Solo-on-a-Scooter takes the A-Train. LIVE TR, 8/29 - 9/11/2015 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Old 08-19-2015, 07:27 AM   #1
lauriep
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Solo-on-a-Scooter takes the A-Train. LIVE TR, 8/29 - 9/11/2015

Is this really happening”?

In case you’ve never met me before, I’m Laurie, 60’s, scooter-using solo traveler. I’ve made many trips to many locations around the world, but the one I keep returning to is WDW. I’m a DVC owner at Boardwalk Villas, chosen for easy proximity to Epcot. My favorite parks are Epcot and Animal Kingdom. I am known for spending all morning, every morning of my trips, at Animal Kingdom, especially the veterinary window at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. I’m obsessed with seeing every procedure I can at the window, so every morning I head to AK and take the first train to Conservation Station. Once the procedures are over, I tour the other parks, but I MUST get my AK fix first! I’ve seen many fascinating procedures over the years, from a gorilla hysterectomy to a routine wellness check on a tortoise, and I love them all. I'll be following my usual TR procedure, posting live updates with photos for each day.

This trip is an unexpected treat…. I have a progressive muscle disease and last year it moved to my heart, causing me to have a heart attack and after many lucky years of slow progress, the disease is now causing me to lose strength more quickly. I spend most of every day in bed now and I thought my traveling days were over. However, I’ve lived with this disease for years and have learned to accept the realities but to keep planning and living for the present and the future. It’s not over ’til it’s over! Realistically, this is probably my last visit to WDW, and I think of it as my “farewell tour”, but never say never.

This trip was only a “maybe” until very recently, so I’ve not had my usual trip countdown and have kept quiet on the boards about it because I had a hard time having confidence that it would really happen. If you spot me at WDW during my dates, August 29-Sept 11, please say HI! I’m not making any appointments for meets, though, because I don’t know how much time I’ll be spending resting. If your dates overlap mine and would like to chat, you can meet me any morning except Wednesdays (no vet procedures) or rainy days, in front of the Vet Window at Rafiki’s. I’ll be sitting front and center on my scooter, and would be delighted by any surprise PP ambushes!

More coming up on my plans, including the “A-Train”!
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Old 08-19-2015, 07:52 AM   #2
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Great start Laurie! I'm glad you're taking this trip and have a great attitude. We just might be ambushing you at AK!
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Old 08-19-2015, 07:56 AM   #3
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Laurie, so glad you are making the trip. Don't be surprised if you see me at the window...
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Old 08-19-2015, 08:49 AM   #4
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Glad to see you taking a trip. Maybe you will be surprised at the energy you find by being home!
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Old 08-19-2015, 09:47 AM   #5
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I must say I really enjoyed your TR with the AK Vets working on different animals. In fact I looked for to those not knowing which procedures would be next and which animal too!!!! It saddens me to think this maybe your last Trip. I will be sending you lots of Pixie Dust that this will be the best trip ever and you may have more TRs in the future!!!
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Old 08-19-2015, 11:39 AM   #6
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So happy you are able to make the trip Laurie!! Can't wait to hear all the details!
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Old 08-19-2015, 11:49 AM   #7
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Great start!
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Old 08-19-2015, 11:51 AM   #8
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Oh Laurie! I haven't been on the boards much in months, but you've always been in the back of my mind, wondering how you are doing. This TR is bittersweet for me to read. I love hearing about your adventures and it saddens me this may be the last one. My thoughts are with you my friend, and I hope this doesn't turn out to be your farewell tour.
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Old 08-19-2015, 12:08 PM   #9
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You've started! I'm looking forward to following along on an amazing trip!
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Old 08-19-2015, 12:44 PM   #10
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Oh I'm so glad this has worked out, as I know how much you were hoping to get a trip in. What a shame you're in WDW and we're in Disneyland - I had to do a double take at your dates, as they're exactly the same as ours for our upcoming trip to Alaska and California!
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Old 08-19-2015, 12:47 PM   #11
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Yay! I was so excited to see a PTR from you today, as I know you had said before that your traveling days were over. I hope this trip works out well for you and you have a wonderful time!
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Old 08-19-2015, 12:49 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by patclairesmom View Post
Great start Laurie! I'm glad you're taking this trip and have a great attitude. We just might be ambushing you at AK!
I hope you do get to AK when I'm there! It will be wonderful to meet you

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Originally Posted by Disney4us2 View Post
Laurie, so glad you are making the trip. Don't be surprised if you see me at the window...
I'll be more surprised if I DON'T see you, Marci.

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Originally Posted by Hugmonster View Post
Glad to see you taking a trip. Maybe you will be surprised at the energy you find by being home!
I'm hoping that will happen. Energized by the magic.

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Originally Posted by Roxie2006 View Post
I must say I really enjoyed your TR with the AK Vets working on different animals. In fact I looked for to those not knowing which procedures would be next and which animal too!!!! It saddens me to think this maybe your last Trip. I will be sending you lots of Pixie Dust that this will be the best trip ever and you may have more TRs in the future!!!
Thank you so much! I sometimes think I'm being so boring describing all the procedures, so I'm glad to hear you look forward to reading about them.

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Originally Posted by Colexis Mom View Post
So happy you are able to make the trip Laurie!! Can't wait to hear all the details!
Thanks, Marnie.

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Originally Posted by MayraLR View Post
Great start!
Thank you, Mayra.

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Originally Posted by num1DVCfan View Post
Oh Laurie! I haven't been on the boards much in months, but you've always been in the back of my mind, wondering how you are doing. This TR is bittersweet for me to read. I love hearing about your adventures and it saddens me this may be the last one. My thoughts are with you my friend, and I hope this doesn't turn out to be your farewell tour.
You're so sweet, Jennie. I know it will be hard when this trip is over, but right now I'm just glad to be on my way back. I hope Sean and Owen are thriving!

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You've started! I'm looking forward to following along on an amazing trip!
Thanks, Jeannie! You've been with me for all the ups and downs of making this happen.
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Old 08-19-2015, 12:51 PM   #13
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Oh I'm so glad this has worked out, as I know how much you were hoping to get a trip in. What a shame you're in WDW and we're in Disneyland - I had to do a double take at your dates, as they're exactly the same as ours for our upcoming trip to Alaska and California!
I noticed that as well, Cheryl. I'll be home in time to meet up with you in Boston next month, though!

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Yay! I was so excited to see a PTR from you today, as I know you had said before that your traveling days were over. I hope this trip works out well for you and you have a wonderful time!
Thank you, Pam. I shouldn't make predictions like that, because you never know!
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Old 08-19-2015, 01:08 PM   #14
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YAY!!!!!!! I am so glad that are going to get a trip in!! I am so looking forward to hearing all about it!
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Old 08-19-2015, 02:07 PM   #15
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So happy you have this trip planned, but sad your health and strength is not what it was when we met at The Plaza in 2014. Have a wonderful time and looking forward to seeing you in Boston at the scheduled brunch. And let me know if you need us to pick you up at your home.
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