MMM's Park-Free Solo Trip

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I’m a 30-something single mom whose ex-husband lives in Florida. At least once every year, I accompany my children down to visit their dad, and then hang out in Florida until it’s time to come home. I love going to WDW solo to recharge. I had promised DS that I would not go into any parks without him, though, so my plan for this trip was to try a few new eateries (see details in the Dining Reports forum) and check out every resort on property. So this isn’t a typical trip report. As I said in my Dining Report, I tend to go on and on (cannot make a long story short), so if you’re not into minutiae, then you probably won’t enjoy this too much. however, I hope at least some people do!

Day 1: Late Check-In Does Matter!
Sunday, April 8
Usually we have an early morning flight, but the 10:50 departure was cheaper - maybe it had something to do with the 3-hour stop in Chicago. Anyway, we sailed through Hancock International in Syracuse with our carry-ons and had an uneventful flight. American Eagle took our cases at the plane door because the plane was a small one and the bags wouldn’t fit in the overhead compartments; however, they were given back to us at the door in Chicago and we carried them onto the larger AA flight afterward with no problems. I dropped the DKids with their dad at MCO and headed for the DME counter at about 7:30 pm. I’ve heard all kinds of praise and complaints about the service, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The CM directed me to a particular line for the “zone” I’d be traveling to, and I walked quickly through the empty queue to another CM at the end who told me which bus to board outside. I do have to wonder what it’s like when that queue is full - that has the potential to be nightmarish. In any event, I boarded immediately, and the bus left at 7:40, arriving at the Pop Century by 8:05. Nice! The cutest thing happened on the way: a family was sitting across the aisle with 2 small daughters who were going to WDW for the first time. They were so excited to see the archway into the World, but only a few minutes later rain began spattering on the windshield. When the driver turned on the wipers, the older girl (about 6 y/o) asked her dad, “They allow rain at Disney?” Awwww...

Check-in also went quickly (unlike my last trip), waiting less than 5 minutes. The CM took my credit card information and retrieved the box I’d mailed down in advance. I had forgotten that I’d sent it, so I’m glad the CM had a note of some kind on the reservation - otherwise, I’d have realized at bedtime that I had no toothpaste! The only drawback to the later check-in was that my room was on the backside of nowhere, out in the 90’s section. In fact, according to the map, there were only 3 rooms that were further out than mine! The CM directed me to follow a particular path through the resort, but I figured out the next day that it was much quicker to cut through the parking lots. It was not a long walk that way, but I did miss out on a lot of the theming because I preferred to get around quickly. The upside: the room was on the ground floor and nonsmoking, as I’d requested, and its isolation made it very quiet. I was pretty close to the computer pool (I was in building 8 behind the laptop), and though the weather was not all that conducive to swimming, it wouldn’t be a bad location for families who want quiet but also easy access to a pool.

I had a tough time falling asleep. Being a northerner who is not used to A/C, I always turn up the thermostat at WDW. However, even at 78 the room just seemed COLD (it did the entire trip - I don’t think the thermo. was accurate). In addition, a toddler in the next room had one heck of a tantrum - I’ve never really noticed the “paper-thin” walls others have commented on, but this time it was quite noticeable. Luckily, that family must have left the next day, or the child had become happier - I did not hear them again the entire trip. There was a little dog-head towel animal waiting for me when I got there.

More on the way soon...

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Day 2: The Blustery Day
Monday, April 9
No alarm clock for me today! I woke up at 7:00 anyway. I threw on a jacket and flip flops and headed to Everything Pop before it got too busy. The jacket was a lucky choice because for the first time ever I encountered a cold, rainy morning at WDW. The CM’s at EP made up for it, though - Jorge at the eggs station was jovial and charming, and Mabel at the register chatted with me for a bit about dealing with snow in NY (she’s from Goshen). I had brought my old POP mug just for my tea, and was concerned when I saw a new design on sale in the food court - I explained to another CM (Ashley) that I’d even brought my own tea bags and would it be ok to just use the old mug for hot water, to which she replied, “You can still refill that old one with whatever you want, it’s OK.” For the record, I didn’t (notice how I buried the conversation in this report, as well - I am NOT reopening that debate!). I have a thing for mugs and so I bought another one just because I *had* to have it. Just to say so, I filled the new one with frozen Coke and took it back to my room after breakfast. My new flip flops had already rubbed a blister on one foot, so I walked back to the room in the 50-degree rain barefoot, thinking all sorts of horrible thoughts about bronchitis and such. To my delight, I spotted a mama duck with 7 fluffy, adorable ducklings and had to coo at them a little, probably making a spectacle of myself in the process.

