We're ALL 50 here! And maybe a little MAD too.....a 50th anniversary/celebration/ Party TR *WHO 'DIS? Update 12/20*

[pkondz]

You forgot rule breaker!!!

Whoops! Right!

Hayden does NOT like me paying ANY attention to her sister and that includes taking pictures and routinely starts poking Mia's face if I try taking one of her lol. She also had a fit yesterday while I held Mia for a bit so mom could use the bathroom......she announced she was leaving the room, BYE!, and when I followed her and asked what was wrong she growled "I leave because you won't play with me " She's my girl!

 

[Steppesister]

That's great! Congrats!!

 

[princessbelle2015]

Have fun at work trip!

 

[NYgent845]

Would it even be a party if I wasn't there???


View attachment 611375

If you know me- you know the answer And if this is the first of my reports you're reading, well , I'm happy to have you read along and decide for yourself!

And just who are you reading about?

I'm Ariane, and I'm just a few months older than this beauty

View attachment 611377

Why thank you, we don't look a day over 45 I know! Although only 1 of us was lucky enough to get a facelift.
The one who didn't knew years ago she's be here for her 50th birthday and THE 50th anniversary and I feel lucky to say I did do both. Like all of you, Disney holds a special place in my heart and also encompasses a good amount of my time on a daily basis, thanks to my incredible job

Sharing my sappy love for Disney - in fact he's often the one asking to go - is my DH and travel partner Steve

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We have 4 boys, 33,30,19 and 15, and occasionally the younger ones come with us but 95% of the time we are solo! Except that we also almost always travel with good friends as well and we did that again for this trip. So here are a few what and where details!

When: 9/29-10/5
Where: Wilderness Lodge but of course!
What did we do? We ate, drank, rode, drank, ate, laughed, shopped, and drank some more. And that's really all you need to do at Disney to have a great trip!


I know there are and will be lots of 50th reports out there; I hope you enjoy mine!​

 

[NYgent845]

fantastic..hope to hear more

 

[kittylady1972]

How exciting for you for your upcoming work trip! Sounds like it will be fun. Maybe we'll run into you somewhere on Dec. 11th since we plan to be at Universal all that day...and the day before too...with probably some Disney dining here and there. I shall continue to live vicariously through all the people visiting Disney parks this year. Though I was there in June and July of this year, we've avoided it since then but next year will be a totally different story with Annual Passes!

 

[vamassey1]

I'll be at GDT the 11-16th for a huge vendor show/conference and while these trips are always JAM PACKED and tiring I still am really looking forward to it! First of all, ALL the big vendors we work with will be there - Disney and Uni of course as well as all major cruise lines, the biggest/best all inclusive resorts, our insurance vendors, domestic hotels, special activity vendors we book and more.

This sounds like a great "working" trip.

One of the coolest things I'll be doing is getting to attend a special VIP event/dinner/Harmonious viewing at EPCOT with some pretty big...wigs lol, as one of the top 20 sellers in my (company I work for). Plus we get a whole day at Uni with a VIP dinner event! Yes, Uni isn't quite my thing but anything VIP offered- I'm there!
Besides the Epcot dinner I do get a little other park time the 16th and will be in MK an possibly AK with my work wife. We're also doing Toledo dinner one night that our duties end early

Congrats on being honored and getting some extra benefits.

I would like to get another update done before I go! For now I'll share a picture of my granddaughters from today. As is typical my girl Hayden does not really like when I show attention to her little sister lol and prefers we act as though Mia is not here:

 

[CruellaNY]

Hello all! Got back last night from my conference Learned alot, laughed alot, spent time in the parks but not enough of course. I'll be back soon with another 50th update!

Have fun! Even though it will be busy and crazy, you will still be in the bubble and that's always good.

True! And it was crazy; exhausting! Got home late late last night, made it until 3 today and took a nap lol. These conferences are always tiring and when they're done I'm like "never another one!" And then I go again........................

Congratulations on doing your job so well, whatever it is

Haha thank you

I hope you enjoy your time at Disney and Universal, sounds really fun!

I did! Kind of! It's a weird enjoyment and definitely not anything like a regular trip, but if you have to have a work conference it's the best place to have it for sure!

ery, very naughty! Scandalous even!

