Mickey's Very Scary Solo Hurricane Party! September 2022! Upd 1st January 23

[Sparkly]

Hello everyone and welcome to my September 2022 trip report!



I'm Emma and I visited Port Orleans French Quarter from the 24th September-2nd October. Just me this time! It certainly was a very interesting trip, what with Hurricane Ian hitting Florida. Oh yeah, did I mention I'm also autistic?! So join me as I tell you the true story of a first solo trip that was magical but also a little bit frightning.

Index

Day 0- Pre travel day
Day 1- Travel day
Day 2- Magic Kingdom & Disney Springs
Day 3- Epcot
Day 4- Hollywood Studios
Days 5 & 6- Hurricane Ian
Day 7- Epcot and MNSSHP
Day 8- Animal Kingdom
Day 9- Travel home

Thanks for reading!

 

[Sparkly]

Day 0- Pre Travel Day
September 23rd 2022

The day started with packing chaos, punctuated by a last minute run to Tesco for last minute plane snacks that actually never got eaten. And magazines that actually never got read. I did also pick up a really cute shopper bag for stuff for under the plane seat.



I left for Premier Inn Gatwick North around 6 and checked in at 7pm. My Dad very kindly gave me a lift to and from Gatwick. Check in was quick and easy, except for forgetting to pick up a room key and having to trek all the way back down with my luggage. There’s 4 lifts but since there was a lot of floors to the hotel. It took some time to get them up and down.

The room was comfortable and spotlessly clean, although the very last room in the corridor, so was a bit of a hike from the lifts! My suitcase pushed so badly that it was a bit of a faff to get it up and down the corridor.





Once I got settled, I took the shuttle to the South Terminal and had dinner at Giraffe. I had the vegan katsu curry bowl (Not a vegan myself, but I'm just fussy about chicken and don't mind Quorn.) Which was nice, although a little bit spicy. To drink I had a strawberry and basil daiquiri and a Coke. Bill came to 24 quid, yipes. It was the only drink I actually got all holiday so I didn’t mind so much.





After dinner I popped into M&S Food to get some Percy Pigs but they didn't have any (!) and then returned to my room to watch Ghosts. I couldn’t really concentrate on it and had really bad pre holiday nerves.
Slept very badly because I was so anxious about travelling.

 

[Sparkly]

Day 1- Travel day
September 24th 2022

Woke up at 6:45am (set multiple alarms just in case because I don’t trust myself to not sleep through them), got dressed and down to breakfast. Premier Inn breakfasts are nice. I had bacon, eggs, a sausage, 2 rather limp slices of toast, mushrooms and some juice. I also took a teabag or two for later…




After breakfast I checked out and then headed over to South Terminal to drop my suitcase off and check in with Special Assistance.

Bag drop took quite a while, but British Airways were as good as their word and sent someone to come and escort me through the terminal. I had asked for this over the phone as I had worried about navigating through the airport on my own.

Security was a nice quick process, and I didn't have to remove anything but liquids. Then I chilled in the Special Assistance section for a while, took a quick visit to Boots and soon it was time to board.

I got a lift on a buggy down to the gate, and the lady taking us very kindly helped us get on board in front of the queue.

I had forgotten how narrow Economy was! Or maybe that's just British Airways World Traveller. I was also a bit disappointed to find that my window seat had the window behind me and over the wing. Still, I was able to see the take off to a certain extent.



The flight was ok, a fairly swift 8 hours 40 minutes. I occupied my time by watching films, bit of TV and a few rounds of Mario Kart on my Switch. Tried playing Animal Crossing but the turbulence also going on was making me feel a bit motion sick so had to turn it off.


The meal was a choice of sweet potato curry, or chicken tikka masala which, as plane food goes, was actually really nice. The dessert was a strawberry puree thing. Weirdly enough, the snack later was chicken tikka again but in wrap form. They also handed out shortbread to eat mid flight.


We landed early at 2:49 at the brand new Terminal C. It was a huge hike from the plane up to baggage claim and immigration! There’s no benches and no toilets also until baggage claim so go before you leave the plane.

