Trip Report The No Rain, Red Card, Vanna White, July JOURNEY! *COMPLETED*

So my most recent trip report was 44 years in the making ~ this one has taken only a month . And for any of you keeping score, this is my 5th trip report. This year. I have been to WDW five times in 2016 and have plans to return in September. And October. And December. (Please don't hate me.)

Those of you who are tired of reading about my Disney escapades can exit now, no hard feelings. Those of you who have read any of my other reports know what you're in for and I hope I can keep your interest. I really appreciate your kind comments.

To that end I will start by playing tag ~ @TrolleyFollower91 @Doc Disney @TheMouseFan @MinnieM123 @Tiggerish @BWK05 @Gabe1 @samantha788 @coachwnh @Figment Forever @figmentfan423 @epcotisbest @Zipitidoda @MerMom1981 @LisaBelle @Matty30 @Courtney6682 @bee @lostpro9het @cgersic @sheriffwoody @blgauger @meganwdw @fractal @MississippiBelle @jrogue @ScarletBegonias @LadyBelle @disneypearl @Tony the Tigger @tcool123 @prfctlyximprct @Longers @gwhb75 @Beckett @Ciara @ajrwdwgirl @FlaggNL @mishel635 @myhappyplace

If I have omitted anyone, please forgive me and know it was not intentional! A great big thank you in advance to everyone who follows along .

"Now give me a little intro there, Gomer" (I clearly have seen the Country Bear Jamboree way too many times...)

Cast: Tuvalu and Em, a girls' summer getaway!
Date: July 23-27
Resort: Polynesian Village (surprised? Didn't think so...)

Did all our wishes come true? You'll have to wait and see.

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday July 23

Wonderful Woody drove Em and I to the airport at 6 a.m. leaving behind these two:

That's two year old Poly on top, 4 month old Kona on bottom. This is a rare sighting of both of them in close proximity, seemingly content. Normally when Kona intrudes on Poly's space she lets out a big hiss and leaves.....quickly followed by Kona who, being a kitten, still likes to play and will pounce on her.....resulting in a cat wrestling match. (I never appreciated the term "cat fight" until Kona joined the family and turned Poly's world upside down!)

We had another rare sighting on the way to the airport, no traffic! Early Saturday morning is a good time to navigate the interstates of Atlanta .

Woody dropped us off curbside and Em made her way to the Southwest kiosks to check her bag.

There may not have been many folks on the roads, but the airport was packed!

Fortunately Em and I had TSA pre check so security was a breeze. We were both hungry so I waited in line at Chick Fil A while Em went in search of Starbucks. I had our food and found seats at the gate and there was no sign of Em, despite there being a Starbucks directly across from where I was sitting.

I was reaching the hangry stage and decided to eat my chicken, egg and cheese biscuit.

YUM-O!!!

I had finished the entire thing by the time Em showed up with her coffee. Turns out she had gone to a Starbucks on the opposite end of the concourse!

 

[Tiggerish]

Kona's getting so big! Nice to see them start getting along.

Commercials for that breakfast sandwich are all over my TV lately! And we don't even have Chick-fil-a anywhere nearby.

 

[TrolleyFollower91]

And we don't even have Chick-fil-a anywhere nearby.

 

[Tuvalu]

There was a minor medical emergency on our flight ~ a little boy had an allergic reaction to the peanuts that had been served. There were two doctors onboard who tended to him and when our flight landed we noticed an ambulance by our gate. The family disembarked the plane first and they were met by paramedics. By the time Em and I disembarked, the little boy was smiling and looked okay.

Definitely not a fun way for that family to start their vacation!

We made our way to Magical Express and walked right onto a bus, no waiting!

On our last few trips, the Poly has been the first stop. Not today ~ we had to stop at Ft. Wilderness and the Wilderness Lodge before arriving "home."

Sometimes there are iPad-wielding cast members outside ready to check in guests and distribute leis. But not today. Since it was early and I knew it was unlikely our room would be ready, we stowed our carry-ons with Bell Services and attempted to enter the lobby. I say "attempted" because there was a blockage in front of the door which I will explain in a moment.

This is what the entrance looks like:

There were two children sitting on the ground at the bottom edge of the doormat. Mom was standing in the doorway, the doors open thanks to the motion sensors. At first we thought something was wrong with one of the children (sick? injured?) so we held back since there was no way to get around them without stepping on a child. Then Mom walked over to one of the children and turned his body, so that both children were seated facing the lobby. Mom then proceeded to walk behind the children and whipped out her camera.

