Category Archives: Fridays with Friends

Fridays with Friends… Meet Jamie Robbins-Longoria

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What is your name and where do you live?
 
Jamie Robbins and I live in the southeastern suburbs of Chicago, Illinois (I am 5 minutes from the NW Indiana border) 
 
Where did your love of Walt Disney World come from?
 
I started visiting the World when I was very young, about 3 or 4 years old. My mom and I continued to visit every year until I was about 15, then it was about every 3-5 years. My most recent visit was August 2011 and our next trip is May 2012. I plan to start our own tradition of visiting every year or two with my own daughter. I enjoy the feeling of relaxation and peacefulness of being on WDW property and having fun with friends and family. 
 
What is your favorite WDW Park Attraction and why?
 
I love soo many of the attractions it is so hard to choose. One of my favorites at The Magic Kingdom is The Haunted Mansion because there is such a great story throughout and there is so much detail to see during the ride! Plus it is just the right amount of fun and spooky! 
 
Would you like to move to FL? When and why?
 
YES!! Hopefully within the next 3-5 years! I want to move to the Orlando area to pursue my dream of becoming a Cast Member! Plus I can’t stand the COLD Chicago winters too much longer!
 
Who is your favorite Disney Character?
 
Eeyore, Stitch, Figment, Belle, and of course Mickey!
 
What is your favorite food on WDW Property?
 
Dole Whip! 
 
If you could work for Walt Disney World, what would be your dream job?
 
When I was younger I said I wanted to be a tram attendent. I think now I would enjoy being either a Photopass photographer or a character handler. 
 
Do you collect anything Disney, and if so, what?
 
I have about 20 pins and a few Vinylmations from the 40th anniversary. I have a growing collection of plush, snowglobes, and mugs. I would love to eventually collect more Disney picture frames, decor pieces, and art pieces.
 
Do you stay on WDW Property, and if so, where?
 
Stayed at Fort Wilderness Campgrounds in 1999 and All Star Movies in 2011. Looking forward to Port Orleans French Quarter May 2012!
 
What is your favorite WDW Memory?
 
My daughter’s 5th birthday/my 32nd birthday this past August 2011, when we ate dinner in Cinderella Castle overlooking Fantasyland! Being able to meet her favorite Princess’ INSIDE the Castle was amazing! Seeing the smile on her face and her telling me “It’s so magical Mommy” made me SO happy!
 
If you won a million dollars that could only be used for WDW, what would you do with it?
 
This is a tough question, that is a lot of money. I would probably buy into DVC and purchase annual passes for the next 25-50 years, enjoy a month long vacation at the Polynesian, purchase anything I wanted from World of Disney including a few Dooney and Burke purses, and find a way to purchase passes for random guests coming to the TTC!!
 
Are you involved in any Disney Communities, Groups, or Websites? Which ones?
 
You can find me on WDW Radio (www.wdwradio.com) as eeyore79 on the forums/jrobbins79 on the weekly newcast chat and also a columnist at WDW FanZone (www.wdwfanzone.com)
 
Anything else you would like us to know about you?
 
My friends say I am Disney obsessed…I just say I am a Disney Fanatic! Everyone has things they enjoy the most and mine is Disney!! I try to get to Disney events when I can, from Disney on Ice shows, to Broadway in Chicago performances of Mary Poppins and The Lion King, to meet and greets with Disney Channel stars! I saw it’s for my daughter, but I enjoy them just as much, if not more! :)
 
 Follow me on Twitter @jrobbins79 and check out my blog at http://mydreamingcorner.blogspot.com/

Fridays with Friends… Meet Erik Anderson

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What is your name and where do you live?

My name is Erik Anderson and I am from Minnesota.

Where did your love of Walt Disney World come from?

I have loved Disney since I was a young child, but my love of Disney really amped up in 2003 when I went to Walt Disney World for the first time. Since then I have become extremely obsessed with all things Disney.

What is your favorite WDW Park Attraction and why?

My favorite park attraction is Pirates of the Caribbean! I just love the theme and this may sound weird but I love that Pirates of the Caribbean smell. Last time I was down there in June 2011 I actually went on it 40 times and got a Magical Moment certificate for it. I was really nice because I got to know the Pirates of the Caribbean cast members.

Who is your favorite Disney Character?

My favorite Disney character is Belle, and Beauty and the Beast is my favorite movie of all time even including non Disney films.

What is your favorite food on WDW Property?

