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My Big Fat Disney Solo Weekend: April 2015 Trip Report - COMPLETED
- Thread starter Elevationist
- Start date
Elevationist
Princess No-Pants
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2004
DAY 1
April 24th, 2015 - Friday
Travel/Dinner at Boma
On Friday, the day of my departure, the plan had been to sleep until about Noon (which is normally NO problem for me), then my Mom would be picking me up at 1:30pm to take me to pick-up my rental car. My own car is a piece of junk that I only trust around town, and not even that sometimes. (I'm actually only doing one short trip to Disney in 2016, because I need to save up money to replace it.)
However, Murphy's Law... My eyes just POPPED open at 9:30am, and refused to close again.
So I got up, packed my last minute things, goofed around on Facebook, goofed around on the DisBoards, checked my bags again, laid down to try to go back to sleep, got back up, checked my bags again, put on pants, got back on the DisBoards... You know the drill. I was super antsy! But also super ready to gooooooo!
My bags were all packed!
No thanks to this guy, who tried to "help" on the night I was pulling out all my suitcases and bags and trying to decide which ones to take...
Made sure that I had my MagicBand for this trip, all packed and ready to go!
Killing time until it was time to go was killing ME! But finally after what seemed like FOR-EH-VER, my Mama knocked on my apartment door, and ushered me off to pick up my car. Hooray, let's get this show on the road!
But... as is usual for my local Enterprise branch... we get there, only to find out that they didn't have a car for me. Again. Those of you who read my last TR might remember that this happened to me back in September, too.
So we got there at 1:45pm for my 2:00pm reservation for a Compact car... and I was finally on the road just after 2:30pm. Not quite as bad as last year, which took over an hour for them to resolve. And despite it putting me behind schedule, THIS one sweet thing did happen again...
Upgraded! This time to a Full Size car, since it was the first car that became available! Hello, Toyota Camry! I love you!
She was niiiiiiiiiiiice. Drove like a dream, too!
So finally, I was on the road and headed down I-95 South! For those new to my TRs, I am lucky enough to live only about a 5-hour drive from Orlando. Believe it or not, sometimes I'm really envious of ya'll that fly down. Especially as a solo traveler, I would much rather just kick back and read a book and let somebody else get me there!
But alas, my closest airport, Savannah GA, doesn't offer any non-stop flights to Orlando. So by the time I would drive the 45 minutes to Savannah, be at the airport 1-2 hours early to check-in and clear security, fly up to Charlotte or Atlanta, catch a connecting flight back down to Orlando, and then catch DME to my resort... I could have just driven in the same amount of time or less, and for a whole lot less money. So. Until an airline begins offering affordable direct flights from SAV to MCO... Then road trips it is for this girl!
Along the way, just a few minutes north of Savannah, I stopped for my favorite road food: Krystal! Yum! Little bitty mini greaseball cheeseburgers may be bad for my heart, but are so very good for my soul!
Om nom nom, road food goodness!
Also, my mom made a batch of Rice Krispy treats for me to take with me. (Did I mention she's kind of the best?) I was nibbling on those during the drive, too:
Yeah. Totally took a photo of me eating one while going down the interstate. BEST. DRIVER. EVER.
So things continued on just peachy for a couple hours. I stopped just north of Jacksonville for a gas top-off and to pee and stretch my legs, business as usual.
And then... Jacksonville.
Now, let's talk about this photo for a moment. As you can see, I am at a full and complete stop to take this photo. Also, let's talk about that line of cars in my side mirror. Or how about this line of cars ahead of me...
So needless to say, this made me an unhappy Billie.
It was backed up for miles. I probably sat in this traffic for a good 45 minutes. So, combined with the Enterprise issue, now I was an hour and 15 minutes behind schedule. But being the good little planner that I am, I had made my dinner ADR for a later seating that night (9:00pm), just in case this happened. I did the math in my head, and so as long as I didn't hit any problems on I-4, I'd still make it in plenty of time.
...Uh huh.
Two hours later, I'm sitting at a stand-still in Orlando for an HOUR. This was pretty much me:
And this:
And maybe a little bit of this:
I called Disney Dining, and let them know what was going on. They put me on hold to call the restaurant, who assured them that as long as I made it by 9:30pm, they would still seat me. Whew. Well, it'll be close, but at least there's hope...
I finally got through the grid lock, and was moving again. When I finally passed under that archway for Walt Disney World, finally a sense of peace settled over me, and I knew that somehow it would be all right.
I drove and drove and drove, finally reaching my dinner destination. It was 9:20pm at this point, and I just knew that by the time I parked the car and walked up to the resort and then the restaurant, I might be shut out. So I sprung for the valet parking, quickly handed my keys over to the attendant, and made my way inside. Thankfully this was one I'm very familiar with, so I headed right to the check-in podium.
Oh right, where was I headed in such a hurry? Why, to kick off my quick & dirty Disney vacation right here:
Boma!!! I was seated relatively quickly, and I had a LOVELY server named Stacey who was just wonderful, and really went out of her way to make sure I didn't feel rushed. I also decided that I deserved a cocktail after the stress of the last couple hours...
African Rum Runner. Deeeeelicious!
And then the noms...
For a complete and detailed review of my Boma experience, with more photos, feel free to check out my Dining Report for this trip by clicking HERE!
I was considering a second round of deserts, but then I looked around the restaurant and realized I was the very last customer. I didn't want to be "that person" holding all the CMs up, so I took it as a sign that it was time to go. I settled the check, then wandered on over to one of my favorite resort gift shops...
They just have the coolest stuff here! I have a friend from high school, Amanda, who has always had a thing for rhinos. So I took a photo of these guys for her:
Too cute!!!
I wandered a bit, and decided to buy me a new set of classic Minnie Ears. I love how they are making them now with the red bow all puffy. So I got those, then headed out to the lobby to chill out for a few minutes, upload some pics to Facebook, and snapped this shot...
It was getting late and I knew I had a super early day the next morning, so I headed for the Valet Desk and had my car brought back around. Then it was off to Kissimmee!
As much as I would have liked to stay in a Disney resort this first night, it saved me a TON of money to just get a cheap bed through a hook-up at work, then check into my Disney hotel early the next morning. So I headed over to the Magnuson Grand Maingate West, just 2 miles from Animal Kingdom Lodge, and bedded down for the night.
Up Next... Check-in at Port Orleans French Quarter, and Arrival at Magic Kingdom!
April 24th, 2015 - Friday
Travel/Dinner at Boma
On Friday, the day of my departure, the plan had been to sleep until about Noon (which is normally NO problem for me), then my Mom would be picking me up at 1:30pm to take me to pick-up my rental car. My own car is a piece of junk that I only trust around town, and not even that sometimes. (I'm actually only doing one short trip to Disney in 2016, because I need to save up money to replace it.)
However, Murphy's Law... My eyes just POPPED open at 9:30am, and refused to close again.
So I got up, packed my last minute things, goofed around on Facebook, goofed around on the DisBoards, checked my bags again, laid down to try to go back to sleep, got back up, checked my bags again, put on pants, got back on the DisBoards... You know the drill. I was super antsy! But also super ready to gooooooo!
My bags were all packed!
No thanks to this guy, who tried to "help" on the night I was pulling out all my suitcases and bags and trying to decide which ones to take...
Made sure that I had my MagicBand for this trip, all packed and ready to go!
Killing time until it was time to go was killing ME! But finally after what seemed like FOR-EH-VER, my Mama knocked on my apartment door, and ushered me off to pick up my car. Hooray, let's get this show on the road!
But... as is usual for my local Enterprise branch... we get there, only to find out that they didn't have a car for me. Again. Those of you who read my last TR might remember that this happened to me back in September, too.
So we got there at 1:45pm for my 2:00pm reservation for a Compact car... and I was finally on the road just after 2:30pm. Not quite as bad as last year, which took over an hour for them to resolve. And despite it putting me behind schedule, THIS one sweet thing did happen again...
Upgraded! This time to a Full Size car, since it was the first car that became available! Hello, Toyota Camry! I love you!
She was niiiiiiiiiiiice. Drove like a dream, too!
So finally, I was on the road and headed down I-95 South! For those new to my TRs, I am lucky enough to live only about a 5-hour drive from Orlando. Believe it or not, sometimes I'm really envious of ya'll that fly down. Especially as a solo traveler, I would much rather just kick back and read a book and let somebody else get me there!
But alas, my closest airport, Savannah GA, doesn't offer any non-stop flights to Orlando. So by the time I would drive the 45 minutes to Savannah, be at the airport 1-2 hours early to check-in and clear security, fly up to Charlotte or Atlanta, catch a connecting flight back down to Orlando, and then catch DME to my resort... I could have just driven in the same amount of time or less, and for a whole lot less money. So. Until an airline begins offering affordable direct flights from SAV to MCO... Then road trips it is for this girl!
Along the way, just a few minutes north of Savannah, I stopped for my favorite road food: Krystal! Yum! Little bitty mini greaseball cheeseburgers may be bad for my heart, but are so very good for my soul!
Om nom nom, road food goodness!
Also, my mom made a batch of Rice Krispy treats for me to take with me. (Did I mention she's kind of the best?) I was nibbling on those during the drive, too:
Yeah. Totally took a photo of me eating one while going down the interstate. BEST. DRIVER. EVER.
So things continued on just peachy for a couple hours. I stopped just north of Jacksonville for a gas top-off and to pee and stretch my legs, business as usual.
And then... Jacksonville.
Now, let's talk about this photo for a moment. As you can see, I am at a full and complete stop to take this photo. Also, let's talk about that line of cars in my side mirror. Or how about this line of cars ahead of me...
So needless to say, this made me an unhappy Billie.
It was backed up for miles. I probably sat in this traffic for a good 45 minutes. So, combined with the Enterprise issue, now I was an hour and 15 minutes behind schedule. But being the good little planner that I am, I had made my dinner ADR for a later seating that night (9:00pm), just in case this happened. I did the math in my head, and so as long as I didn't hit any problems on I-4, I'd still make it in plenty of time.
...Uh huh.
Two hours later, I'm sitting at a stand-still in Orlando for an HOUR. This was pretty much me:
And this:
And maybe a little bit of this:
I called Disney Dining, and let them know what was going on. They put me on hold to call the restaurant, who assured them that as long as I made it by 9:30pm, they would still seat me. Whew. Well, it'll be close, but at least there's hope...
I finally got through the grid lock, and was moving again. When I finally passed under that archway for Walt Disney World, finally a sense of peace settled over me, and I knew that somehow it would be all right.
I drove and drove and drove, finally reaching my dinner destination. It was 9:20pm at this point, and I just knew that by the time I parked the car and walked up to the resort and then the restaurant, I might be shut out. So I sprung for the valet parking, quickly handed my keys over to the attendant, and made my way inside. Thankfully this was one I'm very familiar with, so I headed right to the check-in podium.
Oh right, where was I headed in such a hurry? Why, to kick off my quick & dirty Disney vacation right here:
Boma!!! I was seated relatively quickly, and I had a LOVELY server named Stacey who was just wonderful, and really went out of her way to make sure I didn't feel rushed. I also decided that I deserved a cocktail after the stress of the last couple hours...
African Rum Runner. Deeeeelicious!
And then the noms...
For a complete and detailed review of my Boma experience, with more photos, feel free to check out my Dining Report for this trip by clicking HERE!
I was considering a second round of deserts, but then I looked around the restaurant and realized I was the very last customer. I didn't want to be "that person" holding all the CMs up, so I took it as a sign that it was time to go. I settled the check, then wandered on over to one of my favorite resort gift shops...
They just have the coolest stuff here! I have a friend from high school, Amanda, who has always had a thing for rhinos. So I took a photo of these guys for her:
Too cute!!!
I wandered a bit, and decided to buy me a new set of classic Minnie Ears. I love how they are making them now with the red bow all puffy. So I got those, then headed out to the lobby to chill out for a few minutes, upload some pics to Facebook, and snapped this shot...
It was getting late and I knew I had a super early day the next morning, so I headed for the Valet Desk and had my car brought back around. Then it was off to Kissimmee!
As much as I would have liked to stay in a Disney resort this first night, it saved me a TON of money to just get a cheap bed through a hook-up at work, then check into my Disney hotel early the next morning. So I headed over to the Magnuson Grand Maingate West, just 2 miles from Animal Kingdom Lodge, and bedded down for the night.
Up Next... Check-in at Port Orleans French Quarter, and Arrival at Magic Kingdom!
Last edited:
Elevationist
Princess No-Pants
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2004
Yaaaay! Hi, Tracy!Oh I wouldn't miss this!!! I'm SOOO excited to hear all about it!!!
Hooray! So glad you're HERE, too!Watching this one, too!!! Can't wait to read about it
Yaaaay! Details forthcoming!I'm here, I'm here, I'm here!!! Can't wait to read all the details!!
Hi, Lauren!
The weather turned out just fine! I was pleased! Yay, hi Sarah!
Woohoo, Mo is here, the party can start now!
Hi, Amy! Welcome!Following along too!
Yay, Kelly! I'm so glad you made it here!I'm here too
Hi, Colleen!Following along. Can't wait to hear about your whirlwind trip!
I can't want to tell ya'll all about it! I am, even if unintentionally. I seem to have brought a cold back home with me.
It was! Hot and humid, but there was a nice breeze. And I'm from a very humid part of the country, so it didn't bother me!
They do if you're a princess!
Welcome!!!Following
Yay! Hi, Jamie!
Hi, Lynn! So glad you're here!
Hi, Lori!
And I bought my tiara in Disney on my last trip, so it's kind of a no-brainer for me. 
OMG, it's Rob! Hi, Rob!Hi Billie!! All set for your new solo excursion.
So happy to have you back for this one! 
I couldn't agree more!is as good of a reason as any.
Hi, and welcome!!Ready to hear all about your trip!
Aww, well I'm VERY glad that you're here, with me, Kathy! I'll do my best to continue to be entertaining!
Hi, Squeegee! So glad to see you here!
Disneycrewof5
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2014
Too bad about the traffic...but hooray for arriving! My drive would be 20+ hours, so it has to be a plane for us (which the crew and I will be boarding in about 54 days). Dinner looks amazing.
. Dinner looks amazing.
disneymomof1
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2006
following along !!
SarahDisney
So ... Yeah
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2014
Upgraded! This time to Full Size car, since it was the first car that was available! Hello, Toyota Camry! I love you!
Yay for the upgrade, but really ... how hard is it to have the car ready when its supposed to be?
Yeah. I took a photo of me eating one while driving. I'm a super duper driver.
Maybe it's because I don't drive, but ... sounds good to me
Holy cow. That's a lot of cars not moving.
Yay for the restaurant being okay with you being late.
I actually love being there right when restaurants close ... it's so much quieter, and if they don't rush you, you really get a chance to enjoy it.
So, when do we get to see a picture of you with the new ears?
I'm actually thinking of getting those puffy bow ears on my next trip...
Other than the car & traffic issues, sounds like a good arrival night!
DonnaBeeGood
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2014
.
Last edited:
hokieinpa
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2014
Yay! So excited that you started this! Your TRs are the best!
You have some serious upgrade luck!! A nice, comfy car makes the road trip more tolerable, I'm sure!
Yummy! What a sweet mama!
Oh, Billie. Traffic is just the worst on a normal day. But when you're trying to make it to your happy place? Nightmare!
Ahhh, it just makes everything better!
Dinner at Boma sounds delicious! I've heard great things about the zebra domes, too! We're renting DVC points at AKL next trip so I know Boma will be a must do but I'm thinking breakfast on our rest day. But I think Mara has zebra domes too and I know we'll swing by there a few times.
Can't wait to hear about your Magic Kingdom day!
Upgraded! This time to a Full Size car, since it was the first car that was available! Hello, Toyota Camry! I love you!
You have some serious upgrade luck!! A nice, comfy car makes the road trip more tolerable, I'm sure!
Yummy! What a sweet mama!
Oh, Billie. Traffic is just the worst on a normal day. But when you're trying to make it to your happy place? Nightmare!
Ahhh, it just makes everything better!
Dinner at Boma sounds delicious! I've heard great things about the zebra domes, too! We're renting DVC points at AKL next trip so I know Boma will be a must do but I'm thinking breakfast on our rest day. But I think Mara has zebra domes too and I know we'll swing by there a few times.
Can't wait to hear about your Magic Kingdom day!
deedee2177
Disney Darling
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2012
Ugh!! I run into the same issue every time with Enterprise!! Glad you got the upgrade though!
Boo for traffic! It's the absolute worst getting through one traffic jam just to hit another one!
So glad you were able to make your ADR! I agree a cocktail was definitely in order.
Looking forward to following along on the rest of your journey!
Boo for traffic! It's the absolute worst getting through one traffic jam just to hit another one!
So glad you were able to make your ADR! I agree a cocktail was definitely in order.
Looking forward to following along on the rest of your journey!
finny1981
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2013
I would love to have a 5 hour drive We actually live 18+ hours plus stops from WDW and drove 2 of the 3 times we have went, but are flying again this year just to get the extra days at the park. If we are able to go next year though I think we will save the money and drive again 
Can't wait to read the rest of your trip!!
We actually live 18+ hours plus stops from WDW and drove 2 of the 3 times we have went, but are flying again this year just to get the extra days at the park. If we are able to go next year though I think we will save the money and drive again Can't wait to read the rest of your trip!!
Chicago Mo
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2010
Holy Sheep..... wool.. you had some serious traffic!!! thankfully we don't hit it.. we start the drive about 3 central time. so most of the driving is in the DEAD of the night.. i do mean DEAD night. took us about 16 total hours to get here.
So glad you made it to Boma!! YAY for you!!! i am sure you were ready to hit the bed face first!
So glad you made it to Boma!! YAY for you!!! i am sure you were ready to hit the bed face first!
STLMickeyMom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2013
What's up enterprise?!!? Get your act together--this chick is headed to Disney and needs to hit the road!!!
That traffic! It makes me crazy!
I'm so glad you made it and got to have your yummy dinner! Yay, valet parking!
That traffic! It makes me crazy!
I'm so glad you made it and got to have your yummy dinner! Yay, valet parking!
cinderkelly
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 9, 2014
Oy the traffic!! I would be super stressed about potentially missing my ADR. It's awesome that they were cool with you being late. Must put Boma on my "to do" list for our next trip 
The zebra domes.....mmmmmmmmmm we were able to partake in them when we had dinner at the QS there. AKL is amazingly beautiful.
Nice ride they upgraded to you!
BTW, love the face paint in your new avatar pic! So pretty!
Girl you are the gif queen .....love them!
The zebra domes.....mmmmmmmmmm we were able to partake in them when we had dinner at the QS there. AKL is amazingly beautiful.
Nice ride they upgraded to you!
BTW, love the face paint in your new avatar pic! So pretty!
Girl you are the gif queen .....love them!
ursalita
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2014
Hi Billie. Ugh! I'm sorry you had to deal with so many delays. It's great that you were upgraded to the nicer car but nothing good about that traffic. 
At least you still made it to dinner. 
It is great to live 5 hours from Orlando but it would be nice to have the option to fly if you wanted to. That beverage looks delish. It must have been nice after the long, stressful drive. AKL is so beautiful. If it wasn't so far away from everything I'd love to stay there. I'll go over to check out your dining review. 
At least you still made it to dinner. It is great to live 5 hours from Orlando but it would be nice to have the option to fly if you wanted to. That beverage looks delish. It must have been nice after the long, stressful drive. AKL is so beautiful. If it wasn't so far away from everything I'd love to stay there. I'll go over to check out your dining review. 
KathyM2
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2011
I'm here reading along!!! Great report so far!! That drive looked a bit painful...but still you are lucky to be able to drive there - though I totally understand wanting to not have to be the one driving...hate driving...especially in Florida lol. BUT...just a question - do they have busses or trains or anything from where you live to Orlando? Just a thought....Anyway...looks like you got a great ride and made it there for your ADR so that's all that matters!! Looking forward to hearing the rest - I'm THISCLOSE to booking a trip at the POFQ for October....so I can't wait to hear more about it on your TR!!
DisneyKid4Life
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2013
Yeah... I always say, Good Luck sleeping on Disney Departure day. It's scientifically impossible.
I am so ridiculously envious of people within driving distance of Disney. Cheaper, and more or less on your own schedule. Of course, I am also envious of those who have year round direct flights too. So yeah, just overall really envious I guess.
I-4. Issues? Never.
I am already a fan of your dinner choice because... Stacey.
Oh lord ain't it the truth. I don't think people quite realize how cheap the off property hotels are. But especially when it's just a quick one nighter. I say, save the bucks.
I am so ridiculously envious of people within driving distance of Disney. Cheaper, and more or less on your own schedule. Of course, I am also envious of those who have year round direct flights too. So yeah, just overall really envious I guess.
I-4. Issues? Never.
I am already a fan of your dinner choice because... Stacey.
Oh lord ain't it the truth. I don't think people quite realize how cheap the off property hotels are. But especially when it's just a quick one nighter. I say, save the bucks.
pigletgirl
Mama to 4 Disney loving kids!
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2006
Hey Billie! I didn't realize you had a bonus weekend at WDW! How cool is that? POFQ is one of our favorite resorts and I hope you loved it too. Can't wait to hear how your weekend went.
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