The "Make It Up As I Go Along" PTR - Cast of One - Solo trip has started!

[ZehnJahren]

Hello!

I'm reading all these great PTRs and TRs and getting a little jealous because I don't really have anything going on right now. And then I realized - I DO have the basis for a PTR, since I'm on the airfare hunt right now for a possible January trip... and if there's no January trip, there might be a February trip... and if there's no February trip, I might go in early May... soooo why not start a PTR now? It'll give me something to do.

Here's me:

Wait, that's not me! Oh, here I am:

I'm planning on a trip in late September to take advantage of the Tower of Terror 10 mile run on the 29th. But that should be a trip with DBF; this upcoming trip is just for me. The only thing is - I don't know when it will be! I have cash set aside for a 3-night 4-day trip sometime this winter/spring, so I've been watching rates for airfare and hotel; I have an AP, so there's nothing to worry about there. I have a flexible schedule at work, so I'm wide open.

My first possibility of a trip will be January 18th through the 21st. I already have Wed-Friday off work, so this would work. Airfare's not too bad, hotels are cheap (I'd probably go value, and with the AP discount it's completely do-able), but I live up north so I need to keep an eye on the weather. Plus, if I go in January, it's 9 more months until my next trip!

I just wanted to get this set down and I'll be back to talk more later. I have a feeling I'll mostly be talking to myself but if you want to join in, please do!

 

[ZehnJahren]

I am debating with myself over a January trip.

Low crowds would be nice, and being solo I don't care about certain ride closures.

However, I have a sinus infection I just don't seem to be able to shake, and I live in an area of the country where the weather often goes from cold to 2-ft-of-snow-and-sub-zero-temps cold. So I hate to try to plan a trip with so many unknowns! But for now, the weather is mild - what if this is my only chance to break outta here for a trip, until April? Then the crowds rise....

Airfare's under $250 rt and Bing says it will only go higher. I can get three nights in a value for around $200. So it's a cheap vacation...

What to do?

 

[ZehnJahren]

Well, I'm talking to myself but that's ok.

I have decided on the dates for my first solo trip.

Airfare was purchased this morning.

Those dates are....


NEXT WEEK!


1/17 - 1/20: no plans made, no idea what the heck I'm doing, and I better figure it out FAST because I'm leaving on a jet plane next Tuesday afternoon!

Flying out of the windy city on Tuesday afternoon, returning Friday night!

So far, I'm staying at All-Star Music, but this is subject to change. I don't really care where I stay, to be honest, because I'm at Disney, but I'll have a car so I can stay anywhere (even *gasp* off site, since there's only one EMH I would care about while I'm there, a morning EMH at MK)! I'm hoping to (but not counting on) renting some points from someone - anyone - to end up at OKW. I don't know that this will happen, but I'm happy anywhere so....

Disney here I come!

 

[ZehnJahren]

In between conference calls, I'm quickly back to say it appears I have been able to rent points! I'm waiting on a confirmation that it's worked out and the reservation was able to be made. I'm not going to list where right now, but it definitely would be a huge leap up from my current hotel reservations, and a place I've never stayed before. And a wonderful place, at that.

If it falls through, that's ok - I'm going to Disney so I'm like this: . If it DOESN'T fall through - WOW, am I going to have a trip!! (a budget trip, but a TRIP!!) So I'd be like this:

Alright, conference call.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I got a ton done today, once work stopped getting in the way!

Current itinerary:

Animal Kingdom Lodge! Next Tuesday through next Friday. I've never stayed here before, and I'm very excited! I'm going to start getting very spoiled if I keep staying at these nice resorts!

Tuesday: Arrive, get the car, stop by a grocery store for some bottled water and a few snacks, check in, settle in (with the prerequisite bed bug check), and then maybe go sit in the hot tub for awhile. Sleep soundly.

Wednesday: AK EMH, since I'll be so close, followed by either MK or EP. PROBABLY EP. Possibly an early night, to get ready for another long day.

Thursday: MK EMH, then HS, then EP, for Illuminations.

Friday: Probably open at MK, then off to EP until 5:30 and I have to leave to get my car back and get on my flight.

