Single touring travel experience

For the second time I had a great time at WDW. 

I've been planning for a year and of course it shows you how much a good plan can help you. But you also realize how much changes along the way. Checkin was a breeze. I had to ask for opting out of mousekeeping myself. For 9 nights I got $80. It was no problem. I asked for your/my TA's welcome package and just like last year they really made an effort to look for it but could not find any. It ended up showing up in my room when I arrived at the room later that same day. I was a little surprised I got a room at ground level since I requested highest floor. But I realised I'm here at Disney so nothing's going to get me down. Last year I stayed at Movies and I have to say I prefer the layout of that resort. I was in the Broadway section and it felt like a longer walk to the main building and busses.

The thing I took from last year was to take more breaks and time to relax. I was planning on doing that more this trip. Since both my trips were solo trips I tend to go hard :) There's always something else to do, things to see and experience. So again this trip I was always on the go. I suppose when you're with more people you take longer to have dinner and talk. Sit down while having your snack, relax by the pool. I did none of that haha. If I would have been with a friend we would have really made a day out of visiting the water parks. I was there at opening. Did all the rides multiple times with hardly any wait and left. Did not sit in my chair for a minute. Always going to the next thing on the agenda. 

I was constantly looking for the next thing to do. Visiting during a less crowded time did not help with that. The app was constantly showing availability for great attractions since it was only for one person. I think I booked FOP as an additional FP almost every day I was there. Once I got it 2 times in a day. And those 2 times did take maybe 2 refreshes. Other days I was maybe refreshing for 10/15 minutes to have it pop up. And the times weren't even for in like 4 hours but just like enough time to get to AK from the park I was at that moment. 

Last visit I told myself next time I will spend more time at Epcot. Really take in Food and Wine and see a  Eat to the Beat concert. I was planning on seeing 2, ended up seeing none. Visiting food and wine isn't really a solo activity for me at least. Would be something I would enjoy much more with someone else. Just strolling through the world showcase and trying food along the way. I tried none of the food booths :/ On the dates I had an afternoon at Epcot planned, I scored an additional FOP FP and ditched Epcot to go to AK. I hope next time I will give Epcot and Food and Wine the time it deserves.

I was glad I got to experience the dessert party with garden viewing at MK. For next time I would make sure to get there earlier to have a little more time to enjoy the desserts. When we arrived we had to wait in line to check in so that cut into our eating time. The desserts were ok. Nothing too special but good enough. I took a tupperware container with me. It is absolutely allowed to take some desserts to go. Either to enjoy during the fireworks or the next day. I took a few macarons, a strawberry tart and a chocolate covered strawberry with me and enjoyed them over the next couple of days.

During this trip I had the free Quick Service Dining Plan. I learned from last time you should not feel like you should save them up because you might be afraid you run out towards the end of your trip. DON'T! Start eating/drinking as soon as you can. It is so-much-food. If you order a water as a snack of course you're not going to feel that way but If you're ordering churro ice cream sandwiches and dole whip floats it's a challenge to work your way through all the credits. I exchanged my QS credit for 3 snack credits at Starbucks I think twice. No problem. Loved the addition of the alcoholic drinks. For me as a non American traveler I had a photo of my passport on my phone and had my drivers license to show. That was always accepted.

Animal Kingdom was and still is my favorite park. I did the safari more times than I can count. Once at dusk and once in the dark. Heard the lions roar. All three at the same time which was an amazing experience. There were three other people on the bus with me. I did not get a chance to experience the new Up bird show. I forgot about how good Dinosaur was. Liked it a lot! The pop-up shows of the various artist at the park are so fun to watch. They are a great addition to the rides. Pandora at night is so soothing, so beautiful. Just amazing. A most do for everyone.

I booked the Keys to the Kingdom tour when I already check-in. I asked at the concierge desk if I could use my gift card to pay for that. The man said no, because it was a different system and you can only book it via credit card. I don't know what it was about that information that made me question is but another day I checked again with another person and she said it should not be a problem. And indeed it wasn't. So if you're ever unsure of information provided to you, just check again. I ended up not paying out of pocket for the tour but using my gift card. I loved the tour and the best part was the part where you go underground and visit the tunnel system. It was so surreal. I saw Tiana in full hair and make-up but in her own comfortable clothes. And Jack Sparrow was in full costume but just wandering around and visiting the booths at the fair they had going on. 

On the night I did MNSSHP I once again booked an additional FOP FP and I chose to go ride that ride and not be at AK at 4pm once they start letting people in. So I ended up arriving at 7pm. The time the party officially starts. Looking back I would try to be there at 4pm. Because I don't know how it happened but time flew by and the night was over before I knew it. I was not planning on doing any characters and didn't. Just did some rides and watched all the entertainment: second parade, fireworks and hocus pocus show. Never seen them before so was glad I did. Don't know if I would watch all three again if I went to another party.

During my trip and before check out I dialed 8844 from my room. That puts you in contact with people who can give you information about the current bounce back offers and also book it for you. You may not find a leaflet in your room but you can always call this number. The woman on the phone was able to book my bounce back offer for me for September 2019; free dining. Deposit was $200 as usual. Same cancellation rules apply as to booking a 'normal' deal via the website.

Quick Service:

I think if you pick the right spots the QS locations at Disney Springs are one of the best. Plus the best value for your credit. I ate at Polite Pig. Had the half a chicken, sweet potato tots and a vodka lemonade. I forgot they had the grapefruit margarita there otherwise I would have gotten that. I enjoyed the meal. Nice break from the fries and stuff at most of the parks. Overall the meal was a bit salty. The vodka lemonade was not my favorite. But it looked nice in the tall glass. My meal at Wolfgang Puck Express was awesome. I had the ravioli and a glass of wine. Once my meal arrived at my table I was asked if I wanted some parmesan. This is the one place where I experienced food being served on real plates and no use of plastic cutlery. Felt super fancy :) Once I was done I was offered an ice water to go. Thoughtful! Other recommendations would be Blaze Pizza and D-luxe Burger. So so gooood!

Tips:

-tupperware at dessert party

-bring an inflatable travel pillow. Takes up no space in your bag and is great to blow up and sit one while waiting for a parade, fireworks or other night time show.

-don't have a car and don't want to use uber or lyft to go to the Vineland Premium outlets? Book a free shuttle at maingatetaxi.com/Shuttle_Reservations.aspx They pick you up at the Swan and Dolphin (even if you don't stay there). They have set times for pick-up and drop off.

-I have bought a blue and white spirit jersey. Later I found the black version in the right size so I bought that as well but I was only intending on keeping one. I ended up returning the black one in the store at all star music even though they do not sell spirit jerseys there. Got my money back no problem (within 30 days with receipt).

-While buying merchandise I used the service to send things to your resort for the first time and also to pick it up at the end of the day at the front of the park so you don't have to haul your stuff around all day. Great service!