Trip Report An Opportunistic One Day Solo Trip Report COMPLETED

I just finished messing around with fastpasses ten minutes ago and thought it was about time to end my months-long lurk and actually post something for once!

So, hi! My name is Andrea, and I just graduated from the University of Florida in May and have been a voyager to WDW my entire life.

(this is me it is also my icon it is my one good purple wall pic from last April please let me live also I apologize as to why it seems so big?? forum newb)

I've been hunting for a job since graduation and it has been rough going. This past March, perhaps somehow sensing that I would need something to look forward to in late August, I bought a ticket to see a live show in Orlando, which will be happening next Friday night. I've been conflicted about actually attending for several reasons, one of which being how I almost (almost!!) became employed (but thankfully, after analyzing the work environment, didn't), another being that I'm not the biggest fan of driving. Something about having to drive through downtown Orlando on a Friday night (not to mention driving up to Orlando from south Florida) was giving me major anxiety.

So... I began to think it over and realized... I could stay at Disney and grab a quick day at Magic Kingdom before the show -- and not have to worry about driving through Orlando at all! Thus, a plan was born (and booked last night).

I'll be staying in a preferred room at All Star Movies for the first time since I was little, from August 30th to September 1st. My last stay this year was actually at Pop Century, and I actually enjoy the value resorts, because I'm a tiny bit of a park commando and only really use it to shower to sleep. I got a pretty good Florida Resident deal and hardly winced at all when I clicked purchase (and I'm ignoring the voice at the back of my mind reminding me how I vowed to never stay on property again with the new parking fees... alas, Mr. Iger has bested me).

I'll be going to Magic Kingdom on the 30th, but probably won't get into the park until after 12pm -- and just saw it closes at 9 for a Disney After Hours event (boo... but I get it) -- fast passes booked are Haunted Mansion (my favorite), Big Thunder, and Pirates. Friday, I'll go to Disney Springs and then uber to the venue from the hotel (a price I'm willing to pay) and then uber back.

(soon...)

Sorry for this wall of text, hello to everyone reading -- and one quick question -- can pre-trip reports be converted to actual trip reports? I don't really want to make a separate thread, and would rather change the tag and title when the time comes for me to write it... Thanks!

 

[tonystark]

With the horrors of Edna Mode slowly advancing through Tomorrowland while guarded by a hoard of CMs still fresh in my mind, I decided to visit one of my other favorite attractions, since I was nearby. I was also hoping to seek out a little bit of AC, since it was flipping hot outside!!! I probably should have stopped for water first, since the AC wasn't that great, but I had already taken my seat...

Everything actually looked pretty great, considering how neglected this attraction is. The only issue was it smelled really musty inside, but I don't know if I can chalk that up to the theatre or the people in it...

I felt like I was going to pass out (lol) if I didn't get some water soon, so I hurried over to the Lunching Pad afterwards, seeing that there was no line.

Chugging my water (and chewing some ice cubes despite the warnings of my childhood dentist ringing in my ears), I headed for another favorite.

I don't know if any of you follow @ PeopleMoverCone on Twitter, but I had the honor of riding in the car behind it. In fact, I was bestowed another honor.

A car all to myself! Very enjoyable, dare I say, Shirley Status.

Still in Tomorrowland, I was faced with a dilemma. Real talk, I did not ride Space Mountain until I was like 17, because the concept freaked me out. I honestly feel like I'm going to die every time I ride it, because of how rickety and unstable it feels, and how close the bars seem to be in the darkness. But... I do like being that scared! I had just never ridden it by myself, I would drag friends on it, or my Mom on our trips despite her swearing up and down that she wouldn't go on it. The wait time was only 30 minutes, so it was time for me to be a brave adult and ride Space Mountain alone.

Just kidding, the wait ended up being closer to 50 minutes, and I really had to pee -- so I almost considered chicken exiting by the time I got to the load area. I also knew that my fast pass for Big Thunder was going to end at 4:40 and I would REALLY be cutting it close. However, that would be 50 precious minutes wasted... so instead...

I was brave, and did not die. But also didn't account for the extended exit Space is dealing with at the moment. It was time to book it across the park -- but not run, a queen is never late, everyone else is simply early...

