What to Do with Your Disney Pictures

I admit it; I'm a photaholic. I take HUNDREDS of pictures on our Disney trips, especially those trips we took earlier on. Now, we highlight/photograph new experiences, but I'm also taking hundreds of photos for chronicling events via blog posts, and including unique angles, as well as those new experiences.

Thousands of pictures later... well... I completely give up - I mean REALLY, truly, give up on

How To Get To Downtown Disney

On a recent trip to Disney World, we had just checked out and were on our way back home. As usual, a quick trip to Goofy's Candy Store in Downtown Disney was in order.

The Pixie Pot

This weekend we were moving some family photos from one photo album to another. Page after page of sweet pictures of my babies with Mickey, Minnie, and every Princess you can imagine. I can tell you where every picture was taken, and which trip it was. For our family, and because Disney is a business for us, six months is a long time to go without a trip to a Disney theme park.

BUT WHAT IF WE NEVER WENT TO DISNEY?

It has had me thinking for awhile, "Man, if only I could give back, maybe even send one family." But a Disney trip is expensive. It's something some families can't even consider, even if they could get time off work, or they could somehow get down there, they couldn't eat, or get in the parks, or sleep in a hotel. And it reminds me "for whom much is given, much is required"... Meaning, we are given so much so we can share with others.

That's when I came up with it. Of course! I teach my kids this concept daily, why wouldn't it work for me? Thus was born: The Pixie Pot. What if I took a few dollars for every traveling client, and put it in a pot? We'd hardly even miss those dollars! But week after week, month after month, the Pixie Pot would get bigger and bigger, until eventually there's enough to send a very deserving family to Disney. And that family wouldn't have to worry about what to eat, or where to stay, or how to get into the parks. Poof! Their life, Pixie-fied!

I'll be announcing ways that you can nominate a family. And of course I'll have a few rules (like... Mission: Mouse extended family members aren't eligible, and that the winning family has to take an actual trip, not cash value, etc). I'll post those as we go.

But for now, I'm excited. I can't wait to see the Pixie Pot funds grow, and more importantly, I can't wait to give some sweet family who has had to tell their kids no time and time again, that yes, they really can go to Disney World. That they can leave their worries and cares behind for just a few days.

And with that, my friends, "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing". ~ Walt Disney


XOXO,
Karen

The Best Hot Chocolate Ever (aka, How You Can Consume 27,000 Caloriesin a Weekend While Staying at a Disney Resort's Concierge Level)

I don't know about you, but every Disney trip I've been on is the best diet ever! I go, eat pretty much whatever I want, and then *poof* come back from my vacation 10 lbs lighter. It's amazing! Well, that is, until my last visit, when I came back a pound worse. How does that even happen?

You see, I am a self-proclaimed hot chocolate connoisseur. I love it. I can tell you what brand it is while drinking blindfolded. I have tasted everything from Swiss Miss to Starbucks, to locally-made $12 hot chocolate. On a recent visit however, I discovered the creme de la creme of all hot chocolates. The best cocoa cocktail I've ever tasted!

Staying on the concierge level has many perks, like the time I forgot to pack a toothbrush, and one was there waiting on me, along with toothpaste, which has an amazingly light minty flavor.

Not so overpowering that it knocks you out, and oddly, makes you brush for even longer than usual because it's so mild and refreshing. ((Where was I? Oh yes, hot chocolate.)  Part of the concierge level perks include turndown service, and your own resting place - a locked, limited access lounge area with televisions, refreshments, maps, and a personal concierge available to plan any missed details. In the morning, you'll find breakfast foods on the buffet bar, and in the afternoon you'll find snacks and munchies.

It was there I made what shall forever be known as "the best hot chocolate ever".  The recipe is simple: Take the provided paper pup. Pour in one packet of hot chocolate, plus a tiny bit more from a second packet. Save packet in your purse for your next cup. Go to hot water machine and begin filling cup with hot water. Notice that next to the hot water is a frothy steamed milk spout. Hmmm. Stop water. Start adding frothy steamed milk instead of water. Notice hazelnut syrup bottle. Nuts and chocolate go well together, don't they, Self? Yes, I think they do. Add a splash of hazelnut syrup. Stir. Blow off to cool. Sip. Faint.

