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

[DisneyKid4Life]

Dear Rob,
I got so excited when I saw that the first pic of this update was of the monorail station ("I knew it I knew it! Time to check out the monorail resorts!"), but then once I started reading the words I realized you were going to WL instead (my #1 dream resort!), and THEN you threw a curveball and went to Poly after all! Way to keep me on my toes hahah

On my last trip, I dragged DBF to check out Wilderness Lodge one evening and we were both in AWE the whole time - that place is MAGNIFICENT!! We were gaping at every detail in the lobby and I was taking some pictures when suddenly a security guard (?) came up to us and omg I had a panic attack thinking he was going to ask to see our room keys and kick us out when he realized we were just lowly All-Star guests....but he just wanted to show us the cool fireplace and then offered to take our picture!! We felt like such sneaky fugitives. I can't wait to be a few thousand dollars richer so I can afford to stay there legit one day!!

That's so cool about Stacey, how did you find out??

Your fireworks pictures turned out really well even though they weren't taken from the Poly beach unfortunately. At least you got to sit in that nice sand for a few minutes before the storm started! And it actually looks kinda cool to view Wishes from the parking lot!

Ah that was funny Suzi. I figured everyone would expect a Monorail resort so I thought to try something different. Thinking of you all I was. I'd never been on one of the boat launches before, so this was a perfect opportunity. Plus I've been to the Contemporary many times. My plan was Wishes from the Poly, so this all made the most sense.

What a great story. Thanks for sharing. I felt the same way. I was almost regretting going there as it was so pretty and I knew I'd love to stay there.

Isn't it awesome!!?? New Must Dos!! How did I find out? Well she is my fiance...
Actually, she's been tweeting and facebooking about it.

I was so comfy on that beach just waiting to watch my beloved Wishes. The view from the TTC wasn't bad at all actually. I was really surprised. But I'll get my Wishes fix soon enough!

Splash is another one that I'm too nervous to bring my camera on! Dropping it aside, I wouldn't want it to get wet! Your pictures are great though!

That one shot of the castle with the reflection in the water is just stunning. Really nice job.

I am also not really impressed by the mermaids in Pirates of the Caribbean. Half the time the effect isn't working, and even when it is I don't think I would notice it if I didn't know to look for it.

Wilderness Lodge and the Poly are two that I got to see for the first time in February. The Wilderness Lodge I didn't really get to explore, since I was with friends and they didn't really want to linger, but the Poly was even more beautiful than I'd imagined!

Boo to rainy Wishes I would've assumed it was cancelled too and left. Terrible timing for that rain! I hope you got to see it from a better spot later in the trip!

And you've left us on quite a cliffhanger too! The most perfectly magical moment? I'm intrigued!

Thanks Becky. I wasn't worried about dropping the camera. I had the strap wrapped pretty tight and a pretty good death grip on it as well. I made sure to protect it from the water. It's actually not that difficult.

Thanks so much. It's one of those photos I've been wanting in the daytime, but just never had it be calm enough. The water was just perfectly still plus I guess the light was just right to provide the reflection. It looked so amazing in person. It was also a lot of fun to watch other people follow my lead.

Exactly. I kept thinking I was missing something and this can't be it. I'm positive that I wouldn't even notice if I didn't know it was there.

They're both beautiful. It was really because I was solo that I took the time to explore a bit. I know if I was with people I probably would never resort hop or at least not for as long.

Haha, you know the timing just could not have been worse. To add even more, they were scheduled for 10 that evening and 9 the next. If they had been at 9 that night, there would have been no problem as the rain didn't hit until later.

Ooh, now this is the story I'm most excited to share. I sure do hope it lives up to the hype!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Finally all caught up! You are quite hilarious. I love the "add and crossing off from the mental bucket list."

Thanks so much Grace I'm so delighted you stopped by. I'm sure little Jessica will beat my Everest record soon!

Haha, I figured this was a way to make the best of the situation and turn a negative into a positive. Like I totally meant to do that.
I couldn't realy complain... I was still in Disney World after all.

Nice TR!

I could not stop laughing about your "See Wishes from parking lot" comment.

Thank you so very much and

Awww, I'm glad you liked that.

I saw that Stacey was just filming new segments! I wonder when they'll be on resort TV. I wouldn't mind seeing some new Stacey in August...otherwise, hopefully by December!

AHHH those Wilderness Lodge pictures! Awesome! Isn't it an amazing resort?! My dad, sister, and I ate at WCC a couple years ago and I fell in love with it. I knew then that it had to be the next DVC resort I stayed at! Thinking a visit there must happen on one of these trips...maybe December because the decorations are awesome there.

Yum, another cupcake!

OMG I know, how exciting. I wasn't expecting anything so soon. I figured they'd wait until Mine Train opened at least. I hope to find out when the new stuff will be added. Always something new to look forward at Disney!!

Oh God it was beautiful Sarah. I wish I had some sunshine, but it was still unreal. Plus I did get to hear the ketchup call at WCC. Too funny.

MMMM and it was good too. I actually saved it for later consumption!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

That darn FL weather and downpour rain.... We had planned to watch Hallowishes from Poly after our Ohana dinner last year. But exact same thing happened to us - down poured all night and Hallowishes was cancelled. So I couldn't even cross off "watch wishes from Poly parking lot". Your bucket list keeps growing!

You just never know when it'll hit. It just comes out of no where. That's too bad about missing Hallowishes from there. That would be pretty impressive with the perimeter fireworks.

On and off the bucket list in one easy step.

The Wilderness Lodge looks awesome! We came soooooo close to staying there. It was between there and Yacht/Beach Club. Stormalong Bay won.

Doesn't the rain know that you had a plan??? Well, at least you realized your lifetime goal of watching fireworks from the parking lot! We're actually planning on watching Wishes from that beach one night. Hoping for no rain!

It's beautiful Lauren. The Yacht/Beach Club is ok too...

Seriously right??!! Rude rain!
This is true, a lifelong goal fulfilled.
I wish you good luck in your attempt. At least you have LOTS of time.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

You have a fabulous husband!!!

I completely agree. We got married at the Boardwalk 5 years ago and IT WAS HIS IDEA!

You gotta love a man who's trained properly!

 

[orangecats2]

I love the look of WL and would love to stay there. It just looks so cozy and I love the river.
DH however, likes the look of AKL better. He thinks the animals are awesome. I think it looks hot and smaller to me. Also, we didn't like Boma and we loved WCC.
I know they were designed by the same person but WL just looks more homey to me. Plus there's a boat to MK.
So where are we trying to stay next time??? AKL of course!

 

[jash08]

You gotta love a man who's trained properly!

I know, right?

He is just as obsessed as I am with Disney now. I grew up in Louisiana and my family would go at least twice a year. Before we started dating, he had never been. I was like what do you mean you are in your thirties and have never been to any Disney property? Anyway, 20 minutes into our first trip and he was a goner. Now as we are leaving property, we start talking "our next trip."

 

[peachmermaid]

All of your updates make me want to go to places, like WL and do things, like watch wishes on the beach even more!! I sincerely hope you got your chance for wishes this trip. Boo to you, crazy Florida rain!! Those shots of the fireworks with the mk sign are really nice though.

Oh pop...I love you & your orderly bus lines. Moderates don't have orderly lines either. Well, at least port orleans doesn't. It's so weird.

I cannot wait to hear about this emotional magical experience!! Good cliff hanger!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I love the look of WL and would love to stay there. It just looks so cozy and I love the river.
DH however, likes the look of AKL better. He thinks the animals are awesome. I think it looks hot and smaller to me. Also, we didn't like Boma and we loved WCC.
I know they were designed by the same person but WL just looks more homey to me. Plus there's a boat to MK.
So where are we trying to stay next time??? AKL of course!

Ahhh it's absolutely beautiful and majestic.
I haven't seen AKL in person yet but it does look lovely in pictures and the animals are a plus.
The proximity to MK for WL is a HUGE plus to me too.
Hahaha, oh well. AKL is pretty awesome too.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I know, right?

He is just as obsessed as I am with Disney now. I grew up in Louisiana and my family would go at least twice a year. Before we started dating, he had never been. I was like what do you mean you are in your thirties and have never been to any Disney property? Anyway, 20 minutes into our first trip and he was a goner. Now as we are leaving property, we start talking "our next trip."

