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.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I'm sorry you weren't feeling well. It stinks to be sick anytime but it is worse while on vacation.

 

[Minnie1986]

I re-read the books every summer. Can't stand the movies.

The books are EXPONENTIALLY better, I will admit. You've now inspired me to do a re-read!

 

[Tuvalu]

Based on your medical state I doubt it was - but - this cold drink should have included alcohol after the sights you saw on that day!!

It did not. In fact that glass of wine I consumed in the Old Faithful Club on our first night was the last time I have had any alcohol due to ongoing health issues.

And just my two cents - it seems like quite a few issues at wilderness lodge over the last few visits
Disney deluxe is not always deluxe - you should not have to complain to get the bare minimum for the cost per night
Hopefully this is a WL only issue - my last Disney stay was at the grand Californian in DLR - and it met my expectations for a deluxe hotel.

In spite of the unfortunate WL issues we’ve had….

When you love something you’ll put up with a few inconveniences. I have stories of poor experiences at other WDW deluxe resorts that trump those at WL.

I completely agree with you about the Grand Californian. (It didn’t have bedbugs like Paradise (now Pixar) Pier!)

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, November 21

After falling asleep sometime between 8-8:30 pm last night I was glad to be able to sleep until 6 am. However I did have multiple coughing spells that woke me throughout the night.

I enjoyed my last sunrise from the balcony. This was a slow-moving morning and we did not leave the room to go to breakfast until after 8 am. (You know something must be wrong with Tu if she willingly misses early entry at MK on the last day of vacay!)

On our way to the Old Faithful Club we saw a woman with “bed head” wearing flannel Hello Kitty Christmas pajamas getting her breakfast. (Another questionable behavior from a questionable adult, @luvinthemajik!)

As lousy as I was feeling, my spirit was about to get a big boost.

The lobby and other areas of the Lodge had been “magically transformed” to Christmas overnight!!!

The joy in my heart gave me an adrenaline rush that carried me until afternoon. We lingered over breakfast for the breathtaking view. According to the concierge, the crew of 80 workers did not finish decorating until 7:30 am. The tree is 45 feet tall - it sure would be cool to watch how it is put together. (If I’d only known the transformation was occurring during my middle of the night awakenings! )

 

[luvinthemajik]

Friday, November 21

After falling asleep sometime between 8-8:30 pm last night I was glad to be able to sleep until 6 am. However I did have multiple coughing spells that woke me throughout the night.

I enjoyed my last sunrise from the balcony. This was a slow-moving morning and we did not leave the room to go to breakfast until after 8 am. (You know something must be wrong with Tu if she willingly misses early entry at MK on the last day of vacay!)

On our way to the Old Faithful Club we saw a woman with “bed head” wearing flannel Hello Kitty Christmas pajamas getting her breakfast. (Another questionable behavior from a questionable adult, @luvinthemajik!)

As lousy as I was feeling, my spirit was about to get a big boost.

The lobby and other areas of the Lodge had been “magically transformed” to Christmas overnight!!!

View attachment 902091

View attachment 902092

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The joy in my heart gave me an adrenaline rush that carried me until afternoon. We lingered over breakfast for the breathtaking view. According to the concierge, the crew of 80 workers did not finish decorating until 7:30 am. The tree is 45 feet tall - it sure would be cool to watch how it is put together. (If I’d only known the transformation was occurring during my middle of the night awakenings! )

Very happy for you that the lodge received its Christmas dress up and it sounds like you needed that gift on that very day!
I'm not even going to comment on anyone, except perhaps a child under 6 y.o.,wearing pajamas in the outside world beyond questionable, just ignorant!

 

[TheMouseFan]

I don't know how many times I said to myself and to Brian during our trip "how does any self respecting person wear pajamas into the park!" Soooo many Christmas pajamas (including those with tight fitting bottoms on men), especially on Christmas day. I just don't understand!

 

[radiorae]

I’m sad you were sick, Tu, but I’m so happy you got to see your Christmas decorations in the end

 

[luvinthemajik]

I don't know how many times I said to myself and to Brian during our trip "how does any self respecting person wear pajamas into the park!" Soooo many Christmas pajamas (including those with tight fitting bottoms on men), especially on Christmas day. I just don't understand!

Just smh, taking Tylenol and saying a prayer for humanity in general and the future specifically

 

[Tuvalu]

Very happy for you that the lodge received its Christmas dress up and it sounds like you needed that gift on that very day!

I don't know how many times I said to myself and to Brian during our trip "how does any self respecting person wear pajamas into the park!" Soooo many Christmas pajamas (including those with tight fitting bottoms on men), especially on Christmas day. I just don't understand!

