Let the Wookiee Win: An August Solo Adventure! *Updated 11/17*

Tracy161

DIS Veteran
Joined
Apr 4, 2006
Let the Wookiee Win
August 19-25
All-Star Movies

Hello, friends! And welcome to my latest attempt to combat those post-Disney blues we all know and don’t love. I had a fabulous trip, met up with two fabulous Disers (twice each!), met a few love interests (and only one of whom is a droid…), and enjoyed lots of solo time! I’m so happy to have you here as I relive my memories. But first, the basics:

Who: Tracy, 34, Disney addict. I’ve lost track of how many trips I’ve been on, but I’d guestimate somewhere between 15-20, and this was my 5th solo. By day I am a cataloging specialist at a research library that is part of a glass museum in upstate New York, by night I am a graduate student about halfway through my master’s degree in library and information science.

Disney August 2017 025.JPG

Favorite characters: Mickey and Minnie, and Belle (because… ya know, the whole library/book thing)

Favorite rides: Soarin’, PeopleMover, Haunted Mansion, Dinosaur, Great Movie Ride :sad1:

Favorite park: Epcot

Where: All-Star Movies Resort. This was my first time here and I had a good experience. Since I mostly just use my room to store my clothes and sleep, it got the job done. I had a preferred room which was reasonably close to transportation, which is all I really wanted. It also felt closer to the parks than Pop, which is where I typically stay.

When: Saturday, August 19 – Friday, August 25

Why: Well, we’re all here on the Dis, so no need to go into the “why” but I will say that I chose this particular time because it was in between semesters at school and I figured the later I went in August, the better crowd-wise.

So… in an ode to my beloved Great Movie Ride… Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night.

Day 0

I worked a half-day this day and, and after throwing together a few last-minute items, was off and running (or rather, driving) to my sister’s place which is about 2.5 hours from mine. I often fly out of this airport because American Airlines doesn’t fly out of my local one and I had miles to use! I had successfully convinced my sister and brother-in-law to go out for their anniversary and let me watch the kids (2 year old niece and 4 year old nephew). I managed to do a reasonable job and Dominic managed to get away from me only once, to run through the neighbor’s lawn sprinkler. :faint: :laughing: By the time we all settled into bed, it was late, and I had to get up around 5am for the airport (as did my brother-in-law, bless his heart). After a brief stop in Charlotte, I had arrived to this glorious sight around 1:30pm: a near-empty Magical Express queue!

Disney August 2017 018_RE.jpg

Also around this time, I got a text from Su-Lynn (@chunkymonkey) – woohoo, vacation had officially began!

I was among the last few on the bus so I had a somewhat crappy view of the sign, but a crappy view of this beauty sure beats the view from my office, right?!

Disney August 2017 019.jpg_RE.jpg

Since I’d done online check-in, I was able to go straight to my room (Fantasia, building 8) immediately upon arrival after receiving a text with my room number about halfway there! The resort was really well-themed.

Disney August 2017 020.jpg_RE.jpg

I was the only one in line for the bus to Magic Kingdom around 3pm and was quickly en route to the Happiest Place on Earth! Once there, I went straight to guest relations to activate my Annual Pass and away I went!

Disney August 2017 022.jpg_RE.jpg


Disney August 2017 023.jpg_RE.jpg

My first stop was Casey’s Corner as I was starving but didn’t want to fill up too much as I was having dinner later that night with Su-Lynn and Steve! I opted for corn dog nuggets, apple slices, and water. I hauled it across Main Street to eat, grabbing a table at the nearly empty Tomorrowland Terrace. Yum, I love me some Casey's Corner.

Disney August 2017 024.jpg_RE.jpg

I’d wanted my first ride to be the PeopleMover but it was down and I wasn’t sure I wanted to commit to waiting it out behind the growing line. Instead, I headed straight for Frontierland to ride my childhood favorite, Big Thunder, with my first FP! From there, I went towards Jungle Cruise for my next FP but stopped at Pirates first as it was about a 30 minute wait and I was happy to have a bit of a break from the heat.

Disney August 2017 030.jpg_RE.jpg

Before long, I was joining my skipper for a fun trip on the Jungle Cruise. I wandered a bit more… soaking up the castle, before heading to my dinner ADR and meeting up with Su-Lynn and Steve!

