Trip Report The Last Hurrah ***Completed***

Where: POP
When: Nov 11-16
Why:

1. Star Wars
2. to get one final use out of my AP
3. to have one last hurrah before this arrested development period of my life may end.

Who:

During the trip planning process there was a lot of uncertainty of exactly who would be going.

Final trip manifest:

1. BES

DH couldn’t go due to work. It’s a double bummer because he doesn’t love his job and he was really starting to warm up to the idea of WDW.

No stowaway youngling will be present on the trip either. This one is a bummer for real life but on the bright side I can ride all of the rides and drink all of the drinks on this trip.

My previous solo trip was more of a physical break from my crazy work hours. I think this trip will end up being being a mental and emotional break.

Will probably try to do this TR live. Obviously going to focus on being in the moment but you all are great company in lines and on busses etc.
Allons-y!

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Monday Evening:

Off to Epcot next. Loved the new bypass of bag check from the monorail. (Also thought the MK bag check was greatly improved.)

My only goal for tonight was a quick loop around WS to eat... and drink.

Scallops- mmmm.

Then a blood orange mimosa.

The moon over Mexico:

Needed a dessert next. Cannoli? Yes please.

I saw something else I liked but walked past it. Then convinced myself to do a U turn. What kind of hurrah would this be if made only good choices?

My U turn returned me to a non-F&W sized Milk Stout from Left Hand Brewery. Excellent.

Decided I needed more dinner than 2 scallops and booze. Went with something that I love but DH doesn’t. Poutine. The Festival Brisket one. So good. DH thinks it’s all of my family’s Canadian background bubbling up.

DH just text to say he has shoveled twice and it is still snowing.

Next up- some tough decisions.

Stay to see Epcot Forever or head to my room?

Bus or Skyliner?

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

How fun! I am living vicariously through you...I used to have so much fun on my solo trips (and almost always stayed at POP too )!

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Monday evening

Called DH and walked towards the IG. We chatted and I described what I did today and what I was seeing now.

BES: Now I hear... an Oasis cover band?

DH: With or with the drug references?

BES: Without it seems. They learned their lesson with that Pooh commercial.*

It turns out I stumbled upon The British Revolution. DH and said our goodbyes and I listened for a bit.

Decided to 1) call it a night and 2) try out the Skyliner.

Skyliner first impressions:

• Way better than a park close bus
• Either the people in the cabin behind us were super loud or sound travels really well
• Those cabins come into the stations SUPER fast. I’m glad I had read about that ahead of time.

Now goodnight from POP. Gotta rest up for an exciting tomorrow.

*Some years ago I saw a commercial on TV for some Pooh movie that featured the song “Semi Charmed Life” as the background music. That song features some blatant references to the use of crystal meth. I never saw that commercial a second time and DH and I continue to joke about it.

 

[Katiekitten]

Sounds like a great first day, I'm glad you made it safely!

 

[Darstarr]

Aaah
Yesterday I had real life stuff to deal with and you started without me!!!
I am here and so excited for you. Report away BES.

(Get it?)

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

How fun! I am living vicariously through you...I used to have so much fun on my solo trips (and almost always stayed at POP too )!

Aww thanks. I’m so glad we can both enjoy this trip.

Sounds like a great first day, I'm glad you made it safely!

From the Spirit flight or the Skyliner flight?

Seriously though it was a great first day and I am truly happy my flight down was safe.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Aaah
Yesterday I had real life stuff to deal with and you started without me!!!
I am here and so excited for you. Report away BES.

(Get it?)

In a way I started without you but I think we all know this really isn’t official started until you arrive.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Tuesday morning:

Today is Star Wars day. So get ready for a lot of SW references and jokes. When in doubt assume it’s a SW thing.

My POP room. The standard:

Room location: If there was a bright center to the universe I’m in the room farthest from it.

I like to walk so not a big deal.

Woke up at 530 but managed to fall back asleep.

it’s a button up dress. Currently wearing it open over shorts and a tank. Might go dress mode when it gets hotter.

Was on the fence about my porg ears but did wear them. The kid at the table next to me a breakfast loved them. So I made the right call.

Did mobile order kid waffles. Loved the mobile order here. Way better than regular POP in the morning.

Boarded a HS bus right away that wasn’t even full. So far the Force seems to be with me.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Between the ears, dress, and phone case I'm guessing you like Star Wars just a bit. Riverside, Tuvalu, I, and a few others could've used you as a guide during our recent visits.

