Jan 5-10 Me, Myself & I - Perfectly Happy On Our Own!

[Anne's Family]

My Pre-Trip report can be found at ... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1636954
It's only 10 pages long, a quick read.

January 5, 2008 (Saturday).
Supposedly the worst day of the week to travel… and the worst day of the week for Magic Kingdom. Both of which I decide to do.

(Sorry, but all the photos from the plane trip were taken on my phone and they aren’t the best quality.)

The time finally came. Departure day. Sometimes you feel like you’ve waited forever. Then, as you sit on the plane, you think… ok, it’s here… and I’ve only got six days to enjoy it. How am I going to savor this whole thing and not cry when it’s over? Don’t think that far ahead, that’s how. Here and now. That’s how to live a vacation to Walt Disney World. Just Here and Now.

I’ll give you a little info on my getting to WDW. It’s not nearly as interesting as actually being there. I live in Dallas, Big D. Actually, I’m in a suburb between Dallas and Fort Worth only 15 minutes from the airport. So I don’t have that horrible commute to the airport before I board the Happy Plane. I feel sorry for you folks that have to drive two hours just to get to the airport. I left home about 7:30am. My flight is at 9:15am. Jealous are you?

I step up to the self-serve kiosk, scan my credit card and get my boarding pass. I’ve loved this idea ever since they came up wit hit. Expedite us. So cool. I wait for them to call my name and I check one bag. It’s not really full and I’ve got another bag rolled up inside of it. Packing light on the way there. I expect to be a little heavier on the way back!

At 8:10, I’m in the security line with my little baggie of liquids, my shoes in hand, my laptop tote bag and a little backpack of if-they-lose-my-luggage supplies. The line is moderately long, but DFW is pretty quick about it. Until I spot Bun Man. Bun Man is a short unassuming guy. He wouldn’t normally be a problem in a security line. But Bun Man has a PALLET of hamburger buns. Evidently, they have to go through security. No, they don’t wand the buns, he takes each flat crate off the pallet and puts it on the e-ray belt. There’s about 15 trays of the fluffy little guys on Bun Man’s pallet. He’s not going on MY plane is he? I’m hungry.

Bun Man gets through the line, reassembles his wares and heads down to some restaurant. The rest of us go through without a hitch. I didn’t get pegged for the “whoosh” machine. That lovely clear cage that puffs air all over you making you feel a bit Marilyn Monroeish. I think some people ask to go through that machine. At 8:20am, I’m all done with security and re-dressing myself. Ten minutes, not bad… might be a record.

I pass the rest of the time before my flight by searching out McDonalds. Yes, my first vacation meal is a McGriddle from McDonalds. Ooh, pinch me. Sorry. I did vow to eat as much junk food as possible this trip.

The plane is a Boeing 757. Three seats on each side. Unfortunately, I like window seats. Even more unfortunately, I have to go to the bathroom a lot. Woe to my neighbors. The plane is packed, every seat filled. After a few shuffling around of people so they can sit with the one that brung ‘em, we’re all settled in. We pull away from the gate at 9:14am (I assume that means we are on time.) DFW planes are notorious for taxiing pretty much to Houston before they take off. So we take a little ride. The plane takes off at 9:27. The pilot is nice enough to let us know the temperature of where we are leaving—57 degrees. Not bad, but Florida will be better. I love looking out the window, sort of the kid in me I guess. Seeing Dallas get smaller and smaller, watching as the clouds start passing under me very thin, then thicker and thicker until you’re riding on a pretty white blanket all the way to Florida.

I didn’t even pull out my laptop. I thought I might work on my trip report (ooh, there would be so much to write already, right.) I didn’t feel like reading or anything. I just savored my temporary freedom.

They announced that the in-flight movie would be Ratatouille. Cool! Starting this Disney off with Disney. I buy my little earphones and get ready to watch. There is a young couple sitting next to me. They look Arabic. I’m looking at her hands and they seem really dirty for some reason. As I peek closer, I realize she had henna tattoos on the backs and palms of her hands. She’s just been married. She seemed surprised when I congratulated her and asked how I knew, was she that obvious? She was cute, but I explained I knew a little bit of Arabic traditions. This is the couple...

