Crazy Mom Goes to WDW Solo, Again! This time, with one night Premium!!

[wdwkimberlee]

Yes, you read it correctly. There's a Disney-crazed mother of three who's leaving her family to take a trip to The Happiest Place on Earth. Not for the first time, but the SECOND!

My name is Kim, and I have an extremely time consuming and riveting addiction called Walt Disney World. (I'm thinking that anyone who's reading this belongs to the club, too.)

Well, anyway, on to the details! I leave home on October 12 for six nights... Staying at Pop Century...Using Magical Express...Six day base ticket...Attending MNSSHP on the first evening...Paying OOP for meals for five of the days...

And doing the Premium Plan for one night

So, this trip will be a little bit different from all the other trips I've taken. I'll go into more detail on the itinerary in another post. (Lots of extras!)

Stay tuned!

Kim

 

[wdwkimberlee]

Nine more days!!

The next nine days better go by fast since I'm driving everyone around me nuts with all the Disney talk. They just don't get it!

Here's a little background about my family. DH and I have been married 23 years (29 together!). He's the best guy ever! He says if all it takes to keep his DW happy is a solo trip to WDW once in a while, then he's fine with it. He also enjoys some activities that don't include me, like golf trips, Eagles home games, Phillies games. Everybody's happy! He's also a very hard worker and puts in a lot of time building his career. He's the reason I was able to stay home with our three children all these years.

Speaking of children, ours are quickly growing to adulthood and I'm soon going to be an out of work stay-at-home-mom. (Need to figure out the next phase of life--no, it can't just consist of WDW trips!)

DD21 is a college senior majoring in Environmental Science. She is an intelligent, delightful, beautiful young woman with a very funny sense of humor. She also cares deeply about our environment and Earth. She lives at home with us and we love having her.

DD19 is a college sophomore currently taking business courses, but still trying to find her true passion in life. She works very hard and has great determination. Like her sister, she is intelligent, beautiful, a pleasure to be around and converse with, and full of potential. She's also got great organizational skills and people skills. She also lives at home with us.

DS17 is a high school senior. He's now thinking about college and making applications. He'd like to be a music major. He discovered that music was his passion when he was about 13 years old and got an electric bass guitar for his birthday. He been hooked ever since! Like his sisters, he is a delightful part of our family. He's a very kind young man, a loyal friend, well regarded by his peers. (He would like to go away for school next year.)

And last but certainly not least, we have THE DOG Everyone's favorite and spoiled rotten! She spends her days lazing around, waiting for her next meal and looking cute. She's a nine year old cockapoo and she pretty much has all of her people wrapped around her little paw!! And we wouldn't have it any other way!

So, anyway, that's a little family background. I'll miss everyone while I'm on my trip, but I think they'll be fine. They can all take care of themselves. They all know how to cook, drive, take care of the house and dog. I don't think DH will be traveling for work more than one or two nights while I'm gone.

This is actually my second solo trip. I went Dec '09 the first time. Loved it! There was a freedom unlike any I've ever experienced before. Just walking around, going where my whims took me. Changing plans without consulting anyone else I ended up walking 60 miles over seven days! (I'm not sure anyone else would want to walk that much!) It was a great week and so different to be away by myself. And at WDW, I felt safe and secure. Having been there so many times with my family, I know my way around.

I think that's it for now! Next time, I'll post my itinerary!

Kim

 

[wdwkimberlee]

7 MORE DAYS!!!

In one short week I'll be in Florida visiting Disney World!! What will I be doing? Keep reading to find out!

Day 1: Tuesday

Leave home at 5:20am to catch the 5:40 train to the airport. Arrive at airport at 6:54 and flight leaves at 8am!! Will I sleep on the plane?
Arrive in FL at 10:30, take Magical Express to Pop Century! Should be there before noon.

Attempt to nap and rest until 3pm, when it will be time to get going to MK for MNSSHP! I want to be there to enter the park at 4pm to go on some rides and get a little dinner before the party starts at 7pm. I hope I can make it till the party ends at midnight! I did this party two years ago with a friend and, boy did we have a blast!

Day 2 in next post.

 

[wdwkimberlee]

Day 2: Wednesday

This is the day my Premium Plan begins! So, I'll have to be up bright and early to check-out/check-in (hoping to not have to change rooms). Here are the plans for the day:

8:30-11:30 Wild by Design tour at Animal Kingdom
11:35 Lunch at Tusker House
1:00-4:00 Backstage Safari tour at Animal Kingdom
Bus to Downtown Disney
6:00-7:45 Cirque du Soleil La Nouba
7:50 Dinner at Fulton's
Boat ride to Port Orleans Riverside
9:30-10:00 POR carriage ride
11:00 Collapse!

Can you believe that all these activities are part of the Premium Plan? All I'll have to pay out of pocket for are my two meal gratuities.

Day 3 in next post.

 

[wdwkimberlee]

Day 3: Thursday

This is also a Premium Plan day. This is also the last time I'll have to check-in/check-out, too! OK, here goes!

9:30-10:00 Parasailing at Contemporary
10:00-11:00 Personal Water Craft Guided Tour
11:00-11:30 Sea Raycer? maybe/maybe not, I'll see how I feel
12:00-9:30 Epcot the rest of the day, enjoying the Food & Wine Festival
7:20 Dinner at Chefs de France
9:00 Illuminations preferred viewing
11:00 Collapse!

Again, all the extra activities are part of the Premium Plan. My only OOP expense besides the Food & Wine munchies will be a gratuity to my parasailing person and at Chefs.

Wow! These two days are going to get me worn out for sure!

Day 4 in next post.

 

[wdwkimberlee]

Day 4: Friday

The next days will definitely be more relaxing than previous ones! This is my Hollywood Studios day. Nothing special planned except try to be there by rope drop at 9am.

Day 5: Saturday

This is Animal Kingdom day! I love walking around this park. It's different every time because of the animals. And the trails are so nice to take your time on! Rope drop is at 9am, and I'm staying until close at 5pm.

After AK, I plan to head over to the Boardwalk area for a quick dinner and lounging around the resorts time. Because at 8pm, I'm meeting another Diser and her family at the Yacht Club Marina to go on an Illuminations Cruise! I've never done this before, so really looking forward to it! Thank you, Anita, for including me on your adventure! Can't wait!

Day 6: Sunday

This is Magic Kingdom day. Rope drop is 9am and I hope to make it till the park closes at 7pm. I'm thinking about Downtown Disney for dinner and browsing the shops this evening!

Day 7: Monday

This is Epcot day. I need to get there for rope drop so I can do Soarin', Test Track, and Mission:Space. When I'm ready for lunch, I'll head over to World Showcase and hit up all the F&W booths I didn't get to last time!

Here's the sad part of the story: I have to start heading out of Epcot around 3:30 so I'm back at Pop by 4:30 for the Not-So-Magical Express to ship me back to the airport. Flight leaves at 7:25.

By this time, though, I know I'll be missing my family and dog.

Anyway, that's the itinerary at this point. I'm looking forward to it. It'll be interesting to see what really happens!

Kim

 

[wdwkimberlee]

6 MORE DAYS!

It's coming up fast! Trying to keep up with my walking routine so I'm ready for next week! On my last solo trip I walked 60 miles! At least all those miles are spread out over long days, not like when you walk for exercise at home.

I've decided that I'm packing light. I'm taking three pairs of shorts and three shirts and I'll throw them in the washing machine halfway through the trip. I'll also have a warmer outfit to travel in (coming from Phila. area--a little chilly!). I think I may buy a Halloween shirt for MNSSHP since I don't want to dress up, but would like something a little special that night. Maybe Pop's gift shop will have something? Of course, I'm also packing the other usual stuff: PJ's, swimsuit, cover up, sandals, socks, etc. Keeping it simple, though! No checked luggage!

That's all for now!

Kim

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

Hi there! Your plans sound amazing. I have never heard of the Premium Plan. Can you explain a little more about it? I'm assuming that it is a little expensive, considering all of the things that are included.

I can't even imagine a solo trip...the way you are doing it sounds like the right way!

 

[wdwkimberlee]

Sunset Cliffs!! I have a reader!

Disney has two more plans besides the three meal plans that we usually talk/hear about. The Premium Plan includes three meals (not meal credits), two snacks and a resort refillable mug per night. It also includes tours, recreation like watersports, trail ride, carriage rides, golf, fishing excursions, Cirque, photography session, preferred viewing for Wishes and IROE, and more. The cost is $164/adult/night (not sure about children), you must pay rack rate for your room, and you must buy at least a one-day base ticket.

The Platinum Plan includes everything in the Premium Plan plus more, like a fireworks cruise, spa treatment, more expensive tours/experiences. I believe the cost is $209/adult/night, at least a one-day base ticket, and you must pay rack rate for a deluxe category hotel.

There's a thread on the Resorts board sub-category Discount Codes and Rates that is now pretty huge (61 pages) and contains so much information. Many disers have shared their ideas and itineraries--what great ideas! Some have already gone on their Premium Plan for one night trip and shared their results! I suggest skimming through this thread--very interesting reading!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2404255

As far as taking a solo trip, it's an idea I came up with a few years ago when I found there were always things I didn't get to do with the whole family that I knew I would enjoy. When you have your children with you, the goal is always to show them a good time and do what they want to do in order to have some fun family time! And we always do have fun with the kids on vacation! Then I started reading the Disboards and found out that people really do go to WDW with adults only or solo. I realized there were others out there somewhat like me!And by this time, my husband and kids were getting Disneyed out. So, last year I decided to just do it! My kids (young adults, I mean) dont' need me to do things for them all the time, so the time is right!

Thanks for reading, Sunset Cliffs!

Kim

 

[wdwkimberlee]

5 MORE DAYS

The countdown is going fast!!

Not much left to do for the trip. Have to get the camera in order and redo the Ipod. I have the original shuffle; it only holds about 100 songs, so I think I'll change it up for the trip. The pedometer has a fresh battery for counting all those miles! And I already bought my roundtrip train ticket for the airport!

Bye for now!

Kim

 

[hollybearsmom]

So jealous, your trip sounds fantastic. can't wait to see the pictures of it all

 

[wdwkimberlee]

Hi there, Hollybearsmom!

I am really excited about this trip! I do hope to continue on with a trip report when I get home. I'm going to have to figure out how to post pictures, though. Does anyone have a crash course for me: "Posting pictures on the Disboards for dummies"?

Here's some interesting news! We're going to a wedding (DH's cousin) in November in Orlando! Our 19 year old DD will be joining us (DD21 and DS17 are not able to join us). So DD19 and I will be doing Disney the Sunday and Monday after the wedding! DH will be playing golf with his dad. So, we're pretty excited about this fun event! DD19 doesn't have class until the Tuesday after the wedding, so perfect opportunity for some mother/daughter time!

I'll fill in more details about the November trip tomorrow.

Have to go cook dinner, now!

Kim

 

[wdwkimberlee]

4 MORE DAYS!!!

It's getting closer!!

Not much left to do for the trip. Spent the day shopping and cleaning the house.

How about some details on our November trip? Here goes!

Sunday, Nov. 14

DD19 and I check in to Pop Century early in the morning, I'm thinking 8am. We are doing the Premium Plan (again, for me!) so we'll pick up our refillable resort mugs on the way to our room. Hope the room is ready that early, if not we'll leave our bags with bell services. After a quick snack, we're heading to Sammy Duval's at the Contemporary to do parasailing at 10am. DD19 only weighs 114lbs and you have to weigh 125lbs to parasail alone, so if they're strict about the weight, we'll be doing a tandem parasail, which I think could be more fun anyway! So, we'll see. Then we're doing the personal water craft rental at 11am. These are two activities that DD19 has always wanted to try, so here we have the perfect opportunity!

After our watersports fun, we head over to Downtown Disney for lunch at Fulton's. DD19 loves seafood, especially crab, so this is the right restaurant for her! Then, after we're nice and stuffed, we're spending the rest of the day at Magic Kingdom riding the rides!

At 7:50pm we have dinner planned for 1900 Park Faire. It'll be fun to see the Tremaines in action! The night wraps up at Magic Kingdom. It's open until 11pm. A fun-filled day for sure. Sleep should come quickly!

Monday, Nov. 15

Rise and shine bright and early! Check out of Pop by 7:15am. Grab breakfast on the go. Get on the bus to Epcot. Arrive in time for the 8:30 Segway Around the World tour! DD19 and I are looking forward to trying these out. The tour is over at 10:30. We'll stay in Future World until our lunch ADR at 1:10 at the Coral Reef. We've never eaten here--menu looks yummy! After lunch, we'll spend time in World Showcase until we have to leave. Magical Express should be picking us up at 5:30 at Pop, so I guess we should head out of Epcot by about 4:45.

So there ya have it! Another fun trip! I've never had two so close together before. Do you think I could actually get my fill of Disney this Fall? Tune in after Trip #2 to find out.

Kim

 

[hollybearsmom]

my crash course for photos is to upload your pictures to photobucket, then copy the img code over to the trip report
i usually have two windows open so I can type and insert in order
hope that helps

 

[npierce25]

Have fun!!!!!! Cant wait to hear detalis later!!!

 

[wdwkimberlee]

my crash course for photos is to upload your pictures to photobucket, then copy the img code over to the trip report
i usually have two windows open so I can type and insert in order
hope that helps

Thanks, hollybearsmom. This is what I'll try to do when I get home! Hope it works!

 

[wdwkimberlee]

Have fun!!!!!! Cant wait to hear detalis later!!!

Thank you! Looking forward to my adventures!

 

[wdwkimberlee]

3 MORE DAYS!!!

Can't believe it's this close!

I redid my Ipod today. It'll be nice to have a new selection of music to listen to on the plane. Also, hung my son's graduation picture. So handsome! I can't believe we'll be done with high school next June. Having all three of their high school graduation pictures hanging together is quite a sight! It feels like yesterday they were playing together in the back yard! Kids truly do grow up fast.

Weather.com is giving a real nice forecast for my dates so far. Lows in the mid-60s, highs in the mid 80s. And no rain! Can't ask for better weather! Let's just hope it doesn't change.

I'm pretty much packed except for a few last minute things. Just waiting.

Have a good day, everyone!

Kim

 

[wdwkimberlee]

2 MORE DAYS!!!

Woo Hoo! It's getting harder to sleep!

Lots of stuff to do tomorrow. Quick cleaning of the house, last minute laundry...all the fun stuff! But getting it all done means I'm almost there!

Have a good night!

Kim

 

[wdwkimberlee]

1 MORE DAY!!!

It's actually not even one more day, now! It's 9pm and I leave my house at 5:20 tomorrow morning! It's really only 8 MORE HOURS!! I still have a couple things left to do tonight, but I'm hoping to be in bed by 10:30.

Thanks for reading! Have a good week! I'll say hi to Mickey from all the Disboard readers.

Kim