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.

 

[Tuvalu]

We're on our way!

Love the creativity with the water decanter. When I dined here with Drumr in September, Mickey was made from lemons.

Though we have eaten lunch at dinner at Crystal Palace before, this was our first breakfast. I remember @HouCuseChickie (among others) giving it glowing reviews, and I was excited to try it for myself. We were seated at a table by a window overlooking the hub. Pooh came over immediately.

Woody is a big fan of omelets so the "Create Your Own" station was a must-do for him.

The potato casserole beside the omelet was very tasty and the bacon was cooked to crispy perfection. I finally got to have a Mickey waffle and sample the much-ballyhooed Pooh's Puffed French Toast. Let's just say it is worthy of all the praise!!!! I had to go back for seconds (and *maybe* thirds ). I even booked a reservation for our June trip while sitting at our table...it was that good!!

Piglet stopped by...

...followed by Eeyore

As we ate, we saw the Mayor making his way down Main Street for the Welcome Show. A while later, we laughed as we watched the sea of humanity briskly walk towards the Castle after park opening. It was quite the sight to behold!

Tigger was the last friend to greet us:

Two thumbs up, Crystal Palace!!

 

[MinnieM123]

The obligatory dorky pose:

I don't think Tinkerbell looks dorky. Oh wait . . . not her, you meant?!

Great photo with the Indian; yes, he moves around MK--I've been reading a lot about that lately. So you had a rare sighting and caught it on camera, too!

That was also quite a story about the man's reaction to being stuck on a monorail car. I think I've heard it all about various guest stories at WDW, but the picture of them wheeling in the stretcher for him was a bit much. Wonder if he'll sue for emotional trauma?

 

[MinnieM123]

Tigger was the last friend to greet us:

I LOVE Tigger!! That's my favorite picture.

 

[coachwnh]

Dont you have packing to do for an upcoming trip?

 

[TheMouseFan]

No breakfast lasagna at Crystal Palace? You must try it in June!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Em decided we should each pick one attraction to ride before leaving MK.
Me ~ Haunted Mansion (shocker!)
Em ~ Little Mermaid (another shocker!)
Woody ~ the MPB (biggest shocker of all!) We disembarked at the Main Street station.

Not willing to risk another ride on monorail lime, we chose to take the boat back to the Poly. We packed our bags and hauled our luggage to the Resort Airline Check In desk....and waited in the longest line we'd had all week.

Then it was on to the rest of Squirt's plan:

She had booked fastpasses for us, but we missed our Voyage of the Little Mermaid window due to the long wait to check our suitcases. We went shopping before using our Muppets FP (which as you probably guessed we did not need.) Surprisingly, we were hungry (we were still on vacation after all!) so we walked to Sunset Ranch Market to enjoy another al fresco meal. We shared pizza from Catalina Eddie's and Em & Woody each had another Darth Vader cupcake. Generous Woody let me have his chocolate Darth again .

It had been a few years since we'd seen the Beauty and the Beast show and a performance was just about to start. We found seats in the theater and were thoroughly entertained.

After the show, it was time for our last FP. Woody and Em headed for RnR and we made plans to meet up at the Poly. Guests in the Hawaii building are allowed to use the club lounge until 11:59 pm on their check-out day. It was a relaxing place for me to have a cold drink while waiting for my family's return.

Sadly, we had to leave the lounge just prior to happy hour to catch the Tragical Express.

 

[Woodywrkr]

No breakfast lasagna at Crystal Palace? You must try it in June!!

I tried it on my second trip to the buffet. Definitely a signature dish.

 

[Tuvalu]

I LOVE Tigger!! That's my favorite picture.

I love Tigger too!!

No breakfast lasagna at Crystal Palace? You must try it in June!!

I tried some of Woody's. To be honest, I was so full of the sweet Puffed French Toast that I couldn't appreciate the breakfast lasagna. Will definitely try some first next visit!!

 

[Woodywrkr]

Dont you have packing to do for an upcoming trip?

Truth is she goes so often she never really unpacks!

 

[Tuvalu]

Dont you have packing to do for an upcoming trip?

Already done! And someone doesn't want me to leave:

Yes, Woody and I are Disney bound again tomorrow . @lostpro9het and @bee is it considered vacation creep if the trips are three weeks apart? If not, we need a new name!

