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!

 

[meggo819]

If by train you mean trolley, then yah.

If the kid watches Bluey like mine, s/he would probably think a trolley is a shopping cart lol. I’d say mom was close enough for trying to explain to a young kid

 

[lindawdw]

I love stories you overhear in crowds! We don't get to walk through the castle all that often so it's a treat when we do!

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, con’t

Knowing we’d be spending our last night in the MK, I’d booked three LLs as soon as we were eligible earlier today. I was pleased with my results.

Where did we go for dinner?

Hint #1

Hint #2

I did not “Share My Wish” but it is always fun to read what others have written in the book. And of course I had the chicken parmesan sub, since it was so good last month. My choice did not sway Woody though, who was in a pizza mood.

Pinocchio’s Village Haus is a perplexing name for this restaurant. Is Pinocchio Italian or German?

Curious, I did a little research. The story of Pinocchio is set in Tuscany, Italy in the late 1800s. Carlo Collodi, the author, was inspired by his childhood in Tuscany and created the fictional village of San Miniato Bossa where Pinocchio is carved by woodcutter Gepetto. The name Gepetto has its origins in Italian and has a symbolic meaning of God Will Increase.

Though Collodi’s story was the inspiration for the Disney film, the Imagineers used creative license to tell their story and used Rothenberg, Germany as a reference for the village where Gepetto resides.

So the answer to my question is — both!

 

[lindawdw]

Very interesting Tuvalu!!! Thanks for the background on Pinocchio

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, con’t

LLMP #4

I was happy to get a second opportunity to see the new Native American scene.

LLMP #5

Give the Woodworker a hammer — he finally nailed it!!

I was able to secure two additional LLs after scanning in at Pan and HM.

 

[Tuvalu]

As excited as I was for the additional Lightning Lanes, I quickly considered the downside to having three LLMP - in different lands - within 15 minutes of each other.

Walking. Lots of walking.

Which wouldn’t be too bad at the start of a day when you are “fresh” and the walkways aren’t crowded with other people who are cranky and tired from a long day at the park.

That was not the case tonight.

To save our sanity we opted out of using the LLs for Mermaid and Pirates. But it was nice knowing I obtained a total of 8 LLMP for today which I could report back to y’all.

With a little leeway until our final LLMP attraction here’s where we went.

As tempting as it is to say, “Third time’s a charm!” the reality is the first two times were so charming that both of us wanted a third.

This evening as Henry Bear announced that the doors to the theater would be opening soon, he added, “The only bad seat is if you’re stuck out here in the lobby.”

It was another full house performance.

 

[Tuvalu]

I can think of no better attraction to ride at dusk.

We requested last row and got it!

 

[Lily5170]

Saturday, con’t

Knowing we’d be spending our last night in the MK, I’d booked three LLs as soon as we were eligible earlier today. I was pleased with my results.

View attachment 819702

Where did we go for dinner?

Hint #1

View attachment 819699

Hint #2

View attachment 819701

I did not “Share My Wish” but it is always fun to read what others have written in the book. And of course I had the chicken parmesan sub, since it was so good last month. My choice did not sway Woody though, who was in a pizza mood.

Pinocchio’s Village Haus is a perplexing name for this restaurant. Is Pinocchio Italian or German?

Curious, I did a little research. The story of Pinocchio is set in Tuscany, Italy in the late 1800s. Carlo Collodi, the author, was inspired by his childhood in Tuscany and created the fictional village of San Miniato Bossa where Pinocchio is carved by woodcutter Gepetto. The name Gepetto has its origins in Italian and has a symbolic meaning of God Will Increase.

Though Collodi’s story was the inspiration for the Disney film, the Imagineers used creative license to tell their story and used Rothenberg, Germany as a reference for the village where Gepetto resides.

So the answer to my question is — both!

I always thought that Pinokkio was set in the German speaking part of Italy. Learnt something new.

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, con’t

As I stopped to take one last Castle pic I couldn’t help but think what a lovely evening it was - quite the contrast from last night’s monsoon. All those poor partygoers (@DisneyDreamer08) whose MNSSHP was washed out.

I hope to never experience another stormy MNSSHP!

It’s now 46 days closer to Halloween than when we walked beneath these pumpkins.

Depending on the outcome of Hurricane Milton, I will see ya real soon, Mickey.

 

[lindawdw]

I always love seeing those pumpkins lit up when we exit that time of year! Prayers to all the Floridians during this storm.

