Where do you call home?
I live in Northwest Indiana, not too far from Chicago.
Are you married?
I am! This fall we will celebrate 12 "magical" years. Our honeymoon in 2004 was my husband's first trip to WDW- since then he's been hooked too!
Any children?
We have one son, born in 2011. He lives the "rough life" of being a Travel Agent's kid, which means that by the age of 5, he has been fortunate to have had 11 Disney World resort stays, 2 trips to Disneyland, and 5 Disney cruises. All for magical research- of course!! :)
Favorite vacation destination?
I just can't choose! I currently have personal trips planned at Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Line. They're all amazing for different reason, and it's a fresh new experience with each visit. I also enjoy camping and non-Disney trips.
Favorite Walt Disney World Resort?
So many for different reasons. The Grand Floridian and Contemporary feel like home to me. I also really Love Port Orleans Riverside for its beauty, and the special memories I have there. Fort Wilderness is also the best campground in the country. I love that I can have a different experience each visit, and have just 2 resorts left on my list before I can say I've stayed in all of them!
Favorite Walt Disney World attraction?
Space Mountain will always have a special place in my heart; it's where I worked on the College Program many years ago. I also love Carousel of Progress and Spaceship Earth. I may or may not cry every time I watch Festival of the Lion King or Finding Nemo the Musical.
Favorite Disney restaurant?
I spent far too long trying to answer this question. I'm going with California Grill, Crystal Palace, and 'Ohana. I also love The Wave, Tusker House, and Le Cellier. (Just be glad you don't live with me- I'm always this indecisive!).
Favorite Disney snack? Dole Whip (naturally), everything at Karamell Küche, black forest cupcake at the Contempo Cafe, Mickey Rice Krispy treats (they're just so addicting!)
Wishes, Fantasmic or IllumiNations? I'll take one of each, please! I have special memories from all 3 shows.
Favorite Disney Souvenir?
Besides our traditional ornaments that we buy every year, each trip I like to pick one special item that will make me smile whenever I use it. Recently, it has been Alex and Ani bracelets, or my Disneyland Harvey bag. In the past it has been others a watch, perfume from the Italy pavilion in Epcot, pick-a-pearl jewelry, art, etc. I still wear a jacket that I bought in 2005; each fall when I bring it out, I smile and remember searching for the perfect coat! I love that I'm surrounded by things that remind me of the specific memories I made on those trips.
Earliest Disney vacation memory? The earliest memory I can remember is standing in the stretch room inside Haunted Mansion. I was very young and got scared, and reached up to grab my dad's hand. When I looked up, it wasn't my dad. As a kid, that's scarier than any of the 999 happy haunts!
Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland or Walt Disney World? The answer throughout my childhood was always WDW- but in recent years, I have discovered my love of Disney Cruises and Disneyland! I think they're equally fantastic and I'm not sure I could choose one over the other. We have the wonderful dilemma of not knowing where to spend our vacation time because there are too many options we love.
Disney experience that brings tears to your eyes?
On my son's very first
trip, he was 10 months old. We flew early and made it to the park mid-day, and immediately headed over for his first haircut at the Harmony Barbor Shop. Just before we arrived at the shop, the Move it, Shake it, Celebrate it Street Party (a mini parade) came out from backstage. My son went crazy, and was absolutely in awe of the characters. It was such an emotional moment: seeing him so happy, and realizing that this place that was so special and important to us was taking on an entirely new level of magic now that we could see it again through his eyes.
trip, he was 10 months old. We flew early and made it to the park mid-day, and immediately headed over for his first haircut at the Harmony Barbor Shop. Just before we arrived at the shop, the Move it, Shake it, Celebrate it Street Party (a mini parade) came out from backstage. My son went crazy, and was absolutely in awe of the characters. It was such an emotional moment: seeing him so happy, and realizing that this place that was so special and important to us was taking on an entirely new level of magic now that we could see it again through his eyes.
Where have you traveled aside from Walt Disney World? I spent a summer in Germany when I was a senior in high school, and have traveled throughout most of the United States. I grew up camping, and we still love to take our trailer out for mini vacations and long weekends.
Favorite TV Show? Modern Family, Downton Abbey, and The Middle
Favorite Movie? Disney/Pixar: The Lion King, Aladdin, Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc. Non-Disney: Love Actually
Favorite Color? Yellow
Favorite Book? I love to read autobiographies, and biographies, from/about just about anyone!
If you had to pick another job besides being a travel agent, what would you do? My full time job is "mom", and I'm pretty happy with that :)
