Trip Report Shrouded In A Daft Disguise *COMPLETED*

Two weeks ago today, I returned home from the most surreal Disney vacation I have ever experienced.

During my last visit in February, I couldn’t have imagined having to wear a face mask and have my temperature taken before being allowed into a park. “Social distancing” wasn’t part of my vocabulary. Hand sanitizer was something I carried in a little bottle in my purse, not something in giant containers at the entrance/exit of every attraction.

No park hopping? No Fastpasses? No FIREWORKS ?!! Not even on my radar screen.

Like a bolt out of the blue, the pandemic struck and life was dramatically altered. For everyone. And there is no Magic Mirror to tell us when it will be over. For me the pandemic has been a reminder to take nothing for granted ~ and that there can still be joy in the darkest days.

My name is Tuvalu and I have been a WDW annual passholder for nearly 25 years. I was raised on Disney and so were my children. The parks have always been my “escape” from real life. Could they still be an “escape” in the midst of a pandemic? After months of quarantine, I was ready to find out.

My daughter Em was my travel buddy. My husband Woody had reservations, but not for our safety. He was concerned we’d struggle with the restrictions and disappointment with all the changes. He wanted us to come back happy and wasn’t sure we would. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure we would either. After much research and due diligence, Em and I felt prepared to embark on a vacation with few expectations.

Full disclosure ~ I‘ve wrestled with writing a report of our trip. The pandemic and subsequent events have caused much division on this Disney fan forum. I’ve always considered the trip reports section to be a “safe space” and hope it stays that way. My goal is to provide entertainment to the reader, nothing more.

With that in mind.....

 

[Tuvalu]

If I click on it, it gets bigger... does it for you?!

@Zipitidoda is gonna have a field day.....

 

[MinnieM123]

Do you think THIS was the photo he was attempting to create?! I mean, he failed terribly, but that might have been the goal...
View attachment 504204

Had to chuckle -- if the intent was for Tuvalu's photo to look like your posed one, I think Tuvalu's camera person sort of missed the staged points -- especially for Woody's pose?!

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, con’t

Woody and I found a bench to relax on while waiting for dinner.

This was our view. The dark clouds made me nervous....

....so I looked the other way!

My phone buzzed with a notification that it was time to check in....online, that is. You are allowed to check in for a TS reservation up to 15 minutes prior to your ADR time. Since we were right there, I checked us in.

Fifteen minutes later we were called to check in at the entrance. It was weird to walk into an empty lobby. No guests, just one host to escort us to our table. Like Whispering Canyon last month, 50s Prime Time was eerily quiet. We had a TV at our table which provided most of the sounds we heard.

(Note the proximity of the penguin to Bert....er, Mr. VanDyke.)

The host informed us that Aunt Susan would be serving us. She should have said Great-Grandmother Susan (hereby known as GGS). Ten minutes went by without a GGS sighting. Mind you we hadn’t eaten since breakfast and we’d already waited thirty minutes just to enter the restaurant. We were also hot and thirsty. Dinner was not off to a good start.

Finally GGS did a slow shuffle to our table. “Do you know what you want?”

“Some water would be great,” I replied.

“What else?” (I see GGS missed the courtesy key of her Traditions training.)

Meat loaf for Woody.

Fried chicken for me.

A runner brought our meals, which was good, otherwise we might still be waiting for them.

The comfort food was tasty but without the usual antics from the staff the place did not feel “alive.” Part of the charm is funny, enthusiastic servers ~ you’re supposed to be in a 50s sitcom after all. I hope it’s only a temporary COVID setback.

Woody and I were long finished before GGS returned to ask if we wanted dessert. After a plea for more water (she never checked on us) we ordered a brownie sundae to share.

I usually tip more than the automatic Tables in Wonderland gratuity but tonight I did not. Sorry (not sorry) GGS.

The restaurant was one-way-in, one-way-out. We had to exit through the bar. There was no bar seating and no bartender. (Had I not taken so long to get to this part of my TR, you would have been prepped of this situation in advance of your trip, @Tony the Tigger. )

 

[Tuvalu]

I was determined to give MMRR another try.

It was sprinkling as we walked towards the queue. Woody and I popped open our umbrellas. All those unprepared for TYPICAL FL SUMMER RAINS refused to move up in line and remained stationary under the few umbrellas in the MMRR queue.

I began to stew. Seriously, people? Move up!!

