Polynesian Here We Come...

[JAMIESMITH]

This is my second attempt at a PTR for our first family vacation. The link to the first attempt is here if anyone is interested: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2650421

We will be in Disney World Sept 9-14th, 2012. That's just two months away!!!

I started planning this trip almost two years ago and it seems like an eternity has gone by since then! We've always planned to go in September for free dining and low crowds, but we were originally looking at staying at either Animal Kingdom Lodge or Wilderness Lodge. We have been booked at the Polynesian since last fall with free dining. The other major change to our plans is that my cousin Marie (mjohn9083) will be joining us and helping me with the trip report! She has been to Disney World twice. Her most recent stay was at AKL in March of last year. (The lucky girl got a free upgrade from ASMu because they were over booked). My husband's only trip was as an infant and he doesn't remember a thing. Neither my daughter nor I have ever been.

Some introductions: My husband and I have been married for five years. We never got to take a honeymoon and this is our first vacation since we got married. We are both Jamie (and yes it can get confusing!). We live in Mississippi. I work at a lawn mower shop as the office manager. My husband is a mechanic. He's just starting to show some excitement about our trip! This is a picture of us that Marie took at Easter.

My cousin Marie is getting married on September 22nd (the week after we get home). I am her matron of honor and my daughter is her flower girl. I think Marie's fiance Chris is super sweet for letting her go to Disney World without him This is one of their engagement pictures.

Marie just got her Master's degree in May. Right now she's working at a bank and writing articles for our local newspaper.

Our daughter Madilyn is the reason for this trip. I really want to experience Disney magic with her while she's still young enough to think it's "real." She will turn four the month before our trip. This is a picture from May that was taken at her dance class.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

These are our plans for each day at Disney:

Saturday Sept. 8th
Departure Day!!! (Approx 8 hour drive)
Finish Packing
Be on the road by 7:00 am
Stop somewhere for lunch at to stretch our legs
Will gain an hour during drive due to time zone change
Check into Red Roof Inn in Lake City Florida
Get something to eat near hotel
Go for a swim in hotel pool


Sunday Sept 9th
Epcot (Park hours 9am-9pm)
Get ready and repack car
Continental breakfast or snacks from home
Be on the road no later than 7:00 (Approx 3 hour drive)
Check into resort
Be sure to get some photos in the resort lobby
Monorail to Epcot from TTC (no later than 11:30)
Soarin’ (FP) (40”)
Lunch at Coral Reef (12:40)
The Seas with Nemo and Friends (also check out the coral reef aquarium) Turtle Talk with Crush
Test Track (will most likely be closed for refurbishment)
Visa Rewards Card Meet & Greet (free 5X7)
Epcot Character Spot (great photo opportunity)
Spaceship Earth (look for photographer outside)
Dinner at La Cantina de San Angel (Mexican) (QS)
Monorail back to Polynesian Resort
Get Refillable Mugs from Captain Cooks
Relax in room & get Madilyn to bed early

Monday Sept 10th
Animal Kingdom (Park hours 8am-5pm includes am EMH)
Set alarm for 6:00
Breakfast in room from home
Bus to Animal Kingdom (be at bus stop at 7:20 for morning EMH)
Kilimanjaro Safari Tour
Kali River Rapids (FP) (38”)
Expedition Everest (FP) (44”)
Dinosaur Time Rover (FP) (40”)
Triceratops Spin
Lunch at Flame Tree Barbeque (early) (QS)
Festival of the Lion King (30 minutes) (12:00 and 1:30)
Character Trails Meet & Greet
Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade (15 minutes) (3:45)
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Bus to Grand Floridian Resort
Dinner at Grand Floridian Café (6:30) (TS)
Walk back to Polynesian Resort
Get Madilyn to bed early

Tuesday Sept 11th
Magic Kingdom (Park hours 9am-7pm closes early for MNSSHP)
Monorail to Magic Kingdom (8:30 for rope drop)
Breakfast at Main Street Bakery (croissants and pastries) (snack)
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Prince Charming Regal Carousel
Mad Tea Party
Peter Pan’s Flight (FP)
It’s a Small World
Mickey’s Phillarmagic (12 minutes)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (FP) (40”)
Splash Mountain (FP) (40”)
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Lunch at Crystal Palace (2:00) (TS)
The Haunted Mansion
Monorail back to Polynesian Resort
Torch Lighting Ceremony (6:00) ???
Dinner at Captain Cooks Snack Co (sandwiches, salads, burgers)(QS)

