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

[Momof2Disneyboys]

We loved BOG and plan on going there again. The food at BOG was excellent. ESPN & BRG are favorites of ours too. Have never been to the others but I think we might do Kona for Breakfast & Dinner this trip since we will be at the Poly!

I hope we like BOG! I had no interest in it when it first opened. Now I am intrigued.... So what did you get??

I love ESPN & BRG!

Kona is awesome for breakfast. Haven't been there for dinner yet.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I don't remember if I told you how much we liked Il Mulino a couple weeks ago.

We both love Italian food- and it was delish!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Shelly, there's a way around the new website that will allow you to look at all of your reservations AND make payments on a package. Do not use the My Disney Experience link.


First, you'll need to log in at www.disneyworld.com. Once that's done, scroll down until you see Order Customized Maps. Click on that and, then, on the next page (the map page), near the top left corner, it will say Hi Shelly (or your husband's name if the package is in his name). Just to the right of the Hi Shelly, you'll see My Reservations or maybe it's just Reservations. Anyway, click on that. The next page should show your resort reservation and your dining reservations. Under the resort reservation, it will say View Details. The next page will look like the old site and you'll be able to make package payments. I'm not sure about making payments on room only reservations.

If your dining reservations don't come up, you can link them to your reservations. Once you're done, log out and then log back in using the steps I posted above.

It all sounds a bit confusing but it works because I've made at least a dozen payments on our package that way.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I don't remember if I told you how much we liked Il Mulino a couple weeks ago.

We both love Italian food- and it was delish!

That's good to hear! What did you and your DH get?

Shelly, there's a way around the new website that will allow you to look at all of your reservations AND make payments on a package. Do not use the My Disney Experience link.


First, you'll need to log in at www.disneyworld.com. Once that's done, scroll down until you see Order Customized Maps. Click on that and, then, on the next page (the map page), near the top left corner, it will say Hi Shelly (or your husband's name if the package is in his name). Just to the right of the Hi Shelly, you'll see My Reservations or maybe it's just Reservations. Anyway, click on that. The next page should show your resort reservation and your dining reservations. Under the resort reservation, it will say View Details. The next page will look like the old site and you'll be able to make package payments. I'm not sure about making payments on room only reservations.

If your dining reservations don't come up, you can link them to your reservations. Once you're done, log out and then log back in using the steps I posted above.

It all sounds a bit confusing but it works because I've made at least a dozen payments on our package that way.

Thanks Lisa! I'll give that a try.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Okay, now that we've got the whole ADR fiasco out of the way, let's get back to business!



After we got unpacked and rested up at the Poly we headed back out to the bus stop to go back to DHS for the evening. We were all very excited to see the Osborne Lights!

That is our room – top floor, furthest to the left, behind the tree!

We walked by the pool. It wasn't too busy.

The bus ride to DHS wasn't too bad. The one coming back later would be awful though.

When we got to DHS it was just starting to get dark.

DS13 and I had FP+'s for TOT, so that's where we headed!

It was awesome as always!!

As we were walking out of TOT DS noticed the headlights on the RNRC car. He said he had never seen them on before. Come to think of it, I didn't remember ever seeing that either!

We met back up with DH & DS11 by the hat.

The kids were getting a little hungry. We didn't really have any dinner plans. DH said he wasn't really hungry yet and that he would just eat later at Captain Cook's when we got back to the Poly.

DS13 wanted a churro and DS11 wanted a pretzel. So we got a few of each and we all shared!

After we got our bellies full we headed over to the Osborne Lights! And we were soon stopped and rerouted. Every which way we tried to go to get there you were not allowed to enter. It was a bit frustrating. It wasn't like that the other 2 times we had been there.

Eventually we made our way in!

Continued in next post....

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Continued in next post....

 

[ddluvsdisney]

That's good to hear! What did you and your DH get?

I got the veal. I think DH got a seafood pasta dish.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

It was a great time!!

After about an hour or so we decided to head out.

We went out and waited about 10-15 minutes for a bus. With a ton of people. We sat in the back of the bus. Luckily, because they ended up loading 2 scooters and lots of people lost their seats. The bus was jam packed full and of course we were going to the CR first. While we were sitting there on the bus waiting for them to load the scooters, I was texting Jodi telling her I was on the bus from you know where!!! And she was saying the same thing. They had been at MK and the monorail was broke down, so they were on a very crowded bus trying to get to the Poly for their Ohana dinner.

The bus ride only got worse with 2 screaming babies!! And of course every time you go to the CR the ride takes twice as long as it needs to, there is always a traffic jam getting in and out of there.

