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!

 

[Spash007]

By heading to Disney on Black Friday, did you not go shopping that you might have otherwise? AKA going a day early actually saved you money!

 

[Tuvalu]

By heading to Disney on Black Friday, did you not go shopping that you might have otherwise? AKA going a day early actually saved you money!

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, November 29

We purposely got a later start in traveling this morning. I’d hosted the family for Thanksgiving and I did not want to be up and ready well before dawn. Since the day after turkey tends to be a day off for commuters, we did not have to beat rush hour traffic. There wasn’t any!

We made our now-usual stop at Buc-ees for fuel and brisket & egg tacos. Both of us had eaten breakfast earlier so this was more a second breakfast/early lunch. Buc-ees stops serving hot breakfast items at 10:30 am and we made it in just under the wire.

We had some rain along the way but on the whole traffic was very light. Deciding to leave on Friday turned out to be a great decision, since my brother’s family had to endure a 10+ hour trip home from WDW on Saturday.

The notification that our room was ready came about 90 minutes before we arrived at Coronado Springs. We parked in the lot for Cabana 8B (in the newly named Village at Coronado Springs) and unloaded the car.

Our “water view room” was on the second floor. I’ll let you decide if it should be categorized as a water view (and worthy of the upcharge.)

Outside our room door.

View from window inside the room.

Eh….I’d vote maybe. But since we keep the drapes drawn while staying in a resort with exterior corridors, I think a premium added for preferred location is fine, but “view” at values and moderates should be irrelevant. (At least it was in the past….sigh.)

Room photo for @Nunu. Note the fan!

for the stall shower too!

We spent very little time in the room and had no complaints. In fact after I snapped the pics we left and had a #ShirleyStatus private ride to Animal Kingdom.

 

[Skibum1970]

I have been on the fence for so long about staying at Coronado (hard to chase me out of Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter). Your pictures are having the effect of a good commercial.

 

[jmunzert]

We stayed at Coronado in October, and I opted for the water view "upgrade", I spent the road trip there dreaming of a view of the lake, the below is what we got (sorry for the blurry picture) But with all that said I have fallen in love with this resort all over again

 

[Tuvalu]

I have been on the fence for so long about staying at Coronado (hard to chase me out of Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter). Your pictures are having the effect of a good commercial.

Coronado is really a beautiful resort (much like Riverside but with a different vibe) and if you don’t mind the multiple bus stops (4, like POR) I highly recommend giving it a try. The main pool is the best moderate one on property and the dining options trump Port Orleans. Very convenient to AK and DHS.

We stayed at Coronado in October, and I opted for the water view "upgrade", I spent the road trip there dreaming of a view of the lake, the below is what we got (sorry for the blurry picture) But with all that said I have fallen in love with this resort all over again

View attachment 829973

Yikes! Looks like the Ranchos pool?

A “water view room” was the cheapest option for the night we stayed (standard view unavailable) and I have to agree we had a better view than you did. Glad to hear you had a wonderful stay despite your initial disappointment.

 

[lindawdw]

Backstory, Part Tu

The Candlelight Processional is a Disney tradition that’s a must do for many, regardless of the narrator. I am more selective - the narrator is pivotal in my decision to attend the show.

Woody and I have seen the most popular narrator.

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And Em and I have seen the most handsome narrator.

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So it was a bit of a surprise to my family (and myself, actually) that I was interested in seeing this narrator.

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But let’s be honest. It really wasn’t that guy. It was this guy -
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Who wouldn’t want to listen to lovable Olaf tell the Christmas story?!!?!!

Josh/Olaf would be narrating on Saturday November 30, our arrival day. If we encountered no travel delays on the road (it was Thanksgiving weekend) we should be in Epcot by mid-afternoon, with plenty of time to stand in line for the 5 pm performance. We’d only ever waited standby for the Candlelight Processional, since the upcharge for a dining package seemed unnecessary.

This year’s prices were jaw dropping.

Regal Eagle had a same-day package that was affordable. But it was first-come first-served, and we would be crunched for time as it was. La Crêperie was the least expensive table service option, but we’d never eaten there and I was unsure if Em and I would like it.

My intent was to wait standby as usual. Then, the morning of October 29, I was overwhelmed by a bad case FOMO….or my highly competitive nature kicked in (not sure which.) Reservations for Candlelight Processional Dining Packages (CPDP) had opened at 6 am. When I logged on here around 7:30 am, all I saw was post after post complaining that Disney’s dining page wouldn’t load, all dates had no availability, restaurants were missing, the app glitched, the website glitched, etc. etc. Posters were either angry or worried.

