Who Said Work isn't Fun - a mini TR to the World Completed 3/24 About This Page:

[mcc0313]

I had meant to start this as soon as I came home but time is just flying by so figured I might as well start this mini-TR Did not take many notes and we had limited time in the park but thought it would be fun to share a bit so here we go.

So the title - well when I think of work I think of the "day job" as the bill payer and my part time work as a TA as my fun work. It is the work that makes me smile, but since I have to pay bills the day job gets into the way of a lot of the convention trips that I so wish I could go on.

So when the owner of my agency e-mailed me and said "hey, how is your October looking?" I checked the calendar and lo and behold it looked possible that I could get away.

The Home Based Travel Agent Forum was having their annual three day Convention and getting away from the "day job" for three days is much easier than getting away for a whole week so I went and told my boss "so will you miss me if I go away for three days at the end of October". Ok his answer was yes but distance does make the heart grow fonder....lol, a few days without me every once in a while allows me to remind him how he cannot live without me

Now what was even better than getting to go and have a mini-adult trip was that the convention this year was being held at....ok I am sure you can all guess. Disney World....how could I not go.

Well the faces on the girls when I told them I was going away was a nod of the head...they would be busy in school and not really notice I was gone (ok who was I kidding, Angel always notices me when I am gone) but I told them there would be guilt gifts involved so they were ok with it until they found out where my business trip was taking me.

Then I got the..."well why do you have to travel for work, and can't we come?"

After finally getting approval form the two "bosses" of my household I pushed the whole trip to the side as the day job was busy and I had our August trip to finish planning.

When I got back from our family Disney trip I booked my plane tickets, we decided that if we were going to be at Disney we deserved a little fun so we were flying in early on Saturday morning the 26th of October, that would give us Saturday and Sunday to play, we had the convention Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and then we would fly home to our respective kiddies on Wednesday afternoon. I ordered a 2 day ticket through the convention for the weekend as well as a ticket to the Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween Party YEAH!!!

The only downside was when I realized how many passporters would be getting there the day I was leaving. Not fair....so many that I have not seen in ages and so many that I have not met that I would have loved to finally say hi to in person .

I was so sad to be missing Cheryl and Mark, it feels like ages since I saw them (actually it is ages...again time is just flying), I knew Princess Sharon was coming down (now I had been lucky enough to see her before I left as we met for some pre-WDW dinner at the Earl of Sandwich in NYC), I was so disappointed that I would be missing seeing her in WDW as well as Jill, Eileen and Karen...Dani, her husband and Izzy would be coming in also. JUST NOT FAIR I TELL YA....again why do I have to work the day job? Oh yes, the rent

I did try to extend the trip by a day but as we got closer to the dates I actually had to re-schedule a meeting that they wanted to have when I was booked to be away so there was just no way I was getting that extra day. I really am getting sick of the rent and bill concept....LOL

So even with the sadness that I would be missing so many passporter festivities, I tried to remain excited about my little excursion as there was a lot to be excited for.

First off it would be nice to spend time with Kim, the owner of the agency I work for. With her and I living in different states we really do not get more than a lunch in the city or an afternoon if I head over to her for a meeting. We did get to enjoy dinner together in August but again....between her, me and her friend we had 8 kids between us....not much of the nice adult conversation so I was looking forward to this mom trip.

Secondly it was at Disney World, again cannot go wrong there

Third....the convention was being held at the Coronado Springs Resort, a resort I have never stayed at so I was excited to finally explore that resort.

And lastly....well we were going to be there for the Food & Wine Festival, I was not looking forward to spending a Saturday there but it was when it worked into the schedule so we were going to make it work.

Our August trip came and went, school started, work got busy and finally the day was here. I had a cab picking me up around 5:15 AM since I had a flight at 7 AM out of JFK - at that time of the morning on a Saturday the trip is quick, think we made it there is 20 minutes. Figured I would have time to enjoy a little breakfast, grab a book and then head to the gate.

