Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1205

July 30, 2014

Doing Disney World Solo: Having a Me Party

Disney Parks are advertised as the quintessential family vacation, but that doesn’t mean that you can only have fun with your family. Whether you’re in Orlando for a business conference, a local looking for a fun afternoon, or just planning a trip all for your “onesy” (as Jack Sparrow would say), the magic of Walt Disney World is easily captured by any intrepid traveler! If Amy Adams and Miss Piggy can have fun with their own “Me Party”, anyone can! Let’s dive in and find some ideas to help you create your own “Me Party” when you are traveling solo at Disney World.

Amy Adams, from The Muppets, shows us that anyone can have fun at a “me party”!

Why Travel Walt Disney World Solo

Believe it or not, there are lots of little perks to being a solo traveler at Walt Disney World. After all, you can create your own agenda. It’s a very liberating feeling walking through the theme parks and only answering to yourself. A quick stop for a Dole Whip at Aloha Isle, a last minute dining reservation (ADR) at your favorite restaurant (if you can get it), or maybe you want to re-ride the tea cups at the Mad Tea Party six times in a row. It’s up to you!

Solo Travel Considerations

Safety: Before we jump right into the fun, it’s important to consider the safety of being a solo-traveler. I always stay at a Disney owned resort on property when I travel by myself. That’s not to say that other local hotels aren’t safe, but there is a familiarity with the Disney resorts and the caring nature of the cast members that make it extra comforting. When checking in, I usually tell the cast member that I’m by myself and would prefer a room close to the main building for security reasons. Though there is no guarantee that they can accommodate this request, I’ve never had a problem. I also make sure that I’m aware of my surrounding and stay in well-lit areas. Even though it’s Disney, safety is a top priority. This means, putting away your smart phone, especially when waiting for transportation or in transit between your resort and the park. Not that Disney has many “predators” lurking in the parking lots, when you’re on your own you want to make sure that you’re aware of your surroundings.

On the same note, make sure you don’t broadcast to people that you’re alone. I tell the cast member upon check-in, but after that, I try to avoid that topic in conversations.

Solo Travel Benefits

Making New Friends: Many people avoid solo traveling because they think they’ll be lonely or it won’t be same if you can’t share your experience with someone. But Disney is a great place to meet new people! Everyone’s on vacation and they all have one thing in common – they chose Disney as their destination. Right off the bat, we all have that common thread. It’s easy to strike up conversation with other guests in line. Compliment a little girl on her princess dress and ask her who her favorite princess is. Ask the little boy in front of you what his favorite ride is. Offer to take a family’s picture, so everyone’s in the shot. It’s as simple as that to open up a dialog with people who share the same Disney interests as you do.

It could also be a great time to meet up with bloggers or members of Disney discussion groups. Again, keep safety in mind, but arranging a time to meet some social media friends in a public place to ride a favorite attraction or get a favorite snack can help you make friends that last a lifetime.

The Single Rider option at Test Track in Epcot is just one of perks of being a solo traveler

Traveling solo is also a great time to chat with the friendly cast members. This is especially beneficial in Epcot and Animal Kingdom. The cast members in World Showcase are from the countries they are working in. Taking a moment to talk to them can help enlighten you to some of their unique culture, favorite snacks, and even learn a few phrases in their native language! In Animal Kingdom, many of cast members are specialists with the animals they oversee. Feel free to pick their brains about animals, the habitats, diet, ask about animal’s names and ages, and see if Disney is the animal’s permanent home or if they are being rehabilitated to be released into the wild.

Single Rider Line: Being a single rider has its advantages! You can decide which attractions you want to focus on and how many times you want to ride them. It’s all up to you. Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom, Test Track in Epcot, and Rock N Roller Coaster in Hollywood Studios all have single rider lines. This means you can save your FastPass+ options for other attractions, and just jump in the single rider line! This usually involves little to no wait and gives you the same great experience. My last solo trip, I rode Expedition Everest three times in a row within 15 minutes using the single rider line, while other guests were waiting 35 minutes just to ride it once.

