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

[DisneyKid4Life]

I don't think I've ever seen that burial lay-away sign at BTMRR before, very funny.

Yeah, it's a shame that "Song of the South" is too politically incorrect to be shown anymore. I told my kids all of the Br'er Rabbit stories that I can remember from the movie, particularly, "...whatever you do, don't throw me into that briar patch!"

Impressive friend you made on the Splash ride.

I agree with you, nothing beats the spontaneous character meets and other pixie dust events like that.

Me neither. Disney just loads up their queues with little gems like that.

It really is Glenn. Apparently it was released internationally, just not North America. And lets be honest, Tom Sawyer isn't what you might call PC either.

Yeah, I thought I did ok.

Totally. Of course there's still a fair amount of pixie dust floating around (I mean I was BURIED in the stuff the night prior), but the random characters around is definitely missed. You can still catch some of that out west, but not so much in the "World".

Just thought I'd let you know I'm still

Hi Michelle, I'm so glad!! Thanks for letting me know. I sure do appreciate it.

Haven't posted in a while but still reading along

Harry Potter? That's right up there with the ever popular " I thought we were going to Disney. I didn't want to come to Epcot! " A comment we heard on our trip.

Do Your Homework People!

Yay, that's so great to hear.

OMG, I'm not sure which is worse. My mother to this day refers to Magic Kingdom as "Disney World". She doesn't seem to get that it's ALL Disney World.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I'm just popping in to say that I am still reading (and LOVING every post!). Just too busy to make many comments. I sure hope you have your next Disney trip booked already because we need more trip reports like this one!

TP

 

[enchantedrosex]

Hi!
I just caught up on your TR, and I just had to comment and tell you how much I am loving it so far! I literally have laughed and smiled throughout the entire thing! I've solo-ed for a day before, and I just can't seem to get over the awkward/lonely feeling all the way. Reading about your solo trip is just so refreshing and inspiring and it makes me feel so much better about going alone!

Thank you and keep it up

 

[joleen76]

I am usually just a lurker on most of the trip reports I read, but there have been so many special moments you have share so far that I just have to comment!

The beautifully sweet man you were able to meet is just priceless, what else besides Disney can lead to this kind of special moment?

The little girls comment just perfectly captures how I feel every time I watch Wishes.

Thank you for sharing your trip, I am thoroughly impressed with your trip! It reminds me in a lot of ways of my honeymoon. Totally relaxing and so magical because you just did what you felt like each day and each day was a surprise just for you!!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I'm just popping in to say that I am still reading (and LOVING every post!). Just too busy to make many comments. I sure hope you have your next Disney trip booked already because we need more trip reports like this one!

TP

Aww thank you Teresa, I'm so glad. That's ok, I'm just happy you're still following along.
Haha, I don't have anything booked yet, but I'm hoping beyond hope to get in an early December trip for my birthday.

Hi!
I just caught up on your TR, and I just had to comment and tell you how much I am loving it so far! I literally have laughed and smiled throughout the entire thing! I've solo-ed for a day before, and I just can't seem to get over the awkward/lonely feeling all the way. Reading about your solo trip is just so refreshing and inspiring and it makes me feel so much better about going alone!

Thank you and keep it up

Thank you SO VERY MUCH for stopping by and leaving such a lovely comment Michela. I appreciate it so much! Your kind words made me smile.

I can definitely understand the awkward feeling being solo, I was the exact same. On most trips I usually wear out everyone else so I often would have a solo evening towards the end. In April it was so last minute and I couldn't get anyone to tag along, so I just decided to go for it, and I can tell you it was wonderful. If you ever do end up on a solo trip, I honestly think you'll love it. There's a chance I may even do another in early December. I think all of us Disney lovers should try it. You'll notice things you didn't even know were there.

Oh no, Thank You!!

I am usually just a lurker on most of the trip reports I read, but there have been so many special moments you have share so far that I just have to comment!

The beautifully sweet man you were able to meet is just priceless, what else besides Disney can lead to this kind of special moment?

The little girls comment just perfectly captures how I feel every time I watch Wishes.

Thank you for sharing your trip, I am thoroughly impressed with your trip! It reminds me in a lot of ways of my honeymoon. Totally relaxing and so magical because you just did what you felt like each day and each day was a surprise just for you!!

Thank you so much Joleen. I'm so delighted that you decided to leave a comment. Reading them just makes my day.

I so agree. He was just too precious and kind and I will never forget him.

OMG, me too. I will always remember that every time I see that show now. It was just... perfect!

