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]

Wednesday, con’t

I’d read somewhere that Wilderness Lodge was one of a few designated resorts with special Cool Kid Summer activities and this sign was prominently displayed in the lobby when Em and I returned from DHS.

I’m sure the pajama party on the lawn last night didn’t happen! ️

We quickly changed into swimwear and went down to the pool. Nothing but blue sky and a few puffy clouds!

The water beckoned us right in. We floated around for several minutes and then felt a few raindrops coming from the mostly-clear sky. Everyone around us had the same perplexed expression - where’s the rain coming from?

Suddenly those drops became steady. A quick glance at the sky revealed a gray cloud which we all assumed had produced a simple cloudburst due to the humidity. There was no lightning or thunder and no lifeguards came to close the pool.

And then it happened.

The downpour to end all downpours. Em and I had already begun making our way to the shallow end when the steady droplets began, planning to grab our towels off the loungers and seek shelter until the rain stopped. There was no time to grab our towels and no place to seek shelter except the overhang of the restroom building.

Strong winds had begun to blow and it was raining sideways. We were laughing hysterically at the irony of our being wet from a dip in the pool, now trying to avoid rain. But we were getting pelted and it hurt!

To illustrate the scene, I took these pictures on another day. The first is the loungers upon which we had placed all our stuff. They were not covered by an umbrella and were open to the elements.

The next picture shows the small overhang where Em and I huddled together attempting to avoid the monsoon. We avoided going into the restroom because we knew the air conditioning would be freezing.

It quickly occurred to me that our electronic devices might be getting soaked, and Em offered to run to the chairs to grab our pool bag. Meanwhile I noticed I could grab a couple dry towels from a nearby bin. We reunited under the overhang and made the executive decision to brave the restroom.

More laughter at the irony of going from sweating to death to freezing to death in under an hour!

Every couple minutes we opened the restroom door to see if the rain had stopped or at least slowed in intensity. Finally, soaked to the skin with goosebumps, we could take it no longer. We dashed out the door, out the back pool gate, and hustled to the covered walkway which leads to the WL lobby.

It was a cold trek to our room. An hour after we’d arrived at the pool, I stood outside on the balcony to stay warm while Em showered.

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

The Boulder Ridge pool sounds like the perfect afternoon to me with that incredible heat you were experiencing!

Well it sure would have been without that pesky rain thing!

I suggested to Em that we return the park rather than hang out in our unserviced room. (That’s right, it was 4 pm and housekeeping had yet to come by .) “We can take our umbrellas to stay dry,” I told her.

We didn’t need them. From the moment we stepped off the bus at DHS to the moment we arrived back at WL, not a drop fell from the sky.

We planned to eat an early linner (lupper?) since the sustenance from our buffet breakfast was wearing off. But first Em wanted to check out availability of the Single Rider line for Rise of the Resistance. Passing by the closed Muppets area made us both a little sad, despite being Monsters Inc. fans.

We were good to go in the Single Rider line!

Waiting backstage to enter the Stormtrooper room.

When it was our turn, we were rushed through very quickly.

We knew from experience we’d be separated at the interrogation area and likely would not get to ride in the same transport vehicle. But a mere 10 minute wait was worth skipping the 55 minute standby line and missing the preshows!

As it turned out, we did end up in the same interrogation cell but in different transport vehicles. I kept my camera ready to try and capture Em on the ride. She was in front far-left and I was in front far-right.

Her head is just behind the R5 unit droid (below).

The large probe droid was operational today. (It doesn’t always work.)

It was fun to watch Em’s vehicle race through the course. I’m typically so invested in my own ride experience that I don’t notice other transport vehicles. I wish this pic wasn’t so blurry but you get the gist!

It was disappointing that Kylo Ren was in B-mode (on a screen, no audio-animatronic). But at least we hadn’t paid for a LL (or waited an hour) to ride!

 

[Tuvalu]

Time to eat!

Our table with a clandestine view (much like Columbia Harbor House .)

The chicken club sandwich is our go-to and we each ordered one. No complaints about this meal!

Afterwards we opted for a second visit to MMRR. (It wasn’t the same without you, @riverside!)

And no, we hadn’t been drinking!

Since the closure date for RnRC is still unknown, I asked Em if she wanted to see it in its current form before the Muppets transformation. The standby wait time was manageable and she agreed.

I kept her company until load zone when I snuck out the exit.

She had fun without me.

We browsed the stores before heading out. The dark clouds you may have noticed in pictures above were increasing and we didn’t feel like getting caught in a storm. And boy, did it storm once we were back in our room! We had considered going to MK to watch HEA but changed our minds once that happened!

 

[lindawdw]

Bummer that your pool time was ruined by the heavy rainstorm!  I didn't realize there was a single rider line for Rise, but I'll definitely be using it if the wait times are long when we go in October! We haven't dined at the ABC Commissary in a long time so we're going to have to give it a try on our next trip for sure! So glad you got back to your room before the next rainstorm arrived! 

 

[Loco_driver]

It looks like we just missed you at DHS that evening(where we were also taking advantage of the AP discount at Hollywood and Vine). I was taking a glorious nap during that downpour!

