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

[teekathepony]

Crap! I missed your start but I'm here now and catching up!

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[teekathepony]

Ok, I got through and all caught up! Holy cow girl, you're going to be done before I start!
I like the new Test Track too! I was impressed, especially after all the terrible reviews.
Wow, crappy bus service!!
Yay we're at MK!

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[RGirl]

I'm glad you enjoyed the new TT!

So excited for some MK pics and BOG!

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I'm really stunned how Disney operates all of this and still makes a profit(I'm assuming they do) with hardly any people on their property. Just look at these pictures!

It almost seems to make better sense for them to be closed during these times of year. Think about the expense of paying all of their employees and how empty EVERYTHING is.

 

[rachel09985]

Great trip report so far! You are funny! How long does it take to walk from Boardwalk to HS?

 

[B&WMickey]

It was a wildly windy day that day and chilly. We were over at DHS and my DS and I were high up in the bleachers watching the auto stunt show. Dang, the winds were howling. We were both dressed relatively warm but with temps hovering around 60 and 20 mph winds and no sun we nearly froze to death.

Interesting to read about what you saw at TT. We rode FP+ and we were led directly into the room where you design your vehicles. We weren't given any other option that I was aware of. I did wonder what the setup was for the single riders though.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I spent today driving to my family's home for the Thanksgiving holiday, came here to catch up, and saw so many comments. Hi all!

Ok, I got through and all caught up! Holy cow girl, you're going to be done before I start!
I like the new Test Track too! I was impressed, especially after all the terrible reviews.
Wow, crappy bus service!!
Yay we're at MK!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I'm trying to move fast because I want to get it ALL done... so I can go back and read it later. I love to go read my old trip reports when I'm bored.

Glad to hear that you liked the new TT too; I'm not alone.

I'm glad you enjoyed the new TT!

So excited for some MK pics and BOG!

Very soon!

I'm really stunned how Disney operates all of this and still makes a profit(I'm assuming they do) with hardly any people on their property. Just look at these pictures!

It almost seems to make better sense for them to be closed during these times of year. Think about the expense of paying all of their employees and how empty EVERYTHING is.

I wonder sometimes too! But think of how much money even 10k people bring in - let's imagine that each park has 10k on a slow day, each paying $40 for entry - that's a lot of cash! Then imagine a summer day where there's 30-40k in each park = bet it helps make up for the winter time.

That being said, there seemed to be a lot of people sometimes; I was constantly bobbing and weaving through the crowds.

I can't imagine what it would be like if they closed. Would it be MOBBED when they opened, or would they no longer be 100% "family friendly" and suddenly see much lower crowds? I don't know that I would go if I had to go at a busy time - if there was no chance I could get away from crowds, that is.

Great trip report so far! You are funny! How long does it take to walk from Boardwalk to HS?

Less than 15 minutes for me. I'll go back and look at the time stamps and come report back.

Ok, I'm back - it was 15 minutes from the door leading to the canal at BWV and standing inside HS past the first gift shop first inside the entry gates.

It was a wildly windy day that day and chilly. We were over at DHS and my DS and I were high up in the bleachers watching the auto stunt show. Dang, the winds were howling. We were both dressed relatively warm but with temps hovering around 60 and 20 mph winds and no sun we nearly froze to death.

Interesting to read about what you saw at TT. We rode FP+ and we were led directly into the room where you design your vehicles. We weren't given any other option that I was aware of. I did wonder what the setup was for the single riders though.

It was pretty chilly; I ended my day in a sweater, jacket, and gloves. I was so grateful I brought them. It was in the FORTIES! Forties!

There was a little design room for FP+/FP-/single rider (at least I thought it was for all three), but it wasn't that big room off to the right with the clear-ish walls. I thought the big room (I think that's where there used to be the pre-ride "briefing") looked pretty cool. The one I went into each time was small, with maybe 15 terminals.

 

[khaleesi]

Ah, delicious Mozartkugeln (I'm using it in the plural ).

From Wikipedia:

The master confectioner, Paul Fürst, came to Salzburg in 1884 and opened a shop at number 13, Brodgasse. He presented the Mozartbonbon for the first time in 1890, later producing and selling it in greater quantities as Mozartkugeln. Fürst’s achievement was the production of a perfectly rounded chocolate, with no flat areas. The production process used by the confectionery Fürst has not changed to this day.

