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]

Im all caught up, finally! Still recovering from our European vacation, but its nice to follow along for one of your many WDW adventures!!!!!

Thanks for reading along, Coach!

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con't

At last our character friends arrived! Mary Poppins was first. She commented on my "pretty Minnie dress." @Gabe1, note that today I am wearing the matching Minnie MagicBand.

Mary was soon followed by Alice who arrived pointing at this:

"I see you're drinking orange tea!" she exclaimed. "One must always drink tea."

Next Tigger bounced by.

FINALLY, The Mad Hatter arrived. He is the character I was looking forward to the most. The only other time we have dined at 1900 Park Fare for breakfast Hatter was MIA.

Me: "You are late!"
Hatter: "You are impatient!"
He kept circling me and I wanted Woody to take our picture.
Me: "Where should we stand?"
Hatter: "On the ground!"

I pondered whether or not to include the next picture because it makes me sad. During our entire breakfast, this table was in my line of vision. There were 3 eager children, excitedly holding onto autograph books and whose faces lit up when each character came to their table. Mom took pictures as her trio stood beside each character.

This was Dad. He never looked up from his screen. Not once.

Parents, let this be a visual reminder of what your children see when you are focused on your phone. Please ignore the screen and focus on your kids. They need your attention more than your phone does. And your children are always watching.

On our way out we met Pooh.

 

[Tuvalu]

We noticed a rare sight on our way back to Sago Cay.

The resort monorail was in operation! (Likely because we had no plans to ride it, right @Scoppin? )

After changing into our pool attire we encountered our housekeeper right outside our room. I told her we were leaving and our room was available for servicing. She thanked me and Woody and I headed for the courtyard pool.

We spent over 2 hours sunning, swimming and relaxing. It was pure bliss!

 

[Tuvalu]

Pool time had put us in a good mood, which was important considering what happened next.

We opened our door to find.......an unmade room! And there was not a sheet/towel basket anywhere in our hall. Nor was there any sign of a housekeeper.

What to do? Returning to the pool was not an option because the sky now looked like this:

So we each took a quick shower while formulating a plan. Although Woody would have preferred this trip to be completely work-free, the reality was something had come up that needed his attention. He decided he would go to Gasparilla's and work for a bit. I decided (since the monorail was working!) to go to MK and shop the Main Street stores. Maybe I could find the 45th Anniversary shirts I wanted?

We searched the hall (to no avail) for a housekeeper when we left.

The clouds over VGF were looking ominous.

Could I make it to Main Street without getting wet?

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Sadly I can believe that dad did spend the whole time on his phone, I have seen people like that at Disney. People of all ages glued to their phones, they are really missing out.

 

[Scoppin]

Tuesday, con't

At last our character friends arrived! Mary Poppins was first. She commented on my "pretty Minnie dress." @Gabe1, note that today I am wearing the matching Minnie MagicBand.

View attachment 175801

Mary was soon followed by Alice who arrived pointing at this:
View attachment 175805
"I see you're drinking orange tea!" she exclaimed. "One must always drink tea."

View attachment 175802

Next Tigger bounced by.
View attachment 175803

FINALLY, The Mad Hatter arrived. He is the character I was looking forward to the most. The only other time we have dined at 1900 Park Fare for breakfast Hatter was MIA.

Me: "You are late!"
Hatter: "You are impatient!"
He kept circling me and I wanted Woody to take our picture.
Me: "Where should we stand?"
Hatter: "On the ground!"

View attachment 175804

I pondered whether or not to include the next picture because it makes me sad. During our entire breakfast, this table was in my line of vision. There were 3 eager children, excitedly holding onto autograph books and whose faces lit up when each character came to their table. Mom took pictures as her trio stood beside each character.

This was Dad. He never looked up from his screen. Not once.
View attachment 175810

Parents, let this be a visual reminder of what your children see when you are focused on your phone. Please ignore the screen and focus on your kids. They need your attention more than your phone does. And your children are always watching.

