It was hot, humid, and I had a great time

[MOmousefan]

I have been home 24 hours, mowed the lawn, and told my wife tales of eating, humidity, low crowds, and humidity. This trip was a series of firsts; first solo trip, first dining plan, and the first time seeing some attractions I never got to see on previous trips to the World.

My name is Mike and I am a retired teacher living in Missouri.

If you have read any of my previous TRs you know that my wife refuses to go to WDW as a result of our miserable 1995 experience. It’s OK with me because I take at least one of our grown kids on every trip and we have a ball.

This trip would have been with Alison and her husband Scott as they hadn’t been to WDW since 2007, but they are going to have our first grandchild, so no trip for them.

So I decided to try a solo trip to see what it is like.
Here is my experience….
Introduction (This page)
Getting There
Day 1 Saturday Night
Day 2 EPCOT Part 1
Day 2 EPCOT Pt 2http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33754832&postcount=12

 

[MOmousefan]

I am flying out of Springfield regional airport at 9:00 AM on American’s regional carrier. I leave around 6:00 and arrive at the new airport at 7:30.
It was a dark and dangerous night...not really, just dark.

The new terminal is very attractive and is organized so infrequent fliers like myself can navigate in a straight line from check-in through security and right to the gate.

We are delayed 30 minutes as the flight crew flew in late the night before and needed their rest. I definitely want a rested crew!

The flight is uneventful (my favorite kind) and we arrive in Dallas 30 minutes late with rain and windy conditions.

Of course my flight is in another terminal, so I take their tram, which is very efficient, and get to the right terminal as they are boarding the flight to MCO.
I have the window seat and share the row with two young kids heading for their first visit to WDW. They are rather shy at first but we talk about all things Disney. I wondered what people’s reaction would be to a single adult male and could understand their reticence about talking to me. I found out that naturally outgoing people would talk with me and for the most part people were nice.
As we approached MCO the kids were straining to get a glimpse of WDW, but you know that didn’t happen. MCO is getting a facelift and work is going on everywhere in terminal B.
Here is where the magic really kicked in. I took the escalators down to the DME desk and as I approached, two gentlemen looked at my documents and sent me right to the bus line, bypassing the desk. As I approached the waiting sign, they said one more for Pop Century!

We were actually on a Mears bus.

Turning onto century Drive.

From getting off the plane to walking into Pop it was 40 minutes. I had pre-registered online so I stood behind one person while the other line had a bus full of people. My packet was ready and I headed for my room, 7152. It was located in the 70’s building behind the computer pool.

Here is the standard room picture that is required in all trip reports..

I had decided to not get a preferred room and take my chances, so here I am as far away as possible. It turned out ok as the room was on the ground floor and very quit.
It is 4:00 and I cannot believe I landed less then an hour ago. I have a 6:15 ADR at Tokyo Dining, so let's go to EPCOT.
[

 

[SLM]

Looking forward to your TR! Even with your wonderful pictures, you can't talk your wife into trying one more time?
Congrats on your (well-earned) retirement, by the way-5 more years for me!

 

[MOmousefan]

SLM wrote: Even with your wonderful pictures, you can't talk your wife into trying one more time?

We have been married 38 years and one reason we get along is that we are fine with each of us doing different things. We went in August of 1995 with the 3 kids and it was a miserable experience. The heat, humidity, and crowds were horrendous. She swore it was her last trip. The kids and I have enjoyed our trips to WDW and she is cool with this.
I appreciate your comments on the pictures and in fact she let me take her camera on this trip.