 

[Tiggerish]

FTFY.

A Google search just revealed this fun fact: A character in the 1991 film The Rocketeer, Ambrose “Peevy”Peabody is a mechanic who discovers a rocket pack and helps Cliff Secord become The Rocketeer.

Raise your hand if you’ve seen the movie.

Anyone?

Anyone?

It is my sweetie's most favorite and I've therefore seen it dozens of times.

As a result, I did know the stand was called Peevy's , and often stop there for a frozen treat.

It's a pretty good movie.

 

[Tiggerish]

Time to eat!

View attachment 867466

Our table with a clandestine view (much like Columbia Harbor House .)

View attachment 867467

The chicken club sandwich is our go-to and we each ordered one. No complaints about this meal!

View attachment 867468

Afterwards we opted for a second visit to MMRR. (It wasn’t the same without you, @riverside!)

View attachment 867469

And no, we hadn’t been drinking!

View attachment 867470

Since the closure date for RnRC is still unknown, I asked Em if she wanted to see it in its current form before the Muppets transformation. The standby wait time was manageable and she agreed.

View attachment 867471

View attachment 867472

View attachment 867473

I kept her company until load zone when I snuck out the exit.

She had fun without me.

View attachment 867474

We browsed the stores before heading out. The dark clouds you may have noticed in pictures above were increasing and we didn’t feel like getting caught in a storm. And boy, did it storm once we were back in our room! We had considered going to MK to watch HEA but changed our minds once that happened!

Wow, if that guy in the light blue shirt was blond, he'd be Sean Penn circa Ridgemont High.

 

[Tuvalu]

I was taking a glorious nap during that downpour!

It is my sweetie's most favorite and I've therefore seen it dozens of times.

As a result, I did know the stand was called Peevy's , and often stop there for a frozen treat.

It's a pretty good movie.

 

[Tuvalu]

Thursday, June 12

Though we’d had Mickey waffles at the buffet yesterday, the buffet was missing a key ingredient that Em and I enjoy on waffles.

I have a travel size jar which I bring on our trips for when the craving hits.

Which happened to be this morning. I mobile ordered two kids meals and went to pick them up. I noticed the windows in the hall had been “frosted” to obscure the view outside. Work on the exterior of the Lodge included gutter cleaning, and there was scaffolding and equipment positioned next to those windows. Gotta give Disney credit for going the extra mile to keep refurbishment disruption to a minimum.

My wait was longer than I anticipated, but the waffles were hot and fresh upon unboxing them in our room.

‘Twas a yummy start to our day!

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Thursday, June 12

Though we’d had Mickey waffles at the buffet yesterday, the buffet was missing a key ingredient that Em and I enjoy on waffles.

View attachment 867687
I have a travel size jar which I bring on our trips for when the craving hits.

Which happened to be this morning. I mobile ordered two kids meals and went to pick them up. I noticed the windows in the hall had been “frosted” to obscure the view outside. Work on the exterior of the Lodge included gutter cleaning, and there was scaffolding and equipment positioned next to those windows. Gotta give Disney credit for going the extra mile to keep refurbishment disruption to a minimum.

View attachment 867684

View attachment 867685

My wait was longer than I anticipated, but the waffles were hot and fresh upon unboxing them in our room.

View attachment 867686

A yummy start to our day!

Mmm! Yummy - Nutella on waffles or pancakes is a favourite of mine at home in the UK too!

 

[radiorae]

Thursday, June 12

Though we’d had Mickey waffles at the buffet yesterday, the buffet was missing a key ingredient that Em and I enjoy on waffles.

View attachment 867687
I have a travel size jar which I bring on our trips for when the craving hits.

Which happened to be this morning. I mobile ordered two kids meals and went to pick them up. I noticed the windows in the hall had been “frosted” to obscure the view outside. Work on the exterior of the Lodge included gutter cleaning, and there was scaffolding and equipment positioned next to those windows. Gotta give Disney credit for going the extra mile to keep refurbishment disruption to a minimum.

View attachment 867684

View attachment 867685

My wait was longer than I anticipated, but the waffles were hot and fresh upon unboxing them in our room.

View attachment 867686

‘Twas a yummy start to our day!

That’s such a great idea! I might need to find some mini Nutella for my next trip.

 

[Swissmiss]

That’s such a great idea! I might need to find some mini Nutella for my next trip.

Don’t know if they sell the little packets in the States but it is something you find over here (similar to a cream pod). Easier for travel if space is an issue.

 

[Songbird76]

Don’t know if they sell the little packets in the States but it is something you find over here (similar to a cream pod). Easier for travel if space is an issue.

Yeah, they have that here, too, like the little jelly packets you get in a diner in the US for your toast or whatever. I've gotten them for my son when they had special days at school where they serve breakfast, because they usually only have cheese or coldcuts, not sweet spreads like jam or nutella.

 

[Tuvalu]

Thursday, con’t

After breakfast we got ourselves ready to hang by the pool. Originally this was our first planned resort day but Em decided on arrival day she couldn’t wait that long.

