The ABCs of a New 'Ohana Adventure-G is for: Greetings From Teppan, Good-Byes, and Good News!!! - COMPLETED 1/7

[Steppesister]

Joining in! I've loved reading your reports. I'm going to be on property September 18th-24th, so maybe we'll have some overlap and can meet up

Oh my!!! Hello there, New Friend! And It's always so much fun to meet new people and have more folks join in!

I will send a PM to you for a couple of options. The 19th might be our best option as we'll be in EPCOT that afternoon and evening. That seems to be an easy place to meet.

 

[Steppesister]

I almost never comment on Trip Reports (though I read A LOT), but your intro was so welcoming that I feel like joining in!

Well, that is quite a humbling and nice complement and I am flattered. Everyone IS welcome here and hope they always feel free to join right in and add to the discussion! Don't be shy to join the banter along the way and !!!

Our every time restaurant is Tusker House for breakfast. I love the food, the atmosphere, the characters.

I've been tempted a couple of times to get a breakfast ADR there for the sole sake of an early entry. But, buffets scare me some since I just don't eat enough (especially breakfast!) to justfify the cost. Plus, I don't have little ones anymore and have never been a big character enthusiast myself. But, I have walked through to check it out and DO love the theming.

Our one and done was Akershus. It was my SIL's choice -- she has Scandinavian ancestry and loves that kind of thing. The food was OK, not great. But the princesses were the least fun and engaging character interactions we have ever had. My daughter was 7 on that trip, and just on the cusp of realizing that these were actors but wanting to play along with the magic a little longer. When she commented "that was the worst Ariel ever" I was so sad!

I LOVED the Akershus back in the day... WAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in the day when the Viking ship was still there and the Norwegian Pavilion actually was a nice representation of Norway. What they've done to it is reprehensible and such a shame basically gutting it and making it the Frozen Pavilion. Irks me. The Akershus had a wonderful buffet of pickled herring and herring in sour cream, lox, lefse, Swedish Meatballs... all the good stuff. Gone. I miss it.

I have stayed at Poly, POR, POFQ, and WL (next up, BCV), and despite the obvious convenience of the MK resort locations, I think I give a slight edge to POFQ.

YES!!

I like the "village" feel of the moderates, and POFQ is so small and intimate that it feels special. We had the best room that trip -- 2nd floor corner room overlooking the river (even though we didn't book waterview). My daughter was just the right age for the pool there. It was overall a great stay. I would go again, but family keeps overriding.

I love how you describe the Mods- "village feel". That perfectly sums them up! Intimate and village-y. I got a similiar room at POR one time and loved it. Yes, I'd go back to either of those again, even over the Grand.

I like your writing style and am really looking forward to following your TR!

Why thank you so much!! Sometimes my writing gets a bit more attention or I get silly and go off the rails with poetry.

 

[docsoliday1]

Ohh, I didn't know Sanaa had a wine pairing thing! Was that part of a tour? Or...? Was this all part of a single event or? I"m curious now!

Sorry, Jiko

 

[Steppesister]

Sorry, Jiko

AH!! Now that I understand! We did Jiko as part of the Wanyama Tour and I'd go back again. Loved it.

 

[chunkymonkey]

I've heard that the steak at Mama's is excellent too... at least I think that's what I remember @chunkymonkey ordering. I was referring to the steak at the Boathouse.

OMG the steak at Mama Melrose is so good! Esp with that mac n cheese. Yum.

 

[Steppesister]

C is for: Cabins, Chateaus, Casitas, or Cabanas?​

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back when, when it was time to make our choice for our resort, we had a big meeting. I presented a few suggestions consisting of a short list of resorts I would want to stay at. Honestly, they don’t care where we stay anyway, and because I’m the one doing ALL the work to plan our trip, I get to choose. Mostly. I mean, I did listen to their thoughts for a few seconds. And then chose our resort. (No really, I promise, they really don’t care where we stay.)

As you may know, I’m on a quest to stay at all the Disney resorts so gave the options of Caribbean Beach or Coronado. For 2 reasons: Values are too small since I have my son who needs a 5th sleeper (which will clog up floor space), and Deluxes are too expensive. Also, both are resorts I’ve not gotten to stay at yet. I described both, gave the pros and cons, location, etc… and in the end, they all chose CBR.

What am I most excited about in staying there? Hmmm…. Let’s put some organization to these ramblings of mine, shall we?

