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]

Friday, con’t

We parted ways with Tony after disembarking the Peoplemover. Em and I had purchased LLSP for TRON and our time had come. It was our only “paid extra” on this vacation.

We requested the front which made our wait a little longer but oh so worth it! No ride photo appeared in MDE, but it would have had water marks anyway. IMO, a free ride photo should be included with paid LLSP. Ride photos are included with LLMP!

Tony texted that he left the park to check out of his resort. Em and I went in search of lunch.

While I picked up our mobile order, Em secured our table. The chicken parm subs were not great today, the bread was stale and crunchy (likely the result of sitting under food warmers for too long.)

Wait times were super low and if not for the stinkin’ heat and humidity (sorry to keep harping on this but y’all it was bad!) Em and I could have easily completed most attractions by evening. However we were not physically up for that challenge and opted to do just a few more things before heading out.

The first was an obvious choice since we were right there.

The missing skater was back after a long absence.

Does anybody know what time it is?

 

[Tuvalu]

Another venue with cool a/c beckoned.

I am always amazed by the number of people who don’t turn around in their chairs and miss this part of the finale.

Uh-oh!

Little Mermaid was a walk-on. No round room queueing today!

 

[Tuvalu]

We boarded the MPB in Fantasyland.

And disembarked at Main Street. Em was ready for an All American Sundae! She likes it best with all-chocolate ice cream. I thought a chocolate shake would be a delicious treat on a hot afternoon but after a few sips I felt bloated and regretted it.

We were on our way back to the Lodge at 2:15 pm.

 

[littleroo]

Sister, preach about the heat and humidity in June! It was crazy hot 2023. We really wanted to accomplish far more than we did. If the temps can just stay in the 80s, I can handle it.

I loved all of Tony's antics! That really would have made the world news if Tuvalu got kicked out of Magic Kingdom!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Sister, preach about the heat and humidity in June! It was crazy hot 2023. We really wanted to accomplish far more than we did. If the temps can just stay in the 80s, I can handle it.

I loved all of Tony's antics! That really would have made the world news if Tuvalu got kicked out of Magic Kingdom!

Oh, Tuvalu was in no danger. Just me!

Unlike Em’s log mate, who blindly followed us into the ladies room.

If ever a moment were lost on a man.

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, con’t

We opened our room door and saw that our room had yet to be serviced….again. This was one of the vacation “annoyances” I’d mentioned in my intro. If check in rooms aren’t ready until 3 pm, who’s getting the early room cleaning? Apparently not current guests!

Believe it or not, neither of us felt like going to the pool. The chill of our room a/c was more satisfying. Em napped while I relaxed, listening for the knock of a housekeeper.

The knock did not come until 4:15 pm! Em was awake by then and the two of us sat out on the balcony while the housekeeper tidied up. She was in and out in under 10 minutes, but her swiftness did not make up for the interruption of our afternoon. (The Do not disturb sign does not deter the knocking, even if a guest declines housekeeping. A housekeeper will still enter the room for a “safety check.”)

We then took our showers, grateful for clean towels. Afterwards we went down to the dock to await the blue launch. The dependable three-minutes-before-the-hour geyser was erupting.

The boat went to Ft. Wilderness first, even though no one got off or on. Gotta stick to the schedule!

Hope those clouds don’t pose a problem later!

We found ourselves back at the Contempo Cafe. Not for sweet treats, but for dinner. Em had a hankering for the hot turkey sandwich.

And the view while dining here will never not be cool!

I had a painful mishap as I was attempting to pull my chair closer to the table. My left pointer finger got crushed between the wood seat and a loose rung, resulting in extreme throbbing and an eventual blood blister. I iced my finger and took a pain reliever, as the injury did not require medical attention. But the incident took away my appetite and I just nibbled on some fries.

 

[Tuvalu]

In the meantime I was getting texts from two forum friends - one was already up at the California Grill, the other was on the way to the Contemporary for pre-CG dinner drinks at the Outer Rim Lounge.

The line to get into the Outer Rim was crazy long, snaking all the way back to the escalator. Em commented that the bar line was worse than the check in line for Chef Mickey’s (and if you have ever dined at Chef Mickey’s, you know what we’re talking about!) I texted both friends to warn them of the cray-cray.

Soon Em and I were once again surprised at the Contempo Cafe by @Tony the Tigger! He had finished his meal at Cali Grill and came to hang with us for a bit. It wasn’t too long after that we learned @riverside had successfully snagged a table at the Outer Rim. Tony and I walked over to say hello.

Em remained behind as her introvert self wasn’t up for socializing among 50+ people in the small Outer Rim space. (We learned that the excessive crowd were members of the Disney Day Drinkers Club and this was a scheduled meet.) Tony and I didn’t linger too long with Patti and her crew, as they had to check in for their Cali Grill reservation. It was great to see everyone, albeit briefly!