Wednesday Sept 12th
Magic Kingdom (Park hours 9am-9pm)
Breakfast at Captain Cooks Snack Co (snack)
Boat to Magic Kingdom (8:30)
Main Street Vehicle to Tomorrow Land
Space Mountain (FP) (44”)
Look for Buzz Lightyear near Space Ranger Spin exit
Astro Orbiter (AH)
Lunch at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café (QS)
Pirates of the Caribbean
Explore Cinderella’s Castle
Gold Boat back to Polynesian Resort
Swim and try volcano water slide (be in pool by 1:00)
Dinner Show Spirit of Aloha (5:15) (OOP)
Electrical Water Pageant (9:00) and Wishes on beach (9:00)

Thursday Sept 13th
Epcot (Park hours 9am-9pm)
Sleep later today
Dress Madilyn up in Belle costume
Monorail to Epcot from TTC (by 8:45)
Breakfast Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus (9:45) (TS)
Change Madilyn into comfy clothes in bathroom before leaving restaurant
World Showcase opens at 11:00 (take your time exploring!)
Gran Fiesta Tour – Mexico Pavilion
Maelstrom – Norway Pavilion (FP)
Dragon Legend Acrobats – China Pavilion
(look for Mulan) (cheap personalized fan)
Pretzel and drink from cart (snack credits) – German Pavilion
German Train Village
Explore Morocco Pavilion (look for Aladdin and Jasmine and belly dancers)
Dinner at Boulangerie Patisserie (croissants and pastries) (QS)
British Revolution
Victoria Gardnens - Canada
Try to get back to Visa Character Spot between 5-7pm
Illuminations
Monorail back to Polynesian Resort

Friday Sept 14th
Hollywood Studios (9am-9pm)
Pack car and check out of resort (early)
GET A PRINTED COPY OF REMAINING DINING PLAN CREDITS
Bus to Hollywood Studios (try to make rope drop)
Tower of Terror
Starring Rolls (snack)
The Voyage of the Little Mermaid (17 minutes)
Rockin’ Roller Coaster (FP) (44”)
Star Tours (FP) (40”)
Beauty and the Beast (11:30) (30 minutes)
Lunch 50’s Prime Time Café (1:30)(TS)
Pixar Pals Parade (3:00)
Muppet Vision 3D (17 minutes)
Lights Motors Action Extreme Stunt Show (4:15) (33 minutes) (AH)
Bus Back to Polynesian Resort
Leave Disney World
Check into Red Roof Inn in Lake City, FL
Dinner in Lake City

Saturday Sept 15th
Trip Home
Continental Breakfast

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I have relied heavily on easywdw.com throughout the planning process. For anyone who hasn't checked out this website, Josh's take on Disney is hillarious! I'm following his calendar pretty closely (our Hollywood Studios day is not reccommended).

**************.net was the first planning website I came accross and it was really helpful as well. According to them we must go back in a few years when Madilyn is older

I've also checked out tikimanpages.com and of course the disboards

 

[niknakk]

Congrats on your first visit!!! Im also going for my first time in Dec!

Great PTR! Your daughter will have a blast Keep the posts coming!

 

[mjohn9083]

Hey all - Marie here - I'm so pumped about heading back to Disney in just 59 days!

This will be my third trip to the magical land of Mickey. I stayed off property and Jamie told you all about my amazing upgrade to AKL last March.

So far, I've never done the dining plan, so that's what I'm looking forward to most this trip (plus having my 4 year old cousin so I can see Disney through her eyes!).

Prior to this trip, here's where I've eaten on property:
Quick Service:
-Epcot (Mexico, England, Japan, China)
-MK (Popcorn vendor, ice cream Mickey vendor)
-AK (Quick service place right beside Mt. Everest)
-Animal Kingdom Lodge Quick Service

Sit Down:
-Epcot (Mexico)
-Downtown Disney (Captain Jack's, Raglan Road)

So, I'm seriously overdue for the proper food tour of Disney.

