Trip Report September Trip 2026

We booked our week long trip on a bounce back from a year ago. Also, we have always flown down from upstate NY but since we had the time we decided to drive. It would be about a 19 hour trip and decided to make 2 stops along the way. First stop was in Charlottesville Virginia. It was about an 8 hour trip to get there. We spent the evening in our hotel and headed out to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. We got there early and took a tour thru the home. It was very interesting and enjoyed our time there. We left just after noon, grabbed a lunch at a local place Michie Tavern. Buffet style but very good. From there we headed out on second leg of our trip.

We made it to a Buc-ee's in Florence South Carolina. First time at one of them. BIG! We grabbed a sandwich and found a Holiday Inn near by and stayed the night.

 

[littleroo]

 

[Dave B]

So exicted to hear all about your adventure

 

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We left Florence mid morning and headed out for our final leg of our trip down 95. We decided along the way to stop at Cracker Barrels for a meal and a break. You get a good meal at a decent price in a nice restaurant.

We arrived at French Quater around 4 in the afternoon. I received an text that our room was ready. Building two and looking out over the Sassaguala river and just a few steps from the boat dock. Although we are Sr citizens we are not one's to sit around. We grabbed a boat to Disney Springs. Being a little hungry we grabbed food at the first place we came to, Earl of Sandwich. Always good. Always filling. We walked around for a while and found Ghirardelli's temporary location. What the heck we are on vacation so we grabbed two sundeas. cough cough $45. My DW looked in the Disney store for what she wanted to buy but wanted to wait until she looked around all the other places and parks. After a while our long day did catch up with us and went back to our resort for a good nights sleep.

I posted this picture cause it was a bit confussing. We were on the second floor and just around the corner from the elevators. The first time we stepped off we both were a bit confused sinced we pushed floor one. I stepped off and looked around to make sure we were on the ground floor. We were and realized it was a sign for building 2. But it's still confusing I was expecting a 1 for ground floor.

 

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First full day, starting at Animal Kingdom and then park hop to Magic Kingdom.

First time using LL and it's the cheapest at AK. 9 AM at Kilimanjaro Safari. 11 AM at EE. 12:50 at Navi River Journey.

Caught the first bus out from our resort for early entry rope drop. We didn't have to wait long and they let us in and of course we headed directly to Flight of Passage, along with everyone else. I was pretty much a walk on. From there we went on Navi River Journey knowing we had a LL for later in the day but we like the ride so we don't mind riding it twice.

Then to Kilimanjaro for our first LL. As soon as we checked in I booked a LL for Tiana's Bayou Adventure for 7 in the evening. We have a dinner reservation for 5:15 in MK so that would work well. After Kilimanjaro we did the walk tru Gorilla Falls. We took our time and enjoyed wathcing the gorillas. They were out and about. After, we grabbed a Mickey pastry since we hadn't eaten breakfast (we never do). We took our time and enjoyed having a little time in the shade. From there we headed to EE. Still a great ride. Then I booked a 7:40 LL for Mountain Railroad. I was surprised it let me book two LL that overlap. Did the Maharajah Jungle Trek then grabbed lunch at Pizzafari. Shared a pizza and a much needed Coke.

We then caught our first show at the former It's Tough to be a Bug and now Zootopia. That was a real disappointment. I'm a SR Citizen and wear hearing aides but I don't know if that made any difference. I could only understand about half of what the characters were saying. This attraction is a big let down to what was there before. One and done. Which is unfortunate since there isn't much to do at AK anyway.

Festival of Lion King which is always a must for us and then we grabbed a show at Feathered Friends in Flights.

It was time for our Navi River LL and went over and did that again. It's a good ride. I then booked a LL for Buzz lightyear 4 o'clock.

We got on the train to Conservation Station but decided not to get off and just rode it back.

NOTE: we did not ride Kali River Rapids. Just didn't feel like getting wet.

However we did walk over to where the new construction is goin on. Took a picture of these two CM's. They never broke character and acted like construction workers the whole time. LOL

 

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Time to head to Magic Kingdom: Caught a direct bus from AK to MK. Didn't have to wait that long. Arrived there about 2 or 2:30 in the afternoon.

We turned left with the intent to go on Pirates but saw that Jungle Cruise was only listed as a 30 minute wait so we got in line. It was about right. It took about 30 minutes to get on the ride. Probably one of the worst rides I have ever been on. The "captain" was female and enjoyed screaming into the mic. She was loud enough that she didn't really need it. Heard all the usual jokes but only could understand them because I had heard them many times before. Maybe I shouldn't say worst bust definitely one of most unusual.

It had started to rain which we knew there was a good chance. It's a good time to go on Pirates which was pretty much a walk on. One of my favorites. I hope they don't make any drastic changes on that ride. It's a classic even with what changes they have made.

We still had time to waste until our reservation at Liberty Tree Tavern. So we went to the Tiki Room. I saw about half the show and fell asleep. My DW had to wake me up as everyone else was headed out the door.

Time for our res. Arrived about 5 for our 5:15. We actually got in a little early. Plenty to eat there. You will not leave there hungry. I was disappointed in the food. It was good but anyone can heat up a canned ham or canned turkey loaf. A bit cheap for the price you pay.

We left there about 6:30 and headed to Haunted Mansion. It had a 30 minute wait time posted so we got in line. It actually took less time than that. Another classic.

It was time for our first LL on Tiana. BUT it was raining harder and lightning was in the area so the ride was shut down. We put on our Wal Mart ponchos and the DW decided to do a little shopping and see if it opened. It didn't.

There wasn't anything else we wanted to use our LL on so we decided to use it on another ride on Buzz. DW really beat me this time.

Our next LL on Mountain Railroad was about to come up but that was also closed due to the weather. We ended up riding Buzz again. I lost again. Not a big fan of 7 Dwarfs Mine Train and we never did ride it this trip.

From there we did Philharmagic and then Country Bears Jamboree.

We then just hung around until the fireworks which I thought were at 9. Nope 9:30. After that we called it a night and went back to the resort.

This was my first time using LL. Not sure if I really gained anything by using it. Certainly not at AK and it just didn't work out for me in MK.