The "How Could You?" trips x2-the finale! 2/12

[Tiggerrn2]

Thoroughly enoying your report! Polynesian remains my favourite resort, and I only wish we could afford to stay there more often!! We're actually staying at CSR for our next trip, so I also loved seeing your pics for that one. Sounds like you're having a wonderful time! Thanks so much for allowing us to share in your trip!

thank you. I am glad to share. It helps to keep the blues away. And thank you for joining in and commenting. It is so much more fun to write when you know you have readers following along.

Oh....you are making me homesick for the Poly (Mark wanted to stay there next year for our 30th, but with the wedding it is way beyond what we can/want to pay). The pictures are absolutely beautiful.

Glad you had a good dinner and got to see the fireworks.

Can't wait to hear about your day with your friends.

Sorry to make you miss the Poly. It truly was a wonderful place to stay. Some day, when I win that million I will spend more than just 2 nights there. Thank you for the compliment on the photos. I enjoy taking pictures and Disney is the best place I can think of to practice.
Hope to have a new installment up tomorrow afternoon.

Great pics of the Poly! We've only been there to eat, many times, but have never stayed there. It's "on the list".

Looks like Kyle had gotten some sun on his cheeks from his time in the sun that day.

It looks like the Poly could do with an update on their bedding. From the pics it looks dated. I love the smell of it there too. What is this scent machine you bought? Buy it there?

One of the CMs from our stay at the Beach Club filled me in on the machine and a website to go to. Beach Club is the Green Clover and Aloe scent and Poly is Fresh Bamboo. I will send you the info via FB.

Russ loves Polynesian for that very reason...the size of those rooms! Bummer you got one of the dinky bathrooms - in four stays there, we have always had a larger bathroom, thank goodness.

I cannot believe you did NOT get Tonga Toast from Capt Cook's...horrors!!! LOL Hopefully you at least got a Dole Whip at some point. (I think Capt Cook's might be my favorite resort counter service for those very two reasons.

So glad to see someone is into pin trading (it's an addiction, I tell ya! ).

We do try the infamous TT before leaving. I have had it before and not wild about it. Too sweet for my tastes. I am more the salt nut than a sweet one. I did like the counter service here. It was easy to use, fast and the food was always good-breakfast and dinner. Both kids love to pin trade. Kyle picked up the vinylmation trading a couple of years ago on a whim. That is an expensive trade addiction. At least with the pins, you can get 2 of them in those mystery packs and not feel like you are trading away so much. The fun is hunting down the sets. I got to finish Kellie's orange bird set this fall(all but the completer pin-maybe you could work on that one for me. Like some Disney homework.)

 

[Tiggerrn2]

We left off after a great day of relaxation and resort enjoyment. Today we were meeting friends at Blizzard Beach! It was an extra magic hours day there as well. I have never before done an extra magic hours day at a water park. And usually the opening is 10am during my stays. Well, this was peak summer hours, so opening for the general public was 9. That means, for us today it was 8am.

We were up early and on the first bus ride of our trip. The kids really wanted to take a bus somewhere during our stay. This is foreshadowing.

We were excited to get the day started, grabbed PopTarts/breakfast bars in the room to go. We were in a hurry to get out the door and decided breakfast was going to have to wait today.

One of these days I am going to try the Disney Mini Golf courses. They look so fun.

We were headed into the park on our non-expiry passes from 2004. Let's hope these still work. The CM at the turnstiles looked at the tix and said " Wow, those are old-haven't seen these sort of tix in a long time" But they really did still work. On into the park we go! We grabbed a couple of mugs for the day and rented a locker (mugs $10.50 each, locker $15 with $5 returned when you return the key).
This is what a water park looks like at 8am EMH!

DD spied this slide and decided it was the first order of the day!

Yeah, ummmmm no thanks. Better hope your friends are willing because this mama is having no part of an enema this morning!
The friends arrived shortly after we did, and SUPRISE!! They have a cabana for the day and welcomed us to hang with them. SWEET! Must say thank you to them once again, as that was the nicest thing we have ever experienced in a water park stay.

Still no one around.

DD friend

And she was willing (along with her dad) to head on over to Summit Plummit. I am coming along for photos!

First up, DD friend's dad!

Next, DD friend (you can see my DD behind them watching as they took their turns)

DD turn

She sat there, and sat there. Then got up and let someone else go. Then she sat there again. Camera ready. Nope. Someone else went again. She sat there again. Ummmmm, Nope. A third person went. About that time, my camera shut off for lack of use. THEN she went!
So I missed the fall off the ledge. And got the reaction at the bottom instead!

All this time, the brave boys (who were not the least bit interested in that slide) were doing this,.......

The wave pool is great fun! (If you enjoy being knocked off your feet and pummelled into the concrete underneath! )

We wandered over to check out the map of the park to see which direction we should head.

