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.

 

[93boomer]

Where is my head today? I forgot that we went to visit ducks before we visited sisters.

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We have a boat to ourselves (easy when you arrive when the pavilion opens.) This attraction has always screamed “vacation” to me. Perhaps because Mexico seemed so exotic when I first rode it in 1983.

Exotic = Mexico
Not Exotic = Joe

Anyhoo, with two boat journeys complete, we hurry to the Refreshment Outpost for a VIP meet!

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Last year a fellow Magician and I bonded over our love for Strawberry Rose Cider, one of the featured ciders at F&G. Since we both are here this week, we agreed to meet and try the new ciders offered this year.

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None of this year’s flavors wow me. And the seasoning on the pineapple skewer? Unadulterated pineapple is delicious on it’s own. Drizzled with caramel? As @Darstarr says, “I’ll allow it.”

I’ll allow my SFAM @93boomer to voice her opinion on this year’s selection (if she chooses to do so).

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(The parks closure IRL made missing out on meeting up today painful....worse than the sunburn on my arm!)

Well you know me well enough that I like my cider to be fruity. But, I don't particularly care for banana or odd flavors of cider. Strawberry and blueberry flavors are my favorite.

 

[93boomer]

We part ways with @93boomer and her charming hubby and continue our walk around World Showcase Lagoon. Away from the unsightly walls in Future World, the Festival really shines here.

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By the time we reach France there’s a rumbly in my tumbly.

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@Captain Barbossa knows where lunch is.

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See the empty table on the far left? I call dibs!

Dining al fresco with a Jambon Beurre (or a Dinde BLT if you’re Em) is the perfect lunch for a sunny spring day.

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(How did I do @Captain Barbossa?)

Ok I confess now SFAM-- I may have shed a few tears after our meet up was over.

 

[Thanx4Noticin]

Hooray! This is so exciting! I will be following along. So happy that tomorrow is Saturday. No remote learning tomorrow so I will be able to follow along more easily!

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Our first park is Animal Kingdom?

Indeed, a surprising choice for a family who’s just not into it. But there are a few things here we enjoy doing. And it’s not 1,000% humidity in April. A few FPs and a meal in a park that closes at 8 pm is an ideal way to spend a few hours on travel day.

We walk through the Oasis (honestly, does anyone stop here and look around?) and onto Discovery Island. There are a few Photopass CMs waiting to take family shots with the Tree of Life in the background, but we are running late for our FP and we don’t stop.

The FP line for Kilimanjaro Safari is a cluster as usual. Woody sighs. We wait 20 minutes to board our jeep. Moods improve when our trek begins.

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Lots of animal sightings. I am in the moment and not focused on picture taking. Neither is Em ~ she didn’t even bring her camera. But because it is obligatory in this forum to post photos of animals seen on KS, here is a white rhino.

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A child might say, “That rhino is not WHITE!” And said child would be correct. Then it would be up to the parent to explain WHY the animal is called a white rhino ~ assuming the parent heard the explanation from the safari driver. If not, a simple “He’s dirty from the mud!” will suffice. Don’t ask me how I know this.

There are giraffes galore. Cheetahs are resting near the fence.

And the lion roars!

Stop.

I can’t do this.

I’ve never heard the lion roar. Can’t pretend I do now.

The lion is sleeping. He is always sleeping.

Our ride has ended. Kwaherini, Kilimanjaro Safari. We have another FP to make.

 

[Thanx4Noticin]

I am so late to this forum but so excited to see it. my mid-March Beach Club trip was cancelled (did get my DVC points back)

I do have to say that the lion is NOT always sleeping. On a Rope drop safari he was awake and spending time with one of the lionesses. We have heard him roar as well

 

[wdwfamilynh]

I’m all caught up again! Those pictures of Em are adorable

 

[LSV]

Best trip report ever.

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

If one dinner at the Contemporary Resort is good, two must be better, right?

That’s what the three of us are hoping. In a repeat of last night, we make our way to the boat dock at sunset for a short cruise to the giant A-frame next door. Only this time we don’t step on the escalator.

Her parents’ glowing review of this restaurant has rendered Em curious.

Her memory of dining at The Wave was a so-so lunch many years ago. But she is intrigued by the current offerings.

