A long trip report for a very short trip. 2 nights, BC, Sept 2012

Background: I am a California resident with a Premier pass. I have been visiting WDW at least once a year since 2005. I love Disney parks and every time I walk into one, it feels like home. I haven’t been to WDW since Sept of 2011.
I arrived in WDW this morning for a 2 night stay at the Beach Club. This is a solo trip and a quick one, so I think my choices will reveal my favorites to me.
The reason for my quick trip is insane, but I hope that some of you will understand.
My friends and I take an annual trip together in the fall. This year they decided on Miami. When I found out that I would be 4 hours away from WDW and unable to go, I decided to make a quick trip before our fall trip to Miami. My vacation days were already taken up by other trips, so I came on the only long weekend I had available. No one would come with me, so this was a quick solo jaunt.
I flew out of LAX on Friday night and arrived at MCO at 7:20 in the morning. I had an exit row with lots of legroom and no ability to recline, but I slept for a solid 4 hours.
I take this same red eye each year, but this year they moved the schedule an hour later. Usually the DME line is completely empty and I/we are the only ones in the bus. This year, I had to wait 15 min for a bus to arrive. The bus took me to the Beach Club and then it continued on to the Contemporary.

 

[Mukta]

I asked for the vegetarian menu as well as the regular one. This was my first time eating here.
I ordered the Mango Blueberry Basil Margarita. It was a tough choice because they all looked delicious.
They brought out chips and salsa and I ordered the sopa de frijol.

They brought out the delicious soup and it was amazing.

I also ordered the cheese empanadas from the vegetarian menu. I love the counter service version, so I had them with rice and beans. It was way too much food for me. I could have easily split all of it with someone else.

 

[Mukta]

I thought about staying there until Illuminations because I had a great window view, but I decided against it. Nothing on the dessert menu appealed to me, so I paid and left at 8:15 PM. When I made the ADR, they took the Tables in Wonderland discount, but when I paid my bill, they came back and told me they were no longer accepting the card. It was a new change and they were not sure if it would be a permanent change. It was imposed about 2 weeks before I arrived.

 

[Mukta]

I took a few pics of the World Shocase while I waited for Illuminations to start.

Here is a picture of some of the Halloween merchandise already found in Epcot.

 

[Mukta]

I watched Illuminations and then realized that DHS was still open. The only thing that I wanted to see there was The Great Movie Ride and I also wanted to earn the Deluxe Park Hopper badge from touringplans.com, so I decided to get into DHS.
The line for the boat at Epcot was crazy long, so I decided to pick it up a bit further down the path. I walked as fast as I could to the YC dock while the boat went to the Boardwalk. It unloaded a few people there and then a few more at YC/BC. I got on at 9:30 PM and DHS was closing at 10 PM.
We got to the Swolphin stop in 3 minutes and left at 9:35 PM. The boat arrived at DHS at 9:42 PM.
I walked as fast as I could into the park. I collected the wait time for TOT, RnRC, Toy Story and earned my badge.
I got into the queue for the Great Movie Ride at 9:58 PM.
I don't know what it is about that ride, but I love it.

The park was empty when I exited and it seemed so peaceful.

 

[Mukta]

I took the boat back to the Beach Club and rested for a while. I watched a bit of tv and decided to head to the MK around midnight.
I had to wait for 15 minutes for a bus, but then the bus ride only took 13 minutes.
I rode Winnie the Pooh. I wanted to ride Peter Pan, but it was broken.
I met the coolest CM. He was making a picture of Oswald using water and his janitorial brush. I was sad for him because I was the only one who recognized what he was doing. Everyone else who walked by either said he was drawing Mickey or they didn't know what he was drawing.

I rode the Jungle Cruise and Peoplemover because I think they are both better at night. I walked over to the Storybook Circus and had a look around. I know that I am not the target audience and it definitely did not appeal to me. I don't think I will be visiting it much. I did miss riding Snow White. It used to be my favorite ride at the MK.

Knowing that EMH will be cut it in the future, I stayed in the MK until almost 2:30 PM. It might be my last chance.

When I exited the park, a BC/YC bus was waiting there. It was packed, so I stood for the ride to the YC. When people exited, I got a chance to sit for the ride to the BC. I went to my room and went to sleep.

 

[njDizFan]

^^Wow, awesome Oswald water painting.

Enjoying your trip report so far...sounded like a nice little getaway.

That Margharita looks delicicous...nice call

Now get to work and lts see the rest..lol

 

[Sunshineglow68]

Great trip report. Really enjoyed all the pictures. Glad you had a good time.

 

[tropicalsmile]

Mmmm! This looks sooo good! I'm gonna have to try this on our upcoming trip.

Great TR! Love the pictures, it looks like you had a good time!

 

[Goofy6294]

Great TR!

 

[Britt]

Im LOVING this trip report!!!!!!

Great pics! You're KINDA making me want to go back to WDW! lol My husband said my WDW strike wouldn't last....hahaha

 

[Weather_Lady]

Loving this TR!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

That is some impressive hopping for 1 day!!! It was also nice to see the DHS pics with it being so empty. We're planning a late dinner in DHS one night and I know the place is going to be cleared out by the time we're done. Also love the Oswald drawing- very cool! Can't wait to read more!

 

[aladdin2007]

Wow you wore me out just from reading about all you accompolished in one day, thats great though. And love the pictures. My fav was the one of Norway you captured so well. Were staying at the YC next week, the only thing Im not looking forward to is the bus situation regarding the MK, going to and coming back from. I keep reading on here how horribly packed it is and they only run one bus for those two resorts?

Ive noticed the same thing with dining, they tell people they are booked (and not very well I might add as they clearly arent trained to do this because they have an attitude the way they tell people and then guests get irate about it right there front and center,,,,yet they have plenty of empty tables that never fill. I still dont get that. Some spots are worse than others. The Plaza at the MK being the worst, the CM's at the front are so rude to guests, "no were full" in a snooty way, its like get away. Witnessed one family that let them have it too. They need some management at some of these locations and or start putting signs out front that say sorry were booked for this evening or something.

 

[ShookieJones]

Mukata -
Nice job on the TR. Love the break neck pace of the trip WITHOUT missing all the the little things we all love about our favorite place, like the architecture, performers and of course..FOOD .
That's my kind of WDW vaca.

 

[Mukta]

On my last morning, I did something at WDW that I have never done. I slept in. It was my check out day and I stayed in bed until 10 am. I knew that I had to fly later that day and go to work the next day, so I just relaxed in my room.
After showering and packing, I left my small bag at the bell desk and realized that if I hustled, I could still catch my favorite meal on property.
I walked to the Boardwalk at breakneck speed and walked into Kouzzina at 10:55 am. There were a few parties already waiting in the lobby, so I hope to still get the breakfast even though they stop serving it at 11 am.
I was in luck! They seated me and brought me the Stacked Breakfast and the White Sangria.

I have no word for how tasty this meal is. Sweet potato turkey hash, olive toast with artichoke spread and chicken sausage. The service was fantastic and the manager came back to check on me. I raved about the food and service and I told them that I will return for sure in December. Already made my ADR!

The next thing on my schedule was a visit to the UK to see the World Showcase Players at noon. I got the boat on the boat at the BW at 11:45 am and I was in Epcot in no time. The show was 'rubbish' (they ask you to say that) and I love playing along with them. If you enjoy the live shows in Epcot and you have a sense of humor and whimsy, catch their show sometime.

 

[Mukta]

I went to France to see the film. I don't think it is very popular, but it always takes me back to my trip to Europe in 2009. France is so stunning.
I spent some time exploring Morocco and then I went to Japan.

I caught Miyuki making a tiger. It is such a shame that she can't give these out to the public anymore.

I wanted to do a sake tasting while I was in Epcot. I went to the back of the store where they sell the sake. They said that they don't really have flights or tastings, but I could buy a cup. I bought a cup of the Tenryo Koshu.

I'm not much of a hard liquor drinker and it was too strong for me. I sipped it for a bit while I explored the Spirited Beasts display. That display is exactly the type of thing that makes me love Epcot. I learned, I sipped and I read about things that interest me.

 

[Mukta]

I was running low on time, so I didn't watch the American Adventure. I love that show, but it is quite long. I did catch the Voices of Liberty though. I have been watching their Disneyland counterparts all summer, but I love the Epcot venue.

 

[Mukta]

I heard the strains of Taiko music and walked back over to Japan to catch Matsuriza one more time. I hope my Taiko classes resume soon. I miss it.

 

[Mukta]

I wanted to see a few things in Future World, so I headed back to Spaceship Earth. My favorite scene

I realized that I hadn't seen and characters and that there weren't any pictures of me on this trip, so I jumped in a short line to see Chip & Dale.

I started the trip with Figment, so I decided to end the trip with him too. Still a walk on.

It was getting late and DME was scheduled to pick me up at 3:50 pm, so I walked back to the BC.

I got my bag and waited outside. DME didn't come until 4:15 PM, but I still arrived at the airport with tons of time to spare.

I ate dinner at the Outback near the Delta gates and took my flight home. This was the first time I had another trip planned before I left, so I wasn't nearly as sad as I usually am.

 

[myhappyplace]

I'd love to take a solo trip sometime, kudos to you

Why can't Miyuki hand out her creations anymore?