Trip Report Tu in ‘25

Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Tu in ‘25

These lyrics came to mind when I thought about my trip reporting. (I also thought, Here we go AGAIN but the above sounds much more poignant.) It’s now that time of year when my Disney trips are frequent. And this Disney Senior loves sharing her visits with y’all because your engagement makes it fun!

Yes, there will be stuff that’s the same. Yes, there will be surprises (too soon for the reveals). And yes, there will be sun rises!

Spring break countdown is at 4 days.

Since this intro needs a picture, here are Tu.

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con’t

As we approached the entrance we noticed the absence of something present at the theme parks and Disney Springs.

No security screening! In this day and age we were shocked there was no bag check or body scanners. We weren’t fearful or bothered, just surprised.

The CM at the tapstile warmly welcomed us and it was fun to see the light turn green for admission we had not paid for. A single day ticket to Blizzard Beach is $74 + tax. (Fun fact: in 2001, admission for our family of five was $100 including tax.) Em and I decided it didn’t matter what we did or didn’t get to do - it was fun to be free! (Old timers will get the reference!)

Lots of bathing suits for sale here in the Beach Haus, @Tony the Tigger!

This is classic!

Em got us towels and we made our way towards the “hut” areas in the sand to find a chair to stow our stuff. As we slogged through the ankle-deep white granules I overheard a woman say to someone, “Is the sand real?”

Honey, the entire state of Florida is sand and water!!

But soon I would make my own ridiculous comment. I told Em we should do the lazy river first, “to get the lay of the land.”

Yeah, you can’t see any attractions while floating in the river . Em gave me the mocking I deserved.

Speaking of the lazy river, it needs to be deeper. Thanks to pictures from @Figment Forever ‘s trip report, I was able to discern a six inch difference between the water level at Blizzard Beach (2.6 feet) vs. Typhoon Lagoon (3 feet). The higher level makes a big difference on not scraping your toes when hanging on to an inner tube!

Fun fact: I also complained about Blizzard Beach’s lazy river water level in my journal entries in 1995 and 2001!
(For years our family had annual passes to a local water park with a long lazy river that was 3 feet deep.)

After Em and I floated the entire circuit, we got out and went to the wave pool. Tuvalu got a little motion sick so we did not stay long!

 

[lindawdw]

Looks like a beautiful day for a water park! I agree that the lazy rive has to be deeper!

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con’t

The pictures in this post are a combo of mine and online. You’ll be able to tell the difference.

After we left the wave pool we decided to walk and get a true “lay of the land.” We got as far as the chair lift (next to the wave pool!) when we saw that the wait to ride was under 20 minutes. The chair lift is iconic and a must-do for us so we got in line. We’d waited an hour on our last visit to get to the top of Mount Gushmore.

We were almost halfway through the queue when CMs announced that the chairlift was now closed due to “lightning.”

Say what?

The sun was shining and the skies were clear. Even more odd was that all of the slides on top of the mountain were open.

I suppose Disney wasn’t concerned for those guests waiting for Summit Plummet and Slush Gusher (both higher than the chairlift) being collateral damage in case of a lightning strike on a clear and sunny afternoon.

There are walking paths (with steps) up to the slides so Em and I took our lives into our hands to try the toboggan racers. I was a huge fan of sliding face-down on a mat years ago and couldn’t wait to do it again. When we got to the top we had our choice of two mat slides - an individual slalom course and a straight racing course. For a brief moment I could not remember which one I liked better. We had just walked up a lot of stairs (and weren’t sure we wanted to do so again) so I needed to choose wisely!

“The racers!” I announced to Em. Memories of beating my children to the bottom had come flooding back.

We waited about 10 minutes until it was our turn to grab a mat, find our slot, and then kneel on the mat while holding the handles out in front. At the sound of “go!” from a CM we pushed off, laid flat and raced to the bottom.

Well, one of us did.

When I got to the bottom I turned around to look for Em. She was just starting her descent. The slide is fast and she was beside me in no time.

She was laughing hysterically.

“I was a beached whale up there!” she cried. “I couldn’t get my momentum going!” She couldn’t stop laughing which caused me to start laughing along with her.

It must have been the good moods that caused Em to suggest, “Let’s ride the slalom course!” and me to agree to it! We began our second climb up the mountain.

The snow from 2001 had yet to melt.

We assumed the same position on the mat at the top, but instead of waiting for the CM to say “go!” (since it wasn’t a race) we had to wait for a light on our individual course to turn green. (The water was a bit deeper so Em did not suffer from failure to launch.)

