2001 July – Honeymoon

This would be Tara’s second time back to Disney World and after a great first trip and engagement it was going to be hard to beat her first impression.

We were very excited to get to Disney World and I think we were looking forward to this more then the wedding. We went right from the reception to the airport. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200….

 

 July 1, 2001

We arrive at the Yacht Club and are given our parking pass at the gate (different than the Polynesian). The resort was nice. We had paid for a standard view but we were upgraded to a view that was right at the end of the building where you look right down at the marina (room 4059). Other than the upgraded view they did not recognize it was our honeymoon even though it was on the reservations and we even mentioned it. I guess the Polynesian just spoils you when it comes to special occasions

The room was nice. It had a king bed that folded into the wall. The room was quite a bit smaller than the Polynesian and they try to cram way too much furniture into the rooms.

They had chairs that blocked the dressers. You would have to move the coffee table and the chair in to the middle of the room to even get into the dresser. The sink next to the bed seemed unnecessary. They did offer all the snacks and drinks in the room (the Polynesian does not) but who would pay $6 for gummy bears?

The bathrooms were small. They did have better water pressure than the Polynesian in the shower. The double sinks are on the same size counter as the single sinks in the Polynesian. They have a mirror over each sink but they are so far over you are leaning against the wall to see into it. The bathroom did have the TV volume that was nice so you could listen to the TV while getting ready and get your Zip a Dee Do Da tip for the day in the shower.

 

The only other thing I did not like about the Yacht Club was the way to get to our room was a maze. We got lost a few times and I am good with direction. We also could not get out of Stormalong bay (the Yacht Club’s own water park). That was a great pool but I would not stay there for the pool. The nightlife was nice and the food was great (except for Cape May).

We found we did not go far while we were staying at the Yacht Club. We would only go over to MGM and Epcot. When we are at the Polynesian we find that we go to Epcot and Magic Kingdom because it is so easy to get into from the Polynesian. I timed the difference between walking from the Yacht Club to get to EPCOT (not World Showcase because it is closed in the morning but Future World) and walking from the Polynesian to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) and taking the monorail to Epcot and from the Polynesian won by 6 minutes.

The Yacht Club is a beautiful resort but  we did not feel the magic till we got to the Polynesian and I am not just saying that. I was actually hoping I would come home and tell everyone we found another resort we love but it did not win us over. I will say that it was the best out of all the Epcot resorts that I have been to.

Our first food stop was at the Flying Fish. There was no wait at 5:30. We ordered:

• Starters: Chilled Main Lobster with watercress, avocado and grilled pineapple-curry vinaigrette. $15
• Entrees: Oak grilled center cut pork chop w/ cheddar potatoes, braised red cabbage and apple butter. $20
• Seared yellowfin tuna with shrimp stir-fried basmati rice, fragrant peking sauce and lotus root. $21
• Crème Brule free for honeymoon.

The menu changed daily.

Tara said she had to go see the brick since it said “Tara will you marry me? Steve July 1, 2000” and it was July 1st.

We got to ride in the front of the monorail from Epcot to the Transportation and Ticket Center. We went over to see the brick that changed everything. when we were over there we met a Disney Engineer who does work on the brick installation. He was replacing damaged bricks and installing new bricks. We talked to him for a while about the process and told him our story. He told us about how we could upgrade our brick for $50. He said people change them out all the time.

After that, we than headed off to Pleasure Island for some nightlife. The wait for the bus at the Polynesian to Downtown Disney was not very long. We did wait a while for the bus back and had to stop at the Boardwalk, Swan then the Dolphin before the Yacht Club. I saw 3 Polynesian busses come while waiting for the Yacht Club bus.

 

JULY 2

Went to MGM Studios early and ate at Hollywood and Vine character breakfast. Good food and fun atmosphere. Plenty of characters. Breakfast was $16.

Weather was about low 90s. We used fastpass and no long waits for anything that we did stand-by. We stayed till 6:30.

The new hat being built at MGM looks great. Walt’s plane is on the back lot tour now. The Millionaire game that was just added is great!

We took the boat from Yacht Club to MGM and it was fun. Now you can walk to the park. They added a walkway all the way to the park. We checked out the Boardwalk. Looks too much like a circus for me. The clown has to go!!!

