“IF THIS IS A DREAM, I DON’T WANT TO WAKE UP!” – POP! Goes The Solo Trip **THE END**

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[WillowBelle]

Great start! Pop is our favorite value. I just love the feeling of the place. We've stayed there 6 times now.

 

[danceintherain]

We will probably be renting a car at Disney from now on. I don't know if we'll get it at the airport or not, because I'm prone to over packing and economy car trunks simply aren't big enough.
DH is definitely in your camp though. He likes to drive himself around. I think it's a control thing.

 

[Montyrob]

what does the online check in do?

 

[FlaNani]

Looks like I'm late for the party, but I'm here!

Subbing in!!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

hi Rob! Great start to this report and I have been following along with your other report as well. I love your writing style and sense of humor (half expecting one of your posts to be entitle "and now for something completely different")

Glad your solo trip went well

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

YAY for arrivals!!
I've tried to break my Tim Horton's addiction... hasn't worked yet. Oh well. Glad to hear your flight and arrival all went smoothly!
Awwww Pop Century!! I get so nostalgic. I love that place.

Arrivals are the BEST Wendy!

Gawd Timmmies. I actually do much better now than I used to... but still...

This was my very first time at POP, so it was super cool to see it in person.

Only one soap made it home???

Hahaha... only one that I'll confirm Michelle, and maybe a few other things as well...

I'll be staying at Pop, too - nice to see the photos! I haven't done the online check-in before so I will try this time. How far ahead can you do it?

TP

I have more photos coming up Teresa.
Actually I did the online check-in the day before. I think it used to be within 10 days of arrival, but I believe it is now you can do it up to 60 days out.

Great first installment and wonderful pictures! Pop was the resort we stayed at during our first-ever vacation staying on property. Fond memories there! We're now in love with Port Orleans French Quarter, our trip this fall will mark our sixth stay there. It's definitely our home away from home.

Tim's is a national obsession ... resistance is futile.

Looking forward to the next post!

Thanks Carol.
I think POP seems to be a lot of people's firsts on property (and maybe the All Stars) and obviously mine as well.
I've heard good things about POFQ. At the very least I want to go have a look sometime for sure. I did a little resort hopping on this trip, so I hope to continue that in the future.

Woo hoo, you arrived at the resort! Always the best part of the trip.

Is that the monorail t-shirt you're wearing? I have that same one!

And Mickey soap is awesome. You can never have enough Mickey soap. You should've taken more.

Isn't it the best Sarah, knowing that the WHOLE vacation is still yet to come? All the excitement and anticipation but with the travel part done. This is really when it all starts.

Yup it is indeed. I bought it last October as soon as I saw it. There was NO waiting. I love it. It's brilliant. Disney knows what its fans want!!!
This past trip I got the one I didn't get last time... "Mis Vacaciones". Honestly, anything with a monorail on it is good by me.

Hahaha, I know. But I don't plan to use it so I'll just consider it a lovely memento.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Every time I travel to Disney I wish apparition was real…and then I realize it isn’t working because my wand is at home, and they probably wouldn’t work after security…yup…harry potter nerd over here…

UUUGGGGHHH MOWGLI!! I MISSED IT BY TWO DAYS!! That last Tim Hortan’s of a week is always a killer, like, Disney coffee is HORRIBLE. I know when I move down there I’ll be brining so much with me! Ack, direct flight?! Damn you East coasterner! ….that’s a word right…..

MCO is totally my home airport, like, that’s home, Orlando is home, that is all. Like, in Finding Nemo when Dory’s all “I look at you, and I’m home” that is me, with everything from the moment I get off the plane.

I’ve never rented a car in Disney, then again, I’m not old enough to rent a car in the states, and I don’t have my full license yet baha! Did you do the whole “traveler license” thing I saw something posted on the dis about how a Canada license wouldn’t be accepted in the States?

Ahh Pop, my original home away from home, it’s great there! Glad you got to experience it!

Bahahha Katt, stupid security and their wand stealing ways. You need to make plans for Wizarding World; I don't remember you having gone before. Maybe September?

I love that Disney does stuff like randomly revealing characters but I hate that I'm not there!
Yeah, Tim's addiction would be tough to crack. Oddly I didn't find the coffee THAT bad, but then first thing in the morning I'd probably be fine having it injected intravenously.
I just wish we had directs all year. They only happen in December and late Feb to early May.
Yes, damn is a word...

Could not agree more.

I've always rented since I've been able to. The rates in Florida are so low because of all the competition. I just find it more flexible, plus I usually hit Universal and Seaworld at some point so it's just much easier. I've become so familiar with driving there that it's just like driving at home.
Oh wait.. it IS home.

