I have perfected the art of taking pictures of myself...the solo disney trip report!

[cheapi86]

In May while in Disney with the family, I decided I wanted to come back (don't we all?!) and this time I wanted to do what I wanted to do. When I wanted to do it, and I also didn't want to go anywhere NEAR Mickey's Toontown.

So I went to AAA and booked my solo trip...and here's the trip report.

Who: Me (Renee)- I'm nowhere near a thrill seeker, so I get to go on rides with little to no wait!

When: July 4-9th (an early 21st bday trip)

Where: Disney World YO! POR

 

[cheapi86]

I found a great flight (pricewise) at a larger airport about 1 hour from my home, so I left at 5 am (not that I was sleeping...I had just packed!) and headed out to the airport.

Sidenote: Can someone please tell me why I needed two fully packed large suitcases AND a carryon AND a backpack style purse if I was only gone for 5 nights???

My flight left at 9 and I think I had the craziest flight attendant in the world. LaDonna from SouthWest. She made these funny jokes the entire trip there, such as "If you're flying with children....sorry!". It made the flight go by fast.

Then I FINALLY got to MCO and rushed down to the Magical express counter. On the way I tried to tell a family (walking around aimlessly with their vouchers in their hands) that they were going the wrong way...but the didn't listen to me.

Oh well.

At the ME counter I got the first of many.. "Are you here alone?" By the end of the trip I was so incredibly tempted to make some biotchy comeback response. But I didn't...mainly because I couldn't think of anything.

It seemed like FOREVER before I was finally at the resort. The ME driver must have been having a bad day. The first thing he said was "I work for MEARS. I am not compensated by Disney in any way. If you miss your time going back to the airport you will be responsible for your own transportation. We will not wait for you." And that was all he said.

Until we got to the resort and then he said "Port Orleans". Now I was so excited to be at Disney, I didn't look at the sign coming in or anything. I just jumped off the bus. I get to the checkout counter and the woman was looking at the computer..very confused..she had an "earning my ears" tag on. So I just thought she didn't know what she was doing. So I just keep giving her these reassuring smiles. I mean we've all had first days at work right?

Until she told me I was at French Quarter. Not Riverside. Embarrased, I had to go catch a bus (because yall I was on vacation...I was not about to do any unneccassary walking) and went to Riverside.

Then I was FINALLY able to check in (and grit my teeth when the cast member said..." oh you're here by yourself? That's sorta fun" ), stop by the conceirge to book a spot on the Keys to the Kingdom tour and buy a ticket for La Nouba.

Then I was finally off to my room.

Or so I thought.

And then I realized that POR is huge. And I have never been known for my direction skills. So needless to say I got lost (and would continue to get lost every time I left my room with.out.fail.). But then I finally found my room.

And it was gloriously air conditioned. The vacation could begin!

My room- the sink area

The beds-

Me- ready to put on my tacky tourist outfits (and I mean I packed the madras yall) and hit the WORLD!

Next- Downtown Disney, Narcooses, 4th of July Firworks and Spectromagic...AKA Day 1 part 2

 

[Candikayne]

Good for you Renee! I can definately identify with the struggles we go thru while vacationing with a group. Good luck with your adventure. Have you ever vacationed alone before??

 

[cheapi86]

Hi Candi
Nope, this is the first time I've vacationed by myself before. I really liked it though and now I will no longer wait for anyone to be available, etc for a trip. If I feel like going I'm just going to go!

 

[PrincessAlways]

Cheers to you Renee!!!! How great!! You've done something that many of us to not have the nerve to do...a solo vacation! Hope you had a wonderful time!

 

[AlyssinWonderland]

Awesome! Great TR begining! I understand about getting lost all the time! I do that in the CBR and I stay there alot! Can't wait to read the rest of your report!!!