So I thought that was that. She was looking at whatever magazines she could find in the seats and I loaned her two of mine. I settle in to watch my Disney. She’s fiddling with her camera and leans over to me to show me the first of her wedding pictures. Drat. I’m sure they’re beautiful, but I’m getting in the zone here! So I take out my earphones and I take a look. She lets me thumb through the photos on the camera myself. It really was a traditional wedding—in Dubai. The pictures were nice, but there were 8 to 10 photos of the exact same thing, then 8 to 10 photos of the next thing, and so on. Just when I thought they were over, the engagement pictures come up… then the shower pictures… then the family pictures. I must have gone through at least 200 photos. Twenty minutes later I handed the camera back after much appropriate oohing and ahhhing over all of them. Showing your wedding pictures is pretty much the universal bonding right of women, I think. After all that, I zone out to the other Disney rat besides Mickey.

The movie was ending just as we were touching down in Orlando at 12:25pm Florida time. We deplane and I head for that first ride of the trip—the shuttle to the central airport hub. I love this part—gets me in the mood.

I head to the famous "B" side for Disney Magical Express...

It takes me 30 minutes to get to the DME line and boy was it crowded. Tons of people. They were asking that only one member of each family stand in line and the rest go sit.

This isn't the whole line. What you don't see at the end of it is the snaking line with all the rope stantions that take you back and forth. It took 30 minutes to get through the line and onto the DME bus. That wasn’t too awfully bad. I was right on schedule with my plan. It’s a 35 minute ride to Pop Century, the first stop on this bus’s route. The video is always a great diversion. The beginning had been changed to include the Year of a Million Dreams stuff, but the rest was just as I remembered from past trips. I froze my tail off on this bus. Thank goodness I had my lined rain jacket with me. I had decided to carry it instead of pack it.

We pulled in at 1:34pm.

At this time of day, I expected the check-in line to be quite long. But I was wrong. There were only about 5 people ahead of me. Woo hoo!

As I get to the check-in desk, I’m talking to Marina, the CM (not much personality there, unfortunately) and I’m thinking, “those uniforms—I mean costumes-are the most ill-fitting I have ever seen. Why can’t they make them a little more flattering?” She really takes care of me. On my original reservation, I had AAA request a 4th floor room and a king bed. I asked if I could get a lake view. I would give up the king bed for it, but not 4th floor. She did me up good and I got room 6441 in the 60’s building. I was born in ‘62, s I’ll be right at home. The room is ready, but I’m absolutely starving. It’s past 2:00pm and I’ve only had that snazzy McDonald’s breakfast.

So I head for the food court at Pop (Half) Century. Nothing has changed here. The first thing I really wanted was a Twinkie Tiramisu. Yeah, sounds goofy, but it’s Disney! I had it last trip and loved it. Can’t find it. Poop. I grab a Turkey Ciabatta, a refillable mug and present my Key to the World card for the first of many, many purchases. I like to put everything on this card because it’s easy to cancel if it’s lost and I get the printout at the end of all my purchases. I can tell right away what I spent on souvenirs and food. That way, I can faint just before I leave Orlando. Maybe I’ll hit my head on something and be told by the doctor that I can’t travel by plane for at least a week. I’ll have to extend my stay here in sunny Florida. Oh, Doctor, are you sure? Can I get that in writing? Hey, Walt believed in dreams, right?

I sat down to eat outside, took a picture of my food...

and of my Key to the World card for security sake. I’d give the Turkey Ciabatta a 6 out of 10 on my yum-yum scale. You pretty much have to have a gaping hole in your head to get your mouth around it. I squished it flat and went from there. I spotted some ominous clouds off in the distance. Could rain be eminent? No problem, I have my rain jacket! Rain don’t scare me! As I was sitting there, slowly enjoying my meal (because, according to my little plan I’m still right on schedule), I hear the Beatles “Eight Days a Week”. Ugh. A long time ago, I got my kids hooked on the Beatles and Elvis Presley. While all the other kids are fawning over Hannah Montana, my kids are singing “You Ain’t Nothin’ But a Hound Dog” at the top of their lungs on the way to school every morning. So this reminds me of my daughter.

At 2:40pm, I finished half my sandwich and wrapped up the other half to take to the room with me for later. I always get hungry late at night and I’ll allow myself to snarf at the late hour on vacation. It’s a rather long walk to my room, but I don’t mind at all. The view is perfect (except for the defunct buildings and parking lot of the Legendary Years). It’s VERY quiet back here.

