Trip Report The Story Comes ALIVE! *COMPLETED*

Hello again, my friends.

For nearly a decade it has been such a joy for me to write about 50 (yes, 50!) different trips that I have taken to WDW - including one that was virtual.

The reason? You, the reader.

I don’t do trip reports for my own documentation. I have journals for that. I write because I love interacting with y’all. Your encouragement, humor, curiosity and even snark (*ahem* @amjt660) assure me that I am not alone in my crazy affection for Disney parks. A big thanks to each of you!

I am very fortunate to be a frequent visitor to WDW (despite what @Mr Ferret 88 believes, I do not live there!) and am entering a season of monthly visits. Trip reporting is time consuming (as those of you who’ve written can attest) but I’m not ready to completely give it up - yet.

What I’d like to do is keep this as an ongoing TR for the rest of 2023. It will be highlights and moments, with live posting as the goal. My story coming alive, so to speak.

First up is spring break with my favorite girl.

Followed closely by a getaway with my favorite guy.

There will be Magician meets. New experiences. And (as always) the unexpected.

I hope you’ll join the fun!

 

[amjt660]

Background

Although it didn’t start out as intentional, Woody and I have celebrated every 5-year anniversary at WDW. Year 5 saw us sharing a golf villa (pre-Saratoga Springs) with our almost 3-year-old and dear friends with two small boys. I was also 7 months pregnant. Not exactly a romantic couples trip!

Year 10 we were on a family vacation with our 3 kids when my mother and brother surprised us. They offered to keep the kids on our anniversary so Woody and I could have the day to ourselves. We spent it at Epcot - the most romantic of the parks.

By year 15 we’d learned the value (and importance) of going away as a couple sans kids. We stayed at the Marriott World Center (on points) and could only afford a one day ticket. Again we chose Epcot - and “recreated” our honeymoon by dining at Alfredo’s in Italy and devouring chocolate mousse cake from La Boulangerie in France.

Our honeymoon was two days - both spent at brand new Epcot. We loved this park. Both futuristic and historical. Beautiful landscaping. Intricate architecture. We have exactly 24 pictures, the equivalent of one roll of film.

View attachment 728530

View attachment 728531

“Old” Epcot will always have a special place in our hearts. The “Wallcot mess” of the last several years makes us so sad.

We stayed at All Star Movies at year 20; Grand Floridian at 25; Polynesian Club Level at 30; Grand Floridian at 35.

When discussing our 40th, Woody insisted we splurge.

I’m so glad we did.

Wonderful story tellling as always

And very impressive for tu reasons.

Max

 

[k8einwdw]

Loving the throwback pics! And what a fun tradition to have every five years. Can’t wait to hear how your anniversary trip went!

 

[93boomer]

Background

Although it didn’t start out as intentional, Woody and I have celebrated every 5-year anniversary at WDW. Year 5 saw us sharing a golf villa (pre-Saratoga Springs) with our almost 3-year-old and dear friends with two small boys. I was also 7 months pregnant. Not exactly a romantic couples trip!

Year 10 we were on a family vacation with our 3 kids when my mother and brother surprised us. They offered to keep the kids on our anniversary so Woody and I could have the day to ourselves. We spent it at Epcot - the most romantic of the parks.

By year 15 we’d learned the value (and importance) of going away as a couple sans kids. We stayed at the Marriott World Center (on points) and could only afford a one day ticket. Again we chose Epcot - and “recreated” our honeymoon by dining at Alfredo’s in Italy and devouring chocolate mousse cake from La Boulangerie in France.

Our honeymoon was two days - both spent at brand new Epcot. We loved this park. Both futuristic and historical. Beautiful landscaping. Intricate architecture. We have exactly 24 pictures, the equivalent of one roll of film.

View attachment 728530

View attachment 728531

“Old” Epcot will always have a special place in our hearts. The “Wallcot mess” of the last several years makes us so sad.

We stayed at All Star Movies at year 20; Grand Floridian at 25; Polynesian Club Level at 30; Grand Floridian at 35.

When discussing our 40th, Woody insisted we splurge.

I’m so glad we did.

I had to take a second look at you! You look just like my little sister at that age!!

