That Disney Life

 It's been a long time since life said slow down and share your life with others. Since the last Around the World with Ridge post, the Growing up Disney Family got a little bit bigger. 

I met my now wife, Tara, years ago but we lost touch for a while. Then via some social media I Snapped a picture of the gates of WDW and without thinking she commented how she loved Disney and our connection was reborn. 

It didn't take very long to realize we were right for each other and become inseparable. 

I'll take the time to go into more life details down the road as I would very much like to kick off Growing Up Disney with our new story but I haven't gotten to the best part. 

While 2020 brought a lot of hardships, we were not able to have our magical Disney wedding we spent a year planning. However; God saw fit to give us the most perfect baby we could have hoped for instead. 

Charlotte

She's already well on her way to Growing Up Disney with two Trips to Walt Disney World already under her belt. 

We look forward to sharing our Disney life at home and on our trips. Sharing things we learn along the way. 

Charlotte, Tara and I look forward to continuing to Grow Up Disney. 

More to come.... 

Photo Flashback! Goodbye Rosie

This past Friday, I said goodbye to an old friend, my beloved dog, Rosie.  She was a good companion to me for almost 16 years.  I couldn't let her passing go without sharing a few photos.  After all, she was quite a cutie and full of spunk.  Rosie became a part of the family while I was in college and was my sidekick and protector through 4 states, marriage, and two babies.  I will miss her greatly but I am very thankful that we had so many years with the 'furry kid'.

Still looking good at age 15.  July 2012

Amy and Rosie on our first day together.  March 1, 1997

Just checking out this new thing (Tink) we brought home.  April 2009

She was patient when the girls wanted to sit with her, put hats on her, etc.  I'm sure the fact that they gave her lots of snacks helped.

Sweet Rosie

When we named Rosie, of course I went through all of the Disney options first.  Ironically, I really wanted to name her Tinkerbell however it just didn't fit her.  So she didn't have a Disney moniker but she wore her name on mouse ears.  I picked up that tag years ago at the Emporium and had it engraved at the watch shop across the street.  

Recently on our Facebook page, I asked about your fur babies and it cheered me up to read all the creative names.  Do you have a pet with a Disney name? ~Amy

Christmas at Walt Disney World

Christmas Decorations 2012

Christmas at WDW

Christmas is first and foremost a celebration of the birth of my Savior, Jesus. 

Secondly I believe it is a time for children and their families to be together.  Over the years some of those family celebrations have made their way to Walt Disney World.  I absolutely love the Christmas Decorations at Walt Disney World.  I guess I'm just a big kid so I guess that's part of the reason I love Christmas at WDW. 

Below are a few of the times we have been to Walt Disney World durring the Christmas season. 

DisneyDad's first trip December 1971
With his Dad & Mom and Neices Lori and Lisa

DisneyDad and his bride Christmas Eve 1973

Christmas 1973

Christmas at Old Key West 1997
Chris & Amy

Christmas Decorations were up November 2012
Amy, Tink, Andy, Minnie

Lamp post on Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom 2012

May you and your family have a Joyous and Happy Christmas!

--DisneyDad

Guest Post: Why we've preferred our Disney cruises over the other guys

We were fortunate enough to have cruised aboard the Disney Dream this past May and aboard the Disney Fantasy this past September. Previously, we had cruised on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). Our favourite experience? Our Disney cruises... By far.

Our cruise on the Dream was the first cruise we had been on that actually felt like a family vacation. On our NCL cruise, for example, we felt very much in the minority having a child with us. On Disney Cruise Line (DCL), as like in Walt Disney World, we felt completely comfortable and at ease having a toddler and pre-schooler with us.

Everything onboard is constructed and organized for a family with children in mind. We can look at the stateroom itself for our first example. From the larger staterooms, to the bath tub in the stateroom bathroom, to the diaper genie in our room, we knew this was a place our children (and we, their parents) could feel at home.

