Practically Perfect at the Poly? **UPDATE 7/28 -- And We're Back!!

[tinacaplan]

I really need to get this TR in gear...I’m starting to confuse things with my April trip and then there’s my July trip to think about. I know...I know...what problems to have!

First of all, I hope that everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day. Mark got me (well all us, really) a membership at a local pool that’s year-round. In the winter months, there’s a bubble that covers it and it comes off in the summer. As a kid I swam competitively for years and being in the water is still one of my favorite places of be. Plus, Max really enjoys it, too! We went on Sunday for the first time. I swam legitimate laps in a regulation length pool for the first time in a VERY long time. Can’t believe how tiring it was, but I’m looking forward to building up my endurance and getting back into some semi-serious swimming. Now my pool obsession might make a little bit more sense. Oh, and I’m a Pisces. Usually not much for astrology, but the whole fish thing just really fits me.

Moving on...specifically to our morning at DHS. We stopped in at Kona for some more delicious coffee to go. Seriously...Kona coffee is a MAJOR plus of staying at the Poly. I like coffee, but only good coffee and the Nescafe just doesn’t cut it for me.

I don’t recall anything remarkable about the bus ride over to DHS. I just remember feeling happy to be swining my feet away on a Disney bus. Yup...I’m so short that when I sit all the way back in my seat, my feet don’t touch the floor! In what seemed like no time at all, we were approaching the turnstiles at DHS in plenty of time for rope drop, or whatever it is they’re calling it there these days. Its more of a strangely graduate opening.

I checked my e-mail while we waited in line at the turnstiles, only to discover that the Cali Grill ADR I thought I had cancelled wasn’t. Huh? Now, please remember this, as it will figure prominently later in the day. I called Disney reservations and tried to figure it all out. I thought I had an ADR at Citrico’s, but no. In the end, as far as the Disney computer was concerned, we had an ADR at Cali Grill. OK. Fine. I can do that. Love the Cali Grill, plus it meant that Max could head to the Neverland Club a little earlier, as our ADR at Cali was for 5:45 or something equally as early. Our Citrico’s ADR had been for 8:00.

I thought I had everything figured out and we were moving through the turnstiles. I have to admit that I got a serious charge each and every time I sent that AP through. There was no rope, per se, we were just able to walk through the empty park. Weird, right? But I suppose it mimizes the mad dash to Pixar Place.

We were on our way right there, of course...

Not a bad crowd, eh? Now this is where my memory is a bit foggy...I don’t think we rode TSM right away In fact, I think it was still closed. Or something. We did get FPs, though.

TSM being a no-go, I knew exactly where I wanted to go. So, off through the Streets of America we went.

As we were headed here:

Yes, I love the Writer’s Stop. It just might be my favorite breakfast spot, if you can count a carrot cake cookie as a breakfast item. I think its permissible on vacation, though.

And, yes...there it is sweet cream cheese frosting sandwhiched between two moist, delicious carrot cake cookies, which really are more cake than cookie. But not matter. They are incredible and one of those snacks, like Dolewhips, that you just cannot seem to get anywhere else on the planet.

Max was still uniquely attired:

This is also a much better shot of my beloved carrot cake cookie, too!

We had breakfast...which direction would we head in next?[/B]

 

[tinacaplan]

Wow, that was one jam-packed day, it looked like a lot of fun. No wonder Max passed out almost immediately.

Dinner at La Hacienda sounds delicious and the restaurant is so beautiful!

You gotta love the view from the Poly beach, it's such a peaceful place to watch Wishes. And the best part? No crowds!

Your July vacation sounds absolutely amazing. BC is definitely on my to-do list and I get to try AKL for the first time in October, so I can't wait to hear what you think of both.

We had a great first day! I can't recommend La Hacienda highly enough. It was great for our family dinner and equally as wonderful for just my friend and I.

The lack of crowds on the beach is a definite plus! I hate the crush of people in MK at times.

I can't wait for July! I know that part of the reason why I wasn't more excited about the April trip was because of the resort. They really play a huge role in my trips. And we love the Beach Club and I just can't wait to try AKL!

Wow, you did manage to have a very full day.

Congrats on getting your split stay!!! I know even though we just stayed at Pop for a couple of nights before moving to WL (so only a value vs. a deluxe to a deluxe)... it was fun.)