Heh Heh I just had a great thought. If you go on another trip by yourself, and someone asks if you are alone you should say..."No I'm here with my invisible friend Bob, Stay hello Bob." And turn to talk to Bob... or whatever name you make up... they will look at you funny...but at least they won't ask you again! I might have to try this one myself.

 

[TMB1203]

Heh Heh I just had a great thought. If you go on another trip by yourself, and someone asks if you are alone you should say..."No I'm here with my invisible friend Bob, Stay hello Bob." And turn to talk to Bob... or whatever name you make up... they will look at you funny...but at least they won't ask you again! I might have to try this one myself.

That would be hilarious!!

 

[keahgirl8]

Hello from a fellow solo traveler! It's fun and don't ever let anyone tell you differently! We are just more secure then some people. I actually had a few people say "Good for you!"

 

[maiziezoe]

Great report so far!

I'm jealous! I would love to do a solo trip!

 

[DreaGirl]

I'm glad I found this report...I love solo reports. I think I live through you guys. I would love to take a solo trip but I would probably feel too guilty leaving DD at home.

People can be so rude! I love the earlier comment about your "friend" Bob. That would be hilarious.

 

[Avivasmom]

I think it is great traveling how alone. How were your meals, I mean eating alone?

YUP POR is huge, stayed there twice. We love POFQ!

 

[iamtheprincess]

We are currently planning a trip to WDW with 18 people for next June. After this past week and reading your TR I am thinking of ditchin' these people and going by myself

I can't wait to read more!

 

[tinawv]

Looking forward to more.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

hey....cmon back!!!!!!!!! hurry.......

 

[Nicole786]

Great start, cant wait for more! I can't tell by the room, but where did you stay POR or POFQ?

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Can't wait to read more!!!

 

[cheapi86]

Hi Everyone. I took a dinner break when I was writing my trip report and never came back. Sorry!!

Eating meals alone was fine. People watching is just excellant at Disney world. And people would talk to me that were eating next to me etc. Plus if you plan to eat late, you can usually see some fireworks!

After leaving POR I got lost and finally made my way to the bus stop and headed to Downtown Disney. It was the 4th so I knew the parks were going to be crowded, so I decided to wait until later. I also wanted to buy a gift for my niece and the 2 boys I nanny for and mail it to them (and write a note from Mickey). The boys just got their gift today and they were so excited. They said...I told you MICKEY WAS REAL!

Well, I found something at the World of Disney for the boys (but forgot to use my AAA discount! 10% off any purchase over $50 grrr...but I had plenty of opportunity later

I was going to get the Mickey hats I purchased monogrammed, but when I saw it was $7 a line...I quickly bypassed that idea (hello, my name is Renee and I'm cheap). So I decided to just go ahead and ship it.

Then I went to Wolfgang Puck Express and brought a pizza, brownie and drink (dining plan) and went back to POR for a nap. Wolfgang Puck was my favorite quick service place the entire trip. I made a special trip just to go back!

After a nap in the hotel (I made sure every day I took at least a 3 hour nap..it was way too hot and crowded to try and do something every minute of the day). I got ready for dinner at Narcooses. Because of the traffic, it took me longer than an hour to get there by bus and monorail.

But it was definitley worth the trip! The food I had there was AMAZING. Because this was my first time dining alone, I felt silly taking a picture of the food (this quickly passed!), but I had the Artisan Cheese plate for an appetizer, the salmon (it was different than the salmon on the allears, it was a Copper Canyon or something...) was extremely fresh and melted like butter in my mouth. I ate the whole thing! Then for dessert I had the chocolate-almond Gateau. It was good, but not great. I wouldn't order it again (somewhat dry)-- and I didn't finish it.

After my dinner I took the boat back to Magic Kingdom, got an ice cream (see---told you I didn't finish my dessert!) and grabbed a spot on the sidewalk for Spectromagic:

Then I made the best decision of the trip-- getting a Birthday button. It helped me get a dream on day 3! After that I went back to POR and collapsed. I was beyond tired.

