Trip Report The Never-Ending Summer Of Disney *COMPLETED*

Seriously?!!

Can you believe it??

This is jaw-dropping news!!

If only.

Two things in life give me the blues ~ the end of summer and the end of a Disney vacation. A never-ending summer of Disney would be a dream come true! But I am certainly happy to “settle” for a WDW vacay in June....in July....and in August. And rather than write three separate trip reports (and annoy @amjt660 when my *COMPLETED* report really isn’t ) I decided to take @Rista1313 ’s suggestion and post an ongoing travelogue, à la @blgauger style.

So let’s get started!

Vacation #1
June 16-24, 2018
Tuvalu, Woody and Em get pampered at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Was there rain? Any snarky Cast Members? Ridiculous guest behavior? A Magic meet-up? How many times did we watch Happily Ever After?

You’ll have to follow along to find out.

 

[Zipadeelady]

I agree, that pig is soo cute. I just want to squeeze him.

 

[Tuvalu]

How can you chicken out on Soarin'? I guess if you have motion sickness issues... it's my favorite ride in Epcot!

Either fear of heights or motion sickness is easily remedied by closing your eyes. The glider doesn’t have a lot of movement. There are times when a certain part of the film gets me a little queasy so I just shut my eyes.

I just came back from a weekend at DLP and thought of you @Tuvalu when i saw our bathroom in the hotel:
View attachment 299599

(Yes, this is a live rose).

We also had pretty much Shirley status left and right with ridiculously low wait times for a weekend in the middle of summer, not to mention two days of very pleasant weather sandwiched between heatwaves - I was actually glad I had thrown in a pair of Lularoe leggings at the last minute because the mornings were almost chilly.

Wow, a live rose ~ what a nice touch! Sounds like you had an amazing weekend at DLP!

 

[Tuvalu]

I dunno, I'm not thrilled with what I've seen of the Beach Club so far. (Just curious--is the Beach Club mostly DVC? I can't recall if they have both regular rentals, or if this resort was all DVC.)

Beach Club has two buildings, one is regular rooms and the other DVC.

Regular rooms are in the building closest to Crescent Lake. (Blue building)

DVC rooms are closer to Epcot Resorts Blvd. and the front entrance to Beach Club. (Green building)

The map may give you a better perspective.

 

[Jedi Stitch]

Sunday, July 22

Em spent the night at our house and Uber driver Woody got us to the airport in plenty of time (or so we thought) for our 11am Southwest flight. Despite checking in exactly 24 hours in advance we had boarding positions B 60 and C 1. I suspected we had a full flight (it was) and warned Em of the possibility we might not get seats together.

At security we ended up in two different lines. Once through the scanner I watched my satchel leave the main belt for the one that required extra screening.

“Is this your bag?” the agent asked me.
“Yes,” I replied.

After a quick look inside she pulled out my iPad. “Anything larger than a cellphone needs to be out of a bag. Wait here while I send it through again.”

I was a little perplexed as I have never had to remove my iPad before. In fact I have been yelled at by agents for taking my iPad out of my bag. This agent however was very polite and my satchel was quickly rescreened.

I began to walk over to where Em was standing just as she was being berated by an agent for not removing her iPad from her backpack. This agent made Em pull out the iPad and place it in the bin along with her backpack, before she sent it through for rescreening. Somewhere along the way part of Em’s backpack covered the iPad and her bin got flagged for screening AGAIN.

View attachment 299396

Nasty agent then said something along the lines of “The iPad can’t be covered!” and sent Em’s belongings through the scanner for the THIRD time.

Mind you, there were no signs anywhere indicating removal of iPads or other tablets. It was unnecessary for the agent to treat Em like an idiot....or a criminal...for trying to “sneak” her iPad through.

We stopped at Atlanta Bread Company to get sandwiches to take on the plane. The place was busy and when it was our turn to pay I handed $20 to the cashier.

“Oh...” she replied as if she had never seen an Andrew Jackson. “Wait a minute.”

She disappeared behind the counter. I could hear her calling for a manager. Meanwhile the line behind us was growing longer.

The cashier appeared with a manager carrying a key ring with so many keys he could have been an apartment super. He was trying to figure out which key to put into the lock on a door to the right.

“We need the cash box,” the cashier said. Oh for goodness sake! I thought as pulled out my Visa. “Here, I can use my card.”

