Trip Report **Completed** It's My Birthday (and its a hot one...)!

Hey guys my computer isn't here yet but I really want to start my TR so I'm slowly uploading pictures hoping my computer can handle it So, it will be a slow start but here we go!!

Who?
Just my Mom and I (Mary and Megan)...as if you don't know us by now

When?
July 4- 14th!

Where?
The Polynesian

Why?
I'm off all summer and I always wanted to go to Disney for my Birthday so why not!

T-1 Day
I finished residency the Friday before leaving but this day was insane for me trying to get a bunch of training and applications done before I left. I was also trying to finish ALL our packing...since we are not light packers... These are just my two suitcases

Anyway we were finally all set to go and we were out for a quick walk before bed when my sister called me and told me Max (my nephew) was having trouble walking. Long story short she had to take him to the ER but it all turned out OK and it was just swelling in his knee from his recent ear infection. Luckily we knew all was OK by like 10:30 and could still get some rest!

Day 1 - July 4, 2017
We had a later flight (aka not 6 am) so we could sleep in a bit, but we were going to Disney so I still woke up at 6am I still didn't drag myself out of bed until 7 am though, don't worry
We got ready and took our usual "kidnapping" pictures

Soon enough it was 8 am and we were off to the airport !
Southwest in our airport had a new self check in thing so we tried it out. This gave my flash backs to when I flew out of Canada to Punta Cana and struggled with self check-in but this was much easier and it only took me a few minutes to figure out the luggage tags The whole thing, however, made my Mom very nervous so she was glad I was doing it
When we brought our luggage to the counter the worker was saying that we MUST be going to Disney World (based off the DME tags and the Minnie Mouse suitcases) and how he and his coworkers go to Disney several times a year too We were lucky to have TSA pre-check and the TSA worker was so sweet about our matching shirts and saying she loved them. Anyway, the whole experience was very pleasant and I looked at my phone when we were through and it was 8:27 am. Drove to airport, checked luggage, and went through security all in 27 minutes
We were pretty hungry so checked out the Anchor Bar's breakfast menu but we were not feeling it (and we are creatures of habit) so went to get our usual bagel breakfast

Petey was there of course

We enjoyed our bagels then headed to our gate to wait. It was a VERY slow airport day (probably since its a holiday) so it was kind of nice to relax in the quiet. Soon enough we were on the plane!
When I got up in the morning my Lambie (yes I have one) was on the floor by my carry on. I had no idea how she got there but it was like a sign that I had to bring her so I did

Magic Bands unite!

We were lucky enough to be seated in row 3 and there was a dog behind us which made it even better
Our flight was actually about 20 minutes longer than usual but we entertained ourselves with The Keepers from Netflix (love that you can download stuff to use offline) and we had a fantastic flight crew!
You all know what happens first at the airport (well besides the bathroom...)! The fonorail!!

Next up: down to DME!

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 9 continued

These pictures are from the staircase/porch thingy

Is it just me or it the AKL confusing? We could not figure out where the bathrooms were and ended up taking the elevator down one floor because we couldn't figure out the stairs
After some figuring it out we finally made our way to our final destination: Victoria Falls

We wanted to have something unique to the AKL so we both chose the Victoria Falls Mist to drink

My Mom liked it better than I did - it was very sweet but I still drank most of it.
While we were at Victoria Falls it became more and more evident that we would not be doing our FPs at AK because it was getting stormier and stormier outside. So we decided to do something new and got ourselves some movie tickets for the AMC at Disney Springs!
We finished up our drinks and headed to the bus stop for DS.
These bus stops are massive!!!

It was a LONG (over 30 minute) bus ride to DS but clearly we made the right decision to skip AK because it was pouring. We had done everything we wanted to the first time we were at AK except see Pandora at night but we could do that another trip. We had some time before our movie so we shopped a little.
I never buy anything, but Sugarboo and Company is my favorite store at Disney Springs. For example, this is right up my alley

Anyway, we headed over to the Dine -In AMC

I was looking around and couldn't find our theater and quickly realized I made a huge mistake in assuming all shows were in the dine-in theater. To be fair I swear when I googled it the show I picked said it was but I think it was just the mobile version of it that made it seem like they were all dine -in (since that was what I googled). I couldn't even figure out where our movie was. Why are the two AMCs so far apart?! So we trudged our way to the other AMC in the rain and right into chaos. I'm sure it was because it was raining but it was absolutely nuts in there. We got some popcorn, nachos and drinks Thankfully we weren't that hungry (especially since we were planning on having dinner during our movie) because the popcorn was meh and the nacho cheese was weird tasting Someday I will make it up to my Mom and watch a movie in the Dine -In side of things
Anyway, we ended up seeing Cars 3 and we loved it! Much better than Cars 2 After our movie it was still pouring so we headed out, home and to bed !

