When I first began my Adventures as a travel agent I met an agent who told me she had stayed in every Walt Disney Resort and I thought that sounded cool albeit a bit far reaching for me. However, every training class I've taken we've stayed in a different resort so maybe that's how I'll manage it! During Disney's EarMarked 2009 Conference we stayed at the Yacht and Beach Club. For some unwritten reason you have to say those two together - it just sounds funny if you don't.
Kim and I shared this room during our Earmarked Training. I love bright and cheery rooms and this one sure was cheery!
The Yacht and Beach Club are Deluxe Resorts on property and it's easy to see why. The details are incredible - from this corner night stand, to the chair and otomon placed right next to the sliding glass window. The desk area was large and could be pulled out for extra work space. The bureau was roomy too with plenty of space for all our clothes. There was another bureau with a complete coffee station on top, a fridge and of course a pretty cool TV mounted on the wall.
The double sinks were beautiful and we each had our own Magic Mirror! It wasn't hard to remember we were in the Yacht Club with this shower curtain! Love that ceramic tile!
The base of our lamp was this awesome Sailor Mickey - I wonder if this was for sale in the gift shop? IPod dock anyone? Now that's pretty cool!
The view from our room was awesome - I loved looking out over at the dock on Crescent Lake and our patio was pretty nice too! Unless you were sleeping in a bit - then the lawn service felt like it was coming right through the doors!
The Yacht Club was beautiful and as you can tell the view was awesome and the room impecable - the only thing was the walking. We walked a long way to the lobby and bus stop - you can see we were pretty close to the dock if we wanted to go to Epcot, The Boardwalk, or Disney's Hollywood Studios. Even farther was the pool area and finding food was not an easy task. Families or couples that enjoy walking will find it very nice to stroll around Crescent Lake or even rent a surrey bike. I would really consider staying at the Beach Club if Stormalong Bay with it's sand-bottom pools and waterways is something your family would enjoy. Beaches and Cream is right there too just in case the need for ice cream overcomes you!
We were there during the Christmas Season so I'll be sharing The Yacht Club at Christmas with you in the Yacht and Beach Club Series. If you want to stay at The Yacht and Beach Club please feel free to contact me and I'll do my best to make sure you have an awesome time!
I must admit it's taken me awhile to warm up to Animal Kingdom. I think once I began treating it more like a zoo and less like a theme park I began to slow down and enjoy it more. This park is the hottest park! I know it's because it's full of foliage and animals and it's jungle like! One particular visit I was turned around the entire time and finally asked a cast member for help I said "I'm lost again, I know it's supposed to be like a jungle but this is a little ridiculous. Everything looks the same to me"
Now that I know my way around - sorta -and have slowed my pace a bit I have found 10 wonderful things about Disney's Animal Kingdom and wouldn't want anyone to miss it!
1. The Festival of the Lion King - this would be my favorite theatrical production. I have seen it numerous times and I marvel at the timing involved, the enthusiasm of the cast members and crowd. I think everyone should see it! oh - it's fully air conditioned too!
2. Kali River Rapids - great family ride - get soaked, believe me you'll dry off.......
3. Kilimanjaro Safari - one hundred acres of African habitat filled with lions, giraffes, gazelle and many other animals.
4. DiVine - a ten-foot tall towering and wandering vine.....creepy, eerie and awesome!
5. Finding Nemo - The Musical - this is a fascinating musical and the puppetry and special effects are awesome. I prefer to sit farther back so I can view the entire production.
6. The Oasis - what's that you say? It's the place most people run through to get somewhere - they usually miss all the amazing animals and habitats and quite possibly DiVine. Slow down, take a look enjoy the animals - think ZOO not AMUSEMENT PARK.
7. The Picnic in the Park - this is a neat little concept that I am a fan of - you preorder your meal - using counter service credits if you're on the dining plan and then go back and pick it up - of course you get a nifty bag - BAG freaks love this - I count myself as a bag freak! There's plenty of food to go around, and depending on what you choose I suggest using at least one less dining credit than you have people.
8. Pangani Forest Exploration Trail - stroll through an exhibit of African wildlife visit the meerkat, hippos, gorillas and others.
9. Maharajah Jungle Trek - I discovered this while waiting for my family to ride Expedition Everest - not on my top 10 but probably on yours - anyway you'll find yourself walking through ancient ruins and some interesting animals - like the Komodo dragon, fruit bats, and tigers.
