Avalon Goes Solo: March 23rd-26th 2015: The unwritten trip report!

avalon451

Errrr... what?
Joined
Mar 1, 2008
Hi there. My name is Gail, but I was formerly known on these boards as Avalon.

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away (okay, it was 2008, and we live near Seattle) I planned a trip to Disneyland with my family for the first time. I have 3 lovely daughters, who were then 5, 9 and 12, and a sweet husband who's an engineer at Boeing. The trip was... well, sort of a bust, at least for my oldest, who got very, very sick with some kind of flu thing, the very first day. DH and I spent a lot of time swapping hotel duty to stay with her. So, with the encouragement of the lovely folks on these boards, DD12 and I went on a "do over trip," just her and me, the following October. That trip was fantastic, a great bonding time with her, and it is detailed in the link in my signature below.

Fast forward 8 years. Those lovely daughters? Even lovelier, now at ages almost-13, 17, and almost-20. DH? Still a sweetheart, and we celebrated our 25th anniversary last summer. The intervening years, however, have not been kind. My middle daughter went through a lot of problems with anxiety and panic attacks. Then, just when she'd made great strides with that and was living nearly normally again, she was diagnosed with a tumor in her spinal column at age 15. It was successfully removed, but started growing back again 15 months later, and she had to have proton radiation last summer to stop the growth. She came through it all beautifully, bravely and with hardly any problems, thank God. The remaining 3 small lesions in her spine seem to be "dead" and stable, no new growth, and she has very little leftover nerve pain, just occasional tiredness when she over does things. So that is a watch and wait situation, and the prognosis for her type of tumor is usually quite good.

As you can imagine, even with insurance there have been hospital bills, leaves of absence from work, etc. adding up to some debt load. However, we had a very fortunate financial windfall this year with DH's bonus, and suddenly, except for our mortgage, we're debt free. YAY! My paycheck (from part time library work) is my own again, instead of the car payment's, or the line of credit payment's!

So I was musing to DH last Sunday night, thinking about starting to save up my earnings for a graduation trip for the girls next year, maybe to Hawaii. DD13 will be graduating from 8th grade, DD17 from high school, and DD20 from college. I said, "You know, though, I always kind of wondered what it would be like to go to Disneyland again. So much has changed since we went. But, you know, I was the one who was really into it, did all the researching, made friends on the DISboards... If I ever went again, I always wondered what it would be like to go solo."

Darling Husband looked at me in all seriousness, and said, "Do it."

I scoffed. "I couldn't possibly."

"Why not?"

"Work. The kids, I'm their taxi, and the appointment master, how could I possibly?"

DH looked at the calendar on the fridge where my work schedule is posted. "Look, you have 3 days off the fourth week in March." He got out his work laptop and looked at his schedule. "No problem, I can easily take that week off and do the kid taxi duties."

"I can't spend that money on just ME!"

Reasonably, DH said, "Look, you always encouraged me to go solo backpacking, and that is my renewal time, just for me. You helped me buy all that top-of-the-line equipment, plan the time, and just take off. How is this any different? After all you've been through? You totally deserve this."

I love that man. :lovestruc

The kids were... well, the youngest was like, "Cool. Treat yoself." The oldest was like, "Okaaaayyyy..." The middle one got kind of pissed. "Don't you think you should be spending that money on the house or something?" Till her dad shot her a look and she subsided. I'm still fighting the guilt, kind of, and I'm keeping it very quiet. I'm not talking about it to the kids much, and I haven't told family anything yet, though I'll have to tell my mom and my brother eventually. I'm going to keep it kind of on the down low, just because I think the attitudes would be mostly, "What? Why would you go without the family?"

I'm telling you, though, I am SO looking forward to this. I think I will miss the fam. But I think I will greatly enjoy the freedom to do what I want, at my own pace. Any of you parents out there can relate: a vacation, even with older kids, is always about the kids. Are they rested, are they fed, warm, happy, tired? Are they scared of that ride? Do they want me to go on the Teacups with them? :crazy2: Can we all sleep in the same room without keeping each other awake all night?

This time. This time... I will have a hotel room to myself... a bed, a BATHROOM all to myself (with 3 teenaged girls, that is no small matter!). I will get up whenever I want to (early, to get to the gate at opening) stop and rest when I want to, eat some fancy meals with wine (Napa Rose, Chef's Counter, you bet!) and just generally enjoy the hell out of my 3 days in the parks. I will ride California Screamin', front car, as many times as I want. I will do RSR for the first time, single rider. I will ride POTC, my absolute favorite, till I can't get the song out of my head. I'll ride IASMW because it was closed for a massive refurb both times I was there before.

So... the planning has begun, I'll introduce myself a bit more later on with pictures, and tell you what I have planned so far.