SHE WAS POSING HER KIDS FOR A PICTURE!!

Sure lady, don't mind us (and a few others) who want to enter the lobby. We'll all wait while you get that precious shot to share on social media.

I had done online check in and was surprised to discover that the Poly does not have a separate online check in desk. Fortunately we had only a brief wait for a cast member. She said our room wasn't ready but I would receive a text when it was (how many times have I heard this at the Poly?? ) She added that I did receive my requested longhouse, the only building (beside Tonga which has only suites) I'd never stayed in.

 

[Tuvalu]

Em and I really wanted a bottle of water, but there must have been at least 20 people waiting in line at Capt. Cooks so we went outside to Pineapple Lanai where there was no line. The CM seemed surprised that we only wanted a bottle of water and not a Dole Whip!

Thirst satisfied, we boarded the monorail for the MK.

Look, 1972-self....I'm baaack!!

As we exited the train tunnel we were delighted to discover this:

The lengthy refurbishment of these bathrooms is finally complete!

Of course we had to stop for a castle picture.

It was lunchtime and Em requested Pinocchio Village Haus. We noticed a camera crew by the new Fantasyland castle walls, but we didn't think anything of it and went inside the restaurant.

Em and I decided to share a chicken parmesan sandwich. It was very good!

 

[Tuvalu]

We did not have any fastpasses so during lunch we formulated a plan of what we could ride with minimal standby lines. We don't mind the queue for Little Mermaid and since we were close, that would be our first attraction.

We left Pinocchio's through a different door and got a better look at the camera crew. Em discovered they were wearing Wheel of Fortune lanyards. Suddenly she said, "Mom, it's Vanna White!"

We stood and watched for awhile as Vanna read from the cue cards. It appeared that they were filming short snippets that would run in-between segments of the show.

We decided that Pat Sajak had already finished his part, as he was not in the area. Em was certain he and Vanna were filming together when we first walked past on our way into Pinocchio's. (Later that day Em would see pictures on Twitter of Pat and Vanna at Disney Springs.)

Vanna graciously waved to everyone when she finished and we continued on to Little Mermaid.

@Gabe1, this one's for you!

I just love these ducks and I made Em take a picture.

 

[Zipadeelady]

What!! I missed Vanna by one day!!! It's going to be fun following along and figuring out where I was compared to you and Em.

 

[Tuvalu]

Next we thought we would take the path from Storybook Circus to Tomorrowland. We did not expect to have to fight our way through the smokers.....YUCK!

We earned our pleasant ride on the PeopleMover. I can't remember if we were in the first car or last car, LOL.

"Now is the time, now is the best time, now is the best time of your life..." Whoops, wrong decade! Trying again:
"There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day..."

It was a full theater show. When the theme song started and the theater began to rotate, Em leaned over to me and whispered, "I can't hear the song over the teen girls sighing next to me!"

(I took this picture surreptitiously. Em read on several photography forums that pictures of ANY kind...not just with a flash...are prohibited on Carousel of Progress. Yeah, I'm bad! )

We experienced a first when the show was over ~ everyone clapped! (Well except for the teenage girls who were still busy rolling their eyes!)

 

[MinnieM123]

Those pictures you had of Vanna are rare. That's the first time I've ever seen her NOT wearing an evening gown!

 

[LadyBelle]

September 19-23

I'll be there before you. I'll make sure everything is spotless for when you get back..

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

That is cool that you got to see Vanna White, she sure doesn't seem to age does she? I'm glad the bathrooms are finally done on Main Street, it was a pain not having them available.

I guess I'm a rule breaker, I have taken quite a few pictures on the Carousel of Progress. I never use my flash though, and I'm usually sitting in the back row so my screen light doesn't bother anyone.

 

[Gabe1]

@Gabe1, this one's for you!
View attachment 157400

Dear Lord! The family curse

or is it the combo curse...the red lanyard and you have been randomly selected for screening.....jeebers

 

[Gabe1]

So my most recent trip report was 44 years in the making ~ this one has taken only a month . And for any of you keeping score, this is my 5th trip report. This year. I have been to WDW five times in 2016 and have plans to return in September. And October. And December. (Please don't hate me.)

Those of you who are tired of reading about my Disney escapades can exit now, no hard feelings. Those of you who have read any of my other reports know what you're in for and I hope I can keep your interest. I really appreciate your kind comments.