10. Flame Tree BBQ - I like to pick up my food and then head to the back and wind my way down to the Reflecting Pool - it's usually cooler and quieter - that's relevant - I mean we are at DISNEY.
In November - right after the Disney Cruise Line House Party I flew to Orlando for Disney's EarMarked Convention. Our Agency - 3D Travel Company has the distincthonor of being an EarMarked Agency and we are super proud of it. I really had no idea what to expect, I'd been to some of the other training classes Disney has offered and they were all excellent so what they had planned for us was part of the excitement.
Kim and I arranged to meet in the Orlando International Airport and take the Magical Express service to the Yacht and Beach Club together.
By the time we got there we were tired from our early morning flights but pretty excited about staying at the Yacht and Beach Club Resort.Arriving early enough to really enjoy the day we checked in and immediately began to feel pampered.
After our FREE massages, we picked up our TAG units and began playing with our new toy. We headed over to Beaches and Cream where we met a few other agents and thoroughly enjoyed our lunch. By now it was time to head back to the room and prepare to meet up with the rest of our 3D Travel Gang! Carol Beth - the leader of the pack - called a meeting right away because we work from all around the country this was one of the few times she could get a meeting in face to face.
Afterwards we all headed out to Epcot and then to Downtown Disney. We put together a little surprise for our clients. The fun had most certainly begun and the conference wasn't officially started YET.
The speakers were AWESOME. Bertice Berry really got us started with a blend of humor and hard hitting truths about "keeping our filter clean", "jumping over the job description","getting to heart of things" and "getting my life work in balance". Her words about making sure I am well hit home with me. "Common sense ain't common" and "We walk around everyday in shuffle mode" are a few other bits I've thought about since then.
Disney treated us like Kings and Queens and our party at Disney's Hollywood Studios was spectacular. I never imagined partying on Lights, Motors Action Extreme Stunt Show's set! THEN, as if that wasn't enough we were escorted to our own private viewing of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. I viewed them with the special 3D Glasses and without, took pictures and some video. Awesome definitely describes it!
You think with all that excitement we'd be done for the night - but nope we weren't! Next stop Pixar Place - the after party! Tables were set up along the street along with dessert stations and drink stations and of course a DJ and dancing. Toy Story Mania was available for our personal enjoyment also! Private motor coaches whisked us back to the Yacht Club, where we found goodie bags in our room! This one contained a book An American Original Walt Disney and a reading light so as not to keep our roommate awake - geesh after we stopped giggling we fell fast asleep!
And those were just the Highlights of DAY ONE!
Day two was filled once again with great speakers and sessions that I picked out. A few that I choose were Adventures by Disney - the stories that the Cast members shared were magical indeed, and I was about ready to book one right on the spot for my family. Secrets to Increasing Sales During Current Times, How to Build a Marketing Plan and winning strategies to Selling over the phone. My sessions concluded with a tour of the Central Shops.
I chose to spend the evening at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - which was very merry indeed. This was my first opportunity to experience one of Disney's ticketed events and I was pleased with the night. The Character's were dressed up for the Holiday and were readily available - for pictures, signatures and even during the multiple dance parties going on. I love fireworks and there's not a better backdrop for fireworks that Cinderella's Castle!
Day TWO was coming to a magical close once again!
AND yes there were presents awaiting us upon our return to the resort. Inside we found a beautiful crystal Mickey hat with the EarMarked logo engraved on it. WOW
Day three began with more speakers and sessions - My first session A Disney Legacy: Keep Moving Forward - really inspired me - Walt Disney was one special man, who wasn't afraid to take risks to keep Moving Forward, even when that old adage One step forward two steps back was trying to keep him down.
Greg Gray was awesome in my session Desperately Seeking Service. He urged us to "stand out in a sea of monotony" and explained that adults forget quickly - 55% in one hour! That Explains a lot!
The General Sessions were also filled with key Disney Leaders and they each shared with us the challenges and triumphs the company has faced this past year. I appreciated their candor and respected them for standing up in front of us all and speaking truthfully. During these sessions we celebrated Mickey and Minnie's birthday party and left with Mickey ears, dessert and even ice cream bars, we were treated to meeting our new Princess Tiana, one lucky agent won an Adventure by Disney's trip, another a night in Cinderella's Castle and the gifts just kept coming! Ivanna Dream sure kept us laughing!
