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 :happy:.

"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...)

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

epcotisbest

Well-Known Member
Tuvalu said:
Thanks for the compliment :happy:. Always notice your wife's hair, even if you can't tell if there's been a change! ;)
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But then on the days I compliment her on her new do and she did not go to the salon that day she will know. I can't win.
How about this? "Great new look there sweetie. You been to the salon or are you just looking extra cute today?"
Nah...too cheesy.
 
Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
Saturday, con't

After COP, we left Tomorrowland for an important ADR. "ADR?" you say. "Didn't you guys already eat your lunch at Pinocchio Village Haus?"

But we didn't have dessert! :p

We checked in at The Plaza a few minutes early and ended up having to wait a half hour before our pager buzzed. It was pretty hot and humid (right, @Zipitidoda? ;)) and Em and I were more than ready for a/c and ice cream!

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We were seated at a corner table with a great people-watching view. I was dismayed to see the new menu ~ not only had prices increased significantly since our visit last month, but instead of a stiff laminate the menu was now printed on a flimsy piece of paper. (Should Shanghai get blamed for this too?)

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As frequent Plaza diners, we know most of the servers but today we had one that was new to us. She was obviously having a bad day and did not even smile or react to our friendly greeting. Then, when she found out we were only ordering shakes, she became downright surly. What she didn't know is that when we only order shakes or sundaes, I leave at least a 50% tip to make up for the "lost revenue" of not ordering food.

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Though we practically had to beg surly server to refill our water glasses, she still got her $10 tip.

It was nearing 3 p.m. and I still had not received our "room ready" text. It was too hot to wait for the Festival of Fantasy parade to reach Main Street, so we decided to return to the Poly and hang out in the lobby until our room was ready.

We boarded a monorail car that was empty except for a 20-something man who was seated directly across from us.

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Just as the "we'll be waiting here for further traffic clearance" announcement was made, the man suddenly leapt out of the open door and violently vomited over the railing into the grass. Not just once....multiple times. :hungover: A monorail CM was calling 911 as our train departed.

Em and I were able to cool off during our ride and upon our Poly arrival I suggested a walk down to the beach to check out the new safety fence. We liked it and agreed the shoreline will look even nicer once the rock barrier is complete.

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At this moment I received our room text. Rarotonga, here we come!
 
Zipadeelady

Zipadeelady

Well-Known Member
Tuvalu said:
Saturday, con't

After COP, we left Tomorrowland for an important ADR. "ADR?" you say. "Didn't you guys already eat your lunch at Pinocchio Village Haus?"

But we didn't have dessert! :p

We checked in at The Plaza a few minutes early and ended up having to wait a half hour before our pager buzzed. It was pretty hot and humid (right, @Zipitidoda? ;)) and Em and I were more than ready for a/c and ice cream!

View attachment 157565

We were seated at a corner table with a great people-watching view. I was dismayed to see the new menu ~ not only had prices increased significantly since our visit last month, but instead of a stiff laminate the menu was now printed on a flimsy piece of paper. (Should Shanghai get blamed for this too?)

View attachment 157566

As frequent Plaza diners, we know most of the servers but today we had one that was new to us. She was obviously having a bad day and did not even smile or react to our friendly greeting. Then, when she found out we were only ordering shakes, she became downright surly. What she didn't know is that when we only order shakes or sundaes, I leave at least a 50% tip to make up for the "lost revenue" of not ordering food.

View attachment 157567

Though we practically had to beg surly server to refill our water glasses, she still got her $10 tip.

It was nearing 3 p.m. and I still had not received our "room ready" text. It was too hot to wait for the Festival of Fantasy parade to reach Main Street, so we decided to return to the Poly and hang out in the lobby until our room was ready.

We boarded a monorail car that was empty except for a 20-something man who was seated directly across from us.

View attachment 157568

Just as the "we'll be waiting here for further traffic clearance" announcement was made, the man suddenly leapt out of the open door and violently vomited over the railing into the grass. Not just once....multiple times. :hungover: A monorail CM was calling 911 as our train departed.

Em and I were able to cool off during our ride and upon our Poly arrival I suggested a walk down to the beach to check out the new safety fence. We liked it and agreed the shoreline will look even nicer once the rock barrier is complete.

View attachment 157569

View attachment 157570

At this moment I received our room text. Rarotonga, here we come!
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I'm glad you agree that it was so hot. I've done so much complaining and whining about it I was beginning to think I'm a big baby. :hilarious: The Plaza is still a restaurant we want to try but haven't yet. I guess we'll go back again so that we can. ;)
 
Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
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If you are standing on the little bridge you are looking directly at this:

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Talk about convenience!

