9.26.02 - 10.01.02 - Beach Club & Polynesian About This Page:

[Shell_of_the_South]

Looking forward to reading more about your trip!

[Carrousel Lover]

Midnight - Saturday Sept28 - Sick child

I am always amazed at DH's capacity to sleep through anything (or rather ignore) [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] . DD woke up late Friday night and the result was puke everywhere on her, on the bed and DD saying "I want to go home" [img]graemlins/cry2.gif[/img] So at midnight I stripped the bed, changed her, put her in the carriage and took off to the washing machines. Poor thing. I used the washing machines by the quiet pool, and we went walking around the Beach Club and Yacht Club. We checked out Storm Along Bay and didn't do Boardwalk (remember those mosquitos...) but part of the area. Went to the front desk to give housekeeping a heads up the next morning and continued to explain to DD that the pilots were not flying their planes now so they couldn't fly her home, but we'd talk about it later. I put a towel over her stroller (for the internal hotel glare) and put her seat back and prayed she'd fall asleep. The two people I met doing laundry (amazing all of the pool night owls), said they had two 24 hour viruses themselves...also with a tip of which dryer to use to maximize drying [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Finally returned to the room, set up the daybed for the two of us and she fell asleep. I thought to myself, so much for Cape May tomorrow for the two of us and thank heavens it's a down day tomorrow.

[Bert & Sully]

Thanks for what you've written thus far! Can't wait to hit the Beach Club Wednesday!

Whereabouts in New England ARE you?

[tikibird]

Too funny about the clothespin - but who knows - you may have started a new fashion trend! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Sorry that DD was not feeling well, but looking forward to your next installment!

[Carrousel Lover]

Saturday, September 28 Storm Along Bay, DTD

Today was our downtime day. The kids and I planned to use the pool and MIL and DH planned to go to Epcot. I wasn't sure whether we would be doing either based on DD's sickness but amazingly enough she was up at 9 am and all smiles. Children are just amazing! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] We decided to keep our 9:30 am P.S. for the Cape May character breakfast. The Beach Club is quite large, you can get lost in the corridors and we've found using landmarks gets you a shorter route than the signs (I used the 2 orange/pink fishes on the tables to find our shortcuts). It's like two L angles within each other, the fish are in the inner angle L and the signs take you to the outer angle... Anyway, we arrived at Cape May to see a LONG line [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] Of course then I realized that we had forgotten my nephews autograph book. We checked in at podium and I booked back to the room for the book (we'd missed Goofy's signature and were not planning park excursion so I needed to get that book!) When I arrived back everyone had just been seated. Large buffet and a lot of great food. Again, terrific character interaction, we'd already seen Chip and Dale but them in their beach attire was great. A bonus at the end of the meal was Minnie Mouse (another autograph). The service was not bad but slow. Similar service set up to Crystal Palace where your waitstaff gets your drinks etc but usually he wasn't anywhere to be found which I'm saying more as an FYI as I was surprised but it in no way effected our meal. Loved those Mickey Waffles by the way [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]

We left the restaurant for our rooms to slather on the sunscreen, change into suits and go swimming. We'd seen quite a bit of Storm Along Bay the night/early am stroll with DD [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] but it was nice to be able to use it! Still with an eye on DD for residual effects of being ill - not a chance... I think I mentioned that our rooms were on the quiet pool end of the hotel so I wondered if the trek to SAB would be a hassle. It wasn't. Amazingly in all of the time I've stayed at the BC I have never used SAB so this was a treat. DD had been gazing at the sand area and all of the kids so I figured we'd go to that section first (it's at the Yacht club far end of the pool). We set up there to find - DD found the sand in the pool freaky. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] She did not want to walk in it with or without her water shoes. So..we went in search of the water slide entrance. What a hit that was. The two of them slide down the little slide, behind the big one and then my nephew went down the big slide while we rushed over to the pool side where it comes out to see him. He must have done this slide 5 times in a row. We loved the riptide pool. You get quite a tow going round and round. Both kids swim but I did end up getting a lifevest for DD just to be on the safe side. Here they just write down your room key, at the Polynesian they hold on to your room key. I just mention this as I thought they would take it so I wasn't prepared to carry my room key and ended up shoving it in my DD's water shoes... There were quite a few more people at the pool than I expected for a Saturday (I figured they would all be at the MK), but it was not crowded and plenty of beach chairs. The only item of short supply were the inner tubes so if you want to lounge in those get there early to rent or put your name in. We went back over to the "sand castle" side and used the little fountain - another hit - small scale Epcot fountain type... The time flew and to make the transition to leave SAB, I said let's go swim in the Quiet pool! That worked. We swam in the quiet pool so more before heading back to the room and preparing to go to Downtown Disney to get our GOH badges and see Once Upon A Toy. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[PS - I LUV WDW]