Haha, I always find it fascinating when a first Disney trip is as an adult. I'm certain there's a lot of thoughts like "It's only for kids". There's always a certain satisfaction when they become converted.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

All of your updates make me want to go to places, like WL and do things, like watch wishes on the beach even more!! I sincerely hope you got your chance for wishes this trip. Boo to you, crazy Florida rain!! Those shots of the fireworks with the mk sign are really nice though.

Oh pop...I love you & your orderly bus lines. Moderates don't have orderly lines either. Well, at least port orleans doesn't. It's so weird.

I cannot wait to hear about this emotional magical experience!! Good cliff hanger!

Haha that's great Jennifer! I still hope to see Wishes from the Poly someday.

Don't worry, I have plenty more Wishes chances to come. More rain to come too.

Looking back it was actually kind of cool to see a bit of Wishes from the parking lot.

I just find that so funny that only the values have queues.

Haha thank you. I seriously can't wait to get to it!!

 

[lovelygirl1975]

Haha, I always find it fascinating when a first Disney trip is as an adult. I'm certain there's a lot of thoughts like "It's only for kids". There's always a certain satisfaction when they become converted.

Hey Rob I am so loving your trip report. Your pictures are awesome, the WL looks so beautiful. I just wanted to share about adults and Disney. My husband's first trip to Disney was as an adult. I took him the year before we got married. I will never forget what it was like to see the look on his face the first time he saw the castle in MK. It was amazing and I knew that trip was worth every penny. We are going back for our 4th trip in 3 weeks with my family. He has never seen Wishes or the Main Street electrical parade so that is one of my goals for him. (Seeing wishes from the Poly beach is on my list, actually just visiting all of the MK resorts is on my list. I have only seen them from a distance. But, that will have to wait for another trip; which we are already planning.)

 

[emmysmommy]

Hey there Rob!! Oh my gosh, there are wait times posted for the resort launches? Again, I must not pay attention since I looked at a photo I took in February and sure enough... what do you know.... yes, there are wait times. Sheesh!

I've never explored the outside of WL so I'm delighted that you included those photos. We'll be staying there for the first time next month so I'm glad you took the time to tour the resort and share your photos!

Ahhhh Wishes from the Poly beach. That's on my list! Sorry about the storm that blew in and wrecked your plans. I know seeing the finale from the TTC isn't quite the same but at least you crossed that one off your list. I'm sure it was up there with crossing off seeing vending machines in the restrooms!

Oh, and I saw Stacey's note about filming in DTD and thought of you. It's such a shame that she didn't give you more notice so you could join her.

 

[Tracy161]

Ugh, darn the ill-timed Florida rain. At least you added/crossed off "see wishes from the MK parking lot" from your bucket list!

UP NEXT… THE MOST EMOTIONAL, MEMORABLE, UNBELIEVEABLY WONDERFUL,
PERFECTLY MAGICAL MOMENT IN TIME... EVER!

#dyingofcuriosity

 

[Cira]

Hold up here. I have not heard about this...(at least I don't THINK so).
Is there such a thing as an ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE or RESORT??
I know there is a FORT WILDERNESS (don't know how to get there)...but ANIMAL KINGDOM??? Read the "AKL" below and was confused. Thanks!

Really?! Cool! I can't wait to see it in November (assuming and hoping it's on by then!)


Gotta be honest... I'm not looking forward to the free-for-all style bus line at AKL.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Hey Rob I am so loving your trip report. Your pictures are awesome, the WL looks so beautiful. I just wanted to share about adults and Disney. My husband's first trip to Disney was as an adult. I took him the year before we got married. I will never forget what it was like to see the look on his face the first time he saw the castle in MK. It was amazing and I knew that trip was worth every penny. We are going back for our 4th trip in 3 weeks with my family. He has never seen Wishes or the Main Street electrical parade so that is one of my goals for him. (Seeing wishes from the Poly beach is on my list, actually just visiting all of the MK resorts is on my list. I have only seen them from a distance. But, that will have to wait for another trip; which we are already planning.)

Thank you so very much Nikia.

What a wonderful story. Thank you so much for sharing. Oh my I can't get enough of Wishes in that I could watch it each and every night, so this next trip for you should be very special.

Haha, I love that your already planning the next trip before the current one even starts!!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Hey there Rob!! Oh my gosh, there are wait times posted for the resort launches? Again, I must not pay attention since I looked at a photo I took in February and sure enough... what do you know.... yes, there are wait times. Sheesh!

I've never explored the outside of WL so I'm delighted that you included those photos. We'll be staying there for the first time next month so I'm glad you took the time to tour the resort and share your photos!

Ahhhh Wishes from the Poly beach. That's on my list! Sorry about the storm that blew in and wrecked your plans. I know seeing the finale from the TTC isn't quite the same but at least you crossed that one off your list. I'm sure it was up there with crossing off seeing vending machines in the restrooms!

Oh, and I saw Stacey's note about filming in DTD and thought of you. It's such a shame that she didn't give you more notice so you could join her.

Hey there yourself Brenda my Grand Californian staying, Disneyland playing friend.

Thank you, the resort grounds are truly stunning. Oh you're so lucky and now you'll know your way around!!

Yeah, the missed Poly fireworks. I remember vividly posting on Facebook and you replying that it was something you hoped to do one day. As it turns out, it's STILL something I hope to do one day.

Darnit, I should totally have done a mental on/off the bucket list for the washroom vending machines. Oh wait... I just did. Thanks for the reminder!!! Whew.

I know right??!! I guess we're just a little out of sync is all.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Ugh, darn the ill-timed Florida rain. At least you added/crossed off "see wishes from the MK parking lot" from your bucket list!



#dyingofcuriosity

Haha, there's only one thing you can count on in Florida and that's rain and storms that come from out of nowhere. Seriously though, I've been blessed with great weather through virtually all trips so I guess I was due. I think I had more rain on this trip than all others combined. At least it felt like it.

Ha, it felt so good to get that on and off the Bucket List.

Ahaha, This is still to come as part of day 4 and I sure hope it lives up to it's billing.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Hold up here. I have not heard about this...(at least I don't THINK so).
Is there such a thing as an ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE or RESORT??
I know there is a FORT WILDERNESS (don't know how to get there)...but ANIMAL KINGDOM??? Read the "AKL" below and was confused. Thanks!

Yup there is for sure Animal Kingdom Lodge.
It is a completely different resort than either Fort Wilderness or Wilderness Lodge.

 

[silverhaze269]

So many awesome things, where to begin?!

I love that you got so many towel creations! It's an awesome little bit of (we didn't even get any on our Honeymoon, not that I'm complaining because we certainly got our share of it in other ways )

Those POP waffles take me back...

You've convinced me to take the Keys to the Kingdom tour when we go next September. I'd heard good things before, but I really liked your review of it I especially enjoyed the little tidbit about the Haunted Mansion and the chess pieces...very neat!

Sucks about the sort-of rained out fireworks at the Poly But at least you got to see some of them, and you got to see some of the Poly...it's all about the silver linings

...It's funny, when I read the last few instalments of this TR I forgot which one I was reading and was expecting to see Kate, just goes to show all over the place I've been lately

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

So many awesome things, where to begin?!

I love that you got so many towel creations! It's an awesome little bit of (we didn't even get any on our Honeymoon, not that I'm complaining because we certainly got our share of it in other ways )

Those POP waffles take me back...

You've convinced me to take the Keys to the Kingdom tour when we go next September. I'd heard good things before, but I really liked your review of it I especially enjoyed the little tidbit about the Haunted Mansion and the chess pieces...very neat!

Sucks about the sort-of rained out fireworks at the Poly But at least you got to see some of them, and you got to see some of the Poly...it's all about the silver linings

...It's funny, when I read the last few instalments of this TR I forgot which one I was reading and was expecting to see Kate, just goes to show all over the place I've been lately

You can start anywhere you like my dear

Oh me too!!! I was completely blown away. Given that I had a single King bed, it was pretty clear there were no kids so I never expected anything. Somehow they knew I was someone who would LOVE it. And I did!

It was goooooood too.

Oh YAY!!!!!! I think you're not the only one I've convinced so I am absolutely going to contact Disney for some commission.
There's so much to it that I could never cover it all. It was all fascinating, but seeing backstage was obviously the highlight and there's no way to really cover it in a review. You HAVE to see it.

It was disappointing at the Poly, but yeah, it's hard to beat fireworks from the parking lot. And the real silver lining is coming...

Bahaha, oh the perils of dual reporting. I've run into the same thing reading others who have dual reports happening. I was doing my best to have instalments not cover the same place at the same time. Haha, that's too funny.