Taryn's Mad Hatter Adventures

Tales from my (mostly Disney) travels!
Taryn's Mad Hatter Adventures
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  • Tag: Polynesian Village Resort

    • Kona Cafe Breakfast Review

      Posted at 10:31 am by taryngirl, on October 21, 2020

      January 2020

      I took this quick trip with my cousin Alex. One of the doctors where she works was also going to be in Disney at the same time, and he wanted to meet up for breakfast. We found ourselves at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Kona Cafe with a reservation.

      I’ve written about this resort a few times, and I always take this picture! I absolutely love this resort and all it has to offer.

      The theming is my favorite, as I love tropical places. And the restaurants are some of my favorites! The location is also amazing. It’s a quick monorail ride away from Magic Kingdom, and walking distance to TTC to catch a monorail to Epcot.

      The menu in January 2020
      The menu in January 2020
      The ceiling!

      We started off sharing the Tropical Fruit Plate $10. This had fresh fruit, boba balls, and some really good kind of honey type drizzle.

      One of us had the French Toast $13. It came with a really good caramel banana sauce and your choice of bacon, sausage or ham. It was standard French toast, but the caramel banana sauce made the dish!

      We also had the Polynesian Egg Platter $16. Also delicious!

      Overall we enjoyed our meal and time together. The prices compared to a quick service location are more. The food quality is a little bit better than counter service. If you want a relaxing atmosphere and have time to sit, try this table service breakfast! If you are in a rush to get to the parks or on more of a budget, skip the table service and go quick service.

      Posted in Breakfast, Dining Review, Polynesian Village Resort | 0 Comments | Tagged Breakfast, Dining Review, Kona Cafe, Polynesian Village Resort
    • Disney’s Polynesian Villa Deluxe Studio Lake View

      Posted at 3:46 pm by taryngirl, on August 29, 2018

      After a quick lunch at Captain Cook’s we headed directly to our room.  We didn’t have to stop at the front desk in the lobby because they had both emailed and texted our room number to us.  We were using our Disney Vacation Club points, and reserved a Deluxe Studio–Lake View.  Here’s a quick video tour:

      The Deluxe Studios here at the Polynesian have two bathrooms.  One with a regular shower/tub, toilet and sink:

      2018-08-25 11.01.19

      2018-08-25 11.00.49

      The second bathroom has a really awesome shower and a sink:

      2018-08-25 10.58.39

      2018-08-25 10.59.17

      The kitchenette is a nice feature.  It includes a microwave, toaster, coffee pot, and mini-fridge.  Also provided are some paper products including a roll of paper towels, paper plates and paper bowls.

      2018-08-25 11.00.12

      The bedroom and living area include a Queen size bed, a pull out sofa, and a murphy style bed that pulls down under the television.

      2018-08-25 10.58.15

      2018-08-25 10.57.23

      2018-08-25 10.57.51

      We had an amazing view from our patio:

      2018-08-25 10.55.36

      Pros of staying at this resort:

      • Location!  You are two monorail stops away from Magic Kingdom.  You can walk to the Transportation and Ticket Center to get on the monorail for Epcot.  You can take  a boat to Magic Kingdom also if you prefer.
      • Atmosphere.  This resort really makes you feel like you are on an island somewhere.  If you love tropical, Hawaii type feel, then this is the resort for you.
      • Restaurants.  I love every single restaurant here.  Kona Cafe has great breakfast, lunch and dinner.  They also serve really good sushi (so I’ve been told…I don’t eat it!).  Ohana is my favorite restaurant anywhere on Disney property.  The food is SO GOOD!  It’s served family style.  They also have the Pineapple Lanai that served Dole Whip!
      • Cast Members.  The people that work at this resort are super friendly.  Every single one that we crossed paths with said “Aloha” to us!
      • Pool!  The pool here has undergone some renovations and now includes a splash area.  There’s also a water slide.  If you prefer something more relaxed there is a quiet pool as well.

      Cons of staying at this resort:

      • Price.  This is an expensive resort.  The average price per night on the smallest room type is $525.  That’s the average!

