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!

 

[Tuvalu]

Up next was my favorite.

“Pranking spirits” (not playful spooks) caused our doom buggy to stop near the “no-end” hallway for a couple minutes. The howling wind effect in this area was so loud that it sounded like a roller coaster screeching by!

Before I even saw our ride photo I got a text from Em with the pic and the words, “Swing and a miss!”

She’s cocky about her ability to spot the on-ride camera. I clearly have no clue.

But she doesn’t have a pic of ghost that followed her home!

 

[Tuvalu]

We went for a wild ride @Longers.

 

[Tuvalu]

A calmer train ride followed.

As our train passed Big Thunder Mountain, a man yelled “our train is better!” to guests riding the runaway train.

I promise it wasn’t Woody.

 

[Tuvalu]

I had an “out of the box” idea for lunch.

“I like out of the box ideas,” Woody said.

A quick monorail ride and we enjoyed an al fresco meal of Aloha pork sandwiches and wonton Poly chips.

I made sure to stop by the Tambu Lounge to look at the drink menu. Noticeably missing was its signature (and Em’s fave) Island Sunset. So I inquired of the bartender, “What happened to the Island Sunset?”

“It wasn’t a big seller so we don’t make it anymore.”

I call BS on that.

We also perused Boutiki. We weren’t alone.

Thus far today we’d ridden by bus, train and monorail. We decided to add boat to the mix. Headed to the Poly boat dock. Took a pic of the most recent eyesore added to Seven Seas Lagoon.

The fact that this building is adjacent to my beloved Tuvalu longhouse is salt in the wound.

 

[Tuvalu]

It was a happy boat ride.

Why?

Because while we were onboard, I managed to get this.

 

[Pirate Magic]

Trip #2

Who: Tuvalu and Woody

What: Flower and Garden Getaway

Why: It’s Woody’s favorite Festival

When: Monday, April 24 - Sunday April 30, 2023

Where: Disney’s Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs

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The plan was to leave on Tuesday but Woody requested we leave a day early. Who am I to say no?

As for crowd levels? This (real) pearl of information dropped this morning.

Disney Genie+ drops to its lowest ever price at Walt Disney World

Disney Genie+ drops to its lowest ever price at Walt Disney World

www.wdwmagic.com

Supply and demand, folks.

Yay!!! My favorite Hotel!! We been there twice, it’s our go to Hotel!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Unlike a Guardians VQ, no approximate call back time is given once you have a boarding group. We had no idea how long it would take to go from BG 54 (current status) to BG 102 (ours). We didn’t want to leave the park and miss our window, so we found things to do which had reasonable wait times.

Stayed on for another.

 

[LeighM]

And the bus ride to Epcot was less than 10 minutes!

I've never had a long wait time at CSR for a bus to the parks or DS. The worst wait we ever had was when we had a 45 minute wait at Disney Springs back to Coronado. Is the bus stop pattern still the first stop being in Casitas, then Ranchos, Cabanas, then Destino? Or did they make Destino the first stop now?

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

Our BG was called at 4:09 pm, a little over 3 hours later.

Earlier Woody had asked me, “Does TRON run in the rain?”

Well folks, we can confirm that it does. As our light cycle launched out of the building we were pelted by rain.

A violent thunderstorm had formed during the 30 minutes we were inside the queue. Exiting the attraction we had to fight our way through the crowds attempting to seek shelter under the ride canopy. We popped open our umbrellas and battered through. We had a dining reservation to make.

Where’s our TRON ride photo?

MIA.

 

[Tuvalu]

It was a wet, sloshy journey from Tomorrowland to Liberty Square.

Our umbrellas offered some protection from the sideways rain, but our feet could not avoid the deep puddles.

Wet socks and shoes are the worst.

And sitting in an air-conditioned environment does not help matters.

The good news is that Woody and I discovered another “non-crappy” two-top at Liberty Tree Tavern.

Here in the Betsy Ross room.

Food and service was fantastic. The annoying little boy bothering us (while his parents paid no heed) was not.

 

[Tuvalu]

If not for cold, wet feet and a drop in the outdoor air temperature we might have stayed longer in the Magic Kingdom. And though the rain had stopped, black clouds were in the periphery. We headed for the bus station.

Woody and I were satisfied with the number of attractions we accomplished, all without Genie+. It was a fun day!

Goodnight peeps!

 

[sheriffwoody]

Oh that tower is.... hmm I try not to judge something before it's done, but its just so imposing! Sorry about the tech issues! I feel like I've read about the invalid credentials thing happening often lately.

 

[Laurenciaa]

It was a happy boat ride.

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Why?

Because while we were onboard, I managed to get this.

View attachment 712543

Aah the IT gods have done their work... Hello BG 102 Tron!

 

[Tuvalu]

I've never had a long wait time at CSR for a bus to the parks or DS. The worst wait we ever had was when we had a 45 minute wait at Disney Springs back to Coronado. Is the bus stop pattern still the first stop being in Casitas, then Ranchos, Cabanas, then Destino? Or did they make Destino the first stop now?

Drop off/pick up order:
Station 2 Casitas
Station 3 Ranchos
Station 4 Cabanas
Station 1 Destino

 

[MinnieM123]

The fact that this building is adjacent to my beloved Tuvalu longhouse is salt in the wound.

I realize the structure is only a shell at this point. That said, the height of the building messes up the view there. I miss open spaces in that area.

 

[TheMouseFan]

Noooo, not the Island Sunset! This makes me so sad!! However, last time we ate at 'Ohana, they said they could make me one, but it definitely wasn't the same. I'm loving following along and can't wait to follow along with the rest of your trip! Have fun!!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Noooo, not the Island Sunset! This makes me so sad!! However, last time we ate at 'Ohana, they said they could make me one, but it definitely wasn't the same. I'm loving following along and can't wait to follow along with the rest of your trip! Have fun!!!!

I ate at ‘Ohana in August and had the “original.”

Not happy with this “decision.”

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, April 26

Good morning from Hollywood!

 

[amjt660]

Great day at MK!

Hoping Hollywood is just as good!


Max

 

[Songbird76]

Not our usual breakfast stop.

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The change was for one reason only.

The Tuva Tykes have been begging for these.

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Both girls thought this was the best snack EVER and could not understand why I couldn’t just run to the store to buy more. To hear their sweet voices ask for “more Buc-ees Nug-ees, please!” was the cutest thing. I couldn’t not disappoint them any longer.

But it wasn’t a completely self-sacrificial stop. The brisket and egg tacos made for a darn good morning meal.

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And the least messy Buc-ees food to eat in the car!! (I’m even prepared with utensils and wet wipes, @Songbird76!)

Well done!!