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! )

 

[DisneyGigi]

im so confused

@Tuvalu is the trip report Queen! She has kept many of us, including me- pixie dusted, in between trips. I am counting on her having many more to read during my year off after August.

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, July 20

You may recall that I started off our June vacation with a trip to Urgent Care.

This time it was Em’s turn.

Three days before departure I received a call from my feverish, achy and very sick daughter. “Go to Urgent Care. NOW!” I instructed. She needed to start treatment ASAP....I did not want her to wait it out, like I tried to (and failed!)

Em was given antibiotics and prednisone for her infection. She spent the weekend in bed. The medicine and rest helped to improve her health enough that we were cautiously optimistic as we began our very early ride to the airport.

Our travel couldn’t have gone any more smoothly ~ no traffic, no line to check our bags and no line at TSA! We picked up breakfast at Chick Fil A and were seated in our gate area an hour prior to boarding.

Let’s go!

Our plane took off on time and landed early. It’s only a 58 minute flight.

There was a family of boys climbing all over the WDW display (where were the parents?) so I made Em stand in a different spot for our “arrival” pic.

As we headed for the escalator this sign caught my eye. Tuvalette is really into Sesame Street and adores Abby Cadabby, so I sent this to my DIL.

I received a text back immediately. “Hi Abby and Bert and Ernie!” ❤

And if you’ll allow me one more indulgence....

Here is Tuvalette enjoying the bubble wand I bought last trip.

As we made our way towards Magical Express, I asked Em if she was wearing her MagicBand.

She wasn’t.

Time to fix that crucial mistake!

 

[MinnieM123]

Here is Tuvalette enjoying the bubble wand I bought last trip.

Did you also get one for Tuvaleen, or is she still a little too young for those bubble wands?

 

[Tuvalu]

This was a good sign.

However, we did not get right on a bus. We had a 20 minute wait inside. After boarding, we waited another 10 minutes before the driver pulled away.

Considering our travels had gone so well up to this point, we weren’t complaining. Besides, the WL was going to be the first stop!

Sometime during our ride Em nudged me. The couple across the aisle was seriously studying an intinerary.

This wasn’t any old itinerary. It was a dozen printed pages....front and back....down to the minute....color coded....with A KEY.

Suddenly Em and I felt woefully underprepared for our vacay.

Now I am not into Star Wars (sorry @Figment Forever and all other SW fans) but I became inexplicably excited when our bus passed the construction for the new immersive hotel....

...and backstage area.

Em looked at me like I had two heads.

“Why are you so excited?”

I did not have an answer.

 

[Tuvalu]

Did you also get one for Tuvaleen, or is she still a little too young for those bubble wands?

She’s still too young.

 

[Tuvalu]

I received our “your room is ready” text while we were on the bus. Score!

Home again!

Em did not bemoan the absence of the Christmas tree in the lobby this time.

We headed straight to the elevator and pushed the button for the 6th floor. It’s the highest floor for regular (non-club level) guests.

Hello down there!

 

[susan lees]

This was a good sign.

View attachment 392523

However, we did not get right on a bus. We had a 20 minute wait inside. After boarding, we waited another 10 minutes before the driver pulled away.

Considering our travels had gone so well up to this point, we weren’t complaining. Besides, the WL was going to be the first stop!

View attachment 392527

Sometime during our ride Em nudged me. The couple across the aisle was seriously studying an intinerary.

View attachment 392524

This wasn’t any old itinerary. It was a dozen printed pages....front and back....down to the minute....color coded....with A KEY.

Suddenly Em and I felt woefully underprepared for our vacay.

Now I am not into Star Wars (sorry @Figment Forever and all other SW fans) but I became inexplicably excited when our bus passed the construction for the new immersive hotel....

View attachment 392525

...and backstage area.

View attachment 392526

Em looked at me like I had two heads.

“Why are you so excited?”

I did not have an answer.

My family tease me about my planning and particularly my big pink Disney folder. I don't take it with me though it's just for my pre trip planning

 

[Darstarr]

Nothing like a group photo with @Darstarr in it, everyone under their umbrellas in the rain!

I will bring ponchos for all!!!️

 

[Tuvalu]

I did not take any interior room pics, since our room looked exactly the same as the photo I posted back on page 6 of this TR.

But I had to get the view. It was even better than last month’s.

Because....Castle!

And train station!

Our balcony was not enclosed this time.

 

[DisneyGigi]

Tuesday, July 20

You may recall that I started off our June vacation with a trip to Urgent Care.

This time it was Em’s turn.

Three days before departure I received a call from my feverish, achy and very sick daughter. “Go to Urgent Care. NOW!” I instructed. She needed to start treatment ASAP....I did not want her to wait it out, like I tried to (and failed!)

Em was given antibiotics and prednisone for her infection. She spent the weekend in bed. The medicine and rest helped to improve her health enough that we were cautiously optimistic as we began our very early ride to the airport.

View attachment 392515

Our travel couldn’t have gone any more smoothly ~ no traffic, no line to check our bags and no line at TSA! We picked up breakfast at Chick Fil A and were seated in our gate area an hour prior to boarding.

Let’s go!
View attachment 392516

Our plane took off on time and landed early. It’s only a 58 minute flight.

