S.E.C.P.T. Days 5&6 added. Complete report in this thread.

[MyTalula]

What a wonderful report and so well written, when I was reading about your daughter and the carouseul incident my hand instinctively flew to my mouth in shock, I felt so bad for her Will definately be waiting for the rest,
Claire xx

Awww thanks, you are all so sweet to read my report and reply. I still wince when I think back and remember the "carousel" incident of '05.

I'm working on the next day as we speak.

 

[MyTalula]

Day Four: Epcot Day and a Fantasmic Evening! (Mama Melrose Review too!)

Well after the MVMCP the evening before, we decided no wake up calls this morning, we were just going to sleep in. We were up by 7:30 anyway… hey we couldn’t let too much grass grow under our feet we only had a couple more days.

Today we’re going to do Epcot, we’re very excited as we haven’t ridden Soarin, and the last time we were here in February the whole Land pavilion was closed so we’d never been in. We walk to the TTC catch the monorail to Epcot and are through the turnstiles shortly after 9am. We head right for the land to get FP’s for Soarin, the stand by line wasn’t long, but we wanted to get some breakfast first. So we walk up to the FP machines and I get both DH & DD’s FP’s no problem, but mine keeps printing out these invalid things. OMG I was pulling my hair out, until the CM came over and said my key card had probably been deactivated, and I’d have to go to Guest services and get a new one. So he gave me a FP so I could ride with DH & DD I could have hugged him!

So we head over to Sunshine Season Food Fair and grab two bagels a bowl of fruit, 2 cups of terrible coffee and a milk total price $11.03 we paid OP for this, since it would have been 2 or 3 CS meals the lady said. I was like, NO WAY I’ll pay for it OOP. All was pretty good, except the coffee we wished we’d gotten one cup and split it, but oh well. Live and learn. We sit down and watch the hoards of people running in to Soarin, oh what a funny sight that was. I’ve never seen so many people fast walking or run walking I guess you could call it. After our breakfast we still had about 15 - 20 minutes to wait so we decided to do the Land boat ride, a first for us. We had no expectations about this ride, just trying to kill some time, but we all three loved it! It was a very interesting ride. Off the boat we come and head to our hang glider, in 10 minutes we were off, and oh this was just wonderful, we all three were amazed, and would have easily gone a second time, but we decided to wait and see how the day progressed.

We headed to Guest Services to get my temporary card for the day... this was the second time on this trip my key card deactivated. I knew I had to go the Polynesian front desk to get a new one that afternoon.

We did all the rides we could do with DD, she insisted she wanted to do TT, and she loved it. Well the only thing she didn’t love was the Tractor Trailer that kind of surprises you. LOL We soon found our way hungry and wondering toward the WS, we didn’t want to eat too late, since we had a 4:10 ADR at Mama Melrose and Fantasmic on the agenda for the evening. So we wondered to Mexico and Cantina de San Angel and split a CS meal that consisted of a nacho plate, with water and a Churro that was like 2’ long! We all snacked on the nachos and DD made fast work of that Churro. Unfortunately I didn’t write down the amount but it was 1 CS coupon redeemed. DH & I each got a frozen Margarita price for 2 was $15.98. DD then decided she wanted more fish and chips, so we walked around the entire WS without hardly stopping to see anything! We did watch a performer in Japan I think, but I’m not even sure about that. Finally we made our way over to Yorkshire Fish Shop and waited FORTY FIVE MINUTES IN LINE for her CS meal. Right when we made our way to the window they opened up the second one. So the line moved a lot faster we noticed while they ate. She got an order of fish and chips, bottle of water and a package of shortbread cookies = one CS meal. I’m not sure the price on that unfortunately either. (I hate how the dining plan receipts don’t print the prices. My memory didn’t retain all of the information. )

We slowly wondered out, and stopped to watch Santa Clause in Canada which was very entertaining story. The kids all seemed to be enthralled with his story. Our DD really enjoyed it as did the two of us. Since we had the early ADR in MGM we decided to head back and start getting ready.

