We love Donald Duck, oh yes we do! - Link to the PTR - COMPLETE

[jcc0621]

We ordered the press pot - OF COURSE.

With a bit of milk and splenda

And whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa momma! This was so smooth. So so smooth. As I drank my cup, I closed my eyes and really thought this Kona Coffee was straight from heaven. For serious. Coffee lovers, GET SOME OF THIS STUFF! It's $40 for 12 ounces if you buy the grounds. I was so very tempted. The press pot is $7.49 and it really only fills about 3 mugs. Worth every penny. (And they do sell it in the coffee bar outside of Kona too-if I ever stay at the Poly I bet those CMs will know me by first name by the end of the week!)

My DH was on the fence about this one for breakfast on our departure day. Your coffee pictures convinced him. Thanks!

 

[troobabiee7]

Another fun update! Isn't the Poly GORGEOUS? I love it there, especially just lounging around on the beach to watch Wishes at night. I can't even imagine being at Disney when it's so cold, we're usually there in the middle of the summer when it's 100-degrees out! Looking forward to more!

 

[BellaSoleil]

GREAT, GREAT, GREAT EPISODE!!!! The pancakes have me drooling.

Do you maybe need a nanny for your next Disney trip?

 

[disneydusted]

What a great breakfast! Yum!! Hey, what is the red stuff on the Tonga toast? Is that syrup? It looks red.
That beach looks wonderful... I like that idea of watching Wishes out there. Looks like you can see the castle from the pool too, that would be a fun Wishes place too.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

We ate at Kona on our last trip too. Sooo yummy. The bacon was crisp and just perfect, wasn't it? And the little slice of pineapple? So fresh. Yum, yum. Your food pictures are making me hungry! I hope Henry stops throwing up soon. Poor little babe.

 

[RachelTori]

Kona breakfast is a must for our family every trip. (their dinner is awesome also!!)

 

[brookelizabeth]

Wow! I had a lot to catch up on!!!

GF is such a gorgeous place! I'm like your DH. I just can't see spending that kind of money for no more than you end up being in there.

I love that you are able to take your time and do lots of browsing and shopping. You were able to get some interesting pictures.

DH and I stayed at POR. I loved the place. The bus stop closest to worked out well. I will be staying at POFQ this Sept. I'll let you know about that bus stop situation.

I'm glad you had a good time at AK and Kona.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on POFQ - I hope it all works out well. In the future I would like to stay there, maybe to extend a trip when we run out of points for the villas.

My first thought when I read about Henry and his throwing up issues was that he might have reflux -- Connor had reflux but it got better once he was sitting up and walking. Did you ever figure out what was causing it?

You and Joe had the same experience that we had at Kona in April -- Kona coffee that was out of this world -- really the stuff is worth its weight in gold -- Tonga Toast and the Big Kahuna! Yummy, yummy, yummy!

You got some beautiful shots of the Poly!!!

When Henry was teeny I thought for a bit he had reflux because he would throw up a few times a day, but generally with reflux babies throw up a lot more - and my Ped said it probably wasn't anything/not severe enough to worry about.

We didn't ever really figure out exactly what was causing it all during vacation - he hasn't thrown up at all since - and as you will find out later in the report, we do introduce milk again with no issues. So, it was probably that he was either overloaded with dairy (which hasn't ever happened before?), or just had a bug from flying. We think the first throwing up, the night before we left, was due to not chewing his food - he was SHOVELING Jell-O in like a mad man. I forgot about that until the other day when we went back to that same restaurant and Joe said "No Jell-O this time!"

That coffee is amazing - absolutly amazing! I think I might save my blow fund money and buy a bag in December. Just thinking about that breakfast has my stomach growling.

The Poly was fun to explore - it really is a stunning resort! I know some people don't like it because it feels too much like "The Brady's go to Hawaii" but I didn't get that feeling - it was calm, beautiful and peaceful to me. We had only been there at night before, and the lobby is pretty dark, but during the day it was nice and bright! I hope we stay there someday, to extend a trip beyond our DVC points.

Beautiful pics! Sorry that poor Henry still had tummy trouble.

Thank you! Ya, the tummy trouble was no fun.

Oh, Poor baby Henry! And Mommy and Daddy, too from worrying!! Have you since figured out Henry's issue with milk? Has it gotten any better? I hope!! You're so lucky to have your Mom that is a nurse to help you through that kind of stuff with your baby.