On our way out we met Pooh.
View attachment 175809

There is just soooo much wrong with that picture. Almost like he is trying to hide under the table. And with his hat on. Is one not suppose to remove one's hat while dining? At least indoors. I know DS removes his, otherwise he hears from me. Well the look might hit him first though.
But not giving you children your full attention is just wrong. My two know I don't answer the phone while we eat. They ask who it is and my response is 'I don't know, we are eating. If it is important they will leave a message.' Not to mention I don't allow electronic devices at the table. DS has to put is away. I know I am a single parent but I could have easily have ignored them and spent my time on my phone. But my two mean more to me than anything on my phone. And they know that. There is a time and place for everything. And when kids are awake they should have your attention. Priorities.

 

[Scoppin]

We noticed a rare sight on our way back to Sago Cay.

View attachment 175812
The resort monorail was in operation! (Likely because we had no plans to ride it, right @Scoppin? )

After changing into our pool attire we encountered our housekeeper right outside our room. I told her we were leaving and our room was available for servicing. She thanked me and Woody and I headed for the courtyard pool.

View attachment 175813

View attachment 175814

We spent over 2 hours sunning, swimming and relaxing. It was pure bliss!

I couldn't have said it better. No plans on utilizing the monorail then in full operation mode.

 

[Scoppin]

Pool time had put us in a good mood, which was important considering what happened next.

We opened our door to find.......an unmade room! And there was not a sheet/towel basket anywhere in our hall. Nor was there any sign of a housekeeper.

What to do? Returning to the pool was not an option because the sky now looked like this:
View attachment 175815

So we each took a quick shower while formulating a plan. Although Woody would have preferred this trip to be completely work-free, the reality was something had come up that needed his attention. He decided he would go to Gasparilla's and work for a bit. I decided (since the monorail was working!) to go to MK and shop the Main Street stores. Maybe I could find the 45th Anniversary shirts I wanted?

We searched the hall (to no avail) for a housekeeper when we left.

The clouds over VGF were looking ominous.
View attachment 175816

Could I make it to Main Street without getting wet?

I am biting my nails to find out if the monorail was still operational.

 

[mmnw]

My DD and I were at WoodField Mall, huge mall, one that could fit a City Mini in the walkways (but not the stores) those things won't even go through and individual door at Mall entrances. Wish I would have been quick enough to take a photo but a Dad was pushing a double-economical basic stroller side by side seats. It wasn't even as wide as a single one of those tripod with wheels strollers. Looked like it would fold down and flat to the thickness of 4". You could actually slip in in with you on a Disney bus or tram like my umbrella strollers for my kids of yesteryear did and was a big fan of the blue strollers I could rent at MK & Epcot for $5 if needed. No lugging on bus or tram. Oddly they rolled well without needing 14" wheels.

I'm laughing because I know City Minis well and I know that mall well. City Minis are designed to fit through standard doorways. Doorways should be standard to accommodate wheelchairs. I'm not fighting you on your thoughts or opinions on double wide strollers. I've always gotten through doorways with the city mini. You just want to watch your fingers or they could get pinched knowing there is *no* extra room on the sides.

 

[Gabe1]

I'm laughing because I know City Minis well and I know that mall well. City Minis are designed to fit through standard doorways. Doorways should be standard to accommodate wheelchairs. I'm not fighting you on your thoughts or opinions on double wide strollers. I've always gotten through doorways with the city mini. You just want to watch your fingers or they could get pinched knowing there is *no* extra room on the sides.