During our last general session we were treated to a visit with an Imagineer. I had always wondered what that would be like. How interesting could that be? Midway through I was completely captured by his life story, which started out like any ordinary person's story. He shared with us his illustrations and the intricate animation he helped draw. He showed us drawings for merchandise we have seen in our local stores and can go out and by right now! AND THEN he began to tell us the story of how he was commissioned to do something special for EarMarked - he shared with us why he decided to put this or that into it and we watched it literally come alive before us. Up until this point only ONE person had been chosen to receive the awesome gifts they would give away at the end of the sessions - so I was completely blown away when they announced that EACH ONE of us would go home with one!
As if that wasn't enough -- THEN in front of a backdrop of Walt and Roy and the Dreaming Tree Sharon Siskie ended our last General Session in typical Disney style - she told us a story the Story of Walt And Roy and the Dreaming tree.
Next thing you know, we are all getting seed packets from the Dreaming Tree......... and dreaming, of the potential in all of us, of what just one person can do with that small dream within them.
We've made our way through my Magic Kingdom Top Ten, and Epcot's Top 10 to find ourselves at Disney's Hollywood Studios Top 10 - some of you have noticed this series is called Top Ten but doesn't always have 10 - I guess I find it hard to contain myself - there's so many fun things to do and see and places to eat in each theme park. They also aren't in any particular ranking, it just depends on my mood!
So here we go!
1. Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage - You certainly want to check the schedule for this and plan around it! Head down Sunset Boulevard and don't miss it!
2. Voyage of the Little Mermaid - make sure you don't promise your little ones they won't get wet in here! I did once and as usual, Disney amazes me! I am also amazed at the puppetry going on in here and how active the cast must be!
3. The Magic of Disney Animation is one of those places that is tucked away and easy to miss. The ONLY reason I EVER went in was because of Carol Beth - she insisted that we all go in during one of our training sessions, so who was I to argue! Now here it is on my top ten list! Inside you will find numerous things to do but topping my list is Animation Academy - take a seat and learn how to draw one of your favorite characters - of course you are gonna be bad at this, after all how many of YOU loved art in school - I for one FLUNKED it!
4. Pizza Planet - to know me is to know I love pizza and can eat it everyday without tiring. The Pizza Planet is like stepping into the Toy Story movies - and they have personal pizza's, salads and of course those yummy Mickey shaped rice krispie treats...not to mention games galore! There's plenty of seating upstairs!
5. The Great Movie Ride - I thoroughly love the props and costume displays that entertain as you make your way to the main theatre where you can then enjoy a visual trip through movie land before boarding your Great Movie Ride!
6. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster - YES it Stars Aerosmith - yes it's loud - yes it's fast and flips upside down for a bit -and I am STILL SHOCKED I went on this TWICE. I haven't been on a roller coaster in 16 years and I hated that one.........so it took A LOT to get me on this. Will I do it again? I have NO IDEA, only time will tell! It was however my FAVORITE roller coaster EVER so that says a lot about how awesome it is.
7. Characters - While enjoying all the pictures I have taken of my Disney trips I realized that DHS has the best characters - I mean Mickey is GREAT and so are the princesses but what I like the most about the Characters at DHS is that they are the new ones and they change - for instance we have pics with Ratatoulli and Remy, the Up Characters and unfortunately we missed Bolt! We found Kim Possible, The Incredibles, and many more! Some of these special characters can be found in The Magic of Disney Animation building - so don't skip it, even if you DID flunk art!
8. American Idol Experience - I highly recommend checking this out especially if you know someone that gets picked! When we went a special someone we knew made it to the final show and it was super exciting!
9. Walt Disney: One Man's Dream - come on inside browse the displays and then be inspired by a film about the Man who inspired the whole place!
10. Block Party Bash - my absolute FAVORITE afternoon parade. We happened on this by accident because, well the kids are pretty grown up now and the attraction wait times are lower during the parades so we tend to skip the afternoon ones - but this one was awesome - it wasn't the same old same old - if you know what I mean! Disney has outdone itself with this parade!
And that's IT, can you believe it I stopped at 10.............
Right before I left for Disney's EarMarked Conference and right after I spent weeks and weeks being sick I hosted a Disney Cruise Line House Party!
What's a Disney Cruise Line House Party you ask? So did I when Cole's football team just had to keep wining and Kim couldn't do the hosting anymore! Carol Beth called me and well, I am just crazy enough to do stuff like this - and she KNOWS it! Basically Disney sponsors the party - sends you an awesome House Party Box full of goodies for the host and the party goers and you go from there. I registered on the House Party Web site, uploaded a few photos and a video and started yakking with all the other Hosts and party goers. I also sent out the E-vites and personal e-mails to my guests.
