They Tried To Make Me Go To Rehab, But I Said No No No! Updt 11/7: Solo no more Pg.27

[MeMom]

I linger around the WS Plaza, waiting for the crowd to thin out. It will be my first ever EMH! Yay!

I see that The Land boat ride has no one in line. I get on a boat with three other people. I sit in the front row

And later on, I ask a CM of it was a real working environment, or is it just for show. I was told that the Lab is a real sterile research environment where several USDA scientists actually work on-site, performing research on crop improvement.

I still had an extra FP to use for:

So I walked over there after The Land boat ride. The FP line was non- existent , so I approached a CM to ask where to go. The CM asked me to wait a few minutes, then ushered me (and a few others who had FP's) to a door that leads to the backstage of the Behind the Seeds tour. We take a "shortcut" through the back of the pavillion to get to the holding area right before the Soarin' theater! It was so cool to see the building from that perspective. I saw where the scientists enter the lab from the outside. And all the unpainted/unadorned areas of the Land Pavillion. I wanted to take photos but I wasn't sure if it was allowed, so I didn't.

I get to ride on the topmost row of Soarin' this time....barefoot as always.

I look back and reflect on my first solo day.

I leave Epcot with a deep sense of fulfillment.

Sounds like a wonderful day! I love Living with the Land and I love love love Soarin'!

We've been the backstage way to Soarin', too. It's always cool to get to do something different at Disney!

Illuminations and tears - I think they just go hand in hand. I youtube it sometimes and get tears even at that. I'm pathetic.

I'm glad you had such a great day and left feeling so good. We all need to feel like that about a day more often than we get to.

 

[snowwhite325]

It sounds like you had a magical day at Epcot. I love your pictures from Akershus and Illuminations

 

[DisneyTiger]

What a perfectly perfect first day at the World. I just can hardly wait to see when and if the fam shows up!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BellaSoleil]

Epcot is my favorite park! I CANNOT wait to ride Soarin and Spaceship Earth again! You are making me so anxious!

 

[greggersmom]

Wow! I take the weekend off from reading and you've made it all the way through Epcot! Beautiful photos and beautiful descriptions...but I am still wondering if DH and DSs are going to make an appearance...

 

[OnceAgain]

but I am still wondering if DH and DSs are going to make an appearance...

Me too!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Looks like you had a great time solo in Epcot and you took some lovely Illuminations photos.

 

[jake&samsmom]

Sounds like a wonderful day! I love Living with the Land and I love love love Soarin'!

We've been the backstage way to Soarin', too. It's always cool to get to do something different at Disney!

Illuminations and tears - I think they just go hand in hand. I youtube it sometimes and get tears even at that. I'm pathetic.

I'm glad you had such a great day and left feeling so good. We all need to feel like that about a day more often than we get to.

Thanks for checking in, MeMom! My Epcot day was one of the best!

It sounds like you had a magical day at Epcot. I love your pictures from Akershus and Illuminations

It was truly magical! I really appreciate you reading along, Snow. I know how hectic it can be writing your own TR while trying to keep up with the ones you've subscribed to

What a perfectly perfect first day at the World. I just can hardly wait to see when and if the fam shows up!!!!!!!!!!

Wow! I take the weekend off from reading and you've made it all the way through Epcot! Beautiful photos and beautiful descriptions...but I am still wondering if DH and DSs are going to make an appearance...

Me too!

Hi DisneyTiger, greggersmom and OnceAgain You'll have to stay tuned for that! You know I gotta stretch this out as much as possible

Epcot is my favorite park! I CANNOT wait to ride Soarin and Spaceship Earth again! You are making me so anxious!

It was my first SE ride, can you believe it? Now Soarin', I think maybe 5 or so times....Love the Soarin' music too. I often hum it and the boys say, there goes that Soarin' song again!

Looks like you had a great time solo in Epcot and you took some lovely Illuminations photos.

Hi Lessa! Thanks for being a regular visitor of my little trippie

 

[jake&samsmom]

I didn't have to wait long for an OKW bus. I think it was there in 2 minutes, and there were probably less than a dozen passengers who got on.

There are five bus stops at OKW, and I suppose that's why OKW buses do not make any other resort stops.

I was assigned studio #3120, but had no clue as to what stop I should take, yikes! (I misplaced the OKW map given to me at check-in.)

I was confident that the driver would know, but surprisingly, she told me she had no idea either because she drives different routes and wasn't familiar with OKW. That was not good at all! It was almost 1 am, and the darkness camouflaged most of the signs.

So I sat closer to the front, and luckily was able to make out the signs and deduced that my stop was to be at Old Turtle Pond Road.

I was the lone passenger who disembarked from the bus at Old Turtle Pond Road. I had my pen light in hand, and with that, searched for my room. I felt uncomfortable out on the dimly lit street all by myself. I breathe a sigh of relief when a family of three walks by me (they had obviously been in the pool - wet hair, towels and all).

Finally, I see my building, and half run, half walk up the stairs.

I use my room key card to open the door, and am welcomed by a blast of cool air from my room

Here are the two queen beds that are unique to the OKW studios:

Studios at all other DVC resorts have one queen bed and one pull-out sleeper sofa bed.


My luggage has been delivered by DME, and neatly tucked away between the bed and window:

I was a tad disappointed that the TV was ancient. I had known they would be, but it was still strange to see it in person. They had a DVD player beneath the TV, which I guess makes up for it:

The kitchenette has a microwave, under-counter refrigerator with small freezer, coffeemaker, toaster, and bar sink:

The obligatory bathroom photo:

Btw, the bathroom was huge! It was almost as large as my children's bathroom at home!


It looks like I'm in the hall of mirrors at a roadside carnival:

I drop all my park stuff on the little table:

I call bell services for my green carry-on suitcase. It arrives in no time. I take out my pj's, shower and change. I am so sleepy by now, but am compelled to watch Stacy on the parks information channel (for just a few minutes). How enthusiastic and perky that girl is!

I schedule a wake-up call at 630am. I am surprised that at OKW, a live person in the front desk actually does it for you. No computer voice instructing you to enter the time.

I choose to lay on the bed closer to the patio door, and turn off the lights....

Before drifting off to sleep, I give thanks to the Lord for one of the best days of my life.


Up next:
Magical Awakenings
Stay tuned!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I would have felt a bit nervous walking around on the dark deserted paths by myself as well, especially in a new and unfamiliar place.

That your ME luggage arrived safe and sound. I have never taken ME but I know I would be constantly worrying about my bags getting lost.

 

[snowwhite325]

Your room looks wonderful I can't wait to hear all about day 2

 

[tammyd_rn]

What an amazing first day you had. I am thinking that I need a solo trip in my future. Hmm I guess I need to wait until there is a nursing conference at Disney World and take advantage of that. That wouldn't be so hard to convince DH.

 

[MomofCKJ]

I'm caught up, yeah!

What a great solo day you had! I love your pics and you do look like you thoroughly enjoyed Akershus (sp?). That is great! I'm glad it was such a wonderful day for you!

Allyson

 

[MiaBella05]

cant wait for more!!

 

[jake&samsmom]

I would have felt a bit nervous walking around on the dark deserted paths by myself as well, especially in a new and unfamiliar place.

That your ME luggage arrived safe and sound. I have never taken ME but I know I would be constantly worrying about my bags getting lost.

Hi Lessa! For security, I had a little lipstick-sized pepper spray thingie in my bag as well (It was in my carry-on, and passed the airport inspection! )

Your room looks wonderful I can't wait to hear all about day 2

Hi Snow! Update coming up really soon....

What an amazing first day you had. I am thinking that I need a solo trip in my future. Hmm I guess I need to wait until there is a nursing conference at Disney World and take advantage of that. That wouldn't be so hard to convince DH.

Hi Tammy! I come from a family full of RN's! All my aunties and cousins are.
I say try a solo trip, even just once. It's a rewarding experience.

I'm caught up, yeah!

What a great solo day you had! I love your pics and you do look like you thoroughly enjoyed Akershus (sp?). That is great! I'm glad it was such a wonderful day for you!

Allyson

Hi Allyson! I was just about to post on your TR....Thanks for checking here. Don't you just looove solo tripping?!

cant wait for more!!

Hi Mia! Thanks for reading I see on your ticker a trip in the near future - you must be super-excited. I love reading TR's esp. if I have a trip coming soon. It helps with the anticipation, and gives me plenty of ideas on how to make my own trip more fun.

 

[jake&samsmom]

When I last left y'all, I was drifting off to sleep at around 2am. And of course, being a park commando, I just had to have a 630am wake-up call.

You would think I'd be over-fatigued, crabby and groggy when the phone rang -- but I was not. As a matter of fact, I was already awake by 5am (I kid you not!). Only getting 3 hours of good sleep after a looong day at Epcot. But I woke up refreshed and ready for another fun-filled day. I was very eager to go, go, go!

OK, I will admit I laid in bed for 30 minutes, enjoying the peace and comfort of my OKW studio. It was nice not to have to worry about children getting dressed and fed (at least for this day anyway ).

I turned the TV on, and watched a little Stacy again.

Then I picked out my clothes for the day (another Ariel T-shirt) and got in the in the shower to wake me up fully. I drank green tea (I'm not a big breakfast person), and just chillaxed in my room until I wanted to go. I was taking my own sweet time - no one was going to rush me today.

At around 8am, I was ready. I step outside my room, and take this photo:

This is when I notice that my camera has fogged up!

I keep my room at a very cold 65 degrees - my ideal temperature! I couldn't have done that if the boys were with me because they prefer it cozy at night (72 or so).

As I make my way down the stairs, I try to wipe the lens, but it keeps fogging up. Here's my studio as viewed from the street:

Oh well. I continue to take photos. Here's one of the maintenance CM's driving by in their golf cart:

It was very early, and the street was quiet:

I walk to the bus stop closest to my studio:

No one else is waiting for the busses. I sit and inhale the fresh OKW air.


The bus arrives in approximately 10 full breaths. I get on the bus headed to my favorite WDW Park:

Up Next:
The Kingdom of Magic
Please stay tuned!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Don't you love that Disney Magic that allows you to be energized even after a night of very little sleep.

 

[BellaSoleil]

WooHoo! Can't wait!

 

[snowwhite325]

OKW looks so relaxing I can't wait to hear all about MK

 

[Disney Brat]

Amazing updates!! The pics are great! I hate it when my camera fogs up, so frustrating!! Can't wait to hear all about your MK day!