Ridin' those rides and Trekking thru Africa, a Solo TR! FINAL UPDATE 10/28

[jenbear123]

Such a tidy room with all your stuff laid out. Guess that's one advantage when you travel solo. And look, you have TWO beds all to yourself Loved your in air photos from the plane. Very pretty sky. I'm usually too busy sleeping or clenching the arm rests, trying to take deep breaths to notice

 

[aprilisis]

Wow, I'm ashamed that I'm so late to your TR! I'm loving all of your photos. Pop looks like a nice resort!
Sorry for everything you are going through. Keep us posted on how Cathy, Miles & Jynx are doing.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Such a tidy room with all your stuff laid out. Guess that's one advantage when you travel solo. And look, you have TWO beds all to yourself Loved your in air photos from the plane. Very pretty sky. I'm usually too busy sleeping or clenching the arm rests, trying to take deep breaths to notice

Yeah, coming solo does mean you have more room to put all of your things, without someone else's stuff being in the way!

I'm not bothered by flying at all, so I enjoy looking out. But I can certainly understand that if you aren't comfortable with it that you wouldn't want to get pictures.

Wow, I'm ashamed that I'm so late to your TR! I'm loving all of your photos. Pop looks like a nice resort!
Sorry for everything you are going through. Keep us posted on how Cathy, Miles & Jynx are doing.

Hi April! You are not that late, I just did the first updates yesterday POP is a nice resort. I was worried a bit since I hadn't stayed there since 2008, but I really loved it.

Thanks! So far everyone is doing better. Cathy was feeling much better as of last night, Miles has his last surgery today and should move to rehab starting Monday and Jynx is doing very well with everything except taking her meds! I hope Isis is feeling better.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Glad that the flight was somewhat uneventful (sans the griping and making out couple next to you) and that you made it to Orlando ahead of schedule. From the looks of your picture, you beat the rest of the Magical Expresss folks to the check in desk.

Don't cha just love it when you get a room that's in the perfect location? It starts your vacation off with a bang (yes, I am referencing the fireworks pictures that you said were coming later ). If you could see the fireworks, then you may have also been able to get a glimpse of the CBR. I know you can see the top of some of the POP buildings from the CBR grounds.

 

[MissManda]

I'm considering a solo trip next year. I'm looking forward to reading about your adventures and getting some inspiration for my own!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Glad that the flight was somewhat uneventful (sans the griping and making out couple next to you) and that you made it to Orlando ahead of schedule. From the looks of your picture, you beat the rest of the Magical Expresss folks to the check in desk.

Don't cha just love it when you get a room that's in the perfect location? It starts your vacation off with a bang (yes, I am referencing the fireworks pictures that you said were coming later ). If you could see the fireworks, then you may have also been able to get a glimpse of the CBR. I know you can see the top of some of the POP buildings from the CBR grounds.

There was only a family of 3 in front of me in the DME line, but probably because I just missed a bus.

I did LOVE my room location! I could kinda see what I thought was CBR, but I wasn't sure at first. But I had forgotten that they were right next to each other, until I got back there.

I'm considering a solo trip next year. I'm looking forward to reading about your adventures and getting some inspiration for my own!

I'm glad you found me. Solo trips are a lot of fun in different ways than trips with others are. If you have any questions about solo trips to WDW please ask! This was my second solo trip in a year and a half there.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 1, SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11TH, PART 3
EXPLORING THE RESORT, AND DOWNTOWN DISNEY​

I forgot to mention in the last update that I checked in and got to my room around 4:35pm. I spent about 45 minutes unpacking and organizing everything, all while watching "Must Dos". While the show is entertaining the first time or two, the fact that it replays continuously every 8 minutes makes it get old fast!

I decided to head out to Downtown Disney for the evening for dinner, shopping and to hopefully do Characters in Flight. But first, a couple pictures of Art of Animation across the lake.

And some of POP Century as I walked back to Classic Hall to cut thru to the Bus Stop.

