Trip Report Whose Trip Is It Anyway?

It's mine. But it wasn't supposed to be.

The vacation to celebrate my <number redacted> birthday with my beloved Woody was supposed to happen at the end of January and included time with @lindawdw, @ajrwdwgirl and a few other forum friends. But a predicted ice storm and a couple other extenuating circumstances caused us to cancel our plans two days prior to departure.

This trip was supposed to be a belated birthday celebration for my mother during winter break for my brother's family. I was going to accompany her and assist with her mobility challenges. The day after we canceled my birthday trip, Mom announced she no longer wanted to go to WDW and insisted Woody take her place since the resort was already paid in full. (She did have several local celebrations on and around her actual birthday.)

Our airline tickets were refunded and since Woody prefers driving from Atlanta we added a couple nights to our trip. No spoilers yet, just a math problem.

Winter break + Presidents' Day + Mardi Gras + Lunar New Year + Snowbirds = A crowd collision of massive proportions

When: February 14-19, 2026
Where: Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Who: Tuvalu and Woody, with family introductions to come

 

[lindawdw]

Monday, con’t

It was time to say our goodbyes to C&N. Woody and I offered to walk out with them. I expected park commandos TEAML to remain but they said they were ready for a break.

We shared a gondola from DHS to the Caribbean Beach station.

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Then we split up - TEAML to AoA, Woody and I to Epcot.

Oh, we planned to relax in our room for a bit - just not yet. There was a VIT (very important treat) that I was craving and the only place it’s available is in Epcot.


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This s’mores-loving gal is thankful that Regal Eagle BBQ incorporated a s’mores dessert on the menu. For its first few years the dessert was a S’mores Brownie.

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While good, it was very dense and very sweet and I was able to share it.

On last November’s trip I discovered the dessert is now a S’mores Bar. Based on my prior S’mores Brownie experience, I ordered only one for Woody and me to share.

It was love at first bite. I did not want to share it, but I did. I told Woody then and there next time I was getting one just for myself.

Today was next time.

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(And though I probably could have eaten both, one was his! )

We browsed the art exhibits from America to the International Gateway before taking the Skyliner back to AoA.

Nice family photos!!! You know how much I love the Regal Smokehouse Smores on a stick and I agree that you HAVE to get one for yourself!!!! It is truly my favorite dessert of all the Disney parks!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, con’t

Our brief respite at AoA was a welcome relief from the crowds. Epcot was every bit as busy as DHS. However we wanted our dinner to be someplace other than Landscape of Flavors, so back to DHS we went. I had lucked into an ADR at one of Woody’s favorite restaurants.

He loves the restaurant’s ambiance though service in recent years is not as impeccable as it once was. Staff is more distracted and casual.

We waited ten minutes past our ADR time and were seated at a tight two-top in the middle of the restaurant. This section tends to be very noisy and tonight’s large party of foreign-language speakers added to the cacophony. Thankfully the group was mostly finished as we were getting started.

These warm rolls have remained unchanged and that is a very good thing!

Woody’s fave is the Cobb Salad. The first time he had it was back in the late 90s when it cost $11. I remember being aghast that a salad cost $11. The Hollywood Brown Derby was a splurge for our family of 5 and Em was the only one able to order from the kids menu. I ordered a chicken quesadilla, an appetizer as my main, to keep costs down. (The quesadilla was delicious and I ordered it again on a future visit!)

The Cobb Salad is now $30. But every bit as good now as it was then, according to Woody.

And in another throwback to our first HBD visit, I ordered two apps as my meal. I wasn’t that hungry and the Cream of Chicken and Asparagus Soup - and Au Gratin Potato - intrigued me. Both were delightfully different and satisfying.

Sadly, service was meh. She would disappear for long stretches at a time and Woody never got his second glass of wine (for which we were not charged, thankfully.)

The food and conversation were the best part of dinner anyway.

