Blog Posts by Nancy Wideman

Disneyland Resort – Top Attractions, Food, and Experiences

9/20/2021 • Disneyland, Reviews • Are you excited to finally plan your FIRST visit to the Disneyland Resort in California?! As a first-timer, even if you know Disney World like the back of your hand, there are certain things at the Disneyland Resort that are unique to this resort and are quintessential Disney magic. Classic attractions:  The Disneyland Railroad, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean are all amazing, classic rides, and Walt had a hand in designing each of them. Fun fact: Pirates of the Caribbean is twice as long at Disneyland as it is at Walt Disney World! Best Attractions Unique to the Disneyland Resort:  At Disneyland, Indiana Jones Adventure tops my list for favorite attractions despite the fact that it is not a newer ride, having opened in the mid- 90’s. For those seeking a calmer experience, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is an original dark ride in Fantasyland. For you […]

Disney Cruise Line – Alaskan Adventures Continued… Embarkation Day at Canada Place

7/7/2021 • Cruises, Tips • Embarkation day for your Disney cruise is quite exciting. If you’re like me, you want to get to the port early even if you have a later check-in time. But where will you go? Is there food available? Will you have to lug your luggage around with you? These were all questions I had the morning we were to set sail from Vancouver to Alaska. I’m happy to tell you that Canada Place is in a great location set up to help keep you comfortable and entertained while you wait to board. Food and a Quick Break: Immediately across the street from Canada Place is the Waterfront Centre Food Court, complete with Tim Horton’s, McDonald’s, and plenty of other offerings where you can grab a bite to eat and relax. Restaurants open early, wi-fi is available, and youcan make a quick stop to the restrooms. Stowing Luggage: Make sure you […]

Selecting Your Stateroom for Your Disney Cruise

5/25/2021 • Cruises, Tips • You’ve selected your perfect Disney Cruise Line itinerary. With all the exciting destinations offered, you have completed the hardest step! Next, let’s help you determine what kind of stateroom will best fit both your family’s needs as well as your budget. There are four main categories of staterooms on a Disney ship: Inside, Oceanview, Verandah, and Concierge. An inside stateroom (no windows to the outside) is the least expensive category. If you really want to cruise but see your room as only a place to sleep, or if the price difference between an inside stateroom and a verandah is make or break for you going on the cruise, an inside stateroom might be the answer for you! is a larger space and offers fresh light and a beautiful view. Depending on the ship and stateroom, you may have 1 or 2 non-opening portholes to look out of. If you would […]

Discovering the Last Frontier with Disney Cruise Line

4/27/2021 • Cruises • A Disney cruise to Alaska – something for everyone in your family with the HUGE added bonus of exploring some of the most gorgeous, natural beauty in the world. Our family checked off a huge item on our bucket list – exploring the Last Frontier: Alaska. The beauty of Alaska is something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. For fellow travelers we met on our journey, many of them were returning to Alaska for their 3rd, 4th, even 7th time, and now I understand why. Combine a journey into the wilds of Alaska up the Pacific Ocean with the service and entertainment onboard a Disney cruise ship, and you’ve got a perfect family vacation. Before we had even boarded the ship, we were meeting friendly faces from our cruise group Facebook page where we had all shared plans and hopes for our families’ vacations. We continued to […]

Enjoying runDisney Events for Non-Runners

3/19/2021 • Cruises, Disneyland, Holidays & Events, Tips, Walt Disney World • I am not a runner…at all…but that didn’t stop me from joining friends in my first runDisney marathon weekend! Whether you are up every morning for that morning run, or if you simply want to experience a runDisney event, here are several reasons to love runDisney races! The Challenge! Hopefully, all races are a challenge no matter your level of experience. For this girl, I’ll admit I didn’t train nearly enough knowing what I do now. Disney recommends a pace time of 15 minutes or under per mile whether you run or walk {or a combination of both}. “Balloon Ladies” {and sometimes Balloon Men!} keep the pace from the back and encourage you to keep going. If you fall behind, you will eventually get picked up and taken to the finish. I was able to stay ahead of them, but I saw faces of defeat on those who were not […]

Capturing the Moments – 7 Helpful Tips

3/9/2021 • Tips • Some of my favorite photos of my kids are from Disney parks, and I have HUGE scrapbooks to prove it! I'm one of those moms who will plan an outfit based on where we'll be, what characters we might meet, coordinating colors,... I also enjoy taking candid photos - photos when they're looking somewhere else and all you see is the joy in their eyes, photos while walking behind them, and the simple things that make up what a Disney vacation means to our family. I am in no way a professional photographer, but I do like to pay attention to my shots. 1. Get down to their level. Sure, have some fun taking some artistic shots looking straight down at your kids or looking up at them from the ground, but the best photos are those that are at the same level as the subject. Experience things from a […]

Busted – 9 Myths About Working with a Travel Agent

9/22/2020 • Blog • Travel agents have evolved over the decades to be full-fledged travel planners, helping their clients with every little detail to create the perfect vacation. They are no longer 9 to 5 agents who book a flight and hotel and send the customer the itinerary and a map. Here are the most common myths about working with a travel agent and why now, more than ever, is the best time to entrust your vacation with a trained professional who is with you every step of the way. Myth #1: “I lose control of my vacation by booking with a travel agent.” FALSE - You do not relinquish control over your own vacation. In fact, the more involved you are in the process, the more your agent will get to know you and help perfect the details to suit your family’s style, requests, and requirements. You can still enjoy the planning and […]

Introduction to the World of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

7/17/2020 • Blog, Walt Disney World • The Star Wars saga spans decades of storytelling. Having a brief background on the films helps when exploring Batuu at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. Timeline A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, the Galactic Republic maintained peace and order in the galaxy with Jedi knights and elected senators. *During the prequel trilogy (Episodes I - III), the Sith ( the “dark side”) gain control of the Republic and form the Galactic Empire. *In the original trilogy (Episodes IV-VI), the Rebellion fights against the empire and forms the New Republic. *In the final trilogy (Episodes VII-IX), remnants of the Galactic Empire return as the First Order and attempt to gain back control of the galaxy. The Resistance rises up for a final battle. Backstory The Galaxy’s Edge storyline takes place between the events of Episodes VIII and IX. Batuu is located in the Outer Rim of […]

The Animation Experience at the Conservation Station-Disney’s Animal Kingdom

3/20/2020 • Walt Disney World • Our love for Disney started with animation, and the first Disney films we enjoyed as a family, so it’s no wonder that animation classes at Disney parks have been “our thing” for years! Although Disney has closed the Animation Academy at Hollywood Studios, you can now draw with a Disney animator at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s an experience that artists of all ages can enjoy! Your adventure begins when you board a train headed for the Conservation Station. It’s a fun ride to get you to a remote area of the park to explore. You can choose to walk around and look at the conservation and educational stations set up, venture into the petting zoo, or enter the main building where you can try your hand at drawing a popular Disney animal character! As with all Disney animation classes, you are provided with a board, paper, and a pencil. They […]

Discovering Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland

12/3/2019 • Disneyland • Hiding at the back of Disneyland Park, tucked behind the impressive facade of "it’s a small world," is a little gem that will delight all the littles in your family! Mickey’s Toontown is a colorful area brimming with whimsy and interactive play. The ever-spinning welcome sign as it “counts” guests entering the park gives you a glimpse of what to expect as you walk through and find yourself in a cartoon land with Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway center-stage. Attractions in this area include: Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway (Hitch a ride on Engineer Goofy's train and be ready for some crazy antics!) Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin (a playful twist on the classic dark ride) Chip 'N' Dale's GADGETcoaster (35” height requirement to ride this family-friendly roller coaster) Donald’s Duck Pond(interactive) Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard (interactive) CenTOONial Park (interactive) Minnie’s House Mickey's House and Meet Mickey Be sure to wander […]