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."

 

[Scoppin]

We sat a little longer at our table after finishing our Moroccan delicacies. The Promenade seemed to have a lot more people on it than just an hour earlier. When we joined the masses it felt claustrophobic....I cannot imagine what World Showcase was like earlier this month for @Longers, @BuddyThomas, @Doc Disney and @prfctlyximprct. Making our way out to catch the monorail would not be fun.

So I came up with an alternate plan.

We exited out the beautiful (and far less crowded) International Gateway.
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We climbed aboard a Friendship boat.
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We relaxed on a sunset cruise around Crescent Lake.

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We disembarked at Boardwalk and went here ~

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We shared Ooey Gooey Butter Cake and Dark chocolate ice cream.
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And when we were done, we took a romantic stroll. We caught a MK bus from Boardwalk and transferred to a boat back to GF.

It was a delightful way to end our day.

Glad you were able to have a nice romantic moment.

 

[Tuvalu]

From one boatride to another.....

I snagged a lunch ADR last night for the best Mexican restaurant in Epcot. Although it's something else @lostpro9het and I disagree on....

Give me my Pollo a las Rajas!!

Enchiladas Verdes con Pollo for Woody, please!

Scrumptious doesn't adequately describe our meals.

 

[Tuvalu]

We used our "real" FP on Frozen after lunch.

It was SO HOT again today, being frozen would have been a relief! It was a sweaty walk to Future World where we made a final stop before exiting Epcot.

While I had gotten my Passholder tumbler in September, Woody wanted one of his own. To my surprise, my 3 visits to Epcot with him this trip allowed me to get a second tumbler.

Bye Bye Epcot!

 

[lostpro9het]

I snagged a lunch ADR last night for the best Mexican restaurant in Epcot. Although it's something else @lostpro9het and I disagree on....
/

Gosh....you say that like it is the worst thing in the world. If we all liked the same shi...stuff what fun would that be!?!?

I still think SAI has a phenomenal atmosphere but that is where it ends for me, not that my opinion should sway anyone's love for what makes them happy. If it did, Il Mulino would be completely booked at the 180 day mark and VN would be a ghost town...

 

[MinnieM123]

The mosaics are exquisite. I'll never forget my first visit back in 1985 with my mother--we were absolutely in awe of those, and I still get the same reaction today, looking at your pictures.

Didn't realize that the Snow White scene was "saved" -- I only rode the 7 Dwarfs Mine Train once a few years ago and it was so crowded (50-minute wait, which was the shortest of the day!) and hot, that I probably missed a lot of attractive details.

 

[Laurenciaa]

wow those mosaics are so pretty! I'm thinking if we have something like that in Disneyland Paris? Need to check when I make a little trip next month !

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Woody and I would have been foolish not to use one of our bonus fastpasses on the most-coveted-FP attraction. And it gave me the opportunity to receive something I had lacked thus far on this vacay.

TA-DA!!!!!
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Red card, red card, woot woot woot!!!!!

This pic is much better in the LIVE format!
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When in Rome.....
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So happy this scene from Snow White's Scary Adventure was saved.
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Breakfast time!

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There was no one waiting to order when we entered the tavern. As I turned to confirm with Woody what he wanted, a lady walked up to the counter with authority and announced, "I want my FREE cup of water." (Gee, read internet tips much?) Personally, I have never been in a counter service restaurant anywhere that did not give free cups of water. I don't know when this became a Disney "thing." Been going to Disney for decades and never had an issue getting cups of water (for FREE).

No water for us though. Coffee and a LeFou's brew to accompany the cinnamon bun and chocolate croissant.
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I paid the price for my condescending thought though. The LeFou's Brew gave me a wicked cold headache!

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After we finished breakfast we went Under the Sea. A person in the clamshell ahead of us took FLASH PICTURES the entire ride.

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The GF front desk manager had told me that the bonus fastpasses were valid on any attraction except Frozen Ever After. However there was no mention of a Frozen exclusion on the "Pinocchio Pass" we were given at The Plaza. Though we had a Frozen FP for later, we decided to give the Pinocchio Pass a try for an additional ride.

And it worked.

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Selfies?

Woody thought the Maelstrom makeover was well done.

Woody has the same expression on a thrill ride, outside a restaurant, and on a boat ride!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Woody has the same expression on a thrill ride, outside a restaurant, and on a boat ride!!

Which is exactly why he's the guy you want in times of crisis.

 

[Woodywrkr]

Woody has the same expression on a thrill ride, outside a restaurant, and on a boat ride!!

That's because I am always thrilled to be sitting next to Tuvalu regardless of location!

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con't

Our monorail pulled into the TTC and the automated announcement said, "Please exit here, this monorail will be returning to Epcot." Apparently this confused a man sitting in our car who motioned to a CM.
Man: "This monorail is returning to Epcot?"
CM: "Yes."
Man: "You mean it won't take me to Bay Lake Towers?"


As we walked down the ramp, Woody and I hoped we would not have a repeat of Monday, when the resort line was down and we ended up walking back to GF. There were two CMs at the entrance to the express monorail directing guests to the ferry because "the monorail to the MK is not operating at this time." There was also a sign which said: MONORAIL TESTING IN PROGRESS. But <yay!> the resort monorail was working!

