Holy Buckets! It's A Solo TR, 3/8-15/09 **5/1/09 Vids & Pics Done**

[jenseib]

The same things - I know I did Stitch coming out of the ground, I know i have a few tinkerbelle and the Simba one at AK never showed up.

I did refuse the first couple of times. I got more Photopass CMs the next time at Epcot.

I think the Photopass is great! Stop and do it as many times, it's already paid for and you never know what you are going to get.

The only time I got annoyed was in front of the train station at MK. The Photopass woman wanted my friend and I to hold hands. I told her we are best friends not together. But she wasn't listening. Then I thought, maybe there will be a cartoon character but there wasn't. But I did get other shots than that.

Tell your share leader to contact photopass and tell them you are missing graphics in some of the pictures. we were missing Tink in several pictures and Simba in one. I contacted them and with in a few hours they contacted me back and said they added them, and I went and looked and all were there.
Have her just write an email and if you know the card number they are missing from, use that too. I didn;t even tell them a card number and they had it fixed though.

 

[jenseib]

I have never seen Mary Poppins in the store in my experiences. This year she was out across from Rose and crown with Alice. Pooh and gang were in the store.

 

[MyMuse]

Didn't the CM tell you to go into the store? She's usually in the store in the very back taking her pics?!

No!

We saw her walking into and she disappeared inside. It took a little while to get a CM's attention as they were young girls and talking. I explained and the CM called a number and told m the next times she would be out.

Oh well. I'm making arrangements today to see Mary P on Broadway for April.

 

[MyMuse]

Tell your share leader to contact photopass and tell them you are missing graphics in some of the pictures. we were missing Tink in several pictures and Simba in one. I contacted them and with in a few hours they contacted me back and said they added them, and I went and looked and all were there.
Have her just write an email and if you know the card number they are missing from, use that too. I didn;t even tell them a card number and they had it fixed though.

I'm missing pictures themselves, not just the graphics. It is odd because the picturs a fw minuts before that came out, but not the one of me cradling what is supposed to be Simba. Oh well.

 

[MyMuse]

I am with you on that one! LOVE the grand marnier one!

I cant figure out how to do multiple quotes.

Anyway, I was trying to walk very quickly to Aurora with slushie in hand; same with Mary P. It was quite a sight, I'm sure!

 

[jenseib]

I'm missing pictures themselves, not just the graphics. It is odd because the picturs a fw minuts before that came out, but not the one of me cradling what is supposed to be Simba. Oh well.

You can still have your leader contact them and tell them that pictures are missing. Sometimes they find them.

I cant figure out how to do multiple quotes.

Anyway, I was trying to walk very quickly to Aurora with slushie in hand; same with Mary P. It was quite a sight, I'm sure!

See the thing next to the word quote with Quotations, for each post you want to responmd to click that and it turns orange, when you are ready to reply ckick the reply button like normal and all the quotes are there and you just write under each one.

 

[autumnpalm]

Hey, I just found you!

Great start so far. I am so jealous of your solo trip, I would love to do one someday. The feeling of doing whatever you want whenever you want must be so great. I can't wait to see some pictures!

We stayed at POR in 2003 and POFQ was closed, so it's nice to hear about it.

 

[MyMuse]

Day 4, Part 2 – Hollywood Studios

We park hop to HS around 3:30pm for our 4:20pm reservation at Mama Melrose’s for the Fantasmic dining package.

We catch more Photopass CMs upon entry into the park and head off to Mama Melrose. I know I said I checked where it was prior, but I still got turned around. I find it eventually.

[photopass pics here....]

I check in and within a few minutes were seated. We got absolutely horrid seats not in the actual restaurant but in the walkway to the kitchen, right outside the waiting area. We were one of three tables in this tiny section. Each time a waiter walked by, they bumped my friend’s chair. This was very annoying considering the package price. So, I moved the table back from the kitchen entrance/exit doors.

Our server was nice but shrugged when we said we weren’t crazy about our seating arrangements. I ordered the Caesar Salad appetizer (it was huge!), Salmon entrée and had Tirasmu and Cafe Mocha for dessert. My friend chose the bread appetizer, probably a chicken dish entrée and did not want dessert, hence me getting the café mocha without paying extra. Plus, we were in horrible seats, so I’m guessing it was ok to mess with the package a bit.

Our F! vouchers are given to us with a warning to get there an hour early, which would be around 7:30pm. We visit Streets of America and disappointed that ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Kids’ movie set is closed. I think we also visited Toy Story Mania area and did One Man’s Dream. For some reason, I didn’t write much time for this time between eating and F! show.

