Trip Report My 3 day Solo trip and MagicBand experience.

I usually stay at All-Star Sports, but when I was booking my room Pop Century said it was trying out the new MagicBand. So Pop Century it was. I booked ten days out from August 7th, 8th and 9th. Being so close to the arrival date the MagicBand would be waiting for me at the hotel, instead of being mailed out.
I picked the color green.

Solo cast is me:

I am an annual pass holder and live just 4hours from Disney so I go every couple of months for a few days. Most of the time it's solo. I like that because I can do what I want, when I want, etc. etc. I enjoy it.

I was able to link my annual pass to the MagicBand along with 3 fast pass selections per day and a dining reservation. It was simple. I took a pic of my fast pass times as a reminder since the wifi is so sporadic in the parks.

I got to Pop around 2pm on Wednesday. The check in lines were horrible. Super long. Except for those who had checked in online. That was me and I strongly encourage you to do that. Only 3 people in that line and I was in and out in less than 5 minutes.

My band was waiting for me

It was personalized

It is fully adjustable, was very comfortable and my wrist never got hot or sweaty from it.

So off to find my room. I did 90s section. The complex is huge and this section was great because it is just a quick walk thru the parking lot to the bus stops.

Found it

The band is also your room key. Just tap it to the door receiver and like magic it unlocks. This was my home for the next couple of days.

More to follow. I have taken a lot of pics because I have always wanted to write a trip report, especially for the solo travelers. I will show you can have just as much fun. Hopefully the pics will post in this report.

 

[tare]

Can't wait for more.

 

[Tater tot]

Really enjoyed your reports

Thank you. I am enjoying writing them. They would be longer, but you are only allowed 10 pictures per post.

 

[Tater tot]

I finally sobered up and was getting hungry. It was dinner time. I felt like Mexican so headed over to Mexico. The Cantina is one of my favorite spots. I eat here every trip.

Good food, large portions and reasonable prices.

This evening it was nachos. Here is a helpful tip. The sitting area here is always super crowded and people circle around like sharks waiting for a table to open. Take your tray across the way to the Mexican pavilion and walk up the stairs and to your right. I always find an empty table and you can eat in peace. There was such a nice breeze that evening.

I sat and enjoyed this.

I was done touring the world. On my way out I stopped by the Coca-cola building to sample the different favors from different countries.

The one I like is the watermelon flavor which I think is from china. So delicious.

The floors were so sticky from people spilling stuff all throughout the day. That was kinda gross.

That ended my day at Epcot. My feet and ankles were getting sore from all the walking. I was going to bring a step counter because at the end of the day, I wanted to report how many step I had taken. But I forgot and left it at home.

Once again, bus service back to Pop was great. Waited less than 5 minutes to catch one. Wanted to rest up for day number 3. Animal Kingdom and character buffet lunch at Tusker House.

 

[WDW_Princess24]

Loving this so far, I was there the same time as you! It's nice to hear that so far your magic band experiences are positive, I wasn't initially thrilled with the concept. I must agree those bartenders in Epcot often have a heavy hand LOL, I've also made the same joke about that 37,500 castle, I wonder if they've ever even sold one?! Can't wait to hear about AK!

 

[DisSplash]

Love your TR! I also like your stroll through the World Showcase ... we have always started in Mexico, probably because we are always over at Test Track beforehand, but maybe we should shake it up this year and try your way. It would certainly make for a different experience!
Kudos to you on helping that poor man recoup a bit of his dignity. Adults do have tantrums too, justified and unjustified, but it sounds like that poor guy was at the wrong end of one for an honest mistake. The world and the World could use more people like you!

 

[mousefreak]

La Cantina is a Disney "Must Do" for us. OMG!!! The picture of the nachos...my mouth is watering for them. If you haven't tried the Churros w/warm caramel sauce, make sure you do that next trip.
Enjoying your TR.

 

[Tater tot]

La Cantina is a Disney "Must Do" for us. OMG!!! The picture of the nachos...my mouth is watering for them. If you haven't tried the Churros w/warm caramel sauce, make sure you do that next trip.
Enjoying your TR.

I have never tried those but next visit I will have too. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Tater tot]

Love your TR! I also like your stroll through the World Showcase ... we have always started in Mexico, probably because we are always over at Test Track beforehand, but maybe we should shake it up this year and try your way. It would certainly make for a different experience!
Kudos to you on helping that poor man recoup a bit of his dignity. Adults do have tantrums too, justified and unjustified, but it sounds like that poor guy was at the wrong end of one for an honest mistake. The world and the World could use more people like you!

Shake it up a bit. As often as I go, it makes for a different experience each time . That way it doesn't get boring time after time.

