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]

Monday, con’t

While in the queue I noticed an homage to our favorite Dollywood attraction,@JenniferS.

Ready for our wildest ride in the wilderness. 100% better at night.

 

[Tuvalu]

It was getting close to the 11:15 pm Boo To You as we left BTMRR. While Em wouldn’t have minded watching it a second time, she still wanted the party-exclusive treat from the Main Street Bakery (aka Starbucks.) I wanted to stop in the Arribas Bros. shop. We crossed the parade route at its starting point in Frontierland, hustled through Adventureland, and kindly pushed through the Main Street crowds lined up for the parade.

We decided to divide and conquer - she went to the bakery and I went to the glass shop. While I was purchasing a gift for Woody, I heard the impending arrival of the Headless Horseman. The CM told me to go outside and see him while he wrapped up the item.

I’m pleased with these pics (especially in LIVE mode.)

Meanwhile Em got her chocolate & peanut butter Mini Witch’s Hat which she enjoyed at a table in the courtyard.

It wasn’t as good as she thought it would be.

 

[Zipadeelady]

It was getting close to the 11:15 pm Boo To You as we left BTMRR. While Em wouldn’t have minded watching it a second time, she still wanted the party-exclusive treat from the Main Street Bakery (aka Starbucks.) I wanted to stop in the Arribas Bros. shop. We crossed the parade route at its starting point in Frontierland, hustled through Adventureland, and kindly pushed through the Main Street crowds lined up for the parade.

We decided to divide and conquer - she went to the bakery and I went to the glass shop. While I was purchasing a gift for Woody, I heard the impending arrival of the Headless Horseman. The CM told me to go outside and see him while he wrapped up the item.

I’m pleased with these pics (especially in LIVE mode.)

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Meanwhile Em got her chocolate & peanut butter Mini Witch’s Hat which she enjoyed at a table in the courtyard.

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It wasn’t as good as she thought it would be.

This post deserves both a and a

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, con’t

Em may have been disappointed with her treat but she was very excited by what happened next.



It was completely unexpected and she raced to take a video for her brother. I’m glad I can post Blog Mickey’s video, as it was as fun as it looks.

When the Powerline Dance party was over we decided to call it a night. With over 20k steps today, my lower legs were aching.

I had developed a bad case of vasculitis - otherwise known as The Disney Rash. Google it if you’re interested. The discomfort was so intense I put a cool, wet towel across my legs as soon as we got back to the room.

The heat from my legs warmed and dried the towel quickly so I had to wet it down again, then slept with the covering for a little while.

But I had no regrets. The suffering was worth it. Em and I had an amazing time at MNSSHP. So amazing we never want to do it again.

Tonight had been perfect. There was no way to top it. To risk forking out hundreds of dollars (parties are expensive!) for a potentially lesser experience (due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances) is not a risk we want to take.

Instead….

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, October 15

Our plan to sleep in after a late night was foiled.

Remember I mentioned that we are morning people? Our body clocks woke us up early and there was no going back to sleep. I had purchased LLMP for today in case we didn’t make rope drop.

We actually arrived during early entry.

We went to Rock ‘n Roller Coaster first. We didn’t get to watch the preshow since the CMs were telling everyone to keep moving into the alley.

I waited for Em in the gift shop. The ride photo feature was broken and no photos appeared on the preview screens.

She said her very fast ride was very fun.

 

[Tuvalu]

We used our first LLMP here. The fog from the misters was on theme!

I accompanied Em through the lobby, library and boiler room before taking the real “unbroken” elevator to the attraction exit.

No ride photo again.

Later in the morning we overheard a frustrated father snap, “The next person who argues with me has to go on Tower of Terror!”

That’s one way to quench squabbling!

 

[Tuvalu]

Now it was time for Tu to ride something!

I’d read about a Single Rider option that was being tested for Rise of the Resistance. It was on, then it was off, then it was back on again. Since Rise is one of my faves, we decided to check out the situation.

I had no idea how the process worked. Luckily we saw this CM after entering Galaxy’s Edge.

