You're Here BY YOURSELF? A Solo TR COMPLETED!

[creativeamanda]

What beautiful pics!!! And you got some amazing shots of the fireworks!!! NICE!

Thanks. I'm all embarassed--I wish the tripod had cooperated. By the end of the trip, I threw it away.

WOW great updates and great photos!!! That gingerbread house is simply stunning and the castle...oh the castle is gorgeous lit up like that!!

You did get some great firework shots!! WOW!!! Glad you had such a great time!

Thanks so much.

Nice fireworks pix! Your description of how you felt was great!

That's exactly how I felt, too. I was in my happy place the whole time.

 

[creativeamanda]

Just as I had gotten to sleep from the night before (and it took me forever to get back to the room as I forgot where I had parked my car at the TTC), I got up ready to go to Epcot.

Standing in line, I noticed this family behind me. Their girls were so sweet and then I noticed Tour Guide Mike December Vacation Club buttons on them. We chatted it up for a good amount of time, and ended up doing the rope drop and the Soarin' Stampede together. While waiting for rope drop and what not, I got several compliments all around about my tie-dyed Mickey t-shirt. People wanted to know where I got it from.


Hint, all--TarzanKat. Great work, quick shipment. It really made my day to be able to tell people to check her out.

Anywho--the shirt makes its appearance before long. . .

Rope drop Mickey Mouse:

Soarin' Stampede--I think we all waited all of 5 minutes for Soarin'

I got off of Soarin' and went over to get Fastpasses, said so long to my TGM buddies, and took a picture of the ants in the Land. Or at least, that's what they looked like.

I went from there to Test Track, then Mission Space, then Test Track, then Mission Space. After that, I felt sick. I wonder why.

My two TT photos. Sorry, no shot of the shirt--it was too cold on the ride!

And just so you can see the shirt--this is it. I know it's later in the day, but I douldn't leave you all hanging.

 

[TarzansKat]

I got a shout out! WOOT!

I'm glad you liked your shirt, and I am tickled that you got so many compliments on it.

I'm happy to read such a glowing review of the Christmas party. I've not always heard the best things, and I'm glad you had a good time and really enjoyed your special alone time in your happy place. Awesome!

 

[kamikazecat]

With every update I am getting more and more jealous of your solo trip.

I am really looking forward to MVMCP next year.

 

[eandesmom]

what beautiful castle photos! I love your description of the nighttime parade versus the day time, I can completely get that "mystique" it would be very very magical indeed.

The shirt looks great!

TK rocks.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

What a thrill-seeker you are! You got a bunch of major riding in!!! Love the shirt!!!

 

[ladybugmom]

LOVE the shirt!!

 

[deanie]

I am loving the trip report. I just finished reading your dining review also and it was excellent!! Can't wait for more.

 

[stopher1]

My favorite part is the fact that you can only see the Once Upon a Christmas Time parade at night during the party.

No sooner did the parade end that I moved closer to the castle for the fireworks. I did not mind that I was waiting forever--I knew I would stay out my ticket, thanks to sleeping in that day. My goal was to capture some gorgeous fireworks. And I did:

You did get some nice fireworks pics! Awesome. Nice update too. Although I must say that I tend to disagree with you regarding the Christmas parade. Sure it is nice that it's included in the party - but at the same time, it stinks for all those guests who are there for Christmas festivities, but can't afford the extra cost of the hard ticketed party. I've been to the party before, and it's great fun, but I've also experienced being there and not going to the party and it's kind of a let down not being able to see the parade without forking out extra cash to do so. In comparison and for that reason I personally prefer Disneyland at Christmastime since all of the Christmas festivities (parade 2x/day and all) are just part of the regular operating day. NO hard ticketed parties. But - that's just MHO. It is really cool though that you got some great photos, had some awesome wait times and really enjoyed yourself! Kudos!

 

[stopher1]

Soarin' Stampede--I think we all waited all of 5 minutes for Soarin'
I went from there to Test Track, then Mission Space, then Test Track, then Mission Space. After that, I felt sick. I wonder why.

I love it!

Nice shirt too. What a great shot with SE in the background. Where were you at this point? It's hard to tell which WS pavilion you were standing in.

 

[creativeamanda]

I got a shout out! WOOT!

I'm glad you liked your shirt, and I am tickled that you got so many compliments on it.

I'm happy to read such a glowing review of the Christmas party. I've not always heard the best things, and I'm glad you had a good time and really enjoyed your special alone time in your happy place. Awesome!

Of course you got a shout out! That shirt is great!

I did love the party, but at the same time, I probably would not get tickets again unless I had the kids with me.

With every update I am getting more and more jealous of your solo trip.

I am really looking forward to MVMCP next year.

You will love it!

what beautiful castle photos! I love your description of the nighttime parade versus the day time, I can completely get that "mystique" it would be very very magical indeed.

The shirt looks great!

TK rocks.

TK does rock, and thanks for the complements on the pictures.

What a thrill-seeker you are! You got a bunch of major riding in!!! Love the shirt!!!

I really felt bad after that whirlwind set of rides. But I had fun!

LOVE the shirt!!

Thanks!

I am loving the trip report. I just finished reading your dining review also and it was excellent!! Can't wait for more.

Thanks and

You did get some nice fireworks pics! Awesome. Nice update too. Although I must say that I tend to disagree with you regarding the Christmas parade. Sure it is nice that it's included in the party - but at the same time, it stinks for all those guests who are there for Christmas festivities, but can't afford the extra cost of the hard ticketed party. I've been to the party before, and it's great fun, but I've also experienced being there and not going to the party and it's kind of a let down not being able to see the parade without forking out extra cash to do so. In comparison and for that reason I personally prefer Disneyland at Christmastime since all of the Christmas festivities (parade 2x/day and all) are just part of the regular operating day. NO hard ticketed parties. But - that's just MHO. It is really cool though that you got some great photos, had some awesome wait times and really enjoyed yourself! Kudos!

Thanks about the pictures--I learned a great bit about my camera that week!

As far as the parties go, I totally get what you are saying, but at the same time, I do think that the parties are a great option many times.

I love it!

Nice shirt too. What a great shot with SE in the background. Where were you at this point? It's hard to tell which WS pavilion you were standing in.

I really don't remember where I was in that picture--I know I was between Germany and Mexico, because I know that is the direction I was heading in.

 

[creativeamanda]

Now, I saved most of this report for my dining report, but after all of my traveling around that morning, I have lunch at Coral Reef. I have to add this lunch in because it was truly one of the best experiences on this trip.

It was an awesome experience because of my seat.

Here I am, there, and do you see the background?

Yes, that flash is indicative of being sat right beside the fish tank.

Best. Seat. Ever.

Without a doubt.

Pictures, as I always say, are worth a thousand words, and this is what I watched the entire time:

After this lunch, which was awesome, by the way, I went back to the resort for a rest. I needed some rest, expecially after the rides.

When I came back from my nap, I had dinner at Chefs de France. I checked in for dinner about 20 minutes before time. I felt a little forboding at the fact that when I said and spelled my name, he seemed not to understand me. After sitting and waiting in the cold outside for greater than 45 minutes, and watching people who came after me and had later ADRs get seated before me, I went to find out what was wrong. They did not have my name or my party size right.

I left and got a snack in Germany. I was mad.

And I missed a Tour Guide Mike meet in the whole process.

I did get a good picture of the Christmas tree in the American Pavilion looking for something to eat:

And I found and awesome spot for Illuminations between Germany and Italy and these are my pictures--I thought they were great:

After Illuminations, I made a slow stroll out of the park. . .

Bye, World Showcase:

The tree coming into the World SHowcase

And photopass on my way out:

Coming up. . .Lions and Tigers and Monkeys (Oh MY!)

 

[SadieDog]

Love all the pics.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

aww sorry about the whole France thing I know the feeling since that sorta happened to us at Ohana which you'll read in my coming reports Nice spot for fw's. We stood in a similar spot as well Can't wait for the rest!

 

[LegoMom3]

......
And photopass on my way out:

Coming up. . .Lions and Tigers and Monkeys (Oh MY!)

I really, really like that picture! But......











































NO MONKEYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





.

 

[creativeamanda]

Love all the pics.

Thanks, Sadiedog!

aww sorry about the whole France thing I know the feeling since that sorta happened to us at Ohana which you'll read in my coming reports Nice spot for fw's. We stood in a similar spot as well Can't wait for the rest!

I hate you had a situation like that at Ohana. Ohana really has a bad setup for check in. It really makes me rethink my reservation there. . .

I really, really like that picture! But.....


NO MONKEYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





.

You'll see. . .

 

[patches07]

Love all the pics.

 

[stopher1]

More great pics... I love the ones at Coral Reef. We've eaten there twice before - had great views, but never seated right next to the tank. That's awesome!

Love your illuminations pics as well. Bummer about France. That's always been my biggest worry when eating at TS locations - they won't have my name in their computer... ugh. All in all though, it really looks/sounds like you had a nice trip.

 

[ladybugmom]

Yay! Glad that you had such a wonderful lunch at Coral Reef! But that's awful that Chefs de Fance lost your ressie! YIKES! I'm so sorry. Your Illuminations and PP pics are beautiful!!

 

[creativeamanda]

Love all the pics.

Thanks! I really enjoyed my camera this time.

More great pics... I love the ones at Coral Reef. We've eaten there twice before - had great views, but never seated right next to the tank. That's awesome!

This was my third visit to Coral Reef, but we won't be going in May/June because I know not sitting next to the tank will be a let down. And I don't recall seeing a table to accomodate a party of 5 over there.

Love your illuminations pics as well. Bummer about France. That's always been my biggest worry when eating at TS locations - they won't have my name in their computer... ugh. All in all though, it really looks/sounds like you had a nice trip.

It was very frustrating, but it's all over and I had a great evening!

Yay! Glad that you had such a wonderful lunch at Coral Reef! But that's awful that Chefs de Fance lost your ressie! YIKES! I'm so sorry. Your Illuminations and PP pics are beautiful!!

I know--I don't think I'd make another reservation there. I snagged a Le Cellier lunch today that I'm going to hold onto for dear life, lol. Thanks for the complements about my pictures--I love my camera, but I'm still learning it.