So, a busy few days, but I'm ready to go. I'll be making no ADRs this trip; and I'll be spending as much time at Epcot as I'd like since I've barely spent any time there in my last two trips. I am going to ride El Rio del Tiempo - I mean "The Gran Fiesta Tour" - until I can't take it anymore; then I'm going to go to China and speak some bad Chinese and then go to Germany and speak bad German, and then I may drink a little. However, it would be very little, since I'll be driving this trip.

 

[Corrine 1973]

Oh my goodness, you just started your PTR and you are already going next week.

So glad you were able to work it out and stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, it looks like a great place. Hope you have a wonderful time.

Maybe when you get back to Chi town there will be some snow on the groune.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Oh my goodness, you just started your PTR and you are already going next week.

So glad you were able to work it out and stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, it looks like a great place. Hope you have a wonderful time.

Maybe when you get back to Chi town there will be some snow on the groune.

Yes, I canNOT believe how quickly everything happened - I really thought it would be a lot longer process than this. I booked the flight early yesterday morning, then the room, then the opportunity to rent points came up so I went back and forth trying to figure out if it would work for us both, then it worked out, then I rented my car, then I quickly got the confirmation of my new reservation at AKL, then I called to cancel my room at WDW, and everything was done. I was sitting last night and suddenly thought "oh crap, I'm going to Disney next week and have no plans at all! I don't even know the park hours!" So research on what to do and which parks to go to started last night.

This time next week, I'll be working frantically trying to get a pair of reports out to a customer before I have to leave for my flight.

Thank you so much for commenting - now I don't look as crazy, talking to myself. I really, REALLY hope there's no snow while I'm gone - O'Hare loves to delay their flights in. I'm ok with them canceling my flight due to weather while I'm in Orlando, but I'd rather not circle Chicago for an hour or two.

 

[wakica]

I'm planning on a trip in late September to take advantage of the Tower of Terror 10 mile run on the 29th.

wow! That's GREAT!!! I've just started jogging and plan to attend the Animal Kingdom 5K challenge in May. I couldn't even IMAGINE doing 10 miles!

Well, I'm talking to myself but that's ok.

LOL - that's ok - the way I see it is that it's a good way to record your trip even if nobody reads it. It will be nice to print it off and have it as a keepsake The last trip report I did I didn't finish b/c it was on another site that I was a member of and your membership expires a month after you return. I never got it printed off and I'm SO bummed This time I WILL print it all off before I lose track of it.

Current itinerary:

Animal Kingdom Lodge! Next Tuesday through next Friday. I've never stayed here before, and I'm very excited! I'm going to start getting very spoiled if I keep staying at these nice resorts!

Tuesday: Arrive, get the car, stop by a grocery store for some bottled water and a few snacks, check in, settle in (with the prerequisite bed bug check), and then maybe go sit in the hot tub for awhile. Sleep soundly.

Wednesday: AK EMH, since I'll be so close, followed by either MK or EP. PROBABLY EP. Possibly an early night, to get ready for another long day.

Thursday: MK EMH, then HS, then EP, for Illuminations.

Friday: Probably open at MK, then off to EP until 5:30 and I have to leave to get my car back and get on my flight.

So, a busy few days, but I'm ready to go. I'll be making no ADRs this trip; and I'll be spending as much time at Epcot as I'd like since I've barely spent any time there in my last two trips. I am going to ride El Rio del Tiempo - I mean "The Gran Fiesta Tour" - until I can't take it anymore; then I'm going to go to China and speak some bad Chinese and then go to Germany and speak bad German, and then I may drink a little. However, it would be very little, since I'll be driving this trip.

Sounds like a good plan!! BUSY for sure but it's short and it's just you so you want to pack it all in hey? lol.
I'm jealous - I still have to wait over 100 days for my trip but in the meantime I can live vicariously through you and other trip reports! lol. Hope you'll post while your gone too

 

[ZehnJahren]

wow! That's GREAT!!! I've just started jogging and plan to attend the Animal Kingdom 5K challenge in May. I couldn't even IMAGINE doing 10 miles!

Well, my plan for now is to do the 10 miles, but if they have a 5k, DBF and i might do that one together instead (I can't imagine him training for the 10 miler, but he might!). Otherwise, I think 10 miles is a good distance; not a half or a full marathon, but definitely a "real" run; I'd like to do it! My longest run so far was five miles, and then I promptly hurt myself, so I haven't gone back. My training runs are usually 5k.

The Expedition Everest 5k looks awesome. I had toyed with going that weekend, but if I go now instead I can use up extra PTO from last year at work that has to be used by 1/31. Since we're going on a week-long trip in September and I have other things planned this year, January works out best for me.

You might have just started out, but you'll be doing more than you ever thought you could, before you know it! Do you use any programs, or are you just running?

LOL - that's ok - the way I see it is that it's a good way to record your trip even if nobody reads it. It will be nice to print it off and have it as a keepsake The last trip report I did I didn't finish b/c it was on another site that I was a member of and your membership expires a month after you return. I never got it printed off and I'm SO bummed This time I WILL print it all off before I lose track of it.

I admit I DO go back and read my TR from October, just to relive it. I had such a great time! You don't have to worry about things expiring here - you should just do your TR on the Dis. Then it's always available! I gave my mom and some of my family the link to my "mom and me" trip in October, so they could read. It's nice to be able to share!

I'm jealous - I still have to wait over 100 days for my trip but in the meantime I can live vicariously through you and other trip reports! lol. Hope you'll post while your gone too

100 days isn't so bad! Just a couple of months! It'll be here before you know it, and by then my trip will be long gone and I'll be living vicariously through you!

 

[ZehnJahren]

Well, it's been announced that those of us in the Windy City area can expect up to 10" of snow in the next few days (first real snow this entire winter, praise God). According to weather.com, it's supposed to snow constantly for the next two/three days, and then go back to being cold but sunny. All I can do is pray that it really does work out this way - it can snow until Monday morning if it wants, as long as O'hare has two days to make sure the runways are nice and clean for my flight out! And then, they'll have a few days to salt the crap out of the airport so that I can make it home safe next Friday. Please please please.



And then I went to look and see what the temp is "supposed to be" for Orlando next week? Almost 80. Oh please, please, please be right. I would LOVE that!!!

 

[wakica]

I've tried couch to 5K a few times but always top when it get cold. This time around I just gave her to start b/c I wanted to be sure i could actually DO the 5 k. Then I got sick over Christmas and have been doing couch to 5K from week 3 since then and sticking with it and doing well You can see more details in my pre-trip report titled "Destination Everest 5K). Or the link is in my signature. I'm quite happy with my progress. It's amazing what signing up for a run can do for a persons motivation b/c I've never been able to follow through this much in the past with my only goal being fitness. LOL.

Your right, 100 days isn't so bad - I've had this trip in the back of our mind for over a year now though - probably more like 2 years so it's not long AT ALL to wait but I'd still rather be going next week. LOL. That's ok though - we did Hawaii last Jan so we are due to be home this Jan and at least our temps are record breaking mild compared to other years.

I will send some pixie dust your way that the flight gets out with no problems Flight delays going on a trip are SO sad!!!

 

[ZehnJahren]

Had a doctor's appt today and was told that my sinus infection was REALLY bad and I shouldn't be traveling. My right sinus is completely blocked, and the swelling in it has pushed over the bone and cartilage in my nose. Wow, no wonder it hurt so bad. We're trying medication first. The doc didn't protest very much when I told him my trip was non-refundable and I was going; he just nodded. I think he's dealt with WDW fans in the past....

 

[wakica]

oh no!!!!! that's not good news but then again it's Wednesday and you leave what... Monday??? that's GOT to be enough time for antibiotics to kick in and do their magic right????

well, sounds like you need MORE pixie dust!!! lol so here it is

 

[ZehnJahren]

oh no!!!!! that's not good news but then again it's Wednesday and you leave what... Monday??? that's GOT to be enough time for antibiotics to kick in and do their magic right????

well, sounds like you need MORE pixie dust!!! lol so here it is

Aw thanks! If he'd have really protested when I told I wanted to go anyway, I'd have thought about eating the cost of renting points and the cost of the airline change fee. But I said, "yeah, I'm gonna go ahead and go" and he didn't bat an eye. He just said it might hurt me. I hope it's not too bad -I'll have finished the steroids and be deep into the antibiotics by then so there's plenty of hope. I have faith.

I will take all the pixie dust I can get!

 

[Corrine 1973]

Aw thanks! If he'd have really protested when I told I wanted to go anyway, I'd have thought about eating the cost of renting points and the coat of the airline change fee. But I said, "yeah, I'm gonna go ahead and go" and he didn't bat an eye. He just said it might hurt me. I hope it's not too bad -I'll have finished the steroids and be deep into the antibiotics by then so there's plenty of hope. I have faith.

I will take all the pixie dust I can get!

In that case here is some from me.

And a little fairy to give you more when you need it.

Hopefully your sinus infection is well on it's way to recovering by the time you leave.

So what do you think about all this snow the Chicago area is supposed to get today and tomarrow? Especially since the weather has been almost spring like these last two days.

 

[ZehnJahren]

In that case here is some from me.

And a little fairy to give you more when you need it.

Hopefully your sinus infection is well on it's way to recovering by the time you leave.

So what do you think about all this snow the Chicago area is supposed to get today and tomarrow? Especially since the weather has been almost spring like these last two days.

Ha, thanks for including the fairy too! Otherwise, how would I get the pixie dust??

Doctor is not so keen that these drugs will do anything for the infection; I've already been on three heavy rounds of antibiotics. But maybe the pixie dust (and prayers) will work this time around! The infection is completely in the right side, so I really hope I'll be ok.

I am not ready for snow, mostly because of how nice it's been. It was in the 50s yesterday!! At this time of year! I'm ok with snow in general (just not 18 inches overnight like last year), but it's just difficult when we have had such a mild winter. Oh well, as long as they have the salt and the plows out and give me a way out of town, it can snow as much as it wants!!

 

[wakica]

It's just about GO TIME!!

How are your sinuses feeling today??

 

[ZehnJahren]

It's just about GO TIME!!

How are your sinuses feeling today??

Yes! I'm t-3 days!

Actually, yesterday was one of the best days I've had in months. I woke up completely clear and able to breathe easy, and almost all the pain in my face was gone (except for my nose, which I think will be hurting for a long time to come). Of course, the steroids had me hyped up and running around like crazy, and I'm STARVING all the time, but it was very very good to feel good again.

I woke up stuffed up again today, but not too bad, and it cleared up pretty quickly. I've got my fingers crossed that I'll at least get through the trip ok; then, if need be, I can go back to the doc when I return. If nothing, I've gotten a lot of relief from this medicine protocol the doc has me on.

Regardless, though, I'M GOING. AKL here I come!

Looks like I'm gonna hop a lot. Wednesday, AK EMH, then HS, then Epcot. Thursday MK then EP then MK, and then Friday I'll do HS in the morning and EP in the afternoon - I have until 5:30 to leave for my 8 pm flight.

But I'll have my car, so I'll take the bus to AK on Wed, then back and grab the car to go to HS, and then drive over to the Epcot lot (or should I walk?) to catch Illuminations. Thursday, I'll drive to the TTC, then ferry over for rope drop MK EMH, then after hanging for awhile I'll monorail over to Epcot, then monorail back to MK for Wishes and MSEP. Friday, I'll probably drive to HS for rope drop, then drive over to the Epcot lot for sure so that I can just run out to my car to leave straight away.

I hope at least my health goes smoothly!!

 

[Merida]

Oh! I just found this. Yay for a new trip soon and for running! I need to get back into running or at least find someplace to run indoors; midsummer and midwinter are rough patches for me.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Oh! I just found this. Yay for a new trip soon and for running! I need to get back into running or at least find someplace to run indoors; midsummer and midwinter are rough patches for me.

Hey there! I'm glad you saw this, because I didn't even know you started your trip report and now I can go check it out! Hope you had a great trip! Can't believe i'm alreadyheading back after such a short time. I'm definitely ready to go.