Even though I wasn’t going to the parks, I had a plan for each day. Today’s plan was to revisit CSR and check out CBR. Playing bus roulette, I hopped on an Epcot bus with plans to switch to CSR from there. I hadn’t counted on the fact that it was still very early in the morning, and not many buses were picking people up. I noticed a few drivers looking at me as they drove away and wondered if anyone was reporting the need for a bus at the CSR stop. Sure enough, within about ten minutes a bus pulled up and the driver signaled me to board. I felt pretty special as the only passenger! She dropped me by request at the main stop and I headed in to admire the lobby.

I just love CSR. We stayed there back in 2005, a special quick trip to ride RNRC before dropping the kids with dad (DS had finally gotten tall enough). Since then I’ve wondered which I liked better, POR or CSR. Now I know it’s CSR. It’s just a gorgeous resort. I sat at the lobby fountain for a bit, taking in the glorious art on the ceiling, before walking down toward the restaurants. The line for the Pepper Market was just insane, and some people were giving up and checking in at Maya Grill, where the CM’s were being very accommodating. Despite the cold and the chilly rain, I walked through the Casitas, retracing the route to our old room and revisiting the fountains. Now I want to landscape our back yard with a fountain like the first one - it makes me think of a marketplace or a spot where women in the old days would have brought their laundry. Of course, that particular fountain would fill my little yard, but I’m going to look around for a smaller version to pay homage to the original. I also love the Ranchos, especially for the landscaping. Maybe people who live in the Southwest would yawn over it, but this NYer loves it! It’s also incredibly peaceful out there. I detoured over to the Dig Site to see the lifeguards huddled in sweatsuits, watching over a pool that had no swimmers. It really was cold! The Cabanas were the least interesting to me visually, but that section does have the beach hammocks going for it. I was tempted to hang out in one and rest my feet, but the rain had soaked them and I had no desire to spend the rest of the day with a wet behind, so I continued on to the bus stop and played another round of bus roulette, hopping on a DTD bus just because it was the first to arrive.

It was still raining, so I decided to head inside for a bite of lunch and tried the Earl of Sandwich - yum! (See Dining Report in that forum.) There was a lot of great stuff at World of Disney as usual, but I decided to wait on the shopping binge until later in the week . The rain had let up and I hadn’t been to PI since 1993 (and therefore never to the West Side), so I headed over that way. PI seems a lot smaller than I remembered it, and the West Side was a huge letdown. I think it’s because I enjoy being immersed in WDW while I’m there, and the West Side wasn’t Disney-ish enough for me - that could be in any city, and I prefer knowing I‘m surrounded by WDW the entire time. I got lost looking for a bus stop until a CM must have taken pity on my poor forlorn face and directed me to the PI bus stop. There I waited the typically loooong time to get out of DTD. It always seems that no matter what resort I’m trying to get to, the longest waits are at DTD (however, I’d be proved wrong in subsequent trips between POP and DTD later in the vacation). I decided to wait on CBR until tomorrow in the hopes of having good enough weather to ride a bike, and instead took a bus to the Epcot-area resorts. We had to brake for another mama duck, this time with TEN little bundles of fluff, to cross the road by Planet Hollywood. The whole bus was a chorus of awwww and oooohhh. I saw another set of 8 with mom in Stormalong Bay, too - wow! I’ve never seen ducklings at WDW, and I tend to go almost the same time of year each time. Maybe it’s because I’m usually focused on the parks, and the ducks are more likely to stay (or be shooed?) away from the parks.

I got off at the Yacht Club and smiled at the CM who graciously welcomed me “home.” The lobby was very nice, but I made a beeline to the back to check out Stormalong Bay. The slide was cool, but otherwise I don’t understand the hype it gets. I had envisioned something much larger and more spectacular, somehow. The family of ducks was the highlight for me! I tried to get over to the Beach Club to compare it to the YC, but somehow the paths always brought me back around to the YC, so I gave up and headed for a boat to MGM to then transfer back to POP. While I waited for the boat I soaked up the atmosphere of the dock and the cross-lagoon view of the Boardwalk. I hadn’t included the Boardwalk in my itinerary, but became intrigued and decided I’d check it out one day. As far as the YC/BC area went, I thought it showed a fantastic level of Disney service, but again didn’t immerse me in the Disney atmosphere, so I’d be unlikely to want to stay there.

It was still cold and rainy as I plodded through my parking lot back to my room. Happily, the Mousekeeper had left a Mickey-head towel animal to cheer me up. I’d planned to wear a pretty, summery, halter dress to dinner at Jiko, but was so cold and miserable that I put on a long skirt and long-sleeved top that looked something like a sweatshirt, hoping I’d pass muster as far as Jiko’s dress code was concerned. I needn’t have worried: I did see a few couples who dressed up, but I also saw several people in jeans and shorts, and one woman even in a track suit! I thought that maybe Jiko was being generous about the dress code due to the unseasonable weather, but was also surprised to see that the menu posted outside the restaurant made no reference to expected attire at all. Many people were walking up to the menu and I wondered how a person would know about the dress code if they had never dined there before? Interesting.

Last summer it took an ungodly amount of time to get to AKL from POP, including a horrendous wait at AK for the AKL bus, so I started out at 2:30. It just happened that the first bus at POP was to AK, and the driver told me he was being sent to pick up for AKL, so I just stayed on the bus and was taken swiftly to AKL. The driver, Dan, was a hoot! First he said that the bus would be going to AK but that we all had to get out at BB or be taken to IASW “where you’ll never grow up, never leave, and have to sing that song forever,” As we passed BB he said that Summit Plummet was “guaranteed to give you a wedgie,” at which a little girl asked her dad, “a wedgie?” and Dan replied, “Yes, Abigail, a wedgie!” When we got to AK he reminded us to not leave behind any personal belongings, including small children, and a mom asked “Why not?” and Dan said, “Because I’ve raised all of mine, and now it’s your turn!” Lastly, he said that unclaimed children were taken to IASW, “where you’ll never grow up, never leave, and have to sing that song forever.” He gave “Abigail” a sticker when the family exited the bus. What a great ambassador to WDW! Because of my luck in getting that bus and not having to wait, I ended up arriving over 2 hours early for my ADR.

Even though the rain still hadn’t let up, I walked all the trails and checked out the giraffes, bongos, zebras, and birds. By 4:00 I was too cold and huddled next to the fireplace for a while before Victoria Falls opened. Now, as a single parent I rarely drink alcohol because I’m always a little afraid that something will come up and I won’t have a clear head to deal with it, so I decided I’d indulge in something tonight. I ordered a Trinidad Punch, something with ten cane (?), orange juice, and cranberry juice. Whatever it was, it was strong! I couldn’t finish it (was afraid I’d fall down the stairs going to Jiko!), but enjoyed sipping it while waiting for Jiko to open. The weather must have driven all the AKL residents inside - I’ve never seen the lobby area so packed. I reported to the podium at 5:00 and was given a pager, so I sat near the elevators and people-watched until I was called at about 5:20. Details are in my dining report, but I think I didn’t embarrass myself at my first WDW Signature Dining experience. I even ordered a glass of wine - how decadent could I get?! - and managed to metabolize enough of it that I was able to walk steadily down to the bus stop. Well, there went my alcohol quota for the year!

BTW, I did not bring a book. I normally do when dining alone so it gives me something to do if it seems awkward alone. I had a feeling that it would be out of place here, though, so I contented myself well with the food, wine, and limited view outside the window. Full and sleepy, I left at 7:00 and enjoyed another bus ride all to myself to AK and then switched over to POP and an early bedtime.

AKL remains my all-time favorite Deluxe. I adore everything about it (well, except for its remost location). It's breathtakingly beautiful, the fireplace area is so relaxing and cozy, the animals are a great, unique element, and it has some of my favorite restaurants in the whole world (not just the World).

Coming Soon: Day 3: Is the Weather Affecting the Bus Drivers?

 

[lynn71092]

I'm really enjoying your report!
I wish I would have thought of resort hopping when I did my solo but it was during the F&W Festival so it was all about eating!!

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Day 3: Is the Weather Affecting the Bus Drivers?
Tuesday, April 10
The day began rather inauspiciously with the discovery of a large antlike creature in the bathroom as I stepped out of the shower. Being phobic about insects and other things with exoskeletons, I pummeled the poor thing with the trash can, and then left the can on top of its corpse so I wouldn’t have to look at it. I also left a note on top of the trash can to let Mousekeeping know what was going on. Hey, I wouldn’t want to be surprised by that!

