My first solo adventure - Disney style!! - Page 2 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I blanked out when I pulled up to the security gate to show my ID. The guard told me to check in at the Customs House and I totally forgot that the lobby was in a completely separate building. I was thinking POFQ for some reason! Panic averted and mind returning to normal, I proceeded to check in. There were about 2 people in the regular line and only 1 woman in the on-line check in area. I did the on-line check in so I headed over that way. I don’t know what this woman’s problem was, but it required the help of 3 CM’s to sort out her issues. Meanwhile, the people in the regular line were all through and I was still standing there. Finally another CM spotted me and quickly called me over. She handed me my folder and told me I was given my requests of being in Aruba and a room on the top floor. Groovy!! I drove over to Aruba and really instantly loved the theme of this resort. I’m sure the beautiful warm night helped with that!
Not knowing where exactly my room was, I started up the first set of stairs that I saw in Building 52 and walked around, following the signs for room numbers. And walked. And walked. Finally I found my room and it was much closer to the other set of stairs. Mental note for later! I also discovered that I was poolside and had a view of the lake! Apparently I had gotten a little upgrade to a water view room - Score! I dropped off my stuff, took some photos, and headed over to Old Port Royale because by now I was hun-gry!
The view right out my door!!
People have complained about the long walk over to OPR so I timed it. Granted, I probably walk a little faster than most, and without kids definitely faster! But it literally took 5 minutes door-to-door, that’s it! Not bad in my book. I must admit, this was the first time I was a little spooked by being by myself. While walking the bridge/pathway over to OPR, it is quite dark at night. And with all the little pathways (even though the gates are closed for the night) on Caribbean Cay, I was fully aware of my surroundings and who was behind me and approaching me. I got more relaxed as the trip went on, but being away from home and all alone walking in the dark – it’s just sort of instinct to be cautious.
Anyway, after looking over the menus, I decided a sandwich fit the bill. So I got a turkey BLT with a side of pasta salad and bought my refillable mug. It was delicious!!
I noticed another single woman eating 2 tables over and we exchanged hellos. I didn’t bother her anymore, but seeing that she was alone made me realize that there’s probably lots more people who come here solo than I thought! Upon return to my room, I called my DH to say I arrived safely and say goodnight to the kids.
I got in the car and headed over to browse World of Disney. I would be getting my Fun card, or whatever they called it, on my birthday in lieu of the free admission and I wanted to properly spend the money on something I would not normally purchase. Why I didn’t take the bus is beyond me. I could have, and I should have. This place was PACKED!!! It was Saturday night, Halloween night, and I never even found a parking spot. Not a one!!! I pulled into Lot 1 and police had us directed pretty much promptly right out of Lots 1, 2, and 3. They weren’t even allowing any left turns into the parking lots, so I didn’t know how these other cars had even gotten in there! It was crazy. It took 20 minutes to come into Lot 1 and out of Lot 3. I considered parking over on the West Side, but decided it wasn’t that important after all to browse on this particular night. Can you imagine how busy the stores must have been??? Crazy! My main objective was for a Ghirardelli sundae, but alas, that wouldn’t happen. Oh well, my Sweet Sunday brunch was tomorrow morning and I could wait until then for my desserts. So I just went back to the hotel, unpacked, hung up my spreadsheet itinerary (I have learned from the pros on these boards) and tried to set up my wake up call. For some reason, it wasn’t acknowledging my requests on the phone keypad so I ended up talking to someone. Being all paranoid that I’d miss the wake up call, or it didn’t work, I set my cell phone alarm as well. Not to mention the clocks turned back one hour so I was totally messed up. Needless to say, I didn’t sleep very well that first night!
Coming up: A filling morning
__________________
Tanya
Every click helps feed .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. Give a quick click every day and help animals in shelters! www.theanimalrescuesite.com
There are so many things already that I would've done like you! 1) Been "aware" walking in the dark alone. I can totally relate. 2) Going the wrong direction in the hall looking for my room. If there's a chance I'll turn the wrong way, I do! 3) Setting the alarm on my cell in case my first line of defense breaks down.
So, I can hardly wait to see what your trip holds!! More please.
__________________
Read all about it in my TR, "Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!" Jill Phil. 4: 13
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Day Two, Sunday November 1, part one – F&WF Sweet Sunday Brunch!
