Sarilas' O-fficial Pre-Trip Report (a.k.a. Vacation, Take TWO!) - Jan. 30-Feb. 8, '09

[willwriteforears]

Sorry, Lara, I don't know anything about room sizes. But this does sound like it's up Heidi's alley! Maybe she has an idea.

 

[MRYPPNS]

I'm pretty sure you don't want to stay at the All-star suite so we'll skip right over that.
I wouldn't book a resort based on trying to get a corner room or any room that isn't guarenteed.
Here is the square footage for Typical Rooms at the Deluxe Resorts

Contemporary = 394 sq.ft.
Poly = 404 sq.ft.
Grand Floridian = 440 sq.ft.
Boardwalk Inn = 371 sq.ft
Beach and Yatch Clubs = 381 sq.ft.
Wilderness & Animal Lodges = 344 sq.ft.

If you can swing it money-wise, I would suggest the Old Key West Resort and get an one-bedroom suite....942 sq.ft!!! OKW is usually on the discount list.

I hope that was somewhat helpful, I know you were probably looking for a bit more detailed info like room/building numbers but again if you can't directly book that type of room you may not get it.

 

[trixiequilts]

Does anyone have any idea as to which of the standard Deluxe rooms has the MOST living space?! I'm seriously considering upgrading (pin code or AP code not withstanding) but I DO have a lot of people for one room. We'll qualify for one standard room as there are five of us with one in a crib, BUT I still don't want to be tripping over one another...

I've heard a couple of times about what I think are called Garden Wing rooms at the Contemporary - I believe they're corner rooms with extra space for the couch area. I need to find something like that that'll work for our family! From the sound of it it'll be PERFECT! But does it EXIST and if it does, can I get a DISCOUNT for it?!

As the World turns...

I don't know if this is the specific info you're looking for (I'm thinking you want more of the nitty-gritty stuff) but:
CR: 394 sq ft
Poly: 404
GF: 440
BWI: 371
BC & YC: 381
WL & AKL: 344 oops, these only sleep 4 + 1
All-Stars Family Suite: 520
Fort Wilderness cabins: 504

Lots of times Sarasota Springs and Old Key West have deals on their Villas. Although the info I have says you can only have 4 + crib in studios and 1 bedroom, so you'd have to go with a 2 bedroom. That gets pricey! I'm sure you were hoping for better info, but I couldn't find any more. Good Luck!

 

[trixiequilts]

Great info Heidi! I wish I had seen it before I typed mine all out!

Can you have 5 + 1 at OKW? I would think so due to square footage, but my info didn't confirm that.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Great info Heidi! I wish I had seen it before I typed mine all out!

Can you have 5 + 1 at OKW? I would think so due to square footage, but my info didn't confirm that.

You're right about OKW only being 4+1.....goes against common sense being such a big suite.

 

[Sarilas]

Thank you all for the room info! I emailed my TA and spent most of yesterday looking in vain for something that would work PERFECTLY. I can't find anything that doesn't make me shudder a ) because it costs a small fortune or b ) because it would have us sittingontopofoneanother.

But I'm still looking, and hoping upon hope that SOMETHING will work, even if it's just a resort switch for a couple of nights at the end of the trip or something. (I think it would be fun to switch it up halfway through!)

 

[MRYPPNS]

I'd get the hives if I had to move that many people in the middle of a vacation. I like to move in and then hunker down for the duration.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

I find them hit or miss around me. But I have noticed how much stuff Disney has made just for the Dollar stores and dollar bins at other stores like Michael's and Target. Lots and lots of stuff.

I hit up my local Dollar Tree yesterday but it was really devoid of anything worthwhile. I will probably check Target when I run out today.

Lara - If you can't afford the GF or a studio/one bedroom villa, I've heard tell that while they aren't the biggest rooms on property, the Poly rooms are comfy for a family. I can let you know what I think when I return from my trip, although there will only be two of us. Still, it might help to have another opinion.

 

[TarzansKat]

I hit up my local Dollar Tree yesterday but it was really devoid of anything worthwhile. I will probably check Target when I run out today.