We had showered and changed and made it to MGM in time to see the majority of the parade that was a great thrill since one of the power rangers came up to give DH & DD high fives. We enjoyed that parade, and then we were almost at our ADR time, so we decided we better move… we fast walked and made it to Mama Melrose with only about 1 minute to spare. We checked in with no problems and sat at the counter and watched them making the flatbread pizza’s and decided which one we were going to split! Yum they all looked so good. We were called to our table very quickly. DH & I ordered a bottle of wine to share and DD ordered a milk. We also soon ordered a pepperoni flatbread to split which was very, very good. We could have each had one of those and their delicious house salad for a meal! We ate every bit of the pizza and the salad. For dinner DD ordered a kids pasta, DH ordered Napoleon Eggplant, and I ordered Chicken Parmesan, and I must say after our wonderful appetizers and salad, we had high expectations. We were a bit disappointed, my chicken was dry and DH’s eggplant wasn’t great. They were ok, just not on par with what we’d been served. The deserts were good, unremarkable if anything. We split, a Chocolate Truffle Cake and a Coffee Tarufo (not sure of the spelling going from the receipt). It was like a coffee ice cream rolled in coffee beans. It was the better of the two, but I wouldn’t probably order any dessert in this restaurant next time. Another restaurant that I didn't get a price, since we were on the Fantasmic Package, they just applied 3 TS meals.

The best part of the night came when we stepped out of Mama Melrose and into the full spectrum of the Osborn Family lights, it took our breath away. If we didn’t have to get to Fantasmic, we could have wondered those streets looking at all the amazing lights for hours. I got some really amazing wonderful pictures. Looking at those pictures now gives me chills and makes me remember everything about that night.

So off we go to find the Fantasmic “special” entrance and walk the long walk along the path, to the stadium. We were there quite awhile ahead of the show, it seemed to take forever for the show to start, but it really wasn’t that long I guess. J DD was scared in some parts, but she soon, was straining her neck to see everything by the end of the show. After the show we walked with the masses out of the park, it was really crowded so we stopped to do some shopping and let DD pick out a toy and some lollipops in one of the shops. By the time we made it to the bus stop, we made it on the bus, it’s amazing we did considering all the people who showed up and saw us waiting in line, but then decided to charge the bus when it pulled up. Luckily the bus driver saw them and only opened the front door, so most of us who were in the queue made it on. When we stepped off the bus at the TTC to head back to the Polynesian, it had just started to lightly rain. We knew they were giving rain for the next day but we’d been trying not to think about it. We were also trying to forget that tomorrow would be our last full day.


Up Next: Day 5 Animal Kingdom in the rain.

 

[Quinn222]

I'm really enjoying your report and it reminded me to get on the phone and order the tickets for this year's VMCP!

 

[MyTalula]

Our last full day, and we woke up at 6:40 to a cold pouring rain. We were heading to the Animal Kingdom today, and I really really wanted to get the day in, since we’d only spent a half day there last February. We wanted to atleast see Lion King and Tarzan Rocks, eat at Flame Tree… all the things we heard so much about on the Disboards. J So we head to the bus stop in the rain and we’re about the only ones heading to AK, two other couples on the bus with us. We arrive at 9:05 and trudge through the rain to the park entrance, by then we’re already soaked!

We immediately had to go into a gift shop and buy DD a pair of Sweat Pants! She was freezing and soaked. As we exited Lilo and Stitch were right there, so we got some nice pictures with them. On we went and got FP for the Safari (ya right like we’d need it. LOL) then went to find some breakfast. We went to Tusker House (I guess actually it was Kusafiri Bakery according to the receipt )for the Cinnamon rolls we’d heard so much about. We ended up getting a Cinnamon Roll, a Bagel, a Fruit cup with Yogurt, a Coffee & Juice for DD. It was $14.01 we paid OP it was all great. We checked out the Tusker House menu board and thought it would be a great place to have lunch, if I wasn’t dead set on Flame Tree we’d have tried it! Next time we will.

We then did the Safari, with only 5 other people! LOL We didn’t even have to get off if we didn’t want to, but we decided we’d move on. We did the train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, and DD got to be the co-conductor and say all aboard over the loud speaker. The 10 or so other people didn’t even notice. LOL We didn’t get off the train at the stop, we just rode it back to the station. We had missed the Tarzan Rocks show and the next FOTLK was at 11:45 so we decided to head to Dino Land and rode just a couple rides, we were getting more and more wet by the minute and we were all loosing our enthusiasm for the day. However our attitudes were improved ten fold by the FOTLK, we loved it!! This was a first for us and we drank in every second. What an amazing show. We had finally warmed up when it was over and time to trudge back out into the rain and cold. We walked directly to Flame Tree to order our lunch. We got one BBQ Pork and one BBQ Beef sandwich meal, and DD got a Hot Dog meal. I believe they all came with Beans & Corn on the Cob. DD got Chocolate Milk and Chocolate Cake to round out her meal. DH&I each got Key Lime Pie & Water. The price was $32.70 - 3 CS credits. We walked down the path to the last seating area on the water. What a great spot. We had a wonderful view of Everest, and during our meal, a Character Boat kept coming by singing and dancing, DD would get up and dance and wave. It was like they were there just for us. J Our meals were EXCELLENT we finished everything… well except DD’s chocolate cake. Key Lime pie is one of our favorite desserts, and usually the only thing that will intrigue DH & I to get dessert in a restaurant, and this was one of the best! I’m going back next time just for a slice of that, if they still have it!

