#(almost)Wordless Wednesday: Disney Food (New Orleans Style)

June 29, 2017June 29, 2017 / lifeinears / Leave a comment

We made it to Wednesday, which is one of my favorite blogging days, (almost) Wordless Wednesday where I link up with Focused on the Magic.com and other Disney bloggers to share our #DisneySide through a themed picture blog hop. This week’s topic is probably my favorite…Disney Food.

When people think of dining at a theme park they think of hamburgers and hot dogs with a side of salty fries, but Disney shatters that vision and brings theme park dining to a whole new level and place…

One of my favorite meals from last November was at

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort French Quarter

(or the makeshift location as renovations were still in the process at that time to this location) located in the Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, because while you are in Rome, err New Orleans, you must do as the Cajuns do, right?

Lunch consisted of the finest that New Orleans has to offer or that I wanted to try…

a hearty bowl of Gumbo and a Shrimp PoBoy Sandwich. I wish I would have known how big that PoBoy was before I ordered because I certainly we would have split one! The gumbo was a bit underwelming, but the PoBoy was awesome (and those homemade chips, AMAZING). No meal at Disney is ever complete without dessert and in this case you had to get the beignets!

Fresh from the fryer, definitely messy but oh so worth be coated myself in powered sugar.

And no celebration New Orleans is complete without a little beverage, for that we went to Mardi Grogs pool bar and had “All that Jazz.” A layered adult beverage with the green Gata-Melon Juice on top, the orange Front Porch Freeze in the middle, and the purple-red NoLa Cola on the bottom. The colors make a very fun and fitting Mardi Gras effect. I sure wish I had more time to lay around the pool and sip on a couple of these all afternoon.

The “Happiest Place on Earth” , Disneyland, is where Disney New Orleans dining began…

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located in the New Orleans section of Magic Kingdom. Last March I took the boys on a fact finding mission for my first Disneyland client and our first meal was atI had been dreaming of this since we had booked our trip and in my true Disney form knew exactly what I was having…

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Monte Cristo Sandwich with Pomme Frites. They were as good as the reviews and oh that dipping sauce on both items…let’s just say the #monsterchild and I fought over who was liking the bowl. My boys love dessert as much as I do…

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and loved getting powered with these fun Mickey shaped beignets. I wish Walt Disney World’s beignets were Mickey shaped, because after all Mickey shapes taste even better.

There are so many places that Disney dining will take you…

Tuesdays on the Run: What do you need to know about a runDisney race?

June 27, 2017June 27, 2017 / lifeinears / Leave a comment

It’s Tuesday, so that mean’s I am linking up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia for

Recently, I crossed paths with an old friend, as we proceeded to catch each other up on major events in our lives she mentioned seeing my endless FB posts about runDisney and was thinking about giving it try. Well, Cindy as promised here what you need to know…

1. All Magic Comes at Price

runDisney events are not cheap. While a local half marathon registration will cost you $50-100, a runDisney half marathon registration will be in the range of $200. That is a lot of money for a t-shirt, medal and bandana. Then when you factor in the cost of making it a run-cation the expenses go up significantly. But trust me after you finish your first race, you will never have sticker shock again and somehow your eyes will never even gaze at the price, your finger will just click on that registration link.

2. Lots of Runners Want in on the Magic

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runDisney events have gained significant popularity the last years and many of the event weekends and distances are likely to sell out VERY quickly, some within minutes. You need to make sure you are aware of registration dates & times, as well as be familiar with the registration process. runDisney races are also huge events in the terms of participants, in 2016 almost a 250K runners took part in a runDisney race. The 2016 Princess Half Marathon had 37.000 registered runners.

3. Races are not Sleeping Beauty Friendly

Most runDisney events have a start time between 5-6 am, which means a 2:30 am walk up call is in order so that you can get dressed, make it to the bus on time, take care of your personal needs and get in your race corral ready to start by race time, all in the dark. Most runners compete in the challenges (multiple races over the course of the weekend) and will repeat the early mornings 3-4 days in a row. Princesses are off to bed early and have to limit times enjoying the parks. You have to get in the mindset of you are here for “work” first and play afterwards.

4. Hi-Ho Hi-Ho, It’s Off to Train I must Go

Pixie Dust will not get you through a runDisney race. You must take your training seriously and put the time into it to have a successful and enjoyable race. There is no room for excuses, only commitment. A great motivation for training is to pull out your registration and remind yourself of how much you are paying for this experience.