Dining: Dining at Walt Disney World can be tricky and usually involves making reservations six months in advance in order to secure a spot at your favorite restaurant. As a solo traveler, this is less important. If you travel in peak times, you’ll still want to make a reservation at those popular dining locations. Counter service options are great for a quick bite on the run, or to find a little table and sit down and people watch for a little break. There are some table service or signature restaurants that have bar-top dining locations available:

Enjoy this signature restaurant and conversations with the chefs.

Enjoy Jiko, a signature restaurant, and conversations with the chefs.

Jiko – The Cooking Place
Citrico’s
Kona Island
Rose and Crown
Wolfgang Puck Café
Bluezoo
House of Blues
Flying Fish

These are great locations to enjoy a delicious variety of entrees and offer conversation with cast members and chefs. This can give you the unique opportunity to learn the art behind food preparation and hear techniques or stories from the chef as they prepare meals. I’ve even been lucky enough to get some “free samples” of different items when I ask questions about them. Bonus!

Many of the lounges around the Disney resort also offer abbreviated menus in a small setting. So check out some of these unique dining opportunities, just to name a few:

Crew’s Cup Lounge at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is a great place for quiet drink and bite to eat.

Crew Cup Lounge
Territory Lounge
Tune In Lounge
Mizner’s Lounge

Special Tours/Events: Maybe a splurge for you is an afternoon at one of Disney deluxe spas getting pampered and massaged, maybe it’s tackling one of Epcot’s eat or drink around the world challenges, maybe it’s actually taking a break from the parks and enjoying your resort. The joy of traveling by yourself is that you get call the shots. So, whatever your splurge is, do it!

Behind the Seeds in the Land Pavilion of Epcot is a great way to spend the afternoon on a solo trip.

Find Your Special Splurge: Special tours don’t have to be expensive. Behind the Seeds is a great tour of The Land Pavilion in Epcot for a very reasonable $20 (discounts available for Annual Passholders or DVC members). It doesn’t even require advance reservations. During my last solo trip, I happened to be just coming off of Soarin’ and got a whim to check it out and was able to sign up for the next tour. To guarantee a space, though, you should call 1.407.939.8687 to reserve a spot. There are different tours and experiences for every interest and every budget. Be sure to add one to your plans!

Have you toured Walt Disney World solo? What’s your favorite part about a solo trip? Considering a trip by yourself – what’s holding you back? Share your ideas and comments below!

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Published on July 30, 2014 14:00

Kids’ International Gateway: Saving Money

By Alex Duncan

Hi! My name is Alex, and I am 12 years young.

I was less than a year old so I do not remember this at all.

Since the age of zero I have been travelling to Orlando and its surrounding areas like Clermont and Kissimmee from 4,377 miles away in Kent in the United Kingdom, which is about 20 miles south east of London. This summer will be my 38th trip, so obviously I have developed a keen interest in Disney, Universal, and all of Florida. As most 12-year-old girls do, I definitely enjoy shopping, so I’ve conveniently put together a series of tips for young shoppers on how to control how much you are spending and how to avoid being in debt with your parents whilst Disney tries to milk every last penny, cent or Euro you have earned, begged, borrowed or stolen for your trip.

I have personally experienced the hunger resulting from not knowing this first tip.

The price you see is not the price you pay.

There was a hot dog stand in the petrol station (gas station) outside Publix, an American supermarket like Waitrose in England (and by supermarket I mean grocery store; yes, I’m bilingual!).The hot dogs were 99 cents, so my Mum (Mom) gave me and my brother a dollar each. We politely asked the man on the stall for two, he replied, “Sure, that will be $2.13.” Bemused, disappointed, and still hungry, we left. Not understanding that tax wasn’t included like back home, and we therefore forfeited a snack. Remember also that the tax rate varies throughout Florida just to make life easier.

Disney has stores in the Outlet Malls.

In the 12 years I have been visiting Disney, prices have risen at a greater rate than my pocket money (allowance) has (although, a subscription to TouringPlans.com has remained constantly excellent value for money), so I know how to carefully spend. I am NOT saying I don’t spend, but I just shop around a bit more to find a better deal, especially when the prices are now just so ridiculous. Let me explain. A Disney parks T-shirt to fit my Dad costs $37.95 at World of Disney; meanwhile, in the Character Outlet that is owned by Disney and located in the Premium Outlets on Vineland Avenue, the same top was ticketed at $14.95. Bargain! And even better, it saved him from receiving socks again for Father’s Day.

Alex’s Pocket Money Pick List

To help you guys out, I have created a collection of my favourite purchases, some from inside the parks and others from surrounding stores.

1) My ultimate favorite purchase would have to be little gifts for my friends in the UK.

A great gift for your friends or for you; you can even get them with the year on them.

Usually I buy some American sweets (can you resist candy?) and a small souvenir like a key ring or snow globe. I love the year dated Mickey and friends key rings from Walmart, which are only a dollar (plus tax of course);

2) Another reasonably priced gift is one of those stubby little Disney character pens with tufts of coloured elastic springing from the top. These are $9.99 at World of Disney or the Emporium in the Magic Kingdom;

These are great little ball-point pens that are fun to use

3) The Character Outlet stores, located at the Premium Outlet malls, are great for Disney themed birthday presents. All of the stock that doesn’t sell in the Walt Disney World parks is for sale in these outlet stores for a reduced price. I bought some really cute Mickey print purses for $5.99, marked down from $19.99. If you have a good look in these stores, you are sure to come across a deal;

4) I definitely avoid the cheap gift shops along US 192. Whilst they are fun to look at, the items they sell are awfully tacky and poor quality not to mention overprice. I much prefer to wander round the Disney gift sections in Target and Wal-Mart, especially for clothes;

One of my favourite t-shirts and so many people like this when I wear it too

I adore this I *Mickey* Florida t-shirt, which I bought for only $14.00. This was much less than the $30.00 it would cost you in a Walt Disney World park;

5) Try not to suffer from shopper’s delight. I mean, do not go and buy all your souvenirs on day one as you could be spending too much. At numerous times during the year Disney will run special promotions whereby you will receive a promotional voucher for 20% off your entire purchase before noon at World of Disney and other stores when you purchase a food or drink item from a counter service restaurant. So while you enjoy browsing, make a list of everything you would like to buy, and then once you have a voucher, off you go. I use this trick to buy my Vinymations and Disney pins which are a great collectable keepsake; and

6) This tip is for any young girls like me. The Florida Mall and the Mall of Millennia are the BEST places for deals, but only if you shop in certain stores at certain times of the year. For example, Hollister is great if you go in the summer because of the massive sales.

Only two bags this time, but it was my first trip of that day

I’ve picked up Hollister t-shirts for only $9.00 more than once. I tend to go straight to the back of the shop (store) and hunt for red sale signs on the shelving. However, if time is not on your side in a two week trip, then another great option is to go online to the American Hollister website and have it shipped straight to your hotel or villa. There are often extra deals online (such as an extra 20% off!), which really comes in handy. Also, don’t forget that most stores nowadays have a website, so do not panic if you overrun at one stop on your schedule and miss the shopping slot.

I hope you have enjoyed my first TouringPlans blog article. Walt Disney once said “Disneyland is a work of love. We didn’t go into Disneyland just with the idea of making money,” but sadly the world is different now, and Disney does need to make money. I wish I just had more of it to spend. Maybe if I read my own blog, I will!

Love always,

Alex

Please welcome International Correspondent and Youth Attache, Alex, to the TouringPlans blog team. Alex (and her brother) has previously assisted with reviews for the Unofficial Guide to the Disney Cruise Line.

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Published on July 30, 2014 11:00

Mark Your Calendar: The List of Unofficial Disney Events

By Ray

Dapper Day: dress to impress

The Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World celebrate different events throughout the year: Valentines Day, Halloween, Christmas, New Year’s, and much more. These official Disney events only celebrate a particular calendar holiday. What about celebrating something more unique? That is when unofficial Disney events come into play. Throughout the year, there are special unofficial events take place at Disney parks. These events were created by fans, for fans, to show off their Disney side in a different way. Here is a list of the most well known unofficial Disney events and their affect on crowd levels.

Dapper Day

This is a day to go to Disneyland and look your best. Lots of people come to the parks dressed up in stylish fashions from the past to the present. Started in 2011, Dapper Day is quickly becoming one of the most popular unofficial Disneyland days. There are not only events at Disneyland Resort and Disney World but Disneyland Paris as well. I have never been but a lot of my friends have gone and they always tell me that they have a great time.