Members: myself, DH (both 35), DS 4, DS 21mo, my mother and my sister 29. We were celebrating DS 5th bday while we were there. He wore his button everyday and loved the attention he got from everyone.
Day 1
DH, boys and myself arrive at Poly on Monday 8th around 6:15pm. We were slightly disappointed that all there was available were "fake balcony" rooms. We were granted our Fiji request though. The room was wonderful and the location was great, just a quick walk to GCH. I just wish we had arrived during daylight. We grabbed a quick dinner and went to beach for Wishes and Water Parade, then unpacked and went to bed.
Day 2
My mother arrived at Poly at 8:30am with my grandfather and we all ate breakfast together at Kona. It was delicious. My grandfather went home after (he lives close by) and we were off to MK. Very short lines. We were able to do JC, Met Hook & Smee and Peter & Wendy, POTC, Splash, BTMRR and HM all before lunch. Went back to Poly for baby's nap and mom and I took DS to the pool. Back to MK around 4pm. Then did Monsters and Buzz, had dinner, watched the castle lighting and left. Crowds were really packing in for MVMCP. It was sold out that night and we could tell by the wall to wall people coming in. I feel bad for anyone who went this night. My sister arrived that night around 8pm and after being on a flight filled with cheerleaders she need a drink and something to eat so we all went to pool area and grabbed a table and again watched water parade and Holiday Wishes.
Day 3
We had breakfast at WCC. We took monorail to MK and were able to watch rope drop ceremony as we waited for the boat to WL. After breakfast went to MK. We noticed alot of groups of kids which we assumed were Pop Warner kids so we went straight to Toom Town where we assumed they would no be. We stopped to meet Uncle Scrooge along the way. Met Mickey and Minnie, and toured their homes. DH and DS did Barnstormer and then we took the train back to Main Street and headed back to Poly for nap time. Then back to MK and hit HM and IASW. We had planned on seeing Castle lighting again, but there were sooooo many people waiting we decided just to head out for our dinner. We went to Chef Mickey's for DS's bday and it was fantastic. The characters there are always top notch. After dinner did some shopping at DTD and then waited and eternity for the bus back to Poly.
We were so happy that younger DS was not afraid of characters. Over the summer when we were there he was scared to death, but this time he wated hugs and kisses from all of them :sohappy:
Day 4
It was pouring rain. We decided to resort hop. We first went to GF to see their tree and the famous gingerbread house. Then took bus from MK to AKL. This was the longest bus ride ever. We got in the right line and CM asked where we were going. Told us to get on another bus and it would get us there. He neglected to tell us that first it would go to SSR, then BC before going to AKL. We grabbed a snack there and went to try to see some animals, again in the pouring rain. All we were able to see were some birds and zebras. We hung out on the outlook for a little while and then took bus to AK to get bus back to Poly again for baby's nap.
Now we are off to MVMCP. First dinner at Plaza. This place was so small, but the food was very good. We went to see Monsters and Buzz before Castle Lighting, then went to first Twas the Night Before Christmas show. There was almost a brawl behind us, we were in next to last row. People in the last row were fighting with people behind them all because the people in the last row stood up so the people behind them could not see. Then this crazy lady behind us (who PICKED the last row to sit in) went nuts because she couldn't see if she sat down. When my husband put the baby in his lap she mde a comment about how he better not let the baby stand on the bench. Then made another comment about my taking video of the show and my camera was going to be in her way UUURRRGGGGHHHHH!!!
My mother had bought battery operated Christmas lights to decorate the stroller. We got so many comments about how cool it was and what a great idea. Let me tell you it was so easy to find us &/or the carriage in the mix of everyone. We kept them on the stoller for the remaining nights to make us easy to find in a crowd.
DS loved the dance parties he had a blast dancing with Goofy. Nothing except Peter Pan had any sort of wait. DH and DS had their own boat on Splash. We walked right on to everythings else we did that night and Philharmagic was only 1/2 full if that. We got a nice spot for fireworks and watched 2nd parade from just outside Pecos Bill's. What a great parade that is. We then took our sweet time walking out as we knew the parade was heading towards the exit and the baby had fallen asleep just after the fireworks. We got back to Poly just after 11:30pm
Day 5
Breakfast at Kona again, still very yummy. Then to EPCOT. After such a late night we decided that we would suck it up and get stroller for older son. My mother, who has a very bad hip decided she's get a scooter here too. These were the 2 best decisions we made the whole week. Neither of them would have made it through the whole park with out them. Got FP's for TT and M:S then hit the countries. We stopped at all the Kidcot's, saw a few story tellers, met Santa, and had a late lunch at ESPN. We also saw a few princesses out and about (Mulan, Belle, Jasmine, Mary Poppins and Alice), but DS wanted nothing to do with meeting them. Then went back for FP times. Went over to Imagination and Nemo walked around the tree and lights for a few before getting a spot for Illuminations.
