Monthly Archives: July 2010

Finding the Peace in Walt Disney World

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As each day passes of your vacation, you begin to wonder if you are on vacation or in boot camp. The expression “I need a vacation after my vacation” has never rung more true than at Disney.  I thought it would be fun to write about all of my favorite moments and places where I have found peace in the Walt Disney World area. 

It always seems to start with that first Disney Resort morning.  I wake up, the family is still asleep, and I creep outside the door on the balcony.  I can smell FL, feel the sun, and I see Palm trees ….I usually see someone pass me by, as I am still in my pjs and I smile and shout “I’m at Disney World!!”   After getting dressed, everyone is set, my next moment of “Zen” is walking down to the food court, feeling that warm sun, and having that first sip of something yummy to kick start my day. On a side note, if you wish to have peace in your room at any time, make sure you book a room away from the pool so you aren’t hearing constant noise while you are trying to sleep or relax.

Crowds can make and break a vacation, and learning how to avoid them and the most crowded areas, time of days, etc… will be an instant peace giver.  Here are my favorite peaceful places and things to do at each park:

Magic Kingdom

  • Find the little dead end streets off of the main paths and enjoy parking it on a bench for awhile, enjoying the music and scenery around you.
  • Head to your favorite ride while a show/parade is on to avoid lines and crowds.
  • Grab a Casey’s hot dog or ice cream cone from the Main Street Bakery and enjoy a rest in the seating area below the Noodles Station.
  • Take in the air conditioning at a favorite store-enjoy shopping before it gets busy at the end of the day.
  • Board the Steam Boat, lean against a railing, and enjoy the view.
  • Find an empty row on the train and enjoy a good old train ride.
  • Head to the balcony of Cosmic Rays with a nice cold soda, and enjoy the view of the Castle.
  • Ride the TTA to get off your feet for awhile, feel a nice breeze, and get a great view of Tomorrow Land.

Epcot

  • Let the crowd rush ahead of you to “Soarin” and take your time walking to that area, making sure to stop at Sunshine Seasons for a donut of some sort.
  • Enjoy walking in the “Soarin” line… the music, the feel, the smell, I just feel at peace in this area.
  • Close your eyes on the ride “Soarin” when you feel the breeze, or smell the oranges…simply nirvana.
  • Another relaxing ride can be “Living with the Land” which is a great journey through the green houses and a nice long one, which helps the sore feet, depending what time of day you go.
  • A wonderful peaceful walk can be found as the “World Showcase” is just opening- everyone is still in Future World usually, so it’s a nice and quiet.
  • The gardens at the U.K. are not only beautiful, but have great places to sit and people watch.
  • Enjoy a bench located anywhere around the water, especially with a yummy drink or snack.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • Enjoy a walk down the Boulevard in the afternoon when the crowds are thinned out.
  • Take a drawing class in the nice air-conditioned Animation building at a reasonable pace.
  • View the “One Man’s Dream” attraction where you can see the history of Walt Disney in a museum type atmosphere with a touching film at the end.
  • Stroll through the back streets with a cold beverage… always quiet back there.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

  • I love to find the path less taken and enjoy the scenery and animals.
  • Flame Tree Barbeque has some of the best seating for enjoying a nice meal while viewing Expedition Everest.
  • The Gorilla Trail is so peaceful, beautiful, and another relaxing moment early in the morning.

Around the rest of Walt Disney World, I have found spots that are not only peaceful, but are very much worth repeating.  The lobby in the Poly is one of the nicest places to relax and listen to the waterfalls as well as the campfire at night outside the AK Lodge.

Don’t forget the power of a beach chair and a fresh towel.  Grab a good book, your sunglasses and suntan lotion, and stretch out every muscle while the sun takes you on a warm nap.  I could use one right now.

No matter where you find yourself in the “World” make sure you find peace in your day. 

~Ellie Peters

Oh 2011 will be Disney Heaven…

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If you have been following us, you already know that we plan on relocating to Florida. The big news we would like to share is that we are officially moving in June of 2011!! We have moved our plans up a year for a number of reasons, the main one being we just don’t want to miss out anymore.

