Solo and Unleashed!

[SunnieRN]

Looking forward to days 3 and 4!! I love spending time with my family at WDW but I think a solo trip could be a lot of fun also!!

The party looked like fun, but wow it would be hard to decide what to do with such long lines for the characters. I think I would have done the same as you and foregone the lines!!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Haunted Mansion being a walk on was definitely a bonus. On the last couple of trips, this was always very busy.

Corinna

 

[natebenma]

Wow, great pictures of the Dwarves' cottage!

Loving your bonus time at MK and your pictures of the Tangled area and the ones from Haunted Mansion.

 

[JKSWonder]

I think one of my favorite parts of the mine train was seeing the shadows of the dwarves marching along on the wall of the mine. I though that was so cute.

No, not crazy. Definitely a guy hanging by a rope from the ceiling in HM stretching room. That was his "way out".

 

[mickeystoontown]

You waited a whole 5 seconds before deciding to go to the MK and ride the Mine Train? 5 whole seconds? Seriously, I would have jumped all over that offer too.

I love love love the mine train! I know that it's not a thrill ride but we all still loved it and it fits perfectly with the new Fantasyland theming.

 

[Timon]

I'm loving this report, Jen!

I love the towel animal that "greeted" you when you got home from the Villains Party....LOL, not very friendly a greeting

I have to say, I would have been disappointed in the party, it seems like they were equally unprepared as they were last year but this time they charged for it! No maps? 3 hour waits for characters?

Not that I would have made it through that heat anyway but I still feel bad for people who went, expecting more.

Glad you got to do the Mine Train, it really does look amazing! Can't wait to try it for myself. It even looks like something Kira would actually do

Super awesome that you had a friend to hook you up

Cannot wait to hear about Universal

I laughed when you said since you were at the MK, you were going to hit some rides...first, you hit the bathroom Sounds just like me


Oh and to answer your question, we stayed in Ranchos 7B at CSR. I wanted Cabanas 8A but I booked a standard room and there are no standards in Cabanas. I was very happy with 7B, just a few minutes from the Dig Site. Long walk to the car but hey, we were in Disney, who cares

 

[jenseib]

Nice Jen! I totally would have jumped on that MK admission and a ride on Mine Train. How perfect is that! Good job trying to get pictures on the ride. I am going to ride it with a FP before MNSSHP and I'm not even sure it I want to try.

It was such a great opportunity. Getting pictures was not easy, but I just held my camera and clicked.

Looking forward to days 3 and 4!! I love spending time with my family at WDW but I think a solo trip could be a lot of fun also!!

The party looked like fun, but wow it would be hard to decide what to do with such long lines for the characters. I think I would have done the same as you and foregone the lines!!

I am getting close to done, but still need to get it all written up....and time is not on my side lately!
I am not into long lines, but I was fine, but had I gone for characters I would've been mad.

Haunted Mansion being a walk on was definitely a bonus. On the last couple of trips, this was always very busy.

Corinna

I usually luck out with HM. Most times the lines are too bad, but I also skip it if it does have a long line.

Wow, great pictures of the Dwarves' cottage!

Loving your bonus time at MK and your pictures of the Tangled area and the ones from Haunted Mansion.

I figured I might as well make it worth the time and do a couple of things.

I think one of my favorite parts of the mine train was seeing the shadows of the dwarves marching along on the wall of the mine. I though that was so cute.

No, not crazy. Definitely a guy hanging by a rope from the ceiling in HM stretching room. That was his "way out".

The shadows are really cool. I think they really did a good job with this ride.
I knew I wasn't completely crazy. I remember always covering Claire's eyes in there and then I thought maybe I dreamt it.

You waited a whole 5 seconds before deciding to go to the MK and ride the Mine Train? 5 whole seconds? Seriously, I would have jumped all over that offer too.

I love love love the mine train! I know that it's not a thrill ride but we all still loved it and it fits perfectly with the new Fantasyland theming.

I think I was in total shock that it could even be an option! I am so glad I did too. I think I would've regretted it if I had not gone.

