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

 

[donaldtoo]

Wednesday, con’t

We browsed the Emporium before leaving the park for an afternoon break. It was odd to see this castle where the registers used to be. Wonder if it will be repainted to erase the pink, now that the original has returned to its former glory?

View attachment 913471

In the store I saw a pre-teen boy sporting a tee with these words:
I’m not arguing.
I’m explaining to you why I’m right.

(Memories of our own son came flooding back!)

Woody and I were heading out at just the right time. Tour group? No thanks!

View attachment 913472

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Back at the resort we ran into E on our way past the pool. She and the kids were soaking up the sun and splashing in the water. “T’s in our room if you want to pick up your cookies.”

Ah, yes! I’d forgotten about my cookies. E and T had a morning date at Disney Springs. They were going to Gideon’s Bakehouse and I had given them money the other day for a couple of these little beauties:

View attachment 913467
I’m not a huge fan of Gideon’s other flavors but this one I cannot resist. And it is only available in the morning.

Woody went to our room while I knocked on TEAML’s door. T opened the door and we visited for awhile. My cookies were in their original wrappers but had been thoughtfully put by E into individual plastic bags to keep them fresh!

I noticed a Figment popcorn bucket on the table under the TV.

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E had purchased it for my mom, who is a big Figment fan. He now has a permanent spot in her kitchen.

“Did you hear about all the ride closures at Epcot?” T asked me as we were chatting.

I had not, so I opened the app to see for myself.

View attachment 913470

Yikes! Woody and I had contemplated going to Epcot for dinner.

Now a change was in the works….

Although not nearly as elaborate as the castle above, when I was a Disney Store CM our Store Manager let me have the castle top of an old display fixture that we were getting rid of.
I gave it to our oldest daughter and SonIL to use in both granddaughters nurseries…!!!

 

[Minnie1986]

Thursday, con’t

The weather was the sunniest and warmest it had been all week, and no blustery breeze. It would have been a perfect pool day. However I was very happy to be at the MK. Crowds were also somewhat lighter during the hours we were there.

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Where to first?

I was feeling Peoplemover-y.
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The spin around Tomorrowland was so delightful that I asked if we could stay on for a second ride. No embarrassing finger symbol - I kept my hands to myself.

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We experienced a not so unusual stop in a tunnel.

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Skipped a third ride. Someone was waiting for us….

There's something extra relaxing about riding the People Mover twice in a row; especially when you're on a break from the heat or sheer exhaustion of running around the park

 

[meggo819]

I like Kel’s shirt! I’m a sucker for things that represent all 4 parks.

 

[Minnie1986]

Although not nearly as elaborate as the castle above, when I was a Disney Store CM our Store Manager let me have the castle top of an old display fixture that we were getting rid of.
I gave it to our oldest daughter and SonIL to use in both granddaughters nurseries…!!!

View attachment 914427

That's such a cool keepsake for your grnddaughters to have!

 

[donaldtoo]

Wednesday, con’t

We browsed the Emporium before leaving the park for an afternoon break. It was odd to see this castle where the registers used to be. Wonder if it will be repainted to erase the pink, now that the original has returned to its former glory?

View attachment 913471

In the store I saw a pre-teen boy sporting a tee with these words:
I’m not arguing.
I’m explaining to you why I’m right.

(Memories of our own son came flooding back!)

Woody and I were heading out at just the right time. Tour group? No thanks!

View attachment 913472

View attachment 913473

Back at the resort we ran into E on our way past the pool. She and the kids were soaking up the sun and splashing in the water. “T’s in our room if you want to pick up your cookies.”

Ah, yes! I’d forgotten about my cookies. E and T had a morning date at Disney Springs. They were going to Gideon’s Bakehouse and I had given them money the other day for a couple of these little beauties:

View attachment 913467
I’m not a huge fan of Gideon’s other flavors but this one I cannot resist. And it is only available in the morning.

Woody went to our room while I knocked on TEAML’s door. T opened the door and we visited for awhile. My cookies were in their original wrappers but had been thoughtfully put by E into individual plastic bags to keep them fresh!

I noticed a Figment popcorn bucket on the table under the TV.

View attachment 913468

View attachment 913469

E had purchased it for my mom, who is a big Figment fan. He now has a permanent spot in her kitchen.

“Did you hear about all the ride closures at Epcot?” T asked me as we were chatting.

I had not, so I opened the app to see for myself.

View attachment 913470

Yikes! Woody and I had contemplated going to Epcot for dinner.

Now a change was in the works….

My apologies if I may be stepping on your TR a bit here @Tuvalu, but I just remembered we had a Figment popcorn bucket with us on our October of ‘23 trip, as Carolyn (my wife) is a big fan, and this photo is kinda’ cute…!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

That's such a cool keepsake for your grnddaughters to have!

