Trip Report The Tuvalu Chronicles ~ Chapter 25 *COMPLETED*

Welcome, welcome, welcome to my 25th trip report.

Over the past five years, I have loved chronicling my WDW adventures with fellow forum readers who share my Disney passion. Writing keeps the magic alive for me. Discussions that result from your comments are icing on the cake! I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read my posts. (And for those of you who have been following from the beginning ~ THANK YOU!!)

All my reports have been live, live-ish, or shortly-afterwards.....except one. In 2016 I wrote a retro TR detailing my first visit to the park that forever captivated my heart. You can read about it here. Or you can merely mock the photo below which is proof positive I cannot pull off wearing a hat.

Similar in style to last summer’s novel, this report will incorporate my June, July and August vacations. The ship has already sailed for a live report for June, but I may attempt some live updates in July/August. Or not.

Trip #1
Who: Tuvalu and Em
When: June 8-13, 2019
Where: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Did we meet the Wicked Queen? Who got shoved in the Haunted Mansion? Did the rain rain rain come down down down? Was there an attraction evac? Did one of us really cause a ride to shut down?

Answers to come!

(Special thanks to @krisri18 for another trip report title! )

 

[LadyBelle]

Well this makes me ! Thanks for sharing.

This (a) makes me nervous for my breakfast reservation in November, and (b) glad to know that I'm not missing out by not getting any future reservations.

 

[LisaBelle]

Super late to the party, but am here now and happily following your summer adventures!
We love to do the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse at night. It makes the climb so much easier when the Florida sun isn’t beating down on you. It’s also nostalgic for us because we explored it on the first night of our first WDW family trip in 2004. Our kiddos were 4 and 8 and they loved it! They still enjoy it now.

 

[Loco_driver]

Well this makes me ! Thanks for sharing.

No problem. I had to bring out my “ugly side”, as my wife likes to say. It was my first time here at lunch, and I will not be returning anytime soon!

 

[DisneyGigi]

"Braised chicken" is the new braised pork. A woman at the table next to us had it and it looked awful.


Well this makes me ! Thanks for sharing.

That doesn’t even sound good.

 

[myhappyplace]

I guess I'm the only one who feels that World Showcase at Epcot is the hottest place to be walking?? The sun just beats down on you...

Throwing my love of Swiss Family Treehouse into the mix-- brings back memories of my sisters and I as little girls, waiting for our Daddy to come home Fridays after work, bringing the Disney video he'd selected that week at the video rental store. SFR was one of our absolute favorites, among others like Apple Dumpling Gang, Pollyana, The Love Bug, Old Yeller, etc.

 

[meggo819]

I guess I'm the only one who feels that World Showcase at Epcot is the hottest place to be walking?? The sun just beats down on you...

This is what I’ve been thinking too! At least AK has lots of shade. World Showcase was definitely the worst part of our September trip, as far as heat goes.

 

[mouse_luv]

I'm with everyone on AK being the hottest. There is a reason many of us refer to certain days as "Animal Kingdom hot."

 

[Darstarr]

I guess I'm the only one who feels that World Showcase at Epcot is the hottest place to be walking?? The sun just beats down on you...

Throwing my love of Swiss Family Treehouse into the mix-- brings back memories of my sisters and I as little girls, waiting for our Daddy to come home Fridays after work, bringing the Disney video he'd selected that week at the video rental store. SFR was one of our absolute favorites, among others like Apple Dumpling Gang, Pollyana, The Love Bug, Old Yeller, etc.

Oh my gosh, I have not thought about Apple Dumpling Gang in forever!!! Memories...

 

[krisri18]

I guess I'm the only one who feels that World Showcase at Epcot is the hottest place to be walking?? The sun just beats down on you...

Throwing my love of Swiss Family Treehouse into the mix-- brings back memories of my sisters and I as little girls, waiting for our Daddy to come home Fridays after work, bringing the Disney video he'd selected that week at the video rental store. SFR was one of our absolute favorites, among others like Apple Dumpling Gang, Pollyana, The Love Bug, Old Yeller, etc.

This is what I’ve been thinking too! At least AK has lots of shade. World Showcase was definitely the worst part of our September trip, as far as heat goes.

I think it's so we get the authentic experience of being in Italy in the middle of July with the sun blazing in the sky!

