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!

 

[LeighM]

Definitely a huge difference, so, for your next TR, I expect to see perfect dark ride pics from you…!!!!!

I have a Pixel but I wonder if their recent update did something similar to their camera. I found it on night mode despite never changing the settings and a lot of my pictures came out over pixelated. I was trying to enjoy this trip and be more in the moment so I wasn't taking all that many pictures. So I would've preferred the ones that I did take to turn out okay

 

[Tuvalu]

A chicken and mushroom one sounds DIVINE to me. I will take all your mushrooms! (and your Broccolini, which I know wasn't on this menu, but you've mentioned before that you don't care for it.)

Wow, it all looks delicious! We haven't given it a try yet, but I might go for the soup itself!!!

I have been skeptical about that place, but you’ve made me want to give it a try! That all looks delicious.

Nice! Added to bucket list.

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, con’t

We wandered around for a little while after leaving La Crêperie and made it as far as America before noticing the length of the CPDP line. We decided we’d better get in it!

We walked back as nearly as far as we’d come. This was the end of the line - in Morocco!

“Well, at least we know we’ll have a seat,” I said to Em. “But it could be way in the back.”

The line in front of us was stationary for awhile as more guests joined the line behind us. Once movement began, it took us ten minutes to reach this point. Guests ahead of us were filling in the seats.

But the America Gardens Theater is a bigger people-eater than we realized. As we entered, a CM advised us to grab seats on the aisle. We complied and were happy with our closer-than-expected seating.

Thirty minutes later the Processional began. And while it wasn’t completely dark, the sun was setting.

All the choirs were onstage and in their positions by 5:10 pm.

Then Josh Gad (born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale) was introduced to clapping and cheers.

“Thank you,” he began. “I am just the warm up for Neil Patrick Harris.”

(Told ya NPH is the most popular narrator!)

But Olaf held his own. Humorous, sensitive, humble, compelling and celebratory. The choirs were uplifting and the musicians composed a beautiful orchestration of the greatest story ever told.

With a huge smile on his face, Josh Gad concluded with “These are the most amazing animatronics I’ve ever seen in my life!”

He was right. It was an amazing Candlelight Processional - but with extremely talented humans.

And my FOMO paid off - Em said it was worth every penny.

 

[Tuvalu]

Our aisle seats enabled us to leave quickly when the show was over. The area in front of the theater was crowded with guests waiting for seats for the next performance, and being a Saturday night the promenade was packed. Em and I did our best to maneuver through, since we had that very important Lightning Lane for the Glimmering Greenhouses.

Sunset over World Showcase Lagoon was breathtaking.

And the tree at night was stunning.

We hurried to The Land not only for our LL, but for a meet with friends. We’d been criss-crossing the park all day, as had @coachwnh and his wife, but we’d never been in the same place.

Until now.

We were sorry we didn’t get to meet Maddy. It’s been 4 years since our last meet and the high schooler is now a collegian. We would have loved hearing firsthand experience of Disney’s College Program. But @coachwnh and Crystal were able to share a few stories and catch us up with other family news.

As we chatted, we were approached by a surprise forum friend.

I have wanted to meet @ToInfinity for a long time. Our trips have often been thisclose and seeing her in Sunshine Seasons tonight was completely unexpected!

I won’t spoil why she was there as she is posting in her own TR. She joined the conversation for a bit before needing to scurry. ‘Til we meet again, @ToInfinity!

 

[coachwnh]

Our aisle seats enabled us to leave quickly when the show was over. The area in front of the theater was crowded with guests waiting for seats for the next performance, and being a Saturday night the promenade was packed. Em and I did our best to maneuver through, since we had that very important Lightning Lane for the Glimmering Greenhouses.

Sunset over World Showcase Lagoon was breathtaking.

View attachment 832172

And the tree at night was stunning.

View attachment 832173

We hurried to The Land not only for our LL, but for a meet with friends. We’d been criss-crossing the park all day, as had @coachwnh and his wife, but we’d never been in the same place.

Until now.

View attachment 832175

We were sorry we didn’t get to meet Maddy. It’s been 4 years since our last meet and the high schooler is now a collegian. We would have loved hearing firsthand experience of Disney’s College Program. But @coachwnh and Crystal were able to share a few stories and catch us up with other family news.

As we chatted, we were approached by a surprise forum friend.

I have wanted to meet @ToInfinity for a long time. Our trips have often been thisclose and seeing her in Sunshine Seasons tonight was completely unexpected!

View attachment 832174

I won’t spoil why she was there as she is posting in her own TR. She joined the conversation for a bit before needing to scurry. ‘Til we meet again, @ToInfinity!

It was nice catching up with you both.

