Trip Report C’mon Everybody, Here We Go….*COMPLETED*

Think of all the joy you’ll find
When you leave the world behind
And bid your cares goodbye!



Ahh, a relaxing getaway from reality. No cares or concerns. Just bliss.

Not exactly a perfect picture of vacationing at Walt Disney World during Spring Break, is it?

But we’re going anyway. We’re Spring Break Veterans and it’s time for the annual reunion.

Two years ago we missed out on our usual adventure thanks to Covid. The stay-at-home vacation just wasn’t the same! (Although you can read about it here: https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/the-“no-trip”-trip-report-completed.964173/)

Last year we were able to return, albeit under Covid protocols. We believed that enduring masks 24/7, plexiglass and vinyl dividers on attractions, mobile order Door Nazis and limited shopping/dining/entertainment would be acceptable in exchange for the very low crowds that we’d experienced on earlier pandemic trips. But the parks were packed and we ended up spending a lot of time at the pool (which wasn’t a bad thing. We’re pool people.)

Now that park capacity has increased and nearly all Covid restrictions are gone, we expect to find the shoulder-to-shoulder spring break crowds of yore. And long lines. So we’re packing our patience and “It is what it is” attitudes.

Because in spite of all the negatives WDW is still our happy place.

We can’t wait.

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Who: Tuvalu and Em
When: April 3-9, 2022
Where: Our favorite moderate resort

My plan is to go live upon our departure. Fingers crossed that Disney WiFi will be my friend.

Speaking of friends, we hope to meet up with a few. You’ll have to follow along to see if we do.
 

slipperalwaysfits

Well-Known Member
It was a blessing our wait wasn’t much longer due to the loud talking know-it-all (spoiler alert: he didn’t!) behind us. My mood instantly lifted when I saw that the plexiglass had been removed from the train station. I had never been there without it.
I am SOOOO looking forward to the removed plexiglass in this line and on the 3 Cabelleros (I hope that's gone by now). Those lines are TIGHT with the plexiglass!
We made it, Tuvaleen!
YAY! She knew you could do it! 🤩
 

Laurenciaa

Well-Known Member
Next we joined our friends Orange Cone #1….

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….and Orange Cone #2….

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….for a spin around Tomorrowland. (Aren’t you happy, @Laurenciaa?!!)

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Obligatory Tron construction picture.

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(There will be a noticeable change a couple days later.)

Work was happening outside the arcade.

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Apologies for the delay... was enjoying some time on Holiday in Djerba! Glad that the Cone Family is expanding on the People Mover :D
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
Wednesday, con’t

We heard the park opening announcement for all guests while on our way here.

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The end of the line for Slinky was short by Slinky standards. There was a pleasant, cool breeze blowing and we knew we wouldn’t mind the wait.

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You know how you pass the same people when walking through switchbacks? I noticed a woman wearing a button which celebrated nurses (and rightly so!) What I did not realize was she also noticed me. We eventually got close enough for her to ask if we were Tuvalu and Woody. We exchanged pleasantries and a Tuvalu card. Theresa, it was so nice meeting you and your daughter. Thanks for reaching out!

I did not know that there was such a thing as a Slinky Frog until today.
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(Woody claims he remembers Slinky Frog….hmmmm)

Our wait was just under 40 minutes. It went fast!

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I always smile at Wheezy.

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93boomer

Premium Member
Wednesday, con’t

We heard the park opening announcement for all guests while on our way here.

View attachment 642242

The end of the line for Slinky was short by Slinky standards. There was a pleasant, cool breeze blowing and we knew we wouldn’t mind the wait.

View attachment 642243



View attachment 642245

You know how you pass the same people when walking through switchbacks? I noticed a woman wearing a button which celebrated nurses (and rightly so!) What I did not realize was she also noticed me. We eventually got close enough for her to ask if we were Tuvalu and Woody. We exchanged pleasantries and a Tuvalu card. Theresa, it was so nice meeting you and your daughter. Thanks for reaching out!

I did not know that there was such a thing as a Slinky Frog until today.
View attachment 642244
(Woody claims he remembers Slinky Frog….hmmmm)

Our wait was just under 40 minutes. It went fast!

View attachment 642246

I always smile at Wheezy.