We started at one baggage belt but got moved to another, which then kept breaking down. At one point it stopped for 15 minutes. It took me an hour to get my suitcase back. It's unfortunately just part of a new terminal, as frustrating as it was.


It then took me quite a while to find Mears Connect. I didn't realise it was also operating from Terminal C. It then took a long time to get a bus, and they eventually just sent a van over to drop us all off. It was 6pm before I left the airport!

I felt instantly better once I got through the WDW gates and to French Quarter. It was absolutely gorgeous, even better than the pictures and videos.

(picture taken from the Disney website, somehow I never got a photo despite loving the resort so much?!)

I got handed my goodie bag for booking the Walt Disney Travel Company UK 50th anniversary dining credits package deal which was so cute and contained 2 water bottles, 2 Mickey ear hats, 2 medallions, 2 Mickey Rice Krispies treats, a lollipop and a few bags of crisps. Felt very special being given it at the check in desk lol.





I got a room in Building 3 which was close to the food court and buses. The room was lovely. The beds were so comfy and I couldn’t believe I had the whole thing just to myself. I sleep badly when I share with other people because I’ve learnt that I’m actually quite a light sleeper and need it to be dark and quiet.









Once I got settled in, I went to get dinner at the food court and had pasta with meatballs and Coke to drink. The sauce tasted really salty. I almost couldn’t eat it. I found this a lot with QS food, that it tasted really salty.



Then I went back to the room and to bed because I was knackered.

 

[footballmouse]

The little lunchbag cooler with the gifts was really nice.

 

[cajunfan]

Can't wit to read more.
I LOVE traveling solo I found!
Cute bag with goodies!
I found things pretty salty everywhere on my last trip, but I generaly do not use salt in my cooking at home.

 

[dizneedoll]

I’m going on my first solo to WDW in January. Excited to read about your experiences! Crazy that fancy new terminal doesn’t have a restroom or bench before baggage claim!

 

[Sparkly]

Day 2- Magic Kingdom & Disney Springs
September 25th 2022

Woke up at 5:30am and predictably, couldn’t get back to sleep. Messaged family and friends back home and chilled browsing on my phone in bed for a while before jumping onto Genie+ to book rides. Because this was my first ever time using it, I was pleased to grab one for Space Mountain.

Got up, washed and dressed and grabbed a cherry danish and a juice from the food court before heading to the bus stop for Magic Kingdom. I was so excited and couldn’t believe I was actually there.







Took my time going up Main Street and grabbing some photos, then it was to Tomorrowland for my first ride, Space Mountain.

Afterwards, I sat for a bit and ate my pastry before going over to Space Ranger Spin. I scored something like 2,500 which is my worst ever score, but to be fair the guns really really need replacing lol.

I passed on Peoplemover and Carousel Of Progress, which was a shame because I actually never got to ride either of those but oh well. I then travelled up to Fantasyland via Star Traders for some air con and to look at the Stitch stuff- so cute.

I rode Winnie The Pooh and then for some reason decided to wait 45 minutes for Mine Train. The ride was fun but that was a LONG, long time to wait on my feet.

They were already really starting to hurt and I was getting a bit grumpy so I stopped for a frozen strawberry lemonade cup and sat and ate it outside Pinocchios. Whilst I was there, I saw Peter Pan walking up and down talking to people which was really cute.



I then continued up to Small World. That ride gets creepier and creepier every time I ride it, I’m sure. I wanted to ride Haunted Mansion but the ride queue was longer than I wanted to wait, so after thinking for a bit and hiding upstairs in Columbia Harbour House with some iced water, I decided to instead wait for the 12pm Festival Of Fantasy parade. I got a really great spot in Liberty Square and enjoyed watching the parade.





I then was actually hungry to eat lunch, so I placed a mobile order at Columbia Harbour House for some chicken strips and chips. Disney chicken strips hit different, I swear. I also had a massive cup of bright blue Powerade. I can never believe how brightly coloured drinks are in America.



