My Birthday-Fab, Super Selfish, Ultra-VIP, "me-time" SOLO TRIP!!! Pre-Trip Report

[VinnyDisney]

Wow! So I am usually just a lurker on these forums but I am just so darn excited for my upcoming trip. I work retail and this holiday was very hectic for me since I was recently promoted to manager. I decided when Disney announced the return of Buy 4, Get 3 Free promotion, I decided I was going to treat myself for my post-holiday vacation and my birthday. With the reviews of solo trips and the idea had always intrigued me, I decided to jump in and just do it. And I decided to be selfish and go DELUXE! I am so excited! I called and the reservation specialist at Walt Disney Travel set me up with a Theme Park View at the Grand Floridian with Club Level in the main lodge! THRILLED!!! I added on the basic dining to my park hopper.

Then…after even reading more here, especially the dining forums, I knew I wanted to try more sit down restaurants so I upgraded to the Deluxe Dining Plan! I know it’s going to be a lot of food but I am willing to take that challenge! YUM! I have been salivating for the past month thinking about all the treats that I didn’t even know existed at the parks! Some things I cannot wait for include the Butterfinger cupcake at Starring Rolls, the school bread or sweet pretzels at the Norway pavilion, I also am going to treat myself to the ultimate, a reservation at Victoria and Albert! I bought a new suit just for the occasion!

My Grand IPO has been AMAZING! Always keeping me up-to-date and knowing exactly what I would like even with just a few emails and phone calls. Marijane is great and is always prompt! She has gotten me pretty much everything I wanted in such a sort time and such short notice, considering the 180 day reservation policy. She is even going to plan a cake to be delivered for my birthday meal at Bistro! I told her what flavors I like and what I might be interested in and the rest is up to her and to ‘surprise’ me with the rest!

So here goes! This is what she has planned for me! Let me know what you think and if you have any other suggestions. I leave Saturday, so I don’t plan on making many changes but would love ideas on other snacks to check out or other little things I can enhance my trip!

WHO: Me, Vinny…on a SOLO TRIP!
WHEN: Saturday, January 9-Saturday, January 16 (Buy 4, Get 3 Free)
WHERE: Grand Floridian: Main Lodge Club Concierge Level with Cinderella Castle View


Saturday, January 9:
12:00 PM Arrival via Disney's Magical Express

12:35 PM Grand Floridian Cafe
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

06:10 PM Teppan Edo
EPCOT - World Showcase, Japan

Sunday, January 10:
07:25 AM Grand Floridian Cafe

09:00 AM Disney's Grand Floridian Spa & Health Club
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

10:30 AM Disney's Grand Floridian Spa & Health Club
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

12:05 PM Kona Cafe
Disney's Polynesian
or
12:50 PM Liberty Tree Tavern
Magic Kingdom

08:45 PM
Victoria and Albert's
(YAY!!! And she is keeping an eye open for a Chef’s Table reservation to open, just in case!)

Monday, January 11:
08:20 AM Supercalifragilistic Breakfast
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

11:30 AM Dining with an Imagineer at the Brown Derby
Disney's Hollywood Studios

06:00 PM 50's Prime Time Cafe

Tuesday, January 12 (MY BIRTHDAY!!!):
07:30 AM Chef Mickey's Fun Time Buffet
Disney's Contemporary Resort

09:00 AM Backstage Magic Tour

08:15 PM Bistro de Paris (with a custom ‘surprise’ cake!!!)
EPCOT - World Showcase, France

Wednesday, January 13:
08:20 AM Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House Restaurant
Disney's Animal Kingdom - Africa - Harambe

10:00 AM Wildlife Discovery Excursion Tour
Disney's Animal Kingdom

01:30 PM Yak & Yeti Restaurant
Disney’s Animal Kingdom

07:00 PM "Jiko...The Cooking Place"
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Thursday, January 14:
07:30 AM The Wave...of American Flavors
Disney's Contemporary Resort

09:30 AM Around the World at Epcot Tour
EPCOT - Guest Relations, left of Spaceship Earth

01:45 PM Le Cellier Steakhouse
EPCOT - World Showcase, Canada

07:00 PM Coral Reef Restaurant
EPCOT - The Seas with Nemo and Friends

Friday, January 15:
07:35 AM Kona Cafe
Disney's Polynesian

11:30 AM Liberty Tree Tavern
Magic Kingdom

06:55 PM Artist Point
Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Saturday, January 16:
12:00 PM Rose and Crown Pub and Dinning Room
EPCOT - World Showcase, United Kingdom

03:55 PM Departure via Disney's Magical Express

So that’s it, in a nut shell! Plenty of food and snacks to be eaten in-between, plenty of photo-ops with characters and plenty of rides and parades and shows to be watched and enjoyed. There are a few ‘hiccups’ that I have come to realize with my timing, like the marathon weekend traffic that I will have to endure and the refurbishment of Cinderella Castle and Splash Mountain but nothing is going to bring me down! I am just going to focus on ALL the positives and take the rest as it comes. There will always be refurbishments and traffic and events that I can’t control. I guess this is my pre-trip report! I will hopefully have plenty of photos and details to report back on! YAY!!!!


