Tricks, Treats, Toddler, Food & Wine. An October 2011 Pre-Trip Report.

[exwdwcm]

Welcome to my next PTR! I am still busy finishing up my December 2010 TR, but figured it was time to start chronicling my plans, revisions of plans and yet changing them again.

Table of Contents:

• Overview of Plans
• Method to my Madness
• Reunion?
• Trip Purchases
• Must Dos
• Updates and Preliminary Schedule
• Flight Mess
• Ch-Ch-Changes!
• ADRs tomorrow!
• Doing the Dooney
• Flights Booked
• ADRs Success
• Disney Math
• Spring Fun and Second Disney Dooney
• DAY 1 Plans- Travel day
• Mini vacation report- Smokey Mtns
• Mini vacation report- Smokey Mtns Part II
• Mini vacation report- Smokey Mtns Part III
• CARS 2 and Countdown Calendar
  
• Goodie bag gifts
• DAY 1 REDUX- changes!
• DAY 2 PLANS- DHS and CRT
• DAY 3 PLANS- MK and Epcot
• Mini TR- San Diego/Disneyland
  

So let's start with the basics:

WHEN: October 15-22, 2011
WHERE: BLT, Studio- our home resort
WHY: William's 4th birthday (October 30th), MNSSHP and Food & Wine
HOW: Annual Passes (second time to use them), TIW card (no dining plan)

OUR CAST:
ME- Michelle: 37, The planner, type A perfectionist, Mom to William, work full-time as Mktg Mgr at a technology company, DVC member as of Feb 2010, ex cast member (WDWCP 1996), likes going commando (no not that way, as in park touring!), loves junk food, picky eater, tries to please everyone.
Fav character: Tink
Fav ride: ToT and Splash
Fav Dining: Via Napoli/Ohana
Fav snack: kaki gori

DH- Alan: 39, works for a REIT (finance), loves working out and playing World of Warcraft. Finally gave into my disney obsession and bought DVC for our 10 year anniversary! Is the quiet type, hates having his picture taken, eats anything and lets me do all the planning.
Fav character: anything Star Wars!
Fav ride: Peter Pan
Fav Dining: Le Cellier
Fav snack: ice cream

DS- William (Will): 3yo, will be turning 4 right after our trip. He is a clever, tough, not scared of anything, Mommy's boy. Goes to Montessorri day care and loves it. Just made the 40" mark this Dec 2010 to ride TT, Splash, BTMRR and Soarin!
Fav character: Pooh and Mickey
Fav ride: Pooh
Fav Dining: anything!
Fav snack: cookies and M&Ms

This will be our first FAMILY ONLY trip together, just the three of us. All past trips have been with extended family and often large groups of us! In Dec 2009, we had 14 family members go! So we are looking forward to a 'just us' trip, so we can do what we want, when we want and not have to wait on anyone else. The focus will be all about William and what he wants to do. He will be almost 4, at the perfect age to really enjoy it all!

It will be Will's 3rd trip. As I say that, I realize just how lucky we are to be able to take him and experience such great memories together! He went in December 2009 and December 2010. I think it is Alan's 8th trip. He's been down twice to visit me on the college program, once with some of my family in 1993 (Ft Wilderness Home) and then August 06 for free dining, just the two of us, back again with my work in 2007 at AKL for a few days, then Dec 09 and Dec 10. Not counting my college program or work trips, I've been 13x to WDW. I've stopped here and there for a day on business and visited the parks alone, plus all the time I spent in the parks during my CP.

Another little note on our trip.......I am hoping to be pregnant! I know, it means I won't get to partake in 'beverages' at the F&W festival or ride my favorite ride, but no biggie since we get to go each year. It took us over two years to conceive William after over a year of fertility treatments and finally IVF (it worked!). We are so thankful it worked and cherish every day we have with our little guy. We don't take anything for granted. Our diagnosis was 'unexplained infertility'. Otherwise, they couldn't find an issue with either of us, which is really frustrating. Given my age, we anticipate a long road ahead to try and conceive again. We will actively start trying again on our own in the coming months and seek help again if we need to- but not until summer at the earliest. But cross your fingers, send hugs and prayers that it happens for us again and it would be great if I was preggo on this trip. We will see how it goes! Alan and I have been together since spring break of 1993 and were married in 2001. So we've been together for almost 18 years this coming April and married for 10 years this coming May!

