Our Love of Disney is NOT All My Fault!

Sometimes I feel that folks think our family’s, dare I say obsession, with Disney is all my doing. . . my responsibility. . .my fault.

But I have evidence to the contrary!

A couple of weeks ago the husband and the boy headed off to a local community event complete with climbing wall, wagon rides, and pony rides.  A sudden rain storm stopped the event, so they headed to the local mall for a go on the bounce house.

While at the mall, the husband must have wandered into the Hallmark Store and discovered the following holiday ornaments that he felt compelled to take pictures of.

Of course, I didn’t discover the ornament photos until I loaded the pictures from the SD card into the computer and they were a bit of a surprise, although evidence that our family’s appreciation of all things Disney does not begin and end with me.  The husband carries his share of the “obsession” as well.

Speaking of all things Disney, I got to hear a heartwarming story yesterday of how our blog helped to make someone else’s trip a bit more magical.  Seems that a special “auntie” was at the Magic Kingdom trying to convince her near tear nephews that meeting the Disney Princesses was an okay thing to do. . . for a boy. . . and that other boys do indeed meet and greet the Princesses, aka the boy.  The “auntie” explained to her nephews that she had read about and seen pictures of another boy meeting the Princesses—from our blog.  Upon hearing this, the nephews mustered their courage, dried their tears, and greeted the Disney Princesses with the gallantry they deserve.  I got to see the photos and they were priceless!

It is stories like this that make writing and managing the Williams Family Blog worth it.  Knowing our labor of love has helped someone else discover the magic that is Disney is heartwarming.  We already “get it”;  that Disney offers a special kind of magic that makes so many memories.  Even the “auntie” on her first trip with only one day at the Magic Kingdom could feel the difference; the magic. . . and now she “gets it” too.  And, she’s already dreaming of her next trip!

A Tree Full of Disney Memories

Happy Holiday Greetings!  Like many of you, our home has now been decorated for the holiday season with the focal point being the Christmas tree in our living room.

One of the things we collect on each trip—Disney or not—is an ornament for our tree—click here to read more about what we collect.

Each year, when we decorate our Christmas tree, we are reminded of the many adventures we have taken as a family.

So, it came as no surprise when our tree was full of Disney ornaments!  Each one represents a special Disney memory.  When we get home, I write the dates of our vacation somewhere on the ornament using a permanent marker.

Let me share some of them with you. . .

Ornaments from two different cruises are above.  Our first Disney Cruise in 2007 and our most recent, July 2011--on the left.  If you look closely, you can see the Aqua Duck on the ornament on the left.

Mickey shaped bells from our trip in November 2010 and a visit to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

Ah, Castaway Cay!  An ornament from our Disney Cruise December 2009.

A four parks, one world ornament from our November 2009 trip.

March 2009 was the origination of the above ornament.

The above ornament came home with us from our trip, March 2010.

This was our first ornament from our first trip, November 2006.

The ornament above is from our Mexican Riviera itinerary on the Disney Magic in July of 2008.  It represents all the ports of call.  Since DCL no longer makes a stop at Mazatlan, it is somewhat of a collector's item!

Our EPCOT ornament is a reminder of the time we were the Family of the Day at EPCOT.  Click here to read more.

This ornament was from a trip to the World in September of 2008.

The ornament on the left is from our trip to Walt Disney World in July of 2011--it commemorates our first time seeing "The Magic, the Memories, and You" castle light show.  It is also a 40th anniversary ornament.  The ornament on the right is from our cruise on the Disney Magic in July of 2008 and is signed by Captain Tom on the back.  Click here to read more about the Captain's Signing Event.

It is a pleasure to decorate for the holidays when it brings back so many memories of time spent together as a family.

From the Williams Family to your family, wishing you Happy Holidays and many happy adventures for the future!