Party of 10 at WDW...5-7/5-17/2003 About This Page:

[WDWG84ME]

Hi Everybody!
This is my first ever trip report so please bear with me! I'm going to figure out how to post pictures also... But first the basics.

Who we are: My Parents: DN(Disney Nana)
DG (Disney Grandpa)
Us: DM(Disney Mom)37, Passporter Freak
DH(Disney Husband)36, Golfer
DS#1 Age 10
DS#2 Age 5
My Brother's Family:
DB (Disney Brother)35
DSIL (Disney Sister-In-Law)36
DNI (Disney Niece)6
DNE (Disney Nephew)4
Are you confused yet? Let me preface this by letting you know we've planned this trip for a year. I'm the resident "Passporter Expert" so I did the priority seatings and itinerary. Last visit was in November,2001 and we wanted to try a different time of the year so May worked with the kid's school schedule (we're year-round school). We also decided to stay at The Polynesian again due to the proximity to MK and the monorail and the fact that we're creatures of habit! So off we go!

[kimdisneynut]

more please

[WDWG84ME]

Day 1: We're Off and Flying!
We arranged for a Super Shuttle to pick up all three households at 8am and take us to DIA.
Our flight was at 11:40 and we figured in Denver traffic. DH got up and ready, got kids going and I was done by 7:15am. I sat down to a leisurely bagel with a smear when DH reports that Super Shuttle is here! This is 7:30am and I'm halfway through the bagel! Kids are flipping out,DH goes to check it out while I call DN and DB and tell them to kick it up a notch. Shuttle man says he can hang out for 25 minutes and come back...but hey early is better than late and he'll stop at Starbucks! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] So we get my parents and head for the Java. Our friendly Starbucks workers are chatting away and percolating in slow motion...then they can figure out how to change the register tape! Hello, date with the mouse people...move it! Well,after that fiasco we arrive at my brother's and are on the way! Arrive at DIA, check in, get to the gate no problem! Take DS#2 and DNI for a train ride and then we board. Frontier Airlines has satellite TV now and for $5 you can watch all the way to Orlando! Best $10 I ever spent...kids are glazed-eyed but quiet! We're here!! Hello humidity! [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img] Hello, Tiffany Towncar...at baggage claim when we arrive. Got the bags and headed to WDW! Got to Polynesian and are assigned Rapa Nui Longhouse connecting rooms 2107,2108 and 2109. Lovely view of the parking lot. Here's the only problem with staying at the same Hotel...it's not new anymore. I love The Polynesian but we know it. Still beautiful, love the music (Pearly Shells still playing in my head!),the flowers smell amazing, pools are warm this time! Dinner at The Kona Cafe, okay, but a little funky for my DH. DH and kids hit the volcano pool while I unpack and watch Disney TV. Having fun walking in my parent's room and chatting while unpacking. Family survive pool, kids shower and get in bed. It's been a long day and tomorrow is Animal Kingdom!! [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img]

[Joy J]

Hi Lisa [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img]

I'm enjoying your trip report so far and I can hardly wait to hear about what you thought of the Animal Kingdom - my favorite park. I got such a special feeling while there - one that's very hard to describe. It's the kind of place that makes you stop and smell the roses and adore every second of it.

Joy

[luvnwdwgal]

Wow, this sounds just like the start of our trip last year! Flight into Orlando, Tiffany Towncar at the airport, Check-in at Poly and our first day was also at AK!! Great minds think alike! Looking forward to more!! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Steph A]

Great report so far, can't wait to hear about AK (have not been there yet).

Can't wait to hear how the trip was with extended family (our family of 7 will be traveling in September!!!)

Steph A

[lilprincess]

Great start! It's so funny that we were also at the Polynesian the same dates as you were...too bad we didn't meet up! We were in the Fiji longhouse.

Can't wait to hear the rest!

