Who Says You Can't Have Fun Going Solo??? TR Completed

[Dolce27]

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Today was Animal Kingdom Day. I still couldn’t eat food – I was very glad that I had canceled my ADR the night before. I quickly showered and dressed and made my way to the bus stop where I saw several people waiting for the AK/Blizzard Beach/EPCOT bus. With my luck, they were all headed to AK. Only a couple of people stood in line for the Magic Kingdom bus.

I debated if I should change plans and go to the MK that day and do AK the next day. The next day would be early EMH hours at MK so the MK would probably be a bit busier that day. I was still debating about my MK/AK days when the transportation CM at the POFQ bus stop asked where I was going. I explained that I was trying to decide between the AK and the MK and I asked her what she thought. She informed me that the MK had Magical Beginnings that morning and that the Disney resorts were only 50% full. She never really stated which park she’d choose, but I finally decided on the MK - everyone else seemed to be going to AK.

So, change of plans. I can be impulsive when I want to and I don’t have to completely stick to my itinerary that took months of planning.

As I climbed onto the MK bus, dreams of the French Toast Loaf at the Main Street Bakery that I read about begin to drift though my head. All right, so maybe I was a little bit hungry. So, I happily sat on the almost deserted MK bus dreaming of food and thinking how fun it would be to watch the little kids interact with the characters for Magical Beginnings when we reached the first PO Riverside bus stop.

There are three or four POR bus stops and one POFQ bus stop. All week long the POR bus stops had been pretty deserted. We *maybe* would pick up one family at a couple of the stops. That morning we pulled up to the first bus stop and I heard the bus driver tell the people outside to wait and let her get off first. I didn’t think much about it until a few seconds later when I happened to glance out the side window and saw a huge line of people. All of these people were going to the Magic Kingdom?!?

And we still had three more bus stops of people before the MK?

They began to file onto the bus and kept coming and coming until the bus was at full capacity. The bus diver was still standing off the bus so I made a quick decision: I’m sticking to my original itinerary. Who needs impulsive days when you already had a day planned out?

See, plans, they are a good thing.

So, in order to stick with my original plan, I quickly got up and off of the bus.The driver looked at me as if I were crazy. She asked where I was going and I told her Animal Kingdom. She informed me that I needed to go over 'there' and nodded towards a direction. Looking over I first noticed a bus heading towards MGM but behind that was an Animal Kingdom bus. Woo-hoo!

I ran over and climbed onto the bus. The driver asked where I was going and I told him Animal Kingdom – Magic Kingdom was getting too crazy! The very few people on the almost deserted bus laughed at me and we were on our way to Animal Kingdom.

Walking up to the turnstiles – we weren’t allowed through yet – I saw West Palm out and about.

I quickly managed to pick out his handler who had to stand close by in order to hear the audience responses. I thought the handler was a bit obvious but no one else seemed to pay him any attention.

First on my list of things to do that day: Expedition Everest.

As soon as the opening ceremony completed and the rope dropped I, along with everyone else, made a mad dash towards it. Well, as mad of a dash as the cast members would allow us. By getting to the ride that early I didn’t have much of an opportunity to study the queue since there wasn’t much of a line to wait in. I really liked the ride but I thought it was a rather mild rollercoaster. The Yetti was awesome I must admit.

I grabbed a FP for later and then made my way to Primeval Whirl. Yeah, I don’t know why Disney put in a cheap boardwalk carnival in the middle of Animal Kingdom – but I do like Primeval Whirl. It’s fun. I noticed this billboard which I found rather humorous, so of course I took a picture of it.

The CM let me stay on the ride to go through a second time. As I was happily making my way through the ride I noticed Chip and Dale walk out beside the ride and stop for pictures. I quickly got off the ride and made my way over. I was still looking for an acceptable picture of me with the chipmunks. I hate having my picture taken and I wasn’t happy with the pictures from MK or EPCOT. I guess that I am too picky.

A couple had beaten me over and I walked up just in time to see Dale propose to the woman. Bad Dale! You’re supposed to be mine! And he proposed in front of the woman’s husband none the less! The nerve of some chipmunks.

My turn came and Chip opened his arms to give me a big hug. I guess I was forgiven for telling him the day before at EPCOT that he was my second favorite. I turned to Dale and informed him that he was my favorite but since I caught him proposing to another woman Chip was now my favorite. That made Chip very happy. Dale kept trying to grab me away from Chip – I guess to make amends but Chip wasn’t having that. I was caught in the middle of a tug-of-war game with me being the rope. Chip finally succeeded in getting me away from Dale and he took my arm and began to lead me off stage. I finally had to tell Chip that he must stop, his handler was yelling at him to come back over where he was supposed to be. Chip finally turns to look back and sees the handler motioning for him to come back, which he reluctantly did. As we return, Dale takes a possessive hold of my arm while Chip begins kissing me: my cheek and up my arm.

 

[Dolce27]

I finally say good-bye to them and headed off to Dinosaur. That ride is all right in my opinion. I’d probably do it once a trip to Disney but it’s not a ‘must do’ for me. Next is The Tree of Life

(It's amazing how much detail is put into everything at Disney. Does anyone know how long it took to carve all of the animals into the tree?)

I went inside to see It’s Tough to Be a Bug where I once again find a sign to take a picture of.

It’s all about signs and window displays this trip. I love It’s Tough to Be a Bug – it is so cute.

After the show I headed back to Expedition Everest to use my fast pass. I enjoyed the ride a bit more the second time around. I think I had too high of an expectation for everything this trip and I never enjoyed the ride as much the first time around because of this.

After my second ride I then went to see Flights of Wonder – which was another first for me. I enjoyed watching the different birds and I will probably make time for it my next visit.

Breakfast/Lunch was at Pizzafari. There are two food types that I love: Pizza and Tex-Mex/Mexican food. I can eat that all day, every day. I ordered a cheese pizza and the chocolate cake for desert.

The cake was awesome. (By the way - how many foods have I now described as awesome?) Well, it was. It was a huge slice (it was enough to be my lunch) and it tasted homemade – so good. It didn't come in a plastic container like many of the other CS places served.

All right, I’m once again stuffed. So, I need to walk it off. Again. I decided to leave the Animal Kingdom. It’s my least favorite park and I did everything there that I desired to do that day. In hindsight, I do regret not spending a little more time there.

As I was leaving I ran into Stitch and I couldn’t resist having my picture taken with him.

Oh yuck! Did he just lick me??

One last picture before I'm out the gate:

It's real - as in alive! I actually took a picture of something that wasn't metal, plastic, or covered in fake fur with a large red nose.

I decided that I was off to MGM. I walked to the AK bus stop and there wasn't an MGM bus at that time but there was an EPCOT bus. Good enough, I’ll take it.

So, I’m off to EPCOT. I rushed through bag check and power walked to the International Gateway. I’m actually rather glad it turned out like this, I’ve always wanted to take the water taxi and it stops at the EPCOT resorts first before MGM. It was nice to see The Boardwalk up close – I still want to stay there. Maybe next time…

Finally, we arrive at MGM:

I reached MGM around 1:00 and watched a streetmosphere skit before heading off to get a FP for Tower of Terror. There was a slight problem with that; the FP machines were closed as the line wasn’t long enough to require a FP so I walked onto TOT. The drop sequence was a bit better then the one I went on the past Monday so I enjoyed it a lot more. I walked over to the Rock n’ Rollercoaster and as I walked up I decided to see how many times in a row I could ride it. Back in 1999 during Cast Preview, I was on it once with a fellow CM that was on his 16th trip in a row.

At first it was fun riding it over and over. Yes, I did have to get off and make my way around through the queue again. Several of the CM’s just grinned at me and I joked around with them. There was one CM that I talked to a lot while waiting to go into the pre-show a couple of times. Later, when he was working the dock at the end of the ride, he let me by-pass going around and through the pre-show a few times and sent me through a door that took me directly, via a hallway, into the room where you queue up to get onto the coaster. By my eighth trip I was beginning to become a bit bored and I decided that I’d call it quits after my tenth ride. On trip number nine (while riding in the back) I slammed my head pretty hard into the head rest while being jerked around by the coaster. It bothered my ear enough that I was a bit concerned about it.

After getting off from trip nine, the CM that had let me by-pass the pre-show a couple of times asked me if I really quitting after trip ten. When I told him yes he asked if he could ride with me. Umm… sure. He had someone cover his post and we cut back through, by-passing the pre-show, and hopped on for my tenth time in a row on Rock n’ Rollercoaster. After the ride was over I told him bye and I finally left the attraction. It took 2 ½ hours to ride the ride ten times in a row. Of course, there were some lines and I did have to sit through the pre-show at least six of the ten times.

My ear was still bothering me from where it was slammed into the headrest. I walked over to New York Street where Sweat, Mulch, & Shears pulled up to play.

I’d read about them so I sat down on the curb intending to watch a performance. Their loud music proved too much for my too sensitive ear so I left and sat down in Writer’s Stop for a few minutes where it was much quieter. They will be on the 'to do' list for my next trip.

I left MGM and took a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge. I had an ADR that night for Boma. I couldn’t wait to try the Zebra Domes. I wondered around the resort gift shop for awhile and then went and looked out over the savannah. Finding a rocking chair I sat and called a friend back home to chat for awhile. It was very nice and relaxing out there. Such a beautiful resort.

Boma was good and I really enjoyed the food that I tried. Of course, I had to try several of the desserts. I liked the Zebra Domes but they weren’t as good as I was expecting them to be. The banana bread pudding quickly became my favorite dessert there. The banana bread pudding is on my ‘must’ list now.

I took a bus to Downtown Disney from AKL. I had a night planned at the Adventures Club. I didn’t know about this club when I worked there in 1999. I’m not a club person so I never went to PI. I knew about it when I went on my 2002 trip but the night I went I was exhausted and only stayed for a couple of hours. So, this night I planned to stay the whole night.

My ear was still rather sensitive and kept hurting – every noise seemed too loud and for awhile I thought that I’d have to leave. Eventually my ear stopped hurting and I was able to enjoy the rest of the night at the club. We were in the library waiting for a skit when the butler, Graves, walked by me and stopped. He asked me if I wanted a hug and I said no. (I think they do this ‘hug’ routine every night). So, of course he pretends to have hurt feelings and keeps giving me a sad look. Only the people sitting by me knew what happened but during the skit he’s up on the stage with his back to the audience giving himself a hug. It begins to get pretty funny. After the skit is over and he passes by me I finally relent and give him his hug which makes him happy. Of course, this time the entire room notices that I just gave him a hug and are probably wondering why.

I really loved the Adventure’s Club. It’d probably be a one time a trip only thing as it has the same skits every night. I know there was a huge debate about if you should take kids there or not – I say not.

It is a bar and there are tons of sexual innuendos the entire night. Especially as people tend to become drunk. The CM’s will pick on parents who bring young children in asking them why they would bring a child to a bar. There was a woman there with two young children that night and the kids were miserable – which made the mother miserable and unable to have as good of a time as she would have if she had gone without the kids. Also, I was observing one of her children absorbing all of the sex jokes that he didn’t understand. I’m betting that he’s going to make an inappropriate remark at the wrong time leaving the mom to explain how the kid knows about that.

But, that's just my 2 cents over that topic. I'll move on now.

I closed the club down that night – I think I was the only guest that lasted the entire night as I looked around during the last skit and didn’t see anyone I recognized from earlier. Actually, I didn’t realize that I was the only one left from the beginning of the night until Graves pointed it out to me. After the Adventure’s Club closed I went back to PRFQ and climbed into bed at 2:00 am. <--- Should I retitle this trip report to be 'How do survive Disney on little to no sleep?'

Next up: Day 5

 

[LouDisney]

I have really enjoyed reading your trip report. Can't wait to read about day 5.

 

[newholidayx2]

cool
Rock n Roller coaster 10 times in a row! Id love to do that! I think Ive seen the door to that hallway.

My son & I did ride Primeval Whirl 13x's w/out getting off. When we finally did they gave us a Magical Moment certificate for being "ride freaks"!

 

[peacelovemickey]

Just wanted to sub. I am enjoying your report a lot. I had a similar situation which lead to my love of all things Disney. My father passed away suddenly at the age of 52. I was 24 when it happened. We decided a few months after he died that we wanted to do something to get our minds off of the first anniversary of his death. I jokingly said, "Let's go to Disney World!" and everyone liked the idea. So DH, mom and my sister and I went over Thanksgiving that first year. Dad had passed away the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and we just didn't feel like having a traditional Thanksgiving that first year. We had such a blast that we made it a semi-tradition. Our family has since grown. My sister has married and we have both had 2 children. Her husband claims to have had a bad experience at Disney when he was a child and refuses to go back , so we go without him! This year will be the 10 year anniversary that Dad has been gone, so it will be a special trip for all of us. Thanks for letting me share!

 

[Dolce27]

cool
My son & I did ride Primeval Whirl 13x's w/out getting off. When we finally did they gave us a Magical Moment certificate for being "ride freaks"!

I've never heard of those! That's cool.

 

[Dolce27]

Just wanted to sub. I am enjoying your report a lot. I had a similar situation which lead to my love of all things Disney. My father passed away suddenly at the age of 52. I was 24 when it happened. We decided a few months after he died that we wanted to do something to get our minds off of the first anniversary of his death. I jokingly said, "Let's go to Disney World!" and everyone liked the idea. So DH, mom and my sister and I went over Thanksgiving that first year. Dad had passed away the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and we just didn't feel like having a traditional Thanksgiving that first year. We had such a blast that we made it a semi-tradition. Our family has since grown. My sister has married and we have both had 2 children. Her husband claims to have had a bad experience at Disney when he was a child and refuses to go back , so we go without him! This year will be the 10 year anniversary that Dad has been gone, so it will be a special trip for all of us. Thanks for letting me share!

I'm sorry for your loss. That it happened just before the holidays made it even that much harder, I'm sure. I'm glad that you were able to 'escape' to Disney World and enjoy making a new tradition together and have somewhat of a positive memory to reflect upon from that period in your life.

 

[Dolce27]

Thursday, September 14, 2006

I wanted to get up at 5:45 am to be at the Magic Kingdom in time for morning EMH at 8:00 am but my tired body finally protested and I slept until 7:00 am instead. I actually managed to get to MK by 8:30.

I walked onto Dumbo.

I hadn’t been on this since I was seven years old and for nostalgic reasons, I was determined to ride it this trip. After Dumbo I did the carousel and then back to Mickey’s Philhar Magic. I have decided that the carpet scene where you are flying through the streets chasing Aladin and Jasmine is my favorite part of the show.

I then made my way to the Main Street Bakery to finally have my French Toast Loaf that I’d been dreaming about since the day before. It was so good but there was just too much of it. Everything in the Main Street Bakery looked good – I wanted all of it.

As I sat outside eating my French Toast Loaf I listened the trolley performers do their dance/sing routine. I couldn’t quite see them from where I was sitting but I did see them in passing a few times that morning.

I decided to do the Jungle Cruise next but there was a sign posted outside stating they wouldn’t be open until 10:00. All right, off to Pirates only to find that a CM was turning people away for some reason that I never found out. I headed towards Splash, which was operating, but decided to do Big Thunder Mountain instead. I then was able to get on to the Jungle Cruise. The line was rather long and it begun to lightly rain and I had trouble finding a dry spot to sit – which didn’t seem to concern the CM. If I’m all wet, then that’s one thing but being dry except for my bottom – well, I have an issue with that.

I then headed to Tomorrowland; grabbing a FP at Space Mountain. Two additional FP’s popped out with mine and a CM standing nearby warned me that I could only use one of them. I just looked at him and assured him that I’d only use one and then I headed off to the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (TTA).

That became my favorite thing to be on for the next couple of days. Hardly anyone rode it and it was very relaxing to ride along. Most of the time, while riding the TTA, I’d use that opportunity to call friends and family back home to chat. Going though Buzz Lightyear I decided that it looked pretty empty so I hopped off of the TTA and went on that.

I will freely admit: I completely, totally, utterly suck at this.

I can’t do Buzz. I’m lucky if my finishing score is 20 – without any additional zero’s after it. I saw an eight year old a few cars ahead of me who’s score was quadruple mine. I will never get on this and compete with anyone else. Ever.

I explored the gift shop – Venus of Merchant? (I don’t recall the name) and outside of it I ran into PUSH the talking trashcan. I’d always wanted to see him but I was never in the right place at the right time. I watched him interact with a girl that couldn’t figure him out.

That family left and PUSH began chatting with me. He asked where I was from and after I told him he decided to give me the ‘Texas Test’.

Oh great.

He told me that he wanted me to complete the next line of the song after him and that I had to sing and clap. Well, one problem: I don’t sing or clap. At least not in public. So, he began with the first line of the ‘Texas Test’ song singing “The eyes of Texas are upon you…” and then waited for me to sing “Deep in the heart of Texas” (That is how it goes right? ) and do the little clap. I pretended that I didn’t know the next line, which I sort of didn't. Unfortunately that was one persistent trash can and I finally had to cave and sing his line for him. And clap. So, if I wasn't right on the lyrics - he was nice enough to not say.

By then I realized that my FP for Space Mountain was up so I headed back to that for a ride. It was a walk-on, I didn’t really need the FP. I went on the left track and then went back through the stand by line (I promise Mr. CM, I did not use the other two Fast Passes) and rode the right track – attempting to compare the two tracks. I decided that I preferred the right track. I don’t know if there is really much of a difference in the two

I wondered over to Toontown and explored the area a bit before going back to Tomorrowland to go on the TTA one last time.

I left the Magic Kingdom and hopped a bus over to the Beach Club. I wanted to try out Beaches and Cream for lunch. It wasn’t busy at all thank goodness – that place is so tiny. I had read that it was a small restaurant, but seriously, it was small. I had a hamburger, fries, and the No Way Jose ice cream sundae. I had been looking forward to the sundae and it was good. I've yet to try food on this trip that I didn't like.

Of course, I was back to the stuffed feeling (getting quite used to that feeling) and that day was hotter then it previously had been that week. I was wearing jeans and I was beginning to feel pretty bad. Heat plus too much food is never good.

It was my first time to the Bach Club and I took some time to explore the resort. This is the resort my aunt and uncle stay at every year.

I was looking around the lobby when I saw a teen boy really dressed up. I didn’t quite understand why he was so dressed up in the early afternoon. I then spotted a bride a short distance away. Ah… a wedding. The kid being dressed up makes a lot more sense now. Everyone looked really nice.

I went out on the beach area and sat down on a swing for a few minutes before I made my way around the Lagoon to check out the Boardwalk. I never went into the hotel, just explored the shops on the boardwalk and really enjoyed the air conditioning inside. I mean, seriously enjoyed it. I was about to set up camp there in the middle of the shop for the rest of the afternoon. I refuse to wear shorts and the heat was really beginning to get to me that day.

 

[Dolce27]

I left the boardwalk and went over to EPCOT through the international gateway. Upon passing through the gate I cut through a gift shop so I could have another three seconds of air-conditioning when I suddenly found my exit blocked by a furry chipmunk back. Unbeknownst to me, Chip and Dale had been on the other side of the gift shop waiting on people to show up for photos when Dale had spotted me walking through the gift shop.

I promise! I wasn't stalking chipmunks!

Dale had backed himself into the doorway and refused to let me pass. Chip reached through a gap between the doorframe and Dale and grabbed a hold of my arm – attempting to pull me through to let me out but I still couldn’t get past Dale. I ended up with half of my body caught in-between Dale and the doorway frame. The handler was yelling at Dale to not hurt me. I wasn’t worried about being hurt but I was rather stuck. A kid walked up and Chip left me to go and greet the kid but Dale remained, leaving me squished between him and the door. The handler began yelling at Dale once again, this time to come over for pictures. Dale obeyed and walked over to Chip and the kid.

I began to walk off but then thought better of it. I decided what the heck, I could always do with another picture of chipmunks. So, I waited for the family to move on and then went over for a picture.

As I walked up to them, Chip opened his arms for a hug. I told him that he was being the ‘good one’ that day, so Chip then decided to be bad. He moved to stand in front of Dale, blocking Dale from posing in the picture with me. Dale would walk around behind me to stand at my other side but by the time he got there, Chip had already moved over there – again blocking Dale from being in the photo. This went on about four times before Dale decided that his feelings were hurt and walked off to pout, his back to us. I reached over, grabbed his hand, and pulled him back for the picture. Chip left him alone this time but Dale was out for revenge. Dale kept reaching across me with his hand to block Chips face from being in the photo. The CM handler had snapped the shot of that occurring:

The handler then proceeded to lecture Dale that he ruined the photo. Dale looked ashamed of himself and then behaved for another photo.

I said my good-byes to the chipmunks and walked over to Futureland. I went to pick up a FP for Soarin’ but the standby was only listed at a ten minute wait time so I waited and got in Bay 1 for that trip across California. I enjoyed the attraction regardless of which row I sat in. Of course, if you are in row 2 or 3 you will have one row of feet hanging in front of you but it was never distracting to me.

Afterwards, I realized that I hadn’t done Turtle Talk with Crush so I went over to the Living Seas Pavilion and got in line for that. The diver I had seen at the top of the tank the day that I was there for the Dolphin in Depth Tour was doing a scuba demonstration in the diver lock-in tank for a bunch of kids waiting to see Crush. I think they were teaching the kids’ diver’s hand signals. I only had to wait ten minutes or so to see Crush, not too bad, so I watched that while I waited. Turtle Talk was cute. It’s another once a trip kind of thing for me but definitely something you should see if you haven't.

I went back to ride Mission: Space. Despite doing so well on it the time before, I was a bit concerned about this trip as I was still feeling sick from the combination of the heat and too much food. I decided to go on it regardless and I did go on the orange side. Since I was fine riding the orange side (the more intense side) I didn’t have any desire to do the green side. All was fine on it and I had a fun time riding it – as usual. This was quickly becoming my new favorite thrill attraction at Disney. I think the strong blast of cool air they blow on you to help prevent motion sickness helped a lot. I was feeling a bit better by the time I got off of the ride.

I decided to leave EPCOT and hopped the monorail to the TTC and then took the resort monorail over to the Grand Floridian. Of course I, like most people, find this to be a beautiful resort. My purpose for going there that day was to find a computer lab. I realized that I had left home without any information for the auditions the next day. After a couple of inquiries I found the business center and was informed that it was $10.00/hour to use the internet. Great. I grinned, more like grimaced, and said all right and walked over to the nearest computer.

I’m glad that I did come to check on the location address; I found that there had been changes made to the audition once again since I left home. They had changed the info to define times of what groups would be auditioning when. The dancers were auditioning the morning and the singing and improve auditions were moved to that afternoon. Very good news for me. I had an ADR at 1900 Park Fare the next morning and I was stressing about eating and then making it over to the auditions in a decent amount of time. Now I wouldn’t have to show up until 1:00.

As things now stood, I had plenty to time. I checked on my return flight and with a sigh of relief;l found that no changes had been made to that.

It took about three to five minutes to check on this information. As I walked out of the computer lab the guy looked up at me surprised. I informed him that I was finished and he didn’t charge me the $10.00 since I was barley on the computer. Yea!

I looked around the resort a little bit. While I’ve always found this resort to be extremely beautiful, I’ve never desired to stay at it before. I’m beginning to change my mind a bit – maybe one day I will stay but I first want to try out the Boardwalk Inn.

I hopped the monorail back to the MK and hopped a bus to POFQ to do another Disney first for me: I took a nap.

Yes people, I actually took a nap. I never take naps – for any reason. Especially while at Disney World. As you may have noticed, I’m a bit of a park commando… I don’t know if anyone picked up on that or not.

So, I took an *almost* two hour nap and then got ready to head to Downtown Disney. The bad thing about taking that nap, my body was in total shock from it (Seriously, it’s not used to napping) and I had trouble waking back up. I also got into a fight with the alarm clock. It was making weird noises so I walked over to try to make it stop but then the music somehow came on and refused to turn back off. I did everything I could to get it to stop including flipping every switch/button and banging on it while yelling at it to shut-up. Nothing worked. I left the room with the music blaring loudly and prayed that it would be off by the time I returned. (It was.)

Upon reaching Downtown Disney, I decided that I wanted to do some shopping. I’d been hoarding what little money I had all week and now it was time to spend it. Napping really missed me up and I walked around in a fog for most of the rest of the night and really began to regret ever taking one. (Note to self: Next time at Disney don't take a nap -regardless of how tempting.) I was having trouble focusing on anything. I recall walking around the Christmas store wanting to purchase an ornament but it took at least thirty seconds of staring at each ornament before my brain computed what the ornament actually looked like.

I picked up a really nice looking ornament and was staring intently at it when a very stern voice said "Don't Touch!" and I quickly put that sucker back down from where I just picked it up from.

Glancing over I saw a mother telling her child not to touch the ornaments, it hadn’t been directed at me. Ooops.

Hey, in my defense I was still half asleep and hearing that ‘you better heed what I’m saying’ mother tone of voice that we all grew up hearing and all understood what came next if you didn’t heed – you better believe that I obeyed.

I made my way around a few more stores before going into The World of Disney. This place was packed, people everywhere. I bought a calendar and a photo frame for myself and began to see if there was something nice, but cheap, I could buy for Christmas gifts. I couldn’t find anything there but I went over to Arribas Brothers and found two paperweights – one etched with Grumpy and the other etched with Sneezy for my mother and step-father. There’s a family joke that my mom is Grumpy and my step-father is Sneezy and while Grumpy merchandise is everywhere (along with Dopey) do you have any idea of how impossible it is to find any of the other seven dwarfs?

Now, if I’d had more of a selection of Sneezy merchandise, or any selection at all for that matter, I wouldn’t have bought them paperweights. But, I didn’t have a selection and the paperweights were nice so that is what they got.

I then had to check out Goofy’s Candy Co. I wasn’t hungry enough for a meal but a snack sounded good right then. I stepped inside the store and oh-my-gosh! I didn’t even know where to begin. It all looked sooooo yummy. It probably took ten minutes to make a selection. I finally bought a stick of three marshmallows covered in chocolate and m&m’s. That was my dinner.

I took a few pictures of store display windows decked out for Halloween:

Then I hopped the bus back to POFQ and went back to bed. I had to be ready for auditions the next day!

Day 6 Next...

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

HOORAY for solo trip reports!!!

Loving your report so far! Especially the MGM day, since I somehow managed to totally miss that park on my recent trip! (I have no idea how! I've never skipped a park before!) Love the Streetmosphere pics, too- they're one of my favorite things about the park! (And I agree about the hat!) I liked hearing about the Dolphin tour, too- there aren't many reports about it online!

And oh no! This just reminded me that I totally forgot to check out the free segway demo thing at Epcot! Drat! Oh well, that's what next trips are for!

Can't wait to hear about your audition! I've been vaguely considering trying out for somewhere in entertainment at WDW, too!

 

[Dolce27]

HOORAY for solo trip reports!!!

Loving your report so far! Especially the MGM day, since I somehow managed to totally miss that park on my recent trip! (I have no idea how! I've never skipped a park before!) Love the Streetmosphere pics, too- they're one of my favorite things about the park! (And I agree about the hat!) I liked hearing about the Dolphin tour, too- there aren't many reports about it online!

And oh no! This just reminded me that I totally forgot to check out the free segway demo thing at Epcot! Drat! Oh well, that's what next trips are for!

Can't wait to hear about your audition! I've been vaguely considering trying out for somewhere in entertainment at WDW, too!

Thanks.

I've been reading your trip report and that's why I sort of regret not staying at Animal Kingdom longer that one day to explore.

Still, I'm glad I got to spend more time at MGM. I love the whole atmosphere of the place.

And yup, that's what next trips are for! I already have a whole list of things that I missed or didn't know about last trip that I can't wait for my next trip to do!

 

[Dolce27]

Friday, September 15, 2006

I woke up at 5:00 am and quickly dressed and hopped a bus to the TTC. I had an 8:00 am ADR to 1900 Park Fare. Just a quick note: There are early morning busses that run to the resorts to pick up people who have early morning ADR’s.

Upon arriving at the TTC, which wasn’t open yet as it was only 6:20 am, I sat on the bus and chatted with two CM’s for awhile – the bus driver and another CM that had worked the night shift at one of the resorts and was using the bus to get back to the TTC so he could go home.

I got on the very first monorail going out that morning, along with many CM’s heading to work, and was at the Grand Floridian by 7:00 am. I sat on a very comfy couch in the lobby until my 8:00 ADR and was happily presented with a large buffet of food. I’m a breakfast kind of girl. I love breakfast foods so breakfast buffets are always good. I did enjoy my selection at 1900 Park Fare.

It’s a good thing that I’m not much of a Pooh or Tigger fan because they both ignored me every time they passed. There weren’t too many of us in the dining room that early, so they made several rounds around the restaurant. Alice wasn’t there that morning, which I was disappointed about, but the ever flamboyant Mad Hatter was!

I had a quick chat with him and I asked for a picture of his lovely self – well he thought that he was lovely. I was out of the restaurant by 8:30 am and on a monorail to the MK to hop a bus back to POFQ.

Once again, I ate too much and felt stuffed. My body was going to have a seriously hard time of adjusting back to its normal eating habits the next week after spending seven days at Disney overeating sweet stuff!

I stayed at the resort the next few hours practicing; first in my room until Mousekeeping came and I left so she could do her job. I then wondered around the grounds where people once again thought that I was crazy. I’m not crazy – all right, maybe just a little.

I hopped the bus for Animal Kingdom. Anyone who has auditioned for Disney is probably already seeing a problem with this. I, however, was clueless. I knew that the auditions were held in the Animal Kingdom Rehearsal Facilities – but where exactly that is located is what I still had to find out.

I walked up to Guest Relations outside the park entrance to Animal Kingdom. I asked the girl where the Rehearsal Facility was and she just looked at me. She then asked if I was a Cast Member, nope, or if I had a car, again… nope. Then she told me sorry, I was out of luck and she went back to what she was doing.

Great.

I began to walk off and then walked back to her – what about a taxi? I inquired. She informed me that I could take a taxi and that the taxis are located outside the entrance gate.

I grabbed some money from an ATM and walked over to the entrance gate where a security CM stood. I asked her where I could find a taxi and she told me to ‘go left’. So, I went left, and kept going left, and kept going left.

Finally, Animal Kingdom was beginning to become a small dot in the background and I still hadn’t seen a taxi anywhere so I began making my way back. I had passed two women earlier as I was making my way left and I asked if they had seen a taxi. They hadn’t and stated that they'd been sitting there for an hour. To this day I have no idea why they were just sitting there. For an hour. I didn’t ask.

I made my way back up to the park entrance area and spotted a transportation CM (probably on the College Program) waiting for the parking lot tram to pull in. I asked him but he wasn’t for sure where the rehearsal facility was. He then asked me to wait a moment. A tram came in and he spoke to one of the other CM’s on the tram and they then tell me to go to the CM entrance and that security back there could help me.

So, they point out the CM entrance – which I don’t see – and I began walking that way. First I have to walk through the resort bus waiting area and then I keep going past that to where I’m walking on grass and it looks like I’m heading out of the parking lot on foot. I think that I became an ‘attraction’ for the people standing around waiting for the resort busses. I’m surprised a CM didn’t yell at me since it didn’t look like I knew what I was doing – which I didn’t!

I stood in the middle of this deserted grassy area in the AK parking lot area staring across the road to where this path is 'supposed' to lead to the CM entrance but I didn’t see anything. Just then, three CM’s walked out and suddenly I could see the path. It was well hidden if you didn’t know of its existence.

I quickly crossed the road and made my way along the path until I reached the security guard booth where I met one of the friendliest CM’s I’d met on the trip. I explained to him that I wanted to audition and he explained to me that the Animal Kingdom Rehearsal Facility wasn’t actually located at AK – it was a bit away and I would need a car. I asked if he had a phone number for a taxi. He told me that I wouldn’t need a taxi – he’d take care of it. He called up another security guard who picked me up and drove me over to the Rehearsal Facility. Yea!

Like I stated earlier, I’ve never auditioned for anything before. I don’t harbor any secret ambitions be an actor in New York or Hollywood – if anything I’d much rather be a director.

However, I was currently miserable in my job and I wanted a job to where I could make people smile. I loved watching the streetmosphere over at MGM and thought how awesome that would be if I was good enough to be apart of that group – or something similar.

I did try to find out information about what to expect for the auditions to be like before I came, but I wasn’t able to find out anything so I’ll post everything here for anyone who ever wants to audition.

Upon entering the room, I found it to already filled with people waiting to be called in. There was a table set up that had a green colored application to fill out with your information, if you didn’t already have a resume with you, and they also had a Polaroid to take your picture if you didn’t bring a headshot. When auditioning you do need to bring an 8 x 10 black and white headshot. I found out from another girl there to audition that it's becoming more popular to use color headshots; but Disney still wants black and white. I did have a headshot with me but not having any previous acting experience, I didn’t have a resume so I filled out my personal information on the application they provided.

You turn in the headshot, application and/or resume upon completion and are given a number. Then you wait. And wait. And wait some more.

I didn’t practice my monologue while waiting; if I didn’t know my lines by that point then I was just out of luck. Instead, I spent my time observing everyone else around me acting very nervous.

There were auditions for current CM’s before the open call began and I could tell for the most part who current CM’s were and who weren’t. I wore kaki slacks and a nice shirt but most of the female CM’s seemed to be dressed in cute dresses and heels. They all wore make-up and red lipstick. Most looked like they were dressed in 1940’s clothing (they weren’t) but the dresses they wore had a classic and elegant look to them. The men were dressed in beige slacks and button down shirts. There were a few people in jeans and some, like me, dressed in-between.

A girl who had recently moved to the area and had been a musical theater major in college sat down next to me and we began chatting until she was called. I then moved over and began chatting with various people. Most people I spoke with seemed to be relaxed but there was one girl that was a nervous wreck that just new she was going to do badly. I guess she did. When she came out after the audition she refused to speak of it and left rather quickly.

They called groups of ten or fifteen at a time to go back. However, once you are back there they line you up in the hall and you go into the audition room one at a time. You only have to audition in front of two judges. There were at least two rooms being used to audition in because we walked past one room with people waiting outside on the way to our room.

The judge I had was the Senior Casting Director for Disney. There was another woman in there; I don’t know her what her position with the company was. Also, the piano accompanist who is in the room for anyone with singing auditions watched.

A girl who went in about four people before me apparently did well. The Casting Director led her out of the room and wanted her to audition for someone else that day. We were told that if we passed this round of auditions then we’d be called back the next week for a second round of auditions so I found it odd that she was being taken immediately to audition for another person. So, good luck to her because I assume she is now working for Disney in entertainment.

My audition, while I didn’t totally bomb, wasn’t all that good. If I had been auditioning for American Idol – America would have never seen me because I don’t think I was so horrible that I would have been passed through to audition in front of Randy, Simon, and Paula for a ratings boots, nor was I good enough to be passed through because I was good.

I was so-so. Again, it was my first audition and while I didn’t forget any of my lines (yea! I was so worried about that) I wasn’t comfortable enough to fully act my lines out. Also, I wasn’t at all happy with my monologue selection – I didn’t think the topic was appropriate for what they were looking for and I knew that going in.

I’m not trying to imply that the monologue topic was inappropriate, it just wasn’t a good selection for the type of stuff Disney does. It had been a last minute decision to audition and I didn’t have enough time to find a monologue that I was happy with. BUT I walked out of that audition feeling extremely happy.

Truthfully, I don’t know that I would even be happy working in Disney entertainment but at that moment I was very happy that I did something that I never thought I’d have the courage to do: I auditioned for the Senior Casting Director of Disney. I stepped out of my comfort zone and attempted something new. So, I was very happy that I tried.

Also, I wanted to note that I was one of the last groups to go and audition and I only saw about five people of approximately two hundred get a yellow call back card. The Disney auditions are tough and they also type-cast. No matter how good you are, if you don’t fit the look for what they need at that time you won’t get a call back. You don’t know what they need when you audition.

I was sitting next to a guy that used to be in Disney entertainment. He had auditioned one year and didn’t get a call back. Several months later he auditioned again and he got it. They told him that they remembered him from his previous audition and they now had a position for him. So, he actually got a part based on a previous audition. Obviously he had quit Disney for awhile because he was now back to audition again.

 

[Dolce27]

I was probably the happiest rejected person to walk back into the waiting area that was now completely deserted. No one was in sight. I walked out of the building and realized: I had no idea how I was getting back.

Well, I didn’t have a problem with walking so I was just going to walk back to Animal Kingdom and then hop a bus over to Magic Kingdom. I had a ticket to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party that night.

I took off down the street to a intersection – well, it made a ‘T’. Across from me were apartments or condos. I looked right and I looked left and I had no idea how to get back to Animal Kingdom. I should have paid attention on the ride over.

At the (I assumed) condo parking lot across from me I saw two different families unpacking their cars so I crossed and went up to a guy at one car. I was right – these were time share condos and the guy had no idea where Animal Kingdom was.

All right then.

I walked over to the next car and approached a woman, who at least knew of Animal Kingdom, but didn’t know how to get there. She thought that I should make a right out of the condo parking lot, go down the street and make a left at the next intersection onto a major (and extremely busy) road. It was probably a couple of miles down from there.

All right people! How in the world can you come to Florida, practically be on Disney property and not know where the Disney Theme Parks are?!? That’s just wrong.

All right, this was going to be a lot of walking. Fine with me. I love to walk – especially with the amount of food I had already inhaled that week.

I turned to walk out of the condo parking lot and see a car stopped at the entrance to the parking lot. As I approach the car, the window rolls down and a girl that I’d spoken with while waiting for auditions asked me if I wanted a lift.

Ummm… yes!

She knew that I didn’t have transportation from some of the conversations I had with people in the audition waiting area and she happened to be driving back by the rehearsal facility when she saw me cross the road into the condo parking lot. She asked me where I wanted to be taken and I asked if it was a problem for her to drop me off at the MK – it wasn’t.

So, Elizabeth, if by any chance you are a DISER and find this trip report – again, THANK YOU!!!!

I get to the MK just after 4:00 and I didn’t know if I should enter with my park hopper pass or my party ticket. They were allowing partiers in so I used my MNSSHP ticket and got my wrist band. I was set and wouldn’t have to come back up to the gate later. Oh, I also got my trick-or-treat bag.

There were cast members standing up and down Main Street holding signs that politely encouraged non party guest to begin leaving the park.

I don’t recall the order in which I did everything. I started out at Starlight Café for some chicken strips, fries, and carrot cake. I ate in the lounge and caught a performance of Sunny Eclipse. I had read on the boards that he’d been missing one eye. I’m proud to report that from where I sat both eyes looked firmly intact.

I then went over to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. I approached a teacup just after the man on the round in front of me exited it. He climbed out over the top of the door. I guess the door is broken? Oh well, the tea cup was my favorite color (purple) and most other tea cups were now full so I climbed over the door and sat down. After spinning myself silly I discovered that the door did open. I guess the man just didn’t know how to open it. So, now I felt silly for my climbing performance a few minutes prior.

(I couldn't ever get a clear shot of this little guy - I guess that he didn't want his picture taken.)

I went over to the carousel – I still love carousels - and then I attempted to go to the torture device, oh excuse me; It’s a Small World, but it went down right after I entered the queue so I left and headed over to Frontierland where I went to grab a FP for Big Thunder Mountain only the FP was down and the ride was a walk-on. I then went to Splash Mountain, another walk-on.

Anyone know why those ugly birds seem so happy sitting up there?

Oh! Nice view of the castle. Uh... wait a minute! Where is the ground???

(My pathetic attempt at humor. It's Friday. I'm tired. )

Off to Pirates. Again, a walk-on. Then it was a quick climb thorugh the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. I decided that I could live without the Tikki Room and was almost spit (well sprayed with water) over by Aladdin's Magic Carpet ride - despite knowing to look out for large puddles on the ground to avoid in that area. As I continued to walk around it seemed that more and more stuff just 'magically' began to appear for the party. Seriously, I could have sworn that piece of halloween decor sitting to my left wasn't there 30 seconds ago yet I never saw anyone put it there.

Making my way back to Tomorrowland I rode the TTA twice, they let me stay on. On my second trip around I saw that there wasn’t a line for Space Mountain so I hopped off the TTA and went on Space Mountain. I went on the right side and was in the first seat, first car. I never ride in the front and I believe that to be best trip I had on Space Mountain.

By the time I walked out of Space Mountain, the park was officially closed and the Halloween Party had officially begun. I decided to start the night off with the Haunted Mansion. They had a fog machine out giving great effects to the mansion.

The CM inside attempted to be very grim – but I could tell she was trying very hard not to laugh from some of the guest bantering she was receiving. I walked out of the Haunted Mansion to rain… once again. What is it about that ride and rain? I attempted to take some pictures of the Pet Cemetery and I saw the Mr. Toad statue in the back.

(The middle picture is of Mr. Toad. He was a hard one to get with my little point and shoot camera.)

Also, I looked for the wedding ring to no avail. I’m beginning to think that the ring is a myth.

I passed by Cinderella’s Coach that they had out for the evening … and the massive photo line that went with it! I decided that I’d stop back by later that night to attempt a photo opt. I finally road It’s a Small World. All right – did it. Once was enough.

I found my way back over to Main Street to view my photopass and purchase a few photos. I stepped back out in time to watch the end of the first parade. No, I’ve never seen the Halloween parade before but I wasn’t too much into parades this trip so I didn’t mind that I’d only caught a little of it. Besides, it was raining.

Hollow Wishes was something I did not skip out on and it was so awesome! Better than the normal Wishes in my opinion. When at the end that shoot off that 180 degree arch of fireworks around the park at the same time – I’d never been so impressed. I loved the special Halloween fireworks and music – that is a must if you ever have an opportunity to go to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

I went on the TTA for another couple of rounds. Hey, what can I say? It was so relaxing without anyone around and I’d already done most of what I wanted at the MK since that was my third time in the park that week. After the TTA I managed to wait out the line for Cinderella’s Coach and got a couple of pictures:

 

[Dolce27]

Somewhere along the way, earlier that evening, I had passed the Hall of Presidents which was closed for refurbishment. I’m glad that of all the attractions that could have been closed for refurbishment while I was there, that was the one.

It puts me to sleep.

I know, I know. The Hall of Presidents puts me to sleep and I’ve never seen the American Adventure at EPCOT – I’m not being a very good American, am I?

Of course, Disney being Disney, they had to figure out a creative way to tell you that it is closed and of course me being me, I had to take a picture of a sign:

By this time the second parade had begun, but I hopped back on the Carrousel instead of watching. I was disappointed to find the Carrousel music turned off; the music from the dance party over at Aerial’s Grotto was turned up really loud instead. I looked over at the Dance party to see Chip and Dale dressed like Orlando Bloom from the last scene of Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl dancing away with several kids. It was cute to watch.

I decided that it was time to call it a night and worked my way up to Main Street where the parade was just reaching. I stopped in The Main Street Bakery and bought a Mickey rice crispy head with chocolate covered ears and drooled over the little Arribas crystal figurines that were in the attaching store to the bakery.

I finally stepped back out onto Main Street and watched most of the parade. I also captured another window display I liked:

Here is my only parade picture that I took. Capt. Jack Sparrow – and it didn’t turn out too well:

A few more miscellaneous photos from the Magic Kingdom:

... and it was time to say good-bye, this would be the last time I was in a park this trip and I was becoming depressed very quickly.

They were handing out miniature Snicker Bars on my way out. Somewhere during the evening I had made my way though one extremely long, beyond long, candy line with my little trick-or-treat bag. I didn’t get much candy for my efforts – I could still see the bottom of my bag by the time I completed the line.

So, me and my little bit of candy, hopped the POFQ bus and went back for my last night. I had already received the envelope of Magical Express Instructions for my return trip the next day on my door earlier. Looking at that was even more depressing. I had to face reality – my trip was over and it was almost time to return to the stress of normal life.

Day 7 Next...

 

[Dolce27]

I just wanted to thank everyone who has been reading my trip report - it's my first one to write. I also want to thank those of you who've made nice and encouraging comments along the way.

I'll try to complete the trip report tomorrow.

 

[peacelovemickey]

Oh Man! Your TR is almost over!? I am enjoying it so much! Thanks for the backstage glimpse of an audition. I have always been curious about those!

 

[KimAshton]

Cannot wait to read more. Love TR's.

 

[mbtileguy]

thank you so much for this report it is the" bomb " i might even read it again
i would love to do disney solo you are a inspiratio. cant wait to read how it ends. by the way how did remember all this did you take notes?

 

[Dolce27]

thank you so much for this report it is the" bomb " i might even read it again
i would love to do disney solo you are a inspiratio. cant wait to read how it ends. by the way how did remember all this did you take notes?

Thank you.

Yes, I took notes. I had a small notebook with me while there. Being by yourself; there is plenty of down time to sit and write.

 

[Dolce27]

Saturday, September 16, 2006

I woke up to my last day at the World.

I was really happy with Air Tran this trip because I had a early flight down allowing me to be at the parks by 1:00 pm and I had a late flight back to DFW. My flight didn’t leave until 7:00pm that night.

Normally I had early morning flights but not this time! I loved this flight schedule. Keep this up Air Tran and I’ll take back every negative thing I’ve ever said about you.

I packed and went down to the food court for breakfast. I decided to have chocolate chip pancakes. The Saturday before I left for my trip I made chocolate chip pancakes for the first time in my life because it sounded like a fun thing to do. I’d never before had chocolate chip pancakes – so I began my trip (sort of) with them and I decided to end my trip with them. I must admit- mine had been better.

I took my luggage down and had them store it and hopped a bus over to Downtown Disney. I wanted to buy my aunt and uncle and their two daughters (2 & 3) a gift as they had brought back a very nice gift for me when they had returned from Disney earlier that year. They bought a pearl Mickey Mouse head pendant necklace for me. There is a large pearl with two smaller pearls creating the ears on a delicate gold chain. I love that necklace.

However, shopping for my little cousins proved to be difficult. My uncle is rather picky (in my opinion) and everything I thought about buying them I imagined him getting annoyed over that selection – now if he really would have or not, I don’t know. But I kept finding stuff and then putting stuff back. I finally settled on a box of fudge over at the Candy Cauldron on the West Side for the entire family. Who gets annoyed at food? I picked out the fudge and tried to stick with a lot of white chocolate as my aunt gets migraines from chocolate but can usually eat white chocolate all right. Oh, and she loves chocolate regardless.

I’d been searching for a photo album but wasn’t happy with this year’s selection. I finally picked out a silver one with Sorcerer Mickey on the front that says ‘Where The Magic Lives’. I really liked the one I bought in 2002 and they had that one again – except this time in gold. The one I bought in 2002 was sliver. I’m not a gold person at all.

I made my way back over to Arribas Brother’s and that was a big mistake. The night before at the Magic Kingdom I saw a Steamboat Willie figurine that I really wanted but I didn’t want the price tag that came with it.

They had the same one at the Arribas Brother's store. I was considering settling for another Mickey Mouse figurine that was $70.00 cheaper and I was doing a rather good job of convincing myself that I really did want the cheaper Mickey… yeah, I bought my little Steamboat Willie:

Isn’t he cute??

Shopping was complete. Done. Finished. It had to be, I didn’t have much of a choice. The lack of money sort of prevents continued shopping.

Time for lunch instead. I wanted to try the Earl of Sandwich. I had the Le Frenchy Sandwich and an Oatmeal Cookie. And of course, it was good. No complaints with food this trip. I sat outside while I ate, enjoying watching the people around me. It was a rather nice day.

I still had some snack credits so I went over to Goofy’s Candy Co. I bought two marshmallow sticks – one was covered in white chocolate and the other in milk chocolate.

My last picture to take on this trip:

I made my way over to the dock to take the water taxi back up to POFQ. I’d always wanted to have the option to use the water taxis while at WDW and I had an opportunity this trip. I still had a little time back at the resort before it was my pick-up time for the Magical Express to the airport. I walked around the gift shop a bit, still didn’t have any money to buy anything else.

I wasn’t certain if I could take the marshmallows on the airplane. Normally, I never attempt to carry food onto an aircraft and with all of the strict regulations that have come about over the past few years; I began to worry about my marshmallows.

Besides, I was so stuffed from a week’s worth of eating the snacks weren’t even sounding very tempting at that moment. I decided instead to offer my treats to some cast members. The box was still sealed from when I left Goofy’s Candy Co – I hadn’t opened it. I walked into the lobby and there were several CM’s behind one of the counters, chatting.

They all ignored me for a moment before one walked up to me. I offered the snacks to them – looking at the CM’s behind her to include them. After all, each marshmallow stick has three marshmallows on it so there were six marshmallows to share. Unfortunately for the other CM’s, the CM who I handed the snacks to decided they were for her and her girlfriend. I don’t think anyone else at work that afternoon was getting any. The CM that I handed the box too looked pretty darn happy at accepting my gift and kept mentioning over and over how she and her girlfried were going to enjoy them.

The others just stared at me. I couldn’t tell if they were staring because they I thought I was odd for randomly offering them food or if they were disappointed with themselves to not be the one to stop ignoring me first. Who knows?

Marshmallows gone, I sat in the lobby watching old Mickey Mouse cartoons on the t.v. in the kid’s area until it was time to leave for the airport. My flight home was actually very good. Again, not a full flight so I had an entire row to myself again. It was rather nice flying back to Dallas at dusk – it kind of helped to put an end to my trip.

At the time I was depressed because I honestly didn’t know when I could plan another trip. Now I have made that decision: I’m going back to Walt Disney World December 2008 for 10 days/ 9 nights at the Animal Kingdom Lodge to celebrate my 30th birthday!

Again, trying to turn a negative into a positive here… who looks forward to their 30th? So, my planning has once again begun – it’s never early to begin planning is it?