Solo-on-a-Scooter takes the A-Train. LIVE TR, 8/29 - 9/11/2015 - Page 29 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Since I knew there would be no trip to AK today I was hoping I could sleep in a bit, but of course I was wide awake at 5:30. I gathered up my few purchases and some clothes I know I won’t wear for the rest of the trip and took them down to the business center to ship home. The lighter my suitcase the better because I’ll be pulling it behind the scooter in Boston.
I was at Epcot for opening at 9am and turned right after the International Gateway entrance to have breakfast in France.
I was the only one there and it was really nice to see that selection of freshly-baked goodies all set out! I had coffee and a croissant. and then retraced my steps to go to Future World. I rode Soarin’ and The Land with no wait at all and browsed through Mousegears. These few activities really exhausted me. Getting off the scooter and settled into the seat in Soarin’— seat belt, putting purse and shoes in the bag under the seat, etc— made me so short of breath I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to ride. I just closed my eyes for a moment and got my breathing regulated and ended up having a lovely ride. I really wanted to make sure I could sit through Illuminations tonight so headed back to the room, stopping at France again for a Nicoise salad to go (without the tuna). Pretty good eats today. Fresh salad for lunch and FF leftovers for dinner.
I settled in for a nap and had just fallen asleep when the fire alarm sounded! Wow, that’s a loud , penetrating noise! I threw on my beach cover-up over my nightgown and went down to the lobby. I know you’re not supposed to use the elevator, but I did. It was either that or stay on the 4th floor! People were milling around in the lobby and they told us the alarm was set off by something the room renovators were doing and there was no fire. I couldn’t go back to the room, though, until the noise stopped, so I went outside and sat in the hot shade for about 30 minutes until it finally went off. I did end up getting a couple of hours sleep before waking up for dinner.
I left for Illuminations at around 7:45 and found a perfect spot between Norway and Mexico. No photos. I didn't get my camera out as I just wanted to get involved in the show. I always cry at Illuminations, so you can imagine this time, knowing it was my last. Waterworks. I love just sitting by the lagoon waiting for the crowds to thin before scooting slowly around a quiet World Showcsse back to the gateway. Up until now I’ve been able to set aside the knowledge that this is my final trip, but as it gets closer to the end of the trip I’m very aware when I do things that it’s the last time. Even though I’m sad about that, I do feel lucky that I get to do everything with this knowledge. I can fully experience and pay attention to everything and won’t have any regrets. It’s like getting the chance to say goodbye to a loved one. It’s a gift.
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Oh Laurie, you have such a wonderfully positive outlook! I can't imagine how hard it is for you to experience each day of this trip knowing it will be your last time. My heart goes out to you.
Today sounded like another great day...(minus the fire alarm) ...from your "private" breakfast in France to the magic of Illuminations! Very special!
Oh my. I have tears. You need a Kleenex warning! I am so glad you got to see Illuminations! And Soarin! What a fantastic Epcot day. The fire alarm, not so much.
Well, I'm a bit teary now.......but I think you have shed enough tears for both of us. You got to do some nice things today around Epcot ( well minus the fire alarm). I'm really happy you got to see Illuminations tonight! You have had such moxie on this trip! I'm sad to see it coming to an end.
I am so glad that you were able to see Illuminations, even with the interruption of your sleep due to the fire alarm. You words brought tears to my eyes, but you are so positive and I am just so glad that like you said....you were given this gift to enjoy this last time. To make peace with knowing this is the final trip and to enjoy what you have loved again and have these memories
I love how you are able to spend this time with your old friend-WDW- and I love how your old friend has embraced you in so many special ways. I'm glad you got to enjoy Soarin' and Illuminations. I love that spot between Norway and Mexico. That's often where I end up for Illuminations. How horrible for you and the fire alarm right when you were taking a much needed nap. I had no idea that any food places (other than TS) were open in the World Showcase portion of Epcot for breakfast. How nice to enjoy the quiet and private breakfast.
Oh Laurie, you have such a wonderfully positive outlook! I can't imagine how hard it is for you to experience each day of this trip knowing it will be your last time. My heart goes out to you.
Today sounded like another great day...(minus the fire alarm) ...from your "private" breakfast in France to the magic of Illuminations! Very special!
Yesterday was a wonderful day. I knew this trip would have it's difficult moments, but it would have been so much worse not to have come.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dutchdisneyfamily
Oh my. I have tears. You need a Kleenex warning! I am so glad you got to see Illuminations! And Soarin! What a fantastic Epcot day. The fire alarm, not so much.
Sorry I didn't issue a tissue alert! I think you'll need one for the rest of my updates. Today will be a hard one. I'm so glad I made this trip a solo one. I really do not want to have company for my last visit to the window. I need to be alone this morning to allow myself to feel it all fully.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Linnynad
Well, I'm a bit teary now.......but I think you have shed enough tears for both of us. You got to do some nice things today around Epcot ( well minus the fire alarm). I'm really happy you got to see Illuminations tonight! You have had such moxie on this trip! I'm sad to see it coming to an end.
The end of this trip has come so suddenly! More tears, I'm sure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcc0313
I am so glad that you were able to see Illuminations, even with the interruption of your sleep due to the fire alarm. You words brought tears to my eyes, but you are so positive and I am just so glad that like you said....you were given this gift to enjoy this last time. To make peace with knowing this is the final trip and to enjoy what you have loved again and have these memories
I'm just concentrating on being so, so happy to be here for this visit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pris
I love how you are able to spend this time with your old friend-WDW- and I love how your old friend has embraced you in so many special ways. I'm glad you got to enjoy Soarin' and Illuminations. I love that spot between Norway and Mexico. That's often where I end up for Illuminations. How horrible for you and the fire alarm right when you were taking a much needed nap. I had no idea that any food places (other than TS) were open in the World Showcase portion of Epcot for breakfast. How nice to enjoy the quiet and private breakfast.
WDW has been a friend to me for so many years. Thank you for putting it that way, Pris. Perhaps that's why I'm so comfortable coming alone. I'm visiting a friend.
They started opening Les Halles for breakfast after the big expansion. They now open the walkway between the IG and France at 9am. It's so nice back there in the morning and the croissants are warm from the oven!
Quote:
Originally Posted by a_bernard
so glad for you that you got to enjoy this last trip and including everything that you love doing
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I'm so glad you were able to see Illuminations! It's my favorite too and always makes me cry.
Brief hijack - does anyone else using Tapatalk on an iphone or ipad not see Laurie's last paragraph about seeing Illuminations? I couldn't see that paragraph until I looked at the post on my laptop. This has happened before in other TRs with Tapatalk. I don't know I missed something until I'm reading other people's comments and realize they read something that I didn't. Annoying!
What a beautiful update, Laurie. Like everyone else, I'm teary and heart-heavy at your words, but at the same time, they are so positive. Right about now you should be finished with your final visit to the window... your TR's and stories from the window have brought joy to so many people, and have introduced so many people to the window! I know I never would have thought of it had it not been for your TR's!
You are so special and your presence will be missed at WDW by all of the CM's who have grown to know and love you, and by all of us who have followed your trips faithfully.
Thank you so much for sharing your final WDW journey with us. As emotional as it is, you could have kept it to yourself, and it's an honor to "come along" with you as you experience it and say goodbye.
And now I need a good cry. Goodness. I can't wait to read today's update - with tissues in hand!
What a nice day at Epcot! Glad you were able to see Illuminations!
Illuminations is such a beautiful show!
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
I'm so glad you were able to see Illuminations! It's my favorite too and always makes me cry.
Brief hijack - does anyone else using Tapatalk on an iphone or ipad not see Laurie's last paragraph about seeing Illuminations? I couldn't see that paragraph until I looked at the post on my laptop. This has happened before in other TRs with Tapatalk. I don't know I missed something until I'm reading other people's comments and realize they read something that I didn't. Annoying!
That's weird-- why would one part of a post show up and not another?? I type all my entries into Pages on my MacBook and copy and paste them here. The Illuminations paragraph was typed into the Pages document at a different time, but I don't see how that could make a difference. I've heard of photos being upside-down on some devices, too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Principessa_di_Fata
What a beautiful update, Laurie. Like everyone else, I'm teary and heart-heavy at your words, but at the same time, they are so positive. Right about now you should be finished with your final visit to the window... your TR's and stories from the window have brought joy to so many people, and have introduced so many people to the window! I know I never would have thought of it had it not been for your TR's!
You are so special and your presence will be missed at WDW by all of the CM's who have grown to know and love you, and by all of us who have followed your trips faithfully.
Thank you so much for sharing your final WDW journey with us. As emotional as it is, you could have kept it to yourself, and it's an honor to "come along" with you as you experience it and say goodbye.
And now I need a good cry. Goodness. I can't wait to read today's update - with tissues in hand!
Thank you, Mel, for your very sweet words. If I've encouraged people to go to the window I'm very, very happy. Today was tough, but good. I've been wondering if I've been sharing too much, but I wanted to do a TR and had to do it honestly.
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Another teary-eyed PP! You have such a good outlook on this. I'm so happy you are able to say goodbye to your happy place. I know this morning was a rough one, but I'm sure you still don't regret going and saying goodbye.
Oh boy! I've been a bit sad through this whole TR but this entry really made me tear up! You have such a great outlook. I wish I could just give you a huge hug!
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