Trip Report COMPLETED - After 2 1/2 years we finally made it back to WDW

So as the title suggests we finally got back to WDW.
It was every bit as magical as I expected and was much needed after years away due to Covid.
We had such a great time. I’m not going to lie it was a different experience which I’ll explain more of but this holiday was so needed.
I’ve thought long and hard about a TR as the honest truth is I kept no notes as I just wanted to live in the moment but I’ll share with you some of it the best I can.

So let’s rewind slightly here. We already have a trip booked for Sept this year but in early November the US borders opened for us UK folk and myself and Chris watched live on u tube as the Virgin and British airways planes took off together and we both got a bit emotional. After take off we both looked at each other and the words came out of my mouth “I don’t think I can wait till Sept , if Covid has taught us anything it’s to do what you want. Can we book another trip for March?” Without hesitation Chris said yes - he is a keeper! And so the planning started. I checked out various bits of data and found the lowest weeks in terms of spring break crowds, I prepared myself for a busy trip knowing full well that there is a lot of pent up demand and just considered myself lucky to finally be able to plan a trip.

We decided to plan 10 days from 26th Feb. Disney was so expensive that we decided as this was an additional trip we would book elsewhere and settled on Sheraton Vistana Resort as it was close to Disney with no resort fees or parking costs. Our trip was still just over £4000 but money well spent in my books (and as we’ve been stuck at home for 2 1/2 years we’ve hardly spent anything!)

I’ll get into more of the detail over the next few days and I’ll try to get some pictures posted rather than it being text heavy but for now I’m back………. Hello again Disney friends


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Longers

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
At this point we were getting hungry. I really wanted to try Chicken Guy at Disney springs so we agreed to head there for some lunch and a look around. If the weather is going to be nice I’d rather be in a park and this day was scheduled to be the worst weather wise (even though it was still hot) so we would go shopping today.


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I really enjoyed our lunch - alas we didn’t get back there this trip but I am hoping for a repeat visit in Sept.

We had a wonder around the Springs and then decided to head to the Orlando premium outlets for a quick look around.

We are fast shoppers, we know what we like and don’t like and didn’t spend long there. In days gone by we have bought 2 pairs of trainers with 1 free, buy 1 get 1 half price. We’ve got t shirts really cheap but there were no such deals and everything was more expensive than here in the UK so apart from 2 new t shirts from the Disney store and a yummy milkshake at shake shake (I definitely want another of those) our visit was pretty uneventful apart from the rain shower while we were enjoying our milkshake!

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We left and headed back to HS
 

Longers

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Back at HS as we entered to parking booths we were told to put our hazards on to park. We ended up being sent right to the front! Result as that was where we were parked earlier.

We headed to RNRC for our LL.
such a fun ride I love this!

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A lemon ice was on the menu. These ones in HS are the best in Disney. Universal lemon ice is still the best but boy had I missed this one.

We sat on a bench down Hollywood Boulevard and people watched in the sunshine.

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We strolled taking pictures and just enjoying the sunshine and each other’s company.

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Longers

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
The park was scheduled to close at 9pm so we were going to try joining the line for Rise of the Resistance late in the evening in the hope the line times were inflated. We joined the line at 8.35 with a queue time of 55 mins and came off the ride at 9.15pm (45 mins experiencing the whole ride)

And wow what a ride! Such an immersive experience. I had hoped during our trip we would get another chance to ride but that didn’t happen due to queue times but that’s just something else to look forward to in
September

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We exited a quiet park and day 2 was over.
We’d had another chilled day and we still had many more days to come.
 

Tiggertoo56

Well-Known Member
Enjoying this TR so much, thank you. Lovely to see & read how much it means to you. Hope Chris us on his way to recovery nowadays? So looking forward to being able to be there fir 3 weeks in October/November this year, after a break of 4 years! Should have been 2-3 but Cocid had other plans for us Brits😒.
 

lindawdw

Well-Known Member
I was so happy to see you posted a Trip Report again after being away for so long!
Happy So Excited GIF
Your description of the tears you shed made me emotional for you as I felt that way my first trip back after the COVID hiatus and it had only been 8 months. You certainly did a lot your first couple of days in the parks! Glad Chris is feeling better since his COVID diagnosis. Can't wait to read more.
 
At this point we were getting hungry. I really wanted to try Chicken Guy at Disney springs so we agreed to head there for some lunch and a look around. If the weather is going to be nice I’d rather be in a park and this day was scheduled to be the worst weather wise (even though it was still hot) so we would go shopping today.