      If we get the opportunity, we will definitely stay at this resort again!

      Posted in Deluxe Studio, Disney, Polynesian Villa, Polynesian Village Resort, Room Review, Uncategorized | 2 Comments | Tagged Deluxe Studio, Disney, Lake View, Polynesian, Polynesian Villa, Polynesian Village Resort
    • Captain Cook’s Lunch

      Posted at 11:37 am by taryngirl, on August 28, 2018

      When we arrived to the Polynesian, I was starving.  So we headed directly to Captain Cook’s, which is the quick service location there.  I hadn’t stayed at this resort for 5 years, and this location had undergone some renovations since then.  Here’s the lunch/dinner menu posted (August 2018):2018-08-25 11.07.12

      2018-08-25 11.06.36

      Each quick service location seems to operate differently.  For this particular one, there was a queue set up and 3 registers.  You order at the register and they give you pager.  You can order “for here” or “to go.”  If eating here, you simply go to your table and sit putting the pager on the table.  If taking it to go, there’s a to go counter just to the left of the registers.  If you are ordering a kid’s meal, be sure to note what all comes with it!  It’s usually 2 “sides” and a drink.  The sides may be carrots, grapes, apples, a cookie, fries, etc.  At this location you have to go to the refrigerators and retrieve any of the cold items, including the kid’s drink.

      2018-08-25 11.04.22

      2018-08-25 11.06.12

      Another random note…if you are on the Quick Service Dining Plan, or the Standard Dining Plan, as your beverage you can get a single serve alcoholic drink.  Pictured here you can see some beer.  This would count as your beverage if you don’t want a soda, etc!

      2018-08-25 11.05.43

      2018-08-25 11.05.18

      The buzzer:

      2018-08-25 11.04.51

      2018-08-25 11.03.25

      And my choice for lunch, Pan Asian Noodles and Vegetables with Chicken:

      2018-08-25 11.02.57

      Being the planner I am, I already had a list of all of the food I wanted to try on this trip!  I had googled menus, pictures, review, etc.  I knew I had to have these noodles!

      My review:  They were just okay.  Boo.  I was expecting more flavor!  I did eat almost all of it, and it was a good portion size.  Good mix of vegetables, chicken and noodles.  I don’t think I’d order it again here though!  I might try the Pork Fried Rice or the Hot Beef and Cheddar (which looked amazing!).

      Stay tuned for more reviews from here!  We did have a few more meals here for breakfast and lunch.

      Posted in Captain Cook's, Dining Review, Disney, Polynesian Village Resort, Quick Service, Uncategorized, Walt Disney World Resort | 0 Comments | Tagged Captain Cook's, Disney, Foodie, Polynesian, Polynesian Village Resort, Quick Service
    • Mother/Daughter Disney Trip! August 2018

      Posted at 10:40 pm by taryngirl, on August 25, 2018

      I know I’m in the middle of writing my August Grandeur of the Seas trip report, but I have to also start my DISNEY WORLD trip report!  So I’ll probably be alternating, but to read straight through either report, be sure to check my Trip Reports tab where I will have links so you can follow in order.

      THE PLAN:

      • Who–myself, my two daughters, my cousin, her two daughters
      • What–all girl cousin trip!
      • When–August 11-18th
      • Where–Polynesian/Bay Lake Tower
      • Why–one last hurrah before school and soccer start, to use our DVC points, we all have an annual pass, and WHY NOT?!

      So we knew we wanted to go in August, but had to plan around school and soccer schedules, and other family vacations.  Also, because I am a Disney Vacation Club Member, my new points came available August 1st.  So I had to plan for some time after that.  My cousin, Alex, had already made her reservation at Polynesian Village Resort, by renting DVC points.  She planned to arrive 3 days before us.  We had gone once in August before and I swore NEVER AGAIN!  It’s so dang hot, and it rained every day.  But alas, August it was!  After several changes of resort for us, we decided on Polynesian Village Resort and Bay Lake Tower.  I wanted to do the split stay so I could experience more than one resort to share with my Disney clients.

