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).

 

[tonystark]

Whoopsies, it turns out that starting a new job really takes it out of you...

Anyways, we left off with Haunted Mansion after I had learned that my room was ready.

It was time to depart. I cannot tell you why I was going this way, but I must have had a good reason for it.

I got here in 8 minutes so despite my random wandering over into Fantasyland to get out, I guess I at least was still making my way to the exit.

Have no fear, though, because I had every intention of coming back to MK after having a little nap.

Before too long I was disembarking my bus, moving the car, and bringing my bag inside to room 8248. This is All Star Sports, you guys know what it looks like inside...

But just in case you don't, here it is. I pulled the Murphy bed down to have my little kip because I wasn't changing clothes and didn't want to get park clothes on the bed I was actually going to be sleeping on.

Second order of business was turning the AC on, since it was off. It may have been cold outside, but I needed it cold inside to be able to sleep.

And I took a picture of the shower to remind myself that this made a shrill, horrible noise when the water was running and about half the water was still coming out of the tub faucet. Did I call anyone about this? No. But I have told all of you, so that ought to count for something.

Brief lie down secured, it was time to return to Magic Kingdom. I remember not wanting to get out of bed at all for this lol, but I was actually going to see if I could meet my friend and her family for dinner.

Any guesses where dinner is going to be? You know where it's going to be, I'm entirely predictable.

But this was as close to Sonny as I was going to get today. It was very busy, and my friend had managed to secure a table by the bays (I have never not eaten in the main room!). I guess I got so carried away chatting that I forgot to take a picture of my kids chicken tenders, but trust that it was delectable and the Diet Coke hit the spot.

 

[tonystark]

Dinner was done and I was not sure what I wanted to do. Wait times were kind of all over the place and believe Haunted Mansion was at 50 minutes. I passed these folks paying for their little desserts and prime fireworks viewing spot and I decided I wanted my own dessert.

My poor little phone struggling with the beautiful scenery of Main Street at night.

It may be freezing cold outside but ice cream called... Specifically...

The All American Sundae... YES! And technically there's hot fudge and hot peanut butter sauce... so it is a warming experience... and then not a warming experience...

I scampered off to my usual little alleyway to eat my usual little ice cream and observe Main Street as people camped out for the fireworks. And I actually got one of the tables back here, despite people congregating.

Ice cream consumed, I wanted one more ride before heading back to the hotel to read my book. My Kindle was calling me.

A blurry image for a ride I rarely go on!

And soon enough, less than 20 minutes I seem to think, it was time to board.

This made me jump. Was this scene always here? Were the monkeys always firing guns? Was it just not working the last time I rode (eons ago)???? Jungle Cruise was fun. Fun! Despite me sitting in the back, so the skipper was kind of unintelligible over the speaker, and kids kept interrupting him. I don't think it would be as fun a ride during daytime. And perhaps I just enjoyed it so much because I hadn't ridden it in so long.

Christmas Tree looking SPOOKY! Yes, I was leaving before fireworks. So early! Usually I open-close. But now, I told myself I did not need to do that any more. I could always just come back another day and ride whatever I felt like I was missing. And I really was tired lol. So, yes. I traveled all the way back to MK for some chicken tenders, an ice cream, and a ride on Jungle Cruise. And yet I have no regrets.

 

[rshell68]

So, yes. I traveled all the way back to MK for some chicken tenders, an ice cream, and a ride on Jungle Cruise. And yet I have no regrets.

Nor should you! That's what being a Passholder means

 

[Go.Nijntje]

View attachment 839373
Dinner was done and I was not sure what I wanted to do. Wait times were kind of all over the place and believe Haunted Mansion was at 50 minutes. I passed these folks paying for their little desserts and prime fireworks viewing spot and I decided I wanted my own dessert.
View attachment 839374
My poor little phone struggling with the beautiful scenery of Main Street at night.
View attachment 839375
It may be freezing cold outside but ice cream called... Specifically...
View attachment 839376
The All American Sundae... YES! And technically there's hot fudge and hot peanut butter sauce... so it is a warming experience... and then not a warming experience...
View attachment 839377
I scampered off to my usual little alleyway to eat my usual little ice cream and observe Main Street as people camped out for the fireworks. And I actually got one of the tables back here, despite people congregating.
View attachment 839378
Ice cream consumed, I wanted one more ride before heading back to the hotel to read my book. My Kindle was calling me.
View attachment 839379
A blurry image for a ride I rarely go on!
View attachment 839380
And soon enough, less than 20 minutes I seem to think, it was time to board.
View attachment 839381
This made me jump. Was this scene always here? Were the monkeys always firing guns? Was it just not working the last time I rode (eons ago)???? Jungle Cruise was fun. Fun! Despite me sitting in the back, so the skipper was kind of unintelligible over the speaker, and kids kept interrupting him. I don't think it would be as fun a ride during daytime. And perhaps I just enjoyed it so much because I hadn't ridden it in so long.
View attachment 839382
Christmas Tree looking SPOOKY! Yes, I was leaving before fireworks. So early! Usually I open-close. But now, I told myself I did not need to do that any more. I could always just come back another day and ride whatever I felt like I was missing. And I really was tired lol. So, yes. I traveled all the way back to MK for some chicken tenders, an ice cream, and a ride on Jungle Cruise. And yet I have no regrets.