To that end I will start by playing tag ~ @TrolleyFollower91 @Doc Disney @TheMouseFan @MinnieM123 @Tiggerish @BWK05 @Gabe1 @samantha788 @coachwnh @Figment Forever @figmentfan423 @epcotisbest @Zipitidoda @MerMom1981 @LisaBelle @Matty30 @Courtney6682 @bee @lostpro9het @cgersic @sheriffwoody @blgauger @meganwdw @fractal @MississippiBelle @jrogue @ScarletBegonias @LadyBelle @disneypearl @Tony the Tigger @tcool123 @prfctlyximprct @Longers @gwhb75 @Beckett @Ciara @ajrwdwgirl @FlaggNL @mishel635 @myhappyplace

If I have omitted anyone, please forgive me and know it was not intentional! A great big thank you in advance to everyone who follows along .

"Now give me a little intro there, Gomer" (I clearly have seen the Country Bear Jamboree way too many times...)

Cast: Tuvalu and Em, a girls' summer getaway!
Date: July 23-27
Resort: Polynesian Village (surprised? Didn't think so...)

View attachment 157120

Did all our wishes come true? You'll have to wait and see.

As I'm in a very posh hotel in the midst of corn and soybeans, that lacks adequate cable channels...I'm all in. Here we go AGAIN!!!! Woot!

And they still serve peanuts on Airplanes WHY???

 

[FlaggNL]

Off course count me in! Following along! Thanks for starting up the TR!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Looking forward to seeing your report! Thanks for the tag!

Just returning the favor! I enjoy your TRs and your recent DL report is bringing back great memories .

Whoo Hoo!! I've been waiting!

Let the comparing days begin!

My head is spinning from your 1970s TR, and now this! Following along.

Someone had to take over for you, since you don't go anymore .

Looking forward to this! I was at WDW for a few of your days, we arrived on July 26.

Wonder if our paths crossed....

 

[Tuvalu]

No hate here! My record is six times in 12 months, so you've only got me beat by 2.

Your lovely mom-and-daughter photo gives me the idea that I should do (belated) trip reports for the times I took my Mom to WDW. Her first trip was for her 65th bday, her most recent for her 80th.

Six in 12? So you must also be familiar with the "You're going to Disney AGAIN?!!" comments

Mom/daughter trips are THE BEST!

If vacation creep happens, I and several more ladies will be at AKL Sept 17-18

I hope the creep happens, but hate missing you by a day!

And we don't even have Chick-fil-a anywhere nearby.

I'm with @TrolleyFollower91 on this one ~

Some people can't live without chocolate. For us it's CFA!

 

[Tuvalu]

Honored to make the list...following along! I like the summer hairdo. My wife went to the salon the other day and I made the mistake of not noticing...bad, very bad.

Thanks for the compliment . Always notice your wife's hair, even if you can't tell if there's been a change!

 

[Tuvalu]

Here we go again! You rock, @Tuvalu !

So do you @MinnieM123!

Can't wait to hear all about it!

It was fun to read about your quick jaunt with Brian to book the bounceback, you savvy traveler!

Following along Just sad we won't see a re-appearance of the hat from your 70's trip report

That would have been a hoot, had I saved that hat! @TrolleyFollower91 would have disowned me though! Thanks for following.

Thanks for the tag friend, I'm in!! Love those shirts! @Tuvalu

Happy you're tagging along!

Following along!

Glad to have you!

Thanks for the tag! I feel like i am in a special club Of course i am IN!

Appreciate your loyalty!

 

[Tuvalu]

Yay!! I have the same wishes shirt ready for my next trip!

Though I was sad to see your birthday TR coming to an end, I know I don't have to wait long for your next one! You do know that Memory Maker is included now with your AP?

Thanks for the tag, you know I love following along on all of your Disney jaunts!

Love having you along!

Following! As a (newer) Poly-lover convert, and wannabe more than 1x/yr Disney traveler, I live vicariously through your reports! You always have fun! Thank you for sharing and look forward to more!

We do always have fun! Thanks for reading!

Following along! Looking forward to reading all about it.

And I look forward to more of your TR! Your daughters are adorable!

 

[Tuvalu]

I'll be there before you. I'll make sure everything is spotless for when you get back..

Thank you so much @LadyBelle. Have a wonderful vacay!!

Dear Lord! The family curse or is it the combo curse...the red lanyard and you have been randomly selected for screening.....jeebers

Wait....just wait......

Off course count me in! Following along! Thanks for starting up the TR!!

Thanks for following!