Trip Report Let's Be Financially Irresponsible

hehehehehe....

Oh, friends, it has been so, so very long. And so much has happened in the past year! Namely, a year of clinical rotations mostly around Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, venturing as far west as Kansas. It was an experience I'd rather not repeat, and fortunately do not have to, as I graduated at the end of December, passed my board exam, moved back to Florida, and will begin a new job shortly. Phew! I just got back from the UK on Saturday, after spending Christmas with my family over there, and had to drive past WDW TWICE on my way to and from MCO. It hurt me. It hurt me so badly that after driving past it on Saturday I started talking to my mom about how I could just go.... I could just... go.

Here's where I could just go... The following morning, jet lag had me up rather early so I was like... shall I check to see if there are any hotels available? What's the harm? What is the harm. So I looked for Wednesday and Pop was available for 162 that night. I hate making decisions and that number wasn't really speaking to me, so I held off. My grandparents came over yesterday to see my new apartment now that I finally have furniture (that is a story and a half...) and while there, my grandma (the one I often go to Disney with) and my mom started being little evil devils on my shoulder whispering to me that I should just DO IT. So I looked at the hotel availability for Tuesday... and lo, All Star Sports for $93 a night. That's more like it. So, I jumped. And by jumped, I also bought my annual pass. Thus, the title of this thread (which I figure I'll just keep ongoing for the year a la @Tuvalu as long as I, of course, am not cramping your style). My credit card is taking a beating.

So, this Tuesday through Thursday I'll be at WDW, and I'm kind of just winging it. I have reservations for MK tomorrow, Epcot on Wednesday, and who knows on Thursday because I haven't decided if I'm going to go to a park or head home for any administrative stuff outstanding for my job since my remaining funemployment free time is rapidly dwindling. Don't expect great pictures for now because 1) I did not settle on the Photopass upcharge and 2) I dropped my phone this year directly on the camera and shattered the glass over the lens, thus the weird flares in the photo above. But she still works, so that will be dealt with in the future if any of the new iPhones this year tickle my fancy... a different opportunity to be financially irresponsible in 2025! Yay! So, join me on what is sure to be a year of me just riding Haunted Mansion and Peoplemover and calling it a day since I have no interest in figuring out the latest FP replacement

 

[tonystark]

But still wanted to say Congratulations on all of your accomplishments!!

There is a car with a bench on Tron.

did not know this

Also they don’t hold your wrists. You could definitely try the regular seats. A totally reasonable option.

hmm... it shall be taken under advisement.

 

[tonystark]

If time stamps are to be believed, I waited 40 minutes before climbing aboard.

My usual friends.

You, too.

And you, of course, I would never forget you!

And finally, these guys. Because I always get stopped here, because disembarking Pirates is nearly, but not quite, as painful as disembarking IASW.

It was time for a water break. Despite it being chilly outside, I was aware of the fact that I hadn't had anything to drink since like 7 am when I abandoned my emotional support water bottle in my car.

Doing a little walk around with my water that I was nursing. It was nice to see this area with the walls down. But I was vindicated when I saw everyone emerging rather wet, definitely not going for the virtual queue on this day.

But we trade one set of walls for another... Went to pay my respects to Big Thunder, as had this duck. Ugh, Frontierland (at least this side of it) is so quiet now!

It was time to travel back to Tomorrowland, but I fear the loss of Rivers of America will be quite detrimental to the ambience of MK. I don't need to go to Tom Sawyer's Island to appreciate the atmosphere that it and the Liberty Belle bring. But atmosphere does not generate money, I guess.

Unlike this spirit jersey at Star Traders, which I guess tempted me in the moment but looking at it now in this picture, it's not tempting me anymore.

 

[tonystark]

Of course if I'm going to be stopping in Tomorrowland, it is for one main reason...

Why do I always take a picture of this sign??? It speaks to me. No one was waving back to me on this go round, but perhaps people were keeping their hands close to their bodies to conserve warmth ‍

Ughhh was I really going to do this? The wait time was posted at 35 minutes. And the ALARM SOUNDS in this queue are intolerable. But, again... My room wasn't ready, so, might as well...

26 minutes to finally get to this point, so the wait time was definitely going to be longer than 35 minutes. I watched with disturbed curiosity as the child behind me actively licked the walls whenever we came to a stop inside, despite his mother telling him to stop. All I could think about was norovirus.

Hello uncanny valley Buzz.

I really locked in on this attempt, and I think this may be my new high score. Wooo! It was 2:00 at this point, and I was hoping to hear something from All Star Sports by 3. Praying, perhaps, because I was feeling my early wake up. Back across the park to kill time.

This is the back of the line for Haunted Mansion. Long, yes, but again, killing time and hoping against hope...

It took 10 minutes to get to this point so it looks like it was going to be more like an hour wait. And at this point, I got a text from Disney (2:20 pm!!!) that my room was ready. I considered abandoning ship. But at Haunted Mansion? I would never. I would ride this and head to the hotel for a little lie down methinks.

Lots of people talking in the stretching room this trip. Disney could hire me to shush people and look at them imperiously

Take a picture of me, I'll take a picture of you. JK, didn't get any ride photos on this trip.

 

[Baloo124]

as the child behind me actively licked the walls whenever we came to a stop inside, despite his mother telling him to stop.

 

[RememberWhen]

View attachment 836892

The things kids do… it’s truly a wonder we survive…
Side note, kids and I got covid at Disney in December. Yay! How many times did I tell DD to please keep her hands out of her mouth? Impossible to count. Could these be connected? We’ll never know. (Yes. The answer is yes.)

 

[Tuvalu]

View attachment 836283
Years of construction pictures and it all comes down to this... a ride that I am too afraid to ride. You recall the ride vehicle on FOP made me freak out with claustrophobia, and with Tron grabbing you around your ankles and wrists, I figure the sensation would be similar and would result in a similar freak out. Didn't want to risk it. Also the line was enormous all day so that was enough of a deterrent for me.

If my 85 year old mother can do TRON (in the Rover, not motorcycle) you can too!

 

[Swissmiss]

If my 85 year old mother can do TRON (in the Rover, not motorcycle) you can too!

View attachment 836940

How do you get to do it in the Rover? You ask when you get to the front of the line? (Asking for a friend who might be interested this summer )

 

[Tuvalu]

How do you get to do it in the Rover? You ask when you get to the front of the line? (Asking for a friend who might be interested this summer )

When you get to the bottom of the ramp where the CM is assigning rows, tell them you want the Rover. You’ll either be asked to stand to the side to wait (not all trains have one) or be assigned the last row in the back (where the Rover is).