Trip Report No Sounds Like Summer? We'll JOURNEY Anyway! *COMPLETED*

It was this week last summer that @TrolleyFollower91 and I had an epic girls trip to WDW.

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...e-july-journey-completed.917246/#post-7369605

On our first day we rocked to the music of DSB ~ the ultimate Journey tribute band ~ at the America Gardens Theater in Epcot. It was an event we'll always remember. DSB was the final band in the annual "Sounds Like Summer" concert series. The lead singer said the band was looking forward to returning next summer.

And here we are.....it's "next summer."

But there has been no "Sounds Like Summer" concert series in 2017.
No DSB.

Don't. Stop. Believin'.

Em and I refuse to go our Separate Ways. We have too much fun together. We have one last chance to do WDW together before school starts and by golly we're gonna do it....even without DSB.

Want to tag along?

Attempting a full-fledged LIVE trip report is daunting and difficult, so I decided to follow @TheMouseFan's lead and be LIVE-ish. Real time pics and updates to be expanded on after my return home.

Oh, and I will finish my currently-in-progress trip report.

Who's ready for Summer #2?

We are!!

 

[Gabe1]

It's kind of incredible that they turned a bar into a salon.

I'm not a fan! I do like the waterfront bar as a stand alone bar food alternative. Still there is something nice about the main pool having a bar within and not having to go elsewhere to bring a drink back to the pool area. Me a Deluxe Resort mistake.

 

[Gabe1]

Em and I relaxed on the pool shelf until we noticed the sky getting dark to the west of us. We were on Day 5 of our vacation and had not yet experienced any rain. (Unlike @fractal....goes to show how big WDW is and how crazy local FL thunderstorms can be!) This darkness did not seem like it would just pass by, so Em and I decided to pack up and return to the room.

We opened the door to find “Sulley” Pig watching TV.
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And we’d made it back in the nick of time!
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Em and I sat on the balcony (so as not to disturb Pig) and watched the rain. It lasted less than an hour. We chuckled at the number of people hovering outside the pool gate once the rain had stopped. There was thunder and lightning with the rain so the pools were closed. The lifeguards did not reopen the pool until a good 15-20 minutes later.

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We went back inside and Em lay down to nap while I went to shower....

MORE WATER WOES!!!

Hmmm...so we are not alone with stuffed pets dressed Disney Style visiting the Wilderness Lodge? *hangs head*

Morning After Hurricane Irma (that we slept through)

Night leading into Hurricane Irma. Do what ya gotta do to entertain oneself. Confinement no matter what is forthcoming is idle time.

 

[Gabe1]

Wednesday, July 26

It can be hard to pick a “best” day of vacation (after all, aren’t all Disney vacation days fun?) but Em and I agree that today was our favorite day of our trip.

Once again we rope-droppers eased into our morning and it felt so decadent! No rushing, no fussing. Em made coffee and we partook of our typical healthy breakfast.
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The Ultimate Chocolate Lovers Variety Pack

On our itinerary was a mid-afternoon lunch ADR followed by some fastpasses. No plans for the evening.
But until lunch?
POOL!!!

“Wanna try the Copper Creek pool first?” I asked Em.
“No!” she replied without hesitation.

We’ve not spent much time in the WL main pool (formerly known as Silver Creek Falls pool.) In fact, I’m not sure if Em’s ever been in the main pool on any of our stays. We were never able to find chairs on the pool deck and usually ended up lounging on the beach and using the quiet pool (which was demolished to make room for the new Boulder Creek pool.)

Since I could see from our balcony that there were plenty of available loungers, I thought it might be enjoyable to try out the main pool before moving over to Boulder Ridge. Apparently Em did not feel the same way. She headed on to the quiet pool while I took some pictures before joining her there.

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The water that flows into the pool starts as a spring in the lobby.
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Not sure why the water play area was dry.
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WL is certainly not short of hot tubs!
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This water flows down into Bay Lake.
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Okay, Em was right ~ having the Boulder Ridge Pool to ourselves was preferable to having to share the Copper Creek Pool.

