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]

My previous job had those elevators installed at our building and they were actually more of a hindrance. Like you said, people would get on without realizing they needed to push their floor beforehand. Also, people would get impatient waiting for their elevator, so they would push their floor number again and would be assigned a different elevator bank. So then two elevators would show up for the same floor.

 

[Janir]

Woody and I sat down on a comfy loveseat and discussed how long we should wait before one of us (me) would join the line at the Front Desk to inquire about our room.

Then my phone buzzed.

Off to the elevators we went!

These weren’t just run-of-the-mill elevators. They were 21st century SMART elevators! I call them smart because they sure stumped a bunch of dumb people who could not figure out how to use them.

Not us though. We (and by we I mean Woody) are tech savvy. Just follow the directions.

Step One
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Step Two
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Step Three
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And board!

There were six elevators: A, B and C on the right and D, E and F on the left. Once you selected your floor in Step One, Step Two revealed which elevator to board. Then the elevator letter illumined before the door opened for boarding.

Easy peasy!

Plus the trips up or down were super fast because the elevator only stopped at the pre-selected floors.

What was hard to get used to was there were NO FLOOR BUTTONS inside the elevator. Out of habit I always turned to push a button on the (absent) control panel whenever I entered an elevator. But at least I never entered an elevator without selecting the floor first! Several times we had guests walk into our open elevator and become befuddled when there were no buttons to push. Eventually I ended up asking guests who boarded if they had selected their floor outside the elevator.

Our room was on the 9th floor. Three days later I was glad we weren’t any higher. (You’ll find out why.)

Lots of color in the hallway! And hidden Mickeys in the carpet.
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Upon opening our door we were greeted by huge entryway (pic does not do it justice)....

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......a welcome letter from the CSR General Manager and

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.....a personalized big screen TV!

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But before checking out any of the room amenities, I had to check out the view!

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(You can see the bridges I referenced earlier.)

And what is this?

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Our room has a view of the Contemporary??!! And if we can see the Contemporary, you know what that means!!


Over the next couple days, I spent a lot of time gazing out at the gorgeous views. The resort felt miles away from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks. It was very peaceful and soothing, similar to the sensations I get when staying at the Wilderness Lodge (except with a different theme.)

Sorry I missed you there! DW and I had dinner at Toledo that Saturday you checked in. The views all around the Grand Destino tower was pretty cool from up there. Got great pics of Galaxy's Edge while up there.

Those elevators are pretty cool arn't they? Local business in my area has similar elevators. Just say what floor you want to go to and the system will sort out which elevator you need to go on for maximum efficiency and minimum wait time.

And the fact that your already here with an update trip report just means I have to get on the stick and get my after action trio report going.

 

[Tuvalu]

Funny, but sad ... it doesn’t feel like “home” to us anymore.

Except for check in (which was our least friendly experience in 12 on-site check-ins) and to eat at Toledo, we haven’t been in the tower at all.

We also haven’t been to the Dig Site even once this trip, preferring to stay in the Casitas quiet pool.

We’ll be booking our BounceBack deal tomorrow. Same time ... different place. We’re going to give Caribbean Beach a try. We’re thinking with the Skyliner to DHS and Epcot and the bus to MK, we might not even need a rental car.

Sorry to hear that CSR no longer feels like "home" with all the changes. That said, I GET IT. When the Poly went DVC and built those horrid bungalows, it no longer felt like "home" to me.

"You can't go home again" is a very true statement.

The Poly refurb did cause me to check out other hotels and now I have a couple new loves. You may discover a new love in CBR. It's my brother's family go-to resort. It's a fave of @Tony the Tigger too.

I hope you stick around for my review of the Dig Site. Enjoy the rest of your vacay!

 

[Tuvalu]

I'm very excited about your review on CSR. Next October we want to rent DVC points and I'm really leaning towards Beach Club but a small part is even considering Tower at CSR.

In case you're unaware, Gran Destino Tower is not DVC. The Riviera at CBR will be DVC.

I'm glad you stayed at and are reviewing Gran Destino - for my own (potentially) selfish reasons.

I'm glad I stayed too and hope my pics and comments help in your decision process.

Few quick comments-
I am so going to miss that Christmas tree in the old Lobby.
I agree that Pepper Market looked better before and love hearing and seeing your take on Coronado.

And, I LOVE that shirt you have on!! Great pic of you & Woody.

Em gets credit for the shirt.....she gave it to me for Christmas.

 

[Zipadeelady]

In case you're unaware, Gran Destino Tower is not DVC. The Riviera at CBR will be DVC.

