Anyone visited Disney during a spouse's work convention?

[Magpie]

I'm curious to hear about your experiences.

My husband may be going to WDW for a work-related convention at the Yacht Club/Beach Club. He's allowed to bring one companion over age 21 (that'd be me ). No kids.

My teenagers took it pretty well, and I love the idea of getting to spend a week alone with my husband in the Beach Club resort. But I'm curious what all this usually entails.

If you've ever accompanied a spouse to a convention, what did you do all day? Did you see much of them?

I know every convention is probably different. It's just that I've never done this before, so anything you can tell me would be appreciated.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Many years ago I had a convention (in late June) to attend at what is now the Rosen Plaza on I-Drive and my wife drove down with me.

Sunday we checked in, I registered for the convention, and we went over to WDW to play in the parks with our APs.

Monday I slaved away all day, Judy spent the day in the parks. I forget what we did that evening.

Tuesday was an important day. United Airlines announced their Sale fares for the fall. We were planning to go to California for the Disneyana Convention so I made our reservations in the morning. Judy went to the American Express Office outside of Epcot with our free upgrade certificates and got our tickets. She then went and played in a park the rest of the day.

That evening Judy and I and some friends from work went dining on The Empress Lily and then over to the Adventurers Club.

Wednesday Judy played in the Park while I slaved away. We did go to the closng banquet that evening.

Thursday we moved to a Resort on property.

 

[Geomom]

My husband worked at a convention held at the Swan/Dolphin back in 1998, before we had kids. The company had a couple of outings that spouses could go to--superbowl party on opening night, and an evening party at Hollywood Studios--hubby paid $50 back then to get me in, but it included all the food and alcohol you wanted. They also had an employee only event, so I was on my own that night. During the days, I was by myself. My Dad did come down and went to a park 1 day with me, the other days I went to the parks alone. I did love the opportunity to stay at a deluxe hotel for 'free'--they put us up at the Boardwalk Inn.

From my 1 experience, I'd say you won't see your spouse much, at least during the day. If you know any of the accompanying spouses, maybe you could hang out with them during the day, or go around the parks and hang out by the pool yourself.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

I went w/ my DH to a convention in WDW last year & I had an amazing time. Most days, when he would leave for the convention, I'd leave for the park of my choice. (That alone was great b/c he never wants to get up early enough on vacation to catch rope drop, but I was able to catch is every morning solo.) It also was so much fun being able to ride any ride that I wanted to get on & eat anything that I wanted to eat. Then, he'd usually meet up with me in a park around 3 pm & we'd continue to play in that park & enjoy dinner together. I think you'll really enjoy yourself!!!

 

[ChocoKat]

DH worked a convention at Yacht and Beach club in July some years back. We were there for 9 days. Since he was staff he was upgraded to club level and got to bring me with.

He worked from 5-6 a.m. until nearly 8 p.m. for 5 days mind you, he was so tired by the end of it.

Since he would wake me up early anyway, I would have breakfast with him, then I would get ready and hit the parks at rope drop. I remember being aaall alone in Fantasyland one morning before the crowds caught up to me (it is oooh so easy to move around solo!), and riding every single ride in quick succession, LOL it was a blast, but I did get a bit nervous going Snow White all by myself,

Going wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted was sooo fun!
DH couldn't meet with me much since they had tight schedules and team lunches to go over the rest of the day's events. But I used the time to just goof off on my own, read, use the pool, etc.

I thought I would feel lonely or odd all by myself, but I didn't. The CM's would talk to me when I would sit all alone at lunch and be so kind! People in lines would temporarily adopt me into their families LOL too funny!
I remember running into the Emporium to buy DH a Hawaiian shirt for a function and talking to the CM's there since it was rather empty about how I was off having fun while my poor DH was working hard all day in the most magical place.

I did get the chance to attend a Disney tour offered to the conference attendees, it was a lot of fun to do that for the day.

Then when DH was finally done with work we spent several days at the World having fun together! I did ask the concierge to help me arrange a surprise dinner at Crystal Palace for DH and I since we had had to skip his birthday celebration earlier that year when I got very ill. It was a very fun surprised he loved after all the hard work he had put on all those days.

