Four reasons why Disney Cruises are better for #familytravel

We went on our very first Disney Cruise the other week!

 

We have been cruisers in the past and we have traveled on three other major cruise lines. All cruise lines are a ton of fun and we don't have major complaints about any of them. However, you always seem to hear that Disney Cruises are the best! We thought about those proclamations throughout most  of the week because honestly, Disney Cruise Lines usually costs more than the others.

Is Disney Cruise Lines better?

In many ways, YES. In some ways, I'd say it's a tie. And in other ways, I think it depends on the ages of your children. My oldest is not into characters or princesses anymore and she didn't want to go to Kids Club on her own (note to self: travel with friends the next time). Our youngest was still too little to understand much of the excitement, but this mama really loved the optional nursery care.

So... in what ways did my family find that a Disney Cruise was better than others?

#1 - Service. We were asked about service by various managers and staff at least twice per day. They always wanted to know about our experiences and if we had any problems at all. We had no problems, but I am sure if anything had come up, it would have been addressed happily and quickly.

Disney Parks for all ages: Tips for making it work

Walt Disney World resorts and parks are magical and a lot of fun for all ages. The parks have a good mix of rides and attractions for the very young, students, parents, and older. But what does a park day look like if you are traveling with different age groups?

We just came back from a visit to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios with our 11-month old baby boy and 6 1/2-year old thrill ride junkie, Amelia. In prior visits, we were able to focus entirely on Amelia's wants and likes. We could ride everything all together and enjoy any shows without a concern for volume or darkness. But with Andrew in tow this year, it was much more difficult. We spent much of the day separated instead of together as a full family. We had lots of fun and experienced much magic in our 12-hour mega day, but it was certainly different than what we were able to do in the past with the older cousins or just the three of us.

If you are planning to visit a Walt Disney World park with a very young child and one who enjoys all the rides, here are some tips for managing your expectations and having an enjoyable day:

PARENT SWAP - know it and love it. If you all enjoy rides but the youngest is not able to partake in the adventure, ask the line attendant for a parent swap ticket. This ticket allows one parent and child(ren) to enter the line while the other stays out and enjoys a rest, stroll, or nearby shopping with the young one. And once the ride group disembarks the ride, the waiting parent can get in the Fast Pass line. The child(ren) able to ride can go again with the second parent at this time. Amelia enjoyed getting to experience her favorite rides twice this way! 

BABY CARE CENTERS - these are so nice! I hadn't been in one before. Clean, quiet places for a break from the hustle and bustle and noise. Soft play spaces, tidy diaper changing areas, and lots of baby goods are available in these centers. The one at Epcot had a television and coloring so the older child can have something to do during the quick baby break. It really gives everyone a chance to recharge and regroup.

STROLLER PARKING - do not forget about this. Many rides and attractions require you to park the stroller, which means parents need to be prepared to carry non-walkers. We waited in lines for Nemo and the Mexico boat ride at Epcot, and a Lillebaby carrier was helpful for toting Andrew around and keeping him snug and happy while we inched through lines. Any good quality baby carrier will do; it really saves your back and arms when the stroller is not allowed.

CHARACTER MEETINGS - plan, plan, plan. Use the My Disney Experience app to look ahead throughout the day to when various characters are out and get in line early if you can. Even better, have one parent wait for one character who comes out about 15 minutes after the character for whom you wait so the family can essentially get two character experiences for only a bit more than the wait of one.

Basically, go to the parks understanding that you and your spouse (or other accompanying adult) will be separated a lot if you want to keep both children happy. Be sure to enjoy the attractions that everyone can enjoy like Nemo at Epcot or It's A Small World at The Magic Kingdom, plus dine and snack together. And otherwise, divide and conquer! Enjoy the magic for all ages - with just a bit of extra planning.

Kids are wise: a girl's guide to making a bad day better

I am often happily shocked by the amazing sentiments that come from Amelia's mouth. She just turned six, but sometimes I believe her soul is thirty-six. Or fifty-six. She is wise and often has something to teach me.

When I'm frantically rushing around to get our family out the door, she tells me to slow down. That it's not the end of the world to be a little late.

When I'm stressed, she says, "Mommy, you have stress." And I remember to take a moment to breathe.

Saturday night, our discussion of Easter turned into questions about God and magic. Amelia says magic is real. And not just "God or Disney World real", but real all the time. And everywhere.

