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! )

 

[Hula Baloo]

@Tuvalu I am caught up on your trip report and I’m really enjoying it. I go on Disney trips with my mom as well. We will be staying at the Wilderness Lodge for the first time in November. I know you said the decorations may not be up yet, but I’m hoping they will be! By the way, this is my first post ever on this website

 

[NessNewt]

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

View attachment 384260

Found a gift for my son.....

View attachment 384253

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

View attachment 384256

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

View attachment 384262

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.

View attachment 384255
Curse you, steroids!!

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

@krisri18 Think you could squeeze into a child sized "Sister Bear" shirt? And then we could get Z a "Brother Bear" one!

 

[mouse_luv]

I love Em's bag! Do you have any idea where she got it? Could you ask please? TIA!

 

[melmel89]

Well since I will be on a fireworks cruise that night, gate crashing from the water side of the Poly is possible. All I need to do it get my Pirates on and take over the boat! >

A mutiny on 7 seas lagoon

 

[krisri18]

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!

Someone is loving your harrowing tale of returning to WL!

 

[krisri18]

@krisri18 Think you could squeeze into a child sized "Sister Bear" shirt? And then we could get Z a "Brother Bear" one!

Sure.... Let me just lose another 30 lbs.... Lol

 

[Tuvalu]

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.

View attachment 384204

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.
View attachment 384203

He is so precious! Enjoy Ollie!

Someone is loving your harrowing tale of returning to WL!
View attachment 384447

Another sweet baby I could just eat up!!

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

What can I say....I’ve gone to the dark side!

@Tuvalu I am caught up on your trip report and I’m really enjoying it. I go on Disney trips with my mom as well. We will be staying at the Wilderness Lodge for the first time in November. I know you said the decorations may not be up yet, but I’m hoping they will be! By the way, this is my first post ever on this website

Welcome, @Hula Baloo!
Love that you take trips to the world with your mom (and trust me, your mom loves it more than you can imagine.) When are you going in November? If it is Thanksgiving week, the decorations will be up!

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, June 10

I did not sleep well. In spite of all the medication I was taking, fits of coughing kept waking me throughout the night. Em said she did not hear me, for which I was thankful.

We had a hankering for Mickey waffles and went to Roaring Fork for breakfast. We got there at a perfect time, because it wasn’t crowded and chaotic.

Roaring Fork serves “loaded” Mickey waffles ~ chocolate chips, strawberry sauce, Bananas Foster sauce, caramel sauce, chocolate syrup and whipped cream.

That’s way too many sauces for us, so we requested just chocolate chips and whipped cream.

The bacon was extra crispy, just the way we like it.

Today was a resort day ~ no plans to go anywhere, just enjoy the amenities of the Wilderness Lodge.

After breakfast we put on swimsuits and sunscreen and headed for Boulder Ridge pool.

Plopped ourselves in our loungers.

We didn’t stay in our chairs very long as the pool was beckoning us. The water was cool and refreshing, thanks to all the rain last night.

 

[93boomer]

Monday, June 10

I did not sleep well. In spite of all the medication I was taking, fits of coughing kept waking me throughout the night. Em said she did not hear me, for which I was thankful.

We had a hankering for Mickey waffles and went to Roaring Fork for breakfast. We got there at a perfect time, because it wasn’t crowded and chaotic.

Roaring Fork serves “loaded” Mickey waffles ~ chocolate chips, strawberry sauce, Bananas Foster sauce, caramel sauce, chocolate syrup and whipped cream.

That’s way too many sauces for us, so we requested just chocolate chips and whipped cream.

View attachment 384463

The bacon was extra crispy, just the way we like it.

View attachment 384464

Today was a resort day ~ no plans to go anywhere, just enjoy the amenities of the Wilderness Lodge.

After breakfast we put on swimsuits and sunscreen and headed for Boulder Ridge pool.

View attachment 384468

View attachment 384467

Plopped ourselves in our loungers.

View attachment 384465

View attachment 384466

We didn’t stay in our chairs very long as the pool was beckoning us. The water was cool and refreshing, thanks to all the rain last night.

Coughs are annoying enough during the day but at night, coughing is a pain because you can’t get to sleep from that tickle in your throat and gat makes you gave to cough.

 

[Hula Baloo]

Welcome, @Hula Baloo!
Love that you take trips to the world with your mom (and trust me, your mom loves it more than you can imagine.) When are you going in November? If it is Thanksgiving week, the decorations will be up!

November 14-18! I will be happy either way just to be at Disney and Wilderness Lodge. WL has been on my bucket list for a few years!

 

[JosieBee]

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.

I experienced that storm at Epcot and can't imagine having to be driving in that. Pretty scary. Glad you made it safely back to your lodge!

