Magical May Solo Adventures, updated 2/8

[Saphire5742]

More Japan:















Continued next post....

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[Saphire5742]

After that lovely stroll through the beautiful Japanese gardens we continue our World Gardens tour into Morocco:




Here we have the Urban Spice Garden featuring spices used in Moroccan cuisine:






There will be a lot more Morocco Pavilion photos on my second Epcot day.

Speaking of Morocco, guess what? 2 weeks ago I signed up for a 10 day Moroccan vacation through the Organization for Tel Aviv Municipal Workers. I am entitled to one subsidized trip a year through the organization. Every six months a new booklet comes out with various destinations. What's nice about it is that it is all inclusive: flight, hotel, tour guide, any attraction entrance fees. Two years ago I went to Barcelona. Last year because of school I did not utilize my privilege (I did go to Copenhagen for 5 days but that was on my own). After I returned from my NY/Disney trip I was talking with a coworker about wanting to go away somewhere for my birthday in December. And then she mentioned that a new booklet should be coming out soon and that perhaps I should look there. After that shift ended I checked on the website and lo and behold the destinations for the rest of the year had been posted a day prior. I saw that there was a Morocco organized trip scheduled for end of November. I told my mom I was thinking of signing up and she surprised me by exclaiming that I must sign up and she always wanted to go to Morocco too (we're allowed to bring a companion at a slightly increased companion rate). My mom is coming to Israel anyway in November for my cousin's Bat Mitzva (a Jewish girl's 12th birthday celebration) so the timing is perfect. Can't wait!

Ok, back to our tour....

Passing through France:



See the people? Yes, this is where our exclusive access to WS ends. One of the bakeries in France is open anyway before 11. But as it was at this point it was close to 11 in any case.







Cup of tea anyone? In that case England is where you want to be. Welcome to the English Tea Garden:








Continued next post.....






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[Saphire5742]

More England:








Peter Pan topiaries. Especially love the croc! :












Shakespeare Garden:





Continued next post (final one for this update, I told you it was a long one).....
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[Saphire5742]

It was as we were approaching England that I began to feel the effects of the brutal sun. As much as I was enjoying the tour I longed for it to end soon so I could sit down with an ice water. My throat was so parched. I was kicking myself for not thinking of filling and freezing the water bottle from the day before and bringing it with me. I was dehydrated and could feel myself start to get lightheaded. Please let this be a warning to all those booking tours during the late spring/summer months.

After England we arrived at the final pavilion, Canada. There I was awed by the garden inspired by the Butchart Gardens. It was my first time hearing about these gardens and I knew that I must one day visit the real thing.
















After the tour was done we were led to a backstage area nearby where we returned our earsets and were given an official 2016 Flower and Garden poster (which I promptly forgot somewhere, but that story is for another update)

Thank you for joining me on this tour. Stay tuned for more Epcot adventures in my next update.
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[disneywlf]

Hi Princess Odelia! It is a pleasure to meet you and read your TR, which I found through a fellow DISer and I happen to love it, as it is nice to see it from the perspective of a fellow solo traveler . Also, it is nice to meet a fellow Jew, as I happen to be Jewish too and my late grandparents were Holocaust survivors. It is also amazing that you are from Israel and I hope to visit one day, as I would love to get back to my roots and visit "The Promised Land." My favorite parts so far have been your visits to all of the attractions, your character meets, and your Epcot garden pics. Look forward to reading more!

 

[fallonkendra]

Your Epcot pictures have me convinced I must spend more time there on our next trip! I felt way too rushed on the one day we were there, especially in World Showcase - so next time I really need to stop and see everything!

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

LOVED the pictures! Almost makes me wanna visit during the F&G Festival instead of Food and Wine!

 

[Dentam]

Wow, so many great photos!! We are visiting next spring to catch the opening days of the F&G Festival and this is making me even more excited!!

I love the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs topiaries as well as the Peter Pan ones! They have added so much to the festival since I was there years ago.

 

[missangelalexis]

More beautiful pictures!

How exciting that you have a trip to Morocco in the works

 

[Sarahh1027]

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!

AHHHH!! How wonderful! I totally understand..as soon as my mom mentioned going to Disney with me I started pouring all my energy into planning haha

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……”

LOVE THAT SONG!!!

I adore this picture! You look so happy and at peace!

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.

Celebrate the Magic is one of my favorites! That and Fantasmic!

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!

I totally understand. I tear up watching it on youtube for goodness sakes!

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.

AoA bus stop is sooo far from Magic Kingdom!

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

I loveeee him! Such an adorable pin!

I love how the duck looks right at home here.

The first picture with the duck standing makes it look like the duck is wrecking the village (think King Kong/ Godzilla)! So cute though!

And of course it wouldn't be Flower and Garden without some topiaries. Featured in Germany are no other than Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs. I especially love how animated the dwarfs look.

Snow's my favorite!! The first pic you got is perfect. When I went there were so many people infront of Snow I couldn't get as good of a picture!

(Can't resist those SE shots!)

