A Girl's First Solo Trip - August 2018 *updated 10/9 x2 and COMPLETED!*

I love Epcot!! Great fish eye lens photos :thumbsup2

Oh no on the drama in the land but glad you got your FP back and got to ride Nemo in the end.

Oh I didn’t know that about being able to get a temporary card if you leave your magic band in the room. I can imagine myself doing that!

I loved ninja turtles as a kid and love the decade memories at Pop Century.

Sunshine seasons is soo good...glad you enjoyed the tacos.

Haha on the squirrel...hope it enjoyed its goodies.
 
You got some lovely monorail photos. :thumbsup2

Squirrels are funny little buggers. At my university I once saw one sitting outside the cafeteria eating an ice cream cone. It was holding it correctly and everything. Of course, no phone on me to document the event.
 
I am so impressed with your ability to grab extra fastpasses...for amazing rides!!! I am going on my third solo trip in August. I like to also tour the different resorts and this time Animal Kingdom is on my list. Staying at POP too, I love how close it is to so many of the parks. When we go as a family (5 of us in total) we stay at AofA in the Cars section. It is such a great resort. I have not stayed in a Deluxe yet but maybe one day! Loving your adventures.
 


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I love those lights more than any others on property!


Super pretty shot!


Love this one too!

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That looks amazing. I agree, sometimes the lack of fresh fruits and veggies gets old. After about 2 or 3 days, I'm CRAVING a big salad or something. #disneyblockageisreal

I was a little irritated I hadn’t been told this, but at least I got my FP back.

I'd have been super annoyed too!

I only had eyes for one thing and that was the fish tacos. The best fish tacos ever. That no longer exist. I can’t even begin to describe my devastation at losing them.

:sad:
 
I love Epcot!! Great fish eye lens photos :thumbsup2

Oh no on the drama in the land but glad you got your FP back and got to ride Nemo in the end.

Oh I didn’t know that about being able to get a temporary card if you leave your magic band in the room. I can imagine myself doing that!

I loved ninja turtles as a kid and love the decade memories at Pop Century.

Sunshine seasons is soo good...glad you enjoyed the tacos.

Haha on the squirrel...hope it enjoyed its goodies.

Epcot is great! Thanks! It's a cool concept, for sure.

Yeah, the Land situation was a mess, but I got over it quickly!

Pretty handy! Luckily when I left my MB behind on my previous trip Dad was around to let me back in, and another time a head housekeeper was able to.

Oh I love the Ninja Turtles too! Michelangelo was my favorite!

RIP to my beautiful tacos. I probably won't return to Sunshine Seasons until/unless they bring them back.

I think the squirrel was very thrilled with his loot!


You got some lovely monorail photos. :thumbsup2

Squirrels are funny little buggers. At my university I once saw one sitting outside the cafeteria eating an ice cream cone. It was holding it correctly and everything. Of course, no phone on me to document the event.

Thanks, gotta love that monorail!

OH MY GOODNESS, I would pay to see that, so adorable!


I am so impressed with your ability to grab extra fastpasses...for amazing rides!!! I am going on my third solo trip in August. I like to also tour the different resorts and this time Animal Kingdom is on my list. Staying at POP too, I love how close it is to so many of the parks. When we go as a family (5 of us in total) we stay at AofA in the Cars section. It is such a great resort. I have not stayed in a Deluxe yet but maybe one day! Loving your adventures.

It's pretty easy, you could definitely do the same! I pretty much just use my time waiting in queues to snag my next one.

You'll LOOOOVE Animal Kingdom Lodge, it's so stunning, and you just can't go wrong with animals!

Pop is a great resort, I really enjoyed my time there. Also love AoA, we stayed in the Lion King section, which is my favorite movie, so I was pretty much in heaven.

Thanks for reading along!


I'm late to the party so I don't know if someone already mentioned this, but there's a website where you can combined all your Disney gift cards into one!

Oh yeah, I actually knew this, I was just crunched for time. Next time I'll for sure do that!

I love those lights more than any others on property!

They really are extra special. Love that it has a hint of Beastly Kingdom.

Super pretty shot!

why thank you!

Love this one too!

Animal Kingdom at night truly can't be beat!