This picture was taken at 4:26.

Grabbed this screenshot when I got to the fast pass entrance for Big Thunder. And I didn't get to pee so I was dying.

But it was time for another blurry wildest ride in the wiiiiiiilderness.

 

[tonystark]

Even just one day in Disney is a good day! Enjoying your TR. So glad that I dodged the macaroni and cheese pizza bullet - it looked interesting and different, and I love trying out different foods on vacation, but I opted for a safer chicken parm sandwich instead! Plus, the CM working the register did not give it a ringing endorsement when I asked about it. She was like "if you like mac and cheese and you like pizza, you might like it." Well, that "might" did not carry the day for me, and thank goodness for that based on your experience.

FYI, when I get fluid in my ear or head/sinus congestion, Sudafed (the kind you have to get from the pharmacist after showing them your license) helps to dry that out and relieve the pressure. That's just me though, and I have to disclaim that I am not a doctor! I hope you feel better whatever you end up trying.

It really did look like it was going to be good! But I don't know if the first piece tricked me because I was starving and then it revealed its true colors, or what... I'm just glad that it's a limited time menu item and I'll never (hopefully) have to see it again. I think what ended up turning my stomach off was the sour cream sauce... Not great.

I'll keep Sudafed in mind, I just got some decongestant nose spray (yum) and am working on some DayQuil. The pressure keeps going away and then coming back, which is not great, but hopefully it goes away for good soon. Thanks for reading along!!

 

[tonystark]

Running a fever but the dedication to the trip report is stronger.

After BTM and stopping at the quieter Pirates' restrooms, I decided it was time for a treat. Since I'd booked it across the park, I was feeling really sweaty and gross, so I wanted something cold.

The line to be served at Sunshine Tree Terrace was huge, there was only one CM working, and people were ordering a ton of ice cream. I was behind a British family that was trying to figure out the difference between a citrus swirl and whatever the one with orange ice cream is called - I told them the citrus swirl had more of a bite to it since it used orange juice concentrate. They settled on the sweeter option, but I....

This is the famous bench I hinted at earlier. There were 3 or 4 other EMPTY BENCHES nearby, this is at the Treehouse area. I sat down on my empty bench, set my cup of water beside me, and started to dig into my citrus swirl. Originally, I had been a fan of Dole Whips -- but the tanginess of the citrus swirl made me a fresh convert this past spring.

Across from me sat the British family, and everything was peaceful... until... a rather loud woman cursing away on her cellphone decided to sit on the same bench as I was. I don't know what it is about me -- maybe it's just because I look young (a fact I resent) -- that attracts this sort of people to me, but here we are. I was thinking about how she could have sat LITERALLY ANYWHERE else when her other loud friend decided to stand in front of me, glare at my water cup, and intimidate me into moving it so she could sit down. I'm really not good with confrontation, if you can't tell -- plus I was in my favorite place in the whole world and didn't want there to be a scene.

However, I did decide to stand my ground and eat my ice cream as this woman's thigh was literally pressed against my own (she could have sat ANYWHERE ELSE). I looked over at the British family and must have made a face expressing my fed-upness, because the mother of the family started to laugh. But then the woman sitting next to me went OFF "What, do you have a problem with us sitting here? We can sit wherever we ****ing want to" etc. etc. But not directed at me, AT THE POOR BRITISH MOTHER I JUST HAPPENED TO MAKE A FACE AT.

I finished my ice cream and scurried out of there like a small woodland creature, off to my next fast pass.

But not before I saw Santa Claus? Glad he changed out his winter wear for something more appropriate vis a vis the Florida climate.

Yo ho yo ho a fast pass life for me.

We got backed up under this fellow, who happens to be my Mom's favorite character because of his grubby foot. Since we were there for a minute or two longer than we should have been, I snapped a pic.

Still backed up. Wow, look at that incredible iPhone SE picture quality!!

 

[tonystark]

After Pirates, I had used up all of my fast passes, so it was time to book another one. I opened up MDE, took a gander at wait times (easily distracted while at Disney, I know), and saw...

I just had to.

3rd time's the charm, right? No e-stopping this time, right? Does my cadaverous pallor betray an aura of foreboding?

