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]

Stopped to take a pic of Gaston’s Tavern but did not venture inside. It now occurred to me that we never made it back to Gaston’s this vacation and I cannot confirm if Gaston’s chair is in its rightful spot!

View attachment 333432

We did, however, venture inside Rapunzel’s restroom.

View attachment 333433
(That’s K, holding up the lamp post! )

Haunted Mansion is best when experienced at night.

View attachment 333434

You didn’t check on the chair! I am disappointed.

 

[Tuvalu]

M was ready for more snacks ~ specifically cookies. While there are 4 locations that serve a single specialty cookie, only one location serves all 4 specialty cookies (along with delicious hot chocolate)....and I knew just where to go.

To get there I wanted to avoid the hub, since it would be about time for Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime parade to be passing through. I directed our group towards the short path that connects Adventureland to Frontierland (next to Country Bears.)

We walked smack into the parade viewing crowd. I’d forgotten just how long (30 minutes) MOUAC parade is! But we got to see my favorite parts: the toy soldiers, the reindeer and Santa himself!

Then we got to be parade participants, as we followed the end of the parade to Liberty Square. When the parade turned right towards the hub we veered left towards Fantasyland.

There was a long line to enter Pinocchio’s Village Haus which caused K to pause.

“Don’t worry, this’ll move fast,” I assured her.

In no time at all we were gorging ourselves on chocolate chip, peppermint crunch, ginger molasses and snickerdoodle cookies.....plus the same amazing hot chocolate I remembered from last year.

We lingered in the Haus for awhile discussing some exciting news.

We’ve been friends with M&K for decades. Our children are similar in age as are our granddaughters. Our families have visited Disney and Universal together numerous times. Despite living in different states we’ve remained close.

And next year they are moving to Georgia!!

We couldn’t be happier.

 

[Tuvalu]

The only attraction K asked to do was 7DMT, which also happened to fit my “better at night” criteria.

We got in line 25 minutes before Holiday Wishes was due to start. I figured we’d be off in time to watch the show from Fantasyland....or at least catch some fireworks while on the coaster.

We usually ride 7DMT with a FP and bypass the interactive elements in the standby queue. Tonight I noticed the touch-screen game has been replaced by static “jewels.”

There were long stretches when our line never moved. I began to doubt our ability to complete the ride before Holiday Wishes began.

When we were trapped in the mine and heard the first BOOM, I hoped we’d make it onto a train and see some fireworks.

But when our train pulled into the station to a rousing BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! I knew it was the finale and we’d missed the whole show.

I also knew I’d be able to see fireworks later in the week. But tonight was M&K’s only chance and I felt bad about that.

They did have fun on 7DMT.

 

[Tuvalu]

We stopped for cider and Dove chocolates at The Friar’s Nook before heading to the hub to see the castle lights.

This gives me chills (or “all the feels” in millennial-speak.)

I hope I never lose the wonder of this beauty either.

I spied a lonely Photopass photographer and decided we needed a picture of us in front of the illuminated Castle.

Sadly, it was not the illumination I was hoping for. Just as he was ready to take our picture, the lights faded out and the projection show started.

 

[Tuvalu]

K wanted to check out the holiday merchandise so we headed for the Emporium.

Mickey and Minnie Claus were in one of the windows.

(So was Shirley! )

After meandering through the store (no purchases made) we found ourselves in Town Square.

Earlier in the evening we had talked about watching the 11 pm parade in Frontierland (to avoid the Main Street SNOAP). Well that wasn’t gonna happen now ~ it was after 11. Woody and I were fading (due to the day’s travel and our colds) and M&K had to work in the morning, so we made the executive decision to call it a night.

One last look down Main Street.

 

[Tuvalu]

A final photo op before saying goodbye.

Oh deer!


That’s better.

A bus arrived shortly for Woody and me.

We were thankful to see our luggage in our room. At this late hour it would have been distressing to have one (or both) suitcases MIA.