Tony went to the arcade for a massage (chair! ) and I reunited with Em. She wanted to say goodbye to Tony before she and I walked over to Magic Kingdom.

I already posted this sneaky pic of Tony in his TR, so I figured it was ok to post it here.

It was our turn to surprise him! We chatted until his massage time ran out and then accompanied him to the lobby, where he was catching a Lyft. Em and I continued on to the MK. Tonight was fireworks or bust!

 

[Tuvalu]

With a little over an hour before showtime, we decided to visit John and Sarah.

Then we took a leisurely twilight stroll from Tomorrowland to Frontierland, avoiding the masses who had gathered in the hub to await HEA. There’s something magical watching the lands transition from dusk to dark.

There was no need for us to stake our viewing spot early. We jammed instead.

 

[Tuvalu]

We got to our fave spot at 9:05 pm. The fireworks were scheduled for 9:20 pm.

Standing there was bittersweet for me, as I recalled all the years we watched fireworks there and more often than not had the place to ourselves. The location was a hidden gem and this would be our last time. More than a few tears had been shed here and more would be shed momentarily.

Well not quite momentarily. Em pointed out the neither of the usual announcements (at 10 minutes and 5 minutes prior to showtime) had been made and the background music was different. Earlier this week, HEA was delayed three nights due to weather - fireworks were at 9:40 while the park closed at 10. We could hear the soundtrack and the booms from our room.

We quickly checked the radar and all was clear. At start time, an announcement was made that HEA was delayed due to “weather in the area.” We rolled our eyes. And waited and waited.

Coincidentally (?) the 18 minute show began at 9:40….again. With the park closing at 10….again. Whatever “weather” had caused the delay must have dissipated quickly, because Tink flew. Tink does not fly when winds are high or lightning is in the vicinity.

But our frustration with the delay was gone the moment the soundtrack began. We stood in wonder as the beauty unfolded before us.

One final hug and we began the awful trek out of the park at closing time. Had HEA started on time, we would have had the chance to get ahead of the worst of it. Instead we lived the introvert’s nightmare.

The west Main Street bypass was not open so we chose to cut through the Emporium. I know its refurb is hated by many, but having a straight shot to the exit door by the firehouse was appreciated by us tonight!

We inched along through the train tunnel and although we would have preferred bus transport to the Lodge, there was no way we could head that way due to CMs funneling everyone the same direction.

Ferry was our only option.

Yeah that was the end of the line. It was a long wait and the ferry we got on was full, hot, and we had to stand.

In spite of it all, we were very grateful to have seen HEA the way we wanted to.

Because actual “weather” may have prevented us from doing so.

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, June 14

Today was our last day.

How would we spend it?

Resort pool or Magic Kingdom?

(Sorry @Zipadeelady, but you knew Animal Kingdom wasn’t a contender.)

Arty Pool!

Gonna be honest here - I was a bit miffed to find that our favorite spot had already been claimed at 9 am.

Look again at the first picture. There’s not a soul in the water. No one in the hot tub. And the biggest telltale sign that a rude someone was saving these umbrella loungers for their convenience later? No footwear! Anyone in the vicinity would have arrived wearing flip flops, sandals, Crocs - anything to prevent their feet from being burned on hot Florida concrete.

Since loungers under an umbrella wasn’t an option (the other two in the pool area were already in use), we did the next best thing - chose loungers protected by the shade from the giant boulder.

The inconsiderate family finally arrived over two hours later. By that time the shade from the boulder was gone, replaced by full-on sun. Fortunately for us, a couple under an umbrella across the pool had left and we were able to move. (Thus no longer any temptation to confront the offenders.)

Em offered to pick up our mobile order from Roaring Fork. She waited 25 minutes for it! There was only one cook, a slow-as-molasses food bagger, and the small area was mobbed with people toting luggage (either checking in or checking out.) A cast member took notice of how long Em had been waiting and offered her a free pastry from the bakery case. (The muffin became her breakfast on the drive home.)

I can’t remember what we had for lunch, but I do remember making an ADR for dinner.

 

[Tuvalu]

Em and I spent the majority of the day at the pool. (Long enough that our room had been serviced! )

We headed for the boat dock around 5 pm. There were a lot of guests waiting to board, which typically means a boat hasn’t been by for awhile.

We arrived to see ripples in the water, indicating an incoming vessel.

It was the small launch, with clearly an inexperienced skipper. It took not one, not two, but FIVE attempts to dock the boat, pulling in and pushing away with each try. It was both amusing and frustrating to watch.

