No Day But Today- FINAL post on page 40!

[flying_babyb]

crystal- are you a rent fan? Whos your fav?

 

[MomWith2Cinderellas]

Crystal,

First off, happy belated birthday! I just found your pre-trip report today. What a great report!
My family and I will be at WDW January 14-27, so hopefully we will spot you in the parks!
My DH will not let me take out the luggage until the week of Christmas! He said "I drive the cats nuts every time they see those suitcases!" LOL I know he is right, but the itch to pack is overcoming me Maybe they will happen to fall out of the closed closet!
Have a great trip and look forward to reading your trip report!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Yeeeeaaaahhhh! Another Crystal trip!
Since you are going to be a little more generous to yourself on the souvie shopping, I want you to pick up one of those wooden animal thingies in Epcot this time. You know you want one!

I know! I’ve only been wanting one of those for what, three years now? Maybe this will be the trip that I finally give in and buy one! (Good memory, btw!)

My family and I will be at WDW January 14-27, so hopefully we will spot you in the parks!
My DH will not let me take out the luggage until the week of Christmas! He said "I drive the cats nuts every time they see those suitcases!"

Yay, more January people!

My cats have been napping in my suitcase ever since I got it out! They'll be so sad when they can't fit in anymore! I'm hoping that they "get" that the suitcase out means I'm going away soon- I'm always worried they'll feel like I've abandoned them!

Crystal-
You are such a great trip-report writer....your trip reports ALWAYS crack me up!!!!!
You will have a great time in January...it's my favorite time to go even though it's slightly chilly at night! WL is incredible...and I imagine that it would be really homey-feeling in the wintertime!
~May Queen

Aww, you're too nice! Now I have to make sure my report is good!

I LOVE the atmosphere at WL- the lobby makes me feel like I'm in someone's giant living room, hanging out with family. LOVE it!

Looking forward to reading more! I, too, would love to hear more about the "solo" aspect of visiting WDW.

I keep meaning to post something here about the pros and cons of going it solo, but keep forgettig! Soon!

crystal- are you a rent fan? Whos your fav?

Ah hah! Someone caught the title! Well done!

I do love me some Rent! I have a big ol' girly crush on Anthony Rapp- I just finished reading his book, which was amazing! I have grand plans to edit my vacation videos together to music when I get back, and you can bet there will be some Rent in there!

 

[flying_babyb]

Omg- now i wanna see your vacation video just for the music!! I sobbed like a baby at the end of rent. Im a Rogerholic. My sister hates it, Ive got roger above my bed. Im also learing to play guitar. Now back on topic:
Im thinking of bringing my video camera with me, any advice? Ive got the same camera as you! So what disney dude would you reccomed? I will be teaching preschool children as of Jan. 2nd. (I love kids, new money for disney). I was thinking of buying a cheap digital for taking with me. Do you reccomend this? I have a nice one but I just got it and It was 200 dollars two months ago. You seem so knoagable.

 

[tinkerbell87512]

hahaha its never too early to start packing....shhhhh dont tell but ive already put my capris, shorts and some other things in my suitcase. You must be getting so excited only 25 days! Im sure it will go by fast! im looking forward to more of your pre trippie!

 

[flying_babyb]

really tink? I wanna pack but I thought it was too early, youve got longer than me!

 

[jodistar]

Ready for an embarassing confession? I've started packing. (And may also be developing a smiley addiction, apparently!)

I should know better than to try to start packing already- I mean, I'm going to need some of this stuff in the next few weeks! I just can't resist, though!

Crystal, I started to pack already too! and I have to admit I will probably need some of the stuff in the coming weeks too!

The waiting is killing me!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

really tink? I wanna pack but I thought it was too early, youve got longer than me!

I know its really sad. But hey i live in NH and its going to be really cold so thers no way i will be needing my capris and things like that ...so why not pack them in the suit case? lol im a packing addict haha. But shhhhhh lets just keep it between us!

 

[flying_babyb]

I go in march. My shorts sure as sin are not comming out this winter!

 

[flying_babyb]

Just wanted to chime in and be #2 reading your pre-trip report. Also I was trying to figure out what mst3k was and I looked at it on youtube and remember it --lol. Great show haven't seen it in awhile. Good luck on your trip and have a magical time. Be careful with that shiny new cc thou----

HEY!!! Im reading you! Just not commenting. We both have the tinkercard!

 

[flying_babyb]

First- thanks for listing the resorts the abbrevations had me confusled.
Questions for you:
What sorta dance do you do? I :heart: ballet, suck at it but love it
Whats this Passporter Treasure Hunt book?


COmments:

I write everything down too but in my journal (I loose little bits of paper).

So croc's are great huh? Im wondering about getting a pair just for disney. I wouldnt be able to wear them at work (sigh) since its all woodchipped. The kids have told me the chips get stuck in them.

