Day 1313: All The Others

Per usual, after a Disney trip, I share a few of my favorite pictures from my time in the parks, especially pictures that won't otherwise be shared since they may not fit a specific topic. So, without me rambling any further, here are a few of my favorite pictures: 

I don't frequently grab one of the real cameras, aka my parents' DSLRs, but I had enough sense to bring along Dad's on my solo trip this July. While I didn't use it until the last day, it's obvious to me that some of my favorite pictures were taken with his camera, despite the fact that I only used it for a couple of hours. There's just something refreshing about the sound of a real camera in comparison to an iPhone, wouldn't you agree? 

Have a magical day!

Day 1115: Growing Up Disney

The six weeks of J-Term/Christmas Break have really been a time of reflection and thought for me. After the stress that piled up last semester and throughout the last couple of months, I was forced to really ponder the choices I had made, as well as the ones I am making, and I really came to the conclusion that I take a lot of my life for granted, which I think I mentioned briefly in a previous post. 

Nonetheless, it also got me thinking about all the things in my life I have and do take for granted. Many of them, obviously, rotate around my family vacations to Walt Disney World, such as going to the parks themselves or, more importantly, air travel. I've grown up in airports, and I now realize that many people my age have never even been on a plane. If they have, it's usually only once or twice, and I lost count years ago of how many flights I've actually been on. Likewise, I've been ordering off a menu and putting napkins on my lap since I was about three, so restaurants are a part of my nature as well. 

Even closer to home, however, there are still unique and extraordinary things that I've grown up with, like living nearby an NFL team. The Packers aren't the center of my universe, but I realized recently in a sort of ridiculous way that people from all over Wisconsin (and the world) are Packers fans, not just those of us who live near Green Bay. I grew up in the country in a large house, and even more so, my family ran a business, meaning somewhat flexible hours for both of my parents while some of my fellow students attended after school programs or were on their own until their parents actually got home after work. We took consistent trips to Milwaukee and Chicago and Door County and other nearby tourist locations, and even my time spent so near to Lake Michigan feels like a privilege. 

Long story short, as I headed to Walt Disney World this January I really thought about the ways that Disney has impacted the "normal" that is my everyday life, and I encourage you to do the same the next time you're in the parks too. After all, if it hadn't been for my trip to Disneyland, I'd never have watched Star Wars, and if not for my time spent listening to IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, I might not be a music major. What would my life be like if Disney wasn't such a key part of my life? 

What would yours be like? 

Have a magical day! 

(Note: This blog post was written on January 25 due to travel).

Day 837: Trying New Things

It's obvious already that this summer is going to be filled with new adventures for me. While in June I'm traveling back to Disney World, the trip will be different for me. New resort, no dining reservations, lots to do and for the first time since last July 2013, I'm not constantly thinking about a band trip video! Then comes Disneyland in August, and I've only been there once. However, I know what to expect this time and I'm thrilled that I'll have the chance to attend D23 AND meet some of my California friends and favorite Disney people! To add onto that, I've also got a band trip in there, which I'm going on not as a student or chaperone, but as videographer...a brand new position that I'm looking forward to exploring.

And so, while thinking about these trips, I realized that maybe I should use this as a chance to explore some new things. With my OUAT Disneybounds, I'm always experimenting with new styles, new makeup, and new trends that maybe I wouldn't have thought of before. It's been an incredible education experience and a great opportunity to modify my own style. And there's been a realization somewhere in there: a lot of times, in order to find the best way to do something, you have to continuously experiment. My wardrobe on my first summer trip to Disney in 2011 was drastically different from what I'll be wearing this June, and it's all come through experimentation and experience.

Of course, I'm not an expert on a lot of things, not by any means, other than maybe Epcot, as my common signature and social media handle suggests, but I do know a thing or two about traveling to Walt Disney World. However, that doesn't mean that an old dog can't learn new tricks, especially as I close in on my last couple of years of college and the realization that, once I graduation, I'll be doing a lot more traveling that I have so far in my life.

What's my point with all of this? Well, as you know well enough, I always have some sort of challenge that goes on during my Disney trips. I don't actually remember really having one in January, but I'm fairly certain that the sheer number of characters I met and things I accomplished counts. Regardless, I'm starting to compile a list for June, a list of new things I can try, whether it be a new challenge in the parks, a new video idea, a new packing concept or the simple fact that I'll be traveling with a different bag through the airport this trip, thanks to the fact that for the first time since 2008 I'll be traveling without my laptop.

Which means I'm looking to you guys, my readers and fellow Disney fans! I've got about a month and a half left before my trip, and while I won't be able to do absolutely anything, I'm looking for a few things. First off, what are some of your favorite attractions? I know mine, but that doesn't mean everyone loves Spaceship Earth on the same level as I do. Where are some of your favorite places to eat, especially counter service locations! Are there any video ideas out there you have or something you'd like to see in my vlogs (and new ones are coming, I really do promise I'm working on them)? Let me know! I'd love to hear your thoughts, ideas and opinions as I come up with a challenge for this trip! Traveling can be difficult, but I want to try out new ideas, just to mix up my routine, because who knows! There might be a better way to do things out there that I've yet to discover!

Have a magical day!

Day 732: The Ups and Downs

I have returned!

Yes, I realize that I'm currently writing this on January 11 and haven't blogged for the last ten days, but this was a scheduled leave, as my family, along with two of my best friends, head to Walt Disney World for another trip, and what a great way to start 2015!

And so, just as I did with my trip last June, I didn't blog during the trip and instead decided to choose on big topic for each day I was gone, writing them all after I returned (which obviously I have). In other words, for the next few days I've got a variety of things to talk about, all having to do with the trip I just returned from!

Today's topic? Planes.

It actually surprises me a little bit that I've never actually discussed this one, considering the fact that I've been on more airplanes than I can even count at this point (with 26 trips it gets a bit confusing). My family has traveled a lot throughout my life, sometimes by car and sometimes by plane, but for my two friends, the plane ride was a whole new adventure.

While there were things better and things worse throughout both flights, I think overall they're alright with planes, although really I can't say much about how they feel since I, obviously, am not them. On my own part, however, I really don't like flying. It's not as much about being afraid of flying, as I know I'm safe and have no fear of dying in a firey crash (ask me again after I watch LOST), but more because I just hate waiting to get on.

I'm a relatively patient person, except for when it comes to Disney Trips and Once Upon A Time. I generally am not a huge fan of waiting in lines at Disney, and no one likes waiting for the hiatus to end, but aside from that I am fairly patient, or at least I'd like to think. But waiting to get on an airplane? There's nothing I hate more than that.

I had a bad experience many years ago that really made me hate planes, and along with my regular motion sickness problems, sitting on a plane for two hours each way just isn't really my cup of tea. Oh how I don't look forward to the four hour plane ride that will take place when I head to California this summer.

Thankfully, over time I've come to be alright with flying in general. I have a system down, and I mastered security a long time ago, so I'm to the point now where I could probably do most of it in my sleep (and I do sleep...on the plane). I have to be honest though, lately, one of my motivators for being ok with flying is Jennifer Morrison, who I believe faced a total of around 70 flights during the filming of Season 3 of Once Upon A Time, and I know from a few of her tweets that she's not a real fan of flying either. So I figure that if she can make it through that many flights in such a short period of time, I can handle two within a week and a half.

More Disney to come over the next few blog posts!

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on January 11 due to the Disney Trip!)