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digdoug's picture
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Hi everybody...

I'm a 40 year old, going to Disney for the first time in 60 days. 5/19. I just did the pre-checkin thing with the My Disney Experience site.

This is my first trip, and my wife's first in 20 years. No children.. we're doing it up right. Blowing a ton of money on 4 nights in the Polynesian, and Deluxe Dining. I'm anxious to see ideas and tips from other adults on ways to really have a unique and memorable trip.

PS: There are a lot of acronyms you long timers throw around. Some of them are really confusing!

Kristen K.'s picture
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Hello DigDoug! So nice to see you out from under the porch! laugh
stars Welcome! stars

Do you have dining reservations yet? If so where will you be eating? Some of my favorite places are right there at the Poly.

digdoug's picture
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I have reservations, lots of them. And we still have credits (Deluxe Dining is scary). We have Ohana, and the Luau. (Other nights include Le Cellier and Narcoossee's).

I'm thinking one morning we'll even just do room service. My wife hates Bananas, so I won't have to share Tonga Toast.

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Welcome digdoug! I'm so excited for you and your wife. You are going to have so much fun. Ask away on the acronyms. They are confusing in the beginning. Here are some of the more common ones: DME (Disney's Magical Express) ADR (Advanced Dining Reservation) ToT (Tower of Terror), MK (Magic Kingdom) AK (Animal Kingdom), HS (Hollywood Studios). What are you looking forward to most?

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OOOO Room service!!!! YES! How very cool! I want that! I want room service at the Poly! wink

And, one of my dreams is to stay at the Poly and be able to watch Wishes from the beach, eat Ohana, stuff myself and then eat the fantastic dessert too!!! (Be sure to save room!) And then just walk to my room. I think I would be happy doing that every night! wink

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Sorry, I had a twitch and double clicked "save" accidentally, double posted. My apologies.

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welcome digdoug to our group of Disney fanatics. Love your avatar - one of my favorite "new" Disney movies.

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My advice... if you are able to add more days... do it! There is so much to see, and 4 days might leave you wishing you had 8!

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JoAnn C's picture
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welcome

Here's a link to a thread where we discussed Disney acronyms to help you out.

http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/abbreviations

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You beat me to it JoAnn. Welcome digDoug! Your staying at my/our favorite resort. We were just at the Poly in January and it was gret as always. Any questions just ask. Here are two links you might want to check out.

http://www.tikimanpages.com/tiki/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tikimans-Unofficial-Polynesian-Resort-Pages/116549335056416

Do you know what longhouse you want?
Did you get a Garden view, Lagoon view or Magic Kingdom view?
Did you book Club Level?

Take the boat from the Poly dock to get to the MK, it much faster.
Try Kona Cafe it's great.
Do you drink alcohol? If so ask for an Aunties Mia Tai from Steve at the Barefoot Bar at the pool. They are not on the menu, but they are great. The Poly is in the process of a refurb right now so you may get one of the new rooms. I'm jealous.

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Hello digdoug and Welcome!...so glad you have decided to join our Disney loving forum family!

stars

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Hi digdoug and welcome to our friendly group.

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welcome welcome welcome DD

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Hi and welcome I'm super jealous of your Poly stay AND you are going on my birthday so you'll have to celebrate it up big for me since I'll be stuck at home in Minnesota! If you're looking to get rid of some extra dining credits, why not make a reservation or two at some of the signature dining experiences? I know California Grill will be closed for refurbs while you are there, but Flying Fish at the Boardwalk, Yachtman's Steakhouse at the Yacht & Beach Club, Le Cellier at Epcot, Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Hollywood Brown Derby at Hollywood Studios are all excellent, fine dining experiences that will use up two of your credits.

Have a great trip!

digdoug's picture
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Thanks everyone for the super helpful links.

Thanks for the avatar love...It's one of the better photos I've ever taken.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/digdoug/8090344411/in/photostream

We didn't blow quite enough money to do club level, or better view. I requested the Samoa since it's already undergone the refurb. (I'd already been following that tikimanpages) There wasn't a way on the My Disney Experience site to select King Size bed, but I'd really like one. Should I call?

We're doing at least 2 signature dining meals already (Narcoossee's and Le Cellier). The reason we will have spare creds is breakfast.. though I'm sure I'll figure out some way to use them up.

I know I'll want more time... so I'm just going to let a lot of stuff go undone, so I have all the more reason to go back. Due to scheduling we may only have about half a day in DHS, and as a pixar AND muppet fanboy that does not sit well with me. I might have to book a return before I leave.

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digdoug wrote:
Thanks everyone for the super helpful links.

Thanks for the avatar love...It's one of the better photos I've ever taken.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/digdoug/8090344411/in/photostream

We didn't blow quite enough money to do club level, or better view. I requested the Samoa since it's already undergone the refurb. (I'd already been following that tikimanpages) There wasn't a way on the My Disney Experience site to select King Size bed, but I'd really like one. Should I call?

We're doing at least 2 signature dining meals already (Narcoossee's and Le Cellier). The reason we will have spare creds is breakfast.. though I'm sure I'll figure out some way to use them up.

I know I'll want more time... so I'm just going to let a lot of stuff go undone, so I have all the more reason to go back. Due to scheduling we may only have about half a day in DHS, and as a pixar AND muppet fanboy that does not sit well with me. I might have to book a return before I leave.

Sounds like you've got a great line up of meals and the right attitude! Planning my next trip is the only way I survive the post-Disney blues when I get home!

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Hey, and welcome, DigDoug!

