"Well this isnt what I was expecting!"...a very last minute not-so-solo solo TR!

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

All that sounds great! I like going with my family and friends as well but sometimes you wish you would have rather gone alone! I always wanted to wake up super early for rope drop and be at the park all day but going with family and small siblings and cousins, that never happens
I would like to write a TR maybe when I come back. I don't know if I am brave enough yet

You will love it..and if you feel like waking up early to do RD than you can! And you should totally write a trip report...when I travel solo I like to spend some time at the end of each day sitting on the beach/by the pool/on balcony and write down some thoughts about the day..it really helps when you come back to re-live the magic and is a great starting point for a TR

Hello to a fellow Canadian. I am jumping on board here, looking forward to reading about your trip. I am soooo envious that you are going to be a CM. Good luck to you, and enjoy. I plan to visit WDW next May so if you are still there I will look for you. lol.

Thanks!! its always great to know there are other disney crazy canadians out there like me where are you from? Thats so exciting you'll be there in May! Definatley say hi if you stop by the Canada Pavillion!

 

[kid@heart-karen]

Thanks!! its always great to know there are other disney crazy canadians out there like me where are you from? Thats so exciting you'll be there in May! Definatley say hi if you stop by the Canada Pavillion!

I am from Hamilton Ontario. Yeah my friends say it is scary how much I am into Disney. LOL!!

 

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

so where did we leave off? Aahhhh yes...Ariel and I were heading to Epcot... we hoped on the monorail and connected at the TTC. By now it was starting to drizzle a little bit but not enough rain to really ruin the evening...When we arrive at Epcot I was once again suprised by the lack of crowds...Since there was literally not a sole in sight we decided to hop on Spaceship Earth right away...


SpaceShip Earth by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

After SE we decided to head over to one my favorite rides in Epcot....Ellen's Energy Adventure I know a lot of people give this ride a lot of flack but hey its 45 minutes (in air conditioning) with Ellen (who doesnt love Ellen?) and not to mention Bill Nye the Science Guy (I grew up watching him) what isnt there to love? Ok Ok I know the whole energy concept and movie needs some serious updating but to me its a classic! ...."I had the best nickname for her though....What was that?....Stupid Judy!".... Ahhh Classic...

After Ellen we headed to Test Track and let me just say thank goodness for single rider lines..I think the regular posted wait was 90 min and the single rider said 20 although that too was pretty much a walk on.

After TT we decided to go to the Canada Pavilion so I could tour around and meet some of the CM's that Ariel works with in the gift shops and meet some of the attractions and F&B CM's too...on the way we based the Figment ride...Ariel seemed to be a big fan of this one and I sheepishly told her I had never in my 15+ trips to Disney had ever been on Journey into the Imagination with Figment....she was appalled! so we made a beeline for the ride ..another first for me....and I loved it! I thought it was a very cute ride...

At the Canada Pavilion I first met a bunch of CM's working in the gift shop (current friends of Ariel's) and they were all super nice and welcoming! I also met a young girl working podium at Le Cellier (where i'll be working) and she was so sweet and offered me lots of great advice for my first few weeks of work... We also stopped by kidcot and met some of the CM's working there too.... I have never felt to welcomed in all my life...every CM's was super sweet and all said how excited they were to have me join their Canada family in a few months...the whole experience was great...I knew I was going to love working there but it just made me feel so comfortable..not at all out of place...I can't wait now!! November 1st can't come soon enough

Since we were already in Canada we decided to continue our tour around the world with stops in France for a Grey Goose slushie (for me) and a stop in China, at the joy of tea stand, for a treat for Ariel.


Epcot at Night by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

We finally ended up back at the gift shops at the end/start of WS. I picked up a few vinylmation figures, one looking like the Canadian flag and the other of the British flag (since I was actually born in England and them immigrated to Canada)..they are too cute...they are sitting at my desk at work right now ...

Time was running short and it was getting close to 9 pm so we decided to stake out a spot for illuminations... Ariel said she had the perfect spot (which she often recommends to guests) and I said lets check it out... I expected the spot to be crazy busy since there was only about 10 min left before the show started but found it to be really quiet except for one other family... So where is our secret illuminations viewing spot you ask? Its at the top of the stairs at the Canada Pavilion - near the enterance to the gift shop. I thought this spot was great and was surprised at how many people were shoving their way up to the railing down below when there was a ton of space up on the landing at the top of the stairs where we were...

The show, as always, was spectacular!


Illuminations by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

Illuminations by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

Illuminations by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

Illuminations by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

Illuminations by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

Illuminations by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

Illuminations by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

I wasn't too happy about how some of these shots came out but not bad for not having a tripod!

When illuminations was over we headed out of the park through the international gateway (since we were right there) and headed to the BC to catch a bus to DTD and then onto our hotel from there...When we were on the bus Ariel had talked about going for breakfast the next morning since she didnt work until later in the day...Again I had suggested a character breakfast and Ariel pulled out her phone and found a 10 am ressie the next morning for Ohana's..I was so excited I just LOVE stitch! It was all sorted looks like the next day wouldnt be a solo day for me as I had planned but we were having breakfast with Mickey and Stitch ...Once we got to DTD Ariel had to head back to her apartment for some stuff, since she had to work the next day after she checked out of POP, so she took the Cast Member bus from DTD back to her apartment to grab her costume...I on the other hand wasnt quite ready to call it a night and decided to go into the world of disney store and pick up all my souveniers...of all the parks and all the rides I had encountered the most crowded place i'd ever been on the trip happened to be at the World of Disney store...what a zoo! I was really starting to loose my cool in there...just soooooo many people... about an hour and half of touring DTD I was back at POP and ready to call it a night...

Coming up next Breakfast with Mickey....a surprise resort change...a meal to remember and EMH at MK

 

[Sarah84]

Great report so far, love the Illuminations & Wishes fireworks and the GF tea looks yummy.

You must be so excited about becoming a CM

 

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

Great report so far, love the Illuminations & Wishes fireworks and the GF tea looks yummy.

You must be so excited about becoming a CM

Thanks!! The GF tea was amazing...soooo yummy!! Im actually getting ready to book my flight down to orlando this weekend...only another 7 weeks or so until Im there

 

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

Day 3 marked the second night of sleeing at POP...the first night was kinda rough given that you could hear noises and I really did find the bed uncomfortable but I decided to put that down to being too excited to sleep and that it was just going to take a night to adust to sleeping in a new bed...well then the second night came and I hardly got any sleep at all...the bed was still uncomfortable and you could still hear everything going on in the rooms on either side and above me. Now they werent being intentionally loud at all, certainly nothing I could blame the neighbours for I think it was just the walls being so thin...and the toilets...sounded like a rocket taking off every time they flushed not to mention the showers....By 330 I had enough and decided that the next morning I would try and change rooms to see if a quieter area of the resort or a high floor room would be any better...no sense in letting this ruin my vacay!

Due to the lack of sleep 9 am seemed to creep up far to quick for my liking but I had a breakfast date with Mickey! I got up, showered, and dressed up in my hawaiian summer dress (I was going to Ohana's afterall) and headed out to meet Ariel at the bus stop. Luckily, there was a MK bus waiting right there when we walked up...

When we got to Ohanas we were about 25 min early. We checked in at the podium, got our picture taken together (which we later decided not to buy), and waited a short 5 min before our buzzer went off...

We got a nice little table near the windows (not at the windows but could still see Cinderellas Castle)... We both ordered a pot of tea and also had the POG juice (some mixture of passion fruit, orange and guava juice) that was to die for! Couldnt get enough! Next our sever brought us some of that delicious pinapple spiced bread...not quite sure what it was called but it was very sweet and yummy...Im going to need to find that recipe for myself...

While we were waiting for the rest of our food to come around Lilo stopped by our table....


Me and Lilo by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

Finally the rest of the food came and it was delish! We got a platter of potatoes, sausages, bacon and scrambled eggs....and some of these.....
Mickey Waffles by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

It isn't a Disney vacation until you have Mickey Waffles! The next character to come by was Stitch..he is one of my favorites and spent so much time with us at this meal it was fabulous!!


Me and Stitch by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

Next up was the big cheese himself....


Me and the Mickey by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

I loved the time I had with Mickey...Ariel did too..she even thanked him for her first paycheck as a CM (which she had just gotten the other day) and he gave her a massive hug...so cute...Ariel even told him that I was coming to work with him soon and he got really excited!! We had some great interaction with Mickey and really took his time with each of us...what a nice boss

The last one to come round to our table was Pluto..and what a hoot he was! He was full of hugs and even tried stealing the sausages right off my plate.... I told him I had a sneaky puppy at home too and he couldnt fool me


Me and Pluto ...(dont tell Riley)... by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

All in all it was a fabulous meal. The food was plentiful and always fresh and hot. The juice was amazing ...I would go back just to have that juice again LOL The service was great...all the CM's really seemed to enjoy their jobs and even got in on the fun of interacting with Mickey and friends... the conga line for the kids was really cute too...to bad im a little too old for that now...

All the interaction with Mickey, Lilo, Stitch, and Pluto was phenomenal! We were never rushed and each character took their time with us...I loved this just as much as our dinner at CP but I think Ohana took the edge over CP for me becuase it was a plated buffet... Overall I would highly recommend Ohana's...I throughly enjoyed this one...I would probably pick Ohana for breakfast over my previously breakfasts at Tusker House and Chef Mickeys... Not to mention the price...I think this is one of the cheapest character breakfasts around (maybe Cape May is cheaper-not sure) and even better Ariel had a 25% off CM coupon that we used for our meal so I think it cost less than 20$ a person to eat there...and worth every penny.

After breakfast I bid farewell to Ariel as she was off to Epcot to start her shift...she did say she would try and meet up with me when she was done since there was EMH at MK that night...

Hmmm...but what was I to do all day? In keeping with my relaxed pace I had only planned to try and get a walkup at California Grill for dinner that night and then go to MK for EMH...but what to do with the rest of my day...after some thought I decided I would tour some of the moderate resorts...I took the monorail over to MK and took the bus to DTD. From there I took the first mod bus that showed up....I was off to Coronado Springs...

This was high on my list for a future stay as the theming and the decor of the rooms really appealed to me..


Disney's Coronado Springs Resort by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr


Disney's Coronado Springs Resort by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

When I arrived I really like the feel of the check-in area and lobby overall....the food court area looked quite put together as well and not very busy at all...

Outside the grounds were beautiful...


Disney's Coronado Springs Resort by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

the lake looked lovely and the themeing in the various areas were gorgeous....


Disney's Coronado Springs Resort by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr


Disney's Coronado Springs Resort by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

but man was it ever a lot of walking! Especially in that heat and humidity..WOW! LOL I finally made it around to the main pool area and stopped for a quick drink in the shade....the pool area was really nice although it did seem quite crowded...


Disney's Coronado Springs Resort by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr


Disney's Coronado Springs Resort by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

Overall I really like the theming of the resort (as I expected I would) but was not a fan of the layout of the resort and how big it was. I realize there is internal transportation but it seems like a lot of hassle and a lot of walking to head back to El Centro (sp?) just to refill your mug... but doesnt mean I wouldnt try it at least once...just may not be my first pick in the summer months when its so hot and humid...Also, I found that it kinda lacked in the Disney feel...not sure why..but felt more like I was at a well themed Hilton than at a Disney hotel but again these are just my first impressions I will likely give it more of chance on another trip...

I then caught the first bus out of CSR (which happened to be a DTD bus ) and then transferred onto the next mod bus I saw which happend to be POFQ. Now I had always wondered about this place...before the refurb I wasnt big on room decor...and the photos online of the resort arent really that special...I had friends that had stayed here previous who fell in love with this place but I didnt quite "get it"....

Well i'll tell ya as soon as I stepped off that bus I felt like I was "home". I was instantly in LOVE with the buildings and the decor here.


Port Orleans French Quarter Resort by *, on Flickr

The lobby and check in area was small but very quaint and welcoming...Im a big jazz fan so the music around the resort was very relaxing for me... As soon as I left the lobby and headed out into the resort I immediatly said "yup this is MY resort".


Port Orleans French Quarter Resort by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr


Port Orleans French Quarter Resort by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr


Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr


Port Orleans French Quarter Resort by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

Just the overall feel of the resort was so "me". The cobblestone walkways all the trees and the gorgeous buildings and all the details...I was in heaven


Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

By now I was sold...those crappy nights of lost sleep and the new found love of this resort...I knew I had to move...On my way out of the resort and checked at the front desk - and they did have availabilty for the last two nights of my stay...I was getting close on time if I wanted to try and make a walk-up to California Grill so I decided to just head to MK for a little while before heading to CG and decided I would try and switchihotels after dinner...

Next up...was I able to secure a spot a CG? where would I encounted my first rude CM of the trip? Do I make the move from POP to POFQ? Stay tuned!!

 

[kid@heart-karen]

OH NO!! a rude CM?? Say it isn't so.
Can't wait to read more of your trip report.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

You've left us hanging!

Dinner or not? Pop or POFQ? A rude CM?!

The pictures from your breakfast are great. It really looks like you enjoyed it.

I love taking resort tours. I really enjoyed looking at your photos of the resorts.

 

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

Since it was almost 3 oclock I decided to head to MK before trying to get a walkup at California Grill around 5...I got to MK just in time only about 5 min before the afternoon parade and was able to get a great spot on Main Street right in front of Tony's...again suprised at the lack of crowds and being able to pretty much walk up and have a spot to sit ...awesome ... being so close this time around I was able to get some great parade pics....


Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

By the time the parade was over I was really starting to not feel very well...probably due to the humidity, all the walking, and not as much water as I should of been drinking mixed with a lack of sleep over the past few nights. I decided to duck inside to pay a visit to the princesses and cool off a bit... Since the parade had just finished and I was literally right out front I was able to pretty much walk right in...


Me and Cinderella by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr


Me and Aurora by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

please dont mind my somewhat desheveled look...it was a bajillion degrees outside and still wasnt feeling that great but was determined to push on! After the princesses I thought about stopping in to see Mickey & Minnie but the wait times had gone up dramatically during the 10 minutes I was with the princesses...

instead I opted to tour around MK just wandering the gift shops and taking some photos...I didnt feel like testing my stomach by riding Space Mountain just yet..besides I was planning on coming back after dinner for EMH anyway...


Chip and Dale by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr


Minnie Mouse by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr


A rose by any other name... by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr


Mickey Balloon by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

I also made a stop in the xmas shop...which is my favorite gift shop in MK...I found this little gem...


Wall-E & Eve Xmas Ornament by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

I LOVE Wall-E! and I really hate how there isnt enough merch around the park for him or how there is no walking-talking-meet-and-greet-Wall-E either but hey i'll take what I can get...

It was getting close to 430 and thought it best to head over to the contemporary early to secure my chances of getting a walkup since there was zero availability for ADRs on the website... but on my way out of MK I got this shot... turned out to be one of my favorites of the trip!


Magic Kingdom by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

When I arrived I decided to head to the podium to see when they start taking names for walkups...I didnt expect it to be before 5 but figured there was no harm in asking. When I got to the podium I was greeted by a lovely CM (and I use the term lovely quite loosly here)...she was great and full of helpful information and sweet chit chat until she asked how many in my party and I said just one - I was on my own. Her tone immediatley changed and asked why I wanted to dine there alone as it was a signature restauarant. I found this quite surprising since in past solo trips Ive never had a CM blink an eye when being a solo diner....

She continuously offered and pretty much pushed me to agree to sit at the bar or in the lounge for my meal instead of taking a spot in the dining room where "their real guests" sit. And I quote. I was so discouraged. I held my own and said I wanted the full experience of dining at California Grill and to sit in the dining room and wouldnt mind waiting at all since I knew I had no ressie. I was very sweet albeit a little embarressed now for wanting to dine alone there...another CM heard our convo and interjected that they would be delighted to seat me in the dining and handed me a buzzer and told me to have a seat. There were to start calling people upstairs around 530. I thanked the new CM and went and sat on one of the couches near the podium to wait for my buzzer to go off...

I have to say that while it doesnt seem like much the CM's attitude really started to make me a bit nervous about my meal and hoped that other CM's wouldnt think the same thing of me while dining. My hubby and I had dined here on our honeymoon and I LOVED it...I was really looking forward to another great experience I just hoped this wasnt going to set the tone for the rest of the evening...

At 5:20 my buzzer went off and up the elevator we went to the restaurant. I was so thrilled by the table I was given - right by the window in a quiet section of the restaurant with stunning views of Bay Lake and MK. After the episode downstairs I half expected a table at the back of the restaurant but this? This was

My waitress quickly came by my table and started to chat with me about my holiday. She was so sweet - not the least bit judgemental of me dining alone and she had even done plenty of trips to WDW solo (before becoming a CM). She was so knowledgable about the wines and the menu and had even managed to track down the wine I had during my honeymoon meal which I couldnt remember the name of...

All was right in the world...I was dining over Bay Lake with a glass of wine in hand ..does it get any better than this?

Here is the view of the GF...


View from California Grill Restaurant by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

and the Poly...


View from California Grill Restaurant by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

and finally ....


View from California Grill Restaurant by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

(sorry about the smudge in the window on that one )

Being a creature of habit I actually ordered all the same items I did on my honeymoon...The Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli was to start...


Dinner at California Grill by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

This was pretty much the reason why I wanted to come back here...it just melts in your mouth...the pasta is cooked perfectly...just delish...

For the main I went with the steak which was also cooked exactly to my liking...


Dinner at California Grill by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

And finally for dessert...the Creme Brulee...and a pot of Early Grey Tea (to offset the two glasses of wine I had )


Dinner at California Grill by http://www.flickr.com/people/nynkeadams/, on Flickr

Dinner here was amazing...I had the most wonderful CM for a waitress who was incredibly attentive and conversational. The food was all cooked to perfection and found no faults whatsoever during my time there. After I recieved the bill I was encouraged to stay as long as I liked to finish my tea and relax and take in the views. This was a very relaxing experience and loved every bit of it!

During the meal I had also gotten a text message from Ariel saying she had gotten an ER from her shift ....Early Release..this happens when its a lot slower or they have too much staff on so she was sent home early. She said that she would be able to make it to meet me at MK for Wishes at 10 no problem...

Since I wasnt meeting Ariel until then I decided to head back to POP and see about switching my hotel to POFQ although when I left I was so full I didnt think I would be able to walk but somehow managed to walk back to MK to catch a bus back to POP.

Coming up next ...the world record for the fastest resort switcheroo!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I did not see you had updated on the 21st! I am all caught up now.

I can't believe the CM at the podium at CG. Wow. At least the rest of your meal more than made up for it!

I have never stayed at Pop, but I have stayed at POFQ and liked the resort. I am curious if you were able to switch, and if you did, how you liked POFQ.

 

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

sorry its been awhile since I last updated...life has sure gotten crazy...its only about 2 more weeks until I leave for Disney to work for the year so you can imagine how hectic that has been...i have trouble packing for 5-7 days in the World let alone a year!

Will hopefully have an update for everyone on this TR later today/tomorrow

Thanks for sticking with me

 

[maryr1oz]

Just caught up on your report - and noticed you are becoming a cast member in only one week now!

That's so exciting!! Best wishes and hope you have a fantastic time at Disney