Did I Hear That Right? A Solo Adventure at WDW Updated 8/30

[Pluto0809]

It was about 6:30 pm by the time I got my sweatshirt and gloves as lines were very long in the Emporium. I think everyone had the same idea as me. Main Street was pretty crowded since the MSEP started at 7 pm but right in front of the door where I exited the Emporium, there was a Dad standing next to a double wide stroller with plenty of space behind the stroller. I asked him if anyone was using that space and he said no so I ducked under the rope and stood behind the stroller.

It was just starting to get dark and the lights were on. Main Street is just so beautiful at night.



I chatted a bit with the Dad. He was waiting for the parade with his two small kids while his wife shopped. He said she didn’t like parades and would rather shop while it was going on.

Before the MSEP started, several high school marching bands went by. Being a band geek myself, (played trumpet for 12 years) I really enjoyed seeing them.







I actually met some of the flag girls in this picture the next day at HS:



After the bands passed, I amused myself for a bit playing with my camera.




And then the parade started!



When I was a child, I loved this parade so much that my Mom bought me the music on record. I used to listen to that record over and over. I probably drove my parents nuts! Now as an adult, I have it on CD and can still listen to it over and over. As a matter of fact, it’s the ring tone on my phone right now. Needless to say, I was very excited when the parade was brought back to WDW. I saw Spectro in 2010 and the clown guys in the big balls creeped me out so obviously I’m a MSEP fan in that debate.

I ended up taking a ton of pictures during the parade so here’s the best. I’ve definitely seen better MSEP pictures but I don’t think I did too bad considering how horrible my camera does at night.









For some reason, the little bee float has always been my favorite.







Continued in Next Post

 

[Pluto0809]

Continued from Previous Post

Yep, even more MSEP pictures









Love these costumes with the lights.























Looking at these photos now I realized that I don’t think I’ve ever seen Pete’s Dragon. Or if I did, I must have been really little and don’t remember. I will have to see about fixing that oversight!







This last America float is just so gorgeous.







Once the last float passed, the CM’s followed right behind and took down the ropes. So I stepped out onto Main Street and walked behind the float towards the Hub. I found a nice spot a little to the left and behind the partners statue and settled in to wait for Celebrate the Magic and Wishes.

Up Next: How Did I Not Do This Before?

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[oopsiDAISY]

I too remember the electrical parade as a kid. I was so excited when they brought it back. I LOVE the parade...BUT, I do have to disagree with you on the music though. I could NOT listen to that music on repeat!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Great update! My oldest DD(14) plays trumpet. In fact she's at a competition today. Then they are supposed to go to an amusement park but the weather is not cooperating so they might just go back to school and get a voucher for the amusement park. The voucher has to be used by June 25though and the park is 1 1/2 hours from our house so I don't know if we'll make it by then.

You have to see Pete's Dragon! The song Candle on the Water is my DS(12) favorite song. He's such an old soul.

I have a guess on what your "how did I not do this before" might be. Can't wait to see your next update to see if I'm right.

 

[katt789]

Again, so glad we left before the cold came! That would've sucked!

Nice parade spot skills, and pictures! Yay, it always takes me so long to figure out which settings to use on dark stuff!

Aw man, Pete's dragon, Danielle got me to watch it recently and I sat through it going "***??" it's an oddddd one to say the least!

 

[ronnmel]

I'm on the Spectromagic side of the debate, though MSEP is starting to grow on me (spoiler alert).

 

[Happy Duck]

Great updates!!!

Sorry I've been MIA for awhile....last weeks of school! But I'm all done now!

I have a secret love for when it gets too cold in a park. It's a totally justified sweatshirt purchase!!!

 

[Pluto0809]

Great update!

Thanks!

I too remember the electrical parade as a kid. I was so excited when they brought it back. I LOVE the parade...BUT, I do have to disagree with you on the music though. I could NOT listen to that music on repeat!

Well, I'm strange like that! I can listen to IASW over and over too!

Great update! My oldest DD(14) plays trumpet. In fact she's at a competition today. Then they are supposed to go to an amusement park but the weather is not cooperating so they might just go back to school and get a voucher for the amusement park. The voucher has to be used by June 25though and the park is 1 1/2 hours from our house so I don't know if we'll make it by then.

You have to see Pete's Dragon! The song Candle on the Water is my DS(12) favorite song. He's such an old soul.

I have a guess on what your "how did I not do this before" might be. Can't wait to see your next update to see if I'm right.

Yay for a fellow trumpet player. I love seeing girls play the trumpet. I was the only girl until my Senior year in high school.

Yep I do need to see Pete's Dragon. I love the song Candle on the Water.

New update coming up next!

