Trip Report Great Garland! Solo Trip in November...It's Totally Tinsel!

Hello folks! I've been back since November 14th but just now getting around to my report.

Here's the lowdown: I'm Amy and I have taken a couple solo trips to Disney World and Disneyland and have gone many times with my hubs, Brad. This was another solo trip. I usually take my solo trips in the Spring but this year Brad is going to go along on my spring trip. So what's a girl to do with a couple personal days and an annual pass....go solo to Disney.

On Halloween my solo trip was almost derailed...long story short my husband missed the last step to the basement steps and fell onto the concrete floor breaking his right ankle in 2 spots. One of the first things he said to me was, "You are not cancelling your trip because of this." Well, I felt like I probably should cancel if he was having difficulty getting around. Well, things worked out and I was still able to go and he survived my absence. I did make sure his meals were all line up before I left.

So back to the trip....

My dates: November 11 to November 14

Resort: All Start Sports (cheap, clean, on property, and cheap)

Since my flight left Minneapolis early on Saturday morning I decided to spend the night near the airport so I didn't have to worry about driving early that morning. I live about an hour and 15 way from the airport, but I'm a worry wort and would rather not have the hassle on the morning of departure.

So on Friday after work I drove to Minneapolis, actually Bloomington where the Mall of America is. I had dinner at Margaritaville and then relaxed in my hotel room. I got to sleep at a decent time and woke up at 4:15 am feeling rested.

My bacon bbq aioli burger from Margaritaville and an Octoberfest Sam Adams beer.
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So went I left the hotel on Saturday morning for my less than 5 minute drive to the airport there was a coating of snow on the ground and on my car. As I was brushing off my car I looked up and the salt truck was driving past. Now I was really glad I decided to stay close to airport instead of driving this morning. I am a total wimp in winter driving even though I live in Wisconsin. Even on my short drive I took it slow as I could see some spots looked a little dicey.

I made it there fine and once through security I went to get my coffee at Caribou (so much better than Starbuck and it started in Minnesota). I was happy to see the Reindeer blend was out, this blend is great and only out at Christmas!
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Shortly after getting my coffee I spent about 10 minutes at the gate before boarding started. I was flying out on Spirit and had splurged for one of the big front seats (extra room!) so I boarded, settled in, and enjoyed my coffee and a doughnut I had brought from home and put on a podcast.

As I was enjoying my coffee my row-mate arrived and sat down, his daughter, a girl in her early 20's boarded with him and was in the aisle seat next to him. About a minute after he sat down, he turned to me and asked if I would switch spots with his daughter because he wanted to sit next to her. I thought, you are sitting next to her she is just across the aisle from you and it isn't like she is a young kid that needs your assistance. He looked put out by my answer and said, "Well I guess you did pay for your spot." I just nodded and went back to my relaxing. He eventually convinced the person sitting next to his daughter to switch and then he slept most of the flight. Whatever, I guess.

So this was my view leaving Minneapolis...
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And my view when landing in Orlando. It was rainy. Oh well at least it wasn't snow!
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Then I was greeted with the mob at Magical Express. I was lucky and found a line to the far end that only had a couple people in it. And I was through in a couple minutes and then waited about 20 minutes for my bus to load.

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I might be a little excited. Actually I just did the crazy eyes because it makes Brad laugh.
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Soon we were boarding...
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And soon I was home!
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DisneyJeff

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
Great trip report so far. I've always thought about taking a solo trip. This March I will be at a conference from the 17th - 21st. The conference is at the Hilton Bonnet Creek which is pretty much on-property. I will be solo for the conference (with an AP in hand) so I should be able to get a little taste of a solo trip. My DW will join me on the 21st for our first trip as DVC members.

BTW... what about the backpack!?! The suspense is killing me!!!
 

Longers

Well-Known Member
After Illuminations I decided to roam around the rest of World Showcase and enjoy the music, light crowds, nice weather, and take some pictures. Here are a few of my favorites.
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So the after Illuminations music was playing and as I approached Italy the music suddenly stopped and Italy lit up. Still there was no music. I thought that was odd.
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Then I noticed security lining the front of the pavilion and tv camera. Turns out they were filming stuff for the Disney Fairytale weddings that will be on Freeform. Interesting, I wasn't planning on watching that show but maybe I will now.
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I also saw these people dressed up, I don't know if they were in the wedding or hosts of the show. So maybe I do have to watch and find out.
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So after gawking for a bit I continued on my way.
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I have more pictures of my evening World Showcase journey but my husband wants to stream the Packer/Steelers game (he isn't a fan of either team) on his phone and that will slow down the wifi. So it is a wrap for tonight, I'm off to enjoy a Hallmark Christmas movie and a bowl of peppermint ice cream with hot fudge. Hmm, maybe I have an ice cream problem.....Good night!
No one can ever have an ice cream problem!
Can’t believevwe were there at the same time - we could have met.
Loving the report and pictures keep them coming
 

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
I wish I could go as often as you to see all the new things as soon as they are added but it is just not possible.:(
Maybe once I retire...;)

I suppose it isn't easy to go often where you live. Do you ever go to DLP? Maybe someday when I retire I will work at Disney.

