Trip Report It's Two, Two, TWO Trips in One! *COMPLETED*

Title reference for those of you younger than dirt ~



Got it? Good!

This trip report is somewhat unique and calls for a different kind of introduction. This, as you may recognize, is a picture of me and my significant other.

I invite you, if you dare, to follow along on a lengthy adventure that includes three resorts, lots of flowers, exotic food and a Fruber (a what?) Because this report travels directly to.........the Tuvalu Zone.

 

[Tuvalu]

@Tuvalu I have been wondering about ROL and the corralling of the herd toward the exit. Is there a way to go back toward Asia and just stroll through the park while it is closing? This is my goal. I don't want to end my stay feeling like cattle. I would even like to find a bench and sit while everyone is heading out.

If you are in the Dinoland section, you are forced to head out into Dinoland.
If you are in the Asia (FP) section, you are forced to head back into Asia.
Having exited from both sections, one is not any better than the other. It is similar to exiting Fantasmic ~ crowded and slow.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Our server took our drink order.

I tried the Zingiber Fizzie.
View attachment 209529
Sadly, I did not care for this AT ALL. Mom ended up drinking it. She was willing to swap me her iced tea except I am not a tea drinker

Neither of us liked the bread. Our Tiffins experience was not starting out well.
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But that would soon change.

The dining package includes an appetizer, entree and dessert. For my appetizer I chose the Heirloom Apple Walnut Salad.
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I set up this shot before trying the salad. After one bite, I decided the salad was worthy of a picture all its own.

THIS WAS AHH MAY ZING!!!!!!
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So light yet the flavors blended so perfectly together. I would return to Tiffins just for this!

Mom got the Charred Delta Asparagus.
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This dish was delicious too!

Beef bolognese was the special of the day. Mom loves pasta so that's what she ordered.
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This picture does not accurately represent the portion size. It was HUGE. Like you cooked up a whole pound of penne pasta huge.

Mom devoured the entire bowl.

I had the Wagyu Strip Loin and Braised Short Rib.
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The short rib (far right) was to die for. Tender, smokey, yumminess.

I wanted to love the Wagyu beef. I have read so many accolades of Wagyu that I expected to love it. Thought it would be the best steak I'd ever eaten.

It paled in comparison to my Cali Grill filet.
After a few bites I was done.
And now I know not to order Wagyu again.

Though Mom and I were pushing the limits of fullness, we felt an obligation to order the "included" dessert.
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We both went with the Chocolate Ganache.
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It was.....okay. Perhaps if we hadn't been so full we would have enjoyed it more. Neither of us came close to finishing it.

Throughout our dinner, Mom kept remarking about the "odd glowing bucket" she had seen brought to a few tables. "What in the world is it?" she wondered. "It's so strange looking. If one is brought to our table, I'm going to lose it!"

We did not get one.

We got two!
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Mom could barely contain her laughter when our server brought them out. It wasn't until they were on our table that we figured out they were lotus blossom popcorn buckets. Em and I did not receive them with our Tusker House ROL dining package so I was surprised to see them part of our Tiffins package.

(Head's up......these buckets are a PIA to pack in a suitcase!)

So @Tony the Tigger and @Zipitidoda, how would I rate Tiffins?
Atmosphere A
Service B
Appetizers A+
Entree A+ for short rib/C for Strip loin = B+ overall for mine
A for Mom's Beef Bolognese (her rating)
Dessert C (and none of the other choices sounded good to us)

I would like to go back to Tiffins for lunch. I could still have the Heirloom Apple Walnut Salad and the short rib is a "pick two" option (think I'd be allowed to pick it twice? ) The cost would be less and I would be assured of receiving only foods I like. My palate tends to be a picky one!

I think that was a very fair rating! I love that you ordered everything I've never ordered, so now I don't have to . Was that fizzy drink non-alcoholic? (then I wouldn't have noticed it .) I don't remember much about the bread but I don't think it looked like what you got. (I'll have to check pics of my own trip reports LOL.)

I have never tried Wagyu beef, either. Makes me want even more to get my filet at Monsieur Paul (although I'm not sure it's the same as what's on the menu now? arrgh.)

No sugar free desserts there, so we skip that altogether. It's a rule.

I'm glad you didn't hate the whole thing! And omg the popcorn thingy!!

Those Tiffins pictures have me second guessing my plans for August. I've been going back and forth between Tiffins and Jiko. I'm currently leaning towards Jiko so I can wear nice clothes and shoes without trekking through half of Animal Kingdom, but those pictures are mighty tempting.

We are doing both in September. Been to Tiffins a few times and had a great experience every time (I like a more adventurous menu.) No need to dress up there. This will be our first time at Jiko.

My favourite dinner of the trip was at Tiffins! The soup was to die for! I certainly agree that the popcorn buckets are a nightmare to pack though!! My niece now uses it as her "handbag"

omg the lobster soup with the popcorn?!

