My folks were artificial tree people, my Dad worked insanely long hours, working two jobs- so an outing to search for the perfect "real" tree just wasn't in the cards for us. We had LOADS of other really sweet holiday traditions that I remember fondly, but having a real, live, National Lampoon's Christmas tree was never one of them. (Which if we are using Chevy Chase as our measure of success, that's probably a blessing.)

When my husband and I were first married and living in our first, painfully small apartment we decided our first Christmas should be celebrated by buying a live tree. The trip to pick out the tree was fun, the smell of this new, live tree was magnificent and we felt decidedly VERY Hallmark Channel Christmas. However, when EVERY.SINGLE.NEEDLE systematically fell from that tree, hid in carpet fibers, and created an EPIC post-holiday disaster, we decided our real tree days were done. From then on, we would invest in the fullest, biggest, pre-lit and most fake tree...

‘Twas the night before Disney and all through the house,

No one was asleep, too excited for the Mouse!

Our bags were long packed, placed in the car with care,

Trimmed with magical luggage tags, so they too would get there.

The kids tossed with excitement and glee in their beds

While visions of Mickey bars swirled in their heads.

And with me perusing my list and he checking his,

We found how impossible getting rest is.

When all of a sudden the panic struck me.

I jumped up, hit the light, as I needed to see!

I pulled out my trusty planner, checking it twice.

This feeling of dread, it was really not nice!

Touring plans were made, reservations secured

Our days planned to a “T” so we’d never be bored.

The flights were confirmed, the boarding passes in hand

Along with a map of New Fantasyland.

What could I have missed, I have covered it all?

I’d spent 12 months planning so we’d all have a ball.

Some coins for pressed...

Frozen Coke fans will be happy to know you can get your fix at TWO locations in the Magic Kingdom! Westward Ho Refreshments is now serving our favorite frozen concoction!

Previously, the only places to score a Frozen Coke in the Magic Kingdom were at the Lunching Pad in Tomorrowland and Prince Eric's Village Market in Fantasyland-where you could add flavored syrups.

When the Magic Kingdom first reopened following the covid-19 closure, the Lunching Pad and Prince Eric's Village Market remained closed. While the Lunching Pad has reopened, its operating hours are severely reduced and it is not open every day. I learned that the hard way. Prince Eric's Village Market remains closed as of this blog post.

On my visit last month, I stopped by the Westward Ho Refreshment booth looking to see if they were still selling a breakfast sandwich-pictured on the above outdated menu photo (they were not) and noticed the Frozen Coke Slushy was added to the menu alongside the Lemonade Slushy that...

Yes. The end. (I typed that as a joke to myself as I head into the 11th hour of the day at my computer and intended to delete it. But... maybe you got a laugh, too! Enjoy a glimpse into my personality.)

Facebook groups are incredible for business,  more so than business pages, and I'll tell you why. They let both you and your audience get personal. Facebook groups are essentially communities, where like-minded people gather to have conversations about a common focus. Unlike on most business pages, you can let your guard down, use slang, be human and make a real and authentic connection with your audience. In other words, it's not all business.

You might be wondering:  "if it's not all business, how does it benefit your business at all?" Good question! It not only benefits your business but it can also propel it further than you've ever imagined with a simple, authentic formula:
Know Like Trust.

You see, inside a Facebook group or "community" (which I refer to mine as)...

BREAKING NEWS from the Walt Disney World Resort!

Official details below, but one thing is for sure, this may be the LEAST CROWDED CHRISTMAS in Disney history! If you are thinking of celebrating the holidays at Disney this year, let us be your travel planning partners! Our services are free when you book your vacation with us. Get the ball rolling with this quick and easy quote form!

"A reimagined holiday celebration will begin Nov. 6, 2020, at Walt Disney World Resort, with the four theme parks, Disney Springs and Disney resort hotels decked for the season. Through Dec. 30, guests will discover seasonal food and drinks at The Most Magical Place on Earth, as well as special merchandise and enchanting new entertainment experiences.

When night falls at Magic Kingdom Park, projection effects will transform Cinderella Castle with a kaleidoscope of designs, including a whimsical Christmas sweater and a regal overlay of red, green and gold ornamentation. The iconic castle will provide...