I’d set the alarm to make sure I was out at the bus stops early for a 9:10 ADR at Boatwright’s. I was very concerned about getting there in time because few buses would be returning from the parks at this hour. An MGM bus was at the stop when I got there, and the driver, Austin, was great. He explained the dispatch system, pointing out a white van in the parking lot - the person in the van takes note of the lines and dispatches vans accordingly. Austin told me that all I ever had to do in any park was look for the White Van and let the occupant know I needed a ride. Huh. Sure enough, Austin pointed out the White Van at MGM and I told the driver I needed to get to POR. Within five minutes a bus pulled up! How’s that for service? Wish I’d known about this before - I don’t know if the system will change with the installation of the computerized dispatch deals on the buses in the next few weeks. Anyway, so once again I got a bus ride all to myself - and got to POR over half an hour ahead of time!

Even though the hallway was full of people and the food court was packed, I was seated immediately at Boatwright’s and enjoyed another great breakfast there. Even though I’ve had breakfast there several times, I haven’t been on the POR grounds since I’d stayed there (as “Dixie Landings”) in 1993. I can’t believe how much it’s changed! I had a hard time finding my old room because the landscaping has grown so much - in 1993 it all was open, and now there are trees and tall, tall greenery around. I still like the Bayou area a lot, and am not as awed by the Mansions as I’d expected to be. As a history teacher, I guess I expected something different (which is silly - more authentic plantation details would probably be offensive to many, as well as a waste of space). That said, if I were to stay in the Mansions area, I’d request Parterre Place with a view of the river. It was so peaceful there!

As long as I was that far down the path, I kept walking to POFQ. I like the spread-out layout of POR better even though I understand the New Orleans, city-close atmosphere of FQ. I particularly liked the walkway/street down the side from the pool area to the food court. The brick paving and wrought-iron fence were very nice touches. A CM came by in a little people-carrier cart and tooted at me to stop. He thought I looked confused and I told him I was just looking for the Sassagoula Floatworks to try beignets. Edgar, from Portsmouth (NH? definitely New England, from the accent) had never heard of beignets and flagged down another CM in a cart to ask him if he’d had them before. This other CM had no idea what beignets were, either, but we chatted briefly. Edgar said if I’d brought the Dkids he would have used his CM status to get us into a park for free - I’m not sure if he was serious or not, but I thanked him very graciously for the thought.

Sassagoula Floatworks was much smaller than the Mill at POR; I would have thought they’d be of a similar size. The beignets would have been better if I wasn’t already stuffed from breakfast, but I ate most of one just to say so. FQ has a beautiful check-in area and a great gift shop - I actually found all the mugs I’d been looking for in there (they weren’t even in World of Disney!), and had them shipped home along with a stamper set for my classroom. The pool area was fantastic - more fun for young children than SAB, IMO. Of the two Port Orleans resorts, FQ definitely feels more vibrant and circus-y, whereas POR is more laid-back. The river really makes both resorts, though, and I headed out to take a boat to DTD from there.

What a relaxing, lovely ride! The rain had held off for the most part, even though it was still cool, and the boat ride was wonderful. ISO a restroom at DTD I stumbled upon Wolfgang Puck Express tucked back between the Christmas store and the Earl of Sandwich - the food sounded great, and I resolved to try it at some point in the vacation. My original plan was to shop today, but since I’d found a lot of things I’d wanted at the POFQ gift shop, I just hopped on a CBR bus instead. There was a short wait at the stop, but the looongest ride ever as we made all those stops at DTD and TL. I watched the sky grow darker and gave up on my plan to rent a bike once again. Not paying good attention, I missed the stop at the main area and backtracked from the next stop. I had been looking forward to exploring this resort, but the reappearance of chilly and damp weather really killed any enthusiasm I’d had. The pool was much smaller than I’d thought based on the photos of it, and very crowded with high-school kids on an apparent field trip.

The food court was great! I like how it’s set up as a village street or market area, with the different food stations seeming much more separate here than at other resorts. There was also a group of musicians playing and doing the limbo with guests at one end of the court - what a unique touch! The check-in area was again smaller than I’d expected: given that the resort itself is bigger than POR I’d think its reception area would be larger as well. CBR has the best bus stops in WDW, IMO. They are completely covered, with ceiling fans (as are others, I know), and are just very prettily decorated. If I were to stay at CBR I’d request the Jamaica area because the buildings are a cheerful yellow and it looked peaceful.

