And I Did It My Way! First Time Going SOLO! ***NEW! 7/17 p.7***

[Bloodhound]

Hi, I hope everything is going ok?

 

[Wonders10]

Hi, I hope everything is going ok?

Yes everything is ok. I just got distracted from this for awhile. I thought I had a job for the fall in the schools all set, but turns out it is not as guaranteed as I thought so I am on a mad job hunt which has been taking up a lot of my time, searching the web, talking to people, sending out resumes, etc. Fun stuff. Then this past week I wasn't feeling so hot. I'm trying to work on a new installment. I am determined to finish this trip report!

 

[aspen37]

Sorry about the job Shannon. I hope you find one soon. Take as long as you need. Good luck.

 

[Bloodhound]

I now how trying to find a job goes...my small business is failing in this bad economy...so Im looking as well...I hope it gets better for you.

 

[Bloodhound]

Here its something you may like to make a t-shirt for you baby...lol

rumblytumbly designed it and she lots of them to chose from.

 

[Quacktatty]

Is it weird that the people-mover is a must do ride for me?

I've got that same picture from my solo trip last year, I love the TTA and ride it at least 5 times every trip!

 

[Wonders10]

Last I left you, I had just rode Buzz Lightyear and was thinking of where to go next. I decided to take my chances in Fantasyland. I wasn’t sure how long I’d be staying so I didn’t bother getting a FP for Pooh and the stand-by wait was longer than I was willing to wait in so off I went. Snow White only had a 5 min wait so I hopped on that. It’s really a cute ride. And I don’t think it’s all that scary.

After that, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw that Peter Pan was only 20 minutes, stand-by! In the middle of the afternoon! So I hopped in line to find the line was indeed 20+ minutes long. And quickly growing behind me. Small rant here: Why must people behind you in line get so close to you that you could probably hold up a sheet of notebook paper between the two of you? Well the person behind me was a kid, probably 7 years old, and his mom. Well the mom was big time invading my personal bubble. And I think trying to cut in front of me. You know, doing that sneaky, I’m just going to stand next to you and when you’re not looking I’ll cut in front of you. Well I’m too smart for her. Then the best part, her kid accidently stepped on my feet and hit my backpack a couple times (probably trying to keep up with his annoying mom) and she is yelling at him to back up and apologize to me because he was too close. The woman was on my tail all the way up until I sat in the ride vehicle. For a second I was worried that she and her son were going to join me.

While in line, I had also been texting my Orlando friend and we made plans to have dinner off-property on Thursday night!

After having my personal bubble invaded, I meandered towards the Haunted Mansion, which if I recall correctly had almost no wait. I had a great ride on one of my favorite rides in all of Walt Disney World. I could ride it over and over again. But all those ghosts made me hungry. It was time for a snack and I knew exactly where I was headed this time.

To Adventureland for a delicious dole whip float! I could go for one right now. Although I will admit that the juice wasn’t very cold, more like room temperature and did not taste good. But I still had a huge mound of frozen pineapply goodness so I was happy as a clam. While I savored my snack, I called home to check in with my mom and let her know that I hadn’t been kidnapped or anything. I also sat there in the small sitting area near the Aloha Isle, thinking how wonderful this solo trip is and I have only been here a few hours.

By this time it was almost 5 and I decided to head back to the resort. I stopped to watch the castle show that was going on, then I browsed some of the shops and caught the last few minutes of the flag lowering ceremony in Town Square.

Then I headed to the bus stop. Which of course was the last stop. And of course was just pulling out as I was just a few stops away.

But not to worry, I only had to wait 5-10 minutes for another Pop bus to pull up and in no time, I was back in my room, unpacking, and settling in. It was only around 6, the sun was out and I had been hot earlier so a swim sounded like a good idea too. Until I put my foot in the water. Brrrrr…it was freezing! I managed to get in but I spent all my time staying completely still, as far underwater as possible just to keep from catching a chill. Getting out of the water was fun…especially with my hand towel that Pop passes off as an actual bath towel. I finally warmed up and headed inside to grab some dinner. I decided on the cheesesteak wrap, chocolate cake and a soda refill.

Remember at lunch, I used my DDE card and saved 20% of my lunch? I did too of course and I handed my card over to the cashier this time intending for another 20% of my meal. Well the guy is inspecting the card like it’s a fake ID and I’m trying to buy a case of beer. Then he hands it to me and tells me it expired.

Huh? But I just used it. Well I looked at it and turns out it did indeed expire April 30. Because I bought in April of last year. But I didn’t use it until May of last year so I thought it also expired at the end of May. Which leads me to another rant. The DDE should expire one year after you first use it not from the date you purchase it. I’m sure I’m not alone in that thinking. Anyway, I did ask how it was then that I was able to use it at lunch. He replied that its because they just punch in a code, they don’t actually swipe the card. In my head, I was thinking “well then just punch in the code dude”. But no luck. So he just looks at me, willing me to leave. Well I still wanted my food, but he just kept looking at me like I had 3 heads. So finally he realized that I was actually going to buy my sandwich and cake without a discount! The Horror! I saw him a couple more times in the food court and refused to go near him. I referred to him as the food court nazi the rest of my trip.

So I grabbed some condiments, napkins and a mug refill and headed back to my room. The food was a tad cold by the time I actually sat down to eat it but I don’t mind that. The wrap was good, not great. The cake was also very sweet, but after I waited a bit, I was able to finish it. I miss the actual slices of cake though, instead of the prepackaged cakes they have now.

