Trip Report the last time (taylor's version)

Hi all! Guess who just came back from Disney World? Tis I! After over a year away, it was a most interesting trip. My grandma and I planned this back in June after I found out that I got into grad school (again... I'm a sucker for punishment) so it was meant to be a celebratory trip for that and also my grandma would be turning 70 shortly before it! And then the end of September rolled around and I (in Fort Myers) got to experience the delights of Hurricane Ian. I work in a first response field so it was a very busy, awful couple of weeks. After that I decided... If we were doing this trip (which was all that was keeping me going post-hurricane for a good bit), we were going to give Bob Chapek everything he wanted. That's right, we were going to cough up for Genie+. I'm a hypocrite, I know. Does it help if I say that I'm moving to West Virginia and won't get back to Orlando until after the program is over? No? I thought as much... But still... I spent A LOT OF MONEY on this trip LOL... and most of it wasn't even at Disney... Because, you see... While we were going to be in the World, Taylor Swift was going to have a presale for her tour... And I, a Swiftie to the max, knew that I would be going... come h-e-double-hockey-sticks or high water... Did I manage to get tickets? Did Grandma and I conquer our previous records regarding attraction count and step count? Stick around to find out....

We begin with DAY ONE, November 14th. Our travels would take us from Magic Kingdom to Epcot, as MK was closing early that evening for the Christmas Party (no expense spared, I say, whilst cringing away from the prices for the Christmas Party... So we didn't do that). I awoke at 6am, pulled up MDE, and....

IMG_1189.PNG

IMG_0945.JPG


But, I shelled out $36.22 (Grandma and I decided we would trade off each day) and got ready for the day. We had an hour and a half drive to get to WDW from my grandparents' house (which I had traveled to on Friday), so we got in the car around 6:45 and hit the road. It went well until we were about 30 minutes into the I-4 stretch... and then we hit solid red traffic. Stand still. Man, I had to pee. I kept looking down at my phone and seeing that we only had 15 miles left, 14, 13... Then 13 for an eternity... and then...
IMG_1192.PNG

I decided to go a longer back way, because at least we would be moving. I'd rather be moving continuously for a longer stretch of time than sitting in stand still traffic. A brief stop was made at 7/11 to pee (huzzah), and then we continued on our strange, back way route to Disney property.

Meanwhile I received this
IMG_1193.PNG

Which was a pleasant surprise! We were looking forward to dumping our belongings in the room, grabbing a bus to MK, and getting started with the day. And just like that...

IMG_1194.jpg

We were pulling in! Huzzah!
IMG_1195.jpg

This is where I decided to park *crowd oohs and ahhhs*. We took a very bizarre route to our room because we couldn't find the elevator, but eventually we were walking inside and were greeted by...
IMG_1196.jpg

Welcome, [REDACTED] & [REDACTED]!

A room tour, you ask? No, I shan't do it. I will instead show you things that I noticed.

IMG_1198.jpg

A crooked light fixture.
IMG_1202.jpg

Some scum.
IMG_1203.jpg

The shower got my seal of approval. With the room inspected and no egregious disturbances noted, we were ready to head to MK.
 

tonystark

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
IMG_1704.jpeg

I was pleased with our seats. I would have liked to have been right up against the water, but we had a great waitress (I should've done a cast compliment in retrospect but was not thinking).

What did I eat?
IMG_1706.jpeg

Pollo a Las Rajas​

Grilled Chicken Breast over a bed of Roasted Garlic Potatoes with Onions, Poblano Peppers, Corn, and Poblano Pepper Cream Sauce topped with Queso Fresco

It was delicious! Would recommend. And it was a pretty hefty piece of chicken (one would hope for 30$, I suppose).

I saw something... I witnessed something... So heinous during this meal. I don't want to shame anyone on the internet but what I SAW... Okay. Here we go. You all know the dessert at this restaurant. The dessert that I would LOVE TO TRY but recognize that it would be insane for any party smaller than like 4 (perhaps 3 if we want to push it) to order.

