Disney's Polynesian Resort

When we visit Walt Disney World this year we will be staying at Port Orleans Resort - Riverside. We are extremely excited to stay there since we have only stayed at Caribbean Beach Resort on our previous visits. POR has been completely refurbished and it has a charming Southern-style atmosphere. That being said, we have always wanted to stay on the Monorail loop, at one of the Deluxe Magic Kingdom area resorts. More specifically, at the Polynesian Resort. After discussing this with my DH, we have decided to stay at the Poly, as the Polynesian is commonly known, for our 2015 visit to my magical place. To say I am excited would be an understatement. I need to push this thought out of my head so I can enjoy our stay at POR, and then I can allow myself to think about staying at the Poly.

Disney's Polynesian Resort has a South Seas feel to it. Entering into the resort you are transported to a South Pacific island. It is decidedly lush with tropical gardens, luaus and sandy shores. It has Torch-lit walkways, a cascading indoor waterfall and the soothing sounds of distant drums. The resort buildings have thatched roofs, and you are surrounded by 75 varieties of tropical and subtropical plants in the 3-story atrium of the Grand Ceremonial House. The Polynesian also has a volcano themed main pool, called the Nanea Volcano Pool, and a quiet pool for the enjoyment of guests. One of the biggest appeals of the Polynesian Resort is its location on the Monorail track. The resort features 847 luxurious room which are decorated with rich tropical colors, and is furnished in traditional bamboo and rattan. 

The Polynesian offers Character Dining ('Ohana), Quick Service (Capt. Cook's, Kona Island), Casual Dining (Kona Cafe), Dinner Show (Diney's Spirit of Aloha) and a Lounge (Tambu).

The history of the Polynesian Resort is enough to entice guests to book a stay. The resort was one of the original resorts to open at Walt Disney World on October 1, 1971 as Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. The "Village" part of the name was dropped in the 1980s, and it became known as Disney's Polynesian Resort. Guests can choose to stay in rooms with Lagoon views, Magic Kingdom views and Garden Views. Since the Polynesian falls in the "Deluxe" resort category, rooms are some of the most expensive beginning at $329/night, but price varies on the season and the view you choose.

More information on this resort can be found:

www.tikimanpages.com

www.allears.net

Key To The World Cards Getting Upgraded

The incredibly awesome Key To The World cards (KTTW) are getting an upgrade. Your KTTW card has multiple uses: room key, park ticket, dining plan credit counter, FASTPASS collector, Extra Magic Hours verification and charge card (should guests choose to link it to a major credit card). On-property resorts at WDW will be changing to a wireless door lock system using RFID technology. This change is scheduled to be rolled-out throughtout 2012 and 2013. The cards will basically look the same but instead of inserting the cards to open the door, guests will simply tap the lock for the door to open. This new technology is already in place at Disney's Art of Animation Resort, BoardWalk Resort, Contemporary Resort and Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/General_Disney_News/New_Key_to_the_World_cards_coming_to_Disney_World_resorts.htm

Abandoned Disney: Disney's River Country

Disney's River Country was Walt Disney World's first water park. It opened to guests in the summer of 1976, and closed in the fall of 2001. River Country has been left abandoned, but is still located on the banks of Bay Lake. Nearby is the also now abandoned Discovery Island. River Country is adjacent to Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds. 

As recently as 2010, there have been some improvements in a very small area of River Country. This area is adjacent to Mickey's Backyard BBQ held at Ford Wilderness. Guests seem to be able to use the restrooms and the small area directly behind the BBQ area. There seems to be other things going on in the area right next to the construction wall separating River Country from Fort Wilderness, but it's anybody's guess. 

It would be nice to see River Country turned either into a DVC property or an extension of Fort Wilderness. If they also did something with Discovery Island it would be great. I think that even if the abandoned areas were just simply cleaned up, and all of the garbage removed, then people wouldn't find it so enticing to sneak into the off-limit areas. It is never advisable to go into areas closed to resort guests.

The links below have information and pictures relating to River Country. The last two links are the most recent...having been posted in 2010 and 2012, respectively.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/06/vintage-walt-disney-world-looking-back-at-river-country/

http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/articles/river-country-water-park-looking-back

http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/abandoned-disney-disneys-river-country

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2449157

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHpyJvFjHWQ

Update: Disney's Art of Animation Resort

Photo courtesy of allears.net

Walt Disney World's newest resort - Disney's Art of Animation - opened on May 31, 2012, where guests were able to stay in the Finding Nemo wing, the first phase of the new resort. The most recent phase of the resort, Cars, opened to guests on June 18.