[dsnytina]

Great start! Can't wait to try out the Poly! As much detail as possible, please!
Tina

[WDWG84ME]

Day 2: Getting Wild at Animal Kingdom
Woke up by the one and only Mickey Mouse! Used the odd time trick and it worked every day of our vacation! Breakfast at the Kona...had fruit platter, very filling and tasty too! FYI: DN is a breakfast person and must always eat out for breakfast so we did not take advantage of any early entry. [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] Armed with my nifty Minnie Safari Hat...surprised everyone,we were off to AK! Caught the 2nd bus to AK as first was packed. Slicked up the kids with sunscreen (from Colorado and it's been a long winter)and headed in. No characters in the Oasis that morning nor outside the gates. We headed straight to Kali River Rapids. Ride was down but friendly CM said to fastpass it and come back later so we did! Went thru Maharajah Jungle Trek and saw the fruit bats (cute faces but still gave me the willies!) and the tigers! If you own the Flik Musical Adventure Video on AK you know there is a song they sing during the Jungle trek that my son also insisted on singing during the entire trek! Stopped after trek to get DN a squirting fan ($17) as she was wilted! Headed over to Dinoland USA to ride Triceratop Spin (DS#2 huge dino fan)(very similar to Aladdin) and Primeval Whirl (DS#2 and I sat that one out, height restriction). Sweat our way through the Boneyard, no slides just digging up the dinosaur. No one brave enough to do Dinosaur with DH so we caught some AC in a shop and decided to head back towards Kali. Stopped to visit Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore on a trail outside Dinoland. Now it's time for our Kali FP so we park DN and DNE under the shade with our valuables and head on. Gotta love FP...we're at the front in no time! We board our raft (seats already wet, not a good sign)and I stow my Safari Minnie hat and we're off. I, of course, was the unlucky one to be sitting in the geyser seat and was drenched. DG had quite a laugh until the end of the ride when it was his turn! DS#2 and DNI a little scared of getting wet but we're all laughing as we slosh off the ride. Eat some lunch in Asia and we're pooped! Stop at a cart to get our kids Animal Kingdom Hats. DS#2 now emotional because he wants to see It's Tough To Be A Bug. So we head in to see it. You get to walk around The Tree Of Life on your way in and it's amazing! Who knew all those animals were carved in it? I only wished we went slower but the show was starting pronto,so off we go! We get to wear cute bug glasses and outside the theater are bug spin offs of major movie posters
...very cute. Inside,another story, all the kids were petrified! Flik was the cutest part...other than that it was sheer terror. Please use judgement with your kids...I wish I had! Plus, the ending freaked me out! [img]graemlins/achoo.gif[/img] Headed towards the exit to cool off at the hotel while DN and DG went to purchase group photos. Outside AK Pluto, Chip and Dale were signing autographs so DS#2 and I jumped in line. Cooled off at the pool and then headed back to AK for a 6:10 PS at Boma in AKL. Nice bus driver explained how to get to AKL via AK but since it was just our group and another he took us straight to the Lodge (talk about service, huh?). Now many people love Boma, in fact,the CM at WDW Dining recommended it but we weren't very impressed. DS#2 feel asleep within minutes of being seated. Our catch phrase was "interesting". Like, "these lentil balls are very interesting". Dessert was very yummy...kahlua zebra domes! Our waiter let me pack up some PB&J for sleeping beauty and we headed out. AKL is beautiful...giraffes and wildabeast in the outside courtyards, WOW. Now that DS#2 was refreshed we spent some time in the Marketplace at Downtown Disney. I was on a mission...the Scrapbook Store! Just drop me off fellas and pick me up on the way back!Very nifty but one drawback. The albums they sell don't have any refill pages or page protectors available for purchase. The CM told me you could find them at any scrapbook store but I didn't take the chance. I checked out the paper,stickers and die cuts and planned my purchase for later in the week. Found the guys in the Toy Store on a guess. FYI: Cell phones are very difficult to hear unless you attach them to your ear with velcro! We pried the children away from the store (OK, bribed, but who doesn't!) and headed back to our hotel for the evening. Pit stop at Captain Cooks for my nightly Mickey Bar, yum,yum! Bathe kids and record in Passporter and collapse! Next day...Magic Kingdom

[tikibird]

Lisa,

I'm enjoyed your report - how cool [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] that you got to stay at the Poly! Sounds like you had fund at AK and DD - can't wait to hear more! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Colexis Mom]

Enjoying your trip report!! Looking forward to reading more about your trip!!

