Treat. Yo. Self. - A Feb. 2015 Solo/B-day PTR *UPDATED 2/21

[SarahDisney]

Oh I've made another ADR. Seeing as I've given up on trying to get a dinner ADR for Be Our Guest, I instead made one for The Plaza Restaurant. From all the readings I've done, The Plaza seems to get good reviews across the board so, I booked it.

I've heard good things about The Plaza, so hopefully you'll enjoy it, but ... if you really want BOG, don't give up hope! I got an ADR yesterday for 2/23, so it's still possible!

I had hoped on snagging a Lunch FP+ 27 days out but Disney had other plans. If you haven't already heard, they are ending the FP+ test for lunch which means the only chance of eating there is to get lucky with a short line for lunch once I'm actually down in FL. This all went down (of course) on the exact day that my booking window opened.

I heard about that - so sad. I wonder if they're planning to do something else with BOG lunch starting that week ... I wish they would just announce something!

Anywho! I have officially finalized my packing list and only have a few more items to buy and I can start thinking about packing. You should know that I'm usually a last minute packer so this is a big deal for me. Now all I have to do is finish finding my bags.

Wow, packing list done already, I'm impressed. But actually gathering everything and packing it is the hardest part sometimes.

 

[Neverland Girl]

I've heard good things about The Plaza, so hopefully you'll enjoy it, but ... if you really want BOG, don't give up hope! I got an ADR yesterday for 2/23, so it's still possible!

I will definitely keep trying. It sometimes get disheartening when you've checked so much and nothing ever shows up. When I'm actually there I am fully planning on checking out the lunch line

I heard about that - so sad. I wonder if they're planning to do something else with BOG lunch starting that week ... I wish they would just announce something!

I totally agree!

Wow, packing list done already, I'm impressed. But actually gathering everything and packing it is the hardest part sometimes.

Yeah, gosh darn laundry always gets in my way of trying to get my packing done early.

 

[NobleAlyssum]

Watching thread! You had me at "Treat Yo Self."
I admit, I haven't read everything yet, but I'm working on it! Loved the first page!

 

[Neverland Girl]

Watching thread! You had me at "Treat Yo Self."
I admit, I haven't read everything yet, but I'm working on it! Loved the first page!

It's never too late to join in! I hope you enjoy your reading.

 

[Neverland Girl]

Mini Update​

My countdown is at 12 days! These last couple of weeks are just flying by!

When I'm not at work, I've been plotting and planning. In my head, I have been coming up with things I want to do in each park and overall. The problem is though that I keep forgetting to write them down.
When I finally get around to putting those ideas on paper, I'll definitely make sure to share them with you.

I've also started going through the 100+ page thread for Magic Band Decorating Ideas. I have actually gone as far as (awkwardly) tracing my band, scanning it in the computer, and creating a page of four magic band templates to draw out ideas. I feel like I'm slowly sliding down the rabbit hole but I'm having so much fun! I'll make sure to share with you the final result of that as well.

OH! I got my work schedule for for the week before my trip and they gave me the Saturday before I leave off! That's a whole extra day for packing! This will mean that I have nine days off from work. I feel like I haven't had this much time off in over a year.

For today's update I'll leave you with another one of my favorite videos.

 

[Elevationist]

Your Muppets video just made my day!

12 days?! 12 DAYS?!?!?! OMG!!!!!! I'm a peanut butter and jealous sandwich!!!! How exciting! This is usually the time when I start losing my freakin' mind. 12 DAYS?!?! How can you stand it?!

In my PTR, I've been working my way through a list of "Must-Do's" at each park, and intend to do one for DTD too. Would love to see your plans for each!!

 

[SarahDisney]

I definitely know the feeling of forgetting to write things down!

That MagicBand decorating thread is incredible ... it's a lot to go through, but holy cow people come up with some amazing ideas. On my last trip I just painted mine purple, I'm not doing anything with it this trip, but I'm so impressed by the things people do.

Yay for getting Saturday off! It's nice to have a day off to pack.

12 days!! So exciting!

 

[Neverland Girl]

Your Muppets video just made my day!

12 days?! 12 DAYS?!?!?! OMG!!!!!! I'm a peanut butter and jealous sandwich!!!! How exciting! This is usually the time when I start losing my freakin' mind. 12 DAYS?!?! How can you stand it?!

In my PTR, I've been working my way through a list of "Must-Do's" at each park, and intend to do one for DTD too. Would love to see your plans for each!!

I love that line! I feel like I barely have any time left to get things done but, at the same time, I feel like my trip so far away.

I definitely know the feeling of forgetting to write things down!