Some of your quotes got a little tangled in mine, but yes the Disney food is great, but sometimes you'd just do about anything for some veggies and fruits! It was definitely an irritating situation in The Land, but all's well that ends well! Also, so sad about the fish tacos, that was one of my very favorite Disney meals.


What bad luck with Living with the Land you had!!

Wow, awesome save grabbing your MB on TT!

Yeah it was kinda crazy! but worked out well.

I was really glad that I noticed it! My MBs never pop off!
 


August 4th - World Showcase







After a bit of excitement with a thieving squirrel I was on my way to the World Showcase. On this day I planned on starting on the Canadian side with the idea that I’d explore areas of the Showcase that I usually neglect. My dad and I always start on the Mexico side of World Showcase, so by the time Canada rolls around we're just ready to leave.
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My idea to explore neglected areas of Epcot was a good one, but the heat was very oppressive.
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Didn’t even realize this area existed in Canada. Honestly, there’s just not a lot to do in the Canada pavilion!
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Next up is the UK.
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So, I know I said I was going to take my time and explore the countries, but I ended up speeding through them because it was so hot. So now we’re at France.
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Since it was so hot it felt like the perfect opportunity to grab myself an alcoholic slushie (and take a mini photoshoot with said slushie). The citron slushie is my favorite of the slushies, including the seasonal ones at the festivals.
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Citron - Grey Goose Citron, Vodka and Lemonade


And then I made it to Morocco.
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Here’s a look at the Guardians ride across the way. Wow that thing is massive.
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There was a PhotoPass person out in Morocco. I always love it when they’re in the World Showcase.
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Morocco is maybe my favorite pavilion to explore. Just love the little alleys and all the details.
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Time for Japan! Mitsukoshi is my favorite World Showcase store… and probably everyone else’s.
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There were so many cute cat items that I was sorely tempted by in Mitsukoshi. In the end I exercised extreme restraint and bought nothing.
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At the American Adventure pavilion I stopped to watch some of the Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Live show. Apparently this show is coming back this summer! Not sure that it was terribly popular but I thought it was a pretty fun show with fairly convincing characters.
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Uhhhh, what do you think Gamora is referring to?
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Baby Groot is adorable.
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Up next:
Finishing up World Showcase
 
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Didn’t even realize this area existed in Canada. Honestly, there’s just not a lot to do in the Canada pavilion!

Truth.


I LOVE that picture (and my have a few of my own ::rolleyes1


So darn CUTE!!!


I really love this one. I need to find a few more PP opps in WS this time.

Morocco is maybe my favorite pavilion to explore. Just love the little alleys and all the details.

Hands down mine too!

Uhhhh, what do you think Gamora is referring to?

:lmao:
 
Great pics of World Showcase :thumbsup2

Glad you got to cool down with an alcoholic slushie.

Haha on what you think Gamora is referring to comment!
 
Looks like a nice time in WS! Love all your pics!

Very nice! Thank you!!


Hope there's more to do in real Canada! Guess I'll find out in September!

I LOVE that picture (and my have a few of my own ::rolleyes1

Disney makes everything too photogenic. I take photos of the same things over and over again, and I don't plan on stopping!

So darn CUTE!!!

Aw shucks!

I really love this one. I need to find a few more PP opps in WS this time.

They're so hit or miss in World Showcase! It feels like striking gold anytime there's a PP out in the pavilions.

Hands down mine too!

Wouldn't it be great if we were there right now?!


hehehe :rolleyes1

Great pics of World Showcase :thumbsup2

Glad you got to cool down with an alcoholic slushie.

Haha on what you think Gamora is referring to comment!

Thank you! Love taking pics there.

That slushie really hit the spot!

:rolleyes1


August heat! I know it well.

I love your dress, very cute!

That heat is like nothing else! Just brutal!

Aw thank you! I think I've since decided that I don't like it :rotfl2:
 
August 4th - Finishing Up At Epcot!





Once the Guardians show ended I marched onward to Italy! This is another pavilion I never find much to do in, and today was no different. I took exactly one photo.
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Time for Germany! Germany was extra exciting for me because I was anticipating my trip to actual Germany in the fall! But I was still too hot to really stick around much.
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As I passed by Village Traders I reminisced on my time spent sheltering there during a crazy afternoon thunderstorm back in June.
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I quickly browsed through China.
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I skipped over Norway because I had booked a FP at Frozen Ever After for 3:50, thinking that would be perfect timing but I went through World Showcase too quickly so I needed to explore Mexico first as I still had about 30 minutes to kill.
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I jumped in the line for Gran Fiesta Tour - and it actually had a line!
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Even with Gran Fiesta Tour having a line it still wasn’t time for my Frozen Ever After FP! Out of options, I sat down in the Frozen gift shop and waited. As soon as I could I used the 5 minute grace period.
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I was trying to show off my Elsa ice powers.
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I grabbed a FP for Spaceship Earth at 4:10 and started the torturous walk to the front of the park.
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I did consider meeting Baymax, but he wasn’t even out and the line was long, so I just rode Spaceship Earth and headed out.
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Space Jesus!
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Once again the Pop Century bus stop was very far away, and people were sprawled all over the ground waiting so I assumed they’d been there for a while. I stood there for a bit, and when I gave up and sat down it was still 11 minutes after that for an Art of Animation bus to show up. This is how I felt about it all. Apparently I would never be taking a Pop Century bus home!
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Back at Pop Century I relaxed in the room, then went to grab some dinner from the food court. While in the main building I also paid off some of my room charges with a gift card.

At the time Pop Century was serving new brick oven fired pizzas. I don’t see them on the menu anymore so maybe they’ve gone away. Anyway, that’s what I decided to order. I got regular pepperoni because it’s the best pizza topping, there is no debating it!
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The pizza was pretty good, probably a step up from the usual flatbreads you see around the World. I think I had envisioned something more along the lines of Blaze pizza and it wasn’t quite up to that standard, but still hit the spot.


After eating it was time to head to Magic Kingdom for Disney After Hours, where I’d be meeting up with Samira and Will! It was very bright on the bus.
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Up Next: Happily Ever After!
 
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August 4th - Magic Kingdom & Happily Ever After!







I made it to Magic Kingdom for After Hours just before 8 and boy was it pretty out. Hot, but pretty.
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At the tapstiles I picked up my After Hours credentials. Dad and I had a great experience at After Hours in March so I was interested to see if the experience would be consistently good.
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It was a bit crowded in Magic Kingdom, but I wasn’t too worried. Earlier in the day I had booked a FP for Pirates, so that was my destination.
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Adventureland was looking exceptionally beautiful as the sun was setting.
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I love this ride!
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I tapped at the touch points, and then booked a FP for Small World while in line. I actually like the new auction scene with the redhead as a pirate rather than a captive, though it is a bit revisionist of history. But whatever, it’s a theme park.
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The sun was gone when I got off Pirates, and instead of riding Small World I decided that I wanted to watch Happily Ever After.
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I thought this picture was pretty cool.
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Since it was just me I was able to grab a spot in the hub next to the Partners statue. While I stood there waiting I saw what I first thought was an early firework above the castle, but then realized it was really a shooting star! It was a pretty magical moment I’ll remember for a long time.
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The fireworks blew me away, as always, and it was a pretty great spot to watch from.
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Notre Dame :(
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Say goodbyyyye to the pain of the past.
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Love all The Lion King in this show. I’d be happy with a show that was all Lion King and Moana, honestly!
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Because I was very close to the castle I zoomed in on Tink just before she flies. Kind of cool to see!
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The end… or, it’s just beginning, feel your heart beat faster, reach out and find your happily ever after! ;)
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Up Next: After Hours begins!
 
Love all The Lion King in this show. I’d be happy with a show that was all Lion King and Moana, honestly!

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I agree!! Moana is my absolute favorite! Back to your dress at Epcot, the color really works on you, don’t hate it, haha!
 
I met back up with Samira and Will in Pandora. At some point I had managed to grab us same-day Fastpasses for Flight of Passage. I really do love FastPass+! I was really excited to get them on the ride for their first time without the wait.
You did so well with picking up same day FPs!
It took forever once we got to the loading area, but we eventually got on. It’s so fun to ride this with first-timers; everyone is always so amazed by it and it never gets old to me.
Same.........I adore it!
I stopped for a Photopass in front of the Tree of Life.
Beautiful!
We then used our FPs. This time I tried to imitate the stationary yeti. That’s why my arm is on the seat beside me. I don’t think it translates. This time I had us wait for the front so that they could experience it. It really is so much better in the front!
Agreed!
Finished with Everest we headed to the front of the park to try to watch the Tree of Life Awakenings. On the way there I spotted a lantern PhotoPass that I had never seen before, so I had to stop! I look like a hot, sweaty mess, but it’s a cute photo opp.
You look lovely. Such a nice photo!
This sandwich was DELICIOUS. The food in the parks tends to feel a little unhealthy so it was great to get some vegetables in. Bonus, I got to watch Cinderella while I ate!
That sandwich looks amazing!
On this day I woke up around 8:30 and headed to the food court for breakfast. I ended up getting the same Mickey waffles kid’s meal that I had gotten the day before, since it was just the right amount of food.
I like to do that too.
And we’ve arrived! I’ve been finding Epcot to be the least repeatable in a short timespan (this was my 4th visit in less than a year) but something about walking in that park and the general atmosphere feels so fantastic.
It is so fun!
Then they announced technical difficulties and cleared the line out. I tried to get my FP back from the CMs at the tapstiles but they said they had to wait for a coordinator. There was a huge crowd of guests, some of whom were being jerks, and we waited quite a while. Eventually I bailed. Luckily, I walked past the exit to the ride where I noticed a coordinator with an iPad giving back FPs to people. I was a little irritated I hadn’t been told this, but at least I got my FP back.
Yikes!
I tapped my band and walked a short way through the queue and then was met with a standstill. Great. I was starting to feel cursed on this day. Just as I was about to bail on Nemo the line started moving. WHEW! Fun fact: this ride opened in 2006 when I was working at Disney World AND my roommate was part of the opening team! Now the ride is in pretty poor condition and none of the simple moving characters were functioning (like the shark that moves back and forth). Anyway, Please enjoy this fantastic picture of the ride.
Too bad....not a great experience!
The Seas never occupies me for long, and I had decided I was hungry so I went back to The Land for some lunch.
Sunshine Seasons is always a solid choice!
When I finished my tacos (unaware that was the last time I’d ever have them) I noticed that Living with the Land had just reopened so I quickly jumped in the standby line.
RIP fish tacos.... :(
I modified my last FP to Pixar Movie Fest and tapped it out so I could start my tour around the world and hopefully grab a Frozen Ever After FP.
Good strategy!
My idea to explore neglected areas of Epcot was a good one, but the heat was very oppressive.
No shade in Epcot!
Didn’t even realize this area existed in Canada. Honestly, there’s just not a lot to do in the Canada pavilion!
As a Canadian, I find the Canadiaan pavilion embarassing. It does not represent our country well at all!
Since it was so hot it felt like the perfect opportunity to grab myself an alcoholic slushie (and take a mini photoshoot with said slushie). The citron slushie is my favorite of the slushies, including the seasonal ones at the festivals.
Mmmmm!
I skipped over Norway because I had booked a FP at Frozen Ever After for 3:50, thinking that would be perfect timing but I went through World Showcase too quickly so I needed to explore Mexico first as I still had about 30 minutes to kill.
Mexico is always fun!
Once again the Pop Century bus stop was very far away, and people were sprawled all over the ground waiting so I assumed they’d been there for a while. I stood there for a bit, and when I gave up and sat down it was still 11 minutes after that for an Art of Animation bus to show up. This is how I felt about it all. Apparently I would never be taking a Pop Century bus home!
Buses in heat = no fun!
The sun was gone when I got off Pirates, and instead of riding Small World I decided that I wanted to watch Happily Ever After.
Love your pictures!!
Because I was very close to the castle I zoomed in on Tink just before she flies. Kind of cool to see!
Very cool!
 
Sounds like a nice time touring the rest of WS!

Pretty pics as you got to MK!!

Aww how cool seeing a shooting star! I have never seen one before!

Great HEA pics! And very cool shot of Tink before she flew!
 
Once the Guardians show ended I marched onward to Italy! This is another pavilion I never find much to do in, and today was no different. I took exactly one photo.
I agree - they really need some sort of attraction, either ride or show or something. I strongly feel every pavilion should have something special, besides food and merch!
 

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