Trip Report The Holiday Humdinger *COMPLETED*

I can't believe the Summer of @Tuvalu is over! Is there going to be a holiday humdinger trip report?!!

I couldn’t disappoint a very expectant mama-to-be, now could I? Especially one who was kind enough to provide the title for this trip report!

So here you go, @krisri18......and anyone else who’d like to follow along on yet another Tuvalu WDW adventure, HOLIDAY STYLE.

I plan on posting live updates and will write an expanded report (“Part Tu” @Tony the Tigger ) once I return home. After all, what else will I have to do in December?

Who: Tuvalu and Woody

When: November 27 - December 3, 2018
Where: I shouldn’t even have to tell you. My go-to.

So be on the lookout for us, @DisneyShe, @slipperalwaysfits @mcstensrud. We’ve packed our sweaters and jeans for the chilly weekdays (highs only near 60, lows in the 40s ~ WTH??) and our shorts and tees for the unseasonably warm weekend (highs in the 80s). Yeah, that 30 degree temperature swing isn’t going to help the colds Woody and I are starting with.....

But we’re going to DISNEY WORLD!!!!

 

[krisri18]

Sunday, December 2

Whoo Hoo! I actually slept until 6am this morning. As usual I did a little reading and got myself ready before Woody and Em woke up. I took their breakfast order (waffles) and set out for Roaring Fork.

When I opened our door I noticed we did not a Tragical Express eviction notice. Now I’d have to stop at the Front Desk before picking up breakfast.

I saw this unusual sight in the hall.

View attachment 340956

Now I understand you may not want to disturb your sleeping family, but there are only dozens of comfy places to read in the Lodge that don’t require sitting on the floor. I don’t know how long she had been there, but she was there when I returned with breakfast and still there when we left to go to the parks.

There were a couple of people ahead of me at the Front Desk so I had to wait several minutes.

When I explained we hadn’t received our DME departure letter the CM turned to his computer. “There seems to be a problem with your reservation,” he said.

“What’s the problem?” I asked.

“I’m not sure,” he answered. After a bunch of keystrokes, he picked up the phone and called Mears. It was a lengthy call with code talk I did not understand. Eventually the CM hung up and said, “I’ll just print your letter.”

Um....okay. I’m still uncertain why there was even an issue. I’d booked DME months ago, and Em was listed on the return flight (though she did not use DME from the airport to WL.)

Letter in hand, I continued to Roaring Fork where I placed three waffle orders sans various toppings. After we finished, Em went into the bathroom which provided me the perfect opportunity to put a surprise on her bed.

View attachment 340955

Inside was a pair of holiday llama Toms which Em was thrilled to receive.

View attachment 340962

We gathered our things and headed out to the bus stop.

View attachment 340957
This is the third year in a row Em’s gotten to wear this shirt!


View attachment 340959
Lots of people going to the Studios today!

Loving those llamas!

 

[Tuvalu]

As we made the 10 mile walk from the bus stop to the front entrance we saw a family pulling wagons.

Any child-holding vehicle that is “pulled” rather than “pushed” is supposed to be prohibited in Disney parks. It really irks me that Keenz designed their wagon (which is actually a lot larger than the ones pictured above) to be “pushed”, thus creating a loophole which allows their monstrosity into the parks. Anyway, we were all curious what would happen when this family tried to enter DHS.

But first, Woody would have scan his finger a second time before he could be admitted.

The wagon family made it through security (how?) and the tapstiles (again, how?) before they were detained by a Cast Member.

A “suit” arrived shortly and we watched the dad turn around with both wagons and move towards the exit.
However it wouldn’t surprise me if the family was somehow “compensated” for their mistake.

Where did we go first?

We had a FP for Slinky Dog later on, but we also wanted to ride Alien Swirling Saucers. The standby wait was posted at 30 minutes when we entered the queue.

We inched our way along. A chirpy CM announced over the PA: “Welcome to Alien Swirling Saucers! Each saucer fits 2, or 3 if you are traveling with preschool toys.”

Soon the line stopped moving forward. There was another chirpy announcement: “Some of our saucers have stopped swirling and your wait time may be increased. We apologize for this minor technical difficulty.”

We shrugged and continued to wait. But when a supervisor and maintenance arrived, we began to suspect there might be a significant issue at hand.

When we eventually got close enough to see into the attraction, one side was completely down.

The standby line was at a standstill and we were trapped in it. More maintenance workers arrived.

Every five minutes the same chirpy announcement played: “Some of our saucers have stopped swirling and your wait time may be increased. We apologize for this minor technical difficulty.”

After about the fourth time Woody blurted, “I’m sorry, but if 50 percent of your attraction isn’t working, I’d consider that more than a MINOR problem!”

