My first solo -- Well almost solo trip!

[Donald is #1]

I just found your report. I have to say that you are one of the best photographers! Maybe you should apply to National Geographic. Your pictures were of that caliber! I especially loved the MK castle and fireworks pictures.
Congrats on AKV purchase.

Deb

Thank you so much! For now photography is just a hobby for me. I am currently toying with the idea of doing something with my photography when I retire, but for now it is a great stress relief!

Congrats on your DVC purchase! The AKV looks awesome! I'm slightly jealous...

We aren't going to MGM this year because we figured DD is too young, but every time I read about it, I almost reconsider. Then I think about all the ADRs I'd have to change, and I stop considering!

I can't wait to see Wishes.

I hope you find an Eeyore ornament. Eeyore is DDs favorite, so we will be on the lookout for one also.

Great installment! Congrats again on DVC!!!

I loved AKL so I can't wait to try AKV. I probably won't be able to try it until next year. MGM is a tough call. During my October trip, my sister (me too) was surprised when her kids said that MGM was their favorite park. Her kids were 8 & 9 at the time. For younger kids, I am not sure how much there is to do there besides Playhouse Disney.

I hope that you have better luck than I did with an Eeyore ornament. I did find at least 1 Pooh ornament but I had bought that for my sister the year before.

I am getting real excited about the DVC. I am already plotting more trips next year!

congrats on your new home purchase did you get a chance to eat at bomas? if so how was it? i'm thinking of next trip trying jikos or boma out. both look really good.

did the dvc people say when the new homes at akl will be finished?

love your report and pics...

thanks for sharing

Thank you so much! Yes I did eat at Bomas. I found it very good. Unfortunately, I ate there on my arrival day so I was tired from traveling. The food was very good and I really liked the desserts. If you are a prime rib fan like me, then they have prime rib on the buffet. Jiko, by the way, was my favorite meal of the entire trip!

I believe that the AKV won't be finished until sometime in 2009. I have heard that they are a head of schedule but I would think that it will still take them until 2009 to finish.

 

[Donald is #1]

Well, this was my last full day in WDW. OK, I will admit that by Day 11, my credit cards were really ready for me to be heading home. !

Anyways, I was up early enough (7:30) and had my favorite breakfast at Maras. Somehow, Mickey waffles always seem to taste better than the waffles at home.

My first stop today was AK and finally decided that I was going to try EE. Now, if you had been reading the earlier part of this trip report, you will see that I had chickened out on other occasions during this trip. Although I love Space Mountain, I am not really a big roller coaster fan. Mostly, I don't like the big drops. So, again, I was at AK close to opening. I don't remember if I actually made the opening or just missed it. For some reason, I did not write that in my notes. So, I head over to EE and the line was very short. I probably waited 10 minutes to get on. As the ride went along, I thought that going backwards was very weird and and for some reason (sacrilege I know) the Yeti didn't really scare me. So as the ride was ending, my thoughts were gee, the ride was ok and I was glad I tried it. I next actually purchased the ride photo just so that people could see that yes I actually did ride it.

I am in the person in the second row of the photo holding on for dear life!

Well, when I got off the ride, I thought gee that wasn't so bad, maybe I should get a FP. Warning! This was not my smartest move! You would think that I would be smart enough that if I thought a ride was OK then I really shouldn't ride it twice the same day.

But, I got the FP anyways. Now, for some reason, I wasn't that efficient in my FPs on this day. I didn't really time them well so that I did more park crossing than I should have. Oh well, it was my last day. (Is that a good excuse? ) So, while I was waiting for my EE FP, I went over to the Pangani trail and went on the trail for the third (or was it fourth? fifth?) time of my vacation. After finishing the Pangani trail, I noticed that I could get my next FP. So I went over to the Safari and got a FP. By now it was time for my FP on EE. Therefore, I went back to Asia and used my EE fastpass. Again, the wait was very short, 5-10 minutes, and I was on EE very quickly. This time, I didn't like the ride as much. So, I guess that for me, I will probably only ride this at most once per trip.

