This holiday season, Mickey and Minnie brought some of the 08ers and 09ers (yes, that is a reference to the brilliant but canceled Veronica Mars) an early Christmas present by sending us to Walt Disney World for two days of Moms Panel training. Of course, being good Disney Moms like we are, most of us chose to stay one extra night!
I started out my long weekend by accidentally oversleeping by a half-hour and almost missing my flight. The bad news – I was in a huge rush to make my 7am flight. The good news? I got an extra half-hour of sleep!!! I met new mom Kaylene at the airport, and we flew in relative peace to Orlando.
Anna so kindly offered to pick me up at the airport, which was great since the place was a MADHOUSE. We went to Old Key West, where we were staying the first night, met her daughter, and then headed, in the pouring rain, to Hollywood Studios where we met up with Kara and Erin from 08 and Cathy, Margaret, and Tanya from 09. Shortly after, Whitney and Jen caught up with us, and our group was almost complete (Kay, Karen, and Diane L were doing official mom mentor duties with the new panelists, while Diane C was enjoying the end of her family vacation. Michelle and Darcie from 08 didn’t arrive until Sat).
We went to dinner at the Sci Fi Cafe, and then went to the finale of the American Idol Experience, where host extraordinaire Sean Klitzner set us up with great reserved seats and even gave us a “chocolate sprinkles” shout out! It was Cathy’s b-day, so we went for drinks at the Wave after, and then headed to back to OKW for some well needed rest. It was cold in Florida, unfortunately, so instead of capris, I was rockin’ jeans!
While Anna, Margaret, and Erin woke up early and went to the World of Disney for the annual passholder sale, I slept in, and got ready. Then, we went to the Contemporary to check-in for our second night, and then had breakfast at the Kona Cafe (mmm… good coffee & Tonga Toast). We had a little setback when Cathy spilled orange juice and it went on her Dooney & Bourke Disney bag, but us moms busted into action and saved the purse!
We spent most of the morning at Epcot, riding Spaceship Earth, Soarin’, and Test Track, before going back to the Contemporary for lunch and relaxing before dinner that night. At that point, Diane C met up with us. After a brief rest, we met for drinks at the Wave, took some pictures, and then headed up to the California Grill’s Napa room for dinner.
It was here that we officially met the new Moms Panelists. What a great group – so much fun and so outgoing and friendly! We had a great dinner, but when it was over, most of us 09ers went right to the Magic Kingdom, because it was open until 1 am!! First, we posed with the official purse of the Moms Panel (which several of us own and the rest will soon be persuaded to purchase). We rode the rehabbed Space Mountain (my all-time favorite ride!), it’s a small world, the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and by then only Margaret and Diane C remained to ride Splash Mountain (as much as I love playing in the parks, there’s no way I’d go on that ride in the cold weather!).
The next morning, we were up at the crack of dawn to head to Epcot for the photo shoot. We had makeup touch ups early, but it was COLD and DARK, and yuck. And finally we took the photos, and then went for breakfast. Did I mention how COLD and DARK it was? Oh and windy. But, it was great to hang out with the new moms… I really look forward to hopefully spending more time with them this upcoming year.
After a breakfast buffet, we went to the Magic Kingdom to watch some of the parade taping with the Jonas Brothers, and then it was time to leave…. what a whirlwind trip, but SO MUCH FUN!!
Oh, and I can’t write about the Moms Panel, without mentioning our Mascot/BFF, Gary! Don’t forget the Junior Mints for me in March, Gary!
Next trip – March 2010, for the Princess Half-Marathon. I’ll bring the chocolate sprinkles.
Oh, wait? I’m expected to run a half-marathon in March? Like in 88 days? YIKES!!
Photos courtesy of: Margaret, Cathy, & Tanya
Photo credit: Jen DeCesari
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
It looks like such a great time…except for the dark and cold photo shoot. Hoping to go back in Feb and some day be on the MOMS panel (talking food improvement naturally)
Drinks at the Wave were fun.
Okay, the purse rocks. I might have to break my own rule of never spending more money ON a purse than you intend to keep IN the purse, but I might make an exception…
Awesome recap. I still am smiling at the great time we all had with all of our adventures…sprinkles, spilled OJ, Jonas Bros and more. Can’t wait til our next get together.
So fun! Glad I got to meet you! Can’t wait to see you in Feb at Blissdom!
Fun recap, Jodi! I will always remember that you were the first “Mom” I met, and am so grateful that you chatted with me on the way down.
Thanks again 