Hop A Pool!

Welcome to those of you joining me from YourFirstVisit.net and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 3rd stop on our Magical Blogorail. 

When it comes to planning your Disney Parks vacation, undoubtabtly, your first instint will be to go "Park Commando" and schedule non-stop in-park activities that'll leave your family's Pixie in the Dust. I can't stress the importance of scheduling time to (Disney) unwind. One of my family's favorite out-of-park Disney activities is to "Pool Hop". 

Pool Hopping is a perk available to Disney Vacation Club Members that offers members the opportunity to experience other resort pool offerings. Now, I know there is gray area here, and I'm sure many non-dvc members have enjoyed resort pools of which they're not official guests. However, the official rule is; unless you're a DVC Member, pool hopping is frowned upon. 

DVC Members have some restrictions as well. For example, pool hopping is never allowed in Stormalong Bay at the Yacht/Beach Club, Bay Cove Pool at Bay Lake Tower, or Samawati Springs Pool at Kindani Village. In addition, peak travel times also enforce a no pool hopping policy, in an effort to keep the pool capacity avaliable for it's guests. 

Here is the DisneyFAITHful pool resume:

Uzima Pool -Animal Kingdom Lodge 

Pros: Zero-entry, African theme, pool bar, two hot tubs; counter service eatery, The Mara, in close proximity to pool.

Cons: Slide is mediocre. No other water features. 

Best for: Families that want to relax.

Bay Cove Pool- Bay Lake Tower

Pros: Decent slide, also a small kiddie size slide, zero-entry, size of pool makes it easy to keep an eye on little ones,  pool bar, hot tub near pool, kiddie splash pad, other recriational activities within site of pool.

Cons: Uninteresting theme for children, but the slide lit up at night is attractive.

Best for: Adults, families with smaller children.

Stormalong Bay- Beach Club/Yacht Club

Pros: Great ship-wreak themed slide with kiddie pool and small slides on boat section of slide, fun activities, two hot tubs tucked away within rock landscaping but still near pool, lazy river, sand bottom, pool/beach combo on Yacht Club side, most elaborately themed pool complex

Cons: large swimming complex makes it hard to keep an eye on the littlest ones. Guests must exit pool area and walk across main boardwalk to get to slide entrance (awkward for us ladies!), the seams of the slide can hurt as travel down, pool bar difficult to access (must climb over bridges & stairs).

Best for: Families with older children comfortable in water.

Luna Park Pool- Boardwalk

Pros: Great slide, kiddie pool, kiddie splash pad, kiddie playground, pool water features, hot tub near pool, pool bar near pool.

Cons: Dining options limited, Distance from Boardwalk Inn section of resort. 

Contemporary Resort

Pros: Two pools, near Bay Lake & Marina, Bay Lake Tower guests may access, kiddie splash pad, dining near pools.

Cons: Uninteresting theme for children, No shade.

Best for: Adults, families with smaller children.

Nanea Volcano Pool- Polynesian 

Pros: Great slide, zero-entry, kiddie water sprayers near-by, easy beach access, pool bar, Captain Cook's counter service near-by, near marina, pool size condusive to watching children.

Cons: Sections of slide are in the dark; may be frieghtning for smaller children.

Best for: All families.

Hidden Springs Pool- Wilderness Lodge

Pros: Beautiful surroundings, kid friendly slide, pool bar, kiddie size slide

Cons: large pool divided into two sections makes it harder to watch children, hot tub a bit seperated from main pool, no other water features.

Best for: All families. 

Old Key West

Pros: Great slide, fun theme, kiddie pool, playground, sand play area, hot tub near pool, sauna near pool, near marina, near community hall.

Cons: No zero-entry, large lay-out, food/beverage located outside pool area.

Best for: All families, great for older children.

Grand Californian

Pros: three pools, slide has separate pool, two hot tubs, fun themed slide area, peaceful surroundings.

Cons: Keeping an eye on little ones going back and forth between pools, seems a bit non small child friendly (slide area exception), no other water features for little ones.

Best for: Adults, older children.

I hope you've enjoyed reading a bit about my family's favorite way to experience Disney Magic outside the parks! And remember........

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on our Magical Blogorail Loop is The Many Adventures of a Disney Lovin' Spectrum Mom.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail Loop should you happen to have to
make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ The World of Deej
2nd Stop ~ YourFirstVisit.net
3rd Stop ~ The Disney FAITHful
4th  Stop ~ The Many Adventures of a Disney Lovin’ Spectrum Mom
Final Stop ~ Capturing Magical Memories

runDisneyland

Welcome to those of you joining me from Adventures of a Disney Princess and to those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 3rd stop on our special edition runDisney Magical Blogorail loop. 

