Pre-Trip Staying at the POLY?! We're going back!!

fractal · Aug 23, 2017

DonnaOnTheRocks said:
HELP!!! I have to book my ADR's next week and I can't decide what to pick . My mom threw a wrench in the new restaurant plan by requesting Tony's again- which is fine since it'll work with our arrival day. But I can't decide on Via Napoli or Le Cellier for lunch on our Epcot day... I'm thinking Le Cellier because they have a prix fixe menu (and cheddar cheese soup, since it'll possibly be cold in March).

I also can't decide what to do on our rest day. I definitely want to go to Grand Floridian Cafe, so that would be a good, close option. But I also am dying to get to Beaches and Cream. And I'd rather not make that walk on our HS day. Also, Grand Floridian Cafe will be good or our arrival day, but I'd rather go for lunch since they have shrimp on the menu (mom's favorite).

Please help with any and all opinions! Even if they aren't on the list! I really want to get to Yachtsman (but thinking we'd do that next time when we -definitely- stay at Beach Club) and Cali Grill (but I don't think my mom will eat anything on that menu).

So many decisions to be made! I hate only going to Disney for 4 days, it really limits the food options lol . First world problems

Sorry if this post is as confusing as my brain right now any help will be greatly appreciated!!

B&C is nice and all, but in the end it's burgers, fries and ice-cream. Why would you want to go that far on your rest day? I would eat somewhere on the monorail loop which makes the Grand Floridian Cafe ideal. If you want to be more daring, maybe take the boat (or monorail) to MK then take a boat to Wilderness Lodge and try out the new Geyser Point Bar & Grill.

The other option to consider is add some shopping and go to Disney Springs with plenty of lunch options. We tried Jock Lindsey's and loved it!

DonnaOnTheRocks · Aug 23, 2017

fractal said:
B&C is nice and all, but in the end it's burgers, fries and ice-cream. Why would you want to go that far on your rest day? I would eat somewhere on the monorail loop which makes the Grand Floridian Cafe ideal. If you want to be more daring, maybe take the boat (or monorail) to MK then take a boat to Wilderness Lodge and try out the new Geyser Point Bar & Grill.

The other option to consider is add some shopping and go to Disney Springs with plenty of lunch options. We tried Jock Lindsey's and loved it!

Thank you for the suggestions! I just caught up on your TR and now I'm thinking about Chefs de France for our Epcot day

.

DonnaOnTheRocks · Aug 25, 2017

188 by Donna Breaks, on Flickr

Alright! I have 8 days before I can book my dining

Here is what my plans are so far.

Thursday- Arrival day- MK and Tony's for dinner (MK closes at 8pm, so I might skip Tony's and go to Grand Floridian Cafe for a late dinner)

Friday- HS + AK- Sci Fi for lunch before heading to AK. (If we skip Tony's I might change this to Mama Melrose, just didn't want Italian 2 nights in a row

)

Saturday- Rest day- Possibly go to Grand Floridian Cafe for lunch or head to Disney Springs for dinner. I haven't been there since they redid everything (I avoided it the last few trips because of the construction/traffic). Accepting recommendations for this!

Sunday- Epcot all day- Epcot is my FAVORITE park and I'm sad we only get one day here, but I'm just going to plan to stay all day. Dinner or lunch at Le Cellier and will probably FP Illuminations again because it was a Great spot!

Monday- Departure day

- Depending on flight times, we can go to MK for a few hours and will probably have a Kona breakfast :hungry:

Alex and I may head to Universal for a few days after this, but that depends on if we can afford it

I guess we will see!

DonnaOnTheRocks · Sep 1, 2017

I get to book my dining tomorrow!! That is all. I will update when everything is set

KBLovedDisney · Sep 1, 2017

DonnaOnTheRocks said:
My Family
Family2 by Donna Breaks, on Flickr

Omg this is the cutest fur family photo ever!!! :inlove:

DonnaOnTheRocks · Sep 2, 2017

KBLovesDisney said:
Omg this is the cutest fur family photo ever!!!