We got back to our room and Susan Wellman, Dave McDonald, Sharon Heim and our friends at the Magic Kingdom Merchandise sent us a metal Mickey shaped plant stand with about 6 different tropical plants growing in it and a big Mickey bow from the Walt Disney Florist. They had some problems with our acrylic brick replica we ordered to be at the wedding. They got lost but it was delivered right to our reception and put next to our cake just in time. They left us a message of congratulations on our phone and a wonderful note attached to the plant stand. The funny part is Tara saw this in the catalog a long time ago and wanted it. We had to ship this home after the trip.

That night we ate in Japan at the Japanese Steak House Teppanyaki. We got Priority Seating (offered for all WDW resort guests) from the Yacht Club and there was still a 30-minute wait. They were a little backed up. The food was great and the atmosphere was the best. We ordered:

• Nihon-kai (shrimp, scallops, and lobster) $27.95
• San-Kai (Beef tenderloin, lobster tail) $30.75

Meals include mixed green salad w/ ginger dressing, grilled vegetables w/udon noodles and steamed rice

After dinner we stood up on the deck around the restaurant and watched the end of Illuminations (laser and fireworks show at EPCOT). Then we held each other on the deck overlooking the lake as they played the song “Promise” after the Illuminations show. That was our first dance song at our wedding.

 

JULY 3

We went into Epcot in the morning. After hitting most of the rides in future world and doing some shopping we had lunch at Italy’s L’Originale Alfredo Di Roma. About a 10-minute wait with no Priority Seating. We had:

• Ziti Mediterranean $12.50
• Trittico $17.00

Then we headed back to the Yacht Club to relax in Stormalong Bay. The pool was big but not as big as I expected. We rented two tubs to relax in the water on and went down the water slide. The sandy bottom to the pool was nice and the hot tubs were great. Then we ordered some drinks from the guy walking around the pool. The pool was nice but a little crowded in spots. We both noticed the water was a little too heated. It did not cool you off as much as you would like. I heard others making the same comment. They do check all the time for a stamp or a resort ID to get in. The beaches were nice but no one really used them. The halls in the Yacht Club were absolutely freezing after getting wet in the pool.

We headed over to our favorite mini golf (not Fantasia Gardens but that is great too) Winter Summerland and used our flex feature for two rounds of golf. We played each side and we got a free refillable mug. We had to use our flex feature before we checked out the next day and got another set of flex features when we checked into the Polynesian. We also got pins and $50 Disney dollars with each reservation.

We ate at Cape May Café that night at the Beach Club. The resort was in bad shape. Damage all over the walls and very dirty carpets. The rooms are the same style as the Yacht Club but many of the rooms have these small one person balconies. We prefer the Yacht Club out of the two resorts.

The selection was ok at Cape May and they kept stuff full but it was not that tasty. I think it was good for families because there was a kids buffet also and the deserts were good but I would not return there. You could add a bucket of snow crab legs for $12 added to the $21.95 each person cost of your buffet but we did not. We did leave full but not satisfied.

 

JULY 4

We asked for a late check out and got a 1:00 PM check out. We headed over to Blizzard beach water park before it opened. We got in and did not wait for much of anything. We got on everything and even relaxed in the lazy river till 11:30 and headed back to the Yacht Club to change and check out. The only guy who recognized our honeymoon at the Yacht Club was the guy who checked us out and he gave us one of the Yacht Club honeymoon pins that you get with the honeymoon package.

Now it was time to head over to the Polynesian!!!!

Tara kept a journal and at the top of the July 4th page it said “the Honeymoon starts!!!” I felt the same way. The Yacht Club was beautiful and had a lot to offer but it just did not have the same feeling the Polynesian has. We got to the Polynesian and had about 6 Alohas before we got to the concierge building. They informed us at the valet that they were expecting us and our room (1505!!!) was ready. This was our room from last year during our engagement. It had one of the best views of the castle and the lagoon and was close to the concierge desk and lounge. It is a first floor (open patio) concierge lagoon view room (not connecting).

After they loaded our bags on the island guide golf cart and took us on a small tour of the Polynesian, showing us both pools, we were greeted by Marilyn in the concierge lounge with a big hug and leis. We also met her daughter (Tara) who works in the concierge now.

