The "I've Waited Forever to Go Solo" Mom's Leaving Everyone Behind Trip! Updt 3/11
- Thread starter MomofCKJ
- Start date
kathleen27
DIS Veteran
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- Feb 26, 2008
- Messages
- 1,379
Welcome Back!!! 
Glad you liked SW despite the bumpy flight.
I love flying with them.
Can't wait to hear which park you ended up at the first night!!!
Glad you liked SW despite the bumpy flight.
I love flying with them.
Can't wait to hear which park you ended up at the first night!!!
micandminforever
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2006
- Messages
- 2,329
Can't wait to find out what park was first. Great start on your trip report.
2xcited2sleep
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2008
- Messages
- 11,304
Hi Allyson! I had the worst day at work today and all day long I kept telling myself that I could come home, have a glass of wine and read about your trip! You got me through the day!
I get very nervous at the airport too. Can't relax 'til sitting at the gate. And I always wonder where the other people in the security line have been. I've seen in the last 6-8 months a woman arguing about a swiss army knife (seriously!) and another one who said she never "got the news" about liquids. Where do these people come from??
Glad to hear Southwest was fun. I will have to check it out for sure. I have the DING feature downloaded now so my eyes are peeled for deals!
Magical Express- UGH. That doesn't sound especially fun but you got there. I like the special secret solo travelers club -- is there a handshake?
Sorry about the rain. Guess that will be a theme. But good for you for putting on the poncho and getting out there. Can't wait to hear what happened next!
I get very nervous at the airport too. Can't relax 'til sitting at the gate. And I always wonder where the other people in the security line have been. I've seen in the last 6-8 months a woman arguing about a swiss army knife (seriously!) and another one who said she never "got the news" about liquids. Where do these people come from??
Glad to hear Southwest was fun. I will have to check it out for sure. I have the DING feature downloaded now so my eyes are peeled for deals!
Magical Express- UGH. That doesn't sound especially fun but you got there. I like the special secret solo travelers club -- is there a handshake?
Sorry about the rain. Guess that will be a theme. But good for you for putting on the poncho and getting out there. Can't wait to hear what happened next!
PISCESANGEL
ILoveDisney!
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2004
- Messages
- 754
Allyson,
I have to admit that I also could not wait to read your first installment! I kept it minimized all afternoon at work today and would read a paragraph here and there whenever I could...
Anyway, I'm glad you made it there okay. That flight would've scared me for sure!
It's interesting that ME took so long because being express I would think they would just have busses waiting, but I guess that's the way it goes!
I'm also anxious to hear about where you ended up and how your first day went. Don't wait too long - I leave soon and I'm going to go through Allyson-TR-withdrawal while I'm away (though I will have a certain Mouse to console me, right?
)
p.s. My DS is still asking about Bashful!
How is she? Can I see another picture of her? I wonder what she sounds like when she talks? (He asked that because I showed him the part about Stacy's mom - he is smitten I think!
)
I have to admit that I also could not wait to read your first installment! I kept it minimized all afternoon at work today and would read a paragraph here and there whenever I could...
Anyway, I'm glad you made it there okay. That flight would've scared me for sure!
It's interesting that ME took so long because being express I would think they would just have busses waiting, but I guess that's the way it goes!I'm also anxious to hear about where you ended up and how your first day went. Don't wait too long - I leave soon and I'm going to go through Allyson-TR-withdrawal while I'm away (though I will have a certain Mouse to console me, right?
)p.s. My DS is still asking about Bashful!
How is she? Can I see another picture of her? I wonder what she sounds like when she talks? (He asked that because I showed him the part about Stacy's mom - he is smitten I think!
) retiredkid
<font color=blue>Your shots make me want to try ag
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2007
- Messages
- 784
Welcome back Allyson.......glad you made it safe and sound....
looking forward to reading more.
looking forward to reading more.
SingingMom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2001
- Messages
- 5,285
Great start! Can't wait to hear more!!! 
mkmommy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2006
- Messages
- 2,981
Allyson
Yeah it sure did rain, we have been having a summer like yours so we were hoping for some sunshine at Dinsey, but actually the rain did not keep us out of the pool and we did not have to worry about sunburns.
Looking forward to reading your report , I am sure you had a great time.
