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

[T*Bird]

Well, I'm not sure. You just have to stalk them!! Airfare had been out through August 9th for awhile. One of the websites - either AT or SW (I forget which one) had it posted somewhere on their site that in January they would be releasing fares for after Aug 9. So I just kept checking and checking, and then we ran out of January. Then Jodi read somewhere (maybe on here - there are usually threads with lots of people stalking airfares and making speculations as to when they will be out) that they would be out this Monday - Feb 4. So I just happened to check on AT on Sunday and they were out. I almost missed it. And then SW came out on Monday.

So what you are saying is that it takes WORK?? Well, heck, I was hoping I'd get a text or something telling me exactly when and how to get a super deal! JK, that is good info and I will be more diligent.

I hope we enjoy the beach!!

I'm sure you will! The Florida Gulf of Mexico has the best beaches in the U.S. Other than Hawaii, I guess!

We are actually going to fly into Tampa. It was the same price as Orlando and it's a lot closer to the Gulf, so we decided to go for it. It will all be a new experience, but hopefully a good one.

When I had looked into the Southwest sale, Tampa was $63, but Orlando was more. I can't remember exactly how much more, but maybe around $90 each way. It was a no-brainer to fly into Tampa if you needed to rent a car anyway, but if you used ME and didn't need a car, then it may have made more sense to just fly into MCO. Of course, it was a moot point when I didn't act on it.

Wow that was awesome airfare you came across. I can't believe you didn't grab it!!!!! You should keep watching, maybe they will do it again!!

I know, I really should have. If I thought DH was gung-ho on going back to Disney now, and just the 2 of us, I would have snapped it up.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I received a notice of round trip on AirTran from Dayton,oh to Orlando for $178! However the dates are only out to sometime in June. Won't work for me.

I get those emails from SW and AT too, but they are never good for my dates and usually aren't even good for my airport!!

I know, I really should have. If I thought DH was gung-ho on going back to Disney now, and just the 2 of us, I would have snapped it up.

Well, keep an eye out. You never know, you could see another good offer pop up!! Then you just have to explain to your DH how it is such a good deal that you just had to buy it!

 

[JoBird]

Rough day, so I scrolled back thru your beautiful pictures of my home away from home.

Told M this morning I need a trip. As in now. Wanna go??? Girls weekend???? Everyone is welcome to come along.

Those "wankers" (are you sure you aren't from England Jodi?) in the club lounge sound horrible. Maybe people should have to pass some kind of social behaviour test before being allowed in there lol

Well not totally English but yes my Mother's side of the family was from England. Their last name was a very proper English one--- Copeland. Pretty sure, however, that Grandmum didn't use the term WANKER. Even if she wanted to now and again.

Thanks!! Really makes you want to stay there next time, huh?

Wankers

Those people were a bunch of hogs!! I can't believe that mess was still there when you got back that night.

You must have gotten a lot more rain than we did at the resort that night. It just sprinkled on and off most of the evening. Except for once, for a very short time right before Wishes - it rained a steady rain then.

It was fun seeing you guys on the balcony that night!!

That mess indeed was still there and the CMs were still running their butts off cleaning up and serving people.
Pigs.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Rough day, so I scrolled back thru your beautiful pictures of my home away from home.

Told M this morning I need a trip. As in now. Wanna go??? Girls weekend???? Everyone is welcome to come along.


I'm free next weekend - no school the 15th-18th!!!!


Well not totally English but yes my Mother's side of the family was from England. Their last name was a very proper English one--- Copeland. Pretty sure, however, that Grandmum didn't use the term WANKER. Even if she wanted to now and again.





That mess indeed was still there and the CMs were still running their butts off cleaning up and serving people.
Pigs.

Those CM's were sure earning their money that evening!

 

[Monny2AE]

GF is gorgeous!

I can't believe the group of obnoxious people. Hope their neighbors were extra loud while they were recovering from their hangovers and trying to sleep in the next morning.

 

[JoBird]

No school no school!

Wouldn't the boys LOVE to meet at WDW?????

Wish we were all wealthy and had our own private jets. The kids would be flying all over the country meeting up.

And we would too. To shop. Of course.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

GF is gorgeous!

I can't believe the group of obnoxious people. Hope their neighbors were extra loud while they were recovering from their hangovers and trying to sleep in the next morning.

No school no school!

Wouldn't the boys LOVE to meet at WDW?????

Wish we were all wealthy and had our own private jets. The kids would be flying all over the country meeting up.

And we would too. To shop. Of course.