Thank you very much…!!!
I already had it well before either of them were born, but when they (Megan and Daniel) revealed to us our first granddaughter (Emmy) was on her way, I knew where it needed to go…!!!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

That photo is so perfect of you both!!!

I suspect you and I could have a similar photo.

I like Kel’s shirt! I’m a sucker for things that represent all 4 parks.

It is a great shirt! She has had it for awhile (I asked) and is her go-to for the parks.

 

[Tuvalu]

My apologies if I may be stepping on your TR a bit here @Tuvalu, but I just remembered we had a Figment popcorn bucket with us on our October of ‘23 trip, as Carolyn (my wife) is a big fan, and this photo is kinda’ cute…!!!

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Never apologize for cute grandkid pics!!

 

[littleroo]

That Haunted Mansion picture of you and Kell talking during the photo, may be my favorite photo of 2026!!

 

[Tuvalu]

That Haunted Mansion picture of you and Kell talking during the photo, may be my favorite photo of 2026!!

When I first saw it I laughed so hard I nearly cried!

 

[Tuvalu]

Thursday, con’t

@brifraz I want to encourage you and your gals to give our next attraction a try. I mean who can resist an Elvis look-alike (albeit a bear)!?

Big Al will make you laugh, I promise!

Although Kel is partial to Sammy. You’ll have to see him for yourself.

Perhaps talking taxidermy trophies will tempt you?

C’mon it’s just 15 minutes of your life.

 

[Tuvalu]

Time for some vittles.

No, it’s not Chipotle or Surcheros. But we have always been satisfied with the bowls here, despite the criticism the food receives. (Service, on the other hand, is well deserving of criticism. Is it really that difficult to put prepared food and drinks on a tray?)

It’s almost as if he’s thinking, If she takes one more picture….

So I put my phone away and chick chatted with Kel through lunch.

 

[meggo819]

Thursday, con’t

@brifraz I want to encourage you and your gals to give our next attraction a try. I mean who can resist an Elvis look-alike (albeit a bear)!?

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Big Al will make you laugh, I promise!

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Although Kel is partial to Sammy. You’ll have to see him for yourself.

View attachment 914593

Perhaps talking taxidermy trophies will tempt you?

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C’mon it’s just 15 minutes of your life.

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I agree! Y’all need to give the new version a chance, if you haven’t already

 

[donaldtoo]

Never apologize for cute grandkid pics!!

Thank you so much, and I know you know, as well as I, how awesome grandkids are…!!!!!!!

 

[littleroo]

Thursday, con’t

@brifraz I want to encourage you and your gals to give our next attraction a try. I mean who can resist an Elvis look-alike (albeit a bear)!?

View attachment 914591

Big Al will make you laugh, I promise!

View attachment 914592

Although Kel is partial to Sammy. You’ll have to see him for yourself.

View attachment 914593

Perhaps talking taxidermy trophies will tempt you?

View attachment 914594

C’mon it’s just 15 minutes of your life.

View attachment 914597

I agree!!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Thursday, con’t

“Let’s do Jungle Cruise,” Kel suggested when we finished lunch. The wait was posted at 45 minutes, which wasn’t horrible and our chick chat/guy gab (Woody contributed to the conversation) helped pass the time.

I believe we were sharing college memories at this point in line. Anyone know what’s that spikey object in the water?

Ready to go for Niles and Niles….

Skipper Jan (not her name but I think she looks like a Jan) was fast and furious with the puns.

“We don’t play musical crates,” she admonished a couple kids who kept changing seats.

As we floated by the reptile curled over the branches Skipper Jan yelled, “Look at the python sitting in a tree, H I S S I N G!”

Then, “Close your eyes, kids, we’re getting mooned!”

Cruising by the elephant watering hole:
“Frieda is the perfect example of not staying in the shower too long.

“You might become an elephant!”

Pointing at the monkeys below: “The two of them have been doing that for days. They are trying to break a record!”

 

[Tuvalu]

Kel is an original California girl and therefore a Tiki Room singalong was a must!

Today she (and Woody of course!) wasn’t the only one wanting to see the birds sing words and the flowers croon. It was a full house!

I miss the fountain. I wish Disney had restored it after the demise of Uh-Oa. She was a disaster.

 

[Tiki Traveler]

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@Tiki Traveler I had no idea that you had walked these hallowed halls just ten days earlier! AKL is a beautiful resort and I enjoyed both my stays here. However before the first stay our family discovered the wonders of its African buffet.

Love your pictures of AKL! I can almost hear the babbling brook to the right of the Boma staircase! I hope you get to try breakfast someday but watch out for the Boma Coma!

 

[Tuvalu]

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.

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

#ShirleyStatus

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!

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 -

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.

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

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.

 

[riverside]

Can’t wait for the next installment!! Thanks for sharing this one!!