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

 

[NomadLounger]

I wish our dates had overlapped, but you were headed home by the time my flight landed. Enjoy your upcoming visit - I hope the crowds aren’t too overwhelming!

 

[Swissmiss]

Oh, I would definitely get the Old Timer’s breakfast - except I would order over easy eggs.

Thanks for sharing your trip; can’t wait for the next one (which I think is soonish )

 

[MinnieM123]

Tu, this was great fun reading, as usual. And -- just 2 more days until your next adventure!!!

 

[93boomer]

Thursday, con’t

Kel and I share a mutual fondness for Haunted Mansion. She said it was a must-do and did not care how long the wait was.

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How long was it? Couldn’t tell ya. We were catching up with life. I do remember the CM at the merge point trying to get the consolidation of standby and LL guests to move forward by yelling, “If you see dead space, it’s your space!”

Woody told me and Kel to ride together which was either brilliant or a mistake depending on point of view. Riding by himself, Woody got to appreciate the attraction distraction-free.

Kel and I were in the graveyard scene before it occurred to me that I had no memory of the ride photo flash. Wanting a picture of us together in our doom buggy, I attempted this at the end of the ride. Phineas had hitched himself to the top of our doom buggy, but in typical ghost fashion he disappeared the moment I clicked.

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Did we get the official HM ride photo?

Oh yes.

What happens when the entire tour is spent chick chatting and you fail to notice all the cool stuff around you, which is the reason you wanted to do Haunted Mansion in the first place?

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I rest my case.

I this picture!!

 

[93boomer]

Thursday, con’t

Woody had a hard stop on the time to leave MK so we wouldn’t get trapped by the parade. Kel was very understanding and she was ready to head out - but not before a ride on the Peoplemover.

“I missed out when you guys were on it this morning!” she said. For a half second I was tempted to give Woody puppy dog eyes, hoping we could join her for one final spin.

But I quickly remembered that he was the one driving us to GA and he didn’t want to arrive at the hotel after dark.

We gave Kel goodbye hugs instead.

Woody and I popped into the Confectionery to pick up some sweet treats for loved ones and beat FoF’s arrival through Town Square.

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Ferry had served us well this morning so it was the obvious choice for returning to the parking lot.

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#ShirleyStatus

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My phone buzzed with a text from Kel. In that moment I was really glad I had not given into temptation to go on Peoplemover with her.

Kel was stuck on the Peoplemover inside Space Mountain!

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At first she thought the experience was really cool. She had never seen Space Mountain with the lights on. But the novelty soon wore off. I can’t remember how long she was delayed, but there was no evacuation.

Meanwhile this was our view -

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Traffic flowed freely during our journey north and we were checking in at dusk. (No getting bumped to another hotel! )

We grabbed a quick dinner at Chick-fil-A and watched more Olympic competitions before sleep overtook us.

Rather than partake of the hotel’s free breakfast in the lobby, Woody and I went to @Nunu favorite - Cracker Barrel - before getting on the interstate towards home.

And what a delicious deal we got!

Woody and I typically order the Old Timer’s breakfast (now before the snark starts, we’ve been eating the Old Timer’s since we were in our 30s!) Two eggs any style, bacon or sausage, hash brown casserole or grits and toast or biscuits and gravy.

Woody ordered his, I ordered mine and our server said, “Do you want me to make it the special? You get free cinnamon buns with the special.”

Warm, soft, gooey, yummy. We got a to-go box for the leftovers.

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My plate. Woody’s is on the other side of the skillet.

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What would you pay for all that food?

We paid $20! (Not including tax, tip or coffee) After a week at Disney, our breakfast was a steal! (And before anyone asks, it was not a Senior deal. The Old Timers 2 for $20 -with free cinnamon buns - is available to all.)

I was so full that the movement of the car could have lulled me into a nap. But I stayed awake to keep Woody company during the 3.5 hour trip home.

Thanks for following y’all!
See ya real soon.

Great trip!!! Thanks for sharing. Waiting for the next one soon.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

Tu: We loved Cracker Barrell too. However, up here in the North country there aren't any in sight, lol. We've enjoyed that breakfast many times....3 and 1/2 hours drive home sounds great! to me. Our drive would be 2 1/2 days, so that's why we fly. Enjoyed your trip report once again - Thank you!

 

[Wicked Sisters]

Thanks for such a fab report and cannot believe it’s not long now for the next one. You are so lucky.