It's a SO-LO trip report! Oct 09, CR/YC, MNSSHP, F&W, and Independence! FINAL UPDATE!

[If U Had Wings]

Hi, Enjoying your trip report so far. I was supposed to be taking a solo trip this fall, but am now going with a friend. One of these days I'll make it there for a solo trip.

Your lunch at the Brown Derby sounds wonderful. It's one of my favorite restaurants at Disney. I love that it's such an oasis away from the park craziness.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Suddenly, I worried, wait, is this weird, for me to be sitting alone right next to a little girl I don’t know at all? So I told her to wait a sec, and I got out so she could sit in the front, and I sat in the back. Then I thought, wait, is this weird, for me to be letting this little girl sit all alone? I honestly didn’t know what to do. The whole time she was just chattering away; she seemed much more comfortable with the situation than I was!

I gotta say I was sitting with my jaw drooping at this point. I can’t imagine sending my 5 year old onto a ride vehicle without me.

So I meant to sleep in. And believe me, usually I’m very good at sleeping in: in reality, if I didn’t have to walk the dog or go to work or have any, you know, life-responsibilities, I could easily sleep until noon. But I guess my body was on Disney time, because I woke up at 8:00!

Gotta love Disney Sleep!

Thanks to the awesome concierge deals they had going on around this time, I’d switched my reservation to concierge and ended up paying far less than I had originally been paying for a regular room. Can’t beat that!

Awesome!

The bellman led me down the hall, and farther down the hall, and farther down the hall. Which wasn’t making me nervous, because I prefer a quieter room farther from the lounge and elevators. We finally got to my room:

Nifty!

This was actually the view. And the room was in the inner corner, meaning someone else’s balcony was literally facing mine on my right.

Well….at least the bed is big.

Despite the less-than-ideal view, I was still pretty darn happy!

Yay!

Anyway, I was in the front, so I was happy! And it had an amazing drop sequence. After I left, I saw that the wait was still posted as 15 minutes, so I decided to ride again.

Whoot!

Brown Derby Cobb Salad - with finely chopped greens, turkey breast, egg, bacon, tomatoes, crumbled bleu cheese, avocado, chives and Cobb dressing

That looked mighty tasty I gotta tell you. I’m not normally a salad person, but I may have to try that one.

Sadly, there were a bunch of obnoxious high school kids in my ship, who talked and yelled loudly the whole time. But even if they hadn’t been there, I still wouldn’t’ve been too excited about this ride. It was exactly how I remembered: underwhelming. I’m very glad it’s getting a makeover. Plus, I’d put my water bottle (a plastic one I’d bought at some point at the park, not my beautiful lost stainless one, obviously) in the storage space under my seat, and I guess it rolled away during the ride, because it wasn’t there anymore when it was over. That makes two lost water bottles in one day.

Two water bottles in one day! Oh the humanity of it all!

 

[nursegirl]

Thank you for posting about your solo ADR at The Brown Derby! I've never eaten there, though my parents had dinner a couple of years ago and loved it. I'm hoping to order exactly what you had when I go for my solo dining experience and love every yummy bite! The pictures are fantastic and I'm still loving this TR. I don't want it to end - Sigh...

 

[praisehisname]

Sung to the tune of “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid:

You're amazing! That was such a cool song!

I headed straight to my favorite ride in the whole world, to get a FP:

I knew I liked you! That's my absolute favorite also!

I headed to my first-ever solo ADR, at the Brown Derby.

Your review was so good, I actually went online and checked for availability during my trip. I was able to score an 11:30 lunch on my DHS day!

Sounds like you've had a pretty good day so far!

 

[norybell]

Hi NoryBell!!

I saw your posts on clearskies TR and had to come on over and check yours out. Love it!!! SO funny, and is making me so excited about going again, I'm going with a friend but we've already decided to have "on our own time"! I love idea of the freedom, to go where I want when I want!

Love the little mermaid song, I really did giggle at that!

I had wondered what the rooms at CR & YC looked liked so thanks for the pics, rooms look amazing! I haven't done any Deluxes yet, done a couple of values (really good value, POP is so much fun!) stayed at POR a few years ago and agree with what you said such beautiful peaceful resort. AM staying at POFQ in Jan and can then say I've done all the Mod's! (got to say not a fan of Coronado springs. Just didn't have the same magic as POR)

And agree with PP you take very lovely photo's.

Next chapter/instalment please!

Thank you

Kelly

Glad you found me! Since you'll have done all the mods, I have to ask: what did you think of CBR?

I was hoping to get the next update up today, but I've been swamped, so now it's looking like it'll be Saturday. It's in the works, I promise!

