2 moms, no kids hit WDW!!!

[talicskai]

Okay fellow Disney fanatics this is my first trip report ever and I am very nervous!

Let me give you some background ~ I am a single mom of two Disney fanatics (how did that happen?) aged 10 (Josh) and aged 8 (Allison).

Their dad and I are separated ~ about 18 months now. They live with me one week and their dad one week. We alternate every other week and it seems to work out okay. I miss them like crazy but do have some much needed “down” time when they are with him. I just wish it wasn't so long in between.

The three of us go every February for a week to Vistana to visit with my retired parents and normally do only 2 days at parks. The rest of our week is at the pools, outlet malls etc.

We love to do the “free stuff” at Disney ~ like Downtown Disney, Boardwalk and Celebration ~ so that is usually how we fill up our extra weeks. However, it is always geared around the kids and as much as I love going to the parks with them ~ there are so many adult things I would love to do!

So the reason for this report is that I have a Mini-no-kids-last-minute-weekend trip booked and am leaving in 10 days! (September 29-October 1, 2007)

Originally, I was going by myself because I had a credit with Southwest Airlines (only had to pay $54 US for my ticket from Buffalo!), 6 passes left over from an office incentive trip that expired October 10th and September is travel agent appreciation month and I just happen to be an agent! In my sick little mind this amounted to basically a free trip!

I booked myself the non-stop flights out of Buffalo, booked Pop Century for two nights and was all set with these free passes !

Well, I have a good friend who just so happens to have a birthday on October 1st and thought she would love to come with me! Her husband wanted to go on a golfing trip to Myrtle Beach and the guilt was killing him.

"Of course, she could go ~ it would be great for her " ~ conveniently asking right after that about his “guys” weekend.

So here we are ~ 10 days away ~ Pam and I are booked, talking about where to eat and what to see! The only little thing bothering is guilt ……….do I tell the kids exactly where I’m going? Would they even need to know? They are at their dad’s and won’t see me……hmmmm what do I do? I get them back on Friday so will have to casually mention it in conversation ~

"Mommy has to go away for work, for a couple of nights ~ it can't be helped...." "What would you like me to bring you back from Florida?" Kids are always more concerned about what you are buying them than about where you are going. But, gone are the days when the hotel soaps and little shampoo bottles would suffice. I'm thinking I need to hit the World of Disney Store for some parenting advice!!!!


I have never done Soaring, The new Living Seas with Nemo, hardly any of the countries and can’t wait to see the new Canada film! I hear Martin Short is fabulous and the old movie was an embarrassment to me and most of my fellow Canadians!

So here goes, people, two moms, no kids and all the freedom in the "world"
What should we do with it?

Stay tuned and I will let you know how we made out!

Thanks for reading.........Teresa

 

[raysnkaysmom]

You sound just like me last year
OMG..you're gonna have the best time!!
My single mom girlfriend and I (also single mom) went to Disney... I told my kids ahead of time (we had just gone about 8 months previous) and my girlfriend told her kids the day before she left..lol
My kids were actually fine with it...they just told me what to bring them back (ages 10 and 5)

We did a 2day park hopper and spend our 3 nights at Pleasure Island. I, of course never got to do Pleasure Island with the kids.. and we had the BEST time there!! Comedy clubs...differnt dance clubs and just walkin around with adults..mingling. We ate at Bongos in Downtown Disney... got maragaritas at the little stand on the way to Rainforest Cafe... it was great.

We did have a twinge of guilt driving in...we went thru the arch...looked at each other and said..we can't leave them again... and truth be told, we probably won't.. BUT>..that said... that was really the only time we felt guilty.. LOL

Enjoy your trip!! I"m jealous

 

[talicskai]

You sound just like me last year
OMG..you're gonna have the best time!!
My single mom girlfriend and I (also single mom) went to Disney... I told my kids ahead of time (we had just gone about 8 months previous) and my girlfriend told her kids the day before she left..lol
My kids were actually fine with it...they just told me what to bring them back (ages 10 and 5)

We did a 2day park hopper and spend our 3 nights at Pleasure Island. I, of course never got to do Pleasure Island with the kids.. and we had the BEST time there!! Comedy clubs...differnt dance clubs and just walkin around with adults..mingling. We ate at Bongos in Downtown Disney... got maragaritas at the little stand on the way to Rainforest Cafe... it was great.

We did have a twinge of guilt driving in...we went thru the arch...looked at each other and said..we can't leave them again... and truth be told, we probably won't.. BUT>..that said... that was really the only time we felt guilty.. LOL

Enjoy your trip!! I"m jealous

I don't have too much guilt because we just were there in February and I am taking them on the Disney Magic in February 08. However, that being said they will probably say "Awww that's not fair!"

Oh well, when they grow up they can run away to Disney too!

 

[talicskai]

bump

 

[talicskai]

Only four more sleeps and I'll be in the world

Things are coming together for me ~ work is busy but I should be all done and have cleared my desk by Friday @ 5pm!

We are leaving home for the 2 hours drive to Buffalo @ 7am Saturday.

That of course, will leave us an hour to hit Target before our 1230pm flight!

Any suggestions for adult only/girls trips?

Jellyrolls is on the top of my list..........

Teresa

 

[LanceNYC]

Hi Teresa,

Which Hotel are you and your friend staying at? I will be arriving at Coronado Springs on Sunday and staying until October 6th.

