How many firsts can I fit into one trip? - An April 2015 Solo PTR

[*tinker*bell*]

Hello!

My name is Lorena, I'm a Disney Addict. I try to get at least one Disney trip in every year, rotating between my different travel partners (they don't love it as much as me). I've been to Disneyland 7 times, Disney World 5 times, been on 3 Disney Cruises and to Disneyland Paris once My favourite character is Tinker Bell and my favourite movie is Cinderella. I'm 25 and work full time for a local travel company, I love to travel, read, do crafts, go to concerts and shows and watch tv and movies.
Currently my hubby and I are making our way through Greys Anatomy... HOW DID I LIVE WITHOUT THIS SHOW!?!?

A couple of pics:
my friend and I in WDW in October


My mom and I in WDW September 2013


A more recent photo of me


my grandma and I on our way from the pier in LA to Disneyland in September last year


up next some background and the basic plans ​

 

[*tinker*bell*]

So, I am going to try to keep this explanation short. This trip was planned as a gift for my mom and an incentive for her to recover from a hip replacement surgery that she was very nervous for. Unfortunately she has not recovered well and in January we decided that it would be best for her to not come this time. I had already upgraded my last ticket to an AP and already had flights hotel and cruise reservations... my husband did not want to go back so soon after our last trip, but I really wanted to go... so I decided I would go solo. Which brings me to the title of this PTR, this will be my first Solo adventure. I'm excited and very nervous. Also my hubby and I thought this would be a great way for me to try some new restaurants (more firsts!)

The Plan:

I will be traveling April 12-28, I always try to go for at least 10 days as it takes a day of travel on each end of the trip because I live so far away, (Vancouver, BC, Canada).

My plane leaves bright and early at 6am on the 12th which means a very early wakeup call. I was however able to secure a great rate for the Fairmont at the airport so I will at least be able to get up and take an elevator down to check-in for my flight.

I chose such an early flight so I wouldn't get in to Orlando too late, after a layover in Chicago I will be landing in Orlando around 7pm. (First! never flown alone before)

I am staying the first five nights at the Yatch Club (First!)
I chose this resort because of the awesome pool and because of its proximity to EPCOT and by proxy the Flower and Garden Festival (FIRST!)

I am then taking a three night cruise on the Dream (First! never been on the Dream before)

I am then spending the remaining eight nights at Pop.

I fly home on the 28 I was able to get an afternoon flight out of Orlando, connecting through Denver, and will land at home around midnight.

Already up to 5 firsts! I haven't even gotten to the dining ressies yet!!!

 

[disney world dreamer]

awesome!

its crazy cuz i'm going on my first solo trip also starting on april 12th with an extra early morning flight and i've never flown alone either!
my flight arrives at MCO at 8:10am so i'm looking forward to park time that day.
and its my first time going during F&G.
i'm only staying until the 16th though.
i chose to stay at POP because i love it there.

i hope you have a great time!

 

[*tinker*bell*]

awesome!

its crazy cuz i'm going on my first solo trip also starting on april 12th with an extra early morning flight and i've never flown alone either!
my flight arrives at MCO at 8:10am so i'm looking forward to park time that day.
and its my first time going during F&G.
i'm only staying until the 16th though.
i chose to stay at POP because i love it there.

i hope you have a great time!

Hey!

That's awesome, maybe we will bump into each other there

I love Pop too, it'll be my third stay there for the second half of my trip. With all the new I'm sure I will be looking forward to something familiar by then too!

 

[*tinker*bell*]

I got Mickey Mail!!!!



I had to call to get another luggage tag sent over as I will be taking two suitcases for the trip.

I also got an email that one of my fastpass + selections was changed.... they replaced Space Mountain with the Tomorrowland Speedway.... NOPE I don't think so! I went in and changed it to BTMRR, MUCH better!

Today is my Monday so the mail was a nice perk for the start of the week.

 

[*tinker*bell*]

So today is exactly 4 weeks until I leave!!!! 28 days!!!

I'm super excited!!! Have started setting things aside, got out my suitcase and carry on from storage. I will be taking two suit cases with me, but my grandma is buying a new set that I will be able to use the medium one from. We had a couple of last minute people join the FE which is awesome the more the merrier, I need to package up all their gifts and put with the rest, finish my pixie dust gift, and finish up my flash cards. *phew* good thing I have four weeks! Work has been busy still so the weeks should go pretty fast. Actually as soon as April hits those last 12 days will fly, I only work a total of 8 days in April, 7 before and one after the trip. I get a nice 4 day weekend over Easter which will be AWESOME so I can prepare for my trip as I then work the five days before I leave.

