Trip Report Shortest Trip Report Ever and the Time I Finally Swam in Stormalong Bay (COMPLETED)

Hey WDWMagicers!

This is seriously going to be so short. I debated even doing one, but there's some pretty big news I wanted to get out there to those of you who read my reports. How about I just lead with that?



On my social media I said we were adding a new Woody to the toy box (that's our last name), but @TrolleyFollower91 had the cutest idea since I go by sheriff here: We're adding a deputy!

So anyway, that has nothing to do with the trip other than the fact that I went to Toy Story Land just to take that picture.

The reason for this trip was to volunteer at Give Kids the World again! You can read about my last volunteer trip here. This one was solo and I only planned to volunteer one day since it was just over the weekend.

Who: Just me!
Where: All Star Music for 2 nights, Beach Club for 1 night
When: July 20-23
Why: Give Kids the World and to get my Disney fix

I decided to try out Frontier Airlines because it's cheap and goes straight from Memphis to MCO. They fly Friday and Monday, so it was perfect for a long weekend...or it would have been if Frontier didn't suck so hard.

Friday was going along just fine. I spent my lunch break packing my things (I wait until the last minute despite always planning to start early), and I was working along that afternoon when I got a text from Frontier than my flight was delayed. Ok, it's fine, that happens. At least it was early enough I could spend the extra time at home. It ended up getting delayed again after I was at the airport.



At the airport pretending I'm not annoyed by the delay.

The plane was actually still in Orlando when I got to Memphis, so I waited in the airport for a WHILE. I think we finally boarded around 10pm, but didn't actually leave the ground until 11pm.

This was what we were all greeted with on this airplane.



The whole thing looked like this. It was filthy! I understand a little mess from having to change over quickly, but this is beyond anything I've ever seen. I was not thrilled when my pea sized bladder (this is a new development...thanks, baby) decided it needed me to go. There's no telling if that bathroom has ever been cleaned.

We finally landed a little after 1am.



This is what the fonorail looks like on this side. Weird!!

I had rented a car through National, and I was able to just walk out there and pick one out. Emerald Club meant that I could pick anything on that aisle even though I just booked a mid-size. I ended up getting a Toyota Rav4 because I've been looking at one to buy in the next few years. It's between that and a CRV! Unfortunately it took me an embarrassingly long time to figure out how to start it with the keyless start

I finally got the car started and headed out.

I had to pull over at one point because I couldn't figure out if my lights were on...and I also couldn't figure out how to turn the radio on! This was way too fancy for me . After a while I knew something was going on because my GPS was taking me a super wonky way. I investigated and saw that it was set to avoid tolls (from when we were in Naples). UGHHHH this is not the time of day you want to be wasting time! Construction on Osceola set me back a bit too. They had my exit completely closed, so I had to take a pretty long detour.

at 3am...yes you read that right...THREE AM, TWO HOURS AFTER MY PLANE LANDED...I finally got to All Star Music.



Thankfully this room was a lot fresher than the room we had a Movies. Everything seemed fine and it felt great to lay down and close my eyes.

Up next: Volunteer day!
P.S. Sorry this is so much text.

 

[susan lees]

Congratulations on your lovely news. Love your puck magic band keeper. I don't like wearing the magic bands and last year bought the clip on keeper and clipped it on my bag but the puck slider is a great idea.

 

[Megbutnotmegan]

Congratulations on your new deputy! What a perfect announcement!

 

[Doc Disney]

Can't wait to hear more about the Beach Club And congratulations (obviously...I know I already said it but making it WDW Magic official )

 

[amjt660]

Late to the tr and to the great news

Congrats to you and R

I hope that all goes well and that the little partner arrives on time , happy and healthy

Max

 

[ScarletBegonias]

I said it on IG, but CONGRATS!!! What a cute reveal~! I would imagine you don't have much longer to find out boy or girl!!!

 

[sheriffwoody]

Congratulations. That’s wonderful news.! Sounds like your trip was super-fun.

Thank you!! It was a good trip. Short, but I had lots of fun.