Thank you! You have no idea how long it took to get these photos lol! Love my Family :inlove:

DonnaOnTheRocks · Sep 2, 2017

Dining is booked!!!!

Here is what I have for now (you know how things can change in 180 days :joyfull:

)

Thursday, March 1- Arrival Day
Alex and I might arrive the night before and stay at a cheap hotel then Uber over to the Poly in the morning and wait for Mom, who will get into Orlando around 8:30am.

Head to MK for the day. FP Jungle Cruise, 7DMT, and Space Mountain. (I have to make sure I don't exclude my mom since she doesn't do any of the big rides)

Dinner at Tony's (per my husband's request and it's Mom's favorite from last trip) at 7pm. The park closes at 8pm right now, so we can eat dinner then watch HEA close to the exit and then jump on the first monorail out of there.

Friday, March 2- HS/AK Day
HS doesn't have much left, but I Have to get on TOT and RNR. Possibly do TSMM and the Frozen Singalong.

Lunch at Sci-Fi at 1:20pm. Mom and I have been here before, but many many years ago and I think my husband will dig eating in the cars and watching the old movies.

After lunch we will head to AK for the rest of the evening. FP- FOP, Everest, and Safari. Hopefully we can get decent seats for Rivers of Light without a FP or dining package.

Saturday, March 3- Rest Day
I proposed my dilemma to Alex about whether we should go to Tony's on our arrival night or Grand Floridian Café, he voted for Tony's so I booked lunch for our rest day at GFC at 1:55pm.

I figure we will sleep in, go to the pool (if it's warm enough) and then go to lunch. After lunch we will head to Disney Springs and then possibly go to MK or another park for fireworks. I'm having a hard time just letting it go and leaving this day open :facepalm:

Sunday, March 4- Epcot Day
This is a little new to me because I loved park hopping. But since we have limited time (4 days), I made this a full Epcot day. Epcot is my Favorite park of them all :inlove:

So I'm happy we won't have to rush around.

The plan is to FP Soarin, SE, and something else we don't really need a FP for. Then Alex and I can use the single-rider line for Test Track. After Future World, we will head to World Showcase.

Lunch at Le Cellier at 2:45 pm. Hopefully they will still have the Prix Fixe menu and possibly let us share 2 of these since my mom and I are not big eaters.

After lunch we will just hang out in World Showcare (have a drink or 5

) and enjoy ourselves until finding a spot for Illuminations. If I can get a 4th FP for this I will. The viewing area is definitely worth it.

Monday, March 5- Departure Day :cry:

We have a breakfast reservation at Kona for 10am. After this we can enjoy the resort for a little longer. My mom's flight home will most likely be around 6pm so she won't get on DME until about 3ish.
If everything goes as planned, Alex and I will take an Uber over to Universal after my mom leaves and spend 2 nights there.

That's all I have for now! 180 days and counting!!!

DonnaOnTheRocks · Sep 25, 2017

We're getting closer!!! I have to buy our tickets soon, but nothing new to report. I'm SO excited for this trip and I'm having fun reading everyone elses TRs in the meantime.

DonnaOnTheRocks · Feb 26, 2018

Hi Everyone!

Confession Time: I have not been on these boards in MONTHS. It's just been SO crazy with work and the travel planning, there hasn't been enough time. I now feel so out of the loop!

Good news: I'm leaving for Disney in TWO DAYS! There have been many changes since my last update, so I thought I would update again before we go and I'll do my best to post a trip report when we get back.

If you've read above, you'll know the cast: Mom, Hubby (Alex), and Myself are going to be spending 4 nights at the Polynesian! I still cannot believe that we get to stay here!! I rented DVC for the first time since it was a much better deal. We have a Lake View Studio, eeeek!

Here's the itinerary:

Wednesday, February 28-
Alex and I fly into Orlando around 8pm and will be staying at an Orlando airport hotel for the night (flights were WAY cheaper this way, even with the added hotel expense). We're planning to get an Uber to Walmart to get supplies for the trip and find somewhere close by for dinner.

