Trip Report Shortest Retirement in History? *COMPLETED*

Justin Bieber lasted 2 weeks.

Tom Brady lasted 40 days.

I, Tuvalu, outlasted them both. Not by much, mind you. Yet if not for the encouragement of some forum friends - along with some unusual circumstances - you wouldn’t be reading this.

Unusual circumstances, you say?

Around Thanksgiving my beloved Woody learned his presence was required at a work conference. In Orlando. At Universal.
Just down the road from Walt Disney World.

Woody said I could accompany him if he drove (rather than flew) to Florida. And that we could leave a couple days early and have some Disney time together.

Well you don’t have to ask me twice!

I’d be on my own during the conference. Since the majority of Universal’s attractions don’t appeal to me, it didn’t make sense for me to buy Uni tickets when I could visit WDW for free with my AP. Being solo, I thought it might be fun to do a live trip report so y’all could be my virtual companions!

Turns out I won’t be alone while Woody is occupied after all. Some friends that you have seen in my previous TRs (and one you haven’t) have offered to play with me. I can’t wait!

 

[93boomer]

Tuesday, con’t

That one more fun thing? Seems someone hadn’t gotten her fill of the Glimmering Greenhouses. She wanted another viewing at night. (If you are keeping count, that’s 4 rides total - 2 daytime, 2 nighttime.)

The Epcot bus was in its spot as we exited WL. We hurried so we wouldn’t have to wait for another one. It was too cold to be standing still tonight!

The wait time was underestimated by 10 minutes. We didn’t care because we were able to sit in the front row!

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I took a ton of pictures to show Woody and have posted my favorites below.

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Like many spectacular things, Glimmering Greenhouses is even more beautiful in person. And while it’s no Osborne Lights, it is the best holiday light display WDW has now. I’m glad Birthday Girl asked to see it again!

it was awesome!!! We went every night we could.

 

[Baloo124]

But that was a minor inconvenience compared to what was to come.

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, December 4

Uh oh….

Had to.like that post because the lovely photo of Em with SSE.

Dreading the next.

Oh dear, what happened next?

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I probably made a bigger deal out of this than I ought, but trust me at 4:30 in the morning it was a very big deal.

No hot water.

Not in the sinks — and worse — not in the shower.

After a short night’s sleep we awakened early to hit the road early. It was imperative we beat Atlanta rush hour traffic, which can start as early as 1:30 pm. (Not including the McDonough mess, @k8einwdw and @wdisney9000.)

I turned on the hot water spigots full throttle and allowed the water to run for 5 minutes. Not even a hint of warmth.

There would be no showers before the journey home. The best we got was a cold water face wash.

Thankfully our before dawn departure rewarded us with smooth sailing and we beat the lunch crowd.

That’s what I’m talking about, @LadyBelle!

We also beat Atlanta traffic. My shower and nap once home was bliss!

Concluding thoughts up next.

 

[93boomer]

Wednesday, December 4








I probably made a bigger deal out of this than I ought, but trust me at 4:30 in the morning it was a very big deal.

No hot water.

Not in the sinks — and worse — not in the shower.

After a short night’s sleep we awakened early to hit the road early. It was imperative we beat Atlanta rush hour traffic, which can start as early as 1:30 pm. (Not including the McDonough mess, @k8einwdw and @wdisney9000.)

I turned on the hot water spigots full throttle and allowed the water to run for 5 minutes. Not even a hint of warmth.

There would be no showers before the journey home. The best we got was a cold water face wash.

Thankfully our before dawn departure rewarded us with smooth sailing and we beat the lunch crowd.

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That’s what I’m talking about, @LadyBelle!

We also beat Atlanta traffic. My shower and nap once home was bliss!

Concluding thoughts up next.

That’s not a good start to trip home. Did you find out why no hot water? Glad rest of the travel was good.

 

[Tuvalu]

That’s not a good start to trip home. Did you find out why no hot water?