Next, the pool/water areas are amazing. Despite the public health mandate that diapered children cannot be in the pool, Disney thought of everything for their younger guests. Both of my children loved Nemo's Reef (found on both the Dream and the Fantasy). It is a wonderful splash pad area themed after the Pixar favourite, Finding Nemo. For the older children, there is the Mickey pool (shallow), the Donald pool (deeper), Mickey's water slide, the Aqua Lab (on the Fantasy), and who could forget the water coaster, The Aqua Duck.

While all cruise lines offer formal nights in their dining rooms to allow guests to dress up and enjoy premium meals including lobster tails, DCL goes one better and also includes a pirate night. While formal nights appeal mainly to the adults, pirate night gives the young and the young at heart a chance to dress up in costume and enjoy pirate-themed menus and entertainment. 

This brings me to the fact that DCL offers the only fireworks at sea. On pirate night, not only are the guests treated to Mickey's Pirates In The Caribbean show out on the pool deck, but this show is then followed by the Buccaneer Bash and fireworks. It is really a spectacular night. 

All of the entertainment we saw on the Dream and Fantasy were top-notch. The shows are all directly or loosely based on Disney stories, perfect for Disney fans like us. What was really special, though, was the fact that all of us (parents and children) could enjoy the shows together. They enjoyed seeing some of their favourite stories and characters come to life, and we enjoyed watching the talent and special effects on stage.

Although we've enjoyed the food on all of our cruises, we really enjoyed the rotational dining that DCL offers. Switching dining rooms each night while retaining the same servers is a unique experience. The servers were truly the best we've ever encountered. They made the effort to entertain the children at meal times, and tried to diffuse situations (read: tantrums) when they were getting tense. They helped be that extra set of hands that we sometimes needed, like cutting up my son's food for us!

The restaurants on the Dream and Fantasy are experiences all on their own! The Enchanted Garden which, during the course of the evening, changes from dusk to moonlight, is a beautiful sight. The Royal Palace (Dream) or The Royal Court (Fantasy) is definitely the most elegant restaurant and certainly makes you feel like royalty. It is themed after the Disney princesses and the chandeliers in each restaurant are not to be missed. Last, but not least, is Animator's Palate. This was our favourite restaurant, although they were different in each ship. On the Dream, the big "show" in Animator's Palate is the Crush show. It is similar to "Turtle Talk" at Epcot. Crush swims through the restaurant stopping to talk to guests along the way. On the Fantasy, guests are asked to draw a person on their placemat prior to dinner. Throughout the evening, different scenes involving food from Disney movies are shown on the screens. Finally, to conclude, our drawings come to life on the big screen. If you're lucky, they may even be shown along some Disney stars in the movies! It is really something to see!

Lastly, Castaway Cay was definitely a highlight of both cruises. There is something there for everyone! For those wishing to relax: beautiful turquoise water, soft sand, an abundance of palm trees, but also varied activities for the more active folk. Rent a bike and ride around the island, or take the kids to Pelican Point and enjoy the water slides! Enjoy the sting ray encounter, or Spring A Leak water play area. Don't forget to do the Castaway Cay 5km run before  everyone even gets off the ship! 

We have heard only good things about the Oceaneer's Club and Oceaneer's Lab, however, we did not use these children's areas on our cruises. Our next cruise is scheduled for April 2013 and we intend to take full advantage of these clubs at that time. A report will most likely follow that cruise!

While this article was made to be a review of our experience, and not an in depth analysis of any particular area of the cruise, I would be happy to go into more detail of any part of our cruise. Please leave your request in the comments and check back, because it may be featured in an upcoming article about DCL cruises.

Contributed by Danielle from Ontario, Canada.  She and her husband are Disney Vacation Club Members and visit Walt Disney World several times a year with their two children.  She writes The Fairytale Family and has her own blog, Life As A Disney Mommy.  She is a Minnie Mom here at Growing Up Disney.

