September Solo: I'll do whatever I want*2/18 Update*Tom Sawyers Island Rocking Chairs

[Belle599]

Originally Posted by fromscratchmom

Sounds wonderful... do whatever you want trip....

hehe. can't wait to read more of your TR. thanks for sharing!

Well thanks for reading!

[Belle599]

Originally Posted by kokotg

Sounds fun--I'm in!

I have a hard time picturing myself solo at Disney...but then again I have a hard time picturing myself solo anywhere, what with my three clingy kids Interested to hear what it's like.

That brownie looks FABULOUS!

Well, believe it or not but one day those "three clingy kids" will one day be grown up and maybe in your distant future.......

The brownie is fabulous, but very large and filling. It is perfect for sharing, or to split into 3 and have for 3 breakfasts.

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

Im so in!

I just got back from my 4th solo trip back in August..well this one didnt turn out quite so solo after meeting some CM's....but great nonetheless! Im actually a few days into my TR on here too...

Im guessing your from Ontario since you fly out of BUF? Where about are you from? Im from the London area...ive flown out of both BUF and DTW but love Buffalo so much more...always quiet and great shopping nearby

[Belle599]

Before I begin my first morning at WDW, just wanted to mention that the free sample of Ghiradelli chocolate du jour @ DTD right now is Pumpkin Spice. It is chocolate with a caramelly centre with pumpkin/nutmeg overtones. Yes I really like chocolate. This proved to be a good appetizer to my frosting filled brownie the night before.

I also wanted to mention that the vanilla frosting filled brownie also comes in at least 2 other varieties: Peanut Butter and Chocolate.

Sunday, September 11

Bright and Early.

Headed to OKW front desk just past 8am and they were amazing and gracious. They moved me up a floor to 1326 and were so apologetic. Moral of this story is when you have a problem 1. Go in person; 2. Speak to the day staff.

Next stop, MK parking lot. I pulled into Minnie37 at 8:33. I was there the week before they changed the parking lot into Heros and Villians so this may not be helpful, but it seems that early in the morning, they load about 2 rows at the from of Minnie (left centre when facing TTC) and then proceed to load the far left parking lot. Minnie37 is/was in the left centre. This allowed me to bypass the tram and walk to the TTC - yay!


Was off the monorail at 8:45 and a quick bagcheck later I was ready to enter the turnstiles. But, my wallet (and therefore AP) was not in my purse.

Crap.

I am sure that I left it on the front passenger seat of my car from when I showed my AP to the parking booth. (On a side note, silly me b/c I had a disney resort parking pass in my window.)

The welcome show was just about to start, and I have actually never seen this. I REALLY wanted to see this. But I also REALLY wanted to get in the park asap and ride Dumbo!

What to do......

After some calm and dare I say rationale thinking, I plopped down on a bench (between bag check and the turnstiles) and watched the welcome show.







It was lovely!

After the show was over, I tried to hop on the express monorail to go get my wallet. Funny thing is, you could not board the express monorail from the MK at this time - gates were closed - weird. I had to take the resort monorail.

Walked back to my car, and yes my wallet (and AP) were right where I thought they were in the car. Thankfully!

Now walked back to the TTC. I was getting a good workout! But, I was feeling a little drained from all this sprinting back and forth so I grabbed a frozen mocha at the Joffrey's coffee cart at the TTC.

Sorry I forgot to photo this. The frozen mocha/cappucino was good, though a bit pricey at over $5 for a small.

Went to hop back on the express monorail, but it was down. During this trip, every time I saw the monorail, one of them was down. Disney, you need to fix this.

The CMs were directing everyone to the ferry but I boarded the resort monorail instead.

FINALLY entered MK @ 9:40. My silliness cost me almost an hour, can you believe it?

However my timing was really good, because as soon as I set foot on main street, the horse-drawn trolley was waiting for me to take me to Cinderella's Castle

I am going to try to post a video in my next post - probably will not work, but we will see!

[Belle599]

Ok friends, it looks like I cannot embed a video in my post, so instead you get links to my 2 part journey up main street on the horse-drawn trolley.

Trolley Ride up Main St. Part 1

Trolley Ride up Main St. Part 2

[IheartDDuck]

I would have totally plopped down to watch the opening show too. Stinks that you forgot your AP in the car. We've had situations like that too where someone had to run all the way back to the hotel. Ugh, that's the worst.

That's horrible about the monorail being down every time you saw it. They do really need to fix that.

[Staciajc]

I, too will be flying SOLO on Friday for the first day of the F&WF and then on Saturday for the 40th...I am so looking forward to the weekend alone and doing what ever I want!!

*Gotta get one of those brownies from Earl! OMG! That looked like heavin on a plate!

Can't wait to read more about your solo adventures!!

--Stacia

[Enchanted88]

Hello!! Subbing in!! Great TR so far! I've been contemplating a solo trip in the future, so I can't wait to see how yours turns out!! I'm not sure I would know what to do with myself being alone for more than a couple of days! haha But, it IS Disney World....I'm sure I could figure out something to do!! haha

Can't wait to read more!

