I can't believe it's been more than a week since I was a few short hours from touching down in Orlando. To say the trip was an amazing whirlwind would be an understatement. Same for first class. And inspiring. And enlightening. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
I landed early evening on Friday and had just enough time to change for the welcome cocktail hour and dinner. How nice it was to have a room all to myself! We met a few of the Disney executives and Maria Bailey of BSM Media. We had drinks and appetizers then it was off to The Animal Kingdom Lodge to see the amazing collection of African artifacts and have dinner with two Disney chefs at Jiko.
After dinner a few of us went dancing at a club on the Boardwalk. Saturday we started bright and early (7:45) with breakfast and Q&A session with more executives to share our perceptions of Disney and what they hoped to gain by having us there. After breakfast we went to The Magic Kingdom for a few rides, and then on to Hollywood Studios for the parade, lunch at The Brown Derby with two Disney Imagineers, more rides and shopping.
Then back to the hotel for a little down time before it was time to break out my new fake eyelashes and get ready for dinner at Epcot Center. And when I say I could go on and on about how amazing the food, wine and entertainment were at the Party of the Senses, I mean rave for days! I had a chicken paprikash with roasted cauliflower dish that, seriously, I don't think I'll ever forget. And the chocolate cake with salted caramel sauce! TO. DIE. FOR. I wish I had pictures but my ancient brick of a camera wouldn't fit into my cute little handbag. This is a little taste.
After the tasting we watched the fireworks show then back to the hotel. We went dancing and met the rockin'- est grandma ever! I only hope I have her energy when I'm using the senior discount. Even though my feet were killing me, I wasn't ready to call it a night so when the idea to go to another club came up I was all for it. Thank you to Patrick Ewing for letting us finish your vodka and cranberry juice!
Sunday we started with a trip to the Animal Kingdom to see The Festival of the Lion King. Then off to The House of Blues for Gospel Brunch. I have not been to church in awhile but I was so moved by the music I got tears in my eyes.
After brunch we had a second discussion with the execs to give our feedback from the weekend. It is so refreshing to know that a company as big (huge! vast!) as Disney would see the need to reach out to a particular community and actually see it through. I appreciate what they are trying to achieve and hope the weekend gave them enough insight going forward to be successful in their campaign.
Please get to know the amazing women who went with me:
Yolanda from Ebony Mommy
Tanyetta from Days Like These
Renee from Cutie Booty Cakes
Michele from Integrated Mother
Nadia from Mama Law
Kim from Mom in the City
Felicia from Reign of the Girl Child
Kristina from Mom on the Rise
Jennifer from The Mom Salon
More giant thank you's go to: Jennifer, Michelle, Super Sarah (someone give this woman a raise!), Annette, Laura (congratulations on becoming a cast member!), Ximora, Carol, Leanne, Rialys, Lara, Christian,Mark, Diego, Sybil and I'm sure I've forgotten someone but thank you all so much!
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What an awesome post! Love the pictures and live video too. What a great memory keeper this post is. :)
ReplyDeleteI am still on a MAGICAL HIGH. ;)
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a wonderful time! Thanks for sharing all of the photos and highlights from your trip.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I was really out of it Sunday morning. I remember you talking but didn't realize that you were using your flip. I wish we could go back. Right now.
ReplyDeleteGREAT recap.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had fun.
It sounds like a fantab weekend. Packed! Holy mac! You must have been exhausted!
Also, cute purply top.
So when's our next Nordstrom trip?????
Yes, this was so fun. Thanks for the memories....
ReplyDeleteI want even more details--Thursday night?
ReplyDeleteI didn't even realize you were taping us on Sunday, I was so out of it! Clearly...
ReplyDeleteEvery time I read someone's recap, it takes me back to our VIP weekend. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun weekend! How did you get involved with that?
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that you had this great opportunity to go on this fantastic trip with such awesome ladies! I have heard so many good things from everyone. Funny how in the blogging community you come across some of the most amazing people! Congrats again to you!
ReplyDeleteJenn- Yes ma'am!
ReplyDeleteLynn- I was invited to go by a marketing company, BSM Media. They passed my name along to the Disney execs.
Sheliza- I'm still blown away that I got to go! And yes, the other bloggers are a wonderful group of women.
This is such an AWESOME post! Didn't you love getting driven to the resort? Unbeatable.
ReplyDeleteThere we are live and in living color! Thank you for the video Mel (though I have to say, I don't remember you taping...I think I was in a Disney-magic-induced state of confusion at that point. But, I want to go back!
ReplyDelete