Trip Report Practically Perfect in Every Way- Solo May '25

Hello! I have posted a TR on here before but have mostly been lurking for the last several years. I am a teacher and lost my Dad last August 2 days before the school year started. I booked this trip as something to look forward to when things were especially tough. I didn't visit Disney many times with my Dad, but he has been my number one to call on my solo trips and he always was eager to listen about all things when I got home. He was interested because I was interested. I share all that because I know that this community understands the magic of Disney and how it can help heal a broken heart , and I feel like a lot of healing happened on this trip!

Here are the deets!
When: May 25-29 (my 1st days of summer!)
Where: Old Key West ( on rented DVC points)
Who: Just ME! Katie (Picture with my Mom and Dad)

 

[KappleB2]

Let's start at the very beginning.... actually the day before.
I was supposed to be at school the entire day to pack up my classroom and prepare it for summer. That morning we got word that as SOON as we were finished, we could go! So my day ended even earlier than I thought! Peace out school year! I'm coming for ya Mickey! The first perfect thing of my trip!

I started with a NAP and then finished packing and getting things readied around my apartment for vacay! I went to bed early and had a great nights sleep!

KIDDING! I never sleep well before heading to Disney World, too much excitement!
The next morning I dropped my dog off to be boarded and hit the road. I wasn't in a hurry as I was staying off property tonight. Driving through Atlanta was a BREEZE so that was the next perfect thing! There was plenty of traffic to slow things down every where else, it was Memorial Day weekend, but no stand stills.
I stayed this night at the Ramada by Wyndham Gateway Kissimmee. I wanted a place with inside doors that had good ratings. It was clean and I got an amazing surprise. My windows happened to be facing Disney property and I got to see Fantasmic! AND Happily Ever After fireworks!!

I slept in until about 8:00am and made my way over to Old Key West at about 10am the next day. I didn't do early check in because I wanted to test if I would get my room earlier by checking in at the desk. I left my things at bell services (because it was HOT and I had precious snacks that would melt.) I was too excited to ride the boat to Disney Springs!

 

[KappleB2]

Sunday morning - I rode the boat over to Disney Springs. The boat was loading just as I walked up! (Perfect!) I love a Disney boat. I take one whenever possible

While there, I perused the shops and found a 2025 pin, that's not neon! I the only one I could find in 2024 was neon pink, yuck. I also got a new mug because look at it! It really is all about the fireworks. But I couldn't shop for very long because I had a brunch reservation at Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'!

While waiting for my table to be ready, I came up on this little guy who looked cute until he did this!

What in the world is this thing?!?!
I was seated fairly quickly and was so excited to finally try! It has been on my radar for a while but it just hasn't worked out.

I started with The Local. MmmmmmMmmmm. THE best cocktail I have ever had. All I remember is it had coconut rum and pineapple in it. It was sweet and refreshing and could be very dangerous! I was imagining a big cup of that sitting next to the pool. Summer in a cup!

I also had to try the Church Lady Deviled Eggs. Delicious! And I was very happy to learn I could get a half order, because I was already imagining all the food that would be left on my plates! My entree was the Hallelujah Biscuit, I guess I forgot to take a picture. That thing was gooooooood. I didn't have anywhere else to put the food or I would have eaten much more . I will certainly be back!!
By the time lunch was finished, I got a room ready text! So, maybe my experiment worked! I will try it again. Back to Old Key West! It was pool time!!

 

[Wicked Sisters]

So sorry for the loss of your dad last year. So pleased you are having this amazing holiday and I am sure your dad will be smiling as you make more memories. Looking forward to the next instalment.

 

[Figment Forever]

So sorry for the loss of your dad. I am sure he is enjoying watching over you on your trip. I love the fireworks mug you got! Homecomin is one of my faves!

 

[KappleB2]

Back to the resort I go! I collected my things from bell services and headed off to find my building. This place is huge! I admit I got a little turned around, but eventually found it. My room was on the ground floor, 3014.

I had a nice view from the patio, where I later watched dumb golfers play in some intense lightening!

I unpacked, because I always over pack and it's easier to find what I'm looking for if it's not in the suitcase. Then I set out to find the pool. Did I mention this place was HUGE? I found a little pool and drove over since it looked like rain soon and the pool was too far to walk back in a storm.

When I got there, I was happy to find it nice and quiet. There were a few couples but they were all in their own space. The pool water felt fantastic! On the warm side, but still refreshing on this HOT day. I floated in the pool and then sat in a lounge chair for a while. It was nice to do nothing! It started to get cloudy and the wind picked up, so I packed up and went back to the room. I showered and just as I got in bed for a nap, the skies opened. We were having a serious thunderstorm and that was the PERFECT condition for a NAP!!

It was still storming when it was time for dinner. I drove over to the hospitality house for my reservation at Olivia's! Another place I had heard about! No pictures because rainstorm. BUT the Southernmost Buttermilk Chicken was some of the best chicken I have ever had! The gravy? The mashed potatoes? I have been thinking of that meal all week. Hahaha!! I got banana bread pudding with ice cream to go and enjoyed it in my room!