The sprinkling became a full-fledged shower. Any hope of the guests ahead of us moving forward was washed away.

And then....monsoon.

For the second time, Woody and I bailed. We were getting soaked even with our umbrellas.

MMRR was not to be.

It was a long, wet walk....in squishy shoes....to the bus stop.

We were the only ones at the stop and thankful for the complete coverage the new gates provide. A few minutes later our bus arrived and we boarded to the BLARING refrain of Sweet Caroline.

I gave Woody a quizzical glance. Sweet Caroline?

The driver climbed aboard and apologized for “no Polynesian music.” He did not apologize for the LOUDNESS of the music.

Turns out his bus was set to play the soundtrack for Pop Century. I would have thought resort soundtracks were interchangeable.

Private ride #2 ended on a high note. Holiday Road (@DisneyGigi) to be exact.

The rain lasted well into the night. We hoped it was not an indication of how the rest of the week would be.

 

[DisneyGigi]

I was determined to give MMRR another try.

It was sprinkling as we walked towards the queue. Woody and I popped open our umbrellas. All those unprepared for TYPICAL FL SUMMER RAINS refused to move up in line and remained stationary under the few umbrellas in the MMRR queue.

I began to stew. Seriously, people? Move up!!

The sprinkling became a full-fledged shower. Any hope of the guests ahead of us moving forward was washed away.

And then....monsoon.

For the second time, Woody and I bailed. We were getting soaked even with our umbrellas.

MMRR was not to be.

It was a long, wet walk....in squishy shoes....to the bus stop.

We were the only ones at the stop and thankful for the complete coverage the new gates provide. A few minutes later our bus arrived and we boarded to the BLARING refrain of Sweet Caroline.

View attachment 504622

I gave Woody a quizzical glance. Sweet Caroline?

The driver climbed aboard and apologized for “no Polynesian music.” He did not apologize for the LOUDNESS of the music.

Turns out his bus was set to play the soundtrack for Pop Century. I would have thought resort soundtracks were interchangeable.

Private ride #2 ended on a high note. Holiday Road (@DisneyGigi) to be exact.

The rain lasted well into the night. We hoped it was not an indication of how the rest of the week would be.

I would have perked up for Holiday Road.

 

[Darstarr]

It was sprinkling as we walked towards the queue. Woody and I popped open our umbrellas. All those unprepared for TYPICAL FL SUMMER RAINS refused to move up in line and remained stationary under the few umbrellas in the MMRR queue.

I began to stew. Seriously, people? Move up!!

Do you remember what I did when I was with the kids and we were in this exact situation?

Spoiler

we cut all the non movers

And I would do it again!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Do you remember what I did when I was with the kids and we were in this exact situation?

Spoiler

we cut all the non movers

And I would do it again!!!

As would I.

But I was with rule-follower Woody. That wasn’t an option.

 

[RememberWhen]

As would I.

But I was with rule-follower Woody. That wasn’t an option.

I always start off the trip like Woody, following the rules for sure. But after a week I do tend to make rather loud comments when people are being obnoxious...

 

[MinnieM123]

Fifteen minutes later we were called to check in at the entrance. It was weird to walk into an empty lobby. No guests, just one host to escort us to our table. Like Whispering Canyon last month, 50s Prime Time was eerily quiet.

Bummer. It dawned on me as I read your review of 50's Prime Time, that without the crowd in the outer lobby area, that probably means that the bar is also closed? I liked the bar area, because as a solo guest, I could order dinner off the menu, and they would serve it at the bar. Sounds like that's no longer an option (not that I'm going to WDW anytime soon -- maybe later next year, if that). (Actually, now that I think of it, I believe that Tony the Tigger mentioned the bartenders had all been laid off.) Ugh.

 

[Tuvalu]

Bummer. It dawned on me as I read your review of 50's Prime Time, that without the crowd in the outer lobby area, that probably means that the bar is also closed? I liked the bar area, because as a solo guest, I could order dinner off the menu, and they would serve it at the bar. Sounds like that's no longer an option (not that I'm going to WDW anytime soon -- maybe later next year, if that). (Actually, now that I think of it, I believe that Tony the Tigger mentioned the bartenders had all been laid off.) Ugh.

Yes the bar is closed. All seating has been removed.

We had to exit through the bar. There was no bar seating and no bartender.

 

[Zipadeelady]

@Zipitidoda is gonna have a field day.....

Cmon, @dizfan917 you know this.,..... wait, what are we talking about.

