Practically Perfect in Every Way - UPDATE-3/1 -- LINK TO TRIP REPORT!!!!

[tinacaplan]

Sounds like you've got a good plan for the 1st day!

Have y'all had dinner at Kona before? We did it for the 1st time on our last trip & really enjoyed it.

Thanks. We haven't been to Kona for anything, yet! I'm really looking forward to it. It has great menu and its one of the few restaurants that gets consistently good reviews.

 

[pinkxray]

I was reading something about checking in when you have an AP voucher in the last couple days. Everything I read says that they let you check in but you might have to show your AP within 24 hours to keep the rate. (There were people who never got asked, but I never heard of anyone not being allowed to check in at all without it) They must realize that people who come directly on ME from MCO aren't going to stop at a park or DTD before wanting to check in.

I am interested in what you decide to do for Mark and Max for tickets. I have taken a look at getting AP's for our Nov/Feb trip and the AP's don't seem worth it. I'm not sure how many days of tickets you need though, maybe the 10 day non expiring is an option?

It must be so exciting that you are going to MK and staying at the Poly. A day at MK, followed by a quick boat ride back to your tropical themed resort sounds so much better than taking a bus back to wherever.

 

[that's nice]

Now, here’s where things get a little tricky. I’ll see if we can check-in without my actual AP in hand. I have heard conflicting reports on this. Some people say they’ve never even been asked to show their’s. I ‘ve read of people being fine with just having the voucher. But the official word is that you have to have the actual AP in hand. So, we will either check in and perhaps do some resort exploring (or even pool time if the weather’s like it was last year).

I think I might run into this situation too... I'll be watching to see what happens.

On a side note: I can’t seem to decide if its worth it to get Mark and Max APs, too. While its highly likely that we’ll be able to go back in July, it is not definite and may not be for awhile. And while it will be cheaper to buy them APs if do go back, it isn’t cheaper by that much. Thus, you can see my conflict. Any thoughts?

You guys hop a lot? I forget? I think you do... you can always do the N/E tix but if you are getting the dining plan those won't be good for you.

By the time we’ve done all of the above, I think our room should be ready and we’ll head back to the Poly to check out the resort, relax, and get ready for our dinner at Kona.

Kona dinner.... never ate there for dinner. I've scoured the menu and I do want to try it out someday!

 

[amandaw]

Thanks. We haven't been to Kona for anything, yet! I'm really looking forward to it. It has great menu and its one of the few restaurants that gets consistently good reviews.

I hope y'all enjoy dinner at Kona. We thought the food was really good. On our next trip, we're going to try breakfast there.

 

[eandesmom]

I love that picture of the 3 of you in front of the castle, one of my favorites!

I hear you on the AP question. It really would depend on the total savings to me and if it's minimal, I'd probably not do it. We all LOVED our dinner at Kona. It's not top in ambiance or service. Not bad mind you but more like a very typical nice restaurant, a little less Disneyesque than some. But the food, SOOOOOOOOO good! I'd eat there again in a heartbeat and hope to make it for breakfast someday.

 

[dizneeat]

Tina, don't worry about the AP.

They will definitely let you check in without an actual AP in hand, but you might be required to show it within 24 hours or they will change your rate.
More often than not we have not been asked for our AP in the first place.
And another thought - you might want to check out buying your AP at the Earport (in the airport), but they only sell you an activated AP which means that day will be your renewal day.
The AP makes sense if you stay 10 days or more.

For me what counts the most is that I do not have to think about going to a park.
When we got our free Poly upgrade a few days ago all I said was that we can just pop in to the MK for an hour or two at night when we return - guess you would not do that with a regular ticket.

 

[MEK]

SSR - yes, it is one of my home resorts! I have to say that I was never there without a car, but I always use the bus to go to MK and I've never had much of a wait.

It is a big resort, but for being a big resort I do think its one of the prettiest. I love the landscaping - all the little paths and fountains. I really love the area across from DTD.

I don't know how much you like walking, but I have often walked to DTD from there, but you can also take a boat. I hope you enjoy it.

That picture of the three of you in front of the castle is GREAT! love it.

I wouldn't worry about the AP either.

Cool that Max likes CoP so much. Denny loves that ride. Probably could ride it all day.

 

[tinacaplan]

I was reading something about checking in when you have an AP voucher in the last couple days. Everything I read says that they let you check in but you might have to show your AP within 24 hours to keep the rate. (There were people who never got asked, but I never heard of anyone not being allowed to check in at all without it) They must realize that people who come directly on ME from MCO aren't going to stop at a park or DTD before wanting to check in.

Thanks...that's what Karin said a few comments down from yours. We should be fine, I think. Karin also mentioned that you can activate your AP voucher at Earport at MCO on your way in.

I am interested in what you decide to do for Mark and Max for tickets. I have taken a look at getting AP's for our Nov/Feb trip and the AP's don't seem worth it. I'm not sure how many days of tickets you need though, maybe the 10 day non expiring is an option?

