Valentines Day in Walt Disney World

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We all love to be in love, the butterflies in your stomach, the constant thinking about that person… now add that feeling to the surroundings of Walt Disney World and you have THE perfect moment. We knew our first Valentines Day as FL Residents had to be wonderful, meaningful, and memorable.  We decided on dinner at Trail’s End at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground and then a romantic stroll among the crackling campfires.

Dinner was for 5:00 p.m., and we had no problem getting reservations the day before. We could have ate anywhere, many places were open, but we had never done dinner at Trails End before so we had to try it out.  After parking, grabbing their bus, we were on the porch by 4:45 with beeper in hand.

After a game of checkers where I was about to beat Craig badly, our beeper went off and it was dinner time!  We had a nice table away from the business of the restaurant, and enjoyed the ribs, fried chicken, baked potatoes, and salad.  We finished the meal off with apple cobbler, completely satisfied with our choice.  The buffet wasn’t as big like Boma or Tusker House, but it had enough variety to keep us happy and full. 

After we walked near the water and watched a beautiful sunset, we came up upon the horse and carriage. A beautiful white carriage and gorgeous black horse stood in front of us, and Craig surprised me by paying the cash to the gal and giving me his hand to get in. “Really?” I said. We are pretty tight with our money and we budget everything, so it was such a surprise to me that he was splurging on this evening.  I was over the moon excited!

I had never been in a carriage before, and being in one in Walt Disney World, it was so magical! We clip-clopped past beautiful scenes of mossy trees while the sun set in the distance.  Our Cast Member was incredibly friendly and kind, and she filled us in on all types in information on the Campground and Horse Stables. 

The ride was supposed to be only 20 minutes, but ours pushed 45 because she took us into the camp sites area so we could see all the neat RV’s, Mickey decorated sites, and one of the cabin sections.  It cost $45, flat, so if there was tax included, it was in that amount.  We were not allowed to touch or pet the horse, Brady, but I so wanted to hug him after she told us he was one of the horses they use in the Magic Kingdom for the Headless Horsemen.  She said “We let him use our horses, and we get to keep our heads.” LOVE IT!

It was SO worth the money, and it made our first Valentine’s Day in Disney World EVER, the BEST! I highly suggest to do it at least once, and no, you don’t need reservations to do it- but I do recommend it during high peak times and holidays.  I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

Magic, Memories, and You- Valentines Edition… an AA Vlog

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So beautiful, so amazing, so wonderful. Enjoy and Happy Valentines Day!!

What You Missed in Chat Last Night…February 13th, 2012

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As always, our group had a blast getting together and talking Disney! Our trivia question was “What do they call “Canada” in the future in the move “Meet the Robinsons?” The answer was North Montana and our winner received a deck of Haunted Mansion playing cards… congratulations! Every Monday we give away something from Walt Disney World, so make sure to stop by every Monday to have a chance at winning a piece of the magic! 

Here is what we discussed:

  • We talked about the Yearbook. Here is YOUR chance to be a part of the Disney Community by adding your picture and bio to it – check out who is in it so far HERE.  Interested? Email me a picture of yourself, name, city, state, and any other info you feel comfortable sharing.
  • We chatted about “Once Upon a Time” which is a fabulous show on ABC on Sunday nights- I am IN LOVE with that show, it’s the best!
  • We discussed “Fridays with Friends” and who was still interested in being one, as well as who was also still interested in our Birthday Club.
  • Craig checked in to chat LIVE from Epcot- signal wasn’t the best so he wasn’t able to stay long.
  • We talked about flash photography on dark rides…pet peeves at WDW seemed to be a hot topic
  • Did you know where Constance, the bride in the Haunted Mansion, stores the heads of her beloveds? We do!
  • We talked about great places to eat for Valentines Day on WDW Property

 We hope to see you next Monday- it’s always a great time! Have a great day!

 

Travel Agent Tuesday… Meet Kristine Banas

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My story is as follows:
I have been a pretty avid Disney traveler since my first visit in 1976.  I was a Disney fan from the time I was a young child.  When I started doing Disney traveling myself, I sunk my teeth into learning everything possible about resorts, and the parks and restaurants.  After I took several trips, people started asking me for help planning their trips.  I did that for years.  Then, I started thinking “I am really good at this, why should I not get paid for it?”  So, after getting divorced in 2004, and then in 2006 I re-met my new husband (pretty cool, we met in 1978 the first time).  My husband Paul and I went to WDW on our honeymoon in 2010.  We stayed at the Polynesian, and it was a great trip for several reasons.  He had not been to WDW since 1975….so, I was like his personal tour guide, and it was so fun because of that! 