Whilst I ate, I managed to pick up a Genie+ for Haunted Mansion. I was still trying to figure out how it worked and also for some reason didn’t get my DAS until the next day so I really struggled today.



Haunted Mansion was as good as ever, and as I was walking up through Frontierland (passed on Splash and Big Thunder Mountain because of wait times and also never got to ride either of those this holiday) I saw Big Al, one of the Country Bears on the balcony above the Country Bears show.



As I was heading up the hill from Splash Mountain, I heard music and quickly walked up to see what it was- the 50th anniversary celebration cavalcade! It had a few dancers and a couple of floats with Mickey and Minnie, Chip and Dale etc dancing on them. So adorable and it was a really cute magical thing to happen.





I then rode Pirates of The Caribbean, after which it was getting on for mid afternoon and I was pretty much done with MK for the day. My feet hurt really bad and I was exhausted, so I got the really cool zoom photopass picture in the hub and then took the bus back to my resort.

 

[Sparkly]

I chilled in my room for a while, and then decided to take the riverboat over to Disney Springs. It’s so lovely having a boat to Disney Springs, and partly why I love Port Orleans so much. Really pretty and atmospheric.



The first thing I did was visit World Of Disney to pick up my 200 dollar gift card, and then I browsed around a bit. The shop was completely manic so I decided against buying anything there and instead went to Basin. I can’t use a lot of scented bath products due to my sensitive skin but I love looking at the soaps and the smell.

Disney Springs was absolutely heaving, and I managed to get lost and walk from one side to another which completely did my poor feet in. I was stupidly wearing crocs with no socks, after a day wearing shoes with brand new, just put in right before my holiday insoles…OUCH.

I kinda wanted to treat myself to a game of bowling at Splitsville, but the queue was too long so I passed on it. I enjoyed the live music for a while, then continued back up towards the marketplace. I bought myself a really cute new Stitch t shirt and a hand sanitiser from Disney Style, they had some really great stuff.

I was getting seriously hangry and a bit dehydrated by this time so I was grumpy as anything. Ended up diverting myself into Starbucks where I picked up a large strawberry acai water and a protein pack thing with a small PB&J sandwich, a string cheese, some carrot sticks, some apple slices and a small pack of chocolate covered raisins. For 6 dollars, it was probably one of the best snacks I had, value and nutritional wise, and I felt a ton better after something to eat and drink.



After that, I headed back up towards the buses, stopping to enjoy the atmosphere outside the AMC cinema. They had live music there too and I sat for a while to rest my poor feet and listen. I then visited the Coca Cola store and met the polar bear- although I baulked at the cost of pictures.





Finally, I got the bus back to my resort, got a chicken sandwich to take back to the room to eat and collapsed into bed!!!

 

[Sajchinook2015]

You are braver then I. Reading your trip report and enjoying it. Thanks for the inspiration.

 

[WalkingintheFog]

Loved Port Orlean! Toss up as to whether I prefer French Quarter or Riverside!

Following to learn how the rest of your adventure was!

 

[Sparkly]

Oops, life got so busy I forgot to update this! My apologies.

Day 3- Epcot
September 26th, 2022

Set alarm for 6:45am this morning and was straight on MDE to try and get a boarding group for Guardians. Lo and behold, managed to get the 2nd boarding group. Woohoo!

Picked up a pastry from the food court and took the bus over to Epcot. I got a photo in front of Spaceship Earth and then went in on early entry- the only time I managed to do that.

My first ride was what else, Spaceship Earth. Tried to take a silly photo using the rice krispie Mickey head I brought in for a snack but the photo didn’t take so I had a boring generic video instead. Booo!

As I left, my boarding group for Guardians got called, so I went to ride it. It was amazing. I got September which was the song I was hoping for.





The ride was smooth and a ton of fun, one of the best Disney rides I’ve ever been on.I felt a little dizzy and sick afterwards, but I stopped to eat my pastry for breakfast by way of Connections to get a couple of glasses of cold water and felt fine after.

I wandered around the worlds, which is what Future World is now called and decided to ride Figment. I waited around 20 odd minutes which seemed crazy, but at least some of that was indoors in AC. It was quite cute, but definitely very 90s. Afterwards, I met Joy, which was really cute. I also love how when Vanellope comes back for her meet and greet she enters through this portal thing that lights up and makes sounds.

When I came out, I went to see Mickey (well, you have to really.) and after, saw the short film festival which is always good for a sit down.

When I came out, I video called my parents to say hi and catch them up on what I had been doing.

I then waited a stupidly long time for Nemo (I won't tell you how long because I'll be laughed off the dis) because I hadn’t fully figured out Genie+ and how to use it together with DAS (actually, I’m not even sure I even did get it today, because surely then I wouldn’t have waited so long for stuff) and sped myself through the aquariums because otherwise I would have spent hours in there looking at the fish, because I’m just a big kid and love aquariums.

My feet were killing me crisscrossing the park and as I walked to Test Track in what felt like pavement melting heat, I cursed myself and my lack of organisation in sorting out rides today.
I was in a very, very grumpy mood as I got in line for Test Track and I was in no mood to design my own car, which is a shame because usually I love to make the most ridiculous looking cars possible.
When I left, I decided to just go back to the resort for a break.

I ate lunch at the food court and had buttermilk chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans which was really delicious. And the best bit was, as I was eating, a CM came over with a warm beignet with chocolate sauce and Mickey sprinkles on and asked me if I would like it. Would I! It was delicious and I see why people love beignets so much.





Indeed, resting for a while in the comfort of my room revived me, although unfortunately this was when I learnt that Hurricane Ian was possibly going to strike the coasts of Florida. This sent me into a huge panic, and from then on the experience until it actually hit was dampened a bit by constantly checking for new hurricane forecasts. I know this is unfortunately part of the parcel of going in hurricane season, but it’s not fun to have it actually happen to you.

I visited the gift shop to buy bread, peanut butter, jelly, some crisps, pretzels, biscuits, soda and water to keep in the room in the event that I was confined to my room for a day or two on the advice of a Disney World chat I belong to. Cost me 50 dollars! Still, it would have cost me more to go out to a supermarket by Uber and there was no guarantee that they would have had anything stocked. I visited the gift shop the next day and a lot of the bread and snacks were cleared out, no prizes for guessing why.

Continued in next post

 

[Sparkly]

I decided to go back out to Epcot for the evening to make the most of my time before the hurricane struck and because I was starting to get into a pattern of obsessive reading of news and weather reports which isn’t helpful for my mental health.

It was a bit drizzly as I entered but still a nice evening, and as I walked over to The Land, I saw a beacon of light show on Spaceship Earth which was really cool!



I love how they do these little shows and parades and stuff, it feels really magical, coming across stuff that you hadn’t expected. Magic isn’t just about what free stuff you get.

Soarin was almost a walk on, I walked through most of the queue and only waited maybe 10–15 minutes. They called for a single rider, so I was able to go ahead, yippee! One of the perks of being solo. It’s a nice uplifting ride and I love the smell of the Africa scene and the end where you come into Epcot.

I then walked onto Living With The Land, and this was the first ever time I’ve ridden it at night. It feels different going into the greenhouses. I wanted to get some dinner at Sunshine Seasons before I went to get a spot for Harmonious, but it had closed. So, slightly hangry, I went to find myself a spot. A CM recommended I try to get one near the gift shops at the entrance to the Canada side of World Showcase, and I found one that gave me a pretty good straight on view of the show, next to the Australia booth.
Harmonious was amazing! I’m very easily impressed.

But it was uplifting, the water and laser effects were great and so were the fireworks. I liked how they shot fireworks up from each country. I actually didn’t like Illuminations that much. I thought the middle bit was a bit boring.

I waited for a while to let the crowd filter out and then slowly moseyed out. Or at least tried to, and ended up having to borrow a wheelchair to get me to the buses. My feet! They felt like they were all blisters by this point. Ow ow ow!
When I eventually got back, I hobbled to the food court to pick up a PB&J uncrustable, a small pot of sliced apples and caramel and a cookie for a late night snack for dinner and then to bed.