I guess more people are worried about the walking distance than the noise. I take the stairs to my room. I never take the elevator the whole trip. I feel like the stairs work totally different leg muscles than when you’re walking on flat surfaces all day. It actually feels good to me to walk up stairs, so I started early.

So here's my view...

looking straight out the door...

looking to the right...

The rooms haven’t changed a bit. But more on that later...

 

[AUPr8Hd]

Enjoying the trip report Anne. Always good to see a fellow Tiger enjoying WDW.

War Eagle!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Loving the report! The pictures are fantastic, I can't wait to hear more!

 

[carrieannie]

Hi Anne! I followed your link over from POTD! I cant wait to hear about a solo trip! Carrie,,

 

[Lesprivate]

Just found your trip report, great pictures can't wait for the the rest of your report.

 

[carrieannie]

Bun Man, fluffy little guys.
I wonder if the weather was better when you get there, wasnt it cold that week?

 

[kors]

Nice pictures!! Can't wait for more!!

 

[Anne's Family]

Thanks for the encouragement, folks. But sometimes you get more than what you asked for. My trip report is horrendously long. Good luck keeping up.

January 5, 2008 continued
Quite a long post, and I’m very detailed. If you don’t like details, move on to another thread!

Ok, so I get to my room finally. It’s about 2:40pm.

Everything is just as I left it last June. You’d think I’d never been gone. Just in case you’ve ever wondered, here’s what you get at Pop Century: hand soap, bath soap, shampoo/conditioner combo bottle, iron, ironing board, hair dryer with nightlight, three hooks on the inside of the bathroom door, a retractable clothesline over the tub, bath mat, shower massage, a one-piece vinyl shower curtain (not the fabric 2-piece type), one towel bar in the bathroom, no drawers in the vanity, safe with key (barely big enough for a laptop), extra pillow, alarm clock (easy to work), notepad, pen, table, 2 chairs, TV and armoire. Don’t think I left anything out.

I stuff my cargo pant pockets with what I want to bring into the parks and leave the rest in the room. My luggage hasn’t arrived yet, but I didn’t expect it to. I’m already liking these cargo pants. The Kim Possible look is agreeing with me. I just don’t think she ever even THOUGHT of weighing 145 pounds. Full pockets on your thighs don’t do much for that little fact either. Nevertheless, I love them. The only pants I brought were two different colors of the same cargo pant style.

At 3:00, I head to the bus stop. I’m trying to figure out the quickest route from my room to the bus stop as I go. It was starting to sprinkle, but I had my rain jacket. It was only a little chilly and the jacket is lined. Perfect. If you’ve read my pre-trip report, you’ll know that I’m just a BIT cold-natured. When I get to the bus stop, there’s no one in the line for Magic Kingdom. Never a good sign. That probably means a bus has just come and gone and left you in the dust.

However, the next bus did come by 3:16. Not bad. As I get on the bus, the rain comes a little more steady. I notice the bus driver looks a lot like James Brown. “I Feel Good” immediately jumps into my brain… it seemed appropriate for my mood too. There was no canned spiel on the bus and the driver didn’t say a word. That was a bummer. I may be in Disney, but I not really "there" yet, if you know what I mean.

At 3:35 (about a 20 minute drive) I’m getting off the bus at Magic Kingdom. I’m very excited at this point. It’s a wonderful feeling to be on the front end of a Disney vacation, headed to the most magical park, knowing you’re going to see a new fabulous version of the castle at dusk. As I was walking toward the entrance, I heard the MK train. Yep, I’m here. The rain has stopped, the sky is a little overcast, but spirits are high. There were quite a few people leaving the park as I entered. Not too many people going in. That’s a good sign, especially for a Saturday. I entered on the left (I usually enter on the right, but changed today for some reason.) The sights and sounds of the Magic Kingdom greeted me with wonderful warmth and recognition. I could have come in blind and knew exactly where I was. The Christmas tree was the first picture I took inside the park.

I was prolonging the inevitable view down Main Street. I slowly went around the tree and took in the sight of Main Street and the castle at the end. Big deep breath. I see the castle…

Contentment is really setting in. It’s pretty crowded but I couldn’t care less. Obviously, there won’t be much in the way of riding any rides today. Today, I just take it all in. Today, I take pictures and enjoy. I strolled through the shops on the right side as I made my way down Main Street, taking detail pictures as I come across anything interesting. It always feels very nostalgic going down Main Street, I’m sure that’s how they want you to feel… part of a much simpler time when shop owners came out to greet you and everyone knew each other. I won’t bore you with every photo I took, but some of them I really love.