So here are a few pictures to get to know us:
DH and I at our May 2001 wedding at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas (DH's favorite playground, i love it too!)

at Ohana in 2006

and here are the three of us, this past December 2010 at WDW

and one last one of my little guy:

 

[exwdwcm]

So let's get down to the plans.....

AIRFARE:
We typically fly American since we live 20 minutes from DFW and it is the hub for AA. Plus, I won 2 AA vouchers for flights at work during our United Way campaign. I bought some raffle tickets and won! I NEVER win anything liek that, so I was super excited. Now, will those vouchers actually work for our dates? I don't know- i have yet to check it out, but i will soon. I also have about 35k miles on AA from previous flights (business and pleasure), so we have enough for one free flight in miles too (25k usually for a flight). So we should have enough for all 3 of us to fly free, of course if there are no black outs or exceptions. We will see, AA does make it difficult usually to use your miles. If we have to pay for one ticket, no biggie, I can just use the miles to fly out DH to Vegas in late July when I am out there for work.

HOTEL:
We are booked currently at BLT in a lakeview studio for arrival on Saturday, October 15th and departure on Saturday, October 22nd. This is our home resort, so we were able to book early. I had thought about trying to get BWV or BCV, but I know they are hard to get in October with F&W and so many DVCers traveling then, plus just read about some huge analyst/consulting conference that week that is taking up a lot of resort hotels near Epcot too. Knowing that, i will definitely try and avoid Epcot at night when possible, although we have to do it at least once in the evening! For our hotel- we are currently booked that saturday-saturday.......however, I think we might try and come in Friday night instead. This last trip, we took a 6am flight and Alan hated it and we were worn out all day that saturday. So we figure we just take a late flight after work on Friday, get in late and be ready to go Saturday am. So still considering that and will probably decide for sure in March after the hours come out.

There are 3 different things I might consider.....

1. just add friday night to our existing BLT ressie (if available)- but i worry we will get a crappy view checking in so late.
2. just stay off site somewhere for the one night to save $ (could stay near airport and then do cocoa beach on saturday)
3. check out AP rates- if something good is available, stay maybe at the Poly or POP for that one night (or even two nights, make it a split stay).

Until I can know for sure on flights, I won't book the additional night's hotel. If all else fails, I know we can just stay at some motel off site. We would probably get in late Friday, unless I can talk Alan into leaving work early. I did check some of the times on flights, and there are a few options:
leave at 6:20pm, arrive 9:50pm
leave at 7:30pm, arrive 11pm
leave at 5pm, arrive 8:30pm.

The 5pm would be great, but it would mean we would both have to leave work early, probably by 2pm for me and about 2:30-3 for him (he works right by the airport). Not sure he will do that or not, he mentioned NOT wanting to take an additional day off beyond the week we have planned. So we will see.

TRANSPORTATION:
We always rent a car. It is just a personal preference of ours. We can walk to the MK, take the monorail to Epcot, so we only really drive to DHS, AK and HS (or other resorts for meals). But we like the flexibility. I might try and hit up the disney outlet off 535 this time too. And we are considering doing a day at the waterpark (not sure which one) and possibly even a day at the beach. So we will most likely rent a car again. This time we can get a small one and save money. I usually find good deals and prefer to use National (Emerald Aisle, no check in desk!). I found a good deal this last trip for under $200 for the week for the full size car.

DINING:
We will use our TIW card that we purchased this past December for 20% our sit down meals. Since we are staying on our DVC points, we do not qualify for any free dining or other special discounts. We will plan to eat breakfast in the room, with the exception of any ADRs and maybe a cinnamon roll at MK one day. We usually do granola bars, cereal, fruit and are good. I will either do a garden grocer order or just stop and get some stuff that night at walmart on the way in.

for ADRS, we have a list going so far. We typically just do one sit down a day and we will have 7 full days, plus a half day our last day. So we want no more than 7-8 sit downs. The must-do's include:

1. O'hana breakfast (first for DH and Will)
2. O'hana dinner (3rd time, we love it!)
3. Crystal Palace breakfast (3rd time for DH/Will, probably 8th for me!)
4. Via Napoli lunch or dinner (loved it last trip- our 2nd time)
5. Teppan Edo for lunch or dinner (first time for all of us!)
6. Mama Melrose for lunch or dinner (first time for all of us!)