Well that did not happen as I still have no idea what was going on but security was a madhouse....the line never moved, and when it did it moved for a fleeting moment and then it was standing in wall to wall people. No breakfast for me as by the time I made it through it was 6:25 AM and my plane would be boarding soon.

Grabbed some Fritos and a Pepsi (I know not the best breakfast at 6:30 AM but I needed caffeine and Fritos are made out of corn so it would be like eating a cereal made from corn ). Between the Fritos and the chocolate chip cookies that they offer on Jet Blue I was good to go.

I really had planned to sleep...I am not good when I am flying early, I am always so nervous I won't wake up that I can never fall asleep, and when I finally did it was 3:30 AM so I slept for maybe 40 minutes since leaving for work at 7 AM on Friday, I was tired.

I took my meds and started drifting and then I got so caught up in a Criminal Minds episode that I think I slept 15 minutes if that before I heard....we are getting ready for landing. Guess no sleep for me

I had to meet Kim at DME (she had my Magic Band) but my yellow tags never made it to my house so I went to grab my bags figuring it was a good way to waste time as Kim was landing 30 minutes after me.

Perfect timing as we got there within 10 minutes of each other, she handled me my neon green Magic Band and we headed through to DME, first stop....no problems, second stop...Magic Bands were two for two so far. Not bad.

We had a little wait for the bus, maybe 15 minutes but once we loaded onto a very crowded bus we were happy to hear that the Coronado Springs Resort was the first stop.

Soon we were pulling in....the Mom Trip / Fun Work Trip has commenced

Up Next: So what did I think of the Coronado Springs Resort

[wyomom]

Sounds like a horrid job!
Can't wait to hear the rest. Thanks for sharing!

[chezp]

I am so sad we missed you too. I'm trying to remember when we saw you - the last time we were in New York was 2008, so I guess it must've been back then?

[lauriep]

Glad you're writing this one up, Meg! When I was working there were occasionally telecom conventions at WDW and I always tried to get my boss to send me, but no luck! Too bad you just missed all those PPers, but glad you got to go and looking forward to hearing about it!

[disneydreamer33]

Cool! You got back really soon!

[Cam22]

I was wondering if we were going to get this TR! WooHoo! Conventions at WDW are the best ones! Sorry you missed so many PPers. I had the same feeling when because of Luke's job we had to head down earlier in the month.

[Colexis Mom]

Great start Meg! Can't wait to hear all about it!

[bsblady01]

great start

[MayraLR]

Great start!

[xwewhisper]

Great start! Can't wait to hear about the trip

[mcc0313]

Originally Posted by wyomom

Sounds like a horrid job!
Can't wait to hear the rest. Thanks for sharing!

I know a terrible job right

Originally Posted by chezp

I am so sad we missed you too. I'm trying to remember when we saw you - the last time we were in New York was 2008, so I guess it must've been back then?

I was so sorry to miss you as well, 2008 - WOW too long, cannot believe it has been 5 years, time really does go so fast. I am hoping our paths cross again soon.

Originally Posted by lauriep

Glad you're writing this one up, Meg! When I was working there were occasionally telecom conventions at WDW and I always tried to get my boss to send me, but no luck! Too bad you just missed all those PPers, but glad you got to go and looking forward to hearing about it!

When I got back I told my boss at the "day job" maybe we need to have a department conference at Disney....he laughed but it was worth a try

Originally Posted by disneydreamer33

Cool! You got back really soon!

I think it was easier leaving at the end of our August trip as I knew I had the mini October trip coming up....not sure if the girls felt the same way....LOL

Originally Posted by Cam22

I was wondering if we were going to get this TR! WooHoo! Conventions at WDW are the best ones! Sorry you missed so many PPers. I had the same feeling when because of Luke's job we had to head down earlier in the month.

I know what you mean, I wish I could have just extended the trip by a day or so, it would have been so much fun to see everyone.

