Annabel’s Solo Trip to Disney World Mark II – Pre-trip Report Updated 7/4 About This Page:

[Tara O'Hara]

Annabel, what a sweetie you are married to!! I hope you have a wonderful trip!

[Annabel]

If anyone fancies reading my solo trip from last year, click HERE

[DrDolphin]

Great trip report Annabel!!!

[Tink and co.]

A great start to a great trip, I'm sure! I'll see you on the 10th! for tea, of course!

[Colexis Mom]

Another great update Annabel

More please

[Annabel]

<font color="purple"> Part 3 - written 2nd June:

5 weeks to go!! I’m starting to get slightly excited but I’m still kind of nervous. I guess making plans does make you rather excited about what is to come. I’ve already started the “in 5 weeks time I’ll be just arriving at Pop” thing. I wonder how DH is going to put up with me for the next few weeks So far, I’ve bought some tops, a pair of shorts, a skirt, some ventilated socks and a cute bag for the evenings. I’ve been dealing with my TA, Merrie at Dreams Unlimited, and she’s been great. As far as PS’s went, I knew I wanted to eat at Le Cellier – I love their cheddar cheese soup and pretzel bread I also wanted to try afternoon tea at the Garden View Lounge. Posting on the boards, I discovered Jana aka TroianRae would also be having afternoon tea on the day I’d planned to go myself. Jana very kindly asked me if I’d like to join her and I jumped at the chance I emailed Merrie and asked her if she could get me a PS for the same time as Jana’s

I knew I also wanted to eat somewhere either at Magic Kingdom or close to it. I looked at the menus on AllEarsNet and nothing jumped out at me at the Magic Kingdom restaurants, so I looked at the nearby resorts. The 2 that stood out the most were ‘Ohana and Whispering Canyon Café. I asked on the PP boards what other PPs would choose between the 2 and received some very helpful answers. In the end, I chose ‘Ohana. I have a PS for lunch at Le Cellier on the 11th July and a dinner PS at ‘Ohana on the 13th. Afternoon tea is arranged for Sunday 10th. Plus there’s the Ghiradelli’s meet on the 12th. I can’t wait! Tomorrow I’m going shopping for the last of my stuff and will start my packing over the weekend. The countdown starts here *said in my best Ty Pennington voice* (can you tell I'm an Extreme Makeover Home Edition fan )

Part 4 - written 7th June:

One month to go nearly! I have been shopping – I’ve got my toiletries all sorted, plus a nice top for the evening and some lightweight trousers. DH and I were talking about my trip at the weekend. He doesn’t like me making lots of PS’s on our trips as he doesn’t like being tied down to a time and place – plus he loves eating at Chilis and Olive Garden. Without thinking, I didn’t make many PS’s for my trip – to which DH replied that just because he doesn’t like PS's, it doesn’t mean I should go without during my solo trip. Plus he liked the idea of me having nice sit down meals – and then letting him know whether he’d like to eat there or not Well, I didn’t need telling twice! I had another look at the menus of AllEars and made my choices. Here’s my list of PS’s:

Friday 8th July – lunch at Tony’s Town Square
Sunday 10th – afternoon tea at Garden View Lounge with Jana, and now Becki and Tenya
Monday 11th – lunch at Le Cellier
Tuesday 12th – lunch at Sci-Fi Dine-In
Weds 13th – breakfast at Kona Café (I have to sample that Tonga Toast!) and dinner at ‘Ohana.

I will definitely be attending the PP meets at Ghiradelli’s on the 12th and the Magic Kingdom on the 13th. I am looking forward to my trip – now if only the nerves would take a hike!

I’ve also had to make changes to my itinerary. The Friday Extra Magic Hours have been changed for July. Originally, Extra Magic Hour was at Magic Kingdom in the morning which was perfect for me – I’m arriving Thursday evening so I could go to Epcot that night for EMH, then go to Magic Kingdom early Friday. It also meant that I’d have an EMH the morning I was due to leave. Now they’ve switched it to the evening EMH instead. Apart from that, my itinerary is looking pretty good

coming up: 3 weeks to go and counting - ooh what's that the postman has got for me?

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[DrDolphin]

Great update Annabel!!!

[TinkerBelz]

Annabel - I'm delighted to hear you're going and how fun to read another solo trip. Can't wait to hear more! Don't forget Chili's!!

[Tara O'Hara]

Great update Annabel!! Now I'm getting excited about your trip!

[Colexis Mom]

Another great update

[Annabel]

<font color="purple">Part 3: 3 weeks to go and counting - ooh what's that the postman has got for me?

3 weeks to go! I had something in the post today that made me smile - I received the letter from Disney Dining Experience which I can use to get the 20% discount just in case my cards do not arrive in time. I have no idea if they’ll arrive before I leave. I ordered the cards at the end of May. At least I have the letter now

I received a PM off Christie aka christiejay, who just happens to be staying at Pop Century, but she leaves 2 days after I arrive. We’re hoping to meet up on the 8th in the afternoon. Jana might be joining us also Even now with just under 3 weeks to go, it doesn’t feel real yet. I feel that I should be more excited than I am – I think I still have flight issues. I don’t really know how I feel about it.

2 weeks to go

The countdown is lessening. I’m still feeling strange about my flight. Oh well, I’ll just have to get over it won’t I I must start seeing it as a means to an end – that’s all it is. Everyone keeps telling me I’ll be fine. I know I did fine last year but still I feel a bit

I checked my seats (10 days out) and found that so far, I have no one sat beside me – 2 free seats, woohoo!! I know that this could still change but so far, so good! I moved my seat for my return flight – I had people sat beside me but I noticed a few rows back were totally empty so I figured why not. Over half the flight is empty - the flight time has only recently been added so maybe that’s why. Here’s hoping it will stay that way

2 weeks to go

I had another nice surprise in the mail this morning – my DDE cards arrived Yay! They've misspelled my name by missing out an N but I think it should be ok. I can’t wait to use it for the first time

I’ve been through my suitcase – it’s far too full with clothes Either I’m not packing right or I’m taking too many clothes. Hmm, I’ll let you know when I’ve discovered how to resolve this

coming up: 9 days to go and how to scare a postman in 2 easy steps

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[DrDolphin]

Great update Annabel!! You will definately enjoy the DDE card!

[BabieeMelly]

Hey Annabel, I'm SO excited for you I'm really glad you decided to go... you know you'll have an AMAZING time I really, really wish I could meet with all you guys at Ghirardhelli, but since I'll be in Orlando with family (and they're putting up with my itinerary, PS's and pretty much all my planning) I have to let them make some decision, too, and they want to go to Island's of Adventure that night I'll definitely be on the lookout for all of you around Orlando, though

I know what you mean about things not feeling real... We've planned so many failed Orlando trips since our first one in 1992, and ever since my trip in 2001 with school I've been BEGGING my parents to take us back. After 3 years of planning trips that didn't happen, and a year of planning this trip, we're now 6 days away... and I'm not NEARLY as excited as I thought I would be I think it's just because the whole things is just surreal... it really doesn't feel like in a week from RIGHT NOW we'll just about be reaching the resort and checking into the condo!!

I wish you the best on your trip... the flight will be fine and you'll add this vacation to your many other magical trips to Disney... have fun!!!

[Colexis Mom]

Glad to hear the DDE card came

It's getting closer

[Wild4Diz]

Thanks for the link to your trip report! It sounds like you had a wonderful time and it's made me even more excited for my first solo trip!

I hope you have as much fun on your second solo trip !