Me, Myself and I (Sort Of)

Okay, this is my first trip report, so please bare with me.

Who? H20Babie, 33 (and later, Mom, mid-50s)
What? Disney World, of course
Where? Polynesian Resort
When? March 30 - April 5
Why? Graduation and Birthday Celebration

Day One - Arrival / Polynesian / Epcot

I left home at 3:30 am to be at the aiport by 4 am. Luckily, I used the web check-in and needed to only check my luggage. Unluckily, the tail end of the (hopefully) last winter storm was still surging, and we sat on the tarmac for about an hour. By the time I made it into Toronto, claimed my baggage and went through Customs, they were making the final call for my flight. Walked right on, and away we went.

Arriving at MCO was wonderful, as usual. Just stepping out of the gate and breathing in that distinct Florida air always calms me. Made my way to DME and line up past the escalators. I decided to bide my time and went outside to sit for a while, and met up with a nice man from the Penn State who was staying at WL for a OIS conference. We chatted for a bit then went in to check out the line. Thankfully, the fresh air not only cleared my head but the DME line up as well. Got in line and was on my way within 15 minutes. The DME bus went to the Contemporary first, then the Poly (me), and then GF and WL. Yup, the nice man I met sat with me on the bus. A nice start, if I say so myself. Total time from leaving the gate to pulling up at the Poly: 62 minutes.

Check in at the Poly was fast and efficient. Walking up to the CGH, I literally had tears in my eyes. I had waited for this moment for so long (and I was just a wee bit tired) and received my lei. The CM at the desk noted it was birthday and graduation and tried to upgrade me to lagoon view but none were available (no, I didn't ask if I could be upgraded; she just offered to check). She also gave me my birthday button and sent me on my way to ... Tahiti! I was in room 2007, second floor, with a beautiful garden view and a tiki torch right in front. It was breathtaking.

So, I quickly unpacked my carry on, changed, and headed to Epcot via the TTC monorail (Tahiti was an excellent location for me). However, upon sliding my key through the turnstile, I find out my tickets have not been loaded onto the card. Guest relations happily gave me a "resort convenience re-entry" card good for the day so I wouldn't have to go back to the Poly. The Beach Boys were playing "Help Me Rhonda" and really got me into the Disney mood!

Hit Nemo, Living with the Land, Journey into Imagination, and HISTA pretty quickly (no waits for any of them). Headed into World Showcase as it started to get dark. Grabbed some food at the Liberty Inn and was presented with a Magical Moment certificate and a free apple cobbler for my birthday :king:

I was started to get really tired, having been up since 2 am, and decided to go back to the Poly for some much needed sleep. But, I had to ride Spaceship Earth so I made a detour:

Personally, I loved the refurb! Dame Judy was terrific, and the audio was fresh and clear. I enjoyed the new scenes and the interactive creation of the future. Maybe, in hindisght it was more funny than anything, because I nearly left the seat wet after that! By that time, I was done for the day, headed back to the Poly, and a view of the tiki torch outside my balcony:

All in all, a great first day.

More to come ...

 

[SoHkJerry]

Great TR so far! Can't wait to read more!!





I also just got back from a solo trip yesterday, and I will be writing my TR at some point in the near future and will let you know how everything went too! :wave:

Cant wait to read it !!! Thx h20 For the info and very nice trip report ! love the pics .

 

[disney21]

Amazing Trip Report.. I also did the Segway Tour and loved it as well. I love all of your pictures esp. the one of the "Partners" statue with the castle in the backgound!!!!! :sohappy: Congrats on your graduation & happy birthday! thanks for sharing!

 

[Grumpy-Fan]

Outstanding trip report. Looking forward to the rest.

 

[myhappyplace]

i've been loving your TR!! You and your mom look exactly alike!!

 

[KYMouseFan]

I woke up from my nap a bit later than I intended. I'm not one to nap, and doze more often than not, so I did not request a wake up call. I woke up at about 6:30 and hoofed it to the MPPP. It was a bit cool and drizzly, so I did not wear my pirate costume and opted for comfort instead.

H2OBabie, were you at Casey's at 9 on Tuesday for MP&PP? I was looking for you and your costume. Since you didn't wear it, I missed you and the meet and greet.

 

[H20Babie]

H2OBabie, were you at Casey's at 9 on Tuesday for MP&PP? I was looking for you and your costume. Since you didn't wear it, I missed you and the meet and greet.