We head to Fantasmic and we get there a little earlier than 7:30pm. The walk to the theater was LOOOOONG! Goodness, it was a real hike! We got to the top and head for the dining entrance in which I see a CM waving a yellow ticket voucher. So, we go straight for that and head for seats. It was quite civilized and quick. I didn’t even notice if there was a line of people waiting or not. But there was A LOT of people around.

Once we get inside, people are already seated in the general section, so I’m guessing there was no one waiting outside. The package section was roped off and it was the two right sections. We sat on the left side of it, several rows up. Eventually we scooted over more to the left, which turned out better anyways.

I didn’t notice any rowdy or stampede-like, but again, I was there early, even with the package. There was only the “wave” due to the boredom of people waiting. There were plenty of seats still available, even with 20 minutes to go until show time. Time does go fast, since we are talking, making some plans for tomorrow and I’m writing in my journal.

It was an absolutely great show but certainly not worth a stampede or waiting to see it for hours on end. You really can’t see the performers unless you have binoculars but all the other stuff is fantasmic. LOL! If I do ever see it again, I’ll wait for the 10pm showing.

After F!, we wander into a few shops and stroll around a bit. Try to take pics at night, but it doesn’t work too well. I should have stopped for more Photopass pics, but I don’t think I saw a Photopass CM. It should be around 9:30pm somewhere.

Not quite at night, but a little earlier:

Off we go to the buses to head back to the resort. Another rideshare with POR. I guess I am rather lucky and spoiled with the dedicated bus to POFQ all week. Apparently, this doesn’t always happen.

We got to the resort, saw my friend off to her car, got back to my room and promptly fell asleep. I was just going to rest a bit before getting things together for the next day. I wake up at 12:19am, wash my face, get into some PJs and go back to sleep. I’ll try to wake up earlier tomorrow.

Up Next: Park De Hop Day!

 

[MyMuse]

Thursday

Day 5, Part 1 – Hollywood Studios

I wake up at my alarm at 7am and book it around since I didn’t do it last night. Take a shower and get my stuff in order, pull my hair in a bun since I really don’t have time to mess around with it.

I’m now waiting for Jennifer, who is running late. So, I take the time to slow down a bit and make sure I got everything in order.

Jennifer gets there and off we go to HS around 9:30am. We hit a Photopass CM and head straight for ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Kids’ movie set since she was all about it yesterday. We go on the Great Movie Ride and spent time checking out the Mann’s Chinese Theater (for me, again). We do the Animation School. We ended up with Mickey, but mine looked like a Drunk Mickey. Sorry Mickster! It was very nice and I would definitely do this again.

There was Sorcerer Mickey nearby but the line was really long. Next time!

We also came across more Street characters. Liza saw me trying to take a photograph, she abruptly stops talking to the people aound here, and strikes a pose for me! It was GREAT!

Day 5, Part 2 – Animal Kingdom

We park hop to AK and hit a Photopass CM after checking out Oasis exhibits. We head off for Kilmanjaro Safaris and get a FP.

While waiting for the FP time, we go to Rafiki Planet Watch via the Wildlife Express Train (which I didn’t get to do yet) and visit Habitat Habit, Conservation Station and Affection Section. Jennifer take a photo with Jiminy Crickett. We also go into one of the dark rooms and listen to the Sounds things. We also play around with the videos they have. We didn’t spend much time here, but it was nice. This is one of the places that I probably don’t need to go back to, but the train ride was very neat!

Once off the train, we check with Kilimanjaro on the time and the CM was just announcing our time. How weird was that?! I want to say it was 12:27pm or something. I love the Safari; it’s now the 3rd time, I’ve been on it. Saw something different each time (other than the spiel) and saw it different times of day.

We finish and go on the Pangani Trail next door. For some reason, I forget the Maharajah Jungle Trek! Argh.

Lunch is at Flame Tree BBQ that I hear so much about. I couldn’t find the darn thing! It turns out it is directly in front of the entrance of Dinoland, but I wasn’t looking there. Good thing I saw the sign at the corner of my eye! LOL!!

The wait is a bit to order and I’m behind a big family. Argh. I always get into the wrong line! Anyway, I notice another cashier has an opening and I hop on that line. The family in front of me also does the same and ends up behind me. I guess there was an issue with order up front. Things go much faster after the line switch.

I order a Beef BBQ Sandwich and lemonade while Jennifer has the Kid’s meal chicken. She goes and gets a table while I order since it is a bit crowded looking. I have our tray (the receipt says it is now 1:30pm) and heading for the condiments table, wait patiently for people in front of me to finish, then an idiot comes from behind me and gets in front of me. What the…??? Argh.

