Day 1314: Book It

It's pretty obvious at this point that 2016 is the year of Disney trips. It's been a stark contrast to years such as 2013, when, initially, I didn't think I'd be going on any trips (despite the fact that I picked that year to begin writing for Everyday Disney), and really, four trips in one year, in less than 10 months really, is more than even I'm used to. I still have a trip scheduled for October, when I'll finally get to attend the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot for the first time since my childhood, but after that we didn't really have anything in mind. 

Until now. 

After some debating over whether or not we would go to Florida over Spring Break, similar to what we did my freshman year, we ultimately decided that just Mom and I would head down for another January trip, which just happens to be one of my favorite times of the year to visit Walt Disney World (next to Christmas, of course). We even added an extra day to our stay, making the trip the longest we'll have taken since January of 2015, which will offer for plenty of time to film videos and do some photography while avoiding rain and the cold weather. 

The point here is this: Disney fans have this problem, where if we don't have another trip planned for after our next trip, we'll end the day depressed and sad, so instead of just moping around wondering when another trip will fall into our hands, we take the initiative and just book another trip. Because, as Disney reminds us on our Magical Express ride back to the airport, the best way to get over one vacation is to start dreaming about the next one. 

Do you frequently have multiple trips planned at a time? 

Have a magical day! 

Day 525: Secret Garden

Day 28 of the Disney Photo Challenge: A picture of your favorite place to hide from the crowds. 

Blast from the Past: 

Hmmm, I really have to think about this one. Granted, when don't I have to think about the answers to these questions? 

Favorite place to hide from the crowds? I suppose I'll pick one from each of the parks, because I don't have a favorite overall because it depends on where I am. 

At Magic Kingdom I'd have to say that my favorite place to hide from the crowds is Tom Sawyer Island. Generally there are a bunch of people around there too, but at the same time, it's a pretty big island, and those tunnels provide for some great (although spooky) places to hide. During the holiday seasons it's normally busier, but I don't let it bother me. One doesn't HAVE to go over the barrel bridge, or to the Fort or the windmill...no, there are benches scattered all over. Find one and just hang out! 

Within the walls of EPCOT, probably...the jumping fountains, especially at night. During the day there are some people up there, but at night it's generally pretty quiet. The only reason it's really ever busy up there at all is because of the exit from Captain EO. It's a beautiful spot to hang out. Otherwise, you can normally find a quiet secluded place somewhere in World Showcase. And yes, the fountains really do JUMP. When no one's around (or even when they are) it's a great time trying to catch them in the air. I'll have to take you there in the vlogs! 

Hollywood Studios doesn't have a ton of little spots, but the Antique shop isn't very busy generally. My favorite place to hang out is in the backlot area, on the Streets of America. Especially in off-season, there aren't too many people back there. I don't know why, but there just aren't. Unfortunately during the holiday season you've got the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, so it's busier back there that time of year. 

Finally, Animal Kingdom. This is a great place to just hide out. I love going through the trails, where people generally travel pretty fast. But there are cast members everywhere just waiting to tell you about the animals, talk about their care, their natural habitat, anything! It's an awesome place to learn a little bit AND get away from the crowds. Actually though, if I remember correctly, as a child, my favorite place to hang out in this park was on this one dinosaur. My brother and I would spend what felt like HOURS on this thing as kids...although we're a bit too big to go and play on it now. There are often kids there, especially during the busy season, but sometimes...just sometimes...you can get him (or her) all to yourself. 

Back to the Future: 

I'm gonna narrow this down to just one, since the Jumping Fountains at Epcot really do probably top the list. I make it a point to head over there at least once a trip to take pictures and catch the fountains. It's calming, especially at night when Captain EO is closed and there are even fewer people.

But here's a fun fact for you! The Imagination Garden was actually Michael Jackson's favorite place at Walt Disney World, or so I've heard. He loved it there, and I can definitely understand why.

Because really, who wouldn't like chilling by the fountains, trying to catch them, while watching the monorail go by?

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 22).

Day 187: A Grad Party

Today was, finally, my Graduation Party. I guess I'm not saying finally in the idea that I was looking forward to it, but more-so because I was looking forward to it being over. Planning a Grad Party is just a lot of work, and these last couple of days have been crazy trying to figure everything out for it. You see, a couple of days ago I realized that I had nothing really planned for my party, but I knew I had to do something special. If I didn't do something Disney themed, for instance, I felt a bit like I was failing at life...and letting this blog down. It just seemed like something I had to do.

So I hit Pinterest, and came up with a few ideas as well as plenty of ideas of my own, and then I set to work with my friends and family. After a number of hours (ok, an entire day for me and Megan) we managed to get everything ready, and I'm really really happy with the results...even if technically they're already gone taken down.

I think my favorite part of all my decorations was the entrance. If you've ever been to my church or were to my party, you know that it's kind of confusing trying to find your way to the basement where we all were. So, I devised a plan on how to lead people there, and who better to lead them than Figment? I got the idea from Imagination itself, where towards the end of the attraction Figment's footprints lead you back to the Imagination Institute. I even replicated the signs from when you're headed to Figment's house in the first place!

But that wasn't all that was Disney themed at my party! As you can see in the picture below, there were plenty of other things going on too! Obviously there were plenty of Mickey's present. I had one at each table and several more on some shelves! Les Paul made an appearance, as did Sleeping Beauty Castle. I also had the screen set up so I could play a video that had "Memories" and "The Amazing Chase" playing every so often for people to enjoy. And finally I had board games for people to enjoy, and boy, did we enjoy those!  

Of course, the day wouldn't be complete without mentioning Everyday Disney! So on the doors as people left I had Thanks for Coming signs that encouraged them to check out this blog. If you, a person that attended my grad party, are reading this, then I'm super glad you came!!! It means a lot to me that you took the time and effort to check out my blog! 

So overall the party was success. Granted...Disney is so close that I can taste it, and now that this is over I can put all my focus on the fact that I only have a couple days left until I'm in Florida!

Here's today's Disney History: 1925: Walt and Roy Disney put down a $400 deposit on a lot at 2719 Hyperion Ave., in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles, California. They plan to build a new animation studio. The single story building will serve as Disney's base for the next fifteen years. 

Have a magical day!