bigsis1970's SOLO Trip (all one thread)

[bigsis1970]

Hi everyone -- Let's start this with a Pre-Trip report and a little back ground on me & my plans for this trip.
I had just been to Disney in July with my kids (7/2 to 7/8) and we had fun dispite the heat and crowds. I wasn't planning to go back. However I turn 35 this year (10/10!) and was feeling blue about that, also that I have no special guy and my ex is/did get re-married on 10/1 UGH so I got a BONUS at work around the middle of July .. HUM what's a girl to do...
So at first I was going to save it - use for xmas, school shopping, birthday's (kids are 10/3 & 11/18) and travel hockey expenses BUT.. the woe is me got the money!!! and wouldn't ya know - it was like Disney knew what I needed - they offered the free dining pkg!!! Now I have 7 days left on my 10 day MYW hopper but FREE DINING .. so mind is made up -- till I call my Mom and she gives me the third degree about traveling by myself !! (I think she missed the part about my 35th birthday is coming - haa haa) so after a few days I invite my sister - she is younger by 9 yrs, her b-day is 10/2 and we love to hang out together .. I tell her to pay me the MNSSHP , airfare and the 1 day ticket price -- Life is GOOD.. She graduated in May and has been trying to get a job with DHS here in S. Maine - sent in her resume IN May and heard nothing --
Fast forward to 7 days before I leave - ex's finance calls me and says "Gee has ex asked you to come get the kids after the wedding yet?" "UM NO !!!" I say "besides I am not going to be in the state all weekend - not home till Sunday night around 7pm" HUM so now what she says - I was like well its your weekend maybe his family can watch them .. it all works out - his oldest sis watches them till I get back! OH I SO NEED THIS VACATION!!
ok so then a few more days pass - oh my gosh its Monday 9-26 Yippee we leave this week and my sis calls all upset and crying -- what is it I ask , I can't go she says -- OOOH NOOO -- seems DHS finally called interview is Friday at 3pm and they can't reschedule or she gets moved to the bottom of the list - I leave on Thursay 9-29 without her - sadly but would much rather her use her degree and get a good JOB! I am now faced with listening to my Mom again - who in the meantime has told MY DAD -- UGH, I get read the riot act by both who are not very happy but I promise to check in oodles of times and get ready for my trip ! I guess SOLO was the way it was supposed to be anyway...
More to come ... Michelle

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Having gone solo a few times - I know exactly what you were hearing - glad you got to go and look forward to reading your adventures

 

[bigsis1970]

So I can't believe I actually slept - I bet it was cause there is no one to disappoint this trip, ya know I only have myself to keep happy should work out pretty darn well ! I work from 8-11am and get a ride over to the Portland Maine Jetport from my coworkers (I left my car in the parking lot at work for free!) I had done online check in yesterday at about 12:30 so I just walk in and stop at the Independence Air (IA) counter and they say yep go up stairs through security to gate 10 . So up the stairs I go and my Sis was up there - I was so sad she wasn't gonna make it and I felt really bad I was going, but she was really cool - she slipped me a $20 and said buy yourself something and I was like Nah I am gonna buy you something !! so a BIG HUG and off I go through security and down to gate 10 -- Now I sit around waiting for boarding - after a call to my mom! about 11:45 they let us all on - I am in 2A and have the row to myself. I am not a good flyer but seems I am alone I don't take my Bonine(sp) as I want to be alert. So we pull out at 12:52 (schedule time was 12:40) these are nice planes. Seats are roomy and comfy, but boy was it a BUMPY ride - I was glad to touch down in Dulles @ 2:35. Off to gate B24 and they are boarding already so now lines no waiting hee hee. I am in 16A this time and share the row with a Dad who's family is across the isle (2 in car seats and the mom) as we taxi out- 3:27pm - I realize I am surrounded by kids only 2 someplace in the plane are fussy and its not for long. I fall asleep! At 5:25 we are getting ready to land but have to do a circle so we land at 5:45. I wander around a bit lost when we get off then I see the Disney folks and get directions to the Magical Express (ME) check in. I wait in line about 5 people back at 6:06 pm(15 mins or less) I only have a carry on so I am pretty easy ! they direct me to the POP line and wait to board - the CM's there are very nice and chatty while waiting at 6:23 I am out to the bus and DISAPPOINTED its a YELLOW MEARS bus!! WHAT I want the ME bus with the video and stuff!!! BUMMER for me. At 7:03 I am going under the WDW welcome sign and well I guess it didn't really matter I am on the yellow mears bus I am now in DISNEY!! whoo hoo.. as a tribute to my son I chant "I'm in, I'm in!" and am filled with Happiness!! Pop is the 1st stop and i am at the check in desk at 7:05 in my room at 7:20 .. I have room 0136 in the 70's off the food court building a short walk by part of the parking lot and I am in the bus lines. Works for me.. by 7:40 I am out waiting for the DTD bus it shows up at 7:54 and I am off to shop - I just kind of wander in and out of shops till I get over to the Earl of Sandwich - OH MY GOSH - I love the sandwich I had. It was the heated one with spicy ham, Mozzerella & tomato on the most AMAZING bread I ever had (I got the spagetti sauce on the side and didn't use it) at about 11 I head back to get the bus and by Midnight and sound a sleep with a wake up call for 6:15am so I can eat Breakfast with Donald !!!

