Solo trip: Sept. 13-18

[travelin' tigger]

This was the BEST solo trip so far - I don’t think I’d ever really appreciated going solo like I did this trip. Usually I have a pretty good schedule going before I head down, but this was the simplest one yet. I made note of all the morning and night EMHs, but never made one of them. The weather was HOT (90s) and humid with occasional rain. Another plus was having most of my bigger stuff already there in an Owner’s Locker tote - this is a GREAT service and I’m happy to have been selected as a Beta Trail Member.

Here’s my trip:

Thurs. - Left work around 3pm and met up with DBF Mark to head to PVD. Went to the bar for a few pops before goodbyes were said. This was supposed to be a trip to celebrate his birthday, but with a new girlfriend, he couldn’t go. That’s OK - solo for me! The plane was only 3/4 full so I got a seat to myself and we arrived early at MCO. Off to pick out my car on the EA (a RAV4) then onto check-in at the Comfort Inn LBV. Got onto 535 and crawled to Palm Parkway. They had just started paving at night and traffic was down to one lane - ugh! Finally got to the CI and checked in. My room was in bldg. 1, 4th flr. facing the parking lot. All was good. Headed over to the DIS Meet at Pop, but it was late and after about 10 min. of socializing, decided I needed sleep and headed back to my room.

Fri. - I was up at 7am and decided to take a ride to check in at ASSp. Took a quick shower, jumped in the car and headed out. Everything went smoothly, all requests were met (renovated room) and MY ROOM WAS READY!! I was psyched!! Took off from there to get to MK for opening and the first day of the HM AP priority opening. Well, the ride was delayed, so caught a ride on BTMR then went back and it was open. I’ve always liked the HM and thought the new additions were just what it needed to bring it back to life. After I left to get checked out of the CI and bring my stuff over to ASSp. Got settled into room 9136 which was a 1st floor parking lot view which worked out well for me since I had a car. I decided today was a good day for Typhoon Lagoon and boy, was I right! Most rides were walk on, and Crusher n Gusher had very short waits. Spent the afternoon and LOVED CnG!! This was my first time experiencing it and I thought it was the best water ride ever!

Around 4pm I’d had enough sun ‘n fun so went back to the room for another shower and to change. Food was becoming a priority so went to the Red Lobster and chowed on their Endless Shrimp plate - it was really good! Then it was off the the Boardwalk. Tonight I was visiting my good friend Capt. Ron of the Illuminations cruise fame since he was leaving for Chicago the next day to visit his family. As we talked, the lightning and rain moved in, cancelling the evening’s cruises. Violent lightning and rain lasted for over an hour, stranding me at the Y&BC since the Friendship boats had to cease operations. Finally I was able to escape over to Jellyrolls for a great evening. The lineup was Micheal (a BIG Thank You!), Tommy, Jason and Daniel, whom it was my first time seeing. Met a really nice couple, Jennie and Marcel, who worked over in France and hung out with them most of the night and my friend Kirsten was working the booth. It was a fun night and I finally headed back to the room around 1am.

 

[travelin' tigger]

Sat. - Slept in until 8am, then got up and headed to Universal. I hadn’t been on the Mummy in a while so I decided on Studios. Hit a few rides, then got an early lunch at Margaritaville - a Cheeseburger in Paradise and a draft Coors light. My buddy Jerry was working and it was fun to see him again. But I missed a chance to stop by and say Hi to phamton - she didn't come on to work at GRs until 1pm - next time! Did a little shopping over at the newly built Prime Outlets. There were some good deals at the Disney store so I bought myself a Grumpy shirt. Back at the room, I relaxed, napped, read and watched the Sox beat the Yankees - life was good! Took a walk around the the resort since I hadn’t had a chance to check it out. The Grand Slam pool was wall-to-wall people since the main pool was being renovated, the food court was busy and the store was uneventful (ie. nothing bought except a cold water). That night it was back to Jellyrolls. Had a few friends working that night - Heidi, Val and Rebecca were waitressing, while Kryss was working the booth and Kirsten the door. The lineup was Ray, Scotty, Micheal and Mike (Scotty’s brother) whom I met for the first time - what a great guy and performer! Looking forward to seeing him again in November. Another 1am night and I said goodbye to Michael as I wouldn’t see him for the rest of the trip.

