ChisJo
Cause afterall, a dream that you wish, will come t
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2001
- Messages
- 2,303
Well, my trip ended up beign 14 days instead of 12. Thanks to a little wind storm, the ILS at the airport was down the day I wanted to get home, so I stayed a couple more days.
First of all, I really want to say how much I loved travelling solo. I think it is the best trip I have ever been on. The ease at which I moved, the choices I could make, the sounds I heard, the places I wanted to see, all mine. I absolutely loved it. I was there for 5 days before my friend and her husband came out and we really only spent a couple of days together.
Let's see, a recap of my trip:
Arrived and met Figment and her family for the Wishes cruise. I know lot's of people love this, but really, I would never spend that kind of money on it ever again. The view wasn't really that great, couldn't really hear the music and was just overall disappointed.
Anyways, off to Comfort Inn LBV (will report on this in another thread). Day two Epcot (absolutely my favorite park), and finished with a day at Rose and Crown for Illuminations. Had the fish and chips, not impressed, and Illuminations was okay. I wouldn't have wanted to be waiting for a really long time to see it.
Loved Mission Space and TT, and really took the time to visit all the pavilions. I cannot tell you the amount of times I went into a room and characters were there, and not another soul was. This happened with Mulan (actually, she was standing outside and people were passing her constantly like they had no idea who she was), it also happened with Pooh, Belle and Beast, Aladdin and Jasmine and Snow White. I couldn't believe it. Was nice for me though and I can't complain. I got a passport and took it to each pavilion and this is an awesome souvenire. I tried to buy something or taste something small from each country. For instance, France ate at the Boulangerie (Fantastic if you have never tried), ate at Rose and Crown, bought a Chinese Umbrella, bought a Italian mask (it's so beautiful, but had a heck of a time getting it home), had a margarita at Mexico, bought a necklace at morrocco, Bratwurst at Germany, and a toy from Japan, all completely worth it.
Anyways, the next day I went to DTD and bought my Art from the Art of Disney, and love it. It was drawn for me and personalized to me. I think this was the best purchase ever! I went to Cirque du Soleil that night and think of the 3 shows that I have seen, this is the best one. The acts were so amazing, and my seats were fantastic.
I went to USO the next day, and travelling solo, I was able to use the single riders line at almost every ride. I actually managed to get both parks done by 1pm, because of being able to cruise through it so quickly.
AK on Sunday, and once again, ran into so many characters without a soul around, including Mickey himself. It was really weird actually. On my first trip to, it was impossible to see Mickey, and in the course of my trip, I ran into him 4 times. I was really happy. In the AK, I noticed they are building a new ride to be opened in 2006. Well, I just may have to start saving right now because I really want to go back for that. Kalimajari Safari was awesome. I did it twice and both times saw completely different animals and got some great photos. I really enjoyed how quiet the park was and really took my time to get around it.
Monday was Sea World, and again, it was so quiet. The day was extremely hot and the animals were very active. I really enjoyed it here and am happy I really took the time to tour. The Kraken ride was probably the best roller coaster I have ever been on, but Journey to Atlantis cannot compare with Dudley Do Right in IOA.
I picked up my friends that night and we ventured to DTD for a start to their trip.
Tuesday, we went to USO and IOA again, and did everything they wanted to (this is how it played out the entire rest of the trip), but got my picture with Spiderman again, and the x-men crew.
Wednesday, it was off to the MK, and they got bored by 1pm, so we went to MGM, but not before I got my photo with Cinderella (I could hardly speak when I got to see her, I was so excited).
At MGM, we parted ways for a bit and I was disappointed because alot of the shows and rides were closed due to the rain. I did get to ride ToT about 5 times in a row because there was honestly no one in the park. I got my photo with Sorcerer Mickey, and Mike Wazowski & Sully. This is the day we were informed about the hurricane coming.
Thursday morning we got up and tried to get out Orlando because of the hurricane coming on Saturday. We were told by our airline we pretty much had to stay put, an the highways were ridiculous to drive on, so we tried to make the best of it. We parted ways for the day. I went shopping and then went back to Epcot to do some of the things I forgot. I ate at le Cellier (was fantastic) and went back to the hotel.
Friday, we were told that things were going to be closing early, so we didn't go to the parks, instead we went to Ripley's Believe it or Not and had some fun there.
Then we had a waiting party, for the next 3 days. I had to sit in this hotel room with these people who wanted to watch the weather channel constantly. The hurricane went from a category 4 to a tropical within 24 hours. I have seen way worse storms here than that was. We kept saying that "home of the brave" doesn't ring true for these people, and that they wouldn't last a week in our winters.
Granted, we know the paranoia that followed from Charlie, and tried to understanding, but they closed the parks Friday at 6pm, and on Saturday, it was beautiful outside. I don't even want to know how much money the parks lost for making the decision to close.
I ended up not getting on my flight Monday morning, but they got on theirs on Monday night. I thought if I'm going to be stuck here, I am going to make the best of it. I spent my last couple of days at the Hard Rock Hotel and loved it! It was so close to the parks, and if you forgot something, it was like a 5 minute walk back (I learned from experience).
Anyways, things I don't regret:
renting a car, purchasing all that I did (had to pay a little duty), and going solo for the better part of my trip.
I wish I would have taken more pictures, though, because a picture truly does say a thousand words.
