Trip Report Everything Is Just So Peachy Keen! *COMPLETED*

It certainly was for us Georgia peaches this last week! For those who may be new here, let us introduce ourselves. We are Tuvalu and Em, a mother-daughter duo who love traveling together to Walt Disney World. We take multiple trips per year (this was our third for 2022) and for us, time spent at our resort is just as important to us as time spent in the parks. Slow-paced relaxation is vital to us!

I’m sure this laid-back vibe is what draws people to cruises: pools, bars, a variety of restaurants and activities from which to choose . I can’t do ships. But I can happily “land cruise” at WDW!

Hope you decide to follow along and learn about the surprises on our most recent voyage.

When: July 20-27, 2022
Where: Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resorts

Nothing can stop us now!

 

[Tuvalu]

One more week and I’ll be there, so thanks for the pictures to get me excited. And did you see me waving the other day as I quickly transited through ATL?

Are you staying at Yacht Club?

And you didn’t see me doing this?

 

[Swissmiss]

Are you staying at Yacht Club?

And you didn’t see me doing this?

View attachment 656806

Yes, we will be staying at Yacht Club.

I’ll admit - by the time we landed in ATL it was nearly midnight for us and we struggled to stay awake enough so that we wouldn’t miss our boarding call so i wasn’t sure if the blurry movement was you

But wow - what an efficient airport. I think we deplaned, cleared immigration and customs and were at our next gate (furthest from the international terminal) in under 45 mins.

 

[Tuvalu]

Ready for the real reason we would make do with the King bed?

Our surprise upgrade to a water view room. Our reservation was for garden view.

And Em was right….we did have a view of the lighthouse!

While the above picture is slightly zoomed (because I don’t have a fancy schmancy camera lens like @fractal, just an old iPhone) it was the actual view from our balcony. Objects were closer in real life than they appear in my photos.

Yeah, I spent a lot of time out here.

 

[Tuvalu]

After a quick unpack we were ready to return to Epcot.

The Food and Wine Festival had started less than a week earlier. It still feels odd to me that this (formerly fall) festival now begins in JULY. Em had picked up a guide earlier and while she didn’t see anything food-wise that she had to have, there were some beverages that interested her.

As we were leaving Yacht Club a couple on a surrey bike caught my eye. Two thoughts immediately sprang to mind.

1. How nice that surrey bike rentals have resumed! Another sign of normalcy.
2. Who in their right mind would pedal a surrey bike around the Boardwalk in the late afternoon summer heat??!! (We’ve rented a surrey bike there, and it ain’t as easy as it looks!)

Once inside the park we visited a booth that was a big hit with both of us last summer.

A POG mimosa? Yes, please!

Note: Em did not change clothes. This pic is from last year. But unlike last year, we did not share the mimosa. We each got our own!

Next up…..

I just now see Em’s photobomb!

We are suckers for Hard Ciders. I discovered my absolute favorite McKenzie’s Black Cherry at Epcot several years ago. And a Strawberry Rose (remember that one, @93boomer?) that unfortunately was local to Central Florida. So of course Em and I opted for the cider flight.

We had high hopes for the Guava (center) ~ I didn’t care for it at all and it Em declared it third of the three choices. My #1 pick was the Honeycrisp (left). Em’s #1 was the Strawberry Lemonade (right).

We lingered over our ciders (remember we started with mimosas and we aren’t big drinkers), as we awaited communication from another Magician we hoped to see.

 

[Captain Barbossa]

Em went with the Dinde BLT. She doesn't remember having it toasted before, but she really liked it. My Jambon Beurre was heavy on the cheese.

The Dinde BLT looks really good and I’ve come close to getting it several times, but I don’t want to cheat on my Jambon Beurre lol. I just need to order both next time

 

[Tuvalu]

The Dinde BLT looks really good and I’ve come close to getting it several times, but I don’t want to cheat on my Jambon Beurre lol. I just need to order both next time

 

[93boomer]

After a quick unpack we were ready to return to Epcot.