I was swept up in the drama. I decided to see if MY app worked (so that I could report something positive) and if it did, if there was CPDP availability for November 30 (for research purposes, of course.)

My app worked fine. I scrolled through the CPDP options for 11/30. And there it was - a 2:30 pm time slot at La Crêperie for the 5 pm show.

I booked it on impulse. I figured I could always cancel it once rational thinking returned.

Yeah, that didn’t happen. This is Disney after all.

Rather I began to obsess about making it to WDW in time for a 2:30 pm ADR. The added pressure would make for a very stressful drive if something unexpected occurred - likely holiday weekend traffic.

I began to ponder driving halfway to FL on Black Friday. But much of the area we drive through is rural, with few options for hotels and restaurants. Woody priced out a few hotels which were 2/3 the cost of a Disney room.

Disney logic - for 1/3 dollars more and a few more hours of driving, we could arrive on Friday and be fully rested for Saturday’s late lunch and date with Josh Gad.

I wasn’t able to add a night to our POFQ reservation. But CSR had an AP rate I couldn’t pass up.

Do you think Josh Gad is willing to reimburse me the money? After all, it was his fault.

We do think so much alike my friend. My DH always says I can rationalize anything when adding nights onto a reservation at WDW! BTW, I loved the introduction to this TR showing Em's past history of her birthday celebrations at the parks. We were so thrilled to have the chance to be a part of it this trip!!!

 

[rshell68]

Friday, November 29

We purposely got a later start in traveling this morning. I’d hosted the family for Thanksgiving and I did not want to be up and ready well before dawn. Since the day after turkey tends to be a day off for commuters, we did not have to beat rush hour traffic. There wasn’t any!

View attachment 829935

We made our now-usual stop at Buc-ees for fuel and brisket & egg tacos. Both of us had eaten breakfast earlier so this was more a second breakfast/early lunch. Buc-ees stops serving hot breakfast items at 10:30 am and we made it in just under the wire.

We had some rain along the way but on the whole traffic was very light. Deciding to leave on Friday turned out to be a great decision, since my brother’s family had to endure a 10+ hour trip home from WDW on Saturday.

The notification that our room was ready came about 90 minutes before we arrived at Coronado Springs. We parked in the lot for Cabana 8B (in the newly named Village at Coronado Springs) and unloaded the car.

View attachment 829936

Our “water view room” was on the second floor. I’ll let you decide if it should be categorized as a water view (and worthy of the upcharge.)

Outside our room door.

View attachment 829932

View from window inside the room.

View attachment 829931

Eh….I’d vote maybe. But since we keep the drapes drawn while staying in a resort with exterior corridors, I think a premium added for preferred location is fine, but “view” at values and moderates should be irrelevant. (At least it was in the past….sigh.)

Room photo for @Nunu. Note the fan!

View attachment 829930

for the stall shower too!

View attachment 829933

We spent very little time in the room and had no complaints. In fact after I snapped the pics we left and had a #ShirleyStatus private ride to Animal Kingdom.

View attachment 829934

I bet we passed each other on 75...we drove up to Indianapolis on Friday. I almost sent you a message to ask what your exit number was so I could wave LOL

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, con’t

Em and I made wise use of the short time we had at AK. We had a number of priorities to check off our list.

Tree pic

Merry Menagerie interactions

These were great! It’s a shame the menagerie is only around during the holidays.

Kevin

At least she’s in the park year round!

 

[Tuvalu]

You may recall our fruitless attempt to ride Dinosaur in October. It was Em’s #1 priority at AK. It was still #1 today.

The entrance to Dinoland was very festive. Though hard to see in my picture, holiday lights (and a Santa hat) adorned the dino, welcoming us to explore.

Dinoland had a surprising amount of holiday decor.

We made it!

Standby was posted at 30 minutes but we did not wait that long.

Ready for our last Dinosaur ride!**

**Or so we thought. A few days later Em read that the attraction will remain open through 2025.

However that necessitates us visiting AK during 2025….

 

[jmunzert]

Coronado is really a beautiful resort (much like Riverside but with a different vibe) and if you don’t mind the multiple bus stops (4, like POR) I highly recommend giving it a try. The main pool is the best moderate one on property and the dining options trump Port Orleans. Very convenient to AK and DHS.


Yikes! Looks like the Ranchos pool?

A “water view room” was the cheapest option for the night we stayed (standard view unavailable) and I have to agree we had a better view than you did. Glad to hear you had a wonderful stay despite your initial disappointment.

good eye!!!!! that was the Ranchos pool

 

[lindawdw]

I thought Dinoland looked beautiful at night this year too!!! It had a very festive feel to it. I'm glad Dinosaur will still be open for our Family trip in May 2025 because my SIL really loves that ride!