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Great start Meg! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Originally Posted by bsblady01

great start

Originally Posted by MayraLR

Great start!

Originally Posted by xwewhisper

Great start! Can't wait to hear about the trip

More coming up now

[mcc0313]

October 26th

I was pretty excited to be staying at the Coronado Springs Resort as it looks like such a beautiful resort and sooner or later I am destined to try all the resorts so this was another one to check off my list.

We were the first stop and there was a wonderful CM when we were getting off the bus welcoming everyone, it seems he was originally from Brooklyn so I told him it was nice to see another Brooklynite and I was rewarded with a huge roll of Mickey stickers Fun way to start off the trip.

We made our way to check-in, now I remember there was some snafu so it took some time at check-in, it has been too long so I have no memory of what it was...but whatever it was they straightened it out and soon we were pointed in the direction of our room which was in the Casitas Building #3. Now getting to our room seemed endless as we had to walk in a few circles until we finally came to our room. I suddenly could not imagine doing this everyday but once we found our room we realized we were right by a stairway that led to the walkway by the lake so it was indeed a nice shortcut then walking the long way to the elevators.

We were on the second floor and I will say I do like the white bedding with the accent of color, I saw a few pictures (I think it was OKW) where it was just the white bedding and it did seem a bit drab but with the color accent, I really liked the look of it.



No rest for the weary, once we dropped off our stuff we were ready to head out to Epcot. With only today and tomorrow to enjoy we wanted to get as much in as possible.

Now Saturday definitely would not be my choice for the F&WF but it was the only day that worked in our schedule so off we headed to the bus stop stopping for some pictures along the way.





Now when we planned this trip we really just wanted to enjoy the atmosphere so we really did not have a wish list of attractions, we really just planned to wing it and if we decided to ride a ride then great and if not we were just going to wander and soak it all in....(without little voices saying mom let's go here, or mom let's go there....LOL), don't get me wrong I love visiting with my girls and I missed them terribly but every once in a while there is a nice reprieve of not having to do anything except follow where my feet take me ).

So that was the game plan....until we found out that we were getting Magic Bands and the option for Fast Pass +, so we knew we had to try it out right? It was research

We figured at Epcot we definitely wanted Test Track and Soarin, we chose Maelstrom for our final one, if we were there at that time great...if not no worries.

When we first entered the park we headed straight for Test Track, now Magic Bands was simple enough, band to scanner, head on in....I will tell you it was packed and the Fast Pass + seemed long, I think from entering to the time we got off the ride it was 47 minutes (or close to that) so it was a long line.

At some point during our wait I felt the twinge...that wonderful twinge that says a migraine is coming take meds now....except I had nothing to drink to take my medication so I just kept repeating that wonderful mantra in my head...."please do not get worse before I can take some medication". It did not work, by the time we were in our car I knew I had missed that small moment of time where if I catch the migraine at the first twinge I can ward off a full blown I want to die headache.

But I was at WDW and we were on Test Track so hey I was going to enjoy this ride whether my migraine liked it or not. It was a great ride and as soon as we got off we headed straight to a cart and bought a coke (as caffeine helps when I get a headache) and a pretzel as Kim reminded me that I had been up early on almost no sleep and had not eaten anything but Fritos and a bag of chocolate chips cookies on the plane.

We found a bench where I took a pill, took some Tylenol on top of that and ate my pretzel and drank some soda and hoped that the medication would kick in. It was then that I realized that I only had one pill with me (the one I had just taken) and realizing that this migraine was in full swing I would need another.

Kim offered to go back with me to the hotel (as I had just dropped off my bags so I did not take more medication for my day bag), but I did not want her to have to run back with me so I decided to try to wait it out a bit to see if I felt any better.