We entered our room and WWWOOOOOOWWWWW!!!! There was a huge tropical flower arrangement (Bird of Paradise, Anthurium, Heliconias, etc.) in a big blue glass vase with a Mickey and Minnie and the Walt Disney World logo etched in it. There was also a big gift basket shaped like Mickey ears with a bottle of champagne, two glasses with Mickey ears and the castle, bath salts, bubbles, lotions, and oils, and a fancy white Mickey ear towel. One bed had the word ALOHA written in rolled up towels and flowers, from a lei all around it. The other bed had a big heart with an arrow through it with rolled up towels and leis with a white chocolate Mickey and Minnie in the middle with a card from the concierge that said “From the ‘ohana of Disney’s Polynesian Resort, may we extend to you an “I ho’okahi kahi ke aloha” Congratulations and best wishes for a lifetime of happiness!” There were also balloons in the corner of the room.

We headed up stairs to the lounge fro some great food. The theme was Ohana night. After about 10 minutes we went back to the room and they had put out a big 14 x 30 poster that said “Mr. & Mrs. Seifert May both of you have many magical moments as you go through life happily ever after. Polynesian Resort” on our bed. Tara almost cried from joy. Later a knock at the door and someone delivered a chilled bottle of champagne and a plate with another white chocolate Mickey and Minnie and truffles with congratulations written with chocolate on the rim of the plate and Mickey candy confetti. All this and we still had the best seat for the best fireworks in WDW!!!!

We went over to the Magic Kingdom to see our new Disney friend and order our brick replacement and they went back to the Polynesian for the fireworks. On the way there I offered my seat on the monorail to a woman who got on at the Contemporary with her kids and husband but she declined but was very thankful that I offered. I think she was surprised I offered also and said Tara had trained me well.

The Great Ceremonial house was packed with people. We got the champagne ready and our chocolates along with some goodies from the lounge and sat on the patio, ready to watch the 4th fireworks. I was video taping the tons of people that were flooding the beach for the show and than someone called my name. It was Mary two floors above our room. She had read my postings in the DIS and knew who I was from that and my web page. Her and Kevin were on their anniversary trip.

There were so many kids activities going on the day we showed up. First they were all in the pool with the Polynesian staff playing games and they had one game where they throw the cream pie at the lifeguard. Then I went to the beach and video taped the sand castle building contest. After that they had a relay race on the beach. There were many kids of all ages and they looked like they were having so much fun. I firmly believe the Polynesian resort is a great resort for kids and adults.

We kept on hearing about this couple “the Wegners” from our friends in the concierge, that go to the Polynesian every year for 2 weeks and stay in the concierge. Well we find out they are our neighbors in 1504 (and are still there) and it happens to be the same woman I wanted to give my seat up to. They were such a friendly couple and there kids were great. They gave us a sparkler and said congratulations, when they found out it was our honeymoon. It was nice to have great neighbors all around us.

The fireworks were wonderful. Even better than last year. They not only launched them from behind the castle and the islands of the Seven Seas Lagoon but they had them shooting off all around the lagoon. The Electric Water Pageant started it off by lighting up in front of the Polynesian beach and the music of the fireworks show came over the speakers on the beach of the Polynesian. It was at least a 15 minute show. When it finished the whole Electric Water Pageant did its show. Then Tara, Mary, Kevin and I headed into the MK to get on a few rides before going to bed.

 

JULY 5

We started off the day as we usually do with a trip to the concierge lounge for some fruit, cereal, toasted bagels and cream cheese and some Kona coffee and orange juice. We also grabbed about 5 waters to take with us and put in the fridge in the room.

We decided to try out Universal Studios this morning. All though it was fun, I don’t think we will take the time to go off property again. It was hot then rainy and the Jaws ride kept breaking. We came back checked out the new pool. The slide was a blast!!! It was faster than I thought it would be. You go through a tunnel in the volcano and there are red and orange lights as you go through it. I think it is supposed to feel like a lava flow. The pool was fun and had a bubble jet sitting area at one end and the zero entry at the beach end.

The bathroom was large and had lockers and a bench to change for adults and a baby changing station. The waterfall into the pool is fun to stand under. The hours of the pool must be seasonal because earlier pictures showed the pool closing at 10:00. It now says 12:00. The only problem with the pool that I see is no deep area. The deepest area was a little over 4 feet. There were plenty of lounge chairs and a kid wet play area over near the Hawaii building where the playground use to be.