No. It wasn’t worth the time or effort to go to the Front Desk since we were ready to leave.

 

[Dave B]

How long is the drive from Disneyworld to Atlanta traffic?

 

[Tuvalu]

Conclusion

First, a great big THANKS to all of you who followed along during my year of “retirement.” To those who first called me out (@Loco_driver and @donaldtoo come quickly to mind): you knew me better than I knew myself. One report became nine(!) reports, 100+ pages of writing. I kept each report under the same thread title because I was expecting each one to be “the last.” But then every trip had something unique I wanted to share - and thanks to your engagement, I had a ton of fun sharing!

I wasn’t supposed to return to WDW until April this year. My dear Woody had other plans. So for the first time in 11 years, I’ll be the one wearing a birthday button next week. (Betcha can’t guess in which park I’ll be celebrating! ) As a gift to myself and my beloved, I’m going to simply be in the moment. No notes, no pictures, no trip reporting.

And because this post needs some pictures, this proud grandma will remind you mamas to persevere through the hard days. Days may be long but the years are fleeting. Case in point -

February 2024

February 2025

 

[Tuvalu]

How long is the drive from Disneyworld to Atlanta traffic?

About 6.5 hours.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Happy birthday for next week, and enjoy the freedom of no TR!

 

[MinnieM123]

So for the first time in 11 years, I’ll be the one wearing a birthday button next week. (Betcha can’t guess in which park I’ll be celebrating! ) As a gift to myself and my beloved, I’m going to simply be in the moment. No notes, no pictures, no trip reporting.

Just go there and be "in the moment"!! I'm happy you'll get to enjoy WDW on your upcoming birthday.

(P.S.: I was worried I might experience withdrawal symptoms, if you didn't write about your upcoming trip. But then I realized, I could still get my "fix" by going back and re-reading sections of the 100+ pages already here. Second time around, they might even be more fun and exciting!)

Also -- thanks for sharing more photos of the adorable Tuvatwins!

 

[93boomer]

Conclusion

First, a great big THANKS to all of you who followed along during my year of “retirement.” To those who first called me out (@Loco_driver and @donaldtoo come quickly to mind): you knew me better than I knew myself. One report became nine(!) reports, 100+ pages of writing. I kept each report under the same thread title because I was expecting each one to be “the last.” But then every trip had something unique I wanted to share - and thanks to your engagement, I had a ton of fun sharing!

I wasn’t supposed to return to WDW until April this year. My dear Woody had other plans. So for the first time in 11 years, I’ll be the one wearing a birthday button next week. (Betcha can’t guess in which park I’ll be celebrating! ) As a gift to myself and my beloved, I’m going to simply be in the moment. No notes, no pictures, no trip reporting.

And because this post needs some pictures, this proud grandma will remind you mamas to persevere through the hard days. Days may be long but the years are fleeting. Case in point -

February 2024
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February 2025
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Awww they are growing up fast. Still so cute!!
Happy birthday week will be fun!! Have a great time!! Thanks again for always sharing your trips with us.

 

[littleroo]

Thanks for an incredible year of trip reporting. I love watching those adorable twins grow up before our eyes! I hope you have a fantastic birthday with Woody in Magic Kingdom although I think the animals in Animal Kingdom would really love to wish you a happy birthday Me also thinks you should start a pretrip report of some of the details of your first trip this year and start a new thread...just saying...selfishly...happily...magically!! Giant hugs!!

 

[pkkurz]

Have the happiest birthday next week. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for you and Woody. Still seeking that allusive TUVALU Card.

 

[WDisneyW]

Thank you for the awesome trip report. Happy Birthday! Enjoy your trip.

 

[Zipadeelady]

(Betcha can’t guess in which park I’ll be celebrating! ) As a gift to myself and my beloved, I’m going to simply be in the moment. No notes, no pictures, no trip reporting.

It's gotta be Animal Kingdom!