DH was getting a little hungry, and I remembered reading here about the amazing donuts. Off I went to Joffrey's Donuts for a half dozen. Well, we wiped those on in a minute! Back for another half dozen. They were as good as everyone here has said.

continued in next post

 

[mickeystoontown]

I don't blame you one little bitty bit for saying no to that slide! It's looks so scary! The only way that I was able to do the water slides at Typhoon Lagoon is because they are enclosed for the majority of the way. Otherwise, I'd realize how high up they were and chicken out. Good for your daughter for making up her mind and giving it a go! I'm loving the picture that you got of her at the end.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Next, time to head off to do some slopes...

Or the Lazy River....

Or (if you are the boys) play in the sand....

the boys spent a majority of the day just digging in the sand and building a couch/TV.

and playing in the wave pool.

The rest of us hit some slides

but no one suggested a return here.

Guess they didn't appreciate the morning enema either!

We wandered over to

The kids were all excited to check it out. Good thing, too. Due to their heights, this would be the last time they will ever get to hang out in here.

they did the zip line drop into the water

and attempted the iceburg bridge crossing

some did better than others....

He did finally make it!!

then we hit a few more slides

We wore ourselves out. We had lunch at the Lottawatta Lodge. DH and I split the chicken wrap and a cheesecake and the kids shared pizza and fries. Then DD and her friend went and bought an ice cream bucket for $10. Wish I'd gotten a photo of that.

The kids spent much of the day together hitting the slides and playing in the sand, leaving the adults to hang out, hit Teamboat Springs and Racing on the raft slides as well as being lazy on the river. The Cabana they shared with us came with a CM that checked in on us about every 20-30 minutes to see if we needed anything, brought drinks and lunch, and made sure we had all the towels/water we needed. There was a cooler stocked with water and a locker all included with the cabana along with 6 drink mugs. There were loungers and chairs for seating. It really was an awesome spot to have-no wondering where you left your stuff or if items would be lost. And if I were to go again with a group, I would totally spend the money!

Our friends left a little before 4. They had dinner ressies to get ready for. Our kids weren't ready to go, so we headed back off to do a few more slides. The day had been slightly overcast and a couple of small drizzles off and on. The temp wasn't really hot and I think that kept the crowds away all day. The longest lines were about 15minutes for the big slides. Most were walk-ons. We'd had a great day!!

We closed the park down at 7pm and then changed and shopped a bit before heading out to catch a bus. We planned to head to DTD for a bite to eat.....................................................but would we make it?

 

[Tiggerrn2]

We left off heading out of the water park to catch a bus. We wanted to go to dinner at DTD so we got in the DTD bus pick-up area. And......we waited, and waited (and now I already know what you all are saying. But I didn't think of it at the time). We saw many busses come and go. And I thought about getting on the bus to POR twice! There were no CMs out at the bus area at all. Finally, after about 30 minutes waiting, a CM came along and I asked about the busses to DTD. And he replied, "they don't stop here any more" Then it hit me!!! I remembered reading something about that here on the Dis before we left. I just forgot to commit it to my memory. And, I ask you, if the busses don't stop there any more, then WHY don't they take the sign down so those of us out of the loop don't sit there forever waiting for the bus that will NEVER come?????!! About this time I was really wishing we'd have driven our car!

So we eventually boarded that bus to PO but we headed to FQ as I knew the boat stops there and from there heads to DTD. (but it stops at POR first-more foreshadowing)

I wish I'd had my camera out at FQ. The man that plays many different instruments was out playing in the lobby. We stopped to watch and listen for a bit before heading out to catch the boat. He was amazing!

We headed off to the boat dock, and the boat was just coming in......but it was pretty full. And barely anyone got off. Sooooooo...... we continued to wait. And wait.....and if the kids didn't want to head to Goofy's Candy Co. so bad, I would have headed back into FQ and grabbed a bite of whatever followed by the bus back to T&TC and walked back over to the Poly for the night. I was toast!

We FINALLY got a boat and floated slowly down to DTD. We were starving by this time and headed directly to Earl of Sandwich! My receipt says 9:36pm DH got the Earl's Club, I got the BLT and kids..........gee, what do you think they might have? Yep! Pizza and Grilled Cheese. They are so original! 4 sodas and $30 to the Rewards Card. More free dining. (our Ohana dinner was also courtesy of my Rewards Card-love that)

Bellies full and feeling slightly rejuvinated, we wandered over to do the thing the kids have been wanting to do forever.

Why does this have such an appeal?

DS picked the rice crispie treat (which, by the way, is still uneaten in the pantry-eeewwwww. Guess I should throw that $5 treat away)

it is fun to watch them make the treats. DD picked the pretzel rod trio for $8.95. At least she could share.

Happy with their picks!

time to move on

DD had to walk in here for the free chocolate!

