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

[MEK]

I was crunching #s today...not even using fuzzy Disney math... but I discovered that I could make a trip down the 1st week of Feb... for a grand total of $370 .... I'm currently working on DH to let me...wish me luck!!

Paula

Yeah - you need to show us that math. Would that be using your developer DVC points? You should go for it! I think going to Disney about every 4 months would be the perfect way to go! You never have to wait too long between trips!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I was crunching #s today...not even using fuzzy Disney math... but I discovered that I could make a trip down the 1st week of Feb... for a grand total of $370 .... I'm currently working on DH to let me...wish me luck!!

Paula

WOW!! That sounds too good to be true! And you're not even using fuzzy Disney math? Is this w/ the new promotion? Or AP discounts? Tell us your secret!

Editing b/c I forgot (gasp! ) about DVC!

 

[ILuvCrush]

Yeah - you need to show us that math. Would that be using your developer DVC points? You should go for it! I think going to Disney about every 4 months would be the perfect way to go! You never have to wait too long between trips!

WOW!! That sounds too good to be true! And you're not even using fuzzy Disney math? Is this w/ the new promotion? Or AP discounts? Tell us your secret!

Editing b/c I forgot (gasp! ) about DVC!

Well I do have an AP.. that expires 2/6/09 So the idea is to go from 2/3 til 2/7.... so no tix

Use 4 nights w/ developer DVC points (I calculated that with the # points in July I'll have enough left for 4 nights in a SSR studio.

OK so room + tix= free

I found a Southwest roundtrip fare (with taxes and stuff included) for $189

+ throw in the DP for one $39x4 nights= $160

so that's only $350 for the ENTIRE trip including food!!! It's hard to resist!!

I could go even cheaper if I don't do the DDP... but since I'm not really paying for anything else... I figured why not

I'm really thinking I need to do it.... I'll have to use those 4 nights at some point b/c the developers points expire next November and can't be banked.

We are looking at 10 nights in July... DH really can't afford to take more time than that off to stretch it to 14 nights..... what to do what to do!!!!!

Paula

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Oooh! I think you should do it!!!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

We are looking at 10 nights in July... DH really can't afford to take more time than that off to stretch it to 14 nights..... what to do what to do!!!!!

Okay you realize you are asking a totally biased group of people. We are disers. We love disney. We are all going to say....


GO FOR IT !

 

[ILuvCrush]

Update....
I don't have my airfare booked (yet)
I have to wait til Monday to try to get SSR booked for feb 3-7....If I can't get it its a no go anyway....


But I DO have ADRs in place... you know...just in case

Paula

 

[ILuvCrush]

This TR has been more fun to write than I could have expected!! I have loved having all you around to keep me company all thru it. I especially enjoyed all the witty banter between the "chapters'!!

Is there a Witty Banter Only thread???? I need to find one for general chit chatting!!

Well I promised that I'd do a post about the pro's and cons of my Solo trip. I'm glad that it took me a month to get to this chapter... because honestly, the longer term effects of my trip are still coming to fruitition!

Well... I want to end this shindig on a HAPPY note... so I'll start with the CONS!!

1. No One to SHARE with!! no one there to share experiences with, to say 'Hey! did you SEE that???' or 'That was SO COOL!!' Also no one to share your snacks/meals with. (that COULD be a GOOD thing!!) I like the variety of treats by splitting them.

2. No one to direct what you do.... yes I wrote that as a CON!! I had several times that I was not bored per se...but restless. I had too MANY options, so I wandered a bit aimlessly because I couldn't decide what to do next.

3. Lack of Company. Even if you talk to the people waiting in line with you, or next to you at a show... there's no guarentee that you will. With a touring partner, you have a definate line buddy, that you know you like.

4. I find it easier to be silly...with a suport system!! Embarassing my kids/DH is more fun than the actual act of being goofy

5. Eating alone at WDW...is not the same as eating alone at McDonalds. Not because the servers don't treat you fantastic... but because there are so few other SOLO diners!!! If you go out to eat at home by yourself... there's almost always a few more solo diners. At WDW... you're pretty much it. I felt more self conscious about it there than I ever do at home.


OK next post.... are the PROS!!!!!

Paula

 

[ILuvCrush]

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!!!

I wouldn't want all my trips to be solo ones...I love the fun and joy of bringing the family.... but I also really enjoyed NOT having the arguements and meltdowns that go with it. When I first got home... I thought..hmmm that was a nice week, but I was not in a hurry to do it again. Since then, I've been thinking more and more how much I loved the fact that I FEEL GOOD again!! I feel less stressed at home and at work.... it's the feeling that you SHOULD get from a great vacation!! And a result that, as much as I've always enjoyed my WDW vacations... never was as obvious as it was after this one!