We waited a long, boring 75 minutes until it was our turn. It was the longest we’d waited for an attraction in many years. (Woody’s record is 2 1/2 hours for Rocket Rods in Disneyland with our boys. It broke down several times during their wait. Mine is 2 hours for the same ride, same trip....the boys loved it that much!)

Woody snapping a pic of his gals.

Though the two minute payoff wasn’t worth a 75 minute wait, we still laughed in delight as we went ‘round and ‘round.

We exited just as the second side began operating again.

 

[Tuvalu]

Em wanted to photograph the Christmas stuff before leaving Toy Story Land.

This cracked us up.

Em: “I want these!”

Woody: “Let me take your picture instead.”

Reindeer Rex!

Em is certain she made a macaroni ornament in elementary school. (Who hasn’t? )

 

[Tuvalu]

The delay at Swirling Saucers caused us to be dangerously close to the end of our FP time for Rock ‘N Rollercoaster. We tapped in expecting a short wait but got this instead.

So frustrating!

In reality the fastpass was more of a mediumpass. At last we’d made it into the alley.

I wish I could ride this coaster, the take-off is fabulous!

But RnR is a one-and-done for me. Now I take the chicken exit.

This dog crate was right inside the door.

The door of the exit (not to be confused with the exit door! ) dumps all chickens where riders disembark the limo.

Think they had fun?

Well, three of them did. The little boy looks petrified!

 

[93boomer]

As we made the 10 mile walk from the bus stop to the front entrance we saw a family pulling wagons.

View attachment 340964

Any child-holding vehicle that is “pulled” rather than “pushed” is supposed to be prohibited in Disney parks. It really irks me that Keenz designed their wagon (which is actually a lot larger than the ones pictured above) to be “pushed”, thus creating a loophole which allows their monstrosity into the parks. Anyway, we were all curious what would happen when this family tried to enter DHS.

But first, Woody would have scan his finger a second time before he could be admitted.

View attachment 340965

The wagon family made it through security (how?) and the tapstiles (again, how?) before they were detained by a Cast Member.
View attachment 340966

A “suit” arrived shortly and we watched the dad turn around with both wagons and move towards the exit.
However it wouldn’t surprise me if the family was somehow “compensated” for their mistake.

Where did we go first?

View attachment 340973

We had a FP for Slinky Dog later on, but we also wanted to ride Alien Swirling Saucers. The standby wait was posted at 30 minutes when we entered the queue.

View attachment 340967

We inched our way along. A chirpy CM announced over the PA: “Welcome to Alien Swirling Saucers! Each saucer fits 2, or 3 if you are traveling with preschool toys.”

Soon the line stopped moving forward. There was another chirpy announcement: “Some of our saucers have stopped swirling and your wait time may be increased. We apologize for this minor technical difficulty.”

We shrugged and continued to wait. But when a supervisor and maintenance arrived, we began to suspect there might be a significant issue at hand.

View attachment 340968

When we eventually got close enough to see into the attraction, one side was completely down.

View attachment 340969

The standby line was at a standstill and we were trapped in it. More maintenance workers arrived.

View attachment 340970

Every five minutes the same chirpy announcement played: “Some of our saucers have stopped swirling and your wait time may be increased. We apologize for this minor technical difficulty.”

After about the fourth time Woody blurted, “I’m sorry, but if 50 percent of your attraction isn’t working, I’d consider that more than a MINOR problem!”

We waited a long, boring 75 minutes until it was our turn. It was the longest we’d waited for an attraction in many years. (Woody’s record is 2 1/2 hours for Rocket Rods in Disneyland with our boys. It broke down several times during their wait. Mine is 2 hours for the same ride, same trip....the boys loved it that much!)

Woody snapping a pic of his gals.
View attachment 340971

View attachment 340972

Though the two minute payoff wasn’t worth a 75 minute wait, we still laughed in delight as we went ‘round and ‘round.

We exited just as the second side began operating again.

Woody’s reaction just made me laugh!!

 

[SMJS]

The delay at Swirling Saucers caused us to be dangerously close to the end of our FP time for Rock ‘N Rollercoaster. We tapped in expecting a short wait but got this instead.

View attachment 340988
So frustrating!

In reality the fastpass was more of a mediumpass. At last we’d made it into the alley.

View attachment 340990

I wish I could ride this coaster, the take-off is fabulous!

View attachment 340989

But RnR is a one-and-done for me. Now I take the chicken exit.

This dog crate was right inside the door.
View attachment 340991

The door of the exit (not to be confused with the exit door! ) dumps all chickens where riders disembark the limo.

View attachment 340992

Think they had fun?
View attachment 340993
Well, three of them did. The little boy looks petrified!

Poor kid in the back of Woody. Looks like my face when my mum took my ten year old self on Alien Encounter.

 

[Tuvalu]

Next we went to check in at a glitzy Hollywood Hotel.

