Trip Report I Vowed Never Again ~ Yet Here We Are! *COMPLETED*

Wait, what?

WDW-obsessed Tuvalu actually vowed never again ?!?!

Must. Read. More.


Clickbait!

But there is truth in my statement. I did vow not to visit the world whenever our spring break...always the first week in April....aligns with Easter. The first week of April typically brings heavy crowds since most southern school systems are out. I can handle heavy. But add in additional volume from schools that coordinate their break with Easter and “heavy” becomes INSANE. (Not quite the insanity of Christmas week....I am smart enough to avoid that, thanks to a one-day trip in 1994.)

But I’ve BEEN THERE ~
In 2009 (during the recession) when it took 40 minutes just to get through the Epcot parking booth....and the line for the boat ride in Mexico was out the front door of the pavilion....and Magic Kingdom was closed due to capacity.

In 2010 when the mid-morning standby wait for Test Track was 240 minutes (that’s 4 hours, people!) and the wait time for Nemo (Nemo!) was 150 minutes.

In 2015 when we watched the 6:45 am MK Welcome show in the dark because we wanted to ride a few attractions before the hordes descended.

Long lines to use the restrooms (always filthy because attendants couldn’t keep up); no available tables in quick-service locations, forcing guests to sit on the ground outside the restaurants; and a general atmosphere of cranky/angry guests who didn’t like dealing with the multitude any more than I did.

So I declared, DONE THAT!

Or so I thought.....

My darling daughter Em lives for spring break. As a student she vacationed (Disney or beach) every year but one ~ and there was nearly a mutiny! Now that she’s a teacher, going away for spring break has reached an even higher level of importance. With this year’s Easter/spring break overlap, we began researching other warm-weather destinations.

Guess what we discovered. Transportation, resort and dining costs were cheaper if we went to WDW! And having APs means our entertainment would be free. Em’s teacher budget would not be strained. The practical side of me could not argue....and the mom side of me could not disappoint my daughter.

We leave on Monday. We’re prepared. And we’re gonna be LIVE!

A few Magic meet-ups are in the works. Hope to keep them a surprise (as long as @Zipitidoda doesn’t spill the beans! )

Despite declining MagicBands for our upcoming stay, these arrived in yesterday’s mail ~

Yeah, like we’re gonna wear the UGLY gray ones.....

See Ya Real Soon!

 

[DryerLintFan]

Dinner was at one of our favorite fun spots ~ Beaches and Cream!

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(Can’t you tell how much fun Em is having? )

I wish I had gotten a picture of our jovial server because he never stopped smiling! (“Smiling’s my favorite!”) He checked on us frequently and did not have an issue with my request of subbing a chicken breast for the hamburger patty.

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Em ordered the burger as it comes.
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We had a “Groundhog Day” experience while we dined. If you aren’t familiar with the movie, Bill Murray’s character is sent to Gobbler’s K n o b, Pennsylvania to report if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow....only he ends up reliving the same day over and over and over. Each morning weatherman Phil (Murray) is awakened by the opening chords of “I Got You Babe” playing on the radio....and the disbelief and frustration on Phil’s face is priceless.

There’s a jukebox in Beaches and Cream. The songs are retro 60’s pop, with a couple tunes by The Beach Boys (get it?) I cannot recall if money is required to play the jukebox, but I don’t think so as music always seems to be playing whenever we eat at B&C. The volume is kept at a reasonable level and most time the music just fades into the background. So I didn’t think much of it when the opening strain of “California Girls” began to play.

Until it played again.

And again.

Well this is odd, I thought to myself. As it began to play for a fourth time I said to Em: “Listen! The only song that’s playing is California Girls!”

She hadn’t been paying attention but when the opening riff began for the fifth time in a row, she burst out laughing. Which, of course, made me laugh.

By the 8th playing, we were in full-fledged hysterics.

Em was facing the jukebox and noticed that a boy had been hovering around it. She suspected the boy was responsible for the California Girls overload.

And when the boy was called back to his table by his father and reprimanded (“Stop playing that song!”) The mystery was solved.

But not before it played for a ninth time!

Then the lights were dimmed as a Kitchen Sink was brought out.....
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....and delivered to the table with the California Girls culprit!
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I encouraged Em to get a No Way Jose even though Woody wasn’t there to share it with her. I had a few spoonfuls, but the peanut butter sauce is too overpowering for my taste.
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Totally full, we went inside Beach Club and admired the Easter eggs. We also perused the gift store where I saw the cutest pair.....tiny Chip and Dale stuffed inside a pair of Mickey ears!
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Took a Disney CM-driven Uber back to POFQ and watched Illuminations from our room window.
A perfect end to “Tu’s” day!

