I am one of “those” people — a Disney maniac! I took my very first Disney trip when I was 10 years old. My parents took our family on a road trip from Omaha (where we lived at the time) to Pasadena, CA, and back. One of our stops was Disneyland — where I got to experience the wonder of Space Mountain, the spinning teacups, the Haunted Mansion, and meet Mickey Mouse! It was love at first sight!

My next trip wasn’t until I was 17 and we took an extended family road trip to Disney World. I stayed in the campground and got to see EPCOT, Cinderella’s castle (much prettier than Sleeping Beauty’s castle in Disneyland), and attend the Hoop-Dee-Doo, which is my very favorite thing to do in Disney World!

My mom and my aunt had fun hanging with Pluto!

I’ve been back to Disney World a number of times since then and it never gets old. I have stayed at the Caribbean Beach Club, Wilderness Resort, and Animal Kingdom Lodge as well as camped in the campground. They are all wonderful places to stay.

A little over 10 years ago, my best friend and I took our daughters on a road trip to California and back like my family had done for me. I wanted to recreate that incredible memory for my daughter and it worked. We spent two days in Disneyland and it was magical!

My husband and I in Disney World the day after the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010. We watched them win sitting in a bar at the Animal Kingdom Resort.

My daughter has been to a Disney park a total of 8 times, I believe. One trip to Disneyland, the rest of them to Disney World, and a Disney Cruise thrown in there for good measure! She’s about to graduate from college and, like her mommy, she hasn’t outgrown Disney yet!

Disney vacations are wonderful experiences — you get out of them what you put into them. I can’t suggest strongly enough that you stay on property when you go. Don;t try to save a few bucks by staying off property; it’s seriously not worth it. There is nothing more rewarding than the total Disney experience. Be sure to book dinner at the Hoop-Dee-Doo one night as well as book a character meal (I’m partial to breakfast at Chef Mickey’s).

My husband, daughter, daughter’s friend, and me on the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. LOVE the very start of that ride!

Get an autograph book for all the characters you will meet — yes, I mean YOU, grown up person! You’ll love getting those autographs! Be sure to stay for fireworks and see the electrical parade. Eat at least one Mickey ice cream bar — a day! Want a challenge? Drink your way around the world like my husband did at EPCOT! It took him 3 hours but he did it — without puking 🙂 Smile to yourself every time someone who works at Disney tells you, “Have a magical day!” It really is the happiest place on Earth!