Day 1312: Birthday Wishes

There are very few ways that you can celebrate your birthday that are better than celebrating at the most magical place on earth. 

While my actual 21st birthday was earlier in July, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to celebrate at Walt Disney World, especially since the trip was sort of like a birthday present. It's amazing how much magic one little birthday button can create, and I can't thank the amazing cast members throughout the resort enough for all the magic they created, from saying happy birthday to creating very magical moments for me throughout my trip! 

During my day spent at Hollywood Studios there was plenty of birthday magic to be had. Mickey threw me a birthday party (not a castle party...it's still too soon to bring that up), a wonderful cast member gave me a strawberry bar, and my lunch at the Brown Derby was made extra delicious by the entirety of the staff there! 

And then at Animal Kingdom, the staff at Tiffins brought me a special dessert with a candle (that I remembered to take a picture of before blowing it out), and at the end of the night, the staff of the Animal Kingdom Starbucks made a magical moment for me by gifting me a special Mickey-Shaped Cinnamon Roll (which was pretty much my favorite moment of the entire trip). 

After that I stopped wearing the buttons, as I was already overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from everyone I met, but honestly, I think the two days and three hours I was "officially" celebrating my birthday were almost better than the entirety of my actual birthday trip three years ago (although celebrating with my family was pretty magical too). But more than anything else, I was always aware of the fact that, for the week I was in Florida this July, I was there alone. I wouldn't be meeting up with my family later in the day for dinner, I wouldn't be seeing them for a Fastpass, and while I was alone, I never really felt alone. The cast members made sure of that, and they made me even more determined to return in just about a year to make magic for others just like me as a cast member myself. 

Have you ever celebrated a birthday at Walt Disney World? 

Have a magical day!

Day 1303: Going Solo

Everyone always talks about how it's dangerous to go solo...so you should obviously take a wookiee with you, and while I can't disagree that having a Wookiee by your side is frequently helpful (even when you have to admit to Chewbacca that you don't speak Wookiee), there are so benefits of the solo life. 

I've spent 20 years with my family and friends at Walt Disney World, and what a great 20 years it's been. But at the same time, we've developed our own preferences as to how we prefer to see the Disney Parks. Where I tend to slow down and can definitely go an entire trip without ever setting foot on Space Mountain, my brother adores the coasters. Mom prefers to head to the parks early in the morning, and I can often be found in them late, late at night. Dad sort of goes with whatever we're doing, but he too prefers to slow down, taking pictures while I obsess over video (a technique I learned from him). Jonny likes his churros and turkey legs, but after my trip this last January where he challenged me to eat six churros...I don't think I ever want to eat one again. 

The point here is this: a solo trip it's all that bad of an idea, and now, having experienced one for myself, I can tell you for sure that it's just as valuable of an experience as traveling with a larger group, and here's why: 

You can do whatever you want. It's pretty easy to say that this is one of the greatest reasons to travel to Walt Disney World or Disneyland alone. When I wanted to go to Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian and sit there for two hours reading my book while slowly snacking on my scone and sipping tea, I didn't have anyone around to tell me that we should be doing something else. And I must say, those two hours I spent there were some of the greatest of my entire trip. 

You're never really alone anyway. Aside from when you're sleeping at night with a locked door and an empty room, you're never really alone at Walt Disney World. On any old day, cast members are always more than happy to stop and chat with you, and if they happen to notice you're traveling alone, they're probably more likely to do so. I mean, the birthday button and the video camera really help too, but throughout my entire trip I never once felt like I truly had no one to talk to. 

You can find the quiet. I mentioned earlier that I like to slow down, and I'm not kidding. I often times would much prefer a walk around World Showcase than another trip on Test Track. But when you're part of a group, you're frequently attempting to do everything all at once, just to make sure that everyone in your party gets to see everything on their list. That means that when you're with other people, a slow afternoon ins't always possible, but when you're by yourself, you can speed up and slow down at your own pace. 

Fastpass+ and Dining are easier. I realized this trip that you can now finally make additional Fastpass+ reservations from the app on your phone, a topic I'll discuss in a later blog post. The thing is, as the day goes on, those fastpasses are harder and harder to come by, and the chances of you finding a Fastpass for one person are much higher than for two, much less four or more, people. The same can be said for dining, as with the exception of some of the most popular restaurants, you can usually walk up and get a table at most locations, especially if you're able to sit at the bar. 