I would go to MK just for an ice cream. It's the best place to eat it.

 

[tonystark]

The dawning of the second day, which was Wednesday, January 8th.

A nice cold morning greeted me, so I put on my stupid little jacket and walked myself to the bus stop.

A little hint for what the day held.

I was looking forward to seeing Epcot without any of the construction walls... Or at least, less construction walls since Test Track and the rear aspect of SSE would be hidden from my view.

But the anterior aspect of SSE was on full display, and that's where I was heading for my first ride.

This was like a horrible wind tunnel of doom with huge gusts of frigid air. Good thing I had my stupid little jacket.

The only snack that I could find you guys this morning was this previously chewed piece of gum. Someone had obviously been through early that morning and either ate whatever was there or took it away knowing that I was coming.

Whenever they inevitably refurbish SSE and no doubt heavy handedly insert some distantly popular intellectual property, I imagine this mural will be a casualty.

But if that heavy handed refurbishment leads to the removal of these blasted screens, I suppose I will have one less thing to complain about.

Oobah Day... Oobah Day!!!

Got stopped here for a few minutes. SSE seemed a lot less audibly rickety.

 

[RememberWhen]

I always think of you when we see Boots.

 

[Agent H]

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.
View attachment 835024
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

Welcome to the fold fellow Waltineer! Always nice to meet someone new

 

[tonystark]

Boots! (@RememberWhen ). If someone ends up illegally selling her on Ebay when she gets tossed for whatever refurb, I may have to make a bid. Or just for the boots. She's iconic. An aside, I was on some sort of auction website in December because there was a big Disney lot and there was a stretching room portrait for 99k. Ohhhhh to have disposable income to that extent.

I stare up at the space station and imagine the poor little abandoned animatronic in there looking down at me. Unless she's not sad and is rather angry and biding her time before leaping down upon those passing unwittingly below her to exact her revenge.

Anyways, here's Walt. And a lone photo pass photographer waiting for someone to pop a squat next to him. Kind of awkward idk I just wandered past as I was exploring that which was previously behind walls.

My wandering took me to Starbucks because I wanted my usual iced matcha with strawberry cold foam (soooooo good).

Always tempted by an M&M cookie but I resisted.

This thing also almost got me... I was so intrigued! But not intrigued enough to forgo my usual breakfast plans. But the most dreadful revelation was that they were out of matcha. I could have fallen to my knees and sobbed before the crowd, but I stayed as strong as one could in such a situation and....

Begrudgingly ordered a pink drink. And look they put little starbursts around my name, perhaps to soften the blow. Also that's the sleeve of my stupid little jacket that you see.

Wandered over to Creations (which smelled) and looked at this quarter zip, which I would have much preferred to my stupid little jacket, but I'd already ripped the tags off my purchase and they only had these in XL.

I wouldn't be riding Test Track this go round. Also everyone is wearing these character hoodie things, I saw Pooh, Tigger, the aliens from Toy Story.

On my way to breakfast. You guys already know what it is.

 

[tonystark]

need the squad to tell me not to book A*l S*ar S*orts for 185 a night this weekend simply because it would allow me to be lazy and not drive up and back same day come on that price is ridiculous

 

[Tuvalu]

 

[Swissmiss]

need the squad to tell me not to book A*l S*ar S*orts for 185 a night this weekend simply because it would allow me to be lazy and not drive up and back same day come on that price is ridiculous

185 would pay for a lot of gas for other trips

 

[tonystark]

185 would pay for a lot of gas for other trips

unfortunately you are both talking sense but if it's still available Friday....... ...... .....