The table she chooses looks over Expedition Everest under shade and it is a very relaxing spot. We finish and enter ‘It’s Tough to be a Bug’ since there is only a 5 minute wait. This is such a cute show! I’m happy to watch it again. I even get a picture of me taken in bug glasses this time.

We exit and complete the Discovery Island Trails and another Photopass CM. This time it is in the Tree Alcove and I do the holding my arms up to cradle Simba, but that picture never makes it to Photopass online. Ah well. Next time.

Oh, we saw Devine!!!

Off to Magic Kingdom!

I moved Day 5, Part 3 - The Magic Kingdom is now at the end of the thread because of image space issues. It is here.

 

[MyMuse]

Friday
Day 6 – Downtown Disney

I slept in until 8am! Got ready, made some coffee. Had an orange (remember I have all the fruits/snacks in my WDW tote bag that my sister ordered) and organized my chaos.

I got presents together for my goddaughter (hand-carried back from Italy) that also includes Christmas presents since I wanted to be there when they opened them. I bought a lot of jewelry and glass items for them.

I rec’d a call from Jennifer that they are on the road and should arrive by 10:30am. I met them by their car and got a hug from my goddaughter. Best part of the day!

The CM gives Miranda a coin to throw into the fountain. I didn’t even know that they do that! They visit my room for a minute; Miranda walks in, flops down on the bed and says “good night”. It was so cute!

We head off to DTD via the boat launch. We miss the boat by seconds (it was leaving as we were walking up) and we waited for the next one. We pass the time playing with Miranda and her much-loved balloon from my room.

We got the boat, had a lovely ride, saw the refurbed Treetop Villas and we arrive a little before noon at the drop-off at Marketplace. The plan is to visit stores, hang about and hit said stores on the way back to purchase instead of carrying things around.

We visit the Lego store for some time and Miranda has a ball there. She made a garden. We also play in the water fountains outside of the T-shirt shop. I checked out the T-shirt store, but the prices are a bit too high and it didn’t seem ‘all that’.

We walk through Pleasure Island and check out some other stores in Westside. I buy a few CDs in Virgin Megastore, which will be closing shortly, but doesn’t seem to have a lot of sales.

We head back and eat at Earl of Sandwich, which I really wanted to try. I heard so much about it, but forget to ask for the AAA discount when I got there. It is probably around 2:00-30p-ish. I had Chinese Chicken Wrap, which was very good.

I did have the voucher from my package at Planet Hollywood, but I didn’t want to eat there. After eating, we revisit the shops – Mickey’s Mart (or Disney Tails as the receipt says) for the surprise bag (loved it!), car toppers, shotglass. Once Upon a Toy for a Monopoly theme park set and collector mini-sets; 35% off – yeah! Days of Christmas store for 3 ornaments – POFQ, Birthday (for me) and a teacher one for my sister for Christmas; there were absolutely no sales in this store. The CMs here weren’t the nicest, but it would have been nice to explain the personalization end of the ornaments. I was interested in it, but they were not interested in talking with me.

The ending store was Art of Disney to see if there were any Precious Moments ornaments and mini-vinylmations. The answer to both was no. What a disappointment! The store had the big versions, but I wanted the little 3” version. Though the CM told me mini-vinylmations are only at DTD and the NYC Disney store. I think a trip might be in order. Instead, I bought 2 boxes of pins; each had 2 pins instead but you don’t know what it is. This also finishes my giftcards.

I also stop for a few minutes to watch an animator in action. Very cool.

A trip to DTD is not complete without a stop at Ghiradelli’s for a frozen white chocolate mocha. Lordy, lordy, lordy.

At this point, Miranda takes a nap, so Jennifer stops into Goofy’s Candy Co while I sit with her. I forgot I wanted to check out the candy, but I still had the Ghiradelli’s drink, so maybe I was candied out by then. LOL!

We head back to the boat for the trip back to POFQ. I don’t remember waiting long and again it was a nice ride back. You can also take boats to the other area resorts or walk to some of them; Saratoga, I think.

Back at the room we rest for awhile, Jennifer opens the presents that I brought down with me. I do have one for her mom, who we should see later.

We head off to her rental house, since she is building one in the same complex and wants me to see it. We get there and I go on a tour of it, plus her parent’s house which is being built next door. We eventually get to her rental and have some spaghetti & meatballs for dinner. Her mom finally arrives; she walked back from the construction home to the rental house.

We head out to go shopping since her mom got me a $25 giftcard to Beall’s for my birthday. We got to Beall’s but it wasn’t the ‘good’ one since we are running out of time at this point. It is probably after 9pm.