Lisa
Yeah it sure did rain, we have been having a summer like yours so we were hoping for some sunshine at Dinsey, but actually the rain did not keep us out of the pool and we did not have to worry about sunburns.
Looking forward to reading your report
, I am sure you had a great time.Lisa
LuvindisCruiser
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 28, 2004
- Messages
- 904
Subscribing ! I always have wanted to do Disneyland "Solo", so this will be
so much fun to experience "Mom Time" with you !!!!!!!
Having fun, already Please keep them coming fast !!!!!
jake&samsmom
Jordan's Mom too!
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2007
- Messages
- 852
"I am so glad I had the thought to change into shorts first because in that skirt with my arms full of bags I would have been showing Pop Century my undies for sure."
OMG, that is too hilarious for words!
Waiting on another update.......
OMG, that is too hilarious for words!
Waiting on another update.......
Okay so I grabbed my poncho and headed out the door. It was so windy! And pouring! Now I don't know if I can truly convey to you how much it was pouring. It was heavy, heavy rain and wind. You could see sheets of rain blowing by. It was crazy and it didn't let up. It just kept coming. The saving grace was it was warm. But oh so wet.
So I decided to first stop at Everything Pop for something to eat, I was starving! I got a Shrimp Lo Mein and a Lemonade, came to $9.87. (I saved ALL my receipts this time so I could calculate what I spent after). I love Shrimp Lo Mein here, it is so good. Hot, fresh, tasty. Pop really does have a very nice food court with a huge variety. I didn't have to wait for my food, it was 5:22 according to my receipt. I ate and watched a little Disney Channel on the big TVs. Then I was off!
So what bus? Where did I go? Did you guess MK? You Win!
I had serious Bus Luck this trip, I rarely if ever waited. I stepped out into the monsoon and my MK Chariot pulled right up. Not crowded, got a seat, and we were off!
Transportation Complaint: I wish the buses would drop you at the closest end to the ticket area. Instead he drove allllllll the way to the #18 Pop bus stop which couldn't get further away. I know they must have a reason for this but it just pains you to see them drive right by and wish they could just stop and let you off a bit closer. It is a bit of a haul from the Bus Stop to the ticket area for MK.
I did the first of many bag checks, which are a pain when you bring a poncho into the occasion. I wear the Baggalini under the poncho so it means poncho off, Baggalini off, Baggalini on, poncho on. All in the monsoon.
Okay so that over with, ticket in the slot with the finger scan, enter Magic Kingdom! And it is....... wet and windy!
Everyone is in a poncho. A sea of ponchos. Actually not a sea as it is not that crowded. But anyone you do see is in a poncho. I call my MIL before I turn the corner to see the Castle. I am actually over by the hat shop. I knew my niece was having her ultrasound that day and I wanted to hear the results. Its a girl! So now I knew I had to buy something girly for her while I was here.
So I hang up and turn the corner to see my beloved Castle for the first time.
She's lovely even in cruddy weather!
So this trip is all about doing the things I don't normally do and seeing the things I don't normally see right? So I decide to poke around the Main Street shops. Did I even know there was a Glass Blower here? Nope, have never seen that! See some really nice things and really stop and examine the shop windows which are so beautiful on their own!
After reading so much about the windows about the Main Street Shops and how they pay homage to people who were involved in the creation of Disney World I decide to find some of those too.
Side Note: On the Keys to the Kingdom tour which I took a few days into the trip we learned a lot about Main Street. I can't recommend this tour enough, it is FANTASTIC!
So I am taking my very sweet time and just wandering shops, taking pictures and really trying to just take my time. Outside it just doesn't seem to let up. The wind, the rain. I kept thinking, if this was my once in a lifetime trip and it was like this all week, I would be so, so, so, did I say SO, upset. I was very glad I didn't have the kids with me. Maybe your kids would be fine, mine would be whining. Especially Belle. Dramatic tweeny Belle would not be doing so well with all this wind and wetness and sticky plastic ponchos and flat hair and sloshing feet. I was really glad I was alone because I could just deal with it better by myself.
So I notice that there are no Photopass Photogs to be found. Which is a pattern over the rainy times of my stay. They aren't outside during the rain like this. And so again if this was your trip and you had prepaid for a CD, bummer because you wouldn't have as many opportunities for photos. I did get some later in the week when the rain stopped but really I don't think I got more than 20. I haven't looked yet online but I am guessing no more than that. So not so cost effective even in the share I did.
