The Skeptical First-Timers made it back home, here's the TR! Completed!

[kittylady1972]

After the show, I interviewed David on what he thought and he said “it was ok, but not worth the price and the ribs were horrible”. I told him that I had read some negative reviews and he’s like “well, then how come you didn’t tell me to pick something else”. I was like “because then you’d say I always change your plans and I didn’t want to discourage you from giving me planning input in the future”. Out of us 4, Allison loved it the most simply because she’s obsessed with fruit and salad and there was plenty of that. She still talks about the bread!

So, in a nutshell…I don’t “regret” doing the Luau but I would not do it again.

Stay tuned for Day 4. Animal Kingdom Day!
[/COLOR]

All caught up again and I must say I am sorry to hear you did not enjoy the Luau. We have not done it since our VERY first adults-only trip in Feb 1997 but I have not missed it. I remember we enjoyed it...but it wasn't over the top. Plus I have an EXTRA picky kid and we would HAVE to get that PB&J like the family next to you...and we'd be paying ADULT prices for him!

I'm also totally with you on Star Tours...or really ANY of the simulator rides! I have to admit I can do any coasters or thrill rides EXCEPT anything that spins, but when I discovered those simulator rides and how much they can affect me, I started avoiding them! I did try Star Tours on our 2009 trip and I survived it...and I have not tried the newest version so I'm sure I'll try it again in March. We'll see how I do!

 

[Chicago Mo]

THAT IS TOO FUNNY!!! about the BBQ and texans! I love that! i feel the same about a lot of the Food at disney. We do NOT go there for the food I live in Chicago! Otherwise it would be a lot easier to diet around here! I'm really bummed about you guys not liking it as much as i thought you would!!!
i want to guess hubby liked Dinosaur.....

 

[skier_pete]

Hmmm...I never had desire to see the Luau show, and this makes me think I am right. Doesn't surprise me the food is mediocre, most dinner shows are...though actually I thought some of the food at Hoop-Dee-Do-Review was rather good. The only good BBQ at Disney is the ribs at Flame Tree in AK - and that's only good, not great. It is funny how some foods they do very well,others are really mediocre.

 

[swwake]

I'd go to the Luau just to see that guy in your last photo!

 

[ZehnJahren]

Hello! I read your PTR and prayed along with you that your family would love it!

Today I've read through your TR and am enjoying! Sorry to see your husband is lagging behind in the pixie dust (I laughed when you described him jetting out of MK on the party night!), and really sorry to hear you got sick. I got very ill two days in to my DBF's first trip, and it was such a disappointment. So far, you look like you guys are doing well, though!

Just as an aside - I've always followed this simple rule when posting big stuff to this (or any other) forum. When you get to a point where you've typed a lot that you don't want to lose, hit "control+a" (which will copy everything in the text box), and then hit "control+c" which will copy it all just in case your computer goes down or the posting doesn't "take". That way, if you try to post and your computer times out or something, you can either hit back in your browser and then hit "control+v" to paste the entire text back in the box, or if the internet has gone down you can open a word document (or notepad) and paste the text in there for later (same thing later - copy the text with "control+a" and "control+c" and paste with "control+v"). It's saved me many a post!

 

[glennbo123]

I'm about halfway caught-up, but really enjoying your trip report....so, gotta sub! Can't wait to read the rest.

 

[danimaroo]

Okay I am REALLY excited to see what everyone thinks of Expedition Everest! It's my favorite ride! I'm sure Ian will LOVE it and will want to ride it a lot. Loving this TR though!

We did the Luau when I went in 96 and all I can remember are the dancers and we have a family photo from it, but other than that, I don't remember a whole lot!

If you guys do go again, the BBQ at Whispering Canyon Cafe over at WL is pretty good! I mean it's not the best ever but the ribs are pretty tasty and the skillet as a whole is pretty delicious (though super filling, ugh)... I also just like the fun/rowdy environment and appreciated our free champagne/congrats for being on our honeymoon from um, well the entire room.

Can't wait to read the rest of your TR and about your day at AK!!

 

[disneylovin24]

Thanks for the review of the luau! We've never been because dinner shows are not our type of thing. I like hearing your prospective of it.

I dont know if you went to Ohana's on the trip but Ohana's is great! Its the same type of food and delicious! Atmosphere is great too, no actual dinner shows but there is dinner "entertainment".