 

[LadyBelle]

Dilemma solved.

RUN!!

 

[Songbird76]

Backstory, Part 1

A childhood dream of Em’s was to spend her birthday at WDW. She had to wait until her 25th for its fulfillment.
View attachment 829733

Two nights at Coronado Springs in Cabana 9B (demolished the next year for Gran Destino tower construction) and the Jingle Bell Jingle Bam! Dessert Party held in the Great Movie Ride courtyard. She’s wearing the special 3D glasses we received to “enhance” the fireworks.

We returned the next year and did our first MVMCP.

View attachment 829734

Three nights at POR where we met @riverside for the first time!

View attachment 829735

The third time was truly the charm - six nights at Wilderness Lodge with Woody.

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Due to her school schedule we had to celebrate her birthday later in December 2019 - the last of our three days at POFQ was Christmas Eve.

View attachment 829738

We were on our way to breakfast at the Crystal Palace. The Castle Dreamlights stayed on all night. Gosh, how we miss them!

An extended family trip in November 2020 was the closest she would get to her birthday. DHS was the only park with holiday decorations during our dates.

View attachment 829742

2021 was another belated birthday celebration at POFQ right before Christmas. There was snow!

View attachment 829739

After a half dozen WDW birthdays, we switched it up and she visited Dollywood in 2022 & 2023 on her actual birthday.

View attachment 829740

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Thus she now has a short history of birthday celebrations at theme parks all decked out for the holidays. A birthday bonus, so to say.

The story of 2024 up next.

I just turned 48 on Monday and have yet to celebrate my birthday at Disney. Em's doing pretty well in my book! I'm hoping for my 51st birthday if circumstances allow.

 

[Tuvalu]

I just turned 48 on Monday and have yet to celebrate my birthday at Disney. Em's doing pretty well in my book! I'm hoping for my 51st birthday if circumstances allow.

Happy belated birthday . Hope you can celebrate at WDW in December in a few years. It’s the best!

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, con’t

Next we ventured into the mystical world of Pandora.

Em was feelin’ the vibes!

The bioluminescence has waxed and waned over the years and IMO has never matched its 2017 peak when Pandora opened. Of course bioluminescence is most impressive after dark, which we would experience soon.

In a world of avatars, Santa is a robot.

Em chose our dinner location and I had no objection! I thought she picked it for me but she said, “No. I want to eat there.”

There being Satu’li Canteen.

Beef bowl for her, chicken for me. Both with noodles. (Sorry @Zipadeelady, we just can’t do the hash!)

Plastic cups were still in use.

We decided that it is better to eat at Satu’li earlier in the day than later. Nearing closing time, the food tasted more leftover than fresh.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Friday, con’t

Next we ventured into the mystical world of Pandora.

View attachment 830214

Em was feelin’ the vibes!

The bioluminescence has waxed and waned over the years and IMO has never matched its 2017 peak when Pandora opened. Of course bioluminescence is most impressive after dark, which we would experience soon.

In a world of avatars, Santa is a robot.

View attachment 830215

Em chose our dinner location and I had no objection! I thought she picked it for me but she said, “No. I want to eat there.”

There being Satu’li Canteen.

View attachment 830212

Beef bowl for her, chicken for me. Both with noodles. (Sorry @Zipadeelady, we just can’t do the hash!)

Plastic cups were still in use.

View attachment 830213

We decided that it is better to eat at Satu’li earlier in the day than later. Nearing closing time, the food tasted more leftover than fresh.

Love Em's vibe!

Noodles would be my second choice if I didn't love the hash so much.

I haven't had a bad meal yet at Satu'li. To keep it that way I'll take heed and make sure to always eat there midday. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[lindawdw]

Pandora at night is enchanting with the bioluminescence all around you! Thanks for the tip on dining at Satu'li!

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, con’t

A favorite thing of ours to do at AK is browse the shops.

The exterior illumination - especially the lanterns - is stunning during the holidays.

Not everyone agrees with our love of AK stores, however.

As we perused the merchandise near a door at Island Mercantile, we overheard the cry of a young girl to her mother - “I can’t take another shopping place!”

But look at the fun stuff within!

Merry Menagerie ornaments….

….along with adorable Menagerie puppets!

And if international shipping didn’t cost a gazillion dollars, the TuvaTwins would be sporting these on Christmas.

They would be the cutest elves ever!

 

[RememberWhen]

Those puppets are sooo cute. Can’t let my kids in there. We have more stuffed animals than any household could possibly want!