Mom needed a break...no laundry, no hubby, no kids...sorta!! A SOLO TR..updated 11/15

[2xcited2sleep]

Yikes!! I missed that you'd wrapped this up! I had a weird day yesterday and not enough DIS time!

First -- yeah for proactive ADRs for a potential Feb trip. Fingers crossed you can get SSR booked tomorrow. Of course, let us know!

Loved your pro's and con's. I totally agree with all of them. It's funny. I was kind of the same way when I came home-- wasn't sure I'd do it again. Was even questioning my Dec trip but as time has gone by I am quite anxious to go again. And thanks you to, my dear, very seriously looking at DVC.

 

[ILuvCrush]

Yikes!! I missed that you'd wrapped this up! I had a weird day yesterday and not enough DIS time!

Sorry about the wierd day Thank goodness there's always a "Great Big Beautiful Tomarrow!! Shining at the end of EVERY Day!!!" I so have that stuck in my head today

First -- yeah for proactive ADRs for a potential Feb trip. Fingers crossed you can get SSR booked tomorrow. Of course, let us know!

I hope I can... If not, then it's just not meant to be. I knew that you wouldn't think I was nuts for making ADRs "just in case' The ADRs are making me hope that I can work it all out!! All 3 are new places for me... Maya Grill (the ribs looked really good!!), Coral Reef (I think DS may like this one...I need to check it out), and Yachtsman Steakhouse....yummm filet!!

Loved your pro's and con's. I totally agree with all of them. It's funny. I was kind of the same way when I came home-- wasn't sure I'd do it again. Was even questioning my Dec trip but as time has gone by I am quite anxious to go again. And thanks you to, my dear, very seriously looking at DVC.

I'm very glad that you're thinking DVC... seriously, for as often as you like to go...it's worth at least looking into. Take the tour in December...eat the free ice cream...marvel at the AWESOMENESS that is the Kidani 1BR bathroom!!!

I'm glad that I waited on the pros/cons and what I learned/would do next time..... I really did have a 'clarity' of understanding after I was home a couple weeks!! I definately didn't think I'd be looking for excuses to go back solo again already...that's for sure

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I'm very glad that you're thinking DVC... seriously, for as often as you like to go...it's worth at least looking into. Take the tour in December...eat the free ice cream...marvel at the AWESOMENESS that is the Kidani 1BR bathroom!!!

You definitely have me intrigued by the bathroom! Being a self diagnosed obsessive-compulsive, I'm worried that those awesome incentives you described won't still be there in Dec. Didn't you say your guide told you they were going away?

 

[MEK]

Paula -

I liked your conclusion. I am sorry your trip report is over, but I'm sure you'll start a pre-trippie soon. I am afraid to start one, because I think it will jinx my mom and dad, no kids trip next month. I'm supersitious that way. 4 weeks to go! I'll take lots of SSR pics for you!

I hope you get a studio. I bet you will. If not all your dates come through, you could always wait list and make a backup reservation for what you're missing. I waited listed for Vero and it came through no problem. It's not like you are going during a holiday period. Fool around with your dates a bit, too. Have some alternate dates in mind when you call. You know - You have no choice but to go - you have to get your money's worth out of that AP.

10 days will be a sweet trip for you in July with your family. Can't wait to hear about that trip!

Happy Planning!

MEK

 

[stitcharoo]

breanna:
your trip is very interesting! it's the first solo trip report i've read.
=]
you're really funny!!
haha
anyway, i'm not sure i could ever go to disneyworld by myself.
it seems like it might be fun and you got to get on rides faster, but i would be so homesick for my family!

i love all the pins you bought, being a huge pin trader myself!
we're going to disney in december, actually we're writing our pre-trip report right now!
it's our first ever report!
it's kind of hard and it took us forever to learn how to get the pictures up , which btw, your pictures are beautiful! you have an eye for things that most people wouldn't think to take a picture of. very beautiful. i'll be reading more!

 

[Tatania]

Well I ended up submitting the Moon one... I was "this close" to the giraffe behind the tree.... but I ended up picking Moon instead. I'm already in the 4th group! There's a lot of awesome pics submitted. Yet again...I don't have a chance But, you should check it out!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2005671

Paula

Just checked the submissions and there seem to be a LOT of Everest at night pics. Dang! Whether it's posted or not though, the "baby giraffe peeking from behind the tree" picture is a real standout. He's just too cute for words.

OK now for the fun part!! The Pros!

1. No one to keep happy. I felt that it was a bit of a con to have to figure out what to do next all the time...but on the same note...it was nice to be able to change plans on a whim, and not worry about it's effect on anyone else!!

2. RELAX!! This is the FIRST vacation I EVER took that I came home RELAXED. REJUVINATED, and RESTED!!! There's always battles to waylay with the kids..and if I travel with DH, again, I worry about the effect on him if plans change, so I often don't get the rest/relaxtion I need.


3. Single Rider Lines!! Sure..it's not like I can't use them when I go with DH and DS who don't like the thrill rides, but if I hadn't done the solo, I'm not sure how I'd have felt about ditching them and riding (gulp) alone!


