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July 17-21 solo trip Report
I love Disney Word. This simple fact mystifies my family who do not see the attraction. Each summer I long to
go and try to find a way to spend a few days with the mouse. Lately my main problem has been trying to find
someone to go with me. This year I had no takers so I went alone.
Thursday
I left Macon, GA at 7:30 on Thurs morning. I packed at 6:30 that morning. My daughter stood over me assuring
me I always over pack. She is 24 and knows every thing so I followed her advice and took three pairs of shorts,
three tops, PJ’s, a pair of tennis shoes, a pair of sandals, a swimming suit and toiletries. This included
the clothes on my back and shoes on my feet. I had only one small bag. My husband ignored Melinda and packed
all the snack food and sodas we had in the house. I had tickets (a 6 day park hoppers plus) but no motel
reservations. I wanted to stay as close to WDW as I could and also wanted to spend as little as possible. I found a lot
of possible spots on the Internet but wanted to eyeball them first. The trip down was uneventful. At around
2:30 I arrived on I 192. I started checking every where that seemed above bug level near main gate east. The
first place was $69.00. The second closest near Water Mania was a Howard Johnson was $44.95. I ended up at
the Rodeway End next door to the Howard Johnson's for $39.95 a night. I planed on leaving on Sunday. The room
was clean, larger than All Stars, nonsmoking and on the bottom floor. I was able to park right out side
the room. This made moving in easier and also made me feel safer. The best thing about the Rodeway in was that it was only 15 minutes
to the parks. It actually was closer to some parks than many on property resorts. There is no doubt I would
rather stay on property but this trip money mattered and the Rodeway worked out just fine.
I moved in my stuff and went to the waffle house next door to eat a late lunch. Then I went to find Downtown
Disney. I had made arrangements to meet an on line buddy who lives in the area. This turned out to be one of
the best things about the trip. I was feeling odd, old and not sure why I had come. It seemed like a waste
of good money better spent on the kids (19,21, &24) than myself. Along with feeing selfish I was rather
frightened about being alone in a strange place. Once I met Kim at the toy store at Downtown Disney all the
awkwardness of vacationing alone vanished. She was fun and easy to talk. She also knows every thing about the parks. We walked
around and wandered in and out of shops. We didn't see any where we really wanted to eat so we took the
boat to Riverside resort. It is a lovely ride. We ate at the food court and wandered around the resort a bit.
Then we rode the boat back. We went to Pleasure Island. It was my first time there. I especially enjoyed the
Adventurer's club. I had no trouble getting back to the motel by 10:30. My husband was calling to make
sure I was alive and I could honestly tell him I was fine and enjoying myself. The butterflies of uncertainty
were gone and did not return this trip.
Friday Morning.
I like to start all trips at MK and finish there also. My first trip to Disneyland was in 1956 with my Dad.
MK has never lost its charm for me. I did not set the clock and ended up on the ferry to the park at 9:00
sharp. It was rather nice not being in the first crowd entering the park. I walked over to Jungle cruise and
picked up a fast pass. Then I went to Tomorrow land and rode Buzz Light year twice in a row with out any
lines. The park did not seem to have a typical July crowd. It was then time for my cruise. Next I picked
up a pass for Splash Mountain and rode Pirates and the Haunted house while waiting for my time. I had a nice
ride on my favorite Mountain and picked up a fast pass for Peter Pan. I was now hungry so I had a hot dog and
a root beer float at Pecos Bill Café. I bought my hot dog at the stand for $3.55 and my drink inside.
