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

[DisneyKid4Life]

OH, that is so great!! EE is my favourite, favourite ride! I've never had the chance to do it over and over like that - so cool.

TP

Thanks Teresa. Definitely one of the benefits of flying solo.

That first rider photo is great, girl in front to your right looks like she is going to hurl

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Haha, I noticed that too. My instinct was telling me that she was doing it on purpose, but you never really know. Either way it's great.

Your tweet sums things up perfectly! good food, location and ride!
7 times in a row!? Haha wow! I enjoy EE but definitely couldn't do 7 rides ahaha

Haha, one of my very few tweets, but it did sum things up pretty well.

Yeah, I had to stop at 7 (for now) to make time for other things. Plus, with the single rider line, I never really had to wait. And the Fastpass allowed me to get front row. EE is just so perfect.

Oh my gosh! So much fun! I have never done EE a few times in a row... SEVEN! That's awesome!! I love it. I think I might have to do that a few times in August. Except I'm not so sure my friend will be able to.

I had a final number in mind to accomplish. We'll see if I managed too do it...

Normally I'm in a group, so it would usually not be possible to devote that much time to one thing. But then again, this was really only about an hour total, so not bad at all.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

So umm...it doesn't look like you had any fun on Expedition Everest. hahaha, JUST KIDDING!!!! I seriously love that ride. It is so awesome. Though I don't know if I could go on it that many times in a row! Love all of your ride photos!

What is your twitter name (sorry if you have mentioned this before)? I wonder if I follow you. I follow so many Disney people it's kind of ridiculous.

Nah, Everest SUCKS! Bahahahahaha.
It's such a great ride Sarah. Disney really nailed this one. Honestly, I was fully prepared to go more, but I wanted to get in some other things as well since this would probably be my only AK day.

My twitter name is DISKid4Life. Admittedly, I don't tweet a lot, I use it mostly to follow.

Twitter
Facebook

You mean to say there are people OTHER than Disney people that are worth following?

I'm loving your trip report! We are huge EE fans - and could go over and over - it never gets old!!

Thank you so much Julie and Isn't Everest wonderful? I agree, it never gets old.

That was EPIC! I am so envious. The last time I was able to do that was riding the Runaway Mine Train at Disneyland during the fireworks show, I think my top total was 6 in a row. Just the beginning of this TR has me planning my own solo trip...

Yay Cara, that's awesome. It definitely lets you do your own thing. I hope you do it!! And if this TR in any way helps you do that, that makes me very happy.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

OMG, OMG.... EE 7 times in a row?!?!?!?! My stomach's getting twisted just thinking about that.


I love your "and again" and "yeah" and right back to pics of the beginning of the ride. Bwahahaha! I was trying to keep count while I was reading.



I'm so loving your TR. And, oh so good news, I found out over the weekend that MY first solo trip is a go! The stars aligned for me and I'll be heading to Pop this mid-July - only a few short weeks! - for 6 or 7 nights (yeah, I'm pretty sure the 7 nights option will win ) I bought my tix from UT on Saturday before the price increase, airfare is looking REALLY good right now, but I have to wait until the 14th to book Pop with the 15% summer discount. I've been dancing.... yeah, that's right, I went there!... for the past few days.

Mary, it was AWESOME!!! I honestly could have done it all day.

Haha thanks. I was trying to keep the count myself. Plus trying to get the ride photos in the right order. I kept the photo booth busy.

I am sooo delighted to hear that. That's only a little over a month away!! And at POP no less. That's exciting. I'd be dancing too... screw the NO DANCING signs!!

Thats so funny that you rode it 7 times in a row!! That little girl in the back on the 2nd photo is terrified! So funny

It was so awesome Rachel. I being able to it and not be holding anybody up. Ahhhh freedom.
Haha, I never noticed that. The girl in front looks pretty terrified too. That's why I love ride photos.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Right....

You know Rob, if you ride EE 8 times in one hour they just make you wear a CM costume and work the attraction so it is probably best that you called it a day at 7!

Loved the ride photos. My favorite was the Mr. Atlas pose! Very well done my friend!

I don't judge anyone that starts their day with caffeine and sugar since I believe it is included in Stacy's "must do's"....