While waiting for a bus, I decided to go ahead and return to DTD to eat lunch at WPE. Boy, am I glad I did (YUMMM)! There were very few people on the bus yet again - must be they are all at the parks. When I go to a park, I do tend to stay there the whole day, so I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise that others seem to be doing the same. However, it had been so quiet on the buses so far that I began wondering if WDW were as busy as it usually is at Easter. Later in the week, drivers would tell me that the parks were mobbed, and I saw a bit of it on Thursday at the MK (scary, it was).

Well, today was the Day of the Assertive Bus Driver. I was pretty impressed! First, at CBR we were pulling up to a bus stop when a small boy (about 5-6 y/o) got into racing position at the curb and proceeded to try to race our bus to the stop. The driver slammed on the brakes and waited until the boy got off the road and into the bus stop before proceeding. When the boy boarded the driver asked if he “belonged” to the woman behind him, and she belligerently replied that he was; so what? The driver said that she needed to keep him closer at the bus stops and not let him race the buses as it was very dangerous. The woman actually sneered and said her son was fine, she let him do that, the driver should just calm down. The driver tried again to tell her that she can’t do it, but she cut him off and walked to the back of the bus. Other parents around me praised the driver, though. Cool. The second instance happened at Typhoon Lagoon as I returned from DTD. A “civilian” car was stopped in the bus lane at the ticket entrance to DTD and the driver ignored our bus when we pulled up behind it, carrying on a conversation with a woman who had gotten out of the car but then had turned back to talk to the driver. Our bus driver honked his horn almost immediately, telling us that passenger cars aren’t even supposed to be there. Cool again - a CM who isn’t afraid to offend someone who is disobeying the rules!

Despite my elation at seeing rude or thoughtless guests called on their behavior, my spirits started to sink as it began to rain yet again on the way back to POP. Instead of hanging out at the pool as planned, I took a very hot bath. I was so relaxed that I ended up falling asleep and napped for almost 3 hours! It was still raining (what on earth is happening here??!), so I slogged over to EP and grabbed a turkey dinner rather than try going anywhere in this rotten weather. What’s up with all the salt in the EP food this year? I’ve never noticed it before, but everything seems to be very heavily salted. Then I stood in line for ice cream about ten minutes before remembering that I’d brought half my creme brulee back from WPE and it was waiting for me back in the room. Even as a leftover, it was still fantastic!

A mom and her teen daughter had recommended that I check out the Boardwalk in the evening because of the entertainment out there, but the rain had me hiding out in my room instead. I’ve never seen this kind of cold or rain in the five years I’ve been going to Florida in April - I didn’t know what to make of it! I ended up falling asleep at 8:30, even after that long afternoon nap. Well, I’m certainly getting lots of rest on this vacation!

Next Up: The Restroom Fixation Revealed

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Day 4: The Restroom Fixation Revealed
Wednesday, April 11

Of course, I awoke before 6:00 am and, seeing a positive forecast on the Weather Channel (finally!!) I excitedly raced to EP in my purple Mickey-head PJ’s before realizing that the food court didn’t open until 6:30. Whoops! Well, I people-watched to pass the time until I could pick up another bowl of oatmeal. Once again all the CM’s greeted me cheerily - POP definitely wins in the category of most cheerful Disney hospitality! As I sat there sipping my tea I realized that not going to the parks had opened me to a lot of new dining choices that I otherwise wouldn’t have noticed, let alone considered, if I’d been in the parks all day.

Even though it was supposed to be a good day, it was dark in the morning. I waited to sit poolside until 9:00, but the sun was just starting to burn off the fog and the breeze made it too cool for me to stay out there (though I’m a terrible wuss) . Bored and shivering, I took a long hot shower and headed to MK hours in advance of my ADR at the GFL’s Afternoon Tea. The sun was out in force soon, though, and I hopped a boat to pass the time. I ended up at WL and wandered around the walkways - I love the tranquility of those paths. WL is too far out for me, and of the two similarly-designed resorts I prefer AKL, but WL is a very nice place. I enjoyed another boat ride back to MK and then to the Poly. I love the landscaping there, and they have the best lobby at WDW. I used to want to stay at the Poly, until the ‘Ohana menu was changed. Now no one in the family has any interest in the place at all. However, the Poly still has one of my favorite spots in the entire World, which is the beach between there and the GF. I didn’t spend as much time as I usually do on the beach - I can sit there for hours - but instead trekked briskly over to GF to check in for the ADR.

