Friday, January 13, 2012

Chat With a Disney Guru: DisneyLifestyle


Weekly series!


Welcome to a great new way to compare notes, pick up some helpful tips for your next Disney visit, and discover some fantastic Disney bloggers!  Each week I will be highlighting an interview with a certified, pixie dusted fan of The Mouse.  

WARNING:  Their enthusiasm for all things Disney is, in fact, quite contagious!  So come along for the ride with us ... you may learn something new, and it's sure to put a smile on your face as you read about the good, the really really good, and the "you absolutely can't miss this...."!

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This week: DisneyLifestyle Melanie!

Melanie in front of the Club 33 placard at Disneyland.


Tell us a little about you, and your website (blog).
I am a mom of 3. I am a community health nurse on leave to raise my kids, though I occasionally work if the gig is right. I was born, and mostly raised, in Florida, so Disney has always been a part of my life.

My blog, The Disney Lifestyle Blog, is just my way of sharing the Disney Life: everything from Disney travel to Disney movies and even cool Disney bargains you find at your local discount store. Anything Disney goes.

Which is your favorite Disney Park, and why?
 I am a native Floridian, so I am naturally a Walt Disney World girl, though I have been to the Disneyland Resort in California and to the Disneyland Resort Paris as well.

Within the Walt Disney World borders, Epcot is my favorite. I like the vibe of the park ~ Future World + World Showcase. I like the entertainment, the food, the feeling that it is a small world... oh wait, that is at Magic Kingdom.

Top 3 characters you’d like to meet on an ideal day at Disney:
 First, Chip & Dale. I just love those guys, and then Prince John from the animated classic Robin Hood. He’s pretty hard to find, but I have a few pictures of myself with him through the years, and I’d love to get a new one.

Ok, Chip & Dale count as one... I REALLLLLLY want to have my pic taken with the Mayor of Main Street USA.

California Adventure Park's "Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular" - yes, it is spectacular.

Your 3 favorite Disney attractions, and why you love them.
 The Carousel of Progress: It’s a classic
Soarin’: Who doesn’t love Soarin’?
Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror: No explanation necessary.

Now for my least favorite:
I do not ride Tea Cups, period, end of discussion.
Mission: SPACE, likewise, is a no-no for vertigo.
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin: up, down, round and round makes mommy’s tummy unhappy. I go for a Dole Whip instead, cuz it’s conveniently found close to the Carpets.
Disneyland's Matterhorn at sunset.

Favorite time of the year to visit?
January: Sometime after Marathon Weekend. You can’t beat the low crowds. We just pray that we don’t end up there during a notorious Floridian cold snap.

And folks should know that when it is cold in Florida, it is a cold that cuts to the bone. It is not a typical New England or Midwestern style of cold. The humidity stays in Florida year-round, so if it is going to be in the 40s or 50s, pack a good jacket!

The Park snack your day is not complete without.
 Two words: Dole Whip

Favorite Character Meal?
 I love the Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom. Eeyore has long been a favorite of mine, and the food is good too.

Quick tip: Make late lunch reservations around 2:15pm. The lunch service will be ending, and the dinner service beginning. You may get two entirely different sets of entrees and desserts. Two meals in one!

Top 3 Disney Property restaurants you like to eat at.
Cookes of Dublin in Downtown Disney  
Tusker House in Animal Kingdom for lunch/dinner  
Ohana at the Polynesian Resort for dinner. Love the salad dressing.

How do you keep the Pixie Dust flying at home, in between trips?
I rarely dust or do housework of any nature... oh you said Pixie Dust.

Always have a Spoon Full of Sugar handy for emergencies. A tiara makes any outfit look look better. And remember that Hidden Mickeys are everywhere. Look around your hometown and see how many you can find.

Any tips for people planning their 1st trip to Disney?
Keep it simple. Know when you want to go, how long you want to stay, and have a good idea of your budget. Then call me.

Seriously, over-planning any Disney vacation, especially your first can take the magic out of your stay. You only get one chance to see Cinderella Castle for the first time, so enjoy the moment.

How long have you been blogging about Disney?
My blog is almost a year old, but I have been writing about Disney and helping people plan trips to Disney since before there was an internet.

Do you take your own pictures, and if so – any tips for getting good shots?
I take my own photos, but I also love Disney’s PhotoPass service. For group shots, the best tip is to always think “Pyramid.” The tallest person should be centered in the back. Then “shape” the rest of your group around them. Bad things happen otherwise.
Melanie's kids in front of Disneyland's Tower of Terror

Where do you find inspiration for blog topics to feature?
Daily life, other bloggers, my own vacation planning... I constantly have Disney on the brain, it is in my genetic code, so it is not too hard for me to find topics.

What is your motivation to keep blogging – or any final advice to share?
I blog for fun and because I truly have a passion for Disney, everything from the movies to the parks, to the lunch boxes and the books. I do not adhere to any preset schedule. I blog only when I have something to say or share with other Disney enthusiasts.

Final Advice: Never write something you wouldn’t want Walt Disney, himself, to read. That doesn’t mean everything you say about Disney must be positive, but it should be meaningful.

People like Disney because it puts a smile on their face. Enthusiasts love Disney because it touches their lives. 

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A big thank you to DisneyLifestyle Melanie for sharing her insights!
You can find more great things from Melanie on both of her blogs:


The Disney Lifestyle Blog


Operation: Mom

Read more on these other Disney guru posts:

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for letting me share with you. And I can't wait to see what Jackie has to say next week.

    ReplyDelete

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