Eventually the skipper from the blue launch on the other side of the dock walked over to assist. She did not take kindly to his words, instead blaming the boat.

I believe there was clapping when the boat was secured and those aboard were able to disembark at last. Em and I were one of the last ones to board and got a seat near the back (standing is not allowed on the small launches.)

Then things got even weirder.

Skipper R took on the stern demeanor of a military captain. “There is ONE instruction you MUST obey. DON’T stand up or I will have to turn around and give you a scolding. Does everyone understand the rule?”

She was dead serious - there was no body language indicating she was joking with us. When we all replied “yes,”she loosened the anchor ropes and backed away from the dock. We were finally on our way to the MK.

The boat was approaching the water bridge when Skipper R said, “Looks like we’ll be getting some rain.” Sure enough, it was POURING on the Seven Seas Lagoon just ahead of us. The wind was blowing and in mere moments the sideways rain was making all passengers wet! Some people quickly pulled out their ponchos to use as shields. We had umbrellas, but were unwilling to face the wrath of Skipper R!

Em took the brunt of the rain.

A lady on the bench behind us was also getting the brunt of the rain and she kept wiggling around in an attempt to avoid it. Her husband told her to move to the other bench by him.

“I can’t stand up because I don’t want to get scolded!” she replied with laughter.

“I don’t blame you!” Em said to her, also laughing.

A few other funny comments were made, thankfully unheard by Nazi Skipper.

The rain had stopped by the time we reached the MK and there was no indication it had rained there at all. Our umbrellas went unused on the boat and unused in the park.

 

[MissingDisney]

Oh gosh. We had her in May. She was miserable then too! It took at least 4 times for her to line up at MK. She was fussing back and forth with other skippers on the dock who were giving instructions to help. She blamed the vessel then as well.

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, con’t

Oh we’re not done with the weird yet.

Doggy remained on top of the man’s ballcap and shoulders all the way down Main Street. Then we lost sight of them.

When I asked our resident dog trainer @wdisney9000 what kind of service dog this is, he replied: Definitely a protection K9. That’s actually pretty impressive IMO. If the dog can do that, it deserves to enjoy a MK day!

 

[Tuvalu]

Oh gosh. We had her in May. She was miserable then too! It took at least 4 times for her to line up at MK. She was fussing back and forth with other skippers on the dock who were giving instructions to help. She blamed the vessel then as well.

I wanted to react with all the emojis - like, love, laugh and wow!

I chose wow because I can’t believe she hadn’t improved in the six weeks since you had her. But for all we know, she could be piloting boats for the last six years!

 

[MissingDisney]

Everyone was whispering “oh she must be new-poor gal-she’s so stressed and nervous ….” and chose kindness but now I’m thinking she’s just bad at the task and could definitely stand to be a bit nicer.

 

[luvinthemajik]

Saturday, con’t

Oh we’re not done with the weird yet.

View attachment 869001

Doggy remained on top of the man’s ballcap and shoulders all the way down Main Street. Then we lost sight of them.

When I asked our resident dog trainer @wdisney9000 what kind of service dog this is, he replied: Definitely a protection K9. That’s actually pretty impressive IMO. If the dog can do that, it deserves to enjoy a MK day!

I hope he was being facetious, I must ask
I guess common courtesy or common sense are not so common anymore... people....s.m.h.

 

[MinnieM123]

Look again at the first picture. There’s not a soul in the water. No one in the hot tub. And the biggest telltale sign that a rude someone was saving these umbrella loungers for their convenience later? No footwear! Anyone in the vicinity would have arrived wearing flip flops, sandals, Crocs - anything to prevent their feet from being burned on hot Florida concrete.

That's frustrating. (Too bad there isn't some sort of posted pool rule, that if the loungers aren't being used within an hour's time, then the pool attendant may move those articles aside -- to allow other guests to use the loungers.) Even if removal doesn't actually happen, just posting something in the rules "might" alert others to be more considerate.

 

[littleroo]

My favorite sign I ever saw at a pool!! Disney needs to enforce this!

 

[Tuvalu]

I hope he was being facetious, I must ask

The text began with Lmaooo!

 

[Tuvalu]

That's frustrating. (Too bad there isn't some sort of posted pool rule, that if the loungers aren't being used within an hour's time, then the pool attendant may move those articles aside -- to allow other guests to use the loungers.) Even if removal doesn't actually happen, just posting something in the rules "might" alert others to be more considerate.

View attachment 869047
My favorite sign I ever saw at a pool!! Disney needs to enforce this!

% agree with you both. However Boulder Ridge is the “quiet pool” which means no lifeguards and no pool attendants.

A server from the bar walks in and out of the pool area between 11 am and 5 pm taking orders but is not an enforcer of the posted rules.