Oh how can I answer this! :) I love Disney food, not sure why but everything tastes better on Disney property. I absolutely love the Tuna Sandwich at Columbia Harbour House. I love anything from Casey’s Corner, and I can’t go a trip without buying a few Mickey Premium Ice Cream ears.

If you could work for Walt Disney World, what would be your dream job?

I have a few different dream jobs when it comes to working for Disney. My first choice would of course be an Imagineer, but I would also love to be a cast member in Pirates of the Caribbean, or a  Keys to the Kingdom tour guide.

Do you collect anything Disney, and if so, what?

Some of the things I collect are pins, vinylmations, DVDs, Beauty and the Beauty merchandise, and Pirates of the Caribbean merchandise.

Do you stay on WDW Property, and if so, where?

I usually like to switch it up, when I stay on property. But my favorite resorts are Caribbean Beach Resort for moderate, Contemporary Resort for Deluxe, and Pop Century for Value.

What is your favorite WDW Memory?

Wife memory: My all time favorite memory would have been in 2007, in March 2007 I got married to my best friend. I wanted to get married in Walt Disney World but she didn’t because of all the people that would have to pay to come, which I completely understood so she told me that we could honeymoon there instead so I agreed. I was an amazing week, we wore our wedding ears and just married buttons and everyone was so nice to us. She isn’t a big Disney fan, but she pretends to like it just because it makes me happy and I love her for that.
Friends memory: My favorite Walt Disney World memory would have to be my last time down in 2011. I met some fantastic people after only talking to them through the website www.fromscreentotheme.com, we call our selves Wedfriends. You won’t meet a nicer guy then Brent Dodge who runs the site. Riding Splash Mountain with a log full of Wedfriends was truly an amazing experience. Spending time that week getting to know everyone more was just so rewarding and it makes you feel good knowing that people you don’t know in person actually care about you and want to know more about you. I will never forget the time spent with them during that week.

If you won a million dollars that could only be used for WDW, what would you do with it?

I would buy a Disney Vacation Club property and invite all my Disney friends down and just enjoy the moment.

Are you involved in any Disney Communities, Groups, or Websites? Which ones?

I am on a lot of different Disney forums, there are a few sites that I don’t go on anymore because of some issues with the people on the sites. The site I go on multiple times a day is From Screen To Theme. I recently found out about The Relocated Tourist, and it is such a fantastic site. Congrats to you Amy! Keep up the great work!

Anything else you would like us to know about you?

I am looking for a job in the Orlando area in order to move down there. I have had enough of Minnesota winters, plus I have met some amazing friends that are living in Central Florida or that are planning on moving to Central Florida in the near future

Fridays with Friends… Meet Mark Weaver

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What is your name and where do you live?

Mark Weaver from Lexington, KY

Where did your love of Walt Disney World come from?

Going to the Millennium Celebration at Epcot back in 2000.

What is your favorite WDW Park Attraction and why? 

Living With The Land!  It’s one of the attractions that still has the “feel” of EPCOT Center, and is very much something Walt would have envisioned.  It shows a history of how things were done and keeps with the Future World theme of showing where humans need to be when it comes to using the land wisely, yet remaining fun at the same time!

Who is your favorite Disney Character?

Stitch!

What is your favorite food on WDW Property? Can I answer twice? 

Breakfast food would hands down be Tonga Toast at the Poly, and Lunch/Dinner would be the Cheddar Cheese Soup from Le Cellier!

If you could work for Walt Disney World, what would be your dream job?

A manager in one of the resorts or working in EPCOT.

Do you collect anything Disney, and if so, what?

Anything EPCOT Center, some pins and Millennium merchandise.

Do you stay on WDW Property, and if so, where?

Pop Century is my favorite resort!

What is your favorite WDW Memory?

The first time I took Libby and Tim to Disney, when we walked into MK the first night of our trip, the music for Spectromagic hit, and a CM gave us an up front seat.  The look on my family’s face is one of the best things of my life.

If you won a million dollars that could only be used for WDW, what would you do with it?

Use it as a down payment for Horizons 2.0.  (Kidding).  I’d use it to give kids and families who may not have been able to see WDW, a chance to do so.  I’d also take my family for one amazing trip

Are you involved in any Disney Communities, Groups, or Websites? Which ones?

I run Illuminating Epcot (www.illuminatingepcot.com) with my wife Libby, and I am a co-host of the Generation Mouse Podcast (www.generationmouse.net).  I also participate in the Be Our Guest Podcast Forums, as well as the WDW Radio Forums.