That MagicBand decorating thread is incredible ... it's a lot to go through, but holy cow people come up with some amazing ideas. On my last trip I just painted mine purple, I'm not doing anything with it this trip, but I'm so impressed by the things people do.

Yay for getting Saturday off! It's nice to have a day off to pack.

12 days!! So exciting!

That thread is dangerous! I've been going through that one for days now.

I fully expected to be scheduled to work the Saturday before my trip and when I saw I wasn't my jaw dropped.

 

[Tracy161]

Hi Becky! Fellow solo traveler here. I just stumbled on your PTR and am all caught up - your excitement and enthusiasm is awesome! And you're only about a week away from your trip! YAY!!!!!!!

 

[Neverland Girl]

Hi Becky! Fellow solo traveler here. I just stumbled on your PTR and am all caught up - your excitement and enthusiasm is awesome! And you're only about a week away from your trip! YAY!!!!!!!

Yay! I'm glad you found my little thread, fellow solo traveler. Luckily (or not) work will be keeping my busy so I won't be counting down every second of everyday until I leave.

 

[Neverland Girl]

What to do, What to do​

I'm just about to enter into my final week before my trip and I could just burst with excitement!

In my final stages of preparations, I've been getting my craft on. As I mentioned in my last update, I decided to decorate my magic band. So, this is my final look.

I've also been keeping an eye on the weather as well. Shall we take a look?

Here is the outlook for where I live:

It isn't too bad. Especially compared to today! As of when I'm writing this, our outdoor thermometer says it is 10 degrees outside and that isn't even including the wind chill. Brrr!

Here is the current forecast for Disney that week:

I don't even care if it rains when I'm down there. I am just so grateful for the warm temperatures. I'm thinking that the rain isn't going to be all day events. Just a shower here and there so, I'll make sure to bring my Mickey Poncho along.

I've also come up with a "Things to Do (and People to See)" List. Here's the run down of that:

Downtown Disney
Buy a Mystery Grab Bag @ Marketplace Fun Finds (if they still do that)
Spend more time there. Period. (In the past, I've always had the intentions of spending time there but I've always either run out of time or energy to do so.)

EPCOT
See all the films in World Showcase
Pick a Pearl in Japan
Spend time in Future World during the evening
Visit Club Cool
Ellen's Energy Adventure (I'm 50/50 on this one. Thoughts?)

Animal Kingdom
Visit Rafiki's Planet Watch
Discovery Island Trails
Pangani Forest Trail
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Visit Pocahontas

Hollywood Studios
See Cinderella's Coach (from the new movie)
Beauty and the Beast Stage Show (for as much as I love Belle and this movie, I have yet to see this)
Character Drawing Class
Spend more time on Hollywood Blvd. (I always rush into the park and never spend time in the very front.)

Magic Kingdom
Give Main Street more love (for the same reason as Hollywood Blvd. There is so much I'm missing out on there)
Explore Frontierland better
Visit all the lands at night (especially Tomorrowland, duh!)
See Merida
Visit Gaston
Talk with Peter Pan
Ride Dumbo (I have never done this!)
See the Welcome Show before rope drop (and probably cry)

Let me know if you have any suggestions I could add to my list. Rides? Characters? Snacks? Little out of the way things? I'm all ears!

 

[Tracy161]

Ugh, I hear ya Becky - it was -2 here in upstate NY this morning without factoring in windchill. The weather in Florida looks SO much better and, yeah, I'm with you - a few rain showers here and there won't be anything compared to the winter we've been having farther north.

Your lists look great! I also want to spend more time at Downtown Disney - there's a few places I want to eat in, let alone the stores I'd like to spend more time in. Typically I just hit it up once, quickly, each trip... mainly for Earl of Sandwich.

Good call to hit up all the Epcot films! I really enjoy them and... let's be honest... sometimes one needs to just escape the craziness and crowds and decompress in a dark theatre.

Personally I love Ellen's Energy Adventure but then again I'm a big Ellen fan. If you want a break from the day and want to commit 40+ minutes with your feet kicked back, then do it! It's often a good "I need a break" attraction.

I've spent relatively little time at AK so my list matches yours pretty much entirely! Typically I rush to do Dinosaur, EE, and ITTBAB and then book it without much other thought. I did do Festival of the Lion King on my last trip and I've also done Nemo but I really need to dedicate more time to this park. I'm anxious to hear about how much of your list you accomplished - hopefully all of it!

Ahhhhh MK at night... there's nothing like it, is there?! And yes, Tomorrowland is especially magical at night...

I'm so excited for you! You're gonna be there before you know it!