I’m sad you were sick, Tu, but I’m so happy you got to see your Christmas decorations in the end

 

[RememberWhen]

That tree is really something isn’t it? So glad you got to see it before you left.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Out comes the Christmas Tree and.......

Sorry that you didn't feel like yourself for your trip.

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, con’t

Woody and I rode the small launch to MK and arrived around 10 am. The first thing I wanted to do was get a picture at the Countdown to Christmas sign.

Seems this wasn’t my first time visiting the MK on November 21.

Cellphone cameras have gotten so much better in the last six years!

The Dapper Dans serenaded us with a medley of holiday tunes.

It was another MVMCP day and I was hoping for light crowds. So far so good!

 

[93boomer]

Friday, con’t

Woody and I rode the small launch to MK and arrived around 10 am. The first thing I wanted to do was get a picture at the Countdown to Christmas sign.

View attachment 902326

Seems this wasn’t my first time visiting the MK on November 21.

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Cellphone cameras have gotten so much better in the last six years!

The Dapper Dans serenaded us with a medley of holiday tunes.

View attachment 902327

It was another MVMCP day and I was hoping for light crowds. So far so good!

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Love that countdown!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, con’t

Rope drop was long over and thus I cannot say “Arty Mansion.”

Although I wonder if Disney will put something artsy on the new “there’s nothing to see here, move along” wall in the graveyard?

I cannot be certain if a ghost followed us out the exit and into Fantasyland because technically we weren’t going home.

We were going under the sea.

And I have photographic evidence that our last visit to see Ariel must have been a one-off, because guess what was back?

The Woody Wave.

WL decorations and the WW. All was right in the world.

 

[Tuvalu]

Glad tidings continued when we discovered TMAOWTP (wow, that’s a long acronym!) was getting ready to open. The attraction had been down all morning. The CMs out front would not commit to a time but Woody and I opted to hang around for a bit since we could see multiple people hovering around dispatch.

Presents where pumpkins used to be.

We’d made a good decision to stay nearby as just a couple minutes later the hunny pots began moving and the CMs at the entrance received a thumbs up. Woody and I were some of the first through the queue.

We’d been in the park less than an hour and already completed three attractions without rope dropping!

The fourth was also a walk on, we just had to wait outside the theater doors for the next show.

I mobile ordered lunch as we left Philharmagic. Prime upstairs seating at Columbia Harbor House was already taken but I could kinda see out the windows facing IASW. The windows on the other side have been papered over to conceal the construction of Piston Peak.

Fueled by chicken tenders and fries we set off for our next destination.

 

[93boomer]

Friday, con’t

Rope drop was long over and thus I cannot say “Arty Mansion.”

View attachment 902396

Although I wonder if Disney will put something artsy on the new “there’s nothing to see here, move along” wall in the graveyard?

I cannot be certain if a ghost followed us out the exit and into Fantasyland because technically we weren’t going home.

We were going under the sea.

And I have photographic evidence that our last visit to see Ariel must have been a one-off, because guess what was back?

The Woody Wave.

View attachment 902397

WL decorations and the WW. All was right in the world.

Go Woody!!

 

[lindawdw]

All caught up with your last few updates! I love that you got to wake up to the beautiful WL lobby all decorated for Christmas especially with feeling sick on this trip. It was the pick me up you needed for your last full park day! Your shirts are so adorable!!! How lucky that you got to walk on the Winnie the Pooh without early entry access!!! We ate at Columbia Harbor House this past December for the first time in quite a while since we generally don't lunch in the parks much anymore, and the food was outstanding. We also love the little cubby areas to sit when there!

 

[amjt660]

Cellphone cameras have gotten so much better in the last six years!

The latest picture is better but I do not think it is related to the cell phone

Max

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, con’t

I saw a dad wearing a t-shirt that made me chuckle as I “sang” the words in my head:
Hakuna Nodolla
It means no money for the rest of your stay!

Considering our stay was just about over it seemed appropriate.

My energy level was beginning to wane but there were a few more things we wanted to do before saying goodbye to the MK. The first perked me up as it always does.

From musical bears to musical birds (and flowers and tikis…)

To a musical family (hey they all sing in the last scene, as did Woody and I!)

We’d started our time in the park today with my favorite attraction and ended with my second favorite.

An artsy shot for y’all. (You’re welcome.)

Of course our day would not be complete without another questionable encounter @luvinthemajik.

A “service dog” that requires a stroller.

 

[lindawdw]

We've come to really appreciate the Country Bear Jamboree also since they redid it! Wedway People Mover will always be on my top list of favorites and Tiki Birds are such a classic attraction! Sounds like a nice slow-paced morning at MK for you both.