I Got Friends on the Other Side

Good news everyone!
Nicole and I have moved from Vista Way to Chatham Square. We'll be staying here for the foreseeable future and all is well. Do let me know if you'd like my address. I know I owe mail to many people, and you shall indeed receive some.

Let's catch up!

On Tuesday March 15th, I went to my second viewing of Zootopia during the day (have you seen this movie yet?!) and went for groceries at Publix which is the newly rediscovered love of my grocery-shopping life. I had switched for the day off so I could attend an event at Hollywood Studios in the evening with Micayla, Kristin and Becky. It's an extra ticketed (ie paid) event called Club Villain. We did get a discount (as we should).
It was an evening of celebrating the bad guys hosted by Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog, featuring a DJ (who was clearly a fan of Canadian music) and a super talented cohost named Kanzo. There was so much food (the Disney World website calls it "New Orleans-inspired") and desserts and AND two open bars. The desserts and drinks were themed around the four villains with who Guests were invited to mingle and meet - the Evil Queen, Maleficent, Cruella De Vil and the Queen of Hearts. Also we were handed champagne as we were waiting to enter so it's a good bet that the Fiesta was safe and sound in housing. We were given scheduled times to meet each villain, and we got time to take pictures in their empty thrones/backdrops. It was an amazing time and I recommend it to anyone whose jam is Disney Villains, since they're notoriously hard to track down.

Maleficent didn't catch ME in her throne.

Cruella's hangout had puppies everywhere! 

A magic mirror, a throne and fans? The Evil Queen has it all. 

On March 16th, a few of the merchies and I celebrated Kathleen's birthday with buffet breakfast at Trail's End at Fort Wilderness. I'll be perfectly honest. I was still so full from the night before that I did not to justice to that buffet. I did get a little hangry in line though when some dude broke the line and stole all the Eggs Benedict. Don't stand between breakfast and I. Just don't. Two of us had to work thereafter but it was a wonderful and magical start to my Wednesday.

We're happy as long as we're fed.

On March 17th, Laura and I finished our tour of World Showcase and the Flower & Garden Festival which we had started earlier this month. We had a few more snacks (basically I didn't starve at all this week) and we saw a few more topiaries and we finished our super special Duffy bears! Laura had to work but we had finished what we started so it was still an excellent day. Oh and it was St Patrick's Day! hahah so much green everywhere.

Only one of us isn't appropriately in green. 

The Jungle Book sand sculpture is AMAZING. 

One princess, seven dwarfs, one tough photo. 

No spaghetti for the topiaries?

On March 19th, after work I joined Micayla and Kristin for another round of late night Magic Kingdom. I got a lot more respect than normal due to my awesome Captain America hoodie. Magical. In less than two hours, the three of us did Under the Sea, Barnstormer, Dumbo, the People Mover and Carousel of Progress. I also ran into former Canada coordinator now MK leader Dave in the Emporium on our way out. Talk about efficiency.

There's a great big beautiful Tomorrow(land).

Thursday was also the day I found out there were spots for Nicole and I in Chatham Square. We moved out of a first floor apartment into a first floor apartment with only one pit stop in between - one night in a temporary/emergency/fore & flood unit in Chatham. It was huge and hella gorgeous and ours for one night only. We are safe and sound and healthy and happy. As I hope you all are.

See you real soon!

Lindsey

Magical Moment: I gave a Han Solo pin to a one half of a newly married couple, congratulating her on no longer being solo. Being both delighted and intoxicated, she just thought I was the bee's knees.

Pixie Dust to: Anyone and everyone who listened to me rant and rave and whine about housing. I may have some control issues. I just like to be in control.

Like Painting a Masterpiece, it's a Work of Heart

Hello long lost friends! I have returned with more adventures but no news about my housing situation. When I know, I'll share.

This will be a highlights reel post, since too many work days have passed and I can't recall all the fun at this moment. The non-work days though, those I remember.

On Thursday March 3rd, Sarah and I planned the Magic Kingdom open-close day we've been wanting basically since we met. We woke up bright and early with a change of clothes in tow (it had been getting cold in the evenings) and arrived at the park for something obscene like 0830. We caught the show which opens the Magic Kingdom and brings all the characters in, then followed behind the hoardes wanting to either see Anna & Elsa or get on Mine Train, laughing all the way. We got on Splash and Big Thunder Mountain with minimal waits, and met Woody in Frontierland. We popped in for early lunch at Be Our Guest (which actually opened during my last program). I had never been there for Quick Service lunch so that was new. By the time we left, there were huge lines to get in. We went under the sea with Ariel in New Fantasyland (the ride, not the meet & greet) and visited Dumbo in Storybook Circus.
We were joined by Justine and Dan for awhile, and we completed the FOF challenge, in which you watch the Festival of Fantasy parade once in Frontierland where it starts, then you race down to Main Street to watch it again. We got onto Pirates in Adventureland and we did Philharmagic and somehow we got a relatively short wait for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. I had never seen the interactive queue before and I had never done the ride during the day so that was new and exciting. We also chilled on the People Mover, before taking in the Main Street Electrical Parade, Celebrate the Magic and Wishes. MK actually closed early for a Disney Vacation Club event to which we were not invited, so I think in total our day was just under twelve hours. I've done fifteen.

Beautiful, serene Splash Mountain...

Five seconds after the first picture...

We are the princesses of Splash Mountain

Such a charmer. I'm obviously talking about me.

On Friday March 4th, the four merchies supporting the bottom of the totem pole had plans for Hollywood Studios. We got a little split up at the beginning, but (spoiler alert) we all end up together for fireworks.
Myself and Kevin, the youngest merchie (I am indeed the oldest, what a surprise) started off our day with the Frozen Sing Along, which was awesome and magical and snow-covered. We then checked out Path of the Jedi, which is basically a supercut of the first six Star Wars films and a bit of the newest seventh. Now we know. We went on Star Tours twice. I have no idea how I did this ride so many consecutive times on my first program. We met Sully and Mike from Monsters Inc (and it was awkward) before going on Great Movie Ride in which I FINALLY got to experience the infamous cowboy scene instead of the standard gangster scene (it was a goal of mine to see it), before meeting the rest of the crew, Shellby and Shane with special guest Shane's dad, who was visiting. We had FastPasses for Rock'n Roller Coaster and we visited Star Tours again before breaking into smaller groups again for Voyage of the Little Mermaid and reunited for MuppetVision 3D before Kevin and went to Fantasmic. We also met Kylo Ren and Chewbacca (generally Kylo Ren was unimpressed at our level of laughter). We all got back together for the wonderful Star Wars fireworks, Symphony in the Stars, before Shane and his dad turned in for the night and Kevin, Shellby and I went to Steak & Shake and met fellow two-time merchie Kathleen for Deadpool at Disney Springs. It was a long, full, day people. And it was awesome!

Waiting to watch Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

Kylo Ren is super unhappy with us. 

Chewbacca is more chill. 

This past Thursday, the 10th, Laura and I went to Epcot to explore some of the Flower & Garden Festival. We also had a cast scavenger hunt-style thing we were wanting to complete, and we'd decided to get some Duffy Bears to get signed all around World Showcase. I'd like to say it was for better product knowledge of out own park, but really it was just for fun.
We rode Spaceship Earth with our FastPasses then went off to Living with the Land before finding the Fantasia topiaries of Future World, along with the cacti section and Cars topiaries near Test Track. We tried violet lemonade, and a potato and cheese biscuit with salmon tartare, as well as a chocolate raspberry macaron. We picked up from very special Duffy bears courtesy of our friends in the Canada attraction. We intend to do a sequel day, as only one half of the showcase was experienced this trip. Good thing we're here all year!
I actually went to Cast Connection later in the afternoon, and to Magic Kingdom for just a bit in the evening. It was supposed to be a quest for a specific pair of earrings but then I met Sarah and fun ensued.

The new view in Future World

Laura and I are beautiful butterflies, too!

These topiaries are outside the Canada pavilion.
Thumper wants my violet lemonade.  

On Friday the 11th, I went to Blizzard Beach with two wonderful merchies who both had traded their day off to get a Friday off, Morgan and Kimberly. We had an amazing day of sun in the lazy river (Cross Country Creek), the wave pool (Meltaway Bay) and the slides, the most famous of which is Summit Plummet, of which I am not a fan. Collectively we had brought quite a picnic, and we arrived right at open to get our first pick of hang-out spots, which we were called "camp" all day. We were very sunsafe, multiple layers of sunscreen all day, and the park was practically all ours. Neither had been to Blizzard Beach ever and it had been years for me, but we had an awesome time!

I got out of the lazy river to take this picture.
That's an "I'm Celebrating!" temporary tattoo, btw.

Goodbye, Blizzard Beach, see you real soon!

Today (yesterday now!) was Nicole's birthday! YAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICOLE! We went to 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian Resort for brunch. 1900 Park Fare is a Victorian carousel-themed buffet, BUT you get to meet an assortment of characters. We met Piglet, Winnie the Pooh, Mary Poppins, Alice and the Mad Hatter. Those that can talk gave us some excellent conversation, and those that cannot gave us some unforgettable interactions. I was able to nip off to Magic Kingdom with the rest of the squad for just a few minutes before I had to go to work.

Sarah, Pooh bear and I!

Justine, the Mad Hatter and the birthday girl!

Our whole squad together on Main Street!

It's getting hot here, friends. This is a warning for future visitors.

See you real soon!

Lindsey

Magical Moment: This wasn't my magical moment, but it's still magical. Today, Nicole met a princess at the Grand Floridian. Princess Quinn was also celebrating a birthday. Princess Quinn had recently gone to Bippity Boppity Boutique and therefore had too many tiaras. She gave one to Nicole, her fellow birthday princess. Parenting done right, over here!

Pixie Dust to: Angela and Mary, thank you for the mail. Sorry no one else has my address. I'm trying to make it very temporary.

I Could Go Running and Racing and Dancing and Chasing

I apologize for the delayed (and therefore likely long) post. The truth is I've had some issues with housing which I am still handling and I generally try to not be at "home" as much as possible. Which means lots of time for activities but not a lot of time for computering. Keep my in your thoughts, and possibly your strongly worded emails.

ANYWAY.

Today, Leap Day the 29th, I met Katie (the last merchandise Cast Member to arrive on my last program) at Hollywood Studios for lunch. She had a Fast Pass for the Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show (which will be closing in the near future to make room for either more Toy Story or Star Wars fun), so she had to take off. I had a Fast Pass (which we can book up to a week in advance as Cast Members) for the Great Movie Ride, which has changed just a tad since my last vacation. I also had time to visit my favourite baddie and love of my life (in terms of fictional characters), Kylo Ren, from Star Wars episode VII. I had this whole plan where I was going to be sassy and ask him for hair care tips (have you SEEN his hair?!) but they he was really tall and I was intimidated. Hence the awkward awkward pictures. I'll try again.

Fangirl Lindsey is awkward, 

I had to take off for work shortly thereafter, but work is still play here at Disney World. I saw Katie again that evening and she brought me a croissant donut, and I saw Daniel, my only trainee from my last program. Needless to say, I felt very popular today.

Daniel, you're in my blog... again!

Saturday the 27th Magic Kingdom had extended late hours, which were not Extra Magic Hours, so a handful of brave bundled up merchies went over to play after work. Shellby, Micayla (whom you may remember as my trainer), Kimberly, Kristin and I got corndog nuggets and snagged rides on Big Thunder Mountain (so cold), Splash Mountain (wet and cold) and Peter Pan's Flight (so magical) before waiting for the park to empty out. Peter Pan's Flight has a new interactive queue which I had never seen before, so that was super cool. We wanted pictures on Main Street USA with minimal background crowds, and our wishes were granted.

Shellby, Kimberly and I waiting to not get kicked out of MK. 

Shellby, Micayla, Kristin, Kimberly, Cinderella castle, and I.

Friday the 26th, I took on the Four Parks, One Day challenge. It's exactly what it sounds like. There are versions of the challenge with certain necessary criteria, but I chose to ignore them, at least for round 1. I was with my friend and CRP alumni Dan, who also maintained a (useful) blog. We started at Magic Kingdom, likely to get crowded first. We accomplished Carousel of Progress, the People Mover and Haunted Mansion, I got pixie-dusted (it's my jam), and we moved along to Animal Kingdom (by bus, my car stayed in Simba row 15 at the Ticket & Transportation Centre all day).

I forgot to take real picture but Snapchat ones are fine. 

Due to the amount of construction at DAK, it gets packed quickly as well. We recaffeinated at the Starbucks, went on Dinosaur, refueled at Flame Tree BBQ and moved on to Epcot (by bus).

It says "#dinoselfie".

At Epcot we were moderately more productive. We did Spaceship Earth, Mission Space, Journey into Imagination, The Seas with Nemo and friends, stopped by the UK, met Rapunzel randomly, and finally boarded a FriendShip to Hollywood Studios.

Talking adventures with Rapunzel. No big deal.

We are so cute though.

CM photobomb on Imagination!

We intended to end the day with the Symphony in the Stars fireworks (a Star Wars tribute), so to kill some time we got in the single ride queue for Rockn Roller Coaster. I got the front row and had the best time ever. My hair looked amazing at the end (bobby pins everywhere). We did Star Tours and got the back row (where no one's feet touch the ground, so it's the best row). We had dinner at I got a warm beverage, cuz it gets cold in Florida in February after sundown, and we got prime spots for the fireworks. They really were spectacular. Dan called it a night after that, but I did not. I settled in for the evening's showing of Fantasmic, wherein I met a stellar family who gave me a churro. Then I bussed back to Magic Kingdom for a bit of the Main Street Electrical Parade, the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and finally another round of Haunted Mansion. Me and two Jungle Cruise Skippers were the only ones waiting, so we were allowed to lay down on the Stretching Room floor. It's super cool but generally frowned upon. Also super dirty. A hair wash was imminent anyway. I ran into Canada attractions CMs Laura and Colin on my way out of the park through the Emporium, so we retrieved my car from its spot at the TTC and went back to Vista Way altogether.

Wednesday the 24th was the birthday party of a new friend of mine. You may remember me mentioning that during Traditions, me and two others snuck off for pixie dust? Yes, the lovely Sarah the sparkly was celebrating and invited her international friends Nicole, Sarah (UK Sarah), Justine and I. We went to Splitsville with a collection of Sarah's friends. Splitsville is the relatively new bowling alley in Disney Springs, offering inexpensive bowling, pizza and drinks (not for always-drives-everywhere Lindsey) for Cast after 10pm. I remain an unimpressive bowler but good times were had by all.

Me, Justine, and Sarah the birthday girl with the crew.

On Tuesday the 23rd, I met the lovely and talented Shelby Bruxer (from my last program, not to be mistaken with the lovely and talented Shellby Sy, from my current program) for lunch at ESPN Club on the Boardwalk before work. They have a burger with bacon and peanut butter, which is dangerously close to my favourite burger from the Works (not a thing in the US of A. Sad). Shelby and I had spotted each other on the promenade on Sunday. She and her mom were in town for the Princess Half Marathon weekend. Congrats on your mega accomplishment, Shelby!

CRP Alumni love!

On Saturday the 20th, I saw "How to be Single" with Justine and Sarah (we are already experts hardy har har), and we monopolized the promo material for Zootopia.

What I imagine a Cast bus is like.

My beautiful wing ladies.

On Friday the 19th, I breakfasted at IHOP then celebrated having regained access to the parks by spending the entire afternoon and evening at Magic Kingdom, Han-style (...Solo). I visited the Enchanted Tiki Room before meeting up with instagram stars and former CMs Katt and Kara, with whom I watched the Festival of Fantasy parade for the first time this year. I met Cinderella and Rapunzel after, and watched the Main Street Electrical Parade, and watched Wishes, and took a ride on the Jungle Cruise. It was a great day for park fanatic Lindsey.

Despite the lighting, I do not have a tan yet.

Princesses chill together.

I keep running into this one blond girl...

I can't promise I won't fall behind again. But I can promise that I'll catch up.

See you real soon!

Lindsey

Magical Moment: That couple I mentioned in my last post? They came back a few days later. The new wife and I twirled together and I made the couple buttons for their next visit this summer.

Pixie Dust to: My dear Disney friend Kim for the magical care package, and anyone who's listened to me moan and groan about housing. Thank you.