The Solo Trip Which Led to a Vinylmation Addiction!** COMPLETE 4/8

[rachel09985]

Hi Everyone!!

I just got back last Wednesday from an unexpected trip to Orlando!

I just started a new job at PepsiCo and got an email about a week before Christmas that said I was selected to participate in an onboarding session in...Orlando!!!

Oh my gosh!! When I got that email I seriously went into the bathroom and silent screamed because I was so excited!!! I was freaking out! My training was going to be all day Tuesday and Wednesday so I decided to fly down Saturday and stay at Disney until Monday. And I was going by myself!! I couldn't believe I was doing a solo trip.

My last trip was in November and I was so upset I was missing the new FLE and Test Track so I was so happy to be going back so soon!

I decided to fly down bright and early Saturday and I was staying at Pop Century on a great room discount. I got three day tickets and I upgraded myself to the Deluxe Dining Plan after thinking deeply about it and running the numbers!

I have another trip report going now but decided to do another one because I was having so much fun!

So join me for my trip retelling! It will be a lot of pics ( I took more than my 6 night trip in November!). I have a DSLR so I am still learning but I think I got some good ones!

Here I am in 2011.

I am a 27 year old from Toledo, Ohio, currently living in Eden Prairie, MN. I have a boyfriend of 10 years (yikes!). We have a dog named Lola. she is a cockapoo and my little baby!!!

Table of Contents

Saturday January 5th
Chapter 1 Flight to Orlando
Chapter 2 Getting Settled in at POP
Chapter 3 Body Parts Exposed!
Chapter 4 Next Stop: Little Mermaid Show
Chapter 5 Dis Meet Time!
Chapter 6 Boma Dinner

Sunday January 6th
Chapter 1 Walkin' in a Foggy Wonderland
Chapter 2 Crystal Palace Breakfast
Chapter 3 First Walk Through New Fantasyland
Chapter 4 Under The Sea
Chapter 5 First Taste of Lefou's Brew
Chapter 6 Epitome of Mk Rides
Chapter 7 Time to Adventure!
Chapter 8 Be Our Guest Part 1
Chapter 9 Be Our Guest Part 2
Chapter 10 Saying Goodbye
Chapter 11 Alone Time Before Dinner
Chapter 12 Frantic Picture Taking
Chapter 13 Artist Point Dinner
Chapter 14 Nighttime at MK
Chapter 15 Celebrate the Magic
Chapter 16 Enchanted Tales with Belle
Chapter 17 MK PM EMH

Monday January 7th
Chapter 1 Two New Experiences!
Chapter 2 Le Cellier Lunch
Chapter 3 So Full!
Chapter 4 The Road and the Seas
Chapter 5 The Land
Chapter 6 The Dreaded Call
Chapter 7 Chefs de France Dinner
Chapter 8 Heading to the Exit
Chapter 9 Spaceship Earth and Leaving the Bubble

Tuesday January 8th
Chapter 1 On My Own for Dinner!!!
Chapter 2 Grand Floridian Tour
Chapter 3 Shopping in Downtown Disney
Chapter 4 Livin' The Life Part 1
Chapter 5 Livin' The Life Part 2
Chapter 6 THE END!

 

[jecskc]

I'm here ! can't wait to see your pics and see where and what you ate !!

 

[rachel09985]

I'm here ! can't wait to see your pics and see where and what you ate !!

So happy you are here!!

Are you still heading to Disney Jan 18th?

 

[rachel09985]

Let's get this story on the road folks! Warning- this first post will be lots of words and little pics!

My flight left Minneapolis at 6:25am!! Yikes. That meant I needed to be up super early. I think I left for the airport at 4:30. It only takes about 15-20 minutes to get there.

I got some Starbucks using my gift cards from Christmas and I got a smut magazine!

The flight was pretty uneventful. I had a very short layover in Detroit of 40 minutes so I was a little worried about that. I had enough time in Detroit though even though my gate was all the way at the other end of the terminal. I had to take shuttle! If you have ever been to DTW you know it is one looooong terminal.

I absolutely love flights to Orlando because there are so many families just full of excitement and ready to get to WDW. It is magical seeing children so excited!! I sat next to this Asian family and I believe they were a Make a Wish family. They were from Wisconsin. One of the girls and the dad sat by me. It was quite funny because the little girl must have tooted and she said "Daddy do you smell that!" Hahaha. The dad started whispering to her saying you don't do that in public!!

