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.

 

[LisaBelle]

Jealous that Em got to meet Sadness & Joy. I was hoping they'd be there for our trip. My daughter and I like to quote sadness whenever we're feeling blue.

 

[Tuvalu]

Then the Harvest Bounty arrived: steak, turkey, sausage & peppers, mashed potatoes, sweet potato fries, mac and cheese, stuffing, green beans and cranberry sauce .

The restaurant rotation had now put us above the farmhouse and pics were a must!

Chip is here!

Followed by the big cheese himself...Farmer Mickey!

We saved room for dessert. Woody proclaimed the mixed berry shortcake alone worth the price of the buffet...it was THAT GOOD. (The cupcakes were moist and delish too. I had to try one ~ there was chocolate!)

Our meal lasted one complete rotation, an hour and ten minutes. We waddled our way out of the Land pavilion. Illuminations was close to starting but we chose to head out of Dodge and beat the post-Illuminations crowds.

We bypassed dessert in the lounge and opted to get ready for bed. We needed to get up early for MK EMH and we were determined to see the Welcome Show.

Even though it meant sacrificing Wishes.

 

[MinnieM123]

Sooo . . . no fish at the Garden Grill? (I think you mentioned previously that your family didn't care for fish, but I was still wondering if they offered it.) Just checked a menu from another site, and it listed fish--at least on the dinner menu.

 

[Tuvalu]

Sooo . . . no fish at the Garden Grill? (I think you mentioned previously that your family didn't care for fish, but I was still wondering if they offered it.) Just checked a menu from another site, and it listed fish--at least on the dinner menu.

It is sustainable fish and to be honest, none of us can remember if the restaurant was out (because I don't recall seeing it on the menu posted outside the restaurant) or if we told our server we don't eat fish.

 

[MinnieM123]

It is sustainable fish and to be honest, none of us can remember if the restaurant was out (because I don't recall seeing it on the menu posted outside the restaurant) or if we told our server we don't eat fish.

Oh, that's o.k. There was plenty of good food in those pictures. I don't eat much fish myself, but I really do like it once in a while.

 

[Tiggerish]

Sooo . . . no fish at the Garden Grill? (I think you mentioned previously that your family didn't care for fish, but I was still wondering if they offered it.) Just checked a menu from another site, and it listed fish--at least on the dinner menu.

Oh, that's o.k. There was plenty of good food in those pictures. I don't eat much fish myself, but I really do like it once in a while.

I ate at the Garden Grill last October, and there was fish at dinner, tilapia that was raised right there in The Land. It was delish (note: I love fish and would be happy to eat it every day).

I had dinner there last month (also snagged a same day dinner reservation) and there was no fish on the platter. Didn't think to ask about it, because we really enjoyed what was provided. Especially the sweet potato fries!

 

[Tiggerish]

Then the Harvest Bounty arrived: steak, turkey, sausage & peppers, mashed potatoes, sweet potato fries, mac and cheese, stuffing, green beans and cranberry sauce .

View attachment 139917
View attachment 139916

The restaurant rotation had now put us above the farmhouse and pics were a must!

View attachment 139919
View attachment 139918

Chip is here!
View attachment 139920

Followed by the big cheese himself...Farmer Mickey!
View attachment 139921

We saved room for dessert. Woody proclaimed the mixed berry shortcake alone worth the price of the buffet...it was THAT GOOD. (The cupcakes were moist and delish too. I had to try one ~ there was chocolate!)
View attachment 139923

Our meal lasted one complete rotation, an hour and ten minutes. We waddled our way out of the Land pavilion. Illuminations was close to starting but we chose to head out of Dodge and beat the post-Illuminations crowds.

We bypassed dessert in the lounge and opted to get ready for bed. We needed to get up early for MK EMH and we were determined to see the Welcome Show.

Even though it meant sacrificing Wishes.

Garden Grill is a hidden gem, IMO. I arrived at WDW less than a week after you left, on Apr 14, with absolutely no plans whatsoever. No ADRs, no FP+. We also got a same-day reservation at GG, although later than yours (we closed the place down). Fantastic meal, we didn't even have room for the dessert any more than a token spoonful. I don't remember being served cupcakes, only the berry shortcake. Maybe because it was so late.

As mentioned in my previous post, I'd eaten there last October and the meal was a bit different. There was fish on the platter, but no sausage & peppers, no sweet potato fries, I don't recall mac & cheese (but I don't eat it, so that's not really surprising). Definitely got something chocolatey for dessert that was served in a paper cone (very fancy) and the berry dessert was different, too. It was a berry cobbler served in a smal cast iron skillet and it was amazing. If Woody liked the mixed berry shortcake, this cobbler would have blown his mind.

Oh, and if you can stand a late dinner, you might luck into this.

We got our photo with ALL the characters before they went offstage.

Loving this great trip report!!

 

[Dawg4Mickey]

It was imperative that we stop in Innoventions once we were back in Future World. We needed to pick up our free Passholder Flower & Garden print. We each got one...no way was Woody sharing his Goofy .

View attachment 139908

So Love the Goofy Print. So Jealous

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, April 8
Day #6 of sun, a cool breeze and no humidity!

We were out our door by 7:15 am and walked to the boat dock ~ after our debacle with the out-of-service monorail on Wednesday morning, we weren't taking any chances! There wasn't a soul around and Em noticed a sign which stated that "Boat operates 1/2 hour prior to park opening." But did that include EMH morning?? We didn't see any boats on the lagoon nor did we see any monorails on the resort line. My heart began to race in "planner panic" mode. How the heck are we supposed to get to MK??!!??

