First solo trip to Disney May 16-21 w/pics

[spaceoddity]

Pre-Trip background

Me (35)- Disney addicted :thumbsup2

How this trip happened was by accident, a co-worker was waiting for Southwest to update there schedule so he could get a flight for his upcoming June trip to Disney. Then Febuary 8th came and Southwest had just updated there schedule...so i went in to check it out and found a round trip flight from Providence to Orlando for $97 in May....and i had been thinking about getting a annual pass since i knew i would be coming a few times this year..last trip being in January.

So now i had booked a flight and purchased an annual pass with out even asking anyone if they wanted to go with me...guess i was going to Disney on my first solo trip because after booking the flight i did ask around if anyone wanted to go...nobody did..well everyone wanted to but either couldn't spend the money or get the time.

I wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing i had just did?? Was i being kind of silly since i was just there in January and already had a trip planned for Ocotober?? :confused3

So i turned to the Dis for support...would i have fun alone? I recieved allot of encouragement and support...so thanks Disers! :thumbsup2

Ok so i was going to go on my first solo trip, i was nervous but felt at home at Disney and knew my way around so that put my fears at ease for the most part. Now where to stay?? My first solo trip and i knew i was going to spend open to close at the parks...so value resort was probably the best option since i wasn't going to spend allot of time in the room. Ok got my flight, got my resort (Pop Century) and got my annual pass...then got cold feet. :sad2:

Find out in the next post if i go :rolleyes1 Yes of course i did i'm doing a trip report.

[spaceoddity]

Pre-Trip continued

Ok so i have everything booked and got a case of cold feet and didn't think i would have any fun being at Disney alone. Again i turned to the Dis to get ideas and feedback on Disers who had been to Disney solo...allot of you many times. So again nothing but support and great ideas on where to eat etc. Thanks Disers!! :woohoo:

Then was looking at the solo thread and found a post from someone who was going to be in Disney for 2 weeks solo because his friend he was going with was too ill to travel. So i replied to his post and said i was there May 16-21 and would be fine meeting up and maybe ride some rides. Only day i wasn't available was Fri May 18th because i had booked the "Backstage Magic Tour" . Which was a good idea from a Diser...i would be with a bunch of people for 7 hours...and since i was alone this would be a good way to at least have some social interaction :thumbsup2

So the e-mails started and plans were made and adr's made. Wow this was coming together great...i wouldn't be alone after all.

So adr's are set...decided on which days to do each park...flight booked, resort booked, annual pass in hand now the wait. But wait annual pass rates come out for the resorts...i have an annual pass....i'll check it out... and got a great deal at my favorite resort Wilderness Lodge. Couldn't pass up the deal got a courtyard view for a great price...so changed resorts...now just got to wait.

Up next a non-stop Day 1 :thumbsup2

[spaceoddity]

Trip report

Me (35) - Disney addicted & nervous about his first solo trip
Shaun (43) - from the UK & loves Disney

Day 1 Wed May 16

Up early and off to the airport...only a 20min drive from my house. Had a 7:05am flight from Providence to Orlando. First time chosen to get the extra special attention at the airport and got the random search. I wonder since i was alone i got the extra attention? Flight was on time and not full so no one decided to sit next to me so that was nice got to strech out :thumbsup2

Arrived in Orlando a little early around 9:40am.....headed to Magical Express and got on to my bus. Was first on the bus...then family after family started boarding the bus i did feel a little weird at this point about being alone but not enough to worry about it :banana:

Waited about 20min then the bus headed out...first stop was Wilderness Lodge :woohoo: about 20 min later pulled into the lodge and headed to counter to check in...no wait. Now it was still early maybe around 10:50am. I checked in and was told room wasn't ready...which i kinda knew since it was still early. Went to bathroom changed into my shorts..was very warm this day. Gave my carry on bags to bell service to hold....and headed out to catch the bus to MGM. My first experience with "love bugs"...was told they came out late this year...it wasn't too bad just had to swat them away every so often. Didn't find them a problem in the parks.

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Shaun had called me when he arrived earlier in the week and said his cell wasn't picking up any signal so we made plans to meet at gertie the dinsoaur (big green dino in the lake) at MGM for 12:00pm and then just check every hour on the hour in case my flight was late and couldn't make it for noon.

