Salvollin with smoking scooters and Willy's last time at AK

Salvollin trip report with smoking scooters and Willy's last time at AK

Hello everyone! Just got back from the world just 4 hours ago. I dont have any pics yet, and they will follow sometime tomorrow with the rest of the report. But just some insight, the weather was crazy. 72 degree high to a low of 27. It made for an interesting trip. We stayed at the Polynesian, and it was an amazing resort. We ate anything from jalapeno stuffed pretzels at Fife and Drum to a veal chop at California Grille. And yes, we have food pics of it all. Also included are some talks to CM's with some neat info, nothing earth shattering, to a complete photo update of HM's new qeue. We tried to do everything, but the cold weather put us out of action earlier than expected, plus the crowds at MK on monday were obnoxious, with most wait times 60+. We have never experienced so many stroller parks as well, how annoying this can be on the monorail, especially when they never fold the things up. We have a trip with with rude people, the missing iguanadon or yetti, or maybe it was was Willy the elephant having one last trip around AK before he gets shipped off to Cleveland. IDK. Anyway, no matter what was thrown at us, we had a great time as usual. We have many pics to sort through, as my photography got better with time. No matter how much you practice, you just cant recreate what will come at you down there. So stay tuned, we will try to get through at least one day tomorrow, just need the pics to remember it all. For those of you who dont like details and humor, you may want to stay away, as we heard some pretty funny comments from others that may not not be appropriate, but made many laugh.

 

[mickey2008.1]

Ok, let's get this started. It was 20 and snowy here in Cleveland, but at WDW, it was going to be 73 and sunny. there is nothing better than landing at MCO and seeing the pineapple tower.

Now it's time for that great walk to DME. We got there and no lines!. Could this be possible that we actually going to leave soon, yes indeed. Only a 20 minute wait, board the bus, and off to the Polynesian.

We were so excited to get there and check in, totally forgot checkin pictures. Anyway, we were in Fiji. with a marina view, awesome.

 

[mickey2008.1]

Let's check out the room. It was by far the biggest we have had, with wall to wall windows facing the marina. The only problem we had was turning on the lights, there was a switch for the entrance way, but the rest of the room was dark, and all of the lights have to be turned on by hand or foot, as it took me 5 minutes to turn on the stand up light in the corner. Check it out.

Now there is only one thing missing, our Christmas lights!

Now the room is complete. Its now around 8pm, so its off to downtown disney for a little shopping and some food. Aw yes, food, but where to eat? Just wing it when we get there. After DTD, grab a taxi to Hess to get some provisions and back to the room to unpack.

 

[LeafsFanNL]

What day did you arrive?

 

[4everDory]

Sounds great, so far! Did you like the Poly? My girls want to stay there this trip, instead of the Beach Club...DH and I aren't so sure. Can't wait to hear more about your trip!

 

[mickey2008.1]

We arrived on the 10th, and yes the Poly was totally worth it just for the theming. Rooms were ig, and we had a great view, also close to the GCH. Bonus!

 

[mickey2008.1]

now were ready for dtd and food. We waited for 45 minutes just to get a bus there, and once there, we realized it would be a short lived trip. It was packed! People everywhere and pushing and shoving, insanity. We had one place we wanted to hit, the Coo bust to really enjoy it and look around, so we sufficed for a 2010 ornament for $4.99, which we wanted anyway.

 

[mickey2008.1]

Now with our little shopping done, it was time to eat, but where on CS. We looked at Wolfgangs and Earls, Pucks won out, musch better selection and value for us being hungry all day. Let's take a look at the goods.

The bacon wrapped meatloaf. The meatloaf itself was good, not heavy dense meat glop, and the sauce was fantastic, with a hint of sweetness, and the salty onion straws worked well. The mashed potatoes, it was apparent they were out of a box, the texture and flavor just stunk. Such a dissappointment to mess up mashed potatoes. The bacon added alot of flavor to the meat and kept it moist. Now, the Margherita pizza, a lost cause. Soggy dough, not enough basil, and a less than stellar sauce. It just lacked flavor all around. The creme brulee was just as bad, like eating chunky vanilla pudding, the only thing that saved it was the crusted sugar topping and fresh strawberry. Overall, a C at best. With the ok food and horrible crowds, its time to catch a taxi back to poly, with a quick stopp at Hess for some water, chips, donuts, and beer.

 

[mickey2008.1]

Our trip back to Poly, got my first monorail picture, not great, but still, there it is.

Upon arriving back at the poly, it was time to check out Tambu Lounge, a favorite of ours. And our first true cocktail of the islands.

After our tasty drinks, we just wandered and took pictures of the GCH

 

[mickey2008.1]

Let's conclude our first day, much to our surprise, MVMCP fire works as seen from the marina.

And some more room pics and what not, time for bed and a new day at AKL.

