mackeysmom
Let's Go Mets!
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2003
- Messages
- 1,030
Thanksgiving - Live and Solo Day 2, November 25th
Who - Me, age 35
When - Wednesday Nov. 24th thru Monday Nov. 29th
Where - Coronado Springs
How - Solo (many Disney vacations under my belt, many solo vacations under my belt, but this is my first solo Disney trip)
Why - My usual traveling partner, my cousin AnnMarie, has the responsibilities of a family and couldn't travel over the holidays.
My day started early this morning - I got up at 7:00, took a shower and made my way to the bus stop. I only had to wait about 5 minutes for the bus to Epcot to arrive. I got through the Epcot gates fairly easily (I love the "guest without bags" lines).
I immediately made my way to Mission:Space and grabbed a Fastpass. (The standby wait time was already 60 minutes and 30 minutes for the single-rider line). I made my way to Test Track (stopping to get a cookie and a water for breakfast) and jumped on the single rider line. It had a 20 minute wait posted, but really was only about 10 minutes. For the first-time, I sat in the front-seat for Test Track. It definitely gives you a different perspective. We got stuck in the "cold room" for about 10 minutes - I didn't mind, better there than the "heat room"!!
After Test Track, I walked over to The Universe of Energy. I always enjoy that show. Once that was over, my fastpass window had opened up for Mission:Space. I walked right on and enjoyed. I had ridden once before and didn't feel any ill-effects. I took an Excedrin Migraine just to play it safe, though.
Spaceship Earth was my next stop, but there was a 30 minute wait. I decided to come back later. I made my way over to World Showcase. It was almost noon, and I had a 12:30 PS at La Cellier. I decided to see Oh Canada. AnnMarie and I have never seen the show before. In fact, truth be told, we never really ventured into the "heart" of Canada. I enjoyed the film (I had to spend about six months in Canada for a previous job I had, so I have a soft spot for the country).
After the film, I made my way to La Cellier. I only had to wait a few minutes for my table to be ready. I think the hostess/seater had an issue with my being a single eater. She brought me to a table for two and placed my menu at the seat that faced the wall. I bypassed that seat in an attempt to sit at the other available seat at the table. She tried to insist that I sit at the other seat, and commented that I'd be more comfortable not having to face a room of diners who "had companions". I told her that there was no shame in dining alone, and sat at the seat facing out. On the other hand, my waitress (Ashley) was wonderful. She was friendly, attentive and (always a plus) brought me a diet Coke refill without my asking. I had a bowl of Cheddar Cheese Soup and the Prime Rib French Dip sandwich. ($23.00 before the tip and well worth it!!)
I made my way around the World Showcase. I won't bore you with the details - I skipped The American Adventure and The Maelstrom as the wait-times were too long. (However, I plan on coming back to Epcot tomorrow.)
My feet were killing me by this point, so I decided to leave Epcot. On the way out, I checked out the wait-time for Spaceship Earth - only 5 minutes, so I decided to ride it.
I grabbed the bus back to CS and got off at the El Centro stop. I grabbed a soda from the Pepper Market and got a ChipWich. I walked back to my room and called home to wish my family a Happy Thanksgiving. I got back to my room, took a shower and decided to check my email. I was lying in bed checking my email and I guess I fell asleep. The next thing I knew, it was 6:00 - I had slept almost 1 1/2 hours!! (Just a side note - I am not a napper. I can't ever seem to recover from a nap - I was pretty much out of it for the next few hours.)
I grabbed the bus to Downtown Disney and did a little shopping. (AnnMarie - if you are reading this, I got your shampoo bars at Basin!!) After doing a little shopping, I got a turkey sandwich, chips and a diet Coke ($8.00) at The Earl of Sandwich and then made my way back to my room, and started to write this trip report.
A few observations and ramblings:
The crowds seemed more bearable today. Maybe because Epcot is so spread out?
The bus system at CS is very good. I haven't had to wait more than 5 minutes or so for any given bus.
I did a little shopping today, but have a bit of a dilemma. I didn't mention that when I went to unpack yesterday, I noticed that my suitcase had been damaged on the flight over. The zipper was mangled in two places, only allowing me to open the zipper about 6 inches. I basically stuck my hand in and pulled out the contents piece by piece. I'm not quite sure how I will get everything back in!! Maybe I will ask bell services to take a look at it and see if they can fix it.
I'm sure I forgot some things, I'll just add them in tomorrow. As for tomorrow, the plan is getting to the Magic Kingdom when it opens and ending my day at Epcot's candlelight processional.
As always, your comments/questions are welcome.
-- Laura
Who - Me, age 35
When - Wednesday Nov. 24th thru Monday Nov. 29th
Where - Coronado Springs
How - Solo (many Disney vacations under my belt, many solo vacations under my belt, but this is my first solo Disney trip)
Why - My usual traveling partner, my cousin AnnMarie, has the responsibilities of a family and couldn't travel over the holidays.
My day started early this morning - I got up at 7:00, took a shower and made my way to the bus stop. I only had to wait about 5 minutes for the bus to Epcot to arrive. I got through the Epcot gates fairly easily (I love the "guest without bags" lines).
I immediately made my way to Mission:Space and grabbed a Fastpass. (The standby wait time was already 60 minutes and 30 minutes for the single-rider line). I made my way to Test Track (stopping to get a cookie and a water for breakfast) and jumped on the single rider line. It had a 20 minute wait posted, but really was only about 10 minutes. For the first-time, I sat in the front-seat for Test Track. It definitely gives you a different perspective. We got stuck in the "cold room" for about 10 minutes - I didn't mind, better there than the "heat room"!!
After Test Track, I walked over to The Universe of Energy. I always enjoy that show. Once that was over, my fastpass window had opened up for Mission:Space. I walked right on and enjoyed. I had ridden once before and didn't feel any ill-effects. I took an Excedrin Migraine just to play it safe, though.
Spaceship Earth was my next stop, but there was a 30 minute wait. I decided to come back later. I made my way over to World Showcase. It was almost noon, and I had a 12:30 PS at La Cellier. I decided to see Oh Canada. AnnMarie and I have never seen the show before. In fact, truth be told, we never really ventured into the "heart" of Canada. I enjoyed the film (I had to spend about six months in Canada for a previous job I had, so I have a soft spot for the country).
After the film, I made my way to La Cellier. I only had to wait a few minutes for my table to be ready. I think the hostess/seater had an issue with my being a single eater. She brought me to a table for two and placed my menu at the seat that faced the wall. I bypassed that seat in an attempt to sit at the other available seat at the table. She tried to insist that I sit at the other seat, and commented that I'd be more comfortable not having to face a room of diners who "had companions". I told her that there was no shame in dining alone, and sat at the seat facing out. On the other hand, my waitress (Ashley) was wonderful. She was friendly, attentive and (always a plus) brought me a diet Coke refill without my asking. I had a bowl of Cheddar Cheese Soup and the Prime Rib French Dip sandwich. ($23.00 before the tip and well worth it!!)
I made my way around the World Showcase. I won't bore you with the details - I skipped The American Adventure and The Maelstrom as the wait-times were too long. (However, I plan on coming back to Epcot tomorrow.)
My feet were killing me by this point, so I decided to leave Epcot. On the way out, I checked out the wait-time for Spaceship Earth - only 5 minutes, so I decided to ride it.
I grabbed the bus back to CS and got off at the El Centro stop. I grabbed a soda from the Pepper Market and got a ChipWich. I walked back to my room and called home to wish my family a Happy Thanksgiving. I got back to my room, took a shower and decided to check my email. I was lying in bed checking my email and I guess I fell asleep. The next thing I knew, it was 6:00 - I had slept almost 1 1/2 hours!! (Just a side note - I am not a napper. I can't ever seem to recover from a nap - I was pretty much out of it for the next few hours.)
I grabbed the bus to Downtown Disney and did a little shopping. (AnnMarie - if you are reading this, I got your shampoo bars at Basin!!) After doing a little shopping, I got a turkey sandwich, chips and a diet Coke ($8.00) at The Earl of Sandwich and then made my way back to my room, and started to write this trip report.
A few observations and ramblings:
The crowds seemed more bearable today. Maybe because Epcot is so spread out?
The bus system at CS is very good. I haven't had to wait more than 5 minutes or so for any given bus.
I did a little shopping today, but have a bit of a dilemma. I didn't mention that when I went to unpack yesterday, I noticed that my suitcase had been damaged on the flight over. The zipper was mangled in two places, only allowing me to open the zipper about 6 inches. I basically stuck my hand in and pulled out the contents piece by piece. I'm not quite sure how I will get everything back in!! Maybe I will ask bell services to take a look at it and see if they can fix it.
I'm sure I forgot some things, I'll just add them in tomorrow. As for tomorrow, the plan is getting to the Magic Kingdom when it opens and ending my day at Epcot's candlelight processional.
As always, your comments/questions are welcome.
-- Laura
Boggles my mind.