Let the magic begin! pixiedust:
 
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Good for you! I took my first solo trip last March and loved it! I didn't mind being on my own at all. The only time I felt lonely was at my hotel at night and I couldn't sleep very well. But I would gladly sacrifice a little sleep for my time at Disneyland!
Take advantage of the single rider lines. In DL they have them for Indy, Matterhorn, and Splash. At DCA it's RSR, CA Screamin', Grizzly River Run, Goofy's Sky School, and Soarin'. Don't do SRL for Soarin', it didn't save any time at all, I would've been better off with a FP. Oh, but I think it will still be down when you're there so that won't matter anyway.
I had so much fun last year that I recently purchase my first AP! I figured I could get in some more solo trips if the family doesn't want to come, but I already have two trips planned, one in March with my mom and one in June with my DS7. I hope to get a solo trip in August.
You will have such a great time!!!!
 
I hope you have an awesome time. I remember way back in 2009 you posted me a Disneyland brochure, which was very kind of you. :). 6 years later we have been to Disneyland 3 times and WDW once. Hoping for a mother daughter trip to Disneyland this April (standby flight dependent). A solo trip sounds like a wonderful treat, best of luck with coming up to speed with all the changes.
 
Here's me and my supporting cast:

DH and I. We met on a blind date 30 years ago this summer, and the rest was history. We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary this past summer, with a 3 week trip to England, Scotland and Wales-- in the works for 2 years, and a lifelong dream. He is my knight in shining armor. He is an engineering supervisor for Boeing, and is typically engineer-like in that he is very logical, practical and methodical. But he is a devoted husband and dad, and while he may not spout poetry, he shows his devotion in how he slays corporate dragons for us daily, and spoils us all rotten.

GailnAl.jpg


And my kiddos. The oldest will be 20 in April. She is in design at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, and is getting her degree in visual communications. She's specializing in 3-D design and web applications, and according to her mentors, her future's so bright, she's gotta wear shades. The middle DD just turned 17. She's a junior in high school, and is a fabulous butterfly. She's incredibly brave, very funny and loving, and a has kind of a relaxed attitude toward life. DD12 will be 13 in April. She is smart, funny and creative. Very good at drawing, and very into all things anime and manga.

DD12, 17, and 19 at Christmas:

grlzxmas.jpg

The picture behind them on the mantle is one that was taken 3 years ago, and is still one of my favorites:

Grlz.jpg

So: Solo trip. I love big rides: Space Mountain, Cali Screamin', ToT, BTMRR. Bring 'em on. DD17 and DD12: not so much. DD19 loves them too, and we went on everything together on our mom/daughter trip in 08. DH likes big rides in theory, but he found out that ToT is something he never wants to do again, and Cali Screamin' not so much, either. Therefore, every ride was a shuffle: who's going, who's staying with the non-riders. Not this time! :yay:

We have airline miles through our Alaska Airline Visa. We are getting rid of the card, and needed to use them up. Voila! Free airfare. I'm flying out at 6 a.m. on Sunday the 23rd, and back at 4 p.m. on Thursday the 26th.

I picked up a 3-day parkhopper through WAY.com for $25 off the regular price. I'll be in the parks from Monday morning when I arrive (hope to get there by 10 or 11 a.m. through Wednesday night. Then on Thursday, I'll take a leisurely morning to sleep in, pack up, have lunch and do some shopping in DTD before I head home.

I have stayed at GHC (lovely! beautiful! Horribly overpriced!) and at HoJo (very nice but a bit of a walk, and without the incredible Entertainment Book prices like you used to be able to get, there's no way). I'm staying at the Desert Inn. It's not fancy, but it was still available, and it's very close to the crosswalk on Harbour. . Hey, all I need is a place to crash and shower (and maybe some earplugs) and I'm fine.

I've got Super Shuttle booked with a $3 discount each way.

I have PS's for the F! fastpass at Blue Bayou on Tuesday, and one for Wine Country Trattoria lunch on Monday for the WOC fp. I'm also trying to get in at the Chef's counter at Napa Rose for Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, my touring strategy:

Um. I got nothin'. It's all changed now! I was all over the FP system before when you could use the super-sekrit-return all day rule. Now I have to rethink my strategies.

Also I didn't have a smartphone back then, and I do now. So, what are the best apps to use? I gotta ask this over on the planning thread.

That's all for now, I'll check in again later when I have a clue about touring!
 


Your trip sounds amazing! I have a desire to do Disney by myself some day too. I look forward to reading your experiences.pixiedust:
 
Hi Avalon, following along. :cool1: It's spooky how like yours my trip is going to be. I'm also going solo for 3 days in March. I have ADRs for the BB F! and the WCT WOC meals and I bought my 3 day hopper from Way.com. I arrive the day you leave. Unlike you I'm a DL novice so I'm picking up lots of tips from TRs on the Dis. Am going to start my PTR / TR this evening - have been putting it off.
 
Started packing today! I will be in the parks one day from today. It's kind of surreal. I really didn't think I'd be going again, and here I am packing and planning! I'm getting really excited!

I made reservations for the Chef's counter at Napa Rose on my last night, Wednesday. Sweet hubby insisted I treat myself. :lovestruc

I've been working on the planning, but honestly, all I've got is a rough outline, and I think I'm gonna have to just go with that. It's going to be a challenge getting in everything I want to do without getting completely wiped out! I have plantar fasciitis, so my feet can start giving out if I don't baby them. I am wearing my trusty, broken-in athletic shoes with custom orthopedic insoles, and I'm bringing topical anti-inflammatory to rub on them morning and night.

7 more sleeps!
 


Also packing today - we have St Patrick's Day off work. I fly to Ca on Monday though don't go to Disneyland until Thursday week.

Napa Rose sounds lovely - your hubby is a sweetie. :thumbsup2

I have Sketchers Go Walks but need to work out what to bring for a change - I find I need to change even the most comfortable shoes on a long day in the parks. Will probably be ordinary trainers.
 
Yikes, ya'll, I just re-read my old TR from October '08, and it's made me SO PSYCHED for this trip! I'm gonna miss the girls and my sweet DH, but I don't think I'll be lonely.

Holy smokes, 3 more days! Yay yay yay!
 
Aaaaaannnd done with work for the week! Next stop DLR! :)

Look what I went and got done to my nails.



Minnie nails.jpg
 
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No idea how I'm going to handle my first morning. My flight gets in at 8:45 a.m.; I'll head to Desert Inn and check in, leave my bags, since my room won't be ready yet. Hoping to get into the parks by 10:30 a.m. But at that point, it's already going to be busy. I will probably get a Space FP and then ride whatever standby isn't too ridiculous at that point. Hmmm....
 
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I'm PACKING! Woo Hoo! :yay:

My 19 y.o. DD, who is generally the most sensitive to anybody's moods, sat down last night and looked at me with gentle concern. "You know, Mom, I'm worried that you're going to be lonely, and that you won't enjoy it as much because of that."

I didn't know quite how to break it to her that being lonely is NOT one of my concerns. :rolleyes1

Love my family. Love going on vacations with them. But as any parent knows, it's all about concern for the kids when you're traveling. You take LAST place in comfort and happiness concerns, as a parent. I'm wondering just what it will be like to only have to listen to my own body, my own "fun" meter. I suspect it's going to be extremely liberating!

On a different note, yesterday I was cleaning the house like a madwoman. The same daughter caught my eye as I was bustling past with a dust mop, and said, "You're cleaning because you feel guilty, aren't you?" :rotfl2: Nailed it, DD!

Wish me luck! I'm so psyched!
 
Your nails are awesome!! Have a fabulous time and remember, us moms will be living vicariously through you for the next few days. ::yes::
 
No idea how I'm going to handle my first morning. My flight gets in at 8:45 a.m.; I'll head to Desert Inn and check in, leave my bags, since my room won't be ready yet. Hoping to get into the parks by 10:30 a.m. But at that point, it's already going to be busy. I will probably get a Space FP and then ride whatever standby isn't too ridiculous at that point. Hmmm....

Don't forget now, SRL, where applicable. :)
 
Hi Avalon! I hope you're having a great first day, can't wait to read about it! Good for you, taking this trip, I'm sure you deserve it :)
 
So. I never did write the trip report for this trip, and I'm about to embark on another pre trip report! Probably nobody will see see this, but just in case you were following, and wondering whatever happened almost exactly one year ago on my solo trip...

I had a lovely time, but I missed my family!

That about sums it up. I discovered that, when I only have myself to plan for, I am a SLAVE DRIVER. I pushed myself relentlessly to go, go, go. I got pretty bad blisters on the balls of my feet (where I've never had them before) even though I was wearing my most supportive, broken-in tennies. I went back to the room every day for a rest, which is probably what saved me-- because otherwise I felt driven to always get that next FastPass, see that other show, even when I found I wasn't enjoying it that much.

I stayed at the Desert Inn, and it was really nice to have the room to myself. They were very nice and accommodating. I'd asked if I could have the top floor, as far toward the front as possible-- they upgraded me for free to a parlor suite! I certainly didn't need the extra room for just myself, but it was really nice being right close to the street, and on the top floor so I didn't have to listen to people walking around above me. All in all, it was clean, comfortable, and inexpensive, and right at the crosswalk! Staying there again on this next trip.

So, while I got to see and do everything I wanted and more... I found that I missed sharing the experience with DH and my DDs. I thought I was Disney obsessed, but found that really, I'm obsessed with planning a wonderful trip and then watching the joy and wonder that comes from it, blossoming on the faces of my lovely family!

ON THE OTHER HAND.... I have to say it was really fun to do whatever I felt like, whenever I felt like it!

My next trip... which I really didn't think was going to happen... is happening in September 2016, for my birthday. I found a really good deal on flights from Seattle, and the Desert Inn again for a great price, so DH is going to come with me for just a couple's trip! I'm super psyched, and I think he is, too. He's only been the once, when my oldest was 12 and got very sick. He spent a lot of time in the hotel staying with her (as did I) and he missed an awful lot of stuff. So even though he's not the type to show unmanly enthusiasm for Disney ;) he's been asking questions, and I caught him poring over my copy of the Unofficial Guide the other day. I think he's more excited than he lets on. So, I think this will be the best of both worlds: freedom to do adult stuff and not have to please the whole family all at once (which is fun, too, but its own special brand of fun) and also to share the magic with each other.

Cheers!
 

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