Sitting With Grandmother Willow | Erin of My Fantasy Bands

As part of our on-going series, Sitting with Grandmother Willow, I am happy to introduce Erin of My Fantasy Bands. This series of blog posts highlights artists and bloggers of all stripes with one thing in common: a passion for Disney!

Erin sells high quality, water-safe, vinyl decals for your MagicBands in a whole host of themes! Whatever your Disney passion, she has something that will make you squee! Our family and friends (and my travel clients) have been using these for over a year and we just love them! They are durable and adorable. I hope you will enjoy getting to know Erin as much as I have. A big thanks to her for taking the time to interview with us and offering a special coupon code exclusively for my readers! And be sure to visit her shop for a great selection of Disney themed decals for your MagicBands.

Disney By The Numbers (with apologies to Harper's)

# of trips you have made:  As an adult, four   I lived in Orlando for about 3 years as a child, and had a few day trips during that time.

Date of first trip:   February 2007, The Husband Unit and I were 28 and I was pregnant with our first daughter.  

Date of next trip:  Undecided, sometime in 2017 I hope!  

# of Resorts stayed in:  Five  (Pop, Art of Animation, All Star Music, French Quarter, Caribbean Beach ... my top 3 of these are AoA, French Quarter, and Pop)

Usual # in your travel party:  4 or 5, we had a neighbor friend who has come with us twice, but we have moved away from her now.  :(

Pairs of mouse ears in your cottage:  3 headband ears, 4 or 5 ear hats.

WDW or Disneyland (or other)?  I have never been to Disneyland  :(

How do you usually travel to Disney? We have driven twice and flown twice.  I prefer to fly!

Do you have any tips for trips?  Don't try to plan every moment of your trip.  Sometimes the best memories are ones that happen spontaneously.

Do you have a favorite place to eat while in Disney?  I love the Rose and Crown at Epcot, and Wolfgang Puck's Express at Disney Springs.  There are many table dining locations we have not experienced yet.  We usually have the Quick Service dining plan.  

What is your absolute DON'T MISS attraction?   Magic Kingdom is my favorite park, so all my favorites just happen to be there.  My top 3 rides are Peter Pan's Flight, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and oddly enough, the People Mover.  I could ride the People Mover all day. Some people think it's boring, but I find it relaxing and enjoy the vantage point of the park from the elevated track.  

My don't miss attractions for other parks:  In Epcot I love Test Track and SOARIN (although I have not experienced the new revamped SOARIN), and I enjoy the hydroponic tour ride at Living with the Land.  At Hollywood Studios I enjoy Toy Story Mania, and the Rockin Roller Coaster, and the Little Mermaid show.  At Animal Kingdom I love the Kilimanjaro Safaris, the Finding Nemo show, and the Kali River Rapids.  

Stage shows, yes or no?  

Parades, yes or no?  For both of these, it depends on crowds and weather.  If we are able get to a parade or stage show early with a good vantage point, we will.  We really play it by ear.  If the parks are crowded or the weather is hot, we avoid parades and try to stay on the move and hit more ride attractions.    Indoor stage shows are a great way to escape the heat. If crowds are lighter and weather is mild, we might slow down to watch a parade or outdoor stage show. We try to attend a fireworks show at least twice during our vacation, often more.  

Best Fast Pass to get:  SOARIN, Mine Train, Toy Story Mania.   

Favorite park:  Magic Kingdom!

One piece of advice you'd give a novice about WDW/DL:  Don't try to see and do EVERYTHING, it's impossible.  Make a list of your must-do attractions, and prioritize.  Also, be prepared for the unexpected, and try not to be too bummed at the end of your trip if something didn't happen.  Remember that you were at DISNEY WORLD and your trip was probably pretty amazing even if you didn't see that one show or ride that one ride.  

How do you create extra magic for your family:  I casually shop around for months ahead of time gathering little Disney-themed trinkets from clearance sales and dollar stores.  I pack them in a secret bag to give my girls gifts throughout our vacation, and also have left "Mickey Mail" in our resort room for them to find.  This saves on spending big bucks on park souvenirs.  Each family member has a gift card to spend on a few special items in the parks.  

How can we connect with you?  Email or Instagram!

Sitting with Grandmother Willow | Lauren Tanner of Crafting to Disney

As part of our on-going series, Sitting with Grandmother Willow, I am happy to introduce you to Lauren of Crafting to Disney! This series of blog posts highlights artists and fellow bloggers of all stripes with one thing in common: a passion for Disney!

