Trip Report 11 Day Solo Trip Sept/Oct 2013

Hello,

I am back once again from a solo trip to WDW. Many people ask here about what it is like to go solo and if they should do it. I've done it many times now. Usually for short 4 day trips. This is my first long trip. And I filmed it all. So anyone who is wondering if they should go solo or if you just want to escape through a trip report, join my on my 11 day journey to WDW.

My trip report will include video as well as pics.

I will be staying in 3 different resorts, attending 2 different Halloween events (one several times) and eating quite a bit as I try to remain fit and active even on vacation.

It all starts at 4:30 am Monday morning Sept 23, as I get a taxi to JFK from midtown Manhattan. I've only slept about 2 hours but arrive at the Jetblue terminal with plenty of time to spare. I like taking the earliest flight so that I have a full day at the parks when I arrive. Also check in seems quick and easy when I get there early.

All went well and I arrived at the Dolphin Resort around 11am. Check in went smoothly and I was upgraded to a room with a balcony facing Hollywood Studios.

The weather seemed ok but rain was in the forecast. For four days! Not occasional storms but constant downpours.

So let's get going!

 

[MickeyPeace]

Some cool Tiki merchandise was still available in the store near Spaceship Earth.
I also like this Mr Toad painting.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

Great report! I be back to see the rest

BTW what was the Tiki merchandise from?

 

[FlaggNL]

great mr Toad picture cant wait for the rest!

 

[MickeyPeace]

Great report! I be back to see the rest

BTW what was the Tiki merchandise from?

It was from the DL 50th Anniversary of Tiki Room this past June. There was also a lot of merchandise from Epcots 30th Anniversary in Mouse Gears and some Figment T shirts in Imagination pavilion.

Lots of Halloween stuff. Did I mention that it rained all day the first day?

 

[Minthorne]

Loving the report. I've never done a solo trip but I think I may next year!

 

[Tiggerish]

You were there for the GoGo's, right? I soo wanted to go and see them, but if it rained, I am happy to experience it vicariously through you!

Looking forward to the rest of your report! I almost booked a solo trip for first week of November, but didn't pull the trigger

 

[MickeyPeace]

Loving the report. I've never done a solo trip but I think I may next year!

Try it if you haven't. I

You were there for the GoGo's, right? I soo wanted to go and see them, but if it rained, I am happy to experience it vicariously through you!

Looking forward to the rest of your report! I almost booked a solo trip for first week of November, but didn't pull the trigger

Yes I saw three out of their six performances. They didn't change the set of songs so I didn't see all six. I have a little bit of video that I will put in day 8 and 9 but that is a way off. I will give u a pic now

 

[MickeyPeace]

Day 2

I woke up to my second day of torrential rain. Put on the poncho and headed over to Epcots International Gateway to pick up a Table In Wonderland card. This is my first time using one and I'm not sure it will make financial sense for me since I am solo but I figured I'd give it a shot. I tried to use it for breakfast in Epcot but only quick serve was open so I headed back to Boardwalk to eat at Kouzzina.

Then it was over to MK. I have developed this odd ritual of taking a pic of one random tile in the walkway. Kind of like picking a card out of a deck. Be interesting if somehow our paths cross in the future or there is six degrees of separation. Here is this trip's tile. Anyone know the Pagan Twins? lol

Then I headed to New Fantasyland. I guess I was most impressed with Gaston's Tavern. I really like the amount of detail that was put into it and the scale makes it very intimate. Done very well. I sat in Gaston's big, comfy chair and tried La Fou's Brew. It was very good. A little too sweet maybe.

Then I rode a few of my favorite attractions. After getting off of BTM I was approached by a CM to do a survey. When I mentioned how much I liked what was put in the queue, the CM asked, what's in the queue? I guess she was only there to read what was on the paper.

 

[abeachchick]

Great report so far! I LOVE the videos!!

 

[NiarrNDisney]

It was from the DL 50th Anniversary of Tiki Room this past June. There was also a lot of merchandise from Epcots 30th Anniversary in Mouse Gears and some Figment T shirts in Imagination pavilion.
Did I mention that it rained all day the first day?

Oh thanks, makes sense now! Yeah that was the day of my birthday we were touring the Crescent Lake resorts while bar hopping! Thankfully it let up later on in the night.

 

[Sans Souci]

I have subscribed to you on You Tube and I am loving the video TR! I love the photos of Belinda Carlisle. Was it all of the Go-Go's, or just her?

 

[Sans Souci]

i really like how you narrate the restarants and your activities,
your kinda like rick steves in that matter


good job

I agree about the Rick Steves comment, except WDWPrince doesn't use cheesy phrases like, "it's a scenic hoot" to describe something.

 

[MickeyPeace]

I have subscribed to you on You Tube and I am loving the video TR! I love the photos of Belinda Carlisle. Was it all of the Go-Go's, or just her?

It was the GoGos. They did one of Belinda's solo songs, Mad About You. And one of Jane Weidlens, Cool Places. I also saw them in Coney Island this past summer. They performed in a rainstorm. I have video on my New York YouTube channel. I can send u the link.

 

[Sans Souci]

It was the GoGos. They did one of Belinda's solo songs, Mad About You. And one of Jane Weidlens, Cool Places. I also saw them in Coney Island this past summer. They performed in a rainstorm. I have video on my New York YouTube channel. I can send u the link.

Yeah, that would be awesome. Thanks. They are just a little before my time, but I love their stuff. "Our Lips Are Sealed" is my favorite Go-Go's song and I would love to hear Belinda sing "Circle in the Sand" live.

Yeah, I am a nerd.

 

[MickeyPeace]

DAY 3

Wed. Sept 25th. I decide to go check out the Garden Grill at the Swan Resort this morning. I've never eaten there before but since I have my Tables in Wonderland card I decide to give it a try. Normally I would eat at Fresh Mediterranean at the Dolphin but they don't take the card. The restaurant was small but pretty. Food was very good. This restaurant is also an option for character breakfast. I'm glad it wasn't happening when I was there though. I wanted regular price and quick breakfast. It was a good choice.

Then it's off to Hollywood Studios for a few of my favorite attractions there.

The movie about Walt at One Man's Dream is one of my favorite attractions in HS. ToT is one of the best attractions in any of the parks. The line for FP was much longer than stand by at the gate today. It was crazy.

Next I ate at Brown Derby for the first time. I had to try the signature dishes-cob salad and grapefruit cake. The cobb salad comes out looking how you would expect but a large spoon is placed on the table with it. After a few minutes someone came over to my table and asked if I wanted the salad chopped. I wish I pulled out my video camera. Within seconds, he chopped it to shreds using a device together with the spoon. It came out looking like this. I wish I took a before pic.

And the famous cake. It was very good. Not mind blowing. But good.

It was so crowded that day, beyond normal crowded, that I quickly became tired and headed home for a nap.

Later I walked over to Epcot to finish out my night. I had dinner at Hacienda. I ate there the day they opened. This was my second visit. Food was still good. I had tilapia. Service was very slow bordering on neglectful. Some nice people at the next table became friends with me to make up for the bad service. Theirs was not good either. I also noticed that the restaurant could use a refresh already. Paint job and scrubbing wouldn't hurt. Another thing of note is that this restaurant does not accept Tables in Wonderland.

Later I enjoyed the beautiful sunset as I walked around World Showcase and rode TT again. I can not get enough of Test Track 2.0

Then it was back to the Dolphin for a late night dip in the pool. Good night and see you tomorrow

Here is video of Day 3.

 

[SDisney90]

Great TR/Videos, makes me feel like I'm right in WDW!

 

[Ellen Ripley]

amazing videos and report!

 

[mousefreak]

I'm enjoying your video trip report. Great job!

 

[MickeyPeace]

It is day 4 Thursday September 26th of my trip report! The day starts of with sunshine but quickly becomes a battle all day between sun and clouds. When I woke up it looked like this-

But by the time I got down to the bus stop (this is still the Dolphin btw, tomorrow I will be moving over to the Swan), the rain started to come down. I didn't have an umbrella but I decided to head out anyway.
Today I will be going to Magic Kingdom for the first half of the day then Universal for Halloween Horror nights in the evening. Here is rainy Main Street. It's always fun to see Main Street vehicles greeting you when you get there. The mayor has been the same for as long as I can remember.

So I spring for a $13 umbrella and head out in search of lunch. I want to try Be Our Guest so I go there first. There is a line all the way to Little Mermaid. A CM is stationed at the end of the line to tell people to come back and try again later. It was a little frustrating being told that you can't wait in a line for an hour to eat lunch, lol. So I moved on to another place that I've never eaten in.

Believe it or not I have never eaten at Pinocchio Village House.When I first got there they had not yet open so I had the chance to explore the restaurant a bit as you will see in the video. There are a couple of outlets where you can charge your phone near the window overlooking Small World. So I plugged in my phone and had a look around. I discovered the book of dreams. Never knew that was there. Took in all of the wall murals. They look like they've been there since park opening. Very impressive. Checked out the alcove with a view of the castle. Prime real estate! And then went to order some food. I wanted something healthy and the best choice was the chicken Caesar salad. It was not bad but the chicken tasted like it was soaked in salty brine or some chemicals. Had a weird chewy bloated blanched quality. Not the best menu in MK. So I head out of PVH and I realize that I left my $13 umbrella there! I never even got to use it since I just bought it before I lunch. Oh well, the sun is out, kind of, and I don't want the disappointment of going back to find it gone so I keep moving.

Here is a tribute to my briefly owned umbrella. I had it about the 60 seconds it took me to walk from Sir Mickey's to Pinocchio Village House. Hopefully that umbrella made someone else's trip more enjoyable. Did you know that you could use your annual pass discount towards umbrellas? It's a $1.30 savings!

Here is my video from the first part of the day. Next up I'll be heading over to Tom Sawyers Island...