Again, so glad we left before the cold came! That would've sucked!

Nice parade spot skills, and pictures! Yay, it always takes me so long to figure out which settings to use on dark stuff!

Aw man, Pete's dragon, Danielle got me to watch it recently and I sat through it going "***??" it's an oddddd one to say the least!

The cold was bad but I was in Disney so that's all that matters, right?

It was easy to get a good spot being alone. I loved that part of the solo trip!

Well I wonder if it's as strange as The Black Cauldron? Have you seen that one? Very weird.

I'm on the Spectromagic side of the debate, though MSEP is starting to grow on me (spoiler alert).

That's what I love about Disney, there's so much variety you can't help but finding something you love even if it's not everyone's favorite!

Ohh, can't wait to read about your MSEP experience.

Great updates!!!

Sorry I've been MIA for awhile....last weeks of school! But I'm all done now!

I have a secret love for when it gets too cold in a park. It's a totally justified sweatshirt purchase!!!

No problem, I understand about trying to keep up. I've been meaning to check out the links in your signature but just haven't made it there yet.

I definitely don't need an excuse to shop but you are right, I could say that I needed it this time!

 

[Pluto0809]

I found a spot for Wishes that I thought would be ideal. Here’s my view:



I could stare at that picture all day, couldn’t you? And here’s looking behind me at Main Street.



While I waited for the castle show to start, I decided I needed pictures of the castle in all the different colors. First was blue.



Pink



And finally, orange



It was still pretty chilly so I did some jumping in place to get warm and before long, Celebrate the Magic started. Unfortunately as soon as the show started, three different dads right in front of me lifted their kids onto their shoulders and obstructed my view. I could still see some but had to crane my neck to see around them.

I had never seen MM & Y so I had nothing to compare this too. I did really enjoy it and thought it was a cool show. I tried to take pictures but since the lights are constantly in motion, I only got a couple of very bad shots. I’ll bore you with them any way!









Once Celebrate the Magic finished, I decided to move to the left a little so the kids on shoulders would not be in my way. I ended up next to a CM who was a custodian who cleaned up right after Wishes. He told me he watched Wishes every night he worked from that same spot.

I chatted with him a bit about Disney before Wishes started. He had an extreme love for the company and his job. It's always nice to meet someone that passionate about their job even if it's just sweeping up garbage.

I have never seen Wishes from the front of the castle. I watched it in 2011 from Liberty Square but you could barely see the fireworks from there. Not a great place to watch at all. When Mom and I went last year, we were on our way to dinner at WL while Wishes was going off. I hoped to see some of it from the boat but there were trees in the way. So I was determined to catch the show on this trip so I could form a proper opinion. I took pictures while I watched and surprisingly, they turned out pretty good for a simple little point and shoot camera.

Just in case you want to listen to the music while viewing the pictures click here: Wishes Soundtrack

































So if you remember from my first day at Epcot, I was unimpressed with Illuminations. Well, Wishes was the complete opposite! I was instantly in love and wondering why I had never watched it from the Hub before. Every minute of the show is just perfect! I think my favorite part was where the Fantasia music starts and the fireworks are just red balls that shoot up on each side of the castle, matching the music. So simple yet at the same time, brilliant. I do not think there will be a Disney trip for me in the future without including Wishes.

Up Next: How Many Rides Did I Just Go On?

 

[oopsiDAISY]

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS PICTURES!!! And yes, I AM listening to the soundtrack while looking at these amazing photos, thank you!

Wishes has a VERY special place in our hearts...watching it as a family in the hub was Brian's absolute favorite memory from our 2011 trip, and watching it from the Pirate and Pals boat in 2012 gave it yet another magical perspective for us. No trip is ever complete without seeing Wishes!!!!

*and we are not big fans of Illuminations or Fantasmic either....

 

[lovesdumbo]

Yay for a fellow trumpet player. I love seeing girls play the trumpet. I was the only girl until my Senior year in high school.

Yep I do need to see Pete's Dragon. I love the song Candle on the Water.

New update coming up next!

My other DD(10) plays the French Horn. She's been saying she wanted to play the French Horn since her older sister started the trumpet. There are only 2 or 3 horn players in all the middle/high school band-grades 6 to 12 but there were 10 in her 4th grade band-maybe they were all copying her? They've already had a couple drop out. I think she'll stick with it. My DS plays the sax. He's my real Disney fanatic. I could see him playing in the MK sax quartette someday. All 3 get their music tallent from their Dad. He (and my oldest) can play by ear. I don't have any music tallent.


Loved your update. My guess was wrong-I wouldn't have guessed that you had never seen Wishes from the hub of Main St. I was going to guess what I did one year-watch from just behind the Partners statue so all my firework photos have the statue in them. I didn't really plan it that way but that was where I got the best spot-those pictures turned out pretty cool.