Lauren and I are both Disney Certified Travel Planners for Wishdrawals. She also has a passion for Disney DIY so we connected immediately! I'm so glad she could join us on the blog this month!

Disney By The Numbers (with apologies to Harpers)

# of trips you have made: only 5 :(

Date of first trip: I'm not sure of the exact date. I was maybe 4 so sometime around 1986? I went with my Mom and Dad and older sister. I remember my brother staying home with my grandmother because he was still too young. I feel like he was a baby. My mom sold Tupperware and they had a confrence every year in Orlando. We extended the work trip to include a Disney Vacation.

Date of next trip: 9/18/15 CAN'T STINKIN WAIT!

# of Resorts stayed in: Two. I tend to be a creature of habbit.

Usual # in your travel party: My family of 4. My grumpy husband and my two boys- ages 10 and 4.

Pairs of mouse ears in your cottage: 5, but I have learned how to make Minne headbands so that number is growing!

WDW or Disneyland (or other)? WDW. We live in Georgia, so it's an easy drive. I can't wait to make it to Disneyland though!

How do you usually travel to Disney? Driving. It's an easy 6 hours.

Do you have any tips for trips? Plan, plan, plan. My 4 year old has special needs and planning ahead of time has been key to our success in the parks.

Do you have a favorite place to eat while in Disney? we LOVE Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom and Tusker House in Animal Kingdom.

What is your absolute DON'T MISS attraction? Pirates of the Caribbean. I love that it is such a classic- I remember it from childhood! My boys love anything Captaian Jack Sparrow, so it's a win win!

Stage shows, yes or no? Nah, my youngest can't sit through them.

Parades, yes or no? Nope again. Same as before. We can't keep him still long enough to get a good spot to watch them from.

Best Fast Pass to get: For my family, one that we can all use is Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Peter Pan's Flight. The big rides are great, but my little guy is still too young so we have to do rider swap.

Favorite park: ALL OF THEM! I can't pick one, they are each perfect in thier own way!

One piece of advice you'd give a novice about WDW/DL: Look at a map before you go. It's nice to know what to expect before you walk into the massive parks!

How do you create extra magic for your family? I make t-shirts for the kids to wear, decorate our resort window, bring things like Disney Pez Despensers to put in my park backpack, trade pins with them... The list could go on for a while!

How can we connect with you?
Facebook.com/crafting2disney
pinterest.com/crafting2disney
www.craftingtodisney.com
email: craftingtodisney@gmail.com
       lauren@wishdrawals.com

Sitting With Grandmother Willow | Heather of The Happy Haunt

As part of our on-going series, Sitting with Grandmother Willow, I am happy to introduce you to Heather of The Happy Haunt. This series of blog posts highlights artists and fellow bloggers of all stripes with one thing in common: a passion for Disney!

Heather has incredible planning tips and planners, digital prints and parties ideas and tools in her Etsy shop? My favorite print from Heather's shop is the Live Your Dream print shown here! Be sure to check all of them out and visit her blog; there's something for everyone. I'm so glad Heather could join us on the blog this month!

Disney by the numbers (with apologies to Harpers):

# of trips you have made: I have been to Walt Disney World 8 times. I have been on a school trip, with extended family, on a surprise trip my husband and I planned for my sisters, on a whirlwind trip courtesy of the Walt Disney company to shoot a spot about our family for the Christmas Parade, as a couple sans children, as a very pregnant lady and with a one year old.

Date of first trip: I was kind of a late bloomer by Disney fanatic standards. I didn't visit until I was going into my senior year of high school. It was a high school marching band trip and we only visited the parks for one day. We could choose which park we wanted to visit and I went to EPCOT. Little did I know at the time, it turned out to be my favorite of the four!

Date of next trip: We will be in The World this coming May to celebrate my husband's graduation from nursing school.

# of Resorts stayed in: We have stayed at 4 resorts. The best one was the Boardwalk (especially since Disney paid! Free is always better.)

Usual # in your travel party: As you can tell from my variety of trips, there isn't really a "usual".

Pairs of mouse ears in your cottage: I have actually never purchased a pair of ears!

WDW or Disneyland (or other)? Walt Disney World by default. I have never been to Disneyland, but hopefully I will make it someday.

How do you usually travel to Disney? I have driven in a bus, driven a minivan and flown. We have flown most often and it is wonderful! It actually take less time for us to fly to Disney than it does for us to drive to NYC (which we do quite often).

Do you have any tips for trips? Oh my goodness... this is a loaded question! There are countless sources of information out there so I will try not to repeat what everyone else has already told you. Except to do your research because that tip is so very important.

