Trip Report The “No Trip” Trip Report *COMPLETED*

There are pre-trip reports.

There are trip reports.

I’d like to welcome you to what I believe might be the first “No Trip” trip report.

My name is Tuvalu. Ok, that’s not my real name (it’s not “Shirley” either ) but it’s how I’m known here on WDWMagic. For the past six years I have contributed a lot of trip reports in this forum. A lot! Along the way I have met so many wonderful people and made new friends, some of whom I have had the privilege of meeting in person. Honestly the reason why I write is for you, the reader, because I cherish our interactions. (Getting to re-live my trip is just a bonus!)

My husband Woody, my daughter Em and I were supposed to be leaving for our Spring Break trip to WDW tomorrow. Of course we are sad we cannot go (and our doing our part to keep ourselves and others safe) but remain confident we WILL get to go back sometime in the future.

I had been contemplating going “live” for our trip. Woody and Em are not fans of my reporting “live” since my attention is diverted from enjoying vacation with them. However this idea for a “No Trip” trip report came straight from Woody himself!

So for the next week, if you‘d like to Journey into My Imagination and read about what could have been, I’ll be here.

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, April 7

Em wasn’t certain she would be comfortable sleeping on a sofa bed.

The first words out of her mouth?

“I’m having a hard time waking up this morning.”

Since I did not hear a peep out of her during the night, I am taking that as a sign she had a good night’s rest. On a sofa bed.

My tummy is back to normal. No dry toast for breakfast today.

We take the bus to MK. The boat may be more scenic, but it’s also more crowded during the morning rush.

Hoping our APs get a good workout in 2020.....

We arrive about a half hour prior to park opening so we meander down Main Street. We reminisce about the Bakery BS (before Starbucks.) We used to get these amazing (huge!) double chocolate muffins that were dusted with confectioners sugar. Then we’d sit at one of the small wrought iron tables just outside the door and people-watch.

Imagine....tables, chairs (and benches!) ON MAIN STREET.
Ahh, those were the days!

We stop for a picture.

I have mixed feelings about the current repainting of Cinderella Castle. I assume it’s to get her ready for MK’s 50th next year.

Yes, George, there is. Unlike you, I don’t care for a rosy glow.

However it will still be better than this!

Em has her camera and takes a pic of Walt and Mickey.

Em IN a pic with Walt and Mickey.

She was tall for a 4 year old!

 

[Tuvalu]

We hang around the hub and watch the Trolley performers. But there is a large blue carriage thingy being pulled by the horse instead of the trolley.

These gals are dressed in their Easter best....including white gloves. There’s a 35mm slide somewhere of me as a little girl dressed for Easter in my hat and white gloves.

When the show is over we head for Tomorrowland. A thrill through Space is our first attraction....FP, of course.

Intentional photo fail? You decide.

Time to choose again. Whose score crowns them a Galactic Hero?

(The CM says sorry, they are out of stickers. )

Since we are in the neighborhood we jump on the Peoplemover (before the insanely long line forms.)

 

[Tuvalu]

We missed a favorite Fantasyland attraction the other day. Shame on us!

Won’t happen today.

Does Woody wave at the end?

(Rhetorical question. If you don’t know the answer, shame on you. )

We pop into Big Top Souvenirs. It always smells so good in here. We check out the treat case like we always do.

Yet never....not once....have we ever purchased a treat.

What is wrong with us?

(Again, rhetorical question. No need to answer. )

Nature calls. The nearest restroom is adjacent to the Fantasyland train station.

What a sad sign.

Oh how we miss the train! We’d ride it just about every visit to the MK, both for transportation and nostalgia. (This long refurbishment must be painful for you too, @Captain Barbossa.)

Here’s a shot of Em and Woody on the Moving Park Bench.

And here’s Em on her very first MPB ride.

(Confidential to @riverside ~ See the Minnie Em is holding? We had just checked in to POR (then Dixie Landings) and wandered into Fulton’s General Store. Em got out of her umbrella stroller (she wasn’t secured) and toddled over to a large display of Disney plush. She reached for that Minnie and kept a death grip on it. I had to find another one to take to the cashier since Em wouldn’t let go. She carried around Minnie our entire vacation....and for several years after. I still have it. )

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

My tummy is back to normal. No dry toast for breakfast today.

