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]

Wednesday, con’t

Em requested Philharmagic as we waited for our window to open for our next LLMP. We purposefully sat at the end of a row to show kindness to the folks filling in behind us.

And guess what - the 3D effects looked exactly the same.

A quick browse through the gift shop at the exit then it was time for LLMP #3.

We sat in the back of the hunny pot which may have worked in our favor. When Tigger laughed and invited us to “Come bounce with me!” our vehicle dipped, pointing downward on a slant, and did not right itself until we reached the unload area. It was a very awkward and uncomfortable journey through the Hundred Acre Wood for us, but at least we were sitting higher than the poor woman in front of us.

Obtaining additional LLs proved to be a challenge. I secured LLMP #4 for 7:30-8:30 pm. Most headliners (at 10:30 am) were already gone for the day, and the park was open until 11 pm! Em had also been playing around on the app and found an afternoon LL for an attraction in a different park and asked if she could book it.

I told her sure. Park hopping seemed like a great choice to get away from MK madness.

 

[mpaulam]

Another cute t-shirt (pair)!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

We temporarily said goodbye to the Magic Kingdom and boarded our coach to Hollywood.

First stop was lunch.

ABC Commissary is notorious for using Door Nazis who won’t allow those with mobile orders to enter the restaurant until they show their order pick up number (Satu’li Canteen does the same.) Post-Covid this seems unnecessarily restrictive. So we were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a CM at the door who said we could wait inside.

In just a couple minutes we had our grilled chicken sandwiches and steak fries. A solid choice as always!

 

[Tuvalu]

We had two booked LLMPs when we arrived at DHS. Both windows were 2-3 pm.

It was now noon.

We decided to brave the 50 minute wait for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, despite having a LL for later. We needed to kill time and then could enjoy a second ride, right?

Turns out that in the magical world that is Disney, 50 minutes = 20 minutes.

BOOM!

We were assigned our favorite train car. Yes, the ride is trackless and is supposed to be random, but we’ve ridden enough times to have a preferred seat for the best action.

Thanks for the great ride, Goofy!

 

[Tuvalu]

The day had gotten progressively cooler. The sun had remained hidden behind clouds and the winds had turned blustery. Em had goosebumps.

We laughed, thinking that a mere 24 hours earlier we were lounging in the pool!

Temperatures were predicted to be lower today, but if we’d known just how low, we wouldn’t have left our jackets in the room. Thus as we browsed the stores on Hollywood Blvd., this was bound to happen.

There wasn’t one in my size otherwise we would have been twins.

With more time to kill before our LLMPs, Em announced she did not need to ride MMRR. We’d gotten our “perfect” ride and MMRR breaks down A LOT. What if waiting for our LL was for naught?

“Don’t you want to ride RnRC?” I asked, as that was our other LL.

“Not really,” she answered.

I immediately went to work. Without telling Em what I was doing, I switched our LLs to another park.

“Wanna take the Skyliner to Epcot?” I inquired.

Her answer -

 

[tonystark]

Can’t ever have too much Mansion - can I get an amen, @tonystark?

hoping to get a few rides in come january

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

I had goosebumps as we briskly walked from the International Gateway to our first destination.

Look at Em so smug and warm!

If only the current southern climate was warm like this one!

 

[Tuvalu]

We non park commandos were feeling pretty proud of ourselves to be in our 3rd park of the day. Ride count thus far was 6 at MK, 1 at DHS, 1 at Epcot.

LLMP #4

Kinda creepy, eh?


For those of you who gotta have your coffee (aka cawfee for those of a certain region).

Gives new meaning to climbing the walls.

Alright, whatcha hiding? Cuz four days ago we could see into the Biotechnology Lab….

 

[Tuvalu]

Upon exiting LWTL we were able to use LLMP #5.

Must have selected “grainy” for a special effect in the next picture.

This go round we had premium seats in the glider. A perfect Tour Eiffel!

Yeah, there’s feet. But I much prefer feet than the concave top of the screen.

 

[MinnieM123]

Alright, whatcha hiding? Cuz four days ago we could see into the Biotechnology Lab….

NOTHING gets past Detective @Tuvalu ! (When you return there in 2 weeks, please provide us with an update!)

 

[Tuvalu]

@MinnieM123

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

Having back-to-back LLs was a real treat. I’m not sure Em would have agreed to our next attraction without one.

LLMP #6

 

[Tuvalu]

If memory serves me correctly, I could have booked another consecutive LL (for SSE) but that attraction is a time-eater and there were other things we wanted to do. One of which was checking Creations Shop for a sweatshirt, since I was now the one with goosebumps!

But Creations let me down (Mouse Gear never did! ) so we headed for the exit and yet another monorail ride.

After transferring to the resort line at the TTC, we remained onboard until the Contemporary. (For guests not staying at monorail resort, we sure rode the monorail A LOT this trip!)