My top tip: try not to have too many expectations. Your plans will almost always change. It doesn't always go the way you planned or imagined it. Sometimes, it is disappointing, but it can also be a wonderful bit of unexpected magic. Don't be so rigid in your touring and timing that you don't allow for spontaneous fun. On your way to make your fastpass for Tower of Terror, but happen upon the Citizens of Hollywood? Stop and watch! Are you trying to get to the Polynesian in time to get a Dole Whip and watch Wishes from the beach, but your little one is absolutely enthralled with the indoor play area at the Dumbo ride? Stay and play, grab a funnel cake and catch the show from Storybook Circus. It may not be the best place to watch Wishes, but it beats a toddler meltdown!

Do you have a favorite place to eat while in Disney? This is like asking me to choose my favorite child. If there is one thing I dream about when I am not at WDW, though, it would have to be the Sweet and Spicy Waffle Sandwich from Sleepy Hollow Refreshments in Liberty Square.

Or the Mediterranean Chicken Wrap at Tangerine Cafe in EPCOT. I have such fond memories to stopping here for dinner and eating outside. I can just see the glow of the lights and hear the people passing by. It is not a bad place to watch Illuminations from, either ;)

I swear I have eaten at a ton of great table service restaurants, but the counter service options are even better sometimes!

What is your absolute DON'T MISS attraction? This is going to sound totally crazy, but I can NOT visit WDW and pass by Spaceship Earth. If I don't ride it, my vacation is not complete.

Stage shows, yes or no? It depends. I am definitely not standing in front of the castle with 1,368 other people to watch the afternoon show. I do love the shows I can sit down in a theater and watch, though. Finding Nemo the Musical has to be one of my favorites. It reminds me of the puppets they use in Lion King on Broadway and the production value is right up there as well.

These kinds of shows can give you a welcome break in an air conditioned space. Time your attendance to get out of the heat at the peak of the afternoon or get out of the rain during the inevitable 4:00 downpour.

Parades, yes or no? Eh. If I am there at a slow time that I don't have to fight the crowds and I HAPPEN to be passing by the parade route as the parade is happening, sure. Otherwise. I take advantage of the shorter lines at the popular attractions.

Best Fast Pass to get: Toy Story Midway Mania without a doubt. This queue is a bunch of switchbacks all in one room that you have to listen to Potato Head on a loop for, sometimes, upwards of an hour. There is a lot to look at, but by the time I get halfway through I am seriously considering skipping the attraction so I don't have to hear one more word out of his mouth.

Favorite park: EPCOT. Enough said.

One piece of advice you'd give a novice about WDW/DL: Don't eat burgers and chicken nuggets your whole trip. The food is, hands down, my favorite part of a Disney vacation. Even if you are only eating counter service there is so much good food for you to eat. Do some research and find out where to go to make some memorable dining choices.

How do you create extra magic for your family? Probably the most "magical" thing I have done for my family is to plan their first trip without them knowing. We had Disney movie nights every week for a year and then surprised them with the vacation. They were SO excited!

How can we connect with you? You can visit me at www.thehappyhaunt.com. You will be able to find all of the links to my shop, blog, and social media accounts there. I hope to see you all soon!

Sitting With Grandmother Willow | Carla of WDW Travel Prep

This article posted in December as I was in the midst of dealing with all manner of flu, the hubbub of the Christmas season and the craziness of life in general. As such, I wanted to re-run it this month and give Carla her due! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

As part of our on-going series, Sitting with Grandmother Willow, I am happy to introduce you to Carla of WDW Travel Prep, and Etsy store Magic Travel Prep! This series of blog posts highlights artists and fellow bloggers of all stripes with one thing in common: a passion for Disney!

Carla has incredible planning tips and planners on her blog and in her Etsy shop, sure to give even the most seasoned planner a little help in making the most of the magic! As most of us know, the more you plan, the better your Disney vacation can be. And as the Disney experience grows, so does the need to get your ducks (or mice?) in a row! Carla is a terrific resource for making all those Disney plans. I'm so glad she could join us on the blog this month!

Disney by the numbers (with apologies to Harpers):

# of trips you have made: 3

Date of first trip: December 2011

Date of next trip: January 2015

# of Resorts stayed in: 3

Usual # in your travel party: 2, just me and my boyfriend

Pairs of mouse ears in your cottage: 2

WDW or Disneyland (or other)? Both!

How do you usually travel to Disney? Plane

Do you have any tips for trips? My favorite tip is to not over plan! Although Disney planning is my favorite thing to do, it’s important to make sure you don’t try to lay out every single second. Give yourself some wiggle room. 

