Hippos and Tigers and Flowers, Oh My! - A Solo March '18 TR - COMPLETED 7/13 - Final Thoughts+New TR

Love your Fiona shirt! I’m from Cincinnati and we love our girl here. :love: Your trip report made me buy another Fiona t-shirt, so now I own 3! :rotfl::rotfl:

Great trip report, I really enjoyed reading it!
Ooh, I love Fiona so much! I'm probably going to get a Christmas version of the shirt to wear in December!

I hope so! It would be awesome to meet up with you in Japan!
I know-that'd be awesome! I was able to get 2 Dismeets in Paris, it'd be great to have one in Japan too!

Really enjoyed your trip report. Also DL local and was at WDW right after you in March. And then heading there again in September. Will you be at Disneyland for the anniversary next week? We will be there Monday=Wednesday at Grand Californian using some of my DVC points.
I am probably heading there on Saturday (tomorrow!), but I don't know yet if I'll be there mid-week! Let me know if you ever want to have a dismeet!
 
Thank you for sharing the ice cream selections from Ample Hills Creamery. We are staying at Boardwalk in a few months, and I cannot wait to try it. I've waited years!

Heading over to Paris report. . .
 
What things did I do for strangers, and were they considered creepy or helpful? Held a kid on my shoulders, took photos for another family and texted them over, gave a slice of my pizza to a couple; I think we've agreed it's helpful(?)

I think all those things were helpful, but when you list them all at once it makes me laugh :goodvibes

And of course, my almost biweekly trips to Disneyland!

Killing me :sad::sad::sad:

Awesome report!
 
This was very earthy. Most reviewers said it was more like turkey than duck, and I guess I would agree that if you like turkey, you'd like this one, though I don't know specifically what duck is supposed to taste like... (I did end up finding out what Duck is really like in France, and *spoiler alert*, I loved it!) There wasn't a lot of sauce, but it did provide a nice flavoring for the gnocchi. The gnocchi themselves were very light, though the ones at the edge were a bit dried out from being kept in the warmer; I preferred the ones in the center bottom, which were still moist. I did like this dish very much though.

Ooh I like duck too but it has to be prepared well, otherwise I find it a bit weird tasting. Glad you had some good duck in France!

And for my final Flower and Garden dish, which was also my only repeat-Frushi! It was also super fresh, as they had just brought out some more trays from the kitchen. And so yummy!

OMwRggt.jpg

Yay Frushi!! I cannot wait...

I tried samples of 3 flavors, Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, Baked/Unbaked, and Sally Sells Seashells. I ended up deciding to go with Baked/Unbaked [Vanilla ice cream with pieces of housemade chocolate chip cookies and brown butter cookie dough], though I wish I had gone with Ooey Gooey Butter Cake after all (I think I’ll have plenty of time when I’m staying at the Boardwalk in December).

I had the Oooey Gooey too, and I only had a cup and I had to share with Steve and we could also barely finish it together! So rich! It's good though.

Instead, I ended up grabbing a sub at Firehouse Subs. (and of course forgot to take a photo of said sandwich). I think in the future, I may go over to DS and try to get a sandwich from Earl of Sandwich for the trip home; I’ve had their stuff even a day-old and it’s still yummy!

Yum, I love EoS.

I did like my bulkhead seat; I couldn’t keep my bag during takeoff, but during the flight I brought it down and under my knees, and the flight attendants didn’t care that it was there during landing (I was at a window seat). It was a full flight, so no empty center seat, but my seatmates ended up being really cool and we chatted a bunch during boarding, before they both konked out (it was one young guy coming back from a cruise, and another young woman who had flown out from LA that morning to drop her dog off with her parents, rather than pay for a petsitter for a month - the flight attendants were very confused since she was on the morning flight with a dog, then in the same seat for an evening flight, sans dog!).

Wow, that is a lot of effort but I guess a plane ticket is less expensive than a petsitter for a month!

1 hour after landing (!!!) the suitcases finally came out! It was so ridiculous and everyone was very annoyed. I even went over to baggage to find out what was going on, and I guess a bunch of flights arrived at the same time, and our flight in particular had over 100 pieces of luggage, so it took them lots of time, but I just thought-didn’t you know that in advance? :confused3

Why is it always LAX where I run into baggage issues?!

Solo trips: This was absolutely awesome and I would not hesitate to do it again (and well, I have 2 upcoming solo-Disney trips planned). I have never been scared of solo travelling, as I described in my intro – if I have to wait for someone else to be interested, I’m never going to have any fun! But I always thought Disney was a bit too awkward to do solo. Even a few years ago it was hard for me to do Disneyland solo for just a few hours (if I was waiting for my sister to show up). Gradually I got more comfortable with doing solo trips to Disneyland (and majority of the time I am alone). But again, WDW felt like a different animal. But I quickly discovered, it is so much easier to do it alone! No needing to consider other people’s schedules or wants. I can just do what I want, when I want!

I had so much fun solo, I'm gonna have to do it again!

Food: I definitely had better food experiences this time than last time - not that I didn't like it last time, I just focused more on the big name places, rather than high-quality places. I loved Tiffins, so will be going again (and again)! And I loved so much of the food at Flower and Garden (it's more my style than the food from Food & Wine). In the future I will also be focusing even more on the resort hotel restaurants, not just the in-park ones.

Yay for Tiffins!!

Flower and Garden: GORGEOUS! So far my favorite time to visit WDW. And hey...maybe I'll be back sooner rather than later!

What! This is the first time I'm hearing of this! :littleangel:

Future trips:
1) June 2018 - Disneyland Paris - well, this actually is in the past, but I still have to get the Trip Report going!
2) December 2018 - Disneyworld at Christmas - I will be at WDW for 10 nights and I can't wait to see everything!
3) February 2019 - Disney Cruise - I will be taking a 4-night Disney cruise and adding on a few Disney days on each end! Also can't wait for that relaxation level!
4) ... still in the planning phases and should be announced sometime soon!
5) Fall 2019 - Tokyo Disney? This is definitely in the schematic design phase and I'm pricing it all out!
6) ... another one that is very very hazy, and I probably won't make any decisions until later this year or early next year!

:rolleyes1

Thanks for this awesome TR! And your final thoughts are a great way to wrap up!! :)
 


The ending of your trip looks like it was so relaxing. I love sitting on a bench at Epcot and having a snack and soaking it all in! I love the Vie En La Rose Slushie! I am sad I wont be able to have it come September and November. I am sure I will survive somehow though. Those ice creams look amazing! I am staying at the Yacht Club in September and may have to mosey over to the Boardwalk for one of those! Good to know about the cost of the Uber. I have often wondered if it would be easier to just uber to the airport rather than wait for DME.
 
I got so far behind on your trip report, but I read it all and loved it!!

Im glad you had such a wonderful trip and enjoyed AKL. If you do go moderate I highly recommend Port Orleans - either one!! I can't wait to read about all your future trips (and hopefully meet you on one of your future trips) and I promise to be better about staying up to speed!
 


Thank you for sharing the ice cream selections from Ample Hills Creamery. We are staying at Boardwalk in a few months, and I cannot wait to try it. I've waited years!

Heading over to Paris report. . .
Yum! Make sure to get samples of all the ones, they are more than generous!

I think all those things were helpful, but when you list them all at once it makes me laugh :goodvibes



Killing me :sad::sad::sad:

Awesome report!
Thanks!

What! This is the first time I'm hearing of this! :littleangel:

:rolleyes1

Thanks for this awesome TR! And your final thoughts are a great way to wrap up!! :)
Haha! :rotfl:

The ending of your trip looks like it was so relaxing. I love sitting on a bench at Epcot and having a snack and soaking it all in! I love the Vie En La Rose Slushie! I am sad I wont be able to have it come September and November. I am sure I will survive somehow though. Those ice creams look amazing! I am staying at the Yacht Club in September and may have to mosey over to the Boardwalk for one of those! Good to know about the cost of the Uber. I have often wondered if it would be easier to just uber to the airport rather than wait for DME.
Uber was so much more convenient for me. I may end up Ubering from MCO to AK in December so I don't have the delays and can actually get into the park!

Great recap! I'm glad you had such an awesome trip, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading!

I got so far behind on your trip report, but I read it all and loved it!!

Im glad you had such a wonderful trip and enjoyed AKL. If you do go moderate I highly recommend Port Orleans - either one!! I can't wait to read about all your future trips (and hopefully meet you on one of your future trips) and I promise to be better about staying up to speed!
We stayed at POFQ in September and it was lovely! We also walked a bit around POR. Right now I definitely want to avoid CSR and CBR with all the construction, plus they just seem extra spread-out (at least POR is sort of arranged in a circle)!
 
Sounds like a great last day, except for waiting for luggage, ugh. I really enjoyed your trip report and I'm looking forward to your next one. :)
 
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Starting to get caught up! I love your mantra of just going out and enjoying vacation without waiting on anyone to join in!
Preview Post - Flower and Garden Food!

