Will I be Herding Cats Again?* **** COMPLETED *****

[whogirl'smom]

Oh, I could almost smell the candy store from your pictures! I want to try to have dh signed up for the veteran of the day--I couldn't get it worked out last trip; I think it would be very moving.

Leaving the Magic ingdom is just so sad, isn't it?

 

[mom2mek]

HI SARA!!! Great updates! I've totally been on here everyday reading. Really, I have. It's just so hard to come on here not knowing when we'll ever go back. But, I love you and your beautiful family so I push through the pain, and I always smile at your updates. I look forward to reading about your farewell dinner.

You MUST come on here, Monica....you still have a TR to finish! Or have you forgotten all about our awesome trip?

I know it can be hard to come on when you don't have a trip in the works, but think about if someone posted about a great deal they read about, and you missed it!!!

Now, go get to writing!!! We are all patiently waiting to hear about the rest of our girls trip!!!

Oh, I could almost smell the candy store from your pictures! I want to try to have dh signed up for the veteran of the day--I couldn't get it worked out last trip; I think it would be very moving.

Leaving the Magic ingdom is just so sad, isn't it?

That sounds great - you should definitely try to get him signed up. I was wondering the same thing for Shawn for our May trip! It is such a beautiful ceremony!

Yes, the MK is a hard place to leave....

Sara

 

[KathyRN137]

Michael was bit by the shy bug again and had politely declined. As a former 82nd Airborne Paratrooper, and very proud military supporter, this really saddened Shawn, but he understood. Well mostly.

They picked two adorable little girls to do it instead. Maybe Michael will grow out of his shyness in a few years.

Awww, poor little guy! I can imagine that it might be overwhelming for him to recite in front of a crowd....

Sigh... I know just what you mean about the bittersweet ending...

I hope you're planning a TR for your girlfriends trip!


Kathy

 

[mom2mek]

Awww, poor little guy! I can imagine that it might be overwhelming for him to recite in front of a crowd....

Sigh... I know just what you mean about the bittersweet ending...

I hope you're planning a TR for your girlfriends trip!


Kathy

Thanks Kathy - yes I can definitely relate to the shyness thing of Michael's - because he definitely gets it from me.

The TR from our girlfriends trip is in my signature - Monica (poohtigeey) is writing it ....she just needs to get back to it as it has been in hiatus for a while!

I will most likely be doing a TR for our upcoming trip in May (with just Shawn and I). We'll see!

Sara

 

[Kimberly815]

We caught the Flag Ceremony in the MK by chance and loved it. It really is a nice moment.

 

[DisneyJo]

When I did my training trip the only request from my girls were the help your self candy

What a pain about the ECV, glad it got moved in the end!

Poor Michael, I'm sure he'll join in things soon but it is very daunting to do something in front of lots of people!

 

[kaysmommie]

Those last moments at Mk are the worst aren't they. Well at least you knew you would be back soon. Sorry Emily fell asleep and the girls didn't get ears. The pics from the flag ceremony look great, I have never seen this. Too bad Michael was being shy. Thomas is always very shy and Kaylee well it depends on her mood. Looking froward to 'Ohana and Poly.

 

[mom2mek]

We caught the Flag Ceremony in the MK by chance and loved it. It really is a nice moment.

It's so nice and I love that they honor the flag in such a special way!

When I did my training trip the only request from my girls were the help your self candy

What a pain about the ECV, glad it got moved in the end!

Poor Michael, I'm sure he'll join in things soon but it is very daunting to do something in front of lots of people!

Thanks Jo! I hope he grows out of his shyness as I know how hard that can be to grow up being painfully shy!

Isn't it funny what kids want, out of ALL the stuff Disney has that they can't get anywhere else...they get jellybeans!

Those last moments at Mk are the worst aren't they. Well at least you knew you would be back soon. Sorry Emily fell asleep and the girls didn't get ears. The pics from the flag ceremony look great, I have never seen this. Too bad Michael was being shy. Thomas is always very shy and Kaylee well it depends on her mood. Looking froward to 'Ohana and Poly.

Thanks Nichole! I'm working on Ohana right now. Busy, busy week...but I want to get this trip report wrapped up, ya know?

Sara

 

[faerieprincess]

Thanks Nichole! I'm working on Ohana right now. Busy, busy week...but I want to get this trip report wrapped up, ya know?

Sara

She's really just scared i'll finish mine first.... don't worry, Sara, i'll try to wait for you

 

[mom2mek]

Day 6 - Magic Kingdom
Part 12 - ALOHA!!!!!

We boarded the monorail and left the Magic Kingdom. The only thing that was getting me through all of the the awful bittersweet feelings of leaving my favorite place, was the fact that we were headed back to the Polynesian for a farewell dinner at ‘Ohana!

Goodbye Magic Kingdom....

Hello Polynesian!!!

(like my pic? LOL!)

On this occasion, the monorail actually moved along very quickly and we zoomed through the Contemporary, on to the TTC, and then exited at the Poly! Aloha!

