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!

 

[Laurenciaa]

Em is definitely my type of gal - my daughter and I would likely do the same type of commentary if we were to observe it too.

Feeling privileged here that my brother and I can discuss these “events” in Dutch without being too oblivious that we are people watching these specific guests at the pool!

 

[Swissmiss]

Feeling privileged here that my brother and I can discuss these “events” in Dutch without being too oblivious that we are people watching these specific guests at the pool!

I was thinking the same - my daughter and I switch back and forth between English and French

 

[meggo819]

We don’t get the confusion - it’s a pool, people!

lol I’m so intrigued by this. You can see through the gate that it’s a pool….

Is it always the same gate? Or happens at different ones?

 

[Tuvalu]

lol I’m so intrigued by this. You can see through the gate that it’s a pool….

Is it always the same gate? Or happens at different ones?

It’s always the same gate - maybe because it is the one on the main walkway?

The other three gates are on the opposite side closest to BRV DVC building.

 

[Songbird76]

I was thinking the same - my daughter and I switch back and forth between English and French

Yep...we switch between English and Dutch, too. Although we tend to hear a LOT of Dutch in the Disney parks...there's apparently a pretty large following of Dutchies who go to WDW.

 

[erstwo]

Monday, con’t

While I had an agenda for each of our vacation days, Woody and I agreed to maintain a “go with the flow” attitude. (During the week we’d joke, we’re flowing! when circumstances were not in our favor.) Today did not align with any of our original plans. We had a park reservation for DHS, which I’d canceled last week when I could not get favorable LLMP return times. We also switched up a dining ADR, which I will get to later.

Rain was not forecasted until the afternoon so we opted to take advantage of the pool. I was in a hurry to claim a favorite loungers spot, so I left Woody in the dust and was one of three people at the pool at 8:30 am.

View attachment 812823

I got my spot.

I was so early I even beat the pool attendant, who placed towels on the loungers after 9 am.

View attachment 812824

It was the first time (and last time!) I’ve ever seen rolled towels put on WL chairs. It’s protocol at the GF and I *think* I’ve experienced it at the Poly, but this was new at Boulder Ridge.

When Woody arrived he even commented about the towels. And guys - please don’t take offense - this is a detail most men wouldn’t notice, so I was shocked when Woody did.

The humidity was surprisingly low and the pool water was cool, so we waited a bit before venturing in. It gave us the opportunity to witness what I’ll call “Em’s Favorite Event” at Boulder Ridge Pool. She’d casually mentioned it to me while we were there earlier this summer - something that she’s observed over our many visits that she’s never witnessed at any other WDW resort pool.

She did a play-by-play that had me in stitches. And now that I’m aware if it, I notice it all the time.

The pool gate is locked and is accessible only by MagicBand or key card. Guests must tap the reader to pull open the gate. We’ve seen visitors try to open the gate and when they cannot, they simply turn around and continue to wander the grounds.

“Em’s Favorite Event” is when fully-clothed (not in bathing attire) resort guests tap in, open the pool gate and just stand there with befuddled expressions as the gate slams shut behind them.

They all look like this:

After a minute or two of staring, they’ll turn on their heels and exit out the gate.

I captured one such couple and sent the picture to Em - “Another one!”

View attachment 812825

We don’t get the confusion - it’s a pool, people!

We’ve never seen any of them return in swimwear. It’s a phenomenon we can’t understand.

@Laurenciaa we’re counting on you to report back if you witness this event!

I bet it's people who have checked into the resort and are just coming by to see the pool while they walk around the grounds. Or people who checked in the day before and haven't had a chance to check out the pool.

 

[meggo819]

maybe because it is the one on the main walkway?

Yeah, like maybe they expect to go straight across to the building? But still, the pool should be a big tip-off

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, con’t

You may recall the awesome turkey sandwiches Em and I enjoyed this summer from Roaring Fork. Woody was eager to try one. When lunchtime rolled around I opened to the app to mobile order, planning to walk from the pool to the restaurant when the food was ready.

Every lunch option was listed on the app except the turkey sandwich! Why does Disney do this? No matter which resort quick serve, there is always an item or two that can be ordered only in person and not through the app. So frustrating!

I told Woody I would be his cabana girl and procure lunch. Roaring Fork is in the main lodge and not exactly around the corner from the quiet pool, so I warned him I might be awhile.