Whenever I get enough posts to be able to put in photos, I'll add in some photos from my previous two trips!

xoxo - Marie

 

[Corrine 1973]

How exciting to be going to Walt Disney World for the first time with your 4 year old DD. I went on my first trip to WDW in 2009 and took my DD who was then 4. She just turned 7 years old and is very excited that we just booked our mother/daughter trip for next May yesterday.

Your plans look incredible. Looks like you have alot of things planed for your stay. Can't wait to read more.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

How exciting to be going to Walt Disney World for the first time with your 4 year old DD. I went on my first trip to WDW in 2009 and took my DD who was then 4. She just turned 7 years old and is very excited that we just booked our mother/daughter trip for next May yesterday.

Your plans look incredible. Looks like you have alot of things planed for your stay. Can't wait to read more.

I hope we're able to do a lot of what we have planned! I'm counting on Marie and my husband to make sure I don't get too caught up in following in the plan so we can also experience some good, spontaneous fun.

Hey all - Marie here - I'm so pumped about heading back to Disney in just 59 days!

This will be my third trip to the magical land of Mickey. I stayed off property and Jamie told you all about my amazing upgrade to AKL last March.

So far, I've never done the dining plan, so that's what I'm looking forward to most this trip (plus having my 4 year old cousin so I can see Disney through her eyes!).

Prior to this trip, here's where I've eaten on property:
Quick Service:
-Epcot (Mexico, England, Japan, China)
-MK (Popcorn vendor, ice cream Mickey vendor)
-AK (Quick service place right beside Mt. Everest)
-Animal Kingdom Lodge Quick Service

Sit Down:
-Epcot (Mexico)
-Downtown Disney (Captain Jack's, Raglan Road)

So, I'm seriously overdue for the proper food tour of Disney.

Whenever I get enough posts to be able to put in photos, I'll add in some photos from my previous two trips!

xoxo - Marie

You'd better get to posting! I still haven't seen the pictures from your last trip

Congrats on your first visit!!! Im also going for my first time in Dec!

Great PTR! Your daughter will have a blast Keep the posts coming!

I would love to go in December! The Osborne lights look AMAZING!

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Marie's bridal shower is this weekend. Hopefully she'll be able to work out an appointment for our dress alterations soon *hint hint*. After this weekend, I'll be able to start working on our packing list for Disney

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I just spoke with a customer (a friend of a co-worker) who just got back from a week at Port Orleans Riverside with his wife and two daughters (5 & 7). They were booked at ASSp, but got a free upgrade! He was especially enthused with dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table and Turtle Talk with Crush. He complained about the number of Brazillian tourists in the parks and the waits for some of the rides. I'm glad we'll be going when the crowds are lighter!

 

[reyasmommy]

Your plans look terrific! Your trip will be here in no time at all!

I've never stayed at the Polynesian. ((Hope to someday)) But did get married there back in 2001. Beautiful, beautiful resort. We did the Spirit of Aloha for our "reception" after the ceremony. LOVED it!

Enjoy the rest of your planning, and I look forward to hearing about your trip and hopefully seeing tons of pictures.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Your plans look terrific! Your trip will be here in no time at all!

I've never stayed at the Polynesian. ((Hope to someday)) But did get married there back in 2001. Beautiful, beautiful resort. We did the Spirit of Aloha for our "reception" after the ceremony. LOVED it!

Enjoy the rest of your planning, and I look forward to hearing about your trip and hopefully seeing tons of pictures.

It sounds like an anniversary stay at the Polynesian may be in order

I'm glad to hear someone say something positive about Spirit of Aloha. I've read a lot of bad reviews, but I really wanted to give it a try.

 

[MsHershey]

Hello Mississippi neighbor! Congratulations on your first trip to the World. Your plans look awesome. My 25 dd and myself are going to the world the end of September. This will be our first trip too. It is a celebration/reward for our 100 pound each weightloss. September cannot get here fast enough! I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip and I can't wait to read more about your plans.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Hello Mississippi neighbor! Congratulations on your first trip to the World. Your plans look awesome. My 25 dd and myself are going to the world the end of September. This will be our first trip too. It is a celebration/reward for our 100 pound each weightloss. September cannot get here fast enough! I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip and I can't wait to read more about your plans.

