One and a half days all to myself!!

Just got back from a day and a half in the world and my first SOLO trip!

A little back story...my Dad has a race car (I post a pic later for those of you interested) so my family had planned for a long time to travel to Tampa to race at East Bay Raceway for their Winternationals race, 3 nights of racing. A few weeks before that I realized, I could go a day early and see New Fantasyland!
So the plan was in motion. After a little coaxing of my dad, I booked a room at All Star Movies and five days later I was there! And so it begins...

Day 1: Travel day
Up at 6:45 and out the door by 7:15 I was on the road for a long drive by myself! 10 hours is by far the longest I have driven alone, but it wasn't bad. All was good until I was practically there and discovered I had the wrong address and let's just say I was NOT on Disney property. Called my Dad and he calmed me down and only 45 min AFTER I had planned on arriving I was there!! HALLELUJAH!!

I was on the second floor in the Mighty Ducks building and had a king size bed! After setting down my things I headed to Downtown Disney, cause I was huuungry. First stop, Earl of Sandwich and the oh so delicious All American!

After I filled my belly I walked around and looked at the shops, luckily finding Goofy's Candy Company and made my first Mickey Rice Krispie treat! Rice Krispy, milk chocolate, m&m's and a white chocolate drizzle!

Finished product! And holy cow it was good!

 

[KappleB2]

Hello again! Let's see, I was exploring New Fantasyland....

After a little Lefou's Brew, I made my way under the sea. Every trip I have a goal to do and meet something I have never done before. I already took my boat ride from Hollywood Studios to Epcot and now it was time to meet Ariel!!! I couldn't believe I had never met here before! I was born in '86 and the movie came out in '89 so I was all about The Little Mermaid when I was little. YaY!

The line was posted as 20 minutes but I had a feeling it wouldn't be that long and I was right! Only about 10 minutes! And she was so sweet! She asked if I had seen Woody and Jessie today and I told her I was on the lookout! The photopass CM was the best and told me exactly where they were and for how long!

This area is just spectacular! The detail is incredible! I LOVE it!

I love where the Seven dwarves have all their tools and time cards So cute!

My next stop was over by Mickey's Philharmagic for a Little Mermaid fast pass for the evening and of course a 3D journey through some of my favorite movies! I walked right in and sat down!
After that I walked right on to the Haunted Mansion!

And then it was time to find Woody and Jesse! I have seen Woody and Buzz before, but not Jesse. And I NEEDED to get a picture with them in my "Plays well with Cowboys" shirt!

They were really excited to see me and my shirt! So fun! Right about now was when I thought, If I was with my family, they would NOT have wanted to stood in line to meet these characters! I am so lucky to have been able to do this by myself!

I tried to ride Pirates, but it was down and the Jungle Cruise was packed because Pirates was down. Off to Tomorrowland!

Space was just a 15 min wait so that was up first followed by a spin on Buzz and of course the Peoplemover! I love that little ride!
Then it was time to head over to check out the characters in Storybook Circus!

 

[KappleB2]

First up, the girls.

Then the guys! Goofy thought we were done with pictures so he moved and I got this...

Hahaha! So I had him do it again

Much better!

As I exited the tent, it was just about twilight and the lights were coming on.

I needed to find some dinner before my Journey with the Little Mermaid but everything in that area was closed! I was so frustrated! Why close all the restaurants in the back of the park hours before park closing?! So, I went all the way up to Pecos Bills for a BBQ pork sandwich, which was delicious but not near my next destination.

FINALLY it was time to ride the Little Mermaid!

I didn't take any pictures this time because I just wanted to take it in the first time. It is beautiful! I get why some are disappointed but I LOVE all the music and everything about that movie so the ride is just wonderful! I couldn't wait to go again tomorrow!

The other new thing I had to see was the castle projection show, so it was really past time to find a spot. The best place I could find was too close to the castle really but, it would have to do.

When it was time for the show to start, this family with small children sends their kids to stand practically ON TOP of me! Needless to say I was NOT happy. I had been sitting there for a while and everyone in front of me was sitting!
*The kids could see from behind me...not cool people. And don't pretend you don't know English, you know that's not right no matter what language you speak!*

Ok, rant over . The castle projection show, that I cannot for the life of me think of the name, was spectacular! Really very well done! I am so glad I got to see it!