So we thought the express monorail was down for planned maintenance. We did not expect that it was closed for a party!!

This picture does not even show the tables which were full of food and drinks. Or the podium with a microphone.

Woody tweeted a picture captioned: When did "Monorail Testing" include snacks and speeches?
@WDWToday did not bother to respond....which is ironic, since they had responded to his two other tweets earlier in the week.

We were unable to hang around for whatever festivities would occur since the resort monorail arrived. Once back at the GF, we had about an hour to kill before our Tragical Express bus.

First stop was Gasparilla's for a sweet treat.

Mickey Oreo cupcake and chocolate chip cookie (and FREE water!) We shared.

Next stop was Bell Services to pick up our carry-ons. Then we sat in the lobby for a bit.

 

[HurricaneHanna]

We haven't been over to the GF this year (due to our previously mentioned banning of Citricos). I love the new carpet! I'll say it again, @Tuvalu, you take wonderful photos. There's always a new detail to notice.

 

[Tuvalu]

All too soon, we had to take our seats on the Tragical.

You may notice that our bus is in the wrong lane for the airport. Yep, our driver got lost on Disney property! We had to double-back and try again.

Nearly every trip report on this forum includes a picture of the Welcome Arch...that oh-so-exciting-we're-HERE icon. There's one at the beginning of this report.

But I may be the first to post a pic of the sad-we're-leaving icon.

The Backside of the Arch!

 

[Tuvalu]

At the airport, Woody's boarding pass was rejected and he had to leave the security line. He said he would meet me at the gate. I was so flustered by this that I inadvertently boarded the wrong fonorail to the gate ~ and when I realized it and returned to the terminal, the TSA official made me go back through security AGAIN!

Woody and I ended up on the same fonorail to the correct gate.

I was reading threads on this site as we waited to board the plane. I noticed a post by @MissM who said that disneystore.com was selling the 45th Anniversary shirts, buy one get one half off. Sure enough, there was the red tee I'd been searching for! I immediately placed an order.

While I am happy to have the shirt, I think it is WRONG that the MK did not have it on site (when obviously there were so many available that they were offered online for a reduced price!) Can I #BlameShanghai? At the very least I can call #BS!!!!!

Goodbye, Orlando. I'll be back soon.

4 more days!

 

[myhappyplace]

Love your report. Hopefully the monorail won't give us too much of an issue! We're staying at BLT. We will look for you in MK on Saturday!

 

[Scoppin]

Wednesday, con't

Our monorail pulled into the TTC and the automated announcement said, "Please exit here, this monorail will be returning to Epcot." Apparently this confused a man sitting in our car who motioned to a CM.
Man: "This monorail is returning to Epcot?"
CM: "Yes."
Man: "You mean it won't take me to Bay Lake Towers?"


As we walked down the ramp, Woody and I hoped we would not have a repeat of Monday, when the resort line was down and we ended up walking back to GF. There were two CMs at the entrance to the express monorail directing guests to the ferry because "the monorail to the MK is not operating at this time." There was also a sign which said: MONORAIL TESTING IN PROGRESS. But <yay!> the resort monorail was working!

So we thought the express monorail was down for planned maintenance. We did not expect that it was closed for a party!!

View attachment 176574
This picture does not even show the tables which were full of food and drinks. Or the podium with a microphone.

Woody tweeted a picture captioned: When did "Monorail Testing" include snacks and speeches?
@WDWToday did not bother to respond....which is ironic, since they had responded to his two other tweets earlier in the week.

We were unable to hang around for whatever festivities would occur since the resort monorail arrived. Once back at the GF, we had about an hour to kill before our Tragical Express bus.

First stop was Gasparilla's for a sweet treat.
View attachment 176575

Mickey Oreo cupcake and chocolate chip cookie (and FREE water!) We shared.
View attachment 176576

View attachment 176577

Next stop was Bell Services to pick up our carry-ons. Then we sat in the lobby for a bit.
View attachment 176586

Not sure who would want to have a party on a monorail platform. Maybe there was a special announcement going to be made... maybe the renaming of the platform to Tuvalu Platform!

 

[TheMouseFan]

Nearly every trip report on this forum includes a picture of the Welcome Arch...that oh-so-exciting-we're-HERE icon. There's one at the beginning of this report.

But I may be the first to post a pic of the sad-we're-leaving icon.

The Backside of the Arch!
View attachment 176589

Nope, not the first! I posted this pic in my August 2015 "work" trip report!

 

[Tuvalu]

Not sure who would want to have a party on a monorail platform. Maybe there was a special announcement going to be made... maybe the renaming of the platform to Tuvalu Platform!

This made me LOL!

 

[Tuvalu]

Nope, not the first! I posted this pic in my August 2015 "work" trip report!

I gladly bestow the honor upon you then!

 

[Scoppin]

This made me LOL!

I am glad it had that affect. That is generally my goal with my smart a** comments.

 

[epcotisbest]

The Backside of the Arch!

Not many people know it but that was also Pink Floyd's ill-conceived original title for Dark Side of the Moon.