Oh yea - I forgot to add I called home when I got to Dulles, when I was in line waiting to get on the Pop bus, when I got to my room at Pop - my mom wanted me to call when I was done shopping but I said I am not calling at midnite so she said I am calling you in the morning DEAL.

 

[bigsis1970]

Ok so at 6:15 I get the Stitch wake up call and at 6:20 my Mom calls! ok I am up, take my shower, and off I go the bus comes at 7:18 and I am at the AK about 7:35 or so. I get my picture done with Photopass and get my Birthday button - I must say that at the AK is where I got the most attention wearing one of these and everyone cast member was so nice a few even said "your here celebrating your 21st bday right" Hee hee if only!! I get to Donald's about 8:05 had my pic done there and was checked in pretty quickly. my room sang to me and a boy (10-12?) I got a card signed by all the characters and got my picture taken & autographs . I love this buffet . I met a disser here ragamuffinKim who was there with her family! Thanks for saying hello!! at about 8:50 I was off wait for my first ride , Dinosaur.. as I stop to take a picture of the entrance a mom rams me with her stroller -- Both legs!!! OUCH .. ok so it wasn't crowded matter of fact it was me , her , the stroller, her 10 yr old and her hubby who was about 10 feet behind which is why she ran me down! He was lally gagging and she was yakking at him with her head fully turned backwards and walking full steam ahead !! OH BOY.. so she says oooh sorry I was talking to my husband - Yea no kidding!!! I am like yea ok .. so we all walk up to the entrance and a CM says "Happy Birthday" then we get to the next CM and they say "Happy Birthday" the mom then turns to me and says -- OH MY GOSH I ran you down on your birthday .. I laughed -- its disney things happen, I say.. I really like this ride.. when I get off the ride I am approached by 2 young people who ask if I will take their picture out behind the dino shop - Sure why not I say.. Click -- 2 happy young people! I am now off to the Safari but CM's are telling people come to the Lion King show no waiting ! I have never seen it so I off I go .. This is my new fave Show in Disney - the CM's in this show are amazing ! I need to be sure to bring Meg & Kyle to this next time !! we will make time to see it. when its over I call home !! I am telling my mom I had seen the LK show and its just amazing tell her I will call later and hang up , as I do an older lady (60ish) say "Hi here alone" and I am like Yep my first time alone and she says "isn't the best time ever!" and I was like Yea it really is! nobody to worry about but me - except I do have to keep calling and checking in haa haa . she says she is alone too as her kids are grown and Grandkids not quite big enough yet . so we say good bye and I am feeling great so I head on over to the Safari I wait about 7-10 minutes!! I walk the Pangani Trail see 5 Gorillas! as I leave to head towards Asia I see Devine.. soo very graceful!! I walk the Jungle Trek and see 6 Tigers. then I went to Tarzan another show we have never seen - It was pretty good - my son would have loved all the skate stunts. I am glad to have seen it if its going away like everyone says. when I leave I take a few shots of Mt. Everst.. Me and Kyle will be riding - don't think I will ever be able to get Meg on it !! LOL she is a funny one that girl of mine. I am now done so I head back to the Bus - I have to jog slightly , the nice drive waits and at 1:20 I am in my room. I change and head to the pool for a quick dip - its not too crowded so in I go but Swimming alone isn't very fun so I get out get some lunch of Nachos & a Brownie !! then eat in my room and lay down for a bit .. at 5 I leave for MNSSHP..

I got a goodie bag today from ANTSS2001 , it was filled with alot of wonderful things - here is a HUGE thank you from me!!!

 

[bigsis1970]

at 4:45pm I go up for MNSSHP by 5:00 I was at the bus and by 5:30 in the park. I got a Birthday button and a map. I didn't take very good notes but know I didn't wait for anything all night. I rode on Buzz, TTA, Space, Goofy (twice in a row by myself without getting off in the front row - I was yelling the whole time - I am sure the CM's thought I was looney!) Splash, Pooh, Snow White, POC, Big Thunder. I did all the of the trick or treat stations, had my free picture taken, and got some photos with characters along the way. I watched the 10pm parade from outside Peco Bills (this is where I had dinner) then after I thought I would go home - so I walked back through adventureland and down by the Crystal palace and through all the shops on Main Street only to find I was stuck at the end of Main Street and I then watched the entire parade again!! then followed the mass of people out to the busses and was in bed by Midnight.
I wanted to add I got about 3/4 of a bag of candy - last year we went right on Halloween night and our bags were overflowing! I am not complaining I just wanted you all to have a comparison. I got more then enough and it lasted me 8 work days (i have a candy bowl on my desk at work!)

