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

Wait, what?

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

Must. Read. More.


Clickbait! :joyfull:

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!

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

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

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

See Ya Real Soon!
 

Ariel1986

Well-Known Member
A leaf blower outside our door at 6:25 am?!!

Poor form, Disney. Even though I’m awake, I’d wager the majority in our building are still trying to sleep!

Argh that reminds me of our stay at the Poly in 2015- leaf blowers almost every morning anytime from 6am! I was not a happy bunny :bored: But we also experienced that once or twice at POFQ too in 2013. Once it was actually a group of gardeners outside the room and they were all singing and chanting! I wouldn't have minded too much at a later hour. I can't think why any staff or garden manager would think it's ever a good idea outside guest rooms so early?! I guess not too many complain?

Anyway- enjoy your trip! And hopefully quieter early mornings!
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
Have a wonderful day!
Thanks, friend!

Argh that reminds me of our stay at the Poly in 2015- leaf blowers almost every morning anytime from 6am! I was not a happy bunny :bored: But we also experienced that once or twice at POFQ too in 2013. Once it was actually a group of gardeners outside the room and they were all singing and chanting! I wouldn't have minded too much at a later hour. I can't think why any staff or garden manager would think it's ever a good idea outside guest rooms so early?! I guess not too many complain?
Anyway- enjoy your trip! And hopefully quieter early mornings!
I think they want everyone up and spending more money in the parks and at restaurants. The earlier you are up, the more money they hope to make from you? Did Em sleep through it?
Blowers woke Em. I’m thinking the blowers woke the whole hotel up (movie reference @amjt660 😉) I “mentioned” it at the front desk.
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
After my MagicBand debacle of yesterday I decided to scoop up the bands I brought with me (since none of them worked to open the door) and have them checked at the Front Desk.

I stood at the “wait here” sign for at least 5 minutes while neither of the CMs acknowledged me. (Yet I saw them both peek up.)
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Full not-so-funny story ensued, but you’ll have to wait for details.

Then I went to get breakfast.
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The first thing that struck me was how QUIET the food court was, even though it was busy. None of the chaos typically found at a value resort.
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It was a take-out morning.
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Nala06

Well-Known Member
I have so much to say about our California Grill experience. While Ryan was great as usual and we had a lovely table, the new chef has made some changes that left us disappointed. I will go into more detail later but a quick summary~

This is now the bread service.
View attachment 274719
A sad, mini-loaf of sourdough. WHERE IS MY BELOVED LAVENDER FOCACCIA??!!!

The bigger heartbreak?
NO MORE BLT FLATBREAD!!!

Risotto has not returned to accompany the oak-grilled filet. 😭

Em and I did enjoy our meals, but not nearly as much as we have in the past.

Thankfully the rain had stopped in time for Happily Ever After.
View attachment 274720

We went back inside for dessert and then bade Ryan goodbye.

That has me worried for our ADR in a few weeks. Its our first time at CG and the reviews of late have been less than stellar.
 

epcotisbest

Well-Known Member
Doesn't that mean they're not staying on property or not from USA? Could very well be passholders couldn't they?
Or maybe someone who likes grey, or lots of other reasons. I have a grey one and it works just like all the others. But, we often stay off site, so there's that. And we live in the mountains of North Georgia, so not technically from the USA.
 

krause

Well-Known Member
Doesn't that mean they're not staying on property or not from USA? Could very well be passholders couldn't they?
Or maybe someone who likes grey, or lots of other reasons. I have a grey one and it works just like all the others. But, we often stay off site, so there's that. And we live in the mountains of North Georgia, so not technically from the USA.

I know I know I’m just being cynical - a stab at @Tuvalu trying to opt out of getting bands and getting sent grey ones. I picked a grey one for my Dad when I customized all of ours because I think it’s fine. I’m from Canada and we can still customize and get the colors we want, just have to pick them up at the desk when we get there, they don’t get mailed out. If you don’t realize you can customize online you would get grey ones.
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
Family of grey-banders?? Did they make it through? :hilarious:
They did. The family in front of them? No.

Doesn't that mean they're not staying on property or not from USA? Could very well be passholders couldn't they?
I can’t imagine a single Passholder wanting a gray band (except for @Kiwiduck 😉)

And we live in the mountains of North Georgia, so not technically from the USA.
GA mountain folk are the best!

When I saw this photo of the missing spout on the shampoo, I thought it might be a trip ruining problem, but upon closer inspection realized the spout was not missing, just pointing directly at the camera. Crisis avoided. Beautiful room.

View attachment 274820
:joyfull:
 

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