Trip Report A Total Eclipse of the Park *COMPLETED*

Not quite.

And apologies to Bonnie Tyler for parodying her hit song title from 1983 (although that was a very good year .)

So if you want to turn around and not read further I’ll understand. After 17 trip reports in less than four years you are probably sick of me. Heck, I am sick of me! But after a few requests from you kind people for another report I decided to forge ahead.

Unlike my last epistle, this will not take me four months to complete. First, this trip was shorter. Second, there is no live section which needs to be expanded later. Third, I’m heading back to the World in 2.5 weeks and then into the holiday season ~ so I’m giving myself a “Do or Die” deadline.

Let’s get started.

Who? Tuvalu and Woody
What? End of summer getaway
Where? Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
When? August 19-22, 2017
Why? There has to be a why?

It certainly wasn’t to witness the eclipse. In fact when I booked I didn’t even realize our dates coincided with the eclipse. We live within two hours of the path of totality and missed a viewing party with friends who delighted in watching the total phenomenon. Instead Woody and I got to experience.....

Well, you’ll have to wait to find out.

Here we are on arrival day. Can you tell the photographer was earning his ears?

I’m proudly wearing the dress that was instrumental in our free Pirate Cruise. (For context please see my July TR.)

Stay tuned for this trip’s shenanigans.

 

[Tuvalu]

Love your room. Yea I’d have to say if I boarded DME and the GPS was on I’d be slightly concerned.

Yes right away I was baffled. Even more baffling was that the driver STILL got lost!!

I am here hanging on to every word and picture!!! As far as that bus driver, one time we had a bus driver that drove so slow I could run faster than the bus was going!! Guess what I can't run that fast. Since it is four of us we do car service.

Missed seeing you at Food and Wine this year!

How did I miss this? I'm here now!

Yey the August report, I have been waiting but casually late as per usual

You both are now present and accounted for.

 

[Tuvalu]

My 2nd favorite walk in WDW (only behind the walkway between Epcot and Hollywood Studios)!!!

Come to think of it, what other walking paths are there?

• MK to Contemporary.
• MK to half-way to GF, that dead-ends.
• POR to POFQ.
• I've also heard that there is a path from OKW to Disney Springs.

Any others???

There is a path between WL and Ft. Wilderness. It’s pretty barren and does not get a lot of use.

The Crescent Lake loop (Yacht, Beach, Boardwalk, Swan/Dolphin) is a fun walk.

There is a walkway from Saratoga Springs to Disney Springs.

There’s a trail that connects Kadani Village with AKL.

 

[amjt660]

We split the tacos 67/33 (for you math majors!)

A+

Max

 

[DryerLintFan]

Those tacos look amazing!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Those tacos look amazing!!

Leaps and bounds over dryer lint.

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, August 20

I wanted to surprise Woody with breakfast so I snuck quietly out of our room before he awakened. There wasn’t another soul in the common areas of our building so I utilized the opportunity to take a few pictures.

I know I commented about this the last time we stayed here, but the flowers in the lobby of each building are “real and spectacular.” (For you, @amjt660 )

Do you think there’s enough power to open the exit doors?

 

[Tuvalu]

Even the trash cans are classy here.

Look! One of @DisneyShe ‘s furry friends!

I’d happily take a morning cruise on the Grand 1 Yacht. Where’s First Mate Jeff when you need him?

 

[Tuvalu]

The entrance to Gasparilla’s is literally just a few steps from Sago Cay.

Hmmm, I never noticed the “Island” part of the name. Not sure if this is a new change or if it has always been so. Either way, it’ll always be just Gasparilla’s to me.

This is the dining area outside. Woody and I would enjoy it tomorrow.

And this is the view

Inside there is a fancy schmancy coffee bar.

But Woody just drinks regular black coffee so I filled the mug from the coffee urn.

Odd to see plates for sale here . I can’t decide if I like them or not. A deviled egg plate was the first thing that came to mind when I saw it from a distance. Or a toddler plate where food goes into different compartments so it doesn’t “touch”.

 

[Tuvalu]

I decided to go with a simple continental breakfast ~ cinnamon bun for Woody and a chocolate hazelnut (Nutella!) croissant for me. The trays at the GF are not the typical plastic cafeteria trays found in other quick serve locations. These babies are HEAVY....and when food and beverages are placed upon them, become heavier still. And though Sago Cay is nearby, I wasn’t sure how much weight my arms could take for that distance.

Woody was up when I returned and we decided to dine al fresco.

But since our balcony faced east, it wasn’t long before the blazing sun rendered it too hot to remain seated outside.

 

[DryerLintFan]

Leaps and bounds over dryer lint.

But do they light up?!??!!???!

The entrance to Gasparilla’s is literally just a few steps from Sago Cay.
View attachment 244567
Hmmm, I never noticed the “Island” part of the name. Not sure if this is a new change or if it has always been so. Either way, it’ll always be just Gasparilla’s to me.

This is the dining area outside. Woody and I would enjoy it tomorrow.
View attachment 244568

And this is the view
View attachment 244569

Inside there is a fancy schmancy coffee bar.
View attachment 244570
But Woody just drinks regular black coffee so I filled the mug from the coffee urn.

