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.

 

[LMSB]

Stopped for a couple pictures upon arriving at the Studios.

View attachment 303654

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We had a FP for a usual must-do.....

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....but we opted to cancel in favor of a new ride with only a 30 minute standby wait.

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Love the matching tees!

 

[Tuvalu]

It’s Saucer time!!

While we were still in the uncovered part of the queue, we could hear nature sounds that would be in Andy’s backyard ~ twittering birds, chirping crickets, buzzing flies. Em remarked that while the sounds “set the mood” they also did a good job of drowning out construction noise from the adjacent Galaxy’s Edge!

Though we were not in direct sunlight it was so humid that we were quickly becoming hot, sweaty messes.

“It wouldn’t have ruined my illusion of Andy’s backyard if there was air conditioning in this queue. There is no reason the covered part couldn’t have been inside a building!” Em complained.

She was right. It was a toasty wait even at 30 minutes. Can’t imagine waiting longer....we were melting.

Excited to be out of the line and in our saucer!

The misery was quickly forgotten once the ride started. We became exactly like the other Saucer Riders I’d watched the other day ~ grinning, laughing and having the time of our lives!

So much fun.....and no dizziness at all!

I would easily wait 30 minutes again. Just not in the heat.

 

[Tuvalu]

When we exited Saucers it was time for our Slinky Dog FP.

Only it was down.

Not weather-related, either. Something had malfunctioned and a train of guests was stuck almost at the end of the track, just before Wheezy and Mr. Spell. Those poor folks were in direct sun for quite awhile ~ one rider had even opened an umbrella in an attempt to stay cool.

Em and I were glad we weren’t among those stuck (an evac off SDD not high on our list), and we consoled ourselves that we DID get to ride Slinky Dog the other day, should the attraction not reopen. (There was still a threat of rain later.)

We decided to find something to pass the time while they worked on Slinky Dog. Toy Story Mania had an hour wait and we weren’t feeling it. But we did manage to find the newest Instagram sensation.

Popsicle wall!

And we wanted to be first in creating another sensation.

Checkerboard wall!

 

[Tuvalu]

Next we traversed the park to visit our Muppet friends.

I’ll say it again......so glad the pre-show video is now Constantine-free! I’ve missed Gonzo dancing with a pot of flowers on his head.

It never ceases to amaze me what people will lug into the parks.

Of course his choice of footwear isn’t very sensible either.

As we walked past PizzeRizzo there were bartenders in tuxes setting up for an event. WHY WERE WE NOT INVITED??!!

Our pouty faces turned to smiles when we saw that Slinky Dog was operational.

I think @blgauger (or @Doc Disney) posted this same “Bath Toy not for use in water” pic.

Em and I were seated mid-train (dog?) this time and I actually found the ride more thrilling. (Probably because I could see how high we were on that last hill!)

 

[Tuvalu]

Our delayed Slinky ride had caused us to miss the window for our Frozen Singalong FP. Instead we browsed the stores on Sunset Blvd. before heading out.

Epcot was our destination and we opted for the slow boat rather than the hot walk.

Once inside the International Gateway I found a bench and placed a call to Woody. Em wandered around taking pictures.

Enjoy!

 

[DisneyGigi]

Next we traversed the park to visit our Muppet friends.

View attachment 303678

I’ll say it again......so glad the pre-show video is now Constantine-free! I’ve missed Gonzo dancing with a pot of flowers on his head.

It never ceases to amaze me what people will lug into the parks.
View attachment 303679
Of course his choice of footwear isn’t very sensible either.

As we walked past PizzeRizzo there were bartenders in tuxes setting up for an event. WHY WERE WE NOT INVITED??!!

Our pouty faces turned to smiles when we saw that Slinky Dog was operational.

View attachment 303681

I think @blgauger (or @Doc Disney) posted this same “Bath Toy not for use in water” pic.
View attachment 303680

Em and I were seated mid-train (dog?) this time and I actually found the ride more thrilling. (Probably because I could see how high we were on that last hill!)

View attachment 303682

I don’t know which is worse, the bag or the shoes! Who tortures themselves like that? Love the ride photos. I am getting so excited now, that I cannot think anything but Disney. Lol

 

[Dave B]

#ShirleyStatus on Pirates!

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I have found that parties of two are inevitably assigned row 6. I thought we were safe from the row 6 curse since we were three. I was wrong.

View attachment 297283
Seriously, what is the point of this on-ride photo?