Sorry to hear about your daughter getting sick. But glad that she felt better the next morning for Cape May and SAB!! Your description of SAB makes me want to be there right now!!!!

[tikibird]

Glad to hear that DD bounced back so quickly and that you all had a great time at SAB - looking forward to hearing all about Once Upon a Toy! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Carrousel Lover]

Saturday, Sept 28 cont. - Once Upon A Toy/DTD and Beaches and Creams & Illuminations

I was a little apprehensive with 2 1/2 and 5 1/2 yr old on the bus alone and not having been to this area since it was called The Marketplace. I had no real idea what to expect. It was fine, we caught the bus at the stop and rode with no issue. Our first stop was to get our GOH badges. I have been on a hunt for GOH badges for months ! I'd call and call and when we went to MGM they were out at the 5 & 10 so I called the Christmas Store at DTD but just as was the case at home I rec'd a recording and no call back. Well I'm pleased to report I was able to get them without issue for the 5 of us and the kids got such a kick out of them. I could have stayed and shopped in that and most of the DTD stores for hours but how boring is that for the little ones (never mind the breakables in some of the stores), so it was off to walk around and see Once Upon a Toy. Let me tell you first that they thought this place was fantastic. A pool and a toy store on the same day - WOW [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] They were both told that they could get one thing under a certain dollar figure and the 5 yr old flitted from one thing to another. The 2 yr old hasn't reached the materialistic phase yet [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] so she just likes looking , holding, putting back and moving on (that I imagine won't last long). We ended up with Bear in the Big Blue house little plastic figures (which she took a bath with ever remaining day we were there). Speaking of which can anyone tell me if you can get these locally? This is one of the items lost by Delta and she still asks about them losing her clothes and bag, and Bear. I'd love to surprise her with them...

Okay plea over ...back to our trip... The 5 yr old was really torn between that megaphone/voice changer thing in the Toy Story section (phew he bypassed that one) and among other things the huge Zorg or Buzz Lightyear (I said no, too expensive and he already had a similar one at home which he lost interest in the next day)or some shooting thing (my sister would have killed me). Oh maannnn! Anyway he ended up with something he was pleased with and we walked around a bit more. We did not plan to be at DTD very long since we'd done what they wanted to do - we were thinking of eating there or at Bongos but it was their day to pick the itinerary and they both decided to go back to the hotel to join the adults. When we go again I'd definately build in time to go by myself as there are great shops. Also I would pack change of clothes for the kids since that fountain is just something to jump into. They were frankly just pleased to get back on the bus to clutch their new "treasures". On the ride back, some really nice teenage boys let the kids see their pinbooks and explained what they were and where they were from. That is just one of the best things to me about a WDW vacation. Everyone is so open and sharing and friendly. On a non Disney day, I've always talked to strangers (I'm my mother's daughter what can I say), but there it's just wonderful since everyone does the same. On..Once Upon A Toy..well, I feel guilty telling you all that I was a bit well... underwhelmed. [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img] I have been dying to see this place and while it is really neat it wasn't what I expected. I think I've heard so much about it for so long my expectations were ridiculous. I was thinking "innovations meets toysrus". It is a really cool place and as I said the kids loved it and we'll go again. Maybe then I'll finally get my Mr. Potato Head with the Disney accessories. I'll admit now that my secret wish was to get one of those - I loved them as a kid - but everytime pre-trip I broached the subject DD said "No thanks, don't like it" sighhh So no mr. potato head for me [img]graemlins/pout.gif[/img]