Next:
Day 2: Spending the day at Riverside, Cirque du Soleil, Raglan Road
Day 3: Animal Kingdom, California Grill, Wishes

 

[cheapi86]

The next day my plan was to wake up early and hit Animal Kingdon (my favorite Park).

But when the alarm rang, I just could not move. Nope, it was not happening. So I hit housekeeping and told them they could skip my room and went back to sleep!

I work up around 11 and decided I just didn't feel like going to a theme park today, so I headed to the bike rental booth at POR and rented a bike. They have really comfortable bikes! They are the kind with the wide seat/handlebars and the big wheels. It costs $8 and hour to rent the bike and you can get a helmet too.

So I headed down the hill to FQ. But then it started to rain. So I slowed down. Because coordination is not my middle name and I could see myself heading straight into the water.

If you have the opportunity to rent a bike at your resort next time, I really reccomend it. It's not something I make the time to do at home and it was nice to see both resorts.

I could have sworn I had ridden for an hour, and was all proud of my athletic prowess...then when I went to pay the cast member looked at her watch and said "Oh you weren't hardly gone that long...you don't owe me anything." Big head....deflated.

So I decided my body REALLY needed some extra calories and headed to the food court. I got a mufalato, carrot cake and a drink.

If you don't know what a mufalato is...it's a big sandwhich that's olivey and has deli meat. I've only had them in New Orleans, so I don't know why I even ordered it in a food court...because it just was horrible. I guess if you don't have any expectations of what it should taste like you're fine, but the bread was like wonder bread type texture and ugh. The carrot cake was great though...so I survived!

Then I took my nap, woke up and took the boat to Downtown Disney and headed to Cirque du Soleil. It was AMAZING. I didn't really understand the whole story line, but that's mainly because there is so much to take in and see. Also, don't feel the need to break the bank to go. I had level 2 seats and I could see everything perfectly fine. A lot of children were there and they loved it too...so this is definitely something I can see a family going to.

You can't take pictures of the actual performance, but here are some in the lobby:

Me- Yay! I'm going to La Nouba

Some Masques by the bathroom. I thought they looked Cirque-ish

After Cirque (which finished around 745) I had 845 reservations for Raglan Road. I didn't want to wait around an hour, so I asked them if I could be seated sooner. I had an inside seat in about 10 minutes.

Now...I did not like Raglan Road. And I'm all about trying new stuff, but the food had no taste at all. I think I used about half the salt and pepper on the table trying to get it to taste like something.

I had the shephereds pie, dalky duo and a creme brulee. I honestly did not eat much of anything. It just wasn't good. BUT! They do have good entertainment! So I recommend going around 9, getting a drink and watching the irish dancer and band:

Inside Raglan road and the band:

After that I planned on heading to Epcot for EMH, but I was tired, so instead I caught the bus to POR. When the bus stopped at a light I tripped and heard a POP. Then when I was walking off the bus to go to my room, My foot slipped off. My flip flops, my precious rainbows BROKE. In a haze of disappointment and fear of althete's foot/ need of a tetanus shot...I went to the gift shop and purchased these.....

(wait for it)



(wait for it)

Yes Yall. I am now an owner of those ugly shoes. And the really sad part is they are SO comfortable I don't even care if they're ugly or match nothing I own anymore.......

Then I went to sleep!

Next:
Day 3: Animal Kingdom, California Grill and Wishes

 

[PrincessAlways]

Hey Renee, loving your TR. You're right about Cirque du Soleil. It is amazing & there is so much to take in! You really bought the Crocs. I don't know. I just keep looking at those things & shaking my head! They must be comfortable for people to actually put those on their feet! Can't wait to hear about your "dream" on day 3.

 

[DreaGirl]

You are so funny! You joined the rest of us with the Crocs....muwhaaaaa!!

It sounds like you are having the dream trip...don't want to do this, don't do it. No compromising, no arguements.

Keep it up, I'm lovin' it!