Girl Power at the World! Sue's Update 6/1 - Breakfast at 'Ohana About This Page:

[statelady01]

The beginning goes all the way back to August as Lynn and I parted ways after a second fabulous trip to Disney together. It was then that we realized that this girls only Disney thing would have to be an annual event. It just was not in the realm of possibility we could NOT take a trip there together once in a while! Call it kismet, cosmic or whatever- we clicked that well and what was meant to be was meant to be.

In the fall, Sandy (WHOSez) and I also became to be very close friends and she was really up for a big girls adventure and I talked her into going with us. After Lynn and I went to WDW in August, Angie (poohsgirl) mentioned if we ever went again- she would be interested. Terri (DrDolphin) had mentioned the same to me- so we quickly let them know what we were thinking. We sent out the emails and it was actually quite fascinating how quickly five women in five states with five jobs, families and bank accounts signed on so quickly for a trip to WDW!

Not too long after- this group became a family (insert the Brady Bunch theme song here) as Tara pm'd me one afternoon to see if there was room for one more. Well absolutely!! Tina (loobyoxlip) and Sue joined in the fun and poof- we had 8 Passporter Girls headed to Disney for a fantastic adventure!

Planning was actually easier than one might think- hope the girls agree- thanks to email and every few weeks, we all chatted on Sunday nights- we got a lot of things such as the group meals and transportation issues sorted out. Our resort was the Grand Floridian and we all would be spread out in 3 rooms. The GF seemed like a great choice for ladies at play and fitting to the occasion.

We had picked out a few spots for group meals and there were some meals split up according to preferences. We all agreed that was okay and it was physically impossible to spend every day together.

One of the things we were most looking forward to was our Illuminations Cruise with Monica (MontiMouse) and family. Several of us decided to try for the cruise that morning that marked 90 days. I think it was 5 or 6 of us- and both Sue and Lynn came out the winners- we had not one but two boats! What to do with the second boat? Fill em with Passporters of course to make for one terrific meet! Yeah!!!

It worked out in the end that Tara and Terri would arrive the 11th and the rest of us would stagger in the next morning. As usual, Northwest changed my flight arrival from 12:17 to 12:44 -- which put me in last! Most of the arrivals were between 10:30-12:30 and we decided that everyone would hang out and wait underneath the arrivals and departures board in MCO.

The day before we left, Sandy got notice from Northwest her flight was overbooked and was offered compensation to take a later one but she wouldn't know for sure until she actually got to the airport. The flight would have her in about 3:00 pm- hopefully in time to make our 3:40 PS for tea at the Garden View Lounge. As the rest of us would already be at the resort, we had to figure out something quick- to get Sandy there. I made a phone call to Gregory at Quicksilver, who was super and said he could have a driver to pick Sandy up no trouble- even with the short notice. Cool!!

I managed to be packed and in bed by about midnight but it still would be a short night of sleep as I had to get up at 5:00. Still, after 10 months of planning and dreaming as well as massive saving- the big day was finally here and I was about to have Disney magic with 7 really cool girls!!

Coming Up Next: Whatcha looking at??

[LizardCop]

[img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/23/23_30_104.gif[/img]

A Maureen Report!!!!

And (hopefully) everyone else will jump in!!!!

That way we get ALL the dirt

[lauren-roxy]

Great start Maureen!! I am so excited to read this trip report. Isn't it amazing how friendships develop? Can't wait to read more about your wonderful trip with all your good friends!!

[loobyoxlip]

Wooot

Great beginning, Maureen!!

[Cam22]

Very interesting start!

[DopeyGirl]

I gotta tell ya . . . all the airport arrival stuff sounded a little like The Amazing Race to me!!!

Great start!!!

[chezp]

Great start Maureen - I am so pleased to see you posting a trip report about this trip! I can't wait to read more!

[Disneynutinlondon]

Can't wait for more.....please write more !!!!!!

[Colexis Mom]

Great start Maureen More please

[jakenjess]

Looking forward to reading all about it! Great start!

[GATechGal]

Cool. Can't wait for all the juicy details.

[MickeyMAC]

Oh Mauree, I'm so glad you changed your mind and decided to write a trip report (here's pixies to help with all your responsibilities right now.... ). I hope everyone jumps in with their thoughts on the trip...it will be great. If you all ever plan another big all girls trip I would love to join you.

