Originally Posted By WDWdreamin I had my first solo trip to Disneyland ever on Dec. 5 and 6 to celebrate completing my national boards exam. I had a blast! Strangely enough, although in charge of my own time, I didn’t go on my favorite ride, “the universe”. They weren’t taking single riders and the wait was always longer than I cared for. I can’t remember well enough to be totally chronological, but here’s my summary. I arrived about 8am on Friday. I went on Indy, Pirates, HM, Jungle Cruise, and Tiki. This was the first time I ever saw HM with the NBC theme. I liked it more than I thought I would considering I’m such a traditionalist I usually resist change. I met one of my friends who works for Disney in advertising for lunch and got to hear his life updates. I went to the 1pm Billy show and really enjoyed it. I spent time before and after the show looking for possible LPers but no such luck. I went on the Mark Twain for the first time ever and enjoyed the figures around on the banks. I went on Tom Sawyer’s Island for the first time in forever and saw the pirate’s lair stuff. It was cool. I watched the Christmas parade which was nice, but not up to the level of other Disney parades I can remember. I went on Splash using the SRL and then went on Soarin’ and GRR in DCA (Yay for SRLs). I got SO soaked on both water rides, and did not dry out at all between 3 and sunset. I asked at Customer Relations if they had any towels or hair dryers or anything and they said no. So I bought a DL sweatshirt and pair of sweatpants. They were very dry and comfy. I ate dinner with a couple from Mission Viejo who wanted to share the table. They were really nice and we talked for a long time because our table ended up being a good spot to stake out for Fantasmic and the fireworks. We watched them together. This was my first time seeing Fantasmic (and theirs) and it was fantastic. I was worried it wasn’t going to happen though because they had to restart the spiel numerous times. I was really impressed and want to watch it again. I took the monorail for the first time ever. Unfortunately it wasn’t going round trip so I had to wait at both ends. Fortunately, being just one person, I asked how one gets to sit in the cone and they said I could fit in with the First DL Trip family on the way out of the park. Their two sons were so excited about everything. The mom was just excited to have me to interrogate as they were from AZ and she was the only one in the family that had ever been to DL (once). I could describe rides and their scare factor and seating and location in the park. It felt really good to help them. It was also cool to be in the absolute front of the monorail with a 180+ view! I was in Tomorrowland when the band there started playing so I watched two of their performances, and rode the Matterhorn in between. I love the Matterhorn. Saturday, I was pretty worn out so I got up late and started the day in DCA. I went to TSMM first and though I went straight there I had a 40min wait. It was really fun though. I was upset though that they started letting single riders on it RIGHT BEFORE I got to the front of the line. I would’ve waited less if I’d known that. I went to the Muppet Show and Tough to be a Bug. I ate this amazing ice cream with gummy worms on top too. I practically walked on to TOT. But then it got stalled and I had to run to DL for lunch so I didn’t see much of it. I’m still not decided if I am sad about that or not, or if I will ever get the courage up to try again. No LPers showed again at lunch, but the food was good. I went on IASW. I thought it was going to have new characters but I guess I was mistaken. I did enjoy the ride since no one I’ve gone with recently was wiling to go on it. Yay for solo trips. I visited Toon Town for the first time since its opening year. I went on RRCSpin and that was cute. I looked at the houses and watched the kids enthralled with the characters. I walked by and checked out the Princess Faire. I took pictures of the food booth for my german. I went to the Billy Show one more time and enjoyed the audience participation a lot. Then I went to stand/sit and wait for Candlelight. I got a really good spot near a wheelchair only area to the left of the stage. The whole thing was incredible. I think I was a little too tired and foot-sore to enjoy it as much as it deserved, but the story is always good and the carols were nice. It was quite a spectacle and I am glad that I got to be a part of it this year. I left the park right after than to go home as the 24 hours in the parks in 2 days had me exhausted and the crowds were pretty large Saturday night.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains I am glad you had a good time - I wasn't aware of a lunch time possible meet... As I mentioned to you before, we with others who were pretty insistent on the first Billy Show on Friday.
Originally Posted By disneylandfan8 I've always wondering what a "solo" trip would be like. Sounds like you covered a lot of ground and got in on the SRLs a lot! Good for you! Are you going to be there for the International Meet? I hope so. I'm looking forward to meeting you!
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin I don't remember reading that before, so thanks for filling me in, villains. I think you were the one I was most looking forward to meeting. Thanks, dlf8. I really don't know if I will be able to make the Int'l Meet. I'll be getting my first real job in August/Sept 2009 and don't know where it will be or what the holiday schedule will be like for this new-be. If the visa stuff doesn't work out properly, I might need to go visit the DH in Germany! I am planning on the DLand anniversary 2009 though, so maybe there will be an LP meet in July?
Originally Posted By danyoung >Strangely enough, although in charge of my own time, I didn’t go on my favorite ride, “the universe”.< Glad you had a good time, but what is "the universe"?
Originally Posted By disneylandfan8 Dan, "The Universe" is what Schmitty Good Vibes grandson calls Space Mountain. I think it's kinda catching on here at the LP!!! WDW, I'm trying to be at DL for the July birthday, too, so maybe we'll get a chance to meet then! Keep your fingers crossed!
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Thank you for letting us know how your trip went! It sounds like you had a great time and you ended up with some clothes to remember your trip That was great that you met up with some nice people like the family to watch Fantasmic with and the family on the Monorail that you were able to help with the scare factor of the rides. I hope you can make the meet in December
