My unplanned super "Minnie" trip! - easy TR when the trip was only 8 hours!

[kjbrown]

Okay, so this trip report will be SHORT! When I said a "Minnie" trip, I meant a MINI trip!

My name is Kathy and I'm from New Hampshire. I've been to DL a few times, and WDW a couple of times. My family and I have plans to go next February.

But, this week I had to go to Orlando for business and while my days would be spent doing work stuff, my nights were/are my own (I'm still here). The trip is only scheduled for four nights/four days. I am sadly here by myself. No DH, DD3.5 or DS1.

I thought there was no way I could go to WDW all by myself. However, the lull of the mouse was too much! I had to go somehow.

Sunday night was arrival night, so I stuck to my hotel room in downtown Orlando. Luckily work is paying, so I'm staying at the very swanky Grand Bohemian.

Monday during the day was work. Monday night I decided to hit the outlet stores in search of, you guessed it, DISNEY merchandise! I hit the Prime Outlet, what used to be the Belz outlet. I bought a couple of things, hit a few non-Disney store and headed back to the hotel.

Tuesday during the day - work. But tonight I decided to be brave and head to first the Premium Outlet and then ... Downtown Disney! I figured it was Disney, but also wouldn't be weird to be alone.

The premium outlet was great. Found quite a few things, then I headed to Downtown Disney.

I have to say that I had a blast! I ate a Earl of Sandwich (had the beef 'n blue), the food was good and the price wasn't bad at all! Thanks to Princess V for mentioning this place in one of her Trip Reports! I hit almost all of the stores and had a great time. The best part was "Once Upon a Toy". I had heard about the box of Mr. Potato Head parts. I was up to the challenge. I grabbed a box and started filling. I then emptied my box and re-packed to be sure I had it as full as it could be. I went to pay for my box, and the WONDERFUL lady at the register asked me if I had gotten the autograph book and the ice cream. I said no, that I didn't have the ice cream. She led me over to the display and proceeded to pack EVEN MORE stuff in the box! I loved this woman. She said she liked to make sure people got their money's worth!

After that, I hit the Ghiradelli store and had a milkshake, got a call from my DH and spoke to my DD (who blew me a kiss over the phone), all while watching the sun set over the water! How perfect is that?

I headed back to my hotel, and decided to hit the pool! They have a pool on the sixth floor, which is incredible! It was deserted. The stars were out and the moon was full, which I could see from the pool. It was great!

I really had a fabulous time, even though it was probably the shortest trip to WDW ever made!

Now, will I work up the courage to buy and ticket and go ahead and go the "real" World tomorrow night? It's my last chance. And if I do, which park will I go to? Ah, tough decisions!

 

[CPer'sMom]

Great start! I love a short little solo trip every once in a while for myself Looking forward to more of yours ~~~

 

[MisMikiNikiLynne]

MK??? My first choice!!

 

[dismom9761]

Sounds like an awesome evening. I would have to say that I would choose MGM or Epcot for a solo evening at a park.

 

[ShesAPirate]

Get that courage up and go to MK! You'll have a great time! I know I couldn't be that close to WDW and not go, that's for sure.

 

[kjbrown]

So, I think I have decided on Epcot! It seems the most "solo"-friendly.

Also, my DH and DD think it's their 4th favorite park, so I won't feel bad visiting without them!

An aside to this TR (which is my first, so thanks for your feedback!!) I REALLY like the Grand Bohemian in downtown Orlando. The staff has been super friendly and remember me every morning. Definitely a .

And one more aside, my rental car is equipped with the talking GPS and I must say it is CRACKING me up.

Car: Prepare to turn left in 0.5 miles.
Me: Are you sure?
Car: <condescending silence>
Me: Oh, look at that, you were right.
Car: <smug silence>

Okay, so maybe I'm a little lonely, I'm talking to my car. But seriously, it has been great since I've been driving around downtown and to the outlets and to Downtown Disney. And tonight to EPCOT!