#ShirleyStatus
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There was literally no one else there for the first hour and only a handful of guests in the second hour. Em and I planned to hold off eating until our late lunch, but by 12:15 we were starving so I went to Roaring Fork to buy apples and peanut butter to snack on.

We remained at the pool for almost another hour before cleaning up for lunch.

I really wish I had taken pictures to accompany the next story, because words won’t do it justice. I summoned an Uber to take us to lunch. Moments later a black (inside and out) Town and Country pulled up under the porte cochère. A “professional” limo driver (he was dressed the part) stepped out and opened the door for us. Inside the vehicle were padded seat belts, a disco ball, oversized speakers, a container full of candy and two iPads (scrolling ads) attached to the back of the driver and passenger seats. There were “Do Not Touch” instruction labels on several things in the car. On the candy container was printed: “Take One Only” and across the top of the iPads was printed: “Eyeballs don’t leave fingerprints”.

Ummm.....okay.......

Em and I felt like we were trapped inside Doobby’s Taxiola from Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
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We couldn’t wait to get out.

We did not chit chat with the driver since we were essentially speechless over what we were experiencing. There was music playing (gotta use those speakers after all!) but whatever it was I have blocked it out. When we arrived at our destination Em opened the door before the driver could.

We fled.

FYI The kiddie pool was damaged during Hurricane Irma while we were there. It took a very long time for them to get parts and I hear it is finally open again.

 

[Gabe1]

Good thing we weren’t planning to ride 7DMT next.
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Actually we did not have time to ride anything next, as it was ADR time!

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Though this trip was planned less than 60 days in advance I was still able to book lunch at BOG. Pixie dust is possible if you believe!

As I mentioned during the live part of this TR, Em’s favorite roast beef sandwich had been replaced by a French Dip. She wasn’t happy but tried it anyway. We’re still waiting for her assessment of the sandwich (and of the moonshine margarita from Homecomin’ )
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I was disappointed with my turkey sandwich. The baguette was smaller and soft...almost soggy...not the typical light-but-chewy texture of a baguette.
(Side note: the sandwich was much improved in August. I’ll get to that trip eventually! )
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As we were finishing, I received a call from @fractal. We made arrangements to meet. While I was excited, Em was reserved (remember I am much more comfortable with new people than she is.) My boldness can embarrass her and I know meeting up with strangers (even WDWMagic friends) takes her out of her comfort zone. She is fine once the ice is broken but the anticipation is stressful. We had a little pep talk and laughed about how @Zipitidoda had already spoiled the surprise Fractal and I had planned.

And then we walked to Frontierland.

Our last few trips we have found BoG lunches to be hit or miss depending on what we all ordered. We had the dining plan too this particular trip and were forced to go through the kiosk as Disney has yet to figure out DP and Pre-Order. Boy they need better app CMs on staff.

What Disney is currently doing for Lunch is taking ADRs every few minutes but only allowing guests to enter every 30 minutes to start to progress to the kiosks. Because the lines extended well over the bridge they kept asking guests to fill in the space, it was 95 degrees. The step forward bus squish wasn't well received. Further annoyed by the pay on the spot guests that get to pre order being seated immediately inches from the Dining Plan Guests...not good PR for those paying for their Disney Dining Plan. While my DD and my Brisket Stew thing was yummy my sons Turkey Sandwich was kinda disgusting and had about a slice of meat and dried out bread. Thinking the demand is so great for this venue that the quality is no longer needed.

For us, frequent diners, the A/C and bring the food to me in the quaint surroundings is the only draw. Keeping to ADR times or food quality, not so much.

