1st Solo Trip..Need Some Itinerary Help

[jesemeca]

Hi there! I officially booked my first solo trip this evening. I will be going September 30th-October 5th. I will have four full days plus the evening I arrive and the morning I leave. I am trying to come up with a basic plan for where to go each day, so I can plan my ADR's. I need a little help though.

My BIGGEST reason for going on this trip is to be in the Magic Kingdom on Oct. 1st. I want to say I was there on the 40th Anniversary. May not seem like much, but it means alot to me.

My other reasons for going are to attend my 1st MNSSHP, my 1st Food and Wine, and to visit my best friend.

This is what I have planned in my head so far.

Friday Sept 30th-Arrive around 1 or 2. Haven't booked flight yet, so not too sure on arrival time. I was thinking of going to MNSSHP this night.

Saturday Oct 1st-Magic Kingdom for the 40th Anniversary.

Sunday Oct 2nd-DHS? Epcot in the evening?

Monday Oct 3rd-Epcot for Food and Wine

Tuesday Oct 4th-Animal Kingdom possibly, Magic Kingdom at night definately.

Wednesday Oct 5th-Magic Kingdom until lunch time or so. Then time to catch the latest flight back possible.

Please give me any advice you may have. Magic Kingdom is my favorite park, so I will most likely spend most of my time there. If you need to know anything else let me know.

Thanks in advance.

 

[dreamlady85]

only a couple of recommendations frommy previous experiences:
-if you go to Not So Scary your arrival night, try to take a nap before you go
-visiting all (or some) of the kiosks at food and wine will fill you up, so make an ADR for a place you wouldn't mind canceling if you get too full
-other than that, have lots of fun! solo trips are great for really discovering all those things you've always meant to, and you can take your sweet time doing it!

 

[LeafsFanNL]

Also freom what I have read it might not be a bad idea to schedule two afternoons for Food and Wine, giving you a better chance to sample more. I don't know if I'd bother to make any supper ADR'S for a day I was planning to go to F&W

 

[ThinkTink721]

Friday Sept 30th-Arrive around 1 or 2. Haven't booked flight yet, so not too sure on arrival time. I was thinking of going to MNSSHP this night. I would recommend not booking your tickest for MNSSHP until you book your flights - you don't want to miss the party! I wouldn't recommend booking an ADR for your arrival date either - we learned the hard way when we had to run to the restaurant. I would recommend a QS meal at your resort when you arrive or at the MK.

Saturday Oct 1st-Magic Kingdom for the 40th Anniversary. Main Street Electrical Parade is scheduled for 8pm & Wishes for 9pm. For an ADR, I would recommend The Crystal Palace at the MK for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I would also recommend Ohana at the Polynesian Resort for dinner.

Sunday Oct 2nd-DHS? Epcot in the evening? since you are planning to go to Epcot on 10/3, I would recommend going to DHS - make sure you see Fantasmic (it is scheduled for 10/2 at 8pm). If you are planning to eat at DHS, Sci-Fi is good.

Monday Oct 3rd-Epcot for Food and Wine. Never been to this even, but I hear it's great - good choice! There should be lots of food to choose from at the Food and Wine Festival. I would recommend LeCellier. Although, there are lots of great restaurants in Epcot - it just depends on what type of food you like.

Tuesday Oct 4th-Animal Kingdom possibly, Magic Kingdom at night definately. Good plan! Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House in the AK is great!

Wednesday Oct 5th-Magic Kingdom until lunch time or so. Then time to catch the latest flight back possible. The MK is my favorite park too!

 

[Mukta]

My first solo trip was in December of 2010 and I learned a lot about myself. I spent most of my time in my favorite places riding my favorite rides. I never even made it to AK and I spent a few hours at DHS.

MNSSHP is a lot of fun. I highly recommend dressing up even if it is just a little. Last time I just wore devil horns and a red shirt I already owned. The character interaction is great. I watch the second parade because it is less crowded than the first.

Food and Wine is a lot of fun, but a lot of food. I wouldn't make any ADRs for that day. When you are snacking around the world, you get full pretty fast.

I made one ADR for a Signature place. This is a good opportunity to try one since you are only paying for one. I ate at CS restaurants the rest of the time since it was a short trip and I wanted to maximize park time.

 

[joshwill]

i have been to the world solo about 3 dozen times. its great, no kids screaming they want to ride dumbo over and over again.

when i go, the only planning i make it to go to touringplans.com and look at their projected crowd levels for each park on each day im going to be there. that and if you have a smart phone, get one of the apps that has consistantly updated wait times for the rides. try to get there early and get the heaviest rides out of the way when its not too crowded. take advantage of fastpass and use single rider lines where available. other than that, i just wing it as the day progress and the mood strikes me. with no kids, i feel you need minimal planning.

