Trip Report The Story Comes ALIVE! *COMPLETED*

Hello again, my friends.

For nearly a decade it has been such a joy for me to write about 50 (yes, 50!) different trips that I have taken to WDW - including one that was virtual.

The reason? You, the reader.

I don’t do trip reports for my own documentation. I have journals for that. I write because I love interacting with y’all. Your encouragement, humor, curiosity and even snark (*ahem* @amjt660) assure me that I am not alone in my crazy affection for Disney parks. A big thanks to each of you!

I am very fortunate to be a frequent visitor to WDW (despite what @Mr Ferret 88 believes, I do not live there!) and am entering a season of monthly visits. Trip reporting is time consuming (as those of you who’ve written can attest) but I’m not ready to completely give it up - yet.

What I’d like to do is keep this as an ongoing TR for the rest of 2023. It will be highlights and moments, with live posting as the goal. My story coming alive, so to speak.

First up is spring break with my favorite girl.

Followed closely by a getaway with my favorite guy.

There will be Magician meets. New experiences. And (as always) the unexpected.

I hope you’ll join the fun!

 

[littleroo]

We are driving down this trip. I may have to give Buccees a try! Definitely looking forward to this one!

 

[Tuvalu]

Former Publix employee surprised to see it as the sponsor of the FL Welcome Center.

 

[Tuvalu]

We made it. And room not ready.

 

[Wicked Sisters]

Ready to hear about another fun packed adventure.

 

[Tuvalu]

We are hungry. Em did not find anything at Capt. Cooks that sounded appealing, so we hopped on the monorail.

We shared the “gourmet” grilled cheese and tomato soup at Gasparilla’s. It hit the spot.

As we were finishing we got the room text. Back to Poly to unload the car!

 

[Darstarr]

Waiting….

 

[Tuvalu]

There is one of those Mickey-themed “Echo” smart devices in the room.

Em promptly unplugged it.

View

 

[Tuvalu]

Waiting….
View attachment 719182

Patience, my dear!

 

[lindawdw]

I feel a magician meet-up is happening today at Epcot!

 

[93boomer]

Let’s go!!

 

[Tuvalu]

 

[Tuvalu]

I feel a magician meet-up is happening today at Epcot!

So fun to spend time with some “gold” Magicians - @Darstarr and @Nunu!

 

[Tuvalu]

Em scored us a last minute dinner at La Hacienda. We were seated in a small private room which was quiet and relaxing.

As luck would have it, my fave server from my previous two visits waited on us.

I started with a mango smoothie again. It was as delicious as I remembered.

Em had a margarita which rivaled her favorite Mama Melrose marg. We devoured the warm chips with guac and queso.

And we shared the Alambre de Res.

It was another magical meal at La Hacienda.

 

[Tuvalu]

We enjoyed a visit with Donald, Panchito and José.

And a visit with my friend J and her family.

 

[Tuvalu]

Our early wake-up had us running low on fumes. As we headed out of Epcot we noticed there was no line for Spaceship Earth. Em suggested a pop in.

A blurry “Boots” for @tonystark.

Once again I am a zombie in the future. This did not sit well with Em, as you can tell by the befuddled expression on her face.

She did not get to ride Guardians today. My app glitched at 7am and thought we had MK park passes. The same thing happened to @Darstarr and @Loco_driver! @Darstarr successfully obtained a boarding group at the 1 pm drop. I don’t know whether @Loco_driver did or not.

We hadn’t tapped into the park in time to secure a group during the 1 pm drop. And here is my rant - if you have a park pass for Epcot, you should be allowed to try for both the 7 am and 1 pm virtual queue drops, regardless of having “tapped in.”

(And park hopping should be allowed at 11 am like it is at Disneyland. Or better yet, have no time restriction!)

 

[littleroo]

Em's expression is cracking me up!!! I love the meet up pictures!

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, May 29

Good morning from Hollywood!

 

[93boomer]

Monday, May 29

View attachment 719325

Good morning from Hollywood!

View attachment 719326

Good morning gals!! Have fun today!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Em can’t remember the last time she rode Rock ‘N Rollercoaster.

Time to refresh her memory.

The left side of Sunset Blvd is for RnR riders.

The right is for ToT riders.

RnR is more popular this morning because it just reopened after a lengthy refurb. But ToT guests were allowed to move towards the actual queue before RnR guests.

It was only a minute or two until our line moved.

Em called it “the most polite rope drop ever.”

 

[Tuvalu]

Why did Tuvalu accompany Em into the attraction, since she does not ride in the limo?

To see the preshow, of course!

Tuvalu is a loser.

C’mon! This ride just got a refurbishment. How can the preshow be broken?

It likely isn’t. Sometimes at rope drop preshows don’t operate in order to get the first guests of the day onto the ride more quickly.

I’d forgotten this.

But I did get to see the cool load area.

The seat next to Em’s was empty. I was with her in spirit.

Another spirit must have stolen her ride photo.

So I took this one instead.

RnR was as fun as she remembered!