 

[Gabe1]

The water that flows into the pool starts as a spring in the lobby.
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While Irma was our third Disney Hurricane for us we had many imagineered illusions broken post Irma. Irma came in the middle of a long trip. Wilderness Lodge is one of my favorite resorts and we too bought into the imagineering that the water flowed straight into the pool from the Spring in the Lobby. We learned this wasn't true when they had to clean the rocks and stuff from the lobby window area to the foot bridge over the Spring after Irma left us. On the other side of the bridge it appears the water goes under the foot bridge and right into the pool. Nope!

The water from the lobby only goes as far as the lobby side of the foot bridge, it is pumped up again to the lobby and repeat.
The "Pool" water pumps through the filters and one of the re-entry points is under the bridge and goes back into the pool.
We watched them clean out the lobby to the bridge area. They dumped some type of suds liquid in and there was major foaming action happening in that stretch. You could see the water pond and the suds not move when they slammed up against the bridge dividing wall.

The pool itself was cleaned of debris and then the chemicals were balanced. That pool didn't open till the day after Erma left, the day the parks reopened, where they were able by nighttime to bring up the new pool. We learned so much about the resorts and the parks imagineering wise in the days after Irma left. CMs were chatty and being on curfew we had nothing to do but learn how things work.

 

[Gabe1]

View attachment 240417 Magic Shot with First Mate Jeff


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First Mate Jeff a few weeks later with his Cast Compliment! We love complementing cast members on Twitter!

OK....where do you tweet a Cast Compliment on Twitter?

 

[Gabe1]

And all caught up! What a great report! Love your weird little details you always add.

Us we couldn't have been placed better than the Wilderness in the Main Building for Hurricane Irma but still there were some things that were different for us at the Wilderness. The bellman were hard to engage arriving and leaving. Our baggage and carry on's just left unattended leaving, disconcerting as we all had work related electronics. I tipped very well so not a plus.

Our housekeeping was marginal. The very basics even prior to Irma. Housekeeping never returned even with 5 days after. (we did stockpile pool towels and thankful cause towels never returned for the second half of our trip.) We ultimately had to clean our own balcony and remove our furniture to the balcony ourselves. No biggie but they put in our room but never retrieved.

Day one 6 days before Irma we placed our decorative pillows in the corner to sleep. There they stayed the entire trip??? What the heck? Roaring was painfully slow delivering their food to tables. Quick Service most visits it was not. They need to work on that. We never experienced that prior to the new system when Roar'n came back on line. I realize that Wilderness put a bar between 2 pools but I don't find it a plus to have to leave the Main Pool now to have access to the bar service. I hope this isn't a trend at other deluxe resorts. Non Disney Resorts all seem to support pool side bars elsewhere and in Orlando. It is part of the Harmony of Poolside relaxing vs schlepping snacks and beverages elsewhere. Both bus service and and worse boat service was slashed post Irma. I waited a full hour on dock for a boat to the MK. My family took the boat prior to me and it took an entire hour for the next one to return, where the heck was it, as Ft Wilderness was closed. We had the same experience with the bus post Irma. Shouldn't take an hour by bus to Wildernes, it is under a 5 minute trip. Upside we only had one elevator that was out of order that was a plus! Also a plus was the 3 meals we had at Artist Point during Irma. Great Food, Great Service for Dirt cheap for signature foods. The server seemed to appreciate each and everyone of us visiting during Irma even as the giant picture windows started vibrating 6 hours prior to Irma. For us an interesting trip.

 

[Tuvalu]

OK....where do you tweet a Cast Compliment on Twitter?

#WDW Today
#CastCompliment

 

[kaitertot5249]

Those Pirate Pals CMs sounded amazing! Talk about being in the right place at the right time!

We were on Day 5 of our vacation and had not yet experienced any rain. (Unlike @fractal....goes to show how big WDW is and how crazy local FL thunderstorms can be!)

So crazy to read about your nearly rainless trip after having just recently read about Fractal's very rainy trip that was happening at the same time! As you said, it really puts the size of WDW property into perspective. I've always known that it was huge but that's just nuts!