Oh darn!!! I would have LOVED that!!! I've always wanted to be a CM even if only for an hour just to get a name tag. One of my life goals.

Haha, thanks Brenda. I pulled that one out again later. It's hard thinking up poses when you have 29 ride photos.

Bahaha, well if it's not it should be.

I love EE but I don't know if I could ride it 7 times in a row, I think 3 is my record! Love all the ride photos!

Thanks Jess. I totally would have done more, but I didn't want to spend the whole day just there.

Great TR!

Thank you!! Thanks for reading!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Oh my, SEVEN times in a row?!?! That is pretty amazing!! And each of your ride photos was better than the previous one. Aside from your amazing poses, your ride companions were also unintentionally hilarious.

Ha, yup seven. There may be a few more later, lol.
Haha, Thanks!! It was getting pretty tough to come up with poses I must say.

-In reply to the last post's reply: yeah, I'll definitely head to seaworld while I'm down there working/living, gotta do it all right!? Who knows about mantra, maybe I'll be braver by then? Ahahah And yeah, I saw that the first incident was up in BC. Like, after that happened wouldn't it have just been better to keep him out of a tank with a diver in it? I dunno... Anyways...

OH MY GOD THOSE SCANNERS!!!! I LOVE THEM!! I’m so happy they’re not the same in every park!! They FIT with AK ahh!!

Oh my gosh your shots on EE are beautiful! I’m definitely going to be keeping my camera out on it at least once in Sept! Preferably when we’re in the front row haha.

OH YOU BUTTHEAD!! You beat our record of how many in a row!! Paige and I went beyond 6 last trip but split it up between two days as we had places to be!

There’s at least one other thing to do in AK….

For sure. How could you not when you'll be living so close? Manta looks intimidating but it's so smooth. And yeah I do agree that he should never have been near people again.

Exactly!!!! They're unique to the park and just so... much... fun!

Thank you!! The pics in the front are the best. One thing of note too is I used the single rider most of the time so I was almost always on the left hand side (right hand in the photo). I would have liked more variety. But it is a surprisingly easy ride to take photos on it's so smooth.

Bahahahaha, I'm sorry. OMG that had me laughing.
My goal was 10 for the day, so well see if I make it.

Haha, I know... and you're gonna hate me...

Not sure if you missed the Fantasmic! update or not but if so, you should read it. You would have really loved it on that night considering how much you love that show.

 

[DisneyDreamtiger]

Joining In

 

[SerendipityDoDa]

More, More, More! Loving your report!

 

[JDUB]

Wow Rob! 7X in a row. I hope you rode Primeval Whirl 7X in a row too!!!!

 

[Cira]

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!

<<I love driving all around the area>> I'm a native so I always drive when I am there. If you are adventurous, you can REALLY learn your way around. Am enjoying the trip report Rob, MORE, MORE, MORE Please!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Joining In

Wonderful and thank you! I am very pleased to you!

More, More, More! Loving your report!

Wow, thanks so very much!

Wow Rob! 7X in a row. I hope you rode Primeval Whirl 7X in a row too!!!!

Haha, I thought it was impressive. Poor Primeval Whirl just gets no love.

<<I love driving all around the area>> I'm a native so I always drive when I am there. If you are adventurous, you can REALLY learn your way around. Am enjoying the trip report Rob, MORE, MORE, MORE Please!

I agree. I've become quite familiar with the area by now, though the first time I drove was a real adventure.

Thanks so much. I'm glad you're here.

 

[FlaNani]

I would have ridden it over and over again too! I love EE!!!!! Looks like a great time so far, can't wait for the next update!

 

[silverhaze269]

Hey-a there neighbour! Well, okay, I know we're not actually neighbours, and we've never met, but I'm a fellow Haligonian (stumbled upon your TR's through teekathepony's PTR) so it's got to count for something, right?

Anyway, I just couldn't wait to comment when I saw the picture of the airport it gets me all misty-eyed to see my home airport on here, knowing that there's someone else beyond my family members who's probably thinking the same thing I am whenever I pass it: "I wish I were on a plane going to Disney right now!" I'm going to get back to reading now, but I just had to stop in and say Hi before I continued.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I would have ridden it over and over again too! I love EE!!!!! Looks like a great time so far, can't wait for the next update!

