Trip Report Go With The Flow...It's Spring Break, You Know! *COMPLETED*

Attention all planners (you know who you are!) ~ it is actually possible to have an excellent WDW vacation without following a pre-determined day-by-day (or minute-by-minute for you micro-planners) schedule. Even when it means missing the MK Welcome Show three times (*sigh*) or Wishes (gasp!) Even when you get stuck on a monorail for an hour and fifteen minutes. Or have to wait 40 minutes in the Main Street Starbucks and you aren't getting coffee (or even a snack).

Did you know it is possible to score a same-day ADR for dinner at Garden Grill (at a decent dinner hour)? Or snag a pre-park opening breakfast at Crystal Palace the night before? I wouldn't either, had we stuck to my plan.

Now some advance planning is always necessary, especially during the busy Spring Break period. And we are spring break veterans (having survived Easter week a few times!) so we know what to expect. That's why it was especially hard for me, the planner, to give up/adjust some of our plans and Go With The Flow! (channeling my inner Crush, can you tell?)

Now the details:
April 3-9, 2016
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Cast:
Tuvalu and @TrolleyFollower91 (known as Em)

and our beloved Woody! He makes it possible for our Disney dreams to come true .

Goofy is his favorite!

Join us on a fun-filled week of surprises. Did we get to stay in a bungalow? Stay tuned.

 

[TrolleyFollower91]

I wonder if I should order dessert first, and then maybe a sandwich or salad, after? (I don't want to fill up on regular lunch food and then not have room for a big ice cream dessert.) Yes, the decision is made: dessert first.

Trust me, you will have room for BOTH. Definitely some of the best American food on property!

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, April 5
Day #3 of sun, a cool breeze and no humidity

We are going to start this morning with a quiz. When I awakened, this is what I saw. Any guesses?

Anyone?

Trapped between the mattress and the floor was:

A pig in an Olaf costume! Betcha didn't guess that!

Pig has been Em's traveling companion since she made him at Build-A-Bear when she was in grade school. (You can tell by his appearance he is well-loved.) Pig has taken a Disney cruise to Alaska and flown to Budapest, Hungary. He never misses a trip to WDW. Pig is able to wear all Duffy (the Disney Bear) costumes ~ he has been an aviator, Halloween Mickey, and Sulley. Sulley was our favorite until I found Olaf last year.

Evidently it was a violent night for poor Pig.

I was the first one ready, so I decided to check the lounge and see if the "promised" oatmeal was available...nope, just more instant oatmeal packets (and still no microwave!) However, there were mini chocolate chip muffins, and who doesn't like those?!

Now it is time for me to vent about a personal pet peeve of the Tuvalu family ~ double-wide jogging strollers. These monstrosities have overtaken the theme parks, buses, monorails and boats. They are a major inconvenience to the poor dads who have to break them down and hold them on buses and boats. They are a major inconvenience to guests who have to wait on the dads to close them or try to get around them on congested walkways. We understand some double strollers (front to back, not side by side) are a necessity for children 4 years and younger. But most of the kids you see in these double-wides are 6, 8 and even 10 years old!

And I can't believe this is not a fire hazard:

4 double-wides in our hallway!

And these weren't even the ones clogging up the bus stop as we waited to go to DHS. Two got on the first DHS bus that arrived...the other 5 (that's right 5!) boarded the second bus that we were able to get on, 20 minutes later. Another morning that we missed rope drop .

Well, the "brief" unobstructed view of the Chinese Theater is gone...thanks to Star Wars.

The Great Movie Ride already had a 25 minute wait, but standby was our only option since we didn't have a FP. At least we got to see a part of the new pre show movie we hadn't seen. And we had a decent Mugsy.

We had to rush to our first fastpasses, since our hour window was almost over. Woody and Em went to visit Aerosmith, while I had a date with another Woody.

YAY for my FP!!!!! (Although I still waited 20 minutes.)