Thursday, March 1- Mom's travel day and MK
Mom flies in to Orlando around 8:30am, so the plan is for me and Alex to take the shuttle back to the airport and meet her at DME. Hopefully the lines won't be too heinous and we'll get to the Poly by noonish. I'm anticipating our room won't be ready, so we can leave our luggage and head to our first park.. by Monorail.. to the Magic Kingdom! I'm excited just typing this.. does anyone else get this way??
Fastpass Reservations:
Haunted Mansion from 12:40-1:40
BTMR from 3:05-4:05
Jungle Cruise from 4:55-5:55

Then we have a 7pm dinner reservation at Tony's. This was my mom's favorite last trip and her one request for this one. I enjoyed the food as well, so it was an easy pick! Then we will stay and watch the fireworks :inlove:

and probably get some ice cream before heading back to the room.

Friday, March 2- Epcot
I wanted to make sure I had at least 1 full day in my Favorite park, I can't get enough Epcot!!!
Fastpass Reservations:
SE from 11:15-12:15
Soarin from 12:20-1:20
LWTL from 1:25-2:25

Now previously I was super excited because we had a lunch reservation at Le Cellier... then I checked the menu yesterday and the Prix Fixe menu is GONE

. That was the only reason we were going, and since we're paying out of pocket we really don't want to spend so much on one meal :cry:

. So I went on the hunt and was able to snag a Via Napoli lunch reservation instead. I'm super excited! I have NOT been there yet, so very much eager to try it

.

After lunch I set myself a reminder for Voices of Liberty :inlove:

and then we will wander the countries for the evening, have some adult beverages, and watch Illuminations. I'm guessing this will be my favorite day... if you can actually have a best day in Disney.

Saturday, March 3- rest day and MK
So I tried to make this a no-park day to just enjoy the resort and relax. Well, I got the "Are we really going to lay around all day in DISNEY?!" by Mom and Alex, so that went out the window. But I insisted we sleep in, go to the pool, etc. and made us a late lunch reservation at Grand Floridian Café. Definitely looking forward to this one!

As I only had MK scheduled for the 1st night, I figured this would be a good night to go back and get on a few more rides.
Fastpass Reservations:
Monster's Inc. from 4:55-5:55 One of my Faves!
Space from 6:50-7:50
SDMT from 8:15-9:15 <--- this was a last minute one I was able to get! SDMT is not a priority for me, but if I can get a last minute FP I'll take it!

Sunday, March 4- HS and AK
So a few days ago, I was telling Alex about our plans (he has no interest until about a week before

) and he says "Aren't we spending a full day in Animal Kingdom to see Pandora??" Of course now he tells me that is the one thing he wants while we're there. Of course I already planned on going, just not for a full day and we had late lunch reservations at HS. So I cancelled that lunch and got us a breakfast at Kona instead. I told Alex we can just go to HS for TOT (my FAVORITE) and a few other rides, but then we'll go to AK around 2pm and spend the rest of the day there. Phew!

Fastpass Reservations:
Dinosaur from 4:05-5:05
Safari from 5:05-6:05
FOP from 6:50-7:50

I'm SO looking forward to FOP!! When booking FP's I had to completely rearrange our plans to accommodate that one FP. But it's worth it!
Then we can watch the show on the Tree of Life (I'm blanking on the name at the moment) before going back to enjoy our last night at the Poly.

Monday, March 5.
Mom is leaving this day

but her flight doesn't leave until about 9pm. So I made us a late breakfast reservation at Ohana (our only character meal) and then we can stow our luggage and go to Disney Springs for awhile.
After mom's DME picks her up, Alex and I are catching an Uber to our next destination: Holiday Inn & Suites Across from Universal Orlando... I wonder where we're going on Tuesday... :cat:

Tuesday, March 6- UNIVERSAL
I have not been to Universal Orlando since the Spider-Man ride was new. I'm so ready to experience Harry Potter! I reread the books all the time and have seen all the movies countless times. SO EXCITED! We have a 1-day 2-park ticket so we can ride the Hogwarts Express and see both sides

Any tips or pointers for us would be greatly appreciated!

