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]

My favorite spirit. The dancing ghost. Probably ignored by the vast majority of guests, and yet, he never stops dancing. Commendable... Dance like... nobody is watching.

Even my broken camera influenced this photo very little. This meal was abominable. I got the cutie for health

Got this notification and laughed because it was far too cold for such shenanigans. I told myself I would ride it eventually and decided to seek my fortunes elsewhere.

This was predictable no doubt.

Fireworks were going off. My camera was trying. Her motto ever since the lens shattered. Taylor Swift probably wrote 'this is me trying' about my camera lens.

Me listening to people recite the narration.

One of these MEN was in my doombuggy? Really awkward. So scary.

I got his picture but before I could do anything else he disappeared :/

Well. When the wait is 13 minutes you know that I'm more than happy to just re-ride.

 

[tonystark]

Omg when I got back on he was still dancing!!!

But then ANOTHER MAN WAS IN MY DOOMBUGGY?????

And this tiny bride told me to hurry back, hurry back...

But I wasn't going to be hurrying back to the Haunted Mansion. We all know how one is supposed to close out a night at Magic Kingdom and the night of January 8th was no different.

Wow there it was all lit up and operational.

Imagine how good of a photograph my new phone will take of this.

Oh the neon of Tomorrowland... Beloved.

The exposureeeeee on the color lights.... But despite this one cannot deny that Main Street at night is at its most magical.

This, however, is not magical.

You're going to get whiplash because this was magical, a bus to myself!!!

 

[tonystark]

On my way back to my room, I decided to treat myself to a Mickey Bar from the food court.

Delectable. And eaten on the second bed so that my primary bed would remain unsullied.
23,281 steps later and it was time to conk out before a brief stint on the morning of January 9th.

For breakfast I ordered the loaded totchos which for some reason really hit the spot. I thought it would get soggy but it maintained its integrity.

And it was still cold outside so I got myself a hot chocolate. Which was also flippin' delicious.

Ugh this spirit jersey is so cute but it was for children.

No one but me wanted to go to Epcot.

JK there were people in front of me so I did not get a magical experience of a bus to myself.

SSE dazzling my phone.

But of course... I know we just had breakfast, but are you in the mood for a snack?

I found you this blue and orange sour gummy worm.

 

[tonystark]

I'm always threatening to get off my ride vehicle and disappear into some scene on SSE, crawling between these pillars into the darkness is an option.

BOOTS!

Waving up to my boarded up animatronic friend looming upon us all.

Our last ride of the trip, what will it be? Soarin'? The Lion King video? Living with the Land?

YEAH LIVING WITH THE LAND!!! I will wait in line for this.

Front row for myself.

Scary times in the jungle... Crocodiles and giant bugs.

But the sun will come out tomorrow no matter how many scary jungles you have to traverse.

And now it's time to leave!

The end of another trip, right here. The bus took me back to the hotel, where I'd checked out earlier, and where my car awaited me. Only 7,480 steps and 2 rides, but a successful brief venture into Epcot. A good trip overall, I had a lot of fun! We shall see when I can motivate myself to write another 2 trip reports, and whether or not I feel like going sometime this month.

 

[Agent H]

View attachment 852207
Omg when I got back on he was still dancing!!!
View attachment 852208
But then ANOTHER MAN WAS IN MY DOOMBUGGY?????
View attachment 852209
And this tiny bride told me to hurry back, hurry back...
View attachment 852210
But I wasn't going to be hurrying back to the Haunted Mansion. We all know how one is supposed to close out a night at Magic Kingdom and the night of January 8th was no different.
View attachment 852211
Wow there it was all lit up and operational.
View attachment 852212
Imagine how good of a photograph my new phone will take of this.
View attachment 852213
Oh the neon of Tomorrowland... Beloved.
View attachment 852214
The exposureeeeee on the color lights.... But despite this one cannot deny that Main Street at night is at its most magical.
View attachment 852215
This, however, is not magical.
View attachment 852216
You're going to get whiplash because this was magical, a bus to myself!!!

Is it weird I can smell the last picture?

 

[RememberWhen]

Glad to see you back! Your MK evening sounds heavenly

 

[Bullseye1967]

so I placed my order for this truly wretched meal

I was originally going to comment on how bad the mobile menu pic of the dish is, but then I saw what you got. Wow! the menu pic was actually flattering to the dish! Where is the chicken?