The look of relief on the cashier’s face was priceless. I think the manager was still struggling to find the right key which opened the magical door with the cash box. Again there was no signage to indicate that cash was not accepted. (I know there are establishments that no longer accept cash for transactions. Don’t even get me started on that!) The wait to receive our food was so long that when we reached our gate passengers in group A were boarding.

Things got better once we were on the plane.
View attachment 299397
Seated together!

Our flight departed on time and we found ourselves with a little #ShirleyStatus at the fonorail station.
View attachment 299398

View attachment 299399

Our good luck continued at our check-in for DME.....we were sent straight onto a bus.

View attachment 299400

The bus driver said he would be making four stops: Caribbean Beach, Boardwalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club. While on our way to WDW the bus slowed for a stoplight near the Caribe Royale resort.

“Look there’s our hotel!” an excited passenger behind me exclaimed. “Caribbean Beach!”

I am perplexed at the way things have "Progressed" I know the TSA have to repeat something thousands of times because to us we are meeting them for the first time, but to them its like a never ending line of "what". Some times it is forgotten that the rules change and be polite. I am glad you got polite, sorry for Em. The sad part if you try to take it up with higher up while there you will be the bad guy. If your a frequent flyer maybe you should look into the pre check. As for Cash, on our trip we just took $200 cash and only used it when CC or MB was frond upon. Seriously, when giving cash required management level assistance, our country is hurting. Good thing you didn't ask for a count back I am so into this journey lets see how it rolls.

 

[Gurt]

All caught up again I don't know why on your's and Doc's TR's I always seem to loose my notifications and end up really far behind. Shame about the rain I hope it got better for you guys.

 

[Swissmiss]

Either fear of heights or motion sickness is easily remedied by closing your eyes. The glider doesn’t have a lot of movement. There are times when a certain part of the film gets me a little queasy so I just shut my eyes.


Wow, a live rose ~ what a nice touch! Sounds like you had an amazing weekend at DLP!

That's good to know about closing your eyes - I've never dared to try Soarin' because I'm afraid of heights.

And yes, the weekend was amazing. My adult niece is lots of fun to be with and I appreciate how she has always treated my daughter, her much younger cousin. I've finally really started liking DLP - in the past I used to go because it was a quicker, easier, cheaper "fix" than getting myself to Florida but over the past couple of years I've really started to appreciate it. I only wish they'd improve the bathrooms and the food ... neither is up to WDW standards.

 

[93boomer]

@Tuvalu without me going back through all these pages again, could you please remind me again if you got to go on Slinky Dog? Today is fpass day for us and no passes available for it

 

[Longers]

Love that lamp in your room - I have a Mickey lamp that speaks as you
Turn it on and off which is quite cool!

 

[Tuvalu]

I am perplexed at the way things have "Progressed" I know the TSA have to repeat something thousands of times because to us we are meeting them for the first time, but to them its like a never ending line of "what". Some times it is forgotten that the rules change and be polite. I am glad you got polite, sorry for Em. The sad part if you try to take it up with higher up while there you will be the bad guy. If your a frequent flyer maybe you should look into the pre check. As for Cash, on our trip we just took $200 cash and only used it when CC or MB was frond upon. Seriously, when giving cash required management level assistance, our country is hurting. Good thing you didn't ask for a count back I am so into this journey lets see how it rolls.

We usually get pre-check due to our familial association with Woody but for whatever reason did not this time. Our experience at MCO security on the leg home was terrific....literally in and out in 5 minutes. Of course we took out our iPads. MCO had visible signage stating that tablets needed to be removed from bags.

All caught up again I don't know why on your's and Doc's TR's I always seem to loose my notifications and end up really far behind. Shame about the rain I hope it got better for you guys.

While we had way more rain than we wanted, we didn't let it damper our fun!

That's good to know about closing your eyes - I've never dared to try Soarin' because I'm afraid of heights.

If you decide to ride it request row 3. It is the closest to the ground. I rode with my friend who has a fear of heights and she thoroughly enjoyed Soarin' in row 3.

@Tuvalu without me going back through all these pages again, could you please remind me again if you got to go on Slinky Dog? Today is fpass day for us and no passes available for it

We did, but we had FPs. Keep trying the closer you get to your trip, especially the day before you plan to be at DHS. Otherwise I recommend getting to SDD at rope drop or wait until evening after the sun has gone down....the outdoor queue can get pretty warm. FWIW I'd wait up to 45 minutes standby.