I personally hope to stay at the BC someday. Poly... well, I do think the grounds look amazing, but I suspect (like WL) the rooms are a bit dark for my liking.

I'm so excited. I really feel like I'm getting two vacations in one! BC is beautiful, so light and sunny. The Poly is beautiful, too, but the rooms are pretty dark, which I actually didn't mind. I liked the themeing and the decor at the Poly quite a bit, I just wish that the room we were in was in better repair. And that the pool was bigger, but I think Storm Along Bay has permanently spoiled me in the pool department.

 

[amandaw]

What a fun Mother's Day gift! Too funny that you mention loving water & being a Pisces. Reid is also a Pisces & has always loved the water. I've always called him my little water baby. He literally begs for bath time.

Sounds like y'all were off to nice start at DHS! I have to try one of those carrot cake cookies. I LOVE carrot cake!

Hmmm....so where did y'all go to first? Maybe to meet Phineas & Ferb? Or maybe to a galaxy far, far away?

 

[annmarieda]

I love Max's outfit!!! Too cute!!

I am going to have to track down one of those carrot cake cookies. I managed to find WS this last trip... but sadly, I had grumpy kids. Add in a huge line both in front of us and behind us and what you get is me not even being able to really look in the case before paying for something...anything and leaving the line.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Carrot cake cookie breakfast??? Brilliant!!

Uh oh...I'm getting the feeling that your California Grill ADR was cancelled after all...

 

[MEK]

Max looks like a minnie James Dean! He is too cute.

Your TR is about the 4th in as many days that features a carrot cake cookie. So many reminders that I must try one in June.

The ADR dinner mystery thickens.

Yeah for minimal crowds!

 

[natebenma]

Good start at the studios!

I haven't tried the carrot cake cookie, but since everyone raves about it, I'll have to check it out!

My guess is a visit to the Muppets.

 

[pinkxray]

Yum, I love having cookies for breakfast on vacation. I still haven't tried the carrot cake cookie. Next time it is a must do.

I love Max's outfit. Very cool.


The view from the Poly looks wonderful. I think staying at the Poly is just something everyone should try for themselves. I think I need to do a split stay so that I can test it out for myself.


Do you happen to recall how much the airfare was around Feb. vacation? I am trying to put together a budget in case we are able to go in Feb, but have no idea about that part.

 

[tinacaplan]

Max looks like a minnie James Dean! He is too cute.

Your TR is about the 4th in as many days that features a carrot cake cookie. So many reminders that I must try one in June.

The ADR dinner mystery thickens.

Yeah for minimal crowds!

The carrot cake cookies are amazing, provided that you like carrot cake and cream cheese frosting, which I really, really do.

And yes...where did we end up eating dinner? And how'd we do it? Its one of the best stories of the trip!

What a fun Mother's Day gift! Too funny that you mention loving water & being a Pisces. Reid is also a Pisces & has always loved the water. I've always called him my little water baby. He literally begs for bath time.

Sounds like y'all were off to nice start at DHS! I have to try one of those carrot cake cookies. I LOVE carrot cake!

Hmmm....so where did y'all go to first? Maybe to meet Phineas & Ferb? Or maybe to a galaxy far, far away?

Where did we go? I strongly encourage you to try the carrot cake cookie, or at least Writer's Stop.

I love Max's outfit!!! Too cute!!

I am going to have to track down one of those carrot cake cookies. I managed to find WS this last trip... but sadly, I had grumpy kids. Add in a huge line both in front of us and behind us and what you get is me not even being able to really look in the case before paying for something...anything and leaving the line.

Who was dressing him, anyway?

We've always gotten to Writer's Stop first thing and never had a line. Just luck I guess.

Carrot cake cookie breakfast??? Brilliant!!

Uh oh...I'm getting the feeling that your California Grill ADR was cancelled after all...

I figured you would approve!

Good start at the studios!

I haven't tried the carrot cake cookie, but since everyone raves about it, I'll have to check it out!

My guess is a visit to the Muppets.

Writer's Stop is just generally great.

Yum, I love having cookies for breakfast on vacation. I still haven't tried the carrot cake cookie. Next time it is a must do.

I love Max's outfit. Very cool.


The view from the Poly looks wonderful. I think staying at the Poly is just something everyone should try for themselves. I think I need to do a split stay so that I can test it out for myself.