YAY!

She was tall for a 4 year old!

I love looking back at all your pictures! Thanks for sharing and my, she was tall for 4!

Intentional photo fail? You decide.

Yes, they are smarty pants and know how to take great photos!

Does Woody wave at the end?

(Rhetorical question. If you don’t know the answer, shame on you.

Woody made the wave "a thing!"

And here’s Em on her very first MPB ride.

AAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwww, the Minnie is huge next to her! Such a sweet story!

 

[RememberWhen]

All the pictures of tiny Em!

 

[Captain Barbossa]

This long refurbishment must be painful for you too, @Captain Barbossa.)

Too painful. And with the halt on construction right now, it’s going to be even longer before it reopens.

Hoping a certain sandwich from Les Halles will make an appearance at some point during this TR.

 

[Big Hair]

Always Magical

 

[93boomer]

Tuesday, April 7

Em wasn’t certain she would be comfortable sleeping on a sofa bed.

The first words out of her mouth?

“I’m having a hard time waking up this morning.”

Since I did not hear a peep out of her during the night, I am taking that as a sign she had a good night’s rest. On a sofa bed.

My tummy is back to normal. No dry toast for breakfast today.

View attachment 461674

We take the bus to MK. The boat may be more scenic, but it’s also more crowded during the morning rush.

Hoping our APs get a good workout in 2020.....

View attachment 461685

We arrive about a half hour prior to park opening so we meander down Main Street. We reminisce about the Bakery BS (before Starbucks.) We used to get these amazing (huge!) double chocolate muffins that were dusted with confectioners sugar. Then we’d sit at one of the small wrought iron tables just outside the door and people-watch.

Imagine....tables, chairs (and benches!) ON MAIN STREET.
Ahh, those were the days!

We stop for a picture.
View attachment 461675

I have mixed feelings about the current repainting of Cinderella Castle. I assume it’s to get her ready for MK’s 50th next year.

View attachment 461689
Yes, George, there is. Unlike you, I don’t care for a rosy glow.

However it will still be better than this!

View attachment 461682

Em has her camera and takes a pic of Walt and Mickey.

View attachment 461676

Em IN a pic with Walt and Mickey.

View attachment 461681
She was tall for a 4 year old!

Em you look so cute!!!
Oh my I had forgotten how bad that pink castle looked!

 

[93boomer]

We hang around the hub and watch the Trolley performers. But there is a large blue carriage thingy being pulled by the horse instead of the trolley.

These gals are dressed in their Easter best....including white gloves. There’s a 35mm slide somewhere of me as a little girl dressed for Easter in my hat and white gloves.

View attachment 461700

When the show is over we head for Tomorrowland. A thrill through Space is our first attraction....FP, of course.

View attachment 461701
Intentional photo fail? You decide.

Time to choose again. Whose score crowns them a Galactic Hero?

View attachment 461703
(The CM says sorry, they are out of stickers. )

Since we are in the neighborhood we jump on the Peoplemover (before the insanely long line forms.)

View attachment 461706

Wait, what?? You get a sticker for 999,999?!
We both got that last trip!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Wait, what?? You get a sticker for 999,999?!
We both got that last trip!!

 

[krisri18]

Monday, April 6

Okay, it’s me. I’m the one with tummy trouble.

Thankfully I slept fine, but awoke feeling the same way I did last night.

No muffin, Entenmann’s or chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.

Instead:
View attachment 461375

We are on the bus on our way to a park. Won’t make you guess our destination, since buses run from WL to all parks.

But if you’d like a hint (@93boomer) ~

View attachment 461379

My first thought was "why would @Tuvalu have a slice of cheese for breakfast"? Then realized I'm crazy and it's bread. Lol

 

[93boomer]

Glad the tummy is better. I told you not to eat that second ooey gooey cake!!

 

[93boomer]

View attachment 461760

Aww that’s cute! Definitely will know if we ever do it again!

 

[Tuvalu]

All the pictures of tiny Em!

Hold your littles close....they grow up too fast!!

Too painful. And with the halt on construction right now, it’s going to be even longer before it reopens.

Ugh! I didn’t consider even consider that!

Hoping a certain sandwich from Les Halles will make an appearance at some point during this TR.

I’ll see what I can do.