I went past the CBJ for the fireworks earlier as planned (I wasn't wearing my costume either), but didn't see anyone. I went by Casey's at 9pm, but no one looked familiar from the CBJ. I was wearing my wig for a while though

 

[H20Babie]

Final Full Day (Epcot and MPPP, again)

Today, Mom wanted to check out Epcot and the F&G, so I happily went along. Actually, she was really good about horning in on my solo vacation, happy to do whatever I wanted. We Fastpassed Soarin' and then went on Nemo since she missed it last year. Then I convinced her to go on Mission Space (green) and she had a blast -- nothing like she thought it would be (I think with all the hype, the anticipation can be the killer). Went on Test Track (single riders) and back to Soarin'. We went to FW and tried to get an earlier reservation for Le Cellier, since my Mom suprised me with MPPP tickets for that night (I had raved about the no-line ups and fireworks). Unfortunately, Le Cellier was fully booked for the entire day (lunch and dinner) and they could not accomodate us. We left the ADR as it was, and continued on around FW.

It was getting pretty hot, so we went back to the Poly for a swim and a bite to eat, before getting ready for Le Cellier and MPPP. We walked to the TTC where Monorial Black was sitting, apparently out of commission. They sent for another monorail, and soon we were on our way to the most looked forward to meal of the trip.

Now, here's where the second hiccup comes in ... and it was a biggie! We get to Epcot and head to Le Cellier for our ADR. It starts pouring, we're soaked and finally we get to the check-in desk. They can't find our reservation! I had booked 180 days in advance, they had pulled up our reservation previously in the morning, and now it was gone! This was the meal I had been looking forward to for over 6 months! I was devastated. The castmember (from Winnipeg, ironically) from earlier in the day remembered us and that we had an ADR. She frantically checks under my last name, phone number, everything ... but nothing. They try to make room for us, but the only suggestion she has is to come back at park closing. She checks for any available ADRs at MK during MPPP (which is now a half hour away) and nothing. Finally, she gets us into Marrakesh, the ONLY table service available, 20 minutes later. Still raining (and I mean Raining), we head over to Marrakesh. There, we wait a good 30 minutes before being seated. Our server was great, even boxed up our dessert to go, but the food didn't agree with me. I was "gastrically" sick all the next day. The belly dancer was okay, but I've seen better here in Canada. It was a real disappointment; I can't say how disappointed I was that my last night's ADR at Le Cell never happened. I don't what happened, but the CM at Le Cellier thought that maybe it got cancelled when they brought it up earlier in the day and then got snagged by a last minute guest or walk up.

However, we put on smiley faces and headed to MK for MPPP. Just as good as the first time! We walked under the railroad station and right into the parade (I had missed it the previous MPPP). Walked onto everything, convinced my Mom to ride Space Mountain, and even found that hidden 100,000 target in Buzz. This time, we watched the fireworks from Frontierland/Liberty Square, and they were even more amazing.

We sat having some tea off Main Street while what crowds there were cleared. It was a very relaxing, yet magical end, to the entire trip, despite the Le Cellier fiasco.

 

[H20Babie]

Some final pictures from MPPP:

 

[H20Babie]

Some Final Thoughts:


DME

• Fast, efficient and reliable; even with the long lines to check-in, I was at the Polynesian check-in desk within 70 minutes of the plane pulling up at the gate.
• Luggage was delivered while I was out with no complaints.
• Return DME was right on time, and our driver, Gregory Moore, was quite the comedian.

Polynesian

• Absolutely breathtaking. I'm really glad that I was able to stay at my dream resort. I probably won't be able to stay here again for a very long time, but the memories will last (and I can always visit)
• Transportation was outstanding, except for the resort buses. I found it much faster to walk to the TTC to take a direct bus to AK or DHS.
• Walking to the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail was unbelievably convenient. It was much more so than an Epcot area resort. My favourite was taking the boat back from MK via GF and then the Poly. Beautiful and relaxing.
• Mousekeeping was good, but not great. No complaints, but no compliments either. (No towel animals, BTW, but being a solo adult, I didn't expect or ask for any either).
• Torch lighting ceremony, Electrical Water Pagent, pools and general landscaping/maintenance, etc., was excellent.
• Kona Cafe was by far my favourite meal of trip. Although I didn't post any pictures, the Lapu Lapu comes a close second
• Rooms were large, could easily accomodate 5 and not trip over anyone. I can see why so many families book a room together here.

Disney Dining Plan

• Since it was just me, I decided to try the DDP for the first time. It's just not for me. I found that I would be somewhere, then ... oops, time to go, gotta make that ADR. I think I would rather go with the flow, book some special ADRs, and leave the rest to chance or counter service.
• A lot of food. I ended up having all but one of my snack credits left (most of my snacks ended up being from carts/kiosks that didn't accept the DDP or were cash only). I ended up having two CS meals left as well, and just paid for my Mom and Dad's breakfast on checkout day (my dad arrived just after mindnight on my check out day).
• I will not use the DDP again, or at least until my son is older and can eat more than I :lol:

What else can I say? I had a fabulous trip and can't wait to go back. I'll leave you all with the last view I had, before getting on the plane:

If you're interested, you can also take a look at my PhotoPass pictures by cutting and pasting this link:
http://www.disneyphotopass.com/photoshareviewer.aspx?share=f136c14c-8eff-497d-836f-c2ecca17ce16


:wave:

 

[Grumpy-Fan]

You take excellent pictures. That was a great TR. So sorry about Le Cel, it is very awesome to say the least. Are you going solo next time?