Breakfast looked TERRIFIC!!!!!!!!!! I'm starving right now so I"m pretty sure a bowl of cereal would have looked great to me, as well! LOL! But seriously, I'm with you, I think I could have devoured that Big Kahuna breakfast myself, too, yum!!

Great landscape pics from the resort, they were beautiful!!! Nice job with those and I'm with you, the beach looked beautiful and very relaxing..wish I was there now!!

Thanks for sharing!!

The issue with milk has gotten better - it does later in the trip, thankfully! He again has NO problems with it at all. We never really figured out exactly what was the cause - just some sort of bug most likely. I am SO thankful my Mom is a nurse, she has helped me so many times with Henry and myself!

Breakfast was awesome! I could eat there everyday of my vacation I think. Really, so so good.

The beach was quiet and beautiful - white sand shining in the sun. And the hammocks - ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

i just love your pics of the poly... we miss it so much... we stayed there dec 06...

we never ate breakfast at Kona but think i will have to now after all those pics... and i do love me some breakfast too!! we ate a late lunch there one day and it was delicious.

i love looking at your pics of everyting and thinking of all the things that i missed taking pics of... all over WDW not just at the poly. guess i will just have to go back someday soon

great update!!

Oh, I bet your Poly trip was wonderful - I would love to stay there sometime! Glad you liked the pics, I hope it brought back some good memories.

Yes, you gotta try breakfast there too! I have heard great things about their other meals, so eventually I will have to try those as well. Right now, I'm so set on breakfast there again. Hopefully we can squeeze it in during our December trip!

You have a perfect reason to go back - pictures! On this particular trip I tried to get pictures I know I didn't have, little details of things. And of cousre some of the normal things, like the Castle!

My DH was on the fence about this one for breakfast on our departure day. Your coffee pictures convinced him. Thanks!

Oh glad I could help! If he is a coffee-man, he'll LOVE it! There is absolutly nothing wrong with that coffee, not one bit bitter, no bite, it's satiny smooth. If we don't end up eating breakfast there guilty in December, I MUST get a cup from the coffee bar at least!

Enjoy your breakfast at Kona - what an excellent way to end the trip too!

Another fun update! Isn't the Poly GORGEOUS? I love it there, especially just lounging around on the beach to watch Wishes at night. I can't even imagine being at Disney when it's so cold, we're usually there in the middle of the summer when it's 100-degrees out! Looking forward to more!

Yes, the Poly is AWESOME! I would love to watch Wishes sometime from there, maybe from a hammock.

It was strange to be in Florida and wear a hat, mittens and jacket. Even during the other times we have gone (September and November), it's been warm. This was freakishly cold!

GREAT, GREAT, GREAT EPISODE!!!! The pancakes have me drooling.

Do you maybe need a nanny for your next Disney trip?

The pancakes were deeeeeeeeeelish.

It would be great for you to join us!! But this upcoming trip in December we will already have nannys...more on that in the future PTR though!

What a great breakfast! Yum!! Hey, what is the red stuff on the Tonga toast? Is that syrup? It looks red.
That beach looks wonderful... I like that idea of watching Wishes out there. Looks like you can see the castle from the pool too, that would be a fun Wishes place too.

The red stuff was the strawberry compote. Joe is a BIG strawberry banana fan, so he poured it on there instantly. I think you could get it with just syrup instead - and I know I have read that many people say it's good just by itself too.

Yep, you can see the Castle from the pool - it's amazing! I LOVE your idea of Wishes from the pool!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

OMG Brook!! Your making me drool over Poly!

DH and I check in there in just 41 days!! I can't wait!

Your Kona breakfast looks sooo yummy! We have a breakfast ADR one morning during our trip! Yummmmy!! I assure you the CM at the Kona Coffee Bar will know me by the end of our trip! We ate lunch at Kona during our trip last month but I didn't have any coffee! Stupid! I was going to get a cup on the way out but the coffee bar was closed!! They close mid-day and reopen to serve sushi later on!!! I'm not sure if they serve coffee while they serve sushi but I will find out!

I'm sorry Henry got sick AGAIN! OMG you must have been freaking out! Maybe it's a Disney thing!