The other few we are considering:

• CRT breakfast- Will is sort of into watching Cinderella right now and I figure now is the time while he is still little and likes her- before he becomes all boy! I think he would enjoy eating in the castle. I've done breakfast and dinner here before, but Alan and Will have never eaten here.
• Paradiso 37 (something new for all of us at DTD)
• Wolfgang Puck (something new for all of us if i can break away from Earle!)
• Tusker House breakfast at AK (think Will would enjoy this- i've done it once, they have not)

We will also visit our favorite QS, Earle of Sandwich at least once. Otherwise, QS is just whatever we find.

 

[Aburns8]

Wolfgan Puck Express is one of our favorites. We went there for the first time last October. My DH loved it so much we ate there twice!

 

[khertz]

Will's & Paxton's Birthdays are not too far apart...his is the 24th! Too bad we will be missing you this trip since those are about the dates we had chosen at first. But we really want to check out Festival of the Masters, so that's why we pushed back to November. Maybe another time?!

Sending LOTS of prayers your way for success as you are TTC! It will be a whole new experience doing WDW pregnant. I enjoyed some parts of it, but the heat was the worst. When we went on our honeymoon in October, I don't remember it being oppressively hot like it is during the summer months, so hopefully you will have a good experience. I loved feeling Paxton kick and squirm during the fireworks!

 

[DisneyRed95]

Hi Michelle!

I'm here!

We were there the same week last year and loved it. The weather was perfect! I did notice Epcot was crazy in the evenings during the weekends. We actually did World Showcase a few days when it opened (at 11am) and it was so empty! We enjoyed hopping from booth to booth for lunch.

Good luck with the flights. I hope you're able to get in on Friday night. We did that last summer and it's nice to get a good night's rest and start the vacation off with some energy. You'll have to weigh your hotel options and see what works for you. We stayed at one of the off site hotels by DTD and then were able to check in early at AKL the next day. The only problem with staying at another hotel the night before is wondering if your room will be ready. It's kind of pain when it's not.

Great choice with ADRs. I haven't eaten at Via Napoli, but I'm hearing so many great things I think I need to check it out!

Your plans sound good so far! Good luck with the rest of the planning!!!

 

[hardingk]

Hi Michelle!

I'm here too!

I did Disney pregnant in April. Had just turned exactly 20 weeks. It was 90 degrees. We were at SSR and got up early and did some stuff and then came back in the afternoon and rested. Back out in the evening. We had a great time, but I was tired!

You have a great list of ADR's! Will will LOVE Tusker house for Breakfast. We did it this past July and Kathryn had a great time!! I will have send you some pictures! Can you PM me your email address? I don't know how to post them online! We are taking her to CRT next month on our trip. She is soooo into princesses now. She is going to love it! We LOVE Ohana's too! Book it every trip if not 1 meal, for two!! We used to like Wolfgang puck's but one trip we got a nasty stomach virus (we think from Hollywood & Vine) and WP was the last meal we ate and it didn't go over so well.

BLT is awesome! We are looking forward to our trip there in the fall! Do you request a room when you check in? I am in the same situation as you. Not sure when we will fly down yet but have to be on-site Friday. Debating late check-in and what kind of room we get or cancelling the first night and getting an AP rate or room by airport depending on when we land.

Looking forward to more!

 

[exwdwcm]

Thanks for reading all! you guys rock!

Wolfgan Puck Express is one of our favorites. We went there for the first time last October. My DH loved it so much we ate there twice!

awesome, i had never heard a bad thing about it, so we need to try it sometime!

Will's & Paxton's Birthdays are not too far apart...his is the 24th! Too bad we will be missing you this trip since those are about the dates we had chosen at first. But we really want to check out Festival of the Masters, so that's why we pushed back to November. Maybe another time?!

Sending LOTS of prayers your way for success as you are TTC! It will be a whole new experience doing WDW pregnant. I enjoyed some parts of it, but the heat was the worst. When we went on our honeymoon in October, I don't remember it being oppressively hot like it is during the summer months, so hopefully you will have a good experience. I loved feeling Paxton kick and squirm during the fireworks!

oh too bad we will just miss each other! But I know Paxton will have a blast! Thanks on the support! I am hoping October won't be a awful as the summer. We've done August before and it was pretty bad (and we are used to the heat and humidity in DFW). I don't know what the future will hold or if i will be pregnant or not- at this point, we have a lot going on at home we need to take care of before we start TTC, much less have to start dishing out big bucks for 'help'. We just found out we have termites, the gas heater was acting up last night (was 11 degrees last night) and i just slid the caddy on the ice into our mailbox this am. Go figure!

Hi Michelle!

I'm here!

We were there the same week last year and loved it. The weather was perfect! I did notice Epcot was crazy in the evenings during the weekends. We actually did World Showcase a few days when it opened (at 11am) and it was so empty! We enjoyed hopping from booth to booth for lunch.

Good luck with the flights. I hope you're able to get in on Friday night. We did that last summer and it's nice to get a good night's rest and start the vacation off with some energy. You'll have to weigh your hotel options and see what works for you. We stayed at one of the off site hotels by DTD and then were able to check in early at AKL the next day. The only problem with staying at another hotel the night before is wondering if your room will be ready. It's kind of pain when it's not.

Great choice with ADRs. I haven't eaten at Via Napoli, but I'm hearing so many great things I think I need to check it out!

Your plans sound good so far! Good luck with the rest of the planning!!!

Thanks for the info- good to hear it is not crazy, other than Epcot. I am really trying to do the F&W during the day- like you, hit it right at 11am when WS opens. We will be at Epcot for two evenings, but i am planning them for during the week and we will have an ADR for dinner, not do the booths. I figure that way we avoid most of the crowds?

yeah, i won't be too hopeful on our room being ready saturday. this last trip, we tried to check in at like 1pm and they didn't have it ready, it was not ready until 4pm and after being up since 4am, we were dying to get in our room. we might try the beach the first day, and not even get back to Orlando to check in until 3pm or something anyhow, so hopefully it won't be a big deal.

Hi Michelle!

I'm here too!

I did Disney pregnant in April. Had just turned exactly 20 weeks. It was 90 degrees. We were at SSR and got up early and did some stuff and then came back in the afternoon and rested. Back out in the evening. We had a great time, but I was tired!

You have a great list of ADR's! Will will LOVE Tusker house for Breakfast. We did it this past July and Kathryn had a great time!! I will have send you some pictures! Can you PM me your email address? I don't know how to post them online! We are taking her to CRT next month on our trip. She is soooo into princesses now. She is going to love it! We LOVE Ohana's too! Book it every trip if not 1 meal, for two!! We used to like Wolfgang puck's but one trip we got a nasty stomach virus (we think from Hollywood & Vine) and WP was the last meal we ate and it didn't go over so well.

BLT is awesome! We are looking forward to our trip there in the fall! Do you request a room when you check in? I am in the same situation as you. Not sure when we will fly down yet but have to be on-site Friday. Debating late check-in and what kind of room we get or cancelling the first night and getting an AP rate or room by airport depending on when we land.

Looking forward to more!

michelle.peters1@hotmail.com is my email addy! yeah for Tusker house- I did it with my sister years ago on a trip that was just the two of us and enjoyed it- probably 10 years ago. bummer on the stomach bug.......and LOL at getting it at H&V, that is where I used to work. i haven't heard great things about their food now anyhow.

WE requested a room when we made our reservation with DVC, actually, not a room, but we requested 'even number' and 'north facing', since that is supposed to get you a better chance of a room with a fireworks/MK view, even though we were booked for lakeview. That is supposed to get you possible at that far north end of the building (where the tennis courts are- opposite end of Contemporary)---you can still have a lakeview there, but could also see some of the MK possibly. So that is what we requested. We got an even numbered room, but not north, in fact, we were as far south as you could get, looking right at the contemporary and over the lake/dock. The even numbered, means you would be on the outside of the horseshoe, the BLT is situated where it makes a big horseshoe on the side facing the lake. all the rooms on the inside of the horseshoe, facing hte lake are odd numbered. All the outside (facing MK and on the ends/outside) are even supposedly. You also want a high floor. I didn't request that and when we checked in, she said we were on the second floor and i was like- uh NO!!!! i told her to find us something else, she said nothing was available, but then she found something on the 6th floor. we took it. much better than being so low to the ground where you don't have a great view.

yeah, i am having the same issue on coming in Friday night. if there are AP rates for something, we might consider that- i've always wanted to try the Poly, or since it will be so late, we might just do it cheap and do POP, i've never stayed there either. Off site isn't a bad option either- again, since we won't be in the room much. If we were going to spend most of saturday am at the resort, it would make more sense to stay at the Poly or something. So we will just have to see what comes out.

