Live from the Beach Club Villas, Animal Kingdom Villas, and the Grand Floridian

[popstar7867]

Hi Everyone,

So I'm going to share my adventures with all of you from this week. This past September I was in Disney and got engaged to my boyfriend of 5 1/2 years. At that time this trip had already been planned for a year. To make a long story shorter....he broke up with me a few weeks ago and my cousin was supposed to come with me but she fell through last minute. I wasn't going to let that get me down...so here I am 22 years old and tackling Disney solo. I'm not gonna lie...when the plane landed and I got on the magical express I wasn't feeling it. And when I got to my room that was ready early I cried for about an hour....but I'm determined to have a good time! So far everything has gone very very smoothly! I was lucky enough to secure a EPCOT view room at the villas which I know is tough to get. My fav character is Ariel and the whole room is Ariel! The pillows, curtains, comforter so that got me excited...and when I went to the store to get soemthing to eat someone had extra CS credits and bought me lunch. Leave it to Disney Magic to pick u up when you are down....Now if only I can really shut the phone off and not be tempted to call the ex....

I'm still contemplating whether or not to keep my TS meals. I'll see how I feel dining alone. Any tips? I'll keep you updated....but hopefully this will be the trip that is truly magical!!!!!!

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

you're not alone!!
Have FUN and don't forget to write!!!!

 

[gfamof4]

LIVE IT UP!!!!!! Go to the TS meals and have a GREAT time!! We were at the BCV's two weeks ago. I wish I were there now. HAVE FUN!!

 

[jessily]

Sounds like your trip is off to a magical start Can't wait to read all about it!

 

[popstar7867]

Hi Everyone, Thanks for your comments! I need to share my Disney magic with someone Day 1 went pretty smoothly. I'm not going to lie...there were more tears shed than normal, but I'm feeling much better and very independant! I like kind of being able to go at my own speed...eat when I want....stop when I want...take it easy and not have to rush around and to top it off someone upstairs is looking out for me. It just happened that my mom's cousin was on my flight this morning and is in Disney solo until Tuesday so we spent the day together....fate?? I think so! I strolled around the World Showcase and Kevin (my mom's cousin) and I went to Biergarten for dinner. We just walked right up and they were able to seat us I've never been there so it was nice to go somewhere new and the food was really good. Although the poor boy next to us threw up right before they sat down...but other than that a very enjoyable experience. The band was playing all holiday music too. After Biergarten we strolled around the world showcase and I saw the tree It's soooo pretty! What time do they usually do the lighting ceremony cause I need to see it

After that Kevin went back to his hotel to change into some warmer clothes and I decided to walk over to Hollywood Studios to see the Osborne Lights which was amazing...but very crowded! I took a lot of pictures and videos

After that Kevin called and we headed over to Animal Kingdom Lodge to hope they would take us as walk ups at Boma! I figured this would be an impossible feat. We walked up and they said that it would be a 45 minute wait so we took the pager. I wanted to show him the animals outside so we went out and as soon as we got there the pager started buzzing! 45 minutes turned into 5 pretty quick. That's the beauty of Disney....and I notice it more that I'm in kind of a downer mood here.... is that the Disney magic is all around you and is the best medicine when you are feeling down.

I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow Off to bed! Thanks so much for reading!

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

I'm SO glad you still went!!! Get those tears out and then just HAVE FUN!!! How weird that Kevin was on your flight! I'm glad you have someone to hang around and dine with. By Tues, you'll be ready to fly solo! We get to WDW on Wed. Maybe we'll run into you!

 

[popstar7867]

I'm SO glad you still went!!! Get those tears out and then just HAVE FUN!!! How weird that Kevin was on your flight! I'm glad you have someone to hang around and dine with. By Tues, you'll be ready to fly solo! We get to WDW on Wed. Maybe we'll run into you!

Ya it was so strange he was on that flight! but I'm so glad he was

 

[popstar7867]

Hi Everyone....So I'm kind of liking touring solo!!! Trust me this is probably the first and last time I'll take a solo trip...but there are some great perks...like waking up when I want to...eating when I want to....stopping to pee only when I have to pee....and seeing all the things I want to see! lol Getting jealous yet? lol

So this morning I woke up at 10 AM which is about 4 hours later than I usually do in Disney! I'm usually one of those Disney Drill Sergants when I'm here!

I showered and grabbed a protein shake and decided to walk over to DHS. When I got there it was around 11:00 so I browsed in some shops and then watched the HS Musical Pep Rally. I'm a dance teacher so I secretly love all the music even though I'm not 12 SHHH it's our little secret. Afterwards I wandered over to Disney's Magic of Imagination and the show was really cute. I've never even noticed this attraction. After watching the 10-15 minute show I got in line to meet the Bolt Characters and Sorcerer Mickey! By the time I was through with all that I was starving so I grabbed my favorite CS lunch on property (turkey sandwich from Backlot Express!) I decided I would head back the Beach Club, but on the way stopped in at the Boardwalk, Swan, Dolphin, and Yacht Club to get some holiday pics and to see the decorations! The Gingerbread displays at the Boardwalk and Beach Club are awesome! Definitely check them out when you are down here. THey make the whole lobby smell like gingerbread cookies too THe tree at the Dolphin was also really impressive! Ok I'm gonna run! Off to my candle light dinner at Coral Reef followed by teh Epcot tree lighting and the Candle ligh Processional! I'll post photos later tonight hopefully

 

[jerseygirl81]

Good for you going on your own! I would be a bit teary eyed at time I think disney and the holidays would do that to me as well never mind everything else your going through. I think the trip will make you stronger and more dependent. Enjoy yourself and take it all it in, go on your favorite ride more than once stop and do all the things you want have a great time. Linda

 

[popstar7867]

Good for you going on your own! I would be a bit teary eyed at time I think disney and the holidays would do that to me as well never mind everything else your going through. I think the trip will make you stronger and more dependent. Enjoy yourself and take it all it in, go on your favorite ride more than once stop and do all the things you want have a great time. Linda

Hi Linda! Thanks so much! I'm a big Disney cry baby for sure when everything in life is good lol Although I've been tear free today which is great!