Love that lamp in your room - I have a Mickey lamp that speaks as you
Turn it on and off which is quite cool!

View attachment 299715

I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!

 

[93boomer]

We usually get pre-check due to our familial association with Woody but for whatever reason did not this time. Our experience at MCO security on the leg home was terrific....literally in and out in 5 minutes. Of course we took out our iPads. MCO had visible signage stating that tablets needed to be removed from bags.


While we had way more rain than we wanted, we didn't let it damper our fun!


If you decide to ride it request row 3. It is the closest to the ground. I rode with my friend who has a fear of heights and she thoroughly enjoyed Soarin' in row 3.


We did, but we had FPs. Keep trying the closer you get to your trip, especially the day before you plan to be at DHS. Otherwise I recommend getting to SDD at rope drop or wait until evening after the sun has gone down....the outdoor queue can get pretty warm. FWIW I'd wait up to 45 minutes standby.


I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!

Thank you so much!! Great advice!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con’t

When we exited Soarin’ the window for our LWTL FP was open. As we approached the entrance I heard, “Hi Tuvalu and Em!” I turned and saw @dizfan917 and his entourage.

We knew our trips overlapped and that we both were staying at Beach Club but this meet was not planned. It was Mickey magic! Unfortunately since our meeting wasn’t planned we only had a few moments for pleasantries and then had to go our separate ways. We were sure our paths would cross again at Beach Club, but they never did.

Em and I tapped our bands but our names did not appear on the screen, so I wasn’t sure if it was still my anniversary or not!

The prairie sky was a foreshadowing of things to come.....

Good news! The dog was moving and barking normally.

Em took lots of pictures on this ride. She had to for her sanity. The girl in front of her was driving her craaazy!! You’ll see why in a moment.
I’m not posting all the pics she took only the ones I really liked.

Now here’s the reason for Em’s annoyance on LWTL.
Marcia Brady sat in front of her brushing her hair....with a plastic Barbie doll brush....for the entire duration of the ride.

 

[93boomer]

Sunday, con’t

When we exited Soarin’ the window for our LWTL FP was open. As we approached the entrance I heard, “Hi Tuvalu and Em!” I turned and saw @dizfan917 and his entourage.

View attachment 299739

We knew our trips overlapped and that we both were staying at Beach Club but this meet was not planned. It was Mickey magic! Unfortunately since our meeting wasn’t planned we only had a few moments for pleasantries and then had to go our separate ways. We were sure our paths would cross again at Beach Club, but they never did.

Em and I tapped our bands but our names did not appear on the screen, so I wasn’t sure if it was still my anniversary or not!

The prairie sky was a foreshadowing of things to come.....
View attachment 299747

Good news! The dog was moving and barking normally.
View attachment 299740

Em took lots of pictures on this ride. She had to for her sanity. The girl in front of her was driving her craaazy!! You’ll see why in a moment.
I’m not posting all the pics she took only the ones I really liked.

View attachment 299741

View attachment 299742

View attachment 299743

View attachment 299744

View attachment 299745

Now here’s the reason for Em’s annoyance on LWTL.
Marcia Brady sat in front of her brushing her hair....with a plastic Barbie doll brush....for the entire duration of the ride.

View attachment 299746

Oh goodness!! Things people do that irritates the rest of us!

 

[Tuvalu]

Remember the prairie foreshadowing I spoke of? It was POURING outside when we were ready to leave the pavilion.

“Forgetting your umbrella was a mistake,” I chided Em.

“I know!” she said ruefully. “Let’s go to Mouse Gear so I can buy another one.”

We waited a few minutes for the heavy rain to let up and then dashed from the Land to the Innoventions Plaza....then from the Innoventions Plaza into Mouse Gear.

Em located an umbrella quickly but we still perused the other merchandise.

@MinnieM123 I found the perfect shirt for you.

@Figment Forever Hope needs the Dreamfinder and Figment ballon for her tsum tsum collection!

When Em ran the Princess half marathon in 2016 she dressed as a Wilderness Explorer. She had to create her own hat because a Wilderness Explorer cap did not exist.....

....until now!!

As Em was about to check out she casually said, “Hey Mom, have you seen the new Dooney Pooh purse?”

THERE’S A DOONEY POOH PURSE???!!!

It will come as no surprise to any of you that I adore Pooh and his friends.

