An October 2010 semi-solo Disney trip

[PrincePluto]

]Hi, my name is Jeff, and I am a single 40-something IT professional from New Jersey. I have recently completed a trip report for my December 2013 trip to Disney World, and I found the experience so rewarding that I decided to go back and create a trip report for one of my previous trips, as I have hundreds of photos and notes to work from. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy creating it.

On this trip, most of my time in the parks was spent solo, but I shared my accomodations, a 2-bedroom timeshare at The Village at Parkway Resort, with my parents. This is the same place I stayed in December 2013, and also in 2008 with my entire family (in 3 units, not 1).

This trip was pretty uneventful, so I don't have a catchy title for the trip report. But I do have plenty of pictures to show you. On this trip I visited all four theme parks, and Epcot twice. I don't tend to get Park Hopper tickets, as I find one park a day plenty hectic enough for me.

My week in Florida was from 10/22 through 10/29, 2010. I was flying on the afternoon of 10/22 to join my parents who had already spent a week in Florida, on the East coast, in Fort Lauderdale I believe, visiting friends who had retired to Florida. They would be staying in Kissimmee the second week at The Village at Parkway (I am not sure if it is technically in the Kissimmee or Celebration zip code (does Celebration even have its own zip code?) but it is right across from Celebration's entrance from route 192. They did not plan to spend time at the parks, but I believe they did go to Epcot one day with me.

I planned my park days based on predicted park volumes. My park time was spent thusly:

10/23 - Disney's Animal Kingdom
10/24 - Magic Kingdom
10/25 - EPCOT
10/26 - Disney's Hollywood Studios
10/27 - Not sure what I did this day, have to find my notes
10/28 - EPCOT

Below are links to each trip report chapter:

October 22 - Travel Day

Park Day 1: Disney's Animal Kingdom
First Park Day - Animal Kingdom
Kilimanjaro Safari
Safari concluded, and a walk through Pangani Trail
A second Safari trip
Conservation Station
The rest of my Animal Kingdom day

Park Day 2: Magic Kingdom
Park Day 2: Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom - Entering the park
Fantasyland
Haunted Mansion
The Liberty Belle
Frontierland and Adventureland
Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It!
A Railroad Trip from Frontierland to Main Street and a quick stroll down Main Street

Park Day 3: EPCOT Day 1

October 25, 2010 - Epcot Day 1
Living With The Land
More Living With The Land
A second trip through Living With The Land
The Seas
Heading over towards World Showcase
France and Morocco
More Morocco
Japan
The American Adventure
Italy
Back to Future World

Park Day 4 - Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios continued
Backlot Tour queue
Backlot Tour Tram ride
Catastrophe Canyon, and finishing the tram tour
More Hollywood Studios
More Beauty and Beast show

Park Day 5 - Epcot Day 2

Last Park Day - EPCOT
More EPCOT
Food and Wine Continued, and Mexico Pavilion
More Gran Fiesta Tour
Norway
China

Day 6 and 7 - Downtown Disney, and departure day
10/29/2010 - Downtown Disney, and 10/30/2010, Departure day

I will record what I did on my travel day in my next entry.

 

[PrincePluto]

I took an afternoon flight From Newark Liberty Airport to Orlando MCO. I flew JetBlue, like I have done every flight since 2008, because I like the in-seat TV screens, and the service. I always remember to bring my iPod earphones so I don't have to buy a pair from them. Also, I liked the Terra Blue chips, but I think I'm not as into them as I used to be. On my flight in December 2013, I ended up getting Doritos, I think... Quell horror! (I may have spelled that wrong, I didn't take French in school!

I took a towncar to the airport, and arrived on time, made it through security with no problems, and boarded my flight on time and had an uneventful flight.

Once I got to Orlando, I rode the fauxnorail, got my luggage, picked up my rental car, and drove to Vacation Village at Parkway. I took the Greene Way to the Celebration exit, and from there it was only a hop, skip and a jump to the timeshare.

I met my parents, and after I got settled in my room, we hung out at the pool.

