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.

 

[cgersic]

What a wonderful start to the day, and I love your room location. I haven't stayed at French Quarter since the Skyliner was built, since I spend the majority of my time at Epcot and DHS, but your photos are making me rethink my next trip!

 

[Tiggertoo56]

What a wonderful start to the day, and I love your room location. I haven't stayed at French Quarter since the Skyliner was built, since I spend the majority of my time at Epcot and DHS, but your photos are making me rethink my next trip!

I love FQ! Have previously been allocated in rooms in Building 1 which still had a lovely view, but this one was better. Closer to the pool and the boat dock. Although nothing is far away at this resort. And it's so quiet!

 

[Tiggertoo56]

I found a few more photos from AK and HS.

The Everest PPP was downloaded at the time for me to prove to the 'naysayers' at home that both R & I had ridden this coaster again. R suffers with motion sickness but was brave enough to ride with medication. (First time she rode it was the first year city opened and she came off rather green .) I didn’t ride it until 2018 but love it now. I'm front row and she's behind me. It was a one and done for her again this time.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Friday March 6
EPCOT day was the plan again with no rushing. Had a leisurely breakfast at FQ and hopped on the bus, arriving by about 9.30.
Photos had to be taken on the way. It's the first time for us for Flower and Garden festival (All other visits have been Halloween or Holidays and have included Food and Wine).

First adventure of the day, as is our tradition, was SSE. Then on to Moana as R & J had not experienced it since it opened. Spoiler - both loved it and we all spent quite a time in there.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Friday cont.
After Moana we wandered to the Butterfly exhibit. It was lovely to see the area.

After a while we needed respite from the heat and ventured into The Land (I will always know it as this!). Soarin' and Living with the Land were in order. Enjoyable as usual. We saw quite a few topiaries too. ( more in next section)

Snacks were involved at some point whilst having a walk partway around World Showcase. By now it was getting very hot and we decided to take a boat from International Gateway over to HS, and then a bus back to FQ.
Once refreshed we headed over to Trails End for food - first time for any of us. Staff were very pleasant and food was very good

 

[Tiggertoo56]

I've also attached a screenshot ftom out TV which I sent over to family in the UK to prove that it was a hot day, although cooler by this time (it was cold in the UK )

And a couple of additional topiaries.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

On the way back from Trails End I took a few photos which I forgot to add earlier.

We took a bus back from MK and then chilled out at the pool bar in FQ.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Saturday March 7th

We had brunch booked at House of Blues at DS and took our time sorting ourselves out. A boat trip from FQ to DS was on the agenda today. On arrival we had a leisurely stroll around eventually arriving at HoB for our designated time and were seated immediately fairly close to the entertainment.

With full tummies we did some window shopping and headed back to FQ. After a break we headed to MK with the intention of seeing a parade and watching the fireworks

No photos of fireworks as we just enjoyed the sight!
Whilst in the park we did a few attractions/rides:
Haunted Mansion x2
Peter Pan
It's a Small World
Carousel
AND met the big cheese himself!

Sunday 8th was a rest day and we stayed at the resort, lazed by the pool, drank cocktails and did some laundry . We tend not to bring many clothes with us to allow for items to carry home and do 1 or 2 lots of laundry. SAD - but we use that time for cocktails etc.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Monday 9th
Today was the day we had booked the After Hours event at MK (replacing the Fireworks cruise we had cancelled from 2024!). This was a celebration paid for by J&R's family and us for their 40th Wedding Anniversary and R's 60th birthday. Although 18 months late we were all so looking forward to it. IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT

As this was going to be a very late night we started slowly in the morning. Breakfast and then a walk over to Riverside for cocktails at Muddy Rivers.

We all love this resort too and the walk is just so scenic. And we always find a squirrel

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Monday 9th cont.

We eventually arrived at MK around 6ish (having had a short nap in the room). Again due to issues I only have photos from my phone - I didn't take many as we were too busy taking in the atmosphere again.

No fireworks photos -sorry! But suffice it to say there were a few tears ftom R & I. They were very happy tears
We managed to do all of the rides we hoped to do including R&I braving Tron (although at the back). I have this photo as I downloaded it to send to my son who would not believe his mom was brave enough.

Ticked on the photo below are the rides and attractions we accomplished that night.

We ended the night on Tron at 12.55! Transport back to FQ was uneventful so a bus arrived as we got to the hub. We knew that the next day would be quieter.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

I need to play catch up - have been away with friends and little time to get to the report

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Tuesday 10th

Apologies - I mixed up my days! I wasn't feeling too well today and decided to skip the parks and chilled out in the room.

Wednesday 11th

I was still not feeling great so joined the others later in the day. The others went to Epcot and wandered around the world, did GOTG and Test Track. Once I felt a little better I joined them and we tried out some of the foods , hit TT twice and then took a ride on the monorail around the resorts beside heading back to FQ.

Thursday 12th

This was the day of our Keys to the Kingdom tour so not many photos as cameras/phones not allowed behind the 'show'! This section is text heavy.

The 4 of us did this tour 20 years ago for the first time and wanted to do it again to see what had changed. We arrived at MK in plenty of time for our 9.30 tour. Food chosen ftom Colombia Harbour House off we went.
All I can say is that is well worth paying for this tour if you are able to. It was fantastic made exceptional by the tour guide. (Unfortunately I didn't note her name down to remind myself for the TR - it may have been Calleigh - but sent in a Cast Compliment on the day).
There were some new insights for us and we enjoyed the Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise and a behind the scenes view of the parade as well as lots of viewing of the utilidors and various characters (no interactions unless they instigated and what we had did not spoil the magic!!
At the end of the tour we enjoyed another visit to HM and Pirates, watched the parade from Town Square and then left the park - very tired!
Back to FQ for a break, and spent the evening at the pool bar for cocktails and beers - somewhere in there we also had food from the good court (pizza tonight).

With the UK tickets we have 14 days to use over 18 days which means we did have some break days and slow days - we slow gad to take into account J was still recovering from his major heart op and my J has bad Arthritis (gout) so we did factor this in to our trip. Both did amazingly

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Photos from MK from before and after our KTTK tour. Some of the parade ones are out of order.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Friday 13th

First of all a photo of FQ when we arrived back yesterday evening.

This was a day at Disney Springs, followed by an evening at HS. At DS we recreate photos of us on the bench by the Art of Disney- we have these for each visit we have made to WDW.

Back to FQ after food at Earl of Sandwich and a sundae at Ghiardhelli and then off to HS specifically to ride TS Midway Mania and Slinky Dog at night.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Saturday 14th
Prior to our trip we were looking at visiting either Winter Park, Winter Garden or Celebration. After discussing all and transport to and from as not hiring a car, we decided on Winter Garden. Uber booked and we were on our way. Saturday Farmers Market was on - we had a good wander and tried some if the many samples available. Needless to say many were not items we could bring back to the UK!

We looked at possibilities for food but soon realised that .many places were extremely busy due to St Patrick's day celebrations - this is not so big in our area of he UK so was a surprise! Eventually decided on Hangry Bison and it did not disappoint Sorry no photos as we were all 'hangry' by the time we got to eat. However it was very good.
Post lunch we visited the railway museum and had a lovely walk around the area. There was so much to see and lots of safe walkways.

The next post is photos from our walk.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Winter Garden cont.

The final photo is taken from the table we were seated at when eating at Hangry Bison.
Plant street was extremely busy so not the best for taking pictures do none available. If you have never visited the town before it is well worth the journey.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Uber booked and travelled back to FQ for some time out and then a visit to Caribbean Beach and Riviera resort for the evening. We were on Quick Service plan and went to CBR for food. The restaurant was not really busy and although we ordered 2 sets of meals at the same time, 1 took 30 mins to arrive and the other neatly an hour - and this was using mobile order and hitting we're there immediately I think this was the only time in 3 weeks that we had an issue and then we were quite disappointed by the food. So much do I can't even remember what it was!
The walk around the resort made up for it. This was the first resort we stayed at in 1998 - and our 'one and only trip'!! That soon became history as this trip was our 11th.