Adventure In The Great Wide Somewhere

All the laundry is washed and put away and guess who is back to making beds and cooking and cleaning. Yes, that'd be me. Sad last breakfast is yesterday's news. The kids surprised that they don't get to go to a musical after dinner, wander off to try to amuse themselves. Vacation is well and truly over. We're singing the don't have no more Disney Vacation blues... So what's to be done once I'm in a post Disney funk with no Disney on the calendar for ages? Here are some of my (many) coping mechanisms. Plan For A Magical Future Nothing eases the pain of ending a vacation quite so much as knowing that it is "See Ya Real Soon!" rather than "Goodbye." There's something about knowing you're definitely coming back that eases the sting of post cruise blues. If you missed rebooking onboard, you can always book once your sea legs are a distant memory. While you're at it, create a cruise bucket list (TA, Hawaii, Alaska,...

Since I am blessed to enjoy Disney Cruise Line (DCL) coming back to our neck of the woods , I've had several people ask me how DCL compares to a Walt Disney World family vacation. Picking between two beautiful family friendly resort vacations? Sounds difficult, but we'll press on. #firstworldproblems Energy Walt Disney World is a kinesthetic experience, with average walking distances of five to ten miles per day depending how active you are and which park you tour. I highly doubt you'll walk that much on a day at sea. (Unless you're crazy like me and have to get your run in before dawn.)  Similarly in the parks everything is going all the time, if you or your child are overwhelmed by activity and get easily overstimulated. Cruising tends to attract and invite more of a relaxing day at the beach vibe. There are extremely active shore excursions and activities (dawn basketball anyone?) available too, but it is not overwhelming or inescapable. Somewhere in th...

Here's one of my new favorite blog hops today: Three Things Thursday!  (Be sure to link up on her blog !) Since I already have a blog (and three blogs preceding this one) what haven't I already shared? Once Upon a Time There Was a Princess Who Liked Trying New Things... 1.) Downtown Disney I grew up knowing that Pleasure Island existed and that we weren't going to go there for some reason. I guess I never really investigated the transformation to Downtown Disney until I was planning a recent girls only trip to the World. It has changed since the Pleasure Island days. A lot. We loved shopping, browsing and meandering our way through TrenD, Disney's Days of Christmas, Lego Imagination Center and (of course) World of Disney. Dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express was fast and excellent. (Far, far better fare than we would've enjoyed at our resort food court, IMO.) The whole experience made for a perfect afternoon of dipping our toes in the wa...

Yes, Winnie the Pooh took a selfie on my iPhone. #winning #SilentSunday

Welcome to those of you joining me from Melissa's blog, Rolling with the Magic and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the final stop on our Magical Blogorail . When a mouseketeer starts to feel the heat, there are two possible responses: Fight or Flight. While you've read about some wonderful ways to beat the heat, I'm going to take the opposite response and run. Yes, run. Hit the road, head to port and join Mickey on the high seas. While on board the Disney Wonder, we will never be more than a few steps from air conditioning. Or a fruity frozen beverage. Or a nice tropical breeze. Except during the summer when the Wonder heads to the sunny frozen shores of Alaska. Alaska? Well if you're really sick of the dog days of summer, why not embrace your #DisneySide by getting a little bit Frozen? Princess Anna and Queen Elsa decided to grace the Disney Wonder with a little bit of Frozen magic during her Alaska sailings. (See guest services on boarding f...

Is it really Disney Parks Moms Panel application time??? Well, maybe, maybe not just yet. Although Gary posted some tweets about upcoming possible changes to the Disney Parks Moms Panel search...so that got everyone chatting on Facebook and the DIS for a little while I get to hang out in wait and see mode. Which means it must be time for me to rearrange some song lyrics again to some of my favorite Frozen songs until the application process begins again. Do You Wanna Ask Moms Panel Adapted by Me (to the tune of "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman" from #Frozen) [First Year Applicant:] Disney? [knocks] Do you wanna ask Moms Panel? Come on, let's go and plan! I want to spread some pixie dust, Disney Cruise or bust! I'm like the perfect fan! My friends thought I was a shoe-in, And now I'm not I wish you could tell me why! Do you wanna ask Moms Panel?  It doesn't have to be me this year... [Disney:] Not this year. [First Year Applicant:] ...

Welcome Wordless Wednesday Blog Hoppers! Embracing my musical #DisneySide I grew up in the golden revival of the Disney musical. If you dissect my #DisneySide, Ariel, Belle and Lion King music is a big part of it! Do you have one favorite Disney song? Bonus #DisneySide Question: How many Mickeys can you spot above? Thank you to Focused on the Magic for hosting!  

Welcome Tiggerific Tuesday Trivia blog hoppers. Thanks again to Jodi from  +Magical Mouse Schoolhouse , Heidi from  +Heidi's Head , Jenn from Disney Babies Blog  and  +Mike Ellis  for co-hosting! Did You Know... There is no regularly scheduled galley tour on the Magic or Wonder. Don't despair my culinary castaways! If you still want to sneak a peak at the inner workings, head to the aft portion or the walking track on deck four.  All shipshape and ready for the next service. Here you can sneak a peak into the galley from the two portholes into the Animator's Palate kitchens. If you want to see them in action, drop by right before or after either dinner seating. An InLinkz Link-up 

Now it's time to say goodbye... Whether you call it disembarkation, disembarkment, debarkation, going ashore, or just going home, it still is  my least favorite part of vacation. Yes, all good things come to an end, but how exactly do you say see ya real soon on a cruise? The answer is, it kind of depends how much of a rush you are in to leave the ship. I'm Late! I'm Late! If you absolutely must be the first person off of the ship, pack all of your luggage the last afternoon or evening, but do not place it in the hallway. Express walk off means carrying your own luggage. If you would like to eat prior to debarkation, main seating diners may be able to eat a rushed breakfast in the main dining rooms or you enjoy the buffet at your leisure. (Please remember to take your luggage with you. Once you leave your room , your stateroom host will begin cleaning for the next guest.) Meet in the lounge with the other Express Walk-Off guests and leave the ship before m...

Here's one of my new favorite blog hops today: Three Things Thursday!  (Be sure to link up on her blog !) Since I already have a blog (and three blogs preceding this one) what haven't I already shared? Once Upon a Time There Was a Princess Who Refused to Do Whatever Snow Does In Summer. Instead She... 1.) Loves the Summer Movie Clubhouse !  Movies, friends and a super big refillable popcorn bucket. They may not be showing Frozen, but for a dollar each (or less if you get the whole summer package), it's a great way to spend a rainy day. Don't forget the hoodies! A/C can be brutal. 2.) Hand Out The Craft Supplies. Yes, she went to HEB like this. Why not? Then leave them alone. Face paint, crayons, paper and free time let my kids learn how to self amuse and be creative, while I'm happy vacuuming, doing laundry or browsing pinterest. 3.) Let the Kids Bounce Off Of The Walls. Literally. Those are trampolines up the walls. Somet...

Welcome Wordless Wednesday Blog Hoppers! Thank you to Focused on the Magic for hosting!