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

 

[BrerWayne]

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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.
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Views from the room. I was thrilled that we could see Expedition Everest! A theme park view, perhaps, at a stretch...
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And over there, I was pretty willing to say that those roofs belong to the Grand Floridian.
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Okay, enough about the room, it's time to get a move on.
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Hurry, we have places to be and the clock is ticking before we have to return home and prepare for another week of work!!
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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.
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I wanted to get the build your own popcorn SO BADDDD but the line, the line...
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An updated purple wall picture... You can see me aging compared to my profile picture. I'm like the crypt keeperrrrr.
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What should the first MK ride be? Probably HM, but the line was a little long, and we were in the neighborhood...
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This will do nicely!

That’s a really cool shirt.

 

[tonystark]

A castle and a crane. I'm definitely feeling the absence of Big Thunder this year, that part of the park just seems like such a dead end right now.

Oh, what have we here? Space Mountain was down.

As tradition dictates.

Could you imagine riding this with the lights on lol. I feel like the only real thrill you would get is seeing how close the bars are, and whatever spray paint is left from when they were thinking about re-tracking this.

Since we were already in Tomorrowland it was time for an oldie but a goodie.

Did they reupholster the seats? I swear they were fabric instead of leather. Thrilling commentary, I know!

Best seats in the house, of course, practically dead center and close enough to the front that you don't have to crane your neck.

Everyone needs to GET OFF THEIR PHONESSSSS on this ride, except for me when I am taking mid-show photos, but you can ask Bob Iger, my special exemption is written into my annual passholder contract.

And now I was hungry, so dinner was to be a kids chicken tender meal at Cosmic Ray's.

With none other than my man singing to me and only me (also outlined in my contract).

 

[tonystark]

In case you need a reminder of how bad my phone camera was at this point.

She's TRYING okay she's trying. I should have just been grateful that it worked at all after I had so carelessly shattered the lens.

And you know what? Sometimes the haziness gave pictures a rather charming feel, like the Tangled bathrooms here that I used before our next round of rides.

Less charming, but I was in motion. Time to sail away on the happiest cruise.

I like how cheerful the queue for IASW is.

You can't even argue against this when it's posted on the very wall of the ride.

Gaze into her sightless eyes and experience the mortifying ordeal of being known.

He's so silly, he's not even in the rain.

I don't remember ever noticing these guys. I'm spending the year picking out little details with each ride through.

But the most important ride to examine details in was yet to come. 40 minutes is about my limit, and I knew that we wouldn't be waiting that long, and I can't come to MK without riding it, so...

 

[tonystark]

Some details for you to examine.

Cannot remember what astronomical phenomenon was happening (if in fact there was one at all) but there was a very bright star/planet in the sky this night. Venus, perhaps? I do not recall.

No rose here.

Ah, but a rose here.

Trying not to shush people who are TALKING SOOOOOO LOUDLY in the Stretching Room every time I go this year. Decorummmm where is the decorummmm.

Oh yes, and no flash pictures, please...

What??? Did we teleport? No, we are merely getting on once again, and look, the wait has gone down.

The rose was still here. As one would expect, since about 10-15 minutes had gone by. But I guess I thought important to document from a different angle.

Just as I thought it important to document this filth over by the Doom Buggies.

And here he is, the fan favorite (have I converted you all yet?).

 

[tonystark]

Across the park because 15 minutes to get into the Hundred Acre Woods is not bad at all.

My ride's here. Afterwards, I made a purchase in the gift shop and we continued on to our next stop.

What awaited us inside?

The wall where I almost passed out of course! Made all the more harrowing by how bizarrely pixelated this picture is.

This was my purchase. I now have everyone except Piglet at this point.

Don't be chicken!!! *Glub glub glub*

If they ever clean this man's foot, this ride will be dead to me.

We were in the neighborhood and I felt as though I hadn't been on this ride in an age.

So much so that I had zero recollection of this scene.

I guess it mystified me so much that it necessitated more than one picture. Has this always been here???

 

[Swissmiss]

If they ever clean this man's foot, this ride will be dead to me.

I too look forward to my moment of horror having to pass under that disgusting foot

 

[tonystark]

You all know that I need my ice cream. And you know my usual.

So it should come as no surprise that this was our next port of call.

All American Sundae I love youuuuuuuuuu

Seems like a great idea following an ice cream, yes?

Too late to call it off now...