Thankfully the govt ammended that stupid law a couple months ago so I didn't need the "special license"

I was super glad to be there to. Of course I wasn't there a lot, but I loved it when I was. Plus... FOOD COURT!

I am planning on doing my first solo trip this Oct, so i am eagerly reading to see how your trip go's. Do you usually go solo?

That's awesome. No, this was my very first SOLO experience. I'm usually with at least one other, but most often a group. Obviously there are pros and cons to both, but solo is something I would definitely recommend at least once. It's very freeing. Hopefully this report will help reaffirm your decision.
Plus... you're gonna LOVE MNSSHP. The best event of the year by far.

Loving this so far! I'm going solo at the end of October for the second time.

Thank you so much and
That's awesome you're doing a second solo trip and Halloween is the best.

I think that once you have passed through the WDW sign everyone becomes a little kid at heart! That must be what happened to you.

That's so funny that you like to drive yourself around.... I leave the driving to the very capable bus drivers. Like the ones that take me to every other resort other than my own!! You don't know what you are missing!

What section of Pop Century was your room? Can't wait to see how Genita spoiled you!!

Great start Rob!

You're probably right Brenda and quite frankly if you don't regress into your inner child, you're in the wrong place.

Actually, I did use the buses to visit resorts (and boat... and monorail) since it's so much easier, but to the parks I just like the car for some reason. Plus... free parking! I'm also usually there so early that I'm not much further from the gates than the bus stops (except for Magic Kingdom obviously).

I was in the 90's section (3rd floor) with a gorgeous view of... the parking lot. But I didn't care really. I was really close to the parking, really close to the computer pool (not that i used it) and pretty close to Classic Hall, so it's all good.

I hope I'm not overstating the "spoiling" part since I have no point of reference. But considering I was clearly a solo adult (or at best 2 adults; certainly it was clear their were no kids) given that I had just one king bed, I think I did surprisingly well in the "gift" dept. Of course I wasn't expecting anything outside of the welcome Mickey towel.

Thank you Brenda. I love having you here!

Great update!

Thank you so very much!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Great start! Pop is our favorite value. I just love the feeling of the place. We've stayed there 6 times now.

Thank you!! I quite liked POP. You're right, it does have a certain vibe to it.

We will probably be renting a car at Disney from now on. I don't know if we'll get it at the airport or not, because I'm prone to over packing and economy car trunks simply aren't big enough.
DH is definitely in your camp though. He likes to drive himself around. I think it's a control thing.

Hi Becca!
Generally (so I've heard) it's cheaper to rent outside the airport. I know Disney has onsite rentals and they'll pick you up at your hotel so it's pretty convenient overall.
Haha on the the economy trunks. Yeah, they can be tiny.
Yeah, I just like the freedom. You still always have the option of the busses if you like too. It's the best of both world's (assuming the car isn't a ridiculous price.)

what does the online check in do?

It just really saves a bit of time.
All you're really doing though is entering all the regular personal check-in details before hand (up to 60 days in advance). There's even an option for room preferences (though I would recommend calling direct if certain room preferences are a big deal). The online focus is more on getting you into a room quicker, so likely will assign based on availability at the time of arrival above all else).

The online check-in line is generally much shorter as well (yeah, there's still a line). Depending on your arrival time, it may get your room ready quicker, and at the very least, your welcome packet should be ready when you arrive.

You'll have someone to talk to either way, but if it's your first time (and by your sig it looks like it's your first time?), regulat check-in might be better if you want to hear all the info and have everything explained.
Generally the online check-in is to just get you on your way to your room faster.

Honestly, other than that it's not a huge deal. Sorry if I rambled on there

Looks like I'm late for the party, but I'm here!

Subbing in!!

No you are most certainly not late. We are just getting started!
So glad to you!

hi Rob! Great start to this report and I have been following along with your other report as well. I love your writing style and sense of humor (half expecting one of your posts to be entitle "and now for something completely different")

Glad your solo trip went well

Hahaha, I can't thank you enough for that.
!

 

[Montyrob]

Thanks and yes very first time with the family, great info you are providing

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[IheartDDuck]

I'm the least stressed out traveler. My oldest brother always thinks about what could go wrong, and I'm like "meh...if it goes wrong, it goes wrong...." He HATES that! Haha.

Well at least your in flight entertainment was good. Oh Phil Dunphy....

I normally like to have a car too. I like to hold my own destiny in my hands.

Of course you brought the Mickey soap home with you! I always take them, so they refill them, and continue to take more.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Thanks and yes very first time with the family, great info you are providing

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

It is absolutely my pleasure. I hope the info was helpful.

I'm the least stressed out traveler. My oldest brother always thinks about what could go wrong, and I'm like "meh...if it goes wrong, it goes wrong...." He HATES that! Haha.