After the pool we went to Tambu Lounge for drinks. We had a Pina Colada and Lapu Lapu served in a carved out pineapple. Lapu Lapu must mean knock you on your butt in hawaiian. After we went to Kona Café for dinner the dinner was great as usual and so was the desert. We had:

• Mahi-Mahi $18.99
• Halibut $18.99
• Crème Brule $5.25

 

JULY 6

We had breakfast at the Concierge lounge and went to Animal Kingdom all day. We got on everything and only needed a fast pass for Kali River rapids. We ended up waiting till we got to Down Town Disney to eat and ate at Wolfgang Puck’s.

When we returned to the Polynesian we were surprised by what looked like someone sitting in our chair near the table drinking out of my Lapu Lapu and wearing my shoes and robe!!! I think I wet my pants but a closer look and I realized he was made of towels from Luz our very creative housekeeper. There were also two swans kissing over a single red rose in a vase on our bed. Tara named him Mike.

After all the excitement we went in the pool again. We checked out what they had in the lounge and then after having some of the food there we made reservations for ‘Ohana. The food was different but still very good. They gave us free desert and announced that we were on our honeymoon. The cost for ‘Ohana is $20.99 each. We then went back to the Concierge Lounge to pick up some coffee, wine and desert.

 

JULY 7

We had breakfast at the Concierge lounge (we are really saving on buying breakfast!!) and took a walk around the Polynesian. We ran into a very nice guy named Jonathan as we were walking out of the Great Ceremonial House (the lobby) who recognized us as Steve and Tara from the web page. After the walk through the Polynesian, we walked over to the Wedding Pavilion and than the Grand Floridian to check out the new pool and Tara had never been in the Grand Floridian. She said it was nice but too bright. I must agree it is not for me but many love the Grand Floridian and hate the Polynesian decor but many love the Grand Floridian and hate the Polynesian décor. After walking back we spent some more time in the pool (love that new pool). When we returned to the room, a new surprise was waiting for us. AN ALLIGATOR!!! No not a real one but a 4 foot long TOWELgator. Luz was being her creative self again.

We went to the Luau that night. Cost was $47.80 each person (kids 3-11 are $24.81 each. I have heard reports of the food not being very good but I thought it was very good. You started off with coconut banana bread (as much as you want of all the food) and pineapple. Then you get drinks (beer, soda, tea or juice is free and mixed drinks were $6 and you keep the glass) then they brought out Island pork ribs, Lanai-roasted chicken, sautéed vegetables and shrimp rice. Later you get a pineapple cake desert. The show was like I remembered except the traditional costumes they use to wear were gone and they looked like they went shopping at the local surf shop. I recommend seeing it but it is not something you would go see every year.

After the Luau we went into the Magic Kingdom for some more rides. It is so easy to pop in and out of the Magic Kingdom from the Polynesian. Even when leaving the park and there is a huge line you can just take the resort monorail or our favorite boat ride back to the Polynesian, with no wait. Turndown was every night and Steve was very creative also with the turn down surprises in the room.

 

JULY 8

Breakfast again in the concierge lounge. We saw Mary and Kevin in the lounge that morning. We went into the Magic Kingdom for some more we had not seen yet. After the MK we took the boat from the Magic Kingdom to the Wilderness Lodge to eat lunch at Whispering Canyon!!!! WARNING WARNING!!!! When we get there we noticed the waiters and waitresses love to be loud and joke around. That should have been a sign of things to come. After getting our food I noticed that Tara’s knife was the size of a butter knife and mine was large. I asked if this was a joke and the waitress said LOUDLY ” OH YOU WANT A BIGGER KNIFE? ALWAYS COMPLAINING!!! (jokingly) She brought out a 3-foot wooden knife and made me hold it at the table. Every one loved that. Then as we finish our meal Tara feels the need to let them know we are on our honeymoon and it is my birthday. They brought us some cake and champagne for free. When I did not finish the cake they yelled at me to finish (jokingly). Then when we were done a few of them gathered around and announced the restaurant that it was our honeymoon and we had to stand up and kiss while everyone counted to 25. OK, I survived that.check please!!!! Not so fast. Now they make me stand up because it is my birthday and they give me a wooden horse that I have to ride around the restaurant and sing happy birthday to my self LOUDLY!!! So I do it..but not loud enough so now I have to go out to the lobby (the restaurant is open to the lobby of the WL) and go around all four corners of the lobby with my horse and scream happy birthday to my self!!!

The people checking in looked like they wanted to go to another resort. As I passed the last corner of the lobby and down the home stretch they said I was not loud enough so I turned the corner and got right up behind a guy reading a newspaper in the lounge and screamed HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SELF!!! I think he headed off to the bathroom after that. So now it was time to leave the Wilderness Lodge for the day. The moral of the story is don’t say anything to the staff at Whispering Canyon.