“No I have not seen the Dooney Pooh Purse!” I exclaimed, practically pushing Em aside as I raced to the Pricey Purse and Jewelry section of Mouse Gear.

And there it was.

And now it’s mine!

 

[dizfan917]

Umm... ew. Did she clip her toenails after her hair was all did? yikes!

It was so wacky to see you guys just walking through The Land! I'm glad we at least had a few minutes to chat. I was REALLY sad to not see you both again, but my tour group of 13 kept me busy the whole time we were there! I hope we can schedule a cocktail and some nachos at the Tamboo Lounge on another visit sometime!

 

[93boomer]

Remember the prairie foreshadowing I spoke of? It was POURING outside when we were ready to leave the pavilion.

“Forgetting your umbrella was a mistake,” I chided Em.

“I know!” she said ruefully. “Let’s go to Mouse Gear so I can buy another one.”

We waited a few minutes for the heavy rain to let up and then dashed from the Land to the Innoventions Plaza....then from the Innoventions Plaza into Mouse Gear.

View attachment 299755

Em located an umbrella quickly but we still perused the other merchandise.

@MinnieM123 I found the perfect shirt for you.
View attachment 299756

@Figment Forever Hope needs the Dreamfinder and Figment ballon for her tsum tsum collection!
View attachment 299759
View attachment 299760

When Em ran the Princess half marathon in 2016 she dressed as a Wilderness Explorer. She had to create her own hat because a Wilderness Explorer cap did not exist.....
View attachment 299763

....until now!!
View attachment 299758

As Em was about to check out she casually said, “Hey Mom, have you seen the new Dooney Pooh purse?”

THERE’S A DOONEY POOH PURSE???!!!

It will come as no surprise to any of you that I adore Pooh and his friends.

“No I have not seen the Dooney Pooh Purse!” I exclaimed, practically pushing Em aside as I raced to the Pricey Purse and Jewelry section of Mouse Gear.

And there it was.

View attachment 299757

And now it’s mine!

Oh yayyy congrats on the pretty bag!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

It was so wacky to see you guys just walking through The Land! I'm glad we at least had a few minutes to chat. I was REALLY sad to not see you both again, but my tour group of 13 kept me busy the whole time we were there! I hope we can schedule a cocktail and some nachos at the Tamboo Lounge on another visit sometime!

It’s a date!

 

[ScarletBegonias]

UGH That whole debacle at the airport with the ipads would have made me want to pull out my hair!!

 

[Rista1313]

UGH That whole debacle at the airport with the ipads would have made me want to pull out my hair!!

I noticed when we went down in May TSA was chanting anything bigger than a phone has to come out. They must think they've told everyone by now!

 

[riverside]

Now here’s the reason for Em’s annoyance on LWTL.
Marcia Brady sat in front of her brushing her hair....with a plastic Barbie doll brush....for the entire duration of the ride.

Really?? That is just plain disguisting

 

[DisneyGigi]

Remember the prairie foreshadowing I spoke of? It was POURING outside when we were ready to leave the pavilion.

“Forgetting your umbrella was a mistake,” I chided Em.

“I know!” she said ruefully. “Let’s go to Mouse Gear so I can buy another one.”

We waited a few minutes for the heavy rain to let up and then dashed from the Land to the Innoventions Plaza....then from the Innoventions Plaza into Mouse Gear.

View attachment 299755

Em located an umbrella quickly but we still perused the other merchandise.

@MinnieM123 I found the perfect shirt for you.
View attachment 299756

@Figment Forever Hope needs the Dreamfinder and Figment ballon for her tsum tsum collection!
View attachment 299759
View attachment 299760

When Em ran the Princess half marathon in 2016 she dressed as a Wilderness Explorer. She had to create her own hat because a Wilderness Explorer cap did not exist.....
View attachment 299763

....until now!!
View attachment 299758

As Em was about to check out she casually said, “Hey Mom, have you seen the new Dooney Pooh purse?”

THERE’S A DOONEY POOH PURSE???!!!

It will come as no surprise to any of you that I adore Pooh and his friends.

“No I have not seen the Dooney Pooh Purse!” I exclaimed, practically pushing Em aside as I raced to the Pricey Purse and Jewelry section of Mouse Gear.

And there it was.

View attachment 299757

And now it’s mine!

I am so buying that purse! Saw it on Twitter awhile back. It shows sold out on the shop parks ap but I am looking everyday hoping they have it back in stock when I am there. I can’t wait to see the movie Friday.