That's me I like making the trouble lol!

Ooooooh, that DOES sound exciting!! I never thought we'd cross over to loving the dark side, but we were recently talking about when we could book another trip to go back to Universal!

It's definitely not Disney but we had a great time there with the boys last June! It's different and has a fun vibe. I'm kind of weirdly excited for the new park too!

You are so lucky! I would love to have a special fireworks viewing. The Epcot events look especially nice.
Congratulations on being one of the top 20 sellers.

I do feel lucky even though it is not an easy job. They really treated us amazingly and made us feel appreciated, the Epcot dinner recognition event is something I will never forget!

That is so typical!

LOL and I see that changing soon either

I want your job!!!

I get that alot! Definitely great perks BUT it is nowhere near as easy as it may sound. It is almost 24-7 and frustrating as often as it's rewarding!!

 

[CruellaNY]

That's great! Congrats!!

I am constantly blown away by how they treat us and this year was absolutely amazing!

Have fun at work trip!

Thanks, there was definitely fun amongst the work and learning and exhaustion lol!

fantastic..hope to hear more

Hello there! I will definitely share a bit about the trip and get back to my 50th trip updates I hope you continue to enjoy!

How exciting for you for your upcoming work trip! Sounds like it will be fun.

Thanks! I was honored and still can't believe I get to do what I do and get thanked by who I get thanked by in the ways I do lol.

I shall continue to live vicariously through all the people visiting Disney parks this year. Though I was there in June and July of this year, we've avoided it since then but next year will be a totally different story with Annual Passes!

Love having the AP still! I'll keep renewing! We only have March right now planned for next year since we're going to Vegas in January and hopefully DL in June but we usually plan the WDW trips not to far out anyway so I know they'll be more!

This sounds like a great "working" trip.

Well, as far as work trips go it's the best place to be for sure and this one had great times! But they are EXHAUSTING and nonstop for sure and we of course have to continue working while there. So if we're heading to a park and duty calls? We do duty and the parks wait

Congrats on being honored and getting some extra benefits.

 

[pkondz]

Hello all! Got back last night from my conference Learned alot, laughed alot, spent time in the parks but not enough of course. I'll be back soon with another 50th update!

Welcome back.

 

[CruellaNY]

OMG I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week! I actually thought we had another week lol and then Ricky reminded me he's home tomorrow and NOT next Friday. So I finally started getting some groceries for Thanksgiving dinner today

I got back super late Tuesday from my work conference and am finally getting back in the swing of things. It was.....exhausting. Fun. Enlightening. Full of awesomeness and SO SO tiring lol, I wish I could share so much more than I can but- DIS rules. I can't post some of the pics like how Universal lit up their marquee with our agency name but you may have seen that on my FB page, we were truly treated like royalty by them and Disney and the special dinner for the top 20 at Epcot with the Harmonious viewing? I have never felt so appreciated. We all have our feelings regarding how Disney "is" now and they are all valid to how we vacation, tour, our financial situations, etc. But, to not only indirectly "work for" a place I love so much, but to then be honored and THANKED by them and really feel appreciated was more than I could have ever imagined. I have a very good understanding of why some things are the way they are; and still wonder why other things are the way they are lol but my heart remains with Disney. Also FYI- my job is not easy at all! Just in case you think it is lol.

Here are a couple pics I can share:

On Friday night we had our red carpet "gala"/awards ceremony and were surprised when the Dapper Dans came to serenade us!



Yes I cried and yes I sang along
One shot of the VIP area for the Top 20 dinner in the Isola near Italy in Epcot:



Food was DELISH. A few dishes from Epcot restaurants like the spiced chicken from Spice Road Table, then this great Mexican street corn salad from La Hacienda and then fresh mozzarella, Capicola, and prosciutto which made this girl very happy. Lots of other dishes too! A seafood bouillabaisse from France but I don't do seafood.

Me and some special folk:



A few other special friends joined us to say good-bye on our last full classroom training day!



In 2019 we got to take pictures with them but now, you know, character sightings not meet and greets lol. Still awesome!
Our last full day we were hosted by Universal- we are the only Diamond level..........whatever I do in the US with them and they went all out. VIP parade viewing area, pre-parade snacks and drinks, dinner with open bar, rides after park close. Naturally I took a picture of the open bar. Just wine, beer and cider but hey, I don't judge!