I headed on in to Liberty Square to check out Haunted Mansion. I don’t know why I didn’t just drop by the tip board, but I didn’t. It was 4:00 and very crowded. Ok, these are the Saturday crowds I was expecting.

I stopped to check out the Liberty Tree. I knew it was a real tree and had never really took notice of it before. I counted the lanterns and thought about their significance. It’s the little things like this that make Disney so special. Moving on, the line for Haunted Mansion was out of the awning area and snaking around to Liberty Belle Riverboat. There’s even lines to get into the restrooms. So I stroll over to Jungle Cruise. I pick up a Fastpass to come back after 6:10pm. One of the to-do’s on my list is to do Jungle Cruise at night. I was waiting around for the Pirate Tutorial to start at 4:45. I strolled past Splash Mountain and took pictures there. Disappointing since it’s down for rehab this trip.

As I’m going through Adventureland to Pirates, I come across a wall across from El Pirata Y El Perico. Couldn’t figure out what they’re doing with this area. Heck, I can’t even remember what was here before. Although, the thought occurred to me… they should make nicer smoking areas. Personally, I don’t smoke and I hate being around it. But some people do obviously. The smoking areas are pretty lame. I think they ought to have nicely landscaped areas off to the sides of the main drags where smokers can smoke in peace and have something to look at and a place to socialize. I’ll bet that’s where they meet other like-minded people and have great visits. Just a thought. Anyway, here’s the wall I was talking about…

I got to Pirates of the Caribbean for the tutorial a little early to find it had already started. My information may have been a little outdated. It must have begun at 4:30. I didn’t miss much, Jack hadn’t come out yet. However, I was disappointed since it wasn’t my favorite Mack and Jack, what we on the boards refer to as one of the 'Hot Jacks'. Looking at all the drooling moms around the circle, you wouldn’t know it though. Bringing the kids along is just a cover up, you know. Jack is pretty hard to photograph, I’ve noticed. He’s always moving, very flighty. I didn’t have a good spot since I was there late so I was off to his left side. Since he wasn’t my favorite, I didn’t stick around for the whole show.

4:45. Hungry. Hmm. I ate around 2:00 already, but I’m hungry again. Disney will do that to you. Since I was in the area, I thought I’d slip into Pecos Bill’s. I love their fixin’s bar. I ordered the 1/4 lb cheeseburger with French fries and my beloved Diet Coke. I’m sure I’ll float away on a sea of Diet Coke before I’m done with this trip. No one to tell me I’m drinking too much of it again. ( And no one to say, "Mom, you need to go to the bathroom AGAIN?!?) Well, the burger was small, very small… and rather dry. I wasn’t very happy with it at all. About a 4 out of 10 on the yum-yum scale. The sautéed mushrooms and onions on the bar made up for it though. I didn’t take a picture of this meal, it just wasn’t appetizing. But I did take a few of the restaurant. I set my teeny tiny tripod off to the side on top of a trash bin to take the pictures. The CM looked at me a little funny. You’d think they’d be used to crazies like me by now. There’s a lot of us out there.

At 5:20 I left Pecos Bill’s. Yeah, I hung around for quite awhile, people-watching and taking pictures of the restaurant. It was loud, but when you’re alone, most everything is peaceful in its own way. Watching all the screaming toddlers solidified my thankfulness that my kids are older now. I headed over to Pirates of the Caribbean but the wait was 40 minutes. No way. It’s a heavy sprinkle now. It’s also time to head toward the front of the park to watch the lighting of the castle. Tomorrow is the last night for this, but I wanted to be very sure that I didn’t miss it on this trip. The lights go out tomorrow.

Within 10 minutes I was standing in front of the castle. As dusk began to fall, the castle was a gorgeous soft purple. It’s amazing how Disney uses color so effectively to promote moods. The castle and Wishes are prime examples. The castle lighting was to begin at 5:45. CMs were on the stage with squeegee mops trying to clear the water off, but it was still sprinkling so it seemed pretty pointless. I had seen the opening show for the castle lighting on YouTube before, so when I saw the Fairy Godmother come out to her window first thing and start talking about how to decorate the castle, I knew there wouldn’t be a show. The castle lighting took all of 7 minutes.

