PrincessV
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2006
- Messages
- 14,311
By group consensus, wed chosen Ohana for our July 4th dinner. For all 14 of us. Its not my favorite place to eat, but it did seem appropriate Ohana meaning family and all.
Also, Id lobbied long and hard to convince my friends that we should watch the special July 4th fireworks from the Polynesian beach. Id done it before with Leo and Gramma and it was an amazing experience. I know my friends were skeptical, and rallied a few times in our planning for going to the Magic Kingdom (MK) or Epcot instead. But in the end, we chose to eat at the Poly for convenience and hit the beach for some pyrotechnics.
In case youre wondering, YES, I was nervous. I just hoped the experience for our friends lived up to all the hype Id given it.
Getting to the Poly on July 4th was interesting. I had no problem going through the MK toll booths, but the entrance to the Poly was manned by multiple security guards. Before I even got to the security hut, I was asked if I was a guest or coming for dinner. And told that Id need to supply the dinner reservation information at the hut.
No sweat. I had the number ready to go.
Except that they didnt want the ADR number at the hut they wanted the name.
Oh. Um, hmm. Who made that one?! Was it me or Tracy? Or Lauralee? Kate?? I must have mumbled something about being a large group and trying to remember whose name it was booked under, when the security guard said Is it Waldo, party of 14 by any chance? Some of you are already here!
Why yes, yes it is! We were in.
I pulled forward, where another security guard indicated that I needed to turn left instead of going forward as I normally would for valet. Okay, I thought, they must be directing traffic through the parking lot before funneling us back up to the portico.
Only they werent. Another security guard was indicating that I should park. Right there. I rolled down my window and explained that Id wanted to valet to which she snarled, Then you shouldve TOLD them that. Go down 3 rows and pull through there.
Okey-dokey. Drove down 3 rows to find the end blocked with cones. Another security guard was nearby, so I flagged him down, explained all that had transpired to bring me to this point, and he kindly moved a cone over so I could get to the freaking valet lane.
GOOD. GRIEF.
I understand that theyre worried about people parking there who shouldnt be o the busiest day of the year, but good golly that was ridiculous!
Leo and I finally made it into the Poly and we found our friends waiting at the Tambu bar. Hooray!
The grown-ups grabbed a pre-dinner cocktail or four, while the kiddos played off to the side.
It took a while to e seated, which seems to be par for the course at Ohana. But it was worth every second to get the most amazing server! She was flipping fantastic, I tell ya. Friendly, responsive, and totally cool with a table full of kids. On their own. Right next to us, but at their very own table.
I know, we were very trusting. But they had Kates Bite #2 with them, the voice of authority and maturity. Between him and Maddie, I felt sure theyd keep the others in line! Bite #1, Kates eldest was not relegated to the kids table, but invited to sit with the adults. Im still not sure he felt that was a step up, necessarily.
Yes, this is the best shot I got. Clockwise from bottom left: Leo, Bite #3, Evan, Bite #2, Maddie, Michael. Sorry Michael!
Clockwise from bottom: V (heh heh), Andy, Tracy, Mr. SharkB8, Kate, Bite #1 (hiding), Tony, Lauralee.
Now, Ive found Ohana to be rather hit or miss, but that night, it was wonderful! Our excellent service was matched with excellent food. I was very, very impressed.
We took it in turns to help the kids with cutting meat, selecting items to eat (YES Leo, you will be having broccoli), and retrieving napkins from the floor. And, when it came time for the festivities, keeping an eye on Michael and Leo, who still refuse to participate!
Dinner was delish, conversation was plentiful, and I couldve gone to sleep that night with nothing more than that wonderful dinner.
But.
The rain had stopped.
And we still had the big finish to our night.
We trekked everyone out toward the beach, joining the hoards of others with the same idea. I could see it in our friends eyes they were still skeptical. We didnt get out there as early as planned and the place appeared to be PACKED.
But with the rain gone, I was oozing confidence as we made our way through people and beer booths yes, beer booths past the Poly pool and down toward a wide stretch of beach, where we found the perfect spot to make camp. I pulled out the giant beach blanket-y thing I brought for us to sit on, and we got busy having F-U-N, fun!
