Tag Archives: Polynesian Village Resort

Disney World Rambling and Meandering

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Bay-Lake-Tower-SunriseWhen asked, I always recommend my favorite rides and attractions, rope-drop strategies, snacks and restaurants to my Disney-vacation-planning friends.  So much to do and see – I try my best to suggest ways to make each day action-packed and fun-filled.  Probably I should do less of that.  Instead, I should stress the importance of taking a few minutes here and there to break away from the business of crowded park navigation.  I need to make a point of telling people to make time to relax and just soak up the beauty and atmosphere of Walt Disney World by roaming, free-styling, wandering…you get the idea.  Some of my family’s best vacation memories were made during many such expeditions.RM-Grand-Floridian-Exterior

Disney World Rambling and Meandering

Take a stroll on the path between the Polynesian Village Resort and the Grand Floridian.  Catch the monorail from Magic Kingdom to either one of these resorts to begin your exploration.  On a beautiful day, this little excursion is a calm and lovely way to spend a quiet few minutes.  Once you’ve completed your journey, hop back on the monorail and continue your day.RM-Fort-Wilderness-Waterway1

Explore Fort Wilderness.  You just might decide to hang out for a good, long visit.  Take a bus from the parks or a boat from Magic Kingdom or the Contemporary Resort.  Then catch one of the Fort Wilderness-specific busses for a short ride to the Meadow Depot where you can walk around the gorgeous grounds, rent a bicycle, kayak or canoe, take a Segway tour, or shop for souvenirs in the Meadow Trading Post.  You’ll forget you’re at Walt Disney World!  This place is an awesome destination and recreation area on its own.RM-Sunrise-Bay-Lake-Tower

Start your day off right.  No matter where you’re staying, rising with the sun on at least one morning is a wonderful way to begin the day.  Maybe it’s just us, but we think sunrise at Walt Disney World is particularly beautiful…dare I say magical?  Talk a walk with a cup of coffee in the early morning light, listen to the sounds of the resort coming to life – amid the incredible tropical landscape, you can relax a bit as you look forward to the excitement of the day ahead.Firepit on the Animal Kingdom Lodge's savannah overlook

Check out Animal Kingdom Lodge.  If there’s a resort at Walt Disney World I would give up park time for, it’s AKL.  Everything about this place is unique and interesting!  From the soaring, expanse of the Jambo House to the restaurants and lounges, this place is nothing if not exquisitely well-themed.Giraffe on the savanna at Animal Kingdom LodgeBest of all?  Watching animals on the savannah overlook off the back of the Jambo House.  We love it there!  We try to make a dinner reservation at one of the Lodge’s table service restaurants on a day we’ll be at Animal Kingdom (park).  It’s a quick bus ride from park to lodge and a perfect way to keep the day’s theme going in a much more relaxing atmosphere.Ostrich on the savannah at Animal Kingdom Lodge Exterior Rooftops / Animal Kingdom Lodge

These are just a few – my personal favorites – of the many places you can find some outside-the-parks places to take a stroll and soak up not just the Disney magic, but quiet moments that remind you…vacation is supposed to be relaxing!

Where are your favorite places to ramble and meander at Walt Disney World?

 

 

 

 

Just Back From Disney World – 10 Things I Learned

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RM-WDW SignWhat an amazing, surprisingly unusual trip to Walt Disney World we just had!  I knew it was going to be different because I was participating in my very first runDisney events, but so many wonderful and unexpected things happened that have forever earned this vacation a special place in my heart.  I’ll be writing individual reviews on restaurants, attractions, and activities over the next couple of weeks, but if you read anything here and you have questions or want more information – shout it on out in the comments section and I’ll do what I can to oblige.

