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

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

Woody and I parted ways with TEAML after Guardians. We didn’t feel like backtracking through World Showcase to take the Skyliner to AoA so we rode the monorail to MK and transferred to the bus.

We rested for about an hour. During that time I decided I did not want to make the trek back to MK to face the multitudes, despite having those 3 LLs (IASW, Pirates and HM) I’d worked to book earlier. Dinner at a QS was sure to be mobbed, and there would be huge Starlight and HEA crowds to contend with. Woody reminded me that we hadn’t “lost value” in purchasing LLMP because we did use 2 of our 3 prebooked, the important one being FEA. We were just giving up the extras. (Per Disney, the average guest with LLMP uses it for 3 attractions.)

Instead we took advantage of the convenience and proximity to DHS. I got to enjoy my favorite chicken sandwich at ABC Commissary in a quiet restaurant less than half full.

We got to be people-watching spies as we ate.

We did another night wander before boarding the Skyliner home. I was craving soft serve and learned we’d need to go to Everything POP because it wasn’t available at Landscape of Flavors.

The ice cream station suffered a computer crash when we were next in line so our wait was longer than expected. We both ordered chocolate caramel sundaes. Had we known how LARGE they would be, we would have shared one. Woody suspects our sundaes were generously sized because two CMs repeatedly apologized to us for the delay.

This hit the spot! (And I felt no guilt in throwing a good bit of it away.)

We capped off another great day by watching the winter Olympics.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

What happened to Elsa’s right arm??!!

View attachment 912565

She let it go.

 

[KMP]

We rested for about an hour. During that time I decided I did not want to make the trek back to MK to face the multitudes, despite having those 3 LLs (IASW, Pirates and HM) I’d worked to book earlier. Dinner at a QS was sure to be mobbed, and there would be huge Starlight and HEA crowds to contend with. Woody reminded me that we hadn’t “lost value” in purchasing LLMP because we did use 2 of our 3 prebooked, the important one being FEA. We were just giving up the extras. (Per Disney, the average guest with LLMP uses it for 3 attractions.)

On my January trip, we used a LL for Star Tours even though it was a walk on. I think it was our 5th or 6th LL of the day. A man walking through the standby queue tells his travel companion, loudly: "why would they waste that on this ride? You ONLY get three!" I chuckled with my friends and did not correct him.
All of that to say I believe Disney's math on the average guest!

 

[lindawdw]

I think you made the right move by going back to AOA and enjoying a quiet, relaxing dinner at DHS! The crowds at Disney can feel overwhelming at times and a quiet respite is sometimes needed! I love that you treated yourself to an ice cream sundae although the Regal Smokehouse Smores Pop would have been even better!

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, February 18

We had good luck this trip with buses being at the gate and this morning was no exception. Woody and I were headed to MK by ourselves since it was TEAML’s day off from the parks. The break was a mandate from E since the family typically runs itself ragged from commando touring every day of vacation. “I finally said, enough!” E shared with me.

It was standing room only when we boarded at 7 am. There were a ton of early arrivers at the entrance and Town Square/Main Street were not as barren as I expected shortly after dawn.

We ought to get one ride in before general opening at 8!

Half and half castle, anyone?

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

Tuesday, con’t

Woody and I parted ways with TEAML after Guardians. We didn’t feel like backtracking through World Showcase to take the Skyliner to AoA so we rode the monorail to MK and transferred to the bus.

We rested for about an hour. During that time I decided I did not want to make the trek back to MK to face the multitudes, despite having those 3 LLs (IASW, Pirates and HM) I’d worked to book earlier. Dinner at a QS was sure to be mobbed, and there would be huge Starlight and HEA crowds to contend with. Woody reminded me that we hadn’t “lost value” in purchasing LLMP because we did use 2 of our 3 prebooked, the important one being FEA. We were just giving up the extras. (Per Disney, the average guest with LLMP uses it for 3 attractions.)

Instead we took advantage of the convenience and proximity to DHS. I got to enjoy my favorite chicken sandwich at ABC Commissary in a quiet restaurant less than half full.

View attachment 912970

View attachment 912971

We got to be people-watching spies as we ate.

View attachment 912972

We did another night wander before boarding the Skyliner home. I was craving soft serve and learned we’d need to go to Everything POP because it wasn’t available at Landscape of Flavors.

View attachment 912974

The ice cream station suffered a computer crash when we were next in line so our wait was longer than expected. We both ordered chocolate caramel sundaes. Had we known how LARGE they would be, we would have shared one. Woody suspects our sundaes were generously sized because two CMs repeatedly apologized to us for the delay.

View attachment 912973

This hit the spot! (And I felt no guilt in throwing a good bit of it away.)

We capped off another great day by watching the winter Olympics.

We always got good food at the ABC Commisary over the years. Loving your TR

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

Woody had convinced me to purchase LLMP for today since, “It’s your birthday and MK is your favorite park.” It ended up being valuable, but not in the way I expected. More on that as we go on.

We did complete one attraction during early entry.