I got to the bus stop for DTD and the bus came within a couple minutes. For those that want to know, the bus left at 5:28pm and we arrived at the Marketplace stop at 5:41pm, so 13 minutes traveling. I took a couple of pictures along the way.

Rainforest Cafe is undergoing renovations while they add a "Lava Lounge", so it is blocked off all around except the entrance, since they are still open during the construction.

I took some pictures as I walked past the Lego store, since some of the creations had changed since my trip in 2010.

For dinner I stopped at Pollo Campero/Fresh-A-Peel. Earl of Sandwich and Wolfgang Puck Express were both packed, so I ended up there.

I got the Fried Chicken with Campero Rice and Caramel Flan. It was all just okay. The spices on the chicken were a little off, but not bad. The rice tasted re-heated, the tortillas were rubbery and the flan was just okay. Overall I was not impressed.

UP NEXT: CAN I FLY?

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 1, SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11TH, PART 4
CAN I FLY?​

Once I was done eating I headed over to the WestSide to Characters in Flight, to see if they were running. It was pretty windy so I had my doubts, which were confirmed by this sign:

I took a picture of the grounded balloon and then kept going thru WestSide to the shops.

I remember walking into D23, Pop Gallery and I know at least one other store, but I didn't buy anything. I started heading back toward the Marketplace and the bus stop, taking pictures along the way.

They were doing some work on one of the entrances to World of Disney, but the rest were all open. I didn't go in that night, though I would later in the trip.

I took some pictures of the deals that had going on that week.

And then headed to the bus stop.

I don't remember the exact time I left, but I know it was right around 8pm. How do I know that? Because all 3 times I went to DTD I left around then and it was always shift change. We went to the Pleasure Island stop and changed drivers. This was the fastest night for the change-over, though the driver did go past the stop at first and the new driver had to chase us down a few stops to get us. While waiting for the drivers to switch I took a couple of pics.

A few minutes after the switch-off happened we were pulling back into POP Century.

I took a few pictures of the resort all lit up on the way to my room, as well as one of AoA across the lake. Disney could probably save some money if they didn't leave the lights all on over there every night!

Shortly after getting back to my room I decided I wanted a snack, since I only ate one bite of the flan during dinner. I headed to Everything POP and got an Oreo cupcake, which has adorable Oreo Mickey Ears.

NEXT TIME: THE MONORAIL AND FERRY AREN'T WORKING?!

 

[ronnmel]

Sorry you didn't have a great meal. I've heard so many good reviews of Pollo Campero, too bad your experience wasn't as great.

When I was in Disney I didn't like the offers with purchase they had, but I would LOVE to have that Castle throw.

I hope you got a chance to try Characters in Flight later that week. It's something I would like to try, but Ron is afraid of heights (in some circumstances, he has no problems on roller coasters or TOT), so I'd have to do it alone.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Sorry you didn't have a great meal. I've heard so many good reviews of Pollo Campero, too bad your experience wasn't as great.

When I was in Disney I didn't like the offers with purchase they had, but I would LOVE to have that Castle throw.

I hope you got a chance to try Characters in Flight later that week. It's something I would like to try, but Ron is afraid of heights (in some circumstances, he has no problems on roller coasters or TOT), so I'd have to do it alone.

The chicken was cooked well, and tasted good, the seasoning was just not what I am used to I think. The rice wasn't good though.

I wish I had gotten the throw, but I don't think I spent enough to get it at any one place.

I won't say yet if I did get to do CiF this trip, but I did do it during my last trip in 2010 during the day. I will say that if Ron if afraid of heights he probably wouldn't enjoy it at all. You go up 400 feet and move around so it would be really scary for him. I have no fear of heights and it's a little scary for me when it's going up. Once you are stopped all the way up I'm fine though, mostly.

 

[Nermel9]

OMG those people on your flight next to you sound obnoxious! I can't believe that lady would put up the armrest between you, that's really rude, I think I'd put it back down if some stranger did that to me! I have issues with personal space, that's why when we're on a flight, if someone sits in the row with my DH and I, he has to have the middle seat and I either need the window or the aisle. I can't be smushed next to someone I don't know like that, I'd freak out!

