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! )

 

[Tuvalu]

I will have to dig our photos. We have been taking this Mickey photo for ages almost every trip that I can remember

I would love to see the earliest ones you have!

1. I think there has been only one Mickey metal statue, and I'm sticking to my opinion here!

2. As for the Stacy, I've always enjoyed her videos. I feel like I've "arrived" at WDW when I see her TV video!

3. Avocados are so delicious -- guacamole is a favorite food of mine.

4. Nothing yet -- stay tuned.

1. You may absolutely be right.
2. Whatever makes you (Disney) happy!
3. We agree on this.
4. You’ve stumped me here.....

Drives me nuts when a restaurant slams in as many tables as possible. Like you said, it appears as though other patrons listen in to your conversation, but part of that is because they're so close in proximity. I can't really blame them, as neither party had room to "move" anywhere. I'm also wondering if they were looking at the food selections brought out for you and Em, versus gawking at you both eating. Anyway, just a hunch -- but I place the blame on all this on the restaurant's greedy table seating distances.



This was interesting. It's a failure on the part of the restaurant not to enforce the dress code. Either have a dress code or don't -- it's frustrating when some people dress appropriately to adhere to the code, while others waltz in wearing shorts, tee shirts and flip flops. (I read a TR from another forum member who made a similar comment about a restaurant on the DCL. Either have a dress code and enforce it, or just get rid of the code altogether.)

Lastly, that was funny that the group all looked at the California Grill's menu and left! (And like you said, how the heck did they end up there in the first place? ADRs are required and difficult to get -- so if they did make the ADR ahead of time, didn't they look at the menu first??)

I too dislike “table cramming” and it is easy to overhear the conversations of those next to you. But this woman made me very uncomfortable and I was glad when they paid their bill and left.

And yes ~ if you aren’t going to enforce the dress code, don’t bother posting a sign at the check in desk. At that point, what is a guest supposed to do? “Whoops, let me run back to my room and change”? A host should discreetly inform the guest of the policy and offer to cancel the booking fee or move the ADR to another time....not direct them to the elevator and send them up! At that point the “dress code” becomes useless.

A couple days after dining at CG I mentioned the “clueless group” to our server at 50s Prime Time (we were talking about odd dining behaviors). He suspected the ADR was made by a travel agent who had told the client that CG was a must-do, had great views and you can watch fireworks from there.....but neglected to say it was a fine dining restaurant and very expensive!

 

[Tuvalu]

“Hey Tu, the ocean called and wanted their shrimp back “

Max

 

[Tuvalu]

Was it, as @PineapplePrincess and my MIL would say, out of this world delicious?

Indeed it was!!

We dined at CG for the first time in May. I had the Oak grilled filet and thoroughly enjoyed my meal . In fact everyone had “happy” plates. Thanks to your trip reports and pics I decided to book CG.

So happy to hear you had a delicious dinner!

Ugh gone for a bit (busy with work and family reunions at the lake) and you have snuck in and competed another trip!
Last minute ADR for Cali can be had-snagged one the night before last August: oldest kid's choice as it was her last night for her 2nd DCP program. Thought we'd be maybe a bit late for fireworks due to time of reservation-but fireworks delayed due to rain so it ended up being perfectly timed! Think we did bunch of apps and desserts.

When are your August dates? Just booked flights today (and bought MNSSHP tix and a park ticket yesterday) for a very last minute trip - leave 2 weeks from Friday (tomorrow). Staying at Grand Floridian-free! DH's oldest has a conference there and invited us along to stay with her - her work is paying for room. Only my oldest and I can go due to DH work and other kids start school that week.

And I didn't try to snag a LTT ADR as I thought it wasn't worth it if the dessert isn't the same!

My cousin snagged a night-before CG ADR in January for us so I know it can be done....but the mystery of WHY that group chose the restaurant without any idea of what it was....remains.

