"It's Fast! It's a Blast! It's in the Past!" - A Nov Solo Trip - The Finale

ZehnJahren

DIS Veteran
Joined
May 5, 2010
Hello!

Welcome to my 4th trip report! I felt the quote from Dinosaur! was a perfect title, as 1) the trip was a fast, 5-day trip; 2) it was, of course, a blast!; and 3) it is definitely in the past!

If you're interested in the PTR :-)laughing:), you can find it here.

This trip was a solo trip from November 12-16th, staying at BWV in a 1-bedroom. It was my first stay at BWV; look at this view (please ignore the terrifying clown)!



Don't like the clown? How about this?:



Wonderful!

What did I do on this trip?

I used and loved the Magic Bands! I did everything imaginable with the band, and I'll discuss my experiences. I charged on them, used them as a room key, switched my tickets (on the band) to an AP (on the band), used FP+ for both rides AND BOG, swam in it, showered in it, and switched ride times and parks on the fly.



I had a Dis meetup, a surprise visitor, a four-park-one-day-park-hopping extravaganza, a special viewing of Illuminations that was NOT a FP+, and won a pair of Glow With the Show ears (which I wore a LOT!)!



I ate at BOG TWICE, and rode Soarin for the first time in 2 years - with a little mishap....!

I did a little double dipping. No flames please.

I went to MVMCP and I saw the Osborne Lights (and I wore my ears to both!).

And I did quite a bit of chatting with strangers and eavesdropping, since, after all, I was solo.

Who am I?

I'm Zehn:



There won't be a lot of pictures of me, since, after all, I was solo. :) I live 1,157 miles north of Disney, in the Chicago area. I don't have any kids but I do have 8 nieces and nephews; I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters, so there are a lot of us running around! I was glad to leave Chicago and head to Florida, because it was COLD before I left:



Favorites:
Favorite Disney Movie: tough one, but I'll say Pinocchio, with The Three Caballeros not far behind!
Favorite Disney Park: this trip it was a toss up between Epcot and MK!
Favorite Disney Ride: Tower of Terror
Favorite Disney Food: I have to eat cotton candy every time I go. But this time, I found the carved turkey sandwich at BOG and I was in LOVE.
Favorite Disney Hotel: I couldn't choose between YC and CR. If I had to, I'd choose... a YC/CR split stay!

So come read my report and relive my trip with me!

Coming up next? The Table of Contents! Exciting, right??!
 
i. Opening Remarks (Intro)

Chapters:
Day 1: Tuesday 11/12
1: Getting There is Half the Fun! You Know That.
2: It Really Is Fun, Isn't It?
3: I'm in the Mood For Some Fun!
4. They Don't Close Florida.
5. Was I Weaving or Something?
6. This is No Longer a Vacation - It's a QUEST.

Day 2: Wednesday 11/13
7. You Know I'm Your Hero.
8. I'm Not Even Supposed to BE Here Today!
9. Are Either One of These Any Good?
10. Alright, But You're Missing Out!
11. Why Aren't There Any Lights?

Day 3: Thursday 11/14
12. I'm Invincible! Part 1, Part 2
13. I Feel Happy!
14. 'Course It's A Good Idea!
15. Am I Right?

Day 4: Friday 11/15
16. I Hope You Appreciate the Sacrifice I'm Making.
17. You're Far Away. Where Are You?

Day 5: Saturday 11/16
18. Guys, I Want A Castle.
19. Best. Day. Ever.

The Finale

FP+:
Tuesday @ HS
TSMM 3-4 => Used
ToT 4-5 => Didn't Use (ready to leave)
Fantasmic => Didn't Use (went to Epcot early)

Wed @ MK
BTMRR: 3:25 p.m. => Used, pulled 2x FP-
HM: 5:05 pm => Didn't use
Space: 7 p.m. => Didn't Use

Thurs @ MK
HM 3:10 => Didn't use (Waiting on Mom)
PP 4:20 => Didn't use (Waiting on Mom)
SM 6 => Didn't use (Mom didn't have one)

Friday @ Epcot
TT 6 => Didn't use (single rider was shorter)
Soarin' 7 => Used!
Illuminations => Nope, went to bed.
 


I am coming along for the fun. Solo trips fascinate me. :goodvibes

:welcome: I never thought I'd go on solo trips, but they can be a lot of fun!

You know I'm here. :thumbsup2

:welcome: Hello! :yay:

I'm here! :wave2: Can't wait to read all about your solo trip!

:welcome: Hope you enjoy and it makes you look forward to your own birthday trip! :thumbsup2

Following along! :)

Hello and :welcome:!

Thanks everyone for joining me! Going to write the next update over my lunch break, so I'll see you soon!
 


Ah, early morning on a Chicago fall day. No birds are singing, because they all flew someplace much warmer as soon as they could. No bees are buzzing because they're all hibernating already. All that is truly going on at dark o'clock are a few possums rummaging through trash, and those of us heading to O'Hare Airport.