When we met back up with MIL and DH after their Epcot excursion, I wondered whether MIL had bought out the goods from Italy and Germany. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Beaches and Cream We met back up and later ate dinner at Beaches and Cream, further discussing our day. This is a fun place. It's been a great trip with no waiting to speak of dining and at the Parks. After the kids eyed a couple of "kitchen sinks" we ordered our meals. MIL loved the rootbeer floats as it reminded her of going to the soda fountain as a young girl. I can't even recall what we all ate but all of the food disappeared because everyone also wanted dessert (not the kitchen sink either). I suggested DH and MIL do see the new Illuminations show but DH offered to stay behind once kids in bed and have his Mom and I go see it together.
Since we change to the Polynesian tomorrow we'd hoped for an earlier night and early start to MK.

Illuminations One word WOW! I loved all of the Illumination shows and after hearing how wonderful this show was I was concerned that my expectations would be too high - no way. We left the hotel room late and hurried through international gateway to the bridge crossing to France (you are usually guarenteed a spot here if you are late). MIL is short...not average - she's a peanut. I'm tall so I had her stand in front of me. As the show began this incredibly generous man had her stand in his spot at the rail and moved to the side for her to see everything. That was so wonderfully kind! MIL was just in awe at the whole thing and it was clearly a magical moment.

[tikibird]

I want to go to Once Upon a Toy Now, and I think YOU should get a Mr. Potato Head! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Thanks for another great installment - looking forward to the next one!

[PS - I LUV WDW]

Another busy day!

We ended up with Bear in the Big Blue house little plastic figures (which she took a bath with ever remaining day we were there). Speaking of which can anyone tell me if you can get these locally? This is one of the items lost by Delta and she still asks about them losing her clothes and bag, and Bear. I'd love to surprise her with them...

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">If you want, PM me with a description of the figurines and I will look for them during our trip at the beginning of November. If I find them, I can them drop them into the mail to you when I get home!

Pam

[Carrousel Lover]

Originally posted by PS - I LUV WDW:

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">If you want, PM me with a description of the figurines and I will look for them during our trip at the beginning of November. If I find them, I can them drop them into the mail to you when I get home!

Pam[/quote]

That is so incredibly sweet. Thank you!! I may just take you up on that but for now I'm still giving Delta until the end of the week. I'm being optimistic if not realistic [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] I will get the rest of the trip posted asap, work is busy I haven't had a spare second day or night

[Carrousel Lover]

Originally posted by tikibird:
I want to go to Once Upon a Toy Now, and I think YOU should get a Mr. Potato Head! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Thanks for another great installment - looking forward to the next one!

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">I agree, I think I am going to put it on my Christmas Wishlist [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Also GREAT idea on the trip report titles.

[Carrousel Lover]

Sunday, Sept 29 - Magic Kingdom, The Polynesian and what a bizarre unDisney start to the day

I may have mentioned previously that there were some weird events during this trip - it must have been a full moon as there really were. Some good and some not so good. Warning just a sliver of this mornings trip to the Magic Kingdom was not so good [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] but it got better after that....