• Who doesn’t love a tropical beach-y themed getaway? I LOVE the pastel colors and, as Meghan described it, village-feel.
• The pool looks like a lot of fun, although I don’t imagine we’ll be in it a lot.
• I LOVE that it’s on the Skyliner, and I am hoping beyond all hope it’s running some soft openings while we’re there, at least to DHS for SWGE. Interestingly, F&W begins the same day as SWGE opens (Aug. 29th) and it’d be equally awesome if it was open to the IG at EPCOT as well.
• I’ll be able to get yet another mug for my Resort Mug collection. (It’s the little things.)

What I’m not excited about:

• It’s YUGE!! I’m a little afraid of the long walk we may be doing after a long day in the parks.
• The internal bus system gives me trepidation. I’ve done that at Ft. Wilderness and just hope wherever we’re put is the first stop in the morning. I have heard of folks not getting on during morning rush hour.
• The construction, or tail end of it anyway, could mar the beauty and tranquil feeling I hope to find there.

Regardless, I’m going to give it a try just to say I have and let you all know what impressions I come away with. That way I have something to write about in this trip report. Otherwise, I’ll just have to make some stuff up and use old pictures. However, if I throw in some exploding helicopters, it’ll all be good, right?

But wait, that’s not all! For low price of only the rest of your savings account, Steppe, you too can be the proud owner of a stay in a Deluxe resort for 2 bonus nights! Just call 1-800-ALL-OFIT for a special water view room at the Polynesian Resort!! Hurry now; deals like this will only get more expensive with each passing day!

Yep, I did it. I splurged for a 2-night stay at the Poly for the kids (for the kids... )and I so we could take a whole day and eat at Captain Cooks, go to Trader Sam’s, use the volcano pool, see the Electrical Water Parade, and hang with the Tiki’s. I see at least one order of the Pulled Pork Nachos in our future. This is not the first time I’ve stayed there, the first and only other time being in 2010, when the old (and far better) lobby was still intact. I wouldn’t go quite so far as to say they “wrecked it”, but it was way cooler in its first iteration. I miss the waterfall.

Things I’m most excited about:

• The dining options!
• Sitting by the pool with a nice cold pina colada
• The amazing gardens and photos with Tikis
• Trader Sam’s!
• The beach to watch the parade and fireworks from

What I’m not excited about:

• The indoor hallways which make every slamming door 1,000 times louder.
• The distance to AK which is the only park we’re going to while staying there. Yes, bad planning on my part.
• There is literally nothing else to not be excited about.

In the end, Folks, I chose 'C' for Caribbean Colonial with a side of Captain Cook’s and Coconuts. Hopefully, lots of fresh new photos and stories will be coming your way!

Meantime… My favorite resort? Tough one! POFQ for Mod; too soon to judge for Deluxe, but so far, Boardwalk or AKL, for different reasons. Boardwalk is close to parks and fun! AKL is beautiful and “other-wordly”… just very immersive with loads to see. Values? AoA. Maybe someday, I’ll stay in the Cars Section.

Secrets for each? Not really secrets, but fun stuff:

• AoA: You can still do an Animation Academy here! They may have trashed it at DHS, but you can still do it at AoA (and now in AK as well at the re-imagined Conservation Station at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. All aboard the Eastern Star Railway!
• POFQ: Beignets. And live jazz in Scat Cat’s.
• Boardwalk: The Bellvue Lounge has a nice Contiental Breakfast (not complementary) and looks like a superb late evening hang out for a nightcap. Also, take time to read the captions of the historic photos regarding the elephant hotel and roller coaster in the lobby.

And now… it’s your turn!

Do you have an arrival day tradition or what is the thing you look forward to doing first and why? In other words, what gives you that feeling of, “I’m finally in Disney!”

 

[Flossbolna]

I hope you will like CBR. One advantage for you will be that those are largest rooms at a moderate, nearly as large as they AKL and WL rooms.

No arrival day tradition. We always do something different. And since I usually have a ticket that covers parks on arrival day (UK tickets are for 14 days) I would say walking through a turnstile is what tells me I am at WDW.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Do you have an arrival day tradition or what is the thing you look forward to doing first and why? In other words, what gives you that feeling of, “I’m finally in Disney!”

I honestly don't have any traditions, although, we seem to start eating as soon as we arrive in Disney. That definitely seems to be a thing for us... Oh, and drinking. DUH!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I mean, I did listen to their thoughts for a few seconds. And then chose our resort. (No really, I promise, they really don’t care where we stay.)

