Single Rider 10/12

Yesterday was my very first solo trip to DL. It was a very interesting experience, much different from going with a group. I got there early in the afternoon and already felt different. It was a more private experience, almost liberating in the sense that I was able to do whatever I felt like doing. I'll lay it out, pro-con style.

Pros:
-I was able to take my time to take in all the atmosphere and all the details of each land. If I noticed any new details or fresh coats of paint, I was able to privately geek out over it and really just take it all in.

-Going at my own pace. I didn't have to worry about what anyone else wanted to do because it was my trip. I wandered through Tomorrowland for a good 30 minutes just because I could(and because I was waiting for my Space Mountain fastpass return time)

-I like doing Meet&Greets. Go ahead and call me a Pixie-Duster, but there's something really fun about meeting your favorite characters. I also just really like being photographed, so there's that. I always feel like people aren't as excited about Meet&Greets when I want to do them, so doing them on my own was kind of guilt-free in a way.

-Single Rider for Indiana Jones and Splash Mountain. I didn't take advantage of Single Rider for Splash, but I did go on Indy.

Cons:
-Feeling alienated and almost pitied by other guests who are in groups. I almost felt like they were looking down on me in a way. I quickly got over this, but it was still a little strange.

-Sitting with strangers. I'm a pretty socially awkward person, so sitting with strangers is a really uncomfortable situation for me. This happened when I was on the Disneyland Railroad, and an entire family sat in the row I was sitting in. I was then forced to make small talk, which was mostly "Where are you visiting from?" "Holy cow, it's hot today!", and "Are you getting off at this stop?"

-Single Rider for Indiana Jones. It's convenient, but I ended up waiting about the same as stand-by, which was about 30 minutes. I met a woman who was just as passionate about DL while waiting, and she explained to me that the way they did Single Rider before was much more efficient. Apparently the Splash Mountain Single Rider queue is much quicker and much more efficient. I really should have taken advantage of Splash Mountain, it was soooo hot.

-Did I mention it was hot? Like upper 90's. In October.

Now for some photos!





Ghost Galaxy kept having delays, both times I went on. Maybe they were running too many cars? Adding cars? I'm not really sure.



My favorite little corner of the park, Snow White's Grotto

















For each character I met, I drew a little picture the page I wanted them to sign in my little notebook. I think they really appreciated it, especially Jafar :3







The two photos above are Photopass pictures taken by a Disneyland photographer, that's why they're slightly smaller.





The gates, from Main Street Station. This is when a family sat next to me on the DLRR. Luckily I was getting off on the next stop, New Orleans Square Station.





Yeah, I met Jack. Twice. He recognized me the second time. I was really really excited to meet him, he's such a delight. The weird mask takes some getting used to, but I've grown to like it because it gives him this kind of curious, surprised face much like the "What's This?" scene. Jack is also just really fun to talk to. He asked what I was planning on dressing up as for Halloween, I told him Lydia from Beetlejuice. He asked if she was a monster, and I replied that she hangs out with a monster of sorts. "Hangs? With what kind of rope?" This caught me off guard, of course. "From the ceiling or a tree?" Umm what? I guess a tree. "How DREADFUL!" he said with delight.
That's why he's my favorite ♥



I'll end this report with the Partners statue, all decorated for Halloween.

Thanks for reading!