So i'm on my way to MGM and getting a little nervous about meeting Shaun, would we get along, would he be fun? I arrive at MGM go to guest services and trade my annual pass certificate for the real annual pass :woohoo: This means from May 16 2007 - May 16 2008 i can come to Disney as many times as i want! I hope to do just that :thumbsup2

I head over to big green dinosaur and sit at a bench near by...just made it only a few minutes before 12:00pm Indiana Jones was just letting out so there were people everywhere...it was going to be hard to see Shaun. Then i hear my name "Doug"...

Up next Day 1 part 2....do we get along or do i need to find a reason to leave??

[DreaGirl]

I'm on board!:thumbsup2

I would love to go to Disney solo...not sure my DD or my DH would like that though! :)

Great pictures...hopefully there are more... I love pics!

:goodvibes

[serendipity]

Going to Disney solo- soo cool! It must be so nice getting to do what YOU want! Jumping on board, cannot wait to read about your interaction with Doug!

[spaceoddity]

Day 1 part 2

So i hear my name and get up we shake hands...and ask how our flights were...and i ask what he has done since he arrived. The usual small talk when meeting someone for the first time. But now it still hasn't sunk in that i'm at Disney....it's been pretty much non-stop since 5:30am. So Shaun asks what i would like to do...and of course the first thing i say is Tower of Terror.

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Shaun says i thought you might say that and had 2 fastpasses. From this moment on i knew we were going to get along fine. So we head off to Tower of Terror...had a great ride. Conversation is very easy w/Shaun mostly Disney talk...we had just meant so wasn't going to hit him with those personal questions just yet. Next was Rock n Roller Coaster which i didn't get to ride in January since it was down for a refurb....great ride, very short.

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So not to be too boring we did most everything at MGM except Indian Jones...and i didn't do Little Mermaid which Shaun had done early in the day before i arrived. We also got in 2 more rides on Tower of Terror. The park wasn't too crowded...wait times were very low. I had made an adr for Brown Derby at 5:20pm...and was hungry at this point did have much to eat the whole day. I thought the prices were a little high and the food just ok. I had the split roast chicken & Shaun had salmon....my dinner was a roasted chicken on top of rice. Don't think i would eat there again....also didn't care for the atmosphere. The good point was being able to slow down for a bit and get to know Shaun better....and then watch him spill his drink and spray the people at the table next to us. Which is ok because early i had my embarassing moment when trying to get of the Rock n Roller Coaster the over the shoulder harness would not lift up. Well i just wasn't pulling down and then up hard enough i guess??

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Ended the day by watching Fantasmic....and then off to bed...was very tired...it had been a very long day. Made plans with Shaun to meet at Epcot for 8:30am the next day. Was finally hitting me i was in Disney on the bus ride back to the lodge...and was very happy that Shaun turned out to be very cool and that we hit it off. Got back to the Wilderness Lodge got my room # and carry on bags from bell service found my room...my luggage was there...never have had a problem w/Magical Express...went to sleep.

Next Day 2 Epcot & a suprise for Shaun.

[DreaGirl]

Glad to hear that you two are getting along. That would be a little scary, but hey, a person who loves Disney enough to go alone can't be that bad!:cool2:

Don't you just love the "I'm really here!" moment.:goodvibes

[spaceoddity]

I'm on board!:thumbsup2

I would love to go to Disney solo...not sure my DD or my DH would like that though! :)

Great pictures...hopefully there are more... I love pics!

:goodvibes

If you ever get the chance to go solo you should do it, it's a very different experience. I would do it again it was one of my favorite Disney trips i've taken. But it's still always nice to share the "magic" with someone too :thumbsup2

Going to Disney solo- soo cool! It must be so nice getting to do what YOU want! Jumping on board, cannot wait to read about your interaction with Doug!

The freedom to come and go as i wanted was great. The best was having the bed and bathroom all to myself :thumbsup2 Didn't have to worry about waking any one else up i could get up and watch the sunrise over bay lake or stay up and watch tv all night :woohoo:

[spaceoddity]

Glad to hear that you two are getting along. That would be a little scary, but hey, a person who loves Disney enough to go alone can't be that bad!:cool2:

Don't you just love the "I'm really here!" moment.:goodvibes

It was a big relief that we did get along. "I'm really here!" moment always happens either the end of my first day or the next day. but it is a great moment...all that planning is paying off :thumbsup2

[spaceoddity]

Day 2

Thur May 17

Woke up early didn't sleep all that well, never do on the first night. Have to get used to the new bed and surroundings. So since i had ben non-stop the day before pretty much from 5:30am - 10:00pm. I didn't get a chance to take in some of the atmosphere at the Wilderness Lodge. So got up early to take in the sunirse and get some coffee.

I had gotten a 1st floor room, which had 1 king size bed and was a wheelchair accessible room...which was fine. Here's the view from my room, i was facing the Villas at WL and saw bunnies every morning. It was very peaceful & quiet.

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Took some pictures of the sun coming up while drinking my coffee..

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I love the Wilderness Lodge.....Ok so i was waiting for 7:00am to hit so i could make a call. Yesterday i had tried to get Shaun into the Backstage Magic Tour w/me but with no luck it was full. So i would try again this morning to see if anyone canceled...nope. He had never done a backstage tour and thought he would enjoy it so while i was on the phone i asked about the Keys to the Kingdom Tour..but with such late notice i didn't think i would get anything. But to my suprise there were two openings for the Sat 8:30am tour...i took it :thumbsup2

Ok being the Disney transportation expert i have become...i knew to get to Epcot for 8:30am i would head out early because i wanted to to take the monorail there. So here was my route...boat from WL to Contemporary Resort...got on monorail at Contemporary and went to the ticket & transportatiion center...got off there and then got on the monorail to Epcot....overall it only took maybe 30-40 min travel time. I could have just taken the bus, but who would do that when you can take a boat & monorail... way more fun :thumbsup2 This was a benefit of being solo...and knowing my way around :woohoo:

Shaun arrived we get in line and decide best thing is to just get on Soarin' first thing then fastpass later...this is the way i usually do it and always get first ride of the morning in the front. Shaun had never go to ride in the front, and today that was going to changepixiedust: I also inform him we have to meet at the Magic Kingdom at 8:00am on Sat because were taking the Keys to the Kingdom tour :woohoo: which i knew he would like since i had taken the tour in January and was up for going again.

Rope drop time...mad dash to Soarin' got first ride of the day and we are in the front...we will ride again later in the day but get the back row....just not the same with feet hanging in front of you. Only picture i took at Epcot was at the entrance, since it was Flower & Garden there were many photos that could have been taken but we were too busy doing everything else.

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Again will not bore you with then we rode this ride.....we did everything in Futureworld except Honey i Shrunk the Audience..yuk & Journey into Imagination..yuk As far as Mission: Space goes it's always the spinning version for me :thumbsup2 & Shaun as well.

We had an adr at Rose & Crown for 5:20pm, i wanted Le Cellier but they were closed for a refurb while i was there :sad2: I had never eaten at the Rose & Crown and thought i know Shaun would most likely like the food since he was from the UK. I had a pork tender loin which was really good, i can't remember what Shaun had? I liked the pub atmosphere and would eat here again...the food was really good.

Walked around World Showcase...did ride the "Grand Fiesta Tour" in Mexico...it was ok...basically the same ride but now with the Three Caballeros added..i can take it or leave it. Maelstrom was down for a refurb :sad2:

Picked out a spot for Illuminations in front of Norway...great location! Illuminations is my favorite nightime show as well a Shaun's so we would do this again another night. Once Illuminations was over we headed out and sicne we were at the back of the park it wasn't that bad getting out.. the crowd was a bit lighter. We had made plans to meet at Magic Kingdom the next day at 4:30pm. Tomorrow i was doing the Backstage Magic Tour & Shaun was getting some rest.

Up next Day 3 find out about the Backstage Magic Tour :thumbsup2

[DreaGirl]

Great Installment! I can't wait to hear about the tour. I am a former CM, so I'm interested to see what you think.

[lynn71092]

Great report!
I'm in!!

[spaceoddity]

Great Installment! I can't wait to hear about the tour. I am a former CM, so I'm interested to see what you think.

Thanks...can't wait to talk about the Backstage Magic Tour i learned allot and saw allot....also learned what it's like for a CM getting into the park into costume and off to your roll in the park. :thumbsup2

Great report!
I'm in!!

Thank you :thumbsup2

[spaceoddity]

Day 3

Fri May 18

So today i was doing the Backstage Magic Tour and needed to be at Epcot for 8:45am...no problem i gave myself plenty of time and did like yesterday and used the boat & monorail.

Since the Backstage Magic Tour is 7 hours and covers 3 parks i will not go into allot of detail...because i can't remember it all and it would be very long and boring to read. This tour isn't for everyone you have to be willing to give up 7 hours of your vacation time do this. This tour is more for the Disney geek/veteran who has been many times.