Sun. - Got up at 7am to get checked in to the Boardwalk Villas and to my surprise my room was ready - this NEVER happens! Although it was a handicapped-accessible room, it was fine for just me. The location was nice - room 1070, 1st floor in back of Leaping Libations and right near the laundry room. Excited, I headed back to ASSp, packed up and lugged all my stuff over. Once Bell Services dropped off my stuff, I got settled in then headed out for MK to find my CM friend Donna whose a Steam Train Engineer. Caught her train to Toontown, rode Space Mtn. and TTA before catching her train one more time. Back out of the park to get some errands done - stops included Publix, Hess and dropping the rental car at the Dolphin. Back at the room I relaxed while we had afternoon rain, then went to Epcot to hit a couple of rides. Caught the end of the 6:30 set of Off Kilter and put in a request for Alive with Mark for the 7:30 set. When the next set started Alive was the first song - I was pumped! After that I went back to the room for my big night at Jellyrolls. Since I was in the BWVs I didn’t have toworry about driving and was finally able to drink. Kirsten had the night off so the two of us got a table down front. The line up was Ray, Scotty, Christian and Daniel. This was my first chance to Christian since May and he was alot of fun. Ray and Scotty were especially hot, playing off each other all night. We had a great night and said good night after last call.

 

[travelin' tigger]

Mon. - Since Sun. night was a tough one, I allowed myself to sleep until almost 10am - needless to say, EMH at AK was out the window! Got up, dressed then headed over to AK anyway. Did 3 spins on Exp. Everest which has now become my favorite ride. Left to go back for some pool time, a shower and something to eat. Later I went over to Epcot and at GR, got checked in for my flight back to PVD. After I was off to Off Kilter and met up with fellow DISer spiceycat. Pat and I had alot of fun talking of DIS and Disney before I headed back to the room. Pat - it was a pleasure to meet you and can’t wait to get together again in the future.

Tonight was my last night and as I went thru my wallet, I realized my bank card was missing - panic struck and a call to the bank was made to report it. This really put a damper on my mood, but I headed to Jellyrolls anyway. I got there and both Kirsten and Kryss were on the door and the linup was Tommy, Jason, Ray and Christian. I walked into a wall of conventioneers there, and that was enough to send me back to my room. I had a couple of beers in the fridge, but was so tired I ended up falling asleep right away. Around 11:30, the phone rang and it was guest services saying a guest had found my bank card and turned it in - yes! So now I could sleep soundly knowing all was right in WDW.

Tues. - I awoke around 8am and got dressed. I still hadn’t been to MGM and since RnR was down for rehab, the ToT was my main quest. At rope drop, followed the masses down, grabbed at FP and jumped into line (what line?). Was on the 2nd elevator of the day and tried again to get back on, but the line was fairly long so went to abc commissary to get a bite, then back with my FP. There was no need as the standby line was non-existent, even though the sign said 30 min. Rode 2x more, grabbed another FP, then rushed back to the room to get packed and checked out before 11am. After my stuff was tucked with Bell Services, I headed back to MGM and ToT. Again, no line even though the sign still read 30 min. Ended up riding 3 more times, then caught the boat to Epcot. I headed to the front of the park to get a couple more rides on Test Track before going home. Got in the single riders line and noticed the cute guy in front of me. He ended up in my car in the front seat with me in the back. It was fun as usual and the little girl next to me was really cute, talking the whole time. Off I went back to the single riders line and who was in back of me but the cute guy Mike. We struck up a conversation and had a great 1/2 hour together before saying goodbye. On my way out I caught the tail end of Off Kilter and said goodbye to them also.

Back at the Boardwalk, I gathered my stuff, hopped on ME and headed to the airport. Got thru security and ended up on the wrong shuttle. Came back to the main terminal only to be told I had to go back thru security (????). Once I got to my gate, I settled into the A group with my pizza and waited to board. Again the plane was only 3/4 full so another seat to myself. Got back to PVD 15 minutes early and headed home.


The highlights of this trip were:
• Relaxing more than I have on any other trip
• Being able to ride ToT 6x in a 3 hour period
• Seeing all my WDW friends
• Meeting spiceycat
• JELLYROLLS!
• Rding the new HM on opening day

 

[lynn71092]

Sounds like a great trip.
Don't you just love the solo's? It's always fun to go with other people but when you're by yourself, it's all about you!!

 

[twotoohappy]

Very cool report!
Thanks for sharing!
I can't wait to see the new HM!
November will surely be a blast!!!