 

[cgersic]

Oh my heart those photos!!! You have such a knack for these reports, you just keep me hanging on for more...

 

[BwlrBry212]

Our honeymoon was two days - both spent at brand new Epcot.

My parents just had their 41st Anniversary in the end of June. They went to WDW for their honeymoon but only got to watch a video of what Epcot would be since they missed the opening by a few months.

 

[Tuvalu]

Update soon. But first -

 

[Esmesnana]

I love Wicked! I have seen it three times!

 

[amjt660]

2 times for me
Is that an Atlanta theater?


Max

 

[Tuvalu]

Is that an Atlanta theater?
Max

Only the most famous one.

Fox History/Story | Fox Theatre

www.foxtheatre.org

And 4 times for me (and Em).

 

[lindawdw]

I absolutely love the throwback pictures and narration of your first 35 years at WDW!!! I am amazed that you remember where you stayed and for how long! You and I are so much alike in our thinking regarding the old Disney and the new. Pete and I were at WDW when Epcot opened for our one year anniversary and we fell in love with that park from the moment we stepped foot through those gates. I still love it but have felt so disappointed in the state of the park since the walls went up all those years ago and the changes being made. I’m so glad you decided to keep up with the tradition of going to WDW for these special milestones. We need to coordinate our trips in 2023 or 2024 to have dinner together again!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

My parents just had their 41st Anniversary in the end of June. They went to WDW for their honeymoon but only got to watch a video of what Epcot would be since they missed the opening by a few months.

I’m so glad you decided to keep up with the tradition of going to WDW for these special milestones. We need to coordinate our trips in 2023 or 2024 to have dinner together again!!!

 

[joshsprincess921]

My parents just had their 41st Anniversary in the end of June. They went to WDW for their honeymoon but only got to watch a video of what Epcot would be since they missed the opening by a few months.

End of June must be a popular anniversary time, my parents just celebrated 46 years in WDW.
They did not however go to WDW on their honeymoon, but waited until their 10 year anniversary which was also my 1st trip.

 

[Tuvalu]

End of June must be a popular anniversary time, my parents just celebrated 46 years in WDW.
They did not however go to WDW on their honeymoon, but waited until their 10 year anniversary which was also my 1st trip.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Another late June anniversary here (43rd on 28th!). Unfortunately didn't get to WDW (from UK) until many years later for our sons 11th birthday.
Congratulations to all of those celebrating recently!

 

[BwlrBry212]

End of June must be a popular anniversary time, my parents just celebrated 46 years in WDW.

The joke in my family is that my dad always said that he wanted to be married before he was 30. My parents got married on June 26th and my dad turned 30 on July 5th and my mom just happened to be the last woman he was dating before that deadline.

 

[Tuvalu]

The Resorts - Wilderness Lodge

Despite my username and avatar, WL has taken the lead as my favorite Disney resort. It’s at the top of Woody’s list too, so there was no doubt we’d spend part of our trip here. It’s been several years since we stayed at the Old Faithful Club. We had enjoyed the large, open lounge space overlooking the lobby and the delicious food offerings.

After I’d booked I immediately received a welcome email from the Old Faithful Club staff. As a seasoned traveler, I did not require any assistance which was offered but I appreciated the outreach. Two months prior to our arrival I received a call from an Old Faithful CM, inquiring about our arrival time, mode of transport and confirming our anniversary celebration; also if I had any questions or matters they could help with. I thanked them for contacting me and said I would let them know if any issues arose.

A final email ‘looking forward to our arrival’ came the week before our departure. We certainly felt special with the extra attention!

At check in we received our pre-made anniversary buttons and were given a tour of the lounge before being escorted to our room (to make sure our bands worked to unlock the door.) On top of the credenza were chocolate bars (that all club level guests receive) and a congratulations photo card from Mickey and Minnie.

Club level rooms either face the MK (with most views obstructed by trees) or the courtyard pool. The rate is the same for either.

We received anniversary pixie dust with our room view.

(We watched Happily Ever After from our balcony every night, except for the night we watched the show from inside the park.)

The interior of club rooms is the same as regular rooms with one exception.

There is a rug under the vanity to keep your tootsies warm.

