Land & Sea Honeymoon w/ a Reluctant DH (06/17-06/24) **Updated 7/30** - Page 4 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Land & Sea Honeymoon w/ a Reluctant DH (06/17-06/24) **Updated 8/07**
Pt 5 our 2 hour visit to the AK and Spirit of Aloha Polynesian Luau
Right from the beginning the day did not start right. It was our last day at DW before our DCL trip. I saved the last day for the AK because I wasn’t really interested in doing much there except for a couple of attractions. We caught the bus that takes us to the AK at the GF near the convention center. The bus took so long it was not funny. We (an about 20 other visitors) waited in the super HOT sun for what seemed like forever. Once we arrived at the park it was PACKED! We were so spoiled after visiting the other practically empty parks; this was not what we expected. I was wondering why it was super jam packed?! It turns out that AK had early EMH that morning. By 10am, they were giving out Fastpasses for 6pm! NO way!
Because of the huge crowds and the hot sun we decided to head off to the Finding Nemo show. Bad idea, that too had closed early because it already met capacity. As we walked through the sea of strollers, I was starting to get annoyed and grumpy. We were starving so we decided to go eat at the Flame Tree Barbecue. I had heard really great reviews and I saw it mentioned on one of the food network’s specials. We got there the lines were very long. No problem, we can wait it out. But then we noticed that there was no indoor seating away from the sun. The limited number of tables that were there we all taken. It was so bad that families we sitting in the middle of the sidewalk trying to eat. People had to literally step over them. This was crazy!
We were contemplating whether of not to (again) walk all the way around the park to find a sit down restaurant. I asked Lou what he felt like doing, he said it was totally up to me. We decided to head back to the GF and explore the hotel. BY the time we waited for the bus to get back to the GF, the Grand Floridian Café was closed. I guess they were starting to switch from the lunch to dinner menu or something along those lines. So we decided to eat at Gasparilla Grill and Games. We hadn’t eaten there before so we decided to give it a try. We ended up having a nice lunch at one of the outdoor patio tables with a beautiful view of the lagoon and the magic kingdom castle. We were even feeding the ducks that met us at our table.
After lunch, Lou went to the convention center to check his email. I decided to take more pictures of the GF. I even did a little more shopping at the stores. I had woke up early that morning and bought a couple of GF polo shirts and a Mickey t-shirt.
All of my fragile and large items (scrapbook) I had shipped home. I didn’t want to carry them with me, plus they were able to combine the items that I had bought at the parks. I used the resort delivery option when we visited Epcot and my items were in the resort gift shop the next morning. The gift shop was able to combine those purchases and whatever I bought that day and send it home in one package. This was very convenient.
I after taking more pictures of the resort I went back to the room and started tidying up a bit. We had ADRs for the Spirit of Aloha Polynesian Luau in a couple of hours so I thought it was best to stick close by. Plus our bags were going to be picked up the next morning by ME so I knew I should start packing a bit.
I was staring to feel bad that we wasted a day at DW, but I couldn’t let myself think like that. After all, we were still on DW property and we had the Luau later. By the time Lou got back, we relaxed on the veranda and watched the monorail go by a couple of times. It was really peaceful and beautiful. I had Lou get the rest of his stuff together
leaving out only the items he would need that night and for the morning. I tell you, if I don’t take charge I wonder what he’d do without me?
After reading many of the posts and reviews online, I was kind of hesitant about booking the Spirit of Aloha Polynesian Luau dinner show. I read a lot of reviews and they all seemed to mention the “bad” food and “cheesy” show. I wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt so we went a head and booked category 1 seating for the 8pm show.
We went to the Polynesian Resort a little early so that we would have a chance to walk around a bit. I was really excited, after all this hotel was my first choice. The monorail dropped us off on the 2nd floor, right near the beautiful lobby. The center of the lobby held a waterfall and tropical plants. We followed the signs outside and around the paths to the Luau Cove. When we arrived we handed the CM our tickets, she gave us leis and she escorted us over to have our picture taken. After our souvenir picture was taken we were placed in a holding area to wait for the luau. Drinks were offered and we were able to mingle in a tropical sitting area or walk a path near the beach. We decided to purchase a drink and walk onto the beach. Lighted tiki torches led the way. The view from the beach was of the GF and the Wedding Pavilion.
When it was time to be seated, we made our way back to the entrance of the Luau cove. Because it was just the two of us, we had a table for 2 (and the food) all to ourselves.
The table had food already waiting for us!
Our appetizer was: Tropical Mixed Green Salad with Mango Poppy Seed Dressing Pineapple-coconut Bread Pineapple chunks
Even though wine, soft drinks and beer were included in our tickets I really wanted sometime of fruity island drink. Lou and I both got the tropical drink that was served in large coconuts. We thought “Hey, we’re on our honeymoon; we could splurge a bit”. Our souvenir coconut drinks were very cute; I had to pose for a pic. as soon as we got them!
Our main course was a platter FILLED with: Island Barbecued Pork Ribs Lanai Roasted Chicken Polynesian Rice Fresh Seasonal Vegetables
For Dessert we had the: Kilauea Volcano Delight
The show was separated into 2 different sections. The first was a “play” about a girl who returns from the mainland to rediscover her “roots”. The second part of the show were different Polynesian dances. The “play” was a little cheese just as the reviews said. They had an audience participation part were people could go on stage and learn to hula. They even invited people who were celebrating a birthday that month to jump on stage and dance in another number. Over all it was cute but we went paying too much attention (we were too busy eating all of the great food!)
What surprised me was that another couple just got up and left in the middle of the dances. We had a good time because we just went with the flow, we were not expecting anything super traditional. They should have stuck around because the best part was coming next… the fire dancer. This guy comes out and does a great dance with fire…supper cool. This was definitely Lou’s favorite part and was worth the wait!
We got back to the hotel around 11pm or so. We were still wound up from the Luau so we decided to go swimming in the courtyard pool / hot tub (it was open 24hours). I was surprised to see a couple of kids still swimming at pool so late. Another addition to our late night swim was 2 ducks. We spent the rest of the night laughing as we watched the kids trying to keep up with them. We didn’t leave the pool until around 1am, and would you believe there was still around 5-7 people left. I didn’t see the need to rush back right away because we had already packed about 90% of our stuff. We had to have it ready to go by 8am, when the Disney cruise people would pick it up from our rooms. I really loved the fact that we had such a blast the past couple of days and we still had a cruise to the Bahamas ahead. Disney Rocks!
Pt 6, Leaving WDW and Day 1 aboard the Disney Wonder.
Last edited by Disneydiana; 12-30-2008 at 10:20 AM..
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I was surprised by AK's large crowd when I was there this past May. I guess it's not like it used to be. I'm glad you guys enjoyed the luau, the food looked so good. Can't wait to hear about DCL!!!
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Okay I know I'm a little late, lol, but I just read about the land part of your honeymoon. Sounds like you guys had a wonderful time. How beautiful is that room at GF? Wish I could stay there some day. Love all the pics especially the one of you and the coconut drink at the luau, it's just great. Now I'll have to read the sea part of your honeymoon. Talk to you soon.
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Great time at MGM 
We had a great time there too last year! Sorry AK was so crowded 
to hear that AK was so busy!! The luau sounds like a lot of fun! I haven't been to that show since I was 11 years old!!
this photo!
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