Magic Kingdom Silhouettes, A Family Tradition

Silhouettes are one of the unique souvenirs available to you at Walt Disney World.  The one on the left above is of me at age 3 on my first WDW vacation.  The one on the right is of my daughters and was done in May 2012.  Tink was also three years old and Minnie was 11 months and enjoying her first visit.  I plan on having the girls sit for these from time to time.  It will be a fun way to watch them grow.

I was surprised at how quickly the artist worked.  We didn't have to wait long at all and with two squirmy little girls right before a parade in wicked heat, that was a blessing.

The silhouette of two faces is about $17 and you get two mirror image copies.  That's not bad for such a personalized item.  If you'd like their oval frame, it is reasonably priced but I chose to frame it myself.  The backing paper is a standard 5x7.  

Our silhouette was done near the Christmas shop in Liberty Square.  There is also a cart on Main Street and I believe one in France at Epcot and at Downtown Disney. 

The Disney Parks Blog had a nice post on this topic including a video.

Have you had a silhouette done of yourself or your family? Is this a must-have souvenir for you?

~Amy

"Best Of" Week: How Do You Do It?

I received an email from a reader today questioning how we go to Walt Disney World so often.  He also inquired as to the careers of our team.  First, thank you, Jerry, for the kind email.  Second, I am a stay-at-home mom but the men in the family work in engineering, computers and insurance.  They all make a good living but nothing outrageous.  So...how do we do it?

As you mentioned, we are a Disney Vacation Club family.  That has made all the difference.  My parents bought in 1993 and while it is still a good program, it was a better value back then.  Without that decision, this blog and most of its stories would not exist.  DVC members are eligible for reduced price annual passes and some discounts around property.  We also take advantage of the discounts offered to annual passholders and Disney Visa cardholders.  Speaking of Disney Visa, we get credits back on our purchases and we use that toward vacation.  My husband and I run everything we can through that card and pay it off every month.  This allows mundane purchases like groceries to add more magic to our trips.  I've given my brother a Disney gift card and my dad Tables in Wonderland for birthday gifts in the past. 

We all live within 575-650 miles of Walt Disney World which allows us to save money on transportation by driving.  My brother tends to travel solo but he watches Southwest and has been able to fly on some very low fares.  And now that we don't all live nearby each other, WDW gives us a chance to visit each other and catch up a bit.

Back to Tables in Wonderland, that is a discount plan available to annual passholders, Florida residents and DVC members.  For $75-100 per year, you get 20% off of table service meals plus a few other perks.  When we are going more than once in a year and/or traveling in a group, it can pay for itself quickly.

As far as the blog goes, DisneyDad has been going to WDW for 40 years so that's a lot of stories, plus when you add in the lovely friends who write along with us, it does look like someone is always traveling.

And I guess the biggest thing is that this is our main hobby.  Some people buy boats; we go to Walt Disney World.

This post originally appeared on Growing Up Disney on May 22, 2012.  

Photo Flashback! Like Mother, Like Daughter: Ear Hats Over 30 Years Apart

I guess some things are just always moments you want to capture, like your daughter watching a Magic Kingdom parade.  We've done it again, but these two shots were not planned.  I was looking through some of Dad's old photos and realized the one of me looked familiar.  

Tink watching Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! at Magic Kingdom, May 2012, Age 3

Amy watching the 3:00 parade at Magic Kingdom, May 1979, Age 3

Update: A few readers have expressed an interest in the 1979 Magic Kingdom parade.  Follow the link to see Mickey, Minnie and Donald by the firehouse.

Happy Father's Day: The Men of the Growing Up Disney Family

Happy Father's Day to you all from Growing Up Disney!

As a tribute to the wonderful men the girls and I are blessed to call our own, I'd like to share a few special photos with you.  (I wish I'd thought to do this for Mother's Day.  I'll have to find a Queen Day or something to celebrate my mom.)