 

[mlegerto]

Congrats on your baby son! I bet you and your DH are loving this new adventure of parenthood. Glad to have you back on the forums.

We are enjoying it....very different than the life of two newlyweds haha. Presenting Oliver William (aka Ollie or Ollie Bear), newest member of the family.

Don't worry, we already have his first trip planned (thank you DVC!). We will be heading back home in December for his 1st birthday. He's very excited haha.

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con’t

After our disappointing BOG lunch, we went to use our 3rd FP.

A flight over London and Neverland would cheer us up!

We bid our cares goodbye....then checked for a 4th FP. While the MK did not seem overly crowded, there was no FP availability at any attraction for over an hour. We decided to return to WL and hit up the pool.

But first, a quick detour to Adventureland. We made a restroom stop and encountered a woman flagrantly breaking the “No Smoking” rule.

Choking our way out of the bathroom, we walked across the breezeway to the Sunglass Hut. Em had been pondering those Mickey Ray Bans.

Pondering became purchasing!

The sunglasses came with a cool case....

....and everything was packaged in a nifty box.

You and Em can be twinnies, @93boomer!

 

[LadyBelle]

I think my sister wants to get those while we're down there if available. I'm contemplating about it for myself...

 

[93boomer]

Sunday, con’t

After our disappointing BOG lunch, we went to use our 3rd FP.

A flight over London and Neverland would cheer us up!

View attachment 384233

We bid our cares goodbye....then checked for a 4th FP. While the MK did not seem overly crowded, there was no FP availability at any attraction for over an hour. We decided to return to WL and hit up the pool.

But first, a quick detour to Adventureland. We made a restroom stop and encountered a woman flagrantly breaking the “No Smoking” rule.

Choking our way out of the bathroom, we walked across the breezeway to the Sunglass Hut. Em had been pondering those Mickey Ray Bans.

Pondering became purchasing!

View attachment 384237

View attachment 384234

The sunglasses came with a cool case....

View attachment 384235

....and everything was packaged in a nifty box.

View attachment 384236

You and Em can be twinnies, @93boomer!

The glasses are so nice! I love mine! She will be very pleased with them.

 

[Tuvalu]

We ended up popping into the Emporium before exiting the park. Mom was caring for Poly and Kona during my absence (Woody was away on business) and I wanted to get her a little something.

Mom likes Americana, and these salt and pepper shakers were right up her alley.

Are there really people who microwave salt and pepper shakers, that a disclaimer was necessary?

Sporting her new sunglasses while waiting for the bus.

We saw the Toy Story 4 monorail glide by.

@fractal, more #ShirleyStatus on the way back to the Lodge!

 

[93boomer]

We ended up popping into the Emporium before exiting the park. Mom was caring for Poly and Kona during my absence (Woody was away on business) and I wanted to get her a little something.

Mom likes Americana, and these salt and pepper shakers were right up her alley.

View attachment 384252
Are there really people who microwave salt and pepper shakers, that a disclaimer was necessary?

Sporting her new sunglasses while waiting for the bus.
View attachment 384247

We saw the Toy Story 4 monorail glide by.

View attachment 384250

View attachment 384248

View attachment 384249

@fractal, more #ShirleyStatus on the way back to the Lodge!

View attachment 384251

Loving those s&p shakers! May go on my list!

 

[Tuvalu]

Did another pop-in before heading up to our room.

Found a gift for my son.....

....and his girls. (I bought a S for Tuvalette and an XS for Tuvaleen.)

Some of you may be SHOCKED at what else I bought.

My disdain for bubble wands is well documented on these forums.
BUT......granddaughter.
Who loves Cinderella.
And bubbles.

The rule will be outside only, and away from faces.

Because despite the love I feel for her, I still hate soap on my glasses.

We opened our door to a serviced room, yay! We were about to change into our swimsuits when there was a sudden lightning flash and a loud BOOM! Checked the radar and storms were on the way.

Plan B.....Netflix.

But the internet signal was too weak for streaming. Em spent a frustrating 30 minutes trying to get it to work. (The storm wasn’t a factor; she tried other times during our stay without success and the WiFi signal on our devices was never full strength.) Meanwhile I treated myself to more ice cream from Roaring Fork.

Curse you, steroids!!

We relaxed as the rain rain rain came down down down.