Oh for sure. EE is one of my absolute favourite rides anywhere. So with no restrictions, I was going for it.
It was awesome, but there's a small hiccup coming in the next update...

Hey-a there neighbour! Well, okay, I know we're not actually neighbours, and we've never met, but I'm a fellow Haligonian (stumbled upon your TR's through teekathepony's PTR) so it's got to count for something, right?

Anyway, I just couldn't wait to comment when I saw the picture of the airport it gets me all misty-eyed to see my home airport on here, knowing that there's someone else beyond my family members who's probably thinking the same thing I am whenever I pass it: "I wish I were on a plane going to Disney right now!" I'm going to get back to reading now, but I just had to stop in and say Hi before I continued.

Haha, that's so awesome. It absolutely counts for something. Hey, for all you know we actually might be actual neighbours.

OH Gawd, I actually drove past it just this past Sunday and wanted to run in and get on a plane to Florida. Like seriously, no kidding.

I'm so excited to have you here.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Cool with the RFID entrances. I feel like it makes me a dork that I'm looking forward to using them.

Subtle dancing on rides is absolutely acceptable. It's just making sure no one notices. That's the key.

Seven times? Pretty impressive. I haven't ridden EE that many times in a row, but I have ridden Rockin' Roller Coaster six times in a row back in the day when the ride first opened.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Cool with the RFID entrances. I feel like it makes me a dork that I'm looking forward to using them.

Subtle dancing on rides is absolutely acceptable. It's just making sure no one notices. That's the key.

Seven times? Pretty impressive. I haven't ridden EE that many times in a row, but I have ridden Rockin' Roller Coaster six times in a row back in the day when the ride first opened.

Haha you shouldn't Danielle. But if it makes you a dork, then I'm a dork, because I LOVE them.

Excellent, that's exactly what I did. I don't want to break any Disney rules.

I would love to do RNRC that many in a row, but the line is always too long for me and the single rider is a crap shoot. It would be awesome though.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

“I'M NOT AFRAID OF A ROLLERCOASTER THAT GOES BACKWARDS!”
Day 2 – April 28, 2013 Part 2


My first stop after pulling myself away from Everest (and it was NOT easy) was Dinoland and Primeval Whirl.

Once again… NO DANCING!!!

But you are again welcome, nay encouraged, to grab the hand of a small child whether they like it or not.

Yeah, I don’t get that either. That's taking "family friendly" a little too far if you ask me.

Uh oh...

Primeval Whirl is a cute little distraction of a ride.

Then it was on to Dinosaur to, yet again, rescue Aladar who, yet again, is back in the past.
Please somebody keep an eye on him when we bring him back this time.
How do you keep losing a Dinosaur?

"Hi Mrs. Huxtable!!!"

"STAY! Don't make me come up there!"

I got off the ride and added the ride photo to my card when an idea hit me.

I had just recently seen the ride photo of fellow DISer Dani (danimaroo),
And it was one of the BEST EVER photos from Dinosaur (or any ride frankly),
If you like seeing people absolutely terrified… which I do.

She was just such a great sport about it.

So I grabbed some paper, borrowed a pen, and then quickly looped around for one more ride.

I was pretty happy with myself after seeing the photo on the screen, so I climbed the stairs and went to add it to my card.

One problem… no card.

Why no card?

Because, well…




NO WALLET!!!!

I immediately went into panic mode, checking every pocket multiple times, effectively giving myself multiple pat downs.

Nothing.

Guys, this had pretty much everything…

My ANNUAL PASS!!!, my room key, credit cards, driver’s license, a good chunk of cash (the rest thankfully residing in my room safe)… basically my life blood.

This could effectively end the trip for me on only my first full day.
At the absolute very least, it would destroy this day.

Yes, most items were replaceable, but not easily, and the amount of trip time I would have to waste would be devastating.

I ran back to the unloading area…

Nothing.

I went to the photo desk to see if, just maybe, a wallet had been turned in?

Nothing.

I was sick.