Do you have a favorite place to eat while in Disney? There are so many to choose, but the only place I go to every time is Aloha Isle for some Dole Whip. 

What is your absolute DON'T MISS attraction? Expedition Everest is a must for me. 

Stage shows, yes or no? Yes! The ones at Epcot are wonderful. 

Parades, yes or no? Yes! Festival of Fantasy is my new favorite. 

Best Fast Pass to get: Toy Story Mania.

Favorite park: Magic Kingdom

One piece of advice you'd give a novice about WDW/DL: It will always be more crowded than you think!

How do you create extra magic for your family? We buy matching pins to wear

How can we connect with you? You can check out my website for all my current social media links! Wdwtravelprep.com

Sitting With Grandmother Willow | Carla of WDW Travel Prep

As part of our on-going series, Sitting with Grandmother Willow, I am happy to introduce you to Carla of WDW Travel Prep, and Etsy store Magic Travel Prep! This series of blog posts highlights artists and fellow bloggers of all stripes with one thing in common: a passion for Disney!

Carla has incredible planning tips and planners on her blog and in her Etsy shop, sure to give even the most seasoned planner a little help in making the most of the magic! As most of us know, the more you plan, the better your Disney vacation can be. And as the Disney experience grows, so does the need to get your ducks (or mice?) in a row! Carla is a terrific resource for making all those Disney plans. I'm so glad she could join us on the blog this month!

Disney by the numbers (with apologies to Harpers):

# of trips you have made: 3

Date of first trip: December 2011

Date of next trip: January 2015

# of Resorts stayed in: 3

Usual # in your travel party: 2, just me and my boyfriend

Pairs of mouse ears in your cottage: 2

WDW or Disneyland (or other)? Both!

How do you usually travel to Disney? Plane

Do you have any tips for trips? My favorite tip is to not over plan! Although Disney planning is my favorite thing to do, it’s important to make sure you don’t try to lay out every single second. Give yourself some wiggle room.

Do you have a favorite place to eat while in Disney? There are so many to choose, but the only place I go to every time is Aloha Isle for some Dole Whip.

What is your absolute DON'T MISS attraction? Expedition Everest is a must for me.

Stage shows, yes or no? Yes! The ones at Epcot are wonderful.

Parades, yes or no? Yes! Festival of Fantasy is my new favorite.

Best Fast Pass to get: Toy Story Mania.

Favorite park: Magic Kingdom

One piece of advice you'd give a novice about WDW/DL: It will always be more crowded than you think!

How do you create extra magic for your family? We buy matching pins to wear J

How can we connect with you? You can check out my website for all my current social media links! Wdwtravelprep.com

Sitting With Grandmother Willow | Amy of Main Street Designs

As part of our on-going series, Sitting with Grandmother Willow, I am happy to introduce Amy of Main Street Designs, a wonderful Etsy shop. This series of blog posts highlights artists and bloggers of all stripes with one thing in common: a passion for Disney!

Amy features Disney themed, special even stationary! Whether you're on land or at sea, Amy has a design that fits your event! I hope you will enjoy getting to know her as much as I have. A big thanks to Amy for taking the time to interview with us! And be sure to visit her shop for a great selection of Disney themed stationary!

Disney By The Numbers (with apologies to Harper's)

# of trips you have made: Between WDW, Disneyland and Disneyland Paris I think it is around 12. I wish it were more but flights from the UK are so expensive :(

Date of first trip: My Grandma first took me to Disneyland Park in October 1992 when I was 6 years old!

Date of next trip: October/November 2014 for our Disney Fairy Tale Wedding! We are so excited!

# of Resorts stayed in: Sadly we have never stayed onsite but for our wedding trip we are staying at Bay Lake Tower :)

Usual # in your travel party: 3

Pairs of mouse ears in your cottage: 3

WDW or Disneyland (or other)? Oooh! That is tough! We always go to WDW but my heart is with Disneyland. So many happy memories from both.

How do you usually travel to Disney? We take a 9 hour flight from the UK. It's long but definitely worth it!

Do you have any tips for trips? We try to get to the parks for opening, we find the crowds and temperatures lower so we can get more attractions done!

Do you have a favorite place to eat while in Disney? Yes! Beaches and cream! We go multiple times during our trips :)

What is your absolute DON'T MISS attraction? Pirates of the Caribbean has always been my favorite.

Stage shows, yes or no? Generally no but now we have our daughter (she will be 10 months old on our next trip) I'm sure we will be stopping to watch.

