Mixing Business and Magic - A Solo Adventure * UPDATED 11/3*

scrpbookr · Dec 13, 2014

Hello! And welcome to my Mixing Business and Magic trip report! This trip was made possible largely due to a work conference that I was attending in Orlando in June of 2014. If felt like a bonus trip since I had visited just a few months before with my family. This trip I revisited some of my favorites but made sure to take in most of what I may have missed on the March trip. There were some firsts for me...

I visited both water parks
I did a lot of exploring of some of the different Disney resorts
I made it to Be Our Guest
I was thrilled to make it to Mickey's Back Yard BBQ
I rode some of the thrill rides I usually skip due to having a pretty young child
Rode the new Mine Train
Took in a bit of mini golf
Lunch at 50s Prime Time Diner

I'm sure there are other firsts but these come to mind at the moment.

I stayed at an offsite hotel recommended for the conference but it ended up being a very convenient location. It was the Wyndham next door to Downtown Disney on the Wolfgang Puck side where the Disney buses run.

I did have a rental car for the week. This made hopping from the conference to the parks easy.

Thanks for joining me!

scrpbookr · Dec 13, 2014

This trip got off to a bit of a rocky start and there was no one to blame except myself. I guess I'm a bit more responsible when I'm travelling with others.... :confused3

You wont believe what I did! I missed my flight! The really irresponsible part was I didn't even know I was missing my flight. This also meant that I wasn't stressed out about missing it either because I didn't know until I was checking in. Somehow I mixed up the what time to leave the house time / what time to check in time / what time the flight leaves time in my head. Fortunately, although this is uncharacteristic for me, the airline deals with this all the time and they fixed it quickly. They didn't even charge me anything which I found incredible. They just scheduled me standby on the next flight out in an hour or so. And I was able to check in at the gate and make that flight. All's well that ends well. I made it to Orlando and after what seemed like a very long check in at Alamo for my rental car I was on my way to the first park of my visit!

I had originally planned to arrive at the park about 10am. With about an hour set back on the flight and almost an hour getting the rental car it was more like noon when I got there. But none of the delays mattered anymore because I was here!!

The park I chose for my first day was....

My favorite!

I parked in the travel and transportation lot and was happy to see a rendition of the big guy right away...

Even though I knew I was going to Florida in June and I knew it would be hot I just wasn't ready for exactly how that would feel. That meant I consumed a lot of cool treats like this next one...

Such a welcome site!

I'm here!

The sweetest corner on the happiest street in the World!

Nothing welcomes quite like a cast member with their arms full of Disney balloons!

I had a plan for the earlier anticipated arrival and I decided to just stick with the same one even though it was a couple of hours later. I headed through the castle... Hi Walt! Hi Mickey!

Where our favorite couple was performing....

Nothing quite like castle fireworks to make you feel welcome!

Friends!

I continued right past the castle with a special destination in mind. I enjoyed the sights as I made my way...

I was very much looking forward to enjoying this, for the first time, with a FP, later in the day...

It was exciting to get my first live peeks of it in action!

I'm getting close to my intended destinations. Any guesses? More coming soon!

DisneyKid4Life · Dec 13, 2014

Joining in Brenda!!

Wow, I definitely would not have reacted like that if I'd missed a flight. So great of them to adjust so quickly though, And only an hour for the next one? Score!

Well done with the solo sign from the car photos! I know from experience how tricky that is.

I love arriving when Dream Along is happening. It feels like a special welcome just for you. :goodvibes

scrpbookr · Dec 14, 2014

I was getting ready to enter a very Beauty and the Beast centered portion of the trip. Thanks to wonderful advice here on the DIS I had heard the line to have lunch at Be Our Guest is more enjoyable if you grab a Le Fous Brew to enjoy while waiting and that is what I did.

Not before a different rendition of the castle photo though...

First Stop Gaston's

The imagineers did such a wonderful job with this area!

This stop I tried just the Le Fou's Brew but before the week is over I come back a couple more times for a few other new favorties.

The description...

Some of the decor...

A great little nook...

Gaston's throne...

Next stop.... the long anticipated Be Our Guest....

I was so excited to be here and finally in line to do this!

This was a bit delayed but I did remember to take a picture of my first Le Fou's Brew....

The ice water available for those waiting in line was such a thoughtful idea!

The wait wasn't bad at all. Especially considering we were still in the noon hour. Before long it was time to enter...