Want to see what it's REALLY like at the Walt Disney World Resort now that it's back open after the lengthy covid-19 closure? During this previously recorded live video, I go over my entire visit from departing my home airport to hopping aboard the Magical Express four days later and everything in between!

Maybe you don't need convincing to book your trip, but perhaps someone you know does? Please feel free to share, there is some really helpful information inside!

During this hour-long video, I show viewers:

• The Check-In Process
• Resort Rooms
• Resort common areas
• Transportation
• Crowd levels
• Mobile ordering
• Mobile check-in
• Shopping
• Entertainment
• Character Experiences
• Safety Protocols
• and so much more!

If you are thinking of planning a visit for this year or next, my travel partners at Destinations to Travel are ready and so excited to be your Disney planning besties! There is ZERO cost to you for their expert planning services when you book your vacation with Destinations to Travel....

WARNING: CONTAINS A FEW SPOILERS

With park hopping suspended, a full day at EPCOT for parents with little ones can be a tough sell. With much of Future World under construction, the heavy burden of entertainment falls upon the World Showcase. At first blush, EPCOT's World Showcase is simply about food, drink, culture and shopping. BooooRING to most children.

I could spend the next 1000 words explaining that there are incredible attractions, outrageous desserts, plenty of character sightings and a whole lot of magic throughout all of EPCOT still, and that it is 100% worth a full day. But, I'm here to share details of one activity that could be a game-changer for your family's full day at EPCOT.

Remy's Ratatouille Hide and Squeak offered for $7.99 (AP/DVC discounts apply) is a scavenger hunt adventure throughout EPCOT's World Showcase. Guests are on the hunt for Remy (the tiny rat from the movie "Ratatouille") as he hides somewhere inside each of the eleven country pavilions. Once...

I have five reasons...

The recent news of the drastic operational changes made and measures the Walt Disney World Resort has taken to adhere to CDC guidelines in response to the Covid-19 global pandemic, dropped like a lead weight to the Disney travel community yesterday.

Earlier this week, we learned that when the Walt Disney World Resort reopens in mid July, it will be without fireworks, parades or character meet and greets. Many could forgive the loss of these experiences under the circumstances and still were willing to go forward with their vacations as planned. The collective sigh of relief from fans that they were reopening could almost be heard.

Then the bomb dropped. Disney announced they would be canceling all Disney Dining Plans, dining reservations and FastPass+ selections guests had previously booked, through the end of this year. Though not without feeling or regret, and the promise of priority re-booking opportunities or discounts, but the announcement came with...

Bust These 5 Animal Kingdom Myths to Boost Your Disney Vacation Experience

Also, try these challenges to enhance your experience!

by Suzanne Burmeister

If you’re excited about—or trying to convince someone else to be excited about—Animal Kingdom, then you need to confront these five common Animal Kingdom myths. You’ll find all the reasons you need to visit this extraordinary park and have the best time while you’re there!

Myth #1: Animal Kingdom is the Largest Park, so Get Ready to Walk A LOT! Reality: Although Animal Kingdom is the largest park at Walt Disney World (and the whole world!) at 530 acres, that doesn’t mean you’ll need to wear your best walking shoes. The walking distance around the park for the visitor is only 2.27 miles.

If you’re interested: Check out the other walking distances at the following URL (spoiler: Epcot has the longest walking path at 2.78 miles): http://knowdw.com/theme-parks/walking-distance-disney-world/...

We're living in strange times, friends. Disney parks have been closed for nearly two months and we don't yet have an opening date for nearly all of them. So many of our trips have been canceled and we are incredibly anxious to get back "HOME".

For most, that means a trip next year. Either because we just can't fit a trip into our schedules this year or we want to wait until the effects of covid-19 disburse enough so that social distancing is a choice, not mandated. But what can we do now to plan for next year? BOOK A BASIC PACKAGE FOR 2021!

Historically, packages for the following year aren't available to be booked until sometime in June. THIS year, the Walt Disney Travel Company is mixing things up! Knowing that 2021 was already going to be a banner year for park visits with it being the 50th Anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort and now with leagues of people rescheduling their trips from this year to next, something had to be done.

Let me introduce you to the Basic Package....