      About a month ago, we made the decision that my oldest daughter would not be able to make the trip.  She is on a premier soccer team and we had gotten the schedule.  You guessed it…a tournament!  It’s her first year on this team and we just didn’t think it was a good idea to miss several practices and then a tournament.  So it would just be my youngest daughter and I making the trip.

      We had been cruising from August 2-11th from Baltimore.  Upon return to Baltimore, we had flights booked leaving at 1:30 p.m. ish.  After researching, I saw there was a flight that left at 11:05 a.m., and there were varying times you could depart the ship.  So I called Southwest and made the switch and canceled my oldest daughter’s ticket!  It was super easy, and we now have a credit for her to use.

      We departed the ship around 8:15 a.m., got our luggage, went through customs and met my husband in the parking lot by 8:40 a.m.  We headed directly for the airport.  He dropped us right around 9:00 a.m.  There was a flight leaving at 9:45 a.m. ish that I inquired about at the counter, but it was too late because our luggage still had to be checked.  It would not have made the plane!  So we could leisurely make our way to our gate.  One note at security…we had to take out any electronics that were larger than a cell phone.  I’ve never had to take my iPad out before.  Also, all food/snacks had to be taken out and put in a separate bin.  (This was the moment I found the huge zip loc bag my mother had given my daughter in case she got hungry.  It was filled with chocolate twizzlers and caramel creams…)

      We made it through security and headed to our gate.  We weren’t hungry because we had eaten breakfast on the ship before we got off.  I caught up on some work things and Kinsey caught up on her YouTube.  By the way…I LOVE MY NEW AMERICAN TOURISTER MICKEY LUGGAGE!2018-08-25 11.10.02

      We had a great flight, and once in Orlando, made our way over to the B side to head to the Magical Express transportation area.  I noticed a new sign!  AND hand sanitizer!  That was a definite difference I noticed on this trip.  Hand sanitizer dispensers near or in most restaurants on Disney property. I am a fan!

      2018-08-25 11.09.18

      This was about 1:45 p.m. on a Saturday.  Look how empty it is!  The Polynesian was lane 2 and we were the only ones in it!

      IMG_6239

      IMG_6240

      A few people did eventually come in behind us before we were able to board a bus.  But it was still very empty in this whole area!

      IMG_6245

      If you are brand new to Disney World, or have never used Disney’s Magical Express, GO HERE to read all about it!  It really is so convenient.  In summary:

      • Disney will send you luggage tags in the mail once you register with Magical Express.  They are yellow, and you attach them to any luggage you are checking at your airport.
      • You get to the airport and make your way to the B side of Orlando Airport and head down to the Magical Express.  Watch for signs!  And there’s a map they will send you with your luggage tags.  DO NOT GO TO BAGGAGE CLAIM if you put the yellow tags on your luggage!
      • You scan your Magic Band at the check in area, and they tell you which lane number to get in.
      • You board the bus and they drop you directly at your resort!
      • Your luggage will be delivered to your room…normally within 4 hours of arrival at the airport.

      WHAT I PACK IN MY CARRY ON!  Since it can take up to 4 hours to receive your luggage, pack your carry on with any essentials you think you might need in that time frame.  For me:  Wallet, electronics, chargers, medication, deodorant, bathing suits if I think we will swim, MagicBands, a brush.  This is all in case the luggage does not show up before we head to a park or to dinner, etc.

      I spy!  This particular bus was stopping at three different resorts.  We were lucky, and drew the first stop!  Taken through the bus window because we were very near the front seat.

      IMG_6250

      I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS RESORT!  This is 100% my decor and atmosphere.  We actually had professional pictures taken here at this resort when the girls were 3 and 5.  This was one of the spots!

      IMG_6251

      2018-08-25 11.07.43

      UP NEXT…another piece of my cruise trip report!

      Posted in Disney, Uncategorized, Vacation, Walt Disney World Resort | 0 Comments | Tagged August, Disney, Disney's Magical Express, Magical Express, Planning, Polynesian, Polynesian Village Resort, Trip Report
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