4. A newfound appreciation for my family.... yes it's true, absence makes the heart grow fonder. I had the opportunity to step back and really appricialte the joy they bring to me And the reverse is true too....I think that DH and all 3 kids really learned to appriciate what I do for them too

5. Self Discovery. I learned a lot about...ME!! I was suprised to find out I'm a bit shy (thought I was past that back in the 3rd grade!). I really had to push myself outside my comfort zone to strike up conversations with strangers. I'm glad I did, because those moments really enhanced my whole trip. I also found that I can do stuff MYSELF!! I'm the enabler in my family...but there's always someone else there if I fall. I got myself on a plane, to the resort, got myself around all week, avoided an uncomfortable encounter at MK, and got home...safe and sound, all by myself. I am Paula...hear me roar!!

6. Its MUCH CHEAPER than taking the whole family!!



So after all that.... here's the big question... would I do it again?????


ABSOLUTELY!!!

Paula

I agree with all your pros. Many of my travels are done solo and I love the freedom of it. I can sleep all day if I want to, eat when I want to, etc. and if things aren't going right I don't have to worry about another person's reactions.

 

[ILuvCrush]

breanna:
your trip is very interesting! it's the first solo trip report i've read.
=]
you're really funny!!
haha
anyway, i'm not sure i could ever go to disneyworld by myself.
it seems like it might be fun and you got to get on rides faster, but i would be so homesick for my family!

i love all the pins you bought, being a huge pin trader myself!
we're going to disney in december, actually we're writing our pre-trip report right now!
it's our first ever report!
it's kind of hard and it took us forever to learn how to get the pictures up , which btw, your pictures are beautiful! you have an eye for things that most people wouldn't think to take a picture of. very beautiful. i'll be reading more!

Thanks for posting stitcharoo!!! I've never traded any pins I love to buy them though!!! I try to get one for whatever I did 'special' on the trip... my resort, the parties, special events, etc. I do have my fave characters too... Crush and Squirt of course!! I'll be over to your PTR directly! Thanks for the compliments on the photos... I'm getting a complex, I spend too much time on the photography threads, and then i feel like mine all stiink!! I hope that I can get better though, following their examples!

 

[Big Kid]

Thanks for a vicarious adventure, Paula. My appreciation of WDW is in its infancy so the thought of reading a TR seemed a bit fanatical to me even a few days ago. I truly enjoyed your writing and photographs; they are a great introduction to a new-to-me literary form.

My last solo trip (not to WDW) was in 1985 -86 and your story reminded me of the competing feelings of independence, spontaneity, and apartness.

I hope to find myself standing in line next to you at WDW one of these days.

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

Great trip report, Paula! I kind of wish I was going alone on my next trip (all booked for January!). Almost got the chance to do it, then my DH decided he would go (he wants to go to the restaurants), and then my DSis decided she wanted to go, so the three of us are going, but at least I'm leaving my teenagers at home! My son isn't interested so much anymore, and my DD is too busy in school, but she will go with me again sometime later.

Great report!! Looking forward to the next one!
-mary

 

[ILuvCrush]

Thanks Mary!!!

I hope that at some point we can meet up...in the World or maybe at a Tribe Game!! (6pack tix are going on sale this week!)

I hope you get the chance to go solo at somepoint....

Looks like I'm going again in Feb Wohoo!!

Paula

 

[ILuvCrush]

Well if anyone was waiting...with bated breath...

SSR was available for Feb

PTR link in the siggie

Paula

 

[princess&her4princes]

I"m SOOOOOO Excited for you!!! On to the next PTR!! Yeah!!!!! You're going to keep me going this Winter!!

 

[robwthomas]

Paula, so nice to finally meet you! I'm glad I got to see a pic of you, so now when Stacy asks me to look for a woman I've never met and I don't know what she's wearing in park of thousands of people, I have a littler better chance!

 

[ILuvCrush]

Paula, so nice to finally meet you! I'm glad I got to see a pic of you, so now when Stacy asks me to look for a woman I've never met and I don't know what she's wearing in park of thousands of people, I have a littler better chance!

You are too funny!! I wish we would have run into each other...it woulda been kick! yeah... I'll have to remember to xchange pics with potential DIS meet attendees. Did ya catch the post where I thought Stacy was a MAN?!?!?! OMG... a pic is definately helpful

Paula

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Well if anyone was waiting...with bated breath...

SSR was available for Feb

PTR link in the siggie

Paula

YIIIPPPPEEEEE!!!! Congrats!! Are we going to get another PTR & TR?!

 

[KatGarcia]

A very late girl reporting in...i'm going back to read....

 

[julezdisney]

On the way... I finally spotted DeVine!! She is unbelievable!

So I'm just getting to your Day 5 here, and I have to say, in addition to the beautiful wildlife pix, this is a gorgeous picture of DeVine! But really- what a job! What's the instructions for that gig?

"Put this on. Go slow so you don't fall down. And look beautiful!"

She does all that well!

 

[julezdisney]

Wow! I'm finally finished! And I really really enjoyed it! I stick w/my idea that I'd be a perfect candidate for a solo trip, and your pro and cons list helped w/that too!

Thanks so much for taking us along, and CONGRATS on the DVC purchase! That's my GOAL!!!!

 

[Schmoodle]

Thanks for the great TR Paula, and I'm subbing for your next PTR.

Your list of pros and cons will be very helpful as I've already started a list of goals for my "someday" solo trip.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I'm finally all caught up on your TR, I'm sooooo sad it's over, but ELATED that you have a PTR started for a Feb. trip!

I love this pic, so adorable.

AKV is gorgeous... OMG the bathroom in the 1br... is HUGE!!

Between the deal and the bathroom.... I was SOLD!!

Very similar words have been ringing around my house lately as well. I agree, that bathroom is INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!