Do you happen to recall how much the airfare was around Feb. vacation? I am trying to put together a budget in case we are able to go in Feb, but have no idea about that part.

I agree that everyone should try the Poly. It is a piece of Disney history, that's for sure. I think a lot of what you get out of it depends on how much you enjoy seeing the castle and watching the fireworks. I'm one of those weird Disney fans for whom that isn't a huge thrill, so there you go.

As for airfare...its obscene that week. I want to say this past year it was just under 1200 for the three of us. Its double what we pay for July. But I also don't have a lot of flexibility that time of the year, so if we want to go, we gotta pay. I do try and book flights early and seem to get the best possible deal that way.

 

[Moira222]

Hey Pisces Sister!!! I"m a Feb girl

Max is so cute in daddy's hat & shades. such a cutie pie!!!

That carrot cake sandwich looks delicious. I don't remember getting a snack for me last time we were there, though I do remember "helping" Katie eat her huge piece of English toffee and an iced coffee. yummm.

I am looking forward to having a big cup of Kona coffee for the long ride home at the end of our trip. Will they fill your travel mug I wonder? I know I have to pay for the coffee but it would be easier to have the coffee in the travel mug than a paper cup.

I am wondering if you had issues with the new cancellation policy if you ended up with two dinner ADRs.

 

[KatMark]

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with a cookie and/or cake for breakfast while at Disney (although my choice would have definitely been something different than carrot ).

I love Max's look.

 

[Missyrose]

A carrot cake cookie with cream cheese frosting? Sounds like a bagel and cream cheese to me!

Great start to DHS! I have found that when they do a "delayed" opening at TSM, it provides an awesome opportunity to jump in line when everyone else passes it up. We did that last October (I think, all the trips start to run together) and they said it could take "up to 30 minutes" for the ride to open... less than 10 minutes later, we were in the first car on the ride!

P.S. I have the same issue on the Disney buses, I'm really short.

 

[eandesmom]

ok at this point I just hope you end up getting dinner somewhere, the ADR system can be seriously screwy at times!

I love that carrot cake cookie, I had it for breakfast last May but I have to admit I couldn't eat the whole thing, it was just too much. I need to split it with someone, half is about all i could do. I don't eat much sugar at all and half of one about sent me over the edge!

 

[tinacaplan]

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with a cookie and/or cake for breakfast while at Disney (although my choice would have definitely been something different than carrot ).

I love Max's look.

Thanks! Yes, carrot cake tends to have its serious fans, as well as it detractors. Oh, well...more for us!

A carrot cake cookie with cream cheese frosting? Sounds like a bagel and cream cheese to me!

Great start to DHS! I have found that when they do a "delayed" opening at TSM, it provides an awesome opportunity to jump in line when everyone else passes it up. We did that last October (I think, all the trips start to run together) and they said it could take "up to 30 minutes" for the ride to open... less than 10 minutes later, we were in the first car on the ride!

P.S. I have the same issue on the Disney buses, I'm really short.

I wish I could remember how we worked that morning, but it was kind of of like you described, I think.

And I'm glad to know I'm not alone with the bussess.

ok at this point I just hope you end up getting dinner somewhere, the ADR system can be seriously screwy at times!

I love that carrot cake cookie, I had it for breakfast last May but I have to admit I couldn't eat the whole thing, it was just too much. I need to split it with someone, half is about all i could do. I don't eat much sugar at all and half of one about sent me over the edge!

It was bizarre, especially considering these were ADRs that had been made with CC holds on them. And you're right, those cookies are sweet and I somehow seriously doubt I finished mine. I actually find a lot of the desserts at Disney to be a bit...um...over the top.

 

[tinacaplan]

I have to let you all, my loyal readers, in on a little secret. I have absolutely no idea what order we did anything in on our DHS day. Seriously...not a clue...and while my photographs would generally provide me with some sort of narrative when memory fails, not so this time, as my pictures somehow got out of order.

I will do my best, but I will probably fail.

When I left you, I had just eaten a carrot cake cookie for breakfast at the Writer’s Stop. We were waiting for TSM to open, I think. Because we were so close I think we went to see the Muppetts. Max has become seriously Muppett obsessed since the new movie came out. He adores the soundtrack and it gets a lot of play in our car. Its a great soundtrack, by the way, with music that keeps adults interested, too. Wait...I’m addressing an audience of adults who willingly listens to Disney music...never mind. We enjoyed the show and went on our way.