 

[ToInfinity]

I have wanted to meet @ToInfinity for a long time. Our trips have often been thisclose and seeing her in Sunshine Seasons tonight was completely unexpected!

It was so wonderful to meet you all! We have come VERY close several times so it was great to finally make it happen. Maybe we can meet up again in 2025!

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, con’t

Turns out that Em and I weren’t the only ones with a LL for the Glimmering Greenhouses. @coachwnh and Crystal did also and we decided to cruise together.

There were others waiting to board so we were stopped for a bit. I had my back turned away from the accessible queue as the four of us were chatting. I took the next picture on a different day which shows both load queues, which are separated by a rope.

We were a little further down in line when I uttered a loud, “OW!!” as I suddenly felt excruciating pain in my left ankle. I turned around to see a teen quickly pushing a wheelchair down the accessible queue. Neither he nor the occupant apologized for injuring me but glared at me like it was MY FAULT.

Thanks to a (unintentionally) funny comment by @coachwnh, the incident will forever be remembered as “The Land hit and run” in my Disney lore.

As for my ankle, the swelling wasn’t too bad and I suffered only minimal pain over the next 24 hours. And once on LWTL, I was so struck by the unexpected brilliance of the holiday lighting (dozens of strands that we were unable to see during our daytime ride) that I wasn’t focused on my throbbing ankle.

Pictures don’t do it justice.

We said our goodbyes and Em and I headed out of Epcot.

It had been a long day for us non-park commandos. Little did we know there would be a non-stop 14 hour day in our future!

 

[93boomer]

Saturday, con’t

Turns out that Em and I weren’t the only ones with a LL for the Glimmering Greenhouses. @coachwnh and Crystal did also and we decided to cruise together.

There were others waiting to board so we were stopped for a bit. I had my back turned away from the accessible queue as the four of us were chatting. I took the next picture on a different day which shows both load queues, which are separated by a rope.

View attachment 832450

We were a little further down in line when I uttered a loud, “OW!!” as I suddenly felt excruciating pain in my left ankle. I turned around to see a teen quickly pushing a wheelchair down the accessible queue. Neither he nor the occupant apologized for injuring me but glared at me like it was MY FAULT.

Thanks to a (unintentionally) funny comment by @coachwnh, the incident will forever be remembered as “The Land hit and run” in my Disney lore.

As for my ankle, the swelling wasn’t too bad and I suffered only minimal pain over the next 24 hours. And once on LWTL, I was so struck by the unexpected brilliance of the holiday lighting (dozens of strands that we were unable to see during our daytime ride) that I wasn’t focused on my throbbing ankle.

Pictures don’t do it justice.

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We said our goodbyes and Em and I headed out of Epcot.

View attachment 832449

It had been a long day for us non-park commandos. Little did we know there would be a non-stop 14 hour day in our future!

I’m sorry about the ankle.
The lights were amazing this year and all the details. The greenhouse was my favorite part. We rode it 3 different times. They put in a lot of effort this year.

 

[coachwnh]

Saturday, con’t

Turns out that Em and I weren’t the only ones with a LL for the Glimmering Greenhouses. @coachwnh and Crystal did also and we decided to cruise together.

There were others waiting to board so we were stopped for a bit. I had my back turned away from the accessible queue as the four of us were chatting. I took the next picture on a different day which shows both load queues, which are separated by a rope.

View attachment 832450

We were a little further down in line when I uttered a loud, “OW!!” as I suddenly felt excruciating pain in my left ankle. I turned around to see a teen quickly pushing a wheelchair down the accessible queue. Neither he nor the occupant apologized for injuring me but glared at me like it was MY FAULT.

Thanks to a (unintentionally) funny comment by @coachwnh, the incident will forever be remembered as “The Land hit and run” in my Disney lore.

As for my ankle, the swelling wasn’t too bad and I suffered only minimal pain over the next 24 hours. And once on LWTL, I was so struck by the unexpected brilliance of the holiday lighting (dozens of strands that we were unable to see during our daytime ride) that I wasn’t focused on my throbbing ankle.

Pictures don’t do it justice.

View attachment 832440

View attachment 832442

View attachment 832443

View attachment 832444

View attachment 832446

View attachment 832447

View attachment 832448

View attachment 832445

We said our goodbyes and Em and I headed out of Epcot.

View attachment 832449

It had been a long day for us non-park commandos. Little did we know there would be a non-stop 14 hour day in our future!

Glad we were able to ride together at night. It’s a totally different attraction than daytime. Still can’t believe how well you took getting run over in the queue

 

[MinnieM123]

We were a little further down in line when I uttered a loud, “OW!!” as I suddenly felt excruciating pain in my left ankle. I turned around to see a teen quickly pushing a wheelchair down the accessible queue. Neither he nor the occupant apologized for injuring me but glared at me like it was MY FAULT.

