Trip Report Another Princess Weekend, Another Running Dress for Brifraz, Another Trip Report

Hello Intrepid Disney Travelers! It's time for another Brifraz Trip Report. Nothing live this time - it's already been three weeks since the trip. But the Brifraz clan just did another Princess Weekend and I'm here to share the adventure with everyone!

I suspect that most of you have followed along on one of my 36 trip reports over the past 16 years (holy carp, I've been doing trip reports for 16 years!), but in case you have not... our travel crew is a trio. Myself, my lovely wife, and our daughter. Back when I started trip reporting she was pretty young, but now she's a full fledged adult, with a nice full time job (pays more than triple my first teaching job back in the 1990s) and her own apartment about an hour from where we live. Here's us from back in 2016 on our first Princess weekend!

Also a chance to sneak in a comment about how much I miss the old Luau at Poly.

Here's us a bit more recently, just to make sure you recognize us.

Yes, the girls look almost the same, except some height changes and different glasses. Why am I the only one who has aged???

Anyway, back to the point. Princess Weekend 2026! Some background on this trip. I retired from teaching music in public high schools for 31 years this past summer only to take a position at a small local college for a couple days a week and to begin teaching private music lessons one day a week. My wife is still teaching English in high school (and still enjoying it) and also working part time at the Hippodrome Theatre in downtown Baltimore. As I mentioned, our daughter is now adulting full time, having graduated from college right around the same time I was retiring! As is our usual at Princess Weekend, I was running the 10k and the girls were doing the Challenge (10k and Half Marathon). For the first time ever, I was the one who had actually trained for the races - since I now have a little more free time - and the girls had not done nearly as much training as they usually do (this is what those in the business call foreshadowing).

In addition to the races, we had some other somewhat important plans. We were going to get a final ride on Rockin' Roller Coaster on its last day and bought Lightning Lanes to make sure we got to ride without hours in line (this is also foreshadowing). We also had plans to have fun with a new game that we have heard about - some Bus Roulette coming your way soon.

And it starts with a big change from normal for us (this is what those in the business call a tease).

 

[brifraz]

You did say dress, but 3 Caballeros?

or Flora, Fauna and Merryweather?

Although many Lucky Days I feel like I'm a little bit of Ned Nederlander, my costume did not include Dusty Bottoms.

Multiple times we have discussed the possibility of being the three good fairies, but I'm afraid that one isn't it either.

 

[brifraz]

Where were we? Oh, yes. 6:15am on Thursday, 2/26. Bus Roulette time! For those not familiar with the game - you get on the first bus you see no matter where it goes. Well, at a resort that early in the morning, the odds were pretty stacked. First bus came along quite quickly and I hopped on - alone.

The bus took me to the only place that any busses run that early. Animal Kingdom!

And, at that time of morning, I was the very first person to get off a bus and the very first person to get into line for the security checkpoint.

In fact, when I got there, some of the set up was still going on. It was enjoyable to watch them check all the metal detectors for their responsiveness. One of the security CMs walks back and forth through all the entrypoints holding a chunk of metal in different places. And, eventually the sun did start to rise and everyone got into positions.

First at security and not carrying anything with me meant only one thing... first at the tapstiles as well.

Had a good time chatting with the CMs there for a bit. And slowly but surely over the next half an hour, the crowds did arrive.

Once the tapstiles opened up (about 7:15am) I headed toward Pandora. I let all the crazy runners go by me because I was in no rush. Rather than deal with the chaos of Flight of Passage, I decided to take a River Journey. Not quite the same crowds there.

After following the CM (and a guest in a scooter) through the weave, I was in the front of the first boat to visit the lovely nature of Pandora and the Shaman as well.

That's it for this little update. More from Animal Kingdom and then the next stop in my game of roulette!

Oh, before I wrap up this post... another clue! The three of us were dressed as a trio who (based on some quick math) has appeared in WDW over 250,000 times (likely a lot more than that) over the last 35 years.