It will really depend on how likely a trip back in July is looking. If it looks like a go, we'll probably go for it, as it will save us at least a couple hundred bucks.

It must be so exciting that you are going to MK and staying at the Poly. A day at MK, followed by a quick boat ride back to your tropical themed resort sounds so much better than taking a bus back to wherever.

Oh...yes. Although, I'll likely be on the monorail. I've not had the best experiences with Disney boats, but we'll see. I can't believe we're going to be THAT close.

Although, I have to admit, when I look at pictures of CSR, and I think about the price difference... This may be our last deluxe trip for awhile

I think I might run into this situation too... I'll be watching to see what happens.


You guys hop a lot? I forget? I think you do... you can always do the N/E tix but if you are getting the dining plan those won't be good for you.

We do...I couldn't imagine going without park hoppers. I like being able to go wherever I want, whenever I want. Even with all the pre-planning we do for our trips, I very often change it up at the last minute.

Kona dinner.... never ate there for dinner. I've scoured the menu and I do want to try it out someday!

Their menu looks great..and, hey...we'll be right there!

I hope y'all enjoy dinner at Kona. We thought the food was really good. On our next trip, we're going to try breakfast there.

I think we will!

I love that picture of the 3 of you in front of the castle, one of my favorites!

I hate approximately 99% of the pictures I have of myself, but since going to Disney, I've discovered two things really help: a good tan and LOOKING HAPPY!

I hear you on the AP question. It really would depend on the total savings to me and if it's minimal, I'd probably not do it.

The other reason to not do it would be that I can spread that cost out a little and not do it all at once. We'll see...

We all LOVED our dinner at Kona. It's not top in ambiance or service. Not bad mind you but more like a very typical nice restaurant, a little less Disneyesque than some. But the food, SOOOOOOOOO good! I'd eat there again in a heartbeat and hope to make it for breakfast someday.

I'm glad to hear that...we didn't have a great experiences with TS restaurants during our last trip and having been to some of the more heavily themed places, I'll take really good food any day of the week!

Tina, don't worry about the AP.

They will definitely let you check in without an actual AP in hand, but you might be required to show it within 24 hours or they will change your rate.
More often than not we have not been asked for our AP in the first place.
And another thought - you might want to check out buying your AP at the Earport (in the airport), but they only sell you an activated AP which means that day will be your renewal day.
The AP makes sense if you stay 10 days or more.

For me what counts the most is that I do not have to think about going to a park.
When we got our free Poly upgrade a few days ago all I said was that we can just pop in to the MK for an hour or two at night when we return - guess you would not do that with a regular ticket.

Thanks for all the info, Karin. We always get parkhoppers, regardless, so I'm comparing those prices and the difference isn't huge. We'll see...

SSR - yes, it is one of my home resorts! I have to say that I was never there without a car, but I always use the bus to go to MK and I've never had much of a wait.

It is a big resort, but for being a big resort I do think its one of the prettiest. I love the landscaping - all the little paths and fountains. I really love the area across from DTD.

I don't know how much you like walking, but I have often walked to DTD from there, but you can also take a boat. I hope you enjoy it.

That picture of the three of you in front of the castle is GREAT! love it.

I wouldn't worry about the AP either.

Cool that Max likes CoP so much. Denny loves that ride. Probably could ride it all day.

I'm happy to hear that SSR is so pretty. I think we'll have a lovely time. And its myself and my friend and neither one of us minds a little walking. Also happy to hear that it doesn't take too long to get to MK, either. That's always the tough one, as its so far from every place else on property. Why is that?

 

[Lidian]

Hello!

Mind if I lurk? I just read your PTR and I'm very much enjoying it!

 

[tinacaplan]

Hello!

Mind if I lurk? I just read your PTR and I'm very much enjoying it!

By all means, lurk away! And feel free to chime in, too!

 

[Lidian]

By all means, lurk away! And feel free to chime in, too!

Thank you!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Sounds like a great first day! I used my AP for a room rate once for 1 night, with DVC it's just not necessary, and they never asked to even see it! I can see you conflict with the AP thing! That's a tough one!

 

[tinacaplan]

Sounds like a great first day! I used my AP for a room rate once for 1 night, with DVC it's just not necessary, and they never asked to even see it! I can see you conflict with the AP thing! That's a tough one!

Thanks for the info! Everyone seems to be in agreement that I won't need it at check in, which is nice. That said, I'm guessing President's Day itself will be a big check-out day and our room probably won't be ready until after 3, anyway. I'm also going to guess that the weather will call for a trip over to the MK more than a trip to the pool...but at the end of February, you never know.

 

[tinacaplan]

We originally had an 8 p.m. ADR at ‘Ohana, but it seemed like an 8:00 ADR after being up before dawn would be pushing it for everyone. Here’s some foreshawdowing, if I’m not a good enough writer to make it completely obvious: was I able to snag an ADR at ‘Ohana later in the week?