 

[ILMICKEY]

I so want to do this too!! No kids, no husband, lucky you. You are going to have the best time. Don't worry about the kids, I'm sure they will understand mom just needed some time away.

Have a great time. Can't wait to hear all about it!!!

 

[talicskai]

I so want to do this too!! No kids, no husband, lucky you. You are going to have the best time. Don't worry about the kids, I'm sure they will understand mom just needed some time away.

Have a great time. Can't wait to hear all about it!!!

The kids still don't know where I'm going ~ they are at their dad's for the week so there really is no need to rub it in.

I will get them something special from the "World of Disney" Store though

I'll fill you all in next week.......Teresa

 

[talicskai]

Hi Teresa,

Which Hotel are you and your friend staying at? I will be arriving at Coronado Springs on Sunday and staying until October 6th.

Pop Century ~ never been there and I can't wait to see it!

 

[talicskai]

Okay so I was just thinkin'

The line-ups at the border (Niagara Falls) have been really long ~ like 3 hours ~ because our loonie is doing sooooo good compared to the US greenback!

Last Saturday there were reports of 3 hour back-ups @ customs......soooooooooooooo

I booked a room at the Sleep Inn in Buffalo so we can cross over tonight instead! That way there is no fear of missing our flight

Also, we can sleep in and then hit Kohl's & Target!!

Now I just have to finish work (35 minutes to go!) , run home, pack, deliver my cat and pick up my friend!

Woo Hoo..........

 

[Donald is #1]

Have an awesome trip!

 

[talicskai]

Have an awesome trip!

Thanks ~ I'm gettin' excited!!!

 

[tinawv]

I went last year with just my sister, and my kids couldn't understand how I could go to WDW without them. At first I felt guilty, but then I realized that I deserved to have some me time. After I let go of the guilt I had a wonderful time. I also knew that I would be back with my kids, and that I wasn't taking anything away from them. Have a great time, and don't feel guilty about spending sometime for yourself. You deserve it.

 

[talicskai]

Day One ~ Friday, September 28th


We left home about 8pm ~ made a few stops ~ Tim Horton’s of course for one last good Earl Grey Tea!

Border ~ no line-ups ~ sailed right through at Lewiston and hit Walmart about 10pm (they don’t close til 11pm!)

Picked up some clothes for the kids and munchies for the hotel room ~ they have the best X & O’s cheezies ever!

Got to our hotel just after 11pm ~ Sleep Inn Amherst NY ~ great location for future shopping trips ~ close to Target, Walmart, Kohl’s & the Boulevard Mall!

Day 2 - Saturday, September 29th

Got up about 8am for breakfast at the hotel and hit Target (more clothes for the kids) and Kohl’s ~ great deals here! I got a Liz Claiborne purse for $18 !!! With zero exchange rate it was an awesome price!

Decided we better get moving to get to BUF for our 12:25pm flight. Southwest checkin is so smooth. I issued our boarding passes Friday afternoon and we were at the gate with an hour to spare! Doesn’t get any better than that!

Uneventful flight, just peanuts and diet coke but arrived ten minutes early at Orlando so that is always nice.

My friend, Pam wanted to check out the Crocs store for new ones so we took our time getting downstairs to Magical Express. No rush, looked around and then went to B side, Level one. Disney has done this very well. We checked in at the desk for our transfers and waited literally 5 minutes for our bus to Pop Century!

The drive was nice ~ lots to look at ~ saw the Super-Target on John Young Pkwy and thought “hmmmm, maybe we should rent a car for Monday instead of taking Magical Express back to the airport” Will think about it over the weekend.

Pop Century had a small line-up at check in but we were in our room by 4:30pm ~ only four hours from departure out of Buffalo ~ that is amazing!

Our room was in the 50’s section, Building 2, 4th floor. I was very disappointed in the view. It overlooked the unfinished section of Pop Century the Legendary years.

However, it was awesome at night time! Most to follow about that later.

We dropped our carry on bags, freshened up and then headed to the bus stop for Downtown Disney!

This is my favourite “free” thing to do at Disney. The Marketplace bus stop was closed for repaving so they dropped us off at Pleasure Island near Planet Hollywood. They are also recovering the outside of Planet Hollywood so it didn’t look as cool as it usually does. It was started to thunder and lightning so we high tailed it over to the World of Disney store just in time. We got soaked running from the Lego Store to the Princess boutique entrance but it actually felt kind of good!

We spent about an hour in here ~ just browsing and finally buying a few things.

At this point we were getting hungry because our lack of in-flight service left us feeling empty! We decided to eat at Earl of Sandwich ~ it was delicious! And not too expensive $7 for a big sandwich and chocolate milk!

I wanted to hit the scrapbooking store and Pam wanted to check out the Christmas store so we split up for a bit and met at the “everything under $10 store”

By this time we were getting tired so wandered back around through Pleasure Island to the bus stop and heading for our home for the next two nights.

Upon arrival in our room, our bags were there and discovered our awesome view of the EPCOT Illuminations fireworks!

After that, we decided to go for a quick swim.

The pool was open until midnight so it was very relaxing and quiet. I really enjoyed that ~ it calmed me down for a good sleep.

EPCOT & MGM tomorrow so I wanted to be well rested……

 

[ILMICKEY]

Wow!! It gets pretty light out at midnight!!

I sooo can't wait to try Earl of Sandwich. It looks so yummy!

 

[talicskai]

Wow!! It gets pretty light out at midnight!!

/QUOTE]

Okay smarty pants ~ I didn't have a night time shot of the pool!