Okay, *one* more aside. Yesterday, by sheer coincidence, I wore a LIME GREEN polo shirt. However, no one approached me. No big deal, I didn't see anyone with any LGMH. Although I saw one 8 year old with Lime Green crocs. Probably not a DIS-er though.

Hopefully tonight or tomorrow I will report back on my "Minnie" trip!

 

[kjbrown]

So, today during the day - more work.

Tonight I headed to EPCOT!!!

I had a BLAST! I was so afraid to go by myself, but it was really great. A whole new experience. I didn't have to worry about anyone else. I didn't have to consider other people's needs/wishes. I didn't have to make sure we all stayed together. I could just relax and have a good time.

I got there around five. Let me tell you, it was HOT! I parked the car and walked up to the ticket window. Bought my ticket and chatted up the ticket booth guy. (Already making new friends!).

I checked out the Fastpass and wait times. Soarin was WAY too long (and all the Fastpasses were gone), so I decided to hit Mission: Space. I figured before dinner was my best bet! So much fun and very little wait!

I headed over to Test Track, single riders line BABY! Laughed with a dad and his two girls while another family was trying to get their kid past the height requirement. The dad was literally holding his son's head up trying to make him tall enough! The poor kid was actually tall enough, but I think he was afraid of hitting his head on the measuring-thingy.

I headed for the WS. I hit Mexico and stopped for a little dinner and a YUMMY margarita at the Cantina. Headed into Mexico for the boat ride! Shocking, I know, but there was no wait!

Headed to Norway and Maelstrom (FASTPASS!). Another shock was that there was a HUGE line for Maelstrom. I actually Fastpassed it! I grabbed the Fastpass and headed around the rest of the WS.

Got a funnel cake in America, and a big breeze blew up and blew powdered sugar all over me! It was still tasty!

This quick visit to the World, was unlike me. I am usually a PLANNER. I have the itinerary complete for our trip NEXT FEBRUARY. I had no plan for this quick trip to Epcot. I had no information with me. No lists of hidden Mickeys. No lists of best spots for Illuminations. No plan. EEK! And yet, I still had fun!

I DID wind up hoofing it all around the WS, thinking I might squeeze in a little Soarin. But it wasn't meant to be. The wait for Soarin was 90 minutes. It was 7:45 and Illuminations and park close was at 9. So I walked the rest of the way around and walked right on to Maelstrom, thanks to my Fastpass!

Walked out a little after 8 and found a GREAT spot for Illuminations right in front of the margarita cart! Illuminations was terrific!!!

Being solo was great, since I only had to find a spot for myself, not my whole family. I met a nice newlywed couple and took a picture for them.

Solo helped out after Illuminations, too, since I could really get through the crowd without jamming a stroller into anyone. There was actually a woman who was a BULLDOZER through the crowd. I actually saw her hip check someone out of her way. I followed her out all the way to the parking lot!

Sad to say, I didn't see any DISers.

I did have one last conversation with my car.

Car: Stay left on I-4 East in approximately one mile.
Me: Okay.
Car: Stay left on I-4 in approximately 0.5 miles.
Me: OKAY.
Car: Stay left on I-4 in approximately 0.2 miles.
Me: Okay, got it. Stay left.
Car: Stay left on I-4 NOW OR DIE.

Okay, so the car didn't really say the last one. But it was pretty insistent that I stay to the left. I am such a hick that the talking GPS was one of the highlights of my trip.

That's it, tomorrow I have one more day of class and head back to NH! Thanks for reading along if you did!

 

[Girldreamer02]

So, today during the day - more work.

Tonight I headed to EPCOT!!!

I had a BLAST! I was so afraid to go by myself, but it was really great. A whole new experience. I didn't have to worry about anyone else. I didn't have to consider other people's needs/wishes. I didn't have to make sure we all stayed together. I could just relax and have a good time.

I got there around five. Let me tell you, it was HOT! I parked the car and walked up to the ticket window. Bought my ticket and chatted up the ticket booth guy. (Already making new friends!).

I checked out the Fastpass and wait times. Soarin was WAY too long (and all the Fastpasses were gone), so I decided to hit Mission: Space. I figured before dinner was my best bet! So much fun and very little wait!