Parades, yes or no? Again, generally no, we like to take advantage of low wait times on the attractions during parade time. But, we are really looking forward to seeing Festival of Fantasy, it looks amazing!

Best Fast Pass to get: Soarin' and Toy Story Mania

Favorite park: Magic Kingdom

One piece of advice you'd give a novice about WDW/DL: Research, research, research! But be sure to have plenty of rest periods, WDW can be really overwhelming at first.

How do you create extra magic for your family? I love to show them new things each trip. My favorite was the first year we saw the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, I told them we were going to see 'some Christmas lights'. They were not expecting what they saw and their faces were priceless! It's still one of our favorite memories :)

How can we connect with you?
(Please feel free to include any social media outlets and your user id's so we can find you online!)
You can find me on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/MainStreetDesigns
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mainstreetdesignsetsy
Instagram: Mainstreetdesigns
Email: mainstreetdsgns@gmail.com

Sitting With Grandmother Willow | Patchwork by Carol

As part of our on-going series, Sitting with Grandmother Willow, I am happy to introduce Stacey and Carol, of Patchwork by Carol, a lovely Etsy shop. This series of blog posts highlights artists and bloggers of all stripes with one thing in common: a passion for Disney!

Patchwork by Carol carries handmade totes, tablet cases, t-shirts and more. I hope you will enjoy getting to know them as much as I have. A big thanks to Stacey and Carol for taking the time to interview with us! And be sure to visit their shop for a great selection of Disney themed gifts and goodies!

Disney By The Numbers (with Apologies to Harper's)

# of trips you have made: We could not begin to count, for the last 12 months we aim to go at least once a month to Disneyland and before that at least 100 times.

Date of first trip: Disneyland - too young to remember, but there was a ticket book involved. WDW – January 2012 for 2 weeks

Date of next trip: Disneyland end of March, WDW January 2015 for 2 weeks YAY.

# of Resorts stayed in: All three in Disneyland and so far 1 (AK) in WDW. We have Disney Vacation Club.

Usual # in your travel party: Anywhere from 2-12 at any given time. When it’s just the 2 of us we like to take it slow and take in the magic that was meant for this fabulous place. When there are more we like to host a picture scavenger hunt…we make it hard. J

Pairs of mouse ears in your cottage: Only 2, one of them for Christmas

WDW or Disneyland (or other)? Disneyland is our home, it has a special place in our heart.

How do you usually travel to Disney? We live in San Diego so we drive to Disneyland. WDW we will always try to get a direct flight.

Do you have any tips for trips? Use the fast pass system, do a little something different that you haven’t done before and check out the children’s faces, it will renew the magic every time for you.

Do you have a favorite place to eat while in Disney? Disneyland-Plaza & Storytellers Café, WDW – Le Cellier hands down

What is your absolute DON'T MISS attraction? The Haunted Mansion in its original state. (Purist)

Stage shows, yes or no? Love the stage shows. Aladdin in Disney’s California’s Adventure is phenomenal.

Parades, yes or no? The fondest memory of Disney is the Electrical Parade. When the music begins to play it touches the child in me. Very happy that it isn’t gone for good and we can still see it at WDW

Best Fast Pass to get: Radiator Springs Racers first thing

Favorite park: Out of the 6 that I’ve been to, it will always be Disneyland

One piece of advice you'd give a novice about WDW/DL: Plan ahead, use the apps and whatever you do, take it all in and have a good time. Don’t let yourself stress or get angry.

How do you create extra magic for your family We tend to bring extra pins with us so that if there is a child that is starting out and possibly a little shy to walk up to someone to trade, we will give them a great pin for trading.

How can we connect with you?

Email: Patchworkbycarol@yahoo.com

Instagram: patchworkbycarol

www.patchworkcarol.storenvy.com

Facebook: Patchwork Carol

Sitting With Grandmother Willow | April of A Whole Lotta Hoopla

As part of our on-going series, Sitting with Grandmother Willow, I am happy to introduce April of A Whole Lotta Hoopla, a lovely Etsy shop. This series of blog posts highlights artists and bloggers of all stripes with one thing in common: a passion for Disney! 

April has a series of unique Disney inspired wooden signs and graphic designs. And most of them are customizable! I hope you will enjoy getting to know April as much as I have. A big thanks to her for taking the time to interview with us! And be sure to visit her shop for a great selection of Disney themed signage!

Disney By The Numbers (with apologies to Harper's)

Date of first trip: Oh my...hmm, I would have to say...when I was 10? I think so. My parents adopted me when I was 10 and since we lived in San Diego, we hit all the amusement parks/zoos/activities we could think of that first 6 months or so!!