 

[mpaulam]

I also cast a vote for Flora, Fauna and Merriweather!

 

[littleroo]

The Country Bears??? Is my guess. I also thought of the Lion King characters looking forward to pictures of you 3!!!

 

[brifraz]

I also cast a vote for Flora, Fauna and Merriweather!

Doesn't matter how many people vote for it, we still didn't do it!

The Country Bears??? Is my guess. I also thought of the Lion King characters looking forward to pictures of you 3!!!

The Brifraz clan are not fans of the Country Bears. We have some good friends for who CBJ is THE must-do at Magic Kingdom. To be honest, I think we've done it twice in the last 15 years. At most. So, nope.

Mini-Bonus Hint: The trio of characters we represent are kind-of obscure, but based on the numbers I ran earlier, if you combine WDW and DL I suspect they are at least close to half a million appearances total.

 

[brifraz]

Having had a nice, calm ride down some random river on Pandora, I decided to briefly explore a little more of this strange planet that I somehow got to by walking over a bridge...

It really is quite a beautiful place, with all these cool mountains hanging in the sky. At some point I really need to watch the documentaries about it - they've made billions of dollars, but I've only ever seen the first one and barely really remember it. Much as it doesn't quite fit in, I guess it's not that far off from the concept of Beastly Kingdom - just instead of being mythical, the creatures are other-worldly. Just wish it was open later because it really is amazingly cool at night. And not too shabby in the day, either!

I particularly like the line of people at the bottom waiting for Flight of Passage. Glad not to be in that line! I found a different bridge that led away from the forest area of Pandora and somehow found myself in Africa. And there is nothing more authentically African than... breakfast totchos??

OK, what are the odds that when the new restaurant is open in Tropical Americas that Harambe Market will return to authentic foods? I'm really hoping because we always enjoyed that little chance to get African flavors.

As I sat and enjoyed my little breakfast, the drumming group arrived to play, so I relocated to the seating around the Dawa Bar to get a better view of them.

I do love me some live music in WDW. Okay, I kinda love me some live music anywhere, but I'm very happy that at least some of the unique and authentic musical groups do still exist (moment of silence for all the ones that are now gone). Now that both my body and mind were filled with goodness, it was time to start heading out. BUT, not without a quick visit to one of my favorite spots in Animal Kingdom. And on that day, it really paid off.

Not only were four kangaroos out and about (usually there's maybe one or two when I'm there), but they were all very actively hopping about and having a good old time. I visited with them for a while. The 'hidden' path that runs from just past Otter Grotto to the Tree of Life and across to the lemur area is just an awesome spot to visit. Rarely crowded and there's some big fish, kangaroos, awesome views of Tree of Life carvings, and lemurs if you are lucky. Sadly, the path was closed just past the kangaroos, but since they put on such a good show for me, I was okay with not getting the rest of the path.

The 'rules' of Bus Roulette are that wherever you end up you need to either experience an attraction, get some food/drink, or do some other kind of activity. Definitely mission accomplished in Animal Kingdom. As I headed out to the bus stops, I wondered about how to choose if I saw multiple busses in the waiting area and decided that my 'version' of this would be that I would get on the NEXT bus to arrive - so the ones that were just sitting and waiting didn't count. Luckily as I walked toward the bus stops a bus was just pulling in so on it I went. And for the second time, I had a bus completely to myself. Yeah, I guess at 8:30am not a whole lot of folks are leaving Animal Kingdom!

A short ride later, I was at my next stop.

Having just had my totchos, I wasn't particularly hungry and I was a little concerned about what to do at 8:45am at Art of Animation. I took a little walk around, pondered buying a swimsuit and going for a swim, but the pool wasn't open yet.

Wondering if a walking tour would count as an activity at the location when I walked past the arcade. Boom!

A little GotG pinball action. I'm not all that good, but I do have fun playing pinball, so it was great! And just about 20 minutes after I had arrived, I was back out at the bus stop. And the next bus to arrive would take me to my second 'first in line' experience of the day (well, kinda). See you there!

