Diary of a Solo Traveller in Florida

I have this amazing 'Sister' Joanne.

* shes's one of my Womens Institute Sisters

She just recently set off on a solo trip to Florida! I have loved reading her adventures and I thought you might too...

✨(Han) Solo Trip✨

Day 1 - Magic Kingdom

Arrived safe and sound at Art of Animation  The Virgin flight yesterday flew by with back to back films...immigration not so much. There was a big queue which took about an hour and I got stuck at the desk for ages because my photo off 2 years ago looks nothing like me now. Thanks to Slimming World  

Several credit cards, driving license and managing to work out how much weight I’d lost in lbs I finally convince them I was the same person!

Timed my arrival perfectly for the Magical Express, and Art of Animation (AoA) the first stop.

I opted out of mousekeeping in return for a $90 gift card . As I checked in online I found out my room number on the coach and knew from other blogs that it was the furthest possible building from the food court and transport so I asked if they had anything a bit closer and they did!

I added the QS dining to my room only a few days ago but I’m so glad I did. Now that it includes alcoholic beverages, it’s really good value and you can always take it back to your room and pop it in the fridge for room beers later on if you don’t fancy it now

I booked Be Our Guest (BoG) for 8am thinking I’d wake up ridiculously early but I think I could have managed a lie in. I had a complete carb & sugar overload at BoG!

Banana caramel croissant donut thingy, token bit of fruit and even when you’re own your own you get the full plate of side pastries! Making good use of my dining plan, I refilled my coke before I left and got an extra cup of water.

I used a snack credit to get one of my faves - vanilla and pineapple dole whip float . 

The queue was massive so I ordered on the app and picked up my order 2mins later!

Being a solo traveller definitely has its advantages

✅ You don’t have to share your food

✅ Being able to squeeze into Disney buses with ease. No waiting for the next one

✅ Ride rows/ seats all to yourself. When you’re with someone else, one of you has to sit on the RHS of Splash mountain and take the extra soaking from the waterfall and the splash from other peoples drop

My $90 gift card was burning a hole in my pocket and it’s gone already on a ‘I am Groot’ hat, a haunted mansion print and Cogsworth Christmas ornament to match Lumiere that I got last year. All being delivered to the hotel tomorrow so I didn’t have to lug them about on rides.

MK was pretty quiet in the morning, so I managed Big Thunder Mountain (fp) Splash Mountain (fp) PoTC, and it’s a small world. Space Mountain broke down so I got a free fast pass and used it on Haunted Mansion and went on the people mover to see inside Space Mountain with the lights on! I left MK pretty early to relax by the pool with a book and to give my feet a rest. Over 16,000 steps today!

Tomorrow I’m at Animal Kingdom super early for The Wild Africa trek . It starts at 8am and you have to be there 30m before, so I need to be on the 7am bus 

Hand Luggage

Here are my top packing tips for hand luggage

1 PACK LIGHT

OK 'light' is a bit ambitious with children in tow, but after 30 lights with my children I think I have streamlined our necessities just right. You don't need everything in the world and honestly if you can get off and on the plane with minimal bags you will feel way calmer.

2 Pack a Change of Clothes

Imagine the horror of being vomited on minutes after takeoff, on a six hour flight, and realising that you are stuck in your seat in stinky soggy clothes until you retrieve your bags at the carousel! Yep we have learned from our mistake. So be prepared , but remember number one, keep it to the minimum I find leggings and a tee will roll nice and small.

3 Be Smart About Luggage

If it doesn't fit under the seat in front it's going in the overhead locker, this means it could be way down the plane if you are unlicky enough to be seated under the cabin crew lockers or the food store or if the flight is busy, so keep it smallish. Also think about opening your luggage in the small space you have. Big cute hardshell kids cases are fab, but they are a nightmare to open in a cramped plane seat! Check out our short list here

4 Divide and Conquer

Put your stuff in seperate pouches, zip lock bags, pots and purses. That way everything is easy to find and the bags come in handy for rubbish or as a wet bag if needs be.

5 Snacks and Entertainment

These two vital ingredients can ensure your kids are occupied for hours. Remember to pace yourselves though one thing out at a time or you will find yourself in that cinema situation. The popcorns gone and you're not past the trailers!

6 PMT !

Passports, Money, Tickets.... Keep them safe, keep them handy, you are going to need to show tickets, boarding passes and passports several times before you get to your seat so it's nice and easy if they are together and easy to grab, so in a secure front bag pocket or at the top of your bag

7- Pen

This sounds really silly and a wee bit old fashioned but it's handy to have a pen, you may need to fill in an immigration card, write something down, fill in a hotel form. All of this is easier and quicker if you don't have to ask around for a pen.

8- Medicine

If you are travelling with young children I find it best to be prepared, earache, teething, headaches it all going to make a small plane very unpleasant if you can't do anything to help. Little bottle or sachets are great and also allowed through customs so long as they are in a clear pouch. Our most top tip for adults and children alike is to pack a pack of Karvol it is a fool proof and amazing way to clear ears that are refusing to pop!

9. Technology

I'm not a great fan of kids using iPads etc but I think there are good uses and suitable occasions. Plane travel is definately one, if you have a tablet of some type or you can borrow or buy one, definately pack it in your hand luggage. Load it up with movies, downloads from bbc I player and suitable apps and games and you can play together for a good chuck of time. I can also highly recommend an earphone splitter bought cheaply from eBay. These mean two or more

10-Confectionery

Sweets, chews, lollies, whatever you and the kids will enjoy its worth having a little mixed bag of goodies in hand luggage it helps during takeoff and landing with equalising ear pressure. Our favourite are sugar free lollies for the big two and mint humbugs for mummy and daddy.

And this isn't something to pack but an airport tip...

Relax

But not so much you miss your flight! There's no need to rush into the plane as soon as the gate opens, infact all you are doing is confining the kids longer than necessary. Let others board first be chilled and then by the time you are sat down it'll be take off time.

For a list of what we carry on board read our packing guide.

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