Date of next trip: Not soon enough!! LOL Seriously, I get asked that question multiple times a week by one of our 3 boys. We do have passes, so it will be soon!

# of Resorts stayed in: Hmmm...well, I've stayed at the Disneyland Hotel before for one night eons ago. My family and I have been blessed with the opportunity of staying for a week at the Grand Californian at California Adventure...which we promptly fell in love with and think of as our home away from home!!

Usual # in your travel party: 5....although my hubby and I did get to go all.by.ourselves for our anniversary last year!

Pairs of mouse ears in your cottage: Hmm, 4 I think?

WDW or Disneyland (or other)? Disneyland, definitely, though we normally hit both DL and California Adventure when we go. I have been to WDW once, eons and eons ago...like waaaaay back in ''93?, lol, but it was just for the day, and not even all day, and I don't remember most of it. However, I've been going to Disneyland since I was 10, and even though we've been sooo many times, there's still new things to see and do every time!

How do you usually travel to Disney? Walk. (no, not really, though my boys ask if we can move closer so we could do that!! That'd be fun, don'tcha think?) We drive there as it's about an hour away from where we live. Although, since we live in Southern California...I should say it's an hour DOT (depending on traffic)

Do you have any tips for trips? Definitely bring water bottles as Disney filters their water so it's good stuff (I'm picky about my water) and you can refill all day for free which is handy when you're walking all over getting thirsty!! Also, grab an app for your phone like MouseWait so you can see how long the lines are ahead of time or how crowded the parks are before you get there so you can plan out what rides you want to hit. Plus, having an app like that is helpful to know what rides/attractions are closed for repair, whether it's closed for the season or even if it just broke down. Many times we've gone and planned to go on a certain ride and checked MW only to see it just broke down. We keep checking it and head over when it shows it's back up and running again. Also, for busy days...if you have passes, check out parts of the park that aren't ride heavy and just slow down and enJOY your time there!! We did that one day last year when the park was pretty packed. We spent most of the day in just one 'land', taking it easy and enjoying the things we miss when we're in a hurry to 'get to the next thing'. However, if you're only there for the day, again, try to plan your rides/attractions ahead of time, based on what you REALLY wanna do that day, take advantage of FastPass when you can and then just relax and have fun!! If you don't get to see every thing (and you won't) or get to go on every ride (again, prioritize which ones you don't wanna miss!) you're still going to have a better day than being home or at work and just enJOY Disney!! So just go with the flow...which, on really busy days is all you can do! Be sure to stop by City Hall and get a pin whether it's your first time, or if you're celebrating something special, or just because! Take lots of pics, and don't forget to BE in some of them, not just behind the camera!!

Do you have a favorite place to eat while in Disney? Rancho Del Zocalo in Frontierland in Disneyland! First...it's Mexican food (my fav!) 2, the portions are LARGE and oooooh so good! And if you get sodas, there's FREE REFILLS!! Did I mention it's really good????

What is your absolute DON'T MISS attraction? Pirates of the Caribbean! Star Tours! California Screamin'! Innoventions (seriously, it's such a great place to go to 'relax', get out of the heat/rain/cold and there's cool things to look at! Right now it's Iron Man but they're bringing in more Marvel guys, plus the 'house of tomorrow' is so much fun. There's even story time in the 'kids' bedroom that's themed like Peter Pan, complete with a bed shaped like a ship!

Stage shows, yes or no? Yes, though it's been awhile since I've seen one! Normally, our trips are based on what our boy's wanna do, which is rides, rides, rides! And food. Gotta have food.

Parades, yes or no? Definitely! They're so much fun, very lively and you'll get the songs stuck in your head! =P

Best Fast Pass to get: Radiator Springs Racers right now, because it's still new enough that the lines are crazy long, like 1.5-2 hrs!

Favorite park: Disneyland. It's the original!! California Adventure is awesome and we love it so much, and all the parks at WDW are awesome and we can't wait to go over and play there for a week or two, but Disneyland is still my favorite. To walk where Walt walked, to see the park through his eyes (and yes, obviously it's changed a lot!) it's just so magical!!

One piece of advice you'd give a novice about WDW/DL: Take the time to notice the details! Everywhere you look, attention has been given to all kinds of little things here and there. Accept that you won't be able to fit it all in one day (or even one week) and just choose to soak it in as much as you can and just enJOY!

How do you create extra magic for your family: We collect pins, so we get a new one for everybody once in awhile. We also bought gift cards for our older boys (11 and 14) which are reloadable at the parks, so they earn money at home and then have some to spend at the Parks, which they really like.