The upside to row 6 is minimal wetness....except when you get hit by a water cannon. Which we did.

I know you probably know this as a true veteran of Disney, but you can request to sit in any row you want, we are those ones that always wait for the front row

 

[wdwfamilynh]

303691[/ATTACH]View attachment 303694

I love Em’s photos, especially the last one!

 

[Tuvalu]

I know you probably know this as a true veteran of Disney, but you can request to sit in any row you want, we are those ones that always wait for the front row

Lately I have found it depends on the cast member. If we are two and request a row besides 6, we end up sharing with strangers. You are brave to ride in the front....after the last refurb, we ended up drenched when sitting there (although I think they have fixed the hill problem that caused it.)

 

[mlegerto]

Not riding Splash Mountain before dinner ended up being a blessing in disguise. Turns out Em prefers to ride Splash at night in the dark.

She asked if we could do Splash before leaving.

And now I wholeheartedly agree with Em ~ Splash Mountain is better at night!

I find that SO much is better in the dark, SM is no exception!

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

Em met me just as I was hanging up my call with Woody. We took a leisurely stroll across the bridge, past France and into....

That’s right folks ~ after “floating” our ADR three previous times we were finally going to eat here!

At check in the hostess asked if we wanted to dine indoors or outdoors. I blurted “outdoors” before checking with Em. It was still pretty humid and there wasn’t any breeze. She was flush and looking dehydrated.

As we were led out to the patio I whispered, “Would you rather eat inside?”
“I didn’t even know there was an inside,” Em replied. “Outside will be fine.”

Turns out it was more than fine as we were seated at water’s edge.

I had warned Em in advance that we were definitely ordering an appetizer. A couple years ago at the Food & Wine Fest I had sampled Spicy Hummus Fries and had been dreaming of that delicacy ever since. I was so excited to have them again that when our server asked, “What would you like to drink?” I answered with, “Spicy Hummus Fries.”

While delicious, these were not the same Spicy Hummus Fries I remembered. This batch had a heavier coating and may have been deep fried a little too long. But we managed to eat them all.

For our entrees Em had the NY Strip Steak

I had the Mixed Grill Skewers (Marinated Beef and Chicken)

Both meals came with Rosemary Potatoes ~ and OMG what crispy, flavorful potatoes they were! Honestly those potatoes were my favorite part of dinner. Em really liked her steak (cooked to perfection) and we both love green beans, so win-win there! I preferred the chicken skewer over the beef and since the portion was generous I could not have finished the steak even if I’d wanted to.

Our server was friendly and attentive without rushing us. He assumed with our prime table we’d be camped out until Illuminations.

He was right.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Wednesday, con’t

Em met me just as I was hanging up my call with Woody. We took a leisurely stroll across the bridge, past France and into....

View attachment 304147

That’s right folks ~ after “floating” our ADR three previous times we were finally going to eat here!

At check in the hostess asked if we wanted to dine indoors or outdoors. I blurted “outdoors” before checking with Em. It was still pretty humid and there wasn’t any breeze. She was flush and looking dehydrated.

As we were led out to the patio I whispered, “Would you rather eat inside?”
“I didn’t even know there was an inside,” Em replied. “Outside will be fine.”

Turns out it was more than fine as we were seated at water’s edge.

View attachment 304153

View attachment 304148

I had warned Em in advance that we were definitely ordering an appetizer. A couple years ago at the Food & Wine Fest I had sampled Spicy Hummus Fries and had been dreaming of that delicacy ever since. I was so excited to have them again that when our server asked, “What would you like to drink?” I answered with, “Spicy Hummus Fries.”

View attachment 304149

While delicious, these were not the same Spicy Hummus Fries I remembered. This batch had a heavier coating and may have been deep fried a little too long. But we managed to eat them all.

For our entrees Em had the NY Strip Steak
View attachment 304151

I had the Mixed Grill Skewers (Marinated Beef and Chicken)
View attachment 304150

Both meals came with Rosemary Potatoes ~ and OMG what crispy, flavorful potatoes they were! Honestly those potatoes were my favorite part of dinner. Em really liked her steak (cooked to perfection) and we both love green beans, so win-win there! I preferred the chicken skewer over the beef and since the portion was generous I could not have finished the steak even if I’d wanted to.

Our server was friendly and attentive without rushing us. He assumed with our prime table we’d be camped out until Illuminations.

He was right.