Noticed these new instruction monitors while waiting in line:

Apparently, single riders (or the odd # member of a party) are now paired up with another guest...AWKWARD!!! And the woman I was paired with kept yelling at me which targets to hit because she'd watched YouTube videos and "knew all the secrets." I should have ignored her (which would have been difficult due to her loud running commentary) and done my own thing, because it was one of my lowest TSMM scores ever. It was especially humiliating because I usually get Best in Vehicle.

Defeated, I walked over to see the walled-off area by the Backlot Tour.

 

[coachwnh]

Our time in AK had come to an end ~ we had a lunch ADR to make!

Guess where?
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Beaches and Cream is a real hidden gem. Except it is not so "hidden" anymore...ADRs are a must! It is a tiny restaurant full of 50s charm.

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The food is pretty darn good too! It may also be one of the last places in the "world" to serve fat fries .

Em ordered a patty melt:
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Woody had the six-cheese grilled cheese and tomato bisque:
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And I made a few changes to the grilled chicken sandwich:
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It would be inconceivable to go to Beaches and Cream and not have ice cream! In fact, there were 4 Kitchen Sinks ordered during the hour we were there. If you have never seen the Kitchen Sink "presentation", it is something else! Our dessert appetites were not so ambitious. I had a chocolate marshmallow sundae and Woody shared the peanut butter No Way Jose with Em.

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Love that Beaches and Cream!!!

 

[MinnieM123]

A pig in an Olaf costume! Betcha didn't guess that!

This is so funny!! Wow. Pig is like a chameleon -- in that he can change his (costume) "colors" depending upon where he is traveling in the world!

Regarding your comments on the double strollers, what happened to the front-to-back kind? Years ago, I remember seeing little kids in those. It's the side-to-side ones that are wide and hard to get around, if you're trying to pass. And, I was really surprised to see your photo of people leaving them outside their door? I don't know what FL fire code is about any obstructions in public hotel hallways, but I do seriously question whether anything should be placed there, even on the side of hallways.

 

[Tuvalu]

This is so funny!! Wow. Pig is like a chameleon -- in that he can change his (costume) "colors" depending upon where he is traveling in the world!

Regarding your comments on the double strollers, what happened to the front-to-back kind? Years ago, I remember seeing little kids in those. It's the side-to-side ones that are wide and hard to get around, if you're trying to pass. And, I was really surprised to see your photo of people leaving them outside their door? I don't know what FL fire code is about any obstructions in public hotel hallways, but I do seriously question whether anything should be placed there, even on the side of hallways.

We were shocked about the hallway strollers. It was as if one person did it and everyone else went along. We have seen people park ECVs in the hallway (which we also think is dangerous) too...what happens when it becomes strollers and ECVs??!! Thankfully most of the strollers were gone by the time the maid carts showed up, otherwise it would have been a real obstacle course.

 

[ScarletBegonias]

I am in love with your report so far!!!! Your pictures are beautiful and the Poly... *sigh*...

The pictures of the bungalows were great. I'm so glad to finally see what they look like inside!

We had an ADR for Beaches and Cream and ended up cancelling it, because we were exhausted. Now I kind of wish we hadn't!

I have NEVER seen strollers in the hallway like that. That's ridiculous! We use a single one, and always find a place in the room. I'd never, ever leave it in the hallway. Ugh!!!

Can't wait to read more.

 

[Tuvalu]

I am in love with your report so far!!!! Your pictures are beautiful and the Poly... *sigh*...

The pictures of the bungalows were great. I'm so glad to finally see what they look like inside!

We had an ADR for Beaches and Cream and ended up cancelling it, because we were exhausted. Now I kind of wish we hadn't!

I have NEVER seen strollers in the hallway like that. That's ridiculous! We use a single one, and always find a place in the room. I'd never, ever leave it in the hallway. Ugh!!!

Can't wait to read more.

Thanks for reading ! More to come soon!

 

[Tuvalu]

Woody and Em were having a much better time on RnR than I had on TSMM.

Em texted me when they were off the coaster and asked if they should go ahead and use their ToT fastpass. I was still waiting to ride TSMM at this point so I said yes. I do ride ToT, but it's not something I mind skipping. I told Em I would meet them at the exit.