Woody suggested going to the bus stop. He reminded me that we have seen buses from the monorail resorts at the MK depot on previous trips, when the resort line was down. There was an idling AK bus at the stop (but no helpful intern!) and I asked about transport to the MK.

Bus driver: "Take the monorail"
Me: "The monorail doesn't seem to be running"
Bus driver: "Huh!"

At this point another family arrived at the stop and was in the same quandary as we were...they needed to get to MK for a breakfast ADR. The bus driver contacted dispatch and was told the monorail had just begun operating. Though the 7 of us did not see any evidence of this, we trooped to the Great Ceremonial House. There was a monorail sitting in the Poly station and we climbed aboard just as the doors closed.

By now we were dangerously close to missing Christopher George Weaver, the Mayor of Main Street, welcome us to the MK. For a moment I wished we were staying POFQ and had to take a bus to get to MK...we've always managed to arrive in plenty of time for the Welcome Show when we have ridden a bus.

Finally, we pulled into the MK station...doors opened...and as we walked down the ramp, we could hear the end of the "Good Morning" song . By the time we got through security and the turnstiles, the park was open.

Well, we should only have a minimal wait at Peter Pan, right? We used to fastpass this attraction before the addition of the interactive queue. Now we ride it first thing so we can experience the queue without a lengthy wait. Apparently the folks who didn't race to 7DMT or Anna & Elsa today also decided to ride Peter Pan. 25 minutes later were were flying over London.

Small World, Pooh and Little Mermaid were all walk-ons, so that perked our spirits up. Then it was time for breakfast at Gaston's:

Methinks the cinnamon buns have gotten smaller.

We used our first FP here:

Playful spooks delayed our tour briefly and a ghost may have followed us out.

Em wanted to ride Pirates next since we'd had a good experience earlier in the week (read: we did not get wet.) Standby was only 15 minutes and we requested row 6 again. But our luck had run out...we got blasted by the water cannon. Ugh!

We dried off as we (well, just me) sang along with Henry, Wendell, Trixie, Liver Lips McGraw and the rest of the bears.

Then it was time for our next FP:

We were bummed we had to sit near the front of the train, since everybody knows the ride is waaayyy better in the back!

Then from one train to the MPB*

*Moving Park Bench, for those of you unfamiliar with my other TRs.

 

[Woodywrkr]

Rewind time...

Forgot to share two things in an earlier post. We used a fastpass for Living With the Land (which, believe it or not, was necessary) and when Woody scanned his band, the CM wished him a Happy Anniversary (huh???) Woody was able to quickly glance at the monitor and sure enough, he was listed as celebrating an anniversary. (Must be with his other wife, since our anniversary is in June ).

Woody was having fun. Honest.

Why would I want anyone but you? And, yes, I was having a blast.

 

[Woodywrkr]

It is sustainable fish and to be honest, none of us can remember if the restaurant was out (because I don't recall seeing it on the menu posted outside the restaurant) or if we told our server we don't eat fish.

Why would any of us try to remember something when you're writing everything down?

 

[TrolleyFollower91]

Why would any of us try to remember something when you're writing everything down?

Plus, if it's not in the book, it didn't happen!

 

[MinnieM123]

So, the question is: who takes care of your cats when you're on vacation in WDW? (Or, do they fend for themselves when you're gone, inviting all the other cats in the neightborhood for wild catnip parties?!)

 

[Tuvalu]

So, the question is: who takes care of your cats when you're on vacation in WDW? (Or, do they fend for themselves when you're gone, inviting all the other cats in the neightborhood for wild catnip parties?!)

Drumr does when Em is with us. Em does when it is just Woody and me (like next week! )

 

[epcotisbest]

The harvest bounty photos look like something out of a magazine. Maybe Southern Living should give her a call.

 

[epcotisbest]

Garden Grill is a hidden gem, IMO. I arrived at WDW less than a week after you left, on Apr 14, with absolutely no plans whatsoever. No ADRs, no FP+. We also got a same-day reservation at GG, although later than yours (we closed the place down). Fantastic meal, we didn't even have room for the dessert any more than a token spoonful. I don't remember being served cupcakes, only the berry shortcake. Maybe because it was so late.

As mentioned in my previous post, I'd eaten there last October and the meal was a bit different. There was fish on the platter, but no sausage & peppers, no sweet potato fries, I don't recall mac & cheese (but I don't eat it, so that's not really surprising). Definitely got something chocolatey for dessert that was served in a paper cone (very fancy) and the berry dessert was different, too. It was a berry cobbler served in a smal cast iron skillet and it was amazing. If Woody liked the mixed berry shortcake, this cobbler would have blown his mind.

Oh, and if you can stand a late dinner, you might luck into this.
View attachment 139935

We got our photo with ALL the characters before they went offstage.

Loving this great trip report!!

Great photo. Thanks for sharing. Good pic with all the characters (and the Disney ones too). Is this a pre or post cruise gathering?

 

[ScarletBegonias]

Moving park bench!! Love it!

 

[Tuvalu]

Another addition for the "Well, It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time" club:

That's okay Poly, I didn't really want to do laundry this morning anyway...

 

[Tiggerish]

Another addition for the "Well, It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time" club:

View attachment 139989

That's okay Poly, I didn't really want to do laundry this morning anyway...

Mine have climbed into the dryer as I was emptying it, but the washing machine--that's something else!!

 

[Tiggerish]

Great photo. Thanks for sharing. Good pic with all the characters (and the Disney ones too). Is this a pre or post cruise gathering?

Extremely pre-cruise! We sail in September each year. Some of us couldn't resist the pull of the Dark Side runDisney Star Wars event. This was the evening before the 5K, which all four of us in that photo ran.