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!!!!

 

[93boomer]

And don’t you think it played in my head when I saw it?


Touché!


Woody will have to keep his eyes peeled the next time he attends a game!


We just kept waiting for the noise to stop.....all the while thinking it HAS to stop soon.....and when it didn’t it became a game of how long could we take it? The answer was two hours.

Happy New Year To You! I am spending part of the day with Tuvalette but hope to post more this evening.

Looked it up for you Tuvalu. It was at the Sugarboo & Co. store. It is online for $140.
Now I need to ask you something. Have you been to any of the disney after dark events for $125 each? We were thinking of going to one at MK. I couldn't remember if you had been to one or not. Think it is worth it?

 

[Tuvalu]

What about that first week..? Any chance of obtaining a card for myself?

Dates?

Looked it up for you Tuvalu. It was at the Sugarboo & Co. store. It is online for $140.
Now I need to ask you something. Have you been to any of the disney after dark events for $125 each? We were thinking of going to one at MK. I couldn't remember if you had been to one or not. Think it is worth it?

I have never done an after hours event, but would definitely do one at the MK if my dates aligned (so far no luck!)

 

[93boomer]

Dates?


I have never done an after hours event, but would definitely do one at the MK if my dates aligned (so far no luck!)

Oh good! I think I will go ahead and get tickets. Thanks Tuvalu!

 

[Tuvalu]

Thursday, con’t

The crew working in Artist Point must have received a cease and desist call because it was quiet in our room when I returned. I caught up Woody on what had transpired at the Front Desk and we discussed what to do for dinner. My restaurant choice was based solely on one item.

We took a bus to Disney Springs and were impressed by the decorations and the elegance of the tree which had twinkling lights upon it.

After a short walk we reached our destination, Earl of Sandwich.

I saw this sign and immediately thought of Em and all the Frosés she enjoyed poolside last summer. Not sure one from Earl’s in the winter would have the same effect.

There isn’t much seating inside Earl’s and it was too cold to sit outside. I had a momentary panic that we might have to eat standing against the wall, until I saw Woody wave that he’d found two seats at the bar in the back corner.

Woody had the Original ~ Roast Beef, Cheddar and Horseradish.

And I had.....

We know what you had, Tuvalu! The Holiday Turkey. That’s your favorite sandwich. That’s the reason you picked Earl’s for dinner. That’s the one item you had to have.

But you’d be wrong, dear readers.

I, too, had the Original ~ minus horseradish.


This was the reason we came to Earl’s.

The calorie-free chocolate chip cookie.

(And it was worth every non-calorie!)

 

[Rista1313]

The calorie-free chocolate chip cookie

Have you ever tried Jimmy Johns chocolate chunk cookie? It's not calorie free, but it sure is tasty!

 

[Tuvalu]

We did not get to explore the Christmas Tree Trail last year, which was another reason we came to Disney Springs tonight.

And it was literally around the corner from Earl’s.

Yikes! Three hours to wait to see Santa!

The trees were so cleverly themed and it was fun looking at the ornaments (and tree toppers) that adorned each one.

For my DIL who adores Beauty and the Beast

For Woody, who likes all things jazz

For my bestie, whose daughter is a huge Ariel fan

For Tuvalette, whose favorite princess is “Cinderellaellaella”

For my sons, the Star Wars geeks

For Em, her life verse

For moi, because it’s MUPPETS!!

As we admired the Muppet tree, we heard a woman in a disgusted voice complain: “Since when have the Muppets been Disney?”

Since Disney-MGM Studios opened in 1989, you ignoramus.
(Though the official acquisition was not until 2004.)

 

[Tuvalu]

We had to check out the new World of Disney.

Usually we avoid World of Disney like the plague. Trying to shop in that “store of chaos” (as Em calls it) caused too much anxiety and stress. Our family got separated inside years ago and it left a lasting imprint on Em. Though the architecture, characters and differently themed rooms gave the store charm, it was hard to navigate and checking out was a nightmare.

The “reimagined” store is much more streamlined (and generic ) but the check out system is vastly superior.

I only took two pictures, one for my “Cinderellaellaella” girl.....

....and one for her mama.