Chocolate “Fiesta” Pyramid​

A festively decorated Chocolate Pyramid filled with Mexican Chocolate Mousse and Toffee atop a traditional Tres Leches Cake, and accompanied by Ice Cream. Perfect for sharing.

34$ for a dessert. Madness. And I saw...
IMG_1707.jpeg

THESE TWO PEOPLE HARDLY [REDACTED] TOUCHED IT.

I had to get closer.
IMG_1708.jpeg

doctor who crying GIF

Appalled, I turned away from this depressing image and left the restaurant pondering what it would be like to leave a dessert like that. I just... can't fathom it... I have too much of a sweet tooth I guess. A sweet tooth that I needed to satisfy (Caballeros was like a 15 minute ACTUAL wait and we weren't going to do that).
IMG_1709.jpeg

This would have to make up for skipping a ride. Dessert called.
IMG_1710.jpeg

You already know. Such a versatile snack, it can be breakfast, it can be dessert, it can be anything you want.
IMG_1711.jpeg

done its over GIF

Time to find a vantage point to eat my delicious treat while my grandma facetimes my grandpa.
IMG_1712.jpeg

hideous project runway GIF

And then we went on one of our few circuits of World Showcase.
IMG_1714.jpeg

Stopped here briefly, as tradition demands.
IMG_1715.jpeg

America.... Spread your golden wings....
 

tonystark

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I have a reservation specifically for that pyramid dessert! Can my 1yo and I finish it?! We’ll sure as hell try.
I BELIEVE IN YOU!!! I KNOW YOU WILL MAKE MORE OF AN EFFORT THAN THE PEOPLE I WITNESSED!!! THERE WAS SO MUCH THAT THEY DID NOT EVEN DISCOVER...
My husband and I got the pyramid dessert and it was tasty. We couldn't finish it all but we took down a significant amount. The mouse inside the pyramid was great.
I feel like they hardly even cracked the surface of the pyramid. It's like they just ate the ice cream on the outside and missed the delights and joy on the inside.
 

tonystark

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I forgot to mention a KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS! that I overheard. We were passing through Germany and a little boy said "I don't LIKE Germany... but I do like Mickey Mouse." Poor lad was in the wrong park.
IMG_1716.jpeg

It was a very good night. And my knee had gotten its act together (thanks to ibuprofen and the high of Taylor Swift tickets) so I wasn't limping too terribly.
IMG_1718.jpeg

We just can't stay away.
IMG_1719.jpeg

From her. ATTRACTION #24.
IMG_1725.jpeg

Schitts Creek Eww GIF by CBC

IMG_1727.jpeg

Hanging lights for Christmas!!! (I was very excited to see this but we weren't supposed to be coming back to Epcot... I'll let you wonder if that ended up being the case lol).
IMG_1729.jpeg

They Know.
IMG_1730.jpeg

Let us honor and admire Blueberry Child who looks so mischievous.
IMG_1733.jpeg

Well... It's right next door, innit.... ATTRACTION #25.
IMG_1735.jpeg

It's crazy how once you're in the air, you kind of forget that you're on a ride in a theme park and just sort of hang out. I can almost always block out the image of people's feet dangling and become immersed. Unless someone's kicking like a lunatic.
 

tonystark

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Okay guys, I'm going to fully acknowledge that I went overboard taking pictures of Spaceship Earth. I was entranced. Please forgive me.
IMG_1737.jpeg

IMG_1738.jpeg

OK, we get it, you tried dark mode to see the difference...
IMG_1739.jpeg

Closer. We understand.
IMG_1740.jpeg

Are we exiting? No. I just needed to get closer to take more pictures.
IMG_1742.jpeg

I was going for something artistic here but the wind was not cooperating.
IMG_1743.jpeg