Lara - If you can't afford the GF or a studio/one bedroom villa, I've heard tell that while they aren't the biggest rooms on property, the Poly rooms are comfy for a family. I can let you know what I think when I return from my trip, although there will only be two of us. Still, it might help to have another opinion.

I would happily help to aid you in Tink's endeavors.

We'll plan it like this, see? After Lapu Lapu Fest and Tink's ADR, we'll convince her that we need to "see" her room! Then DH, DS, and I will make ourselves nice and cozy like.

Just kidding! But in all seriousness, if you took the five of us, DH, DS, me, Tink, and Missy, and put us all in that room, it would give a concept of what that would be like.

Not that I'm suggesting any such thing.

Or that I need to research the Poly to see if I want to stay there.

:::turns to Tink with big puppy dog eyes:::

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Just kidding! But in all seriousness, if you took the five of us, DH, DS, me, Tink, and Missy, and put us all in that room, it would give a concept of what that would be like.

What, a loony bin? LOL

Or that I need to research the Poly to see if I want to stay there.

:::turns to Tink with big puppy dog eyes:::

::bats eyelashes back - plink, plink, plinkplink::

Party in Tink's room!

Um, I don't mean to hijack, but how is it that until I got caught up on V's trippie it was unbeknownst to me that the Poly has a

Dole.
Whip.
Soft.
Serve.
Machine.

????

PEOPLE! PRIORITIES!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I am caught up.

I want a sparkly little mermaid shirt!

I am so jealous you are going to Disney on Ice. I want to go this winter when they are in my area. I think I might convince my mom to go. We went to Beauty & The Beast on Ice when I was a freshman in college. It was so much fun, we had a great time!

I can't imagine having a family like yours in a Wilderness Lodge room. I think you would go nuts. I felt claustraphobic with just DH and I at times!

 

[Sarilas]

I'd get the hives if I had to move that many people in the middle of a vacation. I like to move in and then hunker down for the duration.

This is what my son says - he's all for saving the extra cash for souvenirs and just hanging out at ASMusic. (He also heard there was a college cheer competition one of the weekends we're there...)

I hit up my local Dollar Tree yesterday but it was really devoid of anything worthwhile. I will probably check Target when I run out today.

Lara - If you can't afford the GF or a studio/one bedroom villa, I've heard tell that while they aren't the biggest rooms on property, the Poly rooms are comfy for a family. I can let you know what I think when I return from my trip, although there will only be two of us. Still, it might help to have another opinion.

Yeah, the Dollar Stores are hit or miss. I think just about everything I've found is for the kids entertainment anyway.

I'd probably rather stay at the Poly anyway- I just love the idea of a tropical vacation in January! But the room size really is a contingency. Definitely let me know what you think!

I would happily help to aid you in Tink's endeavors.

We'll plan it like this, see? After Lapu Lapu Fest and Tink's ADR, we'll convince her that we need to "see" her room! Then DH, DS, and I will make ourselves nice and cozy like.

Just kidding! But in all seriousness, if you took the five of us, DH, DS, me, Tink, and Missy, and put us all in that room, it would give a concept of what that would be like.

Not that I'm suggesting any such thing.

Or that I need to research the Poly to see if I want to stay there.

:::turns to Tink with big puppy dog eyes:::

Yeah yeah yeah! Please try to imagine yourselves as toddlers, tweens and teens and imagine having to share that space. Then tell me if you think you'd want to throw yourself from the balcony if you were me, m'kay?

What, a loony bin? LOL



::bats eyelashes back - plink, plink, plinkplink::

Party in Tink's room!

Um, I don't mean to hijack, but how is it that until I got caught up on V's trippie it was unbeknownst to me that the Poly has a

Dole.
Whip.
Soft.
Serve.
Machine.

????

PEOPLE! PRIORITIES!!!

No way! I have GOT to try a Dole Whip. I do love pineapple and I hear such love and hate things about it that I MUST make up my own mind... several times during the trip, hopefully!

I am caught up.

I want a sparkly little mermaid shirt!

I am so jealous you are going to Disney on Ice. I want to go this winter when they are in my area. I think I might convince my mom to go. We went to Beauty & The Beast on Ice when I was a freshman in college. It was so much fun, we had a great time!

