Mom needs a Break... so I'm going ALONE! PTR *NOW W/ PICS!*

[ILuvCrush]

I found that a friend of my DD9's is going to be at WDW while I'm there. I'm good friends with her mom and I want to do something special as a suprise for them. They won't be checking in until the 16th so it'll give me a couple days head start to come up with something special!!

My DF knows I'm going but her DD doesn't (since I don't want to tell my kiddos yet) So I have to be sneaky

I've read in different places that Disney can do gift baskets, to be delivered to guests... I'll have to look for those again. Does anyone know a link or the name of the place that does that???

The other option is I can shop and make up a little basket thing on my own (which I'm kinda leaning toward anyway) and Deliver it to POP prior to their arrival. I figured that the CM's would give them a package that is there, right???

Anyone have any ideas on how I can add a little pixie dust to their trip...all stealthy-like??

Paula

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Disney Florist

It looks like they have some really cute -- albeit not cheap-- stuff! How nice of you to want to spread a little pixie dust.

So when are your kids finding out where you're going? Or are they finding out?

 

[missj1975]

I just checked out your new pictures on your first page. Great pics. I love your daughter's Princess dress.

Your plan sounds great. Hope you have a great time.

 

[ILuvCrush]

Yay!!! When I flip the calandar next time it will be OCTOBER!!! Its counting down quicker now!! The kiddos are back to school, so now I'll be busy running them around (even more so than I've been) so hopefully time will slip away even faster. I say that, but really..I think the ANTICIPATION is the BEST part of vacation...don't you?? No Worries...everything is PERFECT in your mind while you're planning!!!

Speaking of planning... I thought I'd share a few of the things that I feel I MUST do on my solo trip. I have a habit of overplanning...and even though I keep telling myself that I'm NOT going to plan too much this time...I keep finding that with all the little things I've decided that I MUST do...I won't have time to do much else!!! So I guess I'm overplanned again

Okey Dokey!
here's my must do's catagorized by park....

Magic Kingdom
1. KTTK Tour (1st time)
2. MNSSHP (1st time)
3. Tony's for dinner (1st time)
4. Spectro and Wishes
5. Dole Whip (never had one...need to correct that!)
6. Hall of Presidents (been ages!!)
7. Liberty Belle (been ages and ages!!)

Animal Kingdom
1. Parade (never seen it)
2. Expedition Everest (singles line...but I want to do the regular line again too
the artifacts were amazing and I want to take pictures!)
3. FOTLK...(love it!)
4. Safari and animal trails.... want to take lots of pics!
5. Look for DeVine

Hollywood Studios
1. Parade (haven't seen it)
2. R&RC (it's been a long time)
3. Lights Motors Action (never seen it)
4. Magic of Animation (never seen it)
5. One Man's Dream (never seen it)
6. Toy Story Mania (new..haven't seen it)
7. Pic w/ Prince Caspian


Epcot
1. Try some new foods at F&W fest
2. See the WS Films (never seen any of them)
3. American Adventure (been a long time)
4. Soarin (love that ride!!)
5. Visit all the shops in WS
6. try Yorkshire County Fish Shoppe (keep meaning to, but haven't yet!)


Other things.....
1. Ohana
2. Visit the Beach at Poly
3. DVC tour...if possible
4. Take a trip over and see CBR...we're thinking about it for next Nov family
trip...I'd like to check it out!!

I'm sure I'll think of more stuff I want to be sure to do. I'm ALWAYS thinking!! I also love reading other peoples TRs I get lots of ideas from there too!!!

Tonights the Jonas Brothers Concert for the girls (my gift to ease my guilt at leaving them home while I go visit Mickey!!) I hope its fun! The girls are very excited.

Paula

 

[ILuvCrush]

Disney Florist


So when are your kids finding out where you're going? Or are they finding out?

I don't know
I think that they may have a clue anyway..because everytime they come near me when I'm on the computer..its Disney related!!!
I might wait til I come home before I tell them....I can't afford any more "guilt gifts!!" the stinking concert tixs were $$$$ enough!!!(LOL!!!)


Paula

 

[ILuvCrush]

Well the concert was a lot of fun! I'm glad I took the girls. They had a great time... and so did I

The Bryce Jordan Center was pretty packed...with screaming teen and pre-teen girls. There were more than a couple moms and dads that looked like they'd rather be anywhere else...but most of us had fun along with the kids!!

Here's some Pics from last night.... (its not really off topic...the Jonas Brothers are pretty much Disney right??? )

Heres the girls in front of the tour bus

and ready to burst waiting for the show to start

Demi Lovato (from Camp Rock fame) opens the show (well after an Aussie band that I never heard of before...neither had the girls )

Now the Main Act.... the Jonas Brothers!!!