Well at least your in flight entertainment was good. Oh Phil Dunphy....

I normally like to have a car too. I like to hold my own destiny in my hands.

Of course you brought the Mickey soap home with you! I always take them, so they refill them, and continue to take more.

Hahaha, I just can't help it. My father always says as long as you have your wallet and passport, you can get whatever you forgot when you're there. He's right of course. I just never truly relax until I'm there and I have my luggage.

Oh man I love that show. I actually saw them filming last year in Disneyland. It was so cool to see.

Bahaha, true that!

And here all this time I thought I was doing something bad... glad to see I'm not the only thief and it's expected. I may have taken a shampoo too. I mean, it has Mickey ears on it. How can you not!?

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I always take the soaps and shampoos and conditioner. In fact, that's how I know it's time to go back - I run out of Mickey soaps!

Teresa

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I always take the soaps and shampoos and conditioner. In fact, that's how I know it's time to go back - I run out of Mickey soaps!

Teresa

Haha, good plan. So since I only took one it shouldn't take long to use up which means I get to back soon. I like that!

 

[Krista in MA]

I had to "Pop" over and comment on this TR too! We almost always rent a car as we go to both Disney & Uni. It's a good time to splurge and rent a convertible I love the Pop! Everything is so bright and larger than life - it's fun!

My sister Kimmie & I get into arguments about the soaps and shampoos (I have quite the hotel collection). She wants me to wait to the end of the trip to take stuff, but what's the point of that? If you take it each day, they refill it Who doesn't need 7 mini shampoos and conditioners? To make her feel better about it, I leave the stuff in plain view on my toiletry bag - so housekeeping knows I'm taking it. See Kimmie? They replenish when your little bag is stuffed with mini hotel goodness

 

[cheekypoppins]

Yay another Canadian

 

[naomiatx86]

Day 1 – April 27, 2013 Part 1 Cont.


I snapped a selfie in the mirror since, you know, that's what all the kids do, and I'm a kid when in Disney after-all, (DisneyKid4Life Yo!)

TO BE CONTINUED…
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AWESOME-

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I had to "Pop" over and comment on this TR too! We almost always rent a car as we go to both Disney & Uni. It's a good time to splurge and rent a convertible I love the Pop! Everything is so bright and larger than life - it's fun!

My sister Kimmie & I get into arguments about the soaps and shampoos (I have quite the hotel collection). She wants me to wait to the end of the trip to take stuff, but what's the point of that? If you take it each day, they refill it Who doesn't need 7 mini shampoos and conditioners? To make her feel better about it, I leave the stuff in plain view on my toiletry bag - so housekeeping knows I'm taking it. See Kimmie? They replenish when your little bag is stuffed with mini hotel goodness

Yay, I'm glad you Popped!
MMMMMM convertible (said in a Homer Simpson voice). The best I've done was the first year I rented where I got a Mustang. After that it's been minivans and compacts.
I was truly impressed with POP for sure.

Yay another Canadian

Yay I'm so pleased to you!!!

C eh D eh D eh... OMG I LOVE that!!!!!! I'm also ashamed I never though of it myself.

AWESOME-

Awww, thank you and So delighted you are here!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

FILLIN' ME UP... LET THE MEMORIES BEGIN!
Day 1 April 27, 2013 Part 2


All checked in and more or less unpacked and organized (as much as I get anyway), I set off to explore.
But in order to that, I needed an energy boost.
So off to Classic Hall and Everything Pop I went, snapping a few photos along the way

I have nothing particularly exciting to report regarding my lunch, as I took no photo.
I was just so hungry and simply looking to refuel.
I can report that I ordered the Grilled Turkey with fries, and also purchased a refillable mug for the week, since I expected I would get my moneys worth.

Spoiler Alert... I did.

Of course, I ended up accidentally throwing out the top as I had placed it on the tray, and discarded it along with the rest of my refuse.

Par for the course for me, sadly. Disney probably has more of my stuff than I do.

I was pretty impressed with the food court as it is HUGE and has a lot of offerings.
But it does seem to stay pretty busy most of the time, even late at night.

Refilled, refreshed, and re-energized, I set off to explore some more.

I eventually found myself on the cusp of the Generation Gap Bridge, so off I went to explore my neighbor, The Art Of Animation Resort.

CONTINUED NEXT POST
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[DisneyKid4Life]

Day 1  April 27, 2013 Part 2 Cont.


Arriving on the other side of the bridge, I took the opportunity to get some shots of my home.

I was really looking forward to swimming back with my newly acquired energy... but Disney and their rules...

So I focused my attention back on AoA, starting in the Cars section.

Then a little bit of Nemo,

CONTINUED NEXT POST
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