The air that night was heavy, and the skies looked like they were about to open up, so I was glad we were headed inside for some dinner. I was also glad that we had chosen Friday night to go to the Halloween party and not this day, as the skies looked very ominous!

We were hungry!!! That Crystal palace breakfast was a LOOONNNNGGGGG time ago, with only a Dole Whip and a little bit of the girls' popcorn in between! Oops. Guess that plan of just snacking through the afternoon wasn't a great one!

The lounge was beckoning, so the crew headed over to a window seat with a view of the Volcano Pool and all of the lush foliage, and plopped themselves down, while I went to check in. After receiving my handy dandy little buzzer, I headed over and joined my family.

A waitress came around to see if we wanted anything to drink and the four of us (Mom, Step-dad, Shawn, and I) all ordered up the Mai-Tais and proceeded to relax in the luscious tropical paradise, surrounded with lush greenery and beautiful scenery everywhere. We sat, gazing out the window at the gently swaying palm trees and the beautiful landscaping that led out to the Volcano Pool.

(gorgeous)

While gazing out the window and commenting on how awesome it would be to stay at the Poly, my Mom handed me a Disney bag. Apparently while we were split up at the Magic Kingdom, my parents had bought me a few souvenirs as a "thank you" for planning the trip! How sweet! Inside the bag was a Mickey and Minnie blanket, a Halloween pin, and a CD. (the same party music CD that I had just bought for myself, LOL, but I didn't have to tell them that). I was really touched by this. We planners pour so much of our heart and soul into planning and it's so nice when those efforts are noticed and appreciated!

The waitress came back with our cocktails, and as soon as she put them down our buzzer went off and we were off to meet our "cousins"! We grabbed our cute little tiki glasses, and followed behind.

These were adorable:

Here we are!!!!

We got the grand tour of the restaurant, past the grill area, and around the long way to where we would be sitting!

We were seated at a long table right by the “walkway” that separated us from the next set of tables that were by the windows. Here is a stock photo I found of what I think was our table.

I would have loved to sit by the window, but honestly, we could still see just fine and we were happy with our table. Heck, we were all drinking mai-tai’s so we were just plain ole’ happy!

‘Ohana was such a warm restaurant. I don’t mean temperature wise, I’m talking décor! I had only ever seen it in pictures, and I always thought it looked kind of dark and blah, but really it’s very beautiful. The warmth of the firepit, the sound of the hawaiian music, the laughter....it was bliss, really.

I felt transported to an island far, far away and was instantly glad that we had chosen this restaurant as our farewell dinner.

I'm going to have to refresh my memory on the menu as far as the "real" description (by looking it up), but up first was the delicious and warm bread. I think we inhaled it pretty quickly and they had to bring more right away!

Then they brought out the salad. It was fabulous! Katie really loved it! The dressing is called a honey-lime dressing, but it has to be 2 1/2 parts honey and 1/2 part lime, because it was nice and sweet. And delicious!

At some point they called the kids up to do the limbo. As is typical with my crew, Katie was my only volunteer! She jumped right up out of her chair and stood in line to limbo past our table. Then they followed the guy around the room while he played the ukelele, and then they limbo'd again! It was very cute!

Picture a short little girl clad in orange in this group shot....since it's from the internet!

As we were sitting there enjoying the show and scarfing down the food, it started to rain outside. How pretty! Everyone was immediately glad we weren't attempting to run around the MK at the party that night getting drenched! We also laughed and talked about our first night at Epcot and how ridiculously rainy it was! Good times. Good times.

After Katie returned to the table, Mom gave her a birthday present she had gotten for her at the Magic Kingdom that night. It was a really sweet Precious Moments Dumbo figurine. I have the pic somewhere so I will post it later...final thoughts maybe....she LOVED it!

Then the entertainment continued. This time Katie joined in on a little music playing. She grabbed a Cucaracha and made her way around shaking it as hard as she could! She was having a blast. The other two just watched.

Ok, on to dinner. This was one of Shawn's and Michael's favorite meals of the trip....BRING ON THE MEAT!!!!

They came around with the skewers and took some off at each one of our plates.....including Asian Barbecued Pork Loin (just ok to me), Spicy Grilled Peel-n-Eat Shrimp (a big hit with our group, but so messy), Marinated Sirloin Steak (delicious), and Mesquite Grilled Turkey (my favorite). The sides, I believe, were some vegetables (I remember Emily eating a lot of broccoli for some reason) and some asian noodles. These were good, but I had read so much about the potatoes that I was sad we had missed them!

At some point, the entertainer led a little dancing lesson, but by then Katie was eating and didn't get up to learn the hula. It was fun watching others doing it though...especially the grown men (30-ish) who were standing right behind us trying their best to do the hula and still look manly!

The CM brought all the tables little warm towels to clean up with, which was a very nice touch! The dinner was fabulous, but we had no idea that the best was yet to come! DESSERT!!!

Oh my goodness! 'Ohana's dessert is out of this world! Really! They truly nailed a most perfect Bread Pudding with bananas and warm caramel sauce. They also brought ice cream for the kids!