5. Magical Race Experience for Everyone

Whether you are a serious or causal runner, runDisney races can be magical for both skill levels and everyone in between. With Jeff Galloway (leading running mousekeeter of the run/walk method) as the official race trainer, expect there to be a lot of run/walkers out on the course making a runDisney event a race that most everyone can be successful in. Also, it is perfectly acceptable to stop occasionally and take in all the magic around you, including running through the castle or underneath Spaceship Earth. If you are brave enough, riding Expedition Everest in the middle of your full marathon, my personal goal. For those really wanting to celebrate the finish line, cross with a margarita in hand from the Mexico pavilion. Also, make sure you take pictures and selfies along the way, documenting the magic you are having. runDisney uses Disney Photopass photographers to capture the magic as you are running, but don’t be afraid to hand your camera off to a Cast Member too to help you capture the magic. As long as you keep a 16-minute mile pace and are ahead of the “balloon ladies” you will finish the race.

6. Red or Blue?

While costumes are entirely optional, you will want to get in the spirit of a runDisney race after you see everyone else around you. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate, but it does need to be runner friendly so make sure you try it out during a run BEFORE you wear it for a race…chaffing is not fun.

7. Like Chocolate to Elsa & Anna, an Addition

Okay running is not fun or most people, me included. But something happens when you compete in your first runDisney race and that medal is around your neck…. you suddenly forget about the training runs in the middle of summer (or winter), the blisters, the sweating, mile 9 when you are ready to die…all the bad stuff is erased and you begin thinking about the experience of running through the castle and only hear the clinking of your next medal.

So Cindy, are you ready to runDisney with me…

Saving 4 Disney Saturday: Disney Vacation Account

June 24, 2017 / lifeinears / 2 Comments

In my first installment of Saving 4 Disney Saturday I discussed defining your Disney Vacation Dream, in my case my next runDisney Challenge…Coast to Coast in 2019 via the Walt Disney World Marathon and the Disneyland Half Marathon.

With my dream defined it was time to sharpen the pencil and get a good estimate on the financial means needed to cover that dream. I shared with you a great online tool found on the Disney Vacation Account page…

The Account Budget Estimator

But I had simpler suggestion, being an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner & Affiliate of Academy Travel/mickeyvactions.com, let me build you a free, no obligation quote on a Disney Vacation of your dreams.

I estimated that to make my dream of

come true it would cost me around $5400, plus a whole lot more in training hours, sweat and tears. Broken up monthly I would need to save about $250 a month over the course of the next 18 months. The question before I start addressing the HOW to do this without tapping into my already tight household budget is WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH MY SAVINGS.

If you are like me I will have saved some money specifically for a purpose and then life throws me a curve ball and the money is gone. I need a better way of separating the money I am specifically saving for my next Disney dream vacation from my Dave Ramsey emergency fund (which should be the first thing you have funded before you even think about saving for a Disney vacation).

How have I decided to keep my Disney vacation money separate from my other savings, since apparently the method I am using is just not working?

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DISNEY VACATION ACCOUNT

After a couple of weeks researching the pros and cons of the Disney Vacation Account in addition to other savings account options, I have decided that the Disney Vacation Account meets everything I am looking for…

Must be Free and have ZERO FEES
FDIC-Insured Bank (Chase)
Savings Account Separate from my current savings account for the sole purpose of paying for my next Disney vacation
The money is always mine and easily accessed should I need to withdraw the money for an emergency (but not so easily accessed that it just becomes a place for a slush fund) …money is refunded in the original form of payment with a 3-4 Day processing time
Pays some type of interest so my Disney pennies are growing while I am saving
Allows me to save over time and make as many deposits as I want, even automatic deposits from my current checking/savings accounts plus being able to add all my Disney Gift Cards that I earn from my “Disney Penny Apps”
Be able to track my saving progress

The Disney Vacation Account is simple you set up your account online, you make payments as you wish either randomly or automatic, you take the money out when the time comes and pay for your vacation. The great thing is that if you start now for a vacation a few years down the road you will have the money you need when it is time, if you make the deposits. Disney will also pay you 2%, which I could not even come close to with high interest online savings accounts. Of course, Disney will pay you in the form of a Disney gift card for 2% of whatever you spend on your vacation. So, I could be earning and extra $100 for my Coast to Coast Challenge, which in Disney terms means 20 more Mickey ice cream bars, the perfect way to refuel after a runDisney event.

Since I am a half empty type of gal, what are the downsides of a Disney Vacation Account?

