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]

I thought that post was going to end very badly, so I'm really happy to find out otherwise! Kitty kisses to Poly and so glad you are on the mend as well!

I was thinking the same and didn't want to keep scrolling....SOO glad for the happy endings

You had me worried there for a minute.... So happy Poly is going to be ok. Silly Cat.

I could never have gone into such detail for an unhappy ending. Sorry for any unintended angst!

You had my heart in my mouth there...so glad there's a resolution to Poly's behavior. We are having similar issues with our much-loved Rascal, who has taken lately to sitting and sleeping in strange places, and has lost his love of the outdoors...he is 13, so I fear that his sunset is approaching.

My sweetie had to go to urgent care today to get some relief from a stupendously bad year for allergies here in the Northeast...he came home with not only an antibiotic, but a steroid and an inhaler. My allergies are mild in comparison. Glad you are feeling better.

And hooray for Em! That is some serious dedication.

Both my grandmother and my mother had cats that lived to be 18. My optimism believes Rascal’s got at least 5 more years.

Pollen allergies have been brutal here in the south as well - the worst in decades! I am extremely sensitive to pollen so it’s no surprise I’ve had three sinus infections in the past four months. I hope your beloved has found relief.

 

[Tuvalu]

Tu, glad you're feeling better. That was concerning about Poly as well, but thank goodness she's on the mend now! And props to Em for taking care of things, while you were away at WDW.

So pleased you and Poly are feeling so much better now. Looking forward to your next WDW visit.

I am very sorry for you. The stress and anxiety for Poly was enough, but, not being on the correct antibiotic thereby slowing down recovery, then nausea, yikes!
I'm happy there were 2 happy outcomes.
Have an uneventful but lovely summer.

Thank you, my friend. An uneventful summer would be most welcome!

I’m glad that you’re both finally on the mend knowing how upset you were about Poly while we were at WDW! I’m sorry that you ended up having to take another antibiotic once home . Next Disney trip you need to be 100%.

I think Em deserves an extra week in in Disney this year

She’s happy about what is coming.

 

[Tuvalu]

Final Thoughts

May is typically a favorite vacation of ours. But this year the experience was more trip than vacation (and y’all know the difference .)

THE GOOD - Time with friends (@Nunu, @Tony the Tigger, @Figment Forever and @lindawdw) was a definite highlight. Fifteen years ago I never imagined having relationships with people I met on the internet!!! Being part of the community on this site has blessed me and I thank all of you for that.

Our room at the GF was perfect - location, view and amenities. We had a little trouble streaming on the TV a few times. While it is very convenient to be on the monorail line we often had to stand due to trains arriving full. Additionally, due to safety modifications and aging trains, time to get anywhere has increased substantially. This is a frustration for me as I remember the speedy, efficient monorails from days gone by.

The quality/taste of quick service meals continues to surprise me (in a good way.) This is especially important since table service prices have gone through the roof as quality has diminished. Woody and I often ate more full service meals on our vacations than counter service, but this is no longer the case. A positive takeaway is that we're saving money!

Server Cindy at Whispering Canyon made for a fun, memorable meal. Our server at Le Cellier was top notch as well and Francisco at Diamond Horseshoe promptly met all our needs (and almost convinced us to get a second Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake!)

THE BAD - I won't dwell on my illness other than to say it's awful to feel lousy and tired on vacation. Worry over a sick pet added to the stress. Poor Woody had to worry about us both!

Meals that we expected to be a treat were disappointing. Service at The Plaza, Via Napoli, Grand Floridian Cafe and La Hacienda was so inexcusably rude and poor that we may not return. Sadly we learned our favorite server at La Hacienda, Chucho, passed away and the server we were assigned was everything opposite of that wonderful man.

Saying goodbye to Muppets was hard.

And I missed staying at the Wilderness Lodge! Happily, I won't have to wait much longer.

 

[MinnieM123]

While it is very convenient to be on the monorail line we often had to stand due to trains arriving full.

Ages ago, I stayed at the GF for a few nights. I recall that the monorail would arrive empty, and pick up GF first. Again, this was many years ago -- perhaps it was only for the first monorail trains of the morning?