Single Rider Lines can be used for...well, single riders. It's no question that families tend to abuse the single rider line, making wait times on attractions such as Test Track go up far beyond what they should be, but if you're alone, a single rider line can be pretty useful. I never actually used one, since I wasn't on any attractions with such a line or already had a fastpass, but I did make use of it when in open seating situations. I almost always managed to sneak my way to one of the best seats in the house simply because I could fit on the end of a row where a family wouldn't be able to. 

There are a few downsides to traveling alone at Walt Disney World, that's for sure. There's no one to chat with while in line, no one to help hold the camera when you want a picture, no one to share food with (and let's be honest...we could all use one of those), and really, fewer people to smile with. I'm not sure solo traveling to every amusement park would work, but for Walt Disney World, it certainly does. The cast members make sure you have everything you need, whether that be help with your room or bags, a special birthday cinnamon roll at the end of the night, or a smile and a high five. When you're traveling alone these thousands of cast members become sort of like your friends and family, because trust me, there was no lack of smiling on my trip. 

If you've ever been on a solo trip, I want to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Did you enjoy traveling alone, or do you prefer having a larger group with you? 

Have a magical day!

Day 1108: The Real Characters

Walt Disney World (and the Disney Parks all over the world) are made up of more than what is normally posted on the internet. Time and time again you'll see pictures of the castle and Spaceship Earth, fireworks, and characters. These pictures share part of the magic that is so special to the Disney experience, but there's much more going on behind the scenes, and it's all thanks to the amazing cast members that make magic possible every day. It's thanks to cast members like those we met on our trip to Walt Disney World that make every adventure a new experience.

During a day spent in Epcot, we slowly made our way around the park, stopping in each pavilion, taking in the sights and, especially, the sounds. It's how we ran into the performers of Serveur Amusant that you see in the picture above and became a part of their show, which I'm sure you'll see in the vlog that will be out soon on my YouTube channel. We happened to walk up as they were beginning their show, and, having heard the whistle from an earlier performance previously in the day, I figured Frank should stop and see what it was all about. Afterwards we were sure to stop for a picture with the performers the same way we did for two other Epcot based music groups: British Revolution and The JAMMitors.

As we met up with Mom on the first day, she mentioned that she was waiting to see the JAMMitors, one of my own favorite musical groups at Walt Disney World, and while on our walk around Epcot a few days later, we happened to hear guitars while walking through the United Kingdom and I led the way to a huge crowd that had gathered for the first set of the evening from British Revolution. Both performances were great and are a wonderful addition to your day at Epcot, so check them out if you're there! 

And then of course we have the two cast members that really inspired this post. First there's Clint (@clintfromdisney on Instagram!), an amazing Wilderness Explorer we met while at Animal Kingdom. We were waiting around for our reservation at Yak & Yeti and were planning on heading on the trail in Asia, but found it to be closed, and Clint was standing nearby outside, so we struck up a conversation about anything and everything Disney, definitely leading to one of the greatest cast member experiences I've had in a long while. And then on the right there's Yancy, the character attendant when we met Tiana and Naveen at Magic Kingdom. While we waited in line, he noticed our cameras and phones and reminded us to use #ILoveYancy when we posted the photos later that night. We, of course, had to snap a picture with him and were more than happy to use the hashtag, because honestly, who doesn't love Yancy? 

Unfortunately, we couldn't get a picture with every awesome cast member we met on this trip, but we're always appreciative of everything they do to make our stay enjoyable, like the hilarious bus driver we had on the way back from Magic Kingdom one night, who's name I unfortunately didn't catch, or the waitress from our lunch at Olivia's, who started our stay with plenty of very real hospitality. The cast members that work at Walt Disney World are such a huge part of the magic for me and every other guest at Walt Disney World and I can honestly say that I can't wait to join such an amazing team of people. 

Thank you to all cast members for all your hard work, dedication, excitement, hospitality, humor, and "ba-la-la-la-las." We miss you already! 

Have you had an amazing cast member experience? Let me know your story in the comments below! 

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on January 22 due to travel).

Day 510: Look Over Here!

Day 19 of the Disney Photo Challenge: A picture of something in the park that deserves more attention. 

Blast from the Past: 

My goodness...who came up with these? 