 

[H20Babie]

You take excellent pictures. That was a great TR. So sorry about Le Cel, it is very awesome to say the least. Are you going solo next time?

Nope, the deal was solo this time, with my son the next, and then we're taking a Disney break and trying somewhere else (maybe a cruise or something like Beaches) the following year. Then we'll be back

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Wow! I can't tell ya how much I've enjoyed your trip report. Think I'll take a stab at my first after our coming trip. I couldn't agree with you more about the DDP. We had it in December and I felt exactly as you described, it was like spending the vacation chasing food. Everything had to revolve around the ADR's because we wanted to get our quarter's worth. Plus, it was sooooo much food! I'm not a one of those sticklers about waste but it was so much that even I was sorta bothered by it. My sons (ages 10 & 11 at the time) ordered appetizer, entre, and desert every meal because they were considered adults and that's what I paid for but come on, they can't eat that much. LOL! Then of course I was aggravated at gaining 10 lbs on vacation. When we left we had like 6 CS credits that we didn't use. At least for the snacks we stocked up our backpacks for the plane. Again, thanks for sharing your trip with us. Even the hubby enjoyed looking at your pics. He says you definitely look like you belong to your mom. LOL!

 

[yankspy]

Nope, the deal was solo this time, with my son the next, and then we're taking a Disney break and trying somewhere else (maybe a cruise or something like Beaches) the following year. Then we'll be back

Great report. Sorry about Le Cellier. I noticed that it says future DVC member by your name. I also noticed that you said you were taking a disney break. I am not sure if you know this but they sometimes give discounts if you do not use it for the first year. You might want to consider that during your break from Disney.:wave:

 

[LeeSeeBabe]

Loved your trip report!!
:wave:

 

[tikiman]

Great report!! :sohappy::sohappy:

Now I want to go now but I still have to wait 4 weeks.

 

[sissa216]

I'm sorry about le cellier!
You would think that they would have done something more to make up or it; especially considering they remebered you had an adr.

But the rest of the trip looks great!

 

[NewfieFan]

Great TR - glad you had a good solo trip! Congratualions on your graduation as well!

Thanks for posting!

 

[coltow]

I'm now even more excited about my December trip @ Poly. It too is my dream resort.

 

[H20Babie]

When we left we had like 6 CS credits that we didn't use. At least for the snacks we stocked up our backpacks for the plane. Again, thanks for sharing your trip with us. Even the hubby enjoyed looking at your pics. He says you definitely look like you belong to your mom. LOL!

I cashed my snacks credits in too, brought some stuff back for my son's lunches this week. He was surprised to say the least. Felt like I was giving him som Disney magic myself.

As for me and my Mom, if you put me and my dad together, you'd say the same thing. In fact, I have a cousin on my dad's side who could be my twin.

I noticed that it says future DVC member by your name. I also noticed that you said you were taking a disney break. I am not sure if you know this but they sometimes give discounts if you do not use it for the first year. You might want to consider that during your break from Disney.:wave:

Thanks, good to know. We are the process of buying into DVC as a family (me, my brother's family and our parents). We're just hashing out some of the final legalities and family schedule of who gets when :sohappy:

Loved your trip report!!
:wave:

Back atcha!

Great report!! :sohappy::sohappy:

Now I want to go now but I still have to wait 4 weeks.

Can I come with? :lol: Seriously, thanks for the great advice and website. It really made my stay at the Poly so much more enjoyable that I knew the layout, activities, etc. I would've been lost for the first few days without it!

I'm sorry about le cellier!
You would think that they would have done something more to make up or it; especially considering they remebered you had an adr. But the rest of the trip looks great!

You would think, but they did get us into the earliest ADR somewhere else, and still make it for the MPPP without missing too much. Oh well, sometimes you're the bird, and sometimes you're the statue. I guess it was my time to be the statue. :lol:

Great TR - glad you had a good solo trip! Congratualions on your graduation as well! Thanks for posting!

Thanks, I'm very excited!

I'm now even more excited about my December trip @ Poly. It too is my dream resort.

You'll love it, and more so if you take the take to just enjoy the resort itself. You won't be disappointed!

 

[MAF]

I loved seeing all of your great pics. Thanks for sharing them! :wave: