Trip Report Third time lucky!

I was meaning to begin this TR not long after we arrived home on March 25, but it wasn't to be. I fell and broke my right arm the following week (the one I already had a half elbow replacement on 3 years ago). I can now use my hand to be able to type, albeit slowly so it may take a while for me to deal with the report (and it is my first after 11trips).

This section may be wordy due to the explanation and I need to sort out some photos to use .

This trip was originally booked for 4 of us (me -E, other half J, friends R & J) for September 2024 but due to serious illness of friend J they had to cancel . J&I still ventured on our own and had a brilliant time for a very chilled out 3 weeks. We rescheduled for September 2025, knowing a major operation was imminent and being assured that we would be able to amend if needed. His triple heart bypass took place in May 2025 and would have been fit to fly by September but not have the stamina. We rearranged for March 2026 - hence 3rd time lucky!

We travelled from the UK on March 2, after meeting each other at Paddington station in London. Both parties were delayed due to a fire but eventually arrived at the Hilton Garden Inn for our traditional night before. We begin our vacations as soon as the house is locked up. Cocktails in the Runway Bar to start the evening.

After a 'too excited to sleep' night we checked in for our Virgin flight and for the first time used Premium Economy.

Smooth flight and arrived at MCO to be greeted by our private transfer to Port Orleans French Quarter our home for the next 21 days.

Hopefully I will update more over the next few days.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Looking forward to seeing more, too bad about the broken arm.

 

[littleroo]

I am here to follow!! I am happy that you were both finally healthy enough to return especially for 3 weeks!!

 

[Piglet_the_brave]

Following along. Sorry to hear about the broken arm, even with that you probably won’t be as slow as me at writing a trip report

 

[Tuvalu]

Me upon seeing this trip report:

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Looking forward to seeing more, too bad about the broken arm.

Thank you - it may be a while before this report is finished!

 

[rshell68]

Following along! Sorry about your arm. WOW 3 weeks!

 

[Tiggertoo56]

I am here to follow!! I am happy that you were both finally healthy enough to return especially for 3 weeks!!

I went 18 months after my elbow replacement and was ok - just glad this break happened after we returned . Friend J hadn't been well for a while and we were so relieved when he was able to have the op and let him decide whether to rearrange to this year do that he could ride those he wanted to do.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Following along. Sorry to hear about the broken arm, even with that you probably won’t be as slow as me at writing a trip report

Thank you - but your reports are so detailed with excellent photos
I don't think mine will be up to that standard

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Me upon seeing this trip report:

Thank you Still sorry I've still not managed to receive one of your cards, but we've only overlapped on trips a couple of times.

Trying to work out to respond to more than 1 person at a time - hints welcome

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Following along! Sorry about your arm. WOW 3 weeks!

Thank you. This was our 4th visit of 21 days. Coming from the UK it makes sense to have a longer visit and allows for down time.

 

[Tuvalu]

How to respond to multiple people in a single post ~ step by step.

Step 1. Tap the Quote option at the bottom of each post you want to answer.





Step 2. This will pop up when you finish tapping Quote on those posts.


Step 3. You can review the messages you quoted, rearrange the order of how you want to reply or remove one.



Step 4. Tap Insert Quotes.



Step 5. You can now reply to each quote, and tap Post Reply as usual.



I hope you can read the thumbnails. Full size screenshots are overwhelming!

 

[Tiggertoo56]

How to respond to multiple people in a single post ~ step by step.

Step 1. Tap the Quote option at the bottom of each post you want to answer.

View attachment 923890



Step 2. This will pop up when you finish tapping Quote on those posts.

View attachment 923891
Step 3. You can review the messages you quoted, rearrange the order of how you want to reply or remove one.

View attachment 923893

Step 4. Tap Insert Quotes.

View attachment 923892

Step 5. You can now reply to each quote, and tap Post Reply as usual.

View attachment 923894

I hope you can read the thumbnails. Full size screenshots are overwhelming!

Thank you - I had tried to do it but was missing something. Helpful as ever, @Tuvalu

 

[Wicked Sisters]

So looking forward to hearing about your adventures. Hope your arm is healing well. We are back at POFQ in November and your photo of the room looks great.

 

[k8einwdw]

Smooth flight and arrived at MCO to be greeted by our private transfer to Port Orleans French Quarter our home for the next 21 days.

21 Days?!?

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Thanks to @Tuvalu for help I can now answer more than 1 comment!

So looking forward to hearing about your adventures. Hope your arm is healing well. We are back at POFQ in November and your photo of the room looks great.

POFQ is my favourite resort .This was our 3rd time but have also stayed at POR 3 times too and love that one too. The room was so clean and tidy on arrival but after we unpacked not so much! Photo taken within 2 mins of entry.
Mousekeeping visited every otherday as detailed in the room.
My arm is healing but not having it plastered due to where the break was, was hard! Bruises are still showing on one area.

21 Days?!?

Sorry to make you envious but coming from the UK it makes sense. We also remain in one resort, with no car so Uber/Lytham when going off site. This saves us LOTS of to use elsewhere. Disney transportation is well utilised by us.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

I didn't mention in my original post that this should have been a special vacation in 2024. It was J&Rs 40th wedding anniversary and Rs 60th birthday. Plans had been made for a Firework cruise and Keys to the Kingdom tour but had to get cancelled, sadly

When we rebooked for March we amended our plans and included the KTTK tour again but swapped the Fireworks cruise for an After Hours event at MK.
We had the Quick Service dining plan and 14 day WDW tickets to be used over 18 days and included water parks. We've been to US & IOA a few times previously and decided not to visit there or Epic to ensure J was fit and well enough for Disney as this is what we all prefer

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Tuesday March 3rd
Despite having not got to bed until at least 2am UK time we were up, had breakfast and ready to get to MK early.
View from our room in Building 5.

Our traditional day began with Mickey waffles . Entered into MK via the resort bus by around 9am.

Up on the station to see Main Street and the beautiful castle then the traditional trip on the train (although only to Fantasyland and back )

We had photopass but I'm unable to access the photos at present so they are downloaded onto a PC which decided not to work yesterday! I only have my photos to use for now

No LL were purchased for any days snd we went with whatever we fancied doing dependent on wait times but we never waited over 50 mins for any. We managed all rides we wanted over the days we were there having decided to have a slightly more chilled out time than usual.

We walked around all of the park to take it all in knowing we had a few more visits planned. During the day we rode and did the following attractions leaving just after 2pm for a break:
Pirates
Philharmagic
Carousel of progress
Peoplemover
 Character cavalcade

After a rest in our rooms we took the boat to Disney Springs, eating at The Polite Pig and perusing some shops. A trip to Target, for a few items, by Uber and back FQ ended the day. (Sorry no food pics as I rarely remember to take any until we've eaten ).

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Wednesday March 4

Early start today as we wanted to do the
Kilimanjaro Safari at AK as soon as we were in the park. All of us love the ambience of this park- although I know others aren't too keen, and we will visit at various times of the day as we can park hop as often as needed.

It was a bit cooler and misty this day as can be seen from POFQ as we left.

In the park and headed straight to the Safari and were on one of the first trucks. The animal encounters were amazing and for the first time I managed to capture both the lioness and male clearly. A few photos follow

Post Safari it was breakfast time- Yak and Yeti Local Cafe breakfast bowl for the win.

Rides and attractions today;
Kilimanjaro Safari
Maharajah jungle trek
Birds in flight
Finding Nemo
Expedition Everest
Gorilla falls
Zootopia: Better Zoogether

Wandered around the whole park, whilst snacking and drinking including watching the Tam Tam drummers of Harambe. Returned to FQ and had time by the pool bar and food onsite. I don't keep a log of all food/drinks - sorry
Once I manage to access our photopass pics I will add some to the report.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Thursday March 5

A later start today with a breakfast of totcho bowls for all 4 of us having woken up to a wonderful view again. Will never get tired of this!

Once we were sorted for our day we left to get the us to HS. I must say that we never has issues with the times/waits for transport at all, other than a couple of times leaving the parks.
We arrived at HS to be met by this message, having arrived not too long after the really cold spell.

We planned on taking our time in the park, soaking in the atmosphere without rushing. First on the agenda for us was the Villains show a show was due to start not long after our entry. Maleficent was the winner thus time.

After the show we 2 females watched the Little Mermaid while the menfolk did the Millennium Falcon. Both enjoyed it but sorry to say it is something which doesn't appeal to either of us .
During the day we watched the Frozen singalong, travelled on the Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railroad and Toy Story Mania. Food was eaten - no notes taken do cannot remember what/ where but know it included frozen Joffreys at some point.
The 'boys' went off to Rise and R and I watched the Vacation Fun short and chilled out perusing shops until we met up again prior to Fantasmic. No photos of this as we have seen it numerous times and just wanted to enjoy it again.

I am still having issues trying to get photos to my phone but will endeavour to do so ASAP.