I agree! I think next time I'm at Epcot I'll get a SE picture at each pavilion!

Speaking of Morocco, guess what?

Ahhh how exciting!! And extra special that you get to bring your Mom!!!

I'm loving your TR, your pictures are beautiful, and I can't wait for more!

 

[Saphire5742]

Hi Princess Odelia!

Why hello there ! Welcome to my TR

It is a pleasure to meet you and read your TR, which I found through a fellow DISer and I happen to love it, as it is nice to see it from the perspective of a fellow solo traveler

I'm so happy you're enjoying it

It is also amazing that you are from Israel and I hope to visit one day, as I would love to get back to my roots and visit "The Promised Land."

Hopefully you get to realize this dream soon

Your Epcot pictures have me convinced I must spend more time there on our next trip!

I'm so happy that my pictures have inspired you to spend more time in Epcot. There is really so much to explore there. I love it!

LOVED the pictures! Almost makes me wanna visit during the F&G Festival instead of Food and Wine!

You could always plan another trip ....

We are visiting next spring to catch the opening days of the F&G Festival and this is making me even more excited!!

I'm happy to be contributing to your excitement. You're gonna love it!

How exciting that you have a trip to Morocco in the works

Yes it is. Always exciting to have a vacation to look forward to. So much so that I created a new ticker last night...

AHHHH!! How wonderful! I totally understand..as soon as my mom mentioned going to Disney with me I started pouring all my energy into planning haha

Unfortunately that might not end up happening . After the tragedy at the GF (and everything else happening around the world) he does not want to go nor have my sister or their sons go ANYWHERE. Not even to here for my grandfather's 80th birthday in October. He is so stubborn too. I do hope he gets some sense knocked into him soon though. But if not I'll plan a short trip somewhere else in North America next time I'm in NY.

AoA bus stop is sooo far from Magic Kingdom!

The first picture with the duck standing makes it look like the duck is wrecking the village (think King Kong/ Godzilla)!

, I appreciate this new perspective

Snow's my favorite!! The first pic you got is perfect. When I went there were so many people infront of Snow I couldn't get as good of a picture!

Ah, yes. One of the perks of being on a tour and having exclusive access to WS. Maybe it will work out for you on your next trip.

Ahhh how exciting!! And extra special that you get to bring your Mom!!!

Yes, can't wait!

I'm loving your TR, your pictures are beautiful, and I can't wait for more!

Thank you for your kind words. Right back at ya

 

[andiepie]

Your trip looks fantastic! Can't wait to read more about it!

 

[disvisitorkim]

Following along! Looks like you had an amazing time so far! Can't wait to read more! I've always thought about a solo trip but I'm too nervous in such a big place!

 

[Saphire5742]

Your trip looks fantastic! Can't wait to read more about it!

Following along! Looks like you had an amazing time so far! Can't wait to read more!

and welcome to my TR. Another update coming up shortly...

I've always thought about a solo trip but I'm too nervous in such a big place!

I'm used to doing things on my own, but I think if you plan well and immerse yourself in the magic there's less to be nervous about.

 

[Saphire5742]

A little real life update before continuing on to the rest of my Epcot day following the tour. It might be a little longish, but I am trying to figure some things out and hoping maybe writing about it will give me some clarity. Feel free to skip to the next post for the TR-

If you recall I mentioned in a previous update a plan to get me back to Disney World, helping my sister as she takes her boys there for the first time. She was very on board this idea. Well since then with the GF tragedy and other events around the world, her husband has decided he’s not willing to take his family ANYWHERE EVER! And he is stubborn as anything. Not the most encouraging development but since we’re talking about next autumn I thought he might change his mind till then. And if not I was going to work on my nephews so that he’ll have no choice. Anyway after posting my last update which ended in the Canada Pavilion with the garden inspired by the Butchart Gardens I started researching a possible trip there instead for the next time I’m in NY (still looking to next autumn, I miss autumn in NY, last time I was there at that time of year was 2011). First of all it looks stunningly beautiful. Second I found out that it's located in Victoria,BC which in turn is located on the west coast of Canada and that there’s a whole lot of great activities to do there. I was talking to another of my sisters not long after and she suggested that since I would be traveling to the west coast might as well visit a few more places. That got me thinking of Disneyland. It would be so wonderful to visit the original. And then I recalled that there’s an ABD to Hollywood and Disneyland and started to look into that too. It would definitely make a trip to DL extra special. Price for the time I was thinking about is currently listed as $3200. Contacted Disney to find out what the single supplement would be (don’t even get me started on my whole single supplement rant) – found out it’s 1.5 times the price, YIKES. That would mean $4800, appr $872 per day. Oh and btw I was told that the list price could increase as more people sign up (the logic there is totally lost on me). Really it’s not that much for what I would be getting out of it especially considering that most of that is probably for the hotel (Grand Californian). But the thing is I don’t need such luxury accommodations (although it would be nice) and I don’t know if I would ever find myself back in California, so if I was planning a trip there, might as well use that money towards seeing more. Also it isn’t very convenient to combine a trip there with Canada as I found out while researching flights. That would require at least 2 weeks which wouldn’t leave me much time to spend with my family and there is no way I’m flying to the US and not spending time with my family. I’m just really torn at the moment. Leaning towards Canada but hard to let go of a magical Hollywood/DL ABD.