Sleep did not come easy though. And I would be awakened very early by delivery trucks.....

 

[Tuvalu]

You didn’t check on the chair! I am disappointed.

I’m so sorry! I couldn’t believe I forgot!

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, November 29

Sleep was difficult due to the horrible pillows, congestion from my cold, a throbbing heel (I had been suffering from heel pain for several weeks) and off-and-on noise from vehicles below our room. (Is there anything worse than the loud BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! from a backing-up truck when you are trying to sleep?)

Though we had this lovely view looking forward (and ability to see nightly fireworks).....

....this was what it looked like when glancing down.

Gee, isn’t that an unusual number of workers in fluorescent construction vests at a resort that hasn’t started room refurbishments yet?

I thought so at first. Then I remembered that Artist Point, WL’s former signature dining restaurant, was being “transformed” into a character dining location. That would explain not only the workers, but the quantity of vehicles in an area normally used for deliveries.

Note: The small building on the right with the pitched green roof is The Smokehouse. The barbecue served at Whispering Canyon and Roaring Fork is authentic! There was always a nice smoky aroma when we were out on our balcony.

Woody and I had no plans until lunch so I allowed him to sleep in. Once he awakened we took our time getting ready to start our first full Disney day.

 

[Nemo14]

Be careful with that heel pain - sounds like plantar fascia.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Be careful with that heel pain - sounds like plantar fascia.

 

[Rista1313]

Be careful with that heel pain - sounds like plantar fascia.

I was just going to say the same thing. I've been able to heal mine by wearing skechers from sun up to sun down (even while relaxing at home) You need something with a really good arch and not the flat teva's (do they have an arch?) I hated every minute of it, but I still do it most of the time, because I don't want that pain back. Also, keep a can of peaches (or whatever) by the side of your bed, and "roll" your foot before you stand on it. It will stretch out that tendon, and help with the healing process.

Not that you asked for my advise... but .. well there it is.

 

[Nemo14]

I ignored the heel pain, or dealt with it anyway, for a few weeks, then (the day before my DD's wedding) I reached to shut a light off, and tore mine so badly that I was in a boot for about 5 months. Not fun at all!

 

[Tuvalu]

Though it may not appear so, Roaring Fork was crazy busy for late morning. It seems we were not the only ones to be taking our time before going to the parks.

There were no open tables in the dining hall so we sat in the corridor.

This was the tallest chocolate chip muffin I’ve ever eaten!

(Water cup behind muffin gives perspective.)

Woody was having difficulty with one of his contact lenses so he returned to our room to deal with it. I took the opportunity to go to the front desk to have my two MagicBands reset, since neither would unlock the room door.

CM Ryan assisted me.

He made the mistake (haha) of asking how my trip had been so far. This, of course, led to my sharing of all my MagicBand/MDE account woes.

“I see you have a lot of MagicBands that have been deactivated,” Ryan said. “Would you like me to purge them?”

Wait.....WHAT???!!

“You can purge them?” I asked astonishingly.

“Sure,” answered Ryan matter-of-factly. “Since you have so many deactivated bands, it will take me an hour or so but that should resolve the issues you’ve been having.”

WHY HAS NO ONE MENTIONED PURGING MY ACCOUNT OF DEACTIVATED BANDS UNTIL NOW??!!
RYAN, YOU ARE MY HERO!!!

He recoded my bands so I could unlock our door, but warned that they might need to be synched again after the purging was complete. “If these won’t unlock your door later, just stop by here and we’ll fix it for you.”

Ryan then asked where we were going today. “I’m adding two fastpasses to your account for your troubles.”

I thanked him and inquired if I needed to remain nearby while he purged my account.

“Nope, you are free to go! Have a magical day!”

Woody arrived in the lobby as I finished with Ryan. Woody had assumed all along there wasn’t a way in Disney’s system to purge deactivated bands, otherwise why hadn’t someone in IT done so (or even suggested it) when my issues first surfaced? (He has worked in/with IT systems his entire career.)

