First solo trip to Disney May 16-21 w/pics

[spaceoddity]

Pre-Trip background

Me (35)- Disney addicted

How this trip happened was by accident, a co-worker was waiting for Southwest to update there schedule so he could get a flight for his upcoming June trip to Disney. Then Febuary 8th came and Southwest had just updated there schedule...so i went in to check it out and found a round trip flight from Providence to Orlando for $97 in May....and i had been thinking about getting a annual pass since i knew i would be coming a few times this year..last trip being in January.

So now i had booked a flight and purchased an annual pass with out even asking anyone if they wanted to go with me...guess i was going to Disney on my first solo trip because after booking the flight i did ask around if anyone wanted to go...nobody did..well everyone wanted to but either couldn't spend the money or get the time.

I wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing i had just did?? Was i being kind of silly since i was just there in January and already had a trip planned for Ocotober??

So i turned to the Dis for support...would i have fun alone? I recieved allot of encouragement and support...so thanks Disers!

Ok so i was going to go on my first solo trip, i was nervous but felt at home at Disney and knew my way around so that put my fears at ease for the most part. Now where to stay?? My first solo trip and i knew i was going to spend open to close at the parks...so value resort was probably the best option since i wasn't going to spend allot of time in the room. Ok got my flight, got my resort (Pop Century) and got my annual pass...then got cold feet.

Find out in the next post if i go Yes of course i did i'm doing a trip report.

 

[spaceoddity]

Pre-Trip continued

Ok so i have everything booked and got a case of cold feet and didn't think i would have any fun being at Disney alone. Again i turned to the Dis to get ideas and feedback on Disers who had been to Disney solo...allot of you many times. So again nothing but support and great ideas on where to eat etc. Thanks Disers!!

Then was looking at the solo thread and found a post from someone who was going to be in Disney for 2 weeks solo because his friend he was going with was too ill to travel. So i replied to his post and said i was there May 16-21 and would be fine meeting up and maybe ride some rides. Only day i wasn't available was Fri May 18th because i had booked the "Backstage Magic Tour" . Which was a good idea from a Diser...i would be with a bunch of people for 7 hours...and since i was alone this would be a good way to at least have some social interaction

So the e-mails started and plans were made and adr's made. Wow this was coming together great...i wouldn't be alone after all.

So adr's are set...decided on which days to do each park...flight booked, resort booked, annual pass in hand now the wait. But wait annual pass rates come out for the resorts...i have an annual pass....i'll check it out... and got a great deal at my favorite resort Wilderness Lodge. Couldn't pass up the deal got a courtyard view for a great price...so changed resorts...now just got to wait.

Up next a non-stop Day 1

 

[spaceoddity]

Trip report

Me (35) - Disney addicted & nervous about his first solo trip
Shaun (43) - from the UK & loves Disney

Day 1 Wed May 16

Up early and off to the airport...only a 20min drive from my house. Had a 7:05am flight from Providence to Orlando. First time chosen to get the extra special attention at the airport and got the random search. I wonder since i was alone i got the extra attention? Flight was on time and not full so no one decided to sit next to me so that was nice got to strech out

Arrived in Orlando a little early around 9:40am.....headed to Magical Express and got on to my bus. Was first on the bus...then family after family started boarding the bus i did feel a little weird at this point about being alone but not enough to worry about it

Waited about 20min then the bus headed out...first stop was Wilderness Lodge about 20 min later pulled into the lodge and headed to counter to check in...no wait. Now it was still early maybe around 10:50am. I checked in and was told room wasn't ready...which i kinda knew since it was still early. Went to bathroom changed into my shorts..was very warm this day. Gave my carry on bags to bell service to hold....and headed out to catch the bus to MGM. My first experience with "love bugs"...was told they came out late this year...it wasn't too bad just had to swat them away every so often. Didn't find them a problem in the parks.

Shaun had called me when he arrived earlier in the week and said his cell wasn't picking up any signal so we made plans to meet at gertie the dinsoaur (big green dino in the lake) at MGM for 12:00pm and then just check every hour on the hour in case my flight was late and couldn't make it for noon.