I headed over to Test Track, single riders line BABY! Laughed with a dad and his two girls while another family was trying to get their kid past the height requirement. The dad was literally holding his son's head up trying to make him tall enough! The poor kid was actually tall enough, but I think he was afraid of hitting his head on the measuring-thingy.

I headed for the WS. I hit Mexico and stopped for a little dinner and a YUMMY margarita at the Cantina. Headed into Mexico for the boat ride! Shocking, I know, but there was no wait!

Headed to Norway and Maelstrom (FASTPASS!). Another shock was that there was a HUGE line for Maelstrom. I actually Fastpassed it! I grabbed the Fastpass and headed around the rest of the WS.

Got a funnel cake in America, and a big breeze blew up and blew powdered sugar all over me! It was still tasty!

This quick visit to the World, was unlike me. I am usually a PLANNER. I have the itinerary complete for our trip NEXT FEBRUARY. I had no plan for this quick trip to Epcot. I had no information with me. No lists of hidden Mickeys. No lists of best spots for Illuminations. No plan. EEK! And yet, I still had fun!

I DID wind up hoofing it all around the WS, thinking I might squeeze in a little Soarin. But it wasn't meant to be. The wait for Soarin was 90 minutes. It was 7:45 and Illuminations and park close was at 9. So I walked the rest of the way around and walked right on to Maelstrom, thanks to my Fastpass!

Walked out a little after 8 and found a GREAT spot for Illuminations right in front of the margarita cart! Illuminations was terrific!!!

Being solo was great, since I only had to find a spot for myself, not my whole family. I met a nice newlywed couple and took a picture for them.

Solo helped out after Illuminations, too, since I could really get through the crowd without jamming a stroller into anyone. There was actually a woman who was a BULLDOZER through the crowd. I actually saw her hip check someone out of her way. I followed her out all the way to the parking lot!

Sad to say, I didn't see any DISers.

I did have one last conversation with my car.

Car: Stay left on I-4 East in approximately one mile.
Me: Okay.
Car: Stay left on I-4 in approximately 0.5 miles.
Me: OKAY.
Car: Stay left on I-4 in approximately 0.2 miles.
Me: Okay, got it. Stay left.
Car: Stay left on I-4 NOW OR DIE.

Okay, so the car didn't really say the last one. But it was pretty insistent that I stay to the left. I am such a hick that the talking GPS was one of the highlights of my trip.

That's it, tomorrow I have one more day of class and head back to NH! Thanks for reading along if you did!

your not a hick...df has a GPS system in his car and not only did I name it(julie) we both also talk to it.

 

[kjbrown]

Great start! I love a short little solo trip every once in a while for myself Looking forward to more of yours ~~~

Thanks! I had no idea how much fun a solo trip could be! Like I may have mentioned, I was tentative about it at first, but wound up having a really great time! Thanks for reading!

 

[kjbrown]

MK??? My first choice!!

Mine, too, if I was with DD and DH! But, I felt kind of bad doing MK without them! Plus POC was closed when we were there last, so DH would have killed me if I went without him! Thanks for posting!

Sounds like an awesome evening. I would have to say that I would choose MGM or Epcot for a solo evening at a park.

As you can see from my above post I had a great time at Epcot. Thanks for posting!

Get that courage up and go to MK! You'll have a great time! I know I couldn't be that close to WDW and not go, that's for sure.

That was basically what convinced me to go! I couldn't be THAT close and not see the mouse! Thanks for posting!

 

[kjbrown]

your not a hick...df has a GPS system in his car and not only did I name it(julie) we both also talk to it.

Thank goodness it isn't just me!

 

[CPer'sMom]

Thanks! I had no idea how much fun a solo trip could be! Like I may have mentioned, I was tentative about it at first, but wound up having a really great time! Thanks for reading!

Glad you had a great evening at Epcot! It really is fun exploring the World by yourself once in a while When my daughter was on the college program I visited her as many times as I could While she was working I'd spend my time at the parks and found it was great just doing exactly whatever *I* wanted to do!!

Thanks for sharing