I enjoyed this little bit of theming for ROA while strolling through an empty standby.

After having every single one of my vertebrae cracked when the Doom Buggy tips backwards (perhaps one of my favorite aspects of HM), it was time to actually see what fast pass I could muster up before dinner.

'Twas time for a two week trip.

This elicited a hearty chuckle from me.

Unfortunately, I had to sit in the middle of the boat, and have this uncomfortable photo to prove it. Middle crates are not fun!

I did get to see the newly refurbished rhino (if memory serves, from my careful perusal of the scary rumors and news forum), and noticed hyenas that I honestly don't remember being there before. But maybe I'm wrong.

Our tribesmen weren't dancing, and our ambushers weren't moving -- but I had a very good skipper (Skipper Brian), who did lots of yelling. Surprised he hasn't blown his voice out.

After a two week cruise with nothing to eat, it was time for dinner. But, naturally, I got distracted on my way over there...

 

[DisSplash]

You are absolutely correct that there was writing above the arched entrance to Pirates going into the interior queue ... i’ll have to find the picture, but I had one taken of my whole family under it because it was our favorite line of the song: “Yo ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate’s Life For Me.” I wonder why they painted over it? Maybe they are repainting it and starting from scratch for a fresh and clean look?

 

[MinnieM123]

Your Dole treat nirvana was interrupted by the loud woman on her phone, and her equally obnoxious friend. (As you stated, there were plenty of empty benches--no need to crowd yours. What's the matter with people?!)

Glad you stood your ground at the bench, but sorry you had to deal with these losers. Unfortunately, I'm hearing more stories like this these days.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Congrats on your graduation! What a way to celebrate with a little solo trip! Good choice of moving to the the correct side of the Dole Whip/Citrus Swirl snack choice. Go Team Citrus Swirl!

 

[tonystark]

You are absolutely correct that there was writing above the arched entrance to Pirates going into the interior queue ... i’ll have to find the picture, but I had one taken of my whole family under it because it was our favorite line of the song: “Yo ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate’s Life For Me.” I wonder why they painted over it? Maybe they are repainting it and starting from scratch for a fresh and clean look?

Thanks for backing me up!! I hope they bring it back soon, I thought it was a nice touch. Though maybe they thought it was too on the nose for the ride. You and I both liked it so bring it back!!

Congrats on your graduation! What a way to celebrate with a little solo trip! Good choice of moving to the the correct side of the Dole Whip/Citrus Swirl snack choice. Go Team Citrus Swirl!

Thank you so much! Also omg I love your trip reports so much! Your two week trip has made me very envious. Citrus Swirl is definitely the superior snack! I'd gladly eat an orange over some pineapple any day.

Your Dole treat nirvana was interrupted by the loud woman on her phone, and her equally obnoxious friend. (As you stated, there were plenty of empty benches--no need to crowd yours. What's the matter with people?!)

Glad you stood your ground at the bench, but sorry you had to deal with these losers. Unfortunately, I'm hearing more stories like this these days.

I honestly don't know what their problem was. And I'm really mortified over how they took it out on a woman I didn't even know who just happened to commiserate with my situation. I just don't know why people would come to Disney with that sort of attitude.

 

[DisSplash]

This was from 2013 -- sans me (cannot find that one at the moment) but here is the ribbon and wording in all of their glory!! I hope that they bring it back!

 

[tonystark]

Sometimes when I'm feeling bummed out about postgrad life, I put on a Winnie the Pooh movie on Netflix... so... I felt I ought to pay a visit to the Hundred Acre Wood.

The posted wait was a tiny bit longer than I would have liked, but I half suspect it's because of all the children in the line distracted by the interactive queue (darn kids) (I'm kidding I know I am but a visitor to the world of Pooh).

Mr. Pooh and his friend Tigger were out meeting and greeting, which was very cute, and it was only 10 minutes or so more before I saw them again, but smaller. And under black light.

I have a bit of a tradition, I know the food is garbage, but I always try to eat dinner at Cosmic Ray's. When I was a kid, my family would always eat there, and listen to Sonny croon away. I also really love pickles, and would take advantage of the toppings bar by eating a plate full of pickles (no kidding, it grossed my family out).