We survived! And despite my lack of Tums or omeprazole, I managed to fight against the acid reflux that resulted from an ice cream sundae and a particularly rough rollercoaster. 10:55 pm at this point, park closing in 5 minutes. Where to?

Ah, but of course, closing it out on the Peoplemover.

Blurry... But yes...

The park is closed, our trip is essentially over, it is time to join the hoards fleeing the park.

Main Street at night, one of my favorite atmospheres.

But this is one of my least favorite signs

 

[Tuvalu]

Your wit is so entertaining! Let’s see if I can help with some of your ??s.

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.

Those of us with August trips would love a hint regarding your arrival date - early, mid, end?

And over there, I was pretty willing to say that those roofs belong to the Grand Floridian.
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Having stayed in the tower with your view a few times, I can say those white buildings with red roofs and turrets are not the Grand Floridian but an IMPOSTER!! Yes there is a copycat resort that I have driven by outside the gates of our beloved bubble.
(Another clue - have you ever seen giant, ugly power poles near a Disney resort?)

Did they reupholster the seats? I swear they were fabric instead of leather. Thrilling commentary, I know!
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Sigh. If you had kept up with my 2024 novel TR, you would have seen these new seats featured in July.


But - in your defense - there are multiple theaters at CoP and not all seats were refurbished at the same time. You can tell by Em’s disgust 5 months later with the old fabric seats in December 2024.

We were in the neighborhood and I felt as though I hadn't been on this ride in an age. So much so that I had zero recollection of this scene.
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I guess it mystified me so much that it necessitated more than one picture. Has this always been here???

The new props/scenes were added in summer 2021, following the release of the Jungle Cruise movie with Dwayne Johnson.

 

[tonystark]

Here we are the following morning in search of breakfast.

Why did I order this??? It sounded good, but it was pretty dreadful. Chorizo and scrambled egg empanadas, I believe. But soooooo lukewarm from the heat lamps and soooooo unappetizing. Hashbrowns were great, though.

Browsing in the gift shop on our way out, I do like this design. But I have a PERFECTLY USEABLE ... BELT BAG... AT MY DISPOSAL!

Guys, I did it again. I swear I have gotten this smoothie in the past and thought it was terrible and overpriced. And I was really in the mood for a smoothie, so I waited forever at the cafe to have this. And it was bad.

Carrying my sad little smoothie out of here.

Saying our goodbyes...

And here we are again. Like it had never happened. So, overall thoughts regarding this February trip? Gran Destino Tower rocks and I heartily recommend it.

 

[tonystark]

Let’s see if I can help with some of your ??s

I rely upon you for your endless wealth of Disney knowledge and I bow before your mastery ‍ (this is supposed to be a nodding emoji but we'll see if it translates)

Those of us with August trips would love a hint regarding your arrival date - early, mid, end?

End August 24th, some might say.

but an IMPOSTER!!

I have been bamboozled. I was really standing there with Google Maps trying to puzzle out what we were looking at. Ughhh fine... But at least I could still see AK... A (Half Day) Theme Park View

If you had kept up with my 2024 novel TR, you would have seen these new seats featured in July.

Grad school was HOLDING ME HOSTAGEEEE

Jungle Cruise movie with Dwayne Johnson.

Grad school was not an excuse for me this early... I guess I just haven't ridden Jungle Cruise since 2021 (egads!)

 

[Tuvalu]

End August 24th, some might say.

NO!!!! Departure day.

 

[Wicked Sisters]

You all know that I need my ice cream. And you know my usual.
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So it should come as no surprise that this was our next port of call.
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All American Sundae I love youuuuuuuuuu
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Seems like a great idea following an ice cream, yes?
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Too late to call it off now...
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We survived! And despite my lack of Tums or omeprazole, I managed to fight against the acid reflux that resulted from an ice cream sundae and a particularly rough rollercoaster. 10:55 pm at this point, park closing in 5 minutes. Where to?
View attachment 860805
Ah, but of course, closing it out on the Peoplemover.
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Blurry... But yes...
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The park is closed, our trip is essentially over, it is time to join the hoards fleeing the park.
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Main Street at night, one of my favorite atmospheres.
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But this is one of my least favorite signs

We are returning after two years this September and the first thing we will do is get our All American as it’s the best ever.

 

[cgersic]

As usual, it makes me sad that your wit and photography prowess has come to an end Sooo much fun you are! Can't wait for the next installment!

