Trip Report The Holiday Humdinger *COMPLETED*

I can't believe the Summer of @Tuvalu is over! Is there going to be a holiday humdinger trip report?!!

I couldn’t disappoint a very expectant mama-to-be, now could I? Especially one who was kind enough to provide the title for this trip report!

So here you go, @krisri18......and anyone else who’d like to follow along on yet another Tuvalu WDW adventure, HOLIDAY STYLE.

I plan on posting live updates and will write an expanded report (“Part Tu” @Tony the Tigger ) once I return home. After all, what else will I have to do in December?

Who: Tuvalu and Woody

When: November 27 - December 3, 2018
Where: I shouldn’t even have to tell you. My go-to.

So be on the lookout for us, @DisneyShe, @slipperalwaysfits @mcstensrud. We’ve packed our sweaters and jeans for the chilly weekdays (highs only near 60, lows in the 40s ~ WTH??) and our shorts and tees for the unseasonably warm weekend (highs in the 80s). Yeah, that 30 degree temperature swing isn’t going to help the colds Woody and I are starting with.....

But we’re going to DISNEY WORLD!!!!

 

[Songbird76]

How many cards are there? I think we should start a pool to guess how long they will last before all of them are given out.

 

[MegRuss626]

The coveted Tuvalu card...

Wonder what the going rate for them will be on Ebay??

 

[myhappyplace]

Ahhh I will have to meet you again to get my card!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Thursday, November 29

I awakened refreshed after a restful night’s sleep. My cold symptoms weren’t any worse and I did not hear any noise from delivery trucks until after 5 am, so the day was starting off on a high note.

I got myself ready and decided to surprise Woody with breakfast in the room. He woke before I left the room so I took his order and headed down to Roaring Fork.

I prefer the “old” way of acquiring food at RF ~ telling the CM behind the counter what I wanted. The meals were plated to order and it was easy to make requests or substitutions. I would then take my tray to the register and pay.

Now I have to place my order at the register and stand there a long time while the CM figures out which buttons to push.....and any special requests make the process even more tedious. Case in point: Woody wanted Mickey waffles with strawberries. I wanted Mickey waffles with chocolate chips. Both of those used to be standard menu options. The only choice for Mickey waffles today were “Loaded Mickey Waffles” ~ waffles with strawberry sauce, chocolate chips, banana foster sauce, caramel sauce, chocolate syrup and whipped cream.

That’s a whole lotta stuff we don’t want on our waffles.

So I began the laborious task of explaining our waffle order (all the while hoping the CM was pushing the right buttons.) For Woody I ordered plain waffles with strawberry sauce on the side, since I knew Woody would be expecting fresh strawberries and I wasn’t sure how he’d feel about strawberry sauce. For myself I ordered plain waffles with chocolate chips and whipped cream.

I was given a pager and told to wait in the dining room. I grabbed two containers of regular syrup as a backup and filled Woody’s mug with coffee while I waited.

My order came in to-go boxes, in a large bag, so I had no idea what was inside until I returned to the room. Woody had a side of whipped cream in addition to his strawberry sauce and I had a side of strawberry sauce in addition to my whipped cream.

I will not complain about the extra sides, as I was happy the order was primarily correct. For the record, Woody enjoyed the strawberry sauce.

After breakfast we bundled up (it was supposed to be the coldest day of our trip) and arrived at the bus stop just as our bus did.

 

[Tuvalu]

Epcot was decked out for the holidays.

Isn’t Minnie’s hat fun?!!

As we walked towards Spaceship Earth we overheard a woman behind us say: “So what’s the story behind the big golf ball anyway? What’s it about?”

I am constantly amazed at the number of people who don’t research the place where they are vacationing.

We bypassed SSE for now, made a quick restroom stop (no flowers) and continued to The Land. Woody stopped to admire this ~

 

[Tuvalu]

Epcot had opened early for EMH. Many guests had chosen to take advantage of this perk and we DID need our FP for The Farm Ride at 9:45 am (standby was 30 minutes!)

It’s always neat to see the holiday additions in this attraction.

I did not know what this structure was for, but it had pretty white lights on it.

For your viewing pleasure, a wreath montage.

CMs were cleaning the fish tank.

I noticed something different when we disembarked our boat. The check in desk for the Behind the Seeds tour has a new location.

It has moved from its former spot next to Soarin’.

 

[Tuvalu]

Woody and I were able to go directly to Soarin’ for our next FP. There must have been an issue with the theater as we spent an inordinate amount of time waiting to enter. When we did, we had to go all the way down to the last two seats on the end.

Then we sat there for awhile.

I enjoyed watching others more than the screen. “Curved” natural and architectural wonders will do that.

We had to pass through one wind tunnel (the Character Spot corridor) in order to reach another wind tunnel (beneath SSE.) IT. WAS. COLD!!

And what did our future hold?

I’m gonna learn to drink coffee!

And Woody’s gonna learn how to rock a white suit.....by wearing blue slippers!

 

[MinnieM123]

I noticed something different when we disembarked our boat. The check in desk for the Behind the Seeds tour has a new location.

It has moved from its former spot next to Soarin’.

O.k. This has me intrigued. I've done Behind the Seeds about 4 times now over the past 8 or so years. Love it. So what's up with them moving MY check-in desk to the exit location of LWTL ride?!

I liked the original location, and would always check out the little plants for sale they had on the counter or display nearby. It's been there forever--WAY before Soarin ever went into that building.

 

[NessNewt]

Woody's gift cracks me up! What a great family you have.

 

[Tuvalu]

O.k. This has me intrigued. I've done Behind the Seeds about 4 times now over the past 8 or so years. Love it. So what's up with them moving MY check-in desk to the exit location of LWTL ride?!