That tray also has lettuce, onions, and mushrooms in it -- so believe me, not as many pickles as there could have been. The garlic ranch was actually pretty great -- but like I said, I don't come here for the food.

I come here for him

It was at this point I finally decided to use my hanging fast pass, and made my way out of Cosmic Rays (until we meet again, Sonny...)

I think I took this pic to show that it really wasn't that busy, all things considered. That much open space is pretty nice.

I hate almost everything about this queue, particularly the blaring alarm and the lighting inside -- I was stuck in a 35 minute standby line last year with a friend and ended up with a terrible headache. Love the ride, though, and with a fast pass I zoomed through.

Definitely not my best, but I so wasn't used to being able to move the car wherever I wanted without my partner complaining or grabbing the spinner themselves!!

It was, however, at this point that I was considering the inconceivable. It had been a really long day for me, and really stressful with the drive (I REALLY hate driving). The park was going to close in about an hour and a half, and I didn't want to put up with the fireworks crowd. I also am not the biggest fan of fireworks, and while I have seen HEA, I prefer Wishes (childhood nostalgia, I guess). I decided to ride two more rides, and call it a day. I felt like I had gotten my money's worth, and I wanted to lie down!!!

 

[riverside]

I prefer Wishes over HEA also. I’m also not a fireworks fan either. I don’t stay around to watch them more than I do!

 

[MinnieM123]

I have a bit of a tradition, I know the food is garbage, but I always try to eat dinner at Cosmic Ray's. When I was a kid, my family would always eat there, and listen to Sonny croon away. I also really love pickles, and would take advantage of the toppings bar by eating a plate full of pickles (no kidding, it grossed my family out).

That tray also has lettuce, onions, and mushrooms in it -- so believe me, not as many pickles as there could have been. The garlic ranch was actually pretty great -- but like I said, I don't come here for the food.

Cosmic's has always been a "must do" for me, too! As for the food, it is what it is--mediocre, but that's never stopped me!

I come here for him

Yes--it's not the food we come here for, it's the magnificent floor show by Sonny Eclipse. HE THE MAN!!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Hmmm, now I'm on the fence if we can be friends. On one side you are smart....a fan of citrus swirls and Sonny Eclipse but then you dis Happily Ever After! I just don't know. Okay I've decided.....Go Team Citrus Swirl!

I bought my husband a Sonny Eclipse shirt from tee public, maybe you could get one for when you are missing him. Missing Sonny Eclipse that is, not my husband (that would be weird).

 

[tonystark]

I prefer Wishes over HEA also. I’m also not a fireworks fan either. I don’t stay around to watch them more than I do!

If I'm going to stay to watch fireworks, it's going to be Illuminations. Which I know is a divisive opinion to have among the Disney community, but I used to study along to the music that plays before the show so it has a place in my heart. Plus, I love the message!

Yes--it's not the food we come here for, it's the magnificent floor show by Sonny Eclipse. HE THE MAN!!

I kind of wish there were more restaurants like Cosmic Ray's, it's so fundamentally Disney to me. More than Tomorrowland Terrace, that's for sure. But I guess today they'd rather churn as many guests as possible through a QS restaurant and would rather us not sing along to Space Angels or anything like that... sigh.

Hmmm, now I'm on the fence if we can be friends. On one side you are smart....a fan of citrus swirls and Sonny Eclipse but then you dis Happily Ever After! I just don't know. Okay I've decided.....Go Team Citrus Swirl!

I bought my husband a Sonny Eclipse shirt from tee public, maybe you could get one for when you are missing him. Missing Sonny Eclipse that is, not my husband (that would be weird).

It's not that I don't like HEA, I think it's alright!! I do actually really love the music, I think the Hunchback part is my favorite. I just don't like that projections are such a big part of the experience so you can only get a really good view from the crowded spots and have to fight the crowds.. If there was an empty night happening at MK I would definitely stick around to watch. And I'll have to look into that shirt, Disney should capitalize on us few but vocal fans of Sonny Eclipse and the terrible food offerings of Cosmic Ray's by making merchandise that I would definitely buy!

 

[tonystark]

And so we have come to the end of my MK day, but for those of you interested, there's still my day at Disney Springs to come... if you're into that sort of thing.

