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."

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Woody is such a sweetheart! Major points to him for helping you get in quicker.

And for standing there holding her purse!

 

[MinnieM123]

I hope the banner returns after the Christmas season. I saw that holiday garland is now draped across that fence. Because November 2 screams "it's time for Christmas!"

So . . . do they just not give a carp about their 45th?!

 

[Tuvalu]

And for standing there holding her purse!

And it wasn't even a European carry-all!

So . . . do they just not give a carp about their 45th?!

It sure seems so, sadly.

 

[epcotisbest]

I'm a dressing on the side gal too!

All we A-List chicks are!

OK, you are going to think I am making this up, but sadly, it is true. My wife orders dressing on the side too. One time while at Outback, when the young and obviously fairly new to the job and eager to please waitress brought out our salads, my wife got exactly what she ordered....a lovely salad with the dressing right on top, but on the side of the salad instead of in the middle.
We both looked at it kinda weird and she asked if it was OK.
I jokingly pointed at the salad and, trying hard not to laugh out loud, told her the dressing was on the wrong side!
Before I could stop her, she apologized and went to get another salad.
When she came back she had the dressing in a small cup and said with a straight face..."I figured you could just put it on whichever side you would like."
I don't know if she was just playing along or was serious, but it was memorable.

 

[epcotisbest]

@Tuvalu thanks for the opening ceremony photos. I love that moment when the fireworks go off. Sorta sets the tone for the day.

 

[TrolleyFollower91]

^^This. This is everything.

My goal in life is to find a man who will hold my bag so I can watch the welcome show.

 

[Tuvalu]

OK, you are going to think I am making this up, but sadly, it is true. My wife orders dressing on the side too. One time while at Outback, when the young and obviously fairly new to the job and eager to please waitress brought out our salads, my wife got exactly what she ordered....a lovely salad with the dressing right on top, but on the side of the salad instead of in the middle.
We both looked at it kinda weird and she asked if it was OK.
I jokingly pointed at the salad and, trying hard not to laugh out loud, told her the dressing was on the wrong side!
Before I could stop her, she apologized and went to get another salad.
When she came back she had the dressing in a small cup and said with a straight face..."I figured you could just put it on whichever side you would like."
I don't know if she was just playing along or was serious, but it was memorable.

So funny! Thanks for sharing.

 

[fractal]

As we exited the Tomorrowland Light & Power Co., the sky was rumbling. The sun had disappeared and the big black cloud had taken over. It was time for us to leave MK anyway, since we had a dinner ADR back at the GF. We hoped to get to the monorail before the rain began, and purposefully began to power walk.

I nearly power-walked right into @Doc Disney!!
View attachment 172491

She wasn't paying any attention to her surroundings (she admitted as such in her TR) and did a double-take when I blocked her path. It was our second encounter at WDW in 5 months (see, I'm not the only one with an addiction problem!) The first time we did not get a picture together. This time Woody and @Doc Disney's mom Mary made sure it didn't happen again!

We chatted only briefly before a loud thunderclap startled all of us! We quickly parted ways, hoping to make it to our destinations before getting wet.

Woody and I hadn't even reached Main Street when the torrents began. Thanks a lot, weather app!

very cool!

 

[fractal]

Woody is such a sweetheart! Major points to him for helping you get in quicker.

agree!

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con't

Seeing the castle first thing in the morning never gets old. Especially when there's not a crane behind it!

The park was still a couple minutes from "official opening" and guests were being held on Main Street. Woody and I planned to walk through the castle into Fantasyland, since the entrance is usually open in the morning before the stage shows start. There is something magical about being inside the castle and gazing at the beautiful tile mosaics. But if you look closely at the castle above, you will notice the drapes are drawn.

The rope dropped and guests were moving. As we approached the hub, we heard singing and understood why the drapes were closed. Princess Elena of Avalor was giving guests a "Royal Welcome".

I'd rather been welcomed by the ability to walk through the castle, but was able to push aside my disappointment. I saw a photographer without a line and decided we should have our picture taken.

This picture was the best of the bunch. Actually, there was no bunch. Just 3 shots. The photographer was not exactly "into" his job at the moment, if you catch my drift. Which was bad, considering his day had just started.
(Notice I too have a Dapper Dans shirt, @ajrwdwgirl!)

We took the route along the right side of the castle to our first attraction.

Pooh! Love the silly old bear and his friends. Cannot wait to share Pooh with our granddaughter (who will be here very soon!! )

 

[Tuvalu]

I forgot to mention stopping in the Emporium before rope drop. We went to the register where the Anniversary shirts were being sold the day before, to inquire if the stock had been replenished.