Wednesday, March 7- Home :cry:

I'm sad already to think about out last day. We fly out around 9am, so we'll be up and Ubering to the airport super early. But we get to come home to our furbabies :cat:

KBLovedDisney · Feb 27, 2018

DonnaOnTheRocks said:
Hi Everyone!

Confession Time: I have not been on these boards in MONTHS. It's just been SO crazy with work and the travel planning, there hasn't been enough time. I now feel so out of the loop!

Good news: I'm leaving for Disney in TWO DAYS! There have been many changes since my last update, so I thought I would update again before we go and I'll do my best to post a trip report when we get back.

If you've read above, you'll know the cast: Mom, Hubby (Alex), and Myself are going to be spending 4 nights at the Polynesian! I still cannot believe that we get to stay here!! I rented DVC for the first time since it was a much better deal. We have a Lake View Studio, eeeek!

Here's the itinerary:

Wednesday, February 28-
Alex and I fly into Orlando around 8pm and will be staying at an Orlando airport hotel for the night (flights were WAY cheaper this way, even with the added hotel expense). We're planning to get an Uber to Walmart to get supplies for the trip and find somewhere close by for dinner.

Thursday, March 1- Mom's travel day and MK
Mom flies in to Orlando around 8:30am, so the plan is for me and Alex to take the shuttle back to the airport and meet her at DME. Hopefully the lines won't be too heinous and we'll get to the Poly by noonish. I'm anticipating our room won't be ready, so we can leave our luggage and head to our first park.. by Monorail.. to the Magic Kingdom! I'm excited just typing this.. does anyone else get this way??
Fastpass Reservations:
Haunted Mansion from 12:40-1:40
BTMR from 3:05-4:05
Jungle Cruise from 4:55-5:55

Then we have a 7pm dinner reservation at Tony's. This was my mom's favorite last trip and her one request for this one. I enjoyed the food as well, so it was an easy pick! Then we will stay and watch the fireworks and probably get some ice cream before heading back to the room.

Friday, March 2- Epcot
I wanted to make sure I had at least 1 full day in my Favorite park, I can't get enough Epcot!!!
Fastpass Reservations:
SE from 11:15-12:15
Soarin from 12:20-1:20
LWTL from 1:25-2:25

Now previously I was super excited because we had a lunch reservation at Le Cellier... then I checked the menu yesterday and the Prix Fixe menu is GONE . That was the only reason we were going, and since we're paying out of pocket we really don't want to spend so much on one meal . So I went on the hunt and was able to snag a Via Napoli lunch reservation instead. I'm super excited! I have NOT been there yet, so very much eager to try it .

After lunch I set myself a reminder for Voices of Liberty and then we will wander the countries for the evening, have some adult beverages, and watch Illuminations. I'm guessing this will be my favorite day... if you can actually have a best day in Disney.

Saturday, March 3- rest day and MK
So I tried to make this a no-park day to just enjoy the resort and relax. Well, I got the "Are we really going to lay around all day in DISNEY?!" by Mom and Alex, so that went out the window. But I insisted we sleep in, go to the pool, etc. and made us a late lunch reservation at Grand Floridian Café. Definitely looking forward to this one!

As I only had MK scheduled for the 1st night, I figured this would be a good night to go back and get on a few more rides.
Fastpass Reservations:
Monster's Inc. from 4:55-5:55 One of my Faves!
Space from 6:50-7:50
SDMT from 8:15-9:15 <--- this was a last minute one I was able to get! SDMT is not a priority for me, but if I can get a last minute FP I'll take it!

