Trip Report Tu in ‘25 *Live-ish*

Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Tu in ‘25

These lyrics came to mind when I thought about my trip reporting. (I also thought, Here we go AGAIN but the above sounds much more poignant.) It’s now that time of year when my Disney trips are frequent. And this Disney Senior loves sharing her visits with y’all because your engagement makes it fun!

Yes, there will be stuff that’s the same. Yes, there will be surprises (too soon for the reveals). And yes, there will be sun rises!

Spring break countdown is at 4 days.

Since this intro needs a picture, here are Tu.

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, con't

Things continued to go our way - the Wilderness Lodge bus was at the gate when we got to the station. We were also dropped off first, since the DHS route is shared with the Contemporary.

Tu and Em - it's the warmest day of the week. What'cha gonna do now?

Spend a couple hours at the pool, of course! Mostly in the water.

A lifeguard was handing out grapes to those reclining on the pool deck. Free snack? Sign me up.

 

[Tuvalu]

Spring break pool relaxation had come to an end. Before leaving home we had hoped for two opportunities to go to the pool. We got four!

We took showers and did some packing before taking the boat to MK one last time.

‘Twas a little windy on the water!

I had stacked 3 LLs (and got a 4th later). We used the first immediately.

Preemptive pic if our ride photo didn’t show up. (It didn’t.)

Heere’s Johnny!

(Not many will get the joke. But cool old people will!)

We had some time until our next LL so we went to Pecos Bill for some grub. Em found a table while I waited for our mobile order.

Yet again, confusion reigned in order fulfillment.

I eventually got our food though it took much longer than it should have. Again.

 

[Tuvalu]

Heck, we were right next door! Why not?

Em’s favorite part of the show. She laughs EVERY TIME.

Upon exiting, we overheard a man say to his wife, “Where can we get the Country Bear soundtrack?”

Disney, are you listening?

 

[Tuvalu]

LL #5.

Huzzah! Our doom buggy stopped above the ballroom.

Playful spooks must have caught Em’s attention. Very rarely does she NOT nail the ride photo!

 

[Tuvalu]

LL #6.

“Hang on, Piglet!”
“It’s a very big waterfall!”

Silly old bear.

 

[Tuvalu]

LL #7.

Life is the bubbles!

Proof I can’t wave and take a picture at the same time.

We did get our money’s worth from LLMP. There were other attractions still available after Little Mermaid, but all of them were a couple hours out (park was open until 11 pm). We were content with our 7!

In total, we had completed 12 attractions again!

 

[93boomer]

Spring break pool relaxation had come to an end. Before leaving home we had hoped for two opportunities to go to the pool. We got four!

We took showers and did some packing before taking the boat to MK one last time.

View attachment 856734

‘Twas a little windy on the water!

View attachment 856735

I had stacked 3 LLs (and got a 4th later). We used the first immediately.

View attachment 856736

Preemptive pic if our ride photo didn’t show up. (It didn’t.)

View attachment 856747

Heere’s Johnny!

View attachment 856737
(Not many will get the joke. But cool old people will!)

We had some time until our next LL so we went to Pecos Bill for some grub. Em found a table while I waited for our mobile order.

View attachment 856738

Yet again, confusion reigned in order fulfillment.

View attachment 856739

I eventually got our food though it took much longer than it should have. Again.

View attachment 856740

Woo hoo I’m a cool old person

 

[donaldtoo]

Spring break pool relaxation had come to an end. Before leaving home we had hoped for two opportunities to go to the pool. We got four!

We took showers and did some packing before taking the boat to MK one last time.

View attachment 856734

‘Twas a little windy on the water!

View attachment 856735

I had stacked 3 LLs (and got a 4th later). We used the first immediately.

View attachment 856736

Preemptive pic if our ride photo didn’t show up. (It didn’t.)

View attachment 856747

Heere’s Johnny!

View attachment 856737
(Not many will get the joke. But cool old people will!)

We had some time until our next LL so we went to Pecos Bill for some grub. Em found a table while I waited for our mobile order.

View attachment 856738

Yet again, confusion reigned in order fulfillment.

View attachment 856739

I eventually got our food though it took much longer than it should have. Again.

View attachment 856740

My 62-year-old self completely gets the “Heere’s Johnny!” reference…I wish I had $10 for every time I saw that show…!!!!!

I’m really gonna’ miss the Taco Trio from Pecos Bill, as that was always my go-to. Was always pretty darn good…even for a true Texan like myself…!!!

 

[littleroo]

 

[littleroo]

 

[Minnie1986]

Wednesday, April 9

It was wonderful to see the sun this morning after yesterday’s rain.

View attachment 855086

We couldn’t have asked for better weather this day. Lots of sunshine, no humidity and a slight breeze made our (record breaking?) 5 hours at Animal Kingdom simply delightful!

Early entry began at 7:30 am but we had no plans to be among the first in the park. We left our room at 7:50 for the projected bus arrival of 8:06. The bus actually arrived at 7:58 and departed for AK at 8:03! Another early bus arrival, @Minnie1986!

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This is where we went first.