Commendable... Dance like... nobody is watching.

 

[cgersic]

Oh my gosh, it makes my day when you do an update! Your humor is just the BEST!! Am I the only one that is going to miss these photos??

 

[tonystark]

OKAY I KNOW I AM SEVERAL TRIPS BEHIND... but... But you forgive me, right? I have until August to catch up because that is when my next trip is planned and for the sake of my bank account that is how it HAS TO BE... because August is a bit of a splurge trip. So let's time travel, shall we?

Join me at 8:07 am on the morning of February 1st. Look, we're almost there...

This was a trip my friend and I took together to celebrate our first paychecks after graduate school. We were supposed to set out at 6:30 am but my alarm didn't go off so we didn't leave until 7. Still, we made really decent time all things considered.

Omg guys we're really almost there!!! And wow okay yes my old phone was struggling with her broken camera.

You'll recall this was a rather last minute trip (I seem to think we booked the hotel in under a week) and we kind of splurged a little bit. Somewhere I had never stayed before! But, you cry, you've stayed at Coronado Springs before. Yes, dear reader, I have, but never...

The Towerrrrrr the tower. And wow, I have to say I was really impressed with this and would definitely stay in the tower again, if the price is right. But our room wasn't ready, so we availed ourselves of the restroom instead.

And then of course... But which of these three would we be going to? If you know me, there's really only one contender in this list.

Because I barely tolerate AK and have never actually been to a Disney water park, we were off to EPCOT. We had such plans about food and drinks at... FARTS... but then whenever there was a line we were like surely it isn't worth it that badly... So I don't think we actually got much at the festival (this will also hold mostly true for Flower and Garden lol).

I like this little tiny sign.

Through the gates because we actually managed to get to Epcot in time for what minimal minutes remained for early entry. Our failed 6:30 departure time was supposed to get us on Ratatouille, but I will spoil you and tell you that we didn't ride it this trip.

But who needs Ratatouille when there's a fashionable set of boots waiting for you?

How fitting.

 

[tonystark]

I was originally going to comment on how bad the mobile menu pic of the dish is, but then I saw what you got. Wow! the menu pic was actually flattering to the dish! Where is the chicken?

It was sooooo horrific. I am trying to repress the memory of that meal still, definitely down as one of the worst things I've had at WDW and that's saying something since the vast majority of food items especially at MK I find only passable.

 

[tonystark]

Prefacing this by saying there was no one ahead of us or behind us for this ride, so when I warn you that I took a flash picture later on, you will be less shocked and appalled. Anyways, I feel like I'm always dayblind when I go on SSE so the first scene I can't see anything (or maybe the screen is just sooooooo faded with age that that's what they want me to think) so I was surprised to actually be seeing things in the very beginning.

Ooba day, ooba day!

And of course, it wouldn't be SSE without BOOTS!

My flash picture of the space station! You can just BARELY make it out, but perhaps what is more interesting (or disturbing) is that thick layer of dust just below it.

SSE accomplished, the natural draw is to the Land pavilion. I believe the park had just opened by this point.

Soarin', of course, though you would not be incorrect if you instead planned on rope dropping LWTL as true fans do.

Why did I take this... To show what my legs would be doing in a few seconds after this picture? To remember that we had relatively decent seats? I know not.

Safely landed, it was time to beat the inevitable rush of people desperate to get on LWTL.

Quick through the queue, but there's always enough time to stare at the various murals and random quotes.

Just as there is always time to gaze longingly at this house and wish yourself to be a chicken animatronic or perhaps the scarecrow.

 

[cgersic]

Sooo happy we still have these fabulous pictures!

 

[RememberWhen]

Glad to see you back!!

 

[tonystark]

Had to check in with my people and let the pan flutes serenade me.

Okay, we're out of there. Iced matcha, anyone?

JK this was the line for Starbucks and... it may come as no surprise but we were unwilling to wait in line for this lol.

Have no fear, alternatives abound in the World Showcase.

One of these days, I am going to break from tradition and get one of those giant chocolate chip cookies. I did break from tradition on the trip following this one, but not with the cookie.

I got myself the school bread as always, my friend got the Viking Coffee (not my favorite) and some sort of little almond/marzipan cake (marzipan also not my favorite).

Fulfilled, we decided to wander the World Showcase for a bit.