Our tour guide was James, he was incredible & funny. In fact his wife & 2 kids are also CM's. There was group of 20 of us..a few couples and 1 family and the rest were alone. The group was great very talkative and aksed questions...we had to do all get in a circle at the beginning and say where we were from and what our favorite Disney song was. I said i didn't have a favorite Disney song so James picked on for me....he said yours in the 2nd most annoying Disney song of all time....."The TiKi, Tiki, Tiki Room" i was ok with that. :thumbsup2

So off behind The Seas w/Nemo were our bus was waiting...it was a new Disney Cruise line bus...very nice.:thumbsup2 They also had a cooler of water so we could get some through out the day. So we drive behind Epcot to World Showcase and see the Amercian Adventure out front which was great because there was no guests in world Showcase yet...then we went behind to see how the show works...amazing! Then back on the bus and went further down behind Epcot to the CM building were they all come in for the day.

Now off to MGM.....so here we drive in a back entrance and have to go through a security check...everyone's bags were checked while we were on the bus.:thumbsup2 Then went to the costuming shop and saw how the costumes were made from design to finish product. Lunch was inlcuded on the tour at Mama Melrose's...i had never eaten here before. The food was very good and served family style.

Now off to the florists...amazing place they were in the middle of getting ready for 3 weddings they had that day...which was a light day for them. They make everything from flower arrangements to gift baskets..anything you can imagine they can do...so if you have the money they can pretty much create anything. Then we headed to this huge wharehouse even had to wear safety goggles in here. this is where they make/fix/rehab just about everything for the Disney parks. There was a log being built for Splash Mountain...there was an almost complete train for Expedition Everest. it goes on and on...the place was huge! Then we went over to the next wharehouse were they keep props for conventions /parties/weddings...come up with a theme for your convention or party and they can create it.

Sorry for the lack of photos...can't take any when your backstage.

Now we move on to the wharehouse where all the Christmas decorations are kept....this place was amazing...and the CM's were there working and getting decorations ready for this year...it is a year round job.

Now onto the Magic Kingdom...again we enter through a back road and another security check. We park behind the backery on Main Street and head down to the utilidoors...and then James timed it so we pop back up in the same place and had a spot waiting for us for the 3pm parade. So basically this tour shows you how they create it, build it...etc and the end result is watching the afternoon parade where all that we saw for the day comes together to create the "Magic" pixiedust: The tour was great, did it ruin any of the magic? NO! It only made me appreciate what it takes to make sure these parks are running 365 days a year. Feel free to ask any questions :thumbsup2

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Up next Day 3 part 2 Magic Kingdom & O'hanas

[rthutchens]

You've got me hooked, I need more!

[DreaGirl]

Sounds like a great tour! :thumbsup2

I was amazed when I first saw all those things...it really is amazing how much is going on on any given day.

Can't wait to hear how you liked O'Hana.

[spaceoddity]

You've got me hooked, I need more!

Glad your enjoying, i'm having fun re-living the trip again...more soon :thumbsup2

[spaceoddity]

Sounds like a great tour! :thumbsup2

I was amazed when I first saw all those things...it really is amazing how much is going on on any given day.

Can't wait to hear how you liked O'Hana.

It is a great tour...you learn and see allot. O'hana review coming soon :thumbsup2 This was my 2nd time eating there.

[Glendamax]

Glad I found your report! My first solo trip will be in September, so I am very interested in how things went for you!

Looking forward to the rest! :thumbsup2

[serendipity]

sounds like you had a great time on the tour. I've always meant to do one, I'm going to look into it

[Dizmom0923]

Okay...I'm in

[spaceoddity]

Glad I found your report! My first solo trip will be in September, so I am very interested in how things went for you!

Looking forward to the rest! :thumbsup2

Thanks for reading, i always enjoy your trip reports. My first solo trip was allot of fun i think you'll have a great time!

sounds like you had a great time on the tour. I've always meant to do one, I'm going to look into it

Yes you should do a tour Disney offers so many and at all different price ranges...so pick the one you think you'll be interested in :thumbsup2

Okay...I'm in

Thanks for reading :woohoo:

[spaceoddity]

Day 3 part 2

So once the parade was over we headed back to the bus and was taken back to where this 7 hour journey began. So at about 4:15pm we were dropped back off at Epcot and got our Backstage Magic pin..which you can only get by taking the tour.

