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!

 

[Tuvalu]

Well we left in the cold.

Arrived in a very wet 53 degree downpour.

Room not ready.

Let the fun begin!

 

[LeighM]

One of our trips to WDW had frigid lake effect winds and no one was expecting that kind of cold in Orlando in March. The stores had a hard time keeping sweatshirts and hoodies stocked LOL. We were driving from VA so we already had some winter gear with us so we managed to save some money Looking forward to seeing more of your trip!

 

[Tuvalu]

Our first stop was the Speedway gas station near Boardwalk.

Yes, I made Woody pump gas in the rain.

It was the EMPTIEST I have ever seen this station. Several open pumps and NO ride share drivers hanging out waiting for a fare (something that irritates me to no end.)

With tank now full we headed to…..

Resort #1 - Disney’s Yacht Club

We had almost made it to the portico when my phone buzzed with the room ready text. So we turned around and went back to the car to retrieve our stuff.

We hauled our bags to the elevator, rode to the fourth floor and walked ALLL the way down an endless hallway to the very last room.

Outside the door it sounded like a party was going on inside.

I unlocked the door and we entered to a darkened room (drapes were drawn) with a blaring television featuring a sporting event.

Then I saw the bed.

And noticed the bathroom floor.

Yep, this would not do.

So we hauled ourselves ALLL the way back to the elevator, down to the first floor and straight to the Front Desk.

 

[donaldtoo]

Our first stop was the Speedway gas station near Boardwalk.

Yes, I made Woody pump gas in the rain.

It was the EMPTIEST I have ever seen this station. Several open pumps and NO ride share drivers hanging out waiting for a fare (something that irritates me to no end.)

With tank now full we headed to…..

Resort #1 - Disney’s Yacht Club

View attachment 762923

We had almost made it to the portico when my phone buzzed with the room ready text. So we turned around and went back to the car to retrieve our stuff.

We hauled our bags to the elevator, rode to the fourth floor and walked ALLL the way down an endless hallway to the very last room.

Outside the door it sounded like a party was going on inside.

I unlocked the door and we entered to a darkened room (drapes were drawn) with a blaring television featuring a sporting event.

View attachment 762925

Then I saw the bed.

View attachment 762924

And noticed the bathroom floor.

View attachment 762926

Yep, this would not do.

So we hauled ourselves ALLL the way back to the elevator, down to the first floor and straight to the Front Desk.

What the friggin’ hell…?!?!?!

 

[ToInfinity]

Our first stop was the Speedway gas station near Boardwalk.

Yes, I made Woody pump gas in the rain.

It was the EMPTIEST I have ever seen this station. Several open pumps and NO ride share drivers hanging out waiting for a fare (something that irritates me to no end.)

With tank now full we headed to…..

Resort #1 - Disney’s Yacht Club

View attachment 762923

We had almost made it to the portico when my phone buzzed with the room ready text. So we turned around and went back to the car to retrieve our stuff.

We hauled our bags to the elevator, rode to the fourth floor and walked ALLL the way down an endless hallway to the very last room.

Outside the door it sounded like a party was going on inside.

I unlocked the door and we entered to a darkened room (drapes were drawn) with a blaring television featuring a sporting event.

View attachment 762925

Then I saw the bed.

View attachment 762924

And noticed the bathroom floor.

View attachment 762926

Yep, this would not do.

So we hauled ourselves ALLL the way back to the elevator, down to the first floor and straight to the Front Desk.

Oh my

 

[Tuvalu]

What the friggin’ hell…?!?!?!

Oh my

Woody suspects - due to the room’s out-of-the-way location - that a CM had used the room during their break.

He added it would be fairly easy to track the key that unlocked the door.

Somebody’s gonna be in trouble…..

 

[donaldtoo]

Woody suspects - due to the room’s out-of-the-way location - that a CM had used the room during their break.

He added it would be fairly easy to track the key that unlocked the door.

Somebody’s gonna be in trouble…..

As well they should be…!!!

 

[Seagull59]

Woody suspects - due to the room’s out-of-the-way location - that a CM had used the room during their break.

He added it would be fairly easy to track the key that unlocked the door.

Somebody’s gonna be in trouble…..

Hope you got an extra nice room after that!

 

[93boomer]

Our first stop was the Speedway gas station near Boardwalk.

Yes, I made Woody pump gas in the rain.

It was the EMPTIEST I have ever seen this station. Several open pumps and NO ride share drivers hanging out waiting for a fare (something that irritates me to no end.)

With tank now full we headed to…..

Resort #1 - Disney’s Yacht Club

View attachment 762923

We had almost made it to the portico when my phone buzzed with the room ready text. So we turned around and went back to the car to retrieve our stuff.

We hauled our bags to the elevator, rode to the fourth floor and walked ALLL the way down an endless hallway to the very last room.

Outside the door it sounded like a party was going on inside.

I unlocked the door and we entered to a darkened room (drapes were drawn) with a blaring television featuring a sporting event.

View attachment 762925

Then I saw the bed.

View attachment 762924

And noticed the bathroom floor.

View attachment 762926

Yep, this would not do.

So we hauled ourselves ALLL the way back to the elevator, down to the first floor and straight to the Front Desk.

Oh my goodness!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

After about a ten minute wait, the Front Desk CM was able to secure us a new room. “It’s an upgraded water view room for your trouble,” she said.

Fantastic! I thought, remembering the surprise Crescent Lake view room Em and I had received in summer 2022.

We got back on the elevator. Upon exiting, we had the same experience as the first time - walking ALLL the way down another endless hallway to the (next to last)room. (Woody timed it - 2 minutes and 35 seconds from elevator to room.)

At least Goldilocks hadn’t been in this room.

TV volume was at a normal level.

For my friend @Nunu and anyone else who fancies room pics -

(Not just a clothes steamer here, @Loco_driver. A real iron and ironing board!)

Pristine bathroom

Individual amenities

And that “upgraded water view”?

The quiet pool.

Whoop Dee Doo!

 

[Bullseye1967]

After about a ten minute wait, the Front Desk CM was able to secure us a new room. “It’s an upgraded water view room for your trouble,” she said.

Fantastic! I thought, remembering the surprise Crescent Lake view room Em and I had received in summer 2022.

We got back on the elevator. Upon exiting, we had the same experience as the first time - walking ALLL the way down another endless hallway to the (next to last)room. (Woody timed it - 2 minutes and 35 seconds from elevator to room.)

At least Goldilocks hadn’t been in this room.

View attachment 762958

TV volume was at a normal level.

View attachment 762960

For my friend @Nunu and anyone else who fancies room pics -

View attachment 762959

View attachment 762961

View attachment 762962
(Not just a clothes steamer here, @Loco_driver. A real iron and ironing board!)

View attachment 762963

Pristine bathroom

View attachment 762966

View attachment 762964

Individual amenities

View attachment 762965

And that “upgraded water view”?

View attachment 762967
The quiet pool.

Whoop Dee Doo!

Technically that is water in the pool.

 

[Swissmiss]

Woody suspects - due to the room’s out-of-the-way location - that a CM had used the room during their break.

He added it would be fairly easy to track the key that unlocked the door.

Somebody’s gonna be in trouble…..

Still, I would think that they would try to "hide" it better - I mean really, throwing a towel on the floor?!

 

[donaldtoo]

After about a ten minute wait, the Front Desk CM was able to secure us a new room. “It’s an upgraded water view room for your trouble,” she said.

Fantastic! I thought, remembering the surprise Crescent Lake view room Em and I had received in summer 2022.

We got back on the elevator. Upon exiting, we had the same experience as the first time - walking ALLL the way down another endless hallway to the (next to last)room. (Woody timed it - 2 minutes and 35 seconds from elevator to room.)

At least Goldilocks hadn’t been in this room.

View attachment 762958

TV volume was at a normal level.

View attachment 762960

For my friend @Nunu and anyone else who fancies room pics -

View attachment 762959

View attachment 762961

View attachment 762962
(Not just a clothes steamer here, @Loco_driver. A real iron and ironing board!)

View attachment 762963

Pristine bathroom

View attachment 762966

View attachment 762964

Individual amenities

View attachment 762965

And that “upgraded water view”?

View attachment 762967
The quiet pool.

Whoop Dee Doo!

By the way you couched it, I had a feeling that would be y’all’s “upgraded water view”…!!!!!
At least the room appeared…unmolested…? …this time.

 

[Tuvalu]

Technically that is water in the pool.

Touché

Still, I would think that they would try to "hide" it better - I mean really, throwing a towel on the floor?!

Right?!!

By the way you couched it, I had a feeling that would be y’all’s “upgraded water view”…!!!!!
At least the room appeared…unmolested…? …this time.

Everything is as it should be!

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con’t

Woody and I were hungry. I’d wanted to try @wdisney9000 ‘s fave Crew’s Cup Lounge (or is it Ale and Compass?) but neither served food until 5 pm and my tummy couldn’t wait that long.

