It's a SO-LO PTR (Nory makes it a tradition!)! Oct '10: More Solo WDW Madness!

[norybell]

Hi, potential PTR readers! If we haven't met before, it's nice to meet you! If we have met before, hi again, nice to see you over here!

Not sure why you clicked on my PTR. Maybe you strolled on over here from my TR? Maybe you were intrigued by my oh-so-evocative and, let's admit it, borderline thrilling PTR title? Or maybe you're a more exhaustively thorough DIS-reader than I, and you look at them all (if this is the case, I'm totally jealous that you can find the time)?

Well whatever the reason, I have some bad news: this PTR probably won't be particularly exciting! Sorry. I'm not much of a PTR reader/writer; I just thought it would be nice to have a spot to collect my planning thoughts and hopefully get a little feedback now and then. If you want a more fun (and probably more active) read, please visit me at my current TR (how's that for tooting my own horn?...can't believe I actually used the word "tooting"): It's a SO-LO Trip Report!. Or, you could wait for my next TR, which I'm going to start as soon as I finish that one. (Really, I swear it’ll happen soon! Or at least relatively soon.)

Still here? I haven't deterred you? Good! Please let me know what you think of my plans (I promise I'll get to them eventually)!

Now that you've sat through that whole boring introduction, here's a terrible picture (screenshot of a FP pic I didn't want to pay for) of me on my last solo trip, last October:

Even though people thought I was nuts for going to WDW all by myself, I had an absolute blast. I'd never been in October before, and I learned that -- between MNSSHP, F&W, low crowds, and perfect weather -- it was the perfect time of year to go.

About a month ago, as I was in the stressful final stages of planning my wedding, I made a decision: I needed another solo trip to Disney. For my mental well-being. For the health of my impending marriage. For the happiness of myself, my dog, my DH, my co-workers, and everyone else I know (yes, I do know how to exaggerate). I had a lovely pin code sitting in my inbox, so one morning, without even telling my soon-to-be-DH, I booked a 2-night trip for this October. I wanted the Poly -- the one monorail resort I haven't stayed at yet -- but I couldn't get it with my pin code, so I made a spur-of-the-moment decision and booked the GF (even though I didn’t really intend to choose the most expensive place, and I was a bit worried about that). I couldn’t get the original weekend I wanted, either, so I settled for another (even though it meant I’d be there right before Halloween, and MNSSHP would be a lot busier, and I was a bit worried about that, too). I made it for only 2 nights, because I figured then I could manage a Disney trip without taking even one minute off of work (even though I did wonder if such a quick trip would really be worth it, and I was a bit worried about that).

The second I made the reservation, I felt better. I got back to wedding planning, and pretty much forgot all about it (few things can distract me from Disney, but my own wedding was certainly one of them).

Until, that is, the (perfect! beautiful! amazing!) wedding was over. Sadly, we’re not going on our honeymoon until the spring, because DH can’t get any more time off work. So the prospect of a few days away became even more important! I started thinking about more in-depth plans. Around the same time, the GP discounts came out, and I switched my reservation to the Poly! For the exact weekend I originally wanted, with the same 40% discount I’d gotten with my pin! And then I added an extra night, at CSR! I have this feeling that 3 nights might be the absolute perfect length for a solo trip. I’m so excited!

Whew, this has been a ridiculously long introduction! I promise the next time I post, it’ll actually involve plans.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Woo-hoo, I'm in!

So, you were going to stay at the Poly, then the GF and now the Poly again? You can't go wrong with either of those 2 resorts! Although I'd give the GF a slight advantage because it's so darn pretty. We were at Disney last October right before Halloween and it was a blast. Crowds weren't terrible and the MNSSHP was amazing. We're doing it again this year. The F&W Festival is awesome, tons of booths of delish food just calling your name. I read this year they're including Belgium which means fresh belgian waffles! I'll be hitting that for sure.

Good luck with the planning, you'd better get cracking on those ADR's!

 

[redlight]

Congratulations on your wedding!

 

[norybell]

Woo-hoo, I'm in!

