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]

Monday, con’t

Woody always likes to stop in Canada. It’s his favourite (for my Canadian friends ) pavilion, especially during the Flower and Garden Festival.

Yet it is still lovely during other times of the year. Even August!

 

[93boomer]

Monday, con’t

Woody always likes to stop in Canada. It’s his favourite (for my Canadian friends ) pavilion, especially during the Flower and Garden Festival.

Yet it is still lovely during other times of the year. Even August!

View attachment 675725

View attachment 675724

Our favorite too!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Woody and I did not stop in any other countries until we arrived here.

For one reason it was too HOT.
For the better reason we had a lunch ADR.

We were a few minutes early and the restaurant doors were still closed. We sat on a bench facing the entrance so we would know when we could check in.

I’d never paid much attention to this statue before.

Oh and I found Remy. Not that I was looking for him.

A line began to form outside the door so I got up to stand in it. A CM had arrived with a portable podium and was taking names. It occurred to me she was making a list of walk-ups, as the guests remained nearby but did not enter the lobby. When I told her I had reservation she said I could go in (yay! air conditioning!) and I motioned for Woody to join me.

You know who happened to be in the lobby, don’t you?

The manager.

Remember these guys?

And this?

The Backstory

So we all know about Rabbit.

View attachment 662590

But what about Duck?

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Or Owl?

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Or Frog?

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Who knew there were more statues?!! I didn’t. (Em said she did, but she is a smarty pants. )

The manager of Via Napoli also didn’t know about the statues until he was hired to work at the restaurant.

He said that in Naples, Italy it was common for owners of stately manors to have a statue of themselves outside their mansion. The statue represented the owner and their occupation — lawyer, doctor, orator, etc.

Since this is Disney, the restaurant owners (Patina group) thought they’d have a little fun and made them animals, dressed in human form. (Explains why you noticed Rabbit’s human hands, @erstwo. And perhaps why Frog suspiciously resembles Kermit!)

When I mentioned to the manager that my curiosity was peaked after several visits with Rabbit near my table, he let out a laugh and said, “Oh that rabbit is just plain creepy!”

Two of my friends were savvy enough to realize that I’d gone back to Via Napoli and had obtained that info in person.

@Tuvalu is likely out galavanting around WDW. She’ll get to the rabbit thing eventually people.

The “good job” actually means she’s currently at WDW living her best life, presumably with her amazing daughter and/or soulmate, and is waaaaaaaay too busy to post for now.

Thanks for having my back, guys!

Since the restaurant was just opening the manager allowed me to grab pictures of the other animal statues….through the windows, of course!

Sadly Woody and I were not seated anywhere near them. We were escorted to enclosed patio, which thankfully had a/c!

We toasted with Woody’s glass of pinot grigio and my frozen strawberry limoncello. As much as I enjoy a glass of pinot grigio, I would never sacrifice this deliciousness for it!

Our server also brought us the Mickey parmesan and red pepper flakes (which was on a much smaller plate this time!)

Were there leftovers from our large Margherita?

Why would there be? This pizza was fantastic!

 

[mpaulam]

Oh my goodness, I can taste that pizza right now!! We discovered it last year, and now it's a must-do for us.
I also love the Canadian pavilion. The flowers are lovely.

 

[MinnieM123]

Woody always likes to stop in Canada. It’s his favourite (for my Canadian friends ) pavilion, especially during the Flower and Garden Festival.

Our favorite too!!

I also like the Canadian pavilion, but it's #2 for me. My favorite is Mexico.

 

[myhappyplace]

Loving the report as always!! Especially Shirley's private ferry!

 

[MissingDisney]

Two of my friends were savvy enough to realize that I’d gone back to Via Napoli and had obtained that info in person.


Thanks for having my back, guys!

Anytime, @Tuvalu, anytime!

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, con’t

I do enjoy the countries at Epcot. I really do. But when temperatures feel like you’re walking on the face of the sun all I want to do is keep moving towards the park exit.

Woody and I left Italy and managed to make it to Mexico before needing a respite from the heat. Fortunately one of our nostalgic favorites (we rode it on our honeymoon) is here and there was only a short line.