Yay for landing early and getting a great room at Pop! We got the same type of room there, 4th floor, 50's, corner room, and we loved it! It's a great location!

I love your DTD pictures, I never take enough pictures when I'm there! I had no idea they were doing construction on Rainforest Cafe!

Your cupcake with the Mickey ears is so cute!

 

[aprilisis]

I'm loving your photos! Where was that metallic-looking statue-lady? I hope you ended up getting to do Characters in Flight. I noticed that it does shut down quite a bit.
That cupcake looks AWESOME!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

OMG those people on your flight next to you sound obnoxious! I can't believe that lady would put up the armrest between you, that's really rude, I think I'd put it back down if some stranger did that to me! I have issues with personal space, that's why when we're on a flight, if someone sits in the row with my DH and I, he has to have the middle seat and I either need the window or the aisle. I can't be smushed next to someone I don't know like that, I'd freak out!

Yay for landing early and getting a great room at Pop! We got the same type of room there, 4th floor, 50's, corner room, and we loved it! It's a great location!

I love your DTD pictures, I never take enough pictures when I'm there! I had no idea they were doing construction on Rainforest Cafe!

Your cupcake with the Mickey ears is so cute!

I would have put the arm rest back down, if I could! There was too much of her in the way for it to go down.

It was a great location, and probably where I will request again for any future POP stays!

I didn't know they were doing construction there either until I came around the corner and saw the walls up! I have a better picture later I think of what it will look like once the Lava Lounge is done.

I'm loving your photos! Where was that metallic-looking statue-lady? I hope you ended up getting to do Characters in Flight. I noticed that it does shut down quite a bit.
That cupcake looks AWESOME!

She was right in front of what used to be the Adventurers Club, by the bridge over to WestSide. She was pretty funny and kept making bunny ears for pictures and such. I was amazed at how many people didn't know she was a real person. There was a different person there later in the trip that I have a picture of too.

They have a sign at Characters in Flight showing what the weather conditions have to be to ground it. Basically over 20 mph winds and it's grounded.

The cupcake was awesome! Super tasty. I wound up getting another one a few days later since it was so good.

 

[Belle83]

Looks like a fun start! I would love to do a solo trip one day. We ate at Pollo Campero/Fresh-A-Peel too (in our case, because Wolfgang Puck Express was closed). I had a wrap from Fresh-A-Peel that was good, and my SO had chicken and rice from Pollo Campero that was actually pretty decent. I'm not sure we'd go back, though.

 

[disneycrazzy]

Hi,

I'm enjoying following your report. I'm buying an annual pass for the first time this year - so a solo trip is a definite possibility! I'm getting motivated to give it a try!

 

[jenbear123]

Have to say that Pollo Campero meal does not look appetizing at all. Too bad it was such a let down. You should've headed next door to babycakes bakery. That place makes killer desserts. Nice pictures of DTD. Looks like you took lots of time there. How could you resist World of Disney?! That takes self control. I agree with the lights being left on. But in a way, I'm glad they do for safety reasons.

 

[mickeystoontown]

What a bummer that your meal wasn't good and that the Characters in Flight was down. I've heard some good reviews on Pollo Campero and some bad but it does seem to get more negative reviews.

Very cool pictures of Downtown Disney. It seems like a good it of construction was going on but I guess that's to be expected during non-peak travel times.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Looks like a fun start! I would love to do a solo trip one day. We ate at Pollo Campero/Fresh-A-Peel too (in our case, because Wolfgang Puck Express was closed). I had a wrap from Fresh-A-Peel that was good, and my SO had chicken and rice from Pollo Campero that was actually pretty decent. I'm not sure we'd go back, though.

I may give them another shot on another trip. They were swamped since it was a Saturday night and maybe they just didn't cook the rice long enough, or too long!

