Magical May Solo Adventures, updated 2/8

[Saphire5742]

I was getting thirsty so I stopped by Gaston’s Tavern for some LeFou’s Brew, but not before stopping to pose in front of his fountain.



The drink was refreshing. Very sweet at first but then I got used to it and it was great. I love apple juice though. Drink in hand I waited in line for Gaston appr 20 min before his first scheduled appearance. I knew from watching youtube clips that he is hilarious and I needed to meet him. And he certainly did not disappoint! I was second in line after two young women, one of whom was wearing a Gaston shirt. It’s basically a shirt of his shirt complete with some chest hair drawn in. Gaston finally made his way to the front and as he does so he passes by a family in which the father and two boys are wearing Gaston shirts but the mom is wearing another character shirt. He approves of all three shirts and made a disapproving remark/facial expression at the mom. After he poses with the party in front of me, he takes the one wearing the Gaston shirt over to that family and has them all pose with him sans the mom.

Now it’s my turn. I started to compliment him on his big muscles when he interrupted me by saying that his muscles are as big as my head which is pretty big since my head is also big. Of course that sets me laughing once again:



We pose for the obligatory photograph:



See how he’s looking down? Afterwards he remarks to the photographer how awkward that was with my hand positioning especially with the ring around my finger. To which I replied, “well I am looking”. I immediately assured him that I cleared this with Belle first. He was having none of it. And then he told me where to look as he positioned me so I was facing the line as he looked up ahead. The whole time I cannot stop laughing so almost all my photos are open mouthed full on grins. Not my most attractive look, but it does make me laugh when I look at them.





I was hoping to go on the Pooh ride next but it was down, so I made my way to the circus and met with Goofy and Donald.





The line for Minnie and Daisy was a lot longer so I decided to come back later so I wouldn’t be late for my lunch ADR. Passed by Small World and the wait time was posted at 15 min. I looked at my watch and saw I could ride and still just make it in time for my ADR. The line moved quickly and before I knew it I was happily seated in a boat traveling around the world to a most delightful tune. I love this ride so much! It is one of the only ones I remember from previous trips to MK.

Afterwards I made my way to lunch at Be Our Guest which you can read about here if you are interested.

Stay tuned for MK1 part 2...


To be continued....​

 

[missangelalexis]

What better way to spend your first park day than at Magic Kingdom! Seeing the Welcome Show and the castle is such a great start to a day.

Great pictures with Rapunzel, Cinderella and Ariel!

Glad you enjoyed Under the Sea- such a great ride!

Sounds like such a great interaction with Gaston, love the pics.

You've had quite the morning of character meets!

 

[GaRain]

Oh, picture with my fav - Goofy! Not a bad start to your day!

 

[Dentam]

It sounds like you had some great interactions with all of the characters! Great pics to capture the memories too! So happy to see that you had an amazing time and looking forward to reading more!

 

[SarahDisney]

The welcome show really is an awesome way to start your day - it's such a cute "welcome" to the day. And I think everyone tears up a little when they see the castle, especially if it's been a while.

I love that you got a video for your niece - that's such a cute idea!

Wow, you really had some great character interactions and got some great photos. Sounds like an awesome morning!

 

[abarriger]

Love the update! Little Mermaid is one of my favorite rides as well-- I could ride it over and over! Your Gaston meet is beyond hilarious.

 

[chunkymonkey]

I love the tearful joy you described when seeing MK for the first time in a long time. I think I felt that way in 2009 when I hadn't seen the castle for about 5 years. It's such an amazing sight!

I love all your character interactions! You have really clever things to talk about. Me, I'm just grinning and smiling most of the time. I'm a little shy.

I love Lefou's Brew! It's good but I do get brainfreeze if I drink too much. Love it though and I don't normally gravitate towards any sweet drinks, i don't drink soda or much juice at all. But apparently I do everything different at Disney! LOL.

OMG Your interaction with Gaston is hilarious. I'm going to definitely meet him next time. Hilarious!!!

Love all the character pics! You look like you're having a ball!! I wish I could have been there with you to see it first hand!

 

[Saphire5742]

Great pictures with Rapunzel, Cinderella and Ariel!

Thank you!

Sounds like such a great interaction with Gaston, love the pics.

He is so in character, so funny

Oh, picture with my fav - Goofy! Not a bad start to your day!

During the trip when I was 8 I sported a Goofy hat. I especially love his laugh!

It sounds like you had some great interactions with all of the characters! Great pics to capture the memories too! So happy to see that you had an amazing time and looking forward to reading more!

Yes, thank you. I am so glad I got memory maker to capture it all

Wow, you really had some great character interactions and got some great photos. Sounds like an awesome morning!

It absolutely was! Thank you

Little Mermaid is one of my favorite rides as well-- I could ride it over and over!

It's such a fun ride.

Your Gaston meet is beyond hilarious.

I can't help laughing every time I think of it. He is so worth meeting.

I love all your character interactions! You have really clever things to talk about. Me, I'm just grinning and smiling most of the time. I'm a little shy.

Thank you, but you are giving me way too much credit. I am socially awkward and tend to get tongue tied. The characters initiated the interactions for the most part. I just responded. This trip has given me such an appreciation for the actors behind the characters.

OMG Your interaction with Gaston is hilarious. I'm going to definitely meet him next time. Hilarious!!!

You must! Just plan to be in line 15 min at least before a scheduled appearance as he is popular.
And be sure to go check out more Gaston interactions on youtube. There is one user in particular, Debra Gallagher who has uploaded a whole bunch of them.

Love all the character pics! You look like you're having a ball!!

I certainly was! Thank you

 

[Abro1975]

I too am following ! And I too originally from Brooklyn, Blake Ave, East NY, went to PS 158. I'll be at WDW starting June 20, and very excited. Last time there was 3 years ago for a 1 day solo trip to Epcot (on a business trip to Orlando), this time 5 days w a 3 day park hopper. 1 or 2 days to unwind at the resort pool (Wyndham Bonnet Creek near CBR, need more room this time). Will be my 6th time to WDW over the past 25 years. This time also looking forward to my first dinner at AK Lodge (Saana) will spend time checking out the Lodge, Villas, grounds, pools etc.

Keep posting, and I'll keep reading. PS- I still can't find Knishes or Egg Creams at World Showcase or anywhere at WDW

 

[Elevationist]

Today I am headed to where else but the MAGIC KINGDOM!

HOORAY! Best place to start your trip! I am still in disbelief that on my next trip, MK will be the FOURTH park I visit. It's gonna be SO WEIRD, but that's just how timing worked out best with EMHs, MNSSHP nights, etc!

OMG, OMG, OMG, this is happening and I’m finally here! I’m tearing up just thinking about it.

I love love love that feeling so much!

The CASTLE is all its majestic beauty! I stare awed and emotional, tearing up a little.


Getting closer:

Awwww, I'm totally experiencing this will you vicariously right now!

And so I asked every princess if I could record a short birthday video message. They were all gracious and granted my request. The end result was a video with birthday messages for R from 9 Disney Princesses. She loved it!

That is an ADORABLE idea! I hope that she loved it!

I asked after Jaq and Gus. They enjoy scampering around the castle grounds and help her with her hair.

You're so much better at chatting with them than I am! Face characters totally intimidate me and I shy up and can't think of anything to say!

I do have trouble coming up with clever things to say on the spot

You coulda fooled me! You're awesome!

No ride photos though as I prefer to actually enjoy the ride itself to the fullest.

I'm the very same! I rarely take ride photos for that reason!

Baaaaahahahaaa! I LOVE your Gaston story and photos! He's so awesome! (And terrifying, at least to me, but he's so funny that I did swallow my fear and meet him once!)

 

[hokieinpa]

I'm joining in! I LOVE solo trips! I'm doing my first solo trip in October and I can't wait. Plus I think we had overlapping trips in May - we were there April 30-May 8.

Dinner at V&A is a great way to start off a solo celebration trip! It sounds like an amazing experience.

Great start to your day with lots of character meets at MK! Little Mermaid is my favorite princess movie so I love that ride too!

 

[Saphire5742]

Planning on posting an update tomorrow. Till then...

I too am following ! And I too originally from Brooklyn, Blake Ave, East NY, went to PS 158. I'll be at WDW starting June 20, and very excited.

Hello there fellow Brooklynite! ! I grew up in Midwood.

Your trip is 10 days away! Have a most awesome, magical, and fun time!

You're so much better at chatting with them than I am! Face characters totally intimidate me and I shy up and can't think of anything to say!

It only seems that way on paper. Really I was scrambling in my head for something to say most of the time. And even when I was only responding I wish I could have thought of more clever things to say. I tend to be socially awkward. Also if you notice the conversations initiated with the characters who are so amazing. They are really fantastic at what they do. That's part of what made it so much fun.

I'm joining in! I LOVE solo trips! I'm doing my first solo trip in October and I can't wait.

Hello and ! This solo trip was the absolute best! You're going to love it!

Great start to your day with lots of character meets at MK!

There will be a lot more character meets as the trip goes on. Stay tuned...

 

[Rozz]

Great photo!

I'll be following along!

 

[Saphire5742]

MK day 1 part 2


After lunch I noticed on the app that Enchanted Tales had a relatively short wait so I made my way there to be informed that it was actually a 45 min wait. No thanks. Not really a must do.

I decided to wander down to Main Street for a while before my Peter Pan FP+. When I got to the Hub, the Trolley Show was in progress so I stopped to watch. It was just ending though.

And of course a princess must pose with a castle in the background and get sprinkled with a little pixie dust:






As I made my way down Main Street there was the Trolley Show again:​

Such a lovely show!

Got to Main Street Theater and though the wait for Mickey was long, the wait for Tink was only 15 min. Of course she noticed my sparkle right away commenting on the importance of pixie dust. I readily agreed. She then asked if I saw Terence (who I just now had to look up who he is) and I told her I did not (I wasn’t going to admit I had no idea who he is!). So she said to please be sure to say hello if I did. And we posed:




At this point I NEEDED water and noticed a cart nearby. This would be the only time I bought a water bottle. I was desperate! Also the ice water is so much more refreshing.

But, oh dear, would you look at the time! Gotta head back for my first FP. But not before posing yet again by my beloved castle.



Peter Pan is a very cute ride and I enjoyed flying in my own private vessel while overlooking scenes from the story below.

Next FP was Mine Train. I really loved everything about it. And would’ve ridden it again if the standby wait wasn’t so long. It is so delightful a ride. Sent the ride video to my family. And the nephews (ages 2 and 3) who have yet to go to Disney World were enamored with it. Especially the “Heigh-Hoooooooooooo” part.

Afterwards I traveled Under the Sea again. Did I mention how much I absolutely adore this ride???????????????

I noticed a Photopass photographer in front of BoG so naturally I stopped for a photo:



Continued next post​

 

[Saphire5742]

And then appeared a very special visitor:



The one and only LUMIERE who serenaded me with a tune fit for a princess! Lucky me!

It seems I wandered towards Main Street again. And sat down curbside to await the parade. It was around 2:20 at this point. While waiting I called my mom to regale her with tales of my adventures so far. And at a little past 3 I realized my mistake (I blame the heat for this one…). I was seated by the very beginning of Main Street. It would be a while before the parade made its way towards me and I had an Anna and Elsa FP expiring at 3:40. So I got up and headed back. I did manage to catch some of the parade as I made my way up.

Now originally I wasn’t planning on meeting them. I mean I saw the movie and it was cute and all but I’m not as attached to it as I am the ones I grew up with, so their M&G wasn’t a must do. When I booked FP’s for this first day it was for PP, 7DMT, and Space. Then as the day progressed I decided I wanted photos with all the princesses and there was no way I’d wait more than 20 min for them, so I switched it appr 17 hours later and was surprised to find one at a decent hour still. But that could be because it coincided a little with the parade. Turns out this decision was the right one, because the birthday video for my niece would not be complete without one of her favorite princesses.

Anna complimented me on my dress and told me how much she loves dresses and shopping, but Elsa claims that there is no room in the castle and that Anna is messy. Anna didn’t agree, calling herself disorganized, not messy. I told her I am quite disorganized myself. She sure is a chatty one and so enthusiastic too!



Elsa noticed my tiara and asked where I came from. I informed her that I was princess of Sparkle Land. She asked if we have snow there to which I replied no, but lots of glitter and sparkle. Elsa expressed interest in visiting especially if there is chocolate. I assured her that we have chocolate in abundance and invited her and Anna to drop by anytime.



Exiting my appointment with royalty, I looked over and saw another photopasser just standing there. So naturally I posed for another Castle photo, this time from the other side:




Hey look who stopped by!

Back under the Big Top to have my fortune revealed by none other than Daisy:





And to admire Minnie and her magnificent poodles. So much pink! LOVE it!





To be continued.....
​

 

[Dentam]

Great pics! You're so photogenic and your outfit is so cute! I hope you got a chance to see the Festival of Fantasy parade in its entirety some other time during your trip. We really liked it!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Great pictures as always, and I like your interaction with the princesses and Tinkerbell. I admit I don't know who Terence is either but I will look it up. Hehe. I'm glad you were able to get videos from all the princesses for your niece! She must have been thrilled.

 

[lindseyanne]

Joining in! Your pictures are adorable, especially that magic shot with Pascal!

 

[hokieinpa]

Love all of your character meets! I'm good most of the time but have no idea what to say to face characters! I wish I could come up with cute stuff to talk about like you! Sounds like a perfect MK afternoon, especially with so many pictures with your castle.

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

Hi Princess Odelia! I am reading your TR from my living room in Israel! I have lived here for 17 years and the ONLY thing that I miss (other than my family) is being one short flight from WDW! Thanks for writing a TR - I love all your pics and your details! I am considering doing a solo trip in September since I have to be in the States for a family event and well, since I really really really want to. So I am looking closely at your TR for hints!