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."

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuvalu, I love your reports it's like I am there with you!!!!

Weren't you?

Ohh I almost missed your TR!! Glad I got on here and found it. GF looks awesome!! Yayy you are getting me excited about our trip even though it isn't at GF!!

Have fun on your vacay....safe travels tomorrow!

Somehow, that Once Upon A Time pillow *might* accidentally end up in my suitcase if I ever stayed there.

And you *might* find a charge on your final bill for it. A few years ago Em and I stayed at Disney's Paradise Pier Resort in CA. On the beds were decorative "beach ball" pillows. There was actually a sign in the room that said "Should one of these pillows bounce into your suitcase, it may go home with you. There will be an additional charge of $ on your bill."

Love your reports! Looking forward to reading more!!

Posting more soon!

 

[mouse_luv]

Yay a @Tuvalu TR! And at one of my fave resorts! Sorry that I am late to the party, but I am definitely following along now!

 

[Tuvalu]

Yay a @Tuvalu TR! And at one of my fave resorts! Sorry that I am late to the party, but I am definitely following along now!

Latecomers always welcome!

 

[93boomer]

Weren't you?


Have fun on your vacay....safe travels tomorrow!


And you *might* find a charge on your final bill for it. A few years ago Em and I stayed at Disney's Paradise Pier Resort in CA. On the beds were decorative "beach ball" pillows. There was actually a sign in the room that said "Should one of these pillows bounce into your suitcase, it may go home with you. There will be an additional charge of $ on your bill."


Posting more soon!

Thanks @Tuvalu!!

 

[prfctlyximprct]

My dad always says that classic line from Charlie Brown (I got a rock) so I am cracking up on the anticlimactic 45th anniversary button... haha! Here's to hoping the 50th blows us away!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

There was actually a sign in the room that said "Should one of these pillows bounce into your suitcase, it may go home with you. There will be an additional charge of $ on your bill."

That's the new policy for haunted mansion also starting next year. If a ghost bounces into your doom buggy and you take it home, you will see an extra charge on your credit card.

 

[Tuvalu]

That's the new policy for haunted mansion also starting next year. If a ghost bounces into your doom buggy and you take it home, you will see an extra charge on your credit card.

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday (con't)

Who would have thought we'd have difficulty passing through the train tunnel in the afternoon? We'd quickly discover that MK was crazy crowded. Since the anniversary fell on a Saturday, locals probably flocked to the park in droves. (No hate for the locals, just an observation.)

I told Woody I wanted to check out the anniversary merchandise first. I had seen pictures of the special t-shirts online, the grayish green Passholder and the crimson red "regular guest." I preferred the red (even though we are passholders) and had made up my mind that was the color I'd purchase.

So we headed here.

I have NEVER seen the Emporium so crowded! Remember those DME crowds? They were nothing compared to the wall-to-wall people in this store! Claustrophobics, this was your worst nightmare. It took me a bit to figure out that the line for the t-shirts began by the door we entered (nearest Town Square) and that the shirts were being sold at only one register in the center of the huge Emporium complex. I overheard someone say the Passholder shirts were sold out and only XXL and 3XL remained in red.

We couldn't get out of the store fast enough.

"Let's get a snack," I suggested. We had not eaten since breakfast and my blood sugar levels had dropped, leaving me perilously close to the hangry stage. Something sweet was in order, and I couldn't decide between ice cream or a cookie.

Then it hit me. I could have both!!!! A Sleepy Hollow Ice Cream Sandwich would solve my dilemma .

There were only a few people ahead of us in the ordering line and I was paying for our treat in no time. Cookie Sandwiches are typically huge, with 2+ scoops of ice cream, so we planned to share one. We moved from the ordering window to the pick up window.

Actually, we attempted to move to the pick up window. There were at least a dozen guests gathered around the pick up window. We could tell by their frustrated expressions they had been there awhile. And it was hot in that small area which was not helping matters. I told Woody to go find a table and I would wait.

So I waited. And waited. No one was moving and no orders were being filled. I heard a CM say that there were some problems with the waffle maker. Okay, but I don't want a waffle. Can't someone make my cookie sandwich?

Another CM came to the window with a powdered sugar waffle and announced, "This is the last one. Waffle maker is broken. Everyone will need to go back to the register for a refund." He took the receipt from the man who had ordered the powdered sugar waffle and said, "Wow, sir, you have been waiting 37 minutes for this waffle! Here's a free bottle of water to go with it."

Before things got really ugly, I managed to squeeze my way to the front of the pick up window. I waved my receipt at the CM and said, "I ordered an ice cream cookie sandwich."

"Oh. We thought everyone was waiting on waffles."

So here is that "giant" Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich I expected.

One. Measly. Scoop. And the bottle of water? Not free.