There was no line near him to speak of, so we waited until he finished his conversation with the other person in the photo. The CM pointed us towards the exit for RotR and said another CM would tell us where to go.

Helpful.

We stood near the exit, clueless, until we saw another CM.

“Single Rider?” I asked sheepishly.

“Over by the door,” she pointed.

“The door” was a backstage exit/entry for Cast Members. There were a number of people in line and whomever was in the doorway had the privilege of holding the door open. We had no idea how many guests were ahead of us and where we would find ourselves once allowed in.

Since the line was stationary we also didn't know if single riders were pulled one at a time from the line. If that were the case, we likely had a long wait ahead of us.

But just a few minutes later we had the answers to our questions. The line began to move forward en masse into the holding area by the doors for the first preshow. Regular riders were held back and all us single riders were told to enter the room once the door opened.

Hello, BB-8 and Rey!

When this part ended, we were told to hurry outside and onto the transport ship (second preshow). When that part ended in the reveal of the Stormtroopers, CMs barked at us to keep moving. It was all I could do to take a quick pic. It was clear none of us were allowed to stop.

We single riders were told to keep left in the double queue.

As we inched closer to the holding cells, a CM directed each single rider where to go. When Em and I got to the front of the line, that CM sent both of us down to the same CM who was filling the gray and orange spots for a holding cell. We got lucky in that we were assigned the same color and ended up next to each other in the transport vehicle.

The only special effect not working was the probe droid (I don't count the cannons anymore) and we had a great ride!

The whole process took about 30 minutes (the standby wait was over an hour) and we had the exact experience as when using a LLSP - but this was free!

 

[RememberWhen]

Awesome! I’ll keep that single rider option in my back pocket for our trip! Also, love the shirt!

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

We wandered through Batuu and exited into Toy Story Land, where our next two LLMPs were booked.

The park was very busy this morning and while we were glad to have LLMP for three short waits, that was all we would have. Unlike August when I had success booking additional LLMPs - for attractions we wanted at times we wanted - that was not the case today. After ToT, I searched LL availability for MMRR. The earliest return time was mid-afternoon. I refreshed and tried to modify multiple times over three hours and zilch.

LLMP #2

Eh - more of a Medium Lane than a Lightning Lane.

We were sent to the newest track.

Em was on her game today!

 

[Tuvalu]

LLMP #3

I was happily surprised to score a morning slot for SDD on Day 4. In August I had to wait until Day 7 for morning availability.

Whee!

I actually prefer sitting in front rather than back. On the final lift hill I can literally reach for the sky!

 

[LadyBelle]

A pitch-black ride in total darkness on Space Mountain, however, was not.

At least your vehicle didn’t stop in that part like mine did.

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

It’s Fall Y’all!

I FREAKING love Fall Y'all at Disney!!! But alas, my "fall break" is now over Turkey day.

@Tuvalu -- I really like the cute Halloween t-shirts that you and Em were wearing. It's great when the designers create smaller images on a subtle background color, versus the sometimes huge designs, on certain other t-shirts.

Soooo soo cute! Agreed.

(As does Tuvalad who was fascinated by his Pooh friends in costume. )

Your tiny Tuvas are adorable and I hope they are looking forward to another magical family Disney adventure soon.

I never saw Hocus Pocus and watched it after we were home. At the risk of being Booed, it was a one and done for me!

I feel like for many in the Millennial set; that movie is just peak nostalgia for us and that's a huge reason why I love it.

We decided to divide and conquer - she went to the bakery and I went to the glass shop. While I was purchasing a gift for Woody, I heard the impending arrival of the Headless Horseman. The CM told me to go outside and see him while he wrapped up the item.

I’m pleased with these pics (especially in LIVE mode.)

What a nice CM! Fantastic pics!

I had developed a bad case of vasculitis - otherwise known as The Disney Rash. Google it if you’re interested. The discomfort was so intense I put a cool, wet towel across my legs as soon as we got back to the room.

Ohhhh, I've been a victim of this more than once!