The food - breakfast, snacks, evening appetizers and desserts - was outstanding. There was even @wdisney9000 ’s favorite white bread!

There was a fridge stocked with soda, juices, milk and bottled water. Two kinds of beer on tap and three bottled varieties. Four different wines and cordials.

One evening’s apps: bison lettuce wraps, charcuterie, smoked turkey salad (amazing), roasted chicken and potatoes.

When I mentioned to a CM that we would miss dessert service (8-10 pm) due to extra hours, he snuck away to the kitchen and made us each a box of that night’s offerings.

Old Faithful CMs couldn’t have been friendlier or more accommodating. Always a hello, how are you, do you need anything, can I clear these plates for you?

Is club level worth the extra money? “Worth” is such a subjective term. For us this trip, it definitely was.

We even received a Thank You email on our departure day.

 

[Tiki Traveler]

Thank you for all the info. on WL club level.

 

[lindawdw]

Now that’s the Disney service that I know and love. Glad they made your anniversary welcome so special!

 

[Tuvalu]

The Resorts - Polynesian Village

The Poly will always have a special place in my heart. Our family had many family vacations there and is the resort where I have stayed the most (though WL is quickly catching up.)

Of course that was before Poly prices became stratospheric. We routinely paid around $250/night and often did split stays with Port Orleans Riverside (to save money). At the time POR was only $100-125/night less than Poly.

Woody and I splurged for club level for our 30th anniversary. It was the most money we had ever paid to stay at the Poly. Club level room views were (and still are) categorized as garden (now resort), lagoon (now water) and theme park - each view increasingly more expensive. We opted for theme park view (as I said, splurge) and had the most spectacular (pre-bungalows) castle view. We were treated like royalty. We received personal real-flower leis made by an older Hawaiian woman who worked part-time at the resort.

Our experience was so positive that we stayed club level a few times after that, thanks to a hefty group discount from a travel agency.

When Woody suggested another club level theme park view stay for our 40th I was all in - until I saw the price. Since the pandemic, rooms at the Poly have not been discounted (though it appears that is beginning to change.) I could not bring myself to spend that much money for a week, despite Woody’s “we only have one 40th anniversary” encouragement. So we compromised with a 5/3 split stay with WL.

The difference between King Kamehameha Club and Old Faithful Club was staggering.

The only pre-arrival communication I received from King Kamehameha was a phone call (which I missed) at 60 days out. The voicemail message was from “Disney Signature Services” and was a generic spiel, not personalized to us. At check in there was no mention of our anniversary (though it was noted on our reservation) and no tour of the lounge, just an explanation of the offerings from a difficult-to-understand masked cast member. (In his defense he did ask if we had stayed club before so perhaps he assumed we knew everything?) He escorted us to the elevator but not to our room. We were not offered the artificial leis normally given at check in.

The only email we received on departure day was our room folio invoice.

Our room view was lovely (as it should have been for the premium).

But our view of the castle/fireworks was equivalent to what we had at WL (and did not pay a premium for.)

The lounge had been redone since our last visit and while it is now a more practical use of the space, it remains too small for the number of guests that use it.

During breakfast and evening apps, the offerings get depleted very quickly. There are a ton of kids who grab more than they can eat and parents allow it. However the adults are just as bad, piling as much food as they can on small plates like it is their last meal. There is no bottled water offered in the lounge, likely because it would be hoarded. The lounge chef is a seafood fan and most of the nightly apps were seafood based. Woody and I do not eat seafood and therefore did not partake.

The CMs working in the food area were young and inexperienced. They did not interact with guests and did not remove plates until tables were empty. The CMs at the check in desk (which guests pass each time they enter the building) never said hello or welcome back, even when not assisting other guests.

Is King Kamehameha Club worth the extra money? For us it is a resounding NO.

Especially at twice the price (and then some) of Old Faithful Club.

 

[Spash007]

That’s so disappointing about the Poly Club level. I wonder if it’s in more demand so they don’t feel the “need” to go above and beyond.

But, I would imagine a first time guest would leave feeling they did not get their money’s worth. Unless without anything to compare it to, they just think they’re paying extra for the food!