So, you were going to stay at the Poly, then the GF and now the Poly again? You can't go wrong with either of those 2 resorts! Although I'd give the GF a slight advantage because it's so darn pretty. We were at Disney last October right before Halloween and it was a blast. Crowds weren't terrible and the MNSSHP was amazing. We're doing it again this year. The F&W Festival is awesome, tons of booths of delish food just calling your name. I read this year they're including Belgium which means fresh belgian waffles! I'll be hitting that for sure.

Good luck with the planning, you'd better get cracking on those ADR's!

Hi 3prettyprincesses, good to see you! I'm sooooo excited to be back at WDW in October again -- I went this past May, and still loved it, of course, but October was better! I actually ended up at GF for the first time with my mom in May, and it's hands-down my new favorite resort. I didn't think anything could beat out the YC, but it did! But I really wanted to try the Poly this time, so I'll have stayed at all 3 or the monorail resorts. Partly because I know none of my potential future Disney traveling companions (Mom, sisters, DH) would be interested in the Poly...my parents go to the real Hawaii all the time, and one of my sisters lives there, so the Poly really holds no appeal for them. And DH would much prefer the CR or AKL (if I ever get him there at all, that is). So I figure a solo trip might be my only chance to try the Poly!

Congratulations on your wedding!

Thank you!!! It was so wonderful, it makes me happy just thinking about it.

 

[norybell]

You might wonder why I even need many plans, other than a few ADRs, considering I'll be solo, and can do whatever I feel like! But I've realized in my last two trips (the first 100% solo, the second with 1 1/2 days solo) that having a plan really, really helps. Mostly because I'm usually exhausted -- happily exhausted, but exhausted nonetheless -- from an early flight and long days at the parks. And the more exhausted I am, the more stressful it becomes to decide what to do next! I find that if I have a plan, I feel no guilt deviating from it...but if I can't decide, it's easiest to just follow the plan!

Speaking of the plan, this has actually been one of my more challenging trips to plan for. I'll fly in on a Wednesday morning in October (I don't like to post exact dates when I'm traveling solo), and leave on Saturday evening. I of course want to spend lots of time at F&W, and I'll be going to MNSSHP. It's made difficult by the following:
1. Wednesday night is EP EMH (If only the F&W booths stayed open for EMH, it'd solve all my problems!)
2. Thursday night I have MNSSHP tickets (wanted to avoid the weekend, cuz I figured it'd be less busy)
3. Friday night we're in busy F&W weekend-land
I thought about skipping a park...but I just don't think I can do it! And I've tried to plan in lots of relaxation time -- I certainly need it! -- though in my experience, I always need less of it than I think I will when I'm solo (probably because being in the parks can be more relaxing when you don't have to talk to anyone if you don't feel like it, and can park yourself on a bench for an hour if that bench takes your fancy!).

Anyway. Here are the plans so far:

DAY 1 (Wednesday)

• ~11:00 - arrive MCO, ME to CSR
• ~12:30 - arrive CSR, check in
• lunch at Pepper Market, explore resort until room's ready, maybe nap
  OR (if room's ready early)
  bus to HS
• ~5:00ish - bus to EP if still at CSR, or walk if at HS
• F&W dinner
• Illuminations
• EMH if not too tired

DAY 2 (Thursday)

• 8:00 - check out & leave luggage w/ bell services
• 8:30 - bus to AK
• 9:00 - AK RD (real quick AK trip...EE a few times, Maharajah Trail, maybe Nemo @ 10:30, that's all I need to do this time around)
• 11:00 - Yak & Yeti ADR (probably won't keep this, might just grab something quick at Flame Tree)
• bus back to CSR
• pick up luggage @ bell services, taxi to Poly (I know, I could let bell services deliver it, but that just makes me nervous. I like knowing where my stuff is!)
• check in @ Poly, relax in room if ready
• 2:30 - Kona ADR
  OR (if I'm feeling particularly energetic) EP for F&W early dinner/late lunch
• explore resort, or nap
• ~5:00 or 6:00 - MK for MNSSHP

DAY 3 (Friday)

• DHS (I actually might let myself skip rope drop, depending on whether or not I made it there on Wednesday)
• 11:00 - Brown Derby ADR
• walk to EP
• leave for a while, either go rest at resort (maybe even at the pool, where I never seem to get to at WDW?), or explore another resort
• back to EP, F&W dinner? or ADR somewhere?
• Illuminations
  OR (if I'm too tired)
  Hallowishes from Poly beach after dinner

DAY 4

• 9:00 - MK RD
• ~10:00 - back to Poly, relax, check out, leave luggage w/ bell services
• 11:00 - back to MK
• ~3:00 - ME to MCO

Any thoughts? I found that lunch ADRs were much more important to me while solo than dinner ones, since they gave me a chance to recharge. But I'm thinking maybe I should maybe make something for dinner on my last night. I love F&W, but it's awfully nice to sit and relax at an actual table with my wine, and not have to eat on the go or stand in a bunch of lines (especially considering it's a Fri, so WS will probably be packed). And maybe I need something for lunch on my last day? Maybe the Plaza? Or CP, if I can get in? Hm.

 

[norybell]

OK, I made myself a dinner ADR at Chefs de France for Friday night. I have very low expectations of the food there, though. I'm thinking I might be better off strolling over to the Sushi place at the Swolphin. But I thought it'd be nice to have an ADR within Epcot, just in case.

I also made myself a Crystal Palace lunch ADR for my last day, before I head out to MCO. I'm not crazy about buffets (I'm sure breakfast would be better, too, but I didn't want to give up my only MK RD), but I love the idea of finishing my trip with a character meal. I haven't been to a character meal in probably over 20 years!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

You might wonder why I even need many plans, other than a few ADRs, considering I'll be solo, and can do whatever I feel like! But I've realized in my last two trips (the first 100% solo, the second with 1 1/2 days solo) that having a plan really, really helps. Mostly because I'm usually exhausted -- happily exhausted, but exhausted nonetheless -- from an early flight and long days at the parks. And the more exhausted I am, the more stressful it becomes to decide what to do next! I find that if I have a plan, I feel no guilt deviating from it...but if I can't decide, it's easiest to just follow the plan!

Speaking of the plan, this has actually been one of my more challenging trips to plan for. I'll fly in on a Wednesday morning in October (I don't like to post exact dates when I'm traveling solo), and leave on Saturday evening. I of course want to spend lots of time at F&W, and I'll be going to MNSSHP. It's made difficult by the following:
1. Wednesday night is EP EMH (If only the F&W booths stayed open for EMH, it'd solve all my problems!)
2. Thursday night I have MNSSHP tickets (wanted to avoid the weekend, cuz I figured it'd be less busy)
3. Friday night we're in busy F&W weekend-land
I thought about skipping a park...but I just don't think I can do it! And I've tried to plan in lots of relaxation time -- I certainly need it! -- though in my experience, I always need less of it than I think I will when I'm solo (probably because being in the parks can be more relaxing when you don't have to talk to anyone if you don't feel like it, and can park yourself on a bench for an hour if that bench takes your fancy!).

Anyway. Here are the plans so far:

DAY 1 (Wednesday)

• ~11:00 - arrive MCO, ME to CSR
• ~12:30 - arrive CSR, check in
• lunch at Pepper Market, explore resort until room's ready, maybe nap
  OR (if room's ready early)
  bus to HS
• ~5:00ish - bus to EP if still at CSR, or walk if at HS
• F&W dinner
• Illuminations
• EMH if not too tired

DAY 2 (Thursday)

• 8:00 - check out & leave luggage w/ bell services
• 8:30 - bus to AK
• 9:00 - AK RD (real quick AK trip...EE a few times, Maharajah Trail, maybe Nemo @ 10:30, that's all I need to do this time around)
• 11:00 - Yak & Yeti ADR (probably won't keep this, might just grab something quick at Flame Tree)
• bus back to CSR
• pick up luggage @ bell services, taxi to Poly (I know, I could let bell services deliver it, but that just makes me nervous. I like knowing where my stuff is!)
• check in @ Poly, relax in room if ready
• 2:30 - Kona ADR
  OR (if I'm feeling particularly energetic) EP for F&W early dinner/late lunch
• explore resort, or nap
• ~5:00 or 6:00 - MK for MNSSHP

DAY 3 (Friday)

• DHS (I actually might let myself skip rope drop, depending on whether or not I made it there on Wednesday)
• 11:00 - Brown Derby ADR
• walk to EP
• leave for a while, either go rest at resort (maybe even at the pool, where I never seem to get to at WDW?), or explore another resort
• back to EP, F&W dinner? or ADR somewhere?
• Illuminations
  OR (if I'm too tired)
  Hallowishes from Poly beach after dinner

DAY 4

• 9:00 - MK RD
• ~10:00 - back to Poly, relax, check out, leave luggage w/ bell services
• 11:00 - back to MK
• ~3:00 - ME to MCO

Any thoughts? I found that lunch ADRs were much more important to me while solo than dinner ones, since they gave me a chance to recharge. But I'm thinking maybe I should maybe make something for dinner on my last night. I love F&W, but it's awfully nice to sit and relax at an actual table with my wine, and not have to eat on the go or stand in a bunch of lines (especially considering it's a Fri, so WS will probably be packed). And maybe I need something for lunch on my last day? Maybe the Plaza? Or CP, if I can get in? Hm.

Your plans look good. I'd highly recommend watching Hallowishes from the Poly beach. We did this and it was very relaxing...sitting in the beach chairs, sipping Pina Coladas (delish!) and soaking in the fireworks. It was amazing and everyone in our group declared it one of their favorite things we did that whole week.

Also, for your last night you said you were considering a sit down restaurant. I'd stroll over to the GF for dinner at the GF Cafe. It is so delicious there and the walk is gorgeous, it's lit with tiki torches. I don't know that I'd want to navigate a ton of weekend F&W drunks (oops I mean people) as a way to wind down my trip.

Crystal Palace is one of our favorites too so lunch there before you head back home sounds like a great plan!

 

[norybell]

Your plans look good. I'd highly recommend watching Hallowishes from the Poly beach. We did this and it was very relaxing...sitting in the beach chairs, sipping Pina Coladas (delish!) and soaking in the fireworks. It was amazing and everyone in our group declared it one of their favorite things we did that whole week.

Also, for your last night you said you were considering a sit down restaurant. I'd stroll over to the GF for dinner at the GF Cafe. It is so delicious there and the walk is gorgeous, it's lit with tiki torches. I don't know that I'd want to navigate a ton of weekend F&W drunks (oops I mean people) as a way to wind down my trip.

Crystal Palace is one of our favorites too so lunch there before you head back home sounds like a great plan!

Hi 3prettyprincesses (can I call you 3pp?), thanks for the tips! Right now I'm definitely leaning toward the Poly beach for my last night. But it'll really depend on how much energy I have that night. I found on my last two trips that it was a very fine line, being solo, between relaxation and boredom. If I'm too ancy to relax, I might be better off at EP mocking (on the inside, probably) the drunks!

You are making me rethink my dinner reservation for that last night, too. Maybe I'll cancel Chefs (since I'm not too enthusiastic about eating there, anyway), and if I want a sit-down meal over by Epcot, I'll just stroll over to Kimono's at the Swan (where you can't make an ADR anyway). And then I'll make an ADR at the GF, so if I end up Poly beach-ing, I'll have a nice sit-down dinner beforehand...maybe GF Cafe, which I've always wanted to try, or maybe Citrico's...my mom & I ate there in May and loved it, and they have a bar I could eat at. I like eating at the bar when I'm alone (often better service, and I don't feel so conspicuous if I'm reading a book or something).

Wow, the more I think about it, the more I like this plan! Thanks, 3pp!

Have you been to Crystal Palace for lunch? It seems like I only ever hear about it for breakfast...

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Hi 3prettyprincesses (can I call you 3pp?), thanks for the tips! Right now I'm definitely leaning toward the Poly beach for my last night. But it'll really depend on how much energy I have that night. I found on my last two trips that it was a very fine line, being solo, between relaxation and boredom. If I'm too ancy to relax, I might be better off at EP mocking (on the inside, probably) the drunks!

You are making me rethink my dinner reservation for that last night, too. Maybe I'll cancel Chefs (since I'm not too enthusiastic about eating there, anyway), and if I want a sit-down meal over by Epcot, I'll just stroll over to Kimono's at the Swan (where you can't make an ADR anyway). And then I'll make an ADR at the GF, so if I end up Poly beach-ing, I'll have a nice sit-down dinner beforehand...maybe GF Cafe, which I've always wanted to try, or maybe Citrico's...my mom & I ate there in May and loved it, and they have a bar I could eat at. I like eating at the bar when I'm alone (often better service, and I don't feel so conspicuous if I'm reading a book or something).

Wow, the more I think about it, the more I like this plan! Thanks, 3pp!

Have you been to Crystal Palace for lunch? It seems like I only ever hear about it for breakfast...

Sure, you can call me 3PP! Can I call you NB?

I understand your fine line issue between relaxation and boredom. Hallowishes is really spectacular though from the Poly beach, they play the music in the background too so maybe you could find some night to catch it since you're staying there. Although mocking the F&W drunks could be fun should you get bored!

We weren't super impressed by Chefs de France. It wasn't a bad meal, just not a great one. Although we'd been trekking through Epcot since rope drop with 3 young kids so maybe that had something to do with it! I love the GF Cafe for dinner, it's really good. They have some of the best tiramisu there. The decor is charming and it doesn't feel like a chaotic meal like some WDW restaurants can.

However, if you're looking for more sophistication, then Citrico's sounds perfect. Sitting at the bar does sound like a great plan, if you're trying to appear inconspicuous as you said! I've never eaten there but it looks gorgeous inside. DH wants to try it out next time. The menu looks delish. This is just my opinion obviously, but walking from the Poly to the GF was a real pleasure for us, it was just beginning to get dark so the tiki torches were lit which added to the ambience.

Yes, we've eaten at Crystal Palace for lunch and loved it. They had some kind of curry chicken that I put over a cinnamon-ish rice that was heavenly! Plus this restaurant is so airy and beautiful inside. I think it's a great choice for a last lunch at MK before heading out.

 

[Quacktatty]

I'm catching up on your October trip report and just noticed that you have another trip planned. I did solo trips in October '09, May '10 and another one coming up in October '10 too! I wonder if we are there on the same dates...I'm thinking you are either going to be there the same week as me or the week after. If we are, it looks like some of our park days overlap so maybe I'll see you there!

 

[norybell]

I'm catching up on your October trip report and just noticed that you have another trip planned. I did solo trips in October '09, May '10 and another one coming up in October '10 too! I wonder if we are there on the same dates...I'm thinking you are either going to be there the same week as me or the week after. If we are, it looks like some of our park days overlap so maybe I'll see you there!

Hi Quacktatty, good to see you again! I'm going to PM you to find out your dates...I'm guessing I'm going after you, though. Bummer -- I've never actually met anyone from the DIS before! We're clearly on the same schedule, though...I was there this past May, too!

 

[glennbo123]

Nory! I had no idea you'd started a PTR...you need to increase your marketing budget. Okay, going back to see what you're up to.

 

[glennbo123]

Well whatever the reason, I have some bad news: this PTR probably won't be particularly exciting! Sorry.

I don't believe it...not for a second.

DAY 4

• 9:00 - MK RD
• ~10:00 - back to Poly, relax, check out, leave luggage w/ bell services
• 11:00 - back to MK
• ~3:00 - ME to MCO

Any thoughts?

Just on this last day....looks like a lot of running to/from MK and Poly in a short period of time. Is the RD hour just to get a fastpass before the times get out too far for you to use them? If not, I'd probably not worry too much about making rope drop and just leisurely check-out and head over to MK.

 

[norybell]

Hi, glennbo! Nice to see you over here, on my action-packed PTR!