 

[littleroo]

GOG pinball!! That definitely counts. Looking forward to seeing where you end up next!

I also enjoy the otter/kangaroo path. There are so many things to see at AK that many people miss!

 

[brifraz]

It's time for another costume clue... But first to review:

1) Running dress
2) We are dressed as a 'trio'
3) Not a princess
4) Appeared LOTS of times in WDW (and DL)
5) Kinda obscure (which seems odd for half a million appearances)

Things we are not: Fairies from Sleeping Beauty, Donald's nephews, stepsisters from Cinderella, Country Bears, 3 Caballeros (or Three Amigos for that matter), or Lion King characters.

Today's new clue... those half a million appearances? Each appearance lasted for about 30 seconds total AND was the only way to see us in the parks (or anywhere for that matter).

 

[Baron Von Capybara]

Are you dressing as the hitchhiking ghosts ?

 

[brifraz]

Are you dressing as the hitchhiking ghosts ?

Oh my gosh, I LOVE this idea! I've seen some pretty cool ghost costumes in the past and could definitely see this in our future. Kinda wish we had thought of it and you were right!!!

I'm not sure how you would count number of appearances for them - but if you are talking each Doom Buggy that passes by is an appearance, my quick math would be well over 200 million appearances!

 

[Baron Von Capybara]

Oh my gosh, I LOVE this idea! I've seen some pretty cool ghost costumes in the past and could definitely see this in our future. Kinda wish we had thought of it and you were right!!!

I'm not sure how you would count number of appearances for them - but if you are talking each Doom Buggy that passes by is an appearance, my quick math would be well over 200 million appearances!

You can send me the royalty payments when you use it

 

[meggo819]

My guess!

 

[k8einwdw]

Since you’re referring to the characters in past-tense…I’m going with these divas

 

[Swissmiss]

I’m going to guess either the Bunny Bonnet Trio or Pansy, Poppy and Petunia.

 

[pkkurz]

Sam Eagle, Kermit & Miss Piggy

It's time for another costume clue... But first to review:

1) Running dress
2) We are dressed as a 'trio'
3) Not a princess
4) Appeared LOTS of times in WDW (and DL)
5) Kinda obscure (which seems odd for half a million appearances)

Things we are not: Fairies from Sleeping Beauty, Donald's nephews, stepsisters from Cinderella, Country Bears, 3 Caballeros (or Three Amigos for that matter), or Lion King characters.

Today's new clue... those half a million appearances? Each appearance lasted for about 30 seconds total AND was the only way to see us in the parks (or anywhere for that matter).

 

[brifraz]

View attachment 914306
My guess!

Counting appearances of these lovely dancers would be an even larger number than the 200 million that I estimated for the hitchhiking ghosts!!

Since you’re referring to the characters in past-tense…I’m going with these divas

View attachment 914310

I think this is kinda close on degree of obscurity, but these characters spent about 35 years in the park with quite a few appearances every day.

I’m going to guess either the Bunny Bonnet Trio or Pansy, Poppy and Petunia.

Both of these trios would be good possibilities, but we had nothing to do with Splash Mountain.

Sam Eagle, Kermit & Miss Piggy

Far too mainstream. However, you are almost exactly right for the girls Half Marathon outfits (and I kinda dressed for that as well). They were Fozzie and Miss Piggy and I wore a green shirt with a Kermit collar. So, we were kinda in themed outfits, but they were running and I was support. Pictures of that coming later as well! But those were not our trio of 10K costumes.

These are all some pretty awesome guesses. But... none of them are correct. One of you is in the ballpark and the closest anyone has gotten yet.

Tomorrow, I'm going to try to get the rest of my first day as a solo traveller done for y'all and then we will be getting closer to 10K day and the big reveal. Not quite a hint, but along the race route, the people who realized who were are really enjoyed it.

 

[Baron Von Capybara]

Is it any of the ladies from PotC ?

 

[MinnieM123]

.