Tea was fabulous, a new must-do. The ladies seated next to me brought their infant son/nephew, saying he was due for a nap and ready to drop off any time. Unfortunately, the little guy was tired, but not in a nap mood; he just became progressively fussier as their meal went on. Finally, his aunt took him out of his stroller and rocked him, making him good and sleepy if not quite asleep. I tuned him out for the most part, but felt bad for the ladies, who kept apologizing to me. The tea took about an hour, and left me so stuffed I didn’t eat again until 9:00 that night! I would have liked to finish my monorail resort tour with a walk around the CR, but instead waddled to the POP bus stop from the monorail.

After a bit of a rest and reassurance that the weather would stay dry and warm, I headed out to the Boardwalk. The best “hub” for resort-to-resort travel is definitely MGM, and I caught a boat there for the Epcot area. On my first boat ride over there, I was not incredibly impressed with the Swan and Dolphin resorts: they are indeed quite imposing, but again I just don’t feel the Disney magic there. This impression was reinforced on this boat trip, as well. I’m glad for the S/D Cheerleaders that they love the places so much, and will be happy to leave them extra space.

I think I caught the Boardwalk too early for anything interesting - it was about 6:30 or so, and I had no idea what time the juggler and magician were supposed to arrive. I wandered the area, noticing that the Flying Fish did post a menu outside that stipulated a Business Casual dress code, unlike Jiko. I wasn’t bowled over by the lobby of the BWI/BWV, but then found an absolutely gorgeous restroom down the hallway. Hey, this place had little chests with towels and washcloths sitting by the sinks - not even the GF had anything that nice. At this point I proclaimed (to myself, of course) this the best bathroom on WDW property, realizing that I had some point of reference for this as I had indeed visited a restroom in every resort I’d wandered to this trip - that’s just scary, but there you have it. My name is Lori and I have a thing for restrooms.

The nearby landing hosted a bar and lounge area that was just gorgeous. The hardwood floors and beautiful decor make this place seem more opulent than the GF, IMO. If I had my choice of the two, I wouldn’t hesitate to choose BWI over the WDW flagship. Go figure. After a little more aimless wandering I decided to give up on waiting for the nightlife and boarded a bus but I don’t recall where it went. My shoulder had started aching as if the joint were separated or dislocated, a problem I had on and off in college but hadn’t felt in years. I didn’t take notes because it hurt to hold the notepad and I must have been a little out of it besides to forget where I went. At some point I ended up back at DTD, wondering why the buses always go the long way around through SSR: is it to reduce traffic flow by DTD, or some clever marketing ploy to parade guests past a DVC resort? My bus driver said that going around enables buses to take all right turns and avoid most of the traffic lights out front, but that the marketing was definitely a factor as well. He predicted that more buses will be using routes past DVC resorts in the future. He also said that the demolition of the North Tower at CR is indeed to put in a DVC resort, so that there will be one along the monorail (forgive me if that's old news; it was new to me).

I had really wanted to stay up like a real grownup and enjoy PI, but just walking over there from the bus stop left me gasping in pain from my shoulder. Every step jarred it horribly. Almost in tears, I decided to grab something to go at WPE and just get back to my room. It seemed to take forever to walk back to the stop. I considered buying an ace bandage at EP to make some kind of sling and immobilize my arm, but thought I’d rest it and see how it was in the morning first. As suddenly and strangely as it came on, the pain faded once I propped myself in bed with the TV. So an evening was wasted, but phew! I’m so glad the pain went away!

The Last Day is coming up...

 

[tkd lisa]

I'm enjoying reading your report. It's neat to hear of such a different trip.

And yes, it was particularly cold and wet early last week. We desperately needed the rain though. I had laid down new sod Saturday and Monday (dodging the rain), and was so grateful that I didn't have to spend money watering it!

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Day 5: The Last Day
Thursday, April 12

Heavy rain during the night woke me several times, but I still forced myself out of bed at 6:30 - I’ve spent way too much vacation time in my room as it is! I schlepped off to EP for breakfast, just to find that I’d left the mug back at the room. In frustration I ordered my oatmeal AND a child’s breakfast platter - so there! Like it was useful in any way to overeat - made me feel better, though. My shoulder felt great, so I ran back to my room for the mug and sipped my tea as I returned to the room once again. I allowed myself a long, luxurious shower while I thought about what to do that day. The only resorts I had left to see were the CR, Fort Wilderness Campground, and the All-Stars (I figured I would not be allowed access to Shades of Green). I’ve always liked the All-Stars but am now a complete POP convert, so those were not a priority for this trip.

