Live Reports May 8-28 (yes, 21 days) Solo & a 1st timer!

[bhbob]

Hi,
I'm Bob from Arizona and I'm addicted to Disney, (sounds like a AA meeting or something!) More specifically, I'm addicted to Disneyland. I feel so relaxed there, so young and free, but I bet you know what I'm talking about! Now finally after 40 years of waiting, "I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!"
I'm 52 and I have 5 kids and a understanding wife. Four of the kids are over 18 and are out of the house, DS27, DS25, DS22 & DD19. We have one DS13 left in the house, yes even he says it's ok for me to do this trip solo to WDW. Things have not been good on a personal level and this trip is really needed.
I used to live in S. Calif and figured I've been to Disneyland about 100 times, (it really helped to have friends working there to sign you in for free!) I've taken all of my kids there many times but I also VERY much enjoy my solo trips. I need the solo times to recharge the batteries. I have done quite a few 5 night trips to the DLR so I figured with 4 parks 20 nights is just right for me.

Anyways, back to the trip report. On January 15th my wife and I agreed that now was the time for me to take my dream "once in a lifetime" trip to Walt Disney World. Even DS13 was all for it, especially knowing we would be going back to the Disneyland Resort when Carsland opens in 2012.

The trip starts on Sunday May 8th, (3 DAYS) and I'll have to fly home again on Saturday May 28th. 20 nights at Disney's All Star Sports Resort. Wanted POP, got this on my pin code and had to save since it was for so long. I could have gone to POP for the last 6 nights room only reservation but I wanted to unpack only once, and besides I'll visit POP. Rooms to me are just for sleep & showers. Even having a room 50 feet from Disneyland, right across the street, I'm only there 7 or 8 hours a night.
I have a 10day MYW PH tickets that will turned into a annual pass on the first night and the DDP. I have no desire to leave Disney property once DME whisks me from the airport, (no, no interest in Universal or Sea World or the Space Center or....) I have reservations at ...
Ohana, (X2 first night and last night)
Liberty Tree Tavern
Biergarten
San Angel Inn
Hollywood & Vine (Fantasmic Dinner)
Via Napoli
Cape May Clam Bake
Yak & Yeti
Teppan Edo (X2 love this type of food)
La Hacienda
Rose & Crown
Mamma Melrose
Sci-fi Dine-In
Coral Reef
Chef Mickey
Whispering Canyon Café
Kona Cafe
Planet Hollywood
The Plaza
Boma

I'm a planner and have my days all laid out on a homemade 3 week calendar with the park I'm going to see that day, the hours of the parks and fireworks, parade times, my dining ADRs and special things I can't miss. I even have rest days and laundry day planned out. I'm a morning person so I'll be at rope drop most of the time, but then I like to stay until they kick me out also My biggest problem will be to resist the urge to spend opening to closing in the parks for all 21 days! I must try not to do that, it would kill me!

So, the plan is to do updates on my new Android smartphone 3 times a day and give my opinions on the food and especially how it compares with my special place called Disneyland
I hope you all enjoy this. This is going to be good!

 

[Jamie77]

I'm looking forward to virtually vacationing with you, Bob. Wow, 21 days! I would love to spend that much time in WDW - at the Wilderness Lodge!

 

[All7OfUs]

I"ve been on a bit of a hiatus from signing on to more TRs, but this one has me quite intrigued, on many levels. I may not be able to post a ton, as my own TR has me more than trying to keep my head above water, but I'll be reading along! Glad you get this opportunity to go solo just when you feel like you need it most. My trip was a lot about that too last year, so can totally relate to that aspect.

Now, let's fry this burger!!

 

[ChattaAlley]

<~~~~ So Jealous. Have fun and relax. You got plenty of days to do all you want to do.

 

[Vowelmommy]

wow! What an amazing trip! I can not wait to hear all about it.

 

[Chaitali]

Sounds like a great trip! I'm looking forward to hearing more too

 

[bhbob]

I'm looking forward to virtually vacationing with you, Bob. Wow, 21 days! I would love to spend that much time in WDW - at the Wilderness Lodge!

Of course I always dreamed of staying at the Contemporary but the ASSp will have to do.

 

[All7OfUs]

Oh, I wanted to add- I have a couple of reviews you might be interested in on my TR thread:

Yak and Yeti Review

Rose and Crown Review

Cheers!

Liesa

 

[bhbob]

Oh, I wanted to add- I have a couple of reviews you might be interested in on my TR thread:

Yak and Yeti Review

Rose and Crown Review

Cheers!