Turns out, I did get a wake up call but it there was no voice on the other end of the line! Just dead air. Very strange. After the confusing night of pretending to sleep, I finally got out of bed to get ready for the brunch. I showered and got dressed and was on my way to OPR for a light bite in no time. I drove over there (yes, I drove!!) and took a quick browse in the gift shop. This was something I planned on doing very much these first two days because I decided to get myself a lightweight jacket with the birthday fun card. If I stopped in one store on this trip, I stopped in 20 stores! (something my kids get bored with real quick!). After grabbing a little croissant and filling up on my caffeine for the morning (Coke – the breakfast of champions), I was off to Epcot!
It was a beautiful morning so far, sunny and warm and Epcot was beautiful. There was just one thing missing. A stroller!! It’s so very strange to walk through the parks without the stroller – my extra “stuff” holder! I tried hard to pack lightly and not bring my Baggallini along, but that wasn’t meant to be for this trip (maybe next time!). I didn’t make it at rope drop, but shortly thereafter. First stop – Test Track. As kind of dull as this thrilling ride is (wait… what?), I really enjoy it! It’s on my top 5 list for sure. This was also my first time using the single rider line anywhere, so that was exciting. I ended up filling in the 6th seat of a family of 5 and they all had a blast hootin’ and hollerin’, so I fit right in. At the exit, I actually stopped to look at some of the new cars.
I had read that with some of these brunches, there is a ridiculous line to check in. Brunch was at 10:30 and it was about 9:45. So I decided to pass on Soarin’ for now and just headed over to the defunct Wonders of Life to check in. I was super early and about the 3rd person to check in. Geez. Oh well, I went ahead and browsed the F&WF merchandise and spotted a few items I’d be thinking over. I also went ahead and put $75 on a wrist gift card for making my snacking around the World much easier later on.
Shortly thereafter we were shown to our tables and the brunch began. I was sitting at a table for 6 and it was labeled Sage. Other tables were labeled with other herbs or spices. Cute! There were 2 couples at our table, and then me and one other solo gal. She and I, and a handful of others, had our cameras out taking shots of the buffet, our plates with food, and each dessert! It really was a fun experience. The buffet food was good, not outstanding, but good. But then, I’ve never met a potato I didn’t like, so I can’t complain!
We also enjoyed a glass each of Asti Spumante and Prosecco. Our pastry chef was Geraldine Randlesome. (who?) She’s Canadian but her parents are British and she had a great sense of humor so she was quite entertaining. She was on the pastry team who made Princess Diana’s wedding cake way back when, so I guess she knows her stuff!
She made 3 desserts:
Vanilla Crème Brulee Macaroon,
Mango Ginger Cheesecake,
and Cranberry Pecan Tarts.
They were all quite tasty, but the Crème Brulee was the tops to me! This was definitely a special thing that I would not normally do, so I thoroughly enjoyed it. It really was a special treat for a solo birthday trip!
Continued.......
__________________
Tanya
Every click helps feed .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. Give a quick click every day and help animals in shelters! www.theanimalrescuesite.com
After that, I had planned on having a snack at the Festival, but proved to be way too full. So I waited around to take a perfect shot with the monorail (something the kids wouldn’t really understand!) and then headed back to CBR for a little R&R.
On the way out I saw Daisy Duck, my daughters’ favorite! I couldn’t believe it, and there was no line to boot! So I waddled over there and had a little photo taken. I told Daisy she’s my DD’s favorite and Daisy questioned where she was. I felt bad that she wasn’t with me, but I said she would definitely see her on the next trip a few months later in March!!!
I made it back to my room and then walked around the resort to snap some more photos in some outstanding sunshine! After filling up my mug again, I decided to go for a quick swim. Boy that sure was nice. Swimming in a warm pool, sunshine, 80-some degrees and it’s NOVEMBER!!! Love that!!!
Coming up: I hope I’m not too full for this burger!
__________________
Tanya
Every click helps feed .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. Give a quick click every day and help animals in shelters! www.theanimalrescuesite.com
I guess my software program (kodak) isn't the best for re-sizing pictures. It was the fastest way to do it but all the pictures are looking blurry. Sorry everyone!!
Thanks so much for reading along so far! Yes, I knew DTD would be a bit busy but I was totally not expecting what I encountered that night!!! It was a madhouse!!!
__________________
Tanya
Every click helps feed .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. Give a quick click every day and help animals in shelters! www.theanimalrescuesite.com
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Panic averted and mind returning to normal, I proceeded to check in. There were about 2 people in the regular line and only 1 woman in the on-line check in area. I did the on-line check in so I headed over that way. I don’t know what this woman’s problem was, but it required the help of 3 CM’s to sort out her issues. Meanwhile, the people in the regular line were all through and I was still standing there. Finally another CM spotted me and quickly called me over. She handed me my folder and told me I was given my requests of being in Aruba and a room on the top floor. Groovy!! 
I drove over to Aruba and really instantly loved the theme of this resort. I’m sure the beautiful warm night helped with that!
Mental note for later! I also discovered that I was poolside and had a view of the lake! Apparently I had gotten a little upgrade to a water view room - Score! I dropped off my stuff, took some photos, and headed over to Old Port Royale because by now I was hun-gry!
I must admit, this was the first time I was a little spooked by being by myself. While walking the bridge/pathway over to OPR, it is quite dark at night. And with all the little pathways (even though the gates are closed for the night) on Caribbean Cay, I was fully aware of my surroundings and who was behind me and approaching me. I got more relaxed as the trip went on, but being away from home and all alone walking in the dark – it’s just sort of instinct to be cautious.
It was Saturday night, Halloween night, and I never even found a parking spot. Not a one!!! I pulled into Lot 1 and police had us directed pretty much promptly right out of Lots 1, 2, and 3. They weren’t even allowing any left turns into the parking lots, so I didn’t know how these other cars had even gotten in there! It was crazy. It took 20 minutes to come into Lot 1 and out of Lot 3. 
I considered parking over on the West Side, but decided it wasn’t that important after all to browse on this particular night. Can you imagine how busy the stores must have been??? Crazy! My main objective was for a Ghirardelli sundae, but alas, that wouldn’t happen. Oh well, my Sweet Sunday brunch was tomorrow morning and I could wait until then for my desserts. 
So I just went back to the hotel, unpacked, hung up my spreadsheet itinerary (I have learned from the pros on these boards) and tried to set up my wake up call. For some reason, it wasn’t acknowledging my requests on the phone keypad so I ended up talking to someone. 
Being all paranoid that I’d miss the wake up call, or it didn’t work, I set my cell phone alarm as well. Not to mention the clocks turned back one hour so I was totally messed up. Needless to say, I didn’t sleep very well that first night! 
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Cassie
PassPorter Guide Author
it all started with a mouse
After the confusing night of pretending to sleep, I finally got out of bed to get ready for the brunch. I showered and got dressed and was on my way to OPR for a light bite in no time. I drove over there (yes, I drove!!) and took a quick browse in the gift shop. This was something I planned on doing very much these first two days because I decided to get myself a lightweight jacket with the birthday fun card. If I stopped in one store on this trip, I stopped in 20 stores! (something my kids get bored with real quick!). After grabbing a little croissant and filling up on my caffeine for the morning (Coke – the breakfast of champions), I was off to Epcot! 
It’s so very strange to walk through the parks without the stroller – my extra “stuff” holder! I tried hard to pack lightly and not bring my Baggallini along, but that wasn’t meant to be for this trip (maybe next time!). I didn’t make it at rope drop, but shortly thereafter. First stop – Test Track. As kind of dull as this thrilling ride is (wait… what?), I really enjoy it! It’s on my top 5 list for sure. This was also my first time using the single rider line anywhere, so that was exciting. 
Geez. Oh well, I went ahead and browsed the F&WF merchandise and spotted a few items I’d be thinking over. I also went ahead and put $75 on a wrist gift card for making my snacking around the World much easier later on. 
It really was a fun experience. The buffet food was good, not outstanding, but good. But then, I’ve never met a potato I didn’t like, so I can’t complain! 
She was on the pastry team who made Princess Diana’s wedding cake way back when, so I guess she knows her stuff! 
This was definitely a special thing that I would not normally do, so I thoroughly enjoyed it. It really was a special treat for a solo birthday trip!
So I waited around to take a perfect shot with the monorail (something the kids wouldn’t really understand!) and then headed back to CBR for a little R&R. 
After filling up my mug again, I decided to go for a quick swim. Boy that sure was nice. Swimming in a warm pool, sunshine, 80-some degrees and it’s NOVEMBER!!! Love that!!!
Sorry everyone!! 
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