Yeah, it’s a little more frenetic than El Rio del Tiempo was, but the 2007 addition of Donald, Panchito and José Carioca doesn’t bother us. It’s still a relaxing ride.

We had one more stop to make before leaving. I promised Em I would check Starbucks for the Epcot 50th “Been There” mug. It was the only one missing from her collection.

We entered Connections Cafe and Woody thought he’d hit pay dirt. “Is that it?” he asked optimistically as he pointed to a display.

He wasn’t wrong.

Too bad it was the ornament, not the mug. (Object in my photo is a lot smaller than it looks!)

I texted the pic to Em in case she wanted the ornament. She did not.

The search for the elusive mug continues….

 

[Tuvalu]

Goodbye for now, Epcot.

We had a smooth ride to the TTC. (Of course we did - we weren’t in a hurry to get anywhere!)

I didn’t feel like waiting for the resort monorail so we walked over to Poly. It was a somewhat cruel reminder of what we should have done this morning.

We went to the lobby so that I could be photographed with a proper background while wearing the tropical Minnie shirt Woody had given me. (Like I said in a previous post, it’s the little things that amuse us.)

Woody preferred to rest but I was not about to let a pool opportunity go to waste. I changed and found a lounger at the quiet pool. The lounger quickly became just a place to store my stuff as it was too HOT to remain upon it. I entered the tepid water and searched for the deepest part to cool off.

Alas, four feet of water in the center of the pool didn’t exactly refresh as I hoped. I stayed immersed only a little while before calling it quits. The miserable summer heat had beaten me.

I returned to the room to find a sleeping Woody. He had made the better choice!

 

[amjt660]

Hi @Tuvalu
We went to Florida in August and found the same thing - warm bath water pools that did nothing to refresh
The cold shower was the only thing that gave relief….

Max

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

Oh and I found Remy. Not that I was looking for him.

I love hunting for REMY during Food and WINE! Thanks for pointing this one out!

We toasted with Woody’s glass of pinot grigio and my frozen strawberry limoncello. As much as I enjoy a glass of pinot grigio, I would never sacrifice this deliciousness for it!

On my must-try list now

Fortunately one of our nostalgic favorites (we rode it on our honeymoon) is here and there was only a short line.

Even if they change it to COCO, I still hope it’s a ride you two can enjoy forever!

 

[Tuvalu]

Hi @Tuvalu
We went to Florida in August and found the same thing - warm bath water pools that did nothing to refresh
The cold shower was the only thing that gave relief….

Max

 

[Tuvalu]

I love hunting for REMY during Food and WINE! Thanks for pointing this one out!

On my must-try list now

Even if they change it to COCO, I still hope it’s a ride you two can enjoy forever!

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, con’t

Tonight was Extra Magic Hours at Epcot for deluxe resort guests. Woody and I had a dinner ADR within walking distance of the IG and had toyed with the idea of attending.

Earlier in the day I’d sent a text to Em saying, should you be available at 6 pm to try for another BG, I wouldn’t hate that.

We hadn’t left for dinner and were still in our room when I noticed it was after 6. No text from Em, so I assumed she was either busy or was unsuccessful in scoring us a second BG.

On a lark I opened MDE and let out a little cry of glee.

She’d done it again!

To appreciate just how fast her finger was today, see below.

The 7 am BG drop lasted under 8 seconds and Em had scored us BG 20, the first set of groups to be called.
(We were ineligible to try at 1 pm.)
The 6 pm BG drop lasted less than 4 seconds!

I was excited for Woody to have another opportunity to ride Guardians. I texted Em a big THANK YOU!!!

A few minutes later we headed out to dinner.

 

[93boomer]

Monday, con’t

Tonight was Extra Magic Hours at Epcot for deluxe resort guests. Woody and I had a dinner ADR within walking distance of the IG and had toyed with the idea of attending.

Earlier in the day I’d sent a text to Em saying, should you be available at 6 pm to try for another BG, I wouldn’t hate that.

We hadn’t left for dinner and were still in our room when I noticed it was after 6. No text from Em, so I assumed she was either busy or was unsuccessful in scoring us a second BG.

On a lark I opened MDE and let out a little cry of glee.

View attachment 676049

She’d done it again!

To appreciate just how fast her finger was today, see below.


