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]

It was time to go to Flavortown. The restaurant was really busy inside, and all the seating outside was in the sun, so I took a leaf out of Tim Tracker's book and sat...

Outside this fancy men's clothing store, caught some of the AC, and ate my lunch!! I got the Sauce Master chicken sandwich with Donkey Sauce and Special Sauce.

That's lettuce on the bun, believe me I did a double take when I looked at this picture. I got the combo, so it also came with a drink and

Some fries for around $11. I thought it was really good, and I couldn't finish the sandwich (though I ate all the chicken out of it). Guy Fieri doesn't mess around, there was an excess of sauce on the sandwich (if you're asking me), and towards the end the sandwich was getting a bit soggy. I would still recommend this place, the food was really fresh, just be prepared for a lot of sauce. Or ask for your sauce on the side? They'd probably do that.

After lunch, I took a bus back to the hotel (which took forever getting there).

Got into my Mousekept bed, put on the nap channel, and took a nap until it was time for me to call my Uber to the Phillips Center. I had never taken an Uber before, and I would recommend it. My driver there spoke to me the whole way, but I didn't mind, we had a long discussion about human evolution, aliens, and the capacity for chimpanzees to learn language. Really interesting stuff! My driver back to the hotel didn't speak a word and we listened to the gospel radio station, while he drove on I4 like it was a Nascar race. Yes, he did enter through the roundabout at the hotel the wrong way and got told off by CMs, but I also didn't die, so I gave him 5 stars.

Aww, there's me at the show. This time last week!!

And there were the three brothers I came to listen to. Their podcast is a comedy show where they give bad advice (hard to describe), but opening up the show they talked about the Disney vacation they had taken with their children. The guy on the right wanted to know why every ride at Disney had a scary part -- his ride of contention was Winnie the Pooh lol, he said his son didn't care for "Tigger's abyss" or the Heffalump hell. An interesting discussion... The Peoplemover doesn't have a scary part though!!!

Upon my return to the hotel, it was around 10:30, and I was starving. I wanted something quick from the food court, and thought a slice of pizza didn't sound half bad.

BEHOLD. THE WORLD'S SADDEST DINNER. It was tiny. I ate it in like 2 seconds. But I was in my room to stay, and wasn't going to go back for a second slice. Instead, I took a shower and got into bed. The nap channel went on, and off to sleep I eventually went, lulled by the peaceful blue light and images of various park icons flashing across the screen.

 

[tonystark]

I awoke in the morning sad. It was time for me to leave the Disney Bubble, and for who knows how long? I would like to be able to go back for the Christmas party, but don't know what I will be doing with my life by that point, so this will likely be the last trip for a while.

A healthy Disney breakfast. It was time to check out, and I didn't even complain about the parking fees, because I knew there was nothing they could do. I will say, though, no one was parked near my car for about 3 rows....

I drove home safely, and can now show you the one souvenir I did buy

This cute Haunted Mansion pressed penny!!

I also got a poster and didn't even realize it was signed until I unraveled it at home.

And despite no one being home to greet me, there was someone there say hello...

My little pal!!

Ultimately, I had fun, though there were some things I am kinda ehhh about. Obviously, I wish I had had more time in the park -- if only I hadn't been tired. I wish I had ridden Splash Mountain, but not on that particular day, because it is a ride I really enjoy. I also wish I'd had the time for a lunch reservation at BOG, because I had the turkey sandwich in April and it was literally one of the best sandwiches I've had on property ever!! I also wish the Incredibles weren't in Tomorrowland while I was there, but at least they are gone now. Hopefully Carousel of Progress gets a refurb, and hopefully they keep cranking out the Haunted Mansion merchandise so I can buy it all later.

I had a fun time, and would do a solo trip again. I also would stay at an All Star again. Thanks for reading along!

 

[MinnieM123]

World of Disney looking... ugly and uninspired.

I agree and miss the "old" WOD store design. I dunno--the newer design looks almost sterile. It doesn't have the fun character of the older design where there was a ton of merchandise, and everywhere you'd turn, you'd see interesting displays. It was always crazy mobbed in there, too, and I usually hate crowds, but somehow it added to the "experience" !

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

Good grief--that's my favorite, too. Why they would not carry the mint one is beyond an oversight on their part!!

And despite no one being home to greet me, there was someone there say hello...

LOVE the dog!! So cute and what a wonderful welcoming home committee (of 1) !!

I had a fun time, and would do a solo trip again. I also would stay at an All Star again. Thanks for reading along!

What a great TR, and so happy you enjoyed your time. You certainly packed a lot into a short time. Thanks for sharing!!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Great trip report! I hope you get there again soon. Your little pal that greeted you at home is very cute.

 

[jaques21]

well done!

 

[LeighM]

The woman that sat next to you one the bench sounds very similar to a woman who bumped into me at Disney Springs a few years ago and then threatened to kick my a** because she thought I looked at her funny. Crazies are definitely out there.

And I love the Thomas Kinkade puzzles! I'm currently working on the Cinderella castle puzzle that you posted in your report. This is the 4th one I'm doing. I framed them and they are hanging in the guest room.

 

[sheriffwoody]

Sounds like a fun trip!! I loved my short solo trip too...I think those can be really great to get a quick Disney fix

Your story with the people on the bench made me laugh and cringe. When people pull that kind of crap on me, I give them a look and move I make sure they know I moved because of them if I can I do the same thing at the gym...if someone gets on the cardio machine next to me when there are like 10 other free ones, I get sooooo annoyed and just move. My husband thinks I'm ridiculous, but I just like my space! If it's just super crowded, that's fine...it's unavoidable. But if there's plenty of space and you're choosing to occupy MINE, then I'm going to find some new space.