Clearly they enjoyed their stay at the Hollywood Tower Hotel. (Well, at least Em did!)

Thrill rides can make a person hungry, so lunch was next. It was the perfect temperature for outdoor dining and Fairfax Fare is our new go-to for quick service at the Studios. Em had a BBQ sandwich, while Woody and I enjoyed the BBQ wedge salad (which is not exactly a wedge!)

And my two peanut butter lovers each devoured their own Darth Vader cupcake!

Woody let me eat his dark chocolate Darth head . Cause that's what wonderful hubbies do .

I don't remember what our 3rd fastpass was for since we returned to the Poly after we finished eating. Woody had a few meetings to attend, Em had an appointment to surprise one of her students and I had a date with a lounge chair at the Oasis pool!

The 3 of us reconvened for evening appetizers and drinks. Em shared the story of how she surprised Matt, one of her 3rd graders, in the MK. (Matt's mom had orchestrated the plan.) Matt was thrilled to ride Space Mountain and TTA Peoplemover with his teacher . And Em even made the ultimate sacrifice when she accompanied him on Stitch !

Now, dear reader, it is time for you to go with the flow. Because we have no photos of the rest of our night...which is quite unfortunate since we had a delectable dinner at 'Ohana. The chicken was exceptional! We had not eaten at 'Ohana in a couple years due to poor service and lackluster food, so we knew we were rolling the dice when Em made the ADR. Happily, this meal did not disappoint...we had to waddle back to our room.

Heavy meal + alcohol = sleepiness.

No Wishes tonight!

 

[MinnieM123]

I LOVE the Darth Vadar cupcakes!! For the past few years (I visit each May), I've been able to get one each trip at Starring Rolls in DHS.

And the funny thing is that even with crowds at DHS, and just a few tables outside of Starring Rolls, I've somehow always timed it right--I still find a table and sit there with a cup of coffee and my Darth Vadar cupcake. And I so look forward to this scrumptious, decadent cupcake each year that I dive right into it--ripping off off the head first, caveman style!

 

[Tuvalu]

I LOVE the Darth Vadar cupcakes!! For the past few years (I visit each May), I've been able to get one each trip at Starring Rolls in DHS.

And the funny thing is that even with crowds at DHS, and just a few tables outside of Starring Rolls, I've somehow always timed it right--I still find a table and sit there with a cup of coffee and my Darth Vadar cupcake. And I so look forward to this scrumptious, decadent cupcake each year that I dive right into it--ripping off off the head first, caveman style!

Fortunately for Darth lovers, the cupcake is now available year round!!

 

[Tuvalu]

We interrupt this trip report with adorable kitten pics:

Introducing Kona...a 2-week-old ball of cuteness. I'll say it for you: "Awwwwwww...."

Kona needs to remain with Mama for another month before joining our family. For those of you not familiar with our other pet, let me introduce Poly (because really, what else would we call her?) The Cat Who Climbs Christmas Trees:

But to prove she can be just as adorable as a kitten:

Now back to our regularly scheduled trip report.

 

[gwhb75]

We interrupt this trip report with adorable kitten pics:

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Introducing Kona...a 2-week-old ball of cuteness. I'll say it for you: "Awwwwwww...."

Kona needs to remain with Mama for another month before joining our family. For those of you not familiar with our other pet, let me introduce Poly (because really, what else would we call her?) The Cat Who Climbs Christmas Trees:

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But to prove she can be just as adorable as a kitten:

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Now back to our regularly scheduled trip report.

Great trip report so far. I just showed my wife the cat pics (she loves cats).

 

[Tuvalu]

Great trip report so far. I just showed my wife the cat pics (she loves cats).

Thanks, @gwhb75 . When's the next trip?

 

[gwhb75]

Thanks, @gwhb75 . When's the next trip?

