What I’m thankful for at Disney World

Disney Infographics, Disney reflections November 28, 2013 Comments: 4

Often times when we are planning a trip to Disney, we keep it on the DL. Not because we’re not super excited, but because we know that not everyone is able to go to Disney World as often as we do – and maybe not ever. I never take for granted how blessed our family is to be able to go on a few vacations a year to get away and spend time together, especially when it’s in the Disney bubble.
Today on Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for the countless things God has given us. Going to Disney World has provided so many amazing memories that we’ll share as a family forever.

Here are some of the things I’m most thankful for – be sure to vote below on what YOU are most thankful for!

  • Being an annual passholder
  • Getting to go to Disney World and Disneyland in the same year
  • Air conditioning in August
  • San Angel Inn margaritas
  • Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table with my daughter dressed as Cinderella
  • Beauty and the Beast show at Hollywood Studios
  • The Magical Express
  • Perfume in Norway Pavilion
  • Tomorrowland Transit Authority
  • Everything about Epcot
Thankful at Disney World

Thankful at Disney World

Hopefully we’ll be at Disney again soon, but until then I’ll just stay thankful for all the memories.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Christmas Magic at Disney World

Christmas, Special Events November 4, 2013 Leave a comment

One of the best things about Disney vacations is that something unexpected and magical seems to happen on every trip.  Last November, my husband and I went to Disney World to celebrate our 10 year anniversary and we definitely experienced some unexpected magic!

Christmas Minnie and Mickey

Christmas Mickey and Minnie

We planned our trip the week following Thanksgiving, knowing that we would beat the holiday crowds that grow as Christmas break approaches.  Upon arriving at Magic Kingdom, we saw some commotion and a stage set up in the Main Street square, not to mention people lined up along Main Street wearing Santa hats and Christmas-themed attire.  It didn’t take too long to realize something was going on and we soon found out they were setting up to tape the Christmas Day parade that airs on TV Christmas morning — and we were going to be there to witness it!

The timing of the parade happened shortly after the news of Disney taking over Lucasfilm, so there were tons of storm troopers lined up to march in the parade, lead by Darth Vader.

Star Wars Christmas Parade at Magic Kingdom

Star Wars Christmas Parade on Main Street

It was so cool to see the behind-the-scenes instructions given to Vader by the director and it only took a few takes to get the scene right.

Darth Vader Christmas Parade at Magic Kingdom

Darth Vader in the Christmas Parade at Magic Kingdom

Storm Trooper Parade at Magic Kingdom

Storm Trooper Parade at Magic Kingdom

After the parade was over, we made our way up Main Street towards Cinderella Castle.  Once we got there, it was obvious there was going to be a show. Continue reading →

Golfing at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course

Kid Friendly, Outside the park activities, Outside the Parks October 12, 2013 Leave a comment

I love to golf.  My husband and I used to golf nearly every weekend in the summer when we were first married.  It was a great time to bond, relax and enjoy the outdoors.  However, after our daughter came along it was harder to find time (and a sitter) to make it out to the course very often.

Once she turned about 6 years old, we had the great idea that we’d just teach her how to golf and then we could go back to our weekly golf habit!  I know Tiger Woods started golfing at age 3, but we soon learned that taking the average 6 year old on the golf course (even a par 3) is tough.  Carrying clubs, walking up hills, and the 4-5 swings needed to make contact with the ball were too draining for her to make it for 9 holes.  But over the next three years we persevered, continuing to teach her and from time to time golfing a round with her as scorekeeper in the cart (I think she’d rather drive the cart than golf most times anyways.)

On our last trip to Disney, I felt like we had reached the point where we could try to golf as a family.  After some research I was pleased to find a Disney course that was labeled as “family friendly,” which is pretty rare on a regular length course.  The age range on the website even listed preschoolers … which made me wonder if it was going to be the equivalent of a mini-golf course with lots of kids running around.  As soon as we arrived I realized that was not the case at all.  There was an attendant to greet us, take our bags and escort us into the pro shop, which had all the Mickey golf paraphernalia you could ever want!

WDW Golf

WDW Golf

Since we are annual passholders, our rounds were FREE!  Yes, I said FREE!  (Greens fees are a benefit for passholders at Oak Trail, but not the other courses.)  In addition, our taxi from the resort to the course was FREE! (Complimentary transportation is available for guests from most Disney resorts – check with the concierge desk to confirm.)  Free golf and free taxi – – how could we pass that up?  To save on the baggage fees at the airport we combined my clubs with my husband’s and I was able to get a complimentary bag at the course as well.
Continue reading →

The wilderness (of Florida and California) must be explored!

Animal Kingdom, Disneyland, In the Parks, Kid Friendly, Magical Adventures (free!) September 26, 2013 Leave a comment
Wilderness Explorers at Animal Kingdom

Wilderness Explorers at Animal Kingdom

One of the newer activities at Animal Kingdom is the Wilderness Explorers scavenger hunt.  It’s based on the Disney movie Up, and there are several places to sign up around the park. Just keep an eye out for  wilderness guides dressed in khaki and an orange neckerchief to get a Wilderness Explorer Handbook and pass initiation into the explorers by learning the special call named the Caw Caw Roar, pledging to be “a friend to all.” The badge guides are standing by at each stop to help the explorers learn about the ways of the wilderness and many of the skills that are required to navigate the woods.  There are 31 badges to achieve so it could take as much or as little of the day (or several days) as you’d like.
Continue reading →

Enjoying the rain at Disney World

Disney Planning, Weather September 18, 2013 Leave a comment

It is very rare, if ever, that we go to Disney World and don’t experience the Florida thunderstorms.  It’s just bad planning to think that you won’t get rained on when you are on vacation.  But with a few extra items in your suitcase you can make sure that the rain doesn’t put a damper on your trip.

Spaceship Earth Storm Clouds

Spaceship Earth under storm clouds

What to bring:

  • Rain Jacket – skip the cheap plastic poncho!  I see lots of articles that talk about bringing a poncho to fend off the weather.  There are a few problems with ponchos: Continue reading →