(Must have been the same guy and wheelchair occupant, that ran into the back of my ankle (also, in LWTL, but upstairs), about 15 years ago! Exact same reaction from them . . . )

That aside, I'm glad that you were still able to enjoy the Glimmering Greenhouses. Those were some very pretty photos!

 

[Tuvalu]

(Must have been the same guy and wheelchair occupant, that ran into the back of my ankle (also, in LWTL, but upstairs), about 15 years ago! Exact same reaction from them . . . )

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, December 1

We awoke to chilly temperatures and hoped the sun would warm things up - but 14 mph winds made for a blustery day! However we found we have greater stamina and more patience with crowds while touring the parks when we’re not hot and sweaty. Likewise other guests seemed more congenial and less quick-tempered this trip than what we typically encounter in summer.

Our plan was to be at the park for early entry at 7:30 am.

However the “very merry motor coach” was very late in picking up us and the other early birds who had been waiting nearly 40 minutes for the bus.

It was a little past 8 am when we entered Town Square.

Which was shockingly devoid of people!

With just a few folks making their way down Main Street.

 

[Tuvalu]

Since we’d missed early entry we opted to rope drop Jungle Jingle Cruise. Given we were the only ones headed in that direction we hoped for a short wait.

The Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse had just gone down for refurbishment. I’ve read it has since “partially” reopened, whatever that means!

There were very few guests in the JC courtyard.

Ten minute standby? Yes, please!

The sign was wrong. The queue was empty. I stopped walking only to snap these pictures.

Santa tarantula!

 

[Tuvalu]

Do you know that wassail is a Christmas punch?

I just love the holiday overlay of this attraction!

Our Skipper was quick with the holiday quips. As our boat left the dock, she began to wave furiously at the (empty) covered queue.

“I’m waving goodbye to my fans,” she shouted. “They’re on the ceiling!”

Indeed.

The apes and their “Christmas FireCrackers”

Our Skipper let out a sigh. “The snake was supposed to be a partridge in a pear tree. What kind of tree is that snake in anyway?”

For you ‘Bama fans:
“Looks like the Lions won the big game. YULETIDE!!!”

“Here’s our resident crocs, Ginger and Frost. Be careful - Ginger snaps and Frost bites!”

The croc below shall remain nameless. Our Skipper was busy with a Santa parachute joke.

Which I missed because I’d never noticed this croc before!

 

[Bullseye1967]

Since we’d missed early entry we opted to rope drop Jungle Jingle Cruise. Given we were the only ones headed in that direction we hoped for a short wait.

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The Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse had just gone down for refurbishment. I’ve read it has since “partially” reopened, whatever that means!

View attachment 833161

There were very few guests in the JC courtyard.

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Ten minute standby? Yes, please!

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The sign was wrong. The queue was empty. I stopped walking only to snap these pictures.

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Santa tarantula!

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@TrolleyFollower91 looks as relaxed as I have ever seen her in a TR. Must be the de-stressed from school.

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday, con’t

Following our excellent ride on Jingle Cruise we made our way towards Fantasyland.

Had to dodge lots of people as you can see by the photo.

First stop - Never Land. (The sign gives it away!)

Onboard a pirate ship in under 15 minutes - and the attraction had been open for 75.

Gotta love party days at the MK.

 

[Tuvalu]

“Let’s see Pooh next!” I declared to Em, hoping to find another short wait.

As we approached Rabbit’s Garden in the interactive queue, a hysterical child was running at us in an attempt to leave. A befuddled father was in chase.

Maybe the boy got stung by one of the bees?

We hurried past the hives and the sticky hunny walls. We were safely in our hunny pot in no time!

The ride was smooth until the party, where we were jostled with several stops and starts.

 

[amjt660]

Nice start at MK with no crowds



Max

 

[Tuvalu]

It’s been FOREVER since we’ve stopped into Gaston’s for a cinnamon bun or chocolate croissant.

Despite the lack of a line, we didn’t today either. There was another treat (ok, two) we had in mind and there was no way we’d be able to do both. (Evidence to come.)

We were in the area to see our nautical peeps. There was no wait.

We waved, of course.

(Another fine night mode photo for you, @donaldtoo! )

 

[donaldtoo]

It’s been FOREVER since we’ve stopped into Gaston’s for a cinnamon bun or chocolate croissant.

View attachment 833300

Despite the lack of a line, we didn’t today either. There was another treat (ok, two) we had in mind and there was no way we’d be able to do both. (Evidence to come.)

We were in the area to see our nautical peeps. There was no wait.

View attachment 833299

View attachment 833297

We waved, of course.

View attachment 833298
(Another fine night mode photo for you, @donaldtoo! )

That first ride pic isn’t bad, actually, but yea, that waving pic…well, is a bit…….yea…..