Aw yes, wouldn't that be the life?!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Day 3 – Tuesday December 11


Today we were moving to the Poly!! But no real need to get up super early since we didn't know if our room would be ready and we weren't planning on heading out to a park until around lunchtime or so. So we got up around 7:30 or 8. I went right over to look at DS11's rash, hoping it had gone away. Unfortunately it was MUCH worse. Very bad. It was pretty much all over now, not just on his chest and back. So DH called our pediatrician's office. The doctor wasn't in yet, but the nurse gave us his cell number and asked us to send a picture. So we did. And we waited....

In the meantime DS13 had gone downstairs to see Jodi and family at breakfast before they headed off to rope drop at MK. DS11 wouldn't go down, he was too embarrassed. Poor little guy. Finally the nurse called back and said that the doctor said it was an allergic reaction to the meds he was on for the strep and to stop giving him them and give him Benadryl. We told her we already did all that the day before, yet the rash was worse. She thought we might have to take him to an emergency clinic, but said that she would call us back. So we waited....

Jodi and I had been texting and she was thinking the same thing – that DS might need to see a doctor and get a steroid for the rash. They headed off to MK. The nurse called back and said that the doctor wasn't concerned as long as there wasn't a lot of swelling and itching. He said to just let it run it's course. Surprisingly he wasn't really that itchy. He sure looked like he would be to me! I guess the Benadryl was helping with the itching. The nurse said that they were going to call him in a different antibiotic for the strep though. At this point I really wasn't concerned about the strep anymore. I was more concerned about the rash getting worse. But I'm no doctor, so I had to take his word for it that he knew what was best. So we gave them the info for Turner Drug Delivery that we had used the day before for the curling iron.

So we decided to proceed with our day, but knew that he wouldn't be able to go swimming today. We got our breakfast in the lounge and packed up our stuff. DH called bell services to ask for help with our bags out front. They asked if we were going to the ME stop or where we were headed. DH told them that we were moving to the Poly. They said that they could move our bags for us, which we already knew but didn't want. We wanted to go to the Poly, with our bags. They told DH that they couldn't take us and our stuff to the Poly, again which we already knew. Although we were hopeful that they would just offer to take us over. So DH told them that we would be getting a cab.

About 10 minutes later a very nice CM from bell services came and asked where we were going. So we go through all that again with him. And he says – oh you don't need to get a cab, I can take you there in my gold cart if you want! Finally, someone with some sense!!

So we head downstairs and out the SL door and there is Jodi's husband. He hadn't gone to MK with Jodi & the kids, he had been out for a run. He asked what park we were going to that day and if he would see us again. I told him we were going to DHS today, but that we would likely see them on Thursday at Epcot at some point. We all chatted a little bit more while the CM loaded our bags in the golf cart and then we said our good-byes and we were whisked away to the Poly!! The kids thought the golf cart ride was the best thing ever! The CM was super friendly and nice.

When we got to the Poly the GF CM got off the golf cart and loaded all our bags onto the luggage cart and gave us a luggage tag and told us we were all set to check in. DH gave him a very generous tip for all his help, we thanked him and then were greeted by a Poly CM. She led us inside to check in. There was no wait and I was called over to the desk right away.

And.......................Our room was not ready!! The CM was very nice though and told me that all my requests had been met and we would be in the Samoa building, top floor, facing the Volcano pool! Which is even better than what I had actually requested – Samoa or Tokelau, top floor, either side. So I was very happy! Check in took awhile, the computers were not cooperating. There were several CM's standing around looking important. Pretty soon she goes for help. Good grief. And then tells me that she is sorry, but I will not be able to “tap” my KTTW card for purchases. Apparently they were implementing the new RFID reader system that week and it wasn't cooperating.

Well none of this mattered to me. I wasn't planning on making an room charges anyway and if I needed to it would just have to be slid instead of tapped. No big deal. I use WDW gift cards for food and souvenirs anyway. I was only putting the credit card on our room for the prescription delivery we were expecting.

So after a good 20+ minutes I am all checked in and I go over to tell the family that the room isn't ready. We weren't really sure what to do. I had planned on it being ready and if it wasn't we were going to let the kids swim, get some lunch, and then head to DHS. Well now DS11 couldn't swim. At this point he wouldn't even take his jacket off it was so bad. And it was hot out. So one of the kids (I don't remember which one) says – why don't we go to DHS now, ride some rides, get some lunch, then come back here and unpack when our room is ready and go back to DHS tonight for more rides and the OL's? DH & I thought that sounded like a super idea! We usually don't like doing that – too many bus rides, but we really didn't have too much other choice at this point, other than to just sit there at the Poly and wait it out....Glad we didn't because it wasn't until about 1:00 or so that I got the text that our room was ready.