There was a family of boys climbing all over the WDW display (where were the parents?) so I made Em stand in a different spot for our “arrival” pic.

View attachment 392517

As we headed for the escalator this sign caught my eye. Tuvalette is really into Sesame Street and adores Abby Cadabby, so I sent this to my DIL.

View attachment 392519

I received a text back immediately. “Hi Abby and Bert and Ernie!” ❤

And if you’ll allow me one more indulgence....

Here is Tuvalette enjoying the bubble wand I bought last trip.

View attachment 392522

as a fellow grandma, I so appreciate bubble wand photos.

 

[Tuvalu]

We did not do any unpacking since our luggage was currently being “magically transported” to the WL. As we planned this trip, we did not expect to get into our room so early. We figured we’d head on to Epcot after DME dropped us at WL. Lunch was going to be at La Cantina.

But one of us had a craving.

Okay, it was actually both of us. I knew we’d have to eat at Whispering Canyon again.....I just didn’t expect it to be a half hour after our arrival!

We went to check in at the desk and were informed they did not begin lunch seating until 11:45 am. What to do for fifteen minutes? Wander the lovely grounds of the resort, of course!

Love these flower close-ups that Em took. Gorgeous!

There were lots of bees pollinating the flowers which was fun to watch.

We walked up to the overlook.

It was a fabulous way to pass the time.

 

[Rista1313]

EM might appreciate my spreadsheet then... Although last time I made one...I think we ended up tossing it after just a day or so.... it's just a guideline!

Mines not color coded though... just a spreadsheet with park, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, FP+'s, Clothes for each day... yep....

 

[Nala06]

We did not do any unpacking since our luggage was currently being “magically transported” to the WL. As we planned this trip, we did not expect to get into our room so early. We figured we’d head on to Epcot after DME dropped us at WL. Lunch was going to be at La Cantina.

But one of us had a craving.

Okay, it was actually both of us. I knew we’d have to eat at Whispering Canyon again.....I just didn’t expect it to be a half hour after our arrival!

View attachment 392545

We went to check in at the desk and were informed they did not begin lunch seating until 11:45 am. What to do for fifteen minutes? Wander the lovely grounds of the resort, of course!

View attachment 392537

View attachment 392538

View attachment 392539

Love these flower close-ups that Em took. Gorgeous!

View attachment 392540

View attachment 392541

View attachment 392542

There were lots of bees pollinating the flowers which was fun to watch.

We walked up to the overlook.

View attachment 392543

View attachment 392544

View attachment 392546

It was a fabulous way to pass the time.

We have YC booked for our long weekend in September, but your WL pics are seriously making me reconsider

 

[Dory71]

EM might appreciate my spreadsheet then... Although last time I made one...I think we ended up tossing it after just a day or so.... it's just a guideline!

Mines not color coded though... just a spreadsheet with park, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, FP+'s, Clothes for each day... yep....

That sounds just like mine!!

 

[bee]

There were lots of bees pollinating the flowers which was fun to watch.

 

[wdwfamilynh]

This wasn’t any old itinerary. It was a dozen printed pages....front and back....down to the minute....color coded....with A KEY.

Guilty

 

[MinnieM123]

For theme design and just overall incredible ambiance, both Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge are my favorites. So jelly you're at WL again!!!

They gave you a really nice room. Keep that room # in mind if you go back -- maybe you can request it (or one near it) again, (if you're not staying up on the Club Level).

Of the two resorts, I'd give the slight edge to WL, due to the two transportation (boat, bus) options. AKL is not quite as good in that regard.

 

[Tuvalu]

For theme design and just overall incredible ambiance, both Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge are my favorites. So jelly you're at WL again!!!

They gave you a really nice room. Keep that room # in mind if you go back -- maybe you can request it (or one near it) again, (if you're not staying up on the Club Level).

Of the two resorts, I'd give the slight edge to WL, due to the two transportation (boat, bus) options. AKL is not quite as good in that regard.

Absolutely agree.
And I always keep track of our room numbers.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Now I am not into Star Wars (sorry @Figment Forever and all other SW fans) but I became inexplicably excited when our bus passed the construction for the new immersive hotel....

...and backstage area.

Em looked at me like I had two heads.

“Why are you so excited?”

I did not have an answer.

I do:

“Don’t underestimate the Force.”

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

I’d like to claim #ShirleyStatus at Whispering Canyon, but the restaurant had just finished transitioning from breakfast to lunch and the lunchers had not arrived yet.

Anita Tequila was our server, though she did not participate in any shenanigans. She was friendly and efficient, which is more important anyway. Actually there was a lot less hootin’ and hollerin’ today than we experienced last month. Although there was a very vocal six-month-old (not crying, just happy) that another server kept telling to “shush!” That was funny!

Our mission: Burnt Ends Nachos. One skillet for each of us.

YUM!

Since we pigged out on nachos we skipped entrées.

We did not, however, skip dessert. In fact, we made the molten chocolate cake even more decadent by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

OMG. The combo of warm cake paired with cold ice cream has always been a favorite. As much as our mouths wanted to scarf down the whole thing, our full bellies caused us to stop short.

We both agreed it was a great change-of-plans meal!