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]

Thursday, con’t.....The Surprise!

Woody and I returned to our room after a glorious, relaxing day at the pool. Though it was almost 3:30 pm, no housekeeper had been by to service yet. This was incredibly frustrating since we needed showers in preparation for our early evening plans.

We’d had no housekeeping or room issues during our 3 days at Gran Destino Tower; yet we’d had many during our 3 days at GF. I remembered the Welcome letter from the GM that was in our room and decided to compose an email as Woody and I sat on our patio awaiting the housekeeper.

Just a few minutes after pressing Send our room phone began ringing. On the line was the Resort Duty Manager. He apologized for our issues, addressed my concerns and offered a complimentary upgrade to a theme park view room, if we wanted to move.

Well of course.... YES!!!!

He said Bell Services would arrive in 30 minutes to move us. We quickly showered and threw things into our bags. Thankfully we did not have to change buildings but only had to take the elevator to our new room on the second floor.

@MegRuss626, turns out there is a benefit to Conch Key after all....

....This View!!!

Woody was in charge of taking the view pictures as there were a couple things I needed to do before we had to rush out the door to make our dinner ADR. He did not take as many as I would have, but I reasoned I would get to take more the next day. (Only I didn’t, because the weather didn’t cooperate.)

Suffice it to say these pics do not do the view justice. It. Was. Amazing!

 

[Tuvalu]

We jumped on the monorail and disembarked at MK. Once again, instead of a leisurely stroll down a Main Street to take in the fall decorations, we were in a hurry thanks to moving to the TPV room. (WORTH IT!!!)

But I had to get a few pictures since I the Halloween stuff!

My fave Mickey was in a different spot this year. Unfortunately I captured the window reflection.

The whatever-it’s-called-now parade was passing by.

 

[Tuvalu]

Jack o’ Lanterns.....

.....and the pianist.

 

[ELeigh]

I finally caught up! I have been slacking on my trip report reading because I didn’t have a trip planned and it was making me sad (don’t worry I fixed that)

whatever-it’s-called-now parade

AND this has me laughing out loud.

 

[MegRuss626]

@MegRuss626, turns out there is a benefit to Conch Key after all....

Well look at that! They were holding out on us!

 

[Tuvalu]

We needed to walk through one castle to get to the other.

The other castle.

This greeted me when I went to check in at the kiosk.

There was a “gate keeper” at the entrance who checked us in. There was no grandeur of calling us by name and saying, “The master will see you now” as we’ve experienced before when dining at Be Our Guest for dinner.

 

[Sillysidewalker]

That view! I need to stay in a theme park view room.

 

[Darstarr]

Ok, out with it! What exactly did that email to the manager say?

The view is stunning. Tell Woody I said good job!

 

[MinnieM123]

.....and the pianist.

I really like that picture. Don't believe I have ever seen a pianist there before -- what a nice addition. Was he outside the ice cream shop (off to the side of Main Street USA)?

 

[Tuvalu]

This was either my 4th or 5th time at BOG for dinner but the first time since the restaurant became Prix Fixe. Naturally my expectations were high. I’d always enjoyed the food but had not-so-great experiences with the wait staff. And each visit but one I’ve been seated in the Ballroom. I only like to sit in the Ballroom during the holiday season, and only then during lunch. The Ballroom is much too NOISY for an intimate, pricey dinner. Additionally, all the tables squished together detract from the ambiance.

Our location tonight?

Sigh....

Immediately I noticed a couple things missing.

No romantic votive candle? Yes, it was a fake candle, but votives on each table differentiated dinner from the other meals.

Napkins not folded into a rose bud? Another nicety taken away.

How silly of me to expect more (or at least the same) from a Prix Fixe dinner.

On the plus side we had an attentive server. Not Cali Grill caliber, but better than my previous experiences.

Now the food. First up was the bread service. A sourdough French baguette, of course!

This was so disappointing. The baguette was not crisp nor did it have any sourdough flavor....actually, it had hardly any flavor at all. Bread from Panera is far superior.

For my first course I had the French Onion Soup everyone raves about. (Note: This is no longer on the dinner menu. It has been replaced by Maine Lobster Bisque.)

Full disclosure: I am not a big French onion soup fan. But this soup was very cheesy (I am a firm believer in you can never have too much cheese!) and had a nice, mild onion taste. I ate what I could and let Woody finish the rest since his appetizer wasn’t very filling.

Woody selected the Assorted Meats and Artisanal Cheeses.

He requested no Chicken Liver Pâté. He did not care for the Blue Cheese but said the rest was ok.

