Trip Report Makin' Memories....One More Time! *COMPLETED*

Makin' memories
Makin' memories
Takin' pictures is makin' memories
Catchin' little pieces of time
Makin' them yours and makin' them mine
Great vacations and celebrations we love to hold near and dear
And when we're makin' memories
Happy days can reappear!

@amjt660 it seemed a little presumptuous of me to include Three Peat in the title of this trip report. A more accurate term might be Repeat, considering this is my third TR in three months. I am fearful that my WDWMagic friends may be weary of me.

But for @Big Hair and anyone else who wants to follow along, Welcome! I truly love reliving our great (and not-so-great) vacation memories through writing these reports. As always, your comments and observations are much appreciated!

So c'mon everybody, here we go........

Cast: Tuvalu, Woody and Em
Dates: June 17-25, 2017
Resorts: Port Orleans Riverside and Polynesian Village ('cause let's be honest......you can take the girl out of the Poly, but you can't take the Poly out of the girl!)

(Does this picture make you woozy? It is an appropriate representation of my Pandora experience.)

Stick around to discover what memories we made!

 

[Courtney6682]

I might look at you strangely......but not because you called out "Tuvalu!"

Friend?

 

[MinnieM123]

As Pooh approached me, he motioned that my red dress matched his red shirt. Then he grabbed me and gave me a big bear hug.

"Hey now, Pooh!" Woody scolded. "She's mine. It's our anniversary!"

Ha! I enjoyed the breakfast frolics!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Friend?

You tease me.
I tease you.
It's all good.

 

[Tuvalu]

On our very late arrivals, we just booked for the night we flew out. For example, over Memorial Day, we knew without delays we would arrive well after midnight Friday night - Saturday morning. We booked from Friday - Monday.

Wow, you did have some early arrivals! Smart to have booked the room for the day prior....much better than hanging out in the lobby!

 

[ksr99]

We left the Mansion and headed into Fantasyland. Woody noticed the LONG line of guests waiting for the Tangled lantern Photopass picture.

"What's that line for?" Woody asked.
I told him.
"All those people are waiting in line to have their picture taken in front of a BATHROOM??!!" he said incredulously.

Obviously Em and I would not be getting a lantern pic.

Would a couple castle shots do?
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It was so late when we got back to the Poly that the carpet was being cleaned!
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The castle shots are awesome!

 

[ksr99]

Em quickly awakened from her power nap and we continued our clockwise journey around the lagoon.

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HORROR OF HORRORS, @Longers!!!!!
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Well France wouldn't be getting any of our money today!
Canada on the other hand.....
No ice cream, but I purchased a nightshirt. I'm a sucker for all things moose!

The frozen cocktails!!!, what about the frozen cocktails!!!!!!!!!!??????

 

[ksr99]

The extra-long Pandora exit deposited us very close to our next FP.

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Em is dressed very appropriately for our Safari. Can you see why?

She was the photog for our journey.
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I love this shot.
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African dogs = ugly
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Our jeep was pretty far from where the giraffes congregate when I noticed two giraffes off by themselves in the open field. Typically the giraffes are noshing under trees or hiding themselves in the thick brush. This seemed unusual to me and when our jeep got closer.....my suspicion was confirmed.
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Our Safari got even more exciting (so to speak) when we saw that THE MANDRILLS WERE OUT!!!!! Baby is hiding under the trees....can you see him?
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Little Red at the elephant pool?
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Mr. Rhino blocked our way for a bit.
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Such a silly looking animal!
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The lioness sleeps today.
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We were pleased with the animal sightings this trip!

So after almost 20 years, what are your thoughts on the safari ride? Better with age? The drivers better or worse? Just curious...

 

[ksr99]

I don't know why we even look at the menu since Em and I always order the filet. Woody is a filet guy too, but he has been known to breach out and try other selections. The appetizers change regularly so I guess that in itself is a good reason to glance over the menu.

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Our server was EXCELLENT. He was very knowledgeable about the wine list and menu and paced the meal well. He was also very likeable ~ conversing enough to be friendly but not overbearing. When I mentioned how much I like the lavender focaccia, he wasted no time in bringing our bread basket!

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The "good stuff" is hidden under the rolls. I have no idea if the rolls are good or not....I am too busy inhaling the focaccia. Lucky for me, Woody and Em prefer the rolls. The floral taste in the focaccia is too heavy for them.

The entrees are very filling yet we always seem to find ourselves tempted with an appetizer. Tonight was no different. We picked a good one.......the BLT flatbread.

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The three of us made quick work of this beauty!

The family that orders the same entree stays together. Or something like that. Woody decided to be a filet guy again. The only downside to this meal (for me) was the broccolini.

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Good to hear about the excellent service. It has been hit and miss for me and my wife lately.

 

[Tuvalu]

So after almost 20 years, what are your thoughts on the safari ride? Better with age? The drivers better or worse? Just curious...

The safari has always been the main draw for me at AK. It is such a unique experience. Over the years I've had good safaris (lots of animals in sight and active) and bad ones (not many animals in view and poor jeep drivers (one who sped by the animals so quickly we didn't see them and another who spoke in a fake British accent the whole ride .) When the "Little Red" storyline was removed I thought I might miss it ~ I don't. I like the different species that have been added over the years (with the exception of the African dogs.) Not a fan of the nighttime safari.

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con't

The day was starting off to be a scorcher and would be the hottest day of our vacation. Woody and I were careful to stay hydrated and in the shade as much as possible. Our first FP was in the a/c and thankfully the walk from Crystal Palace wasn't too far.

