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.

 

[Tuvalu]

Thursday, con’t

Stink bug crisis over, we talked about what to do with our “free evening.”

“I’m happy to do resort stuff,” Em said. “That’s one of the benefits of upgrading to stay here.”

“Then let’s start with a boat ride and check out the construction on the Ft. Wilderness DVC,” I replied.

We went to the dock to board the launch to the Fort. The geyser was spewing so it must have been 6 o’clock.

The launch did not get too close to shore, but we got a good view of the site. To think, 50 years ago I was playing at River Country on the same land!

 

[Tuvalu]

Oh poor Em! Hope the stain came out of her shirt!

What she was unable to do at WL her Stainmaster Mama was able to eradicate at home.

 

[mysto]

Thanks for the pictures of the new resort Tuvalu. The River Country / Discovery Island combo really was a special thing, we still have our memories.

You get little hints of it at AK, but it's too much theme park and not enough zoo IMO.

 

[mysto]

There are some hints at the water parks too, but again too much theme park not enough swimming hole.

 

[Baloo124]

A stern CM was there attempting to keep guests from standing in front of the windows for too long. And by too long, I mean longer than 10 seconds.

This CM sounds like a teacher I had back in elementary school, who would count to 3, quickly, as each student in the water fountain line after recess got their turn to drink before having to move along. What a fun experience that was on hot days.

 

[MinnieM123]

“I’m happy to do resort stuff,” Em said. “That’s one of the benefits of upgrading to stay here.”

“Then let’s start with a boat ride and check out the construction on the Ft. Wilderness DVC,” I replied.

Leave it to you and Em, to find a fun sight-seeing adventure on your "free evening"!

I haven't really been following the construction news about Ft. Wilderness DVC, but your photos were an eye-opener. Thanks for sharing those. Looks like a much larger footprint than I expected, over there on the island. (As for your experience years ago at River Country, I was glad to hear that you enjoyed it. I've never been, but have read many happy reviews from forum members who did.)

 

[Tuvalu]

Thursday, con’t

We did not disembark at Ft. Wilderness.

We used to - back in the years pre-Covid, when Trails End was a buffet that was the best value of any restaurant on property.

Sigh.

Em took our picture before the next leg.

The launch continued on to the Contemporary where we did disembark. Took the escalator to the 4th floor and dined in the café again.

Did not take a food pic because I had one from Tuesday.

Yep, we shared the hot turkey sandwich again. (It’s that good!) Except this time we chose potato chips instead of fries.

We hung out on our balcony reading and people watching until dark. @Captain Barbossa, we did not get a visit from our balcony friend this trip.

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, April 10

It was our last day and Em intentionally selected this shirt to wear (as @Tiggerish and @littleroo commented when I was live reporting.)

What’s the saying? Don’t be sad that it’s over, be happy for the memories you made? Well we made some great memories today!

So many things worked in our favor that I will try to remember to share them all. Truthfully, every day of this vacation had countless blessings that when trying to pick our favorite vacation day (a tradition we do on the way home) we couldn’t.

This morning the DHS bus arrived the moment we got to the bus stop and we were in the park in time for 8:30 am early entry.

We headed for MMRR and were assigned our fave location in the train.

Someday I won’t forget where the camera is when taking a selfie. (Hopefully.)

Mickey and Minnie have been MIA in this scene and I was happy to see them back!

We also got to hear Daisy’s wicked witch cackle, @ajrwdwgirl!

 

[Tuvalu]

Early entry was nearing its end when we reached Sunset Blvd., and the CMs insisted all guests wait in the same line for RnRC.

We stood stationery for 5 minutes which I thought was unfair, seeing that we were resort guests and should have had priority access over the others in line.

Once the line began to move it was a controlled move by the CMs - so that was a positive.

We waited 30 minutes which was the shortest standby time for the rest of the day.

I am excited to see how the Muppets will be incorporated into the pre-show. (I’ll never see how they are incorporated into the ride - even watching a POV will make me .)

I let Em take the fast car.

But even as a walker I received celebrity #ShirleyStatus - I got to walk the full length of the red carpet!

Who filled the drum with popcorn?!!

I see it is churro flavored. Must be someone from west coast Disney!

 

[Tuvalu]

Disney got extra money from us today, as we decided LLMP was worth our investment.

Our next attraction proved our choice was a wise one.

Took us less than a minute to reach the lobby.

Not sure when the glowing embers effect in the basement returned, but it was nice to see it.

I let Em go solo again.

 

[cgersic]

What she was unable to do at WL her Stainmaster Mama was able to eradicate at home.

My momma was a stain master too!

