04/01 - Non-park day trip

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TSI_Fan

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Well, the *plan* was to meet Buggin at World of Disney at Downtown Disney at 11a. That didn't happen, either that or I just couldn't spot her. Oh well. :rolleyes:

Normally I do not like going to places by myself because I feel out of place. For some reason, maybe because it's Disney, I did a lot by myself and really didn't care what people thought. On that note, let's being.

Day started out by the car running hot but not to the point of getting to that dangerous "H" level. Since my cooling system just got repaired a few days ago, I figure the thermostat just needed to kick in. The temperature stayed at a steady high level the entire drive there until I took the first exit for Disney. Got to Downtown Disney and headed straight for...the bathrooms!! Ok, then I headed to World of Disney. Browsed and browsed and browsed some more. Found the "Villian" room and tried to spot fellow DISer, Buggin, but to no avail. In the mean time, I started to pick up the collector pins for Big Thunder Mtn. RR (been wanting it, it looks sooo cool!), Haunted Mansion, and Space Mountain. Then I started pin browsing some more and I found one of Dopey (but not the one in the collector book, darnit!). Knowing I could get 3 pins and not 4 (I set myself a limit), I had to decide which pin to put back. So I set the Space Mountain pin back on it's peg and decided to get the Dopey pin instead (to send to my girlfriend who loves Dopey). While browsing, I found some MORE Dopey things, and I wanted soo badly to get them for my gf, but I knew my budget wouldn't allow it. Oh well, there's always next paycheck!!!! So I paid for my pins (collection is now at a whole 3 pins for me!) and left the store.

Normally, since I got what I initially came for, I would have decided to just leave. Today I figured, what the heck, I am going to just roam around Downtown Disney, Pleasure Island, and DD-Westside. If I want to go into a shop, I will. If I don't, I won't. So I did..and it was soo great not having to either explain to someone why we are going to a shop, or having to mill around a shop I didn't want to go into, it was just...great.

While at PI, I saw the infamous Disney monorail set. Figured out the monorail + track + contemporary + spaceship earth would be a good $150. Maybe I will save up for it later. I really want that!! Milled around the Virgin Record store a bit and the House of Blues giftshop.

After that, I started making my way back to the car. Realizing I still have plenty of time to kill (it was 1p when I got back to the car) I realized, hey, why not go resort-hopping? So I did. First stop was one place I have seen and haven't been..Coronado Springs. That place is cool! I loved the Temple-waterfall-thingy. That was neat! I liked the layout and architecture of the place. On the way I got to see Blizzard Beach and WinterSummerland Mini Golf. Both places looked cool. Second stop was going to be the Wilderness Lodge. Well, that's what I told the guy at the MK gates. Decided instead to drive past the Poly and Grand Floridian. Didn't want to stop in, so I turned around and drove to the Contemporary. Got up to the main level, browsed the gift shops, then I sat my butt down on a nice comfy chair and I watched the monorails. I think I did this for about an hour. I love the monorails! Went all the way back down and found the arcade at the Contemporary. Played this 18-wheeler driving simulation game that was too cool for words! I loved it! I loved it more because the two people who played it figured their game was over, so they left. Not being one to pass up an opportunity, I sat myself down and kept playing in their absence. :D

Then I made good on my promise, I went to the Wilderness Lodge. I walked around in the Lodge for a bit, played in the arcade on a game that someone paid for but left unattended. (that's twice now!) After that I walked back into the main lobby, found an empty chair, and just sat and relaxed for a looong time! Those chairs are so comfy. I took in everything around me: the decor, the music, even people-watching. I chuckled a little bit because everywhere around me, people were walking back and forth, with luggage, without luggage, talking about where to go, what park, what bus to catch, and here I am...just relaxing with no itinerary in mind and just happy to be at the Lodge and enjoying every single bit of it around me. Went outside, saw the geyser. Went to the boat docks and watched the boats for a bit. Then I went into the hallways and I was soooo tempted, when I found an unattended maid cart, to just pick it clean of Mickey soap, shampoo, and conditioner. But the nice guy in me passed it up. I could have even grabbed some towels, but I didn't!! :(

After that, I realized it was time to get going, so I headed out via the road to Ft. Wilderness. Gassed up the car at the nearby 7-11, got a Mt. Dew slurpee for the road, and headed out. Car acted the same going home, which is what I figured. I crusied the WDW highways so much today I felt like a veteran!

Came home with 3 collector pins and an armful of park maps for research (since I haven't been to EPCOT or MGM in a long time, or AK at all!). :eek: First thing I did once I got home was to make some lunch/dinner. I didn't eat at all at WDW, and really wanted to try not to. I tried looking for Hidden Mickeys but I couldn't find any! :(

I had a GREAT time, and only spent about $20 at Disney. Only 2 regrets: not meeting Buggin, and not bringing a camera!! Dagnabbit! If I would have had enough $$ for an admission ticket, I would have met TennVolTony for his 2pm MGM DIS meet at ToT, but alas, I didn't. Maybe another time.

TSI_Fan
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I miss my Christi-bear. :(
 
Wow, sounds like you had a great day! I'm jealous!
It's amazing how much fun you can have and not spend very much money.
I'd love to go resort-hopping sometime.. but my parents never seem interested.

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<font size=4 color=purple>*Amy*</font>
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Thanks for your interesting trip report. Sometimes I just sit and people watch while I am on vacation. it is so relaxing you are right! At least you live close enough to go back when your budget allows and explore some more! Thanks again for sharing! I hope your car settled down! :)
 
See? Being solo ain't so bad! You should get the FL seasonal pass... only around $170, i think. And AK isn't blocked out! I LOOOVE park hopping... it's not something I've ever been able to do when down on vacation (always rushing around), only when I've lived in the area. Gotta love it!

Jen, DVM
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That sounds like something I'd love to do. Glad you had a great time. As much fun as it is to take other people with you, it's nice sometimes just to be by yourself and move at your own pace. I love it that you just sat in a chair and watched the "world" do by. Sounds like pretty cheap entertainment to me.

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Laurie
 
Cool James! Sounds like you had a nice relaxing day! Too bad I could not have joined you since I have only been inside of one of the Disney resorts. Maybe some other time!

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<font size=4 color=violet>~Christine~</font>
<font size=2 color=violet>Mickeys_sunshine@yahoo.com</font>
 
As I was walking into Coronado Springs, one of the cars parked in the lot had a lime green ribbon tied around the driver's outside mirror. anyone know who this car may have belonged to??

TSI_Fan
cliplove.gif

I miss my Christi-bear. :(
 
Did ya ever hear what happened to Buggin' ???

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<font color=steelblue>SylviaM...formerly known as 'NicksMom'
Moderator ~ Canadian Board
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I'm so jealous!!! What a great way to spend an afternoon alone. Wish I lived close enough to do that. Thanks for the post.
 
Buggin was spotted at the DIS mini-meet at MGM, situated between TennesseeVolTony and jfulcer. I don't have the link to the thread with me, but it's out there.

TSI_Fan
cliplove.gif

I miss my Christi-bear. :(
 
What a leisurely and fun day! Thanks for posting this, it was fun to read.

Katholyn

<font color=red>"Texas born, Texas bred and when I die I'll be Texas dead"</font color>
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