Maybe if I tried a different angle...
Real Estate Shut Up GIF by NETFLIX

IMG_1746.jpeg

Joe Biden No GIF by The Democrats

IMG_1747.jpeg

My grandma's contribution after patiently watching me dart around taking different pictures of the exact same thing multiple times.
IMG_1749.jpeg

Geodesic sphere....
IMG_1750.jpeg

She had burned us once before... But we were willing to give her another shot as ATTRACTION #26.
 

tonystark

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
IMG_1751.jpeg

Please don't hurt us again.
IMG_1753.jpeg

We got stopped here lol. I feel like these guys are really ill-equipped to go up against a mammoth. Their spears do not seem very sharp at all.
IMG_1755.jpeg

Did my best to appear unhinged. I would say mission accomplished.
IMG_1757.jpeg

A quick jog to the left brought us here.
IMG_1758.jpeg

Single Rider line puhleaaase.
69025088405__EF7BC571-609C-4BF6-B9CB-41C142B49B86.jpeg

ATTRACTION #27. I was actually trying to photograph my grandma in the car behind me but she's just out of frame :(
IMG_1762.jpeg

Yes, grandma, this time we are allowed to shop. This store also gives me airport vibes.
IMG_1763.jpeg

This sweatset was my grandma's holy grail.
IMG_1764.jpeg

nuiMOs... rip offs... except for Kermie.... and I can never find him.
IMG_1765.jpeg

This measuring cup seemed impractical.
 

tonystark

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
IMG_1766.jpeg

My baby, my baby, you're my baby... say it to me....
I may not have sprung for 150$ here, but I did spend 5$ today at 5 Below on an Iron Man funko pop because I just can't resist his siren song.
IMG_1767.jpeg

This was tempting and I was out for a new water bottle because my Peoplemover bottle has unfortunately almost completely peeled off (this was my bad because I put it in the dishwasher unthinkingly and it is not dishwasher safe). However, I had my mind made up on which one I wanted so I placed this one back on the shelf.
IMG_1769.jpeg

Before you know it, it was time for our Fast— uh... lightning lane (sorry Bob) that I had booked hours ago. Also check out that creepy reflection in the picture. Don't know how that happened. ATTRACTION #28.
IMG_1770.jpeg

A very unassuming queue.
IMG_1772.jpeg

The ride vehicles are cute.
IMG_1773.jpeg

Hat hair gone wild LOL. But check out my cool designer shades.
Meryl Streep Sunglasses GIF by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Yeah, I wasn't wowed with this. I just don't like screen based rides very much (Soarin', you get a pass girlie).
IMG_1774.jpeg

The nice night continued. Would we stick around and watch HarmonioUS? We considered it. Grandma wanted an alcoholic beverage, I wanted an alcoholic beverage. We parted ways with a rendezvous point decided upon.
IMG_1775.jpeg

I stood in line at this booth like a complete moron. For 15 minutes. Only to be told that the cider I wanted was actually IN the Canada pavilion and I would have to venture deeper. My bad tbh. Grandma was already getting lit at the rendezvous point.
IMG_1776.jpeg

This was the Blake's Hard Cider Co. Saint Cheri Bourbon Barrel Aged Cherry. At the time, I was disappointed because it did not taste like cherries. Now I'm beginning to think that the barrel was perhaps made of cherry tree wood??? Twas not giving me cherry (the fruit). Twas giving me cider (apples).
IMG_1777.jpeg

Here we sat. Grandma enjoying her vodka cran (a simple gal), me drinking my child's portion of hard cider. We decided we'd rather not watch the fireworks and headed out. Just like the night before, a bus was waiting for us.

On this day, we did 14 attractions (just as we did the day before) and our step count wasssss
Clubhouse Drum Roll GIF by The3Flamingos

24,747.
 

tonystark

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Whoops. I disappeared. To be fair, there was a lot to get done and then a lot of driving to get to WV and moving in looms and... anyways. Where were we?