View attachment 642247
Tell Woody that I remember a Slinky Frog too.
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
Wednesday, con’t

Wait times had increased tremendously after we exited Slinky Dog. As much as I enjoy Alien Swirling Saucers I did not want to wait 50 minutes for it.

We joined this queue instead.

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It was a slow slog through the exterior part of the queue and even slower once we got inside. I consoled myself with the thought of seeing Mr. Potato Head. His antics always bring cheer to a boring wait.

WTH??!!!

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(There’s no screen replacement for Mr. Potato Head’s AA @Zipitidoda.)

Forty-five minutes later we are ready for battle.

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I tried hard. I really did. Yet my score was disappointing.

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The worst part?

Woody not only beat me, he scored Best in Vehicle!

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I hung my head in shame.
 

Zipadeelady

Well-Known Member
Wednesday, con’t

Wait times had increased tremendously after we exited Slinky Dog. As much as I enjoy Alien Swirling Saucers I did not want to wait 50 minutes for it.

We joined this queue instead.

View attachment 642451

It was a slow slog through the exterior part of the queue and even slower once we got inside. I consoled myself with the thought of seeing Mr. Potato Head. His antics always bring cheer to a boring wait.

WTH??!!!

View attachment 642452
(There’s no screen replacement for Mr. Potato Head’s AA @Zipitidoda.)

Forty-five minutes later we are ready for battle.

View attachment 642456

I tried hard. I really did. Yet my score was disappointing.

View attachment 642453

The worst part?

Woody not only beat me, he scored Best in Vehicle!

View attachment 642454

I hung my head in shame.
I feel bad not liking your post. Another AA!? What the heck is going on. I think I need to order a @Darstarr shirt.
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
Woody was game for a ride in a really fast car.

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Standby was posted at 30 minutes. Doable. I told him I would keep him company in line then duck out at the chicken exit.

Tower of Terror has had horrific wait times for the last several months. Reason being one side is closed for refurbishment. While in line at RnR, I was able to tell it is the left side which is down, since one set of doors remained open.

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Forty minutes passed before we made it into the preshow. (Another made up wait time, @BwlrBry212 😉.) It was fun to see Steven and the gang again. When I last went in with Em during the pandemic, the gang was in quarantine.

Once our group exited the studio and I knew right away something wasn’t right.

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A few seconds later the lights came on.

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There was all sorts of commotion as CMs surrounded the parking booth, looking for direction from the lead CM who was monitoring the computer. A recorded announcement of “technical difficulties, please remain seated” played. A few minutes passed and live announcements about the need to evacuate began.

Woody would not be riding in a fast car.

He would take the chicken exit with me, along with everyone else waiting in the parking garage.

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Good news for all of us in the load area (and those evacuated from the coaster) — we got a Multiple Experience Pass (aka Lightning Lane) to use later today. Of course it was not valid for RotR, ToT or Slinky Dog. 🙄
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
Wednesday, con’t

I did not get a Mama Melrose ADR to replace the one I’d canceled for Monday.

But we still had Italian. :hilarious:

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The breeze I’d mentioned earlier was still around. Thus we did not want to miss an opportunity to dine al fresco.

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My views:

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You can guess which one was my favorite. 😉
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
@LadyBelle you know me so well! Of course we would use our Multiple Experience pass here.

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It was my first time entering a Lightning Lane anywhere. In a way this was the perfect attraction for it.

Why?

Because in the summer of 2013, Woody, Em and I stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge. AKL was a “test resort” for the new MyMagic+ system of MagicBands and FastPass+. Initially we were skeptical of a system that allowed guests to pre-book Fastpasses 60 days in advance….why would anyone want to do that? But since we were part of the test, I dutifully booked our FPs and we wore our MagicBands to DHS in late afternoon on our arrival day. (And got a lot of curious glances from others on the tram!)

The Great Movie Ride was our first FP+ attraction. Two CMs were stationed at that side entrance pictured above. As we approached to scan in, those CMs could not have been more excited. We were the first guests ever to tap in with a FP for TGMR. They nearly cheered when we entered.

So in a way it felt like we’d come full circle.

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I have no intention of paying for Lightning Lane service so it was a treat to get in “free.” Our wait was 8 minutes from the time we scanned in until we entered the preshow room.

After the “explosion” the CM deadpanned: “Please don’t touch the screen. It’s broken.”

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Two for Tuvaleen!

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