Trip Report One Little Spark *COMPLETED*

One little spark of inspiration
Is at the heart of all creation
A dream can be
A dream come true
With just that spark
In me and you

One little spark ignited a relationship that is currently four decades long.

One little spark inspired a surprise (and very last-minute) birthday trip to WDW.

One little spark made a dream come true.

Who: Tuvalu and Woody
When: February 8-12, 2023
Where: Disney’s Pop Century Resort

 

[Tuvalu]

Day 2, con’t

Dusk was falling as we left Sebastian’s Bistro after our wonderful meal.

Those clouds? Yeah, the forecast called for evening thunderstorms. Not only were we not prepared for rain, we hoped the Skyliner would still be open when we got to the CBR station. Lightning would shut it down.

Our return walk was much more pleasant thanks to the cool breeze. However it was a little stressful for me as paleontologist Dr. Grant Seeker‘s (yes, I just now got that pun! ) voice reverberated in my head, “We’re not gonna make it! We’re not gonna make it!”

We made it. But Dr. Seeker knew we would!

A loud, violent thunderstorm began just prior to 9 pm. After the first BOOM I was very glad we were in our room. I thought of all the people waiting for fireworks at MK and Epcot and at Fantasmic. Transportation was going to be a wet nightmare.

But Woody and I weren’t able to get too cozy as the storm raged outside. Apparently the loud-mouthed hillbillies next door had never seen lightning or heard thunder before. For an hour they hoot ‘n hollered right outside our door. We no longer heard the storm, just every word of their conversation.

Drinking beer and smoking too.

Woody kept giving me the don’t you dare open the door look.

What is it with people? All the rooms in our wing were subjected to their rudeness. Surely there were others trying to sleep or put their kids down for the night.

“When I get up at 5 am I’m going to stand outside their door and talk as loudly as possible!” I half-heartedly said to Woody.

But the rednecks would beat me to it…..

 

[k8einwdw]

So many people seem to forget their manners when they go on vacation. Hotel room walls are thinner than many seem to realize.

 

[93boomer]

Day 2, con’t

Dusk was falling as we left Sebastian’s Bistro after our wonderful meal.

View attachment 701304

Those clouds? Yeah, the forecast called for evening thunderstorms. Not only were we not prepared for rain, we hoped the Skyliner would still be open when we got to the CBR station. Lightning would shut it down.

Our return walk was much more pleasant thanks to the cool breeze. However it was a little stressful for me as paleontologist Dr. Grant Seeker‘s (yes, I just now got that pun! ) voice reverberated in my head, “We’re not gonna make it! We’re not gonna make it!”

View attachment 701305

We made it. But Dr. Seeker knew we would!

A loud, violent thunderstorm began just prior to 9 pm. After the first BOOM I was very glad we were in our room. I thought of all the people waiting for fireworks at MK and Epcot and at Fantasmic. Transportation was going to be a wet nightmare.

But Woody and I weren’t able to get too cozy as the storm raged outside. Apparently the loud-mouthed hillbillies next door had never seen lightning or heard thunder before. For an hour they hoot ‘n hollered right outside our door. We no longer heard the storm, just every word of their conversation.

Drinking beer and smoking too.

Woody kept giving me the don’t you dare open the door look.

What is it with people? All the rooms in our wing were subjected to their rudeness. Surely there were others trying to sleep or put their kids down for the night.

“When I get up at 5 am I’m going to stand outside their door and talk as loudly as possible!” I half-heartedly said to Woody.

But the rednecks would beat me to it…..

Ohh hubby would give me that look too
I have been known to open the door on loud people and give them the “look”!

Oh darn it! Sorry they beat you to it.

 

[93boomer]

So many people seem to forget their manners when they go on vacation. Hotel room walls are thinner than many seem to realize.

Or they just don’t care

 

[Tuvalu]

So many people seem to forget their manners when they go on vacation. Hotel room walls are thinner than many seem to realize.

And these were concrete exterior walls!