Back when I was in the Army, we'd go out drinking a lot because in many military base towns there's nothing else you can do. It used to be a favorite activity of mine to drop a twenty into the juke box and play Justin Beiber on a loop. We'd make bets on how many other people would get sick of it and leave, LOL.

 

[Tuvalu]

I already had a similar one ready to go...I never realized how rabbit-shaped Brian is - or how Brian-shaped rabbit is?

You crack me up!!

Did you contact Disney about this? I would think that even if this isn’t owned by Disney, it’s still on Disney Property and they could put them back to customer service training.

I did not. I'm not sure constructive criticism (which would probably be construed as complaining) would even help as this seems to be a pattern at VN.

Glad to hear Earl of Sandwich is still tasty. It's on our list in June. We've never been there, do you have any recommendations?

The Holiday Turkey (turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry); Earl's Club (turkey, bacon, swiss, lettuce, tomato and special sauce); The Original 1762 (roast beef, cheddar and horseradish sauce) are our favorites. All sandwiches are served warm on homemade rolls. For your daughter the Caprese sounds amazing (though it's hard for me to give up the Holiday Turkey!) and there is a veggie sandwich too.

Maybe it's the anniversary of the first time you rode LWTL?

I suppose anything is possible!

Back when I was in the Army, we'd go out drinking a lot because in many military base towns there's nothing else you can do. It used to be a favorite activity of mine to drop a twenty into the juke box and play Justin Beiber on a loop. We'd make bets on how many other people would get sick of it and leave, LOL.

You're BAAAADDDD.....and I love it!

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

From Disney Springs we took a bus to the Contemporary. Em and I got seats in the back and there was a long line of folks behind us, meaning the bus was standing-room-only. An Asian family ~ dad, mom, son and daughter ~ were standing next to the rear door. The girl was about 5 and dressed as Princess Aurora. She looked adorable and was the only person in costume. Just before pulling away, our driver played the “Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a Disney Princess onboard!” recorded announcement.

No reaction from the family.

Speaking into his microphone, the bus driver proclaimed: “I see we have Princess Aurora back there!”

No reaction from dad, son or the little princess. Mom looked around to see who the bus driver was talking about.

What should have been a Magical Moment got lost in translation.

 

[need2go2wdw]

The day was going so well until we got to our room and encountered......

The dreaded cleaning cart!!
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And the mousekeeper was just entering our room.

“Do you want to use your room? I can come back,” she said.

“That’s okay, we’ll come back,” Em replied. She turned to me and whispered, “Cause there’s a good chance she won’t come back!”

Which, considering it is 2:30 pm....on a Friday....is likely.

So we walked to the food court to get some water. Em rounded the corner and was stopped by a CM who made a sorry attempt at flirting with her (think Ross Geller).

This is only part of the conversation:
He: “Where are you from?”
She: “Atlanta.”
He: “Are you here on vacation?”


Doesn’t her attire indicate someone ON VACATION??!!
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Slowly sipping our waters and hoping our room is ready soon.

 

[Tuvalu]

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YES!!! Favorite Ross episode EVER!!!

 

[krause]

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I spent like 10 minutes looking for a gif of this and couldn’t find one

 

[Tuvalu]

Now the post @Big Hair has been waiting for.....Leap #2

Em and I walked over to Bay Lake Tower after disembarking the bus. The original plan was to meet @Big Hair in the lobby and he would escort us up to the Top of the World lounge. Since we are not DVC members, Em and I had never been to the Top of the World or even inside Bay Lake Tower.

Big Hair (gotta love that name!) messaged me that he was saving a table for us and all we needed to do was tell the woman at the desk in the lobby our names and we would be allowed in the elevator to the Top of the World. So we walk in the front door and.....there’s no woman. There’s no desk. There are two men in suits who say hello. I’m a bit confused.....

Em noticed a directional placard with “Top of the World Lounge” in a hallway on the left so we headed in that direction. We came upon an elevator bank with the center elevator wide open. A finely dressed cast member ~ a woman ~ had her arm extended towards the open elevator (as if she were pointing at it) and said, “Welcome Home!”

What did I do? I got into the elevator. Em followed.

I wasn’t sure what the floor number was for the Top of the World so I just pushed the highest number. A couple other guests got on and pushed numbers. The elevator made two stops before opening for us......clearly NOT at the Lounge!

“What the?”

“Mom, we were probably supposed to check in with that lady downstairs. I tried to tell you....but you just leapt into this elevator!”

“You followed me!”

“What was I supposed to do?”