 

[ronnmel]

That sucks about the kids on the shoulder. That's so annoying. I understand the child wants to see, but there must be other ways. I have to remember that when it's my child who complains about not being able to see.

The Fantasia part of Wishes is also Ron's favorite. I like it a lot as well, but I think I prefer when all the characters are making a wish, or when they go WISHES! Dream a dream!

Ohh, can't wait to read about your MSEP experience.

It's the next update, which should be posted in about 2 weeks, unless I can find the time next weekend/week.

 

[Pluto0809]

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS PICTURES!!! And yes, I AM listening to the soundtrack while looking at these amazing photos, thank you!

Wishes has a VERY special place in our hearts...watching it as a family in the hub was Brian's absolute favorite memory from our 2011 trip, and watching it from the Pirate and Pals boat in 2012 gave it yet another magical perspective for us. No trip is ever complete without seeing Wishes!!!!

*and we are not big fans of Illuminations or Fantasmic either....

Thanks, I was very happy with those pictures. Much better than the ones I took of Illuminations.

The Pirate and Pals cruise sounds like a lot of fun. I may have to look into it for a future trip.

I ended up seeing all three night shows but you'll have to wait a bit to hear my opinion on Fantasmic!

My other DD(10) plays the French Horn. She's been saying she wanted to play the French Horn since her older sister started the trumpet. There are only 2 or 3 horn players in all the middle/high school band-grades 6 to 12 but there were 10 in her 4th grade band-maybe they were all copying her? They've already had a couple drop out. I think she'll stick with it. My DS plays the sax. He's my real Disney fanatic. I could see him playing in the MK sax quartette someday. All 3 get their music tallent from their Dad. He (and my oldest) can play by ear. I don't have any music tallent.


Loved your update. My guess was wrong-I wouldn't have guessed that you had never seen Wishes from the hub of Main St. I was going to guess what I did one year-watch from just behind the Partners statue so all my firework photos have the statue in them. I didn't really plan it that way but that was where I got the best spot-those pictures turned out pretty cool.

That's awesome that your kids have such musical talent. I actually don't have much musical talent which is why I didn't keep up with the trumpet. But being in band sure did keep me out of trouble in High School!

I'm going to have to try to get some photos with the Partners Statue, that's a great idea! The statue might have been in my pictures if I hadn't had to move away from the kids on shoulders.

That sucks about the kids on the shoulder. That's so annoying. I understand the child wants to see, but there must be other ways. I have to remember that when it's my child who complains about not being able to see.

The Fantasia part of Wishes is also Ron's favorite. I like it a lot as well, but I think I prefer when all the characters are making a wish, or when they go WISHES! Dream a dream!

It's the next update, which should be posted in about 2 weeks, unless I can find the time next weekend/week.

I know, it's hard to get angry when the kids just want to see but it was annoying. I don't see why they just can't hold the kids at adult height rather than up so high.

I loved every part of Wishes, just especially loved the synchronization of the red fireworks with the music!

I'll keep an eye out for that update!

 

[katt789]

Nice wishes and celebrate pics!! I have to say, they're a perfect way to end a night at Magic Kingdom!! I love the celebrate the magic show, there's just too much awesomeness in it! And well, we all know my feelings on wishes! I love all of it, my favorites being Ariel's wish, and when Jiminy's all "hu-hu, it's the blue fairy" and I'm bawling. Baahaha.

And no, I haven't seen the black cauldron, I'll put that on my "to watch" list!

 

[Pluto0809]

Nice wishes and celebrate pics!! I have to say, they're a perfect way to end a night at Magic Kingdom!! I love the celebrate the magic show, there's just too much awesomeness in it! And well, we all know my feelings on wishes! I love all of it, my favorites being Ariel's wish, and when Jiminy's all "hu-hu, it's the blue fairy" and I'm bawling. Baahaha.

And no, I haven't seen the black cauldron, I'll put that on my "to watch" list!

Yep, Wishes is definitely the perfect way to end a night although this time it was just the beginning of mine! I will be going to MK the first night of my October trip to see Wishes. I'm also looking forward to seeing the Halloween version when we go to MNSSHP.

 

[Pluto0809]

So I don't have an update ready yet, maybe later today but more likely tomorrow. But I've been doing some serious stressing about my October trip this week!

It all started with my Mom getting a pin code for free dining. So jealous that she got one and not me! I've been anxiously checking my e-mail every five minutes to see if I've got one. I need to call this weekend when I have some time and ask. I'm also holding out hope that the offer will eventually be made public if I don't get a pin.