So, you don't just want to run around the "World", you want to run around "the Land" too!

But your wondering, "is it really 13.1 miles of magic?"

Oh, it's so much more! 

To all who come to this Happy Place, Welcome!

Arriving: Like Walt Disney World Resort®, the Disneyland Resort® offers its guests transportation aboard the Disneyland Resort Express! Unlike it's Magical Express Sister, the DLRE offers transportation from two local airports, Los Angeles International (LAX) about 45 mins away, or Orange County's, John Wayne (SNA) about 20 mins away. Unlike the ME however, the DLRE is not a complementary service. A non-discounted trip will set you back about $25-$30 per person, depending on airport. Of course, if you're participating in a runDisney event and book through the travel partner, Get Travel, the price is about half its original cost.

Once you've boarded the DLRE the next stop is your Disney property hotel. The Express drops at all three resort hotels before looping back to the airport. The express does not make stops at DL's Good Neighbor Hotels. 

If the shoe fits!

Expo: Undoubtedly, once you're settled, your next stop will be the Disneyland Half Marathon Health & Fitness Expo. Here, you'll pick up your racing packets and explore exhibits from some of the biggest names in running gear. In addition, you'll find things you never even knew existed! While you're there, don't forget to stop by the runDisney booth to register for your next race and receive an on-site registration discount! 

runDisneyland

Running: What to expect: People! Meet your new 15,000 BFF's! They'll be there to cheer you on every step of the way, really! It's a bond with strangers that is, well, Magical! As far as DL race tips, the 1st is that I cannot stress enough how convenient it is to stay on property! You are literally steps away from the staging area in the parking lot of the Disneyland Hotel, as well as steps away from the Corrals, no matter which of the three DL hotels you choose (they're all pretty much across the street from each other). This makes at 2:45 am wake-up call for a WDW race, 4:00am for a DL race! 

The Course

Course: Not only does the DL 1/2 Marathon offer an unprecedented run through both Disneyland and California Adventure, but with the property itself being smaller, 13.1 miles of nothing but Disney is near impossible. So, a trip through the city of Anaheim is a bonus :) While my favorite portions of the course included any mile on Disney property, my Husband's favorite was the opportunity to run in and around Angel Stadium. As you run up the players entrance you are immediately taken back by a giant jumbo-tron with you on it! Next, you run the third base line as runners are announced over the stadium PA! Another bonus, a relatively flat course designed to help you earn that PR (personal record). 

Next, head back toward the parks and cross the finish line where the Disneyland Hotel and Downtown Disney walkway meet! Lastly, enjoy your bling... you've earned it!

But don't forget.... it can't be all work and no play!

Take in a show!

Make a splash!

Wine & Dine!

We'll leave the light on for ya!

Don't just run..... runDisney!

Where every mile IS magic!

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail loop is A Disney Mom's Thoughts!

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard!

1st Stop ~ Disney Babies Blog
2nd Stop ~ Adventures of a Disney Princess
3rd Stop ~ The Disney FAITHful
4th Stop ~ A Disney Mom’s Thoughts

5^th Stop ~ Growing Up Disney

6^th Stop ~ DIStherapy
Final Stop ~ Tips from the Disney Diva

Castle Controversy?

Welcome to those of you joining me from Yourfirstvisit.net and to those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 2nd stop on our Magical Blogorail.

When considering the topic of controversies, I surmise the Disney brand probably isn't on the top of the controversial list. Oh sure, they've had their share of internal controversy, and even a few public issues with "Animators Gone Wild". But overall, they've retained their family orientated image.

However, what happens when the Disney Fanatic community gets upset over a proposed new Magic Kingdom nighttime spectacular? Disney controversy!

In January of 2011, Disney announced it's newest nighttime experience for Magic Kingdom; The Magic, The Memories, and You! An all new laser light show projected onto Cinderella Castle and featuring PhotoPass images and video of that days park guests. I was excited about the prospect of this new experience, and began delving deeper into researching all I could about it....until I could see it for myself :) 

I began to find reviews of the first showing, conducted during a press event for Walt Disney World Resorts® latest marketing campaign; Let the Memories begin, which happened to coincided with the christening of the Disney Dream! One comment I specifically remember was the concern they would be defacing Cinderella Castle, and it was all a cheesy marketing ploy. Those comments really resonated with me and set me on an eager course of witnessing this show for myself! 

Finally, the day had come for me to see what had initially turned some fans Mickey Ears sideways. My opinion; it was nothing short of the most spectacular thing I had ever seen!!! Disney Magic at its finest! Frankly, any negative review that had been cast in the direction of Disney's Imagineers over this show, I thought was obviously a perpetrator from a competitor in the amusement industry sent purposely as a mole to cast a grey shadow on absolute perfection! Just sayin'. 