After our lunch we’d had it, we were soaked from head to toe, our feet were soaked uncomfortable and we were cold. I really wanted to see Tarzan Rocks, but we’d missed the 1st afternoon show, and we couldn’t make it to the next one we were just to wet and cold. So sadly we headed to the bus station. It was only 1:15 when we got on the bus to head back to our room. It was such a nasty day, we decided it would be best spent packing so it wouldn’t have to be done in a rush the next day. So DH & DD watched TV and napped while I packed. I was so sad packing, I couldn’t believe the week had gone so fast, and that the next night we’d be back home. I tried not to think about that and looked forward to our much anticipated meal at ‘Ohana.

Our ADR at ‘Ohana was 7:00PM and we were ready for a drink sooner so we headed to the TAMBU lounge around 6:00pm, and checked in at the podium and told them we’d be at the bar. I had a Blue Hawaiian, and DH had a Lapu Lapu… ok so technically we each had 2 before our table was ready, what can we say they were GOOD! DD had a juice and the bill for all five drinks was $36.46

Very close to 7:00pm, our name was called and we were off to enjoy what would be the highlight of our day! What fun, and what great food! We enjoyed everything about this experience, the chips, with the 3 dips, the wings, the shrimp, the salad all out of this world. Then it was time for the main course and we were stuffed!! I had some of the potatoes and a couple pieces of the meats to try the Steak and Pork DH tried them all which also included Turkey and an Apple Sausage, he even managed some seconds! DD had some steak and all three of us thought the whole meal was elegant! Everything we had was really good. DD loved the spicy sweet and sour shrimp, I think she ate ½ the dish!

When it was time for dessert, we were so full we were feeling sick! But we managed to try it. I literally had 1 taste, I was so full, even though the dessert was delicious I couldn’t have another bite. J The atmosphere was very festive and fun, our DD did the parade, she didn’t want to do the coconut races, but she enjoyed singing the Hawaiian Christmas (you know the one don’t ask me to spell it!) song along with the CM who was running the entertainment for the evening. It won hands down for our favorite meal the entire trip! We loved Le Cellier, but this just had it all, the entertainment, the food, the EXCELLENT tropical drinks. The bill for the evening $68.13 - 3 CS credits.

As we rolled ourselves away from the table and down the stairs, we opened the doors and to our great surprise, the weather had improved immensely while we were at dinner, it was WARM and NOT RAINING WHO HOO!! So we decided since we were only fifteen minutes from the fireworks, we’d head to the beach and watch!! It was so nice, we shed our rain coats, and let DD play in the sand while we waited. It was still a little bit foggy but we could see most of them pretty well. This was really the perfect cap to our trip, sitting there on that beach, all by ourselves, watching the fireworks and soaking up every last second of it all. It all had to come to an end, and once it did we slowly walked back to our room, all three of us, who usually move very fast, just leisurely meandered back along the paths, trying to forget that tomorrow morning we had to check out of this wonderful resort, that we’d grown to love so much in the past 5 days.

Once back in our room, we noticed DD was covered from head to toe in sand! LOL We had to strip her down and put her in the tub at 9:45pm, because she was such a mess. High humidity, wet sand, sticky child make for quite a combination!

We laid down for the last time and those wonderful bed and drifted off to sleep.

Up Next: Day 6 Leaving Day, DTD, bad DME experience, and us almost missing our flight home…

 

[MyTalula]

Morning came too soon, 7:20 am we woke up and slowly got showered and dressed. I finished packing our stuff, and decided we’d walk over to Captain Cooks for some breakfast to go, we brought back two bagels for us and a donut for DD $5.94. We went back to our room and ate our goods, threw the last minute things in our carry-on bags and called for bell services. Since our flight didn’t leave till 6:30 that night, we were heading to DTD for a half day.

