Christmas

Tuesday’s on the Run: Totally Spoiled & Blessed

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It’s Tuesday, so that means I am linking up with Patty, Erika & Marsha for Tuesday’s on the Run.

Baby, it’s cold outside today and snow is lightly falling, apparently Mother Nature and Santa Claus were not on the same page for Christmas 2017 nor the day after (today)  when all I want to do is head out to play with one of my new run toys!

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Mr. Grumpy and the kids were generous in feeding my running midlife crisis. I can’t wait to try out these wireless headphones. From all of the running groups that I “stalk” on Facebook, the TREKZ was mentioned post after post as the choice for cutting that earphone chord.  Let’s just hope they fit my head better than does darn Flight of Passage ride goggles!

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It looks like I will be heading out to the big city next week to get a proper shoe fitting, since they also supplied me with some cold hard cash to buy that badly needed pair of running shoes. It has been quite a while since I have been fitted properly, and I am anxious to find a pair that can meet me ever changing left leg issues.

IMG_3930Now I know that it is not technically a “running” present but I have playing around with the idea of spending an entire summer walking the El Camino in Spain when I get runDisney out of my blood.  I am so excited to read this book and start making notes for that adventure.

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Of course I did a little shopping for myself!  I am loving my FitBit that I bought a few weeks ago and getting this run journal ready to go for the new year and the journey that I have planned out for 2018 (great tease to read lifeinears.blog January 2).  

IMG_3888While I was totally spoiled this Christmas, I was also blessed with a family that supports this midlife run crisis that I am in the midst of…

I hope you were spoiled and blessed this Christmas! Did you get any running related gifts for Christmas this year? If so, what was your favorite?  Please share in the comments!

Tammie’s Take Thursday:  When is the Best Time to take a Disney Vacation?

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When is the best time to go to Walt Disney World?  ANYTIMEPhoto1077FourBySix

Of course, this is just my opinion because a lot of blogs and websites will direct you to crowd calendars and will tell you that your number one factor should be crowd levels.  For me, I don’t worry so much about crowd levels because I am a firm believer that all crowds at WDW can be tamed by arriving at the parks prior to “rope drop,” going in with a plan of attack and knowing your limits.  Instead, I base my vacations on three factors…my personal schedule, what experiences are available throughout the year at Walt Disney World and what I want to get out of this trip.

I first look at my own personal schedule to see what works for me personally.  Being in education, I am not an advocate of taking children older than 3rd grade out of school for extended periods of time but I also know that every situation is unique and different.  Someday I will tackle the “Should I Take my Child out of School to go to Disney” debate on this blog.

Next, I look at what experiences are available throughout the year and what I want to get from the trip. Let’s look at special events throughout the year that make each trip special and unique…

  • January-New Year’s Celebrations, Christmas decorations still up throughout the first week of January, Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, Epcot International Festival of the Arts
  • February-Princess Half Marathon Weekend
  • March-Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival
  • April- Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival, Easter Celebrations. Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend
  • July-4th of July Celebrations
  • September-Fall Decorations, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival, Night of Joy Concert Series
  • October- Fall Decorations, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival
  • November-Fall & Christmas Decorations, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival, Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
  • December- Christmas Decorations, Candlelight Processional in Epcot, Christmas Around the World in Epcot and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

2013-10-03 23.46.25 (3)So, when is my favorite time to go to Walt Disney World? I absolutely love traveling the end of October/beginning of November for several reasons. First, the weather is a pleasant mid 80s cool enough to enjoy the parks and the resort pool. It is absolutely beautiful during this time of the year.  You get to experience the best of both the Fall and Christmas Seasons.  If you time it just right you can attend the last of the Mickey’s No So Scary Halloween parties and the Fall decorations, then watch the magical transformation to the Christmas season and see the snow fall on Main Street during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.  In addition, that means runDIsney’s Wine & Dine Photo1026FourBySixHalf Marathon Weekend will be taking place along with Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival.  So many fun things to see and do! Also, crowd levels are generally moderate in size this time of the year, which makes dining and FastPass+ reservations easier to make, plus easier to handle during the day in the parks.

In the end, you must decide what works best for you and your travel party, because there is no wrong time to take a trip to the most “Magical Place on Earth.”

What are you waiting for? I can help you pick the perfect time for your travel party and then assist you in your planning needs.

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

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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.

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Then there was the hot cocoa and cookies…

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

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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.