Thank you for reading. Haha, so funny to be compared to a honeymoon trip, but the way you described it is right on the money. Just go with the flow and let the magic happen.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

"I’M GONNA RIDE THAT PUPPY... AND I’M GONNA GET WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!"
Day 5 – May 1, 2013 Part 4



After my meeting with royalty otherwise known as Tiana, I found myself back in Frontierland for something I hadn’t done in about 7 years.

I have such fond memories of this attraction dating back to my childhood.

My grandfather absolutely LOVED this show, particularly Big Al, but then, how can you not love Big Al?

He would have been completely content to sit in that theater for the whole day and watch the show over and over.

He loved it that much.

So in honour of my grandfather, as well as being solo, it was a perfect opportunity to see this show again.

And yet more amazing little Disney details in the lobby of Grizzly Hall.

I had a lovely conversation with the CM working out front while I waited to head into the theater because talking with CM’s is my new past-time apparently.

I took this opportunity to get some information regarding the times when all those Frontierland characters come out that I had passed by a few days prior.

There’s absolutely nothing listed on the official times guide at all.

She went to her trusty CM exclusive cheat sheet, which I learned the CM’s receive daily and are to protect with their very lives upon threat of death… or worse...

…Banishment to Universal.

It was taking a bit of time, so I told her it really wasn’t that big of a deal, and I didn’t want to miss the show.

She replied that it was no problem, and besides, she was the one that would be starting the show, so there was no way it was starting without me.

Way to make me feel like a big shot Disney VIP my little CM friend.

At this point everyone else was already inside, so she eventually told me I could go ahead and find a seat.

A few minutes later, she found me and conveyed the requested info. God bless her, she was determined to get me that info.

And with that, the show was off and running.

OK, now truth be told, these guys should have given me nightmares as a kid (or even as an adult really).

I mean seriously, they’re TALKING MOUNTED ANIMAL HEADS.

I’m aware that the entire show consists of singing bears playing musical instruments, not a typical every day occurrence,

But again… they’re TALKING MOUNTED ANIMAL HEADS!!!!!

It’s like a scene from the EVIL DEAD (you know the one with the TALKING MOUNTED ANIMAL HEAD),

Yet somehow, they just never bothered me in the least.

In fact, I have hugely fond memories of them.

Then, it was time for the hoedown (and no, I’m not referring to Miley Cyrus at the VMA's).

Finally, the bear I had been longing to see… The One And Only… BIG AL!

Who unfortunately was blocked a bit by… The One And Only… BIG HEAD!

It was so great to see this again and so much more fun when the audience is into it, which thankfully they were.

“Blood On The Saddle” will just never get old for me. To me it’s as much of a classic as “It’s a Small World”.

And as an added bonus, it doesn’t make me want to force sharp objects into my eye sockets.

This is just classic Disney, and one of the very last attractions Walt personally was involved with in regards to the initial development and concept.

If you’ve never experienced this, you absolutely must.

Just tell them I sent you!!!

You won't get any special treatment or anything, but I just think it would be rather cool!



CONTINUED NEXT POST
​

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Day 5 – May 1, 2013 Part 4 Cont.


After reliving some classic Disney, I was still in the mood to continue with some classic Disney.

Only this time it would be something I’d never done.

This is not something that I ever had any interest in, but since I was alone, it was a perfect opportunity to try something new.

The main thing this has in its favor, in my humble opinion, is opportunity to see the park from an entirely different vantage point.

One of the real highlights is seeing Big Thunder from a completely new angle.

For those of you who’ve been, this scene reminds me of the beginning of Pirates in DLR.

And for those who are interested, the rumors are indeed true and the Polynesian DVC construction is officially underway.

I actually did enjoy it, but it’s not something I would need to do every trip.

It’s great to see some of the park from a different perspective though, and probably the best reason to go on.

What I'd really love to see is for Disney to turn this back into a “floating stage” like they did for “Tiana's Showboat Jubilee” a few years back.

A little bit of rain started to fall on our voyage around the Rivers of America.

I was hopeful it was just a passing shower and not a repeat of the downpours from the past couple of nights.



TO BE CONTINUED…
​

 

[IheartDDuck]

I agree, who doesn't love Big Al? Country Bears still holds a special place in my heart. I still like it.

How nice of that CM being so determined to give you the information that you requested.

Nice Miley Cyrus shot. Hysterical.

And there's.....blood on the saddle......and a puddle of......blood on the ground. Amazing stuff.

That scene on the river is totally like Pirates at DLR.

 

[GinnerD]

Great updates Rob!

Yay for your awesome "Wishes" night. Absolutely that "once in a lifetime" kind of experience.

IASW...I too will say "no thanks"!

Just love that you didn't have to ride Splash by yourself!

Country Bears has always been one of my favorites. Think I need to pay a visit when I am there in Dec. ""All the boys that turn me on, turn me down"" LOL!