The area was a peaceful oasis when we arrived, the opposite of Kid Chaos Monday!

The calm lasted for about an hour. Then two families of young cousins arrived along with a very LOUD mom. She was yelling, she was scolding, she was complaining - even regular conversation was decibels louder than need be.

You remember how easily sound travels across water?

Though hard to ignore, Em and I dealt with the voice by taking frequent dips on the opposite side of the pool. Thankfully she and her kids did not spend the entire afternoon at Boulder Ridge. Overall the pool was much less busy than earlier in the week.

For lunch we shared an amazing smoked turkey sandwich and homemade chips, along with the fruit that came with our Mickey waffles.

 

[Tuvalu]

This is a great trip report! I have a feeling by Thursday or Friday it will become even more epic. (Or…go right into the toilet.)

Thursday, con’t

Well we’ve reached the part of the trip report that will either be epic or flush-worthy, according to my friend @Tony the Tigger.

I promise to do my best to keep things entertaining!

This afternoon Em and I were spared the monsoon we’d suffered through yesterday. We were back in our room when the sun shower to end all sun showers popped up out of nowhere.

And I was able to document it while remaining perfectly dry.

Once again there was no thunder nor lightning to close the pools. Just steady rain as the sun blazed in all its glory. Rain lasted for nearly an hour!

We had plans to meet @Tony the Tigger for dinner but had some time to kill first. Since the rain was over we opted to take a ride on the blue launch to the Contemporary. The bakery in the Contempo Cafe is the only place that has Em’s favorite peanut butter chocolate chip cookie and my favorite double chocolate muffin. We had enough time to purchase our treats and return to the Lodge to drop them in our room before heading to dinner.

We never expected to get caught in our gluttony. As Em was holding two cookies and I was trying to balance four muffins in plastic containers (we were buying extra to enjoy later) we were surprised by our soon-to-be dinner companion.

His side of the story:

What the heck? A chocolate chip cookie inside a warm croissant? A croissookie? I like my name better than theirs. Intrigued, I placed my order. As I stood there waiting for it, I thought I recognized the back of someone’s head…

It was @Tuvalu ! And @TrolleyFollower91 was with her! (Well, duh.) What a coincidence - they were the people with whom I was going to dinner. Knowing that, we didn’t linger. They were taking their own sweet treats back to their room - but not before taking pot shots at my lovely Frankendessert! I still had high hopes! We said goodbye for now, and I sat down to enjoy this scrumptious treat. (I’ll show them!)

(Em and I were glad we weren’t the only ones embarrassed by our indulgences!)

Despite our complicated transportation - blue launch to WL, DHS bus to Contemporary (WL shares bus), monorail from CR to GF - we managed to arrive early for dinner, beating Tony (who had spent too much time in the massage chair at the CR arcade!)

GF lobby bar construction progress:

And the latecomer.

I was taking a huge risk dining at the Grand Floridian Cafe after last month’s debacle. How would our experience be tonight?

 

[RememberWhen]

TonyEm&Tuvalu together!! Perfect!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

we were buying extra to enjoy later

I did not even notice you had so many!

Might as well enjoy and save yourself another trip.

 

[lindawdw]

I'm so happy that you got such a nice pool day to enjoy before the sun shower arrived! We actually go to the Contempo Cafe for some of their fabulous desserts also! Can't wait to hear about your dinner with Tony which I hope was a better overall experience than your last time dining there!

 

[Tuvalu]

Thursday, con’t

Things started off on a high note as we were escorted to a table in the beautiful room in the back of the restaurant. No sitting in the lobby for me tonight!

The adjacent windows did not overlook 5,000 parked strollers either - another win!

Our well-aged server was not aloof or inattentive. However she was a little too attentive, in that she returned to our table less than 30 seconds after dropping off the menus. When we said we needed a little more time, she was back again within a minute.

Drinks were ordered first, a subtle hint that we weren’t in a rush to get food. Em chose a glass of red wine and Tony asked for a citrus old fashioned. As the designated driver sober person, I stuck with water.

Our server returned with our drinks and then left. The three of us were talking about something when she stealthily reappeared with what looked like a perfume atomizer** and quickly spritzed something into Tony’s citrus old fashioned.

She was gone before we realized what had just happened - did she really do what we think she did?

**Pic for those of you not members of AARP


Well it clearly wasn’t poison because AFAIK Tony is still alive and kicking. None of us were brave enough to inquire about the contents of the spritz!

I was very happy with my entrée. I simply ordered what Woody did last month (that had me drooling.)

Slow-braised pork shank with creamy polenta

Em’s strip steak with garlic fingerlings and asparagus

Tony’s vegetable curry with chicken

We topped off our excellent meal(s) with a shared slice of chocolate cake layered with cookies and cream cheesecake. It was as good as it sounds!

My GFC experience of last month was REDEEMED! A celebratory picture on our way out.

Em and I debated whether to head over to MK to watch HEA. There was still a chance of rain. We gave Tony directions to Wailulu Bar at the Poly Tower and said our goodbyes.

 

[littleroo]

All the food looked incredible especially the shank! I am glad you all had a great time together. I am still very curious about the spritz???