 

[Laura Loves Tigger]

Boma is a must for us each trip. Their soups are so yummy! We are, however, fans of zebra domes

 

[Tuvalu]

When our tummies began to rumble we walked over to Geyser Point to check out the fare.

Geyser Point is a hybrid restaurant ~ if you order from the window, it’s quick serve. If you want a table (or seat) in the covered bar area, it’s full serve.

Since we weren’t partaking in any alcoholic beverages, we saved ourselves tip money and got our own soft drinks.

And we didn’t mind eating out of take-out cartons.

Cheeseburger and homemade chips for Em.

Kids Finger Food Sampler for me.

I was delighted with the quinoa surprise! All of it was yummy (especially the smoked turkey @Songbird76!)

As I was raving about the food as I ate, Em reminded me that I had ordered this very meal last summer....and had raved about it then.

Senior brain.

Views from our table at the pool:

We weren’t sure how long the sunshine would last so we returned to the water.

We did not wait the 30 minutes for our food to digest.

Don’t tell my mom.

 

[93boomer]

When our tummies began to rumble we walked over to Geyser Point to check out the fare.

View attachment 384549

View attachment 384548

Geyser Point is a hybrid restaurant ~ if you order from the window, it’s quick serve. If you want a table (or seat) in the covered bar area, it’s full serve.

Since we weren’t partaking in any alcoholic beverages, we saved ourselves tip money and got our own soft drinks.

View attachment 384550

And we didn’t mind eating out of take-out cartons.

View attachment 384551

Cheeseburger and homemade chips for Em.

View attachment 384552

Kids finger food sampler for me. I was delighted with the quinoa surprise! All of it was yummy (especially the smoked turkey @Songbird76!)

As I was raving about the food as I ate, Em reminded me that I had ordered this very meal last summer....and had raved about it then.

Senior brain.

Views from our table at the pool:

View attachment 384553

View attachment 384554

We weren’t sure how long the sunshine would last so we returned to the water.

We did not wait the 30 minutes for our food to digest.

Don’t tell my mom.

The food looks really yummy! Now I am hungry. Your secret is safe with us.

 

[MegRuss626]

The bacon was extra crispy, just the way we like it.

Same! Or as we say in my family “we don’t like our bacon to wiggle!”

 

[Rista1313]

Same! Or as we say in my family “we don’t like our bacon to wiggle!”

I like a little wiggle in my bacon!

 

[LadyBelle]

The bacon was extra crispy, just the way we like it.

My dad likes his bacon super, super crispy. So much so that the servers at his regular breakfast place have started writing it on their order pad "C bacon" so the cook knows to nearly burn it.

 

[Tuvalu]

I was floating on my back, eyes closed, in a blissful state from the contrast of warm sun vs. cool water.

“Umm, Mom?”

I cracked open an eye.

“You might want to look over there,” pointed Em.

I did not want to look over there. I was afraid of what I was going to see.

“Mom!” Em was a bit more forceful.

It was just what I feared.

Even though we were already wet, getting pelted by a deluge (or struck by lightning) on our way to the main Lodge was in no way appealing. We hurried out of the water, did a quick dry off with some towels, and power-walked to safety.

It was not long before the rain rain rain came down down down....

(Check out the volume of water running out of the gutter. Also, you can see the smokehouse below.)

It rained steadily for a couple hours. Poor @JosieBee and her sister were in the MK waiting for a parade that never came. (Don’t worry, those gals made the best of the situation! See @JosieBee ‘s TR for full details.)

Em and I took showers and rested.

 

[93boomer]

I was floating on my back, eyes closed, in a blissful state from the contrast of warm sun vs. cool water.

“Umm, Mom?”

I cracked open an eye.

“You might want to look over there,” pointed Em.

I did not want to look over there. I was afraid of what I was going to see.

“Mom!” Em was a bit more forceful.

It was just what I feared.

View attachment 384563

Even though we were already wet, getting pelted by a deluge (or struck by lightning) on our way to the main Lodge was in no way appealing. We hurried out of the water, did a quick dry off with some towels, and power-walked to safety.

It was not long before the rain rain rain came down down down....

View attachment 384564
(Check out the volume of water running out of the gutter. Also, you can see the smokehouse below.)

It rained steadily for a couple hours. Poor @JosieBee and her sister were in the MK waiting for a parade that never came. (Don’t worry, those gals made the best of the situation! See @JosieBee ‘s TR for full details.)

Em and I took showers and rested.

Wow that was a scary sky!!

 

[susan lees]

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!

OMG that sneezy guy might just have put me off my buffet . We've yet to try Boma but it's on our list and we also are not zebra dome fans. We bought a pack of 4 from the Mara and sadly 3 and a half were thrown out. So many nicer desserts IMHO.