Turning 30 with the Mouse - 05/12/09 update

[jagfanjosh3252]

OK, I gotta read all of it. But loving it so far!!

 

[TeresaNJ]

Uh, excuse me, I know it's a busy time for you, but it's been two and a half weeks here.......

 

[onelilspark]

I can't believe how crowded Epcot was!

 

[Carol17]

Umm, is this trip report over? Awww, I hate it when a good thing ends!

 

[Dolce27]

Hey guys! Not over yet... but almost I was just crazy busy there for awhile as it neared the end of tax busy season and then I just had to recoup the past few days and take care of some other stuff going on in my life.

I'll try to finish this thing up this week-end. OK?

 

[NateNLogansDad]

I think I've been pretty good lately

I'm sure we will all be watching

 

[Dolce27]

I think I've been pretty good lately

I'm sure we will all be watching

You have been good! When I saw the e-mail notification pop up in my e-mail inbox the other day I assumed that it was you harassing me. Nope, it was just Teresa nagging at me. Again.



OK. Working on the final update. I am! Seriously, I am! It will happen!

Hopefully tomorrow night....


Note to self: Also get rid of the rabbit. Easter's over.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

You have been good! When I saw the e-mail notification pop up in my e-mail inbox the other day I assumed that it was you harassing me. Nope, it was just Teresa nagging at me. Again.



OK. Working on the final update. I am! Seriously, I am! It will happen!

Hopefully tomorrow night....


Note to self: Also get rid of the rabbit. Easter's over.

She looking for an update also?

 

[Dolce27]

January 1, 2009 and I am up around 7:00 am. Who needs sleep? I took that stupid nap the day before. That was more than enough sleep when you are at Walt Disney World. I went downstairs and grabbed breakfast in Bellevue Lounge for a change of scenery .... alright, alright! It looked and "felt" cold and I wasn't up to going outside.

Yet.

Yeah, well, that "yet" didn't last long as I was to the international gateway to EPCOT by 8:30 for a 9:00 park opening.

They say that the morning after NYE EPCOT and the MK are dead



(and just incase you didn't catch it the first time)




...uh, the gateway was packed. Obviously everyone expected everyone else to be back in their hotel rooms snug in their beds. So, everyone was left to glare at each new arriving person that added to our already large group wanting into the park. We were one big unhappy glaring group all mad at each other for being there, right then, for what should have been a deserted park.

Rope drop. Finally! Mad dash to the front of the park for us all, mad dash for a Soarin' FP for me. The masses of people coming in from the front gate beat me, of course. Seriously, the CM at the IG should walk everyone up to Canada for a rope drop to make it more fair.

Don't worry, I wasn't thinking about what was "fair" or "unfair" just then, I was too busy power walking to have time to think. There is no "thinking" during the morning mad dash.

There was a crush of people in line for Soarin, both ride line and FP line. It took a little while to get out of there. Not only did I manage to pick the line where everyone in front of my had at least 20 tickets per person to grab FP's for, I was in the line where everyone in front of me either A) didn't know how to work the FP machine or B) had problems with the machine.

Disclaimer: It's easy for me to criticize, complain and grump in hindsight while reflecting on my trip. However, while there, and while a bit annoyed at having to wait a few extra minutes to score my FP (or whatever the case may be) I'm just so darn happy to be there that I am not grumpy. It is all about the attitude. If you let things go and roll with the punches, everything is great. I guess that the only times I did feel a bit agitated was when I was with family. I was so bent on them having a such great time that I sometimes fretted over things. Maybe that should be a lesson itself: stop worrying about having a great time and you will have a great time.

Alright, back to New Years Day 2009: After Soarin I headed over to -where else?- Mission Space.

Orange side, of course!

Once again I was Engineer, once again I perfectly executed my job duties. NASA - paying attention over here???? Hey, NASA! Hey, you!

I thought that I would play the big game after the ride....

Yeah, moving on. It really didn't look all that interesting. Instead, it was off to the Test Track singles line for me. The posted time was 20 minutes but it took maybe 10? The line move pretty quickly. I got into the pre-show and found the line in front of me to be holding the doors open to the other side so that no one had to actually wait out the pre-show. Score! I hate that pre-show. I hardly had to hear any of it before I was out of the room and into load.

After TT I worked my way over to Innoventions. Disney could do so much with this.....and they just don't. Surprisingly, I sat through Stormstruck. My two biggest fears: flying and tornados. I've been chased down the street by a funnel before. Literally. It was right behind us.

Oh, and I was in a car and not on foot. I like to tell it that way as people have visions of me, at 15 yrs old, running down the street with a tornado right behind me that will sweep me to OZ.

Yeah, I don't like tornados. At all. In highschool most girls had their favorite Hollywood heartthrob... I had my favorite meteorologist. (ok. I had my fav Hollywood hearttrob, too. I had posters on the wall to prove it.) Yup. He even went to the church that I attended in college. I was so excited to see my favorite meteorologist in person. Yes, people thought me strange. Yes, I do admit to being strange - at times. Come on, I can't be the only one so petrified of the weather that I had a favorite meteorologist!

So, the room was packed with people and we did a pretty good job of selecting out things that would do a better job of withstanding high winds - yay us! - and then it was over and I was out of there.
(and does that long run-on sentence make any sense? )

... Disney could do soooo much with Innoventions..... unfortunately they won't take suggestions.

Off once again to Soarin' with a FP firmly held in hands. Seriously, the crowds seemed worse than on Christmas Day! I quickly flew over California (one of these days I'll drive it - road trip!) and it was off to the World Showcase I go.

I decided to take the boat, just because it was something I hadn't done before,

(the bridge that we sat under for Illuminations in the Breathless. I highly recommend an Illuminations Cruise - and I defiantly recommend the Breathless if you can get her. It's worth the $300.00 in my opinion)

and we docked in Morocco. I glanced at my phone to discover that I'd missed a call from Tamera. Darn. I try to return the call but she doesn't answer. Figures. She's the worst person in the world to get ahold of. Seriously, she is. I'm scheduled to meet-up with them soon at the Japanese pavilion for lunch so I head over to there as it is near the designated time.

And I wait.

And I wait some more.

And I wait some more.

This is getting really boring.

I tired calling again but I still can't reach her. She'd left a voice message with her previous call stating that they were in Norway. Seriously? That was like twenty minutes ago. Where are you? I decide to walk and meet-up with them. I'd have to pass by them - right? So I began walking in that direction. And walking. And walking. And I don't see any of them.

I finally went back to Japan and waited. And waited some more.

Finally! She calls! They're "almost" there.



Her definition of "almost" and my definition of "almost"... yeah, not the same.

I wait some more. And I continue to wait some more.

*sigh*

I've done a lot of waiting this day - don't say I ain't a patient person, now. I have just proved that I am!

Finally I see them!!! I'm jumping up and down, screaming and laughing in my celebration.

OK. So I'm not. I just stand there and wait for them to reach me. It was quite funny, actually. I see Guy pushing one stroller with a kid inside. I see Tamera pushing the other stroller with the other kid tucked inside (both were umbrella strollers that they brought from home) But where was Mary?

Finally the subject in question comes into my view. She's not able to take more than 1/2 a step before snapping another picture of her surroundings. I finally begin to realize what took so long: The newbie to Disney was trying to capture everything. And I do mean everything. This was her first day to EPCOT.

We lunched at Teppen Edo. Rachel to my left and Mary to my right. I ordered a shrimp cocktail for an app and had to fight Rachel for it. That girl loves her some shrimp! That was what she ordered for her main meal. The hibachi chef was excellent. I've been to several hibachi grills here in Texas so I was used to this type of meal. I ordered the Tori (chicken) as usual. I'm predictable like that.

During table chat it is discovered that Tamera and I were in the Soarin' FP lines that morning at the exact same time and didn't even know it - that was how packed it was. Yeah, it had been pretty bad.

First of all, upon hearing this I had to pick my jaw up off the ground upon discovering that they had arrived at rope drop that morning; I 'd honestly thought that they had just arrived to the park before the met up with me. They managed to make it to rope drop. I was amazed. Simply amazed.

(Oh, wait! Did I give Tamera a link to this TR? Maybe I should edit some of this... . no, Tamera knows about it but doesn't have a link. Mary has a link and has read some of this but she's too busy with her wedding in two weeks to be paying attention to a Disney TR update right now. I'm good.)

Alright, now that is settled and I'm free to say whatever I want moving on.

Rachel and Tamera duck out early so that Tamera can take her downstairs to do a Pick a Pearl. They figure that Katherine is too young to be interested in it, and she was. The rest of us wind up down there before they finish and Katherine had no interest in staying over there and watching her "big" sister pick the pearl. I bought her one of the plastic colored cats (the ones that each color is supposed to represent something such as fortune or love or something...) Both girls are into cats and they are a dog family. They love their dogs but they want cats to no avail. So, I wasn't wanting her to feel "left out" since Rachel was getting something and I thought she'd love a "cat".

I thought wrong. I shouldn't have bothered as the cat was thrown to the floor and a "I don't want it!" rang out in the store. The girl was not in a good mood. (I should add: her parents do not put up with that type of behavior. She was just really tired. I don't want you guys thinking that she's a spoiled brat - she's really not. My aunt and uncle do an excellent job of trying to keep the girls grounded and yes, both kids know and understand the word "No".)

*sigh*

I stick it in her back pant pocket and there it remained until later that day when Tamera asked me if I knew anything about it as she's concerned that she has a 4 yr old shoplifter.

No, Tamera, Katherine's not going to jail. All is good. I promise.

We left the Japanese Pavilion. Katherine was in serious need of a nap. Guy wanted to stop in Canada to watch O'Canda but we stopped off in France instead to watch a performance by Server Amusement. I was holding Rachel up so that she could see over the small crowd in front of us. When the guy finally reached the very top she turned to me and asked how he was going to get down. A older guy in front of us turned to her, laughing, and informed her that was what he'd like to know.

Rachel was really cute. She was certain that the guy would fall. At one point she even gasped, squeezed her eyes tightly shut and turned her head away completely convinced that he would plummet to the ground before her. No worries, Rach, he made it safely down. She was much relieved.

By this point there was no time for O'Canada - both kids were in a dire need of a nap. Guy had me run Mary up to see the Canadian waterfall and then we all went on to Futureworld. Rachel, Mary and Tamera were all going on Soarin'. They didn't think that Katherine would do well on it so Guy was keeping her outside to wait. I was disappointed that I'd already used my FP otherwise I could have gone one it with them.

Oh well.

Bidding them all a good-bye and a "see you later"

I returned to the World Showcase. There was one thing that I must do: buy a funnel cake.

(I took a pic of that one - I was soooo happy to have it!)

I wasn't hungry since I just had lunch, but I hadn't overeaten while there so there was still room in my stomach. Seriously, I was still craving that funnel cake. And I had cash on me. It was now or never. Actually, it wasn't a decision. I was in that line and ordering my funnel cake before Tamera and the gang had even made it downstairs to the Sorain' entrance over in the Land Pavilion. I prefer powder sugar on my funnel cake and that is what I order.

There is a slight concern about being attacked by birds but they were smart enough to leave me alone. Eating, I walk over to Canada and listen to Off Kilter

as I finish off my funnel cake. And, yes, I did eat that entire thing. It totally hit the spot, I'd been craving it for days by this point.

Walking back towards the International Gateway, I notice that the UK CM's had a bit of fun with chalk on the sidewalk that morning.

I quickly exit the park and head back to the Boardwalk.

(*sigh* I really do miss this resort. I truly am spoiled now.)

I didn't need to be anywhere until 5:00. I have no idea what I did in-between that time. I know that I didn't sleep. The book I had brought was read was finished. I just don't have a clue as to what I did. I can pretend that I stopped off for icecream again, but after eating that funnel cake would you believe me?


Didn't think so. So, you can make up whatever you want for my time during the next couple of hours because I didn't write it down and I don't have a clue. But there's a strong suspicion that I was watching tv - and it wasn't Stacey.

However, at 5:00 I was at the Grand Floridian. That much I know.

Here was the game plan for the night:

I had dinner reservations for Guy and Tamera at the Bistro de Paris at EPCOT (the upscale restaurant - Tamera loves French food) Mary and I were taking the kids down to 1900 Park Fare for dinner and then over to the Studios to see the Osborne lights. The girls had never been to the Studios before and I knew that I wasn't dragging Guy there. He's anti-Studios. Silly Guy. After, I was dumping Mary and the kids back at the hotel for Mary to put them to bed and then I was going over to the Poly beach to spend my last night at Disney watching Wishes and then the Electrical Water Pageant Parade. I hadn't seen that since I was 5 years old and was looking forward to it.

Here's what happened.

My aunt and uncle were staying in the Sugar Loaf building, which is all concierge. The entire building. I called to let them know I arrived and they didn't answer so I'm stuck sitting outside of the building since I couldn't enter without a room key since it was concierge. I'm sitting and waiting and finally Tamera calls me back to let me know "there's a problem" and she'd be down in a moment to let me in.

Guy actually is the one who came downstairs and let me into the building. The "problem" was Rachel. Remember that shrimp she loves? Well it didn't love her and she was beyond sick to her little stomach. They were certain that it was the shrimp but they didn't tell her that because they didn't want her to develop a phobia of shrimp. The kid loves her shrimp. She was wearing a turtle neck that day and thought that the turtle neck had made her sick since her throat began "feeling" funny before she began to throw-up. I walk into the room and straight into the bathroom to see a little 5 yr old sitting on the side of the bathtub looking all cute with her hair styled in a side ponytail and in little jeans and a stylish turtleneck just sobbing her little heart out.

She wanted to go to 1900 Park Fare. We'd been talking that up and she was all ready to put Lady Trumaine and the evil step-sisters in their proper place but she was so scared that she'd be sick again so she didn't want to go. Guy and Tamera were in the middle of a dispute: he didn't want to go to Bistro de Paris. She did. She'd been looking forward to that since the moment I had booked her a dinner reservation there. Guy was using the excuse of a "sick kid" to not go. Rachel's still sobbing in the bathroom. Katherine is addicted to Stacey's top whatever on the tv. Seriously, that was all the kid would watch: Stacey, Stacey and more Stacey. Mary and I are trying to pretend that we aren't listening to my aunt and uncle's fight - but we both are. And we're both rooting for my aunt.

Silently , of course.

She loses and goes down to 1900 Park Fare with me, Mary and Katherine. Guy stays up in the room with Rachel.

(yeah, I have a thing for topiaries for some crazy reason)

Alright. I love little Katherine to death but why, if one of the kids had to get sick, did it have to be Rachel and not Katherine? Don't get me wrong: I didn't wish for either kid to be sick. It's just that Katherine's an introvert that would have loved to have stayed up in the room and Rachel's an extrovert that must be in the center of everything at all times. Rachel would have told off the wicked step-mother, hugged Cinderella and danced with Prince Charming.

Katherine....


....well. It didn't quite work out that way. She was still Ms. Grumpy from earlier that day. Seriously, all that kid wanted to do was sit upstairs and watch Stacey on television. I'm not exaggerating here. We're seated pretty quickly upon check-in. We're off in the other room and not the main room. The characters are out and Cinderella showed-up to our table rather quickly. Yeah, Kat was not having her picture with Cinderella. Nope, not happening. However, she did stare wistfully at her while she was at the next table and watched her as she moved around the room. As long as Cinderella wasn't looking at her or attempting to interact with her than Kat was intrigued by her.

The reset of the dinner was spent with Kat either burying her head into her mother's lap or into her mother's chair seat if Tamera had left to go up to the buffet. Lady Trumaine stopped by and Kat screamed, yes screamed, at her. I actually felt sorry for Lady Trumaine. She looked taken aback and wasn't quite certain for how she should proceed. Tamera told Kat to blow Lady Termaine a kiss and surprisingly Katherine did.

Drucella (I'm probably butchering these names - aren't I? I'm being to lazy at the moment to go and look them up).

Kat responded the best to her. We were seated with Tam and Cat on one side of the table and Mary and me on the other. I think that Mary was away when Drucella arrived to our table so her chair was vacant. Drucella actually bent down, from my side of the table, and began to chat with Katherine under the table. Kat actually seemed to respond well to this. I honestly think that Drucella scored a new member to her fan club that night.

By the end of the meal Kat was actually sitting up in her chair and seeming to be somewhat happy. She even strained in her chair to watch Cinderella and Prince Charming dance in the main room. Tamera left with Kat to take her back up to the room as soon as we were finished eating and Mary settled their bill while I took care of mine.

I was looking down at my tab and figuring out my tip when I heard Prince Charming approach our table once again.

"How was everything?"

"It was-" I began to responded as I look up. Oh, no, no, no. Prince Charming wasn't asking us how everything was. He was asking Mary how everything was.

Hey, Prince! Did you not notice the ring on her finger?

Feeling the love over here....

Stupid Princes. Who needs them anyways? And stop hitting on engaged women!

Mary and I went back upstairs

I forgot that I saw the orchestra performing on my way out of the main building

(Alright... me and Mary didn't go directly back to the Sugar Loaf bldg... she was flying out the next day, like me, and we went in search for a store that sold snacks so that she could purchase something for her breakfast as she had to leave early. So we wondered around the main building for a few minutes after leaving 1900 Park Fare. I can't recall why she had to go back the day before my aunt and uncle... it was a last minute thing.)

and Guy and Tamera headed out to have some time to themselves at EPCOT. Rachel was feeling great by this point. She had gotten sick one last time after we left the room but now she was hungry and Mary ordered her room service. All the kid wanted was grapes and crackers.

Going to the Studios was out of the question. I was a bit disappointed as I thought that the kids would love it. I attempted, to no avail, to find something on the television - other than Stacey - for Kat to watch. There was nothing on. The rooms had DVD players. I called concierge to see what type of movie selection they had. The answer was none. Huh? You have DVD players in the rooms. These room are at concierge level... wouldn't you think they'd keep a small library of Disney movies on hand? I could have sworn that you could rent DVDs at the Boardwalk Inn.

Hmmmm...... Stacey it is. Katherine was simply delighted by that announcement.

I finally decided to leave while Marry attempted to wrangle the kids into the bathroom for a bath. I decided against watching the fireworks and water parade. I was disappointed in myself for that decision but it was cold outside and I was feeling tried and a bit let-down that I would be leaving the next day. I'd reached the main lobby when I realized that I had left something up in the room. I had the front desk dial the room for me and I told Mary that I needed back up. When I reached the Sugar Loaf building, a CM, that had been notified by Mary, came over and let me into the building. I went up stairs to find Mary waiting at the door to hand me my stuff. A naked 4 and 5 yr old were running around the room giggling and running everywhere except for the bathtub that they were supposed to be heading towards.

"Good luck!" I cheerfully call to a very disgruntled looking Mary and I leave the Grand Floridian

and I return home to my last night at the Boardwalk Inn.

*sigh* I miss this place.

Believe it or not - this isn't the end. Yet. I actually do have a little more. I have a few pictures that I'll add to this update in the next few days. I need to upload them into Photobucket first.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Just wanted to say, Thanks For The Update! I've been looking forward to reading the rest but didn't want it to end, this is actually working out perfect for me. Once your report is complete, I'll be working on my OCD planning for my trip! I wish I was on the same level of writing as your trip report, but I have a feeling I'll be pretty bland. Keep the updates coming when you can and I'm definitely looking forward to more pictures!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Oh no! Poor little Rachel. I'm sorry she got so sick and missed out on her fun night that was planned.

 

[Jazzylolo]

I have a HUGE fear of Tornadoes too!! Which is a little ironic since I grew up in California where, there are like zero tornadoes, and now live in Western New York where yes, there is a chance of a tornado, but not a big one! Your fear makes much more sense than mine being that you were chased by one! I can't even imagine!!!

Your trip report is by far my favorite trip report ever. I can't wait to see what pictures you post from the latest day and I am sad to see it all end. You inspire me to make my first TR amazinig!!

 

[TeresaNJ]

As you can see, especially with kids, even the most well thought out plans can go awry. What a shame, especially on your last night. Thanks for the update!

 

[catherines_mama]

OMG - I found you yesterday and have done nothing at work since. LOL Honestly! I just had to report what I spent my time on this week and ... umm... I fibbed! Reading TRs is NOT a charge code. LOL

Loved your report - I cannot wait for the wrap up. Glad you had a great birthday and it honestly sounded AMAZING! I'd love to do a solo trip one day but with having kids.. I think I'd feel guilty being there without them. sigh.. oh well, I can live through people like you.

 

[Dolce27]

Just wanted to say, Thanks For The Update! I've been looking forward to reading the rest but didn't want it to end, this is actually working out perfect for me. Once your report is complete, I'll be working on my OCD planning for my trip! I wish I was on the same level of writing as your trip report, but I have a feeling I'll be pretty bland. Keep the updates coming when you can and I'm definitely looking forward to more pictures!

Wait! Have you started a pre-TR? If so, link please? I wanna read.

I so need to catch-up on other pple's TR's (such as Amandas - so far behind on that one! (sorry Amanda! working to catch-up!!!) I'm having enough trouble keeping up with my own right now. )

Oh no! Poor little Rachel. I'm sorry she got so sick and missed out on her fun night that was planned.

I know. It was just so sad to see her in the bathroom sobbing like that. And another hour later she was completely fine!

I have a HUGE fear of Tornadoes too!! Which is a little ironic since I grew up in California where, there are like zero tornadoes, and now live in Western New York where yes, there is a chance of a tornado, but not a big one! Your fear makes much more sense than mine being that you were chased by one! I can't even imagine!!!

Your trip report is by far my favorite trip report ever. I can't wait to see what pictures you post from the latest day and I am sad to see it all end. You inspire me to make my first TR amazinig!!

Well, we are in full tornado season here in Texas. I'm just thankful that I don't live in Oklahoma or Kansas. They, by far, get it worse. However, yesterday we were under a tornado watch for most of the day - it was extended from 7pm until midnight. I guess that you heard about what happened out at Valley Ranch during a Cowboy's practice? I think that it was straight-line winds that hit them, which is just as bad as a tornado. I wasn't even aware that we were to have storms yesterday! That was, until I walked out of an appointment and had to drive home in that same storm. The rain was so hard that I couldn't see the road in front of me. But, luckily, no tornados yesterday!!

I'm uploading photos now, as I type, so I expect to have them posted along with the final day sometime this week......

Ummm... yeah, I'm not even going to attempt to make update promises anymore.

As you can see, especially with kids, even the most well thought out plans can go awry. What a shame, especially on your last night. Thanks for the update!

You're welcome. Thanks for the nagging.

just kidding!!!!

OMG - I found you yesterday and have done nothing at work since. LOL Honestly! I just had to report what I spent my time on this week and ... umm... I fibbed! Reading TRs is NOT a charge code. LOL

Loved your report - I cannot wait for the wrap up. Glad you had a great birthday and it honestly sounded AMAZING! I'd love to do a solo trip one day but with having kids.. I think I'd feel guilty being there without them. sigh.. oh well, I can live through people like you.

Welcome!! I've heard so many pple say that they'd feel guilty going without their kids. I'm not certain as to how old yours are, but if they're young right now I've heard that it is much easier to dump the kids at home and go solo when they're older. Sooooo... start saving now and by the time you hit that "Kids, you're on your own; I'm off to WDW! " stage you'll have saved up enough $$ to stay concierge at the Grand Floridian. (or something comparable that's in your taste if the GF isn't.)

Well, that's my advice anyways.


So, everyone, as I stated above, I should have the final installment posted sometime this week. I'm also sad that this TR is over. Disney will not be happening - for certain - this year. I've just booked every last day of my vacation for 2009 to other places. (Vegas and a cruise! - so, can't complain).

Maybe Disney once again in 2010?

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Nope, No Pre-TR for me. Not quite sure I'll have the time before we go but it's not out of the realm of possibilities. Glad to hear no storms there now, we saw some pics of the Valley Ranch and were glad it's only a little rain here in Philly. Stay safe and looking forward to more pics!

 

[Dolce27]

Hey guys! I just posted some pic's to go with the latest installment. Sorry that there weren't more to post. I have 1/2 day left... I booked a later flight back on the 2nd... just had to get some more time in at the Studios - now didn't I?

I'm working on that update. Hopefully it will be posted by the end of the week.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

 

[TeresaNJ]

More pretty pics! I'm going to miss those. I'm telling ya, your pic of the Tonga Toast is causing me to have major cravings. I'm in the midst of planning our December trip, and I'm definitely going to have to work a Kona breakfast in sometime while we're there.

 

[mgoblue21]

Great TR's...I didn't get much work done today because of them!

I've done solo at Disneyland (last fall) and am doing Disney World in late July this year. I'm lucky to have parents who have DVC, and when Mom offers I'd be insane to pass! Plus Disney's such a great vacation if you can totally get into it.

Your trips pretty much mirrored how I do things. It's nice to have that freedom, you can know what you want and go do it.

At Disneyland, a friend in LA visited later in my trip for a day (bringing her friend I didn't know with her), and it was such a change from when I'm on my own and free to do as I pleased. I know that sounds antisocial, and I had a lot of fun with my friend, but it was just something I noticed. You'd be amazed how much you can see when you can be a "single rider", walk fast, and just do what you want.

Waiting in line wasn't as bad as I anticipated either.

Glad to see others having fun solo! Also, thanks for the TR just because it'll help me plan out my trip and get stuff in.