 

[tonystark]

"No more stays til August" I say as I book a hotel for this weekend

 

[tonystark]

Let us resume... March 21st, a birthday weekend trip! We intended to set out directly from work, but in our field, it all depends on workload as to when you get off for the day. My friend (A!) and I were both scheduled for the early shift but at different hospitals, so I ended up waiting about an hour for her to finish up and come scoop me to Orlando. We had dinner reservations at MK to get to so I was a little anxious about being LATE...But I had scheduled it rather late in the evening to avoid such an occurrence even if we departed to Orlando later than we'd planned.

5:50, making decent time with the traffic one would expect on I4 on a Friday at 5 pm.

Through the side gate.

No room pics from Pop! today because we were merely dumping our bags and heading out to MK.

It's okay, Sarah, I forgive you. An hour and 15 until dinner, we could probably fit a ride or two in, dontcha think?

Not... taken on my phone. But passing by our spot for dinner. Yes, we were influenced by TikTok/Instagram Reels saying that Tony's had drastically improved. Had it? Well, wait and see...

Great off center cloudy photograph of the castle for you all to enjoy. Surprisingly, as you can see by everyone's layers, it was a little chilly for mid March!

Swinging by and faking you all out, we were not headed to the Mansion.

We instead chose... IASW??? I guess so! A short wait and honestly the purpose of this evening was just to go to dinner so we didn't have ride objectives.

Now, it's time for us to return to Tony's, on time for our reservation, and we were seated within a matter of minutes because after my Diet Coke was brought to the table...

Our giant mozzarella sticks arrived at 8:18 pm for the price of $15. Our waitress wanted us to get the garlic bread for the table, as it had "gone viral on TikTok" but who can say no to fried cheese?

 

[RememberWhen]

If the TikTok kids like it it must be good, right!?

 

[tonystark]

If the TikTok kids like it it must be good, right!?

this is what our waitress wanted us to believe...

 

[tonystark]

Phone eats first except in this case when we forgot to take pictures of our entree until midway through.
I had the spaghetti and meatballs ($29....) and A had the Tortellini and Italian Sausage Al Forno ($30) but really we had both meals because we split them with each other. A's was better imo. Spaghetti is my comfort food, but I could've made a better spaghetti and meatballs for myself at home.

What became of the mozzarella sticks?

We each attempted to consume exactly the same amount.

A spaghetti and meatball cupcake was brought out for my birthday which was nice (I feel like the "sauce" was raspberry jelly or some other berry and was rather tasty) but we only had a nibble because our hearts were set on a different dessert. Overall, Tony's was okay. It was loud as all get out in there and made having a conversation difficult. I think I would pass on going there in the future.

On a stroll because there was time for one more ride and why wouldn't I do this on my birthday? Something would be gravely wrong...

Get it... gravely... Because... Haunted Mansion... ghosts... graveyard... grave...ly.

Excellent high quality image of the wallpaper.

Better, I suppose. I'm trying to focus on little details this year, I'm sure I've said. And this diva caught my eye.

We were making our way out of the park and THIS TIME we were going to get the build-you-own popcorn. Which has now become a snack A and I talk about almost daily. While we waited in the long line (which we resigned ourselves to), I admired these lollipops. My parents would always grab one on the way out when I was a kid, and I feel like I would work on that thing for days... I don't know if I ever finished them or if my mom got grossed out by a work-in-progress lollipop and threw it away, but they bring about sweet (get it) memories.

VICTORY WAS MINE... butter popcorn with milk and dark chocolate sauce/syrup (kind of like Magic Shell, it hardens up about 10-20 minutes), regular m&ms (but the spring pastel colors, which I swear taste better than standard color m&ms), snickers, and pretzels. This was tonight's dessert.

We returned to Pop Century and intended on getting up at like 6 o'clock or something ridiculous so that we could rope drop Animal Kingdom because I had the audacious intention of doing 4 parks in 1 day. But at like 3 am, after staring up sleeplessly at the ceiling, I texted A begging her to turn off her 6 am alarm if she happened to wake up and see the text because I was struggling to sleep. Fortunately, I eventually fell asleep and she had turned off her alarm, so it didn't wake me up from one bed over (I'm a light sleeper), but it meant my plans were foiled.

 

[cgersic]

The make your own popcorn is one of the first things I do on a trip and generally end up bringing some back home. Such a great deal as well as YUMMY!

 

[tonystark]

The make your own popcorn is one of the first things I do on a trip and generally end up bringing some back home. Such a great deal as well as YUMMY!

It really is a great deal! And it stays relatively fresh for days.