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!

 

[luvinthemajik]

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

The banter between you two cracks me up.

 

[joshsprincess921]

I love that show. I'm glad you stopped to see it.

NOW.... nobody seems to listen to me when I say this so I'm hoping, just maybe you or Em got the hash with your bowl. The hash is so much better than the rice or salad. I don't even like sweet potatoes but you'd never know.

The hash is my favorite!

 

[Zipadeelady]

The hash is my favorite!

I knew I couldn't be the only one!! I think that makes three of us that think the hash is superior!

 

[wdisney9000]

My assistant, Lis, wore this outfit to work today. She is apparently an off-duty CM in the parks

You can tell by her expression that she was THRILLED when I shared yet another Disney nerd fact with her. She hears many, many Disney nerd facts weekly...which she doesn't ask for haha

 

[Tuvalu]

View attachment 825288

My assistant, Lis, wore this outfit to work today. She is apparently an off-duty CM in the parks

You can tell by her expression that she was THRILLED when I shared yet another Disney nerd fact with her. She hears many, many Disney nerd facts weekly...which she doesn't ask for haha

This is great!!!

 

[wdisney9000]

This is great!!!

I read that part of your report this morning, so you can imagine my excitement when I saw Lis' outfit. And while her expression in the photo is far from excited, she actually did like the story behind it once I explained it to her.

I've been slowly planting Disney seeds in her young mind over the years. I'm playing the long game

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, October 16

Today was our last day and we wanted to make the most of it. We were up and at ‘em before dawn since Early Entry for MK began at 7:30 am.

Sunrise over Bay Lake.

When we got to the dock the first in line was….

….a stroller?

 

[k8einwdw]

When we got to the dock the first in line was….

….a stroller?

Someone really wanted to be first in line in the morning

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

We didn’t quite make early entry because the launch was late. We had LLMP for today which not only took the pressure off rope drop, but also allowed us to avoid the insane standby waits which began sooner than normal. You may recall from my LIVE post that today was the only day in the week without MNSSHP, so the park did not have shorter operating hours.

And the crowds came!!!

We headed for Jungle Cruise first - it was supposed to reopen after a several week refurb - but it was down when we got there. (When it did open much later, LL availability was gone and standby never dropped below 60 minutes.)

We pivoted and went to LLMP #1.

13 minute wait? Yes, please.

 

[Loco_driver]

Those potatoes from WCC are always outstanding! I’ve still not forgiven them for taking them off the lunch menu.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Wednesday, con’t

We didn’t quite make early entry because the launch was late. We had LLMP for today which not only took the pressure off rope drop, but also allowed us to avoid the insane standby waits which began sooner than normal. You may recall from my LIVE post that today was the only day in the week without MNSSHP, so the park did not have shorter operating hours.

And the crowds came!!!

We headed for Jungle Cruise first - it was supposed to reopen after a several week refurb - but it was down when we got there. (When it did open much later, LL availability was gone and standby never dropped below 60 minutes.)

We pivoted and went to LLMP #1.

View attachment 825366

13 minute wait? Yes, please.

View attachment 825367

View attachment 825368

We were at MK for a short time that day and the crowds were insane! Unable to stay too long as needed to pack ready for journey home to UK next day.

 

[lindawdw]

I'm finally all caught up!!! The MNSSHP looked like such a blast, and I agree that you'll never be able to replicate that night so better off keeping such a wonderful memory of the party! I enjoyed all your pictures of the parade too so thanks for doing that! Good job on the HM picture!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Those potatoes from WCC are always outstanding! I’ve still not forgiven them for taking them off the lunch menu.

It doesn’t hurt to ask for them at lunch. Who knows how early the prep for dinner is?

We were at MK for a short time that day and the crowds were insane! Unable to stay too long as needed to pack ready for journey home to UK next day.

Sorry our paths didn’t cross.

I'm finally all caught up!!! The MNSSHP looked like such a blast, and I agree that you'll never be able to replicate that night so better off keeping such a wonderful memory of the party! I enjoyed all your pictures of the parade too so thanks for doing that! Good job on the HM picture!!!

Thanks!!

 

[Loco_driver]

It doesn’t hurt to ask for them at lunch. Who knows how early the prep for dinner is?

I have inquired at lunch. They’re intentionally left off the lunch menu and not offered. Akira said she gets a ton of complaints about that, so I’m glad I’m not the only one at least. It has saved me the temptation of ordering a skillet at lunch though. Burnt end nachos every time now!

 

[Tuvalu]

I have inquired at lunch. They’re intentionally left off the lunch menu and not offered.

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

I checked wait times on the app as we exited Haunted Mansion.

BTMRR was listed at 25 minutes so we proceeded along The Riverwalk. (Thinking about starting a petition to Save The Riverwalk. Who’s with me?) We encountered two silly chipmunks along the way.

The wait for Big Thunder jumped to 50 minutes just as we arrived. No thanks!! We did an about-face and retraced our steps along The Riverwalk. (That name is really growing on me….)

Our window for LLMP #2 was now open. Can’t ever have too much Mansion - can I get an amen, @tonystark?

Em nudged me just in time to watch these Rhodes Scholars realize the Cast Members Only gate was, in fact, not an exit from the queue.

We were thisclose….

 

[Tuvalu]

An app check revealed why the wait for BTMRR had jumped so abruptly.

Adventureland was not having a good morning.

 

[Tuvalu]

When the standby line is shorter than the Lightning Lane, you know things are out of whack.

Thankfully we were standby guests.

The little girl behind us was running commentary to her siblings about each room we sailed in during our cruise. It was adorable.

An example -
“Now we’re in Hawaii. Look, they’re doing the Honolulu!”

She did not notice the missing child on the elephant trunk. But Tu did - as would @Figment Forever’s daughter Hope!

IASW is now an omnimover.

And the interactive video screens appear to have been permanently removed.

 

[rshell68]

 

[Wicked Sisters]

Wednesday, con’t

I checked wait times on the app as we exited Haunted Mansion.

BTMRR was listed at 25 minutes so we proceeded along The Riverwalk. (Thinking about starting a petition to Save The Riverwalk. Who’s with me?) We encountered two silly chipmunks along the way.

View attachment 825517

The wait for Big Thunder jumped to 50 minutes just as we arrived. No thanks!! We did an about-face and retraced our steps along The Riverwalk. (That name is really growing on me….)

Our window for LLMP #2 was now open. Can’t ever have too much Mansion - can I get an amen, @tonystark?

Em nudged me just in time to watch these Rhodes Scholars realize the Cast Members Only gate was, in fact, not an exit from the queue.

View attachment 825518

We were thisclose….

View attachment 825519

We are definitely with you. The River Walk has always been a quiet relaxing area for us to go to in the park.