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

 

[MinnieM123]

We were enjoying the sunshine and decided as everyone else was thinking of lunch we would think of ……

Yep - Ice cream

I've had ice cream for lunch a few times, myself!

We went for the cookie sandwich again. As I said before Chris loves mint choc chip and I normally want the chocolate or cookie and cream but for this trip I sacrificed (as he normally always does) and went with his choice.

It was very refreshing sitting on the hub grass eating ice cream in the Florida sun.

I've always enjoyed the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street USA, in the MK. I like all their flavors, and although (some) people don't think their ice cream is exactly premium, I've always loved it. Then again, everything tastes better in the MK!

 

[MickeyCB]

They will see a different side to me now as it appears you have to be bad at your job to be paid to leave.

Way back in the day I was an intern (a training doctor) in Philadelphia. And during morning report my group was getting yelled at because we weren't dictating the attending doctors patient history and physicals.
(We were extremely low paid labor at that point in our careers).
And the director said if you don't dictate them you're going to get a 3 day suspension.
I said, wait a minute. How many charts do I have to not dictate to get 3 days off?!
He didn't think it was funny.

 

[Longers]

Oh,these photos are making me homesick for disney too even after all that has been changed!
I especially love the topiaries in WS!
As far as Yak and Yeti, it has always been a quick in and out for us. I have the honey rice chicken with veggies and it is always delicious. Roger always gets the coconut chicken. It's kind of nice to sit in air conditioning and rest a bit.
Really enjoying your TR

Sorry to make you homesick but hopefully you are enjoying them all the same!

I've had ice cream for lunch a few times, myself!


I've always enjoyed the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street USA, in the MK. I like all their flavors, and although (some) people don't think their ice cream is exactly premium, I've always loved it. Then again, everything tastes better in the MK!

I don’t really eat a lot of ice cream at home but it’s kind of a rule on holiday to have at least 1 per day. I’m not sure when I started to say that but it’s kind of stuck. There’s nothing wrong with breakfast any time of day while on holiday. And I agree everything tastes better in Disney.

Way back in the day I was an intern (a training doctor) in Philadelphia. And during morning report my group was getting yelled at because we weren't dictating the attending doctors patient history and physicals.
(We were extremely low paid labor at that point in our careers).
And the director said if you don't dictate them you're going to get a 3 day suspension.
I said, wait a minute. How many charts do I have to not dictate to get 3 days off?!
He didn't think it was funny.

This made me chuckle. It’s so true! I have written to our senior exec telling him the wrong message is being sent much to my bosses disappointment but why should those who don’t perform now have 2 years money to enjoy when I have to carry on? Simply not fair.

 

[Longers]

Once back at AK we headed for a safari we had booked on LL.

funny how so many people who don’t know what they are doing all block the tapping points!

We make it into the queue

And onto the ride - so nice to see so much space for them to roam around.

Traffic jam!

 

[Longers]

There was a baby in the road and we all had to wait patiently to pass - and rightly so.

He soon found his way across the road back to his mum and we were on our way again.

We exited and took this route to see the hippos and gorillas

The hippo was swimming. I don’t know why but I like hippos. One year we spent an hour in here just watching.
When one of them went to the toilet one year we were there and some of it came over the top (not on us) but I think that’s why there is now a bit more protection if you look up!

Today we only watched for 10 mins and passed through.

There were no gorillas to be seen so we moved on. The sun was starting to set and I wanted to see if I could get any photos in Pandora so off we went.

 

[Longers]

I stood on the bridge to capture this shot

And then decided on a selfie

Chris thought I wanted him in my photo and jumped in - this one did turn out better. Not because. Is in it but the tree of life is better positioned. Ha ha

On our way to Pandora

Hello ducks

We had arrived

 

[Longers]

Pandora is so beautiful but maybe the sun always seems to be the wrong way for photos.
I did take a few though.

We decided to get a night blossom and queue FOP- the sign said 55 mins but we were happy to wait as I’d seen the wait times so much higher and this ride is so worth it!

10 mins into the queue my night blossom literally gave me heart burn (or as we like to quote brain freeze). There was a group behind us who said that pushing your tongue to the top of your mouth worked for them and I should try it.

A few mins later all was good - not sure if it worked or whether concentrating on putting your tongue to the top of your mouth makes your brain think of something else.

This started up a conversation about everything Disney. They had only just arrived but had been told by loads of people to make sure they queued. We confirmed that it was worth it.

 

[Longers]

By the time we got here there group of 6 had started talking to 2 gentlemen behind them who we were then chatting to us too.

I’ve never really looked at this before but 8 guess we normally had FP and went through a different queue. It was kind of cool.

Just before we got to this area we said goodbye to our new friends. The lady at the front must have asked if they wanted to join us and they said yes and then the 2 behind came too.
We had become a party of 10!

We all rode together - we let the party of 6 is side by side and myself and Chris split amongst the 2 sides but waved to each other throughout our ride

I always get sad when the banshee lands on the final rock as I know the ride is over and inside my head I always say “please keep flying”

We all exited together and they agreed it was well worth the wait and as we had all been talking together it actually didn’t seem that long.