I'm loving this report, Jen!

I love the towel animal that "greeted" you when you got home from the Villains Party....LOL, not very friendly a greeting

I think he was growling at me.

I have to say, I would have been disappointed in the party, it seems like they were equally unprepared as they were last year but this time they charged for it! No maps? 3 hour waits for characters?

I think the plus side with this is it dealt with the traffic issues since it was a ticketed party. Other than that they were not prepared. And this had a few months to prepare for. I am hoping they learned from their mistakes. The whole not enough maps thing was bizare...some with the treat bags. I heard a lot of people did not get one or the other or both.

Not that I would have made it through that heat anyway but I still feel bad for people who went, expecting more.

It was hot.....melting hot!

Glad you got to do the Mine Train, it really does look amazing! Can't wait to try it for myself. It even looks like something Kira would actually do

She "should" be able to do it....but you know kids, they like one thing and cry on the next. and then blame you!

Super awesome that you had a friend to hook you up

I was so appreciative of this friend. She didn't have to do that.

Cannot wait to hear about Universal

Getting there soon....time is getting away from me...I need about 4 more hours a day and more energy.

I laughed when you said since you were at the MK, you were going to hit some rides...first, you hit the bathroom Sounds just like me

Best ride of the park!

Oh and to answer your question, we stayed in Ranchos 7B at CSR. I wanted Cabanas 8A but I booked a standard room and there are no standards in Cabanas. I was very happy with 7B, just a few minutes from the Dig Site. Long walk to the car but hey, we were in Disney, who cares

Thanks. My sister is going down on Thursday...and I had it in my head she was standard but she is actually preferred. I can't wait to hear how the trip goes. They did the big reveal on Sat. Abby (who will be 5 this Friday) was excited, but I don't think it sunk in really. After the reveal gift she was more worried about opening the pile of gifts behind her. Alexis (who is 10) smiled and was excited but i don't think she realized it was this week. We asked her to read when they were going and she tells Abby Sept 25-29 and then we ask Alexis is she knows when Sept. 25 is and you see it dawn on her and she starts screaming that she gets to miss school.
Then she started asking me questions and she had a smile plastered on her face all evening.
Of course she was worried her mother hadn't made fp+ yet.

 

[jenseib]

I then headed over towards Big Thunder Mountain railroad.



I checked the wait, which was basically walk on and got in line. I walked right to my little gate and had the choice of several and I took the 2nd row…thought better of it and went to the first row. It was not crowded at all and many were only going to have 1 person in a row. Then I noticed a guy a ways down look at me and he came and joined me. That kind of annoyed me as there we so many empty rows and now I had a partner. He could’ve easily came right back later and did it again in the front row. And of course the whole ride then I was sliding into him. I know he did it to take pictures, but it actually was harder getting pictures for me because he was right next to me the whole time with his camera and sliding into me as well. Oh well. I did take a few, but they are not so great.







See! There is his camera.









It was still fun! I should’ve road a 2nd time but I had 2 more things I wanted to do before I left and I knew the time was ticking away.







Pirates of the Caribbean is my favorite Disney ride, so it would be sacrilegious for me NOT to ride it. I got in line and it was again no wait….till we got right close to the loading area and everyone was stopped. No announcements were made and I wasn’t sure what was wrong, but they weren’t running boats. I stood there for a while and debated what to do. There was a family right behind me and the dad cracked me up. I am pretty sure this was either a first trip or they have not been here in quite some time. The dad was mad about the ride not running and he just kept saying….”We could be getting so much done right now and we’re wasting time in line”. I totally understood as the park was still really empty and everything was practically walk on. Then the wife would name things they could do next and he would ask “What is that”…”Is that a ride too?” So I could tell he wasn’t familiar with the park, but I did know he was smart enough to know that the early hour was the best time to conquer many rides.

Finally the boats started going and I was loaded and off.









If course we got stopped up at the end and sat by the treasure room for a while.



