Trip Report Tu in ‘25

Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Tu in ‘25

These lyrics came to mind when I thought about my trip reporting. (I also thought, Here we go AGAIN but the above sounds much more poignant.) It’s now that time of year when my Disney trips are frequent. And this Disney Senior loves sharing her visits with y’all because your engagement makes it fun!

Yes, there will be stuff that’s the same. Yes, there will be surprises (too soon for the reveals). And yes, there will be sun rises!

Spring break countdown is at 4 days.

Since this intro needs a picture, here are Tu.

 

[lindawdw]

We were so happy to experience this show for the first time with you and Em! The new version is so much fun to watch.

 

[Captain Barbossa]

To add to the stanchion speak, it also means some type of frame to hold a dairy cow’s head during the milking process………………..but I thought it was a plant/flower.

Guess I too ate the chips….



….and maybe sniffed the thinner

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

We waited about a half hour to experience the Haunted Mansion. But when you’re chick chatting, time flies!

The butler cut us off before we could enter inside. For the record, Kel’s scared face and “I’m gonna sneeze” face are one and the same.

Em and Kel shared a doom buggy and I was solo behind them. They got their ride photo. Playful spooks took mine.

Em wins the “nailed it!” award.

If I recall, our doom buggies stopped very briefly a couple times but nothing out of the ordinary. The second time was near the end and I opened the app to check wait times.

And saw this -

Again??!! We were on an attraction that was “temporarily closed” AGAIN??!!

Sure enough, we noticed the queue had been dumped while we were on our tour.

We had lucked out! With Pirates too - glad that we rode it before lunch!

 

[Tuvalu]

We’re about to go Unda the Sea.

At least I think so. Scuttle had flown the coop.

Found him!

After waiting in a very long line - which included the little round room (IYKYK) - the CM had the audacity to insist the three of us grown ladies share a clamshell!

However I was in the perfect spot to capture the Woody waves.

(Kel didn’t know about the Woody wave. It was an instinct!)

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Stop breaking the rides!

Right around this time was when I reeeaally thought I was going to make it up. I checked rooms & transportation every day, vs. how much Record Store Day prep got done.

If I booked on Tuesday to come up on Wednesday, I could spend 3 hours on the train each way doing the exact same work I’d be doing at home. Expert #rationalization. But I couldn’t tell my team. After a long day, I went to book it - was going to take All Star Sports for $112 and overpay a bit for Brightline.

As I searched Brightline fares, the clock struck midnight, and I was not “in process” on the WDW site, so I lost my price and would have had to pay rack rate. I took that as a sign…but not before considering just taking the train up and back the same day! Ultimately, that would have left with 2-3 hours at WDW, and as much as I would have loved to hang with the gals, I had to be…ya know…responsible.

I am still trying to book a trip!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Stop breaking the rides!

Right around this time was when I reeeaally thought I was going to make it up. I checked rooms & transportation every day, vs. how much Record Store Day prep got done.

If I booked on Tuesday to come up on Wednesday, I could spend 3 hours on the train each way doing the exact same work I’d be doing at home. Expert #rationalization. But I couldn’t tell my team. After a long day, I went to book it - was going to take All Star Sports for $112 and overpay a bit for Brightline.

As I searched Brightline fares, the clock struck midnight, and I was not “in process” on the WDW site, so I lost my price and would have had to pay rack rate. I took that as a sign…but not before considering just taking the train up and back the same day! Ultimately, that would have left with 2-3 hours at WDW, and as much as I would have loved to hang with the gals, I had to be…ya know…responsible.

I am still trying to book a trip!!

Hope Record Store Day was a huge success!

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

“You know what I really want to do?” Kel said. “Ride the train!”

Em and I gave her a pass for not using the correct terminology of MPB.

The Fantasyland Station was full to the brim when we joined the line. A cast member warned us we would not make the train currently loading on the platform.

Stop breaking the rides!

Ok, this time it wasn’t our fault. We were not aboard the MPB when, a few minutes after loading, the conductor announced there was a mechanical issue and everyone needed to get off the train. The train had to return to the roundhouse. He said this would leave only one train operating and there would be delays between stops.

Everyone aboard disembarked and left via the exit. Most people waiting ahead of us in the queue also exited.

We stayed and moved forward.

The conductor told those of us who stayed that the train was going to move backwards to the roundhouse. I have a cool video of backwards train, but I don’t feel like learning how to upload it, so you’ll have to settle for a pic of Kelly waving goodbye to the broken MPB.

Waving is definitely an instinct for her!

Thanks to time-stamped pictures, we were onboard the remaining MPB just three minutes later!

We took the grand circle tour, and caught some of the refurb of BTMRR.

 

[Tuvalu]

What does one ride after the MPB?

Why the MPB 2.0 of course!

And how many times does one ride it?

Why two, of course!

 

[Tuvalu]

With Carousel of Progress being right there according to Kel, she insisted we see this classic.

It’s been well over a year and this theater still has the old worn-out seats? Shame on you, Disney!

Seat discomfort not withstanding, Kel and I had a rollicking time singing There’s A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow between each scene change.

I’m sure Em was wishing she sat somewhere else.

 

[littleroo]

You would think that it would be a rather easy, quick, cheap fix that would make a huge difference to COP! It is such a great ride to enjoy AC and relax. Truly a classic!!

