Doing WDW on my own again, a February 2012 PTR

[PhoenixStrength]

RECAP, PART 2​

More pictures that I loved.

Steam coming off the Colorado River, Colorado, October 28th

Snowy Mountains in Colorado, October 28th

Windmill in Colorado, October 28th

Sunrise in Kansas, October 29th

Missouri River, Missouri, October 29th

Finally getting a shot of Bison in Illinois, October 29th

Ducks on a pond, Illinois, October 29th

Sunset, Indiana, October 29th

Snowy trees in Pennsylvania, October 30th

Snowy Cows in Pennsylvania, October 30th

Back in Maryland, October 30th

And now for the animals sections. Animals that I interacted with but have since passed on. RIP

Joseph the Mule

Willow Girl

Squirt

Palmer

Forrest

May they all RIP.

UP NEXT: ADOPTEDS!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

RECAP, PART 3​

And the happier part, here are all the animals that I interacted with that have been adopted since then!

Teawee

Liberty

Madison

Traveler

Sigmund, Seymore and Sterling

Apricot

Danish

Jujubee (on right)

Perez

Cashmere

Lilac

Ponder

DD

Tesla and Mickie, adopted together!

Carlisle

Theresa!

Newton

Snuffles and Ranger, adopted together

Bean

Stormy

Nikky

Sentinel

And lastly, Kaya!

So, that is my recap! I hope you all enjoyed reading about my trip to Utah, and I will be back in the next few days to do an outline of my plans for WDW!

 

[PittypatBR]

Wow, great report and great recap. You are a fantastic photographer, and all your pictures are great, but I loved the ones you chose for the recap. I would think you could make money from some of those! It must have been a very interesting AND rewarding trip.

You are a driving demon! The end of the trip with the fog was scary, and I can't believe the distances you can drive in a day, several days in a row! I can't imagine how you didn't just fall into your OWN bed and sleep for 3 days after all that, including the bad motels!

Thanks for sharing, and I know you are super excited about the upcoming WDW trip - you are a short-timer, now!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Wow, great report and great recap. You are a fantastic photographer, and all your pictures are great, but I loved the ones you chose for the recap. I would think you could make money from some of those! It must have been a very interesting AND rewarding trip.

You are a driving demon! The end of the trip with the fog was scary, and I can't believe the distances you can drive in a day, several days in a row! I can't imagine how you didn't just fall into your OWN bed and sleep for 3 days after all that, including the bad motels!

Thanks for sharing, and I know you are super excited about the upcoming WDW trip - you are a short-timer, now!

Thank you very much! I actually wanted to be a professional photographer, but life happened and I didn't wind up going to the college for it that I was going to. But I still love taking pictures. It was a fantastic trip.

I don't get tired while driving, so I can drive for a long time without issues. I did sleep a lot the next several nights.

And I am very excited for the upcoming trip to WDW. I'm ready for this trip, but not looking forward to it being over.

 

[mickeystoontown]

What a great recap and pictures! I became sad when you posted the pictures of the now passed away animals but then smiled again when you posted the ones of the newly adopted ones.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

What a great recap and pictures! I became sad when you posted the pictures of the now passed away animals but then smiled again when you posted the ones of the newly adopted ones.

Thanks! That is exactly why I put them in that order, I didn't want to end it with death, I wanted to end it showing all the animals that have new, happy lives in homes now.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

So, I will do a little outline today of what my plans are each day, then probably starting tomorrow I will start getting more detailed on what I want to do each day. Of course, everything is subject to change, just because I feel like it

Saturday 11th: Arrival date. Maybe DTD after checking in, depending on time/weather

Sunday 12th: Magic Kingdom

Monday 13th: Epcot

Tuesday 14th: Animal Kindgom

Wednesday 15th: Hollywood Studios

Thursday 16th: Animal Kingdom

Friday 17th: Magic Kingdom

Saturday 18th: Off Day. Explore CBR for possible furture stay/DTD

Sunday 19th: Departure Day

I hope everyone had a great weekend, and has a great week. I will be back tomorrow with the outline of the first day.

