by Sarah | Mar 7, 2019 | All About Family, All of Us, Blogging Life, Disney, DisneyTips, Redefining Perfect, Universal
I haven’t been to Disney hundreds of times (yet. Give me a couple years), but I’ve been my fair share.
I’ve done it with crazy intensity, and in a casual jaunt.
I’ve done Disneyland (finally), and Disney World.
I’ve picked up a few tips along the way. And while there re blogs across the web, I wanted to hand out my own Disney advice I’ve learned along the way, and tips I’ll be learning as I begin to go more frequently.
This months tip is one I wholeheartedly support – but have never used myself. So I asked my good friend Liz to come over and guest on my blog as she’s used this tip quite a few times in the past few years.
Use a Disney Vacation Planner.
From here, I’ll let Liz tell it…she’s the expert.
*~*
We consider ourselves Disney World experts at this point. We have had 3 family trips, a secret husband and wife trip, and I’ve just booked a mom and daughter trip. We go to Disney just about every 2 years and fully embrace the magic and fun that comes with a complete Disney vacation. While we talk about a Disney cruise or Adventures by Disney, we just can’t seem to stay away from Disney World.
I never intended to go to Disney World, honestly. I loved Disney movies and characters but had only ever been to Disney World once – my mom took me when I was 5 years old. Fast forward to my adulthood and I went to Disney World for a conference. And I fell in love and knew that I had to bring my family. What I didn’t know was how to make it happen.
Thankfully, a friend had recently shared about becoming an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. I contacted her and was thrilled to find out that it wasn’t going to be nearly as overwhelming as I had feared. I chose to go the full Disney route – staying “on property” (meaning at a Disney resort), having a Disney Dining Plan (meaning all meals are part of the vacation package expense so it’s all paid for before you get there), and so on.
My planner is Katie Dixon from Hi Ho Vacations. She lives local to me so for that first trip, she actually met with me face to face and walked me through park maps and suggested what to ride first and ways to navigate each park. At the time, I had no idea all the ways that she would prove to be an invaluable asset. Even now, as updates happen and construction is going on and things change, Katie helps me navigate and understand how to book my Fastpasses, how to get the most use out of Fastpasses while in the park, where to request special things or how to find the best seat for fireworks or parades.
Here are just some of the reasons why we always use Katie to book our trips.
She watches for specials and price changes. I usually book a trip 6-9 months in advance. Disney may release specials or discounts after I’ve already booked. If I booked it myself, I’d have to be watching for specials, determine if they apply to my trip, and then contact Disney to have my trip updated. By using Hi Ho Vacations, Katie is monitoring that on my behalf and applies any discounts that come up for me!
And on that price point – using Hi Ho Vacations means that I make payments. I pay $200 to reserve the trip and then I can make payments towards the trip. Payment in full is due 45 days prior to travel. This means we’ve been able to Disney without going into debt. One of the biggest reasons I love our Disney trips is that everything is paid for before we go. The resort, the food, the theme park tickets even the photography – it’s all in the package and paid for. In fact, the only cash I bring along is for table service server tips and “mouse”keeping tips in the room!
Katie has also been a huge help to me when we have been in the midst of our vacation and something isn’t going right. She has been able to change reservations for us or contact someone for help on our behalf. When we learned on our first trip that an 8 p.m. dinner with our little kids was a bad idea, she was able to look at the rest of our itinerary and make suggestions of what to change and then did the work to make the changes. I didn’t have to take any time away from my vacation to handle the problem.
If there were a circumstance where we need special assistance on our trip – maybe I have a kid with sensory issues or I get hurt before my trip and now need a wheelchair and assistance – Katie helps navigate and arrange all the things. And I guarantee you she thinks of things I never would have known about because her Disney knowledge and experience is fantastic.
I’ve also enjoyed the sprinkles of Pixie Dust we get by using Hi Ho Vacations. They take very good care of their customers – either by a surprise “hook up” on a dinner reservation for better seats or maybe a small gift in your room or some other fun bit of magic. Katie always has fun things up her sleeve to make our trip special – even before we get there!
Booking through Hi Ho Vacations also benefits the Make A Wish Foundation for Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana – they donate $10 to Make A Wish for every trip booked through them.
The most important question is – what will it cost me to use a vacation planner? Absolutely nothing! Here’s how I understand it – if I book everything myself, Disney considers themselves the planner and basically pays themselves out of my trip. However, by using an authorized planner, my planner gets paid what Disney would have paid themselves. The commission either goes to Disney or goes to my planner – and I’d rather have someone helping me step by step get that money.