Close up of Joe

Close up of Nick

Close up of Kevin

I have to say that I was pretty pleased with how my pics turned out. The close ups were actually pics taken of the big video screens it worked pretty good, I thought. The whole concert was very fast paced...the boys never seemed to take much downtime and were running and jumping and dancing the whole time....VERY high energy!!! I was exhausted just watching them!!

I have to get some photos printed....the girls are DYING to take them to school.... I guess I'll have to take care of that today!!!

Paula

 

[MomofCKJ]

Glad you and the girls had fun! I swear, Kevin Jonas looks like a young Andy Kaufman (Latka from the show Taxi, I'm probably dating myself here)! LOL!

Allyson

 

[lmillercrew]

Looks like a lot of fun!

 

[pl'smama]

Hi Paula, great PTR! I am seeing now more and more moms taking solo trips and that is just awesome!!! My DD is 5 and we have one on the way so a solo is not in my immediate future, but I can still dream!! DD would not be happy if I did that now. She loves Disney almost as much as me!

I have to ask, where did you DD7's dress come from? It is the pink one she is wearing from your Feb trip. It is darling and she looks so sweet! I have never seen that dress before.

Your itinerary sounds great! You have a good mix of everything with some really great extras like the KTTK tour and MNSSHP. I envy you the day of shopping WS. That sounds like heaven! I can't wait to hear more!

Suz

 

[disneygirlinnj]

Ohhhh... I'm jumping in and subscribing! I love hearing about solo trips! I want to take one sooo bad!

So a little bad news (maybe...)... I ate at Tony's in December for dinner and had the chicken parm and I hate to say it.. I thought it was inedible. The chicken was dry, the sauce was worse than ragu, the pasta was overcooked and sitting in water. Luckily my mom is a very light eater so I ended up eating most of both appetizers and both desserts we got with the dining plan to fill me up. The sirloin I had there a few days later thought was very good!

As for gift baskets, I used the Disney Florist when I went this past May and ordered mothers day flowers for my step mom to be delivered to the room. They were gorgeous and just as described! I definitely recommend them!

 

[ILuvCrush]

Hi Paula, great PTR! I am seeing now more and more moms taking solo trips and that is just awesome!!! My DD is 5 and we have one on the way so a solo is not in my immediate future, but I can still dream!! DD would not be happy if I did that now. She loves Disney almost as much as me!

Welcome Aboard!!! Congrats on the new little mouseketeer too!!

I have to ask, where did you DD7's dress come from? It is the pink one she is wearing from your Feb trip. It is darling and she looks so sweet! I have never seen that dress before.

Thank you! It's a "deluxe" sleeping beauty dress I bought at the Disney Store on halloween day (at 50% off..yipee!) way back in 2005. I knew I was going to take them to the Princess Tea at the Grand Floridian on our already booked 2006 trip...so when I saw it I jumped on it!!! My other DD had the Cinderella one. The Sleeping Beauty one had GORGEOUS long sleeves that were tight to the elbow, then flared in a trumpet style...DD hated the sleeves...so I chopped them off I was sad...but she was happy!!

 

[ILuvCrush]

[

QUOTE=disneygirlinnj;27357128]Ohhhh... I'm jumping in and subscribing! I love hearing about solo trips! I want to take one sooo bad!

Welcome Disneygirllinnj!!!! I'm so excited 2 new readers in one day!!

So a little bad news (maybe...)... I ate at Tony's in December for dinner and had the chicken parm and I hate to say it.. I thought it was inedible. The chicken was dry, the sauce was worse than ragu, the pasta was overcooked and sitting in water. Luckily my mom is a very light eater so I ended up eating most of both appetizers and both desserts we got with the dining plan to fill me up. The sirloin I had there a few days later thought was very good!

Maybe I'll have to look around at everybody elses entrees to see what the chix parm looks like for the day... I can live with Ragu...but I hate overcooked s'ghtti!! At least the appys and desserts were good!! What kind of appys and desserts did you have???

As for gift baskets, I used the Disney Florist when I went this past May and ordered mothers day flowers for my step mom to be delivered to the room. They were gorgeous and just as described! I definitely recommend them!

[/QUOTE]
Did you order it before you got there or once you were on property?? Did the florist just need the name of the recipient and resort...or did they need a room# too???

 

[disneygirlinnj]

[
Maybe I'll have to look around at everybody elses entrees to see what the chix parm looks like for the day... I can live with Ragu...but I hate overcooked s'ghtti!! At least the appys and desserts were good!! What kind of appys and desserts did you have???


Did you order it before you got there or once you were on property?? Did the florist just need the name of the recipient and resort...or did they need a room# too???

For appys we had the spinach/artichoke dip. It was more creamy then anything else, which was yummy. If you don't get that though, try to see if they can bring you some of that bread (it's toasted) for the sundried tomato dip thats complimentary (they usually bring plain white italian bread...good but the other bread is better!). We also had the fresh mozz and tomato salad. It was tiny golf size balls of mozz and yellow and red grape tomatoes in a balsamic dressing. Not high class Italian food but we enjoyed it! And thats saying something coming from a big Italian family i don't eat seafood but I know a lot of people rave about the calamari. We ran into the Dapper Dan's and started talking to them and thats what they suggested too!