The meal becomes even more interesting when her family is escorted to an empty dining room.
Private dining.
#ShirleyStatus to the nth degree!

A wine steward arrives and promptly fills the glasses. It is Em’s favorite. How did he know?

There are no menus. The chef knows what Em likes.

Romaine, Vermont White Cheddar, Hot Bacon Vinaigrette

Boneless Grilled Chicken Breast, Zellwood Sweet Corn, Barbecue Sauce

Everything is delicious. Service is top-notch. Em is happy.

If only there could be a perfect dessert to satisfy her sweet tooth.

We ride the elevator to the 4th floor. Head to the Contempo Cafe to check out the pastry case.

And there it is....the best Wookiee Cake that @Loco_driver never ate.

The three of us share. But we purchase another for Em to enjoy later.

Happily Ever After is moments away. We find an unobstructed-view spot on the 4th floor observation deck. The piped-in music begins to play. Em and I smile. All is right with the world.

This might be the best fireworks picture you have ever seen in a Tuvalu trip report.

The finale comes too soon. We make our way back to the Lodge and ready ourselves for sleep.

Because tomorrow we RISE.

 

[Tuvalu]

Don’t forget to get an orange swirl at Sunshine Tree (is that the name?)

Em and I are not fans of the Citrus Swirl. But Woody is! And there has been an ongoing debate in this forum....Team Dole Whip vs. Team Citrus Swirl....but honestly I can’t remember the players on each side!

That Saturday night takeaway show was meant to air from WDW live last weekend too but alas everything has been virtual for the past 2 weeks and obviously the plane didn’t leave with all of this years winners - they’ve been told they will be looked after once the flights start again.
Thanks for doing this - that’s one way we can dream of Disney until it opens.

Hello my BTMRR buddy! Gotta keep the Disney dream alive.
Thanks for the update on Saturday Night Takeaway. Glad the winners will eventually get to visit WDW.

I do have to say that the lion is NOT always sleeping. On a Rope drop safari he was awake and spending time with one of the lionesses. We have heard him roar as well

So jealous! Hearing him roar is a bucket-list item for me.

Best trip report ever.

You are waaayy too kind, thank you.

 

[Santa Raccoon 77]

Ok I confess now SFAM-- I may have shed a few tears after our meet up was over.

You meet all the best people

@epcotisbest tried for a beach photo as promised but the tide was in this morning

@Tuvalu sorry for the interruption , carry on.

Spoiler: Oh, one last thing ...

 

[Loco_driver]

And there it is....the best Wookiee Cake that @Loco_driver never ate.

I’m still sad that they don’t have the Wookiee cake anymore! I forgot to mention in my last trip report that I asked about it at contempo cafe, and was met with looks of confusion by the CMs working there.

Em and I are not fans of the Citrus Swirl. But Woody is! And there has been an ongoing debate in this forum....Team Dole Whip vs. Team Citrus Swirl....but honestly I can’t remember the players on each side!

And here I thought you and I could be friends! At least I know Woody is a fan!

 

[Disstevefan1]

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One of us is down for the count. Nothing serious, just some tummy trouble.

Opted for PB Sammies and fruit for dinner. Benefit of having a kitchenette in the room.

Watching Netflix until slumber calls. See ya tomorrow!

I love this element of realism! An all too common souvenir of many WDW visitors..

 

[epcotisbest]

You meet all the best people

@epcotisbest tried for a beach photo as promised but the tide was in this morning
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@Tuvalu sorry for the interruption , carry on.

Spoiler: Oh, one last thing ...

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I am usually the most guilty of interruptions to @Tuvalu trip reports. Hope she forgives me.
Beautiful view @Mr Ferret 88

 

[Tuvalu]

You meet all the best people

So when are you gonna fly across the pond to ride Maelstrom with me?

And here I thought you and I could be friends! At least I know Woody is a fan!

If it helps, Dole Whips don’t do anything for me either.
I can be Switzerland in the great Dole Whip vs Citrus Swirl debate!

I am usually the most guilty of interruptions to @Tuvalu trip reports. Hope she forgives me.

There’s nothing to forgive, my friend.

 

[MissViv]

All caught up!! Enjoying your report as always!

What a wonderful and original virtual trip!

 

[Santa Raccoon 77]

So when are you gonna fly across the pond to ride Maelstrom with me?

Right after you cross the pond to sail the Magic with us

 

[Darstarr]

Team Dole Whip vs. Team Citrus Swirl....but honestly I can’t remember the players on each side!

Reminder...

 

[Tuvalu]

Thursday, April 9

Our alarm sounds in the darkness. It’s early, but we must get ourselves going. We want to be inside DHS in ample time to try for a RotR Boarding Group. Woody has not experienced Rise. He’s the only one of the 3 of us who knows Star Wars, and Em & I hope he appreciates the attraction as much as our friend Kel did.

We drive to the Studios (so glad we have our own vehicle!) and are tapped into the park T-minus 10 minutes before opening. Both Em and I have had prior success obtaining a Boarding Group ~ Groups 3 and 6. We take our success as luck, not skill. So much can go wrong when thousands are on their devices at the exact moment.

We watch the second hand count down and log in. This appears.

A bad sign. Upon logging in the “Join Boarding Group” link is supposed to be red. Speed matters here. We furiously press buttons ~ adrenaline pumping ~ and receive this.

NO!!! Not a back up group! We finish the process and receive Back Up Group 85. The odds of us getting to ride are now less than if we had obtained a regular BG. And if the attraction breaks down (which it frequently does), our odds drop even lower.

Em and I are bummed. Woody shrugs and says, “No big deal. If we ride it, great. If not that’s okay.”

We love this man. Em and I can relax knowing Woody’s not disappointed.

Besides, Tink might just sprinkle some pixie dust on us today.

A walk down Sunset Blvd. to Woody and Em’s first attraction.

As I wait for them, I realize @Mr Ferret 88 might be running low on TR snacks.

Never fear my friend. Gotcha covered now!

My fam returns from their very fast ride and we tap in for a very fast drop. Or drops, as is our case.

 

[DisneyGigi]

Em was adorable!
My little guy went home day before yesterday so was finally able to watch Schitt’s Creek finale yesterday. So sad that show is over. We then moved onto Tiger King & agree - mouth dropped open in shock, yet we made it trough 3 episodes. A train wreck, you can’t stop watching.

 

[LadyBelle]

Thursday, April 9

Our alarm sounds in the darkness. It’s early, but we must get ourselves going. We want to be inside DHS in ample time to try for a RotR Boarding Group. Woody has not experienced Rise. He’s the only one of the 3 of us who knows Star Wars, and Em & I hope he appreciates the attraction as much as our friend Kel did.

We drive to the Studios (so glad we have our own vehicle!) and are tapped into the park T-minus 10 minutes before opening. Both Em and I have had prior success obtaining a Boarding Group ~ Groups 3 and 6. We take our success as luck, not skill. So much can go wrong when thousands are on their devices at the exact moment.

We watch the second hand count down and log in. This appears.

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A bad sign. Upon logging in the “Join Boarding Group” link is supposed to be red. Speed matters here. We furiously press buttons ~ adrenaline pumping ~ and receive this.

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NO!!! Not a back up group! We finish the process and receive Back Up Group 85. The odds of us getting to ride are now less than if we had obtained a regular BG. And if the attraction breaks down (which it frequently does), our odds drop even lower.

Em and I are bummed. Woody shrugs and says, “No big deal. If we ride it, great. If not that’s okay.”

We love this man. Em and I can relax knowing Woody’s not disappointed.

Besides, Tink might just sprinkle some pixie dust on us today.

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A walk down Sunset Blvd. to Woody and Em’s first attraction.

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As I wait for them, I realize @Mr Ferret 88 might be running low on TR snacks.

Never fear my friend. Gotcha covered now!

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My fam returns from their very fast ride and we tap in for a very fast drop. Or drops, as is our case.

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It was sooo good to see you and Em at HS. Shame that I missed Woody though.
[At least according to the dream I had last night ]

 

[Tuvalu]

Thursday, con’t

We have a little time until our next FP so we take in a show.

Woody used to bring Em here when I took our sons to ride ToT and we’d meet up afterwards.

The courtyard across from Little Mermaid sure looked different then!

Looking to the far left at the strollers, it appears Disney rented umbrella-style strollers to guests.

After the show we head to Toy Story Mania for FP #2.

I’ll just leave this here.....