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

It was a long, wet walk....in squishy shoes....to the bus stop.

I have done the squishy shoe walk a time or two...

The driver climbed aboard and apologized for “no Polynesian music.” He did not apologize for the LOUDNESS of the music.

Turns out his bus was set to play the soundtrack for Pop Century. I would have thought resort soundtracks were interchangeable.

Okay, I had NO IDEA that the busses were programed to the resorts! I'm not even sure I've really ever noticed the music on the buses to and from the All-Stars.

I always start off the trip like Woody, following the rules for sure. But after a week I do tend to make rather loud comments when people are being obnoxious..

Yes, my husband is a fantastic rule-follower, which can get annoying at times. By the end of the week, I'm am definitely making salty comments, but only when people are being so OBVIOUSLY rude, like sneezing in my face or bumping me multiple times in line...

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, August 23

A day which once again proved that Woody has the patience of a saint with his wife. The day with the “umbrella incident” that I alluded to back on page 17 ~

The return of rain.
View attachment 496304
(I tried being “artsy” with the above pic by capturing my Minnie umbrella in the frame. My beloved Minnie umbrella. Let’s just say José Carioca wasn’t the only thing to meet its demise in 2020. But that’s a story for Part Tu..... )

But I am getting ahead of myself.

Morning dawned with bright blue skies and lounging around poolside looked promising. While I prefer the Lava pool (main) over the Oasis pool (quiet), Lava hosted the noisy pool games after lunch. Therefore we made it a point to visit the Lava pool early in the day.

We exited our longhouse using the side stairs and walked the picturesque path along the beach.

Hi monorail!

You saw the view from our room. This is the view of our room (top left).

There are several entrances to the pool and this sign was at all of them.

Each gate also had a reminder to “Please Wear A Face Covering” on the opposite side. Since masks aren’t required in the water or on the pool deck, it would be very easy to exit the pool area without one. Don’t be that forgetful person. (In other words, do as I say and not as I did.)

Posted pool hours.

So inviting!

Sorry lil’ guy, but this is gonna be our spot!

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

A day which once again proved that Woody has the patience of a saint with his wife

AAaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwww, I'm sure it goes both ways! I hope my DH and I are as in love and as happy as you two are 25 years from now!

Each gate also had a reminder to “Please Wear A Face Covering” on the opposite side. Since masks aren’t required in the water or on the pool deck, it would be very easy to exit the pool area without one. Don’t be that forgetful person.(In other words, do as I say and not as I did.)

Well, now I want to know the rest of the story!

 

[Tuvalu]

Over the next several hours, Woody and I relaxed both in the water and out.

I did miss my usual poolside buddy and gave Em a call to tell her so!

When we got hungry I placed a mobile order.

The menu at Cooks is great. The Aloha Pork sandwich has always been a family favorite. Today it was Woody’s yummy choice for lunch.

I couldn’t resist getting the Asian Rice Noodles that I had discovered last month with Em. Yes, it was every bit as good and I still couldn’t finish it.

The pool never got busy. What chased us away was the unnecessarily loud (non Polynesian) music that began at 1:15 pm....even though the pool games did not start until 2:30.

 

[DisneyJeff]

3914

We were a few doors down from there in June. Room 3911. It was our first DVC at our home resort. This we the week that the DVC resorts opened up before the parks. It sure was a different experience being at the resort with no parks.

Our view wasn't as good as yours. We were looking down the hall of the (closed) Hawaii Longhouse.

 

[Tuvalu]

By the time both of us showered, clouds had rolled in. Woody and I made sure to take our umbrellas with us when we left the room.

Staying at a monorail resort provides monorail access to MK and Epcot....except during a pandemic.

Thankfully we knew this in advance and headed for the bus stop instead. It was drizzling so I popped open my beloved Minnie umbrella. Em and I had purchased our “matching Minnies” several years ago at the Marketplace Co Op in Disney Springs. The adorable umbrella wasn’t cheap but it was high quality (easy to open/close and wind resistant). It became my trusted go-to whenever it rained.

When we reached the covered bus stop I closed the umbrella and placed it beside me on the bench. There was another family waiting for the Epcot bus, which pulled up shortly.

Before the driver disembarked, three other families arrived and cut in front of us and the other family. The driver didn’t assign seats (odd) and Woody & I ended up in the back of the bus. In the chaos you can guess what happened.

I had left my umbrella on the bench!