Hi, Enjoying your trip report so far. I was supposed to be taking a solo trip this fall, but am now going with a friend. One of these days I'll make it there for a solo trip.

Your lunch at the Brown Derby sounds wonderful. It's one of my favorite restaurants at Disney. I love that it's such an oasis away from the park craziness.

And another I popped in on your PTR a few times before my trip (back when I was a shy poster; I've clearly gotten over that! ). I promise I'll say hi next time I do!

I gotta say I was sitting with my jaw drooping at this point. I can’t imagine sending my 5 year old onto a ride vehicle without me.

Yeah, bizarre, right?

That looked mighty tasty I gotta tell you. I’m not normally a salad person, but I may have to try that one.

If there was ever a salad for a non-salad person, the Brown Derby Cobb is it. It's like 95% turkey, bacon, egg, cheese, and avocado, and 5% lettuce.

Thank you for posting about your solo ADR at The Brown Derby! I've never eaten there, though my parents had dinner a couple of years ago and loved it. I'm hoping to order exactly what you had when I go for my solo dining experience and love every yummy bite! The pictures are fantastic and I'm still loving this TR. I don't want it to end - Sigh...

I don't want it to end, either! I feel myself starting to draw it out more and more...and at the same time my memory's starting to lose the details -- it's a tough balance!

You're amazing! That was such a cool song!

Thanks! I have to admit, I had a lot of fun with that one. Plus, the song was stuck in my head then for two whole days.

Your review was so good, I actually went online and checked for availability during my trip. I was able to score an 11:30 lunch on my DHS day!

Yay, you're going to love it!

 

[Sawhiskey]

Just read thru your report thus far and thought it was great. I am planning my 1st solo trip very soon and I cant wait to get back.. Keep the updates coming. An thanks for sharing..

 

[TwistofLemon]

Hey Norybell, thanks for posting this trip report! I am thoroughly enjoying it.

I'll be taking my first semi-solo trip in January, when I drop-off my son at the College Program. I'm staying at POFQ, and I cant wait! This will be a trip of several 'firsts', come to think of it. First solo, first time on property, and the first time I'll be leaving my son 655 miles away from home! (Yes, he will be fine!)

OK, carry on with your TR now please.....

 

[norybell]

Just read thru your report thus far and thought it was great. I am planning my 1st solo trip very soon and I cant wait to get back.. Keep the updates coming. An thanks for sharing..

You're going to have a great time on your solo trip! Personally, I'm a bit worried this solo-trip thing is going to become addictive...

Hey Norybell, thanks for posting this trip report! I am thoroughly enjoying it.

I'll be taking my first semi-solo trip in January, when I drop-off my son at the College Program. I'm staying at POFQ, and I cant wait! This will be a trip of several 'firsts', come to think of it. First solo, first time on property, and the first time I'll be leaving my son 655 miles away from home! (Yes, he will be fine!)

OK, carry on with your TR now please.....

I wish I had known about the College Program when I was, you know, in college. It sounds like such an amazing experience; I'm sure he'll have a great time!

 

[Cafeen]

Just popping in to let you know I'm still reading along . Amazing pictures all around, and, as others have said, the writing is great too.

Back to my shadowy corner I go.

 

[Kell-Bell]

Hi Nory

CBR - liked this resort but it was big!! Had its own internal bus!!! We were going to stay here again but for reasons I can't imagine when we looked at prices it was like £250 ($400ish) more than the other Mod resorts we really liked it, there was a really great atmosphere here. The buses were good, never waited too long. Food court was fine. POR was my fav, so pretty and you feel more 'exclusive' here think its because its smaller. Only Mod I wouldn't recommend is Corando springs. Never felt proper 'Disney' I blame the covention centre!!! And was never that impressed with the restaurant there. But those are just my thoughts! I've never been spoiled by a Deluxe!!!

Look forward to reading the next installment!

 

[norybell]

Another short update today...the period of time between two weeks ago and the end of Thanksgiving weekend is the busiest time of the year for me, so I'm going to have to keep them short and snappy until then. Today will be my eleventh day in a row spent working!

***

Do you remember how, after lunch at the Brown Derby, I felt all refreshed and rejuvenated? Sadly, that feeling was started to fade already. I was a bit bummed about this, since I’d really only been at DHS for a few hours. But I had an early-ish ADR for dinner, and I knew I’d need a decent break before then. I decided that I’d just use my FPs for RnR and ToT and then leave. So I headed back here:

I entered the FP line, but the park was so empty at this point, they didn’t even take it! Another October first for me! And though the wait time was posted at 20 minutes, I know for certain it was a walk-on, because some people who entered the stand-by line the same time I entered the FP line ended up in the same pre-show room as me. I couldn’t believe it! 1:45 in the afternoon, and Rockin’ Roller Coaster was a WALK-ON! I’ve never seen that before! It was pretty exciting! As I’m sure you can tell from my over-abundance of exclamation points!

