Trip Report the last time (taylor's version)

Hi all! Guess who just came back from Disney World? Tis I! After over a year away, it was a most interesting trip. My grandma and I planned this back in June after I found out that I got into grad school (again... I'm a sucker for punishment) so it was meant to be a celebratory trip for that and also my grandma would be turning 70 shortly before it! And then the end of September rolled around and I (in Fort Myers) got to experience the delights of Hurricane Ian. I work in a first response field so it was a very busy, awful couple of weeks. After that I decided... If we were doing this trip (which was all that was keeping me going post-hurricane for a good bit), we were going to give Bob Chapek everything he wanted. That's right, we were going to cough up for Genie+. I'm a hypocrite, I know. Does it help if I say that I'm moving to West Virginia and won't get back to Orlando until after the program is over? No? I thought as much... But still... I spent A LOT OF MONEY on this trip LOL... and most of it wasn't even at Disney... Because, you see... While we were going to be in the World, Taylor Swift was going to have a presale for her tour... And I, a Swiftie to the max, knew that I would be going... come h-e-double-hockey-sticks or high water... Did I manage to get tickets? Did Grandma and I conquer our previous records regarding attraction count and step count? Stick around to find out....

We begin with DAY ONE, November 14th. Our travels would take us from Magic Kingdom to Epcot, as MK was closing early that evening for the Christmas Party (no expense spared, I say, whilst cringing away from the prices for the Christmas Party... So we didn't do that). I awoke at 6am, pulled up MDE, and....

But, I shelled out $36.22 (Grandma and I decided we would trade off each day) and got ready for the day. We had an hour and a half drive to get to WDW from my grandparents' house (which I had traveled to on Friday), so we got in the car around 6:45 and hit the road. It went well until we were about 30 minutes into the I-4 stretch... and then we hit solid red traffic. Stand still. Man, I had to pee. I kept looking down at my phone and seeing that we only had 15 miles left, 14, 13... Then 13 for an eternity... and then...

I decided to go a longer back way, because at least we would be moving. I'd rather be moving continuously for a longer stretch of time than sitting in stand still traffic. A brief stop was made at 7/11 to pee (huzzah), and then we continued on our strange, back way route to Disney property.

Meanwhile I received this

Which was a pleasant surprise! We were looking forward to dumping our belongings in the room, grabbing a bus to MK, and getting started with the day. And just like that...

We were pulling in! Huzzah!

This is where I decided to park *crowd oohs and ahhhs*. We took a very bizarre route to our room because we couldn't find the elevator, but eventually we were walking inside and were greeted by...

Welcome, [REDACTED] & [REDACTED]!

A room tour, you ask? No, I shan't do it. I will instead show you things that I noticed.

A crooked light fixture.

Some scum.

The shower got my seal of approval. With the room inspected and no egregious disturbances noted, we were ready to head to MK.

 

[tonystark]

Love your shoes, they look great on you!

It was nice to see that warning sign rather than an Orange Cone in the unusable Peoplemover cars.

Thanks lol, they are still growing on me. After the hurricane I looked at them and said...

Sorry to hear you have Covid, hope you feel better soon.

This is my first time having it! I always said that were I to get it, it would be from a flight or from Disney because I'm a homebody... And here we are. Right now all that really sucks is the fever. And that I'm going to be missing Thanksgiving

 

[tonystark]

Tron construction has really come along since the last time I was here. I was fortunate (not on this day) to see them testing a few ride cars. I still think the ride vehicles would freak me out too much a la FOP.

Honestly, getting a little concerned for her with how long she's been in here... Maybe one of those tubes is supplying oxygen to her.

Is there a queue worse than the Buzz Lightyear queue? No, I don't think so. The blaring alarms... The always on the cusp of working but not quite there AC, the crowdedness of it all... Fortunately lightning lane was not particularly busy so we walked on to ATTRACTION #2.

This seemed new to me. Or if it's not, it's been cleaned up and is more vibrant. Who is to say. Did I score phenomenally? Come on, y'all, you know me...

Ranger First Class for eternity I fear.

Time to use that select experience fast— LIGHTNING LANE on ATTRACTION #3, which was back up.