Ah, yes, DAY 3! Which took place on Wednesday, November 16th. Our park of choice was going to be... Magic Kingdom! (Of course).

I seem to recall that we awoke bright and early for early entry. I didn't think that 30 minutes was going to do much for us, and I was right. I also purchased genie but have failed to take a screenshot, so I'm entirely unsure of what I spent and can't be bothered to check my credit card statement. I'm going to say... 17$ a pop. That feels right.

IMG_1781.jpeg

On our walk over to get my grandma her kids scramble. This seemed unfortunate. I guess I should be appreciative that at least they gathered all their bottles into the box.
IMG_1782.jpeg

I took this picture because each day, I was dying for a chocolate chip muffin for breakfast. Each day, they did not appear. HOWEVER, that does say double chocolate chip muffin on the menu, does it not? I rest my case.
IMG_1783.jpeg

Soft serve ice cream was tempting. It always is. I was gifted a soft serve ice cream machine by some coworkers as a going away gift and I am about to spend many a night crying over my textbooks with a cup of soft serve to console me. It'll get me through. It's mostly air anyways.
IMG_1785.jpeg

I settled for... Mistakes. First mistake, that fruit yogurt parfait. God, it sounded so good. But amongst my many ailments as a decrepit 25 year old, I have developed acid reflux over the past year! I know that yogurt will hurt me. I ate it anyways. It hurt me. I wanted a muffin so bad that I got a raspberry lemon muffin. It was not a chocolate chip muffin. I did not finish it 🤧
IMG_1786.jpeg

Grandma's kid's scramble would have been kinder to me. I did swoop in on those apples though (these packets of apples slapped the entire trip. Always crisp. I was pleasantly surprised).
IMG_1787.jpeg

All aboard. We have GOT to get our 30 minutes!!
69029782798__FDF61611-0EC0-46CD-8DFF-B527C175988D.jpeg

Hurry, hurry, hurry. You see those skies? Yeah, that was not a good omen.
IMG_1790.jpeg

Very threatening.
IMG_1791.jpeg

And then we were in, and we thought we were being so smart booking it towards the Liberty Square entrance to get to Peter Pan (grandma's request). Ummm guess WHAT I did no research on this and didn't realize there's only one entrance for PRECIOUS 30 MINUTES WE GIVE YOU AS A COURTESY TM and it was in Tomorrowland. Soooo then we started booking it to Tomorrowland. It did not matter. The heavens opened.
IMG_1792.jpeg

It was a long standby line, too. A little boy ahead of us was crying because he got soaked and told his mom that he wanted to go back to the hotel... The day had just begun...
 

tonystark

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Furnishing an apartment...

help-frog.gif


So... Did I get wet from the rain? Well...
IMG_1793.jpeg

Yes. At least I had a hat which managed to keep the top of my head relatively dry. It was chilly that morning, but I knew it would warm up and I'd be dry within a couple of hours. Though we did consider buying clothes shortly after this because it was... chilly and being wet and cold is miserable.

Anyways, we were in line!
IMG_1795.jpeg

Fantasyland floods, but not as badly as Tomorrowland. Still, the puddles are pretty deep. I was glad to get into the covered portion of the extended queue.
IMG_1798.jpeg

I find this creepy.
IMG_1799.jpeg

Entertaining children and grandmas alike... (She was going for bunny ears).
69030022709__352D46D6-A732-4042-AA87-585AF5B8F5D2.jpeg

It's time for ATTRACTION #29!
IMG_1808.jpeg

I thought Captain Hook had an English accent in the original film, but he certainly doesn't in the ride.
captain hook smiling GIF

(just a tribute to my favorite Peter Pan adaptation).
IMG_1810.jpeg

The park was officially open. You know where we went. Where we beelined to. Where we happily trotted through puddles to reach.
IMG_1812.jpeg

Two graves I actually focused on instead of the usual Leota at the front. RIP Cousin Huet.
IMG_1818.jpeg