Next up: The BIG day (AKA my Birthday)

 

[djpoore94]

In the end we both really enjoyed our tacos! However, we should have split because with the appetizers it was WAY too much food. Shocker - us not sharing food Had I not eaten nearly and entire plate of guacamole I would have been able to eat more but I think I ate one taco. Plus the tacos came with guacamole too...so much guac ! My Mom was happy we tried it and she tried something "new"

I am so glad to hear you enjoyed this meal! DH & I booked a dinner here for a "date night" on our next trip. We're calling it date night, but it's more an excuse to escape the chaos of traveling (for the first time) with extended family (including my MIL & FIL, who are divorced, SIL & her boyfriend, 17 YO nephew and 21 YO niece!). I'm really bad about changing ADR's around up until the last minute so I promised DH that I will only change this one if I can score a Cali Grill for that night!

 

[DonnaOnTheRocks]

Thank you for posting so much today, it's making my work day go by so much faster!!

Question- Do servers ever give you attitude for sharing meals? Since there's 3 of us going next trip and my mom and I don't eat much, I'm wondering if I shouldn't book certain meals where we would order an appetizer and maybe 1 meal between the 3 of us plus dessert. We're very good tippers regardless, but the server won't know that until the end of the meal lol.

 

[Doc Disney]

I love Jambo at AKL, it is my favorite resort. Sorry your mom fell, at least you checked first if she was okay before laughing. I broke my ankle years ago stepping in a pothole while walking with my sister. Her response was laughing at me while telling me I am so dumb to not watch were I am going.
In her defense she didn't realize how bad it was until a few minutes later. So if you ever go to Bali watch out for the deep potholes!

It was so beautiful! My Mom wasn't quite as into it as I was though Oh no thats terrible!!! I truly think I was over tired because I can't imagine actually having that reaction in normal life. I took a bad spill a few years ago in Disney (slipped at Sci-Fi Dine In) and I literally started crying because I hurt my knee so bad. My sister laughed at me thinking I was crying because I was embarrassed! Those sisters
I also feel like this was semi-payback since when I hit my head in Disney last year and got a concussion my Mom filmed the whole thing while laughing (clearly she didn't know I was that hurt ). Now that I'm writing this I realize I'm accident prone in Disney

 

[Doc Disney]

I am so glad to hear you enjoyed this meal! DH & I booked a dinner here for a "date night" on our next trip. We're calling it date night, but it's more an excuse to escape the chaos of traveling (for the first time) with extended family (including my MIL & FIL, who are divorced, SIL & her boyfriend, 17 YO nephew and 21 YO niece!). I'm really bad about changing ADR's around up until the last minute so I promised DH that I will only change this one if I can score a Cali Grill for that night!

Oh wow thats a lot of people who are traveling together...that does sound like something you will need a break from!!! You will really like it! My co-worker could not stop talking about how good it was (she went multiple times her one trip) and it did not disappoint !

 

[Doc Disney]

Thank you for posting so much today, it's making my work day go by so much faster!!

Question- Do servers ever give you attitude for sharing meals? Since there's 3 of us going next trip and my mom and I don't eat much, I'm wondering if I shouldn't book certain meals where we would order an appetizer and maybe 1 meal between the 3 of us plus dessert. We're very good tippers regardless, but the server won't know that until the end of the meal lol.

You're welcome I'm glad my rush to get this done is helping
I am always nervous about servers having issues but I've never encountered one that seemed to care. Maybe internally they do We are not big eaters at all so its not like we are sharing to save money (although thats nice)...we are just trying not to waste food! I would definitely go for it! We over tip too so hopefully they are happy in the end ! I guess now that I think about it if anything I have had servers go out of their way to give us our own plates and split sandwiches and stuff for us in the kitchen.

 

[12in12]

You do sound a bit accident prone, let's hope you have had your share of Disney accidents.
I have been lucky that my ankle was the only time I have been seriously hurt while travelling or otherwise. It made me have such a new appreciation for healthy legs and feet. Crutches were so difficult and painful.

