Trip Report Shortest Retirement in History?

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!

IMG_0404.jpeg
 
Click to expand...
Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
Sunday, con’t

It wasn’t the last time we’d get wet today.

We had a dinner ADR at Beaches and Cream. Our transport choice was WL bus to MK and transfer to Yacht/Beach bus.

We left an hour+ before our reservation time. We stepped on the WL bus and the skies opened. A full-fledged monsoon that had us trapped at the MK station.

IMG_3905.jpeg


The wind sprayed water over us. The Yacht/Beach bus didn’t show up for 40 minutes.

We were late for our ADR. At check in we were told we would have “a long wait” for our table because:
1. We were late
2. People were lingering at their tables due to the rain.

And this is our fault why? I told the host we would be willing to sit at the counter (which had 2 empty seats) and was told, “counter has a long wait too.”

Meanwhile the monsoon continued to rage. I noticed an empty two-top and figured it was taken. For twenty minutes that two-top remained empty until we were seated at it!!

Our server was unfriendly and inattentive. When they brought us water, mine had a gift in it.

IMG_3906.jpeg


A runner brought our sandwiches. Server took my contaminated water and forgot to bring me a new glass of water. The napkins given to us were wet. Server asked if we wanted the ice cream menu as we were in the middle of eating. They came to take our ice cream order when we finished eating but did not clear away our plates. Server then disappeared.

A manager happened by and I mentioned our less than stellar dining experience. She apologized and said she would speak with our server.

Another server cleared our plates and a runner brought our ice cream treats.

IMG_3907.jpeg


Server dropped the billfold on the table. I picked it up to insert my credit card and server snatched it away mumbling, “I forgot to take off the ice cream.”

I didn’t see the manager to thank her for making our evening a bit better.

It wasn’t raining as hard when we left Beach Club (bus to DHS, transfer to WL bus) and we were back in our room in 30 minutes. Planned to watch HEA from our balcony (as we’ve been doing) but the rain picked up and the show was delayed.
 
Last edited:
RememberWhen

RememberWhen

Well-Known Member
Tuvalu said:
It wasn’t the last time we’d get wet today.

We had a dinner ADR at Beaches and Cream. Our transport choice was WL bus to MK and transfer to Yacht/Beach bus.

We left an hour+ before our reservation time. We stepped on the WL bus and the skies opened. A full-fledged monsoon that had us trapped at the MK station.

View attachment 800343

The wind sprayed water over us. The Yacht/Beach bus didn’t show up for 40 minutes.

We were late for our ADR. At check in we were told we would have “a long wait” for our table because:
1. We were late
2. People were lingering at their tables due to the rain.

And this is our fault why? I told the host we would be willing to sit at the counter (which had 2 empty seats) and was told, “counter has a long wait too.”

Meanwhile the monsoon continued to rage. I noticed an empty two-top and figured it was taken. For twenty minutes that two-top remained empty until we were seated at it!!

Our server was unfriendly and inattentive. When they brought us water, mine had a gift in it.

View attachment 800344

A runner brought our sandwiches. Server took my contaminated water and forgot to bring me a new glass of water. The napkins given to us were wet. Server asked if we wanted the ice cream menu as we were in the middle of eating. They came to take our ice cream order when we finished eating but did not clear away our plates. Server then disappeared.

A manager happened by and I mentioned our less than stellar dining experience. She apologized and said she would speak with our server.

Another server cleared our plates and a runner brought our ice cream treats.

View attachment 800345

Server dropped the billfold on the table. I picked it up to insert my credit card and server snatched it away mumbling, “I forgot to take off the ice cream.”

I didn’t see the manager to thank her for making our evening a bit better.

It wasn’t raining as hard when we left Beach Club (bus to DHS, transfer to WL bus) and we were back in our room in 30 minutes. Planned to watch HEA from our balcony (as we’ve been doing) but the rain picked up and the show was delayed.
Click to expand...
This perfectly describes every time we’ve tried beaches and cream. We’ve given up, but still get ice cream outside sometimes.
 
Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
Monday, con’t

When you leave your lunch fixins in a sack on a table between two loungers and return to this—

Chip bag (with suspicious beak marks) in the middle of one lounger.

IMG_3912.jpeg


And loaf of bread with bill-sized holes still in the sack.

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You resort to this.

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Smoked turkey was much better than peanut butter anyway. 🦆
 
93boomer

93boomer

Premium Member
lindawdw

lindawdw

Well-Known Member
It looks like you had so much fun in between the raindrops!!! I love the new chairs in the COP which was a much-needed update! I really hope we don't get soaked on Tiana's in October! I'm glad you mentioned your service experience to the manager at B&C and that your ice cream was comped! We have had some less than stellar service experiences there too, but we do love the atmosphere and the ice cream. Those birds really are aggressive at WDW, but it did give you an excuse to get that delicious turkey sandwich! I've so enjoyed this TR!
 
Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
Monday, con’t

We were pleased to be seated in a quiet room. I’m sure this room has a name, but I don’t know it.

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We ordered the not-so-secret appetizer. It’s not on the menu, but every server mentions it as “secret.” The runner even said, “I have your special delivery.”

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Brazilian cheese bread is delicious!

For mains I had the chicken and Em had the steak. Both were great.

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We left with the warning, “Be careful - it’s a jungle out there!”

(The Randy Newman theme song from Monk is now stuck in my brain!)
 
Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
There was a thunderstorm while we ate dinner. All outdoor attractions closed. A quick look at the radar indicated storms in the area until midnight.

Not exactly the perfect end to our vacation. But we’ve had a fantastic trip and are already looking forward to the next one….

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….in less than 3 months.

We did pick up a sweet treat for Woody on our way out.

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