mickey04's 2/16-2/23 Polynesian Trip Report

mickey04 · Feb 24, 2004

PART I
Day 1: Arriving and Checking-in
Day 2: Magic Kingdom

So, I got up Monday morning just about as excited as I've ever been. I finished packing, and then we were off to Logan airport. Our flight was around 2:30, but we got there around 12:30, and just sort of hung around there waiting for the flight. We then flew to Miami (yup, that's the best thing we could get. After walking about 2 miles through Miami airport we finally got on the plane to Orlando. When we arrived, it was around 60 degrees, quite an improvement from the 30 degrees in Boston. We actually ended up arriving about 10 minutes early, butt hey made up for it by keeping us waiting half an hour at baggage claim (they can never just be on time, can they?)

Finally around 9:30, we had our luggage and went to pick up the rental car at the garage across the street from the airport. All i can say is that first step out into the Florida landscape- the greeness of the grass, the smell in the air, the palm trees, its just indescribable. Anyway, we got the car and it was off to Disney World. Another unbelievable feeling is going through thouse purple gates that say "Welcome to the Walt Disney World Resort" and then seeing the purple road signs, followed by the monorail- thats when you truely know you're there. (oncidentally, I love that sign so much that I bought the monorail accessary the next day- it lights up and everything!

We got to the Polynesian, where we had requested a room in Somoa on the third floor. I had researched in the Unofficial Guide and it seemed the best place- close to the Great Ceremonial House and the pool, with a slight view of the lagoon. Of course, when we got there we had a room in Tokyo on the 1st floor. We did want a balcony however, and did feel that since we had requested a room ahead of time, they should have been able to do a little better, so we got a 3rd floor room in Tahiti which ended up being REALLY far arom the Great Ceremonail House, but close to the TTC, so it worked out alright in the end.

We arrived at our room after a quick walk through the resort (it was getting a little cold) and that was about it. We went to sleep with great anticipation for the magic that awaited us the next day at the Kingdom.

So we got up the next morning around 8, and my mom decided she was too tired and would meet us later. So my dad and I walked over to the MK for opening and joined in the rush for Space Mountain. It was cool and cloudy that day, but it didnt matter. I love the MK, and it was truely one of the best days I can remember. Anyone ever notice that the MK smells kinda weird at least at first, but then you get used it. I don't know, maybe I'm crazy, but there was definately a destictive smell there. We did Mickey's Phil, which was really great, one of my favorite attractions. My only complaint was that it was a little too short. My parents left around 6 or 7, but I stayed til closing to see Wishes, which is absolutely amazing, the best fireworks I have ever seen. I then stayed to watch the park empty and do a little shopping on Main Street, not to mention have an Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich at the Bakery (soo good). Overall, it was an incredible day that only Disney could provide. Kinda makes you forget all about the whole Eisner/ Comcast thing going on at corporate Disney and remember what makes Disney so magical.

Stay tuned: Coming Tomorrow, Part II!

mickey04 · Mar 3, 2004

PART II: Backstage Magic

Sorry for the delay, but I've been instanely busy lately. But enough excuses, on to Part II, in which I mainly want to talk about the 7-hour Backstage Magic Tour that I did on the second day of the trip. At just under $200 a pop, I was all alone on this one, which was alright with me. I tried not to spoil too much but be advised, if you don't want to know what goes on behind the scenes, dont read on.

I arrived at Epcot's Guest Relations around 8:45 am, where I was united with the other 15-20 or so other members of the group and our tour guide named(no, I'm not kidding) Mickey. He had started at the WDW College Program in 1993, and had worked there ever since. At 18, I was by far the youngest member of the group (you must be 16 to attend) and I think every one was a little surprised that someone my age was that crazy about Disney. I was also the only one by myself, which was a little weird at first, but I got over it. Anyway, we started off at Epcot, and went Backstage between the Living Seas and The Land. We then boarded a bus and drove around the back of the park- I had a great view of the Soarin' construction (if only we were allowed to take pictures!) We then went into the American Adventure to see where the AA's are kept when the show is not going on. The mechanics of the show are pretty neat, but I won't divulge too much into them so as not to ruin the "magic." We then went to the Epcot Cast Center which had amazing paintings all over the walls by cast members. The walls were also plastered with articles celebrating Epcot history- form the opening through the Millenium Celebration. We saw the HUGE costuming dept where CM's pick up their costumes. We then got back on the bus and went to the WDW Florist where they make all the floral displays for the Resort. It was then off to MGM to see Creatice Costuming (what you see on the Backlot Tour) where they design all the costumes. We then had lunch at Mama Melrose's which everyone agreed was great. After lunch we got back on the bus and went to the horticulture farm where they make all those crazy character topiarys. Then we went behind the Magic Kingdom and saw where Christmas lives year round- where they are constantly fixing and building new Christmas displays, and where they store them all. We then went to Central Shops, IMO the coolest part. It is here that they build and refurbish existing ride vehiles and signage or just about anything else- it was really cool. We then went into the MK to talk about the names on the store windows as well as the history of the "World." Oh, and yes, we did go into the Utilidors, which was underwhelming, there really isn't all that much to them. We then watched a video of varoius clips with Walt- very moving, and finally ended back at Epcot.

I know for $200, people are going to want to know if its worth it, and I would definately say yes. I had already done the "Keys to the Kingdom" tour, so some of the information was not new, and I already knew a lot of the Disney trivia that he told us (I might of known more than Mickey) but after this tour I was truely convinced that Disney, speicfically WDW, is the most amazing organization in the world. There is just so much going on all around you as a guest that you would never know. It also includes a very hardy luch, water, and a collectable pin, so I'd say its worth the price.

That night my dad and I drove to the airport to pick up my cousin and uncle. There was a little confusion at check-in (we were supposed to have ajoining rooms) long story short we had to share one room for the first night, but not a big deal. I did notice there seemed to be a lot of confusion going on at Poly check-in, but maybe they were just having a bad night.

So that's it for today, next up PART III: Epcot and AK

grandmath · Mar 4, 2004

Great TR!! :sohappy:

mickey04's 2/16-2/23 Polynesian Trip Report

mickey04

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mickey04

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grandmath

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