Said it already on IG but again congratulations!
Frontier wasn't a good experience (let me say a very bad one more or less), I know what is coming

Haha thank you! Yeah, Frontier definitely did not leave a good first impression on me

Congrats! The best thing in the world is being a mommy! I showed my Incredibles obsessed 4 yo son your Jack-Jack photo and he was amazed! “She met the REAL Jack-Jack?!?!?!”

Haha awww...that's adorable!

We love the Dapper Dans and for our trip in January my sister had done all sorts of blinging out themed to different things we like to do. My daughter had been wearing her Dapper Dan sweatshirt every day of our trip ... except the day we finally caught them. I was wearing my Dapper Dan Blue ears and he posed for a picture with me after their performance.

We've never seen the Trolley show though, so I promise to rectify this @TrolleyFollower91 on my next trip to WDW

Yes you MUST see the Trolley show! It's short and super magical.

Congratulations on your lovely news. Love your puck magic band keeper. I don't like wearing the magic bands and last year bought the clip on keeper and clipped it on my bag but the puck slider is a great idea.

Thank you! I am the same way, I don't like wearing the band if I can avoid it. I have to wear it on the same wrist as my watch (don't like stuff on my right wrist for some reason...feels weird) and it's just too much.

Congratulations on your new deputy! What a perfect announcement!

Thank you!

Can't wait to hear more about the Beach Club And congratulations (obviously...I know I already said it but making it WDW Magic official )

Thank you! I still hate you didn't get to book Beach Club yet. It's going to happen someday! Hopefully it'll be worth the wait for you. I really enjoyed it!

Late to the tr and to the great news

Congrats to you and R

I hope that all goes well and that the little partner arrives on time , happy and healthy

Max

Thanks so much!

I said it on IG, but CONGRATS!!! What a cute reveal~! I would imagine you don't have much longer to find out boy or girl!!!

Thanks!! Yeah we find out later this month I'm nervous because we definitely want a boy but we'll be fine either way. Just want to get this family name passed down since R is the last one.

 

[sheriffwoody]

So on my departure day, my plan was to hit up Toy Story Land during extra magic hour, 7am-8am, to get my announcement photo done and eat some breakfast.

When my alarm went off, it seemed mother nature had different plans.


*sigh* Why did I wait until the last minute to do this Toy Story Land thing

I could hear the thunder just a'rollin, and I decided to go back to sleep for a bit. I laid there for 5 or 10 minutes and wasn't falling asleep, so I just got up. I showered and got ready. By the time I got ready to leave, it had stopped raining, and looked like it might not start back for a bit.

I took my chances and left. I got to the lobby and realized I didn't have my camera when I went to take a picture of the lobby! Probably need my camera for my announcement photo



Thankful for this pretty lobby since it made me realize I didn't have my camera I took lots more photos on the walk over.





It was absolutely beautiful out since the clouds were starting to break up. There was a breeze and it couldn't have been over 75 degrees. I could have cried it was so nice out! Thank goodness I didn't sleep in!




I got to Hollywood and there was almost no one at bag check or the turnstiles. I headed straight on back to TSL.





So empty!

Up next: Toy Story Land!

 

[sheriffwoody]

Here we are! I didn't have a wow moment or anything, but everything was super cute! There are so many little details, you could walk around for hours and still not take it all in.



Still a little bummed I won't get to ride Slinky for a while.



Spotted my namesake out for a stroll.

I had a really hard time finding a spot to prop Woody up. There were some lower places, but I really didn't want to have to sit on the wet ground. I also needed an open area for lighting reasons, and I wanted there to be some scenery in the background. I finally just settled on this trash can by the stroller parking

There was a cast member in the stroller area and I asked if he minded me taking a picture, and I tried to explain what I was doing. He probably thought I was weird, but he was super nice and even wiped off the top of the trash can for me. So kind!

My next obstacle was getting Woody to sit up, which he absolutely doesn't do on his own. I finally figured out I could wedge my phone behind his back to get him to sit. Hooray! Took me longer than I care to admit, and thankfully I was able to get a shot with no people AND Slinky going by!



Then after that I forgot to put my aperture back down to the rest of my TSL pictures aren't great I blame the early hour on my lack of attention.