So many other people have absolutely wonderful photos of the lighted castle, mine don’t nearly compare. But at least I have my own pictures to prove I was actually there! It was still drizzling and I was just standing around in my raincoat with my hood up admiring the castle lights. I knew there would be 2 or 3 other solo DISers at the lighting as well, but finding them in all this would be close to impossible I figured. Until I caught a glimpse of a single person beside me taking pictures of the castle with her phone. Now, there really aren’t that many people wandering around by themselves here. We caught each other’s eye and immediately recognized each other. It was Straughn. If you’ve read my pre-trip report, you know all about her and our plans for this trip. We were both flabbergasted that we ran into each other, especially since we were both covered with rain gear. We talked a bit. She was headed out to eat and I was headed to the Studios for the Osborne lights. She’d mentioned that she’d already been to Girardelli’s for a sundae. Boy that sounded good. I vowed to stick that into my plans for this trip. So off I went in search of the light extravaganza that is Osborne.

Until next post...

 

[Anne's Family]

Bun Man, fluffy little guys.
I wonder if the weather was better when you get there, wasnt it cold that week?

The weather was actually wonderful, even for me. It was mid 50s to mid 60s at night and mid 70s during the day. Very comfortable. The day before I got there, however, it hit the mid 30s at night. I was biting my nails hoping that would pass. I think I hit a perfect week there.

 

[jsmla]

Lovely pictures Anne! We arrived the afternoon of the 5th and got caught in the rain while at Downtown Disney. I agree though, the weather the rest of the week was perfect!

Jennifer

 

[mymainmouse]

Great trip report! I love all of your pictures. The details are great! I love details about trips to Disney. It's all part of the illness I think.

 

[crgfsu1]

Just subbing to your TR - I love it so far. I love your details!!

Cathy

 

[Anne's Family]

More coming soon!

 

[JenH1969]

I am really enjoying reading your report- I look forward to more- Jen

 

[Anne's Family]

January 5, 2008 continued

So, I've seen the castle lighting, run into a fellow DISer and I'm heading to MGM for the Osborne lights.

At 6:00, I’m heading toward the walkway to the Contemporary. I decided on this route after asking on the boards for the best way to get to the Studios from Magic Kingdom. I hate the fact that there are no buses to or from MK to any other park, even though you can bus from any resort. That just simply doesn’t make sense to me. It makes the Magic Kingdom so inaccessible. It’s very inconvenient and annoying. So I tried this way. I had no idea this walkway was even here. Gotta tell ya, the boards are invaluable.

I also had envisioned it as a secluded path surrounded by trees, out of the way. I worried about walking it at night. It turns out that the walkway just runs along under the monorail line and next to the bus stops (although you can’t cross the street to get to them). It’s quite public and there was no problem. It’s quite a hike though, which I’m fine with. I’d rather walk most places anyway. I only saw maybe 6 or 8 people on the walk. It was very peaceful. A nice break from the craziness at Magic Kingdom. It took longer because I stopped to take pictures. The 10 minute walk took more like 15 but it did stop raining...

The problem arose when I got to the Contemporary. Not a soul at the bus stop. Never a good sign. I had just missed a bus to the Studios. Had I not stopped to “smell the roses”, I would have been on that bus. But that’s not what this trip is about right? No rushing, no worries. So I sit. It’s 6:15. Twenty minutes later at 6:35p, a bus finally comes. On top of that, the bus makes stops at the Poly and the Grand Floridian before heading to the Studios. No one told me that. Ugh. So I snuggle myself into the back seat of the bus and put my feet up. I listen to the spiel on the bus talking about MGM. They’re pretty serious about the January 6 rollover date for the name change. By the time I got to the Studios, it had been an hour commute from MK to MGM. We pulled in at 7:00pm.

I could see the Fantasmic fireworks over the trees and the lines to get in were pretty long for this time of evening. I think the lights are probably popular tonight since tomorrow is the last night for them as well. I had to laugh, though. Behind me in line to get in was a family of four with kids about the same ages as mine (around 10 and 12). The were all singing James Brown’s “I Feel Good”, and the kids were really getting into it. I gave them a big thumbs up. James Brown is following me just like Elvis and the Beatles are. It could be worse, it could be Alvin and the Chipmunks. But they aren't Disney are they? Whew!