Now I also realize now that I look at my photos that I took no pictures today at Epcot. I am guessing it was because I felt like such crap so no Epcot pictures for this update

We still had a bit of time for our Soarin Fast Pass return time so we headed to Figment (who said just because we did not have our kids that we did not need a dose of our favorite dinosaur ). By the time we were out we headed over to Soarin and had maybe a 15 minute wait. We were ushered into the first row and buckled in....yet the lights stayed on and we saw a bunch of CMs crowding around.

After a few minutes they said that unfortunately we would have to get off the ride, we figured that there were mechanical difficulties. They said that we could return later with Fast Passes so they escorted us out the back way, but not the entrance that they have been using since the escalator issue, this was all the way in the back so we walked through back stage, parking lots, around the corner where we proceeded to see fire trucks coming in....not sure what the issue was as there was no smoke nor did I see them clearing out the Land pavilion but we soon got to the exit where they normally have been letting people out (the one near Figment) except when someone in front of us asked are we receiving Fast Passes for later none of the CMs knew what was going on so no Fast Passes for us

Now this did make me wonder how that will work with Fast Pass +, normally when the ride is down they hand you your paper Fast Pass and you can return whenever you want later in the day, once they get rid of the paper....what happens if you use your Fast Pass + and then a ride goes down? Do you just lose your Fast Pass, will the computer reset on all Magic Band return times from a specific time? Just something I was thinking about.

So no Soarin and my head was throbbing, we headed over to Spaceship Earth and I figured maybe a dark ride, AC would help....but I did not even get to enjoy the ride much as I was sticking my fingers in my eyes most of the ride just to try to hit a pressure point to make the pain stop.

When we got off the ride Kim said I looked green, she again offered to head back with me, she even suggested catching a cab as she was worried I would not make it back but I assured her I would be fine, that I would head back, grab my meds, lay down for an hour and then meet her back at the World Showcase.

A bus came quickly thankfully and I grabbed a seat and closed my eyes as I was already feeling so dizzy. Now we had walked to the main bus stop when we had headed to the buses but all I wanted to do was get off the bus as I was feeling so sick so I jumped off the first bus stop (which I knew was in our area as we saw it on the map) and I figured I would find my way to the room.

Ok I did walk in some circles but soon I found the room, walked in, dropped my bag and did not even turn any lights on I just fell on the bed and buried my head into a pillow setting my alarm on my phone for an hour.

Up Next: Did the sleep help?

[chezp]

Oh you poor thing.

I loved the look of the rooms at the Coronado Springs, much more than I expected to actually.

With the Fastpass + by the way, you should have an email waiting for you if that happens, saying that your Fastpass is good for that ride any time during the rest of the day - and if the ride goes down for the rest of the day (that happened to us) that it's good for any ride in the park. I thought that was quite good.

[lauriep]

Not fair starting the trip with a migraine! I know that feeling, when you start mashing your fingers into your eye sockets to get a second of relief. I hope the short rest helped.

[mcc0313]

Originally Posted by chezp

Oh you poor thing.

I loved the look of the rooms at the Coronado Springs, much more than I expected to actually.

With the Fastpass + by the way, you should have an email waiting for you if that happens, saying that your Fastpass is good for that ride any time during the rest of the day - and if the ride goes down for the rest of the day (that happened to us) that it's good for any ride in the park. I thought that was quite good.

No email, but that is good to know. I found it strange that the CMs were just lost as to what to do, but again everything is a test so we took it in stride as again, the Fast Pass + was just an extra bonus as we were not planning to even ride to many rides.

Originally Posted by lauriep

Not fair starting the trip with a migraine! I know that feeling, when you start mashing your fingers into your eye sockets to get a second of relief. I hope the short rest helped.

That definitely was me Laurie, I think I sat the whole time on Spaceship Earth just pressing in my eye sockets hoping for a break from the pain. I find that the small window that I get from when I can catch it to when it goes to full blown has gotten shorter and shorter as time goes on....wish you could get a text or something that said....migraine is coming, you have 1 hour before take off LOL, this way you can dose yourself with meds before it hits