Many of the displays were grouped together by character. Others were grouped together by color ~ for example, there were spirit jerseys, Mickey ears, wallets and purses all in Rose Gold.....or was it Millennial Pink? You’ll have to ask Woody, who was schooled on the subtle difference (and is now an expert) while we browsed.

 

[Tuvalu]

We popped into a few more stores before heading out of Disney Springs (purchaseless I might add.) We had a bit of a wait for a bus and I was nervous we might miss the fireworks.

Walking up to the Lodge at night from the bus stop is especially lovely at Christmastime.

The interior of the Lodge isn’t too shabby either!

 

[93boomer]

We popped into a few more stores before heading out of Disney Springs (purchaseless I might add.) We had a bit of a wait for a bus and I was nervous we might miss the fireworks.

Walking up to the Lodge at night from the bus stop is especially lovely at Christmastime.

View attachment 338148

View attachment 338149

The interior of the Lodge isn’t too shabby either!

View attachment 338150

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View attachment 338145

Simply gorgeous! Love those bears!!

 

[Tuvalu]

A couple more from above as we walked to our room.

We made it in time to watch Holiday Wishes.

A few minutes later Em arrived. She had chaperoned two of her former students (brother & sister) on the flight from Atlanta and Ubered with them to the Dolphin, where their mother was attending a business conference. They had tickets for tomorrow’s MVMCP and invited Em along, but she politely declined.

As Em began to settle in I told her not to get attached to the room (or the view) since we would be switching rooms the following day. She spent a few moments admiring Cinderella Castle before getting ready for bed.

 

[myhappyplace]

I love that your reflection is showing in the tree ornament!

Lovely pics of the Lodge

 

[Spash007]

We did not get to explore the Christmas Tree Trail last year, which was another reason we came to Disney Springs tonight.

And it was literally around the corner from Earl’s.
View attachment 338120

Yikes! Three hours to wait to see Santa!
View attachment 338121

The trees were so cleverly themed and it was fun looking at the ornaments (and tree toppers) that adorned each one.

For my DIL who adores Beauty and the Beast
View attachment 338122

For Woody, who likes all things jazz
View attachment 338123

For my bestie, whose daughter is a huge Ariel fan
View attachment 338124

For Tuvalette, whose favorite princess is “Cinderellaellaella”
View attachment 338125

For my sons, the Star Wars geeks
View attachment 338126

For Em, her life verse
View attachment 338127

View attachment 338128

For moi, because it’s MUPPETS!!
View attachment 338129

As we admired the Muppet tree, we heard a woman in a disgusted voice complain: “Since when have the Muppets been Disney?”

Since Disney-MGM Studios opened in 1989, you ignoramus.
(Though the official acquisition was not until 2004.)

“Ignoramus” is a great word!

I also don’t understand who would wait 3 hours for Santa?? Maybe for locals it’s a good one?

 

[Tuvalu]

Have you ever tried Jimmy Johns chocolate chunk cookie? It's not calorie free, but it sure is tasty!

I have not.

I love that your reflection is showing in the tree ornament!

I did not notice that until you mentioned it.

I also don’t understand who would wait 3 hours for Santa?? Maybe for locals it’s a good one?

He’d better be the REAL deal!

 

[Rista1313]

Happy Chick-fil-a Friday Tuvalu!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I laughed again when I was given this.....

View attachment 335951(And no, there was no coordination between Woody and Em!)

.....and upon glancing at hubby’s creativity.

View attachment 335952

He decided I needed business cards! I will keep them with me on my visits and will be happy to hand one over to anyone who meets me!

#dead

Nice to see someone handle an issue (the construction noise) appropriately, without hysteria, without a separate “The magic is gone” thread. I think your recording was brilliant, and I would have been satisfied with their response, were I in your Tuvashoes.

 

[Tuvalu]

I think your recording was brilliant, and I would have been satisfied with their response, were I in your Tuvashoes.

Now this might be my favorite post! You’re killing me, Tony.......Tuvashoes!

 

[becca_]

Dates?

May 30th-June 8th!

 

[Tuvalu]

May 30th-June 8th!

Swing and a miss for you too.

 

[MeeskaMooska0714]

Swing and a miss for you too.

What about June 11-17??

 

[Tuvalu]

What about June 11-17??

Odds are in your favor.