While enjoying said dessert, I got to watch the EPCOT fireworks from my room (through the trees)! AND THEN I heard the Magic Kingdom fireworks! Another PERFECT evening!

Next up: ROPE DROPPING MAGIC KINGDOM

 

[KappleB2]

I am a total believer in rope dropping. I am always early, but I have never been as early as I was on this trip. 1st bus everyday!!
I was the 3rd person through my turnstile and headed straight to Space Mountain. Hello beautiful!

Here I am, 8th person in line!!

And you may be able to see how shiny I am because even before 8am, it was HOTT. No matter, I knew it was going to be a great day!
I am big fan of Len Testa and Touring Plans, so as suggested, I went over to Pooh first. Unfortunately it was down so I kept going to Small World. On the way I saw so many characters! Princesses with their Prince, Pluto, Tigger, Chip and Dale, Peter Pan and Wendy and Hook and Smee! It was so fun to see them just wandering around Fantasyland!

I walked on to Small World, then went over to Jungle Cruise and had the best skipper! Skipper Carl was great! He had the usual jokes, but also several I hadn't heard before. I continued in Adventureland straight on to Pirates.

Following my touring plan, next up was Haunted Mansion (x2). The first ride stopped 5 times! But the second ride through was much better.

From there it was Little Mermaid and then a snack! I had to try the Creme Brulee croissant from Gaston's Tavern.

Croissant secured, I needed a break from the sun and in the a/c. By this point, it was 11am and I had already been on 6 rides! This thing was messy, but delicious!

From here on out, I slowed down a bit, just because I had already gotten so much done!

 

[riverside]

I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope this trip was just what you needed.
Excellent restaurant choices-BTW!!

 

[MotherofaPrincessLover]

I tried Olivia's for the first time on my last trip and it was excellent! Our server was also so fantastic, probably the best I've had in quite a while.

 

[KappleB2]

Monday Continued...

After my snack I went over to Mickey's Philharmagic. I got a little teary here as I waited for the doors to "automagically" open. I have a memory of being here specifically with my Dad. After seeing this sign we said every thing was automagic the whole rest of the trip. Why would it just be regular automatic in Disney? This even came up sometimes outside the Disney bubble.

Having followed Donald as he chased that darn hat, I was ready for my first ride on Tiana's Bayou Adventure!
I loved all the details in the queue. I think I waited about 45 min but the line was constantly moving so it didn't feel too bad. I don't love rides where I get really wet so of course I got a front row seat It's ok, I put on my poncho and braced for water. I LOVED all the fireflies! So much fun! I was relatively dry until the big drop. As the woman behind me said, "It just kept coming!" Referring to the water Like a bucket was just thrown in my face!

I would ride it again, but it is not something I would wait very long for. It's a low priority ride.

Since I was there, I what I thought might be one last adventure on Tom Sawyer Island (which is now confirmed it was the last). With no wait for the raft I was across in no time. It was really fun to explore and I am sad that my nephews won't get to experience it. A boys paradise.

I especially liked the old animatronics in Fort Langhorn. Such a fun detail!

I took a raft back and needed to get out of the sun again, so I head over to Country Bears. This was my first time seeing the new show and I really enjoyed it. I like the country versions of Disney songs. I really liked how they didn't just pick the obvious songs. Try Everything in particular was a great! I am a little partial as Emily Ann Roberts (the singer) is from my hometown!

 

[KappleB2]

Time for a Mickey bar break! I had to eat fast since it was so hot!

I went in to The Enchanted Tiki Room. This trip I was able to do things I don't normally do! It was great! The next thing I don't normally do, it ride the Riverboat. I booked back across Frontierland to get in front of the parade. It was nice to people watch in the shade of the boat as I waited to go.

I certainly did not do this enough. What an enjoyable ride! It will be missed. I am having a hard time imagining what everything will look like when the new Cars area is finished. I was glad to see (as I am writing this) some water in the plans.

It was fun to see the Festival of Fantasy parade from the boat too! A really cool view!
At some point I did eat lunch, nachos at Pecos Bills and then headed around the back of the castle back to Tomorrowland. I could not end my time at MK for the day without the TTA!

I left MK at about 4:15 that day. All together I did 16 attractions and stopped for lunch and 2 snacks. I would say I was pretty darn successful! Oh, and I had no LL either. The longest wait was Tiana's (about 45 min) followed by Jungle Cruise, and 15 min.
Saw Bert on the way out! Again, so many characters today!

Took the bus back to Old Key West where I showered and took a little nap. Deluxe guests had extra hours at EPCOT tonight!

 

[Zipadeelady]

Your first day at the resort sounded heavenly. A perfect day in my opinion!

 

[Tiki Traveler]

I know trips can sometimes be bittersweet but it sounds like you had a great first day. Looking forward to reading more.

 

[KappleB2]

Your first day at the resort sounded heavenly. A perfect day in my opinion!

It turned out that way!

 

[KappleB2]

I'm back! Summer break is wearing me out

Okay, I was leaving MK and headed for a break back at Old Key West. I made it back in JUST before it started to rain! Quick shower/nap/outfit change and I was headed back out to EPCOT. I have never stayed Deluxe before so I was excited to use those extra hours for deluxe guests!