When you are spending your money on a Disney Vacation you must either purchase directly through Disney or through an Authorized Disney Vacation, like myself…no third party cheap ticket agencies, discounted hotel websites…but why would you use those anyway when you get complimentary concierge level trip planning services when you book your Disney vacation through me. Sure, you are saving a few dollars, but doing a lot more work that involves lots of time and research that simply you don’t have to do (unless you are a planning nut like me).
Money is not available during your Disney Vacation, so should you be saving for spending you would need to request a withdrawal prior to travel, which can be requested in the form of a Disney gift cars which takes 4-6 weeks.

Like everything you do, read the fine print before you decide if the Disney Vacation account is for you. Also, don’t take my word that the Disney Vacation Account is a good savings plan, do your research.

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Next week, I will walk you through setting you your My Disney Vacation Account and we will begin saving!

(almost) Wordless Wednesday: Summer

June 23, 2017 / lifeinears / 3 Comments

Once again I am late to (almost) Wordless Wednesday with Focused on the Magic. But I have a good excuse, working to make a magical vacation for many families in 2018! This week’s topic is Summer, which is perfect timing now that I have finished summer school teaching and have a few short days to actually call my summer vacation.

There is not any place else at Walt Disney World that screams SUMMER than Stormalong Bay even if summer is just a faded memory and the calendar reads November.

Stormalong Bay is located at Disney’s Beach & Yacht Club Resort (my personal favorite Walt Disney World Resort)…

With 3 acres to splash around in…including taking the plunge off a pirate ship (via slide), floating along in a lazy river or simply building sand castles along the sandy beach section there is a place for everyone. But it you really want to get away from it all…

My favorite place is the quiet pool in the DVC section of the Beach Club. I could spend hours here reading a book and enjoying the sun in complete peace and tranquility…what summer is all about!

Friday Five: What I Love About the Port Orleans Riverside Resort

June 23, 2017June 23, 2017 / lifeinears / Leave a comment

What a crazy week this has been. On Tuesday, booking for 2018 Walt Disney World Vacation packaging became available and I found myself very blessed with over 20 quotes to put together for prospective clients. Looking over these reservations, along with the ones I have made throughout my last 6 months as an Authorized Disney Vacation planner I discovered that I am booking many of my clients at Port Orleans Riverside (POR)…

Besides the obvious Southern Hospitality theming and charm, today’s “Friday Five” is going to be dedicated to 5 Things I love about Port Orleans Riverside Resort…

1. Amenities of 2 Resorts

When you stay at Port Orleans Riverside, you get to also use the amenities of Port Orleans French Quarter resort. What does this mean? You get double the resort just a short 10-minute walk away… including arcades, evening movies, playgrounds, Cast Member lead activities, Quick Service food courts, and most of all double the pools for pool hopping (one of the few resorts this is allowed).

2. Royal Rooms

My Disney bucket list includes a stay in one of these incredibly themed rooms located in the Magnolia Bend Mansion section of POR. The theme is centered around Princess Tiana (Princess & the Frog) and her royal friends. You’ll find ornate furniture, custom drapes and bedding, royal artwork and my personal favorite…a light-up firework headboard. I can’t think of anything more magic than falling asleep under fireworks.

3. Yeehaw Bob

Port Orleans Riverside, Sassagoula Steamboat Company Main Buildi

“Yeehaw Bob” is one of the funniest family-friendly entertainers around and appears at POR every Wednesday through Saturday evenings. He and his dancing piano put on a show that will have you laughing, singing and wanting to get up and dance. “Yeehaw Bob” knows how to get the audience of all ages involved in the show, and there is never a moment of silence during his performance.

4. Sassagoula River Cruise Boats

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These open air canopied boats transport guests from Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter to Disney Springs (shopping, dining and entertainment district). This is such a relaxing, enjoyable way to travel and a nice departure from a Disney bus. It’s especially beautiful and serene at night.

5. Carriage Rides

Port Orleans Riverside, Magnolia Bend area

Call me a romantic at heart but Southern Charm just oozes by taking a relaxing horse carriage ride through the woodland pathways and along the river…especially at dusk with the one I love.

The laid-back, quiet, “old south” charm of Port Orleans/Riverside will keep me booking clients at this moderate level Walt Disney Resort hotel. It is especially perfect for families of 5 like mine. Want to know more about what Port Orleans Riverside has to offer or a complimentary, no obligation Walt Disney World vacation? Contact me today and lets start planning a vacation full of magical memories!

Tuesdays on the Run: Scenes from My Runs

June 20, 2017 / lifeinears / 2 Comments

It’s Tuesday, so that mean’s I am linking up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia for

I refuse to whine, but I am on the verge of giving up the thoughts of ever getting back to walking let alone running again. Last Wednesday I had my latest check up with the podiatrist, one that I hoped would finally clear me to at least start building walking miles again in with hopes of returning to running in the fall…

Let’s just say the appointment did not goes as I had dreamed. I am STILL not cleared to begin walking for exercise for another 3 months and physical therapy is going to get a little more aggressive with less stretching and more machine…meaning more ultra-sound and electrical current treatments to the ankle. And the only miles I am going to be doing will continue to be in the pool. Worst of all while the boot may be on the sidelines, it needs to be put into the game to relieve some stress on the ankle at times…

Honestly, I am not sure how much more of this I am going to be able to take before I finally just give up. At this point I WANT TO AND NEED TO RUN/WALK for my own mental health…

Since this week is all about scenes from my run, I thought I would take a look back at some of my favorite views I have had during a run in the hopes of reminding me (or depressing me further)…

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Estes Park Half Marathon (Estes Park, Colorado)

Rock & Roll Half Marathon (Dallas, Texas)

Angel Fire Half Marathon (Angel Fire, New Mexico)

Piazza Novena (Rome, Italy)

Epcot’s World Showcase (really any place at Walt Disney World, lol)

I have run in some pretty amazing places, but there is no place like home with canyon trail runs and morning sunrises that will take your breath away (the view that I miss the most). Patience…

I have so many more places that I see while running…inspire me with your favorite places and add to my running bucket list!

(almost) Wordless Wednesday: Disney Dads

June 15, 2017 / lifeinears / 2 Comments

It’s (almost) Wordless Wednesday! Each week I join Focused on the Magic and other fellow Disney bloggers to share our Disney vacation photos and memories by blog hopping. This week’s topic is…Disney Dads

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I admit that when I planned our first Disney vacation as a family, I went in it thinking that it would be a “Once in a Lifetime” trip as I could never imagine that I would ever get Mr. Grumpy to agree to go back…

Let alone be his idea that we check out Carsland this past March.

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I am so blessed (and thankful) that he goes along with my commando park plans, although it has nearly cost us our marriage a few times (which is probably the #1 reason he supports my venture as a Disney Travel Planner…so I focus on other people’s plans and not ours). I can’t wait to share with him Epcot’s Food & Wine this fall and our first Disney Cruise…as we escape to Florida without kids for a long weekend.

Saturday Saving 4 Disney: My Goal

June 10, 2017June 14, 2017 / lifeinears / 2 Comments

Dreaming of a Disney Vacation? There is no denying that a Disney Vacation is expensive, but it’s an expense you can start planning, budgeting and saving for ahead of time.

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It is a dream of mine to earn my Coast to Coast runDisney Medal (running a half at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World in the same calendar year) and I am setting my goal for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend January 2019 for the Dopey Challenge (5K, 10K, Half and Full Marathon) and the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend September 2019 for the Dumbo Challenge (5K, 10K and Half Marathon).

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I have the dream, now what is it going to take to get there? The first step is putting some numbers down on paper and decide it this trip is doable budget wise considering we have 1 child soon to graduate from college and enroll in medical school, another in the next year headed to college, plus one still at home.

Disney has a great online tool that is associated with their Disney Vacation Account program that will help you Estimate Your Budget in 3 easy steps:

Step 1: Select your Disney vacation destination.
Step 2: Complete the form, using the links within the form to help you estimate costs. Remember, prices may change from time to time. Your estimate does not necessarily reflect what the actual cost of your vacation will be at the time of booking, and does not represent an actual reservation.
Step 3: Click “Calculate” to view the total estimate–which should be used for guidance only as you save for your vacation.

But I have a simpler suggestion, being an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner & Affiliate of Academy Travel/mickeyvactions.com, let me build you a free, no obligation quote on a Disney Vacation of your dreams. I will do Step 2 for you based on your desires/wishes, instead of you having to spend all the time doing the research. From that quote, you can complete step 3, which will give you an idea on how much you need to save each month to reach your goal.

$5,370…Okay, I know I really can’t live with that number without choking and breaking out in hives. This translates to about $250 a month that I need to budget in my already tight budget for the next 2 years, so this is going to call for getting VERY RESOURCEFUL…

But I know that it can be done, last November I was able to get away for a week with the girls for a run-cation for Disney’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon. My total budget for my trip was…

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I had a year to SAVE & EARN $2500 without dipping into my already tight household budget, because after all I was already being selfish by taking a girl’s trip without the family. Thanks to some of my runDisney Gal pals I not only met my goal without taking a single penny from the household budget, but I came home with money in pocket to pay for a good chunk of our Disneyland tickets last spring.