ATTRACTION #30 with that dark/night mode camera baybeee
IMG_1821.jpeg

Shhh... Listen...
 

tonystark

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
First night sleeping on an actual bed in my new apartment
Celebrate Its Friday GIF by telenet

(ignore that it says Friyay it is actually Thursday)
IMG_1823.jpeg

I'm sure I've told this story before but it's a family classic that is always referenced whenever I go on this ride, and it is also highly ironic. When I was little, like 5 or 6, and went on Haunted Mansion for the first time... I hated it. I made it all the way to the very end of the ride before having a complete meltdown and screaming GET ME OUT OF THIS PLACE!!! It always reminds me of this guy... Let me out.... Let me out... And now it's my favorite ride!
IMG_1829.jpeg

I love these little guys.
IMG_1830.jpeg

My favorite ghost in all of Haunted Mansion?
IMG_1832.jpeg

An animal in the pet cemetery 😳
IMG_1834.jpeg

ATTRACTION #31 baybee and it was a walk on.
IMG_1835.jpeg

Who is Mama Hutchinson...
Spongebob Squarepants GIF

IMG_1836.jpeg

Climb aboard. I hear tell that this is the wildest ride in the wilderness...
IMG_1837.jpeg

We wanted to get a couple of rides in on Splash this trip and thought that 30 minutes was reasonable, and we were already cold and wet so now was the time to do it...
IMG_1838.jpeg

But instead we got out of line because it wasn't moving an inch and I had a suspicion that 30 minutes might not be entirely accurate. So we went to nasty Splash bathrooms instead. But they weren't nasty this time. I feel like they got a little renovation whilst I've been away. The stall doors felt sturdier... and were those half-moons, outhouse motifs always there? I think not.
IMG_1839.jpeg

Wherever could we possibly be headed next?
 

tonystark

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Moving to a new state
Excited Season 2 GIF by The Office

Succumbing to a terrible head cold that throws off my family's travels for Christmas and lowkey ruining the holiday
Sad Matthew Mcconaughey GIF by Legendary Entertainment


See I don't abandon you guys on purpose!! I just couldn't breathe out of my nose long enough to form a logical thought.
IMG_1840.jpeg

Avast me hearties... You knew we were headed here because our other options would be like... Jungle Cruise (didn't ride this trip actually and didn't particularly miss it), Flying Carpets (highly unlikely), or Swiss Family Treehouse (even MORE unlikely).
IMG_1841.jpeg

Climb aboard onto ATTRACTION #32!
IMG_1846.jpeg

You take a picture of me, I take a picture of you. Fair's fair...
IMG_1847.jpeg

Don't tell him, Carlos, don't be cheeeeeekin
IMG_1849.jpeg

Drunken cat wrangler.
IMG_1853.jpeg

Drunken pig cuddler.
IMG_1856.jpeg

One day my phone will be so advanced that you'll look at this picture and think that you are really there.
IMG_1857.jpeg

On our way across the park, I took this picture to bemoan the loss of the All American Sundae. One of my favorite dessert options on property. For some reason, it has not returned since reopening. It's not particularly challenging. Chocolate and vanilla ice cream with hot fudge and peanut butter sauce. But... for some reason (Bob Iger's instruction no doubt as a personal spite directed towards me), it has not returned.
IMG_1858.jpeg

A braille map I had never noticed before!
IMG_1859.jpeg

A quiet cut through. Grandma and I discussed (at some point) what the best bathrooms at MK would be. I suggested the bathrooms here since no one is ever here anymore. Alas, they have the bathrooms roped off as inaccessible unless you're there for a fireworks dessert party. Guess hidden Pirates bathroom will have to do.
 

tonystark

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
IMG_1860.jpeg

PLEASE ANYTHING BUT THIS LINE AGAIN. PLEASEEEEE...
Too bad. You have to endure this line. For ATTRACTION #33.
IMG_1863.jpeg