The Food and Wine Festival had started less than a week earlier. It still feels odd to me that this (formerly fall) festival now begins in JULY. Em had picked up a guide earlier and while she didn’t see anything food-wise that she had to have, there were some beverages that interested her.

As we were leaving Yacht Club a couple on a surrey bike caught my eye. Two thoughts immediately sprang to mind.

View attachment 656829

1. How nice that surrey bike rentals have resumed! Another sign of normalcy.
2. Who in their right mind would pedal a surrey bike around the Boardwalk in the late afternoon summer heat??!! (We’ve rented a surrey bike there, and it ain’t as easy as it looks!)

Once inside the park we visited a booth that was a big hit with both of us last summer.

View attachment 656836

A POG mimosa? Yes, please!

View attachment 656837
Note: Em did not change clothes. This pic is from last year. But unlike last year, we did not share the mimosa. We each got our own!

Next up…..

View attachment 656830
I just now see Em’s photobomb!

We are suckers for Hard Ciders. I discovered my absolute favorite McKenzie’s Black Cherry at Epcot several years ago. And a Strawberry Rose (remember that one, @93boomer?) that unfortunately was local to Central Florida. So of course Em and I opted for the cider flight.

View attachment 656831

We had high hopes for the Guava (center) ~ I didn’t care for it at all and it Em declared it third of the three choices. My #1 pick was the Honeycrisp (left). Em’s #1 was the Strawberry Lemonade (right).

We lingered over our ciders (remember we started with mimosas and we aren’t big drinkers), as we awaited communication from another Magician we hoped to see.

View attachment 656832

Yess. I loved that one just like you! Ciders are on my list again!

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

I also think the rear... backside... Crescent Lake-facing side of Yacht Club is more impressive than the entranc

I'm not sure I've ever seen the front side of Yacht Club, we only see it from Crescent Lake but that is a gorgeous view of the resort....

Our surprise upgrade to a water view room. Our reservation was for garden view.

YES! That view is incredible! I would totally have been okay sharing a king bed with my mom for that view!

It still feels odd to me that this (formerly fall) festival now begins in JULY. Em had picked up a guide earlier and while she didn’t see anything food-wise that she had to have, there were some beverages that interested her.

It seems like Epcot is just one big Festival, almost all year!

 

[Nala06]

After a quick unpack we were ready to return to Epcot.

The Food and Wine Festival had started less than a week earlier. It still feels odd to me that this (formerly fall) festival now begins in JULY. Em had picked up a guide earlier and while shedidn’t see anything food-wise that she had to have, there were some beverages that interested her.

As we were leaving Yacht Club a couple on a surrey bike caught my eye. Two thoughts immediately sprang to mind.

View attachment 656829

1. How nice that surrey bike rentals have resumed! Another sign of normalcy.
2. Who in their right mind would pedal a surrey bike around the Boardwalk in the late afternoon summer heat??!! (We’ve rented a surrey bike there, and it ain’t as easy as it looks!)

After a quick unpack we were ready to return to Epcot.

The Food and Wine Festival had started less than a week earlier. It still feels odd to me that this (formerly fall) festival now begins in JULY. Em had picked up a guide earlier and while she didn’t see anything food-wise that she had to have, there were some beverages that interested her.

As we were leaving Yacht Club a couple on a surrey bike caught my eye. Two thoughts immediately sprang to mind.

View attachment 656829

1. How nice that surrey bike rentals have resumed! Another sign of normalcy.
2. Who in their right mind would pedal a surrey bike around the Boardwalk in the late afternoon summer heat??!! (We’ve rented a surrey bike there, and it ain’t as easy as it looks!)

Once inside the park we visited a booth that was a big hit with both of us last summer.

View attachment 656836

A POG mimosa? Yes, please!

View attachment 656837
Note: Em did not change clothes. This pic is from last year. But unlike last year, we did not share the mimosa. We each got our own!