I never have problems getting up on a Disney morning. I wish I could bounce out of bed regularly like I do for Disney, but there's not typically that type of excitement to my day! :rotfl:

As it was, I was up at 4:40 a.m. I first checked the cat litter box and food and water, because I didn't want this guy having any problems:



My good friend would be stopping by to check on him on Thursday, so he really only needed to make it for two days before she arrived.

I unplugged most of my electronics (not my Tivo, since I wanted to have my shows to watch when I got home!) and carefully examined my carry on purse for all the essentials (ME documents, Magic Band); then I grabbed my bags and headed for my ex's house (yes, my former home). He was taking me to the airport, and I was leaving my car for him to check on while I was gone.

Everything went without a hitch, and soon I was sitting here:



I like O'Hare Airport, but I prefer Midway. However, Midway is quite a distance from my house, so I typically fly out of here instead. I think I have this exact picture from every trip I take, so how about this pic of O'Hare instead?



They told us the flight was full, but my row mate and I had an empty seat between us. I stowed my coat there, and he put his water bottle down; we were both happy to have the extra room.

Also, did you know that now you can leave on your small electronics during taxi, takeoff, and landing as long as they're in the airplane mode? I did not, and it made me so happy! I kept my phone off, but watched my tablet movies while taking off. Really removed any anxiety I usually feel; it was great!

I watched part of "Make Mine Music" and most of "Tangled" before it was landing time in Orlando!

I got off the plane and headed for the first "orail" of the trip: Faux-o-rail!





Once I got off Faux-o-rail, I headed for ME. After 4 trips and never getting lost... you guessed it, I got lost. I couldn't figure out where the heck I was going! I finally stopped and asked someone. Then I got lost again. Then I asked someone else. Then I finally got to the right part of the airport. What was I thinking??



Next, into line. Here's where I got what I thought might be a bit of foreshadowing.

I was originally booked at Pop but switched to BWV about a month before my trip (thanks to a Disney angel :littleangel:) - I had received a green band for my Pop stay. A week before leaving, I got an email stating that my magic band "would be waiting for me when I arrived". Um, what? :faint: I already HAVE a magic band! But I figured I'd take my green one and plead my case to keep it.

I got to the ME line, scanned my band, and was told to enter line 5. I went through the long line:



And when I got to the front I saw the sign: "Disney's Art of Animation; Disney's Pop Century Resort".

Nope, not right. Uh oh.

I went back to the front and told an agent I'd been put in the wrong line. I gave them my actual transportation voucher, and they let me in line FOUR, which was the correct line for BWV. I immediately wondered if this magic band was going to be a problem! But I guess we'll see.

After only about 2 minutes of waiting, they let us get on the bus!



I got a seat about halfway back and listened to all the excited families.



A man and his grandson were sitting across from me; I noticed the older man had a Vietnam veteran hat on, so I thanked him for his service and struck up a conversation. We chatted the whole way to Carribbean Beach, where they got off the bus, and then we headed for the second stop:



It's the Boardwalk porte cochere! I was so excited to get in here and check it out for myself!
 
Following along! You make we wish I had the time and/or time management skills to do my own trip reports. What a great way to commemorate your trips! Looking forward to the next installment. :-)
 
I'm HERE!!! Going back to read!!! I'll also be taking a few days off to go on my trip TOMORROW!!!!! But I promise - I will be back!
 
Yay! Looks great so far!!! Glad the ex was able to drive you there!

Hmmm....a surprise visitor??? How did you win Glow with the Show ears? What's the Illuminations Viewing you are talking about? I'm so full of questions! lol.....

I'm glad you had a blast!! Can't wait to read more about it!
 
You got the early morning Chicago fall day exactly right.

Oh, never unplug the Tivo or DVR! I would cry if my shows weren't there when I got home. :rotfl2:

Make Mine Music! Obsessed with that one ever since I was little. Johnny Fedora and Alice Blue Bonnet are my favorites. :good vibes
 
Following along! You make we wish I had the time and/or time management skills to do my own trip reports. What a great way to commemorate your trips! Looking forward to the next installment. :-)

Thanks for being here and :welcome:! They're fun to write, most of the time. :)

I'm HERE!!! Going back to read!!! I'll also be taking a few days off to go on my trip TOMORROW!!!!! But I promise - I will be back!

Yay! Looks great so far!!! Glad the ex was able to drive you there!

Hmmm....a surprise visitor??? How did you win Glow with the Show ears? What's the Illuminations Viewing you are talking about? I'm so full of questions! lol.....

I'm glad you had a blast!! Can't wait to read more about it!

WOW, TOMORROW!! Have a blast yourself!

As for your questions, I guess you'll find out as I go along. ;)

You got the early morning Chicago fall day exactly right.

Oh, never unplug the Tivo or DVR! I would cry if my shows weren't there when I got home. :rotfl2:

Make Mine Music! Obsessed with that one ever since I was little. Johnny Fedora and Alice Blue Bonnet are my favorites. :good vibes

Yes, especially the possums. They're all over the place by my apartment!

I did catch part of Survivor while at Disney - did you see Ginamarie of BB15 is releasing a SINGLE?? It doesn't even sound awful, but it is highly produced. You can catch a small clip of it here.