So I ate dinner, watched some TV and enjoyed having a hotel room all to myself in the happiest place on earth, then fell asleep with dreams of the fun to be had tomorrow.

Up next: Memories and my new favorite Epcot meal

 

[DisneyJo]

Hi Shannon I remember you from the peeps thread

How lovely to do a solo trip, your first day sounds lovely well except the foodcourt CM, how annoying!

 

[DisneyLaura]

Remember at lunch, I used my DDE card and saved 20% of my lunch? I did too of course and I handed my card over to the cashier this time intending for another 20% of my meal. Well the guy is inspecting the card like it’s a fake ID and I’m trying to buy a case of beer. Then he hands it to me and tells me it expired.

Huh? But I just used it. Well I looked at it and turns out it did indeed expire April 30. Because I bought in April of last year. But I didn’t use it until May of last year so I thought it also expired at the end of May. Which leads me to another rant. The DDE should expire one year after you first use it not from the date you purchase it. I’m sure I’m not alone in that thinking. Anyway, I did ask how it was then that I was able to use it at lunch. He replied that its because they just punch in a code, they don’t actually swipe the card. In my head, I was thinking “well then just punch in the code dude”. But no luck. So he just looks at me, willing me to leave. Well I still wanted my food, but he just kept looking at me like I had 3 heads. So finally he realized that I was actually going to buy my sandwich and cake without a discount! The Horror! I saw him a couple more times in the food court and refused to go near him. I referred to him as the food court nazi the rest of my trip.

This had me laughing. Like you weren't going to eat dinner because you weren't getting a discount. Sounds like you're having a great time. That Dole Whip looks so yummy, I can't wait to try one, I have never had one. Can't wait to hear and see your favorite meal.

 

[Bloodhound]

Happy Independance Day

 

[dwheatl]

I hate when the CMs are Nazis like that. I want to say, "Is it coming out of your pocket, buddy?"

 

[Dreamer04]

I am really enjoying your trip report. It must be the envy factor. I would LOVE to take a solo trip to WDW. HMMMMM..gotta check that out!

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Just found your TR and it's wonderful!

I love your cooler idea! I just added "collapsible cooler" to my packing list (yes, I already have a packing list for my November trip). Thank you for that idea!

You are brave to do a solo trip!

 

[Wonders10]

Hi Shannon I remember you from the peeps thread

How lovely to do a solo trip, your first day sounds lovely well except the foodcourt CM, how annoying!

I remember you as well - good to "see" you again! And yes it was a great first day!

This had me laughing. Like you weren't going to eat dinner because you weren't getting a discount. Sounds like you're having a great time. That Dole Whip looks so yummy, I can't wait to try one, I have never had one. Can't wait to hear and see your favorite meal.

Exactly! I often wonder why people that seem so unmagical want to even work at WDW. Dole Whips are yummy whichever way you get them IMO. Definitely get one on your next trip!

Happy Independance Day

Thanks - belated Happy 4th to you as well! Hope you had a nice one!

I hate when the CMs are Nazis like that. I want to say, "Is it coming out of your pocket, buddy?"

I have to admit though that I used to be a "stroller" nazi when I was on the college program. While working outside, it was my job to keep guests from taking their strollers inside the pavilion (Wonders of Life) - some guests did not like me. To have fun with them, I would rearrange the strollers to make it look neater (rentals on one side, personals on another, all lined up next to each other) and some guests would flip out thinking their stroller had been stolen when in reality it was just 2 steps away from them. Maybe a little mean, but I was bored and trying to keep things "neat and pretty".

I am really enjoying your trip report. It must be the envy factor. I would LOVE to take a solo trip to WDW. HMMMMM..gotta check that out!

I'm officially a fan of the solo trip!

Just found your TR and it's wonderful!

I love your cooler idea! I just added "collapsible cooler" to my packing list (yes, I already have a packing list for my November trip). Thank you for that idea!

You are brave to do a solo trip!

I did feel very independent traveling all by my lonesome, but it was definitely worth any nervousness I had going into it. A tip about the collapsible cooler: definitely keep a towel under it because it starts to sweat and I would maybe empty it more every day or so because the melted ice makes it hard to keep adding more ice. Sounds like a simple tip but I was too lazy to dump it out at times and just kept adding ice.

Everyone: Thank you so much for reading and sticking with me for this very long and drawn out TR! I'm determined to finish this. My goal is to get another installment out sometime between now and Tuesday because I'm heading back to WDW on Wednesday for a short trip with my mom. I can't believe I'm going again. Originally we were going to St. Augustine and taking our dog but reality set in when we realized how horribly hot it would be for our black doggie so we cancelled it. But we really wanted to go somewhere for a mini-vacation before I finally start working (as soon as I get a job that is) and move out, maybe/possibly out of the area. It ended up that WDW worked out the best for us. I would love to just add on a TR of this trip onto this one but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Anyway, thanks everyone for reading!

 

[DisneyLaura]

I would love to just add on a TR of this trip onto this one but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Anyway, thanks everyone for reading!

I say add it in somewhere

 

[my2boysrtwicethefun]

Great update! Have a great trip!!!!

 

[aspen37]

Thanks for the update.

 

[WDWMeg311]

 

[Bloodhound]

 

[Sleeping*Beauty]

Can't wait to hear more!