On Fridays, I’m planning on posting a lot of fun stuff. I’ll share some tips from one of my favorite bloggers, Vicki Powers, with Houston on the Cheap, and lots more. But today, I thought we’d kick off this Friday Fun section with … DISNEY WORLD!!!
And I’d love to introduce you to my new favorite Disney mom blogger, my sister, Emille! She’s the one in the picture at the Happiest Place on Earth!
There are a few special reasons why I’m starting with Disney. Growing up in Puerto Rico, I dreamed Disney dreams. I watched Disney movies. I wanted to be a Mouseketeer and I wore leg warmers to Mousersize. (I was a child of the 80s!)
In my family, we all sang Disney songs … all. the. time. We still break out into our favorites when we get together. My mom and dad would play on the piano or guitar and my brother, sister and I would sing whatever Disney songs came to mind.
Here’s a little peak of our Disney Family Playlist growing up:
- I’m Wishing & Some day my prince will come – Snow White
- A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes – Cinderella
- Part of Your World – Ariel
- Colors of the Wind – Pocahontas
- Stand Out (above the crowd)- Goofy Movie
- Dad’s favorite: Country Bear Jamboree
- Mom’s favorite: Pete’s Dragon “Candle in the Water”
We were singing and dancing and watching the movies, but we couldn’t afford to go to Disney on a family vacation. It seemed like every other family in Puerto Rico had gone except us. But one magical year, my grandma Mamín took me on my very first trip. I was just 5 years old and I remember three things from that trip:
- I took a picture with Tigger (still one of my favorite characters!)
- I asked when Space Mountain was going to be over (now it’s one of my favorite rides!)
- There was absolutely NO WAY I was going into the scary Haunted Mansion (I still didn’t take my kids when we went on our first family Disney trip last year!)
Just 5 years later, Grandma Mamín hit again, but she took my sister and I! We were 10 and 7 at the time. (Great ages for a Disney trip, if you ask me!) I specifically remember that year, riding the monorail and seeing EPCOT being built. WOW!
EPCOT is such a special place for me. Not only do I remember the excitement about that “new park” that was coming soon, but when I got married in 2004, Adam and I had one of our most memorable honeymoon dinners at the Coral Reef restaurant. Just 11 months after that delicious dinner, and after he had brain tumor surgery (and a miraculous recovery, thank God), we had the opportunity to go back to EPCOT around Christmas time and see the breathtaking Candlelight Processional. Wow. God’s blessings blew us away that year.
And let me not forget that EPCOT was also the place where I crossed the finish line with one of my very best friends, Liliana, when she helped train me and encouraged me every step of the way … of my first 1/2 Marathon! I’m a Run Disney fan for LIFE! Can’t wait to go back and do another race soon!
That’s my friend, Liliana & I…almost at the finish line!
I can tell Disney stories for DAYS!!! I just might in future blog posts. 🙂 But today, I want to introduce you to my sister, Emille, who has her very own Disney blog: Livin’ La Vida Disney!
I mentioned that our first “sister Disney trip” was when I was 10 and she was 7 years old. A few years later, my family was finally able to afford our ALL FAMILY DISNEY VACATION!! By this time, our youngest brother was about 8 years old. And we didn’t just “go to Disney World.” We went all out at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, an experience that is almost impossible to forget.
Now that my sister is literally “livin’ la vida Disney” in Orlando, Florida, you can find her at any given Disney park on any given day. And she’s sharing lots of fun tips, secrets & fun ideas for your next trip (and mine!) on her blog & Facebook page.
Be sure to follow her Living La Vida Disney blog & like her Livin’ La Vida Disney Facebook page.
You know how Jiminy Cricket told Pinnochio to “always let your conscience be your guide?” I think my sis Emille is the perfect Disney guide! She even has the “ears” to prove it!
Join me and let’s follow her and keep dreaming Disney dreams!
Like she says, have a Magical Day! 🙂
~Coppelia