Trip Report Shortest Retirement in History?

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!

 

[k8einwdw]

However it felt wrong to be teased by holiday lights on Cinderella Castle, since they are never coming back.

As we approached the station I was right about it being not as bad as Easter.

It was far, far, worse.

The crowds at Grand Flo have been absolutely insane the past couple years. I don’t know if more people are aware of the gingerbread house because of social media, or if Disney is just more crowded in general, but we’ve had that same experience the past two years.

 

[Tuvalu]

Ok what is the 5 legged goat? Is it a thing? Sorry have no idea.

It’s a goat with five legs on the Mary Blair mural. Her decision to create one of the goats with five legs was to remind us that nothing man-made is perfect.

It can be seen from the resort monorail as it is leaving the Contemporary for the TTC.

 

[93boomer]

It’s a goat with five legs on the Mary Blair mural. Her decision to create one of the goats with five legs was to remind us that nothing man-made is perfect.

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It can be seen from the resort monorail as it is leaving the Contemporary for the TTC.

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Awww thank you!

 

[Tuvalu]

The crowds at Grand Flo have been absolutely insane the past couple years. I don’t know if more people are aware of the gingerbread house because of social media, or if Disney is just more crowded in general, but we’ve had that same experience the past two years.

100% social media. The parks were just as crowded (if not more) during our holiday visits 2009-2015 yet only a handful of people were ever visiting the GF gingerbread house at the same time we were. Our family resort hopped long before it became “a thing.”

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con’t

We didn’t get much of a nap. Between a screaming kid in an adjacent room and maintenance workers in the vicinity, peace and quiet was not to be had.

Oh well - I probably would have dreamt about birds anyway.

Em and I are partial to the holiday decor at DHS and it was imperative we see the festivity at night. We got on a bus as the sun was setting and arrived at the park in time for “golden hour.”

 

[Spash007]

Golden hour at DHS is the absolute best! Especially with the holiday decor!

 

[Tiggerish]

Sunday, con’t

We didn’t get much of a nap. Between a screaming kid in an adjacent room and maintenance workers in the vicinity, peace and quiet was not to be had.

Oh well - I probably would have dreamt about birds anyway.

Em and I are partial to the holiday decor at DHS and it was imperative we see the festivity at night. We got on a bus as the sun was setting and arrived at the park in time for “golden hour.”

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Golden hour at DHS is the absolute best! Especially with the holiday decor!

I'm partial to golden hour at Epcot, but holy smoke, that photo of Em at DHS entry is

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Sunday, con’t

We had a little time until our lunch ADR. Em suggested a spin around Tomorrowland.

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Technically a true “spin” around Tomorrowland would be aboard the Astro Orbiter. By there’s no way in Hades Tuvalu will ever get on that ride (especially with a belly full of donut!) To this day, Astro Orbiter remains the only MK attraction I haven’t done.

The elevated, open-air ride was a bit chillier than Em expected.

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Going around a second time wasn’t even up for consideration!

Fortunately we were able to check in early for our lunch.

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I’d booked The Plaza for one reason only - the special holiday dessert. When Disney released the list of holiday treats, I knew I had to have the S’mores Cake: Chocolate cake with chocolate ganache, toasted marshmallow mousse and sugar snowflakes.

Of course I didn’t anticipate eating a red velvet donut with buttercream frosting on the same day, let alone within the same hour!

Neither of us were particularly hungry when we were seated. We decided that sharing an entrée would be the way to go.

Em also wanted a chocolate shake (The Plaza makes THE BEST shakes) which she counted as her “beverage.” I had water, though I confess to being envious when the shake arrived. She ordered it extra-thick and she said it was great!

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We split the turkey club with steak fries. It was the perfect portion for each of us and the food was very, very good.

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Fully satisfied, I had a dilemma. I’d booked here for the cake, but I was too stuffed to eat the cake!

I quickly checked online if the cake was offered someplace else. It wasn’t. When our server came to clear the table and asked if we wanted dessert, I kiddingly asked, “Can I get it to go?”

“Of course!” she happily exclaimed. She returned with our bill and a boxed slice of S’mores Cake. I didn’t eat it until later that night.

For $9, the generous size was a good value when compared with Gideon’s and a great value when compared to The Cake Bake Shop. The slice was larger than it appears in the photo below.

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The cake was fresh, moist and utterly delicious! (This from a picky cake person.) My only quibble? There was no graham in the dessert, and I consider graham (along with marshmallow and chocolate) to be an essential ingredient in anything named S’mores.

That cake is so pretty! I don’t know why S’mores = blue, but I like it!

100% social media. The parks were just as crowded (if not more) during our holiday visits 2009-2015 yet only a handful of people were ever visiting the GF gingerbread house at the same time we were. Our family resort hopped long before it became “a thing.”

Thank you for accepting responsibility, as the OG TR star influencer, for alerting the masses to descend on the resorts! (More people read than “like!”)

 

[Tuvalu]

Thank you for accepting responsibility, as the OG TR star influencer, for alerting the masses to descend on the resorts! (More people read than “like!”)

 

[lindawdw]

Sunday, con’t

At lunch I’d received a message from a friend who had arrived at MK and wanted to know where we could meet up.

I responded with “Bears” and she replied “Headed there now.”

Waiting outside the entrance was @lindawdw and her husband P. Woody and I have enjoyed several visits with them at WDW over the last few years and now Em was finally getting her introduction. Hugs were exchanged!

L&P were just as excited to see the new CBMJ show as Em & I were to see it again. They loved it too!

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L asked if we could join them on a ride around the park. Why of course - Em & I will never turn down an opportunity to relax on the MPB!

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We did the grand circle tour. But once back in Frontierland, we opted to remain onboard for one more leg.

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We disembarked at the Fantasyland Station and walked the path to Tomorrowland. We had decided to follow our MPB ride with a ride on the MPB 2.0!

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Fortunately the sun had warmed things up a little so Em wasn’t as cold this go ‘round.

We both said that our time together was the highlight of our trip! So glad that we got to enjoy the CBJ show and of course our beloved WDW Railroad with you! Finally having the chance to meet Em was very special!!! Looking forward to our future trips together. BTW, I LOVE your new Poly shirt!!!

 

[Dave B]

First off, thank you for the reports, it is amazing to follow your travels!!! Legitimate question here. Why do you guys take the bus to the parks and not the car? Don't you generally drive from Georgia? Do you feel the busses are part of the experience? It seems like it is quicker when we drive. Just curious.

Thx

 

[Tuvalu]

First off, thank you for the reports, it is amazing to follow your travels!!! Legitimate question here. Why do you guys take the bus to the parks and not the car? Don't you generally drive from Georgia? Do you feel the busses are part of the experience? It seems like it is quicker when we drive. Just curious.

Thx

Thank you for all the following you’ve done!

Driving in the metro ATL area has never been fun - and has only gotten worse - so taking a break from driving while at WDW is part of the vacation. (Even if that means long waits for buses, boats or monorails!)

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con’t

Em was in charge of picking the quick service locations on her birthday trip and tonight she chose someplace we hadn’t been to in a LONG time.

The place was a zoo. We had mobile ordered and while waiting for the notification we split up and wandered in different directions to search for a table. By our estimates, only a quarter of the tables had guests eating food. Figuring another quarter for guests waiting for their food, that left half the tables with folks hanging out on their phones (or sleeping!) some with trash/empty trays on the table.

Where were the door Nazis now?

Our order was ready and Em offered to do pick up. I noticed a family getting ready to leave so I hurried over to claim the spot. I took a picture and sent it to Em so she would know where to find me.

And she did!

We didn’t get a chance to enjoy looking at the numerous props and production items in this restaurant (always a fave of our family back in the day) with the exception of the pics on the wall near us. I wonder how many of today’s guests realize they are in a prop warehouse for a working studio? As one of Disney-MGM’s original restaurants, we have lots of memories here and we were glad for the visit.

Our food was surprisingly good.

Top - Southwest Salad with Chicken
Bottom - Teriyaki Chicken Bowl

I must add that we left through the huge outdoor section which had plenty of open tables - because it was too to dine al fresco!

We began to wander and take in the holiday ambiance.

The plastic ice rink (stage?) used for the skating show at Jollywood Nights.

 

[Tuvalu]

Happy Holidays, Woody!

And to you, Jessie and Reindeer Rex!

Couldn’t help but smile upon seeing Alien ornaments.

Em’s favorite Christmas Hamm.

Whose mini-me has a prominent spot on our tree!

 

[Tuvalu]

We recalled that this area used to have mini white lights all over the ground covering.

Turns out it still does - but only behind the paywall of Jollywood Nights. Hope you don’t mind me borrowing your picture, @coachwnh.

Glad that the lighted wreaths aren’t behind said paywall.

We spent a lot of time on Sunset Blvd., browsing the shops, watching the ToT projections and the snowfall (of which I don’t seem to have any pictures.)

I took the next two photos because I LOVED these vintage characters (which sadly were not for sale.)

 

[Tuvalu]

And we’re back on Hollywood Blvd.

Big gripe time - one I share with @MickeyCB - the blah, non-eye-catching Minnie Rockettes that continue to be used as a window display.

These first appeared in 2021 as part of Magic Kingdom’s “golden” anniversary. In my opinion, the designers carried that gold/rose gold theme way over the top in the parks (poor Cinderella Castle!) Three years later, the gold character statues remain (although some of the ‘50’ labels have been removed) and I still see folks waving their MagicBands at them, hoping for some kind of interaction. (I’m not certain they worked in 2021!)

BRING BACK THE ORIGINAL MINNIE ROCKETTES!! It’s past time. The Minnies are cuter and on brand. (Please tell me they weren’t destroyed like the SpectroMagic floats!!!)

At least Em and I both have one on our trees which keeps us happy.

One last look back before departing.

 

[k8einwdw]

BRING BACK THE ORIGINAL MINNIE ROCKETTES!! It’s past time.