Where to start? I had a magical once-in-a-lifetime trip to Disney World with a group of mom bloggers! I could never capture how cool it was! So, let’s take this in little bites, shall we? I’m going to spend the next few days digesting the trip for you.
Today’s edition? The Magical Moms!
Asa and I left home at the crack of dawn on Friday morning. We had an uneventful flight to Orlando and as I made my way down to level 3 of the airport, I knew I was getting close to Disney’s Magical Express because the employees were now dressed dressed in costumes (as opposed to uniforms). Sure enough, a friendly cast member looks at my papers then sends me over to the red carpet to board the Magical Express.
And when I get aboard (after 2 more cast members coo at my son and sweep my stroller away), who is sitting all by her lonesome just waiting for a seat mate? Andrea from Mommy Snacks! She’s more adorable than you can even imagine–all smiles and a sunny personality to match. She, of course, dazzled me with her blog stats and mad bloggy skillz.
We got to our hotel, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and grabbed a yummy lunch. We also found Christine of From Dates to Diapers, who is not only a bloggy maven, but a sweet down to earth mama who loves her kids more than anything. We all headed in different directions…but soon convened when we met Marsha from Sweat Pants Mom (a chic, smart mama) in the lobby. It’s kinda easy to spot the mom bloggers when you’re sitting by yourself with a laptop open to Tweet Deck at Disney World!
Finally, we all met up with Leanne and Laura, social media gurus for Disney Parks…and all around fantastic women! They herded us to a private gazebo for a cheese and champagne reception.
This is where I got to meet two other women I was insanely jealous of: Amber and Margret of the Disney Moms Panel. These women beat out a ton of other Disney fans to be a part of the exclusive Mom’s Panel. They answer questions online about YOUR Disney vacation. And they seriously know EVERYTHING about Disney World. I want to be them when I grow up.
Finally, we got to the parks! Epcot, in fact. And Laura, our friendly neighborhood FASTPASS distributor gave us fast passes for the Soarin‘ attraction.
On the walk over, I got to mingle with the rest of the bloggers: Beth from I Should Be Folding Laundry (she is warm, funny and a fabu photographer! Just wait till you see some of the pics she took of Asa!), Lindsey from Suburban Turmoil (who is just beautiful, by the way), Megan at Velveteen Mind (a glowing preggo plus delightfully articulate and insightful), Emily from Mommin It Up (equal parts quiet & hilarious, plus a Disney fan like me!), Dawn from Mom To My Six Pack (a newly published author!) and of course, our fabulous host, Maria Bailey. (Can I just tell you how her passion for moms is contagious? She’s paying for Moms Nite Out out of her own pocket just because she wants to honor mothers!)
Let’s see…what next? Oh, nothing really…just a DIVINE dinner in France at Epcot. I didn’t get a picture (*gasp*) but if I remember correctly it was a yummy fish with lemon sauce and capers. (Wow, how descriptive.) This is when Asa got to meet his new baby friend, Lisa from Crazy Adventures 7 month old son. They were the cutest things ever! (I seriously cannot find a picture of them together, but I will soon!) LOOK AT THESE PICS from Lisa! I am crying I’m laughing so hard!
Then to further make my dreams come true, we had dessert at a private viewing area for Epcot’s Illuminations. Like VIP private. After the last firework, a sleeping Asa and I headed back to our room where I saw these…
Mickey had been in my room and left me a boatload of presents! Really I’m almost embarrassed to list them for you. But I will anyway: a photo album, a blanket with my name embroidered on it, an autograph book, a celebration banner, three balloons, a popcorn bowl, seven chocolate covered Mickey Mouse shaped rice krispie treats, a giant Mickey Mouse doll, a gift box, a hidden Mickeys book and some Mickey Mouse gloves. Magical, I tell you!
And that was just day 1! It tuckered our little pirate out.
OK, I can feel the rambling gene taking over. Come back tomorrow for day 2: DisneyWorld Hotels & Resorts…I ‘m going to give you some secret info and some insider tips!
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: localmandi
May 6, 2009 at 11:07 pm
How fun!!
You have all the fun! I’m so jealous, but I can’t wait to hear more! lol
Wow, it definitely sounds like a magical time! You and all those other mamas are so lucky to have gone. I haven’t stayed at the Beach Club but have heard great things about it. I love those Mickey footprints! Glad you could go and have a great time.
Twitter: brandiofbham
May 7, 2009 at 8:49 am
Awesome. Just awesome.
Ramble on, chickadee, while I (try to) keep my jealousy at bay!
So…did you keep the Mickey footprints?
Oh how wonderful, Amanda! It sounds like a dream!!!!!
sounds amazing, glad you had a good time. I also wanted to say, totally random, thanks for the tip awhile ago about cutting hair product tubes so you can get residual product out and then tuck the top half back in, I did it yesterday and was AMAZED at how much was still there and it was still usable today! thanks!
You are so stinkin’ sweet! What a great 1st day recap…ahh…just seems like it was yesterday!!! And, I wondered who had that cheesey pic of me w/ the fast passes…We were all so stoked!!!
We have got to get you to BlogHer somehow! I need my fix of Asa…er..um..YOU, of course
Aw thanks Amanda for kind words about me. I love to share my passion for Disney World and was honored and humbled to be in the presence of all of you! My poor little blog was left in the dirt but you have all inspired me to try again. So happy to have had the chance to hang with you and your pirate Asa (a boy after my own heart) and I hope to see you again soon!
Ah man, I miss you all over again!
Great recap of our first day in the Magical Kingdom.
What a fun time we had!!
Hi Amanda,
It was lovely to meet you and Asa at Disneyworld and I’m very much enjoying a look round your lovely blog – so agree with you about Mother’s Day!
Twitter: discoveringliz
May 8, 2009 at 10:56 am
See? It’s reasons like that that make me shake my head in confusion when friends ask, “What’s so special about WDW?”
How fun, Amanda!
I can’t wait to read more. WDW has a way of tiring out even my nine-year old pirate. I’m so glad that Disney Moms, Amber and Margaret were there to share their wealth of knowledge!
Disney Mom Kim
Hi Amanda, it was lovely to meet you and hear about your blogging adventures. Disney’s “Magical Express” made us Brits laugh – because it’s a bus. We had visions of taking our kids and trying to fool them that riding on it was a treat! The UK mum bloggers had an unforgettable time at Disney and we’ve all written about how our expectations were exceeded! I’ll look forward to reading more posts. Thank you also for following and recommending me on Twitter. I hope that any of your readers who have a multiple birth family may find something of interest to them at our site. x
I’m having Disney withdrawal!
Just waiting for someone to bring milk and cookies to my room…
(Great post, and great meeting you!)
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