I wasn’t 5 seconds into the course when I remembered that I hate slalom. Rapid succession of scary twists and turns kept me thinking, “is it over yet?” with every turn. Nope - it just kept going!

Then - I hit a wall of water at the bottom of the slide that caused me to flip over in a grand wipeout. Thankfully I did not lose my glasses! As I reached out to grab my mat which was floating away, I watched Em experience the same fate - a grand wipeout!

“I thought that ride was never gonna end!” she exclaimed.

Like mother, like daughter.

 

[lindawdw]

That sounds like so much fun!!! I actually love the twist and turns on those types of slides although I dislike the big dunk at the bottom!

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con’t

Em and I hadn’t eaten since breakfast and an early dinner (linner? lupper?) was needed to prevent us from becoming hangry. We mobile ordered at Lottawatta Lodge. (Oh those clever imagineers!)

Nothing fancy, just your basic burger and fries.

Portrait mode. (Don’t ask why. I had a reason which I no longer remember.)

As is often the case with Disney cheeseburgers, we found them surprisingly good! The fries were hit and crispy too. Our meal hit the spot.

Though we no longer abide by the old adage “wait 30 minutes after eating before swimming”, we did take time to return to our chair and reapply sunscreen. We noticed the chairlift was running and decided to give it a second try. The posted wait was longer than our first attempt but we joined the line anyway. Our patience was worth the payoff. The chairlift is fun!!

Pictured above is the unload area. Next to it is Teamboat Springs, the family raft ride. Em and I figured it was our best option to get down the mountain. The sign said the rafts hold 2-5 guests per family. We were confident we were getting our own raft as we climbed aboard. However the CM assigned another couple to share our raft. The gal happened to be a CM who works at Tomorrowland Speedway. In the moments before launch we joked with her regarding the unpleasantness of that job!

The raft ride has multiple high-banked curves. And guess who was at the pinnacle of every curve?

The old lady. Who was a teensy bit frightened with each half pipe and provided the entertainment for the other raft riders. (Did you know that Teamboat Springs is the world’s longest family raft ride?!!)

We all laughed at splashdown. My anxiety was over at last!

Or so I thought. I still needed to climb out of the raft. My legs were a bit weak from sitting criss-cross applesauce (a position clearly for children) so a quick stand up in the raft wasn’t gonna happen. Instead, I lifted my body onto the side of the raft with my legs pointed outward, planning to stand up on the concrete.

Yeah that didn’t happen. Instead of standing, my body fell backward into the raft with my legs pointed at the sky.

I burst out laughing. What a sight I must have been! Em had a moment of panic as she watched the event unfold. I assured her - and the other couple in our raft - that I was fine. The boyfriend kindly offered his arm to me and pulled me up and out of the raft.

I imagine their experience with me on the raft ride was a story worth sharing.

Em and I had time for one more circuit in the lazy river. The park would be closing soon.

We’d had an amazing afternoon and made a core memory. The best part was it was unexpected and unplanned!
(And free….can’t forget that!)

We dried off and de-sanded the best we could before getting into our HOT car for the drive back to Wilderness Lodge. The room text had come around 3:30 pm and we were glad we hadn’t waited for it.

A true water view from room 3015.

Goldilocks was happy at last.

 

[lindawdw]

What a fun day and I'm glad you got your true water view!!

 

[littleroo]

You are such a great story teller Tu! You had me cracking up about you trying to get out of the tube. Those climbs to the top of the rides are no joke. I am glad you and Em had such a memorable day and finally got a real water view room. We are really looking forward to our "free" water park day in August.

 

[93boomer]

Sunday, con’t

Em and I hadn’t eaten since breakfast and an early dinner (linner? lupper?) was needed to prevent us from becoming hangry. We mobile ordered at Lottawatta Lodge. (Oh those clever imagineers!)

Nothing fancy, just your basic burger and fries.

View attachment 865879

Portrait mode. (Don’t ask why. I had a reason which I no longer remember.)

View attachment 865880

As is often the case with Disney cheeseburgers, we found them surprisingly good! The fries were hit and crispy too. Our meal hit the spot.

Though we no longer abide by the old adage “wait 30 minutes after eating before swimming”, we did take time to return to our chair and reapply sunscreen. We noticed the chairlift was running and decided to give it a second try. The posted wait was longer than our first attempt but we joined the line anyway. Our patience was worth the payoff. The chairlift is fun!!

