**UPDATE 11/4 p.2 ** Holla Space Mountain! The Vista Girls Reunite Again! Nov. 09

[Wonders10]

First of all, I am sick of calling my friend "A". Her name is Amanda and I am going to start calling her as such.

Anyway, I have news!

Amanda booked her flight! That makes it so much more real. I think there was a part of me that was worried that something would come up and she would be unable to come - I would have still gone of course, but I had gotten pretty darn excited about seeing her. Anyway, her flight is scheduled to get in Wednesday afternoon. I'm still not sure where she will be staying - I found some good on property discounts that she could use or she might just stay off-site. Her choice. Then, as planned, I will be driving up Thursday morning and picking her up and starting our adventure!

I'm still waiting for her to let me know what kind of ticket she is going to get - how many days, hopper or not, etc. I'm getting the Florida 3-days pass - just not sure if I need the hopper option or not. And I'm also waiting for the go ahead to buy the MVMCP tickets. I'm going to buy them and just let her reimburse me for her ticket.

More updates to come! I was just looking through my calendar for the next few weeks and I am going to be really busy with IEP meetings, normal work stuff, and have a couple days off too! This trip will be here in a flash!

 

[Wonders10]

I bought the MVMCP tickets last night...Amanda gave me the "yes, yes, yes!" go ahead. Woo-hoo! I'm excited to see what the party will be like without 2 little ones (my niece and nephew) with us. Oh and the party we will be going to is Nov. 19th...my arrival day!

 

[Wonders10]

In my searching I was able to find the trip report I wrote (and did not finish) from the last time Amanda came to WDW. I just re-read through it, and I'm bummed myself that I didn't finish it. I vaguely remember what we did the rest of the trip so if you really are curious, just ask and I'll try my best to recreate it (but without additional pics because those are all on my mom's PC. So if you are bored and want to have an idea of how Amanda and I do Disney, go here ------>

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1405765

 

[Wonders10]

More mini-updates.

One, I've been really considering coming up Wednesday night instead of Thursday morning. The original reason why I wasn't coming up until Thursday was because I have parent/teacher conference night on Wednesday night. Sort of have to be there. However, as the Speech pathologist, no one typically schedules an interview with me. And if they do, I'd be more than happen to do it at another time or over the phone so I might try to see if I can get out of it. Amanda has not booked the hotel for Wednesday night yet either but she mentioned to me that a friend of hers that she worked with at WDW may pick her up from the airport, hang out and stay that Wednesday night with her. I've met this friend before and she is nice but I don't want to intrude on their one on one friend time. I really don't think Amanda cares though.

Second, Amanda requested a meal in Canada or Morrocco because those are the only 2 countries she has not eaten at yet. Well no surprise, Le Cellier has nothing available. And I've eaten in Morrocco and it was okay but I'm not itching to eat there again. To me it is way overpriced for the food and I'd much prefer to eat at their counter service restaurant which I LOVE! But I'm wondering if there are other places in the rest of WDW that she might want to eat at but she isn't being too helpful. And without a real definitive itinerary, it's hard to plan meals. But at the same time, it is 3 weeks away and most of the more popular places are probably booked which bugs me. Truthfully I don't care where we eat, I just want it planned if there is a place she does want to try.

Hoping this is a good week. I'm having the first part of my yearly evaluation on Tuesday. It's an "informal" observation but the woman doing it is tough so I'm super nervous about her comments. I had a rough supervisor my last year in grad school and she really shot down my confidence in what I do and those feelings still linger almost daily at work. Wish me luck!

 

[LMO429]

Hi! I'm subscribing to your trip report!

 

[Wonders10]

Well again through the magic of texting and "facebooking", Amanda and I came to an agreement on dining. Canada was unavailable for any and all times I checked during our stay which stinks because I've been really wanting to eat there as well. She hadn't eaten at Morocco yet and like I said, I have no desire to return there so I suggested Rose and Crown. I like the food, have eaten there before, plus we can have a pint (or two) with our meal. She hadn't eaten there before and they had a 5:05 ADR! We agreed an early dinner would be good to balance the drinking around the world, Illuminations and evening EMH. So that dilemma is solved.

As far as going up on Wednesday instead of Thursday, I think I've sort of talked myself out of it. It'd be another night I'd have to board my dog and I'd feel rushed leaving after work and making sure everything is ready before work so I'm pretty settled on just leaving early Thursday. Besides, by the time I get up there, Amanda will probably just be waking up and getting ready so it's not like we will lose out on much time hanging out together.

 

[Wonders10]

Hello readers!

2 weeks from tonight I will be packing and getting ready to leave for WDW in the morning. Well actually, exactly 2 weeks from tonight, I will be at school waiting until 8pm to head home. I may have to board Winston Wednesday night because I just started an after school job doing speech therapy at a private practice. Or I may just cancel my session. Not really sure. I feel guilty leaving him there an extra night. But I'm gonna give it a couple days and talk to my "new" boss about it.