This is how it works in all families. The kids just want to go to the park, anyway.

I LOVE that it’s on the Skyliner, and I am hoping beyond all hope it’s running some soft openings while we’re there, at least to DHS for SWGE. Interestingly, F&W begins the same day as SWGE opens (Aug. 29th) and it’d be equally awesome if it was open to the IG at EPCOT as well.

I'm interested to see if the Skyliner is worth the hubbub or not. Should be nicer than a bus, anyway.

The internal bus system gives me trepidation. I’ve done that at Ft. Wilderness and just hope wherever we’re put is the first stop in the morning. I have heard of folks not getting on during morning rush hour.

Yeah, I've never been a fan of internal buses. It just feels like it takes forever to get anywhere.

The construction, or tail end of it anyway, could mar the beauty and tranquil feeling I hope to find there.

Seems like there's construction going on everywhere all the time now.

However, if I throw in some exploding helicopters, it’ll all be good, right?

Yep, I did it. I splurged for a 2-night stay at the Poly for the kids (for the kids... )

This is not the first time I’ve stayed there, the first and only other time being in 2010, when the old (and far better) lobby was still intact. I wouldn’t go quite so far as to say they “wrecked it”, but it was way cooler in its first iteration. I miss the waterfall.

I was that way at first, but I have to say the new lobby has really grown on me to the point where I like it now. It's definitely not as cramped as it was.

Do you have an arrival day tradition or what is the thing you look forward to doing first and why? In other words, what gives you that feeling of, “I’m finally in Disney!”

This will sound funny, but I love walking through the doors at my resort. You get music in the background, which immediately screams Disney, and they all have that "Disney smell".

 

[Steppesister]

I hope you will like CBR. One advantage for you will be that those are largest rooms at a moderate, nearly as large as they AKL and WL rooms.

I think I will. I am hoping to someday get to Bora Bora or the Antilles, but until then this will have to suffice for my tropically vacation.

And better! I did not know about the room sizes! That's going to come in super handy for the portion we have 5 in the room. YAY!!

No arrival day tradition. We always do something different. And since I usually have a ticket that covers parks on arrival day (UK tickets are for 14 days) I would say walking through a turnstile is what tells me I am at WDW.

That's certainly a nice ticket!! Super long! I am going to guess the first tap at the tapstile is the magic-begin point.

 

[Steppesister]

I honestly don't have any traditions, although, we seem to start eating as soon as we arrive in Disney. That definitely seems to be a thing for us... Oh, and drinking. DUH!

Eaiting for us too.... but.... not just anywhere (answer in next update.

 

[Steppesister]

This is how it works in all families. The kids just want to go to the park, anyway.

Correct. Since I AM paying so much at the Poly, I did purposely take a no-park day to force them to enjoy all the schtuffs.

I'm interested to see if the Skyliner is worth the hubbub or not. Should be nicer than a bus, anyway.

I think it definitely is going to be. For sure. A 6 minute ride to either park from CBR? Yes, please!

Yeah, I've never been a fan of internal buses. It just feels like it takes forever to get anywhere.

Exactly. I have a feeling the kids and I are going to be doing a few Lyfts. For SURE the EEMHs for DHS.

Seems like there's construction going on everywhere all the time now.

Not necessarily a bad thing. Star Wars, GoG, Tron, Ratatouille............

I was that way at first, but I have to say the new lobby has really grown on me to the point where I like it now. It's definitely not as cramped as it was.

I like it too, especially the floats, just miss the parrot (going WAY back!) and the waterfall. Had more of the "smell" back then.

This will sound funny, but I love walking through the doors at my resort. You get music in the background, which immediately screams Disney, and they all have that "Disney smell".

While to a lesser degree than my primary answer (coming in the next update) I would agree. And it was especially that way with the AoA. No idea why, but that one is just super hit home.

 

[Steppesister]

I know I"m delinquent as usual on everyone's threads, but it's pretty tough during the work weeks to sit and read and comment. I WILL get there. Promise!!

 

[pkondz]

in the end, they all chose CBR.

… "at which point I laughed in their sad little faces and told them we were staying at CSR."

I’ll be able to get yet another mug for my Resort Mug collection. (It’s the little things.)

Those little things become important things.
I'm thinking of pins... or mugs... or... poker chips.