The north exterior of Rarotonga faces the Oasis pool. The south side faces the monorail.
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Our room was at the far end of the building, near another door that exited onto the pathway to the buses. More convenience!
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Room interior:
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Balcony view to the left:
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Balcony view center:
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Balcony view to the right:
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We were very pleased. After a quick unpack, we walked to the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail. We had a much-coveted FP to make!
 
Tiggerish

Tiggerish

Resident Redhead
Premium Member
Tuvalu said:
Though we practically had to beg surly server to refill our water glasses, she still got her $10 tip.
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That was extraordinarily nice of you.

Tuvalu said:
Just as the "we'll be waiting here for further traffic clearance" announcement was made, the man suddenly leapt out of the open door and violently vomited over the railing into the grass. Not just once....multiple times. :hungover: A monorail CM was calling 911 as our train departed.
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Thank goodness he had the decency to run out of the car! :eek:
 
Doc Disney

Doc Disney

Well-Known Member
Tuvalu said:
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.
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This is my worst fear. I am always brushing up on my basic and advanced care first aid things in case someone needs a doctor on board :oops: Glad to hear he's OK
 
MinnieM123

MinnieM123

Premium Member
Tuvalu said:
We were seated at a corner table with a great people-watching view. I was dismayed to see the new menu ~ not only had prices increased significantly since our visit last month, but instead of a stiff laminate the menu was now printed on a flimsy piece of paper. (Should Shanghai get blamed for this too?)
Click to expand...

There's another thing we can blame Shanghai about. (I blame Shanghai for everything--including my 5-pound weight gain this summer; and no, I wasn't even near any Disney park this summer! :p It is handy, though, to have a "go to" excuse for everything. ;) )

Anyway, just a hunch about the paper menu. You mentioned the prices had gone up very recently, and I'm wondering if they printed these up quickly, under pressure to get out the new pricing asap. Now, years ago, this lack of "show" would not have happened, but in the WDW of today, nothing surprises me. (It would be interesting to see if they upgrade/laminate the menus in the next week or so. If not, we'll add this latest budget cutting infraction to the list of declining standards.)
 
Courtney6682

Courtney6682

Well-Known Member
Tuvalu said:
Just as the "we'll be waiting here for further traffic clearance" announcement was made, the man suddenly leapt out of the open door and violently vomited over the railing into the grass. Not just once....multiple times. :hungover: A monorail CM was calling 911 as our train departed.
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There's always something exciting going on during your trips lol..first the mating teenagers and now this! Can't wait to see what else you encountered :p
 
Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
sheriffwoody said:
Thank goodness the door was still open when that guy got sick! That would have been a nightmare if he'd been stuck in there. :eek::hungover:
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Tiggerish said:
Thank goodness he had the decency to run out of the car! :eek:
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Courtney6682 said:
There's always something exciting going on during your trips lol..first the mating teenagers and now this!
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Em and I were extremely grateful that the door was open and he was able to get out.....otherwise he might not have been the only one sick in that car! :depressed:
 
Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
Zipitidoda said:
The Plaza is still a restaurant we want to try but haven't yet. I guess we'll go back again so that we can. ;)
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I have an lunch ADR with my parents in a few weeks and will have real food (not just ice cream). Hopefully the price increase is justified, otherwise Beaches and Cream will become our "go to" spot...the food there is DELICIOUS! (You already know about the ice cream! ;)

coachwnh said:
Always been a fan of The Plaza. Bummer the prices have changed so much. With TIW card, it was a no brainer for a midday break in MK
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I agree completely and hope the quality/service remains top notch.

MinnieM123 said:
There's another thing we can blame Shanghai about. (I blame Shanghai for everything--including my 5-pound weight gain this summer; and no, I wasn't even near any Disney park this summer! :p It is handy, though, to have a "go to" excuse for everything. ;) )

Anyway, just a hunch about the paper menu. You mentioned the prices had gone up very recently, and I'm wondering if they printed these up quickly, under pressure to get out the new pricing asap. Now, years ago, this lack of "show" would not have happened, but in the WDW of today, nothing surprises me. (It would be interesting to see if they upgrade/laminate the menus in the next week or so. If not, we'll add this latest budget cutting infraction to the list of declining standards.)
Click to expand...
Sad, isn't it? Your menu hunch is probably spot on. I plan on blaming Shanghai for my weight gain too! :joyfull:
 

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