We were going to the 5:15 Luau and were supposed to be there 1/2 hour before. So performing amazing mental math I figured we needed to be showering by 4 PM. So everyone quick, into the pool! Really, with our time quickly ticking away we did want to enjoy the pool as much as we could.
So after DTD, we went and procured our pool facing lounge chairs, frozen adult beverages and tossed the little ones into the water. As I was sitting there it occurred to me that this is what our memories of this trip will be about; the kids having a blast playing in the water, my daughter making Disney friends, my son being a big guy and going down the slide by himself, my husband and I actually relaxing and watching the kids play, and of course that castle right behind us watching over us all. There it is Disney magic.
There is something about the Polynesian that gives you that right in the middle of the magic feeling, yet also the miles away from the hustle and bustle. I knew that very soon I'd be missing that feeling.
Well as our Luau time was quickly approaching, I figured someone had better get started getting ready. Guess who? Yes, that would be me. I was about to make my family endure some eye-rolling embarrassment for my enjoyment, so I figured I would try to make them happy now. They could swim another 10 minutes while I showered first. On the way to the room I stopped by to see Aida at the desk. She did two wonderful things for me 1) Got us a PS for 'Ohana Character breakfast for in the morning, so the kids could say a proper good-bye to Mickey and 2) Got us a late check out for 1 PM. She was/is my hero!
So we all showered and got dressed for the Luau. This is the family embarrassment part. 1st a little history. We are DVC owners at BCV. Our first trip "home" I bought my family matching outfits from the Disney Catalog. We wore them two years in a row for special dinners. They were somewhat embarrassed, I loved my cute matching family, and we had great photos that we could only show biological relatives. Well rather unexpectedly, my children happened to grow. Sadly I fear their outfits will not fit them anymore. So what's a Disney mom to do? Do you all say buy new outfits? Yes I did. After booking our Polynesian trip, then finding myself in Disney World back in February, I took a little shopping trip to the Polynesian. I bought the dark blue, island print for us all. You're all jealous I'm sure. Or your thinking "thank-god that woman is not part of our family".
So from the moment we walked out of our room, pretty much everyone who saw us knew we were going to the Luau. While my husband rolls his eyes at this situation, he also takes a lot of pictures of us.
We arrived at Luau Cove 1/2 hour before the show. OK, I would say that part is not really necessary. It was a long time waiting in the heat, with an itchy lei around my neck. I wouldn't stress about needing to be that early. We did of course get our Disney picture taken. In these outfits? Of course we did!
When we were seated I really was convinced that having concierge make you PS makes a difference. We were front row just a little right of center. Great Seats! I think that really helped keep the kids interested. The food was good, if you think of the luau as a Hawaiian BBQ rather than a fine dining event you'll appreciate it more for what it is. The storyline is a little hokey, but cute. My kids were interested in the young energetic performers. As the show went on and the authentic island entertainment began, everyone was impressed. The costumes are amazing, the cast is talented, and the fire dancer had us on the edge of our seats. It wasn't until after we got home that I realized how much my husband and I each enjoyed this show. We happened to have lots of pictures of pretty girls in hula skirts, and also lots of pictures of handsome men in grass skirts!
All in all it was a fun event that added to our Polynesian experience. Of course the outfits helped too.
Well, we've promised the kids night swimming. It's time. Out of our lovely clothes and into our suits and into the pool. The volcano pool takes on a special magical glow at night. Some people call it lights, I prefer to think of it as twinkling pixie dust. If you think the kids are happy during the day swimming, night swimming adds a whole new level of euphoria. That "it's dark out and mom and dad let us swim in the pool and there are all these other kids here too!" euphoria. We swam until the Electric Water Parade came by, then we got out and watched it from the beach. I could see it 100 times and they could not change it for 100 years. I'll still get goose bumps. I watch my kids and try to imagine how they'll remember this time in their lives 10 years from now. Goose bumps are calling the tears.
We convinced the kids to come back to the room for the fireworks. No easy task. I gave Kaleigh a bath (gotta get rid of the chlorine) and just as I was finishing Tyler yelled "they are starting!" I wrapped Kaleigh up and we ran to the patio. I suggested going to the lounge where we could hear the music. Kaleigh didn't want to have to go in her nightgown. So we sat together and for one last night watched the fireworks from our patio.
As soon as everyone was asleep, I packed as much as I could so there would be as little to do tomorrow as possible so I could enjoy my day.
