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.

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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!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, February 17

“The world’s longest line” was even longer this morning.

It was likely due to our later arrival. But early entry at Epcot began at 8:30 am (compared to 8 am at DHS) and we appreciated having a little extra time to get ready. We knew we’d be standing in a long line anyway - either for the Skyliner or outside Epcot tapstiles - and we chose Skyliner.

Forty minutes later we were in a short tapstile line (thanks to the Passholder entrance) and were inside the park five minutes prior to the start of early entry.

TEAML headed off to Remy. Woody and I made a left turn to head to a less busy pavilion. We noticed the floral “carpet” for Flower & Garden Festival was completed, though the festival was still two weeks away.

I had purchased LLMP for today because, “It’s your birthday trip and you should buy as many Lightning Lanes as you want,” according to Woody. I did want to see the new audio animatronic faces at Frozen Ever After, so it was an easy sell!

Our destination.

We had a LL for later but since we’d made early entry we decided to go Soarin’. It was a walk on.

We had prime seats in the top row center and “had a nice flight.”

As we were making the lengthy trek from Concourse C back to the lobby, a toddler boy loudly announced, “My knees are already tired from walking!”

I feel ya, kid! And the day is just getting started….

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

Our first LL was for The Farm Ride.

The CM let us in early so that we could “unlock” the LLMP restriction. (There were no guests in line anyway.) I immediately began to search for another LL and was quickly reminded that the more LLMP cost, the less attraction availability there is. (Stupid Presidents week! ) At 9:15 am the earliest return times for other Epcot attractions were in late afternoon, with Test Track, Remy and FEA already gone for the day. So I switched to MK (where some headliners were also gone for the day) and scored a 6 pm LL for Haunted Mansion.

Or so I thought. When I hit Confirm the return time had jumped to 8:40 pm. (Not to be deterred I tried to modify the time several times over the course of the morning without success.) Then I canceled our Soarin’ LL and booked Pirates for 6 pm - which became 8 pm once I hit Confirm.

In frustration I put away my phone and Woody and I walked the empty queue to board our boat. We sat in front and my mood improved.

For Em: Yes, we have no bananas. We have no bananas today…

Hope you feel vindicated, Em!

Fire in the Hole! (Oh wait - wrong theme park.)

The whole attraction felt sparse as there were no special displays we’ve come to expect during festival periods. (Unfortunately I’ve read a few recent complaints that there isn’t much “extra” for the current Flower and Garden fest. I’ll be able to confirm for myself in a few weeks.)

We did get to witness some replanting.

 

[Tuvalu]

As Woody and I left The Land, I texted to inquire the whereabouts of TEAML.

Turns out Remy had gone down while they waited in line. They hung out in the vicinity for awhile and did get to ride it, but it really set back their touring plan. They decided to “just roll with it.”

T and the girls were hanging out in France enjoying breakfast while the boys went to ride SSE. “I might even talk the ladies into seeing the France movie,” T replied.

“The movie might be the Beauty and the Beast Singalong.” I warned.

“It said Impressions of France when we walked by it,” T said before pausing. “Oh crap, it is B&B!”

Woody and I headed for SSE to see if we could catch the boys. We passed several notable items of interest.

A giant gold Genie lamp.

BENCHES!!!

And an apology from The Disney Gardener.

 

[93boomer]

As Woody and I left The Land, I texted to inquire the whereabouts of TEAML.

Turns out Remy had gone down while they waited in line. They hung out in the vicinity for awhile and did get to ride it, but it really set back their touring plan. They decided to “just roll with it.”

View attachment 912481

T and the girls were hanging out in France enjoying breakfast while the boys went to ride SSE. “I might even talk the ladies into seeing the France movie,” T replied.

“The movie might be the Beauty and the Beast Singalong.” I warned.

“It said Impressions of France when we walked by it,” T said before pausing. “Oh crap, it is B&B!”

Woody and I headed for SSE to see if we could catch the boys. We passed several notable items of interest.