Eventually we made it back to the Poly!

We made a stop at Captain Cook's before going back to the room.

DH got some dinner. I honestly don't even remember what this was. He said it was okay.

DS11 and I got Dole Whips and DS13 got some sort of snack I'm sure, but I don't remember what!

We did a quick walk out on the beach. We thought about coming back out for Wishes, but it had been raining on and off throughout the evening and everything was wet.

Looking into the CL lounge in Hawaii.

So with that we called it a night and headed up to the room. And I got my first good night of sleep since we got to Disney!!



Up Next: Kona Cafe Breakfast

 

[JoBird]

Such a great update!!

TOT at night is such a fun ride. It's just different somehow. More creepy I think. And I don't think I remember seeing the Lights on the RnRC car ever, either! Neat trick.

Love the OL pictures!! They are truly spectacular. Pictures, while beautiful, just cannot do them justice. Such a neat experience. We had the same issue with being rerouted down one street. I guess that's a good way for them to do it but it was frustrating trying to find the "in" road, we kept trying to go down an "out".

Ah, the bus ride. Such a wonderful memory.

Glad you finally got some sleep there that night. And I could really go for a dole whip right now for breakfast!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Great OL pics! I do love those lights!

I have been in your shoes many times on a Disney bus. We don't even attempt to leave the park anymore near closing. We have a new strategy! That's when we do our shopping. We hit all the stores at closing time (b/c they apparently stay open later) and then usually by the time we get to the busses, they are pretty empty. It doesn't always work out, but most of the time it does. The only problem is when we are just tired and ready to leave and don't want to shop.

Pretty tree in the CL lounge too. Really makes me want to go after Thanksgiving when ALL the Christmas stuff is out.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Great update!

Ah the buses.....I can't say enough how much they aggravate me!! Fortunately with the condo we won't need to use buses anymore and with APs no parking fees!! Woohoo!!!!
Are you watching Kelly and Michael again?? My kids look just like his on IASM LOL. to funny!
I LOVE the OL! I can't get enough of them. I am so excited that my DH and kids will finally get to see them this year!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I got the veal. I think DH got a seafood pasta dish.

Thanks! I'll have to look over the menu again.

Such a great update!!

TOT at night is such a fun ride. It's just different somehow. More creepy I think. And I don't think I remember seeing the Lights on the RnRC car ever, either! Neat trick.

Love the OL pictures!! They are truly spectacular. Pictures, while beautiful, just cannot do them justice. Such a neat experience. We had the same issue with being rerouted down one street. I guess that's a good way for them to do it but it was frustrating trying to find the "in" road, we kept trying to go down an "out".

Ah, the bus ride. Such a wonderful memory.

Glad you finally got some sleep there that night. And I could really go for a dole whip right now for breakfast!

Thanks!

TOT was fun at night!! I think that's the first time we have rode it at night. Probably why that was the first time we noticed the lights on the RNRC car!

The Osborne Lights were fabulous as usual!! Not sure why it was so hard finding a way in this time though! How did your kids like the lights?

It must have been a bad night for Disney buses!!

I could go for a Dole Whip right about now too. And some Tonga Toast. Yes, like I've said before -- I could live at the Poly. Everything I need is right there.

Great OL pics! I do love those lights!

I have been in your shoes many times on a Disney bus. We don't even attempt to leave the park anymore near closing. We have a new strategy! That's when we do our shopping. We hit all the stores at closing time (b/c they apparently stay open later) and then usually by the time we get to the busses, they are pretty empty. It doesn't always work out, but most of the time it does. The only problem is when we are just tired and ready to leave and don't want to shop.

Pretty tree in the CL lounge too. Really makes me want to go after Thanksgiving when ALL the Christmas stuff is out.

Thanks!

Oh the WDW buses just seem to get worse and worse. We actually used to love them! My kids would say that you aren't really on vacation until you are on your first WDW park bus! Now we are all like -- hmmm I wonder how many resorts/people they are going to cram on this bus?!

I have always said we were going to try that -- hanging out in the park until the closing crowds died down. But I just can't do it. I think it's our mission to see if we can get the first bus!

Yep, there are lots more holiday decorations after Thanksgiving. Found that out this trip!

Great update!

Ah the buses.....I can't say enough how much they aggravate me!! Fortunately with the condo we won't need to use buses anymore and with APs no parking fees!! Woohoo!!!!
Are you watching Kelly and Michael again?? My kids look just like his on IASM LOL. to funny!
I LOVE the OL! I can't get enough of them. I am so excited that my DH and kids will finally get to see them this year!!

