The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - THREAD 3 REPORT COMPLETE Updated 11/6 About This Page:

[DyanKJ130]

Nice find on that path! We're going to have to look for it on our next trip. I know where the tortoises are, but I've never seen that path....the waterfall looks beautiful.

[Princess_Wantabe]

That's what I [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] about WDW...it doesn't matter how many times you've been there - there's always something new to discover! Great find on the path, the pictures were beautiful!
Looking forward to more [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]

[ariel14]

Great update! More pls!!!!

[clio]

You've confirmed wht I always thought- that AK is hotter than the other parks. The pictures of FOLK are wonderful and I like the ones of the path . Thanks for sharing.
Liz

[MAria R]

Wow, this is some trip. Can't wait to see what happens next.

[Jillybean]

You guys had some great seats at FOTLK -- we've never been so lucky - - maybe we need to try that first show too! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I never think of AK and your family without the Boneyard popping up, so I'm glad that you got to go! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Jill

[lindawdw]

Marnie- I just got caught up with the cruise part of your TR and absolutely loved it. You took such great pictures that I felt like I was there with you. I can't believe you got to go back to WDW for some more fun. I would be exhausted if I were you. We went on RCL to Bermuda in August with our two older daughters and it was for 5 nights. I needed a few days just to recover from that! Can't wait to hear about Chef Mickeys and your night in the MK. Hurry back. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] By the way, I stayed at the Atlantis Hotel last May ('05) and hated it! I thought the workers at the resort were rude and the rooms were nothing exceptional. It's very overrated and I'd never go back.

[luvnwdwgal]

Great pics Marnie! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] Someday I'll actually take my time and explore AK.

[chezp]

I remember that feeling of sadness so much when we finished our Disney cruise, but like you, we were heading back to WDW, so at least we had that to look forward to - and it looks like you had fun at Animal Kingdom! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

[Colexis Mom]

<font color="blue"> Day 14 Part 3.......It's a Small World, and a not so magical place

A quick ride over to the CR and we were soon being waved thru their gates. We should have stayed here we spent so much time in all their restaurants this trip [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Our ADR was for 1:10, and it was just past 12:30. There was hardly anyone in the restaurant at all [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] I asked them if we could be seated early, and it wasn’t a problem at all. We took the obligatory family picture behind the dinner plate, but I didn’t like it so we didn’t buy it.

This was our first time at Chef Mickey’s for lunch, as it’s not usually opened during that time. Due to the increased demand from the free dining promotion, they opened it up (although didn’t publicize it too well [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] )! Once seated, the server took our drink orders, and we took turns going to the buffet. All the characters came around, and we got all the necessary pictures and autographs. Alexa and I missed Chip the first time, as we were filling our plates. There was a good selection of food. I think the kids had pizza or chicken nuggets. I had some chicken with a chipotle lime sauce, and an alfredo pasta with mini shrimps and scallops. For dessert, there were lots of mini cakes/bars and we had some soft serve ice cream [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]



Our tummies full (well, they were more than full at that point), we headed back to the car and took the short ride over to the Poly to check in. We were waved thru the security gate after showing our ID, and unloaded our bags. We were given leis while the bellman took our luggage, and Matt went to park the car.

I headed inside to check in with the kids. There was only a short wait, if that. I think Alexa and Colin went over to the TV in the lobby, as they were also doing a craft over there (making leis and towel animals). I was greeted by a CM earning her ears, and she had another CM helping her. There was a bit of an issue checking in, as our names were spelled incorrectly on the reservation. She was unsure if it was us, and thankfully I had the confirmation with me (which showed the incorrect spelling and I never noticed). Once we figured that all out, she got to assigning us a room. Apparently the one she selected (I guess they’re not preselected by the room assignor) wasn’t available (or wouldn’t let her commit it) so she chose another one. We ended up in Fiji, which is where I used to stay as a kid with my parents. So far so good. Then she had to go back and change all the spellings on the names before she issued us our room cards. That took a bit of effort, as it wouldn’t let her do it a number of ways. While I was waiting, Matt had come in, and said “look who’s here” [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/questionicon.gif[/img]

I turned around to see friends that we hadn’t seen in a couple of years. Matt actually graduated high school with him, and I actually went to college with him. He was good friends with my college roommate’s now husband (they’re all Matt’s age – the big 40 this year) and we (me and the friend) were actually in the wedding party. My college roommate has a big summer party every year, and that’s when we first realized that Matt and Jeff knew each other. Although Jeff didn’t make it to the party this year. Did ya get all that [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Anyway, Jeff and his wife (Pamela, who I called Pam and that’s a [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shameonyou.gif[/img] because it’s PAMELA [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] ) had checked in yesterday for the week, but were checking out and back in as they weren’t happy with their room. They were too far away from the pool, and that’s the only request she had put on the ressie. Okay, back to my story………..