A giant gold Genie lamp.

View attachment 912482

BENCHES!!!

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And an apology from The Disney Gardener.

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So sad about the tropical foliage.
Love extra benches.

 

[lindawdw]

Don't get me started on the whole selling of LL's! I also read that LWTL didn't have as many special displays for the F&G Festival as last year but it's still one of my favorite attractions to do at Epcot no matter what! I love Woody's shirt!

 

[Tuvalu]

Don't get me started on the whole selling of LL's! I also read that LWTL didn't have as many special displays for the F&G Festival as last year but it's still one of my favorite attractions to do at Epcot no matter what! I love Woody's shirt!

LWTL is probably our #1 Epcot fave. Woody got many compliments on his new shirt (a replacement for a different LWTL tee that was so faded I threw it away. )

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

When Woody and I arrived at SSE we did not see the boys in the outdoor queue. We did see more tree poles!

We got in line which ended up taking a little longer than the posted 15 minute standby wait. A family in front of us was playing the Head’s Up game, with a teen boy holding the answer across his forehead.

Mom gave the first clue: “It grows on palm trees.”
The teen furrowed his brow in thought as Mom repeated, “It grows on palm trees.”
“Pineapples!” he shouted with excitement.

Stay in school, son.

As we boarded our time travel vehicle, I wondered how many stops we were in for today.

Surprisingly it was just one, here:

The omnimover did travel more slowly than usual which I didn’t mind at all, as it is better than stopping every few feet!

Paging @radiorae. Here’s where I need your help - or shall I say your eagle eye? I’m counting on you!

(This feels like it should be an easy one but I haven’t a clue!)

Most of you are probably familiar with the Headless Horseman.

But I betcha you’re not familiar with the Headless Tuvalu!

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

Woody and I decided to ride Test Track as Single Riders as we waited for an update from TEAML.

It took twenty minutes after entering the building to get to the load zone. Woody and I made sure this time to clarify where we would meet each other after riding!

My ride photo came through. Woody’s did not. Clearly I still have no idea where the camera is. I can confirm I was looking straight ahead as my car sped out of the building, so the camera must be before that point.

T texted to say they were almost to Test Track. I told him we would meet them at the entrance and ride again as single riders with his family.

This time our wait was closer to thirty minutes but we were chatting and the time passed quickly.

E was first to be assigned a row.

M and I were next and got to sit together.

Youngest L and Woody were by themselves in different cars. Woody said his car had no audio spiel - all they heard was crickets (literally!) chirping in the woods area. He said he felt bad for anyone in his car who had not previously ridden this new version, as they would have had no idea what was going on!

A (front) and T (back) were in the same car and the only ones whose ride photo appeared in MDE.

T was panicked that he would lose his glasses, despite several of my assurances that he would not. At least A listened to me!

TEAML loved Test Track and the kids wanted to go again, but E wanted to hit some food booths and suggested saving a second ride for later.

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

We parted ways with TEAML as it was approaching our LL window for Frozen Ever After. We stopped to admire the central FARTS display, as it is a favorite of mine. I love how the paint tubes are squirting out flowers of the same color as the tubes!

I asked Woody if he minded popping into Mexico to experience a south of the border boat ride before our north of the border boat ride.

What do you think his answer was?

We got the front row.

The end of the LL for FEA was outside the attraction! But the end of the standby line for FEA was outside of Norway! It was a couple hour wait if I recall.

The ride is cute - and the new faces are a 100% improvement - but sacrificing two hours for a five minute ride is not my jam (and why I bought LLMP.)

What happened to Elsa’s right arm??!!

At least the finale wasn’t horrifying!

Although the ride photo might be.

As we were leaving I remembered I could make another LL now that we’d used the Frozen one. I booked Small World for 7 pm.

 

[NomadLounger]

I’ve always thought the Test Track photo was out on the track, based on the way my hair looks if I don’t have it pulled back! There’s a point with a flash of light, so I just assumed that was it. Looks like everyone is having fun!