Solo trip with no ADRs are you dumb nuts? Pre (maybe) trip report

[cj9200]

Close to two weeks before I head to WDW for a week of R & R at Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House. This was supposed to be a trip with just DD and me since the last trip was with her and a gaggle of her friends. Guess what? Soccer camp had a two week for one offer and the second week falls during the trip. So, she will be sweltering on the pitch (field) while I will be sitting by the pool sipping a cocktail.

The cast:
Me – Yes, that is right me, myself and I will be going. First time I have ever gone to Disney solo. I am a single, over the hill dad who is a DVC member and a Disney fanatic.

DD – She will be making a cameo appearance on Friday night/Saturday. Just ending her sophomore year in high school. It has been a tough year for both of us so if she would rather kick a ball around than come to Disney with me, so be it. One problem is that she severely sprained her ankle and is still recuperating. Do not know how much she is going to be able to do at camp, but she is going with a friend and I am sure she will have a good time.

The Plans:
None, zero nada. That is other than reserving a Savanna view studio at the Jambo AKV. I have made no ADRs and still haven’t decided what ticket media I am going to get. We both still have one park hopper left so we will use that on Saturday. Other than that, I may not even enter the parks. OK, that is a lie. Next week I will be at the AAA office to see what if any specials are available. Doubt I will get park hoppers though.

The main reason I booked the trip is to see the new fireworks show and watch the Main Street Electrical Parade. DD doesn’t remember the parade since she was just a little one the last time it was here. Not planning on heavy commando mode the rest of the time and I will eat as I go. There is an impromptu Dis meet on Saturday at the Tambu Lounge which I will be attending. Another first for me. After all, I cannot resist the Tambu Lounge.

The impetus to writing TRs is to have something of the shared experience written down so DD can revisit our trips. Since she is only a small part of this trip, I haven’t decided if I am going to do a full blown TR. Maybe just highlights and a few pics. Don’t know how interesting it would be anyway. “Got up, opened a coke, scratched an itch and went down to the pool.”

So looking forward to getting away and spending a week of basking in the glow of Disney.

 

[stopher1]

Oh I can't wait to read more as it progresses! I love my family trips - but the SOLO ones can be so much fun too! Can't wait to be in the world tomorrow evening... solo... for the weekend.

 

[DMKEDM]

DEFINITELY want to read as much of a TR as you find yourself motivated to write...the first time I went to Disney w/out DS was an eye-opener...not the same; prefer it w/DS, but still worth doing (again and again!)...

And there are bright sides/silver linings...no leash of shame, no "you're there or I'm leaving without you" warnings, etc. And you can text DD during the trip...that is almost--well not even close to almost, but you know what I mean!--as good!

Have a great time!!!

Dani

 

[daisygirl902]

I'm doing the same thing next week except just for 3 days!! Can't wait - I've never been to WDW solo before, and it's also my first DVC trip!

 

[wbl2745]

I think you'll have a good time! I've been to WDW alone for short periods, awaiting DW's arrival, but I found that I had some success just walking up to a restaurant, even popular ones, to see if they had a table. No ADR, just luck. I wouldn't try that with a party of six, but one person often works out.

I've been to DLR by myself on occasion, and coincidentally am ending a business trip in LA tomorrow and moving on to a weekend at the DLR staying at the DLH by myself. (Invited DW to join me, but she's throwing a baby shower on Saturday. All the more reason for me to be here rather than there.) All my DVC points are allocated to a big trip to WDW at AKV in December. I love enjoying the "fractal" nature of Disney parks; finding the small things that we just march by when in commando mode.

Have FUN!

 

[irenep]

I really hope you do manage to do a TR - they have all been excellent so far and I am sure you will still have an interesting and enjoyable time on your own. After your experiences with the girls earlier in the year and everything else you deserve the break - I can't think of a better place to be when travelling solo than WDW.

Hope your DD recovers from her injuries and enjoys soccer camp.

 

[Tinks "SS"]

I so hope you do a TR. Your's are always great and i so enjoy it! Have a great time on your trip and i hope your daughter recovers soon for her camp. I will be down there shortly after you for a BFF's trip. So your adventures will hopefully let me know what else we can do.

 

[Debi]

I love my solo trips! Having no definite plans, ADR's to make, etc. is the perfect way to enjoy a (gasp!) relaxing WDW trip. Have fun!

 

[VrBchJ]

Your trip reports are always so entertaining. It will be interesting to see how your experiences on this solo trip compare to your many trips with your daughter.

 

[cj9200]

Oh I can't wait to read more as it progresses! I love my family trips - but the SOLO ones can be so much fun too! Can't wait to be in the world tomorrow evening... solo... for the weekend.