 

[Doc Disney]

@TrolleyFollower91 I have the same bathing suit

 

[PrincessL]

The “pirate” families followed Hook and Smee down the plank (aka dock) and then boarded either the left boat or the right boat (the one Em and I were on.) I assume the boats were pre-assigned and that our boat was not “sold out.” The gathering place for the cruise was in a Ballroom in the Contemporary where there were snacks and a meet and greet. (I know this from reading other TRs.)

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Hook and Smee do not board the boats. Instead each boat has a personal Pirate to serve as host. Ours was named Patch (though I suspect this might be the universal name of any Pirate emcee.)

Sorry this pic of Patch is so dark.
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Patch kept us entertained by singing songs, telling jokes and interacting with the rest of us “crew” as our boat slowly cruised the waters of Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. He began by teaching us the Pirate “arrrrgh” and how to hold our hand in the shape of a Pirate Hook. Then he went row by row asking each family where they were from. As our boat pulled away from the dock, Patch began to sing the first of two Pirate songs and encouraged us to join along.

We were so giddy with laughter you would have thought we’d been drinking.
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Next he asked if anyone was celebrating a birthday (there was) and we all sang the Birthday Song. The fact that no couple was celebrating an anniversary did not deter Patch from inquiring which couple onboard had been married the longest. Nineteen years was the winner (sheesh, where was Woody when I needed him?) and that couple was asked to come to the front of the boat and slow dance while Patch sang “Kiss the Girl.” (On second thought I’m glad Woody was not with me!)

Then came the jokes. Patch would ask a question and then wait to see if anyone would answer before delivering the punchline.

What is a pirate’s favorite restaurant?
Arrrrby’s
Who is a pirate’s favorite Star Wars character?
Arrr2D2
What kind of socks does a pirate prefer?
Arrrgyle
What is a pirate’s favorite movie?
Booty and the Beast (This one was rated PG!)
What is a pirate’s favorite branch of the military?
Most of the boat excitedly cried out, “Arrrmy!” “No!!!” scolded Patch. “It’s the Navy! We’re pirates!!”

Before the boat cast anchor in front of the MK, Patch launched into his last song, “A Whale of a Tale” and substituted one line with “You lose a hand, you’re hooked for life!”

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In just a few moments the powerful chords of the Happily Ever After soundtrack would reverberate throughout the boat.

I'm not caught up yet but I'd been waiting for this post to see how you managed to Stowaway!! Very cool story!

Your memory and attention to detail never ceases to amaze me. Thanks for all the detail because it's exactly how our Pirate and pals cruise went. All I could remember was one of the jokes

Love following along...it's been worth the wait

 

[Gabe1]

#WDW Today
#CastCompliment

Thank you!!!

 

[Bullseye1967]

After our wildest ride in the wilderness we went to visit a few playful spooks.

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This was our first FP attraction. Standby wasn’t that long yet and we probably didn’t need the FP but we used it anyway.

Em attempted the “dark ride photo challenge.” Of course she was courteous and did not use a flash ~ we’ve had many HM rides ruined by flash-happy guests.

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I’m so glad she captured this shot as it proves the absence of the drunken couple on the other side of the chandelier.
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Looks like a ghost WILL follow us home!
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Great HM pics!!!!

 

[Gabe1]

@Gabe1 thanks for the update on the Roaring Fork “island” during busy times ~ sadly what I expected. Agree that there are still operational issues to be worked on. And yuck about all your transportation problems. I hope we fare better in December.

Glad you made it through Irma safely.

La Cava is on the list .

