Pre-Trip Treat Yo Self! (...within reason)

So I did a thing today and started making my next trip official. As a long time lurker on this site and recent fan of reading trip reports I have decided to chronicle my trip. This will be my first solo trip and it may be a bit of a secret trip (more to follow later). Since I won't be able to share my excitement with family/friends, I thought that I would share it with you all.

I'm a Xennial-aged lady hailing( ) from the Mid West. This upcoming trip will be my 8th to WDW. There's a couple of reasons for this trip (as if you really need a reason) but the main one is a celebration. A celebration of being done paying off my student loans. Barring some unforeseen disaster I should be done the same month as the trip. The total amount was pretty substantial (like 6 figures) and doesn't include the Master's degree that I bankrolled for my DH during the same time frame.

I wanted to use some of my soon-to-be reallocated disposal income on something frivolous and something very me-centric. WDW seems like a perfect match. The thread title is my trip motto: Treat yo self! (...within reason). Not 'staying in Polynesian bungalow' sort of treat yo self, but more so the 'paying the extra $40 to not fly Spirit' sort.

T-minus 150 days.

 

[PacNWTigger]

I understand your pain!

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Today I had some time to kill before an appointment and I went for a solo mall walk. During the walk I realized how much I enjoyed the alone time and that made me even more excited for my solo Disney trip. Until it didn’t...

Partway through the walk some guy gave me a look that made me super uncomfortable. He fully turned his head and looked me up and down as I walked by. I walked past him again on another lap and got leered at again.

I didn’t see him after that and you can sure as heck bet I made sure he wasn’t around when I went out to my car.

So this got me thinking about WDW. I’m guessing the crowds at Disney will hopefully camouflage my solo-ness most times. The part of my trip that makes me the most nervous (especially in light of today’s event) is late night walks from the bus to my room.

If something doesn’t feel right I’m guessing I can talk to a CM in the lobby and maybe get an escort back to my room. The odds nothing will happen but it really stinks to have to plan for it. *sigh*

 

[MinnieM123]

Today I had some time to kill before an appointment and I went for a solo mall walk. During the walk I realized how much I enjoyed the alone time and that made me even more excited for my solo Disney trip. Until it didn’t...

Partway through the walk some guy gave me a look that made me super uncomfortable. He fully turned his head and looked me up and down as I walked by. I walked past him again on another lap and got leered at again.

I didn’t see him after that and you can sure as heck bet I made sure he wasn’t around when I went out to my car.

So this got me thinking about WDW. I’m guessing the crowds at Disney will hopefully camouflage my solo-ness most times. The part of my trip that makes me the most nervous (especially in light of today’s event) is late night walks from the bus to my room.

If something doesn’t feel right I’m guessing I can talk to a CM in the lobby and maybe get an escort back to my room. The odds nothing will happen but it really stinks to have to plan for it. *sigh*

I've probably gone solo at least 10 times to WDW. Always had a great time. Security is very good down there and many people around--lots of families, etc. Never felt unsafe in that environment at all. However, I always am "aware of my surroundings" no matter where I go, or what time of day it is. I'm a cautious person by nature, but I don't dwell on it. You'll be fine.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

111 more days!

Made my first Disney phone call for this trip yesterday. I added in my flights after my initial booking but suddenly it disappeared and the site said I needed to call with my flight info. So- I called.

Got through right away (perhaps because I was calling early). The gentleman on the phone was very pleasant and helpful. It turns out my correct flight info is still showing in their system, just not on my end for MDE. Oh well. Better twice than not at all.

My incoming flight is predicted to land at 11:39am. The CM/rep stated that I should be to my resort about 1pm. I was a bit surprised by such a prediction coming from Disney. Perhaps it was pure speculation on his part. Sounds good to me. Hopefully Spirit airlines and winter weather up here will cooperate. Perhaps in 111 days I will be eating lunch at POP.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Thanks for the reassurance @MinnieM123 by the way. I overall feel safe regarding this trip but sometimes I still get a bit nervous.

 

[Disneyfreak Jen]

***Notice how neither of us suggested that I go with family? Could that be a factor in the secret nature of the trip? Stay tuned...

I’m DYING!! You’ll be fine. You’ll love it, and I can guarantee this won’t be your last , just don’t let the family find out . I’ve taken a bajillion solo trips to Disney. Traveling solo is one of life’s greatest blessings!

 

[RememberWhen]

Sounds like an awesome trip. Following along!

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Today I checked to see if I could change room views for my POFQ portion of the trip (I don't really need a pool view, but alas no standard view still) and instead I changed around the POP part. CSR was now available for a pretty nominal price difference. At first I talked myself out of it. (It's just me. I'm not going to be spending a lot of time at the resort etc). Then I remembered what this trip is (supposed to be) all about:

Boom. Decision made. Resort changed.