 

[hardingk]

We requested a room when we made our reservation with DVC, actually, not a room, but we requested 'even number' and 'north facing', since that is supposed to get you a better chance of a room with a fireworks/MK view, even though we were booked for lakeview. That is supposed to get you possible at that far north end of the building (where the tennis courts are- opposite end of Contemporary)---you can still have a lakeview there, but could also see some of the MK possibly. So that is what we requested. We got an even numbered room, but not north, in fact, we were as far south as you could get, looking right at the contemporary and over the lake/dock. The even numbered, means you would be on the outside of the horseshoe, the BLT is situated where it makes a big horseshoe on the side facing the lake. all the rooms on the inside of the horseshoe, facing hte lake are odd numbered. All the outside (facing MK and on the ends/outside) are even supposedly. You also want a high floor. I didn't request that and when we checked in, she said we were on the second floor and i was like- uh NO!!!! i told her to find us something else, she said nothing was available, but then she found something on the 6th floor. we took it. much better than being so low to the ground where you don't have a great view.

We stayed there in Sept '09 and had a std 1bdrm. We were in 7611 if I remember right. We were right over the shuffle board courts, on the 2nd flr. It was nice but I def want to try for a higher flr. It was a short walk out to the pool!

yeah, i am having the same issue on coming in Friday night. if there are AP rates for something, we might consider that- i've always wanted to try the Poly, or since it will be so late, we might just do it cheap and do POP, i've never stayed there either. Off site isn't a bad option either- again, since we won't be in the room much. If we were going to spend most of saturday am at the resort, it would make more sense to stay at the Poly or something. So we will just have to see what comes out.

So there was a banner at the top of the page for up to 40% off late summer rates...I clicked on it and got a rate for the first night of our trip at POP for $62! $72 with all tax! So I booked it. Airfare still hasn't been released for our dates yet on JetBlue so I don't know when we will fly but I figured why not. It's 30pts for the 1brm for the night.

 

[Tinkermom76]

I finally made it over! I love BLT and am so jealous
Too bad we will not be there at the same time. We wanna try CRT again this trip, it's Emma's b-day request so I figure why not!

 

[exwdwcm]

We stayed there in Sept '09 and had a std 1bdrm. We were in 7611 if I remember right. We were right over the shuffle board courts, on the 2nd flr. It was nice but I def want to try for a higher flr. It was a short walk out to the pool!

So there was a banner at the top of the page for up to 40% off late summer rates...I clicked on it and got a rate for the first night of our trip at POP for $62! $72 with all tax! So I booked it. Airfare still hasn't been released for our dates yet on JetBlue so I don't know when we will fly but I figured why not. It's 30pts for the 1brm for the night.

awesome on POP rate!!! I might have to check that out. I am just unsure what we will really do yet that first day----if we really want to head to the beach or just stay on site. If we do the beach, we would only do like 4 hours out there max. What do you think?

I finally made it over! I love BLT and am so jealous
Too bad we will not be there at the same time. We wanna try CRT again this trip, it's Emma's b-day request so I figure why not!

I know, bummer we will won't be there at the same time. yeah for CRT- i hope i can book it!

 

[exwdwcm]

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

So no more official plans made as of yet. I am waiting on the park hours to come out first before I really finalize my schedule more.

We love doing morning EMH, but did not this past trip. I just was afraid it would be too early for Lindsey and my MIL who were with us. Glad I didn't, since it took MIL forever to get ready each day and we often missed rope drop and even were lucky to make it at 10am a few days.

Alan and I prefer to arrive at opening. We don't always make the actual rope drop ceremony, but we are usually there just minutes after. So this trip, i want to go back to doing a few morning EMHs. I want to do Epcot and MK EMH. Based on historical hours, Tuesday will be an Epcot AM EMH and Thursday an MK one. So we would do those parks those mornings. Then I'll build my schedule from there.