Sent this to my grandpa who had stayed home for this trip and he had no idea what ride we were on. In the days leading up to the trip, he kept acting very sad and being like "you're leaving me here all alone " and then we would ask him if he wanted to come and he would say no lol. My grandpa doesn't care for Disney very much (begrudgingly goes with my grandma for the sake of my grandma) and has told us several times that the way we do Disney is not fun. We know this. And yet... With four days at the parks, we told ourselves that we would take it easy. We did not take it easy. Maximum overdrive, remember?

Front row

FORBIDDEN BALL PIT!!!

It was fun (Space always is) but it was time to hustle over to Adventureland to catch ATTRACTION #4. You already know...

 

[amjt660]

I got Covid after my trip too
Off work for 8 days - hopefully yours is less painful

Max

 

[amjt660]

I still think the ride vehicles would freak me out too much a la FOP.

Exact same body position as FOP

Very smooth ride

Max

 

[RememberWhen]

My family got Covid at Disney this summer too! Sigh. I’m sorry you’re sick. Hopefully you can have a relaxing thanksgiving week. Can’t wait to read about the rest of your trip!

 

[annienevells]

Am I here for the Trip Reporting? Of course. Am I invested in the Taylor Swift ticket outcome? EVEN MORE SO.

I was NOT lucky enough to get tickets, so I am not actually sure what I am hoping for the outcome to be

 

[tonystark]

I got Covid after my trip too
Off work for 8 days - hopefully yours is less painful

Max

feeling a little better today! I anticipate having to be off until Thursday, but then... I've got Thanksgiving off so it shall all work out.

Exact same body position as FOP

Very smooth ride

Max

Yes... I shall just watch from a distance.

My family got Covid at Disney this summer too! Sigh. I’m sorry you’re sick. Hopefully you can have a relaxing thanksgiving week. Can’t wait to read about the rest of your trip!

It was inevitable! Now I'll have natural immunity on top of my vaccines so when I start rotating through hospitals for my degree, I'll have a little bit more protection than before

Am I here for the Trip Reporting? Of course. Am I invested in the Taylor Swift ticket outcome? EVEN MORE SO.

I was NOT lucky enough to get tickets, so I am not actually sure what I am hoping for the outcome to be

Honestly the minute she announced the tour I was like I'm going to have to set aside my Disney Adult persona and embody my Swiftie persona. Never mind the money I had spent to go to Epcot that day. Twas truly irrelevant in the moment. I'm sorry you couldn't get tickets my friend waited like 8 hours in the queue and there was nothing left except nosebleeds, so she decided to wait for the general admission sale on Friday... We all saw how that one turned out.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Am I here for the Trip Reporting? Of course. Am I invested in the Taylor Swift ticket outcome? EVEN MORE SO.

I was NOT lucky enough to get tickets, so I am not actually sure what I am hoping for the outcome to be

Honestly the minute she announced the tour I was like I'm going to have to set aside my Disney Adult persona and embody my Swiftie persona. Never mind the money I had spent to go to Epcot that day. Twas truly irrelevant in the moment. I'm sorry you couldn't get tickets my friend waited like 8 hours in the queue and there was nothing left except nosebleeds, so she decided to wait for the general admission sale on Friday... We all saw how that one turned out.

I'm another holding out for tickets. But for my daughter as a Christmas present. I tried for presale in Tampa but was put on the waitlist. I also thought I'd try general admission. Yep that was a disaster. Luckily some friends of hers got in the presale and got good tickets for the Detroit show so at least she'll be visiting home in June. I wonder if the people in the waitlist will ever hear anything?

 

[tonystark]

COVID's got me feeling like this guy.

Me staring down the next two years of graduate education. Into the abyss I go.

Sent pics of his foot to a friend... Feet pics free of charge.

You can see the progression of phones I've had through the course of my trip reports. I'm using an iPhone 13 now, and tried to take a few pictures with night mode but you have to stay still for 2 or 3 seconds depending on the depth of the darkness. So I was really only able to use it when we came to a complete stop, which happened quite a few times this trip.

Grandma wanted a snack. My grandma is healthy We went to the only place we could think of for a healthy snack.

Considering her options. This banana was either 2.29 or 2.50. For a banana

(I have no recollection of Mr.Krabs responding in French in this scene)
Time for the one freebie I can rely on at Walt Disney World. For now! A brief stop at Pecos Bill.

And then we popped over to Memento Mori because 1) I love that store 2) We were killing time 3) I love that store. I immediately saw something I needed.