I have also been saving up all my point with suppliers, I can put them onto pre paid visas and master cards to use for a pre-vacation pedicure, the hotel for the night before I leave, my luggage fees, and snacks in the airport.

I've also been following a pretty strict healthy eating plan, I do really need to drop some pounds, and I would like to loose a fair bit before the trip. So far so good, just gotta keep on keepin' on.

I thought I would post my plans for parks and my dining ressies.... I have a lot....

So

Day 1 - Travel Day

Day 2 - Resort/Pool Morning EPCOT afternoon/evening

--> Beaches and Cream for lunch yumm, San Angel Inn for dinner (first) my hubby went here with his parents on our last trip, I was at MNSSHP with my friend. He recommends it, hoping I can get a table by the water.

Day 3 - Magic Kingdom

--> Grand Floridian Cafe for breakfast (first) , thinking Pecos bill for lunch, Ohana for dinner (first)

Day 4 - Sleep in Resort/ Pool Morning - Hollywood Studios Afternoon, DTD in the evening

--> Chefs De France for lunch (first) (Doing EPCOT for lunch before taking the boat to HS), EoS for dinner yummm!

Day 5 - Animal Kingdom

--> I might hit up the Rainforest Cafe for breakfast, Yak and Yeti for lunch (first), Yatchsman for dinner (first)

Day 6 - Embarkation Day

--> Breakfast at Cape May Cafe (first)

Day 7&8 - On the Cruise, I have decided to not do any excursions, was contemplating a chocolate factory one in Nassau and maybe parasailing at Castaway Cay but I've decided to just stay on the ship and relax, I will probably get off for a bit at Castaway Cay.

Day 9 - Disembarkation, Check Into POP!, Magic Kingdom afternoon and EPCOT evening

--> no big dining plans, probably F&GF food booths (first) and maybe some empanadas at la cantina de san angel.

Day 10 - Animal Kingdom

--> again no big plans, will probably do DTD for dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express

Day 11 - Magic Kingdom

--> Kona Cafe for Breakfast (first - I have been to Kona, but not for Breakfast), Be Our Guest for dinner (edited to add: I just noticed BOG breakfast ressies open on Tuesday, think I will try for a ressie for bfast instead of dinner. or maybe I'll do both dunno yet )

Day 12 - Universal, I really want to get a day at Universal in. I really enjoy spending time here, haven't decided if I will do one or two days.

--> no dining plans, except some frozen butter beer

Day 13 - Hollywood Studios, EPCOT evening

-->50's Prime Time, F&GF food booths

Day 14 - Magic Kingdom

--> Liberty Tree Tavern (first) really want to try the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake

Day 15 - EPCOT

--> Breakfast at Be Our Guest, Afternoon Tea at the Garden View Tea Room (First) I am soooo excited for this, afternoon tea is one of my favourite things to do!

Day 16 - Hollywood Studios

--> Sci-Fi Dine In for lunch and Hollywood and Vine for dinner (first)

Day 17 - Magic Kingdom morning then time to go home

Anyways that's it for this update! Time to go work on some of my projects for today... It's raining here... miss the sunshine we have been having oh well... Spring has Sprung!

 

[*tinker*bell*]

wahoo~! I was able to get a breakfast reservation at Be Our Guest on April 26th. It's at 8:15 am so pre-park opening. I've never done a pre-parking opening breakfast reservation, never done a sit down breakfast reservation at wdw... Another first! will edit and add this to my previous post. I'm really exited for the breakfast... will have to decide if I want to keep my dinner now... probably will I enjoyed it last time.

 

[*tinker*bell*]

I can't believe how the trip seems so soon, and so far away at the same time. I think once March finally ends April will go really quickly, but March seems to be craaaawling by!

Anyways 23 more days!!!! I'm still in planning mode, I did a little shopping for a couple of things for the trip



Finished my flash cards



and decorated my magic band from my last trip. Can't wait to get my new bands to decorate those as well.



I have work tomorrow, hopefully by Sunday the rain will let up and we will have some more of the beautiful sunshine, hoping to get some good long walks in this weekend, and walking in the rain kinda sucks. Can't wait for some beautiful Florida sunshine and heat.