This great show was followed by Wishes! Which is ALWAYS wonderful. The best night show on property in my opinion. And I always cry . Really I just cry when I hear those songs! It doesn't matter whether fireworks are going or not.

The only exception to the wonderfullness this time was the child behind me screaming bloody murder. Come on parents! If the kid is afraid of the fireworks, take them away from them!

Fireworks done, screaming children gone, I happily wandered around the hub and took some pictures and waited for some people to clear out.

I waited long enough tonight to see the goodnight kiss!! It started and I knew exactly what it was! I proceeded to flip out a little and some people near me looked like a crazy woman . Truth is, they don't know the half of it but I digress. Another new thing for me! Yipee!! After that I was set, and headed for the bus.

I waited through 1 bus and got on the next, which was not a Disney bus by the way. Also, the bus driver took us to Pop instead of All Star Movies. Hahaha! He quickly turned around and took us to the correct home
Tomorrow were extra magic hours back at the MK and I was going to do my best to see the Welcome show, another first!

 

[LuLaSue]

The Welcome show is my FAVORITE!!!
Can't wait to hear what you think about it!

 

[sam_disney]

Yay! Love this report x

 

[catnrob]

Great report! How lucky to be able to explore alone!!

 

[KappleB2]

If anyone is still interested....there is more to come! But I got a new job D!) and things have been crazy! Hopefully tomorrow or Wednesday I will get to do more!

 

[Bethany M]

Still reading! And congrats on the new job!

 

[DisneyBergh]

I'm still in! I'll wait patiently

 

[KappleB2]

I'm baaaaaack! My two jobs are keeping busy but I really want to do this, so I'm here and not looking at Excel.
Ok, I finished my one whole day all by myself and had only a half day left
Today there were EMH at the Magic Kingdom and I was going to see the Welcome show for the first time!

Up at 6am! Disney makes me be a morning person. I got everything packed and was in the car by 7am, since I would be leaving for Tampa right from the park. I stopped by McDonald's for a chicken biscuit and was the 5th car in the MK lot! Lookin' good. Hopped on the resort monorail and around we went till we FINALLY got to the Magic Kingdom.

Cute wallpaper in my room.

Purple and yellow Mickey for the Ravens whose Superbowl parade was this week.

I'm so excited!!
It's here! It's here!
Start off with a little dancing....

and here comes the rest of the gang!

I was way excited to see those penguins
What a cute show! I sure am glad I was there to see it! That is just a FANTASTIC way to start the day!! Maybe I could start my work day like that!
As I went through the gate I walked through the castle ! which I had NEVER done! and then walked over to get a fastpass for Peter Pan. Fastpass in hand, next stop was Enchanted Tales with Belle! The sign said 15 min and that was pretty accurate. I passed the time talking on the phone to my Mom.

Cute details. Sadly I didn't get to stop in the cottage, I walked right through so I didn't get to see much.

Ok, can we talk? For real, I knew what was coming but I was soooo impressed! I may have been more excited than some of the kids! THE MIRROR! Again, I knew what was going to happen but WOW!!!

And then...the wardrobe. I heard it talked and all that but she was just so cool! And the CM in there did a great job with the kids.

And then Lumiere...he not only talks but has expression in his face! The whole thing was just WONDERFUL! I loved it and really wish I had time to do it again.

 

[KappleB2]

Time to ride standby on the Voyage of the Little Mermaid! I wanted to do this to see the que and I'm glad I did cause it is again...beautiful! That is probably the most over used word in this TR but it describes so much of what I saw!

Pretty lights.

This time around I took some pictures, and unashamedly sang along

The ride stopped for probably 2 or 3 minutes right in front of Ursula, who is pretty cool.

On the way out of Fantasyland I stopped in to peek at Be Our Guest restaurant.

I used my fastpass for Peter Pan, and was the ONLY person in the fastpass line, so I walked right on! I pretty much love everything about Peter Pan so this ride is always fun.
Then I went to check out Pirates. Open!!
The line was probably about 10 min. It wasn't swamped by any means which begs the question, why do they STUFF people into the rows?! Especially 3 separate groups. It was me (single), another single, and 2 girls. It was a little tight to be surrounded by people you don't know.
I was curious just what these new mermaids would look like and if I didn't know they were put in, I may not have noticed. NOT a big improvement but also doesn't take away from it.

