Trip Report The Never-Ending Summer Of Disney *COMPLETED*

Seriously?!!

Can you believe it??

This is jaw-dropping news!!

If only.

Two things in life give me the blues ~ the end of summer and the end of a Disney vacation. A never-ending summer of Disney would be a dream come true! But I am certainly happy to “settle” for a WDW vacay in June....in July....and in August. And rather than write three separate trip reports (and annoy @amjt660 when my *COMPLETED* report really isn’t ) I decided to take @Rista1313 ’s suggestion and post an ongoing travelogue, à la @blgauger style.

So let’s get started!

Vacation #1
June 16-24, 2018
Tuvalu, Woody and Em get pampered at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Was there rain? Any snarky Cast Members? Ridiculous guest behavior? A Magic meet-up? How many times did we watch Happily Ever After?

You’ll have to follow along to find out.

 

[riverside]

Because there were 8,000 people on the monorail platform and a train was pulling into the station?

Also, I don't know if my nephew would have allowed Em to leave his side to take a photo

 

[disneypearl]

@TrolleyFollower91 I see that you have a KAVU bag & was wondering what you think of it? I am getting tempted to get one, but am not sure. Are the rope straps comfortable enough to wear for a long time at the parks? I usually don't wear anything on my back at WDW but it would be nice for some days.

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, June 22

I just love the beauty of early-morning Florida sky.

Monorail over the treetops

Woody and Em were also dressed and ready to start the day. Em and I wouldn’t be having our usual lounge muffins for breakfast ~ instead we’d be shelling out $$ at a real restaurant. Woody is our big-breakfast eater and we like to take him to breakfast one morning during our trips.

It was quiet in the lobby as we walked through.

 

[Tuvalu]

5-Star Uber driver Woody chauffeured us to the Grand Floridian. We were a little melancholy as we entered the lobby since Greeter Extraordinaire Richard was no longer at his post.

If you are unfamiliar with Richard, here is a picture taken last summer.

He had passed two weeks earlier, at the age of 92. A GF icon.

The GF lobby was very quiet too.

I spy a hidden Mickey!

I needed to use the facilities before we checked in. Every Tuvalu trip report needs at least one public bathroom photo, and it occurred to me I hadn’t taken one yet.

You’re welcome.

Can you guess where we’re dining?

 

[sheriffwoody]

I would guess GF Cafe! And I'm jealous if so...I seriously crave those pancakes!

 

[Tuvalu]

I would guess GF Cafe! And I'm jealous if so...I seriously crave those pancakes!

You had a 50/50 shot....but you were wrong.

Not sure what kind of GFC pancakes you crave, but lemme tell you these red velvet pancakes were da bomb!

 

[MinnieM123]

Lol!

Could always be worse.

That's certainly not a "posed" picture at all !!

If you are unfamiliar with Richard, here is a picture taken last summer.

Although I never met Richard, I had seen him at the GF a few times. He was such a classy gentleman, impeccably dressed, and a real ambassador for the GF. People's faces would light up when they saw him.

(Only one time I stayed at the GF for 3 nights--just to experience the GF once in my life.) Other times, I'd go to the GF and eat at Gasparilla Island Grill (quick service), and eat outdoors at the tables. Pretended I was a guest there.

 

[sheriffwoody]

Oh I'm surprised! I don't know why I just don't picture you guys as character diners. I don't see the pancakes on the menu anymore and I'm BUMMED. They were just called the Floridian Pancakes I think. @blgauger knows what I'm talking about!

 

[Zipadeelady]

da bomb

Is it silly to say I love Disney bathrooms. Even though there have been some reports of dirty bathrooms I haven't seen any myself, they're always so nice and themed with the location.

 

[Tuvalu]

We had the first seating time at 1900 Park Fare. When the hostess called our name she said, “Put on your walking shoes, it’s quite a hike to your table.”

I knew that was code for “your table is right as we enter the dining room.”

And it was!

Bonus....it was only steps from the buffet!

The cocktail menu was prominently displayed on our table. We are not morning drinkers.

THIS is the drink Em and I are here for!

Oh cherished POG juice, how we’ve missed you so!!

We didn’t wait long to check out the buffet.

Score one for Em!!!

(Was it accidental or intentional? Doesn’t matter ~ I’m giving her credit for a candid of me. )

The buffet is extensive. A good balance of savory and sweet items.

Woody started with sweet. He loves Mickey waffles. He followed this with two plates of savory.

My first plate was a balance of both. “Da Bomb” red velvet pancakes are on the left. The two glasses of POG juice? Both mine. Woody doesn’t care for POG so I had the server fill his glass for me.

Funny thing though ~ Woody eventually asked to try the POG juice. And he liked it! (Of course he did, what’s not to like??!!)

 

[MinnieM123]

Tuvalu, just curious--what did they charge pp for the buffet? (Not including specialty drinks.)

 

[DisneyJeff]

5-Star Uber driver Woody chauffeured us to the Grand Floridian. We were a little melancholy as we entered the lobby since Greeter Extraordinaire Richard was no longer at his post.