 

[fastergoofy]

I'd go to the Luau just to see that guy in your last photo!

I know, right? Alooooooha.

I think, though, for that price, I could convince my husband to put on a loin cloth and twirl some fire.

 

[204charity]

LOvin' the report still! We are staying at the Poly in April, and we have NO plans to do the Luau! In fact, we have NO ADR made. We are just eating as we go!

 

[momabaarjo]

Aimee...I am so your report!

I need to find some of those forced fun t-shirts...I should buy Jeff one for each day of the trip!

I am sorry the luau was not as good as you had hoped. I think David needs to take you to Hawaii so you can see a real one!

So where actually are you going to put David's new collection of WDW glasses in your house...I think you need to have custom plaque made that says..."How I Survived My Wife's Trip to WDW!"

 

[FosterA]

All caught up again and I must say I am sorry to hear you did not enjoy the Luau. We have not done it since our VERY first adults-only trip in Feb 1997 but I have not missed it. I remember we enjoyed it...but it wasn't over the top. Plus I have an EXTRA picky kid and we would HAVE to get that PB&J like the family next to you...and we'd be paying ADULT prices for him!

I'm also totally with you on Star Tours...or really ANY of the simulator rides! I have to admit I can do any coasters or thrill rides EXCEPT anything that spins, but when I discovered those simulator rides and how much they can affect me, I started avoiding them! I did try Star Tours on our 2009 trip and I survived it...and I have not tried the newest version so I'm sure I'll try it again in March. We'll see how I do!

Yep, picky kids are great (cheap) until it comes to buffets and dinner shows WE went to Hoop also and my kids ate a grand total of 1 dollar worth of food.
Good luck on Star Tours in march!

THAT IS TOO FUNNY!!! about the BBQ and texans! I love that! i feel the same about a lot of the Food at disney. We do NOT go there for the food I live in Chicago! Otherwise it would be a lot easier to diet around here! I'm really bummed about you guys not liking it as much as i thought you would!!!
i want to guess hubby liked Dinosaur.....

Um....No to Dinosaur but I'll fill you in on all the AK drama next update.

Hmmm...I never had desire to see the Luau show, and this makes me think I am right. Doesn't surprise me the food is mediocre, most dinner shows are...though actually I thought some of the food at Hoop-Dee-Do-Review was rather good. The only good BBQ at Disney is the ribs at Flame Tree in AK - and that's only good, not great. It is funny how some foods they do very well,others are really mediocre.

I didn't hate the Luau, it was "good" but not a do-over and probably not worth the cost either. I heard those ribs at Flame Tree were good and I wanted some but ran out of time as usual.

I'd go to the Luau just to see that guy in your last photo!

I know!! unfortunately the girls were just as hot and they made me depressed with their hard bodies as I shoveled ribs and bread into my mouth.

Hello! I read your PTR and prayed along with you that your family would love it!

Today I've read through your TR and am enjoying! Sorry to see your husband is lagging behind in the pixie dust (I laughed when you described him jetting out of MK on the party night!), and really sorry to hear you got sick. I got very ill two days in to my DBF's first trip, and it was such a disappointment. So far, you look like you guys are doing well, though!

Just as an aside - I've always followed this simple rule when posting big stuff to this (or any other) forum. When you get to a point where you've typed a lot that you don't want to lose, hit "control+a" (which will copy everything in the text box), and then hit "control+c" which will copy it all just in case your computer goes down or the posting doesn't "take". That way, if you try to post and your computer times out or something, you can either hit back in your browser and then hit "control+v" to paste the entire text back in the box, or if the internet has gone down you can open a word document (or notepad) and paste the text in there for later (same thing later - copy the text with "control+a" and "control+c" and paste with "control+v"). It's saved me many a post!

awwww, you're so sweet
Thanks for all the computer advice!
oh and you aren't kidding about David jetting out of the parks. It was the fastest he moved the whole time. If I said it was time to leave and find a bus he could sniff out the exit and transportation out like a blood-hound!

I'm about halfway caught-up, but really enjoying your trip report....so, gotta sub! Can't wait to read the rest.

WElcome!! I've stalked your massive and entertaining reports before

 

[FosterA]

Okay I am REALLY excited to see what everyone thinks of Expedition Everest! It's my favorite ride! I'm sure Ian will LOVE it and will want to ride it a lot. Loving this TR though!