Next up…..

View attachment 656830
I just now see Em’s photobomb!

We are suckers for Hard Ciders. I discovered my absolute favorite McKenzie’s Black Cherry at Epcot several years ago. And a Strawberry Rose (remember that one, @93boomer?) that unfortunately was local to Central Florida. So of course Em and I opted for the cider flight.

View attachment 656831

After a quick unpack we were ready to return to Epcot.

The Food and Wine Festival had started less than a week earlier. It still feels odd to me that this (formerly fall) festival now begins in JULY. Em had picked up a guide earlier and while she didn’t see anything food-wise that she had to have, there were some beverages that interested her.

As we were leaving Yacht Club a couple on a surrey bike caught my eye. Two thoughts immediately sprang to mind.

View attachment 656829

1. How nice that surrey bike rentals have resumed! Another sign of normalcy.
2. Who in their right mind would pedal a surrey bike around the Boardwalk in the late afternoon summer heat??!! (We’ve rented a surrey bike there, and it ain’t as easy as it looks!)

Once inside the park we visited a booth that was a big hit with both of us last summer.

View attachment 656836

A POG mimosa? Yes, please!

View attachment 656837
Note: Em did not change clothes. This pic is from last year. But unlike last year, we did not share the mimosa. We each got our own!

Next up…..

View attachment 656830
I just now see Em’s photobomb!

We are suckers for Hard Ciders. I discovered my absolute favorite McKenzie’s Black Cherry at Epcot several years ago. And a Strawberry Rose (remember that one, @93boomer?) that unfortunately was local to Central Florida. So of course Em and I opted for the cider flight.

View attachment 656831

We had high hopes for the Guava (center) ~ I didn’t care for it at all and it Em declared it third of the three choices. My #1 pick was the Honeycrisp (left). Em’s #1 was the Strawberry Lemonade (right).

We lingered over our ciders (remember we started with mimosas and we aren’t big drinkers), as we awaited communication from another Magician we hoped to see.

View attachment 656832

I remember absolutely *begging* my parents to do the surrey bikes when I stayed at the Beach Club as a child. They finally relented…pretty sure they cursed my name every time we came up to that massive hill . I still hear about it to this day!

 

[Nunu]

Thanks for the room pics @Tuvalu , my friend!

Glad you and Em got upgraded to a beautiful lake view. Don't blame you for making good use of that balcony, it looks very peaceful and it's got a nice shade.

At Les Halles, it's either a Jambon Beurre, or a Quiche Lorraine for me. Hmmm, now that I think about it, the Jambon Beurre wins most of the time, yum!

Oh, and I need to try that POG mimosa on our next visit!

 

[MinnieM123]

Leather chair and ottoman, next to the nightstand which was next to the bed. Very comfy. (Not just the chair, the bed was very comfy too.)

That's a good-sized room. I really like the blue chair and ottoman. Glad that you found some hidden Mickeys in the draperies, because I can't really see any particular "theming" to the interior design. (I recall photos from years ago, when the rooms had more nautical touches, in line with the Yacht Club. )

The amenities throughout were very nice -- I particularly like that fold-up ironing board--great idea! (P.S.: I promised myself I would not ask you this time, if there was a clock radio provided for your use . . . )

 

[Tuvalu]

I liked the food there, too. Glad to see it hasn't changed much since the last time I visited WDW (4 years ago, actually).

Happy to see that you and Em got a table inside. (That was my only issue there -- they never had enough indoor tables.)

Les Halles doesn’t have enough outdoor tables either….of course they’re only usable a few months of the year.
The most stressful part of dining at Les Halles is securing a table. We make sure we don’t linger long as there are always others waiting.

