Trip Report Tu in ‘25

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.

 

[mpaulam]

I was dismayed to find that the WL/Ft. Wilderness stop had been moved to a different gate much further from the park entrance.

I have always wondered why they do this…
And I have the feeling that if anyone knows the answer, it’s you!

 

[Tuvalu]

So I was wondering if you have your total count broken down by every resort and how many total days you’ve been to Disney World? My wife and I were just talking and she was so impressed. She was wondering about your other Hotel stays.

I’ve kept a record since 1993 but had numerous stays from 1972-92.

It’s easier to list the WDW resorts where I have not stayed - Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Kidani Village, Art of Animation, Ft. Wilderness

As for total number of days I’ve been to Disney World? Only the Mouse knows for sure!

 

[Tuvalu]

I have always wondered why they do this…

To annoy me!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

To annoy me!

Sorry didn't mean to laugh but it would be annoying to have them move the stop.

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con’t

We did not come to Epcot to play - we came to eat!

I think being wet and cold for so long gave me a hankering for La Crêperie’s delicious potato soup! I was able to snag a last-minute reservation; however the place was not even half-full when we arrived. We could have walked up.

Of course we were seated practically on top of the table next to us. Why do restaurants insist on doing this when they are not busy? During the time we were there, there were always 4 servers hanging out at the check in desk with the host who did the actual check in. What poor show!

Despite having only two tables (ours and our neighbors) our server was s-l-o-w. She was very pleasant and very French, but I shouldn’t have had to catch her attention for a refill by holding up an empty water glass.

Thankfully the soup was hot and as satisfying as I remembered. Woody had the Savoyarde Galette (raclette cheese, caramelized onions, bacon and imported ham) and devoured it.

No meal at La Crêperie would be complete without dessert! I had informed Woody beforehand that I was getting the Gourmande (can we just call it what it is, a Nutella crêpe! ) and was not sharing. He ordered his own.

Props to the chef for the Mickey whipped cream!

 

[Tuvalu]

I had what I thought would be a fun idea. We could ride the Skyliner from Epcot to DHS and catch the WL bus there, rather than having to walk all the way back through Epcot and then to the new bus gate. The WL gate at DHS is very close to the Skyliner (thus saving our tired feet some steps).

We boarded at twilight for what we assumed would be a picturesque flight.

And it was pretty - thanks to lightning. Halfway to Riviera there was thunder, but no rain. We were forced to disembark at the Riviera and were told, “buses for ALL stops will be there.” There was no further information from the cast members (such as how to find the bus station) so we followed the crowd.

Having stayed at Riviera, we did know the way to the buses, but what about guests who did not? It truly was a “we don’t care, fend for yourselves” situation. As expected, the bus station was chaos - there were no CMs to assist and folks trying to get to Caribbean Beach, Pop and Art of Animation did not know which line to stand in, since there was not a designated “Skyliner Resorts” spot. Buses to MK and Epcot arrived and both filled quickly, but no DHS bus. We waited…and waited…and I became incredibly frustrated, wondering why the Skyliner hadn’t closed earlier with lightning nearby. We never would have boarded had we known there was a good chance it would shut down!

Woody went into “solve the problem with money” mode. He motioned for me to follow him to the front of the resort and ordered a Lyft.

It was money well spent. We were back at the Lodge in fifteen minutes.

 

[littleroo]

We ubered quite a bit this trip. It is an easy decision when one trip costs the same as one cocktail

 

[Tuvalu]

We ubered quite a bit this trip. It is an easy decision when one trip costs the same as one cocktail

Yeah I was hoping for one of those “fun transportation” nights that Em and I enjoy, but it was not meant to be!

 

[Swissmiss]

She was very pleasant and very French

but I shouldn’t have had to catch her attention for a refill by holding up an empty water glass.

The first part of your sentence explains why

 

[Minnie1986]

I had to shake my head over the avocado wrap! It is kind of hard to miss the main ingredient!

Or in this case "where's the avocado "?

That view is amazing!! Stunning!

 

[Tuvalu]

The first part of your sentence explains why

 

[Minnie1986]

I had what I thought would be a fun idea. We could ride the Skyliner from Epcot to DHS and catch the WL bus there, rather than having to walk all the way back through Epcot and then to the new bus gate. The WL gate at DHS is very close to the Skyliner (thus saving our tired feet some steps).

We boarded at twilight for what we assumed would be a picturesque flight.

View attachment 882617

And it was pretty - thanks to lightning. Halfway to Riviera there was thunder, but no rain. We were forced to disembark at the Riviera and were told, “buses for ALL stops will be there.” There was no further information from the cast members (such as how to find the bus station) so we followed the crowd.

Having stayed at Riviera, we did know the way to the buses, but what about guests who did not? It truly was a “we don’t care, fend for yourselves” situation. As expected, the bus station was chaos - there were no CMs to assist and folks trying to get to Caribbean Beach, Pop and Art of Animation did not know which line to stand in, since there was not a designated “Skyliner Resorts” spot. Buses to MK and Epcot arrived and both filled quickly, but no DHS bus. We waited…and waited…and I became incredibly frustrated, wondering why the Skyliner hadn’t closed earlier with lightning nearby. We never would have boarded had we known there was a good chance it would shut down!