 

[MOmousefan]

Day 1, Saturday Night
So I’m off to my favorite park, EPCOT. This trip is my first experience with the DDP and I spent more time on the ADRs then any other endeavor. I had around 30 days to plan my meals and I did it all online. 4 of the 5 TS meals ended up being in EPCOT. Other parks were hard to get a table. Anyway tonight I am eating at Tokyo Dining at 6:15 and plan to go to MK afterward for Spectro and Wishes.
I catch a bus and 20 minutes later I see this:

I am carrying no camera bag this year so I zip up to the turnstile and activate my KTTW. I plan on making this a leisurely trip and no commando. One of my goals is to see the new Oh Canada, so that is the direction I head. The humidity is oppressive as Missouri humidity is around 44%.
I am always impressed with the landscaping at the Canadian Pavilion as I walk back to the theater.

Alas, after watching the new show, I like the old one better. It was very dramatic to watch the Mounties ride in and circle the screen.

As I stroll (It is nice to stroll) towards Japan I shoot many many pictures. To avoid carrying a camera bag I am using my Wife’s camera, a Panasonic Lumix that has a wide-angle lens and takes HD movies.

I arrive at Japan and check in and am seated immediately. Being slightly paranoid about a screwed up ADR, I had printed out a small slip for each ADR with the time and number that I handed to the hostess. Kana is my server and I first wash my hands with a warm moist washcloth.

I ordered a tempura an sashimi combo that included raw tuna, salmon, and another mystery fish.

The tempura included shrimp, scallops, mushrooms, a green bean, and some other vegetable. The seaweed was crunchy and full of flavor. What looked like a wad of gum was wasabi which I found out was VERY hot! Over it was a very good meal and a great start to my dining experience.

The crowds are very light as I walk around the world headed for the monorail to the MK. It’s now 7:30 and Spectro starts at 9:00.

I wandered around Main Street and up the Castle taking pictures in a light rain. It is so hot I don’t want to break out a poncho so I shop in the Emporium looking for baby clothes for my first grandchild due in November. We know she will be a girl, so the color is easy.

By 8:30 the crowds are building along Main Street and ropes are strung the entire length of the street. I stand by Casey’s under the overhang and wait. Soon a CM comes along and says this area must be kept open for traffic, so I move to the designated area. People immediately fill in my old spot blocking my view. They also ignore her orders to move. This was the only ugly time during my trip. The CM’s were constantly trying to keep the walkway open but to no avail. Main Street just cannot handle the volume of people for this parade. As it ended people moved up to the Castle for Wishes. I was getting tired so decided I could see Wishes tomorrow night.
Back at Pop I called home and told my wife everything was fine, downloaded all pictures and videos to the laptop, and was in bed by 11:00.
Tomorrow… Chefs De France and MK EMH.

 

[dizneyfreak]

Subscribing...this looks to be an amazing trip. My husband and I got married at Disney because he was kind enough to humor me and my Disney addiction. We also agree to disagree and I have a feeling your trip report will look a lot like one of mine sometime in the future! I can't wait to see how it goes.

Anna Marie

 

[MOmousefan]

dizneyfreak - I was apprehensive about a solo trip, but it was great. The best thing is getting to do whatever you want. I can't think of a safer place than WDW.

 

[MOmousefan]

Day 2 – EPCOT
I wake up around 6:00 to my first full day at the World. I’m hungry, So I head to Everything Pop for my favorite breakfast, the pizza. I don’t usually venture out before showering but I must eat. Alas, only one counter is open and the rest open at 7:00. Is it because it’s Sunday? I go ahead and get a Pop pancake with meat on top and use my mug for the drink. I will save a counter service for later. I forgot the camera, so no pic.
EPCOT opens at 9:00, so I leisurely get ready for the day. How often to you get to anything leisurely at WDW? The bus service is good as always and I arrive at 8:30 and start the long walk in. I have the camera in a leather case attached to my belt, so I do not have to go through bag check, just open the case at security. The line is short, but we are standing in the sunlight and it is hot.

We finally go through the finger scan and now stage at the Innoventions West area. Minnie comes over to greet us and we can see the other characters waving and carrying on.

