Trip Report Shortest Retirement in History? *COMPLETED*

Justin Bieber lasted 2 weeks.

Tom Brady lasted 40 days.

I, Tuvalu, outlasted them both. Not by much, mind you. Yet if not for the encouragement of some forum friends - along with some unusual circumstances - you wouldn’t be reading this.

Unusual circumstances, you say?

Around Thanksgiving my beloved Woody learned his presence was required at a work conference. In Orlando. At Universal.
Just down the road from Walt Disney World.

Woody said I could accompany him if he drove (rather than flew) to Florida. And that we could leave a couple days early and have some Disney time together.

Well you don’t have to ask me twice!

I’d be on my own during the conference. Since the majority of Universal’s attractions don’t appeal to me, it didn’t make sense for me to buy Uni tickets when I could visit WDW for free with my AP. Being solo, I thought it might be fun to do a live trip report so y’all could be my virtual companions!

Turns out I won’t be alone while Woody is occupied after all. Some friends that you have seen in my previous TRs (and one you haven’t) have offered to play with me. I can’t wait!

 

[Go.Nijntje]

The WL looks very pretty with all the Christmas decorations. Especially the reindeer above the entrance.

 

[Tuvalu]

Trying to figure out what's inside those little plastic bags -- a keychain?

Yes. Collecting different keychains to attach to your backpack is “a thing” with schoolchildren in my area. Our younger granddaughter has a bunch on hers.

There was a second note (not pictured) on the door that said a teen made the keychains, along with a web address to their shop.

(There’s always a catch. )

 

[LadyBelle]

Thank you for continuing to allow us to tag along with your adventures. May our paths cross someday.

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

Whispering Canyon had its own lobby tree. But unlike years past, there were no wreaths nor garland.

I checked us in but the host warned they were running behind and we would not be seated on time. I could see that the restaurant was slammed (much like the lobby) and I wondered how many walk-ups had been accommodated before we arrived. I inquired if Akira was working and was told it was her day off. I saw Malibu Darby in the back but decided against a request in case it would cause a longer delay in being seated.

Thirty minutes later(!) our name was called. At least we were given a table with a nice view - but we had to wait before sitting down because the table had only been partially cleaned!

The whole atmosphere in the restaurant was very chaotic, and not because of the usual “shenanigans.” In fact it was the opposite. Servers were rushing to and fro (short staffed, perhaps?) too busy for games/interactions. Guests were wandering around tables (why?) and two parties adjacent to us were (loudly) growing frustrated waiting to pay their bill.

This was not the celebratory end-of-vacation dinner at our favorite resort we’d hoped for.

If my memory serves we had an “earning my ears” CM wait on us. She was pleasant enough but neglectful, which could have been due to the overcrowded restaurant.

Em was happy when she finally received her Mountaineer Margarita, a drink she first discovered on our visit six weeks earlier.

She ordered the burnt ends nachos per usual and enjoyed them.

I was so looking forward my steak with green beans and smashed potatoes (substituted sides) that I’d adored on our last visit.

Wait - what’s the orange glob atop the steak? A tomato? No…..it’s “Cowboy Butter”, a terrible change from the usual whiskey-onion butter served alongside the steak.

The cowboy butter was savory (a big contrast from the sweetness of the whiskey-onion butter) with a strong pronounced flavor (which I disliked) that overshadowed (rather than enhanced) the natural taste of the beef. There was so much butter on the steak that even pushing it to the side resulted in a puddle that oozed into everything on the plate, contaminating my beloved smashed potatoes and beans.

I had to saw into the steak, it was that fatty. Every piece I cut had fat or gristle in it. Two bites in I rendered it inedible and poked around the potatoes and beans, trying to avoid the cowboy butter.

“You made the right choice,” I said to Em as she was finishing her nachos.

Our server never stopped by to check on us. When she came near I waved her over. “Can I see a manager?”

Her face fell in horror and I quickly added, “This isn’t about you.” (I don’t summon a manager for service issues, but if a manager stops by our table and asks I give honest feedback.) She looked relieved.

A manager arrived promptly. I began to describe the poor quality of my steak. (The price of which I noticed later was $3 more than the same steak in October!)

“The meat arrives packed in large quantities so a lesser steak can be hard to spot,” she said.

“Well this one should have never been put on the grill. Take a look,” I replied.

She was appalled by what she saw. “Let me get you another!”

I declined, stating my disdain for the new cowboy butter. The manager said they have received numerous complaints since the switch, but the chef was insistent on keeping it.

“Can I bring you dessert on the house?” the manager asked.

Once again I declined as we had already been in the restaurant far longer than we anticipated. Whatever the wait would be for a free dessert just wasn’t worth it.