First, a ball of green pistachio marzipan covered in a layer of nougat is produced. This ball is then placed on a small wooden stick and dunked in a dark chocolate coating. Next, the stick is placed vertically, with the ball at the top, on a platform to allow the chocolate to cool off and harden. Finally, the stick is removed; the hole that it leaves behind is filled with chocolate coating, and the ball is wrapped in blue-silver tin foil by hand.

So in other words, it's candy produced by an old technique originated by Paul Fürst, with pistachio marzipan, nougat, dark chocolate, and a chocolate coating. They also have some kugeln with almonds, and some other companies make different versions, like this one. You can tell it's not the original by the fact it's not round (or 'kugel' shaped) - or at least that's what I was told.

Awesome, thanks!! I have a friend who's going to be watching my cat when I go and I'm thinking that maybe his thank you present will be a "food around the world" type thing. I will definitely keep an eye out for these! (For him and myself!)

I also paused for this picture, and had some fellow tourists give me a weird looks over it (why??)

People are weird. Even in normal world, I take pictures of everything. In Disney, that is to be expected!!!

Glad you enjoyed new Test Track!!

It almost seems to make better sense for them to be closed during these times of year. Think about the expense of paying all of their employees and how empty EVERYTHING is.

Oh bite your tongue! LOL. If I had to go when it was crowded and hot... I wouldn't. And that would sad! Haha.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Is there anything like walking into MK for the first time on your trip?

Especially if you've been to other parks?

Is there anything like walking under those train tracks and sneaking up on the castle, knowing it's right there around the bend, even if you saw it from the monorail?

What IS it about that castle that gets you all misty-eyed? It's just a castle! Europe is littered with them! You can't toss a crepe without smacking into one!

But that MK castle is special. And that's exactly where I was headed.

Once I walked in, I took a look around and saw this:



It was now 1:46 and I was at my 3rd park of the day. As I walked in, I heard a woman chatting with her family directly behind me. Suddenly she SQUEALED "GOOFY!!! THEY'RE MEETING GOOFY!!!" and took off running full speed, dragging her daughter behind her, into the line for Pluto.

And it was looking like my busiest:



Ok, I think I found the crowds.

MK was not expressly recommended on this day, but it was tentatively recommended for nighttime entertainment. It was my intention to watch Wishes tonight. Would I?



Walking into the castle!

First thing I HAVE to do on my trips to MK. Any guesses? Ride PP? See Philharmagic? Take a spin on the TTA?

Nope. I have to go to Castle Couture and get pixie dusted. Every. Time. Yes, I am 7 years old. Please tell me someone else does this.

After getting dusted and sparkling like Tink, I headed out into New Fantasyland. This was my first look at it; it was completely boarded up still on my last trip. Things change so fast!

All the ride times were pretty long - even IASW had a 30 minute wait. I wasn't too surprised, as it was 2 p.m. I didn't want to get hung up in a ride when I was STARVING, so I thought about waiting in the 25 minute VOTLM ride. Little Mermaid was one of my favorite movies when I was young, and I'd never been on the ride, watched a ridethrough, or had any knowledge of what it was about.



Actually, I did get in line.



And then my incessant stomach growling made me get back out. I was TOO HUNGRY to go to my FP+ for BOG late. I had 18 minutes to kill; what to do?

I wandered.



I can't wait to ride this! It will be another that I'll get done early morning while everyone else is still sleeping!

I went over and browsed through the Village Gifts store. A lot of cute stuff there!

Finally, it was time for BOG. It was COLD out there, folks! I was glad I'd worn something long-sleeved for the afternoon, but you could tell that it was only going to get chillier. The wind was the worst, coldest part, and I was ready to get a break from it.

I went to the FP+ stand, sheepishly passing around 500 people standing in line.

"Hi, do you have a reservation for lunch??" asked the woman at the stand.

"Why yes I do!" I replied.

"Name?" she asked, and I gave it to her.

She started looking through her iPad.

And looking.

And looking.

Aaaaaaaand looking.

"Are you sure you have a FP for this meal?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm pretty sure," I replied, and triumphantly showed her this on my phone:



She looked closely at my phone, the date, and the details, and then said "Yep, we don't have you but I'm glad you have THIS!" and told me to go on in "and make sure to speak with Amanda". I sure would!