By this time, I was done. It was 10:30. Time to head out of here.

must stop for the always fun Christmas photo op

Back to room. No towel animals, so DD thought it would be great to use the leis and make a creation of her own.

I tried to get a photo of the torches lit on the walkways

Everyone was getting showers and getting ready for bed. I decided I'd head down to the beach just to enjoy the peace for our final evening here while I waited my turn.
I sat in a swing and admired the view of the castle and listened to the boats sounding off as they made their final treks of the evening from the MK. And I enjoyed the peace! Headed off to the room to pack up a bit and shower and finally turned in around 12:30. No early morning plans.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

I don't blame you one little bitty bit for saying no to that slide! It's looks so scary! The only way that I was able to do the water slides at Typhoon Lagoon is because they are enclosed for the majority of the way. Otherwise, I'd realize how high up they were and chicken out. Good for your daughter for making up her mind and giving it a go! I'm loving the picture that you got of her at the end.

I'd done this slide LONG ago. Learned my lesson then.
DD was proud of herself for going through with the slide, but she didn't have any desire to try it again.

 

[iloverags2]

I love DD's reaction to Summit Plummet! Priceless!

Sounds like a great day at BB. What a bummer about the bus snafu (and then the boat too! Oy!). Was it Eliot Dyson over at POFQ? We just love hearing him play.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

I love DD's reaction to Summit Plummet! Priceless!

Sounds like a great day at BB. What a bummer about the bus snafu (and then the boat too! Oy!). Was it Eliot Dyson over at POFQ? We just love hearing him play.

If Eliot Dyson is the guy that plays about 8 different Jazz instruments, then it was him. Very good, whoever it was. Wish we'd had more time to just hang out there and listen.

 

[Buzzsgramma]

Really enjoying this TR and the pix are all great...Oh the Poly..we stayed in 1999 with Brian and family we had brought Keenan and Mackenzie with...loved being on that mono rail...yes the rooms were huge...
Mr C went down that 'slide' a number of years back...he is a brave one...just a bit of bruising...
i felt like i was on the trip with all of you...until next time...right??

 

[iloverags2]

If Eliot Dyson is the guy that plays about 8 different Jazz instruments, then it was him. Very good, whoever it was. Wish we'd had more time to just hang out there and listen.

Probably him! He plays piano, sax, clarinet, trumpet...etc.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Really enjoying this TR and the pix are all great...Oh the Poly..we stayed in 1999 with Brian and family we had brought Keenan and Mackenzie with...loved being on that mono rail...yes the rooms were huge...
Mr C went down that 'slide' a number of years back...he is a brave one...just a bit of bruising...
i felt like i was on the trip with all of you...until next time...right??

Always....until next time!!!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Our last day had arrived. No alarms ringing. No big plans. We just wanted to relax and enjoy what was left of our final day at Disney and our final day at the Poly.
Thought I'd sleep in, but I was still awake by 6:30am. My Disney self alarm just won't let me sleep in. Just don't want to miss a minute! Stayed in bed and rested til 7:30 then finally gave up and got up to shower and rearrange the luggage stacks. Moved all the dirty clothes to 1 suitcase, clean in another and then one overnight bag with everything we would need to have a night stay in TN on our return home. Everyone else finally was moving around 8:30 and we finished packing up and headed to Capt Cooks for our last breakfast.
DD took a bunch of photos along the way.
Last balcony photos

last lobby shot

headed back to room-forgot something, but now I forget what I forgot.

walking to breakfast

one of the torches

wandering past the quiet pool

apparently I was videoing around the resort on the way to breakfast.

Here we are

continued in next post. DD took lots of photos today.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

hmmmmmm, these look good.

will have one of these again today

and maybe one of these

I know there is someone here that loves the lamp shades.

I think this was on the wall above the ice cream area

seating area

Breakfast!!!

and here is everyone's most talked about Tonga Toast

We shared it between the 4 of us (though I have tried it before) and I still thought it was too sweet. The kids thought it was pretty good.

This is my favorite, and I would really like one right about now!

DD went outside to warm up and took a few more photos. It was a little chilly in Cpt Cooks this morningl

The top of the slide. (errr-volcano)

this tree is just outside Capt Cooks

When everyone was done eating, we went to look in the shops.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

We started off in the art shop on the first floor. Can't afford anything in here.

Kind of a neat reflection caught in the photo

enough browsing, let's go someplace to buy something!

 

[iloverags2]

Love that there is a Wyland Gallery in Polynesian. Such beautiful pieces.

Tonga Toast! Now we're talking! DH agrees with you...too sweet for him. My mom and I on the other hand...well, we both have a sweet tooth. But if I had to choose, I would pick the Dole Whip even for breakfast!

Hate to see this trip coming to a close!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Love that there is a Wyland Gallery in Polynesian. Such beautiful pieces.