As I left my room, a high school band started practicing in the parking lot. I teach and am very supportive of student efforts, but was suddenly very glad that this was my last day at WDW. I did not want to deal with more students on vacation! And I really did not want to hear the band practicing outside my room at whatever time of day.

The day was warm and sunny again, so I figured boats were the way to go and got in line for the MK bus. At this point it was almost 10:30 and I could not believe the number of people who were setting out for the MK, their first park of the day, at that hour. When we got to the park it looked like the entire population of a major US city had all decided to show up at the same time. It was just a sea of humanity, pouring from the buses, gushing down the hill from the monorail, oozing over the sidewalks in a big, scary tide. A ferry pulling up to the dock was loaded with even more. I have been to WDW for several Easter vacations as well as in July, and have never seen so many people all flocking to MK at once. If I had been planning to go to MK that day, I would have changed my mind on the spot! Actually, if I had really wanted to go to MK, I would have been at the park at opening and probably have already seen all the attractions that I’d really wanted to by then, but anyway...

The boat ride to FW was even more refreshing now that I’d left all those people behind. And what a glorious place FW is! As soon as I got out of sight of the dock, it felt like I was in another world, with birds chirping, insects humming... ahhhh. I swear the rocking chairs on the porch outside Crockett’s Tavern have some sort of mind control feature - every time I got near them, I was compelled to sit and rock for extended periods of time. The music piped out was wonderful, too: it ranged from ethereal, new-age-y Native American-ish music to banjo and harmonica cowboy-sounding stuff. I did end up rocking for over half an hour before checking out the barn and petting zoo. There isn’t much petting happening, but I assumed it was a safety measure after that disease outbreak at a petting zoo in Florida some years ago? The percheron horses were awesome in the old-fashioned sense of the word. "John" put his head over his stall window and whinnied at me and my hair probably stood right on end! They were beautiful animals. I watched the little kids ride the ponies for a while, including one who was all excited to ride his pony - until it started to move. He completely freaked out. As a parent myself, I hid my chuckle and sympathized with the little guy and his parents. It was cute, though.

I considered staying for lunch at Trail’s End - I didn’t think I’d need an ADR since I’d seen fewer than ten families there the entire time - and was sucked back onto the porch to rock and think about it a little bit. Nearly an hour later, I pulled free to satisfy a sudden craving for Ghirardelli’s. BTW, the lantern light fixtures in the restroom are a nice touch. Back on the boat, and a quick jaunt on the monorail to CR just to say so. I’ve never been farther than Chef Mickey’s, so I got thoroughly lost looking for the bus stop. Finally I found the check-in area and a map of the resort. A CM saw me looking at the map and asked how I was enjoying my stay - very much, thanks! He directed me to the stop, warning that bus service was sporadic, not as regular as non-monorail resorts. Interesting.

Indeed, I sat at the CR bus stop for over 20 minutes without seeing a single bus. Several CM’s walked by and said hi, but I was looking for the White Van and was not very chatty. When a CM finally came outside and asked me where I was headed, it didn’t surprise me - I thought he was going to dispatch a bus to get me to DTD. Instead, he said he would take me there - I thought he meant in some kind of WDW transportation, but when we got to the parking lot I realized he had meant in his own car - he had just finished work and DTD was on his way. I’ve already posted about this elsewhere - I know it was incredibly stupid for me to accept that ride, but I did anyway, and it all worked out for the best. I was extremely uneasy about riding with a stranger, but figured there were places where I could jump out if I needed to. No, I will never do that again, even though the CM took me directly to DTD and chatted pleasantly the entire way.

Once at DTD I made a beeline for Ghirardelli’s figuring that it would be packed on a hot, sunny afternoon. To my surprise there were few people there and I was enjoying my sundae in no time. I caught the POP bus just as the driver had closed the door - whew! I would not have appreciated the long wait between buses there! Few people boarded the bus with me, and no one was at the PI stop - sure, they were all in the MK!! The driver had to stop at Typhoon Lagoon, and I noticed that the sign said it was closed due to capacity crowds. The driver said that BB was closed as well, but there was still a line of cars waiting to go into the parking lot. The driver said that traffic was backed up way down the road that morning and that people just wouldn’t believe that the park was closed and insisted on driving in to make sure. He was talking so animatedly about the morning’s traffic that he drove right past the POP stop - whoops! I told him to blame it on me - an annoying guest who had distracted him with too many questions. Luckily, there was no one waiting at the stop, so the poor CM didn’t have to face heat over it.