I headed straight for the Streets of America where the Osborne Lights are. I sure miss them being on the back lot. All those quaint little houses were so… well… quaint. The buildings are nice, but just not the same. Now, to be fair, I must say that I’ve seen the Osborne lights numerous times before this trip. I also live in a big city where over-decorating with lights is common. So as I turn the corner onto the Streets of America, I wasn’t as ‘wowed’ as I used to be.

Sorry, sometimes I just don't set up my tripod very level.

They ARE beautiful and they ARE over-the-top wonderful. It had been drizzling most of the evening so the streets were still wet. An announcement over the loudspeaker said that due to the weather the lights would not be dancing and the forecast for snow was not going to happen. Poof. There went the magic. Those were the only two things I was looking forward to. Ok, so I’ll go ahead and walk through and take some pictures. I’ve got my nifty little tripod. Well, I get part way down the street and I notice that the string of reindeer between the buildings is out. One of the Angel swirling trees is out. Four or five COMPLETE buildings were unlit and many chunks of buildings were out. I felt like I was at Six Flags, where they don’t care about stuff anymore once the holiday is over. [I did hear that the next evening, the last, was much better, by the way.] So I was terribly disappointed and didn’t stay long. While walking out, I hear Elvis singing ‘Blue Christmas’. My kids pop into mind again. He's definitely following me.

I figure I could wander toward Rock n Roller Coaster to check it out. Apparently, this wasn’t a novel idea. Crowds were pretty thick down Sunset Blvd, so I didn’t venture any further. I turned around and headed toward the exit. My plan was to get back to the Magic Kingdom for Wishes at 9pm.

Being the glutton for punishment that I am, I decide to take the same route back to MK as I did to get here. I figured the bus situation wouldn’t be as difficult. At the Studios, the line for the Contemporary bus stop was two buses long. Again, not a novel idea. I’m patient though. I get on the second bus at 7:52. Yep, I spent less than an hour at MGM. So when you hear that someone has done 3 or 4 parks in one day, you'll know it's not that difficult. One or two hours in each park - cinch.

[By the way, if you’re wondering how I know all these specific times, I’ve got a Palm Centro phone. It has a voice memo feature. Whenever I want to remember something, I just punch the button and talk into my phone. It picks up my voice very easily so I don’t have to talk loud and I don’t look too goofy since I just look like I’m talking to someone on my phone. Then I just transcribe my notes on my laptop whenever I feel like it. It’s priceless.]

Now, unlike the bus trip from Contemporary to the Studios featuring two stops, the ride back drops me off at the Contemporary first thing. That’s better. Then there’s no waiting after that, I just hit the trail to the Magic Kingdom. MUCH better. Lesson learned. So at 8:10, I’m off the bus and walking the path to MK. On the way, I can hear the SpectroMagic parade. I’d know that music anywhere. I’m not too bummed about missing this parade, it’s much more fun when I’m with my kids. Nothing much has changed over the last few years anyway… except the creepy guys at the beginning with the light-up faces. You know, the ones that play the horns and spin around on the balls. I never liked them. The new guys are interesting but not nearly as creepy. As I enter Main Street, the last of the Spectro floats are heading toward the castle, and the mob of people are right behind them.

I veer off toward Adventureland to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad for a Fastpass to ride it later tonight. Getting there was easy, getting back to the hub wasn’t. I did the Disney two-step, inching my way toward the castle to see Wishes. Now THIS is my favorite thing in all of Walt Disney World… Wishes (no, not the inching part). The most thoughtful presentation in all the parks, in my humble opinion.

At 8:40, I’m in front of the castle. Hungry. Again. I want a sweet cream cheese pretzel. I’ve heard wonderful things about them and my mouth just waters thinking about one. Sure, I’ve got time. I don’t have kids in tow to rush in and out of the crowds with. I can artfully dodge my way through to Scuttle’s Landing in Fantasyland in no time. So I take off. I see it in the distance. Mmmmm, I’m ready. But nope, they’re out. No way. I just risked my life to get here and you’re out!? Who stocks this place? Ok, I’m thinking… who else sells these? The Lunching Pad sells cream cheese pretzels. I don’t know if they’re the same but I’m willing to try so I head that way. Nope, no luck there either, they’re out. In a last ditch effort to make this entire foray into stupidity worth my while, I sneak over to Space Mountain to see, by the off chance, if there are any Fastpasses left. I had noticed that Winnie the Pooh was distributing fastpasses for 10pm, so I thought there might be a possibility. Of course not. Hey, it was just a thought. So I head back to the castle front via the Tomorrowland entrance—measuring my progress literally in inches. Believe it or not, I did all of that in 20 minutes. I got in front of the castle just as the Wishing Star shot overhead.

