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.

 

[93boomer]

Seeing those yummy veggies made me hungrier than I already was! My CFA breakfast biscuit was no longer tiding me over as it was approaching 2 pm ~ which for me is even later than what I would consider a “late lunch.”

Time to refuel.
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I don’t have the “love”for Sunshine Seasons that many folks do. While our family ate here frequently in the late 90s (gosh I miss the picnic-style tables with umbrellas!), once it was refurbed to the generic, cafeteria-style chaos it is today our visits dropped. And when we did dine here, we never found the food particularly good.

So eating at Sunshine Seasons today was definitely more out of convenience than choice.

Only a few balloons remain in homage to the original interior.
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Woody and I began by scouting out our options. I did a double-take when I saw the bakery case....someone stole my half-and-half chocolate chip muffin idea!

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(Now I’m gonna have to go back for breakfast sometime!)

After perusing all the menu boards we landed here:
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Two #2s please.

Dessert? But of course. Woody and I had a late-evening sweet craving on our May vacay and discovered a delectable chocolate mousse cake in the bakery after our ride on Soarin’. The cake was gone, replaced by chocolate mousse in a cup. (Similar to the strawberry shortcake change, @Gabe1?) I picked one up anyway.

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The portion size of the turkey club was very generous and the potato salad was delish....light on mayo and just enough seasoning to make the flavors of the veggies stand out. The potatoes were not mushy. I deconstructed my sandwich as two slices of ciabatta were too much for me, but everything inside was fresh and tasty.

The mousse was atop Oreo cookie crumbles which lined the bottom of the cup. When mixed together the dessert was rich and decadent, perfect for sharing.

Verdict for this lunch? I think my face says it all.

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Yummy! We love Sunshine Seasons for convenience. Everything we have eaten there has always been good. My DH loves the Mongolian beef noodles.

 

[TheMouseFan]

That is one of my favorite sandwiches!! I've only had it twice, but both times it was very fresh and yummy! That dessert looks delicious! Unfortunately, I'm sure it will be replaced with something else by the time I make it back to Epcot!!

 

[DisSplash]

Sorry this is your last summer TR, as I am really going to miss living vicariously through you. But it looks like thinks are off to a great start!

And that Woody is a keeper! His response to your question why Poly got dropped second - that they forgot you were on the bus - is hilarity and sweetness all rolled into one.

 

[Tuvalu]

Thanks goodness for the long weekend! I was finally able to catch up on your TR. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of your summer adventures.

And I have enjoyed seeing all your Magic meets! Are you going to do a TR?

All the jammies are so cute!! I particularly approve of the full ensemble for Tuvaleen -- shorts, plus long pants -- ladies need choices!!

Indeed.....even at a very young age.

Hooray for another meet up! I also have the same garden wishes as you...this was a sorry year in Michigan

I had my last home-grown tomato BLT for lunch.

Sorry...I was excited to see those. Something new & different!!

Truthfully I am glad you posted the pic. I don’t always go into Village Gifts and I would have missed the opportunity to adorn Tuvalette in Belle cuteness. There was only one pair in her size and I snatched it!

love the stories and pics - thanks - tagging along again

Thank you for tagging along again!

That is one of my favorite sandwiches!! I've only had it twice, but both times it was very fresh and yummy! That dessert looks delicious! Unfortunately, I'm sure it will be replaced with something else by the time I make it back to Epcot!!

Well, considering the chocolate mousse cake was replaced in 3 months you’re probably right! But at least the sandwich is still around.

Sorry this is your last summer TR, as I am really going to miss living vicariously through you. But it looks like thinks are off to a great start!

And that Woody is a keeper! His response to your question why Poly got dropped second - that they forgot you were on the bus - is hilarity and sweetness all rolled into one.

Writing about my last summer adventure is keeping the blues away. I’ll try not to drag it out too long.....

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, con’t

After lunch we used our next FP.

Now you know why we hung around the Land pavilion!

We sat in the first row on glider A.

Instead of moaning about not getting seated in a “premier” location (most would consider first row of glider B optimal) and having to suffer through object distortion (curved Eiffel Tower, anyone?) I have forced myself to focus on different areas of the film (off to the side, down low or up high) and have been pleasantly surprised by the unique things I discover. Try it the next time you’re seated in row 3 next to the exit door.

I received our “Your room is ready” text as we exited Soarin’. I had booked a standard view and the only request I made was for 3rd floor. I was delighted to see that our room number started with a 3, meaning my request was granted!

We had one final FP to burn before leaving Epcot.

Don’t let the sunshine on the left side of this picture fool you. There were several loud claps of thunder as we walked from the Land to SSE.

The screen that you look at to get your picture taken was continually flashing, so I had my doubts that my and Woody’s faces would make it into the “Welcome to Your Future” video at the end of the ride.

I was right.

It’s Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé!

