Aug 08 Trip Report-Go During Busy Season & Wait No More Than 10 Mins for Any Ride!

[AZMickeyfans]

I'm in. Great so far!

Awesome old WDW pictures.

 

[PrincessVal]

One quick side note of where I got a lot of my Disney knowledge...in 2002 I went down as a CP. It was the best experience ever! If you or anyone you know is considering it I highly recommend going for it. You won't regret it.

I worked at MGM, yes at that time is was still MGM, at Sunset Ranch Market. It was 9 different locations in total and was very very busy and hot. Not easy work, but still tons of fun. And the costumes oh where do I start, they were gorgeous right?

The parks have cast member only cafeterias back stage. At MGM it is called Take Five and is located behind the Brown Derby.

You wonder what cast members do on their days off...go to the parks of course. We took silly pics on all the rides.

My DS22 got luckier than me. She worked at the TTC doing parking. She took turns driving the tram and doing the shpeel on the back. When we heard what she was doing we almost died. She's what you would call vertically challenged and usually drives a little blue Volkswagen Bug. Going from that to a 171 foot long, 210 guest carrying, million dollar vehicle seemed like a bad idea. I'm happy to report that no one was hurt during her stay, well not seriously anyway. Remember that next time you are boarding.

I don't have any pics of her on the tram but here is when she worked at the gift shop at the TTC.

Ok Day 1 coming right up, I promise.

 

[Credit Man]

Great start. Love the old pics.

 

[Sarilas]

I am highly encouraging my son to think about the college program. Sure he's only in 7th grade but I want to start preparing him YOUNG .

That Rock n Rollercoaster pic is my fav...

 

[AZMickeyfans]

Oh Awesome! I was on the CP in '93! Met my husband there, he was CP too. We eventually moved down to Orlando but moved away to be closer to family. That was the best time wasn't it? My son had a firefighter come teach his class one day and he mentioned that he worked for WDW and later I asked him when and he said he was on the CP in 97 and that was the best job of his life too!

Ok I just showed my age since mine was a good 9 years earlier than yours but anyway, we have that bond now!

 

[PrincessVal]

I am highly encouraging my son to think about the college program. Sure he's only in 7th grade but I want to start preparing him YOUNG .

That Rock n Rollercoaster pic is my fav...

Thats great you are encouraging your son to go. Then when he's down there he will get main gate passes and you will get to go visit him and the mouse. Its a win win!

Oh Awesome! I was on the CP in '93! Met my husband there, he was CP too. We eventually moved down to Orlando but moved away to be closer to family. That was the best time wasn't it? My son had a firefighter come teach his class one day and he mentioned that he worked for WDW and later I asked him when and he said he was on the CP in 97 and that was the best job of his life too!

Ok I just showed my age since mine was a good 9 years earlier than yours but anyway, we have that bond now!

Thats awesome you were a CP also. Its great to hear from former CPs that enjoyed their experience as much as I did. I would love to hear how it was while you were there. See if they changed anything over the years.

 

[PrincessVal]

Day 1 - August 3rd

4:30 AM – We awoke to what looks to be a discotheque in our bedroom...lights flashing, music blasting. Ok there was no music but the lights were really bright

No those aren't Disney fireworks, there are fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars. A car had gone into the ditch in front of our house.

Since we couldn't go back to sleep after all the excitement we decide to start getting ready to go. DM, DD, DS17, and DB all arrived from VA to my house in SC yesterday. We are the half way point for them. DH and I rounded up the troops to hit the road. We packed up the car, fed the cat, and headed on our way. It’s an 8+ hour drive and we wanted to get there in time to do some grocery shopping, perhaps hit the pool, and rest up for our first big day.

We made a few stops for potty breaks, gas, and lunch at KFC. We watched Newsies, one of my favorite Disney movies, on the way down. DH and DB weren’t too enthusiastic about this but they survived.


I'm the King of New York...

Next up - Our Arrival.

 

[Spartangirl]

I LOVE the silly pics on the rides........how fun!