When our server brought the check she whispered, “The manager removed the steak.”

I would have left happier paying for a good steak with whiskey-onion butter.

Thankfully we still had one more fun thing left to do.

 

[Songbird76]

Tuesday, con’t

Whispering Canyon had its own lobby tree. But unlike years past, there were no wreaths nor garland.

View attachment 840806

I checked us in but the host warned they were running behind and we would not be seated on time. I could see that the restaurant was slammed (much like the lobby) and I wondered how many walk-ups had been accommodated before we arrived. I inquired if Akira was working and was told it was her day off. I saw Malibu Darby in the back but decided against a request in case it would cause a longer delay in being seated.

Thirty minutes later(!) our name was called. At least we were given a table with a nice view - but we had to wait before sitting down because the table had only been partially cleaned!

View attachment 840807

The whole atmosphere in the restaurant was very chaotic, and not because of the usual “shenanigans.” In fact it was the opposite. Servers were rushing to and fro (short staffed, perhaps?) too busy for games/interactions. Guests were wandering around tables (why?) and two parties adjacent to us were (loudly) growing frustrated waiting to pay their bill.

This was not the celebratory end-of-vacation dinner at our favorite resort we’d hoped for.

If my memory serves we had an “earning my ears” CM wait on us. She was pleasant enough but neglectful, which could have been due to the overcrowded restaurant.

Em was happy when she finally received her Mountaineer Margarita, a drink she first discovered on our visit six weeks earlier.

View attachment 840803

She ordered the burnt ends nachos per usual and enjoyed them.

View attachment 840804

I was so looking forward my steak with green beans and smashed potatoes (substituted sides) that I’d adored on our last visit.

View attachment 840805

Wait - what’s the orange glob atop the steak? A tomato? No…..it’s “Cowboy Butter”, a terrible change from the usual whiskey-onion butter served alongside the steak.

The cowboy butter was savory (a big contrast from the sweetness of the whiskey-onion butter) with a strong pronounced flavor (which I disliked) that overshadowed (rather than enhanced) the natural taste of the beef. There was so much butter on the steak that even pushing it to the side resulted in a puddle that oozed into everything on the plate, contaminating my beloved smashed potatoes and beans.

I had to saw into the steak, it was that fatty. Every piece I cut had fat or gristle in it. Two bites in I rendered it inedible and poked around the potatoes and beans, trying to avoid the cowboy butter.

“You made the right choice,” I said to Em as she was finishing her nachos.

Our server never stopped by to check on us. When she came near I waved her over. “Can I see a manager?”

Her face fell in horror and I quickly added, “This isn’t about you.” (I don’t summon a manager for service issues, but if a manager stops by our table and asks I give honest feedback.) She looked relieved.

A manager arrived promptly. I began to describe the poor quality of my steak. (The price of which I noticed later was $3 more than the same steak in October!)

“The meat arrives packed in large quantities so a lesser steak can be hard to spot,” she said.

“Well this one should have never been put on the grill. Take a look,” I replied.

She was appalled by what she saw. “Let me get you another!”

I declined, stating my disdain for the new cowboy butter. The manager said they have received numerous complaints since the switch, but the chef was insistent on keeping it.

“Can I bring you dessert on the house?” the manager asked.

Once again I declined as we had already been in the restaurant far longer than we anticipated. Whatever the wait would be for a free dessert just wasn’t worth it.

When our server brought the check she whispered, “The manager removed the steak.”

I would have left happier paying for a good steak with whiskey-onion butter.

Thankfully we still had one more fun thing left to do.

Oh that's so sad!! I'm glad the manager removed the steak from the bill, but what a disappointment. Did you even get enough to eat?

 

[mysto]

Em was happy when she finally received her Mountaineer Margarita, a drink she first discovered on our visit six weeks earlier.

This would be a good time to place an order for a second margarita. You have a rare opportunity to speak to your server and you're going to need it.

Anyway I'm really posting to thank you as others have for taking us along. I'm wondering what cute title will go with the 2025 thread if any.

 

[Tuvalu]

Oh that's so sad!! I'm glad the manager removed the steak from the bill, but what a disappointment. Did you even get enough to eat?

The whole experience had caused me to lose my appetite. I didn’t eat again until breakfast.

This would be a good time to place an order for a second margarita. You have a rare opportunity to speak to your server and you're going to need it.

Anyway I'm really posting to thank you as others have for taking us along. I'm wondering what cute title will go with the 2025 thread if any.

Hindsight is always 20/20. And future title suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Baloo124]

The manager said they have received numerous complaints since the switch, but the chef was insistent on keeping it.

