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

[ThisIsBrenn]

A little late, but joining in! Loving your trip so far, you're making me consider a solo trip in the future!

Also, Key to the Kingdom sounds amazing, I definitely need to do it at some point.

 

[teekathepony]

Wow, what a great tour! My parents did that one two years ago and they really loved it. I don't think I'm ready yet, I admit to being worried about seeing behind the scenes, although I'm assured by everyone who does it that it doesn't ruin the magic. Some day! I love all the insider info, especially the names on the windows and what they all mean.
Love your key pin, that's so gorgeous!
Hmm... Strange way to do the tour, by asking questions of varying difficulty and then awarding stickers. I would feel like I was back in grade 5 I think.
Thanks for sharing your tour with us. You obviously did take great notes! I always rely on my pictures to tell the tale, but since you couldn't do that- great job!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[pooksma]

Of course a fellow Maritimer would do a splendid job in describing KTTW.

This is certainly something DH and I would like to do. DS...well you just never know. Thanks for sharing!

 

[darrenf67]

Hi there from Australia! Just joi ed in and thoroughly entertained by your TR - you are an entertaining story teller. Thanks

Ps I'm booking the Keys to the Kingdom Tour for my November trip

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[khertz]

Great KTTK updates! DH and I did the tour a few years ago, and it was truly amazing for Disney lovers like us. Although we knew a lot of the info from being on the DIS for awhile, we still thoroughly enjoyed the tour and learned a lot. The questions would have annoyed me too.

I didn't know that about the character touching their faces if they are in trouble. Interesting! I guess it should seem obvious that they would have some kind of tell for that since they can't communicate verbally, but I never really thought about it, I guess. It must be so hard for those fur characters in the middle of summer!!

 

[JDUB]

Awesome update Rob! I've always wanted to do this tour but would be frowned upon leaving my 3 kids in our room for 5+ hrs. Maybe when I'm there in Feb for my work conference.
I've YouTube different WDW behind the scene clips and seen the industry pipes for the trash etc. Very good use so visitors don't see the "smelly" magic.
I'm guessing hallways are larger than the one in Austin Powers and you didn't see any stuck sideways.

 

[Happy Duck]

Thanks for all of the great info! It was extremely entertaining! Since my next trip is so long, I keep thinking about scheduling a tour. Is it terrible that I don't want to "lose" park time????? I keep thinking...ooh. 5 hours. That's a lot of Mountain/Mania/Soarin' time!

 

[peachmermaid]

I need to do this tour asap. Love the key they give you, what a lovely touch!

 

[petals]

joining in. Luvin all the pics so far. I think I would have heart failure if I lost my wallet on a solo trip.

 

[11point5]

Hey Rob! Following along now, just came across your TR today and got all caught up and it's fabulously entertaining so far!! I love reading about people's solo trips because I definitely will be doing a solo trip at some point in my (hopefully near) future!
Your notes from KTTK were super interesting - I'm especially intrigued by the character help signal and the garbage cans 30 feet from any point! Really cool, and so logical. This was actually the first KTTK spoiler alert review that I've ever read. I don't think I'm personally ready to have any of the magic revealed by taking the tour but I'm glad you did it and enjoyed it so much! Were you able to pick whatever you wanted from the whole CHH menu for lunch?
Can't wait to read more

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Rob I thought about skipping this update since I thought about keeping all aspects of the tour new with no preconceived notions or expectations since we'll be doing it next month. But then I came to my senses and remembered that I like to read the last page of a novel, I prefer to be told in advance if there is a scary part of a movie, and I was the kid who loved homework so in the end I think this will have me better prepared to enjoy the tour. That and the fact that I miss so many things by not paying attention so this was good to read. Thanks for taking notes, I don't find any fault in your note-taking!!

That Walt Disney quote is so perfect for our 4th of July celebration today! So cool!

I love the KTTK pin that is a keeper! Clever design.

I have to say that when you showed that photo of the old couple holding hands that the first thing I noticed was the Vera Bradley Java Blue Backpack that gal has in your photo!!! I'm such a girl!