You're doing a killer job of getting everything lined up ahead of time for a first-timer...that is IMPRESSIVE! I know you're wife's probably over the moon to go back. You're doing all the right things, and staying in one of the greatest resorts in all of The World, so I've heard! Smile It's my DREAM to stay at the Poly one day...consider yourselves two lucky ducks!

You may get to squeeze in everything Pixar- and Muppets-related in half a day at DHS, if you do those first. Get there well-ahead of opening, and when the gates open, head straight to Toy Story Mania, grab a Fastpass, get in the stand-by line, and save your Fastpass for later.

Okay, so I'm your age, and am having DigDoug flashbacks...arcade game at the roller rink? Something by Atari, maybe?

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digdoug wrote:

We didn't blow quite enough money to do club level, or better view. I requested the Samoa since it's already undergone the refurb. (I'd already been following that tikimanpages) There wasn't a way on the My Disney Experience site to select King Size bed, but I'd really like one. Should I call?

We're doing at least 2 signature dining meals already (Narcoossee's and Le Cellier). The reason we will have spare creds is breakfast.. though I'm sure I'll figure out some way to use them up.

I know I'll want more time... so I'm just going to let a lot of stuff go undone, so I have all the more reason to go back. Due to scheduling we may only have about half a day in DHS, and as a pixar AND muppet fanboy that does not sit well with me. I might have to book a return before I leave.

Sorry Bob, thought I answered this. Yes I would call. You have to book a king bed rooms. They are so new though, they are not on the site yet. I'd use your extra credits for a breakfast in room. That's what we do, we split an omelette and a fruit bowl. You may get a rebook option in you room before you leave, that usually saves us 30 to 40% when we rebook before we leave. You just have to have the same dates available.

digdoug's picture
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Yep, digdug was an old arcade game. My name is Doug... Seemed apropos.

Thanks for all the help, folks. I'll definitely call to amend the request to a king bed.

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Welcome to the best disney board around Smile

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Hey Doug! Welcome yay yay yay

Emilio's picture
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Hi digdoug and Welcome to our forum. You are going to have such a great time at WDW!!! The Polynesian Resort is a beautiful resort, and their coffee is delicious!!! There are tons of different restaurants to choose from at WDW, and the only question I have for you is, what's your fancy? Do some research, compare reviews, and enjoy! mickey
By the way, when you go into the parks, try not to be too obvious, keep the smiles and surprised look to a minimum (if you can). There are children there that will spot that look in a NY second. And btw, there is a wicked drop (or two) at the Tower of Terror, try not to scream. laugh Cheers & welcome

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Welcome to our Disney family! mickey

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digdoug wrote:
Yep, digdug was an old arcade game. My name is Doug... Seemed apropos.

Thanks for all the help, folks. I'll definitely call to amend the request to a king bed.

Awww... see I just thought you love Dug from Up. muchlove

Becca1005

welcome Doug! You and your wife are going to have a blast! Deluxe Dining is the way to go, in my humble opinion. awesome I'll chime in about the snack credits which are sadly overlooked, but offer quite a lot of possibilities. Since you get two per day and you'll already be full from the meals (trust me on this!), you can save them and cash them in at Goofy's Candy Company in Downtown Disney. The day before we left we stocked up on trail mix, granola, crackers, cookies, rice krispie treats, etc. They were super fun souvenirs to bring home and spread the magic out a bit. mickey I also highly recommend trying a Dole Whip or Dole Whip Float, both are a single snack credit, from the Aloha Isle in Fantasyland (right across from the Swiss Family Treehouse). Also, since you're staying at the Poly (lucky!), don't forget Captain Cooks, where you'll have 24 hour access to the famous Dole Whip if you find yourself addicted to them as many others have (cough**cough** ME **cough**cough**)! muchlove

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So calling to modify my reservation (to request a King Sized bed), the Cast Member assured me all rooms in the Polynesian are only Queen beds. I could not convince her otherwise, so hung up. This is my first experience dealing with a Cast Member that acted like any other hotel chain's phone answerer.

53 days. I can make it.

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Sorry the girl on the phone wasn't magical for you. 53 days is awesome!

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digdoug wrote:
So calling to modify my reservation (to request a King Sized bed), the Cast Member assured me all rooms in the Polynesian are only Queen beds. I could not convince her otherwise, so hung up. This is my first experience dealing with a Cast Member that acted like any other hotel chain's phone answerer.

53 days. I can make it.

Sorry about that Doug. The king beds are so new, they may not even have them listed yet and the person you where talking with probably has no idea they are even doing a refurb. Your not talking to someone at the resort, it's a central booking location. I'm not sure how many rooms are completed yet that have King Size beds. Here is another number you may want to try, it's supposed to be directly to the Poly Resort.

Polynesian: 407-824-2000

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You are going to LOVE the Poly!!!!

How about if the Easter Bunny brings a pre-ordered Photopass CD?? Then make sure you stop whenever you can for those photopass pictures. You'll have lots of pictures of the two of you together!

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MrHub's picture
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Photopass CD is great and its nice getting all those special shots you just can't get by yourself, but it is is pricey. I do wish they would let you upload your own pictures and add them to the CD also. You can put your ride pictures on it thought that you purchase, but don't loose the card they give you. I take a picture of the card on my phone so I have it just incase. Matter of fact, I do that with all my cards, gift cards, passes and all.

digdoug's picture
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mrhub, thanks for that direct Poly line. They asked me to call about about 10 days ahead of my trip. And generally made me feel like the request wouldn't be a problem at all.

The photopass+ thing might be interesting. The part of me that wants to take my camera and gear to Disneyworld is currently having a battle of wills with the part of me that wants to NOT lug around stuff and make myself feel obligated to get more accomplished. Paying someone else to get keepsakes might just make one side win out.

This really is a great forum, ya'll!