We called the front desk to tell them we’d vacated our rooms, then we left it for the last time and headed for the TTC. We waited quite a while for the DTD bus finally it came. After stopping at Typhoon Lagoon, we made it to DTD. We were excited to see DTD and try Earl of Sandwich, since it would all be new to us. We walked all around the stores and explored a bit, let DD get her face painted again, then headed for lunch at EOS… when we walked in the line was HUGE… I was so discouraged we almost left. Then I remembered reading the reviews and people saying the line moved fast, so we stayed. It did move fast but it still took a bit. Since we had 4 CS coupons left DH & I ordered 3 sandwiches to split: The Beef N Bleu, The All American and A Cannonballs. We got DD a Kids Grilled Cheese, a Chocolate Milk. To round out our CS meals, we got a huge Cupcake for DD and 3 other huge cookies for us, Chocolate Chip, Molasses & Oatmeal Raisin. The bill was $33.60 - or our last 4 CS meals. Our sandwiches were very good. We were pleased, however glad we got 3 because DH definitely would not have been satisfied with the portion. DH & I got a beer to go along with our meals. I missed placed that slip, but I think they were reasonably priced.

We wondered into a couple more stores then back to the bus stop. We didn’t really feel like buying too much because it would have to go in our already stuffed carry ons. We were glad we made it over there, but would not do it on the last day again. We felt to restricted. We headed back to the Polynesian a little bit early… but we were worried the next bus would be too late. So I went to Captain Cooks and used up the rest of our snack credits on waters, chips and a couple Mickey Ice Cream bars. I had 7 left to use up!

We were supposed to get the DME bus at 3:30, so at 3:15 we headed out to get our luggage from bell services and wait. AND WAIT AND WAIT AND WAIT!! The bus wasn’t coming… DME busses kept pulling in, but they were all drop offs. Lucky Bas*%rds! We were beginning to think they weren’t coming for us and we’d be stuck here for ever!

So now it’s 4:20 and starting to rain, and we’re starting to get a little worried about making it to the airport on time. AND now we have 2 busloads of people lined up for the bus. Finally at 4:25 he pulls in, and we’re loaded and off 10minutes later. We pull into the airport a little after 5:00pm and we’re the second stop. Now by the time we get off and get our luggage, it’s close to 5:20, we’ve got an hour until our flight, and we’re not even inside yet. I grab a sky cap tell him the situation, and he says. "Oh man, I was just upstairs and there is an hour wait for security." Then he says "don’t worry I’ll take care of you." He walks us in, checks our bags. Then takes us to an cargo elevator, and walks us to a special security agent, and told her how close we were to boarding time. They put us in a special line and we’re through in about 10 minutes! The regular security line was HUGE I mean easily over an hour wait. I gave the skycap a $20 tip for his magic, and it was the best $20 I’d ever spent! After getting through the security we had to run to the gate. It was now what should have been boarding time, however we got there, and noticed a delay. Which was actually a relief, we all still had to use the bathroom, and we were planning on getting a sandwich to take on the plane with us, and we were planning to change into warm clothes. (However we were supposed to get our warm clothes out of one of the checked bags and never did, because of the rushing.) The only thing we managed to do was get to the restroom before they called for pre-boarding. Even though we were on the plane there was still a delay we didn’t actually take off until 7:25pm, almost an hour late. The flight attendants were awesome and gave us each one free beer or wine since we’d taken off late. And awesome snack boxes and extra snacks on the side. We were supposed to land back in Manchester at 9:25pm and didn’t actually land till 10:10 or so.

We finally got our luggage and called the hotel for a ride. Well the lady at the hotel says “he’s out there right now, I’ll call him on the radio and tell him to wait for you.” So we run out into the night, DH in Shorts and Tevas, me in Capri’s and Sneakers, DD in a velour sweat suit atleast we run right into a snow storm! It was freezing and cold, and the driver was no where in sight. The hotel drivers pick up across one street and down the stairs from the terminal. We were afraid if we went back we’d miss him. So we waited out there in the freezing cold. A Limo driver finally took pity on me and DD after 20minutes of us standing there huddled and shivering and came over and tells us we could sit in his warm car and wait. Well then just as I got in and closed the door, I saw the Sheraton Shuttle. GD I say to myself as I heft us back out of the car, and through the snow, to our shuttle.

Finally at 11:00pm we make it to the hotel, and get our bag of clean clothes for morning out of my car, and DH kindly loads all the luggage we don’t need so we don’t have to trudge it up to the room and back down again. We get upstairs and fall into bed literally at 11:11pm.

