Trip Report The Story Comes ALIVE! *COMPLETED*

Hello again, my friends.

For nearly a decade it has been such a joy for me to write about 50 (yes, 50!) different trips that I have taken to WDW - including one that was virtual.

The reason? You, the reader.

I don’t do trip reports for my own documentation. I have journals for that. I write because I love interacting with y’all. Your encouragement, humor, curiosity and even snark (*ahem* @amjt660) assure me that I am not alone in my crazy affection for Disney parks. A big thanks to each of you!

I am very fortunate to be a frequent visitor to WDW (despite what @Mr Ferret 88 believes, I do not live there!) and am entering a season of monthly visits. Trip reporting is time consuming (as those of you who’ve written can attest) but I’m not ready to completely give it up - yet.

What I’d like to do is keep this as an ongoing TR for the rest of 2023. It will be highlights and moments, with live posting as the goal. My story coming alive, so to speak.

First up is spring break with my favorite girl.

Followed closely by a getaway with my favorite guy.

There will be Magician meets. New experiences. And (as always) the unexpected.

I hope you’ll join the fun!

 

[Tuvalu]

Thursday, con’t

TRON Lightning Lane and Virtual Queue/Boarding Groups have separate queues just like Guardians. Since we bypassed the VQ lane last night we were curious to see the difference.

This VQ lane was completely full of guests last night.

As was this covered portion we were now in today.

We spent about 30 minutes outside and 20 minutes inside.

I won’t give any spoilers about the preshow but will say it has a WOW moment similar to the Stormtrooper scene in Rise of the Resistance.

The locker situation is well done. (No bags are allowed on the ride.) Em and I shared one locker and had plenty of room. It opens with a MagicBand or key card (given to those without MBs.) It is dual sided, accessed at ride entry and exit. There are seven contiguous groups of lockers, with sections 100 through 700. Make sure to remember your three digit locker number! (We picked a number we could easily remember.)

Cell phones are permitted. There is a tiny pouch on each lightcycle or you can keep your phone in your pocket. If you want your ride photo and don’t have a MagicBand, you’ll want to keep your phone with you (and have Bluetooth turned on in MDE app.)

Em kept her phone today and took these shots.

Boarding a lightcycle is awkward and a little more difficult than boarding a banshee on Flight of Passage. That said, the CMs are patient and helpful with anyone who is struggling. There is also a disability access “car” at the end of a lightcycle train in which guests are able to sit normally. If you have back problems I highly recommend requesting the disability car.

Em and I were more relaxed boarding our second time since we knew what to expect. The launch is incredibly thrilling but this time we weren’t as scared!

TRON is definitely a new favorite!!

 

[Tuvalu]

On our way to lunch we noticed the giant crane dismantling the top of Splash Mountain. This crane puts the crane used for the (former) Cinderella Castle Lights to shame!

We escaped the masses in our treasured quiet spot.

 

[Tuvalu]

Then it was a couple of loops on the MPB.

 

[LadyBelle]

I love the Upstairs of Columbia Harbour House. The best place to dine there.

 

[Tuvalu]

Our vacation was quickly coming to an end and Em wanted her favorite drink from the Tambu Lounge. We hopped aboard the monorail Poly-bound.

I grabbed a table while Em went to the bar to order us Island Sunsets, a frozen concoction of rums and tropical juices (POG!)

“I don’t know how to make that. We don’t do those anymore. The only frozen drink I can give you is a Piña Colada,” the bartender told Em.

Em despises coconut.

She returned to the table looking like this.

We left immediately and returned to French Quarter where she found something to her liking at Mardi Grogs.

A Front Porch Freeze - rum with pineapple, orange and mango juices.

@littleroo Shelley was tending bar!

 

[littleroo]

Please tell her Deighton and Denny say hello!!!

 

[littleroo]

As always, loving your TR! I am sad it is your last day! So many great pictures and thoughts!

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

When we returned to our room it had been serviced by mousekeeping. They were VERY thorough - to the point of MOVING our items on the sink and dresser around to different places. I keep items in a certain order on purpose and I was NOT HAPPY to discover most things were in a new spot. In all my years of staying at Disney resorts this has never happened before.

I see why they’d move stuff but I hope the moving stuff wasn’t done at the expense of cleaning the room and it’s so frustrating when you have it all organized the way you like it!!

And three P’s

I am soooo using this as my new MK ride code!!

Code emesis on Guardians.

Em is getting a reride.

Yay re rides! Boo For emesis!

So glad you loved TRON and got to see HEA! And DOUBLE YAY for the Epcot tacos being removed!!

 

[Tuvalu]

The crappy table curse has been broken!

 

[93boomer]

Our vacation was quickly coming to an end and Em wanted her favorite drink from the Tambu Lounge. We hopped aboard the monorail Poly-bound.

I grabbed a table while Em went to the bar to order us Island Sunsets, a frozen concoction of rums and tropical juices (POG!)

“I don’t know how to make that. We don’t do those anymore. The only frozen drink I can give you is a Piña Colada,” the bartender told Em.

Em despises coconut.

She returned to the table looking like this.

View attachment 709028

We left immediately and returned to French Quarter where she found something to her liking at Mardi Grogs.

View attachment 709029

A Front Porch Freeze - rum with pineapple, orange and mango juices.

@littleroo Shelley was tending bar!

Well that’s a shame!! Glad she found something she liked!

 

[93boomer]

The crappy table curse has been broken!

View attachment 709043

 

[Tuvalu]

@riverside we could use your help with dessert.

 

[Tuvalu]

After a number of visits during the 50th celebration (a term I use very loosely!) we found another golden statue we had not noticed before.

Do you see it?

It’s Abu!

 

[Tuvalu]

Now it’s time to say goodbye….

….at least until next time!

 

[93boomer]

After a number of visits during the 50th celebration (a term I use very loosely!) we found another golden statue we had not noticed before.

Do you see it?

View attachment 709056

It’s Abu!

View attachment 709058

That’s our favorite one!!

 

[93boomer]

Now it’s time to say goodbye….

View attachment 709059

….at least until next time!

Thanks for taking us along!! Enjoy your TRs soo much.

 

[riverside]

@riverside we could use your help with dessert.

View attachment 709048

I might help with one bite, but definitely no more than two!!
Dinner however…I could really go for Liberty Tree right now!!

As if it’s not bad enough that I’m pulling my hair out right now at work….I think you & my sister plotted to torture me
Here’s what she’s sending me….

 

[Pirate Magic]

Wow you guys had really great and successful trip!!!

 

[pkkurz]

Thursday, con’t

TRON Lightning Lane and Virtual Queue/Boarding Groups have separate queues just like Guardians. Since we bypassed the VQ lane last night we were curious to see the difference.

View attachment 709010
This VQ lane was completely full of guests last night.

As was this covered portion we were now in today.

View attachment 709011

We spent about 30 minutes outside and 20 minutes inside.

I won’t give any spoilers about the preshow but will say it has a WOW moment similar to the Stormtrooper scene in Rise of the Resistance.

The locker situation is well done. (No bags are allowed on the ride.) Em and I shared one locker and had plenty of room. It opens with a MagicBand or key card (given to those without MBs.) It is dual sided, accessed at ride entry and exit. There are seven contiguous groups of lockers, with sections 100 through 700. Make sure to remember your three digit locker number! (We picked a number we could easily remember.)

Cell phones are permitted. There is a tiny pouch on each lightcycle or you can keep your phone in your pocket. If you want your ride photo and don’t have a MagicBand, you’ll want to keep your phone with you (and have Bluetooth turned on in MDE app.)

Em kept her phone today and took these shots.

View attachment 709013

View attachment 709015

Boarding a lightcycle is awkward and a little more difficult than boarding a banshee on Flight of Passage. That said, the CMs are patient and helpful with anyone who is struggling. There is also a disability access “car” at the end of a lightcycle train in which guests are able to sit normally. If you have back problems I highly recommend requesting the disability car.

Em and I were more relaxed boarding our second time since we knew what to expect. The launch is incredibly thrilling but this time we weren’t as scared!

View attachment 709014

View attachment 709012

TRON is definitely a new favorite!!

My daughter, grandson and granddaughter rode with me. (Don’t mean to commandeer your trip report) Had to share this proud PapPaw picture. I had to ride the handicap seat as I wear a leg brace the the cycle would not accommodate. Granddaughter was riding with me to “help” PapPaw. As we moved out of the station she begins to cry and starts to scream as we launch. I’m trying to console her. As we come to the end of the ride I’m telling her it’s over and she was very brave. She looks at me and says, “Can we ride it again?”

 

[Laurenciaa]

Thursday, con’t

[...]

View attachment 709013





TRON is definitely a new favorite!!

You look excited on this picture! I was awaiting your review on TRON.. guess it will be one of our favorites too!