I haven't seen Make Mine Music in SO MANY YEARS but it's as cute as I remember!
 
Yes, especially the possums. They're all over the place by my apartment! I did catch part of Survivor while at Disney - did you see Ginamarie of BB15 is releasing a SINGLE?? It doesn't even sound awful, but it is highly produced. You can catch a small clip of it here. I haven't seen Make Mine Music in SO MANY YEARS but it's as cute as I remember!

Wait......GM is releasing a single?! Wow, what a little bit of exposure will do. The finale was hysterical wasn't it? Nick was sooooo uncomfortable!!! I couldn't stop laughing.
 
We pulled up to the porte cochere and everyone piled out of the bus to congregate around the luggage area.



I had put the luggage tag on back in Chicago and waved goodbye to my bag several hours ago, and only had a purse with me - so I headed directly inside, passing everyone! Yay for the luggage tags!

I had checked in online the night before (with a request for a higher floor), but it wasn't exactly clear where to go so I stood "around". You know "standing around" at Disney, where you're in two or three lines at once and just lingering? That's what I was doing. A woman with an iPad finally took pity on me and asked me if I was checking in. I told her I'd done it online and she pointed me towards the concierge, who she said could help me. (actually, she specifically said "Anyone can help you" so I went to the concierge stand, where they were also standing "around" - it's a true art).

When I walked up, the woman helping me was earning her ears; she had a trainer right there so I felt pretty good about my chances of getting everything straightened out with my magic bands.

Kind of.



First up, my room was ready! WHOOOO HOOO that NEVER happens to me! I was certain I'd have to put in a request to hold my bags (as my bags don't enter a hotel room until the bed bug check is complete), but no! It was 12:23 p.m. and my ROOM WAS READY! I was very excited.

Now comes the tough part (I thought). They had my magic band there, the gray band of shame. I bet it didn't even have my name on it like my pretty green band did. I told them what had happened at the airport, and the trainer was very confident that there was no problem. They'd just "cancel the gray ones" she said, and everything associated with them would transfer onto the green. "Even my FP+?" I asked nervously. She assured me this was the case, and proceeded to show the trainee how to do it.

They asked me twice if I was sure I didn't want the gray, because once they cancelled them, they'd mark them "destroyed" and I couldn't use them. I assured them this was the case. They seemed offended I didn't want the gray one; it was a little odd. As soon as they confirmed they were now considered destroyed, I asked them why they'd cancelled the gray bands I wanted to use. We all had a good laugh at that; I bet that has happened for real! People are crazy!

This is when I started hopping up and down. My room's ready! Let's go!!

I checked my MDE again to see if my FP+ were still there. Yep. Ok, I'm going to go with it! I had a TSMM FP+ scheduled for 3-4ish, so it was time to check out the room and head out to ride!

I got upstairs and hopped up and down a few times in front of my room. I was so glad I got a top floor room - I hate hearing people walking above me and have been having serious neighbor problems at home, so I wanted a break from that and I was going to get it. Enough about that - here's the room.

Walking in:



The living room area, a little better:



The bedroom from afar:



Main closet:



The view from the living room patio:



Looking to the right:



Looking through my bedroom at my patio. <3 :love::



(This was taken at the end of my trip; that's why the bed is all messed up - I'd been sleeping in it!)

I started the bedbug search and was clean - excellent, of course! It was then time to change into one of the extra shirts I'd brought in my purse. I had two - a tank top and a t-shirt. It was warm enough for the tank top, so I changed and headed out the door to HS!

I decided not to wait for the bus, but instead to walk to .8 miles to the park. Here's my journey:



Bad picture of me, but I was very happy to be walking along the canal!:



I had packed my contacts in my bag, so I was wearing my glasses.



There she is!!!!:

 
Wait......GM is releasing a single?! Wow, what a little bit of exposure will do. The finale was hysterical wasn't it? Nick was sooooo uncomfortable!!! I couldn't stop laughing.

Agreed! Nick looked like he was trying to be super friendly but also aloof. Good TV! :rotfl: Frankly, I couldn't watch anyone else but him; he looked like he'd rather just disappear.

I can't believe he hasn't distanced himself from that crazy.
 
Umm... is that TOWER OF TERROR outside your BWV window? Soooo jealous if that's what it is! That's also my favorite attraction!

Great so far - can't wait to read more!
 
Umm... is that TOWER OF TERROR outside your BWV window? Soooo jealous if that's what it is! That's also my favorite attraction!

Great so far - can't wait to read more!

YES IT IS TOT! Ha, I went out and looked at it every day - and rode it most days as well. :)
 
Awesome start to your TR. We were at WDW the same time you were. Look forward to hearing your perspective on things for the same time we were there.
 
Awesome start to your TR. We were at WDW the same time you were. Look forward to hearing your perspective on things for the same time we were there.

:welcome: You were at Port Orleans? Such a beautiful resort! I'm always looking in people's photo backgrounds to see if I'm there; take a look in mine, as I have a lot of people in my photos since I was alone!
 

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