Have Pen, Will Travel: A Solo Trip Report--Includes Dining and CSR Reviews and Photos! - Page 17 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Best breakfast ever!!! Oh my, that looks sooooo good right now.
I'm so glad you were able to conquer ToT solo. I couldn't do that!! I did RnRC easy peasy, but just couldn't get up the nerve for ToT all alone! What a wimp. I agree with the Muppets show. While I enjoyed them as a kid, as an adult it just doesn't do it for me. (in DCA, I actually closed my eyes and rested during the entire show while my friend loved, loved, loved it!) Glad you got in Toy Story twice. That poor girl, waiting and riding all alone. Some friends she has! Good thing she was able to ride with you. Looking forward to hearing about lunch!
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First, I must tell you that I am really enjoying your TR!
[QUOTE=elbodans;3600578]Though my next stay--that is, after my trip in May to AKL--will be at the Dolphin. Because Epcot’s World Showcase is closer to the Dolphin than Pepper Market was to my room at CSR. Ok--that may be an exaggeration--but not by much!
[QUOTE]
We stayed in Casitas 5 at CSR (talk about a long walk to El Centro) and we have stayed at the Swan. I don't think you are exaggerating. And, to me, the walk from the Swan/Dolphin to Epcot was much more enjoyable.
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Wow! Just reading up on your trip. Such a whirlwind. I do solo trips quite a bit. Going back for my third, no fourth, solo in a few weeks for 9 days! My longest trip ever. I forgot about my own whirlwind weekend one-nighter last month. Sorry your Epcot day was kind of a bust research-wise. It's hard to "introduce" a friend to Disney. I did it a few years ago with some friends who just didn't seem to get the appeal no matter how I tried. I have done the drinking around the world thing though. I usually start around lunch and pace myself drinking plenty of water as well between drinks or beers. Plus, being solo there's no reason to get more than just a buzz going.
I love, love, love EE too. Sadly I've only ridden it once; a fact I plan to remedy very soon! I have yet to go on TSMM. It's one ride I don't think I'd be comfortable doing solo. But, since you've done it and enjoyed it I think I will try it if the wait times make it a possibility. As far as RnRC and ToT go, I'm just the opposite. I absolutely love RnRC and wish it was longer. However, I've never been able to screw up my courage to go on ToT. I've heard the queue and the story portion is amazing.
The ship-to-resort for packages is very nice, but sometimes it takes up to 2 days. At least it used to. So I've rarely used that service. If I can't fit it in my backpack, I have it sent to the gate for when I leave.
Can't wait for the rest of your TR. Sounds like you're getting lots done! I imagine doing research at Disney is probably more fun than anywhere else.
I'm so glad you were able to conquer ToT solo. I couldn't do that!! I did RnRC easy peasy, but just couldn't get up the nerve for ToT all alone! What a wimp. I agree with the Muppets show. While I enjoyed them as a kid, as an adult it just doesn't do it for me. (in DCA, I actually closed my eyes and rested during the entire show while my friend loved, loved, loved it!) Glad you got in Toy Story twice. That poor girl, waiting and riding all alone. Some friends she has! Good thing she was able to ride with you. Looking forward to hearing about lunch!
see, that's how i felt about RnRC--if someone had been dragging me on, i would have gone. but i HAD to do ToT...right? i mean, it is iconic.
and yes, i'm very glad i was able to ride with that girl. i sincerely hope her friends regret ditching her (as mean as that sounds). it is a great ride!
[QUOTE=annc98;3604593]First, I must tell you that I am really enjoying your TR!
[QUOTE=elbodans;3600578]Though my next stay--that is, after my trip in May to AKL--will be at the Dolphin. Because Epcot’s World Showcase is closer to the Dolphin than Pepper Market was to my room at CSR. Ok--that may be an exaggeration--but not by much!
