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

[Disneyland_Mama]

Seeing as this is my first solo trip and I won't have anyone else to think about but myself (wow that sounds selfish!),

I think that sentence sounds heavenly!

 

[MomofCKJ]

I am signing on! I am thisclose to booking my first solo trip so I want to hear all about yours!

Allyson

 

[Wonders10]

I am signing on! I am thisclose to booking my first solo trip so I want to hear all about yours!

Allyson

Thanks for joining my first time solo adventures!

 

[Wonders10]

I have a pretty big update tonight...

Yesterday I got my first "you're going by yourself?" with a look of pity. I even told her, with tons of excitement and big smiles, "I'm going to disney next week!" Still, I got the look. Whatever. After she finished pitying me for going to the happiest place on earth by myself (and interjected into the conversation 2 more times "I can't believe you are going alone.", she said something. She said this:

"well, if you're going alone, why aren't you going up early?"

Me: "well, umm, gee, huh, I don't know?"

I had absolutely no idea why I wasn't going up earlier. I definitely wanted to be there for part of the weekend since my orlando friend is a teacher and I can only see him on weekends, but as for me, I have no plans next week.

Which brings me to my 2nd look of pity. From my mom. "Do you really want to go by yourself for 4 days?"

Heck yeah!!!

So I stewed it over, made some mental pro/con lists (very Rory Gilmore of me - any gilmore girls fans out there?) And I just called Disney reservations.

And proceeded to talk to the most unmagical person in the world. Hitler would have been more enthusiastic about taking my call than this girl:

CM-Thank you for calling Grand Gatherings. How may I help you?
Me-oh, I didn't mean to call Grand Gatherings sorry (totally thinking I hit the wrong button or something)
CM-well it is all that is available right now
Me-well, could you transfer me back to reservations. I don't mind waiting.
CM-I can help you with that.
Me-ok, well I'd like to add on a date to my reservation and come in a day early.
CM-ok, what day would you like to come in?
Me-duh, I just said a day early. What day do you think that means? Wednesday. (Ok, I just said Wednesday the 14th but I was totally thinking the rest)
CM-ok, that would bring you're total to $$$
Me-ok, and that's with the AP discount still?
CM-yes, do you want it
Me-ummm, yes
CM-ok, you're all set I will send an email ressie to you. Have a magical day.

So that was my conversation. Granted it doesn't read as that unenthusiastic but go back and read it and where it says "CM", insert Eeyore's voice and you will definitely know what I was going through. She definitely pulled some of the magic from me adding an additional night to my solo adventure.

But it doesn't matter because I am now staying 4 nights at Pop Century and I'm leaving in 5 days, not 6 like my ticker says! I'm seriously considering booking the Keys to the Kingdom tour for one of those days because I have ALWAYS wanted to do it and no one I travel with has any desire whatsoever to do it. I'm debating calling and booking it or just waiting til I get there to decide if I really want to do it or not and then if one is available, I'll sign up. Que sera, sera! Thoughts on that? They are offered 3x a day everyday so I'm thinking I have 9 chances of squeezing into one.

So that is my update. Other small updates - I bought a new vera bradley backpack so I can carry my water, notebook, wallet, etc. I usually use my vera hipster but I think it's too small for all my junk this time around. Also grabbed some breakfast food so I can beat the crowds in the food court, bottled water and mini cans of coke. I also got a mani-pedi today so I have pretty hands and feet for my trip!

Thanks everyone for reading, especially to those taking the time to post! I get so excited when I see someone has replied to my trippie!

Hope everyone has a great weekend - Happy (early) Mother's Day to the mom's reading!

 

[dwheatl]

Sorry about the CM, but on going a day earlier.

 

[aldisneygrl]

Ooohhhh an extra day! Excellent plan!!! Sorry you had to talk to Grumpy the CM. What does it matter though, you're getting an extra day in the WORLD!!!

I think your plans sound marvelous! I might just call and see if they have openings for the Keys tour, just to know what your options are. Or not, your choice.

 

[*Emily*]

I get that same look from my co-workers They're totally jealous!

I used a hipster for my last trip in March. I had originally gotten the mini hipster for the trip and when I got home all I could fit in it was my camera I never thought of the backpack. Let me know how it works out for you.

Great report! I can't wait to read more! Have a great trip, only a few days to go!

