Trip Report No Grit, No Pearl: a 30th Anniversary Trip

Ahoy Mateys! Or anniversary trip has come and gone. Before I report on this trip, please take a trip down memory lane with me.
We were wed on August 6, 1994 and we arrived on our Honeymoon trip on August 7. We stayed at the Polynesian and I wish I could remember the building we stayed in! I know we were on the first floor, and we were not super close to the pool. I recall visiting Discovery Island on our first day.

I remember E being paranoid that a bird was going to on him because there were birds everywhere!
At the time Animal Kingdom did not yet exist, but I do have some photos of the other 3 parks.
Here are some from MGM Studios:

The fountain that is still there.

Also still there.

Long gone.

From a parade. These camels are now at Magic Carpets of Aladdin.

Mickey and Mr. Miyagi!

 

[PineapplePrincess]

This is obviously from the Luau. I remember making the reservation in the Poly lobby.
Here are some from Epcot:

There was a character breakfast at Coral Reef. I'm pretty sure our travel agent made the reservation in advance for this one.

Scuba Mickey!

Illuminations was not a thing yet. There must have been a different nighttime show, but I don't recall the name.

 

[PineapplePrincess]

Here are some from MK.

I feel like this must have been taken from the People Mover.
These are from the Mickey Mania Parade.

 

[BigDis]

Thanks for sharing these pictures. Many great memories for you, I'm sure. My favorite parade has always been Mickey Mania! I remember seeing it in 1995 with our children ages 5 and 2 at the time. This made my day. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip...Oh yeah...I'm number 1!

 

[CAlvares]

Thanks for sharing, those pictures are so incredible!! Love the fashions!!
Can’t wait to read the report!

 

[Tiki Traveler]

Congratulation on 30 years! And thanks for the great photos!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Awesome to see those photos! Happy Anniversary!

 

[Tuvalu]

Congrats on 30 years

Love the throwback photos. We also visited in summer 1994 - 5 nights at the newly-opened All Star Sports (only the Surf buildings were open). The room was $88/night and the total vacation for 4 (food, tickets, and souvenirs - Em was still free) was under $1500. Those were the days!

 

[Spash007]

Here are some from MK.
View attachment 809629
I feel like this must have been taken from the People Mover.
These are from the Mickey Mania Parade.
View attachment 809624View attachment 809625View attachment 809626View attachment 809627View attachment 809628

Happy Anniversary!

And I absolutely loved that parade!

 

[Swissmiss]

Love your memory lane pictures!

 

[MinnieM123]

Loving the great start to your TR -- all those fun, retro photos!!

 

[k8einwdw]

Happy Anniversary! Can’t wait to hear about your trip!

 

[PineapplePrincess]

Thanks for sharing these pictures. Many great memories for you, I'm sure. My favorite parade has always been Mickey Mania! I remember seeing it in 1995 with our children ages 5 and 2 at the time. This made my day. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip...Oh yeah...I'm number 1!

Thanks for following along!

Thanks for sharing, those pictures are so incredible!! Love the fashions!!
Can’t wait to read the report!

When DD saw the aztec-ish outfit, she said, "that outfit!" I'm taking it as a compliment even thought I'm quite sure it wasn't meant as one. She did approve of the blue striped dress though!

Congratulation on 30 years! And thanks for the great photos!

Awesome to see those photos! Happy Anniversary!

Congrats on 30 years

Love the throwback photos. We also visited in summer 1994 - 5 nights at the newly-opened All Star Sports (only the Surf buildings were open). The room was $88/night and the total vacation for 4 (food, tickets, and souvenirs - Em was still free) was under $1500. Those were the days!

Thanks a bunch! Those were the days, for sure! In hindsight, I wish we would have explored all the resorts. We did the DVC tour, but since I didn't even have a job yet and we didn't have a house, it wasn't feasible.

Happy Anniversary!

And I absolutely loved that parade!

Love your memory lane pictures!

Loving the great start to your TR -- all those fun, retro photos!!

Happy Anniversary! Can’t wait to hear about your trip!

 

[PineapplePrincess]

Okay, so let's get this most recent trip report started. Full disclosure, I did not take notes, so I am relying on my pictures to remind me.
We flew out of Detroit on the morning of Sunday, August 4th. We opted for the Mears shuttle, and grocery delivery from Kroger. We had seen the Kroger delivery truck on our last trip and since that is our go to grocery store at home, we wanted to try it. It went off without a hitch although I did have to wait a bit for our delivery time. The problem with the Mears shuttle is that it's hard to predict exactly when you will arrive at your resort. There was some alcohol in our order, so I had to be there to receive it. Wouldn't you know that our room was ready when we got there....highly unusual for us!