Hope you make it back soon and good luck on your job hunt!

 

[tonystark]

I agree and miss the "old" WOD store design. I dunno--the newer design looks almost sterile. It doesn't have the fun character of the older design where there was a ton of merchandise, and everywhere you'd turn, you'd see interesting displays. It was always crazy mobbed in there, too, and I usually hate crowds, but somehow it added to the "experience" !

What a great TR, and so happy you enjoyed your time. You certainly packed a lot into a short time. Thanks for sharing!!

Thank you so much for reading! I just think that WOD should definitely have a bit of character to it, but it seems like Disney is shifting away from theming for a "cleaner" look in their stores... I think that just makes them look sterile.

Great trip report! I hope you get there again soon. Your little pal that greeted you at home is very cute.

Thank you! Literally a week after I got home my parents bought a Doberman puppy so I've been busy potty training and my little pal has been busy getting attacked by a puppy... Looking forward to your next TR

well done!

Thanks! And thanks for reading!

The woman that sat next to you one the bench sounds very similar to a woman who bumped into me at Disney Springs a few years ago and then threatened to kick my a** because she thought I looked at her funny. Crazies are definitely out there.

And I love the Thomas Kinkade puzzles! I'm currently working on the Cinderella castle puzzle that you posted in your report. This is the 4th one I'm doing. I framed them and they are hanging in the guest room.

If I'd had someone with me to back me up I probably would have said something but I didn't want to get beaten up while eating a citrus swirl... that would ruin my favorite treat forever. And those puzzles definitely look frame-worthy, I enjoy a puzzle every now and again but this past Christmas my mom bought me the Ravensburger Krypt puzzle which is all the same color and impossible to solve so I kind of lost my enthusiasm for puzzles...

Sounds like a fun trip!! I loved my short solo trip too...I think those can be really great to get a quick Disney fix

Your story with the people on the bench made me laugh and cringe. When people pull that kind of crap on me, I give them a look and move I make sure they know I moved because of them if I can I do the same thing at the gym...if someone gets on the cardio machine next to me when there are like 10 other free ones, I get sooooo annoyed and just move. My husband thinks I'm ridiculous, but I just like my space! If it's just super crowded, that's fine...it's unavoidable. But if there's plenty of space and you're choosing to occupy MINE, then I'm going to find some new space.

Hope you make it back soon and good luck on your job hunt!

Short trips are fun but I definitely would have loved to hit up EPCOT, but with the start of FW it would have been CRAAAAAZY. I managed to have a pretty calm day at MK, so while Bob Iger might not have been thankful for a slow September... I was . I would have moved off the bench but also... I was trying to make a very sad point... like... don't crowd my space... Here I was thinking it was common courtesy, but that seems to be a bit lacking when people are at Disney lol. Thanks for reading, I love your TRs!!!

 

[LeighM]

Sounds like a fun trip!! I loved my short solo trip too...I think those can be really great to get a quick Disney fix

Your story with the people on the bench made me laugh and cringe. When people pull that kind of crap on me, I give them a look and move I make sure they know I moved because of them if I can I do the same thing at the gym...if someone gets on the cardio machine next to me when there are like 10 other free ones, I get sooooo annoyed and just move. My husband thinks I'm ridiculous, but I just like my space! If it's just super crowded, that's fine...it's unavoidable. But if there's plenty of space and you're choosing to occupy MINE, then I'm going to find some new space.

Hope you make it back soon and good luck on your job hunt!

I'm the exact same way! I've very protective of my space bubble LOL. My biggest space pet peeve is actually in the bathroom. I get so annoyed when I'm the only one in the restroom, and there are like 15 stalls, and someone has to get one right next to me. Why?! Are they afraid and feel safer being next to someone?? One of life's unsolved mysteries

 

[Rista1313]

I'm the exact same way! I've very protective of my space bubble LOL. My biggest space pet peeve is actually in the bathroom. I get so annoyed when I'm the only one in the restroom, and there are like 15 stalls, and someone has to get one right next to me. Why?! Are they afraid and feel safer being next to someone?? One of life's unsolved mysteries

Maybe they think if the toilet paper is out you might hand them some!

 

[LeighM]

Maybe they think if the toilet paper is out you might hand them some!

LOL. That reminds me of the Seinfeld episode - "not a square to spare"

 

[tonystark]

Maybe they think if the toilet paper is out you might hand them some!

this made me lol

 

[righttrack]

Great TR! Congrats on your graduation. I really think they missed an opportunity with the chicken on the bag at Chicken Guy. They should have put the glasses on the back of it's head.

 

[Sandurz]

Came here from your most recent TR since it was fun to read and gotta say, the reveal of your reason for going to Orlando in the first place being a MBMBAM live show was a very fun surprise...love those boys and that show in particular!

 

[tonystark]

Came here from your most recent TR since it was fun to read and gotta say, the reveal of your reason for going to Orlando in the first place being a MBMBAM live show was a very fun surprise...love those boys and that show in particular!

Gotta be honest... when I saw that this thread was revived I was like uh oh... But hurrah to finding a fellow MBMBAMbino!

and can we discuss this face?

he has the cutest face in the WORLD!

 

[BrerWayne]

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

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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.
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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.

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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

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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
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You look fabulous dahling.

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

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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.
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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.

I do not know the story about the cone. Can you explain it please? Enjoyed the TR by the way.

 

[tonystark]

I do not know the story about the cone. Can you explain it please? Enjoyed the TR by the way.

There's a twitter account that is at Peoplemovercone so it's a bit of a joke. Not sure why they put the cones up in the first place, though I've heard it's to mark cars that need a bit of a cleaning by the end of the night... I hope it's something less gross, like a car with a malfunctioning door or something... Thanks for reading!