View of Luau Cove at night

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

I love all of your Polynesian pictures!!! But they're making me miss it so badly

 

[mickey2008.1]

After a long day of travel, it's time for bed and get ready for AK. I watch the "must do" channel and the weather channel just to get a look at Saturday. I wish i could get the Disney resort channels at home just to give me that feeling of being closer to the world than i really am. Anyway, we wake up around 9:30. I make coffee while the DW gets ready and i take a few pics of the marina. It's a beautiful morning, with kids marching towards their boat for the Pirates League. They looked so happy. I'm going to have to check this out for my 6 and 7 year olds next september.

We get down to the bus stop around 10:15 where its not too crowded. Just chilling out taking in all the sights. More and more people coming, and lots of buses, but for DTD. Now we are not in a big hurry, but now it's 11:15, and other people have been there for well over an hour and a half we find out. We agreed to wait another 15 minutes, and if no bus, get a taxi. No bus, and believe me, people were trying, asking other bus drivers, calling, going to the front desk. Not us, we asked another mother an daughter who were celebrating a 60th birthday if they wanted to split a taxi, so they joined us. As we waited 5 minutes, another family of four asked if they could ride with us, "sure you can" Finally off to AK with no more worries of a bus. This would be a great day, 72 degrees and sunny.

 

[mickey2008.1]

It was moderately crowded, get through the gates, and bam, onto Finding Nemo. We have never seen this show before, and the line was walk on, great timing on my part of course. It was a great show! The theater is huge, with less than comfortable seating, but nonetheless, really worth the time. It paints a perfect picture of the movie into 25 minutes.

Off to Dinosaur. We really like this ride. 20 minute wait. It's so hard to tell how fast or which way you are going on this thing. We laughed the whole way through. Tried getting pics, but to rough for anything good.

 

[mickey2008.1]

Now off to Primeval Whirl, one of our favorites. It had a wait time of 50 minutes, so I asked a Cm how long, and was told 20 mins, lets get in line. why we love this ride i have no idea, we just do. It's cheesy, but makes us laugh every time. So we are standing in line, when the person behind us says " I thinks that's Willy on his last tour, I hope we get on" Looking around, we found Willy

And sure enough, the ride on the right side closed due to Willy and some lap bar problems. We were given FP's and escorted to the front of the left side, while Willy, was still stuck in the car. But anyway, on with our fun.

some last photos of Dinoland.

Time for Asia and some food plus the Disco yeti!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[4everDory]

We LOVE "Finding Nemo: The Musical!" It's a must-see for every trip! DD's and I rode Primeval Whirl 3 or 4 times this past trip...phew!

 

[mickey2008.1]

We have to get pics of EE, check out wait times and FP return, and get our cocktails and food. Nothing complicated on the food side, as we are going to Ohana's this night, just a little snack to tie us over, plus we always eat here and go to our secret spot out of the way, which is still there. Here is everest in all her mighty.

Pork eggroll and chicken fried rice, corona, and some crazy fruity drink for the DW, but very good as i tasted it. The eggroll was great, and the rice was ok, lacked a little flavor, but still fixable with duck sauce and hot mustard. Sounds strange, but very good. Off to EE, for our best gift of the day, of which we payed foward, which seemed to become a theme of this trip. We got to EE and the wait was 70 mins, with a FP return of 6pm. Since we were taking it easy and really didnt want to wait in lines, nor be at the park until after dark, we found ourselves in back of a fighting family. Great, just turn and look the other way while she cusses her husband in front of her kids. There she is, crying and all upset cause she does not understand fast pass, when all of a sudden, a lady, a wonderful lady says :would you like two FP's?" of course we would, skipping the crying weirdo in front of us and onto the train. My DW was very happy cause I could no longer take pics of everything, but i still got a few 70 minutes turned into 5 minutes! Save the day lady! If you are a member here, thanks, and if not, thanks!!!!!

 

[mickey2008.1]

Done with Asia, a quick trip to A bugs Life, and then to Camp Minnie Mickey. But first, some monkey business.

We still love this show. No matter how many times we have seen it. it's always fun to hear the new people scream and move with all the effects, the termite juice, the bugs leaving, the stink bug!!! Now its off to Lion king for a 4:15 showing, and we just made it.

 

[mickey2008.1]

Lion king was amazing! Like a mini Lanouba. The flying monkeys, the ballet, all terrific. And all hidden in Camp Minnie Mickey. It seems like its put to the side so you have to look for it. Our first time in four tries. The Christmas decorations were beautiful.

 

[mickey2008.1]

We love camp minnie mickey!

some last pics of AK before a quick rip to contemporary for cocktails, then off to Ohanas.

 

[mickey2008.1]

Darn scooters, had a line 100 yards deep! And the whole family is as wide as Willy! A ten minute walk was now thirty.

Cocktails and menu next.