The stress comes in because my original dates, Oct 12th - 19th are not included in the free dining. So I started to look at the next week, Oct 19th - 26th. I've done a complete schedule for the second week and also ADRs. I'm not as pleased with the new schedule, the only day I can fit Epcot in is Friday which is definitely NOT recommended during Food and Wine. And of course no BOG ADR for the 2nd week. But the amount of money I will save with free dining is almost enough to pay for our flights so I've got to do it if possible. I'm checking three times a day right now for the elusive BOG reservation. Maybe I'll get lucky like I did on my solo trip.

As of right now, I have not officially switched our reservation to the 2nd week but looking at our work schedules I think it's going to be better even if I can't get free dining.

And then yesterday, I got a e-mail from Delta that said flights to Orlando were $49 one way. That would come out to about $200 for both of us!! So I read all of the fine print fully expecting that our dates wouldn't qualify. But the did! I tried all afternoon to book flights but the delta site wasn't working. When I got home both DH and I played with it but could only find that price for flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Either the Saturday flights at that price sold out or they forgot to put a line in the fine print. Needless to say I was I did consider doing a Weds to Weds trip but it just didn't work with our work schedules.

Sorry for the long rant, I just needed to get that out! Oh I do have one question about dining if you've stuck with me this far. I'm looking at the restaurants at MK. Right now I have the Plaza (which I love) booked for our arrival day. For our full day at MK I'm still holding out hope for BOG but in the meantime I have lunch booked at Liberty Tree and dinner at Crystal Palace. I really need to choice just one to stay within our Dining Plan credits so if you have eaten at both, which would you recommend?

 

[Tracy161]

Your title caught my attention as I'm going solo in September (my 2nd solo trip). Can't wait to start reading!!!

 

[Pluto0809]

Your title caught my attention as I'm going solo in September (my 2nd solo trip). Can't wait to start reading!!!

Welcome! Thanks for joining in. Going on a solo trip was a blast, I can't wait to do it again.

 

[Pluto0809]

When Wishes ended I fought my way against the crowd headed towards the exit. What was wrong with those people? MK was open for another 3 ½ hours and they were all headed to the exit. There’s no sleeping at Disney!

I finally made it to the bridge and headed here:



My first destination was something I’ve never done at night, the Jungle Cruise! Everybody talks about how different the ride is at night so I had to give it a try.



I tried to take my usual 1000 pictures on the ride but they were coming out like this:



Yeah, time to put the camera away. Well, I didn’t really find it all that different from the daytime trip. It was just dark. Yep, dark. I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting. Of course I still enjoyed the ride just didn’t have any big revelation. Oh, I was able to see a little better in the temple since my eyes were already adjusted so that was neat.

Next, I headed to visit my Pirates again. I was slightly worried because I got pretty wet when I rode the day before from the “canon fire” in the first scene. I’m surprised I forgot to mention it when I was writing about that day because it really shocked me. I had never gotten wet on Pirates before. But the love of my Pirates won out, I was already freezing so a little water wouldn’t make that much of a difference. I played with my camera again as I walked through the line.







Well, I didn’t have anything to worry about because the water effects were turned off. There was the sound of the canon fire but no splashes.

I headed to BTMR and walked right on. It was a cold ride but I love seeing the saloon lit up and the party going on. I just love how Disney has little hidden things like that.

I continued circling the park and walked on Haunted Mansion. I was having some awesome luck with lines so far on this night. There was family in the stretching room that knew the whole ghost host spiel. I could tell they had been to Disney a few times. I spent some time on this ride trying to find the hidden items but the only one I’ve ever spotted is the hidden Mickey made of plates in the ballroom.

As I headed into Fantasyland I noticed how beautiful the new Tangled tower looks at night. I tried about five times to get a good picture but this was the best.



I had had enough of IASW the previous day so I skipped that one and Peter Pan which had a huge line. I headed back towards the new Little Mermaid ride. I was very curious to see if they had fixed the kissing scene and also wanted to try some pictures on the ride. The wait time said 30 minutes but I knew it moved fast so I got in line. I walked until I got in the final room with Scuttle. Once again I tried to get a picture of them. Boy, most of my pictures in this installment are horrible!





I was on the ride in about 15 minutes and took some more horrible pictures.









And yes, the kissing scene was fixed. Yeah, I know you were all on the edge of your seat to learn that one!

I wanted to get on Winnie the Pooh but the line was still an hour. The only two rides in the whole park that had long lines that night were Peter Pan and WTP!

I had not gotten a chance to see Dumbo at night so I headed to Storybook Circus. There was no line, they weren’t even handing out the pagers this time. The ride is beautiful at night and my love affair with Dumbo continued with a huge amount of photos. Luckily these turned out pretty good.











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