I get chills watching Wishes. I love the premise. I especially love the Wishing Stars. Tinker Bell is fun. I don’t take pictures during this first time I see it. I like to just watch. It’s my first night in the Happiest Place on Earth and I’m… well… just happy. The coolest part of this show is the villain segment with the red rocket fireworks that coincide with the Fantasia music. So cool. No one can choreograph fireworks to music like Disney. Illuminations comes a close second to this show. But that’s just me.

At 9:13pm, Wishes is done and I head toward Liberty Square along with the masses of people. Magic Kingdom doesn't close until 11:00 and there's another showing of SpectroMagic tonight. I figure the funnels at each of the hub exits will ease up a bit soon. I was headed for my night ride on the Jungle Cruise. At 9:25, there was quite a long line. With the number of people watching Wishes, you’d think the rest of the park would be empty. No way. This is Saturday, don’t you know? When you’re actually in Disney World, it’s very easy to forget what day it is. Actually, that’s the sign of a very good vacation in my opinion. Real world and real time go out the window.

Now Jungle Cruise is a corny ride. I know that. One must really strain to suspend disbelief on this attraction. It’s a little bit easier to do at night. I still enjoyed it. I’m wondering if they’ll ever update this ride with new audio animatronics. Being out in the weather, I imagine their more sophisticated stuff wouldn’t do so well. But it is one of those attractions that Walt had his own hands on, and that’s what still makes it special. He really wanted an Animal Kingdom experience, but this is what he could do at the time. I always feel that Animal Kingdom grew out of this attraction. I understand that Jungle Cruise was inspired by the movie “African Queen” and I can see that.

After Jungle Cruise, it’s already 9:40. I figure I’ll try Pirates. There was a 20 minute wait there so I headed to the Haunted Mansion. A must-do for this trip since the refurb. Twenty minute wait here too, but I got in line. I took some pictures in the pre-show and boarded my Doom Buggy. I loved everything about the refurb, especially the stair room and the bride pictures. Unfortunately, the ride stopped three times. I assume because of loading/unloading issues. I usually take these opportunities to take photos with my tripod, so the first time we stopped, I was right in front of the bride ghost…

However, the other two times we stopped, I was pretty much looking at walls. “We have been unavoidably detained by frightened spirits. Please remain in your doom buggy.” Like I had anywhere to go. By 10:16, I was out of Haunted Mansion and heading for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, another ride I love to do at night and at the top of my must-do list. I was walking down the wood path down the Rivers of America alongside the second showing of SpectroMagic. That familiar music again… feels like home. At 10:25, Big Thunder standby line was 50 minutes, and this was DURING SpectroMagic. So when they tell you to skip the parade for the rides, it doesn’t always work. But it was the second parade, so that may make a difference. The Fastpass line was much more manageable. So I let some people pass me while I took pictures from the queue.

When I got to where the line backed up a bit, I tried to call home to talk to the kids, it was their bedtime. We couldn’t hear each other very well. But I gave them big kisses and got on my runaway mine train. This ride seems longer and more exciting at night. Absolutely love it because you can’t see what’s coming.

By 10:40, I was done at Big Thunder and it was time to leave the park. I exited by way of the shops on the right. There were quite a few nuns there shopping.. Yes, I said nuns. I saw one in particular that just made me snicker…

If you can’t see it very well, it’s because I was taking the picture on the sly. I thought it bad taste to blatantly take a picture of a nun in mouse ears.

It wasn’t that difficult to get out. It was not the mass exodus I expected. This was the latest that Magic Kingdom would be open for my entire trip, I’m glad it was my first night. By 11:00, I was waiting for the next bus to Pop Century. At 11:15, I boarded the second bus. At 11:33 I was off the bus and checking out the food court for that elusive Twinkie Tiramisu. None to be had. Just Worms in Dirt. I can totally do without that. I picked up a piece of carrot cake to satisfy my late sweet tooth, a bottle of milk and a blueberry muffin for in the morning. I’m not a big breakfast eater.

By 11:43, I was walking to my room, goodies in hand. It was wonderfully peaceful in the back of Pop. No one will actually see my decorated window, but I love the location. I walked up the stairs and noticed towel animals in many of the windows. I hadn’t noticed these before. There was a small dog-head towel animal in my own window. They put stickers on them for the face. Not sure I like that, but it’s cute nonetheless. I wasn’t too special, though. Most of the rooms had at least the little dog-head, some had more elaborate towel animals.

I stayed up to unpack my things and put everything in the drawers. I like to pretty much move in. I organized my things for tomorrow, ate the rest of my sandwich from lunch and then my carrot cake. I put up my red lights in the window and my Minnie Mouse creation.

I sat down to my laptop and transcribed my voice notes for the day. At 1:30am I finished my notes and went to bed. Yep, 1:30am. I’m most definitely a night person. I think I had a pretty good first day. I did a lot for only getting there in the afternoon. I've checked off quite a few things on my must-do list already. Christmas is wrapping up. I lay my head down with thoughts of five more days of Disney. Tomorrow, I’ll be up and at ‘em for Animal Kingdom. I set my alarm and I call for a Mickey wake up. If you take one thing away from my trip report - it's the simple fact that you should always back up one with the other. Always.

'Til next time...

 

[jrasmom]

I'm curious as to if it was that crowded everyday of your trip?

I remember seeing pictures here on the board last year of nearly empty parks, only a few people in the pictures in a shot at MK.

We're contemplating when to make our next trip so I just wondered. I'll have to subscribe so I don't miss the rest

 

[Mickey Nut 50]

Anne - i'm enjoying your trip report. I, too, have started going solo and enjoying it immensely. the first time was my reward to me after radiation treatment for breast cancer - then again that year after a mastectomy when the radiation didnt work.

I've been known to jump around just like you did when I'm by myself.

Looking forward to the rest of your report!

 

[Tatania]

I was looking froward to your trip report and am loving it! So many good details and very funny.

It makes me glad I took the Sat. off to go shopping and to the movies because on Sunday night (before we met at Epcot) the skies were clear and the Osbourne Light show was very good. I also felt the crowded weekends and last days of school holidays were the most stressful and not at all fun.

Meeting up at Epcot was one of the highlights of my 10 days there and am looking forward to the rest of the report.

 

[springandmac]

I don't know how I missed the fact that you started your trip report. It's fun to read because it's pretty much like reliving my own trip and I was there for parts of your trip.

 

[Anne's Family]

I'm curious as to if it was that crowded everyday of your trip?

I remember seeing pictures here on the board last year of nearly empty parks, only a few people in the pictures in a shot at MK.

We're contemplating when to make our next trip so I just wondered. I'll have to subscribe so I don't miss the rest

Actually, crowds eased up after the weekend, but it was never the empty park I remembered from January past. I think Disney is evening out attendance by adding events during historically slow times - like the marathons that were to occur shortly after I left. I think marathoners come early and enjoy the parks before the events. I saw a few people doing some serious running around Pop while I was there. I think January is still a wonderful time to go - just maybe a little later in the month.

Anne - i'm enjoying your trip report. I, too, have started going solo and enjoying it immensely. the first time was my reward to me after radiation treatment for breast cancer - then again that year after a mastectomy when the radiation didnt work.

I've been known to jump around just like you did when I'm by myself.

Looking forward to the rest of your report!

Thank you. Trips to Disney on your own help one to contemplate the goodness of life and forget sometimes those things that slam you back to earth. Between my last solo trip and this one, both my parents (who lived with me) died. Dad with a stroke and month-long decline and mom with severe Alzheimer's. It is a respite in the storm.

I was looking froward to your trip report and am loving it! So many good details and very funny.

It makes me glad I took the Sat. off to go shopping and to the movies because on Sunday night (before we met at Epcot) the skies were clear and the Osbourne Light show was very good. I also felt the crowded weekends and last days of school holidays were the most stressful and not at all fun.

Meeting up at Epcot was one of the highlights of my 10 days there and am looking forward to the rest of the report.

I'm glad you saw a better version of Osborne than I did. You were wise to go shopping. I think I would pick a later weekend next time - however dear hubby has year end financials and yearly budget in January that I have to work around. We'll see in three years when he and the kids let me go again. I'm so glad to have met you and the other ladies!

I don't how I missed the fact that you started your trip report. It's fun to read because it's pretty much like reliving my own trip and I was there for parts of your trip.

It is funny how many times we actually did see each other. Like having your friends on vacation but not having to spend every minute with them!

Thanks all for reading. I'll have more in a day or so.