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Not Flight of Passage. I can’t ride without motion sickness and Em had no interest in waiting an hour for it. Instead we went to Na’vi River Journey, which had a 10 minute wait!

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I was shocked the wait was so low, considering the park had been open for an hour for resort guests. But soon we would learn why. CMs insisted on 4 guests in each row, which was an awkward and uncomfortably tight squeeze with strangers! And the boats were being dispatched as quickly as possible - making our journey along the river feel like we were stuck in the last room of IASW.

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To top it off, the Shaman was in B-Mode….on screen instead of an immersive AA. (Look closely or you’ll miss it!)

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Boo to the Na'vi squeeze in and B mode Shaman, but HOORAY for another early bus arrival!

 

[Minnie1986]

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The outdoor extended queue was in use which was completely unnecessary.

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Fifteen minutes later we were in the round holding room. We waited in here the longest as many LL guests were allowed through.

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Yet when Em and I were allowed into the preshow theater only a handful of guests were with us. Both doors to the theater remained open as the film with Dr. Seeker and Dr. Marsh played. It was odd.

As we left the theater, a CM told all of us to wait where we were. We noticed that guests who had exited the other theater before us were being held back as well.

Did we break another ride, @Tony the Tigger?

Em and I were very close to the CM who had charge over us. We were able to overhear a conversation between him and another CM who had just come from the load area. Seem the delay we were experiencing was due to some idiot who wanted a souvenir.

This:

View attachment 855307

Said idiot, according to the CM, had a screwdriver and removed the safety sign from the Time Rover. This required the vehicle to be taken out of service and removed from the track.

Thankfully the delay wasn't much longer and Em and I boarded our Time Rover for the last time(?)

View attachment 855280

And what a ride it was! Most effects were in great shape and the lighting had been improved to pristine status. Well done, Disney!

Some people really shouldn't be allowed to engage with the general public...

 

[Minnie1986]

Since this was Em’s spring break trip I wanted her to pick our lunch location.

It wouldn’t have been my first pick (@93boomer) but for ambience alone it was a winner!

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It was a perfect al fresco dining day. Though all the dining areas at Flame Tree BBQ are outdoors, they are not all created equal.

The pavilion closest to the food ordering/pick up may be convenient, but it’s not at all picturesque. And it was the most crowded.

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Uncovered seating by the pond is picturesque, but direct sunlight while eating? No thank you.

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We walked a little further and chose the anteater pavilion.

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Each pavilion is themed. This one was very quiet, right on the water and had a great view of Everest.

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We timed the dispatch of the trains while watching them ascend the lift hill. You would have thought I’d put it in my notes.

Both of us had the slow-smoked half chicken. Paprika was the dominant spice. Since we live in an area with excellent barbecue (real wood smoked, not dependent on paprika) the chicken was nothing special. We asked to substitute the baked beans and cole slaw sides for fries. “It will cost a few dollars more,” the CM at the register said.

Fine. Another way for Disney to make money. Swap two sides for one side and charge more.

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We lingered at lunch for an extended time.
“It’s one of the six days a year when it is comfortable to sit here,” commented Em.

And relaxing. Very relaxing.

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Who wants to stand in these lines?

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Oh, how I love and miss Flame Tree BBQ; S still talks about the pulled pork and mac and cheese.

 

[Tuvalu]

I’m really gonna’ miss the Taco Trio from Pecos Bill, as that was always my go-to. Was always pretty darn good…even for a true Texan like myself…!!!

The Taco Trio was the best! But the create-your-own bowl was tasty enough for me to have it twice this trip! You know what other PB offering I miss? The warm powdered cinnamon-sugar donut holes. I always had one BEFORE my Taco Trio!

I will never forget jumping out of my seat at the movie theater when this happened!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, con’t

We had our first encounter with a bathroom creeper.

I didn’t think negatively when we entered the women’s restroom adjacent to the Cheshire Café. I assumed the 50-something man was waiting for his mother/wife/child and he was standing oddly close to the doorway in case she needed assistance.

But the only women in the restroom were two ladies at the sinks and they had departed when Em and I washed our hands. The man had moved closer inside and I took a quick pic for safety.

Neither Em nor I was interested in engaging with this man, so we stood side by side and quickly walked past him. His behavior was truly bizarre.

We kept walking at a brisk pace until we reached the hub. We made a stop in the Confectionery for take-home treats and headed out.

Em’s countdown is at 37 days.
Mine is a little shorter than hers.


Okay a lot shorter.

 

[meggo819]

Em’s countdown is at 37 days.

Ooh, mine is 36 days. I’ll have to keep an eye out in hopes of getting a Tuvalu card

 

[littleroo]

On a better note... have a magical time and, as always, I look forward to reading the next TR.

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, May 3

My Texas breakfast, @donaldtoo!

 

[donaldtoo]

Saturday, May 3

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My Texas breakfast, @donaldtoo!

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Oh, you know I completely and totally approve…long live Buc-ee’s…!!!!!!!
And, have another great trip…!!!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Palm trees may look a little sad, but I’m not!