Oh, that last night at Disney, sleep is as hard to come by as the night before you go. But for such a different reason....
Tammy
So after DTD, we went and procured our pool facing lounge chairs, frozen adult beverages and tossed the little ones into the water. As I was sitting there it occurred to me that this is what our memories of this trip will be about; the kids having a blast playing in the water, my daughter making Disney friends, my son being a big guy and going down the slide by himself, my husband and I actually relaxing and watching the kids play, and of course that castle right behind us watching over us all. There it is Disney magic.
There is something about the Polynesian that gives you that right in the middle of the magic feeling, yet also the miles away from the hustle and bustle. I knew that very soon I'd be missing that feeling.
Well as our Luau time was quickly approaching, I figured someone had better get started getting ready. Guess who? Yes, that would be me. I was about to make my family endure some eye-rolling embarrassment for my enjoyment, so I figured I would try to make them happy now. They could swim another 10 minutes while I showered first. On the way to the room I stopped by to see Aida at the desk. She did two wonderful things for me 1) Got us a PS for 'Ohana Character breakfast for in the morning, so the kids could say a proper good-bye to Mickey and 2) Got us a late check out for 1 PM. She was/is my hero!
So we all showered and got dressed for the Luau. This is the family embarrassment part. 1st a little history. We are DVC owners at BCV. Our first trip "home" I bought my family matching outfits from the Disney Catalog. We wore them two years in a row for special dinners. They were somewhat embarrassed, I loved my cute matching family, and we had great photos that we could only show biological relatives. Well rather unexpectedly, my children happened to grow. Sadly I fear their outfits will not fit them anymore. So what's a Disney mom to do? Do you all say buy new outfits? Yes I did. After booking our Polynesian trip, then finding myself in Disney World back in February, I took a little shopping trip to the Polynesian. I bought the dark blue, island print for us all. You're all jealous I'm sure. Or your thinking "thank-god that woman is not part of our family".
So from the moment we walked out of our room, pretty much everyone who saw us knew we were going to the Luau. While my husband rolls his eyes at this situation, he also takes a lot of pictures of us.
We arrived at Luau Cove 1/2 hour before the show. OK, I would say that part is not really necessary. It was a long time waiting in the heat, with an itchy lei around my neck. I wouldn't stress about needing to be that early. We did of course get our Disney picture taken. In these outfits? Of course we did!
When we were seated I really was convinced that having concierge make you PS makes a difference. We were front row just a little right of center. Great Seats! I think that really helped keep the kids interested. The food was good, if you think of the luau as a Hawaiian BBQ rather than a fine dining event you'll appreciate it more for what it is. The storyline is a little hokey, but cute. My kids were interested in the young energetic performers. As the show went on and the authentic island entertainment began, everyone was impressed. The costumes are amazing, the cast is talented, and the fire dancer had us on the edge of our seats. It wasn't until after we got home that I realized how much my husband and I each enjoyed this show. We happened to have lots of pictures of pretty girls in hula skirts, and also lots of pictures of handsome men in grass skirts!
All in all it was a fun event that added to our Polynesian experience. Of course the outfits helped too.
Well, we've promised the kids night swimming. It's time. Out of our lovely clothes and into our suits and into the pool. The volcano pool takes on a special magical glow at night. Some people call it lights, I prefer to think of it as twinkling pixie dust. If you think the kids are happy during the day swimming, night swimming adds a whole new level of euphoria. That "it's dark out and mom and dad let us swim in the pool and there are all these other kids here too!" euphoria. We swam until the Electric Water Parade came by, then we got out and watched it from the beach. I could see it 100 times and they could not change it for 100 years. I'll still get goose bumps. I watch my kids and try to imagine how they'll remember this time in their lives 10 years from now. Goose bumps are calling the tears.
We convinced the kids to come back to the room for the fireworks. No easy task. I gave Kaleigh a bath (gotta get rid of the chlorine) and just as I was finishing Tyler yelled "they are starting!" I wrapped Kaleigh up and we ran to the patio. I suggested going to the lounge where we could hear the music. Kaleigh didn't want to have to go in her nightgown. So we sat together and for one last night watched the fireworks from our patio.
As soon as everyone was asleep, I packed as much as I could so there would be as little to do tomorrow as possible so I could enjoy my day.
Oh, that last night at Disney, sleep is as hard to come by as the night before you go. But for such a different reason....
Tammy