Pretty wretched score, too. I'm quite certain we were even stopped during this ride, and I still managed to not hit anything. I'm blaming the gun.
IMG_1864.jpeg

When in Rome...
ATTRACTION #34!
IMG_1867.jpeg

I guess I'm so unimpressed with the sign that I didn't bother to take a picture of it this trip. This is as close as we got to it.
IMG_1868.jpeg

The Ferris wheel DOES NOT LOOK FUN. However... I'd like to live in the model of Progress City.
IMG_1871.jpeg

Since we were so close, might as well make time for one of my faves. I was even more excited than normal since I'd heard that John had gotten a makeover (as had everyone else apparently) but I was under the impression that the change had been made in all the scenes lol.
IMG_1872.jpeg

My anticipation building for ATTRACTION #35.
IMG_1874.jpeg

Hang on... He looks the exact same. Okay... Maybe it's the next scene.
IMG_1875.jpeg

Have I been FOOLED?
IMG_1878.jpeg

It appears that I have been bamboozled.
 

tonystark

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
IMG_1879.jpeg

wedding brooklyn GIF

IMG_1880.jpeg

Taylor SWIFT?

I appreciated this update. I liked all the little personalized touches they added. And I always appreciate how Daughter (Trish, I think, in this scene) laughs. You should focus on it next time because you will LOL.

It was time for a brief window shopping break at Star Traders.
IMG_1882.jpeg

I was considering this shirt because I thought it was cute but THEN
IMG_1883.jpeg

But a missing apostrophe dissuaded me.
IMG_1884.jpeg

What IS this supposed to be.
IMG_1885.jpeg

Our shopping adventures took us to Fantasyland, to an area I don't think I had stepped foot in in many, many years. Sir Mickeys and all of that. We did not buy anything, but I enjoyed the theming of this window.
IMG_1886.jpeg

I would have been a little disappointed if I had gone on a trip without going on ATTRACTION #36 at all...
IMG_1887.jpeg

Our carriage awaited us.
IMG_1892.jpeg

Despite what the blurriness of this picture might make you think, we did not bounce along with Tigger. We were quite stable which was sad as I was looking forward to bouncing.
IMG_1893.jpeg

A live look at me recovering STILL from this cold.
 

tonystark

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
IMG_1895.jpeg

*gasp* and no one's gonna help her? woooow... some world we live in.
IMG_1897.jpeg

No transition no exposition just a kid's meal at Pinocchio's Village... whatever. And it was actually remarkably filling. We had a great view also.
IMG_1898.jpeg

Pictured here. Time was spent sipping on my soda trying to discern whether it was truly Diet Coke. It tasted like Coke... but perhaps it WAS diet. I'm still loyal to Coke Zero, but sometimes I want to drink something that just tastes like chemicals. Diet Coke satisfies me in that regard.
IMG_1899.jpeg

I guess this will do as ATTRACTION #37.
IMG_1900.jpeg

Wish I was getting on a different omni-mover grumble grumble.
IMG_1901.jpeg

Wow sometimes I look at this and I'm like THIS PARTICULAR PART MUST HAVE COST THEM SO MUCH MONEY TO BUILD!!! like at least 500$.
IMG_1902.jpeg

Got stopped here for a minute. Probably my preferred area to be stopped on this ride.
IMG_1905.jpeg

Getting stopped here would also be quite neat.
IMG_1907.jpeg

Or here, just to marvel at their hair...

WE ESCAPED!!!
ellie kemper netflix GIF


We then went to have a little photo shoot. I saw it on this FB group that I'm not a member of but observe from a distance (believe me, some of the things posted there are best observed from a distance). It's supposedly a tips and tricks group and this was a worthy trick of a cool place to have pictures taken with the castle. Unfortunately, grandma's photography skills did not satisfy me (or I was just horrified by my appearance I'll let you decide) so the below picture is all I've got now... But at least we got to see the band. I think I have a picture of the general area as well.

IMG_1913.jpeg
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom