We did the unthinkable!We Left the teenagers home: DH & I do Disney solo:update 1/15

[ILuvCrush]

I still can NOT STOP LAUGHING!!!!!!!! That is so perfect!!!!! Even DH can't stop laughing and can't stop asking me how I did it! Paula, you soooooo rock!

HeheHe!! I'm glad you like him I'm trying to figure out how to make him swim.... but I'm afraid that he really shouldn't be drinking if he does

 

[nettii]

Mek Im on the edge of my seat! this is a great trip report! Hope you write soon! I cant wait to hear more! You are my hero for doing a solo with DH I cant wait to enjoy the parks with just him and me! Thanks for the great read and a lil Disney fix! Nettii

 

[MEK]

HeheHe!! I'm glad you like him I'm trying to figure out how to make him swim.... but I'm afraid that he really shouldn't be drinking if he does

Paula -

If you can make my DH gnome swim, then you really are a genius, because my real DH can't swim a lick in real life! He sinks like a rock! From now on, everytime I need a good laugh, I am just going to look at my gnome. Priceless!

Mek Im on the edge of my seat! this is a great trip report! Hope you write soon! I cant wait to hear more! You are my hero for doing a solo with DH I cant wait to enjoy the parks with just him and me! Thanks for the great read and a lil Disney fix! Nettii

Hey Nettie - Welcome! It was really fun doing the parks with DH, especially since our bio rhythms are so completely different from our teenagers'. My only regret is that our trip was just too darn short. 4 nights is OK for a true solo trip, but we needed one or two more nights. I am doing 8 nights minimum this summer, hopefully longer!

 

[MEK]

I guess you figured by now that the nice CM's at the AI experience let us in. They checked our confirmation papers and our AP's and we were in. Before I tell you about the top secret AI experience, let me share these pics I missed in my last post.

This is the pool at Congress Park looking towards the direction of the bus stop

And here is a look at the pool and DTD. Can you imagine having that view from your room??????

Here is the line to get into DS when the computers were down

OK - on the the top secret AI Experience tour......

The attraction opens in Feb. To be a contestant, you can register on line in advance of the day you plan to visit. You can also audition by picking up a FP for the show you want to be in. I believe there are 7 shows a day and a final (or including the final). They probably audition close to 100 people for each show.

The first room that the contestant enters is just a small office. There will be 2 or 3 of them, so simultaneous acapella auditions can take place. The contestant just has to sing something that is a "real" song (as opposed to a fake song????) The judges will communicate to each other via lap top. This will allow them to determine what the level of talent is in the park that day.

I think maybe 20 people get picked to go to the next round. Anyone picked goes to a "lounge" which is decorated in red and white and looks like it may sport a future Coke logo. In the lounge, the contestants receive an Ipod loaded with 113 of every genre. The contestant has about 7 - 10 minutes to decide what song they want to sing in front of the next judge. This time they sing with music and they have a teleprompter with words. No key changes.

At this round, the judge decides who will actually be in the show. Darn, I can't remember how many people actually make the show. DH doesn't remember either. I think it will be somewhere between 8 and 10 people.

At this point our tour leader took us to the actual stage. The stage is the same size as the AI stage, but the big American Idol backup is only 1/3 the height of the one on TV. This is because the ceiling is too low.

There will be 3 judges and they will be typecasted similar to the existing judges. In otherwords, someone harsh like Simon, someone sweet like Paula, and someone who says' "I don't know man, it was a little pitchy for me" like Randy.

The viewers have chairs with buttons so they can vote for their favorite contestant. The winner of each show gets to compete in a grand finale to be held at the end of the day. The finalist wear something around their neck to identify them as a contestant. They can walk around and drum up votes for their final performance. The final can also be watched on a big screen TV outside the attraction.

Anyone can participate. There is no upper age limit. There may be a lower ager limit - like 14. The winner of each day gets a golden ticket to go to a special audition for the real AI show. The winner can be any age, but they can only use their ticket to go to a real audition if they meet the AI age criteria. If they don't, they can give their ticket to someone who does.

I hope I remembered everything. Oh yeah - if you are serious about doing this, you can look up the song list on line so you can comed prepared knowing what you want to sing.

I really enjoyed this tour. I wasn't sure if I would, but it was really interesting. I also like the real AI show. At least, I used to. I started getting really into it the year Fantasia won. I started liking it a lot less the year that Taylor Hick won. I just didn't think he had the star power and the right style. I don't know who gave him all his votes, but they sure didn't buy his CD.

I am looking forward to seeing one of the AI shows this summer. I would actually consider auditioning, but I take everything really seriously and that might not be fun on vacation.

Anyway - please don't hesitate to ask questions about AI

When I return I will tell you about our lovely dinner at the Brown Derby, the Osborned lights, and a long trek over to see the Candlelight Processional.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I wasn't looking forward to the AI attraction but it does sound like fun. The whole golden ticket thing seems pretty neat too!

SSR looks beautiful, I don't think I have seen many pictures but it looks very relaxing.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Thanks for sharing the info about your AI preview! I have read some other experiences as well. It sounds like an attraction that I would really like to visit. I'm just a watcher though, not a singer.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Thanks for sharing! For the AI attraction I'm curious to hear how they handle giving "feedback" to those who may not be 'naturally talented.' I can't watch the show b/c I get so embarrassed for those folks!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi! I'm joining the fun - I was interested in your TR, because we are going "just us" in March, and we also own at SSR. Our boys are grown - I can really relate to "are you freakin' crazy" Our first stay was in Grandstand - brand spankin new! I think I'll request that again, based on your room report.

I'm excited about AI - how do you become a part of the audience? Is it just a wait in line before show time, or do you pick up tickets somewhere?

I'm looking forward to the rest of your report!

 

[podsnel]

I'm so glad. I have a few more to post, but first I have to tell you guys about MK.



Hey - thanks for joining in! I just checked out your trip report from HHI. That place looks great. You must have points there to be able to go in July! I have to tell you that I laughed out loud when I read your comment about the toll booth in Delaware. What - you don't like our highly organized, low traffic roads? I know exactly the spot you are talking about.

I think anyone who has traveled south through DE knows the toll I was talking about!! We don't have points in HHI, we used the cash discount. But, we did meet several families that week who booked with points and their points were from elsewhere. We all enjoyed our time there, can't wait to go back! Our plan is to buy a HHI resale contract this spring after tax season, DH is a CPA. However, he did just give me pts at BCV for Christmas ...that's he WILL when the waitlist comes through! Anyway, thanks for reading my TR!

OK- I'm going to go read the rest of your TR now-

E

 

[MEK]

I wasn't looking forward to the AI attraction but it does sound like fun. The whole golden ticket thing seems pretty neat too!

SSR looks beautiful, I don't think I have seen many pictures but it looks very relaxing.

I thought the attraction looked better than I thought it would. I definately want to see a show. As far as being a contestant, I don't know. I definately think it is something that people should prepare for. I know there will be a website that will list ( and probably play) all the songs. I think it would be really smart for the contestant to pick a song(s) well in advance.

Thanks for sharing the info about your AI preview! I have read some other experiences as well. It sounds like an attraction that I would really like to visit. I'm just a watcher though, not a singer.

Your welcome. I agree. I think it would be fun to watch. The stage looks so similar to the real deal. Reminds me of "Millioniare"

Thanks for sharing! For the AI attraction I'm curious to hear how they handle giving "feedback" to those who may not be 'naturally talented.' I can't watch the show b/c I get so embarrassed for those folks!

Our tour leader actually said that the people handling the auditions will be very sensitive when the eliminate people. They are not going to act Simon. They will basically say, "You did a great job, but you are not what we are looking for for the next show". They are in no way planning to be critical of contestants. They don't want to ruin someone's day in the park. I'm sure there will still be some hurt feelings, but this attraction looks like to good test for someone who really wants to do the real Idol.

 

[MEK]

Hi! I'm joining the fun - I was interested in your TR, because we are going "just us" in March, and we also own at SSR. Our boys are grown - I can really relate to "are you freakin' crazy" Our first stay was in Grandstand - brand spankin new! I think I'll request that again, based on your room report.

I'm excited about AI - how do you become a part of the audience? Is it just a wait in line before show time, or do you pick up tickets somewhere?

I'm looking forward to the rest of your report!

Hey - thanks for joining in. I hope you have a great adult trip in March. I agree with requesting the Grandstand. We stayed in a 2BR in Carousel last June and it was brand, spanking new. Maybe they rehab'd the larger units first. But those original studios need a rehab.

I don't know if there are FP's for the audience or not. I don't remember our tour leader talking about that, but there was so much to take it. With 7 show a day, I guess the audience can just line up and wait in line. FP's would make it easier, though.

 

[MEK]

I think anyone who has traveled south through DE knows the toll I was talking about!! We don't have points in HHI, we used the cash discount. But, we did meet several families that week who booked with points and their points were from elsewhere. We all enjoyed our time there, can't wait to go back! Our plan is to buy a HHI resale contract this spring after tax season, DH is a CPA. However, he did just give me pts at BCV for Christmas ...that's he WILL when the waitlist comes through! Anyway, thanks for reading my TR!

OK- I'm going to go read the rest of your TR now-

E

Points at BCV - I am so jealous. I would really like to purchase a resale there. If DH and I had decided to go in Jan, instead of Dec of this year, every DVC resort had availability. I would definately have picked BCV. The next time DH and I go solo, I think Jan will be the month. But this year my AP was going to expire on 1/6 and I figured out that I would only get 2 1/2 park days. I don't plan to get another AP till June!

I never thought about a cash discount at HHI. smart. I think I will look into that for next summer, since this summer is already planned.

 

[MEK]

Well, I must say. It is nice to have readers. It give me incentive to tell keep telling this tale.

I loved touring AI. I haven't done anything new at Disney for awhile, so learning about a new attraction really peaked my interest. I used to be a big fan of AI. There were a few seasons when I wouldn't miss it for the world. I think the contestants are amazing from the standpoint that they are under tremendous pressure week after week and they handle it with such grace. They have to work fast to learn a new song and they have to be creative enough to make that song "work" for them. It's a daunting experience. When I was that age, there is NO WAY I could have ever handled that pressure.

After the AI tour we had about a 1/2 hour to kill until our ADR at the Brown Derby. We really didn't have enough time to "do" anything, so we just walked around the park. Touring plans was correct - the crowds were pretty heavy. It was still light out, but we ventured back to the Osborne lights anyway.

I took this picture while I was back there. I like that Disney doesn't worry about being politically correct. They aren't afraid to put up a nativity scene

We decided to check in about 10 minutes early. I was looking forward to this meal. This was my first time eating at BD. I have eaten at Sci Fi once, 50's Prime time twice, and Mama Melrose three times (with fantasmic package). I have never eaten at Hollywood and Vine. I really wanted to do the fantasmic pckg, but we were using the DDE card (now Tables in Wonderland) and the fantasmic pckg or candlelight processional are not included. I was hoping that we might catch the second show of fantasmic.

Here are some pictures I took in the lobby and dining room

We had a very nice server. I wish I could remember his name. All I can remember is that it was an unusual name and had an A and a V in it. He recommended the grouper and that is was I decided to have. But first, DH and I split a Cobb Salad. The salad was good. Nothing spectacular, but good. But my entree was fabulous. I love to order fish and seafood when I am out. This was a beautiful piece of fish. It was thick, white, flavorful, and covered with a fine baked coating. It was barely there. Under the fish were thin slices fo zucchini and beans. Yummy

OK - I started to eat this before I remembered to take a pic

DH had me taking pictures in the "natural light" setting, hence the yellow glow to everything. He was trying to preserve the batteries by avoiding flash photography.

I think that DH had the salmon. He also enjoyed his entree, but I personally think the grouper was the better dish. We skipped dessert because we were full on Cobb Salad, bread, and our entrees. It was a good dinner. I would equate it to Le Cellier (with Le C having a slight lead). I don't think it is worth 2 TS credits, but whatever!

After dinner we headed over to see the Osborne lights.

gotta take a break now, but I'll be back soon because our night is not over yet!

 

[Lady Lallie]

We loved Brown Derby. I agree though, I am not sure if it's quite worth the 2TS credits.

The Osborne Lights looks so amazing!

 

[ILuvCrush]

I love that you took pics INSIDE the BD!! I wanted to see what it was like... but all I keep finding are food porn pics

Your grouper looks delish!!

paula

 

[MAGICFOR2]

We loved BD too. I'm disappointed that most of the good restaurants are now "signature" dining and take 2 TS credits. We did the Fantasmic package when we were there - someone came and got the "VIP book" to be signed while we were waiting, and we had a great time speculating about who it might be for.

Thanks for sharing the Nativity scene - it is beautiful! The lights are really pretty, too!

 

[gbpackfan9]

I finally got caught up with your report. We've never been to the BD yet. Maybe we'll try it in April. Aren't AP and DVC points and adult trips wonderful??!!!!!!!!

Can't wait for your next installment

 

[MEK]

We loved Brown Derby. I agree though, I am not sure if it's quite worth the 2TS credits.

The Osborne Lights looks so amazing!

I think our meal was about $80 for two of us with the 18% gratuity. (That was with the 20% discount) DH had a beer. I did not drink alcohol this meal. Yeah -its just not quite worth 2 TS, but I really did like it and might have to do the Fantasmic pckg here in June.

I love that you took pics INSIDE the BD!! I wanted to see what it was like... but all I keep finding are food porn pics

Your grouper looks delish!!

paula

My pics really aren't that good - too yellow and grainy, but you get the idea! I liked the inside. I thought all the drawings were so interesting. It was really sparce of the Christmas decorations, though. The grouper really was very good. One of the best pieces of fish I have had, ever.

We loved BD too. I'm disappointed that most of the good restaurants are now "signature" dining and take 2 TS credits. We did the Fantasmic package when we were there - someone came and got the "VIP book" to be signed while we were waiting, and we had a great time speculating about who it might be for.

Thanks for sharing the Nativity scene - it is beautiful! The lights are really pretty, too!

Oh - I didn't know there was a VIP book. Cool! I'm glad you like the nativity. It was very pretty. I wonder if that belonged to the Osbournes, too.

__________________

 

[MEK]

I finally got caught up with your report. We've never been to the BD yet. Maybe we'll try it in April. Aren't AP and DVC points and adult trips wonderful??!!!!!!!!

Can't wait for your next installment

The perfect trifecta!!!!!!!! Thanks for joining in!

 

[MEK]

Well dinner was great and the Osbourne lights were beautiful. My pictures don't begin to do them justice. But I will add a few more anyway.

When we had our fill of the lights, we walked over to ride Star tours. I pretty much gave up on the idea of seeing Fantasmic. I just could not bring myself to stand in a line. In June - its the dinner package all the way! Wow - 3 trips to Disney in 1 year and no fantasmic. My last fantasmic view was August 07! Well, it will just be that much more special when I see it in June!

Star tours had a 20 minute wait time posted, but the wait was more like a 5 minute wait. They had both sides open and we were cruising to Endore in no time. Only bad thing about our trip was I got the first row and the very last seat to the right. Of all the possible seats in our star cruiser, I ended up in that one (not my first time there either). Oh well, we still had a nice flight! I like Star Tours. It's still one of those rides I could ride over and over.

At this point, I got a bright idea! I asked DH, "Do you want to take the boat over to Epcot?" "What boat?" replied DH. Sheesh! It didn't really surprise me that DH didn't know anything about the friendship boats. We actually had never been on one. You know, I like to do something knew each trip. So far this trip I had - stayed at POFQ, seen the AI attraction, eaten at Brown Derby, and now we were going to take the Friendship boat to Epcot. Welcome almost!! !!! When we got outside the park and started walking to the dock, we noted that the line was very long. There was no way we were getting on that boat!!!!!

So I got another bright idea and I know you smartie pants Dis'ers know what it was! I said, "Why don't we walk?" I only said it was a bright idea, right? It was not necessarily a smart one. I should have said, "Why don't we drive the car over to the beach club and walk into Epcot?" That would have been the smart idea. But I was caught up in the moment. I was driven by the discovery of seeing a part of Disney I had yet to see. Plus it was a perfect night. I couldn't think of a better night for a walk.

Here are some pics of the HS Christmas tree as we were leaving the park

I know I must be saying, "Would you hurry up, slow poke!"

Here's the boat we couldn't fit on

Are we there yet?

It was about this time that DH asked, "how much further?" Of course, I told him I had no idea. I really don't know how far it is from HS to Epcot. Can one of you Disney trivia gurus tell me?

We took a rest once, we reached the Boardwalk region. I was surprised at how spread out the Boardwalk resort is. I assumed the first buildings we passed were the Boardwalk villas. Again, I need some help from my Disney gurus.

Here's some pics that DH took of the Boardwalk area

My DH took all the pics and I think they are all really blurry looking. Surreal in a way.

After our short break to rest our feet, we decided to proceed past the Yacht and beach club. If you read my June trip report, you know there is no place I want to stay more than the Beach Club. I am working my way, although slowly, in the direction. I am seriously considering staying somewhere in the Boardwalk region this summer.

Of course, I had to take pics of Stormalong bay because someday I WILL swim there!

With aching feet, we finally entered the World Showcase. I walked directly over to the theatre near America. I really wanted to see the Candlelight Processional. We arrived just as the last row of choir members were entering the stage. Standing room only, but perfect timing. I was able to grab a spot near one of the ushers behind one of those pesky white lines, but I had a good 3/4 view of the stage.

When I return, I'll post some pics of the CP and I'll put this day to bed!