 

[lindawdw]

I'm sorry that you were feeling under the weather this trip because you need so much energy to get around WDW but I'm happy we were still able to have our dinner together even if the food and service were not up to par this time. We definitely are going to have to come up with a different restaurant for our next meal together! Your room and balcony fireworks views from the GF were so lovely again but I totally understand missing your beloved WL. Thanks again for sharing your wonderful TR with us which is always such a treat! Can't wait to read about your next adventure with Em!!!!

 

[93boomer]

Final Thoughts

May is typically a favorite vacation of ours. But this year the experience was more trip than vacation (and y’all know the difference .)

THE GOOD - Time with friends (@Nunu, @Tony the Tigger, @Figment Forever and @lindawdw) was a definite highlight. Fifteen years ago I never imagined having relationships with people I met on the internet!!! Being part of the community on this site has blessed me and I thank all of you for that.

Our room at the GF was perfect - location, view and amenities. We had a little trouble streaming on the TV a few times. While it is very convenient to be on the monorail line we often had to stand due to trains arriving full. Additionally, due to safety modifications and aging trains, time to get anywhere has increased substantially. This is a frustration for me as I remember the speedy, efficient monorails from days gone by.

The quality/taste of quick service meals continues to surprise me (in a good way.) This is especially important since table service prices have gone through the roof as quality has diminished. Woody and I often ate more full service meals on our vacations than counter service, but this is no longer the case. A positive takeaway is that we're saving money!

Server Cindy at Whispering Canyon made for a fun, memorable meal. Our server at Le Cellier was top notch as well and Francisco at Diamond Horseshoe promptly met all our needs (and almost convinced us to get a second Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake!)

THE BAD - I won't dwell on my illness other than to say it's awful to feel lousy and tired on vacation. Worry over a sick pet added to the stress. Poor Woody had to worry about us both!

Meals that we expected to be a treat were disappointing. Service at The Plaza, Via Napoli, Grand Floridian Cafe and La Hacienda was so inexcusably rude and poor that we may not return. Sadly we learned our favorite server at La Hacienda, Chucho, passed away and the server we were assigned was everything opposite of that wonderful man.

Saying goodbye to Muppets was hard.

And I missed staying at the Wilderness Lodge! Happily, I won't have to wait much longer.

View attachment 861118

Thank you for sharing again.
Yes, WL is your home away from home and I can’t blame you!
We’ve started eating and enjoying counter service more as well. It’s hit or miss with the food and servers. But, the table service prices are starting to get ridiculous. When we eat with our DD and SIL, it’s almost $200. That’s hard!
Can’t wait for your next adventure which I hope for you gals it will be lots better this trip!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Looking forward to more meetups, but ultimately winning the contest!

Hmm…what am I doing in 11 days…

 

[Wicked Sisters]

Thank you for sharing your trip with Woody with us. We cannot wait to stay at the WL this September and as we have the free dining which includes a sit down meal every day Via Napoli is one of the restaurants we want to try. It was sad to hear you may not go there again so we are hoping it’s improved by then. Looking forward to your next trip.

 

[Loco_driver]

Final Thoughts

May is typically a favorite vacation of ours. But this year the experience was more trip than vacation (and y’all know the difference .)

THE GOOD - Time with friends (@Nunu, @Tony the Tigger, @Figment Forever and @lindawdw) was a definite highlight. Fifteen years ago I never imagined having relationships with people I met on the internet!!! Being part of the community on this site has blessed me and I thank all of you for that.

Our room at the GF was perfect - location, view and amenities. We had a little trouble streaming on the TV a few times. While it is very convenient to be on the monorail line we often had to stand due to trains arriving full. Additionally, due to safety modifications and aging trains, time to get anywhere has increased substantially. This is a frustration for me as I remember the speedy, efficient monorails from days gone by.

The quality/taste of quick service meals continues to surprise me (in a good way.) This is especially important since table service prices have gone through the roof as quality has diminished. Woody and I often ate more full service meals on our vacations than counter service, but this is no longer the case. A positive takeaway is that we're saving money!