So we were all set to go. But first the Boutiki was calling our names! Everyone wanted to take a peek in there before we left.

Pretty soon we were out at the bus stop.

And then we made our way to DHS. The bus ride wasn't too bad.

Those of you who read my PTR will remember this. But for those of you who may not have read it, the week before we left we got an envelope in the mail from WDW. Our week was going to be a test week for the new Fastpass Plus system. They had tested it some in the fall and were doing another test week in December. And we just happened to get picked! We could pick one day for DHS and one day for MK to use it. Today was our DHS day.

So we had a FP+ to use between 12-1pm at Star Tours. It wasn't 12:00 yet, it was probably only about 11am, but we headed that way anyway.

Continued in next post.....

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Got there and the wait time was only 10 minutes. So we rode it!

Poor DS wore his lei all day to cover up his neck. I felt so bad for him, it was so warm out. At least we talked him into taking his jacket off!

Then DS13 and I headed for our favorite – RNRC!!

We got there and I don't remember the exact wait time, but it was definitely 30 minutes or more because we did the single rider line!

Awesome as always!! But it was quite disappointing to come off the ride and be expecting to hear Aerosmith music in the shop and outside, and get Christmas music instead. What the heck???

Up Next: More DHS and Lunch

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Your poor DS. I can't believe it was that bad, could you really see it that much??

Yeah we would have gone over to DHS earlier too. That was a good idea.

Was it good swimming weather?

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Oh, your poor kiddo! I feel awful that he felt so bad about the rash he wore his jacket. That's no fun on vacation.

I'm glad that you got a golf cart ride! How silly that they just can't do that anyway. Sounds like a really nice CM.

Great update Shelly! I love the Poly! Cannot wait to see your room.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Your poor DS. I can't believe it was that bad, could you really see it that much??

Yeah we would have gone over to DHS earlier too. That was a good idea.

Was it good swimming weather?

Oh yes, you could see it. It was bad. I have up close pics, but they are kind of nasty looking to post on here.

It would have been a great day for swimming, it was very warm. Probably in the low 80's.

Oh, your poor kiddo! I feel awful that he felt so bad about the rash he wore his jacket. That's no fun on vacation.

I'm glad that you got a golf cart ride! How silly that they just can't do that anyway. Sounds like a really nice CM.

Great update Shelly! I love the Poly! Cannot wait to see your room.

He was so embarrassed.

The golf cart ride was pretty wild! He was going pretty fast! But it was fun!!

Lots of Poly to come!

 

[monica23535]

Your poor DS! Hope that nasty rash went away quickly!


What a nice CM to give you a ride over to the Poly. Bummer that your room wasn't ready yet, but going to DHS twice in one day sounds like a great idea to me!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Poor baby, young boys are so sensitive about rashes & stuff. I really felt for Jim when he was wearing his jacket!

 

[lala3291]

Aw, your poor DS! I know how embarrassed kids get at that age...I know my DD11 would have felt the same way! At least you still made the most of your DHS day!

The same thing happened with us and the music at RNRC at Christmas time! I love listening to Aerosmith in that area, but it was all holiday music on our Christmas trip, as if I hadn't heard enough Christmas music by that point!

So, some interesting news about our trip. We are getting a blizzard tomorrow into Saturday afternoon. So, needless to say, our flight at 6AM Saturday isn't going to happen. We are getting about 24 inches or more of snow!

I was able to get a flight on Sunday morning at 6AM. I'm just hoping that the storm doesn't stall so that we can get out. We haven't gotten any snow this year for the most part, and of course it is coming the day we go to WDW! Its ok though, school has already been called off for tomorrow so that means packing and organizing!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Aw, your poor DS! I know how embarrassed kids get at that age...I know my DD11 would have felt the same way! At least you still made the most of your DHS day!

The same thing happened with us and the music at RNRC at Christmas time! I love listening to Aerosmith in that area, but it was all holiday music on our Christmas trip, as if I hadn't heard enough Christmas music by that point!

So, some interesting news about our trip. We are getting a blizzard tomorrow into Saturday afternoon. So, needless to say, our flight at 6AM Saturday isn't going to happen. We are getting about 24 inches or more of snow!

I was able to get a flight on Sunday morning at 6AM. I'm just hoping that the storm doesn't stall so that we can get out. We haven't gotten any snow this year for the most part, and of course it is coming the day we go to WDW! Its ok though, school has already been called off for tomorrow so that means packing and organizing!

