Trip Number 9 ~ It's the Most Wonderful Time of Year ~ Christmastime at the GF & Poly

[TinkyCheeks]

Oh, your poor DS and his rash!!! It sounds like he was definitely being a trouper. The lei is a great look for him.

Uh, that's so annoying about the CM. I mean, okay, fine. Rules are rules, whatever. But to have an attitude about your being five minutes early? I can't stand rude people!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Oh, your poor DS and his rash!!! It sounds like he was definitely being a trouper. The lei is a great look for him.

Uh, that's so annoying about the CM. I mean, okay, fine. Rules are rules, whatever. But to have an attitude about your being five minutes early? I can't stand rude people!

Ah thanks! I thought the lei looked cute on him too!

I know, I was very annoyed by the whole situation. I just wanted to get back to the Poly and see my room!! Not deal with some meany CM!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Great update Shelly!

To bad about the J.S. walk through thing. Sounds a little like the Narnia Walk through that used to be there. It was a little disappointing.

The CM definately didn't need to be rude!

I'm in FL now and it's only 56 degrees.
I know it's better than the snow and 25 back home but gee can't it at least be 70 when I'm here??
It will be 80 Tuesday but I'm coming home that night.

We drove down. And boy was it long!!! I'm still recuperating.

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[Momof2Disneyboys]

Great update Shelly!

To bad about the J.S. walk through thing. Sounds a little like the Narnia Walk through that used to be there. It was a little disappointing.

The CM definately didn't need to be rude!

I'm in FL now and it's only 56 degrees.
I know it's better than the snow and 25 back home but gee can't it at least be 70 when I'm here??
It will be 80 Tuesday but I'm coming home that night.

We drove down. And boy was it long!!! I'm still recuperating.

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Yeah, it wasn't anything super great that's for sure.


Sorry it's not very warm in Orlando. My cousin in down there too and she said it's a bit chilly.

But yes, better than up here. It's so cold & windy today.

I bet the drive was long!!

 

[JoBird]

Happy


6

MONTHS!​

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[rusafee1183]

I've been curious how the FP+ thing was going to work. It seems like it's going to be a P.I.A. more than anything. I personally am a planner, but they are making it to the point where it doesn't feel like a vacation with all the new rules and how much effort needs to go into everything.

And we got an attitude from a CM about FP's last trip also. We were on our way to RnRC, and our FP had expired on our way back into the park from checking into our room. I think it was a half hour at the most and they said no. I guess I get it, to a point - but she was SOOOO rude to us. I wanted to say "Well, if your busses didn't suck so much we would have made it"

But, I just sucked it up and left. At that point the wait was like an hour, and there was no way I was doing that

 

[lala3291]

Hey Shelly! Hope you're having a good weekend!

I'm finally all caught up with your TR! I can't believe that we have never been in One Man's Dream! We are always rushing by it to get to TSM. It looks neat...we definitely are going to have to check it out this time!

That CM does seem rude. It is rare that we find a grumpy CM in WDW. Doesn't it just put a damper on things when you encounter someone rude there?

We leave a week from Tuesday! We got even more snow today...just as things were starting to clear up from last weekend! I really need the Florida sun.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Happy


6

MONTHS!​

​

Thank you!!

I've been curious how the FP+ thing was going to work. It seems like it's going to be a P.I.A. more than anything. I personally am a planner, but they are making it to the point where it doesn't feel like a vacation with all the new rules and how much effort needs to go into everything.

And we got an attitude from a CM about FP's last trip also. We were on our way to RnRC, and our FP had expired on our way back into the park from checking into our room. I think it was a half hour at the most and they said no. I guess I get it, to a point - but she was SOOOO rude to us. I wanted to say "Well, if your busses didn't suck so much we would have made it"

But, I just sucked it up and left. At that point the wait was like an hour, and there was no way I was doing that

I think in some ways the FP+ will be a good thing and help a lot. But in other ways, yes it is going to be a big pain.

I'm thinking that apparently a lot of people stand there and argue with the CM's about the FP times, therefore the CM's have become defensive and rude right from the beginning if you are not there within your 1 hour window. Which isn't fair to someone who just walked up a few minutes early and wasn't going to argue with them!! He simply could have said to us -- oh I'm sorry, you are 5 minutes early and the system won't let you in until the exact time, so if you could please just wait a few more minutes blah blah blah.......But no, it was more like -- NO YOU ARE 5 MINUTES EARLY YOU WILL HAVE TO GO STAND SOMEWHERE ELSE AND WAIT UNTIL IT IS YOUR TIME!! With a mean look and an eye roll to go along with his mean voice.

But whatever. He made his point I guess. I think if they are going to be that strict they really need to open that FP window to a longer period of time. A lot of times it is going to be out of the guests control and that is why they are late -- buses, broken down monorail, slow service at a restaurant, etc. But what do I know, no one asked my opinion!

