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.

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Minnie1986

Minnie1986

Well-Known Member
Tuvalu said:
IRL

We’ve been on the road for almost 6 hours, some of it through construction and torrential rain. Under ideal conditions we are about 2 hours from home. Heavy rain is in our future based on radar.

The temperature has dropped 25 degrees and apparently we missed a 4.1 earthquake at 9 am this morning!

View attachment 857992
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Hope you guys get home safely!
 
Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Friday, con’t

We could not believe our good fortune of securing two pool loungers - under an umbrella, no less! - in early afternoon. The Courtyard pool (the larger of the two pools) is woefully lacking chairs. A bunch of loungers have been removed and not replaced. (Why???!!)

IMG_6837.jpeg

This mama duck was followed by four more ducklings than shown in the pic!

Relaxing at the pool was the best way to spend our last several hours at the GF.
 
Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
In keeping with the “being resorty” theme, I booked a last-minute reservation at the Grand Floridian Cafe.

Storms were in the forecast and it made sense to stay close to home rather than venture out to a park, another resort or Disney Springs (she laughs!)

“I hope you won’t mind a long walk to your table,” the host said - and in my naivety believed we were getting one of the quiet tables in the round room in the back of the restaurant.

IMG_6838.jpeg


“That’s a joke,” the host said sarcastically, placing our menus down on the very first table in the restaurant which may as well have been in the lobby, thanks to the lack of privacy and noise.

IMG_6839.jpeg


The table came with a bonus view of the 850 strollers (the majority of them double-wides) parked outside for patrons of 1900 Park Fare.

IMG_6840.jpeg


Our server couldn’t have been less interested in us. I have seen him at GFC before, so he’s experienced, but his attitude screamed, “I’m too good for this job.”

If waiting tables is beneath you, perhaps you are in the wrong job.

Since the restaurant no longer has busboys (an outdated term, I know) water glasses do not get refilled. And when one is only drinking water (and is trying to stay hydrated to help with recovery), prompt refills are not just appreciated but necessary.

I should not have to wave my arms frantically after 10 minutes of waiting for our server to reappear from the kitchen. (And then took his time returning with the water pitcher!)

Now the food.

IMG_6843.jpeg


I was duped into believing the rolls would be warm, since they were wrapped in a napkin. They weren’t and were meh.

Thanks to @Tony the Tigger ’s review, Woody ordered the pork shank and creamy polenta. This dish was wonderful and I should have ordered the same.

IMG_6844.jpeg


Instead I went with the chicken, which I’ve had before, except without the warm bacon au jus (which I did not care for last time.)

IMG_6845.jpeg


I’m not sure what the “loaded smashed potatoes” were loaded with. It certainly wasn’t flavor.

(Feel free to insert snarky comment about ordering the wrong dish, Tony. I deserve it!)
 
Tony the Tigger

Tony the Tigger

Well-Known Member
Tuvalu said:
In keeping with the “being resorty” theme, I booked a last-minute reservation at the Grand Floridian Cafe.

Storms were in the forecast and it made sense to stay close to home rather than venture out to a park, another resort or Disney Springs (she laughs!)

“I hope you won’t mind a long walk to your table,” the host said - and in my naivety believed we were getting one of the quiet tables in the round room in the back of the restaurant.

View attachment 858010

“That’s a joke,” the host said sarcastically, placing our menus down on the very first table in the restaurant which may as well have been in the lobby, thanks to the lack of privacy and noise.

View attachment 858011

The table came with a bonus view of the 850 strollers (the majority of them double-wides) parked outside for patrons of 1900 Park Fare.

View attachment 858012

Our server couldn’t have been less interested in us. I have seen him at GFC before, so he’s experienced, but his attitude screamed, “I’m too good for this job.”

If waiting tables is beneath you, perhaps you are in the wrong job.

Since the restaurant no longer has busboys (an outdated term, I know) water glasses do not get refilled. And when one is only drinking water (and is trying to stay hydrated to help with recovery), prompt refills are not just appreciated but necessary.

I should not have to wave my arms frantically after 10 minutes of waiting for our server to reappear from the kitchen. (And then took his time returning with the water pitcher!)

Now the food.

View attachment 858013

I was duped into believing the rolls would be warm, since they were wrapped in a napkin. They weren’t and were meh.

Thanks to @Tony the Tigger ’s review, Woody ordered the pork shank and creamy polenta. This dish was wonderful and I should have ordered the same.

View attachment 858014

Instead I went with the chicken, which I’ve had before, except without the warm bacon au jus (which I did not care for last time.)

View attachment 858015

I’m not sure what the “loaded smashed potatoes” were loaded with. It certainly wasn’t flavor.

(Feel free to insert snarky comment about ordering the wrong dish, Tony. I deserve it!)
Click to expand...
We had the opposite experience there (at closing time, no less!) Water refilled, attentiveness, warmth. I don’t remember our server’s name, but she was great.

Brian ordered the same chicken and enjoyed it! (You know I tasted some.)

Maybe you should have asked for some ketchup?

KETCHUP!!!

Oops, wrong restaurant. 🤭

Happy Mother’s Day Tu Yu!

I am repacking the Disney laundry I just washed, to get to the airport by 5:30AM to fly to…Atlanta! (Sheesh, you guys could have dropped me off today. 😉)

Planning next trips…are you winning the challenge so far? 🥳
 
pkkurz

pkkurz

Well-Known Member
Was it the
Tuvalu said:
In keeping with the “being resorty” theme, I booked a last-minute reservation at the Grand Floridian Cafe.

