Day 2 of Hibiscus & Holly At The Poly 2017, the latest of my Disney Trip Reports, is here! Today we are at Magic Kingdom, with breakfast at The Crystal Palace. Dinner is the Polynesian Twilight Feast; the in-room dining from ‘Ohana.
We are over at Magic Kingdom today for breakfast at The Crystal Palace with Winnie the Pool and his pals Eeyore, Tigger, and Piglet! Well, it was more like a brunch time – our reservation was at around 11.45am!
The DVC Longhouses of Moorea, Pago Pago, and Tokelau (where we were staying) are very close to the Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC) where you can catch the Monorail or Ferryboat over to Magic Kingdom. You can also catch the Epcot Monorail here too. I really love that feature of Poly, and is just one of the things that makes me happy that it is our DVC Home Resort!
The big change this year was the security lines. Instead of being outside the gates of Magic Kingdom, they were actually now set up at the TTC. I think this was to control crowds more over at the entrance which is fine, I understand their need for security in this day and age. However, when visiting Epcot, you then have to do security all over again! I am hoping that by the time we go again they’ll have figured out a more efficient system.
It is a shame that they don’t have a Security Guard on the path from Poly to TTC for the resort guests, so that we could bypass the crowds. They have them set up at the Resort Monorail Stations… just sayin’!
Security is a long line of benches with a Guard at the top end who checks bags. You can line up on either side, so pick the shorter side! The Security Guard checks bags alternately from each side. After bag check you may be selected to go through the metal detector where you have to empty your pockets – coins, keys etc. If you bleep, they use a wand detector too. It seems to be random who they pick – Steve always got selected, Liam sometimes, but me – never.
If you don’t have a bag, you can bypass the bag check and go through – but you may be stopped for the metal detector though.
If you have a bag, any bag, be it small, medium, large, camera, backpack, nappy/diaper – it doesn’t matter what kind, it has to be searched.
So my tip is to have it opened and ready for a Security Guard to check inside. This will make their job easier, less stressful for you as you won’t be faffing around trying to open everything, and make the process a lot quicker for everyone waiting in line. In my experience some guards are more thorough than others – they will sometimes undo zips – inner and outer, and sometimes check bags inside – e.g, a purse, or a spectacles case.
Security will also check things like the basket below a pushchair/stroller, or on the front or back of an ECV.
Ultimately, do not take things into the park that you shouldn’t. The Restricted Personal Items page on the Walt Disney World website will be the most up-to-date source. While on the site, you could also have a read of the Park Rules and Regulations, so that you aren’t disappointed when as an adult you arrive dressed up as a Disney Princess and are denied access!
Once through security you can then take the Monorail or the Ferryboat over to Magic Kingdom! I think everyone should do the Ferryboat at least once, but it takes a lot longer than the Monorail, so if you need to be over at the Park, take that mode of transportation instead.
Just as we entered the park, the Main Street Trolley Singers (not sure of their actual name, or if they have one!), dressed in their seasonal finery, pulled up and started to perform. It really gets you into the festive spirit! I did film some on my phone, so when I finally get around to putting all the footage together, I’ll try to remember to update this! Give me a nudge in about 6 months just in case I forget!
We still had some time before our reservation at The Crystal Palace, so naturally I had to pop into Emporium for a little looksee at the merchandise! I was itching to buy ALL the things, especially the Christmas homewares, but I had to restrain myself as we were trying to be a bit more strict with our spends this year.
And of course I had to buy some stuff, including new Christmassy Ears with red and green sequins – to wear, and to take the photo below! Some people take photos in front of walls… I take photos of Cinderella Castle through Minnie Ears! As I was setting up the shot, a couple of people around me said how cool it was and started to do the same. I didn’t start this trend, I saw on it on the ‘Gram and think it is a cool shot!