If you are unfamiliar with Richard, here is a picture taken last summer.

Great picture!!! RIP Richard!

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuvalu, just curious--what did they charge pp for the buffet? (Not including specialty drinks.)

You beat me to the punch. I was going to include the price in my next post.

It was $36/pp not including tax and gratuity.

I have to admit a little gasp when I opened the billfold and saw $108.00 for breakfast. Even with unlimited POG juice!

The food was very good....everything was freshly prepared, hot items were hot and cold items cold....but you’ll soon see the real reason for the price (a surcharge, if you will .)

 

[DisneyGigi]

I am caught up now! I love the picture of you two and Em, hiding her eyes. That is perfection! We embarrass our son all the time, that would be a perfect picture for him.. lol *crossing my fingers, he can go with us again next year.
Is the POG juice the same as Stitch juice? (At Ohana breakfast) Because I love that, they had it at Tusker House breakfast too. So sinfully good! As much as I like a good Disney drink, I don’t think I could have alcohol for breakfast either.

 

[Tuvalu]

@sheriffwoody is correct ~ we typically aren’t character diners, except at breakfast. Within the last couple of years we’ve done character breakfasts at Crystal Palace, Tusker House and 1900 Park Fare (in addition to today’s visit.)

Alice was the first to stop by.

She noticed our glasses and coffee cups and wrinkled her nose when she did not see any tea cups. “You don’t drink tea?” she asked incredulously.

“No, sorry” I meekly replied.

“Well you need to try my favorite......In san a TEA!” Alice smirked.

Then everyone’s favourite (see what I did there?) Mary popped by.

Can’t remember our conversation, but I’m sure it was very proper!

Between characters I had returned to the buffet for a Mickey waffle. I had covered it with chocolate chips because......well because I could! But I might have second-guessed my choice had I known what (or should I say ‘who’) was coming.

Hatter saw the mound ‘o chips and insisted I open my mouth so he could toss them in. Though he was quite insistent, I managed to decline making a spectacle of myself. He went on and on about having chocolate chips for breakfast and I didn’t even try to defend myself....just sank a little lower in my chair.

I did not finish the waffle. Or the chips.

It was then Piglet’s turn to visit our table and he slowly and quietly snuck up behind Em. She had no idea he was behind her and as Piglet went to touch her she moved as though she was going to stand up. This STARTLED Piglet and he jumped back.

“Oh Piglet, I’m so sorry for scaring you!” cried Em.

Apology accepted.

It was at this moment our server brought our check. As I mentioned to @MinnieM123 in my post above, I was startled when I saw the bill!

But we’d had a wonderful breakfast and Woody was happy, which was all that mattered.

On our way out we got to see my favorite Pooh!

 

[LadyBelle]

I love your dress!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Is the POG juice the same as Stitch juice? (At Ohana breakfast) Because I love that, they had it at Tusker House breakfast too. So sinfully good! As much as I like a good Disney drink, I don’t think I could have alcohol for breakfast either.

It’s the same Passion fruit, Orange, Guava juice.

I love your dress!!

Thank you!

 

[Tuvalu]

It was mostly cloudy when we returned to the Lodge, but I was determined to have pool time anyway!

Em and I suited up while Woody had a business call to attend.

We arrived at 10 am to a private pool.

This time, instead of hanging out on loungers, Em and I went in the water.....and we didn’t get out of the pool for an hour and a half!

During that time the sun came out.

And Woody came to join us!

We sunned in our loungers until we couldn’t take the heat (which wasn’t long) and then spent another hour in the water. It. Was. Wonderful!

Despite our big breakfast we were hungry by early afternoon. We placed a food and beverage order with the cabana boy and moved to a table (we needed the shade!)

Em sipped on another Frosé.

While Woody had his favorite domestic beer.

I can’t believe I didn’t take food pics but we shared brisket & cheese with chips (nacho-esque) and crispy smoked chicken wings (which clearly we didn’t order enough of, since we inhaled them!) Highly recommend both items if you are ever at Geyser Point Bar.

Em returned to the room and Woody and I went back in the pool. I wanted to savor every moment because it would be my last opportunity to enjoy the Boulder Ridge pool.

 

[TheMouseFan]

It’s the same Pineapple Orange Guava juice.


Thank you!

I hate to correct you, but it is passion fruit juice, not pineapple!

 

[TrolleyFollower91]

@TrolleyFollower91 I see that you have a KAVU bag & was wondering what you think of it? I am getting tempted to get one, but am not sure. Are the rope straps comfortable enough to wear for a long time at the parks? I usually don't wear anything on my back at WDW but it would be nice for some days.

Yes!! I love it. It holds my DSLR and an extra lens or two plus raingear, wallet, purchase, etc. The straps are super comfy. I love how I can just swing it around to open it without taking it off. My one complaint is that my back can get kind of sticky in the hot Florida sun, but that’s usually when I flip it around and wear it across my stomach.