And we're done.....

So Christmas has come and gone for another year and while most of you won't be thinking about next years for a little while (unless you are one of those way too organised people who have already started your shopping for next year) the time has come for me to start working on next years (even though unless something dramatic happens this past one will have been my last working for my current employer)

If things were going to their normal plan my next holiday to my happy place would be in just over 4 months so I would be in uber planning mode - but right now unless there is a lottery win that's not going to happen. I cant say that I am not more than a little disappointed but I am putting a positive spin on this and know that when I do go back there will be lots of new things for me to explore and fall in love with

This year we had the opening of Starbucks in the park (wow did that cause lots of controversy as after all the Main Street Bakery was a fan favourite) but I can honestly say having experienced it; I really didn't mind it and found it a good addition. Yes, there are downsides as there is no seating but the operation in itself works fantastically and was most appreciated while we were there and we had a cold spell as a steaming cup of hot chocolate was in order

The long awaited Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opened (and went up in flames - only a little fire but why didn't they think there could be a chance of embers from the fireworks blowing across so make the exterior fire proof; I am sure James will give me a detailed reason for this but its just a thought). The opening of this was the final piece of new Fantasyland and in my view is the best. I am not a coaster fan at all but properly loved this and can't wait to ride it again; whenever that maybe.

With the completion of new Fantasyland a new parade began called Festival of Fantasy which featured floats based on Fantasyland attractions - including the amazing Maleficent float which was as spectacular up close as it is in pictures. But, although the visual effect was amazing I wasn't as impressed with the music (shock horror there is something Disney have done that I am not overly keen on)

Along side all of that there was a mass of closures of attractions at Hollywood Studios, plus the announcement of the removal of the Sorcerers Hat, which has led the Disney rumour mill to go into melt down about what's coming next for the park. James would if he had his way plonk a Star Wars themed land in it but I'm not so keen on that idea although I don't know what would be better

So with all of that happening in one year what is there to look forward to? The completion of Disney Springs which I don't  believe is due to be finished until 2016 (but I could have imagined that), Avatar Land and the opening of the night time Rivers of Light show at Animal Kingdom, the opening of the Frozen inspired ride at Epcot and whatever changes are going to take place at Hollywood Studios

With all that in mind I can't wait for my next trip back, keep your fingers crossed for that lottery win for me

xxx

Time for a change......

I never intended on talking about my life in this blog; it was always my plan to talk about my love for Disney. But sometimes life just happens to throw you a curve ball and what takes place effects everything......I vowed that I would blog once a week but the past few weeks have been pretty trying which has meant I haven't been in the right mind to do that and I need to explain why.

Two weeks ago I made the tough decision that due to changes within my job role that I would leave my current employer, so now I am in a complete dilemma about what I am going to do with my life; now if I had my way it would be a no brainer and I would go and work for Disney after all at least I could wear mouse ears without anyone questioning my decision

Seriously I have absolutely no clue what I am going to do with myself, I love the job I do and consider myself good at it but will other people think that? How can I make others see in me, what I struggle to see in myself?

Actually what am I good at; I am sure James would say driving him to distraction and to be quite honest the feeling is completely mutual ( love you mr marchant) but you can't put that along with the other things that come to mind on my CV

• I can make anyone appear normal because after all I am the first to admit I'm a little odd
• I am an expert on the film Tangled and was very pleased with myself that I got a perfect score on the lyric quiz
• I am creative and love making stuff - some more successful than others (actually while I'm on this subject in a shop I saw a bracelet that was being sold for £12 and all I could think was I could make that for a fraction of the price....if only I could make a living out of it)
• I have a love of all things for Walt Disney World and could spend hours talking about it, researching it and generally being absorbed by it - and I know this sounds harsh but it's probably true that I am too old to be a travel agent
• I love ice cream and if it wasn't for the fact too much dairy is not good for an asthmatic I would put myself forward to Ben and Jerrys to be a taster 
• 
• And I would say my best quality is being incredibly loyal; but again probably not something that could go on a CV

So right now I am up for any suggestions that anyone has taking into account my unique skill set.....all sensible (or otherwise) options considered. Let the door to my new life open

xxx

A long time to go....

I honestly can't believe that we have been back for just over 2 1/2 weeks and as of yet we haven't booked to return; fear not I am not disillusioned with visiting Walt Disney World but there are a couple of reasons for this decision:

Firstly, because we went later in the year than normal it's pretty hard to save enough money in 3 months to pay for it after all a trip to Florida isn't exactly a cheap option (a lottery win could change all of that though and trust me I have everything crossed for that)

Secondly as I mentioned last week there is currently quite a bit of work going on at my happy place and although it doesn't make it any less amazing I really would like to go back when there is less going on (I know that there will always be work as the parks are always evolving)

So, what can I do until that time comes around - well ramble on to all you nice people about our holiday and how fantastic it was.....actually I thought I might save you that and instead what I thought I might do this week was talk about our experience with Fastpass +

As we stayed onsite we were able to book our fast passes 60 days prior to our holiday (at stupid o'clock). The actual process is quite easy, you pick your rides from the list and then Disney gives you some options for times - but you don't have to take them; instead select an option and save it and then you can go in and amend them so that you have a plan that works for you

But it doesn't stop there because if you want to change your plans prior to leaving as long as the ride/ time is available you can change it; my only advice would be to take a screen shot or a print out of your plans as when we arrived the system was down and if we had fast passes booked there would be no way of proving this

We booked the majority of our fast passes for the morning but after a few days there we realised that we didn't always need to be at the parks for the start of  our Fastpass window; after all it was good for an hour (this was genius because it meant we got a bit of a lay in on some mornings plus we got to one of our test track rides about a minute before it expired and could still ride - I didn't know I could walk that quick!)

We also had a a ride go down that we had a Fastpass for, now if this happens Disney will email you giving you some other ride options for you to use your Fastpass on which is good for the day - the only down side is that you need to have access to email during your time at the parks which for those who like to completely switch off from the outside world whilst on holiday must be a bit of a downer

Did we use all of our fast passes that we had booked, no. we had a couple of duplicates which we didn't use but as well as that there were times that we took the opportunity to ride something even though we had a Fastpass for later in the holiday because the queue times were short

I know that the system will continue to evolve and probably by the time we go back it won't even resemble what we used this time. The strangest advantage of Fastpass plus is that we did less criss crossing of the park - we were still averaging walking between 5 and 8 miles a day but I am quite sure it would have been far more with the old system

I'm off to look at our holiday pictures and ponder if it's acceptable to wear mouse ears at work xxx