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!
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| Melanie in front of the Club 33 placard at Disneyland. |
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.
Ok, Chip & Dale count as one... I REALLLLLLY want to have my pic taken with the Mayor of Main Street USA.
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| 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.
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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
A big thank you to DisneyLifestyle Melanie for sharing her insights!
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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:
Thanks for letting me share with you. And I can't wait to see what Jackie has to say next week.
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