Just Back From Disney World – 10 Things I Learned

1. The Walt Disney World sign still makes my heart beat faster – Even after all these years, there’s nothing more thrilling that visual proof that you have arrived at your favorite place to be (away from home).RM-Frozen-5K-2015

2. It can be freezing in Florida in February – I live in Louisiana, I know we get an occasional cold snap, but in Florida?  I honestly wasn’t expecting wind chills in the 20’s.  Luckily, we packed for just about every possible weather and were prepared.  I only wished my homage-to-Donald “costume” for the Frozen 5K (appropriately named, for sure) had included a bit more coverage for my knees.RM-Flag-Retreat

3. The Flag Retreat in Magic Kingdom makes me cry – I’ve heard about it for years and have never found myself in the right place at the right time to experience this unbelievably touching, patriotic ceremony.  I tried to sing along to God Bless America with the Dapper Dans, but I was too choked up to croak out even a few bars.  This is a must-see and you should put it on your Disney to-do list right now.RM-Lisa-and-Glass-Slipper-Sign

4. The hype you hear about runDisney events is well-deserved – I have participated in dozens of races over the past 17+ years and some of them were pretty amazing and well organized.  Nothing – not even in my wildest imagination – could have prepared me for the truly magical execution that makes a runDisney experience far superior to any other event.  Unless you have your heart set on a personal record, then you should know, that goal would be very challenging during a runDisney race.RM-Fiesta-Donald

5. Donald Duck is still my favorite Disney character.  And that’s all I’ve got to say about that.

6. Il Mulino at the Swan is an absolutely fantastic restaurant – This place was so special – everything about it was perfect to us and a full review of our dining experience will be written very soon.

7.  Being Stranded at Walt Disney World induces euphoria – I’m sure for some people, being iced-in and unable to get home, even from Orlando, would be a major inconvenience.  For us, at this particular time, it was the gift of not one, but TWO extra Disney days to enjoy – and enjoy them we did!  Ferris Bueller-style, we packed so much extra happiness into those two days, you won’t believe it…story to follow, so check back.RM-Polynesian-Village-Resort-Lobby

8. The Polynesian Village Resort’s renovated lobby is gorgeous – I’m not insensitive to the long-time Polynesian fans who are heartbroken by the changes to their favorite resort, but to me, the new Poly is a beautifully improved Poly.  I think the colors, furniture and décor, and overall feeling of welcome is lovely.RM-Hat-Shopping-Downtown-Disney

9.  Disney Springs is coming right along.  Sure, the construction walls are a big ugly pain to maneuver around, but something in the atmosphere has changed – there’s now an air of expectation and excitement.  We can tell the Downtown Disney area is going to be better than it ever was before.  The new hat shop’s a gem – of course I’ll write a post on that too.RM-New-Tree-of-Life-Roots10.  Animal Kingdom is starting to reveal what the future holds – and if the new details to the Tree of Life are any indication, this park (that I love SO much) is going to be even more incredible.

Please let me know what you want to hear most about in greater detail.  Check back over the next couple of weeks for more scoop on what made this latest visit to Walt Disney World a truly extraordinary Disney vacation.

Disney’s Polynesian – Tonga Toast in Kona Café

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Disney’s Polynesian – Tonga Toast in Kona Café

by: Nick

Have you ever tried Tonga Toast, which can be found at the Kona Cafe at Disney’s Polynesian Resort?

 

 

Tonga Toast is a classic, as it has been served at the Polynesian since 1971. It’s sourdough bread, stuffed with banana and deep fried.

It’s served with a delicious Stawberry Compote.

I first had this delicious entree almost 20 years ago, and I’ve only had it twice, mostly because it’s a bit of a trip to get to the Poly for breakfast, but we may have to put it into regular rotation.