Following a quick sweatshirt search in BVG, we got what we came for in the Contempo Cafe. Two more of these -

One for Em and one for Woody. Along with two double chocolate muffins to serve as breakfast during our car ride home in the morning.

Since it was well past 3 pm, we took the blue launch back to WL.

During our brief break in the room we did some preliminary packing and loaded a few items into the car. For dinner we opted to share the pretzel roll steak sandwich from Geyser Point. Based on our earlier experience today at MK, we knew the quick service locations would be crazy crowded and this was a better alternative.

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

We began our day on the dock as the sun was rising. Now it was the moon’s turn.

The wind was still very blustery and I was glad to be wearing my cozy sweatshirt!

4 parks in one day! We think this may be record for us.

.

Now before @Zipadeelady protests, “But you didn’t go to Animal Kingdom!”, let me defend myself. We went through park entrance tapstiles four times today. The fact that Magic Kingdom was twice shouldn’t negate our efforts and I refuse to give in to a technicality.

Making our way down Main Street was an introvert’s nightmare. Fireworks weren’t for another hour yet people had claimed their viewing spots. When we got to The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor we joined the line. It wasn’t very long thanks to the evening chill.

No, neither of us wanted ice cream. But I really wanted the dark chocolate M&M cookies from the Halloween ice cream sandwich. Trying to explain to the cashier that I wanted the special Halloween treat without ice cream - and the resulting confusion among her and the CMs behind the counter - mortified Em. (Almost as much as the time I asked a stranger for a piece of her cotton candy, @DryerLintFan. )

I really didn’t think it would be a big deal. I intended to pay full price for the Halloween cookie sandwich, even if it contained no ice cream. So I, too, was confused by the confusion!

After a couple minutes the cashier returned with two cookies on a plate. She smiled as she handed them to me and whispered, “No charge.”

“Thank you!” I whispered back. As soon as we exited I put those bad boys in a Ziploc bag I had in my purse. They made for a delicious indulgence after I got home.

 

[Swissmiss]

We went through park entrance tapstiles four times today. The fact that Magic Kingdom was twice shouldn’t negate our efforts

Absolutely agree.

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

We wanted to use our final LLMP (#7) before Happily Ever After. But doing so required a very circuitous route from the ice cream shop. There were too many people on Main Street and in the hub to attempt crossing over to the other side. So we kept to the right, cutting through the Tomorrowland Terrace into Tomorrowland.

Then Tomorrowland > Fantasyland > Liberty Square > Riverwalk > Frontierland. Those areas were also very crowded, but at least we could maneuver around people. As we approached BTMRR, we heard the announcement that I’d mentioned in my LIVE post.

Park wide announcement at 7:45 pm: “Main Street is closed due to capacity. You can see the show from Tomorrowland, Fantasyland and Frontierland.” Happily Ever After is at 8:30 pm.

MNSSHP is four nights this week - Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri.

Explains the crazy today/tonight. Way to go, Disney.

Em and I breezed through the LL and were soon on a train.

Twinnies!

Guess where I finally found my matching hoodie?

In the Mercantile. At the WL!

 

[Zipadeelady]

Wednesday, con’t

We began our day on the dock as the sun was rising. Now it was the moon’s turn.

View attachment 825932

The wind was still very blustery and I was glad to be wearing my cozy sweatshirt!

4 parks in one day! We think this may be record for us.

View attachment 825933.

Now before @Zipadeelady protests, “But you didn’t go to Animal Kingdom!”, let me defend myself. We went through park entrance tapstiles four times today. The fact that Magic Kingdom was twice shouldn’t negate our efforts and I refuse to give in to a technicality.

I was arguing with your post before I scrolled down and saw your comment. I think you are getting to know me well.

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

Following our ride through Big Thunder Mountain we scurried down to the Riverwalk to watch the fireworks.

Another view I will miss when the ROA becomes a dirt track for “racing”. The reflections in the water are simply stunning at night.

 

[MinnieM123]

Guess where I finally found my matching hoodie?

In the Mercantile. At the WL!

I really like that hoodie -- subtle design, subtle color. I think the color in particular, would look good on anyone. As for the WL Mercantile, (years ago) I also had good luck there finding a size that seemed out of stock, in the parks. Glad you finally were able to find one for yourself!

 

[Tuvalu]

I really like that hoodie -- subtle design, subtle color. I think the color in particular, would look good on anyone. As for the WL Mercantile, (years ago) I also had good luck there finding a size that seemed out of stock, in the parks. Glad you finally were able to find one for yourself!

We agree with you regarding subtle design and color . Clothing patterns, colors and especially quality have taken a downturn in the last 5-7 years and it was great to find something useful and fun! (On the upside we’ve saved a ton of $$ by not purchasing the ugly stuff! )