I might also try the Riverboat. Great to see MK from another perspective.

I hope you get to do your BD trip. I know I am looking forward to mine (11/30-12/6).

 

[dawnbu40]

Great update! Big Al reminds me of my grandpa too so I enjoy seeing the show once in awhile for that very reason

Nice pics from the Riverboat and the swamp guy looks just like the DL POC.

 

[emmysmommy]

Ha ha! Rob you are so funny! A Miley (train wreck) Cyrus shot! I'm surprised that your favorite Country Bear Jamboree song isn't "All the Guys that Turn Me On Turn Me Down" I thought that was adorable! And of course the CBJ CM was there to get you the hoedown information - You ARE DisneyKid4Life. Did you forget that?? So are there set times for those characters? We saw them but it was during our tour so didn't really get to stop and interact.

Nice BTMRR photo from the Liberty Belle. (I have to think a moment about which boat is named which for DLR vs MK.) Sneak peek here for you Rob but we successfully crossed this one off our list this time.

I had some solo time at MK last trip and toured Frontierland alone as well.

 

[Aurora1972]

I love Country Bears. My daddy loved that show so it is a must do for me. I feel like I'm honoring his memory and remembering childhood trips. My favorites are the small girl bear on the swing and "All the ones that turn me in turn me down". But really my family loved all the attractions that most guidebooks say are skip able. We are just "Classic Disney" people!

 

[courtneybelle]

You're such a Disney celebrity. I bet Ariel paged over and let all the CMs know that a special friend was in town

I was always unfazed by the talking animal heads, maybe because I was desensitized at such a young age, plus we frequented a restaurant called Bugaboo Creek that had similar animal heads.

at Miley Cyrus. She's an interesting one.

Blood on the Saddle is my favorite song too!

We were SO CLOSE to doing the Riverboat on this trip. I'll get there someday...

 

[librarygeek]

The way you described Splash Mountain sums up my feelings entirely. It is so representative of Disney! And your photo with Ariel is fantastic! I've been thinking about writing a blog post of best ride photos out there that people submit - that would be a winner for sure!

I haven't stopped to watch the castle show in so long. I should really get around to doing that again.

You know, what you were saying about the characters not being spontaneous anymore reminded me a lot of the way Disney's headed in general in that regard. I like to plan things, but even I prefer a little spontaneity once in awhile. You already to have to figure out what you want to eat 180 days in advance - now with fast pass plus we'll have to know what rides we want to go on before we even get there!

You must eat at Be Our Guest! I've been there twice for dinner and it's fantastic. We had great food, but even putting the food aside the decor inside is just breathtaking. And of course the Beast is there!

I haven't seen the County Bear Jamboree in ages... since I was 8 years old. Funny story about that... apologies if I've told you this story already. I've told it a number of time to different people in the DIS and I lose track! But when we went to Disney for the first time my dad's boss told him the one thing he absolutely did not want to miss was the country bears. So we got to MK at rope drop determined to make our way to the country bears! We joined all of the crowds heading toward Frontierland, and then we make it to the Jamboree.... and everyone else keeps going past us to Splash Mountain. Needless to say, we were the only ones in the theater, but we got to see the very first showing of the day of the Country Bear Jamboree!

 

[Tracy161]

She went to her trusty CM exclusive cheat sheet, which I learned the CM’s receive daily and are to protect with their very lives upon threat of death… or worse...

…Banishment to Universal.

HAHA! That also, appropriately, sounds suspiciously like a Harry Potter quote

Well, gosh! I guess the next time I pay a visit to Big Al, I'll just tell 'em all that Rob sent me... though I won't expect the red carpets to be rolled out like you experienced. That CM certainly did give you VIP treatment though, huh!?

Also, by the way, I laughed my you-know-what off about the Miley Cyrus jab...

Glad you finally got to ride around on the riverboat - it's definitely not a must do for me on each trip either, but nice every once in a while.

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[glennbo123]

Loved the Miley Cyrus comment. Kudos!

Yes, I love Big Al and am perfectly content to have "Blood on the Saddle" running through my brain, whereas "It's a Small World", not so much.

I don't think I've ever been on the riverboat, but I could be wrong about that.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Love the pictures from the Liberty Belle - especially of Bid Thunder Mountain ...

... especially the shot of the backside of the mountain goat ... which is not nearly as thrilling as the back side of water

 

[marDgreen88]

HAHAHA, I'd rather see the Country Bears hoedown ANY day!

The Riverboat looks nice! I've been meaning to do that forever.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[missangelalexis]

I am finally up to date on this TR! I really enjoy your writing style and love the enthusiasm you bring to every post!

The story about you meeting that sweet older man was wonderful and the story about where you got your TR title is SO heart melting! Disney truly is full of magic