Even as I prepare for my 6th trip to the parks, I know I need Katie in my back pocket. I’ve been more independent planning this trip – but I feel confident about it because I’m asking Katie questions and getting her advice as I go!
*~*
Soon as I read this post, I told Liz I wanted to book a trip NOW! I love the idea of the usual stresses being handled by an expert so that I have to do nothing but enjoy my trip along the way. I also, as a former Wish family, love that Hi Ho Vacations donates to Make A Wish for every trip booked!!
After this – what do you think? Would you use a planner?
Here is the information for Liz’s All-Star Vacation planner, Katie:
Katie Dixon
317-374-2849
Katie@hihovacations.com
http://www.hihovacations.com/
by Sarah | Mar 6, 2019 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Book Reviews, I'm A Reader, Redefining Perfect
https://amzn.to/2SCSlXD
February was pretty slow for me reading-wise. I worked a LOT in February, which made fitting in reading less of a priority. I have a BUNCH on the docket for March, though…so hold onto your hats for next months post.
Anyhoozles…here’s my (light) list for February.
Some may interest you, some may not. I hope it gives you at least a few ideas!!
Onto the post:
What I Read
One day a few weeks ago I saw this book somewhere…I don’t remember where or what made me think I would like it, or even what compelled me to put it on hold at the library. When it arrived, I almost sent it back without reading it because it didn’t seem like my kind of book. I’m not a horror reader…but instead I began reading.
The first chapter had me hooked in a “I have no idea what I’m reading, but I can’t stop” sort of way. This book had me guessing, and second guessing, every step of the way. You might be able to classify it as a campy sort of horror. People do die now and then…and the kids are trapped in a camp in the middle of nowhere…and there is magic…and beasts…and…so much more.
I gobbled this one up like there was no tomorrow, reading about 300 of the pages in one fell swoop at work one day. In some ways I’m still questioning what happened…in others, I’m just glad I read it.
This one reminded me that it’s good to take risks and step outside my comfort zone sometimes. It doesn’t always pay off…but when it does…it really does.
*I received a copy of this book via netgalley. All opinions are my own*
This was a quick, fun…if slightly predictable graphic novel.
The action was good…the scene in the lab was…well, it was what made it predictable and cheesy…and the side effect of that event was. The more I think about it, the less I actually think I liked this.
It was predictable. The fact that them having sex made this electric shield of sorts form was just *yawn*.
I think I liked the side characters a lot more than the main ones. Their friends, while also pretty cookie-cutter, were cute and added some fun life to the story.
*I received a copy of this book via netgalley. All opinions are my own*
How adorable was this? A boy who grows up in a small valley town with no in or out, lives his life through the adventure of reading. He lives many lives in his short life…but then one day, his greatest fear that he’s anticipated eagerly comes true…he finishes the LAST book in the entire town! There’s no more for him to read. He’s all set to go out on his own adventure, but his parents stop him…reminding him he is young and should wait. He acquiesces…of course, as most great adventurer’s do, he does so only to set off anyway.
The adventure leads him beyond the land he’s always known, and he meets all sorts of creatures. This graphic novel has the added bonus of ‘journal entries’ made by Timo about the creatures he meets and adventures he has.
It ends on a cliffhanger…which is so much fun until I realize that I have no idea when I can get my hands on the next one!
What I’m Reading Now
Okay, this has been on this list for a while. I actually returned it to the library recently, only to take it out again last week at the same time as Camp So-and-So. I’ve since devoured the other…and hope to do the same to this during my time off these next few weeks.
Fingers crossed I do, because this has been on my list WAY too long.
Like, seriously. Books 3 and 4 have BOTH already been released.
Seriously.
I’m halfway through this now. I don’t know why I’m reading it so much slower than book 1…but I’m trying.
So yeah…still on the list (sorry).
I promise, I’ll be adding something new here in a minute…really…
Maybe…
I think? 😉
I’ve gotten a start on this at least. Not super far in yet…but hopefully it turns out to be as quick a read as I remember the Alex Deleware books being.
I’ve always liked him in the past, but stopped reading for a while.
So, I’m gonna give it the old college try again.
Who knows? I may find myself hooked on them again.
Maybe.
Perhaps.
