Trip of Firsts Dec 10-13, 2010 Solo Trip, Pop Century

Trip of Firsts Dec 10-13, 2010

The players: Me! Early 30s female who lives near Disneyland and visits WDW each year. I am a Super Planner and proud of it. This will result in a ridiculously detailed trip report.

2010’s trip was a trip of many firsts.

It is my first solo trip. I go with different friends or family members each year, but this year, no one was available to go. I thought about skipping this year, but I really wanted to see the WWoHP at Islands of adventure. Since I was going solo anyway, I decided to visit in winter and see the holiday decorations at WDW.

It is my first time visiting in December. I typically visit in the fall.

It is my first time staying at Pop Century. I typically stay the Beach Club or POFQ.

It is my first time with the Quick Service dining plan. I usually have the standard dining plan.

It was my first time going for less than 9 days. 4 days seemed like a very short trip, but it was all I could afford at this time.

I booked my trip with no issues and was able to get a non-stop plane ticket for $319 round trip. I was very happy about that.

A few weeks before my trip, I came across some extra money. I decided to make some ADRs since I love TS restaurants. On Nov 22, I was able to get Kona for breakfast and Artist’s Point for dinner. I have never eaten breakfast at Kona or at Artist’s Point, so I was super excited to have the opportunity. I read the comments from everyone here and I knew exactly what I wanted to order.

10 days before my trip, I attempted to check in online. The system was having a lot of issues, but 8 days before my trip, I was able to utilize it. It was very simple.

I checked the weather and it said weather would be in the 60s. I packed things I could wear in layers as recommended by other posters.

All ready to go. Can’t wait for Dec 9th to get here! :sohappy:

 

[Mukta]

It's kind of hard to see, but this is where the cat was hidden.

 

[Mukta]

The lights were amazing and I could have spent hours there, if the weather wasn't so cold! I used a snack point and got a hot chocolate, but I was still freezing. I spent an hour enjoying the lights and talking to some amazing CMs.

From there I dipped into One Man's Dream to see what they added.

I rode the Great Movie Ride two more times before the park closed. I was the only person in the second car and I was able to grab this pic for wdwmagic member 'mef'.

It is the drinking bird in the Alien scene.

I was freezing at this point and looking foward to my hotel room. I hopped on the bus at 12:30 am and went back to Pop.

I went to bed and set my alarm. I was leaving WDW and going to Universal the next day.

 

[Disneygal1]

LOVED your trip report!!!! I totally look up to you by doing a solo trip. I went on a father-daughter wdw trip with my dad, and I did a lot of stuff by myself. It's really nice to have that kind of freedom. I'm going to wdw this summer with my friends, and we're staying at Pop Century. I'm hoping the room will be clean...

 

[Mukta]

LOVED your trip report!!!! I totally look up to you by doing a solo trip. I went on a father-daughter wdw trip with my dad, and I did a lot of stuff by myself. It's really nice to have that kind of freedom. I'm going to wdw this summer with my friends, and we're staying at Pop Century. I'm hoping the room will be clean...

I'm hoping my room was just a fluke too. Most people love Pop. It just doesn't suit me at all.

Have fun with your friends! I have had some great trips with mine and I look forward to more!

 

[Mukta]

Day 4 Dec 12th

I woke up at 7 am, showered and went downstairs to get breakfast. I used my last meal point to get a cheese omlette, potatoes, and a yogurt. I went back up to my room, ate and packed my backpack. My boarding pass was not waiting for me even though I was flying out that day. I called to inquire and they said I had to go down and get a boarding pass from the check in desk. I was used to having my boading pass delivered to me at the Beach Club.

I went down to resort airline check in desk, waited in line and got my boarding pass.

Thanks to Tammy at Kingdom Konsultants, I was getting a free ride to Universal from Mears with my purchase of a 2 park 1 day ticket.
I scheduled a bus the day before for an 8:30 AM pickup. When I got my boarding pass, I saw a bus waiting for me at 8:25 AM. Great, prompt service. First we stopped at the Caribbean Beach resort to pick up a few more people. Then we stopped at Sea World to drop a few people off. We arrived at Universal at 9:15 AM. I slept most of the way there and it was very convenient. I would definitely use Mears again to get to Universal.

I usually go to Universal during my Sept trips and I am used to seeing both parks in 6 hours or so. This trip would be different.
First I put my backpack in a locker. For $10, I could rent it all day. Much better than checking in luggage through the airline.

I went to Universal first.

They had a few holiday decorations up too.

 

[Mukta]

First I rode the Mummy. There was no line, but the queue took forever to walk through. I exited at 9:50 AM
Next I rode Men in Black. I love this ride and I wish we had a version at Universal Hollywood. I love Buzz Lightyear too, but I find this ride to be more fun. My team won and I exited at 10:13 AM.

Walking through the park, there were many times where I found myself all alone. I thought that meant the parks were empty, but I would later learn that everyone was visiting IOA.

Scooby Doo holds a special place in my heart and I was happy to see him represented in the parks.

I went to visit the Lucille Ball tribute after that. They closed the version we had in Universal Hollywood. I Love Lucy is one of my favorite shows and I watch it every day.

The merchandise here is amazing. They have 'Lucy' everything! I wish Disney had this much merchandise on any of their attractions.

I left and headed to Jimmy Neutron. I didn't walk quite fast enough and a tour group got in front of me. There were about 60 of them and I kicked myself for being so slow. They were wearing yellow jumpsuits and chanting and clapping. It was unbelievably cold and the queue was outdoors. I waited for 20 minutes in the cold before being let in.

When I got inside, I was irritated to see that they weren't filling the room up. The CM filled about 50% of the seats. I am sure they had their reasons, but I felt like I was left in the freezing cold for no reason.
I love Nick cartoons and this ride. I looked through the Spongebob merchandise at the exit, but I can never find anything with Squidward on it.
Next, I went to ride ET. They closed the west coast version of this ride too. I love the smell in here so much. I think it is a great dark ride.
I was all alone in there. No one in my car, the car in front of me, or the car behind me. I hope they don't close this ride anytime soon. I took flash pictures to my heart's content.

Here is ET at the end saying my name. Well, he can't say my name, but I always use the name Melissa instead. Since I was the only one, I could hear him really clearly.