I did end up using the giftcard, plus I was able to get the Friday discount and had a 20% card from a previous trip. We also visit Wal-Mart, I only buy a couple of things.

We need something to drink and I see a Perkins, so we end up sitting down and getting coffee and appetizers. Love their Santa Fe mini-thingies!

She then drives me back to POFQ, we say goodbye, reminisce a bit and I finally get to my room at 12:30pm.

I change, recharge electronical things and finish journaling. It is now 1:40am. Tomorrow, I want to play the Arcade and perhaps do laundry before my cousin comes.

 

[KatGarcia]

Sounds like a great trip so far! You are a woman after my own heart with all the gift cards and sales! And hey if you ever go to the NYC World of Disney store- let me know!

 

[MyMuse]

Sounds like a great trip so far! You are a woman after my own heart with all the gift cards and sales! And hey if you ever go to the NYC World of Disney store- let me know!

I'm all over that!

I bought Mary Poppins tickets today since I found a discount code that ended up saving me $53! Whoooo-de-hooooo! I love a good deal.

So, I'm thinking to go in early and heading for the Disney store. I think it is on 55th and the theater is on 47th? So, not too far away.

Unless, of course, I can drag myself in there earlier. I want those Vinylmations, darnitall!!!

 

[KatGarcia]

I'm all over that!

I bought Mary Poppins tickets today since I found a discount code that ended up saving me $53! Whoooo-de-hooooo! I love a good deal.

So, I'm thinking to go in early and heading for the Disney store. I think it is on 55th and the theater is on 47th? So, not too far away.

Unless, of course, I can drag myself in there earlier. I want those Vinylmations, darnitall!!!

OOO nice! I saw Mary Poppins a few months back- great show! Lemme know if you decide to come in early, I'd def come out to the city and visit the WoD store with u!

 

[jenseib]

WHEW!!! Just got caught up. You are one busy person. I didn't realize that you weren't doing the parks every day. but you did sooo much when you were there.

We want photos though!

 

[MyMuse]

WHEW!!! Just got caught up. You are one busy person. I didn't realize that you weren't doing the parks every day. but you did sooo much when you were there.

We want photos though!

LOL! Just the 4 middle days; the other 3 were somewhat lazy days. I got alot of things done that I wanted to do.

Hopefully, I can get to do the things I missed during the May trip - Kali River Rapids, see PhilharMagic again (loved it!) and I'm going to try for Splash Mountain. If Claire can do it, I can do it!

I'm still apprehensive about Aerosmith ride, but I was reading ride times and it is less than 2 minutes?? I still don't get this ride at all. I'm going to have to go back on YouTube and really really check it out.

We'll see how it goes about.....

 

[MyMuse]

Saturday
Day 7 – Downtown Disney & Boardwalk

I wake around 7:45am, get dressed, have an orange and make a cappuccino in my room. My cousin Caryn calls and is on their way from the Tampa area.

I decide not to do laundry and ask about mailing home a box. I seem to have multiplied. The concierge sends me to the gift shop to get a box. I get the box after a few minutes, bring it back to my room and decide to pack dirty laundry and other items and I’ll carry back my precious purchases. LOL!

I pick it up and it’s heavy enough, so I’m stopping. I carry it back to the gift shop, they give me a bit of grief (not sure if I understood why, I don’t think they knew what to tell me), send me to the front desk, they front desk sends me to the concierge. ARGH.

The concierge finally processes it and it weighs a whopping 22 pounds! And I’ve been carrying it all this time. I also buy Disney Dollars, but I did not notice until later, that they were 2008 not 2009. Argh.

I go and play in the Arcade since I have a 30 minute card as part of my package. I play race cars and Mario Brothers. I think it cut me off with 3 minutes left to go on my card. I could not get it to work. And there wasn’t much help around, so I just gave up. I took me long enough to figure out how to use it in the first place. But it was fun!

I’m still waiting for my cousin to appear, so I walk around the resort, taking pictures from building 1 to 7 on the river side. I’d figure I’ll just keep on walking until they call, maybe see a bit of the sister resort, Riverside. There’s supposed to be butterfly house up there somewhere.

Caryn calls just as I pass Building 7 on the FQ side. I double back to the main building. The guard is apparently grilling her on who the resort guest is, so I repeat my room number over and over. This did not happen with Jennifer, so I don’t know what the deal is. I went and met them at the parking lot, since they parked in a weird spot and could not figure out where the main building was.