So i'm on my way to MGM and getting a little nervous about meeting Shaun, would we get along, would he be fun? I arrive at MGM go to guest services and trade my annual pass certificate for the real annual pass This means from May 16 2007 - May 16 2008 i can come to Disney as many times as i want! I hope to do just that

I head over to big green dinosaur and sit at a bench near by...just made it only a few minutes before 12:00pm Indiana Jones was just letting out so there were people everywhere...it was going to be hard to see Shaun. Then i hear my name "Doug"...

Up next Day 1 part 2....do we get along or do i need to find a reason to leave??

 

[DreaGirl]

I'm on board!

I would love to go to Disney solo...not sure my DD or my DH would like that though!

Great pictures...hopefully there are more... I love pics!

 

[serendipity]

Going to Disney solo- soo cool! It must be so nice getting to do what YOU want! Jumping on board, cannot wait to read about your interaction with Doug!

 

[spaceoddity]

Day 1 part 2

So i hear my name and get up we shake hands...and ask how our flights were...and i ask what he has done since he arrived. The usual small talk when meeting someone for the first time. But now it still hasn't sunk in that i'm at Disney....it's been pretty much non-stop since 5:30am. So Shaun asks what i would like to do...and of course the first thing i say is Tower of Terror.

Shaun says i thought you might say that and had 2 fastpasses. From this moment on i knew we were going to get along fine. So we head off to Tower of Terror...had a great ride. Conversation is very easy w/Shaun mostly Disney talk...we had just meant so wasn't going to hit him with those personal questions just yet. Next was Rock n Roller Coaster which i didn't get to ride in January since it was down for a refurb....great ride, very short.

So not to be too boring we did most everything at MGM except Indian Jones...and i didn't do Little Mermaid which Shaun had done early in the day before i arrived. We also got in 2 more rides on Tower of Terror. The park wasn't too crowded...wait times were very low. I had made an adr for Brown Derby at 5:20pm...and was hungry at this point did have much to eat the whole day. I thought the prices were a little high and the food just ok. I had the split roast chicken & Shaun had salmon....my dinner was a roasted chicken on top of rice. Don't think i would eat there again....also didn't care for the atmosphere. The good point was being able to slow down for a bit and get to know Shaun better....and then watch him spill his drink and spray the people at the table next to us. Which is ok because early i had my embarassing moment when trying to get of the Rock n Roller Coaster the over the shoulder harness would not lift up. Well i just wasn't pulling down and then up hard enough i guess??

Ended the day by watching Fantasmic....and then off to bed...was very tired...it had been a very long day. Made plans with Shaun to meet at Epcot for 8:30am the next day. Was finally hitting me i was in Disney on the bus ride back to the lodge...and was very happy that Shaun turned out to be very cool and that we hit it off. Got back to the Wilderness Lodge got my room # and carry on bags from bell service found my room...my luggage was there...never have had a problem w/Magical Express...went to sleep.

Next Day 2 Epcot & a suprise for Shaun.

 

[DreaGirl]

Glad to hear that you two are getting along. That would be a little scary, but hey, a person who loves Disney enough to go alone can't be that bad!

Don't you just love the "I'm really here!" moment.

 

[spaceoddity]

I'm on board!

I would love to go to Disney solo...not sure my DD or my DH would like that though!

Great pictures...hopefully there are more... I love pics!

If you ever get the chance to go solo you should do it, it's a very different experience. I would do it again it was one of my favorite Disney trips i've taken. But it's still always nice to share the "magic" with someone too

Going to Disney solo- soo cool! It must be so nice getting to do what YOU want! Jumping on board, cannot wait to read about your interaction with Doug!

The freedom to come and go as i wanted was great. The best was having the bed and bathroom all to myself Didn't have to worry about waking any one else up i could get up and watch the sunrise over bay lake or stay up and watch tv all night

 

[spaceoddity]

Glad to hear that you two are getting along. That would be a little scary, but hey, a person who loves Disney enough to go alone can't be that bad!