Never gone to WDW- My boss goes yearly and brings back souvineers for all us us. Its pretty sweet of her (and all the kids get mickey head suckers)

Your #1 worry is the same as mine! I dont like to spend money so I miss out on alot of things.

AWW I have cats too. Im worried about bandit. shes a abused stray with real bonding issues. Shes only bonded with me since I was the first person to show her love. Im worried she wont do well with my mom while im gone.


Will have to try the EmergenC- (ok cant spell)

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Brrr! It is cold and rainy here today, but that's okay, because I'm going to Disney World in less than 3 weeks!

My new video camera arrived yesterday, and it is the tiniest, cutest little thing ever! Hopefully that means I'll actually carry it around now!

Katie and I have been trading MySpace comments full of past trip memories, so I thought I'd share this list of Important Lessons Learned from Past Trips:

We are not botanists.
Tigers graze.
I'ts only wrong if you get caught.
Rule #1- Don't take off your clothes!
Beware the hairy cheesecake.
Sudden music can be cause for alarm.
Meerkats will eat you.
Cows from Africa still say "Moo!"
The name of the path is courtesy.
Japan makes awesome soap operas.
The Japanese call Godzilla "Godzilla. No! Wait! Gooooooorzirra!!!!"
If something doesn't work, it is for dramatic effect.
S l o w d o w n.
You should be *very specific* when requesting a band-aid.


If these don't make sense, go read my past reports! They're all available for the low, low price of $0 right here on the DIS, or for the most part at www.lovemanythings.net/disney/reports.html Read now, and we'll throw in this handy dandy set of steak knives! Oooh, ahhh!

I also wanted to add a few comments here On Solo Travel:

If you’ve ever made your way over to the Adults & Solos board, you’re sure to have seen at least one thread asking the age old question- “Is going to WDW alone crazy? Will I have fun? Will I be bored?”

Solo travel is not for everyone.

In my case, my first solo trip came out of pure stubbornness. I’d been bitten by the Disney bug, and after the first two trips, I could no longer talk anyone into going back with me. Everyone who was interested in going either couldn’t afford a trip, or couldn’t get away from work long enough to go.

So do you spend life sitting around, putting off all of the things you want to do until you have someone to do them with, or do you just do them anyway?

For me, that one was a no-brainer. And so at 19, I set off for WDW alone, and an addiction was born. My first solo trip was in December of 2001, and more solo trips followed in the winter of 2002, 2003, and 2005. It wasn’t until 2006, though, that I came to a surprising conclusion.

In 2006, I once again found myself traveling with actual humans. (as opposed to my trusty sidekick Stitch, who has been on 2 trips now.) I was totally taken aback on this trip to find myself constantly wanting more solo time. At some point, solo travel had changed for me, from something that I did out of necessity, to something that I loved.

What’s so great about going it alone, you ask? In my experience…

-You’re on your own schedule. Want to sleep in today? There’s nobody nagging you to get out of bed already. Want to get up at 5am, take some sunrise photos, eat a relaxed breakfast, and make it to the park well before it opens for EMH? There’s no sleepyhead in the other bed slowing you down. If you’re the low maintenance sort, going solo means never having to sit around watching the park hours on TV over and over while your traveling companion gets their hair just right. Like to be pretty for those Photo Pass people? Take time to put on your eyeliner without guilt of making someone else wait for you. And better yet, feel free to change between the two personalities on a daily basis!

- Flexibility- Was Epcot your plan for this morning, but you’re suddenly in the mood for MK? Get in the other bus line. Hungry? Stop and eat. Tired? Go back for a break.

-You end up talking to more people. If you’re traveling solo, at some point you’re going to get desparate for conversation, and luckily, this usually leads to some fun conversations with the family across from you on the bus, the CM ringing up your purchase, the people next to you in line, the international CM here from another country, the other solo person on the same backstage tour as you.

-You notice So. Much. More. If you’re walking through the parks with your friends or family, you’re less likely to notice the little things- to spot the Hidden Mickeys, to stop and read the signs.

-You take a lot more photos. You’re free to stop and experience the World through your camera lens, especially to capture all of those little things mentioned above.

-Single rider lines! Ride vehicles to yourself, meaning lots of legroom!

-You learn a lot about yourself. It took me more than two decades to figure out that I really enjoy my own company. Traveling on your own gives you a lot of insight into both who you are, and what kind of Disney trip you like. You’re free to hit the parks commando style one day, and sleep in till noon the next, until you figure out what you *really* like.

Of course, going solo also has drawbacks. Those include-

-Price. A room at the resorts costs the same for one person as it does for two. A $300/nt hotel room is a lot more manageable if you’re splitting the cost with two friends than if you’re paying it all yourself!

-Nobody to share the experience with. It’s hard to sing along with Pirates by yourself. All of the funny little inside jokes that usually pop up during a trip are much less frequent when there’s nobody else to share them with. There’s nobody there to see you dance on stage when you get pulled out of the audience. It’s the times when you think of something funny, and there’s nobody to tell it to, that make the solo trip seem a little lonely. Plus, when traveling with others, you can talk about “That time when we got stuck at Epcot in the rain, and you bought that giant sombrero to wear as a rain hat!”. It isn’t the same if you don’t have someone to reminisce about the trip with later.