Hey Shelly! Hope you're having a good weekend!

I'm finally all caught up with your TR! I can't believe that we have never been in One Man's Dream! We are always rushing by it to get to TSM. It looks neat...we definitely are going to have to check it out this time!

That CM does seem rude. It is rare that we find a grumpy CM in WDW. Doesn't it just put a damper on things when you encounter someone rude there?

We leave a week from Tuesday! We got even more snow today...just as things were starting to clear up from last weekend! I really need the Florida sun.

Hey Lauren! Enjoying the last day of our long weekend here!

Yes, you need to go into One Man's Dream!! After all the displays there is a short movie about Walt Disney. Very neat.

Yeah, that CM was really grumpy. Luckily we didn't encounter too many others like him!

I bet you are ready for some Florida sunshine!!

 

[rusafee1183]

Either way, it seems like a crappy time to be a CM working at the FP return. I certainly wouldn't want to spend 8 hours a day arguing people and having to be the bad guy

Hopefully there will be no more hiccups like this one the rest of your trip We only encountered 2 moody ones this trip. That girl (and like I said, I do understand... it was just crappy because of the situation ) and one other who yelled at us for trying to get a new FP 1 minute until it was time. Bob's watch said it was time (actually a few minutes later), and apparantly it didn't match theirs. He said "it's not your time, you need to leave and come back" in a really snarky tone. It was raining pretty hard at that point, and I think he thought we were just trying to stay under cover or something

Oh well. I'm ready to hear more! And can't wait to see your room at the Poly! That is still on my bucket list. I adore it there.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

When we got back to the Poly DH went to the front desk to see if DS's prescription was there. And it was. So he got that and we headed out the back door of the GCH. I said to DH – I guess I should have told you to ask what building our room was in, because we were just assuming it was in Samoa because of what the CM had told us earlier. So we headed for Samoa hoping for the best!

We made a right on the sidewalk right before you get to the pool. And Samoa is right there on the right.

We entered the building on that side (the GCH side) and took the elevator up to the third floor. The elevator was kind of junky and I was concerned that the Poly wasn't going to be 'all that' like it had been in the Hawaii building. DH even asked if this was a service elevator and if we were supposed to take the stairs!

We got off the elevator on the top/third floor. I knew our room should be in the left, since the CM told me our room would be in Samoa, top floor, facing the volcano pool. So we started walking. And looking. And still looking. We were about to the end of the hall and I thought we were out of rooms on that side and that we must be on the other side (we hadn't even been paying attention to those room numbers), and just before you would walk out the door at the Hawaii end of the Samoa building, there was our room on the left – 3610. So now I was nervous that being RIGHT BESIDE the outside door would cause a lot of noise. But it ended up not being a problem at all, we never heard a peep all night, every night!

And here was our room!

We called for our luggage and they brought it right up.

I went out on the balcony to check things out! I knew we were facing the volcano pool and that we would have an awesome view, but you never know if there is going to be a tree or something blocking your view. And, we did have a tree. But it really wasn't bad. We could still see plenty. I was very pleased to be able to see the pool, the beach, the marina, and the lagoon – all from a standard room!

To the left.

Straight ahead.

To the right.

And we could even see to the right side of the building – looking right at the Hawaii building, since we were the end room and didn't have a wall on the right side of our balcony!

Looking at the GF – zoomed in.

And the marina!

DS13 wanted to go swimming. It was very warm out! But DS11 wouldn't go because of the rash. I don't blame him, it was bad. I offered to go down to the pool with DS13 and DH would stay with DS11. But that was no good. DS13 wasn't going without his brother!

So, instead we just hung out and relaxed a bit. DH and I unpacked. DS13 watched some TV and played on his Ipod. And DS11 played with his new Lego's he got the day before at DTD! We left the balcony door open so we could hear the music from the pool!

Up Next: Back to DHS!!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

What a great room Shelly!

I know when we stayed in Tokelau we were at the end of the building too and the door was no problem. The room across from us had a partial castle view UGH wish we had that room. Could you see the castle??

What a bummer that the boys couldn't swim.

A little off topic: beautiful weather in FL today!

Bought a house full of furniture the other day. That was stressful but it's done
Leaving tonight. it's ok though b/c it's kinda boring by yourself with nothing to do.

I'm going for a walk after I watch live w/ Kelly- they are in Disney this week. wish I could've gone to see it.

