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

[creativeamanda]

LOVE your Flying Fish photos! I went there for the first time in December and would have to say it was our best meal! I am taking my DS in May. I bet he would love to sit where you did!

You sure had a nice low crowd night to see Osborne Lights. We were wall to wall people the night we went.


For everyone on solo trips-I bet anyone you ask would be happy to take your photo. If you don't want to do that you can ask the photopass photographers to take a photo with your camera. I would still let them take photos on their cameras too even if you don't plan on buying them but they will also take photos on your camera. Most of the time the photos on my camera are much better. They set the resolution on their cameras way down.

I agree that they set the resolution too low with the photopass cameras. I think photopass is a good option, because many, many people want pictures of their whole family and it's usually only available with photopass.

There were wall to wall people the first time I went. I think while I was over there, there was a 2nd Fantasmic showing, which brought crowds down or perhaps I had it backwards and I went to TSM area after the Lights. Either way, I remember hearing the fireworks.

FLying Fish is awesome, and I think I will end up taking my 11yo there next summer. I thought of doing a trip with her in December, but I want a long trip, even if we have to stay value for it.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I agree that they set the resolution too low with the photopass cameras. I think photopass is a good option, because many, many people want pictures of their whole family and it's usually only available with photopass.

There were wall to wall people the first time I went. I think while I was over there, there was a 2nd Fantasmic showing, which brought crowds down or perhaps I had it backwards and I went to TSM area after the Lights. Either way, I remember hearing the fireworks.

FLying Fish is awesome, and I think I will end up taking my 11yo there next summer. I thought of doing a trip with her in December, but I want a long trip, even if we have to stay value for it.

When I was there in January they were just rolling out the Nikon D90's to the photopass photographers-the same camera I have. I've been hearing from the photographers for a while that they were getting the D90s because everytime they would take a picture with my camera they would comment. So this one photographer had just been trained but still didn't have it yet said to me "we just have to do one thing....set this to L" Not really sure what the setting is because I always just shoot in the highest resolution possible but they had to set it to the lowest. My photos are about 5-6MB some over 7MB. The photopass pictures are about 1.5MB-some less than 1MB.

I do LOVE the photopass borders but I don't think I'll buy the CD anymore. I'll have them use my camera and maybe buy a few downloads but not the whole CD. I will say though that the photopass photographers at the deluxe resorts are really wonderful! The resorts that do the photo shoots take photos at night-you don't have to be staying there to have your photo taken. In January on my DD's birthday trip we stayed at AKL and we had our photo taken nearly every night and those pictures were worth the price of the CD.

I'm sure you'll have a great time with your DD! I actually like the value resorts but keep an eye on the seasons. We are taking a family trip this July-arriving 7/18 which is the start of value season at the deluxe resorts. Value season for value resorts (I think moderates too) doesn't start til mid August.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

You got some great pix of the lights!!! Great job!

 

[creativeamanda]

YAY! Updates!

Now only if I can find time to READ them.

I totally missed you, dude. Sorry. Take your time. Aooarently, I'm taking mine, lol.

When I was there in January they were just rolling out the Nikon D90's to the photopass photographers-the same camera I have. I've been hearing from the photographers for a while that they were getting the D90s because everytime they would take a picture with my camera they would comment. So this one photographer had just been trained but still didn't have it yet said to me "we just have to do one thing....set this to L" Not really sure what the setting is because I always just shoot in the highest resolution possible but they had to set it to the lowest. My photos are about 5-6MB some over 7MB. The photopass pictures are about 1.5MB-some less than 1MB.

I do LOVE the photopass borders but I don't think I'll buy the CD anymore. I'll have them use my camera and maybe buy a few downloads but not the whole CD. I will say though that the photopass photographers at the deluxe resorts are really wonderful! The resorts that do the photo shoots take photos at night-you don't have to be staying there to have your photo taken. In January on my DD's birthday trip we stayed at AKL and we had our photo taken nearly every night and those pictures were worth the price of the CD.