 

[Magpie]

Thank you so much for all your stories! I'm enjoying reading them very much - it's so reassuring to know that I won't feel strange touring the parks by myself.

I'm getting very excited about this trip.

 

[Sadie22]

My husband attended a convention at the Contemporary last summer. We had a great room on a high floor. I received the convention schedule ahead of time. I insisted on arriving two days early and leaving two days after the convention ended, and Disney was happy to extend the convention rate to us for the extra days. I was especially glad for the extra days when DH, as usual, got sick in the middle of the vacation. He made it through his meetings and collapsed for a couple of days, and then he got over it.

We had attended his convention previously so we pretty much knew the schedule well ahead of time. I made meal ADRs for the nights the convention was not providing meals and arranged my schedule to eat lunch with him when the convention was not serving lunch and had lunch ADRs in the parks for when he was busy. I was able to see everything I wanted to see when he was in session and we had some together time also. I spent some time exploring resorts and shops as well as seeing the shows he was not interested in. It was a great trip.

 

[Magpie]

My husband attended a convention at the Contemporary last summer. We had a great room on a high floor. I received the convention schedule ahead of time. I insisted on arriving two days early and leaving two days after the convention ended, and Disney was happy to extend the convention rate to us for the extra days. I was especially glad for the extra days when DH, as usual, got sick in the middle of the vacation. He made it through his meetings and collapsed for a couple of days, and then he got over it.

We had attended his convention previously so we pretty much knew the schedule well ahead of time. I made meal ADRs for the nights the convention was not providing meals and arranged my schedule to eat lunch with him when the convention was not serving lunch and had lunch ADRs in the parks for when he was busy. I was able to see everything I wanted to see when he was in session and we had some together time also. I spent some time exploring resorts and shops as well as seeing the shows he was not interested in. It was a great trip.

That sounds wonderful! And I'm glad your husband was able to recover from his illness.

While I'd love to tack some extra days on so that I could have my husband all to myself at Disney, our friend who's agreed to stay with our teenagers probably wouldn't appreciate it.

A question about ADRs...? Do I absolutely need them in October? How far in advance do you need to make them? Would it be possible to just pop into Guest Services in the morning and find out what's available?

 

[AndreaDM]

My husband had a convention based out of CR last June so DD and I tagged along. A big part of the convention was actually touring garden centers in the area (he's in the green industry) so he was up and out most days before we were even up. He did get to do the sunrise safari at AK and got to see all the F&G topiaries behind the scenes as part of the convention, but most of it was off site, so no, I didn't see him much except for the first and last days. The last evening they scheduled an Illuminations dessert party at Epcot for the attendees and families so that was nice. I had DD (7 at the time) with me, so I wasn't touring the parks solo, but it was still a nice change of pace, just her and I, we took things very leisurely.

Have fun!!

 

[com_op_2000]

I have had a couple of conventions at both CSR and the Dolphin and DW went with me both times. We stayed onsite at OKW both times. DW spent most of the time at the resorts or DTD during the day. In the evening, she attended the nightly party/event at whatever location it was held at.

This past year, DW and I went with our DD, who was the lead person for her company at a convention at the CR. She had a room on the seventh floor, with view of MK, and concierge level access. We stayed in her room, had the same level of access as her, she gave us her gift card (which her company gave to all attendees) to use in the parks/shopping areas, was sent up dinner in the room from their nightly meals, and had four wonderful nights of viewing the nightly fireworks. Also, a CM who is a family member got us into the parks for free on two of the days.

 

[TLCdisneyfan]

DH and I went together when he had a convention there in 2007. I loved the experience. We were offered different ticket options for convention goers, so I got DH the discounted after 4pm tix for the convention days, and a park hopper for me.I had a great time roaming the parks at my own pace. I had been to DW lots of times before, so I tried different things in addition to rides. I did the AK backstage tour, and I got a massage at one of the spas. In the evenings, DH and I ate in the parks or resort restaurants (California grill, Boma, a character meal, and Sci Fi Dine In), and also did rides and stuff. We took a few extra days after the convention for DH to really do the parks, since it was his first visit. It was a really nice vacation for us and a rare break from DD, who was only six mos old. Have fun on your trip!