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.

 

[Tuvalu]

Most guests stop in the Trolley Car Cafe to get their Starbucks fix.

Em stopped in to buy this:

 

[DryerLintFan]

To save some money we booked a standard view room.

Did we get a standard view?

Drum roll please.......

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TA-DA!!!

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Why we had a sub-standard view, thank you very much!

Okay, to be fair that wasn’t the view from inside our room. This was (zoomed in):
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But the workmen were in the general vicinity of our balcony every day. It was a little creepy to be on the third floor (overlooking a flat roof) with painters walking by.

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Also to be fair, I did receive my second request for a “large balcony”. Many of the rooms just have a Juliet balcony (standing-room-only for one person.)
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But even this balcony paled in length to the one I’d had in 2014.
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(Woody and I joked we could have thrown a party on it. It was at least 20’ long.)

Here is a picture of the front of the resort with the approximate location of my and Em’s room. Third floor is just below the row of Juliet balconies.
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Before we headed out, we got our pigs situated.
Pigs, you say?

Em always travels with Pig. He’s been to WDW countless times. He’s even been cross country and overseas. This is Pig in his better days:
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Pig no longer has his pinkish hue. He now sports a well-loved pale gray hue.

A couple weeks ago I found a pig of my own. He’s more of a piglet in size and he made me smile the first time I saw him. I bought him under the pretext that I would give him to Tuvalette.....but he’s just so stinkin’ cute that he’ll probably remain at Grandma’s house.

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Here is his spot at home.
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Doing laundry is definitely more fun now!

IKEA!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

IKEA!!!

YES!!!

 

[Dory71]

Most guests stop in the Trolley Car Cafe to get their Starbucks fix.

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Em stopped in to buy this:
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I collect those Starbucks You are here mugs too!

 

[Tuvalu]

What can I say about Toy Story Land?

Can you tell from our faces?
We LOVED it!!

There is so much color....so much detail....so much character interaction. The area impressed us far more than Pandora. Of course it helps that we are huge Toy Story fans! But even if you’d never seen a Toy Story movie you would rediscover childhood memories in the familiar games and props scattered throughout the land.

(The hill I warned you about @riverside.)

Hello (not my) Woody!

A kiss from Jessie

Em was tempted by the Slinky ears.

(Check out the pocket on her tee!)

 

[LadyBelle]

But even if you’d never seen a Toy Story movie you would rediscover childhood memories in the familiar games and props scattered throughout the land.

I remember being super excited about seeing a Cootie Bug. I loved that game.

 

[riverside]

What can I say about Toy Story Land?

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Can you tell from our faces?
We LOVED it!!

There is so much color....so much detail....so much character interaction. The area impressed us far more than Pandora. Of course it helps that we are huge Toy Story fans! But even if you’d never seen a Toy Story movie you would rediscover childhood memories in the familiar games and props scattered throughout the land.

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(The hill I warned you about @riverside.)

Hello (not my) Woody!
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A kiss from Jessie
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Em was tempted by the Slinky ears.
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As soon as I saw that picture I could feel myself getting nervous. I have 2 weeks to decide—do I or don’t I??
The Slinky ears are super cute & look great on Em!!

 

[DisneyGigi]

What can I say about Toy Story Land?

View attachment 301146

View attachment 301145

Can you tell from our faces?
We LOVED it!!

There is so much color....so much detail....so much character interaction. The area impressed us far more than Pandora. Of course it helps that we are huge Toy Story fans! But even if you’d never seen a Toy Story movie you would rediscover childhood memories in the familiar games and props scattered throughout the land.

View attachment 301142

View attachment 301143

View attachment 301144

View attachment 301149
(The hill I warned you about @riverside.)

Hello (not my) Woody!
View attachment 301148

A kiss from Jessie
View attachment 301147

Em was tempted by the Slinky ears.
View attachment 301141

I didn’t get Pandora, at all, saw the movie, did not care for it. The floating mountains are pretty, it isn’t Disney to me though. Loved FoP, great ride, the rest of it, meh.. I think I will love Toy Story Land. My fave movies, and to me it is a Disney Land. I cannot wait to see it. I did not have that enthusiasm about Pandora at all.