************

We are so psyched to get ready to head over to The Magic Kingdom. Our bags are packed and although we are transferring our luggage we are not worried - we're going to the Magic Kingdom and the place DD refers to as her hotel [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] We use express check out so we just had bellservices pick up our luggage to transfer and opted to take a bus to the Magic Kingdom. Now taking the bus to MK is actually much easier in my mind since they take you right to the front gate and you walk off directly at the ticket entry at MK vs. the TTC...well here comes the "full moon" part..the excitement is in the air, everyone is so happy on that bus, it's crowded and the driver is driving along and then she makes an announcement "Due to an event at the Magic Kingdom area we will be dropping you off at the TTC area..you will from there take the transportation to MK." A collective WHAT?!is heard on the bus. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] No further explaination and what got everyone was that they announced it after we were already driving on the bus not before...okay, not to pleased about that but we are in our special place... What I am about to write next is just the most unbelieveable UnDisney like thing I have ever ever experienced The driver drops the bus off - not directly at the TTC - we had no idea where we were but we saw barriers and people running..hmm I didn't hear about a race. The marathon is not now. Nothing was written about this that I recall. Then I see black numbers written on their arms - like the Iron Man or something.. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] They tell us to unload here. Okay? We all get off the bus and start walking, across the road, up onto the street?,down a muddy hill. This is where I started to get angry. There were older people, a couple with a wheel chair, they had to negotiate down the little hill, through this little mud puddle and mud and wet grass, yes people helped but that was just really wrong [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] , anyway down back onto the street through these barriers. I thought of lemmings and Lewis Carrol nursery rhyme about the Walrus because we had no clue and all blindly followed each other. The Disney folks looked frazzled at the confusion, and shouts from people of "what is going on?" The reply was a triathalon. Not a good start..DH looked at me and says "Good to see your wonderful Disney World has issues also" You should have seen the smirk on his face. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] Once we arrived at the TTC it was packed - so much for an early start. The thing that was most aggravating was that they did not tell us in advance that this was going on. We may have taken monorail directly from Epcot to the TTC and transfered. We may have just taken a cab to the Polynesian and then a monorail. The point is it was very very unlike Disney and it bummed me out as a start to the day. BUT guess what - we are in my special place...when we finally arrived inside the Magic Kingdom the morning disappeared and we were ready for adventure.

Is that you?
During our trip planning, MIL mentioned to me that a woman from her office was going to WDW before us and her trip might overlap our trip. She was staying off property she thought and wouldn't that be neat to run into her. I didn't reply but thought yeah, right the chances of running into someone here are slim to none unless it's arranged. Of course I should know better than to think that because we walked toward Main street just under the railroad arch above when MIL says - "look, there they are...." I have to say it sorry guys... It's a Small World After All... [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

First stop FantasyLand

[ 10-28-2002, 11:14 AM: Message edited by: Carrousel Lover ]

[tikibird]

Whoa, that was a very STRANGE Disney experience! I, too find it hard to believe that they left you off so far from the TTC!

Hope your day improves! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Carrousel Lover]

Sunday, Sept 29 - Checking into The Polynesian, Tony's, Cell Phones, Hotel Hopping

Due to the unexpected delay it was later in morning so there were lines (not bad) in Fantasyland et. all. We decided to do a few rides and then go check into the hotel. DD's favorite is the Golden Carrousel (gee a surprise from my name) and of course Dumbo. While MIL, DH and DN went to the other areas DD and I rode Tea Cups. DN fell in love with Buzz so they went on it again. MIL, DD and I took the monorail back to The Polynesian to check in. DH and DN opted to stay.

Long time no see - Aloha Polynesian

Since we were just here in Feb, it was old home week. Our rooms were ready early (yeah! I definately appreciate this more after the first time ever waiting at the Beach Club) and we went to check it out and call for our bags. This trip I requested Tokelau, third floor due to the location. Last trip we were in Aotearoa which was also nice. Tokelau is by the quiet pool. I seem to gravitate to these areas I guess. Our room was great - connecting, great balcony. We didn't use those much because I didn't trust any of the kids. I'd recommend with little ones that you remove the chairs off the balcony if you leave the doors open in your rooms. Ours was always locked with the kids and it was too hot to leave the door open.
DD took Nanni around "Her Polynesian" for the grand tour. It was too cute. [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] They went to the Great Ceremonial House etc. Our luggage came up, one bag was missing but they got it and brought it up with no issue. (It's funny we have a stroller bag for ours and everyone mistakes it for a golf bag and they store those in a different location). We rested back at the room and planned to head back to the MK for our 2:05 lunch reservations at Tony's.

