Trip Report A Poly Girl in a GF World *COMPLETED*

*Gasp!*

Is it true? Tuvalu, the die-hard Polynesian fan, spent 4 recent nights at a different deluxe resort? Didn't she already have three magical stays at the Poly this year? Didn't she take her name from her favorite longhouse at the Poly? Isn't this blasphemy? (Actually it isn't, but you get the point.)

Yep, it's true. Like many of you who have broken loyal ties to a political party (don't worry, I'm not gonna go there) Woody and I decided to try another option for our Food and Wine Festival excursion.

In anticipation of the question, "Why didn't you stay at an Epcot resort?" I will say, "Cause I like the MK resorts better."

Tuvalu and Woody taking a trip to WDW specifically for F&W is a bit ironic, since:
1) We are not foodies and
2) We are not big drinkers
But as we approach our sunset years, we are determined to keep ourselves open to new experiences and embrace change (even when we don't like it.)

And really, who doesn't like to eat?

Now back to the resort. The Grand Floridian. Disney's Flagship resort. The resort people call "too stuffy." Or "I could never be comfortable there." Or "The Four Seasons is a much better resort for the price."

Well, Woody and I were quite comfortable, despite a couple of irritating incidents to be revealed later. We had no problem walking around in our Target and Kohl's clothes. And we got a room rate that wouldn't have paid for the janitor's closet at the Four Seasons. (Okay, a slight exaggeration.)

The deets:
Dates: October 1-5, 2016
Cast: Tuvalu and Woody

Follow along to find out how we filled that "rumbly in our tumbly."

 

[93boomer]

Yayyy am finally caught up! I waited until we got home to finish reading.
We love the same drinks!! The magical star and piña coladas!! Yummy!
We had monorail issues too! We had to take the ferry to MK one day. It was a first!
Love your TRs for all the details. I haven't the patience to do that with mine so I end up with mostly pictures!

 

[Courtney6682]

So did you guys ever read the tale of the former 'WDW Security Guard' and the legend of the human trafficking through the home? It reads like a novel...

https://www.reddit.com/r/nosleep/comments/30alk5/i_was_an_undercover_security_officer_at_walt/

That was crazy...I've never been on reddit...but if u have more I'd be interested

 

[sheriffwoody]

Somehow got behind on your report!

We would not be entering these doors. If you want to read about a V&A experience, you'll have to wait for @Tony the Tigger's trip report next fall.

Me too! Me too! We've been saving it for our 5 year anniversary. Hopefully Tony will have an awesome experience and make me feel better about spending all that money!

There was a nice surprise awaiting us in our room.....turn-down service!

Turn down service is such a simple thing that makes you feel SO FANCY. I love it!

 

[Tuvalu]

Yayyy am finally caught up! I waited until we got home to finish reading.
We love the same drinks!! The magical star and piña coladas!! Yummy!
We had monorail issues too! We had to take the ferry to MK one day. It was a first!
Love your TRs for all the details. I haven't the patience to do that with mine so I end up with mostly pictures!

Thanks for reading! More is coming.

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, con't

Several years ago Woody and I were in Epcot during the Food and Wine Festival and I suggested skipping our usual table service lunch in favor of "Eating Around the World." There were far fewer kiosks back then and the lines for the food booths were long. We walked around the lagoon clockwise, reading each menu carefully to see if waiting in line was "worth it."

We made it from Mexico to Canada without buying a single thing. And then walked up to Le Cellier to check availability.

"We can take you right now," the hostess said. And we had a delightful meal of cheese soup, steak salad and a Montreal chicken sandwich. (Oh how we miss the lunch menu!!!!!)

This year we vowed to be adventurous! I even went so far as to have a gift card solely for F&W items. Now to be honest, I had my first F&W "tastings" last fall on a trip with my middle son. We were on the dining plan and used our snack credits to sample a few items...things I discovered I really liked! My confidence was up as Woody and I made our first stop.

I like ravioli. I like zucchini. This would be an easy choice.
Woody loves peanut butter desserts. And white chocolate. A no-brainer!

The ravioli was light and flavorful, very fresh tasting. Woody was not expecting the nuts on top of the mousse (he is not a fan of nuts on desserts) but said he really enjoyed the mousse, nuts and all!

On to the next booth!

Woody and I enjoy pork tenderloin and I use cannellini beans in my chicken chili. This should be a good combination.

Unfortunately the flavor of the beans totally overpowered this dish. We finished the sample, but deemed it just okay.

 

[coachwnh]

The last time I rode, I only got a picture of the F&W Hops sign. While I know @coachwnh appreciated it, I thought I'd try for some food items this time!

Very much so!!! Sorry I havent been keeping up to date with the report. Still enjoying Europe for a few more days. I'll be sure to catch up next week once we return. Thanks for the thought

 

[LisaBelle]

All caught up! The GF is my dream resort so I am really loving that aspect of this report. What a treat to get turn down service every night! I hope to visit during Food & Wine sometime. I love seeing photos of the food. Of course eating it would be better, because now I'm hungry, especially after your mention of cheese soup & steak salad from Le Cellier!

 

[93boomer]

Monday, con't

Several years ago Woody and I were in Epcot during the Food and Wine Festival and I suggested skipping our usual table service lunch in favor of "Eating Around the World." There were far fewer kiosks back then and the lines for the food booths were long. We walked around the lagoon clockwise, reading each menu carefully to see if waiting in line was "worth it."

We made it from Mexico to Canada without buying a single thing. And then walked up to Le Cellier to check availability.

"We can take you right now," the hostess said. And we had a delightful meal of cheese soup, steak salad and a Montreal chicken sandwich. (Oh how we miss the lunch menu!!!!!)

This year we vowed to be adventurous! I even went so far as to have a gift card solely for F&W items. Now to be honest, I had my first F&W "tastings" last fall on a trip with my middle son. We were on the dining plan and used our snack credits to sample a few items...things I discovered I really liked! My confidence was up as Woody and I made our first stop.

View attachment 174459

I like ravioli. I like zucchini. This would be an easy choice.
Woody loves peanut butter desserts. And white chocolate. A no-brainer!

View attachment 174460

The ravioli was light and flavorful, very fresh tasting. Woody was not expecting the nuts on top of the mousse (he is not a fan of nuts on desserts) but said he really enjoyed the mousse, nuts and all!

On to the next booth!

View attachment 174461

Woody and I enjoy pork tenderloin and I use cannellini beans in my chicken chili. This should be a good combination.

View attachment 174462

Unfortunately the flavor of the beans totally overpowered this dish. We finished the sample, but deemed it just okay.

We got the peanut butter dessert too. It was very good! Glad we got two cause I wasn't sharing!

 

[Tuvalu]

Very much so!!! Sorry I havent been keeping up to date with the report. Still enjoying Europe for a few more days. I'll be sure to catch up next week once we return. Thanks for the thought

Wow, hope you are having a wonderful time! Family trip or just you and your lovely wife? Did ya visit Disneyland Paris?

All caught up! The GF is my dream resort so I am really loving that aspect of this report. What a treat to get turn down service every night! I hope to visit during Food & Wine sometime. I love seeing photos of the food. Of course eating it would be better, because now I'm hungry, especially after your mention of cheese soup & steak salad from Le Cellier!

Thanks for following, @LisaBelle . We enjoyed our GF stay even with the blips yet to come!

We got the peanut butter dessert too. It was very good! Glad we got two cause I wasn't sharing!

Woody didn't have to share his with me, as I'm not that into peanut butter desserts. For which he was thankful!

 

[Ciara]

Really enjoying your thoughts about food and wine. Oh! and the pictures cant wait to see more!

 

[Tuvalu]

Really enjoying your thoughts about food and wine. Oh! and the pictures cant wait to see more!

Thanks @Ciara! Hoping to post more tomorrow.

 

[coachwnh]

Wow, hope you are having a wonderful time! Family trip or just you and your lovely wife? Did ya visit Disneyland Paris?

Just the two off us!!!!!!! Kids at home with their grandparents.

We did not go to Disneyland. Too many other beautiful things to see both in England and France that we cant wait to come back. A return to Disney may be pushed off even longer. Never thought I'd say that.

 

[Tuvalu]

A return to Disney may be pushed off even longer. Never thought I'd say that.

Seriously, a trip to the "real" England and France is terrific. Happy you are enjoying it!

 

[DimpledDevil18]

Can't wait to hear more about your food and wine selections! I'm finally all caught up!

Just wanted to comment on the 25th anniversary castle. Imagine your first trip to Disney that you can CLEARLY remember (I was only 3 on my very first visit and on the 25th anniversary trip I was like 12 or 13) and THAT is the castle you see. I didn't get to see the castle the way it was intended until I was 16.

I'm so glad to hear you guys had a great time living it up. I'm sorry the parks were so crowded though.

 

[Tuvalu]

Just wanted to comment on the 25th anniversary castle. Imagine your first trip to Disney that you can CLEARLY remember (I was only 3 on my very first visit and on the 25th anniversary trip I was like 12 or 13) and THAT is the castle you see. I didn't get to see the castle the way it was intended until I was 16.

I think it's time for a little TR flashback! A "blast from the past" if you will.

Since @Gabe1 first mentioned it earlier (and additional comments were made by @MotherofaPrincessLover, @MinnieM123, @Longers, @Direwolf27, @MegRuss626 and now @DimpledDevil18) let's see the Tuvalu family's visit to the MK during the 25th anniversary celebration ~

Drumr, Woody, Em and soon-to-be-a-daddy Lego. Both boys are wearing 25th Anniversary tees.

Clearly this was before MK had a Welcome Show.....there would be no room for the Mayor and the Trolley Singers thanks to those 25 candles!

Do you see a stroller for 5 year old Em? Of course not! Do you see a stroller for hauling around our stuff? No! Woody carried the green duffle bag for all of us (which also included a camcorder.)

The final photo was taken another day. Look how empty Main Street was at 9:10 am ~ after park opening!

(We were not fans of the birthday cake castle, and often commented how sorry we were for those first or only-time visitors!)

Now back to the present....

 

[DimpledDevil18]

Loved the little blast from the past! It's true... My sister was 4 on her first trip and there was no stroller for her or mid day naps. She sure was a trooper! Somehow she kept up with all of us on her own two little legs.

I swear one of my brothers might have had that same Splash Mountain shirt. It looks very familiar!

 

[MegRuss626]

I think it's time for a little TR flashback! A "blast from the past" if you will.

Since @Gabe1 first mentioned it earlier (and additional comments were made by @MotherofaPrincessLover, @MinnieM123, @Longers, @Direwolf27, @MegRuss626 and now @DimpledDevil18) let's see the Tuvalu family's visit to the MK during the 25th anniversary celebration ~

View attachment 174681
Drumr, Woody, Em and soon-to-be-a-daddy Lego. Both boys are wearing 25th Anniversary tees.

Clearly this was before MK had a Welcome Show.....there would be no room for the Mayor and the Trolley Singers thanks to those 25 candles!

Do you see a stroller for 5 year old Em? Of course not! Do you see a stroller for hauling around our stuff? No! Woody carried the green duffle bag for all of us (which also included a camcorder.)

View attachment 174683

The final photo was taken another day. Look how empty Main Street was at 9:10 am ~ after park opening!

View attachment 174682
(We were not fans of the birthday cake castle, and often commented how sorry we were for those first or only-time visitors!)

Now back to the present....

I'm pretty sure my sister and I had those same 25th anniversary tees!!

 

[Longers]

I think it's time for a little TR flashback! A "blast from the past" if you will.

Since @Gabe1 first mentioned it earlier (and additional comments were made by @MotherofaPrincessLover, @MinnieM123, @Longers, @Direwolf27, @MegRuss626 and now @DimpledDevil18) let's see the Tuvalu family's visit to the MK during the 25th anniversary celebration ~

View attachment 174681
Drumr, Woody, Em and soon-to-be-a-daddy Lego. Both boys are wearing 25th Anniversary tees.

Clearly this was before MK had a Welcome Show.....there would be no room for the Mayor and the Trolley Singers thanks to those 25 candles!

Do you see a stroller for 5 year old Em? Of course not! Do you see a stroller for hauling around our stuff? No! Woody carried the green duffle bag for all of us (which also included a camcorder.)

View attachment 174683

The final photo was taken another day. Look how empty Main Street was at 9:10 am ~ after park opening!

View attachment 174682
(We were not fans of the birthday cake castle, and often commented how sorry we were for those first or only-time visitors!)

Now back to the present....

I was a first time visitor and hated it, however it meant I used that as an excuse to come back!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Speechless. Except: why don't you age?

 

[Tuvalu]

Speechless. Except: why don't you age?

I wuv you Tony!