I'm sure you'll have a great time with your DD! I actually like the value resorts but keep an eye on the seasons. We are taking a family trip this July-arriving 7/18 which is the start of value season at the deluxe resorts. Value season for value resorts (I think moderates too) doesn't start til mid August.

I don't think photopass is really worth it unless you do a share with some people. That's just me. Most of what I've been doing recently is digital, but I try to plan on 2-3-page scrapbook spreads for each trip and it's nice to have 1-2 photopass pictures to put in there.

I have at least a year to think of the mother-daughter trip. Part of me wants to go value, but part of me wants to try the Beach club. It all depends on whether or not I get National Board Certification, I think.

You got some great pix of the lights!!! Great job!

Thanks! That was my little point-and-shoot camera, but the trick I think is to turn the flash off. Sounds strange, but that is what's working for me right now.

 

[creativeamanda]

I love Magic Kingdom. I love walking up to the gates. I love waiting to get in. I love rope drop. I love the mad rush down Main Street, USA. I love the park more than any other park.

Whenever I think I might like Epcot better, I go back to Magic Kingdom. And I fall in love again.

Tuesday morning found me all excited about going to the Magic Kingdom. I got up and went to the food court for these:

Then, I moseyed over to the car, refillable mug in hand, to drive over to the TTC. I'm not one who usually likes to drive to Magic Kingdom, but in this case, I knew I would be moving a lot that day and wanted to be as mobile as possible. I also like driving when I have my refillable mug. I can finish it in the car and leave it there without having to lug it through the park.

So, I get to Magic Kingdom at 8:15 and I was up front for rope drop. . .

I love Mickey in all his Winter Finest!

Now those of you who know mw know what I did at Magic Kingdom Rope Drop. I don't know why, nor do I think I ever will know why rope drop at the magic Kingdom tends to turn me into a blubbering crying fool, but it does. I was grateful for the sunglasses I was wearing to hide my tears, because I was truly losing it! I think I also realized my last day in the parks was the next day, and according to my PLANS, this was my last trip to MK. (Remember, though, how much I love the Magic Kingdom). I went into the park and instead of following the masses, I entered on the right side and then turned left to go onto the platform for the railroad.

This was an awesome vantage point to take pictures of the castle. And the tree, that was in the way of the castle. I made a mental note to go up here for my next trip to get a full photo of Main Street and the castle.

Eventually, I went down, into the masses, which were becoming more and more insane every day. I'm thinking this day was probably close to a 10 on the crowd calendar. What do ya'll think?

Of course, I got to the edge of Main Street as much as possible to get a picture of the welcome wagon on the sidewalk. . .

I was not heading for Space Mountain that day (wise choice). I was heading for Fantasyland. And my first stop? Peter Pan's Flight, from where I took a picture of my daughter's least favorite ride:

She's annoyed by the song, and so am I, but I feel like I have to ride it. Thank goodness I had already ridden it this trip and would not be subjecting myself to it.

From there, I headed to

I love this ride. I can quote most of it now, and I actually rode it two times in succession.

After that I went to

and got a fastpass for

I noticed it was 11am by this time. The large crowds were slowing me down, as well as me letting myslef get behind by stopping at the Railroad for a picture. I figured if I was going to get a jump on the lunch crowds, I better go ahead and pick someplace. I decided on this place because I had never been, it was close by, and I had a fastpass within the next 45 minutes.

This was a great lunch. I loved the do-it-yourself ordering, and I ate before the crowd really set in. By the time I was finished, I still had time before Splash, so I went onto

Believe me--it had a 1-hour wait! By the time I got away, it was 12:30. I used my fastpass at Splash, and walked around to take a couple of pictures of the castle, including these:

Remember, I thought I was going to be leaving MK for no further trips this vacation, so I thought I had to go to Main Street Bakery for one of these:

Then, I settled on Main Street for the Christmas Parade. It was around 2pm by this time and I was tired. My plans were to go to Animal Kingdom and skip the parade, but I just wanted to sit. Because it was so early, I was right on the curb, so I ate my sandwich there and waited.