How did you like CHH for lunch? What did you order and more importantly, if it was a "hot" dish did they serve it hot? I'm thinking of getting a salad so I don't have to worry about the food not being served hot. What was your experience?? Did you sit upstairs? (Sorry, so many questions but inquiring minds and all that....)

Uhhhh.... I can't believe you didn't know the answer to the fiberglass material question. You know everything Disney!! Wow! That's like they punished you or something. I would have said I need to phone a friend or something. I don't want to play that game.

Did you get an AP discount for your tour or had you booked it before you were an AP holder? When I booked it I received a 15% AP discount. There may also be DVC discounts as well.

So many good stories, trivia, and photos from your tour. thanks so much for sharing. You really and truly did a great job!

You know I was thinking about that when I was updating. I know you have one booked and Katt has one booked in September, so I was curious if you might avoid it for that reason (and understandably so).

Haha, so YOU'RE the one who loved homework!!?? I've heard stories...

I'm glad you came to your senses though. I'm sure I missed a ton so I'm sure there will be LOADS of new info to take in when you are on your tour.

I really liked that quote too. He was a very patriotic man.

It's a lovely pin, and appropriate, but I think I actually like the keepsake from your Disneyland tour better. It would have been neat to get something similar but I still do really like the key.

Bahahahaha, I imagine many others did as well. I see the name Vera Bradley everywhere now.

I LOVE CHH. Like LOVE IT! I ordered my regular chicken/fish combo. That way I don't have to decide between the two.

I can confirm that my food was hot. I have heard, however, that sometimes it isn't (based on other tour reviews I've read).
There are 3 tours a day separated by a half hour, and we were the second. I do know that the food for the last tour (behind us) was brought out just as we were leaving, and they
were outside waiting to be brought in. So theirs looked pretty fresh.

For our group, the food was on the table when we were brought in. I think it had just been brought out.
To be honest, I expect it may be a bit of a crapshoot, so it's hard to say with complete certainty. I expect that if the guide stays on schedule it should be fine and Disney is pretty good at keeping to schedules.

We did indeed sit upstairs in a roped off section all our own. All the seats at the table were pre-assigned. Any groups are kept together. Because I was alone I was seated with our guide Claire, so I got a little private interaction.

And by all means, any questions you have, please don't hesitate to ask.

I know right!!?? How did I not know that?
Honestly though, it's all very casually done, so nobody looks silly. It's just a way to involve everyone in the tour, so it's not that bad.

Ah the AP discount... When I called to book, I asked the lady about an AP discount and she told me there wasn't one.

Of course I found out well after the fact that there is indeed an AP discount. So I should have gotten a 15% discount, but as it happens, I did not.

Aww, thank you Brenda. That means a whole lot.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Wow! That sounds like an awesome tour! Thank you very much for sharing that with us.

Claire sounds like some of my least liked teachers. Always asking me the hard question, but easy ones to other people.

I love your KTTK! What a great keepsake.

It is a fantastic tour and it was my absolute pleasure to share Annie.

Haha, yeah a little old school teacher-like.

It is indeed a lovely little keepsake. I completely agree.

I went down to the Utilidors when it wasn't allowed... (back in 1987) before they started tours down there... A friend snuck me down. I had to memorize codes just in case someone asked me why I was there. I had to leave my sweatshirt and my purse outside with my mom. Went in by a door by the Cinderella statue in Fantasyland. Saw some 1/2 dressed charcters being cooled down after they had been out...

Even then it was way cool...

So you didn't get a picture of what you had for lunch? I would have picked the tuna sandwich...

Wow, that must have been something Michelle. What a memory to have.

I didn't even think to take a picture of the food. I guess I was so in non photo mode because of all the backstage action that it just skipped my mind. At CHH I always have the chicken/fish combo. So yummy!!

Well, we just got back from our 4th of July fireworks but I had to read this update! GAH this update made me all excited because I remember learning so many of the things you mentioned. That whole transition near Crystal Palace was one of the details that I thought was really cool.

I also thought it was amusing about the non-Disney music in the Utilidors...but to be honest that was one of the first things I noticed when we went down there!