"Magic is real. It's all around you when you are happy. So if you are having a bad day, do something fun. You'll have magic all around you, and magic makes everything ok." 

How incredibly simple. Yet, how amazingly true. If you have a bad day, just do something fun. Allow yourself a smile. And wait for the magic.

#WW: Magic Kingdom adventure

I recently shared what to bring for a day at Disney World with a few photos of our magical fun. Also some photos of the fantastic Lion King family suite where we stayed two nights.

Everything at the Magic Kingdom is lovely, fun, and exciting - so I cannot resist sharing a few more!

We're here!

Mama's bag for Disney World

Early morning - take advantage of resort Extra Magic Hours!

Just before Christmas, we took our little princess to Disney World. This was her second visit and my fifth. It was especially exciting this time because New Fantasyland, the largest Magic Kingdom expansion in the park's history, officially opened 14 days prior. There were new things to see for all of us!

#WW: Walt Disney World! Room fit for a (lion) king

No more secrets from our sweet girl - we went to Disney World!

Our first night, arriving after a long afternoon drive from Atlanta:

"What do you mean there are no Little Mermaid rooms left?!? Our daughter wanted a mermaid room - that's what we booked!"

"Free upgrade? A suite? Lion King? You say it's bigger and better? Well, okay...."

Table that hides a pull-down bed!

Disney Update: Monsters & Inside Looks

Tickets are now on sale for MONSTERS, INC. 3D which opens everywhere on Wednesday, December 19th! Mike Wazowski in 3d? Now that will be funny!

And in case we need more monster-iffic laughs, MONSTERS UNIVERSITY is coming to theaters on June 21st, 2013! The first poster was released last week:

Disney Update: We're going!!!

Today's Disney update is a personal one -- we are going back to the Magic Kingdom!

At the end of December 2011, we stopped at the Wilderness Lodge and had dinner with Cinderella and Prince Charming at the Grand Floridian.

Disney Update: Fantasyland is almost ready! Some sneak peeks.

We all have a soft spot for Disney. I especially love the adorable and fun characters and the magical feeling of everything they share with the world. I am giddy when I think of the new Fantasyland opening soon at Walt Disney World's Magic kingdom.

More rides!
More castles!
More entertainment, food, and magic!

A few more sneak peeks were shared on the Disney Parks Blog this week:

Disney on Ice: Rockin' Ever After

October is a lovely time of year in Atlanta. The trees begin to change, the fall breeze cools the air, and a new Disney on Ice show arrives at Phillips Arena! Last October was Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream. Amelia wore her Snow White dress and waved her glow sticks enthusiastically throughout the show.

This year, on October 10th, we will "get our princess on" once again for Disney on Ice: Rockin' Ever After!

Grateful. Satisfied. Thankful!

Thankful.
Grateful.
Satisfied.
Pleased.

Thanksgiving day was truly heartwarming. (I don't mean heartburn from eating too much - although that was certainly present.) No feeling compares to the one I get watching my sweet little girl bring smiles to the faces of people who truly love her. Unconditionally.

We had family time together, mouth-watering food, and plenty of laughs.

My husband succumbed to the lure of the newspaper sales flyers, and convinced me to go out with him at midnight. We were tired and the crowds were ridiculous, but the time we spent together, just me and him, was wonderful. We made memories for sure, tag-teaming the shopping process (I'll get in the checkout line, you go get the items - go! go! go!), meeting friendly shoppers in the line, and standing close together outdoors as the temperatures dropped into the low 40s. We made memories, and did our part for the economy with some new gadgets for our home and Christmas gifts for nieces and nephews.

Today, we slept as late as our 3-year old would allow, and mostly relaxed at home. This evening, we ventured into the city to view the new "Garden Nights, Holiday Lights" at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. It was lovely! Amelia's eyes reflected every magical twinkle. She danced down the pathways. We oohed and ahhed and pointed to all the lovely sights.

I think, perhaps, magic is real. I can feel it. 

Disney does it again (Magic!)

They did it again. Magic.
We saw Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream on Sunday. Amazing! Amelia was already acting out scenes and songs from princess movies an a near constant basis... now she's acting out and skating scenes. It's Princesspalooza around here! Morning, noon, and night.

Before the show: City girl attitude

Costume change!

Magic moments happen every day

Sharing some of my favorite magic moments.

When you have an awesome little kid in your life, magic moments happen every day!

Magic is... First baby snuggles

Magic is... Joy in discovering a brand new furry friend