We did the Luau when I went in 96 and all I can remember are the dancers and we have a family photo from it, but other than that, I don't remember a whole lot!

If you guys do go again, the BBQ at Whispering Canyon Cafe over at WL is pretty good! I mean it's not the best ever but the ribs are pretty tasty and the skillet as a whole is pretty delicious (though super filling, ugh)... I also just like the fun/rowdy environment and appreciated our free champagne/congrats for being on our honeymoon from um, well the entire room.

Can't wait to read the rest of your TR and about your day at AK!!

EE is the ride that Ian said he wanted to do the very very most when I was interviewing the kids before our trip. Well he got his wish! Could have rode it all day if he wanted since no lines. I'll fill you in next segment
Thanks for reading along

Thanks for the review of the luau! We've never been because dinner shows are not our type of thing. I like hearing your prospective of it.

I dont know if you went to Ohana's on the trip but Ohana's is great! Its the same type of food and delicious! Atmosphere is great too, no actual dinner shows but there is dinner "entertainment".

I wish we had done Ohana instead. I hear they have shrimp!

I know, right? Alooooooha.

I think, though, for that price, I could convince my husband to put on a loin cloth and twirl some fire.

I might make David do a fire dance too but I'm afraid I'll have to airbrush a 6-pack on his abs first.

LOvin' the report still! We are staying at the Poly in April, and we have NO plans to do the Luau! In fact, we have NO ADR made. We are just eating as we go!

no need for ADRs! I would have been perfectly content with just CS on this trip. I personally thought there were tons of choices everywhere!

Aimee...I am so your report!

I need to find some of those forced fun t-shirts...I should buy Jeff one for each day of the trip!

I am sorry the luau was not as good as you had hoped. I think David needs to take you to Hawaii so you can see a real one!

So where actually are you going to put David's new collection of WDW glasses in your house...I think you need to have custom plaque made that says..."How I Survived My Wife's Trip to WDW!"

Yep, if I ever drag him back I'll get him custom shirts that say things such as "my wife forced me here and insists I feel magical though all I want to do is drink and collect skulls".

Trust me...your husband sounds alot like mine(happy in a fishing boat and being a country bumpkin). Order him some t-shirts now so they'll be ready for your trip!

 

[joy13]

I think it's good you tried the Luau once, you were at the Poly, so it was as good a time as any! You've got me on the edge of my seat with AK drama??? Were you there on Saturday? We were there on Saturday the 19th and someone had thrown up by the pictures at EE - I hope that wasn't your drama!

 

[FosterA]

I think it's good you tried the Luau once, you were at the Poly, so it was as good a time as any! You've got me on the edge of my seat with AK drama??? Were you there on Saturday? We were there on Saturday the 19th and someone had thrown up by the pictures at EE - I hope that wasn't your drama!

Oh Heavens no! We didn't have that much drama. No puking luckily. We actually did AK on Fri 18th.

 

[debrapagliasotti]

Sorry to hear you didnt enjoy the Luau too much. When we went 3 yrs ago, the food was quite good. I am dreading sitting the the boring parts of the show again next year, but the Luau has been requested again by my older kids. Do they still have that Lava/volcano dessert?

 

[FosterA]

Sorry to hear you didnt enjoy the Luau too much. When we went 3 yrs ago, the food was quite good. I am dreading sitting the the boring parts of the show again next year, but the Luau has been requested again by my older kids. Do they still have that Lava/volcano dessert?

Yep! They brought out 4 little pyramid things on one tray for us. It was like a chocolate mousse I think. Really good

 

[FosterA]

DAY 4- part 1 (Fri, Nov 18)

It was pretty late by the time we got out of the Luau the night before so everybody was pretty tired. The plan ON PAPER was to get to Animal Kingdom today at rope drop since they closed at 5:00 and I just love AK! I wanted plenty of time there. When I had come to WDW for my first time back in Feb, I fell in love with AK. I know it doesn’t get a lot of love all the time but it’s really great. Of all the parks, I think it has the most detailed and immersive theming. I was also excited because when I was doing my planning, I knew that David probably wouldn’t love MK and that his favorite would probably be AK or Epcot. Since all we had done by Day 4 was MK and Studios, I was getting excited to start getting into our AK and Epcot days.