Thanks for the awesome update and letting me relive our experiences on the KTTK tour. I even learned some new stuff from your recap-I don't remember them saying anything about the Queen of Hearts' friends being male! I have to say, for anyone who has not yet done this tour, DO IT!!!! It is well worth the money and I can honestly say I did not want it to end. I loved it! And I would also say do not do it if you are relatively new to WDW. We had some people in our group who must've had some sort of package deal where they got to do a tour because all the two guys (probably late teens) wanted to do was eat. LOL.

Aww that makes me feel so awesome Sarah, thank you. I hope your fireworks were great!

Honestly I kind of felt so stupid with the Crystal Palace transition. Like, how have I not noticed that!!??? How stupid am I!!???

I know, it was so weird hearing that music. But when you stop and think about it, it makes sense. These people hear Disney music ALL DAY, so down there is a little break.

It was my pleasure Sarah, thanks for reading. I think the Queen of Hearts story was "off script", and just something she added in. I think she did that a few times if someone asked a question or if we had to kill a bit of time waiting for something.

I agree, it is very worth the money and a great look at what makes the magic come to life.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

A little late, but joining in! Loving your trip so far, you're making me consider a solo trip in the future!

Also, Key to the Kingdom sounds amazing, I definitely need to do it at some point.

You are absolutely not late Brennah and I love welcoming new readers so, Thanks so much for joining in.

That makes me so happy to hear my report might encourage you to consider a solo trip one day. It's different, but oh so much fun.

The Keys tour is fantastic and worth every penny in my opinion. Highly recommended.

And look at that, you're off to Disney in a month. I can't think of better place to celebrate graduating (a huge congratulations to you) than going to Disney!!!

Wow, what a great tour! My parents did that one two years ago and they really loved it. I don't think I'm ready yet, I admit to being worried about seeing behind the scenes, although I'm assured by everyone who does it that it doesn't ruin the magic. Some day! I love all the insider info, especially the names on the windows and what they all mean.
Love your key pin, that's so gorgeous!
Hmm... Strange way to do the tour, by asking questions of varying difficulty and then awarding stickers. I would feel like I was back in grade 5 I think.
Thanks for sharing your tour with us. You obviously did take great notes! I always rely on my pictures to tell the tale, but since you couldn't do that- great job!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

It's a fantastic tour.

You know Wendy, if you're not ready, then you're not ready. Maybe the "Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour" would be a good starter tour.

But for me, no magic was ruined at all.

That pin is adorable. I love it.

Haha, yeah it was a little annoying, but I get why it's done. It's a way to involve everyone so it's not just a lecture.

It was actually funny a bit later when she had mentioned to one of the guys to be "more like Rob' and wear the stickers on your shirt like I was doing. Most people were just putting them in their pockets. Not me though!!

It was my pleasure Wendy. I pretty much always use photos for all my reports, so this was a real challenge.

Of course a fellow Maritimer would do a splendid job in describing KTTW.

This is certainly something DH and I would like to do. DS...well you just never know. Thanks for sharing!

Hahaha, thanks, I have to represent the Maritimes!

It was my absolute pleasure to share. I highly recommend it.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Hi there from Australia! Just joi ed in and thoroughly entertained by your TR - you are an entertaining story teller. Thanks

Ps I'm booking the Keys to the Kingdom Tour for my November trip

Australia?? That's awesome! So excited to you Darren.

Thanks so much for your kind words. I really appreciate it.

That's awesome you're booking the tour. Maybe Disney will give me a commission!!

Great update!

Thank you so much!!

Great KTTK updates! DH and I did the tour a few years ago, and it was truly amazing for Disney lovers like us. Although we knew a lot of the info from being on the DIS for awhile, we still thoroughly enjoyed the tour and learned a lot. The questions would have annoyed me too.

I didn't know that about the character touching their faces if they are in trouble. Interesting! I guess it should seem obvious that they would have some kind of tell for that since they can't communicate verbally, but I never really thought about it, I guess. It must be so hard for those fur characters in the middle of summer!!

Thanks so much!! While the tour is great for anyone, it's really made for real Disney lovers like us DISer's. I definitely learned some things, but seeing the backstage and
Utilidors was just so rewarding and really and truly an honour.

I think there were little tidbits that Claire would offer that weren't necessarily part of the "script". We had just gotten backstage and were talking characters which is when
this info came out. I found it fascinating and like you, never really thought about it before. She also did mention that when the costume is removed, the sweat on the performer is unreal.

