For many many many years, before my kids were even thought of I was planning a hopeful trip for my eventual family to Disney. I started my kids Disney love before they were even born by collecting VHS tapes of all the Disney movies in hopes that I would extend my Disney love to my kids and I am happy to say that I have. Since the kids learned what Disney was and that it was not just movies, but an actual place to go I have heard the question many times “Can we go to Disney”. Each time I heard them ask my heart sank as I told them “Not this year maybe sometime in the future” as our budget and finances would never allow for such a trip.
As I have continued on in my blogging career I learned of a conference the Disney Social Media Moms, a conference that you are able to bring your family with you and it is at the one and only Disney. Since I heard about this conference 3 years ago I had hopes and dreams that I might be blessed with the opportunity to attend. While there is a cost involved it is a discounted rate from what the normal price would be and one that if I worked hard I would be able to attend (or so I hoped). Each year a very select few (about 150) bloggers are invited to attend this event. A few weeks ago I received an e-mail from Walt Disney and to my surprise I opened it and it was an invitation to that very conference that would make it so I could make our family dream come true. To be honest had I received it any other point in my blogging career I would have had to turn it down as financially it would not have been possible. This year though I had been putting money aside in hopes of some type of family vacation as we have never had one in the 8 years we have been a family and with all we have been through with job loss and life changes I felt a vacation was needed for us. I was literally in tears as I read the e-mail and thought I probably should pinch myself to make sure it was not a dream.
I can not even begin to express the excitement that has been in our house the past few weeks or how absolutely grateful and shocked that the invitation arrived in my e-mail for us to attend. One of my days will be spent in a conference while hubby, my mom and the kids go and have fun but for me that is totally worth it.
I must thank each and everyone of you for being such a supporter of me and this blog because with out each and every one of you who has supported me, talked with me, and visited my blog my dreams never would have happened. I have a little surprise for you when I get home and wish that I could bring you all along with me but because I can’t I will be bringing home some Disney Magic for you guys as well.
Now for all of you who have gone to Disney what are the things I MUST do while there, any tips about the parks ect? I am open ears and want to hear it all (please)
Emily says
Congrats on the invite, I hope to one day be invited to! We have been to Disneyland California, spent a week there and it was a blast. I’m not sure what’s a must do at Walt Disney World. Maybe everything!
lisa tolbert says
Congrats! I hope you and your family have a Great Time!….
Tammy says
When is the conference? We are going in July, I have been using some sites I found online to plan our park days. The 2 I have used the most are easywdw.com & disboards.com. We haven’t been since 1999 and I feel prepared to get the most out of our time!
Congrats & have fun!
MidgetMomma says
the 9-14 of this month 🙂 and thanks its our first time and the whole house is filled with jumping kiddos asking if its time yet lol
susan ehlers says
congrats, we just got passes this year and first time going for my kids as well and for me it’s been about 10 yrs. so much has changed. The rain is kicking in gear so def bring a rain cover for stroller and ponchos as we found out they are $8 for a thin piece of disney plastic per person! Def bring water and drinks for kids in small cooler or bag you can bring snacks and sandwiches in too which saves bunch of money! We did splurge and buy a brownie ice cream sundae which was only $5 so that was a good deal I thought! Get the fast pass for long ride waits ex. Ariel and Winnie the pooh, can get up to two at a time. The continuous run shows are good when it rains and quick rides ex Country Bear Jamboree is classic show and Its a Small World, Pirates of Caribbean, and Enchanted Tiki Room relatively short wait go on those while wait for fast pass time frame. Take the Ferry Boat it’s quicker usually over to park if not staying onsite and have to go to main gate or use Disney Bus to get dropped at Magic Kingdom entrance instead of monorail or ferry. Wait time can get long at opening of park. Enjoy your trip you deserve it!
Corey says
Congrats! We are going this weekend! We are fortunate to live in S. FL so I have been numerous times, but this is my son’s second trip. Do plenty of research and check out the mom blog to answer any specific question you may have. This trip we are bringing all of our own food to save because there is no couponing at Disney! LOL! I heard that with young ones you have to get to Magic Kingdom when it opens and immediately get to fantasy land. There is a train right at the front that will take to you fantasy land quicker than you could walk. Otherwise, fastpass everything possible. Do the research and find out which rides have fast passes and make a plan. Disney has great tools and maps to plan the whole day(s). And of course visit mousesavers.com for helpful tips. Enjoy!
Maryann says
Congrats! We are going on the 28th. I would say have a plan before you arrive at the parks. Fastpass is a must to make the most of your time in the parks. Breakfast in the room to cut down costs, even bring souveneirs from home because at Disney everything is so expensive. Plan 1 character meal depending on your kids favorites. Stake out a parade spot at least 30 minutes ahead of time, more if the park is busy. Disboards has lots of good ideas and check out the menu items and prices so you dont get sticker shock when you get there. Bring or make your own autograph book to take with you. If its really rainy we have walked around the parks in our water shoes to save our sneakers. Rides are less crowded during parades. You cant see everything, so pick and choose and have fun!