The recipe from Magical Recipes:

Ingredients
Tonga Toast
 
  1. 2 or 4 slices sourdough bread, cut 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick
  2. 1 banana
  3. 1/3 cup sugar
  4. 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  5. 1 egg
  6. 1/4 cup milk
  7. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  8. oil or shortening for frying
  9. whipped butter and/or syrup
    Strawberry Compote
  10. 10 large strawberries
  11. 1/4 cup sugar
  12. 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Tonga Toast
 
  1. Cut a 1-inch pocket in one side of each bread slice.
  2. Cut banana in half crosswise, then split each piece lengthwise.
  3. Remove peel and stuff 2 pieces of fruit in each pocket of bread; set aside.
  4. Mix sugar and cinnamon; set aside.
  5. Mix well the egg, milk and vanilla.
  6. Heat about 4 inches of oil in a pan to 350 degrees F.
  7. Dip stuffed bread into egg/milk mixture and let it soak a few seconds to let penetrate bread.
  8. Fry bread on both sides in hot oil until lightly browned, about 3 minutes.
  9. Drain on paper towels or wire rack.
  10. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and serve.
    Strawberry Compote
     
  11. Slice 6 strawberries and place in small pot.
  12. Add sugar and vanilla, stir.
  13. Cook over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes until mixtures starts to boil.
  14. Place 4 sliced strawberries in a blender or food processor.
  15. Add cooked strawberry mixture and blend until smooth.
  16. Serve warm or cold.

Is Tonga Toast one of your favorite Disney dishes?

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Polynesian Village Bora Bora Bungle-Oh’s

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Polynesian-Great-Ceremonial-House-SignDon’t fret!  This post is not a negative one about the new DVC accommodations at the Polynesian Village Resort (aka the Poly).  I just needed a snappy title.  The Disney fan world is all a Twitter (see what I did there?) about what the pricing will be for the water-front Bora Bora Bungalows.  It’s going to be steep!  Like way out of my price-range.  Sounds like, in order to stay in a Bungalow, you need to be rich.  I’m talking Arabian-prince-oil-tycoon-old-money rich.  Not going to lie – when my ship comes in, if it’s not a garbage barge, I would want to stay in one of those Bora Bora Bungalows…but….

To justify the price, I’d need certain, shall we say, ancillary perks to actually make me feel The-Fam-Polynesian-Vacationlike I was getting my money’s worth.  See, according to what I’ve heard, staying a single night in one of these enormous (1650 square feet including deck) luxury, over-the-water buildings will cost me between $2100 and $3000 depending on when I travel.  That’s right – I said ONE NIGHT will cost me thousands of dollars!  I like the Poly well enough – love the history, the ambiance, the restaurants, that it’s original and on the monorail loop, but let’s be completely serious – I’m not even remotely interested in staying in a “room” at Walt Disney World for thousands of dollars a night…unless…

Here are the FIVE things I’d have to have in a Bora Bora Bungalow at the Polynesian to pay the going rate:

1.  A Butler – Okay, maybe not a butler 100% of the time, but when I’m in my thousands-of-dollars-a-night place, I want someone at my beck and call that will take care of any unpacking, cleaning up, clothes pressing, laundry needs – anything I may want at any time.

2. Concierge Service that would get me ADRs (Advance Dining Reservations), FP+ (FastPass+) bookings, tickets to Cirque de Soleil La Nouba (or any other show in the Orlando area), help me with transportation, medical emergencies, etc.

3. The “Plunge Pool” had better be full of miracle water – It’s called a “plunge pool”, not a hot tub.  I’m paying a fortune to stay in a room that sleeps up to eight – we’d all better fit comfortably with no awkward invasion of personal space in these oddly-named, under-detailed containers-of-water or I’m going to be irked.  When I exit said pool, I want to feel refreshed while looking both younger, taller, and thinner.

4. Massage Chair with Foot Massage – I want the latest technology.  I want to be able to recline RM-Mickey-Pretzelin a massage chair while soaking my aching feet in a warm, soothing foot-bath that also massages my feet.  When I get up, I want to be re-energized and rejuvenated – completely ready for the next day’s adventures.

5. Food!  At that price, I ought to be entitled to all-I-care-to-eat room service when I’m enjoying the comfort of my room.  I also feel a fully stocked mini/snack bar is in order (for no additional charge).  I’m paying for a front row seat to Wishes across the lagoon and I want whatever snacks, beverages, and desserts I choose…delivered to me by my butler.

Will you pay the price to stay in the new Bora Bora Bungalows?  What would you want for the cost?