I wouldn't hesitate to endure a Hurricane at Wilderness again. We did one before and one at POR. Roaring Forks needs some tweeks. The seating is better but still not adequate for the size of the resort, the outside seating is fine for less hot and humid times, not so much at the time we visited, especially during the peak hours. Their menu both at breakfast and lunch/dinner needs to be expanded. I look at the offerings at both the FQ & POR QS venues and they slap Wildernesses limited offerings upside the head. We headed to the Poly and the Contempo for better offerings. Still with all the frustrating transportation and operational issues of Wilderness we had this trip, I love the Wilderness. I hope they take a look at their shortcomings of the renovations and tweak their services cause this resort is beyond awesome.

 

[Bullseye1967]

I've sent many postcards to my niece and nephews from this mailbox. I also have plans to send out my wedding invitations here so they have the Disney stamp on them.

How cool of an idea is that!!!!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Those Pirate Pals CMs sounded amazing! Talk about being in the right place at the right time!
So crazy to read about your nearly rainless trip after having just recently read about Fractal's very rainy trip that was happening at the same time! As you said, it really puts the size of WDW property into perspective. I've always known that it was huge but that's just nuts!

In a way CM Marie at BVG was responsible for our good fortune. Had she not offered to look for the dress, we would have left and likely made the boat back to WL that we ended up “just missing.”

I'm not caught up yet but I'd been waiting for this post to see how you managed to Stowaway!! Very cool story!
Your memory and attention to detail never ceases to amaze me. Thanks for all the detail because it's exactly how our Pirate and pals cruise went. All I could remember was one of the jokes
Love following along...it's been worth the wait

Not so much memory, but note taking! Sorry it has taken me so long to complete this. I have enjoyed your F&W rookie report very much!

Great HM pics!!!!

All the credit goes to Em.

 

[fractal]

Angry cabana man -

 

[TrolleyFollower91]

Angry cabana man -

That was my face the whole time as the event went down.

 

[Tuvalu]

Thursday, con’t

Em fell asleep quickly and I went to shower. I turned on the spigot and waited for the water to get warm. I waited....and waited....and waited. Even with the lever completely on the HOT side the water continued to run cold. So I held my breath, jumped in and proceeded to take the fastest shower of my life.

After I dressed I went down to the lobby to speak to a manager. We had some minor room irritations that we’d put up with all week (broken room phone buttons, terrible WiFi signal, only half the TV channels listed on the guide worked, and lackluster housekeeping service) but no water in the morning and no hot water in the evening were unacceptable. I wasn’t planning to air all those issues with the manager, just the water woes. However when I was greeted by “Yes, the resort has had no hot water for the last three hours” (like it was no big deal) then “Is there anything else I can help you with?” I politely explained the other problems.

The manager did apologize and offered credit for our inconveniences. I thanked her and returned to the room as Em awakened and learned her shower would be a cold one.

“But we can splurge tonight since dinner is on the WL!” I announced.

And splurge we did.

 

[Tuvalu]

It wasn’t as easy getting to our dinner destination as we thought. We planned to take the boat from WL to the Contemporary but when we reached the dock we learned the small boats were not operating due to weather. We backtracked to the bus stop and jumped on a DHS bus, knowing that it would stop at the Contemporary before going on to the Studios.

I checked us in at the California Grill reception desk on the second floor. The CM asked if we were celebrating anything ~ I said no ~ and I did not think to make a table request. We boarded the elevator and were whisked to the top floor. As the door opened my phone buzzed with the “Your table is ready” text.

I couldn’t have been more pleased when we were led to the Monterey Room, which is a small (and quiet!) room in the back that overlooks Epcot, DHS and Bay Lake. (Oh and the WL!)

Apparently the small boats were now operating again!

And though we weren’t “celebrating” anything, our table was decorated with confetti.

(#ShirleyStatus)

I was even more pleased when I discovered that Ryan would be our server. Woody and I had two outstanding meals previously in the Monterey Room with Ryan and when Em and I were seated I was hoping he’d be working there.

Ryan is warm and funny and knows the wines and menu well. He paces courses perfectly and anticipates the needs of his guests in advance. Ryan is also discerning, knowing when to engage with guests and when to keep quiet.

This was going to be a great last night!