How Many Days In A Row Will We Wear Tie Dye (or Disney 2009 review): Part 9.1featured

by Nicole on November 11, 2009

It was day five of our Disney adventure and we were already strung out. Between the early mornings, the late nights, the lack of naps (for everyone except for grandma, who was unsurprisingly the only one of us who had any energy), the hot, muggy weather, the lines, the constant dining reservations and my leg cramps, I was tempted to throw all of our plans to the wind and go rogue.

So many people go to Disney with detailed plans- so detailed, in fact that I’m only quasi-kidding when I say I’m surprised that they don’t plan for bathroom breaks, lest the need to tinkle derail their touring plan. I don’t know how they do it and I don’t know why. We were MISERABLE and the total extent of our plans was where we were eating and when.

Beyond that, the end of our trip was quickly approaching and I was realizing that the long list of things I wanted to do wouldn’t even be partially completed. I was feeling disappointed and moody and then I realized that if I hadn’t made a list, there wouldn’t be anything to be disappointed with. Above all else, this was a fun trip. So what if I didn’t see Wishes in front of the castle or we didn’t get to have tea at the Grand Floridian, or we didn’t make it to Club Cool to trick Mom into trying Beverly. If you go to Disney with a long list of things you must accomplish, you’re setting yourself up for a long stare into the face of disappointment, my friends. You will spend your trip trying to accomplish things instead of reveling in the moment. You’ll recognize this behavior when you’re on Test Track and instead of feeling the rush of wind in your hair as you bank on the curve, you find yourself thinking about what’s next on the plan.

Life is short. Enjoy yourself.

So, day five and we were up by 7:15 am. Again. I dragged myself out onto our balcony (which was marred by crow crap more and more each day) to get some fresh air in a vain attempt to wake up. It was oppressively hot and the wet air filling my lungs was just making me sleepier. But, as I saw our destination for the day (Epcot) out in the distance, I knew I needed to keep my eye on the prize: I was going to take hundreds of pictures of World Showcase today and Stephanie couldn’t stop me this time.

I took a quick shower and got ready for our breakfast at the Kona Cafe at the Polynesian. We like the Kona Cafe’s breakfast for a few reasons. It’s never crowded, the food is good and since we stay on the monorail, it’s easy to get to. A quick walk across the bridge to the Contemporary and two stops over on the monorail and there we are.

I love the Polynesian. I don’t know that I’d ever stay there because I really do love the BLT (and the Grand Floridian), but there’s something strangely comforting about the floral chlorine smell that greets you when you get off the monorail. I love the dark wood tones clashing with the bright floral displays. I love the sound of water meandering down the waterfall. I love how everything is so perfectly themed. We were a few minutes early for our reservation, which gave me a few moments to look around before hunger got the best of us and we checked in at the podium.

We were seated immediately at a table looking out onto the upper level of the Great Ceremonial House. I love how open the Kona Cafe is. It’s really just a corner of the building that’s totally open (no walls separating it from the outside of the restaurant…just a railing) with high ceilings and large Polynesian themed fans silently recirculating air.

Our server was Brian and he was quiet and observant. We’ve dined here for breakfast, so we know the drill: any non-alcoholic drink is fair game (including smoothies) and you can order two drinks with breakfast. If you order the pressed pot of Kona coffee, it’ll cost you both of your drink credits. We all ordered a glass of Lilikoi juice (which is a sweet, tangy blend of passionfruit, guava and orange juices) and while Stephanie and grandma had a diet Coke and an iced tea, respectively, Mom and I split the pressed pot of Kona coffee. Mom doesn’t drink coffee much, but I needed someone to order with and convinced her it would be the best coffee she’s ever had. And it was up there. Real 100% Kona coffee is amazing. Most places will serve you a less expensive Kona blend, which is okay, but nothing quite measures up to the flavor and aroma of true, 100% pure Kona coffee. I would have brought a bag home, but at $40 a bag (compared to $15 for a Kona blend…the price disparity isn’t for nothing), I was content to enjoy the pot of 100% Kona coffee in front of me. Besides, my Tassimo at home couldn’t brew the coffee if I brought it home, anyways. But, if they ever make 100% Kona coffee T-discs, I’ll be the first in line to buy them.

100% Kona Coffee French Press for Two and Lilikoi juice

Mom and grandma both ordered a perennial favorite (and Kona Cafe specialty), the Tonga Toast. Tonga Toast is a thick slice of sourdough bread that is stuffed with a sweet banana compote, fried and then dredged in cinnamon and sugar. It’s served with a smooth strawberry compote and comes with a choice of meat (they both chose the bacon). Tonga Toast has a very large fan following and if Mom and grandma’s empty plates were any indication, it’s justified. The bread was crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and the entire dish was fantastically delicious. The bacon was a bit overdone, but perfectly crisp and salty. The salt from the bacon with the sweet french toast dish made for a great balance of flavors.

Tonga Toast

Stephanie and I went for the smorgasbord of breakfast delights otherwise known as the Big Kahuna. The Big Kahuna comes with everything and the kitchen sink- french toast, eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, breakfast potatoes and another specialty of the house- Macadamia-Pineapple pancakes. Neither of us eat ham so we substituted for extra bacon and requested the macadamia/pineapple topping on the side and had our eggs scrambled. This platter really is enough for two to share, as I didn’t even make it through half of it. The eggs were fluffy and flavorful, the potatoes had a nice, spicy crust but were SO very heavy, the sausage was a bit spicy and heavy but had a great bite, the bacon was crunchy and perfectly salty and the pancakes were amazing, with a flavorful flapjack and a side of macadamia butter and pineapple topping. The down point was the french toast, which was really just toast since it had no apparent egg coating and no flavor.

Big Kahuna

Plate of condiments for the table

The bill came to $77.92, and we used four meal credits. The service was good, the food was excellent and in ample portion, but it wasn’t anything inherently, or even remotely, Polynesian, which is one of the down points of the resort. I don’t think there’s any real, authentic Polynesian food at the Polynesian and at a place like Disney World where theming and authenticity is one of the best parts of the entire resort, it’s a little disappointing. If anyone wants to try Tonga Toast and not use a meal credit (or doesn’t want to pay $11 for it), they serve it at Captain Cooks, the quick-service restaurant at the Polynesian. I think it’s around $5 there. It comes with a side of bacon or sausage and it’s the same exact dish they serve upstairs.

After breakfast, we decided to head to the lower level of the Great Ceremonial House and look around until our heavy breakfasts settled. I love tropical flowers and they’re in abundance here. And, of course, we couldn’t leave until Mom got a picture with the waterfall.