The "I've Waited Forever to Go Solo" Mom's Leaving Everyone Behind Trip! Updt 3/11

[jcc0621]

Hello! Thanks for coming over! Yes I just posted on your thread that I just might be able to swing by Petals that afternoon. I will be getting back to Pop after my KTTK tour and a little libation might be just the thing I need to cool off!

THis is shaping up to be a good meet

Well things just worked out really well in the whole "what to do about seeing the old friend" dilemma!

She emailed me and suggested that she comes out, alone, on Monday morning and spends a few hours with me at Epcot! Perfect!

A. I get to see her and spend some time with her.
B. It is a few hours and doesn't alter the plan I already had
C. It is towards the end of my trip and I might be craving a little time with another person at this point! I just might talk her ear off and she'll wonder why she drove an hour for this!

It couldn't have worked out better! I am actually meeting a fellow TGM-er that morning at Rope Drop and we are doing the Soarin' run together and riding together. Then when Stacy (yes her name is Stacy just like that other Stacy we all know and love) arrives she'll call my cell and we'll meet up. She mentioned lunch and I am waiting to hear if she has any WS places she absolutely wouldn't eat at before I call. We might be out of luck as it is Free Dining by that time but maybe there is someplace that has room for 2. If not, we can do CS. Epcot certainly is the place to be if you doing CS!

So now I have Thursday night completely wide open! What should I do? My flight gets in at 3pm so I hope that by 4:30 I am checking into Pop. Is that realistic or wishful thinking?

I think I could be at the bus stop by 5ish. I currently have a 4 day hopper, to add a day is just a few dollars so I am open to that.

I could go to DTD, eat, shop and maybe hit a park late.
I could go to a park.
I could go to the bus stop and be crazy and just get on the first bus that comes.
What a wonderful dillemma!

Next up: Final (?)draft of my itinerary and going to plug in some CS!

Allyson

Glad you were able to make arangements to meet with your friend!

Ou first day is always the pool, wander the hotel, relax and then have a nice dinner. But then again we will have DS with us, and YOU ARE GOING SOLO

I like the idea of just getting on the first bus to arrive

 

[Charleston Princess]

Casting my vote for catching the first bus that arrives! I like the spontaneous sound of that!

 

[MomofCKJ]

Personally, the first night for me will be seeing the castle. Its a tradition I don't wanna mess with. Even if I get on one ride I'm going to MK. Hopefully catching some Wishes too.

I have a friend who jokes that if she doesn't hit MK first her trip is doomed! One year they didn't and they ran into crowds like never before the whole trip. She thought it was Walt's way of saying "MK FIRST!". LOL!

My first day is usually Favorites Day. I go to as many parks as I can (I arrive in the AM if possible) and see all my favorite attractions. You could do one park until close and then another after that if there are evening EMH.

I like that idea! I don't get in till 3ish and there is no evening EMH that night. I love the idea though that being alone I could do something like this. No one to tell me "Noooo, we don't want to leave this park!" or "Nooooooo, we don't want to go there right now". Gosh could it be possible? A completely whine free from start to finish Disney trip?????

THis is shaping up to be a good meet



Glad you were able to make arangements to meet with your friend!

Ou first day is always the pool, wander the hotel, relax and then have a nice dinner. But then again we will have DS with us, and YOU ARE GOING SOLO

I like the idea of just getting on the first bus to arrive

I am kind of liking that too as it is just so spontaneous and my past trips haven't had much spontanaity (sp?) in them! The things you can do when you are by yourself!

Casting my vote for catching the first bus that arrives! I like the spontaneous sound of that!

Me too! I'm a planner and it just flies in the face of how I do things but man, this trip is all about doing the different stuff right?


Allyson

 

[PISCESANGEL]

What is your tattoo of? I really know I'll do it sometime. I wish it had worked out a few weeks ago. I was really feeling up for it at that moment.



Allyson

Well.... I hope it isn't creepy showing you a picture but I thought it might help to visualize it... it is the Pisces symbol of two fish and the word 'Pisces' underneath and I have it on my lower back... the time when pain was the worst was when they were actually near my spine, but still it wasn't anything excruciating.

You can see that my zodiac sign is something I am proud of (hence my screen name as well), as I am a Pisces through and through!

Now I need to go back and read your latest!

-Carla

 

[PISCESANGEL]

All caught up now! I love the idea of catching the first bus that comes!!



.

 

[ampc3]

Hey Allyson,

Glad to hear you will get to spend some time with your college friend and you didn't have to change anything around.

That is a tough one for the first day.. I would either do DTD or catch the first bus, that seems fun..

 

[ILuvCrush]

Allyson...you've inspired me to go off solo too! Booked and ready to fly october 13-18. I can't wait! I'm going to get in early...so I think i'm going to skip lunch and eat my way around world showcase... you could do that as a dinner...18 courses with no one to say EWWW I HATE SUSHI!!!

I can't wait to read more of your pre trip plans!!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Yours will be here soon too, where is your Pre Trippie? Hmmmmmm?