We ate at at ‘Ohana on our February trip last year, when was were very silly and went with the deluxe dining plan. (DxDp with a three and a half year old? Really? REALLY.. Because we were on the DxDP, I did not blink at the price. When I opted for the regular DDP for this trip, not to mention our stay at the Poly, dinner at ‘Ohana seemed obvious. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned is that I generally pack way too many big things into the beginning of the trip, leaving us exhausted and cranky by day two (see Day Two of July 2011’s TR and you will know the horror that was that day). .

Look, my mom pointing out the restaurant signage on the second floor of the Poly.


This way, we’ll be free after dinner to spend more time exploring and possibly watching some fireworks from the beach. Or going to bed. There’s always that option, too! Um...but have I mentioned...you can see Wishes! from the beach! Not to mention the electric water pageant. Frankly, I have no desire to try and jockey for a wonderul Wishes! viewing spot in the MK. I know its not the same, but have you seen the crowds?

Yes, you probably have.

 

[natebenma]

Sounds like a terrific first day!

Good idea to eat at your resort that night and as you know, the Poly has lots of activities to enjoy either solo or with the rest of the family if they are up to it.

Love Kona for both dinner and breakfast! We had a fun, excellent waiter (Maykel) when we were there in July.

Here's hopin' for 'Ohana!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Wishes from Poly is AMAZING!! It's really cool to see it from a different perspective!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I can now completely and entirely reassure you that Wishes from the Poly is fabulous!!! I thought that it was perfectly amazing (and wonderfully crowd-free!). Also, Ohana smelled AMAZING every time we passed by, we kept wishing we were going there!

 

[amandaw]

Sounds like you have a great plan for day 1.

 

[tinacaplan]

Sounds like a terrific first day!

Good idea to eat at your resort that night and as you know, the Poly has lots of activities to enjoy either solo or with the rest of the family if they are up to it.

Love Kona for both dinner and breakfast! We had a fun, excellent waiter (Maykel) when we were there in July.

Here's hopin' for 'Ohana!

Yay! I think I made a good choice. I'm just so thrilled that my resort has such amazing choices for dining.

Wishes from Poly is AMAZING!! It's really cool to see it from a different perspective!

I'm super excited about that.

I can now completely and entirely reassure you that Wishes from the Poly is fabulous!!! I thought that it was perfectly amazing (and wonderfully crowd-free!). Also, Ohana smelled AMAZING every time we passed by, we kept wishing we were going there!

I can't wait to hear what you thought of the Poly compared to the YC. And I'm so excited. I can't believe that view of the castle everytime I look at pictures.

Sounds like you have a great plan for day 1.

Thanks! And...hey...did you change to POP?!

 

[tinacaplan]

Day Two will dawn with another reason I cancelled our ‘Ohana ADR: An 8:00 ADR here:

Getting closer...

I’m also really looking forward to this, as Max really enjoyed the Winnie the Pooh movie that came out this summer. I mean, he really loved it. So much so that we listen to the CD pretty incessantly (although the Muppets seem to be his favorite for now). So, I’m pretty sure he’s going be much more into meeting the gang from the 100 Acre Wood this time around:

Hey, I seem to be enjoying myself!

One of the best things about the early CP ADR is getting into the park so early. Even if you finish your meal before 9 a.m. you get to talk around the hub and take pictures of this beauty:

In fact, our rope drops right on the other side of the castle. This is how you end up being the second family on Dumbo. Unfortunately, whereas I had thought the new and improved Dumbo would be ready for our February trip...it will not be! Oh, the horror. Actually, I’m not sure Max will even notice. We’ve always hit it first just because it makes the most sense, touring-plan wise.

From here, we will probably head to Peter Pan next, or maybe Pooh, and its amazing queue. At some point, we will no doubt hit up IASW, over Mark’s loud protests.

And on pretty much every other ride in Fantasyland. Seriously, we can wrap that up by 11. And some things we can ride more than once! How cool is that? Totally worth getting up early!

Since we will have already done Tomorrowland the day before, we will probably head to the left.

Mark really wants to stop at the Haunted Mansion, so if the line isn’t too long, we’ll go there. Next up, we’ll go over to Fronteirland, where I will gaze longingly at BTMRR, knowing it will be months before I get to ride it again. Perhaps I’ll remember this time and we’ll venture over to Tom Sawyer Island. From descriptions I’ve read in other trip reports, I think Max will really enjoy this.

And then we'll go on to Pirates and perhaps a cruise through the Jungle...

I know that from the "Four Parks, One World" CD that Max wants to check out the Tiki Birds and, possibly, the Country Bears, so we might head there. Or back across the hub to Tomorrowland. Or, we'll just go back to the Poly. I think a lot will depend on the weather: will we be swimming or not?

And I know that I kept everyone on the end of their seat...but I was able to score another ADR for 'Ohana...at 6:45.

And I leave you with what is, arguably, my favorite Disney picture of me, ever:

Oh...and p.s....after that...you know what we can do? I could go back to MK solo or we could watch Wishes! from the beach again.