Okay so I meander towards Tomorrowland. I decide that I will go here first and my first ride of the night is something that would never normally be my first ride of the night. It was.....
The TTA!
Why? No idea, just because I felt like it! Yes the beauty of being alone again! So I walked right on, confidently told the CM it would just be 1, and got in my car. I felt a little like people would be looking at me riding alone but really I don't think anyone cared or noticed. I did see another guy alone and a woman. There are more solos out there if you really look. So I did a little picture of my toes to show you while I was riding:
See the green Mickey heads I painted on them?
After the TTA I went over to the Carousel of Progress. Another ride I haven't been on in million years. It too was a no wait ride and I went right in. There were maybe 20 people in with me. And here is the other downside to the rain. When you are so wet (ponchos really only cover so much) and you enter into heavy AC, it is so cold! I was freezing and wishing I had brought a sweatshirt. The show was cute though and I made a mental note to take the kids on it next time we were there, I think they would like it.
At this point I called home and said goodnight to the kids. Then I walked on Buzz Lightyear. I got 119,000 for my score, still not enough to beat Goofy. I grabbed a FP for Space Mountain. I think it had about a 30 minute wait at this point but I just wasn't into waiting at all. So I wandered myself to Fantasyland. The rain and wind were still coming down like mad. The only good thing was no lightening and thunder, that wouldn't come till later in the week.
I decided to ride It's A Small World because how can you not when you are here? It was here that I had my first horrifying experience with someone not feeling the magic. At all. F-bombs and in IASW of all places.....
Until next time!
Allyson
So I decided to first stop at Everything Pop for something to eat, I was starving! I got a Shrimp Lo Mein and a Lemonade, came to $9.87. (I saved ALL my receipts this time so I could calculate what I spent after). I love Shrimp Lo Mein here, it is so good. Hot, fresh, tasty. Pop really does have a very nice food court with a huge variety. I didn't have to wait for my food, it was 5:22 according to my receipt. I ate and watched a little Disney Channel on the big TVs. Then I was off!
So what bus? Where did I go? Did you guess MK? You Win!
I had serious Bus Luck this trip, I rarely if ever waited. I stepped out into the monsoon and my MK Chariot pulled right up. Not crowded, got a seat, and we were off!
Transportation Complaint: I wish the buses would drop you at the closest end to the ticket area. Instead he drove allllllll the way to the #18 Pop bus stop which couldn't get further away. I know they must have a reason for this but it just pains you to see them drive right by and wish they could just stop and let you off a bit closer. It is a bit of a haul from the Bus Stop to the ticket area for MK.
I did the first of many bag checks, which are a pain when you bring a poncho into the occasion. I wear the Baggalini under the poncho so it means poncho off, Baggalini off, Baggalini on, poncho on. All in the monsoon.
Okay so that over with, ticket in the slot with the finger scan, enter Magic Kingdom! And it is....... wet and windy!
Everyone is in a poncho. A sea of ponchos. Actually not a sea as it is not that crowded. But anyone you do see is in a poncho. I call my MIL before I turn the corner to see the Castle. I am actually over by the hat shop. I knew my niece was having her ultrasound that day and I wanted to hear the results. Its a girl! So now I knew I had to buy something girly for her while I was here.
So I hang up and turn the corner to see my beloved Castle for the first time.
She's lovely even in cruddy weather!
So this trip is all about doing the things I don't normally do and seeing the things I don't normally see right? So I decide to poke around the Main Street shops. Did I even know there was a Glass Blower here? Nope, have never seen that! See some really nice things and really stop and examine the shop windows which are so beautiful on their own!
After reading so much about the windows about the Main Street Shops and how they pay homage to people who were involved in the creation of Disney World I decide to find some of those too.
Side Note: On the Keys to the Kingdom tour which I took a few days into the trip we learned a lot about Main Street. I can't recommend this tour enough, it is FANTASTIC!
So I am taking my very sweet time and just wandering shops, taking pictures and really trying to just take my time. Outside it just doesn't seem to let up. The wind, the rain. I kept thinking, if this was my once in a lifetime trip and it was like this all week, I would be so, so, so, did I say SO, upset. I was very glad I didn't have the kids with me. Maybe your kids would be fine, mine would be whining. Especially Belle. Dramatic tweeny Belle would not be doing so well with all this wind and wetness and sticky plastic ponchos and flat hair and sloshing feet. I was really glad I was alone because I could just deal with it better by myself.
So I notice that there are no Photopass Photogs to be found. Which is a pattern over the rainy times of my stay. They aren't outside during the rain like this. And so again if this was your trip and you had prepaid for a CD, bummer because you wouldn't have as many opportunities for photos. I did get some later in the week when the rain stopped but really I don't think I got more than 20. I haven't looked yet online but I am guessing no more than that. So not so cost effective even in the share I did.
Okay so I meander towards Tomorrowland. I decide that I will go here first and my first ride of the night is something that would never normally be my first ride of the night. It was.....
The TTA!
Why? No idea, just because I felt like it! Yes the beauty of being alone again! So I walked right on, confidently told the CM it would just be 1, and got in my car. I felt a little like people would be looking at me riding alone but really I don't think anyone cared or noticed. I did see another guy alone and a woman. There are more solos out there if you really look. So I did a little picture of my toes to show you while I was riding:
See the green Mickey heads I painted on them?
After the TTA I went over to the Carousel of Progress. Another ride I haven't been on in million years. It too was a no wait ride and I went right in. There were maybe 20 people in with me. And here is the other downside to the rain. When you are so wet (ponchos really only cover so much) and you enter into heavy AC, it is so cold! I was freezing and wishing I had brought a sweatshirt. The show was cute though and I made a mental note to take the kids on it next time we were there, I think they would like it.
At this point I called home and said goodnight to the kids. Then I walked on Buzz Lightyear. I got 119,000 for my score, still not enough to beat Goofy. I grabbed a FP for Space Mountain. I think it had about a 30 minute wait at this point but I just wasn't into waiting at all. So I wandered myself to Fantasyland. The rain and wind were still coming down like mad. The only good thing was no lightening and thunder, that wouldn't come till later in the week.
I decided to ride It's A Small World because how can you not when you are here? It was here that I had my first horrifying experience with someone not feeling the magic. At all. F-bombs and in IASW of all places.....
Until next time!
Allyson
Thank you! Glad you here! It was quite a groovy trip, LOL!Welcome back! Great first installment - can't wait to hear more about how you got your groove on!
I'm so flattered, I beat out Oatmeal! LOL! Yes I wonder if the rain and wind had something to do with the ME delays. It wasn't so magical but saving $100 was kind of nice. I might try it again sometime. We are using a towncar for our Jan trip though.Allyson,
So glad you're back safe and sound. That flight down sounds like a doozy!
That was quite a wait you had at DME! I have sat and waited on a bus before, but not usually that much time in line. Sorry to hear that was less than smooth for you.
I had to read your report before breakfast, if you can believe it! Oatmeal or Allyson....the choice is clear!
Can not wait to hear what park you ended up at that night!
So glad you are here!
It's coming, I do like to get installments out as fast as I can!
Thanks!
Yes thank goodness for packing shorts! LOL! It was great to meet you at Petals too! I hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip!Sounds like your arrival went smoothly aside from the bumpy flight.
The wind was terrible at points wasn't it? Good thing you had shorts to change into.
Thanks, it is coming!
Yes wet but good!Looks like a great start so far!
I'm going to add installments as fast as I can! So glad you are joining me on this Trippie!no,no,no I want more!!! Welcome back Allyson!
Can't wait to hear ALL about it!
Annette
I loved SW too. I told DH for certain I will try to fly them again. I just wish they opened their booking window up a bit sooner than they do.Welcome Back!!!
Glad you liked SW despite the bumpy flight.
I love flying with them.
Can't wait to hear which park you ended up at the first night!!!
You are right, rain in Disney beats a sunny day somewhere else!
Thanks! I was at my favorite one for the first!Can't wait to find out what park was first. Great start on your trip report.
Thanks! Glad you are here!
Yes airport "stuff" is just so anxiety provoking I think. Sounds like you have seen some doozies at the airport! If I hadn't gotton the poncho on and gotton out there most of my trip would have been in the room. It seriously rained more than it didn't on my trip I think.Hi Allyson! I had the worst day at work today and all day long I kept telling myself that I could come home, have a glass of wine and read about your trip! You got me through the day!
I get very nervous at the airport too. Can't relax 'til sitting at the gate. And I always wonder where the other people in the security line have been. I've seen in the last 6-8 months a woman arguing about a swiss army knife (seriously!) and another one who said she never "got the news" about liquids. Where do these people come from??
Glad to hear Southwest was fun. I will have to check it out for sure. I have the DING feature downloaded now so my eyes are peeled for deals!
Magical Express- UGH. That doesn't sound especially fun but you got there. I like the special secret solo travelers club -- is there a handshake?
Sorry about the rain. Guess that will be a theme. But good for you for putting on the poncho and getting out there. Can't wait to hear what happened next!
Glad you are here!Welcome back Allyson.......glad you made it safe and sound....
looking forward to reading more.
Thanks and Welcome!Great start! Can't wait to hear more!!!
I kept thinking of the irony. A rainy summer and so finally when I fly to FL it is the most beautiful weather week at home and I am spending my time in rain. Seriously while I was gone they had gorgeous sunny rain free weather up here. Go figure! I am glad you had a fun time, did you hit any parks afterall?Allyson
Yeah it sure did rain, we have been having a summer like yours so we were hoping for some sunshine at Dinsey, but actually the rain did not keep us out of the pool and we did not have to worry about sunburns.
Looking forward to reading your report
Lisa
I think everyone should do a solo trip once if they can. It does give you a different look at things for sure! I am really glad I did it!
I always have wanted to do Disneyland "Solo", so this will be
so much fun to experience "Mom Time" with you !!!!!!!
Please keep them coming fast !!!!!
Yes they were out in full force at times! LOL!
I'm enjoying your report now too! Glad you are here!"I am so glad I had the thought to change into shorts first because in that skirt with my arms full of bags I would have been showing Pop Century my undies for sure."
OMG, that is too hilarious for words!
Waiting on another update.......
Allyson
retiredkid
<font color=blue>Your shots make me want to try ag
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2007
- Messages
- 784
Great update Allyson.....sorry about the weather, but it seems like you are going with the flow, so to speak. How nice to do the things you want to do without having to worry about anyone else.
ewwwww to the F-bombs
ewwwww to the F-bombs
Allyson,
I have to admit that I also could not wait to read your first installment! I kept it minimized all afternoon at work today and would read a paragraph here and there whenever I could...
Anyway, I'm glad you made it there okay. That flight would've scared me for sure!
I'm also anxious to hear about where you ended up and how your first day went. Don't wait too long - I leave soon and I'm going to go through Allyson-TR-withdrawal while I'm away (though I will have a certain Mouse to console me, right?
p.s. My DS is still asking about Bashful!
How is she? Can I see another picture of her? I wonder what she sounds like when she talks? (He asked that because I showed him the part about Stacy's mom - he is smitten I think!
Your trip is soooooo close! 2 days! AHHHHH! I'm so excited for you and doing a "Tropical Storms/Hurricanes Keep Away Dance" up here for you. Just bring your ponchos in case but I'm hoping you'll have a nice dry trip!
There was no Express in my Magical Express! LOL! But it was a nice freebie and at least I can say I gave it a try. I do prefer my towncars but to save a little $$$ I would use this again on some trips I think.
Your son cracks me up. I told Bashful and she got all, well Bashful.
Here is a recent photo of Bashful on our way to Boston a few weeks back:
And first day of school for us was yesterday. Here are my annual in front of the door pictures. I've got to share the one of Goofy too. He was NOT happy to be going back to school. It was bad. By the time he came home he said he had an awesome day but in the morning, oh my he didn't want to go.
Allyson
Lifelong_Dreamer
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2007
- Messages
- 15,138
I know all about the poncho baggalinni bag check dance, I feel your pain.
It must be so nice getting to just wander the parks and not have to worry about what anybody else wants to do.
I noticed the same thing with photopass being MIA this trip, it was kinda disappointing.
It must be so nice getting to just wander the parks and not have to worry about what anybody else wants to do.
I noticed the same thing with photopass being MIA this trip, it was kinda disappointing.
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