Interesting. I have had a kid confined to a wheelchair. We did not experienced that finger pinching access to the entrance doors at Woodfield though her wheelchair was not oversized wheelchair. We had not found it necessary to watch our fingers wheeling through. Note: a standard width of a City Mini is 10 inches wider than a standard adult wheelchair. Begs the question why? Sometimes I believe folks forget how massive those Mini's really are as they become the new norm as the word Mini is anything but descriptive for a baby. It is mind boggling how much girth a baby needs to gain entrance to a mall and a theme park. My kids are now adults but our strollers were only 21" wide and we had a quality Aprica stroller. Kids now require so much more girth in their strollers than generations prior. Even the wheels of my kids strollers were only 4" tall, today they require 10-14" wheels on a stroller to accommodate a 30 pound child. Why? Amazing. Times they are a changing.

 

[MinnieM123]

@Gabe1 , at least on my computer, your last post had a bunch of code lines--not sure if you were trying to post photos or whatever. Your first (text) paragraph came out fine.

@Tuvalu , that photo of the father's face into his phone was sad. On the one hand, he may have had an important call or text that he really needed to receive. Some people's jobs require them to check in at times--sadly, even while on vacation. But on the other hand, I'm seeing way too much of this in today's society, when many people just don't want to detach from their devices. It's a big turn-off to me.

About Mousekeeping--this is the trend all over, not just at WDW. Cuts in housekeeping have delayed the cleaning of rooms until later in the day--you're lucky if your room is ready at 2. I recall years ago that guest rooms were always cleaned before noon. Not any more . . .

Last, but not least--what a classy Minnie ensemble you wore!!!

 

[DisneyJeff]

@Tuvalu , that photo of the father's face into his phone was sad. On the one hand, he may have had an important call or text that he really needed to receive. Some people's jobs require them to check in at times--sadly, even while on vacation. But on the other hand, I'm seeing way too much of this in today's society, when many people just don't want to detach from their devices. It's a big turn-off to me.

Lets just hope he was in the process of booking some kind of magical experience for his family. I'm going with an Epcot fireworks cruise!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

@Gabe1 , at least on my computer, your last post had a bunch of code lines--not sure if you were trying to post photos or whatever. Your first (text) paragraph came out fine.

@Tuvalu , that photo of the father's face into his phone was sad. On the one hand, he may have had an important call or text that he really needed to receive. Some people's jobs require them to check in at times--sadly, even while on vacation. But on the other hand, I'm seeing way too much of this in today's society, when many people just don't want to detach from their devices. It's a big turn-off to me.

About Mousekeeping--this is the trend all over, not just at WDW. Cuts in housekeeping have delayed the cleaning of rooms until later in the day--you're lucky if your room is ready at 2. I recall years ago that guest rooms were always cleaned before noon. Not any more . . .

Last, but not least--what a classy Minnie ensemble you wore!!!

We usually avoid housekeeping everywhere! LOL. The DND sign is up 24/7. Don't touch my stuff! LOL. Don't bother me while I'm watching TV to vacuum!

When we're out, if they clean, they clean. When I traveled with my (late) kitty for 4 years around the USA, I sometimes had to put notes on the door warning housekeeping not to open the door.

Re: work: unfortunately, work does pop up now and again for some of us. Some jobs just call for it no matter what. Maybe that was the compromise for this guy vs. not going to WDW at all (trying to see it positively.) Although if it was through the whole meal while his kids were meeting characters...I don't know...

btw Tuvalu - I love that Tigger pic!!

 

[MotherofaPrincessLover]

This was Dad. He never looked up from his screen. Not once.
View attachment 175810

Parents, let this be a visual reminder of what your children see when you are focused on your phone. Please ignore the screen and focus on your kids. They need your attention more than your phone does. And your children are always watching.
View attachment 175809

This is why I yell at my husband when he pulls his phone out on vacation. Then he gets mad at me for yelling at him...

 

[fractal]

Woody selected the Red Wine-braised Beef Short Ribs with Sunchoke Puree, Spinach and Carmelized Mushrooms.
View attachment 173871

I chose the Oak-grilled Beef Filet with Potato Purée and Baby Carrots.
View attachment 173870

We agreed our entrees were good but not spectacular. I have enjoyed the Oak-grilled Beef Filets more at California Grill and Yachtsman Steakhouse.