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So now i had to head back to the MK....funny i was just there. Told Shaun i would meet him for 4:30pm...oops not gonna make it for then. Hoped the monorail to the TTC the changed monorails to the MK. Go there about 4:50pm...not too bad. No more learning for the day time to ride some rides :thumbsup2

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First ride i wanted to do was Splash Mountain...it had been down for refurb when i was here in January. I had never got as wet as i did on Splash Mountain before..were talking almost Kali River wet...and not from the drop. How? Well when a log goes down the drop water shoots out on both sides for dramatic effect. If your log times it ride the water that shoots out to the side can get you...and it did right in the side of my head...almost felt like someone slapped me. I was soaked. It was really funny :rotfl2:

So did a few other rides before our reservations at O'hanas at 8:35pm....also trying to dry off too :thumbsup2 I know we went on Pirates, Mickey's Philharmagic, BTMR...The clouds were getting to get dark so we headed to the Poly...didn't want to get wet again. We walked around the Poly for awhile. I really want to stay here...maybe my next, next trip? The couds cleared...no rain :thumbsup2

I had eaten at O'hana's before and new we were about to get an insane amount of food for 2 people. I had warned Shaun..be prepared to get allot of food. I think he was a little shocked and just how much you get. I love the atmosphere here...the food is ok. Some of the meat was a little dry..a common complaint with O'hana's. We also had a great view of the castle and watched Wishes while we were stuffing ourselves. Wow what a long, long day...but worth every bit of exhaustion i was feeling. When we were done headed to the boat dock at MK to get back to the WL...wasn't too bad of wait since the mad rush to get out of the MK after Wishes had died down.

Next up...early start for the Keys to the Kingdom Tour :thumbsup2

[WDW Poly Princess]

Yay- I LOVE solo trip reports! (Of course, I am biased ;) )

Love your WL pictures- I've really been missing it lately!

[BriarRosie]

Great report so far! Most of my trips are solo, but I end up meeting with
people I know locally, or others who have trips coinciding with mine.

I've taken the Backstage Magic Tour in 1999 solo, and it was a slightly
different experience. Some of the experiences were the same (American
Adventure, Central Shops, Costuming, the parade end), but we had some
experiences that couldn't be done after 9/11.

I'm doing the Segway tour in October. I liked it enough the first time
around, I wanted to repeat the experience. :)

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of your report.

[spaceoddity]

Yay- I LOVE solo trip reports! (Of course, I am biased ;) )

Love your WL pictures- I've really been missing it lately!

Thanks for reading i love the WL :thumbsup2

Great report so far! Most of my trips are solo, but I end up meeting with
people I know locally, or others who have trips coinciding with mine.

I've taken the Backstage Magic Tour in 1999 solo, and it was a slightly
different experience. Some of the experiences were the same (American
Adventure, Central Shops, Costuming, the parade end), but we had some
experiences that couldn't be done after 9/11.

I'm doing the Segway tour in October. I liked it enough the first time
around, I wanted to repeat the experience. :)

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of your report.

Thanks for reading i would like to do the Segway tour...maybe one of these trips i'll do it :thumbsup2

[DreaGirl]

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What a beautiful site! :goodvibes

Isn't it great walking around in wet clothes?! :rotfl:

I think we are going to skip O'Hana...we'll see.

[ccigliano]

Enjoying your trip report. I think it is terrific that you would venture off on a vacation alone but Disney is the only place I would feel comfortable doing that. And look how great it turned out, you got to make a new friend from across the pond. Looking forward to reading more.
Charmaine

[spaceoddity]

Enjoying your trip report. I think it is terrific that you would venture off on a vacation alone but Disney is the only place I would feel comfortable doing that. And look how great it turned out, you got to make a new friend from across the pond. Looking forward to reading more.
Charmaine

Glad your enjoying the report, thanks for reading :thumbsup2 I agree i don't think i would go anywhere else on vacation solo. I feel very comfortable at WDW...it's almost like a second home :goodvibes

[spaceoddity]

Day 4

Sat May 19th

Up & out early this morning wanted to be at the MK for 8am. Took a boat from the WL over to MK. It doesn't get much better than riding a boat on Bay Lake to the MK while the sun is coming up :goodvibes

Today i'm doing the Keys to the Kingdom Tour and this will be my 2nd time & Shaun's first. The first tour of the morning is at 8:30am and it's the one i prefer because you ge to enter the MK before it opens and walk down Main Street by yourself...it's empty. You also can have your picture taken in front of the castle with no else around :thumbsup2 As shown in the picture of me below.

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After some picture taking we go to check in for the tour and pick what we would like to have for lunch. Lunch is at the Columbia Harbor House....nice out of the way counter service resteraunt in Liberty Square.

So our tour guide is Matthew....yup same tour guide i had back in January. I'm happy becasue he was great...and very funny.