Upon entering the lobby Woody remarked, “This place really needs to be dusted!”

You always see pictures of the front of this desk.

But now I present to you....

....the backside of desk!!!

Due to my head cold, I rode in a different elevator. There were no terrifying drops. I cannot say for certain if Woody and Em experienced any terrifying drops, as there was no photographic evidence.

 

[Rista1313]

Upon entering the lobby Woody remarked, “This place really needs to be dusted!”

Is he like my DH, and says it EVERY time?

 

[joshsprincess921]

No words for Elliot's mother...you handled it well.

 

[Tuvalu]

Stomach-dropping attractions completed (well, for Woody and Em) it was time for lunch!

How DARE you tease us!!

I think I heard Em silently screaming, “WHY?! WHY?! WHY?!” as we walked past.

Thankfully her favorite Italian sit-down restaurant was just around the corner.

After a brief wait we were seated.

Those lights aren’t just for the holidays....they are up all year ‘round!

 

[Tuvalu]

Our server noticed Em’s shirt right away and asked why she wasn’t wearing a Birthday pin.

“I didn’t get one,” said Em.

When Em ordered her Mama’s Margarita, our server took note of Em’s name on her DL. When she brought us our bread, she handed Em the Birthday pin she’d personalized for her.

The rolls at Mama Melrose’s are so yummy....soft, warm and chewy. Dipped in seasoned olive oil makes them even better!

I always like to take pictures of menus so I can compare from year to year (or in some cases, month to month!)

Birthday Girl feasted on Wood-Grilled Chicken and Penne Pasta. As always, a generous portion.

Carnivore Woody selected Veggie Polenta (Polenta Cake, Mushroom and Herb Cauliflower.) It was delicious!

After sampling both Woody and Em’s entreés, I had a little buyer’s remorse over my Margherita Flatbread.

I enjoyed it, though it had too much fresh basil for my taste and the tomatoes lacked flavor.

When we’d finished, our server surprised Em yet again with a Birthday cupcake.

And yes, we sang to her!

It was a special “meatball” cupcake!

It must have been a great-tasting cupcake because Em ate it all!

Birthday lunch was a success.....and she didn’t even miss PizzeRizzo. (Okay, maybe not this trip ~ but she will the next!)

 

[Tuvalu]

Is he like my DH, and says it EVERY time?

Actually this was the first time he ever said it.

My condolences to you.

 

[Tuvalu]

We strolled through the park so that Em could view/photograph the holiday decorations.

And....
This would be my “artsy” contribution.

(Don’t ask me how...)

We were detained by some serious soldiers.

 

[Tuvalu]

We returned to Toy Story Land.

Watch out for flying crayons!!

It’s Slinky Dog Fastpass time, baby!

Warning: You might need to don your sunglasses for this next pic.

This would be Woody’s inaugural Slinky Dog Dash ride.

Did he like it?

Let’s go to the replay.....

I’m fairly certain Woody doesn’t have a neck beard....

Let’s try that again.

His verdict: “Very fun!”

 

[amjt660]

Your artsy shot is straight out of a Batman episode

Just need to add the

Max

 

[Tuvalu]

Your artsy shot is straight out of a Batman episode

Just need to add the
View attachment 341277

Max

I always got dizzy watching that show....

 

[Tony the Tigger]

too much fresh basil

There is no such thing for me. I’ll eat the plant.

It was a special “meatball” cupcake!

Fantastic!

 

[TrolleyFollower91]

It must have been a great-tasting cupcake because Em ate it all!

It might be my birthday every trip to Mama’s...that cupcake was fantastic!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con’t

We needed to get away from the crowds for awhile. Em suggested visiting Beach Club to see the chocolate carousel. On our way out of the park I made her pose in front of the Minnie Rockettes window display.

At this moment a fellow forum friend named Sarah recognized us and came over to say hello. She was super sweet and I am glad to have met her! (Too bad I didn’t have my Tuvalu cards yet )

A lot of other folks also wanted to escape the crowds.

This was the end of the line. Two boats filled and departed before it was our turn.

At last!

We ended up on the first bench seat inside. The boat filled to capacity and was standing room only. I watched a woman board the boat barefoot. She must have been walking around barefoot for awhile as the bottoms of her feet were filthy. As soon as our skipper boarded the boat he noticed Barefoot Lady. She was quite “put out” when he asked her to put on her shoes.

I suppose technically this qualifies?

We disembarked at the second stop.

 

[Tuvalu]

“Let’s check out Yacht Club first,” said Birthday Girl.

It’s her day.

Resort-themed Christmas trees are the BEST!

A boat and a ship! (Forum members who have been debating the difference can decide which is which. )

Yacht Club had a fabulous model train set.

Check out the Adirondack chairs!

It’s Frozen!