I can't imagine having a family like yours in a Wilderness Lodge room. I think you would go nuts. I felt claustraphobic with just DH and I at times!

YOU'RE BACK! Welcome home! And yeah, I think Wilderness Lodge is out. If I'm going to shell out the extra cash there better be a monorail running through or outside the hotel!

 

[TarzansKat]

(He also heard there was a college cheer competition one of the weekends we're there...)

Yeah yeah yeah! Please try to imagine yourselves as toddlers, tweens and teens and imagine having to share that space. Then tell me if you think you'd want to throw yourself from the balcony if you were me, m'kay?

I have to be totally, brutally honest with you here. I've stayed at all the monorail deluxes before. Granted, the Poly was a while ago, but honestly? I think you'd go nuts. That just seems like way too many people. I could see it maybe for a night or two, just to enjoy the hotel, but I would hate to move everyone in the middle of the trip. I know you really want it, and of course I'm more than happy to rifle through...I mean...check out Tink's room for you, but in my wisdom and experience (take that with a grain of salt) I really think you need the family suite for your sanity.

 

[MRYPPNS]

This is what my son says - he's all for saving the extra cash for souvenirs and just hanging out at ASMusic. (He also heard there was a college cheer competition one of the weekends we're there...)

You should make him a t-shirt that says "I heart Cheerleaders"

 

[MegansMom]

You should make him a t-shirt that says "I heart Cheerleaders"

And then on the back put "Cheerleading is TOTALLY a Sport!" Those girls will LOVE it and will EAT HIM UP!

 

[Sarilas]

124 days till our trip! (Why does that sound DEPRESSING?! Too far away!)

A couple of weeks ago we instituted Disney Movie Night here at our house; a movie is chosen and I prepare a meal based around it and we all get to eat dinner while watching said movie (a treat for everyone!). My DH still hasn't seen most of these movies, and Anastasia is just now old enough to 'get' them- and well my oldest two love seeing their old favorites over again! It's a great way to introduce movies some of us (ahem, THEM) haven't seen and it's fun to plan a meal around it. A good family night!

The first one we did was Monster's Inc, of which I have NO pictures. It didn't even cross my mind! We had just a simple meal with Monsters Inc. graham crackers and Monsters Inc. kool aid (found at my local Kroger). This weekend's choice was Lilo And Stitch with a POLYNESIAN menu! (Polynesian... get it?! ) I made white rice, chicken and veggie kebabs with peanut dipping sauce (recipe from 'Ohana), sticky wings (recipe from Kona), we had bread and butter (dude I was NOT up to baking bread in the heat this weekend!) and for dessert... bread pudding (recipe from 'Ohana)! It was served family style in our living room, and other than trying to keep Lexi from playing in the sticky wing sauce it was a lot of fun and the food was a big hit! We really enjoyed it and I'm already trying to plan the next movie (to be determined!)

I didn't remember to get pictures during this one either, UNTIL it came to dessert, and then I remembered at the last minute! So, for your drooling pleasure, I present to you...

BREAD PUDDING a la 'Ohana! (I added pineapple and raisins just because)

...and banana's foster sauce...

...and the whole shebang with ice cream!

YUM!

Peanut Dipping Sauce (makes a lot!)
'Ohana, Polynesian Resort

1 oz. garlic in oil
1 teaspoon Thai curry paste
16 oz. soy sauce
1 1/4 lbs. sugar
14 oz. peanut butter
1 oz. fresh ginger, finely chopped
salt & pepper to taste
chopped green onions & peanuts for garnish

In a medium saucepan, lightly saute' garlic in a small amount of oil. Stir in curry paste. Add soy sauce and bring to a simmer.

Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Add remaining ingredients and continue to stir. Season with salt and pepper.

Remove from heat and chill.

Serve in bowls for dipping garnished with chopped green onions and peanuts.



