Ohana Means Family (Vacation) - COMPLETE REPORT!! About This Page:

[PrincessSharon]

Ohana Means Family (Vacation)
October 8 - 15, 2005

This trip was as a result of our traditional February trip. DB1 and his family were to join us for the first time, but when he put in his vacation request, he requested April instead of February. However, because of not having the timeshare in February (it’s a long story), my parents still had their week coming to them. At that point, it was too late for DB1 to change to February, but he changed it to October, my parents arranged for the timeshare in October, and everything was set.

At that time, I’d already planned a Disney trip in December, but I decided to go anyway because I had the vacation time and with my AP and staying at the Palms, it would cost me practically nothing to go. But when my parents booked the timeshare in October, instead of the three bedroom villa that sleeps 12, they could only get a two bedroom that sleeps 8. So for me it was a week on a sofa bed in the living room or paying to stay onsite. It didn’t take long to make up my mind about that! Also, because of the smaller villa, the folks have another week coming to them which we will probably use next May.

I decided to try Port Orleans Riverside this time and my two DNis asked to stay with me during the time they’d be with us. I was hoping to get annual passholder rates, but when I booked, they weren’t available and not long after, the Best Rate Program was introduced. Unfortunately, I fell into the “black hole” between codes and the BRP so an AP rate never surfaced for my dates (I also missed the free dining plan by 4 days ). I did manage to get a AAA rate, though. Also, I got a promotion and a raise the week before my trip, so that made up for not getting the AP rates! DM felt bad that I needed to pay for a hotel room so she gave me some cash.

When tickets went on sale for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, we had a choice between Tuesday and Thursday. I was really disappointed that there wasn’t a Sunday party that week. DB2 lives in Tampa (just over an hour’s drive from WDW) with his family. His two daughters (hereafter known as “the girls”) would have school for most of the week, but I knew they’d be off that Monday for Columbus Day. I decided to get party tickets for 7 of us for Tuesday night and see if DB would let the girls miss school for one day.

We later discovered that the girls were out of school on Thursday and Friday as well, and the Thursday party would’ve been better, but I’d already gotten the tickets. I’m glad we never attempted to change them because they probably wouldn’t have been able to attend on the 13th (more on that later), and we learned that the party on the 13th was sold out, so it would’ve been more crowded.

I booked our flights on Southwest as soon as the dates opened up. Normally when I fly I like to take the earliest direct flight going to Orlando and the latest one coming home. This time I decided a 1:25 departure would work best for us for a few reasons, the number one reason being that check-in for the Palms is at 4:00 and whenever we get there earlier, we end up just sitting there waiting to get into the villa. Also I figured my nephews would probably nap on the plane, which would make the flight a little easier.

Since there would be 7 of us going to the airport with a week’s worth of luggage for each of us, we decided that rather than park two cars at the airport, we would use a car service. I made arrangements for that and we were set.

My folks decided that they wanted to rent a minivan, which would be a tight squeeze with the 7 of us (both the boys need booster seats), so I planned to use Disney’s Magical Express and they would use the van. I managed to score a really great rate of $195 for the week (including taxes) for the minivan using Thrifty. Thrifty is not onsite at MCO, but there is a shuttle. DM & DF were fine with that, especially since that rate was about $100 cheaper than anything else I could find.

Everything got a little crazy because I moved a week before the trip. Usually when you pack before a vacation you don’t pack everything you own, but that’s what I had to do. I saved some time by packing all the stuff for the trip in my suitcase and then just moving that to my new place. I wasn’t completely settled when I left for the trip, but I was close! And I really needed a vacation!

If you read my trip report from my Disneyland trip in August, I had a few problems with my old digital camera. I ended up getting a great price on a new camera and a 1GB memory card and I put them to good use on this trip!

This trip will include all ages and all levels of Disney experiences. Here’s the cast of characters:

The Main Players
Me – Sharon, Disney veteran
DM – Mable, Disney veteran
DF – Ed, Disney veteran
DB1 – Ed, only one Disney trip when we were kids
DSIL1 – Jackie, first Disney trip
DNe1 – Noah, 5, first Disney trip (first plane trip also)
DNe2 – Daniel, 3, first Disney trip (first plane trip also)
(also known as “the boys”)

With Appearances by
DB2 – Eric, lives in Tampa now but has only visited Disney parks once when we were kids
DSIL2 – Jackie (confusing, but she doesn’t appear much)
DNi1 – Erica, 17, Disney veteran
DNi2 – Brooke, 14, Disney veteran
(also known as “the girls”)

The big group will be staying in a 2 bedroom villa at the Wyndham Palms Resort and I will be at Port Orleans Riverside, joined by the girls when they are with us.

Up Next: It Starts!

[Colexis Mom]

Great start Sharon Can't wait for more

[krisk11]

Great start!!!! I can't wait to read more.

[DawnDenise]

Wonderful start Sharon!!! Looking forward to more!