Can’t beat a free stay at the GF! Hope you have a fantastic time. We won’t be back until the last week of the month.

My recent LTT review is coming up....

 

[Loco_driver]

I also hate “table cramming”. We had this happen in a local restaurant, and there were empty tables everywhere! I am not usually “that guy”, but I told the hostess to seats us somewhere else or we were leaving. Ridiculous! I’ve never eaten at CG, but seeing your photos is making me want to go!

 

[Spash007]

Maybe those people at CG realized they were woefully under dressed, were embarrassed, and decided to leave?

Or a friend just told the they "had" to book CG because it's so good, and never actually looked at it. I've never been (hopefully soon when I know L will behave as well as C does in nice restaurants!), but based off all the reviews, how can someone not find something that they like?

 

[LadyBelle]

My voice on the Stacy situation...

I don't mind her so much, but I'd rather be her.

 

[LadyBelle]

how can someone not find something that they like?

Very easily when you're picky like me.

 

[Nunu]

im still trying to figure out what Shirley status is

Page 32!

 

[Tuvalu]

I’ve never eaten at CG, but seeing your photos is making me want to go!

Make sure you are dressed appropriately and be prepared to spend big bucks.

Maybe those people at CG realized they were woefully under dressed, were embarrassed, and decided to leave?

Or a friend just told the they "had" to book CG because it's so good, and never actually looked at it. I've never been (hopefully soon when I know L will behave as well as C does in nice restaurants!), but based off all the reviews, how can someone not find something that they like?

The lesson here is do a little research first. It’s not like descriptions, reviews and menus aren’t plastered all over the Internet.

 

[Loco_driver]

Make sure you are dressed appropriately and be prepared to spend big bucks.

Sounds like I should be good with shorts and a T-shirt! Maybe I’ll put on some close toed shoes though!

 

[Tuvalu]

Thursday, July 18

I woke up super early and my first thought was, “Good! I’ll be able to nap later.” Em and I had tickets for the Disney After Hours Villains Party which did not begin until 10 pm. If we wanted to still be alert at 1 am, a nap would be a necessity!

Shortly after 7 am I made my way to Roaring Fork to pick up breakfast. Em requested another chocolate chip muffin and I ordered oatmeal with brown sugar.

“Oh no, you got oatmeal!” Em commented upon my return.

“I wanted oatmeal,” I answered matter-of-factly.

“You KNOW what happens when you eat oatmeal for breakfast,” replied Em. “You end up starving a couple hours later. It’s not a pretty sight when you’re hangry.”

She was right. Unlike the majority of oatmeal eaters, this nutrient-dense grain does not keep me full and satisfied until lunch. It does the opposite. I usually have hunger pains well before lunch. It is the only thing I eat in the morning which has that effect on me.

“Well we have an early ADR for lunch,” I reasoned as I scooped the warm, creamy oats into my mouth.

Em knowingly shook her head.

After breakfast we headed for the bus stop. I asked Em to pose by the cowbell that I insist on ringing every time we pass by.

It was hard for us to believe it was Day 3 and we had yet to visit our favorite park, although Em was still counting our monorail “drive by” on Day 1 as a visit (and since @Darstarr allowed it, I guess it was!) The DAHV tickets went on sale after I’d planned our itinerary, otherwise I might have altered our plans to not go to MK the same day as the party.

The WL bus monitor rarely posts an arrival time for the MK bus. The default setting is always, “use watercraft”. We often watch people arrive at the bus stop only to look at the monitor and turn around and head for the boat. Pro Tip: There is always a bus for the MK. Always.

 

[Loco_driver]

I asked Em to pose by the cowbell that I insist on ringing every time we pass by.

We stopped by the lodge in March, and the bell was gone. We were very happy to see it had returned this summer!

 

[Darstarr]

Unlike the majority of oatmeal eaters, this nutrient-dense grain does not keep me full and satisfied until lunch.