So here's is my method to the madness for planning:

1. typically i start by picking the EMHs we want to do.
   
2. I also like to do MK and Epcot early in the trip- i usually want to have visited both by the second day at least.
   
3. I like to mix in AK in the middle, since we only spend a day there.
   
4. I like to break up HS- we usually do one morning and one night there. It is rare that we stay at the same park all day (since we take breaks).
   
5. This trip, i also want to build in a morning to do a waterpark (leaning towards Blizzard Beach).
   
6. I also try and not schedule an early morning after MNSSHP too.
   
7. Plus I want to attempt to do the F&W booths at Epcot during the day for lunch, not at night.
   
8. I want to avoid Epcot in the evenings on the weekend
9. I want at least one morning/afternoon or evening at DTD, preferably NOT on the weekend
10. I want to do a character breakfast on sunday am if possible (our first full park day)
    

So i start with all of that to build the schedule and shuffle around parks. I like to build a schedule that has breakfast, AM park, lunch, PM park, dinner for each day.

We have 7.5 days total.

So I have a rough schedule, but still juggling some things.

So a few questions for feedback:

1. have you done Cocoa beach and would you recommend spending some time there? We are thinking about like 3-4 hours- not a whole day.
   
2. What would you vote for our first day and our hotel the first night. We would arrive Friday night, 10/14 at 8:30pm. The morning is my problem- what to do? on saturday evening- we will plan dinner at Ohana and the MK for EMH night. but for morning, (and night before) the options are:

*stay at a cheap hotel near the airport (under $100), drive to Cocoa Beach on Sat morning, grab breakfast, play in waves/sand, grab lunch, head back to orlando by 2pm.

*just add a night to BLT for Friday night. My concern is we won't get a great view since we would check in so late? Then no beach in the am- instead, head to a character breakfast (Ohana or CP) and a park that day. Swim in afternoon at BLT.

*attempt to get an AP rate on site- POP or Poly. If we could get Poly, then we would probably do breakfast there, swim and enjoy the facility that am. If we were able to get Poly, i might even look at staying there two nights. who knows! If POP, we would do character breakfast and then off to a park that am, then move to BLt that afternoon.

So thoughts? Ideas? What would you do? Will is 3yo, will be a week away from 4 when we go. He loves swimming (in swim lessons) and has been to the beach, but he was 1yo then. Should we save beach for future trip when he is older or go now? plus now is a great time, since it is just us?

Also- question- what water park do you recommend? Again- he likes to swim- he is not afraid of slides. We get a season pass at our local water park each summer (last 2) and he loves it. Which park has more for his age (4yo) to do? We would not spend a whole day there, probably from opening (10am) to like 3pm or something. He usually won't last more than 4-5 hours.

 

[Nermel9]

Hi! Joining in, I'll be there in October as well! I'm finishing up my November TR now, but when I'm done, I'll start a ptr!

Going to get caught up!

 

[stephielela]

Joining in!! I know exactly what you mean about this trip being more relaxed since it's just you 3. I am looking forward to our Mommy and Jack trip this fall as well.

Good luck on the baby! I went to WDW pregnant with Jack and I actually really enjoyed it. I had a lot more free time to just relax and take in the atmosphere while everyone else was riding rides.

As far as your first night, I would just add the night at BLT. If you check in online they automatically assign you a room beforehand, so it won't matter what time you get there.

 

[exwdwcm]

Hi! Joining in, I'll be there in October as well! I'm finishing up my November TR now, but when I'm done, I'll start a ptr!

Going to get caught up!

woo hoo- thanks for joining in- definitely post your link when you get started! I'll check out your nov TR too! What are your dates for Oct?

Joining in!! I know exactly what you mean about this trip being more relaxed since it's just you 3. I am looking forward to our Mommy and Jack trip this fall as well.

Good luck on the baby! I went to WDW pregnant with Jack and I actually really enjoyed it. I had a lot more free time to just relax and take in the atmosphere while everyone else was riding rides.

As far as your first night, I would just add the night at BLT. If you check in online they automatically assign you a room beforehand, so it won't matter what time you get there.

great to know on the room assignments, i wasn't sure how it was done now with all the changes they made recently. I might just do that now and see if it is available. It can't hurt, I can always cancel if need be. what are the dates for your trip with just you and Jack?