In trip news...my personal day was officially approved. Not that I didn't think it would be, but I like knowing that all the powers ahead of me know and approve of my day off. I also talked to Amanda, sending her tons and tons of annoying emails and facebook messages. I came up with a tentative itinerary and she liked it so I'm going to post it. We also pretty much decided not to get a park hopper. We don't really need it and it will save both of us money. So here we go with our Itinerary v.02:

Thursday 11-19:
*Leave home around 7am, arrive in Orlando area sometime around 9/9:30, pick up Amanda at hotel off property or meet at POR (her Orlando friend is possibly staying with her Wednesday night so I'm not sure if she will take her to POR or if I will pick her up.
*Check into POR
*head back off property - ICE @Gaylord Palms, lunch offsite (maybe at one of our favorite places, Cafe TuTu Tango), then hit Publix to get snacks and some adult beverages.
*Back to POR, relax, change
*potentially visit Contemporary (where Amanda used to work) and GF (Amanda also worked her briefly and also to check out the Christmas decor)
*MVMCP right at 4pm until we can't take it anymore

Friday 11-20:
*Epcot day!!!
*must do's include drinking around the world, Illuminations, evening EMH
*also have adr's for dinner at Rose and Crown

Saturday 11-21:
*possibly hit DTD in the morning to shop
*DHS for rides and then our must do is the Osborne lights - totally puts me in the Christmas spirit!

Sunday 11-22:
*Check out day
*Not sure when Amanda is leaving but I'm sure I'll be leaving sometime before noon.

So what do you think? We try to stick to a basic plan but there is definite potential for a spur of the moment anything to happen! I am so ready for this trip. I'm so stressed and busy at work. I need to escape to my happy place now!

 

[Wonders10]

Hi everyone!

I don't really have any updates, but I just wanted to post some random stuff (mostly to bump my thread back to page 1). Since my trip is coming up soon, I'm hoping to catch some more readers!

Anyway, in my life, I'm super super busy. Which is good because it is making the days fly by meaning my trip will be here soon, but I feel stressed a lot of the time which isn't so fun. I can't remember if I mentioned it on here before or not, but last week I got a 2nd job after school. As I mentioned before I am a speech pathologist working in the school system and now I also work after school/work at a private practice doing pediatric therapy. The pay is so much more than the school (which is really helpful right now) and I only will work Mon-Thursday. My boss just opened this practice (#2 for her) and she really just needs some extra coverage. The stressful part is meeting the clients for the first time - even though I have read through their files, you never know what they will be like when they walk in. And I'm so used to getting home a little around 3:30 and now when I work I get home around 6 or even 7 some nights. Definitely put a damper on my routine. But I'm gonna give it a few months and if it is really too much, I'm just going to quit. But right now I just need to get used to my new routine (I'm all about routine - which is pretty funny since most of my caseload are children with autism. For those that don't know, if you are autistic, you really really really like routine. Unexpected changes can throw you into a tailspin).

Amanda and I chatted for a bit this weekend. We are both really really excited (duh!). She still hasn't booked her hotel for Wednesday night, which would freak me out. I like having things planned way in advance (routine remember?). Her friend who lives in Orlando is going to be joining her Wednesday night I think, and it sounds like she may also be coming Friday when we are drinking our way through Epcot. I have met her before and she was very nice and wasn't a big deal at all, but I guess I just want to have some time with Amanda by myself - does that make sense? There are worse things that could happen though and if she wants to hang out with us, that's fine.

In more (boring) trip news, I'm trying to make a list of what outfits I'll be wearing. But it is really hard because if a cold front happens to pass through, I'll need warmer things. Plus I hate all the shorts I have. And feel weird wearing sneakers with capri pants. So I guess I'm secretly hoping it will be cold so I can wear pants That seems doubtful though so I have a couple outfits and need a few more, but I seem to draw a blank when I look into my closet.

Alrighty, guess I'm done rambling for the night. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

 

[punkin413]

hi, shannon! i'm here. will be back later to play catch-up!

 

[Wonders10]

Hello Readers (new and returning)!!!

5 Days! My trip is 5 days away! Well I actually don't count the day I leave and since it is already Saturday night, it's actually 4 days left!

The itinerary I posted earlier still seems like it is how things will play out. Amanda's friend will be hanging out with us Thursday. Not sure if she is going to MVMCP with us or not though. I don't know her work schedule (or actually what she does - she doesn't work at Disney anymore) but I'm sure she will be making appearances throughout our trip.

I'm super busy these next few days before our trip - which is good, because it will make the time go faster, but it is bad because I can't focus on anything and I wish I had more time to plan and get things settled. My dog has had some tummy issues and we are still not 100% in the clear so I am hoping and praying that he gets better fast so I can leave him knowing he is back to his normal self.