Don't you just love the "I'm really here!" moment.

It was a big relief that we did get along. "I'm really here!" moment always happens either the end of my first day or the next day. but it is a great moment...all that planning is paying off

 

[spaceoddity]

Day 2

Thur May 17

Woke up early didn't sleep all that well, never do on the first night. Have to get used to the new bed and surroundings. So since i had ben non-stop the day before pretty much from 5:30am - 10:00pm. I didn't get a chance to take in some of the atmosphere at the Wilderness Lodge. So got up early to take in the sunirse and get some coffee.

I had gotten a 1st floor room, which had 1 king size bed and was a wheelchair accessible room...which was fine. Here's the view from my room, i was facing the Villas at WL and saw bunnies every morning. It was very peaceful & quiet.

Took some pictures of the sun coming up while drinking my coffee..

I love the Wilderness Lodge.....Ok so i was waiting for 7:00am to hit so i could make a call. Yesterday i had tried to get Shaun into the Backstage Magic Tour w/me but with no luck it was full. So i would try again this morning to see if anyone canceled...nope. He had never done a backstage tour and thought he would enjoy it so while i was on the phone i asked about the Keys to the Kingdom Tour..but with such late notice i didn't think i would get anything. But to my suprise there were two openings for the Sat 8:30am tour...i took it

Ok being the Disney transportation expert i have become...i knew to get to Epcot for 8:30am i would head out early because i wanted to to take the monorail there. So here was my route...boat from WL to Contemporary Resort...got on monorail at Contemporary and went to the ticket & transportatiion center...got off there and then got on the monorail to Epcot....overall it only took maybe 30-40 min travel time. I could have just taken the bus, but who would do that when you can take a boat & monorail... way more fun This was a benefit of being solo...and knowing my way around

Shaun arrived we get in line and decide best thing is to just get on Soarin' first thing then fastpass later...this is the way i usually do it and always get first ride of the morning in the front. Shaun had never go to ride in the front, and today that was going to change I also inform him we have to meet at the Magic Kingdom at 8:00am on Sat because were taking the Keys to the Kingdom tour which i knew he would like since i had taken the tour in January and was up for going again.

Rope drop time...mad dash to Soarin' got first ride of the day and we are in the front...we will ride again later in the day but get the back row....just not the same with feet hanging in front of you. Only picture i took at Epcot was at the entrance, since it was Flower & Garden there were many photos that could have been taken but we were too busy doing everything else.

Again will not bore you with then we rode this ride.....we did everything in Futureworld except Honey i Shrunk the Audience..yuk & Journey into Imagination..yuk As far as Mission: Space goes it's always the spinning version for me & Shaun as well.

We had an adr at Rose & Crown for 5:20pm, i wanted Le Cellier but they were closed for a refurb while i was there I had never eaten at the Rose & Crown and thought i know Shaun would most likely like the food since he was from the UK. I had a pork tender loin which was really good, i can't remember what Shaun had? I liked the pub atmosphere and would eat here again...the food was really good.

Walked around World Showcase...did ride the "Grand Fiesta Tour" in Mexico...it was ok...basically the same ride but now with the Three Caballeros added..i can take it or leave it. Maelstrom was down for a refurb

Picked out a spot for Illuminations in front of Norway...great location! Illuminations is my favorite nightime show as well a Shaun's so we would do this again another night. Once Illuminations was over we headed out and sicne we were at the back of the park it wasn't that bad getting out.. the crowd was a bit lighter. We had made plans to meet at Magic Kingdom the next day at 4:30pm. Tomorrow i was doing the Backstage Magic Tour & Shaun was getting some rest.

Up next Day 3 find out about the Backstage Magic Tour

 

[DreaGirl]

Great Installment! I can't wait to hear about the tour. I am a former CM, so I'm interested to see what you think.

 

[lynn71092]

Great report!
I'm in!!

 

[spaceoddity]

Great Installment! I can't wait to hear about the tour. I am a former CM, so I'm interested to see what you think.