UGH! How are you right all the time!!

I did mean the The Riviera. I got them mixed up. Dang it.

 

[Nunu]

Thank you for your GDT room pictures, you know I wanted to see those. I like the rooms' sleek decor and functionality. Also how spacious they are.

And about those high-tech elevators... at first, I'd be confused too!

 

[Tuvalu]

I'm a big fan of Coronado. You mentioned it's size as a downside, but it's something I've always enjoyed about it. I love just walking around the grounds. I think that size and scope contributes to it feeling like it's own little world, as you noted.

What I love about Disney resorts is there is a style to please just about everyone. What is a negative for one guest is a positive for another. That’s why there is never a correct answer to “What is the best Disney resort?” or “Is ____ resort worth it?” Everyone has their own opinion and all are valid.

Loving your review! Haven’t been a fan of CSR but we might have to try the new tower!

We enjoyed it very much!

I am loving your pictures it looks a lot nicer than I was expecting I am not sure why, I need that lobby art in my house it's right up my street.

It was a lot nicer than I expected too. As for the lobby art, I’m pretty sure it’s bolted to the wall!

 

[Tuvalu]

Rainfall shower heads are not my thing either, not nearly enough water pressure to get shampoo or conditioner out of my ridiculously thick hair. Lol

It takes too long to get shampoo and conditioner out of my hair with those... I like a good water beat down!

Same! Light water and longer thick hair do not go well together!

Rest assured even those of us with thin hair suffer the same problems with rainfall shower heads

I have really fine hair... but I have lots of it... even if it is turning gray, and the grays are BOINGY!

Whoops!! I did not intend for the rainfall shower head to become the next !

 

[MinnieM123]

Whoops!! I did not intend for the rainfall shower head to become the next !

We're a tough crowd.

 

[Tuvalu]

We have these elevators at work. It's amazing how many people get stumped by them.

The ones at work are designed to be by person not by party. So they want us to go through the floor selection once for each person in our party. We almost never do lol

By person, not party? That makes no sense to me at all!

Also, people would get impatient waiting for their elevator, so they would push their floor number again and would be assigned a different elevator bank. So then two elevators would show up for the same floor.

That sounds about right.

Sorry I missed you there! DW and I had dinner at Toledo that Saturday you checked in. The views all around the Grand Destino tower was pretty cool from up there. Got great pics of Galaxy's Edge while up there.

Bummer! Would have been nice to meet you and your DW.

And about those high-tech elevators... at first, I'd be confused too!

Et Tu, Nunu?

 

[Nunu]

Et Tu, Nunu?

Me quoque, I'm afraid!

 

[AKemily]

But at least I never entered an elevator without selecting the floor first! Several times we had guests walk into our open elevator and become befuddled when there were no buttons to push. Eventually I ended up asking guests who boarded if they had selected their floor outside the elevator.

Free entertainment at Disney?

 

[monykalyn]

The rooms do look pretty. CSR was a favorite (as was CBR) for the ambiance of strolling around the lake. Size was irrelevant to me, preferred less people per square inch feeling

Woody likened the Tower to a Vegas hotel, minus the casino. The similarity is there, but inside it is more sedate and much less active than a Vegas hotel. (That was a concern of yours @monykalyn, wasn’t it?)

A passerby offered to take a picture of us.

Pretty picture of you guys. But the background could be...Vegas Except for the cool shirt, and that makes it a great picture! And I like the ties Woody found...may have to take some time to shop for Christmas for DH next week -on my 1 1/2 day dash over from Halloween Horror Nights...and I think the Yeti got a job over there so you were safe in your tower
I’m thinking I dislike the outside so much as it’s not familiar to me. May have to stay and give it a chance!

 

[MoragL]

I’m so sorry the server upset your son. ☹


Mine are Teva. Em’s are Chacos. I also don’t like the toe piece and the Chacos footbed is very stiff compared to Teva. The Teva footbed has more “give” and flexibility. It also has good support and is real comfortable.


Me too!

Absolutely love my Teva's. Had them for 6 years and still going strong. They have survived 3 Disney trips so far.

 

[disneyworlddad]

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Dream Friend Minnie is almost as cute as Dream Friend Figment!!

Woody liked these ties, especially the monorail one. Too bad he has no real need for ties anymore.

We bought Dream Friend Minnie for our DD (2) when we had our big family trip back in July/Aug. She calls it Big Mimmie (her way of saying Minnie) because she has two or three other small plush Minne Mouses. Big Mimmie usually stays in her crib but sometimes she has to carry her all over the house or eat breakfast with us.