I definitely tried my fill of Flower and Garden and hit pretty much everything on my list!
My kinda Diser, getting straight to the important stuff :thumbsup2

but I don’t like butter,
:scared1:

I wish I didn't like butter!

I wasn’t as big a fan of the mac and cheese (the bobotie gave it a crunch and a spice, which isn’t to my liking)
:scared1::scared1::scared1:

It's okay, we can still be friends. I think they have since taken this off the menu which makes me SO SAD. It was my favorite thing ever. We even got an extra side of it when we went back after having it on a previous trip, I thought it was THAT good. But it's definitely not a classic mac n cheese and the flavors are unusual. Bobotie typically has nuts in it (almonds, if I'm remembering correctly) and that's why it's crunchy. No matter what Jiko puts on the menu to accompany that amazing filet you can always request an "off menu" substitution of the classic mac n cheese :thumbsup2 which is creamy decadence.

Great, now where can I get mac n cheese for breakfast... hahaha

I made a quick detour over to the Mara to get some zebra domes for my room (maybe for breakfast, since I was too full from dinner
:banana:

Good call!

It's a bummer that they punked you on the partial savanna view but it sounds like it ended up working out due to the convenience of your room. I'm a HUGE AKL fan so I've come to love those rooms on Ostrich and... giraffe(?? Suddenly blanking) but I totally get the disappointment, especially after you were notified of a different room. It sounds like you were cool about it though which is nice of you!

I'll keep reading and am looking forward to catching up!
 
I just caught up on this TR and your previous TR. Both were such great trips!

I can't wait to read the DLP TR! My family and I went to Paris last November and spur of the moment decided to spend the evening in Disneyland Paris! I wish we could have done more time there but it was so magical regardless!

I agree you are very helpful and I'm glad everyone was receptive to your helpfulness! I've tried to be helpful in the past and sometimes I get weird looks (but i think maybe in Disney everyone's just so happy and appreciates the pixie dust wherever they can get it!)

I may have to PM you about getting two FP for FOP. I'm curious as to how this is a thing! No judgement, I just want to know the secret! haha
 
Sounds like a great list day, except for waiting for luggage, ugh. I really enjoyed your trip report and I'm looking forward to your next one. :)
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it - I like reliving the trip and the magic!

Starting to get caught up! I love your mantra of just going out and enjoying vacation without waiting on anyone to join in!

My kinda Diser, getting straight to the important stuff :thumbsup2


:scared1:

I wish I didn't like butter!


:scared1::scared1::scared1:

It's okay, we can still be friends. I think they have since taken this off the menu which makes me SO SAD. It was my favorite thing ever. We even got an extra side of it when we went back after having it on a previous trip, I thought it was THAT good. But it's definitely not a classic mac n cheese and the flavors are unusual. Bobotie typically has nuts in it (almonds, if I'm remembering correctly) and that's why it's crunchy. No matter what Jiko puts on the menu to accompany that amazing filet you can always request an "off menu" substitution of the classic mac n cheese :thumbsup2 which is creamy decadence.

Great, now where can I get mac n cheese for breakfast... hahaha


:banana:

Good call!

It's a bummer that they punked you on the partial savanna view but it sounds like it ended up working out due to the convenience of your room. I'm a HUGE AKL fan so I've come to love those rooms on Ostrich and... giraffe(?? Suddenly blanking) but I totally get the disappointment, especially after you were notified of a different room. It sounds like you were cool about it though which is nice of you!

I'll keep reading and am looking forward to catching up!
Sorry for disappointing with my food oddities! I definitely am picky and I know what I like and what I don't. But I'm glad I ventured outside my comfort zone for Tiffins!

That's a good thing I didn't know about the nuts in Bobotie...I also don't like nuts! Or milk. Or anything spicy. Or avocados (this is important because we have an avocado tree in our backyard and in a good year we can get over 1,000 perfect, huge, avocados)! Or lots of other things...

I probably would have been more made about the room mix-up if it had been a longer trip and I had planned on spending more time on the balcony. Also the CM at the front desk was a bit flustered and still in training, so I didn't want to mix her up more than necessary!

I just caught up on this TR and your previous TR. Both were such great trips!

I can't wait to read the DLP TR! My family and I went to Paris last November and spur of the moment decided to spend the evening in Disneyland Paris! I wish we could have done more time there but it was so magical regardless!

I agree you are very helpful and I'm glad everyone was receptive to your helpfulness! I've tried to be helpful in the past and sometimes I get weird looks (but i think maybe in Disney everyone's just so happy and appreciates the pixie dust wherever they can get it!)

I may have to PM you about getting two FP for FOP. I'm curious as to how this is a thing! No judgement, I just want to know the secret! haha
Thanks for reading! You can definitely PM me; I can't guarantee the method I used will work for you, but I'll clue you in!
 
Sorry for disappointing with my food oddities! I definitely am picky and I know what I like and what I don't. But I'm glad I ventured outside my comfort zone for Tiffins!

Not disappointed at all! Always love reading about Disney food, no matter whatever floats your boat! I'm caught up through page 7... I will get there! hahaha
 
I made it over to read your ending to your trip.

Glad you had a good solo trip! Kind of knew that, as you have more planned!

I can't wait to try Flower and Garden ourselves!
 
Hi Lesley just getting started on this TR.


but I was able to use the Change Party technique to give it over to someone else who would use it!
This explains your friends FB post about change party no longer available on their app.

I was hoping to get a pixie-dusted upgrade to Savannah view, or at least get a partial savannah view room, but they weren’t able to help with that (partially my mistake because I had done online check-in, partially because I had booked through Undercover Tourist instead of direct to Disney, and partially because the receptionist was still in training so wasn't as comfortable with the reservation system)...
I love AKL. Sorry you didn't get a Savanna view. We've stayed Savanna view twice and don't know if I could stay standard here now that I'm spoiled.

That is a cool placemat

I made a quick detour over to the Mara to get some zebra domes for my room
I was hoping to here this ZD prolly my favorite snack on property

Another thing, the room at AKl didn’t have a clock.
ugh

How could you decide which flavors.......I'd have to try them all.

Zach and I have both done the Void before
Can you explain the Void, I've never heard of it? Yay for getting to spend time with Zach. I've read his cruise TR and started but never completed his last one in DL

So in all, while I can tell Skipper Canteen is a wonderful themed and I think it provides great food options for MK, it’s a bit too adventurous for me. I would recommend to anyone interested in the menu, but for me, it's one and done.
We had ADR's here and I ended up cancelling a day before just because the menu didn't seem appealing to us. Your report makes me happy about this decision.

I was excited though because I caught Leota with her eyes open!
Ha I had no idea her eyes opened.

Cute MS

It did get annoying though when other people would just come up and stand in the shot, so the PP had to keep shooing them away; a common occurrence on this trip!
This happened constantly on our last trip. I thought it funny that some of the PP would get so upset about it.

Looking forward to finishing your TR in the next night or 2.
 
Got to finish this great TR tonight.




why don’t you take a slice? He tried to say no, but I know he wanted it, so I insisted, and he finally was like, well, ok! And he also really loved it, so was very appreciative. When they were done, they also had some extra slices, so offered me one (I ended up eating ½ of my pizza, gave him ¼, and boxed up the last slice), but I laughingly declined again.

So, one last vote-helpful or creepy?
I've eaten here twice and each time I saw tables share their za's. Not creepy but we see lot's if this stuff in the midwest.

Checked out a bit more of the restaurant, and I loved the pizza ovens!
I'm sure you knew this lil bit of trivia, their named after the 3 volcanoes in Italy.

I went back to my room and got changed, but not into PJs. Nope it was hot tub time again! :bitelip:
So nice that you were able to enjoy the hot tub so much. This resort is so lovely and has so much to do. Glad you got to experience some of it.

I need this ms

At the end the grandma looked at the kid and was like-I love you, but I am never doing that again!
:lmao:

I chatted a bit with a CM who worked in that area and he said once they start in the morning, they can just carry on for hours!
Your Gibbons video was so cool. I think had I experienced it in real life I think it would have brought tears to my eyes.

Ok, so the tour is finally over! Wow, I had a lot to write about it! But as I said at the beginning-I LOVED IT
You have me wanting to do this tour now. If only I was willing to part w/ the $.

3) February 2019 - Disney Cruise - I will be taking a 4-night Disney cruise and adding on a few Disney days on each end! Also can't wait for that relaxation level!
So are you doing this solo? If so did you have to pay full price for your cabin? Now off to bookmark your PAris trip. Thanks For taking the time to write this up.
 
What a great trip! Excited to read about Disneyland Paris too :)

And I love your point about traveling solo - most of my solo travel has been due to work but I LOVE that time whenever I get it to wander and do things on my own schedule. I think I would really really enjoy a solo Disney World trip.
 
SO late to the party- but I just found your awesome trip report. I love reading trip reports! Your trip sounds awesome. I would love to travel solo- I need to get my nerve up and just do it.

Thanks for sharing your adventures!
 
I saw these comments, but forgot to respond until now! Thanks you guys for reading along!

I made it over to read your ending to your trip.

Glad you had a good solo trip! Kind of knew that, as you have more planned!

I can't wait to try Flower and Garden ourselves!
Flower and Garden was so awesome! You guys definitely need to check it out one year!

I love AKL. Sorry you didn't get a Savanna view. We've stayed Savanna view twice and don't know if I could stay standard here now that I'm spoiled.
I know, I really want to go back and splurge on a Savanna view!

How could you decide which flavors.......I'd have to try them all.
Haha, well it helps that I'm so picky (no nuts, not a lot of fruit), so didn't have as many options to go through!

Can you explain the Void, I've never heard of it? Yay for getting to spend time with Zach. I've read his cruise TR and started but never completed his last one in DL
So, the Void is a Virtual Reality experience. Right now it's Star Wars themed, though there are rumors Wreck-it-Ralph could come to it in the Fall/Winter. You go in teams of up to 4 people, and end up wearing a vest and helmet set, which hold all the computers and everything. When the screen is down, that is all you see, so it truly feels like you are in the action! In the SW scenario, you are supposed to be dressed as stormtroopers, so if you look around you can see everyone else in their outfits, and even if you put your hand out in front, you can see your fingers move! It's so trippy! You end up going through several rooms, which really are right next to each other, but it feels like you are travelling farther distances, like flying in a spaceship or taking a speeder over lava! They have one at Disney Springs, one at Disneyland, plus several others (I know Vegas, another place in LA, some places in Europe, etc)-it's not a Disney company, just licenses Disney IP. They can easily change theme too, since they just need to switch the posters/software, not the actual sets! It's definitely a fun thing to try out!

We had ADR's here and I ended up cancelling a day before just because the menu didn't seem appealing to us. Your report makes me happy about this decision.
Yeah, I wonder if it's gone down recently, as I've read other not-so-good reviews too. I think someone at Tiffins said they stole the Jiko chef, so maybe that's it?

This happened constantly on our last trip. I thought it funny that some of the PP would get so upset about it.
It must be exasperating for them! But I appreciate them making the effort so you don't have a random person in your shots!

Got to finish this great TR tonight.
Wow-I'm impressed!

I've eaten here twice and each time I saw tables share their za's. Not creepy but we see lot's if this stuff in the midwest.
Phew, I'm not the only weirdo!

I'm sure you knew this lil bit of trivia, their named after the 3 volcanoes in Italy.
That's pretty cool!

So nice that you were able to enjoy the hot tub so much. This resort is so lovely and has so much to do. Glad you got to experience some of it.
I wish I had experienced more of it! Next time I stay, I need to take a whole day off to just relax there!

Your Gibbons video was so cool. I think had I experienced it in real life I think it would have brought tears to my eyes.
It was very cool! Something so organic and because it was so uncrowded, I could truly enjoy it!

You have me wanting to do this tour now. If only I was willing to part w/ the $.
It's totally worth it! They also have the sunset safari, where you don't do the bridges, instead go out to the overlook at sunset, which would be cool!

So are you doing this solo? If so did you have to pay full price for your cabin? Now off to bookmark your PAris trip. Thanks For taking the time to write this up.
So, the plan was to do it solo. I had to pay the full price for double occupancy, but would only need to pay taxes/fees/tip for one person. But because I booked it on opening day, and got the cheapest rate category, it's not too bad $$. But now it looks like my mom may come along (she says she doesn't want me to get thrown overboard, but I think she just wants to get away)! I told her I would still pay for the room, and she would just pay the extras for herself!

What a great trip! Excited to read about Disneyland Paris too :)

And I love your point about traveling solo - most of my solo travel has been due to work but I LOVE that time whenever I get it to wander and do things on my own schedule. I think I would really really enjoy a solo Disney World trip.
You should absolutely do it! It really frees up your schedule and you can do whatever you want!

SO late to the party- but I just found your awesome trip report. I love reading trip reports! Your trip sounds awesome. I would love to travel solo- I need to get my nerve up and just do it.

Thanks for sharing your adventures!
Totally do it! There are so many friendly CMs around, you can always stop to chat if you get lonely at all!
 
So, the plan was to do it solo. I had to pay the full price for double occupancy, but would only need to pay taxes/fees/tip for one person. But because I booked it on opening day, and got the cheapest rate category, it's not too bad $$. But now it looks like my mom may come along (she says she doesn't want me to get thrown overboard, but I think she just wants to get away)! I told her I would still pay for the room, and she would just pay the extras for herself!
How nice a mother daughter trip. I didn't know that if you book a cruise when they are first offered they are cheaper, the things I learn on here.
 

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