 

[mickeystoontown]

So, I will do a little outline today of what my plans are each day, then probably starting tomorrow I will start getting more detailed on what I want to do each day. Of course, everything is subject to change, just because I feel like it

Saturday 11th: Arrival date. Maybe DTD after checking in, depending on time/weather

Sunday 12th: Magic Kingdom

Monday 13th: Epcot

Tuesday 14th: Animal Kindgom

Wednesday 15th: Hollywood Studios

Thursday 16th: Animal Kingdom

Friday 17th: Magic Kingdom

Saturday 18th: Off Day. Explore CBR for possible furture stay/DTD

Sunday 19th: Departure Day

I hope everyone had a great weekend, and has a great week. I will be back tomorrow with the outline of the first day.

I like the looks of your plan. The only thing I might suggest (if you can change up the plans a little) is maybe working that off day in towards the middle of the trip if at all possible. We find that we need a day to recoup or we'll hit a wall. But, you are a solo traveler so you can take things at your own pace.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I like the looks of your plan. The only thing I might suggest (if you can change up the plans a little) is maybe working that off day in towards the middle of the trip if at all possible. We find that we need a day to recoup or we'll hit a wall. But, you are a solo traveler so you can take things at your own pace.

I thought about it, but the crowds are going to be HORRIBLE after Friday due to the holiday weekend, so I will not be going to the parks on Saturday if I can help it I plan on taking it easy both of the evenings that I go to Animal Kingdom since they close at 6pm and I can spend the rest of those days relaxing and getting to bed earlier.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I thought about it, but the crowds are going to be HORRIBLE after Friday due to the holiday weekend, so I will not be going to the parks on Saturday if I can help it I plan on taking it easy both of the evenings that I go to Animal Kingdom since they close at 6pm and I can spend the rest of those days relaxing and getting to bed earlier.

I hadn't thought about the holiday being thrown into the mix. We like to use our Animal Kingdom evening as a relaxing evening too.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I hadn't thought about the holiday being thrown into the mix. We like to use our Animal Kingdom evening as a relaxing evening too.

Yeah, they are predicting very high crowds at all parks Saturday through the following week, so I hope to avoid the parks on Saturday if I can. I may change my schedule though, depending on if/when I can meet with my friend that lives down there. He still doesn't know his schedule for that week yet, so I may re-arrange if he can only meet with me on a certain day. But, who knows?

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY ONE, SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11TH​

So, the first day is mostly travel. I will get to the airport around 10:30am. My flight leaves at 12:30pm, Southwest Airlines (yay for 2 free bags!), from BWI. I land at MCO at 2:55pm. I decided that I'm going to get my own luggage, as I really don't want to wait hours to get it if they deliver it. So, I will get my luggage from baggage claim then head over to the Magical Express counter and take DME for the first time!

I should arrive at POP Century around 4-4:30pm (just guessing) and will be using regular check-in. I don't want to do online check-in since I want to make sure I can change my room if I don't like the one I'm assigned, and that's not online check-in's purpose. I am hoping for 60s or 70s, lake view, 4th floor, but I know that is just a request. Fingers crossed though!

If I get through check-in and unpacking fast enough I may go to DTD. If I do I will try to get into Wolfgang Puck Express for dinner. If the wait is too long I will go to Earl of Sandwich instead though. I have free QS dining and they are both on the DP so we will see what happens. I also want to try Characters in Flight at night, if it is running. I did it during the day in 2010, and have been told I have to do it at night too, since the lights are amazing.

If I don't make it to DTD I will eat at POP in the food court and watch the outdoor movie that night. No matter what I don't want to be up too late, as MK has EMH the next night until 1am, and I want to stay for at least most of it. I will head to bed somewhat early, and hope I get lots of sleep so I have energy for the next day!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 2 SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12TH: MAGIC KINGDOM ​

There are 2 things that make me really feel like I'm at WDW: passing under the archway as you drive in, and seeing Cinderella's Castle. Which means I prefer going to Magic Kingdom as the first park, which I'm going to do this trip again!

So, the park opens at 9am, so I plan on getting up by 7am so I can be at the bus stop by 8am. I am very much a rope drop girl, so I want to be there early.

MUST RIDES/DOs:

Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
Snow White's Scary Adventure (for the last time, since it is closing later this year)
Pirates of the Carribean
Monsters Inc Laugh Floor
WISHES!


MEALS:

I will probably eat at Pecos Bills and Cosmic Ray's, depending on where I am when I get hungry. I'm on the QS Dining Plan, so I will be eating CS meals only. I will definitely get a Dole Whip as some point in the day though!


