Month: February 2016

“That’s the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up.” – Walt Disney

On By HanneIn TravelLeave a comment

Two words encompass Disney World: Mickey. Magic.

castle - night

It has been twenty years since my last visit to Disney World. I had been to Disneyland a few times (three between 2002 and 2010, I think), but the comparison between the two is non-existant. When I was offered the chance to go along with the family I work with, I jumped at the chance. I was excited, of course, but I think I had really forgotten the magic that goes into a Disney trip. Until I got there.

tow mater
The doors to our building at the hotel.

We stayed at the Art of Animation, one of the Disney resorts. And from the moment I stepped off the Magical Express shuttle, I felt the Disney magic. Granted, I didn’t get a room for several hours after a red-eye, but they did all they could to make up for the room confusion (balloons for the kiddos, extra fast-passes and a $150 credit to the room).

We spent a whole week at the parks (Magic Kingdom, Hollywood studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom), but there is SO much to see and do, I need another week (or two) to really take it all in.

The weather was perfect. A little chilly on one day, up around 80 and humid another day, but otherwise the low 70’s most the time which is perfect for my fair-weather skin (I wore a sweatshirt half the time which ruined some fun disney-inspired outfits, but whatever).

I was also pleasantly surprised with the quality of food. While they have your standard theme park snacks: popcorn, pretzels, etc. Each of the sit down dinners we had offered a wide selection (both for those with adventurous palates and those who preferred a more basic choice). Chicken with goat cheese polenta, Norwegian meatballs with lingonberry – I never felt like I was getting the same thing at every restaurant.

It’s funny though, stepping into the park, I felt instantly like a kid again. I wanted mickeyeverything – all the fun toys, the over-priced clothes. I wanted to get my hair done like a princess (legit though, you had to be under twelve or I would have had it done). I had my picture taken with all the characters and I think I was in awe of the castle lit up at night, just like the boys.

I’ve been home for 6 weeks and I find myself thinking back to the trip frequently. Reflecting back on my favorite rides (space mountain was far less jerk-y on my neck than I remember), goofing around with Buzz Lightyear and Woody and cruising gift-shops like it’s my job. As well as the things we didn’t have time for, like the rest of Animal Kingdom.

The staff cast members are 100% on point. From the ride attendants to the restaurant hosts to the the street cleaners, everyone was *on* at all times. Friendly, helpful each person I encountered didn’t hesitate to help with whatever was needed, or start up a friendly conversation about my disney manicure, the family reunion pins we wore, or just about the magic of Disney.

Can go back yet?

castle day

 

 

“The legs are the wheels of creativity.” – Einstein

On By HanneIn writingLeave a comment

When the writing gets personal…

I was given the writing prompt to ‘write about something you’ve yet to finish’, in hopes of sparking some inspiration to get it done.

I have a long list of works-in-progress, but one of my favorite things is likely something I will never truly finish or aim to publish. From Aug-December 2003, fresh out of high school, I spent probably the best worst time of my life at a small school, located in the middle of nowhere, Denmark. In fact to get to any store, restaurant (I use the term ‘restaurant’ lightly here), any place with other people, it was a 3.3km (2mile) walk through the woods. The bus came once an hour during the day and you had to cab back or walk the woods at night if it got too late.

Those months at Kalø were probably *the* most formative years of my life. In a previous post I mentioned being painfully shy as a child, but moving halfway around the world meant I had to move past that and advocate for myself without anyone familiar around to help me out. I do have family in Denmark, but at a few hours away, I only saw them once on a school trip to CPH. Hey, I was busy.

But back to the point, I think there are some things that are so personal and close to the heart, they don’t need to be shared. The life experiences I went through, the people I met. I think this was one experience that is for me and the people I shared this time with and that’s okay.

Because sometimes you dress like sporty barbie and that just needs to stay in the past.