Thanks for the encouragement, Allyson. I'm thinking that I do need to start a pre-trippie soon! You mentioned that you aren't really discussing your trip w/ anyone "in real life" because they don't quite understand and I am running into that same thing.

"You're going alone???"
"But you're a grown-up"
"You don't even have kids"
"What the heck will you do all day?"

So stay tuned- I will need an outlet for my Disney excitement that my friends just can't appreciate!

Glad the meet with your friend worked out!

So you're a TGM'er? I joined but haven't spent much time checking it out. Will have to do that soon.

Have you decided what to do with your "bonus" afternoon yet?

 

[MomofCKJ]

Well.... I hope it isn't creepy showing you a picture but I thought it might help to visualize it... it is the Pisces symbol of two fish and the word 'Pisces' underneath and I have it on my lower back... the time when pain was the worst was when they were actually near my spine, but still it wasn't anything excruciating.

You can see that my zodiac sign is something I am proud of (hence my screen name as well), as I am a Pisces through and through!

Now I need to go back and read your latest!

-Carla

Not creepy, I think it is cool! I love hearing what people have and why. It is neat to see what is meaningful to people. I like it! My Mom is a Pisces too!

All caught up now! I love the idea of catching the first bus that comes!! Yes me too, it is just so not me that I think I have to do it! LOL!



.

Hey Allyson,

Glad to hear you will get to spend some time with your college friend and you didn't have to change anything around.

That is a tough one for the first day.. I would either do DTD or catch the first bus, that seems fun..

Yes I am excited to see her too and that it worked out so well!

Allyson...you've inspired me to go off solo too! Booked and ready to fly october 13-18. I can't wait! I'm going to get in early...so I think i'm going to skip lunch and eat my way around world showcase... you could do that as a dinner...18 courses with no one to say EWWW I HATE SUSHI!!!

I can't wait to read more of your pre trip plans!!!

Starting a movement of Moms Going Solo, I love it! I'm excited for you! Eating around WS sounds fantastic! And you don't have to share either!

Thanks for the encouragement, Allyson. I'm thinking that I do need to start a pre-trippie soon! You mentioned that you aren't really discussing your trip w/ anyone "in real life" because they don't quite understand and I am running into that same thing.

"You're going alone???"
"But you're a grown-up"
"You don't even have kids"
"What the heck will you do all day?"

So stay tuned- I will need an outlet for my Disney excitement that my friends just can't appreciate!

Glad the meet with your friend worked out!

So you're a TGM'er? I joined but haven't spent much time checking it out. Will have to do that soon.

Have you decided what to do with your "bonus" afternoon yet?

Isn't it the truth? People just don't get it, at least non DISer people. DISers get it. I have had people ask if I'll be lonely, look at me with that weird smile like they are thinking what is wrong with her. My SIL today asked me what I like so much about Disney. To so many its just an amusement park. We all know it is so, so much more.

I am a TGMer, I am a Vacation Club Manager over there for January 2009. I have used him the last 2 trips and I think his service is totally worth the $20. You should definately check it out. Join your Vacation Club if you have not already.

New installment coming tomorrow with the final itinerary and what to do with that bonus afternoon!

I put my Fairy Godmailer services out there on the DIS and TGM and have quite a few postcards to send. I would like to offer my services to my readers as well. If any of you want postcards sent a la Fairy Godmailer just let me know. It would be my pleasure, and give me something to do when I eat TS all by myself!

Till tomorrow....

Allyson

 

[Native NYer]

I'm joining in!! Sorry it took me so long to get over here.

 

[MomofCKJ]

38 days folks, yup just 38 days! This one is really flying! It might be since I booked it in much shorter of a window than usual or because it is summer and well, summer always whooshes by before your eyes. I don't know but 38 days is not a long time in my book!

I think I've got my itinerary down to this:

August 21
Arrive at MCO
Try ME for the first time
Check in at Pop
First bus to ?????????


August 22
DHS at Rope Drop
either Backlot or Pizza Planet for lunch
Afternoon Break
MK
Kona at 7
Back to MK

August 23
early bfast ADR at Tusker House
AK
Yak and Yeti CS for Counter Service
Afternoon Break
Epcot
Cape May Buffet with my friend Fiona at 7 I think it is
Illuminations, going to go back into Epcot and try to say hi to the TFW Dis group that will be there

August 24
KTTK tour! Comes with lunch at Columbia Harbor House
Afternoon Break and a drink at Petals with some DISers
DHS
Dinner hopefully at the Tune In Lounge, if not I still have my MM ADR
Fantasmic
MK for evening EMH

August 25
Epcot at RD
Meeting a TGMer at the turnstiles to ride Soarin' together
My friend Stacy arrives sometime in the morning
Lunch--need to call and see if anything in WS is available, it is free dining by this point so we might not have many options
Afternoon Break? Depends on what time Stacy stays till I think
Epcot at night
Dinner ADR at Marrakesh but probably cancel and just eat around WS

August 26
Early flight back to reality!