My second to last ride of the night was of course going to be the Peoplemover. Another thing that bothered me about the Incredibles expo (which is thankfully over) is that the Tomorrowland loop was replaced with the Incredibles soundtrack. DID THEY REALLY HAVE TO DO THAT ... there's something really relaxing about riding Peoplemover at night with the loop and the neon lights of Tomorrowland... tis magical.

This time I was in front of the Peoplemover cone. Hard to keep it together when you're near a celebrity.

The neon was accounted for but I was missing the music.

WARNING... AHEAD ARE PICTURES OF SPACE MOUNTAIN WITH THE LIGHTS ON... Yup, Space was down, so I guess I'm glad I forced myself to ride it earlier because it never came back up while I was there.

I took this blurry, zoomed in, frankly terrible picture to comment on how dusty and gross the ceiling is. I guess with the lights off you can get away with it.

Looking at that made my fears of Space Mountain feel well placed. Logical, even. A human being should look at that and think "mmm... think I'll pass. Bye!" Again, why they turn the lights off

A lovely sky, and I couldn't really believe the crowd of people sat in the Hub, waiting over an hour for fireworks... That's precious ride time, y'all!!

I said farewell to Tomorrowland, assuring it that it will never have to bear the indignity of the Incredibles Expo until Incredibles 3 inevitably comes out or until they decide to scrap Tomorrowland altogether and call it Incredibleland. How's that for optimism

You look fabulous dahling.

Can you guess what my last ride was going to be? I'm predictable.

A bittersweet end.

I literally just found out that this is supposed to be a murder mystery, and I learned that from the Haunted Mansion attractions book which I bought for like 5 bucks cheaper on Amazon the day after I got back home.

I'll be back one day!!

It was time to push my way through Main Street and get on a bus, but I had one last stop to make.

 

[tonystark]

And because there's a 10 picture limit this is going to be part two of my last MK post... lol... oops.

Main Street at night! The ambiance... the crowd!!

This stop was a mistake but I did it anyways! I wanted a massive Mickey cookie, but literally everyone in the park also wanted something to snack on during the fireworks. I stood in line anyways, and didn't feel the panic everyone else was feeling about getting back to their spot with their rice krispy treat or caramel apple.

I refrigerated it to keep it from getting too gross, but that's why it got a little white. I was bringing it home to share with my younger sister. So that's my dining room table lol.

Time to say goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman plays softly in the background... in my mind.

Much like Nanny McPhee, when you want a bus but do not need a bus it has to leave, but when you need a bus but do not want it, it is there...

I took a shower, turned on some Stacy, and climbed up onto my bed with 8 pillows (not a single one was moved to the floor... while I was awake anyways). You would think I would promptly fall asleep, because I was exhausted -- but nope, I have insomnia! I was up til around 1:30, probably still hype about my day, and excited about the next day. At some point I made the switch to the Disney Parks News channel or whatever that just plays the nice music and shows you the park times over and over, and then I fell asleep.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Disney Resort tv. =. Nap! . That’s why we just call it the nap channel.

 

[tonystark]

Wow, a one day trip report that's going to include my second day... how naughty.
FRIDAY August 31st
Despite my late night, I woke up at 8AM to the sound of joyful children running down the path outside. Darn kids, happy to be at Disney -- didn't they know I had set my do not disturb sign out and had gotten a rough night's sleep? Anyone would think that they were excited to be at a theme park, of all places...

Unsurprisingly, there was a bus right when I didn't exactly need one, but wouldn't mind one.

This sounded very cool, but I didn't know anything about it, so maybe next time. I hadn't been to Disney Springs since it was Downtown Disney, so i was in for a world of change.

How elegant! How classy! How empty! Because nothing was going to open for another thirty minutes. What was I supposed to do? I wandered around until 10 AM, waiting for stores to open.

Would be afraid to die on this, heights aren't really my thing. Also, eagle eyes may notice the water bottle in this picture.

The first store I went into was the Disney Style store, and this tote bag REALLY threw me off. The Mamma Mia font, the gradient??? Why??? Do your best to put the words to Dancing Queen.

