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.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Ready to see the full story.

 

[Spash007]

Thursday, con’t

It was such a pretty day that we decided to walk over to Epcot.

But DID NOT expect to encounter this….

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Following a cement mixer to the International Gateway was definitely not on my BINGO card for today!

I disappeared for a bit… but… is this part of the news cars attraction heading to Epcot that will race around World Showcase? Seems on point

 

[meggo819]

It was the hottest June vacation we’ve endured in many years

This may sound odd, but this is encouraging to me! We were there almost the same dates as you, for our first time in the summer. We’re from Houston and are used to the heat & humidity, but we still found it pretty miserable at times. Knowing that it’s not always that bad in June, we may give it another chance in the future, since we did feel crowds were manageable.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Forecast: High Humidity with a Spritz of Tony

 

[Tuvalu]

This may sound odd, but this is encouraging to me! We were there almost the same dates as you, for our first time in the summer. We’re from Houston and are used to the heat & humidity, but we still found it pretty miserable at times. Knowing that it’s not always that bad in June, we may give it another chance in the future, since we did feel crowds were manageable.

We Georgians are also acclimated to heat and humidity but last week was rough! Hope you got to enjoy the fab pools at Riviera and WL!

 

[meggo819]

Hope you got to enjoy the fab pools at Riviera and WL!

We did! As well as both water parks

 

[MinnieM123]

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From what I've read, all Tony products are highly rated!

 

[Tuvalu]

From what I've read, all Tony products are highly rated!

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[93boomer]

Ready and waiting!!

 

[Swissmiss]

Can’t wait to hear more about your trip!

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, June 8

We departed as the day dawned. A couple hours later we made our first stop.

Mecca.

I’m glad I took the above picture because when we stopped here on the way home (around 11 am) the end of the line for the (giant size) restroom was at those blue shirts!

I picked up my usual brisket and egg taco for breakfast. Em wasn’t feeling a savory item and chose a large cinnamon bun. She would regret her choice, as the pastry was dry and the icing was a thick slab of cream cheese.

I had my own misfortune. While Buc•ees has many cold beverage dispensers, there is only ONE dispenser (and ONE nozzle) that has original Coke. I was looking forward to my fountain Coca-Cola and the caffeine that came with it. (I was up early, y’all!)

Horror of horrors - the Coke dispenser was out of service!! In my frustration I filled my cup with ice water. It wasn’t until later (when we were back on the road) that Em said, “You could have gotten a bottle of Coke in the refrigerated section.”

 

[lindawdw]

I'm glad you didn't have any urgency to use the restroom on your way home with that crazy, long line! It's too bad they didn't provide a sign near the beverage station reminding people that they could purchase Coke in a bottle!

 

[LadyBelle]

Sunday, June 8

We departed as the day dawned. A couple hours later we made our first stop.

Mecca.
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I’m glad I took the above picture because when we stopped here on the way home (around 11 am) the end of the line for the (giant size) restroom was at those blue shirts!

I picked up my usual brisket and egg taco for breakfast. Em wasn’t feeling a savory item and chose a large cinnamon bun. She would regret her choice, as the pastry was dry and the icing was a thick slab of cream cheese.

I had my own misfortune. While Buc•ees has many cold beverage dispensers, there is only ONE dispenser (and ONE nozzle) that has original Coke. I was looking forward to my fountain Coca-Cola and the caffeine that came with it. (I was up early, y’all!)

Horror of horrors - the Coke dispenser was out of service!! In my frustration I filled my cup with ice water. It wasn’t until later (when we were back on the road) that Em said, “You could have gotten a bottle of Coke in the refrigerated section.”

A Coke ICEE may have done the same trick.

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con’t

The rest of the drive was uneventful, the way we all hope long journeys are. Around 12:45 pm I got the room ready notification.

Score, right?

Wrong. I had told Em that there were two water view (the category we’d booked) room locations that I would be unhappy with. The first would be a room on the sixth floor because those rooms have enclosed balconies. When I am sitting on my balcony I do not want to be staring at a wooden wall - I want to see the water without having to stand!

The second unhappy location would be a room on the first floor with a patio, where any semblance of privacy is impossible.

Siri read us our room text. Room 6025.

“Guess we’ll be stopping at the Front Desk when we get there,” I told Em.

As if she didn’t already know.

Happy smiles when we arrived.



We left our luggage in the car, figuring the odds of an another water view room being ready before 3 pm was slim. All Front Desk Cast Members are now stationed in the lobby with iPads (“guest facing” is the term). None are behind the counter anymore.

We were greeted by a CP CM who was very understanding and immediately used her cell phone to call someone (in the mysterious “back”) to ask about a room change. After a couple minutes she announced, “Your new room number is 4043.”

A ready room? Score, right?

However this was not my first rodeo. Before collecting our luggage, I wanted to check out the room. Up the elevator to the fourth floor we went.

Disney’s policy on categorizing room views used to be based on what you could see outside while standing inside the room.

Based on our second water view room, I’m guessing classifications are much broader now.

Our “water view.”

The rock formation from which the waterfall flows? On the left - through the tree - you can partially see the small pond that the waterfall flows into. On the bottom right there’s roofing. Once outside, standing on the balcony with craned necks, we could see part of the pool.

Goldilocks was NOT HAPPY.

Back down to the lobby we went. Em found a place to wait, away from the confrontation about to take place.

To be fair I was very polite. The same CP CM was a little surprised when I whipped out my photo and asked if she thought this was a water view.

“Did you step out on the balcony?” she asked.

“I shouldn’t have to step out on the balcony,” I replied. “But yes, I did.”

She seemed flummoxed and offered to make another call to the room assigner. Mid-conversation she asked, “Are you okay with a pool view?”

“That would be great,” I answered.

There was a pool/water view room on the third floor that would be ready later in the afternoon. “You’ll get a text with the room number once it’s available,” said the CM.

Goldilocks was guardedly optimistic. I’d loved our third floor room in April.

Now what to do to pass the time?

 

[Tuvalu]

I'm sorry you had great urgency to use the restroom on your way home with that crazy, long line! It's too bad they didn't provide a sign near the beverage station reminding people that they could purchase Coke in a bottle!

FTFY.

A Coke ICEE may have done the same trick.

Oooh…..foreshadowing!

 

[lindawdw]

Sunday, con’t

The rest of the drive was uneventful, the way we all hope long journeys are. Around 12:45 pm I got the room ready notification.

Score, right?

Wrong. I had told Em that there were two water view (the category we’d booked) room locations that I would be unhappy with. The first would be a room on the sixth floor because those rooms have enclosed balconies. When I am sitting on my balcony I do not want to be staring at a wooden wall - I want to see the water without having to stand!

The second unhappy location would be a room on the first floor with a patio, where any semblance of privacy is impossible.

Siri read us our room text. Room 6025.

“Guess we’ll be stopping at the Front Desk when we get there,” I told Em.

As if she didn’t already know.

Happy smiles when we arrived.

View attachment 865404

We left our luggage in the car, figuring the odds of an another water view room being ready before 3 pm was slim. All Front Desk Cast Members are now stationed in the lobby with iPads (“guest facing” is the term). None are behind the counter anymore.

We were greeted by a CP CM who was very understanding and immediately used her cell phone to call someone (in the mysterious “back”) to ask about a room change. After a couple minutes she announced, “Your new room number is 4043.”

A ready room? Score, right?

However this was not my first rodeo. Before collecting our luggage, I wanted to check out the room. Up the elevator to the fourth floor we went.

Disney’s policy on categorizing room views used to be based on what you could see outside while standing inside the room.

Based on our second water view room, I’m guessing classifications are much broader now.

Our “water view.”

View attachment 865405

The rock formation from which the waterfall flows? On the left - through the tree - you can partially see the small pond that the waterfall flows into. On the bottom right there’s roofing. Once outside, standing on the balcony with craned necks, we could see part of the pool.

Goldilocks was NOT HAPPY.

Back down to the lobby we went. Em found a place to wait, away from the confrontation about to take place.

To be fair I was very polite. The same CP CM was a little surprised when I whipped out my photo and asked if she thought this was a water view.

“Did you step out on the balcony?” she asked.

“I shouldn’t have to step out on the balcony,” I replied. “But yes, I did.”

She seemed flummoxed and offered to make another call to the room assigner. Mid-conversation she asked, “Are you okay with a pool view?”

“That would be great,” I answered.

There was a pool/water view room on the third floor that would be ready later in the afternoon. “You’ll get a text with the room number once it’s available,” said the CM.

Goldilocks was guardedly optimistic. I’d loved our third floor room in April.

Now what to do to pass the time?

Yup, been there, done that. I'm glad you were persistent in seeking a true balcony water view and hopefully the 3rd floor view is a winner! I too put a few room requests in with DVC Member Services, and I have to say that most of the time, they try to accommodate as best as they can.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Sunday, June 8

Horror of horrors - the Coke dispenser was out of service!! In my frustration I filled my cup with ice water. It wasn’t until later (when we were back on the road) that Em said, “You could have gotten a bottle of Coke in the refrigerated section.”

Don't you just love it when our kids are smarter than we are!? Mine think they are the majority of the time. I do still prove them wrong from time to time.

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con't

What came out of my mouth next was a complete surprise to Em - and to myself, actually.

“Let’s go to Blizzard Beach!”

When Disney announced the “free water park visit on arrival day” perk for 2025, we didn’t think we would use it. Travel by car puts our WDW arrival mid afternoon, and the water park(s) close at 5 pm. Too much effort for too little time.

However closing time for June had been extended to 7 pm. And it was currently a little past 2 pm. We gleefully looked at each other with a “Let’s do this!” dare.

We’d only been to Blizzard Beach twice. The first time was in 1995 a few months after the park’s grand opening. Our next visit was in 2001. Em was 9 years old.

It just so happens I have pictures….

She looks a little different now. But just as happy.

 

[93boomer]

Sunday, con't

What came out of my mouth next was a complete surprise to Em - and to myself, actually.

“Let’s go to Blizzard Beach!”

When Disney announced the “free water park visit on arrival day” perk for 2025, we didn’t think we would use it. Travel by car puts our WDW arrival mid afternoon, and the water park(s) close at 5 pm. Too much effort for too little time.

However closing time for June had been extended to 7 pm. And it was currently a little past 2 pm. We gleefully looked at each other with a “Let’s do this!” dare.

We’d only been to Blizzard Beach twice. The first time was in 1995 a few months after the park’s grand opening. Our next visit was in 2001. Em was 9 years old.

It just so happens I have pictures….

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She looks a little different now. But just as happy.

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She’s a cutie!!

 

[lindawdw]

Aww, love the throwback pictures! We went to Typhoon Lagoon a couple of years ago when Disney added the waterparks to your AP for free upon renewal for the year!