 

[Tuvalu]

Was that fizzy drink non-alcoholic? (then I wouldn't have noticed it .) I don't remember much about the bread but I don't think it looked like what you got. (I'll have to check pics of my own trip reports LOL.)

I have never tried Wagyu beef, either. Makes me want even more to get my filet at Monsieur Paul (although I'm not sure it's the same as what's on the menu now? arrgh.)

Yes, the fizzy was non-alcoholic although there is a drink with the same ingredients plus gin. I am not a gin drinker so I opted for the non-alcoholic version. I chose it because I like each ingredient on its own ~ I just didn't like them mixed together.
Wagyu is chewy and really doesn't have much flavor. It needed to be dipped in the sauce (which was good) but I couldn't get past the texture. Again, a personal preference thing.
Do you remember the name of Monsieur Paul before it became Monsieur Paul? I cannot remember and it's driving me crazy. Google was no help.

 

[bee]

Yes, the fizzy was non-alcoholic although there is a drink with the same ingredients plus gin. I am not a gin drinker so I opted for the non-alcoholic version. I chose it because I like each ingredient on its own ~ I just didn't like them mixed together.
Wagyu is chewy and really doesn't have much flavor. It needed to be dipped in the sauce (which was good) but I couldn't get past the texture. Again, a personal preference thing.
Do you remember the name of Monsieur Paul before it became Monsieur Paul? I cannot remember and it's driving me crazy. Google was no help.

Bistro de Paris (according to Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France_Pavilion_at_Epcot

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, May 10

How many of you could do an 11-hour park touring day when temps are in the 90s ~ without taking a break? If so, could your parents do it? What about your grandparents?

I'm proud to say Mom did it! (Although I would have preferred to take a break between our park-hopping....it was a perfect day for the pool....but Mom was adamant we keep going.)

After cereal and cawfee in the room, we arrived at the bus stop to find chaos. Again.

There were 8....count 'em 8....MK buses (and 7 of them were the larger bendy buses) that came before our DHS bus. At one point there were 4 MK buses stacked in a row! Meanwhile our queue and the Epcot queue overflowed into a merged sea of people. It was ridiculous. Some of the MK buses left empty. Why couldn't those buses been repurposed for DHS or Epcot?

When we finally got to the Studios, I decided to walk the red carpet. And I did so with a flourish. I'm a celebrity after all.....even though the emcee mistakenly announced me as "Shirley MacLaine."

Mom requested Great Movie Ride first. She wasn't too happy that the Star Wars stage partially blocked the view of the Chinese Theater....

....especially since she thought the removal of the BAH would restore the iconic view.

(Taken during our last mother-daughter trip in February 2015)

 

[Tuvalu]

Bistro de Paris (according to Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France_Pavilion_at_Epcot

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

 

[dmatt87]

Wednesday, May 10

How many of you could do an 11-hour park touring day when temps are in the 90s ~ without taking a break? If so, could your parents do it? What about your grandparents?

I'm proud to say Mom did it! (Although I would have preferred to take a break between our park-hopping....it was a perfect day for the pool....but Mom was adamant we keep going.)

After cereal and cawfee in the room, we arrived at the bus stop to find chaos. Again.
View attachment 209706
There were 8....count 'em 8....MK buses (and 7 of them were the larger bendy buses) that came before our DHS bus. At one point there were 4 MK buses stacked in a row! Meanwhile our queue and the Epcot queue overflowed into a merged sea of people. It was ridiculous. Some of the MK buses left empty. Why couldn't those buses been repurposed for DHS or Epcot?

When we finally got to the Studios, I decided to walk the red carpet. And I did so with a flourish. I'm a celebrity after all.....even though the emcee mistakenly announced me as "Shirley MacLaine."
View attachment 209708

Mom requested Great Movie Ride first. She wasn't too happy that the Star Wars stage partially blocked the view of the Chinese Theater....
View attachment 209711

....especially since she thought the removal of the BAH would restore the iconic view.
View attachment 209715
(Taken during our last mother-daughter trip in February 2015)

I really miss the hat - I thought it was a great symbol and it my there when we honeymooned in 2011

 

[Tuvalu]

Mom had not been on GMR since TCM became the sponsor. It's a good thing we went on it today, since it may be gone by Mom's next visit.

Anyone?

We climbed aboard our ride vehicle and sat there for a few minutes waiting for the opening music to start. It didn't...but then several CMs appeared and began calling out to guests to "act" while in the car. "Stand up and look surprised!" "You've received bad news...cry!" "Smile like you've never smiled before!"

It was awkward. I'll bet there were technical difficulties and the CMs were there to distract us from the excessive delay.

The music eventually began and when the show was over Mom said, "That was the BEST movie ride ever!!" It was the first time she had ever sat on the far left side and she noticed lots of details she had not seen before. She was especially taken with the old west set.