(Buy it, store it — sorry I know that script by heart teehee).
Anyways, I turn to the cast member because the price isn't posted on the tag and ask how much it is.
"85$ including tax," he replied cheerfully.

85 DOLLARS? 85 UNITED STATES DOLLARS? 85 OF THE PRECIOUS LEGAL TENDER I'M SUPPOSED TO BE SAVING TO LIVE OFF OF FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL? 85$ THAT REALLY HAS TO BE SET ASIDE FOR MS. SWIFT? I couldn't do it. I was willing to spend 60$ on a spirit jersey, no more. Have all spirit jerseys risen to the outrageous price of 85$? Or was it just because it was tie-dye and glow in the dark? Heart broken, I turned away from the spirit jerseys and set my sight on something else.

Me in my HM jammies. JK they were 50$.

I walked away (but have no fear, these two items return later on in the trip... perhaps I have more success).

The CM then said to me... "That hat is retired, you know?" (Referring to the the Ghost Host hat nestled upon my brow)
Me: uhh.... Yeah?

What was I supposed to say to that? Like... was he complimenting my cool ~vintage~ HM merch OR was he like "LOL look at you wearing old gear and you won't even spring for this baller spirit jersey". Who knows.

Other items I saw at Memento Mori and considered are forthcoming. Here's one I thought I wanted.

But the lettering was raised which I just didn't care for. Also the sweater beside it is atrociously ugly.

 

[tonystark]

I'm another holding out for tickets. But for my daughter as a Christmas present. I tried for presale in Tampa but was put on the waitlist. I also thought I'd try general admission. Yep that was a disaster. Luckily some friends of hers got in the presale and got good tickets for the Detroit show so at least she'll be visiting home in June. I wonder if the people in the waitlist will ever hear anything?

Glad she can go to a show! I don't know what will become of the waitlist tbh. Ticketmaster really royally screwed up. I was immersed in the drama as I was waiting in lines for rides, waiting for TMs response, for TS's response... When TM said unprecedented demand I rolled my eyes as they knew exactly how many presale codes there were, since they were the entity to generate them. My coworker's friend got floor seats in Denver so now she's planning a trip to Denver since she didn't get into the presale for Tampa lol. It's all kind of insane.

 

[cgersic]

Thanks lol, they are still growing on me. After the hurricane I looked at them and said...

This is my first time having it! I always said that were I to get it, it would be from a flight or from Disney because I'm a homebody... And here we are. Right now all that really sucks is the fever. And that I'm going to be missing Thanksgiving

I say this allll the time!!! Sorry about the covid and missing Thanksgiving!

 

[tonystark]

I say this allll the time!!! Sorry about the covid and missing Thanksgiving!

It's a go to phrase... It holds such meaning... And at least I'm missing Thanksgiving and not Christmas

 

[tonystark]

It's going to be my first time having an apartment to myself! So much money is going to be spent furnishing it (jk I am going to furnish it as cheaply as humanly possible) so it was time to look at some homeware.

Cool plates but kind of undersized for actual usage.

Cool Madame Leota bowl.

Tis the season. Alas, no Christmas tree for me this year, I'm moving right in the middle of the holidays (what fun!)

This was another great temptation. Alas, I fear my car has too many stickers and magnets to make room for this. How could I ever remove my Taylor Swift and Harry Styles magnet that says "I am a child of divorce"?

Bathroom break. I have spared you from many, many bathroom breaks in this trip report. Something in the air at Disney World makes me have to pee. I was also drinking a lot of Diet Coke (my newest addiction rivaling Coke Zero but not quite surpassing it).

I feel like these mirrors used to be open all the time? Perhaps I could have just opened them myself.

Nice to see this up and running since they had emptied out the ROA last time I was there.

Making our way... As close to the Festival of Fantasy as I will ever get.

ATTRACTION #5. I will miss this ride. I understand why it is going away, however. And that's all I shall say on that.

Oh nooooo, not a child in front of me... Practically guaranteeing that I will get wet

 

[Zipadeelady]

This was another great temptation. Alas, I fear my car has too many stickers and magnets to make room for this. How could I ever remove my Taylor Swift and Harry Styles magnet that says "I am a child of divorce"?

Seriously, you and my daughter C are the same person. She has that exact sticker on her car and has to explain it to me multiple times.

 

[MoragL]

Thanks lol, they are still growing on me. After the hurricane I looked at them and said...

