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]

Well you were prepared, hence no mess! Murphys Law. Have a safe trip and enjoy your time with Woody!

 

[Tuvalu]

Palm trees, @Darstarr.

We must be in Florida.

 

[rshell68]

 

[Darstarr]

Palm trees, @Darstarr.

 

[joshsprincess921]

I'm excited to follow along for your stay at Gran Destino. I will be staying there in August! YAY!

Have a great time!

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

I just want to go on the record that it’s a little unfair that you get to be in WDW for both your birthday and mine this year.

 

[Darstarr]

I just want to go on the record that it’s a little unfair that you get to be in WDW for both your birthday and mine this year.

Happy Birthday!

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Happy Birthday!

Thanks! It’s at the end of the week. I’m not a big birthday person but I would certainly rather spend one in WDW than at home.

 

[LadyBelle]

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Turning on Bluetooth in the app is supposed to work for securing ride photos. Mine is, but I also use my newest MB as back-up. So I can’t really confirm if Bluetooth works…..

More often than not, I end up with too many photos. Like I'll get myself, my family, and then a bunch of random people who have nothing to do with me.

 

[Wicked Sisters]

Look for me!


I hope your recovery goes very well!

Thank you so much

 

[amjt660]

Looking forward to following along


Max

 

[Tuvalu]

Well you were prepared, hence no mess! Murphys Law. Have a safe trip and enjoy your time with Woody!

I'm excited to follow along for your stay at Gran Destino. I will be staying there in August! YAY!

Have a great time!

I’ll take pics for ya!

I just want to go on the record that it’s a little unfair that you get to be in WDW for both your birthday and mine this year.

More often than not, I end up with too many photos. Like I'll get myself, my family, and then a bunch of random people who have nothing to do with me.

Looking forward to following along


Max

 

[wdwfamilynh]

Enjoy

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, con’t

@Tiggertoo56 I’m happy to report we made remarkable time on our journey - about 7 hours and 15 minutes! Perhaps we should always travel on a Monday.

I’d done online check in but never received a room text. We were just getting out of the car in the parking lot when I received the notification our room was ready. I can’t help but wonder if our security check with the guard at the gate “triggered” the notification. It seemed too coincidental.

These pics are for @joshsprincess921 and @LeighM.

Lobby area.

The hallways are colorful. And long!

Room pics for you too, @Nunu!

When Woody and I stayed here for the first time, we declared Gran Destino a “Deluxe Lite” resort. Though priced as a moderate, the room size and amenities are more akin to deluxe. Our opinion has not changed.

Gran Destino has rooms on floors 3 to 14. I had requested “high floor.” Last visit we were on floor 9 and I was hoping for that or higher.

Someone must have typed “low floor” instead. Our room is on the 4th floor.

Oh well. The view is still pretty nice.

 

[mpaulam]

A gorgeous view!!

 

[93boomer]

Monday, con’t

@Tiggertoo56 I’m happy to report we made remarkable time on our journey - about 7 hours and 15 minutes! Perhaps we should always travel on a Monday.

I’d done online check in but never received a room text. We were just getting out of the car in the parking lot when I received the notification our room was ready. I can’t help but wonder if our security check with the guard at the gate “triggered” the notification. It seemed too coincidental.

These pics are for @joshsprincess921 and @LeighM.

Lobby area.

View attachment 712291

View attachment 712292

The hallways are colorful. And long!

View attachment 712293

Room pics for you too, @Nunu!

View attachment 712294

View attachment 712295

View attachment 712296

When Woody and I stayed here for the first time, we declared Gran Destino a “Deluxe Lite” resort. Though priced as a moderate, the room size and amenities are more akin to deluxe. Our opinion has not changed.

Gran Destino has rooms on floors 3 to 14. I had requested “high floor.” Last visit we were on floor 9 and I was hoping for that or higher.

Someone must have typed “low floor” instead. Our room is on the 4th floor.

Oh well. The view is still pretty nice.

View attachment 712297

View attachment 712298

I miss this resort! It's just so pretty! Maybe next year.☺

 

[Tuvalu]

After a quick unpack we went to the bus stop.

Another pic for @joshsprincess921. Lots of resort activities here!

The Epcot bus arrived within five minutes.

 

[Tuvalu]

The sky did not look promising. It began to rain before we even made it to Spaceship Earth.

We popped open our umbrellas and continued to Guardians of the Galaxy. Our BG had been called three hours earlier. As we scanned in, the reader flashed blue but the CM quickly overrode the setting to green.

The virtual queue line was long.

Woody’s watch kept a running timeline for us. Thirty minutes to the first preshow, 42 minutes to the load zone and 52 minutes until Woody rejoined me at the top of the exit stairs where I was waiting for him.

His song? I Ran.

His ride photo? MIA.

Those of you who have seen the preshow may recall Terry Crews trying to figure out what to call us earth people - “People of Epcot”? “Epcotians”? He becomes frustrated and blurts, “Does anyone know what they call themselves?!”

At this moment a young boy in the room with us innocently shouts, “Humans!”

It was adorable.

 

[Tuvalu]

While in line at Guardians I booked us a dinner reservation. We hadn’t eaten since breakfast and were hungry!

We maneuvered through the sprinkles to World Showcase.

Passed by your flower garden, @Songbird76.

Look, Ma! We can see America again!

We had a little time to kill so visited Donald and his chums.