I'm seroiusly thinking of going back again in Feb...solo, just to decompress. It would be a shorter trip (4 nights instead of 5) but that would be enough.


A couple things I learned, that I will take with me to my NEXT SOLO trip:
1. Make some ADRs. I had too much unstructured time. Next time I will definately make more ADRs... at least 75% of my parks days anyway. My DHS day, for example... if I had a 5pm ADR, I wouldn't have gone back to the resort. I wasn't tired. But finding something to do for an hour wouldn't have been nearly as overwhelming as finding something for 3hrs til Fantasmic.

2. Sleep in. As a solo I cruised around the parks lickity split, could use the single rider lines, and was able eat and use the facilities very efficiently too. There was no need (even though the parks were busy) for me to make rope drop every day. So I'll sleep in several days.

3. Make sure I put my fellow Dissers phone #s in my phone correctly!! And carry a back up hard copy too

4. No one cares what I'm doing... so i'll relax and do my thing. doesn't matter if it's eating at a TS or getting my pic with Mickey... I'll never see any of those other people again so who cares if they think i'm a nutter. Unless it's another Disser... I may see them again, but they'll understand so it's OK!

5. Do another just for grown up thing, Like a tour. if the kids aren't along it's the best time to indulge in something just for me that they can't do anyway.....(I'm thinking a pedi on the next one)


Alright then Peeps!
I'm considering this TR..finished at this point... but I'm more than happy to continue the chatter And I'll see you all at my next PTR/TR... yep, there will be more Thanks again for reading and for posting!


Paula

 

[Lady Lallie]

After reading those, I really really want to do a solo trip!!

I am so glad you had such a great trip!!

 

[ILuvCrush]

After reading those, I really really want to do a solo trip!!

I am so glad you had such a great trip!!

thanks LL!! I hope that if someone is onthe fence about going...that this TR will help them make up their mind

 

[lmillercrew]

Great finishing report!! I asked my DH tonight if he would "let me" go to WDW alone, and he said "do you want to go alone?" He said he would go to Mexico and I could go to Disney.
Here's hoping for a Feb trip. It's just hard to not take advantage of the cost of the whole thing. That is just crazy!! DO IT
I'm glad that you feel rejuvinated. I think every mom needs some of that. I probably wouldn't feel like such a psycho mom all of the time if I could get a Disney break every four months.
Thanks for taking us along with you.

 

[ILuvCrush]

Great finishing report!! I asked my DH tonight if he would "let me" go to WDW alone, and he said "do you want to go alone?" He said he would go to Mexico and I could go to Disney.
Here's hoping for a Feb trip. It's just hard to not take advantage of the cost of the whole thing. That is just crazy!! DO IT
I'm glad that you feel rejuvinated. I think every mom needs some of that. I probably wouldn't feel like such a psycho mom all of the time if I could get a Disney break every four months.
Thanks for taking us along with you.

Thanks!! That's the card I've been playing with DH.... isn't it worth the hassle of me being gone 4-5 days every few months if the result is that I'm so much easier to live with the other 115 days????

he's coming around!!

Paula

 

[Stacybaeasm]

I'm still sad that you are done. I need a trip to Disney to cheer me up Thank you for the list of pros and cons. I agree with a lot of them. Unfortunately, unless Rob is available, it looks like the majority of my future trips will be solo. No one in my family is that enthused and, well, being single there's no hubby or kids to bully into going. Hopefully, Rob's girlfriend remains understanding about our mutal obsession.

Anyway, I look forward to the future PTR's and TR's that should be rolling our way from your many, many future trips. (Sorry, that may be the jealousy talking.) Oh, and good luck with that phone number programming thing! Maybe we'll be there at the same time again some day and can actually meet!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Awww, thanks Paula!! It was a great report!! I hope to read more PTR's and TR's in the future!!!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Aww.... I'm sad to see the report over.

It made me think about the possibility of going alone myself. I hadn't even entertained that idea before.

It's so overwhelming for me when I come home from a vacation to unpack everything for everbody that I get your point about being actually relaxed upon your return.

Thanks for taking us along for your solo ride. I'll be signing on to any other reports you share with us again.

 

[mjejj]

I don't post much but I just had to tell you how much I enjoyed your TR. I don't think I am brave enough to go by myself, but it sounds like it would be fun after getting over the initial "Yikes" factor. Your pictures were great. Good luck with planning your next trips.