 

[MinnieM123]

I didn’t get Pandora, at all, saw the movie, did not care for it. The floating mountains are pretty, it isn’t Disney to me though. Loved FoP, great ride, the rest of it, meh.. I think I will love Toy Story Land. My fave movies, and to me it is a Disney Land. I cannot wait to see it. I did not have that enthusiasm about Pandora at all.

Last May, I went to Pandora (early bus, early to arrive there). Loved FOP, and liked Na'vi River Journey. To me, that section of AK is fascinating--very different (and I did see the movie on DVD about 2 weeks prior to my vacation). I'd recommend it (but only going very early, as the crowds are overwhelming); and although it was scenic and all, there are limited things to do there (IMO).

Toy Story Land wasn't open when I was there. From the photos and descriptions from others, it sounds like there may be a bit more there, at least in terms of things to easily identify with--memories of childhood games, etc. Really like seeing the characters out and about, too. Plus, it's just an upbeat, colorful area and I could definitely see spending more time there, than in Pandora. But if you have the time to see both, you may like them.

 

[Zipadeelady]

I love the look on Jesse's face on SSD. The look on her face pretty much sums up my feelings while I'm at Disney.

 

[wdisney9000]

I am seriously late to this TR. Lets just pretend that my tardiness is actually me just being here extremely early for the next TR . Ive had such little time on magic each day and have been trying to finish my own TR but Im glad I took a break from mine today. I just read @sheriffwoody 's report so hopping over here was perfect timing. Love all the photos and glad you all spent some time together.

Can you tell from our faces?
We LOVED it!!

There is so much color....so much detail....so much character interaction. The area impressed us far more than Pandora.

Totally agree. TSL is just "alive" and has so much going on it almost makes your head spin (in a good way. Pandora was amazing the first time I walked in and it still is beautiful to me, but TSL puts a pep in my step!

 

[PineapplePrincess]

Not trying to hi-jack, but I have a pic of E and Al with the butterfly topiary from 2009. I love your throwback photos scattered throughout your report!

 

[mlegerto]

This quick serve has a very limited menu for hot breakfast fare (as well as a very limited menu for lunch/dinner.

I've always been so shocked about how limited the menu is at the Beach Club cafe. For a deluxe resort, I just never expected that. I mean I do know you have other options close by, but sometimes you just want to mosey on down to your own lobby for something.

I the Solarium. It is a pretty place to eat breakfast, read and relax....and much quieter than the lobby.

Such a relaxing place. Great place to spend some time frantically trying to figure out how to get home after totaling your car on the drive down when you hit a deer...true story! LOL

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, con’t

We set off to do more exploring in Toy Story Land. There were many people doing the same but the crowds were by no means crushing; we could move freely without feeling claustrophobic.

A good soldier always surveys his surroundings!

Due to my motion sensitivity issues, I wasn’t sure if I could ride Alien Swirling Saucers. Based on the press releases and short video clip, it was hard for me to make a decision in advance. So I told Em I was going to observe for awhile.

“Hey, Mom!”

I had two observations:

First, every person.....whether a child or an adult....was smiling and/or laughing the entire ride! I did not see a single sour or fearful face. I became joyful just watching the joy on each rider’s face. This simple little attraction that naysayers call an “off-the-shelf carnival ride” or “too short” or “not thrilling” was making people happy!! Isn’t that what a family-friendly ride is supposed to do?

My second observation was I couldn’t wait to try it!

 

[Tuvalu]

The standby line for Alien Swirling Saucers (which I will merely call “Saucers” from now on since the abbreviation may get bleeped.....seriously, what were the Imagineers thinking when they named this attraction? ) was almost an hour so my inaugural ride would have to wait.

Shirley needed to check out the restrooms.

Em quickly noticed the block signs indicating male or female.

There were no flowers but plenty of stalls and hand-washing troughs (instead of sinks). Lots of bright colors too!

Woody’s Lunch Box was busy....and there was nowhere to sit....and it was hot....so we’d have to try it another time.

Animal crackers! And a thermos!

Mini Babybel!

So. Much. Detail.

It was almost time for our Slinky Dog Dash FP so we headed that way.

Wheeeee!

 

[Tuvalu]

Critics complain that Slinky Dog “doesn’t live up to its potential” because it was modified (read: shortened) from its original design plans.

I say, “Hogwash!”

SDD is a fast and fun family coaster ~ just as it was meant to be. It has more thrills than 7DMT and may even be more exhilarating than BTMRR ! In fact one drop took Em by surprise. (I believe I heard the word “scary” from her lips though she denies it. )

We were so thankful there no weather issues when our FP window opened.