 

[Tinkermom76]

I vote you stay at the Poly but I am partial to that resort

Really I agree that you should just book another night at BLT!

 

[exwdwcm]

REUNITED and it feels so good????????????????

Well it's a possibility. My family only October trip might also turn into a college program roommate reunion trip too. I know, sort of ruins my whole plan for the three of us only, but the good news is, these are folks that know the parks and i don't feel pressure to show them around, do it all etc. It is more about hanging out with them, having a good time. We would probably meet up just for the first weekend for some meals, food and wine or a dinner or something. I wouldn't be with them all the time.

last fall, we started all messaging each other on facebook about planning another reunion. See, we are the class of FALL 1996. Our college program started in August of 1996 and ended in January of 1997. Yep, 15 years ago. That alone scares me (means I am OLD!!! lol). There were 6 of us lovely ladies assigned, at random to share a 3 bedroom apartment at Vista Way. We had a bottom floor apartment near the back of the complex. These ladies are amazing, that's the only word for them.

We were talking originally about planning something for February, but of course, it is Feb and we never sorted out plans, so we got in touch again and are talking about October now. Since I will already be going in October, it made sense. Plus one other roomie was already planning to go to WDW too- that same week- for another small reunion with some other friends (she worked for disney for almost 10 years). So it is looking like the weekend of Oct 15/16 might be what we shoot for. We will see if it comes to fruition or not. Right now, it appears 3 out of the 6 of us could be there. The other two we need to hear from both have kids, so that will play a role in if they can get away or not (with or without the kids).

We also had a few neighbors that we loved and have also invited to come- so we will see how everyone's schedules work out. So here is who everyone is:

• Heather- from Detroit, was on her second college program when we lived together. She shared a room with Kittie. She worked at the movie upstairs at the Land pavilion (the lion king/recycling one). She did the whole no eating/drinking spiel. She STILL lives in Orlando and works as a ZITI sister (entertainment) at the Italy pavilion at Epcot. Before that, she worked entertainment contract for Kodak (lab coat camera thing after the ride) at Journey into Imagination. Before that, she was in the Hunchback show at the studios and was 'friends' with many characters, as well as in the parades at the studios. She's single, loud, crazy, fun and loves playing dress up!
  
• Claudine- from Phoenix, AZ, was on her second program too- her and Heather knew each other already from their first program. Claudine roomed with Jenny. She worked at strollers at Epcot, later went on to do the INTL program, rooming with students from all over the world, working as an ambassador in the US pavilion at Epcot and then guest relations and finally disney weddings for a number of years. She moved back to PHX finally just a few years ago and still works in events/weddings there. She also finally found happiness with her new partner in AZ.
  
• Mary- my roomie! Mary is from Reading, PA. She is now a K teacher, married and has two lovely daughters. She was loud and fun too- very outgoing. She worked in entertainment at the Studios- she was in the toy story parade everyday, as 'friends' with Buzz Lightyear- yep, the star of the show! totally fit her personality.
  
• Kittie- we called her Miss Kittie- from New York originally. Now married with a young son and I think most recently living in SC. Kittie had the worst job of all- working quick service at Pecos Bill and a turkey leg cart right outside of it. She came home smelling like grease each night. Heather and Kittie shared a room and formed a really tight bond.
• Jenny- gosh, i can't even remember where Jenny was from. that's ad. She was sort of the black sheep of our group. All of us were older (21-22) and juniors or seniors in college. Jenny was a freshman, young, naive, never traveled, never lived on her own, never been to disney. She was quiet. She was a 'cook' at Crystal Palace, so in the kitchen the whole time. I believe she was in culinary school back home. Due to her age and how quiet she was, she just didn't fit in well with us and as much as we tried to include her, she always just wanted to stay home or work overtime. She's the only one we just didn't click with, not that we didn't get along, she just wasn't as tightly knit as the rest of us- mostly due to her age.
  

So here is a pic of these lovely ladies- this was our first week on the college program- in fact just a few days in. Heather's mom was a flight attendant for Delta and visiting and took us all to breakfast at Kona or Ohana, i can't remember which. from left to right, Jenny, Kittie, Heather, Mary, Me (with eyes closed) and Claudine.