For dessert, I know I had the pistachio creme brulee which was GOOD! A little too sweet for me to eat the whole thing but still yummy. Also had the tiramisu which was good and their ice cream/gelato. Another time I had the lemon cake and wasn't a huge fan but I'm not usually a big fan of it anywhere I go. Just personal preference.

For the flowers, I did order them before we got there. They have a website (www.disneyflorist.com?) where I saw pictures and ideas. When I called to place the order, they only asked me who they were for, what hotel we were staying at, and whose name the reservation was under. I don't think they asked me what time to deliver them, they're on a set schedule for the hotels I think. They assured me they would be there by 6pm or 8pm that night and they'll find out what specific room we're in. When we checked in, we just dropped our stuff off and went to the parks. When we got back later that night, the gorgeous flowers were sitting there on the desk with the note I had asked them to leave as well. They are a little more expensive then a normal florist but I think it was worth it!

Hope that helped!

 

[ILuvCrush]

Thanks for the insight!!! It is alot of help! I was hoping that if Disney Florist did a basket it would be in the room waiting for them instead of the front desk...It's much more of a suprise that way!! I know my DF and family are going to Circ Du Soliel their 1st nite... it would be so neat to come home to a little mickey magic!!!

 

[Disney Brat]

Your plans are looking great!! I am so happy that you can say I am going to Disney NEXT month!! Such a good feeling to be getting closer! Great pics from the concert!

 

[ILuvCrush]

Thanks Tiff!

 

[MEK]

Hey ILuvCrush....

Just caught up on your pre trip report and your plans sound perfect. I think you will really like ASMu. I liked it alot. I know you will love KTTK tour! I think your plan to see all the movies at world showcase is great. They are all so spectacular and immersive!

I especially love your idea to do the DVC tour! You might even want to consider it when you head over to DTD on your first day. They have a kiosk right there and they will wisk you over to SSR in a matter of minutes. It definately won't take long.

I enjoyed doing the DVC tour at the beginning of my trip because whenever I had "down time" I would take a few minutes to go through the books.

Ohana's is delicious. Just watch out - it is easy to fill up on the appetizers! Those chicken wings are fabulous.

One word of caution - don't be surprised if you feel a little melacholy from time to time when the reality of being there by yourself sinks in. I know it hit me after the excitment of arriving, getting checked in, and getting to the parks. It was strange and it definately passed. Nothing major. I just didn't expect it!

Here's a pic of AsMu just for you....

 

[ILuvCrush]

Originally posted by MEK

I especially love your idea to do the DVC tour! You might even want to consider it when you head over to DTD on your first day. They have a kiosk right there and they will wisk you over to SSR in a matter of minutes. It definately won't take long.
I enjoyed doing the DVC tour at the beginning of my trip because whenever I had "down time" I would take a few minutes to go through the books.

I hadn't thought about books!! That's a great idea...it will give me something to look at if I feel out of place waiting to eat at Ohana's later too
Thats the only time I ever feel like I need something to do when I eat alone...between the ordering and the appys!!

Ohana's is delicious. Just watch out - it is easy to fill up on the appetizers! Those chicken wings are fabulous.

I hope it's as good as everyone says!! I don't eat shrimp...I figure that if I tell the server they won't bring me any I'd hate to see it wasted. If I fill up too soon..I guess I'll just be able to get to the party sooner!!!

One word of caution - don't be surprised if you feel a little melacholy from time to time when the reality of being there by yourself sinks in. I know it hit me after the excitment of arriving, getting checked in, and getting to the parks. It was strange and it definately passed. Nothing major. I just didn't expect it!

I'm afraid of that...primarily at the MNSSHP...which is why I really considered not even going to the party. I'm sure that I'll have that happen a few times... My current plan is that I'll buy a balloon or something for the nearest kid...smiles make you feel good I hope that I can have a good time and deal OK with the lonlies when they do pop up!! I think my hubby is taking the week off work for a little well deserved alone time too (while the kiddos are in school) We may end up talking more that week than we usually do!

Here's a pic of AsMu just for you....

[/QUOTE]

That is the BIGGEST BEACH BALL I have EVER SEEN!!!!
Thanks for the pic!!

 

[disneygirlinnj]

ohhh...when you said the thing about buying a baloon for a kid if you ever get lonely...what about making small gifts for awesome cast members that go out of your way to help you out? I read a few places on here where people did that and it said it made their trip SO much more enjoyable!

 

[ILuvCrush]

thats a great idea!! I'll have to put my thinking cap on...or get you to put yours on!! Help me come up with a cute idea for castmembers!!! The kid thing I can do at the spur of the moment..but I'll have to plan ahead a bit for castmembers!!