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

[Wonders10]

Hi everyone!

I think I have finally broken my trip report curse. I have previously started I believe 3 trip reports recounting my various trips to WDW. Now ask me how many of those I finished?

None.

But this past June, I took an Adventures by Disney trip to Ireland and I wrote a pre-trip and full on trip report from start to finish. Okay, so the last day wasn’t the most exciting in terms of writing. But it was finished! 10 whole days worth of a vacation! So I am determined this time to write a little trippie about a vacation coming up in the semi-near future.

First let me introduce myself (pictures will follow – I promise). My name is Shannon. I live in the Treasure Coast of Florida which is just north of Palm Beach. I moved up here just over a year ago from south Florida after finishing grad school and getting a job as a speech-language pathologist in the school system. I work a lot with children with autism plus the usual suspects you would find in speech – stuttering, articulation, language. I am liking it so far, but it is stressful for sure.

Even with going to Ireland in June, my mom, adult cousin and I went to Disney in July for a long weekend. It was sort of a thank you gift for my cousin because she dog-sat my dog, Winston (a goldendoodle) and my mom’s dog, Phoebe (standard poodle). She earned that trip and then some taking care of those doggies, let me tell you. So after that trip I started having back to school trainings and then school started and I was swamped. But then I started feeling a bug coming on. We all know the one. The Disney bug. I’m sure it didn’t help that during every free period in my classroom I was listening to Mouse World Radio, which plays all theme park music. Wish they would have a CD of those songs. But nevertheless the bug hit me. And then it dawned on me that I had a Friday off in November. My mom, who likes to come with me on these trips most of the time, would be away this weekend at a convention for work, but I had taken a solo trip in May 2008 and really enjoyed it. A lot actually. I don’t think I would enjoy it if all my trips were solo but every once in awhile it is really nice to just do what you want to do. Get up early, go to bed early, eat, don’t eat, etc. Being your own tour guide.

So I checked online to see the discounts available for Florida Residents. There seemed to be some really good ones out there. I stewed it over for a couple days – what resort, how much do I really want to spend, Christmas décor might be up so what resort has nice decorations, etc. I finally decided on Port Orleans Riverside, our old standby resort. When we aren’t sure we want to stay but want to stay somewhere that we know we like, our family usually chooses POR. So this afternoon I called and booked a standard room for November 19 – 22. The best part of this trip I think is that I will come home on Sunday, head back to work for 2 more days and then I am off for Thanksgiving for 5 whole days.

So there you go…a solo trip at POR from Nov. 19-22.

Right about the time I started thinking of taking this trip, I posted so on my Facebook page. And a friend of mine who did the college program with me in 2002, said that she might be able to make that weekend. She had originally hoped to make it out in October for Food and Wine, but it ended up being a no go. So she mentioned that she may be able to come during this time frame. I haven’t seen her in 2 years and I miss her a lot so I would love for her to be able to make it, but even if she doesn’t, I’m still just as excited to head to WDW all by myself.

 

[Wonders10]

Hi there!

Not sure if anyone is actually reading but this is just a small update to say I'm waiting to hear from friend on her vacation time approval. I'm sad to say that I'm torn about it. I miss her and have been wanting her to come for a visit for almost 2 years, but at the same time I was looking forward to reliving the fun I had during my solo weekend last May.

I do hope she hears back soon regardless because I want to start planning!

 

[Wonders10]

Well I am faced with a dilemma. I have just discovered in looking through my school schedule that parent teacher conferences are going to be held on the evening of the 19th...right around the time I am supposed to be freshening up in my POR room and thinking of what to have for dinner. Not good.

As the "speech lady" parents rarely if at all schedule conferences with me...typically it is only the classroom teacher. But technically I am supposed to go and at least show my face. I am sure that there is a way to get out of it, especially if no one has signed up to speak with me, but as a sort of new employee, all eyes are on me and I am extremely paranoid about making sure that I am doing all the right things...like showing up for conference night. This also puts a bummer in my plan because I was thinking of taking a personal day on Thursday, especially if my friend was able to come (still waiting to hear on that one), but now that is sort of out too because even if I take a personal day, I am still expected to show up for conference night.
I am sort of leaning towards just going to conference night and heading up to Orlando super early on Friday morning. It will save me a nights hotel and I could still have a lot of fun in 2 full days. But if my friend is able to come then I don't know what I will do. Stupid job...always getting in the way of my Disney time.

On a brighter note, I did book the "hotel" for my dog so he is all set and ready to go while I'm away!

 

[ILuvJimny]

I enjoyed your pre-trippie so far and hope you will be able to work around the conferences so you can still enjoy a fantastic time at Disney!

 

[Wonders10]

I enjoyed your pre-trippie so far and hope you will be able to work around the conferences so you can still enjoy a fantastic time at Disney!

Alright! I have one reader...awesome!

I have good news and bad news.

