I'm here!
Sorta bumpy start ya got there. Nothing major but some odd little hiccups. In room mosquitoes for one...
I'm glad you're always so positive though; makes things in life much better!
Can't wait to see the rest of this solo-ish adventure!
Following! A solo trip sounds like so much fun! That crowd is insane though, I just can't deal with that many people in the heat.
ontinuing to enjoy your TR, and LOVED your video with Capt. Jack. I'm not sure, watching that, if I've ever done any of the Main Street vehicles, so I'll add that to my "must do next time" list. Yikes - can't believe all those people outside at CHH!! Oh - and congrats, yet again, on your fantastic graduation achievement!!
Great update! I love MK first thing in the morning it's always a lot of fun. I have yet to eat at the Columbia harbor house but it looks like a good meal. That crowd is insane!
Joining in!
Looking at your food from CHH just made me REALLY hungry! Those crowds were also crazy! You just don't realize what you've gotten yourself into until you take a step back and look at it from a different angle!
Welcome to the solo trip that felt anything but! I have been home for a little over 24 hours, and although I have no voice and my feet haven’t fully recovered, I am ready to go back!! And now I have a reason to, since before I left I picked up this little beauty!!!
I also rode a banshee.
Fought the Pandora crowd.
Saw a Princess perform.
And soooo much more!
Before I go too far, let me get to the who, what, when, why, where and how…
The who is me. PrncessA or Sara.
Usually known as Mommy, but not on this trip, this trip I was SOLO. I am a huge Disney fan and I love Disney history, which is why I was totally geeking out when I met Michael Bowling. (I could have talked to him for days!!!!) I am an uber planner and love the planning of the trips almost as much as I love the trips….. Almost!!! I am a full time wife, mom, secretary and student and in my non-existent free time (and most of the time I should be doing something else) I spend thinking about, reading about and planning our Disney trips. I write about Disney nearly constantly and am concentrating right now on starting my own blog. I just graduated with my first degree last month and I begin at a new school in the fall.
The who also includes a lot of friends! Some Diser’s who I had never “met” in person before, some Diser’s who I had met previously, some who I had never met at all and others who I have known for years.
That what is a solo trip to Walt Disney World! Due to a few different circumstances such as school, money, timing and reasoning my husband suggested that I take a solo trip to Walt Disney World this year. Do you think I was going to say no? I don’t think so! I nearly left him spinning where he was standing as I ran to the computer to book my room!
The when was May 30-June 4th. Originally my plans were the week before Memorial Day, but when the DIS announced their 20th anniversary celebration and then WDW released the Pandora opening dates there was no way I could go the week before and know what I was missing. So of course I changed my dates to coincide with both celebrations, and boy am I so glad that I did. This trip was filled to the brim with magical moments and meetups. It had a few snags as well… but nothing can bring me down from a Disney high!
The why was to celebrate my graduation from college. Going back as an adult was not an easy thing, and going back as an adult with a full time family and job seemed impossible at times. A lot of people ask why I was celebrating getting my associates degree (I was taking Bachelor's Degree classes concurrently), since my B.A. isn’t too far off, but I am going to celebrate each step because I am working hard to get to my dream.
The where was Pop Century and here is where I hit a snag. More to come on that later, let’s just say that I probably will not ever stay at Pop again.
The how was by flying in on Southwest Airlines. This was my first time flying Southwest without purchasing the early bird check-in, and I can say I would never do that again if I am flying with my kids!! I didn’t rent a car (but the idea became more appealing as the week went on) so I was at the mercy of Disney transportation most of the time. I did appeal to the mercy of my friends a few times and they have taught me the ways of having a car at Disney. I may never want to ride a Disney bus again!!!!
So without further ado….. I give you “Party of 1, plus 1,000! My solo DIS adventure!”
just booked my solo trip today, I can't wait to continue reading...I am interested to hear what you have to say about Pop, I have had some good experiences there. Congrats on your degree! Celebrate every step!
Busy day at MK! That Florida heat is a killer. I swear it's more the moisture in the air than the actual heat index. When you sweat the moment you step outside it's a terrible thing.
Glad to know there's no need to arrive an hour before park opening, although it looks like you enjoyed your bus ride with Jack!
Psyched for your DISMeet!
just booked my solo trip today, I can't wait to continue reading...I am interested to hear what you have to say about Pop, I have had some good experiences there. Congrats on your degree! Celebrate every step!
Congrats - a great celebration !
Loving your report.
Waiting for more.
...a little late, but I made it!
I enjoyed your update - definitely get that excitement the first morning so not surprised to hear you woke up before your alarm. I know you got to MK early but worked out that you did your photoshoot on Main St instead of Pop I supposed (BTW I agree with you about the stairways at Pop, they really held the heat!).
I have mixed feedings about them moving the welcome show - it really does open up the front of the train station and that was just getting crazy packed and people on edge and stuff - but I think the original show was better. I wish they had more to the new show and did things like the Family of the Day still
That is so cool you rode the Omnibus - and so fun you were in the front and alone going back and people waving to you and stuff!
Seems like a pretty productive start to the day - and those lines did really build later, wow - those are some crowds!
Those sound like thoughtful gifts for your husband
Sorry you didn't enjoy CHH better. I agree the mobile ordering will help a lot there. I think it is better than most quick services though not sure I like it as much as some people for whom it is there favorite place to eat
Looking forward to your DISmeet and the Connecting with Walt update!
Congratulations on graduating! Very nice gift to yourself!!
... you should have said "don't you know?!?!? They are the new villains in the next Decendants movie!"The best part was when a woman at one of the tables ask us who they were, since they thought they were celebrities. They are! Dis Celebrities!
Sorry for the lack of photos in this chapter, but I really was having such a good time talking I didn’t think to take any!
That is so great you had that DIS meet in CHH and the CWW meet sounds do fun - I really wish I could have made it! I love that podcast and would love to chat more with Micheal
.. you should have said "don't you know?!?!? They are the new villains in the next Decendants movie!"
That's great you met Beth and connected so well. (So not just Connecting with Walt, but Connections through Walt)
I can imagine you needed a break at that point, but, despite the heat, seems like a great day so far!
Dis Celebrities aka the only kind of celebrities!
Enjoying both the report, and your awesome pics - especially love the one with you and Michael - you can't tell how hot/humid it was, because you both look FAB!!!
Congrats on the 2nd job, but oh my gosh - where do you get that ENERGY from????
From the sound of your day I'd say you made the right choice. Pictures are great, but they aren't better than being there and enjoying the moment! So glad you had such a great time, and how cool that they talked about you on an episode!!! We haven't hooked the speakers up to the computer yet, but I will listen in later!
If the rest of this trip is at all like this day, I bet it's incredible, can't wait!
Sounds like a great meet with other dissers and to meet Michael and Craig, too !
Glad all was a wonderful time.
Thanks for the pics too.
I have never been to CBJ - might have to do that next trip.
Sara, I did hear the podcast and did hear your name mentioned - now you are famous, too !
Hi, I love your report! I'm wondering where exactly is your most favorite spot in front of the Castle? I can't wait to be there in August, and I want to go to "your spot", ha. Sounds like you had a great time, thanks for sharing!!