We took the stairs to an exterior door and ventured out. The rain had ended but it remained cool.

No kiddies in the kiddie section of Stormalong Bay.

And only a few older kids in the water.

We joined the walk up list at our regular haunt.

Walk-ups are seated at the counter which was fine with us. We were hoping for B to serve us, but it was his night off.

We were entertained by the cook making grilled cheese and French Dips. Everything is done very methodically. Burgers and chicken are prepared on another griddle.

Woody’s burger and tots.

My usual chicken sammie, which caused some confusion with our server, cook and food runner.

It’s just the cheeseburger plate only with a chicken breast rather than a beef patty.

B would have gotten it right.

I didn’t have any ice cream. I told Woody Em’s hack for the No Way José, since he didn’t want that big of a sundae.

It arrived with two spoons. I texted Em, “They brought you a spoon.”

She replied with .

 

[riverside]

After about a ten minute wait, the Front Desk CM was able to secure us a new room. “It’s an upgraded water view room for your trouble,” she said.

Fantastic! I thought, remembering the surprise Crescent Lake view room Em and I had received in summer 2022.

We got back on the elevator. Upon exiting, we had the same experience as the first time - walking ALLL the way down another endless hallway to the (next to last)room. (Woody timed it - 2 minutes and 35 seconds from elevator to room.)

At least Goldilocks hadn’t been in this room.

View attachment 762958

TV volume was at a normal level.

View attachment 762960

For my friend @Nunu and anyone else who fancies room pics -

View attachment 762959

View attachment 762961

View attachment 762962
(Not just a clothes steamer here, @Loco_driver. A real iron and ironing board!)

View attachment 762963

Pristine bathroom

View attachment 762966

View attachment 762964

Individual amenities

View attachment 762965

And that “upgraded water view”?

View attachment 762967
The quiet pool.

Whoop Dee Doo!

That was pretty much my view when I stayed there. I actually liked it!!

 

[Nunu]

After about a ten minute wait, the Front Desk CM was able to secure us a new room. “It’s an upgraded water view room for your trouble,” she said.

Fantastic! I thought, remembering the surprise Crescent Lake view room Em and I had received in summer 2022.

We got back on the elevator. Upon exiting, we had the same experience as the first time - walking ALLL the way down another endless hallway to the (next to last)room. (Woody timed it - 2 minutes and 35 seconds from elevator to room.)

At least Goldilocks hadn’t been in this room.

View attachment 762958

TV volume was at a normal level.

View attachment 762960

For my friend @Nunu and anyone else who fancies room pics -

View attachment 762959

View attachment 762961

View attachment 762962
(Not just a clothes steamer here, @Loco_driver. A real iron and ironing board!)

View attachment 762963

Pristine bathroom

View attachment 762966

View attachment 762964

Individual amenities

View attachment 762965

And that “upgraded water view”?

View attachment 762967
The quiet pool.

Whoop Dee Doo!

So much to say, but I'll be brief:

-Very happy that your 'retirement' was short-lived and that you're back with a new TR!

-What in the world with that first room you and Mr Woody got?!

-Your room checks many of my boxes, like plenty of storage, raised beds, bathroom amenities, and a makeup mirror. Enjoy!

Thank you for remembering me, and how much I enjoy WDW room pics, friend!

 

[Tuvalu]

That was pretty much my view when I stayed there. I actually liked it!!

 

[Tuvalu]

So much to say, but I'll be brief:

-Very happy that your 'retirement' was short-lived and that you're back with a new TR!

-What in the world with that first room you and Mr Woody got?!

-Your room checks many of my boxes, like plenty of storage, raised beds, bathroom amenities, and a makeup mirror. Enjoy!

Thank you for remembering me, and how much I enjoy WDW room pics, friend!

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con’t

The rain had made it even cooler so we zipped our jackets before wandering over to Epcot.

Festival of the Arts (or everyone’s favorite acronym for this event, FARTS) had begun a few days ago. One of the things I really like at this festival is the chalk art.

Look how beautiful!

Our first task was another “hunt” for an item Em requested. She adores the Starbucks Disney parks mugs. She has all 4 from the first edition several years ago. She has only 3 from the second edition (some of you may recall our fruitless hunt over several trips for the elusive Epcot mug.)

Well another edition has arrived (the “Discovery Series”) and I was not about to let the Epcot mug get away this time!

Mug secured, we headed for our first attraction.