#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Food and Life

Review: Kona Cafe {Polynesian Resort, Disney World}

May 29, 2013 · Narrative

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If money were no object and someone asked for a hotel recommendation at Disney World, I will always recommend the Polynesian Resort. When we visited Disney a few years ago, when Nick was four, we found ourselves continuing to go back to the Polynesian Resort time and time again.

For, what I consider, the best gift shop out of all the resorts.

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For the awesome character family-style breakfast and dinner at ‘Ohana.

For the gorgeous environment.

May 21, 2013

May 21, 2013

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And now, after our most recent trip, I can say that another draw of this particular resort is that they have the self-serve Dole Whips, a must-eat when visiting Disney World.

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When we arrived on the Friday night of our weekend away, after checking into our hotel, we headed straight over to the Polynesian Resort, intent on killing two birds with one monorail trip.

Dinner. And (our first ever) Dole Whip.

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Unfortunately there were no openings to be had at ‘Ohana, so we ended up at their Kona Cafe. Because we had a 45-minute wait even for that, we killed our time by exploring the grounds and hitting the gift shop. The restaurant gives waiting guests a beeper that vibrates when your table is ready, and since it works anywhere on the property, it gave us free rein to keep ourselves busy elsewhere.

And for pressed penny fans, there is a machine next to the gift shop.

Score.

Our wait ended up being thirty minutes, which was perfectly timed to be right after we paid for our gift shop treasures.

The menu, while not exhaustive, covers a lot of ground. Sushi (from a spot right next door), salads, chicken, pasta, fish, and a decent selection of kids items. I ordered a salad with grilled shrimp and Gorgonzola, and since we were having dinner around 8 pm, I all but inhaled it.

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The kids both went with ravioli (shaped like Mickey, natch), and the servings were perfect. It seems that usually when you order kids’ ravioli, it is a scant four pieces. Sometimes that’s ok. Not so much for a growing, ravenous ten-year-old boy.

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A sweet bread with a honey nut butter was delivered during our meal and was scavenged. Although the kids’ meals came with dessert, we opted to skip it because we wanted to get a little Epcot time in before we headed back to our hotel. Hearing that, our waitress offered the kids cotton candy to go. And cotton candy is pretty much never denied. Unless it is in those gross, pre-packaged containers at the grocery store. Ick. And while this wasn’t carnival cotton candy, it was good.

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Although ‘Ohana is still my favorite, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Kona Cafe. The waitress was very friendly and outgoing, and service was perfect. The meal was reasonably priced, and the kids’ meals were a veritable bargain ($8.59 for their entree, drink, side item, and dessert).

A quick pop downstairs to get our Dole Whips, and we hopped on the monorail heading for an evening at Epcot.

Quick tip! As you’re leaving the Polynesian Resort, do take a moment and stop at the front desk for your free leis!

Hungry for more?
Pictures from the first time Nick visited Disney World, six years ago. Adorable baby-faced pictures from a visit he largely doesn’t remember.

Tomorrow? A review on Goddess Garden Organics and a giveaway. And while we’re talking giveaways, you still have a little bit of time to enter the Origami Owl giveaway – go get ’em!
Friday? Book review!

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: 'Ohana, Disney World, Dole Whip, Epcot, giveaway, Goddess Garden Organics, Kona Cafe, Origami Owl, Orlando, Polynesian Resort

Comments

  1. Nicole says

    May 30, 2013 at 4:30 am

    If you have time, you MUST go back to Kona Cafe for breakfast – their French toast is to.die.for. And I don’t even like French toast…. :)

    Reply
    • Cate O'Malley says

      May 30, 2013 at 8:12 am

      Thanks for the heads up – will totally check it out next time we’re there.
      Cate O’Malley recently posted..Review: Kona Cafe {Polynesian Resort, Disney World}

      Reply
  2. Joanne says

    May 30, 2013 at 6:38 am

    Sounds like a great dinner! I think we went to Ohana once when I was a kid and I remember it being super good.
    Joanne recently posted..Recipe: Asparagus and Leek Flan with Escarole and Potato Hash

    Reply
    • Cate O'Malley says

      May 30, 2013 at 8:12 am

      Easy and delicious > my kind of restaurant.
      Cate O’Malley recently posted..Review: Kona Cafe {Polynesian Resort, Disney World}

      Reply
  3. Terri says

    May 30, 2013 at 8:42 am

    Yum! We live just minutes away from the Polynesian and frequent the resort for the Dole Whips! They are awesome…and O’hana’s is one of our favorites as well but hard to get into…so we have been to Kona a few times…they have seasonal creme brulee’s, had a banana one once that was to die for as well!

    Reply
    • Cate says

      May 30, 2013 at 4:22 pm

      So jealous that you live so close to it!

      Reply
  4. Meg says

    May 30, 2013 at 1:36 pm

    I’ve heard so much about Dole Whips recently that I actually had to Google them! And yes, they look absolutely delicious. I’ve been to Disney a few times, mostly as a kid, and am sorry to say I don’t remember a ton about this excursions . . . a fact that pains my parents! They spent plenty of money and resources to get us there — and my memory is pretty spotty. Still, we have plenty of photos to remind us of our adventures . . . and I do remember staying at the Polynesian! It was mesmerizing to us as kids. Thanks for the stroll down memory lane! :)
    Meg recently posted..Book review: ‘The Wonder Bread Summer’ by Jessica Anya Blau

    Reply
    • Nicole says

      May 30, 2013 at 3:47 pm

      Meg (and others), I’m not sure if they have nation-wide locations and/or how flavors vary amongst them…BUT our local Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt carries Dole Whip, so you may be able to get your fix there. There’s also a few copycat recipes floating around the internet – it’s not quite the same without Lilo but you could close your eyes and pretend :)

      Reply
      • Cate says

        May 30, 2013 at 4:23 pm

        Thanks for the heads up – I will definitely hunt down a copykat recipe to try (we’re out of luck on Menchie’s, I think).

        Reply
    • Cate says

      May 30, 2013 at 4:24 pm

      This was my fourth time to Disney, and this year was the first time I had actually heard of the famous Dole Whips, so you’re in good company! Glad it brought back some good memories. :)

      Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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