 

[Darstarr]

In a way I started without you but I think we all know this really isn’t official started until you arrive.

The absolute nicest thing anyone has said to me all week!!!

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Who said: “if I had a razor I would a lot my wrists” ?

if you guessed HS bag check CM you are correct.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

This CM was an older guy that was super thoroughly checking bags. Like he did one bag for every 4ish the CMs on either side of him did.

He was genuinely stressed about missing something.

I get that. 100%. My job is very much like that where missing something = bad times. It’s exhausting being a goalie for people’s safety all day.

Not being responsible for anyone or anything but myself is one of the things I am appreciating the most about this trip.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Tuesday morning:

Once I finally cleared bag check it was just before 9am.

First up- Star Tours as a walk on. Tatooine pod racing. Then Battle of Coruscant. Tons of kids on board. They were loving it.

Then wandered thru Batuu.

My expectations were high and I think overall the land met them.

Gonk Droid!

X-wing + Chewie and assorted Resistance friends:

Loth cat!

As I wandered I caught the Falcon out of the corner of my eye. Audible squee. So cool.

The MF:SR line was 90 min and went thru almost to TSL. This visible line was the one negative thing for me in Batuu. Decided to wait til later as the wait time was 90 min.

Baby Sarlacc:

Next I went on a mission to buy a Spira coin.

They’re at the Droid Depot. Ask at the register. It’s a fancy metal gift card so you can feel extra fancy playing SW. $100 min to put on it. Cash or card only. No magic bands.

Now time for blue milk (and purse apples from my kids meal)

I liked it better than butterbeer.

It was getting hotter no so I decided to go dress mode and left Batuu fora little while.

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

This gives me hope for blue milk, since people are so "meh" on it around here!

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Tuesday morning continued:

Went off to ToT for my first FP. Saw plenty of cool retro Christmas decorations and also saw many Citizens of Hollywood.

Talked to DH for a bit then back to Batuu. What kind of hurrah would this be without drinking before noon?

Checked in for Oga’s about 15 min early and got seated (standed rather) at the main bar counter about 10 min prior to my reservation time.

My server Jon was great. Really into it. Made jokes about my “antennas” aka porg ears.

Got the Dagobah Slug Slinger. Good thing I only had to say it pre-booze.

Normally not a tequila fan but this was good. I picked it because it seemed like it would be the least sweet. Also because I like bitters.

“Artistic” Oga’s pic. It may have been post drink :

Next lunch at Ronto’s Roasters. Got the chicken wrap aka gyro. Drippy but good.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

This gives me hope for blue milk, since people are so "meh" on it around here!

It’s not life changing but it isn’t gross. The taste was mild and slightly melon-y.

The Batuu that I am experiencing isn’t as doom and gloom as it is presented elsewhere on these boards.

 

[Zipadeelady]

I thought the Gonk Droid was a trash can . Maybe I should watch a Star Wars movie or two.

 

[Rista1313]

Tuesday morning continued:

Went off to ToT for my first FP. Saw plenty of cool retro Christmas decorations and also saw many Citizens of Hollywood.

Talked to DH for a bit then back to Batuu. What kind of hurrah would this be without drinking before noon?

Checked in for Oga’s about 15 min early and got seated (standed rather) at the main bar counter about 10 min prior to my reservation time.

View attachment 425019

My server Jon was great. Really into it. Made jokes about my “antennas” aka porg ears.

Got the Dagobah Slug Slinger. Good thing I only had to say it pre-booze.

View attachment 425024

Normally not a tequila fan but this was good. I picked it because it seemed like it would be the least sweet. Also because I like bitters.

View attachment 425028

“Artistic” Oga’s pic. It may have been post drink :

View attachment 425029

Next lunch at Ronto’s Roasters. Got the chicken wrap aka gyro. Drippy but good.

View attachment 425030

I don't think this chicken wrap was available when we were there in september, there was only the ronto roaster thing with the pork/sausage thing.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

I don't think this chicken wrap was available when we were there in september, there was only the ronto roaster thing with the pork/sausage thing.

It was Chicken with feta and cucumber and some sauce. I’m glad they added it because none of the other options seemed appealing to me.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

I thought the Gonk Droid was a trash can . Maybe I should watch a Star Wars movie or two.

Well you're not wrong. In the original movie I’m pretty sure GONK is a guy wearing a decorated garbage can. They’re kind of a cult favorite and make cameos in all of the movies.