How can we connect with you? We have a website, and a blog we're just getting going. We're also on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and have our shop on Etsy.

www.AWholeLottaHoopla.com - Website
www.AWholeLottaHoopla.com/ChoosingJoy - Blog
www.facebook.com/AWholeLottaHoopla - Facebook page
www.etsy.com/shop/AWholeLottaHoopla - Etsy shop
www.pinterest.com/LottaHoopla
www.twitter.com/A_W_L_Hoopla

Sitting With Grandmother Willow | Sylvia of Sylvia Loves Pink

As part of our on-going series, Sitting with Grandmother Willow, I am happy to introduce Sylvia of Sylvia Loves Pink, a hoot of an Etsy shop! This series of blog posts highlights artists and bloggers of all stripes with one thing in common: a passion for Disney! 

Sylvia designs owls, zipper pouches, and bags, many with a Disney twist! Her owls have completely stolen my heart. I always love it when a new design pops up on my Instagram feed! I hope you will enjoy getting to know Sylvia as much as I have. A big thank you to her for taking the time to interview with us! Be sure to visit her shop for a great selection of Disney themed owl plushies and bags! And remember, she welcomes custom orders, so don't be shy about giving that special someone an unique gift they'll treasure! It's never too early to think about Holiday shopping!

Disney By The Numbers (with apologies to Harper's)

# of trips you’ve taken: One to Disney World / Florida
date of first trip: 1990
# of mouse ears in your cottage: 1

# of disney themed pillows you’ve created: around 50

# of disney movies you’ve seen: too many to count!

Are you a DL or WDW fan (or cruise line, or other): Disneyland, I live in California
What is your absolute don’t miss attraction? Pirates of the Caribbean
Do you have a favorite place to eat while in Disney? Redd Rockett's Pizza Port

You favorite disney park is... Disneyland
Three things your dream disney vacation would include: A cruise, Aulani Disney Resort, my hubby :)
The best time to visit disney (in your opinion): during the summer

Your favorite Disney memory: My very first trip to Disneyland as a child. I was beyond excited to share that experience with my parents, siblings and other family members. It was like a dream come true! I still have the Tinkerbell charm bracelet that one of my uncles purchased for me that day.

How did you start your Etsy store? In January of 2013, I was laid off from my job and knew that the job market would be challenging. So, I decided to teach myself how to sew. I discovered that I loved it and decided to open an Etsy shop in order to bring in a bit of income.

Why owls?  started off making zipper pouches, tote bags and tooth fairy pillows. I love owls and thought it might be fun to make a Spiderman inspired owl for my nephew. Everyone loved it so much and they encouraged me to make more! From there, customers started requesting owls inspired by many different characters. They challenge me every day and I love it!

How can we connect?  

www.facebook.com/sylvialovespink

www.pinterest.com/sylvialovespink
Instagram: SylviaLovesPink
Email: sylvialovespink@gmail.com

Sitting with Grandmother Willow | Samantha from Walter and Rosie

As part of our on-going series, Sitting with Grandmother Willow, I am happy to introduce Sam of Walter and Rosie, a unique Etsy shop bringing the scent of Disney into your home. I can personally vouch for the Soarin' and Yacht & Beach Club candles. You'll love experiencing these aromas in your home. I know our cottage is in love with them!

This series of blog posts highlights artists and bloggers of all stripes with one thing in common: a passion for Disney! I hope you will enjoy getting to know Sam as much as I have. Her one-of-a-kind take on bringing a little Disney magic into your home is brilliant! A big thanks to her for taking the time to interview with us! She's got a fantastic blog. And be sure to visit her shop for a great selection of Disney inspired candles and scents for your home!

Disney By The Numbers (apologies to Harper's)

# of trips you have made: 5 total, 3 as an adult (moving there is a month!)
Date of first trip: 1991 I believe
Date of next trip: Moving to Orlando March 23rd!
# of Resorts stayed in: only 2 :(
Usual # in your travel party: Currently 2
Pairs of mouse ears in your cottage: 2

