Solo and Not So Solo TR - updated with final Magical Moment! About This Page:

[cindybelle]

Who: Me! (Cindy), along with a procession of PassPorter pals

When: Feb. 7-12, 2010

Where: BoardWalk Inn (first time stay -- loved it)

Celebrating: My upcoming 55th birthday -- which means Disneyland is turning 55 this year also


It all started innocently enough. In mid-December, a young coworker told me she was thinking about taking her 5-year-old daughter to WDW for the daughter's first trip. I knew it would be tough financially, and so I started thinking. . . . If I bought an Annual Pass and went down there the same time they did, I could book TWO ROOMS and save Amanda some money. Plus, I'd been down there in mid-February last year and had really enjoyed myself on a brief solo trip.

Of course, what ended up happening was that after Christmas Amanda realized February would be coming too fast and she wouldn't have time to save the money necessary, even with a discounted room. But by that time, I was getting excited about going anyway. . . . so what the heck, I would purchase an AP and go .

In January, I contacted Sheri (Skateycat), who as many of you know lives a couple hours south of Orlando and uses every possible excuse to make frequent visits to the happy place. She said if I could wait until the second week in Feb, she could arrange for 3 days in a row off from work. So that became my target.




Last Sunday, as an unofficial PP ambassador to the world, I packed up my AP certificate & credit cards & headed down to Orlando. Where it was cold. Not as cold as the January visitors found it, but still pretty darn cold to spend much time outside. It was overcast and in the upper 40s when I arrived, but luckily the sun came out soon after I arrived at the BW.




I walked to International Gateway (to Epcot) and activated my AP. I also purchased a Tables in Wonderland dining card, since I would be going to many table service restaurants and could reap a 20% discount on food and alcohol. (Plus, of course I'll be going BACK sometime this fall -- that AP is burning a hole in my pocket now .)

I had made a ressie for lunch at Chefs de France, so headed there next (it was about 1:00 p.m., so too early to check into the resort anyway). I wore my long-sleeved Pooh "Oh Bother" shirt as well as a Goofy sweatshirt (the only one I'd brought -- boy, did I wear that thing out), plus had my red rain jacket on top of that, and gloves (thanks to Rick, who insisted I take those with me). I felt chilled to the bone, waiting on the bench outside, but talked to a woman from Minnesota who was sleeveless , who said to me, "Aww, this is nothing. It's colder back home." I replied, "Well, yes, it's also colder in St. Louis today -- but I don't tend to sit outside in the winter there!

I hadn't planned to start imbibing that early, but a glass of Riesling would warm my insides along with a bowl of French onion soup. And that crusty bread at Chefs de France wins the Cindy award for "best bread of the trip." (I ate the entire skinny loaf by myself.)

Cheers!







I finished with some creme brulee because -- well, because I was on vacation. Lunch was

Then I took a leisurely stroll back to the BW to get settled. My luggage had already arrived.

At the check-in counter, I met a young man who immediately admired my Lumiere pin -- so I insisted on getting my picture taken with him. Lumi is simply the best character ever! (And I ended up losing my precious Lumi pin on my last morning there, so I'm glad to have some photos of it.)

[Colexis Mom]

Great start Cindy!

[Hugmonster]

Great start Cindy! Looking forward to more. I hope you have locking pin backs on your pins.

[Clarigirl]

Keep it coming Cindybelle!!

[cindybelle]

This was Super Bowl Sunday when I checked in. I had requested a "quiet location" and was a bit surprised to find my room was just steps away from the lobby. I'm giving you room numbers in case you also seek quiet -- my assigned room was 2290, which was the first room off the hallway to the lobby, and right next to the ice machine.

Now, here's where I became foolish. Just a couple weeks ago, I told a fellow PP that she should always speak up if she's unhappy with her room -- and yet I failed to do that right away. I actually UNPACKED and started taking photos of the room, which was quite spacious and lovely.









I knew Sheri would appreciate a Minnie Mouse lamp.



Heck, I even propped up a gift I'd brought for Sheri, who would be joining me a few days later. I had bought this item at a Bob Evans Restaurant back home. It's metal and comes with pages of magnetized characters from Toy Story. I made my own "building blocks" from the leftover magnetized sheets. Pretty , dontcha think?




So after unpacking EVERYTHING, I kept thinking about all the squealing kids and loud adult voices I was hearing from the hallway, and so I finally picked up the phone and requested a different room. (In case you're keeping track, I'm now leaving the spacious and lovely Room 2290 because it's too darn close to the noisy hallway and lobby, which is on the same floor.)

They sent me to Room 3238 then, which we all thought would be in a quiet location -- it's up a floor from the lobby, after all. So I crammed all my stuff back into my suitcase and went upstairs. Delighted that 3238 was in the middle of a hallway instead of at the end, I was a bit nervous that directly above my doorway was a cut-out so I could see directly above me was the Concierge Level's lounge. Incredibly noisy and excited children were dashing in and out of the lounge door.

The good news is that I didn't unpack a thing. Simply picked up the phone and explained my dilemma. I was as nice as pie, believe me. Yes, they had another room that was far-far-far down a hallway on the third floor. I'll take it!

So I ended up in Room 3320, which is near the Conference Center on the resort map. Perfect! So quiet, so remote! This room was smaller than the first one I'd been given, but had all the furnishings as that one. Home, sweet home! I spent five glorious nights in Room 3320. The beds are so comfortable there! (Sheri liked it too.)

[Minnie Lor]

Wonderful start! I'm craving another solo trip and I have a feeling that by the end of your TR, I'll book one. Love, LOVE the gift for Sheri. So very cute.

[Cam22]

Great start, Cindy! And I'm glad you decided to change to a quieter room so your stay wouldn't be spoiled. the Minnie lamp! gift for Sheri, too!

[cindybelle]

So all my moving around took more than an hour, but in the end I felt it was worth the hassle. So I unpacked one last time (in Room 3320), explored the lobby area a bit more, and then bundled up with my Goofy sweatshirt and explored the outdoor boardwalk area. So beautiful.






Flying Fish, where Sheri and I would have dinner Wednesday night. (Definitely my favorite entree of the week was there -- their signature Potato-Wrapped Red Snapper -- yum!)





For all you Yacht and Beach Club fans, here's the view from the Boardwalk side:



Then I decided to go out front and take the tram to the MK. Because when you're traveling solo, you can do whatever you want -- whenever you want.

[Minnie Lor]

Originally Posted by cindybelle

Because when you're traveling solo, you can do whatever you want -- whenever you want.

and that's my favorite part.

[goofysdtr]

Except for the room problems, sounds like a great start! That french onion soup looks quite tasty.

[oldmom]

great start!

[islandgirl]

Great start! Don't blame you for moving to another room.

[cindybelle]

I knew Disney was expecting huge crowds, since MK was having EMH until 1:00 a.m. But it was such a beautiful afternoon, and I wanted to explore the MK -- even if I rode few attractions.

Could the sky be any bluer?



I especially wanted to pay my respects to Roy and Minnie on this trip.



And of course, it's important that all Cindys check on "our" castle.



From one Cindy to another -- good afternoon, Your Majesty!



A bit out of focus, but you'll forgive me I'm sure!


.

[cindybelle]

The park didn't seem too terribly crowded Sunday afternoon, so can you guess which attraction I managed to enjoy twice that day?

Looking down:


Looking on the doors to the theater:



Thank goodness, Goofy reminded me to pick up my "opry glasses."



Then, even though Mickey's Toon Town is still very much up and running, I had to ride Goofy's Barnstormer -- who knows how much longer it will be called that?

Gawrsh!


I wandered happily throughout the park. I picked up a FP for Space Mountain which had a return time of 8:00-9:00, so I planned to visit that after Wishes.

I stopped at Pinocchio's Village Haus for a meatball sub (because a fellow PassPorter had recommended it). It didn't thrill me, but the fries were exceptionally good for a counter service meal. The drawings are so cute -- sorry this one is blurry, but it's so old-fashioned looking that I simply must include it. I hadn't been inside this building in about 20 years!



By the time I finished eating, it was dark -- uh oh! I figured I was too late to grab a good spot for the fireworks, so I set up my lightweight tripod BEHIND the castle, with Cinderella's Golden Carrousel to my immediate right. A small crowd assumed I knew what I was doing and assembled behind me. I was right behind the rope. Of course, we had to turn around to see most of the fireworks -- but I kept my camera trained on the back of the castle, to capture any pretty colors, sparks, or smoke that drifted by. Hang on, dear readers -- those photos will be next!

[cindybelle]

So here I am, shivering and trying to take pictures without removing my gloves. As I said, most of the fireworks were behind me, but I kept my tripod facing the back of the castle so I could capture how the colors and sparks would affect that view. Here are my favorites. (On the right side is a flag from Cinderella's Golden Carrousel.)













It turned out to be a pretty good location, especially since I wanted to get to Tomorrowland afterwards. The ropes were still up, but I took the back ways to Space Mountain for my solo flight. Then I started feeling tired. Part of me said, "Keep going! It's EMH!" So I did walk onto Buzz Lightyear, where I did my usual lousy job against Evil Emperor Zurg -- but I won, since no one was sitting next to me!

I decided to call it a day, but then remembered my resolve to get a Dole Whip Float. Now, it's dark and fairly cold outside -- but what the heck? So I strolled over the bridge to the Aloha Isle and asked if I could get a Dole Float to go. They aren't equipped for that, but the helpful cast member put my cup into a much larger cardboard cup so I could sneak spoonfuls (and "strawfuls" of the pineapple juice) while I was on board the tram back to the BW. (Don't tell! )

I stopped at the General Store on the Boardwalk to purchase some snacks and beer. Then I turned on the TV as I ate my goodies and anesthetized myself with the beer. I slept v-e-r-y well that night. That wonderful bed,those cozy surroundings -- and the silence. Ahh yes, it was worth changing rooms.
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