Our plane de iced for about 20 minutes. It was quite interesting actually. They put this green liquid on it and then they blow this smoke over it. I have no idea what it actually does.

We were told we were going to land in Orlando late but we landed right on time at 12:55. I had a lunch reservation at 1:55 so I pretty much knew I was going to miss it but for some reason I thought they closed at 3:45 for lunch. They actually closed at 2:45 so I had to hurry it up to make it in time!

I got to the Magical Express stop at 2:35. I had to get a ticket because I didn't book in time. There was some guy trying to get on a bus to WDW. He wasn't staying at a Disney hotel or anything he just wanted to catch a ride to WDW. The CM said no because it was for Disney resort guests only. Then he preceded to beg and say he just lost his job... CM still said no! I don't blame him.

Magical Express area looks dead, right?

WRONG! Only the Pop line was packed. A huge group was in front of me about 30 people an of course we had to wait for a new bus to get them all on. Couldn't they have just called me on a difference bus since I was a single?

I finally got on the bus at 2 and then got to POP at 2:35, since Kona closed at 2:45 I knew there would be no way to make it, so I accepted the fact I wouldn't eat at Kona. I would got Pop instead.

I had a bit of trouble at Check in because I checked in online and then I couldn't request a non connecting room. Well when I went to check in I asked for a non connecting room and it took a little bit to get it.

I also put a CC on my account, just my debit card because I don't own a credit card right now. Well anyways on my way to my room I had a panic attack because I though they put a hold of $250 on your account and I didn't have $250 on that card!!! I freaked out and then went back to check in and luckily they told me that there wasn't any holds, so I could relax!

I had my favorite Penne Chicken Alfredo for lunch with my mug from my Disney Dining Plan with Diet Coke( I have to keep Coke drinking under the radar now because I work for Pepsi). They are very serious about not drinking Coke, you can't have any Coke products on your expense reports or else they will not pay for it!

 

[danimaroo]

I'm responding to this quick to say I am planning on reading this TR on my way to Disney World tomorrow (long flight from Seattle and I'll have inflight wifi, yay)! The reason I had to pop in is I am obsessed with Vinylmation! So I have to hear all about your trip!

 

[rachel09985]

I'm responding to this quick to say I am planning on reading this TR on my way to Disney World tomorrow (long flight from Seattle and I'll have inflight wifi, yay)! The reason I had to pop in is I am obsessed with Vinylmation! So I have to hear all about your trip!

Hi! I am glad I am not the only Vinylmation fan from the Dis. You will have to see which ones I got later It was fun and addicting to open the blind boxes.

Thanks for reading this and have fun in Disney!!!

 

[tinkgurl]

I am joining in! I was with DH for 10 years before we got married this past August! It feels crazy, doesn't it?!

 

[jecskc]

So happy you are here!!

Are you still heading to Disney Jan 18th?

YES !!! Tomorrow !!! Squeeeee !!! I am soo excited !!

 

[jecskc]

OK. I just read your comment about the Coke and if you have it on your expense account, then Pespi won't pay for it. That. Is hilarious.

 

[danimaroo]

Hi! I am glad I am not the only Vinylmation fan from the Dis. You will have to see which ones I got later It was fun and addicting to open the blind boxes.

Thanks for reading this and have fun in Disney!!!

Haha I'm on my flight and caught up! A solo trip sounds like a ton of fun, and even better when you are going down for work! I have to sometimes travel for work so I keep secretly hoping that at some point they'll send me there, haha.

I'm definitely with you as a fan! I can't wait to see what you blind boxed! I am so excited because I'm bringing down traders with me for our trip to trade in the parks. I love getting new fun ones.

Those blind boxes suck you in and then you just HAVE to get the set of 12. It's all downhill from here.

Can't wait to read more once I'm back from Disney World!

 

[__disneygirl]

Joining in! I love being solo in Disney, I love Vinylmations, and I love Pop! This is clearly the report for me. haha. The Chicken Penne Alfredo is my favorite too! I could seriously eat it every day and not get tired of it.

 

[rachel09985]

Now it was time to check out my room at POP. POP will always have a special place in my heart because that is the hotel in which we fell in love with Disney World, but after staying at Art of Animation it is very noticeable how much POP needs a refurbishment!

I mainly noticed it in the dining hall, tables falling apart and carpet ripped. My room wasn't too bed but those beds and pillow are not comfortable.

I headed to my room which was all the way in the 50s section, in the back building across from the bowling pin pool.

When I got to my room my door was open!!!! I was like ummm, am I sure I am supposed to have this room??

It turns out that people were working on the locks in my room and the entire row. They were replacing to the keyless entry, the one where you just put your key over the mickey head and in you go!

Here is my 5 star hotel room. Haha, not!!!!

It was fine for one person though.

Well I had to go and I just didn't feel comfortable leaving my expensive stuff in my room with my door wide open. But I had no other option. I had to go to Hollywood Studios right away.....because......

DrumRoll.....


I was meeting a Dis'er!!!

I was meeting emmebear and her daughter Emme!!

I posted on the Dis that I was heading there and she messaged me and asked if I wanted to meet up. I said yes and we made plans to meet at Hollywood Studios and go to dinner at Boma then spend the next day at MK together before she left to go back home to Jacksonville!

I was super excited to meet them but I was nervous because I felt like I was going on a blind date. I think I am a likable person but what if we didn't get along??!!!

So I headed to the bus stop and waited in line. Once again it felt like I was waiting the longest from any line. Every other bus came besides the HS bus!

I met a really nice older couple in line with me. They have been going to Disney for a long time, they own DVC they moved to Arizona, but are originally from right where Corey and I live right now. They come to WDW about once a year and they go to Disneyland a lot. They had a premier pass which they showed me! Ah, its the Starbucks gold card!

Emmebear was texting me earlier all day. They tried to go to HS earlier but there was no parking spots available that were decently close. She said it was PACKED so I was a little worried.

My plans at HS were to go on Tower of Terror and maybe see the Beauty and the Beast show. Would they happen???

 

[rachel09985]

OK. I just read your comment about the Coke and if you have it on your expense account, then Pespi won't pay for it. That. Is hilarious.

Haha they are very vey anal about that!!!

Haha I'm on my flight and caught up! A solo trip sounds like a ton of fun, and even better when you are going down for work! I have to sometimes travel for work so I keep secretly hoping that at some point they'll send me there, haha.

I'm definitely with you as a fan! I can't wait to see what you blind boxed! I am so excited because I'm bringing down traders with me for our trip to trade in the parks. I love getting new fun ones.

Those blind boxes suck you in and then you just HAVE to get the set of 12. It's all downhill from here.

Can't wait to read more once I'm back from Disney World!

I know thats the problem with me. The set I got now I want all of the designs because they are so cute! Good thing I don't like all sets.

Joining in! I love being solo in Disney, I love Vinylmations, and I love Pop! This is clearly the report for me. haha. The Chicken Penne Alfredo is my favorite too! I could seriously eat it every day and not get tired of it.

Yes it is the report for you! I am excited to have you along!!

YES !!! Tomorrow !!! Squeeeee !!! I am soo excited !!

Have fun! I can't wait to read about it!

I am joining in! I was with DH for 10 years before we got married this past August! It feels crazy, doesn't it?!

Yes it does! That makes me feel better about us. Now, 6 of our years we were in school because we stared dating in high school so I guess you can't count those.

 

[LumosQ102]

Hi Everyone!!

I just got back last Wednesday from an unexpected trip to Orlando!

I just started a new job at PepsiCo and got an email about a week before Christmas that said I was selected to participate in an onboarding session in...Orlando!!!

Oh my gosh!! When I got that email I seriously went into the bathroom and silent screamed because I was so excited!!! I was freaking out! My training was going to be all day Tuesday and Wednesday so I decided to fly down Saturday and stay at Disney until Monday. And I was going by myself!! I couldn't believe I was doing a solo trip.

now isn't that the best news on top of the excitement of starting a new job congratulation on both!

I look forward to reading about your trip

 

[Nermel9]

Hi, me again! Joining in on this TR too! I am dying to do a solo trip someday, so I love solo trip TR's! And I love vinylmations! I don't really know too much about them, like I don't try to complete sets or anything, I just try to get the ones I really like! I have a shelf full of them, they are so cute!

I love Pop, I've only stayed there once, but I really liked it, that chicken alfredo is one of my favorite Disney meals!

