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!

 

[mpaulam]

My hat’s off to you! Thanks for time well-spent reading about your adventures. Hope you have a magical birthday trip. I’m so sad that we will miss you by a few days! (Tomorrow is our last park day and then we leave the Fort Monday the 10th to head to Daytona.)

 

[RememberWhen]

Wishing you and the wonderful Woody an amazing birthday trip!!! (Also those babies got big!!) happy almost birthday @Tuvalu

 

[InLovew/disney]

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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It's your birthday trip! Relax and live in the moment! Enjoy!!

 

[Tiki Traveler]

Thank you for taking the time to share your trips w/us! Your updates are always a bright spot in my day!

Have a great trip and a wonderful birthday!

 

[Beastly74]

Enjoy your birthday trip and live in the moment. I hope you will continue to share some of your future trips with us as they are a joy to read.

 

[Swissmiss]

Enjoy your birthday trip!

 

[Tiggerish]

HBD, friend!

I know you'll do a trip report for your summer visit.

@Swissmiss, that gif is just creepy.

 

[Baloo124]

(Betcha can’t guess in which park I’ll be celebrating! )

I've been stalker-reading trip reports around these parts long enough to know that
this person NAILED it:

It's gotta be Animal Kingdom!

Thanks for all the fun throughout this. Have a great birthday, and if this is another Tom Brady type of retirement... see ya real soon with the trip details!
(Kidding. Go relax!)

 

[Tuvalu]

It's gotta be Animal Kingdom!

 

[LadyBelle]

Happiest of birthdays @Tuvalu!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

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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Sorry for the late response, but it was my pleasure to call you out…!!!!!
That bein’ said, the happiest of birthdays Tu you, and I hope y’all really enjoy your TR-less time at WDW…!!!
Also, the next time you do decide to do a TR, don’t forget that iPhone camera setting for dark rides…!!!
Again, I hope y’all have a WDW happy birthday BLAST…!!!!!!!

ETA…
Our grandkids are growin’ at light speed…
Emmy and Audrey are well beyond 6 and 3, respectively…somebody make it slow down, please…!!!!!

 

[Bullseye1967]

@Tuvalu

 

[Tuvalu]

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

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.

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

Thank you for sharing all of your trips with us, but more importantly have a great trip with Woody next week and Happy Birthday!

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday and hope you have a wonderful time!!!!

Thank you for a wonderful year of reporting. Happy Birthday for next week and have a very enjoyable time with Woody.

 

[Zipadeelady]

New fun fact about Zipadeelady. That is my very favorite Disney song.....probably not her version though.

 

[Tuvalu]

(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!)

Minnie, there are dozens of my TRs over the past decade that can help with withdrawal - or insomnia!
Best wishes to you this month!

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!!

Methinks you should do the same!

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

I’ll have one at the ready. Please say hi if you see us!

Happiest of birthdays to you and how nice to finally be celebrating yourself! Thank you for the many trip updates and I hope, like most of us, that we continue to get Tuvalu updates, and thanks for all that you do

Thank you, C!

Have really enjoyed following along, so glad you decided not to retire. Have a lovely birthday trip

I’m looking forward to reading about your post cruise Disney days (though your cruise days have been amazing!)

 

[Tuvalu]

My hat’s off to you! Thanks for time well-spent reading about your adventures. Hope you have a magical birthday trip. I’m so sad that we will miss you by a few days! (Tomorrow is our last park day and then we leave the Fort Monday the 10th to head to Daytona.)

I’ll wave to you on the highway!

Wishing you and the wonderful Woody an amazing birthday trip!!! (Also those babies got big!!) happy almost birthday @Tuvalu

It's your birthday trip! Relax and live in the moment! Enjoy!!

 

[Go.Nijntje]

Have a wonderful Birthday Trip next week.

 

[Laura Loves Tigger]

Wishing you a lovely birthday trip! I have so enjoyed reading about all of your adventures during 2024. I hope you will continue to share them!

 

[Tuvalu]

Thank you for taking the time to share your trips w/us! Your updates are always a bright spot in my day!

So kind of you to say!

Enjoy your birthday trip and live in the moment.

I am trying to take a page from your book, Tam!

Happiest of birthdays @Tuvalu!!!

@Tuvalu

Have a wonderful Birthday Trip next week.

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[Tuvalu]

While the above may be creepy @Tiggerish, at least Elaine has rhythm.

Unlike -