Odd to see plates for sale here . I can’t decide if I like them or not. A deviled egg plate was the first thing that came to mind when I saw it from a distance. Or a toddler plate where food goes into different compartments so it doesn’t “touch”.
View attachment 244571

Definitely toddler plates

 

[Tuvalu]

Woody was envious of all the resort time Em and I had at the WL last month, so today and tomorrow would be “no parks” days for us. Every resort at WDW has so much to offer and it is nice to be able to take advantage of the amenities (which ~ let’s face it ~ you are paying for anyway!) And as much as we love the parks, downtime can be even better. (Can I get a “Woot Woot” @epcotisbest?)

We had never sampled the Beach pool so we headed there around 10 am. A lack of loungers was immediately apparent, but mostly because there is not a lot of room for them. Woody saw two chairs together and grabbed them.

For a price you can enjoy a private cabana with its own loungers.

And yeah, all of them were already reserved!

Fancy schmancy pool house

Gotta love this sign @MinnieM123 and everyone else who has ranted about guests “reserving” loungers with towels. But do the CMs actually follow through?

And cause you know I had to....bathroom pics! (Note the hamper.)

Three showers but only two toilets.

Just when you think you’ve seen it all.....

...the AquaVault! Is theft really a problem at the GF pools? Has anyone seen these “chair lockers” at other resorts? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[amjt660]

Sunday, August 20

I wanted to surprise Woody with breakfast so I snuck quietly out of our room before he awakened. There wasn’t another soul in the common areas of our building so I utilized the opportunity to take a few pictures.

View attachment 244551

View attachment 244547

I know I commented about this the last time we stayed here, but the flowers in the lobby of each building are “real and spectacular.” (For you, @amjt660 )
View attachment 244548

View attachment 244550

Do you think there’s enough power to open the exit doors?
View attachment 244549

I have heard them called many things over the years but "flowers" is new for me
I must admit does have a certain level of class
Check out those flowers !!!

Max

 

[geebee721]

Loving your trip so far! And the chocolate croissants are my favorite Disney breakfast!

 

[Tuvalu]

My new obsession is taking pictures of Pool Rules signage

Isn’t it sad that this sign is even needed?

This would be the bridge.

(Is it just me or isn’t this an odd place for a Restrooms sign? “Please pee on the slide?”)

For the record, I did go down the slide. It was quite fun. Woody refused to channel his inner child and join me.

See the monorail gliding by in the above pic? I must say it is an odd sensation to be in the pool when it passes by as it looms larger than it appears here.

This is more like it.

 

[LadyBelle]

Look! One of @DisneyShe ‘s furry friends!

Aw! Reminds me of the little ones who were born underneath my front bush this past May

 

[MinnieM123]

Even the trash cans are classy here.

The trash cans there are too pretty to throw trash in!!

Hmmm, I never noticed the “Island” part of the name. Not sure if this is a new change or if it has always been so. Either way, it’ll always be just Gasparilla’s to me.

Used to be Gasparilla's Grill, but people used to refer to it simply as Gasparilla's. However, this Gasparilla's Island Grill is news to me--must be something new. Seeing as it's at the GF, they're probably trying to class up their on QS on property by giving it a fancier name--con people into thinking it's on its own island.

Gotta love this sign @MinnieM123 and everyone else who has ranted about guests “reserving” loungers with towels. But do the CMs actually follow through?

I sure hope they do, but you have to ask yourself, how do they know if people have left? I just have an issue with them not providing enough lounge chairs--ridiculous for the amount of people that use the hotel pools.

 

[epcotisbest]

Woody was envious of all the resort time Em and I had at the WL last month, so today and tomorrow would be “no parks” days for us. Every resort at WDW has so much to offer and it is nice to be able to take advantage of the amenities (which ~ let’s face it ~ you are paying for anyway!) And as much as we love the parks, downtime can be even better. (Can I get a “Woot Woot” @epcotisbest?)

We had never sampled the Beach pool so we headed there around 10 am. A lack of loungers was immediately apparent, but mostly because there is not a lot of room for them. Woody saw two chairs together and grabbed them.
View attachment 244591

For a price you can enjoy a private cabana with its own loungers.
View attachment 244592
And yeah, all of them were already reserved!

Fancy schmancy pool house
View attachment 244593

Gotta love this sign @MinnieM123 and everyone else who has ranted about guests “reserving” loungers with towels. But do the CMs actually follow through?
View attachment 244594

And cause you know I had to....bathroom pics! (Note the hamper.)
View attachment 244596

Three showers but only two toilets.

View attachment 244597

Just when you think you’ve seen it all.....
View attachment 244590
...the AquaVault! Is theft really a problem at the GF pools? Has anyone seen these “chair lockers” at other resorts? Inquiring minds want to know!

Woot Woot!

 

[epcotisbest]

I think I am about three @Tuvalu trip reports behind. Thanks for the tag!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Sorry I'm late to your report report, but I have a good excuse I was in WDW the last few days. I'm enjoying your report so far!

 

[Pirate Magic]

Yes right away I was baffled. Even more baffling was that the driver STILL got lost!!


Missed seeing you at Food and Wine this year!




You both are now present and accounted for.

I missed you too!!! I was there for EPCOT'S 35th. I was hoping that you were there too!!!