OH, and I waited with anticipation for the House Party box to arrive! When it did finally arrive it was filled with very cool things! DCL balloons, napkins, gift bags, tissue, recipes, crafts for the kids, bandannas, eye patches and cool host gifts like The Totem Pole, a very limited collectors pin and posters. I had to lay it all out on the table and take lots of pictures of it.
Planning is in my blood so I began planning an awesome party! As usual I had more ideas than I could pull off especially since the flu sidelined me for weeks prior to the party. I did manage to set up some special moments for my guests.
The bathroom became a Mini-Spa Moment! After all the door has a lock on it and who wouldn't want to experience a nice sugar scrub and your very own hand towel!
The Hallway took you on a tour of Adventure by Disney's United States destinations and the shower curtain traced DCL Itineraries!
Downstairs became the craft center and movie theatre and of course we dressed up as pirates, princesses and Disney Fans.......to see that, well you had to be there!
What's a party without food? We had plenty of that! Marilyn always helps with the food and she kept the hot stuff hot and the cold stuff cold!
Giveaways? We had plenty Disney provided some, 3D Travel sent me some fun things and of course I had to add a few Mickey Themed stuffed animals and mugs. Everyone signed up on Mickey hands I cut out using my Cricut! Then we just pulled names out throughout the afternoon.
We played pass the Totem Pole and answered questions about Disney Cruise Line and played a few rounds of Disney's Scene IT! I brought out all my Disney scrapbooks and filled a photo frame with tons of photos from our 25th Anniversary Cruise. Read more about that here.
Disney sent an awesome video all about cruising and of course the newest ship the Disney Dream and who could resist imagining themselves riding the AquaDuck atop the ship? I can't wait!!!!! You wouldn't believe how much time I've spent trying to figure out how to put that video right here for you to see, but I just couldn't so you'll have to go here to take a virtual ride on the AquaDuck. We spent some time thanking Disney for making this a tube slide and not a body slide - you'll understand after you check out the video!
The bonus to all this fun was each person took home a special token - a sweepstakes token for a chance to WIN a FREE Disney Cruise! They also went home with a goodie bag filled with recipes, deck plans, cataloges and other goodies.
I'd love to do a party like this when the weather is warm enough to spill outside and use the pool and turn the whole yard into Disney Fun, however one thing is certain when you bring great people together with Disney you can't help but have a great time, and make a few magical moments! I'd be glad to help you make some Disney Cruise Line Magical Moments!
Would you like to cruise the Bahamas, Mediterranean or off to Alaska? Click here and see how close you are to making some magical moments of your own!
1. Soarin' - Row 1 Center, there's no better place to be!
2. Illuminations - Breathtaking, dramatic, and every year I feel something different when I watch it.
3. Test Track - my family says it's just like driving with Mom.
4. Living with the Land - Yes, I know you may not even bother with this after the excitement of Soarn' but it's one of my favorites I love seeing all the innovative ways they can grow things.
5. Spaceship Earth - if you've been paying attention you'll know I love History, and so I love this attraction. A trip through history in 15 minutes and a chance to imagine the future. Magnificient!
6. The American Adventure Show - I love my country! I cry when the flags come by during the 4th of July parade, when I see a soldier in the airport.
7. Akershus Royal Banquet Hall - Princesses unite! After dining with many princesses over the years this is my favorite.
8. Cantina de Angel - order the nachos, take a seat behind the place and enjoy looking over the World Showcase Lagoon.
9. Mouse Gears - it just wouldn't be right not to mention a place I wouldn't leave Epcot without going to now would it? I mean, I've got to see what new and unusual souveniers they've come up with.
10. Journey into the Imagination with Figment- you can catch me humming this tune even when I'm nowhere near Disney. I love the upside-down rooms!
11. Voices of Liberty - catch this A Capella ensemble before The American Adventure Show.
The weather outside is frosty - but sunny and I am dreaming of sunny and WARM Florida!
I'm wondering where I want to dine this year, which resort I really want to stay at, and how I can talk my husband into staying 14 nights. (yes honey I am). My mind keeps thinking of this years Ultimate Field Trip - what states will be represented, how many kids we'll have and what kind of meets and events we'll do. I love planning things! I love bumping into them on the bus and in the parks. I love meeting everyone, singing It's a Small World and smiling.