Awesome update Rob! I've always wanted to do this tour but would be frowned upon leaving my 3 kids in our room for 5+ hrs. Maybe when I'm there in Feb for my work conference.
I've YouTube different WDW behind the scene clips and seen the industry pipes for the trash etc. Very good use so visitors don't see the "smelly" magic.
I'm guessing hallways are larger than the one in Austin Powers and you didn't see any stuck sideways.

Why thank you so much!

Haha, yeah I'm not sure leaving youngsters in a room for that long IN DISNEY WORLD... not a good idea. You know that would be great time to do the tour in February. I hope you do.

I've seen some of those clips as well. That trash system is unreal, but apparently really expensive which is why it was never reused. Even though it's backstage, I find all of that stuff magical.

Bahahaha, yeah, I saw no carts wedged between the walls. Too funny!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Thanks for all of the great info! It was extremely entertaining! Since my next trip is so long, I keep thinking about scheduling a tour. Is it terrible that I don't want to "lose" park time????? I keep thinking...ooh. 5 hours. That's a lot of Mountain/Mania/Soarin' time!

You're very welcome Lauren, and thank you.

Haha, you know you're addicted when giving up 5 hours on a 15 day trip is a tough call. But... I get it.
But I say go for it! You won't regret it.

I need to do this tour asap. Love the key they give you, what a lovely touch!

That's so great to hear Jennifer. I hope Disney is listening and sends a little something my way...
I love that key so much! I know up to 60 people get one every day, but it still feels special.

joining in. Luvin all the pics so far. I think I would have heart failure if I lost my wallet on a solo trip.

Yay, I'm so delighted you're here. And all the way from Ireland!! That's so exciting!
Ugh, yeah, it was not a good period. But it all turned out ok in the end, so that's what really matters.

Hey Rob! Following along now, just came across your TR today and got all caught up and it's fabulously entertaining so far!! I love reading about people's solo trips because I definitely will be doing a solo trip at some point in my (hopefully near) future!
Your notes from KTTK were super interesting - I'm especially intrigued by the character help signal and the garbage cans 30 feet from any point! Really cool, and so logical. This was actually the first KTTK spoiler alert review that I've ever read. I don't think I'm personally ready to have any of the magic revealed by taking the tour but I'm glad you did it and enjoyed it so much! Were you able to pick whatever you wanted from the whole CHH menu for lunch?
Can't wait to read more

Hi right back Suzi! It's always a pleasure to a fellow Canadian. Thanks so much for your kind words.
It makes me so happy to hear so many are considering solo trips.

Thanks so much! Those were a couple of the things I really found interesting too. The trash cans were really fascinating in that they did extensive research and found that people won't walk more than 40 feet (on average) before chucking garbage on the ground. So they went with 30.

That's ok if you're not ready to do the tour. You should definitely wait until you're ready. For what it's worth, I'm a person who completely believes that I'm meeting Mickey Mouse, not a "character", and the tour did absolutely nothing to change my mind in that regard.

Yes, we had the whole menu to choose from at CHH. Although to be fair, I already knew what I wanted so I didn't need to look all that closely.

Thanks so much and thank you for being here.

 

[Happy Duck]

You're very welcome Lauren, and thank you.

Haha, you know you're addicted when giving up 5 hours on a 15 day trip is a tough call. But... I get it.
But I say go for it! You won't regret it.

SCHEDULED!

See what you caused???

 

[petals]

Yay, I'm so delighted you're here. And all the way from Ireland!! That's so exciting!
Ugh, yeah, it was not a good period. But it all turned out ok in the end, so that's what really matters.

Yeah glad it worked out ok.

 

[utkscvol1]

Loving it so far!! HDTV and I soo want to do the keys to the kingdom tour but alas our youngest is 13 so we have to wait

 

[lhuggi1]

A. OMG I luv that I am not the only Disney loving Canadian on here (ok I may be a little obsessed is that wrong???) : !!! You are truly representing!!!
B. Luv that you luv Stacey
C. Luving your report !!! Fantastic
D. And why do I not know what a FRUMP is??? considering I am constantly on these boards.