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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ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
Great trip report, where was the kitchen holiday merchandise at? I know you said Animal Kingdom, which area?

It was in one of the shops near the Tree of Life. I think it was the one closer to the Flame Tree. That merchandise is all around Disney, can't miss it this time of year. I think I took a similar picture at the Emporium too.
 

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
My original plan was to head from Epcot over to the Magic Kingdom to see Happily Ever After, but the more I thought about it I decided that I really wanted to see Jingle Bell Jingle BAM again. If I left immediately after BAM I could make it to see Happily Ever After at the MK. So off I went to Hollywood Studios.

I had to make a pit stop along the way. Hubby says I have a problem, but if loving Ample Hills Oatmeal ice cream is wrong I don't want to be right!:joyfull:
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Look at that deliciousness. Oh why does it have to cost $50 just to ship it to my house.:cry:
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Once I was fortified with "nutritious" ice cream I made my way into the Studios and I had been able to snag a fast pass for Toy Story. While on the ride we stopped for a moment at this spot, I thought it made an interesting shot.
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I looked to my left and thought the crayon details was neat, although it bugged me that someone put the crayons back into the box the wrong way. Even as a kid the pointy end had to go upwards.
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My new top score, again not the 0's.
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I made my way to Sunset and enjoyed some of the projections there again.
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ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
After watching all four projections I made my over to the Chinese Theater to watch the Movie Magic show and Jingle Bell Jingle BAM!

Gotta love Indiana Jones.
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Time for for Jingle Bell Jingle BAM. Great Garland it sure is a totally tinsel show!
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Once the show was done I high tailed it out of the park to get to the Magic Kingdom bus as quick as possible. It was tough because there was so much snoaping (soap snow) going on it was burning my eyes but even though my vision was impaired I made it out of the park and...
 

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
I got to the bus stop seconds too late. The bus was just pulling away as I arrived. :cry::( I didn't think another would arrive soon as I have terrible luck at the HS MK bus stop, but I decided to head to MK anyway for some fun and since I was at the front of the line at least I would have a seat.
Well after about 10-15 minutes of waiting a bus arrived, it was still possible to that if everything went right I could still catch some of Happily Ever After. Everything did go okay, I walked onto Main Street with 2 minutes before the show started. I walked down the sidewalks of Main Street scouting for a place that I could scoot in. I eventually found a spot I liked right as the first bars of the song was playing. My spot wasn't the best for picture taking, so no pictures of it. Which is fine because I just enjoyed the show. Tink also didn't fly that night, I guess it was too windy.

Afterwards I headed to the Peoplemover
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Ever notice how cool the ceiling is as you are going up the ramp?
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It was time for a little Haunted Mansion
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Pirates
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Then just some fun wandering around and enjoying the atmosphere
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ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
Really enjoyed the nighttime photos you took. Also, the various shop photos were festive and fun with seasonal decorations and merchandise. Not many people take multiple pictures of the shops, but I really like the collection you just shared here. :happy:

Thanks, sometimes the shop displays are really nice. I really enjoyed all the little details in the Emporium windows.
 

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
After the Jingle Cruise I headed to the hub to see if any of the Main Street vehicles were operating. I saw the omnibus in the hub so I hopped on that.
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Since the end of the trolley track was being worked on the trolley wasn't running, but the wagon was out.
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Then it was time for tea!
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I was going to get a snack at Gaston's but the line was out the door, so I passed and walked onto the Little Mermaid ride instead.
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Next it was a spin on the carousel and some Philharmagic.
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ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
After Philharmagic I was hungry, those early morning Mickey waffles hadn't cut it so it was almost 11am so I went in search of food. I ended up at Peco Bills and got the fajita platter. It really would be enough for two people to share, but I was so hungry I took down the WHOLE thing! It was delicious!
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And just a closer look....
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After lunch I took a journey on what @Tuvalu calls the MPB. Then I went on Big Thunder and visited the Country Bears.
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I walked into the Country Bears right when the show was going to start and I was surprised that it was a full house of people!
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ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
Original Poster
Adios Country Bears!
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I wandered through the Ye Old Christmas Shop and I just loved the Chip and Dale nutcrackers. I thought they would make a good addition to my nutcracker collection but I was not in love with the price. Maybe another time.
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Then back to the hub and I saw the band performing. I never seem to catch them, and the band is pretty awesome.
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It was almost time for the Dapper Dans so I wandered the Main Street area.
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I thought this Donald sketch was cool, I almost bought it and I did regret not getting it later. Oh well, maybe another time.
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