On a positive note, I’ve lost 16 pounds in the past two months with Weight Watchers! Still have a ways to go, but I’m not in any hurry. This will be my third weight loss journey (and very hopefully the last). First time 14 years ago also with WW. Second about 6 years ago with a nutritionist. Technically I should know what to do myself, but I have come to the conclusion that I need a framework or else I have no discipline.

Sorry if I bored you with my ramblings. On to the TR…

 

[Saphire5742]

After the tour I decided to see “Oh,Canada!” being as it was right next to the backstage area we exited from when the tour ended. Plus it was a way to be indoors and in air conditioning not to mention only a 5 min wait. Martin Short is so funny and I really enjoyed the film. Made me wonder why I have never visited Canada before. That said, it was not the best idea in the dehydrated state I was in as it made me even more light headed and a little nauseous . Had one thing on my mind at this point – to get my hands on some ice water.


I’ll say it again – if you’re planning on a tour in the hot summer months please make sure you have water with you. Learn from my mistake. I cannot stress this enough.


On the way snapped some more photos:















Didn’t have to walk long and bought myself one of these babies too to give me a sugar burst of energy:





First time I’ve ever eaten a cronut. It was fabulous ! Flaky, buttery fried dough topped with cinnamon sugar. YUM! Never seen them sold where I live (can’t decide if that’s good or bad ).


After being sufficiently hydrated and nourished I realized that I didn’t have my F&G poster that we received at the end of the tour. Wasn’t by the stand I bought my snack. Headed back towards “Oh, Canada!”. Looked around the waiting area, not there. The CM there offered to check inside the theater and the backstage area, nothing. He also checked with other CMs but no luck. I was directed to guest services by the international gateway. The CM tried to phone the department in charge of the tour but no answer. He gave me a phone number to try myself later on, but I knew then it was a lost cause. I did not have a US phone (my mom did get me a sim card for an old phone in the house having been assured that it would also work in Florida. Guess what? Got to Florida and it was emergency only, ) plus I was planning to be in the parks from open to close. Didn’t try to pursue it further. Knowing me it would just stay rolled up anyway. Oh well.

Spotted a photographer on the bridge next to the international gateway so stopped for my first photopass of the day:





Continued next post...
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[Saphire5742]

Wandered around England a bit. Found another photographer there. But first some more topiaries:














(I just love those Magic Shots. Made sure to ask for them from almost every photographer)


France comes next:







Continued next post....​

 

[Saphire5742]

(Lumiere's one of my favorites!)

Had a little snack at the F&G booth there. Needed actual food in my system. Chose the pulled duck which was decent enough. Would have liked some ice cream but the line at L’Artisans Des Glaces was a bit long. So went in to see Impressions de France. Don’t remember much of it as my eyes kept closing.


Oh my, look at the time! Going to miss my SE FP+ if I don’t get myself there pronto. Ran to the dock and caught the boat back to Future World. Still managed to make it with 5 min past the window. Found out that my future involves adventures in outer space:


Actually I have always wanted to fly. I suppose floating will give me a similar feeling.

Next FP is for Test Track. But, what’s this? The ride’s down? The app says I can choose another ride for that same time slot. Not really much to choose from though. Made my way to the Land Pavilion:







Love the mosaic design!


Always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon. Now that I'm looking at the photo more closely I see that they represent the 4 seasons. Nice!


Living with the Land had a posted time of 15 min but it was a walk on. I loved it so much that I rode it twice and took some photos (by now you should know that I just can’t resist floral/plant photos):


A fast (and somewhat blurry) photo from the queue area. I thought that top left quote was funny and clever.





Continued next post...

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[Saphire5742]

More from Living with the Land:





















Continued next post...
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[fallonkendra]

I'm actually from Canada - originally born in New Brunswick (on the eastern side), now living in Alberta (western province, right beside BC) - these two provinces are over 4000km apart. I've spent time in every province except NFLD, and have drove a good portion of the country at various times! I was actually just in Vancouver BC last week, and I've spent time in Edmonton (where I now live), Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and I've toured the Maritime provinces pretty extensively (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI). If you ever have any questions about planning a trip to this country, just ask! I'd be more than happy to give advice on some of the best spots to hit up! The Rocky Mountains along the Alberta/BC border are absolutely breathtaking, Parliament Hill in Ottawa is really beautiful, on a fall trip you have to see the colours of the Maritimes (the maple trees there turn brilliant shades of orange and red - it's not the same living in Alberta), the colour of Prince Edward Island is spectacular - lush green land meets red sandy beaches which meets the blue Ocean. Let me know if you'd like to hear more about any of the Canadian places I've been to!

I love the magic shots you got! Your Photopass pictures all turned out great! That's too bad about losing the poster you got from your tour