Your meal at Spice Table Road looks really good. I too liked those hummus fries at Food and Wine, I might have to add this place to the list.

 

[monykalyn]

Next we traversed the park to visit our Muppet friends.

My DD's attraction! She is home now (sorta-she left this am to spend time with grandma before leaving for college on Saturday).
We love Muppets in our house anyway...

Turns out it was more than fine as we were seated at water’s edge

Yay! You finally got to do Spice road table! Can't remember what we had but we really enjoyed it-and prime water side seating is great! As is their sparkling white sangria with those hummus fries

 

[MinnieM123]

Wednesday, con’t

Em met me just as I was hanging up my call with Woody. We took a leisurely stroll across the bridge, past France and into....

View attachment 304147

That’s right folks ~ after “floating” our ADR three previous times we were finally going to eat here!

At check in the hostess asked if we wanted to dine indoors or outdoors. I blurted “outdoors” before checking with Em. It was still pretty humid and there wasn’t any breeze. She was flush and looking dehydrated.

As we were led out to the patio I whispered, “Would you rather eat inside?”
“I didn’t even know there was an inside,” Em replied. “Outside will be fine.”

Turns out it was more than fine as we were seated at water’s edge.

View attachment 304153

View attachment 304148

I had warned Em in advance that we were definitely ordering an appetizer. A couple years ago at the Food & Wine Fest I had sampled Spicy Hummus Fries and had been dreaming of that delicacy ever since. I was so excited to have them again that when our server asked, “What would you like to drink?” I answered with, “Spicy Hummus Fries.”

View attachment 304149

While delicious, these were not the same Spicy Hummus Fries I remembered. This batch had a heavier coating and may have been deep fried a little too long. But we managed to eat them all.

For our entrees Em had the NY Strip Steak
View attachment 304151

I had the Mixed Grill Skewers (Marinated Beef and Chicken)
View attachment 304150

Both meals came with Rosemary Potatoes ~ and OMG what crispy, flavorful potatoes they were! Honestly those potatoes were my favorite part of dinner. Em really liked her steak (cooked to perfection) and we both love green beans, so win-win there! I preferred the chicken skewer over the beef and since the portion was generous I could not have finished the steak even if I’d wanted to.

Our server was friendly and attentive without rushing us. He assumed with our prime table we’d be camped out until Illuminations.

He was right.

That meal looked absolutely delicious! I never read much about Spice Table, so your review was welcome.

 

[bee]

the Diamond Horsehoe Review

Horsehoe

hoe

Ohhhh myyyyyy...

I was so excited to have them again that when our server asked, “What would you like to drink?” I answered with, “Spicy Hummus Fries.”

Glad to see you finally ended the floating cycle!

 

[Tuvalu]

Your meal at Spice Table Road looks really good. I too liked those hummus fries at Food and Wine, I might have to add this place to the list.

SRT is definitely worth a visit!

My DD's attraction! She is home now (sorta-she left this am to spend time with grandma before leaving for college on Saturday).
We love Muppets in our house anyway...

Guess I won’t be looking for her on my upcoming trip!

That meal looked absolutely delicious! I never read much about Spice Table, so your review was welcome.

Thanks, Minnie.

 

[Tuvalu]

Horsehoe

hoe

Ohhhh myyyyyy...

I LOL'ed at your catch! Nice work, detective!

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

The view from our table became even more beautiful at sunset.

Remember I had warned Em we were going to order an appetizer? After her first look at the menu, Em warned me that we would definitely order dessert!

The Chocolate Pyramid

This was yummy and a “lighter” dessert than it appears. It was the perfect choice to cap off our meal.

We finished dessert just as the torches around the lagoon were extinguished. Then we settled into our chairs (how great was it to watch Illuminations while seated?!!) as the show began.

Fire!

Water and Earth!

And then the < yawn > part of the show where the globe turns with projections that last too long.

Finally the best part ~ fireworks galore!

When it was over our server returned with our bill. I left a generous tip and we stopped to use the restrooms before exiting through the International Gateway.

The best part of staying at Beach Club tonight? We were showered and in bed at 10 pm! One of the main reasons we don’t often stay for Illuminations is the hassle of the long, crowded walk to the front of the park followed by a lengthy wait for transportation back to our resort....when we are tired and usually hot.

The ease of tonight’s commute was awesome.

 

[mlegerto]

what a perfect end to the night!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Fantastic pictures of Illuminations!