[statelady01]

12 May 2005- Arrival Day!

I was up before anyone else- dressed and ready to go by 6 am when my friend Jennifer pulled into the driveway. She always agrees to drive me to the airport at these unrealistic hours- she’s such a good bud to do it. I kissed the kids who were all sleeping and said goodbye to one groggy husband.

Easy check in at Northwest since A) did it online and B) our airport is so small there are two gates- A and B. I timed it perfect and only waited about 15 minutes after clearing security before it was time to board. A rather smooth flight to Memphis and it wasn’t too long a walk to my gate for the connection to Orlando. Memphis is funny in that they serve barbecue at all hours- here it was 7:40 am and I could smell BBQ already and yes, it was rather tempting. I also found it funny that there in the Memphis airport- was Famiglia’s Pizza- the very place Kevan and I had New York pizza in New York! Had NO clue it was a chain! I also got a voice mail before I boarded the Orlando flight from Sandy that she did in fact get on the later flight so she would get there later- hopefully right before the tea.

The layover wasn’t long- we boarded right at 9:20. I sat next to a lady from Canada who owned her own toy shop- we talked at length since one of the lines she dealt exclusively was Thomas the Tank Engine- and my 6 year old is a huge fan. That 90 minutes went by really quick and I was ever so excited as we landed and I got a glimpse of gorgeous Florida palm trees.

As we were taxiing in (about 15 minutes early too- bonus!) I called Sue on her cell thinking she would still be in the air as she was only scheduled to come in 3 minutes ahead of me. We had made plans to meet at my gate as we were to arrive within a few gates of each other. To my surprise, she picked up and told me they were taxiing in as well! I told her I would call her as soon as I got off the plane.

Deplaning was really quick so I called her again and she told me she was headed down to my gate- I asked her what she was wearing and as soon as she started to tell me I saw some really bright red hair through the crowds- sure enough the red head matched her description. “I see you! I see you!” I said- we hung up and started waving frantically at each other- we met with huge hugs then headed over to the people mover.

Sue and I hit it off immediately- she is so much fun to talk to! By this time, we were both pretty darn excited about seeing everyone else. We came upon the arrivals and departures board as was the planned spot to meet but there was no one under there. Then it occurred to me they might be under the one on the other side. We came around and I spotted Lynn staring at the board and everyone else- who had no clue we were standing there- so I said, “Whatcha looking at??” And it was like chaos, whooping and a bit of hollering! It was great to see everyone!! Huge hugs for all and Angie quickly got us together for our first photo:


Girls United!!

At that point, Sue and I needed to get our bags so Lynn came with us as she needed to go select her rental car. Terri and Tara had parked on A Side- so Angie and Tina went with them- we all decided to meet up at Publix for a bit of grocery shopping before heading to the GF.

I was pleasantly surprised when my larger suitcase came out among the first of the bags but then in true Mo at MCO fashion- my other one was pretty much last. Even so, I still managed to get mine before poor Sue who stood there forever. Finally, everyone had their stuff and we headed to the Alamo lot so Lynn could pick out her ride.

Settling on a Chevy Trailblazer in gold, we loaded up and headed on out. Sue got out her videocamera and narrated for Steve the goings on- which she did throughout the trip- even on Tower of Terror (more on this later) and I thought it was so cute how she did it. It took us awhile as there was some traffic on 417 out of the airport- and getting to Publix took longer than we thought- the others arrived ahead of us.

Finally, though we got there and found the girls- who had already stocked up on wine. Angie was looking for some cheese and other goodies to be had. Lynn and I headed straight for the bakery to see if we could find our favorite Publix almond muffins- but there weren’t any so we got some orange ones instead. Angie and I also got some oranges too.


Fun at Publix with our Tina!!

Everyone pretty much checked out at the same time and we loaded up to set off for the Grand Floridian. Tara, Tina, Angie and Terri headed off to Walgreens for some additional stuff and we kept going to the GF.

Behold those lovely purple gates. We were so busy chatting we missed the turn off for the MK resorts so we got an extra driving tour of Disney proper but it was all good when we pulled up to the Grand Floridian! Let this vacation begin!!!

Coming Up Next: Tea Time Adventures

[Jennifer2003]

Great start Maureen!!!! Can't wait to see what else unfolds!

Jennifer

[Annabel]

Yayyy a Maureen trip report I'm really glad you decided to post a report, I've been enjoying reading the others. More photos too! More please