The Pursuit of Disney Magic (June 7-14, 2008) ~ UPDATED 9/30 pg. 191

[Native NYer]

Connor looks so cute with his sword and Yeti.

I would opt for Kona. I enjoyed the breakfast there and if dinner there is what I had from room service at the Poly, then it's really good. Plus, the resort itself is so beautiful.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Connor looks so cute with his sword and Yeti.

Thanks!

We noticed about halfway through Tuesday that his glasses were crooked -- come to find out he got hit with a ball in PE. Luckily, I had packed his extra glasses and he switched in time for the P&PP.

I would opt for Kona. I enjoyed the breakfast there and if dinner there is what I had from room service at the Poly, then it's really good. Plus, the resort itself is so beautiful.

I keep looking at the menu for dinner, and it looks so good. I think I will call tonight and see what they have for times. We love the Polynesian and any excuse to ride the monorail!

 

[Native NYer]

Thanks!

We noticed about halfway through Tuesday that his glasses were crooked -- come to find out he got hit with a ball in PE. Luckily, I had packed his extra glasses and he switched in time for the P&PP.



I keep looking at the menu for dinner, and it looks so good. I think I will call tonight and see what they have for times. We love the Polynesian and any excuse to ride the monorail!

I hope you get the ADRs you want!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I promise I am returning to the mini-TR later tonight! But wanted to tell you all about the STRANGEST Disney phone call I have ever had.

So, after waffling all day, I decided to make an ADR for Kona and drop Le Cellier and its nasty mushroom filet. I called after dinner. My CM was super and there were a ton of openings for Kona Cafe! Score! Then, it happened...the descent into surreal madness...

CM: Any other reservations I can help you with?
Me: Well, actually I need to cancel our original reservation for that night.
CM: Do you happen to have that number?
Me: Yes, it is...(I cringe in preparation, remembering Brittbritt's laughing CM).
CM: (Emitting a gasp of horror) This is for Le Cellier!!!
Me: I know, but they changed the menu and took away the maple-glazed filet mignon.
CM: (Voice filled with suspicion) Where did you hear this???
Me: (I knew this was going to sound bad)Ummm...I saw pictures of the new menu board on the Internet.
CM: You know you can't trust everything you see on the Internet.

Yes, she said that to me. I am well aware of the dangers of the Internet. That's why I was holding out until I saw photographic evidence. But, seriously??? What? Was someone photoshopping pictures of the Le Cellier menu in order to send crazed Disney addicts into a Piglet-state of hand wringing and scurrying for their bottles of Ativan? Is it all a master plot to free up Le Cellier reservations? Is this what Disney believes??? Somehow I didn't think saying, "I saw it on the DIS boards -- I KNOW it's for real" would convince her.

Anyway, she pulled up the menu and even talked to her supervisor (whose response was "Tell her to order it without mushrooms" -- she did apologize for that). She did not want me to cancel because "it's one of the hardest reservations to get!" She even wanted to switch me to the restaurant to talk to them about the menu changes. She kept reassuring me that the chef would work with us -- if we didn't want mushrooms, they wouldn't put mushrooms on it. Blah, blah, blah. I didn't have the nerve to cancel it after all that. So, we still have Le Cellier.

So, somehow I was guilted into keeping Le Cellier. I never thought I would complain about the superior Disney service. The CM was fabulous going the extra mile to try and make me keep my reservation. Even though I feel a little brutalized and strong-armed by the whole experience.

Maybe I will call back later tonight and hope for a different CM. Preferably one that just laughs as he/she pushes the cancel key!

 

[MouseEarsForLife]

That's incredibly.. odd and funny!
I mean I know Le Cellier was a favorite of many but I kinda think she should have backed off, even though it was sweet of her to "help" you out.

 

[Native NYer]

That is so strange. Disney almost bullied you into eating at Le Cellier. I guess they really didn't want you to regret missing a meal here.

 

[jordanyosh]

That's a new one...at least you know the CM is looking out for you.

 

[Charleston Princess]

That's incredibly.. odd and funny!
I mean I know Le Cellier was a favorite of many but I kinda think she should have backed off, even though it was sweet of her to "help" you out.

I keep laughing and shaking my head about it!

That is so strange. Disney almost bullied you into eating at Le Cellier. I guess they really didn't want you to regret missing a meal here.

Isn't it strange? The more I think about it, the stranger it seems! I kind of feel like a rebellious teenager planning on calling back and changing it behind her back. The more I think about it though, the more I will be happier eating at Kona and not wondering if mushrooms will come out by mistake.

Did you get your ADRs?

That's a new one...at least you know the CM is looking out for you.

She was sweet, but belligerent almost. Like Betty White somehow.

 

[jordanyosh]

She was sweet, but belligerent almost. Like Betty White somehow.

Maybe she had a meltdown. Imagine the calls she gets with everyone demanding Le Cellier.....then she gets a call from someone who wants to cancel....she snapped....

 

[Charleston Princess]

Maybe she had a meltdown. Imagine the calls she gets with everyone demanding Le Cellier.....then she gets a call from someone who wants to cancel....she snapped....

When I told her I had secured the reservation at 180 days, she said, "And people wonder why they can't get in at the last minute. I had a guy earlier that wanted dinner there and when I suggested lunch he said, 'No way, I like the glazed salmon and I can only get it at dinner.'" Maybe, it was just too much for her to handle -- someone wanting to cancel!

 

[MouseEarsForLife]

I keep laughing and shaking my head about it!

I would too! It's just so incredibly odd!
She even got a supervisor you said? Man oh man she must have really been shocked

I bet she talked to her co-workers after that, "OMG, some crazy lady actually wanted to cancel her reservation for Le Cellier.."

But I don't think your reasons to are wrong.

 

[MRYPPNS]

That LeCellier story is funny...I like most CRO CM's mean well but their info isn't up to date. One CM tried telling me that you can't walk from SSR to DTD. At least she didn't argue with me when I explained where the walkway was.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I would too! It's just so incredibly odd!
She even got a supervisor you said? Man oh man she must have really been shocked

I bet she talked to her co-workers after that, "OMG, some crazy lady actually wanted to cancel her reservation for Le Cellier.."

But I don't think your reasons to are wrong.

You know she did!

That LeCellier story is funny...I like most CRO CM's mean well but their info isn't up to date. One CM tried telling me that you can't walk from SSR to DTD. At least she didn't argue with me when I explained where the walkway was.

I have certainly had my share of CMs that didn't know everything and quite a few that knew a bunch. It's always luck of the draw it seems...

 

[Charleston Princess]

To wrap up the Le Cellier debacle, I told Charles about what happened and asked his opinion. He said, "Just keep it and we can order our filets without mushrooms." See, he got suckered by Betty White the CM, too!

He also had to say, "You love these Disney crises! You thrive on them! To the DIS boards!" Then, he did his arms like a superhero flying. I had to laugh!

Leaving behind mushrooms and steaks, I am going to get back on track with my original planned post of the day. The start of Tuesday!

Stitch woke us up as planned at 7:30 with his high-pitched screaming (Charles had put our wake-up call on speaker). By 9:45 we were dressed and ready for the drive to the Polynesian for our 10:30 Kona Cafe ADR.

Drive? Yes, I figured it would be easier to drive to the Polynesian, and it was, until I reached the toll booth for the Magic Kingdom. I was told to get in the far right lane that branches off from the rest and follow the signs for the Polynesian.

Only I didn't. Somehow I didn't get far enough over and ended up entering the Magic Kingdom parking lot. Charles, always the cheerful, optimistic one said, "Great. Now we are going to be late." Grant you, it was only 10:00.

Connor has two big fears: being late and being lost. So, he started crying. I managed to get out of the parking lot and make a U-turn ending up back at the toll plaza. This time I started in the far right lane. I almost forgot to stop at the toll booth though. The brakes on the van are fantastic.

We made it with time to spare. A CM was handing out leis in front of O'Hana so I sweetly asked for a couple for my kids. Obviously, the CM was also adept at reading minds because he asked me if I wanted two for myself and Charles. Yes, please! Connor refused to wear his though because it was pink.

After we checked in at Kona, we took some pictures.

Chelsea wanted to pose by the dolphins:

Chelsea again:

Chelsea and me:

Charles and the children:

The gorgeous view over the rail:

Connor was also a little perturbed that his sister was allowed to order off the adults' menu. Clearly, he was not having a great morning. While we waited for our food, I broke the news to the family that I would be photographing the food. Chelsea was perplexed, "You are going to take pictures of the food???" Charles just shook his head.

The Kona coffee was out of this world! Absolutely some of the best coffee we have ever had! Charles was all set to buy a bag at forty dollars, but I was able to talk him out of that!

The food arrived, and I took my picture of my Tonga toast. Then, I asked Charles if he wanted me to take a picture of his: the Big Kahuna (french toast, eggs, macadamia pancakes, potatoes, and three breakfast meats ). Suddenly, he was all concerned about presentation and "borrowed" some of Chelsea's potatoes because he had eaten some of his!

Charles and Chelsea waiting for the food:

Tonga Toast!

The Big Kahuna!

Chelsea had an omelet, and Connor had Goofy toast (a fried egg on toast). It was all sooooo delicious!!! Connor's mood improved dramatically -- perhaps he was just hungry?

Afterwards, we rode the monorail to the Magic Kingdom to pick up our tickets for the Pirate and Princess Party.

NEXT: What to do for the next three and a half hours?

 

[Native NYer]

Your kids are so cute!

Tonga toast is so yummy.

Your husband's breakfast looks delicious. If I ate that, I would have to head back to the room for a nap.

I can't wait to see pics of the P&PP!

 

[jordanyosh]

I hope your DH was wearing elastic pants....

That Toast...I see this all the time...I guess I'm gonna have to make the trip next time.

Waiting for the monorail/monorail pix....the best....

Wonder what your son is thinking? Whatever it is..I'm sure he was excited. What a great feeling that is........

What a great start to your mini vacation.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Your kids are so cute!

Tonga toast is so yummy.

Your husband's breakfast looks delicious. If I ate that, I would have to head back to the room for a nap.

I can't wait to see pics of the P&PP!

Thank you!

I enjoyed every single minute of that sugar-crusted, banana-stuffed slice of heaven!

He did nap when we went back!

I hope your DH was wearing elastic pants....

He should have been! He was stuffed afterwards!

That Toast...I see this all the time...I guess I'm gonna have to make the trip next time.

Yes! That and the Kona press pot! I waffled for a minute and almost ordered the pancakes -- I was glad I went with the Tonga toast!

Waiting for the monorail/monorail pix....the best....

Wonder what your son is thinking? Whatever it is..I'm sure he was excited. What a great feeling that is........

I love all of Connor's pictures with the monorail! I would like to know what he was thinking -- probably something like, "I can't believe Momma tried to make me wear a pink lei AND made me order off the kids' menu! I am almost as tall as Chelsea! Grrrr!" Really, he adores the monorails -- he was probably all psyched to be riding again!

What a great start to your mini vacation.

All due to that Disney magic that is always in the air...

 

[jordanyosh]

Press pot? OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO......

 

[Charleston Princess]

Press pot? OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO......

I know! Fancy coffee paraphenalia!!! That and the Kenyan coffee at Boma -- the stuff of coffee lover's dreams!

 

[jordanyosh]

I know! Fancy coffee paraphenalia!!! That and the Kenyan coffee at Boma -- the stuff of coffee lover's dreams!

I thought they only served Nescacrap at WDW....I guess I'm gonna have to search a little harder for my coffee next time....