 

[popstar7867]

Hi Everyone! So I kept my reservation tonight at the Coral Reef. I had the Candlelight Processional Package and it was the first TS eating alone and it wasn't bad at all! They sat me at a table right next to the fish tank which was awesome! I am a fast eater usually though and when there is no one to talk to I end up eating even faster lol I ordered teh steak which was really good and got the Chocolate Wave for dessert! It was a really cool restaurant and I would definitely go for the atmosphere even if nothing appeals to you on the menu! I will definitely return After dinner I went to mouse gear and did some browsing and then strolled around the world showcase. I saw the Candlelight processional at 6:45. It was great and Monique Coleman did a really good job as the narrator. Afterwards I browsed in the shops around teh World Showcase and then spent some time watching the lights on the winter archway in front of the Tree. It is so pretty! I got some great video. Can I post video on here??

After that I went over to the America Pavilion and grabbed a salad before staking out my spot for Illuminations! The holiday finale to Illuminations was outstanding! I have some video from that too!

One thing I observed is how nice the America Pavilion is around the holidays. Usually I find the America Pavilion to be the most boring out of all of the world showcase pavilion, but for the holidays it's the prettiest. Definitely check out Santas Village and the life size gingerbread house inside Liberty Inn!

Well I'm off to bed! I'm finishing uploading some Disney videos to facebook while I pack. Tomorrow I check into AKV for 3 days so I'll be spending lots of quality R&R on my SV balcony I'm sure!

 

[popstar7867]

Tree in the Boardwalk Villas Lobby:

Gingerbread Carousel in the Boardwalk Lobby (As you enter the lobby you can smell the gingerbread!!!!):

The Tree lit up at EPCOT:

Osborne Light Spectacular:

The tree at DHS:

Me with the characters from BOLT:

Who Needs a DBF or DF when you have MICKEY???:

More pics tomorrow

 

[popstar7867]

HI Everyone,
I'm up earlier than expected so here are some more pictures! My plans for today are hitting up Animal Kingdom to see Nemo the Musical, the safari, the Lion King Show, and the Bird show (which I've never seen). I also might hit up Dinosaur cause I love that ride and the It's a Bugs LIfe show! Then I'm going to watch the Jingle Jungle Parade and then head over to my hotel to check in! I may be cutting it close since my reservation at Jiko is at 5:30. Maybe I'll pack my nice shoes lol After that I want to either go see Fantasmic or Wishes and maybe head to Downtown Disney for some shopping tonight

Here are those promised pictures!

Tree outisde the Boardwalk:

Gingerbread Gazebo inside the Boardwalk Lobby with Donald and Daisy:

Decorations inside the Swan:

The Christmas Tree inside the Dolphin Lobby:

The Yacht Club Christmas Tree:

Winter Village inside Lobby at the Yacht Club:

 

[popstar7867]

Coral Reef:

Life Size Gingerbread House in Liberty Inn at the American Pavilion:

Candle Light Processional with Celebrity Narrator Monique Coleman:

Winter Archway of Dancing Lights in EPCOT:

Say Hi for the camera (hey you guys have to believe I'm really there right? lol):

 

[OhMari]

I saw Daisey get made at the Boardwalk Bakery. I asked the Bakery where she was going and she told me in the lobby at the BWI. I didn't know she made a Donald too.

Here is my picture of Daisy getting made.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

wow, amazing [:

I'm jealous that while I am stuck at high school, people around the world are at disney world

 

[jerseygirl81]

I love your pics and I'm glad you're having a good time! I'm probably cancelling our trip in August and hoping we can take a trip next Dec. so I love looking at your pictures. What a great picture that is of the Osborne lights at DS. Enjoy your day!! Linda

 

[happybratpack]

I'm glad you decided to go! The pics are great and it sounds like things are going better than expected. Good for you!

 

[popstar7867]

I am too tired to update now....but I had a very good day! I even got to eat dinner at Jiko with Joe the imagineer from the disney specials who created the AK!!!! Purely by accident but it was awesome and I saw the castle for teh first time in ice tonight! I'll give a full update with pics tomorrow thanks for reading everyone!

 

[Tatania]

I LOVE seeing pictures of Disney at Xmas because it's even more magical than at other times. You are so lucky to be there and many of us would switch places in a heartbeat.

Personally, I prefer travelling solo and have been doing it since I was 18, bought a 4 week Greyhound bus pass and hit the road. I've since seen a lot of world both solo, with friends and leading tours and I still think you can have amazing experiences being on your own as you meet people that you ordinarily might never have gotten to know, you never have to wait for anyone or do what they want to do and in places like a restaurant a book is can be more interesting than just about any conversation.