Woody went into “solve the problem with money” mode. He motioned for me to follow him to the front of the resort and ordered a Lyft.

View attachment 882618

It was money well spent. We were back at the Lodge in fifteen minutes.

View attachment 882619

Woody to the rescue!

 

[Minnie1986]

We ubered quite a bit this trip. It is an easy decision when one trip costs the same as one cocktail

This is SO true

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, August 18

There would be no more magnificent sunrise pictures for the rest of the week (sorry, @littleroo.) Our room faced north and this was the best I could do.

Of course I had to stand to take that picture. Our view was great, but when seated on the balcony it was like being in an office cubicle made of Lincoln Logs!

We had a lazy start to the morning as it was a planned pool day. After a hearty breakfast in the club lounge, I went to set up our spot at Boulder Ridge Cove. Woody joined me a little later.

When I think about my “happy place” this is where my mind goes.

The pool was lightly attended today (perhaps because it was a Monday?) and there wasn’t a pool server so I walked over to Roaring Fork to pick up lunch. Woody and I shared a smoked turkey sandwich with house-made chips.

As we were eating, we heard loud “Ow! Ow! Ow!s” coming from a barefooted woman scurrying across the concrete pool deck.

“Why did Disney have to make this so hot?!!” she said nastily to her husband, as she plopped down into a chair.

Woody and I glanced at each other, trying not to laugh. Yeah, it’s Disney’s fault. Certainly not hers for forgetting grade-school science. Summer sun will bake concrete to the point of being “so hot, you can fry an egg on the sidewalk!”

We hung out at the pool until mid-afternoon. Clouds had begun to form and we did not want a repeat of getting caught in the rain!

However we did have a repeat of yesterday. Our room had not been serviced when we got there and the housekeeper was one door down. So for the second afternoon in a row, we “chilled” in wet swimwear in the club lounge.

 

[littleroo]

I love my "as the sun will rise" pictures!! Thank you my friend

Are you trying to tell me that you have to wear shoes on hot cement?? Who knew??? Disney better hang signs!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, con’t

It began to storm once we were back in our room and we took quick showers. We had considered going to MK for dinner but once we stopped by the lounge and saw the appetizers that plan got canceled!

Jars of my favorite smoked turkey salad. Pulled pork and tangy/sweet coleslaw. Crudités. Cheese and crackers. And all the wine we could drink. (Which for me is two glasses max.)

Woody and I ate until we were stuffed. And all the while it rained steadily outdoors. (So glad we didn’t go to MK!)

Skies began to clear at dusk.

About an hour later we returned to the lounge for desserts. @Tony the Tigger I thought of you and B!

What a great way to end the day!

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, August 19

The goal was to leave the room by 7am. MK early entry began at 7:30.

There would be no hot breakfast in the lounge as it did not open until 7. A concierge had given me a box yesterday in which I’d put a few mini pastries to nosh on this morning for breakfast.

We were on the dock right on time!

We must have just missed the first boat of the day. But another boat would arrive shortly, right?

We waited.

And waited.

And waited.

At 7:30, the small launch finally appeared.

A newbie was “earning his ears” which explained the extended delay. It took him several tries to park at the dock. The seasoned captain was instructing him on everything. While I appreciate everyone has to learn their job sometime, I would have preferred it not be at the expense of guests trying to get to early entry. The perk is only a measly 30 minutes as it is!

Time stamp 7:45.

It’s fall, y’all.

 

[Tuvalu]

Woody and I suspended reality and accepted the scarecrows, jack o’ lanterns and orange/yellow/white bunting from Town Square to the Castle hub. Truthfully, Magic Kingdom felt more festive with the fall/Halloween decorations, early as they were. After scanning in for early entry (with 8 minutes to go!) we headed to Arty Pooh. I was (happily) surprised to discover Fantasyland (and later, Frontierland) sporting fall decor also - new this year.

Contrary to the sign we only waited 10 minutes. In the load area we were assigned Row 1 and a mom with her teen son were assigned Row 2. She said to me, “Arty Pooh?”

I grinned and said, “Yes!”

She explained she is a lurker on the trip report forum. We didn’t have but a few seconds to chat before our hunny pot arrived. To my pot companion if you’re reading this - I appreciate your kindness, and am glad you had the courage to speak up. I love meeting forum peeps!

Upon leaving the Hundred Acre Woods, Woody and I battled the crowds towards Neverland.

 

[Tuvalu]

Whom were we visiting?

Oh yeah!

I wasn’t sure if we’d be able to fly because we did not get pixie dusted in the queue.

But thanks to the magic of Disney we flew.

And got to see Bill Cosby too.

While on our way to visit 999 Happy Spooks….

….we noticed no one in line and figured the attraction hadn’t opened yet.

Time to

 

[Tuvalu]

Scuttle had flown the coop again! What is wrong with that bird?

Sebastian was playing hide and seek.

Studio 54 was in full swing for us, @Tony the Tigger!

Ursula was her usual pleasant self.

But where’s the wave?

Oh, there it is!

Perhaps Woody waited because he was happy to see Scuttle’s return?