Coming up. . .the Christmas parade.

 

[creativeamanda]

After sitting and slowly eating my ice cream sandwich (which I never finished, but I'm sure I would have had it not been such a short time since lunch), it was time for the parade. It started with the Main Street Marching Band, which was really exciting!

Then it was time for the parade, which, incidentally, is the same as the parade for MVMCP:

This float smelled like peppermint!!!

And they smelled like Gingerbread!

Before long, it was time for my favorite part--the Toyland Toy soldiers!

And then it was time for the reindeer and the Big Jolly ole Elf himself!

At the end, I was ready to go over to Animal Kingdom. Even though I had driven, I decided to take the bus over. I wish I had just walked over to the Contemporary to catch the bus, but I went to the TTC. Word to the wise--it's a long walk and wait over there, and you are better off walking over to CR and taking the bus if you are inclined to do so.

 

[lovesdumbo]

It all depends on whether or not I get National Board Certification, I think.

Good luck with that!!!


LOVE your photos! Love Christmas Mickey at opening! I've never seen him. I honestly can't remember if we ever did rope drop at MK when I was there in December. I think the one day we went to MK in the morning we had an early breakfast at CP so we did see the opening ceremony. I thought DD & I made it for opening on our last day but I'm not sure. I'll have to go look at photos.

Love your parade photos too. I've seen the parade at MVMCP but have never seen it during the day.

I always tell myself to make a point to take photos from the train station but then never seem to remember. I'll have to see if I can remember in May.

 

[LegoMom3]

Now THAT was an ice-cream sandwich!!!!


I'm glad you liked your lunch at Pecos Bill; I'm looking forward to trying it! And I, too, feel "obligated" to ride IASW. Although I don't really hate it, it's just not something you say "Oooh, I can't wait to ride that!", but you still feel you should. I do really like the Polynesian/Hawaiian part, though, where you get that little drum-beat in the music track!


Your parade pics are great! And how cool that they are "scented!!!"...only at Disney, I'm tellin' ya. I give you a lot of credit for dealing with those crowds, though. I really don't know if I could do it.

.

 

[TarzansKat]

Awesome updates. I love Mickey in his winter finest. He looks so dapper!

As usual, I have focused on your photos of food. The scallops at Flying Fish looked sooo yummy. And OMG over the beignets and ice cream cookie sandwich. Yum, yum, yum!

 

[creativeamanda]

Good luck with that!!!


LOVE your photos! Love Christmas Mickey at opening! I've never seen him. I honestly can't remember if we ever did rope drop at MK when I was there in December. I think the one day we went to MK in the morning we had an early breakfast at CP so we did see the opening ceremony. I thought DD & I made it for opening on our last day but I'm not sure. I'll have to go look at photos.

Love your parade photos too. I've seen the parade at MVMCP but have never seen it during the day.

I always tell myself to make a point to take photos from the train station but then never seem to remember. I'll have to see if I can remember in May.

I wish only that the tree could have moved for me, lol.

Not that the tree would go away, just that it could have moved about 1 foot and then moved back. Maybe if Tinkerbell would sprinkle some Pixie dust. . .

Now THAT was an ice-cream sandwich!!!!


I'm glad you liked your lunch at Pecos Bill; I'm looking forward to trying it! And I, too, feel "obligated" to ride IASW. Although I don't really hate it, it's just not something you say "Oooh, I can't wait to ride that!", but you still feel you should. I do really like the Polynesian/Hawaiian part, though, where you get that little drum-beat in the music track!


Your parade pics are great! And how cool that they are "scented!!!"...only at Disney, I'm tellin' ya. I give you a lot of credit for dealing with those crowds, though. I really don't know if I could do it.

.

I got a cheeseburger, but the toppings bar at Pecos Bill's made lunch so worth it. And that ice cream sandwich. . .I can't wait to get another one in a few weeks (7!).

I was amazed that the floats were scented. Only at DIsney, though.

Crowds? What crowds? Really, July 4th week was better even with the heat as far as crowds go.

Awesome updates. I love Mickey in his winter finest. He looks so dapper!

As usual, I have focused on your photos of food. The scallops at Flying Fish looked sooo yummy. And OMG over the beignets and ice cream cookie sandwich. Yum, yum, yum!

Of course you'd be looking at the food. I can't wait for an ice cream sandwich and beignets!

 

[disneyshakeygirl]

I didn't know the floats smelt like something! That is amazing!!!!

 

[creativeamanda]

I didn't know the floats smelt like something! That is amazing!!!!

Where I was, right there on the curb, it was unmistakeable. And yes, amazing!

 

[Grammie3]

Your trip report caught my attention and I had to read the whole way thru-I am planning a solo trip 9/27-10/6. This is a two fold trip for me, last October I went with my sister and ended up with a really bad knee injury. I had been having a problem with that knee for a couple of months and well while unpacking the car when I turned or twisted wrong out it went. We made the best of things but it was not the perfect WDW trip I had planned for us.

So, now that I had surgery and my knee is almost 100% better, I am still doing strength exercises for it, and increasing my walking pace even adding in a slight jog now and then. When a class that I need to take for work showed up in my e-mail, held in the DTD area at one of the hotels, off site. I was excited to check things our. So, it looks like I will be there in class 9/28-9/30, why not extend and make this a re-do for last October? That is exactly what I am doing too!

You inspired me and I am going to look and see if I can upgrade to POFQ, I am booked at POP, but it sounds like the POFQ would suit me more solo. I already have my ADR's made and my itinerary planned out. I will be driving since I live an 8 hour drive away, and like you I will have a hard time sleeping the night before.

Cindy

 

[stopher1]

More amazingly good photos! I'm loving them. And those ice cream sandwiches - I'd love to have one right now. Yummy. I've started making those at home whenever my DW brings home extra cookies from Paradise Bakery - not quite WDW's - but still very, very good!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Ummmm....that ice cream sandwich....yummmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

I have never had one of those, but I think it will be a must next trip!!!

 

[GaRain]

Truly enjoying your TR so far!~
Amazing what you can do as a solo traveler!
I just HAVE to go back this Christmas time to see the castle with those lights - amazing!
Such wonderful pictures!!!
Can't wait for more!

Lara

 

[hucifer]

Thank goodness I just had lunch because between the beignets and the ice cream sandwich, I'm almost getting hungry again. They both looked so good, OMG.

I think my two favorite attractions at MK are Peter Pan's Flight and the Haunted Mansion. They are classics to me, and bring me back to childhood every time I ride them.

 

[creativeamanda]

Your trip report caught my attention and I had to read the whole way thru-I am planning a solo trip 9/27-10/6. This is a two fold trip for me, last October I went with my sister and ended up with a really bad knee injury. I had been having a problem with that knee for a couple of months and well while unpacking the car when I turned or twisted wrong out it went. We made the best of things but it was not the perfect WDW trip I had planned for us.

So, now that I had surgery and my knee is almost 100% better, I am still doing strength exercises for it, and increasing my walking pace even adding in a slight jog now and then. When a class that I need to take for work showed up in my e-mail, held in the DTD area at one of the hotels, off site. I was excited to check things our. So, it looks like I will be there in class 9/28-9/30, why not extend and make this a re-do for last October? That is exactly what I am doing too!

You inspired me and I am going to look and see if I can upgrade to POFQ, I am booked at POP, but it sounds like the POFQ would suit me more solo. I already have my ADR's made and my itinerary planned out. I will be driving since I live an 8 hour drive away, and like you I will have a hard time sleeping the night before.

Cindy

It sounds like you deserve your trip.

I have to say that I really enjoyed staying at POFQ and I think it's going to be me go-to resort for solo trips. And this definitely will not be the last!

More amazingly good photos! I'm loving them. And those ice cream sandwiches - I'd love to have one right now. Yummy. I've started making those at home whenever my DW brings home extra cookies from Paradise Bakery - not quite WDW's - but still very, very good!

I am looking forward to another ice cream sandwich in May. I think the heat of May/June will be perfect for one of those babies!

Ummmm....that ice cream sandwich....yummmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

I have never had one of those, but I think it will be a must next trip!!!

You have to. YOu really, really do!

Truly enjoying your TR so far!~
Amazing what you can do as a solo traveler!
I just HAVE to go back this Christmas time to see the castle with those lights - amazing!
Such wonderful pictures!!!
Can't wait for more!

Lara

My camera is my pride and joy of items that I own. The lights on the castle are amazing. I will return another Christmas--not this coming one, but one day.

Thank goodness I just had lunch because between the beignets and the ice cream sandwich, I'm almost getting hungry again. They both looked so good, OMG.

I think my two favorite attractions at MK are Peter Pan's Flight and the Haunted Mansion. They are classics to me, and bring me back to childhood every time I ride them.

I could go for a beignet and an ice cream sandwich right now.

I absolutely love HM and PP. To me, they are what Magic Kingdom is about--wonderfully creative rides perfect for everyone in the family. Ones that you see something new every time you ride them.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I could go for a beignet and an ice cream sandwich right now.

This reminded me of the time I got a small order of beignets and a dish of vanilla ice cream at POFQ. I opened up the beignets and stuffed them with ice cream. I did have someone help me eat them.

 

[creativeamanda]

The last time I left you all, I was hopping over to Animal Kingdom for evening Extra Magic Hours.

The only thing I really do not like about Animal Kingdom is how ridiculously far the bus stop is from the park entrance. I can't believe it is so far away! Really!

As I walked up, though, I was glad to be there:

The Christmas tree just seems so homey and "wild"

Well, with the exception of Piglet on a box, lol:

I guess he was just hangin' out for Santa to visit!

I also think the entrane of Animal Kingdom is creative--it puts you instantly in the mood to hear and experience the animals all around you:

The first thing I did was have to wait for the Jingle Jungle Parade to get by. Apparently, I times everything good, because the parade was just starting as I walked up. Even though I did not have a great spot, I was able to see the parade go by.

I'd never seen the evening parade, so that was nice. By the time the parade had gone by, I went over to Flame Tree Barbeque for dinner. It was only 4:30 or so, but I was really thirsty and I knew I would not eat again that night. I still had plans to go back to Magic Kingdom, so I thought this was good of time as any.

From my seat at Flame Tree:

I then went over to my favorite ride and the sole reason for me to go to Animal Kingdom that night: the opportunity to ride Expedition Everest in the dark!

In line:

I used the Single Rider line 4 times, then decided I wanted to look at the Tree of Life. I strolled over there--the park was really beginning to empty out, and it made for a pleasant walk:

Beautiful.

After this, I went back out of Animal Kingdom and ran (literally) to catch the bus back to Magic Kingdom. I took the boat back over to the Magic Kingdom, and as I approached, I had a great photo opportunity:

If you have ever been to Magic Kingdom this time of year, you know it's not common to get that photo with no one in the picture!

Entering the Magic Kingdom:

I walked around the castle and rode some rides in Fantasyland before I got this:

Then, I rode Pirates again, which had no line. One person on my boat was taking flash pictures. I did not expect this, but what she was doing sent me straight into a migraine. Having had these enough times, I knew that if I got some caffeine I would be fine for a while. I went to a coffe stand to get some coffee. They did not have any made, so they gave me a cookie once they got it made.

I was still in no shape to leave the park, so I found a bench on the walkway in front of Crystal Palace that joins Adventureland with the hub near the bridge to Liberty Square. From there, I watched Spectromagic cross the bridge, which was an interesting vantage point. I also watched Holiday Wishes. I did not have my tripod, so these are not great:

I walked around the hub and got this pictures after the fireworks were over:

THe headache had eased off, and I was on the way back to the car. I drove home slowly, as I was concerned about my head and the eyesight. I collapsed into bed, knowing I had ropedrop to make the next morning.

What a bad way to end my last day at Magic Kingdom, I thought.

But I already had a plan. . .