 

[SoonerGirl]

You've sold me on Kona breakfast! I actually had an ADR for there on my last trip, but ended up cancelling - now I'm kicking myself for that! Your meal looked so good. I'm not a big coffee drinker (in fact I don't like it - at all) but DH loves it. Hawaii used to be part of his territory for his job, he has been many times and would bring home Kona coffee on occassion, it's MUCH cheaper when you buy it there!

I love that little train hoddie that you almost bought for Henry - too cute!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Oh My that breakfast looks amazing!!!! I had a pressed pot at Narcoosees but never at Kona. Now I am super excited for that. I only have to wait 2 more months LOL. Poor little guy with the puking. Your poly pics are incredible. I cant wait to hear more.

 

[brookelizabeth]

We left off with us heading from the Poly, via monorail, to Epcot.

While on our ride I said to Joe, "I think this is the route that goes THROUGH Epcot!" I was pretty excited about experiencing this, (we never have) and sure enough, very soon we were zipping through Epcot on the monorail and Joe snapped a zillion pictures.

We made our way off the monorail

Snoozin' Henry

through bag check and just after we stepped in, Joe told me I had to do "The Pose". Remember it from November?

Dum, dum, dummmmmmmm....SUPER NERD!

But this time, he zoomed actually out, so it doesn't look quite as dorky.

There I cropped it, so now it's official. Brook's Completely Dorky Pose.

And, to top it off, I so did this:

Ya, that's the crazy 29 year old, mother of 1, pretending she's flying in Epcot. (I'm Tink! I can fly like BellaSoleil's little one! )


Anyways! Our goals at Epcot were 1) Soarin' 2) Mexico 3) Maelstrom.

Up first, FP for Soarin'. Off to The Land.

I love this mural, so pretty!

With FPs in hand, and a sleeping Henry, we ventured onward to Mexico. We have never been inside the Mexico pavillion, so we were excited to check it all out - I know from pictures I have seen her on the DIS, it was beautiful!

And yep, in real life it is even prettier than in pictures (as most things are).

We really enjoyed the feeling the pavillion gave, it was soothing in there, I can imagine it being extra wonderful on a hot summer day. We walked around a bit and enjoyed the atmposhere, Joe looked at the menu for San Angel Inn and I commented about how it doesn't get all that great of reviews in general. But, that atmosphere might encourage us to experience it anyway on a future trip.

When we walked out of Mexico these guys were playing:

And wow, they were great! Very talented!

Continued in next post

 

[Charleston Princess]

Agghhhh! Your photos aren't showing up at work!!! I am completely unable to see Brook's Completely Dorky Pose!!!! I am so going to have to hurry home so I can see the pictures with this update and comment properly!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

The noise from the band did wake Henry up, but that was fine-we were next headed to Norway for Maelstrom! Another first for this trio. I've read "lame" "boring" "silly" reviews of this ride, so while curious, I never made it a "must do" for our trips. Well, my last TR changed that - several people commented about Maelstorm being one of their favorites, so I had to give it a try and see for myself!

Really bad ride pictures!

It was fun! The dark parts and the drop scared Henry a bit, but overall, he was fine. I really did enjoy it, so we'll have to keep that on the list of rides for future trips! I still wonder if there is ever a real line for it? Why do they have a FP? Did they think it would be really popular-it kinda reminds me of Pirates in a way, so maybe that is why? Who knows! But, I'm glad it's short!

We skipped the film though-that will be for when Henry is older and can sit still for a bit.

After Norway, we continued walking on - we were starting to get a bit hungry. Joe suggested fish & chips from the UK, knowing I had wanted to try them last trip, but we never did get them. We were on the opposite side of the WS, but we didn't have any time constraints, so we decided to walk all the way around.

On our way we saw these guys in America, it was a really neat performance with interaction from some children.

Henry loved the music and seeing the kids, maybe someday he'll be chosen!

We also noticed a bit of construction in the WS, in Japan, the entire pagadoa was under a giant cloth.

Eventually we made it to the UK and fish & chips were ours. Oh ya!

We both really enjoyed this meal, while it was pretty heavy, it was still very tasty! Henry wasn't interested in any of it, which was just fine! He wasn't hungry overall, and the longer I can delay him liking fried foods, the better! Plus, on his uneasy stomach, I figured this wouldn't be the best meal choice.

The view from the seating area behind the stand was really beautiful too, right on the lagoon.

And the birds were some good entertainment!

"Hey Fred! There is a kid! He'll drop some food for sure!"