Ladies and gents, THIS is why we have smartphones.

Now I walked the long walk past ALLLL the people waiting to get to Amanda at the front door. "Just you, right?" she said when I inquired. "Head on in and talk to Luis."

I did.

Next thing you knew I was in line for lunch. And it was the longest line I'd stood in.



The meal area was interesting. I paid cash, so they sent me to a register with a person manning it. You gave them your order, and they either synced the rose you were given or your MB, whichever one you used. The first time, I used a rose.



The whole place was very lovely. I was impressed.

The only thing I didn't like - I had to ask for more ketchup AFTER I had my food, from the lady at the drink bar. Um, I'm alone - I'm not going to leave my food alone at the table just to get more ketchup, but no one would get it for me. Guess I'll be sticking to one ketchup.

I looked in the different rooms but they were all full. I settled in the main room.







Finally (not too long) my sandwich came to my table. You leave the receipt on the table and they check it against your meal. HOW in the HECK do they FIND you??? I still don't get it, and I ate there twice!

Anyway, I got the carved turkey sandwich, no Dijon mayo, and pommes frites. DELICIOUS. Best sandwich I've had ANYWHERE, ever. Honestly, worth every penny. The bread was toasted and it had a garlic butter glaze, paired with the delicious, thick warm turkey, it was HEAVEN to a poultry lover like me.



Once I finished eating, I lingered, listening to the people around me. Finally, I packed up again and headed out. I had a magic kingdom to explore!

 

[wrighter]

Interesting to hear about your TT experience. We had FP-, and we got put into the lines with the throngs of people heading into the "big" design room. We were less than excited to have to kill time here, but we had fun with it. However, once we got out of the room, there was about a 20 minute wait in an enormous line to get to the part where you actually get into the cars. I felt like this really lessoned the advantage of the FP here. With a FP you were able to skip "part" of the wait, but then everyone had to wait in line for quite some time afterwards.

We kept wondering who the people were flying past us in line. Then I realized it was single riders. I was less than happy, however, when we got to the front of the line, and we realized that many of the single riders were cheating. They got to the front, the CM told them which line to stand in, and then at the last minute they switched and rode with their companion. I don't like cheaters.

I just reread what I rode and realized I sound like a Grinch!! Lol! I really did have a nice time, even if it doesn't sound like it!

Can't wait to hear more about your MK day. I can't wait to go back in a month!

 

[geckodani]

What IS it about that castle that gets you all misty-eyed? It's just a castle! Europe is littered with them! You can't toss a crepe without smacking into one!

Okay, this made me snort out loud, LOL! I love that you go to get pixie dusted. I may have to do that this trip!

 

[tim123]

Zehn,
Oh my gosh..I've been reading your story about your solo trip. I think you could be my long lost dream date! No really. I have thought about going to WDW solo but just couldn't imagine. I've traveled the real world solo before, Asia, South America, Europe,,But WDW? Been there in 79,83,01,twice in 06 and just back last month.
For me the best part is sharing the love and magic with people I love. I'd feel so lost there alone. Thats why I was soooo impressed with your attitude!
You may be even a little over the top but when I just came back last month from 3 nights at Wilderness Lodge (my favorite property) I felt like I wanted to live there and buy a Golden Oaks house! If only I had 2 million.
It had been 7 years since I was there and took my two amazing nieces AND their parents for a week at The Wilderness Lodge Villla. So going back last month, get this I went with my best friends 18 year old daughter, her sister's 25 year old boyfriend AND me!! I'm a very young 5O! At check in the CM just laughed and said thats nothin..she'd seen much crazier combos than that.
Heh….I live on Cape Cod in a beautiful town and I'd go back to WDW anytime! as long as it was off season…To me the whole 31,000 acres is best enjoyed when the crown calendar is low..ie…September, October, November…even January. Anyway nice meeting you. I wish you lived here. I'd have someone who has a cat like me and is goofy about WDW.
Tim

 

[ZehnJahren]

Interesting to hear about your TT experience. We had FP-, and we got put into the lines with the throngs of people heading into the "big" design room. We were less than excited to have to kill time here, but we had fun with it. However, once we got out of the room, there was about a 20 minute wait in an enormous line to get to the part where you actually get into the cars. I felt like this really lessoned the advantage of the FP here. With a FP you were able to skip "part" of the wait, but then everyone had to wait in line for quite some time afterwards.