The bad news is that my friend has still not heard from her boss on approval for her time off. They are in different states at the moment, but still, how did she send the notice? Donkey? Don't they fax on the west coast of the US? Hopefully she will hear soon. I want to start planning and if she comes, it will be a completely different trip than if I'm solo.

The good news is I talked to one of my supervisors and she basically said that if no one signs up for conferences with me on conference night, I don't have to go. Our first round of conferences is this week and no one has signed up so I am hopeful that the same happens in November for round 2. Cross your fingers, my one reader! I've also pretty much decided that if my friend is able to make it, I will be taking Thursday off and leaving in the morning as opposed to Thursday after work, 4pm.

Not much of an update...I've wanted to start planning for a solo trip, but I'll be a little bummed if I get excited about doing things and then my friend comes and thing have to change. So I've been holding out on planning at all.

 

[MickeyisBeast]

Hi! Enjoying your PTR so far! Guess I'm reader number 2!

 

[Wonders10]

I just heard from my friend. And the verdict is....








Her vacation got approved!!! So she'll be able to make it for the trip, which has you can tell by the title, isn't going to be a solo trip anymore. She is still iffy on when she is going to be arriving - probably late Wednesday/early Thursday so I'm 90% sure I'm going to be taking a personal day on Thursday and leaving that morning after dropping of my pooch, Winston. I am so excited! I know that I was going back and forth with wanting her to come, but now that I know she is, I'm really looking forward to seeing her again and having fun with a friend at WDW! Trips with friends are a different type of fun than when going with family - at least for me.

Will update more as I know her travel plans and we discuss what we want to do! It will be a jam packed 3 days for sure!

 

[ILuvJimny]

How exciting that you will have a buddy for the trip!

Now, just because only a couple of people have commented, it doesn't mean no one is reading. People like to read but they don't always add a comment.

 

[Wonders10]

How exciting that you will have a buddy for the trip!

Now, just because only a couple of people have commented, it doesn't mean no one is reading. People like to read but they don't always add a comment.

You are totally right...I will have to admit that I don't often reply to people's trip reports so I should understand that. It is motivating in a way to keep writing though knowing that people are reading. But I'm gonna keep writing though. Just waiting to hear more from my friend.

 

[Wonders10]

I spoke with my friend, A today and the planning has begun! I'm sooo excited now. Like I wasn't before

She is hoping and planning to fly in Wednesday, arriving late that night and staying at whatver hotel she chooses to stay at (off-site probably) that night. I will then drive up Thursday morning after dropping off my Winston and pick her up at said hotel. Assuming I can get to the dog hotel at 7ish, I'd be in Orlando by 9 or 9:30. Then we will check in at POR and head to a park.

Thursday night we will head to MVMCP. We have both gone to this party, but I have always been with my young niece and nephew which means it is more for them than me and we leave early. And last time she did it, it was pouring rain the whole night. So we are both up for doing it again.

Friday we will head to another park TBD with the plan for the rest of the day to end at Epcot for some drinking around the world (our favorite thing!), Illuminations and evening EMH.

Saturday is very up in the air, but tentative plans for that night are to hit the Osborne Lights at DHS. Or other option would be a "night on the town", go out to dinner, clubbing, probably something like CityWalk, but neither one of us wants to worry about driving.

Sunday we probably won't do anything. It will depend what time her flight is. If anything, I'd say we might go to DTD, but more than likely we will just be having breakfast and heading our separate ways.

I know she is long overdue for a vacation and while I have traveled and don't seem to have a job nearly as stressful as her, I know I will be ready for that break when it gets here!

Here is a sorry attempt at a photo. I promise they will not all be this tiny, but my patience is running thin. This is myself and my dog, Winston:

 

[Wonders10]

Okay, I found this (huge) pic of A and I from the last time she was in Orlando. I am on the right, A is on the left.

 

[Wonders10]

Well I finally decided on a title for this report. The first part is sort of an inside joke between A and I (as well as one of our other old roommates). I don't even remember how it came about but it's basically just a funny saying for us. The second part is in reference to our time spent on the college program, and we lived in Vista Way.

 

[Wonders10]

Well this update really has nothing to do with Disney, but yesterday was my dog, Winston's first birthday and I had a small party with him and some family and friends. It was a great day of just enjoying each other's company and eating and celebrating that my little boy is 1. Can you tell I don't have children? Actually to be honest, I'm 99% positive that once I do have a human child, I would still think of my furbabies as children as well. Anyway, just wanted to share a couple pics of my Winston and the

Last December, after I had just picked him up from the "breeder" at 10 weeks old:

His first meal at home:

A couple weeks ago at yappy hour (that's me!):

Yesterday morning, before the

So everyone knows who the birthday boy is:

Birthday Cake!

With my niece:

More updates to come...I'd like to buy the Christmas party tickets soon, and I am waiting on A to tell me if she booked the flight yet so I know when she is arriving, leaving, etc. A big thank you to the people that are reading. It's been a bit of a snore, but it will be worth it to stick around.