Intuitive members of WDWMagic may already know who my favorite character in Marvel is, and can imagine my delight when I saw... this

$20 for a mug?? I was gone. I could probably get that at Target for less. Catch me scurrying away. To Uniqlo. Where I was briefly tempted by one thing.

$14 for a cute shirt. But, I ultimately didn't buy it -- my Mom has always teased me for my Disney related shirts, calling them "Disney Trash" -- she's right, I didn't need any more. So, I put it back! How adult of me, dare I say it.

Adult up until I entered the Lego Store.

$400... but... I want it...

I started collecting the Harry Potter Lego Minifigures that come in random packs -- and my local Target has been sold out for forever. So I spent $3.99 each (lol) on 3 more of them. Happy to report I received Voldemort, Hermione, and someone from Fantastic Beasts that I don't care about!!

At this point, despite the fact that I usually skip breakfast, I was starving. And willing to ignore the price for something quick.

I ordered basically a $7 Razzy Jazzy from the Joffrey's (of no relation to Joffrey Baratheon but it always gives me pause) Smoothie hut thing.

And jeez, it was really good!! Have you ever really craved a smoothie before? I am craving one right now looking at this picture. Could I have gotten a bigger one for less at my local Tropical Smoothie? Probably. But in the moment, I loved it.

World of Disney looking... ugly and uninspired.

 

[tonystark]

WALT: Really fellas, we're calling this imagineering?

Oops. I don't know. I think that World of Disney feels really sterile now. Was not a fan.

Another Disney Trash temptation!!!

This shirt made me laugh out loud, because I do like two of these things and still consider it an... EPIC EXPERIENCE. You wouldn't catch me dead interacting with characters, but that's because I would find it too awkward. More power to those who do it!

This was a real temptation, and I really, truly almost bought it. But, it was 16.99$, and Disney shot themselves in the foot by showing me its real size.

*Simon Cowell voice* It's going to be a no from me. Mine also wouldn't end up looking like that, or I'd lose some of the tiny pieces. A true temptation, though.

My travels took me to the Ghirardelli store to collect a free piece of chocolate, and I was moderately outraged. Of all the chocolate they carry, they don't carry their best flavor! Dark Chocolate Mint squares, truly the best Ghirardelli has to offer. I would have one of those and a massive orange for dessert almost every night during my last semester, and they didn't even carry them

Next up was the Co-Op, where I saw some very cool Haunted Mansion merchandise. When I have my own place and my own disposable income, I will return and buy all of this.

So many books... need so many book ends.

This CHAIR! INCREDIBLE. I wanted it so bad. Didn't look for a price tag. I had a feeling it would be astronomical. Would be interesting to know how much it would cost to just reupholster a chair with Haunted Mansion fabric...

Hard pass.

It appears Edna Mode was following me. This was by the fitting rooms, though, and I actually thought it was cute.

 

[tonystark]

I wandered around the older area of Disney Springs for a bit, just enjoying not having to be in a rush.

The Christmas store made me long for Christmas, my favorite holiday/season.

The Christmas store inexplicably had a Haunted Mansion section, but I decided not to question it. Off I went to the art store to look at some art...

$110 each and VERY COOL... A Haunted Mansion themed room in my future? Maybe so.

Thomas Kinkade (or perhaps his company??) -- gorgeous stuff. I think there's a puzzle collection of his work that I always wanted to have a go at. I know his art isn't well received in the art world, but sometimes I wish that art could just be nice and not have to have some other meaning to it -- and not be critiqued because it is just nice. Not to say that I don't appreciate "deep" art. Just don't think Kinkade's work really needed to be detracted because it served its purpose.

Would you care for a $50 massive rice krispy cake? TBH, if they caught me at a low point, I'd say heck yes.

It started chucking it down during my wanderings, so I sought shelter in the flip flop store, and then moved to the Ganachery

I was given a sample of dark chocolate ganache on a stick and it was delicious! It was almost time for lunch, but I was trying to hold out til 1pm because I knew I wouldn't be eating dinner until late.

From the top of the Coca Cola store, a rather empty looking Disney Springs. It was a nice view up here, and maybe next time I'll actually get something to drink.

This shirt was from Anthropologie and it was really cute!!!