glendalais Celebrates Summer at WDW!

[Notatourist]

Interesting. Do you know how much he spent on petrol, by chance?

I'm looking at Airfares, and I have a cheap fare that goes into Tampa. The website says it's only a relatively short distance away, but I'm not sure. Could any Floridians give an idea of how far I would be traveling?

About an hour and half to get to disney from Tampa. Have you tried Southwest or Jetblue?

Also, keep me in the loop about a meet up. I work for the competition, but, I could at least come say hello...I have done that with Zazu...and I know that if Wallaby and I were in the same room we'd at least have WHO in common...

[glendalais]

Thanks, everyone :) . Tampa's out of the question then (I wouldn't have a car, so that 1-1.5 hours would likely become 4-5).

Also, keep me in the loop about a meet up. I work for the competition, but, I could at least come say hello...I have done that with Zazu...and I know that if Wallaby and I were in the same room we'd at least have WHO in common...

Uni...uni..*red robotic glow in eyes* UNIVERSAL TEAM MEMBER WILL BE TURNED INTO PIXIE DUST IMMEDIATELY!!! ALL HAIL THE GLORY OF THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY!!...

...

Just kidding :p: (truth be told, if some things had been different a few years ago, I would probably be working for USH rather than the DLR, lol). Sure, I'll probably post a few meet and greets as May gets closer, lol. I'm thinking of maybe even paying a visit to Universal, cost depending.

[Notatourist]

Thanks, everyone :) . Tampa's out of the question then (I wouldn't have a car, so that 1-1.5 hours would likely become 4-5).



Uni...uni..*red robotic glow in eyes* UNIVERSAL TEAM MEMBER WILL BE TURNED INTO PIXIE DUST IMMEDIATELY!!! ALL HAIL THE GLORY OF THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY!!...

...

Just kidding :p: (truth be told, if some things had been different a few years ago, I would probably be working for USH rather than the DLR, lol). Sure, I'll probably post a few meet and greets as May gets closer, lol. I'm thinking of maybe even paying a visit to Universal, cost depending.

If things had been different a few years ago, I would have worked for WDW...so I know what you mean....

All is good. Let me know.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Hmm....I might have to think about bringing my car this time around instead of flying.

On that note, has anyone ever driven cross-country before, how many extra days would you budget for driving from LA to Orlando (roughly about 4000 kilometres (2500 miles)). Would the cost be comparable to flying (currently running about $400).

(For the record, before anyone suggests it. I'm not able to rent a car at most places in Orlando due to the Age Restrictions, and the one place that would let me do so would charge me both arms and both legs, lol.)

I will also say that I am leaning towards Port Orleans (Riverside over French Quarter). I'm looking at WDW's website, and I must say that Riverside is absolutely GORGEOUS :D: .

Though I'll admit that Pop Century's Caesar Salad can't be beat, lol.

Hmmmm. I did a little rough math on todays current gas prices, and a round trip of about 5000 miles. if your car gets 26 MPG or better, it would be cheaper to drive. Don't forget that you may need to get a motel in route, unless you plan on driving straight through (I would not recommend that)

I did a cross country to Boston from San Diego a while back, and found that the first day I did a little over 500 miles, the rest of the days I did about 700 miles or so. It helped that some freeways speed limit was 75. The gas prices were not all that great, as you have to use the stations on or near the freeway. Also, if you drive, you are gonna be REALLY tired when you get there.

[kurtisnelson]

Check the Orlando-Sanford airport. They generally have cheap airfare. But then you couldn't magical express if you are staying on site.

[Shorty82]

Is there a way to visit the Cast Stores without a car? It seems from the map that I could get there by just walking north from the MK Bus Stop, but that seems like quite a walk, and there's no sidewalk...

Quite a walk is an understatement. Cast Connection and Property Control are over a mile from the Magic Kingdom bus loop and there is no sidewalk, not much of a safe shoulder to walk on for most of the way, and a good bit of traffic sometimes. I'm also willing to bet Security would have something to say if you attempted that walk. I'm certain one of us WDW CMs would be able to give you a lift. I'd be glad to if I'm available.

If you want to move here to work at WDW I'd not worry about looking around Orlando to live. Check in the Kissimmee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Ocoee areas. Orlando is to far to drive every day IMO and the main way from there to WDW is I-4, lots of traffic and lots of tourists. I'm about 12 miles from the MK cast parking lot in Winter Garden. Takes me about 20 minutes to get to work every day and as I live north of property there's not much traffic to worry about and only a little of the traffic are idiot tourists with no idea where they are going. Ocoee isn't much farther while Windermere and Kissimmee are even closet

[Zazu]

Well, it is that time of year again, I'm heading back to WDW :D: !

Woo Hoo!

Anyway, my goals for this time round.....

• Meeting other SGTers (both for the first time and again) :) .

I'm not terribly hard to find, especially you hang out around restaurants.

[*]Company D, Cast Connection, Property Control (I've never been)

Need a car to get there. Glad to take you.

[*]If possible, seeing more of Orlando and Central Florida that lays beyond the borders of Disney. [/list]

I agree with the suggestion to visit the Kennedy Space Center, but if you'd like a fun half-day trip, consider "Gatorland". Title tells all.

I'm divided between staying at a value (probably Pop Century ...) or splurging a little bit more for a Moderate (probably Port Orleans). Does anyone here think it's worth the extra cost?

The local nickname for All Stars is "The Projects". Need I say more?

Is there a way to visit the Cast Stores without a car?

Some of the Company D locations can be reached, but not the big one at Disney University or the Property Control location north of MK.

Likewise, is it possible to tour Orlando without a car?

Setting aside for a moment the question of why you would want to: no. Just... no.

This would be more of a 'get a feel for the city in preperation for moving there' tour than a 'touristy "ooh...aah....*SNAP*"' tour.

Ah, what you want isn't a tour of Orlando, you want a tour of areas closer to WDW where you might could afford to live. Big difference! (Like perhaps 20 miles)

Does anyone know if there's truth to the rumours, that WDW has started counting DLR CM visits against our Maingate Usage?

Don't know for sure about Disneylanders coming east, but that change is now in effect for WDWers heading west.

Don't worry, most locals here have APs, so we've generally got spare days on our maingates to comp you in.

I have a list in my head of CMs I want to meet while visiting....

If I'm on it, drop me an IM and we'll make plans.

If not... well! :zazu:

[glendalais]

Just a heads up, the dates of my little adventure have been postponed by one week to 24-30 May 2009. When I was planning this, I completely forgot to check and make sure I didn't have anything planned that week.

I'm pretty sure it's generally considered a SST (Stupid Student Trick) to go off on holiday to the other side of the country the week of Final Exams .....

If I'm on it, drop me an IM and we'll make plans.

If not... well! :zazu:

Don't worry Zazu, you're right near the top of that list :D: . Complete with exclamation points and everything ;) .

I'll start setting up Meets and Greets as we get closer to May, so everyone knows their schedules.

Thanks very much to everyone who's offered to give me a lift to Company D and surroundings. I guess we'll work that out later, as well.

As to everyone's neighbourhood suggestions, thanks for that as well. I was checking Google Maps and realized that WDW was not as close to Orlando as I thought, lol. Though, given what I've heard about some of the stuff that goes on in the City of Orlando proper, I'm a little bit thankful that it's not considered a normal area for WDW CMs to live in.

And finally, please don't worry about signing me into the parks, lol. I have more than enough Comp Tickets and Main Gate usages of my own saved up not to worry about that. It's a real shame that they stopped allowing us to holiday at the opposite Theme Parks without it affecting our Main Entrance privilages, though. Oh well, it was a nice perk while it lasted, lol.

And now, with great pride, that I am proud to announce glendalais's 2009 Walt Disney World Resort Celebration Vacation itineary which has been booked:

(And you'll be pleased to note that I'm not leaving our fledging Texas Branch out of all the excitement, though it may not be more than quick 'wave-and-run' lol)

American Airlines Flight 1496
Departing: Orange County (Santa Ana), California]American Airlines Flight 1682[/B]
Departing: Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; 2009-05-24; 17:55
Arriving: Orlando, Florida; 2009-05-24; 21:25

------

American Airlines Flight 1413
Departing: Orlando, Florida; 2009-05-30; 16:40
Arriving: Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; 2009-05-30; 18:30

American Airlines Flight 365
Departing: Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; 2009-05-30; 19:25
Arriving: Orange County (Santa Ana), California; 2009-05-30; 20:35

(I'm still doing what I can to upgrade this to a Moderate, but it'll do for now)

5 Days/6 Nights
Disney's Pop Century Resort

[glendalais]

Doh!

I just realized, Gay Days Orlando is the week after my visit :bbbat: .

(And....yes, I am :) )

Before I go off and pay for my airline tickets (they're currently on hold), How are Gay Day over there? I'm highly tempted to move the entire thing back yet another week, lol.

I'm Single, and, while I do like Gay Days here at the DLR, I'll admit that a lot of the stuff that happens in the Parks tends to put me off. GLBT pride all the way :) , but it's certainly not an excuse to behave that way in public IMHO. I'm a little bit afraid that WDW Gay Days would be that en grand .

But, most importantly, it's to do with the crowds. I believe in making a statement, but certainly not at the expense of a three hour line for a pretzel (self-conceited, I'll admit, but it's true).

Does anyone have any opinions on the matter? Should I move my dates or not?

[DisneyMom]

Well, you could have your own parade ;)
(just teasing, you know we love you!) :)