After EE, I went over to the Maharaja Jungle Trek. I took my time on this trek agian. I definitely noticed that AK was busier today (5/16) than the other days of my trip. By now it was time for my safari FP so I started making my way over to Africa. Along the path, I noticed a large crowd in front of me. When I got to the crowd, I saw that DeVine was out! This was my first time seeing her in all of my trips to AK!

As I got closer to Africa, I stopped for a few minutes to listen to some musicians.

Finally, I got to the Safari and went on my last safari of this trip. This safari was excellent and overall, I would say that I saw more animals and more animal types on the Safari's during this trip than on my previous trips!

After the safari, I headed over to FlameTree BBQ for lunch. I had the pork sandwich with onion rings. Thsi lunch was very good. It was a 4 out of 5. By the time that I finished lunch, it was almost time for the next Nemo show (12:30 for the 1:00 show) so I headed over to the theater. The line was very long, but once they opened the doors it moved quickly. I was down by the Dinoland, but I was able to sit in the lower section on the left (facing the stage). I spent the time waiting for the show talking to the couple next to me. They were from Chicago and we and an awesome time talking while waiting for the show. The show was excellent! The actors with the puppets were great to watch and the show was extremely well done.

By this time, it was getting close to 2:00 and I decided to head back to AKL to pack! I spent a couple of hours packing and after feeling the wait of my bag, decided it was time for me to do a little re-arranging. I had brought a duffle bag with me that folds flat, so I decided to put the heavier things from my suitcase in the duffle bag and check that through as luggage.
After I finished packing, I relaxed for a while enjoying the view from my room.

One of my reasons for packing early in the afternoon was that it was Friday and EPCOT had EMH. So in the evening, I took the bus to EPCOT and started wandering around the WS looking for a table service restaurant with an opening. I ended up at the Biergarten. I was seated at a table with 3 people from St Louis (parents plus their daughter who had just graduated from college), a couple from Texas and a couple from Seattle. I had a great time! The food was awesome, the entertainment was great, and I had a great time talking with the people at my table. I ended up having a flight of 4 beers and surprising, I liked the dark beer best. I say surprisingly because I have tried Guinness and I did nto like it. So, I have avoided dark beers since then. As for the food, I tried a little bit of almost all of the hot foods on the buffet! The only downside to the Biergarten was that our service was a bit slow. I really only noticed it when we were all waiting for the check. While I was in the restaurant, it rained for about 1/2 an hour. After dinner, I continued my search for a present for my sister, Princess Power. I went into Mousegears but I couldn't find an Eeyore ornament there. I did, however, find a neat Minnie ornament. So I got ornament instead for her.

After shopping at Mousegears, I watched Illuminations and then decided that I was tired and didn't feel like staying for EMH, so I headed back to the AKL.


Here ends another day! Again, I had an awesome time but it was time to head home tomorrow.

 

[DreaGirl]

You really do look like you are holding on for dear life in that photo from EE! We can't wait to ride it in October, but we are big roller coaster people.

How sad, your last day.... You have had an awesome trip though and I have really enjoyed it. That was a good tip about the extra bag...I'll have to remember that!

 

[DisneyObsession]

This has been a great TR and I am thoroughly ejoying it!

It is interesting to have the prospective from a solo traveller. I have thought of going alone, but am a little nervous to do that. I was afraid I'd be bored by myself, but it sounds like you talked to alot of people and got to know them while waiting for attractions. definitely something I would do!

Can't wait to hear the rest of the trip!!!

 

[Donald is #1]

You really do look like you are holding on for dear life in that photo from EE! We can't wait to ride it in October, but we are big roller coaster people.

How sad, your last day.... You have had an awesome trip though and I have really enjoyed it. That was a good tip about the extra bag...I'll have to remember that!

I was definitely holding on! Actually thinking back, I was probably even holdiing on tighter than the picture appeared!

I was so glad that I had the extra duffle bag! I was able to pack everything in my suitcase but it was so heavy! By moving the heavy stuff including my extra shoes into the duffle bag, my bag was soooo much lighter and I didn't have to worry about the 50 lb limit.

