"Uno Más!" A "Gran" solo tour of WDW in January! - updated on 4/15/12

[My sister's princess]

Great Update! I love that you park hop, we have never done that, but it sounds like you got to much done!

 

[ZehnJahren]

Yay for morning EMH!! They are so amazing! I love how much you can do in such little time! That sucks that ITTBAB was down! I personally don't think I'd ever actually be able to go on it!! haha!

Oh man, you gotta go see ITTBAB! That is, if you like 3D movies at Disney. The line and the waiting area before you go in are SO well done. I was just strolling through the line, looking at everything and enjoying it. But it's a REALLY long line for some reason; I can't imagine the whole line full of people - it would HAVE to be at least a 2 hour wait if that line was full.

I was SO looking for us in the background of your photos at EE! I'm pretty darn sure we were riding EE at the same time you were! So funny.

Yeah, I'm not sure how I'd feel about riding EE with a random person next to me. I can totally do TT and RnRC single rider, but EE would be weird. Then again, it's my favorite attraction and Matt and I like riding it together, so there you go. I had to deal riding single rider RnRC with a kid from a Brazilian tour group... That was fun, especially when the kids couldn't make up their minds on which line to go into.

ANYWAY! You got a lot done that morning! I am really not a big fan of Dinoland at AK so I basically avoid it like the plague. It just gives me this weird cheap vibe, like carnie land, and doesn't feel Disney to me soooo I don't deal with it. Plus I think Dinosaur would scare the crap out of me.

Ha, I really realized I didn't take many pictures of the crowd, only pictures of rides and ride elements (or lines) - I have a ton of videos of the crowds, but not too many pics.

It was pretty odd with the guy next to me; I bet it was a lot of fun to ride with the member of the Brazilian tour group. I actually told the grouper the first time through the line "I want to sit by myself". I figured I waited in the entire line (I wasn't fastpassing or using the SR line), so I wanted my own row, dang it. But then I went through the whole line two more times without saying anything. LOVE those EMH lines!!!

And, um, no Dinosaur?? I just obtained a healthy love and admiration for this well-done ride on this last trip. I thought it was a lot of fun, and also exciting! Plus, the dinosaurs are REALLY well done; Walt would have been very proud.

 

[ZehnJahren]

ANIMAL KINGDOM! Yay. Ooof... your poor legs.

THREE times in a row on EE? I WANT TO!!! Yeah, I'm usually with an odd number of people, so I've ridden with a random stranger on Everest before. It's a little weird, for sure. I personally feel like I can't hoot and holler as much, and that's part of the fun! Haha oh well.

I think I would have been super upset if I couldn't do it's tough to be a bug. I'm deathly afraid of bugs and insects but I LOVE that show!

Yay for the next park!

It was so awesome to walk on to these rides one after the other! I didn't have a wait at all for 3x on Dinosaur and then 3x on EE, one right after the other, even going through the SB line (unless you count having to wait around in the gift shop for the ride to reopen right at the beginning). EMH are almost the best reason to stay onsite at Disney - I love getting everything done so quickly! That being said, you can also get a LOT done when you arrive at regular park opening in a park that doesn't have the early EMHs that day - but your window is smaller.

I totally agree, too - I felt like I couldn't hoot and holler. I WANT TO HOOT AND HOLLER!

As for ITTBAB, I really, really DID want to see it this trip. I also missed Mickey's Philharmagic and the Muppet 3D show this trip too; that was sad. I'm not sure where I got the bright idea to not go see them.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Great Update! I love that you park hop, we have never done that, but it sounds like you got to much done!

Wow, I'm a park-hopping fool. I LOVE to hop, mostly because I'm spoiled. I'm totally aware that hopping takes time - but I was really surprised at how short a time it took! My new phone / camera names all new photo files with the exact time and date as the default name - so I can see exactly how long it REALLY took me to go from park to park this trip. And I'll tell you, there were two instances where I made a straight line from one park to the other and did it in about 30 minutes. That's leaving the park, getting to my car, leaving the car lot, going to the other park, parking, and going in in about 30 minutes.

I loved riding HM in the morning, and being on Tot and TT a few hours later. I like changing parks on a whim.

 

[wakica]

DD didn't care for Dinosaur last trip - she's sensitive to loud noises and bright flashing lights but we are going to try it again and i'm certainly not going to complain that she can't handle those things b/c i will not have to worry about her being in love with rock concerts!!! ROFL Or night clubs for that matter

I can't beleive EE and the BUG show were both down for you!!! how frustrating - at least EE worked quickly. Man - splash was down, EE was down, Bug show was down??? WHAT GIVES Did i miss any others?

 

[IheartDDuck]

Early magic hours are great for getting things accomplished for sure. It's no surprise that you were able to get on Dinosaur three times and EE three times. How awesome of a morning.

 

[teekathepony]

What an awesome AK morning! I love that you did Dino x3 and EE x3! Again, one in the win for EMH!

 

[ZehnJahren]

DD didn't care for Dinosaur last trip - she's sensitive to loud noises and bright flashing lights but we are going to try it again and i'm certainly not going to complain that she can't handle those things b/c i will not have to worry about her being in love with rock concerts!!! ROFL Or night clubs for that matter

I can't beleive EE and the BUG show were both down for you!!! how frustrating - at least EE worked quickly. Man - splash was down, EE was down, Bug show was down??? WHAT GIVES Did i miss any others?

Ha, well, girls have a way of hating loud noises and bright flashing lights but falling in love with the guy on the loud motorcycle, so don't think you're out of the woods yet. I was surprised, honestly, that I liked it so much this trip. The last time I rode it, I felt like it was just ok - I liked the animatronics and the ride vehicle, but kind of just felt "eh" about it. This time I was giggling. And I'm a grown woman.

Yes, I kept running into things that were down! But everything I really loved was up and running all the time, so I couldn't complain. I do wish I'd have gotten to do ITTBAB this trip; this morning was the only AK morning I was doing.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Early magic hours are great for getting things accomplished for sure. It's no surprise that you were able to get on Dinosaur three times and EE three times. How awesome of a morning.

Agreed! I thought I was really missing out not getting into the park until 8:15 when it opened at 8, but I still got to super-ride everything I wanted. I haven't even come close to riding everything at AKL - I admit, I've never been on the safari - but I love me some EE and now Dinosaur.

What an awesome AK morning! I love that you did Dino x3 and EE x3! Again, one in the win for EMH!

Yep; I'm a convert. EMH is for me!

 

[ZehnJahren]

... it's a step in the right direction after all! *sings*

I woke up from my nap refreshed and rested, and.... limping?

My legs were hurting pretty bad. I'm not exactly sure what happened, besides wearing sandals most of yesterday due to the heat. And now, my legs were REALLY starting to complain. I really didn't have time for this, so I popped a few more advil and wandered out to my balcony.

Look! A zebra!

Can you see him? Look!

According to my pictures, it was now 1:18 p.m. and the day was running through my fingers. It was time to get to a park.

I hopped into the car, and at 1:59 I was sitting on the tram at a park.

Oh crap, this is the first far away parking spot I had! Quick, a picture of the parking lot so I don't forget where I'm parked!

That's not a good picture! Quick, take a video!

So I turned on my video and recited exactly where I was parked. In the video, the guy running the tram repeats it right after I did, so I was good.

I love the tram; I don't even care when it takes longer. The doors on the tram are interesting, though.

One more. Ok I'm done.

Exactly where was I?

I woke up with a hankerin' to ride some ToT and a little TSMM. Plus, my legs were getting pretty bad for NO REASON, so I thought the smaller park would be nice.

I walked in, then decided I'd go check out TSMM.

The two women on scooters in the front left of the picture were HILARIOUS. They were clearly good friends, and one was chatting on a cell phone. I felt funny basically taking a picture of them, so I walked behind their scooters to take this pic:

I was trying to get an afternoon pic of the crowds, but I ended up overhearing their conversation. They couldn't find their husbands, who were over by Sci-Fi. I finally leaned over and said "maybe I can help you" and proceeded to tell them easily how to get to where their DHs were. They were so sweet and funny; what a great diversion!

I went into the FP line and got a few aerial views of TSMM:

I hopped on:

They never did sit me with anyone else. I was a little surprised.

My score?

Decent, right?

I strolled across the park towards ToT:

First I meandered over here. I don't know if you'll be able to see this photo or not, but I'll include it and see what happens:

Never rode this, though I wish I'd have given it a try.

I stopped my quest for ToT and just walked around, taking photos.

Lots of little hidden things in HS.

You know what? I'm right here; how about one more spin on TSMM?

I got in the FP line, and got a magical red card:

And my score:

It was now almost 3:30 p.m.; I decided to go ahead and do ToT. I headed over and went through the preshow; I was excited to get back in that wacky elevator (now that I'd ridden it and gained some courage). Little did I know how eventful my next few trips could really be!

 

[Merida]

Okay, I have lots to say (because I am woefully late with a lot of it )!

I love the Friendship Boats so much but they are SO SLOW. My boyfriend didn't believe that we could walk faster than the boats so we ended up on them a few times until I started power walking past the dock, oblivious to all things besides the bridge (which I was suddenly very interested in seeing...)

Wait, they let you use a GAC at Toy Story? I wasn't allowed to use mine in December. That's so weird.

My feelings on ToT are the same as my feelings on Forbidden Journey in Harry Potter World: Screw the ride, give me twenty minutes to run through the building exploring! It's just so well themed I want to see everything! Even the courtyard would be fine.

Oh no! re: your sandwich. I couldn't decide if it was an awesome mistake or not - if I was really hungry, sucky mistake; if I was just there for something new/chill time, awesome mistake.

Oh, TT. I hope the renos don't change it too much. I wish Disney would be much more straightforward with their big announcements. Maybe someone really likes reading outraged Internet comments?? It shouldn't be THAT hard to come up with a clear description of suggested changes. Or, you know, something more than a vague sentence.

NORWAY IS THE BEST RIDE EVER (minus ye olden El Rio del Tiempo). Insta-classic. The old rides in EPCOT are the best, but I'm into the whole retro-futurism thing. Also cheesy animatronics and the 80s.

Empty early morning AK is the best. It's so nice to be able to see the (outstanding) themeing without fifty zillion other people. Even Dinorama! But not ITTBAB. I would've been cheering if they'd told me it was broken (not that I get within fifty feet of the place anymore).

Did you see any kangaroos in AK? I've read they're there, but they must be mini-kangaroos because I couldn't find them anywhere! And I feel like it would be difficult to hide life-size kangaroos? Unless I'm totally blind (or they're next to ITTBAB in which case I didn't really want to see them anyway).

 

[teekathepony]

Woo hoo for twice on TSMM!
I can't get enough of that safari view. I am thinking that some day I need to wake up to that.

 

[wakica]

ok wait... a magic red card???? I've never heard of those!! What is it????

 

[IheartDDuck]

Argh, that sucks taking a nap to feel better, only to wake up and be stiff. Here you're like "oh, I'm going to be refreshed....d'oh!"

Wow getting on TSM two times that day. Too cool. Gotta love that. Funny that they didn't put you with someone else.

 

[marDgreen88]

I SEE THE ZEBRA! I see two, actually! Oh my gosh, Animal Kingdom Lodge is yet another one of my dream resorts.

Those older ladies sound so precious.

Wow, that's awesome that you were able to get on Toy Story Mania so fast!

 

[ZehnJahren]

Okay, I have lots to say (because I am woefully late with a lot of it )!

I love the Friendship Boats so much but they are SO SLOW. My boyfriend didn't believe that we could walk faster than the boats so we ended up on them a few times until I started power walking past the dock, oblivious to all things besides the bridge (which I was suddenly very interested in seeing...)

Wait, they let you use a GAC at Toy Story? I wasn't allowed to use mine in December. That's so weird.

That's so odd that they DIDN'T let you use it. Just because the ride is popular doesn't mean that they can discriminate people who need assistance to ride it. There was only one time my whole trip where I could have stood in that line. If they "do away with" their current GAC system anytime soon, I would have to give up TSMM.

My feelings on ToT are the same as my feelings on Forbidden Journey in Harry Potter World: Screw the ride, give me twenty minutes to run through the building exploring! It's just so well themed I want to see everything! Even the courtyard would be fine.

Oh no! re: your sandwich. I couldn't decide if it was an awesome mistake or not - if I was really hungry, sucky mistake; if I was just there for something new/chill time, awesome mistake.

I would totally like some free reign in ToT. There is so many interesting little props all over that building!

The sandwich was just funny. I was irritated by the alarm, but how can you stay irritated when someone gives you such an odd lunch? I was hungry, but I had to laugh at the bacon sandwich. I did take a bite. How could ANYONE resist a bite into that sandwich?

Oh, TT. I hope the renos don't change it too much. I wish Disney would be much more straightforward with their big announcements. Maybe someone really likes reading outraged Internet comments?? It shouldn't be THAT hard to come up with a clear description of suggested changes. Or, you know, something more than a vague sentence.

Yes, I don't know how you can have such a major headliner down in the important summer season and NOT say SOMETHING. What the heck are they doing in there??? Inquiring minds want to know.

NORWAY IS THE BEST RIDE EVER (minus ye olden El Rio del Tiempo). Insta-classic. The old rides in EPCOT are the best, but I'm into the whole retro-futurism thing. Also cheesy animatronics and the 80s.

Agreed; old skool Epcot rides were awesome. I know most people didn't like them, but I loved them. It feels kind of empty in an odd way in that park to me with so many rides gone or changed. I walked past the Odyssey building at night while I was there, and I could hear a party going on inside; I felt a wave of nostalgia for the Epcot of the 80s.

Empty early morning AK is the best. It's so nice to be able to see the (outstanding) themeing without fifty zillion other people. Even Dinorama! But not ITTBAB. I would've been cheering if they'd told me it was broken (not that I get within fifty feet of the place anymore).

Did you see any kangaroos in AK? I've read they're there, but they must be mini-kangaroos because I couldn't find them anywhere! And I feel like it would be difficult to hide life-size kangaroos? Unless I'm totally blind (or they're next to ITTBAB in which case I didn't really want to see them anyway).

Yes, I did like the EMH morning at AK. I definitely recommend them now, where before I was like eh whatever.

I did NOT see any kangaroos in AK at all. Actually, I didn't see any animals except Dinosaurs. And birds. I kept waiting to be pooped on the whole time I was at WDW.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Woo hoo for twice on TSMM!
I can't get enough of that safari view. I am thinking that some day I need to wake up to that.

It was nice. AKL was not somewhere I ever planned on staying - it just didn't look like "My Kind of Resort." Anytime people are rabid over something I tend to shirk back from it - and people are MAD for AKL. But when the person I rented points from told me that AKL was pretty much what was available, I thought "why not?" And I'm glad I did. I don't know if I'll be back anytime soon, but I certainly understand where it gets all the hype.

ok wait... a magic red card???? I've never heard of those!! What is it????

Ha, it's just the card they give you so that they know how long the line is. It was my second one ever; no special anything, just helpin' out the WDW system.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Argh, that sucks taking a nap to feel better, only to wake up and be stiff. Here you're like "oh, I'm going to be refreshed....d'oh!"

Wow getting on TSM two times that day. Too cool. Gotta love that. Funny that they didn't put you with someone else.

Yeah, I was really starting to hurt, and I could NOT figure out why. I thought the extra time off my feet would help, but slowly I found that nothing helped!

I really expected to ride with someone at LEAST once on TSMM. I really liked the fact that this never happened and I always rode alone. I needed some time alone pretty badly, and riding so many things alone gave me the feeling that I was on a solo trip but still surrounded by plenty of people. This was a refreshing vacation for me and I WILL do it again.

I mentioned to a work friend today that I might go to WDW in September solo - she said she'd be interested in going. I think it would only be her second trip ever, her first being when she was like 7; so that could be fun.

I SEE THE ZEBRA! I see two, actually! Oh my gosh, Animal Kingdom Lodge is yet another one of my dream resorts.

Those older ladies sound so precious.

Wow, that's awesome that you were able to get on Toy Story Mania so fast!

I couldn't believe how inexpensive it was to rent last minute points; I really lucked out with a good DVCer that also needed to get rid of pretty much the EXACT number of points I needed. It was a beautiful resort, and I'd recommend it for at least one stay if you could get points. I find it SO hard to come to terms with Deluxe Hotel pricing at Disney, and love the option of point rental.

The ladies were awesome. It was a nice little side story. And I try so hard not to take advantage of the GAC with TSMM, since you just go right through the FP line there. It's such a fun ride, it's hard to resist. I am so lucky that GAC exists though; when DBF and I went for my first-time-back-in-ten-years trip back in 2010, I didn't have one and we did have some issues. We couldn't get in line because I couldn't make it, but we got FP from a wonderful, friendly CM standing near the closed down FP stations. Pixie dust! We were glad to get to try it then.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Just subbed! I saw your signature over on danimaroo's TR and I'm working on catching up! How fun to go solo, I really think I would LOVE going solo!

 

[ZehnJahren]

Just subbed! I saw your signature over on danimaroo's TR and I'm working on catching up! How fun to go solo, I really think I would LOVE going solo!

Hey, thanks for coming over! Nice to have you! I just spent a large portion of my Sunday reading all your updates on your TR and am really enjoying your trip and your pictures!