Of course we had to stop and check out Lightening and Mater. Fingers crossed that maybe we can skip this and its line in July? Please? Probably not. And some day I will get a great picture of Mark and Max and Mater...

....but as you can see...this day was NOT that day.

We made our way over to TSM, I believe and had some fun in Pixar Place.

We jumped in line and I don’t remember waiting long, so we either had FPs or we really did do this first. Hmm.... one will never know.

I rode with Max and I beat the pants off of him.

Yep...I’m bragging about beating a four year old. I have no shame, obviously.

After this, we walked around the back of the park, heading toward Startours and what happened next is what makes Disney so magical. The kind of spontaneous happening that, I think, keeps us all coming back. We round the corner and see these guys:

OK...OK...I know what you’re thinking...but isn’t that where they normally show up? I mean, isn’t that kind of like running into Buzz and Woody in Andy’s room? Well, yeah, sure. But...we were very lucky and hit it perfectly. There was no one else around, they had obviously just come out for the first time that day and it was completely unexpected. They were great with Max and it was just a really nice moment for all of us.

We made our way over to Star Tours, which Mark rode first, while Max and I perused the gift shop.

I am not into sci-fi or action/adventure movies of any kind, but like so many children of my generation, I loved the first three Star Wars movies. While I missed them on their first go around in the theaters, I did catch all of them in subsequent theatrical re-releases, and it was another great bonding moment for my dad and I. I also had a stuffed Ewok and was obsessed with the moon of Endor. I so wanted to go there and get a real Ewok. Alas...

Mark had done this when it debuted last summer, but I had skipped it. Not this time... I thoroughly enjoyed my ride and took lots of not so great pictures of the queue, which I will spare you. I didn’t really ever pay much attention to the first three movies in the series (you know...the horrible Jar-Jar Binks disasters), so some of the plot lines are lost on me...but whoa....when you go into lightspeed....its just amazing. I love this ride. I really hope Max makes it to forty inches by July (we’re getting closer...yes, he’s really short for this age) so we can do this all together as a family and have that moment coming off the ride where we’re all just super excited.

We walked back around to the front of the Chinese Theater and ran into these two:

...and, then, as far as I can recall we decided to head back to the Poly. Not sure if we just decided to quite while we were ahead, or if the crowds were becoming too much, of it Max was just done, but that was it for us. So, we departed, having accomplished...well, not a whole lot, actually. It was still a nice morning, though. I really do want to spend some more time here, eventually. I’d love to see Lights Motor Action with Max, as its his one shot to see any sort of interactive version of Lightning. And (spoiler alert for my April trip) I really would like to do the RnRRC again.

We went back to the Poly and we all went swimming for a while. I was able to find the life vests this time, so Max had more fun swimming this afternoon.

But...we had an evening to figure out...and Max had a reservation at the Neverland Club, or would all of that be nevermore?

...and on a quick side note... We had a professional development day today and they unveiled details on our upcoming school calendar and I seem to no longer have a February break. Ugh. I had been hoping to squeak one last trip out of our APs, as the calendar worked in our favor in that respect this year. But it is not to be. Of course, being the insane Disney planner that I am, my mind immediately began figuring out what else we could do... I thought about Thanksgiving, but that would be too short and too busy...and then Christmas....but, too busy and too expensive...but then they mentioned that we’ll have two weeks at Christmas. Huh? Now, I’m not sure if the second week is the week before or the week after Christmas (thus the first week of January)...BUT...if it is the week after...I think I could do a trip with Max. A Mommy and son trip. A perfect chance to check out the Art of Animation resort, perhaps? Granted, we’d be in a Little Mermaid room, but we’d be able to check out the Radiator Springs section and I must admit that all the photographs I’ve seen certainly pique my interest. And Mark didn’t say no. He didn’t quite say yes, either, so we’ll see what happens there. But sometimes with Disney, when one door closes, another one opens...

 

[tinacaplan]

I also wanted to take a moment to share what are, for now, our most up to date plans for July, since I won’t be doing a formal PTR for that trip. After all...I’m just hoping I can finish February and do a quick “highlights” of April before we leave! For the most part, we only have ADRs for dinner. We’re just not big breakfast people and, frankly, I think one TS a day is enough. Generally, we like to make rope drop in the morning, head back to the resort after noon, and then head back out in the evening. Last July, we found that we were heading back out to the parks around six, or even later, thus I made our ADRs pretty late to accomodate that.