Love Andy’s sketches! Note the thumb tacks and Scotch tape.

DETAILS!

“Bowl is the goal”.....how cute is that?

Row 9 last car ~ and we didn’t even request it!

Hello Slinky!

Do we look excited? We were!

More proof of excitement.

Surprises even at the end.

“Mom, what did you think of the ride?”

 

[MeeskaMooska0714]

(Check out the pocket on her tee!)

This is SO CUTE! Where did you get it @TrolleyFollower91?

So glad Toy Story Land exceeded your expectations. I can't get over how adorable Slinky Dog is!!

 

[Zipadeelady]

Love your reviews of Saucer and Slinky! I don't understand why people will condemn a ride before they even ride it.

 

[Tuvalu]

Em and I were getting hungry but we were not thrilled with any of DHS’s quick serve options. Air-conditioning was a must which meant our choices were either the Commissary or Backlot Express. (Why oh why is PizzeRizzo not open any later than 4 pm??!! )

Leaving the park would mean sacrificing Em’s FP for Rock ‘n Rollercoaster. Lucky for me, her hunger trumped a very fast car ride. We decided to hop on a bus to Disney Springs.

And we got to have pizza after all.

This would be our first experience at Blaze Pizza, though not our first with the “create your own pizza” assembly line format.

Most of the seating area at Blaze is outdoors.

But eagle-eye Em spied the only open indoor table and made a run for it. (Remember a/c was a must. )

We sipped our beverages as we waited for our pizzas to cook. Did you know that Blaze has a POG-flavor Agua Fresca?

Now you do!

Moments later our names were called and we could dig in.

Em chose the White Top ~ White Cream Sauce, Mozzarella, Bacon, Garlic, Oregano and Arugula.

She ate most of it, so it must have been good!

I went simple ~ Cheese and Roasted Red Peppers. I did swipe some of Em’s arugula for my pie.

It was tasty and hit the spot!

I was very glad that I’d saved room for dessert.

The S’mores Pie

It may not look like much (the graham cookie looks especially dry) but OMG!!!

Soft graham, gooey marshmallow and melted chocolate ~ all for the ridiculously low price of $3.

I devoured it.

 

[Tuvalu]

Blaze Pizza was a good dinner pick and we’d definitely go back in the future. Next we wandered around Disney Springs.

So pretty!

We perused a few higher-end stores (wallets kept tightly closed) and I made Em go back to Uniqlo with me, in case there was any new cheap Disney merch (there wasn’t.)

(Uniqlo is a high-energy, crowded and somewhat overwhelming store that is not on top of “Em’s favorite places to shop at DS” list.)

@sheriffwoody told us to check out the recently-opened DisneyStyle.
“There’s a Skyway car inside the store!”

There is indeed.

There is also a mural of Cinderella Castle.....where we watched countless people pose in front of.

“Why don’t they just pose in front of the REAL THING?” asked a befuddled Em.

No idea!

But there was actually a better photo op inside the store.

For me.

The chance to have my picture taken in something in which I have never been.....nor ever will be.....in.

A rare sight to behold.

Tuvalu in a teacup! (Remember folks, you saw it here first!)

DisneyStyle had a lot of fun things to look at in addition to the props. A worthy place to stop in if you’re in the neighborhood. But keep a tight hold on your wallet.....loads of tempting purchases await you.

Em and I were growing weary as we walked to the bus stop. There were several people already lined up which gave us hope that there had not been a bus in some time and one was due shortly.

We stood there 10 minutes. No bus.

15 minutes. No bus.

20 minutes. Nada.

25 minutes and this bus passed us by.

What IS this bus? Who gets to have a Magical Moment? I want one!!

35 minutes later the Yacht/Beach bus arrived. And then had to load up two ECVs.

It wasn’t magical. Lots of frustrated and tired folks packed like sardines inside the bus. The ride back seemed to take FOR EV ER. Em and I made the decision to get off at the first stop (Yacht) and walk over to Beach Club.

It gave us the opportunity to see the relaxation grotto at night....minus the waterfalls (?)

No thunder booms or booms from Illuminations tonight (we’d returned after the show ended.) We crawled into bed reflecting on what a great day we had.....in spite of a few inconveniences.