DisneyDad with Minnie and Tink on Main Street USA, May 2012 

My husband, Andy, with Minnie, Spring 2012 

Andy and Tink at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort, January 2012 

Uncle Chris, Old Key West, April 2010 

Andy's Dad, Jim, at Tree of Life, October 2007

Andy and his brothers, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, April 2005

DisneyDad and me, Main Street USA, May 1979

Our Minnie Mouse First Birthday Party

Today my Baby Minnie turns one.  What a year it has been!  To celebrate this milestone, we decided to take her to my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama to meet her Southern family. We invited family and friends to join us on Minnie's special day.  (She hated the car seat for a long time so this was our first trip home since we made a quick stop during our move from Oklahoma to North Carolina.)  

The birthday girl

Big sister, Tink

No offense to those people who plan the very elaborate parties I've seen online but I have no idea how they have any money or sanity left after all that.  We had to carry the decorations and such over 600 miles and still have room for ourselves in the van so we kept it fairly simple.  When the Disney Store was having their big 25% off sale, I bought the light pink personalized ear hat.  I ordered Minnie Mouse headbands, a Minnie Mouse first birthday bib, pink sprinkles, and three styles of cupcake liners from Party City.  I don't think they showed up in any of the photos but for the cupcakes, we had Minnie Mouse, pink with white dots and black with white dots.  I bought lunch and dessert sized plates and napkins at Walmart.  They had polka dotted napkins that perfectly fit the theme and were cheaper than the Disney version.  The noisemakers, table covers, streamers, balloons, and Minnie candy were also from Walmart.  I picked up utensils and such at Dollar Tree.  The three section Mickey bowl was from Target a few years ago and I found the small Minnie bowls there a couple of months back.  I also already had the white Mickey serving plate.  The Mickey pretzels were from the store at Old Key West from our recent WDW trip.  I had also meant to look for more Disney candy while we were there but it slipped my mind so the ears of the black bowl were filled with strawberry whoppers and strawberry cheesecake jelly beans.

My parents deserve a huge amount of the credit for the party being such a success.  DisneyDad was in charge of the food and we had yummy hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, baked beans and potato salad for lunch.  Mom baked and iced the cupcakes.  I can only take credit for adding the pink sugar sprinkles on the top.

For entertainment for Tink and the other children, I brought a large and small hula hoop and several bottles of bubbles.  However, none of that was really needed.  Chris brought his dog, Tiger Lily, and all of the kiddos liked playing with her.  Also, we were at a nice park so the children played on the swing set and just generally ran around.  Tink became pals with the son of one of my friends.  He had brought his magnifying glass so they went exploring Sid the Science Kid style.

The headbands were really cute. 

This isn't a very good shot but I wanted you to see the napkins and plates.  Chris helped me combine the stacks so the pink and black would alternate.

DisneyDad is the hardest working man in birthday parties  

Mickey pretzels in a Minnie bowl

We had 25 people at the party so we had four dozen cupcakes.  (Thanks Mom!)

Destined to be smushed

Chris (Ridge) and me 

The girl of the hour and her proud daddy

DisneyDad in a rare still moment as we prepared for the party

Me 

Singing "Happy Birthday"  

The bib was a little too big since she wasn't in a high chair 

Messy girl

Tink and "Sid the Science Kid" had a blast

Uncle Chris and Andy trying to shed some light on the situation

Tink and her Aurora from Uncle Chris 

Minnie and her Belle from Uncle Chris

My Magical Blogorail pals recently did a loop full of ideas for a Minnie Mouse birthday party.  Click here for my article or here to start at the beginning.  

It was great to spend time with family and friends and celebrate Baby Minnie.  Thank you to those folks who were able to come out and join us.  We knew we wouldn't see everyone on a holiday weekend but that's when we could travel too.   Readers, thank you for joining us today for our virtual birthday party.