 

[Sparkly]

Day 4- Hollywood Studios
September 27th, 2022

Go away Ian, go awayyyy Ian...

Forgot whether you still needed to get a virtual queue for Rise of The Resistance or not, so still woke up at 6:45am. Whoops.

Ended up having to stand on the bus to the park and almost fell on someone when the bus turned a corner. The bus was packed!
The first thing I visited when I got in the park was First Aid to patch up my poor feet. I reckoned I would end up with more plasters than feet at the rate I was going.

My next stop was Galaxy's Edge, but as I still couldn't walk very fast, I was doubtful about my ability to get on the ride without waiting 2 hours.

As I entered, Rise Of The Resistance was down, but as I walked further into the land, I saw people shuffling into a line, so followed them after overhearing people talking. It happened to be for Rise Of The Resistance which had only just that moment gone back up. Woohoo!



The line kept pretty much continuously moving through, and I ended up only waiting 10 minutes! Amazing luck! The ride was incredible and tied with Guardians for the best ride of the holiday.
I hung out in the land for a while, had a snack, and checked the news on the hurricane- and unfortunately learnt that Ian was going to go right across Florida. This sent me into yet another panic. I managed to distract myself by jumping onto MDE and grabbed a Genie+ for Runaway Railway.



I loved Runaway Railway! It was so cute. I thought that Great Movie Ride was a bit outdated. I think it's nice to get new rides occasionally.

I then headed towards Toy Story Land and decided to see One Man's Dream on the way. I hadn't seen the film at the end for a while, although I also would have liked to meet Sully.

After that, I headed to Alien Swirling Saucers, which is so cute. It was a little while until my next DAS return time, so I had some early lunch at Woody's Toybox.

I had grilled cheese with tater tots,

which was delicious. It was so hard to find a table, even going in earlier. I ended up sharing my table with a nice family.



After lunch, I went to ride Slinky Dog Dash which I love. It's so much fun for a kids coaster.
Crossing back over the park, I saw the Pixar Motorcade cavalcade which was adorable. I've said it before, but I love these unexpected surprises!



I then decided to see the Frozen singalong show, which is always hilarious. The Royal Historians really make the show. Lots of funny Encanto references.



After, I popped up the road to see the Mickey & Minnie Vacation Fun short, which was funny and in an adorable theatre with Mickey Mouse seats.

I then took a drink break and had a nice sit down then walked over to Star Tours. Guess who got to be the Rebel Spy? My picture looked a bit gormless.

Guess who also went a bit crazy on Grogu stuff in the shop after?

I then saw Muppets 4D, which is perhaps a bit outdated but still quite cute. It's a nice AC break in any case.

My feet were still killing me, so I sat for a while on a bench near Mama Melrose's and checked up for any news on Hurricane Ian.

I found out that the parks were to be closed on September 28th and 29th, so this would be my last park day for a couple of days. Unfortunately, I was also scheduled to do the Halloween party on the 29th, so I really hoped that it would be refunded. Not long after, my phone made the first of many scary beeping weather alerts. When you don't expect them it's a little bit unsettling!

I had done most of the stuff I had wanted to do in the park and was waiting for my Tower Of Terror Genie+ time, so I went to see Beauty and the Beast.



Finally, I went to ride Tower Of Terror and got the front row. I was a bit worried that my backpack was going to go up and over and into the ride system! Lots of drops, which I like best.

It was getting rainy by this time and I had done everything I wanted, so I ate dinner at Rosie's All American Cafe of a cheeseburger and chips, which actually wasn't bad, rang my mum in a hurricane induced panic and then wandered around taking some photos of Sunset Boulevard at sunset because it's so pretty.







I decided before leaving to go and ride Star Tours again, in no small part because I had picked up the wrong size of a spirit jersey I bought. It turned out that they didn't have it anyway, so I just got a refund. I got an even better 50th anniversary hoodie a few days later anyway.

I watched the Disney Movie Magic or whatever projection show and then left not long after, going back to my resort and to bed.