Actually, this one might be a bit easier. I think something people really need to pay attention to is the cast members. Their job isn't just to help you. It's to make your stay as magical as possible. Now, I often see people blow them off, but the large majority of cast members would LOVE to talk to you, to tell you about their experiences, and in Epcot, the cast members in World Showcase are literally from all over the world...each in their respective country. Ask them about their culture, their home, how they like the states, whatever. 

The cast members are amazing people, literally, they are. They have so many stories, they're there to help you, and they are there to make your day. Cast members often aren't paid a ton, but many stay on for a large majority of their lives just because it's worth it. To make a person's day when they meet Mickey for the first time, or to bring a special birthday desert to your table, or even just to meet someone and be able to help them...it's why the cast members are there, and it's why being a part of the Disney company is such a magical experience. 

The man in the photo is named Stan, and you can learn more about him HERE!

Back to the Future: 

This is difficult.

I certainly agree with my past self. I think the Cast Members that spend their days in the parks DO deserve more attention, simply because I know for a fact that they are an awesome bunch of people, and I literally CANNOT wait to become a part of that.

But as much as I would totally give the same answer, I've actually got a different one too!

It's the music of the parks! Gosh, there are SOOOO many wonderful music groups throughout Walt Disney World and Disneyland and I honestly feel like people need to stop and listen to them more often. I mean, I guess you see a crowd for some of them, but really, stop and listen to these spectacular groups, and then go chat with them afterwards! It's well worth it!

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 21).

Day 192: My Kind of People

Now, I noticed this throughout the entire trip, but this just happens to be the day I'm talking about it. You know how at the end of every single post on this blog, I end with "Have a magical day?" Well, it's one of my common phrases. I've had a phone for a year and a half now, but if I do ever get around to making a message for my voicemail, I'm sure it will end with that as well. I say to people once and a while, but not all the time. Mostly just with people that I don't see like everyday.

But that's somewhat beside the point. The basic idea is, I use the phrase, and none of my friends do. It's like foreign to them. At Disney, it seems to me that cast members use the phrase all the time. In fact, most people who go to Disney a lot do. We're just a "Type" I guess you could say.

I remember how on the Band Trip to Mackinaw Island, the owner of the Grand Hotel exclaimed to us that she was excited for our visit because we were a "different breed" of students compared to those that come for field trips and stays during the school year. Now, honestly, to this day, I can admit that I wouldn't call us a "different breed" as much as I would call us just hard working, dedicated people. Of course, we love to have our fun too, but we're going to be respectful and so on and so forth. So I suppose she was right.

The same can be applied to those of us who are huge Disney fans. We are simply a "different breed" of people. The pins on Pinterest surely showcase that fact. I mean, we, as Disney fans, will give anything for another trip to Disney, we don't throw away our napkins from ten years ago because they're "Disney Napkins," we become irrationally excited about a Disney Movie Marathon, sing Disney songs in inappropriate places and at inappropriate times, know that just because we wear mouse ears, ride in elephants, fly on magic carpets and cry when we see fireworks doesn't make us weird, but makes everyone else seem boring, and, my personal favorite, some people do drugs, we go to Disney. You see? These "truths," such as those I have featured on my "Disney Truths" board on Pinterest are universal facts to us, but completely confusing to the rest of the world.

I suppose you could argue that Disney is just like any other hobby, but I disagree there too. We truly are different, and we're better because of it. Just look at the world around you. Are you more positive because of Disney? Do you greet people with a smile on your face? When you're pointing to something do you use two fingers? Are you kind and considerate, or at least try to be? Do you dream up impossible things that will eventually become reality?

I can't say that I represent all of these facts myself, but when I was at Disney this past trip, I noticed that more than ever I felt like a member of the family. I was in my element there. It's my home, and I can't wait for the day that I become a Disney Cast Member so everyone there WILL be my family. Granted, I'm certainly not going to know every Cast Member, but the point still stands.

Oh, and if you're wondering, when I do become a Cast Member, I will always wish you a magical day!

For the complete adventures of my third day of Disney, you can watch below!

Here's today's Disney History: 1984: Nearly 400 cast members stand before Sleeping Beauty Castle to celebrate Disneyland's 30th Anniversary - a year early. The Cast Members have volunteered their time on this day to be photographed as part of a marketing campaign to publicize the milestone anniversary. 

Have a magical day!

Note: This blog post was written on July 26, after my actual trip was completed, due to editing and time restrictions.