Thanks...can't wait to talk about the Backstage Magic Tour i learned allot and saw allot....also learned what it's like for a CM getting into the park into costume and off to your roll in the park.

Great report!
I'm in!!

Thank you

 

[spaceoddity]

Day 3

Fri May 18

So today i was doing the Backstage Magic Tour and needed to be at Epcot for 8:45am...no problem i gave myself plenty of time and did like yesterday and used the boat & monorail.

Since the Backstage Magic Tour is 7 hours and covers 3 parks i will not go into allot of detail...because i can't remember it all and it would be very long and boring to read. This tour isn't for everyone you have to be willing to give up 7 hours of your vacation time do this. This tour is more for the Disney geek/veteran who has been many times.

Our tour guide was James, he was incredible & funny. In fact his wife & 2 kids are also CM's. There was group of 20 of us..a few couples and 1 family and the rest were alone. The group was great very talkative and aksed questions...we had to do all get in a circle at the beginning and say where we were from and what our favorite Disney song was. I said i didn't have a favorite Disney song so James picked on for me....he said yours in the 2nd most annoying Disney song of all time....."The TiKi, Tiki, Tiki Room" i was ok with that.

So off behind The Seas w/Nemo were our bus was waiting...it was a new Disney Cruise line bus...very nice. They also had a cooler of water so we could get some through out the day. So we drive behind Epcot to World Showcase and see the Amercian Adventure out front which was great because there was no guests in world Showcase yet...then we went behind to see how the show works...amazing! Then back on the bus and went further down behind Epcot to the CM building were they all come in for the day.

Now off to MGM.....so here we drive in a back entrance and have to go through a security check...everyone's bags were checked while we were on the bus. Then went to the costuming shop and saw how the costumes were made from design to finish product. Lunch was inlcuded on the tour at Mama Melrose's...i had never eaten here before. The food was very good and served family style.

Now off to the florists...amazing place they were in the middle of getting ready for 3 weddings they had that day...which was a light day for them. They make everything from flower arrangements to gift baskets..anything you can imagine they can do...so if you have the money they can pretty much create anything. Then we headed to this huge wharehouse even had to wear safety goggles in here. this is where they make/fix/rehab just about everything for the Disney parks. There was a log being built for Splash Mountain...there was an almost complete train for Expedition Everest. it goes on and on...the place was huge! Then we went over to the next wharehouse were they keep props for conventions /parties/weddings...come up with a theme for your convention or party and they can create it.

Sorry for the lack of photos...can't take any when your backstage.

Now we move on to the wharehouse where all the Christmas decorations are kept....this place was amazing...and the CM's were there working and getting decorations ready for this year...it is a year round job.

Now onto the Magic Kingdom...again we enter through a back road and another security check. We park behind the backery on Main Street and head down to the utilidoors...and then James timed it so we pop back up in the same place and had a spot waiting for us for the 3pm parade. So basically this tour shows you how they create it, build it...etc and the end result is watching the afternoon parade where all that we saw for the day comes together to create the "Magic" The tour was great, did it ruin any of the magic? NO! It only made me appreciate what it takes to make sure these parks are running 365 days a year. Feel free to ask any questions

Up next Day 3 part 2 Magic Kingdom & O'hanas

 

[rthutchens]

You've got me hooked, I need more!

 

[DreaGirl]

Sounds like a great tour!

I was amazed when I first saw all those things...it really is amazing how much is going on on any given day.

Can't wait to hear how you liked O'Hana.

 

[spaceoddity]

You've got me hooked, I need more!

Glad your enjoying, i'm having fun re-living the trip again...more soon

 

[spaceoddity]

Sounds like a great tour!

I was amazed when I first saw all those things...it really is amazing how much is going on on any given day.

Can't wait to hear how you liked O'Hana.

It is a great tour...you learn and see allot. O'hana review coming soon This was my 2nd time eating there.

 

[Glendamax]

Glad I found your report! My first solo trip will be in September, so I am very interested in how things went for you!

Looking forward to the rest!

 

[serendipity]

sounds like you had a great time on the tour. I've always meant to do one, I'm going to look into it