 

[LivFreeorDisney]

Your trip report has been great so far, keep it coming. I had a chance to do a solo trip about 6 years ago while I was on a business trip, it was strange and I didn't like it at that time. Now fast forward 6 years with a wife and two kids and I wish I had the chance again. Being able to make it to two rides before a potty break or someone needing a snack would be heaven.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Very glad i decided to click on your report. I think this is now a dream of mine to go at a slow pace, relax and take in all the details. Also like the info about the bands and app.

 

[Tater tot]

Anther good nights rest accomplished. I had the safari fast pass between 10 and 11am. I made it to Animal Kingdom around 9:15am and it really wasn't crowded. This was the quickest of the parks to get into this visit.

I will admit this isn't one of my favorite parks but I do find it is growing on me. I have found for me, by just slowing down and looking around, this park features tons of details. Look at the the actual sidewalk impressions, the unique lamp posts, all the signage. Details, details, details. Each trip I say..wow..I never noticed that before.

A nice cast member took my photo.

This view was next to that.

Now it was off to Africa for a safari.

I made it around 1015am.

The standby time was already 35 minutes. But just tapped my band and bypassed everyone. I think there were only 4 others in the fast pass lane. It took a little longer to board because they were announcing over the intercom some animals decided to lay down in the road and all traffic came to a stop. Good for them, show everyone who's the boss. It was delayed only about 10 minutes.

Now safari time. I love this ride because each time you don't know what you will or won't see. Plus it's just fun getting all bounced around in that truck. I can't count how many times I bumped into the lady next to me and vice versa.

Those were about the only good pics I could take with all the vibration of the ride.

 

[Tater tot]

After the safari you can either exit or take the walking trail. I opted for the trail.

Now here is a fun tip I like to do here to create my own entertainment. While walking down the trails I will quickly dart over act like I'm taking a pic, then keep going. It's fun to see others run over there afterwards trying to see what I saw. The kids are the funniest because they insist to the parents they saw what I saw, even tho I saw nothing.

It was too crowded, so didn't stay here long.

I love the gorillas. The baby was out today.

Reminds me of yesterday after my tipsy duck drink. I felt doing the same thing.

How pretty is this..,.blue fish

That worked up an appetite and it was getting close to my reservation time for lunch at Tusker House.

 

[olinecoach61]

Those nachos looked awesome, good tip about the seating, I'm going to put that in the memory bank.

 

[Tater tot]

Heading to eat.

Finally made it.

Now, even if you do go solo, enjoy yourself to a sit down lunch or dinner. I prefer lunch because it is cheaper. No one judges you or makes fun of you because you are by yourself. It's Disney. It's meant to get out of the ordinary and just have fun. I do one sit down each visit. I love this place because it is an African buffet and its a chance to try different flavors.

Once you check in, you are given a pager and told go to the back the building and have your pic taken with Donald. But you have to buy that pic if you want it. So I politely told them no photo taken today.

I did sit and watch others get their pic taken. Donald was busy cutting up with this kid.

I didn't sit long before my pager went off and was ready to enter.

I got a table for 2 with good views.

This place is spectacular. Tons of food stations.

Tons of stuff to chose from. On my first go around I got a small bit of everything. Then went back and got seconds of what I liked the most.

 

[Tater tot]

Here's my first selections.

Breads and chutneys.

I hadn't sat down long when Mickey and the gang headed over.

Goofy.

Daisy.

I was there maybe 45minutes or so and they ended up coming around twice. I finished my meal with this.

I was so full when I left there. These guys were performing just outside of the restaurant.

This guy was hilarious. He wanted to know if I was going this way or that thatta way.

Animal Kingdom has the best gift shops. Most is unique to only to that park.

I love wood carvings.

 

[Dads 2 Boys]

This is excellent....the type that I enjoy reading the most. I love the "play by play" style. We love Pop and glad u did as well.

 

[DisneyJunkie217]

I am enjoying your TR! I found the watermelon flavor in Club Cool was my favorite as well

 

[Tater tot]

Done with Africa so started heading towards Asia. Flights of Wonder was beginning. The bird was hamming it up in the microphone. He thought he was a chicken and was doing chicken calls. Pretty funny.

Here is the back side view the the tree.

This is so cool. It's a refreshment stand.

It was getting to be cocktail time. There is a little refreshment stand behind the Yak and Yeti quick service counter.

It's often over looked, but they have one of the best cocktails that I get each visit. It's called The Yak Attack.

Doesn't it look soooo good.

If you like sweet drinks, then you love this one.

With drink in hand I headed over to the the bridge over the water ride. There are a couple buttons that when pushed spray water on the the passing floaters below. Here comes some unsuspecting folks.

So I wave at them, they all look up, then spray them. Cheap entertainment.


Next up, Mount Everest.

 

[Tater tot]

This is excellent....the type that I enjoy reading the most. I love the "play by play" style. We love Pop and glad u did as well.

Thank you. I am glad you are enjoying it.

 

[Tater tot]

I am enjoying your TR! I found the watermelon flavor in Club Cool was my favorite as well

Thank you. The watermelon rocks.