Stood out here for quite some time waiting for our delivery. Bell services could not have been any nicer or more helpful. They loaded our bags and then wheeled the cart out to the delivery truck for our groceries.
We headed to our room in Moorea.

I had requested a 3rd floor room through DVC and my wish was granted! This was a corner room.

This view did NOT suck!

I took a couple photos of the Murphy bed because I couldn't remember if it was new. DD has informed me that it's NOT new, and that she's worried about my memory. Same, girl, same!

We called Bell Services as soon as we got in the room, and had to wait a little while for our belongings to be delivered.
Once we were settled in, we walked over to the TTC and hopped on the monorail to MK.

 

[cgersic]

Loving the throwback photos!!! I remember Epcot characters wandering around - especially Pluto and Chip and Dale Congratulations on the anniversary and I'm ready for this report!

 

[Wicked Sisters]

Loved the throwback photos as they reminded me of our holidays there in the 90’s. Really looking forward to this report.

 

[littleroo]

I, too, love the all the throwbacks! Looking forward to your Trip report. Happy Anniversary!!

 

[PineapplePrincess]

Loving the throwback photos!!! I remember Epcot characters wandering around - especially Pluto and Chip and Dale Congratulations on the anniversary and I'm ready for this report!

Loved the throwback photos as they reminded me of our holidays there in the 90’s. Really looking forward to this report.

I, too, love the all the throwbacks! Looking forward to your Trip report. Happy Anniversary!!

Thanks so much to all who are following and for the Anniversary wishes! They are much appreciated.

 

[PineapplePrincess]

E and I had decided that since this was a short trip, we would purchase Lightning Lanes multi passes for everyday except our AK day. For today, (Sun., Aug. 4) I was able to get HM at 3:15, JC at 4:15 and PoTC at 5:15. Tiana's was not available. As some of you saw, I got a Tron Group number 8 from the Delta Lounge in Detroit, but it went unused.
Hurricane Debby was making herself known and it was raining, so I'm a little short on pictures for today and tomorrow.
I really thought I nailed this one!

I believe we arrived right at the tail end of our HM LL and we went straight to JC. We were at the back of the boat, so it was kind of difficult to hear the skipper, but it was entertaining nevertheless.

O2H!
There was a little time before our next LL, so we visited some old friends in new outfits.

I thoroughly enjoyed the new show and it seemed like the audience did too!
We grabbed a quick snack of Cheeseburger and Pizza Spring Rolls on our way to Pirates. No photo because it was raining and I didn't have the camera out. The cheeseburger one was better than we remembered!

E's expression is cracking me up! He looks like Bill Murray in Caddyshack!
I didn't attempt to make any additional LLs for today because we had Celebration at the Top booked. My fingers were crossed that the fireworks would not get cancelled.

 

[PineapplePrincess]

After gussying ourselves up back in the room, we grabbed our umbrellas and slogged over to the TTC to catch a monorail to the Contemporary. We both wore waterproof shoes and brought shoes to change into once we got there.
The event started at 8:20. When we arrived at around 7:40, there was one couple in line, so we settled in behind them.
When it was time, we were escorted onto the elevator and taken up to the California Grill. Since we were second in line, we we were at the back of the elevator and a large group got in with us. Tables are not assigned, so if you want a window table, you need to be at the front of the pack. Everyone on our elevator insisted that we go in the room in the order that we entered the elevator. I thought that was so classy and kind! They could have rushed in ahead of us since they were first off the elevator.
Celebration at the Top is something we do every trip if it's offered. The same two bartenders work the event and they remembered us! Not sure if that's a good thing.
There is always a Bellini waiting for you before you on the name card table. The bartenders will make you any drink you want.

We got a table up against the window.

We both started with a Lemondrop Martini. I didn't photograph any of the food. They have sliders, sushi, goat cheese ravioli, shrimp cocktail, and a few other items that have slipped my mind. The desserts are brought out just before the fireworks start and you are welcome to stay and enjoy the food and drinks for about an hour after the fireworks.
I'm happy to report that the rain stopped and we got to see Happily Ever After. As you can see, it was quite windy though!

A terrible photo, but good illustration of the wind. After the show, we enjoyed some dessert before monorailing back to the Poly. We had an early wake up for our AK day the next morning.