Storms were in the forecast and it made sense to stay close to home rather than venture out to a park, another resort or Disney Springs (she laughs!)

“I hope you won’t mind a long walk to your table,” the host said - and in my naivety believed we were getting one of the quiet tables in the round room in the back of the restaurant.

View attachment 858010

“That’s a joke,” the host said sarcastically, placing our menus down on the very first table in the restaurant which may as well have been in the lobby, thanks to the lack of privacy and noise.

View attachment 858011

The table came with a bonus view of the 850 strollers (the majority of them double-wides) parked outside for patrons of 1900 Park Fare.

View attachment 858012

Our server couldn’t have been less interested in us. I have seen him at GFC before, so he’s experienced, but his attitude screamed, “I’m too good for this job.”

If waiting tables is beneath you, perhaps you are in the wrong job.

Since the restaurant no longer has busboys (an outdated term, I know) water glasses do not get refilled. And when one is only drinking water (and is trying to stay hydrated to help with recovery), prompt refills are not just appreciated but necessary.

I should not have to wave my arms frantically after 10 minutes of waiting for our server to reappear from the kitchen. (And then took his time returning with the water pitcher!)

Now the food.

View attachment 858013

I was duped into believing the rolls would be warm, since they were wrapped in a napkin. They weren’t and were meh.

Thanks to @Tony the Tigger ’s review, Woody ordered the pork shank and creamy polenta. This dish was wonderful and I should have ordered the same.

View attachment 858014

Instead I went with the chicken, which I’ve had before, except without the warm bacon au jus (which I did not care for last time.)

View attachment 858015

I’m not sure what the “loaded smashed potatoes” were loaded with. It certainly wasn’t flavor.

(Feel free to insert snarky comment about ordering the wrong dish, Tony. I deserve it!)
Click to expand...

Tuvalu said:
In keeping with the “being resorty” theme, I booked a last-minute reservation at the Grand Floridian Cafe.

Storms were in the forecast and it made sense to stay close to home rather than venture out to a park, another resort or Disney Springs (she laughs!)

“I hope you won’t mind a long walk to your table,” the host said - and in my naivety believed we were getting one of the quiet tables in the round room in the back of the restaurant.

View attachment 858010

“That’s a joke,” the host said sarcastically, placing our menus down on the very first table in the restaurant which may as well have been in the lobby, thanks to the lack of privacy and noise.

View attachment 858011

The table came with a bonus view of the 850 strollers (the majority of them double-wides) parked outside for patrons of 1900 Park Fare.

View attachment 858012

Our server couldn’t have been less interested in us. I have seen him at GFC before, so he’s experienced, but his attitude screamed, “I’m too good for this job.”

If waiting tables is beneath you, perhaps you are in the wrong job.

Since the restaurant no longer has busboys (an outdated term, I know) water glasses do not get refilled. And when one is only drinking water (and is trying to stay hydrated to help with recovery), prompt refills are not just appreciated but necessary.

I should not have to wave my arms frantically after 10 minutes of waiting for our server to reappear from the kitchen. (And then took his time returning with the water pitcher!)

Now the food.

View attachment 858013

I was duped into believing the rolls would be warm, since they were wrapped in a napkin. They weren’t and were meh.

Thanks to @Tony the Tigger ’s review, Woody ordered the pork shank and creamy polenta. This dish was wonderful and I should have ordered the same.

View attachment 858014

Instead I went with the chicken, which I’ve had before, except without the warm bacon au jus (which I did not care for last time.)

View attachment 858015

I’m not sure what the “loaded smashed potatoes” were loaded with. It certainly wasn’t flavor.

(Feel free to insert snarky comment about ordering the wrong dish, Tony. I deserve it!)
Click to expand...
Was he the scruffy looking almost bald guy that has been there forever? If so, he has waited on us a few times and as my Father-in-law used to say, “He is about as useful as tits on a tomcat.” 😂😂
 
93boomer

93boomer

Premium Member
Tuvalu said:
IRL

We’ve been on the road for almost 6 hours, some of it through construction and torrential rain. Under ideal conditions we are about 2 hours from home. Heavy rain is in our future based on radar.

The temperature has dropped 25 degrees and apparently we missed a 4.1 earthquake at 9 am this morning!

View attachment 857992
Click to expand...
We didn't feel the earthquake but we were driving at the time to Lowe's. My Mom did though.
Glad you got home safely.
Happy Mother's Day!!
 
lindawdw

lindawdw

Well-Known Member
Happy Belated Mother's Day Tuvalu!!! Once again, you are such a wonderful TR writer which is certainly not lost on us admiring readers. Your attention to detail is great along with your honesty about the good and the bad when things happen on vacation. I'm sorry you were feeling under the weather on this one but hopefully you'll be feeling healthy and excited for your next one this summer with Em! It was hot and humid on this trip versus most of our May Disney trips, but we certainly took advantage of our pool time as you did also. It's always a highlight of our trip to have our meetups and dinner together and I will look forward to the next one whenever that may be! I'm glad you made it home safely. Can't wait for your next live TR with Em!!!
GIF by LifeLine Animal Project
 
Rista1313

Rista1313

Well-Known Member

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