Our DIS-tory

We just returned from 11 glorious days in The World.  It was not so glorious in the moment.  It was hot.  Like hotter than hot.  And I hauled around two kids; one of them cannot even hold her own bottle yet.  One week later I think, WOW!  THAT WAS AN AMAZING TRIP!  Guess I just needed some time.

I was talking with my Dad about our trip.  I couldn't believe the short lines in the Magic Kingdom, on a Saturday, even for the most popular rides like Peter Pan and those dangblasted Dumbos.  Is there a parent code somewhere that says, "You must ride the Dumbos with your child no matter how long the line is?"  I guess I just don't get it.  The short lines made it possible to ride the Dumbos with little trouble.  In fact, I almost missed the photo op since it happened so fast.

As I share this with my Dad he tells about his memory of Disneyland.

"You know what?" he says.  "I went to Disney a handful of times as a kid.  I don't remember what I rode or what I saw or what I ate.  Do you know what I remember?  Standing in line."

I laughed.  Everyone knows my 30 minute rule.  I won't wait more than 30 minutes for anything rides (I learned that I will stand in line for more than 30 minutes for one thing.  More on that tomorrow).

"I remember we always had to wait in line for Pirates of the Caribbean because my Mom loved that ride," he told me.

Aha!  There is was.  A sweet little gem about the past.  A story I had never heard.  A connection to my Grandmother that I'd never had.  I didn't know she'd ever been to Disneyland and now I know that we share a favorite ride.

It warmed my heart.  It made me smile.  I had an inspiration.

We need to tell our history, our family history, through Disney.  It is our DIS-tory.  It is a way to know each other, to connect with each other, and to share with each other in a way like never before.

So, this is my call to action, for you, your friends, your families, to share with each other your DIS-tory!  A photo (of course) and a favorite story, a magical moment, a memory so that you might know each other better and share in the magic together.

To my own family and friends: I am compiling a book of Disney stories for our daughters.  I hope that you will contribute a favorite story (or two), a memory, a moment, and possibly a picture - especially one of you in front of the castle, current or historical, both would be fabulous.  I hope these stories will leave a lasting impression on our girls, just as my Dad's story did for me.

WDW Trip Reminiscing: February 2009

Trip Name: Birthday Extravaganza 2009

Where We Stayed: Savanna View at the Animal Kingdom Lodge!


What Made It Different: My husband sprang for the savanna view at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.  This was also the first trip where my husband's family joined us and I brought along a good friend.  This was the year of Celebrate Today! and I got in free on my birthday, except that we already had our tickets, so I got a gift card instead!  I love my charm bracelet.

Magical Moment: On our first night I woke up to hear some strange noises coming from our window.  Several animals gathered at the watering hole and the birds were fighting over their position!  What an amazing time to sit and watch animals from our balcony!

PS: On this trip my husband got really really sick.  We spent one whole day just sitting in our hotel room.  Since there isn't a lot to watch on TV at WDW - I'm sure they'd rather we were in their parks spending money and having a good time - we watched a lot of ESPN.  That was the week that Manny Ramirez got traded.  It was the only thing happening in sports. We could recite the entire interview by the end of the trip.

WDW Trip Reminiscing: October 2008

Trip Name: Vacation 2008

Where We Stayed: Animal Kingdom Lodge


What Made It Different:  This was just a regular old vacation for us.  We did celebrate my husband's birthday while we were there and I hired a local company to create an elaborate scavenger hunt for him which took place in the Magic Kingdom. I highly recommend www.giftsofalifetime.com if you are looking for a special interactive event like that.

Magical Moment: I left for this trip feeling so so sick.  Rick was just getting over a cold and I had gotten it shortly after he did.  I know that doesn't sound very magical.  It's not.  By Day Five of our trip I was finally feeling better and we visited Disneyquest in Downtown Disney.  Wowee!  Was that amazing or what?!  I loved that we could play games together as a team and virtual Pirates of the Caribbean was great fun.  It was both the first day I was feeling well and an opportunity to really connect together as a couple and have some fun.

Side Note: While I was extremely hesitant to stay at a new resort on this visit, Animal Kingdom Lodge delivered such an authentic, relaxing experience, that I no longer want to stay anywhere else, regardless of whether I can only use bus service to the parks!

WDW Trip Reminiscing: June 2007

Trip Name: Honeymoon 2007

Where We Stayed: Concierge Floor (swanky!) at the Yacht Club


What Made It Different: This was our first trip to WDW as husband and wife, but only my second trip to WDW.  My husband grew up traveling to Disney with his family, almost yearly, but I grew up in Los Angeles.  Disneyland was "Mickey's House" to me.


Magical Moment: Walking into our room that first day was incredible.  There was a sign on the wall welcoming us with our picture on it and we had turn down service every night.  We could see fireworks from the balcony.  What I remember most was that first night.  I was so hungry, so jet lagged, and so tired that instead of walking to the America Pavilion for food my husband said, "Let's just go back to our room and get room service."  Oh boy!  Room Service!  I have never gotten room service in my life.  He was this different, amazing, free-spending person on vacation.  Where had my frugal husband gone?  He was left at home.  "Vacation Rick" was born!

6/17: This Week's Blog Preview

On our first anniversary we took a trip to Phoenix, AZ.  I love to travel and my husband loves "Great Hotels," as he says.  He found a romantic spa and hotel tucked away on the edge of Phoenix.  We could not wait to get away, celebrate our anniversary in style, and enjoy a great hotel.  Rumor has it, George W. Bush stays there when he goes to Phoenix.  This was posh hotel living at its finest.  An enormous suite, the most gleaming white bathtub I've ever seen, meticulously kept landscaping, and a gourmet restaurant on property.

In less than 24-hours we were bored out of our minds.

Sitting by the pool lasted about 4 hours, until it was so hot I couldn't sit there and I had already read every single book I brought with me.

The nearby mall was fine, but nothing spectacular.

We needed more to do. 

Eventually we stumbled upon a 12-hour driving tour of Arizona that included stops at the Grand Canyon and Sedona.  It was amazing.  We flew in a helicopter.  Rick saw the Grand Canyon for the first time; I hadn't been in years.  It was the best day.  Full of adventure and interesting food stops.  We were in awe.

Side Note: It's hard to be "in awe" of something in everyday life.  I am sometimes amazed, transfixed, or surprised, but not "in awe."  Only one place on earth has regularly delivered that feeling of reverential wonder.  You'll only need one guess to know where.

Back to my story: The trip turned out just fine, but for the same price - and staying in the same time zone - we could have been at Disney.  We would never make that mistake again.  We vowed to always go to the Mouse for our vacations for the rest of our life.

What resulted are some amazing trips, with incredible memories, that only get better every time.

So, this week, on the cusp of our latest vacation, that will involve what promises to be the most fabulous rehearsal dinner in Epcot's Italy Pavilion, a Walt Disney World Wedding, and a first time visit for our littlest girl, I can't help but think back over our last few trips and the memories we made.

This week, I'm going to share them with you!

WDW Bridesmaid!

I'm going to be a Walt Disney World Bridesmaid in 4 days!!!!

Photo of the Week: Cinderella's Castle

So here's a different on your traditional castle shot.