I may have walked the red carpet, but it was Mom who had her handprints made!

 

[Tuvalu]

I really miss the hat - I thought it was a great symbol and it my there when we honeymooned in 2011

I liked your post even though I hated the hat.

 

[Zipadeelady]

If you are in the Dinoland section, you are forced to head out into Dinoland.
If you are in the Asia (FP) section, you are forced to head back into Asia.
Having exited from both sections, one is not any better than the other. It is similar to exiting Fantasmic ~ crowded and slow.

This doesn't make me feel all magical inside.

 

[Tuvalu]

It was just a short walk over to Pixar Place to use our first FP.

Not our finest attempt. In my defense, I had a bad gun.

(Yeah, this pic's from 2015 but applies to today's match as well!)

 

[Tuvalu]

This doesn't make me feel all magical inside.

Bring your patience and don't be in a hurry.

 

[BuddyThomas]

View attachment 209726

Mom had not been on GMR since TCM became the sponsor. It's a good thing we went on it today, since it may be gone by Mom's next visit.

View attachment 209729
Anyone?

View attachment 209727


We climbed aboard our ride vehicle and sat there for a few minutes waiting for the opening music to start. It didn't...but then several CMs appeared and began calling out to guests to "act" while in the car. "Stand up and look surprised!" "You've received bad news...cry!" "Smile like you've never smiled before!"

It was awkward. I'll bet there were technical difficulties and the CMs were there to distract us from the excessive delay.
View attachment 209730

The music eventually began and when the show was over Mom said, "That was the BEST movie ride ever!!" It was the first time she had ever sat on the far left side and she noticed lots of details she had not seen before. She was especially taken with the old west set.

View attachment 209731

I may have walked the red carpet, but it was Mom who had her handprints made!
View attachment 209732

You look great! And these pictures are incredible.

 

[MinnieM123]

I love your mom's exquisite t-shirt! Classy lady!!

 

[Tuvalu]

You look great! And these pictures are incredible.

I love your mom's exquisite t-shirt! Classy lady!!

I was sporting Minnie too.....am I classy?

 

[fractal]

Wednesday, May 10

How many of you could do an 11-hour park touring day when temps are in the 90s ~ without taking a break? If so, could your parents do it? What about your grandparents?

I'm proud to say Mom did it! (Although I would have preferred to take a break between our park-hopping....it was a perfect day for the pool....but Mom was adamant we keep going.)

After cereal and cawfee in the room, we arrived at the bus stop to find chaos. Again.
View attachment 209706
There were 8....count 'em 8....MK buses (and 7 of them were the larger bendy buses) that came before our DHS bus. At one point there were 4 MK buses stacked in a row! Meanwhile our queue and the Epcot queue overflowed into a merged sea of people. It was ridiculous. Some of the MK buses left empty. Why couldn't those buses been repurposed for DHS or Epcot?

When we finally got to the Studios, I decided to walk the red carpet. And I did so with a flourish. I'm a celebrity after all.....even though the emcee mistakenly announced me as "Shirley MacLaine."
View attachment 209708

Mom requested Great Movie Ride first. She wasn't too happy that the Star Wars stage partially blocked the view of the Chinese Theater....
View attachment 209711

....especially since she thought the removal of the BAH would restore the iconic view.
View attachment 209715
(Taken during our last mother-daughter trip in February 2015)

You mean "code name" Shirley MacLaine; as the rest of the CM scramble to clear the park for you.

 

[DisneyJeff]

We didn't get those

Apparently, you aren't a VIP like @Tuvalu!!!

 

[93boomer]

Warning ~ The following pictures may make you hungry. Especially if you are reading this before breakfast.

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Yeah, this buffet is the reason we didn't need to open the menu.

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Unfortunately the buffet is currently on hiatus as Captain's Grille undergoes a major refurbishment. But if you are traveling to the world in 2018, you may want to consider a CG buffet breakfast.

In the meantime, Captain's Grille has been temporarily relocated (with a limited menu) here ~
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Ariel's is a former table service restaurant located in the Beach Club. It's used for private functions.

Our server was personable and experienced, having worked at Captain's Grille for 10 years. He visited our table frequently to chat and we enjoyed conversing with him.

We left stuffed. I remarked to Woody that I'd eaten like our kitty Kona, who frequently gorges himself with food....only to gag it up later. "I'll throw up in Epcot for you," chuckled Woody.

Wow!! That food looks awesome!! Sorry I am trying to catch up and had to comment mid-reading.

 

[Mindylee143]

The thought that the GMR may be closing makes me so sad...it's my 13 year old son's dream to be a tour guide there one day. He'd be crushed. Any idea if they really have plans to close it?

 

[Big Hair]

I was sporting Minnie too.....am I classy?

You are a class act Tuvalu. It goes without even having to be said.