We all thought we had died and gone to heaven. It was just amazing!

We settled the bill and sadly made our way out of the restaurant. The kids loved playing with the tikis that are all over the place at the Poly! They are pretty cute!

It was a wonderful meal, wonderful drinks, and fabulous conversation!

I hated to leave....


Up next...a walk on the beach, and a little Pop-Pop Polynesian persuasion!!!

Sara

 

[KathyRN137]

hmmm. "Pop-Pop Polynesian Persuasion." hmmm.
Very interesting!!


And now I will have to start reading that other report! (How'd you ever get Monica to volunteer to write it for the whole gang?)

Kathy

 

[Paparazzimama]

Ooooh, how badly I wanna be sitting at a table at 'Ohana right now . . . hands covered in sticky wing sauce . . . a partially eaten pot sticker on my plate . . . some pork on giant skewers coming my way . . . is there a smilie of a glutton covered in peanut sauce somewhere? Because I think it would be appropriate here.

Love the update - and I'm glad that y'all enjoyed 'Ohana as much as we did! And how awesome did your party night decision turn out to be???? I read a TR a couple of weeks ago about a family who got a monsoon during their party - maybe they were there while you were enjoying your dinner?

 

[jillyb]

How sweet of your parents to recognize your efforts and to give you a gift of appreciation! I've heard so many good things about O'hana. Yet another thing to put on my list!

 

[mom2mek]

hmmm. "Pop-Pop Polynesian Persuasion." hmmm.
Very interesting!!


And now I will have to start reading that other report! (How'd you ever get Monica to volunteer to write it for the whole gang?)

Kathy

That's funny Kathy! I don't know how we roped Monica into writing that thing.... but I guess she is paying us back for it since she hasn't written anything in a while! Please post and bump it back up for her! She is doing a great job but could use some encouragement....

Ooooh, how badly I wanna be sitting at a table at 'Ohana right now . . . hands covered in sticky wing sauce . . . a partially eaten pot sticker on my plate . . . some pork on giant skewers coming my way . . . is there a smilie of a glutton covered in peanut sauce somewhere? Because I think it would be appropriate here.

Love the update - and I'm glad that y'all enjoyed 'Ohana as much as we did! And how awesome did your party night decision turn out to be???? I read a TR a couple of weeks ago about a family who got a monsoon during their party - maybe they were there while you were enjoying your dinner?

Tell me about it Mel....I sooo badly want to be back there too! I was glad we chose Friday, because our other choice would have been Thursday (which was our Epcot night....RAIN.....and the party at the MK was a wash-out) or Columbus Day - but I don't think the rain lasted too long on this night, so I'm sure everyone still had a great time after it cleared away!

How sweet of your parents to recognize your efforts and to give you a gift of appreciation! I've heard so many good things about O'hana. Yet another thing to put on my list!

I thought so too Jill! I was very touched by it - not that they didn't tell me the whole trip how grateful they were for all the planning, plus they paid for many of the meals, so of course I felt appreciated, but the gifts were still very, very nice!

Sara

 

[Kimberly815]

We haven't been able to try 'Ohana yet, but it is definitely on my list! It sounds like you had a lovely last meal!

 

[faerieprincess]

Oh Sara, how COULD you post a picture of the bread pudding? Now i've got DROOL all over my keys and it's ALL YOUR FAULT!

Great update!

 

[mom2mek]

We haven't been able to try 'Ohana yet, but it is definitely on my list! It sounds like you had a lovely last meal!

Yes, it was wonderfully delicious!

Oh Sara, how COULD you post a picture of the bread pudding? Now i've got DROOL all over my keys and it's ALL YOUR FAULT!

Great update!

Ewww...nice visual! Well, wipe it off and get back to writing your trip report!

That is some serious yumminess though isn't it?

Sara

 

[kaysmommie]

Loved your Poly/ 'Ohana update. Reading it makes me miss Poly so much. I shouldn't complain as I did get to stay there twice for 8 nights each. But we just love it and would be happy to stay there every year. The food at 'Ohana is execellent, the dessert is awesome too. I heard they did away with it though not sure. You are going to love staying there .

 

[mkluvsmickey]

Great update as usual my friend! You make me want to try 'Ohana someday. We've never been there, only to Kona.

Love the stock pictures! In one of them I swear I see someone I know! Too funny!

 

[ladybugmom]

Sara--I really enjoyed reading your pre-trip report and have started on your trip report (currently reading Day2)! I have 2 daughters--Ally (4 1/2) and Claire (17 mo.). Ally takes dance and sings in the preschool choir at our church--like your girls!! We are going to WDW May 16-23! We're staying at the Polynesian and will be celerating our 10th anniversary! This will be the girl's 1st trip to WDW. I haven't been since I was a freshman in high school and it''s been even longer for dh. I am really enjoying the planning part of our trip and I can't wait until May!! Reading all of these great reports has inspired me to start my own pre-trip report. I will post when I get it started!! Oh--and where in VA do you live? My brother lives in Arlington, VA (works in D.C.) and my aunt & uncle live in Leesburg.