I headed to Woody's Lunchbox next and got the
S'more French Toast Sandwich
Marshmallow and Chocolate Ganache stuffed in Grilled Custard soaked Brioche encrusted with Graham Cracker Crumbs



This was DELICIOUS! However I could only eat half. It was just really rich. Also they should take out the French toast part of the title, because that's misleading. It's nothing like French toast. I didn't mind that though, the s'more part is what interested me the most

Decided to take a photo pass shot on my way out. I wanted at least one picture in this shirt that my friend got me. It's got Pixar character sketches on it! I love it.



Wish I'd fixed my shirt before I took the picture Oh well.





And with that, I said goodbye to Toy Story Land! For now. I didn't go back to where the two new rides are so I'm not sure the wait times, but TSM was only 15 minutes as I was leaving, which isn't too bad. It's just sooooo early to go for extra magic hour. I imagine the wait times for Slinky were already at 30+ minutes when the park opened. Compared to Flight of Passage, though, that's not bad.

I decided I'd take a boat back instead of walking. I waited at the dock for 5ish minutes, and I'm impatient so I started to walk off. They I saw a boat coming, so I stayed. Only me and one other guy in a business suit got on. He must have been there for a convention or something.



The captain kept apologizing for having to stop at the Swan and Dolphin since we were both going to Beach Club. I guess people get irritated about that? Didn't bother me though! The boat was pleasant since it was breezy and I was on the back.








Not long after I got to my room, I got a text from @Tuvalu that they were getting ready for the pool. I started getting ready as well. So glad the rain moved out!

Up next: Not much...because I was in the pool!

 

[MotherofaPrincessLover]

Congratulations on the new addition! Disney will become even more magical when you start taking little ones

 

[93boomer]

Congrats on the little addition! Loved the announcement! Great pictures!

 

[sheriffwoody]

I got down to Stormalong Bay just as Tuvalu and Emily were picking out their chairs. Perfect timing! We settled in and chatted for a while. Then we moved to the water...the "relaxation grotto" to be precise. We also tried out the lazy river. It was less relaxing than I imagined because you really have to guide yourself through it. It doesn't move you along very well and we all kept bumping into one another. It was still fun!

Time went by so fast and soon it was time for me to run back to the room and get my stuff out before lunch. (I'd gotten a late checkout, so I was able to do this after 11am. Thanks Disney!)

I had everything packed and ready, so it didn't take too long.

T, I took these pictures of my view for you and Emily Sorry it was so much better than your sub-standard roof view!






I was SO sad to leave this room. I think the Beach Club is a major contender for second favorite resort right now.



I am OBSESSED with the blue doors. I love that color.

I took everything to the car and walked back over to the pool just as the ladies were getting ready to walk over to Beaches and Cream. We headed over together and got checked in pretty quickly.

I didn't have my camera, but I took some shots with my phone of the food. Since @Tuvalu covered the food in her report, I'll just post mine.




Cheddar-Bacon-Ranch-Chicken Sandwich
Grilled Chicken Breast, Smoked Bacon, Sautéed Onion, and Cheese on a Multigrain Bun

This really hit the spot! I'm so sad @Doc Disney didn't enjoy Beaches and Cream. I do think the food is nothing particularly special. It's just the diner atmosphere that gets me, and the food is pretty decent (better than most diners at home!) so the combo is a winner for me!

Emily and I also split a No Way Jose. I'm so glad she was willing to split because there's no way I could eat one myself! Maybe that's why it's called No Way Jose?



We pretty much finished it, and I was completely stuffed.

After lunch we headed back over to the pool for maybe an hour? I can't remember for sure.



Unfortunately the weather turned on us just as Emily and I were about to go on the slide. I was disappointed, but not terribly so. I am apprehensive about tube slides anyway, so maybe it's for the best.

So we gathered our things and headed up to their room since I'd already been kicked out of mine

They were gracious enough to let me shower off and get changed in there instead of my original plan of changing in the car

I left the room early enough to have time to return the rental car and get through MCO security, but this is where my day took a turn for the worse

 

[Rista1313]

As everyone else said.. I saw your announcement on IG! Re-congrats!