After my experience at the Whispering Canyon it was time to head back to the room. Yes another surprise. A towel monkey hanging from the back of the bed holding a banana hanging by a lei. I think we have about 30 leis in our room now (no joke).

Later we met up with Mary and Kevin and went with them on their pontoon boat they rented from the Polynesian marina. We headed over to Bay Lake and went by the old Discovery Island, River Country and Wilderness Lodge. The weather started getting rough. The tiny ship was tossed.

The water patrol told us to get our boat back to the Polynesian because the lightning was hitting around us. We were the last ones off the lake when the big storm hit. It rained for a while. Mary let me go to their room and check out their view. The view was great and it had a balcony.

Back in our room there was a birthday cake and hat, noisemakers, candles, milk card from Mickey and balloons for my birthday from the Polynesian. We ate two pieces of cake (very good cake) and gave the rest to the Wegner’s and their three great kids to enjoy. Later the kids slipped a thank you note under our door written by all of them.

We invited Mary and Kevin to join us on our Illuminations cruise that night for my birthday. We figured why only have two people on such a big boat. The weather cleared up and was nice for the cruise that night.

We headed over and the boat was all decorated for my birthday and they had champagne and cake for me on board. It is a nice ride before the show. They took us around the lake and over to the MGM then back to park under the bridge between France and England in World Showcase. The view was great and we had a wonderful time out on the boat.We went to the Tambu Lounge for drinks when we got back to the Polynesian. It was a nice evening with new friends and it was too early to end. I think it was their last night there also.

 

JULY 9

The next morning we went over to meet Susan who works for the Disney Merchandise dept. at the MK. She was so nice and we talked for a while and thanked her for the plant. Then we got PS for Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary. It cost $15.95 ea and had a good selection of food with plenty of characters running around and someone making sure they saw every table.

When we got back to the room.guess whatmore stuff from the housekeeper. This time there was a sorcerer Mickey on top of a rolled up towel tower holding my birthday balloons and the word “magic” written in towels and leis.

We had another big storm come through and bend a few palm trees. We got our ponchos on and headed over to MGM for some stuff the went to the Animal Kingdom again. We tried to get reservations for lunch at Animal Kingdom Lodge but both places were not serving till later and we had to get back to get ready for La Nouba that night. We made Priority Seating for Fulton’s Crab house for after La Nouba. The show was great (I did not think I would like it). We headed over to Fulton’s and had:

• Caesar salad $5.25 each
• Crab and lobster dinner for 2 $67.90

It was so good and I have never eaten so much seafood. There was potatoes and cream spinach with 3 lbs. of 3 different types of crab and 1 ¼ lb of lobster.

 

JULY 10

Yes we had breakfast in the concierge lounge again but it is good stuff and for free. We got passes from Mary and Kevin (who checked out the day before) to get onto Test Track through the exit of the ride. They also left us their flowers and champagne. We headed over to Epcot to go on Test Track. Got to Epcot in no time at all and then headed back to MK. Spent some more time in the pool and watched the torch lighting ceremony at 6:00 p.m. in the Great Ceremonial House.

We got Priority Seating for Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and went over to there. We got there about 6:00 and walked around most of the resort. It was a beautiful resort. They did a great job. I would stay there if it were not for the transportation. Even the staff said the transportation was not good. We headed over to a side viewing area and a feeding truck was driving over to where we were. All the animals followed the truck right to where we were and we saw every kind of animal I think there was all around the truck. We got some great video of this and the lodge.

Jiko was a great restaurant. We had:

• Starters: Duck Firecracker. $8.75
• Entrees: Oak grilled beef tenderloin. $27.50
• Pan-roasted Monkfish. $17.75
• Chocolate Crème Brule $4.75
• Free champagne

We headed back to the MK and watched Spectromagic and went on some rides.

JULY 11

Last day We had breakfast at Kona. Tara has to have her Tonga toast to make her feel better about leaving. I had a great ham & cheese omelet. We spent the day at the Polynesian pool and saying goodbye to everyone. We also had to ship some of the stuff and we still had trouble packing the rest in our suitcases.

Our new brick says, ” Steve and Tara Seifert married June 30, 2001″. We now have a piece of Disney to remember our wonderful trips.