Tonga Toast! Now we're talking! DH agrees with you...too sweet for him. My mom and I on the other hand...well, we both have a sweet tooth. But if I had to choose, I would pick the Dole Whip even for breakfast!

Hate to see this trip coming to a close!

I'd eat a Dole Whip for breakfast-in fact, as I recall, I think I did!!

This trip may be coming to a close, but remember....this is the How Could You trips x2.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

From the Wyland Gallery, we wandered into

Now maybe I can buy something!!!

Picked up a few pins in here and then moved on.

Back to some last photos

wishing we were crossing the bridge on the way in...instead of collecting those last photos for the way out.

Let's head upstairs and check out those shops.

Not back in August (but September isn't too bad)

Picked up a mini stuffed Stitch here. DD really would have preferred the big one she took a photo with the other night, but truth be told, there isn't room in her bed for one more stuffie. As it is, she looks like Gertie from ET when she was trying to hide in the closet.

Time to head back to the room to gather up all our belongings and pack up the car. Then we can head out to the pool!

But we will walk the long way around, first.... more photo ops.

this is such an awesome place to sit at night and find some peace

I think this was the walkway up to sunset pointe

Here we are, back at our bungalow.

Hidden Mickey, maybe?

We will head down to the pool in the next post. Interesting tidbit to come...

 

[Tiggerrn2]

We packed everything up and took the bags downstairs to Bell Services to hold in the cooler air til we were ready to leave, and then we headed out to the pool....

The "kids" played in the pool while I relaxed on a lounge chair, though I did try the slide a few times...

the couple behind my DS needed to go back to their room!!

I wandered around taking some flora and fauna photos.

Then I returned to the lounge chair for a bit. DS and DH decided they would try to go out on the Sea Raycers. They headed over to the marina and there was a sign out the said "temporarily closed due to inclement weather". Now DS looked around at the bright sunshine and light puffy clouds and was like, "what the ....?" The CM laughed and said "Yeah, I know, it's not really closed for the weather. The President is on his way in. Noone is allowed out on the water". Sure enough. As I lay in my lounger, I heard this very LOUD helicopter!

Here he comes...

He was headed here...

I don't recall what convention he was attending, but our departure was delayed a bit because of it. No traffic was being allowed out onto the main roads. Sooooo, what's a Disneyaholic to do?

See, even the Disney boats had to sit still and wait til the all clear was called...

A bit of construction going on

a little closer view

We decided to at least get showered and changed. It was getting later on in the afternoon and it looked like a storm was headed in. DS went back to his favorite pasttime while we waited for DD to finish up her shower.

A couple last photos never hurt

Time to head out. It was HOT today. Our entire stay had been beautiful. Not too hot or too humid. But today was Florida SUMMER HOT!

We grabbed our luggage from Bell Services. We had one last stop to make before we really left Disney......

 

[Tiggerrn2]

We left the Polynesian behind us... But I was missing this place and needed a little fix before we left.

We were a bit hungry, and I love the Mara!! We no sooner arrived to AKL, then the clouds burst. We made a run for it into the Zawadi Marketplace. Did a bit of browsing. The PinKing was in there and DD got to do a bit of trading with him. Both kids thought that was really cool! The storm rolled in good now with thunder and lightening. We headed on down to the Mara and I got my bowl of Butternut Squash soup lovestruc) and a chicken caesar salad, DH got House Chicken salad, DS got the cheeseburger and fries and DD got the chicken nuggets. These 2 are not adventurous eaters at all!! (the anwer to the 2nd "How Could You" trip).

After our late lunch (it was almost dinner), DD had her very last one of these....

and DS had a strawberry bar. The rain had stopped, so we headed out to view a few animals before DH gave me the stink eye and said we really needed to get on the road.

Begrudgingly, I agreed and we headed off back to the van. Now, remember that 95 degrees when we left the Poly? When we left AKL the van said 72 degrees. I guess rain wasn't the only thing the storm brought with it.

DS has a love of American Pickers. As we hit the road, he asked if we were stopping in TN on the way home? Why, yes. We are. "Isn't that where the new Pickers store is?"................

We are off....Needed a stop for gas.

and oh yes we did pay less than $3 a gallon for the first time in so long I can't even remember!!

We were here..

Which I'm thinking is somewhere in the "middle of nowhere" GA!

Up next.......a fun little side trip on the road home!

 

[CJK]

Just love all your pics! I love how you make the absolute most of each day of your trip!! Your trip really shows us that you can have fun in Disney without even going into the parks! We're going for a few days this winter and only plan on doing 1 day in the parks (parkhopping to all 4 parks just to see the new stuff since our last trip). I was feeling a bit sad about that, but following your report made me realize we can still have a lot of fun. I just *love* the Polynesian and hope to stay there again soon!! Can't wait to read about your second trip!