I had 3 main objectives tonight, try some flower and garden festival food, ride Remy and Guardians. Anything else was icing on the cake. It was still pretty stormy so I went to eat first so I could stand at a trash can and eat in the dry. I wasn't terribly hungry because of the heat but I wanted to try the dips and chips!

I love DIP! I would happily eat dip for a meal several times a week! I thought these were pretty good! First of all, the chips were warm! My favorite was the feta dip, which was a surprise to me since I don't usually like feta. Then the pimento cheese and the onion dip. I can generally do onion flavor but the onions themselves are a no from me.

Overall, I would absolutely eat this again. Next, right next door, this nitro cheesecake. This was REALLY good! And I enjoyed watching them put it together. It is so cool how fast it freezes!

Belly full, rain on the way, I headed to Gaurdians, because I figured a long line would help me wait out the rain.
The line was JUST outside the building when I got there, but luckily it only sprinkled while outside and the umbrellas they have set up were very helpful!

I don't remember the posted wait, but I waited about 50 min and dodged a good rainstorm. This was my third time riding and I got a new song! This time it was Conga! My other 2 rides on earlier trips were both Everybody Wants to Rule the World, which had a cool vibe. I really enjoyed how the change is song changed the feel! By the time I was out, extra hours were just about to start.
First up, I walked on to Spaceship Earth.
I have probably done every combination of scenarios at the end but I still love it!

Luminous was delayed because of the storms, which means there were still A LOT of people in the park. I know they weren't allowed to get on the rides, but I was kinda bummed all these extra people were there. I headed back to Remy and waited about 20 min.
So, if you are keeping score, I accomplished my main goals for the night! What else could I get into?
Made a stop in to The Land to ride Soarin' and then over Journey of Water. There was hardly anyone here so I got to actually try all the water stuff. That was fun!

I love the parks at night! There is something about the lights for me. I try to do all the parks at night at least once a trip.

I considered getting in line for Guardians again, but I was tired so I headed back to the bus, which was waiting and I got on, with a seat, just before it pulled away. PERFECT.

All together on day 1, I did 21 attractions in 2 parks with no lightening lanes! Would perfect park days continue?

 

[cgersic]

That picture is PERFECT with the reflection and all of the colors!!!

 

[KappleB2]

Day 3- EPCOT and Hollywood Studios

This post will be a bit wordy, because apparently I only took 8 pictures this day?! I must have been living in the moment.

Today's plan was rope dropping EPCOT then Hollywood Studios tonight, staying for Fantasmic!

I am thrilled to say I was once again on the 1st bus to EPCOT and waited about 5 min for security to open (15th person through!) I tapped in and was at the front of one of the 3 lines they have for resort guests! I still can't believe I managed that! We stood there for a while, and it is directly in the sun. They let us walk to our next holding point a little closer to Guardians, and I was at the front of that crowd too!
The cast members there were great! Playing games with people, telling us what to expect when they opened the line, talking to us about being hydrated. Again, the sun was really beating down, but their interactions helped. Starlord himself came by and said hello just before they walked us through to the line.
I ended up being on maybe the 3rd train of the day! And got another new song to me, Disco Inferno! The girls walking out in front of sounded like they had no idea what they were walking into. They didn't seem to enjoy it much.

Being only about 8:35am, I still had plenty of early entry time. On the way over to the Land building I stopped to say hi to Walt!

He and I are birthday buddies! December 5th! I can't help but think this Disney thing is meant to be .

Headed straight to Living with the Land and walked right on to the last row. PERFECT!

There were lots of people out working in the greenhouse today. It was fun to watch!
And this seems to be where I stopped taking pictures

I went over to Soarin' next and sat next to a little girl who was very nervous. As soon as we took off, she had the biggest smile on her face. The parents were so fun helping her giving little woos! as we flew. She loved it!

Most of the rest of my EPCOT day was a blur. I know I walked on the Remy through the single rider line. Didn't even stop walking. The family I was put with was not thrilled I would be joining their ride.
I had a delicious ham and cheese sandwich on a baguette.
I tried to ride Three Caballeros but right as I got in line there was a medical emergency. As we were leaving the line the paramedics were coming in. I don't know what happened but it was very very hot that day. I hope that person is ok.
I had a frozen strawberry marg and hung out in the Mexico pavilion for a while.
I rode Figment, and Finding Nemo and stopped by Goofy Core as it was it's first day! That looks like a really fun party! And it was a nice place for families to cool down.
I am a Disney Visa cardholder so I stopped by the character meet and greet. There were a few people in line ahead of me but the a/c was nice. Pluto liked my pigtails, he said they were like his ears!

Do the characters change here? Could it be somebody different if I went another time?

I had done everything I wanted at EPCOT and I wasn't handling the heat the very well. I decided a bus ride to Animal Kingdom. By the time I got there, I was feeling better. I wanted to ride Flight of Passage and if there was enough time, Expedition Everest.

I don't go over to Animal Kingdom every trip. I forget how beautiful Pandora is! I enjoyed my flight and headed back to Old Key West. I needed a break from the sun.