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Sorry he turned is head when i went to take a picture..so this is a side view of Matthew :thumbsup2

Ok so i'm not going into great detail about the tour...go take it yourself!! No i don't want to spoil it for anyone. I do recomend it if your interested in allot of behind the scenes workings of the MK. You do get to visit the utilidoors...which for me would make 2 days in a row. I feel like i know my way around in the utilidoors at this point. Yes they do have maps in the utilidoors for those poor lost CM's on there first day or 365 day :thumbsup2

If you have any questions on the tour please feel free to ask. You learn allot of the history of Walt & Roy Disney, the Disney Company & MK. What was funny is during lunch Matthew sat with me & Shaun...so i told him i took the tour in January and had you as the tour guide. I knew he wouldn't remember me...but he said it's pretty much word for word as last time huh?? Some of it was...but he still kept it sounding fresh like he was doing it for the first time. They only thing we didn't do but did in January was ride the Jungle Cruise....which was fun because instead of having the skipper talk Matthew took over and talked about the ride...no jokes. The best part is when he points out that one of the head hunters says "I love disco"....which you can never really here if your on the ride with skipper telling those bad jokes :thumbsup2


The tour wrapped up at about 1pm, so now it was time to do the attractions we hadn't gotten done the night before and ride Splash Mountain again...hopefully with out getting soaked :thumbsup2 Tonight was also a Spectromagic night but the park did not seem all that crowded for a Saturday...which is not one of the best days to do MK. Got a dole whip of course...yum-o also introduced Shaun to it and he enjoyed it. Tonight was dinner at the Concourse Steakhouse at 5:30pm....i had never eaten here before. I had the prime rib...it was very good. The atomsphere is kinda lacking but the food was excellent. I would eat here again...o-wait i can't since it will be closing next year :confused3

After we ate went back to MK and used the FP we had gotten for Splash & Jungle Cruise...yea didn't get soaked on SM :thumbsup2

It was about 7pm and Spectromagic was at 8pm so started to head back to Main street to get a spot. While heading through Adventureland i saw Lou Mongello talking to himself....so didn't want to go over and say hi and interupt his recording. I knew he was going to be there today and i was suppposed to call him so we could meet and say hi. For those who don't know Lou does the WDW Radio podcast (which is great my favorite Disney podcast) and is the author of the Walt Disney World trivia books vol 1&2. I had run out of time...and never got to call him. But if you ever see Lou talking to himself he said it's ok to come up and say hi...so next time i will Lou :thumbsup2

Found a spot for Spectro at the front of Main Street...which was nice so once Wishes was over we could just dash out with out having to deal with crowds...both Shaun and i were pretty exhausted at this point...had very low energy today. Spectro is the only parade that is a must for me :thumbsup2 Never stay to watch any of the afternoon parades..well unless your on the Backstage Magic tour then it's part of the tour.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l273/spaceoddity71/Disney%20Jan%202007/DSC00351.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l273/spaceoddity71/Disney%20Jan%202007/DSC00364.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l273/spaceoddity71/Disney%20Jan%202007/DSC00367.jpg

Was hard to get some pics without them getting all blurry...and i was tired and not holding the camera all that steady. So after Wishes i headed back to WL for some much needed sleep.

next up Animal Kingdom & my last day :sad2:

[KimAshton]

Love this TR cannot wait for more. :)

[spaceoddity]

Love this TR cannot wait for more. :)

Thanks for reading...only one day left....so it's going to be sad since i'm going home the next day :sad:

[BriarRosie]

ROFL when I read that Lou was "talking to himself". I've met Lou, and I
listen to a dozen or so Disney podcasts. Lou is one of the nicest people
you can meet. I think he was recording a "walk-thru" tour of the parks.
Fun stuff. :thumbsup2

Too bad you only had the side view of Matthew and not the back...tie it
into the Jungle Cruise and you could have had the "back side of Matthew!"

[spaceoddity]

ROFL when I read that Lou was "talking to himself". I've met Lou, and I
listen to a dozen or so Disney podcasts. Lou is one of the nicest people
you can meet. I think he was recording a "walk-thru" tour of the parks.
Fun stuff. :thumbsup2

Too bad you only had the side view of Matthew and not the back...tie it
into the Jungle Cruise and you could have had the "back side of Matthew!"

When i saw Lou "talking to himself" i almost went over to say Hi but just didn't want to interupt his recording....but next time i will :thumbsup2

Clever tie in.....but also it made me groan...as do most of the Jungle Cruise jokes ;)

[WDWFlorida2005]

Thanks for reading...only one day left....so it's going to be sad since i'm going home the next day :sad:


Great trip report!! Love it! Can't wait to read the rest of the report:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 !!

