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! )

 

[MegRuss626]

Woody and I merely exited Conch Key on the marina side and had a great view of the fire in the sky. We could also hear the soundtrack.

One of the only perks to Conch Key! We took Ryleigh out in her jammies to watch Hallowishes one night and up to bed right after!

 

[DryerLintFan]

I have attended MNSSHP three times ~ one where I got wet, and two that were complete wash-outs.

Figuring my luck was bound to improve, I bought tickets for a MNSSHP last August. The night of the party it was raining so heavily that Woody and I exchanged our tickets for a MVMCP in December (where we stayed dry!)

This year, still wanting to experience a full MNSSHP, I decided we would check the forecast day-of and buy tickets at the gate if no rain was predicted. As Woody and I sat on our patio earlier we discussed going to tonight’s party, but being in the sun all day doing nothing had wiped us out.

However we were still able to partake of the new fireworks show ~ Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular (which does not roll as easily off the tongue as “Hallowishes.”) Woody and I merely exited Conch Key on the marina side and had a great view of the fire in the sky. We could also hear the soundtrack.

View attachment 416911

View attachment 416912

View attachment 416913

Later I heard from @DisneyGigi that it was the most crowded MNSSHP she’d ever attended. Made me glad we didn’t go. Of course if I had, it would have rained (since I have @Darstarr ‘s “Powers of Precipitation” when it comes to MNSSHP) and then @DisneyGigi would have had even less fun.

Resort Day #2 was in the books and it was a grand one!

We thought the fireworks for the party were meh. If you do go though, make sure you can see a majority of the castle. It's like an episode of Scooby Doo and you'll need to see more than the tip or one side.

 

[Tuvalu]

We thought the fireworks for the party were meh. If you do go though, make sure you can see a majority of the castle. It's like an episode of Scooby Doo and you'll need to see more than the tip or one side.

Too funny!

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, August 28

I had been looking forward to this day for months. At long last, after several years of wishing and waiting, my U.K. buddy @Longers and I were going to meet AND RIDE BTMRR TOGETHER!!

I reached out to her as soon as I saw that our dates overlapped. We kept each other apprised of our plans and managed to get FPs to ride together on two separate days. (In an ironic twist, we never used the FPs.) She and her hubby were also included in the Three Bridges Magician Meet, but family obligations prevented them from joining us.

The anticipation and excitement awakened me early. I was quiet as not to wake Woody. He would need the rest to contend with his crazy wife and another Magic meet!

We had breakfast in our room and then a private monorail car whisked us to MK.

Mickey’s Magical Walls from the monorail entrance.

We arrived at 8:30 am. Was @Longers here yet?

I breezed through the entrance tapstile. Woody was not so lucky.

Once again Mickey’s head turned blue.
Once again he was asked, “Are you using the right finger?”
Once again he answered, “Yes.”
“Try again.”
Blue.
“One more time.”
Blue.

Then the suit was summoned over to clear Woody for entrance.

 

[Tuvalu]

Since we didn’t get to MNSSHP last night.....and blew down Main Street on our arrival night.....I wanted to take in the Halloween decorations. (Even if it was still August!)

We were surprised to see the Trolley Singers performing. Typically their first show is after 9 am. Had the park opened early? Did we miss rope drop? Might as well stop and watch!

Leaf garland.

When I saw the practically-empty castle hub I was certain we had missed rope drop!

But then I noticed small crowds were forming on the bridges to each land. The park hadn’t opened yet!

We could have had a front row view for the welcome show, but decided to wait near the entrance to Liberty Square.

I kept scanning the crowd for @Longers and her family. We did not have a firm meeting place (yet). Our BTMRR FPs weren’t until 1 pm, but she had warned me that her family might not last that long in the park and it might be better to try to ride in the morning.

When the welcome show began we watched through the bushes and trees.

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two......

ONE!

And we were off!

 

[Rista1313]

I see you got the firetruck performers too! I wonder where the trolley is?