Herewith...

Thursday, July 19
Arrival Day

We’ll be at the Beach Club before noon and our room will either be ready or it won’t, but in either case, we’ll ,make our way down to Storm Along Bay for our first swim of the trip.

Dinner -- 8:30 -- Via Napoli
This place has become of my absolute favorite, must-dos. The later time will give us plenty of time to do some things in EPCOT before dinner, too.

Friday, July 20

We’re headed to rope drop at MK this day.

Dinner -- 8:40 -- Kona
I had not originally had Kona in the line-up, but considering that a few of the dishes I’ve had there in February and April have become the stuff of culinary legend in my mind, I also hadn’t worked in any real MK at night time..what was I thinking? So, Kona it is. After dinner, we can either hit the beach or head to MK to see Wishes and the MSEP. There are also EMHs at MK on this night, which we might make as a family, or Mark and Max will head back to the BC and I’ll have some late-night touring time on my own. Someone’s gotta make up for BTMRR being down for our last two trips!

Saturday July 21

This is going to be a resort day, so we can enjoy Storm Along Bay and some time to relax.

Breakfast -- 10:00 -- Kouzinna
This was one of our favorite meals from last July and it works since we’re not headed to a park and want to sleep in.

Dinner -- 7:35 -- Flying Fish
I’ve wanted to go back here since we ate here in 2010. Figured this would be as good a chance as any. The atmosphere here is really fun and I think Max will do just fine dining here.

Sunday July 22

We’re headed to DHS on this day.

Dinner -- 8:30 -- La Hacienda

If we play our cards as well as I did in April, this should be a pretty great night.

Monday July 23

This is the day we leave the Beach Club and move to AKL. Max had requested a character breakfast, so I figured we’d head back to Tusker House, pre-park opening. Not sure how this will work, logisitically, with the move, but I’ll figure it out. It will be an early morning, that’s for sure.

Dinner -- 8:00 -- Sanaa
I might cancel this and we may just end up doing counter service at Mara.
This also my anniversary!

Tuesday July 24

Resort Day, part two..only this time at AKL. I really want to explore this resort while we’re here.
Max will head to Simba’s Clubhouse that evening and I still haven’t decided if we’re going to do our anniversary dinner at Jiko or Citrico’s. Jiko will probably win, since we’ll be there already.

Wednesday, July 25

I have zero plans for this day. We’ll go wherever the wind takes us, do what we want to do, as this is our last full day. I like to leave things more open towards the end just to have that flexibility.

Thursday, July 26

Our flight is early afternoon, so not much for us to on this day but check out. I’m thinking of making an ADR at Boma for breakfast.

I will certainly be interesting to see how many of these we keep. Flying Fish might go in favor of Beaches and Cream...who knows?

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Ok, I laughed SO hard when you said you beat Max at TSM! Good for you!

Your July plans sound awesome! Although I vote not to cancel Sanaa!!!

 

[amandaw]

I can't wait to ride Star Tours this year! Reid is also super excited about it since he's tall enough & he loves Star Wars. I also had a stuffed Ewok growing up! Actually I had 2 - a boy & a girl. I still give my mother grief about throwing them away. The woman keeps EVERYTHING but for some unknown reason chose to throw away my prized Ewoks. I told Reid about them & now he fusses his Grammy about throwing away his Mommy's Ewoks.

Can't wait to hear what happened with the ADR that night. I have a feeling things got quite mixed up.

And it sounds like your plans for July are coming together quite nicely!

 

[natebenma]

I love your July dining plans!

I vote that you check out Boma for breakfast. No characters and I can't think of what really stands out about it, but it is just GOOD!

So I don't see much EPCOT time in your planning. When will Max go through his beloved SSE? First night before dinner? Maybe on your resort day at the Beach Club?

I see a lot of Hollywood Studios in my very near future- 8 thrill-seeking teenage boys. Can you say RNR, ToT and Star Tours. Again. And Again. And Again???

 

[MEK]

I will be back for pics but it will be great when Max can actually ride Star Tours!!!!! I love that ride!!!!!!!

I hope you can work out another trip before your AP expires.

Great July ADRs. Love Saana - don't cancel. I miss that place. I would love to go back for a meal there. Hmmmmmm......