 

[Tuvalu]

We needed to make a quick restroom stop before heading to the monorail. The sun was gone and there were more rumblings, but no need to pop open the umbrellas.....yet.

However our little detour cost us.

“And the rain rain rain
Came down down down....”

Yup, we were trapped!

It’s incredible how fast the ground floods in a Florida deluge. Woody and I knew our sneakers were destined for a soaking.

We stood under cover for at least 30 minutes. When the rain intensity lessened, we made a run for the monorail platform.....sloshing through giant puddles.

Yay, our rescue!

Or so we thought. The train emptied itself of arriving passengers but the doors did not open for us departing passengers.

Soon a CM made an announcement. “Folks, we need to do a restart on this monorail. Should only take a few minutes. We appreciate your patience.”

Our longest wait for the day was trying to exit Epcot!

The rain may be a pain, but makes for some cool pictures.

Note the newly opened flyover by the MK toll booth in the upper right...

....and lower left.

 

[I'mwatchinguWizowski]

Saturday, con’t


It’s Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé!

Omg!! I literally laughed out loud over this!!!

Why is it your last summer? Even though I just found this I’ve so enjoyed reading about your trips!!

 

[MinnieM123]

The portion size of the turkey club was very generous and the potato salad was delish....light on mayo and just enough seasoning to make the flavors of the veggies stand out. The potatoes were not mushy. I deconstructed my sandwich as two slices of ciabatta were too much for me, but everything inside was fresh and tasty.

I had that same sandwich back in May. It was very good and I also loved the potato salad!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Why is it your last summer? Even though I just found this I’ve so enjoyed reading about your trips!!

Oh it’s not my last summer. The Poly trip was my final trip for summer 2018.
Thanks for reading!

 

[93boomer]

I always enjoy your trips! You get me excited for our next visit! Maybe you can sneak another visit in this year.

 

[Tuvalu]

I always enjoy your trips! You get me excited for our next visit! Maybe you can sneak another visit in this year.

One is planned post-Thanksgiving.

 

[93boomer]

One is planned post-Thanksgiving.

Yayyy!!

 

[Sabrina1705]

One is planned post-Thanksgiving.

Ohhhh! Perhaps we can run into eachother! I’ll be there before, during and post Thanksgiving

 

[Gurt]

are we getting a 'never ending winter' version of this TR

 

[dizfan917]

We'll be back December 1st - 9th! That's probably after your post-Turkey Day visit, isn't it?

I still owe you a drink at the Tamboo Lounge!

 

[rshell68]

So much to catch up on...

 

[Matt and Kelly]

Gifts purchased, Woody and I headed back to Main Street. As we strolled from the castle hub to Town Square we passed three different guests using selfie sticks....is security becoming lax or are selfie sticks allowed now?

Before exiting MK we had a delightful surprise ~ an impromptu WDWMagic meet up!

@Matt and Kelly and their darling daughters!
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The girls have gotten so much bigger in the months since Matt’s December TR and I barely recognized Lennon. (She in those glasses is too cute for words!) I wish we’d had more time to chat but Woody and I needed to leave and they needed to begin their MK touring. But I am so happy we literally ran into each other.

We couldn't believe our luck to have the opportunity to run into you guys! I admit I was most confused at first when I heard my name being called on and someone walking toward me...I figured what are the odds I'd know somebody else in WDW at the same time as me. Once it clicked in it was pretty cool to realize the connections WDW Magic can make.

Hopefully it's not the last time we bump into each other!

 

[mlegerto]

adly, Village Gifts had nothing in infant sizes. In fact even the larger gift shops in the parks don’t have much of a selection for infants.

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! I had the same thought on our short trip. I was SO excited to buy as many things as possible for baby, but I thought the selection was SO lacking and I was VERY disappointed

 

[Tuvalu]

are we getting a 'never ending winter' version of this TR

I'll start a new TR for my next visit.

I still owe you a drink at the Tamboo Lounge!

Sent you a PM.

So much to catch up on...

To quote the infamous Energy Ellen, "You're late. Where have you been?"

We couldn't believe our luck to have the opportunity to run into you guys! I admit I was most confused at first when I heard my name being called on and someone walking toward me...I figured what are the odds I'd know somebody else in WDW at the same time as me. Once it clicked in it was pretty cool to realize the connections WDW Magic can make.Hopefully it's not the last time we bump into each other!

I hope our paths cross in the future too! Have a blast on your solo trip (and don't forget to bring back gifts for the ladies in your life! )

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! I had the same thought on our short trip. I was SO excited to buy as many things as possible for baby, but I thought the selection was SO lacking and I was VERY disappointed

I feel your pain!

 

[Matt and Kelly]

I hope our paths cross in the future too! Have a blast on your solo trip (and don't forget to bring back gifts for the ladies in your life! )

Thanks very much! Since Kelly surprised me with a few items knowing I would be too stingy to buy them for myself, I'll definitely return the favour when I return next week!