That's a good-sized room. I really like the blue chair and ottoman. Glad that you found some hidden Mickeys in the draperies, because I can't really see any particular "theming" to the interior design. (I recall photos from years ago, when the rooms had more nautical touches, in line with the Yacht Club. )

The amenities throughout were very nice -- I particularly like that fold-up ironing board--great idea! (P.S.: I promised myself I would not ask you this time, if there was a clock radio provided for your use . . . )

While the only “Disney” I could find in the room was Mickey in the drapes (and Em didn’t notice him at all) there were a few subtle nautical touches. I actually thought it was one of the better themed refurbishments as refreshed resort rooms have become generic and bland.

But then I like a room with a clock (and a fan) so what do I know…..

 

[Tuvalu]

Yess. I loved that one just like you! Ciders are on my list again!

I’ll likely be visiting there again!

It seems like Epcot is just one big Festival, almost all year!

I believe there is only one week each quarter when there is NOT a Festival going on.

I remember absolutely *begging* my parents to do the surrey bikes when I stayed at the Beach Club as a child. They finally relented…pretty sure they cursed my name every time we came up to that massive hill . I still hear about it to this day!

Your post made me smile. That hill is a killer!!

Thanks for the room pics @Tuvalu , my friend!

Glad you and Em got upgraded to a beautiful lake view. Don't blame you for making good use of that balcony, it looks very peaceful and it's got a nice shade.

At Les Halles, it's either a Jambon Beurre, or a Quiche Lorraine for me. Hmmm, now that I think about it, the Jambon Beurre wins most of the time, yum!

Oh, and I need to try that POG mimosa on our next visit!

Em and I commented that we couldn’t go back to Yacht Club again unless we had that room!

I’ve wanted to try the Quiche Lorraine but I can’t pass up a baguette! (Hmmm perhaps I should order the quiche with a baguette on the side….)

POG mimosa = MUST

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

YES! POG mimosa are the main reasons for our reservations at Tusker House or Boma lol

 

[RememberWhen]

YES! POG mimosa are the main reasons for our reservations at Tusker House or Boma lol

Wait. I can get that at Boma?! Huzzah!

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

I got it last year there! Good luck!

 

[Darstarr]

The wall plugs had LED lights to softly illuminate the darkness ~ helpful for middle-of-the-night bathroom needs.

Just put one of these in my newly remodeled ( but not finished) bathroom.
Life
Changing
!!!

 

[BigDis]

Checking in and following along. Great room...now that's what I call a room with a view!

 

[MagicalMaci]

I just love the Yacht Club! It's so relaxing with all the dark woods and the lake views. And POG mimosas are my favorite!! Yum!

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

Earlier our Magician friend had texted me the arrival window for their Guardians Lightning Lane. My plan was for Em and I to get to the entrance a few minutes prior to the opening of their window so that we wouldn't miss them.

We had made it to here when my phone buzzed.

Turns out they had been allowed into Guardians early and were in line to board.

"We'll meet you at the exit!" I hurriedly texted back.


Ten minutes later we had our reunion with @fractal, @fractal jr and Toni.

It was wonderful to see their smiling faces! Our last reunion looked like this ~

July 2020 and the parks were a ghost town!

We'd met for the first time in July 2017. Both @fractal and I were live trip reporting and intended to keep our planned meet-up quiet, until we could post the reveal for those following along.

Enter @Zipadeelady.

Just so you know... @fractal is at MK right now too!!!

(Sorry T ~ this was too good not to mention AGAIN! )

We'd been outed. Yet it didn't make our meeting any less fun!

But our history goes back even further. August 2011 to be exact. Though we didn't know it at the time, it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Two families at The Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue only a few feet apart.

One final fun fact ~ you can thank @fractal for the origin of Shirley Status. While I can't find the photo (okay, TBH I don't feel like searching my trip reports for it, as I'm not certain of month/year), it was a pic of me strolling the red carpet at the entrance to Hollywood Studios. @fractal called me Shirley MacLaine, I took on her "celebrity", and then each time I had a private bus ride, private restaurant table or any preferential treatment I called it having "Shirley Status".