We then had to deal with the transportation nightmare of the monorail being broken. We left right after 9:30pm Illuminations and didn't get back to room at Poly until 11:30pm.
Day 6
After the night we had we decided to delay are DHS start time by 2hrs. So we got there a little after 10am. My sister ran ahead to get TSM FPs (they were for 4pm). SHHHH 2 of the tickets didn't work in the FP machine CM just gave her the FPs. So then she got in another line and tried the tickets agian and got 2 more :lookaroun. We met Buzz and Woody and then DH and DS went to "car" show while we took the baby to Muppets and to meet Mater and McQueen. DS tried his hardest to get picked for Jedi show, but had a complete meltdown when he wasn't selected. We got a table at Backlot restaurant and watched the Jedi show while we ate. Went over to Indy and my sister got picked to be in it. Went to Star Tours. Then went to get FPs for Tot before parade. Watched parade and then DH and DS went to use 2 TSM fast pases while we walked slow and through a few stores. We then all rode TSM. Older DS was now asking about Muppets so DH took him while we took baby to meet Einsteins and Jojo at Playhouse Disney. We met back up to ride Tot and see Fantasmic (boy do I love that). Off to Osborne Lights and it sure was impressive.
We now had to go back to Poly and pack
Day 7
ME at 8:45am for 11:45 flight. It was enough time to get one more quick look around Poly before we left.
Looking back:
Poly was great. Rooms were very big and even though we didn't have a real balcony after the first 2 days it really didn't matter because it did get pretty cold and we did have a very nice view of the marina. It was my dream to stay here and I just wish we could have used the pool more than once. We'd stay here agian if we can afford it. It was so easy to get to MK especially with a stroller. To not have to fold it up all the time was priceless. We would absolutely go this same week again. The corwd levels were on the light side especially seeing as our last 2 trip have been over summer months. DH said on 2nd day (and every day since) that he would prefer NOT to go back in the summer ever again. Minus the EPCOT monorail issue this was a dream vacation that I was able to share with my boys, DH, Mom and Sister, but I am sad that it's over and we probably won't be going back until 2010
Day 1
DH, boys and myself arrive at Poly on Monday 8th around 6:15pm. We were slightly disappointed that all there was available were "fake balcony" rooms. We were granted our Fiji request though. The room was wonderful and the location was great, just a quick walk to GCH. I just wish we had arrived during daylight. We grabbed a quick dinner and went to beach for Wishes and Water Parade, then unpacked and went to bed.
Day 2
My mother arrived at Poly at 8:30am with my grandfather and we all ate breakfast together at Kona. It was delicious. My grandfather went home after (he lives close by) and we were off to MK. Very short lines. We were able to do JC, Met Hook & Smee and Peter & Wendy, POTC, Splash, BTMRR and HM all before lunch. Went back to Poly for baby's nap and mom and I took DS to the pool. Back to MK around 4pm. Then did Monsters and Buzz, had dinner, watched the castle lighting and left. Crowds were really packing in for MVMCP. It was sold out that night and we could tell by the wall to wall people coming in. I feel bad for anyone who went this night. My sister arrived that night around 8pm and after being on a flight filled with cheerleaders she need a drink and something to eat so we all went to pool area and grabbed a table and again watched water parade and Holiday Wishes.
Day 3
We had breakfast at WCC. We took monorail to MK and were able to watch rope drop ceremony as we waited for the boat to WL. After breakfast went to MK. We noticed alot of groups of kids which we assumed were Pop Warner kids so we went straight to Toom Town where we assumed they would no be. We stopped to meet Uncle Scrooge along the way. Met Mickey and Minnie, and toured their homes. DH and DS did Barnstormer and then we took the train back to Main Street and headed back to Poly for nap time. Then back to MK and hit HM and IASW. We had planned on seeing Castle lighting again, but there were sooooo many people waiting we decided just to head out for our dinner. We went to Chef Mickey's for DS's bday and it was fantastic. The characters there are always top notch. After dinner did some shopping at DTD and then waited and eternity for the bus back to Poly.
We were so happy that younger DS was not afraid of characters. Over the summer when we were there he was scared to death, but this time he wated hugs and kisses from all of them :sohappy:
Day 4
It was pouring rain. We decided to resort hop. We first went to GF to see their tree and the famous gingerbread house. Then took bus from MK to AKL. This was the longest bus ride ever. We got in the right line and CM asked where we were going. Told us to get on another bus and it would get us there. He neglected to tell us that first it would go to SSR, then BC before going to AKL. We grabbed a snack there and went to try to see some animals, again in the pouring rain. All we were able to see were some birds and zebras. We hung out on the outlook for a little while and then took bus to AK to get bus back to Poly again for baby's nap.
Now we are off to MVMCP. First dinner at Plaza. This place was so small, but the food was very good. We went to see Monsters and Buzz before Castle Lighting, then went to first Twas the Night Before Christmas show. There was almost a brawl behind us, we were in next to last row. People in the last row were fighting with people behind them all because the people in the last row stood up so the people behind them could not see. Then this crazy lady behind us (who PICKED the last row to sit in) went nuts because she couldn't see if she sat down. When my husband put the baby in his lap she mde a comment about how he better not let the baby stand on the bench. Then made another comment about my taking video of the show and my camera was going to be in her way UUURRRGGGGHHHHH!!!
My mother had bought battery operated Christmas lights to decorate the stroller. We got so many comments about how cool it was and what a great idea. Let me tell you it was so easy to find us &/or the carriage in the mix of everyone. We kept them on the stoller for the remaining nights to make us easy to find in a crowd.
DS loved the dance parties he had a blast dancing with Goofy. Nothing except Peter Pan had any sort of wait. DH and DS had their own boat on Splash. We walked right on to everythings else we did that night and Philharmagic was only 1/2 full if that. We got a nice spot for fireworks and watched 2nd parade from just outside Pecos Bill's. What a great parade that is. We then took our sweet time walking out as we knew the parade was heading towards the exit and the baby had fallen asleep just after the fireworks. We got back to Poly just after 11:30pm
Day 5
Breakfast at Kona again, still very yummy. Then to EPCOT. After such a late night we decided that we would suck it up and get stroller for older son. My mother, who has a very bad hip decided she's get a scooter here too. These were the 2 best decisions we made the whole week. Neither of them would have made it through the whole park with out them. Got FP's for TT and M:S then hit the countries. We stopped at all the Kidcot's, saw a few story tellers, met Santa, and had a late lunch at ESPN. We also saw a few princesses out and about (Mulan, Belle, Jasmine, Mary Poppins and Alice), but DS wanted nothing to do with meeting them. Then went back for FP times. Went over to Imagination and Nemo walked around the tree and lights for a few before getting a spot for Illuminations.
We then had to deal with the transportation nightmare of the monorail being broken. We left right after 9:30pm Illuminations and didn't get back to room at Poly until 11:30pm.
Day 6
After the night we had we decided to delay are DHS start time by 2hrs. So we got there a little after 10am. My sister ran ahead to get TSM FPs (they were for 4pm). SHHHH 2 of the tickets didn't work in the FP machine CM just gave her the FPs. So then she got in another line and tried the tickets agian and got 2 more :lookaroun. We met Buzz and Woody and then DH and DS went to "car" show while we took the baby to Muppets and to meet Mater and McQueen. DS tried his hardest to get picked for Jedi show, but had a complete meltdown when he wasn't selected. We got a table at Backlot restaurant and watched the Jedi show while we ate. Went over to Indy and my sister got picked to be in it. Went to Star Tours. Then went to get FPs for Tot before parade. Watched parade and then DH and DS went to use 2 TSM fast pases while we walked slow and through a few stores. We then all rode TSM. Older DS was now asking about Muppets so DH took him while we took baby to meet Einsteins and Jojo at Playhouse Disney. We met back up to ride Tot and see Fantasmic (boy do I love that). Off to Osborne Lights and it sure was impressive.
We now had to go back to Poly and pack
Day 7
ME at 8:45am for 11:45 flight. It was enough time to get one more quick look around Poly before we left.
Looking back:
Poly was great. Rooms were very big and even though we didn't have a real balcony after the first 2 days it really didn't matter because it did get pretty cold and we did have a very nice view of the marina. It was my dream to stay here and I just wish we could have used the pool more than once. We'd stay here agian if we can afford it. It was so easy to get to MK especially with a stroller. To not have to fold it up all the time was priceless. We would absolutely go this same week again. The corwd levels were on the light side especially seeing as our last 2 trip have been over summer months. DH said on 2nd day (and every day since) that he would prefer NOT to go back in the summer ever again. Minus the EPCOT monorail issue this was a dream vacation that I was able to share with my boys, DH, Mom and Sister, but I am sad that it's over and we probably won't be going back until 2010