WDW or Disneyland (or other)? WDW
How do you usually travel to Disney? Plane and soon to be a 5 minute drive!
Do you have any tips for trips? Too many! Travel during non peak seasons, eat as much Disney food as you can, get a dole whip float, watch parades and fireworks, Mickey premium ice cream bars are scary good and slow down!
Do you have a favorite place to eat while in Disney? Not really, I have tons of favorite food items!
What is your absolute DON'T MISS attraction? Tower of Terror, Rock n Roller Coaster, Test Track, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion
Stage shows, yes or no? Yes
Parades, yes or no? YES!!
Best Fast Pass to get: Soarin, Toy Story, Rock N Roller Coaster
Favorite park: Probably Magic Kingdom
One piece of advice you'd give a novice about WDW: Slow down and take in the details, every inch of the parks have meaning
How do you create extra magic for your family? By making Disney inspired candles of course
How can we connect with you? 

facebook.com/WalterandRosie,

WalterandRosie.com, 

etsy.com/shop/walterandrosie

Sitting with Grandmother Willow | Molly of Frosted Donut Designs

As part of our on-going series, Sitting with Grandmother Willow, I am happy to introduce Molly of Frosted Donut Designs, a very well stocked Etsy shop. This series of blog posts highlights artists and bloggers of all stripes with one thing in common: a passion for Disney! I hope you will enjoy getting to know Molly as much as I have. A big thanks to her for taking the time to interview with us! And be sure to visit her shop for a great selection of Disney themed bows! Don't you just love this monorail bow?? It was had to choose between this and the Poppins bow...oh and the Alice one too....be sure to check them all out!

Disney by the numbers (with apologies to Harpers):



# of trips you have made:
 About 10 times! Would probably be more if we didn't live overseas for about 5 years.

Date of first trip:
 I’m thinking around July 1993…I was about 3 years old.

Date of next trip:
 Most likely April; we are trying to get down there before the Mine Train opens and the crowds get crazy.

# of Resorts stayed in: 
We are all over the place with resorts. We stay off property some, at Universal some, as well as Disney…really just depends what we are there for. I am pretty sure we switched resorts a few times when I played volleyball at the Wide World of Sports arena so there is no telling!

Usual # in your travel party:
 Always either 4 (my whole family) or 2 (my mom and I)!

Pairs of mouse ears in your cottage: This is sad…but like one? I don’t even know where they are! I’m always trying to buy t-shirts and I forget about ears.
Plus, I tend to accessorize with bows!


WDW or Disneyland (or other)? 
Never been to DL…yet. So WDW!

How do you usually travel to Disney?
 Usually…by car. It’s not too bad of a drive, but it’s fun when we fly.

Do you have any tips for trips? Research, research, research! It’s always good to know where you can get the best deal for everything. If you search different dates on the Disney Resorts site, they will tell you what dates have discounts. As well as know where you would like to eat. It can be a bit daunting with all the restaurants and now knowing what to try. Pick out things that are special to Disney (like Lefou’s Brew…yum!) and go for that!

Do you have a favorite place to eat while in Disney? 
Well a favorite place of ALL Orlando is Tijuana Flats. If you like Mexican food, it’s a must try. In Disney Parks I would say…can I cheat and say all of the World Showcase? I can’t chose just one! They are all so good. And I definitely like to eat.

What is your absolute DON'T MISS attraction? 
Tower of Terror. Not only is it an awesome ride and fantastically themed, the wait is usually way lower than other thrill rides.

Stage shows, yes or no?
 Yes! Depending on how much time we have allotted for the park that day, we usually build our day around shows we would want to see.

Parades, yes or no? 
I’m either way on this. I love watching them, but we never scope out a spot or anything to get one. We usually just catch when we are in between rides. Although there always seems to be one going when we enter the park, so we tend to stop for that one.

Best Fast Pass to get: 
Test Track, but you have to be there at opening to get it. Most insane lines I’ve ever seen!

Favorite park: 
Hollywood Studios. I love the sets and vibe, plus I could probably ride Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster a hundred times in a row. And Star Wars weekends! Need I say more?

One piece of advice you'd give a novice about WDW/DL:
 Plan…but do not plan to much. A lot of times I feel like families plan every minute of the day out, which may work sometimes, but it can stress everyone out. Have an idea what you want to do, and make ADR’s where necessary, but if you want to ride Space Mountain instead of your original plan of meeting Tinkerbell…do it!

How do you create extra magic for your family: I am the one who obsessively reads about Disney whether its new stuff, history, food, tips and tricks…you name it. So I always try to sneak in one thing that each person will love. I think taking the time to schedule something you might not otherwise do, but you know that one person will love, absolutely makes the trip magical for them.

How can we connect with you?


Tumblr: www.frosteddonutdesigns.tumblr.com
Instagram: FrostedDonutDesigns
Facebook: www.facebook.com/frosteddonutdesigns
Twitter: www.twitter.com/FDonutDesigns

And as always, you can use #FrostedDonutDesigns!