 

[Minnie1986]

I too, debated for a LONG time on this day about a jacket. Like you, I left the room initially without one. Problem was, I didn’t decide I definitely needed one until I had already arrived at AK. So….

View attachment 854657

A new one it is!

A new Disney sweatshirt is always a good idea!

 

[Minnie1986]

What does one ride after the MPB?

Why the MPB 2.0 of course!

View attachment 854802

And how many times does one ride it?

View attachment 854803

Why two, of course!

Something about the People Mover just hits the spot. When I took my godson in '17, we also did consecutive rides; and we still talk about how relaxed and happy we were.

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

We had kept an eye on the wait time for TRON throughout the day but it was always 75 minutes or more - and that is much too long to wait in that annoying queue (even with chick chatting!)

So we left Tomorrowland and headed back into Fantasyland to hit two attractions we'd missed earlier. First up -

The line was held up for a bit so Kel hung out with her mini-me.

Once movement began it was a quick 15 minutes and we were in our boat.

Kelly the waver in action again.

(She was waving to those dining in Pinocchio's Village Haus.)

When Woody and I cruised into Mexico on IASW two months ago, it was very dark.

I am happy to report the end of the lunar eclipse. The sun shines brightly again!

Another out-of-the ordinary pic from February -

I forgot to document the return of the turntable dolls!

 

[Tuvalu]

Second up -

Kel thought she had seen Philharmagic on another trip. She walked into the attraction with authority!

The lobby was very crowded as we’d arrived only a couple minutes before the theater doors opened. It was a full-house show!

Of all the seats in the theater, mine happened to be behind this guy.

It doesn’t matter what gender you are, if you are wearing Mickey ears PLEASE remove them during a show. To leave them on is rude as it blocks the view of those seated behind you. My picture is proof!

When it was over Kel announced: “I have NOT seen this before! That was wonderful! I don’t know why I think I did.”
< senior brain snark redacted>

 

[Tuvalu]

Kel needed to be home by a certain time so our adventures in the MK had come to an end. We had done 12 attractions without using Lightning Lane! I’m sure 12 attractions was a single-day spring break record for me and Em!

We took a final selfie to commemorate chick chat day.

Kel suggested we grab a quick bite to eat before she headed home. “Why don’t I go back to Wilderness Lodge with you guys and we can eat there?”

Em and I glanced at each other. Both dinners thus far had been at WL. We were ready for a change.

“I have a better idea,” I said. “Let’s take the monorail to the Contemporary and eat in the café there. Then you can hop back on the monorail to the TTC.”

“Oooh, a monorail ride!” Kel said excitedly. “I rode the ferry this morning. This will be perfect!”

It is SO FUN to hang out with a person who finds positivity in all situations!

We had a table with a view at Contempo Café.

Em didn’t have much of an appetite today and asked if we could share the hot turkey sandwich.

You don’t have to ask me twice!

Our delicious sandwich arrived before Kel’s meatball sub, so I did not get a picture of the sub Kel declared “amazing” and was so big that she took an ample portion home with her.

We said our goodbyes upon leaving the café, Kel headed up to board the monorail and Em and I headed down for the blue launch.

 

[lindawdw]

I'm glad that you stuck around and didn't have a long wait for the MPB.2! I wish BTMRR wasn't going to be closed for so long as it's one of my favorites at MK. It looks like you had a fabulous day with Kelly!

 

[Tuvalu]

I wish BTMRR wasn't going to be closed for so long as it's one of my favorites at MK. It looks like you had a fabulous day with Kelly!

I agree about the lengthy closure for BTMRR. Another YEAR?!!

 

[Swissmiss]

I agree about the lengthy closure for BTMRR. Another YEAR?!!

Come on over; ours will be reopening soon (just sayin’). And it is AWESOME

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

I cannot emphasize enough about how happy I am that the blue launch has returned after its long pandemic closure. Em and I made good use of it this trip.

See all those lovely cranes in the distance? I hope the new DVC building is worth the eyesore on the lake.

Em and I relaxed on our balcony after our busy day. And then listened to the HEA soundtrack for the 3rd night in a row.

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, April 9

It was wonderful to see the sun this morning after yesterday’s rain.

We couldn’t have asked for better weather this day. Lots of sunshine, no humidity and a slight breeze made our (record breaking?) 5 hours at Animal Kingdom simply delightful!

Early entry began at 7:30 am but we had no plans to be among the first in the park. We left our room at 7:50 for the projected bus arrival of 8:06. The bus actually arrived at 7:58 and departed for AK at 8:03! Another early bus arrival, @Minnie1986!

This is where we went first.

Not Flight of Passage. I can’t ride without motion sickness and Em had no interest in waiting an hour for it. Instead we went to Na’vi River Journey, which had a 10 minute wait!

I was shocked the wait was so low, considering the park had been open for an hour for resort guests. But soon we would learn why. CMs insisted on 4 guests in each row, which was an awkward and uncomfortably tight squeeze with strangers! And the boats were being dispatched as quickly as possible - making our journey along the river feel like we were stuck in the last room of IASW.

To top it off, the Shaman was in B-Mode….on screen instead of an immersive AA. (Look closely or you’ll miss it!)