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I really enjoyed our lunch - alas we didn’t get back there this trip but I am hoping for a repeat visit in Sept.

We had a wonder around the Springs and then decided to head to the Orlando premium outlets for a quick look around.

We are fast shoppers, we know what we like and don’t like and didn’t spend long there. In days gone by we have bought 2 pairs of trainers with 1 free, buy 1 get 1 half price. We’ve got t shirts really cheap but there were no such deals and everything was more expensive than here in the UK so apart from 2 new t shirts from the Disney store and a yummy milkshake at shake shake (I definitely want another of those) our visit was pretty uneventful apart from the rain shower while we were enjoying our milkshake!

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We left and headed back to HS
 
The park was scheduled to close at 9pm so we were going to try joining the line for Rise of the Resistance late in the evening in the hope the line times were inflated. We joined the line at 8.35 with a queue time of 55 mins and came off the ride at 9.15pm (45 mins experiencing the whole ride)

And wow what a ride! Such an immersive experience. I had hoped during our trip we would get another chance to ride but that didn’t happen due to queue times but that’s just something else to look forward to in
September

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We exited a quiet park and day 2 was over.
We’d had another chilled day and we still had many more days to come.
 

Longers

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Enjoying this TR so much, thank you. Lovely to see & read how much it means to you. Hope Chris us on his way to recovery nowadays? So looking forward to being able to be there fir 3 weeks in October/November this year, after a break of 4 years! Should have been 2-3 but Cocid had other plans for us Brits😒.

So glad someone is reading. I think I forgot how long these things take!
Chris is much better now thank you.
And a trip back is extra special after Covid. I think all of us have put lives on hold so it’s great to finally be travelling again and having some fun.

I wish we would have spent an evening at HS. Your night time pictures of Galaxy's Edge are great! That will have to go on the list for next time ;)

I think that was some of the advantages of just taking things slow this trip to just absorb things. Night time in the parks is stunning if you get the nice warm evenings they’re even better.

I was so happy to see you posted a Trip Report again after being away for so long!
Happy So Excited GIF
Your description of the tears you shed made me emotional for you as I felt that way my first trip back after the COVID hiatus and it had only been 8 months. You certainly did a lot your first couple of days in the parks! Glad Chris is feeling better since his COVID diagnosis. Can't wait to read more.

I was so emotional! For someone that never cries Disney just does it to me every time. I think with Covid in between and stopping me travelling the emotions were futher heightened

Happy Tears Cry GIF by Farmer Wants A Wife

I’m here! Words can’t express my happiness for your return to Disney! I’m so happy you decided to write a TR!
You eating ice cream on Main Street was perfect! Back row on BTMR was the icing on the cake!
So sorry that Chris has been ill!
I can’t wait for the rest!

It was truly amazing! The magic was not gone for me! I’ll try to get more posted before you have to get back to school.
 

Longers

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
LOVE Chicken Guy! My favorite place to eat at Disney Springs. A fun place to shop is Ron Jon's.

I really enjoyed our food and was glad we went.

Great pictures! I worked at HS, 6 years ago.

thanks - I can only dream of working in Disney! Even living in Florida would put me closer to home. Maybe one day………..
 

Longers

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Tuesday 1st March

We were headed back to MK - I normally do MK on Tuesday as traditionally I’ve found it a good day to go with less crowds than the weekend and Mondays. And I had been gone 2 1/2 years so I needed my MK fix!

Although not a requirement as we are fully vaccinated we did lateral flow tests before leaving as we had been here 2 days and wanted to just be safe - all negative so off we went.

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Hello MK

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We headed out with cardigans on as there was a chill in the air but by mid morning they were either packed away or round or waists.
Entering MK I was filled again with a wave of emotions. The sunglasses were on again and the bottom lip was quivering. MK this trip just touched me so much. I was overwhelmed with being back. It was like a voice in my head kept talking to me and telling me I was back to just remind me. That then made me think of the enormity of being back and that just set me off.

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Longers

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
We headed to the hub for more photos and yes you’ve guessed it ice cream.

I’m not normally a lover of mint choc chip but with the cookie it’s nice - we shared this one (2 cookies and ice cream would fill me up)

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We made our way to TTA and Carousel of Progress (both rides for a sit down) before stopping for a late lunch in Cosmic Rays. Whilst mobile ordering might not be for everyone there seemed to be more seating available once you had collected your food and the tables were being wiped almost immediately everyone was leaving so I preferred it and would be happy if it stayed.
We enjoyed some cavalcades on Main Street before heading out

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