Assorted Graphic novels
No pictures for these. I have about 20 graphic novels from about 3 different series on hold at the library. I’ll fill you in as I get to and through them. Shouldn’t take long. 😀
*~*
I’m so glad I’m on a reading kick again. I have a LOT to catch up on. So stick around…more updates coming soon!
by Sarah | Mar 5, 2019 | All About Denver, All About Erik, All About Family, All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, All of Us, Blogging Life, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
Continuing our countdown of my dream family vacations, we hit #5 on the list…
Colonial Williamsburg
Once upon a time my family took a trip to Virginia. We went to Busch Gardens so we could ride some amazing rides…and then we went to Colonial Williamsburg because my dad has a degree in history and we always visit these places.
On the same note, I always loved towns like this. Though I hated history class…I’ve always really loved history brought to life in books, or places like this.
I would love for my girls to see the way Colonial Williamsburg brings history to life in such a big way. We have a lovely small town that does something similar here…but there’s something about the whole large community bringing it to life that was something special.
There is so much to do there that isn’t available at other similar style towns. From the restaurants with period-appropriate foods, to the governors mansion, to the fife and drum march and carriage rides. I could spend days on end. My kids would probably hate it after a day or two, but the kids can’t love every family vacation, I sure didn’t love all the ones my parents dragged me on.
Have you ever been to Colonial Williamsburg? What was your favorite part?
by Sarah | Mar 4, 2019 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Pagan Me Happy, Personal, Redefining Perfect
Once a month I’ll be posting a new Spirit Animal. This is both for me to study and learn, but also to help inspire each month.
This month, the first month, the animal is…of all things…a skunk.
Hey, I don’t pick ’em…these suckers show up to me. I know they’re weird – it’s fitting because so am I.
Anyhoozles…onto Mr. Skunk.
First reaction to this spirit animal might be to wrinkle your nose and back away.
When you look deeper though, there’s more to him than that scent – although it’s a big part of who he is.
A skunk doesn’t use his spray lightly, he only does so when it’s absolutely necessary because it’s actually draining for him to use it because it takes a week to refill. It is a last ditch effort, which actually makes him the ultimate pacifist.
Skunks have few natural predators because their reputation precedes them. Their distinctive color and scent make most back away. There is a natural boundary to them. If you study them, though…they are actually adorable and playful animals.
The messages of the skunk all spoke deeply to where I am now in my growth and life.
- The skunk symbolizes the need to live our lives authentically (I’m working on being my true self these days, no matter what), and to build confidence in ourselves.
- He tells us to have my strength of will & independence (will power is always my biggest struggle)
- Develop trust in yourself, build your intuition. Go with your gut. I hear it often, but sometimes I forget to listen.
- The skunk offers a keen sense of balance – because they don’t attack lightly, every situation is weighed.
- Meet life’s challenges with a calm and peaceful heart – my biggest struggle to date. I enter panic mode (or anger mode) way too quickly.
- The last message he’s bringing for me is also one of the biggest messages I need to follow. Find the balance between being a people pleaser, and your self-respect. Create boundaries.
The lessons from skunk go deep into my current process of learning to love myself for who I am…and by extension heal myself by forgiving others and establishing boundaries for myself while simultaneously opening myself to new connections.
It’s life on a tightrope, but skunk’s lessons help me find that balance and stretch out in my space.
An unexpected companion for my February, but one I’m appreciating the more I study on him.
by Sarah | Mar 3, 2019 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Gratitude, Redefining Perfect
As part of my Oola journey, I’m making an effort to be more grateful. My daily planner has a place specifically labeled for Gratitude. I’d like to spread some of that love here, too.
I am grateful for –
Positive No’s.
Mending fences.
Letting Go.
Comfort.
Hot tea.
Creativity.
Hope.
New babies (that aren’t mine).
Still having a great, close relationship with my girls.
Teeny tiny tarot cards.
Moments of clarity.
Meditation.
Small towns.
Two more big chunks of knitting down.
Days off.
Overtime.
Good books.
Peaceful clarity.
Negative troponin.
Hitting that elusive goal.
I haven’t been to Disney hundreds of times (yet. Give me a couple years), but I’ve been my fair share.
We consider ourselves Disney World experts at this point. We have had 3 family trips, a secret husband and wife trip, and I’ve just booked a mom and daughter trip. We go to Disney just about every 2 years and fully embrace the magic and fun that comes with a complete Disney vacation. While we talk about a Disney cruise or Adventures by Disney, we just can’t seem to stay away from Disney World.
Katie Dixon