 

[Tuvalu]

@LadyBelle being stopped on the Peoplemover inside Space Mountain is never fun, so I can only imagine what it was like during the Halloween party. Did the emergency lights ever come on?

@slipperalwaysfits I hope you have a great week vacation!

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

After our fun Slinky Dog ride it was time for lunch. No surprise as to where we ate. We went upstairs to get away from the rest of humanity.

The purse carrots were past their prime and not worth saving.

Since my beloved veggie pizza is no more I settled on pepperoni. It was okay but not the same.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Tuesday, con’t

After our fun Slinky Dog ride it was time for lunch. No surprise as to where we ate. We went upstairs to get away from the rest of humanity.

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The purse carrots were past their prime and not worth saving.

View attachment 825124

Since my beloved veggie pizza is no more I settled on pepperoni. It was okay but not the same.

Why? Why would they get rid of the veggie pizza? I haven't been to the parks for some time, but when did they do this?

 

[Tuvalu]

Why? Why would they get rid of the veggie pizza? I haven't been to the parks for some time, but when did they do this?

The change happened in August. The only “veggie” pizza option is cheese and mushroom. I dislike mushrooms and would pick them off the original veggie (giving them to Woody), but I love the sweet bell peppers and onions.

Interestingly enough the mushroom/peppers/onions mixture is currently on the plant-based Spicy Italian “Sausage” Sub, so it should be an option for the pizza. I wanted to try special ordering it from a cashier, but the one open register had a long line and a CM in the lobby insisted I use mobile ordering (and even offered to “do it for me” on MY phone! ) In that moment it wasn’t worth the effort and I mobile ordered as the CM watched.

But on my next visit I plan to go earlier and order from a cashier.

 

[LadyBelle]

@LadyBelle being stopped on the Peoplemover inside Space Mountain is never fun, so I can only imagine what it was like during the Halloween party. Did the emergency lights ever come on?

No. We were only paused for a few minutes

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

Our window for MMRR (our 4th LL) didn’t open for another two hours, despite all the app refreshing I’d done. It was decision time.

Sacrifice MMRR for another opportunity to enjoy the pool (in October!)?
OR
Sacrifice pool fun for MMRR, a fave attraction?

It really wasn’t a difficult choice.

The cool water soothed my rash legs. In fact the water was so relaxing I dozed off for awhile. (I couldn’t trust Em to be my lifeguard because she was pool napping too!)

It was a glorious way to spend the rest of the afternoon.

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

I got us a last-minute dinner reservation at Whispering Canyon Cafe.

I requested Akira at the check in desk but it was her day off. Instead Malibu Darby (LOL) - pictured above - was our server.

A host led us to the back of the restaurant. At first we thought we’d been assigned the two-top in front of the fireplace (@Loco_driver ) but we were relieved to be seated at a larger table with a lovely view.

As good as WCC’s Signature Skillets are, the price has increased substantially ($40!) and is too much food for us. Even with sharing a single skillet (which is not allowed) we’d have leftovers. Ordering a starter as a main dish (is that terminology ok, @wdisney9000?) often works better for us.

As usual Em went with the Burnt Ends Nachos.

She also ordered a Mountaineer Margarita which she rated !

I was hungrier than I thought and opted for the Char-crusted NY Strip. I swapped the sides (carrots and fried potatoes) for smashed potatoes and green beans (which come with the skillets).

The steak was as good as Mama Melrose’s (IYKYK), the green beans were crisp like I prefer and the smashed potatoes were out of this world (and could have fed three people)! Spending $36 for this meal - despite being unable to finish it - felt like a much better value for me than a $40 skillet.

Our table location missed most of the shenanigans up front (fine by us) but Malibu Darby was a hoot and her 16 years of experience at WCC shined through.

Well satisfied (and full!) we wandered around for a bit before settling in our room for the night.

 

[wdisney9000]

Ordering a starter as a main dish (is that terminology ok, @wdisney9000?)

If "main" is followed by "dish", then yes. I'll allow it