Confessions of a Self-Proclaimed, Unapologetic, Disney “NUT”

I am a true-blue, over-the-edge, die-hard, pixie-dusted Disney fanatic.  I have spent MUCH of my free time roaming the hallowed grounds of the Walt Disney World Resort.  From the turn-of-the-century optimistic ambiance of Main Street USA,  to the obscure, peaceful trails winding about Wilderness Lodge, and over to the dazzling, aromatic streets of Downtown Disney with its twinkling jewel-like lights strung overhead.  I have visited each of these glorious destinations on numerous occasions and all of the precious nooks and crannies in between.  I simply can’t get enough of the air at Walt Disney World.  It weighs ever so much lighter on my lungs and its aroma is like no other.  I have attempted to surround myself with as much of “The Magic” on my home turf as I can afford by way of every form of paraphernalia imaginable, yet it in no way can compare to the feeling of actually inhabiting a piece of Walt Disney World real estate.   I’m forever anticipating and planning my next trip to my “Heaven on Earth” and on the ride home from any given vacation, control my enormous urge to bawl by reminding myself of the plans I have for our next trip.

You wonder how this Disney enthusiasm came to be?  I have lived in a small town just 50 miles west of Disney all of my 38 years.  My mother introduced me to Walt Disney World as a small child and from the very minute I entered into the gates of the Magic Kingdom, my love and fascination of all things Disney was born.  Instead of growing out of it, with each passing birthday my love and excitement concerning Disney flourished. Friends and family now consider me the one “in the know” about all things Disney and often come to me concerning questions on vacation planning to minor trivia (although nothing about Disney should ever be thought of as minor!).   I spend much of my free time studying anything relevant to Walt Disney and the awe-inspiring Worlds that he created here in Central Florida, as well as the original in California. I have recently come to the realization that this infatuation, if you will, is not going to diminish and I would do well to whole-heartedly, dig in and roll around in it like a big, warm, fluffy bed covered in quilts hand-stitched by grandma herself. …….aaaaaaaaah.

You see, I dream of inhabiting a world like that of Walt Disney’s ideal;  A place where smiling, laughing faces are common scenery and not the second-glance inducing surprise that you rarely encounter on any given day;  Where on every path you take, a song dances through the air; the sort of melody that taps into the  part of you that still believes in handsome princes on white horses and Good always triumphing over Evil.  It’s a world in which you are eager to awaken before the alarm clock’s wail because you realize that the land beyond your door offers you the promise that something spectacular will surely happen to you today. It’s a place that invokes a heart so warm and full that its contents spill over into every ounce of your being, and often in my case, spill over onto my cheeks.  I ask you, who wouldn’t want to be a part of a world like this?! 

Lately, I have shamelessly begun sharing my enthusiasm and unadulterated love for all things Disney with perfect strangers.  Gee, they deserve to “get it” like I do too, don’t they??   They deserve to know that the world we see through “Channel 8 News” is not the only thing this planet has to offer!  There’s beauty, magic, child-like innocence and….and……TINKERBELL, for the love of Pete! Think about it……what does Tinkerbell say to you?  I’ll tell you what I’m hearing from this little imp with wings.  With a sprinkling of pixie dust, measured with just enough faith and trust, you can FLY.  Yes…..at last….you can fly.  Your hopes, dreams and child-like optimism can reach heights you only dreamed of.  Believe… hope… dream…. and sooner than later, you’ll find that you’ll be able to SOAR.  Now that’s an idealogy that I can excitedly get behind.

To sum up my adoration for all things Disney is a difficult task.  But I’ll just say this as a meager attempt; The remarkable gift that Walt Disney has provided to my world is one of such greatness and magnitude that it simply MUST be shared with everyone, everywhere!  I look at it as carrying on and keeping alive “one man’s dream”.  My goal is most definitely to do just that.  Donna Andrews (Dizney Donna) is a Disney Travel Planner with Our Laughing Place Travel.

Rix Lounge

Rix Lounge located at Walt Disney World’s Coranado Springs Resort (my favorite Moderate Resort), is becoming a wonderful new and trendy”hot spot” at the Walt Disney World Resort.  Although the Walt Disney World Resort recently closed all of its nightclubs at Pleasure Island, in Downtown Disney, I think it’s important that people know that this location is a very appealing alternative. 

 The atmosphere and decor is what I would refer to as super-hip and sophisticated with throw-back touches here and there to the 70s.  With lots of cozy, inviting sitting areas, a nice size dance floor, and a dj spinning top 40 remix hits, it offers an atmosphere for those just wanting to relax with some friends, as well as an area to “get your groove on”. 

 Also, Rix offers many “special events” throughout the year, usually only requiring a $5.00 cover charge.  Very reasonable for events such as the Halloween Parties (for both adults and children, offered at different time-frames on the 31st ), New Years Eve, SuperBowl, Saint Patrick’s Day, etc. 

To take a peek into this hip, new nightclub and to keep informed as to what special events may be happening, you can go directly to the nightclubs website here, www.rixlounge.com. 

I should also mention that there is a separate room that you can reserve for private get-togethers or special occassions.  You can also choose to include onr of variously themed buffet set-ups at an additional cost.

The next time you’re at the Walt Disney World Resort and are in the mood for a more adult-oriented atmosphere, take a look at Rix Lounge……I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

 Note:  Rix Lounge is open from 5pm – 2am daily.

Don’t forget…..if you need help planning your next Walt Disney World Vacation, contact a travel pixie at Our Laughing Place Travel.  We’ve got lots of great tips we’d love to share, such as the one above, to help make your trip the best that it can be!

Adventures By Disney: Quest for the West

This Adventures by Disney tour is my favorite one so far of three and counting (I’m booked for two in 2008; >).  Really, I think the name could easily be changed to “Quest for the Best”, and then I would say we found it!

There is something about the combination of immersing ourselves in an environment, while at the same time having all transitions and excursion decisions handled by fantastic tour guides, that makes an already amazing destination (ie:Yellowstone National Park and the Tetons mountain range) purely divine!

I’ve put together a narration of pictures of this adventure here: Quest for the West
And if you’d like to ask questions about any of the Adventures by Disney tours or how to plan for them, please feel welcome to join me here at the Adventures by Disney community forum  I’ve already signed up for Discovery Down Under (Australia) and Sacred Valleys (Peru).  I’d love to have you come plan with me!