August 2011
Our Walt Disney World story begins in 1980, the year Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom opens. It continues in 2000, the year our family began. And, I hope it doesn’t end anytime soon.
1980
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a wooden rollercoaster in Frontierland with speed, dips, and tight curves. As the story goes, a flash flood threatens a gold mining town in the old West and its residents throw one last hurrah. Without loops, Disney categorizes this ride as Mild but Wild Ride; it is the first (and only) roller coaster I can remember riding as a child.
2000
Fast forward twenty years.
Planning a getaway after our wedding ceremony involved more than selecting a destination for the honeymoon – it also meant finding the perfect location for our familymoon. Where could a husband, his ‘tween son, and his new wife celebrate becoming a new family? It didn’t take long for the answer to become obvious. Walt Disney World, it was.
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As I write this, I’m on a plane to Walt Disney World at a final cruising altitude of 36,000 feet. Where I should be is exploring Animal Kingdom Lodge after spending the morning at Animal Kingdom.
This trip has seemed ill-fated from the start and it’s our third attempt at making it happen. The child care had been arranged, time taken off from work, and an itinerary carefully crafted for some final fact-checking before the 2012 edition of my book, Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers, goes off to the publisher the first week in September.
The call came last week. My young adult stepson’s work schedule had opened up unexpectedly and he asked to join my husband and me. Our trip for two suddenly expanded to be a trip for three. After all, we couldn’t pass up a chance to spend time with our college-age son whose busy life often doesn’t have time for dear old mom and dad.
We pulled out of the driveway at 3:45 am this morning to catch a 6:20 flight to Orlando from a tiny airport with only six gates on an airline I swore I would never fly again. However, spur-of-the-moment trips often require compromise; it was the only flight I could get without costing a small fortune.
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There are times when you just can’t cram all your supplies for a Walt Disney World vacation into your suitcase and still expect it to close. At least I can’t. Even if I can temporarily alter the laws of physics and zip my suitcase shut, these extra supplies can be mighty expensive with the additional fees airlines charge for either a second bag or an overweight bag.
It took me a few years to discover the answer to my problem…
You can ship items to your Walt Disney World resort and the bell stand will hold the items until your arrival.
It was like a Hallelujah moment, especially with all the disposable supplies such as diapers and sippy cups that I needed for my children.
I’ve had supplies delivered to Disney by three different means – from local Orlando-based companies such as Garden Grocer and Orlando Stroller Rentals, the United States Postal Service, and online purchases that shipped via UPS.
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I love how Disney is always changing things up. Every time I visit, I discover something new; that’s one of the reasons I return trip after trip.
Last weekend it happened again. I was on my last fact-checking trip for the 2012 edition of my book Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers. I made my tour of Epcot’s World Showcase and happened upon a stand in the Outpost area that I had never seen before. Beaded jewelry was being sold. It was lovely but not being a jewelry-wearer myself, I was prepared to keep walking. That is until something caught my eye and caused me to pause. There was a “String Your Own Beads” option where guests could select beads and custom design their own bracelet or necklace for about $10-20. Now we were getting somewhere; this would be a nice addition to my Hidden Activities chapter.
It seems like this would be the end of my article, doesn’t it? But it’s not. With Disney there is usually more than meets the eye and this stand is no exception.
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A motivating factor for our Disney Vacation Club (DVC) purchase was the ability to vacation with close family and friends. As dedicated Disney fans, we feel it’s our duty to spread the pixie dust! The time has finally come when the impractical has become the practical and we think our family is ready to enjoy Walt Disney World with another family. In other words, within the year, our household will be diaper-free, sippy cup-free, crib-free, and free of all those other trappings of toddlerhood that make travel more challenging.
Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should
I’s important to consider whether you should invite another family on your vacation just because you can. Not much can turn the best of friends into frenemeies faster than vacation stress and conflict.
There is a lot to consider before sharing your Disney vacation with others including finances, schedules, dining preferences, and touring style but today I would like to focus on harmony between the families, and especially the kids.
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