One of the worst customer service tactics I've heard of.
"If the public hates it... keep forcing it on them 'til they love it".

 

[Loco_driver]

The manager said they have received numerous complaints since the switch, but the chef was insistent on keeping it.

I have had a manger tell me the exact same thing about a different item at WCC. Seems maybe they have a chef issue.

Anyways, thanks for taking the time to report your 2024 trips. I know how much work that is! I don’t have a ton of time at WDW planned for 2025(for now), but maybe we’ll see you around!

 

[Tuvalu]

One of the worst customer service tactics I've heard of.
"If the public hates it... keep forcing it on them 'til they love it".

I have had a manger tell me the exact same thing about a different item at WCC. Seems maybe they have a chef issue.

Wrong:

Right:

I miss the days when true customer service was the norm, not the exception.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

And one that I thought a certain forum friend *ahem* would take a liking to, given the mascots.

And unlike a certain forum friend, we allowed ourselves enough time to do so. (OUCH! )

That’s a lot of heat on a certain forum friend!

 

[Tuvalu]

That’s a lot of heat on a certain forum friend!

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

That one more fun thing? Seems someone hadn’t gotten her fill of the Glimmering Greenhouses. She wanted another viewing at night. (If you are keeping count, that’s 4 rides total - 2 daytime, 2 nighttime.)

The Epcot bus was in its spot as we exited WL. We hurried so we wouldn’t have to wait for another one. It was too cold to be standing still tonight!

The wait time was underestimated by 10 minutes. We didn’t care because we were able to sit in the front row!

I took a ton of pictures to show Woody and have posted my favorites below.

Like many spectacular things, Glimmering Greenhouses is even more beautiful in person. And while it’s no Osborne Lights, it is the best holiday light display WDW has now. I’m glad Birthday Girl asked to see it again!

 

[RememberWhen]

Tuesday, con’t

That one more fun thing? Seems someone hadn’t gotten her fill of the Glimmering Greenhouses. She wanted another viewing at night. (If you are keeping count, that’s 4 rides total - 2 daytime, 2 nighttime.)

The Epcot bus was in its spot as we exited WL. We hurried so we wouldn’t have to wait for another one. It was too cold to be standing still tonight!

The wait time was underestimated by 10 minutes. We didn’t care because we were able to sit in the front row!

View attachment 841633

I took a ton of pictures to show Woody and have posted my favorites below.

View attachment 841634

View attachment 841635

View attachment 841636

View attachment 841637

View attachment 841638

View attachment 841639

View attachment 841640

Like many spectacular things, Glimmering Greenhouses is even more beautiful in person. And while it’s no Osborne Lights, it is the best holiday light display WDW has now. I’m glad Birthday Girl asked to see it again!

Glimmering Greenhouses was such a pleasant surprise! We loved it, but I think we only saw it once in the dark. So glad Em enjoyed it too!

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

Park commandos would have done Soarin’ or SSE next and then secured a spot to watch Luminous.

Especially not the night before departure. With a wind chill.

So we headed for the exit and hoped a bus would arrive soon.

It didn’t.

But that was a minor inconvenience compared to what was to come.

 

[RememberWhen]

Tuesday, con’t

Park commandos would have done Soarin’ or SSE next and then secured a spot to watch Luminous.

Especially not the night before departure. With a wind chill.

So we headed for the exit and hoped a bus would arrive soon.

View attachment 842031

It didn’t.

But that was a minor inconvenience compared to what was to come.

Uh oh….

 

[Tiggerish]

Tuesday, con’t

Park commandos would have done Soarin’ or SSE next and then secured a spot to watch Luminous.

Especially not the night before departure. With a wind chill.

So we headed for the exit and hoped a bus would arrive soon.

View attachment 842031

It didn’t.

But that was a minor inconvenience compared to what was to come.

Had to.like that post because the lovely photo of Em with SSE.

Dreading the next.

 

[Go.Nijntje]

Tuesday, con’t

Park commandos would have done Soarin’ or SSE next and then secured a spot to watch Luminous.

Especially not the night before departure. With a wind chill.

So we headed for the exit and hoped a bus would arrive soon.

View attachment 842031

It didn’t.

But that was a minor inconvenience compared to what was to come.

Oh dear, what happened next?

 

[Wrangler-Rick]

Tuesday, con’t

Park commandos would have done Soarin’ or SSE next and then secured a spot to watch Luminous.

Especially not the night before departure. With a wind chill.

So we headed for the exit and hoped a bus would arrive soon.

View attachment 842031

It didn’t.

But that was a minor inconvenience compared to what was to come.

 

[rshell68]

But that was a minor inconvenience compared to what was to come.