​

Tuesday the conference was technically over but my friend/co-worker and I had a late flight so we were able to go tot the MK for awhile. Being there reminded me of being there on the 1st, and I left off half way through that day!

We had gone back to the WL for lunch and a rest but didn't end up staying as long as I thought. We were back in the park I think by about 4:30 and happened right upon the new 50th cavalcade followed shortly by the Princesses. Hi Mulan!


I thought we went on a ride but my pictures aren't really helping me; we did go into Big Top Souvenirs since Steve got us in the VQ at 6:30 that morning! We took Jenny and Joe with us and we all picked up some merch. Saw a few more of the 50th statues on the way.




Then before we knew it, it was time for dinner! We were eating at Be Our Guest; not my first choice but pickings were slim and tough to come by in the park this day so we took what we got! We hadn't eaten here but once since they went prix fixe and didn't like it as much as before prix fixe but you cannot deny it's pretty in there. Our meal was ok; what was better was that when we walked out at 8:45, we walked ON 7DMT TWICE!! On the 50th!!!




Haha Joe legit looks scared on a family coaster

And while we're looking at PP pics, here's mine and Steve's lame attempt at honoring the 50th on HM:



After our 2nd ride through the mind we grabbed our spot for Enchantment. Shocker lol, I don't like projections so I had no interest in being on Main St. I always watched HEA and sometimes Wishes from back by the carousel or by 7D and that's where I wanted to watch Enchantment, it's so awesome with fireworks ALL around you! The secret is out so we weren't alone, but it was nowhere near the horror of Main St.
Another shocker, I did think the fireworks were super pretty but am in no rush to see this again #bringbackwishes. However if I'm in the park for Enchantment and choose to watch, it'll definitely be from back here! This just surrounds you:




Jenny commented a few times that the day went so differently and so much better than she thought and I totally agree; it was fun, pleasant, and amazing. Relaxing and not fast paced and we got way more done than we thought we would. I do not for one minute regret being there for the 50th and I am crossing my fingers I'm there for the 75th!





​

 

[pkondz]

OMG I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week!

I can't believe it was over a month ago!

So I finally started getting some groceries for Thanksgiving dinner today

Heh. I saw a thing that said "If you haven't started thawing your Thanksgiving turkey 4 months ago, it's too late now."

It was.....exhausting. Fun. Enlightening. Full of awesomeness and SO SO tiring lol,

Just the way a Disney trip should be.

I wish I could share so much more than I can but- DIS rules.

Oh, you can....

Once.

I can't post some of the pics like how Universal lit up their marquee with our agency name but you may have seen that on my FB page, we were truly treated like royalty by them and Disney and the special dinner for the top 20 at Epcot with the Harmonious viewing? I have never felt so appreciated.

On Friday night we had our red carpet "gala"/awards ceremony and were surprised when the Dapper Dans came to serenade us!

No way! That's awesome!

A few other special friends joined us to say good-bye on our last full classroom training day!

Not sure I recognize them.

I thought we went on a ride but my pictures aren't really helping me;

You did. It was the best ride ever. So many magical things happened. You laughed. You cried.

Like that one.

We were eating at Be Our Guest; not my first choice but pickings were slim and tough to come by in the park this day

Nope. Totally lost interest in BOG.

Our meal was ok

Surprised it was even that good.

we walked ON 7DMT TWICE!! On the 50th!!!

Whoa! I'd heard ride lines were the opposite of merch lines.

Haha Joe legit looks scared on a family coaster

And while we're looking at PP pics, here's mine and Steve's lame attempt at honoring the 50th on HM:

All right! 05!

I don't like projections so I had no interest in being on Main St. I always watched HEA and sometimes Wishes from back by the carousel or by 7D and that's where I wanted to watch Enchantment, it's so awesome with fireworks ALL around you! The secret is out so we weren't alone, but it was nowhere near the horror of Main St.