This has been a great TR and I am thoroughly ejoying it!

It is interesting to have the prospective from a solo traveller. I have thought of going alone, but am a little nervous to do that. I was afraid I'd be bored by myself, but it sounds like you talked to alot of people and got to know them while waiting for attractions. definitely something I would do!

Can't wait to hear the rest of the trip!!!

If you are thinking about a solo trip but are un-sure, then do what I did in October. My sister and her family had a trip planned and I was thinking about going the following week. But I had never been solo before besides maybe 1 day. So my sister suggested that I go at the same time as her. I was able to get on the same flights as my sister and her family. I did stay at a different resort because they were staying at Fort Wilderness with her in-laws. (I stayed at Wilderness Lodge.) I ended up spending about 1/2 my time solo and 1/2 my time with them. It was really a great time and was a great way to introduce myself to a solo trip to WDW. There were a couple of days that we spent the whole day together and a day or two where I was by myself. On the other days, we had different plans in the morning, so we tended to meet up about 1/2 way through the afternoon. During that trip, I was already planning this solo trip. Another idea instead of meeting up partway through the day, would be on your next trip, go down a few days early or stay a few days later so that you have a few solo days to get accustomed to solo travel. It really was amazing how quickly I was able to do things and how easy it was to try different attractions that I had never been on.

 

[Donald is #1]

Well, this was my last day.

I was up at about 7:15 and since I had packed the day before, I was pretty much all set. For breakfast, I just had to have another Mickey waffle at Maras. After breakfast, I headed back to my room to get my bags so that I could check them at RAC. The line for the RAC was fairly long so I was glad that I got into it early. I was probably in line for 20 minutes before the line even seemed to move. However, once the people who were up at the counter for so long finished, the line started moving. I am definitely spoiled by the RAC. It was very nice to check my bags at the hotel and get my boarding pass instead of waiting until I was at the airport.

Once I was checked in, I had about an hour to spare before leaving for the airport. I decided to go back to my room and enjoy the view for the last time. I think that I ended up checking out at about 10 or 10:30. Once in the car, I stopped for gas and then headed to the Hertz near the airport. When I was getting gas, I surprised to see that the gas prices at the Hess gas station on WDW property was actually the same price that I was paying at home.

Once I dropped the car off at Hertz, it was a short shuttle ride to the airport and since I had my boarding pass, I was able to go straight to check-in. I grabbed lunch at the Chick-a-fil at the food court. My sandwich was ok. I haven't had a Chick-a-fil since college and I guess somethings just aren't as good as I remembered.

After getting lunch, I was at my gate fairly quickly and I was able to sit down and relax before my flight. My flight on Jet Blue back to Boston was great. I have been really spoiled by Jet Blue. I just wish that they would fly into New Hampshire. Once off the plane, I had to wait for my luggage for a little while, but the limo was there to pick me up very quickly after I called.

Overall, it was a very relaxing a stress free trip home!

 

[DreaGirl]

I'm sad that your trip is over!

Your trip report was very good and I really enjoyed reading it. I hope that you do another report for your next trip.

Any ideas on when you are going back?

 

[Donald is #1]

I'm sad that your trip is over!

Your trip report was very good and I really enjoyed reading it. I hope that you do another report for your next trip.

Any ideas on when you are going back?

Thank you so much!

Funny that you should ask about my next trip. I am sitting here with my sister (#2) and I just booked my first DVC vacation. My other sister (#1) and I decided a few weeks ago to go to the Food & Wine Festival for a long weekend in October and I was finally able to book it this afternoon. Now sister #2 is trying to decide whether she is going to be joining us.

 

[DreaGirl]

We'll be there in October as well. How funny. I think we may just miss each other.

 

[tubachick]

great report! Love all your pictures!!

congrats on your DVC purchase!!!

 

[Busymom85]

Loved your report. What awesome pictures. Congratulations on your DVC purchase. I'm jealous.

 

[roberrl187]

Thanks for sharing. Great report. I loved your photos.

 

[KBR3sComp4Micky!]

subscribing!!

