Ridin' those rides and Trekking thru Africa, a Solo TR! FINAL UPDATE 10/28

[PhoenixStrength]

I was thinking of doing the Epcot Aqua Seas tour. it would be a little outside the box sorta thing but I would love to do it. I also was considering going horse back riding at fort wilderness. I have never gone horse back riding but would love to do it. I am just not sure that it might be a lot. Just running thru ideals and thoughts at this early process. The Wild Afriica Tour I really didn't consider until I saw your pictures and TR. Behind the Seeds tour seems very cool too.

I have done the horseback riding at Ft Wilderness. It was very nice, and you won't have any trouble even not having ridden a horse before as it is very easy.

 

[captaindavidhook]

I have done the horseback riding at Ft Wilderness. It was very nice, and you won't have any trouble even not having ridden a horse before as it is very easy.

That part is good to know lol I love animals and think horses are absolutely beautiful. That is why I enjoy Ak so much. I am not sure why some people don't enjoy it as much but oh well, to each to thier own. When I have done some of my schedules/day planning etc, sometimes it seems a bit too much. Like there is room enough for soo many things. I also have to take into consideration that how tired I can get or what the weather would be. I defintely want to check out CBR (dream resort) and some other resorts too. Decisions, decisions to make lol

 

[ronnmel]

You really did a lot that night. I'm glad the crowds were not as bad.

I've never done the Tree House, but maybe I'll check it out next time if I'm carrying the baby while DH does a thrill ride.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

You really did a lot that night. I'm glad the crowds were not as bad.

I've never done the Tree House, but maybe I'll check it out next time if I'm carrying the baby while DH does a thrill ride.

The crowds really starting thinning as soon as it got dark.

The Tree House is nice. It would be an easy place to take Claudia, and the view at the top is great!!

 

[KatMark]

I cannot keep up with you...you are killing me with these updates.

What a great afternoon/evening at the MK.

I LOVE your pictures of the MK from up top of the Swiss Family Treehouse. I never even thought of that...I'll have to remember that the next time I go on a girls trip and I take the girls up there.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I cannot keep up with you...you are killing me with these updates.

What a great afternoon/evening at the MK.

I LOVE your pictures of the MK from up top of the Swiss Family Treehouse. I never even thought of that...I'll have to remember that the next time I go on a girls trip and I take the girls up there.

Sorry about that! I'll be doing about one a day probably for this week, to get this wrapped up!

To be honest, the potential view was one of the big reasons I decided to go ahead and do Swiss. And I loved it! I may do it during the day this next visit to see what the view is like then.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Okay, so I'm preparing another update right now, but I'd like to say I DO NOT like the new Photobucket. It's multiple steps now to get the links for the pictures, which is making it take even longer to write my next update. Has anyone else tried it yet?

Hope everyone is having a happy hump day! Be back soon (I hope!) with another update.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 7, FRIDAY FEBRUARY 17TH, PART 4


After helping Buzz Lightyear keep the universe safe, I hoped right back on to try to defeat Emperor Zurg once again!

I got onto Peoplemover next to enjoy a nighttime ride, but unfortunately none of my pictures turned out well enough to post.

I headed over to watch another hilarious show at Monsters Inc Laugh Factory. I walked in just as they closed the doors to the holding area, so I took a few pictures while waiting to be let in.

After a bit (10 minutes maybe?) we were let into the holding area for the preshow video. There weren't many people behind me, in fact the theater was only about 1/2 full. But the park was pretty quiet by then, so I wasn't too surprised. A few pictures while waiting in the holding area.

Once I was let out of the show I realized I was pretty hungry. Not surprising since it was about 10pm by then, and I had eaten an early dinner at 4pm. I headed toward Cosmic Rays, getting a picture of the underside of the Peoplemover track on my way.

This time I got the Half Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans. It was all good.

Any guesses where I headed to next???































Why Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin of course! Can you tell I like this attraction?

I was getting pretty tired at that point, and decided to let that ride on Buzz be my last for Magic Kingdom, and WDW. I headed toward the Hub to leave...

But couldn't. Why? Because the Main Street Electrical Parade had just started and the sidewalks were too packed to get thru. Instead I decided to stay and watch it, since it was one I had never seen before. I took tons of pictures, of course! Since it was quieter I managed to get a spot close to the rope to get a good view and good pictures.

CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST



​

 

[PhoenixStrength]

More MSEP pictures!

I actually enjoyed it! It was different and I was happy I got caught and had to watch it.


CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST


​

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Once the parade was over people started to clear out quickly, even though the park was still open for another 1.5 hours. I lingered for a bit, hoping to not get trampled by the crowd, and took 2 last pictures of Cinderella's Castle.

The firehouse lit up at night.

I love the statue of Roy and Minnie just as much as the Partners one, but it doesn't seem to get much love! You can't read the plaque well, but I'll post it anyway. Here is what it says though:

Walt Disney World
is a tribute to the life and philosophy of
Walter Elias Disney
...and to the talents, the dedication and the loyalty
of the entire Disney organization that made Walt
Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World
bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all
who come to this happy place...a Magic Kingdom
where the young at heart of all can laugh and
play and learn - together.

Dedicated this 25th Day of October 1971.

Roy O. Disney

A few last pictures of Magic Kindgom before I left for the night.

The lagoon boat and Contemporary resort all lit up.

By the time I made it to the bus stop it was about 11:50pm. By then the crowds had already been picked up, but I only had to wait about 5 minutes for a bus.

I was back to POP by a little after midnight, and went right to bed.


NEXT TIME: WHAT TO DO ON A DAY OFF FROM PARKS?


​

 

[ronnmel]

I just tried the new photobucket after I saw your post and I agree, it's a PITA to post pictures now. There was an option to switch back, so I did. It asked me why I was switching back, and I said because it would to be much simpler to post pictures on message board by simply hovering the mouse over the photo.

I've read lots of TR, but you are the first person I see taking a photo of the underside of the Peoplemover at night. I like it!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I just tried the new photobucket after I saw your post and I agree, it's a PITA to post pictures now. There was an option to switch back, so I did. It asked me why I was switching back, and I said because it would to be much simpler to post pictures on message board by simply hovering the mouse over the photo.

I've read lots of TR, but you are the first person I see taking a photo of the underside of the Peoplemover at night. I like it!

I saw the option to switch back too. I did try to get it to work for a bit, but it was glitchy and kept freezing on me even more than the old version. I do like the larger sizes of the pictures, but really miss the hover option.

I liked it too, that's why I took the picture and made sure to post it. It's really nice how everything gets so lit up at night. I couldn't remember seeing any other pictures on any of the TRs I've read either.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 8, SATURDAY OCTOBER 26TH, PART 1


Since I was done with the parks, I got up later that morning, I think around 8am (that is late for me!). I got ready and headed to Everything POP for some breakfast. A few pictures along the walk there...

I got the Breakfast Platter, which was pretty darn yummy! I actually took it over to one of the tables by the Bowling Pin Pool and ate it there.

Some pictures while I ate, and after as I walked back up the nearby stairs to my room.

Even though I was leaving the next day guilty, I needed to do laundry. I had meant to do it earlier in the week, but hadn't had a chance. Since I didn't really have any plans that day, I went ahead and did it. A few pictures of the laundry room by the Bowling Pin pool.

And a couple landscaping pictures while I waited for the laundry to finish drying.

CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST.


​

 

[KatMark]

You got some really great shots of the Main Street Electrical Parade. I'm so upset we missed it last month.

One of the last pictures we take when leaving the MK to head to Marco, is of Roy and Minnie (it is always moved when we are there over near the firehouse/City Hall because of the Halloween decorations.

Nice pictures of Pop too. One of these days we have to get over there and walk the grounds; it is the ONLY resort (besides the Treehouses) that we have not walked around.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I made my way back up to my room with my clothes once they finished drying, and packed them up.

I was leaving the next morning and driving to Bradenton to TRY (more on that later) to meet with my friend Steve. In order to do that though, I needed a car! So, I called Alamo to arrange for a car and pick up from the resort. They were very nice, and said they would be there in 15 minutes. I made my way out front to wait for the shuttle, and taking some pictures while waiting of course!

The play area in front of Classic Hall, right now with blocks. And the Red Carpet that you come out onto from DME (with some of the bubbles on it that the CMs blow to you as you come off the bus).

The luggage area.

The shuttle arrived right on time, and I was the only one waiting for pick up so we quickly left and were there in no time! No pictures on the drive over, since the windows had a dark tint. But here are a few inside Alamo.

I got my car, and drove right back to POP, taking some pictures along the drive.

Oh, here is the car. It's a Nissan Altima. It was alright, though I prefer my Chevy Colbalt for sure. But it drove alright and I had no problems, so I can't really complain

At some point in time I ate lunch at Everything POP, though I didn't write down what I ate or take any pictures of it. I relaxed in my room for a couple of hours, then decided to head to DTD one last time for dinner and some shopping. A few pictures walking to the bus stop, including a funny shoe shadow box in the Classic Hall lobby.

CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST



​

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I made my way to the DTD bus stop, and a bus was there in no time.

I walked around a bit, just browsing before I started to get hungry. I already knew where I was eating dinner, so I headed there. Where? Wolfgang Puck Express! I had never eaten there before, and I am so glad I chose there. They are a CS with a TS feel. You order at a counter when you come in, then are handed a card to put on your table, and are free to sit. A server brings you your food. Here is my card.

I ordered the Cheese Pizza for my meal. It was HUGE, and DELICIOUS!!! Seriously might be the best pizza I have had, ever.

My dessert was the Vanilla Bean Cheesecake. Once again, it was heavenly.

Safe to say I plan on eating here again this upcoming trip. I am upset though that according to an early picture I saw, it will no longer be a QS credit on the Dining Plan as of 2013. In fact, the only CS restaurants on the DP for 2013 are the DisneyQuest cafe, and one of the food carts (I can't remember which one). ALL of the rest are gone. But WPE is definitely worth eating at, even if you have to pay OOP.

The sun was starting to set as I left WPE, and I walked down to West Side, taking a couple of pictures along the way.

I walked around the Vinylmation store for a little while, but didn't buy anything. I walked back over to the Marketplace end of DTD, stopping in World of Disney, buying some Tinkerbell earrings for my sister and a bracelet for me (which fell apart 2 days later).

I wanted to head into Basin next, but couldn't. They were doing remodelling and it was walled off.

So I went into Arribas Brothers instead, to admire everything I can't afford.

And by can't afford, I mean REALLY can't afford!

I didn't have an extra $37,500 laying around, so I kept looking. I wound up finding a small crystal Dumbo for my cousin. I almost bought this for myself, but I didn't, though I'm not sure why.

I think I browsed in a few more shops after that, though I didn't buy anything else. I got on the bus to POP and was once again (third time!) stopped at Pleasure Island for a shift change. This time we were only stopped for about 10 minutes though, as they were both quick on their inspections and we were off again. I did take a couple of pictures while waiting for them to finish.

I was then soon back to POP for my last night there. I went up to my room, after taking a photo of one of the "manhole" covers.

I watched a little TV before going to bed for the night.



NEXT TIME: LEAVING WDW










​

 

[PhoenixStrength]

You got some really great shots of the Main Street Electrical Parade. I'm so upset we missed it last month.

One of the last pictures we take when leaving the MK to head to Marco, is of Roy and Minnie (it is always moved when we are there over near the firehouse/City Hall because of the Halloween decorations.

Nice pictures of Pop too. One of these days we have to get over there and walk the grounds; it is the ONLY resort (besides the Treehouses) that we have not walked around.

I hope you get to see MSEP in December!

I really love both statues, I just think it's sad so many either don't care about the one of Roy and Minnie, or don't even know it exists.

You definitely have to visit POP! It is a compact resort, but has so much there to see. It's a lot of fun, with a vibrant atmosphere.

 

[KatMark]

That's nice that Alamo comes to pick you up. We rented ours at the Dolphin and went there to pick it up (which is fine as Mark had never seen the Dolphin before). We bought a Nissan Altima in January and we love ours...Mark says he's getting another one next time around or when my truck dies.

Love the pictures at Downtown Disney...very nice. I was wishing I had an extra $37,000 plus for that castle too. I'll make you a deal...if I win the lotto, I'll buy both of us one if you promise to do the same.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

That's nice that Alamo comes to pick you up. We rented ours at the Dolphin and went there to pick it up (which is fine as Mark had never seen the Dolphin before). We bought a Nissan Altima in January and we love ours...Mark says he's getting another one next time around or when my truck dies.

Love the pictures at Downtown Disney...very nice. I was wishing I had an extra $37,000 plus for that castle too. I'll make you a deal...if I win the lotto, I'll buy both of us one if you promise to do the same.

I was happy they pick you up, but if they didn't I would have gone to the Dolphin to get one. Glad you like your Nissan Altima.

It's a deal! I know there are 3 on display on property (DTD, MK and Germany in WS), so we could easily buy 2 of them.

 

[ronnmel]

I think I remember hearing that every year the restaurants that are not owned by Disney are only added to the dining plan at the last minute. So there is still hope that WPE will be back as a QS credit. I too really enjoyed my pizza there, though it did not beat Via Napoli.