There were menus to look at in line to help decide choices ahead of time.

Important choices first.... dessert!

The cast member in this area was kind enough to take a picture for me as I was entering...

Hello Lion!

The costumes for cast members in this area are perfect!

A beautiful mosaic...

and tapestry...

Look at this arch! Every detail is special!

What does every castle need? A row of knights in shining armor!

All this fun and we haven't even ordered yet! The ordering kiosk...

I'm just about out of picture space here so I'll continue this in a part 2....

scrpbookr · Dec 14, 2014

The next big decision was which room I wanted to enjoy my meal in....

There were so many lovely choices!

The carts that they bring the meals out on seem so luxurious!

When I spotted this I knew where I wanted to sit down to eat!

This room is so cool!

Although it does appear that it can get a wee bit dangerous from time to time...

With the technology behind Disney magic my meal found me at the table I chose....

My choice. It was delicious but truly enough for two. I don't think I even finished half after having a Le Fou's Brew just a bit earlier.

I adore how they even made the soda fountains fancy!

For dessert I had the Grey Stuff cupcake! I had to take it with me for later. I was much too full right then.

The best part of the room I chose was when the thunder and lightning began and then this portrait would change to the Beast for an instant....

PERFECT!

I looked around the castle a bit more before leaving...

This was a favorite detail as well!

Love the artwork!

Goodbye, castle..... such a wonderful lunch experience!

This might be my favorite popcorn cart in the World....

I was heading back towards Gaton's in hopes of a meet....

He wasn't out yet so I did a bit of browsing in Village Gifts...

The Thomas Kinkade's are gorgeous...

I also did my first pin trading of the trip in Village Gifts. The faux book sitting there on the counter is their pin trading book.....

When I was done shopping it was time to meet Gaston....

I don't even know what to say about this next one.....

He was going on and on about himself...... I was in it for the picture...

Okay.... are we all Beauty and Beasted out? It was a fun start to the trip.

scrpbookr · Dec 14, 2014

DisneyKid4Life said:
Joining in Brenda!!

Wow, I definitely would not have reacted like that if I'd missed a flight. So great of them to adjust so quickly though, And only an hour for the next one? Score!

Well done with the solo sign from the car photos! I know from experience how tricky that is.

I love arriving when Dream Along is happening. It feels like a special welcome just for you.

Thanks for stopping by, Rob!

The whole missing my flight thing was so out of character for me. And I had no idea I was late until I was checking in and was getting an error. I would have been totally stressed if I knew before that. But at that moment when I found out there was no sense in getting worked up. The counter attendant stepped over and fixed me up before I had time to get upset. Go US AIRWAYS! They saved the day.

DisneyKid4Life · Dec 14, 2014

Truthfully Brenda, grabbing a Brew for any reason is a good idea. :thumbsup2

BOG certainly is lovely. I especially enjoy the fact that is is unlike any other QS anywhere. More of a mix of counter service and table service in one.

And not one but TWO pictures of the naked Prince mosaic. :laughing:

scrpbookr · Dec 14, 2014

DisneyKid4Life said:
And not one but TWO pictures of the naked Prince mosaic.

OH MY! I hadn't noticed! Someone ought to imagineer that prince some mosaic pants! Too funny!

missangelalexis · Dec 15, 2014

So sorry your trip had a not so great start! But I'm glad the airline was so accomdating and that you made it ok.

Nice walking in while DAWM is going on!

Yay you got to eat at Be Our Guest! My first time eating lunch there I also chose to sit in the West Wing

\

Great pics with Gaston.

scrpbookr · Jan 28, 2015

After all the Beauty and the Beast fun I continued to make my way through New Fantasyland. I stopped to admire Prince Eric's castle...

The skies look slightly threatening...

This area is so well done!

As I continued towards the Storybook Circus I was excited to see the clowns performing...

I had fun with them in March and was excited to see them again...

The skies are still uncertain...

I stopped for a bit of pin trading....

.... and then continued on to the Barnstormer. I had ridden the Barnstormer in CA but never in FL before.

I was taking in all the theming and capturing it for the scrapbook...

Banners along the way...

I met this sweet boy in line. He was admiring the pins on my bag and wanted to trade. The pins on my tote are the special keepers from parks around the world, Castaway Cay, etc. So I had to explain to him that they were special to me but to make up for it I pulled out my trades and let him pick a couple for his collection without asking for trades in return. It felt good to do that for him and helped pass the time in line, too.