 

[Tuvalu]

The rain didn’t last all that long; just long enough to close the window of opportunity for pool time. We had a dinner ADR and did not want to be late.

This is where having our own vehicle came in handy. No lengthy travel with bus transfers and no fee for using Uber or Lyft....just hop in the car and go!

We may not have visited Animal Kingdom today, but Em was purposeful in wearing her Lion King shirt.

Dinner was at the “other” Lodge.

Poor Em. My flash blinded her!

Second attempt.

Yeah, not a whole lot better!

We followed the heavenly aroma down the stairs.

The waiting area for Boma was a zoo! We braced ourselves for a long wait for a table. What a pleasant surprise when my phone buzzed a mere five minutes later!

I spy a hidden Mickey!

The last time Em ate at Boma, she found the chicken corn chowder irresistible (as did I.) She even asked for the recipe. But as is the case with restaurant recipes, an exact duplication at home doesn’t always happen. We both hoped the chicken corn chowder would be on the buffet tonight since the soup offerings rotate.

After our server took our drink order (POG juice!!!!) I went to scope out the soups.

I excitedly dished out two bowls of the chowder and triumphantly placed one in front of Em. Then I returned to the buffet for some bread before we had our first taste.

Yes, it was every bit as good as we remembered!

Though we could have made a meal just out of the soup, we knew there were other things we wanted to try. Em offered to let me go first and as I reached for a plate, I decided to grab two....one for meats and one for sides....and we could share. Em wouldn’t need to wait in line.

She was so pleased when I returned. And after I told her what happened to me, she was especially glad not to have to stand in line.

There was a guy right behind me who sneezed REPEATEDLY as we navigated the buffet. After about the eighth sneeze, I couldn’t help but turn around.

“Sorry I have allergies,” he grumbled at me.

YOU’RE SORRY?!! BUDDY, I AM DEALING WITH A COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEM. HOW ABOUT WAITING TO GET YOUR FOOD UNTIL YOUR FIT ENDS? OR BETTER YET, SEND SOMEONE ELSE TO GET YOUR FOOD?

I decided to skip the next section of food offerings just to get away from Sneezy.

Everything was yummy!

After our server cleared our plates, I brought back desserts to share.

Yup, no Zebra Domes on that plate. We don’t like them.

Full and satisfied, we browsed the gift store before returning to “our” Lodge.

As we approached the front door, we noticed people entering who were covered in towels. We knew it must be raining.

Only it wasn’t rain. It was a MONSOON.

Em offered to get the car since she had an umbrella (which was rendered useless by the force of the wind.) She picked me up under the portico and we began the slow....and very scary....drive to WL.

Though we are very familiar with the Disney roads and the route back to WL, the lack of visibility, pounding rain, thunder and lightning made it feel like we had no idea where we were going. Em gripped the wheel tightly and prayed no one would hit us. The journey felt like an eternity.

She dropped me off under the portico at WL. As soon as I stepped out of the car I was soaked. The portico was a wind tunnel and the rain was blowing on through. Em, who was already a drowned rat, parked and fought her way up the hill to the lobby.

Once in the room our clothes came off and the jammies went on!

We watched the storm from the comfort of our room, thankful we weren’t out in the elements. As it neared fireworks time, we wondered if any of the nighttime shows would be performed.

The 9:15 pm start of HEA came and went. I pulled the drapes closed.

Fifteen minutes later, I threw them back open. The rain had slowed to a drizzle and the fireworks began.

Another perfect ending!

 

[Darstarr]

The rain didn’t last all that long; just long enough to close the window of opportunity for pool time. We had a dinner ADR and did not want to be late.

This is where having our own vehicle came in handy. No lengthy travel with bus transfers and no fee for using Uber or Lyft....just hop in the car and go!

We may not have visited Animal Kingdom today, but Em was purposeful in wearing her Lion King shirt.

Dinner was at the “other” Lodge.

View attachment 384273
Poor Em. My flash blinded her!

Second attempt.
View attachment 384274
Yeah, not a whole lot better!

We followed the heavenly aroma down the stairs.

View attachment 384275

The waiting area for Boma was a zoo! We braced ourselves for a long wait for a table. What a pleasant surprise when my phone buzzed a mere five minutes later!

I spy a hidden Mickey!