 

[Tuvalu]

I see you got the firetruck performers too! I wonder where the trolley is?

The horse is busy working MNSSHPs.

 

[PacNWTigger]

I love the color of the fall costumes for the trolley show!

 

[Tuvalu]

I love the color of the fall costumes for the trolley show!

Me too! The fall colors are my favorite.

 

[Tuvalu]

Woody and I hung back a bit from the crowd that was racing towards Frontierland. When we reached the boardwalk next to the river we opted to veer onto the road less traveled.

There was no sign of @Longers at the BTMRR entrance. One quick ride wouldn’t hurt, right?

We hung around the exit for a couple minutes in case she and her party were behind us. As we made our way back to the entrance I messaged @Longers and told her where Woody and I were. She said they were in Tomorrowland and would be right over.

Well she must have teleported because it was only a few moments until we were embracing in a gleeful hug!! Her hubby, brother and nephew trailed a bit behind but upon joining Woody, the four guys gazed at @Longers and me like this:

What can I say? It’s a woman thing!

She and I engaged in excited chatter as the guys introduced themselves. Then @Longers and I led the way to the BTMRR standby queue where we literally talked non-stop until we were seated in the last car of the train.

This of course meant both our hubbies had to ride together. They were good sports about it though!

The experience was surreal for me. I had virtually ridden BTMRR with @Longers many times (20 times in 2018 alone!) and now WE WERE ACTUALLY SITTING SIDE BY SIDE!! It was marvelous.

A Tuvalu card to remember the moment. Woody did a nice job explaining how he came up with the idea to @Longers befuddled family.

 

[Longers]

Absolutely loved my BTMRR ride with you - it was a memory I will never forget!
We definitely need to do it again.......

 

[fractal]

Woody and I hung back a bit from the crowd that was racing towards Frontierland. When we reached the boardwalk next to the river we opted to veer onto the road less traveled.

View attachment 417354

There was no sign of @Longers at the BTMRR entrance. One quick ride wouldn’t hurt, right?

View attachment 417357

We hung around the exit for a couple minutes in case she and her party were behind us. As we made our way back to the entrance I messaged @Longers and told her where Woody and I were. She said they were in Tomorrowland and would be right over.

Well she must have teleported because it was only a few moments until we were embracing in a gleeful hug!! Her hubby, brother and nephew trailed a bit behind but upon joining Woody, the four guys gazed at @Longers and me like this:

View attachment 417360

What can I say? It’s a woman thing!

She and I engaged in excited chatter as the guys introduced themselves. Then @Longers and I led the way to the BTMRR standby queue where we literally talked non-stop until we were seated in the last car of the train.

View attachment 417358

This of course meant both our hubbies had to ride together. They were good sports about it though!

View attachment 417356

The experience was surreal for me. I had virtually ridden BTMRR with @Longers many times (20 times in 2018 alone!) and now WE WERE ACTUALLY SITTING SIDE BY SIDE!! It was marvelous.

A Tuvalu card to remember the moment. Woody did a nice job explaining how he came up with the idea to @Longers befuddled family.

View attachment 417355

This is pretty awesome!!

 

[Tuvalu]

@Longers asked if we had time to ride Haunted Mansion together. YES, PLEASE!!

By now our group was feeling comfortable with each other (funny how being “at home” does that) and we had delightful conversation on our journey to HM and while in line.

And @Longers ’ nephew helped me to discover the bride’s ring in the pavement, which I never noticed before.

I love finding new Disney details!

Naturally @Longers and I chose to ride together, leaving our spouses to fend for themselves!

We’re pretty lucky to have these fellas.

We chatted briefly after our ride and made tentative plans to reconnect for our 1 pm BTMRR FP. The weather forecast was iffy (the main reason we decided to meet first in the morning) so we agreed to touch base after lunch.

 

[Longers]

@Longers asked if we had time to ride Haunted Mansion together. YES, PLEASE!!

