Hey everybody!!! I can't believe it's been just over 4 years since I left the bubble known as WDW!!! And I am soooooo happy to be going back again! My old roommate Sue from WDW and I are going to visit in October to visit my very good friend, Sandra who just left to do the program a month ago! To the alumi's that have visited after their contracts ended, what was it like going back? Did you feel weird? Was it just as good? Were you disappointed? It feels like i'm going home again! To the place that I have never been happier and I can't wait to get there! Sue, do you have your Tigger ears dusted off? I am ready to unleash my Stitch ones!!! :-* Cheryl
Well I went back a few times....once to visit friends that were still working there (about 4 months after my contract ended).....then I went back again about a year later with a friend of my from here.....then I went back for Christmas 2003 with my husband as part 2 of our honeymoon. 1st visit - AWESOME! But that's because I was partying with my former fellow cast members and it was like I never left. 2nd visit - Pretty fun! I showed my friend where I had worked, and watched Illuminations...and there were some permanant cast members that I got to see, and even non-WDW friends that were still in Orlando, so overall it was great. 3rd visit - Well, I had a great time because I was with my husband, but since it had been so long, and I had had SUCH high expectations, I was really let down. Like Illuminations was changed, and Alien Encounter and Mr Toad's Wild Ride at MK was closed.....and also (sorry for those that I offend) but I REALLY do not like this "pin" exchange thing they do there now. I think it totally ruins the costumes and ruins the theme of the different areas. I also got disappointed because I wanted to show my husband the attraction where I worked, and the dick that was giving the speeches that day was making an ass of himself, cracking sports jokes and no one was laughing...he actually didn't really give the speech at all and started debating which teams were better on the microphone with a fellow cast member. Not only was I disappointed, but I was embarrased that these schmucks were making it appear as if all Canadians think about is hockey. And they were wearing the Roots beret hats which I thought were tacky...and Beavertails was closed......and in Mexico they don't have the Mickey shaped nachos like I used to have habitually..... I dunno..little things here and there bugged me, and I wasn't expecting them too. I suppose that it's normal and naturally for things to change....and maybe if I was just a regular WDW tourist it wouldn't bug me so much. But because WDW was my life for a long time, I had certain expectations that I didn't even know I had until I went back! Now don't get me wrong - I had a fun time, and liked many of the new rides and attractions...and I had fun showing my husband my old routines and habits and stories....("Hun, I was so drunk one night I puked over in that bush!"....and "I tripped and fell there!"... and drinking around the world, and my favorite rides, and hidden Mickeys, etc....). I think he enjoyed having a personal tour guide, and someone to show him the park the most efficient way .... One REALLY positive change since I was there is the Fast Pass! That totally rocks!! I dunno, I guess what I'm saying is don't set your expectations TOO high. You WILL have fun, and it will be great to reminisce, but there will be changes that you weren't aware of that may catch you off guard and you won't know how to react (I admit, I felt a little defensive and sometimes jealous that I wasn't there for the changes, or that I didn't like the changes)...... In any event, try to go there as a TOURIST...a GUEST and have fun, and don't try to reinact the days of old. Just have fun!! (which I know you will!)
That's sound advice. I've visited once or twice since I finished, and I do so from the viewpoint of a guest. Not only is it weird seeing the changes that are made, I also get all sentimental (you know), lol, if I start thinking about my stay there. I listen to the music at home from the Illuminations pre show (random, I know) and it reminds me every time of working in the UK pavilion, and New Years Eve, then I feel kinda sad. But you'll enjoy it Munch, I'm sure! Have a safe journey over and a great vacation! Dan
Hey Cheryl, when are you and Sue going down? I am planning a trip to Orlando sometime in October also, we could have a lil mini-reunionÂ
Hey Chris! Sue and I are going October 1-8. We got hooked up with a discount at a Disney resort and also with Tickets so we're really saving a lot of money. Who are you planning to visit with? How are you doing? What's new with you? Cheryl
Cheryl- I am doing good, I am working at a resort in Vegas now, but I worked at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal for the past 2 1/2 years so I am gonna visit some people from there. I don't know exactly when I will be going yet, but more likely towards the end of October cause I wanna go to Halloween Horror Nights and have been toying with the idea of going down to Key West for Fantasy Fest. I will keep you posted though, if our paths cross we should definitely get together for some Bahamaritas
Cheryl, Chris, Sue... That's it. i'm coming too! I am so bored right now. I am staying wih my parents for the summer and I need another vaction before I go back to work in September. My life has no direction at the moment. Chris...how was the wedding? Cheryl...is that your baby in the picture? Sue...what are you up to you dirty skank?! xo J
Hey Ms. J!!! How was the year long vacation? You'll have to tell me all about it! No, she's not my daughter but she is my niece!!! That's my little Olivia who is cute as hell and getting cuter by the day!! E-mail me soon!!! :-* Cheryl
Me dirty! Okay well ya! I'm home from ships, working at Rogers and having a wicked busy summer! I think I'll grow up one day!