 

[lindawdw]

I'm the stain master in our family also!  I love that you chose to have a resort/boat ride night! Glad you were able to walk through RNRC with Em before they do the makeover to Muppets which is something I'm hoping to do next week also! Wow, the TOT line really filled up fast after park open.

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, con’t

Time to play with toys!

There were several people ahead of us waiting to scan in for the TSM Lightning Lane. They tapped, light turned green and in. The remaining guest - a non-English speaking teen - showed the CM his ticket. She pointed to the touch point and of course the light turned blue! She stopped him as he began to move forward and then using sign language, tried to direct him to the standby line.

I think he may have been playing ignorant as he then left the area completely.

Our touch point turned green and we headed inside. Ten minutes later we were prepared to shoot.

It was a close match!

I'll take Best in Vehicle, thank you very much!

(My bragging rights were short-lived when I noticed the scores below me! )

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Friday, April 10

It was our last day and Em intentionally selected this shirt to wear (as @Tiggerish and @littleroo commented when I was live reporting.)

View attachment 856513

What’s the saying? Don’t be sad that it’s over, be happy for the memories you made? Well we made some great memories today!

So many things worked in our favor that I will try to remember to share them all. Truthfully, every day of this vacation had countless blessings that when trying to pick our favorite vacation day (a tradition we do on the way home) we couldn’t.

This morning the DHS bus arrived the moment we got to the bus stop and we were in the park in time for 8:30 am early entry.

We headed for MMRR and were assigned our fave location in the train.

View attachment 856514
Someday I won’t forget where the camera is when taking a selfie. (Hopefully.)

Mickey and Minnie have been MIA in this scene and I was happy to see them back!

View attachment 856515

We also got to hear Daisy’s wicked witch cackle, @ajrwdwgirl!

I got to hear the cackle when I was there a couple weeks ago. It was nice to hear, I don't hear it on the Disneyland version.

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, con’t

We decided to visit Muppetvision 3D. We used the restrooms in Toy Story Land and thought cutting through Galaxy’s Edge would be the quickest route.

And oh, how quickly we walked through Galaxy’s Edge!

Here’s another example of how things worked in our favor today. RotR had been down since park opening. As we entered the land, there seemed to be a sense of urgency among many guests. Em and I hadn’t planned on doing Rise, but unbeknownst to me she had been keeping tabs on the app - and Rise was open! We hurried to join the queue and waited just under 30 minutes (standby was at 75 minutes when we exited.)

We got up close and personal with Bek.

Encountered Stormtroopers.

Were interrogated by Steve Urkel. (Seriously, this guy was a dead ringer and was hilarious!)

And escaped the First Order.

All effects worked but the cannons and Kylo was in B-mode. Still a very fun ride!

 

[Tuvalu]

Then it was back to Toy Story Land for LL#3.

I was giddy to sit right in front, it’s my favorite!

Sing it, Wheezy!

 

[Tuvalu]

Em was wearing the perfect shirt for lunch.

Although this building may become a quick service restaurant in Monstropolis, even if it serves the same pizza it won’t be the same for us. The clever Muppet theming is what sold us on Day 1.

We’ll never forget the Banquet Hall and its kitschy wedding reception music, complete with dance floor and disco ball! For years this was our preferred location.

Then we discovered how delightful it was to sit outside on the upper deck when the weather was cooler.

We regretted not dining al fresco today when we went out on the deck after we’d finished eating.

Our current default has been the upstairs booths with the checkered tablecloths. It’s quiet and we’re older now!

I was especially sad because my last meal was not a veggie pizza.

The purse carrots were expired and went in the trash!

 

[Tuvalu]

Sad experience #2.

For Em at least. I am hoping to catch one more show!

Perhaps the curtain will be fixed before then?

We laughed. We cried (inside). Em said goodbye.

We shopped the stores on Hollywood Blvd. on our way out. Em bought a Gertie mug she had seen online.

Quality control must be slipping. Em noticed this shirt on a rack, hung with others with the correct theme park location!

 

[93boomer]

Sad experience #2.

View attachment 856663

For Em at least. I am hoping to catch one more show!

Perhaps the curtain will be fixed before then?

View attachment 856664

View attachment 856665

We laughed. We cried (inside). Em said goodbye.

We shopped the stores on Hollywood Blvd. on our way out. Em bought a Gertie mug she had seen online.

View attachment 856668

Quality control must be slipping. Em noticed this shirt on a rack, hung with others with the correct theme park location!

View attachment 856666

 

[lindawdw]

Glad that Em got once last chance at Pizzerizzo! It sure seems like everything is going your way this day!!! I love those days in the parks.