How did this come to be? Well, we have been painfully back and forth on moving this summer vs. moving in 2012, and then it hit us…2011 was a great compromise, time to save money for the move, each girl gets to spend one more year in the school they know, and its gives Carl time to keep looking for a job here, while I continue to work mine.

The benefits to moving in 2011 are HUGE! For one, Belle will get to spend her senior year living with us in FL and enjoy the time with us in our new state. Two, Jessie gets to start middle school with everyone else starting it in FL, helping her get used to it and not coming in late to it a year later. Three, if by the end of this year Carl still hasn’t found work, the plan is for him to move to FL in April to seek employment and our residency for when we all move down there to join him in June. Moving in June will also give us the entire summer to get acclimated to our new area before school starts in fall.

We have enjoyed trying new things in WI lately too, as this will be our official last summer here. Our next “to do” is get to a Brewers game, visit the Capitol in Madison, visit family, camp in Door County, and we hope to repeat our favorites like the Milwaukee Zoo and the House on the Rock.  We plan on returning to Wisconsin to visit family and friends, and of course I can’t miss the local Renaissance Faire here every summer (although after much research, FL has some amazing Renaissance Fairs to visit!).

Our planned vacation for this coming November still stands. It couldn’t come at a better time! This will allow the time for all of us to check out the cities we are most interested in, and let each girl see their possible new school – easing any fears for next year.  We are planning on going to a value resort and we have free dining, so the vacation will be affordable and very productive!

We are anticipating a grand and fun Christmas this year, again, our last in WI. We also plan on going sledding and even possibly ice skating once; to say we tried it as a family. Once the calendar turns over to 2011, we will be in full swing.  Carl will head out, and I will stay here to wind things up. We plan on having one MASSIVE garage sale next May, pretty much selling it all. And of course, we will be throwing a “Good-bye” party with our friends and family to see us on our way. Our hope is to document our adventures with video or pictures so we can share it all with you.

We wanted to update all of our friends, and family as this is a big decision in our lives. With God’s love and never-ending grace, we know that we can do it. We are very excited! Thanks for being a part of our big decision.

P.S. We are OFFICIALLY under a year on our countdown…WOOHOO!!!

~ Ellie

What to Expect when you are Expecting – Walt Disney World

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I know, it’s a take off the baby book. But when I thought of my “hot topic” for today’s blog, I thought about all of the expectations we Disney folk put on ourselves.  Whether you saved for months, or simply are taking the grandkids for dinner, everyone has expectations on what the true Disney experience is.  Let’s talk more on what a “healthy” expectation is and what a “toxic” one is.

The Healthy Expectations

I have been there – you have laid down $4000 for your vacation, from tickets to hotel, and you expect great service, food, attractions, and an awesome time.  I expect to check-in in a reasonable time period, I want to open my door to a clean and inviting resort room, and I expect that each park is open and up and running. You pay a lot to spend time here, so I feel these are certainly healthy expectations.

The Toxic Expectations

It is not “ok” to expect that your little one will be waking Tinkerbell, or will be chosen for the Jedi Academy, or be given the drawing from the Animator in the drawing class, or be doted on by every character.  Not everyone will have a towel animal in their Resort room, nor will everyone be the first in line at the hottest attraction of the day. Why am I being so blunt? I’m not trying to hurt anyone’s feelings or expectations, but if you maybe “hope” on some of the things I have listed, instead of “expecting”, I guarantee you will have a happier trip.

I have read many Disney Message Boards over the years, and I get really upset when I see “How can I make my trip more magical?” Um… aren’t you going to Walt Disney World?  Have you heard about our economy these days? I know MANY who are unemployed right now, including my own Carl. It’s a long road to deal with, and if you are fortunate enough to avoid it and head to WDW, your trip is already magical!

Now I know some of you are saying “But Ellie, it’s my Hubby’s Birthday” etc… I know, there are many occasions to celebrate. Yes, you SHOULD celebrate them while in WDW, just don’t expect a big deal about them.  Wear a button, buy a cake if you want, but more importantly, enjoy the time spent on that special day.

Let us know “your” Disney expectations!

~ Ellie Peters