Sunday, March 4- HS and AK
So a few days ago, I was telling Alex about our plans (he has no interest until about a week before ) and he says "Aren't we spending a full day in Animal Kingdom to see Pandora??" Of course now he tells me that is the one thing he wants while we're there. Of course I already planned on going, just not for a full day and we had late lunch reservations at HS. So I cancelled that lunch and got us a breakfast at Kona instead. I told Alex we can just go to HS for TOT (my FAVORITE) and a few other rides, but then we'll go to AK around 2pm and spend the rest of the day there. Phew!

Fastpass Reservations:
Dinosaur from 4:05-5:05
Safari from 5:05-6:05
FOP from 6:50-7:50

I'm SO looking forward to FOP!! When booking FP's I had to completely rearrange our plans to accommodate that one FP. But it's worth it!
Then we can watch the show on the Tree of Life (I'm blanking on the name at the moment) before going back to enjoy our last night at the Poly.

Monday, March 5.
Mom is leaving this day but her flight doesn't leave until about 9pm. So I made us a late breakfast reservation at Ohana (our only character meal) and then we can stow our luggage and go to Disney Springs for awhile.
After mom's DME picks her up, Alex and I are catching an Uber to our next destination: Holiday Inn & Suites Across from Universal Orlando... I wonder where we're going on Tuesday...

Tuesday, March 6- UNIVERSAL
I have not been to Universal Orlando since the Spider-Man ride was new. I'm so ready to experience Harry Potter! I reread the books all the time and have seen all the movies countless times. SO EXCITED! We have a 1-day 2-park ticket so we can ride the Hogwarts Express and see both sides Any tips or pointers for us would be greatly appreciated!

Wednesday, March 7- Home
I'm sad already to think about out last day. We fly out around 9am, so we'll be up and Ubering to the airport super early. But we get to come home to our furbabies

View attachment 266946 View attachment 266947

Awesome!!

Have a great trip!

amjt660 · Feb 27, 2018

Sounds like a great trip
I hope you , your DH and Mom have a great time.

Looking forward to a TR but do not want to wait till the summer to read about it.

So none of this disappearing for 5 months stuff!!!

Max

ScarletBegonias · Feb 27, 2018

Sounds like a great trip you have planned! You will be there SO SOON!

Dave B · Feb 27, 2018

Have fun, I am so jealous, I have two wait two more months

krause · Feb 27, 2018

Wow that sounds like an amazing plan! There is the Tree of Life Awakenings (projections on the tree that run continuously through the evening) but also Rivers of Light don’t forget!

DonnaOnTheRocks · Feb 28, 2018

KBLovesDisney said:
Awesome!! Have a great trip!

Thank you!

DonnaOnTheRocks · Feb 28, 2018

amjt660 said:
Sounds like a great trip
I hope you , your DH and Mom have a great time.

Looking forward to a TR but do not want to wait till the summer to read about it.

So none of this disappearing for 5 months stuff!!!

Max

I promise, no more disappearing! The Disney Blues will help me write a TR quickly.

DonnaOnTheRocks · Feb 28, 2018

ScarletBegonias said:
Sounds like a great trip you have planned! You will be there SO SOON!

I'm SO excited! I still can't believe it, it won't seem real until I'm walking down Main Street!

DonnaOnTheRocks · Feb 28, 2018

Dave Ber said:
Have fun, I am so jealous, I have two wait two more months

Thank you! I hope your two months go by super fast!

DonnaOnTheRocks · Feb 28, 2018

krause said:
Wow that sounds like an amazing plan! There is the Tree of Life Awakenings (projections on the tree that run continuously through the evening) but also Rivers of Light don’t forget!

Ah ha! Tree of Life Awakenings, I have not seen this yet. I saw Rivers of Light last year, hoping to squeeze it in, but our FOP FP is right in the middle of it :arghh:

. Priorities though, I NEED to get on FOP!

krause · Feb 28, 2018

DonnaOnTheRocks said:
Ah ha! Tree of Life Awakenings, I have not seen this yet. I saw Rivers of Light last year, hoping to squeeze it in, but our FOP FP is right in the middle of it . Priorities though, I NEED to get on FOP!

Ah yes definitely need FoP!!