 

[jwarren3768]

Ditto on just about everything said already. My first solo trip was last November, I was nervous but wound up having so much fun my next solo trip is this May.

My last trip was also during F&W and everyone is right. Bring lots of cash and a big appetite. Everything is good and irresistable.

@joshwill: "try to get there early and get the heaviest rides out of the way when its not too crowded. take advantage of fastpass and use single rider lines" I totally agree with fastpass and single rider. When used in combination at EPCOT I bounced between Test Track (multiple times), Soarin', and Mission Space with almost no wait. I personally wouldn't sweat getting to the park super early in late Sept - early October. I didn't feel the need to be at the parks at rope drop, in fact some days didn't show up until after lunch and still had no problems with lines, but of course YRMV.

@dreamlady85: "solo trips are great for really discovering all those things you've always meant to, and you can take your sweet time doing it! " AMEN! Take your time, enjoy what you want to enjoy when you want to enjoy. But whatever you do, try something new too. I actually visited The American pavillion for more than just lunch. Not a bad show. Would not have normally done it with DS & DD.

Whatever you do, make sure to get pictures with Mickey and Minnie. They couldn't believe I was there by myself and spent extra time snapping photos with me. I really felt like I got treated extra special. Hopefully their move in MK won't change that!

Good luck!

 

[jesemeca]

only a couple of recommendations frommy previous experiences:
-if you go to Not So Scary your arrival night, try to take a nap before you go
-visiting all (or some) of the kiosks at food and wine will fill you up, so make an ADR for a place you wouldn't mind canceling if you get too full
-other than that, have lots of fun! solo trips are great for really discovering all those things you've always meant to, and you can take your sweet time doing it!

I don't really know how much of the food at Food and Wine I will be willing to try, but at least I will have options. LOL. It was just kind of an added bonus, and I'm looking forward to see who will be performing while I am there.

Also freom what I have read it might not be a bad idea to schedule two afternoons for Food and Wine, giving you a better chance to sample more. I don't know if I'd bother to make any supper ADR'S for a day I was planning to go to F&W

I don't think I will need that much time to eat the few items I will probably eat. LOL.

Friday Sept 30th-Arrive around 1 or 2. Haven't booked flight yet, so not too sure on arrival time. I was thinking of going to MNSSHP this night. I would recommend not booking your tickest for MNSSHP until you book your flights - you don't want to miss the party! I wouldn't recommend booking an ADR for your arrival date either - we learned the hard way when we had to run to the restaurant. I would recommend a QS meal at your resort when you arrive or at the MK.

Saturday Oct 1st-Magic Kingdom for the 40th Anniversary. Main Street Electrical Parade is scheduled for 8pm & Wishes for 9pm. For an ADR, I would recommend The Crystal Palace at the MK for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I would also recommend Ohana at the Polynesian Resort for dinner.

Sunday Oct 2nd-DHS? Epcot in the evening? since you are planning to go to Epcot on 10/3, I would recommend going to DHS - make sure you see Fantasmic (it is scheduled for 10/2 at 8pm). If you are planning to eat at DHS, Sci-Fi is good.

Monday Oct 3rd-Epcot for Food and Wine. Never been to this even, but I hear it's great - good choice! There should be lots of food to choose from at the Food and Wine Festival. I would recommend LeCellier. Although, there are lots of great restaurants in Epcot - it just depends on what type of food you like.

Tuesday Oct 4th-Animal Kingdom possibly, Magic Kingdom at night definately. Good plan! Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House in the AK is great!

Wednesday Oct 5th-Magic Kingdom until lunch time or so. Then time to catch the latest flight back possible. The MK is my favorite park too!

The only reason I haven't booked my flights yet is because I'm hoping they will go down some. :lol:
Crystal Palace will definately be booked the first full morning, October 1st and my last morning, before flying home. I LOVE Crystal Palace.
I'm now thinking of combining DHS and AK on the 2nd. I thought I could go to DHS in the morning to ride TSM and get fastpasses, then go to AK for a little while. Then head back to DHS for Fantasmic and EMH.
Food and Wine will be a very different experience for me. I like to eat but I like my food somewhat plain, if that makes sense.
Magic Kingdom is my favorite place to be. I look forward to enjoying every nook and cranny, without anyone bothering me.

My first solo trip was in December of 2010 and I learned a lot about myself. I spent most of my time in my favorite places riding my favorite rides. I never even made it to AK and I spent a few hours at DHS.

MNSSHP is a lot of fun. I highly recommend dressing up even if it is just a little. Last time I just wore devil horns and a red shirt I already owned. The character interaction is great. I watch the second parade because it is less crowded than the first.

Food and Wine is a lot of fun, but a lot of food. I wouldn't make any ADRs for that day. When you are snacking around the world, you get full pretty fast.

I made one ADR for a Signature place. This is a good opportunity to try one since you are only paying for one. I ate at CS restaurants the rest of the time since it was a short trip and I wanted to maximize park time.

I do plan on dressing up. I have Minnie Ear barrettes. So I am gonna make a Minnie costume out of a red with white polka dots tutu and a red shirt.
I would love to try some of the Signature places, but I am pretty plain when it comes to my food.

i have been to the world solo about 3 dozen times. its great, no kids screaming they want to ride dumbo over and over again.

when i go, the only planning i make it to go to touringplans.com and look at their projected crowd levels for each park on each day im going to be there. that and if you have a smart phone, get one of the apps that has consistantly updated wait times for the rides. try to get there early and get the heaviest rides out of the way when its not too crowded. take advantage of fastpass and use single rider lines where available. other than that, i just wing it as the day progress and the mood strikes me. with no kids, i feel you need minimal planning.

I don't do many of the major rides. I don't ride any of the mountains, roller coasters or thrill rides. So I'm pretty good on that part of things. I don't like having plans down to what ride next, just to know which park and what restaurant I'm eating at.

Ditto on just about everything said already. My first solo trip was last November, I was nervous but wound up having so much fun my next solo trip is this May.

My last trip was also during F&W and everyone is right. Bring lots of cash and a big appetite. Everything is good and irresistable.

@joshwill: "try to get there early and get the heaviest rides out of the way when its not too crowded. take advantage of fastpass and use single rider lines" I totally agree with fastpass and single rider. When used in combination at EPCOT I bounced between Test Track (multiple times), Soarin', and Mission Space with almost no wait. I personally wouldn't sweat getting to the park super early in late Sept - early October. I didn't feel the need to be at the parks at rope drop, in fact some days didn't show up until after lunch and still had no problems with lines, but of course YRMV.

@dreamlady85: "solo trips are great for really discovering all those things you've always meant to, and you can take your sweet time doing it! " AMEN! Take your time, enjoy what you want to enjoy when you want to enjoy. But whatever you do, try something new too. I actually visited The American pavillion for more than just lunch. Not a bad show. Would not have normally done it with DS & DD.

Whatever you do, make sure to get pictures with Mickey and Minnie. They couldn't believe I was there by myself and spent extra time snapping photos with me. I really felt like I got treated extra special. Hopefully their move in MK won't change that!

Good luck!

I will definately be taking pictures with all the characters I come across. That's one of my favorite things to do. My family even makes fun of me for it. I plan on do what I want, when I want to. That's the best part of this trip, it's all about me.

Thank you all for the comments and tips! More are welcome!

 

[jesemeca]

I am now thinking of a somewhat new itinerary.

Friday Sept 30th- Arrive around 1pm or 2pm. I will attend MNSSHP this night. Dinner will be a CS in MK.

Saturday Oct 1st- 40th Anniversary. All day will be spent in MK. Breakfast will be at Crystal Palace.

Sunday Oct 2nd- DHS in the morning for TSM and fastpasses for later. Then AK for a few hours, then back to DHS for Fantasmic and EMH. This would be my first time seeing Fantasmic. Not sure where to eat this day. Any suggestions?

Monday Oct 3rd- Epcot for Food and Wine. Plan on spending the whole day, then over to MK for EMH. Not sure where to eat this day either.

Tuesday Oct 4th- MK again. I told you I love this place. Thinking of have a TS dinner here. Any suggestions?

Wednesday Oct 5th-MK and Crystal Palace for breakfast one more time before having to leave around lunch time to catch my flight back home.

So, what do ya'll think? If I change anything else I will update this once again. I never thought planning meals for one person would be that difficult. I just can't decide where I want to eat. Please give me some advice.

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

So I just wanted to say I completely agree with you about the 1st. Me and my mom will be there all day as well! Maybe we'll run into you!

And It will be our first MNSSHP and Food & Wine as well!

And I would definitely suggest taking pictures with a bunch of characters by yourself that would be really fun!

And my suggestion for a TS dinner is Crystal Palace that is one of my favorite places for dinner in the MK! other than that the only other table service that is not too bad there is The Plaza Restaurant.

And as for TS in DHS I would say Mama Melrose's ate there for the first time in January and thought it was really good actually!