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

[aldisneygrl]

Have a safe and FUN trip Shannon! We can't wait to hear about it when you get back. We promise not to get out of hand while your gone. Remember you have EARNED this trip!

 

[IloveDMB]

Have a safe trip! We're heading up tomorrow night. And I went solo in October, and I loved it! You get to do what you want to do, when you want to do it. You don't have to answer to anybody. It's great!

 

[MomofCKJ]

Safe travels and have a wonderful trip! I love the post a few up about what is great about travelling solo. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! And you know I'm 38, married, mom of 3 and part of my excitement of my upcoming solo trip is what you mention, finding my self confidence and sort of proving to myself that I actually can do it. So I relate to your comment!

Allyson

 

[Wonders10]

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

Thank you so much for posting that! It's awesome.

Have a safe and FUN trip Shannon! We can't wait to hear about it when you get back. We promise not to get out of hand while your gone. Remember you have EARNED this trip!

I give you my blessing to run amuck while I'm away!

Oh and I picked up my cap and gown for graduation today (ceremony isn't until June) and I got chills! I really did not want to walk, but my family wanted me to and now I'm really excited about celebrating earning my Master's degree!

Have a safe trip! We're heading up tomorrow night. And I went solo in October, and I loved it! You get to do what you want to do, when you want to do it. You don't have to answer to anybody. It's great!

Hope you have a great time too!

Safe travels and have a wonderful trip! I love the post a few up about what is great about travelling solo. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! And you know I'm 38, married, mom of 3 and part of my excitement of my upcoming solo trip is what you mention, finding my self confidence and sort of proving to myself that I actually can do it. So I relate to your comment!

Allyson

I'm going to come back from this trip a brand new woman At least a more relaxed and happy woman.

Thanks again everyone for reading...look for a post from me sometime on Sunday!!!

 

[DisneyLaura]

Shannon you're probably almost there or already there. Enjoy your time alone. I wish that someday I would be able to go by myself but I'm sure I won't. Maybe with just my DD when she gets a little older. A girl's only trip. See you when you get back. Have Fun.

 

[dance2874]

Your son is growing so fast! Both of your kids are cuties! I remember when you first posted that you were preggo! What is his name again? I know you mentioned it.

Brandon Allen...and yes he is growing remarkably fast

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!

YAY for adding another day, but that means I missed you and you are already there! I am sure you are having a fantastic time, cant wait to hear all about it. I really want to plan a ME trip all about me! I bet your report will most likely encourage me to book it too!

And I swear I have probaby gotten that same CM at one time or another and was thisclose to hanging up and calling back for another more magical CM That tour sounds like it would be super interesting too!

 

[DisneyLaura]

Laura - just noticed that you are from Connecticut? Whereabouts? I'm a Florida native, but my mom and family grew up in Danbury.

Shannon I'm so sorry that I didn't see this post. I was re-reading to find out when your coming home because of course I can't wait to hear all about it. I am in Shelton about 45 minutes to an hour from Danbury. I have an aunt and a cousin who lives in Port St Lucie and a step sister who lives in Sebastian FL, are they near you?

 

[Wonders10]

I'm home everyone! I actually got back earlier today, but I was just hanging out and doing some grocery shopping. I had a great time and I definitely would do another solo trip! I just need to figure out how to do 2 vacations a year - one with family/friends and one solo! I tried to take a lot of notes/pictures so I would remember everything. Photobucket is not cooperating with me today and keeps making my computer freeze so I'm in the market for another free online picture album so I can post pics in my trippie. Any suggestions?

I'll try to get the first installment up in the next day or so!

Thanks for reading!

P.S. MODS - Please move me to the Trip Reports Board!!

 

[Wonders10]

Shannon you're probably almost there or already there. Enjoy your time alone. I wish that someday I would be able to go by myself but I'm sure I won't. Maybe with just my DD when she gets a little older. A girl's only trip. See you when you get back. Have Fun.

I definitely think it would be hard to leave your kids/spouse at home to go to Disney World of all places by yourself so I get that. A girl's trip would be fun!! Or on your next trip, make a deal with DH to have an afternoon, morning, or whatever to do as you please - go to the pool alone, hit a park, etc.

Brandon Allen...and yes he is growing remarkably fast


YAY for adding another day, but that means I missed you and you are already there! I am sure you are having a fantastic time, cant wait to hear all about it. I really want to plan a ME trip all about me! I bet your report will most likely encourage me to book it too!

And I swear I have probaby gotten that same CM at one time or another and was thisclose to hanging up and calling back for another more magical CM That tour sounds like it would be super interesting too!

Awww, nice name! Since I am home I have definitely become an advocate of the solo trip! If you ever have the opportunity, try it!

