Magical May Solo Adventures, updated 2/8

[missangelalexis]

Love those PP pics of you in front of the castle- so adorable!

The Trolley Show is so cute, glad you got to see it!

So many great character photos! Sounds like a great afternoon at MK full of rides and characters!

 

[Saphire5742]

You're so photogenic and your outfit is so cute!

Thank you! I love that dress and thought the design was just perfect for Fantasyland

I hope you got a chance to see the Festival of Fantasy parade in its entirety some other time during your trip

The reason I was ok skipping it was because I had another MK day planned.

I'm glad you were able to get videos from all the princesses for your niece! She must have been thrilled.

So am I! And she definitely was

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

Welcome and thanks!

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!

Most of the time the characters led the convo, so that made it a lot easier.

Sounds like a perfect MK afternoon, especially with so many pictures with your castle.

A princess can never have too many pictures with her castle!

Hi Princess Odelia! I am reading your TR from my living room in Israel!

Well hello neighbor! Welcome! Where in Israel if you don't mind me asking?

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.

You really really should! You're gonna have the best time!

Love those PP pics of you in front of the castle- so adorable!

Thank you! I loved posing with the castle

 

[Sarahh1027]

I just love your report so far. Your pictures are adorable, you look so excited and happy to meet Gaston which I love!, your first ride at MK was Under the Sea which was MINE TOO!! And you ate at Be Our Guest!
Your vacation rocks!

 

[Saphire5742]

I just love your report so far. Your pictures are adorable, you look so excited and happy to meet Gaston which I love!, your first ride at MK was Under the Sea which was MINE TOO!! And you ate at Be Our Guest!
Your vacation rocks!

Welcome and thanks! So happy to see you here.
Gaston is a must see, he is so hilarious.
Under the Sea was the ride I was looking forward to the most so of course it had to be first!

 

[Saphire5742]

Magic Kingdom day 1, part 3

Before continuing where we last left off there are some things I omitted in my last update.

First, Mine Train photos:






Next, the second time I wandered back to Main Street I caught the Main Street Philharmonic just as they were starting to play right by the Hub. Stayed around for a few minutes enjoying the music before moving on:






Ok, now back to our regular scheduled program:

Found myself wandering into the land of Tomorrow, where first I tried to help Buzz defeat Zurg (posted wait time was 15 min, actual was a little over 5). Did my best but alas my aim needs more practice and I ended up with scores of 1600 and 3000. Abysmal!






Buzz was outside for greets, so I waited in line. About 20-25 minutes later I asked Buzz for some flying lessons, but of course he couldn’t help me because he’s just a TOY. Posed for a mighty photo instead:






Sent it to my family since I know that the 2 nephews I mentioned last time (ages 2 and 3) love Buzz. My sister sent me back a video with the 3 year old demanding “Take me to Buuuuuuuzz”! Hmm, I might have sparked a desire to visit Disney World. There’s a reason they haven’t been yet, those rambunctious boys. I love them but my sister definitely has her hands full with them.

Side note: After I got back my sister said they might head over Thanksgiving weekend. Her husband is in school so that’s the only time that works for them right now. Fast forward to last week- I had the most brilliant idea that she should wait until next year around October, November and I’ll go with her. This way she’ll have some extra help with her boys (who will be a little older and who adore me after spending lots of time together when I was in NY) and I’ll get to visit Disney again. It’s a win-win. I even offered to pay my own way but she informed me that if I go with them they would pay (phew!). She was definitely open to the idea. I might get to go to Disney again sooner than I thought! Yay! Although there’s still plenty of time and things can change till then. And even so I started looking into the Deluxe resorts (if they decide to stay on property this is where they’ll likely end up) and quasi planning in my head. I can’t help it! I’m sure you all understand. Also I was so excited when the idea popped in my head that I had trouble falling asleep!

So after meeting Buzz it was time to learn how technology has progressed throughout the years. Let’s just say I’m happy to be living in the modern times. It’s a cute and amusing attraction. Sing with me, will you? “There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day……”

On that note it is time to leave Tomorrowland and the Magic Kingdom for my dinner reservation at 1900 Park Fare over in the Grand Floridian.

Couldn’t resist one more photo on my way out…



Caught the monorail as it was coming into the station. I was a little bit early for my ADR so I sat in the beautiful lobby listening to a pianist. He asked if anyone had any requests and I asked for……

‘Be Our Guest’! Of course I did. Especially fitting before dinner. He also played ‘Happy Birthday’ for someone celebrating. One or two more tunes later I was called in. To read all about it including character interactions head on over to my DR here.

After a satisfying and fun dinner I sat for a while in the lobby just listening to music by the band on the second floor for about a half hour. Just quiet enjoyable relaxing time. They played on of my favorite songs “Dream a little dream of me”. As I was leaving they were playing “You’ve got a friend in me”.

Continued in the following post...

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[Saphire5742]

To head back to MK I decided to take the boat. As I wandered around the back of the resort trying to find the dock, I took some photos of course:














Arrived at the dock just as a boat was coming in. Sat in the back and enjoyed the ride. While riding I noticed the flag waving right behind me:






I tried to take some other photos of the surroundings but the boat being in motion didn't help matters.





Continued in the following post...
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[Saphire5742]

Finally the Castle came into view:




Back at the Magic Kingdom at 9pm:




The plan was to meet Mickey but the posted wait time was 40 min. Not wanting to miss Celebrate the Magic and hearing MSEP starting I headed back outside. Don’t recall seeing it before but I was very familiar with the music as it is on the Classic Disney volume 2 cd that I bought many years ago. I love it. It’s just so quirky and happy and delightful. At first I was just going to enjoy the parade with no photos, but who are we kidding here? The first few turned out a little blurry as I was fiddling with the camera settings (which turns out I didn’t have to since the floats are so bright).

















Continued in the following post...

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[Saphire5742]

After the parade the posted time for Mickey was down to 10 minutes so of course I jumped in line. My first park visit would not be complete without meeting the Mouse himself. I loved all the theater props leading up to the meet especially the movie posters:








Finally time to meet Mickey! As Mickey made his way over to me I spread my arms out wide, exclaimed with emotion in my voice, “I’ve been waiting so long to meet you” (which elicited an “Awwww” from the line behind me), and proceeded to give him a big hearty hug with a HUGE smile on my face:






Side note: One of my sisters complained about my character photos “you never hug any of us like that”. I was like “Um, are you actually comparing yourself to my beloved Disney characters?????”

Continued following post...​

 

[Saphire5742]

I made my way forward a little bit where the crowd was still sparse to await Celebrate the Magic. I really really don’t much enjoy standing in very crowded areas so this suited me just fine. And the view was still good.

What an awesomely wonderful show it is! I did attempt one or two photos but seeing as they weren’t coming out decent at all I put my camera away and just enjoyed the show and let myself be fully immersed in the magic.

In the time until Wishes I snapped some nighttime Main Street photos:












Watching Wishes was a very emotional experience for me. Standing there with the castle in front of me, watching the fireworks, and listening to the accompanying soundtrack felt so incredible and special. I wished and waited to go back to Disney World for a long time and there I was having finally made it on my own and on my own terms. And this was just the beginning! A couple happy tears slid down my face. So very magical and beautiful!


Park close was at 11pm today and the plan was to return to Tomorrowland but first I needed a new bag and a hat. One of the straps of the bag I was carrying was starting to tear. I spotted a cute Minnie backpack, but part of me was a little hesitant to purchase it, but after wandering around the store I came back to it. I just HAD to have it!



And a cute Minnie cap to go along with it.


Then it was off to ride into Space. The picture is a little funny because I realized as the ride started that I forgot to put away my glasses. I held to one side of them for dear life afraid they would fall. Perhaps I didn’t have to do this but I preferred being safe than sorry. Would have been a good idea to ride again as the People Mover was just ok for me and I didn’t much care for it.




I bid goodnight to the Magic Kingdom until next time the following week.




Made my way to the bus back to AoA and man was it a LOOOOOOONG walk. I was exhausted at this point but oh so happy.


Next up……


EPCOT!​

 

[missangelalexis]

Cute Mine Train photos!

Beautiful pictures around the Grand Floridian.

Your photos with Mickey are so precious! Glad you finally got to see him!

Love the backpack you bought!

 

[SarahDisney]

Side note: One of my sisters complained about my character photos “you never hug any of us like that”. I was like “Um, are you actually comparing yourself to my beloved Disney characters?????”

This may be the greatest thing I have ever heard (/read). Seriously.

I love all of your pictures - you look beautiful and I can tell from all of the character pictures that you were having a lot of fun!

 

[kadrachb]

“Do you want to see my pictures?

I’d like to share them all with youuuu

I have over two thousand of them,

Mostly at Disney World

And some at Universaaaaaaal.

I was on a Magical Adventure,

And now I’m back

So I could share it all with youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.

Do you want to see my pictures?”

I would love to see your pictures!

My mom though is a real trooper. She sat through it all (in 3 separate sessions).

So is mine! We had two photo sessions!

I love your nails! Oh my gosh they're so pretty!

Yep, that’s right, a pic with my favorite Disney villain.

Ursula is my favorite villain too!!

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

I do too, and then later I think of more clever things to say! Oh well.

We pose for the obligatory photograph:

One of the best character interactions.

Fast forward to last week- I had the most brilliant idea that she should wait until next year around October, November and I’ll go with her. This way she’ll have some extra help with her boys (who will be a little older and who adore me after spending lots of time together when I was in NY) and I’ll get to visit Disney again. It’s a win-win.

Total win-win!

On that note it is time to leave Tomorrowland and the Magic Kingdom for my dinner reservation at 1900 Park Fare over in the Grand Floridian.

One of my favorite dinners!

 

[Dentam]

Another great update! That Minnie bag is super cute!

Off to read your DR update!

 

[Saphire5742]

Your photos with Mickey are so precious! Glad you finally got to see him!

Thanks!

Love the backpack you bought!

Isn't it the cutest ever?

This may be the greatest thing I have ever heard (/read). Seriously.

I knew you'd all appreciate that here.

I love all of your pictures - you look beautiful and I can tell from all of the character pictures that you were having a lot of fun!

Thank you! I most definitely was!

I love your nails! Oh my gosh they're so pretty!

Thanks! I'm totally wishing I could have sported them FOREVER

Another great update! That Minnie bag is super cute!

Thank you!
I do love my Minnie bag!

 

[hokieinpa]

Aw, I LOVE your meet with Mickey! Such a sweet and special moment!

I feel the same way during Celebrate the Magic and Wishes. I get chills and tear up each time. I love your spirit during this trip - I feel happy just reading your trip report!!

 

[Saphire5742]

May 10, 2016 – Epcot!


Welcome back to day 3 of my trip.

The night before I received a message on my resort phone informing me of the time and meetup place for my tour the following morning. I had signed up for the Gardens of the World Tour. Now I’m as far from a gardener as you can get (the abysmal state of my yard is proof of that) but I figured it would give me a greater appreciation for the Flower and Garden Festival which I was very excited about. One of my favorite subjects to photograph. So yes, this means that Epcot wins for most photographs in a park especially this first day. At first I was hesitant about signing up since it takes about 3 hours which is a sizable chunk especially during prime rope drop time, but I had 2 Epcot days planned so I just went for it.

We were to meet up at 8:45 behind Spaceship Earth. I arrived about 20 minutes early and went through the breakfast and tours line. Some lovely photos as I made my way to the meeting point:​

We were about 10 adults in the group, only 2 of whom were avid gardeners. After we checked in we each received a headset so we could hear our tour guide and a special pin:



Isn’t it so cute? We were cautioned not to let our Olaf melt.

The cast member accompanying us for the tour (in addition to the tour guide herself) then offered to take pics of whoever wanted with a tour sign:




After being welcomed to Epcot in a multitude of languages and watching the fountain dance for a bit we were on our way. Can’t remember the name of our tour guide (I know it started with an L, Linda maybe?) nor do I remember most of what she told us (not a gardener after all) but I did find it all fascinating at the time.

A brief overview: We started off in Future World and then made our way to World Showcase (yes, this means we had exclusive entry to WS before it opened!). She explained about the various topiaries and the story behind some of them, the planning stages, execution processes, maintenance, various gardening methods showcased, why certain plants/flowers were used in the different WS pavilions. I admit there were times I was only half listening because I was too busy marveling/photographing, but the tour did succeed in giving me a much better appreciation for everything that goes into not only Flower and Garden but also year round in terms of planting/gardening at the parks. Not to mention getting to see World Showcase without anyone else and the special pin and it was definitely worth it.

Ready for some pictures????? Here we go…..

This update will focus on the Future World portion of the tour.

Continued next post​

 

[Saphire5742]

Notice Chip and Dale's partly eaten sandwich? The rascals stole it from Mickey's bag!


(there's an open black bag to the right of Mickey)


BUTTERFLIES!!!!!!

















Continued next post​

 

[Saphire5742]

After exiting the butterfly garden...








(I really love this shot!)




I spy a Mickey head!











The Ultimate Garden Party! By the way, see the table "windows"? It's actually an aquarium built into the table!




Continued next post...​

 

[Saphire5742]

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I do love Pluto's collar!






Anyone in the mood for some spice???






Saying goodbye to Future World:



Stay tuned.....
​

 

[missangelalexis]

I am enjoying all your F&G photos! I'm glad the tour was worth it and you had a nice time!