Quote:
We stayed in Casitas 5 at CSR (talk about a long walk to El Centro) and we have stayed at the Swan. I don't think you are exaggerating. And, to me, the walk from the Swan/Dolphin to Epcot was much more enjoyable.
thank you for validating my distance approximation! it is definitely slightly farther from the dolphin to epcot, but not by much AT ALL--and then you are in EPCOT!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
That is one gorgeous cupcake! Great time at DHS!
aren't all cupcakes gorgeous? at least the ones we have for breakfast? i'm an official cupcake addict!
Wow! Just reading up on your trip. Such a whirlwind. I do solo trips quite a bit. Going back for my third, no fourth, solo in a few weeks for 9 days! My longest trip ever. I forgot about my own whirlwind weekend one-nighter last month. Sorry your Epcot day was kind of a bust research-wise. It's hard to "introduce" a friend to Disney. I did it a few years ago with some friends who just didn't seem to get the appeal no matter how I tried. I have done the drinking around the world thing though. I usually start around lunch and pace myself drinking plenty of water as well between drinks or beers. Plus, being solo there's no reason to get more than just a buzz going.
I love, love, love EE too. Sadly I've only ridden it once; a fact I plan to remedy very soon! I have yet to go on TSMM. It's one ride I don't think I'd be comfortable doing solo. But, since you've done it and enjoyed it I think I will try it if the wait times make it a possibility. As far as RnRC and ToT go, I'm just the opposite. I absolutely love RnRC and wish it was longer. However, I've never been able to screw up my courage to go on ToT. I've heard the queue and the story portion is amazing.
The ship-to-resort for packages is very nice, but sometimes it takes up to 2 days. At least it used to. So I've rarely used that service. If I can't fit it in my backpack, I have it sent to the gate for when I leave.
Can't wait for the rest of your TR. Sounds like you're getting lots done! I imagine doing research at Disney is probably more fun than anywhere else.
i'm glad to hear that others enjoy disney solo. it makes me feel less selfish. i travel solo quite a bit, and i have to say that disney is THE BEST place to be when you are alone. everyone is just so nice, and there's so much to do...it's actually better to be on your own.
as for my friend, i shouldn't have expected her to like it. she's an admitted non-disney fan, and that was before ever visiting. i guess i thought, because i was like her before, she'd convert as easily as i did. alas, it was not to be. though i know she's taking her son sometime soon, so perhaps she'll like it more when she sees it through his eyes.
i think i would have been fine with drinking around the world if A. i wanted to be drunk (i didn't) B. i didn't have work to do (i did) C. i wasn't worried about taking care of my drunken friend (i was) D. i'd have had any food or water at any time (i didn't)
i thought i would be uncomfortable on TSMM by myself--in fact, it was the only ride i had second thoughts about doing solo. it was still great! i liked riding by myself, as it is still just as fun; i liked riding with a fellow solo traveler--it made me feel useful and gave me a nice sense of competition. i'd definitely recommend riding solo.
as for tower of terror, i can't think of a ride that had as much of a back-story slash queue experience. even EE feels like a ride at the end, whereas ToT is truly an experience. i'm very, very glad i rode it--and hope that my mother will accompany me in may.
Another great update. Your cupcake made me drool just a little bit...my husband was like "What are you looking at? You just got this hungry look in your eye..." I showed him the cupcake and he said "Oh my GOD that looks AMAZING." So apparently we'll be looking for one of those in September!
Love your cupcake breakfast--I've done that twice at Starring Rolls on solo trips--the butterfinger cupcake breakfast and the red velvet cupcake breakfast! I have to say that I love solo trips, it just makes it easier!
I've been totally spoiled by the ease and relaxation of my solo trips. Counter service meals are much more difficult solo than sit-down, especially at peak times. I like to read when I'm eating solo, but it's rude to do that when forced to share a table or when you have a crowd of people staring at you waiting for the table. The cupcake breakfast.... YUM!
Just a word of caution for those you've inspired to give Starring Rolls a try: the place closes at 4 pm! Best plan to get a cupcake for breakfast so you won't be disappointed when you show up in the evening to get one for dessert!