We do the countdown and follow the CMs toward the Land. While there is some pushing shoving, the CMs that hold us back keep everything under control. This beats the mad dash that used to happen.
We enter the air-conditioned bliss and proceed downstairs to Soarin’, my favorite attraction in the entire World.
We are greeted by CMs all the way to the entrance.

I get a Fast pass and head into the ride.

I get the right side just like last December and the film is still full of artifacts that look kike UFOs. Wouldn’t some compressed air on the reel take care of this? Anyway, I enjoy the experience and can’t wait to do it again. Since I have an hour or so before the ride I decide to visit my favorite characters and head for the Character Spot.

Two men in suits, ties, and radios are standing at the entrance and I think what now? I ask if it is open and they say the magic words: “Go right in, there is no wait”. Well, there was a short wait, but my gosh where is everyone?
There are 3 families ahead of me, so in no time I get to meet the Big Five. I have a Photo pass card because I get a free 5x7 pic in my package. I hand the CMs my camera and they graciously take my picture.

One of my main objectives on this trip was to take it easy and see things I normally miss because the family didn’t want see them. If I miss such attractions as M:S, TT, and EE, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. However, the lines are so short I walked right in on most of them, so I did see all of the major attractions.

By now my FP is ready for Soarin’ so I ride it once more. To get into the line you have to wade through people standing in the entrance waiting for their time slot. After the ride I head over Sunshine Terrace and use my first snack credit on a cinnamon roll.

The crowds are still light and here is the board at 10:45...

It's time to head towards France....

 

[dizneyfreak]

No lines...there is not better feeling than no lines at the world. This looks like the beginning of a beautiful day! I'm so glad you posted that video of your entrance. I am NOT an early riser and have never been present for the countdown or to see all the CM's out greeting everyone. That was cool! I will be patiently waiting for the rest of the day

Anna Marie

 

[MOmousefan]

dizneyfreak _ Thank you for your patience. Whether you get up early or late is what vacation is all about. I am a morning person and still get up by 6:00 AM even though I am retired. I always am at Rope Drop as the crowds are at their lowest.
I shot this video mainly for the Monorail, but you can here them winding us up in the background. Note the small crowd!

Good morning EPCOT

 

[dizneyfreak]

Thank you for posting that last video. It's nice to know what happens before I get there. I am the opposite of you...I don't get up until like 11am and I stay out till 1pm. It's perfect for me because the morning crowds are always too tired to keep going all day and head home while I am ready and rearing to go for the evening. I ALWAYS hit up the extra magic hours in the evening as well. My husband and I will be leaving for our 2nd honeymoon trip in a few days. We leave on Friday for 10 days at the Grand!!! I am sooooo excited...my husband got this trip because when we got married at Disney and honeymooned there the week after it rained every stinking day. We are hoping for a lot better honeymoon this time, but I guarantee we will not be up in the morning! I can't wait to hear more...

Anna Marie

 

[MOmousefan]

One of my goals was to see the Immpressions De France, so this is next. It is an impressive movie that takes place in comfy theater seats and air conditioning. I proceed to Chefs De France for my meal and am seated immediately.

Clement is my server and he very patiently explains the offering. I select Plat de Cote de boeuf au cabernet avec pates, beef short ribs braised in cabernet with pasta, pearl onions and mushrooms. It is very filling and very tasty, and includes a crispy roll.

For desert I have the Crème Brulee for the first time. I finished it before I remembered to take a picture. It was that good.

I have read about surly waiters here, but I was treated courteously at all times. My diet soda was refilled without asking and overall it was an enjoyable experience.
I emerged from lunch into a pouring rain. Florida’s typical afternoon shower. I had 97 cent ponchos for this trip, but it was too hot to wear them. I think I would have had heat stroke wearing that plastic.

I headed back to Pop for a midday break. I called my daughter Alison to see how my future granddaughter was doing. She and Scott are KC Chief fans and they were watching the game. I forgot today was Sunday, which means I am into my vacation.
This afternoon I plan to head over the MK.