August 20th - 29th. AKL. Pre-trip report coming soon ( " soon " bring a relative term)

 

[Tuvalu]

Success
August 20th - 29th. AKL. Pre-trip report coming soon ( " soon " bring a relative term)

We'll wait.

 

[gwhb75]

We'll wait.

Not really sure why the phone felt the need to put the word success before that last post...

 

[LisaBelle]

Loving your report! I think it's great that Em was able to surprise one of her students. The new kitten is a-dor-a-ble!!!!

 

[MinnieM123]

Darth cupcakes available year-round now??!! Once again, you're the bearer of good tidings!!

Love the cat pictures--almost as much as I like the fact that Darth cupcakes are now a staple at DHS!

 

[Woodywrkr]

The level of excitement on Woody's face is off the charts!!!

Uhhh...that is my excited look...

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, April 5
Day #4 of sun, a cool breeze and no humidity ~ despite a forecast that had called for clouds and rain

As I made my way down the stairs to breakfast, I spied a crockpot...could it be oatmeal at last??!! I grabbed a bowl, opened the lid and....

GRITS

Now I may live in the south, but I grew up a Yankee and thus never ate grits as a child. I am convinced you must be spoon-fed grits as a baby in order to develop a liking for them as an adult. Even Em, who herself is a GRITS (Girl Raised in the South) won't touch them with a ten foot pole.

Newsflash people...grits are not a substitute for oatmeal! If you don't believe me, believe the little boy I overheard say, "This oatmeal tastes funny" to his mother.

In the meantime, poor Woody had poured himself a cup of decaf which was ice cold. I chuckled, "If we only had a microwave, you could warm that right up! And I could make myself some instant oatmeal!" (Note to self: never refuse a microwave for the room, even if you didn't request it.)

I made the executive decision to have breakfast in Capt. Cooks. We were heading to the MK anyway, so we could catch the monorail after eating. Woody got to satisfy his Mickey Waffle craving; Em and I shared a bacon, egg & cheese croissant and a chocolate croissant (she couldn't decide between a sweet or savory breakfast.)

With the MK only a 5-7 minute monorail ride away, we knew we would arrive in plenty of time to watch the Welcome Show.

Except the monorail was down !

So we made our way to the boat dock, where we joined the end of a HUGE line. "Planner panic" was setting in, and I couldn't enjoy the beautiful morning.

Hopes rised when I saw the ferry! Yippee -- They saw the long line of guests on the dock and sent us a ferry!

NOT! The ferry was just parked there. All of us on the dock were grumbling, since only a few guests were able to board the smaller boat (it was full of people from the GF) and at least 4 boats would be required to accommodate everyone. Suddenly, someone noticed a moving monorail on the resort line. A few of us at the end of the line turned to walk back to the Great Ceremonial House figuring the now-operational monorail was a better transport option than waiting for boats.

Except that when we got to the monorail, guests were not allowed to board.

Making the Welcome Show was now a moot point. The CM at the monorail station did not know when the resort line would open. Rather than return to the end of the lengthy line on the boat dock, we decided to walk to the TTC and take the ferry.

What should have been 10 minutes of travel after breakfast took AN HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTES . Woody kept giving me the "Go with the flow" look.

Tomorrowland was our first destination. My plan to jump right on Buzz Lightyear at rope drop had become "wait 20 minutes in the standby line."

But guess what...it was worth the wait! It had taken me 17 years, but I finally maxed out the points to become a Galactic Hero!!!!!

I was so excited I took two pictures, LOL. Em was happy for me too .

We used our FP for Space Mountain next.

We walked the path from Space Mountain to Storybook Circus (one of the few pathways in the park that's not congested.) We did some shopping in Big Top Souvenirs, then visited here:

Does this part of the queue ever get used?

We used our next FP on Pooh (yes, I admit my fondness for Pooh) before lunching at The Plaza. If you have read any of my other TRs, you can predict what went down here . Our last FP was for Jungle Cruise...happy we had it, since standby was 85 minutes.

Woody had another teleconference and Em & I were ready for some pool time, so we said goodbye to the MK.

Quiz for this post ~ where can you find this?