Christopher, have a great time. You could be the scouting party for my trip.

DEFINITELY want to read as much of a TR as you find yourself motivated to write...the first time I went to Disney w/out DS was an eye-opener...not the same; prefer it w/DS, but still worth doing (again and again!)...

And there are bright sides/silver linings...no leash of shame, no "you're there or I'm leaving without you" warnings, etc. And you can text DD during the trip...that is almost--well not even close to almost, but you know what I mean!--as good!

Have a great time!!!

Dani

You bring up a good point. No need to bring the leash of shame. If I did, then the only one eligible to be awarded it would be me. Think I would get strange looks walking down Main Street with a dog leash attached to my shorts dragging behind me? “Security. Call Security.”

I'm doing the same thing next week except just for 3 days!! Can't wait - I've never been to WDW solo before, and it's also my first DVC trip!

You can also be in my scouting party. Hope you have a great time.

I think you'll have a good time! I've been to WDW alone for short periods, awaiting DW's arrival, but I found that I had some success just walking up to a restaurant, even popular ones, to see if they had a table. No ADR, just luck. I wouldn't try that with a party of six, but one person often works out.

I've been to DLR by myself on occasion, and coincidentally am ending a business trip in LA tomorrow and moving on to a weekend at the DLR staying at the DLH by myself. (Invited DW to join me, but she's throwing a baby shower on Saturday. All the more reason for me to be here rather than there.) All my DVC points are allocated to a big trip to WDW at AKV in December. I love enjoying the "fractal" nature of Disney parks; finding the small things that we just march by when in commando mode.

Have FUN!

I am going to have fun. Not worried about food because if I can get into a restaurant great, if not there are other alternatives. Funny thing is that I have gone to DLR by myself but not WDW. I actually was forced at work to attend a mini baby shower. Believe me you are much better off. Enjoy the trip.

I really hope you do manage to do a TR - they have all been excellent so far and I am sure you will still have an interesting and enjoyable time on your own. After your experiences with the girls earlier in the year and everything else you deserve the break - I can't think of a better place to be when travelling solo than WDW.

Hope your DD recovers from her injuries and enjoys soccer camp.

Hi there. Hope things are going well on the other side of the pond. She is getting better each day but I don’t know how much she will be able to do. Yes, I am calling this my need a break trip.

I so hope you do a TR. Your's are always great and i so enjoy it! Have a great time on your trip and i hope your daughter recovers soon for her camp. I will be down there shortly after you for a BFF's trip. So your adventures will hopefully let me know what else we can do.

Your trip reports are always so entertaining. It will be interesting to see how your experiences on this solo trip compare to your many trips with your daughter.

We shall see about the TR. One of the things with past trips is that I have had teenagers as my foils. Great comic relief.

I love my solo trips! Having no definite plans, ADR's to make, etc. is the perfect way to enjoy a (gasp!) relaxing WDW trip. Have fun!

Thanks. I purposely did not make any ADRs, look at park hours, or really plan anything but the room so I could be footloose and fancy free. Item number 1 on my must do list is relax. MSEP is the only other thing on my list.

 

[Ms. WDW]

I do a solo trip each October. DH and I will come down in the summer but then October is my time! I rarely make ADR's. I really find that I have no problem getting into any of the restaurants I choose. I either call the same day or I walk up to the podium and try my luck!

But I love my solo trips. This year I'll be bringing my notebook and doing my TR's daily instead of trying to remember what I did the past week!

BTW..I don't know how that "thumbs down" symbol got on the post; so sorry. It really shouldn't be there. I hit something again! LOL..

 

[DenLo]

I'm subscribing just in case you actually do a TR. I bet you won't be able to resist doing a TR for the weekend your DD is with you. After all it will be a somewhat "new" experience for her at MK with the new fireworks and the old Electrical parade. Who knows maybe after one week at soccer camp she'll decide her ankle can't take it anymore and join you after all.

Thanks for sharing all of your past "Are you dumb nuts" TRs. Always enjoy them.

 

[dgaston]

Jambo is so great for hanging out. And definitely check out the Kidani pool. I strongly prefer the pool slide over there, and the CMs are very good. I won a Disney trivia contest and earned a small carnival style stuffed giraffe toy! His name is "Kidani" said the CM. Have fun.

 

[cj9200]

I do a solo trip each October. DH and I will come down in the summer but then October is my time! I rarely make ADR's. I really find that I have no problem getting into any of the restaurants I choose. I either call the same day or I walk up to the podium and try my luck!

But I love my solo trips. This year I'll be bringing my notebook and doing my TR's daily instead of trying to remember what I did the past week!

BTW..I don't know how that "thumbs down" symbol got on the post; so sorry. It really shouldn't be there. I hit something again! LOL..

That is my plan as far as dinning. If I am hungry and pass a restaurant I want to visit, I will walk up and see if anything is available or sit at the places that have a bar. If it works, great, if not, I will not starve.

Sure you don’t how that thumbs down got there. Freudian slip perhaps? (Insert smiley thing here to indicate I am kidding) Have a great time on your next trip and I am looking forward to the TR.

I'm subscribing just in case you actually do a TR. I bet you won't be able to resist doing a TR for the weekend your DD is with you. After all it will be a somewhat "new" experience for her at MK with the new fireworks and the old Electrical parade. Who knows maybe after one week at soccer camp she'll decide her ankle can't take it anymore and join you after all.

Thanks for sharing all of your past "Are you dumb nuts" TRs. Always enjoy them.

You are probably right about the days DD will be there. Need to put on record her and my reaction to MSEP. If I do a TR, it will probably be on a clean thread.

There is no hope that DD will call me in tears asking to be whisked away from camp. Even if she has to crawl to the pool she will want to stay there. It is pretty upsetting because she was really looking forward to camp. Next year she is trying out for varsity and wanted this time to hone some skills. It is getting better every day so her fingers are crossed.

Jambo is so great for hanging out. And definitely check out the Kidani pool. I strongly prefer the pool slide over there, and the CMs are very good. I won a Disney trivia contest and earned a small carnival style stuffed giraffe toy! His name is "Kidani" said the CM. Have fun.

Thanks, I am sure I will. Congrats on winning “Kidani”. The only problem I envision is that it is so far away from everything. Savanna view is cool and I will check out Kidani. Waitlisted for BLT or my beloved BWV but it is unlikely they will come through. I am OK with that. While we have stayed at AKL, this would be my first DVC stay there. Love the resort.

 

[jarrdisney]

I know you will have a great time. We don't plan anything during our trips as well. You should have no problem at all sitting at the bar at most the restaurants. Heck, I'm sure you'd even be able to squeeze in at CA Grill. Enjoy!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Be sure to eat at Sanaa and ask for a window table. That's what I did when I was solo at AKV last month. Watching the animals really passed the time-I loved it!

 

[LSchrow]

your tr's are so entertaining, so i admit i would love to read another (with scratching edited out, hopefully)

btw, my 20's dd and i went may 1-10 with literally nothing (nada squat) planned.
no adrs, no tours, no must-sees or dos............

we woke up every morning (no alarm), had coffee on our BWV balcony (of course, BW view).
the rest of our days we wandered......if we were hungry, we ate wherever we were closest to if we felt like it. we rode attractions only if the lines were short, sat on benches and chatted with strangers, took the monorail in a circle just because, had many a leisurely stroll to/fro DHS (sometimes we didn't even enter the park), speed-skipped to EPCOT just for a grey goose slushie and illuminations, laid by the pool drinking margaritas, hung out on the BW watching the street performers and eating ice cream (for dinner!).......
everything was impromptu, and fantastic we did get a few FPs if we passed by an attraction we felt like going on - some we used a few hours after their window, most we just gave away.

life is soooo good in the slow lane at wdw - no stress, no frustration, just a deep blissful calm
have a wonderful time!

 

[chief215]

Just returned from week in WDW. DW and I just did R&R, ate healthy, saved money (didn't have it to begin with), ate in room or "inexpensive restaurants", only went out one night to Paradiso 37 in Pleasure Island. Tried to be good - the food was excellent. Don't be afraid to eat a little earlier - we had no problem, but number of people in restaurants appear to be down(picked up later in Memorial Day Week). Enjoy your peaceful time - read a book - work out some more - do pool time (remember the sunscreen) - and get ready for DD to show up. They do grow up way too fast!

 

[dbs1228]

I am jealous, in a way, I went with 2 friends 2 weeks ago thinking, no alarms, coffe on the balacony in the a.m., wine in the p.m. and to my surprise my friends wanted to go comando to to the parks every day since they have not been there in many years! Had a great time but I was so looking forward to relaxation with no DH or DD's and 6 nights to myself. I brought a book never opened it. I really am looking forward to the day I go to Disney, hang at the resort and not care what time it is, where I eat or if we did not go on "that" ride! Enjoy your time, take in the small pleasures! And do a TR since we are all looking forward to it! lol (no pressure of course) Enjoy!

 

[Iggipolka]

Woo! I am going solo in2 weeks as well and will also be at the Poly meet. Looking forward to meeting you and also having a relaxing trip. I have no ADR's but I did book the 7 hour Backstage Magic tour. I figure this will be my only chance to do it since I will be by myself.
Nice to have the freedom to do as little or as much as you want.
See you in two weeks!