 

[Wonders10]

Hi everyone!

I spoke with my friend yesterday (and by spoke, I mean wrote on each other's facebook walls). Hey, it works for us. Anyway, I read, on the DIS of course, that ICE at Gaylord Palms will be going on while we are there. I've always been curious to see it as well as the hotel itself so I sent the link to A and she also thought it'd be fun to do. Also, it is looking like we are going to NOT do a park hopper. But again, nothing definitive has been said. I don't think she even booked the airfare yet, but the plan was for her to do it this week. I think because she is getting paid this week. Anyway, just by going off what I know we want do as well as things I know we will probably end up doing, I have sort of made a very very very tentative itinerary for our stay. Things in it will definitely change I'm sure, but I'm super stressed at work and this weekend away is not coming soon enough. Basically it relaxes me to think about 3 blissful days of Disney.

Wednesday 11-18:
A will fly into Orlando and stay at a cheap and scary off-site hotel

Thursday 11-19:
I will drop off my dog at his hotel sometime between 7 and 7:30, then get on the road.
Should arrive in Orlando area by 9:30-ish, depending on traffic, weather, and what time I actually leave.
Pick up A from said, scary off-site hotel
Probably hit Publix or Wal-mart to get snacks and drinks (adult and otherwise) for the room
Check into POR
Possibly hit a park - I'm assuming either AK or DHS
Tonight is MVMCP - we want to get there as close to 4 as possible to see as much of the MK as possible before and during the party

Friday 11-20:
ICE at Gaylord Palms
Epcot the rest of the day and stay for the evening EMH (plans include riding all the rides, browsing World Showcase and drinking around the world)

Saturday 11-21:
No idea for today
Tonight we will go to DHS to see the Osborne Lights

So there you have it, a very very (did I mention very) tentative itinerary. I will of course, keep posting as things get more definitive.

On a side note, I've started thinking about sending A a small pre-trip care package. Something little and cheap because I don't have to much extra money to throw around, but something that will get her excited for our trip. I was thinking of sending her a Disney tour book (one of my faves) and maybe something else. Any suggestions?

 

[TattooedMermaid]

You've got three readers. I did College Program in 07. Didn't like it much other than being able to go the parks on off days. I am Subing your Pre-TR.

 

[Wonders10]

You've got three readers. I did College Program in 07. Didn't like it much other than being able to go the parks on off days. I am Subing your Pre-TR.

Alright! Thanks for stopping by and reading. You didn't like your CP? Where did you work? I have to admit my job was very boring and I worked with a few stick in the muds, but my roommates were great and I had a few good friends that made working at my job fun. I did mine in 2002...I feel so old saying that for some reason. Anyway, thanks for reading!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hello! Enjoying your PTR. Looks like I will miss you at the World by a couple of days. We will be at POR from the 7th-13th and then OKW the 13th-15th.

Can't wait! Hoping November is a great time to go!!

 

[Wonders10]

Thanks to all my new readers! And extra thanks for posting!

A is having some trouble finding a hotel for a decent price for Wednesday night. She will need transportation from the airport as well. I've sent her a few potential discounts for WDW resorts because then magical express would be free. Hopefully she will find something soon...that I think is what is keeping her from booking the airfare.

In other Disney-related news, I think I am going to be going again in January! Just for the weekend, 2 nights. I have a Disney Visa and read yesterday that they are offering a 40% discount on mods and deluxes for January and part of February. And it just so happens that my niece and nephew both have birthdays in January. So the wheels started turning and I mentioned it to my mom, who was all over it. Then I mentioned it to DSIL (their mom) who was also all over it. So it is settled! Nothing has been booked yet, but I am hoping to keep it a surprise from them until their birthdays since we'll be traveling after both of their birthdays. Also still deciding between 2 weekends, but we have decided that we are going to try to book a pirate room at CBR - a first for us. And my nephew will just love it! I think when I book it and it gets closer, I may start a pre-trip for that or just add on to this one.

 

[Wonders10]

So as you can see in my signature, Disney weekend number 2 has been booked. We decided on MLK weekend even though I know the crowds will be higher, it gives us a little extra time in WDW which I like. I don't really want to do 2 separate pre-trips, so I might just add planning info for that trip in here, if that's alright. But I'm afraid it will get too confusing. Or maybe I'll just wait a month and start a pre-trip while I'm writing the trip report for this one. Such decisions

A has been super swamped at work (she REALLY needs this vacation) so I haven't heard much from her. I'm hoping she has been looking at hotels and plane tickets though so these things get booked!

 

[BeckWhy]

Shannon I just read up your pre-trippy... I'm excited for your trip and sad I'll be missing you. Unfortunatelly cuz I work in retail I have to be back before the weekend (and cheap flights are on Tuesdays). I'm gonna nag you to work on your trip report! You will have to do the same with me.

Send me your facebook stuff and I'll add you as a friend!