 

[Tracy161]

Oops! Not until I closed your PTR did I realize I had your Magic Band window open separately still and hadn't yet looked - WOW!!!!!!!!!!! It's amazing!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SarahDisney]

Your MagicBand looks amazing!

I definitely understand how excited you are to get away from the cold ... it was 3 degrees when I woke up this morning. I don't care if it's supposed to be in the 50s when I land in Florida, anything is better than this.

I think your list looks great - but definitely take a lot of cues from the crowds and the way things are going. If you see something with a short line that looks interesting, even if it's not something you were planning to do, try it! Lists are great, but they don't always work out as planned once you actually get to the park. You should be able to do everything on your list, but make sure not to limit yourself to that list!

If you're looking for Disney magic to make you cry ... I highly recommend Celebrate the Magic (castle projection show) - it's so cute and I really love it - hopefully you'll love it too!

 

[dalayney]

So excited for you! Can't wait to hear how it goes!

 

[Neverland Girl]

Ugh, I hear ya Becky - it was -2 here in upstate NY this morning without factoring in windchill. The weather in Florida looks SO much better and, yeah, I'm with you - a few rain showers here and there won't be anything compared to the winter we've been having farther north.

Your lists look great! I also want to spend more time at Downtown Disney - there's a few places I want to eat in, let alone the stores I'd like to spend more time in. Typically I just hit it up once, quickly, each trip... mainly for Earl of Sandwich.

Good call to hit up all the Epcot films! I really enjoy them and... let's be honest... sometimes one needs to just escape the craziness and crowds and decompress in a dark theatre.

Personally I love Ellen's Energy Adventure but then again I'm a big Ellen fan. If you want a break from the day and want to commit 40+ minutes with your feet kicked back, then do it! It's often a good "I need a break" attraction.

I've spent relatively little time at AK so my list matches yours pretty much entirely! Typically I rush to do Dinosaur, EE, and ITTBAB and then book it without much other thought. I did do Festival of the Lion King on my last trip and I've also done Nemo but I really need to dedicate more time to this park. I'm anxious to hear about how much of your list you accomplished - hopefully all of it!

Ahhhhh MK at night... there's nothing like it, is there?! And yes, Tomorrowland is especially magical at night...

I'm so excited for you! You're gonna be there before you know it!

This Thursday is supposed to have a low of -5. We had snow on Monday night. Snow showers are also forecast for tonight and Saturday. I feel like this is going to be the winter that never ends.

I'm tied between eating at Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck Express. Any sandwich suggestions?

I've really heard good things about the movies in Epcot. So I'm super excited about those.

Ellen is awesome! Oh and you can't forget Bill Nye too!

I feel like this time around, I'm going to be doing more exploring of AK than I will riding attractions. But that's okay. This type of thing is exactly what solo trips are for.

Oops! Not until I closed your PTR did I realize I had your Magic Band window open separately still and hadn't yet looked - WOW!!!!!!!!!!! It's amazing!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks!

 

[Neverland Girl]

Your MagicBand looks amazing!

I definitely understand how excited you are to get away from the cold ... it was 3 degrees when I woke up this morning. I don't care if it's supposed to be in the 50s when I land in Florida, anything is better than this.

I think your list looks great - but definitely take a lot of cues from the crowds and the way things are going. If you see something with a short line that looks interesting, even if it's not something you were planning to do, try it! Lists are great, but they don't always work out as planned once you actually get to the park. You should be able to do everything on your list, but make sure not to limit yourself to that list!

If you're looking for Disney magic to make you cry ... I highly recommend Celebrate the Magic (castle projection show) - it's so cute and I really love it - hopefully you'll love it too!

Oh don't worry! My list is more of the things I haven't done yet and want to do. There are still plenty of favorites I didn't mention that are definitely going to be done. I will absolutely be taking cues from the crowd as I go along.

I was like one giant goosebump during The Magic, The Memories, and You show on my last trip. It is now one of my favorite park songs. I am looking forward to seeing Celebrate the Magic. The tissues (and waterproof mascara) will be at the ready.

 

[Neverland Girl]

So a slight hiccup has been thrown into my plans. I had ordered some Disney inspired bows online that I fell in love with. Well, they were apparently delivered yesterday and well I have nothing to show for that.

Here's hoping they were just delivered to the wrong house and that they will be returned to me soon.

 

[Tracy161]

I've been debating between Earl and Wolfgang Pucks, too! I've never done Wolfgang's but I've done Earl a few times (any sandwich is great!) so I feel like I should do Wolfgang's this time around... but... I love my tried and true, too. Decisions, decisions...

 

[wellesleyprincess]

I'm late in the game but as a fellow solo traveler I can't wait to hear about your trip! Sounds like you have a fun plan!