M&M Trip: Me and Mom meet THE mouse in the magical world of disney

[mandyluvs2travel]

Hello! I am going to the WDW Triathlon in September 2007. I decided to take my mom, who so happens to be my absolute best friend, with me on the work trip then stay over several more nights for a long time needed "girls weekend." We are super excited to leave our hubbies behind and experience the World the woman's way...go where we want, when we want, as many times as we want, and eat whatever we want...lol

Meet the cast

*We always have a blast where ever we go....

Me: Mandy (24) I live in Birmingham,AL and work as a Campaign Coordinator for The leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I love my job! One day there will be a cure for cancer-have faith, research is proving amazing things! I love to travel and wish i could do it all day, everyday. But my favorite vacation is a cruise. i have two booked for 2008! I love DOGS- i have three and they are precious. i am a fitness and health freak.

Mom: Cindy (47) She lives in Jackson, Tn and I wish i got to see her more often. She is an amazing woman and is a wonderful mother. She is not just my mom, she is my lifelong best friend. She loves ice cream and mexican food. She also loves to travel, I inherited that trait from my parents. She deserves this WDW trip and I am determined to make it the BEST for her!

pictures to come....

 

[mandyluvs2travel]

My job has us booked at the Disney Fort Wilderness Cabins for the first 3 nights. I have never been here, so excited to see this place. Should have the "outdoor" feel and since the triathlon is taking place on the resort it will be booming! Then the next three nights we booked a room at the Coronado Springs Resort!

The first few days will be sort of busy with work, but there will be some free time to throw in some exploring....any recomendations of one stop places or things to see in a brief spout of time?

Friday we will be arriving around 10am and I pretty free until 7pm...what to do first?
Saturday night we have a big party/dinner at the Contemporary Hotel
Sunday night there is a finishers party on Pleasure Island

More detailed plans to come...I would love ideas or suggestions on places, restaurants and things to see that will be fun for a mother/daughter getaway

 

[mvazul]

Hi!

I am going with my mother, too, and my sister. An adult's only trip!! This will be my mother and sister's first time to Disney. It will be my first time staying on property and doing all fourparks. We are all getting soooo excited.

What an amazing job you have. Cancer research has a very special place in my heart. We lost my uncle/Godfather (Mom's oldest brother) in 1992 to liver and pancreatic cancer. He was a few months away from his 41st birthday. I miss him every day.

Anyway, I look forward to reading more of your report. It sounds like you will have a great time!

 

[mandyluvs2travel]

Hi!

I am going with my mother, too, and my sister. QUOTE]

FUN! There is nothing like a girl's trip! My mom hasn't been since 1990, so she has a lot of catching up to see.

I am so sorry about your uncle. I do love my job, it is extremly rewarding to see lives touched. And one day cancer will be resolved...survival rate increases each year!

 

[mandyluvs2travel]

Friday, Sept 21:
7:15am flight to Orlando
We will be renting an SUV for the first four days (work requires it). Once we get it we will head to a nearby grocery store..does anyone know of one in route to Disney from the airport?:confused3

Check into Fort Wilderness....we got a cabin. I am excited to see what it looks like. This would not have been my choice of hotel, but this is where the triathlon is, so here we are. But now, I am excited to do some outdoor stuff while I am there...

Next, head to Downtown Disney for some shopping and lunch at either Earl of SandwichOR Wolfgang Puck Express.

We will then come back to Fort Wilderness and walk around. Possibly rent bikes and ride through the surrounding trails.

7pm- Team in Training staff meeting...location TBA

9pm- Go to the Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Halloween Celebration. Has anyone ever been to this?

Saturday, Sept 22:

6am- I am gonna go for a short run around the lake
9am - Meet the Team for Breakfast at Trails End restaurant then fo to the triathlon expo

?????????

5pm- Team in Training pasta Party at the Contemporary Hotel
7pm- My Team meeting, location TBA
We need to go to bed early because tomorrow morning is the race!!!!

Sunday, Sept 23rd:
RACE DAY: Go Al/Gulf Coast Team in Training- they are a huge inspiration
5am- meet he Team to prepare bikes, gear, etc
7am- offical start time

Monday, Sept 24

Check out of Fort Wilderness and into Coronado Springs Resort You gotta love a job that turns into a vacation

Tuesday, Sept 25:



Wednesday, Sept 26:



Thursday, Sept 27:


Flight home - 4:00pm

 

[White as Snow]

Hi, Mandy!! I'm also from Birmingham, AL! Your trip sounds like it will be a blast.

allearsnet.com has routes from the Orlando airports to Disney with detours for grocery stores.

We went to the Halloween party last year and loved it so much that we are going back this October. My only cautionary note (unless you aren't paying for the party tickets), is that you will be missing 2 hours of the party. You should be able to see the parade and fireworks if you get there at 9, but $40 is a lot to pay for only 3 hours of party. But that's only my opinion- it's worth what it cost!

Looking forward to more TR!

 

[mvazul]

I have never arrived in MCO. We have driven the two times we have gone. So, I don't know the route from the airport to Disney. However, the least expensive grocery store we found in the area is Publix. They have good prices and a really good selection. I forget the other grocery store we stopped at, but the prices were over the top crazy.

HTH!!

 

[mandyluvs2travel]

Wow you are from Birmingham too. It's a Small World...lol

So the ticket cots more than just a regular admission to the park? I really know nothing about it other then it was listed on their events calendar...what exactly do you get to do at the party? But it sounds intriguing and something different to do.

I have been checking out allears.net recently trying to narrow down food options...I want to have a plan of attack! So I will look for that grocery store locator. We just need simple breakfast food to save money since we don't eat big breakfasts. I love Publix too...so that is a plus

 

[White as Snow]

You have to buy a separate ticket to the party (you don't have to have regular park admission, just the party ticket will get you in around 4:30) . It's around $40 for a ticket. There are special fireworks, a Halloween parade, Main Street is decked out for the occaision (as are different parts of the park). There is also trick-or-treating and the rides are walk-ons because they sell a limited number of tickets to the party (all regular guests without a party ticket have to leave at 7:00 when the party begins). Lots of people also dress in costumes (not just kids - that's part of the fun).

I hope all that makes sense! There are several threads here on the DIS devoted solely to party info.