View attachment 384278

The last time Em ate at Boma, she found the chicken corn chowder irresistible (as did I.) She even asked for the recipe. But as is the case with restaurant recipes, an exact duplication at home doesn’t always happen. We both hoped the chicken corn chowder would be on the buffet tonight since the soup offerings rotate.

After our server took our drink order (POG juice!!!!) I went to scope out the soups.

I excitedly dished out two bowls of the chowder and triumphantly placed one in front of Em. Then I returned to the buffet for some bread before we had our first taste.

View attachment 384276

View attachment 384277

Yes, it was every bit as good as we remembered!

Though we could have made a meal just out of the soup, we knew there were other things we wanted to try. Em offered to let me go first and as I reached for a plate, I decided to grab two....one for meats and one for sides....and we could share. Em wouldn’t need to wait in line.

She was so pleased when I returned. And after I told her what happened to me, she was especially glad not to have to stand in line.

There was a guy right behind me who sneezed REPEATEDLY as we navigated the buffet. After about the eighth sneeze, I couldn’t help but turn around.

“Sorry I have allergies,” he grumbled at me.

YOU’RE SORRY?!! BUDDY, I AM DEALING WITH A COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEM. HOW ABOUT WAITING TO GET YOUR FOOD UNTIL YOUR FIT ENDS? OR BETTER YET, SEND SOMEONE ELSE TO GET YOUR FOOD?

I decided to skip the next section of food offerings just to get away from Sneezy.

Everything was yummy!

View attachment 384279

After our server cleared our plates, I brought back desserts to share.

View attachment 384280

Yup, no Zebra Domes on that plate. We don’t like them.

Full and satisfied, we browsed the gift store before returning to “our” Lodge.

View attachment 384282

View attachment 384281

As we approached the front door, we noticed people entering who were covered in towels. We knew it must be raining.

Only it wasn’t rain. It was a MONSOON.

Em offered to get the car since she had an umbrella (which was rendered useless by the force of the wind.) She picked me up under the portico and we began the slow....and very scary....drive to WL.

Though we are very familiar with the Disney roads and the route back to WL, the lack of visibility, pounding rain, thunder and lightning made it feel like we had no idea where we were going. Em gripped the wheel tightly and prayed no one would hit us. The journey felt like an eternity.

She dropped me off under the portico at WL. As soon as I stepped out of the car I was soaked. The portico was a wind tunnel and the rain was blowing on through. Em, who was already a drowned rat, parked and fought her way up the hill to the lobby.

Once in the room our clothes came off and the jammies went on!

We watched the storm from the comfort of our room, thankful we weren’t out in the elements. As it neared fireworks time, we wondered if any of the nighttime shows would be performed.

The 9:15 pm start of HEA came and went. I pulled the drapes closed.

Fifteen minutes later, I threw them back open. The rain had slowed to a drizzle and the fireworks began.

Another perfect ending!

Sneezy? How about Dopey or as I would say dumb a.s.s.!!!

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

We are enjoying it....very different than the life of two newlyweds haha. Presenting Oliver William (aka Ollie or Ollie Bear), newest member of the family.

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 CONGRATULATIONS ON BEAUTIFUL OLLIE!!!!!!!!!! I hope parenting brings you lots of joy and you and DH remember you are a team!

BUT......granddaughter.
Who loves Cinderella.
And bubbles.

Awwwwwwwwwwww......... how sweet. But yes, rules! Far, far away from people!

Though we are very familiar with the Disney roads and the route back to WL, the lack of visibility, pounding rain, thunder and lightning made it feel like we had no idea where we were going. Em gripped the wheel tightly and prayed no one would hit us. The journey felt like an eternity.


I was surprised you didn't wait out the storm at AK Lodge but then I saw that you were dying to see the fireworks. Makes sense! But that drive sounds treacherous. It's probably not a good idea if one isn't familiar with the roads.

 

[Nunu]

Tell Em that those glasses are very cool, great choice!
Very scary driving while a storm is raging and you can't see, you are also wondering if the other drivers can't see you either!, glad you made it ok.
The food at Boma looks delicious!

Not happy about dude sneezing all over! As you said, why not send somebody to get his food, or at the very least, cover his mouth with a napkin! The poor people behind him, yuk!
Definitely, not happy about some people not following on the smoking ban

And lastly, more! dark chocolate treats for @Tuvalu eh?!