[Disnyfan83]

Happy Birthday to me!!!!! My birthday was last week, and my DH gave me the only thing I wanted (although didn't even tell him), a ticket to Orlando !!! He said to just go and get away for a few days on my own, have fun, relax and he would take care of the kids, etc. Can you think of a better present??!!
So, I booked myself a room at the Pop Century and rented a car through Dollar rental. (I love having a car down there. I don't like being at the mercy of buses and at $73 for almost three days wasn't a bad price!!) This was on a Friday and I was leaving early Monday - NO TIME TO PLAN!!! So, I decided this trip would be different from any I had ever taken. I wasn't going to plan a thing. I was going to live in the moment - eat when I was hungry, go where the mood struck me. This was going to be quite an adventure for such an OCD person as myself!!!
More to come..............

[Erin]

I can't wait to hear more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :c)

What a fabulous present!

[DisneyTeacher]

Wow!! What a great surprise! I can't wait to hear more.

[Dana]

That is the best birthday present I have ever heard of. Your DH rocks! I can't wait to hear the rest of this adventure.

[jk8]

Oh, man that sounds so cool. Can't wait to hear!

[dznygrl]

What a FANTASTIC DH!!!!! (I'm making my hubby get over here and read this right now! )

I can't wait to hear about your trip...I am an extremely OCD person myself, so I know going without planning would be crazy (but fun!)

[Disnyfan83]

Okay,
DAY 1
Got to the airport without any touble. 6:30am Southwest floght not even full. We even touched down in Orlando early! So far so good! Quick walk down to get my rental car, and after $2.50 in tolls, I was in one of my favorite towns - Celebration.
If I fly, I always start my trip with a visit to Celebration. I just love it and hope to live here one day. I parked my cute little Dodge Neon off the beaten path and walked to Barnies for a Latte to drink in a rocking chair by the water. The downtown area was just waking up - people out walking their dogs, and the ever diligent street washers making sure the sidewalks were neat and tidy for the day.
Then headed over to the Pop Century Resort - so cute!! Checked in quickly, but room wasn't ready. The place was crawling with people just starting their Disney day. I went and bought a mug and filled it with that world famous fresh brewed Disney ice tea! I threw my bag in the trunk, and I was off! "Welcome to the Boardwalk!" the security guard said as he saluted me through the gates. I parked my car and made my favorite walk around the Boardwalk to Epcot.
I hit the park around 10:30am and headed straight to The Living Seas to see Turtle Talk.The park wasn't crowded and the weather was perfect! Not too hot, lots of sun, slight breeze. I had to wait 20 minutes in line for Turtle Talk, but I'd wait even longer. How great was that show!! Cute, cute, cute!! All the "little Dudes" in the audience were having a ball. It is a MUST SEE for everyone!! Headed through Innoventions to Spaceship Earth (tradition), and then through the Future World shops towards World Showcase.
On the way, got a phone call from DH to see how everything was going. Thanked him again and again!!! What a guy!!
Next stop Mexico for a Mexican salad and Dos Equis lunch outside at the cantina. I sat soaking up the sun at a table by the water. This is the life!! No line at the River of Time (is there ever?), not even all the tables by the water at the San Angel were full - never seen that before. I know this ride is kind of cheesey, but I just love it!!
Headed for Norway for some window shopping. Didn't get a beer here - decided to drink around the world at every OTHER country this time around since I'm on my own!
The front of the China pavillion had some constuction going on, but it was fine once you got in to it. Grabbed a chinese beer and looked around one of my favorite places to shop. Saw the Chinese 360 movie. Not crowded at all - I guess people don't think these movies are cool anymore. (Although, I'll admit that I hadn't seen it in 8 years!) Museum in China is closed while they get ready for a new exhibit about Hong Kong Disneyland.. Loving the chinese music - living in the moment!!

[Disnyfan83]

Day 1 (part two)
Got a pretzel and Spaten in Germany, and then looked through the stores. There is nothing better than watching little boys watch the model trains - magical!
The Japanese pavillion is one of my all time favorites. The shopping is the best! I listened to the drummers for a while, and then hit the shop big time. Bought some weir candy treats that my kids will love! "Tin Toys" is still in the museum - still fantastic!
Walked right through the American pavillion this time. The Garden Theater is all boared up under construction.
Started talking to the henna artist in Morocco, and decide to get a beautiful henna tattoo on my right hand. Fabulous!! Walked through the Moroccan bazaar while it dried.
Quickly made my way to Canada when I started to hear the bagpipes of my favorite thing in all Epcot - OFF KILTER!!!! Got a Labatts and enjoyed the show. They are the best!!
Getting many compliments on my henna tattoo!!
Went back to the Boardwalk to get the car and finally get inot my room at the Pop Century. I was in the 80's building, on the back side near the lake. Very quiet and peaceful. I never understood why people pay more money to overlook the loud pool. Room was nice but very small. King size bed takes up the whole room! Handicapped bathroom - yuck! But i gues it's okay because it's just me. grabbed my mug and headed back to the food court to fill up on more ice tea (disney does have the best!).
The evening is still young...... I guess I'll go to the Magic Kingdom!!

[SoThisIsLove]

OOO sounds fun! I envy you! 34 days...

[hiner]

Wow, what I wouldn't give to try a solo trip. Sounds like you are having a great time! So lucky to get a present like that. I think after one day, though, I would be getting sappy not having my DH and DS with me. Keep it coming.

[Disnyfan83]

Day 1 (part 3 - yikes, I'm long winded!)
Since the buses were empty, decided to take the bus to MK. Got there very fast, and got to the park a little before 6pm. I love this time of day - everything is golden from the setting sun and all the light are on. Grabbed my beloved popcorn for the magical walk up Main Street.
The castle looks fantastic! Very regal, and the gold is gorgeous! The big stained glass picture is alot bigger than I thought it was going to be, but it's okay. A portion of the hub is now open - the statue is visable, and new little tiny trees are planted. Only a small section of the hub is stilled walled off, but it doesn't destroy any sight lines or picture taking.
Head for Tommorrowland. Now I know why Epcot was so empty... EVERYONE IS AT MK!!!! Grabbed a fastpass for Buzz lightyear and hopped on the Wedway (I know, I know, Tommorrowland transit authority!) Great ride - Space Mountain was down, and they had all the lights on inside - I love when that happens!!
Headed towards Fantasyland. Was the first time I've seen what they've done with the sub lagoon. Now it's just a big Winnie the Pooh waiting area. I hope thay do something worthwhile with it soon. Had dinner at Pinnochio's, and then a short wait for Philharmagic.
Rode Buzz light year ( I NEVER get a high score!) and then made my way through the parade crowd over to Adventureland. Had my required Citrus swirl (or orange goo-goo as my family has called them since 1972!!) and walked right on to Pirates. Adventureland was dead because everyone was getting into position for the parade.
Caught the begining of the parade in Frontierland and got to see the whole thing by walking toward Liberty Square. I just love Jimminy Cricket at the end.
Went down Main Street - all the shops were swamped. Decided to catch the fireworks from outside the park to get a jump on the bus back to the hotel.
Several of the cast members that work on the railroad were up on the platform with signs that said "see" "ya" "real" "soon!" and waving goodby with big Mickey gloves on - cute!
Missed the first bus out to PC, and the next one took forever to get there. I'm glad I didn't stay on Main Street for Wishes, I never would have got back to my room!! The ride back took forever, but everyone on the bus was in good spirits. Got some hot tea in my mug and got in bed to watch the news.They say there is going to be bad weather over night, and maybe even tornados - Great!

[llama]

Wow! What a fantastic birthday present!! My dh gave me a crockpot

How I'd love to have a few days at WDW by myself. (and it's still "wedway" to me, too).

[Erin]

This is so excellent to read! I feel like I'm there. It must of been fabulous to get away by yourself!!!!

[bali]

Ooh, how much fun!! I can't wait to hear the next installment...

[Allyson]

When I read your TR I can't help of think of my addiction to scrapbooking! I hope you too are a scrapbooker because It would be a shame for your wonderful story to go undocumented!! I would kill to be able to put that much detail in my journaling!! I just can never find the right descriptive words to tell the story adequtely -- reading yours makes me feel like I'm walking right there beside you!! If you don't scrapbook, can I recommend that you print out this thread (when you finish it) and keep it somewhere for your kids and grandkids to read in the future?? Just a thought...I know I'm sappy, but so are all my Disney freak friends, so I was sure it's a "safe" post here!