By now our group was feeling comfortable with each other (funny how being “at home” does that) and we had delightful conversation on our journey to HM and while in line.

View attachment 417622

And @Longers ’ nephew helped me to discover the bride’s ring in the pavement, which I never noticed before.

View attachment 417623

I love finding new Disney details!

Naturally @Longers and I chose to ride together, leaving our spouses to fend for themselves!

View attachment 417624

We’re pretty lucky to have these fellas.

View attachment 417621

We chatted briefly after our ride and made tentative plans to reconnect for our 1 pm BTMRR FP. The weather forecast was iffy (the main reason we decided to meet first in the morning) so we agreed to touch base after lunch.

I trained him so well with the Disney details. Proud auntie right here.

 

[Rista1313]

Woody and I hung back a bit from the crowd that was racing towards Frontierland. When we reached the boardwalk next to the river we opted to veer onto the road less traveled.

View attachment 417354

There was no sign of @Longers at the BTMRR entrance. One quick ride wouldn’t hurt, right?

View attachment 417357

We hung around the exit for a couple minutes in case she and her party were behind us. As we made our way back to the entrance I messaged @Longers and told her where Woody and I were. She said they were in Tomorrowland and would be right over.

Well she must have teleported because it was only a few moments until we were embracing in a gleeful hug!! Her hubby, brother and nephew trailed a bit behind but upon joining Woody, the four guys gazed at @Longers and me like this:

View attachment 417360

What can I say? It’s a woman thing!

She and I engaged in excited chatter as the guys introduced themselves. Then @Longers and I led the way to the BTMRR standby queue where we literally talked non-stop until we were seated in the last car of the train.

View attachment 417358

This of course meant both our hubbies had to ride together. They were good sports about it though!

View attachment 417356

The experience was surreal for me. I had virtually ridden BTMRR with @Longers many times (20 times in 2018 alone!) and now WE WERE ACTUALLY SITTING SIDE BY SIDE!! It was marvelous.

A Tuvalu card to remember the moment. Woody did a nice job explaining how he came up with the idea to @Longers befuddled family.

View attachment 417355

I'm not crying.. you're crying!

 

[Tuvalu]

Woody and I had a FP for Peter Pan.

Seems the “iffy” weather arrived early.

I mean, we were only in Pan less than ten minutes! That’s a pretty heavy downpour we missed.

I refuse to use @Darstarr ’s new favorite emoji.....but we did this next.

The smoke ring in the Heffalumps scene was working today! It’s one of my favorite effects but it only seems to work about half the time.

On our way past 7DMT Woody pointed out this red sign. We’re clueless. Anyone???

 

[Darstarr]

I refuse to use @Darstarr ’s new favorite emoji.....but we did this next.

Let me help you out...
Artie

 

[Tuvalu]

We did not pass any cosmetologists on the way to Tomorrowland.

We DID bypass the restrooms next to Merchant of Venus, @Songbird76.

Since Woody was wearing his MPB shirt, and the MPB is still not operating, it was only fitting to ride the MPB 2.0.

Getting to see Space Mountain with the lights on was a bonus.

 

[93boomer]

We did not pass any cosmetologists on the way to Tomorrowland.

We DID bypass the restrooms next to Merchant of Venus, @Songbird76.

Since Woody was wearing his MPB shirt, and the MPB is still not operating, it was only fitting to ride the MPB 2.0.

View attachment 417724

View attachment 417723

Getting to see Space Mountain with the lights on was a bonus.

View attachment 417725

View attachment 417727

View attachment 417726

We have seen it in lights twice. It is cool to see where the dips are and another reason I only rode it once!

 

[MinnieM123]

Getting to see Space Mountain with the lights on was a bonus.

We have seen it in lights twice. It is cool to see where the dips are and another reason I only rode it once!

No to no lights!! I only want to be on SM in the dark, because then I know I'm really hurtling at warp speed through the galaxy! (Oh, I also believe in Santa Claus, too.)