The Wheel of Peril...

It was time to board our Barnstormer...

And we're off!

For all those goofy injuries...

The Casey Circus Train splash zone was pretty quiet right then. I think we were all about to enter the splash zone regardless....

missangelalexis · Jan 28, 2015

I love the pin trading at the Storybook Circus store!! When I first saw it I didn't realize what it was, so clever.

Uh oh, sounds like those skies are about to open up..

DisneyKid4Life · Jan 28, 2015

Oh dear those skies. I sadly am all too familiar with them. :sad2:

Awww, so very nice to let that youngster pin... shop, lol. I'm sure he loved that. :goodvibes

scrpbookr · Jan 30, 2015

I headed back into Fantasyland next and was excited to see the Fairy Godmother meeting!

Cinderella's lovely fountain!

Her castle from the back...

A beautiful gown in the boutique...

Sweet Fantasyland details...

While I was in Cinderella mode I popped over to where the Stepsister and Stepmother meet and was in luck. They were there. They're a hoot to watch...

In time it was my time to meet them as well. It was starting to rain again so they were moving quickly. They went in almost right after I met them and I was thankful the timing of the meet worked out.

The Merry Makers were nearby as well....

It was time for a potty break and there is no better place than the Rupunzle's Tinkle Tower...

The prettiest potty ever!

I looked for Pascals but wasn't having much luck finding them....

As usual, I love how thorough the themeing is....

Those skies.... not good!

The skies did open up but with umbrella in hand I did continue to take a few pics along the way...

So pretty.... even in the rain...

Look at this sweet bunny!

One last picture from the hub and then I'm out of picture space for this post....

missangelalexis · Jan 30, 2015

Great character pics! Lucky that you caught the Tremaines before they left.

Love the photos with the umbrella peaking through, so unique!

scrpbookr · Feb 13, 2015

In spite of a bit of rain my trustee umbrella and I made our way towards Tomorrowland!

It had been a lot of years since I had taken in Stitch's Great Escape so that is where I headed first.

I was solo on this trip since a work conference is what truly brought me to Orlando but I remember missing Reagan as I was waiting for Stitch. When we are there again this June I'd like to share this with him then.

Prisoner Teleport Center...

Orientation....

Stitch!

I thought this was a cute little show and Reagan is at the right age for it. Hopefully he will want to see it in June.

In the dump store...

The rain continued so I quickly ducked across the way and rode Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

Taking in all the queue details...

Just about time to board...

The little battery packs on the backs of the cars amuse me everytime!

Zurg is captured by THE CLAW...

Which puts a big smile on Buzz's face....

My score of a lousy 8500 reflects that I spent a lot more time taking pictures than shooting targets...
My ride photo proves that I was busy taking photos!

Back outside it was still rainy so I quickly tried to decide what inside attraction I'd head to next. Any guesses?

missangelalexis · Feb 13, 2015

Great Buzz photos! I absolutely love the ride photo, so fitting :rotfl:

Hmm where are you headed next? My first guess was PeopleMover but now I'm thinking Carousel of Progress! I guess I will wait and see

DisneyKid4Life · Feb 13, 2015

I haven't been to see Stitch's Great Escape for forever. I'm not one of those people who hates it though. I actually get a kick out of it, and plus it rarely ever has much of a wait.

scrpbookr · Feb 15, 2015

As Alexis guessed, Carousel of Progress was next. It was still raining and it was an easy place to duck into after Buzz.

Making our way through the ages...

I love that grandma is playing the video game. Reagan get's his Nanny to do that, too.

Nearing the end...

Back outside it was a perfect day to be a duck. And what better place to be a duck than at Disney!

I had another good inside destination in mind. I had to make my way through Fantasyland to get there. Past Storybook Treats Ice Cream....

... and past the carousel...

To Mickey's Philharmagic...

Caution: Doors Open Magically Towards You...

Theater Posters...

3D Glasses!

And not to spoil anything, but my favorite part....

The dump shop...

The End...

missangelalexis · Feb 17, 2015

YAY Carousel of Progress, one of my faves!

Aww that duck picture is too cute.

scrpbookr · Feb 20, 2015

Fortunately, the weather had improved a bit while I was in the Philharmagic. During our previous visit in March the Jungle Cruise wait time seemed a little crazy and we missed riding it. I was determined to ride it this time. I was making my way there when I was distracted by an old favorite....