Trip Report Shrouded In A Daft Disguise *COMPLETED*

Two weeks ago today, I returned home from the most surreal Disney vacation I have ever experienced.

During my last visit in February, I couldn’t have imagined having to wear a face mask and have my temperature taken before being allowed into a park. “Social distancing” wasn’t part of my vocabulary. Hand sanitizer was something I carried in a little bottle in my purse, not something in giant containers at the entrance/exit of every attraction.

No park hopping? No Fastpasses? No FIREWORKS :jawdrop: ?!! Not even on my radar screen.

Like a bolt out of the blue, the pandemic struck and life was dramatically altered. For everyone. And there is no Magic Mirror to tell us when it will be over. For me the pandemic has been a reminder to take nothing for granted ~ and that there can still be joy in the darkest days.

My name is Tuvalu and I have been a WDW annual passholder for nearly 25 years. I was raised on Disney and so were my children. The parks have always been my “escape” from real life. Could they still be an “escape” in the midst of a pandemic? After months of quarantine, I was ready to find out.

My daughter Em was my travel buddy. My husband Woody had reservations, but not for our safety. He was concerned we’d struggle with the restrictions and disappointment with all the changes. He wanted us to come back happy and wasn’t sure we would. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure we would either. After much research and due diligence, Em and I felt prepared to embark on a vacation with few expectations.

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Full disclosure ~ I‘ve wrestled with writing a report of our trip. The pandemic and subsequent events have caused much division on this Disney fan forum. I’ve always considered the trip reports section to be a “safe space” and hope it stays that way. My goal is to provide entertainment to the reader, nothing more.

With that in mind.....

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Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
Sunday, July 26

Em and I were up before daybreak to finish packing and grab a quick breakfast. Then we loaded the car and fueled up at the Speedway in preparation for the drive home.

But it wasn’t time to start that journey yet!

Proof of how desperate we were to avoid leaving WDW.

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We typically avoid AK like the plague during the summer months. It’s too stinkin’ HOT there. 🥵
But it opened at 8 am, which would give us a few hours to play before our vacation would need to come to its inevitable end.

Twenty minutes prior to official opening Em’s Loft shorts set off the security alarm and she was pulled aside for additional screening.

Fifteen minutes prior to official opening we were cheered on by the janitorial staff. (A little #ShirleyStatus for ya, @MinnieM123 😉). Their welcome made us feel like celebrities. A very nice touch.

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I’ve always wanted a photo here so I made Em stop to pose.

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Five minutes before official opening we were in Pandora.

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Em left me to get in line for Flight of Passage. FoP can aggravate my MSD (@Tony the Tigger) so I decided to pass. There wasn’t a soul at Na’vi River Journey. I thought, why not?

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I’ve only cruised the Na’vi River a couple times (and always with FP.) Prior reactions have ranged from befuddlement to criticism. But today I felt an appreciation for this peaceful attraction. (Except for the chanting part....my mind flashed to a funny video @wdisney9000 posted awhile ago of his family dancing and chanting to the Shaman’s song. :hilarious:)

But hey ~ at least the animatronic was in A-mode!
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I disembarked thinking, I enjoyed that!

Would I wait more than 10 minutes to ride it again?

Nope.
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
I waited for Em in this area.

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She was surprised I’d gone on NRJ. I couldn’t tell if she was bothered I went without her, so I suggested we visit the Shaman.

I missed seeing this plexiglass first time!

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She looks happy under the mask, doesn’t she?

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Em said she too appreciated the attraction more today.

Would she wait more than 10 minutes to ride it again?

Nope.

Before leaving Pandora we posed for some PP pics. The photographer took A TON. I’m only posting two.

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lindawdw

Well-Known Member
Even though you had to wait for the boat to get back to the WL, your evening sunset was worth it!!! Your cupcake looked delicious and I loved how spontaneous you were in your decision to go to AK the next morning before heading home! :) We did the FOP standby line for the first time in February at the DVC Moonlight night and really enjoyed it!
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
Next up ~

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The posted 10 minute wait only reflected the time to walk through the queue at a leisurely pace. This is another attraction we typically use FP for so it was fun to see the details in standby. (And ’ll make it a priority to check out the regular line for FoP on my upcoming visit, @lindawdw and @cgersic!)

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We’d been in a Frasier binge watching mode so I had to take pics of Frasier Crane.

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Phew! I was worried we wouldn’t get to see any plexiglass here.

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I was not happy with the plastic dividers on the safari jeeps.

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These dividers made me feel claustrophobic and a bit queasy as the plastic flapped back and forth and reflected light. Plus is was difficult to see anything through the plastic! I had to sit on the end opposite Em and look sideways in order to see the animals. I can’t imagine having to sit in the middle....you’d have no view at all!

Em caught me “stewing” before the our safari had even begun.

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There must have been “animal stoppage” because our jeep sat here waiting for clearance for quite a while.

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slipperalwaysfits

Well-Known Member
Sorry for the delay....we’re busy chasing geese!

Tuva-tinys > geese.


After an insane week at work, I'm finally catching up. Glad you enjoyed your day at AK. The spontaneous decision to go always makes it more fun! Can't believe the wait times! That's amazing!

Awww, the Tuva-tinys look so happy! I am so glad they are enjoying the fabulous outdoors!
 

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