All joking aside, I believe Cinderella Castle is more enchanting then ever since the advent of this show! Not only have I seen its daily show several times, but I had the opportunity to witness the amazing holiday edition, breathtaking! 

So, for the naysayers of THTMAY, I have to wonder, are you really one of life's "Disney Dreamers"?

    Daily Show

Holiday Edition 

Thank you for joining me today! Your next stop on our loop is The Many Adventures of a Disney Lovin' Spectrum Mom.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail Loop should you happen to have to
make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ YourFirstVisit.net
2nd Stop ~ The Disney FAITHful
3rd  Stop ~ The Many Adventures of a Disney Lovin’ Spectrum Mom
4th Stop ~ Delightfully Disney
Final Stop ~ The World of Deej

Planning your park day backpack!

Welcome to the first stop aboard Magical Blogorail Teal. Enjoy the ride as we share with you the methods to our madness when planning our Disney Park adventures.

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is the Many Adventures of a Disney-Lovin' Spectrum Mom! 

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:
1st Stop ~ The DisneyFAITHful

2nd Stop ~ The Many Adventures of a Disney-Lovin’ Spectrum Mom

3rd Stop ~ Capturing Magical Memories
4th Stop ~ Heidi's Head
Final Stop ~ YourFirstVisit.Net

Foto Friday

Chicks and ducks and geese better scurry, when I take you out in a surrey, when I take you out in a surrey with the fringe on top! 

What Does My Disney Future Hold?

Welcome to those of you joining me from yourfirstvisit.net and to those of you just hopping aboard I am the final stop on the Magical Blogorail.

As we enter into a new year a majority of the general population is making resolutions, creating their bucket lists, and in general, thinking about what this new year has in store. Me? Nah! I'm more interested in planning my 2012 Disney vacation adventures! After all, if the Mayans are right, this year represents our last opportunities to take in all the Disney we can! So, what does my 2012 Disney future hold...hum...

Let's start with what I WANT my Disney 2012 to look like, because I'm pretty sure most of my plans are just "Figments of my Imagination". However, it will be fun at the end of the year to look back on this post and assess which of my 2012 "Wishes" actually do come true. 

1. February 24th-26th. A quick weekend to run Disney's Princess 1/2 Marathon. Well, that got shot down. I've been reminded I've participated in six runDisney events in less than a year. The clock hasn't struck midnight yet! I'm still hopeful my carriage will find it's way to the ball, somehow!

2. Spring Break. Ah... no soccer, no dance, a chance to relax! 

3. A June adults-only cruise. This actually was the suggestion of my realist Husband, of course, dreamer me tried to play it cool, "oh yeah, that would be fun", inside my mind, however, "yay! yay! yay, yay!" 

4. Disneyland 1/2 Marathon. Just four days away from my Disney Vacation Club seven-month booking window!

5. Late September. Hopefully a girls weekend for the Tower of Terror 10-miler & International Food & Wine festival!

6. December. I'll keep the details of this plan to myself....for now ;-) 

Now, the reality of these plans.... I'll just have to..."Make a wish and do as dreamers do, and all my Wishes will come true!"

Enjoy! 

Thank you for joining Magical Blogorail Teal this month. We will be back Tuesday, February 28th with an all new theme. Keep checking in with our blogs between loops to keep up to date on our Disney info, photos and stories. If you are looking for more Disney Magic, you can make your way over to The Magical Blogorail website to see all our members and their blogs, as well as all our previous loops. 

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard. 

1^st Stop ~ The Many Adventures of a Disney-Lovin’ Spectrum Mom

2^nd Stop ~ Capturing Magical Memories

3^rd Stop ~ The World of Deej

4^th Stop ~ YourFirstVisit.Net

Final Stop ~ The DisneyFAITHful

Disney Bucket List Review!

Welcome to those of you joining me from yourfirstvisit.net and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the final stop on our Magical Blogorail.

In today's loop, we are discussing our Disney Bucket Lists! As you know, Disney Parks offer a variety of activities that stem far beyond just its theme parks. From putt-putt, to parasailing, to the Richard Petty Driving Experience, there are a plethora of activities to choose from. Not to mention, it's nearly impossible to experience all the amazing offerings within the parks in a single visit. Couple this with the fact that Disney Parks are consistently offering new adventures, and you can easily see just how quickly one can establish a Disney Bucket List. Especially if your a FAITHful Disney Fan ;-)

This post is particularly special to me, as it was this very subject that lead to a series of conversations, that would eventually lead to my joining the Magical Blogorail, this past June.