I think I'm actually going to update this thing later. To keep it from being, um, totally lame, I've decided (just now!) to try to update it with something or other weekly. So I've entered into my calendar for every Tuesday: "Update PTR." Which means I'll probably get to it every week by Thursday.

Nory! I had no idea you'd started a PTR...you need to increase your marketing budget. Okay, going back to see what you're up to.

OK, I've hired Don Draper for the ads. And you can expect the Nory-PTR junk mail to start showing up in your mailbox any day now.

Actually, glennbo, I've realized what I need -- you to come up with some catchy contest or something for me to hook 'em in with!

I don't believe it...not for a second.



Just on this last day....looks like a lot of running to/from MK and Poly in a short period of time. Is the RD hour just to get a fastpass before the times get out too far for you to use them? If not, I'd probably not worry too much about making rope drop and just leisurely check-out and head over to MK.

Yeah, you're probably right. I realized, though, on my May trip, that it's super-nice to be able to go back to the room for an hour before checking out, to change into traveling clothes and stuff in your room, rather than the lobby bathroom. But usually I leave from MCO earlier than I will be on this trip, so I wasn't really thinking it through. I need my MK rope drop time -- I love few things more than strolling through Frontierland with no pesky guests there to mar the view! -- and this is the only morning I have slotted for it. So I'll probably get up extra early, stow my stuff with bell services, and head out for RD.

Actually, my plans in general might change so I have more MK time, because of an exciting idea I've had that I'm going to save for a future update of this (the suspense is killing you, isn't it?)!

 

[Tribilín]

YAY! I'm a potential PTR reader... no wait, I'm a confirmed PTR reader and poster

Glad you are having another solo trip to WDW norbell... I want to see all of it, I love your style of writing and traveling

 

[norybell]

Hi, Tribilin! Good to see you over here in that alternate universe known as PTR-land!

I'm going to update this tomorrow, I promise. I'm sure it will be spectacularly uninteresting!

 

[norybell]

So...last week I had something very exciting arrive in the mail.

Excitement Part I:

It's my MNSSHP ticket! Hooray! I was particularly happy to get Minnie, cuz I've never gotten her on a ticket before.

You know, it's all about the little things.

Excitement Part II (this is the crazy part):

Yep, that's right. It's an exchange certificate for this:

I honestly have absolutely no idea how I justified this. It was a major moment of weakness. Maybe I wasn't sober when I placed the order?

I think I told myself that if I took two 4-day trips, like I did this past year, it would pretty much cover it. Of course, my next trip is a 3-day trip, not a 4-day one. And who knows what'll happen in the next year? I could get pregnant, and then I probably won't be getting to WDW very often.

Seriously, what was I thinking??? Not that I'm not thrilled about it. Of course I'm thrilled about it. I have an AP!!! I can practically justify going to WDW any time!

Actually, since then I have come up with a project that will entail more trips. But I'll save that update for next time.

 

[glennbo123]

Congrats on being an Annual Pass holder!

My AP was Minnie. My kids thought it was funny that I was the one who ended up with Minnie.

Seriously, what was I thinking???

You said it yourself....this is what you were thinking!

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I can practically justify going to WDW any time!

 

[onelilspark]

I'm here too!

 

[norybell]

Congrats on being an Annual Pass holder!

My AP was Minnie. My kids thought it was funny that I was the one who ended up with Minnie.



You said it yourself....this is what you were thinking!

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Yes, I will admit it. That is exactly what I was thinking. I think this will be very, very dangerous...

Hey, do you have any idea how to make someone else's quote show up within a quote when you're posting? So it wouldn't get rid of you quoting me up there? I've seen people do it on other TRs, where the quote-within-a-quote is set off by "Quoting you" or whatever. But I can't figure out how to do it.

I'm here too!

Like a good sheep!

Have I ever mentioned that I read your name completely wrong? For some reason, the first time you posted on my TR I read it as "o-neil's-park." Like a park that belonged to someone named O'Neil. I dunno why, my eyes just skipped over that first "L" for some reason. I figured out right away that it was actually One Lil Spark, but I can't help it, I still read it the other way! I hope you don't mind that you'll always be O'Neil's Park to me!