Trip Report A Friend Like Her *COMPLETED*

“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
~ Forrest Gump

Ah, February. The month of heart-shaped boxes of chocolate. The month of romance and love. The month of someone’s Valentine birthday.

The month of the crappiest weather in 95 percent of the country. Including Florida.

The month in which another mother/daughter jaunt to WDW brought unexpected surprises.....some great, some not-so-great....much like biting into a piece of boxed chocolate.

Much like life itself.

I’d LOVE to have you follow along on our long-weekend adventure.

Who: Tuvalu and Em (with special appearances by a dear friend)
When: January 31 - February 4, 2020
Where: Disney’s Pop Century Resort

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

Bellies full, we wandered back to Toy Story Land for our final ride.

Yup, glad we had a FP! But what a happy smile on the face of this CM holding the standby sign!

The FP line moved quickly and we were soon on-board.

We were on and off in 10 minutes. While I wouldn’t recommend a ride on Slinky Dog Dash after a large meal, I’m happy to report neither Em nor I suffered any adverse effects.

I recently found this flyover picture of Toy Story Land. Shots like this fascinate me, and I was tickled to see that the checkerboard and popsicle walls actually serve a purpose beyond Instagram backdrops!

 

[PhantomTeaMistress999]

Well, sitting at home today, I totally just binge read this TR. So much fun!

 

[PhantomTeaMistress999]

So are the crowds on the 4th of July really as bad as the Christmas/New Year's crowds? (I haven't done research yet).

I've had to go the week of the 4th two times because we couldn't go any other time those years. And I said NEVER AGAIN! The crowds at MK were terrible and you could not move whatsoever on the 3rd and 4th.

 

[Tuvalu]

Well, sitting at home today, I totally just binge read this TR. So much fun!

Thanks so much!

 

[lindawdw]

I could see how going on SDD could possibly give someone a problem if they just ate a full meal but glad you both were OK! I love the flyover shot of TSL! I can't wait to get back there one day.

 

[Tuvalu]

Final Hours of Our Last Day

The inevitable moment had come. Em and I needed to head back to Pop to catch the Tragical. We knew the timing of our Slinky Dog FP was going to make our travel window tight, but we did not want to sacrifice this most-prized FP! Thankfully our journey on the Skyliner was swift and uneventful. We had ample time to retrieve our bags from Bell Services and make a comfort stop ~ where I discovered the only restroom flowers of our trip, @Swissmiss!

I wonder....were there bouquets in the men’s room in the Pop lobby as well? I have yet to crack the code on which restrooms get adorned with flowers (and why.)

We sat outside and took in a few last rays of the Florida sun before our motorcoach arrived.

Pop must have been the first pick-up as we boarded an empty bus. The bus then picked up at Boardwalk and Rivieria before continuing to the airport. We arrived nearly three hours before our flight’s departure. Em checked the TSA wait time sign which posted 15-20 minutes, so we went to the food court for a snack.

Two small Carvelanches, one with M&Ms and the other with cookie crumbles. They were delish!

When we returned to the security area the wait times had TRIPLED. It took us just over an hour to be screened and arrive at the gate. Our flight had already begun boarding. As I posted at the beginning of this report, I sat in the same “windowless” window seat as I did on the way down.

At least there was no turbulence and we received beverage service. After landing we waited a very long time for Uber Woody, who was stuck in rainy rush hour traffic. We tipped him anyway!

Most of my reports conclude with the typical “vacation’s over” pouty face pic. This one is no exception.

At the time we consoled ourselves with the thought we’d be back in only 60 days....after all, I’d booked our Fastpasses that very morning! But now, instead of returning the day after tomorrow like we thought, we’re left wondering (as so many are) when our next trip will be.

And we can’t wait.

Though Em and I agreed it will be hard to top this one, with a friend like her.

 

[I'mwatchinguWizowski]

Aww your ending just made me tear up! Now more than ever are we thankful for special moments with our friends and family!! Loved your trip report!

 

[lindawdw]

This was such a wonderful TR!!! You all did so much with the days that you had and it was so obvious what a great time you had with your friend! I'm glad your trip home was uneventful this time. I'm sorry your April trip got cancelled as did so many of our trips this Spring. Do you have another planned for the Fall? Thank you for sharing your adventures!!!