(I will update the reset of this entry with what we did for dinner, when I check my notes)

 

[PrincePluto]

I woke up real early, got ready, had breakfast with my parents, then they left to do their thing, which was to visit friends in the Tampa area, and I left to do my thing, which was to get to Disney's Animal Kingdom (AK) before rope drop.

I managed to go west past the entrance to the AK entrance road off of 192, so I had to turn around, and lost precious minutes, but I still made it through the parking toll and to the parking lot well before rope drop.

I parked in Unicorn rows 21-29, the last remnant of when there was supposed to be a section of Animal Kingdom called Beastly Kingdom, which would have featured imaginary animals like unicorns and dragons. Some say that the future Avatar Land is a continuation of this theme.

I got to the entrance area and it wasn't too crowded:

For the first of many times, I was reminded to "Celebrate Today!"

After I got through the turnstile, I watched the rope drop ceremony:

As soon as the rope was dropped, I joined a crowd that was power walking towards Harambe, to get on the Kilimanjaro Safari. There were cast members ahead of us holding a rope to control the crowd.

I then got into the Safari queue:

We boarded the safari vehicle, and we were on our way!

Next: The actual Kilimanjaro Safari photos

 

[PrincePluto]

So the safari vehicle was all loaded, and we began our 14 day trek:

First we saw the hippopotami:

A hippo out of the water - the only time I have seen this:

More safari pictures:

Thompson's gazelles

Wildebeest:

Giraffes:

Mandrill monkeys:

Flamingos:

Elephants:

White rhinos. As every guide is sure to point out, white was a mistranslation of the Afrikaans word for wide, rather than their color.

Lion:

Lioness:

Next: Safari continued

 

[PrincePluto]

A warthog, basking in the morning sun:

We then made our way back to civilization.

As you exit the safari, you come upon an interestingly-themed water fountain:

I then went on the Pangani Trail.

"While visiting Pangani Forest, Please observe the following:
Do not wander into the deep brush or forest - the area has leopards, Cape buffalo, and other dangerous animals.
Do not remove any plants or animal material such as horns, bones or feathers - These are all part of the natural eco-system.
When viewing the wildlife, please do not make excessive noise as this disrupts their natural behaviours.
Keep your eyes open for signs of wildlife - tracks, nests, trails and recent kills will tell you what animals are nearby.
Remember wild animals always have the right of way."

White Colobus Monkeys:

Entering the Research Centre:

Madagascar hissing cockroaches:

Out of the Research Centre and back on the trail:

Hippo skull cast:

Warthog skull cast:

I then arrived at the gorilla viewing window. Unfortunately, it was coated in a fine layer of dust that prevented me from getting really good pictures:

Then I walked into the area past the glass, where I could take pictures of the gorillas with more clarity:

After I got off the Pangani Trail, I then went on the Kilimanjaro Safari a second time.

Next: A Second Safari Trip

 

[PrincePluto]

For my second trip on Kilimanjaro Safari, I will only post a few of the photos I took:

White Rhino:

A giraffe stretching to reach some tasty moss from a tree branch:

Bantu cattle:

Antelopes:

Elephant:

Mandrill:

Another elephant:

Dozing lioness:

A warthog chilling out in its burrow:

I believe these are Scimitar Oryx:

After getting off the Safari, I took the Conservation Express over to Rafiki's Planetwatch.

Next: Conservation Station

 

[PrincePluto]

I decided to go on the Conservation Express, so I walked over to Harambe Station and before too long, a train pulled in:

We got on board, and we were on our way:

Next follow a bunch of backstage photos. You can either look at them, or scan through if you don't want to see them.

We got to the Conservation Station, and I took the obligatory photo of the twin elephants statue:

Only at Disney is it not considered unusual to take pictures of trashcans!

Following the direction:

Rafiki leads the way:

Cotton-top Tamarin:

I had taken pictures of the Golden Lion Tamarin too, but in looking at them I cannot for the life of me see the Golden Lion Tamarin, so I will spare you those pictures! I will, however, show the picture I took of the descriptive sign...

