HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

As New Year approaches here in Arizona I was thinking about all the things to come in 2009.

Here are some of my plans for 2009:

Walt Disney World Plans
March 5-9 visit Walt Disney World for the inaugural Princess 1/2 Marathon
September 5-19 visit Walt Disney World purely for pleasure

Health Plans
Lose the weight I've regained since my last 1/2 Marathon
Gain strength
Increase running endurance

Home Plans
Install new flooring
Finish painting inside/outside
Get more rock for front and back yards

Some of these plans are a bit ambitious, but I have a year to do them right?

What are some of your plans? I'm looking forward to seeing what others are interested in doing.

Have a safe, happy, healthy New Year!

Merry Christmas To All!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Just a quick post to wish everyone a safe, happy and healthy Christmas! Hope your day was magical and you received all the things you wished for!

Christmas in the Disney Parks

There's a chill in the air, the snow is falling and it's Christmas time. Well, that may be true for a lot of you in cooler climates, but not here in Arizona. In fact, not at Disneyland or Walt Disney World either.

I couldn't think of a better way to spend Christmas than to visit a Disney Park. There's a certain magic that being in a Disney Park brings no matter what time of year, but when it comes to the holidays it's intensified even more.

A quick walk down Main Street USA sets the tone at Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom. There are lights, wreaths, garland and who could forget the fabulous Christmas tree? Guests and Cast Members just seem to ooze that holiday spirit that we all crave during this special time of year.

If you aren't lucky enough to make it to one of the Disney Parks for Christmas this year, take a moment, close your eyes and imagine it. Trust me, it'll perk up your whole day.

I won't be able to make it to a Disney Park this year, but I spent a few Christmases at Disneyland in California growing up and I can recall the wonder I felt. There's not much that's more fun than opening 0presents in the hotel, especially when the gifts included Disney items.

I have also had the pleasure of visiting Walt Disney World in December to witness the incredible decorations and events. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom was wonderful and a memory I treasure as it was my Dad's last trip. The snow falling on Main Street added such a wonderful atmosphere. I also remember the decorations at the hotels - beautiful trees, wreaths, lights, special adornments. A truly magical time of year at WDW.

On a special trip to Europe I was lucky enough to get to go to Disneyland Paris in December. This was a new experience because not only was it festive it was extremely cold! Having a real frost in the air did change the atmosphere and really made it feel like Christmas. The decorations were lovely at the hotels and in the parks. The Studios had wonderful decorations that included tinkling lights and retro/art deco decorations that were festive and fun.

In conclusion, in my opinion there's really not many other places I'd rather be than in a Disney Park for the holidays. If you get the chance try to get to the parks around the holidays and you'll find new ways to create more magic and memories for a lifetime. Who knows, maybe you'll even start a new tradition!

What to Expect

I hope to start blogging soon, but I've been trying to figure out exactly what I want to say and do with this blog.

I didn't start out as a solo traveller. In fact, I used to travel to Disney with my family, but now it's just me. I think I'll start from my first trip to Walt Disney World and work my up to my latest solo trips. Prior to going solo I travelled with family members that used wheelchairs and electric scooters so I can shed a little light on the wonders of Disney with the disabled as well.

I'm going to share my thoughts, feelings and experiences. I hope to detail the rides I've experiences, the restaurants I've dined at and the resorts I've stayed at.

I'm certainly not an expert, but I would love to share with others that enjoy Disney too. I don't plan on sugar coating everything - if there was something I didn't like I'll let you know.

I also like some of the other local attractions and I will do my best to highlight these too!

Just the beginning...

Welcome to my first blog post. I am new to blogging and just setting up my blog. I will be adding real content soon....I promise.

This blog will be dedicated to solo travel to Walt Disney World, sprinkled with Disneyland and where ever else I happen to travel. I have been travelling to Walt Disney World since 1991, solo since 2005. I hope I can share some insights that others have not shared yet.

Thanks for reading my first post. Stay tuned for more.

Amanda