[WDWG84ME]

Friday, May 9 "Disney Fun Seeker Day"
We all wore the same Disney T-shirt that day. It says "Disney Fun Seeker" with a B/W castle and Mickey, Goofy and Donald. We had breakfast at O'Hanas and boy was it good! The food was fresh and plentiful served on lazy susan's. Just spin until you find what you want!! Mickey waffles (LOVE), eggs, bacon, sausage, mini-biscuits! DS#2and DNE and I were in the parade with Mickey and the gang. We paraded around the restaurant with maracas to, "Just Can't Wait to Be King". And we wound up sitting at the same table as last time (18 months ago)freaky! My kids loved it! Stuffed, we headed on the monorail to MK. Through the entrance, under the railroad and what do I hear? "Walking Right Down the Middle Of Main Street USA"! How is it this street gives me butterflies and teary eyes at the same time?! Do group "fun-seeker" photo and the kids are itching to ride Buzz. Hardly a line we hop on and I ride with DB, just like when we were kids! DB spins our car non-stop to get the perfect shot making me loopy! I still post 163,900 not bad space ranger! DH, DSIL and DS#1 get fastpasses for Space Mountain then we all ride Transit Authority. They head for SM while the kiddos and I head for the Buzz man himself. While he's "recharging his battery" CM asks the line Disney Trivia. DB is a show-off answering the name of Simba's Mom and gets a mickey sticker (no fair!). Next question: "what's the name of Nala's Mom? I yell, Mrs Nala! CM is cracking up and gives me a sticker! [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] By now we're melting in the heat and head to Toontown. Our mission: Group photo with Mickey in our shirts! Good news Judges's Tent has AC and cartoons! Get shot; kids ride Barnstormer with DH, DSIL and DB. I am a major chicken, rode it once last trip and screamed my head off. DH laughed very hard. Meanwhile DN and DG have water fan fight with each other...even they become kids again at WDW [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] ! Do lunch in Fantasyland at Pinocchio's Village House. Huge place, AC, split turkey sandwhich with DH...very tasty [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] . Group now splits up as heat is getting to DN and DG. Remaining party head for Haunted Mansion. Short line so we're in. Then it's off to the pirates!
Outside the pirates (near restrooms) it's Captain Hook and Mr Smee! On the way we FP Big Thunder Mountain. We literally run through and hop onto our boat. DS#2 and DNE love this ride and the nifty toys at the end! We pose all grandchildren as pirates with assorted gear on the barrels at the back of the store, DH is so creative! [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img] Makes for an adorable shot...try it! Back to BTM and DS#2 freaks out because school group of rowdy teens ahead is screaming in the line before boarding so it's just DS#1 and I. Another tip: Disney Magazine interviewed CM's about rides and they say to ride BTM in the afternoon since the grease heats up and you get a faster ride. Felt faster to me...loved it! Now onto hotel as DS#2 is wearing down fast. DS#2 snoozes in room and DH takes DS#1 to the volcano pool. Cool pool he loves the slide. DS#2 now refreshed we head on over to EPCOT for a counter service dinner. Rest of group stay at hotel. Okay here's the sad part: we ate at the Electric Umbrella and then head to Mouse Gear to shop when DS#1 realizes he left his hat(with lots of pins on it)in EU. Not 2 minutes later and it's GONE [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] ! CM cleaning says he never saw it and suspicious people at next table won't even answer [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] ! Needless to say hang onto your things there are bad people even in the magical place on earth. DS#1 is crushed. Ya see, we had bought them pins at the Disney Store back home when they were 75% off for the purpose of trading at WDW. He had traded for some good ones even Tower of Terror...his favorite. DH promises to get another hat and we move on...disappointed. Head back to the Polynesian (Mickey Bar at Captain Cooks first [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] )and crawl into bed. MGM day tomorrow.

