Saturday, October 8, 2011

Minnie Moms: Disney in the Fall, Fall is MY Season

Amy: Fall is my family's prime time to take a Walt Disney World vacation. Over the years, we have visited WDW during every season but we always come back to the fall.

The big draw for us in October and November is the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. This will be the 16th year for the festival. It took a few years to gain steam but now it's one of the biggest events of the Disney year. I'm sure you know all about it so I will spare you the details. It's become especially important to us since my husband and I moved away in 2005 (for a silly thing called a paycheck). My family, and occasionally Andy's parents too, will meet up at Walt Disney World and spend a week enjoying the parks together. Having that designated time of year for our trip helps everyone plan vacation time and such. We experience the festival both in our large group and in small clusters, just like we tour the rest of the parks.

Enjoying the Ireland booth in Ridge's honor
when he couldn't join us in 2007
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is a truly fun event. In 2006, my family went as a big group: DisneyDad, Mom, me, my husband, Ridge, and a friend. We had lots of fun. I mainly remember cutting up in the blacklights outside of Haunted Mansion, some great guest costumes, and scoring good seats, aka rocking chairs, for the parade. Dinner before the party was at Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge so we took a boat to Magic Kingdom. Approaching the "spooky" park by water was very cool. Last year, Ridge and I went alone, courtesy of Kelly at Travel with the Magic. As bloggers, we took lots of camera gear and posted pictures as the night progressed but we also made sure to have fun along the way. That was also when we met Natalie of Meet the Magic, who I am proud to say now writes for us as a Minnie Mom. My first time with the Boo to You Parade was in 1997 during my college program. I was able to watch it during one of the dress rehearsals open to Cast Members. Now that grants you a prime spot on the curb, no camping out required.

Makeup + blacklight = scary

The Growing Up Disney family plus buddy, Ben
ready for MNSSHP

Fantastic costumes!

While I don't care much for Halloween as a holiday, I do love the fall decorations, especially on Main Street at Magic Kingdom. The clever jack-o-lanterns and clusters of leaves are such a cheery way to celebrate fall. And it makes you feel like it's jacket weather, even if you get a late October heat wave like we did last year.
Ridge and cousin Jason in 2008

Since we've begun blogging and connected to the Disney online community, fall also means meeting new friends, such as Natalie. In 2010, Growing Up Disney held a meet at Writers Stop in Disney's Hollywood Studios. We had a wonderful time chatting in person with some super people and not being limited to 140 characters (and eating carrot cake cookies). We also met up with some friends for Electrical Parade and Wishes, as well as attending a meet with the family from Mousekefoodies. A real thrill came when I was able to meet up with Heather, one of my sorority sisters, whom I hadn't seen since college. She writes here too from time to time and has shared some great tips.

Garden View Lounge for tea with Heather

Growing Up Disney meet

More GUD meet at Writers Stop

Glad to finally meet JL from DDL in person

Taking over the joint

The ladies from the Mousekefoodie meet.
The guys all jumped out of the shot to take pictures.

Fall at Walt Disney World in the last few years has also meant big announcements for my family. In 2008, just before the start of IllumiNations, I told my parents that they were going to be grandparents for the first time. In 2010, at Olivia's at Old Key West, Tink wore a "big sister" t-shirt to let them know the Growing Up Disney family was growing again. And no, I don't plan on another announcement in 2012 unless someone has a child they need me to adopt.

Tink, oblivious of the big news she's wearing,
enjoying Duffy stickers at Olivia's


Thank you for joining us as the Minnie Moms reflected on what makes Fall at Walt Disney World so special. If you've missed any articles in this week's series, I invite you to read on and enjoy the other wonderful Minnie Moms. While you are here, browse around to all our features and terrific staff and guest writers!


Other posts in this month's series:

2 comments:

  1. Preaching to the choir, lady! Planning Barney's first trip for the last week of September and first week of October next year... Hope to see you there!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yay Becca! I hope you have fun planning and that your trip is magical!

    ReplyDelete

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