 

[jake&samsmom]

Thinking of going solo sometime. Thanks for sharing your trip I hope to gain more confidence to finally commit to a solo trip

 

[DisneyLaura]

Yeah on the extra day. I would love to go to Disney by myself one day. I think that would be nice and relaxing. Some people just don't get it. I probably will never go by myself it's probably something I should of done pre-children. You have to have pretty feet and hands in Disney. I say call ahead of time for the tour. Just in case. If it's something you ALWAYS wanted to do and usually the people you go with don't want to do it with you. I say do it this time. Remember this trip is for you this time. Do it your way baby.

 

[*Emily*]

You have to have pretty feet and hands in Disney.

Absolutley.... Pretty toes distract people from all the blisters you get!

 

[Wonders10]

I get that same look from my co-workers They're totally jealous!

I used a hipster for my last trip in March. I had originally gotten the mini hipster for the trip and when I got home all I could fit in it was my camera I never thought of the backpack. Let me know how it works out for you.

Great report! I can't wait to read more! Have a great trip, only a few days to go!

I just LOVE vera bags! I'm going to bring both the hipster and backpack just in case the backpack gets annoying. Overall, I've never been a fan of the backpack but it holds more since I won't have someone else to help carry stuff or a stroller to put water bottles, purchases, etc on.

Thinking of going solo sometime. Thanks for sharing your trip I hope to gain more confidence to finally commit to a solo trip

Maybe next time you are down there with your family, you could take one whole day for yourself to "practice" going solo. I feel different about it because the cost is not too huge with the AP, AP discount at Pop and I also have the DDE card for discounts in the resort food court and all sit downs, but if I had to fly, it seems like it becomes more of a trip and I would probably be hesitant to book a solo trip. But that is just me - someone who has never done a solo trip. Ask me again next Sunday and see how I feel about it.

Yeah on the extra day. I would love to go to Disney by myself one day. I think that would be nice and relaxing. Some people just don't get it. I probably will never go by myself it's probably something I should of done pre-children. You have to have pretty feet and hands in Disney. I say call ahead of time for the tour. Just in case. If it's something you ALWAYS wanted to do and usually the people you go with don't want to do it with you. I say do it this time. Remember this trip is for you this time. Do it your way baby.

It's funny you say that "this trip is for me". Well, I have ALWAYS wanted to stay the the GF. Yes I know it's expensive and I am not made of money, but again like some other things, it is a resort that none of my friends or family want to stay at - regardless of cost. We have stayed at the Poly and other deluxes but they have no real desire to stay at the GF. I personally would love to stay there so I actually thought it over for the past couple days, thinking about switching my reservation when reality clicked in and I realized that my money could go a lot further than a hotel room. Like I really want to get a Pal Mickey, maybe do a tour, buy some souvenirs and I would probably still spend a lot less than if I stayed at the GF and did none of those things. Long story short, I'm doing things my way but on a budget

 

[Wonders10]

First of all Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there!

Now for a little update. I mentioned that I had been wanting to do the KTTK tour. I thought about, read about it on the DIS and AllEars.

And I booked the 8:30 KTTK tour for my trip! $48 with a disney visa discount and I get lunch! Not too bad, right? I'm actually super excited about this now that it is actually booked. On past trips, I've been getting very "into" Walt Disney as a person, not a theme park so I'm looking forward to hearing some little tidbits about his life. And even though I was a CM I never made it into the utilidors so I'm excited for that too. And I'm just proud of the fact that I am totally stepping out of my comfort zone to do something like this - alone! Go me

I can't believe that in 3 more sleeps I will be on my way to WDW! I'm trying to get my clothes together and pack here and there, but it doesn't seem real, yet.

 

[jake&samsmom]

Let us know about the KTTK tour. Do they let you take pics? I was thinking of doing either the KTTK or the Backstage tour. I hope the next 3 days go by really fast for you.

 

[Wonders10]

Let us know about the KTTK tour. Do they let you take pics? I was thinking of doing either the KTTK or the Backstage tour. I hope the next 3 days go by really fast for you.

I will definitely try to report as much as I can (without giving any secrets away). They say no cameras on the tour and definitely none backstage, but if we can take some I will definitely try!

The Backstage Tour sounded amazing as well but it is all day and a little more than I really wanted to spend. Someday I'd love to do it though! (Assuming you mean the 3 park backstage tour?)

 

[willwriteforears]

So I stewed it over, made some mental pro/con lists (very Rory Gilmore of me - any gilmore girls fans out there?)

Me! I have the first 5 seasons on DVD; need to budget in the last two.

Congrats on going solo! I was actually seriously considering it, thinking I wouldn't be able to get anyone to go with me. Now I have a couple of buddies coming, but still have the idea of a future solo trip floating in my brain.