Thank you!

You are lucky, you won't have to deal with buses anymore!!

I did watch Kelly & Michael this morning. That's what I look like on IASW! That ride drives me crazy!! I always feel like I am wasting 30 minutes of park time in there. But DS13 is sentimental and says we have to ride it because it's 'tradition'. I suppose he's right!

How fun that you will get to see the OL's this year! You will probably get to experience WDW at a lot of different times of the year now.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Thanks! I'll have to look over the menu again.

Thanks!

TOT was fun at night!! I think that's the first time we have rode it at night. Probably why that was the first time we noticed the lights on the RNRC car!

The Osborne Lights were fabulous as usual!! Not sure why it was so hard finding a way in this time though! How did your kids like the lights?

It must have been a bad night for Disney buses!!

I could go for a Dole Whip right about now too. And some Tonga Toast. Yes, like I've said before -- I could live at the Poly. Everything I need is right there.

Thanks!

Oh the WDW buses just seem to get worse and worse. We actually used to love them! My kids would say that you aren't really on vacation until you are on your first WDW park bus! Now we are all like -- hmmm I wonder how many resorts/people they are going to cram on this bus?!

I have always said we were going to try that -- hanging out in the park until the closing crowds died down. But I just can't do it. I think it's our mission to see if we can get the first bus!

Yep, there are lots more holiday decorations after Thanksgiving. Found that out this trip!

Thank you!

You are lucky, you won't have to deal with buses anymore!!

I did watch Kelly & Michael this morning. That's what I look like on IASW! That ride drives me crazy!! I always feel like I am wasting 30 minutes of park time in there. But DS13 is sentimental and says we have to ride it because it's 'tradition'. I suppose he's right!

How fun that you will get to see the OL's this year! You will probably get to experience WDW at a lot of different times of the year now.

Do you guys have APs??
I'm so mad that at least one of us didn't get them before. If you go only 2x in a yr. I think it's totally worth it. And you get room only discounts too. Wow I learn something new everyday lol.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Do you guys have APs??
I'm so mad that at least one of us didn't get them before. If you go only 2x in a yr. I think it's totally worth it. And you get room only discounts too. Wow I learn something new everyday lol.

No we don't. I looked into it and even if we went 2X a year it was cheaper than getting AP's. Probably because we don't get park hoppers. I think when I priced it out had we been getting park hoppers for 2 trips then AP's would have been slightly cheaper. But we only do base tix. So for an AP to be worth it for us we would have to be able to go 3X a year. And unfortunately I just don't see that happening.

 

[ronnmel]

The Osborne Lights are FANTASTIC!
I had heard about several people being rerouted to one specific entrance, but we were able to enter form anywhere when we went.

I like your panoramic pictures.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

The Osborne Lights are FANTASTIC!
I had heard about several people being rerouted to one specific entrance, but we were able to enter form anywhere when we went.

I like your panoramic pictures.

I know, they are great!!

Hmm, that's weird. Maybe it was less busy when you were there so they took away all the road blocks. IDK.

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Hi. Great update and great photos I love the Osborne lights. Oh, and the buses, isn't nice being at the Poly. Having the monorail and being close to the TTC is a real bonus.

 

[monica23535]

Great pictures of the Osborne Lights Shelly!


That bus trip sounded like fun with two scooters and two crying babies hehe

TOT at night is awesome!

 

[sjs314]

Great Update! I loved the OL depending on what dates we decide to go I am thinking about skipping DHS this trip or getting PH and just going from Epcot to there and Vise versa to avoid the bus. I agree with Rinky we never come or go at busy times if taking the bus especially now that I use the scooter.

 

[Monny2AE]

It's Monday...time to escape reality and pretend I'm in Disney by reading Shelly's TR!!!

Your Poly pics...I literally let out a heavy sigh when looking at them. It's my dream resort and someday we're going to splurge and stay there. Until then CBR will have to be my tropical getaway!

One Man's Dream is my favorite. Last time DH took the kids to TSM while i walked through it on my own.

My DS is really excited about the Captain Jack Sparrow attraction! I didn't know it was there until you posted about it and I found a video of it on youtube. It looks really fun!

My sister hasn't been since 2009 and doesn't get why we keep going back to Disney. She has the "been there done that" mentality. I keep trying to explain to her that Disney is constantly adding and changing. We were there in Dec. 2011 and even since then there's so many new things for us to do when we go back in June!