 

[MegRuss626]

We bought Dream Friend Minnie for our DD (2) when we had our big family trip back in July/Aug. She calls it Big Mimmie (her way of saying Minnie) because she has two or three other small plush Minne Mouses. Big Mimmie usually stays in her crib but sometimes she has to carry her all over the house or eat breakfast with us.

My 2 year old daughter calls Minnie “Mimmie” too!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, con’t

After settling in our room, it was time to head back out again! While on the way to our destination I felt compelled to take a picture of the Toy Story 4 monorail. I’m sure I had a good reason at the time. If I could only remember what it was.....

Like a moth to a flame, I was drawn back to WL.....but only for dinner this time!

Woody had been listening to me and Em sing the praises of Burnt Ends Nachos for the last two months and he needed to find out what all the fuss was about!

(He did not complain about the “missing” Christmas Tree which would normally be behind him. )

A hungry crowd had begun to gather at the entrance to our dining locale.

Of course when the CMs at check-in realized that Shirley had arrived, they cleared the dining room.

Our server introduced himself as “Señor Dusty Trail”. We thought we’d be in for a fun meal with playful banter but that was not the case. In fact the entire restaurant was shenanigan-free except for the ketchup schtick. I miss the humorous interaction of the servers with the guests (and the servers with each other). Clearly I am in the minority.

Dusty took our drink order while we looked over the menu.

“All you can eat skillets. All you can drink shakes. This menu is an homage to gluttony!” Woody declared.

He was kidding of course.

“Does this mean you want to share the nachos?” I winked.

Of course not. He wanted his own!

One picture but two orders.

Our nachos served as both appetizer and entrée. Woody agreed they lived up to the hype.

Dessert would be shared. The molten chocolate cake, topped with vanilla ice cream, would be too rich for one with a belly full of nachos!

Apparently it was too rich for two!

We tried. We really did.

I pushed myself away from the table. “Wanna go browse the gift store?” I asked.

Woody took me up on my suggestion.

 

[Disney Loving Swede]

My 2 year old daughter calls Minnie “Mimmie” too!!

Your kids are just calling her by her Swedish name.... she's Mimmi in Swedish

 

[Tuvalu]

It was August 24th.

The “unofficial” end of summer (Labor Day) was over a week away.

The “official” end of summer (fall equinox) was still a month away.

I knew that MNSSHPs had started, but I was still taken aback by the displays at the entrance to the WL Mercantile.

I guess I should be thankful it wasn’t Christmas merchandise!

How many colors can Disney make into a “thing”??!!

(And why Imagination Pink? Figment is not pink. The vehicles in his ride are red. I don’t get it!)

However color trends must change quickly because now it’s “Arendelle Aqua”. I kid you not.

(Clearly I am in the minority. Again.)

Woody was starting to fade and given the choice would likely have returned to CSR for the night. But we had MK fastpasses and he knew how hard it would be for me to relinquish them. Our unspoken compromise was to go to the park for just a little while, use the FPs, then leave. Using WL transportation would get us there fastest. I thought a boat ride at sunset would be more romantic than the bus ride.

I was delighted when a small boat pulled up! Usually the bigger boats make the run to MK (and the bigger boats are not nearly as romantic.)

What a wonderful cruise!

 

[MegRuss626]

It was August 24th.

The “unofficial” end of summer (Labor Day) was over a week away.

The “official” end of summer (fall equinox) was still a month away.

I knew that MNSSHPs had started, but I was still taken aback by the displays at the entrance to the WL Mercantile.

View attachment 409629

View attachment 409628

I guess I should be thankful it wasn’t Christmas merchandise!

How many colors can Disney make into a “thing”??!!

View attachment 409630
(And why Imagination Pink? Figment is not pink. The vehicles in his ride are red. I don’t get it!)

However color trends must change quickly because now it’s “Arendelle Aqua”. I kid you not.

View attachment 409645
(Clearly I am in the minority. Again.)

Woody was starting to fade and given the choice would likely have returned to CSR for the night. But we had MK fastpasses and he knew how hard it would be for me to relinquish them. Our unspoken compromise was to go to the park for just a little while, use the FPs, then leave. Using WL transportation would get us there fastest. I thought a boat ride at sunset would be more romantic than the bus ride.

View attachment 409631

I was delighted when a small boat pulled up! Usually the bigger boats make the run to MK (and the bigger boats are not nearly as romantic.)

View attachment 409632

What a wonderful cruise!

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I don’t get all the “colors” either but some of that Arendelle aqua merch