Day 1: Check-in

January 26th

Day 1

I landed around 8:30 on Sunday night and promptly texted my roommate Laura. Eventually I hope to include a "roommate guide" in here, but that's for another day. Laura drove down from Virginia and was conveniently driving past the airport right when I landed, so she swung by and picked me up, and then we made our way to our hotel. Laura and Morgan and I all stayed together, but coincidentally two of our other roommates were staying in the same hotel! We all met up in Morgan's/our room and chatted until a ridiculous hour. It was great to finally see everyone and hear their voices and hug them! Minus Lisa :(

In the morning, Maddie had check-in really early around I think 7:30 or so, and the rest of us had it a little after 9. Although I did feel bad for her lack of sleep, it was nice to learn what complex we got so early. Our first choice was Chatham Square 3-bedroom, and while we didn't get that, we didn't get our last choice either! We're in a 3-bedroom in Patterson Court, and I actually quite like it. It has a reputation for being the "Retirement Home" complex, but if I'm being totally honest, that is exactly my speed. There are no crazy parties, no vomiting youths, and the apartment is in great shape. But anyway, back to check-in. We arrived at Vista Way, which is one of the other complexes and the check-in location. While we were waiting in line I spotted Lisa about fifteen people in front of us and promptly lifted my hand to point directly at her and stare. Fortunately she recognized us so it wasn't that weird. When our line wound around next to hers we got to say hi before heading inside. We found out our roles (Coronado Springs Resort Custodial Guest Services!), got our IDs, confirmed direct deposit info, got our keys, heard some safety stuff, and after about an hour and a half, all six of us were free to move in.

Our first group photo!

Clockwise from top left: Morgan, me, Maddie, Lisa, Nicole, Laura

We made our way over to Patterson, used our (mostly terrible) new IDs to get in through the gate, and set eyes on our little beauty for the first time. Morgan and Laura room together, Lisa and Maddie are together, and Nicole and I are together in this little gem.

After we got most of our stuff in, we headed to the store for food and home goods and cleaning supplies. I started eating my purchases the moment she handed me my receipt. That sounds like an exaggeration. It's not.

Once we got home, we put away all our refrigerated items and headed our for dinner at Disney's Polynesian Resort! I had never really been into any of the resorts so it was exciting to get to see one and eat there. We all got something from their quick service location, which for me was a tomato basil flatbread, which was AMAZING. From there we wandered over to their Dole Whip location where I reunited with my most favorite of desserts.

After the Polynesian we went home to open roommate gifts. We all agreed about a month before our program that we wanted to craft gifts for each other and exchange them upon arrival. Everything was so cute and it was actually a great way to bond. Here's a brief list of what everyone made, plus one photographic example!

• Nicole: A wooden letter of our first initial that was modpodged with pictures of our favorite Disney movies and characters
• Morgan: A framed drawing of our name with an illustration from our favorite Disney film
• Maddie: A painting of our home state with a heart over our college town
• Lisa: A painted mason jar with a white T she screenprinted with Mickey ears in our favorite color
• Laura: A cross-stitch of something from our favorite movie or quote (for me it was the quote "A beauty but a funny girl" which is from Beauty & the Beast)
• Laurel: I painted little 5x7 canvases with everyone's favorite Disney quote

After exchanging gifts we finally said our sweet dreams and headed to bed. It was an exhausting and emotional day, and easily one of my favorites in the history of ever.

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