Love the Christmas decorations at HS. The bulbs in the lake are a great touch and Gertie decorating the tree is so cute! Thanks for the pics

I really like that HS upped their game with the decorations. Gertie was one of my favorite decorations too.

Great trip report so far. I've always thought about taking a solo trip. This March I will be at a conference from the 17th - 21st. The conference is at the Hilton Bonnet Creek which is pretty much on-property. I will be solo for the conference (with an AP in hand) so I should be able to get a little taste of a solo trip. My DW will join me on the 21st for our first trip as DVC members.

BTW... what about the backpack!?! The suspense is killing me!!!

When I took my first solo trip I thought it might be a little odd not to have hubs with, but it is kind of nice to have the freedom to do whatever I want in my favorite place. I wish I could have a conference near WDW, although it would be hard to focus on the conference knowing that the parks were so close. I'm glad you remembered the backpack, although I will have to leave you in suspense a little longer. I'm getting too tired to post much more tonight.
 

Doc Disney

Well-Known Member
Now let's travel around the lake and look at the tree and Gertie. I think the tree in the middle of the lake is a grand idea, whoever thought of it deserves a Mickey bar. I also really liked the ornaments in the water. Everything looked awesome at night and it made me excited to see it in the daylight soon.

100% agree! I am obsessed with everything about the HS decorations this year. I wished I had given myself more time to see them!!!
 

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
No one can ever have an ice cream problem!
Can’t believevwe were there at the same time - we could have met.
Loving the report and pictures keep them coming

I do agree about the ice cream, however I probably daydream about Ample Hills ice cream more than I should I looked up ordering online but it is just so expensive. They were running a Cyber Monday special and I almost ordered today, but it still seemed silly to spend almost $80 on 4 pints of ice cream. I thought about pming you and seeing if you wanted to meet up when I was there but they days just flew by and I ran out of time. Hopefully our paths will cross in the future!

I wound up making a pot of veggie vindaloo:facepalm:

Not quite sure what that is but it probably tasted good if you made it. :)

I'm late, but I'm following along. I'm glad that Brad is doing better!
Oh...there is no such thing as having an "ice cream problem"...unless you don't have any ice cream which is definitely a problem. ;)

You are late at all I just started really. Mmm, all this talk about ice cream again makes me want some. I currently have Eddy's Peppermint in my freezer. It is really good with hot fudge.
 
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ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
im here, I love the Christmas decorations. I have spent some time in Disney near Christmas when I was young, the disappointment when you get back to the UK and one of the 1st things you see is a 3ft wonkey Christmas tree in the arrivals hall a big smack of 'we're home' right there in the face!

Yeah, the huge trees at Disney made my Christmas tree at home seem so tiny. :)
 

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
And then I took a few night shots as I left Epcot. I thought about going over to the Magic Kingdom since it was open until 2 am but I was getting tired and decided to just head back to the Sports and get a decent night's sleep.
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MouseGear is one of my favorite stores in WDW.
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So remember when I checked in my room wasn't ready so I checked my backpack with Bell Services? Well, when I got to the Sports at about 11:10pm and bell services closed at 11pm. Okay, no big deal I was sure that someone at the front desk could get it for me, after all I had my claim ticket.

So I talk to the cast member at the front desk and give them my claim ticket and she goes to go get my bag. A few minutes pass and then some more, and then some more and the CM comes back WITHOUT my backpack. She said she couldn't find it and asked me what it looked like. I tell her and she goes to look again. And now I'm starting to freak out, I had my extra insulin pens (didn't need refrigeration) in my backpack along with other medications and chargers for electronics! And I'm also thinking, I have a claim ticket so there should be some sort of record to check. The CM came back and couldn't find it, so she checked the computer and made a phone call and there is no record of it at all, not of being in the bell services area or being delivered to my room. Now I'm freaking! So by now the manager is involved and I've texted hubs about the situation and he is ready to call and yell at someone (which I say isn't necessary). So they tell me to go and check my room to see if it was delivered with my Magical Express luggage. I am totally unhappy about this so it was a very angry walk to my room. And when I opened my door there was my suitcase AND my backpack. I was very relieved but still angry. It was nice it was delivered but shouldn't there have been a record of where by backpack was taken along with how many bags were delivered to my room. Or the bell guy could have told me it would be delivered to my room. I also learned that next time all my meds are going to stay in my purse until I can store them in my room myself.

So here was my room. I also laughed at the fact that there were two beds. Whenever I travel solo I get two beds and the last couple times hubs and I traveled to the All Star we got a king! So I unpacked and went to bed so I would be ready for tons of fun the next day!
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DisneyJeff

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
So here was my room. I also laughed at the fact that there were two beds. Whenever I travel solo I get two beds and the last couple times hubs and I traveled to the All Star we got a king! So I unpacked and went to bed so I would be ready for tons of fun the next day!
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So when are they going to make the beds??? o_O

Seriously, it looks like there is a fitted sheet with no top sheet or blanket. At least bring back the bed runner!!
 

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