That's to bad about the snow. I HATE snow. Good thing you were able to get a flight so soon I'm sure everyone was trying to do that.

School was cancelled for my kids too, but where I work kids are getting dismissed at 11:30. I guess that's ok since I won't have to make it up.

If this was next Fri. I would be in the same boat. Except we are driving so it definately would be a couple of days before we left.

Have a great trip!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Boy that really bites about the rash! Stuff like that is such a bummer on vacation. I sure hope it went away quickly so he could enjoy his trip. Poor guy! He's still super cute though... rash and all!

Don't you love the CMs that go above and beyond to make the magic happen. I've only ever found people like that in Disney. We went to Great Wolf Lodge once and it was VERY obvious that they were trying to be a Disney 'knockoff' for lack of a better word. We did enjoy going there, but they in no way compared to Disney and the difference was the CMs. You just can't beat Disney service. It's not always perfect, but it's always 10x better than the competition!

We got DD a golf cart for Christmas this year and we have had the best time on that thing! They are really fun to ride on. We like it way better than a 4-wheeler because you know we are not very adventurous! Glad your boys enjoyed their VIP transfer! If I was a Disney CM, I would want to be the one who rides the golf cart all over Disney property!

Can't wait to see how the Poly portion of your trip went. I really enjoyed reading about your last stay there.

 

[ronnmel]

You would think it would not be that complicated to transfer guests and their luggage to the resort NEXT DOOR!! Glad at least one CM was smart and nice enough to bring you over.

 

[JoBird]

Oh bless his little heart. Its so difficult when you're so self conscious about something that isn't right on you. And that rash was certainly awful- no more penicillin for him. I am super surprised the Dr wouldn't call in a steroid for it. It would have made it so much better in about a day. I just kept thinking for sure he would give it to you. (Did you know it will take the burn out of a sunburn as well????? Not that I recommend it at all!!! )

So glad you were able to get someone with some sense from Bell Services to help you out with the luggage. That was really nice of him to do. I'm sure he appreciated his tip. Was it a tall-ish man with glasses? If so, he is the one that always helps us with our luggage at SL and he is SUPER. Don't remember his name.... Jim? Might have been Jim. IDK.

Mark told me he had seen you on the way to the Poly. He decided he'd rather go for a run that morning than the MK. Well truth be told--- he'd rather go for a run ANY morning than get up to go to a park.

Yay for getting all of your requests met at the Poly--- plus more! That was a nice change from check in at the GF!!

Looks like you were set to have a great day at DHS! Star Tours was about a 10 minute wait for us as well when we rode it on Wednesday. The parks seemed crowded but the waits were never bad. It was strange.

Felt the same about all the Christmas Music in the parks. Just.......... nope. Would rather hear the regular music.


Okay well now that I've written a book I'll just say I really enjoyed the heck out of this update!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Your poor DS! Hope that nasty rash went away quickly!


What a nice CM to give you a ride over to the Poly. Bummer that your room wasn't ready yet, but going to DHS twice in one day sounds like a great idea to me!

Unfortunately the rash would be with him most of the trip. It did get a little better towards the end of the week. Good enough for him to go swimming anyway!!

It was so nice of that CM to offer us a ride! He sure got our day off to a great start.

Poor baby, young boys are so sensitive about rashes & stuff. I really felt for Jim when he was wearing his jacket!

It was awful!

Aw, your poor DS! I know how embarrassed kids get at that age...I know my DD11 would have felt the same way! At least you still made the most of your DHS day!

The same thing happened with us and the music at RNRC at Christmas time! I love listening to Aerosmith in that area, but it was all holiday music on our Christmas trip, as if I hadn't heard enough Christmas music by that point!

So, some interesting news about our trip. We are getting a blizzard tomorrow into Saturday afternoon. So, needless to say, our flight at 6AM Saturday isn't going to happen. We are getting about 24 inches or more of snow!

I was able to get a flight on Sunday morning at 6AM. I'm just hoping that the storm doesn't stall so that we can get out. We haven't gotten any snow this year for the most part, and of course it is coming the day we go to WDW! Its ok though, school has already been called off for tomorrow so that means packing and organizing!

Yes, here I was telling him -- you'll never see these people again, don't worry about it, no one is looking at you and all that.....When in reality, I probably would have stayed in the room that day had it been me.

Oh that holiday music in the RNRC area was just wrong!! What the heck???

Oh no Lauren! I'm so sorry your trip is being delayed. I really hope you can fly out on Sunday morning!