Entry 2: Disney
Hello Travelers. Based on my first entry, you were probably expecting to read about my second whirlwind adventure in a faraway land. Unfortunately, life doesn’t always work out that way. With young children, we had to stay closer to home for our adventures. This post is about my second great love (besides my husband, kids, and fur baby): DISNEY!
First Trip to Walt Disney World
My first trip to Walt Disney World was in October 1998. At that time, I only had two kids, ages 10 and 4. As our departure date approached, so did Hurricane Georges. The Gulf Coast is no stranger to hurricanes, and we were quite familiar with them. I kept calling the resort, and they assured me that they were not in danger and that the parks were fully operational. We set out early in the morning and drove from Texas to Orlando in a single day, choosing to stay at a hotel outside the park that night. The next morning, we woke up bright and early and headed to the Disney All Star Sports Resort. From the moment we arrived, we were amazed by the landscaping, decor, pool, and all the magic that Disney offers.
Experiencing the Magic Kingdom
After checking into the hotel and having them hold our luggage, we went straight to the Magic Kingdom. The bus ride itself was an adventure for the kids, filled with their favorite songs. Once inside the park, our first stop was a gift shop on Main Street USA, where we bought an autograph book. The first characters we saw were Doc and Bashful. My 10-year-old son eagerly ran to greet them, while my daughter screamed in terror. As you get to know me, you’ll see that I’m a bit of a control freak, always trying to plan for every possible obstacle. This was one I didn’t anticipate! From that moment, we had to stay alert for character sightings and keep my daughter distracted while my son collected autographs.
Magical Moments and Family Memories
The trip was truly magical. I cannot recommend visiting Walt Disney World with your children enough. It can get very hot in the summer, so take the kids out of school and visit during the cooler months. Everyone will have a much better experience. After Minnie sat in the booth with my daughter at a character dinner, her fear disappeared. She got to see her favorite character, Ariel, and was thrilled. My son rode all the rollercoasters repeatedly. Watching their pure joy, and experiencing my own, was wonderful at every turn.
Hurricane Georges and the Journey Home
Remember Hurricane Georges? It did pass over Florida but then headed straight for Mississippi, directly on our route home. We monitored the weather reports closely each night. The evening before our departure, we decided to head north and then west to return to Texas. Mother Nature has a funny sense of humor. We ended up driving through torrential rain nearly the entire way home. Looking back, I wish we had stayed another day at Disney and simply ignored the storm. (NOTE: Disney Park tickets get cheaper the more days you stay!) We finally made it home; our suitcases packed with amazing memories.
Cheers!
Travel Tip #2
Disney is magical at any age — and staying at a Disney resort makes the whole experience even more special. You’ll have free transportation right to the parks, early entry before the general crowds, and extra evening hours just for resort guests.
The best part? There’s truly a resort for every budget, from charming value options to stunning deluxe properties. As your Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, I love helping families find their perfect fit. Reach out — I’d love to help make your Disney dream a reality!
Hello Travelers. Based on my first entry, you were probably expecting to read about my second whirlwind adventure in a faraway land. Unfortunately, life doesn’t always work out that way. With young children, we had to stay closer to home for our adventures. This post is about my second great love (besides my husband, kids, and fur baby): DISNEY!
First Trip to Walt Disney World
My first trip to Walt Disney World was in October 1998. At that time, I only had two kids, ages 10 and 4. As our departure date approached, so did Hurricane Georges. The Gulf Coast is no stranger to hurricanes, and we were quite familiar with them. I kept calling the resort, and they assured me that they were not in danger and that the parks were fully operational. We set out early in the morning and drove from Texas to Orlando in a single day, choosing to stay at a hotel outside the park that night. The next morning, we woke up bright and early and headed to the Disney All Star Sports Resort. From the moment we arrived, we were amazed by the landscaping, decor, pool, and all the magic that Disney offers.
Experiencing the Magic Kingdom
After checking into the hotel and having them hold our luggage, we went straight to the Magic Kingdom. The bus ride itself was an adventure for the kids, filled with their favorite songs. Once inside the park, our first stop was a gift shop on Main Street USA, where we bought an autograph book. The first characters we saw were Doc and Bashful. My 10-year-old son eagerly ran to greet them, while my daughter screamed in terror. As you get to know me, you’ll see that I’m a bit of a control freak, always trying to plan for every possible obstacle. This was one I didn’t anticipate! From that moment, we had to stay alert for character sightings and keep my daughter distracted while my son collected autographs.
Magical Moments and Family Memories
The trip was truly magical. I cannot recommend visiting Walt Disney World with your children enough. It can get very hot in the summer, so take the kids out of school and visit during the cooler months. Everyone will have a much better experience. After Minnie sat in the booth with my daughter at a character dinner, her fear disappeared. She got to see her favorite character, Ariel, and was thrilled. My son rode all the rollercoasters repeatedly. Watching their pure joy, and experiencing my own, was wonderful at every turn.
Hurricane Georges and the Journey Home
Remember Hurricane Georges? It did pass over Florida but then headed straight for Mississippi, directly on our route home. We monitored the weather reports closely each night. The evening before our departure, we decided to head north and then west to return to Texas. Mother Nature has a funny sense of humor. We ended up driving through torrential rain nearly the entire way home. Looking back, I wish we had stayed another day at Disney and simply ignored the storm. (NOTE: Disney Park tickets get cheaper the more days you stay!) We finally made it home; our suitcases packed with amazing memories.
Cheers!
Travel Tip #2
Disney is magical at any age — and staying at a Disney resort makes the whole experience even more special. You’ll have free transportation right to the parks, early entry before the general crowds, and extra evening hours just for resort guests.
The best part? There’s truly a resort for every budget, from charming value options to stunning deluxe properties. As your Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, I love helping families find their perfect fit. Reach out — I’d love to help make your Disney dream a reality!