They just extended the hours for the 4th time, so MK is open until 11pm, then EMH until 2am. I probably won't stay until 2am since I plan on getting up at 7am the next day, but I will definitely stay late. I want to ride as many rides as I can both day and night, since they can seem so different between the two. I'm really bummed about the 3 closures, since they were all 3 things I wanted to do. BTMR is one of my favorite rides, Liberty Square Boat is slow, but a good rest while enjoying MK, and of course I wanted the first part of the expansion to be done, with Dumbo/Goofini. But I know I will enjoy myself anyway.

TOMORROW: EPCOT

 

[ronnmel]

Your plans look great so far! Hope you get a good room at POP.

I love seeing Cinderella Castle. So magical! To me though I think the rope drop welcome show is even more special, and definitely brings a tear to my eyes.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Your plans look great so far! Hope you get a good room at POP.

I love seeing Cinderella Castle. So magical! To me though I think the rope drop welcome show is even more special, and definitely brings a tear to my eyes.

Thanks! I hope I get a good room too. To be honest I won't be spending much time there so I won't be upset no matter where my room is, but I would like at least some of my requests if possible.

The welcome show brings tears to my eyes too. I vividly remember the first day of my last trip, in Nov 2010, and trying not to cry when the train pulled up, but failing at that! Ten days and I will be there!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 3 MONDAY FEBRUARY 13TH: EPCOT​

I plan on getting up around 7am again so I can once again be at the bus stop around 8-8:15am. Epcot is open 9am-9pm (WS not until 11am) and I plan on being there all day since it is my only Epcot day.

MUST RIDES/DOs:

Soarin'
Mission: Space (Orange!)
Test Track (last time before the refurb)
Behind the Seeds Tour
Maelstrom (somehow the last 2 times I have been I have not ridden this!)
Japan's Pick A Pearl
Illuminations


MEALS:

Depends on where I am, but the top 3 choices for lunch and dinner are La Cantina de San Angel, Liberty Inn and Sunshine Seasons.


I will definitely be stopping in Japan to do the Pick A Pearl there. I bought cages for my Mom, 2 sisters and myself last year for very cheap and want to get pearls for them and give them as presents. I bought silver chains too so they can be a necklace. I will try to remember to get pictures of them tonight and post them

TOMORROW: ANIMAL KINGDOM

 

[mickeystoontown]

You already know that we love the Behind the Seeds tour and think it's definitely worth the price to do it. If you have Disney VISA or AAA, you get a discount.

Oooh, Pick-A-Pearl! That's another one of my favorites. Lacey wore my "Epcot Pearl Necklace" with her wedding dress.

 

[KatMark]

Your plans for each day sound great so far.

We ate at Liberty Inn last week and I have to tell you, I thought the food was pretty darn good for fast food. Also did both Earl and Wolfgang -- yummy.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

You already know that we love the Behind the Seeds tour and think it's definitely worth the price to do it. If you have Disney VISA or AAA, you get a discount.

Oooh, Pick-A-Pearl! That's another one of my favorites. Lacey wore my "Epcot Pearl Necklace" with her wedding dress.

I am definitely looking forward to BtS, especially for the price!

I did Pick-A-Pearl for myself last time I was there and got a ring and necklace. This time I won't get any settings, just the pearls.

Your plans for each day sound great so far.

We ate at Liberty Inn last week and I have to tell you, I thought the food was pretty darn good for fast food. Also did both Earl and Wolfgang -- yummy.

Thanks! Can't wait for your TR to start so I can read some before I leave

I ate at Liberty Inn in November 2010 and liked it. I haven't eaten at Earl or Wolfgang yet and am looking forward to them!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 4, TUESDAY FEBRUARY 14TH: ANIMAL KINGDOM​

I will once again be getting up around 7am and on the bus around 8:15ish.


MUST RIDES/DOs:

Kilimanjaro Safari (at least twice!)
Expedition Everest
Pagani Forest Trail
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Dinosaur


MEALS:

Since they close at 6pm, I will probably only eat lunch in the park, probably at Flame Tree BBQ. If I am hungry by 5pm though I will eat at Pizzafari for dinner probably. Otherwise dinner will be at POP Century food court.


I may also watch the nightly poolside movie at POP that night, since it will be Lady and the Tramp, and that day is Valentines Day.


TOMORROW: HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS