"You're never too old to be young" - Snow White

     Yesterday, the girls of apartment 10106 got all prettied up early in the morning, to head to Magic Kingdom, for breakfast at The Crystal Palace.  Crystal Palace is a pretty, airy place, right off Main Street, where you can dine with Pooh Bear and the gang.

 

 

      The restaurant is beautiful, and the breakfast was delicious, but I'm definitely there for the characters.  Those little babies are so sweet!

 

      After breakfast, we headed down towards the castle, for some photo ops before Brittany had to leave.  We couldn't pass up the chance to take some fancy castle photos!

     Once Brittany headed home, we wandered around Magic Kingdom, and of course, headed back to pay a visit to the man.  He was so feisty yesterday!

 

 

 

 

     We left MK in the early afternoon, when it started to get hot and very crowded with tour groups.  But it was a great morning with great company and photos!

xoxo

Be Our Guest!

     After a full 180 days of waiting, the day of our Be Our Guest finally arrived!  I rushed home from work, and got ready for the evening.  It was super rainy and humid, so I wasted a ton of time and energy doing my hair!  We headed to Magic Kingdom early, to stop in to see the Mouse in some nice clothes for once!

      As we walked down Main Street, back towards New Fantasyland and Be Our Guest, it started to drizzle, but there was no raining on our parade!

      We arrived at Beast's castle, early for our reservation.  However, we checked in anyway, and were able to sit down really quickly.  When we stepped into the castle, it quite literally took my breath away.  The detailing of the ballroom really hit the nail on the head, we felt like we were stepping into the movie.  Unlike anything I've ever experienced.

 

 

     All throughout dinner, I was constantly catching myself, just zoning out, staring at my surroundings.  However, the food was absolutely phenomenal.  I had pan-seared salmon, over leek fondue and saffron crushed potatoes.  Without a doubt, the best meal I've ever had at Disney.

     As we wrapped up our meal, our waiter brought us out the grey stuff!  Even if we did have to fib a little about birthdays, I'm so glad we got to try it, he even brought me my own little plate of it!  Really tasty, and the perfect little sample.  A very sweet way to top off a dinner at such a magical place!

     After dinner, we ventured into the West Wing, to see the other theming done in the restaurant.  It was very dark, with some thunder in the background, with plenty of touches tying in to the movie, yet another room where you feel like you've ventured into their world.

      As we made our way to the exit, we had one more pit stop.  What's a visit to a castle without stopping in for a moment with the master of the house?!

      I made my way out of the Magic Kingdom, (and made friends with a security guard, Jamie), I couldn't believe it was over!  I already feel like I need to be back in there, 180 days is far too long!  There may not have been this...

...but I've definitely found my favorite place in Disney!

xoxo

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things..."

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney

     Yesterday, I finally began the arduous process of packing.  I dread packing for a vacation, so packing for 4+ months is very overwhelming.  I've boxed up bedding, kitchen supplies, board games, electronic gizmos, storage, cleaning supplies, and some odds and ends to fill up spaces.  To put it simply, I did the easy stuff first, and haven't even touched my bedroom.  Optimistically, I'd like to say I'll be done by tomorrow.  Realistically however, know that Sunday morning is probably when it'll be finished.  

     My car insurance is squared away.  All the New Hire paperwork has been completed.  My roommates and I have completed our Housing Pre-Registration DORMS.  A Traditions outfit has been purchased.  I've registered for two Disney University courses, Exploring Disney Heritage and Exploring Guest Services.  Hotels for the night before have been booked.  Reservations for one last family dinner have been made.  Forms have been printed, and identification has been gathered.  I'm ready. 

Well, besides this whole packing-business...

    It's hard to believe that in under a week, I'll be writing a new chapter.   While I expect to miss my home, my family, and my friends (okay, and my cat!), I can't wait to surround myself with everything new.  I am so lucky to be given such an opportunity for adventure, and I intend to appreciate every second of it.  (Please remind me of this when I complain about a long work week!)
    My bedroom-roommate, Brooke, is already in Orlando.  She drove early, and has been playing the parks with her Mom, until her Dad and brother join her tomorrow.   I've loved getting all her fun park pictures-texts, and can't wait to join her!  Apartment-roommate Alyssa began her drive down with her parents yesterday, and will head to Orlando in a few days.  Brittany, my other apartment-mate, will be driving down in a moving truck with her boyfriend later this week.  I can't wait to see them!

See ya real soon!

xoxo

Tie Your Napkin 'Round Your Neck, Chérie...

     Be Our Guest is a restaurant themed after the castle from Beauty and the Beast.  Opening in November 2012, and located in Magic Kingdom, it's instantly become the most sought after place to have dinner reservations.  It has immense, intricate detailing, and the food on the menu is rumored to be excellent.     
     Naturally, I'm one of the many people that want to try this place for themselves.  However, since this spot has become so popular with the crowds, reservations fill up the full 180 days prior (maximum days allowed from any Disney reservation). My program begins mid-August, so I figured it was safe to plan for late September. 
     My roommates and I now have a dinner reservation at Be Our Guest for September 23, at 8:45 pm, the only available spot left for the day! I even called to put a special note with our reservation, that we were celebrating two birthdays (okay, so they're not until December...), and that we'd like to be seated in the ballroom.  
   At Be Our Guest, diners can either sit in the Rose Gallery (lunch only), the West Wing, or the Ballroom.  We all decided without a doubt, that for dinner, we'd like to sit in the ballroom.  We'll visit all the rooms, and will surely be back to eat in them (I hear the West Wing has some awesome show effects!).  However, it's hard to compete with the Ballroom!

Ballroom from Beauty and the Beast

Ballroom at Be Our Guest

     The gentleman helping me make the reservation asked if we would be celebrating anything special.  I honestly told him we weren't, to which he replied that we should be, because Be Our Guest does something really special for celebrations.  
     Not willing to pass up any extra magic, I told him we were celebrating the two closest birthdays, Brittany's and Brooke's.  If the rumors are true, this means they will be bringing us some of "the grey stuff" to try, and apparently, it's really tasty!

"Try the grey stuff, it's delicious! Don't believe me? Ask the dishes!"

     I'm very excited to try out this new spot, and am certain it won't disappoint!  So glad my roommates were up to planning this so far advance, I'm sure it will be worth the wait! 

This is definitely happening!

138 days until I'm working for the Mouse!

xoxo