Shannon I'm so sorry that I didn't see this post. I was re-reading to find out when your coming home because of course I can't wait to hear all about it. I am in Shelton about 45 minutes to an hour from Danbury. I have an aunt and a cousin who lives in Port St Lucie and a step sister who lives in Sebastian FL, are they near you?

That's ok! Never heard of Shelton, but I'm sure my mom has. I was only up there once when I was 13! Port St. Lucie and Sebastian are about 1.5-2 hours north of me. One of my posible job placements for the fall may be in Port St. Lucie which means a big move for me!

Thanks everyone for reading!

 

[MomofCKJ]

I am leaving the kids and DH at home and going solo in August so I am really excited to read your report! I hope you had a fantastic time! Looking forward to the details! I have been trying to read all the solo reports I can find!

Hurry back!

Allyson

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I get your logic totally. Disney is my happy escape from the real world, and I'm pretty bad about finishing trip reports too. I only have two of the ten days done from my last trip.

 

[MA pigletfan]

I'm IN! I am excited to hear about a solo trip! I wish i lived close enough to make the short drive for a weekend!!!

 

[Wonders10]

My original plan was to be leaving the house around 7am “to avoid the rush hour”. Well, down here that is pretty much when rush hour starts and it lasts till around 9:30. So at 11pm on Tuesday night (when btw I was wide awake) I decided to just leave at 9:30ish instead.

My mom let Phoebe (our standard poodle) into my room to “wake me up” before she went to work and so she could say good-bye. I fully intended on falling back to sleep for another 15-20 minutes, but I ended up just getting out of bed. After my usual getting ready routine and last minute packing, I had some breakfast and watched a little TV to kill time. At around 9:20 I decided I was ready to leave! Poor Phoebe was freaking out looking at my bags and watching me going in and out of the house while loading my car. She was either terrified that we were going to be boarding her again (which we did just a couple weeks ago) or she was excited because to her, suitcases = fun with other dogs!

So I think I literally merged onto the Turnpike, heading north at 9:30am. Traffic wasn’t too bad, weather was good, not much or any construction. All was good. Except for the fact that the OJ I had before I left and the coffee I was drinking in the car was going right through me. I never stop at the rest stops on my way to Disney – it just wastes too much time. It’s only a 3 hour trip. I kept doing all this math in my head – ok, I have about 50 miles left, and if I go 75 mph the whole time, that should put me at the hotel around xx time. Sounds fun, huh? So of course all the thinking about going to the bathroom and how long I could hold it was making me have to go even more! So to avoid having an accident in the car, I stopped at the last rest stop before my exit. I was in and out in 5 minutes. No time for snacks, no time to look at brochures. Just in and out.

Sometime around noon, I spotted this sign:

My exit is coming up – I’m almost there!


Then I was off the turnpike and eventually driving under this:

I have to admit that as soon as I drove under those magical arches, my stomach got all jittery (in a good way) and a huge smile spread across my face. I was home.

I pulled into Pop around 12:30pm. There were a couple people in front of me checking in but not too bad. I saw much worse lines later in the week as I walked by. Turns out my room was ready! Hooray!

Now, remember when I called and asked to “upgrade” to a preferred room? And they said nothing was available so I just requested something in 50’s or 70’s “close to the food court”.

Because I remembered...

Up Next: Will my room requests get filled? Will I starve for 4 days because I’m too afraid to eat by myself? Stay tuned…

 

[MomofCKJ]

Oooh Shannon I am excited you have started! I loved Pop when we stayed there. I loved the Food Court, Gift Shop and they have a fun arcade too (yes I do enjoy a good game or two now and then!). I hope you got a room you were happy with! And I do hope you ate! Can't wait for more!

Allyson

 

[Wonders10]

Ugh so sorry that the 2nd pic is huge! I tried resizing it, but nothing is happening. That is one of my own pet peeves (having to scroll from side to side while reading) and here I am doing it!

I'll try better with the rest of them.

Thanks for reading everyone!

 

[jake&samsmom]

Woo-hoo! You're back!

 

[dwheatl]

Ugh so sorry that the 2nd pic is huge! I tried resizing it, but nothing is happening. That is one of my own pet peeves (having to scroll from side to side while reading) and here I am doing it!

I'll try better with the rest of them.

Thanks for reading everyone!

The pics are tiny on my computer. Like, 2-3 inches on a side.

 

[Bloodhound]

Wow , you really got your report going quick

 

[DisneyLaura]

Yeah Shannon's back. I'm so glad you enjoyed yourself and would go back by yourself again. I might take your advice and ask DH to go somewhere by myself when we go, just for some me time. Can't wait for the next installment. Oh nice Dole Whip but I just have a coffee here

 

[my2boysrtwicethefun]

Yay! An update. I hope that you get a room that you like. I'm interested in hearing what you have to say about Pop. We may be staying there next year to enjoy a longer stay at Disney World. <---- me while I'm patiently waiting.