I also knew that Allison would LOVE LOVE AK since she’s such a nature hippie chick. I was a little concerned about Ian because all he cared about AK was getting on Expedition Everest! He had watched the planning videos and was more excited about EE than any other ride at the parks. The problem with Ian though is that he’ll pester the whole time about getting on EE and then probably be bored the rest of the day once he finally did it. I knew I was in for a bit of a battle of keeping a fine balance this day. Plenty of time to view the small things and animals and stroll for Allison yet keep Ian entertained and from bugging us the whole time. She likes to meander and take it all in and take photos of everything and he wants to race from one thrill ride to another.

So…I woke up early like usual and got semi-ready. I HAD to do some laundry this morning because we had packed very light and packed too many colder weather clothes and since it was so warm, nobody really had more than 2 or 3 decent outfits. I had planned a laundry day so I was ok with it. When I left the room everybody was sleeping but I told David that I was heading to laundry room and they needed to be ready to hit the road when I got back. Did that happen? NO!! I slaved away in the laundry room to come back to everybody still in bed. When I walked in, I was like “ha, you all are kidding right ? and you are really dressed already and under the covers trying to fake me out”. Not so much. So after a bit of my screaming and yelling, they all got ready. OH…..for those of you staying at the Poly: The laundry room is very nice and there is a tv and chairs in there to hang out. 2 dollars per load to wash and 2 dollars per load to dry. I did 2 huge loads and luckily the dryers got it all dry so I didn’t have to do another cycle. Sometimes that happens but these dryers were fine.

Well our friends (staying offsite) were going to go with us to AK. This was our 3rd and last day to spend time with them and so far there wasn’t one single problem having them along. Yay! And Whew! Well I don’t know since we didn’t drive and I have no idea how parking works but they actually drove to the Poly and parked in our lot and then rode bus with us to AK. They wanted to come back afterwards and watch fireworks from the beach too. Not sure if they were breaking any laws or what but that’s what they did.

While waiting for our friends to park and such we hung out in the lobby. All my screaming and yelling and rushing everybody didn’t really matter since our friends hadn’’t even made it yet anyway so then we had a bit of a wait.. Allison played in the kiddie area and Ian was in the arcade. I remember sitting here in the kiddie area taking this photo when I realized just how sick and yuck I was feeling and was getting progressively worse. Yesterday was not good and today I could tell the congestion and fever-ish feeling was getting worse. I popped a couple of Advil.

So after grabbing a quick breakfast at Cook’s we headed out to the bus stop. I saw this kid with a cool hairdo and asked his mom if I could take a pic:

The bus to AK this morning was standing-room only but that happened to us quite a bit on the trip and it wasn’t a big deal. At this point it was probably 10 ish so we’re running about an hour behind. I was checking my Lines app on the way to the park and wasn’t stressing yet because Safari and EE still had no waits.

Once we got parked everybody had to start firing away photos and do a bathroon break (I so should have packed adult diapers for everybody!) Since I’m the only person in this group of 8 that had done any research or planning whatsoever on this trip, I was the only one who had a feeling of urgency to at least get going to one of the 2 bigger attractions. They all were in ignorant bliss and could have taken photos of the tree at the entrance for 30 minutes.

Here’s our photo:

I'll pick up in the next chapter about how we spent A MILLION HOURS in the Oasis and how I tried to play it cool and not rush everybody to Safari and EE yet deep down I really wanted to crack the whip on everybody. I'm touring with a bunch of grandmas here. (with the exception of Ian and his buddy of course)

 

[skier_pete]

I just keep telling my family "RIDES FIRST! SIGHTSEE LATER!" And actually on the way into the park - I told my mom (the rest of the family knows this) "We'll see the Oasis on the way out!"

Edit: How did this get posted in front of the article I was commenting on?

 

[FosterA]

I just keep telling my family "RIDES FIRST! SIGHTSEE LATER!" And actually on the way into the park - I told my mom (the rest of the family knows this) "We'll see the Oasis on the way out!"

exactly! I mean I love the Oasis and can take forever looking at the details but we just really needed to do or FP EE and Safari first. I kept telling everybody that and they would "obey" but slowly and not without just "one more photo". It was like herding cats at times!