So why would i want to meet up with my old roomies- well first, it's been 15 years. I've seen Heather a few times over the years, of course on my many visits to WDW- we always make a point to see her at work or when she is off. In 2009, she even came over to our hotel and hung out for a bit and brought the whole family cupcakes! (she loves to bake/cook). years before that, she met us for dinner at 50s Prime Time. So my family knows and loves her too. I saw Mary about 4 years ago, when i was in PA for our company christmas party and she and her daughters met me for breakfast at my hotel. Otherwise, I haven't seen most of them since 1997, other than emailing or facebook.

In October 1997, almost a year after our program, Disney hosted the 15th anniversary party for the college program. I have yet to see them host any type of college program anniversary event since then. however, since we were just a year out, we all came back for the reunion for a quick weekend. The event featured a nice dinner, cocktail hours etc. We had a blast. This is also when Claudine shared with us she was gay. It was very difficult for her to come out to us and to be honest, i really had no clue at all while i was living with her. I am sure she was extremely nervous about how we would react, but we all were so supportive and love her no matter what. In fact her strength just made me love and admire her even more. And of course, our crazy, dramatic Heather........well the first thing she said was: "So did you ever think i was cute?".........LOL- we all laughed after that and it totally broke the ice.

Then in 2006, the group got together to plan another reunion- however, i was in the midst of fertility treatments and it just worked out that i was having surgery for endometriosis the week they got together. It was a last minute sort of surgery, so hard to plan around. So i missed all the fun- they went in sept and did food and wine and they called me and emailed me pics and sent their love- it was really sweet. I was so bummed I missed it. So i am NOT missing this time!

So for now, I think i will just try and add a night for the 14th at BLT. just to have my bases covered. If we do schedule this reunion, i am guessing some of them might come in friday too- so i want to have a room for sure. Of course this would mean no beach on saturday, but that's okay. We can do the beach anytime, I can't see my old friends just any day, or any year for that matter.

so here they all are, this was the night of our big graduation ball (held at the Land pavilion after hours! This includes 2 of our neighbors, Chris (zebra skin!) and Jay (back), plus one of Heather's friends and a CM too.

 

[Aburns8]

That sounds like fun! It would be great if you could get together with all of your college program buddies! How wonderful that you kept in touch all of these years.

 

[DisneyRed95]

Hey Michelle!

Sorry I missed your update yesterday. But now I'm all caught up.

I think the CP roomie reunion sounds like a blast! My CP roomies and I are trying to get something together (this summer will be our 10 year anniversary). We haven't chatted much about it lately. It's so hard to coordinate. I think if you guys have the chance, go for it!

Definitely see if you can get a room at BLT for the 14th. That way you know you're on property and know your room will be ready when you arrive that night. And you don't have to change hotels. Do you think you'll get a bad view since you're getting in late at night? Can you request anything in advance?

I went to Cocoa Beach when I was little, so I don't remember much. I'm sure Will would love the beach, so maybe you could plan it later in the week? If not, you could plan it into a future trip.

Good luck with your reunion plans! Keep us updated!

 

[exwdwcm]

That sounds like fun! It would be great if you could get together with all of your college program buddies! How wonderful that you kept in touch all of these years.

It would be a blast, they are a great group of friends!!

Hey Michelle!

Sorry I missed your update yesterday. But now I'm all caught up.

I think the CP roomie reunion sounds like a blast! My CP roomies and I are trying to get something together (this summer will be our 10 year anniversary). We haven't chatted much about it lately. It's so hard to coordinate. I think if you guys have the chance, go for it!

Definitely see if you can get a room at BLT for the 14th. That way you know you're on property and know your room will be ready when you arrive that night. And you don't have to change hotels. Do you think you'll get a bad view since you're getting in late at night? Can you request anything in advance?

I went to Cocoa Beach when I was little, so I don't remember much. I'm sure Will would love the beach, so maybe you could plan it later in the week? If not, you could plan it into a future trip.

Good luck with your reunion plans! Keep us updated!

We could always do the beach later in the trip if we decide too. I am also thinking a disney cruise is in our future in the next year or two after this trip, so he would see it then too!

it is so hard getting everyone together, especially now with jobs, kids and commitments. but so worth it!

I am going to look at adding BLT now.

wow, this is my 3999 post- almost to 4k!!!!

 

[Tinkermom76]

What a great way to start your vacation! Sounds like it will be a lot of fun