I ordered two turkey sandwiches at the counter and was given a buzzer while I waited in the dining room. Actually the time passed quickly as a nice college program CM approached me for conversation. Shout out to all Wisconsin (ers? ites?) who are reading, she’s one of your own!

I filled our mugs before returning to the pool with our meal.

Woody agreed that the sandwiches were as good as we raved about.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Monday, con’t

You may recall the awesome turkey sandwiches Em and I enjoyed this summer from Roaring Fork. Woody was eager to try one. When lunchtime rolled around I opened to the app to mobile order, planning to walk from the pool to the restaurant when the food was ready.

Every lunch option was listed on the app except the turkey sandwich! Why does Disney do this? No matter which resort quick serve, there is always an item or two that can be ordered only in person and not through the app. So frustrating!

I told Woody I would be his cabana girl and procure lunch. Roaring Fork is in the main lodge and not exactly around the corner from the quiet pool, so I warned him I might be awhile.

I ordered two turkey sandwiches at the counter and was given a buzzer while I waited in the dining room. Actually the time passed quickly as a nice college program CM approached me for conversation. Shout out to all Wisconsin (ers? ites?) who are reading, she’s one of your own!

I filled our mugs before returning to the pool with our meal.

View attachment 812959

Woody agreed that the sandwiches were as good as we raved about.

Yay for a Wisconsin girl helping you out to pass the time! The sandwich looks good.

 

[Tiggerish]

Monday, con’t

You may recall the awesome turkey sandwiches Em and I enjoyed this summer from Roaring Fork. Woody was eager to try one. When lunchtime rolled around I opened to the app to mobile order, planning to walk from the pool to the restaurant when the food was ready.

Every lunch option was listed on the app except the turkey sandwich! Why does Disney do this? No matter which resort quick serve, there is always an item or two that can be ordered only in person and not through the app. So frustrating!

I told Woody I would be his cabana girl and procure lunch. Roaring Fork is in the main lodge and not exactly around the corner from the quiet pool, so I warned him I might be awhile.

I ordered two turkey sandwiches at the counter and was given a buzzer while I waited in the dining room. Actually the time passed quickly as a nice college program CM approached me for conversation. Shout out to all Wisconsin (ers? ites?) who are reading, she’s one of your own!

I filled our mugs before returning to the pool with our meal.

View attachment 812959

Woody agreed that the sandwiches were as good as we raved about.

The bread, IMO, is what makes or breaks a sandwich.

That looks like good bread.

Also, the tomatoes can't have been refrigerated.

 

[Tuvalu]

The bread, IMO, is what makes or breaks a sandwich.

That looks like good bread.

Also, the tomatoes can't have been refrigerated.

It was soft oat bread, which will make another appearance.

The tomatoes were room temperature and tasted straight from the vine (Woody grows tomatoes in our backyard.) Bibb lettuce.

House-smoked turkey to die for.

A perfect sandwich.

 

[MinnieM123]

It was soft oat bread, which will make another appearance.

The tomatoes were room temperature and tasted straight from the vine (Woody grows tomatoes in our backyard.) Bibb lettuce.

House-smoked turkey to die for.

A perfect sandwich.

I recall (from some years ago) that some of the vegetables grown at The Land, are used in some of the WDW restaurants. I wonder if your tomatoes were grown on-site, as that might be why they tasted so fresh.

 

[Tuvalu]

I recall (from some years ago) that some of the vegetables grown at The Land, are used in some of the WDW restaurants. I wonder if your tomatoes were grown on-site, as that might be why they tasted so fresh.

It would not surprise me in the least.

 

[lindawdw]

I always enjoy the turkey sandwiches at Roaring Forks!

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, con’t

We had another hour or so at the pool before the typical afternoon shower blew in. We picked up a snack to share before cleaning up for the evening.

The plan was to visit the lounge for Happy Hour. Depending on the appetizer offerings it could become our dinner like last night, since we did not have an ADR anywhere.

However tonight’s selections were seafood-based and we don’t eat seafood. I looked to see if we could modify a later-in-the-week reservation for Olivia’s at Old Key West and successfully found availability over an hour from the current time.

What could possibly go wrong?

 

[93boomer]

Monday, con’t

We had another hour or so at the pool before the typical afternoon shower blew in. We picked up a snack to share before cleaning up for the evening.