Disney's Art of Animation is a Disney Pixar inspired resort. It has four themed wings. Three of the wings will be family suites, and one wing will be standard guest rooms. The Finding Nemo wing has 320 suites and Cars 480 suites. The Lion King wing will feature 320 family suites, with The Little Mermaid wing housing the 864 standard guest rooms. The Lion King phase is scheduled to open to guests on August 10, and The Little Mermaid wing, the final phase, on September 15.

Situated adjacent from Disney's Pop Century Resort, just across the Legendary Years bridge and Hour Glass lake, Disney's Art of Animation is a beautifully detail oriented resort which immerses you in the classical stories it is themed around. The family suites, which total 1,120, include three separate sleeping areas, two bathrooms and a kitchenette. The suites can sleep up to six guests. The standard rooms sleep up to four. The resort falls under the value category of Disney property resorts.

Dining options at Disney's Art of Animation include a poolside snack bar, pizza delivery and the Landscape of Flavors food court. The food court is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and features Mongolian barbecue.

As is customary, guests staying at Disney's Art of Animation resort receive complimentary transportation, Extra Magic Hours and all the other benefits of being a Disney Resort hotel guest.

Reservations can be made by calling 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639) or through a travel agent.

New Fantasyland Opening Dates

Disney Parks Blog recently shared some news on the opening dates for the attractions and restaurants planned for Magic Kingdom Park's New Fantasyland. The next phase of Storybook Circus, featuring the second half of the Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction and Casey Jr. Splash 'n' Soak Station, will open July 2012.

Some of the attractions I can't wait to see - Under The Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Gaston's Tavern and Ariel's Grotto - will be opening this holiday season. Unfortunately nothing more definitive has been announced. There's no mention if holiday season includes Thanksgiving week, which is when the holiday season officially starts. I would hope it does since that is when our family will be visiting.

I will be sure to pass along more information once it becomes available!

WDW Rehabs and Closings

We all know how excited we get when planning our trips to Walt Disney World, at least I get really excited! One of the things I love to do is plan out which rides I am eager to go on. Before I get my heart set on going on particular rides I like to know which are being rehabbed or have closed. So in order to help you plan your visit here is an updated list of current Disney World Rehabs and Closings.

Magic Kingdom

Snow White's Scary Adventures will close May 31, 2012 and will become the new Princess Fairytale Hall meet and greet location. The Seven Dwarves Mine Train will open in the new Fantasyland area in 2013.

The Liberty Square Riverboat is currently in dry dock as it is being refurbished. It will return to service May 21, 2012.

Fairytale Garden is closed as it is being made over to host Merida, of the upcoming "Brave". Merida is scheduled to begin appearing in mid-May. Rapunzel, who had been appearing in Fairytale Garden, is currently next to City Hall on Main Street USA.

Epcot

Test Track closed for refurbishment on April 16, 2012. It is scheduled to reopen in fall 2012.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show is closed for refurbishment April 29 - May 2.


More information on Rehabs and Closings can be found at www.allears.net

Epcot: Calling the Red Phone Booth

Everyone has seen the Red Phone Booths located in the UK Pavilion and Canada Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase. Many of us have even taken pictures inside the iconic booths (as I did in the booth located in the Canada Pavilion on our May 2010 visit). The little known fact is that the phones in those booths actually work! You can even call the booths and speak to guests in the park that day. Many guests enjoying picking up the ringing phones and speaking to the callers from all over the world...you never know who will be on the line. People usually speak of the weather, what's going on in the park that day and a lot of other interesting things. If you're feeling nostalgic and are missing Disney World just pick up the phone and call a Red Phone Booth.

UK Pavilion:
(407) 827-9861
(407) 827-9862
(407) 827-9863

Canada Pavilion:
(407) 827-9884

Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Celebrates 20 Years!

On February 2, 2012, Disney's Port Orleans Riverside celebrated 20 years. In 1992 the brand new section of Dixie Landings resort, now the 1,024 rooms of the Alligator Bayou lodges, opened to the public, the first of two distinct areas which would include the Magnolia Bend mansions. The resort underwent a name change and merged with its sister hotel, Port Orleans, in 2001. The original Port Orleans Resort became what we now know as Port Orleans French Quarter and Dixie Landings became what we now know as Port Orleans Riverside.