We were halfway to Epcot when I realized what I had done. I began to pout.

“Can we go back to the Poly and retrieve it?” I asked Woody.

“Of course,” was my loving husband’s reply.

I assumed our bus would be returning to the resort after the Epcot drop off. I was wrong. (Good thing I checked with the driver!) Woody and I got off the bus....in the rain....and made a beeline for the Polynesian gate since our drop off was in another section.

Twenty minutes later we were taking Private Ride #3 back to Poly. I discussed the “umbrella incident”with the friendly driver who was just starting her shift. “I’m sure your umbrella is where you left it,” she reassured me. “I’ll hold the bus for you before coming back to Epcot.”

The rain was short-lived and the sun was out when we reached the Poly. Woody stayed in his seat as I disembarked in search of Minnie.

It had to be on that bench, right? We’d been gone less than an hour. Not many people were staying at the Poly. Besides, who would take (let alone touch) someone’s umbrella during a pandemic??!!

It. Was. GONE.

At the insistence of the bus driver I looked all around the stop before climbing aboard. She told me to fill out a Lost and Found form online. (Which I did later to no avail.)

After our fruitless 75 minute ordeal, we finally entered Epcot. (Proof that Woody is the most patient man on the planet....his indulging my need to recover such a paltry item.)

(@ajrwdwgirl ~ I was still flustered at this moment and it didn’t occur to me to TURN AROUND AND SEE THE RETRO COLUMNS!! )

The first attraction we happened upon (thanks to the detoured walkway) was Nemo. We went inside to look for him.

 

[RememberWhen]

By the time both of us showered, clouds had rolled in. Woody and I made sure to take our umbrellas with us when we left the room.

Staying at a monorail resort provides monorail access to MK and Epcot....except during a pandemic.

View attachment 504837

Thankfully we knew this in advance and headed for the bus stop instead. It was drizzling so I popped open my beloved Minnie umbrella. Em and I had purchased our “matching Minnies” several years ago at the Marketplace Co Op in Disney Springs. The adorable umbrella wasn’t cheap but it was high quality (easy to open/close and wind resistant). It became my trusted go-to whenever it rained.

View attachment 504841

When we reached the covered bus stop I closed the umbrella and placed it beside me on the bench. There was another family waiting for the Epcot bus, which pulled up shortly.

View attachment 504838

Before the driver disembarked, three other families arrived and cut in front of us and the other family. The driver didn’t assign seats (odd) and Woody & I ended up in the back of the bus. In the chaos you can guess what happened.

I had left my umbrella on the bench!

We were halfway to Epcot when I realized what I had done. I began to pout.

“Can we go back to the Poly and retrieve it?” I asked Woody.

“Of course,” was my loving husband’s reply.

I assumed our bus would be returning to the resort after the Epcot drop off. I was wrong. (Good thing I checked with the driver!) Woody and I got off the bus....in the rain....and made a beeline for the Polynesian gate since our drop off was in another section.

Twenty minutes later we were taking Private Ride #3 back to Poly. I discussed the “umbrella incident”with the friendly driver who was just starting her shift. “I’m sure your umbrella is where you left it,” she reassured me. “I’ll hold the bus for you before coming back to Epcot.”

The rain was short-lived and the sun was out when we reached the Poly. Woody stayed in his seat as I disembarked in search of Minnie.

It had to be on that bench, right? We’d been gone less than an hour. Not many people were staying at the Poly. Besides, who would take (let alone touch) someone’s umbrella during a pandemic??!!

It. Was. GONE.

At the insistence of the bus driver I looked all around the stop before climbing aboard. She told me to fill out a Lost and Found form online. (Which I did later to no avail.)

After our fruitless 75 minute ordeal, we finally entered Epcot. (Proof that Woody is the most patient man on the planet....his indulging my need to recover such a paltry item.)

View attachment 504839
(@ajrwdwgirl ~ I was still flustered at this moment and it didn’t occur to me to TURN AROUND AND SEE THE RETRO COLUMNS!! )

The first attraction we happened upon (thanks to the detoured walkway) was Nemo. We went inside to look for him.

View attachment 504840

So sorry about your umbrella!! Woody is a gem.

 

[Swissmiss]

Sorry about your umbrella

 

[MickeyCB]

Stinks to loose something quality, but more important with a memory associated with it.
The new memory will be of the patience your husband showed while you tried to find it (and didn't give you a hard time to compound everything).