!!!!!

I rode with a single rider who was, shall we say, very enthusiastic. We argued a bit about which is better, RnR or ToT (I love RnR, but for me, it’s ToT all the way). Then she sang along at the top of her lungs the entire ride, which was pretty hilarious. To be completely honest, she was so over-the-top about the ride, there was something about her that didn’t seem quite…normal. I mean that in a totally non-mean way, I swear. It's possible she was just drunk. Whatever was up with her, it did make her a pretty fun ride partner. Of course, after my minute-and-a-half limo ride I had to take advantage of the line-free situation, so I turned around and walked right back on with the FP they hadn’t taken before. This time, I sat with a nice guy from Rhode Island. He was much calmer than the wacky (and I don't use that word often) lady. Apparently, I’d broken through some sort of chattiness-level wall, because I was talking it up with anybody and everybody!

I knew I had to close out my DHS time with my favorite ride, so I headed back here (to the Tower itself, not to a random point halfway down the block from the Tower, obviously):

I still had a FP, but since the wait time was posted at just 10 minutes, I decided to ride stand-by. It, too, was a walk-on! Straight to the elevator! Once again, I sat in front, and kept my arms up for all the drops, which really does make it even more fun. Then I decided to use my FP, and rode it one last time. I have to admit, after riding it four times in one day, it starts to lose its effect a little bit. My stomach grew accustomed to the drops, I guess.

On my way out, I ran into a Photopass photographer, and got the lovely shots you’ve already seen. He seemed to get a real kick out of it when I hammed it up for the “act scared” shot; I don’t think he expected me to really do it. He said, “Good for you, you know you’ll never see these people again!” Yessirree, that's my motto!

I leisurely strolled back along the walking path to the Boardwalk, then I sat on a bench overlooking the lagoon and had a nice long chat on the phone with my mom. Since she’s a WDW-lover, too, she was excited to hear all the details; I think she’s the one person I know who, after the initial shock, didn’t think I was crazy for doing Disney solo. As she said, “Nory, some people go to the spa for a weekend to relax; you go to Disney for a few days to relax.” Not that I actually know anyone who goes to the spa for the weekend to relax. But it was sweet of her to be so understanding.

While we were talking, I saw this:

A Disney bride! Always fun to see. Though I don’t think I could do a Disney wedding, personally. But I would really really love to be invited to a Disney wedding!

I walked around here for a bit:

I walked around inside the hotel, too (sorry, no pics; I think I was too tired and hot at this point to feel like it). What a great atmosphere in there! Part of me really wants to stay there someday, but another part of me worries it would be loud because of the boardwalk. And a third part of me wonders if my beloved Yacht Club would feel betrayed, and would stare at me bitterly from across the water.

Eventually, I headed back home for a much-needed break and freshening up. I stopped in the concierge lounge to see what they had on offer; I think it was still too early for the appetizers to be out, so it was cookies and fruit and maybe some cheese. I was still pretty full from lunch, and I had a big dinner ahead of me, so I just got this guy:

Who could resist? Though it does look like Mickey has a mole on his chin, or something.

I took my cute cookie back to my room, where I took a picture of the only towel animal I got on my whole trip (and I tipped mousekeeping well, and daily):

I was so beat at this point, but I was also too caffeinated to sleep (I forgot to mention that I was having such a good time at the Brown Derby, I ordered a coffee at the end of my meal, on top of the iced tea I’d already ordered), and I couldn’t for the life of me decide what to do about the situation. I ended up lying down and closing my eyes for about fifteen minutes, which helped. But I resigned myself to the fact that I couldn’t sleep unless I was really going to sleep, and I didn’t want to miss my dinner, so I forced myself up again.

I figured that if I wasn’t anywhere near a bed, I couldn’t fall asleep. So I headed back down to the YC shop to buy more socks (Minnie ones this time). I spent some time looking over the pins—after all, I needed a YC one now, didn’t I?—and I was happy to see they had a few more YC pins on offer there than the single CR pin they’d had at the CR. I settled on this one, because I thought it was cute:

When I went up to the counter to check out, the CM there was the same CM whom I’d traded my first pin with that morning. He saw the YC pin and asked me if I’d seen the Limited Edition YC pin at the other counter, which I hadn’t. So he brought it over:

He explained that they’d had these LE pins for all the resorts, but the only place with any left was the YC. To be honest, I preferred the pin I’d originally chosen. But I just couldn’t say no to this guy for some reason. I guess he was a good salesman? So I ended up buying both. Turned out this guy was a real pin trader: he said he had over 700 pins at home. He then proceeded to regale me with Disney trivia. This is when I learned about Donald’s sister Dumbella (don’t worry, though, I fact-checked it on the Internet before posting it here; only the best for my dear TR readers!), and about how to tell Huey, Dewey, and Louie apart (the brightest hue is red = Huey; dew is water, which is blue = Dewey; that leaves Louie, and leaves = green. This confuses me, though, because dew is on grass, which is green…but maybe I’m overthinking it?).