Anyways, that's it. I obviously left tons out, but I am safe and am planning on going back in 2 years. Sorry this is so long....
Talk to all soon,
Jo
First of all, I really want to say how much I loved travelling solo. I think it is the best trip I have ever been on. The ease at which I moved, the choices I could make, the sounds I heard, the places I wanted to see, all mine. I absolutely loved it. I was there for 5 days before my friend and her husband came out and we really only spent a couple of days together.
Let's see, a recap of my trip:
Arrived and met Figment and her family for the Wishes cruise. I know lot's of people love this, but really, I would never spend that kind of money on it ever again. The view wasn't really that great, couldn't really hear the music and was just overall disappointed.
Anyways, off to Comfort Inn LBV (will report on this in another thread). Day two Epcot (absolutely my favorite park), and finished with a day at Rose and Crown for Illuminations. Had the fish and chips, not impressed, and Illuminations was okay. I wouldn't have wanted to be waiting for a really long time to see it.
Loved Mission Space and TT, and really took the time to visit all the pavilions. I cannot tell you the amount of times I went into a room and characters were there, and not another soul was. This happened with Mulan (actually, she was standing outside and people were passing her constantly like they had no idea who she was), it also happened with Pooh, Belle and Beast, Aladdin and Jasmine and Snow White. I couldn't believe it. Was nice for me though and I can't complain. I got a passport and took it to each pavilion and this is an awesome souvenire. I tried to buy something or taste something small from each country. For instance, France ate at the Boulangerie (Fantastic if you have never tried), ate at Rose and Crown, bought a Chinese Umbrella, bought a Italian mask (it's so beautiful, but had a heck of a time getting it home), had a margarita at Mexico, bought a necklace at morrocco, Bratwurst at Germany, and a toy from Japan, all completely worth it.
Anyways, the next day I went to DTD and bought my Art from the Art of Disney, and love it. It was drawn for me and personalized to me. I think this was the best purchase ever! I went to Cirque du Soleil that night and think of the 3 shows that I have seen, this is the best one. The acts were so amazing, and my seats were fantastic.
I went to USO the next day, and travelling solo, I was able to use the single riders line at almost every ride. I actually managed to get both parks done by 1pm, because of being able to cruise through it so quickly.
AK on Sunday, and once again, ran into so many characters without a soul around, including Mickey himself. It was really weird actually. On my first trip to, it was impossible to see Mickey, and in the course of my trip, I ran into him 4 times. I was really happy. In the AK, I noticed they are building a new ride to be opened in 2006. Well, I just may have to start saving right now because I really want to go back for that. Kalimajari Safari was awesome. I did it twice and both times saw completely different animals and got some great photos. I really enjoyed how quiet the park was and really took my time to get around it.
Monday was Sea World, and again, it was so quiet. The day was extremely hot and the animals were very active. I really enjoyed it here and am happy I really took the time to tour. The Kraken ride was probably the best roller coaster I have ever been on, but Journey to Atlantis cannot compare with Dudley Do Right in IOA.
I picked up my friends that night and we ventured to DTD for a start to their trip.
Tuesday, we went to USO and IOA again, and did everything they wanted to (this is how it played out the entire rest of the trip), but got my picture with Spiderman again, and the x-men crew.
Wednesday, it was off to the MK, and they got bored by 1pm, so we went to MGM, but not before I got my photo with Cinderella (I could hardly speak when I got to see her, I was so excited).
At MGM, we parted ways for a bit and I was disappointed because alot of the shows and rides were closed due to the rain. I did get to ride ToT about 5 times in a row because there was honestly no one in the park. I got my photo with Sorcerer Mickey, and Mike Wazowski & Sully. This is the day we were informed about the hurricane coming.
Thursday morning we got up and tried to get out Orlando because of the hurricane coming on Saturday. We were told by our airline we pretty much had to stay put, an the highways were ridiculous to drive on, so we tried to make the best of it. We parted ways for the day. I went shopping and then went back to Epcot to do some of the things I forgot. I ate at le Cellier (was fantastic) and went back to the hotel.
Friday, we were told that things were going to be closing early, so we didn't go to the parks, instead we went to Ripley's Believe it or Not and had some fun there.
Then we had a waiting party, for the next 3 days. I had to sit in this hotel room with these people who wanted to watch the weather channel constantly. The hurricane went from a category 4 to a tropical within 24 hours. I have seen way worse storms here than that was. We kept saying that "home of the brave" doesn't ring true for these people, and that they wouldn't last a week in our winters.
Granted, we know the paranoia that followed from Charlie, and tried to understanding, but they closed the parks Friday at 6pm, and on Saturday, it was beautiful outside. I don't even want to know how much money the parks lost for making the decision to close.
I ended up not getting on my flight Monday morning, but they got on theirs on Monday night. I thought if I'm going to be stuck here, I am going to make the best of it. I spent my last couple of days at the Hard Rock Hotel and loved it! It was so close to the parks, and if you forgot something, it was like a 5 minute walk back (I learned from experience).
Anyways, things I don't regret:
renting a car, purchasing all that I did (had to pay a little duty), and going solo for the better part of my trip.
I wish I would have taken more pictures, though, because a picture truly does say a thousand words.
Anyways, that's it. I obviously left tons out, but I am safe and am planning on going back in 2 years. Sorry this is so long....
Talk to all soon,
Jo