My week:
*My plan for tomorrow is to "pack" my clothes so I can see what outfit options I have.
*Monday I have work til 3, then work #2 til 5:30ish, pick up Winston from daycare and go home.
*Tuesday I have work til 3, then work #2 til 5:30ish, then pick up Winston.
*Wednesday I am bringing Winston for his boarding (same place as daycare), work til 3, then work #2 til 4:30, then rush back to work #1 for parent-teacher conferences from 5-8
*Thursday, I leave for WDW! Not sure exactly what time Amanda will be expecting me to leave, but I probably won't be leaving any earlier than 7am

Whew! Busy!

 

[punkin413]

so I suggested Rose and Crown. I like the food, have eaten there before, plus we can have a pint (or two) with our meal. She hadn't eaten there before and they had a 5:05 ADR! We agreed an early dinner would be good to balance the drinking around the world, Illuminations and evening EMH. So that dilemma is solved.

we ate there in 2008 and both loved it. good choice! by the way, ray had a beer flight which he loved and i had a drink called a welsh dragon that was really yummy!

So what do you think? We try to stick to a basic plan but there is definite potential for a spur of the moment anything to happen! I am so ready for this trip. I'm so stressed and busy at work. I need to escape to my happy place now!

looks good to me! not to give advice where it's not solicited but have you thought about making an ADR somewhere on your DHS day? even if you don't use it, it's nice to know you can go sit down somewhere and relax for a little while if you want to. even if it's just to go to sci-fi and have some "adult" milkshakes or to mama melose to share a dessert!

 

[Wonders10]

we ate there in 2008 and both loved it. good choice! by the way, ray had a beer flight which he loved and i had a drink called a welsh dragon that was really yummy!

Totally looking forward to a beer flight with my meal! I've eaten there a couple times now and it has been good both times. Plus since I just went to Ireland over the summer, I'm itching for something to remind me of that trip...like a pub!

looks good to me! not to give advice where it's not solicited but have you thought about making an ADR somewhere on your DHS day? even if you don't use it, it's nice to know you can go sit down somewhere and relax for a little while if you want to. even if it's just to go to sci-fi and have some "adult" milkshakes or to mama melose to share a dessert!

That is a good idea...and usually how I think. But I know Amanda and she really is not interested in spending the money on a lot of sit down restaurants and no other place sounds interesting to her. She wants to eat at Cali Grill (as would I) but it's too expensive for us...although I would pay it anyway And her other dining goal was to eat at all the restaurants in World Showcase, and Rose and Crown moves her along with that. Don't ever hesitate to offer advice...the worst that would happen is I don't take it!

 

[Wonders10]

Well, since our trip is so close now, I have been checking the weather and touring plans crowd calendar daily. And I was wondering why Epcot was the "worst park" for so long and now it is the "best park". Well remember when I said Amanda and I were going to do the evening emh at Epcot Friday night? And really looking forward to it because it was our drinking around the world day? Well, for some reason, they took the evening EMH away and gave it to Animal Kingdom. I sent a text to Amanda about it, but she obviously was not freaking out as much as I was about it because I haven't heard back from her. It's not a huge deal, really, but I was really looking forward to have those extra 3 hours to play in Epcot. It probably won't alter our plans at all but I might look and see if there is an alternate plan. Well actually I don't have to look. It's either:

Friday - Epcot
Saturday - DHS (on a morning EMH, that we aren't doing)

OR

Friday - DHS
Saturday - Epcot

We shall see...thanks to those who are reading!

 

[Wonders10]

Hey everyone!

1 down, 2 to go! My client who I see after school 3 days a week cancelled on me today and tomorrow (I cancelled him for Thursday). Not to give out too much info, but he is a young boy whose teeth are practically rotting out of his mouth. They finally found a dentist who will treat him, but in prep for the procedures he is on an antibiotic and is having a bad reaction to it. Poor thing - but in the end, I think it will really improve everything.

Anyway, tomorrow is my formal observation/evaluation. I'm terrified. Just hate being watched and critiqued. Hopefully my students cooperate as well, and I think I planned a good activity for us to do. Will be very very happy when it is over! Wish me luck!

As far as trip plans...Amanda called me last night in a panic wanting to know what to pack. So funny because I was having the same dilemmas all day yesterday too! I guess I have enough, although I randomly think of potential outfits during the day so I now I think I have way more than I will need. Amanda's friend is going to be joining us on Thursday and attending MVMCP with us. She won't be with is Friday or Saturday though - for now anyway.

Amanda and I also decided that Saturday night might be a good night to "go out" since we are just going to see the Osborne Lights at DHS which start at 6pm. We'd still have time to freshen up and go out somewhere. We'd like to stay on property so our pickins are pretty slim. We love Jellyrolls, but it always is hit or miss if it will be hoppin or not. We shall see!