And our tower o Lapu Lapus was THIS high!
And then then it was time. Ill just let the images speak for themselves. Please feel free to Oooo! and Aaaah! along with us.
THATs why I was so glad I had the Good Camera along. Truly, pictures still dont do it justice; it was just phenomenal. Even better than the last time Id seen the July 4th fireworks from the Poly. Notice that the Electrical Water Pageant sits in front of the Poly beach, all patriotic-like, which totally adds to the show. The music is pumped in, though not too loud, and a hush falls over the crowd until the last few blasts. And then thunderous applause. Tears being wiped from eyes. Hoots, hollers and general merriment.
We stayed put for a bit, letting the beach clear out some, before making our way back to the Poly lobby. I was so pleased to hear that out friends enjoyed the experience as much as wed hoped.
Ladies and your families I cannot tell you how much it meant to me to spend my favorite day, in my favorite place, with some of my favorite friends. Every time I look back at the pictures from that night, Im reminded of how much love and joy I felt that night. Thank you again for being a part of that!
Alas, the night was almost over and it was time to go home. We said our good nights, grabbed the car and had a surprisingly quick drive back to Kidani. I expected traffic to be atrocious, but it wasnt bad at all.
Which was good.
Because I still had a task to complete before bed.
Every year, on Independence Day, I re-read the Constitution. In its entirety. Yes, aaalll the Amendments, too. It tends to surprise people that Im fiercely patriotic, because Im rather vocal about the things I dont like in our country. But thats just it in the Constitution is the means to change what isnt working and preserve those things we hold dear. Its an amazing document that says so much without saying too much at all. And my yearly reading serves as a reminder that, even when my country isnt going exactly in the direction Id like, I enjoy a certain amount of rights and privileges simply because a few people said Enough! and chose to do things differently. Its also my reminder to do what I can, consistently and without shame, to encourage the changes Id like to see in our future.
Pretty nifty stuff for a piece of parchment.
I fell asleep with a smile on my face and We, the People running through my head.
Next: A whole lotta riding going on
Also, Id lobbied long and hard to convince my friends that we should watch the special July 4th fireworks from the Polynesian beach. Id done it before with Leo and Gramma and it was an amazing experience. I know my friends were skeptical, and rallied a few times in our planning for going to the Magic Kingdom (MK) or Epcot instead. But in the end, we chose to eat at the Poly for convenience and hit the beach for some pyrotechnics.
In case youre wondering, YES, I was nervous. I just hoped the experience for our friends lived up to all the hype Id given it.
Getting to the Poly on July 4th was interesting. I had no problem going through the MK toll booths, but the entrance to the Poly was manned by multiple security guards. Before I even got to the security hut, I was asked if I was a guest or coming for dinner. And told that Id need to supply the dinner reservation information at the hut.
No sweat. I had the number ready to go.
Except that they didnt want the ADR number at the hut they wanted the name.
Oh. Um, hmm. Who made that one?! Was it me or Tracy? Or Lauralee? Kate?? I must have mumbled something about being a large group and trying to remember whose name it was booked under, when the security guard said Is it Waldo, party of 14 by any chance? Some of you are already here!
Why yes, yes it is! We were in.
I pulled forward, where another security guard indicated that I needed to turn left instead of going forward as I normally would for valet. Okay, I thought, they must be directing traffic through the parking lot before funneling us back up to the portico.
Only they werent. Another security guard was indicating that I should park. Right there. I rolled down my window and explained that Id wanted to valet to which she snarled, Then you shouldve TOLD them that. Go down 3 rows and pull through there.
Okey-dokey. Drove down 3 rows to find the end blocked with cones. Another security guard was nearby, so I flagged him down, explained all that had transpired to bring me to this point, and he kindly moved a cone over so I could get to the freaking valet lane.
GOOD. GRIEF.
I understand that theyre worried about people parking there who shouldnt be o the busiest day of the year, but good golly that was ridiculous!