[WDWG84ME]

May 10: MGM Day or I survived the Tower!
After breakfast at the Kona Cafe we're off to MGM. DG bugging me about Tower of Terror...am I going on? I am petrified of heights but want to try just to say I did it. DH says there is a t-shirt in it for me if I ride [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] . Well there's no point in putting it off we're headed down Sunset Blvd straight for the Tower. Oh good, there's no line [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] ! Park DN and other non-riders outside in shade. I have to say the line area is really neat and it does set the mood, I'm shaking in my shoes by the time we watch the pre-ride show. Isn't it neat how it looks like it's a stormy night outside the library windows? Now we are in the boiler room getting ready to board the elevator. My mantra...there's a t-shirt in it for me. I nievely ask the CM for the calmest seat and where do we end up? Front row! He smiles as he waves goodbye, telling me to enjoy my stay. We are in a car with a lap bar, no seat belts. Beginning I'm okay until I see the stars and I know what's coming! I have never flown out of my seat before and I was freaked! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] Then again and again...yipes is this thing ever going to stop! We finally do and people are clapping and cheering for more [img]graemlins/ukid.gif[/img] ! I was literally shaking for about 20 minutes after the ride but I did get the shirt! Oh, and we got the picture as evidence, talk about a funny photo. We pick up DN and others and head for Rock N'Roller Coaster. DH,DSIL and DS#1 ride as we cool off in the gift shop. DS#1 gets cool Aerosmith ballcap to replace the swipped one. Then it's off to Playhouse Disney, DS#2 huge Stanley fan. Darn, that show is full so we head to the Backlot Tour. Be warned the water scene is very hot, we are melting. Seeing the cars and houses afterwards was fun too. Then we're off to see Sorcerer Mickey with hardly a line! We had lunch at the ABC Commissary. DH and I shared a Taboule wrap. Didn't know it was parsley and didn't care for it very much. DN,DG and DNI head to hotel to cool off. DH, DS#1 and DSIL want more Tower and Coaster so DS#2 and I check out the "big hat" and Hollywood Blvd. Here's where we have the most magical moment of the day. We spot Mary Poppins by the Drew Carey thing and start walking, autograph book in hand. Mary is trying to make it to the Hat and nobody wants to follow. So she takes DS#2 hand and they walk there together! Can I tell you the tears in my eyes! They talked for a while, "Zachary, where are you from? How did you get here? Do you know my special word? Of course! Then Zach sings "Step In Time" for her and everyone claps! He gets to hold Mary's umbrella and an autograph. And if that's not enough, she gives him a red lipstick kiss on the cheek! WOW [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] !He was grinning all day! We also saw Aladdin and Jasmine, Baloo, and Rafiki! Then we hung out in the AC stores on Hollywood Blvd to wait for the thrill seekers. Dinner is at The Plaza in MK so we head there. By now I am wiped out so DH and DSIL take boys for some rides in MK while I enjoy a huge Ice Tea and wait for the rest of our group by The Plaza. I am writing away in my Passporter, of course, so I don't forget our Mary moment and listening to Cinderellas Surprise Celebration at the castle. Everybody meets up and we wait for our PS at The Plaza. Only bad thing about waiting is: 1. You wait outside in the melting sun and 2. They yell your name, no buzzers. Once inside it's grand. Cute restaurant, very victorian. The sandwiches are great. Kids get mini hamburgers and hotdogs a "lunchable" dream come true!! Dessert was ice cream sundaes for the kids, okay I had some too! [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] After dinner group breaks up and we head for our hotel to swim in the quiet pool. Here's some Polynesian info: you can get a child's lifevest for free with your room card but only until 8pm. That's when the lifeguards went off duty and the vests get locked up. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] Most people were swimming well into 11pm at night. Maybe it changes later in the season? Totally exhausted we make it to our room, bathe boys and collapse in bed. Next: Big Mother's Day Surprise for DG!

[Marv]

What a magical time with Mary Poppins! I didn't even know she was at MGM. Isn't it fun when you just happen to find the characters? I'm enjoying your trip report!

[Joy J]

Lisa, congratulations on surviving the Tower of Terror. My DD talked me into trying that one and never again! I thought it was never going to end. I'm not afraid of heights but having my stomach launched into my throat isn't exactly my fondest of moments. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

I'm thoroughly enjoying your trip report. More please! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Joy