 

[DonnaOnTheRocks]

You're welcome I'm glad my rush to get this done is helping
I am always nervous about servers having issues but I've never encountered one that seemed to care. Maybe internally they do We are not big eaters at all so its not like we are sharing to save money (although thats nice)...we are just trying not to waste food! I would definitely go for it! We over tip too so hopefully they are happy in the end ! I guess now that I think about it if anything I have had servers go out of their way to give us our own plates and split sandwiches and stuff for us in the kitchen.

We want to save money AND not waste food. When we go out my husband and I started getting an appetizer and splitting an entree everywhere we go. Adding my mom into the mix, we could probably do the same and we'd all eat plenty lol! But it's good to know most servers don't mind! That makes me feel better about it for some reason

 

[erin&kip]

Aw thank you!!! Will you be there for Food and Wine? If you have any specific questions feel free to ask

Not this year - but we were the past 2 years. Heading the week after Thanksgiving this year due to my sister's wedding taking over our usual F&W trip schedule! Definitely excited to see even more Christmas decorations - and the Candlelight Processional - as our past two trips were just ahead of the full Christmas experience. But I will be sure to ask any questions that come up! We are definitely still newbies

 

[LadyBelle]

Your dress from Day 8 is super cute!

 

[Doc Disney]

You do sound a bit accident prone, let's hope you have had your share of Disney accidents.
I have been lucky that my ankle was the only time I have been seriously hurt while travelling or otherwise. It made me have such a new appreciation for healthy legs and feet. Crutches were so difficult and painful.

I'm clumsy in general...Disney or no Disney Crutches are terrible!

 

[Doc Disney]

We want to save money AND not waste food. When we go out my husband and I started getting an appetizer and splitting an entree everywhere we go. Adding my mom into the mix, we could probably do the same and we'd all eat plenty lol! But it's good to know most servers don't mind! That makes me feel better about it for some reason

Yea saving money is pretty nice too I guess even if the servers do mind it doesn't really matter but I'm with you on caring

 

[Doc Disney]

Not this year - but we were the past 2 years. Heading the week after Thanksgiving this year due to my sister's wedding taking over our usual F&W trip schedule! Definitely excited to see even more Christmas decorations - and the Candlelight Processional - as our past two trips were just ahead of the full Christmas experience. But I will be sure to ask any questions that come up! We are definitely still newbies

I'm SO bummed my Mom and I are thinking about going around Nov 16 but its after Food and Wine and before the Candlelight Processional. I always wanted to see the Processional and I assumed it started after Food and Wine but there is a delay

 

[Doc Disney]

Your dress from Day 8 is super cute!

Thank you! Its from the Loft

 

[rshell68]

I'm sure I mentioned this before but I am short...like 5'1" short

I feel your pain...fellow 5'1 here....

Sorry guys if I'm going fast, trying to get through my TR before my next trip

Keep the post coming. Your trips are as close together as another person on these boards...yes, I'm looking at you @Tuvalu

 

[gdisneyfans]

It should come as no surprise that I ordered the Charred Strip Steak

this is why I made a lunch reservation for our next trip - I've been wanting to try this ever since I've seen your photos! Can't wait to try it!

I love Bloody Mary's and I like them spicy

Oooh I love spicy Bloody Mary's too!!

5th rolling FP

You were definitely the FP Queen that evening!

Can't wait to read how your birthday went!

 

[Doc Disney]

I feel your pain...fellow 5'1 here....

Keep the post coming. Your trips are as close together as another person on these boards...yes, I'm looking at you @Tuvalu

I usually don't mind being short but seriously its SO annoying at Disney sometimes haha
I'm very lucky to have close trips but I'm sure once I start my real life job that won't get to happen anymore so enjoying it while I can

 

[Doc Disney]

this is why I made a lunch reservation for our next trip - I've been wanting to try this ever since I've seen your photos! Can't wait to try it!

Oooh I love spicy Bloody Mary's too!!

You were definitely the FP Queen that evening!

Can't wait to read how your birthday went!

Oh I love Mama Melrose's...I hope you love it too Spicy Bloody Mary's are the best but Ive come to realize they aren't the most refreshing when its hot out
Playing the FP game is my favorite game to play. I'm not sure if people just dot try to pick up FPs or what because even in high crowds I can usually find some

 

[Dave Z]

My wife is 5'2" and my son told she needed to 5'6" to a vote in the house! lol

 

[blreinsel]

Ummmm LAVA FLOW!? Your mom is my own personal drink finder. Sign me up for one of those.

I didn't realize Characters in Flight was only 7 minutes long. Sounds like a rip off to me.. though I would like to see the awesome views just once.

AKL is so beautiful. I'm obsessed with it and the Poly and WILL stay at both at some point.