Here is how I did it

$600 (Deluxe Hotel Accommodations at the Beach Club)-Purchased by tutoring a student 2 evenings a night for 3 months
$397 (plane ticket)-Purchased with my SW Rapid Reward Points thanks to putting dd’s college tuition each semester on my Chase Rapid Rewards card and then paying the card off each month from savings
$352 (race registration)-Purchases by writing a couple of Professional Development courses for my school district during the spring of 2016 and presenting them in the summer

Thrifty Thursday

But here is what happened with what I refer to as my “Disney Penny Apps” …

I set out to earn $1369 and ended earning $1401.15 in 11 months…

Swagbucks $700
Walmart Savings Catcher $81.14
ShopKicks $100
PerkTV $175
Ibotta $110.25
CheckOut51 $15.40
Pact $65.36
Ebay $154

I am totally stunned that I could earn over $1400 simply by putting my insomnia (thanks to RLS) to work and learning how to work a few apps while doing what I was already doing…exercising/training for my run and household shopping.

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Once you have a goal and estimate in hand follow My Life in Ears on Saturdays, (really every day would be nice), for Saving 4 Disney. I am going to explore and share creative ways to not only SAVE money but to MAKE a few “Disney Pennies” along the way that that you can use to grow your own vacation fund, as I grow mine!

Next week, I am going to discuss the pros & cons of setting up a Disney Vacation Account and where am I going to stash my savings so I don’t spend my Disney Pennies before it’s time.

Tammie’s Take Thursday: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP)

June 9, 2017June 9, 2017 / lifeinears / Leave a comment

Normally, I am NOT A PERSON who likes ANYTHING to do with Christmas BEFORE THANKSGIVING, but as always Disney has me making exceptions…

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I have been working on Christmas vacation quotes this week for several potential clients which has me thinking about one of my favorite events at Walt Disney World, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or MVMCP. Before I tell you why I love this event, let me begin with what MVMCP is…

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Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a special hard ticket event held in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. For 2017, the party will be held November 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 26, 28 and December 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 22.

Here are the things that the Christmas Party includes, that are unique to the parties:

Mickey’s Once Upon a Time Christmastime Parade
A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show
VoicePlay
Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration Stage Show
Character Dance Parties
Holiday Wishes Fireworks
Disney character Meet and Greets with characters dressed in their holiday attire
Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa
Snow on Main Street
Rides, Rides, Rides
Lower Crowd Levels-Entry to Magic Kingdom beginning at 4 pm with official party start at 7 pm
Exclusive party merchandise and treats

So why is this one of my favorite events? Really everything mentioned above.

Last year I was at MVMCP on Election Night, while the entire world was engulfed in election returns I was safely tucked into the Disney Bubble standing in the middle of Main Street smiling ear to ear as snow fell all around me. I found myself having a Mary Tyler Moore moment in the middle of street! Just that feeling was enough to make the cost of the ticket worth it.

Then there was the hot cocoa and cookies…

Cinderella’s Castle draped in millions of twinkle lights and the Magic Kingdom decked out in her holiday finest…

Tell me who doesn’t love Christmas decorations? And the best way to end every evening, a viewing of Holiday Wishes only seen during a Christmas Party…

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Is it worth the extra $100 cost to my trip per person? Well that depends and only you can answer that question. If you are on a budget, probably not. If you have young children probably not. If you are going for just rides, probably not. But if you are going for the experience, it is certainly worth every penny and more.

Budget Friendly Tip: Want to attend MVMCP but don’t want to pay for another park ticket? Drop one day from your ticket and use that money to purchase a party ticket. Spend the day resort hopping throughout Walt Disney World and see the resorts in their holiday finest or Head to Disney Springs for lots of great holiday activities! All of this is free and you can fill an entire day, then party all night with Mickey and not break your budget.

(almost) Wordless Wednesday: June

June 8, 2017June 8, 2017 / lifeinears / 6 Comments

It’s (almost) Wordless Wednesday! Each week I join Focused on the Magic and other Disney bloggers to share our Disney vacation photos and memories by blog hopping. This week’s topic is…June.

Today, I am looking back to my very first trip to Walt Disney World which happened to be 8 years ago this week…not only was it my first trip but I was also able to celebrate a 40 something birthday while there.

One of my favorite things to do at WDW on evening is to dress up and eat at a Signature restuarant, this trip that took place at the California Grill high a top the Contempory Resort overlooking the Magic Kingdom.

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Not only was the food amazing but the view of the Wishes was beyond words…

a perfect way to celebrate a first trip and a birthday!

My Life in Ears

Loving & Running Disney

Month: June 2017