I love looking back at all your pictures! Thanks for sharing and my, she was tall for 4!

She was tall for her age (and always looked older) through 5th grade. I think she hit her adult height in 6th grade.

Always Magical

Always glad to see you @Big Hair!

Oh my I had forgotten how bad that pink castle looked!

We tend to forget the bad things in life.

My first thought was "why would @Tuvalu have a slice of cheese for breakfast"? Then realized I'm crazy and it's bread. Lol

Mom brain.

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

“Let’s check out the line for Haunted Mansion!”

Not sure who says it. Does it really matter? (Can I get an “Amen!” @tonystark?)

Standby wait says 30 minutes. We don’t wait that long. The camera which takes the ride photo doesn’t flash (those playful spooks!) so there are no pics in my MDE account. There is, however, a PP photographer outside the Mansion and we stop.

This photographer poses our hitchhiking thumbs in the correct direction!

To beat the lunch crowds we opt to eat now. Pinocchio Village Haus is nearby....why not?

Antipasto Salad for Woody.

One of the black olives isn’t pitted and Woody gets an unfortunate surprise.

Em and I share a chicken parm sandwich and an order of breadsticks. We escape mouth injury.

Our next FP is Splash Mountain.

Woody tolerates this ride when he is in a good mood. Due to the lunch incident he is not. He sends Em and me on our way and waits for us on a bench.

It may be the same bench Em waited on back when she did not meet the height requirement.

 

[Tuvalu]

Em and I get splashed, not drenched, and we are happy. We meet up with Woody and decide to pass the time until our next FP by singing along with some Country Bears.

I am the only one who sings. Woody and Em pretend they don’t know me.

We head to our last FP and are shocked by what we encounter.

But it’s BTMRR so we’ll wait. ❤

 

[Tuvalu]

We’ve had our fill of crowds.

Returning to WL via ferry.

Is the room made up? Of course it is. We made our beds this morning.

Neither Woody nor Em are feeling the pool. I don’t feel like going by myself. I decide to read while they watch TV. I find myself getting distracted by the show they’re watching.

The Tiger King.

Me:

Everything you may have heard about this show is true. All of it.

It’s a train wreck. And though you try, you cannot look away.

Fortunately we binge only three episodes before we need to get ready for dinner. I feel the urge to shower and wash off any Tiger King residue.

Just after sunset we catch the small boat to the Contemporary. We ride the escalator to the second floor and check in for our ADR.

I request Ryan, forgetting that Mondays and Tuesdays are his days off. I inquire about the Monterey Room (which is in the back and quieter) but am told all tables are currently occupied. It’s actually a blessing in disguise, since we are given a table with a MK view.

We pass on appetizers since we want to have plenty of room for the main event. Typically we order the same meal at CG, and tonight is no exception.

Filet Mignon, White Cheddar and Chive Mashed Potatoes, Sea Salt Grilled Asparagus ~ paired with a glass (actually a bottle ) of Pinot Grigio.

So delicious! (And the cheapest CG meal we’ve ever had.)

Bonus ~ watching HEA from our table.

The temperature has dropped and it’s a bit chilly on the boat back to the Lodge.

Another fab day is now in the books. Goodnight all!

 

[dizfan917]

I'm loving your report and especially all the vintage photos! How old DOES a photo have to be to actually be considered 'vintage'?

It is always strange for me to see photos of the hub with mature trees in it (Disneyland's as well)! I've only been going to WDW since 2002 (except for 2 days in 1977) and there ain't ever been no big trees there.

We watched Tiger King in one evening. I sat mouth agape many, many times and Kevin kept shaking his head in disbelief. over and over and over... enjoy the rest! eeeek.

I want an egg muffin sammich now.

 

[Songbird76]

She was tall for a 4 year old!

She's tall anyway, isn't she? Or is she just painted that way?

 

[riverside]

(Confidential to @riverside ~ See the Minnie Em is holding? We had just checked in to POR (then Dixie Landings) and wandered into Fulton’s General Store. Em got out of her umbrella stroller (she wasn’t secured) and toddled over to a large display of Disney plush. She reached for that Minnie and kept a death grip on it. I had to find another one to take to the cashier since Em wouldn’t let go. She carried around Minnie our entire vacation....and for several years after. I still have it. )

How cute!!