The folks at the photo desk were wonderful and supportive though.
They informed me that if it had fallen off the ride onto the track somehow, that was a GOOD thing as it meant nobody could take it.
At the end of night, they walk the track for items, so if it was there, I would get it back…

But probably not until the next day.

I truly appreciated their empathy, and I knew that it would indeed be a good thing if that’s what happened, considering the alternative.

But the thought of going the whole day with nothing was devastating,

And there was no guarantee it was even there at all.

There was simply no way I could focus on anything else, let alone enjoy it.

I couldn’t get a Fastpass.
If I left the park, I couldn’t get back in.
I couldn’t buy anything to eat if I stayed since I had no money.
Technically, I couldn’t even legally drive.

I felt completely helpless, and I really didn’t know what to do with myself.

I was in a waking nightmare in my happiest place on earth, and I honestly thought my trip was done.

Plus… I was completely alone.

I kind of wandered around in a daze for a while before finding myself back out in front of the park.

Since I was there, still completely sick to my stomach, I went into Guest Relations.
I figured it couldn’t hurt.
Maybe I could at least get a new ticket.

I was next in line when I arrived and in a very short time was called to the desk.

I simply asked if there was, in the most unlikely possibility, a wallet turned in?

The gentleman asked for a description, which under the circumstances was actually extremely difficult for me.
I couldn’t even remember the color since it was relatively new.
I did remember that there was a separate flap which held my drivers license with my photo…

Only the photo would look a little less green and sickly.

He went into the back for what seemed an eternity, all the while I was praying for a Disney miracle.

Finally…

He emerged with a smile…




AND MY WALLET IN HIS HAND!

I practically fainted and I am not kidding, as a relief came over me unlike anything I had experienced before.

Everybody had a good laugh as I feigned passing out from the relief, though I’m not entirely sure I was acting.

He told me to check to see if everything was there, and it was.
Unbelievable!

I have no idea where it was lost or how it was found, but the range of emotions was beyond description and I was SOOOO grateful.

There was some SERIOUS pixie dust happening here.

I signed some paperwork and then ran out into the glorious Animal Kingdom with a renewed energy and enthusiasm.

I was basically given a second chance... a do-over... a fresh start if you will.

So I went back to POP for a nap.



Um... no, not really. Are you freaking kidding me?

I even took the following photo just because…

"Reunited and it feels so good."

Incidentally, during this crazy period I also lost my sunglasses.

Strangely… I didn’t care.

I quickly made my way back to Dinosaur to get that elusive ride photo.

Plus, I just had to let everyone there know the good news, and let me tell you they were ecstatic!
I cannot thank them enough for their support.

I asked to have the photo added to my newly recovered card and the response was a very enthusiastic,

“You better believe you can!!”

I LOVE Disney CM’s!

Unfortunately, it didn’t come out as clear as I’d hoped, so here is a slightly enhanced version.

With that, I said my goodbyes and profound thank you’s, and then I set back out to continue on enjoying my Animal Kingdom day.




TO BE CONTINUED…
​

 

[Tracy161]

Joining!!! I love solo traveling! In fact, going solo in September AND I'm staying at Pop Century!!! Your pictures of AoA are great - I haven't been over there yet but already have a great sense of what it's like now... thanks!

Still catching up, but really enjoying your TR!!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

I am always so paranoid I'm going to lose something like a credit card or my park pass. Glad you were able to get your wallet back!

hahaha Dani's ride photo was awesome. Love your little message to her. So funny. Your first ride picture is pretty funny too-I like the guy in the front row on the right. Actually, the kid next to him has a nice expression on his face too.

 

[katt789]

First: primeval whirl, such a cute ride, we laughed the entire way through it, good times.

SEE THIS IS WHY I DONT GO ON DINOSAUR! Things get lost, wallets, guns, you know....

BUT seriously, holy crap I'm glad the wallet got turned in and everything was still in it! That's awesome!! Thank god for pixie dust, and good use of gifs bahaha

 

[DisneyFreak06]

Oh my goodness! I would have been panicking! I am glad everything turned out okay for you though.

I enjoy PW too. It is a fun little ride. Dinosaur will be a must do this next trip since I missed it last time. I love it.