View attachment 676055

The 7 am BG drop lasted under 8 seconds and Em had scored us BG 20, the first set of groups to be called.
(We were ineligible to try at 1 pm.)
The 6 pm BG drop lasted less than 4 seconds!

I was excited for Woody to have another opportunity to ride Guardians. I texted Em a big THANK YOU!!!

A few minutes later we headed out to dinner.

I’m gonna need lots of pixie dust!! I don’t know if my fingers go that fast

 

[amjt660]

@TrolleyFollower91

Max

 

[Tuvalu]

We rode the monorail to the MK and then transferred to a bus luxury motor coach bound for Yacht & Beach. It continued to feel odd to not to be on a “Disney bus” when riding from a park to a resort!

We were about 40 minutes early for our Beaches & Cream reservation so we people-watched outside the restaurant.

The ice cream cone table is so cool! (Figuratively, not literally. At least not in August!)

More refurb was going on at Stormalong Bay near our relaxation grotto, @TrolleyFollower91.

Notice the dark clouds brewing? That wouldn’t be good….

I had inquired at the podium if our fave server B was working. He was not.

As soon as we were seated the first of 7 Kitchen Sinks was ceremoniously delivered.

Did it have a whole can of whipped cream?

I can’t say for sure since Inspector Em wasn’t there watching.

 

[Tuvalu]

Big menus were back, baby! No more QR code to scan.

Our meal took longer than usual. Our server Erica took great care of us but the kitchen was super slow in getting food out to everyone.

Both of us had chicken sandwiches. Woody’s was “as it comes on the menu.” Mine was modified as usual.

This may have been the longest steak fry I’ve ever seen:

The food was good as always. We hadn’t planned on having ice cream with a Guardians of the Galaxy ride on the horizon.

But something happened that changed our minds.

Those dark clouds we saw before dinner?

They didn’t blow over. In fact they stayed put and produced a deluge of rain, complete with thunder and lightning. People arriving were drenched!

Woody and I were unprepared for rain. And it was a long walk from B&C to GotG.

So we drowned our disappointment with sundaes.

Em’s effort to get us a BG would be for naught. It was still pouring when we left the restaurant. In a scene reminiscent of our first night of vacation, we managed to stay dry on our journey to the Beach Club bus stop.

We did get a little wet as we boarded the MK bus. We figured we’d get even wetter during the transfer from bus to monorail, but at least we’d be returning to our room.

Halfway to the MK, my phone buzzed with the notification that our BG had been called. It would have been perfect timing if not for the weather.

When we got to MK, it hadn’t rained at all!

But there must have been lightning, as we overheard an announcement that the fireworks were delayed. As luck would have it, we got to the Poly in time to watch the show from outside the Great Ceremonial House.

A little pixie dust to conclude our evening!

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

We rode the monorail to the MK and then transferred to a bus luxury motor coach bound for Yacht & Beach. It continued to feel odd to not to be on a “Disney bus” when riding from a park to a resort

This will never not be weird! I noticed this last Fall—- we were on several luxury motor coaches around property. The other hard part is missing the Magical Express. Such a great way to bookend a vacation —- and just the convenience factor!

Big menus were back, baby! No more QR code to scan

YEAH!!! I guess this Melinnial is old-school. I’ve never been a fan of having my phone out while dining but these last two years, having to have it out everywhere has been an adjustment. There’s something special about going to a restaurant and browsing the laminated menu.

Also, EM IS AMAZING (for many reasons) but she has super fast fingers!!!

When we got to MK, it hadn’t rained at all!

This little Disney factoid that happens frequently around property will never cease to amaze me.

Even if you didn’t get on GOG again, I’m happy you had your fireworks pixie dust!!

 

[MinnieM123]

We rode the monorail to the MK and then transferred to a bus luxury motor coach bound for Yacht & Beach. It continued to feel odd to not to be on a “Disney bus” when riding from a park to a resort!

Just had a random thought about this. It's fine if they use the non-Disney themed buses as backup transportation, if needed. However, I was wondering if there might be more going on behind the scenes, regarding the future of the Disney (owned and themed) buses. Probably not likely, but curious to see if they might eventually rent/lease more outside vendor buses, and sell off (at least some) of their own fleet. (Note: I have nothing to base any of this on. Just a random thought only.)