Weekend at Disney-Day One

My trip to the Disney Mom Blogger Mixer was so jam-packed full of activity, I’m going to break it down over a few posts. The organizer of our trip was Maria Bailey from Blue Suit Mom, BSM Media, and NewBaby.com. Our trip was arranged by Joyce Hogan, Event Manager, Disney Destinations Marketing. While we were there, Michelle and Leeanne from Disney P.R. took excellent care of us and made sure we got everywhere we needed to go. It was truly a weekend of “Disney Magic”!

My trip started with a quick flight from Lansing to Chicago, and then a longer flight from Chicago to Orlando. I flew on United Airlines, which now calls some of its flights “Ted”. Seriously. I was laughing about it with the woman sitting across the aisle from me, and we started talking about how many kids we had and why we were going to Orlando, and when she said she was going to an “event” at Disney, I said “you aren’t by any chance a blogger, are you?” It was Stephanie from Adventures in Babywearing! That definitely helped pass the time, having her to chat with on the flight.

We got off the plane and came down the escalator to see a man holding a card with our names on it, he was Sean from Disney VIP Services, and he drove us in a Cadillac to our hotel, the Beach Club Resort. We each checked into our own room, which was HUGE, and then met in the lobby. I probably should have just shook hands with each blogger I met, but I hugged them all instead because I was so happy to be meeting them! I’m adding a sidebar blogroll for the Disney group so that you can get to know the incredible ladies I spent the weekend with-video bloggers, podcasters, website writers, online magazine writers, an amazingly diverse and talented group.

We walked behind the hotel to Stormalong Bay, which is a huge bunch of pools with a big water slide. There’s a covered pavilion up a stairway overlooking everything, and there we had sangria, water, soda, and appetizers. We also had a photographer taking our photos, which should be up on Flickr soon. My photos start here in my photostream. From there, we walked into Epcot and to the “Italy” section for dinner.

Our dinner was unbelievable. You can see the photos on my Flickr page, start here and you can move forward through the photostream. I had a real Caesar salad, Bucatini Gratinata, plus Pinot Grigio because Marybeth MADE me drink some (ha! kidding, Marybeth!) Then the pastry chef INSISTED we have dessert, which was incredibly delicious.

From there, two Disney “cast members” walked us back through Epcot, holding what looked like red and blue light sabers up in the air so we could follow them (seriously!) to a section just off the main bridge, there’s a place near the water that was reserved just for us, and a station set up with coffee and MORE DESSERTS. The most delicious little eclairs, pieces of fudge brownie, fruit tarts, and even rock candy stir sticks for the coffee. Decadent! Then we watched Illuminations, which is a choreographed laser/lights/music show on the water, it is breathtaking. Those photos start here on my photostream.

After that, it was “Extra Magic Hours” at Epcot, which means the rides are available to people staying in the Resorts that are next to Epcot, from 9 to Midnight (they give you a wristband). I walked with Darcie and Kim from the DisneyWorld Moms panel, plus Amy from LI Parent Source and Amy from Mum’s the Wurd, and we went on Spaceship Earth which is that huge golf ball looking thing in Epcot. It was so cool! I took a ton of photos on Spaceship Earth.

After THAT, we walked back to the hotel and each went to our rooms to collapse! I was thirsty, and the Resort Marketplace (combo gift shop and little restaurant) was closed, so I walked down to the vending machines and paid FIVE DOLLARS for a bottle of water and a bottle of Diet Coke. Ouch! My room had a mini fridge so I could at least save the rest for another time. I drank a little of each, washed up, set the alarm, and fell sound asleep in the soft, comfortable bed with the smooshy pillows! And that was Friday! Stay tuned for the next post, Disney Day Two, the one with the HUGE surprises!

More From table4five

• Disney Day Two, Part One-the day of Big Surprises!
• BlogHer Day One – Thursday Recap
• Weekend Cleaning Update Day Two

table4five Recommends

• Playhouse Disney is becoming ‘Disney Junior’ on Monday! (Giveaway – CLOSED)  (DebMomOf3)
• Baby Let’s Cruise – Disney Style – Adventures Aboard the Disney Wonder  (StacieinAtlanta)

Ask table4five To Recommend Your Posts

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.