Me too!
I love oatmeal but no matter what the “experts” say, it doesnt keep me full until lunch. But I have a tip that has worked for me and I will share it with you...make a double batch and eat the second half when you feel hungry. Easy peasy

although Em was still counting our monorail “drive by” on Day 1 as a visit (and since @Darstarr allowed it, I guess it was!)

You are all good.

 

[Tuvalu]

Me too!
I love oatmeal but no matter what the “experts” say, it doesnt keep me full until lunch. But I have a tip that has worked for me and I will share it with you...make a double batch and eat the second half when you feel hungry. Easy peasy

I knew I liked you!

 

[Tuvalu]

We stopped by the lodge in March, and the bell was gone. We were very happy to see it had returned this summer!

Yes, we have experienced the missing bell ourselves!

 

[93boomer]

Thursday, July 18

I woke up super early and my first thought was, “Good! I’ll be able to nap later.” Em and I had tickets for the Disney After Hours Villains Party which did not begin until 10 pm. If we wanted to still be alert at 1 am, a nap would be a necessity!

Shortly after 7 am I made my way to Roaring Fork to pick up breakfast. Em requested another chocolate chip muffin and I ordered oatmeal with brown sugar.

View attachment 395703

“Oh no, you got oatmeal!” Em commented upon my return.

“I wanted oatmeal,” I answered matter-of-factly.

“You KNOW what happens when you eat oatmeal for breakfast,” replied Em. “You end up starving a couple hours later. It’s not a pretty sight when you’re hangry.”

She was right. Unlike the majority of oatmeal eaters, this nutrient-dense grain does not keep me full and satisfied until lunch. It does the opposite. I usually have hunger pains well before lunch. It is the only thing I eat in the morning which has that effect on me.

“Well we have an early ADR for lunch,” I reasoned as I scooped the warm, creamy oats into my mouth.

Em knowingly shook her head.

After breakfast we headed for the bus stop. I asked Em to pose by the cowbell that I insist on ringing every time we pass by.

View attachment 395701

It was hard for us to believe it was Day 3 and we had yet to visit our favorite park, although Em was still counting our monorail “drive by” on Day 1 as a visit (and since @Darstarr allowed it, I guess it was!) The DAHV tickets went on sale after I’d planned our itinerary, otherwise I might have altered our plans to not go to MK the same day as the party.

The WL bus monitor rarely posts an arrival time for the MK bus. The default setting is always, “use watercraft”. We often watch people arrive at the bus stop only to look at the monitor and turn around and head for the boat. Pro Tip: There is always a bus for the MK. Always.

View attachment 395702

I do the same with oatmeal!! It’s because it’s mostly liquid. I love oatmeal though.

 

[Tuvalu]

Thursday, con’t

We entered MK about a half hour prior to rope drop. We have never had a Photopass picture taken of us with Roy and Minnie, so we did that first.

Then we stopped for another PP photographer (not Callan!)

I received a call from Woody as we continued our way down Main Street. He was traveling on business in a different time zone and we didn’t have a chance to touch base yesterday. Em wandered around taking pictures while I chatted with Woody.

When this happened.....

....I bid Woody goodbye and we joined the masses on the path to Fantasyland.

 

[Tuvalu]

I do the same with oatmeal!! It’s because it’s mostly liquid. I love oatmeal though.

Of course you do!

 

[Rista1313]

I agree oatmeal does not keep me full either... you know what does though? A chicken biscuit from Chick-fil-a... too bad I can't have that every day!

I'm also a grits girl... savory grits Butter and salt... don't put cheese or anything sweet in my grits!

 

[sheriffwoody]

She was right. Unlike the majority of oatmeal eaters, this nutrient-dense grain does not keep me full and satisfied until lunch. It does the opposite. I usually have hunger pains well before lunch. It is the only thing I eat in the morning which has that effect on me.

Saaaaame! It's just such an easy breakfast. But yeah I end up ready for lunch at 10am.