Would also love to add some 'gay' time in and would love to know if any of the bars or clubs in the 'world' or Downtown Disney have a little known gay scene or if any one else is going to be down there at that time and wants to meet up for a cocktail!? Where do the CMs and Prince Charmings hang out?!

 

[RENThead09]

Have a great trip man. Sounds like you have an amazing time planned. Take lots of pictures so we can all live vicariously through you. I arrive this Wednesday, and it sounds like the weather will be great.

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

 

[wallyb]

Sounds great.
Have a blast.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

That sounds fabulous, but I think I've put on weight just reading about it.

Happy Birthday and ENJOY!!!!!!

 

[OrlandoMike]

Sounds like a great week!

Hope you have a great time and a great birthday!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Wow! What a fabulous birthday holiday! Enjoy every minute of your time!

I can't even imagine recommending anything else for you to try, food wise! LOL.

OK, well one... Papas rellenas at Bongo's Walk Up Window (DTD West Side).

As for gay life, not much left that is concentrated in the WDW area. Not like it used to be with the clubs, etc.

You could venture forth into Orlando, but that's a whole 'nother thread.

Take care now and have a wonderful time!

 

[OrlandoMike]

Where do the CMs and Prince Charmings hang out?!

TGI Fridays at Crossroads is pretty busy at night! Kind of fun to watch everyone come in after a shift in their costume!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

That sounds like an amazing trip!

Just a suggestion - you might want to re-evaluate the DxDDP. The meals you have Monday and Wednesday are going to be a TON, and I mean a TON, of food. Once you tip on the full cost of the meals you may end up spending more than you would just paying cash. I know we lost money with the DxDDP because we just could not eat that much. We did buffet breakfasts and signature dinners, and most days we didn't eat lunch AT ALL. That doesn't take snacks into account, or the fact that you will have access to the concierge lounge. If you have a minute you might pop over to All Ears and see what your out of pocket cost would be for the things you want to order. Especially since the V&A dinner and Lunch with an Imagineer aren't covered by the dining plan. If you are doing the DxDDP for convenience as opposed to cost effectiveness then never mind!

 

[soulmates]

Ohhhh, sounds FABULOUS!!! Happy Birthday and ENJOY your trip!!!

 

[zeitzeuge]

Sounds like a great trip! Although my partner would murder me in my sleep if I ever tried to do a solo trip. Happy Birthday and have a great time!

 

[Desiree1972]

Happy Birthday!
Have a fab fab time!

 

[WittyreaderLI]

That trip sounds amazing! HAVE a great time!!!

 

[Cdn Gal]

Hope you have a great time- my b-day is on the 7th and I am sooooo jealous of you now!! I hope that you have a wonderful time from the bottom of my heart!!

 

[Tony-NJ]

wow - have a great time Vinny!

I thought V&A was included on the DXDP..?? Though I'm probably wrong

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

wow - have a great time Vinny!

I thought V&A was included on the DXDP..?? Though I'm probably wrong

I thought it was excluded from DxDDP, but it might be on the Platinum plan or one of those that includes EVERYTHING (Cirque tickets, all recreation, golf, dining, etc, etc).

 

[Tony-NJ]

ahhh platinum! That's probably it - I don't do the DDP but I remember reading it somewhere! My apologies.

 

[dmwang9]

Have a great time! As a frequent solo traveler -- my friends don't "get" Disney the way I do, and my family's vacation schedules tend to not mesh well with mine -- I've come to really enjoy WDW traveling alone.

Looking forward to your trip reports!

 

[VinnyDisney]

Thank you ALL for the wonderful birthday wishes! I really cannot wait to begin my adventure. It should be fun and I am excited to try a solo trip and the support from this board has been great. And to read about other people's solo trips and what a positive experience it is has put a lot of my worries at ease. Just a few more days!!! If anyone is down there and wants to grab a drink or something some night, let me know! Ya'll know my schedule!

 

[Crashdown]

I'm jealous. Hope you have a great time and a birthday you'll never forget.

 

[glenpreece]

yeah wow indeed!!!