My alarm went off before 9 the next morning. I groaned and rolled over to kill it. But I had to get up I had some work to do before my conference call at noon that day. I underestimated how much prep work I needed to do and ended up scrambling all morning trying to get it done. BTW the wifi in SSR worked great I used it every day and it was great. I was starved and realized my 3 hour conference call would be during lunch and if I didn’t get some food I would be about passed out before it was over. I got debated running over to DTD to grab a sandwich from the Earl, but decided that may take too long and head to Artist’s Palette instead. I practically jogged there afraid I wouldn’t make it back in time for my call. I couldn’t decide between a veggie flatbread and Toga wrap so I got them both. I figured I could save half of one for snack. I ordered no slaw but as you see got it anyway at least I wasn’t charged for it this time.

After my jog over and back with a bag full of food I made it with about 5 minutes to spare before my call. I set up shop and sat back to work and chow down.

The flatbread was good, warm and soft, not too crispy or chewy. The veggies were seasoned well and cooked to a good firm but not underdone texture. The wrap was good but not anything to write home about, your basic turkey and cheese wrap. I ate about half of it and ended up finishing the flatbread and tossing the rest of the wrap in the fridge for later.

About halfway thru the call I grabbed the laptop and headed out to the balcony. I thought this is the life, working while on vacation can be tolerated when I have a view like this. Lucky for me the call went quickly and I was off in about 2 hours. I was thrilled to be getting some time back during my vacation.

 After staying out of the parks all morning I was ready for some park time. I headed to the bus stop and MK bus pulled up so I hopped on. I arrived at MK just as the parade was passing. I cut up thru the shops and headed toward Adventureland.

So how crowded is in July is a question that comes up here often. This is around 3pm after the parade passes you tell me what you think: 

I noticed Ariel and Eric’s line was just starting. Eric and a few fairies are the only characters in the parks currently I haven’t met so I hopped in line. I knew it would be 30 minutes before they came out but I was getting a spot up near the front in the shade so it was worth it. The line quickly filled and the CM cut it off. Then people started lining up for the 430 greeting. It was not even 330 then. And they were out in the full sun, in July! No way José. I was pushing my limits with 30 minutes. But I got my picture and autograph. Ariel and Eric are very chatty and the line creeps even after they come out. I thought Rapunzel and Flynn were chatty but they have nothing on these 2. Ariel must still be making up for losing her voice for those few days.

Prince Eric and Ariel

After that long wait I decided it was time for a break and a refreshment. I grabbed my 2^nd favorite WDW treat and a seat in the rocks nearby.

Dole Whip Float

I sat and watched people for a bit, a nice gentleman from Boston sat down near me and we had quiet a chat. He was a chatter and we talked for a while. His girlfriend and kid were waiting on Tink and he needed a break from the pixie dust. Being solo really did give me an opportunity to meet lots of nice people in the park. I never felt alone and found myself chatting up strangers, stopping to take pictures for more people than normal and getting more attention from Cast Members than usual. The solo trip overall was great but meeting all these other people sharing in the magic was just a plus on top of Disney’s everyday magic.

I toured Adventureland for a while, hitting up Tiki Birds, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Jungle Cruise using the FP I grabbed before getting my Dole Whip. Then I decided I was roasting. It was hot. Hot hot. And that standing under the porch waiting on Ariel with little to no breeze was taking its toll now after an hour or so. I decided to head out for a swim. So back to the bus stop and off to my home away from home I went. I swam for a while and read poolside. The Congress Park pool had a gorgeous view and it was just peaceful. I never was there when there were more than 10 people at the pool and I loved not having to jump out of the way in the pool ever few minutes to avoid a kid hitting me.

When I was cooling off in the pool I thought ya know I havn’t been to Animal Kingdom at all yet. I want to ride Everest. It was already after 5 o clock though. I knew AK closed at 8pm and some stuff shut down before that. I hurried up to the room from the pool and got ready to go to Animal Kingdom. What?! You are going to a park with less than 2 hours left. Yes yes I am. I only wanted to ride Everest and maybe the Safari and see It’s Tough to Be A Bug so why not. By the time I arrived at Animal Kingdom it was almost 6pm. Do I get everything done on my wish list?