Disney August 2017 033.jpg_RE.jpg

Disney August 2017 034.jpg_RE.jpg

Up Next: A Lovely Dinner!
 
I'm here!!!! So excited you started your TR and you're about to get to my favorite part...Dinner!!

I love that picture of you a with the purple wall. I have yet to get a purple wall picture. I always forget about to about it. I need to remedy that on one of my next trips.

Your travel day sounds so much nicer than ours lol. And such pretty castle pictures!! Love.
 
I'm here and on time for once. Look like a great start to your vacay. Can't wait to hear all about the rest!
 


I'm here!!!!
Yay!!!

So excited you started your TR and you're about to get to my favorite part...Dinner!!
Mine, too! :thumbsup2

I love that picture of you a with the purple wall. I have yet to get a purple wall picture.
You've got to your next trip! There was actually a PP photographer stationed right there. I went immediately over after my nutritious snack of corn dog nuggets :laughing: I didn't want to forget to do it! Turns out... I went back my final day, too!

Your travel day sounds so much nicer than ours lol.
Yeah... I saw that :sad2:

So excited to read about your adventures!
Yay - so happy to have you here!!!

Do yo remember about how long this took?
It took no time at all! I was in line for longer than it took. I was dreading it, thinking it'd be an ordeal and that something got messed up (I don't know why, I just had this feeling) but it was super smooth and was no longer than 5-10 minutes, tops.

Good choice! Healthy and decadent fried food ;)
My thoughts exactly! :laughing:

I'm here and on time for once. Look like a great start to your vacay. Can't wait to hear all about the rest!
Yay!!! So happy you're here, Kari! :thumbsup2
 


I'm here!

I love your tank top! Amazing!

Looks like a pretty good first day so far! Hope more to come of only good things.
 
Following! I am going on a solo trip in 12 days and also staying at All Star Movies to celebrate my 50th birthday. I am also a librarian going on 25 years! Can't wait to read all of your report.
 
Glad you got there with no issues! One minute you were home and the next you were in MK! Love all the castle selfies! Sounds like you were off to a great start :)
 
I am going on my second solo trip this Sunday and I am hoping to have my first ever Dismeet with Su-Lynn and Steve on Monday. I am normally just a reader (aka lurker) for these reports but chiming in real quick to say looking forward to your report.
 
I'm here!
Yay!!! So happy to have you! :goodvibes

I love your tank top! Amazing!
Thank you!!! I love it too, and guess what, it was on clearance at FYE for $5!!! :thumbsup2

Looks like a pretty good first day so far! Hope more to come of only good things.
It really was! And lots more good things to come!

Nice report - Looking forward to more
Thank you! Happy to have you along for the ride! :goodvibes

Hows the heat
It was pretty hot... but I'm not one to mind the heat much, so I fared quite well :thumbsup2

We're about 3.5 hours apart, I'm near Albany.
What!? :thumbsup2

Can't wait to hear more!
Thanks!!! More will be coming up... as soon as I get a handle on this first week of school :faint: :laughing:

Following! I am going on a solo trip in 12 days and also staying at All Star Movies to celebrate my 50th birthday. I am also a librarian going on 25 years! Can't wait to read all of your report.
WHAT?!?!? Sounds like we're kindred spirits! So excited for you!!! And happy early birthday - no better way to spend it than at Disney! :thumbsup2

I'm following!
Yay!!! Happy to have you here! :goodvibes

Glad you got there with no issues! One minute you were home and the next you were in MK!
I know, it's amazing, right? I only wish I could blink myself there now! ::yes::

Love all the castle selfies! Sounds like you were off to a great start :)
Thank you!!! It really was a great start... and lots more fun to come! :thumbsup2

I am going on my second solo trip this Sunday and I am hoping to have my first ever Dismeet with Su-Lynn and Steve on Monday.
Yay!!!!!!! :thumbsup2 I hope you have a fabulous time!!!

I am normally just a reader (aka lurker) for these reports but chiming in real quick to say looking forward to your report.
Glad you came out of lurkdom, and very happy to have you here! :goodvibes
 
Hi Tracy! You're off to a great start! I arrived home last night at 12:30 after many delays and airport issues. Post Disney Depression is already settling in so I will have to cheer myself up by reading all about your adventures! :)
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!





Top