View attachment 865889

Pictured above is the unload area. Next to it is Teamboat Springs, the family raft ride. Em and I figured it was our best option to get down the mountain. The sign said the rafts hold 2-5 guests per family. We were confident we were getting our own raft as we climbed aboard. However the CM assigned another couple to share our raft. The gal happened to be a CM who works at Tomorrowland Speedway. In the moments before launch we joked with her regarding the unpleasantness of that job!

The raft ride has multiple high-banked curves. And guess who was at the pinnacle of every curve?

The old lady. Who was a teensy bit frightened with each half pipe and provided the entertainment for the other raft riders. (Did you know that Teamboat Springs is the world’s longest family raft ride?!!)

We all laughed at splashdown. My anxiety was over at last!

View attachment 865882

Or so I thought. I still needed to climb out of the raft. My legs were a bit weak from sitting criss-cross applesauce (a position clearly for children) so a quick stand up in the raft wasn’t gonna happen. Instead, I lifted my body onto the side of the raft with my legs pointed outward, planning to stand up on the concrete.

Yeah that didn’t happen. Instead of standing, my body fell backward into the raft with my legs pointed at the sky.

I burst out laughing. What a sight I must have been! Em had a moment of panic as she watched the event unfold. I assured her - and the other couple in our raft - that I was fine. The boyfriend kindly offered his arm to me and pulled me up and out of the raft.

I imagine their experience with me on the raft ride was a story worth sharing.

Em and I had time for one more circuit in the lazy river. The park would be closing soon.

View attachment 865890

We’d had an amazing afternoon and made a core memory. The best part was it was unexpected and unplanned!
(And free….can’t forget that!)

We dried off and de-sanded the best we could before getting into our HOT car for the drive back to Wilderness Lodge. The room text had come around 3:30 pm and we were glad we hadn’t waited for it.

A true water view from room 3015.

View attachment 865881

Goldilocks was happy at last.

What fun!! I burst out laughing at your call into the raft! Sorry my friend but I can just picture this!
The one time we went on the raft was a one and done for me. DD was 7 or 8 and begged to go. I was scared to death on those turns.

 

[MinnieM123]

Or so I thought. I still needed to climb out of the raft. My legs were a bit weak from sitting criss-cross applesauce (a position clearly for children) so a quick stand up in the raft wasn’t gonna happen. Instead, I lifted my body onto the side of the raft with my legs pointed outward, planning to stand up on the concrete.

Yeah that didn’t happen. Instead of standing, my body fell backward into the raft with my legs pointed at the sky.

You get extra points for your "exit" from the raft! (I'm sure most of us could relate. ) Although I've never been on that specific raft ride, what I can't figure out is how come it's fairly easy to get INTO these things -- but not get OUT of them?!)

 

[Baloo124]

A true water view from room 3015.

And certainly well deserved after the raft exit experience.

 

[meggo819]

Yeah that didn’t happen. Instead of standing, my body fell backward into the raft with my legs pointed at the sky.

Oh my! Lol

There’s really no graceful way to get out of that ride!

 

[Tuvalu]

You are such a great story teller Tu! You had me cracking up about you trying to get out of the tube. Those climbs to the top of the rides are no joke. I am glad you and Em had such a memorable day and finally got a real water view room. We are really looking forward to our "free" water park day in August.

What fun!! I burst out laughing at your call into the raft! Sorry my friend but I can just picture this!

You get extra points for your "exit" from the raft! (I'm sure most of us could relate. )

And certainly well deserved after the raft exit experience.

Oh my! Lol
There’s really no graceful way to get out of that ride!

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, June 9

I was up a little before 6 am and sat out on the balcony as the day continued to dawn. It was peaceful and quiet (no bats @MissingDisney, just lots of blackbirds) and I was able to completely relax from some pretty heavy stress over the last month. Watching a large bunny dart in and out of the bushes below and squirrels frolicking in the nearby trees brought a smile to my face. I was savoring every moment.

We did not have to rush out to rope drop. Em decided last night she wanted to go to the pool and save the park for later. No need to twist my arm!

However the solitude we expected to find at Boulder Ridge pool at 9:15 on a Monday morning was not meant to be! There was a toddler/preschooler invasion - there were 12 littles in my line of vision plus 8 school-age kids!

“This is not what I signed up for!” sighed educator Em.

“Perhaps most of them will leave when the other pool opens at ten,” I said encouragingly. The other pool has the slide and a kids splash playground.

The noise and chaos eventually dissipated. We learned that the majority of the littles belonged to an extended family gathering, who had brunch reservations at Chef Mickey’s. And a few of the families with the older kids went to the other pool.

Ahhh…..