You don't see many Disers from Mississippi. We're from Meridian. What part of the state do you live in? Congratulations on your weight loss! That's an amazing accomplishment! You're daughter is my age I hope y'all have a wonderful time as well! Which resort are you staying at?

 

[MsHershey]

You don't see many Disers from Mississippi. We're from Meridian. What part of the state do you live in? Congratulations on your weight loss! That's an amazing accomplishment! You're daughter is my age I hope y'all have a wonderful time as well! Which resort are you staying at?

I live in a small town, Ecru. It is between Oxford and Tupelo. Thanks for the congrats. It is a shame that we let ourselves get to that point of needing to lose so much but we did. Now we feel sooooo much better. Life is a lot more fun! We will be staying at CBR. Are you going to do a trip report after your trip? If you do send me a pm in case I miss it.

 

[jennyjinx3]

Hi! We are there when you are!! In fact, are planning some of the same park days!!(well for the few that we overlap!) My DD's love to meet new friends, so maybe we will see you around the beach or pool! I am getting soooo excited...our girls are getting a surprise this time around!

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I live in a small town, Ecru. It is between Oxford and Tupelo. Thanks for the congrats. It is a shame that we let ourselves get to that point of needing to lose so much but we did. Now we feel sooooo much better. Life is a lot more fun! We will be staying at CBR. Are you going to do a trip report after your trip? If you do send me a pm in case I miss it.

CBR looks like a great resort! Marie and I are going to do a trip report when we get home. I'll be sure to pm you

Hi! We are there when you are!! In fact, are planning some of the same park days!!(well for the few that we overlap!) My DD's love to meet new friends, so maybe we will see you around the beach or pool! I am getting soooo excited...our girls are getting a surprise this time around!

My daughter would love to have some Disney friends! Which days overlap? We could try to meet up at the pool

 

[mjohn9083]

Hey hey! I had a wonderful bridal shower this week (thanks Jamie!) so now I'm going to share some groovy stuff.

This is a photo from my first trip to WDW. We stayed off property, didn't do the dining plan, and only went the MK, Epcot, and HS. My travel partner didn't like to see "animals in cages."

My second trip was definitely better! That's when we got the upgrade from ASMu to AKL!!

Me and one other girl also went to Disney Princess tryouts during this trip!! I was too tall, but we did see one girl who got picked and was put immediately in hair and makeup for Aurura!!!!

For this trip, the Poly is what I'm excited about. I bought a dress to wear to the Spirit of Aloha show last week. Free dining - here I come!

Also, for any of you interested - Jamie and I each did the DVC tour and got the gift card. That went towards this trip - totally worth the 20 min. phone call!

 

[mjohn9083]

Oops... I guess I still can't post photos just yet. As soon as I can, I'll re-upload!

 

[jennyjinx3]

We arrive the 12, and will be heading to MK, dinner at 'Ohana, then probably movie and wishes on the beach...

next day the 13th is a MK day for us, dinner Chef Mickeys, possibly wishes from beach again, depending on how tired everyone is. We could possibly head back into the park..

Friday the 15th, we are doing HS, ending with Fantasmic hoepfully.

But maybe we will see eachother around?

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Oops... I guess I still can't post photos just yet. As soon as I can, I'll re-upload!

How are you trying to upload? I had to load my pictures to photobucket and then here. If you'll e-mail them to me, I'll upload them. I still want to see all the pictures from your last trip.

We arrive the 12, and will be heading to MK, dinner at 'Ohana, then probably movie and wishes on the beach...

next day the 13th is a MK day for us, dinner Chef Mickeys, possibly wishes from beach again, depending on how tired everyone is. We could possibly head back into the park..

Friday the 15th, we are doing HS, ending with Fantasmic hoepfully.

But maybe we will see eachother around?

If we do run into each other it will most likely be on Wednesday or Friday. I will be looking for you! Let me know how Ohana is, I think we might try to fit that into our next trip. Depending on what movies are playing on the beach, we may try to fit that in this time- Tuesday night might work for us. My biggest regret for this trip is that we won't be able to see Fantasmic... something else to look forward to for next time Are you going to do a trip report?