And then the boat stopped. ALMOST to the drop, right in front of the part with the ship in the storm. We sat for 15 to 20 min. Got to know each other in our cramped row . At one point they made an announcement that they were powering down the ride and then powering up again, which did not sound good. We even saw someone come out and and look at some sort of control panel. Eventually we got going again but it was hard to enjoy, I just wanted to be off.

Since I ate at 630am, I was getting hungry and it was time to get in line for lunch at Be Our Guest!
I like this sign I saw on the way.

That's how I feel Walt!

Waited about 15 min for the doors to open and I was ordering by 10:50. I like the system and I think eventually things will move a little faster.

I sat in the ballroom and waited for my braised pork to be delivered. That system by the way, is awesome. So cool how they just know where you are!

Mmmmm.....my mouth is watering just looking at the pictures again! This food was delicious! Tender and flavorful. I splurged and got a cupcake and I sure am glad I did! That is the best one I have had at Disney! And great presentation with the little Be Our Guest piece of chocolate on top (what can I say, I'm easily impressed).

All in all this experience took about an hour, getting in line to being finished with lunch. But I was quick by myself.
And now I have to do some work.... But I'll be back!

 

[Figgy1]

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KappleB2]

Final Installment

This is the end of my day and a half alone in my happy place. I left off at Be Our Guest restaurant, which was fab
I wanted to be sure to make a stop to see The Mouse himself so that is where I headed. I was the last one in my group, and the last one in the room, which Mickey made a big deal about! But to be honest, I'm not very good at gesture reading The CM helped a lot with translation. Mickey even put a love spell on me before I left! It was definitely the up there for the one of the best character experiences I have had. They made me feel so special because I was alone

I could still sneak in a few minutes, so I made my way back to Tomorrowland.

Had to stop for one last picture of the castle. Darn crane! I didn't mind the crane the day before because you could actually see them using it and working from it but today it just sat there.

This place was getting packed! With this amount of people, I really only had time for one more ride on the Peoplemover. There was a bit of a line for this too! I enjoyed the wind in my face as I traveled around Tomorrowland and thought about my FANTASTIC trip. Not gonna lie, I shed a tear.

And then I had to go. I have NEVER left a park in the middle of the day, only when it was for a rest and we would be back.
And I'll tell ya, I DONT LIKE IT!! I got the ferry ( the best mode of Disney transportation) and cried some more. Sang the songs as they played and tried to gather myself before my drive to Tampa.

 

[bethymouse]

Love it! You took such beautiful night pictures! What a cool trip!

 

[KappleB2]

First off, let me say, going alone is FANTASTIC. I think I could do it for probably 3 or 4 days, because I am not shy and happy to talk to who ever may be around. I find myself trying to plan another getaway by myself all the time because it was SO much easier to arrange than to go with the fam! Someday, I hope to find someone who can keep up with me at the parks ( and enjoy them as much, or almost as much, as I do!)

I have a friend from work who is going with her family in June. She hasn't been in 5 or 6 years and I might be more excited about it than she is! I'm trying not to scare her too much, cause obviously I'm cray cray !

I had WONDERFUL character experiences, no bad CM experiences that I can remember and only a few run ins with other guests. I was happy to wait for what I wanted and skip what I didn't want to wait for. I got up early and went to bed late and didn't have any concern whether anyone else was happy, because I WAS!!!
Ladies, if you plan for your family, who I am sure you always enjoy, I would highly recommend time alone in the parks. I just cannot explain how relaxing it was!

Oh, and in case you are curious. I traveled on to Tampa to join my family at East Bay Raceway in Tampa for the Winternationals. Luck was not on our side. It rained out the first night, blew the oil cooler in one car the second night, lost the motor in one car the third night and then over heated the other car. Not good racing, but we met a lot of people and learned a lot, so good experience. Here is a pic of our cars. The 17 my Dad drives and the 0 is driven by a friend.

Thanks for reading!! Until next time...
Hopefully sooner than later!

 

[KappleB2]

Love it! You took such beautiful night pictures! What a cool trip!

Well thank you!! Those night pics are hard with my little point and shoot but I try. A good DSLR camera is on my wish list, sadly my bday and Christmas are 20 days apart so I may have to break into my savings But then I think camera, or keep saving for more Disney? Its a tough choice!!

 

[KappleB2]

I can't believe I've been "viewed" 1,000 times! Thanks!

 

[Cassie S.]

Loved reading about your solo adventure!