I finally got our room keys and room number, and we said our goodbyes to Jeff and Pamela (and kids) and said maybe we’d see them at the pool during our stay (never did)! We found our room in Fiji, and I was awed at the size of it [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]



Lucky for us, the rain started just after we made it to the room. We called for our luggage, and it was delivered in a few minutes. Matt needed his nap [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] and since the kids couldn’t use the pool right now, I decided to do laundry. I waited to do it during the at sea day on the ship and it was packed, so that wasn’t going to work. Colin also ended up falling asleep, and Alexa just watched cartoons.

Now this is where my initial love for the Poly started going downhill. Alexa was bored, and it said that there were kid activities at the Neverland Club, so we went over there to check it out. Well, the Neverland Club was closed today, so the activity would be held in the lobby (which she had just done). I took her back to the room, and then I had the lug the clothes (in one of the rolling luggage bags) all the way to the other side of the property to use the laundry (gee, right next to the Neverland Club). Why they can’t put a facility on each side of the resort is beyond me [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] Thankfully, there were plenty of machines available and I filled up 3 of them! On the way back to the room to check on the kids, I stopped at the Lobby Concierge to pick up our luau tickets for tonight. In front of me was a couple trying to find anywhere (ANYWHERE) on the monorail line to eat dinner tonight and this weekend. Guess what [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] ALL SOLD OUT! These poor people who came down here with no ADRs and no plans (because it’s usually quiet) were being left out of dining establishments due to the free dining promotion. That’s why it always pays to do your planning [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

I checked up on the kids, and then headed back to the laundry room. I put the clothes into the dryer, and waited for them there. Thankfully, most of them dried on one cycle and I was done. While waiting there, a CM came in and out, and said that Jeb Bush was going to be visiting the resort tomorrow at 1 for a press conference. GREAT. NOT! Hopefully that wouldn’t affect us [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] I got the laundry all the back to the room, and I unpacked and put stuff away. Matt was finally awake and was downloading pictures onto my laptop. This is where we found the housekeeping that was non-existent. The Family Fun magazine was stuck (and I mean stuck) to the top of the dresser. There was a pull out desk underneath the table, and we pulled it out to see it be covered with a bunch of crumbs, and some sticky substance. GROSS! And for a newly renovated room, the connecting door had paint chips all over it [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] Either a very bad paint job, or someone has been kicking the door.

I went out for a walk and went down by the pool. It was still closed (and so was the pool bar) but it wasn’t raining or thundering anymore [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] I sat down on one of the chairs on the beach to just relax, and was promptly yelled at “Get off the chair sweetie”. Apparently, when the pool is closed, you can’t sit on the beach chairs either. I don’t know guys, I was really about to lose it because this place did not have the Disney magic at all [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] I was longing for BC and AKL big time [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]



I went back to the room, and after a bit, Matt agreed to take the kids swimming. They all donned their bathing suits, and we headed over to the pool. It was finally open again. Another complaint. The pool is much too small for a resort this size. The volcano is lovely, and the slide was great, but having been spoiled by the pools at AKL and BC, this was a big disappointment. The kids seemed to have a good time, and I went to get a drink (I think I really needed one at this point)! I ordered a Bahama Mama, and $8.26 later (before tip) [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/ouch.gif[/img] I was sipping away. That same drink cost me less than 6 bucks on the cruise, tip included [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] I guess I won’t be drinking any more here [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] (I realize the no tax on the ship and cheaper liquor probably make the big difference there).



I stopped to ask the lifeguard about life jackets for the kids. He said they didn’t have any at the pool, that you’d have to stop by the marina and get one from them. Well, they close at 5, so no dice there [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] Why does every resort have to have different rules [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] The kids finished swimming, and we headed back to the room to get ready for dinner. We were going to the luau, which thankfully was just a jump, skip, and hop from our room (literally). I made the kids wear the matching tropical Mickey shirts that we wore for Pirate night on the cruise, and I wore my matching skirt.

Coming Up Next.....the luau, was it a hit??

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[jakenjess]

Oh, I hope your stay at the Poly gets better soon! We had a great experience there a couple years ago (except for a couple of not-so-magical CMs, but nothing major). I can see why you weren't happy with the housekeeping.

I can see all your Chef Mickey pictures, but for some reason I can't see your Poly pictures. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/pout.gif[/img]

Looking forward to more!

[angiek1024]

Sorry things aren't going well at the Poly. I hope they got better for you. The Poly is our favorite resort and we had a wonderful experience there. I guess every trip is different though.

Can't wait to see what you thought of the luau!

[Caldercup]

Ohhhh, I've got my fingers crossed that your experiences with the Poly go uphill from here. Right now, it doesn't sound like you're feeling the love. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img]

More, more, more!
Eileen

[DawnDenise]

I so hope your experiences at the Poly improve!! Looking forward to hearng about the luau as I have never been!

[MontiMouse]

Sorry to hear the Poly was less than magical for you. Hopefully it gets better. We have reservations at the Poly in June trip and I am really looking forward to is as I have always wanted to stay there.

More please.