My Solo Trip to WDW. Day by Day Breakdown

[GeoffR]

Hello all,

I'm currently in WDW, on my first solo trip. This year was different in many ways, but although I come down once a year, this year was especially unique. I got married this year, and I was assuming I wouldn't have any money to make the trip down. However, I received some awful news while traveling for work; my grandmother at 93 passed away. After months of really heavy emotions, things started to go back to normal. In April, I was told my grandmother had left me a small sum of money...to go to WDW in a year she knew I couldn't. I've gone every year since 2014, and her love made that tradition continue.
Though, its odd being here alone, I'm certainly thinking about her alot, and her unbelievable love towards her family.
I wanted to post a day by day breakdown, which I'll do throughout the week, with day one coming shortly. I hope you all enjoy it!

 

[GeoffR]

Day 1 recap:

5:00 am flight to get the most out of day 1. Flew Boston and to MCO. After all said and done, got to the hotel by 10:30; all-star movies because I'm on a budget. Miraculously, my room was ready right away! I went to my room and was headed to Magic Kingdom by 11. Caught a bus immediately and there was no lines into the park, which I was at by 11:30.
Felt odd being the there alone, like really odd lol. So, I decided to approach it like I do every trip, so I started through MSUSA heading to Adventureland.

First thing I noticed was how over-decorated MSUSA is. Wow. It's just my opinion, but it's really overdone.

I started with Pirates, front row. First experience with the new auction scene. It was ok, but taking out the 'we wants the redhead ' line was a kick in the gut. Post show gift shop has lost some flare; way more toys than apparel.
Lunch at Tortuga Tavern, bbq shortrib, real good.

Because there was a parade coming, I bypassed Frontierland and headed towards Liberty Square. Figured I hop on Haunted Mansion. About a 40 min wait. Few problems with the ride: the portraits didnt fade to skeletons and the gravedigger wasnt shivering. This was sort of the problem with almost every ride today; small issues, but noticable.

Shortly after that it started to rain pretty heavily so I waited it out on Main Street. Once the rain subsided I headed over towards Fantasyland. There was a legitimate flood near the hub where the Tomorrowland Terrace meets Fantasyland. It was crazy!!

Hopped on Big Thunder from there, then had dinner at the Columbia Harbour House.

Hopped on Splash Mountain after. Some issues here too with animatronics not working, as well as some protections.

Finished the day in Tomorrowland. Peoplemover had a crazy long wait time. It was a sight to behold. Hopped on Space Mountain to end the day. Big disappointment was the removal of the post-show area. The gift shop, as well, was vert disappointing; all star wars junk. You would think that such a classic attraction would have awesome apparel, but nope. The lack of post-show and star wars heavy gift shop has me worried about the future.

Day 2 tomorrow!!

 

[Joesixtoe]

Well I hope your having fun, I would like to go on my own as well sometime, so I can stop and see everything I'd like to see.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

OP, so sorry about y our grandmother! What a wonderful gift to you, though. She must have known of your love for Disney.
I hope you have a great time. Great trip report so far

 

[JIMINYCR]

Prayers for you & your family regarding your grandmothers death. How wonderful it was that she remembered/thought of you by giving you this gift allowing you to enjoy yourself after she had gone. Such a special way of continuing to show her love for you. Enjoy your time away. While you are there why not get an ornament personalized with her name to keep on your Christmas tree as way to memorialize the trip.

 

[GeoffR]

Day 2:

Hollywood Studios

A lot more crowded than normal. Huge wait times; TOT 120min, RRC 80 min, just crazy. Was able to get a FP for TOT. My favorite ride, I love Twilight Zone! Excellent gift shop too; though it used to have more artwork, I think i must've bought it all lol. Walked around a lot, grabbed some Starbucks as well as one of those awesome Tubblers.

Walked over to Muppets. The statue was missing some figures.

Checked out the shops/streets around there. Love the theming, but the Muppets gift shop was absent of Muppets merch. It was so odd. Spoke with a cast member and they said its not selling. Such a cool store, real shame.

Walked over to the Star Tours gift shop. Considering how much SW merch is everywhere, this place was surprisingly lacking stuff. Really only the recent films were featured. Kind of lame.

Paid my respects to the Chinese Theater, wearing my GMR shirt

 

[GeoffR]

Headed of to Toy Story Land. Was disappointed. Really disappointed. It's so small and the theming is so amusement parkish. Just my opinion, but its not a well-done area

 

[GeoffR]

Explored the Wilderness Lodge and Contempory. Had a quick lunch at the Roaring Rock and really took in the sights. The merchandise stores in Wilderness Lodge were great!!

 

[MAGICFLOP]

I was told my grandmother had left me a small sum of money...to go to WDW in a year she knew I couldn't.

God bless your grandmother for being so thoughtful.. Her generation was known for their generosity and selflessness, so I am not surprised..

There was not a way that you could have worked extra shifts or a side job for a bit to get the money to bring your new wife? maybe its just me, but I would not have a good time knowing my wife was home. My wife is stay at home(doesn't drive either) and I feel guilty if I stop at a convenience and get a snack, when she is not with me, so I always grab her something too.

 

[GeoffR]

God bless your grandmother for being so thoughtful.. Her generation was known for their generosity and selflessness, so I am not surprised..

There was not a way that you could have worked extra shifts or a side job for a bit to get the money to bring your new wife? maybe its just me, but I would not have a good time knowing my wife was home. My wife is stay at home(doesn't drive either) and I feel guilty if I stop at a convenience and get a snack, when she is not with me, so I always grab her something too.

She's not a Disney person, we just got back from Europe actually. She's vacationed out

 

[GeoffR]

Ended the day at EPCOT.

Magic Kingdom was closed by 4:30 for a castmember event. That, on top of Food & Wine, on top of a Boyz II Men concert...it was a little crowded lol. However I got on Test Track via single rider line, and Living with the Land.

Despite the crowds, the Pavilions were actually kind of empty, which was cool. Most of the crowds were at the F&W carts. At at the Carribean, Greek, and Belgian spots!

Caught Illuminations and called it a night

 

[GeoffR]

Day 3:

Crowded today. Crazy busy pretty much everywhere.

Started the day in AK. Hopped on Everest and the safari. Walked the animal trails. Grabbed some siracha fries and did a little more exploring before calling it an early day.

Afterwards I headed to Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney Springs. I personally liked the new World of Disney design. Grabbed lunch at Earl of Sandwich.

Headed to the Polynesian Resort afterward and did some exploring.

Ended the day early at Magic Kingdom. Hopped on Jungle Cruise. The place was a zoo, so crowded, so I called it a night and decided to relax at the resort