Yes, I like to smile. I'm smiling now. I used to get in trouble for smiling as a kid. Something awful would be going on that I was oblivious to and I'd be smiling - irked the adults in my life to no end.
I like to watch kids discovering new things, having a blast in the most magical place I know of, the kindness of strangers and the magical moments everyone is capable of creating for each other.
I love creating my own magical moments. We take mini thank you cards and pass them out to Cast Members and families we meet and look for as many opportunities to bless others as we can. My daughter has her own special way of creating magic while we are there too - you can read about it here. I guess that's why I love being a travel agent. I specialize in magical moments - making impossible vacations possible or calling clients to tell them about new specials and how they are going to get a thousand bucks worth of gift cards for free. I was smiling that day! I really enjoyed saying "YES" to a grown-up when she sheepishly asked if she could dine with Tigger!
What will we be celebrating this year? We'll be volunteering with Disney in the Give a Day, Get a Disney Day program. I'm planning on making a magical moment by donating my ticket.
2010 I'm sure will have many ups and downs and probably a few surprise trips in store for me - I'm really looking forward to it! I'm ready for the Magic of 2010 to begin!
The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is one of those places that is truly magical for me. I wonder do you feel the same?
1. Pirates of the Caribbean - Jack, Jack, I'm here........... seriously this was one of my favorite attractions long before Jack Sparrow arrived on the scene. I remember as a teen gazing at all the figures thinking surely some of them were real. I think it would be wonderful fun to dress up as a live character and surprise a few seasoned riders like myself!
2. The CASTLE! Why is it that women and young girls alike think the castle is theirs? A glimpse of the castle on a sunny day still takes my breath away!
3. Main Street USA - I'm walking right down the middle of Main Street USA - maybe it's the music, the hustle and bustle, the picturesque castle awaiting me as i descend down the street, but my step quickens, I start singing or humming along and I know I am in a Magical place!
4. Peter Pan's Flight - I'm not quite sure when I realized I was a Peter Pan fan. I have no real childhood memories of Peter Pan at all - so it must have started when I purchased a Peter Pan book for my son Paul. He loved to be read to and there in the middle of the mall right outside the bookstore we sat and I read it to him. We watched the musical with Sandy Duncan, then the Disney version, and somehow over 20 years later I have emerged a Peter Pan fan - loving all things Pan including Hook, Neverland and everything in between.
5. It's a Small World - YES I like it - NO it doesn't creep me out or anything. I think it's a wonderfully fun place and I am amazed at how complex it seems and how much Disney can do with some wood and glitter paint!
6. Dole Whip Float - I have to add Float onto this because what can be better than a regular Dole Whip? More pineapple juice poured over to make it a float.... you've got to try it to believe it!
7. Tomorrowland Transit Authority - Don't ask me why - I just don't know but I like it!
8. Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress - There's a great big beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of everyday - I love history, I love the way the rooms change, I love the song. I wish they'd update the last room it's no longer visionary like it used to be, I want to see what's coming next!
9. Mickey's PhilharMagic - my favorite 3D experience ever!
10. The Hall of Presidents - The first time I visited WDW I was in high school. The next time I was married with my first child. We went every year for 10 years then took a 10 year break and have been back yearly ever since. I have never forgotten how impressed I was with this attraction. I still am. (Repeating myself) I Love history!
11. SpectroMagic - my absolutely favorite parade! Brings smiles and tears everytime!
12. Wishes - Music, storytelling, Tinkerbell and firworks - need I say more?
I'd love you to share your Magic Kingdom top 10 with me! If you want to relive your top 10, add to it, or make your first one I'm here for you!
In December of 2008 we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary on the Disney Magic! I've picked a few of my favorite photo memories (I took 1,114 photos) and I'm hoping you'll comment and let me know which one you like best or share your favorite memories!
Memory #1
Augus and Auke the very BEST in service I've ever had! Entertaining, on the ball, polite, funny, and professional all wrapped up into one fabulous memory!
Memory #2 Key Lime Pie, Key Lime Pop in Key West!
Memory #3 The friends we shared our 25th Anniversary Cruise with!
Memory #4 The surprise our children set up for us with a little help from Kim and a wonderful cabin steward!
Memory #5 Calypso Magic - They created Magic for us daily with their music and song!
Memory #6 Celebrating my 25th Wedding Anniversary with my high school sweetheart!
Memory #7 Disney Magic!
Are you ready for your own Magical Cruise? Click here, or e-mail me and I'll help you plan your own Magical Memories!