 

[KellBelle]

I am hoping your wait to return won't be too long! I am sure Poly & Kona are happy to have you around for a while though! Thanks again for an awesome report!

 

[Dave B]

Social Distancing keeps them apart, I would think, but we have facetime and skype!!!

 

[RememberWhen]

So sad this Trip Report is over. I’m sure hoping you’ve got June/July/August trips lined up. It’s longer than I’d like to wait, but given the circumstances I’m sure we’ll all forgive you for the lack of entertainment.

 

[Swissmiss]

Thanks for the shout out about the flowers. It’s really such a “simple” thing for them to do which has such a big impact (IMO). And now that I think about it, if they are only going to put them in some bathrooms, I’m glad they do so in resorts that have fewer amenities.

Did I read earlier today that schools on Georgia are shut thru the end of this school year? How is Em taking it? It’s got to be hard for all you teachers out there, who suddenly find out they won’t have an opportunity to say goodbye to the class

 

[93boomer]

Final Hours of Our Last Day

The inevitable moment had come. Em and I needed to head back to Pop to catch the Tragical. We knew the timing of our Slinky Dog FP was going to make our travel window tight, but we did not want to sacrifice this most-prized FP! Thankfully our journey on the Skyliner was swift and uneventful. We had ample time to retrieve our bags from Bell Services and make a comfort stop ~ where I discovered the only restroom flowers of our trip, @Swissmiss!

View attachment 460370

I wonder....were there bouquets in the men’s room in the Pop lobby as well? I have yet to crack the code on which restrooms get adorned with flowers (and why.)

We sat outside and took in a few last rays of the Florida sun before our motorcoach arrived.

View attachment 460371

Pop must have been the first pick-up as we boarded an empty bus. The bus then picked up at Boardwalk and Rivieria before continuing to the airport. We arrived nearly three hours before our flight’s departure. Em checked the TSA wait time sign which posted 15-20 minutes, so we went to the food court for a snack.

Two small Carvelanches, one with M&Ms and the other with cookie crumbles. They were delish!

View attachment 460381

When we returned to the security area the wait times had TRIPLED. It took us just over an hour to be screened and arrive at the gate. Our flight had already begun boarding. As I posted at the beginning of this report, I sat in the same “windowless” window seat as I did on the way down.

View attachment 460425

At least there was no turbulence and we received beverage service. After landing we waited a very long time for Uber Woody, who was stuck in rainy rush hour traffic. We tipped him anyway!

Most of my reports conclude with the typical “vacation’s over” pouty face pic. This one is no exception.

View attachment 460372

At the time we consoled ourselves with the thought we’d be back in only 60 days....after all, I’d booked our Fastpasses that very morning! But now, instead of returning the day after tomorrow like we thought, we’re left wondering (as so many are) when our next trip will be.

And we can’t wait.

Though Em and I agreed it will be hard to top this one, with a friend like her.

Awww I am going to miss a Tuvalu TR for awhile. I may have withdrawals!
Glad you tipped Woody.Rush hour is rough in Atl.
So glad you got to spend time with your friend! A very special trip!

 

[Darstarr]

Another wonderful read!!!
The locker room at the gym I go to always has the most beautiful flowers. Your pop ladies room flowers made me think of them. Man, I miss the gym....never thought I would say that
Until our triumphant return to the world...
Stay safe

 

[MickeyCB]

Thank you very much for sharing. As usual so much fun to follow along on your adventures.
Stay safe!

 

[Nunu]

You already know how much we all enjoy your TR's, this one is no exception. Thank you!

Some of us had to put our WDW plans on hold for now, I'm specially sad about having to cancel our May trip and that "specially" part, involves you. I have faith that better times are ahead, in the meantime, let's all stay safe.

I'll sure miss reading about your adventures for a while, but time will only make it sweeter, when we get the chance to have you back!

 

[wdwfamilynh]

Thanks for sharing! Hope you and your family are safe and doing well

 

[Songbird76]

I guess it's going to be pretty slow here in the TR thread for a while....at least I should have more time to catch up on older ones I missed. But I'm so sad there won't be one from Tuvalu!

 

[MissViv]

Loved your trip report, as always.

Hoping & praying the world returns to normal, or somewhat normal, again soon and we can all be enjoying Disney in the near future!

STAY SAFE!!

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

As always, great TR. Again so sorry we didn’t meet up!