Inspired by other out of the closet lurkers, I’m going to attempt a pre trip report and eventual trip report. With only 10 days to go I figure it will help pass the days.
First up who – this is a solo trip and I am a former AP holder and DVC owner.
My first trip was July, 1972. I have some very clear memories from that trip. We stayed at the Poly and I wished the entire time we had stayed in the hotel that the train went through. I remember the amazing Volcano pool and my Dad catching me as I landed at the bottom. And while I don’t remember actually getting lost due to my fascination with the characters that would roam the park, I do remember having to use a rented stroller (that wasn’t very comfortable) because my parents didn’t want to lose me again.
In 2007, after several trips between 1989 and 2007, I bought a resale contract at BWV. I started going multiple times in the same year and included a few trips to DL. Those DVC points were put to good use. I have many wonderful memories with family and of solo trips.
I sold my DVC in 2016, which was also the last time I was in the World and only attended a MNSSHP and the DVC owner’s night at AK on that trip (spent most of time at US and SW).
I sold as the trips weren’t as much fun, planning vacations started to become too much. I joked that planning D-Day was easier than planning WDW trips. I missed the days when you could just show up and decide which park that day. I remember the days when making same day dining reservations was the norm. As many have mentioned the crowds are much larger, too many upcharges and the quality wasn’t what I remembered. Looking back going from 90 day PS to 180 day ADR’s may have been the beginning of the end. Also, I don’t like the idea of constantly checking for FP on your phone. I like disconnecting when I vacation. I loved the old system.
The When and Where
Around this time last year, I started to get the itch. I always went in the fall and did miss going for MNSSHP and F&W. I knew after all those DVC trips I would want to rent points. For a solo traveler those DVC studios are great. I love having the kitchenette and a couch instead of a second bed. I started looking at the calendar and wanting to go at a slowish time, I settled on the weeks around Labor Day. I typically work from home on Wednesday’s and thought it would be easy to fly down on a Wednesday night and save a vacation day and get an early start the first day. Before I even booked anything, vacation creep happened and I decided to just take off Wednesday too. Knowing I would want to spend time at F&W I put in a rental request at just about the 11th month mark for BCV for 8/28 – 9/7.
After about a week I got an accepted offer and was officially booked at BCV. (my goddaughter in SAB from a previous trip)
First up who – this is a solo trip and I am a former AP holder and DVC owner.
My first trip was July, 1972. I have some very clear memories from that trip. We stayed at the Poly and I wished the entire time we had stayed in the hotel that the train went through. I remember the amazing Volcano pool and my Dad catching me as I landed at the bottom. And while I don’t remember actually getting lost due to my fascination with the characters that would roam the park, I do remember having to use a rented stroller (that wasn’t very comfortable) because my parents didn’t want to lose me again.
In 2007, after several trips between 1989 and 2007, I bought a resale contract at BWV. I started going multiple times in the same year and included a few trips to DL. Those DVC points were put to good use. I have many wonderful memories with family and of solo trips.
I sold my DVC in 2016, which was also the last time I was in the World and only attended a MNSSHP and the DVC owner’s night at AK on that trip (spent most of time at US and SW).
I sold as the trips weren’t as much fun, planning vacations started to become too much. I joked that planning D-Day was easier than planning WDW trips. I missed the days when you could just show up and decide which park that day. I remember the days when making same day dining reservations was the norm. As many have mentioned the crowds are much larger, too many upcharges and the quality wasn’t what I remembered. Looking back going from 90 day PS to 180 day ADR’s may have been the beginning of the end. Also, I don’t like the idea of constantly checking for FP on your phone. I like disconnecting when I vacation. I loved the old system.
The When and Where
Around this time last year, I started to get the itch. I always went in the fall and did miss going for MNSSHP and F&W. I knew after all those DVC trips I would want to rent points. For a solo traveler those DVC studios are great. I love having the kitchenette and a couch instead of a second bed. I started looking at the calendar and wanting to go at a slowish time, I settled on the weeks around Labor Day. I typically work from home on Wednesday’s and thought it would be easy to fly down on a Wednesday night and save a vacation day and get an early start the first day. Before I even booked anything, vacation creep happened and I decided to just take off Wednesday too. Knowing I would want to spend time at F&W I put in a rental request at just about the 11th month mark for BCV for 8/28 – 9/7.
After about a week I got an accepted offer and was officially booked at BCV. (my goddaughter in SAB from a previous trip)
. The one time I didn’t want that. But what can I do about it at this point, airfare booked, DVC points booked, park ticket bought and paid for. SWGE was opening the day after I checked in.
It sounds worse than it is. It is all manageable but this is why there will be no rope drop to closing on my trip. I exercise 5-6 times a week and that is key. I would love to drop a few pounds but realistically that ain’t happening as I will never give up sugar. Rotating shoes makes a big difference on vacations. Wearing the same shoe/same type of shoe a couple days in a row is not a solution for me, no matter how comfortable or well made.