Ohh hubby would give me that look too
I have been known to open the door on loud people and give them the “look”!

I have been known to say something.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I have been known to say something.

I’ve been known to blast, um, “non-traditional” movies on my laptop to shut them up.

Britney Spears music, hip-hop, or heavy metal may work also.

If all else fails, yelling shut the (front door) is effective, but riskier.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I’ve been known to blast, um, “non-traditional” movies on my laptop to shut them up.

Britney Spears music, hip-hop, or heavy metal may work also.

If all else fails, yelling shut the (front door) is effective, but riskier.

I’ve been know to play small world. That is very effective.

 

[Tuvalu]

Day 3, Friday February 10

I was slowly awakening around 5 am when I was startled by the slam of our neighbor’s door.

You’ve got to be kidding me, I quietly mumbled as not to disturb Woody.

Thankfully(?) the outside chatter did not begin for another hour. By then Woody was up although I’m not certain how many of our other neighbors were. The day hadn’t even dawned yet! But the three from last night were puffing away and loudly conversing again, oblivious to the rest of the world. Don’t these people sleep???!!!

I told Woody I was going to speak (kindly) to them if they were still outside when we left our room. He was likely glad that we wouldn’t be leaving for awhile, as we planned to breakfast in our room.

When we did open our door to leave, the offenders had gone into their room but had left their door propped open with the safety latch. Their voices still carried but I thought it best just to pass on by.

The MK bus was idling in its slot when we reached the bus stop. Woody and I climbed aboard a full bus and had to stand near the driver’s seat. The driver stayed outside the bus until two more parties got on, a father and his adorable five year old who could have played a live action Antonio in Encanto; and a father, mother and their little daughter dressed as Mirabel!

The bus driver sat down in his seat and discreetly pressed the recorded ”Happy Birthday to one of our onboard guests!” announcement. I suspected it was for me, since my button was attached to my purse strap. I overheard the murmurings of “how do they know it’s someone’s birthday?” and displayed my button.

This of course led to questions from little Antonio and little Mirabel, whom I was delighted to chat with since I am a grandma of Encanto lovers! It made for a fast ride to the MK.

I was very curious as to what “Event” was going on…..

….then I remembered Cast previews for TRON.

Town Square Shirley Status!

Found the people.

Shirley and Woody would be perfectly content spending the day on this balcony!

Since that wasn’t an option, we succumbed to the pull of the Castle.

 

[LadyBelle]

Sorry to interrupt your TR @Tuvalu but you're one of my go to Disney experts.

Is mid-April (say around the17th) lower crowds (if there is such a thing)?

 

[Tuvalu]

Sorry to interrupt your TR @Tuvalu but you're one of my go to Disney experts.

Is mid-April (say around the17th) lower crowds (if there is such a thing)?

That week shouldn’t be too bad since Easter and spring breaks will be over.

But the last week of April may be better.

 

[RememberWhen]

That week shouldn’t be too bad since Easter and spring breaks will be over.

But the last week of April may be better.

MA public schools near me have spring break the week of April 17, but it’s a smallish state.

 

[Tuvalu]

MA public schools near me have spring break the week of April 17, but it’s a smallish state.

Another reason the last week of April may be better for @LadyBelle!

(As a graduate of the MA public school system you’d think I’d remember third week of April spring break! )

 

[Tony the Tigger]

But the last week of April may be better.

It often is for me, when Record Store Day falls later in the month. (RSD is 4/22. )

 

[LadyBelle]

But the last week of April may be better.

Now I’ve got to convince the family.

 

[Tuvalu]

Day 3, con’t

We went to wait for early entry on the Fantasyland bridge. Today’s weather was picture perfect, again!

There would be no Cordy (Arty) Pooh - the attraction wasn’t open yet so we scurried on past to our second choice.

Here is an example of why it is important not to enter a queue until your entire party is together.

Or at the very least be considerate of the seniors in your group.

Yes, poor grandma had to climb over the chain and nearly lost her balance doing so. This pic captured the moment helping hands grabbed her to prevent a fall.