It’s YUGE!! I’m a little afraid of the long walk we may be doing after a long day in the parks.

Choose your room... wisely.

Regardless, I’m going to give it a try just to say I have and let you all know what impressions I come away with.

Good!

However, if I throw in some exploding helicopters, it’ll all be good, right?

Yep, I did it. I splurged for a 2-night stay at the Poly

Oh! Very nice!
Always wanted to stay there.
It's pretty much a bucket list item for me.
But I doubt very much that I'll ever be able to afford it. Too many bills!

for the kids (for the kids... )

The distance to AK which is the only park we’re going to while staying there. Yes, bad planning on my part.

Tragic. You transfer to a monorail resort and go to a park not on it.

In the end, Folks, I chose 'C' for Caribbean Colonial with a side of Captain Cook’s and Coconuts.

Nicely done.

Do you have an arrival day tradition or what is the thing you look forward to doing first and why? In other words, what gives you that feeling of, “I’m finally in Disney!”

Hmm...
I try to go to MK asap. When I get to the airport and get on DME or see the sign for Disney or see my first monorail... all those serve to get me into the "mood" and heighten the anticipation, but... seeing Main St (even moreso than the castle) really does it for me.

 

[Mousemom234]

In the end, Folks, I chose 'C' for Caribbean Colonial with a side of Captain Cook’s and Coconuts.

Stayed at both. While the Poly was lovely (and pre-lobby makeover) I can't afford it these days, mentally or otherwise
Make sure you don't get a 2nd floor room- those don't have balconies, just a slider door to nowhere.

If I was staying mod, I think I'd stay at CBR again. That would make it a "3rd times a charm" - the first time we stayed there, we'd had an accident on the drive down, and the car was in repair most of the trip. We got it back just in time to drive to GF for our dinner at V&A. That December was hotter 'n *ell and I'm in a velvet dress, DH a 3 piece suit, and we're standing in the afternoon sun waiting for the (lost) tow truck to deliver our poor wheels And the quiet pool was closed...
2nd time was the end of a split stay, and it was colder than Arendelle and rained all day both days. 🌧 We barely left the room, and that was our 'resort day'
But it's a lovely resort, and I have fond memories of staying there. We still mention the gecko that fell out of the umbrella <PLOP> right onto the plate Transportation wasn't bad, most of the time, but once we saw 4 MK buses go by before an Epcot one

CSR was nice when it opened, but after the first remodel, it went from being a 'Disney' resort with the feel of a northern Mexican village to just a hotel room. If they'd bring back the table and 2 comfy chairs instead of the office furniture I'd be likely to stay there again, but it lost the charm. Also, I feel you really need a car when staying there; it's a bit remote from most of the World.

Do you have an arrival day tradition or what is the thing you look forward to doing first and why? In other words, what gives you that feeling of, “I’m finally in Disney!”

The 'fake-o-rail' is my first indication I'm "home". And that hot wet tropical diesel-vegetation smell.
Arrival tradition, for years, has actually been off-site. Take the rental car out to Logan's Roadhouse for lunch/dinner and then drive to the store (Winn-Dixie or Publix) to buy some supplies for the week.
I guess I'll have to start a new one this time.
We haven't always gone to the same park first, so don't really have any firsts to do. We do have "must-do"'s though, in each park.

 

[KathyM2]

It’s YUGE!! I’m a little afraid of the long walk we may be doing after a long day in the parks.

Yeah this was the one down side I found when staying there. Once you know your way around the walk doesn't seem so bad. With luggage...yeah it can be a hike. But that's only once or twice.

Meantime… My favorite resort? Tough one! POFQ for Mod;

I'm with you. Funny I was trying to tell someone the reasons why POFQ was the best just today...not everyone gets it but, there you go.

 

[Steppesister]

… "at which point I laughed in their sad little faces and told them we were staying at CSR."

Almost verbatim. Gestures included.

Those little things become important things.
I'm thinking of pins... or mugs... or... poker chips.

Silly in some ways. Not so much in others.

Choose your room... wisely.

I am looking at maps and studying closely.

Oh! Very nice!
Always wanted to stay there.
It's pretty much a bucket list item for me.
But I doubt very much that I'll ever be able to afford it. Too many bills!

I do hope someday that'll be a crossed off item.

Tragic. You transfer to a monorail resort and go to a park not on it.

I know. Lame.