This is my first time having it! I always said that were I to get it, it would be from a flight or from Disney because I'm a homebody... And here we are. Right now all that really sucks is the fever. And that I'm going to be missing Thanksgiving

my first (and only) time was also on return from a Disney trip but thankfully quite a mild case. I only tested out of curiosity (no fever, only very mild cold symptoms). Was quite shocked when it was positive. Hope you are feeling better.

 

[ArmoredRodent]

Well, I came back in JUST for your TR. Sorry I'm late, but I'm here. And sorry you've caught the bug.

 

[tonystark]

Seriously, you and my daughter C are the same person. She has that exact sticker on her car and has to explain it to me multiple times.

I have also had to explain it to my mom and she doesn't understand. My parents are actually divorced so she didn't get why Taylor Swift and Harry Styles were there lol

my first (and only) time was also on return from a Disney trip but thankfully quite a mild case. I only tested out of curiosity (no fever, only very mild cold symptoms). Was quite shocked when it was positive. Hope you are feeling better.

honestly this morning I felt great and had no fever, then about 30 minutes ago I spiked a fever and started feeling terrible. this is all very bizarre

Well, I came back in JUST for your TR. Sorry I'm late, but I'm here. And sorry you've caught the bug.

 

[tonystark]

With that facial expression, my modified lyrics of pretty good show us your [REDACTED] are actually rather fitting.

The dreaded bad birds. It was time to ascend into the light. The boy in front of me was really not having it. Lucky for him, I was going to get the brunt of the water, but he did not realize this... I realized it... The whole ride, I realized it....

Beautiful.. I shall miss you, talented chickens.

And it was, then... Happier times...

It was time to go to another lightning lane. A ride that I can't believe I'm paying extra to ride LOL. Oh well... gotta get those numbers up.

Here we are on ATTRACTION #6, and we got stopped in this scene for a few minutes. Long enough for me to try out dark mode. But everyone kept moving. So this is the best I can do.

Despite what I think of this ride, this animatronic does always manage to impress me.

This, however, does not.

 

[tonystark]

We sat here for a few minutes, but I don't remember why. Perhaps my grandma was FaceTiming my grandpa? It is possible. And then we moved on to another ride.

Several days worth of Genie+ down there. If anyone is brave enough to collect it...

ATTRACTION #7! See the guy in the Patriots jersey in the row ahead of us (well, his shoulder is just in frame)? Apparently, he was the actual player wearing the jersey. According to my grandma. I have my doubts.

This guy was moving faster than the speed of light.

This lighting was very ominous.

I feel like these are the only characters that are not in the same style as everyone else. Is there a reason for that? They always catch my eye.

This probably wouldn't be able to sustain my weight were I to leap into the water and scale the rope and monkeys, right? Like... I'd definitely go plummeting to the shallow water below, right? I suppose there is only one way to find out...

 

[tonystark]

Hello Mr. Crocodile

Things were looking quite backed up.

Supposed to be focusing on the air balloon, but let's discuss my grandma's theory. There was a Max Lane on the Patriots who has since retired. He has two nearly adult children. So this guy is probably just some guy wearing a jersey of a player he was a fan of, considering he had two under 10s with him. But I'll let my grandma believe what she wants.

Taken from my lunch time location. Any guesses?

That's right, we had a LUNCH RESERVATION! A table service reservation! Grandma and I never do this because we like to use every minute riding rides buuuuut remember how I said we were going to take it easy? So, we had a 2:05 pm lunch reservation and I was absolutely starving since all I'd eaten that day was a protein bar in line at POTC. This was a particularly exciting lunch because my aunt (we're only a few years apart in age so I don't really think of her as my aunt) was in WDW for her 1st anniversary. I wasn't able to make it to her wedding and have actually never met her husband! But that was all going to change, because we were going to have lunch together.

The cavalcade continues as we wait for them to arrive...

It was REALLY BUSY inside, which is not surprising, since all of you WDWMagic'ers/Magicians love this place. And I must say, that love is... deserved.

Yes, I was so hungry that I forgot to take a picture until I had already half eaten my roll. It doesn't get much better in the main course, but at least I did eventually remember.

A little bit of everything except pork. Good thing I had this reservation since Thanksgiving is off the menu this year courtesy of COVID!! The food was delicious (the bowl of Mac and cheese was comically small considering there were 4 of us and we all went for it but I digress). I was really not here for the food, though, I was here for the dessert.

This was so....