[spaceoddity]

Great trip report!! Love it! Can't wait to read the rest of the report:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 !!

Thank you for reading :thumbsup2 It's been allot of fun writing it :woohoo: Last day coming soon.

[spaceoddity]

Day 5

Sun May 20

My last full day in Disney :sad2: Again up early want to get to Animal Kingdom before opening. On this day it was unusually busy this morning ..because there was a triathlon going on. On the bus the driver asked if any of us were going to Blizzard Beach..no one was so straight to AK. Bus driver seemed relieved none of us were going there because of the triathlon allot of the exits were closed for the bikers. So on the way to AK the bus driver says the exit is closed...he seems kinda of lost as what to do next....well next he decides to cut across the median to the other side of the road to take that exit which is open. Never been on this Disney ride before "crazy bus driver" i think it's called? :thumbsup2

So almost taking out some cars on the other side of the highway we make it to the exit and join a huge line trying to get into the AK...what a mess the triathlon caused. But still made it too AK before opening. Shaun wasn't there yet but i knew he most likely was stuck in the line trying to get in.

Meet up with Shaun and walk up to rope drop....the mad dash to Expedition Everest was about to begin..much better ride than the "crazy bus driver" Also my favorite ride in Disney...the que line is amazing.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l273/spaceoddity71/Disney%20Jan%202007/DSC00341.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l273/spaceoddity71/Disney%20Jan%202007/DSC00344.jpg

Pretty much did everything in AK except the Flights of Wonder show...did EE 2 or 3 times can't remember?? I saw Finding Nemo: The Musical for the first time...when i went in Jan it was closed the day i was at AK, because the day before 2 puppets had crashed into each other and needed repair :sad2: I thought it was great! It replaced the Festival of the Lion King as best show at Disney for me :thumbsup2 Got soaked on Kali, it alwasy happens the raft turns at the last minute and puts me so going down the drop backwards so i'm guranteed to walk in the park wet for a bit :thumbsup2

It's going on 4pm so we leave and head to Epcot because Shaun suggested we see Illuminations again since it was my last night. I had orginally planned on going to MK after AK but i thought Illuminations was a better idea. So we drop Shuan's car off at Epcot and head to the WL i had made an adr at Whispering Canyon Cafe'....can't being staying at the WL without eating here :thumbsup2

The waitress we had was hysterical...she made it allot of fun! The table next to us was a bit rowdy which was great because that really got the waitress going. I love this resteraunt...have eaten here many times and never been disapointed. Instead of getting the all you can eat skillet this time i got the Roast Chicken..which was very good & of the course the bottomless milkshakes!

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l273/spaceoddity71/Disney%20Jan%202007/DSC00386.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l273/spaceoddity71/Disney%20Jan%202007/DSC00409.jpg

Now that i'm a full we head back to Epcot to get a spot for Illuminations. We went to the same spot we had early in the week in front of Norway. Illuminations is my favorite fireworks show. I think it's because it's the least Disney & the music is very emotional....and what I mean by being the least Disney is it's not about dreams & wishes..etc like Wishes / Fantasmic! I love those shows too but Illuminations is my favorite.

After Illuminations i wanted to take my time leaving so we walked out towards the Canadian side. It was starting to hit me that i have to leave in the morning...need to be on magical express for 7:30am...no time to do a park tomorrow :sad2: So get to the entrance of Epcot say my goodbyes to Shaun..thank him for a great time. Then head to the bus for WL...and thank god it's dark...because now it hits me and my eyes water up :sad: ...i was trying to keep most of it back since i was going to be standing in a line with a bunch people waiting for the bus. It was back to the real world tomorrow.

This was an amazing trip, i had so much fun going solo. i t was non-stop from the time arrived until the time i left. I will most likely do it again in the near future. Already have my October trip planned but there may be a January '08 trip i can start planning for & making adr's when it's time :thumbsup2

Here are a few random pictures...Thanks for reading my trip report if have any questions feel free to ask :thumbsup2

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l273/spaceoddity71/DSC00513.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l273/spaceoddity71/DSC00532.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l273/spaceoddity71/Disney%20Jan%202007/DSC00377.jpg

[WDWFlorida2005]

Great report! :thumbsup2
And the pictures are breathtaking!!!! Love them!:woohoo:

[DreaGirl]

I really enjoyed reading your TR. I hope you do another one for your next trip. :thumbsup2

[spaceoddity]

Great report! :thumbsup2
And the pictures are breathtaking!!!! Love them!:woohoo:

Thank you for reading :thumbsup2 Glad you like the pictures!