By this time we were in hysterics. The elevator door closed and we began to do down. The elevator dropped only a floor or two before the door opened and a man got on. He pushed the lobby button (something we’d forgotten to do) and Em and I did our best to contain our laughter.

Until the elevator stopped on the next floor....and another guest got on.

Then another stop.

“This is like when Kramer’s driving the bus,” I whispered to Em. “You kept making all the stops?” I mimicked. “People kept ringing the bell!”

She was trying to hold it together. So was I. But unbeknownst to us, the first man had overheard my comments. He looked at us and said, “Seinfeld?”

We cracked up. We then explained our feeble attempt to get to the Top of the World lounge.

“Oh you need to check in at the podium. It’s a different elevator,” he said.

Em gave me an “I told you so” glance.

We exited at the lobby and I gave our names to the CM at the podium. She directed us into the proper elevator this time, along with the other guests heading to the Lounge.

Our little “adventure” caused us to be late to our meet up. I apologized to Big Hair for our tardiness. Em shared the story and Big Hair said he forgave us.....as long as the story made it into the TR.

 

[Tuvalu]

“Drinks on me,” Big Hair said as he summoned the waitress.

I remembered the yummy Tropical Lifesaver I had at the California Grill. BLT is connected to the Contemporary, right? Surely the bars would have the same drinks?

“Can I get a Tropical Lifesaver?” I asked the server.

She paused and then replied: “I don’t think so. Our bartender is really old. He only knows basic drinks....and the specialty drink on the menu.”

Then the decision was made for me. “I’ll have a Monorail Yellow.”

We chatted until it was time for Happily Ever After, and then we went out on the observation deck.

The view was awesome! (So are Em’s pics!)

We finished our drinks and then accompanied Big Hair to the MK bus depot where we said “Kwaherini”.
What a great day it was!

 

[DryerLintFan]

Wednesday, con’t

From Disney Springs we took a bus to the Contemporary. Em and I got seats in the back and there was a long line of folks behind us, meaning the bus was standing-room-only. An Asian family ~ dad, mom, son and daughter ~ were standing next to the rear door. The girl was about 5 and dressed as Princess Aurora. She looked adorable and was the only person in costume. Just before pulling away, our driver played the “Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a Disney Princess onboard!” recorded announcement.

No reaction from the family.

Speaking into his microphone, the bus driver proclaimed: “I see we have Princess Aurora back there!”

No reaction from dad, son or the little princess. Mom looked around to see who the bus driver was talking about.

What should have been a Magical Moment got lost in translation.

They didn't announce over the intercom that a princess was on board for A, but almost every bus driver we had called her a princess and interacted with her like she was actual royalty. The bus drivers were all great!! This is an adorable story!

 

[Tuvalu]

Thursday, April 5

Port Orleans French Quarter is a beautiful resort which is even more stunning in the early morning.

So I took the scenic route to pick up breakfast....didn’t think my princess would mind.

 

[93boomer]

Thursday, April 5

Port Orleans French Quarter is a beautiful resort which is even more stunning in the early morning.

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So I took the scenic route to pick up breakfast....didn’t think my princess would mind.

One of our fav resorts!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Today’s destination ~

 

[PacNWTigger]

Today’s destination ~

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Loving the shirts ladies!

 

[Tuvalu]

Making our way to our first attraction.

Very soon these gates will be opening for us!

Glad FP was still available for Toy Story Mania this trip. It’s a fun ride but there is no way we would wait an hour for it....let alone the nearly two hour wait that was listed when we scanned our bands....at 9:30 am.

Em agreed to ride with me despite the inevitable consequence ~

She always beats me in accuracy though. And complains that I “steal” her targets.

To be fair she clobbered me on Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney’s California Adventure. Guess she has that “west coast groove.” @PacNWTigger if you look closely at our shirts it says Orlando and Anaheim. Only coast-to-coasters can genuinely sport a shirt like that!

 

[ScarletBegonias]

Those were such great shots of you and Em in Epcot!!! What a wonderful backdrop!

 

[Tuvalu]

Those were such great shots of you and Em in Epcot!!! What a wonderful backdrop!

Thank you! I *may* have suggested that a framed version would make a nice Mother’s Day gift.

 

[Tuvalu]

We had some time before our next FP so we joined a standby line.

I posted this hint in the LIVE part but the only guess I got was a smart-alecky reply from @LadyBelle.

So here’s another hint.

Anyone?

 

[Zipadeelady]

Voyage of the Little Mermaid?

Did I win?!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Voyage of the Little Mermaid?

Did I win?!!

Indeed you did!

 

[LadyBelle]

I posted this hint in the LIVE part but the only guess I got was a smart-alecky reply from @LadyBelle.

Sorry.