Thanks to all for following along!! See ya real soon!

 

[bee]

Already done! And someone doesn't want me to leave:

View attachment 140385

Yes, Woody and I are Disney bound again tomorrow . @lostpro9het and @bee is it considered vacation creep if the trips are three weeks apart? If not, we need a new name!

Thanks to all for following along!! See ya real soon!

Definitely need a new name. My last two trips were 15 days apart! It's like vacation creep squared or something.

Have so much fun on the next trip and look forward to reading the next report! I very much enjoyed this one!

 

[Matt and Kelly]

You have me nervous about the transportation! We have yet to see the park open since having kids. That was our main reason booking the Poly was for the quick, easy transportation.

 

[TrolleyFollower91]

Already done! And someone doesn't want me to leave:

View attachment 140385

Yes, Woody and I are Disney bound again tomorrow . @lostpro9het and @bee is it considered vacation creep if the trips are three weeks apart? If not, we need a new name!

Thanks to all for following along!! See ya real soon!

What she didn't post was the picture of me curled up on top of her suitcase!

 

[MinnieM123]

It had been a few years since we'd seen the Beauty and the Beast show and a performance was just about to start. We found seats in the theater and were thoroughly entertained.

I always look forward to the exquisite gold gown that she wears at the end of that stage show. No expense spared in the creation of that little frock . . .

 

[Tuvalu]

Definitely need a new name. My last two trips were 15 days apart! It's like vacation creep squared or something.

Have so much fun on the next trip and look forward to reading the next report! I very much enjoyed this one!

Vacation creep squared -- love it!! Our closest trips were 3 days apart...we had taken the kids for spring break then Woody and I drove back down for the start of Flower & Garden. This was only due to an unsolicited offer from grandma to watch the kids . And thanks for your kind comments...I'l make sure the parks are ready for you and M! 25 days isn't long!

What she didn't post was the picture of me curled up on top of her suitcase!

Only 31 more days until you can carry your own suitcase

I always look forward to the exquisite gold gown that she wears at the end of that stage show. No expense spared in the creation of that little frock . . .

It is quite stunning!

 

[Tuvalu]

You have me nervous about the transportation! We have yet to see the park open since having kids. That was our main reason booking the Poly was for the quick, easy transportation.

I would like to think that what we experienced was an anomaly and not the norm. However, I would plan to be at the monorail when it opens in order to have a chance to see the MK Welcome Show, even if you get to the park super early and have to wait awhile. Lately the show has been starting 20 minutes prior to park opening time. None of the other parks have an opening show anymore, so you can be more flexible with your arrival time.

I am sure your family will have a wonderful stay at the Poly even if you encounter some blips.

 

[blreinsel]

Another great TR.. Love the Beauty and the Beast show, as well as Crystal Palace breakfast. Two reviews that I can 100% agree on. Hope to see a TR from your next trip. Jealous that you're likely on your way as I type this! Have a magical time.

 

[lostpro9het]

Already done! And someone doesn't want me to leave:

View attachment 140385

Yes, Woody and I are Disney bound again tomorrow . @lostpro9het and @bee is it considered vacation creep if the trips are three weeks apart? If not, we need a new name!

Thanks to all for following along!! See ya real soon!

No, new name time.
Disney Vacation Creep (DVC), ahem, is clearly defined as the justified adding of a day to the beginning or end of an EXISTING trip to maximize more time at a park or parks. This includes, but not limited to, leaving early and staying over night on a drive to the bubble, adding a single night reservation at a resort "just because" at either end of the trip, and adding bookend nights either before or after a cruise to "rest".

So clearly...

 

[Tuvalu]

No, new name time.
Disney Vacation Creep (DVC), ahem, is clearly defined as the justified adding of a day to the beginning or end of an EXISTING trip to maximize more time at a park or parks. This includes, but not limited to, leaving early and staying over night on a drive to the bubble, adding a single night reservation at a resort "just because" at either end of the trip, and adding bookend nights either before or after a cruise to "rest".

So clearly...
View attachment 140422

Open for suggestions.....

 

[Tuvalu]

Another great TR.. Jealous that you're likely on your way as I type this! Have a magical time.

Thanks! Have obligations until mid-afternoon, flight leaves at 5 pm.