Looking for Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere a PTR

[If U Had Wings]

I love going to Disney with my family and friends. Really and truly I do. I've been blessed with a family that "gets it". They are all as addicted to the mouse as I am, I would only have to say the word and I'd any of them traveling along with me this trip. There is something comforting about that.

But…

I've had the urge for awhile now to go on a vacation all by myself. Not just a weekend away like I usually take, but an entire week. One blissful week where I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. The trip where I can sit by the pool sipping strawberry daquris all day if I wish, and not have to worry that whomever I'm with is bored. The trip were I can act like a kid again and eat a meal with the princesses without anyone laughing at me. A trip, in short, for me.

Of course, such a trip is easier said than done when your surrounded by a bunch of other people who all drink the Disney kool-aid too. I finally decided to face the wrath (and a bit of jealousy) of my friends and family and book my very first solo trip to the world. I'm not sure the majority of my family and friends understand the desire to strike out alone, but my brother has always said that some of his favorite moments in the park are the few hours he's had to himself. I can't wait to find out if it's true.

Some background on me.

My friends call me Crissy. I'm a 38 years old, single and have no kids. I have two nieces that I absolutely adore, and that are a bit put out that I'm not taking them to Disney this time. I live in CT, but commute daily into NYC. I don't mind my commute most of the time (except for the cost) because I love working in NYC. I'm truly a city girl at heart. Plus it gives me the opportunity to make weekly trips to The World of Disney NYC. My favorite Disney characters are Belle and Donald.

My first trip to Disney was back in 1979 and I've been in love with it ever since. I used to average a trip every 5 years or so, but the past few years I've been making it a yearly event.

My last trip was with my entire family. It was wonderful sharing the trip with my nieces, but there was enough aggravation from my SIL's father to put a bit of a damper on the trip.
My 2008 trip report - Everything is Satisfactual. If I never go to Disney again with him, I will be overwhelmingly happy.

The year before I made a 2007 fall trip to the world with my BFF. I never finished my report but in case your interested here's my 2007 report - Partying Between the Raindrops. Again a wonderful trip. We were there for Epcot's 25th anniversary which ended up being one of those fantastic once in a lifetime Disney moments.

My trips to Disney though have become a bit routine. I always tend to eat at the same places, tour the parks in the same order, and stay at the same resorts. This trip I am dedicating myself to shaking things up a bit, trying new things and staying away from the status quo. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm so excited about having so many new plans to make and things to try!

- Looking for Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere (That would be this post!)
- Looking for Shelter in the Great Wide Somewhere
- Timing All that Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere
- Getting to the Great Wide Somewhere
- Influenced by Everyone in the Great Wide Somewhere
- Because the Great Wide Somewhere Doesn't Come Cheap
- Can you Really Plan for All that Adventure?
- Changes in the Great Wide Somewhere
- A Bit of Company in the Great Wide Somewhere
- Resortitis in the Great Wide Somewhere
- A Kabosh on Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere
- Picking a Resort Already in the Great Wide Somewhere
- Do you need a ticket for the Great Wide Somewhere?
- Either/Or in the Great Wide Somewhere
- Hitting a Wall in the Great Wide Somewhere
- A Cry for Help in the Great Wide Somewhere
- A Bit of a Concession in the Great Wide Somewhere
- Upgradeitis in the Great Wide Somewhere
- Time for the Good Stuff in the Great Wide Somewhere
- More Good Stuff in the Great Wide Somewhere
- Bagitis in the Great Wide Somewhere
- Finding Adventure in the Great White Mountains???
- Finally ADRs in the Great Wide Somewhere!
- Opportunities for Day 1 in the Great Wide Somewhere
- Adventure in the Great Wide Animal Kingdom
- Adventure in the Great Wide Future
- Rest and Relaxation in the Great Wide Somewhere
- A Bit of Rethinking in the Great Wide Somewhere
- Do I Really Need to Eat in Epcot?
- Does This Mean I Get to Start Packing???
- Rest, Relaxation and Holiday Cheer in the Great Wide Somewhere
- Planless in the Great Wide Somewhere
- Final Countdown to the Great Wide Somewhere
- Bringing Home a Bit of the Great Wide Somewhere
- Packing it Up for the Great Wide Somewhere
- Nearly Single Digits to the Great Wide Somewhere
- 2 Days and Counting to the Great Wide Somewhere
- And One Last Little Glitch is Thrown Into the Plans
- Back from My Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere

 

[Lady Lallie]

Oooh!! You started your PTR. I am so excited for you.

I love your title and I love your little dancing girls in your signature.

You are going to have a fabulous time and I can't wait to hear where you decide to eat and what plan of action you are taking for the parks.

 

[If U Had Wings]

Oooh!! You started your PTR. I am so excited for you.

I love your title and I love your little dancing girls in your signature.

You are going to have a fabulous time and I can't wait to hear where you decide to eat and what plan of action you are taking for the parks.

Thanks. I've been meaning to start it for ages. I can't believe how much I'm already torturing myself over plans for this trip already!

 

[micandminforever]

It sounds like another fun time. I look forward to your report.

 

[If U Had Wings]

It sounds like another fun time. I look forward to your report.

Welcome!

I'm really looking forward to this trip. I can't wait to see everything at a leisurely pace.

 

[APB513]

Hi Crissy -

Good for you for deciding to take your first solo trip!!! I am taking my first solo trip next month and I am doing for the same reasons as you!

I've never stayed at WL but we visited the resort during Christmas 2007. It was so beautifully decorated! My sons loved the pool. They told me that this is the resort they would like to stay at next.

Looking forward to reading more of your PTR!

 

[askelton]

You'll have so much fun doing just what you want to do!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Hi Crissy -

Good for you for deciding to take your first solo trip!!! I am taking my first solo trip next month and I am doing for the same reasons as you!

I've never stayed at WL but we visited the resort during Christmas 2007. It was so beautifully decorated! My sons loved the pool. They told me that this is the resort they would like to stay at next.

Looking forward to reading more of your PTR!

You'll have so much fun doing just what you want to do!

Thanks. My last family trip convinced me I needed to take a trip myself. I was so sick of dealing with in-law nonsense when I wasn't even the one who has in-laws.

The thought of doing what I want is almost too wonderful to think of!

 

[If U Had Wings]

I said in my last post that my trips have become very routine and predictable. That has been true right down to where I stay. When I was a kid my family always stayed at the Poly. (Back when the Poly was still affordable). I became completely hooked with staying on-site. Even as a kid, I knew I didn't want to stay anywhere else but right in the middle of the magic. We made a few more family trips, always staying at the Poly.

My brother and I at the Poly back on our first trip in 1979

In 1992 I made my first trip to Disney without my family. I had just graduated from college, and it was the first trip that I planned all on my own. Somewhere between my last family trip to Disney in 1988, and 1992 the Poly had become crazy expensive. Luckily there were now some less expensive resorts on property. I had just finished reading "Gone With the Wind" and had my heart set on staying at the new Dixie Landings Resort since I was obsessed with all things southern. It was filled, so my travel agent suggested Port Orleans (and it's always just Port Orleans to me). It must have been kismet or something, because it was love at first sight for me. It truly feels like my Disney home away from home.

My first trip to Port Orleans, waiting for a rainstorm to ease up so I can go to my room.

My dream Disney resort is the Boardwalk Inn. From the first time I saw it back a few years ago, it's been the one other Disney resort that I've really wanted to stay at. In my mind I can see myself chilling on my balcony overlooking the boardwalk without a care in the world. Unfortunately my dreams don't agree with my budget, especially for a solo trip. I had toyed with the idea of renting points to stay at my dream resort, but with the state of the economy I chose against that option this year. I don't want to take the chance that something may happen to my job where I'd have to cancel especially closer to when I'm going.

The original intention for this trip was to just stay value for the entire trip. In all honestly it's what I should be doing. Should being the operative word. My balcony dreams aren't going away. The problem with balconies is that they require staying deluxe, and a deluxe for the entire week just isn't possible this year, no matter how much I play around with fuzzy Disney math. After calling Disney and getting some price quotes, I played around with the numbers and came up with three options.

1) Stay at POP Century for the week. - Plus side - The sensible lowest cost decision. Since I'm going right in the middle of Pop Warner week, POP is the only value I was willing to consider. Minus side - No balcony, and I had concerns that it would be a bit noisy and I would be able to relax at all there. I'm determined not to go comando on this trip.

2) Stay at POFQ for the week. - Not quite as inexpensive as option #1, but still falling within my affordability range. On the plus side, a place I love, and I'd definitely get to relax and enjoy the facilities there. On the minus side not something new to me, and again - no balcony.

3) Do a split stay between POP and either the AKL or the Wilderness Lodge with a standard view room - Lots of plus side here. I'd get my balcony and a deluxe resort to relax at for 1/2 the trip, and a low cost option for the other 1/2. The downside though was having to change resorts mid-week, and I'd miss my home POFQ.

I hemmed and hawed over the decision. Part of me didn't want to stay anywhere but my "home", and I wasn't sure about how I felt about staying at the values. Also I stayed at the AKL a few years back on a great upgrade when Disney shut down POFQ for renovations a week before we were scheduled to check in. They moved us to the AKL for less than we were paying for the room at POFQ, then when we checked in they upgraded us to a Savannah view room. I loved staying at the AKL. It was fantastic, but the savannah view's spoiled me a bit, and I was really afraid I'd get stuck in one of the rooms that overlooks the bus stop area. It's not really what I had in mind when chilling on a balcony. There was also that thought in the back of my mind that I really should try somewhere new.

That left the Wilderness Lodge, and honestly it wasn't crying out single girl on vacation to me. I'm not really a woodsy type of person. I'm a true city/suburb girl at heart and have always found myself drawn to the more beachy/urban themed resorts a bit more. I started doing a bit of research on the boards, and after reading through several trip reports (thanks TK and LL!), I started feeling myself being swayed towards the Wilderness Lodge. LL also helped erase my concerns that transfering resorts was going to be a hassle.

I finally decided to go ahead and book the split stay - POP Century/Wilderness Lodge. I think it's going to offer me most of what I want, even with the remaining concerns I have regarding whether or not the resort is "me" or not. My thinking was that I might as well go ahead and book while there were still standard view rooms available at the Wilderness Lodge. I booked back in September, but since I was planning a December 2009 trip and I knew from the boards that the resort books fast for that time of year particulary for the standard view rooms, that I had to book as soon as possible. Better to have the room and change later, then have nothing, right?

So the dates and the resort are set. Unfortunately I haven't lucked into a good discount code yet, but at least I'm getting the rooms with a 20% AAA discount right now.
December 5-8, 2009 - POP Century
December 8-12, 2009 - Wilderness Lodge (I just had to use the extra day at the deluxe!)



The more I've been thinking about my plans, the more I think my resort choices are going to work out for the best. While I wouldn't rule out switching to the Boardwalk if a 40% off code fell into my lap, I'm actually thinking that being located near the MK and monorail resorts is going to work out best for me this trip. More on that later though!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Chrissy! You are just a yr older than my DD - we have a photo of her and her DB that looks much like your pic! We stayed at the the Poly from 1982 until around 1995, then began trying new resorts.

If you don't mind, since I'm a wimp, I'm going to do my solo trip as an armchair traveler along with you.

That said... I'd be thinking exactly the same about the resorts. One thing I love about BW is being so close to International Gateway...the thing I'm not crazy about, esp for a solo stay, is most of the rooms are a very long hike from the elevator.

French Quarter would definitely be top choice for a moderate solo.

I've considered WL for a solo as well...with the boat to MK and CR, it allows for some options. Fingers crossed that you don't get one of the std rooms over looking the delivery area...and some

that you'll be upgraded.

I did stay at POP for 2 ngts alone last August - felt very safe at POP. Although I was bumped to a preferred location, 4th fl overlooking the Hippy Dippy pool, would have been fine (even better) in a lake side room as those are so peaceful. (We were there twice during POP Warner -POP is one of the overflow resorts - all the kids were in the 50's area...so were we, but they left two days after we arrived ).

I'm all settled in to enjoy the pre-trip. Great job!

(p.s. I'm also a Chrissy!)

 

[If U Had Wings]

Welcome! I'm so glad your joining in.

Chrissy! You are just a yr older than my DD - we have a photo of her and her DB that looks much like your pic! We stayed at the the Poly from 1982 until around 1995, then began trying new resorts.

I loved the Poly when I was a kid. We'd always have breakfast at the old Tangaroa Terrace. I have a couple of pictures of us with those tiki statues. I wanted to try to get our pictures with them last year on our family trip, but they are gone now. I haven't stayed there since 1988 and still miss it.

That said... I'd be thinking exactly the same about the resorts. One thing I love about BW is being so close to International Gateway...the thing I'm not crazy about, esp for a solo stay, is most of the rooms are a very long hike from the elevator.

I just love it. Especially after seeing some of the pictures now that it's been refurbished. One of these days I'll get to stay there.

I've considered WL for a solo as well...with the boat to MK and CR, it allows for some options.

You don't get one of the std rooms over looking the delivery area...and some

that you'll be upgraded.

Thanks for the luck. I'm debating whether or not to request a certain room area. Usually I just play it by ear. My only concern at the WL was really having a ground floor room. With sliders I just wouldn't feel safe, but since there are no standard view rooms on ground level I was just going to take my chances. Part of my though secretly hopes there is a chance I get upgraded since I booked 15 months in advance.

I did stay at POP for 2 ngts alone last August - felt very safe at POP. Although I was bumped to a preferred location, 4th fl overlooking the Hippy Dippy pool, would have been fine (even better) in a lake side room as those are so peaceful. (We were there twice during POP Warner -POP is one of the overflow resorts - all the kids were in the 50's area...so were we, but they left two days after we arrived ).

I'm all settled in to enjoy the pre-trip. Great job!

(p.s. I'm also a Chrissy!)

Thanks for the info on POP. I've actually never been on property for either of the WL or POP, so both will be completely new to me. I'm getting more excited about my choices.

Very cool that your another Chrissy. When I got out of college years back I tried to shake the nickname. It turned out to be a useless battle. No matter where I work everyone ends up calling me Crissy. I've come to accept that I am a Crissy and like it now.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I really think you are going to love Wilderness Lodge. We loved our split stay since we were able to afford staying at WL for a few nights. I have heard that standard rooms get upgraded a lot, so you might just have some luck. We didn't put in any requests and we had a wonderful room. Granted, it didn't have a view of anything but woods but it was nice and relaxing in the mornings and evenings.

And as you know, I just adored the boat transportation. It was so relaxing, fun and different. Plus being at WL, you are close to some great places to eat and close to the monorail to get over to Epcot.

Really, I can't say enough good things about WL.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I really think you are going to love Wilderness Lodge. We loved our split stay since we were able to afford staying at WL for a few nights. I have heard that standard rooms get upgraded a lot, so you might just have some luck. We didn't put in any requests and we had a wonderful room. Granted, it didn't have a view of anything but woods but it was nice and relaxing in the mornings and evenings.

And as you know, I just adored the boat transportation. It was so relaxing, fun and different. Plus being at WL, you are close to some great places to eat and close to the monorail to get over to Epcot.

Really, I can't say enough good things about WL.

I'm liking the thought of it more as time as passed. I'm going to try to take advantage of the location as much as possible, and do as much of my "relaxing" on my days there.

I actually think I'd like a woods view best. Just so relaxing!

 

[MRYPPNS]

I actually wish I could go on a solo vacation since very rarely to I even get to hear myself think let alone not have to worry if everyone else is happy and having a good time.

I hope you can score a discount so you can stay at WL the whole time!

 

[If U Had Wings]

I actually wish I could go on a solo vacation since very rarely to I even get to hear myself think let alone not have to worry if everyone else is happy and having a good time.

I hope you can score a discount so you can stay at WL the whole time!

Staying at the same place for the week would be lovely. I haven't been offered any codes at all, but from what I read on the boards they haven't been offering any for that week anyways.

I'm definitely planning down time for this trip. I want to feel good and relaxed when I get home.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I think I could sit on a balcony at any resort for a week, order in room dining and be in absolute heaven! Especially if the balcony had a great view!

 

[micandminforever]

Just sitting on the balcony sounds wonderful. The one time I stayed at the Wilderness Lodge I loved the sounds of the birds and other animals waking up in the mornings as I just sat and enjoyed my morning CocaCola.

I have a cousin named Chrissy Ann, and being from the south of course she has a double name, but it was shorten to Chris Ann.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yeay, you started your pre-trippie!!! I am very envious that you get to go to Disney alone -- I would love to do that some day, but I have a bunch of kool aid drinkers at my house, too!

 

[If U Had Wings]

When I stayed at AKL sitting on the balcony at the end of the night was my mom and I's favorite part of the trip. It was just wonderful.

My younger niece told me on Easter that I needed to bring her to Disney with me because she wanted to go again. She was quite put out that I'm going when she's in school. She didn't get why I would want to go without her.

 

[TarzansKat]

:::ahem:::: (meekly) Forgive my late arrival!

I got a shout out and didn't even realize it!

I think you will be so happy at the Wilderness Lodge. You know, I never got to see it in December, but I heard that it is absolutely beautiful! The decorations for the holidays are supposed to be amazing. Plus, it'll be a nice change from Pop.

Pop is wonderful, and exciting, and in your face Disney 24/7. And the Wilderness Lodge is big and relaxing, and oh so wonderful. Really, you'll be getting the best of both worlds.