 
I met a person on Facebook who works for the agency that I am with right now.  We started chatting about it, and she said I seemed really enthusiastic about it.  So, I applied, and had to pass 2 phone interviews with the owner, and her manager.  They hired me 2 days later.  I graduated from the College of Disney Knowledge in November, and booked my first trip 5 days later.  I have now booked my 4th trip for a new clients, and am working on another one.  I love doing this, and all my clients have said they are so excited about their trip because I am excited for them.  I love passing on my enthusiasm to my clients.  I am meticulous about details, and give complete concierge service that my agency provides.  I am working for a wonderful agency called Wishes Family Travel where the main office is located in Gaffney, SC.  I work out of my home in the Chicago area.  Our agency “motto” Trained, Traveled, Trusted!


I have attached a copy of my business card for the information about the agency I am with.

Birthday Club List and Announcements

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Good Saturday Everyone!

I am posting the list of Birthday Club names here so that everyone can make sure they are on it, or who want to be on it, are added.

How this will work is simple.  Every 25th of the Month, everyone on the list will be EMAILED or PM’D the addresses for the following month of Birthdays. You are to keep these to yourself- we are not sharing them with anyone else, and I have the master list and will know exactly WHO has received the addresses so if anything happens with them, I will know who had them.  Let’s keep this fun, if we fall into a drama trap with this or someone abuses someone’s address, they will be removed immediatedly and if it continues, the club will be disbanded and done.

Make your cards, buy your cards, whatever you would like to send, send. This isn’t meant to make you go broke, so have a great time with it.

We will be starting with the list for MARCH Birthdays on February 25th. Check your emails, and your private messages on Facebook. Once you have them, you can send the cards for that month at any time.  Again, send these because you want to, and if everyone sends them, everyone should be happy. LOL  If  you can’t do this, please let me know and I will take you off the list. I want this to be fair, but also send to brighten someone’s day. If you are only doing this to get something for yourself, you may be disappointed if others don’t reciprocate- so please go into this as something fun and expect you made someone smile.

Again, if you DO NOT see your name on this list, email or PM me and I will add it – thanks!!! Have a great weekend!

  1. Monica Francis
  2. Tracy Hicks McKinley
  3. Eric Blauvelt
  4. DeeAnn Diaczynsky
  5. Jenny Overman
  6. Amy Keller
  7. Carol Hanken
  8. Lynn Green Brooks
  9. Diane Welch
  10. Angie Topolinski
  11. Michelle Hyatt
  12. Merry Shippee
  13. Maggie Crocker
  14. Michelle Whalen
  15. Michelle Boyer
  16. Jennifer Makin
  17. Jenny Trogdin 
  18. Jodi Rice
  19. Kris Banas
  20. Cheri Lord
  21. Sherry Jackson
  22. Dawn Hall
  23. Liz Driscoll
  24. Shari Matz
  25. Carolyn Adams
  26. Bernice Kitt-Verhoorn
  27. Cheryl Baran

Fridays with Friends… Meet Rebecca Gonzales

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What is your name and where do you live?

My Name is Rebecca Gonzales; I live in Ft Walton Beach, FL.

Where did your love of Walt Disney World come from?

When I was very young my family started going to Disney.  I have so many great memories.  We would go two or three times a year and stay weeks at a time.  Disney has always brought me such happiness.

What is your favorite WDW Park Attraction and why?

Haunted Mansion.  I remember when I was five I would cry and cry when we would go on that ride because I was afraid of the ghost, but every time we got off I would cry because I really wanted to go back on it.  Riding it now just makes me feel happy!


Who is your favorite Disney Character?

I would have to say Snow White.

What is your favorite food on WDW Property?

Funnel Cake from Sleepy Hollow!! YUMMY!!

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

To be part of the Disney Imagineering team!  It would be awesome to create Disney magic.  


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

Yes, I collect Jim Shore’s Disney statues. I love them!

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

Always! I have stayed at many resorts at Disney I have stayed at Disney Inn (which is now Shades of Green), in the very early 80’s we stayed at The Treehouse Villas, Polynesian (my fave), Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge and also the Villas, and Pop.

 What is your favorite WDW Memory?

My favorite Disney Memory is when my hubby and I took my youngest for the first time, he was two, I was taking video of him and my oldest (5) and as soon as we walked onto Main St. I asked my youngest where he was and he said “I right here mommy” I said no Caden where are you? And he said “I right here mommy” and my oldest looked at me with the most lost look on his face and said “mommy you are recording him you know where his is”. My hubby and I laughed so hard.  I of course wanted him to say he was at Disney World. Now every time we walk onto Main St. we always say, Caden where are you?  He is now 13. 

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

I would buy a house at Disney’s Golden Oak. Oh how wonderful that would be!

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

Yes, WDBoards, WDW4brits, D-Cot, The Magic of Disney, The Disney Addicts, Disney and Beyond, and of course The Relocated Tourist!

Anything else you would like us to know about you?

I am a mother of two wonderful boys, Marcus 17 and Caden 13.  I have been married 18 wonderful years to my hubby.  And like many of us, I am a HUGE Disney addict!