We kept wondering who the people were flying past us in line. Then I realized it was single riders. I was less than happy, however, when we got to the front of the line, and we realized that many of the single riders were cheating. They got to the front, the CM told them which line to stand in, and then at the last minute they switched and rode with their companion. I don't like cheaters.

I just reread what I rode and realized I sound like a Grinch!! Lol! I really did have a nice time, even if it doesn't sound like it!

Can't wait to hear more about your MK day. I can't wait to go back in a month!

Interesting! So FP- ended up going into that room and being 'held up' too! Oh man, cheaters in the single line would chap my hide something fierce. There were two people in front of me once in the single rider line and I didn't speak their language but I could tell my the way they kept looking at each other that they were going to try to get away with something. They ended up trying the ol' switcheroo and the CM corrected them! It was great!

Leave the single line for the singles!

Okay, this made me snort out loud, LOL! I love that you go to get pixie dusted. I may have to do that this trip!

Seriously, everything is a castle in Europe - "see this dirty broomcloset? It's actually a castle! Take a picture!"

I do love my pixie dusting. Make sure to say a wish. I don't sparkle in my everyday life, so I love finding it all over the place for awhile. It makes me smile.

Zehn,
Oh my gosh..I've been reading your story about your solo trip. I think you could be my long lost dream date! No really. I have thought about going to WDW solo but just couldn't imagine. I've traveled the real world solo before, Asia, South America, Europe,,But WDW? Been there in 79,83,01,twice in 06 and just back last month.
For me the best part is sharing the love and magic with people I love. I'd feel so lost there alone. Thats why I was soooo impressed with your attitude!
You may be even a little over the top but when I just came back last month from 3 nights at Wilderness Lodge (my favorite property) I felt like I wanted to live there and buy a Golden Oaks house! If only I had 2 million.
It had been 7 years since I was there and took my two amazing nieces AND their parents for a week at The Wilderness Lodge Villla. So going back last month, get this I went with my best friends 18 year old daughter, her sister's 25 year old boyfriend AND me!! I'm a very young 5O! At check in the CM just laughed and said thats nothin..she'd seen much crazier combos than that.
Heh….I live on Cape Cod in a beautiful town and I'd go back to WDW anytime! as long as it was off season…To me the whole 31,000 acres is best enjoyed when the crown calendar is low..ie…September, October, November…even January. Anyway nice meeting you. I wish you lived here. I'd have someone who has a cat like me and is goofy about WDW.
Tim

I've traveled all over the place by myself too, but Disney feels safest! I like to travel; most people get nervous traveling by themselves, but if I get nervous I ask myself "who is going to go with you?" and realize I'd rather be a little nervous than sitting at my home alone.

I'd love a Golden Oaks home myself! Where's that lotto win when you need it??

I have seen some odd combos walking around the parks myself, so I can only imagine what Disney sees.

I'm with you, I want to go when the calendar is low. I've now been in Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, and Jan and Sept is probably my favorite (but January was probably the lowest crowds!).

 

[dreamseeker9]

I did not know it was possible to be pixie dusted, but now I will definitely check this out next year when I visit!

I'm glad you had a good experience at BOG. We went there for lunch a year ago, 3 of us, and none of our lunches were very good. Maybe they've worked out the kinks by now. The rooms are very impressive, though.

I'm off to LA, so have a Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[tim123]

I've traveled all over the place by myself too, but Disney feels safest! I like to travel; most people get nervous traveling by themselves, but if I get nervous I ask myself "who is going to go with you?" and realize I'd rather be a little nervous than sitting at my home alone.

I'd love a Golden Oaks home myself! Where's that lotto win when you need it??

I have seen some odd combos walking around the parks myself, so I can only imagine what Disney sees.

I'm with you, I want to go when the calendar is low. I've now been in Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, and Jan and Sept is probably my favorite (but January was probably the lowest crowds!).[/QUOTE]


Disney is the safest because ITS DISNEY WORLD!!!!
I've walked from the Wilderness Lodge along the monorail tru back end of the TTC at midnight over to the Poly for a Pineapple Rum Drink…the bar tender looked familiar..this was in 06'..well guess what he was there in 79' when I stayed at the Poly for 59$!!!!!
Being a gal you have to be more on guard for safety. But really WDW is sooo safe. Nobody ever ever has said a word to me about my crazy roaming in every corner at the oddest hours. Like walking along the monorail line at 1am!!! Everything is surveilled. And they are so cool. One time back in 83' I took a speedboat way over to the other end of Bay Lake with my girlfriend(can't boat there anymore booo)... parked it and ran through the orange groves!!! not sure they are still there but we loaded up our shirts with oranges and wham! the patrol stopped up. Felt like silly kids caught stealing candy. The guy just laughed at us and said go back in your boat.."you can't park here"….