If only someone had bothered to unhook the chain for her.

Or better yet waited for her before getting in line.

Was a two minute head start in line worth the risk of injury to a loved one? I’m sure glad this family did not have to find out.

FWIW Woody and I were aboard our pirate ship in only 15 minutes.

After our flight we visited Rapunzel’s restroom, then checked if Pooh was open.

It was!

How rude of someone to toss a water bottle in Gopher’s Garden.

Less than 10 minutes later we were in our honey pot.

The smoke ring special effect was finally working. I did not remember it smelling like cotton candy. (Were you aware of this @DryerLintFan? )

 

[DryerLintFan]

Day 3, con’t

We went to wait for early entry on the Fantasyland bridge. Today’s weather was picture perfect, again!

View attachment 701888

There would be no Cordy (Arty) Pooh - the attraction wasn’t open yet so we scurried on past to our second choice.

View attachment 701889

Here is an example of why it is important not to enter a queue until your entire party is together.

Or at the very least be considerate of the seniors in your group.

View attachment 701898

Yes, poor grandma had to climb over the chain and nearly lost her balance doing so. This pic captured the moment helping hands grabbed her to prevent a fall.

If only someone had bothered to unhook the chain for her.

Or better yet waited for her before getting in line.

Was a two minute head start in line worth the risk of injury to a loved one? I’m sure glad this family did not have to find out.

FWIW Woody and I were aboard our pirate ship in only 15 minutes.

After our flight we visited Rapunzel’s restroom, then checked if Pooh was open.

It was!

View attachment 701892

How rude of someone to toss a water bottle in Gopher’s Garden.

View attachment 701890

Less than 10 minutes later we were in our honey pot.

View attachment 701893

The smoke ring special effect was finally working. I did not remember it smelling like cotton candy. (Were you aware of this @DryerLintFan? )

A pointed that out when we rode it! I thought it smelled like baking sugar cookies but i guess it’s really all the same

 

[Loco_driver]

Day 3, con’t

We went to wait for early entry on the Fantasyland bridge. Today’s weather was picture perfect, again!

View attachment 701888

There would be no Cordy (Arty) Pooh - the attraction wasn’t open yet so we scurried on past to our second choice.

View attachment 701889

Here is an example of why it is important not to enter a queue until your entire party is together.

Or at the very least be considerate of the seniors in your group.

View attachment 701898

Yes, poor grandma had to climb over the chain and nearly lost her balance doing so. This pic captured the moment helping hands grabbed her to prevent a fall.

If only someone had bothered to unhook the chain for her.

Or better yet waited for her before getting in line.

Was a two minute head start in line worth the risk of injury to a loved one? I’m sure glad this family did not have to find out.

FWIW Woody and I were aboard our pirate ship in only 15 minutes.

After our flight we visited Rapunzel’s restroom, then checked if Pooh was open.

It was!

View attachment 701892

How rude of someone to toss a water bottle in Gopher’s Garden.

View attachment 701890

Less than 10 minutes later we were in our honey pot.

View attachment 701893

The smoke ring special effect was finally working. I did not remember it smelling like cotton candy. (Were you aware of this @DryerLintFan? )

Ok so I wasn’t crazy thinking it smelled different in that room and that the smoke ring hadn’t been on in quite some time. Good to know.

 

[Tuvalu]

Ok so I wasn’t crazy thinking it smelled different in that room and that the smoke ring hadn’t been on in quite some time. Good to know.

You weren’t crazy…..Loco

 

[Tuvalu]

Day 3, con’t

Woody and I walked around Mine Train Mountain for a Voyage Under the Sea.

The return of Scuttle brought a smile to my face. He’d been MIA much too long!

The attraction was essentially a walk-on so we didn’t get to enjoy many of Scuttle’s comments.

Things that are a given:

Death.

Taxes.

The Wave.

 

[Laurenciaa]

My brother didn’t understand why I waved at the end of the attaction. I explained him a certain VIP does it too!