Originally Posted by mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince
Just a word of caution for those you've inspired to give Starring Rolls a try: the place closes at 4 pm! Best plan to get a cupcake for breakfast so you won't be disappointed when you show up in the evening to get one for dessert!
hey--thanks for the heads up! that makes me feel even better about my unhealthy breakfast!
Day 4 Part 3--Lunch at The Brown Derby, a break at CSR, some quick online shopping, and my ‘plan’ for the rest of the day (spoiler alert--it gets messed up!)
The Brown Derby was an oasis of calm amidst the loudness that was becoming the area around the sorcerer’s hat. I realize I’ve been rather negative about my whole DHS experience thus far, and while I do blame most of that on the fact that this was my fifth day in a row of ‘go go go!’ (the first day being a full day of work followed by the trip to WDW), some of it was due to ESPN the weekend. It was just...really loud.
The Brown Derby truly transports you to somewhere else--more so than anywhere else I’ve been in WDW, in fact (and yes, I realize that’s a bold statement!) All of a sudden I was in a swanky metropolitan restaurant...and I was SO HAPPY TO BE THERE!
For a solo dining experience, BD can’t be beat. Sure, the tables are a little close together, but at least no one took my other chair! Additionally, the waitress (I didn’t get her name) was the nicest one I met on the trip (yet another bold statement, as all of my servers were quite wonderful). I snapped a photo of myself (surprise surprise)...
as I waited for my glass of...water. This was my first wine-free table-service meal, but I knew that a glass of wine at noon would not have resulted in a productive day. Plus, water is free!
I had already decided I’d have to get the Cobb Salad, as it is their speciality and one of my favorite dishes. I was surprised to see it listed as an appetizer, as I planned to have an appetizer AND the salad...and that’s exactly what I did anyway (yet another bonus of not being on the DDP--I can order whatever I want!) However, picking an appetizer was easier planned than done--every single item sounded amazing. So I did what I typically do in this situation--I asked the server. She suggested the Cremini Mushroom Chevre Tortelloni.
To be honest, I likely wouldn’t have ordered this on my own; the Tuna Tartare was actually at the top of my list, followed by the Crab Cake. However, I am so very glad I asked the server for her recommendation--and accepted it blindly. It was so good. Amazingly good. Lick the plate good. As I’ve already mentioned, I love goat cheese, and having it combined with cremini mushrooms and then wrapped in a pasta sheet...oh. my. god. Beyond my love of goat cheese and mushrooms, the sauce was to die for. I actually used some of the bread to sop up what was left on the plate! Because I had to look it up to type correctly, I’ve just discovered that the sauce was a Tomato Fennel Sauce, which makes sense as I love fennel.
The Cobb Salad was good--just not as mind-blowingly awesome as the tortelloni. Here is is pre-mix...
...taken whilst the man stood there with the tongs--by this point in the trip, I had no shame in asking for him to wait for this (and I had my iPhone ready when it arrived). And post-mix...
...much less appetizing, but surprisingly good. It was very fresh tasting and light (minus the occasional chunks of avocado, which I loved!) My only complaint about this meal was not knowing which to eat first, as they both came out at the same time (a hazard of ordering two appetizers, I guess). I ended up going back and forth between the two, and saving my last bite for the pasta dish. To be honest, I’m returning to DHS in May mainly to eat here again. I’ll be ordering the tortelloni again, plus an additional appetizer. Perhaps the tuna. Or maybe the crab cake (or the scallops). Possibly all three! Even ordering three appetizers, the meal would be around $35--the same as one entree. I’ll have water again as well--I don’t even need wine when the food is so amazing.
Leaving The Brown Derby was a bit painful--not only because I was uncomfortably full. The music from the ESPN area at the base of the hat was deafening, but that was ok as I already planned to leave the park at this point. My plan was to head to the Magic Kingdom for the rest of the day...but alas, my iPhone battery was again dying. So I waited at the bus stop for CSR for a good 15 minutes, and then hopped a bus back to my room. Please note--this was the longest time I waited for a bus my entire trip. Not bad!
The bus trip back to CSR was actually a highlight of the trip for me--and yes, I realize how insane that sounds. I ended up talking to a very nice young girl who was part of the Disney College Program, and she told me stories that gave me a new perspective on why people who work at Disney are so nice. She told me all of these stories about 'getting to make people's vacations' by doing special, magical things for them. i was literally on the edge of tears as she told a story of a family at the parade the day before (i'll not repeat the story here--this TR is already crazy long!) It was great being able to learn about this lesser known aspect of WDW...and all on the way back to my resort!
I left the restaurant at 12:56 (ish) and was back in my room by 2:00. This includes the bus ride to the resort, walking to my room, plugging my iPhone in, and 10 blissful minutes in the hammock on the beach at CSR. If I didn’t have things to do--and if I wasn’t concerned about the amount of sun I was getting--I would have been content to spend HOURS on that hammock. But 10 minutes was better than nothing!
It was during this time that I spent a few minutes googling ‘solar powered purse’, only to find that the only solar bag I liked was WAY over my budget (around $400)--but really, what do people do in the parks when iPhones die so quickly? I spent a good fifteen minutes looking for a rogue outlet in MK on my first day, thinking that if only I could fit my charger in my tiny purse, I’d be able to steal some electricity and charge my phone (I do this at airports all the time--there’s typically an outlet under each water fountain. These are the skills obsessive travelers acquire!) The only reason I returned to CSR was to charge my phone--a sad commentary on how poorly I respect my own body (no, I don’t need a nap--but my phone needs to charge!) and I honestly wished I didn’t even need to do that.
Gee--I’m starting to understand my earlier crankiness!
I was back on the bus, headed to MK by 2:53. Please note--between the hours of 12:00 and 3:00, the only thing I did was have lunch, charge my phone, and rest. And I still feel guilty that I ‘wasted’ that time.
Gee--I’m REALLY starting to understand my earlier crankiness!
I decided I’d use my time at MK as wisely as possible--I’d cross off everything on the research list I’d made the night prior (including ‘ride Space Mountain’, despite my strong hatred of said ride), try to do some first-time pin trading, both so I could write about it on my blog and to get some good pins for my mom as part of my mother’s day trip gift...
...and have some fun, too (this mainly involved riding BTMRR again). However, the best laid plans of mice and men...well, they are often screwed up by huge crowds.
Up next--My Saturday afternoon experience at MK, followed by a drastic change in plans!
sounds like you got yourself one of those 'souvenirs' i keep hearing about! we were hoping for that on our november trip (thinking hey, it is a magical kingdom, right?)
I sure did And let me tell you, we were all set to start invitro when we returned, so make sure you search out that Pixie dust
Three things
1. Thank you for helping me decide which cup cake I will be getting from starring rolls as I was worried about the sweetness of the more commonly posted ones. 2. For the playground, just follow a family in they will never know if your a parent/aunt to one of the kids and even if you are taking photos no one will notice since there a crazy parents doing the same (guilty here and some of my favorites too) also the bone yard playground in AK is fun find the footprints and jump on one. 3. I'm glad CM made YOUR trip magical too.
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What a wimp. I agree with the Muppets show. While I enjoyed them as a kid, as an adult it just doesn't do it for me. (in DCA, I actually closed my eyes and rested during the entire show while my friend loved, loved, loved it!) Glad you got in Toy Story twice. That poor girl, waiting and riding all alone. Some friends she has! Good thing she was able to ride with you. 
Looking forward to hearing about lunch!
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And, to me, the walk from the Swan/Dolphin to Epcot was much more enjoyable.
i'm an official cupcake addict!
Best plan to get a cupcake for breakfast so you won't be disappointed when you show up in the evening to get one for dessert! 
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