Woody did a nice job of preventing me from blowing a gasket.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

 

[MinnieM123]

In the past, doors of certain monorail cars (which were empty) were not opened at all the stops in order to allow guests "down the line" room to board. I haven't seen this done in awhile though.

Oh, I love it!!! It's more "Tuvalu Trivia"!! (Only a true park veteran like yourself would know something like that. I didn't have a clue!)

 

[MinnieM123]

So here is that "giant" Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich I expected.

Woody did a nice job of preventing me from blowing a gasket.

OMG . . . I was laughing at all this (not because of your misfortune, but because of the lunacy that went on in that place). I completely understand about customers waiting for the waffles; but like you said, not everyone wanted waffles, so does the entire place have to shut down (so to speak) because of a waffle machine malfunction??!!

And for the record, I've never ordered anything with a waffle there. I'm a purist--just scoop my ice cream into a cup, and give it to me!

 

[lostpro9het]

So here is that "giant" Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich I expected.
View attachment 172006
One. Measly. Scoop. And the bottle of water? Not free.

It's as if the CMs from Via Napoli filled in for the day to make ice cream cookie sandwiches...

 

[Gabe1]

The parks were very busy during our vacation. Slow times have all but disappeared...hopefully you'll have better luck. At least you'll always have ice cream!

Can't believe I missed the start of this awaited report! Woot! Following! And Disney has mishandled the increased crowds for the fall this season all over their property. We were at Epcot the day they opened F&W. Buses lines to Epcot at resorts made your DME line look short. We eventually just Uber'd it to get to the next mess.

The lines at both out of their designated areas for bag check and entering the park were busting at the seams, couldn't even figure out where the individual lines were, just a mass of bodies. It was far worse than Millennium NYE to enter. Wall to wall bodies, very hot and humid, just nasty. We did not do online check in and arrived by 930 am via DME. The online check in lane was absurd. We breezed through the standard check in.

And for your ice cream comment, lets hope this isn't coming to WDW too.


http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...o-mickeys-ice-cream-bars.921463/#post-7456872

 

[Tiggerish]

#icecreamcookiesandwichfail

That's a pretty sloppy sandwich. Good thing Woody was there, that was definitely a gasket-worthy situation.

 

[Beckett]

Enjoying your trip report while booking mine! The best cookie sandwiches in my opinion are the ones in Dino-Bite Snacks in AK, they put 3 scoops in and it is Haagen-Dazs! I think it is about 6 dollars which is a steal! YUM!

 

[Gabe1]

One of actor W.C. Fields famous quotes is "Never work with animals or children" ~ likely because both steal the attention away from the main star. Since I am far from being a star and have already derailed part of this TR with a pic of my kitties, it seems fitting I should include a few photos of adorable costumed children from the Halloween parade at M's preschool.

Captain America, The Man with the Yellow Hat and Sulley!
View attachment 171786

Pooh (with Eeyore's demeanor!)
View attachment 171787

The world's smallest Stormtrooper (how cute is he??!!)
View attachment 171788

Nick Wilde, Captain Hook and Darth
View attachment 171789

My precious M as Supergirl!!
View attachment 171790

Olympic swimmer, Policeman, another pint-size Stormtrooper, Supergirl and "Harley Quinn"
View attachment 171791

What a fun morning!
View attachment 171792

Happy to see so many Disney costumed kids!

 

[TrolleyFollower91]

#icecreamcookiesandwichfail

That's a pretty sloppy sandwich. Good thing Woody was there, that was definitely a gasket-worthy situation.

Woody is the best @Tuvalu de-escalator! I have the most patient, kind, and loving dad!

 

[MinnieM123]

Enjoying your trip report while booking mine! The best cookie sandwiches in my opinion are the ones in Dino-Bite Snacks in AK, they put 3 scoops in and it is Haagen-Dazs! I think it is about 6 dollars which is a steal! YUM!

That's the best tip I've heard all day! It never ceases to amaze me what wonderful information people pass along. I never knew about the ice cream sandwiches in Dino-Bite Snacks--and with Haagen-Dazs ice cream!

 

[Gabe1]

It's as if the CMs from Via Napoli filled in for the day to make ice cream cookie sandwiches...

I can't like this post enough! How true.

 

[Tuvalu]

....so does the entire place have to shut down (so to speak) because of a waffle machine malfunction??!!

Apparently it does!

It's as if the CMs from Via Napoli filled in for the day to make ice cream cookie sandwiches...

Hmmm, I thought I heard Italian accents in the prep area....

#icecreamcookiesandwichfail
That's a pretty sloppy sandwich. Good thing Woody was there, that was definitely a gasket-worthy situation.

LOL on the hashtag!

Enjoying your trip report while booking mine! The best cookie sandwiches in my opinion are the ones in Dino-Bite Snacks in AK, they put 3 scoops in and it is Haagen-Dazs! I think it is about 6 dollars which is a steal! YUM!

Good to know!!