Animals' habitat needs:

The entrance to Rafiki's Planetwatch:

A parrot (I'm guessing, a macaw?):

The parrot and its handler/trainer. The trainer would say "One...Two..." and the parrot would say "Three!" Also, the trainer would ask "Where's the cat?" and the parrot would say "Meow!":

At this point, my camera battery died (I hadn't fully charged it the night before), so all remaining photos are from my smartphone.

Next: Wrapping up my Animal Kingdom Day

 

[PrincePluto]

I then walked over to the animal show in Rafiki's Planetwatch. It looks like I only took two pictures of that:

There was a cement mural on the ground outside Rafiki's Planetwatch that I guess is supposed to represent the Circle of Life:

I then headed back on the train, and headed over to Asia, passing Flights of Wonder:

I thought these colorful signs near Kali River Rapids were interesting:

I got a good picture of Expedition Everest from the photo spot:

Apparently, that was the last photo I took that day. If I recall, after this I had a bite to eat at the counter service of Yak & Yeti. I then headed out of the park.

Coming up: Park Day 2, Magic Kingdom

 

[PrincePluto]

On Sunday, October 24, 2010, I went to the Magic Kingdom theme park. It was unseasonably hot - high 80s.

I woke up early, got ready, and drove to the main parking lot by the Transportation and Ticket center. I did not take a picture of or make a note of where I parked. I did, however take a picture of the monorail platform, so I know how I got to the park:

I went through bag check and the turnstile, and started taking pictures of the area in front of the Main Street station.

Rope drop:

We then had the countdown and went into the park.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I like your idea of sharing stuff from as past trip and I'm considering doing it myself.

 

[PrincePluto]

I went, with half of the crowd, through the tunnel on the left-hand side of the train station. I turned onto Main Street, and got the usual lump in my throat at seeing Cinderella Castle. The last several trips, due to planning my park days around expected crowd levels, it works out that I visit Animal Kingdom on the first park day and Magic Kingdom on the second, but it somehow doesn't really feel like Disney World until I see Cinderella Castle!

I loved Main Street in all of its Halloween decor!

The CMs along Main Street really looked like they were enjoying greeting the public!

In my excitement, I actually did manage to get one picture that had the Castle in it:

I took a shortcut, through Tomorrowland Terrace, to avoid the main crowd flow; however, a surprising number of people knew this "trick". My first "ride" of the day was in Tomorrowland, at the TTA, which I still prefer to call the WEDway Peoplemover. I prefer this ride over Space Mountain, and almost as much as Buzz Lightyear. (What can I say, I'm a Disney transportation nerd!)

I was a chicken about taking flash pictures in the "dark" parts of the PeopleMover, so they came out underexposed - kinda neat, though, I think, as is seen in this photo of Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin:

Tomorrowland Speedway:

Love these old Swan Boats docks! I know I'm probably in the minority (except among people like the frequenters of these boards) who wish the Swan Boats would be brought back. I know, it's probably not economically profitable, but I can dream, can't I?

All too soon, the ride was over. I probably could have just stayed in my car and ridden again (there was no line), but I thought I'd ride some other rides being it was still early.

As I headed back towards the hub, I took a couple of photos of the Castle and gardens:

I am a big fan of topiaries, especially this Mickey and Minnie one:

Dumbo and Timmy

Where would I go next? Perhaps this next photo is a clue:

That's right, Fantasyland!

Next: Fantasyland

 

[PrincePluto]

I walked through Cinderella Castle and came out in Fantasyland:

Prince Charming Regal Carousel - For those not aware, most of the horses on this carousel come from the former Olympic Park in Irvington, New Jersey.

It's A Small World:

The wait was 5 minutes, so naturally I had to get on line (also, I wanted to get inside in the air conditioning! Did I mention it was HOT?!?)

I miss the skyride!

Next, I headed over to Liberty Square, to go in The Haunted Mansion.

Next: Haunted Mansion

 

[PrincePluto]

OK, so I approach the Haunted Mansion gates and see that there's not that bad a wait, so I get on line:

I didn't take any pictures inside the ride as my camera did not have a low-light setting, and of course flash photography "scares the ghosts".

The crypts:

The seven wives of Bluebeard:

Now that I was out of the Haunted Mansion, I decided to go on the Liberty Belle cruise. (Disney transportation geek!)

Next: The Liberty Belle

 

[PrincePluto]

I walked over to the Liberty Belle embarkation dock, and I didn't have long at all to wait for the boat, less than 5 minutes if my memory is correct.

I found a seat on the upper deck, and took some pictures of Tom Sawyer's Island:

The horn blasted, and we were underway:

A raft getting ready to travel to the island:

More photos of the passing scenery:

All too soon, our river cruise was over, and it was time to disembark. I next headed over to Frontierland.

 

[PrincePluto]

After I got off the Liberty Belle, I started to walk through Frontierland. I passed the Diamond Horseshoe (formerly known as the Diamond Horseshoe Revue, when it had entertainment)

I entered Pirates of the Caribbean, and the line was not very long. I got on board the boat, and my first picture was an attempt to capture the likeness of Davy Jones:

I was hesitant to use flash, and my camera doesn't do so hot in low light situations:

Luckily, I had better luck taking pictures in the dump shop.

I then went to Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management.

The queue area:

I had the same problem with low light conditions in the Tiki Room:

After that, I bid Adventureland adieu, and headed out to the hub.

The "Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It" parade was just starting.

Next: "Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It"

 

[PrincePluto]

This is (was) a fun parade, because it encourages crowd participation:

After the parade, I strolled down to the Main Street Station and hopped on the train.

 

[PrincePluto]

I walked over to Frontierland station, and hopped on the train:

I then rode the train around the park, to the Main Street Station. It would appear, however, that I didn't take pictures while the train was in motion.

After I got off the train, I took a couple of pictures of the signage around Main Street Station:

I then went out and started walking up Main Street:

I then saw the Main Street brass ensemble performing, and stopped to watch and take some pictures:

After this, I decided to leave the park and head back to my timeshare.

After I got back to the timeshare, I met up with my parents, and we stayed in for dinner, cooked by my mom in the kitchenette.

Then I retired to my room, and watched some TV until I went to bed, early because the next day I planned to go to EPCOT.

Next: EPCOT day 1

 

[LindseyLou2222]

Great pics! Love all the Halloween decorations.

 

[PrincePluto]

Great pics! Love all the Halloween decorations.

Welcome to my trip report, LindseyLou2222! Thanks! Yes, Autumn is my favorite time to go to the World. If you pick the week right, crowd levels are lower, and the weather is obviously not as hot as in July. Plus, it also happens to be when the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot takes place, which is my favorite (although now that food and wine booths are up at Flower and Garden festival, I may have to make it a close second!)

 

[PrincePluto]

I was excited to get to Epcot, so I got up extra early, got ready, ate a bowl of cereal and a pop tart, and drove to the park.

I paid, parked my car, and walked towards the big silver ball...

There were several people in front of me at the turnstiles:

I took a picture through the turnstiles of the Food and Wine Festival landscaping. It was the 15th annual Food and Wine Festival.

I always think of the concrete slabs in front of Spaceship Earth as "tank traps".

They let us through the turnstiles, and we headed for the rope drop.

Daisy Duck was there with a handler, but I was on a mission: to get a Fastpass to Soarin', and then to ride it standby. I didn't see anybody else stopping for her, either. I felt kind of bad for her, but not really...

As I passed The Art of Disney, I saw that Fine Artist David Doss was appearing there. I personally am not familiar with his work, but I am sure he has a legion of fans.

The rope was set up in front of the fountain, and several of the classic characters were present.

The rope was then dropped, and we headed over en masse to The Land.

I got a Fastpass to Soarin', and then rode "Soarin'" standby, then rode "Living With The Land".

Next: Living With The Land