Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 30

Day 30: A picture that always makes you think of Disney

Any picture that I have of Cinderella Castle makes me think of Disney and look forward to my next visit.  I love this one. I took it last year during Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.  

Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 29

Day 29: A picture of something you dream about happening to you at a Disney park

OK, I know this is kind of crazy but I would love to be picked to be in a Disney parade.  I know that this makes me a dork but I would rather be in a parade than watch one. 

Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 28

Day 28: A picture of your favorite place to hide from the crowds

One thing that I love to do is relax while taking in the view of Tomorrowland from the WEDWay people mover or as it is known today the Tomorrowland Transit Authority.  There is hardly ever a line for this and when there is it moves quickly.  This is a perfect spot to sit back and relax and enjoy Disney at the same time.

Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 27

Day 27: A picture of the person you most love sharing Disney with

 This is a no brainer - Wes.  My brother loves Disney almost as much as I do.  He isn't the complete Disney geek like I am but he does enjoy going to visit.  We always have so much fun together.  This year I am excited that his fiance, Amber, will be joining us. 

Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 26

Day 26: A picture of the way you keep Disney alive when you’re not at the park
 

I guess it's the band geek that still lives inside of me but the one thing that makes the parks come alive for me is the music.  Every where you go music is playing whether you realize it or not.  There is a constant soundtrack to the parks.  If I need a quick Disney fix at home I just pop in one of my park CDs and listen to the songs that put me back in the parks no matter where I am.



Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 25

Day 25: A picture of your favorite childhood Disney memory

When I was 4 my parents took me and my not yet 1 year old brother to the Magic Kingdom.  This was not my first trip but it was my brother's first trip.  I have mentioned before that he was not a happy camper at all.  He cried the entire trip.  If I am not mistaken (and I might be because of age and our many trips) this was also the year that my uncle, aunt, and cousins along with my grandparents also traveled with us.  I can remember that night very well.  My mom, dad, and I (by then the screaming brother was back with the grandparents) were waiting on my uncle, aunt, and cousins to watch the Main Street Electrical Parade.  I can remember sitting on my dad's shoulders and having the best time that night.  I really don't remember much about any other attractions that year but this parade stuck in my head.  I always think of that night when I see this parade.  

Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 24

Day 24: A picture of your favorite Disney-related possession or souvenir

I have a LOT of Disney t-shirts.  Enough for me to easily wear a different one everyday of the month.  This one is the shirt from Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party last year.  I love it.  It is currently my favorite.  I love that it is tie dye.  I love that it has the Haunted Mansion on it and the "Mickey" moon. 

Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 23

Day 23: A picture of the character you dislike the most



Lilo & Stitch is a cute movie but there is just something about this little guy that I can't take.  He is kind of annoying and he just looks too much like a Gremlin.  I don't like Stitch's Great Escape attraction at Magic Kingdom.  It creeps me out! 

Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 22

Day 22: A picture from your favorite Disney movie

I watched this movie hundreds of times when I was younger.  I can quote the lines.  I know all of the songs.  It is such a great family movie that is all out Disney.  Hayley Mills is a doll.  I don't care for the Lindsey Lohan version but the original will always be in my collection of DVDs. 

Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 21

Day 21:  The best place to take a picture at Disney

No question about it! On Main Street with Cinderella Castle as the perfect backdrop! 

Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 20

Day 20: A picture of the best way to beat the heat at Disney

I am not a fan of water rides but this is definitely one way to cool down on a hot Florida day! It is a fun ride if you don't mind getting wet!



Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 19

Day 19:  A picture of something in the park that deserves more attention

I decided to go with the entire Future World area of Epcot.  Some of the rides are wonderful and up to date - Mission: SPACE, Soarin', and Test Track.  But there is some serious need to update others: Imagination!, Universe of Energy, and even the recently renovated The Seas with Nemo & Friends. The Imagination Pavilion use to be a big draw for young kids and the lines use to be hours long but after several changes it just isn't what it use to be.  The Universe of Energy is fun but I believe could be updated.  The Seas with Nemo & Friends went through a change when Nemo was added and it does make sense to have Nemo in the Seas, but it still lacks something.  I do love Turtle Talk with Crush!  It is hilarious to hear him interact with the kids (and adults.)  Future World is after all what our future world should look like so why can't Disney be a little more futuristic and less stale?  Epcot has always been one of my favorites and I don't want to see it go the way of the dinosaurs!



Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 18

Day 18:  A picture of your favorite guilty Disney pleasure

I would have to go with any and all desserts on this one.  I usually get the dining plan when I plan a trip.  All of the meals come with dessert plus any snacks you get throughout the day.  It is exciting knowing that I get a sweet treat with each meal. I don't usually get that at home!  



Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 17

Day 17: A picture of your favorite Disney character

Wow, this was really hard for me to pick.  I love all of the characters and my favorites change frequently.  As a little girl, I loved Mickey.  I also have a very soft spot for Pooh and his friends.  I do love Snow White and have even been the sweet princess for Halloween a couple of times with the full on dress, red hair bow, and all.  Right at this moment I will have to go with Simba because The Lion King has made such an awesome come back in 3D!  This is one of my all time favorite Disney movies and I love that big cat!

Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 16

Day 16: A picture of your favorite place to shop

My favorite place to shop is really any of the shops but I do particularly love the Emporium on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom.  There is definitely something to be found for everyone on your shopping list in this store!

Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 15

Playing catch up again! I had a busy weekend! 

Day 15: A picture of what you do when it rains in the park

When it rains I shop! And shop, and shop, and shop some more! Fortunately it hasn't rained very much on our last couple of trips! I hope we have great weather this year as well!   

Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 14

Day 14: A picture of your favorite night time activity (existing or past) on Disney property

The Wishes Fireworks show is my all time favorite! I love the music, the narration by Jiminy Cricket, and of course my favorite part is when the fantastic Tink flies out of the castle window! You know for a fact you are in a place where dreams come true when you watch these amazing fireworks!

Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 13

Day 13: A picture of your favorite “home” resort 

I know it isn't one of the deluxe resorts but I love staying at Pop.  We don't stay in our room long enough to need a lot of space anyway so why pay a lot of money for all the extras that we wouldn't really use.  Pop Century is my home at Disney! I would love to one day stay in the Polynesian or the Animal Kingdom Lodge but for fun family trips Pop is what we love!

Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 12

Day 12: A picture of your favorite Disney food item

Each visit I must make a stop (once, twice, or possible 3 times) at Aloha Isle in Adventureland.  I LOVE their Dole pineapple soft serve.  Their pineapple floats are amazing.  It is by far my favorite snack in all of Disney World.  I look forward to having one each trip.  A float is especially refreshing on a hot Florida day!

Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 11

Day 11: A picture of the thing you wish you could change about the parks

I think most people will tell you the same thing to this question...crowds!  I try to go during off peak seasons to avoid them but it can still get crazy! Thankfully, it has been a while since I have been there and it looked as bad as it does in the above picture! 



Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 10

Day 10: A picture of your favorite ride or attraction

Obviously as much as I love all things Disney, I love almost all of the rides and attractions.  There are only a few that I don't care for.  My favorite by far is and always has been Pirates of the Caribbean.  When Disney added Captain Jack Sparrow (aka Johnny Depp) then it just got even better! By the way, today happens to be talk like a pirate day...arrgh!



Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 9

I am playing catch up so you will get 3 post in one day!

Day 9: A picture of your favorite Disney restaurant

There are so many that I love! I picked my favorite character dining experience and my favorite quick serve dining restaurant. 

I love Chef Mickey's! The atmosphere is really fun and the food is pretty great too! They have just about anything you could imagine on their buffet.  Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, and Goofy all stop by each table for pictures and interaction with guests.  So much fun!

One place that I must visit each trip is the outdoor restaurant at the Mexican Pavilion.  La Cantina has the best nachos I have ever had.  They also have a pretty tasty margarita! This is a great spot to rest and people watch if you are in need of a break.



Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 8

Day 8:  A picture of the ride you miss the most

I had to go with Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.  I LOVE the Winnie the Pooh ride but I wish they could have had both of the rides.  I remember Mr. Toad being a favorite of my mom and dad's when I was little.  I miss it being in Fantasyland.  My family does go to the grave site of Mr. Toad over at the Haunted Mansion each visit and pay our respect to the little guy!



Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 7

Day 7: A picture of your favorite in-park character

I must pick Goofy! I love Mickey and Minnie but Goofy is the one that I enjoy seeing with guests.  He is always entertaining and just a little bit goofy!  I have seen him dressed as a pirate and Santa.  I love Goofy at Chef Mickey's.  If you see Goofy at a park please stop to say hi and get a picture.  You will not be disappointed! 

Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 6

Day 6: A picture of something you've never ridden/seen in the parks

This is a picture I got off of a Disney website from the Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show.  There aren't many things that I haven't done at the parks but this is one of them.  I have never really had a desire to see this one! 



Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 5

Day 5:  A picture of your least favorite ride or attraction

It's Tough To Be a Bug! This is definitely my least favorite attraction.  I am not a fan of 3D or bugs! I do like the atmosphere of the theater but that is about it!



Disney Photo Challenge - Day 4

Day 4: A picture of the way you know you're at a Disney park

This is how I know I am at Disney!

This is always my favorite "first" look of the Magic Kingdom!

Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 3

Day 3: A picture of your favorite Disney memory

My favorite Disney memory is actually 2 different ones.  EPCOT Center opened in 1982.  My brother was only 2 at the time and after his first trip to the Magic Kingdom, that was not the greatest success, my parents decided that it would probably not be very wise to take him to this new park.  My dad really wanted to go so on a day during our spring trip the following year while my mom and brother stayed at my aunt's house my dad and I went to this brand new exciting park! Just the two of us.  We had a great time.  I instantly came to love this new park as much as the MK.  I fell for the funny purple little guy named Figment.  I loved riding up in Spaceship Earth.  My dad and I had a blast.  Unfortunately, I couldn't find any of our pictures from that trip!  I did however find these two from the first year that my mom and brother went to Epcot.  I loved that trip just as much.  I had so much fun showing my mom and Wes the rides, attractions, and all the other great things Epcot had to offer.  Both of these trips to Epcot remain two of my favorites. 



Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 2

Day 2: A picture of the character you're most like

I picked Wendy Darling from Walt Disney's 1953 feature film Peter Pan.  Wendy is a 12 year old girl who loves to dream and tell stories.  In the beginning of the movie she is afraid of growing up but later comes to look forward to it.  I don't know that I ever looked forward to growing up but I do love being an adult that still gets to have fun with kids always around me. I think that helps keep me young.  I definitely believe that there is a child in all of us.  With a little faith, love, and pixie dust we can be whoever we dream to be!



Disney 30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 1

Day 1: A picture of you at Disney with 10 reasons you're a Disney lover

Well, of course I couldn't pick just 1 picture of me at Disney World so I picked a few! I hope you enjoy them! My 10 reasons why I love Disney are posted after the pictures!

This is from my most recent trip - October 2010.

Me and Mom on my very first visit to the Magic Kingdom in May 1978! I am not really digging the hat but since I was only a year and a half I didn't have much say in my dress, but my mom looks great! 

My daddy and me on the same trip in 1978.

What a difference a year makes! This is in April 1979. I LOVE this picture!

The spring of 1980 marked my brother's first trip to the MK.  Wes and mom look good here but the happiness didn't last long.

The crying started and lasted until my parents had to take him back to my aunt and uncles house :(.

As you can tell, I was not very happy about it.

A few years later and he still doesn't look happy! We had a great trip this year but this picture must have been at the end of the day because we look exhausted!  This was on the 4th of July.  I am not sure what year it was but by looking at my hair I am guessing I was in 6th or 7th grade.  Please don't judge me by my outfit!

I found one with Wes smiling!

This was our last family vacation to Disney in 2009.  Wes and I have literally grown up at Disney World.

The top 10 reasons I am a Disney lover:

1.  Disney Magic

2.  The Atmosphere that Walt Disney created in his parks is one of a kind.

3.  Fun family time

4.  I can be as goofy and dorky as I want and no one cares! No one really even notices except my family!

5.  The rides and attractions

6.  The night time shows

7.  The food - who doesn't love a Mickey Mouse ice cream bar?

8.  The Disney community

9.  The characters

10.  The first sight of Cinderella Castle from the transportation and ticket center makes me feel like I am home.