I am not a huge breakfast person. I'll probably just grab something small at Pop or I would be interested in maybe getting something at the parks. I know DHS has Starring Rolls right? Maybe a nice pastry to start the day? Heck maybe an ice cream to start the day! I don't have to set a good example for anyone this trip! LOL!


I am really going to finish up my lists of things I want to do, compiled by all of you! I'll post a pic of the crafty project once it is done!

I also want to get a book or two to take with me. I found this on Amazon and think this might be one of them:

Anyone familiar with that one? Looks fun! I'll bring something from the library for the plane, maybe another Jodi Piccoult, but I wanted something Disney for the parks and eating.

I also was looking around at bags on Bagbuy.com. I have the khaki Baggalini Messenger backpack bag. I like it but thought I could go smaller just being me. And I found a few smaller but they wouldn't hold a book. Dilemmas. I think I should just keep the Baggalini. It's been good to me and I love the little zipper pocket on the strap for tickets and room keys.

On a side note my TA is making our ADRs today for our January trip! Woooo Weeeee! We ended up deciding, well I decided being that they have entrusted me with all decisions Disney on this vacation, on 50s Prime Time for lunch one day and dinner at Kona another. We are only hitting those two parks while we are there. It is only a few days and the Half Marathon is our primary reason for going. I was looking forward to Sunday morning and just enjoying the pool at CSR. We had a 2:30 flight to Nassau. Well in the airline craziness that is happening with flights changed and cut ours got moved to a 10:40am flight and it is the one and only direct flight on our airline going Orlando to Nassau that day. Good news is we'll be there by Noon but it means up and out, no relaxing at CSR which is a bummer.

Okay I think I'm done with the itinerary althought I reserve the right to make changes and go with the flow at any time. I think next up is pilfering Quacktatty's Solo Trip Pledge and making one for myself.

And packing! I haven't gone in the Hades heat of summer before! What should I not forget? Help me out, share your fave packing tips and items! I could bring one small suitcase but I thought I'd bring our big one to leave room for souvies. Got to squeeze those Fat guys in there somewhere. And, oh this was my other revelation the other morning as I woke early and thought of what else, my trip, I could do some of my Christmas shopping there! I am an early Christmas shopper and how perfect to be able to shop THERE! I could really get a lot of things done and get some unique things. I am not thinking so much for my kids but for people like my parents, in laws, teachers, etc. I mean I could get my kids some things too but I was thinking of the unique little things I might find for adults in World Showcase.

Enjoy the day folks! See you soon!

Allyson [/SIZE]

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh, you are going to have sooo much fun!!! What a great itinerary! In 38 days, I will have been back to work for 20 days (I go back August 1). I will be thinking of you having fun at the World!

 

[stagemomx3]

38 days already. It really is flying by now.

 

[jcc0621]

Go every year in August so here are my tips....

- Lots of water!!!
-a mister fan (it is a life saver when waiting for shows and parades
-Lots and Lots of sunscreen
-a hat is a must!

 

[4boysrus]

38 days!!

I'm so excited for you! I just know that you are going to have a fabulous time! It'll be fun getting to meet up with some many DISer's as well as Fiona and Stacy!

Great idea about Christmas shopping!!

 

[ampc3]

wow 38 dayS!!! seems soo real now doesn't it! Looks great.

 

[Native NYer]

Your plans look great.

I can't wait to har how the KTTK tour goes.

I was looking at that exact same book on Amazon. It seems pretty interesting. Do you have the Hidden Mickeys book?

I really think it's great that you're doing a solo trip. I'm not sure if I can handle that just yet.

 

[Quacktatty]

Pilfer away!

Then I can use your updated one to make a new one for my September trip

Love your itinerary...here's my one suggestion:
Since you are doing the "take the first bus" thing, if the DHS comes first - don't take it. Unless of course DHS is your favoritest park or something

 

[ILuvCrush]

38 days!!! How Wonderful!!!

JMO but don't drop marrakesh off your ressie list.. We ate there last trip and the food was really good. And I'm a notoriusly picky eater!

I've heard that it is often slower there for lunch... maybe you could move that up to your lunch time meal...since it sounds like you're leaning toward a TS lunch. Hate to see you lose out on a TS with FREE DINING... Besides, If you end up not liking it...you could always skip on over to France and indulge with some pastries!!!

I'm thinking of doing that KTTK too... it looks really neat..you'll have to let us all know how it goes

Paula

 

[2xcited2sleep]

38 days?!?! That's almost tomorrow!! Scary how fast the summer is flying by and yet I'm so excited for my trip I want it to go faster!

LOVE that you won't have to set an example for anyone. Or maybe you have to set an example for the solo vacationers! Ice cream for breakfast? Bring it on! Want an adult beverage? It's 5 o'clock somewhere! That will spoil your dinner? So what!?!

Early Christmas shopping... you're so organized it kills me.

And a January trip coming along right behind this one- especially one in which you'll be running a half marathon. You're my hero I've had the same issues w/ flight changes on my Oct trip. Delta has changed it at least 5x.