Liesa

Thank you, I hope I score a table on the second level. I'm a people watcher, instead of going back to the room at DLR I just grab a soda, sit on a bench and people watch.

 

[dstevens]

Subscribing. Ok Bob, you have set the bar very high The anticipation is thicker then ketchup I think i can speak for all of us by saying we are jealous not only of you going by yourself but also by your 21 days and what appears to be intense preparation. Daily, who knows maybe several times a day, i will be checking in to see what progress "we" are making and what fun "we" are having. Here's to wishing you good luck and lot's of fun Oh, and keep the updates flowing.

 

[All7OfUs]

Thank you, I hope I score a table on the second level. I'm a people watcher, instead of going back to the room at DLR I just grab a soda, sit on a bench and people watch.

We have a lot in commom, Bob; I also have 5 kids, lived in CA near DLR for a long time (went zillions of times as a kid), and am a people watcher/ long park hours kind of person. THe 2nd level is THE place to be, and as far as I could tell, there was only one 2-topper up there. Hope you can get it!!

 

[dstevens]

Oh, I wanted to add- I have a couple of reviews you might be interested in on my TR thread:

Yak and Yeti Review

Rose and Crown Review

Cheers!

Liesa

Great review on the "Yak and Yeti". However, any restaurant with the name "Yak" in the title kind of turns me off.

 

[DisneyOHFan]

This is fabulous. I can't wait to experience your vacation right along with you. Post often.

 

[bhbob]

Subscribing. Ok Bob, you have set the bar very high The anticipation is thicker then ketchup I think i can speak for all of us by saying we are jealous not only of you going by yourself but also by your 21 days and what appears to be intense preparation. Daily, who knows maybe several times a day, i will be checking in to see what progress "we" are making and what fun "we" are having. Here's to wishing you good luck and lot's of fun Oh, and keep the updates flowing.

Thanks Dale, wow the pressure is on. I plan on at least 3 updates per day, maybe more. I plan to "take my time and smell the roses"!

Bob

 

[All7OfUs]

Great review on the "Yak and Yeti". However, any restaurant with the name "Yak" in the title kind of turns me off.

Haha! Yeah, there was a lot of joking about that on my thread, and I had secretly hoped before I dined there I could come back and do a review on "Yak and Yucky", but it was surprisingly pretty good, except the yacky dessert.

 

[mma800]

I'm in! Can't wait to hear your trip in action! We love DL- but have only done daytrips while visiting family for Turkey Day.

Any reason you are not trying a Dinner Show, like Hoop Dee Doo?

 

[bhbob]

I'm in! Can't wait to hear your trip in action! We love DL- but have only done daytrips while visiting family for Turkey Day.

Any reason you are not trying a Dinner Show, like Hoop Dee Doo?

Not interested in Hoop Dee Doo, I know it looked nice and fun on Youtube but I would rather spend 2 credits on 2 other places. 21 days gave me a lot of choices so I narrowed it down to what I was really interested in. (And Boma was added last minute thanks to a lot of responses on Disboards. ).
You know what I'm really looking forward to... The PeopleMover and Country Bear Jamboree, I miss those at Disneyland so much!

 

[aprilisis]

I'm subscribing! I'll be there May 17-23, too. I can't imagine 21 days in WDW- that is AWESOME! You will be happy that you added Boma- the food there is great.

 

[heaven2dc]

I am SO jealous (but happy for you ) - 20 days of bliss.....

I have 5 kids also (youngest is DS17 but oldest, fiance & new baby girl also live with me which I love! My hubby sadly died of a heart attack in Dec 1994 on our first trip to visit WDW in the hotel room and never got to visit WDW - but I could see him traveling for a 20 day trip to WDW to rejuvenate himself for probably the same reasons you are going.)

Hope you have a Magical time and can't wait to visit the Parks right along with you!

 

[bhbob]

I am SO jealous (but happy for you ) - 20 days of bliss.....

I have 5 kids also (youngest is DS17 but oldest, fiance & new baby girl also live with me which I love! My hubby sadly died of a heart attack in Dec 1994 on our first trip to visit WDW in the hotel room and never got to visit WDW - but I could see him traveling for a 20 day trip to WDW to rejuvenate himself for probably the same reasons you are going.)

Hope you have a Magical time and can't wait to visit the Parks right along with you!

Thank you for the nice thoughts.

I can't believe how slow these days are going, (and will speed up when I'm there). Today is laundry day, tomorrow is finish packing day.
35 hours, 34 minutes until we leave for the airport!