Sticky Wings (I didn't use the mustard sauce this time around)
Kona Cafe, Polynesian Resort

Wings
Wing Sauce
1 Green Onion chopped
1 pinch White and black sesame seeds
1 oz Mustard sauce
8 oz Canola Oil

Sticky Wing Sauce:
1/2 lb Brown sugar
5 oz Minced garlic
1 1/4 c Soy sauce


Sticky Wings Poaching Liquid
22 Chicken wings
1/4 qt Soy sauce
1/2 lb Brown sugar
1/2 lb Minced garlic
1/4 qt Water

Sticky Wings Poaching Liquid:
1. Heat everything but wings and bring to a boil. 2. Add wings and cook for 20 minutes. 3. Remove, cool wings, and discard liquid.

Preparing Wings:
1. Heat oil to 350°. 2. Cook wings until crispy. 3. Reduce sauce until sticky 4. Toss wings in sauce. 5. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. 6. Drizzle with mustard sauce.

Sticky Wing Sauce:
1. Mix well over low heat.




'Ohana Bread Pudding With Banana's Foster Sauce
'Ohana, Polynesian Resort

Bread Pudding
5 eggs
3 cups whole milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/2 cups sugar
8 cups French bread

Foster Sauce
4 ounces sugar
4 ounces brown sugar
4 ounces corn syrup
4 ounces unsalted butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup spiced rum
1 cup banana (sliced)

TO MAKE THE BREAD PUDDING:.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease large baking dish with butter.
In large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, salt, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Cut bread in 1/2-inch cubes. Add bread, pineapple, coconut, and raisins (if desired) to egg-and-milk mixture. Add bread custard mixture to the greased baking dish.
Bake 1 hour and 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Let stand 5 minutes.
MEANWHILE, MAKE THE BANANA FOSTERS SAUCE:.
In a saucepan, combine dark brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and half of the heavy cream. Using high heat; bring to a rolling boil. Allow mixture to boil 10 minutes.
Add remaining heavy cream. Let it boil additional minute.
Now add the rum and vanilla extract. Carefully flambe pan using a long stemmed lighter. Let boil until the flame goes out. Reduce to a simmer and stir with a high heat spatula.
Peel and slice bananas; add them to the caramel sauce. Remove the caramel from the heat and set aside.
TO SERVE:.
Place scoop of ice cream on top of each portion of bread pudding. Top with bananas Foster sauce.

 

[Sarilas]

I have to be totally, brutally honest with you here. I've stayed at all the monorail deluxes before. Granted, the Poly was a while ago, but honestly? I think you'd go nuts. That just seems like way too many people. I could see it maybe for a night or two, just to enjoy the hotel, but I would hate to move everyone in the middle of the trip. I know you really want it, and of course I'm more than happy to rifle through...I mean...check out Tink's room for you, but in my wisdom and experience (take that with a grain of salt) I really think you need the family suite for your sanity.

I think in my heart of hearts I know you're right... but I'm humoring my psyche by exploring other options!

You should make him a t-shirt that says "I heart Cheerleaders"

And then on the back put "Cheerleading is TOTALLY a Sport!" Those girls will LOVE it and will EAT HIM UP!

Oh my gosh, you guys are total enablers (and he would LOVE IT)

 

[TarzansKat]

I think in my heart of hearts I know you're right... but I'm humoring my psyche by exploring other options!

I hate, hate, hate to be the one to say it, but don't let me distract from your dreaming! By all means, dream away!

And I LOVE Disney movie night. I think it's a wonderful idea, and I love the themed food. When I get back from vacation, I think I'm going to start this in our family, it's just such a great bonding experience, and it'll help stave off the Disney depression if I'm making yummy Disney food!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I love your movie nights! I think I am going to have to start this with DH and I!

 

[Sarilas]

I hate, hate, hate to be the one to say it, but don't let me distract from your dreaming! By all means, dream away!

And I LOVE Disney movie night. I think it's a wonderful idea, and I love the themed food. When I get back from vacation, I think I'm going to start this in our family, it's just such a great bonding experience, and it'll help stave off the Disney depression if I'm making yummy Disney food!

You're my Jimminy Cricket! LOL

I love your movie nights! I think I am going to have to start this with DH and I!

I HIGHLY suggest it- it's so much fun!