Annabel's Solo Adventures - Completed 8/28 About This Page:

[Annabel]

[ QUOTE ]
I thought "squash" was a term for soda/pop whatever we call it?

[/ QUOTE ]

We call squash the fruit cordial you buy in the supermarket that you dilute with water

Annabel

[Annabel]

Day Two – The One with My First Spectromagic

I was woken up at 6am by hubby, which was a nice wake-up call. We had a nice chat for about 20 minutes, then I got up to get ready for early magic hour at the Magic Kingdom. I just missed a bus but only had to wait about 5 minutes for the next one. It took about 15 minutes to get there. I can’t describe how I felt going through the Magic Kingdom gates.





Overwhelmed would be a good word! But I knew I would really well-up at my first glimpse of Cinderella’s Castle, just as you round the corner at Main Street USA. The queues to get in were big already but first I had to activate my annual pass. I’d bought it over the phone before I left. Luckily there was no queue – yay! I picked up my pass no problem, except that for the first one she put Andrew instead of Annabel so I had to explain that my husband had paid for it and showed her my passport. I then made my way to queue up. I noticed on the way that all the 75 Mickey statues had gone – shame really as I’d only ever gotten one picture. By now it was 7.40am so I didn’t have long to wait. Just before 8am, music started playing and they announced that there were some families sprinkling pixie dust to officially open the park. This was my first Magic Kingdom opening.

I put my annual pass in the slot and had to have my fingers scanned which was cool. They announced that the park was officially open and told everyone to walk slowly – yeah right, it was more like a stampede! I love that first look at Main Street USA as you exit the tunnel just passed the lockers and stroller pick-up. As expected, I got a little teary-eyed at my first look at the castle – it was superb!







One of my favourite rides at the Magic Kingdom is the Tomorrowland Transit Authority and I couldn’t wait to ride it. I followed people who were making their way to Tomorrowland via the front of the Plaza Pavilion. I love Tomorrowland, the theming is brilliant. There was no queue for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin so on I went. Brilliant fun, I love this ride – although the ride broke down just as you enter the escape hatch. A couple of minutes later, we were off again. I scored about 10,000 – not bad for my first go in about 6 months. I looked at my ride photo and I looked like I was concentrating too hard so I ignored it.







I came out and headed up to catch the TTA. I had a whole train to myself, yay! I love this ride so much. I took some great photos on it.









As we pass the Stitch Encounter, I could hear Stitch making noises and talking, how cool was that!



Once off the TTA, I noticed that the Carousel of Progress was open. I’ve always wanted to see this but it’s always been shut on previous visits. There were only 4 of us in there. I really enjoyed the show.



After, I noticed there was only a 15 minute standby time for Buzz so I joined the queue – it was less than 5 minutes and then I was back shooting the Z’s. This time I got a respectable 68,000. I looked at the ride photo again and I had a huge cheesy grin on my face so I bought the photo for hubby (I shall scan this once I get my scanner working).

Not sure what this is going to be?



I stopped for a drink at the Lunching Pad and went to go on the TTA again but the CM wouldn’t let me on with my drink I walked over the concourse to Fantasyland to see what was occurring.





The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, another favourite ride, had a 20 minute wait posted so I kept walking to check out Snow White’s Scary Adventures, where there was only a 5 minute wait. I walked back to Pooh and grabbed my first fastpass, woohoo. I love the fast pass facility, it’s brilliant!



I walked back to Snow White and within 2 minutes, I was in my mine cart. This is a nice ride, a little scary for small kids I think though – I heard a few screams while I was in there! From here, I wandered to Mickey’s PhilharMagic and there was no line, so within 5 minutes I was seated about 5 rows from the front and watching this fantastic show.





I really love it. I got a little tearful during the Peter Pan sequence, I don’t know why – maybe it was starting to sink in that I was really here. I enjoyed it so much and I still had time until my fastpass for Winnie the Pooh so I went in again. I had a 15 minute wait this time but it was worth it. This time, I sat at the back. The ending is so cute, no everyone knows about Donald’s bum sticking out of the wall behind you.

Next up, it was next door to Peter Pan’s Flight. My fastpass window had opened up so I was able to grab a fastpass for Peter Pan. I went and took my ride on Pooh – this ride is fantastic. I love bouncing round with Tigger, it always makes me laugh. I had a little look through Pooh’s Thotful Shop afterwards.



By now, it was 11am and as I hadn’t stopped for breakfast this morning, I was starving. I went to Cosmic Ray’s for a bacon cheeseburger and fries, although I left most of my fries. I snuck in another ride on TTA before heading back to Fantasyland for my Peter Pan’s Flight fastpass. This ride is so cute. I’d only ridden it once before and because I’d been a little nervous, I missed most of the scenery, so this time I had a good look around. The set is wonderful.



By now, it was boiling hot and I was exhausted so it was time to head back to Pop Century for a break. I headed off, knowing I’d be back later for Wishes and my first ever Spectromagic. I had a 10 minute wait for my bus. On the way back, our bus driver got lost briefly and pulled into the turning before Pop Century which had no signs but I think it lead to the Caribbean Beach resort – oops!! Then it was straight back to my room for a shower. I then spoke to hubby for awhile and curled up for a sleep. I had a plan to pop over to Downtown Disney late afternoon before heading back to Magic Kingdom so I set the alarm for 4.30pm. Last look at the clock, it was about 2pm. Next thing I knew, it was 7pm! I remember the alarm going off but I must have turned over and gone back to sleep – oops!

Part 2 of Day 2 continued in the next post....

[Annabel]

continued....

I showered and got dressed and tried to decide where to eat. I settled for the food court and had a chili cheese hotdog, which was delicious. I didn’t even have to wait 5 minutes for the bus so 20 minutes later, I was having my fingers scanned again and I was back on Main Street USA.



I headed to the station to catch the train. I wasn’t sure whether I was going to take a round trip so I decided to just see as I went along.



In the end, I got off at Mickey’s Toontown Fair to walk the path through to Tomorrowland.



This path is great and within 5 minutes, I was passing Space Mountain.







First stop, the TTA.







Then more Buzz Lightyear as there was a 15 minute standby – again it was more like 5 minutes. The ride broke down again. I carried on firing at the targets, keeping my thumb down on the firing button and I found a 5,000 target. Next thing I knew, I’m on 199,500 – woohoo! Five minutes later, the ride restarted and by the end, I had just over 200,000 – my biggest score ever so I made planetary pilot

I made my way back to Fantasyland.



There was a 35 minute wait for Winnie the Pooh so I carried on going. I wanted to see Wishes at 10pm and it was just gone 9pm. Another showing of Mickey’s PhilharMagic was in order then. After, I went to grab a drink and find a spot for Wishes. I’d left it a bit late to get a decent view so I didn’t see all of it. What I saw was great though.









There was a second showing of Spectromagic tonight at 11pm so I people-watched for awhile before finding a spot on the pavement by the hub.



I was so excited as I’d never seen Spectromagic before. It did not disappoint! I loved it, it’s fantastic and the floats look amazing. I got some great pictures to show hubby.

























Once it was over, it was back to Main Street USA. I noticed Casey’s Corner was still open so I grabbed a drink and a small hotdog. You can’t beat the hotdogs at Casey’s, they’re incredible. I sat down to eat before continuing.





As guest services was still open, I went in to see if there were any tickets remaining for Monday nights E-ride night. There were plenty left so I left guest services $12.78 lighter and with the precious ticket in my pocket. I hadn’t even been standing at the bus stop for a minute when a bus arrived. 15 minutes later, I was walking back to my room. It was just gone midnight so I sat up writing my trip report and waited for hubby to ring. I was in bed by 2am.

[luvnwdwgal]

I'm really enjoying this Annabel!! Love all the pictures!!
More please!!

[pparm]

Annabel,
I am really enjoying this wonderful report! I can't wait to read the rest. As I'm sitting here reading, I find I'm almost jealous that you took a solo trip! Good for you!!! ALthough I love DH and sons dearly and would be worried about missing them, I think it would be the coolest thing to go solo!
Paula º0º

[Colexis Mom]

What a great day Annabel! Sounds like you definitely needed that nap though after all that walking around! Great pictures as well

Keep it coming

[karmic]

Wow, Annabel- your pictures are wonderful. Thanks for the update -looking forward to more

[BritDisFan]

I love your pictures of Spectro Annabel, looking forward to more.

Karen

[LBAK]

Your pictures are great! It's putting my whole family in the Disney mood. We head there in 17 days.

[katspjs]

What a great TR! Can't wait for the next installment. The photos are fantastic!!

[Tink and co.]

Sounds like a great trip so far! I can't wait to hear more! Thanks for sharing!

[wdw4me]

Annabel, I am really enjoying your TR. Thanks for the Spectro pictures, I've never seen it (but plan on changing that when I go in Sept)

Can't wait for the next installment!

[Jennifer2003]

33 degrees! LOL
Glad you arrived safe and sound, and looking forward to more!

Jennifer

[poohmaine]

I am really enjoying your report. You got some wonderful photos!

[ngaill]

Annabel, I luv the pics. And I luv reading your trip report. How was it going solo? Did you miss having someone with you to share in it or were you so happy to be at the Happpiest place on earth? I'm thinking of going alone and was curious.