Day 1
I was up at 5:30 a.m. making final preparations and trying hard not to wake DH too early. I was mostly packed, but was getting together all our “Disney” stuff – all my pins, most of my collection of Disney travel guides, etc. DH woke up around 7 a.m. and made breakfast and
. I had a physical therapy appointment at 8 and was planning to get on the road right after. After PT and a quick stop for gas, we were on the road by 10. We didn’t hit any traffic, so we were at ASMu a little before noon.
I sent a fax requesting a room close to Melody Hall, the pool and parking because of my knee injury. I am mobile, but I wasn’t sure how all the walking in the parks would affect it. While I was checking in, the CM said our room was ready. She showed me the map and we were in the Country building. Two reasons that this didn’t work for us…
1. WAAAY to far from Melody Hall.
2. DH HATES country music (I don’t) and I knew he would be weird about staying there. (I know, it’s ridiculous, but what can I do? I
him!)
So, the CM went back to try to find another room. She was very nice about it and, after a short wait, was finally able to find us a room in the Jazz section, which was more to my liking. Unfortunately, it wasn’t ready yet, so we headed over to the Yacht Club for early registration at the Where Dreams HapPin 2007 Pin Celebration.
We drove over to YC and easily found the convention center. Registration opened at noon and we arrived around 12:40. There was a long line to check in and I knew DH was starving and wouldn’t go for me waiting in a long line before some lunch. I suggested Beaches & Cream. DH didn’t remember eating there, but he was game. I was concerned about the wait, but was pleasantly surprised when we arrived to be seated immediately at the counter. The host who seated us was from Uzbekistan and I happen to have visited there a few years ago on a trip for work. Imagine his surprise when I said I had been there! He asked where I stayed, which of course I didn’t remember, as he used to work for the Sheraton there. I wish I remembered more about the country so we could talk more, but he was busy anyway, so our conversation was short.
DH and I both enjoyed a burger and fries. We opted not to have dessert (I know – CRAZY
, right!?!) but we had an ADR at Crystal Palace about 4 hours later and I wanted us both to be hungry.
After a satisfying lunch, we headed back to the convention center so I could check-in at the Pin Celebration. The line was considerably shorter, for which we were both grateful. Because it was the first day and they weren’t checking event credentials at the door, DH was able to go in with me. I picked up my pins and was able to get one of my pin sets signed by the artist while we were there. I’m not big on the trading, as most of what I can afford to buy, I like to keep, so we didn’t stay terribly long.
Pin traders in action 
One of the beautiful pin sets, which I definitely could not afford! SIDE NOTE: I just have to share this, as it really upset me. After I got my pin set signed, I “borrowed” the edge of someone’s trading table to put the set back in the packing materials so nothing was broken. I overheard a conversation between two traders. They were discussing one of the prizes some of the event attendees received, which was a visit to the “dream room.” No one knew what it was at that point, as it wouldn’t be revealed until Friday or Saturday. One of the men received this as his prize (we’ll call him A to make the story telling easier). The other (he’ll be B) was speculating on what the “dream” might be…pin sets or maybe a YOAMD prize like a night in the castle. So A says, “Oh, yeah, we already did that. It sucked! Well, I mean we got good pictures and everything, but it really stunk being on Disney’s schedule and all, you know being in the parade and eating when they want you to. I hope it's not THAT again.” Needless to say B was stunned and really didn’t respond, just kind of shook his head and said “Oh.” It took everything in me not to say something, but what can you say to someone who seems ungrateful for a prize that I would give my left arm for? DH, who would normally rather die than even comment on something like this, shot me a look that told me he felt the same as I did. We were both shocked and left the table quickly after my pins were secured. I wonder if there are others out there that feel this way?
OK, I’m off my soapbox now, so on with the TR!
I called ASMu as we were leaving YC and was informed that our room was ready. We headed over and unloaded our gear. We were greeted by a Mickey on our bed, which was sweet. The refurbished rooms at ASMu are nice. We hadn’t stayed here before and our location couldn’t have been better. We were in room 9663 – on the 3rd floor, pool side, right between the two pools and not far from the elevator. Melody Hall was only one building away, so not too much of a walk.
Our three Mickeys - the towel, the pal and my pin bag
We rested in the room a bit before heading to MK for dinner. First stop was City Hall to pick up our anniversary buttons. Next was a little shopping at the Emporium to find a hat for DH. He has a nice hat that we bought at AK last year but he said he left it at home so he’d have an excuse to buy a baseball cap this trip! We called our friends, who were already at MK, to say we’d arrived and decided to meet in front of CP around 5:10. We wandered around to a few more shops looking for hats and Jibbitz for my Crocs. I had seen the MK Castle Jibbitz on ebay and read that they are exclusive to WDW. I didn’t really want to pay almost $10 for one there. I checked in quite a few stores at MK and came up empty. We headed over to Fantasyland and I made a good pin trade with a nice CM. We headed over to CP and had a short wait for our table. When we were seated, there was a heart made of Mickey confetti, which our friends’ 6 year olds practically dove in to. The waitress put it back together so I could take a picture and then I told them to dive back in. It was fun watching them – they had the confetti everywhere…the table, the floor, their hair. This was our first time having dinner here; it’s a favorite for breakfast. We thought the food was very good. I especially enjoyed the Salmon and the Adobo Pulled Pork. The desserts were good too. After diiner, the server presented us with a Magical Moments certificate signed by all the characters. It was so nice! It got a little bent it my bag, but I think I’ve since gotten it mostly flattened out again.
The boys enjoying the confetti!
After dinner, our friends headed to Buzz and then off to put the kids to bed. We made our way to PotC and there was NO wait! Yippee! Afterwards, we headed over to Carousel of Progress and TTA. By that time, it was dark and DH and I were getting tired. We decided to go back to ASMu for a swim before bed. The pool was nice, but there was a slight breeze and it was a little cool getting out of the water. We got a bedtime snack at the food court (chocolate chip cookie for me; brownie for DH), picked up our refillable mug and then headed off to bed.
It was a great first day!
Up next: Day 2 - AK, High Tea and La Nouba!