I was running late to make the bus transfers to dinner at Boma, but luck was with me again and I had a very short wait at AK. Only one other family was on the bus with me (see, everyone is still at MK!). I arrived at 4:00 for a 5:00 ADR and the CM could not check me in until 4:25, so I sat by VF again (no alcohol this time!) and reveled in the incredible aromas coming from Boma. Mmmm. The light fixtures in the restroom here are also very nice. I watched a 9 or 10 y/o girl play with her cell phone and was thankful that my DD did not see that - we’ve been arguing over this for months and since I control the money flow, she’s simply not getting one. At one point the girl’s father used his cell to call hers and they sat there, next to each other, talking via cell phone. And people wonder why younger generations don’t communicate well. Hmmm.

As always, Boma was the perfect way to end my vacation. It’s a family tradition to eat our last dinner there, and I’m glad I did. The sun was just starting to set as I walked back (the long way) to my room, and it felt so gloriously warm on my face. A light breeze smelled clean and warm, too, carrying the voices of happy families splashing in the pool. For a minute I thought I’d cry - I don’t want to go home! I love my job and don’t mind going back to work, or even making my own bed again; it’s losing the warmth (literally and otherwise) and the happy vibes - the pixie dust, I guess - that had me down. WDW really is a magical place, the Happiest Place on Earth, and I miss it already. When I checked in, I had to sign a paper I’d never noticed before, one that swore that I had no intention of making WDW my permanent home. Darn.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Epilogue: Crashing Back to the Real World
Friday, April 13

The 3:00 alarm came much earlier than it should have. I’d already packed, though, so I got out to Classic Hall with time to spare before my 4:15 DME bus time. My room charges were not hung on my doorknob, so I stopped by Concierge to get a printout. The CM’s must have been pretty sleepy, too, because my room charges were printed on the wrong side of the paper (one side is blank, the other side is preprinted), and I had a hard time deciphering the information. Oh well. Another family was standing next to the Luggage check-in sign, so I joined them, watching a Cruise Line bus board at the curb. No sooner had that bus pulled away than another Cruise Line bus arrived and started loading a family who had been sitting on a bench up there. Suspicious, I asked the driver if he really was Cruise Line or DME. He confirmed that he was DME - it’s good that I asked, or I would have missed my flight! The other family who I’d been standing with still didn’t believe that the bus was not Cruise Line and did not want to get on for a while. Finally, they must have either changed their minds or decided to risk it, because they did board before we left out. Everyone was silent the entire way back to the airport - either too tired or too demoralized to talk, I guess.

The driver had his dispatch radio turned up, and I’m not sure if the dispatcher was part of a Disney comedy routine or if he really was like that, but he was hilarious! He’d say he needed a bus at the Grosvenor or somesuch, and if no one responded right away he’d say “anyone?” like the teacher in Ferris Bueller. If the radio fell silent for a while he’d sing to himself, just going “la la la” with no apparent tune. The teenaged girl in front of me was cracking up at the guy the entire way.

I got to the airport with plenty of time to spare, reclaimed the Dkids, and headed to the flight. I posted on the Transportation forum what happened on the flight - DD got sick and for a while I didn’t know if we’d be able to complete our trip home. After several bouts of vomiting, both on the plane and at O’Hare, with subsequent changes of clothing, DD stabilized enough to fly the last leg without incident, thank goodness. She was a sad little puppy for a day or so, but has since recovered much of her bounce. What a way to emerge from the relaxation of a vacation!

Well, that’s all folks. I hope it wasn’t too tedious for you all to read - it’s helped me transition back to the real world to write everything down and relive the magic a little since facing the nor’easter that blew in here this past week. Hmmm... how many days until we get to go again???

 

[Angelrose]

Thanks for your report. I enjoyed your unique trip report. There is just so much to do at WDW that you can spend a whole weekend having so much fun without visiting a single park.

 

[nyyankeegirl]

Great Job MMM!!! It was interesting hearing a different side of things. Usually TR's are filled with all park stuff -- this was nice hearing about the different resorts, especially since I am trying to decide on where to stay for our next trip.
Btw, I was vacationing in Florida at the same time as you, and it absolutely was unseasonably cold & rainy. I'm glad you had a few nice warm weather days, before heading back to the crazy cold of NY!!!