"Come on, just a little bite, please? Pretty please?"

"I'm watching you Mister."

"Can't you see I'm an injured bird? Look at this hook in my beak. Have pity on my poor soul and drop a fry."

"Food, food, food!!!!!!!!!!"

We continued on through the WS, only stopping a couple more times - one for hopscotch, which I just could NOT resist doing!

And the other in Canada so Henry could see his buddies, the "duts".

And get another dorky picture....

We headed back into Future World and continued on with our firsts - hitting Figment! I had wanted to try this ride before, but it just always had been missed. I had zero clue what to expect.

We did enjoy the ride, but Henry did NOT. It was waaaaaaaay too much for him. The blasts of air, the loud noises, etc. He was crying and scared the entire time. Joe and I felt terrible for putting him through that and Maelstrom in the same day!!

When we empited off the ride I remembered the fun play areas they had and figured Henry would really enjoy running around in there - and I was right! He did have a great time!

First we conducted music - which completely baffled Henry at first as to what the heck he was doing, but then he caught on and would move his arms himself.

Next up was the light up pads that play music. I really thought Henry would take to this area-being that he was free to dart around, but he was like a statue!

He stood silently and watched the other kids run around. I tried to encourage him to play, but he just stood there and took it all in.

Then we did the picture where you can decorate yourself and email it. Henry loved this because there were buttons involved. I emailed the picture to Joe (for our own copy), and a few others, but no one ever got it!

We conducted a bit more music too, Henry got into it by even kicking his legs in the area as I held him - it was a lot of fun!

After our fun in the play area we decided it was time to use our FPs for Soarin'. Henry was getting hungry, so I would grab something from Sunshine Seasons and start feeding Henry while Joe rode, then we'd switch. We still had about 10 minutes before Joe's FP time, so we went through the line to find something for Henry.

Now, I have to admit, while I hadn't forgotten about Henry throwing up several times, I completely just went with habit and got him Mac & Cheese. The options at SunShine Seasons for wee little ones aren't great (he can't do some foods due to texture/size yet) and he LOVES Mac & Cheese, so at the moment, it seemed like an obvious winner.

As we were purchasing it, I turned to Joe and said "Ugh! This is CHEESE. Milk!" and Joe realized it too-we both just were in auto mode and didn't even think about it. Doh. Bad parents!

The thing is, I even remembered to grab a water for him rather than milk. Duh duh duh!

So, I figured we'd just see how it went.

Continued in next post

 

[princess&her4princes]

Great update, as usual, Brook! Isn't Mexico atmosphere wonderful? We ate there last year with our boys and had a great meal and the kids really thought it was nightime and that the volcano inside exploding was real...lol! Ahh, the magic of Disney!! You got some great pics.

Oh no! Mac and cheese! How did he do? Hope your night went okay! The fish and chips looked so yummy!!! Were they worth the walk?

I loved all of your "dorky" pics, you were having fun!! No dorkiness was happenin'!!! Beside, your friends at DIS, are all dorks, I'm pretty sure we all have similiar pics!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Now I can see all the photos! Whew! I knew they would be gorgeous! I am so glad you took another classic Brook shot!!! Too cute! The birds and your comments were cracking me up! I am planning on ordering the fish and chips at Rose and Crown -- I hope they are as yummy as yours! I am also glad you liked Maelstrom -- we are fans, but wish it were a little bit longer!

 

[troobabiee7]

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SOOO cute!!! I love this picture! Glad you had a good morning at Epcot

 

[disneydusted]

I'm so glad you liked the interior of Mexico! We loved it in there. We went in with no idea as to what was in there and wow! It was really hot outside and you are right, it was so nice to cool off inside. The mariachi band (not sure I spelled that right) was playing inside and they had a great group of tourists dancing along.
I like you bird "thoughts"!
It looked like you had an uncrowded day to visit Epcot.
I'm glad Henry is doing better at home, it's hard when you don't know what is wrong.

 

[MeMom]

I'm glad you were able to do some new things. It's okay to listen to what others say about rides and attractions, but everyone needs to experience it for themselves and make their own observations and form their own opinions. Looking at pictures, no matter how good they are, just isn't as good as being there!

The Poly pictures are beautiful, and the food looks delicious. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I hear everyone who does drink it speak fondly of the Kona coffee.