[SHEANA1226]

Great start, waiting for more!!!

[katspjs]

Great start Sharon! Looking forward to reading more!

[debsta922]

Keep it coming....

[Grammy Grumpy]

Can't wait to hear more!!

[dsnytina]

Sharon:
Can't wait to read all about it!
Tina

[KandJluvdisney]

can't wait to hear more - keep on trucking

[bsblady01]

more please

[Princess_Wantabe]

Great start...more please!

[PrincessSharon]

It Starts!
Day One – Saturday, October 8

The day before our flight, I’d printed out all our boarding passes and checked the weather forecast. It looked like it was going to be hot all week in Orlando. I was hoping for low 80’s and it was supposed to be 90° for most of the week. I wasn’t going to complain, though. I would survive the heat!

We had an afternoon flight, but a pickup from the car sevice at 10:30. I got up at about 7:00 and finished up my last minute packing. I’d gotten my DME stuff weeks earlier and I put the luggage tags on my two checked bags.

The plan was for everyone to meet at my parents’ and we’d go to the airport from there. DF went and picked up DB1’s family in the minivan so there wouldn’t be so many cars in front of the house all week.

Our ride pulled up right on time and we loaded up the van and were ready to pull out. It was raining when we left so I was happy to be headed to some sunshine! On the ride to the airport, which took about 25 minutes, I passed out the itineraries I’d made and the tickets I’d been holding (I did all the ordering).

We got to the airport and there was practically no line at the SWA desk. D insisted on pulling my wheeled suitcase. He told me “I’m strong!” And for a three-year-old, let me tell you, he is! He pulled that suitcase with no problem! We had a bunch of luggage to check, but already were checked in and had our boarding passes. So we went over to the kiosks, had our luggage checked in and weighed and headed to security. The entire process took all of 10 minutes for the seven of us.

The line for security was short as well, and we were sitting at our gate about 2 hours early! I had a bunch of toys and stuff to keep the boys entertained and it worked very well. I knew we’d be having a big dinner that night, but I wanted to eat something, so I went and got some lasagna from Mama Lombardi’s and I shared it with DM.

DB1 and his family were in the pre-board group and they decided to each take one of the boys and my parents would split up and sit with them. I would sit on my own in the row in front of them. I had my DVD player (and Cinderella!) to keep me busy anyway.

When I finally boarded, I noticed that the exit row was open, so I snagged a seat there! It was two rows in front of the rest of the group. DF decided to sit with me and the flight wasn’t full so we had an empty middle seat. DM sat with DSIL and Dan.

We ended up being about 15 minutes late at takeoff, but we made up the time and landed on time at MCO.

The boys were fine on their first flight and D loved looking out the window. I thought he’d nap, but he was up the entire flight. Noah had some trouble with his ears clogging and finally he went to sleep for a bit. By the way, Cinderella was fantastic!

It was raining when we landed, but I was hoping it was a passing storm. I remembered to get photos of the boys when we landed.


D was excited! (sorry for the dark picture)


Noah was sleepy!

It was time for us to split up, so the family headed to baggage claim and I headed for the DME check-in. I have to say I was a little nervous just hopping on a bus without my luggage, but it turned up in my room, as promised!

I got to the DME counter at 4:30 and was on a bus headed to POR within 15 minutes! I was disappointed to get a Disney Cruise Line bus – I really wanted to ride in one of the retro DME buses! The bus had a bunch of people on it when it pulled in, so I had to go all the way to the back for a seat. It wasn’t a completely full bus, though. By this time, the sun was shining again!

The bus driver played Disney cartoons on the trip and it only took about half an hour to get to Port Orleans. The bus only made stops at PO French Quarter and Riverside. French Quarter was first, and only a few people got off there.



Once we arrived at Riverside, I was the last one off the bus and everyone ahead of me getting off the bus ended up ahead of me on line to check in. DB2 called while I was on line to make sure we’d landed safely. He told me they were just finishing their shopping at the outlets and were on their way to the Palms to meet the rest of the group.

It took about 15 minutes to get to the front of the line, but once there, I was checked in in no time. I hadn’t made any requests other than Magnolia Bend. I ended up with a first floor room in Parterre Place.

I made my way to the room, taking in my surroundings on the way. It was about a 5-minute walk at a leisurely pace. I loved the look of the place right off the bat. I found my room, but I found the signs to be a bit confusing. Once I knew where it was, I had no problem finding it again. My bags weren’t in the room yet, but of course I hadn’t expected them to be. The first thing I did was snap some pictures!









We had a 7:40 AR at ‘Ohana, which I thought would be a fitting way to kick off this family trip. We’d all been to ‘Ohana before (except DB1 and family) and had really enjoyed it. I considered changing the AR when I learned of the recent menu changes at ‘Ohana, but decided to give it a try. I called DM and told her to meet me at the Polynesian at 7:15 and I headed for the bus stop.