I really enjoyed reading your TR. I hope you do another one for your next trip. :thumbsup2


Thank you so much, i will do another trip report for my October trip..i'm going with my friend & her husband and there 2 kids 1 & 3 years old.....it's going to be a whole new experience going from a solo trip to one with 2 little kids. I'm sure i'll have plenty of stories to tell :thumbsup2

[AGPrincess]

I just read your TR and I love it! Your photos were AMazing & I loved your description of the 7 hr tour -- I had never heard about it before and it sounds really fun

Great TR!

[ccigliano]

Great trip report. I started to well up at the end too. Glad I'm alone sitting at the PC. Please do write another trip report for your October trip. Will you be visiting Shawn from across the pond? You guys really seemed to hit it off.
Thanks for sharing.
Charmaine

[andiepie]

That was a great trip report with great pictures! Is your trip in October going to be a solo trip, too?

[Angelrose]

Thanks so much for your report and the beautiful pictures.

[spaceoddity]

I just read your TR and I love it! Your photos were AMazing & I loved your description of the 7 hr tour -- I had never heard about it before and it sounds really fun

Great TR!

Thank you for reading, glad you liked it. The backstage tour is allot of fun and you learn so much :thumbsup2

Great trip report. I started to well up at the end too. Glad I'm alone sitting at the PC. Please do write another trip report for your October trip. Will you be visiting Shawn from across the pond? You guys really seemed to hit it off.
Thanks for sharing.
Charmaine

Thanks for reading, it was my first time getting emotional leaving. My ocotber trip is with a good friend & her husband along with there 1 & 3 year old so it's going to be a whole new experience.

That was a great trip report with great pictures! Is your trip in October going to be a solo trip, too?

Thanks for reading....the October trip is not going to be solo. But i'm sure after that one i may do it again solo :thumbsup2

[spaceoddity]

I really don't think i can wait until October to go back....How do you keep from getting in your car & driving 24 hours just to get a Disney fix? Your driving time may vary from state to state :thumbsup2

[Glendamax]

I really don't think i can wait until October to go back....How do you keep from getting in your car & driving 24 hours just to get a Disney fix? Your driving time may vary from state to state :thumbsup2
You go in September with me insted! :banana:
Come on! There are 2 DISmeets then!

[the_princess]

Great pics... I haven't had time to read it yet, but i'm going to later that's for sure.... keep it coming...

[spaceoddity]

You go in September with me insted! :banana:
Come on! There are 2 DISmeets then!

Would love to go but running out of days i can take from work :sad2:

Great pics... I haven't had time to read it yet, but i'm going to later that's for sure.... keep it coming...

Thanks! :thumbsup2

[BriarRosie]

I really don't think i can wait until October to go back....How do you keep from getting in your car & driving 24 hours just to get a Disney fix? Your driving time may vary from state to state :thumbsup2

LOL I hear you! 2006 was my Year Without a Disney Trip. So I'm in the same
boat as you. I can't believe I have a stretch from Oct 2005 to Oct 2007
without going bonkers. But I survived. I listen to a lot of Disney podcasts,
and that seems to help a lot.

Your photos are great! No matter how many times I've been to the WL,
even when I stayed there, I was never able to see the geyser erupting.
I never wanted to wait around for it. :laughing:

So :woohoo: for October. It'll be here sooner than we think!

[Ms. Heimlich]

great report :thumbsup2

I will look for one in October!

[DancinDaisyDuck]

So it looks as though your trip was not so solo after all! Great report, I wish I had time to take a day for a tour, but it is something I will keep in mind when I am in the World for more than a few days at a time. I am taking my first semi-solo trip in october so your report made me really excited for it! thanks for sharing!

[spaceoddity]

great report :thumbsup2

I will look for one in October!

Thanks for reading :thumbsup2

So it looks as though your trip was not so solo after all! Great report, I wish I had time to take a day for a tour, but it is something I will keep in mind when I am in the World for more than a few days at a time. I am taking my first semi-solo trip in october so your report made me really excited for it! thanks for sharing!

It was and it wasn't solo...yes i did travel down by myself & stay at the WL by myself but i did get to meet up with someone in the parks :thumbsup2 It was strange at first hanging out with a complete stranger in Disney...but we were both there for the same reason...to have fun in Disney :thumbsup2 I'm sure you'll have a great time on your semi-solo trip :woohoo: