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]

Friday, April 7

So long Port Orleans French Quarter. We had another great stay!

Thanks for following! I’ll do a wrap up once I’m settled at home.

 

[Songbird76]

I'm seriously considering a stay at POR someday....both Riverside and FQ look so peaceful! Is it hard to get around from there? That's my biggest concern. I almost booked there for our August trip this year, but decided to go the cheaper option of a value since we're not with the boys. But maybe for my 50th birthday in a few years....

 

[MinnieM123]

The crappy table curse has been broken!

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Glad that you could wrap up your vacation with a Shirley status table!!! (P.S.: I got a chuckle out of Em's t-shirt -- my favorite QS location at MK. )

Well, another Tuvalu TR wrapped up, and I loved it as much as all the previous ones. Thank you! I think what pulls me in are all the new experiences you have, every time you go. There's always something different that you experience and share with us. All much appreciated! (Looking forward to your post-vacation thoughts as well.)

 

[littleroo]

Have a safe trip! Thanks for a wonderful Live Trip Report. I really wish my family had not outgrown POFQ. It is my favorite resort with so many memories! I loved in your closing the pictures of the resort. I may have to take a boat ride over in June.

Have a Happy Easter!

 

[Zipadeelady]

Photos from last night are now in MDE.

This was a super awkward pose. Makes a little more sense upon seeing the magic shot.

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I knew our ride pic would be hilarious. I was screaming from the moment of launch!

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The ride photo is dual-sided!

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Also included is a dual 17 second ride video.

These pictures need to be framed and hung in both of your houses. I honestly can say these are the best ride photos ever. Sorry @riverside were going to need another TOT picture from you.

 

[cgersic]

Oh my goodness!! The Tron photos are fabulous and I love that @TrolleyFollower91 delivered the Guardians face for the 2nd one! You girls are so much fun and I can't wait to do some of this Disney stuff with you. I agree with everyone else, thank you for continuing to entertain us so well.

 

[lindawdw]

I so enjoyed this Live TR and you both always seem to manage the Spring Break crowds with such ease! Glad you had such a magical time together.

 

[Tuvalu]

I'm seriously considering a stay at POR someday....both Riverside and FQ look so peaceful! Is it hard to get around from there? That's my biggest concern. I almost booked there for our August trip this year, but decided to go the cheaper option of a value since we're not with the boys. But maybe for my 50th birthday in a few years....

Both Riverside and FQ are very peaceful. It is an easy (and picturesque) walk between resorts.

Riverside is the larger of the two and has 4 bus stops. FQ has only one.

Both resorts have a themed main pool with a slide but Riverside has a couple quiet pools also. We missed having a quiet pool option this week.

Bus service was great this week. Port Orleans resorts are closest to Epcot and DHS, ride time 10 min. MK and AK about a 15 minute bus ride.

Glad that you could wrap up your vacation with a Shirley status table!!! (P.S.: I got a chuckle out of Em's t-shirt -- my favorite QS location at MK. )

Well, another Tuvalu TR wrapped up, and I loved it as much as all the previous ones. Thank you! I think what pulls me in are all the new experiences you have, every time you go. There's always something different that you experience and share with us. All much appreciated! (Looking forward to your post-vacation thoughts as well.)

Em was excited to unwrap the CHH Upstairs Crew tee at Christmas. She remarked earlier that CHH was the only MK QS we dined at this trip.

As always, thanks for your kind words! I hope we continue to have new experiences each visit.

 

[Tuvalu]

Have a safe trip! Thanks for a wonderful Live Trip Report. I really wish my family had not outgrown POFQ. It is my favorite resort with so many memories! I loved in your closing the pictures of the resort. I may have to take a boat ride over in June.

Have a Happy Easter!

We had to stay at POR with our family of 5. It wasn’t until our oldest moved out that we discovered FQ. While I like its smaller size, my fondest memories are at POR (formerly Dixie Landings.)

Happy Easter to you and yours!

Oh my goodness!! The Tron photos are fabulous and I love that @TrolleyFollower91 delivered the Guardians face for the 2nd one!

She said that was definitely not intentional!

I so enjoyed this Live TR and you both always seem to manage the Spring Break crowds with such ease! Glad you had such a magical time together.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

Loved your trip report. It seems you were able to have a great time even with the large crowds
The Tron ride sounds like a lot of fun and it was fun seeing your guys riding it. I can't wait for the next tuvalu trip report

 

[Tuvalu]

These pictures need to be framed and hung in both of your houses. I honestly can say these are the best ride photos ever. Sorry @riverside were going to need another TOT picture from you.

 

[Tuvalu]

8 hours is better than 10!

(Would have been shorter except….McDonough )

 

[Wicked Sisters]

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.

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This VQ lane was completely full of guests last night.

As was this covered portion we were now in today.

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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.

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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!

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TRON is definitely a new favorite!!

Thanks for telling us about the “disabled car” at the back of the ride as we didn’t think we would be able to ride Tron because of back problems so now we can look forward to it. Do you think it is ok for someone who gets motion sickness easily.

 

[Tuvalu]

Do you think it is ok for someone who gets motion sickness easily.

That’s me and I had no issues whatsoever.

Ask a CM in the load zone for “the rover” if you’d like the accessible car.

 

[Billy6]

That’s me and I had no issues whatsoever.

Ask a CM in the load zone for “the rover” if you’d like the accessible car.

How did the knees feel after the ride?

I got a bum one and not sure I can get in that thing!!

I hope I can!!

 

[k8einwdw]

(Would have been shorter except….McDonough )

It never fails

 

[Tuvalu]

How did the knees feel after the ride?

I got a bum one and not sure I can get in that thing!!

I hope I can!!

There is a “test” vehicle outside the attraction for guests to try beforehand, which might benefit you. My knees were okay but it is awkward getting into the correct position and awkward getting off, and you could bump your knee.

 

[Wicked Sisters]

That’s me and I had no issues whatsoever.

Ask a CM in the load zone for “the rover” if you’d like the accessible car.

Thank you so much for the info. Also for the lovely photos of the hotel. Now we know POFQ has the Tuvalu & Em seal of approval we know we are going to have a wonderful time there. We will be staying in a Garden View room.

 

[Tuvalu]

Thank you so much for the info. Also for the lovely photos of the hotel. Now we know POFQ has the Tuvalu & Em seal of approval we know we are going to have a wonderful time there. We will be staying in a Garden View room.

One tip - unless you don’t mind climbing stairs (17 steps per flight, 1 flight to 2nd floor, 2 flights to 3rd) request a first floor room. There is one set of elevators per building (typically near the back.) I know you have a lengthy stay and climbing lots of steps after a long day in the parks grows wearisome after a few days.

 

[Songbird76]

Both Riverside and FQ are very peaceful. It is an easy (and picturesque) walk between resorts.

Riverside is the larger of the two and has 4 bus stops. FQ has only one.

Both resorts have a themed main pool with a slide but Riverside has a couple quiet pools also. We missed having a quiet pool option this week.

Bus service was great this week. Port Orleans resorts are closest to Epcot and DHS, ride time 10 min. MK and AK about a 15 minute bus ride.

That's actually kind of perfect since Epcot is my favorite park. I think TT is probably my son's absolute favorite attraction at Disney, so any time he's with us, he goes on that multiple times. I thought POR was much further away, so that's really nice. That might have to be my next stay.

Thank you for your answer!!