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]

Saturday, con’t

Em and I had two good meals together today.

While we didn’t get to experience the new booth seating at San Angel Inn, we had the perfect waterside table. (FYI @Tony the Tigger there remains plenty of regular tables which are now less squished together.)

Did we get to wave to the tykes who floated by us? We sure did!

In other good news, Em decided to try the changed-recipe San Angel Specialty margarita. She said she could not discern any difference and it’s still her favorite.

Our lunch consisted of apps - chips, salsa, queso, guac and queso fundido with tortillas - all yummy but a pricey $40. Service was slow and inattentive.

We’ll probably stick with La Hacienda in the future.

 

[Tuvalu]

Dinner was incredible!

It was our first time here. Everything from the ambiance, to the open kitchen, to the amazing views, to the high quality locally-sourced ingredients reminded us of California Grill.

We shared the Heirloom Tomato Panzanella. So fresh and bursting with flavor.

The baguettes were delicious - but 5 sticks of 3 baguettes each was way too much bread for two people!

We both had the filet mignon - it was as good as any we’ve had at CG. Loved the grilled asparagus. The potatoes were fine - but would have preferred a risotto.

This meal was what CG used to be before it went prix fixe - an affordable splurge. We’ll definitely be back.

Unfortunately it stormed during our meal and we didn’t get out on the terrace until we were finished.

We were treated to a pretty rainbow.

While it would have been fun to watch Luminous from the terrace, it was not meant to be. The rain resumed.

 

[pkkurz]

We love Topolinos and have done both breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is our favorite of the two.

 

[Swissmiss]

@TrolleyFollower91 - Just wanted to say I love how you’ve done your hair this trip (I assume a new haircut?).

 

[Tiggerish]

It's very pretty, and I'm glad you enjoyed it, but that's a far cry from.Panzanella as I make it (according to Ina Gartens recipe)

Mine (ok, Ina's) has a lot more of...everything

 

[Tuvalu]

It's very pretty, and I'm glad you enjoyed it, but that's a far cry from.Panzanella as I make it (according to Ina Gartens recipe)

Mine (ok, Ina's) has a lot more of...everything

We’ll be by a week from Saturday….

 

[TrolleyFollower91]

@TrolleyFollower91 - Just wanted to say I love how you’ve done your hair this trip (I assume a new haircut?).

Thank you! Yes, I let my hairdresser do whatever she wanted and it turned out great!

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, July 14

Looks like we’ll be Goin’ down the bayou today!

 

[Tuvalu]

That moment when you have the place to yourself.

Arty Sea.

Wave for Woody.

He waved back.

 

[Tuvalu]

Morning spin around Tomorrowland. Our plan was to hit Space Mountain during early entry but it hadn’t opened yet (so we pivoted to Arty Sea.) We hoped any issues were resolved by now and would find out during our ride.

Oh no no no!

Auxiliary lights are never a good sign are they, Em?

The longing is real.

 

[Tuvalu]

Thankfully we had another coaster to ride.

No ride photo to prove we were in the grid. That’s what happens when you leave your most recent MagicBand at home.

 

[Tuvalu]

Crossin’ the hub.

 

[Tuvalu]

Quickest way to the Mansion.

 

[Laurenciaa]

That moment when you have the place to yourself.

View attachment 800043

Arty Sea.

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Wave for Woody.

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He waved back.

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Oh my hart.. this is tooo cute

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con’t

Taking the Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed.

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

Row 6 is tight enough as it is. Please don’t make it worse.

The interactive name screens look to be permanently covered now.

Surprise ending!

 

[Tuvalu]

Pinocchio Village Haus has a new chicken parm sub on the menu and Em said we gotta try it.

Great sub and great view!

 

[Tuvalu]

We browsed the shops in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland and decided another Peoplemover ride was due.

Space Mountain lights on the first ride, Peoplemover lights on the second! (No evac though.)

 

[Tuvalu]

Wanna know what’s great?

New seats in the theater! With padding!

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con’t

Our group for Tiana was getting close. We decided to ride the MPB to Frontierland.

It was perfect timing as we received the VQ notification while aboard.

Would I regret my fast finger today?

We had to wait longer in the outdoor part of the queue than previously. It was HOT. We joked that we wouldn’t mind getting wet.

Being assigned the front again assured we likely would.

Before….

….and after.

We wouldn’t have been any wetter if we had jumped into a pool with our clothes on. I am not kidding. We got hit by a water cannon at the start of the ride!

Won’t be riding this next month with Woody, that’s for sure.

Don’t get me wrong - we love the ride. Wish we didn’t get drenched on it.

One last artsy pic. (Unintentional )

 

[Tuvalu]

We had no interest in walking around in wet clothes so we headed for the exit.

We hadn’t seen Main Street this empty in the middle of the afternoon since the pandemic.

Time check.

Ironically we changed into swimwear once back at the Lodge and spent an hour in the pool!