(Apparently the hearse was missing in June too....I did not notice it at that time. At least there is concrete proof that @fractal did not steal it!)

It really is a lovely house.

Wait a minute.....why is the FP line (on the right) so long? What's up with that?

I'll tell you what's up. THE PEOPLE IN THE FP LINE WERE NOT MERGING. They were waiting for the standby guests to pass them by.

(Yeah, that gives a whole new meaning to the word "polite".)

These same clueless people gathered together and stood under the EXIT sign in the entryway.

Sorry folks, that is NOT a door into the stretching room.

When the stretching room door opened, Woody and I stepped inside. We were by ourselves for a few moments until the group had an awakening.

Not sure if they found their way out though.

 

[Tuvalu]

Can you see the @bee?

Woody and I waited in the shade beside this flower box until our next FP window opened.

 

[Tuvalu]

Woody had the day off from his cast member duties so he was able to ride with me.

 

[Tuvalu]

On a hot day, the fact that the exit to Peter Pan is close to the entrance of Philharmagic is a real blessing. We scooted inside and got our 3D glasses just as the doors to the theater were opening.

We were unable to move all the way down thanks to the rude snowflakes who stopped in the middle of the row and sat down. I was not in the mood to climb over anyone. Besides, I have seen the show from many different seat locations in the theater and guess what?

THE MOVIE LOOKS THE SAME FROM WHEREVER YOU SIT!!!

Had this not required standing in direct sunlight, we would have watched the entire Sword in the Stone performance. It is fun to observe the reactions of the unsuccessful big, strong man and the ultimately successful child.

Adventureland was our next destination. Saw this duck family as we crossed the bridge. Brought back fond memories of the Swan Boats that traveled the same waterway.

Since Woody so generously lets me choose where to go and what to do, he deserved to the chance to see his
friends Jose, Michael, Pierre and Fritz.

Oh, Claude and Clyde too!

 

[Tuvalu]

Who's ready for a rant?

(If not, kindly skip ahead to next post.)

After we sang like the birdies sing we headed for Pirates to use our next FP. A large group of "English is not my first language" rushed past us and bombarded the FP queue. The ones who tapped their tickets caused Mickey's head to turn blue......others walked right in without even bothering to tap. There were at least 25 who cut us (and the other valid FP holders behind us) off.

Stunned, the lady next to me asked the cast member why these line-jumpers were not stopped.

"At the Magic Kingdom we're instructed to be accommodating," was her reply.

SAY WHAT????!!!!!!

To make matters worse, the CM loading the boats made us get into an occupied row. Thanks to their "accommodating" policy, we were squished and I got soaked.

And this is how I felt about that.

(I thought my pursed lips would be more apparent in the picture.)

 

[becca_]

I would have been so annoyed.. "accommodating" for rule breakers?? How about accommodating those who ACTUALLY have a FP? Or those who waited in line for the posted wait time without cutting... That's a bit ridiculous

On another note, I love how 75% of the people in the pirates picture look so confused

 

[Tuvalu]

Patience and I were doing battle today. From the non-Passholders clogging the passholder entrance....to the "polite" guests on HM....the rude snowflakes at Philharmagic....and the line jumpers at Pirates....I was losing my "I'm at my favorite place" joy. The extreme heat wasn't helping matters either.

Woody and I only had a few more hours of vacation left so I decided to adopt his "just let it go" attitude. Once I did, I found myself smiling again.

Of course a ride on my favorite mountain helped with that!

The train came to a sudden stop by the dinosaur bones and I was able to snap a second BTMRR selfie.

 

[MinnieM123]

Woody had the day off from his cast member duties so he was able to ride with me.

Ah, the perks of being a Peter Pan's Flight CM at WDW! Go, Woody, Woody, Woody!

 

[PrincessL]

Who's ready for a rant?

(If not, kindly skip ahead to next post.)

After we sang like the birdies sing we headed for Pirates to use our next FP. A large group of "English is not my first language" rushed past us and bombarded the FP queue. The ones who tapped their tickets caused Mickey's head to turn blue......others walked right in without even bothering to tap. There were at least 25 who cut us (and the other valid FP holders behind us) off.

Stunned, the lady next to me asked the cast member why these line-jumpers were not stopped.

"At the Magic Kingdom we're instructed to be accommodating," was her reply.

SAY WHAT????!!!!!!

To make matters worse, the CM loading the boats made us get into an occupied row. Thanks to their "accommodating" policy, we were squished and I got soaked.

And this is how I felt about that.
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(I thought my pursed lips would be more apparent in the picture.)

What?!? This would have ruined my last day...glad you were able to bounce back on Big Thunder!

 

[Tuvalu]

I would have been so annoyed.. "accommodating" for rule breakers?? How about accommodating those who ACTUALLY have a FP? Or those who waited in line for the posted wait time without cutting... That's a bit ridiculous

Preach it, sister!!!!!!

On another note, I love how 75% of the people in the pirates picture look so confused

I confess ~ that made me laugh!

Ah, the perks of being a Peter Pan's Flight CM at WDW! Go, Woody, Woody, Woody!

He's so fly!

What?!? This would have ruined my last day...glad you were able to bounce back on Big Thunder!

I just put my Tigger on......

 

[amjt660]

Obedient guests are punished

Rule breakers are rewarded

Responsible operators are lazy, afraid, and/or too apathetic to do the right thing ( their job!!)

Too often the world we live in is a sad shell of its former self

Note: no sarcasm this time , not looking for a laugh, just disappointed in the human race

Max