3 former roommates, 2 old CMs, and a first timer at the All-Stars

[KBaum]

(get it? it's sung to the tune of the 12 Days of Christmas? You know the...nevermind).

It starts (Timon says this in TLK and the TLK video game).

I work at an office in (cold) Maine. One of my closest friends – we’ll call her Belle - works at an office in (cold) Pittsburgh.

Here we are:

We were roommates through college, both BFA majors (creative writing), and after graduation, she schlepped off to grad school at Chatham (MFA). Eh, I needed a break from writing and school and all that and I figured, what the heck, what could be better than working for The Mouse?

The sad part of the story is that yes, I’m back in Maine. Which means I didn’t stay at The Mouse.

But that’s a different tale.

I left Maine in August ‘07 and moved into a four bedroom apartment in Chatham Square. For those of you who aren’t CP savvy, a four bedroom apartment means seven other apartment mates. Seven.

Woah.

Some of them were crazy (I won’t name names), and some of them were amazing, one of which being this gal I like to call Chip. Or Dale. I’ll stick with Chip, but remember, that’s after the munk, not the cup (hmm…this could be confusing using “Belle” and “Chip” …since they’re not both from BATB. Hmm).

Okay, forget that. Belle is my dear, beautiful friend Bernadette. Chip is my dear, beautiful friend Jen. That’ll be easier to remember.

But let me back up. I get ahead of myself sometimes.

Chip, er, Jen and I were in the same apartment. I can’t remember how we became friends. There was no magical moment when we realized we’d be BFF for life, or that we’d band together against our insane roommates, it just happened. I think I remember meeting Jen and thinking that she wouldn’t like me *** she looked like she was a snob. Heeeee!

Here’s me & most of my roommates on Move-in Day:

Then, we started to make television episodes of a show called “JK!” – mostly to keep in touch with friends from home. They’re online in places (I’m sure if you’re creative enough you can pull them up), and once we learned how to edit videos, the fun started. We learned that we had a ton in common, most notably, a love for The Office and Karen Carpenter, and correct grammar.

What happened next could be considered a miracle by many: I applied for a professional internship in communication and – holy smokes! – I got it! Hel-lo six more months in Florida! And Jen, Jen Jen Jen of all people, was OFFERED a PI – offered, ladies and gentlemen – as a recreation manager at Bay Lake (where she’d worked as a CP).

Whut.

We were overjoyed, and moved into an apartment with two other lovely ladies (CP friends), and were on our way.

Unfortunately, my professional internship came to an end, and I was so so homesick for Maine that I decided it was time to bid farewell to Orlando, and the traffic on route four, Qdoba lunch runs, Costuming, Wishes from the Poly, unlimited access to the parks, and so so so much more.

But I’m happy to be home. Really.

Really. Even in the wintertime.

Really. Even when it snows like crazy.

Really, even in a blizzard when I couldn’t get out of my house for 24 hours and lost power and was cold and bored.

Okay, I’m happy to be home, but I miss Disney.

So what’s a girl to do?

 

[KBaum]

So.

It starts.

B and I like to keep in touch on gChat during the workday, and this usually involves griping about our location or jobs, and wishing we were elsewhere. I caught myself staring at my bulletin board above my desk, checking out my old Disney nametag and pins and my picture of me and the oh-so-handsome Aladdin.

Hmmmm.

Now B has never, ever, ever been to WDW. I think it's crazy. She LOVES the movies, is a kid at heart, and really believes in magic. How has she gone 24 years without visiting the place Where Dreams Come True?

AND WHY DIDN'T SHE VISIT ME WHEN I LIVED THERE?!

No time for worrying about the PAST. It was time for me to start working my magic. This was perfect. When I had friends visiting before, I was always exhausted - driving early to the parks, dropping them off, sitting at my desk for the day and then meeting them for supper and things. It wasn't nearly as fun as being...on vacation.

Hmm.

This could work to my benefit.

Now B and this trip planning is kind of like flirting with a boy. You have to mention everything casually or she gets overwhelmed. No pressure. It's not like I have this trip planned to the very second and have been watching flight prices & hotel listings for weeks.

So I say, "Hey. You know. I was just thinking. Maybe. Where J's still a CM, she still gets lots of freebies and we could definitely get in the park no charge. And you know, you two have the same winter break. Oh, and we can probably get half-off our hotel room, you know."

B starts to get interested.

"Yeah?"

"I mean, this really would be the time where we should go. See if we can afford it. If I look at numbers do you think we could do it? It'd be so cheap."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and I ahve these coupons for half off some meals at the parks...oh...here...why don't you take a look at these.... menus?"

"MENUS?!" (B's a foodie. BAD.)

"Oh, yeah. I mean we could eat in France. Or Italy. It's amazing. Oh, or this place ... it's character dining and it's mostly natural stuff ... Disney grows it in a ride called 'The Land' ...here let me get you a link for that menu."

"You mean...wait...it's family style...so you eat...you can eat all of that?!"

"Sure, it's so good."

Excellent. The seed has been planted.

I let the trip...rest for a little bit, texted J a few times. I didn't even have to ask twice before she said she was in. Phew.

 

[KBaum]

In my head, I wasn't sure if this would really happen. B and I like to plan phantom trips all the time. Plus, she and I and a number of our friends were meeting in Chicago for the AWP Writer's Conference cloud9. Could we really pull a trip to Disney in March?



And then ... that oh so magical time of year....

Christmas!

Not only did my mom give me some money to put towards a trip ...

I overheard my sister and my mom talking in the kitchen.

"....not that crowded in March..."

Okay, DISers. What on earth do you think of when you hear that phrase? Everything else they've said is out of earshot, but my spidey-sense is going off so I casually walk into the kitchen and ask (demand) "What are you talking about?"

Meg, who's my age (my stepsister, really) says, "Oh! Chris (her bf) and I are thinking about going to Disney the first weekend in March."

Whut.

That's...

but...



Oh boy.

My mother reminds us all that it's her 50th birthday this March and she wants to go to WDW to celebrate (who wouldn't?!). My sister has wanted to go back ever since she'd visited me on Thanksgiving in '07. They figured they might as well go together.

I went into SuperPlan mode.

"Okay, hotels? What are your budgets? When do you want to fly? I found these dates for airfaire. Tomorrow I'm talking to B to confirm our flights so should I wait? What days do you have? Hotels? What level, deluxe-moderate-value? Let me pull up some numbers. I've got you covered."

Meanwhile, I'm trying to figure it all out in my head.

Okay, my mother wants to arrive in FL on March 5th, which is a Thursday. J&B are arriving on Friday the 6th, which is great, it'll give me an extra day or two? But what about departures? Okay, the family is leaving on Sunday, but I'm leaving on Tuesday. What..

if I can't get all the days off from work?!

We agree to have a planning session in a week. A week! I can't wait a week!

Planning superload.

 

[NotAmused]

Wow! That definitely sounds like it is going to be a fun trip with family and your best friends! You sound like me with planning. I am the planner for my family and they take forever to make decisions.

 

[KBaum]

I know! And I just want to have everything figured out .. and the rest of the family would rather relax and take their time and play it by ear.

Come on people! We have plans to make!

 

[KBaum]

but I just got news that everyone got the approved days off from work...

so...

MOVE!

MOVE!

MOVE!

Time to buy these tickets! Book the rooms! LET'S GET ON IT PEOPLE!

 

[MainStMandy]

Oh your trip sounds fun...and you sounds just like me lol. I am a former CP too! Twice actually Can't wait to hear more!

 

[KBaum]

We-ell, I don't know how I feel about Yankee fans and my trip report board but....


I guess you can stay

(I don't know why I picked the 3D glasses but I thought they were cool).

Where did you work on your CP? And you're going to DISNEYLAND SOON? Oh my gosh. You must be so so so so excited. I'm really jealous.

 

[MainStMandy]

Lol I'm gonna guess that you are a Sox fan? Lol.

I did my first CP on Main St at the Markethouse and my second at DHS at the Great Movie Ride. Where was yours?

I have to travel for work and am squeezing in ONE day at Disneyland...I've never been and am SO excited. Plus it tides me over till our WDW trip.

 

[carissanboys]

Hey I haven't read through everything yet, but I saw you were a Mainer and a Sox fan and that was enough for me to say, "Hey - this is a TR I want to be a part of!" I was born and raised in Lewiston and lived there until I was 19. I left the state, but moved back and lived there for another 2 -- 3 years. I've lived in Gorham, Portland, and Ellsworth.

I've been a huge Sox fan my entire life, although I have to say I've become more of a football fan the last couple of years (Go Pats!).

So, is it okay if I join in?

 

[KBaum]

Lewiston? Gorham? Portland? Ellsworth?

All GREAT places! I went to UMF and worked in Bar Harbor one summer (yeah, spent a lot of time in Ellsworth as I'm sure you can imagine).

Welcome! Everyone is welcome here - except Giants fans.

Ugh. We're not even like talking about the NY Giants.

 

[carissanboys]

Okay - I love The Office, Karen Carpenter, AND correct grammar!

I left Maine when I was 19 and was very homesick too. So, I moved back. I have to say now that while I love Maine and it will always be "home", I don't get homesick for it anymore. I think living in Australia for three years and getting use to warmer temps has really made me intolerant of winter. My family is still there so I usually visit once a year.

I'm really enjoying your story telling. How exciting that your mom and sister are going to join you along with your friend! And yay for everyone getting the time off from work!