We woke up at 7:20 showered and headed for breakfast downstairs. Good breakfast, and decide to get on the road, since we have almost a three hour drive home. DH takes the bags to the car and comes back a little pissed. So he says, you’re going to love your car. We all head downstairs and out to see my nice white Tahoe, all painted Orange on one side! It looked like some kids had a paintball fight in the parking lot. UGH I was so pleased with myself, a parking place in full view of the front desk. I figured it would be safe. NOPE

I went in and asked the front desk if anyone else had complained. He was like “uh nope, geez we’ve never had that happen before” luckily the paint was water based and we got it off when we got home. We made it home at 12:00 noon that day December 10, 2005 with DD’s face still painted from DTD the day before. It was such a cute reminder of the most wonderful vacation we’d ever taken.
The End

P.S. If you read this all through, my first ever trip report, I thank you for bearing with my ramblings.

 

[MomofCKJ]

What a wonderful report! Sounds like a great trip! Really, thank you for posting it and for getting it all done so fast! It is nice to be able to read an entire report start to finish! We are going at Christmas time this year and really looking forward to things like the Osbourne lights!

Allyson

 

[tinawv]

Great trip report. We went to WDW in December in 2003, and had a blast even though they had some unusual cold weather going on at that time. We are planning a trip in 2007 and would love to stay at the Poly. Do you know if most of the rooms have been refurbished?

 

[roberrl187]

Great report. I'm glad the paint came off of the car.

 

[KerriSue]

Thanks for the great report. I have enjoyed it

Kerri

 

[averill94]

I loved your report!!! Thanks-the skycap, what a wonderful man he is. That airport security is painful- you were so smart to tell the skycap!
Okay so now I am a Poly convert and .....looks like I need to get to MVMCP.
Loved how you guys just went with the"flow" and still did so much.

 

[fizz13]

You did a great job, what a way to come home though, cold and paint Now I'm even more excited for my Poly trip, thanks so much for sharing your trip,
Claire xx

 

[kaysmommie]

I loves your trip report. Sounds like a mad rush going home the last day. Glad your car was alright. My DH would have had a meltdown over the car. Really looking forward to poly after your report.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I really enjoyed all of your trip report, thanks for sharing it! I can just imagine you guys freezing your tails off at the airport when you got back, how terrible!

 

[JudyT]

Great report with so much detail - I hope that I can recall as much when I do mine!

You sound so much like me! We returned yesterday and though before our trip, I spent hours on the boards in anticipation of our trip, I literally forced myself to get on here tonight because it is killing me to not be in planning mode. Hmmn, I guess I will have to come up with another thing to plan...about that finished basement we have been wanting to do....

I also changed my ADRs so many times, I felt like they knew me personally at Disney Dinning, too!

We had a great trip, great weather and other than about a day and a half of my younger daughter (7) being sick, it was a perfect trip! Our older daughter (10), who is a science and technology nut, got to spend that time with her father at Epcot while I was at the villa with her sister. It did mean additional changes to our dining plans, including two changes on the Hoop Dee Doo, which they were very accommodating about!

The best part was that after one night with two connecting rooms at All Star Music, we were not too happy with the accommodations and inquired about an upgrade and what it would cost. WDW Guest Relations was very accommodating and made us an offer for the Saratoga Springs Resort that "we couldn't refuse". If I had only known that I would have access to laundry, I wouldn't have packed as much!

Also flew SW air out of Albany, NY and changed the flight at least twice not to different times but to get better rates. My friend used the $351 credit that resulted, and gave me the cash! More spending money for our trip! Did the same thing with the Alamo car rental - as it went down, I re-booked and the lower rate. See, planning, planning and more planning! The flight attendants on SW are a riot - both ways, they were humorous and were very nice to my girls who were excited and a little apprehensive about their first flight.

Okay, I have rambled....

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

Good job. Enjoyed it.

 

[cdntourguide]

Fantastic report, I read it right through and it was the best.
Thanks for posting

 

[Cinerama]

Loved your report---thanks!!

 

[MyTalula]

Thanks everyone for the kind words and for reading my long ramblings! It does feel good to have written it all out, plus now I can print it and keep it as a keepsake to look back at!

I really appreciate all your kind words!

 

[OhMari]

Some day I hope to go during Christmas, maybe the 1st week in January, when decorations are still up.

 

[MommyPoppins]

I found your report yesterday and printed it out. I enjoyed it, thanks for sharing. Actually, I'm not done, but I wanted to post before I forgot.