So glad I had the chance to ride it, but time was still ticking and I had one more thing I wanted to accomplish.



Looks like a Keys to the Kingdom tour was walking by.



I needed a snack and not just any ole snack….a Dole whip float!

They only had one side open and there were already several people in line, but at least they had 2 windows serving on the side that was open. Still…..I think they hire some of the slowest people to work there. When it was my turn I ordered my float with the orange ice-cream and I think my guy was new….which I think I get a new guy almost every time… as he didn’t understand what I wanted. But he did get me the right stuff and I was pretty happy with it.



I sat on a bench there and ate my treat and enjoyed it, but it was time to move on now. I had a date with Harry Potter to keep.



The walls are still up all over, just like during our March trip. It makes it a little less magical….it better be worth it!



I went in a few gift shops on the way out for 2 reasons…..1 to keep cooler and 2 to see if anything popped out at me to buy Claire. Nothing did though. It’s getting harder to buy for her as I don’t want to buy junk just for the sake of buying something for her and we need another plushie like I need a hole in my head.

 

[dolphingirl47]

You really got a lot done that morning. Your Dole Whip float looked delicious. I wish I could have one right now.

Corinna

 

[JnKinVA]

Loving your report! I am contemplating a solo trip in the future so it's great to see how you did it.

And that's Alex leading the KTTK tour! He was our guide in April and great

 

[JKSWonder]

People just want to BE with you, Jen. They want to park right next to your car, they want to squish in next to you at conference tables, they want to ride the roller coaster with you!

I hate when people do that stuff. Personal space, people. Personal space.

 

[natebenma]

You rocked the MK!

GRRRR!!! on the guy joining you in the front row. You should have told him he could at least buy you dinner!

Riding alone to take pictures was one of my favorite things about my solo trip! I was unexpectedly joined on one ride during my trip, but I didn't mind that one at all.

Your pictures on Pirates are fantastic!!!

for a Dole Whip! I haven't tried the orange, but I'm sure that is refreshing to.

Now, GET TO DIAGON ALLEY!!!

 

[jenseib]

You really got a lot done that morning. Your Dole Whip float looked delicious. I wish I could have one right now.

Corinna

I wish I could have one too right now!

Loving your report! I am contemplating a solo trip in the future so it's great to see how you did it.

And that's Alex leading the KTTK tour! He was our guide in April and great

Solo is fun. I don't mind it a bit.
I can't wait to do this tour in the future. I have to wait till Claire is older or have someone watch her....or go solo!

People just want to BE with you, Jen. They want to park right next to your car, they want to squish in next to you at conference tables, they want to ride the roller coaster with you!

I hate when people do that stuff. Personal space, people. Personal space.

It just must be my charming personality!

You rocked the MK!

GRRRR!!! on the guy joining you in the front row. You should have told him he could at least buy you dinner!

Riding alone to take pictures was one of my favorite things about my solo trip! I was unexpectedly joined on one ride during my trip, but I didn't mind that one at all.

Your pictures on Pirates are fantastic!!!

for a Dole Whip! I haven't tried the orange, but I'm sure that is refreshing to.

Now, GET TO DIAGON ALLEY!!!

I know....good thing I am so nice and didn't kick him out...but I should've asked for dinner!
Orange is really good too. I alternate them and get pineapple one time and orange the next....usually. Or Claire gets one and I get the other and we switch half way through.

Time to go to the Dark Side!!!!!

 

[jenseib]

I headed back to the bus stop then.



A lot more people were arriving now.





I saw one of the slinky buses.



I don’t think I had ever seen one in person before.



I arrived at the bus stop and waited. It did take a few minutes before a CBR bus came, but not too long. I think there were maybe 2 other people that got on with me as well. Probably not the prime time to be heading back to a resort.

I decided I would get off at whichever bus stop came first, Old Port Royale or my Jamaica stop.
We pulled in and it stopped right at Old Port Royale so I hopped off. I had to go the bathroom anyways, so that worked out best.

