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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krisri18

Well-Known Member
Saturday, con’t

Tempting as it was, we didn’t linger long on our lovely balcony. We had a park reservation to keep....mostly for dinner, but hopeful to squeeze in a couple attractions as well.

Our DHS bus was waiting at the stop. I decided to keep a record of every bus ride with #ShirleyStatus. This was private ride #1.

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We didn’t pass Roy Disney Jr. on our way down Hollywood Blvd. like we did in 2001. (Yes, that’s really him!)

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We also didn’t see The Beast posing for pictures....because it wasn’t 1998.

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We did pose for pics of our own. Shrouded in daft disguises. Because 2020.

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Balloons make everything better! (FYI the photographer told Woody to clasp his hands together like that. No idea why. Woody felt silly doing it and the final result looks ridiculous.)
I think the clasped hand effect only works if the photographer had instructed you to act like the balloons were pulling you up into the air on tippy toes and Woody was supposed to be holding you down on the ground, otherwise 🤷
 

slipperalwaysfits

Well-Known Member
Woody made us “carnic” trays (out of plywood so they are light and portable.) Makes car dining easy!
HOLY MOLY!! Woody is multi-talented! Those look lovely and very well-made! :jawdrop: What an incredible view!
We didn’t pass Roy Disney Jr. on our way down Hollywood Blvd. like we did in 2001. (Yes, that’s really him!)
Awwwwwwwwwwww, how exciting! I'm sure he was busy being escorted around.....did rumors say he was friendly to guests?
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
I think the clasped hand effect only works if the photographer had instructed you to act like the balloons were pulling you up into the air on tippy toes and Woody was supposed to be holding you down on the ground, otherwise 🤷
English was not the PP CM’s primary language.
He was elderly and wheelchair bound.
We could barely comprehend what he was saying through his mask and face shield.

Your explanation makes sense!!

Awwwwwwwwwwww, how exciting! I'm sure he was busy being escorted around.....did rumors say he was friendly to guests?
There was no hoopla or anything announcing who he was. Most guests were just walking by as we were. I noticed the cameraman and then Roy Jr.’s strong resemblance to his Uncle Walt, which caused me to pull out my camera.

We did not stick around and ogle. Society has changed a lot in the last 20 years. 😉
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
Saturday, con’t

After our glamour shots we headed here.

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I was really anxious for Woody’s opinion of this new attraction. He was a big fan of The Great Movie Ride. I warned him to set aside any old feelings for TGMR and evaluate Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway on its own merits.

I think the standby sign said 40 minutes when we joined the outdoor queue. Though it was overcast, it was VERY HUMID. After a sweaty 20 minutes in a line that never moved we bailed. I didn’t want Woody’s first impression of MMRR to be tainted by an unpleasant wait.

Plan B.
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We were held outside the preshow area (which was fine because a/c 😉) and were able to appreciate some of the details which usually go unnoticed.

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(Thirty years and I’d never paid attention to Stage 3D! :facepalm:)

I was curious if a CM would make the same, “Please don’t do that. That joke hasn’t aged well,” comment after Scooter’s command to stand as close together as possible. Nothing was said.

We did not have time to wait for another attraction after Muppets but had time to kill before our ADR. Baseline Tap House was full and there was a long line of guests waiting their turn. We decided to find a bench and hang out.

But first....a pop-up cavalcade.

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Woody and I fell asleep during The Incredibles. We haven’t felt the urge to try it again.

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Monsters, Inc. is more up our alley. I’ll take a Sulley hug any day!

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Buzz Lightyear makes Woody smile (even behind a mask.)

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slipperalwaysfits

Well-Known Member
I was really anxious for Woody’s opinion of this new attraction. He was a big fan of The Great Movie Ride. I warned him to set aside any old feelings for TGMR and evaluate Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway on its own merits.

After a sweaty 20 minutes in a line that never moved we bailed. I didn’t want Woody’s first impression of MMRR to be tainted by an unpleasant wait.

Why Do you think the line wasn't moving? Does it usually move faster than that, even with pandemic measures?

As for the Incredibles, yes, I have a really bad memory of going to see that movie with people who turned out to be awful to me, so I haven't yet overcome that and can really appreciate the Incredibles, despite seeing the sequel.
 

Longers

Well-Known Member
Love the car tray tables what a fab idea.

Roy Disney - wow that’s just amazing and would for sure be a picture I would put on my wall if I had seen him!

and these car cavalcades prove those cars were still around. I’m still disappointed there is no HS parade. The one back in 1998 was fun.
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
The sequel is better!
Good to know.
Why Do you think the line wasn't moving? Does it usually move faster than that, even with pandemic measures?
The ride might have been having technical issues (common) or was being sanitized (protocol every hour). Unfortunately MMRR’s line moves very slowly and posted wait times are not always accurate.
Love the car tray tables what a fab idea.

Roy Disney - wow that’s just amazing and would for sure be a picture I would put on my wall if I had seen him!

and these car cavalcades prove those cars were still around. I’m still disappointed there is no HS parade. The one back in 1998 was fun.
I’ll give Woody your compliment. :geek:
I remember the car parade and agree it was fun!
 

Darstarr

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
English was not the PP CM’s primary language.
He was elderly and wheelchair bound.
We could barely comprehend what he was saying through his mask and face shield.
I was told the CM’s were called back on seniority.....(and some inappropriate stuff I wont say)
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Woody and I fell asleep during The Incredibles. We haven’t felt the urge to try it again.
True Value!!!
Watch the racoon/ Dash scene from the second movie. Best scene since

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The rest of the movie is
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Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
I just showed this to Gary, he has a wood shop in the basement, and he thinks those are amazing!
Hmmm, next idea we might have to borrow!🤔
Tip from Woody: Use 1/4 inch plywood.

Do you think THIS was the photo he was attempting to create?! I mean, he failed terribly, but that might have been the goal...
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Could that photo BE any smaller?
C’mon @dizfan917, senior eyes here!

(But yeah...that might have been it.)
😁
 

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