I know you can order hotdogs without the fries inside but it tends to confuse the cashiers occasionally. It
was an especially nice lunch. A college professor from Michigan sat with me. She was also solo and on her first
trip to WDW. She had not used the fast pass yet. I am wondering if some newcomers do not understand how it
works. There were so many people in the stand by lines. I had no lines of note the entire trip. I hate lines
and seldom had to stand in one. Fast pass has changed my way of touring forever. There is no longer any reason
for commando mode or using detailed itineraries. I went back to Peter Pan and used my fast pass. It was around
1:00 and I was getting hot. I left MK to return to the room for a rest. It was great being so close. At around
5:15 I left to go to Epcot. In less than 15 minutes I was inside the park. I could not believe how empty
it seems. Later I realized the crowds must have been listening to the weather station. It was still hot and
muggy. I jumped on Space ship earth as it was a walk on. Then I went first to Wonders of life and watched
Cranium Command which I had not seen in 10 years. It is much better than I remembered. I wanted to see Making
of me but the early hours for Future World caught up with me and I had missed the last show. I went instead
to Norway and picked up a fast pass for Maelstrom. I then went to Mexico and poked around after I rode the
ride. I was hoping for a magnet from every country and land for my class at school. Then I went to China and
saw the new edition of the Movie. I was disappointed. I missed Mongolia. The additions of Hong Kong did not
make up for the cuts. It is now 12 minutes rather than 18. Then it was time for my fast pass. I rode the ride
and skipped the movie for now. It was still hot so I rode a boat to Canada. Off Kilter was playing so I enjoyed
the show and then the Canadian Movie. It was time for dinner so I walked to England and had the great fish
and chips in Mary Poppin's park. It was now nearly 8:00. I wandered slowly to Japan and went to the second story
of the department store to watch Illuminations. The park seemed full at last. I met a nice family to talk
to. I was enjoying the trip so I did not notice the weather. About half way through the show rain came down.
We were under cover but most of the people watching around the lake took off to find cover. After the performance
the lightening and thunder started sounding serious. I did not really think Epcot was the best place for
an electrical storm. All that water started to slosh on the bridges and darkened walk ways. Tree limbs and
branches fell. It was looking messy. The Japanese Store opened up long enough to sell about 100 yellow rain
slickers. Looking like ducks we huddled under cover. It worried me that no one was walking toward the gate.
At last I figured I could be here all night so I started off. It was rather eerie with yellow clad visitors in
every door way but no one walking back to the exit. I soaked my shoes in puddles up to my ankles. The lights
were still dimmed. The rain was blinding. Once I hit Future world I was no longer alone. A large group of
us slogged out way to the exit. I finally walked my way to the car. No trams were running due to the heavy
rain. Driving home was slow. I was very soaked and tired when I hit the room about 11. My husband called again.
He was glad the local paper headings were not going to read Death at Disney in Electrical Storm. What a
way to go!
Saturday.
I did not sleep well and woke up early. My shoes were still soaked. I did have a pair of sandals I had packed
for the water park but was not sure how they would hold up walking all day. I put on my third and only clean
pair of shorts and top. I was at Animal kingdom park at the line was just beginning to enter. Now I saw crowds
. This place is always hot and crowded. I Picked up a fast pass for the Safari as there was already a 25
minute stand by wait. I hot footed over the Lion king to get in the first show. I enjoyed it as always. It
was then time for my Safari. The ride was rougher than usual die to the rain the night before. Water was still
every where in puddles. I wandered over to get a Kali River Pass and then rode the train to see the conservation
station. I barely got back in time to ride the river rapids. We can no longer take off our shoes. I wonder
why. I did the jungle trek and then decided to leave and go to Animal Kingdom Lodge to look around. AKL is a fantastic place. It was too hot for the animals
to roam the Savannah. But the pace was magnificent. I would dearly love to stay there some day. Then I made
a mistake and went Blizzard Beach, I entered had a hot dog and was on the lazy river peacefully floating when
the announcement came that the park was closing early due to an electrical storm. The storm came while I was
in the bathroom and once again I got to trudge in lightening to my car. I decided to go back to the motel as I was
soaked to the bone and I really didn't want to go to MGM if the rain was gong to continue. But as soon
as I had a hot bath and changed into dirty clothes the weather had changed and the sun was out. I ended up
at MGM around 7 . I saw the last Millionaire show and rode the greet Movie ride. Then a CM told me if I wanted
to see Fantastic should go and get a seat as it was looking crowded. It was packed. I was lucky being a
single to find a good seat in the center rows. I met a nice military couple and we chatted until it was time
for the show. I love fantastic and enjoyed it thoroughly. It was a nice but crowded stroll to the car. I was back
in the room by 10:30 safe, sound and dry.
Sunday.