 

[sheriffwoody]

Here's the TL;DR version -
On my way to the airport, I got a notification that Frontier canceled my flight. With a lack of appealing options from other airlines, I made the decision to rent a car and drive the 12 hours back home. I made it back in just under 12 hours miraculously and only had to postpone one thing at work the next day.

Here's the saga -

So I'm driving to the airport, about to get off the interstate to fill up the rental car, and I get a text from Frontier than my flight is canceled. I could feel myself panicking so I called R and quickly told him what was going on and asked him to look at other airlines while I navigated.

I HAD to calm down. Freaking out in an unfamiliar city in a rented car was just not an option. I got gas and then R called back about a Southwest flight and I told him to book it. Then I realized if he booked it, I wouldn't have pre-check and there's no way I'd get through security in time. So I pulled over and tried to book it. It was gone I'm sure every other person on my flight was trying to jump on this southwest flight so I just wasn't quick enough. I should have looked before I got gas...hindsight 20/20.

There were a few other flights on other airlines, but nothing that put me back home that day or even early the next day. Everything would have me home after dinner the following day. I was not interested in just sitting in a hotel room for the next 20hours, plus I had carpet installers coming at 7am and a few photo shoots scheduled.

I returned the rental car and went to the southwest desk to see if they could help me. Of course they didn't have anything they could offer (I figured), so I just made the call to rent a car. Once I had my plan, I felt much better.

I went to the Frontier desk, and they had a whole separate line for the Memphis people. The guy directing people to lines gave me a paper that had refund/reimbursement options on it, and I talked to the person at the desk, but I didn't need to. Everything I needed was on the printout he gave me. I actually just submitted my receipts today, so hopefully they'll actually reimburse me for my alternate travel.

While in line at Frontier, I got on the National app and booked a one-way rental for roughly $160. I walked straight down there, hopped in the car and off I went. Easy peasy. Made me like National even more I was in a Nissan Altima this time. Since I couldn't figure out the Rav4's radio, I wanted something simpler and more familiar

The drive was not without incident I realized at around 11pm in Atlanta in the middle of a huge rainstorm that MY LIGHTS WERE NOT ON. I guess there were some automatic dim lights on, and because I was in a city, I didn't realize they were off. It's a miracle I didn't die. I didn't switch lanes much since it was raining, so that probably saved me. I think I must have turned them off at my first gas stop and not turned them back on (they turn the opposite way from my car, so I probably turned it and just thought they were on).

After I got through Atlanta and a backed up spot around Marietta it was mostly smooth sailing.

I managed to only stop 3 times Even with my small pregnant bladder. I know it was stupid of me to sit still that long at a time (apparently pregnant women are prone to blood clots), but I made sure to bounce my legs around a lot.

I rolled into my driveway somewhere around 3am and went straight to bed. My pup was happy to see me! I think R was worried about me, but not enough to stay awake

The carpet installers arrives on time at 7am, and I worked from home all morning. I even took a nap amidst the loud installation process...I was a zombie

I took the car to the Memphis airport that evening and drove my car back home. A friend of mine rode with me and we got Indian food, so that was a silver lining to this whole thing.

So moral of the story: SheriffWoody will not be flying Frontier. EVER AGAIN. They was my first and last experience with them. I would gladly pay an extra $100 per ticket for the assurance that I will make it to my destination. I know cancelations happen, but they are much more rare with other airlines and are *usually* because of weather, which this was not.

Well that's my story! Other than the airline issues, it was a nice little long weekend retreat. I would absolutely do this again, maybe with Southwest next time

 

[sheriffwoody]

Congratulations on the new addition! Disney will become even more magical when you start taking little ones

Thank you! I'm hoping so! We're going to have to get used to experiencing the park differently. I hope we'll still be able to take couple trips from time to time.

Congrats on the little addition! Loved the announcement! Great pictures!

Thank you so much!

As everyone else said.. I saw your announcement on IG! Re-congrats!

Thanks!!