Yay, a DIS meet! I've only met one DIS'er so far, and it was totally by surprise, and I was SO nervous! It was great to finally meet someone in person though!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

I'm here! I'm here! What a cool job sending you to Orlando We ran into the same problem as you with (almost for us) missing a lunch reservation because of transportation. Disappointing that you didn't get to eat at Kona. I'm excited to hear how your meet went! It does feel sort of like a blind date, and makes you a bit nervous!

 

[rachel09985]

now isn't that the best news on top of the excitement of starting a new job congratulation on both!

I look forward to reading about your trip

I know it was so exciting to go to Orlando because normally they only go to Chicago for meetings!

Hi, me again! Joining in on this TR too! I am dying to do a solo trip someday, so I love solo trip TR's! And I love vinylmations! I don't really know too much about them, like I don't try to complete sets or anything, I just try to get the ones I really like! I have a shelf full of them, they are so cute!

I love Pop, I've only stayed there once, but I really liked it, that chicken alfredo is one of my favorite Disney meals!

Yay, a DIS meet! I've only met one DIS'er so far, and it was totally by surprise, and I was SO nervous! It was great to finally meet someone in person though!

Can't wait to read more!

Hi! I was like that too with vinylmations before this trip. I just got then if I looked the designs and I didn't do any of the closed boxes. Now I have to collect this set I got!

I love that chicken alfredo too! So much!!!

 

[rachel09985]

I'm here! I'm here! What a cool job sending you to Orlando We ran into the same problem as you with (almost for us) missing a lunch reservation because of transportation. Disappointing that you didn't get to eat at Kona. I'm excited to hear how your meet went! It does feel sort of like a blind date, and makes you a bit nervous!

I was nervous, lol! The meet info is coming up soon!!!

 

[rachel09985]

So I finally got to Hollywood Studios and the first thing I saw was the huge christmas tree! It is so exciting to think that Christmas is over and all of a sudden be immersed in all of this Christmas decor!

It was a little chilly and cloudy today so I was glad I had on my jeans.

I was shocked at the crowds. It was BAD! Probably the worst I have ever have seen HS. My first thing I wanted to do was go ride Tower of Terror, one of my favorite rides. I go to the time board and the wait is 150 minutes!!!! No Thank you!! the wait for TSM Was 250 min. No thank you again.

I thought that Tower of Terror had a single rider line so I decided to walk back there.

Around that time emmebear was texting me and they got there and were shocked at the crowds too!

I also wanted to see Beauty and the Beast but I changed my mind because of how busy it was.

A little place called Starring rolls was calling my name because they were closing soon and I didn't have dessert at lunch!

So I headed in and got the (Disney) world famous Butterfinger Cupcake with a water. Shhh, its a Coke product!

So I tried to cut it in half and that thing was rock solid!! I didn't realize there was a layer of hard chocolate under the butterfinger. And it was cold so it was even harder. I ended up making a disaster of it.

I had to wait for it to warm it but this thing was just soooo sweet that it was too much. The frosting was a buttercream with a layer of chocolate and dipped in butterfinger. The cake was chocolate with chocolate in the middle. I really only ate the frosting chocolate butterfinger mess. That was my favorite part. I only had about a half.

Here is what I left.

So I headed to TOT to check out the actual line.

When I got to TOT I didn't see a single rider line. RATS! I decided to check with a CM and make sure. I go up the regular line and the two CMs seemed a little preoccupied. They were staring at something. So i ask my question and she answers NO but still seems preoccupied. I turn around to see what they are looking at and notice another woman talking to a CM with...



Her NIPPLES HANGING OUT!!!!!

Yes, her shirt was soooo low that both of her nipples were out. LOL! Her tank top was sooo tight that her breast fat was bulging out along with her nipples!! I was like WOW I have seen it all!!!!!

When she left all of the CMS were like did that seriously just happen? Haha it was hilarious!!!

Well now that I saw more than I wanted to see I decided it was time to do something since I paid for an entire day at Disney!

 

[Isthatyoutiger]

A quick trip to the World! Awesome!! I was reading your other trip report and you said that you started a new one, so here I am

Butterfinger Cupcake Yummmm! I have to try one of those.

Was it Marathon weekend when you were there? I was there a few years ago during Marathon weekend and it was really crowded.

Wow what a site to see at ToT

Can't wait to hear about your meet