Leo and I finally made it into the Poly and we found our friends waiting at the Tambu bar. Hooray!
The grown-ups grabbed a pre-dinner cocktail or four, while the kiddos played off to the side.
It took a while to e seated, which seems to be par for the course at Ohana. But it was worth every second to get the most amazing server! She was flipping fantastic, I tell ya. Friendly, responsive, and totally cool with a table full of kids. On their own. Right next to us, but at their very own table.
I know, we were very trusting. But they had Kates Bite #2 with them, the voice of authority and maturity. Between him and Maddie, I felt sure theyd keep the others in line! Bite #1, Kates eldest was not relegated to the kids table, but invited to sit with the adults. Im still not sure he felt that was a step up, necessarily.
Yes, this is the best shot I got. Clockwise from bottom left: Leo, Bite #3, Evan, Bite #2, Maddie, Michael. Sorry Michael!
Clockwise from bottom: V (heh heh), Andy, Tracy, Mr. SharkB8, Kate, Bite #1 (hiding), Tony, Lauralee.
Now, Ive found Ohana to be rather hit or miss, but that night, it was wonderful! Our excellent service was matched with excellent food. I was very, very impressed.
We took it in turns to help the kids with cutting meat, selecting items to eat (YES Leo, you will be having broccoli), and retrieving napkins from the floor. And, when it came time for the festivities, keeping an eye on Michael and Leo, who still refuse to participate!
Dinner was delish, conversation was plentiful, and I couldve gone to sleep that night with nothing more than that wonderful dinner.
But.
The rain had stopped.
And we still had the big finish to our night.
We trekked everyone out toward the beach, joining the hoards of others with the same idea. I could see it in our friends eyes they were still skeptical. We didnt get out there as early as planned and the place appeared to be PACKED.
But with the rain gone, I was oozing confidence as we made our way through people and beer booths yes, beer booths past the Poly pool and down toward a wide stretch of beach, where we found the perfect spot to make camp. I pulled out the giant beach blanket-y thing I brought for us to sit on, and we got busy having F-U-N, fun!
And our tower o Lapu Lapus was THIS high!
And then then it was time. Ill just let the images speak for themselves. Please feel free to Oooo! and Aaaah! along with us.
THATs why I was so glad I had the Good Camera along. Truly, pictures still dont do it justice; it was just phenomenal. Even better than the last time Id seen the July 4th fireworks from the Poly. Notice that the Electrical Water Pageant sits in front of the Poly beach, all patriotic-like, which totally adds to the show. The music is pumped in, though not too loud, and a hush falls over the crowd until the last few blasts. And then thunderous applause. Tears being wiped from eyes. Hoots, hollers and general merriment.
We stayed put for a bit, letting the beach clear out some, before making our way back to the Poly lobby. I was so pleased to hear that out friends enjoyed the experience as much as wed hoped.
Ladies and your families I cannot tell you how much it meant to me to spend my favorite day, in my favorite place, with some of my favorite friends. Every time I look back at the pictures from that night, Im reminded of how much love and joy I felt that night. Thank you again for being a part of that!
Alas, the night was almost over and it was time to go home. We said our good nights, grabbed the car and had a surprisingly quick drive back to Kidani. I expected traffic to be atrocious, but it wasnt bad at all.
Which was good.
Because I still had a task to complete before bed.
Every year, on Independence Day, I re-read the Constitution. In its entirety. Yes, aaalll the Amendments, too. It tends to surprise people that Im fiercely patriotic, because Im rather vocal about the things I dont like in our country. But thats just it in the Constitution is the means to change what isnt working and preserve those things we hold dear. Its an amazing document that says so much without saying too much at all. And my yearly reading serves as a reminder that, even when my country isnt going exactly in the direction Id like, I enjoy a certain amount of rights and privileges simply because a few people said Enough! and chose to do things differently. Its also my reminder to do what I can, consistently and without shame, to encourage the changes Id like to see in our future.
Pretty nifty stuff for a piece of parchment.
I fell asleep with a smile on my face and We, the People running through my head.
Next: A whole lotta riding going on
We definitely recommend it!