See you in 102 days CSR- get that massive hot tub refurbed because my Northern behind is getting in there regardless of FL weather.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Finally got around to booking tours. Doing Behind the Seeds and Up Close with Rhinos. The booking process went smoothly. Did have to sit through the CM read all of the various rules/policies for both tours.

The website didn’t mention it but I swear the CM said something about having to sign a waiver for the rhino tour.

Telling DH about the tours he focused on the waiver “Wait. Just how close are you getting to these rhinos?”

I assured him that I would not be maimed or killed by a rhino. Disney wouldn’t let that happen to me (and my ability to buy cupcakes,etc).

95 days now. Already in the double digits.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

This week my mom mentioned that she and my dad were considering a last minute WDW trip to check out the holiday decorations. For a brief moment I almost floated out that I was “considering” a solo trip.

She then quickly stated that the plan was on hold because my college-aged brother was heartbroken that they might go without him.

And so I’m definitely still in full secrecy mode.

In other news, we’ve had our first snow of the year here. So glad to have something warm to look forward this winter.

On a positive note- my loan total is now only in the 4 digits! The original total had several more digits so this is a pretty exciting milestone.

 

[aliceismad]

Yay! Go, you!

I totally understand where you’re coming from on the secret vacation thing. I used to have to keep my Vegas trips secret because the guilt trips were unbearable.

Super jealous of your solo trip. What a magical way to spoil yourself!

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

I am less than 2 weeks out from booking FPs. I have a rough outline of where I’ll be each day but otherwise no game plan yet.

My previous trip was my first with MDE and book ahead FPs. (That was the family trip referenced in an earlier post that was a bit... tense.) I was in charge of the MDE/FPs for the whole family with very little direction ahead of time but with some Monday-morning quarterbacking during/after the trip.

Although I really don’t like having to pre-book FPs I’m looking forward to being completely in control of everything this time.

The whole FP selection process should be very low stakes. The only ride I absolutely have to ride is Dumbo and I’m pretty confident that I can get a FP and/or do standby.

I enjoy park hopping so I think my biggest FP decisions will be deciding if I should book them for my morning or afternoon park.

Thanks for the opportunity it geek out/ discuss this stuff. It’s way more fun than just talking about it to DH.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Three days away from FP booking day and... I have planned nothing. Perhaps tomorrow I will decide on whether to book for my morning vs evening parks each day and then just wing the individual selections on Thursday.

I keep going back and forth on FoP due to some motion sickness issues. I can do Space Mountain and the Teacups, etc. My issue is really with the screens. Star Tours and Soaring I can do with only brief moments of eyes closing. I think because it’s screens + movements that generally seems natural.

Things I would rather not do again:
All of the Epcot circlevision films (lame I know)
most of the Universal screen based rides (FJ and Simpsons especially)
M:S Orange

Perhaps I will get a FP just in case. (And add Dramamine II to my trip shopping list.)

Action shot of me FP planning/ failing at planning:

 

[MinnieM123]

Things I would rather not do again:

M:S Orange

I go on the M:S Green side -- no spinning. I think the images are still really fun; I like that attraction a lot.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

I go on the M:S Green side -- no spinning. I think the images are still really fun; I like that attraction a lot.

Yeah. That version is way more enjoyable. So glad they have both versions.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Yeah. That version is way more enjoyable. So glad they have both versions.

I would be even more glad if we had zero versions of M:S and one version of Horizons instead.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Went into work early at 3am to cover a sick call. Ugh. Usually the only time I am up this early is go to the airport. Definitely easier to get up for a trip than for work.

Thankfully it’s pretty slow so far so I thought I would post to pass some of the time.

These surprise extra hours make me feel *slightly* less guilty about booking the RoL dining package at Tiffins this week.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

FPs are all booked. Didn’t get SDD but I anticipated that since HS is the park that I budgeted the least time for.

I tried to minimize time gaps and criss-crossing parks strictly for FPs. Overall if it ends up being insanely busy and I could only ride my FP picks- I would be satisfied.

Last night I explained FP to DH and how today was a bit of a trip planning milestone.

DH: “Oh so if you had a little kid that just had to ride the Dumbo ride this would be nice.”

BES: “Yeah. Just in this case it’s a grown lady... and still the Dumbo ride.”

 

[LittleTuna12]

Sounds like you are going to have a great trip!!

Did you know that if you go to the airport to book a Spirit flight it is much cheaper? I booked one for my wife and it was $80 cheaper to book it through the airport than online. I only share this because I had purchased tickets several times online before a friend told me to save money and book it at the airport.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Did you know that if you go to the airport to book a Spirit flight it is much cheaper?

Thanks for the tip. (And for reading!) I didn’t know that. Perhaps I can coordinate buying tickets for future trips when I’m already at the airport. I live too far from one to make a special trip.