Cellphones, Tony's, I can't tell you how great using our cellphones worked. We were going to get 2-ways but we have Verizon plan where we would not be roaming. Ths worked out quite well. When the "guys" went off together we were able to do our own thing and check in from time to time.
We left The Polynesian for Tony's and got to ride in the front of the monorail. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] I think this is the coolest thing to do and it's free! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] I tell everyone to ask if they may ride up front.

We've never eaten at Tony's. I am always hesitant to eat at unknown Italian restaurants with Italians who are also great cooks. Our table was sprinkled with mickey confetti etc. It turned out that the table was set for a birthday which was canceled so we benefited. Our server was great and she mentioned upfront my dreaded nut allergy. This was my big bummer at Tony's - a lot of nut or off property food done at lunch so you can't have it since they can't vouch it's not made by or with nuts. MIL and DH had the bruschetta. It was a little different in glass but they enjoyed it a lot. MIL and I ordered the Pasta Primavera. That was really tasty - they made it with balsamic vinegar which I love and gave it a really good kick [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] DH ordered chicken parm. The only meal disappointment - the chicken was good but the sauce was thick. After when he realized that they are hosted by one of those sauce companies he realized it was probably that.. The characters were Tigger, Pooh, Eyeore, Piglet. Lots of attention. Tony's is a smaller restaurant also so rotation around by the characters is faster. It is so different than the Crystal Palace (our favorite)that you really can't compare it's just different. I'd actually like to try it for dinner when most of the items are cooked on site. We had planned to watch the 3pm parade from there so before dessert the kids and I went outside on the porch to see it. They were amazed at all of the snowglobes. Both wanted to know how the people got inside the globes. That would be a great parade to go behind the scenes and view.
Weird thing about all of the restaurants we were in was they were all FREEZING. Usually when I have been in hot weather inside is comfortably cool but these were like back home when the a/c is always too high like in the movie theater. In the case of Tony's their a/c was broken the day before so the day we were there our server mentioned they had just fixed it and yesterday had been unbearable so "don't complain" she said smiling it's much nicer than yesterday [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

We decided to hotel-hop so MIL could see the area and decide where we would like to eat tomorrow. We took the Wilderness Lodge boat first. This of course is also my sly way of cultivating our next trip location and I've visited the Wilderness Lodge by car I've never done the internal transport. No one else has been so this should be interesting. MIL is more like me and the kids regarding adventure so this is more fun. DD falls asleep heading out the park (hurray actually)so Daddy can go at his pace with her.

Wilderness Lodge - This is a beautifully themed hotel. DN and I run to see the geyser go off and get a tad wet. I suspected prior to the boat ride over and the themeing that we wouldn't stay here anytime soon and I was correct. The monorail is just way too convenient. I can clearly visualize a romantic getaway in the winter season here. I would love to stay here but I'd rent a car.

From WL we took the boat back to MK by way of Fort Wilderness and then went over to the Grand Floridian.
Grand Floridian DH wanted to see this hotel as did MIL. I was not as crazy about it honestly. I'd been by the pool area years ago and never really wanted to go inside. Okay, I missed out. The pool area has been redone and while it's by no means SAB or the Volcano pool - that's not what it's meant to represent and it's a nice hotel. I thought it would be more stuffy and business like inside also. I do that for work , no desire to do that on vacation but another surprise - it's not. It's nice inside there also. The grounds are beautiful. Hmmm. I'll have to rethink this bias toward the good ol' G.F. [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]
We ended up making p.s. for 1900 Park Fare for dinner the next day.

We returned to the Polynesian and had dinner at Captain Cooks. We decided to hang around the hotel and tomorrow have a truly early start at the Magic Kingdom.

[ 10-28-2002, 11:15 AM: Message edited by: Carrousel Lover ]