 

[lindawdw]

We enjoy the food at the HBD also and the Cobb Salad is a favorite of mine although the service is a crap shoot. I was shocked at the price of the salad in January when we dined there because the lunch menu prices used to always be much less than dinner in years past but sadly that is no more. Your soup looks delicious!

 

[Tuvalu]

We enjoy the food at the HBD also and the Cobb Salad is a favorite of mine although the service is a crap shoot. I was shocked at the price of the salad in January when we dined there because the lunch menu prices used to always be much less than dinner in years past but sadly that is no more. Your soup looks delicious!

Ah yes - those wonderful lunch prices! Not to mention unique offerings that weren’t available at dinner - not just at HBD, but at every TS restaurant. For years we made lunch our main meal on a parks day.

I wish I had taken a picture of the soup before I added the broth. It was quite impressive!

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, con’t

TEAML were also in the park, waiting in the standby line for Rise. (“The boys want the full experience” according to E.) I was surprised M was not interested in Fantasmic. Two years ago it was her absolute favorite cannot miss!

From April 2024:
T’s family had more attractions to accomplish and were planning on Fantasmic at 10 pm.

But middle child M had another idea. “Can I go to Fantasmic with Aunt Tu? I can watch the show two times in a row. Pleeeeeeze??!!”

Two minutes into the show….everything abruptly stopped and the house lights came on.

“Friends, we regret to inform you that due to technical difficulties, this performance of Fantasmic has been canceled.”

M began to cry. I felt like crying too.

Time is a thief. Kids grow up too fast!

I feel like this is the perfect moment to post an updated Tuva Twins pic. They are 2.5 years old.

Proof that girls grow faster than boys!

Woody and I did a night wander after dinner.

We popped into a couple gift stores before exiting. Disney ducks now have their own tee!

I have absolutely no idea what I’d use this mini trash can for, but it’s adorable.

Found a new insulated bottle for Em.


Then we left.

 

[Swissmiss]

Hmm. I wonder if the mini trash can would be good for holding used coffee pods before they are brought to the recycling center

 

[radiorae]

Oh my gosh! That Disney duck tee is perfection. I’m pretty good at resisting Disney merchandise, but the ducks may be my undoing

 

[lindawdw]

Time goes on and children grow up too quickly!!! Fantasmic is not something we do every trip, but I always find the experience emotional whenever we do stay for it! Love your photos of DHS at night.

 

[93boomer]

Monday, con’t

TEAML were also in the park, waiting in the standby line for Rise. (“The boys want the full experience” according to E.) I was surprised M was not interested in Fantasmic. Two years ago it was her absolute favorite cannot miss!

From April 2024:
T’s family had more attractions to accomplish and were planning on Fantasmic at 10 pm.

But middle child M had another idea. “Can I go to Fantasmic with Aunt Tu? I can watch the show two times in a row. Pleeeeeeze??!!”
View attachment 912268
View attachment 912269
Two minutes into the show….everything abruptly stopped and the house lights came on.

“Friends, we regret to inform you that due to technical difficulties, this performance of Fantasmic has been canceled.”

M began to cry. I felt like crying too.

Time is a thief. Kids grow up too fast!

I feel like this is the perfect moment to post an updated Tuva Twins pic. They are 2.5 years old.

View attachment 912271
Proof that girls grow faster than boys!

Woody and I did a night wander after dinner.

View attachment 912248

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We popped into a couple gift stores before exiting. Disney ducks now have their own tee!

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I have absolutely no idea what I’d use this mini trash can for, but it’s adorable.

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Found a new insulated bottle for Em.

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Then we left.

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It seems like just yesterday they were babies!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Hmm. I wonder if the mini trash can would be good for holding used coffee pods before they are brought to the recycling center

Oh my gosh! That Disney duck tee is perfection. I’m pretty good at resisting Disney merchandise, but the ducks may be my undoing

Fantasmic is not something we do every trip, but I always find the experience emotional whenever we do stay for it! Love your photos of DHS at night.

It seems like just yesterday they were babies!!