Quite the way to start your day with firetrucks, ambulances, and police cars!

I'm a fan of Newsies too!

 

[whogirl'smom]

Your family is so cute, I think I'm going to love this TR! It was so refreshing to see Minnie just out with the kids, no handler and no line. Ah, the good old days!

Can't wait for the next installment.

 

[PrincessVal]

I LOVE the silly pics on the rides........how fun!

Quite the way to start your day with firetrucks, ambulances, and police cars!

I'm a fan of Newsies too!

Your family is so cute, I think I'm going to love this TR! It was so refreshing to see Minnie just out with the kids, no handler and no line. Ah, the good old days!

Can't wait for the next installment.

Thanks for all your kind words. Now on with the show ...

 

[PrincessVal]

4:30 PM – we finally arrived at Vistana Resort. I’ve stayed on property quite a few times but recently we have been using my parents’ time share. It’s nice to have all the extra space. It sleeps all 8 of us comfortably, has 2 baths and 2 kitchens, and is about as close to Disney property as you can get. It's right near Vista Way, if you know where some of the CPs stay. Here are some pics of the place before we destroyed it.

I should have taken some after pics. Does that happen to anyone else? You show up and its all nice and 1 day later it looks like a hurricane came through. Or is that just my crazy family?


Next DM and DD went to the grocery store to get food for the week. I don't know if you ever had to feed 8 people, but let me tell you we eat -- A LOT. We found a great money saver is to have a kitchen in your room. We eat breakfast every morning before we leave, we take snacks and drinks with us to the parks, and we usually come back in the afternoon for either lunch or dinner.

The rest of us got changed and headed to the pool. As soon as we arrive it started raining so we hung out and read magazines for about 20 mins until it passed then went for a dip. The only other thing I remembered about the pool is the lady in front of us was practically wearing a thong, it was rough on the eyes. Aren't you all glad I didn't take a pic of that.

Afterwards we made dinner in the room and tried to get some sleep before our first big day. "I'm too excited to sleep" was my thought. DS22 was working late so she went back to her apartment to sleep and planned to meet us bright and early the next morning at EPCOT.

Coming up next - DUN DUNNA NAA - Day 2 EPCOT...birthdays, beer, and behind the seeds

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Subbing! OH this is going to be great- can't wait for more!

 

[iluvuwdw]

Great report so far ...

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm joining in. It's great so far!!

 

[AZMickeyfans]

Thats awesome you were a CP also. Its great to hear from former CPs that enjoyed their experience as much as I did. I would love to hear how it was while you were there. See if they changed anything over the years.

I know they added new housing. I should say new better housing with rumored washers and dryers! I could only wish!

I was in Vista Way which was the only place to be in 1993! That was all they had back then. One of my bosses told me he was on the CP and they lived in trailers somewhere off 192. I'm sure they were very nice trailers but I was 19 and first time out on my own and I pictured a very run down trailer in the swamps the way he described them .

The year after my college program I think they started making projects due and such. I didnt have to do any college type work did you? We just went to seminars in business suits and toured the property. It was a breeze. When I heard about all of the stuff that had to be done to graduate after that I almost Poor kids!

I didnt have a car my first or my 2nd alumni CP's but I did on my 3rd. I was fall of 93 and summers of 94 and 95.

I absolutely loved that job and like I said I met my husband who was also a fellow CPer so it was the best thing I ever did! We say our kids HAVE to do this.

 

[jake&samsmom]

You have a very happy and upbeat vibe! Great pics! I am definitely in!

 

[AZMickeyfans]

I can't wait to hear about Behind the Seeds. I'm considering that for dh on this upcoming trip.

Great pictures and yes THANK YOU for not taking the thong ladies portrait!

I dont think you are the only one whose hotel room looks like a hurricane came through after 1 day. Or house for that matter. It happens to the best of us!

 

[tofubeast]

Fun report so far. Looking forward to your EPCOT piece!

 

[4forWDW]

Waiting for more

 

[iluvuwdw]

Waiting for more as well