 

[Donald is #1]

great report! Love all your pictures!!

congrats on your DVC purchase!!!

Loved your report. What awesome pictures. Congratulations on your DVC purchase. I'm jealous.

Thanks for sharing. Great report. I loved your photos.

Thank you so much everyone!

 

[Donald is #1]

Well at the start of this trip, I had a few questions:
1) Would be I intimidated by an entire 12 trip on my own (with a few appearance by one of my friends)?
2) Would I be bored with a second vacation within about 7 months?
3) How would it be with my SLR at WDW?
4) Would DVC be right for me? And if so, which resort?

Well, I had an awesome trip! The answers to my questions ended up being:
1) Would be I intimidated by an entire 12 trip on my own (with a few appearance by one of my friends)? I really enjoyed my solo trip. I did not get lonely at all and it was amazing how much you can get done on your own. That being said, I have also really enjoyed my trips with friends and family. So, my trips in the future will be a combination of some family/friends trips and some solo trips.
2) Would I be bored with a second vacation within about 7 months? I was a bit surprised to find that I didn't get bored at all! I found that since I was just at WDW the previous October, there wasn't any pressure to try to see everything. I also found that I was much more relaxed and tended to head back to my resorts in the afternoon to relax and cool down. I have never spent as much time at my resort as I did on this trip. Of course staying at AKL probably helped! I couldn't miss seeing all of those animals!
3) How would it be with my SLR at WDW? The answer to this question was very surprising. I love photography and I am never on vacation without my SLR and all of my equipment. But I found that I really prefer not to carry all of my camera equipment at WDW. I think that for most of my WDW trips, I will only be taking my SLR for my trips to AKV. Otherwise, I will stick to my point & shoot camera.
4) Would DVC be right for me? And if so, which resort? I really enjoyed my time at SSR. And when I got to AKL, I found that I missed having a couch in my room. While I was at SSR, I was really debating between SSR and AKV. And then..... I got to my room at AKL and I saw the animals outside my room. Well, my decision was made (AKV) within a few minutes of being in my room.

OK, here are some recommendations that I have:
1) For DISers on their first trip: If you take one thing from this trip report, please let it be to relax; you will not be able to see everything unless you are on a really long trip. This was my 6th trip and there are still attractions that I have not seen.
2) For DISers on a repeat trip: Don't be afraid to try new restaurants and attractions. I found some that will make it on my must do list.
3) For DISers thinking about a solo trip: Go for it! I got a lot of support from the adults & solo board.

Thanks again everyone for reading this report!

 

[Tanya90210]

What a great report.... I enjoyed it from beginning to end this morning!! I really loved your shots of Wishes... Fireworks shots are my favorite...

I am thinking of AKV too.... Hoping to check them out when we go in September

Tanya

 

[DreaGirl]

What a great report. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to you next report.

 

[Donald is #1]

What a great report.... I enjoyed it from beginning to end this morning!! I really loved your shots of Wishes... Fireworks shots are my favorite...

I am thinking of AKV too.... Hoping to check them out when we go in September

Tanya

Thank you so much! Definitely check out AKV. If you are thinking about the DVC, I would also recommend checking out SSR since you can buy SSR via resale. I really enjoyed both SSR and AKL. But of course for me, the animals won out!

What a great report. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to you next report.

Thank you! My next trip should be interesting since it will be the first trip that the three of us have been on together since we were in high school. Hopefully we won't drive each other too crazy!

 

[Tanya90210]

Thank you so much! Definitely check out AKV. If you are thinking about the DVC, I would also recommend checking out SSR since you can buy SSR via resale. I really enjoyed both SSR and AKL. But of course for me, the animals won out!

We aren't big into spa type ppl so the animals will more than likely win out for us too.... I am also looking into OKW or WL villas too... but who knows what will happen...


Tanya

 

[scottny]

Great report. The pics were great. I was going to do a solo trip next year but now I am taking 3 kids. so maybe 2010 cause 2009 trip will be 10 - 17 of us going.
Thanks for posting your trip it was fun to read.