I decided to stay and extra day and had no trouble getting my room at the great rate for another day. I started
at Epcot and was early. I stood in my longest line of the trip waiting to get in. I always get twisted at
Epcot and ended up in Imagination rather than the Land. I enjoyed the first ride of Figment with only one other
guest. I knew other must be there as I had stood in line with them but the park felt empty. I found Wonders
of Life and saw Making of Me. It was also better than I had remembered and I wonder why I so seldom watch
it. Lines perhaps. The place had no lines at all this fine July morning . Strange but nice. I went over to
Universe of Energy and rode it in almost solitary splendor. My kids used to sleep in the first show and now even with Ellen I slept
in this one too. The new Mission space was closed but the gift shop was open and a CM said to come back later
for a sneak preview. I now decided to go to Norway as World Showcase had just opened. I walked on the ride
twice with no lines and saw the movie the second time. I went back to Future land to get to UK and picked up
more Fish and Chips. Just as I sat down the rain came down. I put on my duck suit and waited it out. It was
another heavy rain and again I got soaked especially my Clark Sandals. I now had two pair of wet shoes. It
started to let up a bit and I sloshed my way to France to watch the movie. It was packed. That is what a little
rain does for slower attractions. It was also cold. I shivered my way in the rain though my beloved Morocco
and then to USA where I watched the singers sing and then froze again in the movie. I went back to Future
World where Mission Space had a line forming. The ride is terrific. The effects are out of this world. It stimulates
the weight less feeling of astronauts in outer space. It did make me dizzy and I left with a king-sized headache.
Every one else was talking about how it was the best thing WDW had ever created. I am simply not a ride person.
Splash Mountain is as wild as I get. I wanted to go to the land to ride the ride but I again forgot it closed
at 6. I got there as a grumpy CM was assuming every one that it was not closing early it was the posted
time to close. Hump Instead I rode Space Ship earth again and drove to MK. This would be my last time in
MK this year. It always makes me sad. I feel I will never return. I went first to Hall of Presidents. I
may be wrong but I thought there was new narration. I seem to remember Maya Analou doing it before. It was
now after 7 and I was hungry. People were already lining up for the 9:00 parade. I went to Small World and rode
it quickly. There was a short line. The other kiddy rides were packed. Lines were 55 minutes long. I was
hungry so I found an ice-cream sandwich. I took my sandwich to find a place to sit for the parade. I ended up in
front of the Hall of Presidents. The Parade was wonderful. I had not seen Spectro Magic so it was new and fresh
to me. After words I went to Liberty Tree tavern to sit and rock on the front Porch until it was time to
watch the fireworks. My favorite spot is in front of the liberty bell. I had not noticed any real crowds
until after the fireworks. We were packed like sardines trying to move to the exit. It was early entry day at
MK so perhaps that is why but once we got to main street it was slow going. IT was after 11:30 before I got to
the motel only to find my room key did not work. The clerk had forgotten to reprogram my key. I fell into
bed after midnight exhausted but very glad I had come.
What I learned.
Solo trips are fun
I left before fatigue and misery set in
Rain cuts the crowds (duh, I am a slow learner)
Heavy rain is miserable (duh ditto)
The crowds are lighter but the hours are shorter so it feels much the same at parades and fireworks
Rides for the lines are non existent if you use fast pass
Fast food will keep you alive but isn't much for the digestive system. I should have planned for at least
one sit down meal.
Cheap motels are not horrible, unsafe or buggy. But I missed the experience of staying on property. It was
rather like visiting Aunt Sadie in Maine and staying in town rather than with Aunt Sadie over looking the
Atlantic.
The trip cost me $325 not counting tickets for 4 nights. This included gas, food, room ($189) and magnets. I
spend more than that at Talbot’s Summer sale. LOL
I was not lonely except for the first few hours.
I did not pack enough clothes. I should have included at least two pairs of tennis shoes and two pairs of
sandals. The tennis shoes are still a tad damp. I needed more shorts and tops also. Every thing got wet or dirty
quickly. I had a dozen rain coats at home and did not pack even one.
I took plenty of drinks and snack type food with me. It helped cut cost.
I had no trip plan and saw every thing I wanted to.
The shorter hours are a pain. Still this was my easiest July trip ever crowd wise. The Brazilians must have
been singing in parks other than where I was. I do not care for thrill rides or have small children so I naturally
spend less time in lines.
I was willing to be totally spontaneous and it paid off. Solo is nice and a little selfish. Once in a while
it is fun. I came back to getting ready for school, my patient laid back husband, tall grass, a very messy
house, three young adults whose hands are permanently outstretched looking for money, my 90 year old father
who was rather surprised that I drove to California and returned so quickly. In short I returned to my normal
life. Even middle aged women need magic. I am planning for my next solo trip. Stay tuned.
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