Agghhhh! Your photos aren't showing up at work!!! I am completely unable to see Brook's Completely Dorky Pose!!!! I am so going to have to hurry home so I can see the pictures with this update and comment properly!

Our school computers don't get photobucket, so I always have to wait until I get home. I need people to tell me when they're going to put up a lot of pictures so I can stay home on those days!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Our school computers don't get photobucket, so I always have to wait until I get home. I need people to tell me when they're going to put up a lot of pictures so I can stay home on those days!

Me too!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Great update, as usual, Brook! Isn't Mexico atmosphere wonderful? We ate there last year with our boys and had a great meal and the kids really thought it was nightime and that the volcano inside exploding was real...lol! Ahh, the magic of Disney!! You got some great pics.

Oh no! Mac and cheese! How did he do? Hope your night went okay! The fish and chips looked so yummy!!! Were they worth the walk?

I loved all of your "dorky" pics, you were having fun!! No dorkiness was happenin'!!! Beside, your friends at DIS, are all dorks, I'm pretty sure we all have similiar pics!!!

Mexico really is beautiful! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed your meal there too - I do want to eat there at some point. That is funny about your boys thinking the volcano is real! Too cute!

Well, I tried to tell everyone how Henry reacted to the Mac & Cheese, but then stuff blew up like crazy at work and I didn't have time to finish my entry. Then when things calmed down for a few moments my computer tweaked out. So, I'm finally back on and will be finishing my update, so you will soon see!!

I think the fish & chips were worth the walk, it was greasy and heavy, but yummy! And all the walking counterbalances the fried food, right?

And on the pics, I wear my dork proudly!!

Now I can see all the photos! Whew! I knew they would be gorgeous! I am so glad you took another classic Brook shot!!! Too cute! The birds and your comments were cracking me up! I am planning on ordering the fish and chips at Rose and Crown -- I hope they are as yummy as yours! I am also glad you liked Maelstrom -- we are fans, but wish it were a little bit longer!

I almost forgot about the Brook shot, Joe had to remind me! Whew! The brids were craZy back there! Holy cow, just everywhere! If I recall correctly, from your PTR, you are hoping to get a table right before Illuminations and watch from there, right? That would be so, so excellent! I hope it works out!

I wish Maelstrom was longer too - it's a really fun ride, the drop at the end totally took me by surprise!!

SOOO cute!!! I love this picture! Glad you had a good morning at Epcot

Thank you!

I'm so glad you liked the interior of Mexico! We loved it in there. We went in with no idea as to what was in there and wow! It was really hot outside and you are right, it was so nice to cool off inside. The mariachi band (not sure I spelled that right) was playing inside and they had a great group of tourists dancing along.
I like you bird "thoughts"!
It looked like you had an uncrowded day to visit Epcot.
I'm glad Henry is doing better at home, it's hard when you don't know what is wrong.

That is so much fun about the tourists dancing to the band! I love it when people get into that sort of thing!

The birds were seriously everywhere, I think they were spying on Henry, just waiting for him to drop a fry.

Epcot wasn't too crowded at all - it was very nice! The Land was a bit nutsy, but it always is.

Not knowing what is wrong with your kids is just the pits! I was worried, yet Henry was acting fine - so I had zero clue what to do. Hopefully December will be sickness FREE!

I'm glad you were able to do some new things. It's okay to listen to what others say about rides and attractions, but everyone needs to experience it for themselves and make their own observations and form their own opinions. Looking at pictures, no matter how good they are, just isn't as good as being there!

The Poly pictures are beautiful, and the food looks delicious. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I hear everyone who does drink it speak fondly of the Kona coffee.

Our school computers don't get photobucket, so I always have to wait until I get home. I need people to tell me when they're going to put up a lot of pictures so I can stay home on those days!

I agree with you! Pictures just aren't nearly as good as being there! And even with a bunch of negative reviews, another person might love it, you just never know. That is why I hope to still go to restaurants that don't have very good reviews - we still might like 'em!

The Poly is so special, isn't it? Simply beautiful. I hope to watch the fireworks from that beach sometime. Joe and I scoped out the location where Sorcerer Mickey's webcam must have been - what a GREAT spot!

You are too funny about staying home on the days people post lots of pictures!!!!! That stinks about your school not getting Photobucket though. I have my pictures on a "protected" or locked account, can you see everyone else's pics-on normal accounts? LL has said she only has problem seeing mine, and I assume it's because of the "protected" account...