I then headed back across the bridge towards my car and I noticed several people looking in the water, so I looked too. There was a big turtle taking a swim.





Time to get over to the car!



I got in and cranked the air. I sat there a few minutes and programmed my phone to give me directions and I had to plug in my phone to my mobile charger as it was already almost dead. It seemed to drain the battery fast today.

Soon I was on my way and once again I have to say….I hate driving in this area. I am just not familiar with it at all and there are cars racing around me and it makes me nervous. I was driving about 65-70 on the highway and people were passing me like I was sitting still.
I finally sighed in relief when I pulled into Royal Pacific.
I parked along the front and the valet said he had to hold my keys while I checked in so I gave them to him and went inside.



I took only phone pictures here and they are all pretty blurry.







I got in line and there were a few people ahead of me.





Soon it was my turn and I got checked in. At RP you have to pay to park there, so he put that parking fee (1 night) on my credit card, gave me my info, told me where to park and told me how to get my express pass.
I decided to go get my express pass before heading back out.
There are machines over to the side and you go and stick your room key in them and it takes your picture.



It takes your picture almost instantly and I did it like 4 times to try and get a normal looking one as the first one I wasn’t even looking at it and the next 2 I just kept laughing because it went so fast. By the 4th I gave up and kept the stupid laughing picture.

I headed back out to the car and went to park. They had asked me if I wanted them to take the bags in first but I said no, I would be fine…..I should have. Not that it was hard bringing my bags in, but it was up hill from the parking lot and it was already around 100 degrees.

I got parked up and dragged my bags back in and then I went up the elevator…only to realize that my room was down a floor not up. LOL.

My room was right around the corner from the elevators, so it was very easy to find.

I put my bags down, plugged in my phone to get a little bit of charging going and then proceeded to take pictures of the room.





This couch could become a bed….I checked.

 

[jenseib]

Now this resort is called Royal Pacific and it has the South Pacific type theming…..think Poly.
I was just at the Caribbean Beach Resort, where the theming is SUPPOSED to be Caribbean. From the first time I saw pictures of the newly refurbished rooms, I thought to myself that is not a Caribbean theme. Once I arrived, I felt the same way. I liked the look of the rooms, but I do not think the theming is correct for the resort. Arriving here only confirmed it for me. The rooms have very similar looks, colors and theming. Even the soap dish was the exact same for both resorts.





I did like this room though and it was very spacious.

I also liked the shampoo and conditioner here….and I am a snob with that kind of stuff.





See this soap dish…the exact same as at CBR!











After a few pictures and getting squared away I headed out. Time to hit the parks! Except I had no clue how to get there. I knew there was a walking path and a water taxi, but the map wasn’t helping me much.

As I got to the elevators, there was a family getting ready to go and the lady told me how to get there. It’s really a strange set up as you have to walk through the pool area to get out to the walking path.



I didn’t have my camera set right and I took a lot of over exposed pictures, most I couldn’t even begin to try and fix.







The signage was kind of confusing, but it looked like I had to walk away from the parks to get to the water taxi and I just decided to walk instead.



And it was HOT!



If the weather was cooler, like 85 instead of 105, this would be a nice and beautiful walk.









I was also getting hungry now. As I got closer to City Walk I decided that I would see if I could get in anywhere and get a bite to eat before heading over to the Studios. I know time was ticking, but I would be a grump and have a headache if I didn’t get something soon.

The path exited right next to Margaritaville. Well that sounds like the perfect spot for lunch. We had eaten here in 2012 and really enjoyed it. Yes I should’ve tried some place new, but this was right in front of me and I knew I could easily get a seat and be eating soon.

I was asked if I wanted to eat inside or out and of course I said inside. Anything to cool off for a bit!







I also decided to order what I got the last time…the super nachos. I did debate on that or the club, which is also very good, but I decided the nachos were calling my name.



I also knew there would be no way I could finish them myself. They are very delicious but they are HUGE!!!