We visit my room and just miss the boat to DTD (again!). I’d rather go straight to the Boardwalk, but she wanted to visit DTD. We catch the next one and have lunch at Rainforest Café. I had the Jungle Chop Salad which was HUGE.

We visit stores and walk around. I hit up Mickey’s Mart again and get another surprise bag. I love those things!! I also get a red kitchen towel for the sister at Mickey’s Mart. At World of Disney, I picked up a Happy Birthday frame, I didn’t see previously and a doggie bandana for my sister’s dog because it was adorable (it said “my human went to Disney World and bought me this lousy bandana- LOL!).

Another stop at Ghiradelli’s for a white chocolate mocha, hot this time. Then we head for the boat back. Still a pretty ride, much better than a bus. We visit my room and gift shop before Caryn goes back to check-in at her hotel on Hotel Plaza Blvd, near DTD. It had a better rate than my resort, I’m told.

I double-check on how to get to Boardwalk and Fantasia Garden with the concierge, both driving & Disney transportation. Caryn needs to rest and check-in with her hotel and will call when they are coming back to pick me up. They don’t want to use Disney transportation.

I bid them good-bye and head to the food court to finally try some beignets. I get a set of 3, milk and a straw. It is basically a fluffy funnel cake. I head back to my room and have 2, but leave the 3rd. I consider going to Riverside but decided to start packing and journal.

Caryn (& her bf Jimmy) come back and pick me up around 6:30pm to go to the Boardwalk, then head to Fantasia Gardens to do mini-golf. It turns out, driving wise; it was just a few minutes.

We park and head for the Boardwalk – what a gorgeous place! We decide to eat at Big River Grille, since the wait was only about 40 minutes. We walk around, check out the place, take a bunch of pictures while we wait.

I locate Jellyroll’s, Atlantic City Dance Hall, and soon-to-be gone Spoodles, but, obviously, can’t do it this trip and also locate how to walk to Fantasia Gardens. It is easily walkable. The Boardwalk area has lots to see in terms of the Boardwalk itself, the resort, next door is Dolphin & Swan and across the lake is Beach & Yacht club. There is also boat & walking paths to Epcot & HS. You can even see the Epcot ball and, I think, the Tower of Terror. Since I am from NJ, it really is quite cool, even though A/C definitely doesn’t look like that anymore!

We get beeped and head for your table outside. I have the Hazelnut Mahi Mahi & Strawberry Mint Lemonade – wonderful!!! I text a picture of Chocolate Mousse Dessert to my sister since she loves it.

We finish and walk to Fantasia Gardens and get there at 8:45pm and our tee time is for 9:24pm. I’m so glad, it’s still open! The closing time is 10:30pm for the last game. I pick the Gardens Course, since it is also Disney decorate with Fantasia. It was so cute and we had a blast. I even forgot the stress of waiting until they were ready to go. It even had a few surprises. I loved that I redeemed another certificate from my package. It was something like $11 or $12 to play! We finish in 40-45 minutes and start walking back to the Boardwalk.

We stop at the Bakery for a Key Lime Tart, visit a couple of stores and I take more pictures of the night scene. We head to the car through the hotel lobby this time and I take a few more pictures.

We end up back at POFQ at 11:15pm. I say goodbye and explain that my Magical Express to the airport is 8am, so meeting for breakfast would be on the very early side, so we all mutually decline. I’m glad she came and I got to see her. She was the only family who did.

I go back to my room, finish packing and actually take a bath in the special bath soap powder stuff I bought down with me. My wake-time is 6:30am tomorrow morning, so I would have enough time to get ready and to check-in with my airline before Magical Express.

 

[KatGarcia]

Sounds like a great day! No snacks from Goofy's?

 

[MyMuse]

Sounds like a great day! No snacks from Goofy's?

No, I forgot!

I can't believe I did TWICE. I must remember on the next trip.

 

[jenseib]

LOL! Just the 4 middle days; the other 3 were somewhat lazy days. I got alot of things done that I wanted to do.

Hopefully, I can get to do the things I missed during the May trip - Kali River Rapids, see PhilharMagic again (loved it!) and I'm going to try for Splash Mountain. If Claire can do it, I can do it!

I'm still apprehensive about Aerosmith ride, but I was reading ride times and it is less than 2 minutes?? I still don't get this ride at all. I'm going to have to go back on YouTube and really really check it out.

We'll see how it goes about.....

It is really a short ride. The most intense part of it is the begiing, going form zero to 60 in like 2 seconds. it was really intense, but after that, it was fine. I think TOT was tamer though.

 

[jenseib]

Wow. Spoodles is going? I didn't know that. I heard it was really popular.