As Ralphie would say, "Oh, skunked again!"

Our standby wait for Pooh was over 20 minutes, despite having gotten in line at 9:10 a.m. We were amazed how crowded the park was in light of the big anniversary yesterday and an MNSSHP later tonight. Within an hour of opening, Peter Pan was 75 minutes and Small World was 30! People and strollers were everywhere.

Thankfully we had some FPs lined up (which I did not want to skip, ). A kind man...not a Photopass CM...offered to take our picture.

The Treehouse was under wraps. We were so bummed we couldn't climb it <insert sarcasm font>.

I do appreciate the effort Disney goes through to make refurbs less obtrusive.

Jungle Cruise standby already 35 minutes. Our 60 day old FP about to come in handy!

 

[DisneyJeff]

And for standing there holding her purse!

Not just holding her purse, but actually going through security with it!!! I can see it now... "Excuse me sir, can you please open up your purse for inspection?"

 

[Tuvalu]

Here comes our boat (again, with LIVE it really moves!)

The skipper of this boat swapped duties with a CM on the dock.

This would be our skipper.

He had some clever jokes I had not heard before.
While passing the crocodiles: "Smiley got Ginger a slow cooker for their anniversary. It was a crock!"
Before entering the temple: "This is worse than I thought, folks. We are entering a root canal!"

I thought this was a cool shot.

Where are the natives?

The back side of water? You decide!

"His wife makes a good stew. I'm sure gonna miss her!"

 

[Tiggerish]

OK, you are going to think I am making this up, but sadly, it is true. My wife orders dressing on the side too. One time while at Outback, when the young and obviously fairly new to the job and eager to please waitress brought out our salads, my wife got exactly what she ordered....a lovely salad with the dressing right on top, but on the side of the salad instead of in the middle.
We both looked at it kinda weird and she asked if it was OK.
I jokingly pointed at the salad and, trying hard not to laugh out loud, told her the dressing was on the wrong side!
Before I could stop her, she apologized and went to get another salad.
When she came back she had the dressing in a small cup and said with a straight face..."I figured you could just put it on whichever side you would like."
I don't know if she was just playing along or was serious, but it was memorable.

 

[Tuvalu]

Upon our return to civilization, we popped into visit Jose and friends. It's another "classic" Woody enjoys.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Awesome Dapper Dans shirt! Love the Jungle Cruise jokes you shared too. That is one attraction that is always a must do.

 

[Tuvalu]

Up next?

Both of us are happy to have Pirates back in our regular line-up. Since we learned to request the back of the boat (or automatically get sent to row 6, which seems to be the default row for parties of 2), we now come through our Caribbean voyages dry.

Our FP came in handy here too since the standby wait was approaching an hour ~ and it wasn't even 11am yet!

Does anyone else miss this guy's hairy leg?

Turn sideways and climb through those bars already!!

 

[Tuvalu]

The walkway to Frontierland resembled I-75 in Atlanta during rush hour ~ Woody and I literally had to merge onto it! But we knew where we could go for some breathing room.

The Country Bear Jamboree does not get a whole lotta love from guests. We think it's fun!

It's Zeke and Zed and Ted and Fred and a bear named Tennessee!

Big Al, you deserve a better photographer than me! Could have used your help with this one, Em.

 

[Tuvalu]

We always leave the Country Bears in a good mood. We didn't even mind the merge back into Frontierland traffic.

Along the way to a rest area we passed a man wearing a t-shirt which said:
Either You Like Bacon
Or You're Wrong

Thumbs up or thumbs down? Woody and I agree thumbs up.

After our stop at Florida's prettiest toilets, we pondered what to do next. We had some time until our 3rd FP but didn't want to wander too far.

Small World it is!

The line moved fairly quickly and we waited less than 30 minutes.

I had read in a recent TR that the hippo's eyes no longer blinked. Her (his?) eyes were blinking today. Unfortunately I captured the eyes open, not closed!

Unknown TR author, I promise the eyes blink again!

A little Poly flavor for my trip report.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

Up next?

View attachment 173387

Both of us are happy to have Pirates back in our regular line-up. Since we learned to request the back of the boat (or automatically get sent to row 6, which seems to be the default row for parties of 2), we now come through our Caribbean voyages dry.

Our FP came in handy here too since the standby wait was approaching an hour ~ and it wasn't even 11am yet!

View attachment 173388

Does anyone else miss this guy's hairy leg?
View attachment 173389

Turn sideways and climb through those bars already!!
View attachment 173390

So, I was going to ask what row not to get wet.....row 6