 

[bigsis1970]

Well Today I was going to sleep in but my Mom called at 7:45 !! so I got up and showered and headed to the Pop FC for breakfast -- Oh my What a ZOO!! I waited for my food in line then waited in another line to pay but found a spot to sit and eat without too much trouble. at about 9:45 I caught the bus to Epcot. I arrived and used my photopass again and then the character bus arrived !! I got some really good shots of the Characters without anyone else in them! I walked right onto Spaceship Earth, then went to get my Birthday Button. I wandered through Innovations and waited out a shower!!! I rode on Journey into Imag. and walked onto Test Track in the single rider line. I waited for Soarin - I didn't get FP -- silly I know -- 40 mins!! but it worth the wait as a person who doesn't do well with motion I was ok as long as I focused on something .. when I left it was raining again so I just waited for it to lessen some then walked on over to the WS starting on the Canada side. I got some Chedder Cheese soup and ate it under my umbrella! I walked all the way around stopping in each country to browse the shops and take pictures. I rode Malstrom for the first time (waited about 25 mins) it was ok.. I walked right thru the theater and didn't watch the movie at the end. I had lunch at the Lotus Blossom cafe and ate the most delish Orange Chicken rice bowl.. I also saw the band Kansas in concert. walked back onto Test Track, rode Ellen's Universe of Energy ride. Then walked all the way around the WS again from Mexico this time collecting pressed pennies from each country . I stopped in the UK to get Fish and Chips to eat while waiting for Illuminations it started pouring and i sought shelter in the canada store with alot of other people. when it slowed I headed out . I didn't wait around to see if they would have Illuminations or not . I got back to the Pop and did some laundry and went to bed - BooHoo I have to go home tomorrow !!

 

[bigsis1970]

Today I got up about 8am STUFFED all my stuff in my one carry-on - oh that was a funny sight - good thing i brought a bigger fold up bag knowing I would need extra room on the trip back. I headed to the Food Court ZOO once again for breakfast. I was hoping to get the ME bus early so I could catch an earlier flight home but that wasn't meant to be so at 10:45 I boarded my bus this time a real ME bus and was whisked away to MCO we got there about noonish we had a funny bus driver named Stanly -- what a hoot and super nice too. my flights are all on time leaving Mco at 1:30 and arriving back to PWM at 6:15pm (with a stop in Dulles again) Both trips I share the row with another passengers. I take a cab to my workplace and get my car and am home by 7:15 pm..

Final Thoughts:
Solo is fun - I think 4days/3nights alone is perfect for me . I love longer vacations with my family !!
I loved the Dining plan. I only used one table but all my counters & snacks. The best part was it was free. Worth the $35 if you do a table each day .
I love ME and hope they continue with it (I heard rumors that its only for the 50th celebration)
I loved the attention Birthday buttons get. I think that younger people get more and that is fine but grown ups get some too in case you were wondering.
I will be sure to eat at least 1 time at Earl of Sand. that was my fave meal this trip - go figure!
Bring more $$$. I had so much time to shop just not enough $$ to shop with.. hee hee..

Thank you to all who said it would be ok and have fun. I surely did!!

Michelle

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoyed reading your reports ~ Thanx for posting.

 

[VanniGirl]

Thanks for sharing your trip!

 

[New England Eeyore]

Hi Michelle!

Thanks for writing up a trip report. I'm glad you had a good time! I'm still thinking about taking a solo trip, maybe later rather than sooner, but I can definitely see the advantages. I love my family, but it would be nice to be able to do exactly what I want when I want.

 

[bigsis1970]

I think the best part for me was the NON planning -- don't get me wrong, I am always planning cause I really think that is half the fun of a Disney trip, but I only planned my flights, hotel, 1 table meal, going to MNSSHP and what day I was going into the AK and Epcot. there was NO planning what time to get up what rides to go to first which way to enter - ya know veer right or left- I didn't even stress when I slept later then 3:30 and missed the "enter MK on MNSSHP night at 4pm thing"!
My next trip is going to more like this one but with my family involved.

 

[disneydreamer1970]

Hi Michelle!!! Thanks for sharing your trip report!! It sounds like you had a great time. Someday, I need to try it, however, if ever in the future you are looking for someone to go with, just let me know!!

Trish

 

[Cinerama]

Great report--sounds like you had a good time!

 

[twotoohappy]

Thanks for sharing. I'm feeling a little braver for my trip now

 

[Lagoongirl]

I am so jealous!!! I would love to go on a trip by myself!! I have been to Disney many times, but because my husband doesn't like theme parks, I'm always there alone with my kids who are too short, too scared, or too something to ride what I want to ride. I just count my blessings that I'm even there, but it would be GREAT to go alone.

Could you tell me more about what rides have single lines? I am going this week with my older daughter for the National Cheerleading championships and may actually get some time alone because I'm sure she'll want to hang out with her friends. If I can escape from the other moms without hurting their feelings I'm going to do it!!!

So glad you had a good time on your birthday!

 

[bigsis1970]

I am sorry I really didn't pay too much attentions to single rider lanes - I know Test Track but other then that I am at a loss - try posting this on the Theme Park boards, I am sure someone there will know or at least point you in the correct direction..

Liz - you are brave and you will have a FAB time !!! I was so nervous but the minute I got to MCO I was like AHHH only me to worry about, think I will eat snacks and not meals only stop for Potty breaks when I need to, will park hop till my heart is content if I Want to and RIDE only the rides I want!!!!