View attachment 813111

The plan was to visit the lounge for Happy Hour. Depending on the appetizer offerings it could become our dinner like last night, since we did not have an ADR anywhere.

However tonight’s selections were seafood-based and we don’t eat seafood. I looked to see if we could modify a later-in-the-week reservation for Olivia’s at Old Key West and successfully found availability over an hour from the current time.

What could possibly go wrong?

loaded question

 

[luvinthemajik]

Monday, con’t

We had another hour or so at the pool before the typical afternoon shower blew in. We picked up a snack to share before cleaning up for the evening.

View attachment 813111

The plan was to visit the lounge for Happy Hour. Depending on the appetizer offerings it could become our dinner like last night, since we did not have an ADR anywhere.

However tonight’s selections were seafood-based and we don’t eat seafood. I looked to see if we could modify a later-in-the-week reservation for Olivia’s at Old Key West and successfully found availability over an hour from the current time.

What could possibly go wrong?

I love your foreshadowing!

 

[Captain Barbossa]

However tonight’s selections were seafood-based and we don’t eat seafood.

I vaguely remember you mentioning this in a previous TR. Is it allergies or just not fans?

 

[dizfan917]

Monday, con’t

You may recall the awesome turkey sandwiches Em and I enjoyed this summer from Roaring Fork. Woody was eager to try one. When lunchtime rolled around I opened to the app to mobile order, planning to walk from the pool to the restaurant when the food was ready.

Every lunch option was listed on the app except the turkey sandwich! Why does Disney do this? No matter which resort quick serve, there is always an item or two that can be ordered only in person and not through the app. So frustrating!

I told Woody I would be his cabana girl and procure lunch. Roaring Fork is in the main lodge and not exactly around the corner from the quiet pool, so I warned him I might be awhile.

I ordered two turkey sandwiches at the counter and was given a buzzer while I waited in the dining room. Actually the time passed quickly as a nice college program CM approached me for conversation. Shout out to all Wisconsin (ers? ites?) who are reading, she’s one of your own!

I filled our mugs before returning to the pool with our meal.

View attachment 812959

Woody agreed that the sandwiches were as good as we raved about.

Hooray for those WisconsinITEs!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, con’t

This post is text heavy, sorry.

According to Google maps, OKW is less than 5 miles from WL and about a 12 minute drive.

We had our own vehicle. But we had a really good spot in the WL parking lot. The lot isn’t the most convenient, has only a little shade and we’ve noticed CMs tend to take the premium location spots (which I’m sure is against policy.) Didn’t want to move the car if we didn’t have to.

Also Woody hates to drive when vacationing at WDW.

We figured we had plenty of time to use Disney transportation. As soon as I confirmed our ADR, we made our way to the bus stop. We planned to transfer buses at MK. The bus was two minutes from arrival.

The two minute wait turned into ten minutes. After we boarded, I remembered that the bus had to travel to the Settlement Depot at Ft. Wilderness next, since it was later in the day (when WL and FTW share the MK bus.) That was a pointless ten minute detour, since no passengers disembarked or boarded at FTW.

A direct ride from WL to MK is less than five minutes. It had taken us 25 minutes to get to MK.

We walked over to the OKW gate where a bus driver was standing. Shift change!

The OKW bus soon arrived and the drivers did their inspections/paperwork. As the new driver was just about settled in, a party with an ECV arrived that needed to be loaded.

Tick tock.

Finally we were on our way. I knew OKW had multiple stops and I had to google where to get off for Olivia’s.

The last stop. Of course!

The resort has five bus stops. Three of them are in dead-end cul de sacs, so there is lots of criss-crossing. The bus actually drove past Olivia’s. Twice.

We were now 20 minutes late for our ADR. Using Disney transportation had taken us 90 minutes. I know the disclaimer for ADRs states “Please allow 90 minutes to reach your destination,” but I figured that was an overestimate (much like medical offices who want you to arrive 15-30 minutes before an appointment.)

At the host stand I apologized for our tardiness. “It took us 90 minutes to get here.”

Assuming we came from out of the area and got caught in traffic, the CM said, “Oh no! Where were you coming from?”

When I replied, “Wilderness Lodge” both CMs had the same dumbfounded look as the pool people.