Solo adventure: 9/19-9/23!

[supernova]

The countdown begins for my solo trip, where I'm spending one day at Wilderness Lodge, and then the next three days I'll be loopin' my way around the World!

Originally, I booked nights at Polynesian, Contemporary, and Grand Flordian, but realized that it didn't make sense to arrive on a Sunday when I could fly down on Saturday instead. So I booked one night at my DVC home resort of Wilderness Lodge.

I decided to order one magic band for each night of my stay (hey, they offered, so why not?). I have never bothered making an ADR or any FastPass reservations (it's not my style to plan out anything months in advance... I do everything on the fly). This time, I thought I'd give it a full try with the My Disney Experience, so I booked two meals and one FastPass. This will be my first time using the Dining Plan, and based on the cost, I don't expect to use it again. I don't spend $66 on two meals ever, so I'm splurging one night.

Here's my agenda so far:
Sat 9/19 - Fly into MCO, grab my rental car, drive for an early lunch at Bahama Breeze, then visit Walmart for groceries. Hopefully by then, it's nearly time to check into Wilderness Lodge. For the rest of the day, I may explore the other resorts.

Sunday 9/20 - Mickey's Halloween Party in the evening. I'll probably visit the Premium Outlets that afternoon and then hit up one of the Disney surplus stores. Back in time to check in to Bay Lake Tower. Not sure what I'll be doing that evening, but I have a water view to watch the water parade from my room.

Monday 9/21 - Universal Studios during the day. Then I check into Polynesian for a night in a Bungalo. That night, I have dinner reservations for my sit-down meal at Tratoria Al Forno on the Boardwalk. From there I'll probably spend the rest of the night walking the Boardwalk before going back and watching Wishes from my Bungalow deck.

Tuesday 9/22 - Drive over to Epcot and leave the car in the lot at 8am. Soarin', Test Track, Mission: Space, Nemo, Imagination, and then head to Magic Kingdom. I have an 11:00 ADR at Be Our Guest, which will be my table service credit from Monday's meal plan. After seeing what has a short line, I'll head to DHS for a 2pm FastPass on Midway Mania, ride Star Tours, and then walk around a bit. I'll hop a bus over to Animal Kingdom for a late afternoon Safari, ride Dinosaur, and walk the park. That night, I'm back to Epcot to explore the park at night. Get in my car while the rest of the world is fighting for a bus or monorail, and head back to Grand Floridian for the night.

Wednesday 9/23 - Drive over to Saratoga Springs resort and leave the car near the Grand Stand. From there, I'll walk the river across the entire property and enter DTD's Marketplace. Shop for a bit, lunch at Earl of Sandwich, and then relax at the pool. Not sure what else I'll be doing, but my flight isn't until 8:30 that night.

I'm four days from my 9am flight and am psyched for the trip. Anyone else going to be at WDW this coming weekend?

SO MUCH WASTED PACKAGING!!! REALLY DISNEY???????

 

[Nanaji]

Hey there, that's a very ambitious trip. Sounds like you have it all in order though. I am heading out in a month (and five days). Staying at POFQ for the first time. I miss being at Disney with my sister. We have had many great trips but find it hard to go together since our farm sitter moved away. So we have had solo trips the last three years. But we agree, there are many advantages to the solo trip.

I hope you have a great time.

PS - Yes the packaging is too much. It would be a good place for Disney to economize and set a good environmental example.

 

[Elevationist]

Love it! This is rather similar to what I'm thinking of doing 5 years or so from now, for my 40th birthday trip (December 2020). Except for me, I am thinking 2 nights at each monorail resort!

 

[supernova]

Hey there, that's a very ambitious trip. Sounds like you have it all in order though. I am heading out in a month (and five days). Staying at POFQ for the first time. I miss being at Disney with my sister. We have had many great trips but find it hard to go together since our farm sitter moved away. So we have had solo trips the last three years. But we agree, there are many advantages to the solo trip.

I hope you have a great time.

PS - Yes the packaging is too much. It would be a good place for Disney to economize and set a good environmental example.

They could have fit all four bands into one box. Now all four boxes are in the garbage, one band will be in a ziplock and placed into my suitcase (which I'm carrying on).

Haven't stayed at POFQ yet. There are a few resorts I haven't tried. But I've visited POFQ a few times. I enjoy walking around the grounds, and the gift shop is one of the better resort shops on property!

 

[supernova]

Love it! This is rather similar to what I'm thinking of doing 5 years or so from now, for my 40th birthday trip (December 2020). Except for me, I am thinking 2 nights at each monorail resort!

If I wasn't going back in December for a week, I would have used more points. Still, I have 214 left to use before June 2016 so I guess I'll be booking them. Just a matter of having the rest of the time off from work.

 

[JazzyJ622]

I fly in on Friday the 18th... doing MK/Epcot on 9/19, DHS on 9/20, AK/MK on 9/21, taking a few days break due to work convention.. then back at DHS/MK on 9/24 and the Halloween Party on 9/25. Crazy I'm all over the place but going solo allows you to do that

I also have ADR's at BoG, 50's Prime Time and Sci-Fi as well.
Should be a fun trip! Have fun!

 

[supernova]

I fly in on Friday the 18th... doing MK/Epcot on 9/19, DHS on 9/20, AK/MK on 9/21, taking a few days break due to work convention.. then back at DHS/MK on 9/24 and the Halloween Party on 9/25. Crazy I'm all over the place but going solo allows you to do that

I also have ADR's at BoG, 50's Prime Time and Sci-Fi as well.
Should be a fun trip! Have fun!

Sounds like an awesome plan. Are you going to need all day at DHS on the 20th or should you split the day? Unless you have work-related stuff that day. Can't see spending any more than a couple of hours at the park.