Day 126: Disney Overload

I think it's pretty obvious that we all love Disney, but some times we have a day where we just get a bit too much. Well, not too much, because there's never enough Disney, but I was focusing so much on it today that my head started to hurt and by the time I finish this post I'll be more than ready for bed.

I had a discussion with my band director once again about our trip, and that's probably what made my head hurt. I generally can go on for hours about Disney history or the layout of the parks or what attraction is which and who it would be good for, but thinking about reasons as to why we should stay on property, add an extra day to the trip and watch where we're dining...it gets to be pretty serious conversation! And I'm no where near finished!

But I do have to say that part of our conversation was about how this trip, no matter what, is going to do nothing but make me mad. And he's right, and I know that. I will be the opposites. I will be the student who has the best trip, since I have spent me entire life dreaming of marching down Main Street with my band. But I will also be the student with the worst trip, since everything will be so structured and I am so much more experience with Disney than anyone else on the trip (and as much as my brother hates to admit it, not even he comes close).

Still, I can assure that I want to help with this trip, and I feel that it is my responsibility to help, because I want this trip to be the best it can be for everyone else. I was asked which of the four parks I would go to if we could only do three, and while I am certainly more of an Animal Kingdom person, I have decided that Hollywood Studios would be a better option for the group. Will it make me happy? No, but will it make the trip better for everyone else? Yes. It isn't my band directors job to make me happy, and I'd rather be unhappy than have everyone else unhappy. This is their trip, and I am going to make my dream of marching down main street come true, not to spend more time at Disney (although that's a plus).

And so, I've put on my Cast Member in Training Thinking Cap, and I've been working to make this as magical as it could possibly be for everyone going. Not for me, not for my family, but for the group as a whole. Yes, I have an influenced opinion, but I also know more than enough about Disney to promote whatever it is the band decides on, and I will be just as excited for this trip whether or not we stay on property (we need to...just saying), or if we go to Kennedy Space Center, or if we skip out on Animal Kingdom.

Because when it comes down to it, all that really matters to me is that parade (and riding Spaceship Earth), and seeing people close to me experience something that I've had the wonderful opportunity to experience for my entire life. And as a person looking to make experiences like that for the rest of her life, there's going to be nothing more worthwhile.

Tomorrow's blog post will be less hard core thinking...hopefully!

Here's today's Disney History: 2011: Originally reopened as a limited engagement run last year, the Captain EO attraction at Tokyo Disneyland will now remain a permanent attraction.

Have a magical day!

Day 112: Snow White's Scary Adventures

The other night, as I was going through my tumblr, I was fortunate enough to find this video. I normally don't watch a lot of these things, but since I was on my laptop and finally am able to do such things again, I hit play. What I was expecting from the comments was a touching story...I didn't expect to cry through almost the entire thing.

The video embedded below is from one of the final days of Snow White's Scary Adventures at Walt Disney World, and the story is of a severely autistic boy named Ben, who has been enchanted with the attraction since he was a young kid. He holds the record for most times on SWSA, with 3500 (a record set thanks to cast members who kept the attraction running after hours just for Ben and his family so he could reach that goal and be the last to ride).

But when it was announced that SWSA would be closing to make room for the New Fantasyland expansion (in this cast, SWSA will be released with a Princess meet and greet sometime in the future), Disney did even more to make it up to the ride's most treasured guest. It was arranged for Ben and his family to have a private meet and greet with Snow White herself, and then, for the family to ride the attraction with the Princess. How amazing is that?

You all know that I love Disney, and I know not everyone is going to love it like I do, but this is one time I really hope you watch this video. People always tell me that Disney is just for kids, and that the magic isn't really real. that there isn't anything for them at Disney and that it's just another theme park. But I think this video is proof. We aren't all Ben, but this still shows that Walt Disney World, along with the other Disney parks throughout the world, are places where the magic does come to life. That cast members spend every single day striving to make things like this a reality, and that, most importantly, it's not just another theme park.

And you know what, I can't wait for the day I can help make things like this a reality.

Here's today's Disney History: 1964: The World's Fair in Flushing, New York, is opened by U.S. President Johnson for the 1964 season The fair features over 100 pavilions on approximately 646 acres. The fair also includes 4 Disney attractions, for Ford, General Electric, Pepsi-Cola and the State of Illinois. The fair will run through October 18, 1964 and then reopen again on April 21 for the 1965 season. 

I'd also like to wish Animal Kingdom a very happy 15th birthday, and wish you all a very Green Earth Day!

Have a magical day!