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Old 24 Jan 17, 12:13 AM  
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Melanie R
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The Duchess does DLP - a semi solo trip

So what does any self respecting Disney fan do at the end of a truly terrible year - yes, they book a Disney trip!

For reasons that I'm not going to go into on the internet, 2016 marked the end of my marriage and completely turned my life upside down. Once I had started to pick up the pieces and began to rebuild my life, I had to face the fact that if I wanted to carry on my love of Disney holidays, I was going to have to accept the fact that they would now be solo affairs and that somewhere which had once been our special place was going to have to morph into a place that I could enjoy by myself - a daunting prospect as we had visited the Mouse more than 20 times as a couple and lots of memories and traditions had been formed over these visits. We had a trip all planned and booked for last December to WDW, but there was no way that I was up to taking on this trip which we had planned together alone, but I found myself repeatedly checking prices for a sneaky trip to DLP and started to wonder if this would be a good way to see if I could actually enjoy a solo trip.

So one evening back in November, I made the fatal mistake of asking my fellow Dibbcast team members what they thought of the idea - clearly asking a bunch of hard core Disney nutters if you should book a Disney trip is going to give you a very well balanced answer - NOT! Within minutes the trip was booked, along with suggestions from Rachel & Anna that late January would be a great time to go - and by strange coincidence, they would be there at the same time and did I fancy meeting up for cocktails! Well I can resist many things, but a Glowtini isn't one of them so the trip was booked and the planning could begin!

So, as is typical in a pre trip report - introductions!

I'm Mel, 40 something Disney nut about to go on my 24th visit to the Mouse, although the first time going alone, so I'm expecting this to be a very different experience to all the others. I'm one of the Dibbcast presenters which is where the trip title came from - I was nicknamed the Duchess of Wigan on the show and the name has stuck, hence the Duchess does DLP!




The semi solo part comes from the fact that I have plans to meet up with other Dibbers Anna (Blondie1979) and Rachel (Beaker7929) to do some rides and drink some cocktails. We met at the Grand Day Out a couple of years ago and discovered a mutual love for the Glowtini and they have very kindly let me gate crash their annual girly trip which I am very grateful for.



So once the finger pressed the book button on the 3 night package at the Sequioa Lodge Golden Forest room, the planning could begin in earnest - for those who know me, plans are my life and the joy of lamination is not to be underestimated - so this will be meticulously organised and expertly planned like only a veteran with 15 DLP visits under her belt can achieve - NOT!

My first task was to organise getting there - I really didn't fancy the long journey by car as I'm travelling alone, so I checked out the flight prices from Manchester to Charles de Gaulle and was pleasantly surprised, so decided that flying would be my best option. But then I started to think about all the shopping I may want to do, and images of my lovely and fragile ornaments being casually chucked around by the baggage handlers sprang to mind, so my thoughts turned to the joys of rail travel. I could go by Eurostar - I could let the train take the strain and enjoy a lovely relaxing trip through the French countryside on the high speed service which would drop me at the gates of DLP in under 3 hours. Or it would if I lived a little closer to London...
For those of us who live "Up North" the timings of the Eurostar are not ideal unless you want to add an expensive overnight stay in London as part of your trip. So then I had a lightbulb moment - I would fly there - I wouldn't have any breakables in my luggage on the way out, so the handlers could toss the case around to their heart's content, but I would get the train back so that I could look after all my delicate purchases. Genius plan!

It was booked before I could change my mind and I settled back to enjoy Christmas safe in the knowledge that everything was in place - until I was discussing my plans with my dad on Christmas Day. The conversation went along these lines

Dad : So are you all sorted for your trip then?

Me : (smugly) Yes, all booked, the years of experience of DLP really paid off with arranging the transport.

Dad : So what time do you fly?

Me : 6:35am - should be in the parks by noon!

Dad : Ooh that's an early start - I presume you're staying at the airport the night before - you'll have to be up by 3 otherwise. Which hotel have you chosen?

Me : ... long pause... makes mental note to book airport hotel...

Dad : And what are you doing about getting to the airport - you won't be able to leave your car there if you're coming back on the train.

Me : ... even longer pause... makes mental note to give some thought to how I get to and from airport and station

Me : Ooh looks like the turkey's ready - shall we go eat...

So, I'm booked into the Radisson the night before I fly, and my sister solved my car logistical problem by suggesting she drive me to
Preston station so that I can catch the mid afternoon train to the airport, and she will collect me on Saturday evening when I get back - sorted!

There have been various messages back and forwards with Anna & Rachel arranging to meet up, but my main plan for this trip is to wing it.

Yes, you read that correctly, The Duchess of Wigan, Queen of laminated plans is heading on a Disney trip with nothing more than a vague idea that it will be a trip where "some rides will be ridden", "some shopping will be done", "some cocktails will be consumed" and hopefully "some fun will be had!"

If I manage to find my way there and back, a Trippie will follow!
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Old 24 Jan 17, 01:06 AM  
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Jax1970
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I understand exactly what you've written about the being newly solo, Mel, as I also found myself in a similar situation mid 2016. I booked myself a trip to WDW to try to help me through; to start making my own personal memories in what had been our special place. Don't get me wrong, there were some very difficult moments, but all in all, and like you with a little help from some friends who were there at a similar time, I did just that. I have my own memories too now. I hope you are able to start making those special places yours again. Maybe we could arrange a Dibb singles trip some time!

I'm really looking forward to your trip report. I've not been to DLP for years, but this year I will go for the 25th celebrations. Enjoy!
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Old 24 Jan 17, 09:13 AM  
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hornetgirl
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Good on you Mel, so glad you're doing this. I hope you have a truly wonderful time but do please be very careful, Anna and Rachel can be a seriously bad influence
Look forward to reading all about it when you get back. Enjoy x
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Old 24 Jan 17, 09:41 AM  
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Gill H
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Well done for going, hope it's fab.

My top tip from last visit - Lucky Nugget saloon. The puppet show is cute, my fish and chips were hot and tasty and it's a really nice place to relax.
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DLP: day trips 2000, 2003; Cheyenne Sep 2009, Feb 2011, Nov 2018; Sequoia Lodge June 2008, May 2012; Elysee May 2012, Jan 2013, Sep 2013; Disneyland Hotel Mar 2015, Santa Fe Nov 2016; Newport Bay Sep 2017, Ibis Sep 2019, Hotel NY Art of Marvel Nov 2021
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Old 24 Jan 17, 09:46 AM  
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Have a fabulous time. X
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Old 24 Jan 17, 09:49 AM  
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Sorry to hear you've had such a dreadful year (been there, done that, not fun). Looking forward to reading the rest of the trip pie, it's off to a good start 😀. Laughing at the Xmas dinner conversation with your Dad 😄
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Old 24 Jan 17, 11:20 AM  
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Melanie R
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Originally Posted by Jax1970 View Post
I understand exactly what you've written about the being newly solo, Mel, as I also found myself in a similar situation mid 2016. I booked myself a trip to WDW to try to help me through; to start making my own personal memories in what had been our special place. Don't get me wrong, there were some very difficult moments, but all in all, and like you with a little help from some friends who were there at a similar time, I did just that. I have my own memories too now. I hope you are able to start making those special places yours again. Maybe we could arrange a Dibb singles trip some time!

I'm really looking forward to your trip report. I've not been to DLP for years, but this year I will go for the 25th celebrations. Enjoy!
A Dibb singles trip sounds fun! Glad you enjoyed your trip - I'm expecting to have some "moments" but looking forward to making new memories too

Originally Posted by hornetgirl View Post
Good on you Mel, so glad you're doing this. I hope you have a truly wonderful time but do please be very careful, Anna and Rachel can be a seriously bad influence
Look forward to reading all about it when you get back. Enjoy x
Thanks - I was in the bar with them after the GDO till the early hours - I'm going prepared

Originally Posted by Gill H View Post
Well done for going, hope it's fab.

My top tip from last visit - Lucky Nugget saloon. The puppet show is cute, my fish and chips were hot and tasty and it's a really nice place to relax.
Thanks Gill - will see if I can fit this in!

Originally Posted by stitch99 View Post
Have a fabulous time. X
Thank you

Originally Posted by KK_Cat View Post
Sorry to hear you've had such a dreadful year (been there, done that, not fun). Looking forward to reading the rest of the trip pie, it's off to a good start 😀. Laughing at the Xmas dinner conversation with your Dad 😄
Thanks - things can only get better right?
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Old 24 Jan 17, 11:21 AM  
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Melanie R
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Enjoying a last cup of tea before I need to pack - taxi arrives in 3 hours, so it's not last minute yet, right?!
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Old 24 Jan 17, 11:26 AM  
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Originally Posted by Melanie R View Post
Enjoying a last cup of tea before I need to pack - taxi arrives in 3 hours, so it's not last minute yet, right?!
OMG get that packing done Mel...have a fab time making new memories,onwards and upwards!
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Old 24 Jan 17, 01:25 PM  
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Sorry to hear that you had a tough year, but well done for moving forward.

Have a fantastic time. We love SL Golden Forest, the staff in the lounge are fantastic. Perfect choice for a solo trip.😀
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