 

[faerieprincess]

Paula, thank you so much for sharing your trip with us. You are fun to read and have some really good insights to share. Your pictures are wonderful, too

If you do go in February maybe we'll get a chance to say 'hi'!

i'm also glad to hear that you are more relaxed and happier since you got back. Coming up to Christmas, that's definitely the right state of mind to be in!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hi Paula,

Thanks for the ride!! What a great TR....it was nice to see the world through your eyes without the confusion of a DH and kiddos. I'm so glad you did this tirp and so glad you came out with a new appreciation and you got to relax!! WOW....Mom's don't get to do that much so kudos for you for taking this time for yourself and what a great DH you must have to understand that you need it from time to time!! And book that February trip, it's too good to pass up!! Wish I could join you!! LOL!! Can't wait to hear of your next adventure....I'll be on the lookout for it.

Take care!!
Kristen

 

[kschafer]

I got through your TR today and loved it! I'm super jealous of your trip. I would love to take a solo trip but I worry about some of the cons you listed. I'm sure I would miss having someone to chat with, eat with and be silly with. Someday, I will take a girls only trip then possibly work of the guts to go solo!

Loved your pictures, they are awesome!

 

[ILuvCrush]

I don't post much but I just had to tell you how much I enjoyed your TR. I don't think I am brave enough to go by myself, but it sounds like it would be fun after getting over the initial "Yikes" factor. Your pictures were great. Good luck with planning your next trips.

I'm glad that you posted now!! And thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I think the 1st time you do/try anything...is the hardest (the yikes factor ) Since I know what to expect... I think when I decide to do it again, it'll be easier jumping off the ledge!!

Paula, thank you so much for sharing your trip with us. You are fun to read and have some really good insights to share. Your pictures are wonderful, too

If you do go in February maybe we'll get a chance to say 'hi'!

i'm also glad to hear that you are more relaxed and happier since you got back. Coming up to Christmas, that's definitely the right state of mind to be in!

Believe me...if I make the Feb trip...i'll let you know

Hi Paula,

Thanks for the ride!! What a great TR....it was nice to see the world through your eyes without the confusion of a DH and kiddos. I'm so glad you did this tirp and so glad you came out with a new appreciation and you got to relax!! WOW....Mom's don't get to do that much so kudos for you for taking this time for yourself and what a great DH you must have to understand that you need it from time to time!! And book that February trip, it's too good to pass up!! Wish I could join you!! LOL!! Can't wait to hear of your next adventure....I'll be on the lookout for it.

Take care!!
Kristen

Thanks Kristin!!! I think that to be better Mom's, maybe we should put ourseves 1st every once in a while. I've had so much more patience since I've been back... really, I don't think that being all stressed and frustrated and snappy was really being a 'good mom' anyway...even though I was doing what a good mom should be doing (working, cleaning, car pools, volunteer at school/activities, etc)

I got through your TR today and loved it! I'm super jealous of your trip. I would love to take a solo trip but I worry about some of the cons you listed. I'm sure I would miss having someone to chat with, eat with and be silly with. Someday, I will take a girls only trip then possibly work of the guts to go solo!

Loved your pictures, they are awesome!

Thanks kschafer!! I missed the companionship...I won't try to pretend I didn't. But there's trade offs for everything.... I traded companionship for complete freedom, and I don't regret it. I wish that I would have come to terms with it sooner on my trip... but now that I know what to expect... next time

I'm still sad that you are done. I need a trip to Disney to cheer me up Thank you for the list of pros and cons. I agree with a lot of them. Unfortunately, unless Rob is available, it looks like the majority of my future trips will be solo. No one in my family is that enthused and, well, being single there's no hubby or kids to bully into going. Hopefully, Rob's girlfriend remains understanding about our mutal obsession.

Anyway, I look forward to the future PTR's and TR's that should be rolling our way from your many, many future trips. (Sorry, that may be the jealousy talking.) Oh, and good luck with that phone number programming thing! Maybe we'll be there at the same time again some day and can actually meet!

Thanks Stacy!! My birthday is in October..... DH doen't deny me much that time of the year!! I'm sure I'll be down there in Oct again... I know I couldn't replace ROB...but if you're ever in a pinch

Awww, thanks Paula!! It was a great report!! I hope to read more PTR's and TR's in the future!!!

Thanks Melissa!! I'm sure I'll write again.... this DIS-thing is like an obsession!!

Aww.... I'm sad to see the report over.

It made me think about the possibility of going alone myself. I hadn't even entertained that idea before.

It's so overwhelming for me when I come home from a vacation to unpack everything for everbody that I get your point about being actually relaxed upon your return.

Thanks for taking us along for your solo ride. I'll be signing on to any other reports you share with us again.

Thank you thank you!! I'm glad you came along! I never would have considered going alone if it weren't for a PTR here on DIS either.... never would have crosssed my mind!! I really want to go on the Adventures by Disney trip to Costa Rica... DH is not interested... and it's expensive. My confidence is now at least to the point that I'll really consider doing it as a solo eventually, rather than not go at all