Arty Pooh.

We waited less than 10 minutes. Because the line was so short I switched our LL for Pooh to another attraction.

This wasn’t it. (Better-looking scrim than we saw three days ago!)

See the couple in the LL entrance? They were befuddled because the tapstile flashed blue instead of green.

“But we have a Lightning Lane for 8-9!” the man protested to the CM, who asked to see his MDE screen.

“Your window starts at 8 pm,” the CM said. (PSA: It’s important to pay attention to the time when booking LLs. )

I don’t know if the couple left, but if they were smart they would have immediately moved to the standby queue and walked right into the entry hall, as Woody and I did.

That was supposed to be a thumbs up, but at the last moment I attempted a #1, indicating it was our first ride through the Mansion.

Brown grass from the freeze seemed appropriate in the Pet Cemetery.

Because the line was still short, I told Woody I wanted to go again. I then modified our HM LL to something else.

Playful spooks stopped our doom buggy three times on this journey.

Here:

Here:

And here:

I was thisclose to nailing ride #2.

 

[Zipadeelady]

View attachment 913221

That was supposed to be a thumbs up, but at the last moment I attempted a #1, indicating it was our first ride through the Mansion.

It's giving more of this type of vibe.

 

[Captain Barbossa]

That was supposed to be a thumbs up, but at the last moment I attempted a #1

Had to do a double take…………quick, first glance had me thinking, “Why is Tu expressing her love for Aves?”

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

With a quick glance I thought you were flipping the bird.

 

[riverside]

View attachment 913316

With a quick glance I thought you were flipping the bird.

I must say that I totally agree!!

 

[Tuvalu]

It's giving more of this type of vibe.

Had to do a double take…………quick, first glance had me thinking, “Why is Tu expressing her love for Aves?”

With a quick glance I thought you were flipping the bird.

I must say that I totally agree!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

We had some time before our first LL so we went to use the restrooms that straddle Liberty Square and Adventureland.

Then decided to see the redhead (oh that’s right, she goes by Redd now.)

The park had been open less than an hour and Pirates was already using the entire queue.

However we could have escaped had we wanted to.

Yo ho, here we go!

Still no clue where the camera is. At least I was smiling.

 

[lindawdw]

"We want the Redhead"! I will always hear that in my head when riding Pirates! Looks like you had a fun filled morning so far at MK!

 

[pkkurz]

Wednesday, con’t

We had some time before our first LL so we went to use the restrooms that straddle Liberty Square and Adventureland.

View attachment 913339

Then decided to see the redhead (oh that’s right, she goes by Redd now.)

View attachment 913340

The park had been open less than an hour and Pirates was already using the entire queue.

View attachment 913341

However we could have escaped had we wanted to.

View attachment 913342

Yo ho, here we go!

View attachment 913343

Still no clue where the camera is. At least I was smiling.

View attachment 913344

It’s right before the drop. Watch for the lightning flash.

 

[k8einwdw]

That was supposed to be a thumbs up, but at the last moment I attempted a #1, indicating it was our first ride through the Mansion.

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

As we exited Pirates I noticed a mother wearing a Pirate-themed tee: I Run a Tight Shipwreck.

Her runamuck children confirmed she does.

Woody and I headed for Fantasyland via the non-Riverwalk.

I guess it is a good thing that we cannot see what is no longer there thanks to the giant wood wall.

Heartbreak spared.

Due to my LLMP modifications earlier we had three consecutive LLs. Up first was a pre-booked original.

Speed in the Lightning Lane did not live up to its name. Still better than standby, however.
(Lesson remembered from Sunday’s experience with TEAML.)

London calling.

The tribe has spoken.

 

[Tuvalu]

We immediately bounced over here.

Hang ten!

LL#3 was around the corner. It’s been awhile since we were on this side of the waterfall.

Y’all I love to sing along on Disney attractions. I’m sure I’m not the only one. I do my best not to disturb others around me and the soundtracks are typically much louder than I sing.

Woody and I had just passed through the “Unda the Sea” room (where I did a little seat dancing in addition to singing) and were in Ursula’s cave, where I began to sing along as she cast her spell.

Beluga sevruga
Come winds of the Caspian Sea…

Except the moment Ursula sang, Beluga sevruga everything in the attraction came to a sudden halt - including the soundtrack.

However Tu’s voice did not. She loudly continued, Come Winds of the Caspian Sea! breaking the (dead) silence around us.

I was mortified.

Then I did what any normal human being would have done. I began to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Thankfully, before everyone else could hear my yuck-fest, the ride restarted as suddenly as it had stopped.

Did Woody wave? Honestly I can’t tell you. I was still laughing in my embarrassment and almost missed taking the goodbye pic.

 

[riverside]

I was mortified.

I believe we’ve talked about my situation with my doctor who “ lovingly” calls me Ursula!! You have nothing to be mortified about!!

 

[MinnieM123]

Tuvalu, by the way, I love Woody's Wilderness Lodge t-shirt -- nice design, and I also like the raspberry color.