Paradise at last!

We read, sunned and lounged in the water until afternoon. At some point we ate our homemade lunch.

During our time at the pool we watched three different sets of looky-loos enter the gate, stand in place for a moment, then turn around and leave.

IYKYK.

 

[Tuvalu]

A surprise awaited us when we entered our room. I could not get the scene in a single photo so I took two.

Sulley Pig was cradling the remote….

….and watching Bluey!

I Bluey!!! It’s a Tuva Tyke favorite. Blue seems to be a popular title in children’s shows. Blue’s Clues and Bear in the Big Blue House (a childhood favorite of Em) come quickly to mind.

While Em showered I sat outside. I noticed that the long-needed tarp replacement on Humphrey’s Playhouse (former pool bar, then salon) was finally happening!

This is how that tarp looked early this morning:

It would take a couple more days for the process to be completed.

After my shower we headed down to the dock for a boat ride.

But why did we go here?

 

[lindawdw]

I'm so glad the pool became paradise for you both!!! The big pool really should be the children pool! It's so adorable when mousekeeping decorates your room with your stuffed animal and does the towel designs! So, were you going to Steakhouse 71 for dinner?

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Sorry, can’t read this now - I’m watching TV.

TuV?

 

[Tuvalu]

Sorry, can’t read this now - I’m watching TV.

TuV?

View attachment 866290

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, con’t

So, were you going to Steakhouse 71 for dinner?

Not a bad guess, but nope.

We wanted a monorail ride….

….to the TTC and then to Epcot!

Em had a specific location in mind for dinner. But first we stopped in Creations to pick up our AP magnet(s).

Getting an AP magnet is like trying to get gold out of Fort Knox. The security is ridiculous.

But I suppose it’s necessary to avoid theft, black market sales and hoarding of this item of value. According to Disney, “The stunning, Passholder-exclusive Maleficent magnet is a keepsake, paying homage to the stone-hearted and powerfully villainous fairy from the Disney animated classic Sleeping Beauty.”

I feel kinda bad for sticking it to the bottom of my fridge amongst the plethora of AP magnets (that I like better.) Perhaps it belongs in a safety deposit box at the bank? After all, it is a stunning keepsake.

 

[Tuvalu]

Sam Eagle had invited us to a barbecue.

We felt less special when we saw how many others he’d invited. Tables were hard to come by and order fulfillment was S L O W. My eagle-eye spied a two-top next to a window.

We both had the brisket sandwich with seasoned fries. Sam knows his stuff!

There were a few other perks (in addition to the magnet) during the “V.I.Passholder Summer Days” promotion. One was a “rare”character meet in Germany, which we did not stop for on our way to dinner.

Is Dopey considered rare these days? He can be found every night at Artist Point at our resort. (Albeit behind a paywall. )

Another perk was a Passholder lounge in Morocco, located in the former Restaurant Marrakesh. According to Disney, Passholders could:

* Chill out in an air-conditioned area
* Enjoy complimentary snacks and water
* Charge mobile devices
* Pick up a complimentary Passholder button
* Capture the fun with special Disney PhotoPass offerings

Sound enticing? Well we were curious enough to check it out. There were five CMs guarding the entrance to the restaurant. Again, security was tight - we had to show our valid AP card and our government-issued photo ID. No riff-raff allowed here!

Once we passed inspection, the CM said, “You have four minutes.”

“Four minutes? That’s all?” Em whispered to me. But I quickly figured out why.

“The lounge must close at 7,” I replied. It was 6:56 pm.

The PhotoPass photographer was already gone. No “fun” offerings for us! (We don’t have PP anyway.)

Not sure she’s feeling the chill of the a/c.

The “snacks” were in two big cardboard boxes on a table, next to a construction-size Rubbermaid water dispenser. With small paper cups, of course.

I grabbed both snacks for a photo op only. They went promptly into the trash.

The only worthwhile benefit for us was the button, which Em attached to her bag strap.

She sported her exclusivity proudly!

 

[Tuvalu]

We continued our stroll around World Showcase, stopping in the United Kingdom to use the loo. (When in the U.K….)

We were surprised to see the now-overgrown Pooh and friends topiaries from F&G Festival still intact.

Our destination was The Land Pavilion. We thought about riding Soarin’ but the 30 minute wait put us off. We preferred to walk on The Farm Ride instead.

In my countless rides on this attraction, I never noticed the gator until today.

The other two prairie dogs were shy.

The goat looked angry (or possessed - can’t be sure!)

Can you spell Epcot? If you need a hint, look at the lettuce.