I think this CM could’ve gone on and on and on and on and on and on about Disney ephemera, and we passed the point when I clearly wanted to get away, but he was still talking. Finally I said goodbye as gracefully-yet-insistently as I could, and made a run for it. Then I headed back up to my room to get ready for the ADR I was most excited about: Jiko.

Coming Soon: An Ethiopian/Indian/South African Meal, and Some New Disney Friends

 

[Sawhiskey]

Nice update. All my trips to Disney I have never rode TOT or RR. I remeber when I was like 11 or 12 I was on the bus to DHS and I belive this was when TOT just opened. I recall all these older girls asking me if I was gonna ride TOT and I swore to them I am macho enough to do... But, when I got there and saw it I was like No way... Hahahaha Good times. Im gonna ride it my next trip tho, as for RnR, I dbout. I really dont like rollercoasters much and the flips I really dont like.. Im excited to hear about Jiko, I ate at Boma my last trip and it was SOO good. Cant wait to see how Jiko was.

 

[manntra]

That's me sitting here at work laughing at your ride mate on RnR! She sang the whole ride? The only thing I like about that ride is the take off...the rest hurts my poor head!!
Beautiful pictures of the Boardwalk! It is such a pretty resort...I stayed there before I bought DVC and it was right down by the bakery (very convenient .) I don't remember it being loud at all....I think you are better off at BC or YC because you have SAB.
Mickey cookie with a mole!
That is too funny about your friendly CM. I know I would have bought that other LE pin too! You could always trade it
I forgot....what kind of camera are you using? I am buying a SLR for my May trip.
Looking forward to your Jiko update...that was one of my favorite meals last trip!

Tracy

 

[hucifer]

1:45 in the afternoon, and Rockin’ Roller Coaster was a WALK-ON! I’ve never seen that before! It was pretty exciting! As I’m sure you can tell from my over-abundance of exclamation points!

!!!!!

Now that you mention it, yes I do see all the exclamation points.

And I tipped Mousekeeping every day and got just a few animal towels when my coworker next door didn't tip until the last day and got MORE animal towels than me. Maybe they discriminate tippers?

Thanks for the update. LOVED the Boardwalk pics. It is a rather lovely resort and I would love to stay there one day...but I would pick a parking lot view to ensure it was quiet enough. Quiet rooms are more important to me than views.

 

[onelilspark]

I sing the whole ride... But not loud enough for people to hear!

And I'm with you on the Disney wedding, I mean, I'd love it, but I think everyone would expect it of me, and that would take some of the fun out of it.

 

[ClareH37]

You sound like you're having a fantastic time - you've certainly got some stamina

 

[glennbo123]

I don't think I would have appreciated a singing ride partner; at least not at the top of her lungs.

Looking forward to your Jiko review.

 

[Tribilín]

So I headed back down to the YC shop to buy more socks (Minnie ones this time).

I kind of see a trend here

The first YC pin is cute, but the LE is just great, I liked it better. I guess the first one is too romantic for my tastes

Too bad that tip of how to tell Huey, Dewey, and Louie apart doesn't apply in spanish, we know them as Hugo, Paco y Luis... but Donald is Donald (but no a few decades ago when people called him El Pato Pascual... weird!)

 

[If U Had Wings]

I have to go with ToT over RnR too. ToT is hands down my favorite ride on property. I always have the compulsion to go under the ropes though in the lobby and really check everything out.

Thanks for the pictures of the Boardwalk too. I can't wait to stay there in a few weeks. I've dreamed of staying there for ages, and still can't believe I'm going to be staying there concierge shortly. I think it's going to ruin me from going back to the mods afterwards.

 

[glennbo123]

I kind of see a trend here

The first YC pin is cute, but the LE is just great, I liked it better. I guess the first one is too romantic for my tastes

Too bad that tip of how to tell Huey, Dewey, and Louie apart doesn't apply in spanish, we know them as Hugo, Paco y Luis... but Donald is Donald (but no a few decades ago when people called him El Pato Pascual... weird!)

I can see Huey --> Hugo and Louie --> Luis, but Dewey --> Paco? How about Diego or something? In high school spanish class I was renamed....Jose. I guess the teacher couldn't come up with anything for Glennbo.

Does El Pato Pascual really translate as the paschal duck? As in, passover?