 

[*tinker*bell*]

Woohoo - less than three weeks to go!!! 20 days to be exact! I think the next two weeks will all run together as one long week for me. I work Tuesday - Saturday this week with Sunday off, then Monday-Thursday next week... I do however get a whole four days over the Easter weekend which will be nice, then just five more work days and I will be off! Went out yesterday and enjoyed some of our nice spring weather, it did rain a little but nothing awful. It's dry today but I still have this stomach bug I contracted on Thursday so I'm mostly just doing stuff at home, planning meals, and cooking what I can pre cook. Also want to organize what clothes I will take and pack my FE gifts for the cruise. I finally have both suit cases out so I need to get all that organized so I can do all my final packing on Easter Monday. I am still waiting for one pair of sunglasses to come in the mail... should get here in the next day or two though which is good... and I also need my second luggage tag that I ordered from ME...

Anyways thought I would post my fast pass + selections for the first part of my trip so without any more rambling, here they are:

Day 1 - Ep

Journey Into Imagination 3-4
The Seas w/ Nemo 4:15-5:15
Soarin 5:25-6:25

Day 2 - MK

Splash 1:30-2:30
Space 3:55-4:55
7DMT 4:55-5:55

Day 3 - HS

ST 2:40-3:40
TSMM 3:40-4:40
ToT 4:40-5:40

Day 4 - AK

KS - 10:25-11:25
Kali 11:25-12:25
EE 12:25-1:25

I also made up my budget sheets, I like to write down everything I buy to keep track of my spending. I know I can get print outs however I find that things can creep up on me pretty quickly if I don't check frequently and it's a bit of a pain if there is a long line at the front desk. I like that I can use my magic band to charge as I don't like to carry too many cards with me or much cash so this is a good way for me to think about each purchase and keep tack so I'm not over budget.
Don't want a huge surprise when I get home!

Oh well, that's all for now, will post the rest of my FP+ later in the week

 

[Elevationist]

Hi, Lorena! What an AMAZING trip you have planned!

I did my first big solo adventure in September, and it was amazeballs. It's soooo liberating to just do what you want, when you want, as fast or slow as you want. You never have to worry if you're holding anybody else up, or waiting for them to pee (I went once with somebody with a "tiny bladder" and it drove me insane).

 

[*tinker*bell*]

Hi, Lorena! What an AMAZING trip you have planned!

I did my first big solo adventure in September, and it was amazeballs. It's soooo liberating to just do what you want, when you want, as fast or slow as you want. You never have to worry if you're holding anybody else up, or waiting for them to pee (I went once with somebody with a "tiny bladder" and it drove me insane).

Hi & welcome to my PTR!

I'm both super excited and a little terrified lol! I read the TR for your trip in September, gave me some courage for this trip I am really looking forward to being able to do what I want and not have to worry about pleasing anyone else, or if they are tired or not ect. I think having lots of plans will also help with any loneliness I may feel while away.

I know what you mean about people with tiny bladders... I went to Vegas with a friend who checks out every washroom... at least I could occupy myself with slots while she was in there though!

 

[*tinker*bell*]

Today is my 'hump' day... half point of my work week, although I only get a one day weekend this weekend. *sigh*

I'm really ready for March to be over... it's been a trying month at work for me and April will be soooo much better... how could it not? I'm going to WDW!!!! (and I only work 8 days )

Anyways, thought I would take a couple moments to update with the rest of my FP+ selections.

Day 5-7 - Cruising woo~!

Day 8 - MK
7DMT 2:55-3:55pm
BTMRR 3:55-4:55pm
Splash 4:55-5:55pm

Day 9 - AK
PWhirl 11:00am - 12:00pm
KS 1:30-2:30pm
FotLK 2:30-2:50pm

Day 10 - MK
7DMT 11:45am-12:45pm
BTMRR 12:50pm - 1:50pm
FoF 2:45-3:05pm

Day 11 - Universal
I made MK FP+ selections in case I:
A) Don't do Uni, or
B) come back early and want to go to the park

7DMT 8:05-9:05
Wishes 9:35-9:55pm
MSEP 10:30-10:50pm

Day 12 - HS
TSMM 10:05-11:05am
Frozen Sing-A-Long 11:05am - 11:20am
ST 12:40-1:40pm

Day 13 - MK
Space 10:00 - 11:00am
HM 11:55am - 12:55pm
PP 2:30-3:30pm

Day 14 - EP
SE 10:15 - 11:15am
Soarin' 1-2pm
Journey Into Imagination 2-3pm

Day 15 - HS
VotLM 2:40-2:55pm
Indiana Jones 3:30-3:50pm
TSMM 5-6pm

Day 16 - MK - I leave in the afternoon so I'm hoping I can get to the park for opening and get a few last minute rides in before leaving.

7DMT 9:05-10:05am
LM10:05-11:05am
IASW 11:05am-12:05pm

That's all of my FP+ selections! *phew* next up I shall go through the F&GF food booths and put up my wish list for things to eat while in Epcot. So much good food! *drools*

​