Might have to do this someday. Need to see it with the projections first, though.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Sounds like you had a fabulous work trip and that you were shown the love you deserve for doing whatever it is that you do
Love your attempt at a 50th tribute in HM. Sounds like you guys did things the right way concentrating on the rides that day.
What is it with Disney and prix fixe menus? It’s ruling out so many places for me to eat in the future and even though that is likely at least half a year away a girl has gotta know where she’s having dinner several months down the line even when she’s no clue what she’s eating at home tonight. Worst part of being a grown up is waiting on your mum to make dinner and then realising that you’re the mum Still at least it’s Friday so there’s wine . Does wine count as 1 of your 5-a-day? I mean it’s essentially just crushed grapes so
I’ll stop rambling now and let you get back to trip reporting lol
You’ve brightened my Friday morning with your update so thanks for that. Now I better get my butt outta bed and await the prehistoric man that is the teen boy these days. Mostly grunts and forages for food before setting off for school unless I mention WDW which I always do on the school run- then I get my boy back ❤

 

[missjackiemcg]

I am so glad you were honored for doing the job you love so much because it isn't as easy at it looks, and you so deserve the appreciation!!!!

I see I would've been taken care of at this event

I love this!!!! Happy 0-5, Walt Disney World!! PS Love Steve's shirt!!

I did think the fireworks were super pretty but am in no rush to see this again #bringbackwishes.

I'm in the #bringbackwishes club, as well, but I really am excited to see fireworks at Magic Kingdom again! I love watching fireworks from behind the castle in Fantasyland. Plus, once the show is over, you have a headstart over everybody over on Main Street!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! Since I work in retail, I am dreading all of next week because I will be working a million hours! But after Thanksgiving, only 15 school days til Christmas!!!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Your work event looks amazing. It is nice that Disney put on a nice event for you and your agency.

We were eating at Be Our Guest; not my first choice but pickings were slim and tough to come by in the park this day so we took what we got! We hadn't eaten here but once since they went prix fixe and didn't like it as much as before prix fixe but you cannot deny it's pretty in there. Our meal was ok;

I had lucked into an opening for Be Our Guest for our Sept trip. The food wasn't bad, but the crazy busy dining room was a put off. And our waitress forgot our wine. We will never go there again but at least we experienced it.

I always watched HEA and sometimes Wishes from back by the carousel or by 7D and that's where I wanted to watch Enchantment, it's so awesome with fireworks ALL around you! The secret is out so we weren't alone, but it was nowhere near the horror of Main St.

We watched the HEA fireworks from back the stroller parking area for Enchanted Tales once and it felt like they were zooming right over our heads. We saw Enchantment from the main hub with a good view of the projections but the fireworks were behind a tree (it was a crowded night). I think I'd rather see the fireworks than the projections.

 

[vamassey1]

Welcome home!

Your work trip sounds like a great success. It's great that you came away with the credit you deserve.

Your experience in the MK on the 50th was great too Thanks for sharing.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

And if you're confused as to what my job is feel free to find me on FB if we aren't that kind of friend already! Ariane Costa DeVizio. Because if I tell you what I do- well, that's very naughty here

That will get you a spanking, lol!!!

Haha Joe legit looks scared on a family coaster

LOL! I hadn't seen this before.

Another shocker, I did think the fireworks were super pretty but am in no rush to see this again #bringbackwishes.

Yep, me neither...

Jenny commented a few times that the day went so differently and so much better than she thought and I totally agree; it was fun, pleasant, and amazing. Relaxing and not fast paced and we got way more done than we thought we would. I do not for one minute regret being there for the 50th and I am crossing my fingers I'm there for the 75th!

It was actually the perfect day! We got so much done but it was at a nice pace and we had some good meals too. Can't wait to see you soon!!!!❤❤❤❤❤

 

[suse66]

I got back super late Tuesday from my work conference and am finally getting back in the swing of things. It was.....exhausting. Fun. Enlightening. Full of awesomeness and SO SO tiring lol, I wish I could share so much more than I can but- DIS rules. I can't post some of the pics like how Universal lit up their marquee with our agency name but you may have seen that on my FB page, we were truly treated like royalty by them and Disney and the special dinner for the top 20 at Epcot with the Harmonious viewing? I have never felt so appreciated. We all have our feelings regarding how Disney "is" now and they are all valid to how we vacation, tour, our financial situations, etc. But, to not only indirectly "work for" a place I love so much, but to then be honored and THANKED by them and really feel appreciated was more than I could have ever imagined. I have a very good understanding of why some things are the way they are; and still wonder why other things are the way they are lol but my heart remains with Disney. Also FYI- my job is not easy at all! Just in case you think it is lol.