A Magic Kingdom bus was waiting when I arrived at the bus stop, so I hopped on! It was a short trip to the MK and when we arrived, I walked over to the monorail. When I got to the Poly, I called DM to see about their progress. They were parking the car and would be in in a few minutes.

When I saw them come in to the lobby, I checked us in and they came up to meet me. I greeted DB2 and the girls (DSIL2 was working) and we caught up for a bit until it was time for us to be seated. I didn’t request a castle view, because we waited about 30 minutes for one last time we’d eaten at ‘Ohana.



It was about 15 minutes before we were shown to our table, but I was delighted to discover we had a castle view! We could also see the volcano pool, which Noah loved. The boys were so excited to see the castle and D would tell us what color it was whenever it changed!


This is where the magic happens!



D is allergic to peanuts and DSIL1 mentioned this when we checked in. One of the chefs came out and explained that the only thing with peanuts in it was the peanut sauce. DSIL1 was relieved to hear that and impressed with the level of service.

Our starters were yummy, but the chicken wings, which had been my favorite before, seemed to be a different recipe. They were still tasty though. We also had shrimp served as a starter rather than on a skewer, but they were still peel and eat. They also weren’t as spicy as I remembered them to be. We also had scalloped potatoes, which DB1 absolutely devoured, and mixed veggies.




DB1 got here first!

When the skewers started coming around, I concentrated on eating instead of pictures, so no more pictures! The sausage was new and I liked it OK. Erica tried to trick Noah into eating it (you have to do that with that kid – he doesn’t like trying anything new). She told him it was a hot dog. He smelled it and made the funniest face! He said “that’s a yucky hot dog!” We were cracking up! Most of the time, he’s too smart for you to trick him.

The boys ended up not eating much, so DSIL1 requested grilled cheese sandwiches for them, which they did eat. They also had fun in the coconut races and trying to do the hula hoop, but we couldn’t see them from our table.

The Electrical Water Pageant went by while we were eating and the boys loved it. I’d made this AR hoping to catch Wishes, but the 90-day AR window opens long before the schedule is posted, so I guessed the time. Wishes was going to be at 10:00 that night, so we wouldn’t have eaten that late, anyway.

The dessert was bread pudding with Bananas Foster sauce and ice cream. I missed the pineapple with caramel dipping sauce, but its replacement is yummy. I can always have the pineapple at home, I guess.

DM & DF picked up the bill, but I used my DDE card and saved them $44. We thought the new ‘Ohana was good, but not as good as it used to be. We would eat there again, but it’s no longer a must-do. Also, in the past, they would stuff you silly and keep coming back with more food. Now they serve everything only once and you have to ask if you want more of anything. That doesn’t really matter much because you practically had to roll us out of there anyway.

DB2 was going to drop off the girls and me at POR and then spend the night with the rest of the group. Our plan was that DB2 would go home on Sunday (he had to work on Monday) and then come back and pick them up on Monday evening. Then he would drop them off on Wednesday night and we’d drive down to drop them off on Friday. DB2 was feeling kind of sick, so he decided to take them home with him on Sunday night and then bring them back on Wednesday.

We went out to the cars and DM realized that Erica still had her cell phone (she’d given it to Erica earlier). Erica had stuck it in her pocket and it had fallen out somewhere. We got in the cars and pulled up front and DM and Erica went in to see if it had been turned in. They came out a few minutes later with the cell phone!

DB2 drove us to POR and the girls checked out the room. They both loved it, but Brooke really loved it! They wanted to go for a swim so we headed out to the pool. They wanted to check out Ol’ Man Island instead of the quiet pool. We were passed by some folks on a horse and carriage ride and they really wanted to do that. Then they saw the surrey bikes and wanted to do that instead. Then they decided they’d rather rent the watermice. I figured they could decide when the time came.

The girls have stayed with me at Disney resorts before (though only in value resorts), but this was the first time I decided to let them have charging privileges on their KTTW cards. I explained to them how they worked and stressed how important it was for them to keep them safe. I told them if they wanted, they could get a mug after their swim. I was beat, so I left them at the pool.

Back at the room, I unpacked my stuff and got ready for our day at Animal Kingdom tomorrow. The girls were back in the room at 10:30 with a mug of hot chocolate.

I usually have trouble sleeping the first night of a vacation, so I took a Tylenol PM and set a 7:00 wakeup call. It was bedtime for me at about 11:00, but the girls stayed up a little later watching television.

I was rudely awakened at around 2:00 a.m. by the alarm going off! I couldn’t figure out how to turn the stupid thing off in the dark either. I finally hit the right button and shut it off. DNis slept through the whole thing.

Up Next: The Stars of the Show!

[lauren-roxy]

I caught up on your report and it sounds like you had a great first day eating at Ohanas!!! Can't wait to read more!!!!

[krisk11]

MORE MORE MORE. . . PLEASE!!!!!!!