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[Momof2Disneyboys]

Either way, it seems like a crappy time to be a CM working at the FP return. I certainly wouldn't want to spend 8 hours a day arguing people and having to be the bad guy

Hopefully there will be no more hiccups like this one the rest of your trip We only encountered 2 moody ones this trip. That girl (and like I said, I do understand... it was just crappy because of the situation ) and one other who yelled at us for trying to get a new FP 1 minute until it was time. Bob's watch said it was time (actually a few minutes later), and apparantly it didn't match theirs. He said "it's not your time, you need to leave and come back" in a really snarky tone. It was raining pretty hard at that point, and I think he thought we were just trying to stay under cover or something

Oh well. I'm ready to hear more! And can't wait to see your room at the Poly! That is still on my bucket list. I adore it there.

I can't believe you got yelled at for trying to get a FP too early! Leave and come back?? In one minute???

The Poly is just wonderful!

What a great room Shelly!

I know when we stayed in Tokelau we were at the end of the building too and the door was no problem. The room across from us had a partial castle view UGH wish we had that room. Could you see the castle??

What a bummer that the boys couldn't swim.

A little off topic: beautiful weather in FL today!

Bought a house full of furniture the other day. That was stressful but it's done
Leaving tonight. it's ok though b/c it's kinda boring by yourself with nothing to do.

I'm going for a walk after I watch live w/ Kelly- they are in Disney this week. wish I could've gone to see it.

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It was a great room! No problems at all!!

Nope, couldn't see the castle from there. That's about the only thing we couldn't see!

Glad the FL weather has turned around for you! Buying furniture is always stressful, but worth it when it's all said and done.

Ooohhhh thanks for telling me about Live with Kelli - I'm watching it now!!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I can't believe you got yelled at for trying to get a FP too early! Leave and come back?? In one minute???

The Poly is just wonderful!

It was a great room! No problems at all!!

Nope, couldn't see the castle from there. That's about the only thing we couldn't see!

Glad the FL weather has turned around for you! Buying furniture is always stressful, but worth it when it's all said and done.

Ooohhhh thanks for telling me about Live with Kelli - I'm watching it now!!

I just texted my principal to tell them it's a ZOO there. He's going to MK tonight and tomorrow. I told him "good luck".

I had wanted to go just to see it, but kinda glad I'm not there UGH!! So crowded.

I don't know why they picked a school vacation week.

I love Howie Mandel did u see that about Mickey in Ohio??? Lol

The BC/YC thread said some people were staying there. I think Michael S. I'm assuming Kelly too. And the guy from Big Bang theory who's on tomorrow.

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[Momof2Disneyboys]

I just texted my principal to tell them it's a ZOO there. He's going to MK tonight and tomorrow. I told him "good luck".

I had wanted to go just to see it, but kinda glad I'm not there UGH!! So crowded.

I don't know why they picked a school vacation week.

I love Howie Mandel did u see that about Mickey in Ohio??? Lol

The BC/YC thread said some people were staying there. I think Michael S. I'm assuming Kelly too. And the guy from Big Bang theory who's on tomorrow.

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OMGosh!!! I am laughing my behind off at Howie Mandel!!!!!

 

[ronnmel]

The room looks great! And what a nice view too! Are all the Poly bathroom like that, or was yours different because it was the last room? Usually the tub is with the toilet and the sink is separate?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

The room looks great! And what a nice view too! Are all the Poly bathroom like that, or was yours different because it was the last room? Usually the tub is with the toilet and the sink is separate?

The room was awesome!

The Poly bathrooms are a little different that the other resorts. Our bathroom in Hawaii was the same way. I think they are all like that except for the 2 newest Poly longhouses, Tokelau and Tahiti, I've heard their bathroom set up is a bit different.

 

[JoBird]

Such a great room!!!!!

It looked so tranquil and peaceful there. The night we ate at Ohana it was totally calm- such a difference from the craziness that was the Grand.

I'm so glad you got a great spot and didn't hear any noise. Looks like the kids had jumped right on the relaxing band wagon. Nice Lego set!! He's so talented.

I too have a question about the sink area. Our room in Fiji when we were there was the same- one sink in the bathroom no separation. It was my only complaint with the room. Hard to get ready when you have a lot of people. Are all longhouses set up that way? I thought I remembered reading that some of them were different-- or did I imagine that? I can't remember in my old age.

Great update! Looked like you were right in the middle of Hawaii!!

 

[JoBird]

Never mind! I see your answer. I wasn't losing my marbles then!!

 

[sjs314]

Love the pictures of your room! Howie was funny to watch .

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Never mind! I see your answer. I wasn't losing my marbles then!!

I am pretty sure Tokelau and Tahiti have double sinks in their bathrooms and maybe a different layout. They could be changing the bathroom configuration in all the longhouses with the renovations they are doing right now, but I'm really not sure.

I actually didn't mind the bathroom set up. Kind of liked that the toilet had it's own little space! My only complaint would be that I wish the mirror above the sink was wider. Kind of hard to see much when you are shorter and are looking into the narrow part of the bottom of an oval shaped mirror. A lot of times I would just sit on the counter to put my make-up on!