When I stepped into the airport two weeks ago, I left my nervous husband and crying kids in the car. I got a tiny bit misty-eyed as I walked away from them. But mostly? I was totally excited to be flying to Disney World BY MYSELF.
I sat down on the plane determined not to speak to anyone. The last few times I’ve flown it is with a small child attached to my body (literally) so I was totally looking forward to reading for the entire hour and a half flight. I brought Ninth Witness with me and resolved to read it all! But I ended up talking to my neighbor because he was a missionary to Morocco and totally interesting.
I finally arrived at the Orlando airport and made my way downstairs to the Magical Express. As we drove to Disney World (and I listened to the craziest family in front of me), I watched the scenery out the window and desperately missed living in Orlando! I saw our first apartment, the exit to our church and all our old stomping grounds! *sniff*
However, that was soon swooped out of my mind when our Magical Express pulled up at the Contemporary Resort! I’ve never stayed at the Contemporary and always thought it was so cool because the monorail goes right through it. As soon as I walked in the door I saw a big group of people that I recognized. They weren’t tiny one inch profile pics–but real live people! DISNEY MOMS! And even better? They recognized me! I hugged a few necks, checked in and headed for my room while the rest of the Moms went off to the Polynesian Resort for lunch. All I wanted to do was fall asleep but I drug myself out of my gorgeous room (no pictures! sorry!) and got in line for the monorail and meet up at the Polynesian. But for some unknown reason the monorail was taking a rest. And I was too hungry to wait in line. So, I ran back downstairs and decided to eat at the counter service there. (Which is so cool because you order via a touch screen computer. Hence the “contemporary”!)
Anyway, lo and behold, the Moms had not gone to the Polynesian but were eating downstairs, too! And this is where everything began…
(photo by Amy Rue)
From here on out almost every picture of me is with a ridiculous face or holding a piece (pieces) of food. Lovely. Anyway, it was so fun to sit down and start talking to all these Moms. (Of course, you know when I say “Moms” I mean “Mom’s Panelists Some Of Whom Are Actually Dads”, right?) It’s funny how we were instant friends because we share a common interest addiction.
Uh, oh. This post is already about six inches long and we haven’t even done anything yet! After lunch finally met up with Suzannah, my Disney bff! Then I went back to my room to take a quick nap. (I couldn’t change for dinner because my luggage had not arrived yet. My fault, I should have picked it up at the Magical Express.) That’s right! I took a nap! Alone! By myself! IN TOTAL SILENCE!
Our first official event was a Meet & Greet Cocktail Party in a ballroom at the Contemporary. As we talked and mingled (and took pictures with every single camera in the room) it was funny because we already knew each other. Most of us are on facebook and twitter so we already knew the basic small talk answers. We got to jump right into other fun conversations. It wasn’t like meeting new people, it was like hanging out with someone you haven’t seen in a verrrry long time!
Soon we loaded up into a bus and were off to Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM). We were supposed to have dinner and go backstage at FANTASMIC. (Which is only my favorite attraction in the whole wide world.) But it was raining. Instead, we had dinner at the Prop Shop. Eh, it was ok. A private catered dinner in a secret location at Disney World? Whatevs.
photo by magic2go
Here’s Disney Dad Chris posing with the hyenas from the now-closed Lion King show. (This is the show that my mom almost let me audition for when I was a Junior in High School. Also, the puppet-builder is the same one who built my puppet, Vicki. I AM FAMOUS.) This was one of many COOL props surrounding us during dinner.
Jonas & Joel tweeting at Midway Mania. As usual.
Next up was Toy Story Midway Mania! It was the only thing we could fit in before it was nighty-night time. And uhm…I’m blanking out because I cannot remember what we did next. Oh, wait. I had to go to the front desk because I lost my purse. Big surprise. As we were standing at the front desk, Suzannah and I spied a boatload of gift being delivered and we just KNEW they were for us! And we were right…
I had one more adventurous good-night to my new Mom friends and then I went to bed. In a huge hotel room bed. All by myself. With no kids down the hall.
Zzzzzzzzz…
I am not a Disney employee. The postings on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent Disney’s positions or opinions.(<—you will now be seeing this on every post where I even mention Disney. It’s another one of those FTC things.)
Kathie says
Loving it! Its so fun to read everyone’s experiences… So much the same, but so different too! And I’m so totally jealous that you got a NAP! And that Ginormous cup cake!
Allison says
this makes me jealous that my boyfriend is going to disney world in a month for work and I can’t go.
I can’t wait to hear more.
.-= Allison´s last blog ..ode to a cold =-.
Jonas says
I love it. I had no idea you spoke to the missionary to Morocco on your flight. Foreshadowing to dinner a few days later …
Janna says
I’ll be back to read later…I am so excited to read it but I am crazy busy! Welcome back!
.-= Janna´s last blog ..It’s Beginning to Taste a LOT like Peppermint =-.
Leigh says
I’m so glad you’re recapping! I can’t wait to hear about the rest of the trip!
Tricia says
I hope this blog post has a part 2 because I need to hear more!! Sounds terrific already!
Marie says
Ahhhhhhh!!! I can’t believe you’re a Disney Mom. Yay, so exciting. Congrats! Looks like you had a fabulous time!! Say Hi to Mickey next time you’re in D-town!
.-= Marie´s last blog ..Park City Mountian Resort’s StartNOW: Ski Program for Utah Locals =-.
Tiffany says
Seriously, this is SO FUN to read! I can’t wait to hear more!
.-= Tiffany´s last blog ..I Will Tear Up My House in Search of a Pacifier NO MORE! (Giveaway!!!) =-.
Janna says
I’m finally back…
You lost your purse?!?!? You say that (type that?) so nonchalantly! I would freak (mostly because I never carry a purse so when I do, I ALWAYS lose it)!
Nice swag!
Off to read day 2 now…
.-= Janna´s last blog ..Stay Tuned… =-.
Zanna @ Zannaland says
Found it! 😉
.-= Zanna @ Zannaland´s last blog ..Sunday Readin’ March 28 2010 =-.
Staci Brown says
Found it!
.-= Staci Brown´s last blog ..Saturday Stumbles =-.
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