Looking forward to the rest of the PTR!

 

[MomofCKJ]

So excited for you, 2 more days! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Allyson

 

[IloveDMB]

Hi, just started reading your pre-trip report. And how weird, I'm watching Gilmore Girls as I type.

We are also headed up to the world on Wednesday from Fort Lauderdale. We are staying off-site the first night and then switching to Pop Century Thursday. Maybe we'll bump into each other.

And we are going to Drink around the World this weekend. If you see 2 Jersey girls getting their drink on, feel free to join in. We're pretty fun people.

 

[Wonders10]

Me! I have the first 5 seasons on DVD; need to budget in the last two.

Congrats on going solo! I was actually seriously considering it, thinking I wouldn't be able to get anyone to go with me. Now I have a couple of buddies coming, but still have the idea of a future solo trip floating in my brain.

Looking forward to the rest of the PTR!

I love Gilmore Girls! I went on this kick where I watched it all the time, but then didn't watch it for awhile. Now I'm getting back into it. I want to live in Stars Hollow!

Going with friends to disney is definitely fun, very different (for me at least) than going with family. I've been having mixed emotions the past couple days about going solo...

So excited for you, 2 more days! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Allyson

Actually one more day - I leave tomorrow morning! My ticker is wrong because I added an extra night, leaving on Wed not Thursday like originally planned. I have my notebook all ready and hopefully I'll be able to take good notes and lots of pics!

Hi, just started reading your pre-trip report. And how weird, I'm watching Gilmore Girls as I type.

We are also headed up to the world on Wednesday from Fort Lauderdale. We are staying off-site the first night and then switching to Pop Century Thursday. Maybe we'll bump into each other.

And we are going to Drink around the World this weekend. If you see 2 Jersey girls getting their drink on, feel free to join in. We're pretty fun people.

Maybe I'll pass by you on the Turnpike! Well, you've seen pics of me so if you see me around the resort or parks, feel free to say hello! I've been begging one of my Orlando friends to come to Epcot on Saturday and drink around the world with me. Dropping not so subtle hints, like "Can't wait to drink around the world with you on Saturday". He claims to be having financial difficulties but I know he can swing a park ticket to hang out with me if he really wanted to.

Thanks for reading everyone!

 

[Wonders10]

Well this is it! Tomorrow morning I will be up bright and early and on my way to Disney World!

The last couple days I have become apprehensive about going, as I do for all my vacations for some reason but added to it this time was doubts about going solo. Without getting all philosophical and mushy, I think that this trip will be a time for me to really learn who I am and realize that I can enjoy my own company. As well as maybe boost my self esteem/self confidence a little - an area that is sorely lacking I will admit.

Enough of that nonsense. On to the fun stuff. Again, I haven't really made an itinerary. I have an idea of what parks I want to hit on what days but I'm very open to changing my mind. The only thing I know for sure is that I will be at MK Friday morning for the KTTK tour.

I'm just about packed except for the little things I need in the morning. I think I may have overpacked, especially what I call "nighttime outfits" if I go out with my friend. But I like to be prepared for different moods and settings. Like a boy scout. Which is ironic since they can carry all their supplies in a backpack and I can barely fit all of my stuff in a suitcase and (large) Vera duffel.

Anyway, I'm packed and ready to go. Wish me safe travels! I promise to take good notes and pictures and start my actual TR as soon as I can!

If you see me around (I'm the girl on the right!!), stop and say hello. I'll be wearing a Vera Bradley bag of some sort. Didn't have time to grab any Mickey Heads from Home Depot.

 

[jake&samsmom]

Yay! Have FUN on your trip!

(I borrowed the rest of my post from another thread to encourage you. )

"I notice that there are things I want to do when I'm traveling with others that I don't do out of concern for the group dynamic.

We have a great time together, but when I was going solo I felt such a sense of freedom. I wasn't responsible for anyone else and could follow my curiousity wherever it led me.

Therefore, I would encourage you to take at least one solo trip just for you. You can shop to your heart's content. You can sit on a bench and people-watch while you soak in WDW as long as you want to without someone insisting that the day was being "wasted".

You can ride one ride as many times as you want or skip a ride that everybody else but you enjoys. It may be the best thing you could do for yourself and thus the best thing you could do for your family.

Go solo and enjoy!!! Then when the family goes again you won't be wondering what lies beyond that corner or in that shop that no one else wants to visit. You'll know."

Bye! Take care.....I'll be looking out for your TR in a few days