“Let’s hope it works!” Woody declared as we made our way out of the Lodge.

 

[LittleTuna12]

“I see you have a lot of MagicBands that have been deactivated,” Ryan said. “Would you like me to purge them?”

Finally! I was wondering the same thing all along. The fact that it can be done but was never mentioned to you before is mind blowing especially for a company that prides itself on being the best at customer service.

 

[LadyBelle]

I am going to echo everyone's comment about heel pain. I ignored my for quite some time. Finally had to go to a podiatrist who treated me with two rounds of steroids and recommended an insert.

 

[93boomer]

I’m so sorry! I couldn’t believe I forgot!

Haha I forgive you! This time!

 

[Spash007]

I'll share more details when I get around to a TR, but I think we have a @Tuvalu in the making with Magic Band issues. Luckily when it comes to kids it's easy to get around. But lets just say the first few days I was thinking of you!

 

[93boomer]

Though it may not appear so, Roaring Fork was crazy busy for late morning. It seems we were not the only ones to be taking our time before going to the parks.

View attachment 333972

There were no open tables in the dining hall so we sat in the corridor.

View attachment 333973

This was the tallest chocolate chip muffin I’ve ever eaten!

View attachment 333974
(Water cup behind muffin gives perspective.)

Woody was having difficulty with one of his contact lenses so he returned to our room to deal with it. I took the opportunity to go to the front desk to have my two MagicBands reset, since neither would unlock the room door.

CM Ryan assisted me.
View attachment 333975

He made the mistake (haha) of asking how my trip had been so far. This, of course, led to my sharing of all my MagicBand/MDE account woes.

“I see you have a lot of MagicBands that have been deactivated,” Ryan said. “Would you like me to purge them?”

Wait.....WHAT???!!

“You can purge them?” I asked astonishingly.

“Sure,” answered Ryan matter-of-factly. “Since you have so many deactivated bands, it will take me an hour or so but that should resolve the issues you’ve been having.”

WHY HAS NO ONE MENTIONED PURGING MY ACCOUNT OF DEACTIVATED BANDS UNTIL NOW??!!
RYAN, YOU ARE MY HERO!!!

View attachment 333976

He recoded my bands so I could unlock our door, but warned that they might need to be synched again after the purging was complete. “If these won’t unlock your door later, just stop by here and we’ll fix it for you.”

Ryan then asked where we were going today. “I’m adding two fastpasses to your account for your troubles.”

I thanked him and inquired if I needed to remain nearby while he purged my account.

“Nope, you are free to go! Have a magical day!”

Woody arrived in the lobby as I finished with Ryan. Woody had assumed all along there wasn’t a way in Disney’s system to purge deactivated bands, otherwise why hadn’t someone in IT done so (or even suggested it) when my issues first surfaced? (He has worked in/with IT systems his entire career.)

“Let’s hope it works!” Woody declared as we made our way out of the Lodge.

Really?? I had no idea! I need to do that. But I will wait until I get to the part that it worked.

 

[Tiggerish]

(Is there anything worse than the loud BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! from a backing-up truck when you are trying to sleep?)

If there is, I don't know about it. My house is adjacent to a school building, and the guest room faces that way. When DH's snoring drives me into that bedroom, I'm awoken early by those darn beeps. They don't reach our bedroom at the front of the house.

WHY HAS NO ONE MENTIONED PURGING MY ACCOUNT OF DEACTIVATED BANDS UNTIL NOW??!!
RYAN, YOU ARE MY HERO!!!

At least Ryan was nice about it. My deactivated bands were purged by a grouchy CM at the Bay Lake Tower front desk a few years ago; she acted as though she was doing me the world's biggest favor. Haven't had a problem since, though.

 

[Sabrina1705]

Two weeks?! I’m jealous. I could have easily spent another week, and so could Woody. Unfortunately there’s this work thing that gets in the way.....

Once a year, 2 weeks . My excuse for the 2 weeks is the long travel time .
Loving your trip so far!