Yes, it was that good. I am certain the cocoa itself was rich, but adding the cappuccino milk made it light and fluffy, while the hazelnut syrup adding a different taste altogether. I could have skipped the parks and just made cup after cup of cocoa all day. Just kidding. Who would do that? But I did find myself making a cup each morning before going to the parks, as well as one for the road on the day I left. So there you have it. An alternate reason to stay at the concierge level: the ability to make simply the best hot chocolate ever. Don't say I didn't warn you.

°o° ~ Karen

The First and the Last

One of my favorite things to do is people watch. There's something settling about losing all sense of time while sitting on a park bench as people stroll by. Disney World is no different. Today I had the fortunate pleasure of being one of the first ones in the Magic Kingdom, and one of the last to leave.  Normally, my family would be with me, and our agenda would not include people watching, nor would we close down the park at the end of the day. Today, however, was much different.

I started with a Keys to the Kingdom Tour that began right as the park opened. Our task was to be in the park before our tour departure time.  Let me just say that standing outside Guest Relations when those fireworks go off in the morning is no less than amazing. I liken it to the Running of the Bulls. You either run with the group, move out of the way, or face certain trampling. I fully intended to take a picture of the people coming in, but that's just it – if you blinked, you missed them! They were in and gone, strollers wheeling at break-neck speeds, undoubtedly off to Space Mountain and New Fantasyland.

We let them go by and started our tour. Once it was over, I had several other things on the agenda, including stops at Hollywood Studios, the Boardwalk, and EPCOT. My traveling companion opted to call it a night at 10 pm, but for me, that was the perfect time to head back to the Magic Kingdom. Most people were trickling out, not in, and I found myself standing in a nearly empty Magic Kingdom, staring at the beauty that lives within the walls. I walked back to the jungle cruise – a completely different experience at night than it is during the day – and over to the dualing Dumbos. But my favorite shot of the night was coming out of the back of New Fantasyland.

I was the last one off Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, and even then I was the only person in the entire ride queue. I could walk slowly on purpose and enjoy the details in this shot...

this one...

and this...

(Can I just say that I think that the backside of the castle is ah-maze-ing?!)

One cannot be the last person out of the Magic Kingdom and not be in awe of the dream that Walt began. Each detail - these finials in front of the castle could be round, but they aren't - they're pumpkin carriages.

When the children are tired, and the families are leaving, to stand around and capture the very essence that is Disney is amazing.

And that's just it. To be the first is exciting, exhilarating, and energetic. But to be the last... to bid adieu to the Magic Kingdom as it rubs its eyes in preparation for a night's slumber is in fact, magical.

Thanks for a beautiful evening, and don't worry, Walt. I'll see ya again, real soon.


ºOº Karen
4.7

To-Do List, Mission: Mouse Style

When it comes to making lists, I'll be the first to tell you, I'm the bomb! (I didn't say accomplishing the things on the list, just making the list.) Normally, I don't have a to-do list when I go to Disney World.  Our family picks one or two things we've never done before, and at least two new restaurants we've never eaten at, and as long as we get those things done along with our regular ride plan, we're one happy family!

My next business trip (yes, that sounds funny) to Disney World is in just two weeks! This time, no hubs and kiddos, it's just me, combined with our agency owner, Debi.  The negative side – if there can be one – It's just two days!! What's a girl to do with only two days at the parks? Why, check out all of the things that are on your list of things to do, of course!

Here's what I've got so far:

1) Debi won't be there until the late morning, which means I'm on my own for the first part of the day. I have always wanted to go on the Behind the Seeds Tour - the one they tell you about as your boat floats around the inside of the Living With the Land ride. I admit it, this is not the most thrilling ride at EPCOT, but I love it! Plants growing upside down out of sprinkler hoses? Giant pumpkins suspended from the sky? Absolutely fascinating! So why haven't I done the tour yet when I have hundreds of pictures of various plants from every boat ride we've taken? One, my family only humors me when we ride this ride - I think they'd all rather be on Test Track, but hey, they things you do for love, right? And two, folks usually assume "Private Tour at Disney = $$$. Seriously folks, this tour is just $16. SIXTEEN DOLLARS! For $16 you bet your sweet patooty, this girl is going on that tour, and I will love every minute of it!

2) Characters in Flight.  My hubby doesn't do well with heights. Need I say more? I, on the other hand, cannot wait to hop in this giant balloon and take panoramic pictures from all around the skyline!

3) Stop by Caribbean Beach Resort for the sole purpose of buying a Chocolate Chunky Monkey cupcake from the food court. Chocolate cupcake, filled with bananas and a luscious cream, topped with a peanut butter frosting drizzled with chocolate... Yes I am making a special trip just to get a cupcake. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.

4) Spend an evening at Chip and Dale's Campfire Sing Along. They hold this sing along nightly at Fort Wilderness behind the Meadow Trading Post. Basically, they bring the campfire, you bring the marshmallows, hot dogs, and sticks and your best sing-along voice. (You can buy a stick if you forgot to whittle one before you came, or if you just can't find one on the ground.) It's followed up by a movie – Disney,  of course – about 45 minutes later. There's no particular reason this is on my list of things to do again, especially since the kids aren't with me, other than that it's a nice, warm and fuzzy thing to do, and yes, I do enjoy the quiet side of Disney in addition to the exciting, fun things. And of course, I want to make sure nothing has changed.  

5) Be Our Guest for lunch! I am very fortunate. I've been to Be Our Guest Restaurant not one but THREE times! The first was for an Agent Training week in November. The second was in December for our family trip, and the third was on a return business trip.  All of these have been by chance - the first was during Sneak Preview week before New Fantasyland opened officially. We went with several agents - oh what a fun night that was!

The second was on the night of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. You could only make a reservation if you were staying for the party, which we were. And the third was the result of waiting, and waiting, and waiting. (Have I mentioned the French Onion Soup? No? It's terrible. Don't get it. That leaves more for me.  Hee hee hee.) Seriously, the soup is amazing. BOG is now one of my favorite restaurants on Disney property, which says a lot! That said, as fortunate as I am to have eaten so many times, especially since it's currently more desirable than a meal at Cinderella's Castle (don't believe me? Try making a reservation for both and see which one pops up first!), all of my meals have been dinner. I've never eaten for lunch, which is a Quick-Service meal, no reservation required! Get outta town!  Definitely have to compare for my clients. So yes, this is on my list of things to do. Have soup for lunch. Followed by a Monkey cupcake. Divine.

6) The Keys to the Kingdom Tour at Magic Kingdom Park. A gift from Debi. I like to think I know a ton about the parks, Walt, and Disney. But I would never assume I know everything, and I love getting to see and hear insider info from the parks. 

7) Check out the refurb to the queue on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to see if it's complete yet!

8) Take pictures of the Mine ride and see how it's coming along.

9) Check out Hollywood Studios for the latest reimagineering of Disney Jr, Live on Stage! to see the newest additions of Doc McStuffins and Sofia the First.

Whew. That's all I have so far. (And of course, ride some rides, grab a Dole Whip, and a few other things!) But every day I think of something new to add to this list, and I have to remind myself it's just two days!  Which begs the question: If you had just two days, and could do/see anything you wanted, what would you pick?

ºOº Karen
2/23

The Art of Over-Communicating

Each day, I learn something new from a client. I like to think that I am the one educating you, but more often than not, you end up educating me! This week's lesson came from Heather, who is admittedly, a bit OCD when it comes to her travel. Thanks to her needs, I have found myself OVER-communicating to ALL of my clients, and you love it! Before I would have shied away from all the extra methods of communication, I am finding you LOVE to be kept in the loop on just little behind-the-scenes actions that I am taking on your behalf. So thank you, OCD Heather, for helping me be a better agent for EVERYONE!  ºOº Karen