-You may be less likely to step outside your comfort zone solo. Does Rockin Rollercoaster kinda freak you out, but you want to try it at least once? Having someone to ride with may be a lot easier than facing that line alone.


I’ve finally come up with what I consider the perfect solution- I’m lucky enough to have friends that live close to Disney that I can call up to come hang out with me for two or three days of the trip. I also usually book at least one backstage type tour. The combination of some time spent in the parks with a friend, time with a big group of people, and lots of solo time, seems to add up perfectly for me.

Should you go solo? That's up to you. If you're comfortable spending time by yourself, it may be the most fun you ever have on a trip. If you aren't, you could be miserable. (Is anyone actually allowed to be miserable at WDW?)

The beauty of the DIS is that there are likely to be dozens, if not hundreds, of DISers in the parks when you are, so if you ask around, chances are you'll find someone who will be happy to share a meal or a day with you. Hey, Katie may even hire herself out as a friend for the right price!

If all else fails, pick yourself up a stuffed blue alien, make him your travel companion, and go from there!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

First- thanks for listing the resorts the abbrevations had me confusled.
Questions for you:
What sorta dance do you do? I :heart: ballet, suck at it but love it
Whats this Passporter Treasure Hunt book?

I do bellydance- I've been studying under the Suhaila Salimpour format for about two years now, but performance wise we do a mix of cabaret, classical Egyptian, folkloric, and tribal fusion. FUN!

The Passporter Treasure Hunt book is a nifty little book put out by the fine folks at Passporter. I'm pretty sure it was inspired by the huge scavenger hunts they do at Mousefest each yer. It has questions for each park, resort, downtown disney, etc., and the answers in separate, sealed sections. I can't wait to use it! Amazon has it available here , or you can get it from the Passporter website.

So croc's are great huh? Im wondering about getting a pair just for disney.

I love em! I think the Athens style are going to be my new favorites- they're SO comfy! If you get the Beach, be sure to break them in well before your trip! I think I need to do at least another mile in mine before they stop giving me blisters- ouch! I wore them on the treadmill again a few days ago, but at least they gave me blisters in a different place this time- that's progress, right? Some people don't seem to have to break them in at all, but for me they have to be a little worn before they're super comfy. I blame my huge toes!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

"So do you spend life sitting around, putting off all of the things you want to do until you have someone to do them with, or do you just do them anyway?

For me, that one was a no-brainer. And so at 19, I set off for WDW alone, and an addiction was born. My first solo trip was in December of 2001, and more solo trips followed in the winter of 2002, 2003, and 2005. It wasn’t until 2006, though, that I came to a surprising conclusion."



We sound so much alike its not even funny! You are sooo right though if you want to do something do you sit and wait for someone or do u just do it...I say do it! How many of us can actually say that we went to disney all by ourselves at 19 and had a blast?! im betting not too many! The one thing i did miss was the inside jokes and the things like taht...you cant really have inside jokes with strangers.

But from reading your pre trippie i think ive decided to adopt a plushie character to take with me in May! I think that would be kinda fun with pictures and such! I really cant wait to read your trip report when you get back to see how you enjoyed your vaca!

 

[Philadisney]

yeay another Crystal report! I love your reports and pictures. You've inspired me to plan my first solo trip in 2008. I did work at Epcot as a CP in college, but have never traveled there alone for a long trip solo, and thanks to your reports I am really looking forward to it! I am hoping to stay at WL & YC (hence the 2008 plan - priiiicey!) for a week. I am much looking forward to your magical report, hurray!

PS: Happy belated Birthday!

PPS: My favorite MST3K is Teenagers from Outer Space, hands down!

 

[flying_babyb]

Happy birthday! You have myspace? So do i!!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Happy birthday! You have myspace? So do i!!

Me too!!!!!

 

[flying_babyb]

www.myspace.com/flying_babyb

 

[Lesley]

I love your pre-trip report. Be glad you didn't wait any longer to book a room on the 13th. I wasn't able to get anything I could work with on the 13th, so we're off property that night. We'll be at WDW the 13th to the 20th. I'll keep an eye out for you, Stitch and Crocky.

You do have me longing for a solo trip. When dh and I take the kids, we each take solo days (our kids don't have the same WDW endurance we do!) and I LOVE them. I take crazy pictures (like the mittens and socks in the queue to E:E) and talk to people I wouldn't normally have the chance to talk to (because I've already got 3 kids trying to get my attention at any given moment). This time my parents will be joining us, so its unlikely I'll get 15 minutes alone, nevermind a whole day. But dh and I do get a date night (at Jiko!) so its a trade off. And I haven't seen my mom since September, or my step-dad since July.

Anyway, have fun!

 

[flying_babyb]

ahh date night!