So, so wonderful that you were recognized and appreciated for the wonderful job you do!

Yes I cried and yes I sang along
One shot of the VIP area for the Top 20 dinner in the Isola near Italy in Epcot:

Oh my gosh, everything looks amazing! And I would be losing my mind with the Dapper Dans!

Food was DELISH. A few dishes from Epcot restaurants like the spiced chicken from Spice Road Table, then this great Mexican street corn salad from La Hacienda and then fresh mozzarella, Capicola, and prosciutto which made this girl very happy. Lots of other dishes too! A seafood bouillabaisse from France but I don't do seafood.

Yum!

Our last full day we were hosted by Universal- we are the only Diamond level..........whatever I do in the US with them and they went all out. VIP parade viewing area, pre-parade snacks and drinks, dinner with open bar, rides after park close. Naturally I took a picture of the open bar. Just wine, beer and cider but hey, I don't judge!

Wow! I would enjoy ALL of that!

Then before we knew it, it was time for dinner! We were eating at Be Our Guest; not my first choice but pickings were slim and tough to come by in the park this day so we took what we got! We hadn't eaten here but once since they went prix fixe and didn't like it as much as before prix fixe but you cannot deny it's pretty in there. Our meal was ok; what was better was that when we walked out at 8:45, we walked ON 7DMT TWICE!! On the 50th!!!

Awesome! I am not a big BoG fan but I agree that it is pretty.

Another shocker, I did think the fireworks were super pretty but am in no rush to see this again #bringbackwishes. However if I'm in the park for Enchantment and choose to watch, it'll definitely be from back here! This just surrounds you:

I am definitely a Wishes girl but I also really, really loved HEA. I am not sold on Enchantment from watching online but will reserve judgement untiI I see it in person.

 

[kastoney]

OMG I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week! I actually thought we had another week lol and then Ricky reminded me he's home tomorrow and NOT next Friday. So I finally started getting some groceries for Thanksgiving dinner today

It has so snuck up on me too. Though I bought groceries weeks ago and froze everything in a moment of supply chain turkey fear I'm not missing out on my favorite food holiday

I have never felt so appreciated. We all have our feelings regarding how Disney "is" now and they are all valid to how we vacation, tour, our financial situations, etc. But, to not only indirectly "work for" a place I love so much, but to then be honored and THANKED by them and really feel appreciated was more than I could have ever imagined.

❤❤❤ I have no clue what you do but clearly you are really good at it

Yes I cried and yes I sang along

"Sang" you sure did

Food was DELISH. A few dishes from Epcot restaurants like the spiced chicken from Spice Road Table, then this great Mexican street corn salad from La Hacienda and then fresh mozzarella, Capicola, and prosciutto which made this girl very happy.

Yum! That all sounds delicious. Of course like you mozz and meats would have made me happy

We did go into Big Top Souvenirs since Steve got us in the VQ at 6:30 that morning!

A 12 hour virtual queue!!!!! That is insane. For that long of a wait they better have been selling locks of Roy's hair from opening day

what was better was that when we walked out at 8:45, we walked ON 7DMT TWICE!! On the 50th!!!

Now that is impressive. Hoping we can find some semblance of this next month

Haha Joe legit looks scared on a family coaster

He so does. And before I even read that I had zoomed in and was surprised to see Jenny seems pretty calm. And then saw Joe

For the record the camera does show you the inverse of what you're doing. But happy 5th birthday Disney

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

It has so snuck up on me too. Though I bought groceries weeks ago and froze everything in a moment of supply chain turkey fear I'm not missing out on my favorite food holiday

I thought I was being oh so clever buying the Christmas sweets to avoid the supply chain shortages being predicted here ( thanks Brexit). I had them all in- tubs of Quality Street and Cadburys Hero’s, After Eight and Bendicts mints. Well after the joyful positive covid case yesterday we as a family decided f#%k it and sent the husband to his room for the next 10 days with the Quality Street ( after I stole the purple ones ) and me and the boys took the Heros. Advance food shopping never works out for me