Server Cindy at Whispering Canyon made for a fun, memorable meal. Our server at Le Cellier was top notch as well and Francisco at Diamond Horseshoe promptly met all our needs (and almost convinced us to get a second Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake!)

THE BAD - I won't dwell on my illness other than to say it's awful to feel lousy and tired on vacation. Worry over a sick pet added to the stress. Poor Woody had to worry about us both!

Meals that we expected to be a treat were disappointing. Service at The Plaza, Via Napoli, Grand Floridian Cafe and La Hacienda was so inexcusably rude and poor that we may not return. Sadly we learned our favorite server at La Hacienda, Chucho, passed away and the server we were assigned was everything opposite of that wonderful man.

Saying goodbye to Muppets was hard.

And I missed staying at the Wilderness Lodge! Happily, I won't have to wait much longer.

View attachment 861118

What a great idea.

 

[meggo819]

What a great idea.
View attachment 861178

Crazy! We’re doing a split stay at riviera and copper creek. So my WL countdown is 14 days.

 

[Loco_driver]

Crazy! We’re doing a split stay at riviera and copper creek. So my WL countdown is 14 days.

I love riviera. If I couldve gotten all four nights of our stay there I would have, but all that was available was preferred studios, and I’m too stingy with my DVC points for that! Maybe we’ll see you around WL!

 

[meggo819]

I love riviera. If I couldve gotten all four nights of our stay there I would have, but all that was available was preferred studios, and I’m too stingy with my DVC points for that! Maybe we’ll see you around WL!

Yes, we snagged that standard view asap lol. It’s our first time at both, so I’m excited!

 

[luvinthemajik]

Looking forward to more meetups, but ultimately winning the contest!

Hmm…what am I doing in 11 days…

 

[Tiggerish]

We definitely are going to have to come up with a different restaurant for our next meal together!

If you and @Tuvalu haven't tried Jaleo in Disney Springs yet, I highly recommend it.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

If you and @Tuvalu haven't tried Jaleo in Disney Springs yet, I highly recommend it.

I second this Jaleo is super. I've tried the one in Disney Springs and Chicago, both were excellent and Jose Andreas does such wonderful charity work too so that is just another reason to support his restaurants.

 

[Tiggerish]

Jose Andreas does such wonderful charity work too so that is just another reason to support his restaurants

 

[Tuvalu]

Ages ago, I stayed at the GF for a few nights. I recall that the monorail would arrive empty, and pick up GF first. Again, this was many years ago -- perhaps it was only for the first monorail trains of the morning?

Our first stay at the GF was in 2000 and I don’t recall any issues with my family of 5 finding seats on the monorail at any time of day. A lot has changed in 25 years…..

It’s hit or miss with the food and servers. But, the table service prices are starting to get ridiculous. When we eat with our DD and SIL, it’s almost $200. That’s INSANE!

FTFY.

 

[Tuvalu]

Looking forward to more meetups, but ultimately winning the contest!

Hmm…what am I doing in 11 days…

I’m willing to cede number of trips now, if you’re willing to cede number of days…
Perhaps you should be scouting last minute or fares.

Thank you for sharing your trip with Woody with us. We cannot wait to stay at the WL this September and as we have the free dining which includes a sit down meal every day Via Napoli is one of the restaurants we want to try. It was sad to hear you may not go there again so we are hoping it’s improved by then.

It’s safe to say I can’t give up those strawberry limoncellos and Margherita pizzas and will happily risk bad service in order to do so. We’ve had fine servers over the years too so I would not let my recent experience cast doubt on your choice to dine at Via Napoli. Buon appetito!

 

[Tuvalu]

What a great idea.
View attachment 861178

Crazy! We’re doing a split stay at riviera and copper creek. So my WL countdown is 14 days.

Sounds like a Geyser Point party in the making!

 

[Tuvalu]

@lindawdw we may have a new restaurant -

If you and @Tuvalu haven't tried Jaleo in Disney Springs yet, I highly recommend it.

I second this Jaleo is super. I've tried the one in Disney Springs and Chicago, both were excellent and Jose Andreas does such wonderful charity work too so that is just another reason to support his restaurants.

Though it means I’ll have to go to Disney Springs….