I'm surprised January is lower crowds than September!! The crowd calendar says September is mostly # 2…. In January you run the risk of having cold days and in September …too hot! October-Early November Yeah!

I'm new here so I haven't posted 10 posts yet so I can't email you to tell you how to get this great 7 minute movie with my crazy combo last month on dropbox… but…in time I'll post some more.
Only someone like you and my nearest and dearest can appreciate the film.
its a good one as homemade films go!!

Stay warm in Chicago!

 

[wrighter]

How, exactly, does one get pixie dusted? DD would love that. And maybe I would, too.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I did not know it was possible to be pixie dusted, but now I will definitely check this out next year when I visit!

I'm glad you had a good experience at BOG. We went there for lunch a year ago, 3 of us, and none of our lunches were very good. Maybe they've worked out the kinks by now. The rooms are very impressive, though.

I'm off to LA, so have a Happy Thanksgiving!

I usually just ask politely, but I think they may automatically ask little girls. So if you have a little girl, maybe take them in there and see.

I am so sorry to hear your lunch wasn't so great!! I was super impressed, so maybe they HAVE worked it out now that it's been open longer. And yes, those rooms are so very, very well done!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Disney is the safest because ITS DISNEY WORLD!!!!
I've walked from the Wilderness Lodge along the monorail tru back end of the TTC at midnight over to the Poly for a Pineapple Rum Drink…the bar tender looked familiar..this was in 06'..well guess what he was there in 79' when I stayed at the Poly for 59$!!!!!
Being a gal you have to be more on guard for safety. But really WDW is sooo safe. Nobody ever ever has said a word to me about my crazy roaming in every corner at the oddest hours. Like walking along the monorail line at 1am!!! Everything is surveilled. And they are so cool. One time back in 83' I took a speedboat way over to the other end of Bay Lake with my girlfriend(can't boat there anymore booo)... parked it and ran through the orange groves!!! not sure they are still there but we loaded up our shirts with oranges and wham! the patrol stopped up. Felt like silly kids caught stealing candy. The guy just laughed at us and said go back in your boat.."you can't park here"….

I'm surprised January is lower crowds than September!! The crowd calendar says September is mostly # 2…. In January you run the risk of having cold days and in September …too hot! October-Early November Yeah!

I'm new here so I haven't posted 10 posts yet so I can't email you to tell you how to get this great 7 minute movie with my crazy combo last month on dropbox… but…in time I'll post some more.
Only someone like you and my nearest and dearest can appreciate the film.
its a good one as homemade films go!!

Stay warm in Chicago!

Oh wow, walking along the monorail?? Did you walk on the ground?? (I hope!)

It is true that everything is monitored, and extensively. I remember very clearly when I was in high school my dance team went to Nationals and performed at the parks. about a week after we got home, we found out that several teams had been notified that their team members were caught shoplifting on camera and barred from participating again! Talk about embarrassing!

I wonder how much those oranges you and your girlfriend snatched would be worth today. Probably worth something to someone!! A fresh Disney orange! (though I guess it would be rotten by now )

 

[ZehnJahren]

How, exactly, does one get pixie dusted? DD would love that. And maybe I would, too.

Just go into Castle Couture (I think that's the name; it's the shop to the left when you head out of the castle towards Fantasyland) and ask one of the people working if it's possible you could get pixie dusted. I think they all carry the wands. Fair warning - the pixie dust is very fine, and you do NOT want to have your camera, cell phone, or glasses out while they do it. Make sure someone else is holding them or make sure they're safely stored. You'll never get the dust off if you don't!

I read about it on these boards; it's very sweet.

 

[B&WMickey]

Clerks?

 

[RGirl]

Wow - BoG FP seems like a VERY good idea! I think your lunch looked really good; I'm glad to hear that it was. We had dinner at BoG, but I think it would be nice to try lunch next time.