A runner brought our entrées to the table before we had finished our appetizers. There was no space to put the plates! As he insisted on putting them on the table anyway, we pushed aside the bread and our water glasses until our server came to retrieve the bread basket, meat and cheese tray and my soup bowl.

Signature dining indeed!

Once again Woody and I chose the same entrée ~ the Center-cut Filet Mignon with a Red Wine Glaze.

Sides included turnips and rainbow carrots, green beans and mashed potatoes. The potatoes were cold (why?) but the other veggies were very good. Our filets were tender and cooked perfectly. I would have preferred mine without the red wine sauce, but that is me.

The Dessert Trio (the only option) was cute. I’m not sure how I feel about the edible paper lining, but it makes for a nice and unique presentation.

The raspberry macaroon was very good and the Grey stuff was yum as always. The dark chocolate truffle was VERY RICH and neither of us could finish it.

If the sign of a good meal is being stuffed afterward then this would qualify as a good meal. Was it a signature experience? Not even close. I’m glad we tried it, but it is not an improvement over the way it was Pre-Prix Fixe. (Say that three times fast! )

 

[Tuvalu]

Another change is guests stand on line to meet the Beast before eating rather than after. The Beast no longer ceremoniously walks through the dining rooms before taking his place in the library to greet guests.

Is he kissing my MagicBand?

While this change is more practical and orderly, I missed the pomp and circumstance of his arrival.

 

[Mickey Waffles]

Another change is guests stand on line to meet the Beast before eating rather than after. The Beast no longer ceremoniously walks through the dining rooms before taking his place in the library to greet guests.

View attachment 420174

View attachment 420171
Is he kissing my MagicBand?

While this change is more practical and orderly, I missed the pomp and circumstance of his arrival.

View attachment 420172

View attachment 420173

So sad .....I loved when they would announce his arrival! I’m also very disappointed that it appears for lunch they have removed the strawberry cupcake from the menu!! That was my ALL TIME favorite dessert there- sometimes ordering two. Lol I don’t really care for the changes at all. But I’m glad you had a nice dinner overall.

 

[myhappyplace]

Hmmm, I wonder if it was the night you went or if it changed since June, but when my friend and I went then, the Beast was still announced and we met him afterwards.

Now I want some grey stuff!

 

[MickeyCB]

Congratulations to your parents!
And that steak looked delicious!

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

A runner brought our entrées to the table before we had finished our appetizers. There was no space to put the plates! As he insisted on putting them on the table anyway, we pushed aside the bread and our water glasses until our server came to retrieve the bread basket, meat and cheese tray and my soup bowl.

A common issue at WDW restaurants. Nothing is made to order, because of the high volume. This is fine, except it allows them to bring out courses with far too little time between them. It's all about speed speed speed, and turning over tables at a rapid pace.

You would have been entirely justified in sending your waiter away with those plates.

 

[Nunu]

How can a restaurant inspired by France, get a baguette so wrong?! Good bread is something I really enjoy with a meal.

You're right about the lack of a votive candle and the rose shaped napkin, I remember seeing pictures of those charming touches and thinking, "that's special". Disney has always been all about small but memorable details. Sad to see that your dinner experience wasn't what should've been. Those filets look great, though!

Thank you for another honest and straightforward review.

 

[Nunu]

it appears for lunch they have removed the strawberry cupcake from the menu!!

Noooooo!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

we would make a perfect pair, I love vanilla ice cream but not a huge chocolate fan. I also am guilty of never having tried a Mickey Bar...

I’ll make sure to clear the Mickey bar of all the chocolate before handing it over to you

I was so far behind, but have finally caught up! Loved all the summer adventures to date! Especially loved the BTMR ride with @Longers! Congrats to your parents! 60 years is amazing!

So kind of you to

I finally caught up! I have been slacking on my trip report reading because I didn’t have a trip planned and it was making me sad (don’t worry I fixed that)
AND this has me laughing out loud.

Yay for another trip!

 

[Tuvalu]

That view! I need to stay in a theme park view room.

Once you do, you can never go back to standard view!

Ok, out with it! What exactly did that email to the manager say?

I’m Shirley. Period.

I really like that picture. Don't believe I have ever seen a pianist there before -- what a nice addition. Was he outside the ice cream shop (off to the side of Main Street USA)?

The piano is outside Casey’s Corner. Jim, the pianist, is a longtime CM. He takes requests and jokes with guests. Note his blue name tag ~ it indicates he is a recipient of the Walt Disney Legacy Award, the highest honor a CM can receive.

 

[Darstarr]

I’m Shirley. Period.

That is all.