 

[LeighM]

Congrats on the new addition to your family!! I love your photo announcement - it's so perfect. I understand about you and your husband's hope for a boy. My husband is really close to his 3 male cousins (brothers). One brother and his wife isn't able to have kids, the other brother had 4 daughters, and the youngest was their only hope for a boy to carry on their family name. Their first child was a girl so they all were kinda resigned to the fact that none of the brothers would have a boy. But their second turned out to be male!!! To say that family was excited was an extreme understatement LOL!!!! And I couldn't help but laugh when I remember a friend of mine who has a couple of kids. Her and her husband love amusement parks - especially Disney. But none of their kids like the parks She's like whose kids are these??!!! Fingers crossed your child loves Disney as much as you And thanks for the reminder of why I never want to fly Frontier (or Spirit) lol.

 

[PacNWTigger]

I was late to the party, but I still send HUGE congratulations to you and R on your new little deputy!

You have me totally sold on NEVER flying with Frontier. S did once on a business trip, but he wasn't impressed by anything on the flight either. I don't think it was quite as dirty as your plane though.

I'm glad you got to meet up with @TrolleyFollower91 and @Tuvalu on your mini-adventure. I think the next time S and I go to WDW that we will probably stay around the Boardwalk area.

 

[Cetta]

I was considering using Frontier for our next flight because it would save us over $300 for our family of four, but not now! I cannot imagine being stranded at an airport with my husband and two kids with no way home. My husband would be freaking out more than I would, so I will stick with Southwest for sure! At least with them I know what to expect.

 

[DisneyGigi]

Congratulations!! That is probably the cutest baby reveal I have ever seen.

 

[LadyBelle]

I love your accent (from IG). It’s such a cute Southern one. From one Southern Belle to another.

 

[sheriffwoody]

Congrats on the new addition to your family!! I love your photo announcement - it's so perfect. I understand about you and your husband's hope for a boy. My husband is really close to his 3 male cousins (brothers). One brother and his wife isn't able to have kids, the other brother had 4 daughters, and the youngest was their only hope for a boy to carry on their family name. Their first child was a girl so they all were kinda resigned to the fact that none of the brothers would have a boy. But their second turned out to be male!!! To say that family was excited was an extreme understatement LOL!!!! And I couldn't help but laugh when I remember a friend of mine who has a couple of kids. Her and her husband love amusement parks - especially Disney. But none of their kids like the parks She's like whose kids are these??!!! Fingers crossed your child loves Disney as much as you And thanks for the reminder of why I never want to fly Frontier (or Spirit) lol.

Thank you!! And yeah we're hoping he or she catches the Disney bug. We'll work extra hard to make that happen!

I was late to the party, but I still send HUGE congratulations to you and R on your new little deputy!

You have me totally sold on NEVER flying with Frontier. S did once on a business trip, but he wasn't impressed by anything on the flight either. I don't think it was quite as dirty as your plane though.

I'm glad you got to meet up with @TrolleyFollower91 and @Tuvalu on your mini-adventure. I think the next time S and I go to WDW that we will probably stay around the Boardwalk area.

Thank you so much! ? We had a great time hanging out. And I absolutely love that whole area. My husband isn't as big of a fan unfortunately, but he does like being so close to Epcot.

I was considering using Frontier for our next flight because it would save us over $300 for our family of four, but not now! I cannot imagine being stranded at an airport with my husband and two kids with no way home. My husband would be freaking out more than I would, so I will stick with Southwest for sure! At least with them I know what to expect.

Yeah it's just such a gamble. I heard from a few people afterwards who have had good experiences with them, but I had far more people relate similar (not quite as bad thankfully) experiences. Allegiant and Spirit seem to have similar reputations. Also, I will say that if I'd been flying to Nashville, I probably could have found a replacement flight more easily. Memphis is a smaller airport so the pickins were slim!

Congratulations!! That is probably the cutest baby reveal I have ever seen.

Thanks so much!

I love your accent (from IG). It’s such a cute Southern one. From one Southern Belle to another.

Haha thanks! My accent is so much less pronounced than a lot of people around here, but I can definitely hear it when I hear myself on video