They were tasty and while I sat there and ate I remembered that I had to do airline check in again for the flight home tomorrow. I got another B boarding this time around as well, but I was alone so it really didn’t matter too much. It was neat because I was able to save the boarding pass to my phone and use that when I checked in at the airport. Yeah…little things amuse me.

I felt like I ate a lot of the nachos, but looking at it, I barely made a dent in the plate. There is just way too much.



I paid my bill (forgetting once again that many Universal restaurants give a AAA discount) and headed back out into the scorching heat.

 

[jenseib]

Continued from previous page

I would like to say I walked quickly over to Universal Studios, but it was just too hot, so I walked at a nice pace without passing out.









The nice thing about entering at this time of day is that the lines were not long, though there was a group holding up one line and several of us switched to another line. Also, another thing to note is that Universal can NEVER pick up my fingerprint. When you scan your ticket you have to do the finger scan there and every time it will not take and every time I have to retry over and over and they usually have me do my thumb in the end. I guess it is back from my bank robbing days when I had my fingerprints removed.

I had one mission and one mission only…..get back to Diagon Alley…which is WAY in the back. I did take a couple of pictures along the way though.









I came across a little street party.



They had the characters from the movie “Hop”, which we have never seen.









As I was walking a guy was talking to his friends and said he thinks this building is where Back to the Future used to be. (It was not the right building). His friend asked if it was still here and he said he was pretty sure it was gone. I told them yes it is gone, but it’s not this building, it’s where the Simpson’s is now. They asked what it was like and I told him basically the same ride with a Simpson’s theme. He was sad that Back to the Future was gone and I told him me too as that was my favorite ride of all time….it was his too……we had a bonding moment. LOL.

And then I came across the remains of Back to the Future.



I love the Simpsons ride, but nothing could ever replace how great the Back to the Future ride was.

Speaking of Simpsons, that’s the area I went through next.











This sign totally cracked me up.







And then the bridge over to “London”.

 

[dizneeat]

Hi Jen!
Sorry I have been absent a lot lately. I have been reading, but there was never enough time for answers. Got a bit of trouble with house and flat and it takes away a lot of my time.

Okay, let me comment on the last update.
We have stayed at RP several times, but only once in a room where you had to go "down". It was the worst room we have had there. The ones higher up are much lighter and it felt less of a jungle to me. And I am all with you on the theming and the maze that leads to the boat. We loved to just walk down that path to the parks and so your pics brought back happy memories.

We have not been to UO in quite a few years so all your pictures are very much appreciated.
It was great to see the new Simpson additions as there were still fences up when we last visited.
Can't wait for your pics of Diagon Alley.

 

[JanaJohn]

I had one mission and one mission only…..get back to Diagon Alley…which is WAY in the back. I did take a couple of pictures along the way though.

I'm looking forward to your photos. I'll be there for a few days next April after our week at WDW. In July my DW and I toured the WB Studios outside London to see their Harry Potter exhibit. It will be interesting to compare the two.

He was sad that Back to the Future was gone and I told him me too as that was my favorite ride of all time….it was his too……we had a bonding moment. LOL.

My DW just LOVES the Simpsons Ride. We were never there when they had the Back to the Future ride.

Speaking of Simpsons, that’s the area I went through next.

Thanks for the pictures of the area of the Simpsons. I don't remember seeing them when we were there.

 

[mom2rtk]

Caught back up. What a great morning in the MK! You really hit the highlights in very quick order.

What a weirdo though getting in your seat on BTMRR, then hoisting his camera up like that. I would be very annoyed. I don't think I've ever even been seated with a stranger on that ride. It would be uncomfortable sliding into him the entire time.

Your room at RP looks really nice though. Even if the theming is a little off, I like it better than the one you had at CBR.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I am following this part of the trip report with special interest. We have decided to spend a couple of nights at Universal next year and the Royal Pacific is the hotel we are most likely going to stay at.

I was not a fan of Back to the Future as it made me very sick. I will avoid the Simpsons ride for the same reason. That first view of Diagon Alley is stunning.

Corinna