I liked the original location, and would always check out the little plants for sale they had on the counter or display nearby. It's been there forever--WAY before Soarin ever went into that building.

My first thought about the new location is that it “fits” better at the LWTL exit, since the recording at the end of the ride says something like, “If you want to learn more about our ecosystems, check out the Behind the Seeds tour....” Now there’s a captive audience passing by that desk!

But I can try using my Shirley Status and ask that the desk be returned to its original location in time for your next visit.

Woody's gift cracks me up! What a great family you have.

I do have a great family (albeit one with a quirky sense of humor!)

 

[LadyBelle]

Previously we would ask my sister what she wanted for Christmas. She would constantly say “It doesn’t matter.” So for Christmas one year, we wrapped up three bricks and wrote “It” “Doesn’t” “Matter” and put it in a big box.

She’s been a little more specific since.

 

[Tuvalu]

Thursday, con’t

Upon exiting SSE we noticed this unusual sign:

I was immediately transported back 30+ years in time, when the only place to make dining reservations was in the post-show area of SSE. I remember being amazed at the “two-way” television screens where I could see the reservation cast member and they could see me.

Pilfered internet pic

My next thought was, is this necessary? Don’t people use MDE to check for dining availability?

But my final thought was, It’s crazy crowded here today! Are there really ADRs available?!
(Sadly neither you nor I will ever know since we didn’t stop to check!)

Woody and I hoped the masses had not yet made their way to World Showcase as we turned right onto the Promenade. We meandered down to Victoria Gardens, always a must-do for Woody.

Beautiful!

If I can’t spend a night in Cinderella Castle, I’d happily do so in this cottage.

 

[myhappyplace]

^^that cottage'd do, or I'd gladly stay in Swiss Family Treehouse, as well!

 

[Tuvalu]

We moved on from visiting our neighbor to the north to our allies across the pond. We perused the quaint shops in the alley and ended up by the Santa spot (okay, Father Christmas ) near the hedge maze.

Our timing was off today, as we didn’t catch a single Storyteller in any of the World Showcase pavilions.

France was buzzing with activity and it wasn’t easy getting a pic of my favorite monument ornaments.

I was hoping to stop in Les Halles Boulangerie, if not for lunch but for dessert ~ but I suspected it would be a madhouse so we continued on to a less popular (but no less excellent IMO) dining location.

This quick-service was not crowded at all....a blessing on a busy park day! Two chicken shawarma platters please, because I’m hungry and don’t feel like sharing!

So. So. Good!

Even though it was chilly, we opted for a table outside so we could people-watch as we ate.

I was unpleasantly surprised to discover our soft drinks were $4.50 EACH....but this wasn’t just a Tangierine Cafe thing, apparently Disney increased beverage prices across the board just prior to our arrival.

And I about flipped the first time I was charged $3.50 for a bottle of Dasani....the same bottle that cost me $3 in August (and $2.50 a year ago!)

 

[Tuvalu]

The Promenade was nearly shoulder-to-shoulder when we finished lunch. We bypassed Japan, U.S. and Italy but spent a little time exploring Germany and admiring the train.

I love the miniature details.....did you notice the banner?

It’s a tiny version of this!

All the buildings were adorned with wreaths and garland. Very festive!

The Christmas shop here is a must-do for me. If I didn’t have cats, I’d purchase many of the lovely glass ornaments which are for sale. Instead I must satisfy my longing by looking!

This wooden creation brought to mind the Cliff Hangers game from The Price is Right.

Amiright?

 

[MinnieM123]

My first thought about the new location is that it “fits” better at the LWTL exit, since the recording at the end of the ride says something like, “If you want to learn more about our ecosystems, check out the Behind the Seeds tour....” Now there’s a captive audience passing by that desk!

But I can try using my Shirley Status and ask that the desk be returned to its original location in time for your next visit.

Thank you, I would appreciate the Shirley Gold Card treatment on this matter. (I assume Woody also created a few of those coveted gold cards, for special guest requests.)

 

[DisneyGigi]

I love the Chip N Dale flag on the train. We didn’t get to venture that much into WS except for the Candlelight Processional and eating at Mexico. DH did go to Canada for a Moosehead one morning. I can’t complain though, taking the baby just us, totally changed everything. I swear, if I miss a Tuvalu meet and greet, this year, by days, you are gonna have to leave me a card somewhere.

 

[93boomer]

Thursday, con’t

Upon exiting SSE we noticed this unusual sign:
View attachment 337185

I was immediately transported back 30+ years in time, when the only place to make dining reservations was in the post-show area of SSE. I remember being amazed at the “two-way” television screens where I could see the reservation cast member and they could see me.

Pilfered internet pic
View attachment 337193

My next thought was, is this necessary? Don’t people use MDE to check for dining availability?

But my final thought was, It’s crazy crowded here today! Are there really ADRs available?!
(Sadly neither you nor I will ever know since we didn’t stop to check!)

Woody and I hoped the masses had not yet made their way to World Showcase as we turned right onto the Promenade. We meandered down to Victoria Gardens, always a must-do for Woody.

View attachment 337187

Beautiful!
View attachment 337188

If I can’t spend a night in Cinderella Castle, I’d happily do so in this cottage.
View attachment 337186

The gardens are my favorite too! They are gorgeous!!

 

[Tuvalu]

I love the Chip N Dale flag on the train. We didn’t get to venture that much into WS except for the Candlelight Processional and eating at Mexico. DH did go to Canada for a Moosehead one morning. I can’t complain though, taking the baby just us, totally changed everything. I swear, if I miss a Tuvalu meet and greet, this year, by days, you are gonna have to leave me a card somewhere.

We MAY have a trip overlap in 2019.

 

[myhappyplace]

Any chance you're going in June?