Hi,

I'm enjoying following your report. I'm buying an annual pass for the first time this year - so a solo trip is a definite possibility! I'm getting motivated to give it a try!

Solo trips are fun, so I hope you get to take one! I enjoy going with friends/family, but it is nice to be able to eat when and where you want, ride what yu want, skip any ride you don't want to do, come and go from the parks as you please, without anyone else there to complain about it!

Have to say that Pollo Campero meal does not look appetizing at all. Too bad it was such a let down. You should've headed next door to babycakes bakery. That place makes killer desserts. Nice pictures of DTD. Looks like you took lots of time there. How could you resist World of Disney?! That takes self control. I agree with the lights being left on. But in a way, I'm glad they do for safety reasons.

I only resisted the first time I was in DTD, the other 2 times I went in!

I'm sure they leave them on for safety and security reasons, but it was a little weird to see them on all night long after the construction crews left.

What a bummer that your meal wasn't good and that the Characters in Flight was down. I've heard some good reviews on Pollo Campero and some bad but it does seem to get more negative reviews.

Very cool pictures of Downtown Disney. It seems like a good it of construction was going on but I guess that's to be expected during non-peak travel times.

Like I said before, the chicken was cooked well, I just think I didn't like the seasoning combo they used. The rice, tortillas and desert were not very good though. It was really the only not-so-great meal I had though, so I wasn't too upset.

I knew that there would be a lot of construction everywhere when I picked February. None of it was really intrusive though, so I didn't care. Especially since I had almost no waits in any of the parks!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Hello all! Sorry I have been MIA lately, I've had a lot going on! I'm hoping to get another update up later tonight or tomorrow at the latest. Some real-life updates though:

1. My friend Cathy is home. She was released yesterday. She is doing well and very excited as they got a contract on their house and are now finding a house in Texas to move to close to the clinic where she will have the cancer trial that will hopefully put her back in remission, permanently this time!

2. Miles was moved to a rehab hospital close to their home in California last night and is doing well. He will probably be there a couple of weeks, but is already making progress.

3. Jynx is doing well. The sore is healing slowly but surely and she definitely feels much better.

4. Some of you may remember a friend I talked about in my PTR that I was hoping to see when I was in FL. He wasn't sure we could get together due to his 2 jobs (full time job plus a company he runs cleaning boats the other 2 days a week) and because his jealous wife hated me. I can spoil my TR that I didn't get to see him, but I heard from him a few days ago and spent most of last night talking to him and trying to help him. His wife decided a few weeks ago that he wasn't making enough to support the lifestyle she wanted and filed for divorce. Then, a week later he lost his full time job, and had a tooth removed that kept him out of the water for his company so he is making zero money until he can do some work again this weekend. And he has to pay her alimony as well as paying all his other bills. He is staying with a friend in FL for now, and is trying to find another job. He is doing alright all things considered. He is not upset about the marriage ending as it has been bad since they got married 12 years ago, but he couldn't be the one to end it (long story). But he is very stressed about the money and lack of a full time job, as well as not really having a place to live. His buddy will let him stay with him for a while, but he needs to get his own place eventually. I'm worried about him and hate that there isn't anything I can do to help, so I'm a little stressed out too. Did I mention that Florida has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country and the fewest jobs available for the most out-of-work people?

Didn't mean to vent there, I just care so much about him and hate that I can't do anything more than talk to him and reassure him that things will work out. He said that really helps but I wish I could do more. This is a man who literally saved my life 6 years ago and I wish I could do the same for him now. I know that good things will come out of this, as I believe things happen for a reason. I just hope it is soon so he doesn't have to keep worrying.


Anyway, I hope to be back later with an update. If not, I promise one tomorrow!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Life seems to get in the way of our Dis time every once in a while. I liked the first three things but hated to hear about your friend in Florida. Unfortunately, I hear those type of stories each and every day (remember I work for a divorce/custody/family law attorney) and it hurts my heart what all the people go through. It sure does make me appreciate the relationship I have with John. All you can do is be there for your friend and listen to him when he needs an ear.