' picks for the MK!

DD4:
Favorite Things:
the plane ride (ie. The Barnstormer)
the pink princess (aka Sleeping Beauty)
"someone making her into a princess" (ie. BBB)
the "bad boy duck" (ie. Donald in the Philharmagic)
Best Purchase:
necklace with Sleeping Beauty purse pendant
Favorite Treat:
sugar cookie from Main Street Bakery

DD7
FavoriteThings:
SM, BTMR, HM, PoC (basically all of the "big girl" rides )
being a princess for a day
Best Purchase:
pink pirate necklace
Favorite Treat:
dole whip
Biggest Disappointment:
Pixie Hollow ... didn't buy the whole shrinking-down-to-the-size-of-a-fairy-thing ("but mom, it's just a room!") She is quite happy to hear that TPTB plan on buidling the fairies a proper Pixie Hollow with the Fantasy Land expansion
Worst Thing:
Both DD4 and DD7 concur on this one ... the auto flush toilets! Whoever invented those things clearly did not have young children!

DD18
Fav's:
any and all rides
hanging out with Alice (will explain this in my character post)
evening EMH ... riding SM and BTMR in the dark
Best Purchase:
"do I have to pick just one?!"
Favorite Snack-thing:
dole whip
Biggest Losers:
Jasmine (will explain this in my character post)
three young guys in their early twenties who looked perfectly able-bodied, but were bombing around Tomorrow Land on rented scooters. And I will agree whole-heartedly with DD18 on this one. These guys looked liked football players and where yuking it up and driving their scooters around like it was a joy ride (we figured they had rented them just for a laugh). The CM's who had to let them in the handicapped entrance at The Laugh Floor did NOT look amused! We were actually surprised that someone hadn't taken them aside and said something, but I guess Disney can't risk any sort of accusations of discrimination.

 

[maiapapaya]

" loved the planning phase and really enjoyed reading about others' Disney adventures (ok, I was really living vicariously through them until we could get there, but I'm sure I'm not the only one ...) In fact, I love planning so much as soon as I'm done this report I'm going to start working on our next trip (of course I've already got plenty of mental notes, I just haven't "officially" started!)"

So True!
In my next life I want to come back as a WDW Travel Agent!!
Gretchen

Too funny. My DH keeps saying I should become a WDW TA! But I agree with you BreezysMom, I'd need to travel with my clients, you know, to keep up on all the latest ...
I haven't noticed you in any of my pics so far, but I haven't seen my sister's photos yet. That would be funny!

1971DBday, all I have to say is I'm totally jealous! DH informed me today that he would like to try a different time of year next trip, so he's thinking February 2011! WTH?!! I'm trying to convince him that it would be a terrible idea ... no guarantees of warm enough weather to use the pool (a bit of a waste) and there are no guarantees that we could even get to the airport (we live in one of the "snow belts" of Ontario) or that the plane would even take off if we managed to get there! His other thought is December 2010. I could work with that, but it would still be painful!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Too true, Maia! You made me laugh out loud -- being the grandmother of two (ages 3 & 6 yrs old at the time) that we had the pleasure of taking to WDW last year.
Now I can't wait for our April trip!!!
I just told my husband today that we could have bought a new house for what we've spent on WDW the last 3 years! (Well maybe not quite, but pretty close!!!!)
Gretchen

 

[maiapapaya]

Too true, Maia! You made me laugh out loud -- being the grandmother of two (ages 3 & 6 yrs old at the time) that we had the pleasure of taking to WDW last year.
Now I can't wait for our April trip!!!
I just told my husband today that we could have bought a new house for what we've spent on WDW the last 3 years! (Well maybe not quite, but pretty close!!!!)
Gretchen

Yes, it's amazing to think how much money can be spent just on Disney trips alone! That's why we looked into the vacation club. Unfortunately, we loved the Poly so much we couldn't imagine staying anywhere else for most of our visits and the way the points work out it makes it very prohibitive to stay at the Poly (since it's not a VC resort).

 

[Disneymoon09]

Really enjoying this and looking forward to more!

 

[tarak]

I had to post that my kids totally agree with yours about the auto flush toilets. Well, the two that are potty trained, at least. I have to hold my hand over the sensor when they use them.

 

[maiapapaya]

I had to post that my kids totally agree with yours about the auto flush toilets. Well, the two that are potty trained, at least. I have to hold my hand over the sensor when they use them.

We do too. Actually, the girls take turns holding their hands over the sensor for each other. I've heard of people using sticky notes, but it just seems like such a big waste of paper.

 

[BreezysMom]

I am a totally bad Mom because it almost amuses me watching DD trying to pull up her pants and cover her hears as she literally runs out of the stall...

She despises the toilets at the Poly too. I swear they could suck in a small child they are so powerful or at least sound that way!

 

[1971DBday]

1971DBday, all I have to say is I'm totally jealous! DH informed me today that he would like to try a different time of year next trip, so he's thinking February 2011! WTH?!! I'm trying to convince him that it would be a terrible idea ... no guarantees of warm enough weather to use the pool (a bit of a waste) and there are no guarantees that we could even get to the airport (we live in one of the "snow belts" of Ontario) or that the plane would even take off if we managed to get there! His other thought is December 2010. I could work with that, but it would still be painful!

We have to decide if we will go back the same time in 2010 with DD(13) going into High School. I don't know if we can pull her out of school. The dilemma is that I don't want to wait over a year to the next WDW trip. I haven't even gone on this trip and am already panicing about the next one being "to far away".

Maybe February would be a bad habit to get into because of their future HS years...I can try to come up with more of a far fetched excuse if you need me to think harder. I could handle re-adjusting if the 1st trip was under a year later and the annually from there, but I have the Disney bug and waiting for more then a year just sounds wrong at this point.

 

[1971DBday]

By the way automatic flushing toilets are an AWFUL invention! My now DD(3) is now terrified of all toilets and wants to leave the stall before they go off.

 

[maiapapaya]

I am a totally bad Mom because it almost amuses me watching DD trying to pull up her pants and cover her hears as she literally runs out of the stall...

She despises the toilets at the Poly too. I swear they could suck in a small child they are so powerful or at least sound that way!

Those Poly toilets are brutal! DD4 got to the point where she refused to use ours unless I agreed to flush it for her once she was out of the bathroom. It was pretty funny. She'd do her business, pull up her panties and then flee from the bathroom, squealing all the way!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

I am a totally bad Mom because it almost amuses me watching DD trying to pull up her pants and cover her hears as she literally runs out of the stall...

She despises the toilets at the Poly too. I swear they could suck in a small child they are so powerful or at least sound that way!

Include me in this club! I know it's not funny to a terrified kid, but it makes me laugh, too!!!

 

[tarak]

The toilets at AKL are just as bad. However, my kids don't flush because they are lazy.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

The toilets at AKL are just as bad. However, my kids don't flush because they are lazy.

Maybe we should start a "Toilet Thread"...

 

[maiapapaya]

Before our trip we decided we wanted our vacation to be relaxing - as relaxing as anything can be with a 4, 7 and 18 year old in tow - and feel like a vacation. Because of this we chose not to take a kamikaze approach to any of the parks. We picked one or two must-do's and let everything else be a bonus.

We also decided that we wanted to enjoy our resort, so the plan was to get an early start each day and then head back to the Poly mid-afternoon.

Before the trip I had been told it would take about an hour to get to AK from Poly. We waited about ten minutes for the bus and then the actual travel time was ony about 25 minutes. Maybe because the end of October isn't a busy time of the year? We made it there about 15 minutes before rope drop.

The CM's crammed us into the park entry like a bunch of little sardines and we stood and waited. When the rope drop show started we couldn't see a thing. We decided that arriving five to ten minutes after rope drop was just as good and after that first day we didn't make an effort to make it to another rope drop. The only exception I would consider is the MK rope drop where I've heard the show is above the crowd, so we could at least see the action.

Once the throngs were released into the park we headed straight for the safari. This was an attraction that the whole family enjoyed. The highlight for the kids was the baby elephant. For me it was the beautiful savanah landscapes.

After our trek we ordered our picnic lunch and then parted ways. DD18, DS and BIL headed for Everest, Dinosaur and Primevil Whirl. They gave EE

DH and I took the younger gals to the Festival of the Lion King. DH and I have seen the stage production of Lion King twice and I love, love, love that show. The music gives me chills and the costumes are so beautiful and colourful. The AK production was a must do for me.

Because of DD4's guest accommodation card we were seated in the front row, which was actually almost too close to the action. The performers were practically on top of us. But DD4 loved it. She was enthralled, except for the fog - she kept pulling her feet up! And here was another example of CM's really making an effort to make the experience magical for everyone. Two of the principles that were "working" our section seemed to go out of their way to make eye contact with DD4 and be super expressive with their faces.

What made this show even more magical for our family though was that DD4 and DD7 were brought up by one of the cast members at the beginning of the show to teach the lion section how to roar! Then at the end of the show they were invited up again to participate in the finale parade. DD4 declined, but DD7 strutted her stuff and she shook an African rhythm instrument as she was led around the theatre by a leopard.

After the show we ran into Chip n' Dale and Thumper and Miss Bunny in the character greeting trails. The girls got autographs and posed for pictures. We also did a little shopping and then it was time to meet up with the rest of our gang for our picnic in the park.

We gave this meal a big . It was one of the best CS meals of the trip. We chose the rotisserie chicken option. Our sides were potato wedges and coleslaw with corn bread and cookies for dessert. For our family of five we ordered the meal for three and it was plenty of food. As an added bonus the picnic came in a great reusable tote bag.

Now I will admit the time after lunch was a little frustrating and disorganized. DS insisted that DD7 had to go see It's Tough To Be A Bug. DD4 tends to be a little skittish, so we took her off to Dinoland. We rode Triceratops Spin, but it was really too hot at this point to enjoy anything else. When the others joined us we wasted a good twenty minutes deciding what to do next.

Rather than finishing the afternoon off with Kali we decided to head back to the resort. The thought of taking a refreshing dip in the Poly pool was much more appealing than a bus ride in soggy clothes, shivering from the air conditioning.

AK is was a bit of a funny park for us. We enjoyed our time there, it has a much more laid back atmosphere than the other parks. But that being said, when we think ahead to our next trip it's something that we all say that we could drop from our agenda if we're hoping for more resort time. I don't believe we will abandon AK indefinitely though. I think in a few years the girls will find it much more interesting, when they will appreciate the animal exhibits a little more.

Lessons Learned:
Rope drop isn't "all that."
Even though we don't believe in making a strict touring plan (it's just not our style) some sort of plan is a good idea!

AK must-do's:
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Expedition Everest
Festival of The Lion King

AK shoulda-done's:
Finding Nemo
Rafiki's Planet Watch (DD7 aspires to be a vet - I think she would have really enjoyed this - next time!)
Kali River Rapids

 

[maiapapaya]

Maybe we should start a "Toilet Thread"...

Oh I'm sure there would be a lot of hilarious stories in that thread!

 

[maiapapaya]

Maybe February would be a bad habit to get into because of their future HS years...I can try to come up with more of a far fetched excuse if you need me to think harder. I could handle re-adjusting if the 1st trip was under a year later and the annually from there, but I have the Disney bug and waiting for more then a year just sounds wrong at this point.

I think I've taken care of DH's insane idea of waiting until Feb. 2011. First, I reminded him that he wants to spend more time just enjoying the resort next trip. Then I asked "would we enjoy it that much if it was too cool to go swimming? Wouldn't it be kind of a waste to be at the Poly and not be able to enjoy the pool?" And yes, he agreed! I think we're back on track for October or December 2010.
I will keep you in mind though 1971DBday if I need any more excuses! You seem to have some experience with this!