 

[lindawdw]

Good move on your LL decision! We really enjoy riding BTMRR at night as it just has such a different feel versus the daytime.

 

[DisneyDreamer08]

Saturday, con’t

As I stopped to take one last Castle pic I couldn’t help but think what a lovely evening it was - quite the contrast from last night’s monsoon. All those poor partygoers (@DisneyDreamer08) whose MNSSHP was washed out.

View attachment 819854

I hope to never experience another stormy MNSSHP!

It’s now 46 days closer to Halloween than when we walked beneath these pumpkins.

View attachment 819855

Depending on the outcome of Hurricane Milton, I will see ya real soon, Mickey.

Definitely bad luck but I learned an important lesson- I’ll never save a party for our last night ever again. And I’m still salty we didn’t get to see the Headless Horseman or meet Jack and Sally

 

[erstwo]

Saturday, con’t

Knowing we’d be spending our last night in the MK, I’d booked three LLs as soon as we were eligible earlier today. I was pleased with my results.

View attachment 819702

Where did we go for dinner?

Hint #1

View attachment 819699

Hint #2

View attachment 819701

I did not “Share My Wish” but it is always fun to read what others have written in the book. And of course I had the chicken parmesan sub, since it was so good last month. My choice did not sway Woody though, who was in a pizza mood.

Pinocchio’s Village Haus is a perplexing name for this restaurant. Is Pinocchio Italian or German?

Curious, I did a little research. The story of Pinocchio is set in Tuscany, Italy in the late 1800s. Carlo Collodi, the author, was inspired by his childhood in Tuscany and created the fictional village of San Miniato Bossa where Pinocchio is carved by woodcutter Gepetto. The name Gepetto has its origins in Italian and has a symbolic meaning of God Will Increase.

Though Collodi’s story was the inspiration for the Disney film, the Imagineers used creative license to tell their story and used Rothenberg, Germany as a reference for the village where Gepetto resides.

So the answer to my question is — both!

I've always thought of Pinocchio as German - that's so interesting!
Although, there are areas of Italy - up in the mountains - where it's hard to know you've crossed over into Italy. Some areas in the Italian Alps speak German and their towns look more German than Italian (to me).

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, con’t

A fun surprise awaited us as we waited for the boat back to the Lodge.

The ride itself is so pretty, especially at night, with the MK, Grand Floridian and Contemporary illumined. (No pictures, I was enjoying being in the moment.)

Upon our return we made a beeline for the Old Faithful Club. Vanilla hazelnut cupcakes and warm caramel pear cobbler.

We hurriedly finished so that we wouldn’t miss the fireworks.

‘Twas a Happily Ever After finale to our vacation!

 

[Zipadeelady]

WARM PEAR COBBLER! Never once have I thought of pear cobbler but holy gah...... that sounds amazing!

 

[lindawdw]

WOW, what a perfect way to end your evening and your last night of the trip!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

WARM PEAR COBBLER! Never once have I thought of pear cobbler but holy gah...... that sounds amazing!

Even better - it was CARAMEL PEAR COBBLER! In my rush to finish the post I accidentally left out caramel and am now going to fix it!

 

[Zipadeelady]

Even better - it was CARAMEL PEAR COBBLER! In my rush to finish the post I accidentally left out caramel and am now going to fix it!

CARMEL....I didn't think it could GET any better!! Carmel is my favorite!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, October 12

Though Hurricane Milton tried. I experienced Hurricane Idalia at WDW with Woody last year and would rather not repeat it, especially with my sweet daughter.

In all her years of education (student, teacher, math coach) Em has never had a fall break. Visiting the World in October and attending MNSSHP has been on her bucket list forever. Thanks to her county’s decision to switch up the school calendar, this year her dream may finally come true!

We don’t know what adventures await us. Hopefully there are some good ones! I’ll keep y’all updated.

 

[WDisneyW]

Saturday, October 12

Though Hurricane Milton tried. I experienced Hurricane Idalia at WDW with Woody last year and would rather not repeat it, especially with my sweet daughter.

In all her years of education (student, teacher, math coach) Em has never had a fall break. Visiting the World in October and attending MNSSHP has been on her bucket list forever. Thanks to her county’s decision to switch up the school calendar, this year her dream may finally come true!

We don’t know what adventures await us. Hopefully there are some good ones! I’ll keep y’all updated.

Maybe we will cross paths again!