[tinkerbell87512]

As a frequent solo traveler I'm enjoying reading all about your solo adventure. Can't wait to read more!

[Belle599]

Originally Posted by kjblovesdisney

The wedding was magical! I did do the parks on my solo days....Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom. At Animal Kingdom I had lunch at Yak & Yeti, took a cocktail to go, watched the parade and saw DeVine as well as doing the single rider line at EE multiple times. At MK I spent the day doing my favorite rides (just about all of them), had lunch at Casey's and people watched. My last night I had a solo dinner at Flying Fish Cafe! Amazing food but next time I would do an app and dessert or just a main entree. Really large portions.

Having an app and dessert is my favourite way to dine as a solo. When DH is with me I can go ahead and order an entree because I know he will help me out if I can't finish it. But especially at signature restaurants, the apps and desserts are so rich and so tasty that it is the wa to go!

[Belle599]

Originally Posted by *~PrincessBelle~*

Im so in!

I just got back from my 4th solo trip back in August..well this one didnt turn out quite so solo after meeting some CM's....but great nonetheless! Im actually a few days into my TR on here too...

Im guessing your from Ontario since you fly out of BUF? Where about are you from? Im from the London area...ive flown out of both BUF and DTW but love Buffalo so much more...always quiet and great shopping nearby

Originally Posted by Staciajc

I, too will be flying SOLO on Friday for the first day of the F&WF and then on Saturday for the 40th...I am so looking forward to the weekend alone and doing what ever I want!!

*Gotta get one of those brownies from Earl! OMG! That looked like heavin on a plate!

Can't wait to read more about your solo adventures!!

--Stacia

Originally Posted by Enchanted88

Hello!! Subbing in!! Great TR so far! I've been contemplating a solo trip in the future, so I can't wait to see how yours turns out!! I'm not sure I would know what to do with myself being alone for more than a couple of days! haha But, it IS Disney World....I'm sure I could figure out something to do!! haha

Can't wait to read more!

Originally Posted by tinkerbell87512

As a frequent solo traveler I'm enjoying reading all about your solo adventure. Can't wait to read more!

Hello all you solo (and future solo) travelers! Where di you come from? I did not know there were so many of you around here. Several times during my trip CMs/others made comments (no way negative) "Oh, you're by yourself?" "Just one?" and from their surprised faces I thought that a solo trip was kind of rare.

So nice to meet other like-minded individuals!

[Belle599]

Sunday, September 11 Part 2

The trolley ride was LOVELY. People were waving at us a bit which was funny. What a beautiful horse this was.



It was getting close to 10am but nonetheless I hoped for the best and headed to Fantasyland. Swung by Peter Pan for a FP and then off to Dumbo for a flight.



The wait was really short! Touring the parks in September is a dream. Dumbo at 9:50am in September is like Dumbo at 9:10am in May....and May is pretty slow.

Bonus points to whomever can tell me where this is:


I love the details on Dumbo.




And here are some snaps of the Fantasyland Expansion, taken atop the flying elephant.





Wow Beast's castle is phenomenal


On to what used to be my favourite ride when I was 5......Mr. Toad's Wild ride *ahem* - Winnie the Pooh





And here is my hell-going Toad friend, passing the deed to the plan to Owl


And up next, Snow White. When is this ride supposed to close?









Did some browsing in Fantasy Faire. This is the store that you are let out into after you see Philharmagic.

There is some new small world merch!


And a new Philharmagic shirt!


Fantasyfaire always seems to have some of the more unique slim shirts to females/girls. I got my lovely Mr. Toad shirt here last fall I think.

Off! To Neverlaaaand!
Used my FP.




I have not been on IASW since September 2007. Mainly because the song used to get on my nerves, I would always get stuck on the ride etc. etc. It is not one of my must-dos every trip.

This trip I wanted to experience some things I have never done or have not done for a long time, and this was the first of those experiences.



It was exactly 11 o'clock and the whole front facade of IASW is this big cuckoo clock - neat.








I also tried to take a video on the ride....when I got stuck...warning it is not a great video but here is the link:
Stuck on It's a Small World

[nadiakim]

Hey great TR. I'm subbing. Thanks for the idea. I can see myself doing a solo in the future minus the kids.. hehe and DH>

[Belle599]

Originally Posted by nadiakim

Hey great TR. I'm subbing. Thanks for the idea. I can see myself doing a solo in the future minus the kids.. hehe and DH>

Does your DH like Disney?
DH and I actually honeymooned at WDW for 3 weeks back in May 2009 and have been going back for our past 2 anniversaries. There are so many romantic and special things to do.....so don't necessarily count out a Mom & Dad trip!

[IheartDDuck]

I always think about Mr. Toad too when I ride Winnie the Pooh. I think the funniest thing about that ride was the fact that you ended it in hell. So appropriate for kids. I used to watch Mr. Toad when I was a kid, so I was very familiar with the movie.