Hmm...
I try to go to MK asap. When I get to the airport and get on DME or see the sign for Disney or see my first monorail... all those serve to get me into the "mood" and heighten the anticipation, but... seeing Main St (even moreso than the castle) really does it for me.

So, a first park thing. I get that! So, it's more of a combo over a few things that set the mood and for you. I get that too! But, I think I understand, the music, lights, the total immersion is your "trigger".

 

[Steppesister]

Stayed at both. While the Poly was lovely (and pre-lobby makeover) I can't afford it these days, mentally or otherwise
Make sure you don't get a 2nd floor room- those don't have balconies, just a slider door to nowhere

OH wow!!! That is GREAT advice!! Thank you for the little tidbit!

If I was staying mod, I think I'd stay at CBR again. That would make it a "3rd times a charm" - the first time we stayed there, we'd had an accident on the drive down, and the car was in repair most of the trip. We got it back just in time to drive to GF for our dinner at V&A.

OH no!!! That's awful. I"m glad it didn't completely wreck your vacation, but what a headache and stressful situation!

That December was hotter 'n *ell and I'm in a velvet dress, DH a 3 piece suit, and we're standing in the afternoon sun waiting for the (lost) tow truck to deliver our poor wheels And the quiet pool was closed...

Interesting that December was hot! I've been in January and froze my tushie off. I guess those winter months can be fickle!

I tend to prefer the quiet pools too. Bummer... sounds like you need to go back!

2nd time was the end of a split stay, and it was colder than Arendelle and rained all day both days. 🌧 We barely left the room, and that was our 'resort day'

Oh man! YUCK!!! That sounds HORRIBLE! But glad it was a planned resort day so you didn't have to slosh around in the park, although I'd imagine they'd have been very empty ones.

But it's a lovely resort, and I have fond memories of staying there. We still mention the gecko that fell out of the umbrella <PLOP> right onto the plate Transportation wasn't bad, most of the time, but once we saw 4 MK buses go by before an Epcot one

Holy crap! That sure sounds like a story!!! How on earth...?!

On 2 mornings for SURE we'll be doing Lyft for EEMH on DHS days. Other mornings we just hope to beat the crowds and go from there.

CSR was nice when it opened, but after the first remodel, it went from being a 'Disney' resort with the feel of a northern Mexican village to just a hotel room. If they'd bring back the table and 2 comfy chairs instead of the office furniture I'd be likely to stay there again, but it lost the charm. Also, I feel you really need a car when staying there; it's a bit remote from most of the World.

Yeah I"ve heard that too. Sad.

The 'fake-o-rail' is my first indication I'm "home". And that hot wet tropical diesel-vegetation smell.

I would venture a guess that you won't be the only person to say that.

Arrival tradition, for years, has actually been off-site. Take the rental car out to Logan's Roadhouse for lunch/dinner and then drive to the store (Winn-Dixie or Publix) to buy some supplies for the week.
I guess I'll have to start a new one this time.

That's very interesting! I do know other folks who have a restaurant or two, usually Canadians or Europeans, that they have missed. I think it's awesome that whatever memory-building traditions one has work for them and serve just that... to be a tradition that builds happy memories.

We haven't always gone to the same park first, so don't really have any firsts to do. We do have "must-do"'s though, in each park.

I very well throw in a question along those lines in the next few updates... hold that thought!

 

[Steppesister]

Yeah this was the one down side I found when staying there. Once you know your way around the walk doesn't seem so bad. With luggage...yeah it can be a hike. But that's only once or twice.

I don't mind the luggage one, but almost never have to do it arriving. I think I'm going to request Jamaica 44 and see...

I'm with you. Funny I was trying to tell someone the reasons why POFQ was the best just today...not everyone gets it but, there you go.

No, they don't... see the comment in my latest FB post. Even from Disney friends.

My retort in my mind... "WHAT?! You're going to the beach/lake/Mexico/camping?!?! AGAIN?!"

 

[pkondz]

Almost verbatim. Gestures included.

Knew it!

I am looking at maps and studying closely.

Good. Sounds like you may have decided.

I do hope someday that'll be a crossed off item.

I really don't think so. It's more than I can reasonably afford without wincing too much. When you go solo, you absorb all the costs.
I think, maybe, you're splitting some of the costs with your kids?

So, a first park thing. I get that! So, it's more of a combo over a few things that set the mood and for you. I get that too! But, I think I understand, the music, lights, the total immersion is your "trigger".