As much as a look as this admittedly is, I decided to forgo this purchase.

We'd done a complete loop and ended up back at Mexico. Three Caballeros was down for refurbishment this trip, so we briefly went inside just to take a little looksee at the coolest pavilion (in my opinion).

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY DOLLARS???? Think of how many Pooh hats you could buy with that sort of money.

 

[tonystark]

And now that we had done a loop, it was time to eat.

The deviled egg trio. I love deviled eggs, but this had cooked yolk still in the middle, so I did not partake. Would it have been so difficult to scoop out the yolks? Apparently so...

This, however, I did partake in. I had the sandwich and then my friend had some of the fries, to complement her three deviled eggs. I have no trouble with Regal Eagle and am never particularly disappointed with what I eat there.

It was almost time for the next show of American Adventure, which my friend did not remember seeing, so I said WE MUST.

There they are. I enjoy this attraction. Maybe it's a little bit of wishful thinking in this day and age, but it's nice all the same.

America...... SPREAD YOUR GOLDEN WINGS!!!! My friend thought this attraction was mostly boring I tried.

Nemo was down, so we couldn't explore the seven seas, or anything like that. Another water based attraction was just around the corner, one I hadn't experienced.

We might as well. It was a little cold, so we opted for the side that allows you to stay dry.

As you can see by the clarity of this image, I did not take it. My overall thoughts is that this is dumb. Am I allowed to be that blunt? I wasn't impressed.

But I do appreciate the art of FART(S?)

There would have been a time... oh, in the early 2010s... when this perhaps would have been of my namesake instead... RIP.

 

[cgersic]

"The art of FARTS"

 

[BrerWayne]

It was sooooo horrific. I am trying to repress the memory of that meal still, definitely down as one of the worst things I've had at WDW and that's saying something since the vast majority of food items especially at MK I find only passable.

What was that meal even supposed to be and where did it come from. It reminded me of a soft mechanical diet that we give to patients with difficulty chewing.

 

[tonystark]

What was that meal even supposed to be and where did it come from. It reminded me of a soft mechanical diet that we give to patients with difficulty chewing.

Some sort of children's meal at Pecos Bill... to inflict such suffering on the children... has Disney no shame...

 

[tonystark]

Wandering with no destination in mind, we were... (You can guess) unwilling to wait in this line.

Hip hip, hooray! We decided it was time to go check out the room, since we were spending more than the usual All Star budget on a room for one night.

But before we hit the road, we decided this line was tolerable.

Temptation of peanut butter cookie almost had me willing to purchase it, but peanut butter always gives me the worst acid reflux so I decided to walk away.

Iced matcha with strawberry cold foam the best drink one can order at Starbucks.

Goodbye for now, SSE. Boots, I know you're in there girl. I'll be back.

They put me in Epcot jail :/

Tap your heels three times and you'll be magically transported to your hotel room. A tour, you say?

Bathroom with TWO SINKS! Oh, the luxury. So much so that I hadn't even put my bag down, at you can see.

Here is... apparently what you can find in the closet. No recollection of why I took this picture (AND THAT IS WHY I SHOULD NOT DELAY THESE TRIP REPORTS SO LONGGGG because I'm sure I had some witty remark about this).

 

[tonystark]

I do remember why I took this picture. This lamp was strobing outttttt. Not luxury!!! But did we call anyone about this? No... We did not.

Views from the room. I was thrilled that we could see Expedition Everest! A theme park view, perhaps, at a stretch...

And over there, I was pretty willing to say that those roofs belong to the Grand Floridian.

Okay, enough about the room, it's time to get a move on.

Hurry, we have places to be and the clock is ticking before we have to return home and prepare for another week of work!!

What a relief! I saw a comment on Instagram Reels (have we already discussed my lateral move from TikTok to this? It's really just as bad. I put a 30 minute limit on Instagram and then I happily click "remind me in 5 minutes" over and over again teehee) about how visiting Magic Kingdom as an adult makes you feel like a 10 year old kid with a credit card, and it really is an accurate assessment.

I wanted to get the build your own popcorn SO BADDDD but the line, the line...

An updated purple wall picture... You can see me aging compared to my profile picture. I'm like the crypt keeperrrrr.

What should the first MK ride be? Probably HM, but the line was a little long, and we were in the neighborhood...

This will do nicely!