We all said our goodbyes again and went on our way.

As we walked past the queue was showing 50 mins and we were 15 mins to park closing.

I looked at Chris and said “may as well go round again?” He agreed and off we went again.

The queue was still long but I think from memory we were on and off in about 40 mins

 

[Longers]

The park was quiet as we exited and looked beautiful.

This picture made me chuckle it didn’t turn out as expected.!

Try again.

 

[Longers]

I remembered we had the tripod!

So took the next 2 shots.

Some pictures as we left

And that was us done for the day!
Goodnight AK - see you soon

 

[Spash007]

What a great way to end the night at AK!

 

[lindawdw]

What a fun day you had at AK and it was so incredible that you got to ride FOP twice!!! That area of the park is simply gorgeous lit up at night.

 

[sheriffwoody]

Just getting started on your report! We stayed at a Sheraton Vistana in January, but I can't tell if it's the same one. The decor looks different, but the layout looks the same. Pretty sure the one we stayed at was on I-Drive, but I think there's another one. Either way, we enjoyed our stay there as well! I was fine with staying off site, but I can't convince my husband to try it

 

[Longers]

What a great way to end the night at AK!

It certainly was

What a fun day you had at AK and it was so incredible that you got to ride FOP twice!!! That area of the park is simply gorgeous lit up at night.

It’s stunning both during the day and at night.

Just getting started on your report! We stayed at a Sheraton Vistana in January, but I can't tell if it's the same one. The decor looks different, but the layout looks the same. Pretty sure the one we stayed at was on I-Drive, but I think there's another one. Either way, we enjoyed our stay there as well! I was fine with staying off site, but I can't convince my husband to try it

I saw on your IG that you stayed in one but this one is in Lake Buena Vista literally a 4 min drive to a “Disney sign” so I don’t think it was the same place?
I would def stay there again if the price difference was worth it to Disney.
It was Sheraton Vistana resort - I know there are a few with different details at the end.(like villas etc)

 

[k8einwdw]

Notice the window behind Chris in the shop?
What happened to the bottle top displays?
In December I asked Chris to keep any bottle tops so I can make something similar. I am still collecting them and don’t have enough to make anything yet but Where had it gone?

Picture below for info that I had to search through my albums for when I got home!

Someone may have already answered this, but I *think* those are only out during the holidays.

 

[sheriffwoody]

Yeah ours was Villages/Villas or something like that. I think we had about a 15 minute drive each day give or take depending on the park. Not bad at all, but we did feel pretty distanced from the bubble. My friend got a great deal though, I think I only spent like $200 on all 4 nights once we split it

The start of HEA always got me the words along with the songs but from this show nothing. No tears were shed!

I thought kits tails was quite good

Same to both of these! Enchantment left me completely cold . And I thought kitetails was kind of delightful!

 

[Longers]

Someone may have already answered this, but I *think* those are only out during the holidays.

Ah that could answer it - I’m going to keep my eyes peeled on future trips.

Yeah ours was Villages/Villas or something like that. I think we had about a 15 minute drive each day give or take depending on the park. Not bad at all, but we did feel pretty distanced from the bubble. My friend got a great deal though, I think I only spent like $200 on all 4 nights once we split it




Same to both of these! Enchantment left me completely cold . And I thought kitetails was kind of delightful!

We felt pretty close to Disney and thought it was a great location.

And glad I’m not alone with the fireworks. I guess you might try again in a few weeks when you are back. It will be interesting to know if your views change.
We might try again if we are in the parks close to them starting but I don’t think we’ll make any special trips to see them.

 

[Longers]

Saturday 5th March

This morning we decided to spend a few hours at Typhoon lagoon just to chill out.

We found a lounger and just sat for 2 hours in the Florida sun.
We were going to head onto the lazy river but we were both just content sitting doing nothing and chatting together.

It was a lovely morning and we both agreed that we should probably do that more often while away and are going to try to add into our September plans.

We left around lunch time and headed back to shower and get changed and then headed out for lunch

We ended up here again. I’m a fussy eater and not one for taking time out to eat and at least here Chris can get something different than chips!

Soon we were on our way

I took a picture of the purple signs - I don’t care for the blue ones and want to always remember them like this.
Blue is just too normal!

We were here

 

[Longers]

We stopped for one of these pictures I had seen just to see how it turned out

And then stopped for this one!
It’s such a shame that the wind blew and my hair looked a mess. Why didn’t the photographer try again? I’m glad I don’t pay for the photopass as I honestly don’t think it’s worth it.
Hopefully I will remember to try again in September.

Notice my short? $12.99 from the Disney outlet that we visited earlier in the holiday which became Chris’s favourite - for obvious reasons.

We obviously had to take a ride on spaceship Earth and we then headed to test track

We had managed to get a LL for TSMM so decided to take the cable car over to Hs as I had wanted to ride and hadn’t yet!

I thin’ I got a bit red at Typhoon Lagoon this morning!

 

[Longers]