 

[brifraz]

Is it any of the ladies from PotC ?View attachment 914369

It was not, but we did see a couple at a race a few years ago as the auctioneer and the redhead. I thought it was pretty impressive that they went with the auctioneer and not Jack Sparrow.

 

[brifraz]

So, I found myself back out at the Art of Animation bus stop a few minutes before 9am. I expected that the next bus to arrive would most likely be one of the parks since we were right around opening time, but I was wrong!

Let's go!! Once again, I had the bus completely to myself. 3 busses so far and no other passengers. Now, I know that Disney Springs doesn't really open until 10am, but I also know that the garages tend to open at 9am and there are usually people walking around the shops during that hour. As I got off the bus and went up to security, they cheered for me. Seemed a bit odd... but I am pretty famous at Disney Springs, I'm sure they recognize me as a conductor of some bands and orchestra that have come through. I can just hear them as they see me getting off the bus... "Hey, is that him?" "Who?" "The guy who had that huge concert band of almost 100 kids that had to stop in the middle of a piece because the band wasn't together." "Oh yeah, love that guy!" Maybe not? Alright, it was just because I was their very first customer of the morning. Yup, rope dropped Disney Springs security!

Now that I was in, it was time to find something to do! I know that sometimes Amorette's is open early with some baked goodies so I headed that way first.

Okay, if Amorette's isn't open, I'm not feeling good about anything else being open. So I just walked around a bit to enjoy the ambience of the place. My favorite store was also sadly not open yet.

On the plus side, if I had wanted a drink, there was absolutely no line for the new outside bar at Raglan Road.

You will note, if you look to the left of that picture that by this time (about 9:30am) there was a line beginning for Gideon's, but I was not waiting for that! I also had an actual destination that I needed to head to. Earlier in the morning, I had jumped into the Virtual Queue for the shopping at the Race Expo to try and get a few different items for my girls. I figured I would stick with the Roulette game a little bit and caught the first bus to arrive at the station, which took me to Saratoga Springs. My thought was... perfect - closest resort to DS, so I'll be headed to Wide World of Sports in no time! Little did I realize that the bus to Saratoga from DS took the long way around. Not really an issue as I still had a decent bit of time before my virtual queue which was estimating that I'd be called at 10:25am. Caught the bus to WWoS at Saratoga and was onsite there by just a few minutes after 10am.

IT. WAS. PACKED. This picture does not do it justice.

I walked around a bit waiting to get called and noticed that the line for packet pick-up went out from that building, through the outside weave, and then back and forth through the entire seating bowl of the baseball stadium and then down the majority of the path to the entry where that picture was taken. I can't imagine how long that wait might have been - the line was pretty much always moving, but... yikes.

Meanwhile, I grabbed a spot to sit and waited to get called into the shopping arena. And waited. And waited. My 10:25am call time kept moving later. At 11:15am, I finally got called in. Once inside the arena, it was time for queueing. All the queueing. First was the giant weave in the huge room off to the side of the main arena. Once I got through that one, it was a huge queue to the left of the entrance to wait to get the specialty shoes. Then it was another queue inside the actual shoe purchasing area. At 1:05pm, I had secured a couple pairs of shoes for the girls and was into the main swag area texting back and forth with them to see what they wanted and trying not to get pushed around too much by the mass of shoppers. Imagine, if you will, a text exchange with three people, one actually shopping and the other two letting the one know exactly what they wanted. A bit crazy. These are just a few of the pictures that I sent to them as they sent me suggestions, questions, etc.

At 1:30pm I was in the giant weave for the checkout registers with two corksicles, a couple running skirts, a magnet, and the souvenir ears for the race (some shirts and jackets and a coffee mug were vetoed). And, finally... at 2pm, after 4 hours of waiting, queueing and chaotic shopping, I was on a bus back to Old Key West to drop everything off into the car and then continue with my bus roulette.

However, by the time I got back to OKW, I had gotten the text that the room was ready. Since I now had a base of operations from which to continue. And also a compulsion to get things unpacked and get the room ready to go.