This is a re-post of my original bucket list, complete with a few revisions of activities I have had the opportunity to check off the list!

ºoº Go sans children- Looking forward to being able to experience a bit of the magic without packing and repacking diaper bags, completing a stroller search and rescue mission after every attraction, and not having to share my Dole Float ;-) Luckily, this wish will come true in October, when my Husband and I run the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon. This adventure was everything I could have wished for. Not to mention, I had a few additional surprises that were not a part of my original itinerary. For example, I meet up with Deb Wills and the Allears.net gang, hung out with some special friends at the Moms Panel Meet & Greet, and experienced World Showcase like few get to do with an Epcot Segway Tour. If you haven't had the opportunity visit a Disney Park without your kiddos- add this to your list! 

ºoº Chef's table at Victoria & Albert's- This is a tough ticket! First, you must call V&A's directly for a reservation, and you can't call in until 9am, so much for being the early bird. Even if you get through, they only have one seating a night for ten, and you must have at least two in your party for a Chef's table ressie. My attempt was futile for all nights of our October stay, but I did snag the Queen Victoria Room! The QVR offers the same menu as the Chef's table, but in an intimate room with just two to four tables! What a great experience to have post 1/2 marathon, and on our last night in Disney! Better yet, being joined by friends! Where do I begin with this one?! This dining experience was not only a highlight of this particular trip, but has earned its way to the top of my list of highlights-period! A true once-in-a-lifetime dining experience! 

ºoº Craig Carroll's Cocoa Beach Surfing School @ Disney's Typhoon Lagoon- Cowabunga Dude!! So can't wait to ride the waves of the EAC-I mean the TL wave pool. This 2.5 hour land/water lesson occurs in the park before opening! That so totally rocks dude! 

ºoº La Nouba in Downtown Disney- Be prepared to be amazed! Booked for the September 30th show! 
WOW! This was fantastic! A true feast for all your sense! Be careful where you chose to sit however, or you too, my find yourself serving as good fodder for clowns! Luckily, I'm a good sport and played along!

ºoº World Showcase during the Food & Wine festival- Ok, I have already done this one, but...I have always had children in-tow, drastically reducing the ability to really, really enjoy ;-)
First stop.... Grand Mariner orange slushie!! My favorite food offering for this year's festival.... the Kalua Pork Slider from Hawai'i! 

ºoº Parasailing @ Disney's Contemporary Resort. Wow! Can you imagine flying 450 feet above the "World"? How about 600 feet? Well, you can! The adventure begins at Sammy Duval's Water Sports Centre @ Disney's Contemporary Resort Marina. This is a wet-free adventure and opportunities take flight every 30 minutes- weather permitting. This is way-cool! Had the opportunity to check this off my list with my son, as we experienced this adventure together with a tandem ride. I wasn't quite sure if he would be nervous about this experience, so we opted for the 450 foot adventure. I will say this, I am consistently reminded by said son, "We should've gone 600, Mom!". 

ºoº To go alone- Yeah, I could totally be ok with exploring the "World" all alone. Besides, I have met so many fellow Disney FANatics, it seems like someone I know is there everyday!
While I'm not sure when I'll ever get to go solo, I will get to go with a friend in just a few short weeks, as we participate in WDW Marathon weekend. So, this kinda counts, right? 

ºoº Disneyland Paris- Oh Oui! Je peux rever (I can dream)!

ºoº Disney World Moms Panel!- Last on the list, but first in my heart, the opportunity to represent the Disney World Moms Panel. As a 2011 semi-finalist, I'm ever "hopeful" for the opportunities that lie ahead. And as Walt reminds us, "If you can Dream it, you can do it". This stays in the bucket for another year. As always, I remain consummately hopeful that good things come to those who wait.....patiently! Only time will tell when I will be blessed with the amazing opportunity of checking this one off. I will admit, I sure like the way this backdrop looks behind me :) 

As always, I welcome all future opportunities of being able to check a few more off the list. However, like life, all our bucket lists should evolve with new adventures and new dreams. Whatever happens to be on your bucket list- never give up on the dream that you will be able to check a few of them off your list! 

Thank you for joining Magical Blogorail Teal this month. We will be back Tuesday, January 24th with an all new theme. Keep checking in with our blogs in between loops to keep up to date with our Disney info, photos and stories. If you are looking for more Disney magic , you can make your way over to the Magical Blogorail website to see all our members and their blogs, as well as our previous loops.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard. 

1^st Stop ~ Capturing Magical Memories

2^nd Stop ~ The World of Deej

3^rd Stop ~ YourFirstVisit.Net

Final Stop ~ The DisneyFAITHful