Our server brought us the dessert menu.
View attachment 173872

I think she was disappointed were requested one dessert to share. But we had difficulty finishing the rich Warm Chocolate-Banana Torte. Isn't it exquisite?
View attachment 173873
The "Crown" was indeed edible!

Woody and I were glad we tried Citricos but won't hurry back. It definitely wasn't $65 better than our dinner at the GF Cafe last night.

Our server was excellent at Citricos, sorry you had a subpar one. I hate feeling like I'm being sold something by a waiter/waitress. My overall sentiment on the restaurant seems the same as yours - "good, but not worth two credits/$".

 

[fractal]

Our first FP was for Soarin'. As we walked towards the Land pavilion, I was struck by how close to the ground the monorail beam is. I don't think I've paid much attention to it before.

View attachment 174061

I told Woody to stop. I had a brilliant photography idea! "Let's wait for a monorail to pass by so I can capture it! It will make a great shot!" I bubbled enthusiastically.

20 minutes later I took this picture of Woody, still waiting for a monorail to glide by.
View attachment 174062

Finally I heard him say, "Here it comes." And during that period of waiting I must have moved from where I was standing for the "before" picture.

Because here is the "after."
View attachment 174063
Yep, that would be Imagination in the background, not the Land.

Reason #963 why I need Em to be the photographer for my trip reports!

Still a good pic!

 

[fractal]

Tuesday, con't

At last our character friends arrived! Mary Poppins was first. She commented on my "pretty Minnie dress." @Gabe1, note that today I am wearing the matching Minnie MagicBand.

View attachment 175801

Mary was soon followed by Alice who arrived pointing at this:
View attachment 175805
"I see you're drinking orange tea!" she exclaimed. "One must always drink tea."

View attachment 175802

Next Tigger bounced by.
View attachment 175803

FINALLY, The Mad Hatter arrived. He is the character I was looking forward to the most. The only other time we have dined at 1900 Park Fare for breakfast Hatter was MIA.

Me: "You are late!"
Hatter: "You are impatient!"
He kept circling me and I wanted Woody to take our picture.
Me: "Where should we stand?"
Hatter: "On the ground!"

View attachment 175804

I pondered whether or not to include the next picture because it makes me sad. During our entire breakfast, this table was in my line of vision. There were 3 eager children, excitedly holding onto autograph books and whose faces lit up when each character came to their table. Mom took pictures as her trio stood beside each character.

This was Dad. He never looked up from his screen. Not once.
View attachment 175810

Parents, let this be a visual reminder of what your children see when you are focused on your phone. Please ignore the screen and focus on your kids. They need your attention more than your phone does. And your children are always watching.

On our way out we met Pooh.
View attachment 175809

Poor showing by "Dad"!

 

[93boomer]

The pictures with Mary Poppins and characters are so cute! I love your red Minnie dress. The food pictures are making me hungry.
We put our 'do not disturb' hanger on the door so we aren't bothered with mousekeeping. If we need towels, hubby just goes looking for a towel cart and asks for a few extras.

 

[Tuvalu]

@MinnieM123, @DisneyJeff, @Tony the Tigger ~ I truly hope phone daddy was doing necessary business. I'd like to give the guy the benefit of the doubt but there was also some additional behavior that tells me he wasn't....

@MinnieM123, @Gabe1 and @93boomer ~ thank you for the Minnie dress compliments.

@fractal thanks for following along. My pictures pale in comparison to yours!

@93boomer and @Tony the Tigger ~ We enjoy the treat of having someone else make the beds and clean the room, since we do those tasks at home. I am also a neat freak. Forgoing housekeeping is not a choice for us.

 

[Woodywrkr]

No rush. Woody hasn't even read my last two reports!

Hey!